When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Summary: In this passage, Paul gives us an exciting clue about the future.
What happens when our lives are “hidden [or guarded] with Christ in God?”
In this passage, Paul answers that question. When Christ appears, then we who are “with Christ” appear with him in glory.
Paul’s answer raises a lot of questions. The first question is “How does Paul know this?”
While it is possible the other Apostles told Paul about Jesus’ own words on this subject (Matthew 24:30), the obvious source is Jesus himself (Galatians 1:11-12). Paul learned his Gospel from the Lord directly, which is why we consider his words authoritative.
Next question.
If Jesus is coming again, when will he come, and how?
There are a lot of different ideas about when Jesus will return. Many people believe that the times we are living through right now are a sign that the Lord’s return is close. Others believe that Jesus’ return is a long way off. Jesus himself says that no one knows except the Father (Matthew 24:36).
So why worry? Right?
Jesus has an interesting take on this. He says, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12:40). He tells an interesting parable about a man who leaves town for a while and leaves one of his servants in charge (Luke 12: 42-48). When he doesn’t come back for a long time, the servant starts to take advantage of his position, and the master returns to find his servant drunk and abusing the other servants. Needless to say, it doesn’t go well for the evil servant.
If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we’ll be ready.
Another question concerns what it means to appear with Jesus in glory.
Here again, I am cautious about offering an answer. The Jews expected Jesus the Messiah to come for centuries before he arrived. Unfortunately, their predictions about Jesus were off … way off. They were so far off regarding how they expected Jesus to appear and what they expected him to do that they missed him altogether.
I don’t want to be like that.
Is there any chance we will miss the second coming?
Not likely. Jesus says, “… just as lightning flashes and shines from one end of the sky to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his time” (Luke 17:224). Nobody is going to miss that!
Application: Trust Jesus.
Food for Thought: What would you say to someone so worried about Jesus’ second coming that they forget to live for Jesus now?
What would you say to someone so worried about Jesus’ second coming that they forget to live for Jesus now?
I think I would remind them that Christ is here now, living within us and all around us, and our departure from this earth (in whatever capacity) is not to be feared but celebrated in hope. That in living for Christ today, He dispels the fear of tomorrow. I think I would remind them that through Christ “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) and Christ came to give us “life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b)
Ephesians 3:17-19 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Thank you, Chris!
The awareness of the real-time presence of Jesus is SO VERY IMPORTANT. Thank you for reminding us!
Good devotion brother. I like the emphasis of your questions.
Two thoughts on the question given to us.
1. first, if we are truly concerned about Jesus coming for us, we should want Him to find us being about His business and doing what He commanded us to do.
1 John 2: 28: And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
We are going to be ready if we continue in Him and live for Him.
He told us what to do until He returns. Acts 1: 8: Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2. Second, I am not sure many people are so concerned about Jesus coming that they forget to live for Him. I think the opposite is more likely. I think we tend not to be thinking about His coming for us and fix our gaze upon the world. I have heard people say, “they are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” But I think what we tend to see is people so earthly minded that they are no heavenly good.
Thank you, Rich!
Being about our Lord’s business is what it is all about. Amen!
Great responses from CH and R!
What would you say to someone so worried about Jesus’ second coming that they forget to live for Jesus now?
Mankind has access Gods eternal word which proclaims His truths to all. For our benefit, God has taken the time to speak these truths into the hearts of chosen individuals, who have been guided to accurately record these for our benefit.
TO SOME, THERE IS A CALL TO BE ALERT! ALMOST A WARNING
1 Thessalonians 5:2, For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Matthew 24:44, So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 25:13, Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
2 Peter 3:10, But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
TO OTHERS GOD IS GIVING ASSURANCE OF HIS COMING FOR HIS PEOPLE!
1 Peter 5:4, And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Titus 2:13, While we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:10, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
1 John 2:28, And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
We should strive to be found in the camp receiving assurance.
Ron,
You have a very interesting take on this today! Thank you. 🙂
Yes, like so many things in Scripture, the Word is a two-edged sword. Warning and Assurance sound about right.