DAY 15—The third factor of hope is that we can have a confidence that will save us from shame in the Day of Christ’s appearing.

 

Scripture teaches that Christ will come again in a Parousía that will stop all the affairs of the world as His Kingdom takes the dominion. Those who abide in Him can rejoice in that day. Those who have refused to submit to the authority of His Government personally will meet that day with fear and shame. But, if we who are believers have come to the place of abiding in Him, we need have no fear of being ashamed in that Day. Instead, we wait for it with a joyful hope.

I John 2:28,29—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 (parousía, His grand coming at the end of this age). [The preceding word when is from the Greek hótan which carries the meaning “whenever.” This could draw this passage to mean “whenever Christ appears...” His appearance might come at any time, unsuspected.] If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him. Those who demonstrate the divine nature can do so only if they have been born again.

II Peter 1:3,4—His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

PRECIOUS LORD, take my hand. Lead me—and these I hold before You—on into our place of security in Your bosom. Oh, let us not be misled by the religious spirits that are moving in upon Your Body! Keep our fellowship pure. Keep us safe from the attacks of the enemy that are coming at us in ways we have never known before. Let us not partake of anything that will make us ashamed to stand before You.

Paul’s first Thessalonian Epistle teaches much about Christ’s Parousía.—I Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23

 

 

 

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