“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.” (Psalm 48:1–2, NKJV)

When I was 15 years old and learning to drive, my dad taught me that you should always look 500 feet down the road. Then you can see what is happening up ahead and be prepared for it. If you only look directly in front of you, then things can take you by surprise. I have found this to be true for driving and for life. Looking ahead to the future helps us to plan adequately for it and be prepared when something unexpected happens.

Psalm 48 focuses on Mount Zion in Jerusalem during the coming millennial kingdom. It is called “the city of the great King,” which is how it will be known in the future. The LORD wanted His people to be familiar with its towers, fortified walls and citadels so that they could describe them to future generations. Why? Probably because if they could see clearly the future then they would prepare themselves for it.

When I was in Jerusalem, walking in the Old City, going to the Temple Mount, and ascending the Mount of Olives, I had a profound sense of perspective. One day Jesus Christ will return to this city to rule in righteousness. This isn’t a fictional story. This is reality. And those who know Christ now will reign with Him later. God wants future generations to be assured of these things so that they will wait expectantly for Christ’s return. Looking down the road to the future helps us live in holiness today.

We don’t know when the Lord will come for His people, but we believe it could be at any time. Think about this: today is a good day for Jesus to come. Am I ready?

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2–3, NKJV)