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 and forgiving as we grow in faith because he earnestly wants us to be part of his bigger plan, when his chosen king will overcome sin and bring peace and joy for the whole earth (2 Samuel 7:12-13, Psalm 72, 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 12:32).
"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 is the Christ
Jesus is this promised king – the Christ. Christ means, anointed one (John 20:31).
Jesus called people to turn their hearts to God and seek his forgiveness (repent), and he demonstrated how God really wants us to live, with love, kindness and mercy, even for our enemies (Matt 4:17, Luke 6:35).
Unfortunately, many did not believe or want Jesus to be their king, and they plotted to kill him. However, God knew that Jesus would be rejected and Jesus died trusting in God to raise him from the dead, knowing that his resurrection would bring more people to believe and repent (Acts 2:22-23, 3:24-26, Luke 21:42, 1 Peter 2:22).
This was the final victory of a life dedicated wholly to God. In dying for us, Jesus also overcame sin within himself and became the righteous and worthy king to rule on God’s behalf (Romans 6:10, Hebrews 2:10, 4:15).
Jesus’ resurrection proved that Jesus is the Christ and moved his followers to proclaim the good news of his coming kingdom and the forgiveness God offers to those who show their belief and repentance through baptism into his name (Acts 3:17-21, 5:31-32, Romans 6:3-4, Luke 24:46-47).
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 be a fair and righteous king who will judge with true justice to relieve the oppressed and bring peace and joy to the whole earth. Everyone will come to know God and enjoy good health and plenty in a safe, 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. As foretold, their removal from the land was only for a time (Luke 21:20-24).
Israel’s return, 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 sets the stage for another major invasion of Israel that will happen prior to Jesus’ return, when he will finally make Jerusalem the centre of God’s worldwide kingdom (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