HOPE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY

As I prayed for my nation, Nigeria, on that regular morning, I found myself beginning to thank God for hope in another Country, for that Home where there are no more tears or dying. It was surprising sort of. I was supposed to be praying for God’s mercy to prevail in Nigeria, for God to deliver us from evil, and there I was praising God for my future Country.

Taking some time to think about it, I have come to accept that the situation is very bad – almost beyond hope. Please, don’t get me wrong, I still have hope that Nigeria will be better someday. But I have come to learn that we can’t have the life we long for here on this earth. My husband and I have talked a lot about relocating to somewhere better. My colleagues and I have those conversations too. However, if we think carefully about it, we will see that there is actually nowhere here on earth, no country that is without troubles. For example, the recent, unfortunately too regular cases of mass shootings / killings in the United States gets me worried for my family and friends over there. There is also lots of news of killer floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc. around the world every year – in countries that are tagged good and those that are just getting by. There are wars here and there. And it’s like the more we hope and pray, the farther we are from what we desire.

So I understand why God led me to praise Him that day for the place He has prepared for us over there. God knew that this present world would get to this deteriorated state; that it is a place where the fullness of who God is cannot be maximally expressed. He knew that sin messed up things so badly and as Paul puts it Romans 8:21-22, even “all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” and that “with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”

GOD knew all this. So because He knew that that we cannot completely be who He created us to be here on this earth, He made plans to create a new earth. This one will pass away. And all things will be completely under God’s control, exactly as He wants things to be. Jesus Himself will be the King of that new Country. So we don’t need to believe the lies of politicians anymore. Believers will be rulers of cities in that Country, so we can rest assured knowing that godly people are the ones ruling. There will be no more dying, no more wars, no more tears. There won’t even be the need for the sun or the moon; God Himself will be our light. It is indeed a glorious city. It’s certainly a place to look forward to. And that’s why God led me to praise Him.

So, if you’re a believer and like me, you are sick and tired of what’s going on around you. You want to run away and you’re not sure where to; I have good news for you. This too shall pass. It may take a while. But it will. There is Home in a better place. There is Hope of a better life – lived exactly as God designed it. However, while we wait, we can keep on living for Christ here – to live is Christ. You can relocate to any country on this earth (I probably will). But always live knowing that wherever you are is not your final destination. Your true Home is that future Country.

If you’re not a believer, unfortunately, this life is the best you can get. It will get worse for you – because there is also a place for you. But it is a place without God and without love. And a place without God’s love is full of darkness, pain, horror, sorrow, and everything evil and undesirable you can think about. The good news for you is that Christ is still your hope. He died to deliver you from the power of darkness, and if you’d only come to Him, surrender your all to Him, believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is LORD, you shall be saved. Yes! it’s as simple as that. There is hope of a better life ONLY in Jesus.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

REVELATION 21:1-8