Redemption of this Universe

ItÂ’s absolutely exciting to anticipate the redemption of GodÂ’s beautiful creation. Every smidgen of sin and its curses against this earth and the heavens above is about to be eradicated. That little book in the FatherÂ’s hand of Revelation Chapter Five is a book of the purchased possession. Ezekiel saw that book in a vision and was told to eat it. It was sweet to the taste but bitter in the belly. Its results were wonderful and manifest in a sweet taste. Its dark acts of cleansing were bitter in the actual events of the judgment.

Thirteen chapters (six to eighteen) of Revelation are given to the content, written within and on the backside of this book. The earth is the LordÂ’s and it will shortly be His day to take back His ownership. The usurper, Satan, had wrought an ugly thing, and evil treads this earth like a world full of dragons on the loose. From the simplest act of rebellion against God and truth to the vilest conduct of mass slaughter against ignorant lives, all sin will be rightly judged and vindicated.

When one understands the Seven Years of the Great Tribulation, it is simple to believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. These seven years have nothing to do with His church. The church is never named in those thirteen chapters of Revelation. It is the “Wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6:16b) against the world that rejected Him and has attacked His name with fury. The world says, “Speak of God, call Him anything from Allah to Buddha, but do not speak of Jesus, that’s too narrow.”

Jesus plainly said that these seven years will be even more devastating than the flood of NoahÂ’s day. Listen to Him, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22). I never remember it dawning on me that these seven years is worse than the upheaval of the flood. The valleys and the mountains were displayed and recreated. Oceans were drawn and established and the deep places of the earth were turned asunder. Great forests were buried and we have used the coal to drive our mechanisms. Oil seeping from our earth is a testimony to the utter upheaval of that world. The worse is yet to come.

Apostle Peter explained it carefully, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (II Peter 3:11-13).

The saints of God can no more be here for such judgment than a loving husband would thrust his beautiful bride into the bowels of a roaring volcano. The loving heart of our blessed Savior and soon coming King said it plainly to His church. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Revelation 3:10). I love His words, “I will keep thee from…” That settles the question.

When the seven years of redemption is complete, the Son of God will mount His white stallion and lead His great company of saints back to earth to establish His kingdom. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 19:11, 14-15).

The earth is presently in great turmoil. It is like there is a storm brewing, a thousand tsunamis and worse, and the population of the earth is drinking and drugging themselves into a stupor just to escape the fear. Denial is the order of the day, but the consciousness of impending disaster shall only grow. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22).

Look up, dear pilgrim; lift up your heads, your redemption draweth near. The Bible cannot fail because it has never failed in human history. Jesus said, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18b). Make sure your all is on the altar and that Jesus Christ alone is Lord of your life.