As a Christian I am excited that God has shown me that our existence can be broken down into five time periods and the last time period is just out of this world.
The first time period is that we existed before time began in the mind of God. The second time period is at conception where the foreknowledge of God became the reality of life. The third time dimension is at birth, nine months after conception, when we make our way into the world. The fourth time dimension is physical death when we leave our earthly bodies. And the fifth and last dimension is eternal life with Jesus in heaven – and this dimension will last forever!
While no one likes to talk about the fourth time dimension, physical death, I believe that a little reflection will show us that death for the Christian should not be a time of distress, but of great joy. Charles Spurgeon said it so well: “Death is no punishment to the believer: it is the gate of endless joy.”1 And the Apostle Paul adds: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21).
The words “joy” and “gain” hardly seem appropriate words to link with the word “death” but for the Christian the linkage is absolutely proper. As a Christian whether we live or die we can experience great joy because the moment we get saved we become new creatures in Christ and our wonderful journey with the Lord begins. I would like to share a few observations on why death is the gateway to endless joy.
Suffering and glory
In (Romans 8:18) the Apostle Paul makes one of the most profound statements in all of Scripture: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” We all know that even when we go through trials and suffering as a Christian we can experience joy because joy doesn’t depend on circumstances but on obedience to God. And did you know that when we endure suffering we are accumulating glory with Jesus now and much more so in the age to come. And this knowledge of future glory should bring great joy into our lives now and maximum joy when we hit the shores of heaven.
Sin and joy
We all know that even as Christians we still sin and because of sin our joy can be diminished until we confess and repent of our wrongdoings against God. However, when we die we go to be with the Lord and because sin no longer will be part of our eternal state there will be no possibility of it diminishing our joy in heaven.
No more pain
In (Revelation 21:4) we read: “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.” Imagine spending eternity with no sorrow, crying, pain, and death. Just the thought of this future blessed state should bring joy to our hearts right now. But when we get to heaven and actually experience this state of being our joy will be off the charts.
Heaven is our future home and a place where our joy will never end. Physical death, because of sin, is a reality we all will one day have to face. But endless joy is just as real so let us rejoice now for this incomparable treasure we will receive when God calls us home!
1 TOP 25 CHARLES SPURGEON QUOTES ON PRAYER & JESUS | A-Z Quotes (azquotes.com)
Words from today’s devotion:
the last time period is just out of this world.
the fifth and last dimension is eternal life with Jesus in heaven – and this dimension will last forever!
future glory should bring great joy into our lives now and maximum joy when we hit the shores of heaven.
sin no longer will be part of our eternal state there will be no possibility of it diminishing our joy in heaven.
Heaven is our future home and a place where our joy will never end.
when God calls us home!
All of the above quotes assume heaven is our eternal, forever, future, and never ending home. Two of the references, Romans 8 and Revelation 21 actually teach just the opposite.
Romans says that creation waits, in hope, to be set free from corruption to obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Creation is groaning as it awaits believing mankind to inherit the earth, Matt. 5:5.
The whole point of Revelation 21 is to paint a picture of the new earth where God will tabernacle with man in the new Jerusalem. It is there that He will wipe away every tear.
Peter also wanted us to know that according to his promise we are waiting for a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Our forever home is the new earth. We groan for it, wait for it, pray through the Spirit for it, inherit it, labor not in vain for it, kings and discipled nations will bring their glory into it, and we will live there and cultivate it forever. Jesus still has a physical body suited for life on earth. His resurrection was to earth where he walked, talked, ate and taught before His ascension to His throne where he is ruling as King, making His enemies His footstool, preparing earth for its renewal.
As Christmas is fast approaching, may we meditate on the meaning of the words from the old hymn
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King.”