Why We Can Have Joy In This Life

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, 

till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth 

shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not 

the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

Matthew 24:34-36

     What generation will not pass away until all things are fulfilled? Read the context and you will see that it is the generation when Jesus comes again for in that day the heavens and the earth as we know it will pass away. We too then can have this same hope and promise that Jesus will fulfill all things that He has promised to His bride. Read once again the words of our early Church father, Clement of Rome:

"Do we then deem it any great and wonderful thing for the Maker of all things to raise up again those that have piously served Him in the assurance of a good faith, when even by a bird He shows us the mightiness of His power to fulfil His promise? (Literally, “the mightiness of His promise.”) For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place, “Thou shalt raise me up, and I shall confess unto Thee;” (Ps. xxviii. 7,) or some apocryphal book. and again, “I laid me down, and slept; I awaked, because Thou art with me;” (Comp. Ps. iii. 6.) and again, Job says, “Thou shalt raise up this flesh of mine, which has suffered all these things.” (Job xix. 25, 26.)

          Having then this hope, let our souls be bound to Him who is faithful in His promises, and just in His judgments. He who has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is impossible with God, except to lie. (Comp. Tit. i. 2; Heb. vi. 18.) Let His faith therefore be stirred up again within us, and let us consider that all things are nigh unto Him. By the word of His might  (Or, “majesty.”) He established all things, and by His word He can overthrow them. “Who shall say unto Him, What hast thou done? or, Who shall resist the power of His strength?” (Wisdom xii. 12, Wisdom xi. 22.) When and as He pleases He will do all things, and none of the things determined by Him shall pass away (Comp. Matt. xxiv. 35.) All things are open before Him, and nothing can be hidden from His counsel. “The heavens (Literally, “If the heavens,”) etc. declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handy-work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. And there are no words or speeches of which the voices are not heard.” (Ps. xix. 1–3.)"
      We have every assurance, from Scripture and all that has been completed as to God's promises, and from men and women who held fast to their faith in God. We have the words of those who were associated with the disciples of Jesus Christ and even the words of those who were disciples, who walked and talked with Jesus, were taught by Jesus. So we have every reason to be joyful, to have peace, even in a world that is so full of negative things. 

The law of the LORD is perfect,
     converting the soul: the testimony
of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
                    Psalm 19:7

Authentic Christian Faith: hold fast to it!

Richard L. Crumb