Hope in the Coming Messiah

Holding on to Hope – Hope in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

 

Welcome to Day 7 of our 30-day journey of hope in the resurrection of Jesus. Today we’re diving into one of the greatest hopes we have as Christians: the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I always think of it like waiting for a dear friend or a loving parent to come back home. We know they’re coming, and that hope gives us comfort and joy while we wait. In the same way, Jesus promised to return, and that promise fills us with hope each day!

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Let’s explore why Jesus’ return is so important, what we should do while we wait, and how we can be sure He’ll keep His promise. We’ll also look back at a prophetic promise from long ago (Micah 5:2) about Jesus’ first coming as Messiah, and see how that fulfilled hope builds our confidence in His second coming. Along the way, we’ll sprinkle in some Bible verses and real-life examples. So grab a cozy seat and let’s dive in, together as we explore the hope we hold in our hearts.

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Why the Second Coming Matters to Christians

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1. It Completes the Story: Imagine reading a book or watching a movie that suddenly stops before the grand finale – you’d feel so unsatisfied! In the same way, Jesus’ Second Coming is the grand finale of God’s big story of salvation. It’s when Jesus will make everything right. All the injustice, pain, and sadness we see now will be addressed when He comes as King. The Bible calls this our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), because we look forward to Jesus’ glorious return with eagerness and joy.

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2. A Promise of Reunion and Joy: For Christians, the Second Coming means reunion. Loved ones who have died in Christ will be resurrected, and we will all be together with Jesus forever. The Apostle Paul comforted believers with this hope, saying that when Jesus returns, “the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive… will be caught up… to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). Can you imagine the joy of that day? No wonder Paul adds, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18)! It’s truly encouraging to know a day of great reunion and happiness is coming.

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3. Hope in a Broken World: Let’s be honest – our world can be pretty tough. We see wars, sickness, injustice, and personal struggles. The Second Coming reminds us that God has a plan to fix this broken world. Jesus will return to bring justice and peace, and to wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:4). This hope helps us persevere. It’s like the light at the end of a tunnel; no matter how dark things get, we know a glorious new day is ahead when Jesus comes back. As one writer put it, the second coming of Jesus is the hope that God is in control and faithful to His promises (gotquestions.org)

 

We hold on to that hope tightly!

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In short, the Second Coming matters because it’s the completion of our hope – the guarantee that all of God’s promises (including those tied to Jesus’ resurrection) will finally and fully come true. It’s the moment we’re all waiting for, whether we’re 9 years old or ninety, new to faith or a lifelong believer.

 

What Should We Do While We Wait?

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Now that we know why Jesus’ return is so important, a big question is: What do we do in the meantime? Waiting can be hard (just ask any kid counting down to Christmas!), but the Bible gives us clear and encouraging guidance on how to wait well.

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1. Live a Life of Love and Holiness: Waiting for Jesus doesn’t mean just sitting around doing nothing. Think of it like waiting for a special guest to come to your house – you’d probably clean up, prepare a nice meal, and make sure everything’s ready. Similarly, the Bible says that “everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). In other words, because we hope in Jesus’ return, we want to live in a way that makes Him smile. This means loving God and loving people, avoiding things we know are wrong, and growing to be more like Jesus in character. We won’t be perfect, but our hope motivates us to pursue Christlikeness now.

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2. Stay Ready and Alert: Jesus told a story about some bridesmaids waiting for a groom to arrive (Matthew 25:1–13). Some were prepared with oil in their lamps when the groom came late in the night, and some were not. The point of the story is: be ready. Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42). This doesn’t mean we should be anxious, but rather stay spiritually awake. We don’t know exactly when Jesus will return – it could be tomorrow or years from now – so we want to live each day as if it could be the day. That means keeping our faith strong and our relationship with God fresh (through prayer, reading Scripture, worship, etc.). It’s like expecting a friend to show up at any moment – you’d want to be ready to greet them!

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3. Do the Work He Gave Us: While we wait, Jesus has given us a job – kind of like chores or responsibilities until He comes back. He wants us to share His love and hope with others. Before He ascended to heaven, Jesus told His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” and “love one another” (see Matthew 28:19–20 and John 13:34). This is often called the Great Commission. In practical terms, as we wait, we can help others, tell people about Jesus, and be a light in the world (Matthew 5:14–16). Think of it this way: if you know something awesome is going to happen, you’d want your friends and family to know about it too, right? We have good news that Jesus is coming again, so part of waiting is inviting others to know Him now, so that they can share in the hope and joy of His coming.

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4. Be Patient and Persevere: Waiting can feel long. Early Christians expected Jesus to return soon, and here we are 2,000 years later still waiting! The Bible anticipated this and encourages us to be patient. “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming… stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:7–8). Patience doesn’t mean we never feel impatient, but it means when we get tired or discouraged, we remind ourselves why we’re waiting. Just as a farmer waits for precious crops, or a parent waits for a child to grow up, we trust that the wait will be worth it. We persevere in doing good even when it’s hard, because we know “our labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Every act of love, every effort to live for Christ, will be rewarded when He comes.

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So while we wait for Jesus, we live with purpose: loving God, loving others, growing in holiness, sharing our hope, and hanging in there with patience. This “waiting life” isn’t always easy, but it’s meaningful and worthwhile, like preparing for the best celebration ever.

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Will Jesus Really Keep His Promise to Return?

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At this point, you might wonder: “Jesus promised to come back... but it’s been so long! Will He really keep that promise?” That’s a very honest question, and the Bible gives us solid reassurance that YES – Jesus will absolutely return, right on time. Here’s why we can be sure:

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1. Jesus Himself Promised It: Jesus never breaks a promise. He told His disciples very plainly, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3, emphasis added). This wasn’t a vague hint – it was a clear promise. Imagine a trustworthy friend saying, “I’m definitely coming back for you.” Jesus is the most trustworthy friend of all. He died for us and rose again, so if He says He’ll do something, we can count on it!

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2. God’s Track Record of Faithfulness: One way to trust someone’s promise is to look at their track record. Has this person kept their word before? In God’s case, He has a perfect record of keeping promises. The Bible is full of prophecies (promises about the future) that God fulfilled. For example, God promised a Messiah (Savior) would come, and Jesus’ first coming fulfilled those promises in detail (more on that in the next section!). Another example: after Jesus rose from the dead and went to heaven, angels told the disciples, “This same Jesus… will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Christians have held onto that promise ever since. Even if it seems delayed from our perspective, the Bible reminds us that “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient… not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Peter 3:9). In other words, God isn’t running late or forgetting – He has a perfect timetable. Every day that passes is actually His patience, giving more people a chance to know Him. But make no mistake, He will keep His promise. Scripture assures us that “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

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3. The Resurrection Guarantee: Remember, our whole 30-day journey is about hope in the resurrection of Jesus. Here’s a cool connection: because Jesus rose from the dead, we have proof of His power and trustworthiness. If death couldn’t stop Jesus, nothing can! The resurrection is like God’s stamp of authority on all of Jesus’ words. The apostle Paul said that God has fixed a day for judgment and proof of this is He raised Jesus from the dead (see Acts 17:31). So the resurrection is our guarantee that Jesus can and will come back as victorious Lord. It’s also the reason we have “new birth into a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Our hope is living because Jesus is alive! He’s not a dead hero of the past; He’s our living Savior who promised to return for us.

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Real-Life Example: Think of someone you trust deeply – maybe a parent, a close friend, or a mentor. If they promise you, “I’ll be there, I won’t let you down,” you believe them, especially if they’ve come through before. I remember as a kid waiting after school for my mom to pick me up. Sometimes it took a while (maybe traffic or errands delayed her), but I never doubted she would come, because she always had. I would watch and wait, maybe a little impatient, but never fearful that I’d be abandoned. In a greater way, we wait for Jesus. He might seem delayed from our viewpoint, but He will not abandon us. He said He’d come, and He will – at just the right time.

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So, will Jesus keep His promise to return? Absolutely. Our hope isn’t a wishful guess; it’s anchored in who Jesus is (Faithful and True) and what He’s already done. As the early believers used to say, “Maranatha!” – an Aramaic word meaning “Come, Lord!” They were confident He would come, and so are we.

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Hope in the Coming Messiah – Micah 5:2 Fulfilled

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To strengthen our hope in Jesus’ return, let’s take a detour back in time. Long before Jesus was born, God’s people were hoping for something else: the coming of the Messiah (the promised Savior). They had many prophecies about this Messiah, one of which is Micah 5:2. Let’s see what it said and how Jesus fulfilled it:

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Micah’s Prophetic Promise: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2 NIV)

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This prophecy, given about 700 years before Jesus, essentially pinpointed the birthplace of the Messiah – Bethlehem, a tiny town. It also hints that this ruler has ancient origins (which Christians understand as Jesus’ eternal nature). For centuries, Jewish people clung to promises like this, waiting for the day God would send the special King He had promised. It was their great hope through hard times (like wars, exile, oppression under Rome). They would remind each other of God’s promise: “One day, Messiah will come. God will send the king from David’s town, Bethlehem, just as He said.”

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Hope Fulfilled in Jesus’ First Coming: Fast forward to the New Testament: Jesus is born in… Bethlehem! (Matthew 2:1–6). Despite Mary and Joseph living in Nazareth, a chain of events (a Roman census) led them to Bethlehem at just the right time for Jesus to be born there. Talk about God orchestrating things perfectly! In fact, when the wise men came looking for the newborn “king of the Jews,” the scholars of King Herod’s court quoted Micah 5:2 to explain that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:4–6). Jesus fulfilled this promise to the letter. And not just this one – many Old Testament hopes and prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection​ (gotquestions.org)

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For example, He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22–23), He suffered for our sins (Isaiah 53, 1 Peter 2:24), He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as a king (Zechariah 9:9, John 12:14–15), and so on. Each fulfilled prophecy was like God saying, “See? I keep My word.”

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For the people in Jesus’ day who recognized these fulfillments, it was hugely faith-building. It’s like seeing puzzle pieces fall into place after waiting so long. Simeon and Anna (two elderly believers described in Luke 2:25–38) had been waiting their whole lives to see the Messiah, and when they saw baby Jesus, they rejoiced – hope fulfilled! Their patient hope in God’s promise paid off.

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Connecting Past Hope with Present Hope: So, what does all this mean for us waiting for Jesus’ Second Coming? It’s simple but powerful: God has a 100% success rate in keeping His promises. The prophecy in Micah 5:2 and its fulfillment in Jesus’ first coming assures us that God’s word can be trusted, even if it takes a while to see it happen. If Jesus fulfilled the hopes about His first coming, He will certainly fulfill the hopes about His second coming. In Micah’s time, people looked forward to a coming Messiah. 

 

Today, we look forward to the same Messiah coming again! The first time, Jesus came in humility (a baby in a manger, a suffering servant). The second time, He will come in glory (a conquering King). It’s two different chapters of the same story.

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Think of it like a promise that has already been partly fulfilled – it gives you confidence that the rest will be fulfilled too. For instance, if a teacher promises a class, “I’ll throw a pizza party at the end of the year if you all do well on your projects,” and then halfway through the year she already brings in cookies as a sign of good faith, the class would be even more sure the pizza party will happen. Likewise, Jesus’ first coming (with all its fulfilled promises) is like that plate of cookies – a preview and guarantee that the big finale (His return) is definitely coming.

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So, hope in the coming Messiah is not new – believers have always lived on God’s promises. We have an even fuller picture now: the Messiah has come (hallelujah!), and we know His name is Jesus, and we are now waiting for Him to come again. This gives our hope deep roots in history and in God’s unchanging faithfulness.

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Holding On to Hope in Daily Life

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All this talk of future hope is wonderful, but you might ask, “How does this help me today, in everyday life?” Great question! The hope of Jesus’ return isn’t just pie-in-the-sky for later – it has real impact on how we live and view each day. Here’s how holding onto hope in the Second Coming can shape our daily life:

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1. Perspective in Trials: Life has ups and downs. Maybe you’re dealing with stress at work or school, health issues, or family problems. Our hope in Jesus’ return reminds us that no struggle is forever. Paul wrote, “Our present troubles are small and won’t last very long, yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT). When you know a glorious forever is coming, it helps you endure the tough moments now. It’s a bit like going through a challenging week but knowing you have the weekend to look forward to – it doesn’t magically remove the hard stuff, but it gives you strength to push through because you see a light ahead. Each day, we can remind ourselves, “Jesus is coming back, and He will make this right. I can get through today with His help.” That mindset can turn our anxiety into peace and our sorrow into hope.

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2. Joy and Motivation: Hope in Christ’s return can actually add joy to our daily routine. It’s like knowing a wonderful surprise is on the horizon. Have you ever had a secret excitement about something in the future that makes you smile randomly during the day? Christians have that reason to smile – Jesus is alive, and one day He’ll appear and all the good that we dream of will become reality. Peter says because of this, we can “greatly rejoice” even while we face trials (1 Peter 1:6). Also, this hope motivates us to make the most of our time now. We don’t know how long we have before Jesus comes or before we go to Him, so every day is precious. We want to love people well, do good, and grow closer to God. When you wake up each morning, you can think, “Jesus, thank You for another day. Help me to live it in hope and make it count, because I know one day I’ll be with You face to face.” That prayer can give even a normal Tuesday a sense of purpose and anticipation.

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3. Contentment and Courage: Holding on to hope in Jesus’ return also helps us not to hold too tightly to the things of this world. Our culture chases after money, status, and temporary thrills, but we know something way better is coming. That makes it a bit easier to say no to temptations or to be content with what we have. For example, you might think, “I don’t need to compromise my integrity to get ahead, because ultimately Jesus is my reward. I can be content and do what’s right, knowing He sees and He’s coming.” It also gives us courage to face things like ridicule or persecution for our faith. If friends make fun of you for believing in “Jesus coming back,” you can smile and remember that the early Christians faced that too. They held onto hope despite being misunderstood, and we can do the same. In the end, our hope will be vindicated – when Jesus shows up, it’ll be clear our faith was not in vain!

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4. Everyday Examples of Hope: Sometimes it helps to compare our spiritual hope with everyday hopes. Think about a pregnant mom preparing a nursery – she endures discomfort and waits patiently because a beautiful new life is on the way. Or consider a student working hard through the school year, hoping for graduation day – that hope keeps them going through late-night study sessions. In a similar way, our hope in Jesus’ return influences our “right now.” We might endure some difficulties (like the “pregnancy” or the “school year” of life), but we prepare our hearts and keep the faith because something beautiful is coming. Each act of kindness we do, each prayer we pray, each time we choose hope over despair – it’s like we’re stocking the nursery or earning our spiritual diploma, looking ahead to the joyful day when our hope becomes sight.

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So, holding on to hope isn’t just about the future – it’s fuel for today. It’s the reason a Christian can sing during hardship, serve others selflessly, or simply get out of bed with a positive attitude. Hope turns our eyes beyond the temporary and keeps us focused on what’s eternal and true.

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Giving Hope to Others

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One of the best things about having hope is that we get to share it! Think of hope like a candle – when you use it to light another person’s candle, your light doesn’t get any dimmer; you just make the room brighter. Jesus wants us to spread the hope we have, especially as we wait for His return. Here are some practical ways we can give hope to others in our daily lives:

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1. Share the Good News: The core of our hope is Jesus Himself – His love, His death and resurrection, and His promise to return. Telling someone about Jesus is literally offering them hope. You don’t have to be a preacher to do this. It can be as simple as telling a friend who’s discouraged how your faith helps you, or explaining why you have peace even in hard times. The apostle Peter advised believers, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). In other words, people around you might notice your hopeful outlook and wonder why – that’s your chance to share about Jesus in a kind and humble way. You can share that they are loved by God, that there is forgiveness available, and that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16). Even mentioning that “I believe Jesus will one day fix all this mess” can pique interest. The gospel is the ultimate hope-giver, and when you share it, you’re handing someone the key to eternal hope.

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2. Encourage with God’s Promises: Sometimes giving hope is as simple as encouraging someone with a truth or promise from God. If you have a friend who is grieving, you can gently remind them of the hope of seeing loved ones again because of Jesus (as we saw in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). If someone is anxious about the state of the world, you might share a verse like John 16:33 where Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” When appropriate, you can even mention our hope in Christ’s return – like, “I know things look dark, but I believe Jesus will come and bring justice and peace. That hope keeps me going, and I believe it can comfort you too.” We have a treasure trove of hope in Scripture. By sharing a comforting Bible verse or a personal testimony of how God came through for you, you can inject hope into someone’s day. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Your hopeful words can lift a heavy heart.

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3. Be There and Show Care: Sometimes actions speak louder than words. We give hope to others by showing up and caring. When you take time to sit with a lonely person, help someone in need, or simply smile and be kind, you are reflecting Jesus’ love. Think of it this way: every act of love is a little preview of the Kingdom Jesus will bring. In that Kingdom, there will be no hunger, no hurt, no loneliness. When we feed the hungry, befriend the lonely, or comfort the hurting now, we are giving them a taste of the hope to come. It’s like saying, “Hold on, God cares about you – see, He sent me to help a little!” Jesus said that even giving a cup of cold water in His name matters (Matthew 10:42). So, whether it’s volunteering, helping your siblings or parents at home without being asked, or standing up for someone being treated unfairly, you are spreading hope. Your kindness today can help someone believe in the greater kindness of God and the hope of a better tomorrow.

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4. Live Out Your Hope Openly: One of the most compelling ways to give hope is to live in hope yourself. When people see you consistently choosing hope over despair, trust over fear, joy over cynicism, it makes an impact. It’s not about being unrealistically cheerful 24/7 (we all have bad days), but over time, letting others see that your hope in Christ really does carry you. This could look like maintaining peace during a crisis, forgiving others when it’s hard (because you know Jesus will set all things right), or keeping integrity when others might cut corners (because your eyes are on a higher reward). Your life can make others curious: “What makes them so hopeful? How do they stay so positive?” And that opens the door to share the source of your hope – Jesus. In a world where many feel hopeless or just focus on temporary things, a life of genuine hope shines bright. Jesus calls us the “light of the world” for this reason (Matthew 5:14). When we shine, we give glory to God and offer light for others to find their way to hope.

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Remember, giving hope doesn’t always mean solving someone’s problems. We can’t fix everything, but we can point to the One who will. We can be like signposts that say, “This way to hope!” through our words, actions, and lifestyle. Hope is contagious – when you have it, others can catch it from you. So let’s be generous with our hope, sharing it with all who need it.

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 “Holding on to Hope”

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As we wrap up today’s study on hope in Jesus’ Second Coming, let’s highlight a few key takeaways. 

 

Whether you’re thinking these over yourself, teaching them to a youth group or your kids, or just tucking them into your heart for later, these are the main points to remember:

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• Jesus’ Second Coming = Our Blessed Hope: It’s a crucial part of our faith, assuring us that Jesus will return to make everything right, bring us to Himself, and complete the story of salvation (Titus 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:17–18). This hope gives us joy and comfort even now.

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• Waiting is Active, Not Passive: While we eagerly await Jesus’ return, we’re called to live for Him now. That means growing in purity and love (1 John 3:3), staying spiritually awake (Matthew 24:42), doing God’s work by loving others and sharing the gospel, and being patient and faithful in trials (James 5:7–8). We don’t waste the waiting time – we invest it in things that matter.

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• God Will Keep His Promise: We can be absolutely sure Jesus will keep His promise to come back (John 14:3). God’s past faithfulness (like fulfilled prophecies such as Micah 5:2) gives us confidence for the future. “He who promised is faithful.” Our hope is certain, not wishful thinking, because it’s based on God’s unchanging character and the fact of Jesus’ resurrection.

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• Hope Then Inspires Hope Now: The prophecy of a coming Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming (Micah 5:2 -> Matthew 2:1–6). This fulfilled hope shows God’s trustworthiness and connects to our current hope in His return. Just as people were not disappointed when Jesus came the first time, we will not be disappointed when He comes again. Past hope fulfilled fuels present hope.

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• Hope Transforms Daily Life: Holding on to hope in Jesus’ return isn’t just about the future – it affects our daily attitude and actions. It gives us perspective to endure hardships, motivation to live joyfully and purposefully, courage to face challenges, and strength to resist despair. Knowing “the best is yet to come” helps us handle whatever today brings with grace and confidence.

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• Shine Your Hope Around: We aren’t meant to keep this hope to ourselves. We can give hope to others by sharing the good news of Jesus, encouraging people with God’s promises, showing kindness and love in action, and living in a way that reflects the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15). In doing so, we become beacons of hope in a world that really needs it.

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As you go through the rest of your day (and this 30-day journey), remember that you have an anchor for your soul – the hope of Jesus and His resurrection, anchored in the fact that He’s coming back for you (Hebrews 6:19). When life’s waters get choppy, hold on to that anchor. When you feel joyful, let that hope make your joy even brighter. And when you meet others who are weary or lost, extend the hope to them like a helping hand.

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Let’s end with the beautiful promise from Romans 15:13 as a blessing over you: 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Amen! 

Keep holding on to hope, dear friend – Jesus is coming soon, and that changes everything.

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