I love to be prepared. Maybe you too like to write out long to-do lists each morning, or you meal prep so that you don’t have to think about lunch during the busy weekdays, or you spend hours rehearsing for a big meeting, speech, or concert. We prepare for both the big and the little things in life to put ourselves at ease, to gain clarity, and to move through our days with a greater sense of peace. And by understanding today’s passages, we can become more prepared for the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Luke writes that the Son of Man will come “with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). I don’t know about you, but glory can feel like an elusive concept to me. It’s something my soul craves but I don’t experience in my day-to-day life. Glory is magnificence, great beauty, high renown, or honor.
Upon reflection, I can pinpoint moments in my life that fill me with a sense of smallness, reminders that there is something greater than just myself. A sunrise hike in Mykonos, cliff jumping in Tennessee, gazing up at redwood trees in California. I’m overwhelmed with awe when I realize that these magnificent things and moments are just a glimpse of His glory. And as I feel that amazement bloom within me, I can only imagine how that will be multiplied infinitely when Jesus returns for His people. His great glory, His mighty power, will be displayed for all to see. We will be awestruck and moved to praise like never before. I can’t wait.
It’s interesting to note here that Jesus’s glory-filled return will be something like His ascension—He will come to us physically and in a cloud (Acts 1:11). He will return, dwelling among us, and He will reign over a kingdom that will never be destroyed. Doesn’t that fill your heart with a wondrous anticipation? As we reflect on our reading for today may we feel at peace knowing that Jesus will return to us again. Our preparations and perseverance are important while we wait for this magnificent event. In the meantime, we are strengthened in knowing He is with us always (Matthew 28:20). May we look for His glory on display today while we wait for Him to come again.
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40 thoughts on "The Coming of the Son of Man"
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed. – Daniel 7:14
CINDYQUILTS
I believe !
Help me with my unbelief !!!
Everyone’s prayer !
♥️
Amen
This world needs Jesus now more than ever ❤️
“Take care not to be deceived, for many will come claiming my title and saying: “I am he, the Messiah: The time is at hand.” This literally reminds me of a show my mom is watching on Netflix. It’s called Messiah. A con-man is telling others that He came from God. I wonder how many times this must really happen in real life. Thats my biggest fear, that my family will renounce their faith to follow idols, or cults. I hope that our faith will be stronger than that. No one else can replace our Savior!
I hope that all of us will lead a good life and be better children of God. I hope that we will be able to live a genuine life full of God so we can be with Him when He comes back
It’s scary to think of the end of the world coming; we will face so many more difficulties and hardships as we near the end. I’m reminded not to put my hope in this world, but in Jesus. We will not find peace or joy on this earth, but only in Jesus.
My preparation and perseverance is im portant! I ❤ it
This response was in response to Rhonda J, but didn’t post there.
I Can Only Imagine was played at my mom’s and Tanner’s service. The lyrics make me feel so much. How can we truly ever be prepared for a moment as this?! I have to admit reading the verses today kind of scare me. Thankful for the words to so many songs that calm my heart.
Luke 21 is such a loaded chapter packed with end time prophecies. God always raises the bar so high for us (wars, distress, pandemics, famines/lack, natural disasters etc. But no pressure guys). To be warned is one thing, but to actually going through those things is another thing. May we have strength and grace from God. Use persecution as opportunity for testimonies and don’t prepare what to say either (again, no pressure guys). Watch and pray, don’t be terrified, there is a way of escape. As always, there is a way of escape for us through prayers and being watchful. Lord, may we be able to do all these things through YOU who strenthens us. May we be counted worthy to escape all these things. Amen.
This I know to be true…there is nothing WE can do to make God love us any more or any less. We are ALL loved unconditionally. We have a prodigal Father…one who loves LAVISHLY. We do have a choice to receive or reject that love. It is my belief that just before we take our final breath (keeping in mind that time as we know it is meaningless to God) the VEIL will be lifted and we will have full understanding of who God is. We will then have the choice to live eternity with Him or without Him….I pray my lost children will have returned to their Catholic faith before death, but I will rest that our God is a loving and merciful Father who wants all of His children to be with Him in heaven. And Jesus said, “There is greater rejoicing in heaven over finding the one lost sheep than in the 99 who were never lost.” Even the angels and saints in heaven are concerned about those who are lost and want them home. Shame is never from God. The Holy Spirit may convict us of a sinful behavior we must change, but God is ready with open arms to love his repentant children. Eternity with God is a gift from our HeavenlyFather, we can never earn our way to heaven….be not afraid.
Victoria E. I’ve been thinking and praying for you. I hope you’re doing well.
KENYA, I feel the same way. Also, I’m in awe of His return, but if I’m honest (even hard to do the MYSELF) I’m a little terrified. My head knows that He loves us unconditionally, but my heart is a little afraid that I’m not enough… I know as a Christian this is not how He wants me to feel, but some days I have a hard time getting past my ineptness in so many things. My constant prayer is, “help me Jesus, thank You Jesus, hold me up Jesus…”
WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! What a powerful, meaningful, insightful and impactful devotion Ellen wrote. I could fully relate to it. The last two paragraphs left me contemplating and wanting more. Several songs popped into my head while reading her devotional. I know that something has a lot of meaning if I can relate it to a song.
The verses in Mark were also impactful, I don’t know that I have fully read those verses after the story of the widow. I rejoice in how SRT brings Scripture that maybe isn’t as well known to the forefront.
Be blessed and may you feel at peace knowing that Jesus will return to us again sometime, maybe not in your lifetime.
I read that glory is to God like brightness is to the sun, or wetness is to water, or heat is to fire. Glory is the essence of God! I can’t wait to see the fullness of that glory one day! It is a bit scary for this natural mind to comprehend, but when I think of the state this world is in- now THAT’S scary! So, I continue to trust in Him who will keep me in perfect peace. Come, Lord Jesus! ❤️
Help me become better prepared for Your return. This world desperately needs You.
Amen!
Good Morning She’s!
Oh Glorious Day!
The old hymnal-
What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon His face
The One who saved me by His grace!
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me through Promised Land
What a day, Glorious Day that will be!
I pray I can be bold on Easter to share the true meaning with my grandkids, which is hard because the parents aren’t believers. They are raised in a society that doesn’t put much emphasis on Christ. I pray as believers that we become more bold, and quit letting the ways of the world mute our voices. I miss the days of new Easter dresses, and spending the night at church the night before Easter with the youth group to get up early to cook a sunrise Easter pancake breakfast for everyone! Oh the precious memories I have been raised in a believing family and community. I pray for you moms today (and grandma’s that are able) to get your children in good youth programs at your churches and be active parts in your church as much as you can and not only limited to Sundays!
Have a lovely and JOYFUL day my friends!
What an awesome experience it would be, to be alive and witness His coming in the clouds!
Have a blessed Tuesday my She’s!
“By your endurance, gain your lives” (Luke 21:19). “Affliction produces patient endurance” (Romans 5:3). “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Jesus is our Morning Star, He comes with everlasting joy in His light. No matter how long the night of weeping lasts, I know joy will come. I am grateful for my eyes that see the beauty of flowers blooming, in the simple quiet thighs there is joy now. In affliction, endurance is built. I am standing on guard, alert and praying that I may have strength (Luke 21:36). People in darkness see the light. And there are those who want to crush the source of light because they prefer the hiddenness of their pride and pleasures. But we, the light-bearers, will stand on the Rock, secure above the waves of chaos, shining until our King returns. Be watchful of my soul, and bear the light. Shine on sweet heart, shine on. Until… Maranatha.
Aren’t we on day 44? My app says 47
I love reading about Jesus’s second coming. A reason for hope — the reason itself. We will be united with God, face-to-face. May we be women who speak truth over the lies of this world. Lies of confusion about who Jesus is and how He will return. His return will be obvious and clear— His glory will be known in ALL the earth. Every eye will see. Every tongue will confess. Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.”
Incredible — the most full circle moment. Everyone will see and know… and be seen and known. Nothing is hidden that won’t be revealed.
Thank you, Jesus.
Good Morning
@KENYA, I love your raw honesty. I too feel that tension.
Kenya, you are a kindred soul! I just turned 60 and found out that I am going to be a grandmother for the first time. So exciting, yet transitions and reminders in lent of my fear that I will not be around to see all I want to see. On the Monday after Easter we lay my husband’s mother to eternal rest. These things test me – what do I REALLY believe? God help my unbelief!
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen
The return of Christ is the hardest part of my faith. I dont think it’s necessarily something to “grasp” and because of that I can’t place it in reality or this moment so it’s hard for me to be excited about. I like tangible, living reminders of Christ. But I do feel like reading Ezekiel better prepared me to welcome Gods future kingdom here on Earth – the whys and the what’s and even the dimensions and the coming of Gods glory make it easier for me to see the smallest fragment of the greatness of what is to come. But I find myself absorbed in the anxiety and fear of every day moments that I forget about the eternal plan. One of my greatest fears is dying because I don’t want to miss out on the rest of my life, but I guess what I need to focus on is what I would be blessed to be a part of when I do die and be grateful for the eternal love and place that Jesus has created for me.
Kenya, my thoughts exactly❤
The return.M
Verses 34-36 jumped out at me too. I have been so weighed down by all that’s going on in the world. The perspective shift Jesus calls us to, is truly life changing. I love I Can Only Imagine and Finally Home both by Mercy Me, and I’m also reminded of the old hymn, When We All Get to Heaven– what a day of rejoicing that will be!
❤️
Ahhh, this should be our prayer daily.
Lord help me to open my eyes to your glory that is already around us. Praying for all requests
Verses 34,35 and 36 really stood out to me today. With all the terrible things going on in the world, I find myself weighed down often. We are reminded in today’s scripture how important it is not to let that happen. Beautiful Reading this morning. Have a great day everyone ❤️
Oh Ellen I have already told my family and friends I want that played at my funeral.
Oh what a day it will be when we all get to heaven.
Have a blessed day.
I feel a sense of shame admitting that although I desperately anticipate the return of Christ in Glory, I also fear it. I know a
Years ago a group of children and myself did some Christian clowning-and did a kind of acting out of this song by MercyMe. Todays devotion reminded me of these children, up in the front of our little church, acting out the words to this song-we danced, raised our arms, fell to our knees-all in worship of our Lord. It is hard to imagine, when we will be surrounded by His magnificent glory, just how we will react. I’m waiting for that day!!!
“Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine”
Have a great day!! ❤️
Lord, give me eyes to see Your glory on display today while I wait for You to come again!
MARIA BAER – how did your appt go?
Praying for your requests Shes ❤
Amen!