Author: Phil Rehberg

holding hands

Our Future Unity With God

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Last week we looked at the scriptural progression of: vision, Christformation and oneness or “spiritual marriage” with God. This week we look at the kind of oneness we will have with God. We know that we will not be one essence with God – we are always created beings. We also know that we don’t know a lot about the details of our final destiny. I John 3:2 explains that what we will be has not yet been revealed. With these thoughts in mind we can reflect on some of what we do know. Reflecting on the marriage analogy used in Ephesians 5 and Revelation 19 and 21 we understand that whatever our relationship to God will be, it will be an intimate one, for this is one of the essential features of marriage. We also understand that we will enjoy affectionate feelings for one another, analogous to the romantic Continue Reading →

Weekly Word of Encouragement – Our New Body

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“And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.” I Cor. 15:49 (NIV)  II Cor. 5:1 states this in another way: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (ESV) After Christ returns he will give us a new glorified body like his. This body will be immune to all disease and damage. We will never be concerned about cancer, heart disease, or dementia. We will never buy health insurance, go to the doctor or take vitamins. We will not have to shower or do personal grooming. We will be able to play, create, and socialize forever without ever wearing out. Our body will be beautiful and a constant source of joy.   Application: pick one Continue Reading →

spiritual marriage with Chrsit wedding rings

Christformation Leads To Consummation

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In summing up our destiny we can say that God will bring us into his presence (II Cor 4:14) and give us a vision of Jesus that will make us like Jesus (I John 3:2). Theologians refer to this vision as the beatific vision. But is that the end of our destiny? Scripture teaches that there is something more: spiritual marriage. In other words, the marriage supper of the Lamb represents God’s highest goal for humans. In the New Creation we will live every moment in this marriage. This marriage will produce the eternal community of love with God and His followers. The supremacy of spiritual marriage is seen in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 19:7-8 the great multitude declares “…the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.”  The marriage comes Continue Reading →

Weekly Word Of Encouragement – We Will Be Alive

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“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” I Cor. 15:22-23 (NIV) It is interesting that Paul says those in Christ “will” be made alive; it is in the future. But we are also alive now; Romans 6:11 states “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” So this is an example of the “already/not yet” theme in the New Testament. It is encouraging to know that if we think we are alive now, we will really be alive when Jesus comes. When something thrilling happens in our life we might say “I never felt more alive.” But when Jesus comes we will experience that a hundredfold more! Application: pick one or two words from the verse that help you and repeat it to Continue Reading →

conversation

Quality Conversations – Imitation of Christ Chapter Ten

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Avoid the tumultuous talk of the world. A lot of talk about worldly things becomes a hindrance. Even when such talk is innocent it puts our focus on trivial matters. How often we regret worldly things we said. Sometimes we talk about pointless things just because we want to have some friendly interaction. But a friendship is more rewarding if we talk about good or useful things. Otherwise, the conversation leaves us feeling empty afterwards. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt” Colossians 4:6 (NIV) Try to speak words that edify. Don’t just talk about the usual things people talk about. Try to find spiritual friends who want to talk about spiritual things, though not in a false religious way. Spiritual conversation is a treasured aid to growth. Remember that we must depend on God’s friendship first so we don’t try to find in others what we Continue Reading →