Look inside this book.Where the Bush is Burning: A Daily Devotional by [Thomas Tice]

Tag: Matthew 24
‘As The Lightning’

‘As The Lightning’

By |

‘As The Lightning’

For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Matthew 24:27

We have been dwelling recently upon our Lord’s return. We can do no better than to spend time meditating upon the words which proceeded out of His Own Mouth. Our text for today is one such statement. Here, Christ is very plain-spoken about the nature of His Return. He does not equivocate in any way whatsoever. He declares boldly. ‘For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’ Regardless of whatever popular theories regarding Christ’s return, theologians may postulate, this is what He says. When lightning flashes from the east to the west, it does so when all around is darkness. When it flashes, it is a visually unmistakable occurrence. When lightning flashes from the east to the west, it is manifestly the result of something other than the effort of man. Regardless of how we explain it in scientific terms, we agree that lightning is not of human manufacturing. So it is with the return of Christ. He will return when the world has descended into darkness. He will return clearly and unmistakably. He will return in such a way as to manifest clearly that this work is done of Him. Today, let us lift up our heads and dwell upon the fact, that He will come, ‘in the fullness of time,’ and that ‘every eye shall see Him.’

Our Gracious Master and Our God,
we rejoice that nothing can stay Your Hand.
We praise You that You will return at the appointed hour,
and that every eye shall see You.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning
‘At An Hour You Do Not Expect Him’

‘At An Hour You Do Not Expect Him’

By |

‘At An Hour You Do Not Expect Him’

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matthew 24:44

For the past few days, we have said quite a lot about the first coming of Christ. What are we to say about the Second Coming of Christ?  On more than one occasion Christ uttered clear and plain statements which indicated His intention, yea, determination to return. Our text for today is but one of those utterances. From His First Advent, we can determine a few things which will help us in our contemplation of His Second Advent. The prophets foretold His first arrival for many years and on many occasions. Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah, to name a few, all testified as to the first coming of Christ. Holy men of old have testified as to His Second Coming. Luke, John and Paul all make reference to it so much so as to make it a predominant theme in works like First Thessalonians and Revelation. Matthew and John particularity quote Christ’s very words in which He promises to return. Just as those of old could believe or disbelieve, accept or reject the truth of Christ’s First Advent, so we may do the same. The fact is, however, that their refusal to believe did not stop Christ from coming the first time, nor will unbelief stop Him from coming the second time. As we look toward the close of the year, let us contemplate what another year may bring. He has said, ‘Surely, I come quickly.’ Let us hasten to prepare ourselves for His promised arrival.

Our most Holy and Sovereign God,
we rejoice that You perform all things after the counsel of Your Own Will.
We praise You that Christ has come once,
to perform all Your Will and that He will, without fail, come again.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning
‘With Power and Great Glory’

‘With Power and Great Glory’

By |

‘With Power and Great Glory’

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:30

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:11-13

The Return of Christ is a powerful return. The first Advent of Christ was far different. The Humiliation of Christ was His ‘being born and that in a low condition.’ He lived the whole of His earthly life in humility, poverty, obscurity, and servitude. He endured opposition, insult, indignity, and degradation in His death. He ‘continued under the power of death for a time.’ All of that came to an end with His Resurrection. Whereas the Gospels present Him as ‘gentle Jesus, meek and mild’. Our text, and the passage which surrounds it, presents Him as The Conquering King. His Return is powerful because of the manner in which He comes. He returns as ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords.’ He returns in righteousness to judge and make war. ‘Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.‘ This is the Powerful King. He appears no longer as ‘gentle Jesus, meek and mild.’ The value of this for us, is that we see and embrace a Whole Christ. In Christ we see the ‘Sum of all Perfections.’ In Him, ‘mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.’ He came once as the Servant. He will come again as the Sovereign. We bow to Him now by choice or we will bow to Him then without choice. Today, let us spend some time meditating upon this Christ, Who will come with power and great glory.

Our Glorious, Coming King,
we look forward to the day,
when You will show Yourself, ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords.’
Until that day, keep us faithful to ever look to You.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

Meta