Ephesians 1:13-14

New King James Version

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

For Encouragement

The best is yet to come!

Today, we walk proudly as children of the Most-High, born again by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8-9). He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13-14). Yet, we suffer the displeasure and cruelties of this world. The promise of sonship is open to us to enjoy, but it is a shadow of the glory that He will reveal to us in His presence. 

We sing with gladness and dance to our salvation like Moses and the Israelites after the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 15). Their joy, however, does not compare to the beauty and delights we will experience walking through the pearly gates and onto the golden streets when Christ finally raptures us into glory.

Like the psalmist, we have tasted and can testify that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). The fruit of the Spirit is too delicious to compare to anything in this world, for what victories can we achieve walking in our strength or anything else? 

The cluster of grapes Joshua and the others brought back as evidence to Moses and the Israelites was a foretaste of the vineyards of Canaan to delight and spur them on to possess the inheritance preserved for them (Numbers 13:23). Yet, they did not get it, just as we do not fully perceive the fullness of His glory that will open to us at the trumpet call of God and the shout of the archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Oh, that we may see now – the explosion of joy in heaven when we taste the vintage wine at the Lamb’s wedding feast on that day and the delight in His presence (Matthew 22:1-10). 

The aches and pains of today will be light to bear through (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) with great endurance in Him to shame the devil and to persevere to possess the crown at the end of the race (Hebrews 12:2).

The self-denial of the conveniences of this glittering world will pale into insignificance at the coming of our Lord to reward His faithful with glory beyond description – riches untold and the beauty of His glorious majesty to delight our hearts throughout eternity.

So, saint of the Most-High God, rejoice and be glad in the grace that has saved you – the grace that will keep you till His throne opens to welcome you into His glory forever. 

In the meantime, you are in the best hands until His best finally embraces you. For you heard the word of truth, you trusted in the gospel of your salvation, the Holy Spirit, who is the evidence of His promise, sealed you onto that day. He “is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:14). Hallelujah, Amen!