The spirit of Christmas Yet to Come, takes Ebenezer Scrooge one year into his future and Scrooge views scenes of the future. When he sees the sadness fill the home of his employee Bob Cratchit over the loss of Tiny Tim, Scrooge asks the spirit if the things he is seeing are events that are certain or what might be.
The Bible records that there are events in the future that are certain:
> The battle of good and evil in our world.
> The return of Jesus.
> Evil is defeated.
> A new heaven and new earth for those who follow Jesus.
> Hell for those who do not follow Jesus.
These are event determined by God and are certain to take place.
There are events that may or may not occur. They are dependent upon your action or choices.
> Serving the LORD or not serving Him.
Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
> Following Jesus or not following.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
You play a role in partnering with Jesus in transforming this world into His kingdom:
2 Peter 3:10-13
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
According to this passage, the new heaven and new earth will come earlier if you and I live holy and godly lives and delay if we do not. Like Ebenezer Scrooge, the events one year from now in your future depend upon your choices and actions.