Part 2―Why are we doing all of these things?
( page 8 of 9 )
Now let’s look at some Bible Commentary quotes, and investigate this matter a little more deeper!
One man becomes ruler of ten cities,…another of two, each man receiving exactly in proportion to the improvement he has made on the talents entrusted to his keeping. Our efforts in works of righteousness, in our own behalf and for the salvation of souls, will have a decided influence on our recompense.[1]
Notice that our level of responsibilities, increases in accordance with the improvements made in our characters (stages of maturity) with our talents and our efforts in works of righteousness. So, some christians who have matured in character building will become rulers over several cities, in the new kingdom. Each according to his works.
Image #1
Matt 25 (v. 21) ....well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few
things, I will make you ruler over many things.
Who can even imagine what the “many things” would include? We will apparently have some type of supervisory role in the earth made new.[2]
Rev 20 (v. 4) ....And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The privileges of those who overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony are beyond comprehension.[3]
I Cor 2 (v. 9) ....Eye has not seen, nor ear heard....the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. He that is faithful in his earthly possessions, which are least, making a judicious use of what God has lent him here, will be true to his profession. He that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. He that will withhold from God that which He has lent him, will be unfaithful in the things of God in every respect....God proves us by trusting us with earthly possessions. If we are faithful to impart freely of what He has
lent us, to advance His cause, God can entrust to us the immortal inheritance.[4]
This life, is just a training ground for the ministry God has planned, for each of us in the earth made new.[5]
For a list of "what things" that we are doing, click on the PDF pop-up page just below to review it again.
Adobe Acrobat document [172.2 KB]
Matt 19 (v. 27) Then Peter....said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" (v. 28) So Jesus said to them....in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones.... (v. 29) And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
In the kingdom of God, position is not gained through favoritism....nor is it received through an arbitrary bestowal. It is the result of character. The crown and the throne are the tokens of a condition attained; they are the tokens of self-conquest through our Lord Jesus Christ.[6]
As illustrated by Joseph in Egypt, and Daniel in Babylon, during the Old Testament times, WE will be exalted from this prison house of sin to positions of amazing responsibility and privilege in the New Earth.[4]
Image #2
Let’s look at what happened to Joseph in Egypt:
Gen 39 (v. 1) Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh....bought him from the Ishmaelites.... (v. 2) ....and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Just like we are slaves to the masters that we serve on this earth! And we must wait until God intervenes and puts us in a place of honor, because of our faithfulness to Him.
Gen 39 (v. 2) The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man.... (v. 3) And his master saw that the Lord....made all he did to prosper in his hand. (v. 4) So Joseph found favor in his sight, and....he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
Image #3
Just like the bible verse says: "since you were faithful in a little, I will put you in charge of much." The God of heaven will bless us, if we are faithful to Him. And there doesn't seem to be any limits to that blessing, as we discover by reading further about Joseph's live record.
Gen 41 (v. 39) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. (v. 40) You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” (v. 41) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
Just like Joseph, the ones who are faithful over a little on this earth, will be ruler over much in the kingdom of God.
Luke 16 (v. 10) He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
Now, let’s see how Daniel was an example of what will happen to God’s people in the Earth made new:
Dan 1 (v. 1) ....Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. (v. 2) And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God.... (v. 3) Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel.... (v. 6) Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Image #4
So, Daniel and the sons of Judah, were slaves to a foreign king. And just like Daniel was a slave, we are also slaves to sin on this earth. And then when God rewards our faithfulness to Him, things began to change in an instant.
Dan 2 (v. 48) Then the king promoted Daniel and....made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
Just like Daniel was promoted over the whole province of Babylon, we will be promoted to a higher level of responsibility in heaven.
Once sin is eradicated, God will continue His amazing plans for the universe; plans that were temporarily interrupted by sin. And we will be at the center of it all.[2]
This little earth will be exalted to become headquarters of the universe, and we will be exalted in wide-eyed wonder to a place of mind-boggling privilege and responsibility.[2]
Rev 21 (v. 2) Then I John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.... (v. 3) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them....God Himself will be with them and be their God.
He that used the two talents entrusted in this life, will in the future life, show that his talents have not been corrupted. They will be used on a wider and nobler plan….[7]
Matt 25 (v. 22) He also who had received two talents came and said....I have gained two more talents besides them.... (v. 23) His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things....
Image #5
And the essential preparation for all of that glorious future is now, as we use our spiritual gifts in fulfilling our calling here.[2]
I Cor 12 (v. 1) Now concerning spiritual gifts.... (v. 7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
Because we have developed such a deep, enduring partnership with God in this life, we will have another special function in eternity.[2]
In the New Earth, God will be counting on our testimony of His goodness to keep the universe secure against a second rebellion.[2]
Psm 145 (v. 4) One generation shall praise Your works to another.... (v. 9) The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.
We will not remember the horrors of earth. Never-the-less, YOU will have a story to tell![8]
Rev 21 (v. 4) ....for there shall be no more death....nor crying, and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
The un-fallen worlds will gather around you by the thousands, and hang on to your every word. You were down there! You are among the saved ones![8]
Image #6
As they gather around in the earth made new, what story will you tell?[8] Will it be a story of faith and love? A story of serving others?
Will it be a story of using your spiritual gifts to His glory?[8]
What ever you choose to say, people will listen.
Our testimony of His goodness, will be an essential safeguard, against sin ever rising up again in this universe.[8]
In fact, see what God has prophesied about any future rebellions:
Nah 1 (v. 9) ....He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.
References:
1. E.G. White, The Review and Herald (25 Oct 1881), par.7
2. Kim Johnson. (2007). Spiritual Body Building Lessons, p.45
3. E.G. White, Maranatha, p.367
4. Testimonies for the Church (vol.1) “Lessons from the Parables” p.198, par.2
5. Kim Johnson. (2007). Spiritual Body Building Lessons, p.44
6. E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.549, par.1
7. E.G. White, The Upward Look, p.97
8. Kim Johnson. (2007). Spiritual Body Building Lessons, p.46
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