I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. (Revelation 22:16)
If you have not read the introduction in Part One of the series, you can do so here. Also catch up on Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four.
One thing have I desired: Expectation
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. (Psalm 27:4 NKJV)
All of the “one things” we have looked at — our salvation (one thing you lack), assurance (one thing I know), communion (one thing is needed) and service (one thing I do) — lead up to the joyful expectation of being with the Lord Jesus for eternity. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12). “When He appears we shall be like him, because we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2). In Titus 2:13 the Rapture is called the blessed hope of the believer. It won’t be long now! “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:37 NKJV). 1 Corinthians 15:50-56 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tell us that the dead in Christ will be raised at His coming, and we who are alive will be changed (receive glorified resurrection bodies). Together we will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body. (Phil. 3:20 NKJV)
Paul keenly felt the desire to be with his Savior when he wrote, “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” (Phil. 1:23). What grace that the Lord Jesus Himself shares this desire. He prayed, “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me” (Jn. 17:24). Are we excited about the Lord’s coming? Are we living in the expectation that He could come at any moment? If we are, it will have a sanctifying effect on our lives (Col. 3:1-4; Tit. 2:11-13; 1 Jn. 3:3). Let us pray for a rekindling of our bridal affection, so that all of the things of time and earth fade into their proper perspective. Jesus told His disciples, “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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn. 14:2-3 NKJV). What is our response to this promise? The world says, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Pet. 3:4). Professing Christendom says, “My master is delayed in coming” (Lk. 12:45). But the believer who is watching and waiting says, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20 NKJV).
This post comes from The Lord is Near, a publication of Believer’s Bookshelf, Canada. Read additional Lord is Near online articles, listen via podcasts, or order a printed copy at Believer’s Bookshelf Canada.
