Rejoicing in the Hope of Future Glory

Part 3 of 4: Some Fruits of Justification Series

Gleaned from Romans 5:1-4

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (NIV)

The word “hope” here is not how we usually use it. Hindi ito yung walang katiyakang "SANA" lang. Hindi ito tulad nang kanta ni Ariel Rivera:

“Sana kahit minsan ay mapansin ako..."

There is certainty in Christian hope. For instance, the return of Jesus has been called the blessed hope in Titus 2:13. there is nothing uncertain about the Lord's return. It will surely come to pass. And so here “hope of the glory of God” is certain that's why it is worth rejoicing in. When Jesus came, his followers saw his glory, full of grace and truth (John 1:14), but the fullness of his glory is yet to be revealed. That is the hope we are rejoicing in.

Not only that, when he finally reveals the fulness of his glory, we will be given the privilege of sharing in that glory. I am not saying we will be gods, leave that doctrine to Mormonism. But Scripture reveals that we will never be the same again when God finally grants us glorified bodies

1 John 3:2-- "...  But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."

Col.3:4-- "When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

By then, we will no longer be subject to pain and sickness, and death. We will face death and taunt him: “O death where is your victory, O death where is your sting” (1 Cor. 15:55)