2002-10-31
Good Morning Faithful Ones,
Once we have repented and come to faith, our salvation is accomplished. That, of course, is because of Christ’s blood shed for us on the cross. We become parties to the new Covenant of Grace with God, expected to live a godly life of holiness. Naturally, God knows that we are not perfected, but we now no longer are forced to sin; we have a choice. RO 6: 5-7, “For since we have become one with Him in dying as He did, in the same way we shall be one with Him by being raised to life as He was. And we know that our old being has been put to death with Christ on His cross, in order that the power of the sinful self might be destroyed, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin. For when a person dies, he is set free from the power of sin.” In other words, we are dead to sin’s power over us.
The story of salvation is really completed for us at the time of our glorification, when we are finally given “resurrection bodies” and are taken to heaven to dwell their permanently with our Father [1 COR 15: 42-50]. As far as Satan and his followers, the authors of so much suffering, pain, and loss for everyone on earth, they, too, will meet with the only fate that reveals God’s righteousness, spiritual death. REV 12: 9-12, “The huge dragon was thrown out-that ancient serpent, named the devil or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, ‘Now God’s salvation has come! Now God has shown His power as King! Now His Messiah has shown His authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused our brothers day and night has been thrown out of heaven. Our brothers won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth, which they proclaimed and they were willing to give up their lives and die. And so be glad you heavens, and all you that live there! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, and he is filled with rage, because he knows that he has only a little time left.’”
What great comfort it gives us to know that the devil’s time is limited and that our loving and righteous God is always sovereign and supreme. God’s power, which is endless, is being used to our best long-term benefit. REV 16: 12-16 gives us insight into how God will bring the unholy trinity: the dragon [Satan], the beast [the antichrist-evil political leader], and the false prophet [the evil religious leader] into position to lose their spiritual lives. This is the sixth bow judgment. The Euphrates River will dry up, providing a way for the kings from the east to come to Israel. John reports seeing three unclean spirits that look like frogs coming out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. They are the spirits of the demons that perform miracles. These unclean spirits go out to all the kings of the world, leading them to come to battle, to converge at a place called Armageddon (which most people agree is in the Jezreel Valley NW of Jerusalem). The battle will take place on the great Day of the Almighty God. Once again in (15) we are reminded that this Day is coming “like a thief” and to remain on guard, ready for it at any time.
One of the most beautiful passages in the Scriptures, one which stimulates hope and faith like no other, is REV 19: 11-21 & REV 20: 9 and10. The words “Faithful” and “True” jump out at us as the Rider on a white horse [Jesus Christ] dressed in white linen [symbolizing purity, righteousness, and perfection] stained with blood [reminding us of the blood He shed for us] comes to the battle. A sharp, double-edged sword from His mouth and His name “Word of God” emblazoned on his robe give us a picture of the truth of what John was saying in JN 1: 1-4. His armies are also clad in white linen. REV 19: 19-20, “Then I saw the beast and the king of the earth and their armies gather to fight against the One Who was riding the horse and against His army. The beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had performed miracles in His presence. (It was by those miracles that he deceived those who had the mark of the beast and those who had worshipped the image of the beast). The beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” For a thousand years, the dragon had been chained and imprisoned in the abyss. During that time, more people were born and other human kings ruled. When the dragon was finally released, some bought into his deception and some didn’t. Those who had been martyred for their faith were raised to life in the “first raising of the dead.” The others who believed didn’t come to life until the thousand years were over. REV 20: 9 assures us that all the evil cities remaining were destroyed by fire which will come down from heaven. REV 20:10, “Then the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” This is no fairy story, Dear Ones. It’s the truth! We can find in it good reason to fuel our faith and to find comfort in God’s love for us. The Lord will reign forever! Praise be to God!
PRAYER: O Lord, in HE 11: 1 faith is defined as “being sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” We must understand that there is a seen realm and an unseen realm to our universe. The seen realm is what we perceive on earth, the things that obey the laws of science. The unseen realm is that which goes on between evil angels and godly ones in the course of spiritual warfare. EPH 6: 12 outlines the real forces waging these battles. Part of what is unseen is those things which we have been promised which had not yet been consummated. Dearest Abba, we must believe in those things and will do so as we know You better. You have opened Your loving heart to us by revealing Your magnificent attributes to us in the Scriptures. You have inspired the writers of the Scriptures to tell about events in human history which contain valuable lessons for us and help us to stretch toward Your lofty perspective on the matters of human life, including pain, suffering, and loss. PS 143: 5, “I remember the days of old, I think about all Your deeds, I meditate on the works of Your hands.” We are limited and can’t really fully reach the understanding that You have. PS 139: 6, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!” Even so, You have told us through JER 33: 3, “Call to Me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that you know nothing about.” You keep that promise, just as You will keep all Your promises. That is the faith that You have given us. One such promise is in PS 17:15, “And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see You face to face.” We close this prayer of acknowledgment of Your greatness with praise You so richly deserve. PS 148: 4-5, “Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens and ye water that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord for He commanded, and they were created.” We bow before You in humility to confess our sin and to offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, glory, honor, trust, obedience, thanks and praise. In Christ’s name, amen.
Tomorrow, I’m led to return for further discussion to the subject of doubts. I will share from my own experience and citations that tell us what God has to say about this difficult fiery arrow aimed at our minds that Satan so often sends. The promises that God gives us are there for two important reasons: 1) to cause us to see the need for faith, encouraging us to take steps to build that faith; 2) to allow our Creator to control the timing of events to produce the greatest number of opportunities for people to come to faith and enjoy the salvation that Christ’s death on the cross provides. Our Deity loves us so much that His goal, one we have been called to help Him make so, is to bring as many people to faith in Christ as possible. When that Day happens, the city on the hill, God’s permanent home in His eternal Kingdom, will gleam with His light and be populated with people whose whole existence is based on the love Christ modeled for them. Sadness, illness, and evil will no longer exist. Families will be reunited and no one will live without life-preserving love. All our needs will be provided, and we will finally be with the Lord Who loves each of us so much. What a great future believers have! Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn