For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 1 Corinthians 15:22, 23.
Amid the reeling of the earth, the flash of lightning, and the roar of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints…. The dead shall hear that voice, and they that hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people….
All come forth from their graves the same in stature as when they entered the tomb. Adam, who stands among the risen throng, is of lofty height and majestic form, in stature but little below the Son of God. He presents a marked contrast to the people of later generations; in this one respect is shown the great degeneracy of the race. But all arise with the freshness and vigor of eternal youth….
All blemishes and deformities are left in the grave. Restored to the tree of life in the long-lost Eden, the redeemed will “grow up” to the full stature of the race in its primeval glory….
As the ransomed ones are welcomed to the City of God, there rings out upon the air an exultant cry of adoration. The two Adams are about to meet. The Son of God is standing with outstretched arms to receive the father of our race—the being whom He created, who sinned against his Maker, and for whose sin the marks of the crucifixion are borne upon the Saviour’s form. As Adam discerns the prints of the cruel nails, he does not fall upon the bosom of his Lord, but in humiliation casts himself at His feet, crying: “Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain!” Tenderly the Saviour lifts him up and bids him look once more upon the Eden home from which he has so long been exiled….
This reunion is witnessed by the angels who wept at the fall of Adam and rejoiced when Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended to heaven, having opened the grave for all who should believe on His name. Now they behold the work of redemption accomplished, and they unite their voices in the song of praise.
Conflict and Courage p. 23
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for B who has a job interview today. L
—–update— The meeting with CFS and Abigail’s parents happened yesterday in Calgary I learned today. The parents had about 9 witness supporters in attendance at the meeting. CFS announced to the parents that Abigail will NOT be with the parents. Once released from hospital in Calgary, she would go into full-time foster care. . . .So the JDR on Feb. 3rd is the last resort for the parents to provide the evidence on their side. Let’s pray that they and their lawyer, by God’s grace and in His Providence, can build a convincing picture. . . . Debby
—–Please continue to pray for Carol who is on hospice.
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Dear Friends,
I once heard of a the funeral of a man who had few if any tears at his funeral. His was a life full of wrong decisions. He coveted and cheated and stole from those whom he should have loved most. He lost his family’s trust and respect. Eventually, he watched that which he had taken from others crumble around him. Finally he lost his health. He lost his life.
How many there are whose whole focus becomes centered upon the worthless objects this old world has to offer and spend their “three score and ten” pursuing their goal of wealth and success not caring whom they hurt in the process. Yet, no matter how successful they are by worldly standards, their life is one of futility. The more they get, the more they want. They never feel safe for they are continually worrying that they will lose their riches. They have taken their eyes off from the true goal—where they will spend eternity. Soon, “the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10 What good will their possessions be in that day?
Not all who are rich are spiritually poor, however. Some are as faithful as was Abraham. It is a matter of where the heart is. Though a rich man, the things of this world were not Abaraham’s focus. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb 11:8-10 So should we also have Heaven as our focus, our goal.
Jesus warns us, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, neither for the body, what ye shall put on….neither be ye of doubtful mind…. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke 12:15-31″
Heaven must be our focus. Heaven must be our goal. Nothing is more important than our standing with God. Nothing is of more value than the salvation He so freely offers. John admonishes us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17
Let us focus on the things that really matter and give diligence to make our “calling and election sure.” 2 Peter 1:10 Let us, as did Paul, “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:13,14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl, 12:13,14
Rose