WATCHWORD:
7 “The Father sets those dates,” he replied, “and they are not for you to know. 8 But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and resurrection.” Acts 1:7-8
13 Next I saw the arrival of a Man—or so he seemed to be—brought there on clouds from heaven; he approached the Ancient of Days and was presented to him. 14 He was given the ruling power and glory over all the nations of the world, so that all people of every language must obey him. His power is eternal—it will never end; his government shall never fall. Daniel 7:13-14
24 “After the tribulation ends, then the sun will grow dim and the moon will not shine, 25 and the stars will fall—the heavens will convulse. 26 “Then all mankind will see me, the Messiah, coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And I will send out the angels to gather together my chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest bounds of earth and heaven. Mark 13:24-27
Meditation:
The Second Coming
(The following Meditation was inspired by Tom Wright’s commentaries
found in his series entitled New Testament for Everyone.)
What are your thoughts on the Second Coming of Christ? With some frequency, we read the Apostle’s Creed which tells us that Jesus will come again to “judge the living and the dead.” Hmm, what do you think that means?
Another concept, popular among some groups of Christians, is “the rapture” of the church. One definition is “a feeling of intense pleasure or joy”, but that doesn’t quite fit when matched up with the Second Coming. The Christian definition of the rapture is “the transporting of believers to heaven at the Second coming of Christ. That’s a much better fit.
The Biblical perspective is the confidence that Jesus will one day return to this world, restore creation, heal his people, and make all things new. The Second Coming of Christ.
In Tom Wright’s commentary, entitled “The Hope of Jesus’ Second Coming”, he says it’s not about God sweeping down and scooping up his people to rescue us from a dying planet. Rather it is about Jesus returning to redeem the earth, heal his people, sort out all that is wrong, and reigning in glory.
Now, as we wait for that day, we’re not to spend our time gazing into the sky, wondering when and how Jesus will arrive. There are all kinds of fanciful scenarios in churches how that will come to be, but Jesus has already told us what we are to do in the meantime. We are to take care of his creation, love each other, share his grace, seek justice, celebrate beauty, and live with the confidence that Jesus, indeed, will return one day. Let us not hold our breath, but continue to walk as he taught us. Amen.
The Jesus Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen
