The Greatest Celebration

A friend of mine, *Marie*, said she was going to the prom with some girlfriends. Such things have never really interested me. I went to a school dance in 6th grade and wasn't impressed. I managed to say, "Oh, that sounds like fun." Was it really what I wanted to say? No. But I wanted to be courteous, and at the time thought that perhaps it would be fun...somehow, by a very big stretch. How a bunch of people dancing in a room blaring with music is fun, I don't understand. The 6th grade dance was bad enough; I can't imagine what a prom would be like.

Afterwards I felt ashamed. Not so much because I lied about what I thought-though that was wrong too-but because saying that didn't represented Christ very well. I can't very well imagine Him going someplace like that. But how can I be true to Him without appearing like a stick in the mud? Or caustic?

Maybe I sound somewhat harsh now. After all, there are plenty of Christians who go to these functions, and what do I know? I've never experienced it myself, and a 6th grade dance isn't a very good comparison.

It's true that I've never been to a prom or a nightclub or anything like that, but I have had ample opportunity to see the final outcome, in various ways. What I have seen doesn't endear it to me. Sure, it might feel wonderful at the moment, but in the end they don't strengthen the mental faculties, increase the health, or polish the character, and they don't bring blessings to our fellow men. They leave people feeling tired and most likely sick from a hangover the next day. They leave them feeling just as empty deep down as before. It seems to me that the fruits of these pastimes end up being sour, especially so if that's all that's been planted in their garden.

 If you agree with that, it won't be hard for you to see whose stamp they bear. Our heavenly Father wants nothing less than for us to be the noble sons and daughters we were meant to be. He only asks us to avoid things that would hinder us from reaching the utmost fulfillment in life. The devil, on the other hand, wants nothing less than for us to be the most degraded and unhappy creatures that ever were. He doesn't care if that process is slow or quick. He just wants us destroyed.

Unfortunately, the above activities don't fall into the first category. And unfortunately, if we desire to be in that category, it means there will be a whole lot less "fun", right? Maybe so. You would be amazed at how tastes can change when you let Jesus into your life. I've personally experienced it. But let's just say there wasn't any more fun to be had here.

It came to me that a prom is somewhat like a party, and parties are usually to celebrate something. (What it celebrates I have no idea, but anyway). Then I thought of the greatest celebration of all-the marriage supper of the Lamb. There is a celebration that doesn't leave you jittery or tired or suffering from a hangover the next day. No; and it will be far more enjoyable-plenty of good food and wonderful company. Wonderful fruit and manna and who knows what else! Speaking of people, think of it-the redeemed from every age! Noah, Abraham, Daniel, the disciples and the apostle Paul, Luther and Calvin and Knox, Isaac Watts, Isaac Newton... and best of all, Jesus Christ.

And that's not everything. When that is over, and when the thousand years is up, we'll return to the earth (which will be on fire), safe inside the New Jerusalem. The devil and the wicked will seek to overtake the city, and be consumed by fire. Evil will no longer exist. Then we will be able to watch Jesus recreate the Earth-and no one has ever witnessed the first creation! We will be able to enjoy the New Jerusalem, that city of GOD, with its gates of pearls and streets of gold and walls of precious stones. We won't have to worry about people fighting, animals killing, children dying... All will be bliss.

Maybe it doesn't sound that grand to you-my tongue can't adequately express its wonders, as I have never seen it. I don't need to. Going by faith is enough for me. "But as it is written, 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. According to that verse, what I lamely told you isn't even the half of it.  Not only that, but there must be something to it, it must be really great, else the devil wouldn't be so intent on diverting our attention with things that feel good but only last a little while. Things that feel good, but leave a trail of sorrow.

There's a method to his madness. The devil is a fallen angel. He knows how glorious it is in heaven, and he is angry because he lost the right to enjoy it. He is angry "because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Revelation 12:12. Yes, and he wants to make sure as many of us as possible meet the same end as he- eternal destruction, burned until we are ashes. "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be as stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that shall leave them neither root nor branch." Malachi 4:1. "But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD [shall be] as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away." Psalm 37:20. No eternally burning hell, but still a very definite end.

The adversary wants to distract us with as many things as possible, so that we won't have the time or the desire to consider things of eternal worth, and thus ensure our death. In the meantime, he wants to ensure that in our heart of hearts we are dissatisfied, so we will keep seeking the next bigger and better pleasure to fill that void, and in the end be left with nothing. "Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness." Proverbs 14:13.

I don't know about you, but it's going to be my aim to be a part of that supper, that great celebration. I'm not going to settle for cheap counterfeits. What about you?

Blessings,
Adelaide