ADVENT - AWAITING THE RETURN OF THE KING

 

We are in the season of Advent, so I'm reflecting on the return of Jesus. This was going to be a song, but as is usually the case with me, one Scripture and thought leads to another, until I have written an entire book. Until recently, I had not considered how much of what is included relates to our assignments as ambassadors of Christ as we await the return of Jesus. I hope you benefit from this article and find value within the content. 

ADVENT - AWAITING THE RETURN OF THE KING 

The Bible teaches that God sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth as a baby 2,000 years ago, in order to redeem a people to be His own. The cost was the life of Jesus. The cost included His people living as His people now, as well as the defeat of death in order to live as God's people forever. 

After God sacrificed His Son and death was defeated, Jesus went to sit on the throne in heaven at the right hand of God the Father, where He currently reigns as King over God's kingdom - the kingdom comprised of God's people. One day He will return, not as a baby in a manger, but as King over all the earth - a new earth. As He descends from heaven to earth, those who are dead in Christ will rise first to meet Him, followed by those who are alive in Christ. When He gets here, Satan, death and hades, as well as evil doers and those He does not know, will be thrown into the lake of fire. Those whose names He knows will inherit His kingdom and go on to everlasting life, reigning with Him, presumably over the new earth. Come Lord Jesus...

A FEW SCRIPTURES REGARDING THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS 

And if I travel on , I will be preparing a place for you' . I AM COMING AGAIN AND WILL BE RECEIVING YOU TO MYSELF; in-order-that where I am, you' may also be there . (John 14:3) 

And having said these things, and while looking at him , he was lifted up, and a cloud received him away from their staring eyes. And as they were staring at his traveling on into heaven, and behold, two men stood beside them in white apparel; who also said, Men, Galileans! Why are you' standing here , looking into heaven? THIS JESUS, WHO WAS RECEIVED UP FROM YOU INTO HEAVEN WILL BE COMING BACK THUS IN THE MANNER YOU SAW HIM TRAVELING ON INTO HEAVEN. (Acts 1:9-11) 

BECAUSE THE LORD HIMSELF WILL BE DESCENDING FROM HEAVEN, in a commanding yell, in the voice of the archangel and at the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be rising up first; thereafter we, the living, who are left, will be seized at the same-time together-with them in the clouds, to the encounter of the Lord in the air, and so we will always be together-with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

WHENEVER HE COMES TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS HOLY ONES, AND TO BE MARVELED AT IN THAT DAY IN ALL THE ONES WHO HAVE BELIEVED, (because our testimony to you' was believed). (2 Thessalonians 1:10) 

AND BEHOLD, I AM COMING SHORTLY. The one who is keeping the words of the prophecy of this book is fortunate. (Revelation 22:7) 

BEHOLD, I AM COMING SHORTLY, and my reward is with me, to repay to each one as his work will be. (Revelation 22:12) 

He who is testifying of these things says, YES, I AM COMING SHORTLY. Amen . YES COME, LORD JESUS. (Revelation 22:20) 

THINGS WE SHOULD BE DOING AS WE AWAIT THE RETURN OF JESUS

As we await the return of the Lord Jesus, we should not be sitting idle, just waiting for His return or waiting to die so we can go to heaven. He has given us things to do, and to seemingly accomplish before His return, and He has given us severe warnings against becoming idle. The price God paid for the redemption of His people was not only for the after life, but eternal life also includes the present lives of His people. In fact, how God's people are to live their present lives is what most of the Bible is about. It contains very little about the after life. Being a people who live their lives with Jesus as their King, and God as their god, is what God redeemed His people for. God's people living their lives for God's glory, is how God has chosen to accomplish His plan. Below are a few of the things the Bible teaches that Christians, as God's people, should be doing as we await the Lord's return:

PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM AND MAKING DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS

Preaching the gospel of the Kingdom is one of the most uncomfortable and least enjoyable things for Christians to do. But as Jesus spoke of His return, He said that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole earth for a testimony to all nations before the end will come, the end presumably being the last day that is spoken of in the Bible - the day that Jesus returns. 

Before going to heaven, Jesus commissioned His disciples to Go and make disciples of all nations. This is how the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole earth. As we await the return of the King, GO and make disciples of all nations. 

AND THIS GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM WILL BE PREACHED IN THE WHOLE INHABITED EARTH, FOR A TESTIMONY TO ALL THE NATIONS, AND THEN THE END WILL BE COMING. (Matthew 24:14)

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. AND JESUS CAME AND SPOKE TO THEM SAYING, "ALL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:16‭-‬20)

JUSTICE/RIGHTEOUSNESS

Justice/Righteousness is the way of God, and is the fruit that God expects from His people. Not doing or seeking justice is one of the reasons God's judgement came upon the southern kingdom of Judah by Babylon, which included the destruction of Jerusalem and the first temple that was constructed by Solomon. For the same reason, the northern kingdom of Israel came under God's judgement and was conquered by the Assyrians. Jerusalem and the second temple were again later destroyed by Rome in AD70 because the Jews were neglecting the "weightier matters", which included justice. Therefore Jesus condemned them and said that the kingdom of God was going to be taken from them and given to a nation who bears the fruit of it - the fruit being justice and righteousness. 

God expects the same from His people today. Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. He said to His disciples that their righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees and Scribes, otherwise they would not enter the kingdom of God. Jesus's disciple and apostle, Peter, wrote that the good works done by God's people, as well as the way they conduct themselves, would glorify God and silence foolish men. Justice and righteousness are their good works and conduct. God is not pleased with sacrifices, special days or feasts of those who do not do or seek justice and righteousness; nor will He hear their prayers. Justice and righteousness is at the core of who God is and what He expects of His people. As we await the return of the King, do justice and seek righteousness. 

TO DO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE IS MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD THAN SACRIFICE. (Proverbs 21:3)

Because I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, THAT THEY MAY KEEP THE WAY OF JEHOVAH, TO DO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE, to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken of him. (Genesis 18:19) 

Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and note it on a scroll, that it may be for time to come, forever and ever: that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the Lord; who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter’s vessel, which is broken in pieces; he shall not spare. So there shall not be found among its fragments a shard to take fire from the hearth, or to take water from the cistern.” For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not, and you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”— therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses”— therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! One thousand shall flee at the threat of one, at the threat of five you shall flee, till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain and as a banner on a hill. Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. FOR THE LORD IS A GOD OF JUSTICE; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you. (Isaiah 30:8‭-‬19)

What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says Jehovah. I have had enough of the burnt-offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts. And I do not delight in the blood of bullocks or of lambs or of male-goats. When you come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand -- to trample my courts? Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies -- I cannot bear wickedness and the solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They are a encumbrance to me. I am weary of bearing them. And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your practices from before my eyes. CEASE TO DO EVIL. LEARN TO DO GOOD. SEEK JUSTICE, MAKE THE OPPRESSED FORUNATE, JUDGE THE FATHERLESS, PLEAD FOR THE WIDOW. Come now and let us reason together, says Jehovah, though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they will be as wool. IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT, YOU WILL EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND. BUT IF YOU REFUSE AND REBEL, YOU WILL BE DEVOURED WITH THE SWORD, FOR THE MOUTH OF JEHOVAH HAS SPOKEN IT. (Isaiah 1:11-20) 

With what shall I come before Jehovah and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good. AND WHAT DOES JEHOVAH REQUIRE OF YOU, BUT TO DO JUSTLY AND TO LOVE KINDNESS AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD? (Micah 6:6-8) 

YET THE LAND WILL BE DESOLATE BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO DWELL IN IT, AND FOR THE FRUIT OF THEIR DEEDS. (Micah 7:13)

For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: "SEEK ME AND LIVE; but do not seek Bethel, nor enter Gilgal, nor pass over to Beersheba; for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nothing. SEEK THE LORD AND LIVE, lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, with no one to quench it in Bethel— YOU WHO TURN JUSTICE TO WORMWOOD AND LAY RIGHTEOUSNESS TO REST IN THE EARTH!" He made the Pleiades and Orion; He turns the shadow of death into morning and makes the day dark as night; He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the face of the earth; the Lord is His name. He rains ruin upon the strong, so that fury comes upon the fortress. They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly. Therefore, because you tread down the poor and take grain taxes from him, though you have built houses of hewn stone, yet you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink wine from them. FOR I KNOW YOUR MANIFOLD TRANSGRESSIONS AND YOUR MIGHTY SINS: AFFLICTING THE JUST AND TAKING BRIBES; DIVERTING THE POOR FROM JUSTICE AT THE GATE.  THEREFORE THE PRUDENT KEEP SILENT AT THAT TIME, FOR IT IS AN EVIL TIME. SEEK GOOD AND NOT EVIL, THAT YOU MAY LIVE; SO THE LORD OF HOSTS MAY BE WITH YOU, AS YOU HAVE SPOKEN. HATE EVIL, LOVE GOOD; ESTABLISH JUSTICE IN THE GATE. IT MAY BE THAT THE LORD GOD OF HOSTS WILL BE GRACIOUS TO THE REMNANT OF JOSEPH. Therefore the Lord God of hosts, the Lord, says this: “There shall be wailing in all streets, and they shall say in all the highways, ‘Alas! Alas!’ They shall call the farmer to mourning, and skillful lamenters to wailing. In all vineyards there shall be wailing, for I will pass through you,” says the Lord. Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! For what good is the day of the Lord to you? It will be darkness, and not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him! Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it? “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. BUT LET JUSTICE RUN DOWN LIKE WATER, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM. (Amos 5:4‭-‬24)

Read all of Psalm 37.
DEPART FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; AND DWELL FOREVERMORE. FOR THE LORD LOVES JUSTICE, AND DOES NOT FORSAKE HIS SAINTS; THEY ARE PRESERVED FOREVER, BUT THE DESCENDENTS OF THE WICKED SHALL BE CUT OFF. THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL INHERIT THE LAND, AND DWELL IN IT FOREVER. (Psalms 37:27‭-‬29)

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO KEEP JUSTICE, AND HE WHO DOES RIGHTEOUSNESS AT ALL TIMES! (Psalms 106:3)

Read Jeremiah 22:1-10.
Thus says the Lord: "EXECUTE JUDGEMENT AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND DELIVER THE PLUNDERED OUT OF THE HAND OF THE OPPRESSOR. DO NO WRONG AND NO VIOLENCE TO THE STRANGER, THE FATHERLESS, OR THE WIDOW, NOR SHED INNOCENT BLOOD IN THIS PLACE. FOR IF YOU INDEED DO THIS THING, THEN SHALL ENTER THE GATES OF THIS HOUSE, RIDING ON HORSES AND IN CHARIOTS, ACCOMPANIED BY SERVANTS AND PEOPLE, KINGS WHO SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID. BUT IF YOU WILL NOT HEAR THESE WORDS, I SWEAR BY MYSELF", SAYS THE LORD, "THAT THIS HOUSE SHALL BECOME A DESOLATION."'" (Jeremiah 22:3‭-‬5)

Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, "THUS SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS: 'EXECUTE TRUE JUSTICE, SHOW MERCY AND COMPASSION EVERYONE TO HIS BROTHER. DO NOT OPPRESS THE WIDOW OR THE FATHERLESS, THE ALIEN OR THE POOR. LET NONE OF YOU PLAN EVIL IN HIS HEART AGAINST HIS BROTHER.' “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts. “But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. THUS THE LAND BECAME DESOLATE AFTER THEM, SO THAT NO ONE PASSED THROUGH OR RETURNED; FOR THEY MADE THE PLEASANT LAND DESOLATE." (Zechariah 7:8‭-‬14)

"WOE TO YOU, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES! FOR YOU PAY TITHE OF MINT AND ANISE AND CUMMIN, AND HAVE NEGLECTED THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW: JUSTICE AND MERCY AND FAITH. THESE YOU OUGHT TO HAVE DONE, WITHOUT LEAVING THE OTHERS UNDONE. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!...
Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. “O JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM, THE ONE WHO KILLS THE PROPHETS AND STONES THOSE WHO ARE SENT TO HER! HOW OFTEN I WANTED TO GATHER YOUR CHILDREN TOGETHER, AS A HEN GATHERS HER CHICKS UNDER HER WINGS, BUT YOU WERE NOT WILLING! SEE! YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT TO YOU DESOLATE; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”  (Matthew 23:23-24; 23:33‭-‬39)

BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT; WHO ONCE WERE NOT A PEOPLE OF GOD, WHO HAD NOT OBTAINED MERCY BUT NOW HAVE OBTAINED MERCY. BELOVED, I BEG YOU AS SOJOURNERS AND PILGRIMS, ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS WHICH WAR AGAINST THE SOUL, HAVING YOUR CONDUCT HONORABLE AMONG THE GENTILES, THAT WHEN THEY SPEAK AGAINST YOU AS EVILDOERS, THEY MAY, BY YOUR GOOD WORKS WHICH THEY OBSERVE, GLORIFY GODIN THE DAY OF VISITATION. Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, THAT BY DOING GOOD YOU MAY PUT TO SILENCE THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH MEN- AS FREE, YET NOT USING LIBERTY AS A CLOAK FOR VICE, BUT AS BONDSERVANTS OF GOD. HONOR ALL PEOPLE. LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD. FEAR GOD. HONOR THE KING. (I Peter 2:9‭-‬17)

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED. (Matthew 5:6)

“Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, HE SENT HIS SERVANTS TO THE VINEDRESSERS, THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE ITS FRUIT. AND THE VINEDRESSERS TOOK HIS SERVANTS, BEAT ONE, KILLED ONE, AND STONED ANOTHER. AGAIN HE SENT OTHER SERVANTS, MORE THAN THE FIRST, AND THEY DID LIKEWISE TO THEM. THEN LAST OF ALL HE SENT HIS SON TO THEM, SAYING, 'THEY WILL RESPECT MY SON.' BUT WHEN THE VINSDRESSERS SAW THE SON, THEY SAID AMONG THEMSELVES, 'THIS IS THE HEIR. COME LET US KILL HIM AND SEIZE HIS INHERITENCE.' SO THEY TOOK HIM AND CAST HIM OUT OF THE VINEYARD AND KILLED HIM.

“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” THEY SAID TO HIM, "HE WILL DESTROY THOSE WICKED MEN MISERABLY, AND LEASE HIS VINEYARD TO OTHER VINEDRESSERS WHO WILL RENDER TO HIM THE FRUITS IN THEIR SEASONS." Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? "THEREFORE I SAY TO YOU, THE KINGDOM OF GOD WILL BE TAKEN FROM YOU AND GIVEN TO A NATION BEARING THE FRUITS OF IT. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” NOW WHEN THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND PHARISEES HEARD HIS PARABLES, THEY PERCEIVED THAT HE WAS SPEAKING OF THEM. But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet. (Matthew 21:33‭-‬46)

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. FOR I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEEDS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, YOU WILL BY NO MEANS ENTER THE KIGDOM OF HEAVEN. (Matthew 5:17‭-‬20)


BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU. (Matthew 6:33)

A clean and undefiled religion with our God and Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)

UNITY

I have typically used Advent as a time to personally reflect on the coming of Christ in order to draw closer to Him on an individual, personal level. But I have come to understand that though my individual, personal relationship with God is very important in order to remain in Christ and to live for His purpose, it is not as important within God's plan as the collective members of Jesus's body are. I may play a role in God's plan to have a people of His own who look to Him as their God and who reside within a kingdom of His own, but my part is very, very small when you consider the entire picture. I personally benefit from being among God's people, but that should not have anything to do with my daily decision to take up my cross and follow Jesus. It has nothing to do with me, and even if there were no blessings or no heaven or hell, I would still choose to be among God's people because of who He is, not because of what He has done for me or because of what my role is. I am to simply be obedient because He is the everlasting, Almighty God. 

God's plan includes the entire church working together to build His kingdom. My understanding is that because the church is the bride of Jesus who is the bridegroom, it is necessary for it to be united before He returns. Jesus himself said, "EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS BROUGHT TO DESOLATION, AND A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST A HOUSE FALLS". Furthermore, it seems reasonable to think that just as in any marriage, the bride and bridegroom need to get along and become one with one another. This is difficult, if not impossible, to do if the collective bride is not one with one another. However, a united body is what God longs for His people, and is what Jesus prayed for in the garden. To intentionally not unite with others in the body of Christ because of disagreements or anything else, is disobedience and sin in the sight of God. The greatest commandment is to love God and to love one another so that the world would know who Jesus's disciples are and that He sent them. Therefore the greatest sin is to not love God by not obeying what He commanded His people to do and to not love one another. As we await the return of the King, love God, love one another and promote unity among the body of Christ. 

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE, AS YOU, FATHER, ARE IN ME, AND I IN YOU; THAT THEY ALSO MAY BE ONE IN US, THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU SENT ME. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE JUST AS WE ARE ONE: I IN THEM, AND YOU IN ME; THAT THEY MAY BE MADE PERFECT IN ONE, AND THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SENT ME, AND HAVE LOVED THEM AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME. "FATHER, I DESIRE THAT THEY ALSO WHOM YOU GAVE ME MAY BE WITH ME WHERE I AM, THAT THEY MAY BEHOLD MY GLORY WHICH YOU HAVE GIVEN ME; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20‭-‬26)

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? YOU CALL ME LORD AND TEACHER, AND YOU SAY WELL, FOR SO I AM. IF I THEN, YOUR LORD AND TEACHER, HAVE WASHED YOUR FEET, YOU ALSO OUGHT TO WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET. FOR I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE, THAT YOU SHOULD DO AS I HAVE DONE TO YOU. MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, A SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER; NOR IS HE WHO IS SENT GREATER THAN HE WHO SENT HIM. IF YOU KNOW THESE THINGS, BLESSED ARE YOU IF YOU DO THEM... A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, THAT YOU ALSO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. BY THIS ALL WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER." (John 13:12‭-‬17‭, ‬34‭-‬35)

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to WALK WORTHY OF THE CALLING WITH WHICH YOU WERE CALLED, WITH ALL LOWLINESS, AND GEMTLENESS, WITH LONGSUFFERING, BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE, ENDEAVORING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE. THERE IS ONE BODY AND ONE SPIRIT, JUST AS YOU WERE CALLED IN ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING; ONE LORD, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, WHO IS ABOVE ALL, AND THROUGH ALL, AND IN YOU ALL. (Ephesians 4:1‭-‬6)

THERFORE, AS THE ELECT OF GOD, HOLY AND BELOVED, PUT ON TENDER MERCIES, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, LONGSUFFERING; BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, IF ANYONE HAS A COMPLAINT AGAINST ANOTHER; EVEN AS CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, SO YOU ALSO MUST DO. BUT ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS PUT ON LOVE, WHICH IS THE BOND OF PERFECTION. AND LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS, TO WHICH YOU WERE CALLED IN ONE BODY; AND BE THANKFUL. LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY IN ALL WISDOM, TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING WITH GRACE IN YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD. AND WHATEVER YOU DO IN WORD OR DEED, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, GIVING THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER THROUGH HIM. (Colossians 3:12‭-‬17)

There are diversities of gifts, BUT THE SAME SPIRIT. There are differences of ministries, BUT THE SAME LORD. And there are diversities of activities, BUT IT IS THE SAME GOD WHO WORKS IN ALL. BUT THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO EACH ONE FOR THE PROFIT OF ALL: for to one is given the word of wisdom THROUGH THE SPIRIT, to another the word of knowledge THROUGH THE SAME SPIRIT, to another faith BY THE SAME SPIRIT, to another gifts of healings BY THE SAME SPIRIT, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. BUT ONE AND THE SAME SPIRIT works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. FOR AS THE BODY IS ONE AND HAS MANY MEMBERS, BUT ALL THE MEBERS OF THAT ONE BODY , BEING MANY, ARE ONE BODY, SO ALSO IS CHRIST. FOR BY ONE SPIRIT WE WERE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY - WHETHER JEWS OR GREEKS, SLAVES OR FREE - AND ALL HAVE BEEN TO DRINK INTO ONE SPIRIT. FOR IN FACT, THE BODY IS NOT ONE MEMBER BUT MANY. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? BUT NOW GOD HAS SET THE MEMBERS, EACH ONE OF THEM, IN THE BODY JUST AS HE PLEASED. AND IF THEY WERE ALL ONE MEMBER, WHERE WOULD THE BODY BE? BUT NOW INDEED THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS, YET ONE BODY. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SCHISM IN THE BODY, BUT THAT THE MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. AND IF ONE MEMBER SUFFERS, ALL THE MEMBERS SUFFER WITH IT; OR IF ONE MEMBER IS HONORED, ALL THE MEMBERS REJOICE WITH IT. NOW YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, AND MEMBERS INDIVIDUALLY. (I Corinthians 12:4‭-‬27)

UNITY BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

Husbands, love your wives, JUST AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR HER, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD, THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE OR ANY SUCH THING, BUT THAT SHE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. FOR NO ONE EVER HATED HIS OWN FLESH, BUT NOURISHES AND CHERISHES IT, JUST AS THE LORD DOES THE CHURCH. FOR WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, OF HIS FLESH AND BONES. (Ephesians 5:25‭-‬30)

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, FOR THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME, AND HIS WIFE HAS MADE HERSELF READY." AND TO HER IT WAS GRANTED TO BE ARRAYED IN FINE LINEN, CLEAN AND BRIGHT, FOR THE FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF THE SAINTS. Then he said to me, "WRITE: 'BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB!" And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:7‭-‬9)

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. THEN I, JOHN, SAW THE HOLY CITY, THE NEW JERUSALEM, COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN FROM GOD, PREPARED AS A BRIDE ADORNED FOR HER HUSBAND. AND I HEARD A LOUD VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAYING, "BEHOLD, THE TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL DWELL WITH THEM, AND THEY SHALL BE HIS PEOPLE. GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH THEM AND BE THEIR GOD. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:1‭-‬8)

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "COME, I WILL SHOW YOU THE BRIDE, THE LAMB'S WIFE." AND HE CARRIED ME AWAY IN THE SPIRIT TO A GREAT AND HIGH MOUNTAIN, AND SHOWED ME THE GREAT CITY, THE HOLY JERUSALEM, DESCENDING OUT OF HEAVEN WITH GOD, HAVING THE GLORY OF GOD. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 21:9‭-‬27)

AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A CERTAIN KING WHO ARRANGED A MARRIAGE FOR HIS SON, AND SENT OUT HIS SERVANTS TO CALL THOSE WHO WERE INVITED TO THE WEDDING; AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO COME. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'TELL THOSE WHO ARE INVITED, "SEE, I HAVE PREPARED MY DINNER; MY OXEN AND FATTED CATTLE ARE KILLED, AND ALL THINGS ARE READY. COME TO THE WEDDING." ’ But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, 'THE WEDDING IS READY, BUT THOSE WHO WERE INVITED WERE NOT WORTHY. THEREFORE GO INTO THE HIGHWAYS, AND AS MANY AS YOU FIND, INVITE TO THE WEDDING.' So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. AND THE WEDDING HALL WAS FILLED WITH GUESTS. "BUT WHEN THE KING CAME IN TO SEE THE GUESTS, HE SAW A MAN THERE WHO DID NOT HAVE ON A WEDDING GARMENT. sO HE SAID TO HIM, 'FRIEND, HOW DID YOU COME IN HERE WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT?' AND HE WAS SPEECHLESS. THEN THE KING SAID TO THE SERVANTS, 'BIND HIM HAND AND FOOT, TAKE HIM AWAY, AND CAST HIM INTO OUTER DARKNESS; THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.' "FOR MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN."  (Matthew 22:1‭-‬14)

WATCH AND BE PREPARED

Christians are warned to watch and to be prepared for the Lord's return. We do so by what the Bible calls persevering, overcoming, not losing heart, remaining in Christ. If we're not ready because we're not being the faithful and wise servant whom He made ruler over His household, or if we're mistreating His fellow servants and eating and drinking with the drunkards because we think that the Lord is delaying His return, or if we are foolish because we know He is coming but do not prepare, or if we are wicked and lazy because we do not invest in His kingdom but bury what He's given us, or if we are not doing things which demonstrate love for our brethren, or if we are not ready for any reason, Jesus may come on a day and at an hour that we're not expecting Him, and we may miss our opportunity and be appointed our portion with the hypocrites, and/or cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. As we await the return of the King, do not get weary and lose heart. Watch and be prepared.

WATCH THEREFORE, FOR YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT HOUR YOUR LORD IS COMING. BUT KNOW THIS, THAT IF THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE HAD KNOWN WHAT HOUR THE THIEF WOULD COME, HE WOULD HAVE WATCHED AND NOT ALLOWED HIS HOUSE TO BE BROKEN INTO. THEREFORE YOU ALSO BE READY, FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COMING AT AN HOUR YOU DO NOT EXPECT. "WHO THEN IS THE FAITHFUL AND WISE SERVANT, WHOM THE MASTER MADE RULER OVER HIS HOUSEHOLD, TO GIVE THEM FOOD IN DUE SEASON? BLESSED IS THAT SERVANT WHOM HIS MASTER, WHEN HE COMES, WILL FIND SO DOING. ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU THAT HE WILL MAKE HIM RULER OVER ALL HIS GOODS. BUT IF THAT EVIL SERVANT SAYS IN HIS HEART, 'MY MASTER IS DELAYING IN HIS COMING,' AND BEGINS TO BEAT HIS FELLOW SERVANTS, AND TO EAT AND DRINK WITH THE DRUNKARDS, THE MASTER OF THAT SERVANT WILL COME ON A DAY WHEN HE IS NOT LOOKING FOR HIM AND AT AN HOUR HE IS NOT AWRE OF, AND WILL CUT HIM IN TWO AND APPOINT HIM HIS PORTION WITH THE HYPOCRITES. THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH. (Matthew 24:42‭-‬51)

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. NOW FIVE OF THEM WERE WISE, AND FIVE WERE FOOLISH. THOSE WHO WERE FOOLISH TOOK THEIR LAMPS, BUT NO OIL WITH THEM, BUT THE WISE TOOK OIL IN THEIR VESSELS WITH THEIR LAMPS. BUT WHILE THE BRIDGROOM WAS DELAYED, THEY ALL SLUMBERED AND SLEPT. "AND AT MIDNIGHT A CRY WAS HEARD, "'BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING; GO OUT TO MEET HIM!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ AND WHILE THEY WENT TO BUY, THE BRIDGROOM CAME, AND THOSE WHO WERE READY WENT WITH HIM TO THE WEDDING AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'LORD, LORD, open to us!’ BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID, 'ASSUREDLY I SAY TO YOU, I DON'T KNOW YOU.' "WATCH THERFORE, FOR YOU KNOW NEITHER THE DAY NOR THE HOUR IN WHICH THE SON OF MAN IS COMING. 

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his Lord’s money. AFTER A LONG TIME THE LORD OF THOSE SERVANTS CAME AND SETTLED ACCOUNTS WITH THEM. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ HIS LORD SAID TO HIM, 'WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT; YOU WERE FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE YOU RULER OVER MANY THINGS. ENTER INTO THE JOY OF THE LORD.' He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ HIS LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘'WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT; YOU WERE FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE YOU RULER OVER MANY THINGS. ENTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR LORD.' “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ "BUT HIS LORD ANSWERED AND SAID TO HIM, 'YOU WICKED AND LAZY SERVANT, YOU KNEW THAT I REAP WHERE I HAVE NOT SOWN, AND GATHER WHERE I HAVE NOT SCATTERED SEED. SO YOU OUGHT TO HAVE DEPOSITED MY MONEY WITH THE BANKERS, AND AT MY COMING I WOULD HAVE RECEIVED BACK MY OWN WITH INTEREST. THEREFORE TAKE THE TALENT FDROM HIM, AND GIVE IT TO HIM WHO HAS TEN TALENTS. 'FOR TO EVERYONE WHO HAS, MORE WILL BE GIVEN, AND HE WILL HAVE ABUNDANCE; BUT FROM HIM WHO DOES NOT HAVE, EVEN WHAT HE HAS WILL BE TAKEN AWAY. AND CAST THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT INTO THE OUTER DARKNESS. THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.'  (Matthew 25:1‭-‬30)

"WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMES IN HIS GLORY, AND ALL THE ASNGELS WITH HIM, THEN HE WILL SIT ON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY. ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE GATHERED BEFORE HIM, AND HE WILL SEPARATE THEM ONE FROM ANOTHER, AS A SHEPHERD DIVIDES HIS SHEEP FROM THE GOATS. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. THEN THE KING WILL SAY TO THOSE ON HIS RIGHT HAND, 'COME YOU BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD: FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME FOOD; I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME DRINK; I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU TOOK ME IN; I WAS NAKED AND YOU CLOTHED ME; I WAS SICK AND YOU VISITED ME; I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU CAME TO ME.' “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, 'ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, INASMUCH AS YOU DID TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YOU DID IT TO ME. "THEN HE WILL SAY TO THOSE ON THE LEFT HAND, 'DEPART FROM ME, YOU CURSED, INTO THE EVERLASTING FIRE PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS: FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME NO FOOD; I WAS THIRSY AND YOU GAVE NO DRINK; I WAS A STRASNGER AND YOU DID NOT TAKE ME IN; NAKED AND YOU DID NOT CLOTHE ME, SICK AND IN PRISON AND YOU DID NOT VISIT ME. “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, 'ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, INASMUCH AS YOU DID NOT DO IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU DID NOT DO IT TO ME.' AND THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS INTO ETERNAL LIFE." (Matthew 25:31‭-‬46)