Silent Truths

Expiration Date Stamped

Grace is one of the most discussed principles in theology, often defined as unmerited favor, undeserved kindness, or divine compassion. But these definitions, though true, can become repetitive—failing to evoke the awe and gravity that grace deserves. What if we saw grace differently?

Grace is a lease.

Not a lease in the mundane sense, where contracts are signed, and rent is paid. This lease, placed upon creation by the Creator, requires no signature, no awareness, no acknowledgment. It is extended to humanity unconditionally, yet it carries profound implications.

Bound by the Earth

When we think of a lease, certain ideas come to mind: ownership, temporary stewardship, and conditions. A lease is an agreement that grants permission to use property, but it always comes with an end date. The earth itself is under such a lease, extended to humanity since the moment Adam reached for the fruit in the garden.

Adam’s decision was not just an act of rebellion; it was humanity’s acceptance of a lease for the earth—a lease that came with unprecedented knowledge of good and evil. This knowledge is not simple or abstract; it is comprehensive, advanced beyond our understanding. Humanity now walks in this lease, experiencing its benefits and bearing its consequences, all while unaware of the lease’s expiration date.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
Psalm 24:1

Humanity’s Lease Terms

The knowledge humanity gained through Adam’s choice is not the simplistic idea of knowing what’s right and wrong. It is a profound comprehension of good and evil, encompassing the full spectrum of morality, creation, and destruction. This knowledge enables humanity to build civilizations, invent technology, and explore the cosmos, but it also gives rise to war, corruption, and suffering.

Good and evil are not just opposites; they are intertwined forces. Humanity’s knowledge allows for incredible advancements—curing diseases, cultivating art, and fostering community—while simultaneously birthing horrors like genocide, exploitation, and environmental destruction. This duality is the condition of the lease, a constant tension between creation and decay, light and darkness.

“Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—’”
Genesis 3:22

The Lease’s Expiration

Every lease has terms, and every lease has an end. The lease of grace is no exception. Ancient writings, including the Bible and apocryphal texts like the Books of Enoch, speak of a coming end—a Day of the Lord when grace will cease, and the Creator will reclaim His property.

For some, this will be a day of rejoicing, the fulfillment of promises made since the beginning of time. For others, it will be a day of reckoning, where the consequences of choices made within the lease are fully realized.

Enoch speaks of a time when the righteous will rejoice and the wicked will face judgment:

“And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment upon all, and to destroy all the ungodly.”
Enoch 1:9

The Bible reinforces this idea of an appointed end:

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Matthew 24:36

Lease of Grace

Whether humanity acknowledges it or not, we live and move within the parameters of this lease. The Creator has granted time, space, and opportunity for humanity to live, create, and seek Him. This grace is not owed to us; it is a gift, extended in love but with purpose.

The end of the lease will not be arbitrary. It will come when the terms have been fulfilled, when the Creator determines that the earth has served its purpose. Until that time, humanity continues to walk in grace, experiencing the fruits of the lease while being shaped by its challenges.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9

The Cosmic Landlord

The earth belongs to the Creator. Humanity has been granted a lease—temporary stewardship—but the earth’s ultimate ownership has never changed. The Creator’s fingerprints are on every mountain, every ocean, every molecule. This truth humbles us, reminding us that our time here is finite and purposeful.

Grace, as a lease, is a call to stewardship. It is an invitation to live intentionally, knowing that this time is both a gift and a responsibility. The terms of the lease are clear: seek the Creator, embrace His light, and steward His creation with care.

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.”
Psalm 50:10-11

The Day of Grace Fulfilled

One day, the lease will end. This is not a threat but a promise, an assurance that the Creator’s plan will reach its fulfillment. On that day, humanity will no longer walk by grace alone; they will see the fullness of the Creator’s justice and mercy. For those who have embraced the terms of the lease, it will be a day of unimaginable joy. For others, it will be a reckoning.

The Day of the Lord is not an unknown idea. It has been declared in ancient writings, prophesied by seers, and affirmed by the teachings of Jesus. The end of the lease is both the culmination of grace and the beginning of eternity.

“For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Revelation 6:17

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.”
Joel 2:31

Embrace the Lease of Grace

Grace as a lease is not a concept to fear but to embrace. It is a reminder that our lives are not our own, that we walk within a framework established by the Creator. This lease is unearned, unmerited, and unconditional, yet it carries the weight of responsibility.

Live with the awareness that your time is precious. Seek the Creator who extends this grace, and understand that the knowledge of good and evil entrusted to humanity is both a gift and a challenge. And as the ancient writings remind us, prepare for the day when grace is fulfilled, and the Creator’s plan is fully revealed.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12