DO YOU WANT THE GOOD NEWS OR THE BAD NEWS?

I am sure you have heard this saying before. Simply, the bad news is that we encounter sorrow in our lives, and that eventually we die. This is a fact of life, whether we believe in God or not. Romans 8v20-22 says:

“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time”

In other words, the world is subject to frustration for a reason. Our trials help develop our faith and cause us to look forward to something better. If everything was just great all the time, then what would there be to look forward to as our HOPE?

Most people however try and escape the bad news. They do this in many ways. Drugs and alcohol abuse are obvious examples. Many things in life superficially alleviate feelings of anxiety and stress. Sport as religion, movies, a partying lifestyle, addiction to work - these all help people to escape the realities of life. But eventually, the realities must be faced. Romans 8v18-19 says:

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.”

The sons of God referred to here are those made immortal at the resurrection of the dead when Christ returns (John 1v12; Heb 2v10; 1 John 3v2; Rev 21v7) . These are the faithful believers who are soon to be revealed as the new government of the millennial age. The word “revealed” in verse 19 is translated from the original Greek word apokalupsis ie. Apocalypse or Revelation. The book of Revelation right at the end of the Bible reveals to us the destiny of these faithful believers:

“He who overcomes will be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” (Rev 3v5)

“To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - he will rule them with an iron sceptre; he will dash them to pieces like pottery - just as I have received authority from my Father.” (Rev 2v26-27)

“Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” (Rev 22v12)

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