Our age seems especially characterized by forgetting the expectation of the Second Coming. This thought may...
Our age seems especially characterized by forgetting the expectation of the Second Coming. This thought may seem strange, for people constantly speak of the end of the world; everyone waits, trembles, and is afraid. But is anyone waiting for Him, for God? In this respect, fellowship with Jews who genuinely and sincerely believe is very useful for Christians. They remember that things will not always remain as they are today. They wait intently for the coming of the Messiah, and they wait not only with awe but also with joy.
Yet in principle we are waiting too... Only our lives show none of that intense and joyful expectation with which one awaits a beloved person, constantly running to the door and listening for footsteps... and also checking the mobile phone for a message explaining the delay.
We live as life carries us along. Sometimes we remember either that our world is finite or that we ourselves are finite. We become frightened. For a while, this fear may even move us to pray more often and do something for our salvation. Then we forget again. We forget that we are waiting not for the End but for the Beginning, that we are waiting for Someone who can change everything and make it new. We do not remember that in reality we “await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Truth is frightening.
And it is also frightening simply to place everything in the hands of God, the God for whom “one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” Therefore, to be with Him, we must forget about time and live as though eternity lay before us, yet we might die in the next moment.
If only for a minute we realize that each of our thoughts, every word, and every deed may be the last, while eternity nevertheless lies before us, then truth ceases to be a scarecrow and becomes reality. This very moment, this thought, this word, and this deed become truth. For God is the truth that illuminates every moment and all eternity.
At the same time, out of love for us the Lord humbled Himself so greatly that He was born, became man, and lived in time. More than that, He was “long-suffering” and saved us by His patience. Such a God does not inspire fear, and one longs to express gratitude to Him for salvation at least through the same patient waiting at the threshold, waiting for His Coming, for the coming of His Light and His truth that transforms the world.
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3:9 The Lord is not slow - As if the time fixed for it were past. Concerning his promise - Which shall surely be fulfilled in its season. But is longsuffering towards us - Children of men.Not willing that any soul, which he hath made should perish.