Preparations for Eternity - Zechariah 13-14 and Revelation 21
All of history on this earth has been a preparation for eternity. All of our earthly lives are preparations for eternity. We must not focus on this world. We must focus on God's priority which is eternity. Even if we live 100 years on earth, what is that compared to eternity? We must make sure we are prepared for eternity. God has made all of His preparations.
Zechariah completes his prophecy with several references to the Second Coming of Christ. He will come to the Mount of Olives. There will be a huge earthquake, which will split the land in a valley. He will reign over the whole earth. He even describes the result of what seems to be a nuclear attack at some point in the Tribulation time before Jesus sets up His kingdom. All of these things are preparations for eternity. God has a plan to bring all of this to a conclusion. That is what He is doing around us right now. He is in control.
John was given a vision of God's preparations for eternity. He saw the new heaven and the new earth. Yes, this earth will pass away. It is not eternal. There will even be a new heaven for eternity. It will not have a Temple in it, because the believers will worship God directly in our eternal bodies. John saw our eternal dwelling place, too. It is called the New Jerusalem. Some people think it will be on the new earth. I think it will be the new heaven, but God had it hover in front of John so he could see every aspect of it. This city will house all of the saints from the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Jesus will be the glory, the light, of it all. There will be no pain, suffering, or death. It will be the eternal home of all whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. God has prepared it, and He has made it perfect. There will be no sin to defile.
God has made His preparations for eternity. Have you made yours? Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? That must be your priority no matter what. There is nothing in this temporary world worth missing eternity with the Lord. Make sure you know Him and your name is in the Book. Yes, you can know and be sure you are ready for eternity. (I John 5:13) I would be happy to help you prepare for eternity. Just don't miss being with the Lord forever.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Malachi and Revelation 22.
Zechariah completes his prophecy with several references to the Second Coming of Christ. He will come to the Mount of Olives. There will be a huge earthquake, which will split the land in a valley. He will reign over the whole earth. He even describes the result of what seems to be a nuclear attack at some point in the Tribulation time before Jesus sets up His kingdom. All of these things are preparations for eternity. God has a plan to bring all of this to a conclusion. That is what He is doing around us right now. He is in control.
John was given a vision of God's preparations for eternity. He saw the new heaven and the new earth. Yes, this earth will pass away. It is not eternal. There will even be a new heaven for eternity. It will not have a Temple in it, because the believers will worship God directly in our eternal bodies. John saw our eternal dwelling place, too. It is called the New Jerusalem. Some people think it will be on the new earth. I think it will be the new heaven, but God had it hover in front of John so he could see every aspect of it. This city will house all of the saints from the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Jesus will be the glory, the light, of it all. There will be no pain, suffering, or death. It will be the eternal home of all whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. God has prepared it, and He has made it perfect. There will be no sin to defile.
God has made His preparations for eternity. Have you made yours? Is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? That must be your priority no matter what. There is nothing in this temporary world worth missing eternity with the Lord. Make sure you know Him and your name is in the Book. Yes, you can know and be sure you are ready for eternity. (I John 5:13) I would be happy to help you prepare for eternity. Just don't miss being with the Lord forever.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Malachi and Revelation 22.