Hope, not Optimism
Matthew 24:14-16 || Optimism is choosing to see how circumstances could work out for the best, always seeking to paint those circumstances in a positive light. Optimism is merely an outlook based upon a subjective point of view. Hope, as defined in Scripture, looks at things exactly the way they are, especially when they don’t look good at all, and clings to the Promises of God fully shown to us in Jesus. (See Romans 8:18-39!!!)
On That Day
Matthew 24:27 || Some teachings of the “end times” paint a picture where Jesus comes back more than once to do different things for different people. The Bible teaches that there is but one return of Jesus: “The Coming of the Son of Man” which will take place on the “Last Day” when He will retrieve His One people: the body of Christ, His bride, and then to make all things NEW! THIS. IS. OUR. HOPE.
Dig Deeper: Isaiah 61, 65, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Daniel 7:13-27, 9:23-27, John 6:35-40, Acts 17:31, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Ephesians 2:11-5:33, Philippians 1:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-3, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Hebrews 9:27-28, 2 Peter 3:11-13, Revelation 19:6-10 & 21:1-4
Looking Back to See Ahead
Romans 5:6, 10 || The old saying that “actions speak louder than words” is helpful here: LOOK AT WHAT GOD HAS DONE! We “fix our eyes on Jesus,” who is the author and perfecter of our faith. We look at what Jesus did on the cross. Look at when He did it and why He did it. Look at what happened at the empty tomb. Look at why it happened! When we look at all of this, we can see that the New Creation has already begun! But not only this, He ALSO has made US into the temple, which instead of being a place where everyone comes, is a people that goes out into the world, carrying His light into the world! Bringing HOPE everywhere we go!