"Luminous With Love"

A writer of old, describing the glories of the new heaven and earth to come, declared that all shall be "luminous with love."


It is hard to imagine a more beautiful phrase, especially when we consider that it is the love of the Lord Jesus Christ that will radiate from every atom in the universe.



"Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him" (Ephesians 1:9-10).


In our present life we experience beauty with our senses, and then affirm the Lord's presence. "What a beautiful sunset! How great and good is our Lord!" In eternity, however, our response may be reversed. We will see beauty in a particular expression, and perhaps apprehend and acknowledge the glory of God first. "How glorious and beautiful is the Lord! And how He shines forth in that lovely flower!" The Christ in whom the universe is gathered will radiate from all things, presenting the love of God on eternally continual display. Our glorified hearts will continually respond, and all shall indeed be luminous with love.


We have no frame of reference for such glory, other than the firstfruits of Christ we presently "see through a glass darkly" (I Corinthians 13:12). Our hearts and lives are at times luminous, to the degree that we feel overwhelmed by the dynamic presence and working of God. We do well to give thanks for such experience, but we also do well to realize that the loving luminaries to come will cause every blessing of our present life to pale in comparison. This is our hope and assurance in the Christ who will grace every moment of eternity with realities luminous with a love that will never be exhausted in its glorious expression.


"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For Thou art the glory of their strength."
(Psalm 89:15-17)