But it Didn’t Start out That Way
We can probably all agree our world may be a pretty amazing place but it does have problems and I’m not talking about the problems mankind creates but the problems our world creates. It would not be too hard to write a rather lengthy list on how the world hurts people; such things as deadly cold and heat, have made the news recently. Sao Paolo, Brazil has been experiencing a severe drought while the northern hemisphere has been experiencing blizzards and record breaking snowfalls.
To that list we could add earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami’s, hurricanes, floods and tornadoes by way of examples. It is easy to conclude that while this world is an amazing place it is not a perfect place. In the beginning that was not God’s plan for this world; in the beginning, God created a world that was good and offered an ideal environment for mankind.
What Happened to Change Everything?
The Bible tells us of two events that resulted in profound changes to the world; the first was Adams deliberate disobedience to God’s command which resulted in God’s curse being placed on this world. In Genesis 3:17-19 it is written:
17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’
“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.”
This was followed by their expulsion from the Garden as described in verses 22-24:
22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”
The expulsion from the Garden was an act of God’s love and grace, living forever with a fallen sin nature would be a severe curse indeed.
This first failure on man’s part was to be followed by a second which would profoundly alter the face of the earth and life on the earth. This was the great flood during which the water vapor canopy protecting the earth was destroyed exposing the earth to radiation and creating the seasons as we know them. At that time the entire surface of the earth was changed and the topography we have today emerged.
Another Major Change is Coming
The world as we know it today has remained in largely the same condition since the flood but another judgment is coming that will again include major alterations of the world. The Bible tells of a time of terrible judgment that is coming called the Great Tribulation that will drastically alter the world yet again. We can also know from the Bible that if this time of judgment were not limited in length that no one would survive; fortunately it will be limited to three and one-half years.
After this we are told of a time during which the world will be restored to vastly better conditions which will last for 1,000 years, a period during which the Lord Jesus Christ will rule on the earth and Satan will be bound.
A Final Change and a New Forever Home
This last change is so huge, so all encompassing as to overwhelm the imagination, this last change will mean the total destruction of the entire universe as it has existed from the creation. The earth and everything that exists throughout the heavens will be destroyed by fire to be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth which will be good enough to serve as a forever home for God’s family.
Most of us have probably had the good fortune to visit a place or at least see pictures of a place where man has created an environment of beauty, contentment, and peace. We can all imagine such a place even as we labor under the curse of sin.
My family and I always enjoy the occasional trips we take to Disney World; Disney has done a remarkable job in creating an idealized environment that appeals to all of us. If Disney can do it, if we can imagine such a place, then just think what an omnipotent God will be able to do for those He loves.
I’m absolutely convinced that the New Jerusalem, the new heaven and the new earth will be a place of unsurpassed beauty, peace and joy. God is our creator, He knows us better than we know ourselves and He is the one designing our new home. I suspect you join in with me in joyful anticipation of our coming forever home.
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.”
davidbowerkingwood 
Yippee! I can’t wait! 🙂
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By: Alison on February 18, 2015
at 10:37 am
Me either!
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By: davidbowerkingwood on February 18, 2015
at 11:07 am
Dear David,
Everything looks sad around us. What ISIS and other terrorist organization are doing are also signs of the end of times. The only hope that we have is the second coming of Christ.
Hanna Awwad
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By: Hanna on February 18, 2015
at 1:52 pm
Hanna,
The Bible does not reveal just how bad it will get before the church is called home, but the sooner the Lord calls us home the better I’ll like it.
David
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By: davidbowerkingwood on February 18, 2015
at 3:50 pm
Dear David and readers,
May I share this poem with you, concerning the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya by ISIS.
Hanna
A message signed with blood
In front of what happened on that bay, what can I say?
no word can describe that horrible scene of brutal slay,
no poem can express my passion on that awful day,
no tear wipes my grief on seeing a cut head on a tray.
In time of sword, no word uproots this global decay,
that plays with lives of innocents as a doll made of clay.
It is the weevil of the world rotting its bones from within.
It is a dagger in the side of humanity sharper than a pin.
O, fellow Christians, when you were led to death on shore,
in flesh you were sad, but in soul you were happy as before,
you were on date with Jesus who knocked on your door,
calling you to enter into His glory to enjoy His odor-adore.
When you were given the option either to convert or die,
you refused to convert when you said: “on faith I will die”.
Your red crimson blood, on the surface of the sea, cries,
calling us to lift up the name of Jesus over-there on highs.
A legend of martyrdom, an example of sacrificial love,
a symbol of faith, a song of peace on the lips of a dove,
an icon of heroism, a great message signed with blood:
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” as Paul said.
Therefore, I decided to quit writing for it helps no more,
in front of what is happening in this Third World War.
By: Hanna Awwad
This poem is from his new collection, “A Voice Crying in the Wilderness”.
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By: Hanna on February 19, 2015
at 6:51 am