Last day!

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Revelation 21:1-4

2 Corinthians

5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Revelation

21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Observation: This is what it’s all about. This is the reward of placing our faith in Jesus! The promise of heaven. For so many of us, our bodies are hurting, we are sick, our circumstances in life have been very hard, we’ve made bad choices. Sometimes it feels like life just keeps kicking us. But God promises heaven to each of us. We will dwell with God. There will be no more tears, no more death or mourning or crying or pain.  We will be made new again, strong and healthy. Doesn’t that sound awesome!

Application: vs. 7 says “we walk by faith not by sight”  We have such a wonderful promise of things to come, I want to make sure I am not relying on things I am seeing, what is happening around me. But rather, remember that God has promised a place for me in heaven. All I have to do is live this life. And this life is exciting, even in midst of trials and tribulation. Serving God is the greatest purpose we have been given, and our guarantee of eternity with Him should be the greatest motivator for all of us to get out there and do what we can to bring everyone with us. “we walk by faith,..” Our salvation is a promise no matter how we are feeling at that moment. It’s simply a fact. We serve an incredible God!!!

Prayer: Thank you for your incredible promise of eternal life. You have promised you have prepared a place for each one of us in heaven with you. Lord, we look forward to the day we will spend our time with you for all eternity. But in the meantime, help us all to live our lives to the fullest here on earth in these bodies and in the circumstances we find ourselves in. Help us to spread the good news of your Son to all those we encounter. Show us how to do that. Thank you for the great picture we received today of heaven. We love you Lord. Amen.

 

Thanks for walking through the bible with me. I will take a short break until Monday and we will start with something new. Have a great day everyone!