“Even So, Come, Lord Jesus”
Beginning at six months out, we counted down the days. We couldn’t wait for our wedding day!
We talked every day and spent as much time with each other as we could. No one had to urge us to spend time on the phone or to sit and talk about our future. We were so excited about every part of it.
Susie and I knew that the day of our wedding was going to be special. It was. We truly believed that God had brought us together and we were so in love. The days passed slowly but they passed. We finally made it – July 7, 1984.
Our families gathered. To be fair, some of our family was thrilled while others were convinced we were making a huge mistake.
The moment came and our pastor, Bro. Garland Hobbs, led the men to take their place on stage. The bridal march began and every eye turned to the door at the rear of the auditorium. Susie came down that aisle and she was beautiful. Her dad didn’t glare at me too much but I wasn’t paying much attention to him anyway.
The songs, the vows, and the pronouncement were over in just a few beats of the heart. We were one. It was a sweet beginning to one of the greatest blessings God has ever given to me. I am so thankful.
But there is another day coming. Really it is one that every Christian should be counting down. It is the day of Christ’s return.
It is another love story. But this one has some elements and wrinkles that we might not expect.
This love story is between God and all of us who know Him as Lord and Savior. It is between Christ and His church, the Bride of Christ. The day is certain and it is coming but it hasn’t been announced. Jesus Himself said that only the Father knew the day and the hour.
In fitting with a Jewish wedding ceremony, the Lord Jesus will begin the festivities. He will return for His bride and the trumpets will sound. There will be a glorious moment when we realize – the day is here! What we have heard about for so long and waited for is finally here!
Wait, what’s that? You’re not anxiously waiting for this day?
Actually, I understand. I’m sitting here writing this and looking out the window of my study. The maple tree directly outside and the fields beyond are a beautiful reminder of how special God’s creation is. Plus, I’m busy. I’m getting ready to go out to the fair and work the evangelism booth for a while and then go to the leader’s supper meeting for the Acts 1:8 mission day tomorrow.
Our culture has wired us to being so busy that we have little time to sit and contemplate the wonders of heaven. And then it also messes with all of our plans that we have made – fishing trip next week, revival a few weeks after that – we have a lot on the calendar. Surely the Lord won’t be returning this month, will He?
But that is the beauty of it all. Jesus is returning. It’s the next great event in the prophetic calendar that God has on His wall. When He returns we will go home to be with Him forever. When He returns He will make all things right in His universe. When He returns He will take us home to a heaven that is more real and more beautiful and more amazing than anything on this planet we call earth.
Every one of our loved ones and friends who have died in Jesus will be there with us to celebrate! Best of all we will be with HIM. That’s it. That’s enough.
Our day is coming. We don’t know when. But we know that it could be soon. It could be today.
“Lord, will this be the day that you come for me?”
Even so, Lord, come.
Your Pastor,
Bro. Tim Hobbs
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18, AV)