When Christ, who is your life, appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:4
Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever?
C.S. Lewis
The Garden of Eden calls to us… paradise… rest, provision, purpose, connection and more. All we long for in this fallen place, Life outside the Garden, will be restored and given back to us.
In Genesis 3- We’re out.
In Revelation 22- We’re back in.
The incredible connection with Jesus extends to all eternity! We “will appear with Him” in glory. Together, right there, next to! Whatever your imagination of Heaven and getting the Garden and Tree of Life back is… it isn’t enough. Our longings and hopes though, do give us away. Our desires point to a Happily Ever After and because our future in Christ is secure, we hope. Hope is a powerful thing, it gives the lonely a future with someone to love, it gives the prisoner a promise of one day living free and it offers the blind the guarantee that one day, they will see.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Jesus, John 3:15-16
Those in Christ have a guarantee and that makes this life outside the garden a holy and challenging journey, a journey through days until that day we are brought home. Now, like then, our home is with Christ for now He makes His home in us… then, we will be fully able to make our home in Him our Life, our Love our King.
When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
Colossians 3:4 (AMP)
Jesus, I also embrace you as my new life,[25] my holiness and sanctification, and I receive all the work and triumph of your Resurrection, whereby I have been raised with you to a new life, to walk in newness of life, dead to sin and alive to God.[26] I am crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.[27] I now take my place in your Resurrection, whereby I have been made alive with you,[28] I reign in life through you.[29] I now put on the new man[30] in all holiness and humility, in all righteousness and purity and truth. Christ is now my life,[31] the one who strengthens me.[32] Holy Spirit, apply to me the fullness of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ for me. I receive it with thanks and give it total claim to my life.
