“Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air … but only for one second without hope.”
Hope means “wishful thinking” to some people. But to us Christians hope is the confidant expectation we have that is based on a specific promise from God.
There are many promises that Christians can claim. We believe that the all powerful, faithful God will keep His promises to us in due time. We must be careful to distinguish between His promises to the Jewish nation and those that are given to the church. If you don’t do this you could become very disillusioned and bitter toward God and others.
Consider the promise Jesus gave to His disciples just prior to His going to the cross to die for our sins. He said, “…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2, 3).
The Apostle Peter predicted that there would be skeptics who would scoff at this promise. They don’t realize that 1,000 years to us is like a day to God, and that He is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:3-9).
The hope of Christ’s any moment return for us can have a threefold effect on us.
“A Blessed Hope”
It can bring great joy and happiness into our lives as we think about this possibility. When the Rapture happens it’s not the end of this present world. There are at least 1,007 years left before the Lord destroys this earth and creates new heavens and a new earth.
But once Jesus returns at “The Rapture” for His true church, awful things will begin to transpire as the devil is allowed by God to establish his one world government and a one world church. Thankfully it will last only seven years.
Then Jesus Christ will return to this earth and destroy all His enemies and establish His millennial kingdom of peace and righteousness on earth. True Christians won’t be here on earth during the seven years of tribulation. Are you a true Christian?
“A Purifying Hope”
The possibility of Christ’s any moment return will help motivate us to live pure lives. We wouldn’t want to be doing anything that would bring shame or embarrassment on us. God Himself is holy and pure. He wants all of His children to live morally pure lives in a polluted world. With God’s help, it’s possible.
“A Comforting Hope”
Until the Lord Jesus Christ returns at the Rapture, people will continue to die physically (Hebrews 9:27). Where a person spends eternity will depend on what he did in response to God’s command to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
What is the “Good News” we must believe to be saved? It is that Christ died for our sins and rose again bodily from the grave on the third day.
Those Christians who have placed their faith in Christ alone will be saved from the Lake of Fire (Hell) and spend eternity with God. No amount of good works can save you (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
Salvation is a FREE gift that is offered to all mankind. Sadly, most people don’t reach out and accept it from God. Have you received it by faith?
When fellow believers die we sorrow but not as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). We know that we shall see them again with their new, heavenly bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).
“Our Hope”
One might ask, “What is our hope?” You don’t have to live your life wondering if you will go to heaven when you die. You can be sure today.
God has given us a wonderful promise to claim. “These things I (the Apostle John) have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know (right now) that you have eternal life…” (1 John 5:13).
You might be the last person to place your faith in Christ before He returns for us. If God has been speaking to your heart through these words, why not trust Him right now?
If you made a decision to accept Christ as your personal Savior, please call us at 805-238-3549 and let us know about it. Also visit our web site at http://www.kelseypeach.com for additional help.
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