The Believer’s Home and Hope; the Heavenly City

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3 NIV).

When I got admission for higher studies abroad, I spent a lot of time trying to know about the country I was sojourning. I read about the people I was going to stay with; their culture, food and how they relate with people from different race. I read about the cost of living and the standard of living and what the country’s cities are known for. There was this friend of mine who was already a student in the country and he told me more about the student’s life in the country.

I believe most people who travel to other nations would similarly do what I did. And sometimes you form in your mind some expectations. And most often than not, there is this joy in your heart more especially when the country you are visiting has better economic fortunes than your home country.

God, in the same vain has not left believers out regarding the knowledge of heaven, that city all believers have been promised and are looking forward to it. Though we will not know everything about the Heavenly City until we get there, God through the Scriptures has given us some enlightenment about this indescribable city. And as a believer, I think you would desire to know about where we are going after this life on earth.

Our Lord Jesus promised that where He will be, we, His followers – and all believers for that matter – shall be also (John 14:3). And we know through the Scriptures that Jesus, our Lord and Saviour arrived safely in heaven when he ascended. How do we know?

This is how we know. Jesus also said that when He gets into heaven, He and the Father will send the Promised Holy Spirit. So the Holy Spirit would not come until Jesus arrived in heaven (See John 16:7). And we know that ten (10) days after His ascension, the Holy Spirit came down on the Pentecost day (see Acts 2:1-4)

Also, Peter, the Apostle, witnessed that Jesus has arrived in heaven (see Acts2:33; 1 Peter 3:22). Stephen, the man of faith also testified to this (see Acts 7:55-56). Apostle Paul also testified to same (see Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20). The writer of Hebrews was not left out regarding these testimonies (see Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2). The Apostle John too witnessed to Jesus being in heaven (see 1 John 2:1). Therefore we can convincingly say that Jesus is in heaven.

Before Jesus would ascend to heaven, He promised that He would come back for believers to heaven where they will stay for eternity (time without end). Believers are going to heaven where they will stay forever with Christ Jesus after they have left this life on earth.

Indeed the Bible reveals that the home of believers is heaven. Philippians 3:20 (NIV version) reads “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (See also Ephesians 2:19).

I therefore present to you some seven things the Bible reveals about heaven.

1.     There is neither night nor darkness in Heaven (Revelation 21:25, Revelation 22:5)

Darkness is part of our world. It brings its own benefits more especially to plants but darkness is not the desire of men. When it is night, lights are lit because of darkness. People have lost their valuable things to darkness. Some have been bitten by poisonous animals because there was darkness. In fact darkness represents evil and the kingdom of Satan is referred to as the kingdom (dominion) of darkness (see Colossians 1:13). In heaven, the glory of God is the light for the city and there is no need of sun or moon (Revelation 21:23).

2.     There will be no more pain in Heaven (Revelation 21:4)

Pain of whatever form is not a charitable experience. Physical or emotional pain can only be told by the one who has experienced it. Sometimes, pain becomes unbearable to the extent that the bearer would rather preferred dead. Sometimes euthanasia, which is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease, is prescribed for some people who are in pain. Maybe even as you are reading, you may be experiencing one pain or the other, I pray with you that you will be healed of the pain but in heaven there will be neither disease nor pain, praise God! 

3.     There shall be no more death and sorrow (Revelations 21:4)

If there is anything in this life that people fear, then it is arguably death. Death of a loved one is not a pleasant experience. For some people, the death of a beloved is a ghastly experience and to some it is a heartrending moment. I know of some people who met ‘unending’ difficulties of life after the demise of their loved ones; hither too, everything in life seemed great and awesome. For many years, some people still mourn their departed spouse, fathers, mothers, uncles, etc. Separation with a loved one brings sorrow and makes the heart sad. But thank God, in heaven, the home of the believer, there will be no more death. We shall live eternally, thus we shall live time without end.

4.     The street of the city is of pure gold (Revelation 21:21)

Many people are oppressed and are made slaves because of poverty. In the heavenly city, there is no poverty. Many people have made some choices in this life because of poverty. I heard of a woman who sold her only child for money. In fact poverty can make you do things you would not have done if you were rich. And most of the ills in our society can be attributed to poverty. Some people are sick because they lack money and some have been deprived of good healthcare because they didn’t have money. Many people are suffering due to poverty. But in heaven, we shall lack nothing. Everything we will need in that city will be readily available and effortlessly accessible. You would not have to satisfy some conditions before you can access what you need. Yes I don’t know exactly how life will be in that life, but what I certainly know is that there is no poverty in there. Remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man as told by our Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 16:19-31, that Lazarus was poor on earth but when he got to heaven, he never lacked. Please let us go to heaven together, there is neither poverty nor suffering.

5.     We shall be like Christ (1 John 3:2)

In the next life in heaven, we shall see Jesus as He is and we shall be like Him. Philippians 3:20-21 reads “…who (Jesus Christ), by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body”. The writer of 1st John saw Jesus when He was transfigured (see Luke 9:28:36), so when he said we shall see Jesus as He is and be like Him, he knew what he was talking about. Though, let me add that, the disciples at the transfiguration did not have it at a full glance because they were then not like Him. The Lord Jesus Himself prayed and said “Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world”. We shall radiate the awesome and glittering glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven.

6.     We shall recognize one another (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18)

The Apostle Paul comforting the Thessalonian believers who were bereaved said “…And the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them (those who have died) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This message is teaching about afterlife reunion and I believe that if we wouldn’t recognize our loved ones in the next life, then the comforting would be no comfort at all. After all if I can’t recognize that this is my father in the afterlife, why should I be comforted with the message of meeting together in the clouds? Also in the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31), there were recognized after they died. The rich man recognized Lazarus and asked for a favour from him through father Abraham (verse 24). Besides, the Bible does not give any indication that our memories will be wiped so that we cannot recognize our loved ones in the next life.

7.     We will still have emotions.

Man is a spirit who has a soul and lives in a body. When a man dies physically, his spirit together with the soul leaves the body. The soul is connected to the feeling, thinking and reasoning, and helps man to relate emotionally. So a dead body cannot feel a pinch because the soul has left it. In heaven we shall still have the soul and still have feelings. Like God, who can love, rejoice, become jealous, we too will express emotions in heaven- but in that life, all feelings will be good ones and we can’t marry as well (see Matthew 22:30)

Having received this knowledge about heaven, you may want to know how you can be part of the heavenly citizenry. Please it is simple; you must be born again. That is you must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!

You just have to believe in your heart and confess Him Lord and Saviour of your life. Bible reveals that when you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (see Romans 10:9-10).

Are you ready to accept Jesus into your heart? Please make this prayer after me (if you are not already born again).

“I …(kindly mention your name) believe that Jesus is the Son of God! I believe that He died for my sins and rose for my redemption. I declare Him Lord and Saviour of my life! I will henceforth serve Him and the rest of my life I will submit to His Lordship. I say NO to the world and YES to Him anytime anywhere! Amen!   

If you meaningfully said that prayer, you are now born again! Praise God! You are a child of God. In order to maintain this new relationship with God Almighty, you need to consistently and persistently meditate on the Word of God (the Bible) and make prayer become part and parcel of your lifestyle.

Please find a bible-believing church and join for regular fellowship. You will be strengthened in your faith by so doing. God bless you for this bold decision and enjoy your new life in Christ!

Praise God! We are going to heaven together!

Thank you for reading, God bless you!

Richard Adu Poku

Email:richardadupoku2045@gmail.com

Art work source: witnessandtestimony.blogspot.com (June, 2013)

CHRISTIANITY BEYOND THE NAME- Get Your Copy Soon

Anyone can say they are Christians – even the devil can say he is a Christian. But Christianity is not just a mere talk. It is both confession and profession. It goes beyond the recital of creeds. It goes beyond going for Sunday church services. 

Just as leaving in Judges Quarters does not make you a Judge, so as going to church does not make you a Christian. Yet, it is very important to discover who the True Christian is because you need to be one for the eternal redemption of your soul.

In CHRISTIANITY BEYOND THE NAME, Richard Adu Poku uses simple words to explain the basic knowledge and principles of Christianity. He defines who a Christian is and demonstrates how to become one base on the teachings of the Bible.

In this book, you will discover what the author calls ‘the 7 elements of the Christian Calling’. Knowledge of these elements will bless your life, not only in this world, but also in the one to come.

Get your copy soon!!!

God wants you to stand and face any life's battle in the light of your testimonies - Excerpts (The Unfailing Weapons of a Believer)

WEAPON #FIVE: KEEP YOUR TESTIMONY

Do not sell your testimony to anyone, guard it!

The call of God is a call of testimonies. It’s a call of conviction and witnessing. God the Father expects all His children to have a testimony and keep it with them forever. The Encarta English Dictionary defines testimony as something that supports a fact or a claim. 

Many Christians claim that God is Omnipotent – thus All Powerful and indeed He is – yet because they lack testimonies, they most often than not make their problems bigger than God. 

They sometimes think God can do all things but their situation is exceptional and it’s beyond the ability of God. They magnify their problems over the Almighty God; how sad it is!

The early church was convinced of the Mighty Power of God. They believed they could do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthened them (Philippians 4:13). They had received one thing from the Lord and that was enough conviction for them that the Lord could do all things for them. No wonder they were seeing results. 

The more you keep your testimonies, the more testimonies you have!

John the Apostle heard and saw Jesus transfigured (Mark 9:2). When Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from death, John was there with Jesus (Mark 5:21-43). When Jesus resurrected from the dead, John was there when He appeared to the disciples (John 20:19-23). At Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, John was with the disciples (Acts 1:1-11). At the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was come upon the disciples, John was one of them. 

So John had a testimony; he heard Jesus and saw His works. He was then convinced and nothing could change his mind about the Word of life. What have you seen? What have you heard? What is your conviction? What is your testimony? John’s testimony made him stronger to stand and conquer all battles until He was called home.

1 John 1:1-2

¹ That which was from the beginning, which WE HAVE HEARD, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN with our eyes, WHICH WE HAVE LOOKED UPON and TOUCHED WITH OUR HANDS, concerning the word of life

² The life was made manifest, and WE SAW IT, and TESTIFY TO IT, and PROCLAIM to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made MANIFEST TO US

In this life, one cannot dispute your personal testimony. No one could challenge the personal testimony of John. His testimony and conviction about God was enough for his living. It is your testimony that can drive you – and others into victory. It is jeopardy to lose your testimony in this journey of life! It is your testimony that can take you far in this life. Testimonies are weapons God has given to the church to overcome any battle.

Revelation 12:11

And they have conquered him by the BLOOD of the Lamb and by the WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Thank God the blood of the Lamb has already been shed; what is left of you is to hold onto your testimony in order to overcome your accuser. You need to have a testimony and you need to keep it forever. Why do you lose your testimony and be afraid of the storm starring at you? Haven’t you read of the Lord who calms the storm and that if only you will invite Him into the situation, you shall experience total calmness and peace?

Write Down your Testimonies for Remembrance

God wants His children not to forget what He does for them. Testimony is a powerful tool so anytime God did anything for the Israelites, He asked their leaders then to write them down for posterity so that they will know the God they worship and not be intimidated by anybody. He wants His children to build their faith partly on what He has already done for them and trust Him for what He is about to do.

When God delivered the Israelites from the hands of the Egyptians in the last plague which was known as the Passover, He asked them to make it a lasting ordinance for them and for their descendants. He said, ‘I don’t want you and your children to forget about this deliverance and when your children ask you why you observe this ceremony, tell them that God delivered you from the slavery of Egypt’.

Exodus 12:24-26

²⁴ You shall OBSERVE this rite as an ordinance for you and for your sons FOREVER.

²⁵ And when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you SHALL KEEP THIS SERVICE this service.

²⁶ And when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?'

²⁷ You shall say, 'It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he slew the Egyptians but spared our houses.'" And the people bowed their heads and worshiped

Don’t forget your testimony; it is a powerful tool for your victory. Also in another occasion, when the people of God, the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land – when they had got to Raphidim, the Amalekites came and attacked them. Moses then asked Joshua, his minister to choose some of the men of Israel and go and fight the Amalekites. While Joshua and the men were at battle, Moses had the staff of God in his hands and held it up on top of a hill. 

As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands down, the Amalekites were winning. At a point in time, Moses’ hands grew tired so he sat on a stone and Aaron, his brother and Hur, his brother-in-law held his hands up; one at each side of him. Because of this, Joshua and his men were able to overcome the Amalkites army with the sword. But after the victory God ordered Moses to write it down and also to rehearse it in the ears of Joshua who was to succeed him.

Exodus 17:14

¹⁴ And the LORD said to Moses, "WRITE this as a MEMORIAL IN A BOOK and RECITE it in the ears of Joshua that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven."

Why did God ask Moses to write it down? Because He wanted them to keep it for a memorial! God was about to do something in the lives of the Israelites, but if they forget of what He has already down, they may not believe Him for the future. God didn’t want them to forget His faithfulness; his faithfulness forever endures! The Lord is saying ‘don’t forget what I have done, keep it with you and use it as a cause to trust me for the future’. Has the Lord not done anything for you? Why do you forget and be afraid of what is before you?

The Lord wants you to keep what He has given you and trust Him for more. When we were children, I believed my daddy could provide me anything in this world (before he left mum and me). This was because whenever daddy went out, he got me shoes, dresses, candies and things I had earlier requested – though I didn’t receive from him all that I asked him to buy for me. But you see because he got me my needs, I trusted him so much so that I remember I once told my friends that Daddy has promised to get me an aeroplane and there were some of them who will never get on board – perhaps because they too refused me something. 

Meanwhile my Daddy had never used an aeroplane himself before – as at then. Well, you may say we walk by faith, which is true but the point is that base on what Daddy did for me some days before, I trusted him for everything in the future.

God wants us to be like the ideal child who will believe his father for everything because of what he has already received from him. The good news is that our Heavenly Father unlike the earthly father lacks nothing. Whatever He wants to give to you, nothing can limit Him. Just keep what He has already given to you and let that alone convince of the future provisions. He is able!

Testimonies Bring Victory

A lot of people have conquered life's battles because of their personal testimonies or testimonies from other people. Though faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, testimonies can boost your faith in the Lord. David was a young guy who had been a Shepherd throughout his life. He had never been to war in his lifetime before – though he had big brothers – at least three of them who had been to war before. 

Then came a time when a Philistine by name Goliath who rose against the Israelites and their King, Saul. The Bible refers to this man Goliath as ‘A Champion’ (1 Samuel 17:4). Perhaps he had never lost a battle in his lifetime before.  And we are told this Goliath had been a warrior from his youth. He was an experienced warrior. But the battle of life is not fought with experience; but with the grace of God.

Goliath ridiculed Saul and his men and said to them "Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us” (1 Samuel 17:8-9). He believed in himself and didn’t see any giant among the Israelites who was able to fight and conquer him. 

But you see, Solomon after studying all these things made a profound statement that ‘the battle is not for the strong’ (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

At the words of Goliath, Saul and his men were dismayed and greatly afraid. Well, I think they had no testimony; they had not read of what God had done in the past and they themselves had no personal experience with the Lord. You will only be terrified by the enemy when you don’t have a testimony. 

But unexpectedly came a man with a testimony. David came to the scene and heard the blasphemous words of Goliath against his God. David had never fought in the battlefield before, but he had fought severally for the lives of his sheep on the pasture field. He told the King Saul, ‘I have a testimony and I can stand this Philistine’! Saul said No! You are just a small boy who has never been to a war before; you can’t fight this guy! David said ‘I have a weapon and that weapon is my testimony’

1 Samuel 17:34-37

³⁴ But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock,

³⁵ I went after him and SMOTE him and DELIVERED it out of his mouth; and if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and SMOTE him and KILLED him.

³⁶ Your servant has KILLED both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God."

³⁷ And David said, "The LORD who DELIVERED ME from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, WILL DELIVER ME from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!

Perhaps David knew some old shepherd with experience who was killed by wild animal like the lion or the bear. He realized it was not normal to fight the lion and the bear and prevail. He acknowledged God as behind his victory over the lion and the bear. He convincingly said “The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine”. David had an experience with God; He had a testimony from God and he kept this testimony.

When he had shared his testimony with the people, no one, not even Saul, the King, would stop him. If you have a personal testimony, nobody can stop you from walking into your victory. There are people who are still in the grips of fear and wouldn’t rise up to stand their accuser in battle. They have already pronounced themselves as losers because they have lost their testimonies! Let no one stop you! 

Let no one discourage you! Believe that all things are possible with God. Tell your discouragers what the Lord did for you in time past and that He lives for your victory. And when David through his testimony trusted God, He would not also let him down. If only you will keep your testimony and trust the Lord, He will never let you down! David said “Some boast of chariots, and some of horses; but we boast of the NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD.” (Psalm 20:7).

What do you remember? What do you trust? What do you boast of? And what keeps you going in life? David never forgot the name of the Lord. He always remembered the goodness of God and that made him thrive in life. David tasted and saw that the Lord is good and because of that He never feared what the future would bring. He said “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want...” (Psalm 23:1-6). 

What has the Lord done for you? And are you more than convinced that He who saw you through yesterday will see you through today and tomorrow?

Testimonies of the Apostles

Peter and John were threatened. The Sanhedrin has commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But they had a testimony. Their experience could not stop them from witnessing. They told the Sanhedrin they have a testimony to share

Acts 4:19-20

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;

²⁰ For WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK of what WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD

You see, if Peter and his colleagues had kept quiet because they were intimidated, I don’t know what would have become the church now. They didn’t lose their testimonies; they kept and shared them and the church is greatly benefiting from their testimonies. Their testimonies have become part of the Bible which is profitable for all godliness. Paul too had a testimony. He believed that the Lord who delivered him from death would continue to deliver him until he was finally called home

2 Corinthians 1:9-10

⁹ Why, we felt that we had received the sentence of death; but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead;

¹⁰ HE DELIVERED us from so deadly a peril, and HE WILL DELIVER; on him we have set our hope that HE WILL DELIVER US AGAIN

Paul was not afraid of death because God had delivered him from one and he was convinced that no death will overshadow him if the Lord had not permitted it. What testimony do you have? What have you seen, or read, or heard, or touched? God wants you to stand and face any life battle in the light of your testimonies.

God bless you!

Sincerely

Richard

richardadupoku2045@gmail.com

As Soon As Zion Travailed, She Brought Forth - Happy and Prosperous New Year

Main Text: Isaiah 66:1-24

Memory Verse: Isaiah 66:8 (KJV)

“Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children”.

Thanks be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus and also our heavenly Father who has given us such a great love and grace to see what we see. We thank Him for divinely selecting us to continue to manifest His glory everywhere.

Beloved, you have life because the Lord still has an unfinished business with you. The Lord is not done with you yet, therefore you have hope.

God through His Prophet Isaiah gave a lot of messages to His people. Some were messages of encouragements and hope, cautions and warnings, prediction of the future, among others. And chapter 66 which is our main text today ends the book of Isaiah.

After all the numerous messages God gave to His people through the Prophet, He ends it with a message of hope and victory. And I feel bound to share this message with you. “…As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth…”

In the New Testament, Zion is the highest and the southernmost mount of Jerusalem. Zion represents a New City or Nation and Zion also represents the people of this New Nation. Zion represents the redeemed people of the Lord Jesus Christ. Zion represents all believers.

In this New Year, people have a lot of God’s gifts and grace in them to bring forth. This year is a year of travailing and as soon as you travail, you will bring forth. Now prophetically, we are still in the morning of the third day since the Lord Jesus died and rose again- because 1000 years is like a day in the eyes of God. Therefore as He rose on the third day morning, it is your time also to rise and shine.

In this New Year, you will bring forth New Business ideas, Job Opportunities, Promotions, Marriage, Childbirth, among many other. And more importantly, your spiritual gift will be sharpened to bless the body of Christ and win souls for the Lord.

As we begin this New Year, I pray that you will not die, I pray that God will fulfill your years and that He, Himself will be your healer.

Enjoy a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Jesus Christ, our Living Hope!

Hopes_Are_High

#HourOfHope#

Sincerely
Richard Adu Poku