Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Fold Your Tent
Today’s Verse:
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ~2 Corinthians 5:1
Outdoor camping is an exhilarating experience that everyone needs to do at least once. The first thing you do in camping is pitch your tent. The tent is your temporary dwelling to keep you protected from the elements. When your camping trip is over, your tent is folded up. Folding up your tent is a term that describes your departure. It is used to describe one’s departure from a job or a responsibility. In II Cor. 5:1-8, Paul describes our bodies as a tabernacle. When we leave this life, we are folding up our tent. This morning, let us consider the anticipated time when we experience glorification.
We see a grievous TRAPPING.
Our earthly body is described as a tabernacle. The word for tabernacle in the Greek means “a tent.” The Ark of the Covenant was kept in a tent. The Ark symbolized the presence of God. Our bodies are mortal, temporal, and weak. Paul says that in this tabernacle, we do groan. In other words, we suffer. We contract illnesses. We experience pain. We experience fatigue. We experience the sorrows and discouragements of this life. We age and realize our bodies start to weaken and break down. As we get older, we cannot do the things we did when we were younger. We realize we are mortal, and that eventually we must put off this tabernacle or die. This mortal body we live in is a grievous trapping.
We see a glorious TRANSFORMATION.
We have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. When our life on earth is over, we experience the glory of immortality. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself,” Phil. 3:20-21. This mortal will put on immortal. This corruptible shall put on incorruptible. We are present with the Lord. There is no more pain and suffering. There is no more disease and sickness. Sorrows are ended. There is no more death. We have received our inheritance which is undefiled and incorruptible. We have received a glorious transformation.
We see a grandiose TRIUMPH.
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We have triumphed over death. Death has a temporary hold on our bodies, but death is defeated. Death is swallowed up in victory! We have a triumph awaiting us. Paul said it this way in Rom. 8:18: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Death and corruption are not victorious over us: we are victorious over them!
Yes, in this we do groan. We earnestly desire to be clothed upon with our house which is in heaven. Don’t let aches, pains, suffering, and aging discourage you. Rejoice that one day, we will fold up this tent and receive a glorious tabernacle not made with hands.
Have a heavenly God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Joshua 12-15
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