Behold! He is Coming Soon! .
Revelation 22:12-14

Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

Colossians 3:1,2 MSG

So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides.

Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ--that's where the action is.

See things from his perspective.


I recently happened upon an earlier post where I discussed the word “behold.” Basically it means, “Hey, pay attention! I’m about to say something very important!” And if you read the sentence immediately following it in the passage from Revelation, you’ll see that John was sharing some wonderful news! As a matter of fact, this passage was part of a sermon I delivered at a nursing home recently as part of my Lay Speaking Ministry. The topic of the sermon was hope and being a blessing to others.

For some reason I find tremendous comfort and even get a little excited when I read the first line of the Revelation passage, “Behold, I am coming soon.” That declaration brings me immediately to the Colossians passage where we’re instructed, “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is.”

So, we are to wake up, look up, get ready, be prepared and see things from the perspective of the Risen Christ. That’s a much different perspective than the one we’ll be hearing on the evening news! It’s not the frame of reference from which we generally see the world. But we have good news! We have hope! We have a promise! And it’s a promise from God – the Alpha and the Omega – the God of Genesis, who was already in existence when he decided to make Earth and the universe and us.

His power is above all others. His promises never fail – have you read the story of Exodus? Have you read the Old Testament? After 2,000 years of defying and disobeying God, He still sent us a Savior! Behold! We must be ready when Christ comes again so we must pursue the things over which Christ presides. He doesn’t preside over war, murder, hate, anger or fear. He is the Prince of Peace, the Holy One of God, Deliverer, Bread of Life and Chief Cornerstone. Run that in tomorrow’s news cycle!

Behold! He is coming soon!

My prayer today is that you will see things from Christ’s perspective. And that you will be ready when He comes—for behold! Today could be the day!

Mary

Labels: Christ, Colossians, God, Revelation, second coming

  ¶ 6:16 AM