“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”
Revelation 21:5A (ESV)
Have you ever wondered why the world is the way it is? We hear of wars, famine, death, and destruction everywhere, all the time. We hear of fighting, divorce, disagreements, disease, illnesses, and family breakdowns. Even in our small world of work or school, we hear about harmful and discouraging news affecting families and individuals. Why is the world in such a bad situation, and what is God doing about it? When will this social and moral decay ever end?
The mess we see the world in now is not God’s original plan. God initially created a universe with love, unity and peace. When sin entered the world, things began to become messy. Instead of love, peace and unity reigning over all the world, we see destruction, war and death reigning over creation.
When the Father sent Jesus into the world, He had a plan – to restore all things to their original state. The first big thing Jesus conquered was death – the ultimate consequence of sin. Jesus won over sin by paying the price for sin, which is death, even if Jesus was innocent of sin. Because Jesus died, He paid for the death that is due to us. Because of sin, we were supposed to be forever separated from God, and the price of sin is death.
Those who are in Christ have already had their sins paid for. Yes, we are still subject to hatred, war, and disease, but the plan of restoration is starting within us once we decide to have Jesus in our lives.
The form of this world is passing away, but our inner selves are now being renewed and restored day by day. The work of God’s restoration has started within us, and the fullness of that work will come into its reality once we are in heaven.
Sin, death and their effects are in their final stages. There is an end to all of them. When Jesus comes again, the world as we know it today will be completely restored to God’s original plan and purpose. There will be no more death, disease, war, destruction, and so on. God’s original plan will continue despite being delayed for a while.
We will be His agents and representatives as we have dominion over His creation. We will live with God without suffering, pain and sorrow. We will have the eternal company of all those who accept Jesus now in this broken world. We will have eternity to enjoy with God, His people, and all of His creation.
Unfortunately, not everyone now accepts Jesus in their lives. We see many of our acquaintances, neighbours, and friends who do not live according to God’s ways. Unfortunately, some will not be part of God’s restoration plan. And this is our mission – to share Jesus with them so they will also be included in the forthcoming renewed heaven and earth. We have an essential role in God’s restoration plan – to include all those in the darkness by sharing the good news of His love and salvation. Hopefully, our words and examples will help them know and accept Jesus.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
These are Jesus’ words before He left His disciples on earth. This is a solemn call to make disciples of all nations. In this life, we must use it well to bring all others to the love and knowledge of the living God. Those who are not in Christ have limited time and opportunity to change their lives. We also have a limited window to witness and share the Gospel with our friends and acquaintances. Let us do what we can to share the Gospel since our time with them is short. It might cause us embarrassment or be laughed at, but that is okay. That is a small price to pay in exchange for their participation in the restored heaven and earth.
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV)
Let us make the most of our lives by sharing the love of Jesus with all whom we can. God’s complete restoration is coming soon, and we want our families, friends, and everyone else to be included in the new and restored heaven and earth.
Top image credit: Photo of Christ the Redeemer overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from Shutterstock.com, stock photo ID: #652195627. Used with permission.
Tom Caballes is a National Coordinator of the Lamb of God, a community of the Sword of the Spirit with seven branches located throughout New Zealand. Tom and his wife Mhel and their two daughters [with his son-in-law and grand-daughter] live in Wellington, New Zealand.