FRIDAY July 18, 2025
A Hope for a Heavenly Kingdom
And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
2 Timothy 4:18
Paul had eternity in his heart. He knew God could deliver him; He had rescued him in the past. Even though Paul would stand before Nero, it did not matter if he lived or died. Paul knew in the face of evil that he would be preserved for a heavenly kingdom.
Paul ended his letter to Timothy with a greeting to his co-laborers, and a request for young Timothy to visit him before winter arrived. He also sent greetings to Timothy from believers in Rome. All these people not only loved Paul, but they greatly helped him in the ministry. They loved Jesus Christ, and they had a genuine love for one another:
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen (2 Timothy 4:19-22).
Looking back, Paul had an encounter with Christ that had changed the entire course of his life. He lived for Christ and was ready to die for Christ. He had an immovable hope in his heart for a heavenly kingdom.
Therefore, he fittingly wrote in the book of Romans: For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s (Romans 14:8). Paul was unafraid as he faced Nero. Historically, Paul was delivered from a terrible death. He was not thrown to be devoured by wild beasts, because he was a Roman citizen. It is believed he was beheaded.
Charles Spurgeon said, “Death is the gate of life; I will not fear to die.” Will you live and die for Christ? Come what may, hold on to your hope for a heavenly kingdom? Keep eternity in your heart and never fear death.
He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts....
~Ecclesiastes 3:11~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
