Present at the Birth (Part 4): God’s Eternal Purpose – Why God Created Man (Genesis to Revelation)

Now we’re getting to the eternal purpose. All the saints that used to be, all the saints that are now, and all the saints that are going to be, are going to finally get together. And they’re going to become one great, glorious girl. And because this creation has passed away, she’s a virgin. Because this creation is gone. She’s white and pure. That’s you. And there she is—a glorious, glorious, glorious bride. Her name is Jeru—Jerusalem. She’s got many parts. See that part right down there? That’s me. You see this part right over here? That’s you. See this part right over here? That’s Paul. You see that part down there? That’s my wife, Helen.

One great, glorious girl. She comes down out of the skies. I saw a multitude that no man could number, and the heavenly host joined in.  And I saw her in spotless white, and she was a virgin, and she’s glorious. When I saw her, she looked like a city. She steps forth, robed in white garments, brighter and fuller, and up steps the Lamb. She’s perfect. He’s flawed. He has a wound right here. We know it’s the Lamb, for He had been slain. She came out of that wound. He’ll carry that wound forever. It’ll be the only imperfect thing in eternity. This is what makes Him Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Nobody else has that scar.

And He takes her—like Adam took Eve—and the two became one flesh. The Lord Jesus takes His bride: All the Old Testament, all the New Testament saints, one glorious, beautiful girl, and lost in light, the two become one. One what? One body, one soul, one spirit—I don’t know. They just become one.

And there’s nothing left. When you have gathered up all of the new creation into one woman, there’s nothing left. There are just her and Him. And then when she and the Lord, and then when the two become one…a moment ago, they were all there was, because that’s all there is in the new creation, but when the two become one, all that is not Christ goes into Christ, and the two are one.  And that’s all that’s left, there is just one. Same place it started. And now He is not one, and He is not all, but He has become one with all there is. And now He is All in All. And that is God’s eternal purpose.

And if there’s anything else that happens after that, it will be this: The Son, who is all in all, will follow His basic nature and go back into the Father, and then the Father shall be All in All.

And I’m here to stand for that on this earth. That’s what I’m for. That’s what I got out of bed for this morning. That’s what I hurt for.  That’s why I put up with pain. That’s why I put up with you. That’s why you put up with me.

I can’t give this to you again. I give this to a young church. You can get as sloppy as all daylight out if you wish, and you can even forget it, and you can go back to the world, but I’m telling you why you’re here. You’re here to be evidence of that purpose, and to live out the foretaste of that purpose in this city. Whether I live, if I die this day—that’s what you’re here for. Forever. And to pass it on to those who care who come after you. And that’s what you’re in Beaumont for, brother. And if Chicago hears this, that’s what you’re in Chicago for.
And Memphis—if you hear this, this is what you’re in Memphis for. And if somebody decides to look at this and you’re in Phoenix, Arizona, or you’re in Albuquerque, or if you’re in Kathmandu, or if you’re in Washington, D.C., or Seattle, Washington, or if you’re in Cucamonga— these threads all come forth and declare to you: We live unto God for His purpose, and this is His purpose.

I leave you to my Lord. I can’t do Him more than this. I used to think I could, but I cannot now. You will be stewards of the mystery, or you will not be stewards of the mystery. I pass on to you the stewardship of the mystery. And when you have been pounced upon,  and when it has gotten dry, and when you have suffered all manner of unjustified things, you either will continue to be faithful, or you will not, but that will not be laid at my charge.
Brothers, if somebody told me all this when I was 21 years old, I could have saved 10 or 11 years. This is all my heart has been for since my early thirties.

I’m not going to reconvince you of this again. I’m not going to talk you into serving God. I’m not going to try to talk you into keeping on being a Christian. Brother, now you have to deal with the eternal mind of God, for that which you have been created for, and that which has provoked Him to do all that He has done.

Lord, we bring it to an end and rest it in Your good care. We yield to Your sovereignty. We yield to Your cross. We yield to Your purpose. And we yield to Your Spirit to take care of us and make us strong to be in the heart of God. Amen, Lord. Amen.