He’s Coming Again

Today’s Truth
“Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on my holy mountain.  Let all the inhabitants of the earth tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, surely it is near” (Joel 2:1 NIV)

Friend To Friend
In just a few days, you will most likely be taking down those Christmas decorations and packing them up until next year…when you will be pulling them out and decorating all over again!  Yes, Christmas is coming again…unless Jesus comes back before then.

This year, as you pack away those tinseled treasures, I want you to think about this:  The babe who was born in a manger, who lived a perfect sinless life, who died on the cross and rose again so that you and I can have eternal life…He’s coming again!  Only next time he will not come as a babe in a manger, but as a reigning King.

John saw Jesus as He will appear when he returns, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.  His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters” Revelation 1:12-16.

And He has promised that He will come again to reign in Zion forever.  When that day occurs, we will have eternal “peace on earth.”

Listen to what the prophet Isaiah wrote about those final days.

Now it will come about that in the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it.  And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob: that He may teach us concerning His ways.  And that we may walk in His paths.”  For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war. (Isaiah 2:2-4 NASB) Here’s how God revealed Jesus’ second coming to John.

I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.”  And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.  And he who sits on the throne said, “Behold I am making all things new.”  And he said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”(Revelation 21:1-5 NIV) I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait.  The prophet Joel said that the day was drawing near.  I don’t know when Jesus will return, but I do know that it is sooner than it was yesterday.  Until then, we’ll continue to celebrate Christmas until He comes to take us home where we will have the most wonderful eternal Christmas celebration imaginable. And the good news is…God has already decorated for the party.

Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for the promise of heaven.  What a wonderful celebration it will be to see Jesus face-to-face. Until then, I’ll celebrate Christmas in my heart everyday, thanking You for the gift of Your Son.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn
What about heaven are you looking forward to the most?

Skim through the book of Revelation and note John’s description of what he saw in his vision of heaven.

Read Isaiah 6 and note what the angels were singing before the throne of God.

Can you imagine yourself joining the heavenly chorus?

More From The Girlfriends
Heaven will be so amazing!  I can hardly wait.  However, for now, we are here on earth for a purpose and a plan.  As you go into the New Year, if you would like to learn about the incredible plans that God has for your life, see Sharon’s book, .

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