LOOKING (continuously = one's lifestyle as manifest by his or her choices) FOR: prosdechomenoi (PMPMPN):  (Lk 2:25, 38 Lk 12:35, Mk 15:43, Acts 24:15 , 1Cor 1:7 Php 3:20,21,1Th 1:10, 2Ti 4:8, Heb 9:28,2Pet 3:12,13, 14, Jude 1:21, 1Jn 3:3)

WAITING
EXPECTANTLY

Looking - This is the key verb of this verse and is translated "waiting" or "expectantly waiting" and is in the present tense (discussed more below) which depicts what is to be the believer's continual attitude in this present age (Titus 2:12-note). Remember that our attitudes always influence our actions, thus this attitude of expectant waiting will or should have profound effect on the way we are living, working its way out in our daily practical choices, motivating (for example) our moment by moment choices to mortify sin (Ro 6:11-note, Ro 8:13-note, Col 3:5-note, etc) and to intentionally, radically pursue righteousness and godliness and holiness (Lev 11:44, Is 51:1, Lk 1:74, 75, 1Pe 1:14-note, 1Pe 1:15, 16-note, He 12:14KJV-note, Ro 6:22KJV-note, 2Co 6:17, 18, 2Co 7:1-note, Php 3:12-note, 1Th 3:13-note, 1Th 4:3-note, 1Th 4:7-note 2Pe 3:11-note, 3Jn 1:11, 1Ti 4:7, 8-note, 1Ti 4:9-note 1Ti 6:11 2Ti 2:22-note)

Read the English dictionary definitions of "wait" (some repetition) and try to apply them to your own life in view of what Paul is describing in Titus 2:13 --  "to stay in place in expectation of", "to remain stationary in readiness or expectation" (I like this picture - it reminds us that we are soldiers and as soldiers we are always "on duty" and are are not to leave our "station" and are never to take a "furlough" for the spiritual war is incessant and our ever prowling crafty enemy is invisible!), "to be ready and available", "to stay or rest in expectation...till the arrival of some person" (!), "to rest in expectation and patience", "to hold oneself in readiness", "to remain in readiness or expectation."

Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary adds that...

 In Scripture, the word “wait” normally suggests the anxious, yet confident, expectation by God’s people that the Lord will intervene on their behalf. Such waiting may be for answers to prayer (Ps 25:5-note), for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4), for salvation (Ge 49:18), or especially for the coming of the Messiah to bring salvation to His people and to establish His kingdom on earth (Ps 37:34-note; Lk 12:36; Ro 8:23-note; 1Th 1:10-note). Waiting, therefore, is the working out of hope. (Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary or Logos Bible Software)

Jesus is our Bridegroom (Lk 5:34, 35) and we are His bride (2Co 11:2) and just as a young bride whose husband is serving in military in a foreign country eagerly looks forward to his return, so we who have tasted the sweetness of God’s grace should look forward to the coming of our Bridegroom and seek to put on our "best dress",  clothing ourselves in "fine linen, bright and clean, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." (Re 19:7-note)

Octavius Winslow exclaims...

This subject is eminently PRACTICAL. It makes Jesus more precious. How quicker beats the pulse and warmer throbs the heart of the bride anticipating the speedy return of her long absent lord! Blessed Jesus! You are the Bridegroom of Your Church, and the Beloved of my soul, and the thought of soon and forever beholding You makes my soul as the wings of Amminadab--unclasped, uplifted, and ready to fly! (Consider Jesus)

When we maintain an attitude of expectant looking, it will radically impact our life and our usefulness to the Lord. There is little doubt that this future thinking mentality was a major motivating force in the lives of men who have been greatly used of God, men like Dwight L. Moody who once said

I never preach a sermon without thinking that possibly the Lord may come before I preach another.

Spurgeon said it this way...

If I knew that our Lord would come this evening, I should preach just as I mean to preach; and if I knew he would come during this sermon, I would go on preaching until he did...The fact that Jesus Christ is to come again is not a reason for star-gazing, but for working in the power of the Holy Ghost.

J Hampton Keathley introduces Titus 2:13 commenting that...

Having mentioned this present and temporary age (Titus 2:12b-note), the apostle quickly moved to the age to come that will be ushered in with the glorious appearing of the Savior. This is to be another strong motivation to godly living, a fact that is even more obvious in the Greek text. “As we wait” represents the translation of another adverbial participle that is dependent on the previous verb, “that we should live.” We could easily translate it,

we should live... by waiting expectantly for the happy fulfillment of our hope (literally, the blessed hope)...

The participle points us to one of the means by which we are to live in this present age, by living with a view to the return of Christ. Waiting for the blessed hope provides added incentives that enable us to live godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-15 The Foundation, Means, and Motivation for Godly Behavior)

Looking for the blessed hope - As someone has well said when it comes to belief in the Lord's return there are two kinds of Christians—gazers and goers. Paul is charging Titus to be a gazing goer, motivated to live in the light of the One Whom he is continually looking for.

Alexander Maclaren

The primitive church thought a great deal more about the coming of Christ than about death, and thought a great deal more about his coming than about heaven.

Lehman Strauss rightly observes that...

The upward look for the coming again of the Lord Jesus is an effective counteraction for an unbalanced mind.

John Blanchard wrote that...

The certainty of the Second Coming of Christ should touch and tincture every part of our daily behavior.

William Gurnall said that...

Christ hath told us he will come, but not when, that we might never put off our clothes, or put out the candle.

H A Ironside comments...

It is the return of the Lord which is thus put before us to influence our daily lives. It is one thing to hold the doctrine of the Lord's return, but quite another to be held by that blessed hope. (Ed: Paraphrased - Hold to the Word of Truth, so that it may hold you firm when the winds of adversity blow unexpectedly into your life.)

Jamieson writes that looking expectantly for Jesus...

will prove the antidote (a remedy to counteract the effects of poison) to worldly lusts, and the stimulus to "live in this present world (age)" (Titus 2:12-note) conformably to this expectation.

A W Pink makes a good point for all relish the study of prophecy...

My head may be filled with prophecy, I maybe an ardent pre-millennarian, I may think and say that I am “looking for that blessed Hope” but, unless Divine grace is teaching me to deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts” and to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,” then I am deceiving myself Make no mistake upon that point. To be truly “looking for that blessed hope” is a spiritual attitude: it is the longing of those whose hearts are right with God. Thus, our text may be summed up in three words: grace, godliness, glory. (Grace Preparing for Glory)

For an excellent Mp3 message on Titus 2:11-15 listen to John Piper - Our Hope: The Appearing of Jesus Christ

Looking for (4327) (prosdechomai from pros = in compound Greek words implies motion or direction toward + dechomai [word study] = a deliberate and ready reception) means to accept favorably, to receive one into intercourse/companionship, to give access to oneself or receive to oneself.  Prosdechomai means to receive one coming from some place and so to welcome with friendliness (Ro 16:2-note, Phil 2:29).

This great Greek verb describes one who is waiting for something (in context Someone) with a sense of expectancy (Mk 15:43, Luke 2:25, 38, 12:36, 23:51, Acts 23:21, Titus 2:13, Jude 1:21). Does this verb typify your life beloved? If not what "earthly cargo" do you need to jettison in order to assure a safe voyage and an "abundant" arrival at port (see 2Pe 1:10, 11-see notes, He 6:19, 20-see notes)?

The root verb dechomai means to accept deliberately and readily, receive kindly and so to take to oneself what is presented or brought by another. It means to welcome as a teacher, a friend, or a guest into one's house.  The word describes accepting persons with open arms, minds, and hearts, even going beyond normally expected gracious hospitality. The term was often used of welcoming honored guests and meeting their needs with special attention and kindness.

Prosdechomai is used of things future, in the sense of expecting and with the meaning of accepting. This verb is virtually always is found in the middle voice conveying reflexive action (action directed or turned back on self) which means that one receives to one’s self or gives another access to one’s self.

As alluded to in the introductory comments on this passage, prosdechomai is in the present tense which calls for our looking to be our lifestyle! Are you looking for Him? If you are looking at the visible things, the temporal things (2Co 4:18-note) of this passing world (1Jn 2:17-note), you can be sure that your looking (for Him = Second Coming) will be a bit lacking!

We need more men like G Campbell Morgan who said...

I never begin my work in the morning without thinking that perhaps he may interrupt my work and begin his own. I am not looking for death, I am looking for Him. (Amen!)

Adoniram Judson alluded to living expectantly in light of His imminent return when he wrote that...

Moulton-Milligan have this secular use of prosdechomai...

“I am waiting for the 450 drachma you have given to Radanus.” (Comment: We can probably all identify with this person's anticipation of  being repaid!)

Prosdechomai - 14x in 14v - NAS = accepted(1), accepting(1), cherish(1), looking(3), receive(2), receives(1), waiting(5), waiting anxiously(1).
 

Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

Luke 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Luke 2:38 And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 12:36 "And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

Luke 15:2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

Luke 23:51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;

Acts 23:21 "So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you."

Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Romans 16:2 (note) that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.

Philippians 2:29 (note) Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;

Titus 2:13 (note) looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 10:34 (note) For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one.

Hebrews 11:35 (note) Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection;

Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Thayer writes that prosdechomai...

as in Greek writings from Aeschylus and Herodotus down (meant) "to receive to oneself, to admit, to give access to oneself'... to admit one, receive into contact and companionship, Luke 15:2; to receive one (coming from some place), Romans 16:2; Philippians 2:29 (1 Chr. 12:18); to accept (not to reject) a thing offered: To reject, Hebrews 11:35; to admit (accept) hope, i.e., not to repudiate but to entertain, embrace, its substance, Acts 24:15... not to shun, to bear, an impending evil Hebrews 10:34.

(And) from Homer down (prosdechomai meant), to expect (look for, wait for): Luke 12:36;  Mark 15:43; Luke 2:25,38; 23:51 (Acts 23:21); Titus 2:13; Jude 1:21

If we are to be looking for Christ to return at any time, living in light of its imminency, such an "uplook outlook" should be a powerful incentive to spur us on to fight the good fight necessary for godly living and bold witnessing. Note the emphasis is that we are to be looking for the Christ and not for the Antichrist, for a one world government or for any other supernatural sign. Beloved, our Bridegroom's coming is imminent, and no prophetic event is required to precede His sure return (See related topics Imminency; Another discussion on imminency). Maranatha (Our Lord, come! 1Cor 16:22).

Is that my mindset? Do my day to day choices
reflect the reality of an expectant attitude?

Expectant Looking
Is the "Antidote" for
Apathetic Living

Hudson Taylor put it this way...

Since he may come any day, it is well to be ready every day.

The watchers on the mountain
Proclaim the Bridegroom near,
Go, meet Him as He comes,
With Hallelujahs clear!

The marriage feast is waiting,
The gates wide open stand
Up, up! ye heirs of glory,
The Bridegroom is at hand!"

May we be like the Psalmist who cried...

My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. (Ps 130:6-note)

Prosdechomai aptly describes the lifestyle and habitual attitude of the godly Jewish man named Simeon (who undoubtedly was a member of the Jewish remnant who had placed his faith in the Messiah):

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; (one of the believing Jewish remnant) and this man was righteous and devout, looking (prosdechomai  present tense) for the consolation of Israel (a synonym for the Redeemer Christ Jesus Who Himself would be the ultimate "consolation" of Israel); and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.". (Luke 2:25,26)

Luke also uses prosdechomai  in his description of godly Anna writing

And there was a prophetess, Anna (one of the believing Jewish remnant) the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for (present tense - the pattern or direction of one's life, this was their lifestyle in this present age ["church age" - the next "age" is the Messianic age = Millennium] which continually motivated them and pointed them toward this glorious future age [cp Jesus' disciples' question in Mt 24:3 noting especially the phrase "the end of the age"]) the redemption of Jerusalem (synonymous with the Redeemer Himself - e.g., see Zech 14:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, esp Zech 14:9!). (Luke 2:36, 37, 38)

Fanny Crosby (who was physically blind but had spiritual eyes of faith) caught the idea of expectant living in this line from Blessed Assurance (play hymn)

Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Mark describes another Jew who was undoubtedly part of the saved Jewish remnant writing that

Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for (prosdechomai  present tense - expectant waiting was his lifestyle which undoubtedly prompted godly living!) the kingdom of God and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43, cp Mt 27:57 Lk 23:50, 51 Jn 19:38)

Comment: Notice how his future focused perspective emboldened his present actions, which is exactly what should happen in every believer's life...to the glory of God!

As mentioned above, prosdechomai was used of receiving to one's self with a welcoming attitude:

And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives (to Himself with a welcoming attitude) sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:2)

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea that you receive (prosdechomai) her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well. (Ro 16:1, 2-notes)

Paul, writing to the saints at Philippi concerning his sending them Epaphroditus, his brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who was also their messenger and minister to Paul's need, encouraged the Philippians...

Therefore receive (prosdechomai - conveys the picture of someone who is filled with the Spirit welcoming another person with open arms and heart!) him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard (Php 2:29-note)

Prosdechomai is used in a negative sense in Acts, where we read

So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him (to kill Paul) who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you. (Acts 23:21)

In a positive use Luke records Paul's testimony of...

having a hope (click discussion of Biblical hope) in God, which these men cherish (prosdechomai present tense) themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. (Acts 24:15)

The writer of Hebrews explains that those having a sure future with God can even "welcome" present affliction encouraging his readers

For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted (prosdechomai) joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one. (10:34-note)

Comment: Notice how their "firm grip" on their future possession, prompted a "loose grip" on the temporal possessions of this present age which is passing away and along with its lusts).

Jude also associates this expectant attitude with living for God writing

keep (aorist imperative - command to guard, practice watchful care of) yourselves (take care of your business, not everyone else's! And do so by means of the two things just mentioned in context, building themselves up in their Christian lives and by praying in the Holy Spirit) in (in the sphere of His love - see to it that they stay within "the circle" of His love) the love of God, waiting anxiously (prosdechomai  present tense - this was to be their continual mindset) for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life (which Wuest feels seems to point to that part of eternal life which will be given the saint at the Rapture = glorification)." (Jude 1:21)

Jesus used this verb in His exhortation to His disciples live life with an expectant attitude and to...

be like men who are waiting (prosdechomai  present tense) for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. (Luke 12:36)

Prosdechomai is used 46 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Ge 32:20; Ex 10:17; 22:11; 36:3; Lev. 26:43; Ruth 1:13; 1 Chr. 12:18; 2 Chr. 36:21; Esther 9:23, 27; Job 2:9; 29:23; 33:20; Ps. 6:9; 55:8; 104:11; Prov. 15:15; Isa. 28:10; 42:1; 45:4; 55:12; Ezek. 20:40f; 32:10; 43:27; Dan. 7:25; Hos. 8:13; Amos 5:22; Mic. 6:7; Mal. 1:8, 10, 13) with meanings generally similar to the NT uses.

Here is one use from Psalms...

The LORD has heard my supplication. The LORD receives (prosdechomai) my prayer." (Psalm 6:9) 

Comment: In other words the Lord welcomes our prayers! In a sense He even looks expectantly for them! Are you as convicted as I am?

Spurgeon's note - Here is past experience used for future encouragement.

John explains that daily looking for Christ's appearing will affect daily living, writing...

See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.  Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself (motivated by love not fear...perfect love casts out all fear...perfect love would connote "perfect" as far as humanly possible, obedience.) just as He is pure." (1John 3:1-note, 1John 3:2-note, 1John 3:3-note)

I AM
COMING
QUICKLY

In a similar vein,  Jesus' promise in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible should be words believers frequently ponder (Suggestion: Recall this verse to mind every morning when you present yourself to Him as a living and holy sacrifice - Ro 12:1-note) so that motivated by this truth we would continually, expectantly look for Him and continually live for Him (1Cor 6:20)...

Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. (Revelation 22:12-note)

J. C. Ryle correctly concludes that the...

Uncertainty about the date of the Lord's return is calculated to keep believers in an attitude of constant expectation and to preserve them from despondency.

Spurgeon adds that...

The fact that Jesus Christ is to come again is not a reason for star-gazing, but for working in the power of the Holy Ghost.

Even an ancient sage such as Augustine understood the motivating power of looking for Jesus' return writing...

He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near. It is he who, whether it be far or near, awaits it with sincere faith, stead-fast hope and fervent love.

John Blanchard has several pithy comments on the Second Coming...

It is a bad sign when people start discussing eschatology instead of preparing for the coming of Christ...When Christ returns, the second advent will no longer be a subject for discussion....The certainty of the Second Coming of Christ should touch and tincture every part of our daily behavior....Many people will be surprised when Jesus comes again—but nobody will be mistaken. (highly recommended resource useful in teaching and preaching - the best of its kind I have encountered - The Complete Gathered Gold A Treasury of Quotations for Christians by John Blanchard or Wordsearch Computer Version)

Looking at Titus 2:11-13 from another perspective, it is interesting to see how Paul uses this short but powerful section of Scripture to summarize the truth inherent in the Three Tenses of Salvation:
 

** Note that the tense for looking is present not future but the effect of this habitual practice of looking is to produce a life lived with a future focus! What you aim at in life will usually determine your course through this wilderness journey. Aim at the passing pleasures of sin (He 11:25-note) of this passing present world (1Jn 2:17-note) and you will miss the joy of heaven now (cp Ps 90:12-note). I am not saying your "aiming" earns or merits heaven but when a believer is entangled by the affairs of everyday life (2Ti 2:4-note), their anticipation of heaven's joys (which also invigorate and engender present joy) will surely be dampened. Don't let the world, the flesh and the devil  continue to steal your joy dear pilgrim (1Pe 1:1-note, 1Pe 2:11KJV-note), citizen of a heavenly land (Php 3:20, 21-note, see a better country, a better city - He 11:16-note, He 12:22-note, He 13:14-note)!

AMAZING
GRACE!

In short, God’s grace redeems us (cp justifies us), reforms us (cp sanctifies us) and rewards us (cp glorifies us)! Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that has saved, is saving and will save a wretch like me! (cp Ro 7:24, 25-note)

Reuben A. Torrey wrote that...

The imminent return of our Lord is the great Bible argument for a pure, unselfish, devoted, unworldly, active life of service.

Spurgeon writes that...

One work of the grace of God is to cause us to be “looking for that blessed hope of the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”

What is that “blessed hope?” Why, first, that when He comes we shall rise from the dead, if we have fallen asleep; and that, if we are alive and remain, we shall be changed at His appearing. (1Th 4:13, 14, 115, 16, 17, 18-see notes beginning 1Th 4:13)

Our hope is that we shall be approved of Him and shall hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Mt 25:21, 23, Lk 19:17) This hope is not of debt, but of grace: though our Lord will give us a reward, it will not be according to the law of works.

We expect to be like Jesus when we shall see him as he is. When Jesus shines forth as the sun, “then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father.”

Our gain by godliness cannot be counted down into the palm of our hand. It lies in the glorious future (1Ti 4:8-note); and yet to faith it is so near that at this moment I almost hear the chariot of the Coming One. The Lord cometh, and in the coming of the Lord lies the great hope of the believer, his great stimulus to overcome evil, his incentive to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. Oh to be found blameless in the day of the manifestation of our Lord! God grant us this! Do you not see, brethren, how the discipline of the doctrine of grace runs towards the separating of us from sin, and the making us to live unto God? (From Spurgeon's sermon Two Appearings & the Discipline of Grace)

Billy Graham was right when he said that...

The subject of the second coming of Christ has never been popular to any but the true believer.

><>><>><>

After World War II there was a sign on the shore of New York harbor facing all incoming troop ships, which read:

WELCOME HOME.
WELL DONE.

When the Lord Jesus Christ appears in the air, He is going to “WELCOME HOME” every saint, for at that time He shall come to take us home to heaven. Our entrance into heaven is solely on the basis of our faith in His shed blood and death on the cross, and every believer shall receive the same “WELCOME HOME.” But, how many of us will receive His “WELL DONE,” and the “crown of righteousness”? (2Ti 4:8-note, Mt 25:21, 23, Lk 19:17)

THE EARLY EDITION - THERE was a show I used to watch a couple of years ago called Early Edition. The host of the show would get the next day's newspaper, read it, and then do a show about the upcoming news. He'd read a newspaper about the morrow and related it to his viewers today. Because he had tomorrow's newspaper today, he had information nobody else did. Most of our coworkers don't have the information. Most of our neighbors don't have the information. But as Christians, we've got an Early Edition. God has given us the Early Edition. We can function today in light of what we know about God's plan for the future. (Tony Evans' Book of Illustrations)

O Son of God, We Wait for Thee
Philipp Hiller (1699-1769)

O Son of God, we wait for Thee,
In love for Thine appearing;
We know Thou sittest on the throne,
And we Thy Name are bearing,
Who trusts in Thee, may joyful be,
And see Thee, Lord, descending,
To bring us bliss unending.

We wait for Thee ’mid toil and pain,
In weariness and sighing;
But glad that Thou our guilt hast borne,
And canceled it by dying;
Hence cheerfully may we with Thee
Take up our cross and bear it,
Till we relief inherit.

We wait for Thee; sure Thou wilt come;
The time is swiftly nearing;
In this we also now rejoice,
And long for Thine appearing.
Oh, bliss ’twill be when Thee we see,
Homeward Thy people bringing,
With transport and with singing!

Thomas Watson comments on Titus 2:13...

A Christian's chief happiness is in in the future. A saint in this life, is an expectant of heaven; he has little in hand—but much in hope. So says the text, "looking for that blessed hope." There is enough to make us breathe after that hope, if we look either internally or externally.

Internally, if we turn our eyes inward and behold our sins. This made Paul himself cry out, "O wretched man that I am!" Ro 7:24. A Christian has two men within him—flesh and spirit. This may make him look for that blessed hope—when he shall be disentangled of his sins, and shall be as the angels of God.

If we look externally, if we cast our eyes abroad, the world is but our sojourning-house. It is a stage whereon vanity and vexation act their part, and the scene seldom alters. "Arise and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted!" Micah 2:10. All which considered, may make us look for "that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ."

In which words there is the act, "looking," and the object, which is set down emphatically, "that blessed hope" and, specifically, "the glorious appearing of the great God."

I begin with the first, the act, "looking." There is a threefold looking:

1. There is a looking with DESIRE—as the servant looked for the year of jubilee and release, Leviticus 25:40, or as the bride looks for the marriage day. Now is a time of absence from our husband Christ; therefore, we are dressed in mourning and hang our harps upon the willows. But how the spouse desires the marriage day when the nuptials shall be solemnized! At that wedding, "the water shall be turned into wine." How the pious soul cries out in a holy pang of desire, "How long Lord! Why is Your chariot so long a-coming? Why o do the wheels of Your chariot tarry?" It is the desire of the whole church, "Come Lord Jesus, come quickly." Re 22:17.

2. There is a looking with JOY. Ro 5:2, "We rejoice in hope of the glory of God." There is terror in a sinner's looking; it is called a fearful looking for of judgment, He 10:27. A man in debt looks every hour when the sergeant shall arrest him—but the saint's looking is a joyful looking, as a man looks for a friend, or for one that is to pay him a great sum of money. So Moses looked with joy "to the recompense of reward," He 11:26.

3. There is a looking with PATIENCE—as a man casts his seed into the earth, and looks with patience until the crop springs up. Jas 5:7, "Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They patiently wait for the precious harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near." So much for the act, looking.

The second is the object, "that blessed hope", where we are to consider what hope is—and what a Christian hopes for.

What is hope?

I answer, hope is a supernatural grace planted in the heart by the Spirit of God, whereby a Christian is quickened to the expectation of those things which are held forth in the promise. Ro 8:25, "If we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience." Aquinas describes hope thus, "Hope is concerned with a good that is hard to reach, located in the future, and open to be gained."

Hope is concerned with a good. It looks at some good, so it differs from fear. Fear looks at evil, hope at good.

Hope is concerned with a future good. It looks at some good to come; so it differs from joy. Joy is exercised about something present, hope about something future.

Hope is concerned with a good that is hard to reach. It looks at some good which is difficult to attain; so hope differs from desire. Desire is weak and transient; it is soon over. Hope is resolute and fixed, it wrestles with difficulties and will not give up, until it has the thing hoped for.

Hope is concerned with a good that is open to be gained. It looks at some good which is feasible, and which there is possibility of obtaining; so hope differs from despair. Despair looks on things with black spectacles and gives all up as lost. Hope is like cork to the net, which keeps the heart from sinking in despair. Thus you have seen what hope is. (Click for the rest of Watson's discussion - The Sacred Anchor)

THE BLESSED HOPE: ten makarian elpida: (Titus 1:2; 3:7; Acts 24:15; Ro 5:5; 8:24,25; 15:13; Col 1:5,23,27; 2Th 2:16; He 6:18,19; 1Pe 1:3; 1Jn 3:3)  
 

Related Resources:
 

Our Blessed Hope - 2 part study - in depth
Quotes by C H Spurgeon on The Blessed Hope
Our Daily Bread Devotionals on the Blessed Hope
Devotionals on the Blessed Hope by F B Meyer

Paul had earlier alluded to one aspect of the believer's hope writing that we are to live godly...

in (in the sphere of, circle of or atmosphere of) the hope (not a "hope I make it" mentality but absolute assurance that God will do good to me in the future) of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago (Titus 1:2-note)

He reiterates this truth in Titus 3 explaining that by grace through faith, believers are now...

justified by His grace (and) we might be made heirs according to the hope (absolute certainty) of eternal life. (Titus 3:7-note)

The blessed hope - "the prosperous expectation" (Wuest)

Blessed (3107) (makarios [word study]) means spiritually “prosperous”, fully satisfied independent of the circumstances because of the amazing enabling grace in which we stand and the supernatural ministry of the indwelling  Holy Spirit (Mt 5:6-note). The sure hope we have of the return of our Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, to catch up (and out of this present evil age) His Bride, the Church (see Rapture), is one that is prosperous, filled with richness and one that stabilizes our souls in this present world in which we live as aliens and strangers (we're just "passing through").

Makarios - 50x in 49v in NAS - Matt. 5:3, 4, 5; 11:6; 13:16; 16:17; 24:46; Lk. 1:45; 6:20ff; 7:23; 10:23; 11:27f; 12:37f, 43; 14:14f; 23:29; Jn. 13:17; 20:29; Acts 20:35; 26:2; Rom. 4:7f; 14:22; 1 Co. 7:40; 1 Tim. 1:11; 6:15; Titus 2:13; Jas. 1:12, 25; 1 Pet. 3:14; 4:14; Rev. 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. NAS =  blessed(1), blessed(46), fortunate(1), happier(1), happy(1).

The second coming of Christ, including the first phrase or stage of that coming, the resurrection of those who died in Christ and the catching up (Rapture) (See Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming) of those believers still living when He comes, is the "blessed hope" of the Christian. The forgiveness of sins coupled with living a godly life eliminates all dread over the return of Christ and transforms the prospect into a blessed hope.

It is important to note that the KJV translates “blessed hope” and “appearing of the glory” as if they were two different entities, whereas the Greek construction requires that they be construed as one.

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (KJV)

Granville Sharp’s rule says that when there are two nouns in the same case connected by and (kai), the first noun has the definite article (the = Greek word ten), and the second noun lacks the definite article, then the second noun refers to the same thing as the first noun and serves as a further description. Thus, the blessed hope is the appearing of the glory of our Lord.

The blessed hope - Not "hope so". Not a wish. Not a possibility. But...a sure and certain hope that Jesus will return in glory.

C S Lewis in a discussion of the Second Coming said...

If this is not an integral part of the faith once given to the saints, I do not know what is.

As Puritan William Gurnall phrased it...

Christ hath told us He will come, but not when, that we might never put off our clothes, or put out the candle.

The Hope of the Coming of the Lord
By Daniel Whittle

A lamp in the night, a song in time of sorrow;
A great glad hope which faith can ever borrow
To gild the passing day, with the glory of the morrow,
Is the hope of the coming of the Lord.

Refrain
Blessèd hope, blessèd hope,
Blessèd hope of the coming of the Lord;
How the aching heart it cheers,
How it glistens through our tears,
Blessèd hope of the coming of the Lord.

A star in the sky, a beacon bright to guide us;
An anchor sure to hold when storms betide us;
A refuge for the soul, where in quiet we may hide us,
Is the hope of the coming of the Lord.
Refrain

A call of command, like trumpet clearly sounding,
To make us bold when evil is surrounding;
To stir the sluggish heart and to keep in good abounding,
Is the hope of the coming of the Lord.
Refrain

A word from the One to all our hearts the dearest,
A parting word to make Him aye the nearest;
Of all His precious words, the sweetest, brightest, clearest,
Is the hope of the coming of the Lord.
Refrain

Hope (1680) (elpis [word study]) is expectation or confidence and in the New Testament describes the believer's absolute certainty of future good. Hope is full assurance ("the full assurance of hope" Hebrews 6:11-note) and ultimately is found in the Person of Christ for as Paul wrote to Timothy "Christ Jesus (is) our hope" (1Timothy 1:1)

Butler describes this sure hope as

like being at the airport and looking forward to the arrival on the plane of a loved one. You are not uncertain about the arrival, but you are confidently anticipating with great delight the arrival of your loved one. That is the idea of the use of the word "hope" in our text. The matter is settled. The return of the Lord is not some imagination of some oppressed saint wishing for better days, but it is an established fact that provides much inspiration for the saints regardless of their circumstances. (Studies of the Savior - His Return)

Elpis - 53x in 48v in NAS - THIS MAKES AN EDIFYING, ENCOURAGING DEVOTIONAL STUDY - READ THROUGH THESE SCRIPTURES (check context) AND INTERROGATE THEM WITH THE 5W's/H QUESTIONS (see 5W'S & H) - KEEP A LIST - ADD A DASH OF PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING (Once you've done your own study check the notes below on "The Blessed Hope") - Acts 2:26; 16:19; 23:6; 24:15; 26:6, 7; 27:20; 28:20; Ro 4:18; Ro 5:2, Ro 5:4, 5; Ro 8:20, Ro 8:24; Ro 12:12; Ro 15:4, Ro 15:13; 1Co 9:10; 13:13; 2Co 1:7; 3:12; 10:15; Gal 5:5; Ep 1:18; Ep 2:12; Ep 4:4; Php 1:20; Col 1:5, Col 1:23, Col 1:27; 1Th 1:3; 1Th 2:19; 1Th 4:13; 1Th 5:8; 2Th 2:16; 1Ti 1:1; Titus 1:2; Titus 2:13; Titus 3:7; He 3:6; He 6:11, He 6:18; He 7:19; He 10:23; 1Pe 1:3, 1Pe 1:21; 1Pe 3:15; 1Jn. 3:3
 

W. H. G. Thomas eloquently described the interrelationship of the great Christian triumphurate of faith, hope and love...

Faith rests on the past, love works in the present, and hope presses toward the future; or, faith looks backward and upward, love looks outward, and hope looks forward. These three constitute the true, complete Christian life and not one of them should be omitted or slighted.

We are only too apt to emphasize faith and love and forget hope but, inasmuch as hope is invariably connected with the coming of the Lord, that blessed hope (Titus 2:13), it is a vital part of our Christian life.

Faith accepts, hope expects; faith appropriates, hope anticipates; faith receives, hope realizes; faith is always and only concerned with the past and present, hope is always and only concerned with the future. We know that faith comes by hearing; we shall find that hope comes by experience. Faith is concerned with a person who promises, hope with the thing promised; and faith is the root of which hope is a fruit.

Zabriskie has an interesting thought writing that...

perhaps the reason why so few today look with favor upon the Blessed Hope is that perhaps they have rebelled at God’s lessons in grace and have reversed the determination of Moses: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (He 11:25-note). Although ...God will not allow a child of His to sin lawlessly, yet often, after continual rebellion against His will, He will let the child have his own way for a season to prove to Him that God’s way is best. This action on God’s part may be seen in the case of the children of Israel. On one occasion, after they had rebelled continuously against God’s will for them, He sent to them the desires of their hearts but sent leanness to their souls. (KJV of Ps 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.- Spurgeon's note) What a pathetic picture and yet how adequately this describes the spiritual lives of many Christians. (The Discipline of Grace, Bibliotheca Sacra 93:370. April, 1936. Page 178 - $ to view entire article but will give you access to literally 1000's of excellent theological journal articles. Click here)

Perhaps today! Then, much-tried saint,
Look up, nor let thy spirit faint;
The stretching road thine eyes may see
May never be traversed by thee—
One moment's space, and then above,
To find thyself in cloudless love!

Perhaps today, afflicted life,
Thou shalt be taken from the strife;
From all that hatred to thy word
Which comes as thou dost please thy Lord!
And then, ah then, how small the pain
Compared with all thou then shalt gain.
—J. Danson Smith

Daily Light on the Path has this devotional (composed on only Scripture) from April 29 ...

The blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. -- Whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things.--When He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed. The the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves... even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Titus 2.13. He 6.19, 20. Ac 3.21. 2Th 1.10. Ro 8.22, 23. 1Jn 3.2. Col 3.4. Rev 22.20) (Daily Light on the Daily Path - April)

A W Pink writes...

Now our "hope" is something more than a future event, concerning the details of which there may be room for considerable difference of opinion. Our hope is something more than the next item on God’s prophetic program. It is something more than a place in which we are going to spend eternity (Ed: eg see Col 1:5-note where hope is actually in heaven, so that heaven there is hardly our "hope").

The Christian’s hope is a person.

Have you noticed how prominently and emphatically that fact is presented in the Scriptures? "I will come again, and receive you unto myself (John 14:3); "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner" (Acts 1:11); "We look for the Saviour" (Phil 3:20-note); "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (Jas 5:8)— not even the Great Tribulation draweth nigh, not the Millennium draweth nigh, nor even the Rapture draweth nigh, but the coming of the Lord. It is with his own blessed person that our poor hearts need to be occupied.

Here is a poor wife whose husband has been away for many months in distant lands, whose duty required him to go there. News arrives that he is coming back home: the devoted wife is filled with joy at the prospect of the return of her husband. Is she puzzling her brains as to what will be his program of action after he arrives? No, the all-absorbing thing for her is himself—her beloved is soon to appear before her.

Now do not misunderstand me: I am not saying that the plan of prophecy holds little of interest, or that it matters nothing to us what course Christ will follow; but that which I am seeking to emphasize is that the primary and grand point of the whole subject is having our prepared hearts fixed upon Christ himself. God would have us occupied not so much with prophetic details, as with the blessed person of his dear Son.

That "blessed hope", then, which the Christian is "looking for" is not an event, but a Person: Christ himself. "And this is his name whereby he shall be called, the Lord of righteousness" (Jer 23:6)—the Lord is our righteousness. "For he is our peace" (Ep 2:13-note)—the Lord is our peace. "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear" (Col 3:4-note)—the Lord is our life. "By the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope" (1Ti 1:1)—the Lord is our hope.

To me "that blessed hope" is summed up in three things. First, that Christ is coming to receive me unto himself. Second, that Christ will then make me like himself—for nothing less than that will satisfy him or the renewed heart. Third, that Christ is going to have me forever with himself an eternity of bliss spent in his own immediate presence. Then will be answered his prayer " Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory" (John 17:24).

Now "looking for that blessed Hope", for Christ himself, is an attitude of heart. The Christian "looks" with the eyes of faith (cp 2Co 4:18-note), and faith always rests alone upon God and his Word. Faith is not influenced by sensational items from the newspapers about the latest doings of Hitler and Mussolini etc. Scripture says, "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh", and faith believes it. The Christian "looks" with the eyes of hope, joyously anticipating perfect fellowship with its Beloved. The Christian "looks" with the eyes of love, for nothing but his personal presence can satisfy him. It is an attitude of anticipation: Christ has given his sure promise that He is coming, but the exact time is withheld—that we may be in constant readiness. It is an attitude of expectation, for we do not "look for" something we know will never happen. It is an attitude of supplication, the heart’s response is,

Even so, come, Lord Jesus

A final word upon Christ’s title here: "The glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ", or as Bagster’s Interlinear more correctly renders it, "And appearing of the glory, the great God and Saviour, of our Lord Jesus Christ". Three things are suggested to us by Christ’s being here called "the great God". First, it points a contrast from his first advent, when he appeared in humiliation and lowliness as the "servant". Second, it shows us he is called "God" not by way of courtesy, but by right of his Divine nature. Third, it evidences the fact that the Saviour is in no wise inferior to the Father, but his coequal, "the great God". (Grace Preparing for Glory)

The following excerpt (read entire chapter) is from another discussion by A W Pink of the believer's blessed hope...

Our Hope is the Personal Return
of Our Redeemer

“Jesus Christ our hope” (1Ti 1:1). Jesus Christ is the believer’s “all in all” (Col 3:11-note). He is “our peace” (Ep 2:14-note) He is “our life” (Col 3:4-note). He is “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1Cor. 1:30). And, we repeat, He is “our Hope.” But hope always looks forward. Hope has to do with the future. “We are saved in hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Ro 8:24, 25-note). This means that what we hope for is that which we do not yet possess. In Scripture, “hope” is something more than desire or longing: it is a joyous expectation, a definite assurance.

Faith is that which lays holds of God’s promises;
hope is that spiritual grace which sustains the heart
until the promise is “received.”

As another has said

Man was not made for the present, and the present was not intended to satisfy man. It is for the future, not the present, that man exists (W. Trotter).

The Hope of the believer is clearly set forth in Titus 2:13...Our Hope is the personal Return of Christ when He shall come back again to receive us unto Himself. Our Hope is to be taken out of this scene of sin and suffering and sorrow to be where Christ is (John 14:1-13). Our Hope is to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be for ever “with the Lord” (1Th 4:16-note, 1Th 4:17-note). Our Hope is to be “made like” Him, and this hope will be realized when “we shall see Him as He is” (1Jn 3:2-note). This is the “one hope” of our calling” (Ep 4:4-note). This is the only Hope for everything else has failed. (A W Pink - The Hope of the Redeemer's Return)

AND THE APPEARING OF THE GLORY: kai epiphaneian tes doxes: (Job 19:25, 26, 27; Isa 25:9; Mt 16:27; 25:31; 26:64; Mk 8:38; 14:62; 1Ti 6:13,14; He 9:28; 2Co 4:4,6; Col 3:4; 1Pe 1:7; 1Jn 3:2; Rev 1:7)

THE CONSUMMATION
OF HISTORY

Oh, the joy to see thee reigning,
Thee, my own beloved Lord!
Every tongue thy name confessing,
Worship, honour, glory, blessing,
Brought to thee with glad accord—
Thee, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned,
Unto earth's remotest end Glorified, adored and owned!
—Frances Ridley Havergal

Chrysostom rightly said that...

In the first advent God veiled his divinity to prove the faithful; in the second advent he will manifest his glory to reward their faith....nothing is more blessed and more desirable than that appearing. Words are not able to represent it, the blessings thereof surpass our understanding.

The writer of Hebrews also refers to the two advents of Christ writing...

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many (referring to Christ's first coming and His necessity to die as a man, the Lamb of God), shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await (present tense ~ their "lifestyle") Him. (He 9:27, 28-note)

Billy Graham was correct when he said...

The subject of the second coming of Christ has never been popular to any but the true believer.
 

Appearing (2015) (epiphaneia [word study] from the verb epiphaino [word study] [used in Titus 2:11, 3:4 click word study on epiphaino] in turn from epí = over, upon or to + phaíno = to shine) is literally "a shining upon" and from its secular used conveys the thought of an event which is sudden and unexpected. Secular Greek writings used this word group to describe the appearance of pagan "gods" but in this verse Paul is saying there is a glorious second coming of of the one living and true God, Jesus Christ.

Epiphaneia - 6x in 6v in NAS - 2Th. 2:8; 1Ti 6:14; 2Ti 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13. Three of the uses are in Paul's very last letter! The appearing of His Lord was ever on his mind right up to the very end of his life (2Ti 4:6-note - relate this to Paul's present imperative commands in 1Co 4:16, 11:1, Php 3:17-note)

Epiphany - A Christian festival celebrated on the sixth day of January, the twelfth day after Christmas, in commemoration of the appearance of our Savior to the magians or philosophers of the East, who came to adore him with presents; or as others maintain, to commemorate the appearance of the star to the magians, or the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

Epiphaneia is a solely used by Paul, first to describe the counterfeit appearance of the Antichrist ("the cursed hope", "the false hope") Paul informing the Thessalonian saints that the

lawless one (the Antichrist) will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming. (2Th 2:8).

The following uses refer to the coming of the Christ, Paul charging Timothy to

keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1Ti 6:14)

Again Paul draws on the truth of the second coming of Christ to impress Timothy writing

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom. (2Ti 4:1-note)

Again Paul appeals not just to Timothy but to all believers reminding us that

in the future there is laid up for me (Paul) the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2Ti 4:8-note)

Finally Paul used epiphaneia in reference to the incarnation writing that God's purpose and grace have 

been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2Ti 1:10-note)

Appearing of the glory (cp Mt 24:30) - What a striking contrast His Second Coming in glory will be with  His first coming in humility. The first appearing of Christ was concealed to most, for . That few knew of His coming. For example, when He was born in Bethlehem, only the shepherds came to visit Him and even they came only because of Divine enlightenment. Later the magi from the east came to visit Him, because like the angels they had received Divine illumination. And only a "remnant" of Jews recognized him, among whom were Simeon and Anna (Lk 2:25, 38). Isaiah describes Christ's appearing in humility...

For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. (Is 53:2)

But His Second Coming will be vastly different John recording...

BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. (Rev 1:7-note)

Steven Cole has an intriguing illustration regarding the practical impact that the imminency of Christ's appearing should have in our lives...

If your focus is set on the hope of Christ’s return, you will purify your life from every known sin (1Jn 3:2-note, 1Jn 3:3-note). During his time in the White House, President Carter did something that no other President (that I know of) has done: on several occasions, he stayed in the homes of common Americans. I don’t know how he picked them, but he wanted to convey that he was in tune with the needs of average Americans. If you got a call this week from the White House, announcing that the President would like to stay in your home sometime next month (meaning that your living room and kitchen would be on national television), I predict that you would do some housecleaning! Your home would sparkle because you knew that the President was coming. Someone far greater than the President is coming! Paul calls Him, “our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” (How Grace Works)

Glory (1391)(doxa from dokeo = to think) in simple terms means to give a proper opinion or estimate of something and thus the glory of God expresses all that He is in His Being and in His nature, character, power and acts. He is glorified when He is allowed to be seen as He really is. To be where God is will be glory. To be what God intended will be glory. To do what God purposed will be glory. Play Paul Baloche's Glorious.

The glory of God is used of the aggregate of the divine attributes and coincides with His self-revelation (Ex 33:22)

G B Wilson alludes to the glory of our soon coming King of kings...

The brightness of Christ's advent will reveal the true character of those things which were previously hidden by darkness.

See discussion of the common OT manifestation of God in the Shekinah glory cloud

Phil Newton writes that...

Paul's use of "glory" borrows language from the Old Testament to describe the brilliant, radiant outshining of the divine being. It refers to the weightiness or heaviness of the combined attributes of God (Ed: Hebrew word for "glory" = kabod = root means to be heavy or weighty but only rarely used literally), immeasurable and unexplainable and unfathomable by our finite minds. Yet the day will come when that glory will be undeniably explained and revealed. It will not be secret so that only a few will know of Christ's coming but open for all the world to see: for believers to be filled with wonder at the outshining majesty of our Savior and for unbelievers to cringe in terror at the dreadful appearance of one so holy and just. Paul does not use "great" to infer that He is greater than the Greek pantheon of gods. That goes without saying! As the only God, He alone has greatness. Chrysostom explained that our God is great, and "after whom no one is great" [quoted by Mounce, 426]. So, since Jesus Christ is the "great God," what will you do with Him? Will you believe the good news concerning Him? (All of Grace, Part 2 Titus 2:11-14 Feb 19, 2006) (Bolding added)

Glorious One
Light of the world
You outshine the sun
King of all kings
Eternity sings
Glorious One
Play Steve Fee's Glorious One

Charles Ryrie says that the glory of God...

The word translated "glorious" (doxa) in our text is the word that gives us the English word "doxology." That word is the name of the chorus (based on Psalm 100) which churches often sing in their services. It signifies praise and adoration. And that is what Christ will experience when He returns. His first coming was for the cross; His second coming is with the crown. His first coming was in scorn; His second coming will be in splendor. His first coming was in humility; His second coming will be in honor. (Studies of the Savior - His Return)

Looking for the return of our Lord Jesus brings great joy and hope to our hearts. It also leads to a numbering of our days to that we might present to Him a heart of wisdom as illustrated by the following story:

A tourist who visited an exquisite garden on a lovely estate in Italy spoke to the caretaker:

“How long have you been here?” he asked.

“Twenty-five years.”

“And how often has the owner been to see the estate?”

“Four times.”

“When did he come last?”

“Twelve years ago.”

“Who comes then to look after things?”

“I am left pretty much alone.”

“Yet you keep the garden so spic-and-span that one would think you were expecting the owner tomorrow.”

“Today, sir, today! replied the caretaker. ”Perhaps today!"

A Rich Poor Man

One windy afternoon I went with a friend into a country almshouse. There was sitting before a feeble fire a very aged man, who was deaf, and so shaken with the palsy that one wooden shoe constantly pattered on the brick floor. But deaf, sick, and helpless, it turned out that he was happy.

"What are you doing, Wisby?" said my friend.

"Waiting, sir."

"And for what?"

"For the appearing of my Lord."

"And what makes you wish for his appearing?"

"Because, sir, I expect great things then. He has promised a crown of righteousness to all that love his appearing."

And to see whether it was a right foundation on which he rested that glorious hope, we asked old Wisby what it was. By degrees he got on his spectacles, and opening the great Bible beside him, pointed to the text, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

Though you possess untold wealth, if you have not old Wisby's faith, you are a poor man; if you have that faith, and are "rich toward God," count it all joy if you are as poor as Lazarus or Wisby in worldly goods. Your inheritance is as sure as God's promise, and as glorious as a throne and a crown can make it. Better have Wisby's hope than Victoria's scepter, Lazarus' rags than Dives' purple. Better is poverty with piety than riches with perdition.—Bishop Heber.

OF OUR GREAT GOD AND SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS: tou megalou theou kai soteros hemon iesou christou: (Titus 3:4,6; 2Peter 3:18; 1John 4:14)

The King is Coming!
by Ira Sankey

Rejoice! Rejoice! our King is coming!
And the time will not be long,
Until we hail the radiant dawning,
And lift up the glad new song.

Refrain
Oh, wondrous day! oh, glorious morning,
When the Son of Man shall come!
May we with lamps all trimmed and burning
Gladly welcome His return!
Rejoice! Rejoice! our King is coming!
And the time will not be long,
Until we hail the radiant dawning,
And lift up the glad new song.

With joy we wait our King’s returning
From His heavenly mansions fair;
And with ten thousand saints appearing
We shall meet Him in the air.
Refrain

Oh, may we never weary, watching,
Never lay our armor down
Until He come, and with rejoicing
Give to each the promised crown.
Refrain

The same rule as discussed above under "Blessed hope" applies to the phrase: “our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Both expressions refer to the same individual. The deity of the Lord Jesus is brought out here by a rule of Greek syntax. Note that I have greatly simplified this discussion and you will find more technical comments and some alternative suggestions as to the interpretation in many of the commentaries. For a lucid, succinct explanation of the technical nuances on this passage I would recommend Hampton Keathley's discussion Titus 2:11-15 Godly Behavior.

The pronoun "our" in this context is polemic, polemic being an adjective which describes an argument or controversy, especially over a doctrine, belief, etc. Here Paul presents the One Who is to be the believer's true God and Savior a truth which direct  countered the prevalent secular belief in the Roman Empire. In other words, in Paul's day, the god and savior of the Roman empire was considered to be the Emperor himself, who was looked upon as a god and savior of the world in that he by his government brought peace and prosperity to the people. He was actually  worshipped as a god as part of the state religion of the Roman Empire (so called Emperor Worship). And so with this short but pithy phrase Paul offers a subtle protest against emperor worship.

Great (3173) (megas) means remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness,  chief or preeminent over others. "Great God" is found four other times in the NAS - Ezra 5:8, Neh 8:6, Ps 95:3, Da 2:45. Thus we read...

For the LORD is a great God, And a great King above all gods (Ps 95:3)

Spurgeon comments: No doubt the surrounding nations imagined Jehovah to be a merely local deity, the god of a small nation, and therefore one of the inferior deities; the psalmist utterly repudiates such an idea. Idolaters tolerated gods many and lords many, giving to each a certain measure of respect; the monotheism of the Jews was not content with this concession, it rightly claimed for Jehovah the chief place, and the supreme power. He is great, for he is all in all; he is a great King above all other powers and dignitaries, whether angels or princes, for they owe their existence to him; as for the idol gods, they are not worthy to be mentioned. This verse and the following supply some of the reasons for worship, drawn from the being, greatness, and sovereign dominion of the Lord.

(Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar the "great" earthly king) "Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy." (Da 2:45-note)

Our great God and Savior - The meaning of the one article (with theou and soteros) identifies our Savior as Divine. (See discussion of a similar phrase "God and Savior Jesus Christ" in 2Pe 1:1-see note) So despite the arguments of skeptics that Jesus was not God, this passage gives clear and unmistakable testimony in the Scriptures that Jesus Christ is very God.

Savior (4990)(soter from sozo = rescue from peril > from saos = safe; delivered) refers to the agent of salvation or deliverance, the one who rescues, delivers, saves and preserves, an apropos title of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Newton makes the excellent point that...

We do not know that we need a Savior until we come to terms with the human predicament of bondage to sin. This is pictured for us in the story of Israel in Egypt. The Egyptians held the Jewish nation in bondage. They applied the whip to their backs and demanded more of them than they could deliver. They were powerless to do anything to change their situation. But God sent a deliverer by the name of Moses who was the human instrument God used to rescue Israel from bondage and a type of savior. Yet Moses was powerless apart from the Lord who met him in the wilderness and set him apart as an instrument in the hand of God. That's why the preface to the Ten Commandments begins with the declaration of God as Savior: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (Ex. 20:2). Do you need a Savior? If you have come face to face with your own inescapable bondage to sin and the weight of judgment against you, there's only One to deliver you, Christ Jesus, our great God and Savior. (All of Grace) (Bolding added)

Anyone who saves or delivers can be called a deliverer or rescuer (a soter). Greeks used soter as a title of divinities such as Asclepius, the god of healing. Soter was used by the mystery religions to refer to their divinities. At an early date soter was used as a title of honor for deserving men, e.g., Epicurus (300BC) was called "soter" by his followers. As discussed below, soter was used as a designation of the "deified" ruler, e.g., Ptolemy I Soter (323-285BC).

Soter - 24x NAS - Lk 1:47; 2:11; Jn. 4:42; Acts 5:31; 13:23; Ep 5:23; Php 3:20; 1Ti 1:1; 2:3; 4:10; 2Ti 1:10; Titus 1:3, 4; 2:10, 13; 3:4, 6; 2Pe 1:1, 11; 2:20; 3:2, 18; 1Jn. 4:14; Jude 1:25

Soter was used of God as the source of salvation - the Deliverer, the Preserver, the Protector, the Healer, the One Who rescues man from danger or peril and unto a state of prosperity and happiness. Soter was used of Jesus Christ as the agent sent by God to bring deliverance to sinful mankind.

Is Jesus Christ God or not? That question has been asked for centuries. The early church faced confrontations by those refusing to accept the deity of Jesus Christ. Some were Jews whose high view of God would not allow them to consider that He came among men. Others were Gnostics (Gnosticism) who denied that the spirit could have anything to do with the flesh. Certainly, the Jewish influence would have been strong on the island of Crete (Titus 1:5-note), as well as the Greek influence that allowed for multiple gods to be worshiped simultaneously. So Paul strikes at the heart of this dispute by clarifying Jesus Christ as the great God;

Paul explains what he means by the grace of God, first, in Titus 2:11 (note) by explaining that the grace of God "appeared, bringing salvation to all men." Then in Titus 2:13 he speaks of yet another appearing, "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus."

First, one article (the) governs both "great God and Savior." Since Paul understood the seriousness of what he stated, if he had wanted to make a distinction to identify two different persons he would have used an article for God, referring to the Father, and another article (the) for Jesus Christ, the Savior. The apostle is not identifying two different Gods or two different modes to the same God (Ed: See Modalism). He's stating clearly that the one called "Savior," whom he identifies as Jesus Christ, is "the great God."

Second, since Paul is explaining the action of God in bringing salvation to all men, and further describing the blessed hope found in this God, the aim of his explanation goes immediately to "Christ Jesus," as the one that brings salvation and as the focus of our hope. In 1Ti 1:1, Paul personifies Jesus Christ as "our hope." Hope has no meaning outside of the person of Christ. The confidence that the believer has rests securely in the Person who has redeemed him, Jesus Christ [see William Mounce, WBC: Pastoral Epistles, 425 or on computer - Logos]. "The blessed hope" is explained to be "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." ("And" or kai in the Greek is epexegetical [Ed: the addition of a phrase, clause, or sentence to a text to provide further explanation], translated as "that is," so it is an explanation of what Paul means by "blessed hope").

Third, the phrase that Paul used, "great God and Savior," was borrowed from the common Hellenistic language that always referred to one person. It was a title used of ancient emperors as they flaunted themselves as gods and saviors. But the Christian could not accept such mockery of the one true God. Mounce explains,

Finally, Paul uses "appearing" to explain what "our great God" would be doing. He always uses this term in reference "to Jesus' Second Coming and never to God" the Father [Mounce, 429]. So, God's appearance refers to the appearance of Jesus Christ. (All of Grace, Part 2 Titus 2:11-14 Feb 19, 2006) (Bolding, hyperlinks and notes added)

Titus 2:11-14 tells the story of two appearings of Christ.

The first appearing is past and is associated with grace and the second appearing is future and is associated with glory. The first appearance was the commencement of that salvation; the second appearing will be its consummation. The first appearing saved man from the penalty of sin, while the second appearing will save him from the presence and possibility of sin.

The potential for the abundant, victorious Christian life lies between Christ's two appearings. And for this meantime living God provides His grace as our "teacher" (Titus 2:11, 12-see notes Titus 2:11; 12) and His indwelling Spirit to impart His purifying influence. When the believing sinner accepts the work of divine grace which sent Christ to Calvary to procure the sinner's redemption, he enrolls in the school of grace. Grace is now our teacher who trains, educates, and instructs us in this supernatural endeavor called the Christian life.

Are you submitting from the heart to your "teacher" name "Grace" and allowing the Spirit to grow you "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"? (2Pe 3:14, 15, 16, 17, 18-see notes 2Pe 3:14; 15; 16; 17; 18)

WHAT IS THE
BLESSED HOPE?

What eschatological (future end time) event is Paul referring to in this section of Titus? In general terms, he is describing the Second Coming of Christ, which many if not most evangelical scholars interpret as a two stage coming, Christ coming first to catch up His church prior to the Tribulation and then coming back to earth to put an end to the Great Tribulation by defeating His enemies  and then establishing His millennial kingdom on earth. Both of these glorious events are certainly the believer's blessed hope and both aspects of the Second Coming should motivate every believer to discipline themselves for godliness in this present evil age. It is interesting that this term "Second Coming" in commentaries can sometimes be confusing if no qualifying statement is given. For a discussion of the distinguishing aspects of the first and second stages of Christ's Second Coming see the topic The Second Coming of Christ. (See also Comparison of the Rapture vs the Second Coming)

Below are a number of comments on Titus 2:13 which demonstrate how it might be possible to become confused as to what "event" Paul is referring to by the phrase the blessed hope (Note that there is some duplication of material found in the topic The Second Coming of Christ.)

Jonathan Edwards, a man used greatly by God, lived in the light of the truth of Titus 2:13 and even before age 20 wrote a series of profound resolutions some of which are noted below...

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will.’

1 - Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure... To do whatever I think to be my duty... for the good and advantage of mankind in general. "

4 - Resolved, Never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body less or more, but what tends to the glory of God...’

5 - Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

6 - Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live.

7 - Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

28 - Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

43 - Resolved, Never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.

46 - Resolved, Never to allow the least measure of any fretting or uneasiness at my father or mother.

70 - Resolved, (That) there be something of benevolence in all I speak. - (Edwards resolved to read these resolutions over once a week!).

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Alexander Maclaren on Titus 2:13 - We have here for our consideration three points embodied in these words. The grace of God has appeared, the glory of God is to appear; the appearance of the glory is a blessed hope; the disciplining of the grace prepares us for the expectation of the glory.

I. First, then, take that thought, The appearance of the grace leads to the appearance of the glory. The identity of the form of expression in the two clauses is intended to suggest the likeness of and the connection between the two appearances. In both there is a visible manifestation of God, and the latter rests upon the former and completes and crowns it. But the difference between the two is as strongly marked as the analogy; and it is not difficult to grasp distinctly the differences which the Apostle intends. While both are manifestations of the Divine character in exercise, the specific phase (so to speak) of that character which appears is in one case "grace," and in the other "glory." If one might venture on any illustration in regard to such a subject, it is as when the pure white light is sent through glass of different colours, and at one moment beams mild through refreshing green, and in the next flames in fiery red that warns of danger.

II. The second thought which is involved in these words is that the appearing of the glory is a blessed hope. The hope is blessed; or, as we have already remarked, the word "happy" may, perhaps, be substituted with advantage because it will be full of blessedness when it is a reality, therefore it is full of joy while it is but a hope.

III. Finally one word about the last consideration here, viz., the grace disciplines us to hope for the glory. The very idea of discipline involves the notion that it is a preparatory stage, a transient process for a permanent result. It carries with it the idea of immaturity, of apprenticeship, so to speak. If it is discipline, it is discipline for some condition which is not yet reached. And so if the grace of God comes "disciplining" then there must be something beyond the epoch and era within which the discipline is confined. Yield to the discipline and the hope will be strengthened.

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In the following excerpt (click for full sermon) C H Spurgeon appeals to the certainty of the Second Coming as a strong motive for godly living in this present age...

Brethren, we look forward to a second appearing. Our outlook for the close of this present era is another appearing,—an appearing of glory rather than of grace. After our Master rose from the brow of Olivet his disciples remained for a while in mute astonishment; but soon an angelic messenger reminded them of prophecy and promise by saying, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." We believe that our Lord in the fullness of time will descend from heaven with a shout, with the trump of the archangel, and the voice of God.

The Lord shall come! the earth shall quake;
The mountains to their center shake;
And, withering from the vault of night,
The stars shall pale their feeble light.

This is the terminus of the present age. We look from Anno Domini, in which he came the first time, to that greater Anno Domini, or year of our Lord, in which he shall come a second time, in all the splendor of his power, to reign in righteousness, and break the evil powers as with a rod of iron.

See, then, where we are: we are compassed about, behind and before, with the appearings of our Lord. Behind us is our trust; before us is our hope. Behind us is the Son of God in humiliation; before us is the great God our Savior in his glory. To use an ecclesiastical term, we stand between two Epiphanies: the first is the manifestation of the Son of God in human flesh in dishonor and weakness; the second is the manifestation of the same Son of God in all his power and glory. In what a position, then, do the saints stand! They have an era all to themselves which begins and ends with the Lord's appearing.

Our position is further described in the text, if you look at it, as being in this present world, or age. We are living in the age which lies between the two blazing beacons of the divine appearings; and we are called to hasten from one to the other. The sacramental host of God's elect is marching on from the one appearing to the other with hasty foot. We have everything to hope for in the last appearing, as we have everything to trust to in the first appearing; and we have now to wait with patient hope throughout that weary interval which intervenes. Paul calls it "this present world." This marks its fleeting nature. It is present, but it is scarcely future; for the Lord may come so soon, and thus end it all. It is present now, but it will not be present long. It is but a little time, and he that will come shall come, and will not tarry. Now it is this "present world:" oh, how present it is! How sadly it surrounds us! Yet by faith we count these present things to be unsubstantial as a dream; and we look to the things which are not seen, and not present, as being real and eternal. We pass through this world as men on pilgrimage. We traverse an enemy's country. Going from one manifestation to another, we are as birds migrating on the wing from one region to another: there is no rest for us by the way. We are to keep ourselves as loose as we can from this country through which we make our pilgrim-way; for we are strangers and foreigners, and here we have no continuing city. We hurry through this Vanity Fair: before us lies the Celestial city and the coming of the Lord who is the King thereof. As voyagers cross the Atlantic, and so pass from shore to shore, so do we speed over the waves of this ever-changing world to the glory-land of the bright appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Already I have given to you, in this description of our position, the very best argument for a holy life. If it be so, my brethren, ye are not of the world even as Jesus is not of the world. If this be so, that before you blazes the supernatural splendor of the second advent, and behind you burns the everlasting light of the Redeemer's first appearing, what manner of people ought ye to be! If, indeed, you be but journeying through this present world, suffer not your hearts to be defiled with its sins; learn not the manner of speech of these aliens through whose country you are passing. Is it not written, "The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations?" "Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, touch not the unclean thing," for the Lord hath said, "I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters." They that lived before the coming of Christ had responsibilities upon them, but not such as those which rest upon you who have seen the face of God in Jesus Christ, and who expect to see that face again. You live in light which renders their brightest know ledge a comparative darkness: walk as children of light. You stand between two mornings, between which there is no evening. The glory of the Lord has risen upon you once in the incarnation and atonement of your Lord: that light is shining more and more, and soon there will come the perfect day, which shall be ushered in by the second advent. The sun shall no more go down, but it shall unveil itself, and shed an indescribable splendor upon all hearts that look for it. "Put on therefore the armor of light." What a grand expression! Helmet of light, breastplate of light, shoes of light—everything of light. What a knight must he be who is clad, not in steel, but in light, light which shall flash confusion on his foes! There ought to be a holy light about you, O believer in Jesus, for there is the appearing of grace behind you, and the appearing of glory before you. Two manifestations of God shine upon you. Like a wall of fire the Lord's appearings are round about you: there ought to be a special glory of holiness in the midst. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." That is the position of the righteous according to my text, and it furnishes a loud call to holiness. (The Two Appearings and the Discipline of Grace)

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A G Brown - The Return of our Lord.

I. Note first the hope mentioned in our text.

It is the manifestation of Christ in glory. It is the pre-eminent hope of Scripture. Just as, during the old dispensation, the coming of our Lord in the flesh was the hope of the faithful, so in the new dispensation, the coming again of the Lord occupies the same position from the time of Adam, and especially from the days of Abraham, right down to the incarnation of our Lord, what was the action of the faithful? Waiting and looking for the fulfilment of the promise.

Over and over again, we find the Messiah spoken of as the Hope of Israel, and all the faithful were waiting for the redemption. As the days predicted by Daniel drew on, there came a general feeling abroad that the time was coming near when the hope of Israel should appear; and at last it was consummated when old Simeon took the infant Christ in his arms and said,

"Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation."

The coming of Christ in the flesh was the consummation of the hope of the old dispensation. The first dispensation waited for a Christ who should bring redemption for the soul; we wait for a Christ who shall bring redemption for the body (see note Romans 8:23). Notice one or two particulars of the hope. What is included?

(1) The hope of seeing Him. Where real love is, there is a desire to see the face of the loved one.

(2) We shall see Him in His beauty. The gabardine of Nazareth effectually hid the glory of Deity from the eyes of men, for the eyes of the people were blind with prejudice; but when He comes the second time there will be glory in His person.

II. This hope is a blessed one.

The Lord Jesus is the Hope and we know that He is blessed. It is a blessed hope (1) because of its influence and (2) because of its surroundings. It is blessed because of the blessings that come with it. (3) It is blessed to those of us who have precious dust sleeping in the sepulchre. (4) It is most blessed because it is the consummation of Christ's glory. His glory is not complete until that day. He is waiting until His enemies are made His footstool (see note Hebrews 1:13). Where Christ is surrounded with glorified bodies as well as with glorified spirits, there will His glory be complete.

III. What is the looking for this blessed hope?

It is the attitude of the believer, the quiet expectancy of his heart towards this appearing. "Of that day and that hour knoweth no man—no, not the angels of God." But it is possible for God's children, and it is incumbent upon them to be on the lookout for the signs of His coming. And what are to be the signs of the last days? A general profession of godliness without any power. We have only to read the Second Epistle to Timothy, to find almost the photograph of the present days. Let us seek to combine the watching and the doing—never to get into a mere visionary gazing-up into heaven and doing nothing for God; and on the other hand, never to be a hard, practical, machine-like Christian, knowing nothing of fellowship with the risen, and the living, and the returning Christ. Blessed are they who watch and work. Blessed are they who watch as they work. (A. G. Brown, Penny Pulpit)

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Is Your Vision Hampered by the Fog? - In 1952 there was a young girl named Florence Chadwick who stepped into the waters of the Pacific Ocean off Catalina Island determined to swim from it to the shore of the state of California. She had already been the first woman to swim the English Channel both ways, and on that day she decided to swim from California to that Catalina Island the weather was very foggy, it was freezing cold, she could hardly see even the boats that were around her accompanying her on that journey. She swam and she swam and she swam for 15 hours, and eventually she had had enough, she couldn't take it any more and she begged to be taken out of the water along the way. Her mother was in the boat right beside her, and she said: 'Mother, get me out!', and her mother told her that she was very, very close to the shore, and that she could make it if she just kept going. Finally she was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, and she stopped swimming, and she had to be winched out of the water. It wasn't until she got onto that boat that she discovered that the shore was less than half a mile away. At the news conference the next day, this is what she said:

'All I could see was the fog, I think if I could have seen the shore I would have made it'.

Beloved, His return is imminent when we will all see His glory unhindered. But now we are to be looking for the appearing of His glory through His Word of Truth (Ps 119:43-note, 2Co 6:7, Col 1:5-note, 2Ti 2:15-note, Jas 1:18-note). Are you looking for Him? Are you living for Him? A glimpse of Him in His Word will get you through the fog and will carry you home to the shores of heaven. Remember, beloved,  that just one glimpse of Him in Glory will repay and banish all the afflictions, the toils and the sorrows of this life (cp 2Co 4:17-note, 2Co 4:18-note). So let the Sun of Righteousness arise today with healing in His wings (Mal 4:2). Fix your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2-note) (see Fix Your Eyes On Jesus - 44 excellent meditations by Anne Ortlund) so that you might be motivated and enabled to run with endurance the race that is set before you (He 12:1-note). Keep setting your mind on the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of His Father (Col 3:1-note, Col 3:2-note).

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Are You Looking Up? - Are you so eager for Christ's return that you hope it will take place today? I wouldn't be honest if I answered an unqualified yes to this question. You see, I'm enjoying life right now. I love what I'm doing. My wife and I are having fun watching our grandsons grow toward manhood. There are still people and places we would like to visit during our retirement years.

Does this mean that I'm not "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing" of Jesus Christ? (Titus 2:13). No, it doesn't. I believe that His return is indeed "the blessed hope." Earthly pleasures are only temporary and cannot compare with the joys of heaven. Besides, I am troubled by the sin, sorrow, and suffering all around me.

All Christians are thankful for Jesus' promise, "I will come again and receive you to Myself" (Jn. 14:3). But our own circumstances affect how eagerly we anticipate His return. Whether life for us today is a joy or a struggle, we are to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts" and to "live soberly, righteously, and godly" (Titus 2:12-note).

God wants us to enjoy life. But He also wants us to live each day as if it may be the one in which He will return. Are you looking up? — Herbert Vander Lugt (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Take the world but give me Jesus--
In His cross my trust shall be;
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see. --Crosby

Enjoy life, but anticipate heaven

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It's Late! - A young boy was playing in his grandmother's house near a large grandfather clock. Noontime was approaching, and when both hands of the old timepiece reached 12, the chimes began to ring.

As he always liked to do, the boy counted each gong as it sounded. This time, however, something went wrong with the clock's inner mechanism. Instead of stopping at 12, it kept right on chiming--13, 14, 15, 16 times.

The boy couldn't believe his ears! He jumped to his feet and ran into the kitchen, shouting, "Grandma! Grandma! It's later than it's ever been before!" In his excitement, the youngster expressed a truth we all would do well to consider.

It is later than it's ever been before--in the history of the world, in the days allotted to man, and on God's calendar of events. With each passing hour, the words of James 5:8 take on added significance: "The coming of the Lord is at hand."

This fact is both comforting and sobering. It is reassuring to know that the day our Savior will come for us may be near. But at the same time, we must honestly ask ourselves, "Am I living in a way that will bring His commendation?" Think about it!

Remember, "It's later than it's ever been before!" — Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

May I live so that I will be ready
With joy my Savior to meet,
And feel no alarm at His coming
But hasten His heralds to greet. --Anon.

Be ready for the last moment
by being ready at every moment.

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Hope For The World- PEACE TALKS FALL APART AGAIN. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES. TORNADO RIPS THROUGH TOWN.

These newspaper headlines selected at random tend to lead us to despair. There just doesn't seem to be any hope for this world. And yet, according to the Scriptures, the dream of abolishing war is not merely wishful thinking. The idea of prosperity for all is more than a political gimmick. The Bible tells us that the eventual taming of nature is a certainty.

The hope for this world, however, is not to be found in human efforts but in the return of Jesus Christ. He alone can solve the problems that are baffling mankind.

The prophet Isaiah said that someday "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4). This glorious prospect will become a reality when the Lord Jesus Himself returns as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (1Ti 6:15) to set up His kingdom of peace and righteousness. We are to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Because we have this hope, we can be optimistic even in the deepening gloom of this age. Keep looking up! —Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

The only hope for world peace is
the coming of the Prince of Peace.

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Alpha And Omega - The meaning of the words Alpha and Omega —terms that refer to the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—is fairly easy to understand. Like A and Z, they simply mean "the beginning" and "the end."

In life, we understand these concepts. Things begin . . . things end. Jobs start . . . jobs stop. Decades come . . . decades go. Birth . . . death.

But there is something special and unique about the words Alpha and Omega as they appear in Revelation (Re 1:8-note; Re 1:11-note; Re 21:6-note; Re 22:13-note). Jesus Christ used those terms to describe Himself—terms that refer to His deity.

When used in Scripture, the words have an almost unfathomable meaning. Jesus, the Alpha, had no beginning. He existed before time, before the creation of the universe (John 1:1). As the first cause of all that exists (Jn 1:2, 3), Jesus cannot be limited by the word Alpha. And as the Omega, He is not the "end" as we know it. He will continue to exist into the everlasting, never-ending future.

It's mind-boggling and awe-inspiring—this view of our Lord. He's the one "who is and who was and who is to come" (Re 1:8-note). He's the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty God. Not only that, He's our Savior (Titus 2:13). As such, He deserves our praise, our lives, our all! — Dave Branon (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Alpha, Omega—our God we proclaim,
Eternal, unchanging, always the same;
He's the beginning and He is the end,
He is our Savior, our Lord, and our Friend. —Fitzhugh

For time and for eternity,
Jesus is all we need.

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Barnyard Ducks - Does the following anonymous poem describe how you feel?

My soul is like a barnyard duck
Muddling in the barnyard muck,
Fat and lazy with useless wings;
But sometimes, when the northwind sings
And wild ducks fly overhead,
It ponders something lost and dead,
Then cocks a wary, bewildered eye
And makes a feeble attempt to fly.
It’s quite content with the state it’s in,
But it’s not the duck it might have been.

Are you haunted by the fear that you’ll never be what God meant you to be? That you’re preoccupied with the trinkets of this passing world? Are you “living in the barnyard” when you could be soaring?

Do you really want to fly? Do you long to soar above the pettiness and insignificance of the barnyard muck?

You can! Put aside the sin and worldly weights that are holding you down (He 12:1-note) and get busy with the tasks the Lord has for you. Only in Christ do we find the fulfillment He longs for each of us to enjoy.

Remember that Jesus came to set you free and let you soar as you look for His coming (Titus 2:11-13). Isn’t it time you got out of the mud and did some flying? — by Haddon W. Robinson (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

In this world but never of it,
Help me, Lord, to live this day
Free from all that would entangle,
Of the dazzle and array. —Graves

If your Christian life is a drag,
worldly weights are probably to blame.

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What’s Ahead? - American theologian Carl Henry gave a thought-provoking lecture with these three major points:

1. The barbarians have come. Evil forces have entered the gates and are tearing down the values Christians embrace as true and good. Many thoughtful people believe that we are witnessing the moral collapse of Western civilization, and they are afraid.

2. Jesus is coming. Christians have lived for 20 centuries with the hope that they will witness the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. The darker the night, the brighter shines that hope. The barbarians may have won a battle, but they will not win the war.

3. The church doesn’t know whether it is coming or going. Many of those who claim to know God deny Him by their words and actions. A great number of Christians believe that the hands on the clock of history are nearing the midnight hour, but they don’t know just how close. Whether our Lord comes today or in a thousand years, Christians must say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present evil age (Titus 2:12).

Let’s get our eyes off the barbarians, keep looking for the coming of our Lord, and live for Him today.

Faithful and true would He find us here
If He should come today?
Watching in gladness and not in fear,
If He should come today? —Morris

What we believe about the world to come
shapes how we live in the world today.

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Waiting - Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. --Php 3:20-note

In the 1940s, Samuel Beckett wrote a play called Waiting for Godot which is now regarded as a classic. Two men stand on an empty stage, hands in their pockets, staring at each other. All they do is stand and stare. There is no action, no plot, they just stand there waiting for Godot to come.

But who is Godot? Is he a person? Does he represent God? Christian ethicist Lewis Smedes suggests, Godot "stands for the pipe dreams that a lot of people hang on to as an escape." As the play ends, those men are still standing on the stage doing nothing, just waiting.

When the 50th anniversary of that play was celebrated, someone asked Beckett, "Now will you tell us who Godot is?" He answered, "How should I know?"

Waiting for Godot is a parable of many people's lives--empty and meaningless, a pointless matter of waiting. And if there's no God of love, grace, and wisdom, then life really is a hopeless waiting for empty time to pass.

How totally different, though, is Christian hope! We're waiting and "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). That hope sustains us--a hope that beyond this world lies a life of indescribable blessing. —Vernon C Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

We're waiting for You, Lord, to come
And take us home to be with You;
Your promise to return for us
Gives hope because we know it's true. --Sper

The greatest joy on earth is
to the sure hope of heaven

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Our Only Hope - An unknown author wrote, “When I was first converted, and for some years afterward, the second coming of Christ was a thrilling idea, a blessed hope, a glorious promise, the theme of some of the most inspiring songs of the church.

Later it became an accepted tenet of faith, a cardinal doctrine, a kind of invisible trademark of my ministry. It was the favorite arena of my theological discussions, in the pulpit and in print. Now suddenly the second coming means something more to me. Paul called it ‘the blessed hope.’ But today it appears as the only hope of the world.

From the human standpoint, there is no solution for the problems of the world. Leaders seem to be completely frustrated in trying to deal with the unrest and increasing violence in society. The only complete and permanent solution is found in the return of Christ. When He comes, He will set up His kingdom. He will rule the nations in righteousness, and “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

As we await our Savior’s return, let us keep on praying, working, and watching, while “looking for the blessed hope”—our only hope for this world.— by Richard De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)