Before, now, and next covers everything. With our lives, and with things there is a before, a now, and a next. However, our tendency is to think mostly about the now of things. We want to forget about the before and we are too consumed with the now to think about what is next. Today we will look at our lives in these three categories.
If something is before, it means we are thinking about our past. In relation to our Christian lives, we were sinners doomed for Hell before salvation. We are alienated, separated, and could not understand the things of God. We are separated from His power, His promises, and the hope of eternal life in Heaven. While our past may hold cherished memories or meaningful times it holds no hope of peace or assurance. We have no clear-cut purpose for our lives that will last forever. The before is bleak. While before may have its good times, they quickly fade.
Ephesians 2:12 “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
The now of our text is the life you are living day to day after your salvation. When we are saved, we are supernaturally transported from eternal death to eternal life. You have been supernaturally rescued by God Himself. According to Galatians 4:4-7, we are now in the family of God. No longer are we a servant to sin and Satan, we belong to God as His child. We can cry out to Him with “Abba Father.” This is an enduring term like we would say “Oh daddy.” We now have a purpose that is eternal. We are to live our lives for Him and win others to Him. We are to show others the way to Jesus. We now have a comforter, the Holy Spirit, which lives within us. In this new family, we have others who will help us bear our burdens. Our “now” is filled with hope. Hope of the peace of God, and the hope of an inward joy that can’t be explained by mortal man. We have the hope of a life that never ends, that is perfect, a life spent with loved ones, who also have Jesus as their Savior, but most of all a hope to be with God. We are a new creation; old things have passed away and all things become new!
Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of the time has come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;”
Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.”
So, what is next? You’ve heard the saying “The best is yet to come.” Well for Christians it is very real and 100% true!
Heaven is a place of worship. People from all nations will gather around the throne of God.
Revelation 7:9-12 “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Heaven is a city of unmeasured beauty.
Revelation 21:18–21 “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”
Heaven is prepared by Jesus, and we will be led into it by Him.
John 14:2-3 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Revelation 19:11-16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he trod the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name is written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
I am so thankful for the Before when Jesus extended to me and drew me to Himself. I am so thankful for the Now, where he guides me, protects me, comforts me, and refines me. However, I will be forever grateful for the Next. I can hardly wait for what God has in store for my future with Him.
