Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
— Romans 8:21-23
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
— Hebrews 4:1-3
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
— 1 Timothy 4:8
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, 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
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
— John 14:2-3
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
— Revelation 22:20
Longing for Christ’s Return, by A.W. Pink. The following contains an excerpt from Chapter Three of his work, “Profiting from the Word.”
An individual is profited from the Scriptures when they cause him to long for the return of Christ. Love can be satisfied with nothing short of a sight of its object. True, even now we behold Christ by faith, yet it is “through a glass, darkly.” But at His coming we shall behold Him “face to face” (1Co 13:12). Then will be fulfilled His own words, “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me, for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world” (Joh 17:24). Only this will fully meet the longings of His heart, and only this will meet the longings of those redeemed by Him. Only then will He “see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied” (Isa 53:11). And “as for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness” (Psa 17:15).
At the return of Christ we shall be done with sin for ever. The elect are predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son, and that Divine purpose will be realized only when Christ receives His people unto Himself. “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1Jo 3:2). Never again will our communion with Him be broken, never again shall we groan and moan over our inward corruptions; never again shall we be harassed with unbelief. He will present His Church to Himself “a glorious church, not having spot, wrinkle, or any such thing” (Eph 5:27). For that hour we eagerly wait. For our Redeemer we lovingly look. The more we yearn for the coming One, the more we are trimming our lamps in earnest expectation of His coming, the more do we give evidence that we are profiting from our knowledge of the Word.
Application
Let the reader and writer honestly search themselves as in the presence of God. Let us seek truthful answers to these questions. Have we a deeper felt sense of our need of Christ? Is He Himself becoming to us a brighter and living reality? Are we finding increasing delight in being occupied with His lovely perfections? Is Christ Himself becoming daily more precious to us? Is our faith in Him growing so that we confidently trust Him for everything? Are we really seeking to please Him in all the details of our lives? Are we so yearning for Him that we should be filled with joy, if we knew for certain that He would come during the next twenty-four hours? May the Holy Spirit search our hearts with these pointed questions.
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