OUR HOPE
With the many overwhelming problems facing the world, it is reassuring to know that God will intervene, bringing lasting peace to the earth.
Read on to find out what God's plan is, how we can be part of it and real evidence in the world today that the time of God's major intervention is near.
"The good news about the kingdom of God
and the name of Jesus Christ"
ACTS 8:12
God loves us
God is our heavenly father who made us and loves us, and he wants us to love and trust him too (Psalm 103:8-14, Hebrews 11:6).
When we choose to go our own way, God calls us to turn back to him. God is patient as we grow in faith because he earnestly wants us to be part of his bigger plan for a world of peace and joy (Isaiah 55:6-7, 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 12:32).
God loves us so much, he even sent his son, Jesus to call us to repent (turn back to God) (Matthew 4:17).
"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us."
1 John 4:9-10
"...now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Acts 17:30-31
Jesus died and rose again for us
Jesus showed how God really wants us to live, with love, kindness and mercy, even for our enemies (Luke 6:35).
Unfortunately, many did not believe or want Jesus as their king, and they plotted to kill him. God knew that Jesus would be rejected, but he had a bigger plan to bring more people to him (Acts 2:22-23).
Jesus died and rose again so that we would believe and repent, to seek God’s forgiveness and salvation. This was not easy. Jesus overcame his own desires and trusted in God to raise him from the dead. (Acts 3:26, Luke 21:42, 1 Peter 2:22).
In overcoming sin, Jesus became the perfect king (Hebrews 2:10-18). God raised Jesus from the dead and appointed him to sit at his right hand until he returns to setup his kingdom on earth (Acts 3:17-21).
Jesus called his disciples to proclaim the good news of his coming kingdom to all the earth and for those who believe and repent to be baptised into his name for the forgiveness of their sins (Luke 24:46-47, Acts 5:31-32).
A renewed earth
When Jesus returns, he will raise the dead and give the faithful eternal life, free from temptation to sin. (Daniel 12:2, John 5:26-28, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 51-54).
Jesus will rule as a fair and righteous king from Jerusalem over the whole earth. Everyone will come to know God and enjoy long life, good health, peace and plenty in a beautiful, renewed earth. (Psalm 72, Isaiah 35, 2:2-4, 11:3-4).
"He... will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares... Nation will not take up sword against nation..."
Micah 4:3
"I have declared and saved. I have proclaimed...
Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the Lord, “that I am God."
Isaiah 43:3-12
Signs of Jesus' return
No one knows when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36), but the Bible has told us major events to watch out for as his return approaches.
The most significant of these is the return of Israel as a nation to the land in 1948, nearly 1900 years after Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in AD70 (Luke 21:20-24).
Israel’s continued existence, against the odds, is testimony to God's word that he would preserve them (Ezekiel 36:24, Deut 30:1-6, Jeremiah 30:10-11, 31:35-37) and gives us confidence that, as promised, Israel will become the centre of God's worldwide kingdom to come when Jesus returns as king (Dan 2:44, Isaiah 2:3).
Take the next step
God wants us to turn to him and be part of his coming kingdom.
Take the next step to learn more and deepen your relationship with God.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance"
2 Peter 3:9