October 7, 2004

THE REGENERATOR

"So Jesus said to them, 'Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel' " (Matthew 19:28, NKJV).

After Jesus' disturbing lecture to His disciples about the requirements for entering the kingdom, Peter raised concerns about rewards for faithful discipleship. In response, Jesus spoke of the nature of the kingdom at the time of the "regeneration."

The word translated, "regeneration" is also rendered "renewal." It is used in reference to the renewed or re-created state of the world to come. As the regenerator, Jesus is constantly engaged in the work of renewal and regeneration. He has promised, "I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 11:19). Through the renewing of the mind, the "old man" is replaced by the "new man" of righteousness (see Ephesians 4:22-24).

On the Isle of Patmos, the great Regenerator announced to John, "Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5). In His wisdom and power, the Regenerator will bring into existence "a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13, NIV). In that marvelous new world the inhabitants will be given new names (see Revelation 2:17), new bodies like His glorious body (see Philippians 3:21), and they will sing a new song (see Revelation 5:9). God's new world will have a magnificent new city free from urban blight (see Revelation 3:12). In the final regeneration, Christ will inaugurate a new system of government that will last forever (see Daniel 2:44). "Whatever was lost in the fall of Adam is more than restored in redemption. He that sitteth on the throne saith, 'Behold, I make all things new' "--Review and Herald, June 7, 1887.

My Prayer Today: Lord, as the Regenerator, renew me by Your power today. Amen.