Is there holiness in your thoughts today? Do you have thoughts about a kind of world based upon justice for all? Do you have thoughts about a world where every single person has enough to survive? A world without hunger, a world without homelessness? Do you have thoughts about such a world in which you care about others?
In a justice for all kind of world God's children know life in peace, and dignity. The souls present have become partners with God in his labor of love. We would do this, because we know that we need a way to act, a way to serve, a way to work.
If such a world seems strange, would it help to know, this is what we pray for in the world to come. A way to act that is pleasing to God.
When we need a way to act we should consider Psalm 148.
Psalm 148:1-14 (CJB) Halleluyah! Praise Adonai from the heavens! Praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his armies! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all shining stars! Praise him, highest heaven, and waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of Adonai; for he commanded, and they were created. He established them forever and ever; he has given a law to which they must conform. Praise Adonai from the earth, sea monsters and watery depths, fire and hail, snow and mist, storm-winds that obey his word, mountains and every hill, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all livestock, creeping reptiles, flying birds, kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women alike, old men and children. Let them praise the name of Adonai, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above both earth and heaven. He has increased the power of his people, granted praise to all his faithful, to the descendants of Isra’el, a people close to him. Halleluyah!
Even when we are experiencing an out of control day, out of control family, an out of control community, out of control country, or an out control world; we know how we are to act. Our actions should praise God. We glorify God by our loving service to the least of these our difficult to love brothers and sisters.
We seek to praise and Glorify God for the new life to come. There will be no more death, there will not be hunger or weeping. We will know instead an everlasting joy. Every soul that praises God in the end of times will have dignity and will know justice in praising God. Because God will live within his people.
Revelation 21:1-6 (CJB) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there. Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.” Then the One sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!” Also he said, “Write, ‘These words are true and trustworthy!’” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the Beginning and the End. To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life.
A life without crying, weeping, or death. A life about justice and dignity for all. A life where the needs for every human are provided by our Father. In such a world we see God's Home, the presence of God will be with us.
When we are in the presence of God, there is a basic human emotional need. A call from within for an action. That action would involve not being self serving, but bringing care, bringing dignity to others. What can you do but praise the presence of God in your life loving others as God loves you.
As reported in Exodus 25:8 when God called for Israel to build a sanctuary it was so God could live among his people. In Revelations 21 God provides a new resting place for his people. This new relationship is possible for the unclean by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Some wonder how it will be as possible for God to be contained within the new Jerusalem. Solomon reasoned in 2 Chronicles 6:18 (CJB). “But can God actually live with human beings on the earth? Why, heaven itself, even the heaven of heavens, cannot contain you; so how much less this house I have built?
This question can only be answered in the Life to Come. I believe the presence of God, being with his people, answers all our questions about God.
What will life be like when God reveals a new Jerusalem to come?
Revelation 21:4 (CJB) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
Isaiah 25:8 (CJB) He will swallow up death forever.Adonai Elohim will wipe away the tears from every face,and he will remove from all the earth the disgrace his people suffer. For Adonai has spoken.
By having our sins removed we will know the justice of God. By having our sins removed God lifts each soul into experiencing dignity.
Isaiah 35:10 (CJB) Those ransomed by Adonai will return and come with singing to Tziyon, on their heads will be everlasting joy. They will acquire gladness and joy, while sorrow and sighing will flee.
This salvation from our sins is God given, and God provided. Like every human need, provided for by God.
Revelation 21:6 (CJB) And he said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the Beginning and the End. To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life.
Isaiah 55:1 CJB) “All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You without money, come, buy, and eat! Yes, come! Buy wine and milk without money — it’s free!
On that night when our Lord was to be betrayed by one of his own he took some bread and in breaking it shared it with his betrayer. After the betrayer left Jesus knew the father's glory would be on him.
John 13:31 (CJB) After Y’hudah had left, Yeshua said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.
In the visions given to Daniel, glorification was seen this way.
Daniel 7:13-14 (CJB) “I kept watching the night visions, when I saw, coming with the clouds of heaven, someone like a son of man. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. To him was given rulership, glory and a kingdom,so that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him. His rulership is an eternal rulership that will not pass away; and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Is there holiness in your thoughts today? Do you have thoughts about such a world in which you care about others?
If such a world seems strange, remember this is what God has planned. It is what Jesus calls his disciples to experience. A world to come where the unclean become clean instead of being self serving. If such a lifestyle seems strange remember the commandment Jesus calls us into knowing.
John 13:34 (CJB) “I am giving you a new command: that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other."
It was described as new only because it was not in practice. Actually we find the command to love one another back in Leviticus.
Leviticus 19:18 (CJB) Don’t take vengeance on or bear a grudge against any of your people; rather, love your neighbor as yourself; I am Adonai.
Is there holiness in your thoughts today? Do you have thoughts about a kind of world God is calling every soul to know? Do you have thoughts about such a world in which you care about others more than you care about yourself?
In the life to come the souls present have become partners with God in his labor of love. This is our Lord given way to act, a way to serve, a way to work.
If such a world seems strange, remember; this is what we pray for in the world to come.
It is a Way that pleases our God. Amen.
