BITS and PIECES
272nd Edition – December 7, 2025
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
THE COMING OF THE LORD
The “scoffers” [II Peter 3:3] say “where is the promise of his coming?” But the Bible teaches, “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” [Hebrews 10:37]. Here are five facts of the second coming of the Lord Jesus.
Luke records the angelic message, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner” [Acts 1:11]. Jesus, who has the whole of earth and heaven behind Him, could easily have chosen some deputy to stand in for Him. But no, it is the same Jesus who is coming for His people. [John 14:3].
Paul takes up the same theme with these words, “for the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout” [I Thessalonians 4:16]. Once again the Lord does not appoint a delegate to usher His people to the splendour of heaven – it is the “Lord Himself.”
Paul encourages his young colleague Timothy that, “henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing” [II Timothy 4:8]. Earthly judges, even professional ones, will err, but Jesus is the “righteous Judge.” We will get exactly what our sins deserve, no more, no less.
Jesus is also referred to as the “blessed hope” and we are to look for “the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” [Titus 2:13]. It is the Lord of heaven and earth who will be returning to wind up the affairs of this present world.
Peter tells us that, “the chief Shepherd shall appear” bringing with Him for His saints, “a crown of glory that fadeth not away” [I Peter 5:4]. What a blessed hope!
THE PARADISE OF GOD [Dr. Alan Cairns]
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God” [Revelation 2:7].
Paradise refers to a garden. The paradise of God is the garden of God. The expression, very obviously, is intended to carry our minds
back to Genesis and the garden of Eden. In Genesis, paradise was lost in Adam. In Revelation, it is regained in Christ. In Genesis, the cherubim barred the way to the tree of life because of sin. In Revelation, the Lord opens the way to the tree of life through the righteousness of Christ.
To Christians struggling with the problems of life and the disappointments that meet us on every hand, what sweeter promise can there be than the assurance of a place in the garden of God? Be strong!
Face the challenges of life by faith in Christ. Do not compromise or try to come to terms with the world. Faith in Christ means victory over the world [I John 4:4], and overcomers have an assured place in the garden of God, the Eden above.
What a place that will be! Christ has regained for us all that Adam lost, and He has delivered us from the very possibility of ever losing paradise again. For all His people, the garden of God will be first and foremost a place of life. There, the tree of life blooms forever. There is no downside to life in paradise. There, the light of life casts no shadows. In God’s eternal Eden, we will live in peace, in purity, and in perfect joy, for there we will live in uninterrupted fellowship with Him.
Christ and His people will never be separated, and there will be nothing to mar their everlasting enjoyment of each other. Two questions: Will I be there? And, am I living now amid the darkness of earth in the light of heaven? To answer those questions correctly is the essence of true salvation.
THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN
“Eye hath not seen” [I Corinthians 2:9]
The human eye is a marvellous creation. With it we can enjoy the beauties of this earth and can scan the heavens millions of miles away. We can delight in the loveliness of a new-born babe. But there is one thing the eye cannot do and that is – see heaven.
Happily, “God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit” [v10]. So the Lord has revealed by His Word that heaven is a real place [John 14:2]. Our names are written there [Luke 10:20]. Jesus is there, and He is coming for us [John 14:3]. What a day of rejoicing it will be when Jesus welcomes us into our eternal home.
“There’s a land that is fairer than day, and by faith we can see it afar”
