As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. – Job 19:25
The bible’s oldest book may well be the Book of Job. Its author is unknown, but it is believed to have been written more than 400 years before Moses wrote Genesis. Bible teacher, author, and speaker, Clarence Haynes, Jr., writes, “The accuracy and consistency of Scripture truly point to the hand of God.” And from this oldest of books in the Old Testament to the last one written by the prophet Malachi, Scripture also provides signals, signs, pictures, types, and prophecies concerning Jesus.
Today’s verse from that oldest book speaks of complete faith. Job says he knows that his Redeemer is alive. This is not about hope, but about knowing. Job also saw what few of the prophets of the Old Testament would see—the ultimate triumph of the Lord Christ and His return to the Earth. Job also continues in that passage that, although he would face death yet, in his flesh, he would see God. It was knowing and foretelling the bodily resurrection of the saints.
In his epistles, Paul gives an account of the future glory believers in Christ will have (Romans 8:18-39, 1 Corinthians 15:42-49). Evangelist Billy Graham, in affirming Christ’s return, said “That is why a Christian can be an optimist. That’s why a Christian can smile in the midst of all that is happening… We know what the end will be: the triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
As the angel told the crowd in Acts 1:11, “Why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” This was also affirmed and written by the Apostle John: “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7). Jesus Himself, in His Olivet Discourse, declared that he would return “coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).
Theologian John MacArthur says, “No human being has yet seen the full unveiled glory of God in Christ, and no one will ever see it until Jesus appears at His second coming and all mankind sees Him at once.”
Are you like Job? Do you truly know—know in both your head and your heart, know beyond just hoping—that Jesus is who He said he is, the very Son of God, who died to redeem your soul, was resurrected, ascended into heaven, and is coming again? Do not allow the year to end without coming to terms with your need for such a Savior. “In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.”
Today’s Verse: Job 19:25
For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Revelation 19:11-16, 22:6-13
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
6 And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, 9 but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
