But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Summary: Just like sports have sports fans, God and Satan have their fans. God invites you to share the joy of His victory over evil.
Do you have a team? You know, a favorite sports team?
I don’t. I have never known the joys of sports. But I have watched a lot of people who know the game.
The sports fans that have the most fun have invested the most in their team. They go to their games. They buy their stuff. Their houses are decorated in “team colors.” (Yes, it gets that bad.) The more fanatic the fan, the more wildly happy they are when their team wins.
Me? Not so much. Super Bowl? What’s that? Whether a football team wins or loses doesn’t mean anything to me. I may not get excited about sports, but I do recognize and value the enthusiasm of those who do.
There is another kind of sport that I am interested in. It is more like a war. It is life and death. There are real winners and losers. The winners get to be with the source of everything good forever. The losers spend their eternity in a place of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 22: 1-14)
Have I been the best fan of Jesus ever? No. I have not. I have wandered and I have disobeyed. I have been distracted and feel like I have let Jesus down many times. Yet I believe. I want Him to win. I want to be with Him in heaven. I do read His words and decorate my house with Jesus’ stuff.
When His glory is revealed I will be terrified. I will also be thrilled and overjoyed! Honestly, I can’t wait!
Application: Make sure Jesus knows that you are on His team!
Food for Thought: What do you think it will be like when Jesus’ glory is revealed?
Best after party for some.
Tim,
Yes! It will certainly be that. Eternally joyful, eternally celebrating.
Someone once said, “I can only imagine.” Truth is, we do have some insight in Scripture. One of the best is Revelation chapters 21 and 22, referring to the New Heaven and New Earth. When Jesus returns to rule on earth it will be both glorious and bloody (Revelation 19: 11 – 16). But as Tim said, can’t beat the after party.
Great insight, Rich! Thank you!
What do you think it will be like when Jesus’ glory is revealed?
It will be a time of great joy and regret. Christ came first to serve, He will return to rule over His people. We will see Him as HOLY, and all that is not Holy will face His judgement.
The return of Christ will be great family reunion!!!
In John 20:17, following His resurrection, Jesus spoke to Mary Magdalene and said, “ Go to my BROTHERS and tell them, I am going to my Father and YOUR Father, to My God and YOUR God.”
Before this believers were servants to friends (John 15:15) but never brothers. Christ made us children of God, He is our older Brother, we became His siblings.
In Romans 8:29, Paul writes that we are foreordained to be conformed to his image, while 1John 3:2 tells us we will be so much like him, children of God that it will be right to call him the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Ron,
Interesting insights! I really appreciate the contrast between Jesus coming first to serve and then to rule. Yet even as our ruler, he will be serving those who love Him. We are blessed to serve an amazing God!