He who created nature has control over nature
Jesus said the Jews will be scattered all over the world — until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Apostle Paul wrote — blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and so all Israel will be saved. Sunday evening I want to begin to address the Jews return to Israel and the demise of the Gentiles ruling the world.
I just came back from another doctor appointment. He pronounced me in pretty good shape. I am eating better, walking better, and able to do more work than I was 68 years ago. With my bubble in the middle I am pretty much on the level. Life is good.
Certainly we are blessed in our area. Even though it has been raining and keeping the farmers from planting the crops, our houses are still standing. My heart goes out to our fellow Americans in the south whose homes were destroyed by tornadoes a few weeks ago. This week many homes along the flooded Mississippi river are either in water or under water. Farmers wheat fields are under water. Three million acres of farm land are flooded as of today. Thousands are homeless and jobless due to the weather conditions the past few weeks.
And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows — literally: birth pains. (Mark 13:8).
The Bible tells us about the conditions at the end of this age so we don’t have to be afraid. I know who is in control of nature. I wouldn’t pray for his protection if I didn’t believe he could protect me. In Psalm 148:8 (New International Version) we read, “lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding.” If he wants to blow my/his house away, that’s his prerogative.
Again we read in Psalm 147:15-18 (New International Version), “He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.”
These things are not caused by global warming. The creator God has control over the things he created. He cursed the earth because of man’s sin. Sickness, death, pain, sorrow are the result of His curse on man and nature. (See Genesis 3:14-19).
Contrary to what the “theory of evolution” teaches which states the universe began with chaos and evolved randomly into the mess we have today, the Bible begins with God who created all things good and because of sin it has devolved into the mess it is in today.
But take heart, this same God is going to make (remodel) this earth into a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13). He is going to purge the unrepentant sinners from planet earth. (Isaiah 13:9-11). There will be no more death, sorrow, or crying and no more curse (Revelations 21:4; 22:3). Nature itself will also be relieved from its death and corruption (Romans 8:19-23).
One thing the Bible is unequivocal about — this earth as we know it is going to cease to exist in its present form. In 2 Peter 3:10 we read — But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
This is why Jesus commanded us to lay up our treasures in heaven. They will last forever there. (Matthew 6:19). What we lay up on earth, we will all part with when we die or when Jesus comes again to receive us unto himself (John 14:2:3).
Jesus also said in Matthew 6:21 — where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. In my lifetime of pastoring and serving as part-time chaplain of Loving Care Hospice, I have made few observations. For some Christians, it is very difficult to leave this world. They will spend thousands of dollars to try and prolong their lives on this earth. Other Christians when told they have a terminal disease accept the news and leave their time in God’s hands. (Psalms 31:15).
Why the difference among believers? I personally believe those whose heart is set on the things of this earth have a very difficult time letting go. Others are so little informed about what God has in store for us when we get there, they would rather stay with what they can see rather than go to a place they know very little about.
A few weeks ago when Kevin Malarky was at our church to talk about his son’s out of body experience in heaven, we had many visitors that Sunday. It tells me people are hungry to hear about heaven. Why our pastors don’t preach about it is beyond my understanding.
I have no fear about leaving this earth for heaven. It is going to be glorious experience. My only prayer to God is this — when it is my time, just make it quick. Dying is our greatest enemy, I don’t want to fight it any longer than necessary when it gets a hold on me.
May you have a good week unless you have other plans.
Maranatha. (Maranatha means, “Our Lord Cometh.”)
The Rev. Elton Yutzy is the associate pastor of the Maranatha Community Fellowship Church in Plain City. He can be reached by e-mail at revelton@gmail.com.
