Future Glory
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
At end times, we will experience the world against Christians, but we live with victory in Christ no matter how the world treats us, and Heaven is our home. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12 NASB)
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28) The Lord will give us his strength and his courage to endure whatever Satan does to us, especially if our hearts are Heavenly oriented. Jesus went to the cross with a heart of love, he prayed for the Roman soldiers who crucified him, he had John take of his mother, and he ministered to one who crucified with him. While Jesus was going to the cross, he stated: “Do not weep for me.” Jesus willingly went to the cross to take away our sins, and he died with a heart of love for you and me.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) This is the attitude we need to endure in a world turning against Christians. When Christ lives in us, we have his power to endure. We are at end times and being closer to the Lord is essential to overcome a world of evil with a heart filled with love.
We live for our future glory, which is the perfect life in Heaven with the Father and the Son. If we live knowing our home is Heaven, it will give us strength to overcome Satan’s temptations because we realize this world is not our home — this world is our mission field. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; (Philippians 1:23 NASB) The apostle Paul was blessed by being very close to the Lord. He desired to be with Christ because it was very much better.
Today, live with future glory in your mind, knowing the Lord is with you and your reward awaits you, your eternal, heavenly home. See this world as your mission field where you live to serve Christ. Live this life serving Christ and your eternal life will be with Christ.
Prayer: Lord, guide me to live with future glory in my mind which may come sooner than I think because this life is like a vapor. Guide me to live for eternity and not for the temporary. In Jesus’ name, Amen