WAITING

The Lord’s first coming

At the Lord’s first coming to earth there was a faithful remnant who were waiting…

SIMEON – Luke 2:25: “Waiting for the consolation (Comforter, Helper, Revealer) of Israel”.

– Simeon was waiting for the PROPHET.

ANNA – Luke 2:38: “Spake of Him to all them that looked (waited) for redemption in Jerusalem”.

– Anna waited for the PRIEST.

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHAEA – Luke 23:51: “Waited for the Kingdom of God”.

– Joseph waited for the KING.

The Lord’s second coming At the end of the age of Grace; “We which are alive and remain,” (1Thess. 4:17) are waiting for the Lord's second coming… Titus 2:13: “Looking for (expectantly waiting up for) that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”. 1Thess. 1:9-10: “Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for His Son from Heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come”. Phil. 3:20: “For our conversation (manner of life) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour”.

We are waiting for the SAVIOUR. We are waiting for the RAPTURE, the imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (1Cor. 15:52; Rev. 22:12).

As those who are waiting, how should we live?

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (lovers of money), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good (without love to good), Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2Tim. 3:1-4).

Titus 2:12

a) “We should live soberly” – SELFWARD. We should be living lives that are temperate, discreet, marked by self denial, like Anna; “fastings and prayers night and day” (Luke 2:37).

b) “We should live…righteously” – MANWARD. Amid corruption today our lives should be honest, upright, marked by right dealings, like Simeon; “Just and devout” (Luke 2:25).

c) “We should live…godly” – GODWARD. Those who are waiting for the Lord to come at any moment, will be marked by godly devotion. Their practical every day living will be in the fear of God, like Joseph; “A good man, and a just” (Luke 23:50).

J.A. Davidson