In relationship to Jesus Christ, you will pass through disease, you will pass through death,

you will pass through all the futilities and disappointments and frustrations of this life

straight into keenly, queenly glory. How is it that in relationship to Jesus,

we will pass through all the suffering and death of this present fallen world into eternal glory.

That's the question John Piper answers in this episode of Light and Truth.

The sermon was originally preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church on May 19th, 1996.

Now let's focus on verses 5 to 9. Verse 5 begins with the word 4 or because,

to show that what is now coming is a reason or a basis or a foundation for what was just said.

Now what was just said? Verses 1 to 4 in a nutshell say, our salvation in Jesus Christ, God's final

word is so great that it would be suicidal to neglect it. Don't neglect such a great salvation,

give earnest heed to this word, lest you drift away into destruction. Now comes verse 5.

4. It is not to angels that he subjected the world to come about which we are speaking.

Now that took me many hours to figure out what is that. Do not neglect your great salvation

for it is not to angels that he subjected the world to come.

Hmm, get it? I don't get it. One of the things that is so good is not to get it at first

because if you think you got it you probably will never get it. I mean that did not make sense to me

for a long time. How does verse 5 support verses 1 to 4? Why is it introduced by that word?

4 or because? Does it make sense? Don't neglect your great salvation for God did not subject

to angels the world to come. Now the answer, the issue here is who rules the world to come?

Not angels he says. Not angels. Who then rules the world to come? And how is that part of

my great salvation that would cause me this morning to walk out of here and be more vigilant

more careful, more able not to neglect my great salvation but to give heed to the final

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