Endless Hope

We are studying the Book of Ecclesiastes at our Wednesday night Bible study and are learning that life may appear to be “just a vapor” or “elusive,” at times.  But our faith in Christ gives true meaning and enjoyment to our lives.  I find that death itself has lost its sense of dread through Christ.

In Christ, death is not to be feared.

“’Death is swallowed up in victory.’  ‘O death, where is your victory?’  ‘O death, where is your sting?’”  (1 Corinthians 15:54c – 55)

The Martyrs cry:

“Oh blessed death that opens my eyes to see His glorious face!”  “New eyes to see the face of Jesus Christ my Savior.”

After seeing the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon said:

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your SALVATION that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel”  (Luke 2:29 – 32).

“Jesus said to her (Martha), ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this?’  ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world’” (John 11:25 – 26).

In John 21:30 – 31 the apostle summarizes the purpose of his gospel narrative:  “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

In Revelation 1:17b – 18 Jesus said to the apostle John who had been exiled on the Island of Patmos: “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the Living One.  I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Each follower of Christ can find rest in Him with the hope of sharing His glory some day, and His peace now.