For the past year and a half, I have been in an intensive Bible study of
the book of Revelation- in four parts with one repeated. They include related Scriptures from all over
the Bible on numerous topics found in John’s book. As a result I have read many of the
applicable verses over and over again; so it is with wonder that the Holy
Spirit took this very controversial passage and brought out something that imo
is far more remarkable.
For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we watch
or sleep we should live together with Him. 1Th. 5:9,10
The
terminology here is interesting. Sleep
usually implies death- sleeping in the grave.
It does not contrast life with death, but rather watch or death. Still, it is what comes after that made me
think for a long time. So whether we
Christians (Paul wrote this book and was writing to Christians) are watching or
sleeping, we should live together one day with Jesus.
Do you get
how amazing that statement is? One day
we shall live with the God of all creation, the One who is King of Kings and
Lord of Lords, the One who gave up where He was to dwell as a helpless, mortal
baby that could do nothing for Himself.
All powerful to least powerful.
For us. So that He could redeem
us by taking our sins on Him as He died on the cross for us. So that we could be forgiven.
He Himself
bore our sins in His own body on the tree… 1Pt. 2:24
For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us… 2Cr. 5:21
looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of
the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us
that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a special
people, zealous of good works. Tt. 2:13,14
Jesus came to redeem our lives and the
world. One day when the work of
redemption is complete, all those who intimately know Him and are intimately
known by Him will live together in unity with peace and joy in a world where
sin, sickness and moral filth will never be again. Best of all is that the greatest Love of our
lives will be there and we will gaze into His eyes, be held in His tender but
strong arms, and feel the warmth of His love as we dwell with Him forever.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth… … And there
shall in no way enter into it anything that defiles, or any making an
abomination or a lie; but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of
Life. Rv. 21:21,27
One thing I have
desired from Jehovah, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of
Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah… Ps. 27:4
Forever!!!
THAT will be the greatest day!