Easter looms in my thoughts, long before the next Easter is due. I remember decades ago when I was newly reconciled with God after many years away. I remember the joy was so great that I thought, "Even if there is no heaven, life with Christ is by far the best."
Before long the Lord had corrected me, for my unintentionally offensive thought did, nevertheless, offend. For if that were a thought related to reality, then Christ would not have given his life as a sacrifice for this world. He did not give his life only to make this life better. Would he have obeyed God and gone to that Cross of shame if not for the joy set before him, knowing that in that he defeated humankind's greatest and final enemy, Death? How could he have finished God's work if making only this old earth's life better, with meaning? God's plans are great, greater, and greatest! Immediately after I had that thought about "even if there is no heaven," a few words of Scripture popped into my mind: "we are of all men most miserable." I had to go to a Scripture concordance to find those words:
The apostle Paul wrote:
"If in this life only also we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept" (I Corinthians 15:19-20).
St. Paul also wrote:
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Romans 8:16-19).
This ultimately says to every believer not to be satisfied with this world. Many are satisfied now and then, due to living in personal and isolated comforts, thinking only of the well-being of self and loved ones. To be out in the world or suffering an inner longing or some external difficulty tells us that the world is not wonderful at ground level. It is full of injustice, unrighteousness, and railings against God whether through ignorant pleasures or rebellion.
Therefore, we have outstanding good news, the best, to share among ourselves and beyond with those that are lost and seeking answers: There is a Savior; he did defeat death; through him we do have eternal life. Above all, every day we want to await the return of Jesus Christ, the world's Redeemer. He shall gather those that believe in him, will take them home with him, and they will then be with him when the times are fulfilled for a new earth, when this old earth and heavens will be "rolled up as a scroll." May "they" include you and me and all who live in this world!
God answers our thoughts by the Spirit, through the Word. Isn't it wonderful to anticipate the next Easter now, in advance, and also to remember to anticipate the imminent return of the Lord?
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2 Peter 3:10-14).
Jean Purcell is a book publisher and writer. Her first book was Not All Roads Lead Home under her pen name, Jane Bullard. Her web site is http://www.opinebooks.com and her Writing and Publishing Nonfiction Books blog is at http://janebullard.blogspot.com/ Sign up for the free Opinari Quarterly for Christian Writers, Publishing Professionals, Book Lovers, and Reviewers on her web site.
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