Spotlight 15/2021: Our future lies in the resurrection
What does “future” mean for the individual? While some fret about the future, others are optimistic about it. District Apostle Helper João Uanuque Misselo from Angola describes his perspective.
The Chief Apostle issued the motto “Christ, our future” at the beginning of the year 2021. Simply put, this means that we want to rule with Jesus Christ—and not only for a few years, but forever. This knowledge gives us the strength to deal with and overcome difficulties and trials. We can live with Christ and look forward to where our glorious destiny lies.
For many people, the future holds little hope. Even we are sometimes full of fear as we look ahead, but God opens up a different perspective for us: Jesus Christ has risen! This event radically changed humanity’s fall into the abyss and created boundless hope. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is our future! It gives us hope and meaning in our lives today amidst all the suffering and challenges we face in this world.
In 1 Corinthians 15 Apostle Paul states some almost unbelievable facts about the resurrection:
- We cannot ignore it when Paul says that the resurrection is an essential reality of the gospel message (1 Corinthians 15: 1–4). Christ IS risen! This truth is of the utmost importance for us, we need to be aware of it and believe in it. The resurrection of the dead is the certainty of all believers, for Jesus has conquered death.
- The resurrection has significant eschatological implications. Because Jesus Christ rose again, we know that He has the power and authority to bring about our resurrection as well. This is a truth we are reminded of when, for example, we have to take leave of a loved one. Christ is risen, death lost its sting, and there will come a day when there will be no more death (1 Corinthians 15: 55).
Our confidence in the ultimate completion of all things is linked to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This inheritance of Christ is inviolable. What we have in Christ is not subject to corruption or decay. Here on earth everything is corruptible and perishable, everything rusts or crumbles, even our own body. Our treasure in heaven, however, is incorruptible (Matthew 6: 19–20).
Photo: Oliver Rütten