There is a fascinating clause in Ephesians 3:10. Paul makes reference to “. . . the principalities and powers in heavenly places. . .” This evening’s network news reported that astronomers have upped the number of stars accessible to our instruments. The number is now a three followed by twenty-six zeros. That looks like this 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Are we impressed yet? Or is it so incomprehensible that it is just a string of zeros?
I have no desire to take advantage of your time by filling this message with my fantasies, but it is so difficult not to wonder just what Paul meant. Is there some form of government and leadership on each of the worlds God has made? “. . . his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. . .” Hebrews 1:2. It is obvious that Paul certainly did not think we were alone.
Diplomacy in our State Department is the fine art of representing our nation to other nations. Might this be our eternal task? To glorify God by being diplomats that bear physical witness to our redemption. We, like no other beings, can personally speak of grace. With us it is not an academic topic. Salvation is not a subject for sermons or lectures in a classroom. With us it is personal. Those who have personally been rescued from some horror can speak with moving power that cannot be replicated by the greatest of actors.
One of my students mentioned the possibility of finally visiting everywhere and becoming bored at some point in eternity. I am most anxious to find him tomorrow and give him an opportunity to pronounce the number three followed by twenty-six zeros.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 3, 2010
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org