INRTO: We are looking at the topic of heaven. When we talk about going to heaven, we generally think we go up to heaven at death and we are with God forever. If one takes the premillennial view of prophecy, as I do, it changes all that. If one takes the pretribulational view, it changes even more and I hold to that as well. I think a literal interpretation of Scripture brings one to that position, it certainly does take one to the premillennial view.
Turn to 2 Corinthians 4:17. Earlier we had verses 8-18 read for us. The context speaks of the trials of Paul's life, but he includes believers in the passages when he says this in verse 17:
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
In the context of this verse, Paul is looking to the time when this life is over. In light of eternity all our trials and suffering in this life is considered here as "our light affliction!" When you look at what Paul went through, it seems like anything but light. But when you consider eternity, the worst possible trials here on earth could only be considered as light. In view of eternity, our trials in this life are, as Paul expresses it here, "but for a moment".
Now notice in the verse that our life of affliction is doing something for us. What is it? It is working for us! Our light affliction here is compared to working for us that which is coming which is "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" No, that is not quite right! These light afflictions are working a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory! What do these afflictions these trials, these rough life circumstances do for us? They ar |
