Life is activity – both here and in eternity

We have entered into an eternal and glorious activity if we have eternal life abiding in us. We have every reason to rejoice in the hope of the glorious and interesting things of which we will partake in eternity.

Eternity: The kingdom of the living

Jesus said that the godly who live and believe in Him shall never die. (John 11:25-26) They will never descend into the kingdom of the dead together with the dead, but they will enter into the kingdom of the living together with Christ and all the other souls who are made alive and are glorified. God does not even consider His natural creation to be good enough for His saints. He will create a new heaven and a new earth for them, where righteousness will reign. (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1)

“‘They shall be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’ Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.” Malachi 3:17-18.

Just think what an activity and glory there will be in all the new things God will create! “But as it is written, ‘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.

Those who overcome as He overcame shall sit together with Him on His throne. (Revelation 3:21) From this throne will proceed great, eternal activity. There will be living creatures with wheels that fly back and forth like lightning according to the activity of the Spirit. (Ezekiel 1; Revelation 4) The seven torches, which are the seven Spirits of God, will burn, and lightning, voices, and thunder will proceed from the throne.

God’s activity on earth today: A mighty battle

Today God’s activity is first of all concerned with the preparation of a bride for His Son, Jesus Christ; second, His concern is to save as many souls as possible from the power of Satan. His angels are also taking part in this activity. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14. The power of Satan will be crushed, and all the enemies of Christ will be gathered to be His footstool. (Hebrews 1:13) Then the ungodly will be eternally finished with their activity, and the godly will begin to be active as never before.

As a result of the powerful activity of Satan, the Antichrist (the lawless one) will arise with all his lying power, signs, and wonders. (2 Thessalonians 2:9) We experience this activity today as never before. Christ is fighting a great battle against this activity through the workings of the Spirit of truth. If we are not wholeheartedly part of the Spirit’s activity now, in all goodness against all evil, then we will not have a part in any future activity. God does not place spiritual “dead fish” upon the throne of His glory.

Paul thanked God without ceasing for the Thessalonians’ work of faith and labor of love. (1 Thessalonians 1:3) The more we become partakers of the true life of God, the more intense will be our activity. If we stray from the way of life, we will end up in the assemblies of the dead instead of in the church of the living God. Only in His church can we find true spiritual life, growth, and progress.

Judgment according to what we have done

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10.

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12.

Time is short, and we will be placed in eternity according to our activity in faith here on earth. We must therefore come together to provoke one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:25)

Peter exhorts us as a royal priesthood to give all diligence to add to our faith virtue, and to proclaim the virtues of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:5)

Let us take the apostle’s exhortations to heart so that there will be a living and powerful activity in all that is good. Christ is coming soon, and He will reward richly.

This article has been translated from Norwegian and was first published under the title “Life is activity” in BCC’s periodical Skjulte Skatter (Hidden Treasures) in April 1965.
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