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Glossaryof Terms

A Hopeful Interlude...

Shortcut to Subject Headings -

...THE CHRISTIAN HOPE......THE WORLD'S HOPE......THE BLESSED HOPE...
...TRUE HOPE......FALSE HOPE......NO HOPE......TAKE HEED!...

The Christian Hope is...the ONLY Valid Hope...
the ONLY Eternal Hope...verifiable through the WORD of GOD!

...But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
Psalms 22:9

Hope springs eternal in the human breast, man never is but always to be blessed..

Alexander Pope

Everything will be well, and Scripture fulfilled; it is the will of Christ that we keep ourselves steadfastly in the Faith of Holy Church.

Julian of Norwich (Revelations of Divine Love)

The Hope of the Christian Believer...

The hope of the believer is a hallmark, identifying the individual as exceptionally blessed. It is entirely biblically based, founded on the Word of God.
Hope, validated by scripture, confirmed by the Holy Spirit. Hope that is not transient but eternal, unshakable, established on the rock of salvation, Jesus Christ.

The Hope of the Christian is effective in bringing assurance of salvation. Producing health, strength and abundance, providing deliverance to the oppressed and comfort to the grieving. Hope that generates promises of future glory, gives rest to the weary and purifies the Saints in preparation for their eternal destiny in God’s coming Kingdom.

The believers hope is unruffled by the transient changes in life.
Earthly relationships are important and vital, more important is a steadfast relationship with a heavenly Father. The various Church denominations may place a different emphasis on various aspects of doctrine; whereas the hope of the true believer focuses on truth, not doctrine, it is entirely universal, based on the same Lord, the same Faith, the same Spirit, the same Word, and the same Blood, of Jesus. Only the unity of the body can result, and henceforth the Lord will command the blessing.

The present world system with it’s vagaries, faults and evils is fully explained to the believer through the prophecies in theWord of God and by the Holy Spirit.
Explained as a system that is rapidly passing away. There can be no perplexity, doubt or anxiety over this, for the Kingdom of God...

Christian believers can often endure storms in life...
Often even more so than the unbeliever; by virtue of their stand for righteousness, truth and justice. This hope weathers the storms, overcomes hardships, looks above circumstances to the source of all things. Looks beyond problems to the origin of all solutions. This hope needs no rebuilding, no reappraisal, recognizing ALL things working together for good. Shining perpetually brighter in an ever darkening world!

Moving onward, upward with...
Joy, Praise & Thanksgiving...
to the
Father of Lights, King of Glory & Prince of Peace.

Consider the following scriptures on the subject of Hope...

The Hope of the Unbeliever...

The hope spoken of in the Bible, (with all the many benefits already mentioned), is that which is enjoyed by the believer, (i.e. the faithful man or woman of God). Scripture also gives many references to the hope of the unbeliever, (referred to as the heathen or the wicked), or more accurately their false hopes or hopelessness.

Evidently, even as the many blessings imparted by the Word of God would regard hope as pre-eminent, (one of the three graces). It is also possible to obtain some sort of hope without going to biblical sources. What needs to be questioned is the validity and endurance of that alternative non-biblical hope.
To consider it’s source, it’s foundation, it’s effectiveness and endurance!

This hope is usually based on an individuals viewpoint regarding relationships and associations. Be they in the home, or at work, or with social activities.
Alternatively, confidence in material resources, political affiliations or doctrines, philosophies or spiritual teachings.
All these can contribute to an establishment of trust and security. A confidence that the established order of things, the status quo, will continue, or in fact improve.

Consider, however, the vulnerability, weaknesses and inherent flaws evident in imperfect man’s ideals and systems. Consider the fragility of the economy, the transitory nature of political manifestos and the various dangers associated with cults and a myriad variety of false doctrines. Consider the many great civilizations from history past that have toppled from within due to rampant corruption and immorality.

Those who have a hope outside of a relationship with God must surely be basing their expectancy on things transient, fleeting, unsubstantiated and open to attacks from the storms that life can throw at it. When these storms occur, as they undoubtedly will, the only routes left to follow are either to seek a personal relationship with a Loving God, or embark upon a vain attempt to rebuild hope on something as equally vulnerable as that which preceded it. The only other alternative is to descend into the Abyss of total hopelessness inhabited by the rebellious, lawless, violent, alcoholics, drug addicts, anarchists, nihilists and the like.

Consider these further scriptures on Hope...

(Related to Hopelessness or False Hopes)

The Blessed Hope...(A Brief Overview - Refer also to Main Section)

Having considered the essential elements of the Christian hope it is evidently something genuine, definitive and authentic. To fully define this hope however, it is necessary to explain the Blessed Hope, (or the Second Coming), being the focal point and primary theme of this ministry, referred to in Paul’s letter to Titus:

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus Christ
Titus 2.13

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is referred to over 300 times throughout the writings of the New Testament. This is also the climactic, central event of the Revelation of John, comprising the decisive conflict between the forces of good and evil at the Battle of Armageddon and heralding the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1.7

The first coming of Jesus Christ, (perhaps the most verifiable event in history), was clearly foretold by the old testament prophets. The Second Coming or the Blessed Hope is also confirmed as a future event by both old and new testament writers.

Jesus, was rejected by his people the first time for his failure to come as a conquering King, (this is referring in fact to the 2nd coming), and because of their own failure to see the various scriptures related to the suffering servant, (Isa. 53) etc. i.e. Jesus dying for the sins of mankind as the Lamb of God, (1st coming).

However, Bible believing Christians are without excuse for failing to recognize the significant differences between the first and second comings with the benefit of standing On This Side of the Cross!
with the blessing of the Holy Spirit to lead into all truth John 16.13.

The Blessed Hope, therefore, relates to a future time and event,
yet to be fulfilled...

The Second Coming...
is the Physical, Bodily, Glorious Reappearance of
the Lord Jesus Christ, on earth, as King of Kings, & Lord of Lords...
rewarding the Saints, destroying evil, seeing Satan bound for 1000 years, and establishing the Kingdom of God.
It is also present in mystery form, in the hearts and minds of the true believers in Jesus Christ, who continuing in faith, believing, Watching & Praying;
and are preparing for the event that will herald a splendid new age.
This is the Millennium Kingdom, (Rev. 20), an unprecedented time of love, joy, peace, and restoration with Jesus Christ ruling as King.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 1:27

The Blessed Hope has been, confessed by professing Christians worldwide, throughout the church-age, (and still is today), in the words of the Nicene Creed:

Quote: And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.

Luke writes: This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Acts 1.11

Clearly describing the Lords return being in like manner as his leaving, i.e. physical.

Paul also writes: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

1 Corinthians 15.19

So in other words, unless we can explain and quantify this hope, defining it with enthusiasm and conviction, then everything the Christian faith stands for is trivial!

My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

Psalms 119:81

A hope based entirely on scriptural facts, the promises of God’s Word.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4:4-6

A hope that is enduring, eternal, without boundaries of Time or Space. A hope that can only bring unity to believers and confound the skeptics.

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

A sure hope giving reason for rejoicing...
Motivating the saints and brethren in giving Thanks, Praise and Worship; in Spirit and in Truth, to our God & Father and Saviour!

AMEN!

Considering now the true hope, which Christians enjoy...
based on their faith & trust; in a Relationship with God, with particular reference to the Blessed Hope.

True Hope...

Which is a gift from God, is:

...on a continuing upward spiral to glory!

Notice that the world can only offer false hopes, trusting in relationships with fallible people or else having no hope at all, based often on a distrust of others...

False Hope...

Which is mankind’s, alternative is:

...with a continuing going around and around in circles!

No hope...

Which comes from hell is:

...on a continuous downward spiral into the Abyss!

For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. Isaiah 38:18

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Proverbs 25:19

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Psalms 78:7

The Blessed Hope...Take Heed!
The Blessed Hope...

Final Comments on the Blessings of the Christian Hope...

Expectation...

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

Psalms 62:5

Joy & Peace...

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13

Hope of Glory...

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Colossians 1:27

Hope of Salvation...

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thessalonians 5:8-9

Hope for Grace...

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:13

Sanctification...

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

1 Peter 3:15

Confidence...

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 2:28

The Lord Jesus Christ is...
the Blessed Hope of the Church,
He is the Messianic Hope of the Jew,
& ...the Only Hope for Mankind.
Amen, Come Lord Jesus!

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Page Title: A Hopeful Interlude
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Page Updated:7th July 2020
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