JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN!!
"This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11, NKJV)
Devotion #7 of 15

DOES YOUR VIEW MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
     Some take what they call the "pan-out" view: everything will "pan out" in the end. This sounds noble, but it is not. If the coming of the Lord is the "blessed hope," or pole star of the church (Tit 2:13), our view of it cannot be inconsequential. Here is where we get our bearings, so to speak, for life.  The hope that is "blessed" by God will enable us to navigate through the difficulties of life, and safely arrive at home with God.

     Does it make any difference what you think of Christ's first appearing (Heb 9:26)? Is your view of His present appearing in the presence of God without  consequence (Heb 9:24)? How is it that your conviction concerning His second appearing would make no difference? Such thinking is unsound at the core, and will give a foothold to the evil one. Those who declare the view of the blessed hope to be inconsequential offer a miserable attempt to explain disinterest or confusion; and neither condition is acceptable under the new covenant.

     I do not mean by this that heaven or hell is to be determined by your understanding of Christ's return. I do mean that Satan will gain the advantage if you are incorrect in your thinking on this point. If, on the other hand, you are right, you will be "saved by hope," just as the Scripture affirms (Rom 8:24-25).
Confusion on this point will roar like a tidal wave into every area of thought! Your view of Christ's return will effect the way you live. It will impact upon the way you see the Bible. It will determine your response to difficulties and infirmities. Do not take this subject lightly!

     Jesus declared that real freedom comes from knowing the truth: "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). The truth of Christ's return will have no powerful effect upon the soul if, to some degree, it is not understood. The Word of God cannot be retained by a heart that does not perceive it to some extent. Remember, Jesus said, "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside" (Matt 13:19). It is on the part of wisdom to seek to comprehend what God has said about the return of His Son.

PRAYER POINT: Father, give me grace to see the truth of Your Son's return. shed light upon Your Word, so that I can take hold of it, and hide it in my heart. I ask this in the Name of Jesus, and because I love Him!

-- TOMORROW: THE SURETY OF CHRIST'S COMING --