We have this inheritance
Just thinking ahead to that day when we will realize the substance of the promises we have held for so long.
I Peter 1:4-5 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Not only are we given a living hope of an eternal existence, but we also as joint heirs with Christ receive an inheritance unlike any other. Peter uses alliteration in the Greek which we lose in the English to make his point; aphthartos (incorruptible) amiantos (undefiled) amarantos (never fadeth away). Each of the three epithets he uses here begin with the Greek ‘a’ possibly as a means of helping the reader to remember each; though we cannot be sure of that now. Notice also that each is written in the negative. It has been said that in describing things of eternal beauty we often look at the world around us and say what will not be found there in an effort to help others grasp its splendor. Sin has so corrupted the world we live in that to describe heaven we must include the absence of those things affected by sin or those things which are the direct result of sin here. As testimony to that concept read how John uses negatives to describe the new heaven and earth and the heavenly city in his vision: Rev. 21:1, Rev. 21:4, Rev. 21:22 (and I saw no temple therein...), Rev. 21:23, Rev. 21:27; Rev. 22:3, Rev. 22:5.
“Incorruptible” describes that which is imperishable. The promise of wealth in this world will perish. It might be ours for a short time but it cannot last. The inheritance we have in Christ cannot perish. What a grand contrast, we surrender what cannot last for that which cannot perish.
“Undefiled” expresses that which is without defect or flaw and cannot be stained or corrupted. The inheritance we have cannot ever be lessened in its quality in any way.
“That fadeth not away” carries the idea of withering like a flower, no blight or drought can affect it. The beauty of heaven today is the same as it ever was or ever will be. We will stand amazed on our millionth year the same as we did on our first day in heaven.
To this beauty and inheritance we have a reservation. It is not what we wish might be ours someday. Rather, it is what we presently possess that gives us hope to endure in this sin filled world. Unlike earthly reservations heavenly reservations can never be lost or canceled. And to ensure our confidence Peter reminds us that these reservations have been made for those who are “kept by the power of God.” Could there be any promise more secure? In the prayer Jesus offered in John 17 he mentions that we are kept by God and by Jesus himself, John 17:11-12 “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
“Through faith” indicates the cause or agency of that reservation i.e., which are kept as a result of having faith or expressing faith. Our inheritance was obtained by faith and is seen as already accomplished; the end result of which we are about to realize. Peter viewed heaven as just a breath away, an event that was just through the next door. By faith we received salvation and now God preserves us as we wait with reservation in hand for the materialization of that promise. Compare this to Romans 8:30 "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
The work of God in salvation was His work not ours and it is a finished work. We who receive Christ as savior are kept by the power of God already justified, glorified, and in possession of reservations which will never fade away, become defiled or corrupted in any way. God deserves all of our praise each and every day.
It is with absolute certainty that we have this inheritance.
