WHAT DID GOD DO WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT
A Survey through the Scripture concerning God and Darkness
INTRODUCTION: THIS HAS BEEN SOME SORT OF WEEK HASN’T IT? THIS WEEK OUR LITTLE AREA OF THE WORLD HAS SURVIVED AN EARTHQUAKE, A HURRICANE NAMED IRENE AND A TORNADO. ALL THAT IS LEFT IS FOR A VOLCANIC CRATER TO OPEN UP SOMEWHERE IN THE TOWNSHIP. IN ADDITION TO THE NATURAL DISASTERS THEMSELVES, THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT COLLATERAL DAMAGE IN THE FORM OF FLOODING AND POWER OUTAGES. FOR SHERRY AND I, WE DID NOT GET OUR POWER BACK UNTIL 2AM TUESDAY MORNING, AFTER IT HAD BEEN LOST AROUND 5PM ON SUNDAY. ALL IN ALL THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. AND IN THE MIDST OF ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED AND CONTINUES TO UNFOLD, GOD IS STILL – AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN – AND ALWAYS WILL BE GOOD! AMEN?
SO I THOUGHT THAT THIS MORNING, WE WOULD FIND OUT WHAT GOD DID WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. WE PROBABLY HUNKERED DOWN, LIT CANDLES, PULLED OUT FLASHLIGHTS, SEARCH FOR OTHER HOUSING, OR A VARIETY OF OTHER THINGS.
WHILE SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURE, I FOUND SEVERAL THINGS GOD DID WHILE THERE WAS DARKNESS. SO, LET US LOOK AT THEM TOGETHER, …
1. WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD CREATED
Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
a. WHAT YOU AND I NEED TO TAKE FROM THIS SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT ALL WE HAVE, HAVE HAD, AND WILL HAVE COMES FROM THE CREATIVE ACTIVITY OF GOD.
b. GOD WAS INTIMATELY, MINUTELY, AND EXPERTLY INVOLVED IN ALL THAT WE SEE IN THE HEAVENS AND ON THE EARTH AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.
c. WE DO NOT SERVE A SMALL, WEAK GOD. RATHER, WE SERVE A GOD OF IMMENSE POWER, SIZE AND ABILITY.
d. THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE TEMPTED TO QUESTION THE ACTIVITY, VERACITY, OF COMMITMENT OF GOD, JUST LOOK AT ALL HE HAS DONE.
e. GOD TOOK A DARKNESS OF NOTHINGNESS AND TURNED IT INTO THE BEAUTY YOU HAVE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES, WITH YOU YOURSELF BEING THE CROWNING GLORY OF HIS CREATIVE ACTIVITY.
f. MAN MADE IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD HIMSELF!
2. WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD JUDGED
Exodus 10:21-22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt--darkness that can be felt." 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.
a. I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THE BACKGROUND OF THIS EVENT.
b. THE NATION OF ISRAEL WAS, AFTER MANY YEARS OF PEACE AND HARMONY WITH THE EGYPTIANS, NOW THEIR SLAVES.
c. GOD HAD HEARD THEIR CRIES, WAS AWARE OF THEIR PLIGHT, AND THUS RAISED A LEADER FROM THEIR MIDST TO BRING THIS SPECIAL PEOPLE OF GOD OUT FROM BONDAGE AND TO THE PROMISED LAND.
d. AFTER WHAT MIGHT VERY WELL BE CALLED A ROCKY START MOSES APPEARS TO PHARAOH AND DEMANDS THAT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL BE ALLOWED TO WORSHIP THEIR GOD.
e. PHARAOH OF COURSE DENIES THIS TO THEM, HARDENING HIS HEART AND SETTING INTO MOTION THE DIVINE ACT OF GOD WHEREBY HE WOULD JUDGE THE NATION OF EGYPT, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SHOWING HIMSELF SUPERIOR TO ALL THE GODS OF EGYPT.
f. WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT GOD AND GOD ALONE IS OUR PROTECTOR AND HEARER OF OUR PLEAS.
g. IT IS UP TO HIM AND HIM ALONE TO COME TO OUR AID.
h. WHEN WE TRY TO AFFECT CHANGE WITHOUT HIM – AS MOSES SOUGHT TO DO, WE DENY HIM THE RIGHT TO SHOW FORTH HIS MIGHT AND POWER.
i. IN DARKNESS GOD MADE HIS PRESENCE KNOWN AND FELT, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ACTING IN SUCH A WAY AS TO BRING RETRIBUTION AND JUSTICE FOR THE AFFLICTION OF HIS PEOPLE.
j. THE NEXT TIME WE ARE TEMPTED TO TAKE MATTERS INTO OUR OWN HANDS, REMEMBER THAT IN DOING SO WE DENY GOD HIMSELF THE RIGHT TO SHOW HIMSELF SUFFICIENT, AND MAY VERY WELL DELAY THE ACT OF GOD ON OUR BEHALF.
3. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD PROTECTED
Joshua 24:7 But they cried to the LORD for help, and he put darkness between you and the Egyptians; he brought the sea over them and covered them. You saw with your own eyes what I did to the Egyptians. Then you lived in the desert for a long time.
a. JUST AS GOD IS THE ONE WHO COMES TO OUR AID, HE IS ALSO THE ONE WHO PROTECTS US IN TIMES OF DISTRESS AND DANGER.
b. GOD ALONE HEARS US EACH AND EVERY TIME WE CALL, AND PROVIDES THE PROTECT WE NEED BASED ON HIS UNFAILING LOVE FOR US.
c. GOD ALONE FORESEES EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND PLAN OF MEN.
d. THE NATION OF ISRAEL BELIEVED THAT THEY WERE DOOMED, TRAPPED BY THE SEA BEFORE THEM AND THE EGYPTIANS BEHIND THEM
e. IN DESPERATION THEY CRIED OUT FOR PROTECTION. GOD ANSWERED.
f. HERE WE ARE, THOUSANDS OF YEARS LATER, AND WITH ALL OF THE EVIDENCE OF GOD’S FAITHFUL PROTECTION, WE ONLY REACH OUT TO HIM AS A MEASURE OF LAST RESORT.
g. HOW FOOLISH WE ARE NOT TO SEEK GOD FIRST, AND AVOID THE PRESSURE, WORRY, AND STRESS THE ISSUES OF LIFE BRING UPON US.
h. WE ANSWER NO TO THE QUESTION, “IS ANYTHING TO GREAT FOR GOD?”, YET DENY THE VALIDITY OF OUR DECLARATION BY OUR HESITANCY TO INVOKE HIS ACTIVITY.
4. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD REVEALED HIMSELF
2 Chronicles 6:1 Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;
2 Chronicles 7:1 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
a. GOD IS NOT CLANDESTINE. HE HAS NO PROBLEM MAKING HIMSELF KNOWN.
b. THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE DIFFICULTY SEEING HIM.
c. PAUL TELLS US THAT GOD IS SO PLAINLY EVIDENT THAT NO MAN HAS AN EXCUSE FOR MISSING HIM. ONE COULD SAY THAT GOD IS MORE OBVIOUS THAN THE NOSE ON OUR FACES. MAN JUST CHOOSES TO IGNORE HIM.
d. YET, WHILE GOD MAKES HIMSELF PLAINLY EVIDENT IN AN UNBELIEVING WORLD, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO ASK IF WE ARE VISIBLY AND PLAINLY MIRRORING CHRIST IN OUR LIVES THAT ANY AND ALL WHO LOOK AT US WOULD EASILY SEE WHO IT IS THAT WE ARE REFLECTING.
e. HOW TRUE IS THE SAYING, “WE ARE THE ONLY JESUS SOME WILL EVER SEE.” WHAT JESUS ARE WE SHOWING ANYONE WHO IS LOOKING?
5. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD REVEALED EVIL
Proverbs 4:19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
a. EVIL HAS ALWAYS BEE IN THE WORLD.
b. IN FACT AS WE SPIN DOWN CLOSER TO THE TIME WHEN THE SCRIPTURE DECLARES THAT GOD WILL JUDGE WITH FINALITY, EVIL RAMPS UP ITS ACTIVITY.
c. WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, EVEN BELIEVERS LOSE SIGHT OF THE REALITY, VARSITY, AND IMPACT THAT EVIL HAS ON OUR VERY LIVES.
d. EVIL IS SUBTLE – EVEN SUCCEEDING IS DECEIVING THE VERY ELECT OF GOD
2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.
e. WHILE WE MAINTAIN THE SAME “DISTANCE” FROM EVIL, AS THIS UNREDEEMED WORLD SLIDES FURTHER AWAY FROM GOD, WE SLIDE WITH IT; GOING DEEPER OURSELVES, WHILE FALSELY MAINTAINING OUR SEPARATION FROM IT!
f. WHAT WE FAIL TO REALIZE IS THAT IN REVEALING EVIL, GOD HAS ALSO GIVEN US AN IRREFUTABLE STANDARD OF GOOD AND RIGHTEOUSNESS – HIMSELF, HIS CHARACTER, AND HIS MIND AS REVEALED IN THE WORD OF GOD
g. OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL NAVIGATION UNTIL JESUS COMES IS TO BASE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ON THE STANDARD GOD HAS GIVEN US, NOT THE SELF-CONTRIVED STANDARD OF OUR OWN DISTANCE FROM EVIL
6. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD REVEALED HIS GREATNESS
Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.
a. WE TALK ABOUT THE POWER AND DEVASTATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACTS OF NATURE – HURRICANES, TORNADOS, AND EARTHQUAKES.
b. PERHAPS WE NEED TO PAUSE AND PONDER, “WHO CONTROLS ALL THESE EVENTS?”
c. JESUS WOULD REVEAL THIS TO US WHEN HE CALMED THE SEA – ALL TO THE AMAZEMENT OF HIS DISCIPLES.
d. AS POWERFUL AS THESE EVENTS ARE, WE SERVE A GOD OF FAR GREATER POWER AND UNIVERSAL/ETERNAL INFLUENCE.
e. NO ONE HAS THE ANSWER TO WHY THE THINGS OCCURRED, YET WE CANNOT DENY THE REALITY OF THE POWER OF THE ONE WHO PERMITTED THEM TO OCCUR!
7. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD DEMONSTRATED HIS POWER OVER THE DARKNESS
Amos 8:9 "In that day," declares the Sovereign LORD, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.
8. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD REMAINED WITH US IN THE DARKNESS
Micah 7:8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
a. DURING TIMES LIKE WE HAVE JUST GONE THROUGH, IT IS EASY TO BECOME OVERWHELMED WITH FEELINGS OF LONELINESS, SEPARATION, AND ABANDONMENT.
b. IT IS EASY TO THINK, “NO ONE EVEN CARES.”
c. IT IS ALSO EASY TO BECOME SO ABSORBED IN OUR OWN DESPAIR THAT WE FORGET ABOUT OTHERS WHO ARE FACING THE SAME HURDLES WE ARE FACING, AND MAY NOT BE AS PRACTICALLY, OR SPIRITUALLY PREPARED AS WE ARE.
d. IT IS PRECISELY AT THOSE TIMES WE NEED TO REMEMBER AND EMBRACE THE SIMPLY TRUTH THAT GOD IS THERE AND REST UPON HIM WHEN THE WORLD AROUND US SEEMS TO BE CLOSING IN.
9. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD PROVIDED A VISIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE DARKNESS
Matthew 4:16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Luke 1:79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
a. WE ARE A PEOPLE OF CHOICES. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE VARIETY IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES.
b. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU COULD HAVE ANY COLOR SNEAKER YOU WANTED AS LONG AS THEY WERE WHITE. THEN WHEN BLACK AND (GOD FORBID) RED CAME OUT AS ALTERNATIVES, THERE WAS A MAD RUSH TO ON SNEAKERS TO RESPOND TO THE CHOICES NOW AVAILABLE.
c. TODAY WE HAVE CHOICES UNHEARD OF IN CARS, COMPUTERS, BREAD, CLOTHING, AND JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE!
d. GOD NEW OUR BENT TOWARDS DARKNESS, AND OFFERS US AN ALTERNATIVE.
e. WHILE DARKNESS ENCROACHES ALL AROUND US, GOD PROVIDES LIGHT.
f. THE ISSUE IS NOT THE REALITY OF CHOICE, BUT WHETHER WE WILL ACCEPT WHAT GOD HAS FREELY OFFERED!
10. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD CONFOUNDED THE DARKNESS
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
a. GOD IS IN THE CONFUSION BUSINESS, SO TO SPEAK. PAUL WRITES THAT GOD USES THINGS TO CONFUSE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PETER PROMISES US CLARITY.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
b. MANKIND CAN NOT UNDERSTAND, ANTICIPATE, OF PLAN AROUND THE MIND OF GOD.
c. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS WORKING OUT HIS PERFECT PLAN APART FROM OUR ABILITY TO PERCEIVE HIS ACTIONS, ATTITUDE, AND MOTIVE.
d. OUR HIGHEST MOMENT OF CLARITY COMES FROM OUR TRUST IN GOD TO DO WHAT HE DEEMS IS RIGHT TO DO!
11. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD DECLARED OUR LOVE FOR DARKNESS
John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
a. REALLY, WHAT IS THE NATURE OF LOVE? WHEN WE LOVE SOMETHING, WE MAKE TIME FOR IT, PRIORITIZE AROUND IT, AND ARE JEALOUS FOR IT.
b. MAN’S NATURE IS TO MOVE TOWARDS DARKNESS.
c. AND IN THIS SENSE MOVING TOWARDS DARKNESS IS AKIN TO MOVING AWAY FROM GOD
d. AND MOVING TOWARDS GOD IS NOT AN EASY TASK OR ACCOMPLISHMENT. IN ORDER TO DO THIS WE NEED TO GO AGAINST OUR NATURE, DESIRE, AND LOVE.
e. THE LIFE OF A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST IS A FULL LIFE, BUT NOT NECESSARILY EASY TO ACHIEVE!
12. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD WILL SHOW US THE THINGS WE HAVE HIDDEN IN THE DARKNESS
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
a. GOD IS ALL ABOUT AUTHENTICITY AND INTEGRITY.
b. NOW, WHILE WE ARE ALL COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IF WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIM AS SAVIOR, IT SEEMS WE HAVE A LITTLE PROBLEM WITH SKELETONS IN OUR CLOSET.
c. WE HAVE THINGS WE KEEP HIDDEN FROM OTHERS, AND THINK WE CAN KEEP THEM HIDDEN FROM GOD.
d. GOD WANTS US TO KNOW THAT WE WILL ALL ENTER INTO HEAVEN THE SAME WAY; OPEN, HONEST, VULNERABLE.
e. JUST THINK FOR A MOMENT, WHAT WOULD HEAVEN BE LIKE IF WE COULD GET IN HAVING GOTTEN SOMETHING BY GOD?
13. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD BROKE THROUGH THE DARKNESS TO REVEAL CHRIST TO US
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
a. HERE IS THE ONE THING WE COULD NEVER DO FOR OURSELVES – SAVE OURSELVES; MAKE OURSELVES ACCEPTABLE TO GOD!
b. GOD BROKE THROUGH, DOING FOR US WHAT WE COULD NOT DO FOR OURSELVES.
c. HE DID IT ALL!
d. AND NOTICE THE POWER OF THIS ACT; TAKING US FROM ONE PLACE AND PLACING US FULLY INTO ANOTHER – DARKNESS TO LIGHT
e. GOD WAS WORKING OUR SALVATION WHILE WE WERE IN DARKNESS!
14. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD MOVED US FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
a. THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, “HE CALLED”. WHAT THIS REALLY MEANS IS THAT HE INVITED US.
b. GOD SOVEREIGNTY IS INTACT – IE: HE HAS THE RIGHT TO CALL US, THE AUTHORITY TO CALL US, AND THE OWNERSHIP TO CALL US
c. OUR FREE WILL IS UNTOUCHED – IE: WE HEAR THE CALL, WE RESPOND TO THE CALL.
d. THE MOVEMENT OF GOD COMES IN THAT HE CALLS US.
e. I GUESS WE SHOULD ASK OURSELVES IF WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECT, HEARING THE CALL, AND RESPONDING TO IT.
f. IN THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION SWINGS ARE ETERNITY!
15. WHILE WE WERE IN DARKNESS GOD WAS REMOVING IT
1 John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
a. ONE OF THE GREAT TENSIONS OF SCRIPTURE IS THE ONE BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS
b. VERY SIMPLY – THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE TO GOD – NO DARKNESS AT ALL!
c. WE ARE THE ONES THAT SEEK TO ADD A DARK SIDE TO GOD BY QUESTIONING HIS MOTIVES.
d. GOD HAS ONLY ONE MOTIVE, HIS HONOR AND GLORY.
e. GOD CAN NEVER ACT APART FROM HIS CHARACTER AND NATURE.
f. OUR GOAL SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IN OUR RESPONSE TO THE ACTIVITY OF OUR GOD.
16. WHILE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT GOD CONFIRMED MAN’S DEPRAVITY
Revelation 16:10-11 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.
a. THERE IS A DAY COMING WHEN DARKNESS WILL TAKE ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING
b. THE SCRIPTURE SPEAKS OF DARKNESS AS A CONDUIT WHEREBY MAN WILL VISIBLE REVEAL HIS DEPRAVITY AND THE DARKNESS OF THE HUMAN HEART AND SIN NATURE
c. THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT THIS IS A COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE SITUATION FOR EACH AND EVERY PERSON.
d. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.
e. DO WE HAVE ONE?
f. DO WE SEEK ONE?
g. THERE ARE ONLY TWO CHOICES!
17. WHILE THE LIGHTS ARE OUT GOD WILL USE DARKNESS AS A SYMBOL OF OUR ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM HIM
Luke 16:19-30 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 25 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 27 "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 30 "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
a. THIS STORY TOLD BY CHRIST CLEARLY DEFINES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL
b. THEY ARE DIFFERENT. WE ARE NOT EXPERIENCING EITHER NOW, AND THE FINAL DESTINATION IS JUST THAT FINAL.
c. WHAT WE MISS PERHAPS, IS THAT THE FINALITY OF THAT DIFFERENCE IS SEEN IN THE CHASM THAT SEPARATES ONE FROM THE OTHER.
d. THE CHASM IS SO WIDE AND SO DEEP IT CANNOT BE CROSSED BY ANYONE ON EITHER SIDE.
e. DEEP CHASMS ARE DARK CHASMS!
f. IT THE EVENTS OF THE PAST FEW DAYS SHOULD CALL US TO ANYTHING, IT IS TO BE PREPARED.
g. IF WE WILL PREPARE FOR WHAT WE COULD EXPERIENCE HERE AND NOW, DOES IT NOT MAKE SENSE TO PREPARE FOR OUR ETERNITY?
