Timely Encouragement

In 1 Peter, the apostle who once buckled under pressure, denying Jesus three times, encourages other believers to stand firm under trials. His key reason is that all that Christ has done for us far outweighs our present sufferings - He has purchased for us a place in eternal paradise.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you," 1 Peter 1:3-4.

Imagine one day coming into the heavenly city, and into a great banquet hall with thousands of tables and millions of chairs occupied by believers from every era. I imagine then seeing Christ, and he welcoming me to a seat - the place He reserved for me by His death. I'm not sure what exactly it'll be like, but it will be wonderful all the same.