Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Monday, July 14, 1 John 2:28

"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." (KJV)

"And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming." (NIV)

I've read that there are over 300 verses in the Bible that speak of the Second Coming of Christ. Many of us believe that this will happen in two phases, first with the Rapture of the Church, before the Tribulation where He "snatches" His own from the world for the Wedding Supper, and then completes His return with His Bride as His angels and saints come riding on white horses to put an end of the war on earth and sets up His millennial kingdom in Revelation 20.

Some things that hint at this is that in some prophecies we see the earth "as in the days of Noah", where people were simply doing their normal eating and drinking and regular sinning, and suddenly He takes His own. This is nothing like the chaotic end of the Tribulation, where first a quarter, then a third, and then the whole earth is feeling the wrath of God in the opening of the seals, trumpets and vials.

This is the "wrath of God" that every prophet has warned about in the Old and the New Testaments. In 1 Thessalonians it says that believers will escape "the wrath to come". Some believe that promise of keeping the faithful church from the "hour of temptation that will try all the earth" in Revelation 3:10 is speaking of that tribulation soon to be revealed in the book as well. Many see John "taken up to heaven" in Revelation 4 as the symbolic representation of the church being raptured, for there is no other mention of the church until the Wedding Supper of the Lamb prior to the coming of Christ.

The Scriptures also speak of a "judgment seat of Christ", which most scholars I read say is a "judgement of rewards"; kind of like when a race is won in the Olympics, and those who accomplished their goal receive their rewards. We saw that some of the works were hay, stubble and wood, while others were of gold, silver and precious stones. The worthless works are burned, but the precious ones hold through the fire of scrutiny, yet all who are in this judgment are saved by the grace of God. (1 Corinthians 3)

God has always had works prepared for us to do, and our goal is to obey Him as stewards on this earth. Our love for Him and the awesome gift of rebirth through the grace of Christ gives believers a deep-seated desire to please Him, with the greatest reward hearing Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter the joy of your Lord!" (Matthew 25) Physical rewards are simply symbols of the greater thing, so we as believers strive for righteousness in order to grow and mature into worthy saints that are pleasing to our Lord. And in tomorrow's verse we see that this is a sign upon which we can gauge our genuineness as His children.

So, set your heart on "abiding in Him". And don't worry about the "how". That is explained in His Word. This is a living relationship. He will teach you as a Father teaches His children. Count on it.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps:

"And now, dear children,
continue in him,
so that when he appears
we may be confident
and unashamed
before him at his coming." (NIV)

I have a little word picture where we, as children are all "continuing" on a path toward the Cross. As we get closer, suddenly the cross fades and "he appears"! We confidently and unashamedly run to be "before him at his coming."

I've used the word "Knife" for 28, because I need an "N" for "2" and a "f or v" for the 8 sound. The vowels are fillers and the "k" is silent so it is ignored. But since I make a "memory character" that I use for each number, I have that "knife" always in the mouth of a pirate. I can add this dastardly character behind us "dear children", following us with evil intent. But when he sees Jesus appear, the knife drops from his mouth as he screams ashamedly and flees. He is ashamed "before him at his coming."