the Messiah and nature

"...those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy (Psalm 65:8 ESV)

In retirement I have a bit more time to observe nature, identify bird songs, and photograph trees and flowers. I'm even finding mushrooms to be fascinating, but I am not experimenting with their edibility! Each day I realize something of the goodness and beauty of the world that God created, even though now it is marred by sin and death.

READING PSALM 65. This psalm can be divided into three sections. First, we should praise God, for he has atoned for sin and reconciled us to himself forever (vv 1-4). Secondly, the global work of God's righteousness will bring about redemption for the nations, resulting in great joy (vv 5-8). Thirdly, this will culminate with blessings upon all creation, again, resulting in joyful praise (vv 9-13), "...they shout and sing together for joy" (65:13). There is a movement in this psalm from the redemption of the individual to the saving of nations, and then on to a new blessed creation.

THE MESSIAH AND NATURE. We see this in Isaiah, as well. The Messiah, the "Branch" will come (Isa 11:1-5) and his work will restore nature, making it a "peaceable kingdom" (11:6-9). The atoning work of Messiah (Isa 53) will be followed by a new creation (Isa 65). The Apostle Paul says that all of creation groans and longs to be set free when the children of God are revealed in glory (Rom 8:18-25). It's no wonder then that the first century observers of Jesus were amazed, not just by his healing miracles, but also by his nature miracles. The Messiah would be the One to restore the created order.

WAVES AND WHEAT. The statement, "...who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples..." (v. 7) is glimpsed in Jesus' calming of the sea (Matt 8:24-27). "Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?'" Also, the crowds who ate of the multiplied loaves and fishes at hand of Jesus, may well have reflected upon this: "...the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy" (Ps 65:13).

A NEW WORLD COMING. The Apostle Peter wrote, "...according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pet 3:13). Notice that not only will new heavens come, but also a new earth. Mankind's righteous dominion over a glorious and perfect world will come about at last (Gen 1:26; 2:8, 15). Though our primary calling right now is to proclaim Christ to the nations, it is good to take time to observe and enjoy the beauty of his created world, for it gives us a glimpse of what is to come.

Credits. Image above is the "Peaceable Kingdom", oil painting on canvas, by Edward Hicks (c. 1826--1830). Hicks was a Quaker preacher who painted over sixty versions on the theme of God's kingdom, based on Isaiah chapters 11 and 65.

clement quotes hebrews

Clement of Rome wrote to the church in Corinth around AD 90. This is perhaps the same Clement, companion of Paul, mentioned in Philippians 4:3. Many hold him to be the first bishop / pope in Rome, aka St. Clement I. Clement quotes from the letter to the Hebrews. Origin suggested that Clement was in fact the writer (as transcriber or amanuensis) of Hebrews. Perhaps this letter began as a "word of exhortation" given by Paul at the synagogue (Heb 13:22; cf Acts 13:15) which then became a circular letter for the churches. Other possible authors of Hebrews include Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos. The theology is Pauline, but the transcriber is obviously second-generation (Heb. 2:3-4). At any rate, this early church leader in Rome, is already quoting Hebrews in his letter in AD 90: CHAPTER 36 ALL BLESSINGS ARE GIVEN TO US THROUGH CHRIST This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Savior, even Jesus Christ, the High Prie...

Howard Hendricks on OT books chronology

When I was in seminary, Howard Hendricks (aka "Prof") gave us a little card with the books of the OT chronologically arranged. The scanned copy I have was a bit blurry and I wanted to make something like this available for our church class in OT theology ("Story of Redemption"). A few minor edits and here it is...

a brief history of bcf

Blacksburg Christian Fellowship, or BCF as it is popularly known, was founded in November 1969. Prior to this time several families had been meeting for Bible study and prayer, with a particular concern that the Lord raise up an effective biblical ministry to the students of the Virginia Tech campus. Growing from these meetings, the Lord led them to begin a public ministry on Sunday mornings. The Wesley Foundation agreed to the rental of their facilities, and the first meeting was held in November 1969, with about 30 people in attendance. Since the first meeting BCF has been greatly blessed by the Lord and has seen a steady growth in ministry and in numbers. Two other local churches were formed in part from BCF. In 1974 the Lord led Houston Couch, who at that time was an Elder in BCF, to leave and start Dayspring Christian Fellowship. In 1980 Max Harris, who was a regular attender at BCF, was encouraged by the Elders and members to start a ministry which has now become Grace Cov...

my burg

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