READ: JOHN 3:16-17; 14:1-10; REVELATION 1:5-8; 21:1-5

Do you like having something to look forward to? I do! I think having something to look forward to keeps me in a positive mindset. Whether it’s a certain dessert or dinner that’s planned, a fun theme for Wednesday night church club, or just a nice day when I get to be outside a little more than normal.

Have you ever felt like there’s nothing to look forward to? I definitely have. Like right after something big ends, and you feel like all the fun is over and you’re back to doing the same things over and over again.

The good news is, we have one thing we can always look forward to—Jesus coming back! We can’t count down the months or mark off the days because no one knows exactly when He is coming (Matthew 24:36). But we do know He will return, and it will be amazing!

Jesus died on the cross two thousand years ago so that everyone who puts their trust in Him has a new life. He shed His blood to cover all our sins, and three days later He rose from the grave so we could spend forever with Him. So now, we can look forward to what is coming!

Jesus promises to renew our bodies. We will get to live in a new heaven and a new—perfect—earth! He is preparing a place for each of us (John 14:2-3). Best of all, we will get to see and talk to Jesus face to face. How amazing is that going to be? • Kimberly Brokish

• Is there something you’re looking forward to right now? What is it?

• When Jesus returns, He will right every wrong, restore the heavens and the earth, and raise us from our graves! Everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live with Him, and with all our fellow believers, forever. We can’t even imagine how wonderful it will be, but we know we will finally be free from all suffering and sadness, and we will have good, purposeful, creative work to do. What do you look forward to most when you think about Jesus coming back someday? (If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 11:6-10; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 15:1-58; 1 John 3:1-3).

“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man [Jesus].” Matthew 24:27 (NIV)