| 當一個闊別已久的摯愛親友，終於遠道回來，我們的心情一定十分興奮，一定是充滿快樂的期待。同樣，我們期待我們的救主和摯友耶穌基督，將要再回來；這種期待就稱為「有福的盼望」。 對今天許多信徒來說，「基督再來」已成了一個免談的話題。不少牧者認為自己對此認識不足，所以便極少傳講這一信息，這實在是教會莫大的損害。 當基督在橄欖山上升天之後，有兩位天使顯現向門徒說：「祂必會再來。」（徒一11）基督也說過，祂去就必再回來。基督在世的時候，曾作過數個應許，祂說祂必從死裡復活，結果祂真的復活了；祂說要建立教會，祂也正在建立中。祂說了祂會回來。如果，祂的前兩個應許已經成就，有關祂再來的第三個應許，又怎會不成就呢？ 對於祂再來的見解，眾說紛紜；但重點並非祂再來的時間，而是祂必定再來這個事實。誰會再來？是基督自己。這是神為我們預備的計劃中，接著將要發生的大事。當祂再來的時候，我們若活著，便會即時改變，與其他先我們而去卻曾堅信基督的信徒們，一同與主永遠同在。這就是我們的盼望。 「盼望」一詞在新約中的意思，並非指一件憑空臆測，可能會發生，也可能會落空的事情。它是一個真實的指望，一個滿有把握的確信，對將要發生的事抱著滿心的期待。新約的作者就是以這種態度來看基督的再來。新約總共有318次提及基督再來，換句話說，大約每25節經文就有一次提到基督再來。它就是我們引頸而望並為之而活的大事。基督也許在今天再來！當祂再來的時候，祂會看見我們正在做甚麼呢？我們必須作好準備，隨時迎接祂再來。 |
| The return of a loved one from prolonged absence overseas is always an exciting time. Usually it is something we look forward to with happy anticipation. Similarly here it is our anticipation for the return of Christ, our Saviour, our friend, which is called "our blessed hope". For many Christians today it is more or less a closed subject. Pastors have stated that they do not preach about it because they do not know enough to do so. It is a great loss to the whole church that Christ's return is not spoken of more often. When Christ left His disciples standing on the Mount of Olives, the angels said clearly, "This same Jesus will come back." (Acts 1:11) Christ Himself said, "If I go, I will come back." Christ made several promises while He was here on earth. He said He would rise again. He did. He said He would build His church. He is doing that. He has said He will return. If He has fulfilled the first two promises, why would He not fulfill the third? There are many theories about His return, but the important point is not so much the timetable as the return itself. Who is coming? The Christ Himself. That is the next great event in God's timetable for us. If we are still alive when He comes, we will be changed and will be forever with the Lord, along with all those who have gone on before us trusting in Jesus Christ. That is our hope. In the New Testament the word "hope" is not used to cover an event which may or may not happen. It is used to speak about a certainty, a confidence, and an assurance that what we believe is absolutely true. This is how the New Testament writers saw the return of Christ. The second coming of Christ is mentioned 318 times in the New Testament, or once in every 25 verses. That is what we are to be looking for and living for. It could be today! What will He find us doing if He returns today? Let's be ready and be watching for His return, any time. |
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