---------------
The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you,
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
(Matt. 28:19,20).
--------------------
September 20, 2015
--------------------
Contents:
1) Beyond Our Dimensions of Space and Time (Tom Edwards)
2) News & Notes
--------------------
-1-
Beyond Our Dimensions of Space and Time
by Tom Edwards
Recently, I was looking at a beautifully calm and sunny scene of a
long wooden pier with its white railings, on a deserted beach,
stretching out into a vast body of water, under a blue sky with
large, white clouds widely extended, and all appearing pleasurably
peaceful.
While gazing at it, it also led to my thinking of three linear
dimensions — as well as a realm not yet experienced by us: 1) the
length of the pier, 2) the much greater distance across that vast
body of water, and 3), even more awesome, while looking at the sky,
the endlessness of space, which, though pertaining to distance,
seems to also symbolize and evoke thoughts of the timelessness of
eternity itself. For would it not take that long in imagining
all of infinity?
But even though our immeasurable universe is so mind-boggling to
even try to contemplate its totality, yet the Bible shows that it is
all just temporary. For there is a major event coming, when
“…the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be
destroyed with intense heat…” (2 Pet. 3:10-12), for there will then
be no more purpose nor need for this physical realm.
But when that happens, will there still be an empty void of space
left behind? Or is that also part of God’s creation that will
cease to be? Though this is conjecture on my part, yet it
certainly is an amazingly bizarre thought to ponder. For how
could that which is an empty void become nothing? Sounds
impossible, doesn’t it? Of course, with God, all things are
possible (Matt. 19:26) and nothing is too difficult for Him (Jer.
32:17); and would we not think of heaven as being somewhere apart
from our infinite, physical universe — such as in something similar
to a parallel universe? If that be the case, could not even
the empty space in which our universe dwells cease to be, along with
all its contents, like a printed page torn out of a journal or diary
and consumed in flames? But unlike that page, for not even one
ash or any trace to remain?
This, of course, as to what will happen to the “empty space” is
speculation; but we who believe in God know that He can do far
greater than all we can even imagine! Yes, He can do that
which, to us, would be so impossible!
I do not think of heaven, where God dwells, as having a physical
location somewhere in the universe that if we just had the
technology, the time, and knew its whereabouts, we could travel to
it by spaceship. Rather, heaven is in a far greater realm — a
spiritual one — and one with a “substance” of exceedingly superior
quality compared to our physical realm. For heaven is eternal,
where things do not age, wear out, nor perish; while all of our
physical realm continues to decline, to waste away, to cease to be —
and with some things even more fleeting than others.
This is why the apostle Paul shows that God’s children will have
their temporary tabernacles of flesh replaced with imperishable
bodies suitable for heaven (cf. 2 Cor. 5:1-4). For “Just as we
have borne the image of the earthly, we will also bear the image of
the heavenly” (1 Cor. 15:49). And the need for that can be
seen in what he goes on to declare:
“Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the
imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all
sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of
an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the
dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this
perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on
immortality. But when this perishable will have put on this
imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then
will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up
in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death,
where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power
of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (vv. 50-58).
Though what will become of the empty void of our universe, after all
the elements in it are destroyed, perhaps we cannot know. But
I still find it very amazing to believe that God could do away with
even an infinity of emptiness if He willed it so!
What wonders are in store for those who will spend an eternity in
heaven! What an amazing place heaven itself must be! For
its dwellers will be enjoying those things of God “…who is able to
do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…” (Phil.
3:20).
Let us, therefore, conclude with what Peter goes on to say.
After speaking of the heavens passing away with a roar and the
elements being destroyed with intense heat, along with the earth and
its works, he then gives this following exhortation to the brethren:
“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort
of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for
and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the
heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt
with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking
for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (vv.
11-13).
This phrase, “new heavens and a new earth,” figuratively represents
heaven itself, just as that same wording is used in Isaiah 65:17-25
in metaphorically referring to the new system of the Gospel Age,
which was to come after 1,500 years of the Mosaical Age. For
by Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary, He annulled the Old Covenant and
established the New (cf. Eph. 2:11-16; Col. 2:13,14; Heb.
10:8-12). Therefore, what a major, great, and glorious change
that phrase “new heavens and a new earth” expresses — whether of
that New Covenant, which was far superior to the Old, or of heaven
itself compared to our earth-life in this physical realm!
Though heaven goes way beyond what we can even imagine now, how
important it is for each of us to look to God’s word to acquire
faith (cf. Rom. 10:17), to have that child-like trust in Jesus
Christ, to truly believe in Him (Jn. 8:24), to repent of our sins
(Lk. 13:5), to publicly acknowledge our faith in the Lord (Rom.
10:9,10), to be baptized as part of God’s plan of salvation (Mk.
16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21), and
to continue in the faith (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10), as we press on
for that glorious realm where Jesus now is, as the great King of
kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16) — in that heavenly place,
far superior to any region we have ever known!
--------------------
"Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing"
(Psa. 100:2).
--------------------
-2-
News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be remembering the following in
prayer:
Kayla Corbitt was recently admitted to ICU, due to her blood
sugar count being extremely high, and had to spend a few days
there. But she has now been released and feeling better.
Baxter and Mary Cribbs' son continues to be on antibiotics to
eliminate an infection before the doctors can treat him for a kidney
stone.
Rebekah Hampton has been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic
Tachycardia Syndrome.
Misty Thornton had been back in the hospital recently, due to
heart trouble, but is now back home and continuing her treatment.
Deborah Medlock has been having some trouble with her neck
and shoulder.
Daniel Howard (has trouble at times with her blood pressure
and heart rate)
Also: Rex Hadley (heart trouble), Dexter Roberts
(cancer in lymph nodes and several places), Steve Vesta
(critically ill), Shirley Davis (arthritic pains), Mary
Vandevander and Sue Wooten (shut-ins), Judy
Daugherty (undergoing physical therapy three times a
week), Dolly Moody (fractured bone), Sunny Nichols
(Parkinson Disease), Jean Beach (gastrointestinal problems),
Michelle Rittenhouse (PVCs), Raylee Metts and Lexi
Crawford (cancer), Anthony Monroe, Jr. (hearing
problem), Betty Miles (stroke), Don Hill (cancer),
Buddy Gornto, Colleen Henson, Donell Wells, and
Kelsey Williams
--------------------
The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes
(Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24;
John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the
remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal.
3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21)
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation
can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
--------------------
Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 5 PM
(worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)