Concerning Rents And Rentals!
2 Corinthians 5
KJV
1+ For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
During my usual morning walk, I came across various groups dismantling and removing canopies and other paraphernalia used to celebrate the recently concluded festivity. It struck me that we’ve also rented “ canopies “ which will one day be dismantled!
Our bodies are “ canopies “ we’ve rented for use, the Owner will soon send His dismantling squad to take them away. Our rental agreements contain expiry dates so enjoy the duration you have the “ canopy”
Who the Dismantling squads are I’ve identified and mentioned to the majority when I preached at funerals; so I need not repeat! Death itself is one!
Just remember no matter how you decorate it, no matter how much time and money you spend on it when the expiry date comes your canopy will be dismantled! Pray that the “ squad” will do the dismantling gradually and gently not violently!
Joe Atiso, a very popular singer with the Ramblers International Dance Band (1960s-1970s) sang a song in Ewe “ alô mè manô ku navà wum “ ( I’ll die in my sleep ) My generation will remember those days !!! Yes, when boys were boys! Where were you !! Hmm!
I noticed how nice and beautiful some of the canopies looked but were dismantled! Some of the items that made them beautiful were pulled apart; destroying them completely! I recognised that the same shall be done to our “ canopies “ when we die.
The dust shall return dust, ashes to Ashes. The canopy was made from the earth and to the earth it shall return! The occupant which is a spirit shall return to where it came to be assessed ( judge) and relocated.
Beloved, this does not mean you shouldn’t maintain ( dress and decorate ) your canopy, no please do, keep it up to date so it can serve you for a long time.
When our “festive season” here on Earth is over, the earthly Canopy shall be dismantled , interestingly and thankfully there is a promise of another canopy elsewhere.
Just that this new canopy will be made available to those who used the first earthly one properly and profitably. Those who obeyed and followed the rental rules attached to it by the Owner.
Many we are told looked up to that new canopy so they conducted and comported themselves very well, as a result they received high commendations from the Rental Company owner.
Matthew 10
KJV
32+ Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Revelation 3
KJV
5+ He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Oh, how we look forward to that day when upon the commendation of Jesus we shall be given new canopies! Canopies that can not be dismantled, they are eternal.
Resolve to take good care of the present canopy you’ve rented. It is temporal expect a better one.
My thoughts as I watched the dismantling of festive canopies and paraphernalia.
2 Corinthians 5:1
NIV
[1] For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.