The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Rebellion, #15

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (I Corinthians 15:24)

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)

God knew in advance the agonizing history of mankind on the earth. The present world is not that which God has envisioned for His creatures; rather it is a warning and an example so when the real world appears, which is the new heaven and the new earth and the saved inhabitants thereof, there will be no possibility of another serpent bringing rebellion into the Paradise of God.

The present heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire and God will create a new heaven and a new earth. There will be no sin, no rebellion in the new world. Think of it!

The thesis of this booklet is that God's solution to the continuing rebellion is not the transfer of mankind from the earth to Heaven but the creation in people of the Person and Life of the obedient Christ.

There will be no rebellion or sin in the new heaven and earth reign of Christ, not because mankind is on a new earth or because God is Present on the new earth, for those two conditions existed at the time of Adam and Eve; nor is it because the devil and his angels have been confined to the Lake of Fire. Indeed, it will be much easier to live a righteous life after Satan and his angels have been confined to the Lake of Fire; but each saved person forever will be capable of choosing his own way in place of God's will.

The reason there will be no rebellion or sin in the new heaven and earth reign of Christ is that Christ has been formed and is dwelling in the members of the royal priesthood, and these totally obedient saints are governing the creation. The massive wall of the new Jerusalem is symbolic of the resistance to rebellion and sin created in the believers when Christ is created in them.

A new heaven and earth is not sufficient to guarantee righteousness, holiness, and obedience to God. There must be a ruling kingdom that because of its character and nature will not tolerate sin. Christ will not permit sin and rebellion. Those who are filled with Christ will not permit sin and rebellion.

The truest prayer of the Christian is not, "O God, remove me from the earth." It is, "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done in earth as it is in Heaven." (from The Rebellion)