Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, was uncompromising and unwavering in His articulation and illustrations as He unveiled the mystery and spectacular imagery of the kingdom of HEAVEN. The promise of His eternal and coming Kingdom is in motion, and even as His living words were emanating from His mouth and to the ears of His troubled and doubt-ridden disciples. His authoritative words, however, ring just as true for us today as they did for his disciples way back then: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:1-6).
As we see from the previous narrative, and as we are reminded, all things are possible because seeing is believing and the realization of one's expectation hinges upon hope and hope is tangible evidence. And thus, the reality of a new and living way wherein suffering, sorrow, pain, tears and tragedy fall prey to ever enduring love and unspeakable joy eternal! "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance; Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him; And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Luke 15:7; James 1:12; Revelation 21:3-4).
The brevity and swiftness with which the here and now ends is comparable to the movement and passing by of a traveling wind, moving over the course of its one-way and fleeting journey and NEVER to pass this way again. We as created beings of God, who offers all the precious gift of FORGIVENESS. And though we live according to the hustle and bustle of this day to day earthly life, we lack the 20/20 vision until it's seemly and suddenly over. Sadly, but assuredly the reality of this old life inevitably sets in: "And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again; I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust." (Psalm 78:35-39; 109:23).
And lest I be remiss in my duties in the depiction of the merits of the servant Job (as Satan described him), I will nonetheless take into consideration the woes and struggles of Job which to some extent rivals the saying of the psalmist in the above verses: "(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)" (Job 8:9).
From persecutor to preacher, from a life of a proud pharisee to the humility of a devoted disciple of Christ, the uniqueness and genuineness of Paul the apostle finds one hard-pressed to identify a rival of his heavenly calling. His credentials were literally awarded to him by Jesus himself and he now looks onward and upward to his heavenly homeland. Let us fueled and driven by such passionate words of encouragement: "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:5-8).
The Revelation, as we all should know, is the final book of the New Testament. Its name comes from the Greek word "apokalypsis". We note that it is the very first word of this book. By definition, it is to unveil, reveal or make something known that was previously unrevealed or unknown. The book is rich in symbolism and imagery and is foundational in terms of the coming Kingdom of God and Christ. In others, the new or "holy Jerusalem". The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, imparted to John the apostle, personally, the content of this book. The Holy Ghost was at work over the course of the entire process equipping, guiding and governing the actions of our beloved apostle.
Who will occupy this glorious city you ask? Well, just as the book teaches, the redeemed saints or those written in the "Lamb's book of life" and the holy angels (or messengers). The Bible teaches as follows: "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:5-8).
Moving right along, such activities will include a life of praise, honor and glory, worship, singing, serving, etc. How long you ask? Quite frankly, eternally!!! My beloved, at this point I pose the question: to what extent are you not able to contain yourselves? And finally, how far is heaven? It is as close as you are to JESUS CHRIST.
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