Nearer Than Ever Before

An article I've written of my reflection upon these times. I first published on Hubpages 

“…  But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power…” 2 Timothy 3:1-5; cf Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5-6.

More to Life Than the Mortal Time

It’s evident that we are living in a far different world than ten years ago; evil is on the rise today more so than ever as it seems. Well, at least as far as I see it viewing from my timeline. Corruption has been rising since humanity’s fall (see Genesis 3:22-24) in the Garden of Eden, somewhere in the land of the four rivers – the Pishon,  the Gihon, the Tigris, and the Euphrates (see Genesis 2:8-14). And evil continues to be the culprit of rousing rebellious and untruthful schemes. Many have fallen to the lies of the evil one (see Ephesians 2:1-3; First John 5:19), who is desirous that everyone else falls with them.

Wow, I’m sure glad there’s more to life than this mortal time; other than the immortal, life would make no sense. Ah, then what is the meaning of our mortal existence?

Finding God’s Direction

For me, my life’s meaning after finishing high school, obviously some decades ago, I had not truly discovered it then. My fault, perhaps, but I’m glad now I waited until I got further down the road in finding God’s direction for me. (See Proverbs 16:9.)

And yet now, my mind entertains a thought: the end of this mortal time is nearer than ever before. These days, how can we look very far “down the road” in making plans as to what to do next. These days, I’m catching most appropriately the meaning of “one day at a time.” There’s nothing wrong with planning, of course, except as the saying goes, “should the Lord tarry.” Meaning, I think, it’s good to plan, yet with the end in view. As the Scriptures read, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that,” James 4:15. (See the context James 4:13-17; cf Proverbs 27:1; Job 7:7; Psalm 39:5; 144:4). 

Of course, for the Christ-follower, whatever we do – job, career, vacationing, playtime – living in this mortal time, it’s to be as a witness of our faith, I believe. As all through the years, our schedules should incorporate. Of course, if all there was to life was the mortal time, it would not matter what job or travels to take. All that mattered then would be fattening  a financial portfolio, maintaining our earthly “mansion,” and enjoy a “vanity fair[1].” (Consider Luke 12:18-20.)

And so as I consider it, let this be my prayer that whatever my daily tasks may it be as God’s enabling to carry on in the higher cause until Christ's return, and then comes the best life. (See Matthew 6:25-34.)

The Real World Discovered

My life has been renewed, and the real world discovered. In viewing these “signs of the times,” however, (see Matthew 24:4-7; 2 Peter 3:3-4), I can’t help but realize more so now that the end and the Lord’s return is near.

Yet, consider Matthew 24:36-37, "...concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son[2] but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah [see Genesis chapter six], so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

With me, viewing the current events, I can’t imagine another 20, 30, or 40 years, or more, maybe not even ten years. But, thinking biblically, until all peoples hear the Good News – every nation, tribe, and language. (See Matthew 24:14.)

Nevertheless, eager for that day, praying, "Come Lord Jesus (Adonai Yeshua). Make all things new." (Consider Isaiah 43:18, Isaiah 43:19, Revelation 21:5, Isaiah 65:17.) But until then, in so watching, let us keep our lamps trimmed and burning, and shining brightly that the “nations” (peoples), too, may discover God’s (Elohim’s) direction for them. (See Matthew 25:1-13; Philippians 2:12-18, Ephesians 2:1-13.)

Philippians 2:10-11 (TLV) “…that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow,[3] in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue profess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord—to the glory of God the Father.”

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[1] Vanity Fair “(in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress) a fair that goes on perpetually in the town of Vanity and symbolizes worldly ostentation and frivolity. (often lowercase) any place or group, as the world of fashionable society, characterized by or displaying a preoccupation with idle pleasures or ostentation,”

[2] Matthew 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son

[3] Philippians 2:10; cf. Isaiah 45:23

Where Has the Joy Gone

An article I've written of my reflection upon these times. I first published on Hubpages 

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory," Colossians 3:1-4.

Horrendous Times

No March madness – um. The NBA, as well as the NHL, has canceled the remainder of their seasons – um. Baseball, too, has delayed the opening of its season – um. Lots of businesses, offices, retail stores, dine-in restaurants, theatres, have been ordered to close – even houses of worship – um. Because of it all, many people have lost their jobs, becoming unemployed. All because a vicious virus has attacked. A "pandemic" as it is called, unlike anything today's world has ever seen spreading across the globe. Fears, panic, and anxiety grip the human soul, um – what'll we do now? When seemingly all is going well, then suddenly, the "bottom drops out" – will there be a starting again, or is it the end of it all? A loss of joy?

Yes, these are horrendous times, yet driving home to me the truthfulness of God's Word. I have realized it in these days now more than ever. And so, learning it, the more purposeful reason, I believe, for living in these times is setting our affections on the things above – the immortal, eternal world, not on earthly things – the temporal, perishing world, as the Bible so tells us. (See Colossians 3:1-3.) And sharing the joy of the soon return of the King of kings. (See Colossians 3:4, cf. Revelation 22:12-13.)

If all there was to life was this mortal time, life would not be worth the living; living for eternity is all that matters. "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child [focused mainly on this mortal time], I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up [the least important" (1 Corinthians 13:11 [brackets mine]). Apart from knowing the Lord Jesus (Adonai Yeshua) in this mortal time, there is no real joy.

Two Worlds

Source

Ah, yes, two worlds there are, indeed, since Genesis chapter three. That evil one kicked out of Heaven because of its pride in wanting to set himself up above God. There in the Garden of Eden, he tempted a couple – Adam and Eve – and they yielded, sending the entire human race into rebellion against God. Where pride, self-will, "I did my way," morality, religion, philosophy had become the order of the day.

It was not so in the beginning. Then, God spoke everything into perfect being for His glory (Genesis chapters 1 & 2). Then, there was real joy and rest, as God intended it to be, even in our labor. God still calls people to come back (through Jesus – Yeshua – His Son) and once again enter His rest (see Hebrews 4:9-11; Matthew 11:28; John 1:1-5; 12-14). There, harvested the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Lasting Joy

Living solely for the things of the temporal world, as in a play, when the curtain drops, the show ends. The joy, too, is lost except for the good things of it all remembered for a time.

Living for the eternal world, thanks to the curtain torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51) and the stone rolled away (Luke 24:1-3), the joy continues for all time and eternity to all who believe and receive, coming to faith in the Lord Jesus (John 1:12-13, cf. 1 Timothy 4:9-10).

And so, this I pray, come Lord Jesus (Adonai Yeshua). In the meantime, let it be our one fixation to live for Your cause till all peoples hear.

"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you'" – as salt spreaders and light-bearers of His eternal truth. (See John 20:21; Matthew 5:12-14; Philippians 2:12-18.)

Trusting God: Turning Our Worries, Doubts, and Fears into Laughter and Joy

“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14.) Absolutely nothing. He brought everything into being at His spoken command. He can do anything He desires to do with, through, and for His creation. He can do it in His way and in His time. He can make bread from bricks, dissolve pain with a gentle loving touch, cause the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk. He can dispel evil, storms, famine, pestilences with the breath of His mouth. With Him, there is no such thing as an impossible task.  What is my impossibility? I must give it all (my all) to Jesus (Yeshua), the Christ (Messiah).

He performs the impossible for His glory. And in the process, he gives us laughter and joy. This is what he does for Abraham and Sarah. He had promised them the impossible, and we read here in Genesis 21:1-7 of his delivery: Sarah gives birth to a son for Abraham in his old age (he's 100). This baby comes just as God had promised many years earlier (Genesis 21:2; cf. Romans 9:9). Abraham names his son Isaac.

Sarah too (at 90), is far beyond the age for childbearing. (Indeed, she was already far beyond childbearing many years earlier when God made the promise!) “God has brought me laughter,” Sarah declares.

Yet, why does Sarah laugh, being so surprised? If she had simply believed God in the first place, her worry, doubt, and fear would have dissolved and she'd have been relaxed in God’s peace; as we see, God does fulfill his promise, howbeit "in the fullness of time", according to God’s schedule, not ours.

Zooming ahead now, to the New Testament era: We hear of another birth to be (two, in fact) which comes just at the right time (See Galatians 4:4.) – according to God’s perfect plan, not ours.

The angel Gabriel comes to a virgin named Mary and says, “Don’t be afraid, Mary … for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus” (Luke 1:30-31.)

But before this, Gabriel had already appeared to Zechariah, husband of Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin. Elizabeth is, like Sarah of old, advanced in age, beyond the age of childbearing.

Zechariah is shaking in fear at Gabriel's appearance. Gabriel assures him, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! …Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.” Gabriel goes on, “At his birth, you will have great joy and gladness. Many others also will rejoice” (Luke 1:12-14).

Yet, it is the birth of Mary’s baby, Jesus, which will mean greater joy for all ‘nations’ (peoples of the earth), as the baby within her is of the Holy Spirit, the child of the promise – God Himself becoming one of us to set us free from the curse of the Law. (Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Galatians 4:21-31.) (Indeed, the baby who was bringing such joy to Elizabeth and Zechariah, this yet-to-be-born baby himself, leaped with joy at Mary's news of the coming Savior of the World!)

And herein is our laughter and joy – we who believe – as Elizabeth proclaims concerning Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed … you are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said” (Luke 1:42, 45.)

And we are blessed who take God at His word – the God of the impossible – and proclaim this Good News of great joy to the ‘nations’ (peoples of the earth).

Moving forward now to the Nineteenth Century and to the South Pacific islands as we look in on Florence Young, a native of Sydney, Australia. She is teaching a Bible class to the South Seas plantation laborers.

Having studied the Bible since early childhood suits Young well for her teaching ministry now. Thus, she finds her niche in God’s will for her life. Her first class of ten men, meeting on Sunday, soon grows to eighty, about half that number comes to her class each evening during the week.

The men have been imported from the islands through trickery and kidnapping – "blackbirding” – to work on the plantations. Even though laboring long hours in the scorching sun, they “sacrifice their hours of rest to come [to Young’s Bible class] and hear the gospel” (From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, by Ruth A. Tucker). No impossible task with God. He works even through that blackbirding business to open doors in the Solomon Islands for the spread of His Good News.

So overwhelmed and encouraged at the response, trusting God, Young branches out to other plantations on Queensland, where some 10,000 laborers live. Receiving a monetary gift from George Mueller she begins the Queensland Kanaka (imported laborers) Mission. With the help of other missionaries, thousands of laborers enroll in classes. Some eventually carry the message of God’s love back to their own people.

God performs His work: Through His people. Yielded to His cause (regardless of the works of man – good or bad). And, there are no worries, doubts, or fears in our walk and work of faith. Let this be our endeavor, therefore, in proclaiming God’s love to the ‘nations’ (all peoples of the earth): Simply take God at His word – trust Him – and relax in the laughter, joy, and peace He gives, implementing 1 Peter 3:15!

“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the LORD has done for them’” (Psalm 126:2.)

Coming next month Do Not Be Afraid God Cares