WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
The Thessalonian Church had turned to God from idols to serve the living God, and to "wait for His Son for Heaven" (1Th_1:10). On the Great Day of Atonement the High Priest went within the veil-not without blood, and the congregation waited without looking for his reappearing. Now Christ, our Great High Priest, has gone within the veil by His own blood, and the Church without is waiting and looking for His appearing according to His promise (Joh_14:3).
I. For His Son from Heaven. "Our citizenship is in Heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Php_3:20). We are not waiting for death, nor for the Holy Spirit, who has already been given; nor for the conversion of the world, before He comes, for "as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days when the Son of Man is revealed" (Luk_17:30). Certainly the world was not converted before the flood came.
II. For the Completion of Our Salvation. "He shall appear the second time to make their salvation complete" (Heb_9:28). Our salvation now, great as it is, is but the foretaste of what is yet to come. We have been saved from the penalty and power of sin, but not from its presence. Suffering and sorrow are still associated with our present condition. He who hath begun this good work will perfect it in His day.
III. For the Redemption of the Body. "We look for the Saviour, who shall change our mortal body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body" (Php_3:20-21). This will indeed be "a new fashion" for the redeemed. The transfigured soul, with a transfigured body. It has been good to hear His Word; it will be better to see Himself, but best of all to be made like Him. This is the eternal life.
IV. For the Bridegroom of the Church. It was at midnight when the cry was raised: "Behold the Bridegroom cometh" (Mat_25:6). He is coming to receive His Bride unto Himself (Joh_14:3). She is a cold-hearted bride who is not lovingly longing for the coming of her betrothed. If He tarry, wait for Him. He is faithful that hath promised. "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh" (Mat_24:44).
V. For the Consolation of Israel. "Simon waited for this, and the Holy Ghost was upon him" (Luk_2:25). But Israel was not consoled by the coming Jesus. They hated Him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us," and clamoured for His crucifixion. So Israel is still unconsoled. But there shall come out of Zion their Deliverer, and so all Israel shall be saved (Rom_11:26). A saved nation will mean world-wide testimony and blessing.
VI. For the Reward that is to be Ours at His Coming. "Be like unto men that wait for their lord" (Luk_12:36). Not in idleness, but with girded loins and burning lights, looking for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1Pe_1:13). "Lo, I come, and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according to his works." "Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1Th_5:6). "Watch, therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the House cometh" (Mar_13:34).
VII. For the New Heavens and the New Earth. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2Pe_3:13). Or, as this same apostle declared in his great speech: "Even Jesus, whom the Heaven must receive until the times of the reconstitution of all things" (Act_3:21). These new conditions in the elements of the heavens and in the principles prevailing on the earth, will be perfectly congenial to righteousness. God’s testing fire will only purify (2Pe_3:10). The new heavens and the new earth will be made meet for His new creatures in Christ Jesus. "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be.. life and godliness? (2Pe_3:11). See that ye don’t fall behind in this gift of waiting for the Coming (1Co_1:7).
Autor: James Smith