It’s interesting to know how the story of mankind starts and ends in the garden. In the book of Genesis, we can read how God formed a man, named Adam, and placed him in the garden of Eden. In this garden, we can also find the River that flowed from Eden and the Tree of Life which was planted in the midst of the garden. This is the place where the journey of mankind started, the birthplace of the first covenant given to mankind through Adam (Genesis 3). Similarly, at the very end of the Scriptures, in the Book of Revelation, we can see a picture of new rebirth of God’s original creation. In Revelation 22: 1-2 “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations”. This is the final place where God intends His people to live with Him and restoring the fellowship they had from the beginning of the creation.

However, between these two gardens, there is another garden mentioned in the Bible which is foundational to God’s plan of redemption – This is the garden tomb of Jesus Christ. If the first Adam was formed and placed in the Garden of Eden, here we can see God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit, formed a new glorified body – The second Adam, Jesus Christ. In the first garden, God gave the first covenant through the first Adam, but in the garden tomb, God gave us the better and everlasting covenant through the second Adam, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This signifies the birthplace of the covenant of Grace through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Behind the Hebrew name of Adam, we can get the root word “ground or soil”. Adam was formed from the ground and to the ground he shall return. This tells us that, because of the curse of sin, it is appointed for a man to die (return to the ground) since the wages of sin is death. But, the Gospel of Christ, teaches us that through the risen body of Christ, He has given us a blessed hope, that through the name of the second Adam – JESUS (Yeshua), we can find SALVATION!

Also, as the Holy Scriptures teaches us, Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it including prophesies. If we study the meaning of the Hebrew word EDEN, we can see that this comprises of three Hebrew letters; Ayin, Daleth, Nun. The first letter (Ayin) which means “To see/witness, or To Know, Light”, the second letter (Daleth) which means, “Door, or the path” and the last letter (Nun) which means “Life”. This could point to Jesus’ resurrection where in the garden of tomb, anyone can enter through the door and witness the birth of new life. People like Mary Magdalene, and His apostles came to fulfill this prophecy. Interestingly, Light (Ayin) could also represents Truth in the Bible, therefore the word Eden could represent – The Way, the Truth and The Life – Jesus Christ.

Let us continue to trust God and His Words, for His Words are true, faithful and trustworthy. Truly, we are thankful to God for giving us this wonderful blessing that Jesus Christ is the only WAY that leads to the TRUTH that brings us to everlasting LIFE.

Very few people, when given the choice, would choose tribulation over peace. Given the Lord’s words above, why is it that we see so much trouble, distress and anguish in the world today?
The key reason is resistance to the notion of abiding ‘in Christ’. The peace Jesus offers ‘in me’ comes from a reconciliation back to God but this then highlights the consequences of that choice.
To remain in Christ’ requires believing in something we cannot see. It requires acknowledgment, confession, and repentance for our less than perfect thoughts, words and deeds. All aspects which are difficult for our human will to submit to. However, when we do, we then have a purpose in God’s will and an example of a perfect life on this earth to follow.
Speaking and acting ‘in Christ’ may also result in the experience of tribulation just as it did for our Lord on His earthly pilgrimage. John 15:17-18, “These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
The good news is that, while this world offers tribulation, nothing can separate us from the peace in Christ because God loves us. Romans 8:39, “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Choose to remain in the peace of Christ and the tribulation of this world will not be a concern to us.
Philippians 4:7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

In this Year of Grace, we have been discussing the need to submit to God’s will so that our life may have purpose. From His words recorded by John, we see that Jesus also had this goal and we are given the understanding of this necessity to seek, submit to, and fulfil God’s will. This will bring purpose to our life now and achievement of the goal to be ‘raised up at the last day’.

As Jesus spiritual body on Earth, the church must, at all times, follow His example and teaching. Our mission statement confirms the Church’s desire to be ‘prepared as a bride’ or counterpart suitable to be joined with Him. Hence, we also must come to this state of doing the will of the Father (v38).

The will of God, Jesus then indicates, is that all who are Christ’s would not be lost (v39) but rather be prepared through Jesus Christ for His return. The goal of the church, in summary, is to be saved by grace through faith. 2 Timothy 1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

To achieve this goal, the church must therefore, ‘see the Son’ (v40) and believe in Him and His promises.

One of those promises He gave, knowing that He needed to ascend back to the Heavenly throne as King of Kings, was to send the Holy Ghost to be the power on Earth to prepare His body. Being reborn allows us to see the promised Kingdom amongst the distractions of this world. Being reborn of Spirit is the process required for God’s will to work within us and for our life to have true and abiding purpose.

This text shows us clearly that only God can foretell the future without error. A recent book published by one of the most renown archaeologists with years of work in the Holy Lands stated, “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline or in exact detail historical statements in the Bible.” The prophets indeed foretold God’s plans for nations, countries, cities and God’s plans for mankind. Many have fulfilled themselves, while others are now happening and yet to happen in the future. Our text reminds us, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” We look at the prophet Ezekiel’s prophecy of what would happen to the great trading city of “TYRE” found in Ezekiel 26, which was given 588-year BC and compare it with historical events as recorded in encyclopaedia Britannica.

Prophesy                        Historical Records

Verse 3 — Many Nations Shall be against thee.

• Nebuchadnezzar sieged the city for 13 years and in 573 BC took the city.
• Alexander the great also besieged the city and finally in 332 BC took the city.

Verse 4 — Made flat as rock.

• In 332 BC Alexander pulled down all the buildings and made a causeway into the sea and scraped up all the soil to put a road on the causeway. This was 256 years after the prophesy.

Verse 5 — States it will be a place of Spreading Nets.

• Even to-day it is a popular place for fishermen to spread their nets.

Verse 12 — Foretold its stones and timbers will be laid in the Sea.

• Today tourists visit to see all the destroyed city under the sea.

Verse 15 — Other Cities to fear because of its fall.

• History shows all other cities roundabout out of fear surrendered without a fight.

Verse 20 — Tells that the city would never again be inhabited.

• Up to today no city has ever been rebuilt on that site.

We see that although 250 years passed before the prophesy was fulfilled and is still valid today, that God’s words are indeed sure. Our Lord when on earth referred to this teaching and events in Matthew 11:20-22. “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” Our text tells us that God has the power to declare the end from the beginning and in Jude 14 we find “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.” We must never doubt that this will happen in the Lords’ time.

The Apostle taught, ‘and be not conformed to this world.’ It’s very easy for us to be conformed to the ways of this world, when the laws of the land say that it is ok to do this or do that. We should ask what does the law of God say through Christ’s word? It is very easy to be swept away with the world. It is very easy for us to forget that we have been called and sanctified:  And show a little different stand than what the world is showing through others. We can see that we need then to have a check, an alarm bell we might say within our lives, and he told what that was. He said that we will not ever be able to conform our earthly bodies to be in this state that we have been called, we must convert our mind.

Therein we see we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to be our guide to lead us, to be the one who tells us what Jesus would have done, the one who directs us within our lives. We must remember even though we are the body of Christ, He is still the head, and He is directing us. We must have an open mind at all times and ask daily for the Holy Spirit to walk with us, so that we can be sure that we are walking in the virtues of Christ and fulfilling those things that He would have done if He was still on this earth.

He then went on to say that as the body of Christ we are many members, and so it is throughout the World. It is like the body; all cannot be the ear, all cannot be the finger, all cannot be the arm; but collectively we can be the body of Christ, and we must be this sanctified body of Christ. He highlighted for us about those things that we should take care of our lives.

• That all things are only granted to us through Grace, and we should never think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.
• Let Love be without dissemination. Abhor that which is evil: Cling to that which is Good. 
• Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another not slothful in business, fervent in Spirit; Serving the Lord.
• Rejoicing in hope; patience in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
• Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
• Bless them which persecute you, bless, and curse not.
• Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
• Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
• If it be possible as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 We see these are all virtues of Christ which should be seen in us. Matthew 5: 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

As believers, we understand this sublime and excellent promise of our Lord as well as many other promises.  Inspite of this, we must confess that it is applicable to us today, as it was to the disciples of Jesus at that time, to whom the Master had to say, “Oh ye of little faith”.

After a long strenuous working day, we all certainly experience weariness according to our age as well as our natural and spiritual wellbeing. Sometimes just one day can have so much in it! We are reminded of the utterance of God in Genesis 3:19. “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread”. This bodily fatigue will be overcome by following natural laws in paying attention to rest, sleep and diet. Worldwide, many of life’s necessities are lacking. Our eternal God has created to the uttermost part of the earth, and strength and energy are available if we ruled in love instead of selfishness and egoism and shared. When sickness hinders the renewal of strength, we try to find out the cause. We visit the doctor. Following an examination, medicine and advice would be prescribed according to the diagnosis. Radial changes in lifestyle may well be advised, which demand sacrifices and a change of attitude.

The weariness expressed in Isaiah is spiritual, experienced under the weight of the cross and suffering. Constant attacks by Satan and the world place demands on our spiritual strength. By acceptance of what God offers in word and sacrament, through prayer and living out our faith, strength will be renewed again and again in a healthy spiritual body. When an active part is taken therein, the soul is given an increase in growth. The permanence in the Apostle teaching, in fellowship and breaking of bread, gives ongoing strength as mentioned above. The goodness is yes so close, whereby heaven and earth with God and humans meet.

There exists also the fatigue from wrong attitude and conduct. Perhaps because we don’t always put on our spiritual armament as it is described in Ephesians 6:10-20: perhaps as a result of persevering in sinful demands: perhaps because of the lack of affection towards the riches of God. Religion can then really become a laborious thing but there is help guaranteed. This help takes effect when we take a strong hand in our mental attitude whereby the strength from above again can help us. Is not the great spiritual physician Jesus Christ, able to help us? Certainly, he is able to help us if we reach out to Him.

Using a picture of nature and the cosmos to make all aware of the evidence of the power and might of God, the prophet strengthened their weak faith. Let us look to Jesus and visualize His attitude as He Himself was tempted (His temptation in the wilderness Matt. 4) or His mocking and taunting on the cross (Matt. 27:40, Mark 15:31). What about the miracles He did? And His resurrection? Did He not conquer and defeat Satan?  What a greatness! What miraculous power was at work! We have a wonderful competent helper in Him, our Master Jesus Christ. Look above and lift yourself upwards. To him that overcometh will I have to eat of the hidden manna (Rev. 2:17). This spiritual food has been given to us in Christ Jesus and produces strength, courage and endurance during battle and attack. It gives patience, power for obedience, hope and watchfulness.

It keeps us alive and enables us to progress upwards along the narrow, pilgrim’s way, always coming closer to the goal. This communication is vital, the promised land where Christ dwells is attainable when we look towards Him and walk in His footsteps. As a human, Jesus also became weary, experienced hunger and thirst, but never lacked courage or doubted. Until the final battle and victory, Jesus walked in obedient trust along the way set out by His Father. At the right time He received power from on high to endure scorn and ridicule, fear and anguish, and finally the terrible death on the cross. May we ever hold His example before our eyes. Let us be doers of His word as Paul urged Gal. 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”

Now another kind of weariness, or more to the point, related to fatigue. The word “unable or incapable” is more accurate and in Matt. 5:3-4, we find it written and in the deepest sense of the text word we find: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

We are exhorted to look up to Jesus the Son of God. That we can only do when we recognize our own weakness. A proud person will not do that, and a strong person does not find that necessary. “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.” (Jer. 17: 5).

We shall and may stand in our own inability.  It allows us to flee to Jesus, so that His power and strength may become our own.

We see the commission had to go out into the world to every nation, and it required and still requires some elements.  It requires the Word of God as we have heard.  It requires the testimony of Christ.  It requires that this be built only on the foundation of Christ. It requires that the Spirit will work through men who will not look for any elevation of themselves but they will elevate Christ and through Him God at all times. That is why in this land very early in the foundation of the church these words above the altar were inscribed and have continued to be inscribed, so that the honour does never go to any man who stands on the altar, but it must always go to God. This is according to the Scriptures, for when Moses had to set up in his day the means of bringing people to reconciliation he had to ordain a high priest Aaron. He was robed we would say in elegant eye-catching robes. They all had a purpose, but the people could have looked upon Aaron and the people could have very easily began worshipping him as the giver of these blessings. Moses had to place upon his ephod or his head the words – Holiness to the Lord; so that when the people looked up they saw where their praise and thanks had to be. It is the same today within the churches. All praise and honour and glory must always go to the Almighty God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, through the workings of the Holy Spirit. The moment that shifts then the foundations of that building will begin to sink and the building will crumble.

We have heard that our Lord opened unto His apostles the Scriptures. This sending or giving mankind an opportunity to reconcile unto God was foretold hundreds of years before it came to pass. Two thousand years before our Lord came to this earth an event happened on this earth which was already foretelling the blessings that would flow in this new period of time. We find written in Genesis Chapter 8 verses 6-11, after the flood had abated and the ark was resting on the mountain we see an event that Noah witnessed and it is recorded, and this was foretelling of that wonderful blessing that would come within the world, and we find written: And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: “And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off:  so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.”

We see in that act a prophecy. If we take the dove, we know that a dove represents peace, and the olive leaf that the dove brought back. The olive leaf on the outside is a dull green which showed that the word would again become a dull place in God’s eyes, but if it is turned over an olive leaf is silver and bright and eye catching underneath, and it showed very clearly that at a future time God intended to once again allow the earth to be turned over and become a bright place to live in His sight. We know that happened many years later when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ came into the world. It is recorded in the Scriptures that this time would come about that the fullness of righteousness, the fullness of reconciliation would come into the world, and it was prophesied by the Prophet Daniel for seventy weeks, that is prophet’s language, and then it would come to pass and the Messiah would be anointed. We know that if we follow through that prophecy of Daniel it comes exactly to the day that our Lord came to the river Jordan and instructed John the Baptist that he should baptise Him or prepare Him for that great blessing, and John said that – I have need to be baptised of thee, and you come to me. Our Lord said to him – Suffer it to be so, so that the fullness of righteousness can now come within the world: and John baptised Him, prepared Him to be ordained as the Messiah, as the King, as the Prophet, as our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and as He came out of the river God once again sent unto Him the silver side of that leaf. The Scripture, says that the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove, not as a dove, in the form of a dove so that people could think back on what that meant. He turned the leaf over and gave unto the world a great hope that now mankind could be looked upon by God in a different manner. We live in that period of time. We are the beneficiaries of Grace.