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 (1 Thessalonians 4:17). The Lord spoke of this blessed hope to His disciples in John 14:2-3, “… I go to prepare a place for you. And if l 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 (1 Thessalonians 4:17). What a happy reunion that will be! Husbands and wives shall be joined again, broken family circles restored, friends and loves 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). The hour is coming when the sons of God shall see the Son of God, and “… we shall be like him; for 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 (Romans 8:19,22). 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 (Isaiah 3 5).
A HOPE OF REWARD
When our glorious King returns, He shall bring His rewards with Him (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.