"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14, 15)
Oh how I long for this day! Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:26 that the last enemy to be destroyed is death. These two verses refer not only to the separation of the spirit from the physical body, but also everything associated with death - every sickness, disease, deformity, and habit that binds us so strongly. How I long for that day to come.
Not that I am hurrying the day, you understand. I try my best to eat "clean", exercise, and don't jog down the middle of the street at night wearing dark clothing. I do ride a Harley (when I have one), but that's another discussion. But I do echo the words of Paul when he cries out, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" He goes on to give glory to Jesus Christ, the One Who came to defeat - to render totally impotent and useless - the sins of the flesh and the death we walk alongside each day. Every day we face our immortality, every day we come face-to-face with death - whether we know it or not. I have heard it said that those who smoke, drink, do drugs, or practice other harmful behaviors are subconsciously committing suicide - a long, slow, painful form of it. Even carrying around excessive body weight is unhealthy for us. What a miserable lot we tend to be!
The day will come, my friend, when all this will be just a distant memory. We are here to train our bodies as a way to bridle our spirits and place them under the direct command of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for in the very next verse after the ones I quoted comes Revelation 21:1. There John wrote that he say a new heaven and a new earth for the old one had been destroyed. We don't hear much about this. Most of the sermons I have heard in my life leave us in heaven around the throne praising Jehovah God - the One Who sits on the throne. We do experience that. But only for a period of time, after which we return to the new heaven and new earth to rule and reign together with Christ in the new creation. Hallelujah! No death, no disease, no crying, no loss.
Oh how I long for that day. The day when I can lay down this burdensome body of flesh and live perfectly for Him. But wait! I believe that day can be today! If I give myself totally over to Him and allow His Spirit to live within me, I can experience a taste of heaven on earth! As above, so below. Sure, I'll still have to face physical challenges, experience the slow process of my body slowing down and dying, but I can do it with a heart of joy and peace. My end is predetermined. My victory is secure. To be absent from the body is to be present with Christ. Either way I win!
We sometimes put in some very long days full of activity and busy-ness. But I encourage you to stop sometime during your day and just say, "Thank you" to God Who gives you strength. Whatever you are facing, whatever is going on in your life right now, take a few moments to spend with God. Talk to Him, rest in Him, and let Him comfort and guide you. Those few moments will make all the difference in your world. If you haven't yet, do it now.
Be blessed.
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