15th April 2024
Past, present, and future revealed
“Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ ”
Isaiah 46:10 (NKJV)
I recently delivered a message in India on the topic of knowing the past, the present, and the future. Is there anyone who is not curious about what happened in past eternity, what is happening in the present, and what lies ahead for humanity in the future? In the scriptures inspired by God, He has revealed information about salvation, and insights about the past and the future (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Scriptures show that there was nothing but God in the beginning. The apostle John declares, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (John 1:1). We read in Isaiah 57:15 that God inhabits eternity, and Genesis 1:1 reveals, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ This is further highlighted when God asked Job: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?…” (Job 38:4). God created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden. God wants children in His family, and those first children Adam and Eve, were without sin, walking and talking with their Creator in relationship with Him. In Genesis chapter 3, however, we find Adam and Eve believed the lie of the devil and sinned, a decision that has affected all humanity since: ‘… just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—’ (Romans 5:12). Thus God cast them out of the garden lest they ate of the tree of life. However, God promised that Jesus, the Saviour, would restore the relationship of God with humanity: ‘…For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!’ (v.15).
Over 2000 years ago Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, and took upon himself the sin of the world as he died a very painful death on the cross. Thus, through the death of his Son, God reconciled the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19), and restored the relationship broken in Eden.
In this present ‘evil’ world (Galatians 1:4) many still reject Jesus. The apostle Paul writes that we are living in ‘perilous times’ (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The description covers many things we are seeing today, while Romans 1:18-32 gives a fuller picture.
But we have a glorious future ahead. Christ will come as King of Kings and ‘Of the increase of His government and peace, There will be no end…’ (Isaiah 9:7). Satan will have no power and there will be peace and joy and everlasting life with God who will come down to the earth and be with His children; death, sorrow, pain and crying will be no more (Revelation 21:1-4). The Bible reveals the past, the present and the future.
To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer
Thank You our Father in heaven, Lord Jesus our Saviour, and Holy Spirit for accomplishing our glorious salvation which You have revealed to us through the scriptures. Worthy are You of worship and adoration for ever. That is my joy and hope in the Lord, and in His name I pray always. Amen.
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 1.00 pm
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church