Looking, Waiting, Being Like Him

by R. A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Category: Maran Atha | Nov 1999

There is no lasting satisfaction to be found in the world, in worldly things or worldly labour. That fact King Solomon established beyond all doubt in the book of Ecclesiastes. He examined everything that the world had to offer and found it to be empty and meaningless. The apostle Paul goes even further in Romans 8:22 when he says 'we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now'. He was referring to the result of sin, of course, and it extends to 'ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body' (v.23). But Maran atha, our Lord cometh! What a day that will be, when Christ returns. 'Who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself' (Phil. 3:21). That which was once subjected to vanity (Rom. 8:20) because of sin, will in that day be subjected to Himself through divine grace. No more groans then! '...the first things are passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new' (Rev. 21:4,5). Faithful and true words indeed, stirring our hearts in anticipation of Christ's return.

The Holy Spirit used the Greek word prosdechomai, looking for, when He guided the apostle Paul to write 'Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ' (Tit. 2:13). It means 'to expect, to look forward to receiving fellowship and hospitality'. This is what is embraced in the 'blessed hope and appearing of our great God and Saviour'. An epiphany of glory following an epiphany of grace (v.11).

Previously we referred to the watchwords of the Thessalonian saints, serve and wait. Here are two more, look and wait. 'Christ... shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation' (Heb. 9:28). Eagerly and expectantly waiting is the thought contained in the word, and the context in Hebrews 9 reminds us of the expectation of the nation of Israel as they waited on the day of atonement for the re-appearance of their high priest. Aaron had gone into the most holy place on their behalf. Having dealt with his own sins and the sins of the people he was expected to come out and the people waited for him, a most joyful but solemn occasion in their annual calendar.

How much more joyful it will be for us to welcome our great High Priest. Through the years of waiting He has met all our needs of mercy and grace as we have claimed the promise of Hebrews 4:16. Out of the true Tabernacle in heaven He will come, for those who wait for Him unto salvation. He will come for all His redeemed ones, although we have to acknowledge that some wait for Him with keener expectancy than others. Let us encourage one another to look and wait eagerly in the happy anticipation of seeing the One whom we love, 'for yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come and shall not tarry' (Greek chroniz, will not delay or while away time, Heb. 10:37).

When 'he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is' (1 John 3:2). We can only dimly appreciate what it will be like to be like Him. At the close of Psalm 17 David touches on this precious truth when he says, 'I shall behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness' or 'in Your likeness' (N.K.J.V.). The different prepositions invite us to enjoy two aspects of this glorious truth. 'In Your likeness' suggests having the same kind of body, not subject to death. 'With thy likeness' turns our thoughts to the infinite pleasure of seeing ourselves with His image and knowing we shall remain so for all eternity. Praise God, both thoughts are true.

R. A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Nov 1999
Maran Atha