Fast-forward to the new thing He will do when human time components are shelved for eternity. Turning to a new calendar page is perhaps a subtle reminder that God has placed boundaries around our understanding of time and that, in the mystery of His ways our time will reach a final conclusion. Scripture is a precise time-piece. The days of our lives were calibrated in creation, the universe orchestrated to mark our seasons and regulate human movement. Throughout both Testaments are indications of His plan for the ages, and the moments, days, years, decades, and millennia till He introduces something new.
In all the revealed data about eternity there's no accurate time table. Yes, you can Google "end time charts" and review 82,300,000 entries. Jesus said there would be some indications of those times, markers that would give evidence of approaching hoofbeats, to use biblical phrasing. But, Jesus warned, "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13:32). He added, immediately before the ascension, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority" (Acts 1:7). It's always disappointing to me when arrogant people say that these are the last days or that that day is near. That new thing is hidden from us. Jesus expected us to be prepared and ready for that day, as a bride waiting for her husband.
Lately He's been teaching me the subtle difference between waiting and anticipating. Early believers were expectant, living each day with the hope of his promise, his imminent return. It created an uplook in them that produced endurance and patience and a deep thirst for the things of heaven. Turning the calendar today reminds me that one day, He will do something totally new, unprecedented, something never before experienced in redemptive history. It will be the ultimate new thing. Those early believers said, "Hurry, Lord Jesus".
To anticipate that day is also deep mystery. John gave us a peek from heaven, a brief glimpse. He gave us a verbatim, words from the one on the throne: "Behold, I am making everything new" (Revelation 21:5). The word he used for "new" wasn't "chronos" as in "new in time". It was "kainos", meaning "new in substance, a new kind, uncommon, unheard of". This means that the new thing He will do in His own time will be something unimaginable. Once again, prideful people wil sometimes announce what heaven will be like! But, just as in the timing, no one knows because it has never happened before. The mind of man cannot imagine it (Eph. 3:20-21).
So, it's New Year's Day. Happy 2015. Even more, I'm praying that all of us can celebrate the new thing He is doing in our lives every moment of every day. And, that this new thing will shift our thoughts and ideals to the new thing He will do in His people on that day!
Happy new thing.