Jesus Christ, DIVINE

So, it begins. Baby steps at first. Establish your footing and reach out. This walk cannot be done alone, take his helping hand.

POOR IN SPIRIT

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God” (Matthew 5:3).

This journey begins with a revolutionary change in understanding. Planet earth fades out of view when all creation is visible. Multi-dimensional worlds filled with life, dominions and kingdoms capture your attention and above all, a throne room surrounded by four living creatures with four heads and bodies covered with eyes standing at four corners before the Great Creator.

His voice like a trumpet, commands and it happens. He speaks and his creation obeys. He whispers and His subjects worship Him. He leans back and earth appears; there He rests His feet.

The poor in spirit recognize their Grand Creator, His wonder and greatness. They feel their utter spiritual bankruptcy before Him and bend their knee in reverence.

Jesus Christ has paved their way onto the journey into life, eternal. Through him, the journey can be made, the obstacles overcome, the barriers torn down and the way made straight.

“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

More than that, it is Christ living in you that makes the journey into life, eternal complete.

“I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Allow Christ to live in you. The journey into life, eternal is a one of hope, adventure, relentless determination, and refreshing joy bursting out of darkness into full light. 

The poor in spirit depend on Almighty God for His guidance in knowledge, wisdom and understanding. The completion of this lap of the journey is a confirmation of becoming a royal member in the eternal God-Ruling Family. The transformation into an eternal body will not change the realization of the poor in spirit for the Great Creator. Knowing Almighty God is a wonder and an exhilarating energy that humbles the created to honour, revere and pledge their loyalty to and love for Him for all eternity. 

In awe, they come before the Great Shepherd, their Heavenly Father who responds by giving them His kingdom: leadership and influence within God’s eternal, limitless expanse that controls and governs all of His creation. For each of the beatitudes of Matthew 5, Jesus revealed the priceless reward: a honoured position, an envied role, a rich opportunity. Those who mourn will receive the richest of opportunities.

THOSE WHO MOURN

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

Jesus is not referring to depressed people sobbing for their own loss.  Those who mourn, deeply regret the entry of sin on earth. They lament their sins, the sins of their people and the sins of the world. They pray for their own forgiveness and the forgiveness of sins of the world who simply do not know what they are doing. They long for the return of Jesus Christ and seek a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

These people will receive special comfort, not just pardoned for their sins but participation in the healing of mankind. Like Ezekiel who through the power of Almighty God will raise defeated ancient Israel back into physical life, so will those who mourn the spiritual decay of their fellow brothers and sisters. “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life… So I prophesied as I was commanded and there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone” (Ezekiel 37:4,7).

Through the power of Almighty God, Ezekiel will command on a wonderful day still in the future for the very dry, lifeless bones to rattle, come together, clothe themselves with flesh and finally breathe. Ezekiel who mourned the decay of all Israel, will be comforted when through God’s power, he resurrects them and hears their repented cry, “Our hope [for eternal life] is gone. We are cut off.”

Ezekiel will then preach to them as he did in their ancient days, “Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD’” (Ezekiel 37:12-14).

Such is the reward of those who mourn because of the spiritual decay of God’s creation on earth. God has promised them special comfort and great honour in the participation of the healing of creation on earth.

A dying planet will seek healing and find it through the God-fearing and God-serving people who have Christ in them doing the work of Almighty God. He desires that everyone repent. He is a gracious God.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:1-5).

“Therefore, the Lord longs to be gracious to you…” (Isaiah 30:18a).

It is not only grace that our loving Father in heaven longs to give, but RULERSHIP in his holy, royal, ruling family. This coronation will be awarded to the meek.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

The meek will rule the earth. Inheritance throughout the Bible is often not fully understood. It is the receiving of the family heritage after death, but the death God Almighty considers is the death of the old, sinful self after repentance and baptism into the birthing of a new person. This new man or woman matures into living the ways of God through the help of God’s Holy Spirit and the entering of Christ in you. The inheritance awarded to these overcomers is eternal rulership in His family kingdom. 

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).

God has given himself an inheritance.

When God gave the members of His heavenly court, rulership over the nations at the time of Babel (Deuteronomy 32:8), He took the descendants of Jacob as His inheritance. “For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). God Almighty declared Himself King over the descendants of Jacob approximately 300 years before Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham was born and called by God.

The meek will rule the earth.

Meekness is a discipled character of servitude who lives in perfect harmony with a mild and gentle spirit that simultaneously does not allow lines to be crossed, one who is slow to anger, not easily provoked, without compromise and bias, or easily swayed. This individual will inherit, that is, rule the earth.

The rulers in Christ’s Millennial reign and throughout eternity will never compromise God’s laws or His way. They will follow Christ’s instructions carefully and meticulously and shepherd the people in service, kindness, mercy, law-keeping, justice—in complete fullness of righteousness.

At their very core, the meek desire the total care for those under their wings. They do not seek attention, self-glory or power. They are perpetually overlooked and considered insignificant by carnal mankind. But, Almighty God will raise them up and coronate the meek who serve as the servant of all to rule in strength, judging impartially and in justice.

“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).

A great resurrection into immortal bodies is on our near horizon. This journey into life, eternal on earth is the training field for transformation into righteousness—simply living God’s ways of love.

Even the smallest of beginnings are noticed.

GROWING UP

Spiritual maturity brings to light the importance of discipline and practice in righteousness.

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways” (I Corinthians 13:11).

It is time to grow up.

“For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).

The babes in Christ cannot distinguish good from evil. The spiritually mature have trained and seasoned responses to life’s conflicts. They are shrewd and recognize the tactics and playbook of Wickedness. They respond like doves of peace working to understand and resolve issues as well as apply healing remedies.

HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

Hunger is associated with food, the word of God and thirst is associated with water, God’s Holy Spirit. The word of God is personified in Jesus Christ because he has a complete and perfect understanding of God’s instructions. He is flawless in the understanding and application of God’s word.

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).

Following Jesus Christ, allowing him in you, asking him for direction and doing as he instructs brings perfection.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh" (John 6:51).

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, mankind has an opportunity for life, eternal. Repentance brings God’s grace and baptism God’s Holy Spirit through which sin can be overcome. Jesus Christ is the conduit for mankind to receive God’s word and His Holy Spirit.

“But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14).

God’s Holy Spirit is inexhaustible. The human spirit is limiting and full of weaknesses. The most righteous of human actions cannot quality for eternal life. “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). The “filthy rages” Isaiah was referring to are the cloths used during a woman’s menstrual period, which is the physical indication that no conception took place—no life was conceived during that cycle. The most righteousness among mankind can never conceive eternal life through their own works.

The desire for God’s righteousness is a precious love. God has given mankind His commandments and ways and loving Him is the application of this knowledge. The Apostle Paul recorded the key components of the full of armour of God. It comprises of:

• Belt of truth: The belt keeps pants up. Truth stops shameful behaviour.
• Breastplate of righteousness: Vital organs are protected by the breastplate, so righteous actions sustain life.
• Feet that run to peace: No delay or lingering, but an immediate thoughtful response to conflicts while applying an understanding of the issue without compromise, knowledge free of bias or lies and wisdom from God to achieve a fitting resolution.
• Shield of faith: Unwavering belief in God’s promises for Believers regardless of the direction of the world around them.
• Helmet of salvation: Thoughts lead to actions. Guarded thoughts lead to life preserving actions.
• Sword of the Spirit/the word of God: Information is power; God’s word is life, eternal.
• Prayer: The leaders in the community are targeted first and persecuted most often. Pray for them; pray for all Believers and pray for the repentance of all of mankind.
• God’s word and His Holy Spirit is the package that brings life, eternal. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled; they will reach a complete knowledge and understanding of God’s word and live His ways perfectly.

THOSE WHO ARE MERCIFUL

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

The merciful understand the frequency of sinning and the ease of falling. They also see the greater picture of fallen man. Their mistakes, along with the many mistakes of all of mankind have polluted earth and caused suffering at all levels for people. Forgiveness of mistakes made, acknowledges the fragility of the human spirit and the absolute need for God’s Holy Spirit. 

Forgiveness of sin acknowledges self-weakness and self-imperfection.

The merciful pray to God to bring mankind to their knees so that their sins can be forgiven; for sinners simply do not know what they are doing. Satan deceives the whole world and the Great Harlot of Revelation will work her magic to lure the nations into exchanging God’s grace and the sacrifice of Christ for a false hope that she will wrap in false righteousness.

“And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world…” (Revelation 12:9).

The witchery of the Great Harlot will brew a potion that will lure the nations into a massive commercial enterprise that goes beyond trading precious and valuable physical wares to include the spiritual soul of man. “The merchants [wicked facilitators] of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more—cargoes of gold… bodies and souls of men” (Revelation 18:13).

Deception, deception, deception is the key trick in Satan’s playbook. “The light of a lamp will never shine in you [Babylon, the Great Harlot] again. The happy voices of brides and grooms will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the greatest in the world, and you deceived the nations with your sorceries” (Revelation 18:23).

And yet, God longs to give wayward mankind His grace.

Like Almighty God, the merciful want to see everyone repent and become members of God’s holy, royal, ruling family.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you”  (I Peter 1:3-4).

From the big picture view, mankind was attacked at the very beginning by a crafty deceitful being. God foreknew the attack and the outcome. It became a core element of His plan in molding a people who would become a kingdom of priests. Through suffering, mankind will repent and perfection will be achieved. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and yet, all who repent will receive grace and no remembrance of their sins. In addition, they will be blessed and given eternal life in God’s grace-filled, holy, royal family of love.

The merciful will be like God who said, “No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

Knowing God is one thing, but seeing God is the ultimate experience. Seeing God is witnessing pure righteousness in action. The depth, height and breadth of every thought in action, every piece of knowledge built to formulate understanding that culminates into wisdom will be seen by the pure in heart because at their very core is an unbreakable relationship with Almighty God, loving Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.

Purified by the refiner’s fire, these people are allowing God to mold them. They trust God believing that He will not allow more than what they can bear. They seek His clarity in righteousness, His perfect wisdom, and His enduring love. They will see Him on that day and it will be awesome.

Repentant mankind is destined to be resurrected into the family of Almighty God. King David asked God, “What is mankind that You are mindful of him, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4).

The Apostle John pondered the same question. “Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And THAT IS WHAT WE ARE! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure” (I John 3:1-3).

Jesus works at one with God to ensure the perfection of repentant mankind and the trumpeting of God’s love for them as He loves the Son. “I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them, and You in Me—that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me and LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU LOVED ME” (John 17:22-23).

How is it that Almighty God can love repentant mankind to the same degree that He loves Jesus Christ?

Job said, “What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him?” (Job 7:17)

Job added, “Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?” (Job 22:2)

The Great Creator is at work building a perfect kingdom comprised of righteous beings from the first creation in heaven and the second creation on earth. The created in heaven and on earth are all children of God of whom He has great plans for their role in His grand design.

“For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom HIS WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14).

Our Great Creator desires a family—children and a kingdom for His Son. Together, they love the creation in both heaven and on earth. Repentant, humble and serving mankind is of great value to Almighty God. His desire to extend grace to mankind is impatient. “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)

God describes His family as a garden called Eden. It is a cultivated garden of tall, graceful trees, flowering trees, bushes and flowers each a captivating sight of righteous beauty.

“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree; he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. PLANTED IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, they will flourish in the COURTS OF OUR GOD. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green” (Psalm 92:12-15).

Palm trees can grow and thrive in harsh hot, dry conditions. They are found near water sources and store it in their fruit, roots and trunk to access when the water table is low. Like people filled with God’s Holy Spirit, the palm tree images righteous people who are not corrupted when surrounded by wickedness.

Imagery of the great cedars bring an immediate rich visual of the most spectacular trees on earth. They have the unique qualities that mirror the great leaders in God’s headquarters. These tall and grand trees are dimensionally stable with a built-in thermal insulator. With oils that act as natural preservatives, these trees are resistant to bacteria and fungus. To top it off, they release a fresh aroma that deters pests. God created angels in heaven with all of these eternal qualities and superior strength to lead His kingdom in truth, understanding and wisdom of His law and His way. God uses the name of His headquarters in heaven, ‘Lebanon’ comprised of His stately and regal leaders to mirror Lebanon on earth renown for great cedars.

“I [God] will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily, and he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. His shoots will sprout, and his beauty will be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon” (Hosea 14:5-6).

God is prophesying about the beauty of His people, all twelve tribes who are twelve nations into the 21st century, after they repent, turn to Him and journey into life, eternal along with a countless multitude from the nations of the world. God’s family, headed by Jesus Christ is an image of a majestic, cultivated, exquisite garden.

God is also re-establishing a new government and it is already sprouting. It will grow into a thick forest in Lebanon full of faithful and loyal leaders with many beautiful gifts and wonderful qualities.

“In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?” (Isaiah 29:17).

God suffered a painful loss in heaven with the falling of one-third of the angels, but He is re-building and He will fill all of those positions once held by the fallen angels in heaven with repentant, righteous mankind. Creation on earth is destined for great glory. How is that our Great Creator is mindful of us, none other than His great love for us.

STANDING TALL

Margaret Mead noticed and said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

The few, the remnant of God-fearing and God-serving people on earth will be successful against all odds because their God is the Almighty. He will go out ahead of them and fight against Wickedness with them on the day of Armageddon. The resurrected saints will stand tall with Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords and fight against and overthrow Satan and his beastly coalition.

The love of righteousness is the key to this unbreakable loyalty for God and His order, His laws and ways.

Peace will come to earth and it begins with the peacemakers.

THE PEACEMAKERS

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Peacemakers wear the armour of God, running to establish peace and working to halt division and destruction of relationships. The Apostle Paul said that mankind’s only enemies are rogue, fallen angels who hold very powerful positions. They exist both on earth and in heaven. These rogue evil angels work to destroy mankind and they incite wars and destruction. Knowing the enemy is the first step to overcoming conflict. God identifies those who work to preserve relationships without compromise of truth and righteousness as His children who are in His likeness.

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35).

God desires to extend grace to sinners. He is long-suffering and endures patiently for the repentance of mankind. He has a carefully stepped-out plan. He will give mankind a fair and just opportunity for repentance. Believers need to do the same. God’s plan is still in motion. Not everyone is called to this day. Their time will come, pray that they repent at their time of their calling because God is holding positions of great esteem in His eternal kingdom for them.

Until then, unrepentant mankind is caught in a Satanic spell. They buy into hatred, anger, bloodshed as a means of solving conflicts. Much of the angst in the world comes from lies and a secret plan of destruction of mankind by evil and jealous fallen angels. Truth is suppressed, honesty is ignored and justice is often foregone.

This evil age presents many challenges for the peacemakers who will not compromise or tolerate lies and yet, through the wisdom of God various resolutions can be made and levels of peace achieved even in the most difficult conflicts.

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the LORD will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him. Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked” (Proverbs 24:17-20).

Help one another freely. Never forget God’s goodness in your calling, else your behaviour would be no better than those still waiting for God’s call that will awaken them to their mistakes. This evil age is difficult for both the called and the uncalled.

THOSE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).

The ugliness of sin, the cruelty of wickedness, the destruction of rebellion drives an uncompromising commitment to keep God’s laws and live His way. This life is worth nothing when evil rules and putrefies the air we breathe. The overcomers who love righteousness will never give in to something they detest and God awards their passion and resilience with entry into His holy, royal, ruling kingdom.

To endure persecution for the sake of righteousness requires a deep love for God’s way, an understanding of Wickedness and their sadistic desires to destroy God’s creation on earth, and wisdom to endure suffering for truly it is just a short time compared to timeless eternity.

Like the Son of God, they love righteousness and hate wickedness. “But about the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and have hated wickedness; because of this, God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of exultation above Your companions’” (Hebrews 1:8-9).

Both Jesus and Steven prayed to God, “Father forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” They understood the need to extend grace one to another.

"You have heard that it was said, 'you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-48).

Mankind’s only enemies are evil fallen angels who capture leaders on earth and lure them into wickedness and corruption (Ephesians 6:12). Some have given their soul to Satan in exchange for power, wealth and elitism on earth. Others are bribed and some are simply misguided souls caught up into worldliness.

God allows persecution. He is refining repentant mankind and molding them into a special, new creation that will not collapse under duress or choose to return to wickedness.

“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (II Timothy 3:12).

Satan hates believers who love God and wait for Him, living on earth as pilgrims seeking a kingdom whose architect is God.

The Apostle Paul reminded the Hebrews, “Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that YOU YOURSELVES HAD A BETTER AND PERMANENT POSSESSION. So, do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:32-38).

Don’t shrink back, pray for God’s strength during adversity; He gives generously. 

Mankind is not the enemy we battle against.

THOSE INSULTED, PERSECUTED AND MALIGNED BECAUSE OF CHRIST

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

To suffer with Christ by Wickedness, is the least Believers can endure in gratitude to Christ’s great sacrifice in saving mankind. This type of suffering tests faith, fortifies your position and binds like minds together. It cements loyalty and intensifies reverence for our loving God.

It opens the door into seeing the greater plan that God engineered before creation and for these people who are suffering because they are listening to the fullest, seeing in vivid detail and fortifying an unbreakable and intimate relationship with the Great Creator, Almighty God and His Son, our humble Saviour.

Enduring these types of attacks takes an understanding of the great battle at play. Some of the most powerful angles, sons in God’s family given great authority are at war against God and have been warring against Him before the creation of mankind on earth. Satan was ready and waiting.

These fallen angels will fight until they are destroyed. They have fought to seize God’s kingdom for themselves. Daniel recorded their sinisterly plans. Two kings battle against each other: the king of the north and the king of the south. Out of direct view from earth, these rogue heavenly kings will not concede. The reign of the kings of the north will end with a contemptible leader who is not a member of the royal line. This king “will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired of women [Christ], nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all” (Daniel 11:36-37). This is not a mortal king.

This king is described through God’s imagery as the “little horn” that rises up and overthrows three existing kings imaged as “horns”. “Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host [angels in heaven] down to the earth and trampled on them” (Daniel 8:10). This “little horn” is active in heaven and on earth during this time.

“It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of host [Jesus Christ]; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low” (Daniel 8:11).

Judgement will come upon this “little horn” before he is destroyed. His actions against Jesus Christ in heaven and the degradation of his sanctuary is temporary and allowed as God gathers evidence against him.

The “little horn” will wage war against the saints and succeed for a time, times and half a time. Then Almighty God will end the persecution. He will set up His court and award the kingdom to the persecuted saints. They, together with Jesus Christ, will be given God’s kingdom. “The court will set, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and all rulers will worship and obey him. THIS IS THE END OF THE MATTER” (Daniel 7:26-28a).

God Almighty brings the closure of the matter. He is in full control.

This is why Believers are persecuted because of Christ. These rogue heavenly rulers despise Jesus Christ and will fight to the death to take God’s kingdom by force. Those who follow Christ are hated for their allegiance to Almighty God and Jesus Christ.

THE BLESSED, THEIR HONOUR AND JOY

The Apostle James gave us visibility into God’s wisdom. It corresponds to Jesus’ promise of blessings for those who apply it. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

Mankind’s journey on earth could be summed up as the handiwork of Almighty God molding a fleshly creation into spiritual perfection. In so doing, they come to recognize their insignificance compared to the Great Creator, their vulnerability and need to put their complete trust in Him who is perfection. They grow to understand the magnitude of their Great Creator and hold this Being in great esteem, loving Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength.

They are captivated by His word and crave the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. As their spiritual growth increases, heavenly wisdom opens her heart to reveal the vastness of God’s love, and finally they see God in His full glory and they feel completeness. God’s plan is still in motion. Wait for God to fulfill His plan. Let Him take pleasure in the progress of His handiwork and rejoice with Him.

Our journey into perfection begins with the recognition of being utterly spiritually bankrupt before God and is completed by being abundantly spiritually rich in exercising the greatest form of love: standing strong during times of persecution, being prepared to lay down your life for God’s truth and remaining faithful to Him, loyal and devoted to His law, His ways, and His righteousness.

The blessings that will be given upon completing the race will be bountiful happiness and eternal peace.

Live God’s way and be the light in the darkness, like the lighthouse warning the seafarers of dangers. Stand tall and show mankind the way to Almighty God and His righteousness, else darkness will continue to reign and they will remain miserable, suffering in their sin.

The Beatitudes of Matthew 5 identify specific attributes of spiritual growth on the journey into life, eternal. Transformation out of the spirit of man into God’s Holy Spirit to live God’s way through Christ, His Word—the Expert of His word, will lead repentant mankind into perfection. 

                           “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”

                                                                       (Matthew 5:48).