“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
For more than 2,000 years now the Church of Jesus Christ has waited for the return of her Lord. Since Jesus has promised to come back again, and since we are drawing closer to that time, what kind of plans should we be making? Are we to invest in buying property and building new churches if Jesus is coming so soon? These are valid questions that must be dealt with scripturally.
Jesus did not say when He would return. When He told His disciples, “…Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13), He was putting an emphasis on activity with expectancy. Can you imagine how non-aggressive the Christian Church would have been if Jesus had said, “I am going away, but I will return in 2000 A.D”?
The blessed hope has actually been the motivator for all Church growth and expansion. It keeps all believers on the stretch for the Lord. It keeps us active, alert, and awake. It prevents apathy, drowsiness, lukewarmness and indifference. The blessed hope keeps our interests up. We can sing of His glorious return, “What if it were today?”
In 1922 when Angelus Temple was being built by the followers of Aimee Semple McPherson, someone told them, “Don’t invest in concrete; it’s too expensive. Since Jesus is coming so soon, you could save money by building a wooden tabernacle.” The advice was disregarded and a nice sturdy concrete temple was erected that is still functional today, over 60 years later.
Someone has said: “Live as though Jesus is coming any moment, but plan as though you have 100 years!”
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.