“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.” Revelation 1:21

In the new earth there will be no more sea.  Why is this a good thing? Is there something wrong with the sea? Sitting at the seashore can be a calm and relaxing place as one watches the waves rolling in and out, and feels the cool sea breeze on their face. It can be a very refreshing experience.

Prior to the flood, there were no large oceans. Although the oceans are large they do not represent a formidable barrier as they did in ancient times after the flood.  In today’s world we have rapid transportation (airplanes), that take us across the world in half a day. It was not always so. In ancient times, and even 100 years ago, to go across the ocean meant you may never see your loved ones again in this life. It was a long tedious journey. Also the sea is not always calm and relaxing. It can be a raging torrent, causing much destruction as seen in the latest typhoon that hit the Philippines.

Anciently, the sea was viewed like this: “The sea divides friends. It is a barrier between us and those whom we love. Our associations are broken up by the broad, fathomless ocean. In the new earth there will be no more sea, and there shall pass there ‘no galley with oars.’ In the past many who have loved and served God have been bound by chains to their seats in galleys, compelled to serve the purpose of cruel, hardhearted men. The Lord has looked upon their suffering in sympathy and compassion. Thank God, in the earth made new there will be no fierce torrents, no engulfing ocean, no restless, murmuring waves.” –Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p.988 [emphasis mine]

The above paragraph was quoting Isaiah 33:21.  “But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.” Isaiah spoke of the New Earth, having only rivers and streams and he shared the same sentiment regarding the large oceans—the relief that there was “no galley with oars.”

Who was often seated in the galley with oars? It was slaves, yes, and of them “many who have served God.”  Do you think that some of them were tempted to think that they had been forsaken by God? Were they tempted to ask, “Why God?” Perhaps they were lifelong Christians, faithfully serving the Lord, keeping His commandments, attending church services, doing missionary work, paying their tithes and offerings, eating, drinking and dressing to His honour and glory, and now they end up in the galley of a ship, chained to their seat. Is it worth serving God to find oneself in this situation?

JOB

In the Bible are many recorded events, where things did not go well for God’s servants. The classic case that most Christians are familiar with is Job.  Although he was a faithful servant of the Lord, he lost everything and even his health. Yet, he refused to question God’s leading.

“The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21

Why did Job have to go through this? Was it only so that God could prove Satan wrong when Satan made the accusation that the only reason Job served Him was because of all the blessings bestowed upon him by God?

No, there was another purpose. Although Job is described as, “perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil,” (Job 1:1) this experience was for his character development.  Let’s read on. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:3–6 [emphasis mine]

Why is Jesus our perfect High Priest? “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

Yes, He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities. To have experiential knowledge is a lot more effective in helping someone in distress, as opposed to just book learning as to how to help others.  We can sympathise with someone, but to be able to empathise, is a lot more effective. “I have been there and experienced it, I understand. Let me tell you what helped me.” And then you can provide a shoulder to cry on. Jesus can empathise with us in our distress.

Job was wealthy and used his wealth to help the poor. “I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.  The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. . . . I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.  I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.” Job 29:12–16

Yes, although he was very helpful, he lacked experiential knowledge before his affliction. After his experience, he could now empathize with the poor and the sick rather than just sympathise. He could be a much better help to them, having experienced their pain and sorrow. Yes, this was the greater purpose of Job’s experience in the perfecting of his character.

Next time when things do not go as you planned—praise the Lord.  “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.” Habakkuk 3:17–19

At least you are not a slave in the galley of a ship, chained to your seat.

OTHER EXAMPLES

Joseph was extremely faithful in the service of Potiphar. For ten years he served so well that Potiphar made him overseer of his household. Where did he end up? What was his reward? Two years in prison.

Daniel was a faithful follower of the Lord, and where do we see him after Jerusalem was destroyed? He was taken to Babylon as a prisoner of war.

Not to mention the millions of martyrs in the Dark Ages who were burned at the stake, fed to lions or had their lives taken in another cruel manner, or then lived out their lives underground in the deep recesses of the catacombs in Rome.

In this life, there may be no freedom from physical oppression and suffering, but there is hope. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith.” Hebrews 11:35–39. Is this the life we can expect if we decide to follow Jesus?

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

The saying is that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Having said this, is there only sadness, sorrow, darkness, persecution and evil to be had, if we serve the Lord? We read verses such as: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. What kind of life can the Christian expect to have?

In Deuteronomy 30:15–18 we read. “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.  But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;  I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.”

Is there some kind of discrepancy? To the Israelites, God promised blessing and good to His faithful followers, and cursing and evil to those who turn away from serving Him. So why the slaves in the galley of the ship?

How could Paul and Silas sing praises in the prison cell? Why did God permit them to be there in the first place? “Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Acts 16: 24–25. They could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Take heart. The promise is, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20 

This is Paul’s response to his sufferings. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 [Emphasis mine]. Will we reach the light at the end of the tunnel finally when Jesus comes back to this earth? This is not how the verse reads. Paul is comparing the sufferings he is going through as of minor importance compared to “The glory which shall be revealed in us.” When will this glory be revealed? It should be on this earth prior to the second coming of Christ, like in the example of Joseph. After his two years in prison, God released him, and through Joseph His glory was revealed to the world through the greatest kingdom on earth. Likewise in the case of Daniel, the glory of God was revealed to the mightiest nation on earth at the time and brought the greatest monarch to his knees.  And also Job was blessed with a double portion of material blessings, and continued to be an even greater blessing to the people around him—revealing the glory of God.

And the slaves in the galley of the ship, how was the glory of God revealed in their lives?  Perhaps many of them perished at sea and were thrown overboard to be buried beneath the ocean. What other way did God have for reaching the other non-Christian slaves in the galley ship, who were without hope and without God, than to send some of His own servants there to reveal His glory to them; to give them hope in the midst of their miserable condition, and perhaps to even reach the cruel and hard-hearted men who were enslaving them?  Paul and Silas revealed the glory of God in prison to the other prisoners and to the guard. The guard was converted and he and his household were baptized.

Nothing happens by accident. God is in control. Has He permitted some of His followers to end up in the galley of a slave ship? Yes, He has.  But remember, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. A Christian can find grace and help even in the galley of a slave ship.

If you find yourself in a situation that you feel you simply cannot manage, or handle and yet you feel that you will crumble and give up on life because of it, do not give up in despair. Remember the promise of God in 1 Corinthians 10:13, and you will be able to manage the situation if you take the Lord with you. He has promised to be there for you. He will walk through the dark tunnel with you. He will share your oar in the galley of the ship. Just keep your eyes on the light at the end. God will never lead you into an impossible situation. Do not look at any situation as impossible because “with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26. Take God with you and watch the miracles happen—one day at a time.

Although your physical captivity may not turn in this life, your spirit can be free. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6. Careful here means anxious. Why worry? And then the following verse (v.7), “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Every tunnel has a light at the end of it and we have to keep looking for that light. The Christian slaves on the galley ship could see the light. They kept the light of the Lord burning in their hearts and that kept them going.

Things do not always turn out as you plan on this earth, but thank God that you are not in such a desperate situation as a slave in the galley of a ship. Count your blessings. When things go wrong, thank God. It may be for your salvation, for your character development.

Jesus could not see through the portals of the tomb—which means what? “The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 753. He was going into the sepulchre to die, and then what?

Can we see through the portals of the tomb? What did Paul see when he was about to die? “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7–8. What a wonderful promise. We have hope.

Paul could see the light at the end of the tunnel through all his suffering. He said “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” 2 Corinthians11:24–28. He did not have an easy life. Yet he died a happy man with no regrets. “If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.” (v. 30)

We face minor trials and difficulties from time to time and at times, we get distressed over them. Sometimes we wonder why such little things disturb our peace.  It need not be so. When we have learned to patiently endure smaller trials, we will be given greater and greater tests until our character is perfect. No matter what the devil throws our way (as in the case of Job), it will not disturb our peace and our oneness with God. Even if we end up in the galley of a slave ship, praise God there are souls to whom we can minister. We can have the peace and joy of the Lord in our hearts.

This is an evil and wicked world in which we live. Bad things happen to everyone at times, whether you lose a job or have a car accident, or do not have enough money to feed your family. The true Christian has a free spirit in Christ and nothing can disturb his/her peace. Following Christ does not entail only a life of sorrow, sadness and hardship. It is not darkness and fear. In fact it is happiness, joy, peace and blessings. This makes the devil angry and he wants to disrupt this happy state of being, but the true Christian will smile and look to Jesus and not let anything the devil brings their way cut the connection they have with Jesus.

God is in control. Take His hand and let Him lead. Follow on and keep your eyes focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. That light is Jesus Christ and all the heavenly host is waiting for you to join them in the glorious New Earth. It is yours if you keep on travelling with Jesus through the tunnel, or rowing your boat with Him. Do not give up. Amen.

Wendy Eaton