We will all live forever. The question is … where? Will it be in a place of eternal punishment, where Jesus said there is fire that’s never quenched and the worm doesn’t die? Or will we spend eternity in the presence of God where He will wipe away every tear and where there will be no sorrow or pain?
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 23 & 24
Psalm 107.10-22
Proverbs 25.17
2 Corinthians 8.1-24
Where Will You Spend Eternity?
Isaiah 23 & 24:
Judge of the Whole Earth
In chapter 24 of Isaiah, the pattern of the book changes. Instead of talking about God’s judgment on specific nations, the prophet begins speaking to the inhabitants of the earth. This prophecy is more general in nature.
It, certainly, had a near future meaning, possibly the devastation brought about by Sennacherib and his Assyrian army or by Nebuchadnezzar and his armies from Babylon.
But it also has a yet future application in the events of the Tribulation. The book of Revelation talks about the incredible destruction that will take place during those terrifying seven years.
The next few chapters of Isaiah will continue talking about God’s judgment on the world, but there is also comfort in these passages for those who belong to Him. Even in the worst of times, God cares for His own! As for the Great Tribulation, I know there are different views, but I don’t believe those of us who have made a decision for Christ now will be around to see it. I believe it will be preceded by the Rapture of the church:
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4.16-17).
What about you? Do you know that you will “always be with the Lord”?
Your Eternity
We will all live forever (1 Cor. 15.50-54). The question is … where? Will you spend eternity separated from God, where Jesus said the fire is never quenched and the worm doesn’t die (Mk. 9.43-44), that place of eternal torment? Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God where he will wipe away every tear, where there will be no sorrow and no more pain (Rev. 21.4)?
Sadly, some will attend church, do good things, and think they’re “OK” with God, but they will realize too late that they were not truly saved (Matt. 7.21-23).
What about you? Where will you spend eternity?
If you cannot say that there has been a time in your life when you recognized your sin and need for a Savior, a time when you accepted Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross for you personally and surrendered your life to Him, cry out to God now and ask Him to save you. And begin reading through the Gospel of John in the New Testament. One purpose of the Book of John is expressed in chapter 20:
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
But, perhaps, you’ve prayed a prayer or had an emotional experience at some time in your life, yet you still have doubts about where you will spend eternity.
Assurance of Salvation
First, there is no magic in praying a prayer. Neither is there any saving power in taking communion, being baptized, or joining a church.
We are saved by God’s grace through faith (Eph. 2.8-9). While that may be expressed in a prayer, it’s wholly a work of grace as saving faith comes alive in our hearts.
Second, if we’re saved, there will be fruit. Is the fruit of God’s Spirit apparent in your life (Gal. 5.22-26) and is it increasing (Heb. 5.12-14)?
No amount of good works like going to church or doing religious things can save us. We can’t be good enough to deserve heaven on our own. But Ephesians 2.8-10 says we are saved for good works. Good works should be the result of the inner change brought about through salvation (2 Cor. 5.15, 17).
Third, Christians experience conviction over sin. And when we do, we need to go back to the cross, not to be saved again, but to remember what He did for us, to confess any sin and receive His cleansing and forgiveness (1 Jn. 1.9). When we have some area of sin that we have not truly repented of (confessed and turned away from), we will often have doubts about our relationship with God.
God wants us to have assurance of our salvation (1 Jn. 5.13) and our eternity. If you have doubts, talk to a pastor or mature believer. You can, also, leave me a message in the comments if you have any questions. I will do my best to answer them.
You might also want to read:
“Could You Be a Christian in Name Only?”
“Do You Live with a Sense of Guilt?”
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 107.10-22:
He Saves Those Who Cry Out to Him
Our reading in this chapter of Psalms talks about the same thing:
10 Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons—
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High,
12 Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help.
13 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.
That is a picture of all of us apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. “Bound in affliction and irons,” unable to save ourselves because, as I said, no amount of good works or religion can save us, only Christ can do that. But … “then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.”
It doesn’t mean that believers in Christ never have difficulties, but we can have peace and joy in our hearts knowing that we have peace with God (Rom. 5.1), that He is in control (Rom. 8.28-29), will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13.5), will walk with us through every event in life (1 Cor. 10.13), and that our eternity is secure (1 Jn. 5.13).
Proverbs 25.17:
Don’t Wear Out Your Welcome
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
As my mother used to say, “Don’t wear out your welcome.”
2 Corinthians 8.1-24:
He Gave It Up for Us
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich (v. 9).
Jesus set aside all the riches of heaven to come to earth as a baby, clothed in human flesh, for you and me, so that we might enjoy the riches of a relationship with Him here and now and for eternity.
What about Your Eternity? Where will you go when you die?
Have you settled the question, “Where will I spend eternity?” Or does the idea fill you with doubts? Don’t leave your eternity to chance.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we will discover the way to perfect peace, look at the nature of strongholds, talk about the most powerful force in the world, look at the cost of turning our backs on God, and at the 5 reasons God allows thorns in our lives. We will also discuss the all-important question, “Is your faith genuine?”
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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