Thursday, February 20, 2020

Reflections of Eternity



As I looked through my kitchen window while making tea the other morning, I saw the most glorious sunrise.  Mist was lying low along the conture of the snow covered fields, snow clad trees were backlit by the orange glow of the rising sun and steam rose from the sun kissed creek.  I was overcome with the sheer beauty of God's perfect creation.

I have often looked at the world around me and pondered 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known."  Gazing out my window, I thought of the scene before me, imagining I was looking through a glass darkly.  How glorious would that view be in Heaven, when I was "face to face"?  If I am only seeing a shadow now, what will my eyes behold when I finally see clearly?

It's easy for people to imagine the wonders of Heaven, even with our imperfect understanding.  We may not be able to fully grasp its glory, but we know it will be magnificent, glorious beyond our wildest dreams.....most perfect.  It is this Heaven that people speak of when they say things like "They're in a better place".  It is this Heaven that comforts people when they look at the brokenness of this world and long for the perfection of the next.  It is easy to imagine the glory of perfection - to know that the beauty of this world is but a poor reflection of a glorious eternity.

But what about the other side of the looking glass?  Have you ever pondered the ugliness of this world?  The sin, the hate, the death, the agony?  What if, just as Heaven will be more glorious than anything we could possibly imagine, Hell is more horrific than our human minds can possibly comprehend?  What if the anguish, the sorrow, the excruciating torment we see all around us was but a dim reflection of what is to be?

I stood in my kitchen gazing across the beautiful landscape with tears in my eyes.  How very foolish I have been.  I have been quick to talk about the wonders of Heaven, but never mention the unspeakable nightmare of Hell.  I have held my tongue when I should have spoken.   Have I, by not speaking, consigned some to a Hell worse than anything I could possibly imagine?  Is the evil of this world but a dim reflection of the next, reserved for those who have refused to bend their knee?  God forbid that I hold my tongue!  If I am but seeing through a glass, darkly, I cannot comprehend what will be that reality, but I know, with everything in my being, that I wouldn't see one lost to that eternal, vile darkness.

My tongue has been loosed.  I will speak His truth.  I now understand that Heaven will be Glory, beyond my imagination.  And Hell is a darkness I can't begin to fathom.

5 comments:

  1. How many people today even hear the word 'Hell' spoken from the pulpit? How many today would be accused of hate speech and subject to government persecution and/or loss of employment? How many children are in government indoctrination centers and subject to discipline and/or expulsion for speaking of Heaven or Hell?

    None of this tyranny existed in America just two generations back. 'The shining city upon a hill' is now 'The shining family amongst God's remnant'.

    Montana Guy

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  2. The biblical account of the redemption of our fallen race takes many
    twists and turns throughout the course of redemptive history. But the
    story comes to a glorious resolution when we come to the final chapter of
    the story. There is indeed coming a day when all injustices will be made
    right, all human suffering will cease, and when every tear will be wiped
    from our eyes. The great hope of the New Testament for the future is that
    one day our blessed Lord Jesus will suddenly return from heaven to earth
    to raise the dead, judge all men and women, and renew the heavens and
    earth by removing every hint and trace of human sin. In Revelation 21:3-
    4, John reminds us that the Lord’s return is the culmination of God’s
    gracious covenant promise: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne
    saying, `Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with
    them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as
    their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall
    be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain
    anymore, for the former things have passed away.” This is that glorious
    day for which every believer longs - the day of Christ’s return.
    Yet for those who know not Christ, the Lord’s return is a day to be feared.
    It will be the most terrible day imaginable. In Revelation 6:15-17, John
    describes this day in terms of the manifestation of God’s wrath: “Then the
    kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and
    the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves
    and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and
    rocks, `Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the
    throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath
    has come, and who can stand?” Those who are not Christ’s, who are not
    washed in the blood of the lamb, nor clothed with his righteousness, will
    face the full fury of God’s wrath on the day of judgment. Sobering indeed..

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  3. I had a moment just like this two days ago. With a longing for His coming.

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  4. I was recommended a book titled, 52 HEBREW WORDS EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW by Dave Adamson. One of the words I adore is Yirah. Pronounced yir-aw’. The Hebrew word we translate as “awe”is yirah, which means “respect,reverence,and worship. But yirah also means “fear.” It’s the word used in Proverbs 9:10, which reads, “The fear (yirah) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” But the word fear can be used in the context of reverence. The book gave the example: When you watch a sunset or stand on the shore of an ocean, you don’t feel fear - you feel awe and reverence. You feel yirah.
    I’m glad you have found your happiness in your new place. I still miss that you don’t live close to me anymore (I live on the Benewah) I always felt a kinship to you when I read your blog. Peace and blessings.

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  5. Speaking for myself, the fear of Hell never did anything to draw me near to God.

    Stories of others’ struggles on their walk, however, and stories of God’s teaching and provision...

    Do not belittle yourself for your ministry.

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