Friday, November 6, 2009
1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
GOD'S SAINTS HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE
As the church year winds down to its close, our attention is drawn to passages of Scripture that speak of the Day when the final curtain will fall on the stage of history. What an awesome day it will be! The Lord of time shall descend from heaven to judge the living and the dead. The ticking of clocks will be halted. Hours and minutes, as we know them, will cease.
What shall be the lot of God's earth-bound saints on that day? A blessed one indeed! God will invite us to enjoy the kingdom prepared for us from the world's creation, which Jesus acquired for us through His redemptive work.
We are already possessors of that kingdom but, for the present, it's a hidden reality. This side of heaven we endure the pain, disappointment, and trouble that are part of living in a sin-cursed world. But on that Day we'll come into full enjoyment of Christ's kingdom. He'll lead us safely through the sufferings of this life and cause us to stand before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.
What will heaven be like? More beautiful than anything we can imagine in our wildest dreams. Scripture pictures it as a place where all that now causes us trouble will become like a forgotten dream. Our God will personally take care of us. He'll wipe all tears from our eyes and sweep away the effects of sin (all suffering, pain, sickness, death) permanently.
Scripture describes heaven as an ultra-magnificent city with buildings and roads constructed of gold, with gates of pearl and walls of gemstones, with a crystal clear river flowing out from God's throne in the center, with a tree growing nearby with leaves that possess special healing powers, where no sun or moon are needed because God's glory radiates into every corner.
O Christ, do Thou my soul prepare For that bright home of love
That I may see Thee and adore With all Thy saints above.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 618:6)
