Rebecca Stark is the author of The Good Portion: Godthe second title in The Good Portion series.

The Good Portion: God explores what Scripture teaches about God in hopes that readers will see his perfection, worth, magnificence, and beauty as they study his triune nature, infinite attributes, and wondrous works. 

                     

Sunday
Jan142024

Sunday Hymn: I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130)

 

 

 


Out of the depths I cry to You
In darkest places I will call
Incline Your ear to me anew
And hear my cry for mercy, Lord

Were You to count my sinful ways
How could I come before Your throne?
Yet full forgiveness meets my gaze
I stand redeemed by grace alone

I will wait for You
I will wait for You
On Your word, I will rely
I will wait for You
Surely wait for You
‘Til my soul is satisfied

So put your hope in God alone
Take courage in His power to save
Completely and forever won
By Christ emerging from the grave

I will wait for You
I will wait for You
On Your word, I will rely
I will wait for You
Surely wait for You
‘Til my soul is satisfied

Now He has come to make a way
And God Himself has paid the price
That all who trust in Him today
Find healing in His sacrifice

I will wait for You
I will wait for You
On Your word, I will rely
I will wait for You
Surely wait for You
‘Til my soul is satisfied

I will wait for You
I will wait for You
Through the storm and through the night
I will wait for You
Surely wait for You
For Your love is my delight

℗ 2018 Stuart Townend, marketed and distributed by Integrity Music (part of the David C Cook family)
Wednesday
Jan102024

Theological Term of the Week: Beatific Vision

This term was recently suggested by a reader. (If you have a theological term you would like to see featured here, you, too, can email your suggestion to me by using the contact button in the navigation bar above.)

beatific vision
The hope of seeing God face to face in heaven; “the unhindered … view of God that believers will have in the new heaven and new earth.”1
  • From scripture::
    For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV)

    Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2 ESV)

    Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8 ESV)
  • From the Westminster Larger Catechism :

    Q. 90. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment?

    A. At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds, shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted, shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men, and shall be received into heaven, where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery; filled with inconceivable joys, made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels, but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity. And this is the perfect and full communion which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.

 

Learn more:

  1. Got Questions: What is the beatific vision?
  2. Sinclair Ferguson: What is the beatific vision?
  3. David Mathis: We Will See His Face: What Is the Beatific Vision?
  4. Samuel Parkison: What Is the Beatific Vision?
  5. Liam Goligher: The Beatific Vision (video)

 

 Related terms:

Filed under Last Things

What is the beatific vision? at Got Questions.


Do you have a a theological term you’d like to see featured as a Theological Term of the Week? Email your suggestion using the contact button in the navigation bar above. 

Clicking on the Theological Terms button above the header will take you to an alphabetical list of all the theological terms.

 

Sunday
Jan072024

Sunday's Hymn: Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above

 

 

 

Sing praise to God who reigns above, 
the God of all creation, 
the God of power, the God of love, 
the God of our salvation. 
With healing balm my soul is filled 
and every faithless murmur stilled: 
To God all praise and glory.

The Lord is never far away, 
but through all grief distressing, 
an ever present help and stay, 
our peace and joy and blessing. 
As with a mother’s tender hand, 
God gently leads the chosen band: 
To God all praise and glory.

Thus all my toilsome way along, 
I sing aloud thy praises, 
that earth may hear the grateful song 
my voice unwearied raises. 
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart, 
both soul and body bear your part: 
To God all praise and glory.

Let all who name Christ’s holy name 
give God all praise and glory; 
let all who own his power proclaim 
aloud the wondrous story! 
Cast each false idol from its throne, 
for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone: 
To God all praise and glory.

—Johann Jakob Schütz (1675), translated by Frances Elizabeth Cox