Maranatha

Revelation 14:12–16

"Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped."

So we have quite established that we need not worry about reading or sharing about the Book of Revelation. I read somewhere that says "The book of Revelation is understandable. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery." So yes, God is going to judge this earth and renew it. And yes, our Lord Jesus Christ is actually/literally coming a second time and it will be known and recognized by all. Now, based on this what can we glean? Not to preempt any content of the January 2015 sermon series at church, I can think of three considerable practical applications to the reality of the Lord's Second Coming: (1) It is a call to moral living/holiness or Christlikeness. In sharp contrast to what I shared regarding what cosmologists said about the end of our physical reality as it is that "preparation is as impossible as it is futile" (Adams and Laughlin), we can actually ready ourselves to meet our Lord. This ought to be an incentive for us to live lives that are holy and blameless without spot and to be at peace with ourselves, with others as we note in the letter of the apostle Peter: "Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace." (2 Pet 3:14) We want to be found living lives that are honoring to Christ when He returns. Secondly, (2) It is an incentive to be engaged in fulfilling the Great Commission. We are called to proclaim the Good News, and make disciples. Christian philosopher Dr. Bill Craig goes so far as to say: "This is the work that is given to us to do until Christ returns – not just to live life enjoying ourselves or fulfilling other obligations, but first and foremost, to be engaged in the work of the Great Commission... When either our own death comes or when Christ returns and brings about the end of the world, it will be too late then to be doing this work that God has given us to do. We still have time to be engaged in fruitful ministry, fruitful labor, for Christ until he returns. So we ought to be involved in fulfilling this Great Commission that he has given to the church." Finally, (3) Christ's Second Coming is the basis for our hope —our blessed hope which is the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. "marana tha!" exclaimed the early Christian church in their native language, Aramaic, and passed on by the apostle Paul (maranatha) in Greek or "our Lord, come!" This anticipation is for the completion of God's redemptive work in us when we finally receive our new resurrection bodies, and all pain, hurt, sorrows and all tears will be wiped dry and God will make all things new. So we should not think about the end of the world or the return of Christ with fear or anxiety. On the contrary, this is what we long for.

Isaiah 9:2–7

"The people who walked in darkness

Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death. Upon them a light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation

And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian. For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end; Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom; To order it and establish it with judgment and justice, from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

~17.11.2014

Sources: William Lane Craig, Doctrine of the Last Things, Defenders Class