October 5: ENLARGING THE PICTURE
That empty page in your Bible between the Old Testament and the New Testament represents 400 years, a mere blip on the eternal timeline. The “two testaments” are in reality one perfectly cohesive story. The artificial division is unfortunate and is often carried to such an extreme that millions of believers are told that the Scriptures written before Jesus' arrival are obsolete. But our omniscient God knew long beforehand that this false division would be taught…
The resurrected Jesus famously arrived to walk and converse along the dusty road to Emmaus with two of His beloved followers. Although they had the advantage of growing up with the Scriptures (what many call the Old Testament), they had failed to grasp the prophecies detailing His humble birth and ignominious death. These two dear men were overwhelmed with sadness and disappointment in the wake of the Lord’s brutal crucifixion and death. In their distress, they did not recognize Him and said, “we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel…” (Luke 24:21).
Their hope was correctly placed; only their timing was off. The message of salvation is to be preached in all the world (Matthew 24:14), and then the Redeemer will come to redeem all Israel (Romans 11:26), meaning every individual who, like Jacob, wrestles with and clings to God. We are called to overcome and to prevail over evil (see Genesis 32:28 and Revelation chapters 2&3). Sadly, many in today’s Christian realm subject themselves to Satan’s deceptions regarding the true identity of God’s faithful overcomers. In these last days Satan exults over the ongoing parade of distractions in the Middle East, directing constant attention toward geographic Israel. Our wily foe exults in the biblical ignorance of the reality of spiritual Israel (see Genesis 12:3; 15:5-6; Romans 2:29; 11:26; 2 Corinthians 3:3-9; Galatians 3:7-8,29). Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). For whoever is born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). Our Example speaks to us, saying, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Christ is the Head of real Israel! Christians are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:23).
To get a correct picture, we must believe all of the Bible. God created a perfect world that became marred by sin. We are called to overcome this world’s corruption with Holy Spirit power: the lifelong process of sanctifying our character. We are to put to death (Colossians 3:5) those traits and habits that do not belong. Paul spoke of his struggle to be free of such traits on a daily basis, declaring, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). The world itself, once destroyed by water, will be put to death by fire (2 Peter 3:10-13). The final judgement by hellfire (Revelation 20:7-15; see also Malachi 4:1 & Psalm 21:8-9) will completely eradicate sin and sinners, including Satan himself. The original beauty of Eden will be restored, and earth will be inhabited by the redeemed, restored people of God. Our earth, made new, is to be the home of the capital city of the Universe, the New Jerusalem!
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished. So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 51:6,11