History moves toward a steady
goal because God is in control of history. Jesus
Christ is Lord of all including time, kings and
kingdoms. He is the Lord of history.
The lordship of Jesus Christ
includes every area of life. “The blessed hope” of
history is the triumphant, visible return of Jesus
Christ. It will be a “glorious appearing of our
great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
Jesus Christ will return in
triumph to fulfill God’s eternal purpose with all of
creation. Creation begins and ends with Christ. The
Creator is the Beginning and the Finisher of His
creation. We need to remind ourselves of this truth
that man is not the creator; he is the created.
Only the Father in heaven knows
when that triumphant day will appear (Matt. 24:36).
We do know that cataclysmic events will occur (Matt.
24; 25; Mark 13; Luke 21).
Our occupation until His return
is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every
tribe, people and nation. Jesus said, “This gospel
of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world
as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end
will come” (Matt. 24:14).
As we take the Gospel to every
nation, we are to watch expectantly for His return
(Matt. 24:27-44; 25:13; Mk. 13:35-36; Lk. 12:35-40).
Like the early followers of
Jesus Christ, I am certain of His return. The Lord
Jesus is returning in absolute triumph and display
of His eternal glory. All of history is moving
toward this glorious climax.
History has a reason and that
reason is Jesus Christ. It is moving to a climax
when “time shall be no more.” A time is coming when
“every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and
on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue
will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father” (Phil 2:10-11).
This will be a day of victory,
judgment and glory for Jesus Christ (Rev. 19).
God’s righteousness demands
that all evil be judged. There is no way evil can
give glory to God. In triumphant judgment, God will
judge and put away all evil. He will reign in
righteousness over all His creation and there will
be no pain, no sorrow, no tears and no more death
(Rev. 21-22).
Christ will be the Judge (Matt.
16:27; 13:24-30; chaps. 24-25; Jn. 5:28-30). You may
think you sit in judgment on Him today, but in the
end, He will be your Judge. There will be no
exceptions when Christ returns. It will be a day
when Christ will vindicate His righteousness (Matt.
13:41-42). Each of us will give an account of
ourselves to God (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:12; 1 Cor.
3:12-15; 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 2:16; 1 Thess.
2:19).
The righteous will be rewarded
and will sit with Christ in judging the twelve
tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30).
The Bible teaches that just as
heaven is eternal, hell is also eternal (Mk. 9:43,
48; Matt. 5:29-30; 13:42, 50; 22:13; Luke 16:26;
Rev. 14:9-11; 19:20; 20:10). You cannot explain away
these references to eternal punishment for those who
reject the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is in this life that we take
sides. We choose to make Jesus Christ Lord of our
lives, or we cast our vote with Satan.
The Book of Revelation reveals
that there is only one person who can disclose the
meaning and purpose of history. He is the triumphant
Lord of history (Rev. 5:9-10).
Imagine what it will be like
when all heaven explodes into glory when people from
every tribe, language and nation will bow to the
name that is above every name and confess “Jesus
Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
Everyone who will be in heaven
will be there only because Jesus Christ purchased
them for God by His own precious blood.
The only song worth singing is,
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power
and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and
glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:12).
Who is the One to whom we sing?
“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be
praised and honor and glory and power, for ever and
ever!” (Rev. 5:13).
The picture of God’s throne of
glory in heaven is that of Christ. Jesus Christ is
Lord because God is Lord.
History closes with Jesus
Christ reigning as Lord (Rev. 1; 4-5; 19). I am on
the winning side and I pray you are, too.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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