ARE YOU A FOLLOWER AND A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST?(4)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*ARE YOU A FOLLOWER AND A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST? (4)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Matt 19:27-29

*Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?*

*And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.*

*And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

The follower of Jesus follows Him to eternity.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Yesterday we looked at two answers Jesus gave Peter following his question on what would be the gains of those who are following Jesus.

Matt 19: 28-29 highlights the two answers. While Matt 19:28 speaks about eternal goals, Matt 19:29 speaks about their gains now.

We looked at the present gains of those who follow Jesus now.

Today we will look at their eternal gains.

In other words what every follower of Jesus hopes to gain after this life.

Paul teaches that following Jesus has a cost which would include suffering (persecution, challenges, self-denial, etc) just as Jesus summarizes in His words on cost of discipleship (Lk 9:23,14:27, 33) but he added there would be glory eternally.

He writes 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.*

Our present encounter with God here on earth assures us that though we will suffer physical death there is hope of the resurrection and an "imperishable" future inheritance: a foretaste of the eternal life that will be fully realized after death. 

Eternally, the below explains further what we would have after now.

In Matt 19:28, the context of reward eternally is broken down.

First is that those who remain disciples/followers to the end *"....shall sit in the throne of his glory,"* This affords everyone who followed to the end a seat on the throne of glory. These are those follower-disciples who sacrificed for His sake—leaving homes, family, or property.

Second is there will be those who *"....also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.*

These are possibly the twelve disciples (excluding Judas who was replaced by Matthias, Acts 1:26). They will sit with judicial power and authority as judges.

The only thing significant recorded about Matthias was his selection and that was all.

Going by what Jesus said, His reassurance of this eternal glory promised which is for those *"......which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man..."*, it may be right to assume this to be Paul (rather than Matthias) who would make up the number 12 who *".....also shall sit upon twelve thrones,......"* in addition to the follower/disciples who *".....shall sit in the throne of his glory,......"* Matt 19:28

Paul was recorded as a follower of Jesus rather than Matthias who was not recorded once as a follower in the scriptures but as a number in the restoration of the apostolic leadership team, Acts 1:21-26.

From the foregoing, it is in the best interest of Christ's followers to follow as disciples to the very end.

The assurance is only for those who followed till the end of their lives. They will receive this promise which will be fulfilled upon Christ's second coming, rather than in the current age. This is Millennial Kingdom or a new heaven and earth (Rev 21) when Christ reigns when there will be full restoration of all things, Acts 3:21.

Thirdly, John says the promise to see Jesus by every follower/disciple of Jesus, the assurance of which we only have now is the resemble of Him in character (as children of God) but our final form will be confirmed when we will be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

1 John 3:2 says *Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.*

Those who followed Him to the end will see Him, 1 John 3:2, be at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb banquet Rev 19:6-9, sit with Him, Matt 19:28 to live eternally with Him, Rev 21:1-3.

Those who did not follow Him to the end, who are destined for hell will only see Christ primarily in His role as the ultimate Judge during the final judgment after which they would be separated from God forever, 2 Thess 1:9.

Though every eye shall see Him, not everyone eye shall joy in His presence. It shall be woe to them because they were not His followers. They shall be excluded and separated from Him forever, 2 Thess 1:9.

Do you want to see Jesus?

Do you want to see Who you have been following all this while?

Then, be a follower/disciple to the end!

*Remorse corner.*

How will you see Jesus, as a Judge or as both the Judge and your eternal King?

*Call to Word action.*

Those who will only see Him as a Judge will be condemned.

*".....every eye shall see him," including those who "pierced him"* (Rev 1:7) and as He sits on a *"....great white throne..."* to be judged according to their deeds (Rev 20:11-15).

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Those who shall see Him as both the Judge and their eternal King shall reign with Him forever. They shall not be condemned, Rom 8:1 but shall *".....ever be with the Lord".* 1 Thess 4:17

*Prayer.*

Lord, let me see You and be like You. Let me see you as Judge and my eternal King forever in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.