Thoughts of His return

Today my thoughts are taken up with our Lord’s promise to return for His church. I think of His words in Jn 14.2-3, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” O the joy of that promise! O the blessing of those precious words to my soul! Will you pause and think with me a moment?

Take your thoughts off your sorrow and look above your grief. With the eyes of your all-triumphant faith see your Lord coming for you. He splits the eastern sky with His glorious appearing, a glory so bright and heavenly that the brightness of the sun appears as black as night. The clouds are rolled back in a moment, refusing to hide Him from our view any longer. All creation bows before Him and makes way for His arrival in full acknowledgement of their Creator. At long last, He who promised to come again has come. He rides in on His white horse victorious over your sin as the Lamb of God, victorious over your enemy, the devil, as the Lion of Judah, victorious over your death as the Living One, victorious over your hell as the Righteous One.

His angels gather you up with all the saints and usher you to His side, His right side, as a sheep of His fold. You’re clothed in the white robe of a Bride and the feast of the Marriage Supper is all ready. He welcomes you to His Table, feeds you on the bread of heaven and the wine that makes not only the heart but, at last, the soul glad. Now you know, now you understand, the nature of true communion with Him as your Head.

Around the Table of His fellowship, you join your voice in singing Hallelujahs and Hosannas to Him who sits at the head, to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who wears the crown. You sing the song which none can learn but the chosen number. Your heart swells with a joy and a peace like you’ve never known. It swells with a happiness so great and fulfilling that it far surpasses anything you thought possible. You remember His promise in Jn 15.11, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” and smile with tears of joy and happiness.

Best of all, you realize that His presence with you, His fellowship with you, and His joy being poured into your heart will never end. You realize that you’ve entered eternity. Your happiness and joy will never, ever end. After a million ages, followed by a trillion more, you’re no nearer the end than you were when He came for you. He has ushered you into the eternal joy and Kingdom of His Father. Your happiness will never be taken away from you. There is no danger of loss or cross, no danger of devil or demon, no danger of sin or suffering. All is well, eternally well, with your soul in His hands.

Dear friend, do you realize how short the interval is between now and then? Do you realize how quickly He will come (Rev 22.20)? Let the near prospect of that eternal triumph blunt your present grief, scatter all your troubles like the morning mist, and spread peace in your hearts. You shall soon know Him as you expect, praise Him as you aspire to, and love Him as you desire, for you shall see Him as He promised. Therefore while you wait for Him, live as one who’s looking for Him. Live as one who won’t be surprised by His coming. Live as one of whom He will not be ashamed when He appears. For your salvation is closer now than when you first believed (Rom 13.11).