We started in Genesis with God and “righteous” man in
Paradise and man messed it up. In Revelations God and “redeemed” man will be in
paradise, but who says this has not already happened and we messed it up again?
Think about history and how many times we have repented only to drift away from
God quickly. Having just seen the 10 plagues and the Red Sea part, the
Israelites quickly made idols in the wilderness. Over and over we see stories
of forgiveness and people forgetting that grace.
In recent time I saw a resurgence like never before when the
World Trade Center was destroyed by Islamic terrorists. The country immediately
return to faith and patriotism. But in less than 10 years that has been chipped
away by “political correctness” and the phrase “religious intolerance” where we
are back to doing not following God or caring about the country.
Now imagine if the “New World” was “paradise” promised in
Revelations. Like the “Promised Land” we had to work hard to gain it and keep
it. This throws off the churches image of “paradise” since they make it sound
like we do nothing and the lion turns vegan and sleeps with a lamb. Maybe we
missed it and “paradise” was America and in 200 years we did as every other
time God gave mankind what they wanted, within a few generations we reject Him
and His gift.
I know Revelations 21:4 makes “paradise” out to be no death,
pain or suffering:
He will wipe away every tear from
their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor
crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
What does this mean in action? In the Old Testament Isaiah
25:8 has basically the same words that is hoped for the Messiah. So I ponder
and wonder two things, first has this happened already and we blew it. Think
about Jesus from the Jewish perspective, they are still waiting for the
Messiah. They did not recognize Him when He was before them. Second, are we
going to blow it by not being content? We crush Satan, but who says another “tempter”
will not rise up.
Also, is Revelations metaphoric and happening on a daily
basis? Each time someone dies it is in one form or another described in
Revelations. Are the prophecies for a single event or a constant flow into “paradise”
for believers? My fear is like the Messiah appearing 2000 years ago we will not
recognize Him and reject Him. We expect one image and may get something
completely different. We need to be aware of false Messiahs or antichrists, but
should also not miss the real Christ in cautious faith.
Now tie this into suffering, how long will those have
to wait for no more pain? It can be trying to live a life with pain and
suffering hoping Jesus will return and remove this burden only to die without
relief. This hurts those who watch in faith, praying for something that never
happens. And we continue to ask, if God is so just why is there suffering?
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