Read:
Psalm 119:11, 18, 97, 105, 130; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Reflect:
We have already noted that the Scriptures played a very important role in how the followers of Jesus made decisions after he ascended to heaven, and as they waited to be empowered by the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:16-20). That focus held true for the saints in the Old Testament (as Psalm 119 illustrates), and was particularly the case in the practice of the New Testament church. So it stands to reason that we too should pay careful attention to Scripture as we live our lives in anticipation of the Lord’s return (Acts 1:11).
Psalm 119 stresses very much the importance and value of the Word of God. Though it is certainly worthwhile to read and reflect on all 176 verses, we will focus on only a few to make the point. Living life in a manner that pleases God requires guidance. So the Psalmist says: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (v 105). It is only as the Lord illumines the way that we can see clearly: in your light we see light (Psalm 36:9). Our prayer ought always be: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law (v 18). But for that to happen we need to be diligent in filling our minds and hearts with God’s Word: I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (v 11). Not just with casual reading, but with lots of reflection that rises out of love for God’s law: Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day (v 97). Then we will be able to say with integrity: The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple (v 130). The Christian life is impossible without paying careful attention to the Scriptures so that they can form our thinking, shape our values, and guide our actions. This is one of the key requirements of waiting responsibly for the Lord’s return.
It is also important to reflect on what we are waiting for, so we turn to a classic statement by Paul on the expected return of Jesus as found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The return of our Lord promises to be a noisy, public affair with a loud commanding cry, the shout of an archangel, and a blasting trumpet. Apart from the tumult and reverberating sounds we note the central purpose of his return. Jesus, whom we confess as the One who died, rose again and ascended to the
Father, will come back and bring with him all the believing dead, who are currently in his safe keeping, to reembody them in the resurrection. Those believers still alive will be transformed into a resurrection body. This amazing reality is described even more clearly by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.
51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
Death will be finally defeated as with renewed bodies we get to live as fully reconstituted human beings in the new heaven and earth which God will bring into existence (Revelation 21-22). With this glorious prospect in mind we avidly search the Scriptures to understand and guide our lives in preparation for that great day.
Respond:
The apostle John describes the future of God’s people in remarkable terms, and issues a strong challenge to us.
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (1 John 3:2-3).
May we purify our lives by careful obedience to the Scripture as we anticipate the marvelous return of our Lord.