For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20
A paraphrase of the New Testament which I find of consistent value and seems to stay most true is that by J.B. Phillips—he writes the above, and following verse as follows—
But we are citizens of Heaven; our outlook goes beyond this world to the hopeful expectation of the savior who will come from Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change these wretched bodies of ours so that they resemble his own glorious body, by that power of his which makes him the master of everything that is. Philippians 3:20-21
Last week we broke from our Sunday thru-the-New Testament-study and looked at the likely prophetic implications of the focus of global attention on Jerusalem. Once again Zechariah 12 ought to be coming to the believer’s attention, drawing our attention to the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
An outstanding devotional book, which I strongly endorse is that of Samuel Bagster, titled—Daily Light on the Daily Path. He contributes not one word of his own, rather he solely presents Scripture with unnamed themes– drawing attention to the inspired counsel of the Word. The May 28 reading (obviously following our May 27 study) was of great encouragement, underscore and joy of anticipating of the soon coming of our Lord. From the devotional—
The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14
We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. II Peter 3:13-14.
Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:28
And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9
From highly respected pastor of the century prior, Alexander MacLaren –
“The primitive church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ than about death or about heaven. The early Christians were looking not for a cleft in the ground called a grave but for a cleavage in the sky called Glory. They were watching not for the undertaker but for the uppertaker.”
Maranatha!