Truth Magazine

By Richard D. Gant

A couple of years ago, we turned on our television sets expecting to see the World Series, when it was announced that the game was being canceled because of an earthquake. As we stayed tuned to learn of the condition of things in the aftermath of the quake, we were saddened to see the footage of helicopters beaming bright lights down at the darkened city of Oakland. The commentators said this was an effort to keep looting and crime to a minimum. What a terrible commentary on our world when crime is a given in the midst of such tragedy.

Isn’t it pitiful how people conduct themselves when left without any light from above? When we consider that night in Oakland and the wickedness which lurks on the darkened corners of our streets every night, we are not surprised that the symbols of darkness and night are universally chosen by men to represent all that is evil.

Recently, while talking to a friend, I found that he was confused by the imagery used in Revelation 21:21f. He asked, “How can heaven be described as a place of rest when there isn’t going to be any night?” He also wanted to know how the martyred saints could be described in Revelation 7:15 as serving God in the temple day and night since there is to be no temple nor any night. These are good and sincere questions, but they reflect an attempt to use a literal methodology on a largely figurative book. Each image needs to be understood in its own context and not interpreted by mixing metaphors. In Revelation 7:15 what is being stressed is the continual nature of the saints’ service in the presence of God, while Revelation 22:21 f is stressing the resplendent radiance of God that fills every corner of the golden city of God. So what encouragement can we to glean from the statement that “there shall be no night there”?

No night means absolutely no darkness in which men try to conceal their evil deeds. We won’t have to worry about locking our doors and fearing evil intruders for there will be nothing to fear in heaven. God’s light is so brilliantly bright that it makes the approach of any kind of darkness an impossibility. Perhaps one of the reasons sinners will not go to heaven is that they would be so terribly uncomfortable in the presence of the effulgent glory of God. Imagine, if you can, the feeling of guilt and shame that will overcome us if we have loved the darkness of the prince of this world rather than the light of the Sun of Righteousness. We should seriously reexamine ourselves if we really think that we can harbor any kind of darkness in our lives and still go to heaven (1 Jn. 1:5-ff).

No night means our service unto God shall not be hindered at any moment. When we sing “Where the Gates Swing Outward Never,” we are alluding to Revelation 21:25. What that depicts is the saved of every nation bringing gifts of glory and honor unto God. Since it is always day and the gates are never shut, we have free access in our service to God. Are you ever frustrated by the fact that we let things like the death of loved ones, disease, or the drudgery of our worka-day lives, get in our way and disillusion us in our service to God? We often sing, “God shall wipe away all tears,/ There’s no death, no pain, no fears;/ And they count not time by years,/ For there is no night there.” When we sing this song, what we are saying is when we get to heaven there isn’t going to be anything to deter or discourage us.

No night means the glory of our God is not confined to an inner room unapproachable by any but the High Priest. In the earthly Jerusalem the presence of evil was so repugnant to God that he could not reveal himself as he would have liked to. Therefore, even in attempting to show his willingness to abide with Israel, God chose to confine his “glory” to the Most Holy Place, a room in the temple that was a perfect cube 10 cubits in length, in breadth, and in height. However, in the heavenly Jerusalem we find the dimensions of the entire city are equal in length, in breadth, and in height (Rev. 21:16-17). This signifies the temple is no longer needed, because God’s glory radiates throughout the whole city (Rev. 21:22-27). His light shines throughout the city because “there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:27). In that sinless city the Lamb’s lamp shines unabated eternally.

This heavenly scene should be a present reality for us in this life to some degree. Isaiah 60 uses the same imagery to describe our life as members of the kingdom of light. If Christ is our king, then we should be walking in his light and in the light of his word. We should trust God to deliver us from evil. We should no longer behave as of the darkness but as “children of light” (Eph. 5:8). We need to make sure that we never let Satan distract us, but whatever we do in word or deed, we should do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:17). And, most of all, we need to realize that our God does not live in temples made with hands, but is near to each of us. He has sent his light into the world, and we are to be reflecting his brilliant glory, so that men may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).

What a wonderful place heaven must be! No night. No sin. No discouragement. Only the light, life and love of our Lord. In heaven we see a picture of what this wicked world could have been had man never rejected that light from above.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, pp. 617-618
October 17, 1991

By Kevin Campbell

What lies beyond the portals of death is a matter that everyone considers at one time or another. Is there life after death? If so, of what does it consist and who will obtain it? The questions and speculations run rampant upon the subject but the answers can only be found in the truth of God’s word. Seers, psychics, and false religions only add to the confusion and obscure the truth. I am firmly convinced that Christians need a good dose of confidence in their eternal state as a guard against falling and as a prod to greater service and faithfulness. John refers to the purification of the child of God that can occur as a result of the hope of life eternal (1 Jn. 3:3). When our confidence is strong, we can anticipate and prevent pitfalls that might lead us away from our hope (Col. 1:23).

Definition

Before proceeding further, we need a good understanding of what we mean by eternal life. The Bible teaches that both the righteous and the wicked will be conscious after the Judgment Day but only the righteous are referred to as receiving “eternal life” (Rom. 2:5-9). To some, at first, this is puzzling. Why is it, if everyone will have an eternal existence after death, that only one portion are spoken of as gaining eternal life? First of all, eternal life refers to more than just an eternal existence after death. The key lies in understanding what is meant by “life.” “Life” refers to the state and relationship that a child of God will enjoy with his Creator during his eternal existence. To illustrate further, let’s examine several passages that will aid us in understanding this concept. In 1 Timothy 5:6, Paul says, “But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.” Here we have a person who, though alive physically and having a conscious existence, is spoken of as being dead. How? Paul explains in Ephesians 2 that the Ephesians had been “dead in trespasses and sins” but that “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (vv. 1,4-5). They had been dead in sins but had been “quickened,” or made alive, through the blood of Christ.

The significant thing is that while a person has a conscious, physical existence or life, he can still be spoke of as being dead in sin. Death, spiritually, is separation from God according to Isaiah 59:1-2 and Romans 6:23. The opposite of spiritual death is spiritual life. If spiritual death is separation from God, spiritual life is union with God. So, only those who are in union with the Lord are spoken of as being alive or having life. Jesus said, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent” (Jn. 17:3). Eternal life then, refers to the union and relationship that we will enjoy with our God eternally when this life on earth is over.

A Gift

Our next consideration is that eternal life is a gift given by God. Notice these passages: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).

Eternal life has been offered by our God to all mankind because of his great love and mercy. It has not been offered due to mankind’s deservings or on the basis of any good thing that we have done. This is what is meant by Paul’s statement that we are saved by grace (or favor) and not by our own works or deservings. In other words, God did not decide at a particular point in time, that man had behaved well enough to enter into life eternal.

As children of God, we need to dwell long and hard on this point. We have not done anything to deserve this gift. Being baptized does not earn our way into life eternal. Being a good parent, a good employee, a good Samaritan or just being “good” does not qualify or earn one’s eternal life. It is God’s gift that he has offered for no other reason than his love and mercy for us. Our appreciation of this truth needs to be expressed by demonstrating our thankfulness in a life that is governed completely by his will. Paul stated that God’s grace (favor, mercy) teaches us that “we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:11-12).

One final point regarding eternal life being God’s gift is this: it is given on a conditional basis. Some recoil at this but it is the truth of God’s word nonetheless. Notice that Paul said that we are saved “by grace through faith” (Eph , 2:8). God’s decision to offer eternal life was not conditional. He offered it only because of his grace and mercy. On the other hand, its reception is conditional. It is received “through faith.” Our Lord will not force any one to accept his offer and will only give it to those who, through faith, accept and obey his conditions. The writer of Hebrews states that Jesus “became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:8-9).

Present Possession or Future Hope?

This brings us to our final consideration. When one has obeyed the Lord’s plan of salvation in becoming a Christian, does he at that time come into actual, present possession of eternal life or does he possess it only in hope and in promise? In other words, is eternal life fully possessed now in this life or is it not fully possessed until the life hereafter? This is an important issue in the question of apostasy since there are those who argue that eternal life ‘ fully possessed in this life, cannot be taken away no matter how a child of God lives.

First of all, the Bible does speak of the believer possessing eternal life now. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath eternal life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (Jn. 5:24); “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (Jn. 6:47). The question then is not does a child of God now possess eternal life but how does he possess it? In full present possession or in future hope and promise? If he possesses it fully and completely, then he cannot possess it in hope or hope for it since he already has it. Paul states in Romans 8:24-25, “We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. ” Something that is fully and completely possessed is not something that can be hoped for since hope involves the expectation of a future reception.

How then does the Bible refer to a Christian’s possession of eternal life? As full and present or as a future hope? Notice these verses of Scripture:

(1) Paul wrote to Titus “in hope of eternal life, which God that cannot life, promised before the world began” (Tit. 1:2). Also, that “we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (3:7).

(2) John wrote, “And this is the promise which he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 Jn. 2:25).

Notice that these passages speak of eternal life as a hope and a promise and not as a full possession.

Not only do the above passages identify eternal life as a future hope and promise, there are numerous others which clearly state that it has yet to be given. Take a look at these verses:

(1) Romans 2:5-11. Here Paul states that at the judgment day, God “will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” Consider that it is at the judgment when God will give eternal life to those who have sought for glory, honor, and immortality.

(2) Galatians 6:8-9. Paul states, “For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting” (v. 8). Now notice, what will he who sows to the spirit reap? Life everlasting. When will he reap it? “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (v. 9). Life everlasting is to be reaped in due season, if we faint not!

(3) 1 Timothy 6:12,19. Paul instructs Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called” and told him to tell the saints “that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Remember that they were to lay hold on eternal life and therefore had not come into actual possession of it yet. (Read these other verses as well: Matt. 25:46; Mk. 10:30; Rom. 6:22.)

Conclusion

In closing please read 1 John 5:11-13. Consider these points: (1) God has given us eternal life. (2) That life is in his Son Jesus Christ. (3) In order to obtain that life, we must have the Son in us and we must be in Him. “He that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son of God had not life” (5:12). The application is if we are not in the Son of God, we must obey him that we might have the promise and hope of life everlasting. The Bible tells us that we enter the Son through belief and being baptized (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27).

If you are a child of God and “in Christ,” is Christ in you? You need to “walk in the light as he is in the light.” John clearly states that the only way to know that we are in the Son, and therefore in the hope of eternal life, is to love the Lord and keep his commandments (1 Jn. 2:3-5; 4:7). Then as God’s children, let us allow that hope and promise to be the anchor of our soul, to encourage us to greater service and to comfort us in the time of distress and trial.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, pp. 619-620
October 17, 1991

By R.J. Stevens

A few years, ago one of our sons said, “You and mother need to go to the Bahamas or Hawaii to rest up.” Our response was when we get to go home to Kemp, Texas, that is our trip to the Bahamas. When you are away from home nearly thirty-five weeks out of the year, the remaining seventeen at home are very special.

However, when I think about home and reflect upon my experiences as a member of my earthly father’s home and a member of my own home today, the where we lived didn’t amount to very much and still doesn’t. The who we were with is what made home so grand. Being with daddy, mother, my brothers and sister is what made our home. We laughed, cried, sang, went to worship together and shared with each other. It wasn’t where we were living but it was who we were living with and how we were living that made it home. In 1947 my wife and I established our own home or family. As I look back, home was wherever my wife and children were. We moved a lot, but that didn’t destroy our home. To be with my dear companion and my children is what made it home. We also laughed, cried, sang, went to worship together and shared with each other.

Now that our children are all grown and have their own homes, home is a little different today. But it is still just as sweet as ever. This is because I am with the one who is closer to me than anyone on this earth. We have a house in a little town called Kemp, Texas. We live in a travel trailer most of the time – stay in motels and in the homes of brethren. That’s not home. Home is being with the only person in the world who has served me and would give her life for me. It doesn’t matter whether we are on a lonely road or a busy freeway, I feel at home as long as my wife and the mother of our children is sitting next to me. To me, home is being with the one who is closest to me, sharing and caring.

When a person is a Christian and has a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, he is at home even in this life because the Lord is by his side. Jesus said: “I will be with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20). “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5). A Christian knows that Christ has served him throughout this life and that he gave his life on Calvary for him. Such love constrains us to love and serve Christ in return (2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Jn. 4:19). We are with Christ and he is with us now by faith. In the heavenly realm we will be with him by sight. In 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Paul said, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” John wrote, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 Jn. 3:2). As the song says, “That will be glory for me” “just to be near the dear Lord I adore” forever. I don’t know just where heaven is and what we will do when we get there, but that really doesn’t matter just as long as I am with the one who loved me and gave himself for me and with the one whom I have loved more than I have loved my father, mother, sons, daughter or even my wife. Love for Jesus is what makes our homes here on the earth sweeter as the years go by. A home devoted to the Lord is a foretaste of the heavenly home.

Going home to heaven means going to a place of quiet and rest, but I believe it means more than that to a Christian. It is being with Jesus, my best friend and brother, and having him sitting next to me, sharing and caring.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, p. 613
October 17, 1991

By Steve Hardin

Reward. It is a word that immediately captures our attention when we see it. It is a word we become familiar with early in life. Even as children, we learn that if we are good, if we eat our vegetables, if we make A’s on our report card, etc., we will be rewarded. The high school student learns a high paying and enjoyable occupation are the rewards for the long hours of studying and the expense of a college education. Reward motivation is a principle that even follows us into adulthood. Why do adults get up early each Monday morning and go to work? Some may love their jobs. Many, however, will go to boring and tedious jobs in order to obtain the reward, the paycheck, on Friday evening. It doesn’t take us long to realize that if we want the paycheck we must go to work.

In each of these cases decisions are made. One must decide if the reward is worth the effort necessary to obtain it. This is exactly the idea of Jesus in regard to spiritual matters in his statement in Luke 14:25-33. He talks about the sacrifices necessary to be his disciple and counting the cost, deciding if the reward offered is worth the requirements. Paul answered this question for himself in Romans 8:18, where he said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Paul was motivated to endure the suffering of this world in order to obtain the “crown of life.” He had counted the cost and as willing to pay the price. The shipwrecks, the stoning, the beatings, he hunger and thirst, and all else that he endured for the cause of Christ were not even worthy of being compared with the reward to e conceived. The idea is, the reward far exceeded in value that which he had to endure to obtain it. Notice his statement in 2 Corinthians :17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Even though his suffering was far greater than that which you and I have were endured, Paul calls it a “light affliction,” as if all these terrible things he went through were just minor difficulties. It is not so much what he endured was easy or nothing; it is that the reward is so great and everlasting. The sufferings and trials of a Christian, no matter how severe, are temporary. Paul says they are “but for a moment. hey may seem to be eternal when we are experiencing them. However, when compared to the reward, everlasting life in heaven, even years of suffering are as nothing in comparison. The motivation for the Christian to endure and “not grow weary while doing good” (Gal. 9) is the greatness of the reward (Matt. 5:11-12). Without faithfulness and endurance on the part of the Christian, the reward will be lost, as Paul taught in 2 Timothy 2:11-12. “This is a faithful saying: For we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us.”

In 2 Peter 3, Peter is writing to those whose faith is being severely tried. He is reminding them of the fact that the “day of the Lord will come” and this world will come to an end. For the righteous, Peter said, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise look for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13). In 2 Peter 3:11-14, Peter is reminding them of the kind of persons they should be if they wish to receive the reward. Receiving an eternal home in heaven with God and the redeemed should be our greatest motivation for faithful service to God. This is certainly a thought which should thrill the heart of us all. The reward is worth more than any sacrifice required of man.

At the command of God, in some future time, this earth shall be no more (2 Pet. 3:10-11). Where do we go from here? This is the question that really should concern all of us. Matthew 7:13-14 and Matthew 25:46 teach us that we have only one of two choices. The righteous shall enjoy eternal life in heaven. They are the ones who count the cost and determine in their heart and by their life that the reward is more than worth the cost. The unrighteous will be rewarded with “everlasting punishment” in hell. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Each of us will determine his own destiny based on what he does in this life (Rev. 22:14; Matt. 7:21). However, even with all of our efforts to obtain the reward, if it were not for the fact that eternal life is the “gift of God” we would never receive it. All of our efforts, even though essential to receive the reward, never earn the reward. It is the grace of God that makes the reward possible for us and reveals to us the way to obtain it (Rom. 6:23). In Ephesians 2:8, Paul said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

Near the end of his life Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the Day; and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” If we are to some day receive heaven as our reward it will be because we, like Paul, counted the cost. After considering all the suffering nothing in comparison to the reward, we were willing to fight the battles, run the race and finish the course. In order to make it, we need to follow the divinely inspired advice of Paul in Colossians 3:1-2, “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, pp. 609, 631
October 17, 1991