The coming of the Lord Jesus is the Christian's proper hope. This we see in 1 Thess. 1:9,10. We wait for God's Son from heaven.
1 Thess. 4:13-18 unfolds for the first time the manner in which it will take place.
1 Cor. 15:51-57 unfolds the blessed revelation of an incorruptible and an immortal body received in that day.
Phil. 3:21 unfolds the truth that we shall have bodies of glory like Christ.
Every Old Testament scripture without any exception whatsoever, mentioning the coming of the Lord, refers to the setting up of the kingdom on earth. When His coming in THAT CHARACTER is spoken about, we come WITH HIM, having previously been caught up to meet Him in the air. (Zech. 14:5; Jude 14; Rev. 17:14.)
"The Spirit and the bride say, Come." May our hearts respond and say: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:20.
O LORD! our hearts are waiting,
The archangel's heaven-sent cry,
Which wakes the saints now sleeping,
And to Thee brings them nigh.
When we, with them ascending,
Shall meet Thee in the air,
To gaze upon Thy glory,
And all Thy likeness bear.
O hour for which in patience
Thou'st waited through the night,
Whilst we Thy saints were gathered,
And brought into the light:
Then, then, the Church completed,
God makes no more delay;
Lord, with shouts of triumph,
We pass into the day.
O hour of richest blessing!
When brought to Thee so nigh,
To be Thy joy forever,
We share Thy throne on high;
To rest in all that brightness,
And ever there abide;
To find Thy heart delighting
In us, Thy ransomed bride.
O blessed, coming Savior!
Speak, then, the joyous word,
To which our hearts responding,
"Forever with the Lord."
Forever with Thee, Savior—
For evermore shall be—
In deepest, fullest blessing,
Forever one with Thee.