Month: January 2020

heavenly body, shining

We Will Be Beautiful – Our Future Christformation Part 3

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We have been looking at our future Christformation into New Adams after Jesus returns. In the past couple of weeks we have looked at how God will give us Christlike bodies and give us his goodness. As New Adams we will also be beautiful. In Revelation 19–21 there are five phrases referring to the beautiful appearance of the saints, the bride of Christ (19:8; 21:2, 11 (twice); 21:18-21.) In that section God appears to be showing off his bride’s beauty and John seems dazzled in 21:11 when he observes that she has the “glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel.” Surprisingly, in the last four chapters of the Bible, the bride’s beauty is extolled more than God’s! This demonstrates his humility and love as well as his desire to establish a community of people that radiate his beauty. Thus, in Revelation 19-21 God is not predominantly interested Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

True Happiness In God’s Presence – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalms 16:11, ESV). Ancient Hebrews enjoyed restating an idea in different words in order to emphasize and clarify ideas. In this verse David is thanking Yahweh that happiness is found by nearness to Yahweh. He declares three ideas in the first phrase then repeats them in other words in the second phrase. He states this idea twice; the first time he uses the words “joy” and “presence”. The second time he uses the word “pleasures” and “right hand”. He adds the words “fullness” and “forevermore” to the phrases to make sure that we understand that our happiness in Yahweh is unbounded. Thus, through repetition David is declaring one of the supreme principles for life, a principle that provides comprehensive encouragement. All the things that people pursue to find deep happiness will not satisfy them. We Continue Reading →

heavenly body, shining

We Will Finally Be Good – Our Future Christformation Part 2

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We may get frustrated with our lack of godliness but there is coming a day when our frustration will end. After Jesus returns all our effort to “press on to take hold” (Phil. 3:10, NIV) will come to an end. God will make us fully Christlike. Our complete Christformation is promised many times in the New Testament. For example: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29, ESV). 1 Corinthians 15:49 states: “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven” (ESV). One of the implications of this Christformation is that we will be thoroughly good. Goodness describes God. Jesus said “no one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19, ESV). Thus, God is the source of good (James 1:17) and he constantly directs us Continue Reading →

Weekly words of encouragement

Dwelling Close To God – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart” Psalms 15:1-2 (ESV). What is the “holy hill”? The Psalmist, David, is referring to Mt. Zion where the tabernacle (forerunner of the temple) was situated. Inside the tabernacle was the holy of holies where God’s presence was more powerful than anywhere else on earth. So to dwell on the “holy hill” meant to dwell close to the presence of God. This was the most blessed state a person could hope for. So who had the privilege of dwelling close to God? Those who live without patterns of damaging others, who do the right thing and embrace honesty in their heart. Isn’t this what God wants from us? In this way we are lights of the world, for the majority do not live this way. But isn’t this some Continue Reading →

heavenly body, shining

The Joy Of Our Future Christlike Bodies – Our Future Christformation Part 1

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After Jesus returns all our striving for Christformation will be over and we will finally enter our time of rest (Hebrews 4 and Rev. 14:13). Our internal struggle against sin will be complete and we will experience the overwhelming bliss of perfect peace. No possession on this present earth can come close to the value of our future Christformation. This is why God instructs us to “set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13, ESV).  Christformation is promised many times in the New Testament. “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29, ESV). 1 Corinthians 15:49 states: “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven” (ESV). Philippians 3:20-21 promises: “But Continue Reading →