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The Daily Word of Righteousness
The Heavenly Jerusalem, #9
Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? (Acts 7:46-49)
It may be noticed that the issue of God's house came up again at the time of another milestone in Israel's history—the persecution and death of the first martyr of the Church.
Why does the Lord God of Heaven need a house ? Does the Almighty God have no temple in Heaven that He should look to human beings to "prepare him an habitation"? Isn't this astonishing?
At this point, let us emphasize the concept that the Divine redemption is not primarily for man's benefit; the Divine redemption is for God's benefit.
We now are living in the latter part of the twentieth century. As Paul prophesied, people have become lovers of themselves. So tremendous has our self-love become that it is nearly impossible for us to conceive of salvation as first, of benefit to God; second, of benefit to man.
The churches of Christ used to teach that man was created for the glory and pleasure of God. Now this fundamental concept has been reversed. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are viewed as an instrumentality through which human beings can obtain what they desire and "deserve."
It is a cause for thanksgiving if we are healthy, prosperous, getting what we desire, and being blessed in all our circumstances. But none of these blessings is of first importance in the Kingdom of God. What is of first importance is that God's will is being done and God is being worshiped.
Man was brought into being for God's pleasure—that God may receive what God desires. Any other viewpoint is of Antichrist and the False Prophet.
God has a use for man, a purpose for creating man.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
We are God's children. God loves us as any parent loves his children. When we attempt to manipulate God in order to accomplish our will we become bold, rebellious, self-centered children, bringing no pleasure or love to our Father in Heaven. Then God will chasten us.
The only truly important accomplishment in the universe is the performing of God's will. God intends that all the peoples of the earth worship and obey Him. All the ends of the earth are to fear and serve the Lord (Psalms 67). Whether or not we as individuals profit is secondary in importance.
It is impossible for anyone to become a true saint, a true witness of God, until he or she understands that the Kingdom of God is first of all for God's benefit.
To be continued.