THE GLORIOUS HOPE OF A BELIEVER EVEN IN DEATH
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OUTLINE
1. REST
2. REWARD
3. REJOICING
4. RE-UNION
5. RESURRECTION
6. RESIDENCE
7. REDEEMER
THE MESSAGE
THE GLORIOUS HOPE OF A BELIEVER EVEN IN DEATH
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1. REST:
Revelation.14:13, Philippians 1:21 , I Thessalonians 4:13
For a believer there is the hope of rest. To die in Christ means to enter into eternal rest. We are free from all the burdens and the labour of this world. When Adam sinned God cursed this world and said that man will live by the sweat of his brow. Since then man has been toiling in this world to survive. There is no real rest as long as we live in this world. But God has prepared heaven as a place where we can rest from our labours. There will be no more battles with the flesh and sin and the devil. We will experience complete redemption and rest from sin and satan.
2. REWARD:
Revelation.22:12.
For a believer there is the hope of a glorious reward .In Heaven there is a reward waiting for us. God is faithful to reward us for all that we have done for Him, even though the world may have failed to do so.Often God’s people are disappointed because they did not receive due reward for their efforts. They feel forgotten and unappreciated. They are hurt by ingratitude and selfishness. But in heaven has promised us due reward for all that we have done for Him.
3. REJOICING:
Revelation.12:12, 21:4.
For a believer there is the hope of great rejoicing. Heaven is a place of eternal joy and happiness. There is no sorrow or sadness or tears in heaven. We face so many tragedies and heartaches in this world. So many people are living in great agony and pain and suffering. But in heaven God will wipe away all our tears and we will live forever in rejoicing and happiness.
4. RE-UNION:
II.Samuel.12:23.
For a believer there is the hope of re-union. In Heaven there is re-union of all our loved ones who have gone there before us. God gives us the great hope of the resurrection for all who die in Christ. We need not sorrow as others who have no hope. We will meet all our loved ones who have died in the Lord in heaven and we will live together for all eternity.
5.RESURRECTION:
I Corinthians 15 :51-54
For a believer there is the hope of the resurrection . Just as Christ rose from the dead , all those who have died in Christ will also rise again at His Second Coming . The believer will rise again with a resurrected body which will be free from sickness and other human weaknesses and limitations .
6.RESIDENCE:
John 14:2-3
For a believer there is the hope of a heavenly residence to enjoy for all eternity. We live our time on earth as strangers and pilgrims . Often we face lot of discomfort with our habitation .We may live in cramped housing without many comforts and luxuries .But our heavenly residence which the Lord Himself is preparing for us will be glorious and abounding with luxuries.
7. REDEEMER:
Revelation 19:7-9
For a believer there is the hope of an intimate relationship with our Redeemer.In Heaven we shall see our Redeemer face to face and we can be forever in His presence.We have believed in the Lord by faith and served Him and trusted in Him . We have loved our Saviour even though we have not seen Him face to face. But in heaven we will meet him face to face and our joy will be complete. We will enter into a new relationship with Him as the bride of the Heavenly Bridegroom.
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