If, and I emphasize “if,” the Lord’s return is near, we are about to enter a time tribulation. The Bible says at the end of the age, no economy on Earth will prosper. Only food (not gold) will retain its value. People will spend a whole day’s wages just for enough to feed themselves (Rev. 6:6). Those who trust in the things of this world for their security will find they have nothing.
The Book of Revelation calls them “Earth Dwellers” (3:10). Earth Dwellers will be judged. The word “dwellers” refers to where one’s heart is—not just one’s physical location. In contrast to believers who are aliens and sojourners upon the earth (1 Pet. 2:11) and whose hope is heavenward (Heb. 11:13-16), these that dwell upon the earth are trusting in man and their environment.
Like much New Testament terminology, “earth dwellers” is also found in the Old Testament, occurring almost 50 times. And every use of “earth dwellers” in the Old Testament appears in a context of judgment, just as it does in the book of Revelation.
I do not know whether or not the times ahead of us are the beginning of the end. But I do know this: we are at a time in history when everyone who says his home, citizenship, and focus is heavenward is about to be tested. As we see the world’s economy falter, it is now— more than ever—a time to “set your mind (and affections) on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
Showing posts with label dwelling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dwelling. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
I may run out of time, but I have lots of eternity
I am so busy all the time—usually thinking about how little of it I have, or how fast it is going—I forget I am eternal. How much ‘time’ do you spend thinking about ‘eternity?’
When we get tired of waiting, we may say it feels like an eternity. In other words, we think of eternity as an extremely long time. But eternity actually isn't a long time at all. It has nothing to do with time. And it is more of a sphere than place. And most significantly, it is where God lives. “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy” (Isaiah 57:15).
Jesus told us “In my Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2). The word “mansions” is an unfortunate translation, found only in the King James Version. It literally means abode (dwelling). The word appears only one other place in the Bible. Later in John's gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him” (14:23).
God is eternal, lives in eternity, and (amazingly) dwells in our hearts. Now can you understand Solomon's words: God has “put eternity in your hearts.” (Ecc. 3:11). That should be reassuring to us who are concerned about running out of time. More importantly, thinking "eternal" will certainly put a proper perspective on what happens "in time."
When we get tired of waiting, we may say it feels like an eternity. In other words, we think of eternity as an extremely long time. But eternity actually isn't a long time at all. It has nothing to do with time. And it is more of a sphere than place. And most significantly, it is where God lives. “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy” (Isaiah 57:15).
Jesus told us “In my Father’s house are many mansions” (John 14:2). The word “mansions” is an unfortunate translation, found only in the King James Version. It literally means abode (dwelling). The word appears only one other place in the Bible. Later in John's gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him” (14:23).
God is eternal, lives in eternity, and (amazingly) dwells in our hearts. Now can you understand Solomon's words: God has “put eternity in your hearts.” (Ecc. 3:11). That should be reassuring to us who are concerned about running out of time. More importantly, thinking "eternal" will certainly put a proper perspective on what happens "in time."
Monday, May 11, 2009
Have You Seen the City of God?
Altha and I live in a mobile home. It’s rather ironic: mobile homes are not attached to the ground. And those who know us well know that we are not very attached to things of this world (or so it is our intent not to be).
Abraham, whose faith is an example to all believers, saw the City of God and was never the same (Hebrews 11:10). Though God promised him the land of Canaan, he lived in tents, never building a permanent dwelling. Abraham was detached from earthly things: he knew anything built in this life was temporary. The Bible says, he “pitched his tent and built his altars” (Genesis 12:8). His priorities were right. We should imitate the faith of Abraham.
Those who have seen the eternal city of God pay less attention to building something in this temporary realm. Like Abraham they are content to live in tents (or even mobile homes) because they possess a spirit of detachment. Conversely, the less they see the city God is building, the greater their attachment to their earthly dwellings.
So let us follow Abraham’s example: let us give more attention to building our altars of worship to God than our earthly dwellings. We have everything to gain, and nothing to lose: detachment from the world results in great contentment.
Do you see it? Once you see the city God is building, you will give your attention to that which is going to last forever.
Abraham, whose faith is an example to all believers, saw the City of God and was never the same (Hebrews 11:10). Though God promised him the land of Canaan, he lived in tents, never building a permanent dwelling. Abraham was detached from earthly things: he knew anything built in this life was temporary. The Bible says, he “pitched his tent and built his altars” (Genesis 12:8). His priorities were right. We should imitate the faith of Abraham.
Those who have seen the eternal city of God pay less attention to building something in this temporary realm. Like Abraham they are content to live in tents (or even mobile homes) because they possess a spirit of detachment. Conversely, the less they see the city God is building, the greater their attachment to their earthly dwellings.
So let us follow Abraham’s example: let us give more attention to building our altars of worship to God than our earthly dwellings. We have everything to gain, and nothing to lose: detachment from the world results in great contentment.
Do you see it? Once you see the city God is building, you will give your attention to that which is going to last forever.
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