The Promise of His Return – March 19

Read John 14:1-3

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may also be.”

Reflect

What troubles you the most in this world? Will that still be a problem for you once Jesus returns?

The world is a troublesome place. Which shouldn’t really surprise us, should it? After all, Jesus told us that we’d have trouble in this world. But He also told us to be of good courage because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)! When I am struggling with the problems of this world, it helps me to remember that Jesus promised to return for us. And when He returns, He will renew and transform this world (Revelation 21:5).

In today’s verses, Jesus encouraged His disciples by telling them not to worry. Yes, He was leaving them (in fact, He would be arrested that very night) but only for a while. He was leaving them, but it was for their own benefit. He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. In other words, Jesus promised to come back to get us and take us home!

It reminds me of my favorite line in Psalm 23: “...and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (v.6). Jesus is making a place for us and we’ll be able to live with Him forever!

But when? Well, Jesus told us that no one knows when He will return (Matthew 24:36) but that we should always be ready (Matthew 24:44). The apostle Paul said that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). But Paul also told us what we can expect: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

But what is Heaven like? The apostle John saw it in a vision from the Lord and he described his experience like this: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away’” (Revelation 21:3-4).

Friend, if you are struggling, please know that you are NOT alone. This world is hard. We do have troubles! But remember the promise of Jesus…don’t let your heart be troubled! He is preparing a place for us and He will come back to get us. Believe Him!

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).

Respond

Lord, thank You for the promise that You will come back for us. You know that we have trouble in this world. You see our suffering. But when You return, You will make it all new. This world will be restored and perfected. And I know that I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and so, I will always be with You, Lord. Amen!

Reveal

After Paul wrote about Jesus coming back to get us and taking us home with Him on the clouds, He wrote: “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). So, obey Paul and encourage someone who needs a reminder that someday, Jesus will return. He will take us to be where He is and we will always be with the Lord.