A STUDY OF THE CHURCH (13)
The Destination of the church

Victor M. Eskew

 

          The church is defined as “the called out ones.”  The called out one are the people who have been called out of the sin and darkness of the world into the salvation and light of the wonderful Savior Jesus Christ.  When Jesus looks down from heaven, He sees two groups of people, the saved and the lost.  He sees the church and the world.  Listen to Paul’s words of 2 Timothy 2:19.  “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his…”  Yes, the Lord knows “them that are his.”  He has every one of them listed in a book called “The Lamb’s Book of Life” (Phil. 4:3).

          This fact is important because one day, the Lord Jesus is coming back for His disciples.  In the Parable of the Talents, the lord of the three servants “straightway took his journey” (Matt. 25:15).  And, “after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them” (Matt. 25:19).  His return represents the Second Coming of the Christ.  The Parable of the Sheep and Goats begins with these words:  “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all his holy angels with him…” (Matt. 25:31).  In the upper room, Jesus made this promise to His disciples:  “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” (John 14:3).  The angels told the apostles that Jesus would come again when they appeared to them while Jesus ascended into heaven.  “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, which is taken up from you in heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11).  Paul affirms that “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a  shout…” (1 Thess. 4:16).  And, Peter reveals that “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…” (2 Pet. 3:10).

When Jesus comes, He is going to be looking for one group of people, “the called out ones.”  “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).  Jesus shed His blood for this group of people.  He made them a promise and gave them the hope that one day they would live with Him eternally.  Their final destination will be a place called Heaven.

This place has many appeals.

 

It is a place of extreme joy (Matt. 25:21).

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

It is a place of rest (Heb. 4:9).

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

 

It is a place of no corruption or defilement (1 Pet. 1:4).

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

 

It is a place wherein we will possess a glorified body (1 Cor. 15:42-44).

So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption:  It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory:  it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power:  it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

 

It is a place from which the devil and all of his angels will be absent (Matt. 25:41).

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

 

It is a place where there is light and no darkness (1 Tim. 6:16).

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto…

 

It is a place of glory, honor, immortality and peace (Rom. 2:7-10).

To them who by patient continuance in well doing see for glory and honour, and immortality, eternal life…But glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.

 

It is a place of absolute righteousness (2 Pet. 3:13).

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

 

It a place of wonderful fellowship with all of the redeemed (Rev. 22:24).

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it…

 

It is a place of beautiful worship (Rev. 15:4).

Who shall not fear three, O Lord, and glorify thy name?  for thou art holy:  for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

 

It a place where fellowship with God will be enjoyed (Rev. 21:22-23).

And I saw no temple therein:  for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it:  for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

 

Any human being would be a fool not to yearn for such a place as heaven.  Yet, it is not for all.  It is for a certain group of people who make up the church, the institution purchased by the precious blood of Christ.  Paul exhorted the elders of Ephesus “to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). 

          Jesus will only take those who are holy back to the holy of holies with Him.  This place will be the church’s final abode.  There they will remain holy and dwell with the Holy One forever and ever.