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Alexandra Malhi

New Testament

Mr. Propst

April 21,2009

Surprised by Hope

In the 7th chapter of Surprised by Hope by Wright, it discusses the Ascension

and how it relates to heaven and earth. There were many facts in this chapter that

surprised me. In this chapter it discusses how ascension relates to heaven and earth

and how they are not two different locations, but two different dimensions of God’s

creation. Wright also says that heaven and earth are relates so that a person in

heaven is always present to those on earth. These facts were surprising because I

never thought of heaven and earth as being one. Heaven is a sacred place where

everything is perfect and there is no sin. Earth on the other hand is filled with evil

and sinful people, which in turn is the direct opposite of heaven. Everything in God’s

eyes is seen differently than ours. Another fact that surprised me out of the book is

how is says Jesus is going to be in human form in heaven. This surprised me because

I have always pictured Jesus to be in a heavenly form and not so much in human

form. It is said that Jesus is enthroned, ruling over earth, not just in the future, but in

the present. Throughout this book many different things have made me question my

daily lifestyle, and altered my walk with the Lord is a good way. What really

influenced me was how in the book it talks about judgment, and how we will be

judged when we are brought in front of him. When I am brought in front of the Lord
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to be judged I want for Him to tell me what good works I have done and how I have

impacted and changed peoples lives. In the Bible it says that future judgment in

according to deeds, but I also believe that it has to do with your walk with the Lord.

Yes Jesus wants us to be kind and perform good deeds, but it means nothing to Him

if one doesn’t have a personal relationship with Him. Which has also altered my

walk with the Lord. Yes Jesus wants you to be kind and perform good deeds, but that

means nothing to Him if one doesn’t; have a personal relationship with him. What

also altered my walk with the lord was thinking about the resurrection and his

coming. This made me think about many different things. It has made me realize

that you always need to be living your life for Go, because you never know when

he’s going to come again. The resurrection also presented me with several questions

that I have after reading this certain chapter. Where will it happen, or what will it

look like? In the book it says that the resurrection will happen by sprit of God. It is

the beginning of a marvelous life that one gets to live. It makes me so happy to thing

that we get to live this marvelous life just by accepting Jesus as our personal savior,

and following the plans he has for our life. Surprised by Hope challenged me; it

challenged my faith and relationship with God. In a way I was relieved to once again

hear about God’s amazing grace and the hope that He has given us, but I was also

reminded that I should constantly be ready for Jesus to come again. Jesus has given

us so much hope; hope not only for life, but also for eternity. Jesus’ grace and love

surprises me each day and this book was another beautiful reminder of the

complexity of the love of God and also the perfection of heaven and the fact that that

is where we get to spend eternity. God not only has surprised us with hope but also
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has promised us a hope for the future; it is this promise that helps me throughout

my life. It is a constant reminder that no matter what goes on in my day or

throughout my life, God has promised hope for the future to those who trust and

believe in Him, and it is those people that abide by this promise and God’s word that

will someday be with Him for eternity. So in conclusion I am once again so surprised

by Hope!