davidbowerkingwood

The Real Meaning of Life Explained! Everything, to This Point, has been Nothing more than Preparation for What is to Come!

Mankind was created to rule, to have dominion over all the earth but lost that opportunity when the first Adam disobeyed a direct command from God. Instead of ruling, man became a tenant on a sin-cursed earth which has been controlled by Satan as the Prince of the Power of the Air and has become a battlefield in an ancient spiritual war!

God, in an astounding expression of grace, mercy, and love, sent a second Adam from above, the Lord Jesus Christ, to serve as a Kinsman/Redeemer, to free mankind from spiritual death, slavery to sin, and buy back mankind’s lost inheritance by the shedding of his own blood as a sacrificial payment for the sin of the first Adam.

A time is coming when the earth shall be restored to mankind and Satan’s control of the earth brought to a devastating conclusion. The Bible provides us some guidance as to what will happen and it is very possible these events may start soon. I have written more on this in a four-part series which begins with: “What’s Going to Happen Next? Part 1”

The Timing of These Remaining Events is Known Only to God

The Bible does not reveal the timing of these events awaiting fulfillment, but does reveal there are two periods of prophetic time still future; one period of seven years and one period of one thousand years. In addition, there are Biblical references to events, yet unfulfilled, that need to take place. I’m of the opinion that these events could possibly add another five years to the total.

I believe the Bible clearly teaches the initial trigger for these events will be the rapture of the church as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 where the Lord Jesus Christ meets with all born-again believers in the air to take them to heaven and be with him forever!

After the seven years of the Tribulation and the one thousand years of the Millennial Reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, the final judgment will come at the Great White Throne where Satan, sin, death and all whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, this is the Second Death!

As Christians, awaiting the Lord’s return, we have an obligation to let the Holy Spirit take the lead in our lives; our lives should always clearly exhibit the fruit of the Spirit to the extent there is no question about our life’s priorities!

The New Heaven and the New Earth

A few thousand years in comparison with eternity is only a drop in the bucket! The Apostle Paul speaks to this point in Romans 8:18-23 where it is written:

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

I suspect that we, with our many limitations, can in no way even begin to imagine what God has planned for us; a full understanding of “the glorious liberty of the children of God” will just have to wait.

I personally delight in the sure knowledge that I have been given the indwelling Holy Spirit to be with me forever. By God’s grace, all of us, who have received Jesus Christ as our Savior, have been given the firstfuits of the Spirit!

I’m totally confident life in the New Heaven and the New Earth will far exceed our loftiest hopes and expectations by an infinite amount. In the meantime, we can rejoice in the Lord and the promise of his coming!

What About Life Now?

While eternity with God is going to be fabulous, what about life right now? God has made provision for that as well if you will only follow God’s instructions! In Philippians 4:4-9, God addresses the question of life right now:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Rejoicing in the Lord and faithfully worshiping and serving him is what life is all about; this is what we are created for and is the only thing that will bring happiness and completion to our existence!