Friday, May 2, 2008
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
ASCENSION ADVANTAGE: WE GO TO HIM
In 1972, the film "Marjoe" won an Academy Award. Many have seen in this film the end of religion, or rather hoped to see it. They point to it and say, "See, religious revivalists are just phonies, purposely misleading the gullible masses." Of course, just because
some use religion for their personal advantage, and some certainly do, doesn't mean they all do.
But besides the gullibility of people, it does show us one other important truth. People are not getting any better. There are still plenty out there who will use whatever situation or means they have for their own profit and the downfall of those around them. Yes, even many claiming to preach Christ do it for their own ends. There are still those out there who would build another St Peter's, stealing the food from the mouths of the starving children in order to do it. This is just one example, but I have seen enough of the world (and one doesn't have to see much) to know one thing for certain: If there is no Christ, we are doomed.
Some people seem to think that we are getting more peaceful and working towards a better harmony with all people, that the world is less violent than it was. I would like to know what world they are living in. From 1966 through 1987 there were a total of seven incidents of gun violence in schools. Since 1988 there have been at least 38 such incidents in America. This is just one example. I could go on, but the point is this, this earth is not a good place. It isn't getting better, and as long as human beings are the answer, it won't get any better.
Yet if Christ had not ascended, this life is all that we would have. If Christ had not ascended, where would we go when we die? Not to be with Christ. Any type of Christ on this earth, whether it be the thought that Christ did not ascend, which is the claim of Islam, or that He is coming to rule an earthly kingdom in the future, is absolutely a hopeless faith. We strive, reach, run towards the goal of "our upward-calling," our "heavenly mansions." Who wants to stay on this earth? Who wants to be with Christ for only the few short hours of this life? Not I.
But now since Christ has ascended and sits upon His throne, we know that our journey is one that ends in His glory. We know that we are going to be with Him, not away from Him. Christ's ascension turns the entire life of the Christian from one of hopelessness, for there is no chance on this Earth, to one of perfect hope. That is the advantage of the Ascension.
