From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Praise His Name for b-u-t!!! part 11

(If you haven't read part 1 of this series, you need to read at least the first 2 paragraphs of it before proceeding with this message, so you will understand its premise.)

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  (1 John 2:17)  We have mentioned a number of times in this series that God's wrath will flow one day, eternally consigning all evil and its' practicioners to The Lake of Fire, but, those who have turned to God, seeking His face, will abide (live comfortably) with Him forever and ever.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (1 John 3:2)  So many things of God and His Being are cloudy mysteries to us here, because we can only "see through the glass darkly", as Paul said.  We are mere flesh and bones and can only get fleeting glimpses of Him and the eternal state of the believers when HE allows, but, one day HE will change us completely, making us over into His likeness, and we will be able to see as HE sees!  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!! 

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  (1 John 4:18)  This verse tells us there is a perfect love, and the prior ones tell us that love is God's.  A Christian experiences the knowledge and assurance of that love when he/she draws near to Him and contemplates the facts that: (1) HE loved them so much that HE gave His only begotten (born- when Jesus became flesh through Mary and the Holy Spirit) Son, (2) HE has adopted them with the full rights, priviledges, and inheritance of one born to Him, (3) HE has washed away all their sin through the giving of Jesus on their behalf, and, (4)  they will never experience the rightly deserved wrath of God for those sins.  When we believers consider and accept those facts, we can not have a tormenting fear of facing God, because that perfect love casts such fear out.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  (Revelation 20:6)  Not only shall Christians ("belonging to Christ") not suffer their rightful place in the Lake of Fire (the second death), but, they shall also serve and rule with Jesus during His thousand year reign on the throne in Jerusalem.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:7-8)  Once again, we are reminded of the awesome grace and privilege awaiting those who receive God's Son as their Savior, but, we are also reminded of the terrible judgment awaiting those who reject Him.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.  (Revelation 21:27)  Here the Law laid down by God for eternity for is restated: no one who chooses sin over the Savior will ever enter into the New Jerusalem (there is no second chance like "purgatory", or sins being burned away after a period of suffering), but, those written in the Book of Life because they did receive Him can and will.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:  (Revelation 22:3)  What a beautiful promise: the curse of sin, death, and Hell will be non-existent for the residents of the New Jerusalem, but, instead, we will live with and serve the One Who loved us so much, and the One Who gave Himself as the sacrificial Lamb to atone for our sins.  Praise His Name for b-u-t!!!

This concludes this series.  Praise be to God!!!

Ben