Skip to main content

Every tear

           I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 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. ‘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.” (Rev 21:2-4)

If you listen to the political rhetoric that dominates our country at the moment, the last sentence contains the goal. “… will wipe every tear…no more death…mourning or crying in pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” It promises heaven on earth, just as we see at the end of the book of revelation, with one vital exception. God isn’t in it. Most assuredly, God is not in control of it. No, it is the government that will wipe every tear, end death, mourning, and pain by destroying the old order, which permitted, accepted, and even (sometimes) sought God.

Go back to the garden of Eden in Genesis 3. What did the serpent say? Eat of the fruit, and you’ll be like God. Forget about doing things God’s way. Do it yourself. Create heaven on earth with yourself as its master – not God. It’s the same old story with minor variations. Who needs God? We can do it ourselves. And…when the going gets rough, that’s a route we tend to like to take.

Historically, when people have tried to “help” God, or achieve “heaven on earth” by themselves, it hasn’t gone well. Think of the Tower of Babel, or Abram and Sarai, or Nebuchadnezzar, or the Anti-Christ. Think of Hitler’s slaughter of 30 million (6 million of which were Jews,) or Stalin’s slaughter of 40 million, or Mao’s slaughter of 60 million. All of that was in the name of some utopian vision in which every evil would disappear with the destruction of the old order of things.

We must look forward to Christ’s victory, but we must be patient. When we go off, trying to make it become a reality in our strength (and usually for our own glory) it is doomed.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more