Your Future Today
Jesus often used this phrase, "…in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 812). Think of that phrase. "Weeping" implies great sorrow or remorse, fear or terror. "Gnashing of teeth" implies anger, upset, mental disturbance, depression. It is the picture of people who are experiencing a future they dread and hate.
Now let’s look at the above verse in its entirety "And I say to you that many shall come from east and west, and recline (dine) with Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Why were the "sons of the kingdom cast out? Remember, Jesus came into Galilee preaching good news. He said, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel (good news)" (Mark 114-15).
What is the kingdom of God? It is the world ruling government of God which is prophesied to come to the earth and conquer all the satanic governments of this world and bring in a utopian like state (Dan. 2; Isa. 21-4; 111-9). It is also the divine province or family of God which a person may enter by becoming on son of God through receiving the Holy Spirit. Jesus talked of those who would not enter (Matt. 721). When the people at that time heard Jesus, they did not repent. They did not believe. Jesus said that some will come to a place of utter regret.
Each of us is making our future today. In fact, today IS the future of 5, 10 or 15 years ago. Today is even the future of yesterday! Erik Erikson, famous social scientist, developed psycho-social stages of human kind. He concluded that the last stage was "integrity vs. despair." When you live your life making right and godly decisions, you can, at the end, have a sense of integrity. When you live life foolishly making wrong ungodly decisions, you may have a sense of despair.
The key to your better future is YOU. How can you have a better future? Become a better you! You might even start with something as simple as improving your smile, handshake, or speaking. What you do today is determining the kind of future you will have. Jesus gave examples of futures that were not so good. He talked of the parable of the "talents." These are not talents like singing or dancing abilities. These were sums of money which the master left with his servants or slaves. He wanted them to buy and sell and increase what they had been given. One received 5 "talents" and produced 5 more. Another received 2 talents and produced 2 more. But the third man received only one. He did nothing with it. He merely sought to preserve it and not lose it. He was called a lazy and wicked slave and was cast out where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth(Matt 2524-30). I
In the verses that follow Jesus talked about two different types of futures. One where the King of the Kingdom says to those on his right hand, "Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." The other future is contained in the words that go like this, " Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." He explains the reason for their reward or punishment to both groups. It had to do with the decisions the made and the actions they did. The ones who gave no help to those in need were told to depart. Those that made right decisions of love and care were told to inherit the kingdom (vss. 41-46).
You don’t want the future of "weeping & gnashing of teeth" but the future where Christ says, "Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…"
Now let’s look at the above verse in its entirety "And I say to you that many shall come from east and west, and recline (dine) with Abraham and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Why were the "sons of the kingdom cast out? Remember, Jesus came into Galilee preaching good news. He said, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel (good news)" (Mark 114-15).
What is the kingdom of God? It is the world ruling government of God which is prophesied to come to the earth and conquer all the satanic governments of this world and bring in a utopian like state (Dan. 2; Isa. 21-4; 111-9). It is also the divine province or family of God which a person may enter by becoming on son of God through receiving the Holy Spirit. Jesus talked of those who would not enter (Matt. 721). When the people at that time heard Jesus, they did not repent. They did not believe. Jesus said that some will come to a place of utter regret.
Each of us is making our future today. In fact, today IS the future of 5, 10 or 15 years ago. Today is even the future of yesterday! Erik Erikson, famous social scientist, developed psycho-social stages of human kind. He concluded that the last stage was "integrity vs. despair." When you live your life making right and godly decisions, you can, at the end, have a sense of integrity. When you live life foolishly making wrong ungodly decisions, you may have a sense of despair.
The key to your better future is YOU. How can you have a better future? Become a better you! You might even start with something as simple as improving your smile, handshake, or speaking. What you do today is determining the kind of future you will have. Jesus gave examples of futures that were not so good. He talked of the parable of the "talents." These are not talents like singing or dancing abilities. These were sums of money which the master left with his servants or slaves. He wanted them to buy and sell and increase what they had been given. One received 5 "talents" and produced 5 more. Another received 2 talents and produced 2 more. But the third man received only one. He did nothing with it. He merely sought to preserve it and not lose it. He was called a lazy and wicked slave and was cast out where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth(Matt 2524-30). I
In the verses that follow Jesus talked about two different types of futures. One where the King of the Kingdom says to those on his right hand, "Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." The other future is contained in the words that go like this, " Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." He explains the reason for their reward or punishment to both groups. It had to do with the decisions the made and the actions they did. The ones who gave no help to those in need were told to depart. Those that made right decisions of love and care were told to inherit the kingdom (vss. 41-46).
You don’t want the future of "weeping & gnashing of teeth" but the future where Christ says, "Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…"
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