The Future of Israel Demands It
In Paul’s day Gentiles were coming into the church in greater numbers than Jewish converts and in Romans 11, Paul reminded them, Romans 11:17 (NLT2) 17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. But the time is coming when the natural branches will be grafted back into the olive tree Romans 11:23-24 (NLT2) 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. 24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong. This is a phenomenon that Paul expressly connects with the return of Christ. That is the day when Israel will mourn over the One whom they pierced( Zechariah 12:10) and God will save them all( Romans 11:26)
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The Corruption in the World Demands It
The world is a very wicked place, and Matthew 16:27 (NLT2) when “ the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.” John 5:28-29 (NLT2) 28 Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, 29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment. The blessed hope of every unbeliever ( Titus2:3) is the terror of the world. For the unbelievers, His coming means immediate, impartial judgment ( 1 Thess.1:7-10;Jude 1:14-15; Revelation 19:11-16). For the believers- unbelievable joy- joy unspeakable. Jesus must return in order to execute just retribution on sinners and carry out the judgment He has promised. For some reason, even many in the church, do not want or do not appear to think there will be a judgment. Hebrews 9:27 says,” Just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes the judgment.” Adrian Rogers used to say: Heaven sweet; Hell hot; Judgment sure.” The Program for the Church Demands It
God is currently “taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name”( Acts15:14) and gathering His elect into one great body, the church. The church’s role is to be like a pure bride for God’s own Son, ready to be presented to Him at His Second Coming. Paul uses that wedding imagery in 2 Corinthians 11:2 (NLT2) 2 For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ. Marriage is a beautiful metaphor that pictures Christ’s love and care for His church( Matthew 25; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:6-9). And that is why we can be certain He will return to claim His bride, the church, just as He promised in John 14:2-3 (NLT2) 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. He will come back to get His bride. 3.The Testimony of the Holy Spirit Demands It
Since “ God …cannot lie”( Titus 1:2), His promise guarantees Christ’s return. Jesus is truth in flesh( John14:6) ; so His teaching also confirms the fact of the Second Coming. And the Holy Spirit. Who is called “ the Spirit of truth”( John 14:17;15:26), also testifies of the Second Coming of Christ through the New Testament writers. Whether the apostle Paul ( 1 Cor.1:4-7; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thess.4:16-17) the apostle Peter( 1 Peter1:13; 1 Peter5:4; 2 Peter 3) or the apostle John ( 1 John 3:2), again and again, through the inerrant Scriptures, the Holy spirit adds His witness to that of the Father and the Son- Jesus is coming. 2. The Teaching of Christ Demands It
Christ’s early teaching was filled with references to His Second Coming( Matt.24;Luke 21). When He was on trial for His life, Jesus defended His own deity with a bold declaration of the Second Coming in the most triumphant terms. He told the High Priest,” You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming in the clouds of heaven”( Mark 14:62). On the night of His betrayal, Christ told the disciples,” I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself”( John 14:2-3). Not only is the credibility of God at stake in the Second Coming but so is the credibility of His Son. If Jesus doesn’t return, He is a liar. |
What we Learned on Sunday? Insights, ideas and InspirationWritten by Pastor Chris Hudson Archives
April 2024
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