“And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control…”
Philippians 3:20

“Meet George Jetson,

Jane, his wife…”

I grew up watching The Jetsons after school. Not only did the cartoon have a catchy theme song, but it gave us a glimpse into what the future could look like- flying cars, robot maids, one-button ovens, etc. 

Well, it’s 2024 and I’m still not flying to work each day. I guess only time will tell if The Jetsons accurately depicted the future.

Whether we realize it or not, we all have a concept of what the future might hold. Unfortunately, based on recent world events, we may think the future will look more like The Walking Dead or Mad Max than The Jetsons. 

The past few years have been a wild ride.

But think about this – our outlook on the future directly impacts our attitude and behavior today.

I confess I’m often more swayed by what’s happening in the world than I’d like to admit.

But as Christ-followers, one truth should shape our understanding of the future more than any other: 

Jesus is coming again.    

The Second Coming of Christ is not a fairytale we tell ourselves to make us feel better at the end of the day. On the contrary, it’s a core tenet of our faith. It’s one of the most repeated and emphasized truths in the New Testament. 

You’ve undoubtedly read and heard about it before.  

But do you believe it? (I mean really believe it?) Can you honestly say that you’re “eagerly waiting for His return?”

Because your belief in Jesus’ return should affect your everyday life.

Eugene Peterson writes, “The practical effect of this belief is to charge each moment of the present with hope.  For if the future is dominated by the coming again of Jesus, there is little room left on the screen for projecting our anxieties and fantasies…We continue to live forward in taut and joyful expectancy of what God will do next in Jesus.”  

Living with joyful expectancy doesn’t mean we must ignore the world’s troubling circumstances. Paul candidly acknowledges that “many live as enemies of Christ” (Philippians 3:18). He knows firsthand what it’s like to live in hostile territory.

But in the very next breath, he tells the Philippians to look forward to Jesus’ return when He will “bring everything under His control” (Philippians 3:21).  

You see, as Christians, we know how the Story ultimately ends:

Jesus wins. 
Good triumphs over evil. 
Righteousness reigns. 

Living with this perspective roots us in a Story that’s much BIGGER than the little story of our lives. 

It stabilizes us in the shifting sands of a broken world.  It gives us a hope that anchors us amid the troubles of today.

As such, Paul flat out says, “This is how you should stand firm in the Lord!” (Philippians 4:1)

So, do not be moved, my friend.  

Stay the course.

Live like you really believe He’s coming back.   

Our hope for the future is not predicated on whatever Hollywood dreams up next or wishing that tomorrow’s headlines will be brighter than today’s.

Our hope is in the One who will return.

Written by Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH

DIG DEEPER
Read “God Holds the Future” by Bryant Wright