Redeemable
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Key Verse: “Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Selected Scripture: |
“THANKS BE UNTO GOD for his unspeakable gift.” (II Cor. 9:15; John 3:16) That gift is our Savior, our Redeemer. In this connection, it is impossible for us to tell the riches of Divine grace toward us, including the great blessings and mercies which are ours through our Lord. He represents to us the very fullness of every provision for our eternal welfare. At the present time, only those who are “partakers of the heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1), can now give thanks to God for his unspeakable gift. But eventually the whole world of mankind will be in a condition to recognize that gift and to render thanks.
When, at the close of the Messianic reign for the restoration of the Adamic race to their original perfection, all wilful sinners shall have been destroyed, then “every knee should bow, … and … every tongue should confess, … to the glory of God.” (Phil. 2:10,11) His kingdom shall be without an opponent “from the river unto the ends of the earth.” (Ps. 72:8) Then every creature in heaven, on earth, and in the sea shall be heard saying, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.” (Rev. 7:10,12) Ultimately, when the plans of the great Architect shall be fully accomplished, every creature shall be heard singing his praises.
With all sin eliminated and all the willfully wicked destroyed, then will God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Luke 11:2) Our Lord Jesus made this beautiful expression of confidence that the kingdom will effect the full restoration of all of the earth to its Edenic condition, and of man to his perfection in the image of the Creator.
As our Lord fulfilled his mission to die to take away the sins of the world, and is now “sitting on the right hand of power” (Mark 14:62; 16:19), we can be assured that he will remain on the ‘right hand’ forever. The power and glory of his kingdom he had previously affirmed was not to be of this present evil world, but of the world to come, “wherein dwelleth righteousness.”—II Pet. 3:13
Every member of Adam’s race shall, through Christ, be granted a full opportunity for a return to the relationship of the sons of God. Eventually all shall learn righteousness and hate iniquity. (Ps. 96:10) The condition of humanity will be so glorious at the close of Messiah’s kingdom that nothing ever dreamed of will compare with it. “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Hab. 2:14) Mankind will honor the exalted Son even as they honor the Father who highly exalted him. All shall then have come to appreciate the lengths, heights, breadths, and depths, not only of God’s love, but also of his justice, wisdom, and power.—Eph. 2:18,19
The time will come when “There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” —Rev. 21:4