I wanted to do a follow-up to the last blog. I've continued to reflect on confirming that you are a Christ follower and bound for heaven. In Jesus' warnings two main points are emphasized. First, we must be ready for his return. Don't put off the prompts of the Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean we withdraw from everyday life and retreat to a mountain. Instead we should be busy at the Father's work (loving one another) so he finds us thus on that glorious day. Secondly, we are not to be hypocrites. Hypocrites put on different acts depending on the circumstances. They appear to be good but their hearts are selfish. Instead we must be true to our identity as Christians, living in the light of his grace and acting as Christ commanded.
In Revelation we find out how God will separate non-Christians from Christians:
Relation 20:12-13, 15 & 21:6-8
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done...Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire....He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the
unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who
practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
In Dr. Michael Youssef's radio message titled 'The Inner Working of the Heavenly Courts' he concluded his message with this idea:
"If the coming judgement creates a dread in your life; if every time the thought of the coming judgement causes you discomfort in your heart, chances are you have not submitted to the only one who can save you on the day of judgement and you can do that today. You can submit to him today. You can invite him into your life today. You can accept his seeking after you today. For those of us who love the Lord Jesus, those of us who have surrendered to him, those of us who adore him, his return is not a day of dread for us, it is a great day of rejoicing. The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is not a day that scares us and frightens us. It's a day of jubilation. We can't wait til he comes back. The day of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is going to be a day of celebration for all who've put their trust in Jesus."
I listen to Dr. Michael Youssef every morning as I drive to work in his podcast for Leading the Way Ministries. I highly recommend listening to the whole message at Oneplace.com or Ltw.org.
"The Inner Working of the Heavenly Courts"
Okay, now that we've reviewed the warnings, it's time for the fun part. We get to bask in all the promises and reassurances of God's love and our salvation! Remember Jesus told us not to be anxious for anything and God's messages usually started with 'Fear Not.' God does not want us to be unsure or fearful about eternity. He gave His followers promises and affirmations throughout the Bible. Here are some of my favorites:
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 10:27-30
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:14-17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:34-39
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Soon and very soon,We are going to see the King,Hallelujah, hallelujah,We are going to see the King!
-Song by Andraé Crouch
