Two Different Worlds

“Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish but You will endure; yes, all of them will grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them and they will be changed.”
Psalm 102:25-26 (NKJV)

I read in the newspaper recently that the wreck of the Santa Maria, the ship that took Christopher Columbus and his crew to the Americas in 1492, has been located in the waters off the coast of Haiti. Columbus’ voyage had a dramatic impact upon the people of his day—it split the world into two portions; the “New” world and the “Old” world, at least to Western eyes. I guess that when it became widely known, it probably frightened people to death. Imagine! Another world, another great continent had been discovered! Just when people had gotten a handle on their own familiar world and were totally sure that the world existed in a certain way, they now realised that they had been totally wrong! Having the rug pulled from under them and coming to terms with the impact it made, surely they must have thought—“This could happen again!”

And indeed it will; according to God’s plan, there is another world in the wings waiting to replace this present world when God decides that this world has run its course; just like the world that disappeared in a Flood because the Creator decided that it could not continue along the path that humans had chosen. We read in Genesis 6:12 (AMP, italics mine), “And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerate, debased, and vicious it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true  direction.” The world of Noah’s day perished by water because of the lifestyle of its people and now we have a promise of new heavens and a new earth; “For behold I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).

Again in Revelation John records, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…” (Revelation 21:1). We might think, “This is a bit over the top, a bit unnecessary.” But it is part of God’s plan for mankind, it’s the final step in reconciling the world to himself.  And how different will this new world be? Notice what the apostle Peter tells us—“…we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13, italics mine).

This is why Jesus taught his disciples and of course, us, to pray; “Thy Kingdom Come!” (Matthew 6: 9-15 KJV).

Prayer
Our God and our Father—we do fervently pray for your world of righteousness to arrive here soon and enfold all of mankind.
Amen

Study by Cliff Neill

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About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.

Local  Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON
LU1 5JE

Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone:  01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk