Attending God's Graduation Ceremony
Dear Good News Magazine Subscriber,
Over the course of this past weekend, my family and I attended several graduation events.
The first was the high school graduation ceremony of a fine young lady whom my wife and I have seen grow all through her school years—culminating in the completion of her final year of high school. Purple gowns and black caps adorned the hundreds of graduating students like a sea of purple across the stadium floor. They assembled in the large arena, with thousands of happy parents and family members looking on from the grandstands.
The second was the graduation party for another fine young woman who has just graduated from college with teaching credentials. She plans to teach children as young as 3 months old.
The events of this weekend made me wonder about a future type of "spiritual graduation" ceremony. Have you read the 19th chapter of the book of Revelation lately? In verse 9 we read: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" This chapter of the Bible portrays the time of the return of Jesus Christ to this earth, when the saints of God will be resurrected as spirit beings and invited to this magnificent wedding feast.
Verse 7 adds: "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." You see, Jesus returns to reign here on our earth, but first the marriage between Him and His Church—His bride, His wife—will take place. And, just as the graduates of our educational institutions of today are dressed in fine garments, so are the saints at the wedding supper: "And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints" (verse 8).
If you live in the northern hemisphere, chances are that you know a 2010 high school or university student who graduated in recent weeks. It's a great achievement to be honored after many years of study, testing, perseverance and hard work. But have you stopped to think recently about the "schooling" all faithful Christians have undertaken? Have you pondered the great plan of God and the part He has given you in it? Have you stopped to appreciate the high calling of being a son or daughter in His family? And, most importantly, are you passing the test? Will you graduate? Will you be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb as pictured in Revelation?
As we honor our graduates at the end of the 2010 school year, let's also reflect on the spiritual education God is putting us through—testing us, trying us, observing us—as He and Jesus make the final evaluation on when we will graduate from this physical life and enter His glorious Kingdom.
Follow Jesus Christ, be led by the Holy Spirit, obey your heavenly Father and keep His commandments, and the crown of life will await you at the marriage supper of the Lamb—our ultimate "graduation" from this physical life to spirit life.
Keep reading The Good News magazine for biblical insights about your exciting future. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to write in and ask. We'd be happy to help you in your education and spiritual journey toward God's Kingdom. If you haven't already read our inspiring booklet What Is Your Destiny? please go online and read or order your free copy right now.
Peter Eddington
Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services
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