WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-13)

Devotion 36 of 37

NOTHING UNCLEAN WILL ENTER

Salvation begins in this world, but it is consummated in "the world to come." There is another realm into which we will more fully enter. The "salvation which is in Christ Jesus" is emphatically said to be "with eternal glory" (2 Tim 2:10). While we are in this world, we are experientially on the porch of the eternal temple, and the most holy place is accessed by faith. Nevertheless, the time is coming when we will be stripped of every vestige of the curse, and divested of every remnant of the fall.

Salvation "by grace through faith" (Eph 2:8) is the Divinely appointed means of orienting us for glory and the immediate presence of the Lord. Now, He is with us by faith. Now, we have access into this grace "wherein we stand" by faith. Now, we must come to the Lord through the Mediator, and by the help of the Holy Spirit. We are housed within an "earthen vessel" (2 Cor 4:7), and find within ourselves "another law, warring against the law of our minds" (Rom 7:23). We are not in heaven yet!

This brings us to our present consideration: "Nothing unclean will enter." By "unclean," I mean something that is defiled and causes defilement–something contaminated and impure. By "nothing unclean," I mean anything that is has a taint upon it and is incompatible with the eternal realm. By "will enter" I mean come into the presence of the Lord and remain.

"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" (KJV). "But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life" (NIV) – Revelation 21:27

The twenty-first chapter of the Revelation introduces us to the grand culmination. It begins with the passing of the first heaven and the first earth and the consequent appearance of the new heaven the new earth (v 1). The sea of agitation, turmoil, and storm are gone--remnants of the flood of cursing. The glorified people of God are seen, "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband," and the designated residence of both God and the Lamb (v 2-3). All tears are wiped away by "God Himself," and death, sorrow, crying, and pain are "passed away" with all that is temporal (v 4). Those who have "overcome" will "inherit all things." God will be their God, and they will be uniquely His sons, with no distracting element associated with them (v 7).

A celestial being, who assisted in bringing great judgments upon the earth, summons John to higher realms, where he is given to see "the bride, the Lamb's wife" in a glorified state (v 9-23). The redeemed multitudes will walk in the light of glory, bringing all their honor and glory into it in tribute to the God who saved them.

This glorious domain is the one of which our text speaks–the one into which no unclean person will enter. It is the realm in which God Himself, and the Lamb will take up residence in all of their glory, and without any vestige of a veil. This is the place where "nothing unclean" can make any entrance.

Just what is it that makes someone "unclean" or "defiling" at that time? It certainly is not our earthly bodies, which are appropriately described as "vile" (Phil 3:21). In the end, that body is sown in "corruption," "dishonor," and "weakness" (1 Cor 15:43). While in this world, believers cry out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom 7:24). But that body will have been replaced by one that is incorruptible, glorious, and powerful. No person will be "defiled" because of the body they possess! There will no defiling realm, like the very country where Jesus was raised, where He could "do no mighty work" because of their unbelief (Mk 6:5). There will, be nothing impersonal that will be able to contaminate or defile those who are accepted into the domain of glory.

What, then, causes the defilement that prohibits entrance into the glory? This speaks of the contamination of character. It is the person himself that is defiled, and has the taint of spiritual filth upon him. It is those who themselves are not "clean" in the sight of God.

Salvation addresses the matter of moral and spiritual purity. It is never taken for granted, or declared to be a process independent of human involvement. Believers are told, "keep thyself pure" (1 Tim 5:22). We are told to hold faith "in a pure conscience" (1 Tim 3:9). Calling on the Lord is to be done "out of a pure heart" (2 Tim 2:22). We are exhorted to love one another "out of a pure heart fervently" (1 Pet 1:22). Those in possession of the "one hope" are said to "purify themselves even as He is pure" (1 John 3:3). Purity is NOT taken for granted. It certainly is never set forth as an automatic process.

When we are born again, we are "purged from our old sins" (2 Pet 1:9). The cleansing was thorough as God purified our "hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9). The Spirit, however, never allows us to take our purity for granted. It must be maintained, and provision is made for that. It is written, "But IF we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7, NKJV). That cleansing is conditioned upon a walk in the light–in the illuminating presence and fellowship of the Lord. No person will remain pure who lives in practical alienation from the Lord, or forgets he was "purged from his old sins."

Believers are admonished to "cleanse themselves" of defiling and corrupting influences (1 Tim 2:21). In persuasion of the marvelous promises of God, we are to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor 7:1). Our purity is not taken for granted! Believers who are called "beloved brethren," yet had lapsed back into the flesh, are exhorted, "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded" (James 4:8). Those in Christ are told He will forgive them of their sins and cleanse them from "all unrighteousness" IF they "confess," or acknowledge their "sins" (1 John 1:9). Their purity is NOT taken for granted.

Whatever you may think about spiritual defilement, it will exclude people from glory! What is more, NOW is the time for confronting impurity, uncleanness and defilement. Salvation begins by making you clean. It also provides all of the resources required to keep you clean. You have an Advocate in heaven devoted to keeping you clean. You have received the Holy Spirit to empower you to keep clean. God has given you His Word to persuade you of the necessity of keeping clean. He has told you nothing unclean will enter the glorified state. He never addresses cleanness as though it had already been finalized, and neither should we.

Let the word of God provide the constraint to "cleanse yourselves." Yield to the blessed Holy Spirit who will empower you to do precisely that. Walk in the light as He is in the light so Jesus can continue to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Do not argue about whether or not it is possible for you to become unclean. If it were not possible, God would not have spoken so much about it, or provided such marvelous resources to accomplish it. Keep yourself pure, for nothing unclean will enter that glorious realm!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I am convinced nothing unclean CAN enter into Your blessed presence to dwell forever. In the name of Jesus, help me to see the reality of that circumstance, and apply myself to remaining clean.

– Tomorrow: CONCLUSION TO THE SERIES –
– Friday, New Series: THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD --