YHWH is inviting us to partake in the new Eden, the new heaven and earth. All the biblical lessons are to teach us how to be holy. How to be in the world but not of it. The lessons of fasting and prayer are to teach us how not to give into our physical desires, to pray to not be led into temptation. YHWH is equipping us to be with Him in His new heaven and earth. We go through trials and tests, tested by fire, to be transformed and made new. To not desire the worldly things over heavenly things. He told the rich man to leave his riches as a test of priority. We are to leave the world behind but it’s temporary and distracts us from what should be the goal, to get back to YHWH, to be part of His original plan and design when we were holier in the garden of Eden before we took of the forbidden fruit. We always had free will; YHWH wants us to choose Him in everything. To love Him with all our might. To know this means to not choose the world but to choose Him. This heaven and earth will soon pass away, and it’s not an "enjoy it while it lasts" type of thing; it’s a "get out while you can" kind of thing.
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind." - Isaiah 65:17
Do you see that? “The former things shall not be remembered or come into mind!” You won’t even miss this. Like that one ex of yours, it was fun while it lasted, but eventually, you had to get out of that relationship because it no longer served you and now, you don’t think of them often, if at all.
The Divine Invitation: From Life's Party to Heaven's Celebration
Picture yourself at the grand party called Life. Every person plays a different role, revealing their spiritual state:
The Dance Floor Diva: Always seeking attention and validation from others rather than from YHWH.
The Social Butterfly DJ: Influencing others, but are you playing the world's tune or YHWH's melody?
The Wallflower Observer: Watching life pass by, hesitant to fully engage with either the world or your divine purpose.
The VIP Room Regulars: Indulging in secret sins, thinking no one sees, forgetting YHWH sees all.
The Buffet Regulars: Constantly consuming but never satisfied, missing the true bread of life.
The Networking Networker: Building connections, but are they leading others to YHWH or away?
The Early Leaver: Disengaged and disconnected, but perhaps closest to realizing this party isn't their true home.
In this grand celebration called life, YHWH extends an extraordinary invitation - not to leave the party, but to transform it into a holy celebration. This isn't about a future promise alone; it's about bringing heaven's party to earth today.
The Student and the Pizza Party Metaphor
Imagine a student eagerly anticipating a pizza party at school. The excitement builds as the day approaches, but the student must first complete their assignments. Each homework task is like a stepping stone, guiding them closer to the delicious reward. If the student neglects their work, they risk missing out on the party entirely.
In the same way, YHWH invites us to partake in the ultimate celebration of the new heaven and earth. However, we must first engage in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and obedience. These are our assignments, preparing us for the divine feast that awaits. Just as the student must prioritize their studies to enjoy the pizza party, we must prioritize our relationship with YHWH to partake in His heavenly banquet.
Scriptural References for Reflection
Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..."
1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him..."
Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."
Philippians 3:20: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ..."
Articles for Further Inspiration
What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God? - A deep dive into the nature of God's kingdom and our role within it.
What is the Gospel? - Understanding the core message of the Gospel and its implications for our lives.
Let us choose YHWH and His ways, embracing the divine invitation to partake in the new heaven and earth, transforming our lives in preparation for the eternal celebration that awaits.
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