Have you noticed that when a preacher says, “finally,” it is not final? Well it all started with Apostle Paul. Paul said “finally” five times then continued writing, writing, and writing. When the preacher says, “finally,” it also is not final. It never was and never will be. This is a final fact! So, when the preacher says “finally,” just smile and remember it all started with Apostle Paul. 2 Corinthians 13:11, “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Philippians 3:1, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true… honest … just … pure … lovely … are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.” Five times Paul states “finally,” but it is not final. So finally is not final. When will “finally” finally become final?
Good news! The best is yet to come! “And God shall (finally) wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall (finally) be no more death …sorrow …crying … pain: for the former things are (finally) passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I (finally) make all things new… And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the (final) end” (Rev. 21:4-6). Rejoice Christians, one day finally will finally become final. Finally no more death, finally no more sorrow, finally no more pain, finally all things new – finally. On that day finally will become final and we shall finally, forever be with the Lord forever. The Bible opens with “In the beginning” and closes with a final “Amen” or finally the end. Finally, “And so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:17-18). As the song, finally, “We will step on the shore and find it Heaven. Finally, we will look into a face and find it Jesus.” Finally, together – forever! Finally, home at last. And all of God’s people say Amen! Finally, “finally” is final!
Thought: I may die unexpectedly but not without expectation – TC
