2 Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
The Bible Study that I lead at a Senior Living facility in Anaheim, California is studying a series on how to live in view of eternity (also known as the “after-life”). The aspects of our life and the world include the beginning, the existence (aka our journey of walk on earth), the end and the after-life. It is fascinating to think about life and the Almighty Creator and divine Director of it all. The times in which we currently live and the chaotic situation of our culture without a moral compass have a majority of people looking up and becoming concerned about the future. The author of our Study series on being “Rapture ready”, pastor David Jeremiah states that the Lord Jesus tells us, Luke 21:25-28 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
The Apostle Paul instructs us in Colossians 3:1-2 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” The reality of Heaven impacts our lives here on earth. With the promise and eternal perspective that of Heaven as the eternal home of the born-again Christian believing in holy and just Creator God (knowing that the wages of sin is death, a judgment deserving Hell) as God must punish sin, repenting of their sin, understanding that by grace alone, God provided a way to redemption by ending Jesus and trusting by faith in the atoning death of Christ in their place that they receive salvation and eternal life in Heaven in glory.
So many today live existential lives, living in the moment without a real thought of the future, let alone where they are going to go when they die; you cannot take it with you when you go. But, everything in this world is also left behind and burned if Jesus’ comes while we are still alive on this earthly existence. So, why the short-sighted vision of life? British Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon said, “Hold everything earthly with a loose hand, but grasp eternal things with a death-like grip.”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 brings this perspective to light stating, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” The future drives “the here and now”. So, the real question was asked at the beginning of this message: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?”
Let look at that in the next post.
Keep looking up, in Christ, Brian
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