This Is Not The End

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelations%206-11&version=NIV

Last night we saw the ending of a year. Many people gather together on December
31st to celebrate. However, it's not the ending that is celebrated, but rather the beginning of a new year. A year that holds new hope, new possibilities, things that are unseen yet to come.

As we read through the book of Revelation, we also consider endings - the ending of our journey together through the Bible. But more importantly, the end of time. The book of Revelation is sometimes difficult to understand and brings many questions. Exactly how will the end times look? Will we are Christians go through much suffering before Christ's return, or will we be swept up and spared experiencing some of the events described in Revelation. Is the book even meant to be taken literally - is it prophetic? When will Christ return? These are questions to which we have no answers.

But there is one thing for certain and worthy of celebration - Revelation and the end of the world do not represent an ending - rather they represent a beginning. They are not a beginning of new hope or new possibilities, but of all things made new. Hope will be fulfilled in eternity with Christ through whom all things have been made possible.

There will be a day, my friends, when Christ will return - when we will reign in Heaven and on earth. What a day of celebration that will be. I long for that day because I know that no matter what happens in my life in this coming year - perhaps things hoped for, maybe desires of my heart fulfilled - nothing can or will compare to the fulfillment of all hope, of all desires. Nothing can compare to living in the presence of my living God for eternity - to gaze upon his face and his glory - to bask in his perfect love. I cannot wait to celebrate that day with you, when we seen the evidence of things hoped for - a day when the unseen becomes seen and will remain for all eternity. There are many things unknown about that day, but I am certain that I will see you there, and that together we worship at the throne of Jesus Christ, praising him and saying:

"The Kingdome of the world has become the king of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will regin for ever and ever." - Revelation 11:15

The Lord Reigns, precious ones, now and forever. Celebrate!

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels