We wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13)
Expanded Passage: Titus 2:11-15
Have you ever noticed the choreography of a curtain call? From community theater to Broadway shows, it always follows the same pattern. First come those playing minor roles, followed by the more major characters, and finally by the stars of the show—all taking a bow and enjoying the applause of the audience. That tradition goes back more than 200 years, but its roots lie in ancient Greek and Roman productions.
One day the curtain will fall on human history too, and when it does, theologian Helmut Thielicke has reminded us, there will be one figure standing alone on the stage—the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone else—warriors and statesmen, heroes and villains, the powerful and the powerless—will be on their faces before him.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus called himself “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 22:13). He was present at creation, when history began, and his second coming will signal its end. Unlike history, eternity has no end, and for the Christian in that day there will be no more omega moments.
Meanwhile, we “wait,” but not passively. As the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) makes crystal clear, it’s those who are found busy in their work when he comes who will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
“Wait” for his coming by working hard until he comes.
Bob Black is a third-generation Wesleyan minister and professor emeritus of religion at Southern Wesleyan University (SC).
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
