The King Will Come Again
1 Thessalonians 4:13; 2 Peter 3:3-14
"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon'. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen."
(Revelation 22:20-21)
What a thrilling prospect: Jesus will come again in glory! He will usher in a new heaven and a new earth, bringing everything to perfection. Sin and death will be no more. There will be no pain, no regret, no disappointment, no loss. Every tear will be wiped away by the King Himself.
Each of us will be perfect - and that includes having perfect bodies to replace our present creaking frames! The King will have work for each of us to do in the new order. Forget about those notions of harps and clouds!
The coming of all things new doesn't mean we should consider our present responsibilities and struggles to be not worthwhile. All that is done for the King here will be of use there. Nothing is wasted of all the good we accomplish for the King in this life; He will incorporate it into the new order.
We read in Revelation 21:24-26 that the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into the new Jerusalem - the new order - and that the glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.
INSIGHT
What quality of work should we be doing right now in light of the fact that it will be used for an eternity?
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Zechariah 5-9
Proverbs 29
Revelation 15-17
1 Thessalonians 4:13;
The Coming of the Lord
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
2 Peter 3:3-14
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.[a]
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
Footnotes:
a. 2 Peter 3:10 Some manuscripts be burned up
b. 2 Peter 3:12 Or as you wait eagerly for the day of God to come
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