All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, [H]e has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11: 13-16, NRSV.
Dear heavenly Father, as we enter your rest, may we feel Your presence close to us, in the study of Your Word. For Christ’s sake; Amen.
For the past five days we have been studying about the theme of restoration; specifically in regards to relationships. Today we look at restoration as it refers to creation. When an item that we cherish is broken, we want to see it restored. Many people will pay large sums of money to have these articles professionally repaired, if the item is no longer available. Usually, they will just purchase a new one. When creation became broken with the entrance of sin, God could have destroyed everything that had been blighted by sin’s touch; including, and especially, our first parents, and created everything anew. Instead, He chose to restore!
That is one of the marked differences between God and the enemy of our souls! God creates, the enemy of our souls destroys. God builds, the enemy tears down. God empowers, the enemy debilitates. God defends, the enemy accuses. God restores, the enemy discards! Even before our first parents sinned, and had to be sent out of their Garden home; God had a plan already set in place, to be put into effect; whereby He would restore His broken creation. What is most unique about God’s method of restoration, is that the person, or item, is restored brand new! We can read all about the outcome of this plan in His love letter to a dying world, the Holy Bible!
In Genesis we find the story of the first garden, where the tree of life was placed; from which humankind could eat and live forever. Because God saw what effect sin would have on creation, and especially on humanity; in mercy, He banished them from the garden, lest they should put forth their hands and take of the fruit of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever in sickness and suffering! Even death, permitted by God, is oftentimes, an act of mercy!
But because God is the author or life, His master plan is about restoring the Garden of Eden, along with the tree of life; when He returns to earth to take His people to be with Him! We read in Revelation 22: 1, 2, the following: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Emphasis provided. The tree of life, once taken away, in order that pain and suffering would not be perpetuated, will be restored to produce eternal wellness, and eternal life, for all who have said “yes,” to the Savior’s invitation!
My friends, God is now in the process of restoring people, who will inhabit a restored creation. Those who dwell in Eden, will be permitted to eat from the tree of life and live forevermore, in perfect health. Many of us, who have not enjoyed the best health in this world, are looking forward to eating from the tree of life in the Garden of Eden; restored in all its splendor. By God’s grace, all creation, will then be completely restored!
I am looking forward to being there. If you are also making plans to be there, and desire more information about the journey, I would love to hear from you. May you be blessed with rest today! Happy Sabbath!