We are coming to the end of the sermon series dealing with “Waiting for the Lord”. So far, we have seen what we are to be doing as we wait for the return of Jesus Christ; what promises He has given us as we wait for His return, and some of the trials, problems and difficulties we may have as we wait for His return.
As we wait for the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we will indeed face difficulties and troubles from time to time and we can get discouraged. When that happens, we need to contemplate and focus on the promises of what awaits us in Heaven. Revelation 21 and 22 give us wonderful glimpses of what we have to look forward to. The Apostle John tells us, “And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth; for the first Heaven and the first Earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. And then I saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Think about it. In the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation, we find that there will be seven “new” things:
Years ago an older gentleman wrote this letter to the preacher Dr. Charles Fuller: “I am interested in Heaven because I have held a clear title to a bit of property there for 55 years now. I didn’t buy it, it was given to me without money, but the owner purchased it for me at tremendous sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation since the title is not transferable. It is not vacant, but for over half a century, I have been sending materials out of which the Great Architect and Builder of the Universe has been building a home for me, which will never need to be remolded or repaired. It will serve me perfectly. Termites can never undermine its foundations, for they rest on the Rock of Ages. Fire cannot destroy it and floods cannot wash it away. No locks or bolts will ever be placed upon its doors, for no evil or vicious person can enter that land where my dwelling stands. Now my mansion is nearly completed, almost ready for me to enter and abide in peace eternally, without fear of being rejected. Yes, I am ready to go. My ticket to Heaven has no date marked for the journey, and I have no return coupon or permit for baggage.”
What a wonderful illustration of this man’s assurance about where he is going after he leaves this life on Earth. The great thing is, we too, each and every one of us, can enjoy the same assurance about Heaven as we wait for the return of Jesus Christ. Heaven will exceed all of our expectations and imagination. There will be no more separation from our Lord, and no more separations from our Christian loved ones. We may not understand it all now, but as the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “Now we see dimly as in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face.” For all of eternity we will savor the awesome wonders of Heaven.
So, as we face the future, as we wait for our Lord’s return, we need to remember that in His Word God tells us that difficult days lie ahead. Rebellion against God, evil activities and violence in this world will not decrease, but rather, will increase. Everyday life will grow ever more difficult for Christians as we become a minority in this country which we live in and love. The Great News is that these troubles will not last forever. Jesus is coming back and He will usher in His eternal Kingdom. Meanwhile, Jesus tells us to keep on watching. Jesus tells us to stay in a state of readiness at all times. He tells us to be involved in spreading the Good News of repentance, forgiveness and salvation unto eternal life through Jesus Christ alone.
We dare not become discouraged over what is taking place in our world, for we have read the final chapter of history. In that chapter we find that with Jesus Christ, we win! Satan, Death and Hell are defeated and thrown into the Lake of Fire and we will dwell in Heaven with Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for all eternity.
Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” I echo the Apostle John’s response, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”