DRESS REHEARSAL

It is so easy in the clamor of worldly life to forget that we are born into eternity; but life in this world is dress rehearsal for the next world  — a very “short” interval. Our “short interval” in the world doesn’t seem so short! Especially in turmoil. Yet seeing it in the perspective of whatever world history we know going back to Adam when all was new and perfect, we see Man couldn’t make it in the face of only one Commandment’s testing. All down the centuries the way of God’s remnant has been a Narrow Way as a consequence of poor choices made by the majority, leading them to the Broad Way to destruction.

In our day, when our nation is unraveling before us, we are blessed with the completed Old and New Testaments in brand new print. Although we are not told much about heaven, the veil is lifted in a few places according to wisdom. We are told: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you… that where I am, there ye may be also.” We are told of the Marriage of the Lamb, and the descending of the New Jerusalem; and we have been given the spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit, the same that was given to the Disciples so dramatically at Pentecost. All these riches we have during our “dress rehearsal.” Not as many of these treasures were yet available in Rome when its ancient arena was filled with hungry lions: lions that were met with the fervent hymn singing of Christians in the arena with them. There is much in Christian history to inspire us, especially in evangelical ministry down the centuries.

We have two citizenships; the first one is here in this world, the second is our true citizenship: the one in eternity with our Creator. Sometimes as we live our lives here, doing our best to be obedient to His word, it feels as though we are living with one foot on each shore; living by doing the splits!

When actually arriving in Heaven, the place of our true citizenship, His purposes for our being there, will become clear. During the hard times in this world, remembering Heaven brings strength and comfort.

We are made in His image (but in reduced capacity) and He remembers that we are dust.

But our citizenship is in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20)