The Great Reward - Part 7

The Original Rogue One  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  2:13:13
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Allegiance to God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees. The Allegiant ones obtain the hope of the resurrection by being prepared for the tribulation.

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Introduction

Orah Needs Flat-Tire-Preparedness not just advanced-warning nor aptitude testing (Develop Inductively)
Flat-Tires Strike Cars
Parents Prepared Me.
Abba Prepares Orah or Abba Gives advanced warning.
Orah Chooses Inattentiveness
Orah Chooses Attentiveness. This is where I will start to use the preaching idea: Going Rogue means preparing for what lies ahead by looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.
Orah Remains Calm
Everyone Wants Preparedness not just advanced-warning nor aptitude testing
Orson Wells books, The Time Machine (1895), was the first time we realized as a culture how widely fascinated we were with the idea of going back in time to correct the mistakes of our lives.
While hiding out in a parking garage, Reese also explains that Sarah is destined to give birth to the humans' future leader John Connor. Reese goes on to say that a nuclear war will be initiated by a new, powerful computer system (referred to as "Skynet" in the first sequel) that is going to be tasked with controlling all defense systems. Reese himself has not seen the ensuing nuclear holocaust but was born and grew up destitute and starving in the ruins. He was enslaved and marked with a barcode and was forced to work loading bodies into incinerators. The human race, he says, will be on the verge of extinction when Sarah's son, John, is able to organize the remaining humans into an effective resistance movement that, by the time Reese will be sent back to the present day by Connor himself, had actually defeated Skynet. In desperation, Skynet has sent the Terminator to the present day to murder Sarah and eliminate John Connor's existence. Reese also explains that the Terminator pursuing Sarah, is a new model, one that appears infinitely more human than its predecessors. Reese tells her the android will bleed, sweat and even has bad breath to enhance the disguise. Reese is uncertain that he can defeat the android without having the advanced weaponry of the future.
This was popularized in one of the 1980’s biggest blockbuster movies: Back to the Future.
It was also popularized in one of the funniest movies of the centuries, Napoleon Dynamite. Rico, the uncle of Napoleon, wants to travel back in time to 1982 so he can play in the 4th quarter of his High School Football game. He believes if he can do this it would change everything.
Let’s be honest, haven’t we all at one time or another thought, “If I could just go back and warn myself about X then life as I know it right now would be so much better.”
You wanted to go back and change the past by preparing yourself from what came next, not just warning.
Financial Blunder
Relationship Blunder
Career Blunder
Spiritual Blunder
in The Time Machine weren't going back in time just to correct mistakes that had been made in their own lives. They went even further back, to eras that far predated their own time on earth. They used the machine not for self-improvement, not to alter the narratives of their own lives, but for full-bore, totally otherworldly exploration
What if the future you told the present you must prepare to go through your worst nightmare but you cannot escape it? What if the future you told the present you your worst nightmare is coming but so is your wildest dreams. What if the future you told the present you that you will have to look past the nightmare you see and see what God sees to inherit your wildest dreams? What would you do?
This is what is all about: Bing prepared for the nightmare of the tribulation and the promise of Israel’s resurrection.
Ha-Foke-Bah
Daniel 11:36 TLV
“So the king will do as he pleases, exalting and magnifying himself above every god. He will even speak outrageous things against the God of gods. He will prosper until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decided will be done.
Daniel 11:39 TLV
He will attack strong fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will give them authority over many and will parcel out land for a price.
Daniel 11:
Daniel 12:1–13 TLV
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has never occurred since the beginning of the nation until then. But at that time your people—everyone who is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake—some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those who turn many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, close up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will run back and forth and knowledge will increase.’ 5 Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others stood there, one on this bank of the river and the one on the other bank of the river. 6 One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the end of the wondrous things?” 7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised both his right and left hands toward heaven and swore an oath by Him who lives forever, saying, “It is for a time, times, and a half. Then when the breaking of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things will be finished.” 8 Now I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, ‘My Lord, what will be the outcome of these things?’ 9 Then he said: “Go your way, Daniel. For the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand. 11 “From the time that the daily burnt offering is taken away, and abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Happy is the one who keeps waiting, and reaches the 1,335 days. 13 But you, go your way till the end. You will rest and then at the end of days you will arise to receive your portion.”
Daniel 12:1

Bible

The Allegiant ones obtain the hope of the resurrection by being prepared for the tribulation.
What a wonderful study in Daniel. When I finish a study on a topic or book I usually feel relieved and ready to move on. When I was finishing out this last message on our study in Daniel, it felt a bit like the first time I left for Israel to come back to the United States.
I got a little sad as I looked on those beautiful shores, those mountains, those valleys, the vast stretches of desert. When I think about finishing this series on Daniel, I feel the same way. Like Israel, I will be back, Lord willing.
Starting in , one of the most powerful images that occurs again and again is water. Raging seas of chaos that empires come of in and then there is river of fire coming from God’s throne, there is the river of where the last great vision of Daniel starts. In that vision, Daniel meets Gabriel who tells him about the future history of the world and Israel and especially the False-Messiah and the Great Tribulation.
In , the prophet sees a couple of rivers in his vision. This river is the river of history flowing into the future across many troubled waters. It worries and overwhelms Daniel, because in his vision he sees the river swallow his people in swirls of war and pain. In response, the Lord, envisioned as the man in white linen who has already revealed what will happen at the end of the world, appears again, as if to say, “Look at me.” But I want you to notice
Daniel 12:6 TLV
6 One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the end of the wondrous things?”
Daniel sees a couple of rivers in his vision. One river is the river of history flowing into the future across many troubled waters. It worries and overwhelms him, because in his vision he sees the river swallow his people in swirls of war and pain. In response, the Lord, envisioned as the man in white linen who has already revealed what will happen at the end of the world, appears again, as if to say, “Look at me.” But he does not stand in the water to show it is shallow. Instead, he stands above the waters of the stream to show that he is great—his power and purposes cannot be swept away.
The Lord of history does not stand in the water; instead, he stands above the waters of the stream to show that he is great—his power and purposes cannot be swept away.
Then an angel on one side of the river of history asks an obvious question: “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” (v. 6).
Daniel 12:7 TLV
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised both his right and left hands toward heaven and swore an oath by Him who lives forever, saying, “It is for a time, times, and a half. Then when the breaking of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things will be finished.”
The Lord raises both hands in a magnified sign of an oath (instead of the traditional raising of one hand) and swears by himself—because there is none greater by which to swear (cf. ). The oath means that the truths revealed are sure, guaranteed by the integrity of God. But what exactly is promised?
Then an angel on one side of the river of history asks an obvious question: “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” (v. 6).
The Lord raises both hands in a magnified sign of an oath (instead of the traditional raising of one hand) and swears by himself—because there is none greater by which to swear (cf. ). The oath means that the truths revealed are sure, guaranteed by the integrity of God. But what exactly is promised?

Advanced Warning for the Events to Come

Perhaps I can help a little in answering these questions. In this book my intention has not been to unravel all the mysteries of the book of Daniel. There are better exegetes than I who have attempted that task and, somehow, the matters still get debated. My intention has not been to further debate but to reveal the indisputable gospel truths in Daniel that unite us and that enable our faithfulness through the events the prophet predicted. Even Daniel did not understand all that the visions meant, and he knew that, in part, their mysteries would be explained only as world events unfolded (e.g., 8:27; 12:8). The Lord is careful not to allow his people to abandon the duties of today by focusing on predictions of the future but rather to strengthen them for today by seeing his promises fulfilled as their trials are endured.
Prepared for the Events to Come
Perhaps I can help a little in identifying the advanced warnings given here in . In this sermon series my intention has not been to unravel all the mysteries of the book of Daniel. There are better exegetes than I who have attempted that task and, somehow, the matters still get debated. My intention has not been to further debate but to reveal the indisputable gospel truths in Daniel that made him go rogue to this world and point to the restoration and salvation of Israel. Even Daniel did not understand all that the visions meant, and he knew that, in part, their mysteries would be explained only as world events unfolded (e.g., 8:27; 12:8). The Lord is careful not to allow his people to abandon the duties of today by focusing on predictions of the future but rather to strengthen them for today by seeing his promises fulfilled as their trials are endured.
Having explained my intention, let us address the questions. How long will it be till the end of these wonders? The question most naturally relates to what the Lord has just revealed: the time of resurrection, judgment, and everlasting life. Since everlasting life is endless, the question does not relate to how long that period is but rather when it begins. The Lord’s answer is “it would be for a time, times, and half a time.” Most commentators agree this is probably a reference to one year, years, and half a year but what about those others days 1290 and 1335?
Having explained my intention, let us address the questions. How long will it be till the end of these wonders? The question most naturally relates to what the Lord has just revealed: the time of resurrection, judgment, and everlasting life. Since everlasting life is endless, the question does not relate to how long that period is but rather when it begins. The Lord’s answer is “it would be for a time, times, and half a time.” Most commentators agree this is probably a reference to one year, years, and half a year (thus, probably three and half years, though there is some conjecture even in this).
Let’s review. Last week we ended the great prayer of Daniel discussing the salvation of “we.” Daniel gets a vision of the future that is remarkably accurate. If you take my dating, then Daniel is given the exact date of Messiah’s death. When he is cut off in . He is also seeing across mountain tops and not valleys. So there is a gap of time where much evil will be done on planet earth and against Israel. It is a time of wars and rumors of war. Then then last week will begin. A 7 year period of time wit the last 1260 days or 3.5 years of 360 day prophetic years being the climax of wrath and what is often called the time of Jacob’s Sorrow or Trouble. This is when the false Messiah breaks his covenant and turns on the Jews.
Daniel 9:27 TLV
27 Then he will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of abominations will come one who destroys, until the decreed annihilation is poured out on the one who destroys.’ ”
Daniel 11:36 TLV
36 “So the king will do as he pleases, exalting and magnifying himself above every god. He will even speak outrageous things against the God of gods. He will prosper until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decided will be done.
Revelation 13:1–4 TLV
1 Then I saw a beast rising out of the sea, that had ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten royal crowns, and upon his heads were slanderous names. 2 Now the beast that I saw was like a leopard, his feet like a bear’s, and his mouth like a lion’s. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of his heads seemed to have been slain, but the fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, because he had given authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast, chanting, “Who is like the beast, and who can make war against him?”
Zechariah 13:8 TLV
8 Then it will happen —it is a declaration of Adonai— that in the entire land two-thirds will be cut off and die, but a third will be left in it.
This tribulation period as the time of great distress and at the end the Holy people’s power will be broken by the false messiah.
Daniel 12:1 TLV
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has never occurred since the beginning of the nation until then. But at that time your people—everyone who is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Daniel 12:7 TLV
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised both his right and left hands toward heaven and swore an oath by Him who lives forever, saying, “It is for a time, times, and a half. Then when the breaking of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things will be finished.”
I know this sounds horrible and, yes, this is sad, tragic and if thought about long enough it breaks the heart. Yet, it is exactly when Israel as a nation gives up trusting in its own power to defeat this false Messiah that something suddenly happens that changes everything.
Daniel 12:1–2 TLV
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has never occurred since the beginning of the nation until then. But at that time your people—everyone who is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake—some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting contempt.
Daniel 12:2 TLV
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake—some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting contempt.
I believe there are two important things that happen simultaneously in this passage. At the moment of what looks like the end of Israel as a people. It looks like the genocidal plans of the false-messiah will prevail. The people are “delivered” by the return of the Messiah and the resurrection of faithful Israel those alive at that moment and those who died during the tribulation.
What about the rest of the believers and kedoshim from the Hebrew Bible? They were already resurrected at the rapture (either pre, mid, post).
Who is faithful Israel? The remnant that remains after the power of the holy people has been broken. They, that part of Israel, mourn for the Messiah as their savior. They cry out to Him in brokenness for him. Messiah return and cleanses Jacob/Israel of all her sins and according to in that manner all Israel will be saved.
But the resurrection of the wicked dead does not happen yet. Remember, Daniel sees mountain tops. We know the wicked dead are raised at the white throne judgment.
Revelation 20:12–15 TLV
12 And I saw the dead—the great and the small—standing before the throne. The books were opened, and another book was opened—the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what was written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Sheol gave up the dead in them. Then they were each judged, each one of them, according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Sheol were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Rev 20:12-1
Some of you are saying but “wait” this has the book of life. So what gives. At the return of the Messiah the Book of Life is opened to resurrect faithful Israel only. At the Great White Throne, the same book is opened to judge the wicked dead from all nations including Israel.
What should terrify any person reading the words of these two prophecies is that the wicked dead are resurrected into their old bodies and then thrown into the lake of fire for eternity. They denied the eternal one and sided with the rebellion of Satan and so they suffer the consequences of the first rebel: eternal damnation.
Daniel 12:11 TLV
11 “From the time that the daily burnt offering is taken away, and abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
Daniel 12:9 TLV
9 Then he said: “Go your way, Daniel. For the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.
Then Daniel does something strange in he adds an extra 30 days to the already established 1260 days. Why? Most Christian scholars are behooved at this point. They don’t understand what could be going on. Some have proposed this is the time when the Messiah judges the sheep and the goat. That is a good explanation but there is a better one.
Numbers 20:29 TLV
29 When they saw that Aaron had died, the entire community mourned Aaron 30 days.
Deuteronomy 34:8 TLV
8 Bnei-Yisrael wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping, mourning for Moses, were ended.
Deut
Zechariah 12:10–11 TLV
10 “Then I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication, when they will look toward Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only son and grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for a firstborn. 11 In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, mourning like Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo.
The Messiah returns and as is appropriate Israel observes a period of mourning with the Messiah as their brother and King. Mourning his death but also the death of the countless millions of deaths that occured during the tribulation.
What about the the other extra days?
Daniel 12:12 TLV
12 Happy is the one who keeps waiting, and reaches the 1,335 days.
This is the time of three major events predicted by Messiah and all the prophets. This is the time when the Gentile nations are judged for how they treated Israel during the tribulation. Some will be slain on the spot in accordance with Mathew 24 and go to the place where there is weeping and nashing of teeth. Other, Gentiles will enter into the millennial reign with the Messiah and all the Kedoshim. Remember, faithful Israel is resurrected at this point with all the Kedoshim who came back already resurrected with Yeshua. See, the sheep and goat judgment is about one thing and one thing only: how the nations treated “Yeshua’s brothers” it is not a judgment on your social justice towards the poor and marginalized. That is judged but it is different than this judgment.
Israel at this time is restored to its ancient boundaries fulfilling all the promises made to Abraham, Moses and King David. And, the Messiah sets up the full administration of his worldwide Kingdom.
Why a special judgment where solidarity to the people of Israel is the litmus test?
Because, Israel is the only “elected” nation on planet earth. To not stand in solidarity with Israel is to deny God’s election, to deny what you must be attached to, to be called “elect.”
What about the wicked dead?
At the end of the 1000 year reign. Satan is allowed to come out one last time. Why is he loosened? To show the true allegiance of the nations.
Revelation 20:7–8 TLV
7 When the thousand years has ended, satan shall be released from his prison, 8 and he shall come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for the battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea.
Revelation 20:8 TLV
8 and he shall come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for the battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:
At this moment, the real allegiance of the nations is revealed. Though there is extended life for those on planet earth. The nations ultimately still hate God and His Messiah and would rather side with Satan. Judgment is immediate upon them.
Revelation 20:9–10 TLV
9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the kedoshim and the beloved city—but fire fell from heaven and consumed them. 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are too, and they shall be tortured day and night forever and ever.
Rev 20:
As I said before, all the wicked dead are judged and it says
Revelation 20:15 TLV
15 And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Book of Revelation The Final Judgment Will Occur at the End of Cosmic History: All People Will Be Resurrected and Judged according to Their Works, and the Guilty Will Be Consigned to Eternal Punishment (20:11–15)

What is it about the “book of life” that spares them?

Revelation 13:8 TLV
8 All who dwell on the earth shall worship him—everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain.
Might there be some who could still be saved at
Revelation 20:15 TLV
15 And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
No. This is where knowing Greek helps immensely. Greek has at least four different was to express “conditionality.” This is called a second class condition or contrary to fact. Let me give you a fuller English read of this Greek conditional structure (cf. Dan Wallace, GGBTB 27.3.c.1).
Lets assume for the sake of argument somebody was found in the Lamb’s book of life at the Great White Throne, he would be spared but since no one will be found in the Lamb’s book he will be thrown into the lake of fire.
Then, after this judgment of God of the dead the new heavens and the new earth commence.
So Daniel has plenty of advanced warning. Why the advanced warning? Those who are not snoozing in apathy will hear and not be caught off guard by future storms of history. They will not be troubled by the future end of all things and renewal and salvation of Israel. But, how does he prepare for this? You know learn how to fix the flat tire?
Doesn’t he need to start prepping? You know by food for a 7 year period. Build a bunker and get some more bullets?

An eager anticipation of the Lord’s restoration of Israel fuels faithful preparation.

The Lord first tells Daniel that the way to be prepared is to, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end” (). .”
An eager anticipation of the Lord’s restoration of Israel fuels faithful preparation.
Daniel 12:9 TLV
9 Then he said: “Go your way, Daniel. For the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.
The simple interpretation is, “Just go about your business am not giving more details about this now. The matter is closed and sealed until the end actually occurs. This is important to hear because the best way to prepare for what is to come is not by learning more prophecy but by being content with what is already revealed. This is negative preparation. This is telling you that those who have heard as much as Daniel has, and we all have, it is time to move on now. What do we move on to do?
Daneil 12:10
Daniel 12:10 TLV
10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.
Though the matter is closed, understanding will be opened. The Lord says that “those who are wise shall understand” (v. 10c) and as a consequence “shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined” (v. 10a). The focus is on the faithful being purified through the fires of suffering, but the wonderful gospel truth is that, as their allegiances are refined, the wise are made white—pure before God.
The wise know that as it is for the King so it is for the people. The wise are the ones who know the Son of Messiah, Messiah who was cut-off but will come with the clouds of heaven. The wise know in their weakness is their rescue. They know that just when they are at the end of their own power, they discover the power of the Messiah, the wise know that to go rogue means to allow brokenness to lead to righteousness.
The wise prepare by not focusing all their time on prophecy and preparing to face suffering. Last,
Daniel 12:3 TLV
3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those who turn many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever.
Ultimately the purposes of the advanced warnings of the future are not simply to inform us or to warn the wicked. The visions are to ignite the faithful in God’s purposes. What is the result of this preparation? Remember in the Lord says, “Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days” (v. 12)—that is, just a little longer (forty-five days, a month and a half), after the period of judgment. This is the time where rewards are given out, those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars at that time.
There is an additional promise made to God’s people through Daniel with this intended effect. The Lord says, “Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days” (v. 12)—that is, just a little longer (forty-five days, a month and a half), after the period of judgment. I have not found a single commentator who will dare to speak with certainty about what this period of time represents.
Conclusion
We resonate with Daniel in this generation because the world seems so upside. The world seems to call dark, light and light, dark. The empires of the world don’t seem to be getting any better and Israel is treated just as bad today as 50 years ago. Daniel gives me advance notice but also prepares me for what is to come: to focus on Messiah, to embrace weakness, and to tell the world this good news.
We resonate with Daniel in this generation because we are more like him than we may know. Generations before us here in the United States were a faith majority in a predominantly Christian culture. Politics, social practices, and church emphases were based on the assumption that most people in the culture shared a Christian perspective. We do not have that assumption now. Christians live with the sense of being a minority, needing to make our own way, and needing to make a way for the church in the face of opposition, without respect and without expectation of success. This was Daniel’s world, and yet he lived faithfully because he had seen God’s design for generations near and far. As a consequence, Daniel knew that God’s plan for all time was sufficient reason for faithfulness in his time. So when God said “Go your way” with confidence in heaven’s care and an eternal plan for you, Daniel was blessed with boldness for God’s purposes though they were beyond what he could see or fully comprehend.
When we were in Canada, I was listening to one of those radio stations that play all Christmas music all the time during that season. I know I am Jewish but I really do like the music of that time of the year.
A woman called in to request “Joy to the World” and then told the story behind her choice of that song that includes the phrase “He comes to make his blessings known.” She said that when she was a little girl, her family received a monthly magazine written by the children of missionaries. Each told a story about their experiences, and the woman said that the children of her family prayed each month for the child who wrote the story they liked the best.
One month a story in the magazine was accompanied by a picture of the boy who wrote it. The picture showed the boy with a monkey, and because the children reading it thought that it would be neat to have a monkey as a pet, that was their favorite story of the month, and they prayed for the boy. For some reason, the idea of the monkey stuck with them. They kept praying for the boy after that month. In fact, the little girl—now the mature woman on the phone—continued to pray for him for years, whenever the image of the boy with the monkey came to mind.
Years later, when this little girl was a mature woman, her mother died, and the family needed to clean out their old home place. Sorting through boxes, the former children, now adults, came across the missionary magazine with the picture of the boy with the monkey. And the little girl now grown was surprised when her husband of seventeen years said, “Don’t throw that out, that’s my magazine.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked. He replied, “When my parents were missionaries, I wrote a story for that magazine and they put my picture with it—that is a picture of me with my pet monkey.” The little girl, now a mature woman and wife of seventeen years, said that she then screamed and cried and laughed and hugged her husband and gave thanks to God for planning her life so carefully and for making “his blessings known” to her.
We know, of course, that in those seventeen years of the couple’s marriage there certainly had been times of pain, trial, and distress. But now this couple has no doubts that God has been orchestrating a perfect plan for their lives because of what he has shown them of his design from the past. The sign of God’s design in the past gives them confidence to live for him and each other in the future—and today.
God has done something even better for us. He has made known to us the blessings of his amazing design of past events and revealed his wondrous provision of future glory so that we can go our way with confidence, courage, and joy. He will rescue his people Israel from distress with resurrection and bring all of us into His kingdom safely.
Maybe this message will help you to fix your next spiritual flat tire. Maybe, one day, when I am not here it will help my Jewish brother or sister know that this tribulation was part of God’s plan and so will be the coming resurrection, so put your faith right now in the Son of Man.
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