Jacky passed away.
His soul fluttered above his stiffening body for a while, and was then whisked into a big reception area, not unlike the Arrival Hall of a big international airport.
Just metres away from the entrance to this Arrival Hall To The Next Dimension were rows and rows of beings. Representatives of all the earthly religions were there. There were Christian Representatives and sub-Representatives. There were Buddhist Representatives, Taoist Representatives, Muslim Representatives, Bahai Representatives, Free-thinker Representatives, Agnostic Representatives, whatever religious ideology you could imagine, its Representatives were there.
Jacky's soul was shocked, confused and muddled.
"We are all here." the Representatives echoed. "Whom do you want to join?"
"I believe a bit of this religion and a bit of that religion. I am not sure whom I should join now." Jacky replied.
"Well, it's up to you. You think over it. But don't make us wait too long."
This anecdote is purely fictional. But it illustrates the 1st Impossibility after death. How could all the religious ideologies continue in the Next Dimension ?
Stay tune to this blog for the 2nd and 3rd Impossibilities.
Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..." Rev 3:20
Saturday 26 April 2014
Friday 18 April 2014
Betrayal and Remorse
Good Friday.
The story of the last days of Jesus was filled with Betrayal, Regrets and Remorse.
Judas, supposedly a trusted disciple, led the Roman soldiers to Jesus and had Him captured. It was an act of betrayal. Later, Judas was so remorseful that he threw away his reward and hung himself.
Peter acted bravely and drew his sword to protect Jesus. But it was false bravery because he did not turn his sword against the Roman soldiers, but only hurt the high priest's slave. It was a cock's crow that reminded Peter that he denied Jesus 3 times at the most critical moments. Peter cried bitterly. He regretted his human weakness, his act of betrayal. He was remorseful.
Foolishness, human weakness and temptation, regret and remorse - these emotions were fully played out -- just like the scripts of popular TV shows and movies.
Aren't these emotions what we experience in life?
Jesus was human just like us. He experienced these emotional pain, just like us.
Thank you Jesus for being human, for the passion on Good Friday, and for rising from the dead on Easter. All these, You did it for us.
The story of the last days of Jesus was filled with Betrayal, Regrets and Remorse.
Judas, supposedly a trusted disciple, led the Roman soldiers to Jesus and had Him captured. It was an act of betrayal. Later, Judas was so remorseful that he threw away his reward and hung himself.
Peter acted bravely and drew his sword to protect Jesus. But it was false bravery because he did not turn his sword against the Roman soldiers, but only hurt the high priest's slave. It was a cock's crow that reminded Peter that he denied Jesus 3 times at the most critical moments. Peter cried bitterly. He regretted his human weakness, his act of betrayal. He was remorseful.
Foolishness, human weakness and temptation, regret and remorse - these emotions were fully played out -- just like the scripts of popular TV shows and movies.
Aren't these emotions what we experience in life?
Jesus was human just like us. He experienced these emotional pain, just like us.
Thank you Jesus for being human, for the passion on Good Friday, and for rising from the dead on Easter. All these, You did it for us.
Too many rites and rituals
Today is Good Friday. I wish you a 'Good' Good Friday.
In Philippines, the largely Catholic population has strange Holy Week practices. Their Good Friday rituals include nailing themselves onto the cross, and bloody self-flagellation.
This rituals must had historical origin. When the Spanish/Portugese colonized Philippines years ago, they quickly evangelized the people. The Church at that time must had given in to the local pagan practices and allowed the local people to transfer some of such practices to their adopted faith. Now the Catholic Church is too confused on whether or not to agree with such rituals.
Personally, I do not pay attention to worship rituals instituted by church leaders. The older the Church history, the more elaborate the rituals. The dotting of ash on the forehead, the waving of palm leaves, kissing a cross, etc, are all instituted by humans.
I only hold rites which Jesus had instituted for the Church as necessary - the act of Baptism and the Holy Communion.
In Philippines, the largely Catholic population has strange Holy Week practices. Their Good Friday rituals include nailing themselves onto the cross, and bloody self-flagellation.
This rituals must had historical origin. When the Spanish/Portugese colonized Philippines years ago, they quickly evangelized the people. The Church at that time must had given in to the local pagan practices and allowed the local people to transfer some of such practices to their adopted faith. Now the Catholic Church is too confused on whether or not to agree with such rituals.
Personally, I do not pay attention to worship rituals instituted by church leaders. The older the Church history, the more elaborate the rituals. The dotting of ash on the forehead, the waving of palm leaves, kissing a cross, etc, are all instituted by humans.
I only hold rites which Jesus had instituted for the Church as necessary - the act of Baptism and the Holy Communion.
Wednesday 9 April 2014
The best way to die
The topic of death is on my mind lately because my dad is dying of cancer.
I am impressed by the God-assisted-death experienced by Moses. Deut 32: 48 onwards...
32:48 - 50 And the Lord spoke to Moses that very same day, saying, go up to this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab opposite Jericho, and look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel for a possession. Then die on the mountain where you ascend...
34:1 - 4 Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo... Then the Lord said to him, "This is the Land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.."
34:5 - 7 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He (God) buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Bethpeor, but no man knows his burial place to this day. Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.
Please note the following:
1. God told Moses how to die well in advance. Moses had time to prepare himself.
2. Moses still had good eyesight. He was still 'vigor'. He did not suffer much pain, did not he need chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or went in and out of hospital.
3. He could climb up Mount Nebo. He did not need wheelchair.
4. God had comforted him that He would fulfill His promise.
5. God was with him at the moment of death
6. God brought him down to the valley to bury him.
In contrast, Jesus Christ died an excruciating death upon the cross. Christ Jesus suffered at the time of death, but not Moses. Jesus Christ had to suffer because He died for our sins.
Honestly, I prefer to die peacefully and comfortably like Moses. God, please grant my wish when the time comes.
I am impressed by the God-assisted-death experienced by Moses. Deut 32: 48 onwards...
32:48 - 50 And the Lord spoke to Moses that very same day, saying, go up to this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab opposite Jericho, and look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel for a possession. Then die on the mountain where you ascend...
34:1 - 4 Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo... Then the Lord said to him, "This is the Land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.."
34:5 - 7 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He (God) buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Bethpeor, but no man knows his burial place to this day. Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.
Please note the following:
1. God told Moses how to die well in advance. Moses had time to prepare himself.
2. Moses still had good eyesight. He was still 'vigor'. He did not suffer much pain, did not he need chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or went in and out of hospital.
3. He could climb up Mount Nebo. He did not need wheelchair.
4. God had comforted him that He would fulfill His promise.
5. God was with him at the moment of death
6. God brought him down to the valley to bury him.
In contrast, Jesus Christ died an excruciating death upon the cross. Christ Jesus suffered at the time of death, but not Moses. Jesus Christ had to suffer because He died for our sins.
Honestly, I prefer to die peacefully and comfortably like Moses. God, please grant my wish when the time comes.
Monday 7 April 2014
There shall be no 'eternal' punishment
When I was a young Christian, I was recommended to read several 'classic' Christian books to deepen my faith. I remember one of them was 'KNOWING GOD' by J I Packer.
Although our finite mind can never understand the infinite God fully, understanding 3%, or 5%, of God's character and attributes is still a good thing. I understand and KNOW God, my creator as merciful, kind and loving. Hence, knowing (a little about) God, I will never believe that God will let anyone suffer eternal condemnation in Hell. (The key word here is 'eternal'.) God is our creator. Humans are God's creation. How can a creator allow His creation to suffer eternally, forever and ever and ever??!!??
Hence, I came to believe that even though non-believers may not go to Heaven, they will not go to Hell 'eternally' too. The merciful and loving God will give these people 70 times 70 chances, or 7000 times 7000 chances, or 7 million times 7 million chances to recognize and acknowledge Christ -- and to receive salvation and hence go to Heaven through Jesus Christ.
That is why we will all be happy in Heaven -- being assured that ultimate, ALL our non-believing friends and family members will also be there sooner or later. Otherwise, how can Heaven be a truly happy place if we look down from Heaven and recognize one of our friends is suffering punishment in Hell forever without end? We will be laden with sadness although we ourselves are in Heaven.
This is my logical personal perspective. Even though my Church or your Church holds a different view, I will still cling onto my own perspective because my God is merciful and loving to those whom He had created.
Thank you Lord Jesus Christ.
Although our finite mind can never understand the infinite God fully, understanding 3%, or 5%, of God's character and attributes is still a good thing. I understand and KNOW God, my creator as merciful, kind and loving. Hence, knowing (a little about) God, I will never believe that God will let anyone suffer eternal condemnation in Hell. (The key word here is 'eternal'.) God is our creator. Humans are God's creation. How can a creator allow His creation to suffer eternally, forever and ever and ever??!!??
Hence, I came to believe that even though non-believers may not go to Heaven, they will not go to Hell 'eternally' too. The merciful and loving God will give these people 70 times 70 chances, or 7000 times 7000 chances, or 7 million times 7 million chances to recognize and acknowledge Christ -- and to receive salvation and hence go to Heaven through Jesus Christ.
That is why we will all be happy in Heaven -- being assured that ultimate, ALL our non-believing friends and family members will also be there sooner or later. Otherwise, how can Heaven be a truly happy place if we look down from Heaven and recognize one of our friends is suffering punishment in Hell forever without end? We will be laden with sadness although we ourselves are in Heaven.
This is my logical personal perspective. Even though my Church or your Church holds a different view, I will still cling onto my own perspective because my God is merciful and loving to those whom He had created.
Thank you Lord Jesus Christ.
Friday 4 April 2014
Trials and Sufferings
I have a neighbor who had just accepted Christ and was baptized. She experienced God, and was getting active in Church.
Then a series of trials lied before her. She had problem with her employer and supervisor and had to change job. She gained a lot of weight and became obese. She was in and out of hospital because of some other illnesses. Her daughter developed serious mental problem.
Her faith was under severe testing. She was being refined in a hot crucible. She must emerge as fine gold.
Back to my own situation - I am heartbroken for a few weeks. Psalms 34 is very dear to me. The words quench my bleeding soul:
>Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
>The righteous cry and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
>The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
>I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
>O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
My conclusion is: Though many are the afflictions, so too would be the LORD's deliverance.
Then a series of trials lied before her. She had problem with her employer and supervisor and had to change job. She gained a lot of weight and became obese. She was in and out of hospital because of some other illnesses. Her daughter developed serious mental problem.
Her faith was under severe testing. She was being refined in a hot crucible. She must emerge as fine gold.
Back to my own situation - I am heartbroken for a few weeks. Psalms 34 is very dear to me. The words quench my bleeding soul:
>Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
>The righteous cry and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
>The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
>I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
>O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
My conclusion is: Though many are the afflictions, so too would be the LORD's deliverance.
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