Part 52 (2/2)
The second death ends sin and the author of sin, and death itself. The controversy is ended. Christ's death has purged sin from the universe of G.o.d.
The Earth Purified and Made New
The fires that consume the wicked melt the earth and purify it from all trace of the curse. It is the day of which Peter wrote:
”Wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” But after this cleansing of every element of this sin-cursed earth, the promise of G.o.d will be fulfilled in the earth made new, as the eternal home of the saved. As Peter says, after telling of the day of burning, ”Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:12, 13.
”O sweet and blessed country, The home of G.o.d's elect!
O sweet and blessed country, That eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us To that dear land of rest; Who art, with G.o.d the Father, And Spirit, ever blest.”
[Ill.u.s.tration: MOSES VIEWING THE PROMISED LAND
”Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:5.]
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE SPIES' RETURN
”The land, which we pa.s.sed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.” Num. 14:7.]
THE HOME OF THE SAVED
The Land of Peace
The Bible opens with a new heaven and a new earth, perfect from the Creator's hand; with man sinless and having access to the tree of life in the midst of the Eden paradise, out of which flowed a river that spread its life-giving waters through the earth.
The Bible closes with a new heaven and a new earth; with man upright and sinless, having right to the tree of life growing in the midst of Eden; with the river of life flowing out from the garden of G.o.d, clear as crystal.
Between the two scenes spreads out the panorama of six thousand years of conflict with sin. It is a story of the fall of man, of the loss of his Eden home, of the curse that marred the earth, of sin and sorrow and death overspreading all.
The Restorer
But from the hour when the shadow of sin fell upon the earth, there has been a light s.h.i.+ning in the darkness. Amid the ruin that sin had wrought, there appeared the great Restorer.
The inspired record gives a word-picture of Jesus taking man's place to win back the lost dominion:
”Unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that Thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; Thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of Thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus.”
Heb. 2:5-9.
Just where Adam fell and lost his dominion over the earth, we see Jesus, the second Adam, taking man's place and winning back the lost inheritance. That is why the picture of the new earth and man's sinless state depicted in the first two chapters of the Bible is repeated in the last two chapters with even greater fulness of glory. G.o.d's original plan and purpose will be carried out, and this earth, renewed, will be the eternal home of sinless men and women, redeemed by grace.
Sin will be found not to have frustrated, but only to have delayed, the purpose of G.o.d. And what is six thousand years in working out the divine plan? In our brief span we may divide human history into ancient, medieval, and modern; but in heaven's life a thousand years are but as ”a watch in the night;” and these six watches are to heaven but as one night of grief and of loving ministry in rescuing the lost.
It has cost all that heaven had to give. But the infinite Gift was made, and all heaven has wrought at the work. Of the angels it is written, ”Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Heb. 1:14.
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