Calvin Synod Herald, 2012 (113. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2012-03-01 / 3-4. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

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thanks, honor, power, and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!

On that day we will see the greatness of our God. On that day we will understand not only our sin . . . but we will see for the first time the depth of His love. It will be a spectacular day.

Second, We will be on the Other Side of Our Struggles

It may just be my imagination, but it sure seems like the struggle has become more intense lately. Everywhere it seems I turn, there are people going through very difficult times. In my own life, it is sometimes a real effort to keep putting one foot in front of the other. And that is why this passage is such an encouragement to me. It reminds me that the struggle will not go on forever... .even though it seems like it.

In our passage John asks who these white-robed people are. He is told, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation" (v. 14). These are the ones who have survived the trials of life. These are the ones who have remained faithful even though life was painful and hard. These are the believers who kept the faith.

This picture should give us strength. It should keep us focused and it should help us keep going. It is tough to keep running if you don’t see a purpose. In fact, I have heard that one of the most devastating punishments in a concentration camp was when the captors make their prisoners do meaningless labor. They might have them move a pile of rock from one spot to the next... and then back. It is labor without a purpose and eventually it eats away at a person’s willingness to go on.

Life can be like that. We face obstacle after obstacle.

We get through one operation and another is waiting.

We pay off one debt and another makes its claim on our life.

We get one child healthy and the other gets sick We cross off one item from our "To Do" list and add three others We survive one crisis and another wave of trouble washes over us I have always wondered why people run in marathons. Most tell me that it is because of the joy and satisfaction that comes when you cross that finish line. It is not the winning ... .it is the surviving and conquering that brings joy.

That description does not inspire me to take up running . . . but it does help me understand what it will be like in Heaven. We run now, for the glory of finishing the course. Paul understood this when he wrote, "/ have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. ” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8)

Paul does not say it had been easy. It was a "fight" . . . but he’s still standing. The thing that kept him going . . .the thing that keeps us going . . .is knowing that someday we will stand before the throne. Then, it will be worth it all. On that day the race will be over.. .we will have crossed the finish line. And as we run the race of life, we need to keep that day in our minds.

Third, We will begin to experience the Life we Never Dared to Imagine

Listen to these sublime words, “And He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger;

never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, or any scorching heat. For the lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes. God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (21:3, 4)

Do you hear what is being said? There is coming a day when, we will no longer hunger or thirst for more those longings will have been satisfied in Him.

We will no longer battle the forces of nature. No more mud, no more tornados, no more sun bum, no more winter storms. Nature will yield only joy.

We will no longer have reason to cry . . . except for joy. No more sorrow, no more disappointment, no more devastating losses. We will never have to bury someone we love again.

We will know forgiveness - not only being set free from punishment ... I think we will also be set free in our memories. The scars will be healed, the guilt will be silenced, and the stain will be gone. O, what a day that will be.

There will be no more cancer, no more arthritis, and no more flu. There will be no need for glasses, none of the limitations of getting older. No more frustration, disappointment or failure. There will be no more using people to get ahead; no more hurtful words; no hatred.

In that coming day we will be granted the life we have always longed for. It is a life we didn’t think possible. But it was God who placed that hunger in our heart. And some day, He will satisfy it.

So what do we do in light of these facts? Who cares? So what? How does this affect me now?

First, we need to ask if this will be our destination. After hearing these great promises may I ask you a direct question? Will you be in the crowd that day? Will you be among those who have washed their robes in the blood of the lamb?

The Bible says this will be a large group, but it will also be an exclusive group.

There will be people who knew the right words who will be absent.

There will be those who went to church every Sunday, who won’t be there

There will be those who were baptized who are missing

There will be those who have done great works . . . even miracles... who will not be included

So, who will be present? Only those who tied their future to what Christ has done for them. Only those who recognize their need for a Savior and have responded by anchoring their life to Christ. In short, the only ones who will be there are the ones who really - TRUST Jesus. They aren’t playing at religion . . . they trust Him for salvation, for guidance, for wisdom, for grace. They trust Him in the trials and in the times of blessing.

So, what do you think? Will you be present that day? If you don’t think so, it’s still not too late.

Secondly, We Should Live Differently in Light of the Glory that Awaits Us. Where is your focus for living? Are you anchored to the present, or the future? If everything you had was lost,

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