Do You Long for Jesus' Appearing?

5/28/2016

Hey everyone,

You are aware, aren’t you, that there is a crown of righteousness in store for all those who “long for Jesus’ appearing”? Think of it: a crown with your name on it, just waiting for you to claim it. So, with that promise in mind: Do you, personally, long to see Daniel’s vision become reality?

“As I watched in the night visions,

I saw one like a human being

coming with the clouds of heaven.

And he came to the Ancient One

and was presented before him.

To him was given dominion

and glory and kingship,

that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

that shall not pass away,

and his kingship is one

that shall never be destroyed.”

Do you also long for Paul’s prophecy to be fulfilled?

“For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.”

And Jesus’ own promise?

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

How about this amazing Event?

“Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death....Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”

And do you look forward to a Triumphal Entry that is a billion-fold more glorious than when He rode the borrowed donkey?

“Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, ‘King of kings and Lord of lords.’”

If those prophecies produce only apathy rather than longing, then there is a simple solution. You must eradicate, now, any love of the world or “desire for other things” that has robbed you of your first love. The natural state of the redeemed human heart is to thrill at the thought of seeing Jesus. You can long for Him, and you will do so, if you will only make room for Him in your heart. Empty it of all idolatries—entertainment, comfort, ease, pleasure, achievement, ambition, recognition—and give yourself fully to Him! And if thoughts of seeing Him provoke anxiety rather than worship, then let His sprinkled blood cleanse your conscience, driving out all fear. Listen to the “better word” His blood so patiently and powerfully speaks. You will see your fear replaced by love and dread replaced by longing.

If you already do long for Jesus’ return, TELL HIM SO! And “hasten His coming” by “leading lives of holiness and godliness.” And “while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by Him at peace, without spot or blemish.” What an awesome “crown of righteousness” it will be when we see Him and complete our metamorphosis, becoming like Jesus because we see Him as He is! So let’s purify ourselves, as He is pure. Today. Now. Oh, and did I mention telling Him that we just can’t wait to see Him face to face? Good!

The Spirit and the Bride must both say “Come” before our longing eyes will see Him.

Maranatha!

DanZ

•  Crushing the Silent Revelry