And if Christ has net been raised, your faith is futile…If only for this life we have hope in Christ; we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. – 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

For the Christian…truly, the very last of life is the very best.  The last words D. L. Moody spoke on his death bed: Earth recedes…Heaven opens before me!

Because of Easter Sunday, because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, because he is alive today and promises heaven for us…THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Some don’t think much about heaven because they don’t understand what it will be like David Lloyd George says: When I was a boy, the thought of Heaven used to frighten me more than the thought of Hell.  I pictured Heaven as a place where time would be perpetual Sundays, with perpetual services from which there would be no escaped.

There are three reasons we can say, “The Best is yet to come”.

First the BEST BODY IS YET TO COME (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

We will not be disembodied spirits in the world to come, but redeemed spirits, in redeemed bodies, in a redeemed universe. – R. A. Torrey

The body that is sown in perishable, it is raised imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:42). – The body is forever falling apart, breaking down, getting old. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory (1 Corinthians 15:43a). – I don’t know about you, but I can’t tell you the last time I looked in the mirror and said to myself, “Now that is one glorious body, there”.

It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power (1 Corinthians 15:43b). – When I now look at a picture of myself in a bathing suit, I quickly remember that the body of my youth has already gone and I’m left with something very out of shape and ugly but I do know that sometime soon I will have that power-body.

It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:44). – Our bodies will have none of the natural limitations we have to endure now… no more bulges, no more pain, no more sickness, and no more unsightliness.

Second the BEST BEAUTY IS YET TO COME (Romans 8:19-23)!

Just as our bodies will be redeemed… so will the creation.  Ever since sin entered the garden, the whole world has been subject to the “second law of thermodynamics” which tells us that everything slowly deteriorates.  The Bible tells us that “all creation has been groaning” waiting for the arrival of the new heaven and the new earth.

The Garden of Eden must have been an incredible place to live…think how nice heaven will be.  A mountain view, on the water, with waving palms, perfect weather and blue skies are a sampling of how perfect the beauty will be.

Third the BEST BLESSING IS YET TO COME (Colossians 3:11b)!
If you had the opportunity to spend the evening with any person who’d ever lived, whom would you choose? Would you say a movie star, or a brilliant mind, a world-class athlete, or someone who is stunningly good looking?

God is the dazzling movie star, the brilliant mind, the world-class athlete, the stunningly attractive.  The ones we most admire are made in his image.  He’s the source of all that we find fascinating and exciting…he made Bach and Mozart and invented music.  He sculpted Mr. or Miss Universe’s body.  He invented clever conversation and brilliance.  He is not just royal or a head of state…He’s the King of Kings!  If you ever think “wouldn’t it be boring to go to heaven and be with God” you’ve completely missed the point of who God is…but Christ is all, and is in all (Colossians 3:11b)!

Wouldn’t it be amazing to spend an evening with that special person and have it go so well that at the end they say…when can we do this again…and an incredible friendship began!  It is incredible to think of someone so amazing, actually liking us back!  God loves you back and wants to spend eternity with you by giving you an incredible body that will last forever, in beautiful surroundings in friendship with his incredible presence.

Are you certain that for you, THE BEST IS YET TO COME?  Do you know you are going to heaven?

Ancient cites kept rolls of their citizens.  Guards posted at the city gates to keep enemies out would check names against their list. Nothing impure will ever enter [the city]…but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. – Revelation 21:27

Many people assume that what they have done, attending church, singing in the choir, serving in a soup kitchen, giving money will be enough to enter heaven.  But people who do not respond to Christ’s invitation to forgive their sins will not have their name written in the Lamb’s book of life. Have you said yes to Jesus’ invitation…you can today.  He promises you that his risen presence is close at hand right now.

Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. – Revelation 3:20

Seek the Lord while he may be found; Call on him while he is near. – Isaiah 55:6

Have you confessed your sin; asked for forgiveness; accepted Jesus’ presence into your life; looked to his presence to empower you to follow his way; prepared yourself for eternity?  You can do it this Easter and then you can say with absolute confidence…no matter what is happening in life right now:  THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

MONDAY MORNING MESSAGE / FRED G. CHILTON ©