Reply To: Eschatology Discussion Board

[Ben]

When I Think of the Coming of Christ.

When I think of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, I’m left in awe and full of anticipation. I will get to see my Lord and will have to deal with life from a new reality. I want to say unimaginable but thank God I have something to feed my mind with and a reality to be imagined as I live in full anticipation of that day. The word of God puts my heart and mind in the following spiritual realities:

1. The reality of seeing my Lord and Savior Jesus 1 John 3:2, and being changed bodily. My body will eventually catch up with my spirit. My body will be redeemed and I’ll forever be with my Lord.

2. The reality of being called forth and rewarded. Revelations 22:12, Philippians 3:14, Matthew 25:20-23. I recall the song, “when the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there”. What will it be like? I ask myself. Nothing really on earth can fully or best describe this moment. But I’ll be called upon and rewarded for my works in his name. Hence, I am guided to do what he calls me to do. I will see him smile and say to me, “I’ve always known you…I know you Ben” And he will say to me, “well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Lord. So, I’m off and running my race for the price. Not that I have attained like Paul said (Philippians 3:12-14). Emphatically no! But this I do every day, to let go of my past and of any weight or sin and run with patience my race. I’m therefore mindful of my works.

3. My joy of presenting the souls won. Romans 10:15. It will be like bringing in the sheaves during harvest. I know there will be joy and rejoicing to see souls I ministered to by his enablement. Everything I do, everything he leads me into, even at this phase of my life and ministry, is to draw all men unto him. That’s basically what I live for.

4. Urgency! Urgency! 2 Corinthians 5:20, Ephesians 5:15-17. There’s a call to answer. A call to minister the gospel and to lead men in the way of truth. A call to walk not as a fool, but wise and understanding the will of God for the times I am in. Just like Jesus, I must be about the work of my Father. If he is coming again, then I will give account of my days. I want to give a worthy testimony. I want to say I did and finished what you sent me to do and not another business. This makes me sober and keeps me guided in my ways. I don’t live anyhow not because I earned my salvation by my performance but because I am set on a course that I must follow. It is my desire to follow through to that end when I see him.