March 27| Based on Revelation 22:5| What Actually Happens After Death: The Shocking Truth About Your Eternal Future
📖 Revelation 22:5
"And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
Have you ever wondered what happens after the "happily ever after"? We spend so much of our lives working toward goals, pursuing dreams, and fighting battles. But what comes after the victory? After all the struggle and sacrifice of following Jesus?
The Limited Lifespan of Even the Greatest Things
I was thinking about this yesterday while helping my son with his science homework. He was learning about stars – how they burn for billions of years, but eventually burn out. Even the greatest things in our universe don't last forever.
Except for one thing.
Beyond the Clouds and Harps: The Breathtaking Reality
We often talk about heaven as this cloudy place where we'll float around playing harps. But that image completely misses the breathtaking reality of what God has actually promised His followers.
The Bible gives us a glimpse into something far more incredible – a promise so stunning that I sometimes wonder if we avoid talking about it because it seems too good to be true.
In Revelation 22:5, we read: "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."
Did you catch that? "They will reign for ever and ever."
Not just exist. Not just survive. But reign.
What Does It Mean to "Reign"?
The word "reign" in the original Greek is "basileuō" – it means to rule as kings, to exercise dominion. This isn't some honorary title. This is actual authority and purpose that never ends.
I remember as a kid, I would daydream about being someone important – maybe a famous athlete or a superhero. But those childish dreams pale in comparison to what God has actually promised us.
Think about the most powerful person you know of in this world. A president, a CEO, a world leader. Their authority is temporary. Limited. Often corrupted.
But God promises His faithful followers a reign that will never end. A purpose and position that will never be taken away.
The Climax of Scripture's Story
What's fascinating about this verse is the context. This is the final chapter of the Bible. The climax of the entire story of Scripture. And at this pivotal moment, God doesn't just tell us that we'll be with Him – He tells us we'll reign with Him.
There's something profound about this that I think we often miss in our journey as disciples.
Following Jesus isn't just about what we give up – it's about what we gain.
Present Sacrifices vs. Future Glory
Yes, discipleship can be difficult. Jesus never promised it would be easy. Carrying our cross daily means sacrifice, surrender, and sometimes suffering.
But the ultimate reward is beyond anything we can fully comprehend. Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:18: "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Not worth comparing. As if they're not even on the same scale.
I don't know what you're going through right now. Maybe discipleship feels particularly heavy today. Maybe you're wondering if the sacrifices are worth it. Maybe you're tired of swimming against the cultural current, feeling like your faith is costing you more than it's giving back.
If that's you, I want you to take a moment and let this truth sink in: You are destined to reign forever with Christ.
The Temporary Nature of Today's Struggles
The struggles of today – they're temporary. The sacrifice, the discipline, the patience, the perseverance – it's all preparing you for an eternal reign.
This isn't wishful thinking. This is God's promise.
And here's what strikes me most about this verse: the light that enables this reign comes directly from God Himself. "The Lord God will give them light."
We won't rule by our own power or wisdom. We'll rule by His light. His presence will illuminate everything, eliminating every shadow of doubt, fear, or inadequacy.
Think about how transformative that is. No more uncertainty. No more second-guessing. No more night.
Just pure, perfect light from the source of all light, empowering us to reign with confidence and clarity forever.
A Promise to Cling to on the Hardest Days
I find myself coming back to this promise on my hardest days. When discipleship feels like an uphill battle. When I'm tempted to compromise. When I wonder if it's all worth it.
They will reign forever.
You and I – if we remain faithful followers of Jesus – are being prepared for an eternal purpose beyond our wildest imagination.
The Weakness of Our Desires
C.S. Lewis once wrote, "It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea."
The mud pies of this world – fame, fortune, pleasure, power – they all wash away with time. But the reign God promises His faithful ones will never end.
Making Today's Challenges Worth It
So today, whatever you're facing, whatever discipleship is costing you, remember the ultimate reward. Let it strengthen your resolve and renew your commitment.
You were made to reign with Christ. Forever.
Take a moment right now and ask God to help you see beyond today's challenges to the eternal reign He's prepared for you. Ask Him to strengthen your faith and deepen your discipleship, knowing that every step of obedience is leading you toward an unimaginable destiny.
Because the story doesn't end with "happily ever after." It continues with "they will reign for ever and ever."
And that makes every sacrifice of discipleship infinitely worth it.
Practical Ways to Live in Light of Your Eternal Destiny
Start each day with eternal perspective: Take a few moments each morning to remind yourself of your eternal calling. This shifts how you approach daily challenges.
Reframe your current struggles: When facing difficulties, consciously remind yourself that these temporary struggles are preparing you for eternal glory.
Practice faithful stewardship: If we're going to reign, we must learn to be faithful with what God entrusts to us now. How are you managing your time, talents, and resources?
Seek God's light daily: Since our future reign will be empowered by God's light, draw near to that light now through prayer and Scripture.
Look for kingdom training opportunities: View daily interactions and challenges as preparation for your future role. How might God be training you through today's circumstances?
Common Questions About Eternal Reign
What does the Bible mean by "reign"?
The Greek word used in Revelation 22:5 is "basileuō," which literally means to rule as kings or exercise dominion. This implies real authority and purpose, not just a symbolic position.
Will everyone reign in heaven?
The Bible specifies that those who are faithful followers of Christ will reign with Him. This promise is for those who have placed their faith in Jesus and follow Him as disciples.
What will we be doing in this reign?
While Scripture doesn't give exhaustive details, it suggests we'll have meaningful responsibilities in God's new creation. The Bible describes a renewed earth where we'll participate in God's ultimate restoration project.
How does this future hope impact my daily life now?
Understanding your eternal destiny fundamentally changes how you view today's challenges and opportunities. Every act of faithfulness, every sacrifice, every moment of discipleship takes on eternal significance when viewed as preparation for reigning with Christ.
Living Today in Light of Forever
When we truly grasp what God has promised about our eternal future – not just existence, but reigning forever – it transforms how we approach discipleship today.
The struggles, sacrifices, and challenges of following Jesus aren't just hurdles to overcome; they're training ground for an eternal purpose beyond our wildest dreams. Every act of obedience, every moment of faithfulness, is preparing you for something extraordinary.
So today, lift your eyes beyond the immediate challenges. See the eternal reign that awaits. And let that vision strengthen your resolve to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, knowing that what awaits is infinitely worth whatever discipleship costs today.
You were created for more than just getting through today. You were created to reign forever with Christ.
An Invitation to go Deeper….
If today’s message spoke to you, join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge and strengthen your connection with God’s unshakable love. You are never alone—let’s grow together!
