76. Redemption draws Nigh
Luke 21:28 Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
The promise of Redemption completed and perfected fills us with anticipation and excitement. Romans 8:22-23: “The whole creation has been groaning together…but we ourselves…groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for the…redemption of our bodies.” Every event on our earth or in our lives can in some way remind us of the Consummation of All Things. Every big thing reminds us of the Final Redemption at the end of time. When a Big Thing happens look up (to Jesus), raise your head and stand strong. Actually, every moment that passes draws us closer to Redemption, since every minute lived is one minute closed to the End.
When Jesus died and rose we shout, “He’s Alive and we are Redeemed.” However, as finished as that redemption is in the “Real World,” we still live in this present Age which is permeated with Evil, where Sin, Death, and the Devil rule and will rule until Jesus returns. Then, when all Enemies are eternally defeated and thrown into the Lake of Fire, the Kingdom of God is revealed and the Reign of God is the only one that remains and everyone will see it(so no need to believe it any longer). When that happens and we no longer live by faith, but by sight, we will sing: “We have been Redeemed!”
Just the thought, the certain hope, the anticipation is enough to lift us up above the defeated and despairing surroundings among which we live and move. Every day we are drawing closer to that Glorious Day. That Hope fills the heart with overflowing Joy that overwhelms all the Bad News we hear. Any earthquake or other disaster we suffer draws us closer to Him and to that Great Day of Redemption. Believing redemption is one wonderful thing; imagine how wonderful it will be when we see it.