John 3:16 “For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 is, in all
probability, the most loved and most often quoted verse in the Bible. I don’t
know that I can explain why that is so except to say that maybe it is because it
tells us of God’s profound love for us and holds forth the promise of eternal
life. Truly, we should be impressed with God’s love for us (1 John 3:1-2; Rom.
5:8) and be thankful beyond measure for the eternal home he has made for us
(John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:1). The spectacular blessings of that home are revealed
to us in Revelation 21:3-4.
In Revelation 7:13-17,
John presents a beautiful word picture of what will one day happen to the
faithful child of God. All of the cares and burdens that distress in this life
will disappear completely. This physical frame will never be racked with pain
that so often causes us to cry out in anguish. In this earthly tabernacle we do
groan (2 Cor. 5:2, 4) but there will be no groaning when the redeemed go home to
dwell with God. It just seems to me that there is nothing more comforting than
the knowledge that in the resurrection day this corruptible will put on
incorruption (1 Cor. 15:51-55) and be freed from all the ills and troubles of
human existence. I love the way the second verse of “How Beautiful Heaven Must
Be” begins: “In heaven no drooping, nor pining, No wishing for elsewhere to be”.
The chorus of “Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All” says it best: “Heaven will
surely be worth it all. Worth all the sorrows that here befall; After this life
with all its strife; Heaven will surely be worth it all”. What a joyous
anticipation is ours today.
As we grow older, the
strength ebbs from our feeble bodies. We watch as those we love silently slip
out into eternity and realize that we too, will ere long take that same step. I
really believe that it is at this point that it really begins to sink in that
life on this earth is indeed a brief experience (James 4:14; Job 9:26; Isa.
38:12; 2 Sam. 14:14; Psa. 90:10). Someone once said, “life is like sitting down
to read a book, you become so engrossed in it, reading intently and then
suddenly you are at the final page before you realize it”. Except for a very
dire circumstance (suicide) we do not, yea cannot, control how long we live on
this earth but we can control how we live on this earth (Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Pet.
2:11; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17; Col. 3:1-2; Matt. 6:19-21; Matt.
6:33).
One day I want to sit at
the feet of the Master teacher, I want to sing around the throne, I want to rest
after this life of strife, suffering and sorrow, I want to view that majestic
city from the inside. As a child of God, this is my destiny. I hope and pray it
is your destiny also (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
Charles Hicks
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