Looking for the Lord's Return

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and to me only, but unto all them that love His appearing."   (2 Timothy 4:8)

I believe, as many others do, that there are rewards to be given to the Christian at the Judgment Seat of Christ after our Lord's second coming. I believe one of those rewards is the Crown of Righteousness which is to be given to those living righteous lives in anticipation of the Lord's return, for loving His appearing.

The caretaker of an estate was keeping the grounds immaculately for his master who was gone on a long trip for an extended time. The grass was neat, no weeds, all fence rows were clean and free of unwanted vegetation. The barns and outbuildings were well kept. Someone stopped by and was admiring the rare beauty. "Is this your property?" "No," the caretaker said. "It belongs to my master, who is gone on a long trip." The visitor said, "You keep it as though he is coming back tomorrow." The caretaker said, "I am keeping it, not as though he might come back tomorrow, sir, but, as though he might come back today."

A strong belief in the second coming of Christ will affect the way one lives. Live as though you are expecting Him to return at any moment. 

In the Fullness of Time

"But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)

Preparations for Christmas are being made everywhere. In the stores we have seen Christmas decorations for a month or more. Menus are being planned and recipes are being sought for a wonderful Christmas meal. Gifts are being purchased. Church choirs are practicing their Christmas music for their cantata presentations.

God had been making preparations for that first Christmas for four thousand years. And now, everything was right for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem of Judea, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2. It was in the fullness of time that He came.

Another event is anticipated by believers around the world that will happen when the "fullness of the time is come." The second coming of Jesus will be when God says the time is right. Since you and I do not know when the time will be right for God, we must be ready at all times. Are you ready?

The Dash on the Tombstone

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Someone said after passing through a cemetery that he observed a tombstone that gave the name of the deceased on one line and on the second line it gave the date of his birth followed by a dash and then the date of his death. The conclusion of his observation was that the man's entire life was summed up in a dash. 

Paul the apostle would certainly have more than a dash on his tombstone. He sums up his own life by telling us he fought a good fight. We too, have a fight to fight. How are you and I doing in the fight for the things of God? He tells us he has finished his course.  One of the problems many of us have is not finishing our course.  We give up before the race is over.  He tells us he has kept the faith. Are you keeping the faith, as Jude calls it, "Faith which was once delivered to the saints."  (Jude1:3)

The death date on our tombstones is not the last occurrence of our being. Beyond the grave is the Judgment Seat of Christ where the child of God receives his rewards, followed by heaven. The saddest reality of all beyond the death date is the prospect of eternal hell for the non-believer. While you are between the two dates on your tombstone give your heart and life to Jesus.

Set Your House in Order

"For I am now ready to be offered, the time of my departure is at hand." (2 Timothy 4:6)

Paul, the teacher, the mentor, the example for Timothy, had given some "last minute" instructions to his young friend in previous verses.  He now tells him why he had done this. Paul knew the time had come for his execution.  He was "being poured out as a drink offering," one translation says.  Paul has given instruction because he knows he won't be around to give it later. This is good advice for the rest of us.

Paul knew his time was near.  Just because we do not know the time of our departure does not mean that we will not leave.  We may not suffer a martyr's death as Paul did, but we will die one day. It could be the result of an accident, natural causes, such as stroke or heart attack, or any number of ways.

We would be wise to heed the words of Isaiah to King Hezekiah of Judah when he said, "Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live." (2 Kings 20:1)  Part of "setting your house in order," is first, becoming a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Setting your house in order  includes forgiving others, apologizing to others,  telling your friends and family about how to be saved,  and a host of things that if you knew you would die tonight you would take care of today.  

Keep On Keeping On

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5)

The Bible gives warning of the time coming when folks will not listen to
sound doctrine. Because of their desire to hear something new and different
they will have a multitude of teachers and they will be turned to fables.
(2Timothy 4:3-4)

So, what are Bible believers, pastors and other ministers to do? In verse 5
Paul tells Timothy, "But watch thou..." is the way the King James Version
reads. Another translation reads, "As for you, watch." Whatever others may
do, no matter how far astray they may go, as for you, you can't always help
what others do, but you can be watchful for yourself. You can be faithful
even when others are not.

Then the writer adds. Endure afflictions. There will always be afflictions
in this world, even for Christians who are living holy lives, and sometimes,
especially Christians. Keep evangelizing. Paul witnessed and led people to
faith in Christ even while in prison. Continue to do your ministry. What is
your ministry? It may not be on a foreign mission field. It may be simply
encouraging a young, or weak or discouraged Christian. It may be tithing
and giving. Or, it could be teaching a Bible class or pastoring. Make
yourself totally His.

How to Become Heresy Proof

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."    (2 Timothy 4:1-4)

In verse one, what is the word "therefore" there for?  Well, it links what was said before to that which follows after.  Because of the times mentioned in 2 Tim. 3: 1-7 and 13, and because the Word equips us and molds us, Timothy and all preachers are instructed to "Preach the Word." 

These verses let us know that the Word of God is "primary."  It is what we preachers, pastors and evangelists must preach from the pulpits around the world, not a lecture on the latest fad outlined in the newest best seller. And, being primary, the Word of God is what the folks who hear the preaching of the word are to practice in their lives.  The Bible says, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22)  A good steady diet of the preaching of the Word of God and studying the Bible at home will make you "heresy proof."

Read the Instructions

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect (complete), thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Have you ever found yourself trying to put a new appliance or tool together, or attempted to operate a new gadget and discovered that you had left the instructions in the box it came in? That's happened to most of us.  In frustration you get out the instructions and start over.  Now, everything works. As someone said, "When all else fails, read the instructions."

God has given us a book of instructions on how to live here and prepare for eternity.  In the two verses above we are told that these instructions are "God Breathed," or given by inspiration of God.  This book gives us sound doctrine and what we should believe.  It expresses disapproval when our actions are in error.  It corrects us and sets us on a good path.  It states as its purpose that we might be complete and prepared to do good works.

If your life is out of control with no meaning and everything is falling apart, I strongly encourage you to read, believe and practice the instructions the Lord and Master has given us.  After all, God the Creator made us.  He knows what's best for us.