What is Biblical Hope?

The word hope is commonly used to denote a deep desire, as in “hope I get that promotion” or “I hope he proposes” or things of that sort in the temporal realm here on earth. The word hope for the Christian has a very different meaning. Christians’ hope is in the Lord. It means the absolute assurance that God’s Word is true and can be fully trusted now and for eternity.

God has given Christians absolute hope for heaven and eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Christians’ hope is in God’s unfailing love. It enables our souls to rest in God because Biblical hope comes from Him.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5

Faith and hope go hand-in-hand as faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not yet see. [Hebrews 11:1] Hope in Christ gives believers the boldness to both defend and contend for the Christian faith.

The world puts out many ideas about what happens after death, but a Christian has the ‘hope of heaven’. This hope is the absolute, unwavering CERTAINTY of eternal life through Jesus Christ in a realm where there is no sickness, sin or death. That’s really good news. One who has this hope can face uncertain times and even physical death unafraid.

God has promised Christians a place that is even more perfect than any of us can ever dream or imagine and one that fulfills our greatest hopes and deepest longings.

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—

1 Corinthians 2:9

When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit in us quickens our spirit to have this wonderful assurance. If you would like to experience this hope, please read our post, How Can I Become a Christian?

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