Prepare to Reign

It is right on top of us. In just a few short weeks, the Fall Festival season will be here. It pictures the completion of God's work with mortal man. God blessed us to know the meaning of these Feasts and to know that we will reign with Christ in glory. For He has "made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10).

Scripture paints an inspiring picture of our coming salvation. Christ said that in His kingdom, "the righteous shall shine forth as the sun" (Matthew 13:43). We will be like God, "for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). And "when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:4). These are astounding truths that the world does not believe. God gave us this Festival season to help us stir up our hope in this coming salvation. Even with another year of uncertainty that has affected our Feast plans, now is the time to spiritually prepare for these holy days.

This means keeping your prayer life vibrant and letting "the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16) as you daily study God's word. It also means meditating on the meaning of these coming holy days. Christ will set up His rule on the earth as the Feast of Trumpets shows. He will reconcile the world to Himself and vanquish man's spiritual Adversary as Atonement pictures. As beautifully portrayed by the Feast of Tabernacles, "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). And then, as pictured in the Last Great Day, God will create "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).

I hope you are preparing yourselves to keep these holy days with all diligence! As Peter reminds us, "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10). Until the appearance of God's kingdom and our glorious part in it, wait and endure with expectant hope! For "if we endure, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12).

The approaching Feast season is a wonderful, annual reminder of what is to come. These holy days help us strengthen our faith in what is to be revealed in us. How much we need these Feasts! Woven all through their meaning is the hope of our coming glory, which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). So, get ready now to enjoy another rich and inspiring Feast season which pictures us reigning with Christ as "kings and priests" (Revelation 1:6)!

Warmly,

Andy Diemer

Pastor