The trumpet may sound today. Are we earnestly longing and yearning for the Lord's return? Are we being faithful, keeping God's Word, for all things that pertain to life and godliness? If we can say that’s what my heart is striving for then we can receive, after we give an account to Jesus, a crown of righteousness.
Jesus Christ looked forward to His second coming. Jesus began to show His disciples that He must die and be raised up again the third day. He challenged His disciples to take up their crosses and follow Him. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels: and then He shall reward every man according to his works. And when, on the Mount of Olives, He found His disciples meditating on these things, He encouraged them to “watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.”
After teaching and preaching, the people thought that the Kingdom of God should appear. In response, Jesus spoke a parable to them. A nobleman gave his servants ten pounds and said occupy till I come and when he returned he called his servants to give an account and those who had been busy and gained he complimented, "Well done, thou good servant because thou hast been faithful…" and He then rewarded them for their faithful service. Jesus rejoiced in His appearing. To the high priest he proclaimed, "Ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven." He told His disciples, "I said unto you, I go away and come again unto you. If you loved me you would rejoice because I said I go unto the Father." And when the disciples’ hearts were troubled, He comforted them with these words, "Let not your heart be troubled... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again."
The crown of righteousness will be given to those faithful Christians who read and keep the Word of God while waiting for the Lord's imminent return. Let us be like the Israelites who answered Moses, after he gave them all the words of the LORD, “All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.” And let us take heed, as did the disciples, who, in response to the question, "Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” did as they were commanded and waited in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father for the Holy Ghost. Let us respond to our testings and trials like Job, who said, "I know that my redeemer liveth and he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." Let us have confidence as Paul, who was ready to be put to death and stated, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing."
Jesus Christ is coming again. He said, "Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be." Let us strive to respond like John "Even so, come, LORD Jesus." And remember the true source of our strength, success and crown of righteousness is from the LORD.
