The blessed hope – What is it?

Quick answer

Our blessed hope is not a fanciful wish but a trust in Jesus' promise of His return and faithfulness to His promises. As we await Jesus' return, we glorify God by living transformed lives.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

When followers of Jesus speak of the blessed hope, they look forward to seeing Jesus. While we wait, we live godly lives. Titus 2:11–13 says, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope …" The blessed hope defined in Titus 2:13–14 is "… the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." First Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” This hope gives Christians peace and comfort, even in difficult circumstances. When this life comes to an end, we will see and be seen by the One who loved us enough to die for us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

God clearly promised to Israel that He would not abandon them forever. Even as He foretold their exile and the consequences of their disobedience, He assured them of His enduring love and commitment, which brought them hope. This promise is evident in passages such as Jeremiah 31:37, where God declares, "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done" (NIV), and in Isaiah 54:10, where He says, "For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed."

Even through their seasons of sin He promised them hope for the future: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

For believers, our perspectives on suffering in this world should change as we become aware of our blessed hope. When we see Jesus, our difficulties on earth will fade and become a distant past. Romans 8:18 says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Jesus told His disciples He would return (John 14:3), the angels at His ascension declared He would return (Acts 1:11), and the letters to the early churches said He will return. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Titus 2:13). Our hope is not a fanciful wish but a trust in Jesus' promise and faithfulness.

Second Peter 3:8–9 tells us not to give up hope. “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Because of His promise, we should not be ashamed. Romans 5:5 says that "hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

As followers of Jesus, how should this blessed hope impact us today? First John 3:3 says, "And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." God calls us to live righteously, share the gospel, make disciples, and love others. As we await Jesus' return, we glorify God by living transformed lives (1 Corinthians 10:31).

We hear His voice saying that He has promised to take us to live with Him after we die. This is the Christian's hope—a "living hope" that looks forward to a glorious happy ending to the story (1 Peter 1:3–9). A Christian's strength, and his or her ability to withstand the evil in the world, the temptations of the devil, and the challenges of living in the body, flows from this hope. It is a solid hope, because it depends on the goodness and strength of our Shepherd. As Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:27–28).

UNDERSTAND

Our blessed hope is the certainty of Jesus' return, as He promised.

While waiting for our blessed hope of seeing Him face-to-face, we live godly lives in anticipation of His return.

Our hope culminates in our future redemption, which God has promised us, and which fuels the way we live today.

REFLECT

How does the certainty of Jesus’ return influence your daily life and decisions?

In what specific ways can you live a transformed life while you await the blessed hope?

How does the promise of seeing Jesus face-to-face provide comfort or peace in your current struggles?

ENGAGE

How do the Old Testament promises of God’s enduring love relate to our New Testament hope in Jesus' return?

What practical steps can believers take to embody the hope of Jesus' return in their interactions with others?

How can understanding the event of the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51–52) and Christ’s second coming shape our view of the present challenges and suffering in our lives?