V. the Material Earth Sign
The Bible anticipates a future time when material things will be transformed and creation will be delivered from corruption into the glory of God.
Lewis Sperry Chafer preaches about the prophetic anticipation of material glory and blessings during the kingdom age, highlighting the transformation of the wilderness, the healing of the blind, deaf, lame, and mute, the deliverance of creation from corruption, and the increase of knowledge in the end times. He emphasizes the material transformation foretold in prophecy and the rapid advancements in technology and knowledge in our generation as a prelude to the ultimate glory that will fill the earth.
Text
Of many passages that anticipate the material glory and blessings which will be in the earth during the kingdom age, I will quote three:
"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. . . . Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water" (Isaiah 35:1-7).
"Creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God" (Rom. 8:21, R. V.).
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Dan. 12:4).
Such is prophecy relating to the "end time" and the kingdom which will follow. Material things are to be transformed. Every figure of speech has been employed to give expression to this. Within our own generation we have begun to experience a day of invention and material transformation the end of which we cannot foresee. The world is on wheels and wings. Every latent resource of the material earth is being unlocked. Knowledge, if not wisdom, is increased until the old-time general education has had to be set aside for this fast- moving age of specialists.
The present material changes and inventions have their origin in the world-system, and are only a shadow of the prophesied glory that will yet fill the earth. Though the present knowledge and discovery be of the Satanic order, that in it which is true will doubtless abide and contribute to the perfect order that will be. The present inrush of material change cannot be accounted for by human experience of the past. Is it not a signal, though but a shadow, of the coming glory which God will yet accomplish in the earth?
Sermon Outline
- Introduction
- The transformation of creation
- The significance of the 'end time' and the kingdom
- The origin of the present material changes and inventions
- The world-system and the Satanic order
- The true knowledge and discovery contributing to the perfect order
Key Quotes
“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” — Lewis Sperry Chafer
“Creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God” — Lewis Sperry Chafer
“The world is on wheels and wings.” — Lewis Sperry Chafer
Application Points
- We should recognize the present material changes and inventions as a shadow of the prophesied glory that will yet fill the earth.
- We should seek to understand the true knowledge and discovery that will contribute to the perfect order in the kingdom age.
- We should live in anticipation of the transformation of creation and the glory of God that will be revealed in the future.