HOPE IS

By Rick Mathes

2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB77) ¹³  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.

We were once in the depths of hopeless despair until the Lord lifted us up and gave us a glimpse of the eternity we will one day step into. We know what hope is:

It is:

• Comforting
• Sure
• Sustaining
• Purifying
• Satisfying and
• Blessed

But what does our eternal hoope do fo us here with our feet planted in God’s good earth; you know, that beautiful blue pearl in outer space? This magnifying hope within our soul certainly cheers the dying heart. What horrorifying thoughts must go through the mind of an unbeliever approaching the grim reaper? What fear terrorizes their thoughts who expect the flames of Purgatory or worse? How sad that they don’t cling to the promises of God’s Word and clutch Christ’s hand as that moment of truth approaches.

Eternal hope answers immortality. What do the Jehovah’s Witnesses have to say about their soul-sleep when Jesus welcomed the good thief into His Paradise? How would we all live if this was all there is and there would be no accounting of our actions after death? Lawlessness would surely run rampant.

In this hope we enjoy heavenly treasure that our minds have yet even to imagine. His second coming verifies His “first leaving” and guarantees that we will one day join Him where He is. Our treasure is Him and nothing more and nothing less. There isn’t any moneyor anyting of worth or bartering: Christ is all. There is no no gold, jewels, money, wealth that is worth anyghing more than dust compared to knowing and worshipping Jesus.

This eternity to come anchors this moment in faith and His blessings. Nothing, not even Satan can budge you away from Jesus and even Jesus couldn’t save you without the shedding of His blood. His resurrection says it all. Think about it. He was stone cold dead in that tomb for three days. And then He opened His eyes and got up because it was finished but not done. The angels moved the stone and our faith walked us into the empty grave and soon will lead us into a heaven exploding in angels praising His holly name forever.