The Relationship Between God and Man
A man is a son to his parents, a father or mother to his children, a husband to his wife, an elder brother to his siblings, an employee to his employer, a soldier to his commanding officer, and a student to his teacher. No one can occupy a position that has not been assigned to them.
Just as one should never act as a teacher within the family, one must not behave like a commander in front of believers. Likewise, people must recognize their status before God and live accordingly.
In the Court
God is the judge in the heavenly court (Isaiah 33:22). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23). “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 1:18). Everyone must first come to the court to settle the matter with him about their sin. But many people simply overlook it because they’re unaware.
In God’s sight, man’s sin is as red as blood (Isaiah 1:18). There are two kinds of sin: one inherited from Adam (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12), and the other committed against God’s commandments (1 John 3:4). The punishment for this sin is eternal suffering in hell. However, the Judge Himself arranged Jesus Christ as a substitute to take sinners’ place (2 Timothy 2:5). This substitutionary sacrifice paid the penalty of death on behalf of sinners (1 Corinthians 15:3; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24). Therefore, God now sees sinners as righteous people (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Sin has been removed and is now made pure (Isaiah 1:18). Whoever believes in him is not condemned (John 3:18).
In the Temple
God is in the heavenly temple. Man is a worshipper. Because man exists on earth, he cannot ascend to heaven to worship God. Therefore, a mediator is needed. In Scripture, Zechariah was chosen to serve as priest "according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside." (Luke 1:8-10). At that time, all the people stood outside praying. Zechariah—John the Baptist’s father—was a priest who worshiped God by burning incense in the temple. While he performed his priestly duties inside, the people outside the temple were worshipping God through prayer. Thus, God is worshipped as God within the temple.
Today's believers are praying on earth. However, the Scriptures reminds us that because God dwells in heaven, Jesus the High Priest mediates for us: "Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. (Hebrew 8:1-2)." In chapter eight of Hebrews, Christ is described as the High Priest. This High Priest is said to be performing His priestly duties in the true heavenly temple.
Because Christ Himself is God, one might ask for whom is Jesus performs these duties. The answer is: for those who believe on Earth. Thus, prayers and praises offered by believers here are received by God through Jesus Christ.
In the Family
To all who did receive Jesus, to those who believed in his name, were given the right to become children of God (John 1:12). If one is a son, then God is his Father (Romans 8:16). Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Most believers desire to inherit the inheritance of God in this world. Therefore, they are eager to hear and listen to messages about prosperity and abundance in this world. However, the inheritance is not received here on earth but in heaven (Ephesians 1:14). In fact, if one inherits it here on earth, it will only last for a short time and then perish. Therefore, Christ says, "“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20).
Children receive their parents’ inheritance only after the parents die. The Scripture says, “In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it” (Hebrews 9:16). In Christ’s parable we see that the lost son demanded his share of the inheritance before his father had died; he then left for a distant country and squandered all his wealth on reckless living (Luke 15:11‑17).
In this world, children inherit their parents’ estate only after the parents die. But in spiritual matters God—our Father—does not die; He lives forever. Therefore, His inheritance will be received by His believing children only after they have died. If one wishes to receive it while still living on earth, problems arise. The reason is because when people live according to the desires of their flesh rather than God’s will. Therefore, believers should long more for inheriting in heaven than for inheriting here on earth.
In the Field
When believers receive the Lord, they become harvesters. The Lord says, “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4:35‑38).
The grain symbolizes a man’s spirit. The believers—who are the reapers—are called to gather it. God, the owner of the field, declares that the fields are ripe for harvest. Yet the workers claim they still have four months left. Their hesitation stems from laziness and reluctance to reap. Although the harvesters are promised wages for their labor, they do not want to work. Therefore, let us reap the harvest while there is still time.
In the War Zone
The world is the kingdom of the enemy. As Christ said this world is under the dominion of the evil one: " I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me," (John 14:30).
Paul also warned us: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:10‑12).
What is truly sad is that many believers are unaware they are soldiers fighting on enemy territory. They fail to recognize the presence of an enemy and the attacks it launches; instead, they indulge in worldly pleasures. Because they enjoy what the enemy offers them, rather than fight, they make deals with him. Scripture warns us: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2:15‑16).
No soldier is allowed to indulge himself in enemy territory. Believers should learn a lesson from the account of Samson: although he was physically strong, he loved Delilah—an enemy woman—and enjoyed spending time with her. As a result, his eyes were gouged out and he became blind (Joshua 16).
Many believers today cling to material things that belong to the enemy in this world. Because of this attachment, they cannot even carry out what God commands; they suffer from being “gouged” like Samson and become blind. Just as Samson was troubled by his worldly lusts and affairs, so these believers are burdened by the works and problems of this world, enduring suffering without understanding it. Their longing for worldly material keeps them blinded and deaf.
In the Wedding Hall
When believers arrive in heaven, they become the bride of the Lord Jesus. Paul writes: “I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2).
Thus the Corinthian Christians were regarded as virgins; Christ is the bridegroom. After betrothal, the wedding will take place in heaven as Scripture says: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)” (Revelation 19:6‑8).
Therefore believers must be clean, for they are to become Christ’s bride.
Scripture also speaks of the cleansing water of the Word (Ephesians 5:26‑27). By reading and obeying God’s Word we perform spiritual purification.
"How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:9-11).
Yet most believers today do not know that this wedding will take place, and even those who do are unmoved and unprepared—living lives marred by worldly corruption. How sad it must be for Christ—the Bridegroom—to see His bride in such a state.
Since we are now betrothed as virgins, let us prepare ourselves by reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word so that no stain or blemish may be found in us.
