Read Genesis 49:1-28

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” (Genesis 49:10)

The Scriptures are full of extraordinary prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah, and this verse has to be one of the most remarkable. It not only lays out the specific tribe of Israel by which the Messiah would come, but it also gives a clear description of the kind of authority He will have — “to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” We may freely insert in there the word “all” — all people. For that day is still to come, but it will indeed come! And we must eagerly wait for it.

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10–11)

As Christ’s first advent was to be a ransom for all as a servant; His second advent is to rule and reign all as King. Our Lord Jesus will indeed rule and reign from Mount Zion with the scepter of unquestionable authority by which all people will give tribute. All nations, tongues and tribes will give their honor to the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Oh — what a day that will be!

That day is so sure to come that it is outlined in both Old Testament and New Testament prophecies.

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:2–3)

“Even [the Gentiles] I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)

Can you wait for that day? Like a child who eagerly waits to open their gifts on a holiday, so are we to eagerly wait for the day in which we will be resurrected and shepherded in the presence of Christ forever.

I will allow Scripture to speak for itself on this matter:

“We also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23)

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20–21)

“To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28)

So keep your eyes on the skies for your redemption draws near! Christ’s return is at the doors and it is nearer than when we first believed. Desire it with eagerness. Pray for it with earnestness. And allow it to be the comfort of your souls in a world that is as dark as night.

Let us be:

“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:13)

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11)