Reformed Presbytery in North America GM

We come today to a Psalm that the Lord has used to give courage to saints throughout the ages in facing the rulers of the darkness of this world and all manner of trials, heartaches, afflictions, and death. It was of great encouragement to Luther as he stood against the Papal Roman Empire and would not submit to the tyranny/corruption of the Papacy. Luther, facing danger/death in the cause of truth, is said to have comforted himself and his friend/fellow reformer, Philip Melancthon saying, "Come, Philip, let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm." I dare say that if God used these words to comfort them, we surely shall be comforted with the same inspired words as God sends us forth today. Though we may be shaken, God is not and cannot be shaken—He will bear us up, lift us up, and carry us through the most difficult times of life. He promises to be our Refuge in this blessed Psalm.

In seeking to understand what is meant by an abomination that makes desolate (Daniel 12:11), wehave considered 4 possible interpretations: (1) The idol set up in the Temple in 168-167 B.C. by AntiochusEpiphanes and the persecution of the Jews at that time; (2) The idolatrous ensign set up in the Temple in 70A.D. by Titus at the destruction of the Temple and the Roman persecution of the Jews at that time; (3) Thesitting in a rebuilt Temple by a future Antichrist who will declare himself to be God and the persecution ofJews/Christians at that time; (4) The sitting in the Visible Church of Christ (the New Covenant Temple) by thePapal King/Son of Perdition who usurps the titles and authority of Christ, institutes idolatry in the Church, andinstigates centuries of persecution against faithful saints.

Let us not think for a moment that the love of God is finished with us once we are received andrejoiced over by the Father as a beloved child of God. The love of God not only receives us as His adopted childbut also chastens us as His adopted child. The love of God is not only manifested in the kisses of our HeavenlyFather but is also manifested in the rod He uses to discipline us for our good. The father of lies (the devil)tempts us to despise the rod, but the God of love (who cannot lie) exhorts us to kiss therod.

What happens to believers after the Second Coming of Christ when Jesus raises the dead (both just andunjust) and judges them? Does the believer's hope end with the resurrection of the body? Does everythingcome to an end at that time? Surely, there is a divine purpose for our bodies being raised in glory and inconformity to that of Jesus Christ.