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 16 of 17

AGES IN THE TIME TO COME
The logic of the coming ages

Some stumble at the thought of "ages" that extend beyond this world. They cannot conceive of anything significant happening after passing from this life. To them, eternity is a place of restful tranquility, with neither productivity nor challenge. Thus they view "the ages to come" as limited to this world. Such are in serious error.

God has not limited Himself to this world, nor is His salvation so circumscribed. He has revealed the destiny of "this present evil world"--it is destined for destruction. "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the element will melt in the heat" (2 Pet 3:10-12. NIV).

In view of this revealed situation, it is inconceivable that God would limit His intent to the realm He has determined to destroy. Such corrupted thinking can have no place in the minds of God's people. God's dealings in this world are preparatory for the world to come. Overcoming in this world is a prelude to being exalted in the next one. Completing the race here qualifies for obtaining a crown there. Suffering with Christ during time, will lead to reigning with Him in eternity. Is this the main world? No! Emphatically, No! This world is not the focus of Divine intent; it is only the arena in which the initial work is being accomplished.

The time when the righteous will be revealed in all of their splendor and ministry is yet to come. Jesus is specific in His delineation of this aspect of salvation. "The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt 13:41 43). That time has not yet come; that is why we do not yet shine in our fulness. But the time is surely coming, and that by divine appointment. Faith constrains us to live for the "then," not the "now," contrary philosophies not withstanding.

Faith constitutes us "strangers and pilgrims" in this world, but it will not be so in the world to come. That is the habitat for which grace prepares us here, and for which it will equip us there. Our main ministry will be in the coming world; our preparatory one is in this one. Here is where we chart out our borders in the promised land. As it is written, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?" (Luke 16:10-12). And again, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt 25:21). The person "that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psa 126:6). Full recognition and reward will be realized AFTER life in the earth, not during it!

However, our text indicates an even more extensive purpose. Throughout endless ages, God will demonstrate what His grace has achieved. It will be seen in our safe arrival from "the land of the enemy" (Jer 31:18). It will also be perceived in our unique adaptation to the eternal realm. How marvelously we will navigate in the land of endless day!

But the greatest testimony to the riches of His grace will be seen in our involvements with the world to come. We will not be idle, but involved with the intricacies of that world. We will be in charge of it--governors of the eternal kingdom. Let no person stagger at this! It is becoming of God to do such a thing. This is not a speculative view, but a revealed one. "But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever . . . Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom . . . And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, Whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions" (Dan 7:18,22,27). This perfectly agrees with the promise of our Lord to those that overcome their adversary, the devil. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev 3:21).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to be alert to the distractions initiated by Satan, and sensitive to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

-- TOMORROW: CONCLUSION TO SERIES --
-- WEDNESDAY, New Series: WHY SIN IS UNREASONABLE --