All Things New

When the Spirit of God comes into a place there will be a complete change. This change is not just for an improvement but the people will always become brand new. Only new people can belong to a new work of God. Only new life surrounds our Heavenly Father. This includes the Son: This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. 1 John 1:2 (NLT)

The first time the Spirit came into everyday people was 2000 years ago. Peter preached that day and he quoted the prophet Joel. Actually this prophecy speaks directly about another time in the future. It says: … you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced… In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.  Joel 2:26&29 (NLT). The prophecy is used more than once. 

Another time of the Spirit will soon come on the earth. This soon to happen event will come after the earth is judged for the way they treated Israel.  God said: And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—Joel 2:30. This time the Spirit will primarily be filling the hearts of the Jewish people because the Church will not be on the Earth. What a great time the nation of Israel will have as they are filled with the Holy Spirit. 

The future city of Jerusalem will be so different that God gives it a new name. The Scripture says:  The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the Lord’s own mouth. The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see— a splendid crown in the hand of God. Isaiah 62:2-3 (NLT). All this will happen when God again pours out His spirit into their hearts. 

During this time of the Jews, the Christians will be at a celebration feast in heaven. After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, Praise the Lord! Rev 19:1 …For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb… For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.  And the angel said to me, Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb. Rev 19:7-9 (NLT). 

Christians today should be busy doing God’s work. These works will be our white clothing in Heaven. If we want to be at the wedding feast we must whole heartily serve our Savior. The man in one of Daniel’s prophetic dreams said this: Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white… Dan 12:9&10 (KJV). The redeemed people will be dressed in a white robe given by Jesus. 

Our full time job is to die to our sinful nature by replacing it with the righteousness of Jesus. This is the way a brand new person takes the place of our old self. Paul said it this way: But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:13-14 (NLT). Yes! We become a new person who will eventually be dressed in a white robe. 

Jesus is making people brand new and then giving them rewards them for being dressed in His righteousness. Paul remarked that: I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Tim 4:7-8 (NLT). Friends we must desire righteousness. 

All things become new when the Spirit of God lives inside of us. The Holy Spirit came to gentiles many years ago and He will soon come to the Jewish nation. God seeks to redeem the people who do not resist Him. We have the job of spreading the Good News about the righteousness of Jesus. This is the way the Spirit makes humans into new creatures. Then at the end of this earthly life we will receive an eternal life with God.

Paradise Lost

Adam and God were very close at the beginning of their relationship. Adam was created perfect from the un-cursed earth of God’s beautiful paradise.  The Scripture says: So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Gen 1:27 (NLT). The first two people were very intelligent but the Devil deceived the woman into disobeying God. This ruined their close relationship with God.

Separation of our fellowship caused the earth to be placed under a curse. God told Adam the following: And to the man he said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. Gen 3:17. This was a paradise lost for all the people of the earth, but sadder still was the loss of their relationship with the Creator. 

Some people still feel as though God has abandoned them on this earth because He returned to Heaven which is not under the curse of disobedience. But God loves the people he created and has a great plan to redeem them. This means that someday we can live together with Him in Eternity. We cannot keep these old bodies because they are cursed. The Bible says: For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” Gen 3:19 (NLT). 

The center of God’s plan is for His Son to recreate us into brand new creatures. We can look back in history and see that Jesus came to earth to accomplish God’s requirements for our redemption. Now it is time for us to yield to God’s Spirit and find a new relationship with God. Today we have the unique opportunity of returning to fellowship with the Almighty. People all fell into sinfulness together but we must be redeemed one at a time.

Returning to paradise is the hope of every Christian. Paul tells us: …we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. Romans 8:23-24 (NLT). Serving God has the reward of a new body and life in the new world forever. 

The reentry of the “new” people to paradise will be a very big event. The Bible says: For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Romans 8:19-21 (NLT). What great plans God has for the redeemed. 

Even the angels of Heaven look forward to our reunion with God. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. 1 Peter 1:12 (NLT). The Good News is that Jesus has come to redeem people and make them into new creatures. God’s plan for Christians is thousands of years old. 

Everything God has done in human history has had the goal of returning people to Him. Unrighteousness cannot exist in the presence of our Holy Creator. Therefore we must have faith that the Lord can change us into a righteous creature. Our new life can enjoy the Paradise of God’s perfect world. We will certainly enjoy our relationship with God as a new perfect us. Wow! The Gospel of the Scriptures is fantastic.