1 & 2 Timothy MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set (Macarthur New Testament Commentary Serie) by MacArthur John F

Author:MacArthur, John F [MacArthur, John F]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 1995-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

That event is the culmination of human history and the vindication of Christ and those who are His. Prior to that judgment and the establishment of the kingdom on earth, the Lord will take His own saints to heaven (cf. John 14:1-4; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

The man of God must keep a proper perspective on that coming reality. This life is “just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). It is the eternal realm into which he will enter and for which he labors. What kept Paul going through the rough times of his ministry was the certain knowledge that “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Tim. 4:8). That crown of eternal righteousness is not only available to Paul, “but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8).

As already noted, Christ’s return vindicates Him by reversing the foolish judgment passed on Him by this world. His return also provides vindication for believers. “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed,” wrote Paul, “then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4). Romans 8:19 reads, “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God,” while 1 John 3:2 adds, “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.” The world may not know who believers are now, but one day their true character and position as sons of God will be manifested. Is it any wonder, then, that Paul could say, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18)?

God has provided an incredibly glorious future for believers. The man of God keeps his focus on that truth as he endures the trials of living and ministering in this present world. He is assured that the Lord will bring glorious victory in the day of Christ’s return. He eagerly awaits the revelation of his Lord, which He will bring about at the proper time. He refers to God the Father, since the doxology that follows refers to Him. Despite the many futile attempts to set a date for the Second Coming, only the Father knows when it will be (Mark 13:32; Acts 1:7). We can trust Him to bring it about at the proper time.

The imminency of Christ’s return further serves to motivate believers to service. The church must understand that

the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those

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