Boarding pass for the Kingdom of God

589 boarding pass for the kingdom of godAt the airport there was an information board saying: Please print out your boarding pass, otherwise you may have to pay a fine or you may be refused boarding. This warning made me very nervous. I kept reaching for my printed boarding pass in my hand luggage to make sure that it was still there!

I wonder how nerve-wracking the journey to God's kingdom must be. Do we have to prepare our luggage according to precise specifications and provide the correct documents? Will there be an attentive check-in agent who is willing to remove my name from the flight list if I don't meet all of the requirements?

The truth is, we don't need to worry because Jesus arranged everything for us: «Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he gave us new life. We are born again because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, and now we are filled with a living hope. It is the hope of an eternal inheritance, not polluted by sin and indestructible, which God has in store for you in his kingdom »(1. Petrus 1,3-4 Hope for All).

The Christian Pentecost reminds us of our glorious future in Christ in his kingdom. There is no need to worry. Jesus did everything for us. He made the reservation and paid the price. He gives us a guarantee and prepares us to be with him forever.
The first readers of the 1. Peter lived in an uncertain time. Life was unfair, and there was persecution in some places. The believers were sure of one thing: “Until then, God will protect you through his strength, because you trust him. And so you finally experience his salvation, which will be visible to all at the end of time »(1. Petrus 1,5 Hope for all).

We learn of our salvation, which will be visible at the end of time! Until then, God will keep us with his power. Jesus is so faithful that he has reserved a place for us in the kingdom of God: “There are many apartments in my father's house. If it were not so, would I have said to you: I am going to prepare the place for you? " (John 14,2).

In the Letter to the Hebrews, after the translation of the Bible, Hope for All is indicated that we are registered in heaven, that is, in the kingdom of God. “You are among his children, whom he particularly blessed and whose names are written in heaven. You have taken refuge in God who will judge all people. You belong to the same great church as all these models of faith who have already reached their goal and have found God's approval ”(Hebrews 12,23 Hope for all).
After Jesus ascended to heaven, Jesus and God the Father sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Not only does the Holy Spirit continue the work of Christ's mighty kingdom in us, but he is also the "guarantee of our inheritance": "Who is the pledge of our inheritance for our redemption, that we might become his possession, to the praise of his glory" ( Ephesians 1,14).
Perhaps you remember the song "Sentimental Journey" by Doris Day, Ringo Starr and other singers. Of course, our future with God is so much more than a series of memories and hopeful expectations: "What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no man's heart has come, what God has prepared for those who love him" (1. Corinthians 2,9).

However you feel on your journey towards the Kingdom of God, do not let contradictory statements unsettle you and do not make you nervous as I was. Be confident that you have your reservation safely in your pocket. Like children, you can look forward to the fact that you are on board in Christ.

by James Henderson