ETERNAL LIFE

Ashley Issler, Children's Pastor

This marks the 8th and final week of our journey through the Apostles' Creed here at RockPointe. Over the past weeks, it has been a joy to engage in conversations with fellow RockPointers about their experiences with the Creed. Some have shared how it has shaped their faith over the years, while others are discovering its significance for the first time. Regardless of where we are in our spiritual journey, the Creed has united us around the core truths of our faith, reminding us of the eternal hope we have in Christ.

This is not the end of our journey—it's just the beginning. Our faith is a story that is still unfolding and we are living in anticipation of something far greater than what we see or experience right now. Scripture reminds us that we are people of hope, living between the already and the not yet. As Paul writes, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12). We are living in anticipation of something far greater than anything we see or experience today.

One of my favorite things to do is garden, but what I love most is the harvest. Whether it’s gathering ripe raspberries from my backyard or spotting wild berries in my parents’ pastures, the harvest brings me deep joy. It represents patience, labor, and the satisfaction of something finally made complete. Yet even the richest earthly harvest leaves my heart longing for something more—the ultimate harvest that Scripture promises.

John’s vision gives us a glimpse of that greater harvest in Revelation. He describes the New Jerusalem, a place where, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). This is the world we were made for—a restored creation where God dwells fully with His people. And we, through Christ, will be gathered into that eternal harvest, renewed, and made whole.

But sometimes, we become so focused on the end that we forget the beauty of the journey. Yes, we await our future home, but eternal life does not begin on the day our earthly body gives out—it already began the moment we opened our hearts to Jesus and asked Him to transform us. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). We are already members of God’s forever family, learning to live today what we will one day experience in fullness. We are citizens of His Kingdom now.

So as we draw closer to the Advent season, a time of waiting, let’s examine how we, as individuals and as the RockPointe community, reflect Jesus. How are our lives pointing to the day when Jesus will return and make all things new? AND how are we living out His Kingdom come—here and now? May our lives, our worship, and our community bear witness to the Savior who has come, who is present with us, and who will come again to bring the final, glorious harvest.