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 17 of 17

CONCLUSION

The extent of this reign is not yet known; the reality of it is known! Our reign will begin by judging the world and angels (1 Cor 6:2-3). That is a remarkable assignment of itself! And how is it that we will be able to judge humanity, as well as fallen angels? The grace of God shall have made us equal to the task! The enriching grace of God that was the subject of argumentation in some circles, shall be openly demonstrated to be God's wonderful enablement!

Seraphim and Cherubim shall stand in honor of the Lord for this wonderful achievement. An innumerable company of angels will join in praise to the great God of heaven, Whose grace wrought such marvelous things! As it is written, "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing" (Rev 5:11-12). Again it is written, "And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev 7:11-12). The ascription of insightful praise to God is not a formality with angels. They now, and yet will, behold the magnificent power of God's grace in the ones it has saved, taught, and sustained.

In the world to come, the effectiveness of the riches of God's grace will continue to unfold. The saved are more than trophies--although they are that. They are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17)--a staggering consideration! I challenge you to explore the possibilities of inheriting God Himself, and experiencing joint heirship with the Lord Jesus Christ. These are things that reach into a "world without end" (Isa 45:17; Eph 3:21).

God's grace has enlisted you in an enterprise that has no end, no terminal point. As eternity rolls its ceaseless cycles on, you will continue to be a demonstration to heavenly intelligences of what the riches of God's grace can do! Cut loose from anything and everything that dulls your perception of these things.

There, in the world to come, hosts will see new aspects of "the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations" (Col 1:26). It will be unfolded to God's eternal praise, "world without end." Make it your aim to be an integral part of that world! Salvation will prepare and equip you for the ages to come! Our status as "kings and priests" now (Rev 1:5-6), is readying us for marvelous things to come. Hallelujah for God's great and transcendent salvation.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank and praise You through Jesus Christ for a salvation that cannot be contained or fully perceived by finite minds--and yet it can be powerfully and satisfactorily experienced.

-- TOMORROW: New Series: Introduction to WHY SIN IS UNREASONABLE --