“..: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly me…..
We have spoken of the condition that prevailed in the days of Noah which has extended to our Days, They were “ eating and drinking”..meaning they were full of self-gratification and indulgences .
But what is responsible for this, you may wonder? Listen “We know that, we are children of God and that ALL THE REST
OF THE WORLD AROUND US IS UNDER SATAN’S POWER AND CONTROL” (1 Jn. 5:19.tIb) “… The spirit that
worketh in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2). Therefore “… all that is in the world (system of man) The LUST
OF THE FLESH (cravings for sexual gratification etc), and THE LUST OF THE EYES (greedy longings of the mind)
and THE PRIDE OF LIFE (confidence and assurance in one’s own resources or in the ability of earthly things)these
do not come from the Father, but are from the world (itself). 1Jn. 2:16 AMP.
Therefore the natural man without God’s mind is “… spiritually dead … drifting along on the stream of this world’s ideas of living and obeying its unseen ruler who is still operating in those who do not respond to the truth of God” Eph. 2:1, Philips.

3-word-and-3-heavens---dr-david

In addition to this, the world is still directly under the influence of the law, without realizing that it is not obeying the law that can save us from ourselves, but rather our faith in the promised seed, Christ.
“Well then, why were the laws given? They were added after the promise was given to show men how guilty they are of breaking God’s law.
But this system of law was to last only until the coming of Christ, the child to whom God’s promise was made…” Gal. 3:17-19 TLB.
But men in their political and religious zeal have not still seen this, and the need to embrace the grace in the Son for total liberty in the world.
Now, all of these attitudes and character, outside of God, is what is called “the image of the earthy” 1 Cor. 15:47a, 48a, and 49a. Jon. 3:31.
This earthly nature is summed up in Rom. 8:5-8.
“ For those who are according to the flesh and controlled by its unholy desires, set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh… Now the mind of the flesh (which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit is death-death that
comprises all the miseries (sickness, poverty etc) arising from sin, both here and thereafter… (That is)…because the mind of the flesh-with its carnal thoughts and purposes-is hostile to God; for it does not submit itself to God’s law… so those who are living the life of the flesh – catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature -cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him “AMP.
So the heavens (controlling factors) and the earth (people in their earthly nature) which are now, by the same world are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE AGAINST THE DAY OF JUDGMENT and PERDITION OF UNGODLY MEN” 2 Pet.3: 7
Once again, it is evident from the above fact that, the present human ways of life are evil because his ways and thoughts are not godly. But that since “God in Christ” is the saviour of ALL MANKIND, (2 Cor.5: 19, 1Tim. 2:4, Lk. 3:6, Ps. 65:2, 1Jn. 2:2, 4:14). He has ordained in His Programme to get the lost man back to Himself by having the factors of man’s enemy in their mind and spirit dealt with as by fire. Col 1:21, Eph. 2:12, 4:18, Mal. 3:1-3

SO WHAT IS THE MISSION OF CHRIST ON EARTH AND WHAT IS HE SAVING US FROM?
“Therefore, since we are now justified-(believers) acquitted, made righteous and brought into right relationship with God – by Christ’s blood, we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God (that will come upon the ungodly)-we shall be SAVED (DAILY DELIVERED FROM SIN’S DOMINION) through His (resurrection)” Rom. 5:910 Amp. For “…the Bread that I shall give for the LIFE OF THE WORD is my flesh” Jon. 6:51.

Therefore the sin’s Dominion to which we are being delivered from daily is the “life of the world,” that constitute THE EARTH (earthly nature-the old man). Hence we read “MORTIFY (KILL) YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection” etc. Col. 3:5 Compare Heb. 6:7-8.

Now, you can agree with me that these evils can only be found in the nature of man and not the physical earth, where your mango and guava trees are grown. Again, notice that, these natures are called “MEMBERS” meaning they have power and alive, so where you cannot destroy them through your faith in Christ, then eventually God’s fire will come in to do it. Then there will be no more earth -mankind of sin. Hence we read “ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the EARTH and the HEAVEN fled away; and there was found no place for them” Rev. 20:11.

So what is it that is required of us in this matter? The word of God says,
‘ “so kill (deaden, deprive of power the evil desire lurking in your members – those ANIMAL IMPULSES and all that is EARTHLY IN YOU that is employed in sin; sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, (don’t worship the good things of life.) For that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).. It is on account of these (very sins) that the (holy) anger of God is ever coming upon (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will) the sons of disobedience; among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to (such practices). But now put away and rid yourselves (completely) of all these things; ANGER, RAGE, BAD FEELINGS TOWARDS OTHERS, CURSES and SLANDER and FOULMOUTHED ABUSE AND SHAMEFUL UTTERANCES from YOUR LIPS: Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerated) self with its evil practices.” Col 3:5-9 (TLB, Amp)

But when you follow your own wrong inclinations your lives will produce these evil results; impure thoughts,
eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons), hatred and fighting,
jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone
else is wrong except those in your own little group-and there will be wrong doctrine, envy, murder drunkenness,
wild parties, and all that sort of things. Let me tell you again as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the kingdom of God” Gal. 5:19-21 Tlb.

To be continued…

(c) 2015 – Dr. David O. Ogaga