"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

This fantastic promise refers back to another great promise given by God to His people: "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him" (Isaiah 64:4).

The Old Testament promise applied primarily to the nation of Israel, but its New Testament extension incorporates it in a global promise to all who love the Lord of glory, "crucified" by "the princes of this world" (1 Corinthians 2:8), the One who was also the Savior of the world.

Comparison of the two prophetic promises yields three vital truths. These things that God has prepared for His loved ones have been in view "since the beginning of the world," and have been revealed in part by the prophets, who have been speaking also "since the world began" (Luke 1:70).

Secondly, those who "wait for him" in the Old Testament are synonymous with those who "love him" in the New. The apostle Paul joins both themes together when he says: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness . . . and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8).

Finally, we cannot even begin to comprehend the glorious things God has prepared for those who love Him and wait for Him. In some measure, the Spirit later revealed them in part through John's eyes and ears, when he saw "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven," and heard "a great voice out of heaven saying . . . God himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:2-3). Then our eyes shall fully see, and our ears hear, and our hearts understand, the fullness of God's love in Christ. HMM