People Get Ready!

Yesterday was our last LAMBS (Ladies AM Bible Study) meeting for the semester.  We wrapped up our fabulous study of the Book of Revelation.  The preschool children gave a cute little concert which our son previewed for us in this post.

Our joyful son before the concert with his teacher, Mrs. Joy

"I don't wanna be a Sadducee...because they are so sad, you see!

The homeschool class presented a drama about the 7 churches of Revelation (Revelation, chapters 1-3).  One of the parents posted a video of the drama here.  A reference to the love story I wrote earlier this year about how I met my husband appeared in the first scene and was my daughter's favorite line in the play!   At the end of the play when the actors normally bow and receive the applause, these young actors did not bow, but they chose instead to point their arms to Heaven signifying that all glory belongs to God alone.  This gesture also reminded me of Revelation 22:8-9.

Our lecturer's presentation yesterday was inspiring as always.  Our last lesson was on Revelation 22 which describes the new Eden as a glorious, breathtaking, eternal Heaven that surpasses our wildest imagination.  After reading this passage, one would think that the obvious response should be, "I can't wait to get there and experience if for myself!".  Yet, how many of us are really that excited and eager to reach Heaven?  We know God placed us here for a purpose, and it is an incredible joy to experience His will being worked in and through us.  Yet, are we so satisfied with this world that we do not hunger for Heaven?

Beth Evan's noted that the closer we get to Heaven, the more joy we should possess.  Yet, many of us (I'm assuming I'm not the only one) choose instead to lament over every gray hair, achy muscle, or wrinkle line which signifies our gradual journey toward physical death.  Beth stated, "If we have trouble desiring Heaven, could it be because we have trouble desiring God?"

Christians have been betrothed to Christ.  According to Jewish custom, once a couple has become engaged, they separate while the bridegroom returns to his homeland to prepare a house for his new bride.  When it is ready, he then returns for his bride who has been waiting expectantly for him.  The marriage vows are exchanged and a week long party ensues.  As the bride of Christ, Christians should be waiting eagerly for Christ to return to take us home.  The party plans are underway and our eternal house is being prepared.  Revelation 22 provides a glimpse of our eternal paradise.  12 pearl gates, streets of gold, 12 tiered foundations of precious gemstones, spectacular light like diamonds, a river of life, fruitful trees that bear 12 different fruits throughout the year, and intimate fellowship with Christ are all little hints of our future home.  Randy Alcorn describes this presentation in Revelation 22 as "little foretastes, like licking the spoon from Mama's beef stew an hour before supper."  The beauty alone should make us long for it, but the riches of heaven are nothing compared to the awe and wonder of standing in the presence of the Almighty God.

After the drama team sang the chorus from "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" and my daughter referenced my husband singing that song to me during our courtship days, I began reflecting back to that period of engagement to my husband.  When he proposed, we both wanted to get married right away.  We lived several hours apart and could only see each other every other weekend or so.  After he proposed, I was ready to give up my job, house, community, and almost anything to be with him.  I would have been content to live in a hut as long as we were together.   Young love is irrational, intense, and passionate.  Compare this love to our love for our eternal bridegroom.  Christ loves us more than any earthly spouse ever could as demonstrated by Christ's horrific death on the cross.  Instead of preparing a hut for us, He is building eternal mansions of glory infinitely greater than the sum of all beauty and wealth ever present on earth in the past, present and future.  Yet, do we long for Him the way we longed to be married to our earthly spouse?

While distance separated me from my fiance', I lived for his next phone call, email, or letter.  I cherished every note he wrote or word that fell from his lips.  Our love was all consuming.  Do we hunger for God's word with that same degree of passion?  Do we rely upon His word to sustain and uphold us? Do we treasure His words and yearn for time alone with Him?

Psalm 119

¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, LORD;
   teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
   all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
   as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
   and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
   I will not neglect your word.

During my engagement to my husband, my primary focus was preparing for the wedding.  I made sure to wear my hair up as my beloved requested.  I searched far and wide for just the right dress, veil, and other accessories.  He and I both poured over scores of music to select the most suitable songs to honor Christ at our wedding.  We gave great attention to all the details of the reception to express our love and appreciation for our guests.  
 

Christ is making all the preparations for the wedding and the reception for us while we need merely to make ourselves ready.
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  (Matthew 24:44)

Are you ready? Are your loved ones ready?

 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.  (Revelation 22:17)