Even though our hearts fail us in these evil days, when sign after sign predicts the great and terrible Day of Judgment is drawing near, we who are the Lord's can lift up our heads in joyful expectation. For all of these terrifying signs are for us unfolding buds on the tree of time pointing to our final and everlasting redemption at the Lord's final Advent.
But we could have no such joyful expectations without the Lord's first Advent. Without His coming as a gentle child to save us, we could only quake in dread and fear when He comes as the powerful Lord to judge us. Unless He first gave us His perfect life as our own, we could never stand in confident joy before His judgment seat. And unless He had first suffered the full wrath of God for our sins through His death on the cross, we would stand in those sins and have nothing to look forward to but the torment of His unending punishment in hell.
But because of Christ's first Advent, his Second Coming on Judgment Day will be our great day of emancipation! He will bring us eternal redemption from sin, which here causes so much pain and suffering. He will bring us eternal redemption from death that here still frightens with its dark specter of sickness, pain, and sorrow at the grave of our loved ones. He will bring us eternal redemption from the power of the devil, who daily assails us with his temptations to unbelief, despair, and other great shame. On that day, all of our trials and hardships will end. God will wipe away all our tears from our eyes, and there will be no more sorrow and no more pain for the former things will pass away. We will have everlasting joy. Though we all must appear before the court of divine justice, we are saved and declared not guilty. We are saved and redeemed through the Word of our Savior.
THE PRAYER: Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son that He may lead home His bride, the Church, that we with all the redeemed may enter into Your eternal Kingdom. Amen.
Written by Pastor Scott Roberts
Living Faith (Mission)
Marine City, Michigan
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