The Old Testament Scriptures predicted the coming of a
Messiah who would be both a Saviour and a King. Prophecy became
history in Jesus Christ. At His first coming, ” … the LORD hath laid on
him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6), and when He comes again,
” … the government shall be upon his shoulder … ” {Isaiah 9:6).
The Lord’s return for the church and His subsequent coming
with the church to reign over the earth forms the Christian hope and
solution to the problems of a chaotic world. The Scripture reveals
numerous blessings bound up in that wonderful hope.
A HOPE OF RESURRECTION
The Apostle Paul tells us that following the archangel’s shout,
announcing the coming of Christ, believers in Christ who have died
shall be raised (1 Thessalonians 4: 16). This is the first resurrection or
the resurrection of life (John 5:28-29).
The happy state of those sharing resurrection at Christ’s
coming is described in Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he
that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death
hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
A HOPE OF RAPTURE
Immediately following the resurrection of the dead in Christ,
believers who are living at that time shall be caught up to meet the
Lord in the air, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians
4: 17). The Lord spoke of this blessed hope to His disciples in John
14:2-3, ” … 1 go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.”
A HOPE OF REUNION
Resurrected believers and living saints are to be caught up
together to meet the Lord in the air “Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord”(1 Thessalonians 4:17). What a happy reunion that will be! Husbands
and wives shall be joined again, broken fam1ly circles restored,
friends and loved ones shall meet, never to be parted again.
A HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of
righteousness by faith” (Galatians 5:5). “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; f or we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). God has predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Romans 8:29). Not only to be sinless but to be unable to sin! “And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).
A HOPE OF RESTORATION
The redemptive work of Christ shall then lift the curse of sin
from the whole groaning creation. “For the earnest expectation of
the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God
(Romans 8:19). “For we know that the whole creation groaneth
and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). Then
shall the desert bloom as a rose, and thorns and thistles shall give
way to fruitful vines and trees. The lion and the lamb shall lie down
together. All nature shall rejoice and bring forth in abundance (read
Isaiah 35).
HOPE OF REWARD
When our glorious King returns, He shall bring His rewards
with Him, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with
me, to give every man according as his work shall be”
(Revelation 22: 12). Every act of kindness done in His name, all work
built upon the foundation Christ Jesus, which abides the test of His
judgment, shall be richly rewarded.
A HOPE OF REIGNING
Those who follow the path of humiliation marked out by
His nail-pierced feet shall be exalted with Him. ” … and they shall
reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). The willing victim of
the cross shall one day wear the victor’s crown. The Saviour shall
be acclaimed Sovereign. He shall be glorified in the innumerable
hosts of the redeemed!