我们的盼望──基督再来
提多书二章11至15节
11因为神救众人的恩典已经显明出来，
12教训我们除去不敬虔的心和世俗的情欲，在今世自守、公义、敬虔度日，
13等候所盼望的福，并等候至大的神和（注：或作无“和”字）我们救主耶稣基督的荣耀显现。
14他为我们舍了自己，要赎我们脱离一切罪恶，又洁净我们，特作自己的子民，热心为善。
15这些事你要讲明，劝戒人，用各等权柄责备人，不可叫人轻看你。
信息分享
对今天许多信徒来说，「基督再来」已成了一个免谈的话题。不少牧者认为自己对此认识不足，所以便极少传讲这一信息，这实在是教会莫大的损害。
当基督在橄榄山上升天之后，有两位天使显现向门徒说：「祂必会再来。」（徒一11）基督也说过，祂去就必再回来。基督在世的时候，曾作过数个应许，祂说祂必从死里复活，结果祂真的复活了；祂说要建立教会，祂也正在建立中。祂说了祂会回来。如果，祂的前两个应许已经成就，有关祂再来的第三个应许，又怎会不成就呢？
对于祂再来的见解，众说纷纭；但重点并非祂再来的时间，而是祂必定再来这个事实。谁会再来？是基督自己。这是神为我们预备的计划中，接着将要发生的大事。当祂再来的时候，我们若活着，便会即时改变，与其他先我们而去却曾坚信基督的信徒们，一同与主永远同在。这就是我们的盼望。
「盼望」一词在新约中的意思，并非指一件凭空臆测，可能会发生，也可能会落空的事情。它是一个真实的指望，一个满有把握的确信，对将要发生的事抱着满心的期待。新约的作者就是以这种态度来看基督的再来。新约总共有318次提及基督再来，换句话说，大约每25节经文就有一次提到基督再来。它就是我们引颈而望并为之而活的大事。基督也许在今天再来！当祂再来的时候，祂会看见我们正在做甚么呢？我们必须作好准备，随时迎接祂再来。
OUR HOPE – THE RETURN OF CHRIST
Titus 2: 11-15
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Message
For many Christians today it is more or less a closed subject. Pastors have stated that they do not preach about it because they do not know enough to do so. It is a great loss to the whole church that Christ’s return is not spoken of more often.
When Christ left His disciples standing on the Mount of Olives, the angels said clearly, “This same Jesus will come back.” (Acts 1:11) Christ Himself said, “If I go, I will come back.” Christ made several promises while He was here on earth. He said He would rise again. He did. He said He would build His church. He is doing that. He has said He will return. If He has fulfilled the first two promises, why would He not fulfill the third?
There are many theories about His return, but the important point is not so much the timetable as the return itself. Who is coming? The Christ Himself. That is the next great event in God’s timetable for us. If we are still alive when He comes, we will be changed and will be forever with the Lord, along with all those who have gone on before us trusting in Jesus Christ. That is our hope.
In the New Testament the word “hope” is not used to cover an event which may or may not happen. It is used to speak about a certainty, a confidence, and an assurance that what we believe is absolutely true. This is how the New Testament writers saw the return of Christ. The second coming of Christ is mentioned 318 times in the New Testament, or once in every 25 verses. That is what we are to be looking for and living for. It could be today! What will He find us doing if He returns today? Let’s be ready and be watching for His return, any time.