How it all ends

In order to know how a story ends, you must read the last chapter. And in Revelation chapter 22, the final chapter of the Bible, we read about two glorious prospects that will be enjoyed by every redeemed child of God. Let’s look at them: (1) “They shall see His face.” One of the greatest joys of heaven will be seeing the faces of our departed loved ones and spending eternity with them. But thrilling though that may be, it will not compare with the joy of seeing the face of Jesus, the One we love most. The songwriter said, “Face to face with Christ my Saviour, face to face what will it be. When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me.” And that’s not all; read this: “Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2 NKJV). We will see Him, we will be like Him, and we will be with Him forever. How wonderful! (2) “And they shall reign forever and ever.” Just as the test you took in school qualified you to graduate and go out and make a living, the tests and trials of this life are qualifying you to graduate and reign with Christ in the next life. Keep your eyes on the prize. This life is the short story; the next life is the big story—seeing Jesus face to face and reigning with Him forever.