February 22, 2009
Scripture:
Read Luke 15:8 – 24. I was thinking of the words were expressed in that last hymn and in prayer; and also of that verse that was read, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”. Think how God felt, when sin came into the world; when it entered His perfect, flawless creation, and ruined everything. Then think of how He didn’t spare His Son, His heart’s delight, to save us from that sin. We were far from God; in the ‘far country’ as it were. Yet, through that work on Calvary we are brought nigh. We were without hope because of our sins, yet “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”; and now we have been brought into His presence.
Hymn 202 – How blest a home—the Father’s house,
Prayer
Today I’d like to begin speaking about the eternal state. Read Revelation 21:1 – 8 and 20:11 – 15. The end of ch. 20 shows us the final event of time: the raising of the unholy dead. As eternity begins, they are judged, at the Great White Throne. They will be consigned to the Lake of Fire forever, banished into eternal punishment and separation from God.
I’d like to look at a few of the characteristics of the eternal state. To begin, It is the everlasting ages of God’s rest, and is the result of what God is in His own nature as light and love. The millennial kingdom is not a perfect condition, but it is immensely better than the previous state (the tribulation). In the millennium, righteousness will reign. In the Eternal State righteousness will dwell. Read 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28; at this time, the Son will give all control to the Father. Ephesians 3:21 tells us that this state will have no end.
Read 2 Peter 3:13. The eternal state will bring a new Heaven and a new earth. The new Heaven is for raised saints. The new earth will be the habitation of those who during the millennial reign were alive on earth. Thus even in Eternity, the everlasting distinction is preserved between the heavenly and earthly peoples of God. However close the connection will be, they will never be united or merged into one (see Ephesians 3:15). This new creation will follow God’s will perfectly. and it will be a state of perfection and everlasting rest.
Time distinction, geographical boundaries, and other limitations will entirely disappear in the eternal state; everything will display the energy of God Himself. Everyone and everything will be brought into blessed harmony with what God is.
The previous chapter mentioned, “From whose face the earth and Heaven fled away.” This dissolution is effected by fire (see 2 Peter 3:10). Our planet will be burnt; the new earth will them abide forever. No sin will ever corrupt it.
Also, there is no sea on the new earth; this great, restless, destructive element of nature shall cease to exist. The sea, now essential to animal and vegetable life on earth, is not needed in God’s eternity. The conditions of life are so different in the everlasting state. There will obviously be an immensely extended land surface that the host of saved Jews and Gentiles will live on.
There is so much more to learn about the eternal state; Lord willing, I will continue to tell you about them next time.
As Ezra prepared to leave Babylon, he gathered all the people planning to go, to the river Ahava. As we see from ch. 7:9, they had a four month journey ahead of them. When Ezra reviewed the group, he found that there were no Levites; so, he encouraged some to come. He had priests with him; they are the ones that would offer the sacrifices; but it was the job of the Levites to help with the maintenance of the temple. This job was given to them in the law, and was not something that could be taken over by others.
In v. 18, we find that because of the “good hand of our God,” (that phrase again) Ezra was able to find 18 Levites. V. 20 mentions that he was able to find 220 Nethanims, as well. Who were the Nethanims? It seems that they were descendants of the Gibeonites. We know about the covenant Joshua made with the Gibeonites; when it became apparent that they had been deceitful, Joshua gave them the job of assisting the Levites: they became hewers of wood and drawers of water. It appears that after almost 1,000 years, they were still dedicated to the service of the Levites, even more dedicated than the children of Israel themselves.
Before Ezra and his group left for Israel, they fasted by the river to ask God for protection. Here, they asked God for a right way. Of course, they meant their physical route, but we can relate this to our spiritual lives. The area they would be traveling through would be full of danger and enemies. We have temptations, trials, and traps all around us; well might we pray for a right way. David’s prayer in Psalm 27:11 is similar to Ezra’s. We need the good hand of God in our lives as well, so that our substance and little ones will be preserved for the Lord.
It’s interesting to note that they left Babylon with much silver and gold. These were counted and then entrusted to 12 leaders (vv. 24 & 25). When they arrived at Jerusalem, their treasures were counted again. We, too, have been given “treasures” to take care of as we journey. We know the parables of the pounds, or of the talents. We will be held accountable for what we have been given. Will we only return what we are given, or will we have multiplied our gifts for His glory?
Hymn 234 – Saviour, lead me, lest I stray
Prayer