“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)

There’s a lot packed into this verse. One can’t live it out without understanding something of the grace Peter mentions. When Jesus Christ is revealed, He apparently plans to add some great grace to those who eagerly expect His second coming. What will this grace be?

We are to remember His return each time we partake of the Lord’s Supper. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The cup reminds us of His blood, and His blood reminds us that He died in our place so we may have eternal life. Thus, one great grace He will bring with Him is the final abolition of death. There will be no more death for those whose names “are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27).

But He will bring an even greater grace than everlasting life. Paul taught the churches that our reunion with Christ is the great goal. He wrote, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming” (1 Thessalonians 2:19)? What does it mean that “so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)? We will reach our true fulfillment in Him. “Then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

No wonder we “hope to the end” for this great grace. Oh, to be alive and in fellowship with our Creator and Savior forever! BDT