All posts by Larry

Future

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The ESV uses the term a future and a hope rather than expected end. In the Hebrew the word for end in its first primary definition means after part, which implies there is something after time which is the point of reference.

The expectation comes from the promises. Some versions speak to the hope which is a product of the promises not yet seen. Since we live in the realm of time, a future carries with it both a hope to see promises before time runs out, but this expected end is directly related to the after part, in the realm without time. Granted the promises of God seek in time will help us get to the after part with peace, security and hope, but here let us look to the promises of the hereafter.

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

That gets us there but what promises exist for eternal life?

Pleasures

Ecclesiastes 2 various I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

This pleasure Solomon is speaking about is the way of the world. Do not be confused about worldly pleasure and the promises in Christ which are pleasures. They are not the same. To understand that one must understand vanity, which does not accomplish what it promises. This is the biggest difference between worldly pleasure and the promise of pleasure in Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Acts 15:34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

In case you missed the point in the promise of pleasure is in doing things together with God, just as a father and son find pleasure in each other when they go fishing. You are fishers of men.