HarmonySample

Harmony Forever

Everyone could identify different things they are eagerly looking forward to, whether reuniting with an old friend, graduating high school or college, getting married one day, or maybe something else entirely. However, your greatest hope should not be found in merely having a pleasant and peaceful time on this earth; you should have your eyes set on the glory yet to come! Today, we will focus on the most beautiful and joyous thing that a person can look forward to -- an eternity of perfect and complete harmony with God. While the things you want to experience in this current life might happen, this future harmony most certainly will happen, as it is a promised and guaranteed inheritance for those that God has adopted as sons and daughters. If you have accepted the truth of the gospel in faith and repented of your sins, you are a part of that family!

Philippians 3:20-21 touches on two crucial truths. Verse 20 reminds us that this fallen earth is not ultimately your home. God’s people are called citizens of heaven! Imagine if there was zero suffering, zero disappointment, and zero dissatisfaction around you. The place where you truly belong (and one day will be) is just like that. Verse 21 shows that things go even deeper than this. Not only are believers going to end up in a perfect place, but they will one day each receive their own perfect, glorified, resurrected bodies, just as Christ already has. Many people have many questions about the exact nature of these bodies, and some answers cannot be known until the new bodies are received, but Scripture describes some basic qualities. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 says your glorified body will be incorruptible rather than corrupted (this means it can’t fall back into sin or be destroyed), it will raised in glory rather than dishonor (this means it is flawless rather than broken), it will be full of power rather than weakness (this means it is characterized by wellness and capability rather than illness and disability), and it will be spiritual rather than natural (this means it is aligned perfectly with God’s Spirit rather than opposed to Him). Romans 8:18-25 says that eternity will not only include your restoration, but there will be a restoration of all creation around you as well. If you have ever seen a nature documentary (or even just stepped outside), you are probably aware that nature is full of violence, decay, and brutality. However, just as your body is going to be made incomparably glorious to how it is now, so too will all of creation be transformed into a perfect and harmonious state. God will make all things return to the way they were supposed to be.

As exciting as the premise of a new world and glorified bodies are, the true joy of heaven is not found in these things. It gets even better! The greatest blessing you can look forward to is an unobstructed, deeply loving, and unending relationship with God himself! In Revelation 21:3-4, God’s declaration of future closeness with His people is presented. You can and should seek to draw near to God in this life while helping others to do the same, but the best of this world is only a taste of the future world. Regardless of whether you feel close or distant to God at any point on this earth, those who are inheriting His Kingdom can confidently assert that they will one day share a boundless and eternal connection with him. Though, as of right now, no one can fathom what that experience is even like, you can be assured that in due time, you will.

To make this practical, consider what the reality of these truths implies. The things that burden you in this life are not going to last forever. In fact, their defeat is inevitable and drawing closer every day. This means that no manner or amount of suffering has the ability to steal away your greatest hope! Additionally, this promise does not just apply to people individually. Every single person who truly knows God is going to be in His Kingdom with you. While it is still very difficult to say goodbye to loved ones, you can always rejoice in knowing that you will be eternally and perfectly reunited with all your friends and family who have been saved by Christ. Finally, your love, gratitude, and adoration for God should be nourished by the knowledge of the wonderful things He has prepared for you, the world, and all His people.

Discussion/Reflection Questions:

1. Do you find yourself caring more about this life, or more about the next?

2. What struggles have you let overshadow the eternal hope you have in Christ?

3. How should the potential of an eternity with God influence your sharing of the gospel?

4. If you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, how does your hope for heaven change the struggles you might face today?