In his autobiography, Arthur Miller reflects on his relationship with Marilyn Monroe. He talks about their loss of faith and descent into despair. “How I wish I still had my religion and she hers.”*

As followers of Christ, we have many reasons to hope. But if we don’t consciously and consistently reflect on those reasons, we too can forget.

One of those reasons is the return of Jesus and what that will mean. He will usher in the new heavens and the new earth. In 2 Peter 3:13 it is described like this: “we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

Picture this. God will wipe every tear from every eye. There will be no mourning or crying or death or pain. God will make all things new! (See Revelation 21:1-5)

If you are a follower of Christ, that is YOUR future.

But hope doesn’t stay in the future. It reaches back into the here and now, grabs us by the shoulders, and re-centres our focus and direction on the good that is coming. Because we know how it will be eventually, that influences how we live presently. 

For example, since the new heavens and the new earth will be perfect love, we love now as a way of foreshadowing that future. Since it will be perfectly just, we work for justice now as a way of foreshadowing that future. Since it will be perfectly holy, we grow in holiness now as a way of foreshadowing that future. 

The early Christians lived as if Jesus’ return was right around the corner. We should have the same mentality. In fact, it’s bright around the corner! The Light of the world is coming; while we wait, we flicker with anticipation and foreshadow that wonderful day with our words and actions.

Have hope.

How it will be eventually influences how we live presently. 

Brothers and sisters, it’s bright around the corner.

---

Notes:

–We are a people of hope! “It’s (b)right around the corner.” Sermon. December 10, 2023. Click here.

–New podcast and blog: “Where did Santa come from? Or, the mysterious origins of Saint Nicholas.”Click here, or tune into ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe.

—*As in: Donald W. McCullough, The Trivialization of God: The Dangerous Illusion of a Manageable Deity (Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1995), 19.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.