Do Not “Lose Heart” Based on Contributions From Justin Wilsbach In today’s society, true Christians face many pitfalls and challenges that can easily lead to discouragement and even the temptation to give up. It’s crucial to keep the bigger picture in mind.
resurrection and eternal life. It is through the power of this spirit that God will change our physical bod- ies (see Rom 8:18). Our calling is a personal invitation from God to be in the first resurrection (Rev. 20:6). This resurrection is considered blessed because those in it receive eternal life–never to die again–and will be priests of God reigning with Christ for 1,000 years! Those who successfully overcome and endure to the end will freely eat of the tree’s fruit (Rev 2:7). This beautiful picture of the future must always be in the forefront of our minds. We are living in the last age before the return of Jesus Christ, and we must remember that God has an appointed time for all of this. We should never think that He is delaying Christ’s return, lose hope and fall away. Hebrews 2:1 states,
I n 1924 the Washington Post pub- lished a poem titled “No Hope” by James J. Montague. In modern terms, this poem could be summarized as: Life is hard, and then you die. It’s a discourag- ing view, reflecting the harshness of life in this world—especially for true Christians. But despite these difficulties, we must never allow ourselves to become so discouraged that we lose heart. Big changes are coming, ones that will transform the entire world and universe. And they are certain! In the final chapters of the Bible, God paints a picture of a new heav- en, a new Earth, and a magnificent city— New Jerusalem —coming down from heaven. Revelation 22:1 begins with a vision of “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal pro- ceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb”. This river is unlike any we know today. It brings life and is calm and non-threatening. Imagine the tranquil sounds of flowing water as you stroll down the street, per- haps stopping for a cool, refreshing drink. On each side of this river will be the Tree of Life, bearing twelve different fruits and leaves that will heal nations. Deserts will bloom with vibrancy and every nation will have food and water for an abundant healthy life. Proceeding from God’s
throne, life will spread across the Earth as everyone learns to live by God’s perfect laws and serve Him. This is amazing knowledge and truth. God offers mankind incred- ible hope and encouragement with these beautiful descriptions of a new Earth. Can we truly grasp it? TREE OF LIFE NOW When Adam and his descendants were cut off from the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life, it was because of their choice to eat from
‘Twas ever thus, since childhood’s hour I never had a joy, That some malign, superior power Did not, ere long, destroy. To gain some joy from this I try, Though life is hard and rough, Yet I suppose that I shall die If I live long enough!
the wrong tree. God could not al- low Adam and Eve to live forever after what they had done. But did you know that those who have been called by God in this age have access to the Tree of Life now? Those of us who have been called, baptized and chosen already possess eternal life within them. This small small token of the Holy Spirit is our hope of the
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. God knows our thoughts and the pulls of the flesh that we fight against daily.
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