“Looking for the blessed hope and
glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”
(Titus 2:13)
Everything seems to wear out, and it does. The stars
will not last and neither will the galaxies. It’s all getting tired.
There are three key reasons why a manufactured product wears out: 1)
manufacturing defects, 2) neglect in handling, and 3) overuse of the
product. The universe is a manufactured product. It was not “made” in
the sense that we make things in factories; God simply spoke and there
it was. You can read about it in Genesis Chapter One. Scripture also
teaches that, “In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning
with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not
anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light
of men” (John 1:1-4). The “Word” is
identified in Verse 14 of John Chapter One: “The
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory
as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Your Creator is the Word of God, also known as the Son of God.
This universe, this manufactured product, was utterly
perfect when it was made. Nothing wore out. There was no death as we
understand it and a blade of grass or a flower would remain utterly
beautiful – forever. Can we even conceive of such a thing? No we can’t!
– Fading flowers, the erosion of continents and tragic deaths are
everywhere! But there was a time when there were no diseases, death
didn’t exist and all remained in a constant state of utter beauty. We
were given free choice to be in concert with God or not, but a terrible
defect was found in humanity – we wanted and still want to do things OUR
way, even if it destroys us.
We have separated ourselves from our Creator, from
Almighty God. The original people on this earth, our ancestors, our
representatives if you prefer; spoke with the Lord and heard Him every
day. He is still here, but we are blind to His Presence. He speaks to
every one of us, but we do not hear because of the great defect in us
all.
Two weeks ago we completed a verse-by-verse study of
the 23rd Psalm, and as to Verse 6, mention was made of “Advent”
– and the Advent Season as it is celebrated in many lands has now ended.
I was not raised in church and do not remember ever seeing my parents
attend church when I was young and knew nothing of Advent. I received
Christ when I was 16, through someone who knocked on the door and
invited me to church. They did not practice the season known as Advent
and so I knew nothing of it, but now I’ve learned more and know it is a
time when the love of our Lord is honored and expressed.
I thank God that seasons are still set aside for our Lord.
Advent, of course, is not only a season of reflecting on His First
Coming, when He was born as a man who would die for our sins, but it is
also a time of looking forward to His Second Coming, His return, when He
comes for His people. And that is why today’s Scripture verse
was selected, for in this New Year, we are “Looking
for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior
Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Because of His First Advent, we are
saved from the sin of humanity. His Second Advent is our “blessed
hope,” soon to be experienced by all who trust in Him.
A story on the internet tells of “a
big spider in a cornfield that spun a beautiful web between the corn
stalks. He got fat eating bugs caught in his web. He liked his home and
planned to stay there forever. One day the spider caught a little bug in
his web, and just as the spider was about to eat him, the bug said, ‘If
you let me go I will tell you something that will save your life.’ The
spider paused and listened because he was amused. ‘You’d better get out
of this cornfield,’ the little bug said, ‘The harvest is coming!’ The
spider smiled and asked, ‘What is this harvest you are talking about? I
think you’re just telling me a story.’ The little bug said, ‘Oh no, it’s
true. The owner of the field is coming to harvest it soon. All the
stalks will be knocked down and the corn will be gathered. You will be
killed by giant machines if you stay here.’ The spider said, ‘I
don't believe in harvests and giant machines that knock down cornstalks.
How can you prove this?’ The little bug continued, ‘Just look at the
corn. See how it’s planted in rows? It proves this field was created by
an intelligent designer.’ The spider laughed and mockingly said, ‘This
field has nothing to do with a creator. Corn always grows that way.’ The
bug went on to explain, ‘Oh no. This field belongs to the owner who
planted it, and the harvest is coming soon.’ The spider grinned and said
to the little bug, ‘I don't believe you,’ and then ate the little bug
for lunch. A few days later, the spider was still laughing about the
story the little bug had told him. He thought to himself, ‘A harvest!
What a silly idea. I have lived here all of my life and nothing has ever
disturbed me. I’ve been here since these stalks were just a foot off the
ground, and I'll be here for the rest of my life, because nothing will
ever change this field. Life is good, and I have it made.’ The next day
was beautiful and sunny in the cornfield. The sky above was clear and
there was no wind at all. That afternoon as the spider was about to take
a nap, he noticed some thick dusty clouds moving toward him. He could
hear the roar of a great engine and he thought, ‘I wonder what it could
be?’" The harvest of God is very near – TRUST in the Lord and be
saved from this earthly “cornfield” that
only ends in death!
The Apostle Peter wrote, "In the
last days mockers will come, following their own lusts, and saying,
'Where is the promise of His coming?'" (2 Peter 3:3-4). Peter
also said, "The Lord is not slow concerning His
promise, as some count slowness, but He is patient toward you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance" ( 2
Peter 3:9).
The idea of an Advent Season in which the two Advents
of Christ are looked to and celebrated is not new. Justin Martyr was
born in 100 AD and was martyred in 165 AD. He was an educated man who
became a Christian as a young adult and was a prolific writer. Justin,
who called himself a “Samaritan,” wrote: “The
prophets have announced two Advents of Christ. In the first one, which
has already past, He came as a dishonored and suffering man. However, in
the Second Advent, according to prophecy, He will come from heaven with
glory, accompanied by His angelic host. At that time He will raise the
bodies of all… who have lived” (c. 160, E, 1.180).
Justin’s observations were shared by the Apostle Paul,
a writer and speaker who was led and directed by the Holy Spirit of God.
He was the human author of our Scripture for today, Titus 2:13, in which
we are encouraged to look with excitement “for the
blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ.” John the Apostle wrote with the confidence of an eye
witness about the subject, stating, “Behold, He is
coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and they also who
pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him”
(Revelation 1:7). We will see the Lord, if not today, then very soon.
This moment is the time for us to simply TRUST in the
Lord. Listen to the “roar” approaching the “cornfield”
of this world, for the Manufacturer, the Creator is coming to harvest
the earth. Today, with thoughts of the Advent of Christ, now is the time
to place our faith in Him.
Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of
You. I confess my sins and trust in You now. Thank You, Lord, for the
grace of God in saving me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
