What do you believe is future?
I believe like Paul,
Ephesians 1:13-14
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Strongs Definition for Earnest
Of Hebrew origin [H6162]; a pledge that is part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest: - earnest.
I believe this life we have in Christ while were on this physical earth is our security for what is to come. I believe in Heaven or the eternal abode with God. With that said, I believe we reign as kings and priests right now while on this earth, I believe we have power over sin while on this earth, I believe we have authority over evil spirits right now. I dont believe we have to wait until were in that eternal abode to partake of some of the benefits we have in Christ. We can enjoy them right now, Praise God!
Peter said,
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
If we cant live in a place with God while on this earth that shows us whats ahead then we above all men are most miserable.
1 Corinthians 15:19
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Look at this verse in another way, maybe you do already,
1 Corinthians 15:52-58
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
I want you to read these verses, and frankly this isn’t about future coming, no future coming, this is I believe the way we should be living.
When were we dead?
When did we go from corruptible to incorruptible?
When have we been raised?
When did we have power over DEATH, HELL, and the GRAVE???
When has Christ given us victory?
Now, before you cast me off like I’m a heretic, please understand I believe this life is not it, I believe I will be called home to my Jesus one day and I will leave this life and go to be with my husband. Yet, I’m living now, what i am going to live FULFILLED then.
Remember we need to be like Jesus, we preach the death, burial, and resurrection. And we correlate that with
Acts 2:38. The Holy Ghost that was given to us, is our resurrection! Death, hell, and the grave have no authority over us, it was in the blink of an eye I started speaking in an unknown tongue and my life was changed.
Any kind of end or culmination of this thing?
I believe the end is when you breathe your last breath on this earth, you will be with the Lord. I’m not living for God because of some end time extravaganza, (not be factious) I live for him because he loved me enough to call me out of sin!
Or is this what eternity looks like?
Ill answer like this, I dont believe Hell is flames of fire. I dont believe Hell is a big lake where sinners are going to burn for all eternity. I believe what Revelation is talking about was Jerusalem. Thats my opinion, I could be wrong, I wont be there to find out. I believe Hell is a place where the presence of God will not dwell, and for the first time a sinner will know what it feels like not to have his presence available.
I believe Heaven is going to be something wonderful, words wont be able to explain it. We’re going to have no hindrances, were not going to have this flesh to contend with, our focus is going to be on him. So shall we ever be with the Lord.
A saint just passed, his Pastor and I have been friends for many years. He told me this, before he died he said, “Pastor, the chariots of fire, they are REAL” that’s what were reaching for!!!