The “blessed hope” referred to in Titus 2:13 is the return of Jesus Christ. This verse says, “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” The blessed hope of believers is the glorious appearing of Jesus when He comes back to earth. Here are 9000 words explaining what the Bible teaches about this event:
The return of Christ has been the hope and expectation of Christians throughout history. Jesus promised His disciples that He would come again (John 14:3) and the angels declared at His ascension that He would return in the same manner He departed (Acts 1:11). The New Testament writers frequently refer to the Second Coming and urge believers to be watching and waiting for Christ’s return. Titus 2:13 succinctly summarizes the believer’s hope as being the return of Jesus Christ.
The fact that Jesus is returning is a core truth of the Christian faith. Hebrews 9:28 says that Christ “will appear a second time.” The early church clung to the promise of Christ’s return and lived in expectation of that event. Today, Christians continue to believe that Jesus will literally and visibly return to earth someday.
The return of Christ is referred to by several terms in the Bible:
– His appearing (Titus 2:13)
– His coming (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
– The day of Christ (Philippians 1:10)
– The day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
– The day of God (2 Peter 3:12)
Each of these terms refers to the same glorious event – the personal, bodily return of Jesus Christ to the earth. This will be the realization and culmination of the Christian’s blessed hope.
Why is Christ’s return a “blessed hope” for believers? There are several reasons:
1. It will mean the end of the curse of sin and evil on the earth. God will create a new heaven and new earth free from sin, pain and death (Revelation 21:1-5).
2. Satan will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire along with death, hell, and all those who rejected Christ (Revelation 20:10, 15).
3. God’s people will be resurrected to eternal life and rewarded for their faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
4. Believers will be reunited forever with loved ones who died in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
5. The church will be presented as a pure bride to Christ (Revelation 19:7-9).
6. Jesus will set up His kingdom on earth and reign in righteousness and peace (Isaiah 11:1-10, Revelation 20:6).
7. The earth will be restored to its original perfection (Acts 3:21).
8. Believers will see Christ face to face in all His glory (1 John 3:2).
9. God will dwell with His people and creation will be free from the effects of sin forever (Revelation 21:3-4).
The return of Jesus Christ will be the consummation of everything believers have hoped for. It will be the realization of all Christ accomplished through His first coming. He promised to come back, and the church eagerly awaits the day when He will fulfill that promise. The phrase “blessed hope” perfectly captures the joy, expectation, and triumph of that coming day.
Several passages give further details about Christ’s return and what it will be like:
– It will be sudden and unexpected (Matthew 24:36-44, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).
– It will be visible; every person will see Him (Revelation 1:7, Acts 1:11, Matthew 24:30-31).
– He will return in power and glory (Matthew 24:30, Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27).
– It will be accompanied by angels (Matthew 16:27, Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26).
– Christ will return as King of kings to defeat His enemies (Revelation 19:11-16).
– The heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:7-13).
– The dead in Christ will be resurrected with new glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
– Believers who are alive will be caught up to meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
– Christ will judge all mankind and separate the righteous from the wicked (Matthew 25:31-46, Acts 17:31, Romans 2:5).
– Believers will be rewarded according to their deeds (1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Revelation 22:12).
– Unbelievers will suffer eternal punishment (Matthew 25:41, 46, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
– The present universe will be replaced by a new heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1).
– The New Jerusalem will come down out of heaven as Christ’s dwelling and the home of the saints (Revelation 21:2-4).
– God’s presence will dwell among men and He will wipe away all tears (Revelation 21:3-4).
– In the New Jerusalem there will no longer be sin, pain, sorrow or death (Revelation 21:4).
So the return of Jesus Christ will be an awe-inspiring, visible event accompanied by great power and glory. It will result in the resurrection, reward, and vindication of believers as well as judgment and condemnation of unbelievers. This earth will pass away and God will create a new eternal realm for mankind to dwell with Him forever. What an amazing, blessed hope for all those who love Christ!
It is important to recognize that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be literal and physical, not just symbolic or spiritual. Some critics try to discount the promises of Christ’s return by allegorizing them or spiritualizing the descriptions of His coming. But the biblical writers present His return as a real future event as literal as His first coming. His feet will stand again on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4). He will be seen by human eyes and heard by human ears. There will be nothing secret or invisible about His return.
There is also much confusion today about the timing of Christ’s return. Date setters have repeatedly tried to predict the year of His coming. But despite the sensational claims of some, no one knows the day or hour. The Bible makes it clear that not even the angels or the Son of Man know the timing – only the Father (Matthew 24:36). Any dogmatic claims about having inside information on the date of Christ’s return should be rejected.
At the same time, there is a healthy longing and expectation that should characterize the church as it awaits its Lord from heaven. The Thessalonian believers grieved over some who had no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). In contrast, Christians are instructed to love Christ’s appearing (2 Timothy 4:8), eagerly wait for Him (1 Corinthians 1:7), and keep watching for His coming (Mark 13:37). Believers should say with John, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
This expectant waiting and longing for Christ’s return was pictured symbolically in Jewish wedding customs. After the bridegroom claimed his bride, he would go away to prepare a home for her. The bride eagerly awaited his return when he would come to take her to be with him forever. In the same way, the church is now betrothed to Christ and awaiting His coming for His bride. The blessed hope of the church is the anticipation of the great wedding day when Christ will be eternally united with His people.
It is vital that church not lose sight of the blessed hope Christ has promised His followers. Believers are to keep looking upward as they wait for their Lord (Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:1-4). At the same time, they must keep looking outward to reach a lost world until He comes. There is a balance between waiting expectantly and serving faithfully. But the church must cling tightly to the promise that just as surely as Christ came the first time, He will come again.
What will be the impact on the world when Jesus returns? There will be several dramatic results worldwide:
– The nations and their leaders will mourn (Revelation 1:7). There will be great fear and panic among those who rejected Christ.
– There will be worldwide destruction – every island and mountain will be moved (Revelation 6:14).
– The environmental impact will be devastating…stars falling, skies rolling up, earth and sky fleeing from God’s presence (Revelation 6:13-14).
– The political and economic systems of man will be destroyed as the earth is renovated by fire (2 Peter 3:10). All manmade monuments and achievements will be burned up.
– There will be a great loss of life (Revelation 6:15-17). Vast numbers of the earth’s population will perish.
– Society will be in chaos. Those living will desperately search for ways to hide from Christ’s presence (Revelation 6:15-17).
– But when God’s wrath is poured out, many will realize it is from the hand of the Lord. They will acknowledge God is just in His judgments (Revelation 11:13, 15:3-4).
– The earth will have no defense; all will recognize this is the Almighty Christ taking vengeance on His enemies (Revelation 6:16-17).
So while the return of Christ means salvation, reward and blessing for believers, it signals overwhelming fear, panic, mourning and destruction for those who rejected Him. Jesus warned men to be ready for His return, which will come suddenly and unexpectedly (Matthew 24:42-44).
For believers, how should an understanding of Christ’s return affect the way we live today? There are several life-changing applications:
1. It should produce holy living and godliness (2 Peter 3:11-13). We should live in obedience and righteousness, undistracted by earthly ambitions.
2. It should lead us to deny ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright lives (Titus 2:12-13). We are instructed to separate ourselves from the corrupt desires of this world.
3. It should motivate us to use our gifts and resources for the Lord today (Matthew 25:14-30). We are to serve Him faithfully until He returns.
4. It should cause us to purify ourselves as He is pure (1 John 3:2-3). When we remember we will one day see Christ face to face, it leads us to holiness.
5. It should lead us to patiently endure suffering and trials (Romans 8:18, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7). Our present afflictions are only temporary.
6. It should motivate us to share the gospel while there is time (2 Peter 3:9). We do not know when Christ will return, so we must make the most of opportunities now.
7. It should cause us to frequently remember our Lord through the communion service (1 Corinthians 11:26). We proclaim His death and return at the Lord’s table.
8. It should lead us to comfort and encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18). As we see the day approaching, we are to minister to fellow believers.
9. It should move us to worship and rejoice knowing our King is coming soon (Philippians 4:4-5). We can joyfully give thanks for the approaching culmination of our salvation.
10. It should cause us to say with John, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). We are to pray for and long for His coming. This should be the cry of every believer.
So Scripture teaches us to watch for Christ’s return with readiness, joy, patience, godliness and a sense of urgency to share the gospel. What we believe about our Lord’s coming will impact how we live today.
For unbelievers, the truth about Christ’s return calls for immediate action:
1. They must recognize their sinful condition (Acts 17:30-31). Christ’s coming means judgment for all who rejected Him.
2. They should realize there is no hope outside of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:10). He alone can deliver them from the coming wrath.
3. There is little time left. Scripture warns Christ’s return is imminent (Revelation 22:20). No one is guaranteed more opportunities to be saved.
4. They cannot deny, delay or defy this coming day of reckoning (Hebrews 10:25). All mankind will stand before God’s Son.
5. Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Tomorrow may be too late. They must look to Christ today.
6. There will be no second chance. If they are not in Christ when He appears, they will be eternally lost (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). This is a terrifying prospect.
7. They must repent and call upon Christ to save them (Romans 10:9-13). He will grant salvation to all who come in faith.
The return of Jesus Christ will unexpectedly overtake those who are not ready for Him. There is no way to escape the coming judgment apart from placing one’s faith in Christ. The blessed hope for believers is the very thing unbelievers should dread unless they repent.
The doctrine of Christ’s return was foundational to the evangelistic message of the early church. The apostles urged their hearers to save themselves from the coming wrath by trusting in Christ (Acts 2:40). They preached that God commands all people everywhere to repent in view of the coming judgment (Acts 17:30-31). Salvation was in part an offer to be delivered from the wrath to come at Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Fear of missing the rapture and being left behind to face the tribulation motivated many to receive Christ then, and it should stir people to faith today. Saving faith requires understanding that this life is not all there is – one must prepare for eternity and judgment before Christ.
This blessed hope of Christ’s return was intended as a motivation for godly living and evangelism. If the doctrine is rejected or minimized, both are negatively impacted. Churches that stop proclaiming the Second Coming remove a pillar of the faith. They rob believers of the encouragement and motivation Scripture associates with watching for Christ’s return. And they withhold a powerful incentive for unbelievers to repent and be saved before it is too late. But when a church keeps its hope fixed on the appearance of Jesus Christ in glory, the results will be lives changed by the power of the gospel. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!