Prophetic Word 2024 - Day 4: Our hope is for now and for later.

”For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.“

‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In the early 1960s they came out with a fruitflavored taffy kind of candy called, “Now and Later.” The name seemed to imply that whereas you could eat some of it now, you would also be able to have some to eat later. As well, you’re chewing the candy now, and it’s still going to still be in your mouth later. Either way, the point was that this isn’t something you just scarf down and it’s all gone.

Yesterday, as we discussed the need to focus on Jesus, we made this statement:

“But, if we look at Jesus, if we look at what He did to extend salvation to us, while also considering what that salvation brings for now and eternity, we will finish well.”

You see, some people discount our hope in Christ as looking for “pie in the sky when you die,” a statement that is actually quite disgusting.

I will point out that eternity is a long time; so even if all of our reward, all of the things for which to hope are found in eternity, it would definitely be worth enduring what we must in this life, to spend the rest of eternity ruling and reigning with the Lord. However, the word of God is all about informing us of the fact that there is a now and a later for our hope.

Now certainly, for many people, the first thought in terms of the need to get their heart right, is about where they will spend eternity. As a matter of fact, the Bible does assure that no matter how it looks in terms of who’s getting all the good things now, the righteous will inherit the earth, whereas the unrighteous will be destroyed.

”For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

But make no mistake, it is ignorance in terms of Who God is and what has been done in Jesus Christ, that leads people to call our hope nothing more than “pie in the sky.”

Paul, hearing of the faithfulness of the people in the church at Ephesus, explains to them that he is praying that they will come to understand what their faithfulness will bring now and later.

”that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Yes, these people were already faithful, but Paul prays that their understanding will be enlightened—or their spiritual eyes opened—to see the benefit of what Christ has done both in this present life, and in eternity.

Here, John the beloved helps us understand the now and later in terms of our hope in Christ:

”Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.“

‭‭I John‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

You see, we are God’s children NOW. With that, we haven’t even begun to understand what glory awaits us LATER.

Friend, we have good reason to maintain our resolve to follow Christ. As the sons of God now, we have access to His Holy Spirit Who leads us in the paths of righteousness. As well, the Holy Spirit brings the dynamo of God into our present lives.

Yes, goodness and mercy are following us NOW.

The Peace that passes understanding is ours NOW.

But, what will it be like when we are gathered to our Lord? Oh, what glory awaits us! And, as our opening scripture informs us, godliness has profit now AND later. So, let’s stay the course!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#resolveforHim