The World to Come: Answers to Questions

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"For unto the angels hath He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak." Heb. 2:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5). Here the scene is the habitable earth that is to come—the millennial earth. Angels will serve, but not rule. God intended that man should rule, and so placed the first man on this earth in the relation of ruler to everything else here, but he soon sinned and not only fell himself but pulled down the whole scene with him. God's purposes, however, shall be fulfilled; the second Man will rule. He, the Son of man, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, is exalted far above them, crowned with glory and honor. But He will not rule alone; He will bring others into association with Himself in reigning, having opened the way for it by His atoning death.
The Apostle in writing to believers from among the Hebrews, warns them against turning back to Judaism, a religion that was only one of types and shadows. He says that if they do this it would be impossible to renew them to repentance, even though they had tasted of the "powers of the world to come" (Heb. 6:4-84For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:4‑8)). By this expression is meant the marvelous display of power that introduced Christianity—the lame were made to walk, the dead were raised, the sick were healed, and the gospel was spread in the various dialects by means of the gifts of tongues, etc. Though these signs were great, they were only a foretaste of those of the age to come. The Old Testament scriptures abound with references to the wonderful things that will take place during the Millennium.
The sin that cannot be forgiven is the one against the Holy Ghost; the Jews were attributing the Lord's acts of power, done through the Holy Spirit, to the prince of demons. This was serious, and would not be forgiven then, nor would ;t be forgiven in the age to come—in the day of the Messiah. Though the Jews will be cleansed from their sins to participate in that great and glorious time, the sins against the Holy Ghost would not be forgiven, even then. (Read Matt. 12:22-3222Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 25And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matthew 12:22‑32) and Mark 3:22-3022And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 23And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 27No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 28Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. (Mark 3:22‑30), noting v. 30 especially.)
In Mark 10:28-3028Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:28‑30) we read: "Then Peter began to say unto Him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed Thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." (See also Luke 18:28-3028Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (Luke 18:28‑30).) These disciples were not yet on Christian ground, and had Jewish hopes and aspirations, the center of all being the day of the Messiah in the age to come. Well, if they gave up things for the Messiah here, would they not be manifoldly blessed and rewarded in the age of His glorious reign? The eternal life of Mark, and everlasting life of Luke are in this connection. When we come to John's gospel we find that believers have eternal life now. Such g distinction should not confuse anyone, but should show us marks of the perfect accuracy of Scripture which keeps everything in its proper place.
5. In 1 Timothy 6:17-1917Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17‑19) we have the rich addressed—those whom God has permitted to have earthly possessions. They were charged not to be high-minded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in God. They were exhorted to be "rich in good works," and ready to distribute of their possessions, and so to use this world's goods in a way to lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against "the time to come." They might hoard their money, and yet lose it because it is a very uncertain thing; or they might retain it, and leave it to their posterity; but in neither case would they have gained a reward for themselves in the time that is yet to come. Not that the reward should motivate one to be liberal in giving of what God has given him; it should proceed from love to Christ, and the sense of holding all for Him; but the reward should encourage one—such giving will not be forgotten by the Lord, the righteous judge.
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