Tag: Jesus’ Return

The Ultimate Heat Wave, 5

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I look into my future and see countless magnificent choices. I could scale a mountain and stand fearlessly on its peak or effortlessly explore the ocean’s depths without a scuba tank. I could skydive (gearless!) and glide through the galaxies, hearing the stars sing. Maybe I’ll walk through the grass barefoot and discover a flower or creature I’ve never seen. Will I hear a melody not previously known or understand a language I’ve not been taught? Perhaps I’ll reunite with a former friend, meet a faith hero, or converse with someone from the Bible.

Of this I am sure, my senses will be sharp and clear, able to experience new sounds, colors, and sensations. My knees won’t hurt and my strength won’t fail. My mind will perceive thoughts and facts I cannot now imagine. New discoveries await me, and everything I encounter will be pure, clean, enthralling. My joy will soar, my intellect will satisfy, peace will envelop me. But wait, I’m getting carried away. Back to our topic. Before this wonderful life begins in the next world, this one must end—and it will do so in the ultimate heat wave. Look at 2 Peter 3:10.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. 
The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, 
and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare [be burned up].

This reminds us just how temporal Earth is. Lest this distress you, remember that our future is an upgrade. It is not less, but more. It’s more than the inadequate picture I painted in my opening paragraphs, but I cannot stretch my mind far enough to describe it better.

Peter follows verse 10 with a question: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?” Pause and calmly think about that.

The answer to his question is given a few verses later:

“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this,
make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.”

I look forward to Jesus’ return. I am at peace with God. I long for the beauty He will bring out of ashes.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Ascension Day: Moving Up

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Have you done your Ascension Day shopping? Bought a new outfit? Purchased gifts or planned a special dinner? Me either. But when I grasped the door handle of a restaurant in Lancaster last week I stilled, surprised and pleased to see the day being honored.

 In all my many years, I can’t recall seeing a sign announcing Ascension Day, let alone closing a business to celebrate it. I do remember going to church as a child but, sadly, today it is seldom mentioned, let alone honored.

We celebrate Christmas and Easter for their life-changing significance but, Ascension Day? We let it slip by even though it points to the most profound, life-changing event we will ever experience.

On that day in history, Jesus’ ascension fulfilled prophesy, but it  also pointed to the future. Those watching Jesus ascend heard these words of promise in Acts 1:

“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven,
will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

The Messiah was born. The Messiah was crucified. The Messiah will come back—the same way He left, on the clouds. Ascension Day commemorates Jesus’ return to His Father and His rightful place on His throne, but it is more than that it. Ascension Day celebrates the promise, the assurance, the certainty of His return. It points to our ascension, when we will join Him in the sky and He will bring us home.

The Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God…
We who are still alive… will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Then we will be with the Lord forever. 

So encourage each other with these words.
I Thessalonians 4:16-18 NLT

Happy Ascension Day!