As Scripture condemns persons who make plans without Jesus Christ, it clearly advises us to make our future plans with Him. Yes, there is a bright tomorrow for those who consider and prepare for the future life with Jesus Christ. He is coming to take home those who wait for Him. But before we are to be received by Him we must be free from all sin and its influences. How? The great evangelist John the Baptist cried, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Sin and its effects constitute the most grievous problem in the world. Every bit of suffering, sorrow, pain, sadness, and disappointment - along with every manifestation of selfishness, corruption, lust, self-exaltation, pride, hatred and revenge - are all caused by sin. Further down the list is every form of sickness as well as death itself, all coming from only one root - the root of sin.

As long as this deadly virus is circulating in the human body, there will only be destruction. The only solution is to get rid of sin. The only way to bring man back to his original state of peace and happiness depends upon cutting off this terrible influence from human hearts and extinguishing every trace of its existence. Unfortunately, sin and the love of it are invading the human heart and mind very deeply like a parasitic infection. Who, then, has sufficient power to accomplish this great mission - the mission of extinguishing sin? Are there any effective ways of accomplishing it?

Humans cannot do it, and neither can heavenly angels. The only One who is high and mighty, the One with merit and power great enough to lift up oppressed humanity with His mighty arm is the only name under heaven given for human salvation, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). He is the only One who can accomplish this work, the only One who can extinguish sin. We can discover the wonderful work of salvation in Christ. The Bible testifies that He is the Alpha and Omega, and “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The Lamb of God, who designed the plan of salvation for lost humanity, will accomplish this work in His own marvelous way. Yes, He “that is able” (Jude 24) who is our Creator and Redeemer is coming again to this earth.

Christ has been the theme of praise and prophecy throughout all ages. After the fall of man in Eden, He was introduced as the seed of the woman who was to bruise the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). It was He who through Noah warned the people about the coming destruction by the Flood (1 Peter 3:19, 20). In Abraham’s time, Melchisedec, the High Priest and King, represented Jesus Christ (Hebrews chapter 7). Christ was the One who showed Himself to Abraham and Isaac (Galatians 3:16; 4:28). He revealed Himself as a Prophet and Leader through Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). He was with the church in the wilderness (Exodus 32:34), revealing His presence by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. He revealed Himself to Daniel as Messiah, and in the New Testament, He was the exalted theme to be praised through prophets and disciples. Heavenly angels point us to Him as “your Saviour” (Luke 2:11). The apostle Paul bids us “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1).

When the Bible tells us to look to Jesus, it does not mean to look only to certain aspects of Him. We must behold Him through His work and footsteps as disclosed in Holy Writ. If we seek for the Creator of the universe, there we will find Christ. If we seek for the Saviour of the world, there we will find Christ. Are we looking for the point where every plan and purpose of God will meet? There we find Christ again. Are we seeking for the merit of the sacrifice which can save us from every trace of sin? Again, we come to where Jesus is. Are we looking for the precious sacrifice for this sinful world, which can be accepted by God? Again, we will meet Jesus there. Are we looking for the One who will bear the burden of man’s sorrow and disease or sadness in this world instead of us? We will find the merciful One, Jesus Christ. Are you looking for a brother who is ready to help? Yes, you will see Jesus, who is our Elder Brother. Are you looking for a friend with whom you can trust and share all your joys and sorrows? You will see Jesus, who is trustworthy. Are you looking for a doctor who can heal your incurable diseases? Yes, you will find the famous Physician, Jesus Christ. Are you looking for a counselor to whom you can bring your problems? You will find the wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ.

Are you looking for something special in human history? Again, it can be found in Jesus Christ, because the true history of this world can be found in the process of God’s plan to accomplish His work. Ancient history brings its focus on the cross of Christ. Present history started with Christ. Today’s history is receiving the light from Calvary. If we look upon the tombs of many saints, then our mind will turn to Jesus Christ who will resurrect them. If we think about the future of the living saints, then again we will find Jesus, because He is coming back to take His saints home. When we heed the prophecies, again we will see Christ, for there is the certain time of restitution of all things foretold by the prophets from the beginning of the world (Acts 3:20). If we consider the inheritance of the saints, then again we will see Christ, who is coming again in glory. For He is the One who establishes the kingdom and bestows it upon those who are to inherit it (Matthew 25:34).

So, regardless of where we look - up, down, near or far, the Bible points to Jesus Christ in the past, present, and future. Not only that, when we come to see Him who is the beginning and end of all things, we see Him at the center of God’s every plan as revealed in His Word. We have learned the work of Christ our Saviour who came to this world as the One to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

We all at some time have been deceived by the devil, the originator of sin. The problem began with Adam, who separated from His close relationship with God. The Bible expresses this predicament in Isaiah 52:3, “Ye have sold yourselves for nought.” Yes, we have all been deceived into this miserable state, and when we begin to realize this fact we acknowledge, as did the apostle Paul, “I am carnal, sold under sin. . . . O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:14, 24).

While in such a desperate condition, we make a petition to Jesus Christ, pleading for the help of Him who is “the righteous judge” (2 Timothy 4:8) and our “Advocate” or lawyer (1 John 2:1). Our plea is, “Avenge me of mine adversary” (Luke 18:3). Originally, Jesus Christ is the Advocate but, from His heavenly Father, He has also received authority as Judge: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). Christ has absolute authority in heaven and earth, promising to all who beseech His help, that He “will avenge them speedily” (Luke 18:8). To sinful and wretched humans, yes, “Ye have sold yourselves for nought, and ye shall be redeemed without money” (Isaiah 52:3).

Jesus Christ is the One who gave His life for you and me. Therefore, He surely can save us, and if we ask He has promised ever to remain at our side. On our own, we are powerless against the unrelenting foe, even as Joshua the high priest had “Satan standing at his right hand to resist him” (Zechariah 3:1). Jesus is ready and willing to help us, but there is one condition upon which He can win the case for our sake: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). In other words, Jesus can help only those cases which have been entrusted to Him. We need to understand clearly what is the root of sin and how it grows, described in the Bible as the “root” and “branch” (Malachi 4:1).

In the realm of nature, there are some plants known as parasites. These are plants which cannot live alone without other plants. Likewise, the devil, the originator of sin, saps the life out of men and women made in God’s image, just as a parasitic plant lives by robbing the life force of other plants.

Satan is the founder of this enterprise of sin and is responsible for it. And whosoever commits sin becomes a coworker with Satan in his business. So, as founder, Satan wants to have more laborers to promote the success of his business. In addition, the coworkers are by nature and duty constrained to hunt for others to work with in order to extend their business. He who commits sin will be a salesperson to lead others to commit sin. But God declares that the result of sin, “rebellion against God or disobedience,” is eternal death. Indeed, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

When people listen to this warning, those who were once wholehearted in the sin business come to their senses and wake up from the illusion. They begin to be concerned about their future life and start to see everything from a different point of view. They come to realize that they have been deceived by some scheme, and are alarmed at how involved they have actually become in this sin business. From listening to God’s Word, they begin to think about how to retire from this noxious career. The Bible tells us with certainty that the entire business is to be burned up and will totally perish. “Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, . . . that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1).

But there is a problem. The founder of the business, the devil, already knew what would be the outcome from the very start. And he thinks to disperse somehow the punishment which he should receive by spreading it out over as many coworkers as possible. Describing this perverse determination, Heaven warns us that “the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12). Therefore, when someone in the sin business decides to leave, the “boss” gets really angry. To remain in the firm means to share the responsibilities or results together. In other words, if someone retires from the business, then their responsibility will be laid upon the one who remains. Now, we are talking about the sin business and its coworkers. Do you now realize what your position is?

It is totally up to us as to whether we leave this firm of sin or stay with it. The devil as founder loathes your decision to leave, for he knows its effect, especially for him.

Life or death? Blessing or curse? Which will you choose? God urges you to “choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19) and separate from sin, for the purpose of Christ’s return is “to make an end of sins” (Daniel 9:24). Sin is terrible and hateful. It already cost the life of our precious Saviour. It robs you and me of our life, too. Our Saviour Jesus Christ came “to take away our sins,” “that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:5, 8). When He finishes this work for and in us, He is coming back again.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

This precious promise of Jesus is a wonderful stimulant to encourage us to cooperate with our Lord in destroying the works of the devil and to put an end to sin in our life.

In the last two issues of The Reformation Herald, we discussed the purpose of the work of “Yesterday’s Saviour, Jesus Christ” (His sacrifice). Christ “hath once suffered for sins, . . . that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). We also discussed the purpose of the work of “Today’s Saviour, Jesus Christ” (intercession). He prays, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am” (John 17:24).

What is the purpose of His second coming? Jesus said, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

We understand then that the purpose of the sacrifice, intercession, and second coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ is to reunite us with God, and enable us to live with Him again, since we have become separated from Him because of sin. By His grace, “unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Therefore, we need to cooperate with today’s Saviour Jesus Christ in His work, to separate us from sin in order that we may meet Him in peace.

Jesus hates sins. Why? Because sin is contrary to His character of love and He loves us! “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). Why doesn’t our Saviour Jesus Christ come down to this earth again, but instead meets us up in the air? It is because now He can no longer come down on this planet until it is cleansed from sin. No, He cannot! Today He is pleading with you and me to separate from sin. This is the preparation He wants us to have. Soon! How soon? Very soon He is coming to take those who are separated from sin to heaven where there is neither sin nor its effects. Then they will be with tomorrow’s Saviour, Jesus Christ, in joy and live with Him forever.

Are you longing and preparing to meet tomorrow’s Saviour, Jesus Christ?