Today, we took a few minutes to reflect and refocus our commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ for this new year of 2026. It is always good to step back from all the fast-paced life of the holidays and take stock of who we are in Christ and where we are in our journey to Christlikeness.
There are two things to remember: 1. We are closer to our salvation than ever before. Our salvation is a two-part experience. We are given eternal life when we believe in the finished cross work of Christ. The imminent appearing of Christ at the rapture of the Church Age saints is upon us! This is our blessed hope!
Philippians 3:20-21: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Please see 2 Timothy 4:7-8
2. We still have three enemies we must contend with: a. The World, which is hurtling toward a destiny of self-destruction. b. The Flesh, which is that totally nonredeemable Adamic nature that tries to wreak havoc upon our lives on a daily basis. The very best our flesh has to offer is as filthy rags and of no eternal value. Serving the Lord in the flesh merely stores up wood, hay, and stubble of no eternal benefit. 3. The devil: He is the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. Please see Epheisians 2:1-10
As I said in class, Stay frosty / alert! Put on the whole armor of God each day, and be ready to fight the good fight of faith! Please see Ephesians 6:10-18 & 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
There are five basic questions we want to answer as we look into eternity future:
When does eternity future begin for the Church Age Saints? What happens at the 2nd Advent? What does the millennial kingdom look like? What happens at the Great White Throne judgment? When does God make all things new?
We began answering the first question concerning the Church Age saints today and will continue this line of discussion this coming Sunday. When does eternity future begin for us in the Church Age? It begins at the rapture, which is the next event on the horizon of God's eternal plan.
The mystery / secret of the rapture is explained by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:49-54. It includes all of the Church Age saints from the time of Paul to now. The dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and we shall all be changed in the twinkling of an eye from corruptible to incorruptible, from mortal to immortal.
Philippians 3:20-21: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
It is the time of the completion of our adoption into the eternal family of God.
Romans 8:22-23: For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
