The Suffering/Glory Story

In I Peter 1:11 we read the following, “searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” I bolded the second half of this verse because it is the only verse in the Bible that combines Christ’s two comings in a singular stream of consciousness. His first coming entailed his human birth, ministry and crucifixion for men’s sins. His second coming will take place at the end of the age of grace when he will come as the King of Kings and rule and reign over the earth.

The Apostle Peter wrote this letter to the various churches in Asia Minor suffering religious persecution. The preceding verses speak of the eternal inheritance these believers have waiting for them in heaven. Verse 11 deals specifically with Jesus Christ’s life and purpose from beginning to end. In just one short phrase, Christ’s sufferings are tied together with His future glory that will be revealed at His second coming.

In thinking of this verse and all that it signifies about our Lord, I decided to list His sufferings and then contrast each trial/tribulation with His future glory that will take place at His second coming. The majority of this list is taken from a commentary I heard a few months ago. I hope it is a blessing.

Suffering – Glory

Wrapped in swaddling clothes – Clothed in majestic purple

Nowhere to lay His head – Heir to all things

Wicked men took up stones to throw at Him – Wicked men will cry out for the stones to fall on them to hide them from Him

Clothed with scarlet robe in mockery – Clothed with the vesture dipped in the blood of His enemies

Wicked soldiers bowed their knee and mocked Him – Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess He is Lord

His hands were pierced with nails – His hands will carry a sharp sickle

He delivered up His spirit – He is alive forever more

Wearied traveler – Untiring God

Rejected by tiny Israel – Accepted by all nations

Lowly Savior acquainted with grief, man of many sorrows – Mighty God anointed with the oil of gladness

Smitten with a reed – Will rule nations with a rod of iron

Wore the crown of thorns – He shall wear the crown of gold

His feet were pierced with nails – He is the fairest of ten thousand

He was laid in the tomb – He shall sit upon the throne

Heaven Is Where Jesus Is

This week I was listening to Pastor David Jeremiah on WEZE radio as he began a series called “Discovering the Mysteries of Heaven.” He said he felt compelled to preach on this topic because even though heaven is referenced many times during sermons and within the Bible he felt many people still do not have a clear understanding of what heaven actually is and what Christians will be doing there throughout eternity. You can listen to the series by going to his Website and clicking on the Radio tab.

What I wanted to discuss here was a principle that Pastor Jeremiah shared yesterday during his second sermon on heaven. He had said that throughout all his study on the topic there was one Spiritual truth that was woven throughout all the Scriptures. As he shared this principle he began to cry as he said it was impossible for him to share it without emotion. What he went on to say really touched me and I hope it will bless you as well.

He said that heaven is where Jesus is. Heaven is where Jesus is. On the surface this appears to be a simple truth but when you really comtemplate it and realize that we will be with Jesus forever, it may be the most glorious truth in all of the Bible.

He went on to say that the Scriptures speak more of the person of Jesus in relation to heaven than the place itself. For example, in John 14:2-3 Jesus states, “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.” It is interesting to notice that Jesus never talks about the place of heaven in specifics in this passage other than the mansions but he does emphasize that He will come to get his followers at the time of their death and take them to be with Him.

This same thought is echoed again by Jesus in the gospel of Luke as he tells the thief on the cross who had just recognized Jesus as Savior, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

The Apostle Paul also speaks about being with Jesus after death in his second letter to the Corinthian church, “We walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5: 7-8) Paul again speaks about his life with Christ after death in his letter to the Christians at the church of Philippi, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (Philippians 1:21-23) Paul rarely, if ever, talks about the physical aspects of heaven throughout his epistles. His focus is always on leaving this world and being with the Lord. For Him, the thought of just being with the Lord was heaven.

Over this past year, I have come to acutely understand this marvelous reality that heaven is where Jesus is. Previously in my Christian life, I used to focus on the place of heaven, imagining the many mansions, the streets of gold, the pearly gates. I also used to ponder living life without disease, sorrow or the fear of death. While all of these things are wonderful aspects of heaven, the quintessential truth that trumps them all is the thought of being with Jesus – simply being with the Savior in a glorified body, free of government, free of sin, and most of all free to worship the King of Kings, the Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace throughout all eternity. Wherever Jesus is, is good enough for me.