The Carpenter's Chapel (7)

What happened to Judas

A bit graphic, but I don’t know how else to put it:

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. (Matthew 27:3-8)

Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. (Acts 1:16-19)

My last posting mentioned Judas, and I felt that was worth a follow-up. Critics of the Bible often try to use these passages as justification to say that the Bible is full of contradictions, and therefore, cannot be trusted as reliable. A careful examination of these passages shows how remarkably consistent God’s Word is.
First of all-who bought the field? Even though the Chief Priests and elders were the actual ones to purchase the field, the money belonged to Judas, and therefore, the account in Acts is true.
Did Judas hang himself, or, what appears in the Acts’ account, jump from a cliff, or other high structure?
Some say, and this is a good explanation, that he did indeed hang himself from a tree and the branch broke and he fell. The obvious problem there is the fact that he would be hanging feet downward, but the Acts account said he fell headlong. We must think here as a Jew would, and look at their customs and traditions. Even though he had just committed the most heinous crime in history, would he, a Jew hang himself from a tree? No. The Jew’s idea of "hanging" is to set up a sword, or other sharp object, and fall on it, perhaps from an elevated position.
Therefore the account that he hanged himself, as well as falling headlong and being burst asunder (as would indeed happen when he hit the sword) is remarkably consistant and demonstrates, once again, the reliability of the Bible.

 

Christ of Creation

"But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female" (Mark 10:6).
The words of the Lord Jesus Christ ought to settle once and for all, for those that take His words seriously, the controversial question of the age of the earth. The earth was created essentially at the same time, He said as the creation of Adam and Eve. Christ was quoting from Genesis 1:27; "...male and female created he them." This greatest of God's creative works was "from the beginning of the creation," not 18 billion years after the beginning of the creation, as modern old-earth advocates allege.
One can understand why atheists believe in evolution and an almost an infinitely old universe, for they really have no other alternative. One who believes in a personal God, on the other hand, only dishonors God if he believes such humanistic speculations rather than God's Word. God is omniscient and omnipotent, as well as loving and merciful, and He would never do anything like this. The great ages assumed by evolutionary geologists supposedly involved billions of years of suffering and dying by billions of animals before man ever evolved. Surely this would have been the most inefficient, wasteful, and cruel method that ever could have been devised for "creating" human beings. Since man's creation was God's main purpose, there is no conceivable reason why He would waste billions of years in such a meaningless charade as this before getting to the point. In fact, the only reason He took six days instead of an instant of time was to serve as a pattern for man's work week. (Exodus 20:8-11).
In fact, the Lord Jesus was not only a creationist, but was Himself the Creator of all things (John 1:3); Colossians 1:16 etc.). Therefore, He is the best possible witness as to when He created man and woman, and He said it was "from the beginning of creation!"

 

Rewards

Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. (Luke 6:23 KJ2000)
Sometimes great rewards are promised to those who help locate dangerous criminals, or to those who win a lottery, but such pecuniary rewards are trivial compared to those awaiting all the faithful servants of Christ. The "great reward" promised by Christ in this text is specifically for those believers who willingly have endured hatred and ostracism, reproach, and slander "for the Son of man’s sake" (v.22).
Such rewards are distinct from salvation, of course, for that reward is given only "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly" (Romans 4:5). "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:5-6).
That is, salvation is a free gift, received only through personal faith in Christ and His sacrificial death for our sins. Rewards, on the other hand, are earned by faithful witness and work for Christ. In that day when "we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10), man will learn to their dismay that, although they have indeed received everlasting life, they will have very little reward. For "the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is" (I Corinthians 3:13)-not the quantity, but its quality and fidelity to God’s Word. Then, "If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved" (v.15).
We need to remember that one of the last and thus most significant promises of Christ was "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12)

 

Today's devotional is taken from "Our Daily Bread", which can be found at www.rbc.org

May 17, 2007
The Ascended Christ


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READ: Hebrews 4:9-16
We have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. —Hebrews 4:14


About this cover

Today is Ascension Day—a day that is often neglected. Coming 40 days after Easter, it marks the occasion when the risen Christ ascended to the Father in glory.
W. H. Griffith Thomas writes in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “The ascension is not only a great fact of the New Testament, but a great factor in the life of Christ and Christians, and no complete view of Jesus Christ is possible unless the ascension and its consequences are included.”
Thomas then summarizes what the ascension means to believers. It speaks of an accomplished redemption (Heb. 8:1), the Savior’s high-priestly work (Heb. 4:14), His lordship over the church (Eph. 1:22), His intercession for us with His heavenly Father (1 Tim. 2:5), the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:33), the Lord’s presence with us today (Matt. 28:20), and the expectation of His return to this earth (1 Thess. 4:16).
Think of it! Jesus not only died, but He rose from the grave, went back to the Father, and is interceding for us right now. And He is coming again.
May this Ascension Day be a time for special rejoicing and thanksgiving to God. —Richard De Haan

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore. —Chapman

Jesus who died to save us now lives to keep us.

 

Today's devotional is taken from "Word For Today", which can be found at www.ucb.co.uk

The way of escape18 May 2007'...GOD...WILL PROVIDE THE WAY OF ESCAPE ALSO, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ENDURE IT.' 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13In the wilderness temptation satan offered Jesus three things. He also offers them to you: 1) Satisfaction! Jesus was hungry and satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread. This was satisfaction without God, because God's plan was to feed His Son supernaturally through angels. But Jesus refused to settle for less - and so should you! 2) Success! But it was success without God. Taking Jesus to the top of the temple, satan said "Jump off, God will protect You and everyone will believe in You"(Paraphrase). Success without the cross. Take the easy way out! And hasn't satan made you that same offer: 'You don't have to take up your cross. You don't have to practice self-denial.' Satan lied then, and he's lying to you now. 3) Significance! Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of this world and their glory if He'd just bow down to him. What an offer. Significance without God! But Jesus rebuked him with a reminder from Scripture that God alone is worthy of being glorified. Satan will take every legitimate desire you have and try to get you to fulfil it in an illegitimate way. But God '...will provide the way of escape...' You say 'I don't see the way of escape.' That's because you're focused on the temptation instead of the way out. God's promise of escape doesn't mean you won't have to persevere and be faithful to Him. And, as in the case of Christ, it involves knowing and being able to use the Scriptures. But it does mean that when God's purpose of victory over temptation has been served, you'll come out victorious!

 

Pressed To Serve

Then I said; I will not make mention of him, nor speake any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart, as a burning fire shut vp in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
(Jeremiah 20:9) KLV1611
Peter reminds us: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2Peter 1:21). The prophets of old had both the great pleasure, as well as the perilous task, of speaking the very words of God to those who were not always pleased to hear the truth. As such, they were persecuted, imprisoned and even put to death by those who wanted to hear soothing words and reassurances from God’s spokesmen and not rebuke because of their sin.
Is there much difference today? Paul wrote: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they draw to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto myths (2Timothy 4:3-4). We see all too much today people gravitated towards teachers and preachers advocating a watered-down version of the gospel, or even that which can only be considered "another" gospel. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal 1:8).

 

Our Refuge

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14).
Cities in ancient times were often built on a hill, and this was especially important for those six cities in Israel which had been designated as cities of refuge. They were located, geographically, so that no one in Israel was more than a days journey from one of them-accessible to all who might need to flee to one for refuge some day. These were designated as havens, "That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood" (Joshua 20:3).
"And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba, which is Hebron, in the mountains of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Peuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh" (Joshua 20:7-8). The first three cities are specifically said to be on mountains. On the east of Jordan, Ramoth was on Mount Gilead. Golan on the Golan Heights east of the Sea of Galilee, and Bezer apparently on the high tablelands east of the Dead Sea. Thus, all could be seen from a great distance, even at night, by its watch fires. Their strategic locations were a comfort to the accidental killer as he fled for his life from an avenger of blood.
The cities of refuge were a type of Christ, to whom we "have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us" (Hebrews 6:18). He is, to us, a strong city set on a hill, ready to receive all who come to him in faith. He called Himself "the light of the world" (John 8:12). But then He also said that those who now have His light must also serve as lights-as cities on a hill that those who see them may "glorify (their) Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

 

In My Fathers House...

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (Matthew 25:34 KJ2000)
In context, this wonderful promise may apply specifically to those living believers recognized as "sheep" by Christ when He returns to judge the nations (or "Gentiles") at the end of the age. For them He has "prepared" a wonderful kingdom in which they can fully serge their great King here on earth. The "goats," on the other hand, will be sent away into "everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).
But we remember also that the Lord Jesus Christ has also "prepared" a mansion in heaven for His faithful disciples. "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3 KJ2000)
He is, even now, preparing for us that glorious "place," One day it will be fully prepared, and we shall see it when He brings it down from heaven, as John did in His great vision. "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."(Revelation 21:2 KJ2000)
It will indeed, be a wonderful place of "many mansions," and John describes some of its beauties in the Bible’s last two chapters. But that is not all. ""Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (I Corinthians 2:9). Therefore, we can say with Paul: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us(Romans 8:18 KJ2000). He has indeed prepared a great eternal future for His redeemed children.

 

The Real Jesus

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him" (II Corinthians 11:4).
The verses following this text contain an enlightening warning about false teachers. One should not carelessly follow a personable religious leader merely because he "preaches Jesus" or urges audiences to "receive the Spirit."
"Jesus" is quite popular among worldly people today, but not the true Jesus. The popular Jesus may be the baby Jesus in the manger at Christmastime, or the buddy Jesus of Nashville "gospel" music, or the success-counseling Jesus of the positive thinkers. He may be the romantic Jesus of the Christian crooners, the rhythmic Jesus of Christian rock, or the reforming Jesus of the liberals, but none of these are the Jesus preached by the apostle Paul, and therefore not the real Jesus who saves men and women from their sins.
Jesus in reality is the Lord Jesus Christ, the offended Creator of the universe (Colossians 1:16) who had to die as a man on the cross to redeem us through His blood (Colossians 1:14,20), and who then rose from the dead to be set "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named" (Ephesians 1:21). Finally, it is this Jesus "who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom" (II Timothy 4:1).
The Lord Jesus, as He really is, is not the popular Jesus of T-shirts and bumper stickers, politicians and entertainers. He was "despised and rejected of men" (Isaiah 53:3) so they "crucified the Lord of glory" (I Corinthians 2:8).
He is the mighty God, the perfect man, the only Savior, the eternal King, and Lord of lords. God-called teachers will not preach an imaginary Jesus who appeals to the flesh, but rather the true Christ of creation and salvation.

 

Christian Liberty

"Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of any holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days" (Colossians 2:16)
This is the only verse in the New Testament that has any reference to holidays (at one time considered "holy days"). However, the Greek word so translated does occur there quite often, being rendered elsewhere by its correct meaning of "feasts."
Such "holy days" in the Old Testament economy normally required "no servile work" to be done on those days, and were usually associated with a special "feast" of some deep spiritual significance. They certainly were not holidays in the modern sense, devoted mostly to pleasure.
In fact, it is perhaps significant, that neither holidays nor vacations are mentioned in the Bible at all. The weekly Sabbath "rest" day is, of course, frequently emphasized. One day in seven has always been observed as a day to rest from labor and to remember our Creator. However, the other six days were to be spent working. Many can still remember when the norm was a six-day work week.
Not so now. Many complain about even a five-day week, and "T.G.I.F." is a common feeling as the "week-end" approaches. Holidays might be a good day for Christians to thank God for the privilege of work and doing that work "heartily, as to the Lord ((Colossians 3:23)). Our work, whatever it may be, can become a real testimony for (or, sadly, against) the Lord whom we profess to serve.
In the ages to come, there will still be work to do for the Lord. In that day, it is promised that "His servants shall serve Him" (Revelation 22:3). Therefore, we should be "abounding in the work of the Lord" right now. It will not be "in vain" (I Corinthians 15:58).

 

God and mammon

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (II Corinthians 9:8).
One of the most tragic movements in Christendom today teaches that God promises to make each Christian prosper in material wealth. Suffice it to say, the Bible teaches no such thing as seen in this text and elsewhere, but this false teaching is not new and is associated with apostasy.
Consider chapters 17 and 18 of the book of Judges, which describe a period of rampant apostasy and confusion. The chapters provide character sketches of an itinerant Levite, the tribe of Dan, and a man named Micah. First we see that Micah steals 1100 shekels of silver from his mother, who then places a curse on the unknown thief. Micah, fearing the curse, confesses the crime. His mother tries to lessen the curse by dedicating all the money to the Lord and converts 200 shekels into an idol. Micah places the idol with his others, and consecrates his son as a priest, even though they are of the tribe of Ephraim. Later, he hires a Levite to be his priest and exclaims, "Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest" (Judges 17:13).
In the next chapter, spies of the Danites go to the priest for God's blessing on their efforts to find land that they can conquer. When the marauders return, they recruit the Levite to a more prosperous position. He joins them, having stolen Micah's idols, and establishes the tribal priesthood.
Each one in this story was confident that God would bless them materially because they had the trappings of religion. The common denominator was greed. Their desire for personal prosperity led to a prostitution of the true worship of God. But whenever religion is "used" to justify the "love of money," it suffers degradation. "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24).

 

Holidays

"Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of any holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days" (Colossians 2:16)
This is the only verse in the New Testament that has any reference to holidays (at one time considered "holy days"). However, the Greek word so translated does occur there quite often, being rendered elsewhere by its correct meaning of "feasts."
Such "holy days" in the Old Testament economy normally required "no servile work" to be done on those days, and were usually associated with a special "feast" of some deep spiritual significance. They certainly were not holidays in the modern sense, devoted mostly to pleasure.
In fact, it is perhaps significant, that neither holidays nor vacations are mentioned in the Bible at all. The weekly Sabbath "rest" day is, of course, frequently emphasized. One day in seven has always been observed as a day to rest from labor and to remember our Creator. However, the other six days were to be spent working. Many can still remember when the norm was a six-day work week.
Not so now. Many complain about even a five-day week, and "T.G.I.F." is a common feeling as the "week-end" approaches. Holidays might be a good day for Christians to thank God for the privilege of work and doing that work "heartily, as to the Lord ((Colossians 3:23)). Our work, whatever it may be, can become a real testimony for (or, sadly, against) the Lord whom we profess to serve.
In the ages to come, there will still be work to do for the Lord. In that day, it is promised that "His servants shall serve Him" (Revelation 22:3). Therefore, we should be "abounding in the work of the Lord" right now. It will not be "in vain" (I Corinthians 15:58).

 

Our nation needs revival05 Jul 2007'...THEY STOOD AND CONFESSED THEIR SINS...' NEHEMIAH 9:2Max Lucado writes: 'Upon hearing that Jerusalem lay in ruins, Nehemiah prayed "I confess the sins we Israelites have done against You" ' (Nehemiah 1:6 NCV). The most powerful man in the country is saying that before they can rebuild, they must repent. What a picture! Multitudes spending hours in prayer; not making excuses or requests, but making confessions. Can you imagine the leaders of government, industry, law, entertainment and education doing that? Could it happen? Yes, if it begins with us. "If My people...will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will...heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJ). The nation changes when God's people change. We're vocal when it comes to what's wrong with the country, but silent when it comes to what's wrong with us. We feel like the man in the prayer meeting, who prayed "God, I thank you that this country has people like me. The man on the corner needs welfare, I don't. The prostitute on the street has AIDS, I don't. The drunk at the bar needs alcohol, I don't." Next to him is a broken man who humbly whispers "Lord, like my brother on welfare, I'm dependent on your grace. Like my sister with AIDS, I'm infected with mistakes. Like my friend who needs a drink, I need something to ease my pain. Have mercy on me, a sinner." After telling a story like that Jesus said, "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God" (Luke 18:14 NIV). Arrogance points at others. Humility points at self and acknowledges revival must come, and it must first begin in me.'

 

Interesting analogy, thanks.

 

Brotherly Love

"But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another" (I Thessalonians 4:9).
The Christian life involves both individual accountability and interpersonal involvement. Each of us is individually responsible for maintaining the right sort of relationship to others, especially others in our Christian fellowship.
We are commanded: "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).
Furthermore, we are to "be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility" (I Peter 5:5), "in honor preferring one another" (Romans 12:10).
There are many other admonitions, all built around the beautiful phrase "one another." Although we have indeed "been called unto liberty," we are nevertheless to "serve one another" (Galatians 5:13). We are also to "exhort one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13) and to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" (Hebrews 10:24). "Use hospitality one to another without grudging" (I Peter 4:9). We are told to "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).
In times of sorrow, Christians are admonished to "comfort one another" (I Thessalonians 4:18). "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another" (I Thessalonians 5:11), and to "pray one for another" (James 5:16).
But by far the most frequently repeated admonition that is in our text: "Love one another!" There are no less than 15 times where this command is given in the New Testament. Most significantly of all, it is Christ's own "new commandment...By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13: 34-35).

 

Thank you Charles.

I thought this devotional from Word for Today found at www.ucb.co.uk might also be a blessing to someone so I hope you don't mind if I add it here:

Today's Reading


Secure in God's love!10 Jul 2007'...NOTHING CAN GET BETWEEN US AND GOD'S LOVE...' ROMANS 8:39Opinions are powerful things! They either build us up or tear us down. They create a ceiling above which we cannot rise. That's why it's important to get God's opinion of you and stick with it. If others disagree, so what? You wouldn't be so critical of yourself or so conscious of the opinions of others if you really knew how God felt about you! He made up His mind about you before you sinned. So when you sin, repent. Then dismiss the guilt for guilt is the product of doubt; it denies you the benefits of God's grace. Stop running from person to person looking for love. Just open your Bible; it's a living love letter, a statement of intent from a Father who wants nothing but the best for His children. If you doubt that, read this: 'Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture...None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that... nothing can get between us and God's love...' (Romans 8:35-39 TM). 'But I fall so far short,' you say. We all do! Yet nothing you've done has changed God's mind about you, and nothing ever will! His love remains; it's unconditional, constant and guaranteed: '...His mercy endures forever' (Psalm 136:1 NKJ). God's love for you is set in concrete; it has no cut off point! And that's the foundation you can build your life on!

 

10 Jul 2007This devotional is taken from Selwyn Hughes devotional “Every Day with Jesus” – the Hope Everlasting edition, day 187.
www.cwr.org.uk

“Who is to blame?”

For reading and meditation – James 1:13-15; also 1 Cor 10:13; Eph.6 10-18; Heb 2:18; and 2 Peter 2:9

Some Christians blame God whenever they fall into temptation. This attitude of blame-shifting, and an unwillingness to accept responsibility, has been in the world since the Garden of Eden. Remember when Adam said when God confronted him over the question of sin? He faced it like a man – and blamed it on his wife! “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree” (Gen 3:12). A refusal to accept responsibility is an immature response to life.

Anna Russell puts into rhyme the conclusions of a man who went to a non-Christian psychiatrist because he has killed his cat and blackened his wife’s eyes. The psychiatrist told him that the reason he did this was because of the various things that had happened to him. “You are not to blame”, said the psychiatrist. “Others have made you the way you are”. Anna Russell says this was the man’s conclusion:
“I am so glad that I have learned, the lesson he has taught,
That everything I do that’s wrong is someone else’s fault.”
It’s time we Christians stopped blaming God for our difficulties and faced up to the fact that it is not what happens to us that is important but how we respond to it. Our responses are our own responsibility.

You may not be responsible for what happens, but you are responsible for the way you respond to what happens. And until you and I learn this, we will remain immature personalities, and fail to grow up.

Prayer
O Father, help me not to become a blame-shifter – blaming You and others for my problems. Show me how to respond to life with understanding and maturity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Hey, if I post something here that offends someone, well, don't blame me!
Seriously, thanks for that.

 

What lasts, What doesn't

"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished" (Isaiah 51:6).
This verse is typical of many Scriptures which contrast this present decaying, dying order of things (characterizing a world under God's curse) with the things which are not dying and which will survive into the new order when the curse is removed (Revelation 22:3). Even the present "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away," Jesus said (Mathew 24:35). God, the Creator, who imposed the curse because of man's sin, is not Himself subject to it. "They shall perish, but thou shalt endure:...as a vesture thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end" (Psalm 102:26-27).
As our text tell us, God's salvation and righteousness shall never be changed, even when the earth and heaven flee away. The same contrast exist in the biological realm. "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever" (Isaiah 40:8).
Human nature exhibits a similar phenomenon. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength...they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40: 30-31).
This principle, in fact, applies to the entire creation. "Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption [literally 'decay'] into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:21).

 

Amen.

Thank you, Charles.

Blessings

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