Anticipation
For what are we looking? Another way of asking this is, “what do we anticipate?” Anticipation is an emotion that everyone experiences as they consider or await an expected event. Both questions asked here are very broad in that the answer depends on the goal or the purpose for which one strives, or what event we might expect. Often, one’s anticipation is regarding something that has been predicted to become a reality. Perhaps one anticipates graduating high school, going to college, getting married, having a child, or many other activities of life. Many of these milestones are what folks use to gauge success in their lives.
One strange thing about success is that many define it differently. There have also been many different quotes about success. One interesting quote has several variations. It is - Success is a journey, not a destination. Arthur Ashe, the tennis player, added “The doing is often more important than the outcome.” Mark Twain viewed success in a slightly different vein. He added “It requires constant effort, vigilance and reevaluation.” I think both Arthur and Mark missed it slightly. While success does take constant effort, vigilance and reevaluation, the only true success is the outcome of spiritual success. True spiritual success only occurs when the faithful journey leads to the proper final destination.
What is it that we should anticipate more than anything else? This is also where many folks’ answers vary. Sadly, many focus on this life alone and give little if any thought to that which is beyond this realm. Should not all work toward rest and peace with God for eternity? Is that not real success? It certainly is a destination all should seek, and all need to make that journey properly. One synonym for anticipation is hope. We are told in 1John 3:3 what our journey on earth will be if we desire and anticipate spending eternity with God - And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he (Christ) is pure.
For us to anticipate, or hope for eternity with God, we must begin and complete a journey. That journey must begin in this life and the earthly portion concludes when we pass from this life. 1Pet. 1:3-4 helps us understand how God’s plan for the Salvation of souls works and how we can have access to that plan. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,. God’s mercy is extended to mankind in this life as His Word is preached and opportunity to obey the gospel is ours.
Also per this passage, Christ’s death, burial and resurrection from the dead to die no more provided the means where by man could anticipate something beyond the grave. In Job 14:14a we are presented a question none could answer until Christ came, died, and was resurrected to return to heaven, never to face death again. That question was “If a man die, shall he live again? ” Christ answered the question and provided the hope that mankind needed. However, when Christ died on the cross, and came forth from the grave, none were instantly saved. It wasn’t until the inspired gospel was preached, received and fully obeyed, that any could realize Salvation from past sins. In Acts 2:40, as Peter’s sermon was recorded on the day of Pentecost, A.D. 33, we see that ‘many other words’ than are recorded were used to exhort these folks to do something. Then Peter said: “Save yourselves from this untoward generation”. Only when they had done as the Spirit directed through the Word and were baptized into Christ, could they truly anticipate eternity with God in heaven.
While these folks, and all who have properly obeyed the gospel, can now anticipate heaven with God for eternity, none who continue to live in physical bodies have succeeded in making it there. While we anticipate a home in heaven, we must still work toward reaching that goal. The Spirit had Paul write the Philippian brethren that they might “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil. 2:12). Yes, it will take constant effort, vigilance and reevaluation on the part of each individual. As stated here, one must work. That is a constant effort. We are told in 1Thess. 5:6 to “watch and be sober” (serious minded). This is vigilance. We are also told in 2Cor. 13:5 to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith”. This is re-evaluation.
Only if we obey the gospel, then work, watch and examine ourselves according to God’s New Testament Word and make adjustments to align fully with His Will, can we truly anticipate eternity with God in Heaven. We learn from Rom. 8:24 that one can only anticipate (hope for) heaven, as we have yet to see it. Then, verse 25 teaches us that anticipation must be coupled with patience. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
What do you anticipate for eternity? Upon what is that anticipation based? Examine yourself by God’s Word. Watch that you stay on track and patiently work (remain obedient) to reach the goal. Make any changes the Word requires. Then, you can truly anticipate heaven.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
