Reply To: Eschatology Discussion Board

[Paulpraze]

When I think of the coming of Christ, there is a joy, an elation that words fail me to describe that engulfs my heart and animates my emotions to an overflowing. There is a transition from and beyond all that mundane unto the eternal, pure, holy, and praiseworthy. The very notion of being in the presence of Christ forever is simply most glorious.
When I think of the coming of Christ, a number of things immediately come to mind.
Firstly, there is a confidence that I become aware of. I often like to say that not everyone is afraid of death or of dying. This is because of the assurance of our eternal salvation that we have received in Christ Jesus by faith alone in Him. The knowledge that my salvation did not come as a result of my own works or goodness but by the finished works of Christ furnishes my heart with such a confidence that eradicates any fear of the day of judgment. Through His death, I have been delivered from the fear of death. I have peace with God by faith in Christ Jesus. Romans 5:1, John 3:16, Titus 3:3-7, Hebrews 2:14-15, 1 John 4:17.
Secondly, in Revelation 14:13, we see here that the dead in Christ should be envied. There is a longing and a desire that this just generates in my heart to experience that rest and a looking forward to the rewards that Christ will give. However, like the apostle Paul, I know that there is still plenty of work to do in the name of Christ on this side of eternity, therefore I choose to stay and be content with my present state of being a co-laborer with Christ in His vineyard. Philippians 1:21-26.
Furthermore, the undiluted joy, absolute absence of sorrow, and all that reeks of death, whether physical or spiritual, the absolute absence of any kind of corruption in the soul and body and being in the presence of Jesus for all eternity. There is no experience on this planet that even comes close to this experience. To know my Lord as I am known, to see His face, not darkly as in a glass but face to face. 1 Corinthians 13:12, Revelation 21:14.
Anyone who has truly engaged in worshipping God knows the limitations that the flesh causes in our fellowshipping with God. The idea of the possibility of worshipping God with absolutely no hindrances or limitations is an experience that I look forward to. What John describes of the worship of God that goes on in heaven according to his vision just lifts my heart and gives me a hope that is simply divine. One important thing about worship is that it is based on the revelation of God that I have. This means that, as long as there will be worship, there will have to be revelations of God. John 4:24, Revelation 4:8-13. I long for such discoveries and revelations of God that will produce such pure and unadulterated worship of Him.