Ending The Age of Gentiles

They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:24 NIV)

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Daniel 12:4 ESV)

As the year end, let us look at our present age and time.

This day is the age of science. The earth is filled with the knowledge of the material world brought by science. Religions are considered as superstition which bogged down progress. With science, the living standards has improved. We have access to things which even emperors in the past cannot even only dream of. People start to place their hope in science. They declare that artificial intelligence will control the world. The virtual world will supersede the real world. People begin to invest in bitcoin and metaverse. The future will be better and better if we heed the warnings of climate changers and environmentalists. The future is in our hands!

But the Bible tells of a different future is waiting for us. Not a future of human glory and progress with godless science, but a future when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of God and His glory. It is a future unwanted by the people today, but it will be good and it will come.

But how do we know that the Bible is true? Because Israel is back in the land and is beginning to take over the whole Jerusalem.

Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD. (Isaiah 11:9 NLT)

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory, as the water covers the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14 CSB)

Look and Be Saved - 2

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22 KJV)

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

Look to Jesus and be saved. If you turn your eyes away, you will sink.

"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:29-30 NIV)

Dissolution of the USSR

Thirty years ago on Christmas Day 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as president of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the Soviet Union ceased to exist. I think we will soon witness the cessation of another communist state. I do not know if it will be peaceful like the dissolution of the USSR, but it will certainly happen. Karl Marx has to go. The last major Marxist colony, China, has to gain independence.

Behaviour For Special Occasions

Job interviews, VIP visits, weddings and worship. What does all these things have in common? These will cause a person to do the following:

1. Present the best;
2. Show respect;
3. Avoid appearance of evil.

We do these because we want to gain some benefit or praise, confirm to social expectation or religious fear.

Two Types of Work

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 CSB)

Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing? (Habakkuk 2:13 ESV)

The are two types of work. One has eternal value beyond daeth and the other will be burnt.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 NIV)

Works Of Lasting Value

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV)

If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded. (Mark 9:41 NLT)

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. (Hebrews 6:10 ESV)

When the Chinese general Yue Fei (岳飛) had defended the Song (宋) against the Jurchens (女真), his works was well recognized by the Chinese and he was considered a national hero (民族英雄). Temples were built in his honour and he was worshipped. But today, the Manchus, who are descendants of Jurchens (女真), are part of China. In order to maintain national harmony, Yue Fei (岳飛) is no longer a national hero (民族英雄) by the Chinese government. When China cease to exist, nobody will remember Yue Fei (岳飛).

When an unknown nobody gave a cup of cold water to one of the least of the Messiah's followers, his work will be remembered by the eternal God.

Remember, it is not what you do that matter. It is who you work for that matter. If the one you work for is eternal, the value of your work will be eternal.

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:10 NASB)

Serve

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV)

If you are given an opportunity to serve the Lord, seize it. It has eternal value.