Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Although I can understand the questioner's perspective, I would say that, in these verses, what is being emphasized is not a plan on God's part to leave at some time in the future, but God's intention to be continually present until an objective has been completely attained or fulfilled, AND BEYOND. God is NOT saying that, once the objective has been achieved, He will then cease to be present.

In fact, the promise to Jacob is still being fulfilled in the present day, both by the Christian church, and the existence of the state of Israel. 

And, in the case of the quote from Jesus, when the present world has ended at the close of the age, it will mean that Jesus will have returned to be visibly with His people forever.

God's continual presence through the upcoming process of which He was speaking, was an assurance that He would then continue to be present beyond that point, as well, rather than an indication that He intended, or intends, to leave.

September 11 2018 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Supporter Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

Our enemy the devil wants us to camp down and stay focused on verses that might cast doubt on God’s continual love and faithfulness. He is trying to destroy our faith. When that happens we need to use scripture to interpret scripture. Could it be true that at some point God will leave us?

Let’s have a look at God’s promises in Ephesians 1:13-14. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

From the moment we believe, the Holy Spirit is always present inside us. We are redeemed when we die and the Holy Spirit takes our soul to heaven to be with Jesus forever, or, if Jesus comes again before we die, the Holy Spirit will raise us to receive our new glorified bodies and we will be with Jesus forever.

When Jesus comes to rule and reign on earth on his 1,000 year earthly kingdom, we will rule and reign with him. When Jesus recreates the heavens and earth and the Father comes to live on this new earth, we will live with him for eternity. See Revelation 20 to 22 for God’s future plans for us.

We will never, at any moment, be separated from God. That is his promise to us.

September 17 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report