afraid to think?
"It has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom." —Luke 12:32
Jesus has revealed to us that our future will be a terrible, just punishment forever or perfect love and happiness forever. This revelation is mind-boggling (to put it mildly). We have no experience of "forever," and the possibility of everlasting punishment is overwhelming. Under these circumstances, many people "shut down," "freeze up," and become spiritually paralyzed. They try to forget about eternity, the very goal of this earthly life.
Before Jesus revealed His final coming, Judgment Day, and the afterlife, He commanded us: "Do not live in fear, little flock. It has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom" (Lk 12:32). Because our heavenly Father is the perfect Father, Who is all-powerful Love, we need not be afraid of anything, including the awesome consequences of our lives on earth. We can face the most mind-boggling facts because we have a miraculous security grounded in our heavenly Father's providential love.
Therefore, let us not be afraid of life or the afterlife. Let us face the truth and prepare for Christ's final coming at any time.
Prayer: Father, I trust You in life, death, and eternity.
Promise: "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." —Heb 11:1
Praise: Praise Jesus, risen Lord and only Way to the Father! (Jn 14:6)
Reference: (For help in not being afraid of life or the afterlife, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of the following tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, January 16, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 26, 2004