Day 10: Final Day
Throughout the years of my life, I have occasionally been asked what my favorite verse is in the Bible. Of course, the “right” answer is to say every syllable of God’s Word is inspired and therefore equally important and inspiring (II Tim. 3:16,17). And that would be the truth. However, there are those verses within the pages of the written word that may have taken a hold of us more than others. A verse that may have burdened us so sharply that we remember what room we were in, what time it was and what the very weather patterns were the day we read it. Those sweet moments with the Holy Spirit should never be forgotten.
I do not have a favorite verse in the Bible. I simply cannot fully commit to one that seems to supersede the others. I do however, have one that has pinged around in my head for the past year. One that packs a massive message of hope. And one that has honestly clung to my heart more than others this past year.
Matthew chapters 24 and 25 are what many theologians refer to as the “Olivet Discourse.” Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives (24:3) and His disciples come to Him privately and ask what sign will be given to usher in His return and the end of the age. Jesus then begins answering their question by providing a summary of the end times. Wars, famine, false Christs, and the cosmos being shaken. Then Jesus launches into different parables to drive home His message and concludes with a message of judgment where the goats (unbelievers) and sheep (believers) are on either side of the King with the sheep to His right and goats to His left. Then we read these powerful words:
“Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matt. 25:34).”
I for one simply cannot wait to hear my King say these very words to me! They are some of the most hopeful words ever assembled. And if I can state my opinion here, I would argue that the most critical and encouraging word in the whole verse is “will.” When we focus on this one word, it makes the whole verse a promise! The message and theme of the verse packs power because it will occur. This promise cannot and will not be revoked. These words will come from the lips of the King. Nothing could make it more secure than that!
The King will say, “…inherit the kingdom.” When one is slated to inherit something, it makes them an “heir.” We are heirs. It’s literally a title we possess. A designation. It’s who we are in Christ (Rom. 8:16, 17). Titus 3:7 says we are actually made heirs when we became saved. And since we are heirs, it means we are connected to the King in a relationship sense. We enjoy this coveted relationship because we are the family of God. The King repaired the broken relationship between us due to sin so He could grant us the kingdom.
Note that the verse says we inherit the kingdom. We don’t get “a” kingdom like the Mormons teach. We inherit “the” kingdom. The very place where all Christians will dwell in the presence of the King for all eternity as a complete community. Not isolated on our own individual planets.
The early church taught forgiveness of sins and receiving an inheritance in the same breath (Acts 26:18). Scripture teaches an inheritance as something past tense. Something we have already obtained (Eph. 1:11). And because this inheritance is founded on God Himself, it is imperishable, undefiled, will not fade away, and it is reserved (I Peter 1:4).
I love Christmas morning. Nothing has brought me more enjoyment over the years than waving my 4 children into the room where the presents are located under the tree. It is the sweetest moment of the year to simply give. They would all wait anxiously at the foot of the stairs waiting for their dad to say, “Come.” One day soon, the Father will give His children the ultimate gift. And He will start by saying “Come.” Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (I John 5:11).”
Children of Light 
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