Psalm 93:5 observes holiness is forever the keynote of Your reign.

God reigns over the heavens and the earth. A fact to be observed by faith rather than sight at this point in our existence. Many of us have struggled to see His reign today as epitomized by the question, ‘if there is a God Who is good then why does He allow all of these bad things to happen in the world?’

God identifies with this struggle we have to experience His reign. When He lived among us as Jesus He was moved to weeping at the death of a friend, not because He was powerless to raise Him from the dead but because of the pain his friends were suffering as a result of his death. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead but not before He wept with His friends.

Death is the ultimate mockery against Him Who is Life eternal. Jesus Himself proved His power over death after dying on the cross for the penalty of all humanity’s evil done against God: He rose from the dead promising eternal life to everyone who comes to Him for it.

This eternal life with God begins now on earth but will transport us to heaven when our current body dies, the consequence of evil, where our soul will take up residence until we receive our new body created to live forever on the new earth with God. This new earth and new body never suffer pain, evil or corruption for God will reign in person on earth with all of His people.

Those who belong to Him now are to live in recognition of His rule now just as they will for all eternity. What does this look like?

It means living a holy life as God is holy. Holiness can most practically be experienced through obedience to God’s commands. Obedience to God is the holiness of God made manifest.

On the new earth all people, animals and the earth itself will perfectly obey God because He is the Sovereign Lord of all Who is holy.

Recognition of this fact is to begin now by His people today living holy lives, obedient to all He has commanded us.