Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

Revelation 5: 13,14 - Exploring Revelation
Jun 25th, 2020
Exploring RevelationArt Sadlier
Categories: Commentary;Prophecy;Book Study

The message has been addressed to the Saints but we also see a messege now addressed to all of creation. "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them," verse 13. The redemption that is about to be consumated by the Lamb, includes not only man, but every creature. That ties in with Romans 8:22, "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

The whole of creation was cursed because of Adam's sin. We read about that curse in Genesis 3:14- 19. The problem of the environment is the problem of sin. It is right and good that man should care for the earth as God had commanded him, but the creation willnot be restored until Christ lifts the curse God placed on the earth. That day will surely come, we read about it in Isaiah 11.

All of creation will join in the praise of God and of the Lamb. In Colossians 1:16, we learn that all things were created by Him and for Him. We now see all of creation praising Him. It is an awesome thought to realize that everything that was created, was created to glorify God. Only fallen man dishonors God instead of glorifying Him. That situation will be reversed in the lives of some. Those who refuse to glorify God will be dismissed from His presence forever.( John 3:36)

If you are not a believer, this is the issue of your life.

Notice the duration of this glorifing of God, "For ever and ever." If you do not delight to praise God now, heaven is not the place for you.

Now in verse 14, the Church and the Cherubim, bow down before the Lamb and worship Him. There is an application here for our lives. Our lives ought to be a preview of that soon coming day, our hours and our days ought to be filled with worship and praise to the Lord. We have a description of that worship in Ephesians 5:19.

In the Church, our worship service ought to be a very special hour in the week. Singing God"s praises, bringing our gifts, quietly praying and meditating and carefully listening to God's word.

That will be our eternal occupation, worship is a private act and worship is also a corporate act, we see this in the assembled church worshipping in heaven.

If you do not assemble and worship with the body of Christ now, what makes you think you will be invited to do so in heaven?

Obedience
Jun 25th, 2020
Morning MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Meditation;Inspirational;Book Study

For Abraham this rite might have seemed less necessary than for some in his camp. But no sooner was it commanded than it was undergone. "In the self-same day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son." Does it not remind us of Him who said, "Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you"? Instant obedience to known duty is an indispensable condition of all intimacy with God: and if the duty be irksome and difficult, then remember to claim all the more of the Divine grace; for there is no duty, to which we are called, for the discharge of which there is not strength enough within reach, if only we will put forth our hands to take it.

We do not obey in order to become friends; but having become friends we hasten to obey. Love is more inexorable than law. And for the love of Him who calls us by so dear a title, we are glad to undertake and accomplish what Sinai with all its thunders would fail to nerve us to attempt.

Of the secrets which shall be revealed; of the delights which shall be experienced; of the blessings which shall accrue to ever widening circles, through the friendship of one man with God -- we have not space to speak. This, however, is true, that the soul laughs to itself (ver.17), not with incredulity, but with the uncontrollable gladness of conscious acceptance and love.

Life Eternal
Jun 25th, 2020
CommentaryArt Sadlier
Categories: Bible Salvation

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

God designed the DNA, the genetic code of every man and placed that seed into the loins of Adam on the day He created him. Just as the seed of every child was in the loins of his or her father, so the seed of the whole human race was in the loins of Adam. We are all sons of Adam, we have all inherited Adam sinful, fallen nature, as we read in scripture, “For all have sinned.” We have all sinned because we were all born with a sin nature.

Why did God create man? “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” (Genesis 3:8a). God created man to have fellowship with him. Man was created to love God and be loved by God, to serve God and be blessed by God.

How does man differ from the animal kingdom? After what fashion did God create man? God said, “Let us (the triune God) make man in our image and after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26).

Not to be a God like God. Not to have the attributes of God, but to have some of the characteristics of God.

Understand that creature life, animal life, is not governed by freewill but by instinct. They are not made in the image of God They do not have a free will, but they are programed to do the things that they do. Everything they do is programed into them.

For example: The fragile Monarch butterfly flies from Ontario to Mexico in the fall and returns to Ontario in the spring. They are programed to do that just as the Geese and other birds are.

In contrast, man is like God in the fact that he has a divinely given free will. His life is governed by his own choice.

I repeat; that when your father conceived you he passed on to you Adam’s sin nature. Men are sinners by nature and by practice. The good news is that God has provided a remedy for man’s sin.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus Christ is not only God’s remedy for man’s sin. He is the only remedy for man’s sin. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:36).

All men are born dead in trespasses and sins. The old nature leads to death and hell. You must be born again and receive a new nature, the divine nature. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).

Look what happens if you are born again and receive a new nature, the divine nature. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Where will you spend eternity? The choice is yours. Which will it be? Will it be eternity in God’s presence? “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Or will it be separation from God in the fires of hell? “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

When you close your eyes on earth for the last time, if you are born again through repentance and faith you will open your eyes in the glories of heaven.

If you remain unsaved when you close your eyes on earth for the last time you will open them in the torments of hell. In fact the Bible reveals that you will never see the light again. “For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him… He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light“(Psalm 49: 17, 19).

The desperate plight of the unsaved is further revealed in Jude: 13, “…to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Right now you need to bow before the Lord and confess your sinfulness and your sin. You need to recognize your need of a Saviour and ask God to save you.

You are standing at the crossroads of eternity.