What comes to mind when you hear the words, “forever and ever?” If we admit it, we’d have to say that we really don’t think of those words much and whenever they come to mind, we are quick to set them aside. But wait, did you realize reference to the word “everlasting” and the various derivatives happen about 600 times in the Bible?
Words describing God and the blessings that are ours often use terms that are the best we can come up with, although we know it comes short of the magnitude of the situation. Think about Moses’ description of God in Psalm 90.
Psalm 90:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Everlasting to everlasting – how long is that? Picture a timeline that has today as the midpoint. To the left the line goes forever pointing to an everlasting past. To the right the line goes forever to an everlasting future. Moses is describing the only being Who has forever been and forever will be present. As the psalmist writes, He is a “very present help.”
Psalm 46:1 (ESV) — 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
In the same vein are the expressions “forever” as well as “forever and ever” describing God and those things associated with Him do not end but go on forever and ever.
Exodus 15:18 (ESV) — 18 The Lord will reign forever and ever.”
Psalm 119:89 (ESV) — 89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
As is typical of God and His word, so is the blessing of paradise bliss that is described in the book of Revelation. It too will go on forever and ever.
Revelation 22:5 (ESV) — 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Likewise, as God’s being and God’s reign is forever and ever so is His praise and adoration.
Psalm 148:3–6 (ESV) — 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. 6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Why do we make such a big deal about this? Because God has displayed His power in His creation and His redemption of His people, both of which are said to go on forever and ever.
Psalm 111:7–8 (ESV) — 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
Psalm 111:9 (ESV) — 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
It must be recognized that some people do not think about giving God everlasting praise and adoration for His everlasting attributes and work, therefore as God opens the eyes of His people to see and enjoy His “foreverness” resulting in praise to Him, then we also recognize the opposite of those who blow it off actually demonstrate their outcome.
Psalm 111:10 (ESV) — 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
Psalm 9:5 (ESV) — 5 You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
Revelation 14:10–11 (ESV) — 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
Oh, the bliss that belongs to those blessed to know God, to recognize His eternal attributes and favor. The blessing of His steadfast love never change but go on forever and ever.
Psalm 103:17–18 (ESV) — 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
Daniel 12:3 (ESV) — 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
From start to finish, every thought about God, His person, attributes, work, word, and everything that flows from Him is described with that notation of “forever and ever.” No wonder the instruction on prayer from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ included a doxological praise and ends appropriately reminding us that God’s kingdom, power, and glory go on forever and ever.
Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV) — 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church,
Clearwater, FL
