2 I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6 Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. ~ Revelation 2:2-7
In this life, we have two choices. We can choose to spend eternity in any one of the two. It’s our choice where we spend eternity, and we choose through our daily decisions. When we choose God and the things of God, we are spiritually saying that we want to spend eternity with Him in a place of peace, joy, and blissfulness.
The city, the New Jerusalem, is so beautiful that the foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every kind of jewel, while the wall itself is built out of jasper, and the city is pure gold, like clear glass. The streets also are made of pure gold, so pure that it looks transparent. The twelve gates each are fashioned out of one single pearl. In eternity with God, there will be no more tears because God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. No more dying there. Neither shall there be any more mourning, nor crying, nor pain, for the former things, have passed away.
The other choice is quite the opposite. The Bible describes it as a place of eternal destruction away from the presents of God (2 Thessalonians 1:9). A place where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:47-48). A fiery lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 21:8). Eternal fire (Matthew 25:41). A place of outer darkness; where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12). A furnace of fire where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:41-42). A lake of fire and brimstone, where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). These things all await those who become discouraged and give up.
So, what is the solution? The solution is simple. We need to get back to the basics. We need to practice self-denial. We need to get excited about the things of God again. We need to believe the promises of God again. The Scripture says we must return to our first love.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Return To Your First Love.
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