“And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:”
(Revelation 10:5-6)
Today’s verse passage reminds us that earth and human history is not chaotic, having no goal or purpose, nor is it cyclic, every event repeating itself through endless ages of time. Rather, history is moving toward a predetermined, God-ordained goal, that is, the establishment of the Kingdom of God on the earth. Despite outward appearance, all historic eventution is moving according to God’s plan; events are unfolding in accordance with the divine schedule. When we consider the wickedness of men in our world, coupled with senselessness and even sheer stupidity even among world leaders, we want to ask the Lord, “How long?” Others have asked the same question. In fact, we are in very good company in this regard. The psalmists asked this question no less than 19 times and God was pleased to include their inscripturated perplexity in His sacred library, the Bible. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). While we wait for God’s dear Son from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10), it helps to re-read the Scriptures and consider that God’s matchless wisdom and irresistible power have already fulfilled many of His plans and promises, right on schedule. God promised Noah, albeit somewhat cryptically, that the worldwide deluge would come in 120 years (Genesis 6:3). As promised, the flood came upon the world of the ungodly and the world than then was, perished (2 Peter 3:6). God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the promised land, only in the “fourth generation,” after the sins of the Amorites had reached their God-ordained limit (Genesis 15:16). The greatest of all of God’s promises, of course, concern His Beloved Son and His redemptive ministry on the earth. “But when the fullness of the time was come,” wrote Paul, “God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). Christ came according to schedule (Genesis 49:10; Daniel 9:24-26; Mark 1:15), and we may know with full assurance that He will come again on schedule to establish His Kingdom on the earth, and this in full accordance with the Father’s will (Mark 13:32). We will receive our rewards, dear saints, and all things that offend will be purged from this world. “How long?” we may ask. “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37). Comfort one another with these words.
God bless you,
Pastor John
English