2005-01-24 - Heavenly Reunion

Encore 2000-12-01

Hebrews 12:22,23 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in Heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, I have been on vacation in New England over the last week. One of the things I did on my vacation was to attend my High School reunion. This was the 15-year reunion, and a good time was had by all. However, it got me thinking about one of my favorite topics...Heaven, and the great reunion we will one day experience there.

Christ promised that He was leaving the disciples to go and prepare a place for them (John 14:2). He then promises that He will return and receive them back to Himself, that, "Where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:3) This is the reunion that the Christian longs for. There is nothing more encouraging to the Christian, as he or she struggles with the afflictions that life brings them, than the realization that one day their dwelling place will be with Christ and the saints in Heaven. Compare this fact with other blessings that the Earth allows -- honors, riches, beauty, joy -- and there is no comparison to be made. The joys and wonders of Heaven so outweigh anything the Earth offers, that comparisons are unthinkable. One leaf from the Tree of Life in Revelation 22:1-5, is of more value than all that grows on every tree in this world.

In Matthew 25:34, we find Christ saying to those who are entering Heaven, "Come you who are blessed of My Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." If you take a moment and consider the meaning of this invitation, it really is stunning. The Earth was made in six days, and God has been preparing Heaven since the foundation of the world. Depending on your view of creation, that is at least 6000 years. What a wonderful place Heaven will be. Consider the glory that God has set there for those who love Him. Heaven will be the ultimate reunion. As the reunion I just attended was a time of joy, so also on a much larger scale, Heaven will be a time of joy and wonder when we gather with all the saints, praising God together for His grace and mercy. Reserved for us in Heaven (see 1 Peter 1:4) is an imperishable and undefiled inheritance.

These thoughts of the future serve as an encouragement and motivation to us while we remain on Earth. One day we will join with Christians who are living in France, China, Germany, Mexico, Iceland, and every other nation, to praise God in Heaven. We will not only join with those living now, but with all who have ever lived and been redeemed by the blood of Christ. What a glorious reunion that will be. How indescribable will be the praise of all the voices of all the redeemed, joining together to sing to the Lamb of God. "For we know that if the Earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2 Corinthians 5:1

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

tim@cfdevotionals.org
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