Countdown

Since the institution of time as a method of monitoring the progress of eternity, there have been two predominant and correlated countdowns taking place.  The first countdown began when humankind corrupted God’s creation with their sin.  When Adam and Eve set their own interests above those of their God and Creator, a countdown began.  Time would be monitored until a final solution to man’s sin was provided.  That solution, also referred to as the Messiah, was awaited by humans for millennia.  In time and strictly according to plan, the Messiah was provided.  In the form of Jesus Christ, the creation received its solution to human sin.  

That was two thousand years ago, and still today, sin continues its corruptive activity.  But the other countdown is still ticking.  This second countdown would have never started had the Messiah not been provided.  However, Jesus Christ proved to be more than sufficient for the mission, and His holy sacrifice gave creation its way out of the ultimate consequence of sin - death. 

An obvious question is: If Jesus was so victorious over sin, why are we still counting?  In other words, why is sin still corrupting?  The answer to this question is humankind.  Jesus’ mission was not to remove sin from God’s creation.  This would have necessarily required the removal of sin’s agent - humankind.  From the Creator’s standpoint a plan that involved the destruction of humankind and more specifically, the spirit within those of human form, was unacceptable.  Human’s were the point of God’s creation.  To remove them would make the whole thing pointless. 

So we count.  Remembering that the first countdown has expired in such a manner as to allow for the second countdown to continue.  What is the second countdown’s focus?  In the words of Paul from Romans chapter 8, “creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” (vs 19).  Creation is awaiting liberation from sin’s corruption, to begin a perpetual existence in the “freedom and glory of the children of God.” (vs 21)  

But what is required for this revelation to occur?  Well remember that the Messiah’s mission was not to remove humankind, but rather to provide a way so that, through faith, we might receive salvation from the ultimate penalty of sin, which is death.  For those who, through faith, accept this salvation, a right has been given to become “the children of God.” (John 1:12)  The revelation of the children of God will happen when Jesus Christ, the Messiah whose sacrifice purchased their right, returns to receive those who have placed their hope and trust in Him, through faith.  At that moment, the children of God will be revealed and the countdown will end - as will time itself.  There will no longer be a need for time.  God’s creation will once again be as it was - perfect.  Except this time it will include children of the Most High God.