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12/5/05 See "Printable" button below for "easy to print" format. Creation
Groans
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. ( Isaiah 24:4,5 [emphasis added]) Do you see pain, in the above verses? That's because creation is groaning. Creation has the ability to groan. Just as the human immune system rebels against excessive abuse, so too, all creation has the ability to groan with dissent at the gross neglect and wanton disrespect of earth's human rulers. The "Green" lobby seems to understand this, and supposes that "mother earth" may some day disinherit her "children" if we continue to pollute her streams, rivers, and very atmosphere. What the "Greenies" imagine, Scripture declares for an entirely different reason. For we humans have offended our Creator. This is not a small or petty concept to consider. Nor is it something we would normally think about (any more than we would even hear of AIDS). It is just that, as we approach the end of the age, where radical events and rampant wickedness becomes the norm, we must understand that the God of the Bible is not without power. Nor will disrespect for His wishes be without consequence. Even though Scripture states that Antichrist will be given authority to rule, at the end of the age, it will be in spite of normal checks and balances built into God's universe. When the Jesus spoke of the "sea and the waves roaring" (Luke 21:25), or when the Lord told Job of the morning stars singing together (Job 38:7) we tend to shrug these off as metaphors, merely symbolic tokens of angelic, human, or demonic activity. While this is certainly true, especially in relation to the masses of humanity (Revelation 17:15) -scientists have also noted that the stars do "sing" as attested to by radio telescopes, and we know that the loss of never ending life (and eternal peace) is linked to humankind's fall, in the Garden. Heavenly Life comes from God, alone. When men and women thumb their noses at God, and despise His Providence, they call down upon themselves a curse. This is God's displeasure, reflecting back from a universe that He has made and is holding in place (Colossians 1:17). Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. ( Isaiah 24:6) Please understand what is being said here. In the opening we noted that Antichrist will reign in spite of natural checks and balances. When Christ came the first time, He operated in spite of the curses that had been called down upon a wayward and rebellious humanity (Malachi 4:5,6). In that case, God's grace rejoiced against judgment. Yet when fools refuse His favor, they command their just due. When refusing offers of salvation, all within the boat (or ship) are affected. All within Noah's Ark were saved from God's judgment. Consider the foolhardy parallel within today's world, wherein men and women are actively engaged in "pulling the plug" on faith, while effectively drilling holes into the bottom of the boat. Will not the resultant flooding effect many lives, including their own? He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. ( John 3:36)
What we must consider then, is that God's judgments are not only eternal, but
apply to our day, as well. Within recent history, such has been most pronounced
with the Jewish nation, in their dispersion and tribulation throughout the
world-as will happen to gentiles, as humankind continues to insist on ignoring
God's covenants (Romans 2:7-9). When men and women turn their backs upon the grace
of God, and actively thumb their noses at Him, a "reverse evangelism"
(or chastening effect) begins to take place. Creation not only declares the
glory of God, therefore, it also thunders forth His judgments. This may seem a novel thought to many. Yet all of creation does groan in the manifestation of God's judgments. As the Word says: the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry. ( Psalm 18:7) So that, even at the Cross, when redemption's story was being played out, and the Lamb of God took upon Him the sins of humankind-the Father turned His face away and all nature winced at the agony in the godhead. . . . Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" . . . Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, ( Matthew 27:46, 51) Such "groaning," we must remember, is for a purpose: a yearning for ultimate redemption. "For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. ( Romans 8:22,23) All of this may seem very quaint, perhaps poetic, to the onlooker not walking in, or filled with, the Spirit of God. The same may be true for intellectuals, perhaps, brilliant in their exposition of biblical themes, while never having lain on the breast of the Creator to share His pain. Indeed, one can't help but wonder it, after all, the warning of Christ is not being fulfilled in our day, because of a Church that is largely asleep. But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out." ( Luke 19:40) Is this what we are experiencing today? Are we experiencing Creation's cries, because of a largely silent church world, as far as Heaven is concerned? (Careful. Please don't answer too quickly. Read on!) What events am I referring to? How about hurricane Katrina? I have heard more than once, public officials referring to that disaster as an event of "biblical proportions."¹ If a society and government with such a humanistic bent as ours, would consider such an view, where are we headed? Is there a "trip wire" or global event that has triggered these repeated storms and flooding? Indeed, there is, but don't expect either the government (or many in local pulpits) to proclaim such events to you any time soon. It is exceedingly "politically incorrect." Already, even before Antichrist, Christian ministers are afraid to voice these concerns. What will happen, when the Mark is issued? Please hold your rationalizations for another. Do not waste my time by quoting outdated statistics about cycles of disasters, and past earthquakes (unless linking them to judgment). I never even heard of a tsunami until this past year. Or of American "refugees" until hurricane Katrina! Granted, speaking of American "refugees" is an exaggeration (or is it?) since these people have never actually left their country of origin. Yet the fact that the term should become widely used within our news reporting is, in itself, quite significant . . . for do you recall another "refugee" problem of current concern, today-in the middle east? No, I refer not to "Palestinian refugees" (whom the Arab nations refuse to absorb). Were not God's covenant people the ones turned into refugees and uprooted from their rightful home, in the Gaza? So then, let us concern ourselves with the biblical mandate: with the everlasting covenant. Abraham's covenant. "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." ( Genesis 17:7,8) Our opening text speaks of the earth mourning (or groaning) under the weight of a spiritual injustice-of men and women, governments and kingdoms, disrespecting God: ignoring His decrees, and attempting to change moral law. Specifically, they have:
The specific context of Isaiah twenty-four is that of Creation, and more specifically of the earth, getting ready (as in pregnancy) to give birth to usher in the Lord's returning. So violent are these birth pangs, that this troubled planet eventually turns over on its side (vs. 20)!! No wonder the prophet foretold a day wherein everything would lay down flat, and every tower be brought down, and "the Lord alone will be exalted in that day" (Isaiah 2:12-17). In other words, we are rapidly approaching that day, wherein our Lord Jesus shall return in glory, along with His faithful bride! These are the ones who have placed their trust in Him, for salvation. This is an event forecast from the foundation of the world, and one that has been seen by holy men of God, down through the ages. Even Enoch, that godly man who walked with God in the old world, foretold of its advent: Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied . . . saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, "to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." ( Jude 14,15 nkjv) In the meanwhile, let us seek God's face, and listen to His heart, through the Holy Ghost and the reading of the Word. For, only the Holy Spirit knows the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10,11). Let us beware, as well, of those who increasingly rebel against that holy covenant: of men and women continually trying to change God's ordinances (through homosexual "marriage" for example. Marriage is an ordinance. We are trying to change it, today!). As the conspiracy and cohesion of the politically correct becomes more powerful, it will also become more difficult to speak without fear of reprisal for our Lord. We must settle this matter, therefore, to be ready to bear reproach for His name. "Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. "But not a hair of your head shall be lost." ( Luke 21:14-18 nkjv) To review, briefly: Let us remember why the rocks are crying out-people are ignoring the Lord, disrespecting His Word, and trying to change His laws.-not only with regard to Israel, but on the moral front, as well. Recent legal rulings regarding abortion and homosexuality are flagrant examples of this type of "law making." We may expect more in the near future. For, this is a characteristic of Antichrist rule: He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. ( Daniel 7:25) Normally, we see impending prophecy through a glass darkly (from a distance). Yet now, we are in the mix and in the midst of its fulfillment. Increasingly, as we sit in the midst of the whirlwind, we can see the inner workings of events coming upon our world. We must pay close attention to these signs of the times. The churning of Creation, as it begins to groan is our new Gethsemane wherein the Lord is once more contemplating incredible judgments (notwithstanding the "global warming" forecasts of the "Greenies"-what about earthquakes, and forecast disturbances in the heavens?). We must resist the urge to spiritually fall asleep. Soon, at the hour of darkness, we will discover a time when no one will be able to work effectively within the Kingdom (through soul winning). The times of the Gentiles will completely come to an end. The day of grace will finally draw to a close. And the hour of His appearing will explode upon an indolent world. Let us lift up our heads! Our redemption draws near! . . .the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. ( Luke 21:26b-28)
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