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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Why Pray for Christ's Return?

Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The Certainty of Christ's return
In this next to the last verse of the Bible we see Jesus make the promise of "Yes, I am coming quickly", with the prayer following it: "Amen, come, Lord Jesus".  Now why is this so significant?  Because the second coming of Jesus Christ is the most predicted event in the Bible.  224 specific prophecies are related to His Second coming or "Second Advent".  Whenever we see God putting predictions in His word, that means one thing - it is a sure thing.   Jesus Himself, speaking from the standpoint of His humanity, says these words in Matthew 24:34 - “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."

Why pray for something that is already planned by God the Father?
So why pray for an event that has been set by God the Father on His calendar?  When we pray for Christ to return quickly, it stirs up within us the grace-affected desire to see Him.  2 Timothy 4:8 says these words - "in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 

How praying for Christ's return stirs our commitment to have desire
As Christians we run the risk of becoming too tied to this present world.  Focusing on the soon return of Jesus Christ enables us to live right now in light of eternity.  Commitment to Christ needs Desire for Christ.  Commitment without desire burns out and cannot endure under the testings of this age.  When we pray for His soon return, it infuses into our hearts the desire for Him, as well as the desire to live a holy life for Him. 

1 John 2:2-3 states - "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."