Lake Deaton at Home

Writer’s Name: Robert (Bob) Jorden

Writer’s Ministry: Stewardship Team Lead, A/V Team

Scripture: Revelation 11:15

The Bible speaks of three opportunities when humanity will see Jesus.

The first was when God sent Jesus to earth to spread His message of Love and subsequently die for our sins. This was the beginning of our New Covenant with God. We celebrate this event every Christmas.

The second opportunity to see Christ is His “second coming.”  The final resurrection of all humanity at the end of times.  We have been waiting for centuries for Christ’s return and the total freeing of humanity from sin and death. The New Jerusalem will be established where every believer will rest for eternity, and the earth will be transformed. We celebrate this promise.

For most of us, the third opportunity to see Jesus would be when we celebrate our physical death. As believers, we all look with anticipation to our time in heaven. However, there are events in every believer’s life that bring forward our realization that God is in control and we are not.  I experienced an event in October when I had a heart attack at church while playing pickleball. God truly blessed me by having the right people at the right place and time to save my life. Having a near-death experience motivates you to reevaluate your priorities and ask, what has God saved me to do?

We must live in Christian Faith so that when our rapture (death) comes, we are truly ready. God’s gift to humanity was sending his son, Jesus, so we can reside with Him in heaven. Hallelujah!

Daily Prayer:  Dear Lord, let me live in faith so that when my “second coming” takes place for me, I am ready.

Discussion / Reflection Questions:

1. Do you celebrate the end of life, or do you fear it?
2. We often thank God for Christ’s Birth (Christmas), but do you think about Christ’s “second coming” in the future?
3. What do you need to do to be right with God for the ‘Second Coming” when it happens?