THE END OF ALL THINGS The "end of all things" is inextricably tied to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit has revealed that Jesus will remain in heaven until such time as everything foretold by the prophets comes to pass. Hear the word of the Lord. "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Christ, Who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3:19-21). -- Tomorrow:
"The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" ( Peter 4:7-10, NASB)
Some are of the opinion that everything spoken by the holy prophets has already been fulfilled, but this is emphatically NOT the case. Here are some of the prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled. This is by no means an exhausted list.
1. "Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed" (Psa 102:25-26).
2. "The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again" (Isa 24:19-20).
3. "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me" (Job 19:25-27).
4. "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it" (Isa 25:8).
5. "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes" (Hosea 13:14).
6. "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people" (Psa 50:4).
7. "Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it" (Psa 37:34).
Here, in this world, the Spirit puts everything together for us. The awareness of the "end of all things" constrains us to turn away from what defiles, to God Himself. He compels us to obtain remission of sins and refreshment from the very presence of the Lord. Jesus has been appointed "for" us – to ensure that we participate in "the world to come." Until the work of salvation is completed, Jesus "MUST remain in heaven." He, like the High Priest of old, is remaining until the intercession is completed. When His work is completed, He will return to "restore everything" as God has appointed. Thus will the revealed will of God be fulfilled. "And He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ" (Eph 1:9-10, NIV). What a glorious purpose!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me strength to patiently wait for Your Son from heaven.