“The hope laid up for you in Heaven” (Colossians 1:5)

At least half of the salvation Scriptures of the New Testament point to the Blessed Hope. It’s been the primary psychological comfort of saints throughout history, especially in times of severe persecution. For every second you endure on earth, you’ll enjoy over 10,000 years of unspeakable pleasure in Heaven. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Here, you have to constantly fight your flesh and your Old Man, but then, God “will transform your lowly body” (Philippians 3:21).

Here, you have to constantly deal with spiritual forces that cause bad thoughts and feelings, but then, “the devil … will be cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10).

Here, you have to constantly go through trials and tribulations, but then, there’ll be “no sorrow, no crying. There shall be no more pain” (Revelation 21:4).

Here, sin is a constant grief to you, but then, you shall be perfectly holy, and there’s nothing in Heaven that defiles. Nevertheless, your joyful expectation of the future won’t make you forget the duties of the present. The opposite is true. When you connect the momentary pain of today with the endless bliss of tomorrow, you’ll have the joy of the Lord. You may hate your job on Earth, but if you know you only have a few more minutes till quitting time, you can stand anything.

The Blessed Hope promotes virtue, perseverance, joy, and holiness. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the Blessed Hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11–13).

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