Waiting for Jesus

“He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

(Revelation 22:20 ESV)

 

Life has always been full of problems and complications. Mankind has always faced struggles of one kind or another. In fact, as we read through history, it’s amazing to see what people have endured.

 

As believers, we are not exempt from this reality. We live in a world of sin. We live in bodies of sin. And, for this reason, we will experience the consequences of sin.

 

We look at everything going on in our world and around our nation, and we wonder how much longer we’ll have to endure. We would love to have God bring the problems that 2020 has brought to the table to an end. We would love to see things return to “normal.”

 

As we look at the book of Revelation, we see that, as the end approaches, there will be times of difficulty. This shouldn’t be unexpected. However, we also receive a wonderful hope.

 

We’re assured that Jesus is returning soon. We’re assured that he’s bringing his recompense with him. And we’re assured that those who wash their robes, who receive the cleansing provided by Jesus, will have the right to the tree of life and enter into the city, the new Jerusalem, by the gates (Revelation 20:12-14).

 

We must realize, as believers, that our hope is not in this world. It’s not in politicians. It’s not in military might. Nor is it in scientific insight and advancement.

 

We aren’t waiting for the world to get better. We aren’t waiting for people to straighten up. We aren’t waiting for the wise to eliminate the problems that we face. We are waiting for Jesus.

 

We are waiting for Jesus because, when he returns, all of these problems will become a thing of the past. When Jesus returns, the wicked will be removed from our presence. And our sin will become a thing of the past as we’re transformed into the image of Christ.

 

We’re awaiting the new creation, where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. We’re awaiting the new heavens and earth, where sin and its consequences are no more. We’re awaiting the eternal kingdom of God, in which we’ll forever dwell.

 

For this reason, as Jesus assures us that he’ll return soon, we can say, along with John: “Come, Lord Jesus!” We can look forward to his return with hope. We can anticipate his coming with a confident assurance.

 

This, in fact, is what we should do. Our only hope is Christ and his redemption. Our only hope is the deliverance he’s provided for us by his death on the cross.