2 Tim 4:6-8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Paul's time had come to depart from this world. Physical death was very near. But Paul was not afraid. No, he was confident, knowing that going to be with the Lord was much much better. He made the statement earlier in the Phillipian letter, Phil 1:23 Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Also in 2 Cor. 4:17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Yes, Paul truly was a warrior for the faith, he had fought the good fight, he had finished the race, he had kept the faith. And because he endured til the end and kept the faith, the Lord had a crown of righteousness laid up for him. And Paul tells us that this crown of righteousness is not only for himself, but is for "ALL" who look forward to the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. But for us to be able to look forward to it, we need to be like Paul in word and in deed. We will have to fight a good fight, we will have to finish the race, and we will have to keep the faith. I think Paul said it very well in his letter to the ephesians.
First of all Paul tells us to be strong in the Lord and in God's might. We are to put on the whole armor of God, so that we can be able to stand against the devil. We don't wrestle a physical battle, for we wrestle against principalities, against powers, against darkness, against wickedness in heavenly places. Paul goes on to explain what the purpose of this armor is. We are to gird ourselves with truth, to put on the breastplate of righteousness, to shot our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and above all, take the shield of faith to quench the darts of the wicked one, take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray always and be watchful til the end. I like what John said in his letter to the church of Smyrna, (Rev. 2:10) be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life. After all, that's what we are waiting for, our crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to us on that Day, and not to us only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Eph 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Will you be happy to see Jesus when He comes?
1 Thes. 5: 9-10. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Or will you be sad?
2 Thes. 1:8-10. When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angel, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be
glorified in His saints.
It's your choice.