Hi, Zane.
I did a little jog this morning before attending church in Sandy. Before returning home we attended the 2pm Christmas program at our church in Molalla. That was followed by my cherished old man nap.
Presently I’m munching popcorn while sitting at our dining table next to our little wood stove with the stove door open. There is something pleasant about seeing the fire—not just feeling it. The background “music” for this setting is the sound of rain on the kitchen skylight. It’s somewhat encouraging to know that all this rain is being translated as snow on the mountain. Not yet sure when I’ll be able to break out my skis and break away to the mountain. But it won’t be long now.
There are definitely more important things to be thinking about than snow—not the least of which is death. Even a young guy like you is wise to give attention to that topic. It’s a topic we touch on below.
Good night. Love and prayers—Tua/Ray.
Have you noticed in the scriptural record that people who have been specially chosen and greatly used by God seldom face a comfortable life and a natural death? Besides Jesus Himself, take, for example, the person Jesus declared to be the greatest man who ever lived—John the Baptist. Of him Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). Yet he got his head chopped off! Yippee! It makes you want to be just like him—right? Naturally speaking, is that the kind of outcome you would expect for this outstanding guy?!?
Our reading presents two special “witnesses” who are predicted to emerge in the middle of the tribulation period with a mighty ministry—specially empowered to communicate the Gospel and perform supernatural signs and wonders. But then they finally meet a violent death!—attacked and killed by the antichrist who is allowed (by Sovereign God) to be specially empowered by Satan. But then the witnesses are soon supernaturally resurrected to life and given a sensational public rapture (as contrasted with a secret one)—yet they still had to die a violent death.
May I remind you of how very BIG and transcending (eternal) are God’s plans and purposes over those of natural mortal men? May I also remind you that you have been called and chosen to be a communicator of the Gospel of Christ and a representative of the Kingdom of God? Furthermore, may I remind you that the same diabolical power that governed Herod (who beheaded John the Baptist) and empowers the antichrist is also against you—meaning, you could be severely persecuted and even die as a direct result of your faith in Christ and His saving grace? Are you scared yet? Well, you shouldn’t be. Because I remind you that when you seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and choose to follow Christ, you, like those two witnesses, become invincible and indestructible until your assignment is complete? And when it’s complete, God’s not done with you yet. Paul’s exclamation is worth repeating: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). But death?—even a violent one? Hey! Get it straight! It’s no big deal for the child of God! Besides, death is going to happen one way or another anyway. Let’s remember that none of us are getting out of here alive (physically). And let’s remember Jesus’ words: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). Our Biblical faith affirms that death for the believer, by whatever means, is simply the unavoidable passageway to a place He has prepared for those who love Him—a place of eternal joy—an option given by the only One Who Knows—the only One Who transcends sin and death.