THE AGES TO COME

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of
works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Devotion 7 of 17

OBTAINING THAT WORLD

The thought of "obtaining" another world is intriguing. Surely you have lived long enough to know of the deficiencies of this world. This world has been blighted by sin and infected with transgression. Scripture refers to it as "this present evil world," affirming that Jesus has "delivered us" from it "according to the will of God our Father" (Gal 1:4). Presently, those living by faith are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Heb 11:13). Their faith has not only aligned them with another realm, it has made them "strangers and pilgrims" in this one. It is refreshing, therefore, when such are told of "obtaining that world."

Jesus spoke of some that would be "accounted worthy" to obtain the coming world, or age. "But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain THAT WORLD, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage" (Luke 20:35). This is a hard saying for those who imagine WORTHINESS is beyond the grasp of mortals. To be "accounted worthy," of course, does not refer to the results of mere human effort. This is a worthiness, or merit, that proceeds from faith--faith that is both "obtained" and "kept" (2 Pet 1:1; 2 Tim 4;7). To put it another way, those "receiving Christ" (John 1:12) and "abiding" in Him (John 15:1-5) will be "accounted worthy to obtain that world." This state is also referred to as "obeying the Gospel" and "receiving the love of the truth" (2 Thess 1:8; 2:10).

Obtaining "that world" implies complete compatibility with it. Those so blessed will fit into that realm perfectly. The redeemed of the Lord--or those "accounted worthy to obtain that world," will blend in perfect harmony with that eternal realm. There will be perfect harmony between them and their God. They will reflect the perfect likeness of the Lamb, Christ Jesus, for they will be as he is (1 John 3:1-2). They will be thoroughly adequate for their assignments, and will have no adversaries within or without. Blessed condition!

To "obtain" that world, however, it must begin to dominate your thinking while you are in "this world." "Here" is where you become oriented for "there." "Now" is the time during which your appetite for "then" is developed and cultured. From this perspective, salvation is deliverance from the cursed realm in order that we might be oriented for the "world to come."

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, give me grace to be prepared to obtain the world to come.

-- TOMORROW: FORGIVENESS IN THE COMING WORLD --