"To live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the glorious hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," Titus 2:12–13 states. The glorious advent of Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior, is identified as the "glad hope" in this text.
Our hope is "fortunate" in that Jesus' coming will be a spectacular, joyful event for those who trust in Him. When we see Christ, we will be blessed beyond measure. The difficulties of this life will be over, and we will realise that "our present sufferings are nothing in comparison to the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). The term hope does not convey uncertainty, as in "I hope something happens," but rather the pleasant conviction that something will happen. No one can take our hope away from us because of Jesus. "Hope does not put us to shame," says the author, "for God's love has been poured out into our hearts via the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).
The blessed hope that God will extend His favours to us and that Jesus Christ will return is the "blessed hope." We are now anticipating this event. Jesus predicted His return in John 14:3, the angels predicted His return in Acts 1:11, and the epistles predict His return. From the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 onwards, Jesus could return at any time for His church, which includes all believers in Christ. The rapture is the name given to this event. The voice of the archangel and God's trumpet call will announce it. The bodies of those who have died will be raised to be united with their souls, and the bodies of believers who are still alive on earth will be transformed into a body similar to the Lord's resurrection body. At Christ's return, believers who have been raised from the dead and those who are still alive will meet the Lord in the air and be transported to heaven. They'll "unitedly ride the friendly skies" (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). This will occur in the blink of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52).
Should a believer in Jesus Christ be affected by the joyous hope of Christ's imminent return? "All who have this hope in him purify themselves, as [Jesus] is pure," John wrote (1 John 3:3). In the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the believer awaiting Christ's glorious return will desire to live a life of purity. We will all stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives on earth for Him (2 Corinthians 5:10).
The impending return of Jesus should inspire believers to conduct godly lives in an ungodly world. The key is found in Titus 2:13, when the term gazing is used. To be "looking" means to live each day in constant expectation and eagerness, knowing that Jesus could appear at any moment. In this life, that hope transforms into a transformative reality, resulting in God being glorified through us (1 Corinthians 10:31). The blessed hope provides us delight and encourages us to persevere in the face of adversity. It should also prompt us to pause and consider our thoughts, words, and actions.
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