CONSIDERING HEAVEN

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN OR YOU, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Pet 1:3-5)

Devotion 12 of 12

CONCLUSION

Our present condition demands that heaven be the culmination of our journey. Our faith has brought us to as point where "here we have no continuing city" (Heb. 13:14). We are misfits in this world, and are being adapted by grace for another realm. No wonder we are called "strangers and pilgrims" in the earth (1 Pet. 2:11; Heb. 13:14). Our new birth occurred to ready us for another habitation. As it is written, "For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit" (2 Cor 5:4-5). Our faith will not allow us to be content here.

In Christ, we have been raised up and made to sit together with Jesus in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). The "spiritual blessings" that we receive are also in "heavenly places" (Eph. 1:3). That condition requires that we eventually be with the Lord. We cannot be misfits in heaven also.

Every individual is confronted with two worlds, but he can only adapt to one of them. A person is either at home in this world and a stranger to heaven, or a citizen of heaven and a stranger in this world. In the case of the former, we are "called into the fellowship" of God's Son to orient us for heaven.

God has predetermined the glorification of those in Jesus Christ. "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom 8:29). That glorification involves being where the Lord is and like the Lord is. That is the experiential aspect of heaven. Jesus desires this for us, and has accomplished things required for it to be realized at the personal level (John 13:3; 17:24). As we enter into the resurrection life with Jesus (Rom. 6:4), we come to desire the glory also. It is written, "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:2). "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18). That fervent desire is the appointed prelude to the realization of glory.

Do not doubt it, fulfillment is on the way! "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together" (Rom 8:17). "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory" (Col 3:4). "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). Just a "little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Heb 10:35). Until then, fasten your eyes on the goal, and run the race! It will not be long, and the Lord will come. Then we shall not only be where He is, we shall be LIKE Him! No more deficiencies! NO more disappointments! Praise the Lord!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I join the Lord Jesus in the holy desire to be with Him, where He is. Thank you, in His holy name, for granting me the grace to participate in an eternal inheritance, now reserved for me in heaven.

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