Hope - Part Two: Something To Look Forward To

In Part One of Hope: Something To Live For, we learned that because of the resurrection of Jesus, we have a reason for living, meaning to life, and purpose for our lives.

But what about the future?

We need something to look forward to in the future that excites us and energizes us in the present.

As believers in Jesus, we have this hope!

We have so much to look forward to.

Peter writes about this hope in 1 Peter 1:13

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

Our hope is the return of Jesus.

Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, but he also will return to the earth.

He said he would.

Mark 13:32
”At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”

When Jesus ascended into heaven, two men dressed in white, probably angels, said he would return.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11)

Peter was present when the angels spoke these words about the return of Jesus.

Paul, who spent much time with Jesus after Jesus ascended into heaven, said,

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

When Jesus returns, he will establish peace on earth (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Ultimately, there will be a new earth where there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

Because of the return of Jesus, we have something to look forward to.

We look forward to the presence of Jesus on this earth and the peace he will establish.

This is exciting to think about…Jesus literally and physically returning to earth to establish peace.

It energizes us.

Though we will still have difficult and dark days, and days of discouragement and depression, the confidence we have in the return of Jesus sustains us.

So not only do we have something to live for now, because of the resurrection of Jesus, but we also have something to look forward to later, because of the return of Jesus.

Because of the resurrection and return of Jesus, we have hope: something to live for now and something to look forward to later!

To read more about all that we have to look forward to, you may enjoy another blog I have written, Utopia Is Coming!