“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Paul speaks with certainty about what lies beyond the grave, a certainty which those in the media or academia in the world cannot match with their fanciful religions, whimsical philosophies, romantic notions and self-centered ideals. Paul is telling us here that this body we have and which we hold onto so dearly is not permanent. Human life is like a tent, temporary, vulnerable, and susceptible to the weather and dangers of all sorts. When we die, we lose the tent but this does not mean we are left homeless. The tent, our body we call home now, will be destroyed only to be replaced by our heavenly home, our glorified body. The loss of one is followed by the ownership of the other, so far superior to what we cherish so strongly now.
And we do cherish this body and this life too much, so much so that we think this life is solid and real and forget about heaven. When we look at heaven we see it as shadowy, vague and insubstantial. But Paul is telling us that the reverse is true. The life to come is intense, permanent and real, while this life is fragile, temporary and inadequate. Deep down the Spirit of God who lives within the believer tells us that it is so. And He inspires us to groan in our feeling of discomfort. We long for our heavenly home. We long to be clothed with our resurrected body, to be overwhelmed by all the blessings we will enjoy as we stand in the presence of Almighty God.
Most people even many in the church do not feel this spiritual discomfort: they are too comfortable with the world. Many desire and value material things, money and pleasurable experiences for themselves above what God wants, more than fellowship with Him through prayer, His word and the company of His saints, more than truth, justice for the oppressed and salvation of the lost. This desire for the things of the world is a sign that such people do not have the Holy Spirit. If that is so, then they are in serious trouble. They really ought to worry about what lies beyond the grave because they lack, that necessary guarantee. No matter what ideas and images they may concoct to give themselves the assurance of what the next life holds, they can never be certain. Things may look fine on the outside, they may possess fame, material prosperity and riches; their lives may be filled with success and pleasure and ease; they may think all these are signs of God’s favor and blessing. Yet they are on the road to destruction. Only when they repent and come to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit will they lose their fear of death and receive the assurance of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Theophany: Meeting With God In His Word 