Knowing destruction is the fate of the world, the question becomes what will remain after it is burned up? The first obvious answer is Jesus. He will remain. He is eternal, immortal and His rule will never end. He will not and cannot change. The Bible teaches us that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" ( Hebrews 13:8 ). The book of Revelation, which is a revelation of Jesus, says this about Him, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty" ( Revelation 1:8 ). His years will never come to an end. He will reign in glory eternally.
Since everything physical will be burned up and destroyed the only things that can remain are spiritual and eternal in nature. This is one of the reasons we are given a new spirit when we are born again. It is a nature free from sin ( Romans 6:6 ) and it cannot be destroyed by fire. "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory" ( Ephesians 1:13-14 ). If you possess God's spirit then you are one of His. This born again spirit is your down payment guaranteeing the promises of God and a future in heaven with Him.
The next thing that will remain is good deeds. That is not to say, the things you do to earn salvation. For the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is a gift. Nor is it the things you do to win favor with God. Those things are meaningless in comparison to what Jesus did for you. What I mean is the fruit that you bear by existing and dwelling in the vine of Christ, will remain and last forever. These things are also eternal and will not pass away. The contrast is huge; "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames" ( I Corinthians 3:12-15 ). So the results of abiding in Christ are the fruit of good works. It will last eternally and the reward will be great. The difference in these works is a matter of the heart.
Tomorrow we look at Part 3: Jesus’ Years will Never End
