Bible Reading January 21, 22 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading January 21, 22 (World English Bible)

Jan. 21

Genesis 21

Gen 21:1 Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken.

Gen 21:2 Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Gen 21:3 Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.

Gen 21:4 Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

Gen 21:5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him.

Gen 21:6 Sarah said, "God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me."

Gen 21:7 She said, "Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age."

Gen 21:8 The child grew, and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

Gen 21:9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.

Gen 21:10 Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out this handmaid and her son! For the son of this handmaid will not be heir with my son, Isaac."

Gen 21:11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight on account of his son.

Gen 21:12 God said to Abraham, "Don't let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your handmaid. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For from Isaac will your seed be called.

Gen 21:13 I will also make a nation of the son of the handmaid, because he is your seed."

Gen 21:14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Gen 21:15 The water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

Gen 21:16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, "Don't let me see the death of the child." She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.

Gen 21:17 God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Don't be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Gen 21:18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him in your hand. For I will make him a great nation."

Gen 21:19 God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the bottle with water, and gave the boy drink.

Gen 21:20 God was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and became, as he grew up, an archer.

Gen 21:21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother took a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.

Gen 21:22 It happened at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do.

Gen 21:23 Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land in which you have lived as a foreigner."

Gen 21:24 Abraham said, "I will swear."

Gen 21:25 Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

Gen 21:26 Abimelech said, "I don't know who has done this thing. Neither did you tell me, neither did I hear of it, until today."

Gen 21:27 Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two made a covenant.

Gen 21:28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

Gen 21:29 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What do these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves mean?"

Gen 21:30 He said, "You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well."

Gen 21:31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore there.

Gen 21:32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Abimelech rose up with Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

Gen 21:33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and called there on the name of Yahweh, the Everlasting God.

Gen 21:34 Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days.

Jan. 22

Genesis 22

Gen 22:1 It happened after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" He said, "Here I am."

Gen 22:2 He said, "Now take your son, your only son, whom you love, even Isaac, and go into the land of Moriah. Offer him there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you of."

Gen 22:3 Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son. He split the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went to the place of which God had told him.

Gen 22:4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off.

Gen 22:5 Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go yonder. We will worship, and come back to you."

Gen 22:6 Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. He took in his hand the fire and the knife. They both went together.

Gen 22:7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father, and said, "My father?" He said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"

Gen 22:8 Abraham said, "God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they both went together.

Gen 22:9 They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood.

Gen 22:10 Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to kill his son.

Gen 22:11 The angel of Yahweh called to him out of the sky, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" He said, "Here I am."

Gen 22:12 He said, "Don't lay your hand on the boy, neither do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."

Gen 22:13 Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering instead of his son.

Gen 22:14 Abraham called the name of that place Yahweh Will Provide. As it is said to this day, "On Yahweh's mountain, it will be provided."

Gen 22:15 The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham a second time out of the sky,

Gen 22:16 and said, "I have sworn by myself, says Yahweh, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son,

Gen 22:17 that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your seed greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your seed will possess the gate of his enemies.

Gen 22:18 In your seed will all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."

Gen 22:19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba. Abraham lived at Beersheba.

Gen 22:20 It happened after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, "Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor:

Gen 22:21 Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,

Gen 22:22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel."

Gen 22:23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother.

Gen 22:24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

Jan. 21, 22

Matthew 11

Mat 11:1 It happened that when Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.

Mat 11:2 Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

Mat 11:3 and said to him, "Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?"

Mat 11:4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

Mat 11:5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

Mat 11:6 Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."

Mat 11:7 As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

Mat 11:8 But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king's houses.

Mat 11:9 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

Mat 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'

Mat 11:11 Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

Mat 11:12 From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Mat 11:14 If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.

Mat 11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Mat 11:16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions

Mat 11:17 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you didn't dance. We mourned for you, and you didn't lament.'

Mat 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'

Mat 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."

Mat 11:20 Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn't repent.

Mat 11:21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Mat 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

Mat 11:23 You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until this day.

Mat 11:24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you."

Mat 11:25 At that time, Jesus answered, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.

Mat 11:26 Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.

Mat 11:27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

Mat 11:28 "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.

Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

You just can't hide it... by Gary Rose

I have seen this breed of dog somewhere, but don't remember its name. Anyway, it has a most unusual coat which looks like rope to me (and yes, I know it isn't rope). As unique as the dog is, it is NOT the focal point of the picture- that little boy is!!

Just look at the expression on his face; amazement, wonder, excitement, joy and probably a few more things. ALL AT ONCE!!!

I wonder, what could make ME feel like that...

John, Chapter 20 (World English Bible)

 ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.  ¹⁹ When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 

  ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.  ²¹ Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”   ²² When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit!   ²³  If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.” 

  ²⁴ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came.  ²⁵ The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” 

But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 
  ²⁶ After eight days again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.”   ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.” 

  ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (emp. added vs. 28, GDR)
  ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me,  you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

Wait, I already have felt that way; the day I realized the same thing Thomas did. Jesus is exactly who he says he is and there is hope of life after life!!!

WOW!!!

Bible Reading January 20 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading January 20 (World English Bible)

Jan. 20

Genesis 20

Gen 20:1 Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in Gerar.

Gen 20:2 Abraham said about Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

Gen 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken. For she is a man's wife."

Gen 20:4 Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, "Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?

Gen 20:5 Didn't he tell me, 'She is my sister?' She, even she herself, said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands have I done this."

Gen 20:6 God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn't allow you to touch her.

Gen 20:7 Now therefore, restore the man's wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don't restore her, know for sure that you will die, you, and all who are yours."

Gen 20:8 Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared.

Gen 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, "What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done!"

Gen 20:10 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What did you see, that you have done this thing?"

Gen 20:11 Abraham said, "Because I thought, 'Surely the fear of God is not in this place. They will kill me for my wife's sake.'

Gen 20:12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

Gen 20:13 It happened, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said to her, 'This is your kindness which you shall show to me. Everywhere that we go, say of me, "He is my brother." ' "

Gen 20:14 Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored Sarah, his wife, to him.

Gen 20:15 Abimelech said, "Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you."

Gen 20:16 To Sarah he said, "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated."

Gen 20:17 Abraham prayed to God. God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children.

Gen 20:18 For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

 

Jan. 19, 20

Matthew 10

Mat 10:1 He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.

Mat 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;

Mat 10:3 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Mat 10:4 Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Mat 10:5 Jesus sent these twelve out, and commanded them, saying, "Don't go among the Gentiles, and don't enter into any city of the Samaritans.

Mat 10:6 Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Mat 10:7 As you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!'

Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.

Mat 10:9 Don't take any gold, nor silver, nor brass in your money belts.

Mat 10:10 Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.

Mat 10:11 Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy; and stay there until you go on.

Mat 10:12 As you enter into the household, greet it.

Mat 10:13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn't worthy, let your peace return to you.

Mat 10:14 Whoever doesn't receive you, nor hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off the dust from your feet.

Mat 10:15 Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

Mat 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.

Mat 10:18 Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.

Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, don't be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say.

Mat 10:20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Mat 10:21 "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Mat 10:22 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.

Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man has come.

Mat 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.

Mat 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!

Mat 10:26 Therefore don't be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed; and hidden that will not be known.

Mat 10:27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.

Mat 10:28 Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

Mat 10:29 "Aren't two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls on the ground apart from your Father's will,

Mat 10:30 but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Mat 10:31 Therefore don't be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.

Mat 10:32 Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven.

Mat 10:33 But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Mat 10:34 "Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace, but a sword.

Mat 10:35 For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

Mat 10:36 A man's foes will be those of his own household.

Mat 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me.

Mat 10:38 He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me.

Mat 10:39 He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

Mat 10:40 He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.

Mat 10:41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.

Mat 10:42 Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you he will in no way lose his reward."

God will create new heavens and a new earth by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/newearth.html

God will create new heavens and a new earth

One evening in 1963 I stood on an overpass near Los Angeles watching hundreds of cars whiz by. I remember thinking: “The climate in the whole world will be affected by all the combustion gases we are discharging into the atmosphere.”

Now in 2007 we hear much about air pollution and global warming. Our present consumption of non-renewable resources is not sustainable. In spite of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy, the environment will continue to become more polluted. People will suffer and die because of rising seas, dike breaches and extreme weather conditions.

Do your part to help preserve the environment, but do not worry too much about this old earth. God has promised us a new one, and it will be pollution free:
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing,
And her people a joy.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
And joy in My people;
The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her,
Nor the voice of crying”
(Isaiah 65:17-19).

God gave this promise about 700 years before Christ. Although Jerusalem would be destroyed by the Babylonians as punishment for sin, God promised to create a new Jerusalem where righteousness dwells. This new Jerusalem would be on a new earth under a new firmament.

Jerusalem lay in ruins for 70 years. Then the temple was rebuilt.

But in 70 AD, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed again. For what sin was Israel being punished the second time the temple was destroyed? Two-thousand years have passed, and the temple has not been rebuilt. Daniel's prophesy in chapter 9, verses 24-27 was fulfilled:
24 “Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.
25 “Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times.
26 “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate” (Daniel 9:24-27).

Christ came. The Most Holy One was anointed. The Messiah made reconciliation for iniquity (verse 24). The city and sanctuary were destroyed and the temple sacrifices were brought to an end (compare verses 26 and 27 with Matthew 24:15).

God caused animal sacrifices to cease because they are no longer relevant. The Messiah, the true sacrifice, has come to make reconciliation for iniquity. On seeing Jesus, John the Baptizer declared: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, 36).

Now more than 2000 years have passed. The sounds of weeping and crying are still heard in Jerusalem. The word 'Jerusalem' means 'City of Peace'. How much peace is there in Jerusalem today?

God's promise to create a Jerusalem where weeping and crying are never heard, still stands, and John the Apostle saw this new Jerusalem in a vision: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.' Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.' And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son'” (Revelation 21:1-7).

What will happen to this earth? Jesus said: “Heaven and earth will pass away” (Matthew 24:35). In John's vision, “the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1).

In the Scriptures we read about three periods in man's environment.

The first transition occurred at the fall of man. God told Adam:
17 “Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread”
(Genesis 3:17-19).

We know little about the nature of this curse or about conditions on earth before the fall. Paul says about the coming regeneration of the creation: “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:20, 21).

The second big change in the environment occurred at the time of the flood. Until then men lived to be hundreds of years old. But God decreased man's longevity to 120 years (Genesis 6:3). Later, longevity was decreased again to 70 or 80 years (Psalm 90:10).

Little is revealed about conditions on earth before the flood, but a world-wide deluge would certainly bring much devastation.

Thus, God created innumerable forms of life, “Living things both small and great” (Psalm 104:24-26). There was a degeneration at the time of the fall, and another at the time of the flood.

These two degenerations can explain the tremendous amount of carbon that is trapped in fossil form, something that could only occur by cataclysm. These degenerations also explain why so many life forms are now extinct.

The carbonized organic material that is now under the ground testifies that the earth was once covered by an incredibly large amount of vegetation that was suddenly buried by some catastrophe. The fossils testify that millions of life forms no longer exist.

Evolution is not working. Where are the people who live to be 900 years old? How many now live to be 120? In connection with the changes at the time of the flood we read: “There were giants on the earth in those days” (Genesis 6:4). Where are the dinosaurs? Where are the hairy mammoths that can still be found well-preserved, frozen in the northern permafrost? Millions of species have become extinct and some scientists predict that from 25% to 50% of species that now exist, will become extinct in the next fifty years!

Evolution is not working and there is no evidence that it ever has. The facts contradict the theory of evolution. The number of life forms continues to decrease and there is historical evidence, also from non-biblical sources, for the devolution of man. Babylonian records also speak of a time when people lived to be a thousand years old.

The whole creation has indeed been subjected to decay (Romans 8:20, 21).

Peter also says what will happen to this earth. Speaking of skeptics who cast doubt on Scriptural predictions, he says: “For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:5-7).

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

All this decay, extinction and pollution can be depressing for unbelievers. But Peter, after predicting the destruction of the universe, speaks of God's promise of new heavens and a new earth: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons 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 dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:11- 13).

If you are not yet a Christian, believe in the Messiah who has come to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24). Confess you faith (Romans 10:9, 10), repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38). If you are a half-hearted Christian you also should repent. Only by faithful dedication to Christ can we expect a happy homecoming on the new earth God has promised.

Even though this creation is subject to decay, it has awe-inspiring scenes of beauty. As we drove home recently, the sky was ablaze with a glorious sunset. Rita and I stopped by the road for five or ten minutes to admire the slowly changing panorama of vivid colors. Considering the beauty of this creation that in God's good time will be dissolved, we can anxiously anticipate the greater glory of the new heavens and the new earth.

Let us rejoice in the promise of God: “I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create” (Isaiah 65:17, 18).

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982,
Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)