Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

The Kindergarten and First Grade classes from South Charlotte Baptist Academy recently took a field trip to Tiger World (and I was the bus driver)!

The picture that you see above is of a Syrian Brown Bear. (The buzzard "photo bombed" the picture!)

In the information display, they included the fact that this is the species of bear that is named in 1 Samuel chapter 17 that young David slew while seeking to protect his father's flock of sheep.

"David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee." 1 Samuel 17:37

Now, I want you to look back at the picture in this post. What do you see? (Cue Jeopardy music as you think!)

Did any of you see the fence? Ok, Pastor Campbell, but what's the big deal about the fence?!?!?

The fence shouldn't be there!

Shouldn't be there?!?!?! Pastor Campbell, if the fence wasn't there, you would have been a mid-morning snack for that bear!

Exactly, and that's somewhat my point.

When I say that the fence should not be there, I'm referring to the fact that, when God created this world, there were no fences between mankind and the animals. In fact, according to Genesis chapter 2, Adam had direct interaction with all of the animals that God had created. God gave Adam the responsibility of naming all of the animals!

"And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. " Genesis 2:19-20

So, what changed?

In one word - Sin!

In Genesis chapter 3, after Adam and Eve had sinned God said, "...cursed is the ground for thy sake..." (Genesis 3:17)

Then, in Genesis chapter 9, after God had destroyed the earth by way of the world-wide flood, we read:

And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. 

And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. 

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. Genesis 9:1-3

Hence the need for the fence!

Do you really think that the animals like the fence any more than we do? I don't believe so. In fact, you can see some of the animals' frustration with the fences as you watch them pace back and forth along the fence. (Just as I observed one of the Syrian Brown Bears and Siberian Tigers doing at Tiger World!)

Paul states this, in Romans chapter 8:

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:20-23

Just as we are looking forward to that glorious day when Jesus Christ returns and sets everything right again, even so is all God's creation looking forward to that glorious day!

Are you looking forward to that day that is recorded for us in Revelation chapter 21?

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, gcoming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21:1-5

What a day that will be...when there will no longer be any need of fences! I know that at this point some of you may ask, "Pastor Campbell, will my dog, Spot, be in Heaven?" I honestly don't know that I can answer that question. But, I do know this...there will no longer be any need of fences of any kind! Just take a few minutes to read Isaiah chapter 11 which includes a clear description of Christ's millennial kingdom. Pastor David Sorenson says this:

In the coming millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ, even the animal kingdom will be radically transformed.

Truly, according to Isaiah chapter 11, there will be no need for fences! (And all God's people said, AMEN!)

Are you prepared for that day that is recorded for us in Revelation chapter 21? If not, or if you're not sure whether you are prepared for that day, I want to encourage you to go to www.salvationfocus.com and watch the video at that site.

If you are prepared for that day, are you seeking to warn others and seeking to help others to prepare for that day by proclaiming the Gospel message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection?

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

Until next time...