December 16 - The Return of Christ 그리스도의 재림

December 16 - The Return of Christ

 

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. “ –Isaiah 26:3

 

 

Our relationships are important to us, and we invest much time in these relationships. You were invested in getting to know Him when you accepted Jesus Christ into your life. Life is exciting with new relationships, and this new person's wonder has brought you joy. But as time goes by, and the relationship isn't as exciting and new anymore, you may become accustomed to them being in your life. You get distracted and may even let other things/people take a bigger role, which can lead to neglect.

 

We know that we all have been neglected in our lives at some point, and it reflects in our relationships. In John chapter 15, Jesus says that we are the branches, and He is the vine. As you prune a vine, you prune those not producing fruit. Jesus says, "'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing'” (John 15:5). 

 

James said we should wait and persevere as a farmer waits for autumn and spring rains (Deuteronomy 4:11). In Israel, rain comes at the end of October and the beginning of November. The autumn rain helps seeds to sprout. April and May bring spring rain, which helps crops mature. Farmers wait patiently for half a year between the spring and autumn rain. In the same way, Christians should wait for the return of Christ with patience: “Be patient, then, brothers, until the LORD’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the LORD’s coming is near” (James 5:7-8). 

 

We should remain firm in Christ as we await his return. Standing firm means being one-minded and strong. The prophet Isaiah said, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3). James said Christ, who is the judge, is waiting at the door: “Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9). Jesus also added, “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door” (Mark 13:29). The return of Christ is a main focus of the New Testament. 

 

The New Testament has three different words for the return of Christ. First, ‘parousia’ means the coming of Christ to His Kngdom). Second, ‘epiphanies’ means the return of Christ to His people. Third, ‘apocalipsis’ means showing the glory and authority of the LORD (1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7). The return of Christ is near. His return may seem slow and a long wait at times, but He is waiting for more people to be saved (2 Peter 3:3-9). 

 

No one knows the time of His return (Matthew 24:36), but He will come like lightning and like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:27-39). Therefore, we should always be on our guard (Matthew 24:36-51). We should prepare for His coming and be faithful in the works that we are called to do (Romans 13:11-14). We should be eager to wait together as the body of Christ and enjoy fellowship with each other (1 Corinthians 16:14, 22). 

 

“There is a perfect peace with God to be attained under imperfect obedience.” – John Owen.

“Christ alone can bring lasting peace - peace with God - peace among men and nations - and peace within our hearts.” – Billy Graham.

 

 

Today’s Prayer: “God is light: in him, there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Ask God to cause specific non-Christians you know to desire light instead of darkness. 

Prayer Pointer: To pray is to surrender to the will of God, to receive His provision and protection. – Paul Ceder

Bible Reading: Amos 7-9; Revelation 7

 

 

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12월 16일 - 그리스도의 재림

 

“주께서 심지가 견고한 자들을 평강에서 평강으로 지키시리니 이는 그가 주를 의뢰함이니이다” - 사 26:3

 

우리는 관계가 중요한 줄 알고 관계 형성을 위해 애쓰고 시간을 투자합니다. 예수 그리스도를 영접한 다음에 주님을 더 알기 위해 시간을 투자합니다. 인생은 새로운 관계를 통해 흥미 진진하고 새 사람의 경이로움의 기쁨을 경험합니다. 그러나 시간이 지남에 따라 관계가 더 이상 흥미롭지 않고 습관이 되면서 관계에 집중하기 보다 주위가 산만해지고 다른 사람들이 더 큰 역할을 하도록 내버려 두게 되고 결국은 무관심과 방치로 이어지는 관계가 됩니다.  

 

우리가 주님과의 관계가 소홀히 되었는지 아는 것이 관계에 반영됩니다. 요한복음 15장에서 예수님은 포도나무이시고 우리는 가지라고 하며 열매를 맺지 않으면 가지치기를 한다고 말씀합니다. "'나는 포도나무이다. 여러분은 가지입니다. 너희가 내 안에 거하고 내가 너희 안에 거하면 열매를 많이 맺을 것이다. 나를 떠나서는 너희가 아무것도 할 수 없느니라'"(요 15:5). 

 

야고보는 농부가 가을과 봄비를 기다리는 것처럼 우리도 기다리고 인내해야 한다고 말합니다(신 4:11). 이스라엘에서는 10 월 말과 11 월 초에 비가 내리는데 가을 비는 씨앗이 싹을 틔우는 데 도움이 됩니다. 4 월과 5 월에는 작물이 성숙하는 데 도움이되는 봄비가 내립니다. 농부들은 봄과 가을 비 사이에 인내하며 반년을 기다립니다. 마찬가지로 그리스도인들은 인내하며 그리스도의 재림을 기다려야 합니다. "그러므로 형제들아, 주가 오실 때까지 인내하라. 농부가 땅이 귀중한 작물을 수확하기를 기다리는 방법과 가을과 봄비에 대해 얼마나 참을성이 있는지보십시오. 너희도 인내하고 굳게 서라 여호와의 강림이 가까웠음이니라" (약 5:7-8). 

 

우리는 주의 재림을 기다리며 굳건한 믿음을 지켜야 합니다. 굳건히 서 있다는 것은 일편단심과 강한 믿음을 의미합니다. 이사야는 "마음이 굳건한 자를 완전한 평강 가운데 지키리니 이는 그가 너를 의뢰함이라"(사 26:3) 라고 하였고 야고보는 재판관이신 그리스도께서 문 앞에서 기다리고 계신다고 하며,,“형제들아 서로 원망하지 말라 그렇지 않으면 심판을 받으리라”(약 5:9)라고 하였고, 예수님은 "그런즉 너희가 이런 일이 일어나는 것을 보면 가까이 곧 문 앞에 이른 줄 알거니라"(막 13:29)고 말씀합니다. 예수님의 재림은 신약의 말씀에서 요한 교리입니다.  

 

신약 성경은 그리스도의 재림에 관해 세 가지 단어를 사용합니다. '파루시아'는 그리스도께서 그의 나라에 오시는 것이고, '에피파니아'는 그리스도께서 그분의 백성에게 돌아오시는 것이고, '아포칼립시스'는 주님의 영광과 권세를 보여주는 것을 의미합니다(고전 1:7; 살후 1:7). 그리스도의 재림이 가까이 오고 있습니다.  그의 재림은 때때로 늦고 오래 기다려야 하는 것처럼 보일 수 있지만 더 많은 사람들이 구원받도록 재림을 지체하십니다(벧후 3:3-9). 

 

이 세상의 아무도 예수 그리스도의 재림의 시간을 알지 못하지만(마 24:36), 예수님은 밤에 번개와 도둑처럼 오십니다(마 24:27-39). 그러므로 우리는 항상 깨어 있어 경계해야 합니다(마 24:36-51). 우리는 예수님의 다시 오심을 준비하고 우리가 부름받은 일에 충실해야 합니다(롬 13:11-14). 우리는 그리스도의 몸의 지체로서 서로 함께 교제하며 주의 재림을 기다리고 열망해야 합니다(고전 16:14, 22). 

 

"불완전한 순종 아래 얻을 수 있는 하나님과의 완전한 평화의 상태가 있습니다." – 존 오웬 "

오직 그리스도만이 지속적인 평화, 즉 하나님과의 평화, 인간과 국가 간의 평화, 그리고 우리 마음 안에 평화를 가져올 수 있습니다." – 빌리 그레함

 

 

오늘의 기도: “하나님은 빛이시니라 그에게는 어두움이 조금도 없으시다는 것이니라” (요일 1:5). 하나님께서 특별히 믿지 않은 사람들에게 어두움 대신 빛을 더 원하도록 기도하십시오. 

기도 지침: “기도하는 것은 하나님의 뜻에 순복하고 그의 베푸심과 보호하심을 받아드리는 것이다.

성경 읽기: 아모스 7-9장; 요한계시혹 7장