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| Volume 23 Number 6 June 2021 |
Page 11 |
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| Volume 23 Number 6 June 2021 |
Page 11 |
Ronald D. Reeves
The ideal congregation hungers and thirsts after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Whether one be younger or older, this characteristic should mark each member of the body of Christ. The security of the blessing pronounced resides in the promise of Jesus that each one so doing shall be filled. This is truly a wonderful promise, knowing that if we pursue righteousness as we ought, the Lord has given His word that our spiritual appetite for righteousness will be satisfied. To hunger and thirst after righteousness suggests a deep-seated craving that compels one to go to great lengths to fulfill its demands. Invariably, one thus becomes a diligent student of the Word (Acts 17:11). May we be emboldened to trust in the Lord’s promise and thus be motivated to hunger and thirst after righteousness as we have never done before. Perhaps we will thus be led into a course of spiritual growth that we would not have otherwise anticipated in the infancy of our spiritual journey. Great spiritual accomplishments are invariably associated with the progressive development of righteousness in the life of an individual child of God.
What Is Heaven to the Christian?
David Myers
The destiny and reward of the saved is a blessing about which John wrote in Revelation 21 and 22. Heaven is a place where the children of God will dwell with the Godhead. They will share in Their glory, and the blessing that was lost in Eden will be restored. What is Heaven to the saved?
Heaven is a place of divine association. ‘‘And I heard a loud voice from Heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God’” (Revelation 21:3).
Heaven is a place of peace and comfort. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4; see Hebrews 13:14; 11:16).
Heaven is a place of beauty beyond compare. John gave an amazing description of Heaven in Revelation 21:9-21 by describing all kinds of precious stones and jewels with the names of the apostles on 216-foot-high walls surrounding the city. The city is 1,500 miles in length, width and height. There are twelve beautiful gates, each made from a single pearl. The streets are transparent gold.
Heaven is a place lighted by the glory of God. ‘‘But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light” (Revelation 21:22-23).
Heaven is a place of restoration. When the saved get to Heaven, they will realize for themselves what Adam and Eve lost in Eden because of sin, and they will be restored to the redeemed by the Lamb of God. They will reign with the Godhead forever and ever (Revelation 22:1-5).
Every earthly sacrifice you have ever done for the cause of Christ will be worth it in the end (2 Corinthians 4:17-5:1). Who would not want to go to such a beautiful place called Heaven? Heaven will be worth it all! You can go to Heaven (Mark 16:16; John 8:24; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:37-38; 22:16)! You can also live for Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10)!