Passed Away - Former Things
“…the former things have passed away. And He who is sitting on the throne said, Lo! New am I making all.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
Exactly what are the “former things”?
Look around. We are living in the “former things” right now. Paul calls it “this present evil age.”
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5)
The Preacher of Ecclesiastes said of this "present evil age"…
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
Who is responsible for this age being “evil” and “all is vanity”?
God did it.
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create EVIL: I the LORD do all these things...For to VANITY was the creation subjected, not voluntarily, but because of Him who subjects it…” (Isaiah 45:7; Romans 8:20-21)
I have had people get mad at me for saying "God did it". But refusing to believe what God has said in His word makes one an unbeliever – no matter how often we go to church.
Again, God did it!
God sat in motion a plan for people to experience both good and evil so they could appreciate the good and learn to reject the evil. People learn by contrast and experience. We learn what we like to eat by tasting food. We learn the value of health when we experienced sickness. We appreciate love when we see hate. Peace becomes our hope when war is all around us.
Exactly what are the “former things”?
Look around. We are living in the “former things” right now. Paul calls it “this present evil age.”
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3-5)
The Preacher of Ecclesiastes said of this "present evil age"…
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)
Who is responsible for this age being “evil” and “all is vanity”?
God did it.
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create EVIL: I the LORD do all these things...For to VANITY was the creation subjected, not voluntarily, but because of Him who subjects it…” (Isaiah 45:7; Romans 8:20-21)
I have had people get mad at me for saying "God did it". But refusing to believe what God has said in His word makes one an unbeliever – no matter how often we go to church.
Again, God did it!
God sat in motion a plan for people to experience both good and evil so they could appreciate the good and learn to reject the evil. People learn by contrast and experience. We learn what we like to eat by tasting food. We learn the value of health when we experienced sickness. We appreciate love when we see hate. Peace becomes our hope when war is all around us.
Fortunately this “present evil age” is a temporary learning center and a "rescue" is coming - for that is "the will of our God and Father" …
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might RESCUE us from this PRESENT EVIL AGE, according to THE WILL OF OUR GOD AND FATHER, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen…For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us…we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…" (Galatians 1:3-5; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15)
When "former things" have passed away and the "new" is here their will be no "evil" or "vanity", they will have served their purpose - and then the eternal good stuff begins - yea for God!
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...and I perceived a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth pass away…Lo! New am I making all.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Revelation 21:1-5)
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might RESCUE us from this PRESENT EVIL AGE, according to THE WILL OF OUR GOD AND FATHER, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen…For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us…we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…" (Galatians 1:3-5; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15)
When "former things" have passed away and the "new" is here their will be no "evil" or "vanity", they will have served their purpose - and then the eternal good stuff begins - yea for God!
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...and I perceived a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth pass away…Lo! New am I making all.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Revelation 21:1-5)