Imagine coming to the end of your life on earth just to find that nothing you believed in, trusted in, nothing you did that you thought was good, and nothing you acquired in life with all your hard work – has any merit and eternal value with Almighty God. There you stand, and before you is a huge heap representing all your works in life. As you survey this self-impressive heap – a fire is lit under it; the fire of God’s testing. You watch as it begins to burn up what your life on earth produced. You tremble as you watch it all come to a little mound of smoldering ash. Now the tears start to flow uncontrollably because of the shame you feel and the regret of having done nothing at all for Christ’s Kingdom with all He gave you.
This is a fear I keep hold of because I want my crown from Him; a crown that I will lay at my Redeemer’s feet because of all He’s done for me. Can you imagine how awesome that day will be when Jesus Christ is crowned with MANY crowns; with all the crowns of those He crowned for their faithfulness? Oh how we need to look further ahead with the right perspective that comes from the One who commands our destiny; with the One who has prepared for those who love Him – an eternity that no mind can conceive!
“Look, I AM coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I AM the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End!” (Revelation 22:1-3)
“Look, God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and He will be their God. God Himself will be with them and He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning, no more crying with pain, for the old order of things has passed away. For the One who is seated on the Throne says: ‘I AM making all things new!’” Revelation 21:3-5