Paul has addressed God’s sovereignty in salvation in the past (1:4-6) and the present benefits of redemption and forgiveness which we experience now (1:7-9). Now he turns his attention to our future inheritance. The future is referred to as the “dispensation of the fullness of the times” and specifically references the time when God will gather believers to Himself in the millennial kingdom. This is also known as the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth. Revelation 20:1-6 reveals that during this time the devil will be bound in a bottomless pit so he cannot deceive the nations and all believers will reign with Christ establishing an era of righteousness upon the earth (1:10). The only reason we have been redeemed and forgiven is because of Jesus Christ. He took upon Himself our sin and gave us His righteousness. Romans 5:19 says that “by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” Believers are able to rule with Christ not because of what they have done, but because of Christ’s redeeming work on the cross. We have been redeemed “to the praise of His glory.” Verse 13 declares that salvation comes through the hearing and believing of the gospel. At the time of belief we were given the Holy Spirit, who is the “guarantee of our inheritance.” In other words, the indwelling Holy Spirit secures our eternal salvation and guarantees our future inheritance. 2 Peter 1:4 states that our future inheritance is that we are “partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Furthermore, 2 Peter 1:11 tells us that the eternal heaven is the hope of those who are weary on earth. Although life on earth is hard and filled with struggles, we can rejoice that heaven will be a place of eternal rest!
Dear God, I look forward to heaven where all the struggles of earth will no longer matter. Provide strength for today and hope through my future inheritance!
