November Update

Dear friends, 

If we follow the pattern of the church year we are entering the weeks before advent where we consider the return of the Lord Jesus, who as the creeds tell us ' will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.'

This can be a neglected theme in modern preaching, perhaps too apocalyptic in its traditional imagery, perhaps seen as too detached from the earthly realities of our lives, but living as we do at the moment with international warfare filling the news programmes the certain return of Jesus Christ as Lord and King gives me hope. 

Reflecting too on the annual season of remembrance, recalling the horrors of wars past and present surely gives us a yearning for something else. It rings true that God has set  eternity in our hearts (Ecc 3:11) because we so often long for the world to be set free from its cycle of destruction. 

The promised return of Jesus does give cause for fear for some, for the time to choose to follow Christ will be over, but it gives hope to others. Jesus' return ushers in the new age in full, it opens the door for a new reality for us, for He comes bringing a new heaven and a new earth. The work of new creation will be completed and Eden will be restored. Jesus' return brings with it the hope that all will be well and in place of conflict there will be an everlasting peace. 

We don't know the day or time when Jesus returns, but we do know with confidence that the best is yet to be, therefore we can look forward with hope, knowing God is in control and the very times and seasons are in His hands. 

With love, 


Gareth