The Hourglass of Sin
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin Overfield
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001
The Hourglass of Sin
"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy
the pleasures of sin for a season;" (Hebrews 11:25)
" 'enjoyment' (from apolauo, 'to take hold of, enjoy a thing'), suggests the
advantage or pleasure to be obtained from a thing" (Vine's)
"(a) 'to hold, in the hand,' etc., e.g., Rev. 1:16; Rev. 5:8; (b) 'to hold
fast, keep,' Luke 19:20; metaphorically, of the mind and conduct," (Vine's)
The meaning here expressed is dealt with in the present and active
tense. Therefore, we see that Moses -- as well as you and I -- had a choice
between two things: to "enjoy the pleasures of sin" actively in the present
or to suffer with the people of God. This is not to say that serving God is
all suffering, for certainly the present joy in the midst of suffering gives
the servant of God tremendous reward in this life as well as in the life to
come.
Let us notice especially the path of "enjoyment" that Moses decided
against. That path is said to be only "for a season". Hence my title, "The
Hourglass of Sin". As the sand of the hourglass certainly runs out so does
the enjoyment and eventually the practice of sin come to an end.
The word "season" here means "temporary, transient," (Vines). The same
Greek word is translated as "temporal" in 2 Corinthians 4:18, "While we look
not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for
the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen
are eternal." This also reminds me of James 4:14 that states, "For what is
your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then
vanisheth away."
1. The End of Sinful Enjoyment
Multitudes can testify to the fact that the enjoyment(s) of sinful
activities is(are) overstated. The Devil uses false advertising. There is
indeed pleasure in sin, but that pleasure like the manna gathered in
disobedience by the Israelites spoils quickly. It breeds worms and stinks
shortly after the initial enjoyment.
I noticed late one night the gaiety of three adult females as they
meandered through an apartment complex parking lot. I later found out that
they were just returning from a bar. They were most definitely "enjoying"
the sin of drunkenness.
Within the hour I observed as one of these women suffered a
heart-rending fight with a male "friend". Such yelling and cussing I wish I
had never heard. In the midst of it all the woman's little girl spoke to me
while tears coursed down her checks, "Please don't let my mommy go to jail."
With heart aching I thought, "Here's where the enjoyment stops."
2. The End of Sinful Practice
There will be no gratification to the sinner in hell. In fact, the deep
corruption and intense sinful desires in the heart of man that is
"desperately wicked" will find no more pleasure in that place. There is
coming a day, when God will put an end to sin.
In fact, one of the very pictures of Hell given in the Bible is that of
the great refuse heap of the universe -- the infinite incinerator of
eternity. When God "takes the trash out" at the end of the great Judgment
Day, it will never need to be taken out again. All will then be "holiness
unto the Lord". There will be no more tempter, no temptation, and no more
sin.
When the hourglass of sin runs out, I for one want to be found among
them that have chosen to suffer affliction with the people of God and who
thus enter into the eternal joy of their Lord. For those who make such an
eternally wise choice there will be no more suffering, sorrow, nor even the
presence of sin. It will be glory evermore, glory complete and perfect!
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" (II Corinthians 4:17).
Yours In Christ,
Martin M. Overfield
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