Eagerly waiting

Musings from the Garden

By Peggy Wyar

Anticipation, joyful expectation, hopefully looking forward…do these describe how you feel about the coming return of Jesus? The Bible has numerous scriptures describing His return. There are quotes from Jesus explaining what it will look like. There are Old and New Testament prophecies that give us assurance of His return, and we know His arrival is much closer than it was 2000 years ago.

 But, are we ready?

 If you were expecting a dear relative from far away coming to visit for the holidays, you would prepare the room where they would be sleeping. You would grocery shop for extra food, planning meals that would delight your guest. You would have their favorite games ready. Special touches would be added within your home to make it more comfortable for them. You would prepare to the best of your ability to make the environment as pleasant as possible. You would want to bless them as much as you could because you love them and haven’t seen them in a long time.

 In much the same way we can prepare our hearts for the appearing of our Savior and King. In Philippians 3:20-21 we are told that we are citizens of a different kingdom, and we are eagerly waiting for the Savior from there to come and transform our bodies into heavenly ones. Hebrews 9:28 tells us that Jesus will return to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him. Having our hearts ready to receive this salvation means we have first trusted Jesus for our redemption from sin.

 If our hearts are securely transferred to the Lord’s safe keeping, then we are ready for His return. We can rest contentedly in the hope of our salvation and the assurance that Jesus is coming to take us to our heavenly home to be with Him. Jesus refers to us as His bride. He is our Bridegroom. Once a couple decides to marry, the anticipation of the wedding day becomes a major focus. They spend time planning and buying and preparing all the details that go into making that day memorable. We have been blessed with a Bridegroom who has a thought of every detail and has orchestrated all things to be ready at just the right time. When He comes for us, we will enjoy an amazing wedding feast in celebration of our union with Christ.

 Revelations 19:6-8 NIV
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
  For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad
  and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
  and his bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and clean,
  was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)”

Having done all things for us, Jesus still asks us to show our love for Him in return. He wants us clothed with the proper wedding clothes so we aren’t ashamed when we finally see Him face to face.

1 John 5:3-5 NIV
 “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

The fine linen we will wear will be a gift from our Bridegroom because we overcame through faith. We read in the letters to the seven churches in Revelations 2-3 what Jesus promises to those who overcome. He will give the right to eat from the tree of life which is in paradise. Those who overcome will not be hurt by the second death. They will receive new names, hidden manna, the morning star, a white stone, and white clothing. They will have a lasting place in the temple of God, sitting with Jesus on His throne and being given authority over nations. As born-again believers trusting in the gift of our salvation, we have much to look forward to at Jesus’ return.

So as we wait in eager expectation, remember the hope we have and the faithfulness of the One for whom we are waiting. Then we can say with joyful anticipation, “Come, Lord Jesus”.

Titus 2: 11-14 NIV 
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

1 Corinthians 1:7-8 NIV
“Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”