The earth heaves at His presence

Here’s a verse of scripture to consider:

The mountains quake before Him,
      The hills melt,
      And the earth heaves at His presence,
      Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Nahum 1:5

I like the word “heave” here that the New King James Version uses. This is a strong image, poetically described. This is definitely describing a major upheaval with earthquakes and the collapse of geographic protuberances, aka hills and mountains. I just felt like using a big word that was rolling around in my head; it doesn’t happen that often.

The earth heaves at His presence. This is the earth reacting to the presence of God. First of all, I want to say I’m not trying to create or pedestal particular end time doctrine, but this verse really struck me last week when I read it. It’s been rolling in me all week. The earth is reacting to the presence of God. At first reading, it might appear to be a bad thing resulting in destruction, or at least a physical and painful change in the earth. The presence of God is causing the reaction in the earth. This makes me think of another scripture penned by Paul in Romans 8:18-25

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Clearly in this passage there is a connection with creation and the “revealing of the sons of God” and the hope for what we don’t see. What is this? Could it be a pronounced presence of God on the earth—or more specifically, in the sons of God who are on the earth? Creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. We could place that fully into the Millennial Reign, but perhaps it begins before the return of Christ. Perhaps it begins before the tribulation takes place, and perhaps the timing of the tribulation period’s physical upheaval of the earth coincides with the sons (and daughters, of course) of God receiving an end time grace of His presence of the former and latter rain combined just before the tribulation and return of Christ.

• 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
• Ephesians 5:27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
• Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
• John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
• 1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

I still believe that the church of the end times will be categorized into two groups—the church of Laodicea as described, in Revelation, as the lukewarm church, and the church of Philadelphia, the church that is faithful and seeking after God. As the end times approach, I believe we will see a growing distinction of these two groups in the church as a whole. As we move deeper into the beginnings of sorrow, life isn’t going to be easy, but for those who seek after God and His presence, they will see His glory revealed in their lives. As God’s presence increases on the earth through His church, His true church, creation will react.  As the sons of God are revealed, the earth reacts as a woman reacts when she’s in labor.

We, the church, are groaning for the adoption and redemption of our bodies, and the earth groans in travail for the revealing of the sons of God. Adoption and redemption are two different things. Adoption in this use isn’t what we commonly refer to as the official process of adding a child into a family into which he wasn’t birthed. The Biblical concept of adoption here is the recognition and honor of a son reaching maturity recognized by his father and where the father bestows full rights and privileges upon him. It’s where the father signals that all that belongs to the father is the son’s and he is entrusted with the power and wealth of all that the father has. Notice that the redemption of our bodies, the catching away or rapture, follows the adoption.

Now this can’t happen until all the gifts that Christ gave the church are fully functioning, which is beginning to take place:

• Ephesians 4:11-16 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

The earth is reacting to the presence of God and God’s presence is being revealed in His church as the church matures into the image of Christ for which it was destined. The weather is crazy, cataclysmic earthquakes are beginning to shake and split the earth, and everything seems to be going haywire! Good is being called evil and evil good and all those scriptures we’ve heard from childhood and forever of warnings—it’s all coming to pass.  And the glory of God is being revealed as eternity approaches planet earth.

There is a definite connection between the sons of God and the earth. I don’t understand it all, but let me toss a couple of things out there.

• Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
• Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

From the creation of man there is a connection to the earth. Adam was given authority over creation, the fall of man resulted in the earth becoming cursed, man moving towards God relieves the earthly curse, and at the end, as the presence of God is revealed in man, the earth reacts—and heaving isn’t always bad.

In His presence, I heave. I’ve seen people shake or quake in His presence, and certainly the heaviness of the anointing or presence of the Holy Spirit causes us to melt for fall down.

And the earth heaves in His presence. Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.

PD