BIBLE TOPICS

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path". Ps 119:105

Subjects

WHAT WILL GOD'S KINGDOM BE LIKE?

Old Age And Sickness

All these changes will also affect the nature of man as well. Man now, if he is honest with himself, is so frail. He suffers from many diseases and disabilities. In the end old age comes to all. The reason for man's situation is given by Isaiah:

"The earth is defiled by its people they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth and the people must bear their guilt". Isaiah 24v56

God gave man dominion over his environment and all that God had created, yet we have only to look at our environment to see how the "earth is defiled by it's people." Man's nature has not changed since Adam and Eve disobeyed their Creator. Men have throughout the ages turned their backs on God, breaking his covenants and laws, and reaping the appropriate rewards for doing so. Disease, disability, general human frailty and ultimately death, are a direct result of disobedience to God. However when man at last lives by Gods just law, once again man will be reconciled to his Creator. In the Kingdom age we read:

"The inhabitant shall not say I am sick ", Isaiah 33v24.

and

"Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy". Isaiah 35v5-6

What a wonderful thought that all the things that ail mankind now, will be things of the past. No need for health services and the health industry. No need to fear such things as cancer, heart disease, strokes, and other illnesses. God has promised as we read in Isaiah:

"Behold, I will create a new heavens and a new earth"...."Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands" [An alternative rendering is - "they shall wear out the work of their hands".]..... "They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Isaiah 65v20-24

However for those who are faithful now they can look with hope and joy to the time promised when as Isaiah says speaking of God:

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak"...... ...."Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" Isaiah 40v29,31

Paul writes speaking of the time when Jesus shall return, words that all true believers maybe also feel so strongly, looking to the time of resurrection:

"We eagerly await a saviour from there the Lord Jesus Christ. Who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" Philippians 3v21.

John writes of that perfected body in Revelation 20 saying "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain".. What a great and awe inspiring hope we have put before us, that according to God's mercy we can be privileged to have a part in working with the Lord Jesus, bringing about these changes. The invitation is still there for men and women, called by the grace of God, to be his sons and daughters. A people heirs to the promises made to Abraham and to David. A people to form a holy nation of Kings and Priests to serve God, to do his will, and so fulfill the purpose of their creation. Through the work of Christ and his saints, the peoples of the earth will be brought to a full knowledge of their Creator.

Religion