Gerald E. Weston

[The text below represents an edited transcript of the TV version of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Seven Reasons to Hope for Healing

Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and a multitude of other maladies plague our modern world. Why? And what can you personally do about it?

Sadly, many of you watching this program are afflicted with chronic medical issues from which you are suffering—perhaps for years. A television ad for a new drug shows happy vibrant actors, giving great promise, yet telling you in a pleasant voice all the side effects that may create greater problems. Then comes the next ad from a law firm looking for victims of the side effects to sue big pharma over the last miracle potion.

Is there not a better way?

Jesus’ Ministry of Healing

The Bible tells us that healing was a major part of Jesus’ ministry. People flocked to Him to be relieved of every kind of sickness and infirmity.

So here are some serious questions:

• Were those accounts genuine miracles? Or were they made-up stories?
• Did Jesus and His apostles really bring about such miracles?
• Do you, dear friends, believe those accounts of the blind, the lame, and the deaf being healed to see, walk, and hear—in some cases for the first time in their lives?
• Can these biblical accounts be relied upon? And if not, what else can you discard from the pages of the Bible?
• Are you one who has suffered from an affliction for years?
• Have you gone to doctors and not found lasting relief?
• Are the drugs you are taking helping with one problem, but creating another?

If so, you’re hardly alone. Now, I could give you a litany of statistics, but the fact that millions of others suffer from a similar problem does nothing to solve your problem.

Healing Is Part of Preaching the Gospel

If you’ve lost hope, I’m here to say there is hope. And today I’m going to give you seven points that can restore hope. So let’s get started.

• Point #1: The Gospel Christ preached was accompanied by healing.

The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) record many instances of miraculous healing—far too many to cover here. Notice this account in Matthew 4:23–24.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them (Matthew 4:23–24).

Here is another example—this time found in Luke 4.

Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them (Luke 4:38–40).

Jesus Sends His Servants to Heal the Sick

But was Jesus the only One to heal the sick? The answer is not at all.

And that brings us to:

• Point #2: Jesus commanded others to preach the Gospel—and to heal the sick.

It’s evident from Jesus’ commands to His disciples in Luke 9, beginning in verse 1, that preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God was to be accompanied by healing.

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.... So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere (Luke 9:1–2, 6).

But was it Jesus and His Apostles only who were sent to heal the sick? Not at all! Note this little-referenced passage found in Luke 10, beginning in verse 1.

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest…. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (Luke 10:1–2, 9).

Yes, healing was a major part of first-century Christianity.

1. The gospel Christ proclaimed was accompanied by healing.
2. Jesus commanded others to preach the gospel and heal the sick.

But did divine healing cease upon the crucifixion? Or was it to continue?

Healing Goes With Believing the Gospel

Following His resurrection, Jesus told His Apostles to preach the gospel to all the world, and that miraculous signs would follow those who believe. Note it in Mark 16, beginning in verse 15.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18).

Was Jesus promoting snake handling and drinking poison as some unbalanced and deceived individuals have taken this commission? Not at all. He never intended His followers to tempt God in this manner, but don’t take my word for it. Prove it for yourself out of your own Bible.

Jesus Himself never tempted God. It was the adversary, Satan the Devil, who challenged Christ to show His faith by tempting Him—Matthew 4:5-6.

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

But what was His response to this challenge?

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’” (Matthew 4:7).

So what did Jesus mean by taking up snakes or drinking poison and not being harmed? The Bible explains itself, sometimes by examples, and we have an example of precisely what Christ meant in Acts 28. We’ll begin in verse 3.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm (Acts 28:3–5).

Paul was not going about tempting God to prove his faith.

So, again:

1. The Gospel Christ proclaimed was accompanied by healing.
2. Jesus commanded others to preach the gospel and heal the sick.

Jesus Christ Is Still Healing the Sick

And now for point #3—let’s read it straight from the Bible—Hebrews 13:8.

• Point #3: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Yes, the same Jesus Christ who walked this earth 2,000 years ago and performed mighty miracles is alive today and He has not changed.

When I entered Ambassador College in the fall of 1965, I learned about a faculty member who had been a quadriplegic as a result of injuries sustained in the Korean War. But he had been miraculously healed, not in a tent meeting with cameras running and a lot of hoopla, but in private with a faithful minister of Jesus Christ anointing and praying for him.

The college only had 550 students, and everyone knew everyone, and everyone knew of his miraculous healing. I often saw him dripping with sweat, coming out of the handball court after a vigorous game of handball. In 1974, he visited us in our home in Monroe, Louisiana.

Yes, I knew him well, and I knew men and women who knew him prior to his healing. No one disputed that this paralyzed man was healed by the same Jesus Christ who performed miracles of healing nearly 2,000 years ago. And, I have known many others since that time who have been miraculously healed. Yes, Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday.

Divine Healing Requires Faith

So, why do we not see more genuine divine healings today? The answers are found in our next four points.

• Point #4: Faith is a factor in healing.

I understand that one can point to a handful of situations where faith by the one being healed may not be certain, but in most cases, faith is a definite factor in healings.

Jesus was confronted by two blind men seeking that their sight would be given them (Matthew 9:28–29).

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

“Your Faith Has Made You Well”

Then again He was confronted by another blind man (Mark 10:51–52).

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Then there was the case of the man in Lystra who was crippled from birth. We read of this miraculous healing at the command of the Apostle Paul in Acts 14:9–10.

This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

On the flip side, when Jesus visited His hometown of Nazareth, those who grew up with Him, could not get past the fact that Jesus was a local and therefore could not be the Savior. We read in Mark 6:3–6.

“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief (Mark 6:3–6).

So why are there not more healings today? Is it in part, because of the question Jesus asked in Luke 18:8, where He said:

“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Obedience to God Brings Healing

Except in unusual cases where another lesson is taught, faith in Christ is a prerequisite for healing, but it’s not the only prerequisite.

And that brings me to:

• Point #5: God hears the prayers of those who obey and do those things pleasing in His sight.

Here it is in 1 John 3:22.

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Consider how many sicknesses are clearly linked to the violation of biblical laws and principles: cancers and other maladies relating to smoking and vaping, damaged minds and bodies linked to the use of “recreational drugs,” and sexually transmitted diseases as a result of promiscuous behaviors.

God tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, but how many do not take care of their bodies and overeat, eat too many refined foods, and move their bodies too little?

Additionally, there are laws spelled out in Scripture that tell us we should not eat certain meats, but people rationalize—and even take scriptures out of context—to get around God’s clear instructions. The result? Swine flu, Ebola, SARS, MERS, Nipah Virus, and more. All these diseases involve animals God warned against eating. And the 1918 pandemic that killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide was a swine flu.

Forgiveness and Healing Are Linked

If you are a reader of the Bible, perhaps you remember this famous account found in Luke 5, beginning in verse 18.

Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him…. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’” (Luke 5:18, 20–23)?

This brings me to point #6.

• Point #6: Healing is the forgiveness of sin through Christ’s sacrifice.

It is widely recognized that Isaiah 53 is a Messianic prophesy. Sadly, the translators of the King James and other versions of the Bible did not translate some words literally, as they should have in the following passage. However, the literal meanings are found in the margins.

Surely He [Christ] has borne our griefs [literally sicknesses], and carried our sorrows [literally pains]; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4–5).

”By His Stripes We Are Healed”

Jesus was crucified to pay the penalty of sin for us, but why did He have to suffer such a terrible death? Why was He beaten mercilessly? Peter confirms what Isaiah wrote (1 Peter 2:21).

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously…. who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:21–24).

Our sins bring about pain and suffering, both physically and spiritually. And sin leads to sickness and death.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, experiencing sin’s full penalty for us.

Know God’s Plan, God’s Will, God’s Timing

And as I’ve shown, healing is tied to faith and obedience, but perfect faith and obedience do not automatically bring healing.

And that brings us to our seventh and last point.

• Point #7: Healing must fit into God’s great plan for each of us.

The Apostle Paul was facing many trials, and God, out of His great mercy, gave him a most realistic vision of heavenly things. It is in this context that we read that God did not heal him of a grievous affliction. We pick up the story in 2 Corinthians 12:7–9.

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:7–9).

God does not always heal us in this physical life. He worked many mighty miracles through the prophet Elisha, but as we read in 2 Kings 13:14:

Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die.

Romans 8:18 Meaning: We Suffer with Christ

Jesus Christ came with a message about a coming Kingdom that will rule on earth. That message tells us He is working out a great plan that you can be part of, and sometimes we only learn important lessons through suffering. Here is what the Apostle Paul wrote to the people in Rome.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God…. and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:14, 17–18).

God Heals in His Wisdom and Timing

Before closing, let me say that nothing in this program is meant to say that you should not see a doctor. However, that does not mean you should not go to God for healing. I personally have known of many absolutely miraculous healings that defied doctors’ predictions. I’ve seen people miraculously healed of one painful condition, but not another.

I’ve also known many people who asked God to heal them, but they died.

The reality is that there comes a time for each of us to go to sleep until the resurrection. If we know God, we realize His plan transcends this physical existence.

God does heal today. I know that. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced it. But God heals according to His wisdom and His plan for each of us. And in the end, it is up to Him as to how and when.

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[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Four Universal Truths in the Bible

The Bible has come under increasing attack in recent times as more and more people consider it to be out of touch in the 21^st century. Perhaps that thought has crossed your mind. But on this program, I’ll show you why that is faulty thinking and give you four indisputable reasons why. So let’s get started.

Human Behavior Remains Consistent

• Reason #1: Human nature is the same as it has always been.

The Apostle Paul, writing nearly two thousand years ago, mentions on several occasions behaviors that are unacceptable for anyone seeking eternal life in the Kingdom of God. One of those listed is in his first letter to the church at Corinth, beginning in chapter 6, verse 9.

Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

Does adultery, thievery, drunkenness, or any of these other behaviors sound familiar? These traits of human nature were pervasive in the first century, even affecting some who had come to realize the need to put them aside. Notice it in verse 11:

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11).

On another occasion, writing to the Church at Rome, Paul mentioned, in Romans 1:29:

Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful (Romans 1:29–31).

That was then, but is it any different today? No, human nature has not changed. And in fact, Paul said it would not change.

Writing to Timothy, Paul spoke of behaviors that would exist in the last days. That’s our day today (2 Timothy 3:1–5).

But know this, that in the last days perilous [or dangerous] times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Was Paul correct in foretelling our day? Do we see any difference between his day and ours? Notice the similarities between first-century behaviors and what Paul foretold for our day today:

First-Century Romans (Romans 1:29–31)	Predictions of Our Day (2 Timothy 3:1–5)
Proud	Proud
Disobedient to parents	Disobedient to parents
Whisperers	Slanderers
Haters of God	Lovers of pleasure rather than God
Unloving	Unloving
Untrustworthy	Traitors
Violent, unmerciful	Brutal
Unforgiving	Unforgiving
Boasters	Boasters

Can anyone dispute that what Paul foretold for our day is any different from what we see all around us? Also, who among us thinks these behaviors are beneficial to our world? No doubt, some would think so, but I doubt that you think that way.

Most rational people recognize that unruly children, slanderers, those who are filled with pride, or are traitors; and those who are brutal, unloving, and unforgiving are a detriment to society.

Perhaps the Bible is not so out-of-date as some think.

Now, whether in the first century or today, we find pride, rebellious children, whisperers and slanderers, people who are unloving, untrustworthy traitors, people who are unforgiving, unmerciful brutal individuals. No, human nature has not changed, and that’s irrefutable reason number one.

People Problems Don’t Change

The second reason we know the Bible is relevant for today involves the outcome of human nature.

• Reason #2: The problems caused by human nature have not changed.

James, an Apostle of Christ, asked two important questions nearly 2,000 years ago. The first is a question needing an answer and the second is rhetorical.

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (James 4:1).

But he didn’t stop with the questions. Notice his scathing answer beginning in verse 2:

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4:2–3).

Whether we’re talking about wars between neighbors, or between nations, unrestrained human nature, whether then or now, is the cause. However, problems go back much further than the first century. For that, we must go back to the beginning.

We read in the first book of the Bible, in Genesis chapter two, that our parents were given a test in the form of two trees. The Tree of Life symbolized putting trust in God. But to take of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, symbolized taking it upon themselves to determine right and wrong. As almost every student of the Bible knows, they chose the latter tree. And under the sway of a powerful and evil spirit being, Eve rejected God’s instruction and chose to follow her own judgment (Genesis 3:6):

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate (Genesis 3:6).

The Apostle John may have had this in mind when he warned us about the motivations of our nature in 1 John 2:16.

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [Eve saw that the fruit was good for food], the lust of the eyes [it was pleasant in her sight], and the pride of life [a tree to make her wise]—is not of the Father but is of the world (1 John 2:16).

You can read in 1 Timothy 2:14 that while Eve was deceived, Adam was not. He knew better, but went on to eat of the fruit anyway. One can only imagine how different their world became, once they took it upon themselves to determine the difference between right and wrong. But as with far too many parents, they lived to see tragic results in their children, when Cain became jealous and murdered his brother Abel.

Nearly 2,600 years ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 59:

No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; they conceive evil and bring forth iniquity…. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace… (Isaiah 59:4, 8, 14).

The problems we see in our world today are not new. They’ve been around a long time, but here’s the point. The Bible reveals right and wrong and gives instructions on how to overcome our nature. A gadget may be new, but not our nature, and there are tragic results when we choose our ways over God’s ways. Can any honest person dispute our first two reasons why the Bible is relevant today?

1. Human nature is the same as it has always been.

And:

2. The problems caused by human nature have not changed.

Let’s now look at a third reason.

God’s Perspective of Right and Wrong Is the Same

• Reason #3: God’s attitude regarding right and wrong has not changed.

If God exists, and for good reasons, many of us believe that a Creator is the best explanation for life on this planet, then what He thinks matters.

Why is it that people think God will bend to conform to their image, rather than the other way around? Must God accept whatever behaviors we demand of Him?

An honest and rational person ought to see how foolish that thinking is. And once again, this thinking is not new. It’s been around for more than 3,000 years. The 50^th Psalm, beginning in verse 18, tells us:

When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you… (Psalm 50:18–21).

Closely associated with this is the strange thinking that human beings can outvote God. Is this not what people reason when they say, “Everyone’s doing it”? You fill in the blank: cohabiting, committing adultery, cheating on your taxes, using profanity—the list is endless. Again, these rationalizations are not new. Mankind has always justified sinful behaviors, thinking that God does not see.

Breaking into a thought, let’s notice Psalm 94:6.

They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, “The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand” (Psalm 94:6–7).

No, dear friends, there is nothing new under the sun. Whether 3,000 years ago or now, human nature is the same, the results of that nature have not changed, and God’s attitude toward sin has not changed. Notice how God responds to those so foolish as to think that God doesn’t notice what they do. Here it is in verse 8.

Understand, you senseless among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct… (Psalm 94:8–10)?

Earlier we read a quick synopsis of human nature from 1 John 2:16.

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

John then gives this warning.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:17).

Does any rational person think that God changes to bend to our will, because we’re so modern, so sophisticated, and so technologically advanced? I think you know the answer to that, but let’s look at one more scripture before moving to a fourth reason why the Bible is relevant for today.

At the very end of the Bible, in the book of Revelation, after Christ returns to save us from annihilating ourselves, we read of God’s attitude toward sin, whether in times past, present, or future. Here it is in Revelation 21:8.

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

It’s sheer madness to think that God will bend to our standards of right and wrong.

There are many more reasons why the Bible is relevant today, but let’s now look at a fourth reason.

Why God Created Us Has Not Changed

• Reason #4: The purpose of life has not changed.

Precious few people today understand why they are here. How can they, when there is such religious confusion in our world with different ideas regarding an afterlife, or even if there is life beyond the grave?

Sadly, many do not even care enough to find the answer. And those who do care most often don’t recognize the correct source for the answer. Scripture tells us that there is a powerful spirit being who has deceived the world, and that includes the largest religion on earth—Christianity.

Open your Bible and read Revelation 12:9 for yourself.

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Notice that Jesus said the first sign leading up to the end of the age and His return would be false Christianity. Write this down and look it up for yourself—Matthew 24:3–5.

“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name [in other words, claiming to represent Him], saying, ‘I am the Christ’ [in other words, admitting that Jesus is the Messiah], and will deceive many.”

Frankly, dear friends, it is amazing how deceived Christians can be about the book they profess to believe in.

Consider this passage of scripture from Daniel 7:27 where it speaks about the future rule of the Messiah.

Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.

As a side note, when Scripture uses the word “saints” it’s not speaking of someone who has been “sainted” by some religious body. It’s simple speaking of servants of God—ordinary people such as you and me—who may be led by, and have the spirit of Christ, dwelling in them.

But here in this Old Testament passage in Daniel, we read of the kingdoms of this world being taken over by the kingdom of God.

Now turn over to the New Testament, to Revelation 20:4, where it describes this same time in the future.

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Yes, the servants of God will reign with Christ for a thousand years. But where? Let Revelation answer that for you (chapter 5, verses 9–10).

And they [the servants of God who will be resurrected at Christ’s return] sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and [note it here] we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9–10).

How different this is from rolling around in heaven with nothing to do!

No, the purpose for your life goes way beyond what is taught in the typical Sunday morning church service.

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