God is love for He created this world to be inhabited. He gives to those created creatures, life, breath, and all things. And even in man's rebellion against their creator, mankinds believing a lie, rather than God's truth. They succumbed to the deceit of the evil one that tempted them, that they would be like God.
Yet the only true God from all eternity, who does not give His glory to another, the LORD God Almighty, soon after delivering His sentence of death to the guilty, in His grace and mercy promised a redeemer for the disobedient, sinful, fallen human race.
One who would be born of a virgin. One name above every name the very Son of God from all eternity. The One called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father**, Prince of Peace. A Child who would be born, of flesh, blood and bones, taking the very nature of a man, to obey what no mere mortal human being could accomplish. A Savior without the tainted, sinful nature, did what none of us ever could by attempting to please God with good works and gain our way to His kingdom. For all our righteous acts are like filty rags.
The Word who was in the beginning with God and was God. The Word through whom all things were created. The Word, God's only begotten Son by which all the created order holds together. God the eternal Son, took on an additional human nature, humbled Himself in the likeness of man, lived a perfect sinless life became obedient to the point of death. Even the death on the cross.
And God has spoken to us by His Son in these last days. For God has appointed Him heir of all things for He is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person, upholding all things by the word of His power. The Word, became flesh and tabernacled among His creation, humbled Himself and became obedient to death. Even the death of the cross. And rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.
Jesus the Christ, after His death, appeared to some as they were walking on the road, walked and spoke to them; He appeared to His apostles, and more than 500 brethen at once. Some even sat with him, and broke bread with Him, ate with Him, as He opened their understanding to comprehend the Scriptures. That He was indeed the one Moses and the prophets spoke about in the Scriptures.
And for 40 days after His resurrection from the dead spoke to them about things concerning the Kingdom of God. When He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was seen ascending into heaven out of their sight, with two men in white (angels) telling them "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
The time of His arrival is nearer each day when He will descend from heaven, with His angels and those who have gone before us, with a shout, the voice of the archangel and trumpet call of God. And they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. For the Lord will come when you do not except, as a thief in the night with his mighty angels in flaming fire. The heavens will be disolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat.
Those who have been born from above, have been regenerated by grace through faith. Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but born of God and obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ will be gathered by His angels and caught up to the Lord, to be forever with Him in the new heavens and new earth. For here God will wipe away every tear from your eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the old order of things will pass away.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.
His second coming will be a glorious time for those who are His. Those who have confessed Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. All those who believe, trust and obey for them an eternity awaits where they will enjoy righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
But for all those who have denied the only name under heaven by which anyone is saved from God's wrath on the sons of disobedient. They shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of His power.
We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:1-2)
**Some render the words, "the Father of eternity" the author of eternal life; grace and truth are come by Christ, the Father and author (looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him enduring the crossd, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2) of the Gospel dispensation; the doctrines of it are from him, and the ordinances of it by him; and he is the father of that state or world to come after the resurrection, the New Jerusalem church state, and also of the ultimate glory. John Gill )
(Scripture references)
1 John 4:8;16; Acts 17:25; Gen. 3; Is. 7:14; 9:6; Heb. 4:15; Col. 1:17; Phil. 2:5-8; Rom. 8:1-4; 3:23
Is. 64:6; John 1:1-4; Heb 1:1-4; Luke 24:13-32; 1 Cor. 15:3-8; Acts 1:9-10; Deut. 18:15-19;
1 Thess 4:16-18; Matt. 24:29-31; 2 Peter 3:10; John 1:13; rev. 21:1-4; 2 Thess 1:7-10
2 Peter 3:11-13; Rom. 10:9; 14:17; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; 2 Thess 1:10
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