An invitation to a joyful gathering
To make it to the joyful gathering in heaven, people should join the Church that is "composed of all those registered in heaven."
By SIEGFRED T. GOLLAYAN
IN THIS WORLD, there are many problems and difficulties that bring us sorrow and distress. There are also times when we fail in what we do, bringing us more pain. However, our Lord Jesus Christ mentioned that even though we are now sad and troubled, He will soon see us again and our hearts will be filled with gladness that no one can take away from us:
“That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you.” (John 16:22 Good News Bible)
Because no less than our Savior is the One Who made this promise, it is what we should long for. We should not allow anything or anyone to hinder us from receiving that gladness or joy (New King James Version) that our Lord Jesus Christ promised.
The place of gathering
As to where that gladness or joy is, which each of us must strive to reach, the Bible enlightens us, thus:
“But you have come right up into Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the gathering of countless happy angels; and to the church, composed of all those registered in heaven; and to God who is Judge of all; and to the spirits of the redeemed in heaven, already made perfect; and to Jesus himself, who has brought us his wonderful new agreement; and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did.” (Heb. 12:22-24 The Living Bible)
The place where we will have the gladness or joy Christ promised is in heaven. There in the city of the living God or the heavenly Jerusalem, a joyful gathering will take place. For people to be counted among those who will make it to that gathering, they should become members of the Church that is “composed of all those registered in heaven.”
Hence, to say that joining the Church is no longer needed is a grave mistake, an unbiblical teaching. It is not true that it is enough to merely profess faith in Christ to enter the kingdom of heaven. The Bible assures that those who will make it to the happy gathering in heaven are the members of the Church. But, it is not just any church that one should join to receive such great reward; rather, it is the Church that is “composed of all those registered in heaven.” And one of the qualities of that Church is that it is where “the redeemed” are.
The Church that was redeemed or purchased by Christ with His blood is the Church Of Christ:
“Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood.”
(Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation)
Thus, the joyful gathering in heaven is reserved for the members of the Church Of Christ. In order for one, therefore, to make it to that joyful gathering, he must become a member of the Church Of Christ.
A joyful gathering
Why the gathering that will take place in heaven is a joyful one is clear from the description of the Bible thus:
“Pay close attention now: I’m creating new heavens and a new earth. All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten. Look ahead with joy. Anticipate what I’m creating: I’ll create Jerusalem as sheer joy, create my people as pure delight. I’ll take joy in Jerusalem, take delight in my people: No more sounds of weeping in the city, no cries of anguish.” (Isa. 65:17-19 The Message)
Sheer joy and pure delight will be felt in the new heaven and new earth or in the New Jerusalem, which is also the Holy City (Rev. 21:1-4). In that place, all the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past and to be forgotten. In the Holy City, there are no more sounds of weeping and cries of anguish. A glorious life awaits us there.
We invite you dear readers to join the Church Of Christ (Iglesia Ni Cristo). We invite you to join its members in the joyful gathering in heaven.
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