TENT​

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by David G. Rose

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     Many of us have camped out in a tent. It is fun for a few nights to hear the sounds of nature and to be one with the environment. But the tent is not better than our house. The tent is temporary and does not provide the amenities of a permanent dwelling. A tent is not home.

     The Apostle Paul has made an exquisite comparison with our present body as a tent, and the Heavenly body that God has prepared for His children. Before proceeding with this teaching, please read 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 for a base of understanding.

     The eternal soul of man on earth is housed in a natural body. In the above scripture, Paul has compared this natural body to a tent or tabernacle. There are some obvious similarities to note. Like a tent, these bodies can be moved from place to place. We are indeed pilgrims on this earth and these bodies are constantly changing and repositioning.

     Compared to a permanent dwelling, a tent is frail and somewhat flimsy. Similarity, this earthly body is easily affected by temperature, accidents, and disease. As we age, our abilities are diminished and hampered. 

     Bottom line, these earthly bodies are obviously temporary. Some folks have stronger bodies than others. But even so, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Unless Christ returns for us at the Rapture, we all face the same fate. 

     2 Corinthians 5:4 speaks of groaning. While we live in this earthly tent, we yearn for something better. This verse in the New Living Translation says, “While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.”

     We groan because everyone carries burdens. We carry the burden of sin because “We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23 KJV)

     We carry the burden of sorrow. Jesus said in John 16:33 ESV, “In the world you will have tribulation!” We sorrow over the loss of a job, or the death of a loved one. Everyone carries the burden of sorrows.

     And we carry the burden of life itself. Each day we must pick up out tent and plod through whatever the calendar requires. And some days, we would rather just stay in bed!

     But as Christians, we have the hope of a better day. As we walk by faith and trust in God, one day we will have a new body that is eternal and so much better than this temporary tabernacle. (1 Corinthians 15:35-58)

     And more good news! At death, we close the eyes of this earthly body and open them in the glorious presence of our Savior Jesus Christ. Then we will “be absent from the body and present with the Lord!” (2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV)

Next week: To die is gain
 

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