The Expectation of Eternal Life

The Expectation of Eternal Life

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 21).

This poor world is full of sin, sorrow, pain, and death. If we had this life only - we would be most miserable. But the Christian has an unfailing hope of a holier, happier, sublimer and more durable world than this. This hope supports him in every scene of earthly conflict and distress.

The Christian pilgrim in the midst of his strenuous labors, hopes that he will successfully brave all the storms of life, finish his course, fight the good fight of faith, and then lay hold on eternal life in his Father's house above.

How beneficial the advice of the Apostle in the context! He refers to a prediction of Christ's respecting the enemies of Christ and of Christians, "mockers in the last time, etc., verse 17:19. And this has come to pass in the present time. Look around and see. They may be mockers of Christianity - but they have no weight. See their characters described. But Christians are to cleave to Christ, and look for Heaven, verse 20, 21.

1. The Great Object of Christian Expectancy. "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

1. Believers come to this eternal life immediately after death, and fully after the resurrection of the body.

2. This life will be enjoyed in Heaven. The residence of the ever blessed God, his palace of splendor, the habitation of his holiness, the place where His honor dwells - the dwelling place of angels and perfected spirits.

It is a place of inexpressible felicity, as it appears from its names. It is called a paradise, a building from God, a mansion of God, a heavenly city, a better country, an unfading inheritance, an eternal kingdom, an unfading crown of glory, peace, rest, and joy in the Lord.

3. It will be a life of complete purity. Sin, in this world, is the great source of estrangement from God - it is that which constantly vexes and distresses the soul. But in Heaven sin can never enter to defile, "Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!" (Rev. 21:27).

The Church in its triumphant state shall be faultless (Jude 24; Ephesians 5:26-27). All will be like God. (1John 3:2).

4. It will be a life of perfect happiness. There is no perfect happiness in this world. Life here is like the sea - calms and storms, sunshine and clouds.

Sorrow is frequently the lot of God's people. Some are mourning the loss of relatives or friends, or sunk into deep adversity. Some are weeping over the sins of others, parents over their children, pastors over their flocks, and Christians over the wickedness of the world.

All the causes of evil will be annihilated in Heaven; sin shall distress no more, satan shall tempt no more, sickness shall pain no more, the tyrant shall oppress no more, death shall bereave and destroy no more. 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 away every tear from their eyes!" (Rev. 7:16-17).

5. It will be a life of substantial honor. They will be raised to a kingdom! "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom!" (Luke 12:32). Here on earth, they are counted as lowly and base, but there they will be recognized as the seed-royal of Heaven!  It will be a life of honor which conquerors obtain. Crowns of victory are in reserve! Here on earth they wear a crown of thorns but there they will wear a diadem of glory!

It will be a crown of incorruption, of righteousness, a crown of life, meaning they will never die! It will be a crown of gold to denote the priceless and lasting honor to which they will be advanced, and the superlative wealth of the kingdom which they will possess. They will sit upon a throne the throne of Christ. It will be a life of rich enjoyment - a feast and a marriage supper; "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" (Rev. 19:9).

7. Heaven is represented as enjoyment of the beatific vision
 of God, when we shall see Him face to face, and understand the mysteries of creation, providence, and grace. The glory of God and the Lamb are the light of the celestial city, and the nations of them that are redeemed shall walk in the light thereof.

2. The Conduct of the Expectants of Eternal Life

a. They are to keep themselves in the love of God by faith, and prayer - praying in the Holy Spirit. See also Romans 8:26.

b. They are to look for eternal life. They are to expect it as matter of absolute certainty. Christ not only had the words of eternal life, but the title-deeds of that vast inheritance, and has transmitted them to all His followers, and those who believe now enter eternal rest. They are to look for it with humble expectation and deep abasement. They should wait for it with joyful and intense desire. They should live in a daily state of preparation for it. So that when they hear the announcement, "Behold the Bridegroom comes!" they may be ready and go forth to meet Him!

~William Nicholson~

(The End)