Your eyes will see the King in His beauty!

Charles Spurgeon, et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Philippians 1:23, "My desire is to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far."

The life of a believer is a journey through time, toward eternity. Each day that passes, each trial endured, each breath drawn in this fallen world--moves the child of God one step nearer to the full enjoyment of what has been secured by sovereign grace--eternal life in the presence of Christ. For the person redeemed by the blood of the Lamb--the end is not loss, but gain. The grave is not a prison, but a passage. Death is not a defeat, but the door into everlasting joy--when faith gives way to sight, and hope blossoms into eternal delight! The Christian looks forward to this not with fear, but with longing. For to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. The anticipation of Heaven is not centered on what will be enjoyed there, but Who will be seen there. The glory of Heaven is not in its beauty only, but mainly in its King!

The true believer understands that Heaven is glorious, because Christ is there. Heaven is not merely rest, but fellowship--the unhindered communion of the saved sinner with his Savior. That which is begun now by faith, will be perfected in that day when we behold His face. The Christian's joy is not ultimately in a crown, but in the pierced hand that places it upon the brow. It is not the throne that satisfies, but the One who sits upon it.

The pathway to that glory is often darksome. God, in His wisdom and mercy, weaves sorrow and affliction into the lives of His people. Yet even the midnight of suffering, is governed by the hand of a loving Father--and every moment of pain has a divine purpose. The believer, upheld by the Spirit, walks through the valley with a steady gaze, trusting the One who leads. Every storm, every tear, every hardship--is part of the journey toward the city that has foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God.

This world will never satisfy the heart that has been awakened to the beauty of Christ. Earthly comforts, though sometimes enjoyed, cannot rival the riches of eternal life. The believer presses on--not because the path is easy, but because the destination is sure. He is going to a kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, a place where righteousness dwells, a land where sin and sorrow are no more.

The nearer we come to the end of our pilgrimage, the more clearly we see what truly matters. Not reputation. Not possessions. Not pleasure. Not earthly success. But Christ. Only Christ. In Him is all our righteousness, all our hope, all our joy. In Him we live, and in Him we shall rise. And in Him, we shall dwell forever!

"The sight of Christ is the very heaven of Heaven. To behold Him is the longing of every sanctified soul."

"Not merely shall we see His glory--we shall see Him.
 His person, His face, His smile--that is our portion forever."

"The King in His beauty! No veil, no cloud, no distance--only the unveiled splendor of incarnate Deity!"

"A sight of Christ now, is Heaven begun below.
 A sight of Him above, is Heaven perfected."

"They will see His face!" Revelation 22:4

"Your eyes will see the King in His beauty!" Isaiah 33:17