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The Empty Place Setting, Part 1: Redemption Hall




I'd like to share something that I know some Christians recognize fully, but that others don't yet grasp. As you read this series of posts, please take your time in reading and check my references to scripture so that you can be at ease with what I'm sharing. It's nothing new, but something that not everyone recognizes and appreciates. And it's not something that I feel a lot of Christians are taught to understand with any recurring frequency to keep it in mind.

The subject is one that the Lord's been speaking to my heart about for the last few months. It's taken some time in meditation and in checking it against His word in order to be able to share it. The subject first came up in conversation with a trusted spiritual brother a few months ago and without further discussion between us, it's continued to come back to my thoughts like an unending echo. It deals with the wholeness of Christ's Church - God's family, and the fact that it can't be whole without the return of someone that some Christians may not even embrace as a part of Father Gods' family portrait.

Having heard the "Good News" about Christs' sacrifice for our redemption and reconciliation with our heavenly Father, we as Christians might begin a pattern of thinking that focuses primarily on our relationship with Him and sharing that same news with others who haven't heard it or responded to it. I'm not about to tell you that this focus is wrong, but I am about to challenge you to expand your focus and prayers to embrace and include someone that you might not think of right away. It's someone that our Lord is intently and patiently waiting for. Someone who's inclusion in the complete portrait of Gods' family is an absolute necessity and someone who's foretold reconciliation according to scripture in the days to come will in a sense mark the return of a prodigal son - and to us, a long lost brother. This reconcilliation will in a big way mark the end of of our wait for Christs' return as it brings to completion the reunion and reconcilliation of the whole of Father Gods' family.

I'm referring to a people that some Christians, without understanding "Gods' secret plan" as the Apostle Paul called it, might even find reason to revile. But their "disgrace" was necessary to help bring about our salvation and inclusion in God's family and was a part of His plan from the beginning. It was necessary to bring humility to them, and also to us who are included as a part of Father Gods' family soley by grace. As much great pleasure and joy we have in our salvation, we weren't chosen first, but we be won't be the last to come to the table to be redeemed either.

In order to illustrate the current scenario as I see it, take a moment to imagine the following scene. Picture if you will, that as we're redeemed we take our place at Christ's table in a huge gathering place called Redemption Hall ...

... There are empty places at the dining table of the feast of redemption that Christ has prepared for us. Empty plates, and empty cups sit on the table in front of lonely chairs in a place of honor across from the head of the table. We, many of the adopted children of God sit in our places down the sides of the table with hearts of gratitude anxiously waiting for the eternal festivities to begin. Some, in mounting anticipation may be beginning to question perhaps, what our King might be waiting for. What detail remains to deny us the pleasure of this long awaited celebration? But even as we wonder, we might look to see the eyes of our King steadfastly fixed on the entrance doors of the great white hall of redemption. He's waiting for someone who's not yet arrived. Someone who obviously has a place of importance, but who could it be?

We've been watching the clock of prophecy for a long time. We've been counting down the foretold events that must first take place before the life of this world comes to a close and the eternal next begins. We know that the time is close. What events remain to be fulfilled in this late hour before we may begin this celebration, this long awaited reward of salvation with our Lord? And who's missing from the table? As anxious as we are, we still wouldn't desire that any the Lord has invited should miss this celebration. There are still empty seats among us and the placards sitting in front of the plates may carry the names of some of our neighbors or a brother, sister or child that have yet to respond to Christ's invitation to them. Or perhaps they represent people that refused the invitation outright. Maybe our Lord is waiting for them still to accept His offer before it's too late.

But beyond the empty seats mingled among us, the adopted children of God redeemed by grace, the great number of empty seats aligned together opposite the head of the table is glaringly obvious. But then someone who honestly doesn't know or understand in their innocence might call out above the joyous chatter and ask: "Lord, who are you waiting for? And who does this row of empty places at the place of honor belong to?" Patiently and lovingly as is His nature, Jesus might begin to explain: "these empty seats among you belong to people I dearly love just like you ... " But before He can finish, the second question might be repeated: "But Lord, what about all of the empty seats at the place of honor? Who are they and why are we still waiting on them?" In answer, Jesus might point to a large placard that heads the whole row of only sightly filled seats. The placard would read: First Born Of The Fathers' Children ...

Of course the picture I'm painting is something from my imagination, but I believe there's some real truth in the scenario. Would you know the answers to the questions regarding the empty seats in the place of honor that were posed to Christ in the picture I painted? If you're not sure, I can show you scripturally who they are. But, take a moment to consider and keep in mind God's faithfulness throughout scripture as we explore to find answers. Remember that what He has promised, He will bring to bear regardless of passing time. In His perfect time, His promises are always kept and He always keeps His word regardless of how long ago that word was given. What He has deemded to be righteous and good, has never, and will never change. And that forunately for us, what He chooses to value never diminishes in value by His choice. But His faithfulness in these things isn't limited to those who have already chosen to follow Christ, they apply to another people as well. A people who by God's own declaration will be redeemed before Christ returns.

In the coming days, I want to talk about those people and our need to honor and embrace them as God honors and embraces them as well as why God honors them. But in order to fully understand, it's important now to meditate on, and consider His faithfulness and infinite memory and what that means to us.
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