OUR AWESOME DESTINY
Part 2
Two weeks ago in the last sermon I gave here, which was titled OUR AWESOME DESTINY, I said that was part 1 because there would be at least part 2. I am going to try to wrap it up today, and bring this together. There will be other things that we can look at as we go on towards Passover, but I’m going to try to wrap up this particular title at least—OUR AWESOME DESTINY; and this will be part 2.
I feel that it is extremely important for us to be able to come to grips with who we are and what we have been called to. I think we understand it, and if we were asked the question “What is our destiny?” we probably could answer it. But, yet, I don’t know how deep down within us it has become part of us. That is, that we really believe that we are going to be who these scriptures say that we will be. I’m not sure that it is real to us—that it has become a reality to us. I think we need to seriously consider what our destiny is.
Today, I’d like to go back and just briefly review a couple of the scriptures that we used last week and maybe even bring out a point or two that we didn’t last time. I’d like to begin in Revelation 19:6-9. I think all of you know what is said there.
Revelation 19:6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God omnipotent reigns!
So a very, very significant series of events are taking place as this particular part of God’s plan is coming to fulfillment.
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
These are very significant events that are playing out at the time that John writes about here, and this is one of the very significant events. That is that Jesus Christ is going to take a wife. Those called as firstfruits are going to become His wife. This is incredibly important as far as God’s plan is concerned! This is part of the plan that God has established to increase His Family—to reproduce Himself. This event has to take place.
Revelation 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Now, last time I mentioned that the key word here is granted, and I didn’t go ahead at that time and give the definition for the Greek word that is rendered “granted” here. I’m not going to do it right now. But later on in this sermon we are going to look at another scripture that uses it again, and we’ll take note at that time what it means. “To her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”
Revelation 19:9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
So those called as firstfruits in this age have been called to this marriage supper of the Lamb. But those called in this age, and who participate as part of the church that Christ is building, are not just being called to the marriage supper just to be there. But they are being called to participate in this event as the very wife of Jesus Christ.
Now, is that a reality to you? I have to say that I am having difficulty coming to full grips with it, as a reality for me. It is hard for me to visualize ME taking part in this. Is it for you? Maybe it isn’t. Maybe this is something that is coming easy for you, but for me it is not. But if we are among those who are being called at this time, very clearly, our destiny involves becoming the bride and wife of Jesus Christ. What an awesome thing that is to even contemplate and think about.
Revelation
There that word is again, and we are going to come back to it later. This is the other place that I said you would see it. I am going to come back to it a second time here, and then we will define it.
Revelation
Our destiny is to become the bride and wife of Jesus Christ, and to sit beside Him on His throne as He now sits beside His Father on His throne. On what level of existence then will we be? What level of existence is Jesus Christ now as He sits beside His Father on His throne?
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.
Now notice verse 3, as it gives a description of Jesus Christ now as He sits beside His Father.
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of His [Father’s] glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
It says He is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person. He sits beside His Father on the same level as His Father! That is, in His makeup. WE are to sit with Jesus Christ as He now sits with His Father.
You who are men here, I’ll just speak to you right now; and I’m going to ask this question. Would you take a wife who was not human, as you are? Would you take a wife from some level of existence less than you are? Would you? Would Jesus the Christ take a wife who was not on the same level of existence that He is? Would He?
I John 3:1-2 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
You can look it up, but this word
that is rendered “like” in the Greek means “the same as” or it can mean “of the
same kind.”
Two weeks ago, we went to the Genesis account of man’s creation, where Elohim said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” So we were created after the God-kind. Man was created physical, however, with physical limitations. However, as was pointed out, we were created with God-like features and characteristics—even to the point that the human family was created to be a type of the God Family.
Ultimately man is to rise above this physical state. All human beings who walk on this earth were created in the likeness of God in the sense that they have features like Him; they have characteristics like Him in that they have minds; they have the ability to reason; they have capabilities of making choices; they have the capabilities of coming to have character. They even have the capability of love—of being able to love and to share love. Human beings have that.
Other animals only have instinct that motivates and drives them. They can vary from that very little. Animals can be trained by human beings, who have dominion over them, to do certain things that are different from (let’s say) what they normally do. But there is very little variation from the instincts that drive the animals. Human beings are very different—very capable of changing courses, doing things differently than others are doing them, making choices that harm or hurt, or making choices that are very positive and good. God has given us the capabilities of these things and actually requires us to choose and make choices and to set our own course on this earth. All human beings are created this way.
But there are certain individuals whom God involves Himself in the lives of that, even right now, have been placed on a course to rise far above this human, or physical, likeness. Let’s go to Hebrews 2 now. If you remember last time, we went to Psalm 8. I didn’t even intend to go to Hebrews 2 last time, but we did. And Hebrews 2, of course, quotes from Psalm 8. I want to go back there and spend quite a lot of time there today.
Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
Now, what you heard last time—and
what you will be hearing today—is not new to you. If you have been in the
This is very obviously a clear truth that these scriptures teach us. And it says here, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. The Today’s English version of the Bible renders this verse this way: “We must hold on all the more firmly to the truths we have heard, so that we will not be carried away.” So you might say that this series (these two sermons) is merely a reminder. That is, a reminder of this truth—so that we don’t forget who we are and what we have been called to.
Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken through angels…
And that perhaps could better be rendered “messengers” here. I think this is a reference to back over in the first part of chapter one, where it shows how God spoke in different ways in times past—through the prophets and so on.
Hebrews 2:2-3 For if the word spoken through angels [or messengers] proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape…
Now he is beginning to talk about those who have been specially called, and he has included himself in that group.
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Jesus the Christ began teaching
the gospel of the
The apostles continued to preach that gospel message, and to teach those who were called more completely about that message. Remember the instruction, there in Matthew 28, that Christ gave the apostles—that they were to preach the gospel, and then those who were baptized were to be taught everything that He had taught them. And so after disciples were made, as a result of the preaching of the gospel, they were to be taught more completely the truth about what our destiny is.
We’ve heard the gospel, and we have been taught about our destiny. I think most of us in this room would fall into that category. Most all of us have been taught this truth!
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Why is it put just that way? We are going to come back and comment on that, a little bit later.
Hebrews 2:3-4 How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4) God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
We haven’t seen a lot of that; but that was done, as the gospel began to be preached. There were signs and wonders, incredible miracles, that God used to confirm that these men were His representatives. He established that early on. So we saw that then, but we are not seeing it so much now.
Hebrews 2:5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.
So he very clearly states that the world to come is NOT to be placed in subjection to angels. But he doesn’t say right here under whose subjection it will be placed. He’s going to tell us that in just a little bit.
Hebrews 2:5 For He has not put the world to come…
We know there is (1) the world that was; there is (2) the world that is; and there is (3) the world that is to come.
Hebrews 2:5 For He has not put the world to come, of
which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6) But one testified in a certain
place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man
that You take care of him? [Of course, this is quoted from Psalm 8.] 7) You
have made him a little lower than the angels.”
As I pointed out last time, in
Psalm 8 (where this is quoted from), “angels” is rendered from the Hebrew word Elohim.
Hebrews 2:7 “You have made him a little lower [or, as the margin in my New King James version says, it would be rendered “for a little while lower”] than the angels [Elohim].
What is the implication of that? If he has been made for a little while lower than Elohim, what is the implication?
Hebrews 2:7 “You have crowned him with glory and
honor, and set him over the works of Your hands.”
In Psalm 8:6, it states: “You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands.” Remember (in Psalm 8) that David looked up into the heavens; and he saw the moon, the stars, and so forth. And he said, “These are the works of Your fingers.” So the works of God’s hands apparently here is referring to all of the things that God has made. Certainly it does NOT include God Himself. It doesn’t include the Being who walked on this earth as Jesus the Christ. Those haven’t been placed under him.
Hebrews
2:7-8 “You have crowned him with
glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. 8) You have
put all things in subjection under his feet.”
And then Paul begins to comment on this:
Hebrews 2:8 For in that He put all in subjection under him, [notice this] He left nothing that is not put under him.
He left nothing [that is not put under man]. Again, what is our destiny? What is our destiny? It goes on to say:
Hebrews 2:8 But now we do not yet see all things put under him.
And what is that telling us? We don’t YET see it, but it is yet to come. When God created man, it states there in Genesis 1, that God blessed them and said, “Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over every living thing that moves on the earth.” You see, that dominion was given to man. That dominion was to begin then, and it has continued until today. Man has dominion over those things. But what is spoken of here—what Paul is talking about—goes far beyond that. Human beings, physically made in the likeness of God, are a type of what God is ultimately going to do.
Hebrews 2:9 But [now] we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels…
The word rendered “angels” means angels here in the Greek; but, if it is connected with what it said back in Psalm 8, then we can conclude that Jesus Himself became this way. That He emptied Himself. This Being who sat next to His Father emptied Himself of that relationship to become flesh like us, so that He could die for us. For a little while, He assumed this level. He was made flesh, so that He could die—so that He could become our Savior. It goes on to say:
Hebrews 2:9 …for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God might taste death for everyone.
Now, let’s just read that last part carefully. “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death.” He did that, but now He is being described as one who is “crowned with glory and honor.” If you look into this, this word “crowned” doesn’t mean a crown that a king wears. It is not that kind of a crown. This kind of a crown is one that is given to someone who competes in Olympic-type competition and receives a crown.
Let me just read the definition. This crown is not the crown of a king, but rather the crown awarded the victor in Olympic-type games. The victor—one who completes the course and is victorious—he receives this crown. Jesus Christ is now crowned with this glory and honor. Let’s go back to Hebrews 12 and notice what is written there about this Being, and about this endurance here on this earth likened to a race.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2) looking unto Jesus [looking to His example, in other words; and now notice these words here], the author and finisher of our faith.
We are going to take note of this word “author.” It is going to show up in Hebrews 2 in a minute, and we are going to look into that. It is a very, very important word. “Looking unto Jesus.” So we are on this course. We are on this course that is likened to a race; and we are to look to Jesus, and the race He ran.
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
So He saw the joy. You see, He had been there. He knew what His goal was. He knew what His destiny was. He ran this course, and He completed it. He completed this course. He now has received His crown.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus…crowned with glory and honor.
This word “glory” here is doxa in the Greek, and it means magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and majesty. The word “honor” means honor, respect, reverence, esteem, rank, and dignity. He is crowned this way now as He sits by His Father.
Hebrews 2:9 Crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
So He emptied Himself of who He was in order that the grace of God could be extended to us through His death—through His sacrifice, through Him becoming our Savior.
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all thing and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain [author] of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
This word “salvation” here is the very same word that is rendered “so great salvation” over in verse 3. It means safety, preservation from danger or destruction, salvaging. Salvation involves the preservation of life. But, in our case, when we die, a physical death would be an eternal death without a means of salvaging us. This salvation that we are talking about involves far more, however, than just merely preserving our lives—which is the simplistic definition of the word “salvation.”
But this goes far beyond just preserving our lives. It involves us receiving eternal life; and that eternal life on a new life plane. Not any longer human, not any longer limited by the physical. Is that why he said, over in verse 3, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” It is SO GREAT—this salvation that has been worked out for us. Why is it so great? Notice verse 10 again.
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all thing and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory…
It is not just preserving our lives. He’s not just giving us eternal life. But He is bringing “many sons to glory.” We pointed this out last week; this word “sons” means an offspring, a descendant. And it is the very same word [used] when Jesus Christ is referred to as the Son of God. Back there in Matthew 16, when those apostles were asked by Christ, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It’s the same word. And He is bringing many sons to glory!
This word “glory” is the same word that Jesus has been crowned with. Back up in verse 9: Crowned with glory and honor. He is bringing many sons to the same glory! What does this mean to us?
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17) and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
As I’ve pointed out before, this word “glorified” here is a little different form of the word doxa; and it means to make known who and what He is. So Jesus the Christ and His bride—it is going to be revealed who and what they are at this time. Their glory that they have is going to be revealed. It will be at that time when man begins to experience his ultimate destiny.
I Corinthians
We are going to look at what that means, as well. What does it mean to be called brethren? More importantly, what does it mean when Jesus Christ calls us His brethren?
I Corinthians
The
I Corinthians
15:50-51 Now this I say, brethren,
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
There will be a HUGE change that will take place in our makeup, and who and what we are like.
I Corinthians
“This change has to
take place before we can inherit the
Let’s go back to John 3. We’ve been through this so many times; but, in the context of what we are saying, I believe it is important to do it here.
John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees named
Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2) This man came to Jesus by night and said to
Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do
these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3) Jesus answered and said to
him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the
As we have pointed out so many
times, that word “born” is the word gennao that can mean either “beget”
or “born.” It is clear here that it is a begettal that is referred to. Unless one is begotten again, he
cannot see (which means to perceive or understand) the
John 3:3-5 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one
is born [begotten] again, he cannot see [perceive or understand] the
This word “enter” means to enter, or enter into. You
cannot enter into the
John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
So we are talking about this change here (that Paul talks about in I Corinthians 15) involving a change in composition from the physical to the spirit.
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain [author] of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
This word “author” here is a very, very important word that we need to understand. In the Greek, it is archegos. This is what it means: It means originator. It means founder, trail blazer, leader, chief. Or it can mean first. The definition goes on: one who takes the lead in anything, and thus affords an example. (Paul talked about that in Hebrews 12—that we are engaged in running this race, and we are to look to Jesus Christ and His example.) It goes on with the definition this way: An archegos is one who begins something in order that others may follow. [I’ll repeat that.] An archegos is one who begins something in order that others may follow.
Now, it says here “in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” This word perfect is to be complete, to make perfect by reaching the intended goal, to finish a work or duty. In other words, Jesus the Christ completed the requirements perfectly! Everything that is needed for our salvation to be achieved, He has completed. He has completed His work. He is our Archegos. He is the author of our salvation. He is the Archegos of our salvation.
Hebrews
These sons that are being brought to glory, Jesus here is not ashamed to call them His brethren. This word “brethren” is rendered from the Greek word that is defined this way: a fellowship of life based on identity of origin, members of the same family, a brother or a sister.
Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, [the last part is what I want to focus on] that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This word “firstborn” here means first to be born with others following. He is the Archegos—the one who begins something in order that others may follow.
Now, in our physical family, Steve was our firstborn; then Mike came; then Sonya; and then Terry followed. Steve would not be the firstborn if no others followed. You’ve heard of someone being the only child. If he’s the only child, he’s not the first child. Right? He’d be the only child. Steve wouldn’t be our firstborn if no others followed. He would be the only child. Mike, Sonya, and Terry are Steve’s “brethren.” They are like him in the sense that they are just as much human as he is. They are members of the same family.
This word “grant” is didomi in the Greek. It means to give of one’s own accord, and with good will; to give; to bestow upon. We know that salvation is a gift of God. But I don’t know if we have attached to the word “salvation” altogether what hopefully we can attach to it now, after going through these very clear scriptures. That is going to be granted to us, given to us. We can’t earn it. We know that. We can’t earn it.
There is a certain process that is to take place within us now—a conversion process that we are to go through now (and we are going to get into that more as we approach the Passover) that involves us making changes in our lives. It involves us coming to make right choices. It involves us conforming to the image of Jesus Christ. To the level that it is possible in this life, that is to be done. But ultimately this change that Paul talked about in I Corinthians 15—rising up to this level, to the level that we can sit with Him as He now sits with His Father—is something that has to be granted to us.
This occurs as a result of God’s grace. God’s grace enables us to rise to this level. As we mentioned as we began this sermon, we are to sit with Christ as He sits with His Father. Let’s go back again to Hebrews 1 and read what it says there about Him now, and the level of existence and how He is described as He sits by His Father.
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of His [the Father’s] glory and the express image of His [the Father’s] person, and [w read how that nothing is withheld from human beings; but here we see Jesus Christ] upholding all things by the word of His power [having the ability to do that as He sits next to His Father].
Philippians
So Paul, in that sense, was an archegos—as he set the pattern for them to follow in what he is talking about right here.
Philippians 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [now, notice this.] 19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
So these individuals that fall into this category obviously aren’t able to see their destiny. They have their minds focused on earthly things, on physical things—as it is so easy for all of us to do.
Again, what does that mean to us? That change then that Paul talked about in I Corinthians 15 that occurs at the last trumpet when Jesus Christ returns to this earth—that change that occurs involves a transformation of our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body. So as Jesus Christ is a reflection of the Father as He sits beside Him, we are to be a reflection of Jesus the Christ as we sit beside Him. We have to be CONFORMED to His glorious body! Is this hard to grasp? Is it hard to come to grips with? I think it is. It is for me.
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4) always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5) for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:6 (RSV) And I am sure that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
So human beings
were created in the image of God, in the likeness of God. But here Paul,
talking to members of the
A work began when God began to involve Himself in our lives, and it had its real beginning when the very Spirit of God entered into us. He began to do a work. We were begotten as children of God. It could be rendered “sons of God.” We were begotten at that time—as children of God, developing to the point where we will be born fully into the Family of God. We will be transformed. Our bodies will be conformed to that of Jesus Christ.
I want to go back to the book of Job. This is a scripture that you are very familiar with. These are verses that we read at funeral services, but I usually don’t go ahead and read past a certain point. In Job 14, Job posed the question:
Job
Job was an individual that God was working with, and God had revealed to him what his destiny would be. So this is not something that would fully happen to someone other than those whom God is working with, but it does happen to everybody ultimately.
Job 14:14-15 If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. 15) You shall call, and I will answer you; [We usually stop there at funeral services. But notice what it goes on to say.] You shall desire the work of Your hands.
It will be at that time that this work will be completed that has been begun in certain individuals. Of course, that work will ultimately be done in all human beings—those who are willing. But that work is going on in the lives of certain individuals right now.
I John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
What manner of love! This is something that God didn’t have to do. This plan didn’t have to be devised. He didn’t have to offer us this. But He did, out of love—out of His love.
I John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
And I believe we mentioned when we went through this in the first message, do we really know us—who we really are? Do we know who we are? Is it real to us—who we are, and how important this calling (and the work that is going on within us) is to God’s plan and purpose that He is working out? And how important it is to that overall plan of bringing sons, children, into His Family? That is, increasing His Family.
I John 3:1-2 Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2) Beloved, now we are children of God.
When we first started this, I said that is one that we ought to just let roll around a little bit. This is something that we really need to ponder and think about—what it means that we are now children of God.
I John 3:2 And it has not yet been revealed what we shall be…
It hasn’t been revealed to the people of this world what we shall be. They don’t understand. They don’t have any clue as to what is being done within the firstfruits now, and what their ultimate destiny is. There’s not a clue.
I John 3:2 And it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
What do those words mean to us now?
I
Corinthians
Sometime it would be worthwhile, I think, for you to do a study, if you haven’t already done this, on the word life in the Bible. There are two different words. One is psuche. It means to have life, to be alive. It means to have physical life. But there is another life that is spoken of that goes beyond this physical life. It is a different life. You might say that this physical life that we have is merely a type of this other life. This life isn’t really the reality, but the other life is. You see, Adam became a living being. He had temporary, physical life—as we all have. But the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. He became the Archegos.
I
Corinthians 15:46-49 However, the
spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47) The
first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from
heaven. 48) As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and
as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49) And as we have
borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly
And then he goes on to talk about this change. We have to be transformed. Our bodies have to be transformed to be like this great Being that we are going to set beside. We have to become in His image. As He now is in the brightness of God’s glory and His image, we are to be in the image of Jesus Christ—as we sit beside Him, as He sits beside His Father.
I Corinthians 15:50-54 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit [can’t enter into] the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54) So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
And, again, those are scriptures that we read at funerals. And it is interesting, because we read scriptures like that at funerals. Usually there are several people there that I know don’t believe as we do. And, at the end, I’ll mention: “I’ve read this right out of this Book. What I’ve told you is coming right out of this Book.” And I’ve had several come up to me with tears in their eyes (even tears running down their face sometimes) and talking about how wonderful these words are. They can see it to a level; but, unless God is working in their lives, it doesn’t go any farther—or they immediately forget it.
You read in the scriptures, in the Parable of the Sower, how in some cases it takes root a little bit; but then, after a while, (due to circumstances of life or whatever) it is lost. It is gone. And that’s what Paul said there in Hebrews 1. We need to give the more earnest heed to the things WE have heard, lest we drift away. Back in Romans 8, I want to emphasize something that we didn’t emphasize before.
Romans
8:28-29 And we know that all things
work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called
according to His purpose. 29) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be
conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many
brethren.
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17) and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified together.
In your mind’s eye, just try to look forward to the return of Jesus Christ and what will occur there. Can we comprehend it? Can we even do that in our mind’s eye?
Romans 8:18-21 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19) For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21) because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Once again, hearkening back to some recent sermons, we are going to be able to relate to all the trials and all the problems that humanity has experienced because somebody in the bride of Jesus Christ will have experienced it. From Abel all the way down through history, members of the bride of Jesus Christ will have lived and experienced everything that has happened on this earth from Abel all the way up until the return of Jesus Christ. We will be able to assist and help—just as Jesus Christ went through all that He went through and suffered and was tempted in all that He was, so that He could be our High Priest now. Well, we are to be priests then; and we will have all that experience. God has worked that out. It’s part of the plan. It’s part of the purpose.
We are going to fill an important role. I don’t know to what extent. I don’t want to speculate there. We are taken up to a point, and we are not given a whole lot beyond that. But here it says: because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
We are not just going to sit beside Jesus Christ on a throne. Jesus Christ is not just sitting on a throne beside His Father now. He is upholding the whole universe with the power that He has right now. And we are going to have an important role to play.
Romans 8:22-23 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23) Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
Transcribed by PLH March 2004