A Personal Appearance

Saturday, February 02, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

In 1794, the young nation of America faced its first serious internal conflict. Congress had enacted a tax on the distilling of alcohol which was widely unpopular, especially in the western part of Pennsylvania. In what came to be known as the Whiskey Rebellion, distillers first refused to pay the tax, and then took up weapons against those who came to enforce the law. In response, President George Washington personally led more than twelve thousand soldiers into the resistant region. Faced with such overwhelming force, and with its members not willing to fight against the hero of the American Revolution, the revolt quickly evaporated. Washington’s presence at the head of the troops made a great difference in the result.

There is no substitute for being together in the personal presence of someone we admire, respect, and love. Many of us have had the experience of being away from home, perhaps even out of the country, but still having the opportunity to talk to family via live video calls. That’s better than a regular phone conversation, and way better than nothing, but it is still a far cry from being there in person. As Christians, we have the glad promise that one day Jesus is returning. And He’s not simply “sending for us,” but He is coming personally. The night before the crucifixion He told the disciples, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

Today's Growth Principle: 

We have the promise of Jesus that He will personally assure us entry into the presence of God.