Last time we traced three woven core threads of the God Story regarding God’s chosen people: the Jews (Genesis 12:1-3); the Nations or Gentiles (Acts 17:26-28); and the True Jew (Romans 2:29) which is the One New man (Ephesians 2:11-22). These passages serve as guideposts for these three critical woven teachings of the Bible.
If we are to have clarity about the end of the age and what it means to us, we will need to intentionally engage. Hundreds of books have been written about the future, and these threads provide the framework to navigate these conversations.
It is also good to stimulate a consideration of the nature of Eternity. Here are some markers as you wrestle with this end-of-days teaching.
ABOUT ETERNITY
It is where God has and always will exist (Psalm 90:2).
It is where the new Covenant was made. (John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20)
This is where the greater rebellion originates. (Ephesians 6:12)
It is here mankind will find ultimate meaning. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Where we will be rewarded according to our works. (Revelation 22:12)
Where we will live in forever connection/disconnection with God. (Revelation 22:5)
Where God’s grace will be over all. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Some questions you may wish to entertain in light of this passage…
What does this teach us about the gravity of the end of days?
How does a person correctly address the issue of our faith and our works of faith?
Where does our personal comfort fit within the plan of God?
What is the relationship between what occurs in our lives here with what will be true in eternity?
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.” – Luke 6:46-49
SPEND SOME TIME HERE FOR AWESOME ENCOURAGEMENT!
“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:11-18
The wise man builds his house upon the rock. Because, after all:
“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:34-38
Selah
The three Threads
Jesus’ words in Matthew 23
Daniel’s 70th Week
A good eternity song