The New Testament puts forth the return of Christ and the accompanying resurrection as the grounding of our future hope. Christ is reigning from heaven now and we are enjoying new life in the Spirit as believers, but something greater awaits! Christ is coming again (Acts 1:11). This should be the focus for the Christian, the goal and hope for which we pray and yearn. I’d like to highlight a few of the glories that will attend his coming. No doubt many more could be added, but for today, let these promises give you hope.
1. Jesus will be seen and acknowledged by all
Every single day the world blasphemes the God of glory. Throughout the world, the Lord of Creation is ignored, doubted, slandered, not worshiped, not glorified, not beloved, not acknowledged even to exist. When Jesus comes again, all the world will see him and tremble. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2. Jesus will overcome the world
The world often oppresses the servants of Christ, but on the day of the Lord they will have to answer to the master. All the kingdoms of this world, all the wicked systems, evil cultural practices, unjust institutions will be finished and called to account. There will be an end to idolatry. There will be one King and his rule will be undisputed. Rev. 11:15 says “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
3. Jesus will judge the Devil
The great enemy of man has been with us from the beginning (Gen. 3). He is the Tempter, the Thief, the Adversary, the murderer. As the gospel floods the earth, Jesus breaks people free from his rule (Col. 1:13-14). Until the end of this age, Satan will do his work, but Christ will continue to overcome him. On the day of Lord’s return the fight will end. The accuser of the saints will never accuse you again. He will be silenced and he will be sentenced. Satan and all his demons will be hurled into the lake of fire.
4. Jesus will bring justice to sinners
This can be difficult for us to grapple with, and no doubt it is painful to consider that many will mourn the day of Christ because it will be the end for them. However, the Scriptures assure us that this is a good thing (Matt. 13:37-43). Those who put all their hopes in this world will have it all stripped away and stand before Jesus. God does not delight in the death of the wicked (Ezk. 18:23), but God must and will bring justice to those who refused to repent of sin and embrace his Son in faith. Those who will not submit to the king can have no part in the kingdom. It is a good work of God to bring justice to sinners, lest sin continue forever. God’s perfect justice demands to put an end to the sinful rebellion against his name and glory and kingdom. His patience will be at an end and peace will be the result.
5. Jesus will glorify his saints in resurrection
In this world, Christians may not be successful, or considered beautiful, or wealthy, or impressive, or powerful. But on the day of the Lord you who are in Christ will be raised up in glory. You will wear righteousness like a robe. All the world will see and know who belongs to the Lord, and he will honor us as sons and daughters of the king, inheritors of the kingdom who will reign with him forever. You will be crowned and counted among the saints. Paul calls this the revealing of the sons of God (Rom. 8:19). You will receive a resurrection body like Christ’s and be fit for eternity (1 Cor. 15:50-57).
6. Jesus will unite all his people
All God’s people from all time will be one. Moses will have dinner with King David and the Apostle Paul and Martha, Abraham, Sarah, and… you. Those family members in Christ who we lost, we will see again forever. The unity we struggled to maintain on earth will disappear. Hard feelings, disagreements, theological disputes will melt away and we will all be one in Christ.
7. Jesus will lift the curse and make all things new
The world will never be the same. The curse will be wiped away. Disease, aging, and death will be no more. All of creation, which has chafed under our dominion since the fall and often fought against us and failed us, will produce fruit abundantly forever. The garden paradise will become a reality.
8. Jesus will make our joy complete
Every tear wiped, every sorrow comforted, every trial behind us, only joy inexpressible and filled with glory. What we now only taste in moments of worship, what we sample in prayer, what we spy as from afar in the Word of God we will have in full, without end. You will never be bored again, disappointed, lacking in wonder.
No matter what else we may gain in the world to come, we will be in the presence of God. And that is enough; this is really the point. The covenant relationship is always summarized thus: God will be our God and we will be his people. We belong together. On the day of Christ, we will be. Forever. Crowns and mansions and glory await, but Christ is the treasure.
“We are apt to think the happiness of heaven is in being free from pain and misery; but the very essence of happiness is the enjoyment and fruition of God. God is an infinite inexhaustible fountain of joy; and to have him, is to have all.” ~Thomas Watson
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 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.” | John 14:1-3
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