Focus: Our Chief Joy

Text: Lk.10:20

"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

I once traveled with a minister friend to the Congo DR, by the invitation of another minister of God, who at the time was serving as the Minister of Finance for the Country. On the first day of the meeting, we were picked up by our host from the Presidential Hotel where we lodged to the event ground. Seeing the heavy entourage of high government officials, military and police men who were escorting us, I started taking my steps with caution, since I had no idea of what the seating arrangement might be. I did not want to be too forward with my steps and get myself embarrassed to find out that my seat was no where close to the front because of the timber and caliber of men in attendance. But our chief host noticed that I was some steps behind him, so he stepped back, grabbed my hand, and said to me, "Come on, 'Moshe', be by my side!" I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my seat was just beside our chief host and his wife, and it had my name pasted on it. My seat was already reserved in front before I got there, having my name on it.

The Lord Jesus Christ tells His disciples to rejoice, for their names had been written in heaven. While still here on earth, their names had already been penciled down in heaven. Their places in heaven were already guaranteed by God. In Revelation 21:14, their names are already enshrined on the walls of the new city. 

Do you know that as a child of God and as a believer in Christ, there is no space for you in hell and heaven is never complete without you? This is indeed the marvel of grace!

For every true believer in Christ, our names have gone before us to heaven. Our names are on the list of heaven-bound people. We have been booked for heaven. We are insured and assured of our place in heaven by the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Paul says that we are "sealed unto the day of redemption" by the Holy Spirit of God (Eph.4:30). John Wesley mentioned three wonders of heaven, the first of which was seeing those he had thought would never be there; the second was not seeing those he had thought would be there; and finally, John Wesley said the third wonder would be seeing himself in heaven, and according to him, it would be the wonder of wonders.

The love of God has paid our way to heaven. Grace has un-messed our mess.

Living with Jesus Christ for eternity is the greatest blessing of God to us. No blessings of earth compares with our eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. None whatsoever! It is our utmost joy knowing that heaven awaits us. As Stephen lay dying, he saw the Lord Jesus Christ standing up in heaven to welcome him home. His job on earth was done. By his death he became the first martyr of Christ. He poured out his blood to bear witness to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It gives me the highest pleasure to know that a saved wretch like me is going to be with Christ and all the saints in heaven and in the new earth in which righteousness dwells. My joy knows no bounds. While we are keeping ourselves in the love of God, the Lord Himself is keeping us by His power.

No degree of material wealth, moral goodness, or social good works can pay for eternal life and for a home in heaven. By our own righteousness we do not qualify for God's heaven or for the God-kind of life.

Isaiah says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isa.64:6). Our self-righteousness cannot fly. Our self-righteousness is tainted and polluted by our sin-nature. The writer of Ecclesiastes says, "And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there" (Ecl.3:16). He says, "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not" (7:20). Even our over-righteous attitude is a sin to God. The writer of Ecclesiastes says, "Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?" (7:16). He sees over-righteousness as an act of self-destruction.

Celebrate your salvation in Christ! Rejoice that your name is already written in heaven! Be thankful to God that your future is already settled in Christ! Heaven is your home - home for all the saints. The Scripture says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more pain: for the former things are passed away… And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him… And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev.21:4; 22:3,5).

Heaven is our greatest blessing from God and our chief joy. We are the people of a sure hope and a blissful future. Christ has done the impossible for us and given us the highest blessing - a place in His presence forever. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter