The world has been a round a long time, even to thousands of years, as many criteria attest (cf. TMR Ch.  7).  In its whorls and whirls of history, it has spawned various civilisations, and now a multitude of nations.  Some of these seem disposed to give a legal licence to kill with seemingly unwitting flair for blood, some for revenge, some for aspiration, some for conquest, some for order, some for  wealth, some for inveterate, cold, calculating hegemony, leadership, intimidation of others.

Australia has its own niche, and some elements of concern are considered in this volume; but far from a dissertation on this land, it is, rather on a spiritual spread of what is now inclined to COME, or predicted to come, with much in alliance in these two fields, as we look as what has ALREADY come, more with the eyes of wonder, so that retrospect and prospect are paired; but this pair, with all its tones and undertones, is assessable in reality only when this is available. Mercifully as shown in SMR and elsewhere, it is, and not only so, the deity who is the demonstrable source of creation, of which each reader is a part, other than the Lord Himself, has not only been willing to speak to the nations made up from DNA at the physical level, in divinely directed speech (cf. Not only is God Great, but Glorious ... Ch. 5,  Epilogue), but to do this free from  all hiding, having spoken, declared, itemised and exhibited His ways,  nature,  requirements for peace, love, majesty, purpose with man, and remedy for man in ways most manifest, terms manifold and criteria specific.

This being so, we are enabled, in a rather specialised manner, to apply in the midst of the retrospection and prospects, the realities of the case, the word of God, and seeing this perspective, as  from the ultimate of all professors, and beyond that to infinity, revel in more than the passing parades and interfaces, relationships and relativities that abound on this earth: in  fact, to delight in the actualities and find both peace and empowerment for wise living from this source, OUR source,  whether we like it or not.

God is like that. He spoke and it was done (that is why godless evolution is so much argued - it is never found,  nor  even is information's categorical creation without intelligence (cf. Ch. 5 above). But why is it argued if it is never found, nor its evidence equal to that  for  creation, then ? It is because of the retrospect:  man  was made by the One with whom he increasingly has little to do. He does not want reminder. The human  mind can be tilted against truth very easily,  as many trial difficulties at law exhibit.

Prospects are normally argued against, when prejudice with propulsion  is involved,  so that all these negative things can in this way, from the word of God, be  seen not just in the foistings of culture, or the hopes of surrealism, of which we are currently receiving quite a significant dose in Australian politics, from the clayey aspects of the past and the far more contravening present as the future surges ashore in the earth. They can be reviewed also in terms of what has never been contravened in its truth: the word of God, the Bible.

This is like having an afternoon sun, near dinner time, shining in sudden  strength and lighting up in yellow and red overtones, the reflective surfaces of the garden or the city. It is refreshing, invigorating,  vitalising and pleasant. It is pleasant indeed to know the truth, and great to have been told. It is however, always necessary to read it, digest it, apply it, and with the blessing of the Almighty, try it out! He has nothing to fear over the tempestuous millenia. He is beyond time, and invented it with us in it, and surveys it all past its portals, as one sees a map, a  sight from  a  high air-craft. Time is a mere  page in the book; and knowledge has no barriers with Him.

It is good to do such things as the world is failing to insulate itself from catastrophe, and its ways are shown clearly in the Bible, as a compulsion as the Age comes near its crisping up time in the oven of history. Things can become both exciting and calamitous. It is well to be prepared, not only for this and that, but in heart and spirit and mind, as is an athlete for his races, or a solider for his battles. Even the scouts can tell you that: BE PREPARED. Moreover,  don't let events like shock waves, envelop you; but know the Lord of history, before our Age itself is past history. God has prepared this good thing also, His word, and this wonder, His salvation, the incarnate,  crucified, bodily resurrected  Saviour, irruption into time, corrector of corruption, author of creation, grant of eternal life: its reception is far more important than a good education, career, salary, name or honour.

Dereliction may be desired; but it is not so good when it ... happens.

INTRODUCTION

Dereliction may be desired; but it is not so good when it ... happens.

A special feature is Ch. 1, which dealing with the spiritual glory of God,
sees in this setting the divine strategy of salvation,
the inimitable and  illimitable love of God,
and the divine declaration on personal election, and its basis in the mind of God.

One medical professor recently seemed astounded
that I conceived of God as perfect;
to me it is astounding that anyone should not realise this!
It is therefore wise to consider these things, crucial to understanding,
from the word of God,
who does not only what He pleases, but what He says!

It is that which is delicious, in a world of betrayal.
The  content of His word makes it a consummation of delight.
Moreover His Spirit seals what He says,
and the believer  alike
(Ephesians 1:11-13, Isaiah 34:16, 8:16, I Cor. 2:9-13, I Thessalonians 1:5-6,2:13).