Matthew 24:30
The scripture for today is Matthew 24:30
Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
In the midst of the darkness that surrounds us is the blessed hope that gleams from heaven. The hope of Christ's second coming. In that hope is light and peace for every troubled soul. The same Jesus who died for mankind will come again and save His people from everlasting death. His work of redemption for the human race will not be complete until He returns to restore mankind to all that was lost through Adam's transgression.
This is no secret rapture with people silently disappearing. This is Jesus coming with great glory and loud announcements to take His children home! "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 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:52,53 God will give every follower of Jesus the gift of immortality.
What a time of rejoicing for the redeemed, but what a time of distress for the unbelieving. They are lost and they will know it! What a sad picture, when Jesus had already given Himself for everyone, offered everyone salvation and they chose to reject His love, chose to reject His sacrifice, chose to reject His everlasting life. Nothing is more important on earth than being ready to meet Jesus when He comes. The things that mankind esteems will seem so utterly worthless on that day.
There will be a people ready to meet Him, the prophet Isaiah said: "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isaiah 25:9 These are the ones who have been watching and waiting for that glorious day. These waiting saints have heard the message of scripture. They have prepared to meet the coming King and the setting up of His kingdom of glory. The Bible says He is coming like a thief in the night. Friends, that does not mean that He is going to sneak in and sneak out quietly; that means that we don't know when He is coming. A thief doesn't announce when He is coming, he comes when you least expect him. Praise God, Jesus is coming soon!
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim