The Second Coming and Christian Service
For the introduction to this series see
In the day when Paul would stand before the Lord to give account of his life and work, he would present the Thessalonians. They were his crown and glory and joy. God has promised to reward us for our labor for Jesus and they are Paul’s anticipated crown.
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
“Here the Apostle bears witness that the Lord’s coming was a motive in his own ministry and the inspiring hope of his own loving service for the souls of men. As he tells us elsewhere, he expects to present his beloved people to the heavenly Bridegroom as a delightful trust, and to find in their joy his joy and crown. To the faithful elders Peter says in this connection, “When the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that does not fade away.” And a still more ancient promise declared that “they who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever.” There is one sense in which the souls we win for Christ shall be eternally linked with our happiness and reward, and be as jewels in our crowns of rejoicing.” (A.B. Simpson)
Amen. Are we laboring for the Lord? Will there be people in that day who will point to me and say, “Thank you, Lord, for Jeff, he spoke to me/helped me/prayed for me/fed me/clothed me, visited me”?
When and where will such a scene take place? Paul tells us!
in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming
in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ - This means we will stand before him. I mean actually, literally, face to face with Jesus! He will be there and we will be brought before him, into his presence. Oh what a day that will be!
at his coming – The word for coming is παρουσία, parousia. This is one of the three words used for the return of Christ. “παρουσία - the presence of one coming, hence, the coming, arrival, advent. In the N. T. especially of the advent, i. e. the future, visible, return from heaven of Jesus, the Messiah, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God. It is called in ecclesiastical writings the second parousia, and is opposed to the first parousia which took place in the incarnation, birth, and earthly career of Christ.” (Thayer’s Lexicon)
This parousia is his return from heaven to earth and will result in his physical, visible presence with us. And it is at this time that he will reward us for our service, our work, our labor, our faithfulness in this life.
The prophet Isaiah said:
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. (Isaiah 40:10)
Later, in the book of Revelation, Jesus said:
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)
Hallelujah! Jesus is coming! And we will see him, and stand before him, his very presence, and he will reward our labor for him.
Maranatha!
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