July 23, 2004

THE GREAT GOD AND SAVIOUR

"While we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13, NIV).

In this sublime double title, two momentous facts are highlighted--that Jesus Christ is God and that His majestic return in glory is the grand finale of the plan of redemption.

By linking the blessed hope and the glorious appearing to Christ's role as Saviour, Paul emphasizes the cohesiveness of the plan of salvation. Christ's glorious appearance is tied to His death and resurrection. As God and Saviour, Christ gave Himself as a voluntary sacrifice for the redemption of His lost creation (see John 10:11, 17, 18). The supreme purpose of this sacrifice was to prepare a people for His glorious appearing. Jesus, as God and Saviour, "gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own" (Titus 2:14, NIV).

The very God and Saviour who came in human form to save humanity at the first advent, is returning as the great God and Saviour in power and glory to effect our final salvation. "Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:28). That's why those who have been redeemed by the sacrifice of our great God and Saviour will eagerly "wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing" of Jesus (Titus 2:13, NIV). At His glorious appearing, our wonderful Redeemer will appear in power and glory to consummate the blessed hope and restore all things (see Matthew 24:30; Revelation 11:15). What a blessed day of matchless splendor! "It is called the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. His coming surpasses in glory all that the eye has ever seen."--In Heavenly Places, p. 357.

My Prayer Today: Lord, help me to eagerly await Your glorious appearing that I may see You face to face. Amen.