Let not your heart be troubled: Jesus is coming again
Jeky Vaisnix decided he wanted to build up his arm and shoulder muscles. Being a country boy and not having money to buy expensive exercise equipment, he decided to use some potato bags.
He started out lifting a 50- pound potato bag in each arm. When he thought he was ready for more he started putting several potatoes in each bag.
As I converse with people of the Christian faith, I sense a mood of gloom as far as this world is concerned but also a general feeling of anticipation and hope of the soon return of Jesus back to earth.
Jesus told his disciples regarding his impending departure, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 New King James Version).
The apostle John later got to see that city and described it for us in Revelations 21:9-27.
The city radiates with diamonds, pearls, precious stones with streets of gold. Coupled with the light of God’s glory it must glisten with unimaginable beauty. This is what followers of Jesus have to look forward to.
There is a caveat though for entering the city. In the next chapter John wrote, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” Revelation 22:14-15 (New King James Version).
Those who keep his commandments will have the right and privilege to enter the city (verse 14).
In verse 15 he mentions those who will never get to enter the city.
He calls them dogs — people who have no respect for holy things, see Matthew 7:6; sorcerers — those who seek fulfillment through drugs; sexually immoral — all sexual behavior outside of God-ordained marriage; murderers — those who kill out of hate or just hate someone, 1John 3:15; Idolaters — those who love any earthly thing more than God who created them; those who love to lie and or live a lie, hypocrites.
None of these shall ever enter into the holy city.
I look forward to the day when his kingdom will come and his will will be done on this earth as it is in heaven.
It will be his kingdom, his power/government and for his glory. (See Matthew 6:10,13; Isaiah 9:6-7).
May you have a good week unless you have other plans.
Maranatha. (Maranatha means, “Our Lord Cometh.”)
The Rev. Elton Yutzy is the associate pastor of the Maranatha Community Fellowship Church in Plain City. He can be reached by e-mail at revelton@gmail.com.
