Living in Expectation

 

Zephaniah 1:7 (GNT) - The day is near when the Lord will sit in judgment; so be silent in his presence. The Lord is preparing to sacrifice his people and has invited enemies to plunder Judah.

One fundamental belief in Christianity is the belief that Christ will return once more.

This belief has ancient roots going back to Old Testament prophecies.

Zephaniah was a prophet who lived six centuries before the birth of Christ.

He is referred to as a Minor Prophet.

This has nothing to do with the importance of the book that bears his name.

Rather, it has to do with the brevity of his book as compared to those of the Major Prophets.

Zephaniah opens the chapter with the day of judgment.

In verse seven, Zephaniah urges believers to “be silent in his presence.”

In Matthew 24, Christ tells his followers about the coming destruction of the Temple.

Matthew 24:44 (GNT) - So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.

Naturally, they ask Jesus when this will occur.

Jesus tells them about future troubles.

He also tells them that no one knows when He will return.

Jesus advises them to “always be ready.”

There were those who lived in fear of this knowledge.

Many are still afraid.

But for the faithful, there is no need to fear.

Instead, we should live in hope.

How we choose to occupy our time should prepare us for that coming day.

The way in which we live our lives should be an example to everyone.

Our lives should demonstrate that we await His return in hope.

And that demonstration must be rooted in love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (GNT) - Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at https://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 17, 2023.

I will be back here on Friday, February 24, 2023