Biblical hope is anticipating something that is certain to come. It is not a wishful thinking, like saying, “I hope I live to a ripe old age.” The way we use hope in everyday language is different than what the Bible means by hope. Biblical hope is rooted in God (Psalm 42:5) and secured by the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:19-23). It is really only applicable to believers who hope continually in the Lord (Psalm 71:14). The prophet Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:24, “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Once a person is born again, they have a living hope that God will for certain give them eternal life in heaven.
A Living Hope
Ultimately that is where biblical hope takes us. It takes us to the future, when Christ returns and we enter the eternal abode of heaven. That is why we have a hope that is alive and grows and gains strength the closer we get to heaven. It is in sharp contrast to the hope of the world which is a dying hope. The world knows only dying hopes, but we have an undying hope. We have a hope that is not dependent on outward circumstances or affected by world events. It is a hope that looks forward in eager anticipation to what God said He would do. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:24-25 that
24 we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
We were saved with the hope of heaven. We did not need to see heaven first to believe we were going there. We counted God’s Word as truth and now we enthusiastically wait for that day when we enter the pearly gates. All of life’s troubles are nothing but a light affliction when we realize and hope for the glories of the life to come (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Remember & Pondering this Hope
Hope is one of the three great pillars on which we live our lives (1 Corinthians 13:13). Yet it seems as though hope is out of vogue today in many churches. Preaching on the return of Christ and our heavenly home are not common subjects. Outside of Bible preaching churches, you will not hear about Jesus coming to bring us to glory. But we need to be reminded of this great hope on a regular basis just like the early Christians were (Colossians 3:4). We, like them, should be motivated to purify ourselves because Christ could come at any moment and we want to be ready to meet Him (1 John 3:3). We, like them, should be excitedly looking and watching for the coming of Christ, Who is the blessed hope (Titus 2:13). The encouragement for us is that we must ponder on hope, knowing that hope produces joy and peace in us through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:12).
Scripture Reference
19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
The Order of Resurrection
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who care asleep.
21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,
24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Studies You May Also Find Interesting:
Yahweh
The Bible uses many words and descriptions for God, but the most prominent of all is His personal name, Yahweh.
Halloween
Today Halloween is almost exclusively an American secular holiday, but many who celebrate have no concept of its religious origins
Forbearance: God’s Great Tolerance
The noun “forbearance” occurs only two times in the New Testament (Romans 2:4 and 3:25). The word has the sense