The Great Hope of Our Future

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”
Numbers 24:15–17

After recovering from a serious illness on a sea voyage late in his life, the famed poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson began to think more and more about eternity. Reflecting on the future he penned these lines:
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea.
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
This world is temporary and fleeting. There are many sorrows and pains that accompany life. And at the end looms the darkness of death. But for the Christian there is more—there is the promise that Jesus is waiting, and that we will see His face when this life has ended.
One of the most prevalent fears people have is the fear of death. Yet no matter how we try to avoid it, death is a certainty unless the Lord returns. For the Christian, death still may bring pain and sorrow, but it is different than that which is experienced by the world. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The promise of entering Jesus’ presence takes away all fear of death for the believer.