THE 144,000 Ultimately, this will be the state of all of the redeemed – "without fault before the throne of God." This is stated in a number of ways. -- Tomorrow:
Devotion 25 of 26
1. WITHOUT BLEMISH. "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph 5:27).
2. WITHOUT SPOT. "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (2 Pet 3:14).
3. HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Eph 1:4).
4. UNBLAMEABLE AND UNREPROVEABLE. "In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight" (Col 1:22).
5. PERFECT IN CHRIST. "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Col 1:28).
6. PRESERVED BLAMELESS. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess 5:23).
7. FAULTLESS. "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).
The necessity of absolute purity in the world to come is confirmed by these words: "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie' (Rev 21:27). These are all propensities that are cultured and indulged in this world. Salvation is designed to remove their contaminating effects, and teach us to reject their encroachments. It is therefore said of the grace of God, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Do not imagine for a moment that this grace can be frustrated, and sin be indulged, and the individual still dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Such a thought is disgraceful, demeans the grace of God, reproaches Jesus, and does despite to the Spirit of Christ. A religion that teaches people what they do has nothing whatsoever to do with their eternal destiny has been authored by Satan and is promoted by his demons. There is not so much as a milligram of truth in it.
If Jesus died to take away sin, and if the grace of God teaches us to reject its influences, what would possibly lead a person to believe God will accept the one who continues in sin? Only a deceived person can entertain such a notion!
Everything pertaining to life and godliness is supplied in Christ to see to it that purity happens. Provision is made for continual cleansing (1 John 1:9). There is uninterrupted intercession by the Lord Jesus Himself (Heb 7:25; Rom 8:34). The Holy Spirit has been given to assist us in appropriating the blessing and being spiritually productive (Rom 8:13-14). Even the innumerable angels have been marshaled to minister to us (Heb 1:13-14). Our prayers are heard by an attentive Father, and the power of the foe has been neutralized.
All of this is provided by a God who is "able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24). Hallelujah to the Lamb for such a marvelous and effectual salvation! If we are not cultured for that presentation in this world, we will not participate in it in that world.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for providing for my continual cleansing.