In most wedding vows, these are the traditional words.
"I, (name), take you (name), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."
If heaven was not real, would we be so desperate for the return of Jesus?
If Jesus came and we had to stay in this wounded old world, would we be just as happy to see Him?
If we still had to toil and suffer, would we be just as excited about the approach of the Lord?
If bills still came due with no money in the bank, would we still rejoice at His return?
If we still got sick and our bodies wore out, would we be just as happy with our Betrothed?
If there were no rewards, would we really love Jesus as much?
I am reminded of the prostitute who anointed the feet of Jesus with costly perfume and wiped His feet with her hair. She really loved Him. She had no thoughts about wearing a crown, or living in a heavenly mansion. She might not have known anything other than the fact that she dearly loved Him.
What motivates us? Do we actually love the idea of the rapture more than we love Jesus? Do we think more about heaven than the Ruler of heaven and earth? I accuse and point my finger...at me. Will I someday see a woman, who formerly was a prostitute, standing in heaven and receiving the highest rewards for her devotion while I receive merely the lowest?
God please don't let my compass point away from You! I know I have spent years and years studying the signs and clinging to hopes of Your return for Your bride. Please let my motivation be pure. Please let it be honest. Let the reason for my longing only be Jesus! If heaven has so crowded my heart that it has little room left for Jesus, please forgive my misguided ways. I know you care more about honest devotion than years of study. I know you care more about one simple and humble act of love than ten thousand years of bible study and church attendance.
Lord, I love you. I want heaven. But, heaven afterall ...is just a place.
YBIC
Bruce Baber