October 9, 2004

THE SAVIOUR FROM HEAVEN

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20, NKJV).

The focus of this beautiful portrait of Jesus is the glorious return of the Saviour from heaven. Though temporary residents of this present world, we are citizens of heaven and as such live in constant expectation of our returning Lord.

Jesus has secured the full salvation of all who accept Him (see John 1:12). Those who are truly saved eagerly wait the day of ultimate deliverance. In the tension between the "already" and the "yet-to-be," the heavenly citizen lives in eager expectation of the Saviour from heaven. The grand objective of this eager waiting is final freedom from the very presence of sin. The eradication of sin from the planet will usher in the reign of absolute perfection.

It is to accomplish this grand object that Jesus will return the second time as the Saviour from heaven. The apostle Paul declared, "To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time... for salvation" (Hebrews 9:28, NKJV). Those whose citizenship is in heaven eagerly wait for the Saviour from heaven. To such, the return of Jesus is a joyous and blessed event. It is the very soul of the blessed hope.

The Saviour from heaven is coming to "transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body" (Philippians 3:21, NKJV). This is the supreme purpose for the coming of the Saviour from heaven. This is the crescendo of redemption. In character and body we shall be completely transformed into the likeness of our wonderful Redeemer. "He who has become a partaker of the divine nature knows that his citizenship is above. He catches the inspiration from the Spirit of Christ. His soul is hid with Christ in God."--My Life Today, p. 277.

My Prayer Today: Lord, I eagerly await my Saviour from heaven. May that day be soon! Amen.