II Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The crown is for all them also that love his appearing.

Now, I'm not going to lie, I actually do look forward to my "disappearing".

However, that is not loving his appearing.

Same event, different focus.

There is nothing wrong with loving our disappearing, there is simply no crown for that.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

In a similar way, when I set my affection on things above, is it on everything there, or primarily on Jesus?

It would seem that it is the same kind of focus issue.

When I hear Colossians 3:2, what is my very first thought? The mansions? The gates of pearl? Or is Jesus my first thought?

When I think of the blessed hope, what is my very first thought?

Is it that I'm getting out of here, or is Jesus in the clouds my first thought?