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 9 of 17

SAINTS WILL GOVERN THE COMING WORLD

The saints do not govern this world. They are "in" it, but they are not "of" it. Here, they are "strangers and foreigners," not blending with the "fashion of this world" which is passing away (1 Cor 7:19). While this realm is called "this present evil world" (Gal 1:4), those in Christ Jesus "washed . . . sanctified . . . justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor 6:11). The people of God have been "taken out" of human culture to be "a people" for the name of the Lord (Acts 15:14).

Because of this situation, the world is the realm in which they experience "the sufferings of Christ" (2 Cor 1:5). Here--in this world--is where believers are "troubled," "perplexed," Persecuted," and "cast down" (2 Cor 4:8-9). They are not always at the helm of things, although a very few have been afforded that honor (Joseph, Moses, Daniel, etc.).

This present world is not the place of the saints dominion. Wicked political leaders like Herod can behead John the Baptist, have James killed with the sword, and incarcerate Peter and John. Corrupt religion can have faithful Stephen stoned and Paul beaten with many stripes. Government can exile John on the Isle of Patmos, behead Paul, and crucify Peter. No, the saints do not rule this present world--at least not directly.

The coming world, however, will be quite different--and it will be an eternal realm. The "saints of the Most High God" will be the rulers of that world, possessing the kingdom as Daniel prophesied (Dan 7:18,22,27). The promises are refreshing, so let us read them. "But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever . . . and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom . . . Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High." These are true words, and they will not fail to be fulfilled. The Lord will cause what He has promised to come to pass, and no one is able to stop it from happening.

The "world to come" was the realm of which the Holy Spirit spoke in Apostolic writings. "It is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, ABOUT WHICH WE ARE SPEAKING. But there is a place where someone has testified: What is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?" (Heb 2:5-6, RSV). Man was made to have dominion. Although that purpose appeared to have been thwarted in Eden's garden, it was not. Through Christ Jesus, that determination will still be realized. To confirm this is the case, the Spirit continues in an elaboration of the situation. "For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him" (Heb 2:8). The rule is not presently being realized, and that is evident. However, there is more to consider.

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone" (verse 9). Jesus stands for all of the redeemed. he is a glorified man, "the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5). As the Head of a new race of mankind, He is called "the Last Adam" and "the Second Man" (1 Cor 15:45,47). By "Last Adam," Scripture means He brought an end to the Adamic order. The natural state is not acceptable to God; i.e., "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 15:50). The term "Second Man" identifies the Lord as the beginning of a new kind of race -- a "new creation" in which humanity and Deity are glorious blended (1 Cor 6:17; 2 Cor 5:17; 2 Pet 1:4). In this capacity -- as a the glorified Man Christ Jesus -- our Lord is Head over all.

The point of our text is that Jesus present exaltation, among other things, is God's pledge of the future reign of His people. The meek will "inherit the earth" (Matt 5:5). Those that suffer with Christ will "reign" with Him (2 Tim 2:12). The "world to come," as our text points out, has not been given into the charge of angels--not even holy angels. That dominion has been reserved for justified and glorified humanity.

If God has determined for redeemed men to govern the world to come, they do well to begin contemplating that rule now. Faithfulness in this realm determines the extent of our involvement in coming one.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You, in Jesus' name, for such a glorious appointment! I now ask for grace to equip me for that sure reign with Your Son.

-- TOMORROW: TASTING THE POWERS OF THE WORLD TO COME --