The Living Hope that Jesus Christ Gives
My passion these days is to share my HOPE. More correctly, it's not my hope, but the living hope that Jesus Christ gives me (1 Peter 1:3). This living hope explains who I am, where I'm going and the meaning of the events in the dangerous world I live in.
So many in the world live in a fog of uncertainty about all of this—yet the apostle Paul tells us that the Bible itself was written for our encouragement and that "we might have hope" (Romans 15:4, New International Version).
The apostle Paul further made a point about hope that gives comfort and understanding in the book of Thessalonians. In a difficult trial, such as the death of a loved one, he acknowledges the pain. However, he shows what it means, how it fits into the scheme of life now and in the future. I invite you to consider how the following powerful words may apply to you personally:
"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep [figuratively, those who have died in the faith], or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, NIV, emphasis added throughout).
What a magnificent and assured future for those who believe in Jesus Christ and follow His teachings!
Allow me to share this with you: In my life the greatest revelation has been the profound and humbling experience of God working with me (as He can with everyone, including you).
When we yield ourselves to God and acknowledge His presence and power, God reaches back. A relationship is formed. The words of the Bible ignite in our minds, and a set of shared expectations on our part and God's are put forth. Through careful and diligent Bible study with an attitude of humility, God shows us how that relationship can be maintained and even magnified! God offers His help to make it happen. Then God fully reveals how we will enter into eternal life.
He clearly gives us hope about our future and what will happen when Jesus Christ returns. We learn through this relationship how God will ensure that the entire world—including all who have lived and never known the precious truth—will be offered eternal salvation. Indeed, we find that God's purpose is in "bringing many sons [and daughters] to glory" (Hebrews 2:10). I have covered a lot in those last few sentences. They answer and briefly address some of the most important questions about our personal lives as well as the collective lives of all human beings.
Early in my life I became confused when I tried to reconcile what was happening in my life with the world. I wanted security and certainty as we think about these things. Perhaps you have had a similar experience. Back then I had to come to a point where I needed to talk to someone who could explain from an independent and authoritative source what the answers to the biggest questions of life would be. I didn't want "human" answers. I wanted real Bible-based answers that I could prove for myself.
Thankfully, I found the help I needed. I took the scriptures that you have been reading and asked to talk with someone privately who would take the time to explain fully the biblical truths that I was studying.
Would you like to talk to someone like I did?
We have ministers all over the world who can give you answers straight from the Bible. We are privileged to have pastors and wives with many years of service in teaching these truths. They are available talk to you personally and answer the big questions of life directly from your Bible. They can help you truly open a hope-filled world of understanding. Following the biblical example they won't ask you to join anything—although you certainly are welcome to fellowship with us!
If this is of interest, you can contact a minister by going to our online listing at www.ucg.org/find-congregation/. Simply put in your zipcode and then call the contact person listed closest to where you live. He would be happy to schedule a time to visit with you in complete confidence.
If you prefer, you are welcome to contact me directly at victor_kubik@ucg.org. I will be happy to help arrange an appointment for you. Given my personal experience in developing more fully a relationship with our Creator, I truly would like for you to talk personally with someone who can help bring further clarity to what you are studying.
In the meantime, I invite you to write for or download a free Bible study guide that will explain more fully the topics I introduced above. It's titled God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. You can read it immediately online at www.ucg.org/booklet/gods-holy-day-plan-promise-hope-all-mankind/. It starts by explaining why Jesus Christ had to die for us to live, and ends with how eternal life is offered to all. It makes for fascinating, Bible-based reading.
