WHEN GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH MEN

     "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death." (Rev 21:1-8)

Devotion 1 of  21

INTRODUCTION TO SERIES

Throughout the book of Revelation an exposition of both temporality and eternality has been given. An understanding of both is essential to being an overcomer. All trial and affliction are temporary. Struggle and oppression are transitory. The devil is our foe, but only for a while. The forces he  rallies are a threat, but not for long. The bottomless pit, when opened, brings great testing to the inhabitants  of the earth, but it is limited. The most fierce of all opponents, the first and second beasts, Babylon the  great, the false prophet, and the great harlot – they are all temporary. For those in Christ Jesus, life is eternal,  and every competitive influence temporary. This world is transitory, the "world to come" (Matt 12:32; Mk 10:30; Lk 18:30; Heb 2:6; 6:5) is a "world  without end" (Eph 3:21). THAT world is our focus! 

How much this perspective is needed among us! Hardship, opposition, and deficiency are all temporary! Temptation, warfare, and disappointment are momentary! A defensive posture,  debilitating weakness, and captivity in every form are passing. None of these things, grievous though they be,  can be approached as though they will never end.

All spiritual retrogression, however minute or momentous, takes place because this  perspective is lost. Those who are drawn into sin have forgotten its pleasures are only "for a season" (Heb  11:25). It is imperative that the church be the "pillar and ground of the truth," majoring on things that make  for clarity of vision and maturity in understanding.

Much, if not the majority, of what represents itself as being Christian, majors on the things that are passing away. Vast religious enterprises are given over to "ministries" that are limited to this  world and will quickly pass away when time is no more. Let none imagine that assisting the fatherless  and widows in their affliction, doing good to all men, and assisting the needy are unworthy activities.  They are most assuredly a part of the ministry of the saved. But they are all hands and feet, not the heart of  our work. At no point are such ministries an end of themselves. They are the result of a proper focus, and not the focus itself.

A DIFFERENT EMPHASIS
You may have observed a total absence of contemporary religious emphases in the book of Revelation. The home, marriage, government, social corruption, and the hardships of earthly life  are rarely, if ever, mentioned. The reason for this absence is NOT owing to our Lord's indifference  toward such things. His earthly ministry confirms His compassion toward those who are suffering under  the burden of life. In this book, however, we are given a loftier view of things. The only way to  overcome the world is to rise into realms where it is no longer the prominent thing. As long as this world  dominates our thinking, it will control our conduct and distort our perspective. Our affection must be on "things  above" (Col 3:1).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You for delivering us from this present evil world!

-- Tomorrow: THE CURSE OF THE CROSS --