MOMENT OF SPIRITUAL REFLECTION:“For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
The end is as much important as the beginning and now!-Part 1
We all like to tell the stories about the past. We all strive to express ourselves in every present situation. But we tend to shy away from talking about the future because we do not know how exactly it will be. One of the things I look forward to in future is to tell about my past. Why do humans like to talk much about the past and the present? There are answers to this question, but think about this one: when we succeed or make progress in life, we like to tell about that humble beginning. One thing we need to be aware of is that our temporal past, present and future is sandwiched in the divine past, present and future. Our earthly and heavenly, and hell existence is within the context of Genesis 1:1-Revelation 22:21(31,102 verses).
Today I want to start a 4 parts of spiritual reflection about the last things. Every time I speak or write biblical messages, I feel so much humbled and overpowered by the truth that the entire word of god (Bible) is not only inspired, but was also prophetically revealed. The words in 2 Timothy 2:15 have been my sign post to direct me to the right direction, “ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” If you closely study the prophecies, you would realize that God assigned the prophets purposely to correct moral and religious corruptions with the intention of proclaiming true morals and religious practices that connects humanity to the character of God. Foretelling of future was actually secondary. God was more concerned about the current situations of His people. But their future was to be determined by their current moral and religious response to His servants, the prophets. God could foresee the obedience and disobedience of His people. He had to keep punishing evil, yet there was always remnant faithful therefore, His promises of future and prosperity was not in vain.
SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
One evening happened to hear two of my neighbors talk about life. One of them said, “No one should cheat you that there is heaven and hell. This heaven will continue as it is. Heaven is when you are enjoying what you have earned from your hard work. Hell is when you are suffering because you lack basics of this life.” I was not caught off guard by this deceptive perspective. I knew what they were talking about or were denying. It was all about the end. This I what many people don’t like to share deeply about because they are not certain of where they are heading. Some confidently speak about the end because they know and are certain because they have made decision to pursue that as the main destiny. But others falsely prophesies with specific year, month, and date. Those who do not want to be left behind capitalize on prosperity prophecies.
Most of the times, as I had written in my recent message, we tend to substitute the word of God with our words. We tend to attract people to us without outlet to direct them to God. We substitute moral and religious messages, eternal with temporal. Jeremiah 23:17 says: this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.” During the time of Jeremiah, the false prophets were giving false hopes, that all will be well. God cannot judge you. You will not go to exile. They were counteracting Jeremiah’s and other true prophets of God who were calling people of God to seek God and repent.
SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
I like the way the word ‘end’ is defined. The ‘last’ part of or extremity of anything that is longer than it is wide or broad. For something to be an end, it must be longer than width or breadth. The Greek word ‘eschatos,’ which means ‘last’ refers to the end either of an individual or that which follows it. Biblically we understand human history as a progressive movement towards the ultimate fulfilment of God’s purpose for His creation. God’ redemptive act in the human history from Genesis to the Revelation is directed toward this goal. The present physical world is heading for an ultimate catastrophe.
As a matter of concern, when we think of the nuclear discoveries and modern scientific advancements, and the fact that by 21st century scientific technology has spread among some supposed aggressive nations, do we think of the possibility of nuclear confrontation? What about the current political situation in the Middle East and the Afro-Arab northern sphere of Africa?
One of the most useless and hopeless things a mind without Christ can speculate about is hope for an imaginary and perfect social and political system popularly known as Utopia. Philosophically a deprived mind, ‘civilized’ in perspective of wonderful political and scientific advancement, can create an attractive and desirable but impractical social -political system. There is no temporal social-political system without negative flows. This can be another form of demonic deception. There is no way that we can achieve a perfect social, political and economic system regardless of historical political alliances, social reorganization, and efficient globalization.
It is logically true to say that human powerfully authors’ political systems, make critical decisions, and successfully advance in technology. But we also should understand that political systems definitely cannot cure the world off sin. Complex temporal ethical codes or even religious and legal systems cannot bring about an ideal perfect world. Listen to what peter says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”(2 Peter 3:10-12). Only a new quality of life awaiting the end will cure sin. Only the God of the Bible and His grace accepted personally through Jesus Christ can deliver human beings from the present evil age.
To be continued……
By Rev. Andrew Mugo and Pr. Peninah Kariuki
