Expectations

Rejoicing in hope.

The hope which is laid up for you in heaven. — If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. — We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. — Whosoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. — No man should be moved by these afflictions, for you know that we are appointed to them.

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit. — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a living hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. — Whom having not seen, you love; in whom though now you see him not, yet believing. you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. — By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Christians can always have good expectations. That is the wonderful thing.  If we have a "hope laid up for us in heaven" (and we do), then death is life--in the very place where God dwells. If the entry is difficult, it is still certain, and even if there are many trials to experience before our release from this life, we accept those because it is certain that they will end, and we will be ushered into "the better land," where age has no claim, sickness has no power, trials no longer exist, and life is full of unmixed joy and happiness.  Martin Luther once said that you cannot kill a Christian--you are only sending him to heaven, where he will live forever.  

ROM. 12:12. Col. 1:5. ‑I Cor. 15:19. ‑Acts. 14:22. ‑Luke 14:27. ‑I Thes. 3:3. Phi. 4:4. ‑Rom. 15:13. ‑I Pet. 1:3. ‑I Pet. 1:8. ‑Rom. 5:2.