"Until He Comes"

“Until He Comes”

Introduction: Do you remember those dreaded words your Mother would say to you when you were a child? “Wait until your Father comes home!” It was a long, anxious, dreary wait, wasn’t it?

Jesus told us that He’s coming back. But, it doesn’t have to be with dreaded anticipation, to await judgment or condemnation. Jesus is coming back … to take His family back home to be with Him … forever! We don’t know just WHEN … just … that He WILL.

WHY is He coming back? Because He gave us His promise that He would, and He always keeps His word. He told us in John 14:2-3 – “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” We call the return of Jesus, the “Rapture”.

MEANWHILE … What we do while we wait for His return is very important. Jesus gave us some good advice about our waiting.

STORY: A young boy arrived home one day with 2 black eyes. His mother said: “Fighting again! Remember the advice I gave you … count to 100 before you do anything.” Her son replied: “But mother, I did … but his mother told him to count to only 50!”

My father gave me some good advice when I was a teenager. He said: “If you’re working for someone and you can’t BE busy, LOOK busy! Don’t let your boss-man catch you doing nothing. You can always find SOMETHING to do!”

That’s good advice for us as Christians today, but Jesus’ advice is MORE than just advice. It’s a direction for living … “Until He Comes”. And, we don’t just have to LOOK busy … there’s plenty for us to do.

Our life here is a journey through time. The time between now and the Rapture is a time where no man has gone before … into the unknown … a whole new frontier of opportunities (kind of sounds like Star Trek, doesn’t it!).

When the Children of Israel went to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land, Joshua told them in Joshua 3:4 – “for you have not passed this way before." God had gone before them to prepare the way, but, they had not passed that way yet. God goes before us, preparing the way until we arrive at our final destination, and are then ushered into His presence.

There’s a story of 4 people on a plane (I picked this up years ago … don’t know from where). These 4 were on their way to a city … a prisoner, a widow, a world traveler, and a bride. Let’s take a look at their attitudes, and compare them with the return of Christ. Which one are you?

1.- PRISONER – He had been condemned to death and was going to his execution. What is his attitude? It’s an attitude of dread, because judgment awaits. He’s hoping for a slow trip … perhaps a fog delay, or a snow storm, so the plane can be diverted to another airport. Anything! He has a fearful anticipation of the future, because condemnation awaits him. As time gets closer to his arrival, his heart sinks, his stomach churns. He’s not looking forward to his final destination. He has an attitude of JUDGMENT.

2.- WIDOW – Her husband died a few days ago, and she’s going to the funeral. She has an attitude of sorrow and remorse. She wishes things were different, and she sits and reflects on the past. “Why wasn’t I a better wife? I could have done more!” She has a feeling of inadequacy as she looks at her failings and failure. She has an attitude of REGRET.

3.- WORLD TRAVELER – He’s an adventurer, going to, well, he’s not quite sure, and he really doesn’t care. He’s been around the world, gone everywhere, seen and done everything. He’s spent his life seeking excitement. What lies ahead? Riches, danger, death, the unknown? He doesn’t worry about the future, he just lives for the excitement of today. “Eat, drink, and be merry.” What ever happens, happens! He has an attitude of APATHY … he’ll find out when he gets there.

4.- BRIDE – She’s going to meet her groom, with an attitude of joy. She’s anticipating her arrival … she can’t wait! Time passes too slowly (unlike the prisoner, where time seems to be going too fast). “Can’t I speed up this plane?” The closer she gets, the more excited she becomes. She’s looking for a bright future with the groom that awaits her. She has an attitude of JOYOUS ANTICIPATION.