The Wednesday Word ~ 03 July, 2022 A.D.
A Motto to Live By
by D.G. Miles McKee
In the 1800s a man called William Miller became convinced that Christ would return in the year 1843. When Miller announced that April 3 was the actual day of the Lord´s return many of his followers went to mountaintops, hoping for a head start to Heaven. Others were in graveyards, planning to ascend in glorious reunion with their departed loved ones. In Philadelphia society ladies clustered together outside of town to avoid entering God's kingdom amid the common herd. When April 3 came and went the Millerites were understandably disillusioned and disappointed. However, their leader had predicted a range of dates for Christ's return. They still had until March 21, 1844. Although discouraged, the devout among them continued to make ready, but again they were disappointed. A third date, October 22, was set, but it also passed with out the promised event.
These Millerites got it wrong, but they got one thing right and that is, Jesus is coming back.
That Jesus is going to return is a foundational truth of the Christian message. Indeed, the words, “Till He Comes” could well be adopted as the motto for every child of God. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a motto is “a short sentence or phrase that expresses a belief or purpose."
What better motto can we adopt than, Till He Comes?
Concerning His return, we take Jesus at His word. For example, in John 14 He promised that although He was going to have to leave the disciples, He promised that He would come back again (John 14:3). Jesus, we conclude, firmly believed in and taught the truth of the Second Coming. For example, one day as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, asking, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). This verse demonstrates that the fact of the Lord´s return was a central theme in the disciple´s discussions.
On another occasion, Christ, speaking of John, said to Peter, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me" (John 21:22).
Then, in Revelation, He says, "That which you have hold fast till I come" (Revelation 2:25).
Again, as we partake in the Lord´s Supper we are told "You do show the Lord's death till He come" (1 Corinthians 11:26). Thus, we are taught to follow, to hold fast, to serve, and to remember Him.
For how long?
His answer is "Till He comes,"
Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ's first coming, so both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ's second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ--an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ's first advent, there are 8 which look forward to His second!
Till He Comes!
What an excellent motto for the believer!
And that´s the Gospel Truth!
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