Fulfillment: From Evicted to Invited

via TJC

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”  Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  Revelation 21:8-9

The theme for this week’s DBOs is Fulfillment.  Fulfillment from the perspective of God’s plan, set in motion at Creation as described to us in the book of Genesis, ultimately fulfilled in the book of Revelation, Chapter 21, verses 8-27. You are invited to see Re-Creation.  As in the beginning, all things are new.  The former things have passed away.

From evicted to invited (verses 8-9), from homeless to a place prepared (verses 10-21), from created light to the Light of the world (verses 22-23), from barred to enter to opened with day and no night (verses 24-25), and from dishonor to honor (verses 26-27).

When in college, I had the privilege to be a part of a Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. as a member of the University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Marching Band.  While in D.C., there were all sorts of balls and celebrations going on, and one was at the Kennedy Center.  A bunch of my friends and I got an idea to put on our best dark suits and go to the Kennedy Center to see who was showing up for the gala.  We saw Bob Hope and many other famous people arriving in limousines. 

To our surprise, we were actually able to get into the Kennedy Center, and we felt like we were a part of those select few that had been invited to partake in the celebration.  We even received programs and pins and other items that were being given to those who had seats and invitations.  Well, that feeling of being a part only lasted briefly, as we were soon found out, and escorted to the doors, as we did not have invitations to show to the ushers.  We were “evicted” as we were not “invited.”  We were not known to the ushers.

Daily Battle Order:

In the anchor verses passage in italics above, there is an eviction of those who do not know the Lord, and there is an invitation for those who know the Lord, those who are a part of the Bride, the wife of the Lamb, the Church.  This is the fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption.

Are you on the list of those who are invited, or are you risking being evicted?  There is more to this life than living for yourself, and this life does not end when we die.  Life either continues eternally in heaven for those who love the Lord and are called (invited), or continues eternally in hell for those who do not love the Lord and therefore are not invited (evicted).  If you are invited, then live to serve the Lord.  If you are risking eternal  eviction, come to Jesus, do not wait, He is waiting for you with open heart and open arms, with full forgiveness of sins, to welcome you. You are loved despite all that you have said and done.  Accept His invitation today and surrender your life in exchange for eternal life, in fulfillment of God’s plan of redemption.