No! I have assurance of a new heaven and a new earth.
Jesus said “As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup you show forth My death until I come.” During the Communion Service when I take into myself the symbols of the Last Supper, I remember and meditate on my Saviour and Gethsemane and on Calvary. But how can I show forth His death? By surrendering completely to Jesus and (Galatians 2:20) by dying to self so that He lives His Resurrection Life in me. The human Blood of Jesus was the only sinless blood in all of humanity and that is why His precious Blood proves that His death was totally effective and satisfied and fulfilled God’s righteous demands. If His death had not made full payment, Jesus, Who was the Sin-Bearer, would not have risen from the dead, therefore would not have ascended to heaven. That would have meant that heaven was closed to us, shut tight against all humans forever. But that bitterly sad scenario is not the real story, is not the true history of the actual facts.
Let me list just a few of the privileges and riches which Jesus purchased for me at the tremendous cost of shedding His precious priceless Blood. We are the slaves of (Romans 6:16) whomever we obey but I am no longer a slave to sin because I have been (Romans 6:14) set free from sin’s dominion to live a life of freedom to obey God. I have been (Ephesians 1:13) sealed by the Holy Spirit and have eternal security. Also I have the Holy Spirit’s teaching and unfolding (John 16:13) of the deep riches of God’s Word. I have (Hebrews 4:15-16) also received free access to the Throne of Grace. How foolish and self-defeating we are if we neglect this royal privilege, which has been granted to us by the tremendous cost Jesus paid for our spiritual growth, and fellowship with Him, to discern His mind and share in the desires of His heart. The Throne of Grace is the place of prayer because worship and intercession go together. I have assurance of a new heaven and a new earth because God would not (Revelation 21:5) make all things new if there would not be people, new creations, to inhabit what God restores and makes like new.
The poured-out Blood of Jesus is the only hope and the only way in which (Luke 22:20) the new covenant could be established. Because I am in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) a new creation, I have (1 Corinthians 2:16) the Mind of Christ which is the source, Guide, Director and Reason for my thoughts, thought paths, attitudes, desires and imaginations. When my say-so is built on God’s say-so (Hebrews 13:5-6) I am not (Oswald Chambers) “haunted by misapprehension”. I have the awareness of the very real presence of God and have unbroken communion with Him and I am sheltered (Deuteronomy 33:27) in the beloved heavenly Father. When I feel like a grasshopper (Numbers 13:33) God turns me into – a giant-killer. I have a life which would not be possible without the Death of Jesus because His Death culminated in Resurrection Life. Jesus has given me the keys (Matthew 16:19) of the kingdom of heaven with which I can wield kingdom authority in every prayer. These are just a few of my earth-time treasures which Jesus has purchased and fully paid for.
But what my bright future holds for me, fills and thrills me with anticipation. There is a place (John 14:2) Jesus has prepared for me in heaven. I have never-ending citizenship (Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 3:20) in heaven. Also, I have (1 Peter 1:4) an inheritance reserved in heaven for me.
We will have all of eternity to explore the glorious holy mystery of Jesus Christ the GOD-MAN.
Bethlehem – Born of a virgin
Calvary – New covenant, Blood covenant of Redemption
Resurrection – Death is conquered and will be abolished
Pentecost – Incarnate Deity fills us to all the fullness of the
Godhead
Rapture – Our beloved and longed-for Bridegroom is coming to
take us Home to be with Him forever
Everything is in God’s Sovereign hands and I am sheltered in His loving arms. The giving hand of God is the servant of His loving heart and as we live our new Life in Christ, the Lord reproduces His loving generosity in us. Then the fragrance of the sweetness of Jesus, the beauty of His love and the compassion of His heart will be expressed through us to all our neighbours all around us. Don’t forget that God’s promises to Abraham (Genesis 22:17-18) which held essential spiritual significance for us, were fulfilled in a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb. The Cross is the centre of all time and eternity. The central point of my life should be the Atonement, must be the Atonement.
HALLELUJAH – WHAT A SAVIOUR!