It is a matter of the deepest importance for all of us to be quite sure as to the future. No doubt some will say: "It is impossible; no one can be sure as to the future."
You will be more correct if you say: "No one can be sure of the present."
You and I do not know what tomorrow will bring. But, thank God, what is unseen and eternal is explained to us in the Word of God with the utmost clearness. The simplest believer knows without a shadow of a doubt what the future holds.
Please notice how this chapter opens—"We know." What a comfort in a day of doubt! What does the Christian know? He knows that if he passes from this scene, he goes to be with the Lord. On the other hand, what is the future of the unconverted man? It is a leap in the dark. A man must be a fool to leap into the dark, when believing in Jesus, he need not die in his sins.
Look at the thief on the cross. Although he is in the agony of death, he is at peace. What gives him this peace? He says, I know I am going to be with Christ; He told me Himself:
"We know... we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." This is a beautiful possession—the privilege of the youngest believer in Christ—"we know," not "we hope."
Do you know that, dear unsaved one? Is it presumption to believe Christ? No! Presumption lies with the one who says he cannot know, when God's Word says "We know."
The basis and ground on which this knowledge rests is the work of Christ on the cross. He was made sin; He knew no sin, so that sinners, believing in Him, might be forever with Him without their sins.