Kingdom Rest
“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.” (Hebrews 4:1-5)
There is a rest for God’s children here in time. This rest is not eternal heaven where all of God’s elect people chosen before the foundation of the world will go at the end of time. Our heavenly home is an inheritance given freely by the grace of God’s love. We are not there yet. But this rest it is a place God has provided for his children to worship and dwell while here on earth. A place away from the ways of this world, a place of God’s choosing. The milk and honey of this land is of God and this land is provided with everything his people need to worship Him, live righteously, raise a family, love our neighbors, and fight the good fight.
If you read the book of Exodus you will discover many wonderful truths about our God and the watch care of his people. I guess what impressed me was that not all of God’s children believed God’s promise to deliver them. Yet God promised to do so regardless of what they believed. Also, not all that were delivered from Egypt were aloud to enter the place of rest (the promise land), including Moses. A whole generation died in the wilderness because of unbelief in God’s promise to them. Does that mean they went to hell? No it means they did not get to enjoy the milk and honey of what God had promised them in the here and now.
Most people believe this promised rest is speaking of heaven. May I humbly say that in heaven we will not be encumbered with a sin cursed world. In Heaven, we will not have sin, we will be like Jesus Christ and we will be satisfied. Not so here in this world. We are tempted and tried living in this evil world, By the sweat of our face we eat our bread. The world hates us who love the Lord and we struggle from day to day to live a Godly way and follow our Savior. Sometimes we fail to do what is right and this causes us to lament our short comings and turn to God for forgiveness. God knew what it would be like for his children while here on earth. Before the foundation of the world, he chose a refuge for his children to inhabit while we waited for the Lord to come back to take his elect people home. I believe this place of rest, this promise land, this refuge, for his people, is the church that Christ built and that he has promised that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. This refuge will exist until he returns to gather the heirs of grace out of every kindred, nation, people, and tongue to dwell in our heavenly home where we will no longer need a rest form this wicked world because we will be with our Lord and Savior. There will be no need for rest there.
- Sonny Bonner