By: Gen. Jim — 7/15/19
When one is “born again” (lit from above) that person embarks on the ultimate adventure of his/her life. Before being “saved,” one is destined to ONE place: HELL! For Jesus Himself says if he/she is not “born again,” they “cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3) or another way Jesus put it was “He (or she) cannot enter the kingdom of God” (v.5). So, the “love of God/Christ Jesus” makes a way, THE WAY for our spiritual excursions in which we navigate our own personal adventure to “somewhere” – that “somewhere” is eternal life.
But the “unregenerated way” leads to eternal death! So, we, you, me us, they, determine the eternal destiny by repenting of our sins, receiving God’s pardon and then embark upon our new found life. The Bible is God’s guide book that shows us/tells us how to get the most out of “somewhere.”
We may experience the supernatural, what the world calls hyperspace/time travel etc. We’ll also experience spiritual warfare. We’ll encounter demons, which Jesus encountered here on earth, who the world believes they are extraterrestrial. These dark evil forces are rulers of the earth (given that authority by God Himself!), have plunged the world into conflict after conflict; they hold individuals and whole nations CAPTIVE!!
But the LORD/Lord is in charge over all worldly events – good and evil. Just as He raised up ancient Israel to be “a covenant to the people, to restore the earth, to cause them to inherit the (demon) desolate heritage; that you may say to the PRISONERS ‘GO FORTH!’ To those who are in darkness, ‘Show yourselves’” (Isaiah 49:8,9).
Isaiah 49:22 says: “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the (captive) nations, and set up My standard (lit, “banner”) for the peoples…” He writes in verse 25: “Even the PRISONERS of the mighty shall be taken away, and the (captive) prey of the terrible (demon nation) be delivered; for I will contend with him (them) who contends with you, and will SAVE your children.”
Any way we look at these verses, God is overseeing all events of the world: he demonstrates His transcendence over time – space – nations, we cannot exhaust the inexhaustible. With God’s help, we can OWN the Now!
Before Jesus came and gave His life as a propitiation (Gk. = “hilasmos” and “hilastērion” = “atonement (victim)”, as stated in Romans 3:25 and 1 John 2:2/4:10, men were held CAPTIVE by eternal death. The central theme in the entire panorama was/is the advent of Christ Jesus: He saves!
Ancient Israel was God’s covenant people who were commissioned to be LIGHT to those who sat in darkness: New Israel (i.e. the true Ekklesia of God) has the same mandate, we’re to free the captives by presenting the gospel of Christ, giving the bound a chance to receive pardon. God spoke to and thru His prophet Isaiah that, “I will also give you as a LIGHT to the Gentiles, that you should by my salvation to the end of the earth” (49:6).
The Book of Hebrews amplifies the New Covenant with God’s people. The OC had passed and the NC was born in the hearts of the (accepting) people. God Almighty IS NOW! But as far as the geometry of eternity goes, it is past-present-future. I love Isaiah 57:15: “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit…’” Just think, we can dwell in that same place if we get rid of our pride!
I once did a gospel tract called: “Time is Running Out: Are You Running?” No one knows the future except the One who knows ALL. We work while it is day, for the night may come sooner than we think. We Christians may experience another Nero as the early ones experienced. The Jews may experience another Hitler. Who knows?
One thing I do know is that the Old Testament (O.T.) foretold of Christ (in prophecy); the Gospels (4), we see Him in past history; In the book of Acts, we see Him in the New Covenant Ekklesia; In the epistles, we see him in our experiences realized; In the Apocalypse, we see the crucified/resurrected/glorified Christ coming in ALL His glory… some day.
With all this said, isn’t it important that we be born again? The provision has been made. We can choose to go somewhere or nowhere. Jesus IS the primary theme of the entire Bible. No need in getting involved in worldly, peripheral issues of the day. If you do not know it, we are the beneficiaries of a “Love Letter” written in blood on a cruel wooden cross!
I heard one minister say: “Christ is indescribable, incomprehensible, irresistible and invincible!” Men can’t impeach Him; devils can’t destroy Him – He’s going to RULE and REIGN FOREVER.