THE GLORIFIED STATE Devotion 1 of 33 A church that is immersed in the ways of this present evil world has no appetite for glory, or for an eternal abode that involves being in the very presence of a holy God. The glory of which I speak is antithetical to this world, so that it is not even possible to desire it while one is wedded to the world. The modern church is being wickedly cultured for life in the here and now. If it is not a health-and-wealth thrust, it is one of marital bliss and imagined "success" in the eyes of the world. Christianity, as it is now being presented, does not even have the aroma, or savor, of Jesus upon it (2 Cor 2:15). It rather has the stench of the world upon it. That is why it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish professing Christians from those who make no profession of faith. A lack of distinction is revealed in appearance, speech, preferences, and manner of life. -- Tomorrow:
It is not fashionable to speak about this glaring contradiction, but it is necessary to do so, for multitudes are being deceived into thinking that life in this world is more significant than has been revealed by the God of heaven.
One of the evidences of a marked propensity to the world, from which Jesus has delivered His people (Gal 1:4), is the near-total absence of a consideration of the glorified state – when the saints will forever be with the Lord. Men are being told we do not have to wait to be blessed by God, but can receive full satisfaction right here and now. I must acknowledge that there is an element of truth to this perspective. However, as it is being presented, it is skewed in the wrong direction. Whatever you may think about life in this world, there are things for which you must be willing to wait. Let me name a few of them for you.
1. The resurrection body – our house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (Rom 8:23; 2 Cor 5:1-5).
2. Deliverance from the body of this death (Rom 7:24; Eph 1:14).
3. Your eternal inheritance (Heb 9:15).
4. Knowing as you are known (1 Cor 13:12).
5. No longer seeing through a glass darkly (1 Cor 13:12).
6. Receiving praise from God (1 Cor 3:5).
7. Receiving the reward for what you have done for Jesus (Rev 11:16; 22:12).
8. Seeing the Lord Jesus as He is (1 John 3:1-2).
9. The hope of full righteousness (Gal 5:5; Tit 2:12).
10. Reigning with Christ (2 Tim 2:12).
11. Being forever with the Lord (1 Thess 4:17).
12. The absence of all night (Rev 21:25; 22:5).
13. The absence of all tears, sorrow, crying, and pain (Rev 21:4).
14. He fulfillment of the hope of glory (Col 1:27).
15. Putting on immortality (1 Cor 15:53).
16. Death being swallowed up in victory (1 Cor 15:54).
17. The absence of death (Rev 21:4).
The consideration of these is so pivotal to spiritual life that when they are omitted from preaching and teaching an unimaginable circumstance is created. If it is true that we are being "saved by hope" (Rom 8:24-25), those who hide the hope from us have made it more difficult, if not impossible, to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). Those who are guilty of such gross neglect ought to be totally eliminated from any form of church leadership. They are nothing more than impostors and stumbling-blocks, and are in no way to receive honor from the people of God. But, enough of this, let me get to the matter of this series of devotions: THE GLORIFIED STATE.
As the Revelation given to John draws to a close, the Holy Spirit sets before the eyes of our hearts the glorified state. He does not provide an academic explanation of this condition, for the glory transcends human language. Thus, no descriptions are given such as those relating to Canaan, the promised land (Gen 15:18-21; Ex 23:31; Num 34:3-15; Deut 11:24). We do not read of borders and other external reference points. Rather, the Spirit addresses the heart, speaking of matters for which faith causes us to long. This is heart language, and if we work on believing the text instead of understanding it academically, a sense of its grandeur will burst upon us. It speaks more to our spiritual intuition than to our intellect.
The language that is used obtains its power to those engaged in the good fight of faith. Think of the words that will be accentuated: "life," "healing," "no more curse," "serve Him," "see His face," "no night there," and "reign forever." All of these expressions presume we are now engaged in a fierce conflict in which liabilities in these areas exist. They also emphasize that our present experience does not allow the fulness of these things that we desire, and for which we long. They are held out to us to ensure our hearts our labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Through the Spirit, and by means of our faith, we are developing a hearty appetite for the very things now held before us. This is not a mere scholastic exercise, or something to be outlined, placed in prioritized order, and codified.
At least two things are accentuated by this text. First, what is ahead for the saints is an enlargement of the very experiences faith has brought to us now. Second, the Holy Spirit is culturing within our hearts a yearning for these very things.
It should be apparent to you that none of these things are of value to the institutional mind – the frame of spirit that associates every aspect of spiritual life with a religious institution or mind-set. Too, they deal with lofty experience – life in heavenly places. They lift us above mere human associations into spiritual ones. The common denominator that gives great value to them is not domestic life, institutional involvements, or other aspects of social life in this world. In fact, unless the individual is living by faith, all of these glorious affirmations appear irrelevant. To souls enslaved to this world, they appear to be no more than "pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by," having little to do with "where the rubber hits the road," so to speak. Such a view is nothing more than a delusion that has been authored by the devil.
God's people must not allow their religion to take them where any affirmation of the Spirit becomes pointless! Who is not aware that countless religious gatherings never assist those attending to come within the perimeter of Divine influence? They are more soulish than spiritual, and do not prepare the heart for deep involvements with Deity. Those so ensnared will find no lasting value in the text before us. They have been robbed by their religion--a tragic condition.
The things to which we will now be exposed cannot be concluded by logical thinking. Rather, they are matters that must be revealed: i.e., "He showed me . . . " The glorified state is so marvelous it exceeds all human abilities to imagine or think. Yet, all of the things said about it are altogether true and comforting. Furthermore, they are essential for the believer.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for providing us with a rational explanation of the kind of things that await us in the glory.