Partakers of Heaven

Devotions from Colossians by Darrell Lingerfelt

12b Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Here is a mystery: Seeing how severely bad we have been, and understanding by Scripture that God in His omniscience has known how bad we have been (and are and will be) from all eternity, is it not incredible that He would make us "meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light?" It is.

What is Paul speaking of here? He is speaking of that grand inheritance beyond the stars wherein is all the glories of Heaven! The inheritance of God is eternal life! And in that eternal condition the Saints have at their disposal all the riches of Heaven physically. Sure there will be all the grandeur of Heaven that is spoken of by God's Word, the poet and the singer. But even more so, they will be partakers of close communion with our Father and Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Can you get a hold on this? It is sometimes hard to look into the bright light of the Celestial City. But Scripture assures us of that which God has laid up for us. Jesus, Himself, says in John 14:2-3 that, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." 

Revelation 22:14 tells us that, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Salvation has wrought that for us! We have entrance through our Lord Jesus Christ who has paid our sin debt and He will usher us into that great place of our God. It is true! Jesus says in Matthew 25:34, "then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." 

You may ask, "How can this be?" Let us let Peter explain. He says in 1Peter 1:2-5 that those that are saved are "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." 

As a result, 

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 

Is that not wonderful? "But maybe that Apostle is mistaken," you say? I don't think so, listen to God, the Father, through Isaiah the prophet in Isaiah 60:19-20: 

"The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

Someday all the Saints will be called to that "general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect," Hebrews 12:23. There in "that city that had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof," Revelation 21:23. "There, where there is no night; they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever," (Revelation 22:5), we will enjoy all the divine plesantries of Heaven's domain. The Father has seen to it having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Christ Jesus. We are made sons! We are made partakers. Let us then rejoice that God has included us in such a great thing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Canaanland is just in sight!