Lesson 5

Lessons in Life

Lesson #5 - [ download ]

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

For I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea Revelation 21:1

WORDS OF WISDOM

Just as our lives on earth are temporary, so the earth is temporary. It is not intended to last forever. That is one reason we are to worship the Creator, not the creation. We have now come full circle in our study. We began with creation, and we are ending with the new creation. In the beginning God created all things. Jesus is the creator God who went to the cross to pay the price to redeem His creation by dying for all of our sins. He will take us into His new creation, the new heaven and earth of Revelation 21. Praise Him!!

DIG DEEPER

"We live unto the Lord."

for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

Romans 14:8

We read in Revelation that God will bring about a new heaven and earth where He reins in all His glory. Why then did He create the current heaven and earth filled with sin and sorrow? It would have been so much easier for Him [speaking in human terms] to just start with the new heaven and earth in the first place. It seems like it would have saved Him a lot of trouble. So, why then are we here? What is God's purpose for us?

Charles Spurgeon answers that question as follows:

"If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, He might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once. Why then are we here? Would God keep His children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battle-field when one charge might give them the victory? Why are His children still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from His lips would bring them into the centre of their hopes in heaven? The answer is-they are here that they may "live unto the Lord," and may bring others to know His love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the "salt of the earth," to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for Him, and as "workers together with Him." Let us see that our life answereth its end. Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to the praise of the glory of His grace." Meanwhile we long to be with Him, and daily sing-

My heart is with Him on His throne,

And ill can brook delay;

Each moment listening for the voice,

'Rise up, and come away."

Charles Spurgeon

Commit yourself to living your life for His glory and fulfill your purpose here on earth. Spread the good news of the gospel of salvation and you will be blessed.