Joy is Eternal. Psalm 16:11, "You (Almighty GOD) reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is unbounded joy...eternal delight!" That means forever, non-ending, always. Because of His presence in our life, joy is ongoing no matter what befalls us on our path of life that leads to being in His glory forever!
Joy, for Christians, is not in the temporary possessions that we collect while in this life. Matthew 6:19-21 In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, He shared, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths eat and rust destroys; where thieves break in and steal, but store up treasures in heaven." Luke 12:15-21 speaks of the greed that treasures on earth can bring about. The rich man wanted more and more so that he could "Eat, drink and be merry," showing that these kinds of joy only brings about death, eternal death in hell at that.
Joy is seeking GOD which is eternal and brings about crowns in heaven. II Timothy 4:8 mentions the Crown of Righteousness, I Peter 5:4 mentions the Crown of Glory. Revelation 2:10 speaks of receiving the Crown of Life (Eternal). There are many other crowns which Christians will receive from our LORD. The greatest joy will be the laying of these crowns at the feet of Christ on His throne. See Revelation 4:10.
Joy in man's earthly existence (for most part) is what can be received and "collected." But the greatest joy for Christians is what can be given to Christ and our fellow man. And, in doing so we store up treasures in heaven that can not be compared to any earthly possession. See Matthew 6:20.
Joy of treasures in heaven, what are they? On earth man considers gold, silver, precious gems and stones to be of great possessions. In heaven these "treasures" in their purist form are building materials!!! Revelation 21:18-21, "The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold...the foundations and the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone; the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates each are made of a single pearl, and the city pure gold as transparent glass!" Not to mention the joy of having our own place that Jesus Himself is preparing for us! John 14:2. Remember, now, dust doesn't exists in heaven, neither anything corrupt (such as decay.) So, we ladies are going to be overjoyed that there will be no need for house cleaning!
Joy! Such Spiritual Joy for the Christian is in knowing that our Almighty GOD has such joy planned for us that man can not truly understand in his fallen state what the LORD has planned for those who love our Savior GOD! So what is joy? See my next blog!
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