by Desiree Bustamante

He will be back!

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Before cell phones or video games, you waited. You might read a newspaper or a book to pass the time, but you could only glance at the clock to see how long before your train pulled into the station. You usually didn’t know if your train was delayed until you got to the depot and, if there was an unforeseen problem, you waited until an announcement was made over a loudspeaker letting you know when it might depart. You always expected it to arrive, you just hoped it would be on time.

Waiting is hard, especially in our instant society. We read God’s promises that He is coming back soon, but what time is that? We read the signs and feel sure it should be time.

“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.”
2 Timothy 3:1-3 New Living Translation

Those words hold true even today. We see so much evil, calamity and hatred of God that it certainly must be time for His return. Every generation since the early church felt this way. The signs have pointed to His return since the disciples’ time. Does that mean He is not coming back, and we are waiting fruitlessly? Not at all!

Christ knew we would need patience and gave us His words to encourage us as we wait.

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
1 Corinthians 1:7 New Living Translation

So, take heart!

“For, at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”
1 Timothy 6:15 New Living Translation

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado