1 John 5:13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
We've given some thought recently to heaven and what it will be like. In today's verse John points out that the reason behind this epistle, the reason for his writing was that his readers who believed in Jesus as Savior would have eternal life, eternal life in heaven. As mentioned previously, we do not know a lot about heaven but we can be assured of many things based on what is written in the Bible and also in the character and glory of the God who created all there is.
I recently read something from Thomas Watson who had given much thought to the subject of heaven. I thought that they would be good words to spend some time on and think about in relation to John's words here.
In Heaven there is:
knowledge without ignorance,
holiness without sin,
beauty without blemish,
strength without weakness,
light without darkness,
riches without poverty,
ease without pain,
liberty without restraint,
rest without labor,
joy without sorrow,
love without hatred,
plenty without excess,
honor without disgrace,
health without sickness,
peace without end,
contentment without cessation!
Oh the happiness of those who die to the Lord!
We often may think of the things that will be in heaven. Watson's writing makes us think about the things that we'll be without. Both are things that give reason for us to celebrate, to look forward to and be preparing for the place that is being prepared for us. What does it mean to you today to think that this heaven that we're asking for " is as good as ours"? (v. 15 The Message)
1 John 5:13
The Message (MSG)
The Reality, Not the Illusion
13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.
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