1 Peter 1:11 KJV
[11] “searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”
We have grace today, grace to come, and glory to follow. The early church rejoiced in the truth that a brighter day was coming. They were suffering for their faith, but they would not suffer forever. Their hope was beyond this world!
Just as Christ was glorified on resurrection morning after His death, so will we be glorified on that great resurrection morning! Life doesn’t look too glorious on this side, but we have nothing but glory to look forward to. We have a glorious home and a glorified body waiting for us. We will see glorified loved ones, and we will worship Jesus around the throne of God. The fact that we are going to a land where no sin or sorrow can ever enter is a glorious thought. The world that awaits us beyond this world far exceeds our expectations. Our minds cannot imagine how beautiful and wondrous Heaven will be. When we enter that celestial city, we will dwell with Christ for all eternity, enjoying the haven of rest.
There is a mystery regarding the glory to follow because there is so much we don’t know about the future. Jesus spoke enough about Heaven to make us want to go there. I want to remind us that the greatest glory to follow is not our glorified bodies or the glorious holy city but the glory of the One who loved us and died for us. Jesus will outshine them all, and when we finally see Him face to face, that will be the glory of all glory!
When we think about the glory to follow, we should focus on His glory. Worship is not about a place, people, or what we may possess. When we worship and magnify God, it is because of who He is and not what He does. Seeing the glory of God in eternity will satisfy the longing inside each of us. Those who do not know Christ do not know what this is about. They cannot understand why we are so excited about a future world. They are dead in their trespasses and sins, and the glory of God means nothing to them. If only they could get a glimpse of the glory that is to follow, it would turn them to Jesus!