Read Introduction to Jude

 

“…keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”  

 

looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ

This phrase has to do with looking forward to Christ’s imminent coming. The Rapture is the culminating evidence of God’s mercy in time. The word “looking” carries the ideas of expecting, waiting for, earnestly expecting. It conveys the ideas of receiving to one’s self, admitting, giving access to. Christians are to live in expectation of the Rapture. It may happen today. “Looking for” is present tense carrying the idea of a constant state of mind.

“Mercy” is pity, compassion, kindness, goodness. This is God’s mercy toward us.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. La 3:22-23

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 Co 4:1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… 1 Pe 1:3

unto eternal life.

The Rapture will usher us into eternal life. “Eternal life” has to do with both quality of life and endless life. Eternal life is the final expression of God’s mercy to His own. God will usher the believer into the eternal state at the Rapture. This will be the glorification of the human body.

We have eternal life now as Christians but will have it in the fullest sense at the Rapture.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Jn 5:24

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Jn 6:40

PRINCIPLE:

The anticipation of the Rapture gives hope that God will resolve all doctrinal issues.

APPLICATION: 

A great encouragement to the Christian life is the imminent coming of Christ for the saints at the Rapture. Christians are to stay alert to His coming. That will be a day when we will realize His full mercy–body, soul, and spirit.

The Lord may come at any moment. No promise needs to be fulfilled before He comes.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Jn 14:3-4

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Ro 13:12

… so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ… 1 Co 1:7

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. 1 Co 4:5

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Co 11:26

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Co 15:51, 52

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Php 3:20, 21

For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Th 1:9-10

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 1 Th 2:19

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Th 4:13-18

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Th 5:23

…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ… Tit 2:13

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Heb 9:27, 28

For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Heb 10:37

Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! Jas 5:9

…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ… 1 Pe 1:7

…and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Pe 5:4

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1 Jn 2:28

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 Jn 3:2-3