Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 5 & 6; Hebrews 10; Amos 4; Psalms 148 – 150
Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
These words were written about two thousand years ago. Does that negate the message of the Bible? The second coming of Jesus Christ is an anticipated even by all believers. And for you and me it might seem like it has been a long time, but remember what the Bible says:
2 Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
From God’s perspective, it has only been a couple of days. Jesus once waited two days in the same place before he went to resurrect Lazarus (John 11). He is not tarrying, he is longsuffering! Jesus will return and his return will be soon. He is patient with us because he wants everyone to come to repentance. The time of waiting for the Lord’s return is a time for proclaiming the gospel. It is a time for anticipating his return and being about his business until he comes. In the larger scope of eternity, it will seem like a very short time between his first and second comings!
Do you look forward to the coming of Jesus? Are you expectantly waiting for him? Jesus gives us some illustrations in the New Testament of him being the bridegroom and the church being his bride. During our time of waiting, here is what we should be doing:
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Please notice that it is the Spirit and the bride that say, “Come.” The invitation to come to faith in Jesus Christ comes from the Holy Spirit and the church. As we wait, we are to be inviting others to come to Jesus!
We are also to be exhorting one another and provoking one another to love and to good deeds within the church (Hebrews 10:24-25). The Bible says we should be doing this “so much the more as ye see the day approaching”. Can you see the day of the coming of Christ approaching? The signs are all around us. The time is near. It will only be little while and he will come. Are you ready? Are those you know and love ready? Have you invited them to come?
In Christ,
Rody
