2003-10-24
Good Morning Fellow Believers,
When dealing with spiritual information, it is necessary for us to step “out of the box,” which in this context means the limits of the laws of earthly nature as defined by Newton and Einstein. The latter only makes sense out of things which are tangible and can be demonstrated at will. However, we are wise enough to know that there are many things in our lives which don’t fit into this criteria, are intangible, and are often impossible to explain by ordinary means. How much this fits what we know about God! He is capable of things which make the special effects seen in movies look like child’s play. And what about those cynics and unbelievers who question this? There is 1 COR 2: 14 to help us see where they fit. “Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God’s Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them; they are foolishness to him, because their value can only be judged on a spiritual basis.” HE 11:1, defines faith as “being sure of the things we hope for, and being certain of the things we cannot see.” I love Les Feldick’s definition of faith: “taking God at His word.”
Throughout these messages about the Kingdom of Heaven, we are seeing that the lifestyle [the one that leads to eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven] as outlined in the Sermon on the Mount by Christ in MT 5-7 is one we can live today. We are also getting a remarkably rich and detailed view of heaven from the Scriptures, so as to make us desire to be permanent residents there as soon as God’s time is right. Three weeks ago, we began looking at REV 21:1-22.5 and continue to do so today, beginning with REV 21: 9. This begins a description of the New Jerusalem and calls upon us to have the faith I write about above.
REV 21: 9-11, “One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came to me [John] and said, ‘Come, and I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ The Sprit took control of me, and the angels carried me to the top of a very high mountain. He showed me Jerusalem, the Holy City, coming down out of heaven from God and shining with the glory of God. The city shone like a precious stone, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” How can we not be struck by the concept of clarity and light, two words which surely describe God’s glory and truth? Remember MT 5: 15-16, “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead, he puts it on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.” PS 36: 9, “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light,” also comes to mind here. I always love the metaphor of being lost in a dark cave. You have no idea how to get out or even what dangers lurk around you until you switch on a torch [flash light]. God’s word is like this; it shines His light on the darkness of evil in our lives. Later in REV 21: 23, we are told, “The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God’s shines on it, and the Lamb is its Lamp.” Darkness and evil are not present there. REV 21: 27, “But nothing that is impure will enter the city, nor anyone who does shameful things or tells lies. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of the Living will enter the city.” I’m never tired of citing PS 119: 105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path.”
To me, one of the most beautiful things about people I meet is one’s ability to reflect the light of Christ through their values and actions. Peter and I belong to Cursillo, the organization that puts on four-day spiritual retreats. That is a group of people who by their love and their actions show us the light of Christ. They make us want to be better believers, to do good deeds for others, and to come closer to God than ever before. Our times with the Cursillo people are as close to heaven on earth as we have ever experienced. For me, they are teaching me to take joy in leading an unselfish existence. The light of Christ is all over this! Imagine what it will be like in the Eternal City described in this passage of REV. REV 21: 12-14, “It had a great, high wall with twelve gates and with twelve angels in charge of the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of the people of Israel. There were three gates on each side: three on the east, three on the south, three on the north, and three on the west. The city’s wall was built on twelve foundation stones, on which were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” As a Messianic Jew, this passage is dear to me. It tells me that the tribes of ancient Israel were revered by God, even through it had not yet become time for them to meet Christ. It speaks to God’s justice that when one dies having been faithful during his life, God’s blessings are available to him even if he hasn’t met Christ during his earthly time. Do I believe each faithful person, Jew or Gentile, who hasn’t met Christ in his earthly life will do so? You bet I do! How or when, we don’t know, but I believe it happens. MT 17:3 gives us the most palpable proof of this, for who do we see in the transfiguration of Christ with him? It is Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus-two people who lived long before Christ became incarnate! I’m led to cite this closing Scripture which reveals God’s attitude toward each believer. 2 CH 16: 9, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
PRAYER: O Lord, with our human limitations, we are still called upon to reach toward Your lofty and accurate perspective on our lives. First You create the earth and everything on it [GN 1:1-2: 25; JN 1: 1-4]. Then, when the serpent wrests dominion of the earth away from You, You provide a way for mankind to become civilized and know the difference between right and wrong by the Law [RO 7: 7] That is followed, only when mankind is ready for it, by the greatest sacrifice ever made-Your sacrifice of Your only begotten Son on the cross. That makes the way for the salvation of those willing to have faith in Him and to repent of their sins [JN 3: 16; RO 3: 25]. And that was not all. For You give all believers the gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell within them, thus “inwardly transforming them by the renewal of their minds” [JN 14: 16-17; RO 12: 2]. You always understand our limitations, knowing full well that we need to work through challenges from the adversary that You allow and of which You control the extent. That is the process by which You enable us to become perfected and prepared for eternal life with You in the Kingdom of Heaven. Paul understood this concept of sanctification well when he was inspired by You to write RO 5: 3-4, “We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and His approval creates hope.” Despite the pain, suffering, and loss that we must endure, You have told us in RO 8: 18, “I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” Throughout the Scriptures, we are given all kinds of evidence that You keep Your promises. And so, Dearest Abba, when You tell us that through Christ, You will one day wrest dominion over the earth back to Yourself and that we can live with You in that gorgeous Eternal City that is the Kingdom of Heaven, we can believe You with all our hearts. You are our Hiding Place with Christ, and we love You. In Christ’s name, You are to be praised! Amen.
Next week, I am led to continue the description of heaven’s Eternal City from REV 21: 15 and carrying on. I’ve been accused of getting mired in details, but these are such delicious ones with such eternal consequences that I hope I can be forgiven for this. HO 14: 9 reminds us of what a superb, loving, and compassionate God we have. “The Lord says, ‘Bring My people back to Me. I will love them with all My heart; no longer am I angry with them.’” COL 1: 20 tells us that God converts His words into action. “Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to Himself. God made peace through His Son’s death on the cross and so brought back to Himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.” Yes, Dear Ones, that’s you and me! With endurance in faith and obedience to God, we can look forward to being permanent residents of the Eternal City as joint-heirs to it with Christ [RO 8: 17]. What greater blessing can a loving God give us?
God loves you and so do I,
Lynn