GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 370 May 4, 2011
PREPARATION
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come you who are blessed of My Father,
inherit the KINGDOM PREPARED for you from the foundation of the world,'" Matthew 25:34.
It is often stated, "God said it, I believe it and, that settles it!" However, it doen't matter if we believe it or not; it will happen for sure. God said it and, what He said, will come to pass.
Of course, it is good for us to believe what God says. There's where faith comes in. "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God," Romans 10:17. Whatever God has in the Bible will occur! We believe that all recorded truth is eternal!
Further, on the matter of faith, the Bible goes on to say that, "Faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for and, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen," Hebrews 11:1. Without God's revelation, we could never understand what will take place.
Beginning with Salvation, the Roman Road lays out His truth for all to believe. "If you shall confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in rghteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" Romans 10:9-10.
With so many things prepared for us, we could never grasp any of them without the Bible. That's why we go to church, isn't it? Pastors and preachers expound upon the Word of God and our hearts become receptive to what is declared from the Book. We should follow and obey these men of God.
But, there is one extremely important subject that is misunderstood. It's the KINGDOM PREPARED that is mentioned in the title verse above. However, with over 150 verses on kingdom truth, we ought to learn about it, don't you think? First, look at the time that God prepared the KINGDOM. It was "before the foundation of the world" (Mt 25:34).
From the Lord's holy position, He looked forward and saw everything that was needed. All things were prepared; not, because of us but, because of Jesus, God's Son.
Kingdom teaching is so important for us to understand. To know Kingdom truth brings peace to our hearts because, Kingdom Truth tells us where we will be when the end of time comes. The Bible tells of some who will inherit the kingdom, as Jesus said in Matthew. Others, shall miss the kingdom; although they have been saved by trusting in His work, earlier. Again, we quote Jesus. "Not everyone who says Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven," Matthew 7:21.
Without question the KINGDOM subject is far too important to be missed. Just think about it! Think how God preparing everything for you. Of course, it is all based upon the work of His Son. Yet, what was needed, was known beforehand. The Lord propped His elbow on the window of eternity and saw the end. And more, the Lord loved what He saw. Again, it's all because it is finished in righteousnes - the righteousness of Jesus and His finished work.
So, when we read "in the beginning" (Gen. 1:1), we ought to take eternal comfort knowing that God was there preparing everything needed for man's recovery from sin and inheriting the Kingdom. He loves His creation. God filled the void of the old creation with righteousness, preparing a New Creation. It is for all who believe.
As we travel on the Biblical road down through time, we learn of some things God prepared for His people. The Bible is our historical record; as well as our recording of the new creation. First, we see Abraham, the father of faith, as he believed and walked. His faith was clearly counted as righteousness. "By faith Abraham...obeyed...and he went out, not knowing where he was going," Hebrews 11:8.
On the subject of faith and believing what God has prepared, we need to remember that "all things work together...for good" (Ro 8:28). Sometimes, this life looks very difficult. When difficulty arises, faith enters. We may not know why, but we believe what God has said and, we will believe His Word for every portion of our life. We have to! There's no one else.
From Abraham, we study Israel; a nation that is full of TYPES. Man's fall and recovery is presented in the nation's history. She was sold into bondage, as Adam was; but, set free once the blood of redemption was applied to the door posts of their dwellings. And, when they wandered in the wilderness, the Lord prepared some eternal clothing for them. "Your clothing did not wear oout...nor did you foot swell these forty years" (De. 8:4).
Where they were headed was Canaan Land. A spot that God had already fixed for His people to live. Canaan was a prepared place; just as the Lord has a place PREPARED for us. Concerning Canaan, we see the glory as Moses explained what the promised Land meant for Israel. "The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and promegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you shall eat food without scarcity," Deuteronomoy 8:7-9.
The PROMISED LAND that Israel enjoyed was a type of the coming kingdom. There is no question about that. What else do we need but the Lord's promise? God's word is full of blessings for His people. Let's not miss the Father's Kingdom when Jesus sets it up at the Second Coming. Let's pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come...(Mt. 6:9-10).