Is God Good?

     "There is scriptural evidence that God created animals to amuse himself," writes Lynn Vincent in WORLD magazine. "All the creatures show us his delight, his imagination, his limitlessness." 

     "He is the master engineer, the One who made the octopus which can disguise itself, deep-sea creatures that make their own light, and the caterpillar that reorganizes itself as a butterfly." 

     For his invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived - Romans 1:20. 

     God first revealed himself to us with the sevenfold, And God saw that it was good. God made children for his glory (Isaiah 43:7) and the heavens declare his glory (Psalm 19:1). 

     Lynn is ''thrilled'' to think God is so overflowing with goodness that He chose to create the planet. That He is so full of love, joy, compassion, grace, creativity and beauty that He had to share it. 

     She writes, "We know His grand plan will end in ultimate good, even if He allows savagery, betrayal, disease and death because of our corruption. The road to glory is paved with the blood of the Savior who reconciles us." 

    For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth...as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies - Romans 8:22-23.

Revelation 19 reveals God's anger with those who refuse to trust and obey: With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 

            Jimmy

     

Joy to the World 

     Every Christmas, growing up, we sang this hymn. Decades later I learned this hymn is all about Christ's return to earth - not His birthday - to rule a thousand years. Believers then in heaven will come with Him. 

     No more sins and sorrows...nor thorns...He comes to make His blessings flow...far as the curse is found... 

     In a bookstore, looking for a book they didn't have, I settled for Dr. David Jeremiah's latest book, The Coming Golden Age. How fortunate I was. Thirty-one short chapters, hundreds of Bible verses.

     Scattered over the Bible, God promises blessings. In the wonderful 8th chapter of Romans, verse 19, Paul wrote: For the creation waits in eager expectation... 

     The coming tribulation will be followed by Jesus' return to Jerusalem for a thousand years...the "golden age"...sandwiched between history and eternity (Revelation 21 and 22. 

      It will be the most blessed time since Eden, which was a glorious beginning erased by our sins, starting with Adam. Meanwhile, the Son of God came to earth, born to a virgin. Beyond his teachings and miracles his primary purpose was to take upon himself the penalty for our sins. Itself a curse to reverse the age-old curse on mankind. 

     When this good news reaches the ends of the earth, He will return to Jerusalem and the Millenium will begin. A golden age the world over. 

     Believe in Him, trust and obey Him, and sing, Joy to the World. We joyfully recommend Dr. Jeremiah's book.

         Jimmy