It’s very easy in our politically charged culture for Christians to take their eyes off the prize. We become so political ourselves that we spend much of our energy, time, and money “fighting” for our American ideals of freedom and liberty. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying, appreciating, and attempting to uphold political freedom. I’m glad people are working to maintain liberty in the land. I served in the military for six years with this in mind.
At the same time, Scripture constantly calls us to keep our eyes on Christ who is above (Col. 3:1). This country is not our ultimate home. We’re pilgrims here like the Christians were pilgrims in the early church and throughout history (1 Pet. 1:1, 17; 2:11). Our ultimate longing, prayer, and desire is not for freedom and liberty or even a Christianized nation or world. Our ultimate longing should be the same as our brothers and sisters who have paved the way before us when they prayed, Come, Lord Jesus! (1 Cor. 16:22). Until he comes, we’re called to patience and steadfastness as we endure suffering (Jas. 5:7-11). On this topic, I appreciate how Horatius Bonar wrote about it:
[Christ’s return] was no minor hope to the primitive saints. It cheered them at parting with their Lord, and it comforted them at parting with one another. It upheld them in evil days; it nerved them for warfare; it gave them patience under persecution; it animated them in their work; it kept alive their zeal; it enabled them to look calmly round upon an evil world, and to face its mustering storms; it showed them resurrection and glory, fixing their eye upon scenes beyond the deathbed and the tomb; it ever reminded them of the day of meeting, when Jesus will gather all His own together, and they that have slept in Him shall awake to glory, honour, and immortality.
The aspect in which the advent is here presented to us [in Revelation 1:7] bears more upon the world than upon the Church. When Paul writes to the Thessalonians, he brings before us the advent as it bears upon the Church and her resurrection-hope (1 Thess. 4:16). ‘The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven’ is the word of consolation and gladness.
But here [in Revelation 1:7] it is a warning to the world, and to the apostate Church, that John proclaims the Coming One. He comes as Avenger, and Judge, and King! He comes with the iron rod, to break the nations in pieces. He comes arrayed in righteous majesty, to take vengeance upon them that know not God. He comes to shake terribly the earth. And who shall abide the day of His appearing?
The world scoffs at the message, and believes in no advent save the advent of gold and silver, of commerce and science, of luxury and pleasure. The Church has lost sight of it, and says, My Lord delays His coming; or perhaps, ‘I sit as a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.’ Multitudes of professing Christians cannot bear to hear it preached or spoken of, as if it were an evil doctrine fraught with gloom, and paralyzing all effort.
Yet, though the world may mock and the Church forget, the Lord shall come! He has tarried long. Eighteen centuries have gone by since He said, ‘Behold, I come quickly!’ He must be nigh, even at the doors.
Shane Lems Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC) Hammond, WI, 54015
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