MARANATHA

READING: MATTHEW 24:29-31

Verse 30: “Then the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Each year we joyously celebrate the wonder of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. After each Christmas, as we gratefully look forward to the New Year to come, we should not relent in our expressions of joy and wonder. Along with our on going respect for His advent, it is appropriate and necessary to also be aware that He will return soon. In Revelation 22, Jesus repeats three times the promise that He is coming back. While He was on earth, Jesus did all that was needed to obtain salvation and a place in the Kingdom of God for all who accept His offer of the gospel and salvation. However, He did not manifest all there is that constitutes the fullness of His nature and character. He was not seen during those years as He will be seen according to the Revelation 19 description of His return. At that time He will display the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God against all evil. As stated in the quote above, He will display power and great glory. It is proper to remember the joy and wonder associated with His birth, but we must also look forward with focused anticipation to the power and glory of His return. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What is your primary thought about the return of the Lord?

2. Why is information about His return important to us?