The End of the Story

        While I haven't read too many mystery novels, there is still that temptation to take a peek at the end of the book.  Have you ever gotten hold of a new mystery book and been tempted to read the last chapter first in order to see who did it?  Probably not.  But, in some cases we do desire to know the outcome of things.  We watch a football game and can't wait until the last 2 minutes to see who will win.  We watch an auto race to wonder how it is all going to end in the last 50 laps. So, sports games and auto races are all decided in the last 2 minutes.   Christianity is the same in a few respects.  But, in this case, we know the last chapter.  We know how it is all going to end. In fact, reading the last chapters of the book of Revelation will give us a good idea of how things are going to end.   Rev. 21:3 says, "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."  
        That's the whole thing about our faith.  When you study theology or go to Bible classes or attend Sunday School and preaching services, the whole idea is to find out how it is all going to end.  To what is our faith leading us?  When we look at other religions, we soon find that they are ending up in places of no hope.  The goal of Christianity is to know God and to enjoy His presence forever.  In fact, that is the answer to the question, "What is the chief end of man?"  How are we going to know God and to enjoy His presence forever?  This is the reason that we spend time in studying the Bible and for becoming "born again."  I recall having a conversation with a person with whom I was having dinner, say to me, "Where do you go when you die?"  That's like trying to find out the ending before you read the story.  You can answer the question quickly and give out all of the information, but you wonder if it is getting through or is it just something they want to hear.  It is natural to want to know where those who have died have gone.  What did they experience?  Where are they now?  The Apostle Paul said that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  We can praise God that we know the end of the story for the believer and the non believer   as well and we can praise God that this is all found in His Word.  In this case, it is OK to take a peek at the end of the Book. What a Joy it will be!