Saturday, June 20, 2020

If CHRIST Brought GOD's Salvation Twenty Centuries Ago, Why Are So Many People Still Waiting For The Good News Of Their Liberation?

"Their descendants shall be known among the nations
and their offspring among the people.
All who see them will acknowledge that they are a race YAHWEH has blessed.
I rejoice greatly in YAHWEH,
my soul exults for joy in my GOD,
for HE has clothed me in the garments of HIS salvation,
HE has covered me with the robe of HIS righteousness,
like a bridegroom wearing a garland,
like a bride adorned with jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its growth,
and as a garden makes seeds spring up,
so will the LORD YAHWEH make justice and praise
spring up in the sight of all nations.
- Isaiah 61:9-11

(The prophet recalls the mission he received from GOD, to announce to the Jewish pioneers who returned to Jerusalem that GOD would bless their efforts.  The ruins would be rebuilt; the people would come back in great numbers from the countries where they were exiled; those who doubt or are discouraged must persevere because, soon, GOD will come to visit HIS people.

Speaking in the synagogue of Nazareth, JESUS read this text and said: "Today it is being fulfilled" [Luke 4:21].  And the people who heard HIM were saying: "GOD has visited HIS people."

And yet, we who come after HIM wonder: If CHRIST brought GOD's salvation twenty centuries ago, why are so many people still waiting for the good news of their liberation?

It is because the Gospel is a seed and the resurrection does not immediately bring about the transformation of the world.  If the Jewish people endured fifteen centuries of searching and trials before their Savior came, how will other people obtain the definitive Peace of the kingdom of GOD without first passing through the great trials preceding CHRIST's return?  We are already quite blessed to have HIM in our midst and HIS spirit upon us.)

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