Our Ultimate Hope

I'm sure all of us had times in our lives when we awaited some great event. Whether it was graduation from high school or college, or a visit from a long-lost friend, there's that anticipation that kept us on our toes. We didn't get involved in activities which took up our whole attention but kept in mind the approaching event.

Christ's return as the King of Kings is one event all born-again believers long for. As Paul wrote in Titus 2:13 (BBE), we must be "Looking for the glad hope, the revelation of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ;"

The Apostle Paul also admonished his readers, and us too, to be watchful and not distracted by pleasures like our worldly neighbours. We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (BBE), "But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation."

We also read about staying alert for the Lord's return in 1 Peter 1:13 (BBE)which says,  "So make your minds ready, and keep on the watch, hoping with all your power for the grace which is to come to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"

Though we don't like to admit it, we're in a war with Satan and his demons. That's why Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:3-5 (BBE), "Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus. A fighting man, when he is with the army, keeps himself free from the business of this life so that he may be pleasing to him who has taken him into his army. And if a man takes part in a competition he does not get the crown if he has not kept the rules."

We also have those wonderful promises in the last book in the Bible. Revelation 21:4 (BBE) promises us, "And he will put an end to all their weeping; and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain; for the first things have come to an end."

On Saturday, if Christ doesn't return first, I hope to post about a beautiful song and a pleasureable activity I remember from childhood.