The past is settled, and the future is guaranteed. It’s the present that is the problem. For Bible believing Christians we have God’s word on the fact that He has taken care of the past related to our damaged spiritual condition, and we have His word on what will take place in the future. That is grand news for us.
THE TERMINATION OF ALL PAST SIN AND SEPARATION
One of the extraordinary truths of the Scriptures is that the penalty, power and guilt of sin has totally been taken care of by Christ’s death and resurrection. We do not need to be worried about our sin and separation from God. In a world that staggers under the weight of personal guilt and regret, and tries desperately to alleviate those things with drugs, pleasures and stuff, this is incredible news.
Hebrews 10:12 declares without hesitation that Jesus “having offered one sacrifice for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.” And then it adds (Heb. 10:14), “For by one offering, He has perfected for all time those that are sanctified.” Earlier the text said, (Heb. 9:12, 14) that “through His own blood He entered the Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption”, which included the cleansing of the conscience. The Apostle Paul teaches that “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith” (Rom. 3:24-25).
These verses (and many more) declare with certainty that every single sin we have committed or will commit has been fully paid for by Jesus Christ. We do not help out by being baptized, doing penance or performing good works. Through Jesus Christ, “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7). God is completely satisfied by Christ’s work and requires absolutely nothing from the person who places their trust in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The penalty of eternal damnation no longer exists for the believer. The guilt that often accompanies sinful behaviors and thoughts no longer has a legitimate presence in our lives. Because of the above-mentioned truths, we can live free from the fear of sin’s consequences and free from the heavy burden of guilt that plagues so many today. That is really living. The past has been dealt with. We can learn from the past, but we are not to live there.
THE CERTAINTY OF ALL THINGS FUTURE
The Sovereign Lord has revealed an amazing amount of detail concerning what lies ahead. He has determined that all that was lost back when mankind fell in the Garden of Eden will be restored and enhanced. Therefore, the following are certain.
- Entrance into the eternal kingdom of God for all who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that after Jesus’ 2nd Coming we will enjoy His righteous, peaceful, curse-free reign on this present earth for 1,000 years. The prophets give great detail about this golden age that Christ the King will bring into existence. These 1,000 years will be followed by the creation of a new heaven and earth which will be eternal. We will enjoy living on a new earth. God is going back to what He originally created and will enhance it. It will be Eden 2.0.
- Before Jesus’ 2nd Coming, He will personally come and suddenly, forcibly remove His bride (the Church) out of this world in the event known as the “rapture”. The bride is not destined for God’s future wrath (1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9). We will not go through any part of the coming period of tribulation. Instead, we will be removed out of that time and will then return with Jesus to the Father’s House (heaven) where rewards will be given to faithful believers, and the marvelous marriage of the Lamb will take place. It will be joy on a level never before experienced in this life.
- If our physical death should precede the rapture event, we immediately will go into the presence of Jesus Christ. We do not go through some long, dark tunnel or walk through the valley of the shadow of death. We are not delayed in seeing Jesus by experiencing “soul sleep” (Seventh-day Adventist theology) or spending time in a purgatory (Roman Catholic theology). Our last conscious moment on the earth is followed immediately by our next conscious moment in the presence of our Savior.
God has given us His word on these matters. There is nothing and there is no one that can separate us from Christ’s love, as Romans 8:31-39 declares in much detail. The Sovereign Lord, who does not lie, will bring everything to pass. It is certain.
THE STRUGGLES AND TRIALS OF THINGS PRESENT
It is the present, on many levels, that is not so certain to us. But this “mid-month musing” is born out of the realization that we can take comfort in the truth that the past and the future are settled matters, and this does help us in the present. Because God, who has dictated the past and future, will also superintend our present life. Life in the present can be hard as we deal with the flesh, the world system and the Evil One. And it is made more difficult by those unasked-for trials that come crashing into our lives. And of course, we are affected by the natural consequences of mankind’s fall (such as aging) and the resulting curse (which brings disease and disfunction). But our Lord is not distant from us and assures us that we are being cared for. Several reminders from Him are designed to strengthen us in the present.
- “I am the Good Shepherd.” (John 10:14). This title Jesus gave Himself reminds the believer that He is good. He is not mean, and He does not bring harm to His sheep. He is the ultimate shepherd who protects them, provides for their needs and cares for their hurts. And He never goes off duty.
- “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Written to believers who were facing persecution and hard times, the Lord promises that He will not abandon them, so they should not be fearful. Hard times can generate fear in our lives, but Jesus is not going anywhere but will remain with us and give us what we need for such times.
- “Cast all your cares on Me” (1 Peter 5:7). This verse reminds believers that He cares for us. We do not need to get Him to care for us and our situation; He already does. So, He invites us to give Him the fears and anxieties that we are dealing with in life.
- “Nothing is too hard for Me” (Jeremiah 32:17). As Jeremiah was faced with what seemed impossible situations in connection with the coming of the armies of Babylon, he was reminded that God is all powerful. There is nothing in this world that the Creator cannot handle with ease. Situations that really are impossible for us, are never with the Lord. God’s attribute of omnipotence is an important one to keep on our mental “front burner” as we deal with difficulties.
- “All power in heaven and earth is Mine” (Matthew 28:18). All authority in the organized universe belongs to Jesus. This assures believers that there is nothing that comes into life that Jesus cannot easily handle.
- “Lay up treasures in heaven…the crown of life”. (Matthew 6:20; James 1:12). The Lord does not waste our trials but has multiple purposes for them. One is that, when they are passed, He can legitimately reward us. Jesus said that we need to be intentional in putting treasure in the bank of heaven, and James points out that there will be a quality of life that comes to such a person. This “crown of life” might include a quality of life now, but it clearly speaks of a quality of life in the next life, and is so used in Revelation 2:10. These hard times which are temporary (“for a little while”—1 Pet. 1:6), can produce a quality of life in the future kingdom of God.
- “I will not allow you to be faced with temptations/trials that are too powerful”. (1 Corinthians 10:13). This verse assures us that God has “screened” all things that come into our lives, assuring that we will not be overwhelmed by them. That truth must be remembered. Also, He has provided everything we need to succeed in the difficult times; namely, the Word of God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the ministries of fellow believers in the Body of Christ.
- “We can receive mercy and grace in times of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus, our great High Priest, knows by experience what it is like to live in a fallen world. When we need help because we are helpless, and perhaps have failed, He provides what we need in both mercy (for our failings) and grace (for the needed power).
GOD IN THE PRESENT. There are so many declarations that are made in the Scriptures that assure us that our Heavenly Father does not disappear when hard times appear in our lives. These scriptural declarations need to be our constant companions in life, especially when those difficult times come our way. And just as certain as the fact that our past sin and separation from God has been completely taken care of; and just as certain that our future is secure in the coming kingdom of Messiah Jesus, king of kings; is the certainly of His power and involvement in our present living. Do not grow weary in well-doing as it will be worth it all when we see Jesus. This is true because of who He is.