WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR?

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The Scriptures reveal what our hope should be in, it is in Jesus Christ’s return. Verses about Jesus’ glorious return and the years immediately preceding it comprise nearly 25% of the Bible.

Our hope comprises all of the following: resurrection from the dead”(Acts 23:6), the hope of glory (new amazing body) (Col 1:27), to rule over the nations with Jesus (Rom 15:12), the presence of our Lord Jesus and all of our loved ones who know Jesus (1 Thessalonians 2:19). Note what Peter tells us to do: prepare our minds for action.

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13

.This is a lot to hope for, and all of these things happen upon Jesus’ return. Paul had this to say about those who only hope in this life and not in the return of the Lord:

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” 1 Corinthians 15:19

The Coming of the Lord
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this, we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord, himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body,” Philippians 3:20

“The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.” Revelation 2:26-27

Our hope is for Jesus’ soon coming return when all of these wonderful promises will be fulfilled. Surely, we are prepared to face the coming tribulation knowing that the indwelling Holy Spirit will ensure we can handle it just as He did for Stephen when he was stoned to death. Even more important, surely you want to complete the work God has for you to do in these last days in order to receive His commendation.

“But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God… And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:55-56, 59-60

OUR BLESSED HOPE IS THE RETURN OF JESUS OUR KING

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ANOTHER GREAT PRESENTATION FROM NELSON WALTERS: OUR BLESSED HOPE

Christians need to understand that Jesus told His disciples (Olivet Discourse in Matthew, Mark and Luke) that six events will precede His return. You need to know what they are.

PRESENTATION SUMMARY:.

  • The blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of Jesus are ONE event, not two
  • The word appearing is not one of the Greek words for rapture, but rather a word that means “appearing above or upon,” such as the appearing upon the clouds; and it always means appearance of a god
  • This word is also used in 2 Thess. 2:8 where it says Jesus will diminish the power of the Antichrist upon his appearance. This can only mean that the Antichrist is already in power prior to the appearing of Jesus
  • Our hope is Jesus no matter what persecution may intervene. We have a blessed hope even if we must endure the Tribulation period.

So rather than being a proof text for the pretrib. rapture, Titus 2:13 and the accompanying word study are actually a proof text disproving the pretrib. rapture. How can the hope of Christians be the appearing on the clouds and the diminishing of Antichrist power, if there is a pretrib. rapture. Both cannot be true. I’ll chose to believe the Bible and Titus 2:13.

So if you liked Nelson’s teaching, hit a couple of the share buttons below. This is a terribly misunderstood doctrine, and sharing it will be helpful to multitudes of brothers and sisters.