In a world marked by uncertainty, suffering, and the relentless pursuit of temporary satisfaction, the hope we find in salvation through Jesus Christ stands as an unshakable anchor for our souls. This hope is not a fleeting emotion or wishful thinking, but a confident assurance rooted in the promises of God's Word and the finished work of Christ on the cross. As born-again believers, our faith in salvation sustains us through life's most challenging circumstances, offering peace that transcends understanding and joy that remains even in the darkest valleys.

The Apostle Peter wrote, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4). This "lively hope" is the foundation upon which our entire Christian life is built. It is the confident expectation that what God has promised, He will certainly bring to pass, and that our salvation, secured by Christ, can never be lost or diminished.

Throughout this comprehensive exploration, we will delve deeply into the biblical understanding of hope in salvation, examining how our faith sustains us in practical ways, what Scripture teaches about the security of our salvation, and how we can cultivate a vibrant hope that transforms our daily lives. Whether you are a new believer seeking to understand the foundations of your faith, or a mature Christian desiring to deepen your appreciation for the hope you possess in Christ, this study will equip you with biblical truth and practical application to walk confidently in the hope of your salvation.

The Biblical Foundation of Hope in Salvation

To fully appreciate the hope we possess in salvation, we must first establish a firm biblical foundation. The concept of hope in Scripture is far richer and more substantial than the common usage of the word in contemporary language. When we say, "I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow," we are expressing an uncertain desire. But biblical hope is a confident expectation based on the unchanging character of God and His faithful promises.

The word "hope" appears over 120 times in the King James Version of the Bible, and in nearly every instance, it carries the meaning of confident trust and assured expectation. Hebrews 11:1 provides a comprehensive definition that applies to both faith and hope: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Our hope is not baseless or irrational; it is grounded in the substantial reality of God's promises and the historical fact of Christ's resurrection.

The Bible presents salvation as the greatest demonstration of God's love, mercy, and grace toward humanity. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." This incredible truth forms the basis of our hope—that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place, bearing the punishment we deserved for our sins. Through Christ's death on the cross and His victorious resurrection, salvation has been accomplished and offered freely to all who will believe.

Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it abundantly clear that salvation is entirely by God's grace through faith: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." This foundational truth is essential to maintaining proper hope in salvation. If our salvation depended in any measure on our own efforts, performance, or goodness, we would have no secure hope, for we would constantly question whether we had done enough. But because salvation is entirely God's work, received as a free gift through faith alone, our hope is as secure as God Himself.

Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, repeatedly assured His disciples of the certain hope they possessed in Him. In John 14:1-3, He spoke words of comfort that have sustained believers for two millennia: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." This promise gives us hope not only for the present but for eternity—the confident assurance that we have a prepared place in the Father's house and that Christ Himself will return to receive us unto Himself.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian hope. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19, "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." The physical, bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead is the historical event that validates all the promises of God and guarantees our own future resurrection and eternal life. Without the resurrection, there would be no hope, no salvation, no eternal life. But because Christ rose from the dead, our hope is certain and unshakable.

Peter echoes this truth in 1 Peter 1:3, which we referenced earlier: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." The term "lively hope" in the Greek language conveys the idea of a living, active, powerful hope—not a dead, static, or passive wishfulness, but a vibrant, life-giving confidence that animates our entire existence as Christians.

How Faith Sustains Us Through Trials and Suffering

One of the most profound ways that hope in salvation sustains us is through times of trial, suffering, and adversity. The Christian life is not promised to be easy or free from difficulties. In fact, Jesus warned His disciples, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The trials we face in this life are varied—physical illness, financial hardship, relational conflicts, persecution for our faith, loss of loved ones, and countless other challenges. Yet in the midst of all these difficulties, our hope in salvation provides supernatural sustaining power.

James 1:2-4 instructs believers to have a counterintuitive response to trials: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." The ability to "count it all joy" when facing various trials is not natural; it is supernatural, made possible only by the hope we have in Christ. When we understand that God is using our trials to refine our faith, develop our character, and ultimately bring us to spiritual maturity, we can endure hardship with hope and even joy.

The Apostle Paul, who experienced more suffering and hardship than most of us will ever face, wrote powerfully about how hope sustains believers through trials. In Romans 5:3-5, he declares: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Paul outlines a divine progression: tribulation produces patience (steadfast endurance), patience produces experience (proven character), and experience produces hope. This hope does not disappoint us or make us ashamed, because it is rooted in God's love, which the Holy Spirit has poured into our hearts.

The biblical principle of sowing and reaping also applies to how hope sustains us. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." When we become discouraged in our Christian walk, tempted to give up on prayer, Bible reading, serving others, or resisting sin, our hope in salvation reminds us that our labor is not in vain. God sees, God knows, and God will reward in His perfect timing. This hope gives us strength to persevere when we feel like quitting.

The promises of God are a continual source of sustaining hope during difficult times. Throughout Scripture, we find numerous promises that speak directly to our needs and fears. When we face financial concerns, we can cling to Philippians 4:19: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." When we struggle with fear and anxiety, we can rest in Isaiah 41:10: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." When we feel weak and inadequate, we can draw strength from 2 Corinthians 12:9: "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

Hope in salvation also sustains us by reminding us of our identity in Christ. When we struggle with guilt, shame, or feelings of unworthiness, we can remember that we are "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6), that we are "the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21), and that "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). These truths about our identity and position in Christ are not based on our feelings or circumstances, but on the objective reality of what God has declared to be true. This hope anchors us when our emotions threaten to overwhelm us.

Prayer is another vital means by which hope sustains us through trials. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." When we bring our burdens to God in prayer, acknowledging our dependence on Him and expressing gratitude for His faithfulness, we experience a supernatural peace that guards our hearts and minds. This peace is directly connected to our hope in salvation—the confidence that our lives are in God's hands and that He is working all things together for our good and His glory.

The Security of Our Salvation and Eternal Hope

A crucial aspect of the hope we have in salvation is the security of that salvation. If we were uncertain about whether we would ultimately be saved, our hope would be shaky and unstable. However, Scripture provides abundant assurance that those who have genuinely trusted in Christ for salvation are eternally secure, and this security is a foundation for unshakable hope.

Jesus Himself declared the security of believers in the clearest possible terms in John 10:27-29: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." Notice the emphatic language: "they shall never perish," "neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand," "no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." This triple emphasis leaves no room for doubt—those who belong to Christ are held securely by both the Son and the Father, and nothing can separate them from this divine grasp.

The Apostle Paul echoes this certainty in Romans 8:38-39, one of the most triumphant passages in all of Scripture: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Paul exhaustively lists every conceivable category of potential threat to our salvation—death, life, angels, demons, present circumstances, future events, spatial dimensions, and any created thing whatsoever—and declares that none of these can separate us from God's love in Christ. This is the bedrock of our hope.

Ephesians 4:30 adds further weight to this truth: "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." The sealing of the Spirit is not temporary or conditional; it extends "unto the day of redemption"—the day when Christ returns and we receive our glorified bodies. This sealing cannot be broken by our failures, sins, or weaknesses. While we can grieve the Holy Spirit through our disobedience, we cannot cause Him to abandon us or unseal us from God's possession.

The doctrine of justification by faith also contributes to our understanding of salvation's security. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Justification is a legal declaration by God that we are righteous in His sight, not because of anything we have done, but solely on the basis of Christ's righteousness imputed to us through faith. This justification is complete, final, and irreversible. God does not justify someone and then later unjustify them. Romans 8:33 asks rhetorically, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." If God has declared us righteous, who can successfully bring charges against us? The answer is no one.

The completion and perfection of Christ's work on the cross also guarantees the security of our salvation. Jesus' final words on the cross were, "It is finished" (John 19:30). The Greek word used here, "tetelestai," was a commercial term meaning "paid in full." Jesus was declaring that the work of redemption was complete—there was nothing left to be done, no additional payment required, no further sacrifice needed. Hebrews 10:10-14 emphasizes this completion: "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Notice the contrast: the Old Testament priests stood continually offering sacrifices that could never truly remove sin, but Christ, after offering one perfect sacrifice, sat down—indicating that His work was complete. And the result of this one offering is that believers are "perfected for ever." This doesn't mean we are morally perfect in our daily experience, but that our position before God is permanently secured through Christ's sacrifice. Our hope is anchored in what Christ has done, not in what we do.

The perseverance of the saints is another biblical truth that relates to the security of salvation. Philippians 1:6 assures us, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." God doesn't start a work of salvation and then abandon it halfway through. He will complete what He has begun. This doesn't give us license to live carelessly or presumptuously, but it does give us confident hope that God will preserve us and bring us safely to our eternal home.

First John 5:11-13 provides believers with the basis for knowing they have eternal life: "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." Notice that John writes so that believers "may know"—not hope, guess, or wonder—that they have eternal life. This knowledge is based on the objective testimony of God's Word, not on our subjective feelings or experiences.

Living in the Light of Our Hope

Understanding the hope we have in salvation should profoundly affect the way we live our daily lives. This hope is not meant to be merely a comforting doctrine that we acknowledge intellectually, but a transformative reality that shapes our priorities, decisions, relationships, and overall approach to life.

First and foremost, hope in salvation should produce holiness in our lives. First John 3:2-3 makes this connection explicit: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." The hope of seeing Christ and being transformed into His likeness motivates us to pursue purity and holiness now. We don't pursue holiness to earn or maintain our salvation, but as a grateful response to the salvation we have freely received and in anticipation of the complete transformation that awaits us.

Titus 2:11-14 beautifully describes how the grace of salvation teaches us to live: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Notice the three tenses: grace has appeared (past), teaching us to live godly (present), and we are looking for the blessed hope (future). Our hope in Christ's return should motivate us to deny ungodliness and live righteously right now.

Hope in salvation also affects our perspective on material possessions and worldly success. When we understand that we have an eternal inheritance waiting for us in heaven, we are freed from the relentless pursuit of temporal things. Colossians 3:1-2 exhorts us: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." This doesn't mean we become irresponsible or neglect our earthly duties, but that our primary focus and ultimate satisfaction are found in heavenly realities rather than earthly possessions.

Jesus taught extensively about the proper relationship between earthly and heavenly treasures. In Matthew 6:19-21, He warned: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." When our hope is firmly anchored in salvation and eternal life, we naturally invest our time, energy, and resources in things that have eternal value—sharing the gospel, building up other believers, serving those in need, and cultivating our relationship with God.

Our hope in salvation should also produce patient endurance and steadfastness. James 5:7-8 uses the illustration of a farmer to encourage believers: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Just as a farmer patiently waits for the harvest, knowing that the seasons will bring it in due time, we can patiently endure present hardships because we know that our ultimate reward is certain and approaching.

Hope in salvation should make us people of prayer and worship. When we grasp the magnitude of what God has done for us in Christ—rescuing us from sin, death, and hell, and securing for us an eternal inheritance—our natural response should be gratitude, praise, and worship. Psalm 107:8 expresses this beautifully: "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Our prayers should be characterized by thanksgiving for the salvation we have received, by confident petition based on God's promises, and by intercession for others to come to know the hope that we possess.

Finally, hope in salvation should motivate us to pursue Christian unity and love. Ephesians 4:3-4 connects the unity of believers to the one hope we share: "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling." All true believers share the same hope—we have all been saved by the same grace, through faith in the same Savior, and we are all heading to the same eternal destination. This common hope should bind us together in love and unity, transcending our differences in background, culture, or denominational affiliation.

Cultivating and Strengthening Our Hope

While hope in salvation is a gift from God and not something we can produce through human effort, there are biblical means by which we can cultivate and strengthen the hope we have been given. Just as a plant needs water, sunlight, and nutrients to grow, our hope needs to be nourished through spiritual disciplines and practices.

The primary means of strengthening our hope is through the Word of God. Romans 15:4 teaches us: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." The Scriptures were given to us for the specific purpose of generating and sustaining hope. When we regularly read, study, meditate on, and memorize God's Word, we are feeding our hope with the very promises and truths that are its foundation. The Bible reveals God's character, His faithfulness throughout history, His promises for the future, and the certainty of our salvation through Christ. Every time we immerse ourselves in Scripture, our hope is reinforced and strengthened.

Psalm 119:49-50 expresses the hope-sustaining power of God's Word: "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." When we are going through difficult times, we can turn to the specific promises of Scripture and claim them by faith, allowing them to revive and sustain our hope. This is why it is so valuable to memorize Scripture—so that in moments of discouragement or trial, we have God's promises readily available in our hearts and minds.

Prayer is also essential for maintaining and strengthening hope. When we bring our concerns, fears, and requests to God in prayer, we are acknowledging our dependence on Him and expressing confidence in His ability and willingness to help us. Philippians 4:6-7, which we looked at earlier, promises that when we pray with thanksgiving, "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." This supernatural peace is closely connected to hope—it is the calm assurance that God is in control and that our lives are in His capable hands.

Remembering God's past faithfulness is another powerful way to strengthen present hope. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly commanded His people to remember what He had done for them—delivering them from Egypt, providing for them in the wilderness, giving them victory over their enemies. These acts of remembrance were meant to generate confidence that the God who had been faithful in the past would continue to be faithful in the future. We can apply this same principle in our lives by keeping a journal of answered prayers, by rehearsing God's faithfulness in previous trials, and by intentionally cultivating a heart of gratitude for what God has already done. When we remember how God has sustained us in the past, our hope for the future is strengthened.

Psalm 42:5 illustrates this practice of self-exhortation based on God's past faithfulness: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." The psalmist is speaking to his own soul, reminding himself to place his hope in God based on previous experiences of God's help. We can do the same—when we feel discouraged or when our hope begins to waver, we can preach to ourselves, reminding our souls of who God is and what He has promised.

Serving others and sharing the gospel also strengthen our own hope. When we invest in the lives of others, pointing them to Christ and helping them grow in faith, we are reminded of the reality and power of the gospel message. Acts 20:35 records Jesus' words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." There is a reciprocal blessing in serving others—as we encourage others with the hope of the gospel, our own hope is reinforced. Similarly, as we share the gospel with unbelievers and see God work in their hearts, bringing them from death to life, our confidence in the truth and power of the gospel is strengthened.

Maintaining a forward-looking perspective is also crucial for cultivating hope. Second Corinthians 4:18 instructs us to look "not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." We cultivate hope by consciously directing our attention toward eternal realities rather than temporary circumstances. This doesn't mean we ignore present realities or become irresponsible, but that we view present circumstances through the lens of eternity. When we regularly think about heaven, Christ's return, our future glorification, and the eternal joy that awaits us, our present troubles seem less overwhelming and our hope remains strong.

Revelation 21:4-5 gives us a glimpse of the glorious future that awaits believers: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." When we meditate on passages like this, our hope is strengthened because we are reminded that our present sufferings are temporary and that an inconceivably glorious future awaits us.

The Ultimate Fulfillment of Our Hope

The final and complete fulfillment of our hope will occur when Christ returns and we are forever united with Him in glory. This blessed hope—the return of Christ and our eternal dwelling with Him—is the ultimate goal toward which all Christian hope points. It is the consummation of everything God has been working toward throughout human history, and it is the realization of every promise He has made to His people.

First Thessalonians 4:16-18 provides a thrilling description of Christ's return for His church: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Notice that Paul concludes this passage by instructing believers to "comfort one another with these words." The truth of Christ's return is meant to be a source of comfort and encouragement in our present experience, not just a future event we passively await.

The resurrection of the body is a crucial component of our hope. While we tend to focus on the soul going to heaven at death, the Bible teaches that our ultimate hope includes the resurrection of our physical bodies. First Corinthians 15:51-53 reveals this mystery: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." Our present bodies, subject to decay, disease, and death, will be transformed into glorified, immortal bodies like Christ's resurrected body. This is the ultimate reversal of the curse of sin and death.

The promise of seeing Christ face to face is perhaps the most precious aspect of our hope. First John 3:2 tells us: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." Throughout our lives on earth, we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We know Christ through His Word and experience His presence by the Holy Spirit, but we do not see Him with our physical eyes. But one day, that will change. We will see Him face to face, in all His glory and beauty, and we will be transformed into His likeness. For those who love Christ, this is the ultimate fulfillment of every longing and desire.

The anticipation of rewards for faithful service is also part of our hope. While we don't serve God in order to earn rewards, Scripture clearly teaches that God will reward believers for their faithful service. Second Corinthians 5:10 states: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." This is not a judgment to determine salvation—that has already been settled through faith in Christ—but a review of our works to determine rewards. First Corinthians 3:12-15 describes this judgment using the metaphor of building materials being tested by fire, with some works surviving and bringing reward, while others are burned up but the believer himself is still saved.

Jesus Himself promised rewards for faithful service. In Matthew 25:21, the master says to the faithful servant, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." The prospect of hearing Christ say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," and of receiving responsibilities and privileges in His eternal kingdom, should motivate us to faithful service now and strengthen our hope for the future.

The eternal security and unchangeable nature of our future state is also part of our hope. Revelation 21:27 tells us that in the New Jerusalem, "there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Once we are glorified and dwelling in the new heavens and new earth, there will be no possibility of sin entering again, no possibility of losing our salvation, no possibility of falling from grace. We will be confirmed in righteousness forever, with no temptation, no sin nature, and no enemy to threaten our perfect fellowship with God. This is absolute, final, complete security—a hope that can never be disappointed.

Revelation 22:3-5 concludes the Bible with this glorious vision: "And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." This is the ultimate fulfillment of our hope—endless, joyful service and worship in the presence of God, with no curse, no darkness, no sorrow, and no end. This is what we have to look forward to, and this is what sustains us through every trial and challenge we face in this present life.