Tag: Jesus is Coming

Object Permanence

John 16

April 13

Object permanence is a milestone babies hit when they begin to understand that an object still exists when they can’t see or hear it. When their mother leaves the room, she still exists; when their favorite toy is hidden under a blanket, it still exists, too. 

Object permanence is a skill Jesus reinforced in his disciples on their final night together, before his arrest and subsequent death. 

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me” (John 16:16).

The disciples mourned Jesus’ death, and they rejoiced at his resurrection just three days later. Even though they could not see Jesus, he wasn’t gone forever. Just like a baby’s favorite toy hidden under a blanket, Jesus was merely out of sight for a little while. 

You and I have never seen Jesus, yet the disciples’ hope is our hope, too. We can’t see Jesus now, but we will someday—when he brings his Father’s Kingdom down to Earth. We have faith that even though we cannot see him, he is real and he is working. After all, faith is the certainty of the things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). 

Although we’ve never seen Jesus, we can see the impact of his life all over our own lives—the freedom of forgiveness, peace in unfathomable situations, victory over temptation and sin. 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). 

We have the same hope as the disciples. We can’t see Jesus now, but we will soon. 

Jesus is coming soon. 

We will see Jesus face to face. 

-Mackenzie McClain

Discussion Questions: 

  1. Even though you’ve never seen Jesus, have you seen evidence of his existence in your life? How so? 
  2. How would you live your life differently if you were constantly reminded of Jesus’ coming return? 
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

The Eternal Gospel

Revelation 14

Revelation 14 6 NIV

As we approach chapter fourteen together, John sees four, possibly five, more visions, all depicting the fates of those who are allegiant to the Lamb (Jesus) and those who aren’t. In our world today, people want you to just let people believe what they believe and not challenge their worldview. However, if we trust what Revelation is telling us, it would not be loving for us to allow people to continue living in sin and falsehood. We need to speak up into the lives of our loved ones, because according to chapter fourteen, their fates will not be good if they don’t join the Lamb’s army (the Church). Ultimately, the letter of Revelation is meant to call people to repent and follow the Lamb before time runs out, and we need to do the same.

 

John sees the same 144,000 from chapter 7 that have the “mark” of God on their foreheads, standing on top of Mount Zion, looking ready for a battle. These are those who have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb; in other words, these are Christians. We learn that their fate is sealed, and their future looks bright! However, John moves forward to describe what awaits everybody else…

 

An angel is seen, calling people to “fear God and give Him glory”, or repent of their ways (14:7). Another angel warns that “Babylon the great” has fallen, which will be described later on in chapters 17-19. This Babylon, in my interpretation, is a vivid description of Rome once again, as those are the only two nations to ever destroy the Jerusalem Temple. However, those that are within Babylon the great, or those that have worshiped the beast, they will drink the “wine of the wrath of God”, going through torment in fire and brimstone, just like Sodom and Gomorrah (see Genesis 19). These people will eventually be burned up with this fire, but it will be an extremely painful experience.

 

John then uses the illustration of a grape harvest, in which grapes are thrown into a winepress and squeezed out, causing blood to flow everywhere. It is a graphic image, but a powerful one nonetheless. Those who refuse to worship God and the Lamb will face His wrath, being destroyed completely when Jesus returns. Why would anyone choose to go through this? Unfortunately, many choose to do so.

 

This message should motivate us to speak up to our friends and family about what Jesus has done. He has saved us from this coming wrath, and now offers that same salvation to anyone who would come follow after him. Of course we love our friends and family and don’t want them to go through the terrifying judgment to come. So speak up! Live out your faith today! Share the good news with whomever you come across! Jesus is coming, and we don’t have much time left.

 

Talon Paul

You Also Must Be Ready

Matthew 24

matt 24 44

 

You must be ready. Today, I am going to be real with you just as Jesus was real with his disciples when he spoke about the destruction of the temple and the signs of the end times in Matthew 24. There will come a day, whether you are ready or not, when Jesus Christ will return to establish his Father’s Kingdom. As I read about the return of Jesus, I am filled with excitement. How wonderful of a day that will be! While we await the coming of our Savior, it is important to keep watch as it is said in verses 36 & 42 that Father is the only one who knows exactly when this day will be.

 

It’s easy to think that we are indestructible. I picture a full life ahead of me with dreams and aspirations that I hope to one day fulfill. However, I know that this life is unpredictable and that each day is a blessing in itself. I picture her in my mind quite often. I picture her at our track practices, I picture her with livestock at the fairgrounds, I picture her when I walk into the church that she attended with my grandparents. And the thing is, I wasn’t even a close friend to Sara yet she has left such an impact on the world around me, forever changing my perspective on life. In the fall of 2017, Sara, a beloved member of my community, tragically lost her life after being struck by a speeding driver who was under the influence. This 15-year-old was kind, compassionate, gentle-spirited, and a friend to many. What I admire most about Sara is the way that she made her days count. Though her life was short, it was one worthy of living. I bring up Sara not to share a tragedy but to share the testament that her life was, one that proclaimed God’s glory. Sara accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and lived each day holding firm to her faith, loving the LORD above all else. When I think of Jesus’s words “you also must be ready,” I think of the fact that we never really know when the final days will be. Sara spent her days preparing for the return of our Lord. I find this trait to be honorable as I too aspire to live my life in this way.

 

Jesus laid out the signs of the end times in this chapter. He said that there will be:

  • many who come falsely claiming to be the Messiah
  • wars & rumors of wars
  • nations will rise against nations
  • famines
  • earthquakes
  • persecution & death, you will be hated by all the nations because of Jesus Christ
  • many will turn away from the faith & will both betray and hate each other
  • false prophets will appear, deceiving many
  • an increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold
  • a dreadful time for pregnant and nursing women
  • great distress
  • a darkened sun, the moon will not give light, the stars will fall from the sky, the heavenly bodies will be shaken

 

But once this all takes place…

“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other”

(Matthew 30-31).

 

Are you ready? Let’s seek to be like the faithful and wise servants in verses 45-47?

 

Jesus states in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 

Take heart, friends. Jesus is coming!

 

-Kayla Tullis