What a blessing to know the God of all grace and comfort is truth and speaks the truth (1 Jn. 5.20; Jn. 3.34). The God who reveals the torments of hell and destruction is the same One who tells us of the beauty of heaven, eternality and abiding with Him. Just as the children of Israel had the promise of rest in Canaan to look forward to after their deliverance, we have the promise of heaven to look forward to as well. However, many did not enter because of unbelief and therefore were not pleasing to Jehovah God our Father (Heb. 3.12; 19). Yet, we have so many things to look forward to as the people of God and we should consider the precious promises left to us. These promises are as real as the One who promised them.

Why are the promises surrounding eternal life so real? How can we trust that God is telling us the truth about these great rewards for the faithful? Can we truly go to the word of God and glean the realities of heaven today? The realities of the promises are true because of the glory and virtue of the One calling us by them and offering them to us (2 Pet. 1.3). God cannot lie and therefore it is impossible for Him to tell anything false about the realities of heaven (Tit. 1.2). These precious promises are made possible through the gospel being obeyed which positions us to escape, “the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Pet. 1.4). Furthermore, these promises are real because of the lifestyle imposed upon the child of God to obtain and enjoy them (2 Pet. 1.5-7).

Just as the promise of seeing the face of God and being with those who have died for the cause of righteousness is real, the need to know we can truly make our calling and election sure is vitally important and real as well (2 Pet.1.10). Having real faith and trusting in the Lord and His saving grace is amazing for He is the One who made it possible for us to enter into the everlasting kingdom (2 Pet. 1.11). Friends, it is vital for us to keep eternity in our hearts where the LORD placed it (Eccl. 3.11). With this being said, we need to continue to add to our faith those beautiful blessings and will ultimately lead us to eternity with God which is the salvation of our souls (1 Pet. 1.9).

We are told about that city laid out as a square where John was told there would be no tears, death, sorrow and so forth for the people who are blessed to hear, “Well done,” from our Lord on that great Day (Rev. 21.16, 4; Matt. 25.21). Those honored and worthy to live in the New Heavens will not have to contend with those on the outside of glory according to the word (Lk. 20.35; Rev. 22.15). God has promised those who have done His commands the right to the Tree of Life and entrance through the gates into the city (Rev. 22.14). Praise Almighty God! Peter would give insight to this wonderful place being the location where righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3.13). The promises are real and we can trust our God and Father to bring these to fruition.

Another promise of God that can be relied upon is the resurrected glorified body. Jesus is the resurrection and the life and through His resurrection from the dead we have an opportunity to be raised on that last day (John 6.40, 45). The Lord has promised to raise up our bodies from the earth and change them in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15.50-58). This will be likened unto the body Jesus had upon His resurrection. We are not told of the type of body we will have but we will have a body like the Lord according to John’s writings (1 Jn. 3.1-3). Because of this promise, we can have confidence before God the Father on that great and notable day. This will actually take place when Jesus returns and the LORD judges the world in righteousness by that Man whom He has raised from the dead (Acts 17.30-31). As faithful Christians, we should actually look forward to the Day we see the Lord Jesus returning in the sky to get the church (Phil. 3.20-21; 1 Cor. 15.24-28). Will we be prepared and ready to see Him when He comes?

In conclusion, we have immovable, precious and eternal promises awaiting us as faithful children of God. Let us encourage one another to do the will of God and seek others through evangelism and benevolence. If we follow the eternal word of God, which lives and abides forever, we will be transformed and properly prepared for the new home that awaits us (1 Pet. 1.22-25). May the LORD continue to bless 9th & Main in her efforts to be faithful and worthy of maintaining the candlestick in the kingdom and in the community. God is TRUE!