11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
When Jesus was done with His earthly ministry and substitutionary work for man, and after that He had been raised from death, He promised to return back to earth for the catching up of the saints, God’s children, to abide with Him forever. This is what the Bible refers to as the hope of salvation, or the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, or the rapture (theologically). There is no specific timing attached to Jesus’ return to the earth, but there is a certain season when He will return, and we are in that season; which is known as the end time. The season or time frame of Jesus’s appearing is between the pouring out of the Spirit, Pentecost, and when He eventually comes back to earth. Therefore, every true Christian ought to daily look for the appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, seeing that there is no specific time attached to it. Our opening Scripture tells us that we ought to look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Word of God calls Jesus’ appearing glorious and a blessed hope, and indeed it is! After that people are saved, that is, born again, they need to be constantly reminded of the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s what makes the Christian faith and journey hopeful and thrilling. That’s our blessed hope. Hallelujah!
Christians don’t only believe that Christ died, was raised again and ascended on high; they also believe that He is coming back to receive and present them to the Father, so they might be with Him forever. That’s what the Bible teaches. So, every true Christian hopes for the appearing of Jesus Christ, and this hope impacts positively on the lifestyle of the Christian, the quality of life that he or she lives. 1 John 3:3 says, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Our blessed hope of Jesus’ glorious appearing inspires a life of purity and holiness with godly sincerity and reverence for God; for every Christian that has this hope in Jesus Christ, purifies himself, even as He is pure. Hallelujah! There are two things we need to continually do to prepare for Jesus’ coming: we evangelize our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ; secondly, we keep ourselves pure from the contamination of this world. When last did you meditate on the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you still believe He’s coming back to take you home with Him?
My Solid Front (Confession):
I declare in the Name of Jesus that I earnestly look out for the appearing of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. I prepare my heart daily and by the help of the Holy Spirit, I retain this living hope in me. Amen
Further Meditation:
1 John 2:15-17; 2 Corinthians 7:1