THE AGES TO COME

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of
works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Devotion 8 of 17

ETERNAL LIFE IN THE COMING WORLD

Those in Christ Jesus have eternal life NOW, while they are "in the body." As it is written, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you HAVE eternal life" (1 John 5:13). That is a most blessed consideration! Speaking of the spiritual ingestion of His own Person by the believer, Jesus said, "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood HAS eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54). Those who feed upon Jesus, their minds and hearts dominated by meditation upon Him, possess "eternal life!"

However, we do not have eternal life in its FULNESS. The "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places" that are currently experienced are great--but the transcendent blessing is yet to come. In this world, we possess the "firstfruits of the Spirit" (Rom 8:23), the pledge of a greater harvest to come. When Israel spied out the promised land, they brought back a sampling of the grapes that grew there. They were grapes from near the "brook of Eschol." These were so large it took two men to carry a single cluster of them (Num 13:23). Yet, those grapes were but a sampling, and not the whole of the crop. If the children of Israel wanted access to the vine, they had to go into the land of Canaan.

So it is with the "eternal life" we now possess. It is very real, and is of the same substance, so to speak, as what awaits us in glory. If we want the fulness of "eternal life," we can only obtain it in "the world to come." The life we receive from the Lord now provides the incentive and power to separate ourselves from the cursed order, thus readying ourselves for the coming ages--"the world to come. "

"Verily I say unto you, " Jesus replied, "There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and IN THE WORLD TO COME, ETERNAL LIFE" (Mark 10:30-31). The Lord is speaking of the FULNESS of eternal life -- the fruition of what we possess in this world by means of our faith. This is why Jesus spoke of INHERITING everlasting life (Matt 19:29). Our occupation in this world is to "fight the good fight of faith," and "lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim 6:12). Continuance in the faith is the appointed means of appropriating the fulness of eternal life in the world to come.

Do not underestimate the importance of this promise. It will sustain you when the wicked one seeks to anchor you to "this present evil world." The considerations of the people of God must extend beyond this time if they are to obtain the prize. I realize there are those who believe we are, so to speak, locked into eternal life upon our entrance into Christ. But this is not at all the case. You have not yet entered into glory, nor have you obtained the fulness of eternal life. There is, however, no reason why this cannot be the case. The world to come can yield your greatest benefit, and most extensive participation. Go for it!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I desire to possess the fulness of my inheritance in Christ Jesus. Through Him, I come to You confidently, to appropriate mercy, and grace to help in the time of need.

-- TOMORROW: SAINTS WILL GOVERN THE COMING WORLD --