Hope contains an element of desire as well as expectation. We desire to be with the Lord, and by faith we expect it. Again, Paul said, "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord" (II Corinthians 5:6-8). Heaven is such a grand and glorious thought! It is a place with many mansions. "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" (John 14:2-3). It is a place where, "...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" (Revelation 21:4). Doesn't it seem a little strange that so many claim to be Christians with the same hope but they are divided as if there was more than one Bible, more than one body, or more than one Spirit? God's people should be united, they should be one.

My friend, give up the traditions and the commandments of men. Throw all the creeds in the fire and take your stand upon the authority of the Word of God. God's people have "one hope" of their calling. "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel" (Colossians 1:3-5).