Through the decades of my life some words have changed in meaning. When I was a child, the word COOL was the opposite of HOT, and it was a indicator or gage of temperature. I’ve seen those opposing words change to mean the same thing, and not as a meter of temperature at all. In the same way people from different backgrounds may understand the same word to mean different things. That can and does lead to misunderstandings!
That precept is often found in the way the world defines a word versus what GOD means by that word. For instance, the dictionary defines HOPE as expectation of something desired. But in the world HOPE in the world is an if-ish thing, subject or conditional on other factors. It will only happen if the conditions are met.
Not so in the Bible. HOPE when used in the Bible concerning the truths of GOD is a happy anticipation and confident expectation that what GOD says will happen. When the Bible speaks of hope for a Christian it is an established fact that just is not seen or experienced yet (Romans 8:24-25).
As believers in JESUS the Bible declares we have several HOPEs that are based on GOD’s word/ HIS promises. Some examples are the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2) and the hope and resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6), Since GOD is the TRUTH and cannot lie, they are established facts. For what GOD says, HE will do (Numbers 14:35).
“GOD is not a man, that HE should lie; neither the son of man, that HE should repent: has HE said, and shall HE not do it? or has HE spoken, and shall HE not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).
The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY said, “…yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11).
“In HOPE of eternal life, which GOD, that cannot lie, promised before the world began (Titus 1:2).
The promises, the WORDs of GOD, are sure and will happen just as HE said.
Yesterday, I shared how I came to understand more about the HOPE of GLORY/ the decreed fact that every one who calls on the name of JESUS to be saved will be transformed (it’s a process- 2 Corinthians 3:18) in character so that we share/ participate in the divine nature (not godhood) Romans 8:29, 2 Peter 1:4. The HOPE of GLORY is the truth that the glorious divine nature of CHRIST/ HIS amazing character will be developed in us (Colossians 1:27).
Instead of hate we will love, instead of strife we will have inner peace and be gentle even to those who oppose us (2 Timothy 2:24).
Today I’d like to share briefly of another HOPE, the BLESSED HOPE.
“Looking for that blessed HOPE, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
There are 2 days that are often confused. There is the “day of JESUS CHRIST” and the “day of the LORD.”
“the day of JESUS CHRIST” marks a glad conclusion of waiting.
“Being confident of this very thing, that HE (GOD) which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of JESUS CHRIST” (Philippians 1:6).
“…waiting for the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST: Who shall also confirm you (Hebrews 7:25) unto the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST” (1 Corinthians 1:7-8).
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious APPEARING of the great GOD and our Savior JESUS CHRIST” (Titus 2:13).
On the day of JESUS CHRIST HE APPEARS to and for believers. HE comes with the clouds (as HE left Jerusalem – Acts 1:9-11) and meets believers not on earth but in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Then where do we go? “In my FATHER’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:2-3).
“Now (at this present time) then we (believers in JESUS) are ambassadors for CHRIST, as though GOD did beseech you (unbelievers) by us: we pray you in CHRIST’s stead, be reconciled to GOD. (2 Corinthians 5:20).
As nation will call home its ambassadors before they attack in a war. In the same manner JESUS calls believers home (the day of JESUS CHRIST / the Rapture or catching away) to heaven before sending HIS wrath on Israel (7 years of Jacob’s Trouble) and those who refused the truth and loved wickedness (the great Tribulation).
Why? “For GOD hath not appointed us (who received JESUS by believing HE died for our sin) to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD JESUS CHRIST” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Whereas throughout both the old and new testaments “the day of the LORD” is marked with sorrow and judgment.
“Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty…Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and HE shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it” (Isaiah 13:6, 9).
“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the LORD so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).
If you belong to JESUS, you will be caught up to the clouds to meet the LORD in the air prior to the great Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). If you refuse to receive the love of the truth that JESUS died to cleanse you from your sins, you will suffer the wrath of GOD (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
“He that believes on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides (stays) on him” (John 3:36).
Wherefore HE (JESUS) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto GOD by him, seeing HE ever lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).
I am so glad I belong to JESUS and will escape the wrath of GOD on all who have refused the forgiveness bought with the blood of JESUS on the cross.
Do you belong to JESUS?
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 