There are many problems in the world today. Diseases without cures, hungry children without food, villages without clean drinking water, humans being trafficked, marriages ending in divorce, wars between nations, broken systems attempting to administrate help, and many others. These problems are not new . . . they are old. After all the first family (Adam and Eve) saw one son murder another . . . and things have gone downhill from there. There are many problems in this world.
Alongside all these problems, though, there is also great promise. Immediately after mankind sinned, God promised to crush the “head of the snake” who tempted mankind (Genesis 3:15). God initiated a plan to rescue mankind and restore peace and prosperity to the earth. Promises of a kingdom that knew no end were made, atonement for sins was accomplished, and all eyes looked forward to the day when the lion would lay down with the lamb. After His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended into heaven while His disciples looked on. No doubt some of them had to think that their hopes of Jesus fulfilling all God’s promises was leaving as well . . . but angels told them otherwise in Acts 1:9-11:
And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
In other words — He’s coming back.
The full realization of the promises of God will come in the future, in events that will commence when Jesus returns to this earth. In fact, after His return, Revelation 20-21 tell us that He will reign on the earth for 1,000 years BEFORE ushering in a new heaven and a new earth. Where will you be during these 1,000 years and beyond? What significance does all this have for us today? We will be examining these questions in a short two week sermon series out of Revelation 20-21 beginning this Sunday at Wildwood. The series is entitled “M+.” Hope to see you there in either our 9:30 or 10:50 worship services.