Revelation 21:3-4; “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away’” (ESV – all emphasis is mine).
Proverbs 3:5-8; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.’”
A couple of warnings that go all the way back to Isaiah 5:20-21 (740 BC): “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight.”
The ones that Jesus had the most issues with were the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were supposed to be the ones who were totally righteous toward God. However, He criticized them frequently because of their hypocrisy and lack of true faith and love. They made “religion” beneficial to their own unscriptural lifestyles rather than true worship of the Heavenly Father. Because of this, they sought ways to have Jesus “removed,” preferably through His death.
It should be noted that not all the religious leaders were wicked, but those who did believe in Jesus had to be discreet.
One such person was Nicodemus who was a Pharisee, yet he believed that Jesus was a “teacher come from God” (John 3:2). In John 3:16-19, Jesus gave Nicodemus the most familiar declarations in the Bible. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment; the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”
After Jesus stated “It Is Finished” in John 19:30, and He was declared to be dead, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a secret disciple of Jesus, and Nicodemus took the body of Jesus with Pilate’s permission and put Him in a tomb that had not been used. Three days later, the Resurrection took place.
As we are witnessing in the world today, Jesus’ statement applies now more than then. Anything that has to do with Jesus is frowned upon. In some places in the world, just to take the title “Christian” can lead to imprisonment or even martyrdom.
Preaching in some churches that used to declare that Jesus is the true Son of God and is the only way to Heaven are now tweaking their messages to take on earthly views. Some false prophets are saying that there are many ways to Heaven, and some even declare it’s not necessary to have Jesus as our Savior.
Once again, going to Paul’s comment in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
Our triune Godhead – God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit – is not surprised about anything that is going on in this world today. Remember, God is not bound by time as we are. He made time for us.
Jesus stated in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” Once we are away from this sin-filled world, there will be no more tears for us forever.
In 1935, Robert S. Arnold (1905-2003) of Coleman, Texas, wrote a song called “No Tears In Heaven.” It’s an inspirational view of leaving sorrow behind, to never cry in sadness again.
1.) No tears in Heaven, no sorrows given, all will be glory in that land. There’ll be no sadness, all will be gladness, when we shall join that happy band.
Ref.) No tears in Heaven fair, no tears up there, sorrow and pain will all have flown; no tears in Heaven will be, will be known.
2.) Glory is waiting, waiting up yonder, where we shall spend our endless days. There with our Savior, we’ll be forever, where no more sorrow can dismay. (Ref)
3.) Some morning yonder, we’ll cease to ponder over things this life has brought to view. All will be clearer, loved ones be dearer, in Heaven where all be made new. (Ref)
One note, Robert Arnold was cousin to another famous singer – Eddie Arnold.
All who will have received and accepted Jesus as their Savior will realize two Bible Verses as absolute truth:
First is John 14:6; “Jesus said to him, I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” There is no room for any other interpretation. Jesus gave a pure and simple statement of fact.
The second verse is just as powerful, as it was given by the Apostle Peter after he had received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Acts 4:12; “And there is Salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” This is the Apostle who denied the Savior three times, just as Jesus said he would, yet he became a powerful voice for the Lord after Pentecost and all the way to his own crucifixion.
Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
In 2 Timothy 4:3-5, Paul continues with a warning and a challenge: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. But as for you, always be sober minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Many religions, cults, and other groups believe that works must be done to earn or buy their way into paradise. Ephesians 2:8-9, which I quote often, states this is absolutely untrue. It’s through faith and the grace and merciful gift of our Heavenly Father for having His Son as our Savior.
What’s required is to admit we’re all sinners and there’s no way we could ever earn eternal life for ourselves. That requires faith and belief that Jesus is our only pathway to Heaven through the sinless blood sacrifice He made for us. We have to call out to Him, asking for His forgiveness, and to be our eternal Savior. Anything added to or taken away from this is an insult to the Heavenly Father.
For all who have received and accepted Jesus as Savior are just waiting for our “Rapture” to be with Him forever, and to be kept from the coming wrath/tribulation. The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by all who are still alive. Oh, and it will all be over in less than a second (1 Corinthians 15:52).
Today would not be too early to seek Jesus as your Savior. He’s available 24-7 to take your call. All who take their last breath without Jesus will be scheduled for the Great White Throne Judgment, without exception (Revelation 20:11-15).
The Father will not force anyone to receive and accept His Son; however, for all who truly do will be saved. He will turn no one away.
Your choice; your decision; your eternity!
Come, Lord Jesus!