There are three words in the Bible translated “deliver” when speaking of Christ’s return.
“Jesus gave Himself for our sins that He might ‘deliver us’ from this present evil world” – (Galatians 1:4). This word describes His PURPOSE in rescuing us: “to pluck out of danger with the delight of taking to oneself.” Jesus stated this before going to the Cross: “In My Father’s House are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to My side, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).
The second word describes the SPEED of the rescue: “to rush and draw to oneself”. The Bible says, “Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). He will rush to remove us from this world when He returns to judge the earth (2 Peter 2:9).
The last word means “to betray” and has to do with the TIMING of events. When Judas betrayed Jesus, he said to them, “What will you give me, and I will ‘deliver’ Him to you?’ And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” Jesus’ hour to die had arrived. His earthly ministry was over. And here we find the same word used of us but translated “brought forth” … “When the fruit (of the earth) is ‘brought forth’, immediately He puts in the sickle, because the Harvest has come” (Mark 4:29).
Putting these three words together gives us the full picture. When is Jesus coming? When His people are betrayed. How will He return? He will rush to our aid. Why will He return? To keep us forever by His side. Maranatha.
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