“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.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

Why did Paul feel confident that he would receive a “crown of righteousness?” It’s because he “love[d Jesus’] appearing.” We would therefore do well to learn what this means and copy Paul.

The New Testament’s regular references to Jesus’ appearing refer to the second coming of Christ to Earth. During His first advent, He fulfilled the suffering servant role foretold in Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and elsewhere in the Old Testament. For His second advent, He will fulfill the conquering king role foretold in Isaiah 63, Psalm 89, Daniel 7, and so many other places. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory” (Matthew 25:31).

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4). Do we believe this? Do we think about this future day and prepare to be completely united with Christ? If so, then “the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:12–13). “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” will bring a crown of righteousness (2 Peter 3:12). BDT