“There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

The Apostle looks back on the conflicts of the sanctified life, with no regrets. He fought a good fight; he finished his course; he kept the faith. What a victorious life he lived amidst the greatest of adversity! So he reckoned he is to be crowned by the righteous judge with the crown, of righteousness that was laid up for him. Oh! beloved this crown awaits all that are faithful in the conflict We are warriors of the cross. We will soon lay down our armor and receive our reward. If we live until Jesus comes for his church, we shall be caught up together with those that sleep in Jesus. What a resurrection that will be! The Holy of all ages shall come from the east, west, north and south and ascend unto the hill of the Lord. One has asked “who shall ascend unto the hill of the Lord? who shall stand in his holy place?” The answer comes, “He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing of the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:3-5 It will take a sanctified heart and a holy life to be those who are caught up at the rapture. “Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6 “Come my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Isaiah 26:20-21 God will have a hiding place for the Holy when His indignation is poured out upon the wicked on the day of the Lord. The saints are to be counted worthy to escape all those things that shall then come upon the earth. Dear reader, make your calling and election sure. Be sure the sanctifier has come into his temple. Does your spirit witness to a holy heart? “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 “Beloved! now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” John 3:2

GLORY!

When I have reached the more excellent glory, And all my trials are past, I shall be like him; Oh! wonderful story, I shall be like him at last! I shall be like him; I shall be like him, And in his beauty shall shine. I shall be like him, wondrously like him, Jesus, my Savior Divine.