Do you read the last chapter of a book before you begin it? What do you think about spoilers to the big blockbuster – are they helpful or harmful? If you knew the final score of the big game this weekend, would you still watch it? “Knowing how all events turn out in the end” can be beneficial for you. You can have the answers to many situations, especially in suffering: How will this relationship go? What about the medical diagnosis? Will my kids be OK? Thankfully, we have the big answers to our suffering. We can read the last chapter of The Book, His story.
A heavenly home in the presence of the Lord is guaranteed to believers and followers of Jesus Christ. This world is not our home, and we are bound for the promised land. Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself (Philippians 3:20-21). There, in heaven with our Lord, “He will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4).” God keeps His promises He made. In His grace, love, and mercy, He is working to gather a people onto Himself. The process will be completed on that glorious Day.
Knowing how all things will turn out helps us today in our suffering. “We do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. Whatever light, momentary affliction you are suffering through today, it will not last. It is preparing you for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Look not to the things that are seen (suffering), but to the things that are unseen, for the things that are seen are temporary and transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).” You will get a full cup in heaven, no matter the size of the cup. This is why Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic from age 17, can say,
“I still can hardly believe it. I, with shriveled, bent fingers, atrophied muscles, gnarled knees, and no feeling from the shoulders down, will one day have a new body, light, bright, and clothed in righteousness – powerful and dazzling. Can you imagine the hope this gives someone spinal cord-injured like me? Or someone who is cerebral palsied, brain-injured, or who has multiple sclerosis? Imagine the hope this gives someone who is manic-depressive. No other religion, no other philosophy promises new bodies, hearts, and minds. Only in the Gospel of Christ do hurting people find such incredible hope.”
Do you know Christ the Savior today? Have you repented of your sin and received Him as Christ the Lord? He has promised goodness and peace to you, now and in the age to come. “Someday, heaven” is for you. This hope helps you endure through all suffering today. You have the spoilers to the blockbuster, the last chapter of the book. You know the final score before the game is played, and you win, if you are in Christ.