July 8

July 8

But Wait...There's More!

Have you ever seen one of those infomercials where some obnoxious guy is telling you about all the great features of his product that you absolutely cannot live without? Just about the time he convinced you that you need to dial that 1-800 number right away, he adds that famous line, "But wait, there's more."

The same can be said as we wrap up our study of Jesus.

Because just like Jesus' life didn't begin with His birth (Scripture tells us that He was present at Creation), His story doesn't end after He ascended into Heaven.

Instead, His work goes on and on throughout eternity.

Today, Jesus is sitting in heaven after the right hand of God, where He is now interceding for us.

"Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." (Romans 8:34, ESV)

Every day Jesus is praying for us.

Jesus also serves as our Advocate. As the mediator between God and man, Jesus can identify with our weakness. (Hebrews 4:14-16) Because He lived as a sinless man, He can intercede before the Father for us daily.

As 1 John 2:1-2 says, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (ESV)

Jesus' life and teaching continue to serve as an example of how we should live.

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21, ESV)

Finally, Jesus is our soon-coming King.

When Jesus returns to the earth, it won't be in human form as a baby like He came the first time. Instead, He will return to rapture the church and take His people, those who are faithfully believing and following Him, to Heaven.

"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, ESV)

Then at the end of the Tribulation, He will return as a mighty warrior, the captain of an army, a sheriff leading his posse, ready to defeat all of the forces of evil and establish once and for all God's kingdom on the earth.

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.

His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.

 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.

He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelations 19:11-16, ESV)

King of Kings and Lord of Lords! That is Who Jesus is yesterday, today, and forever!

Memory Verse: But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5, NIV)