Johan SlabbertPhoto: Erik Odiin (Unsplash)
We are not seasoned travellers. The most stressful experiences we have had on our travels so far have been the ‘border crossings’, which involve dealing with customs officials at the various airports. We always seem to arrive earlier than most, however always seem to be about the last to get through. I have set the scanning machines off on more than one occasion. The culprit was either a forgotten extra pair of spectacles in my pocket, or once even the metallic paper of a packet of ‘Fishermans’.
Added to all of that the fact that my fingerprints don’t seem to work on most machines also does not make for friendly encounters with customs officials. I think I have worked too hard all my life so that I have virtually no fingerprints left.
My worst nightmare is that they will let my beloved through and keep me behind and we will be separated from each other. So, passing the borders and getting through the security gates are very stressful experiences.
The Word of God informs us that there is a final border crossing every single human being will have to make, whether you are a seasoned international traveller or not. There is a gate into the eternal city where entry will be gained or denied because of your standing in relation to Christ. The worst experience of all is that your fellow travelling companions, the ones whom you love the most, may be allowed through and that you will have to remain behind. That you will be separated from those who mean the most to you forever.
What am I referring to? The Word of God makes it very clear that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). It also states that the acts of the sinful nature are easily recognisable and that if we exhibit any of these in our lives, we should be very concerned. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:18-21).
There is an eternal city called Zion, the Heavenly City or the City of God. The entry requirements are very strict. The wicked will not be able to enter this city. They will not gain entry or be able to cross its border. We are explicitly told that outside of the city are the dogs, those who practise magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practises falsehood (Revelation 22:15). How then does one gain access into this city?
The wonderful news is this: "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).
What is the difference between those who are denied access and those who will be let into the city? The only difference is that the ones who will be allowed into the city will be those who have washed their robes. Washed their robes in what way? The answer is given: After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9, 14).
The most important question you have to answer today is this: “Have you washed your robes in the blood of the Lamb?”