The Real Meaning of Life

Isaiah 33:14…”The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?” He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil—he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.”

“Who can dwell with a consuming fire…who can dwell with everlasting flames…”, is that the same “fire” Moses saw in the bush, but the bush was not burned by it? Is this the same “fire” that made Moses’ face glow, the same “fire” that consumed Abihu and Nadab but didn’t burn their clothing? And why will some not be able to dwell with it? Are they like the Hebrews who made Moses wear a veil because his face was so bright they couldn’t stand to look at him? You know my belief…I believe what they perceived as fire was actually the Glory of God, a Glory so bright that most of us cannot comprehend it.

And Isaiah answers those questions. “Who can dwell with a consuming fire?” He who walks righteously. He who speaks sincerely. He who refuses to participate in extortion or take bribes, he who shuns evil and avoids temptation. Those kind of people will be the ones that can withstand the Glory of God, like Moses did.

And they will dwell in the mountains in a fortress, the New Jerusalem that descends from Heaven. And they will live with God in a perfect world and they will neither want for food or thirst for water.

I’ve spoke of this many times. I know many feel they will be able to live in God’s presence, but I’m not sure they can fully comprehend His Glory. I know I can’t. The way it is described in the Bible, His Glory has to be brighter and hotter than the sun itself. We wear sunglasses because the sun burns so brightly we cannot see without them, do we think sunglasses will allow us to cast eyes on God?

As I’ve said before, God is love. He loves us and in my opinion, will not do one thing to hurt so much as one hair on our head. If we are unable to withstand His Glory, it will be because we have separated ourselves from God and not because of a punishment from God. It is very simple…it is a natural consequence of separating ourselves. If we draw close to God, to allow Him to reside within our hearts and minds, we will be prepared for that awesome Glory, the same Glory that provided light before God created the sun and moon. The same Glory that will be our light in the New Jerusalem and the new earth.

I do not definitely know how to prepare myself for the brightness of God’s Glory, except to walk righteously, speak sincerely, refuses to participate in extortion or take bribes, to shun evil and avoid temptation, and most importantly, to love God with all my heart and have a relationship with Him, daily, hourly, and minute by minute.

And that is all God wants, He wants our love and He wants us to play an active role in being His children.

I pray I am prepared for His Glory.