To grasp the full meaning of being “born again,” it helps first to consider natural birth. Before a child is born, much about their life is already shaped by their family lineage and heritage. The genetic traits, physical characteristics, and social identity are largely determined by ancestors. Scripture affirms this continuity of lineage and inheritance, as Paul notes the importance of family heritage and spiritual inheritance (Romans 5:12-14).
For example, you were naturally born into a specific ethnic group—African, with black skin and curly hair. Your family knew this even before you were born because these traits come from your parents and ancestors. Similarly, if your family is royal or has a particular social status, this too shapes expectations about your identity and role.
Spiritually, however, there is a second birth—a birth into a new family, the family of God, through Jesus Christ. This is the “new birth” Jesus spoke about in John 3:3 (NIV):
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’”
This second birth is not physical but spiritual. It places a person into a new lineage—the kingdom of God—a royal, holy family chosen by God Himself (1 Peter 2:9). To be born into this family means inheriting new spiritual traits, a new identity, and a destiny aligned with God’s will.
Before one can be spiritually born again, several realities must be understood:
The Father who gives new birth: Jesus Christ is the source and author of this new life (John 1:12-13).
The new family name: Believers are given the name “Christian,” meaning “little Christ,” reflecting their new identity (Acts 11:26).
The characteristics of the new family: Holiness, love, humility, and righteousness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Our commitment to live accordingly: Following Christ’s example and commands (1 John 2:6).
The Bible clearly states the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus:
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Just as natural birth requires water and physical processes, spiritual birth involves:
Repentance: Turning away from sin, a heartfelt change of mind and behavior (Acts 3:19).
Baptism in water: Symbolizing cleansing and death to the old self (Romans 6:3-4).
Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ: Invoking the authority of Christ Himself, as practiced by the apostles (Acts 2:38; 8:16).
Receiving the Holy Spirit: The inward seal and power for the Christian life (Ephesians 1:13-14).
The importance of baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ” is underlined by the early church’s practice. Unlike later traditions that baptize in the Trinity formula, the New Testament consistently describes baptism in Jesus’ name alone. This connects the believer directly to the authority of Christ.
Being born again transforms the believer’s nature. The indwelling Holy Spirit renews the heart, producing fruit such as love, joy, peace, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The believer begins to naturally reject sin and live a holy life (Romans 8:9-11).
John writes:
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” — John 1:12-13 (ESV)
This spiritual heritage includes sharing in Christ’s sufferings and rejection by the world:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” — John 15:18 (NIV)
It is important to note that not everyone who claims to be born again truly has experienced this new birth. Many join the church but lack genuine repentance and proper baptism. Such people often struggle with sin because the new nature of God’s seed is not within them:
“No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.” — 1 John 3:9 (ESV)
The kingdom of God is the highest authority and realm:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” — Revelation 11:15 (ESV)
Jesus Christ reigns over all creation—heaven, earth, and spiritual realms (Colossians 1:16-17). His return will bring believers into eternal glory.
Jesus commanded Nicodemus:
“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” — John 3:5 (NIV)
Therefore, being born again is not optional but essential for salvation and eternal life.
In summary:
The natural birth defines our physical identity and heritage.
The new birth in Christ defines our spiritual identity and destiny.
This new birth is experienced through repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and receiving the Holy Spirit.
It transforms us into God’s children, empowering us to live holy lives and secure eternal life.
May God bless you as you seek this true new birth.
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Have you ever asked yourself: “Will I be among those who sit with Abraham in the Kingdom of God?” This is not just a hopeful thought; it’s a reality promised in Scripture. But who qualifies to sit at that table? It’s not about your background, title, or how long you’ve been in church. The key is faith—genuine, Abraham-like faith.
Being a child of Abraham means sharing in the faith that defined his relationship with God. God didn’t choose Abraham because he was perfect or strong—He chose him because Abraham believed (Genesis 15:6 NKJV):
“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”
This verse is foundational. It’s the first time in the Bible we see righteousness given not by works, but by faith. Paul later confirms in Galatians 3:7 (NKJV):
“Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”
Abraham didn’t just believe when things were easy. His faith endured the impossible. God promised him a son when he was nearly 100 years old, and he believed. When God tested him by asking him to sacrifice that very son, Isaac, Abraham didn’t doubt. Hebrews 11:17–19 (NKJV) tells us:
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac… concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.”
That is radical faith. Abraham trusted God beyond logic, beyond emotion, and beyond human reasoning. He knew that God’s promises could not fail, even if circumstances seemed to say otherwise.
In Matthew 8:5–13, Jesus encounters a Roman centurion—a Gentile, not a Jew—whose faith astonishes Him.
The centurion’s servant was sick, and Jesus offered to come heal him. But the centurion responded:
“Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8 NKJV)
He believed in the authority of Jesus’ word. He knew Jesus didn’t need to be physically present to heal. Jesus marveled and said:
“Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (v. 10)
Then He added a remarkable prophecy:
“And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.” (vv. 11–12)
This statement challenges our assumptions. Jesus was saying that many outsiders—people from unlikely places, people the religious world ignores—will enter the Kingdom, while some who thought they were guaranteed a place (the “sons of the kingdom”) will be left out.
Why? Because God looks at the heart of faith, not religious titles or rituals (1 Samuel 16:7).
Just like Abraham, the centurion accounted God as faithful and able. He didn’t need physical evidence or religious ceremony. He simply believed in God’s authority.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus responds differently when He sees extraordinary faith:
The woman with the issue of blood believed, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” (Matthew 9:21 NKJV). She didn’t need attention or prayer—just faith in His power.
The Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21–28) kept pressing Jesus for her daughter’s healing, even when she seemed ignored. Her persistent faith moved Jesus to heal.
Zacchaeus, the tax collector (Luke 19), climbed a tree just to see Jesus. His hunger to encounter Christ led Jesus to say, “Today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:9)
All these people had one thing in common: they didn’t approach Jesus through normal channels. They pushed past obstacles, traditions, or expectations—and touched the heart of God.
Today, many people think they need to go through religious leaders or places to access God. They wait for prophets to visit them, or travel to other nations for healing or answers. But God is not far. He is near—even in your own heart and mouth (Romans 10:8 NKJV):
“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” — that is, the word of faith which we preach.
You don’t need a middleman. Jesus Christ alone is the mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). You can approach God directly, just like Abraham, just like the centurion, and just like the woman with the issue of blood.
Ask yourself: When you face trials or needs, do you run first to human help, or do you account God as able?
If you believe God can use others to bless you, then believe He can also use you.
If you trust Him to answer a preacher’s prayer, then trust He can also answer your own.
God desires faith that pleases Him, not just crowds that follow Him (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV):
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
In the end, it is not just about being near religious things. It’s about having a heart that truly believes.
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”—2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV)
Let us strive to reach that level of Abrahamic faith—the kind that doesn’t waver in uncertainty, the kind that moves mountains, and the kind that causes God to say,
“This one will sit with Abraham in My Kingdom.”
May the Lord bless you and increase your faith. Amen.
1. Introduction: Who Was Job?
Job is introduced in Job 1:1 as a man who was “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” His righteousness was not only outward but deeply personal. Job lived with integrity, maintained pure worship, and even interceded for his children (Job 1:5), fearing that they might have sinned against God unknowingly.
Satan, whose name means “accuser,” appeared before God and accused Job of serving God only because he had been blessed (Job 1:9–11). In response, God permitted Satan to test Job’s faith—showing that Job’s loyalty was not dependent on circumstances, but rooted in genuine love and reverence for God.
Satan took away all of Job’s wealth—his oxen, sheep, camels, servants, and even his children. Job’s response was remarkable:
Job 1:21 (NIV)“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Despite overwhelming grief, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing. (Job 1:22)
Theological Insight:This reflects Job’s deep understanding of God’s sovereignty. His worship was not based on gifts, but on God’s nature. True faith acknowledges that everything we have is from God and belongs to Him (see Psalm 24:1).
Satan, having failed to break Job’s spirit through external losses, attacked his health. Job was struck with painful sores from head to toe. He sat on ashes, scraping himself with broken pottery. Even his wife said:
Job 2:9 (NIV)“Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Job answered:
Job 2:10 (NIV)“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Theological Insight:This response shows a mature understanding of divine providence. God is not only the God of blessings but also sovereign in allowing suffering for a purpose (see Romans 8:28, James 5:11). Job’s wife, overwhelmed by grief, represents the human tendency to measure God’s love by our comfort—a dangerous theological error.
The final and most dangerous trial was spiritual and doctrinal. Satan now used Job’s own friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—to sow doubt and confusion through seemingly religious counsel. They accused Job of hidden sin, insisting that suffering is always the result of wrongdoing.
Let’s look at each of their arguments.
Eliphaz was the first to speak. He claimed that Job’s suffering must be the result of sin:
Job 4:7–8 (NIV)“Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.”
Eliphaz believed in a strict retribution theology—that good things happen to good people and bad things to sinners.
Theological Error:While God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4), the book of Job shows that suffering is not always a punishment. Eliphaz’s view ignores the mystery of divine testing and spiritual growth through trials (see John 9:1–3; 1 Peter 1:6–7).
Bildad’s argument was harsher. He accused Job’s children of dying because of their sins:
Job 8:4–6 (NIV)“When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty,if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf…”
Theological Error:Bildad assumes a direct cause-and-effect between sin and tragedy. But Job had continually interceded for his children (Job 1:5). His theology failed to recognize the grace of God and the reality of righteous suffering (see Hebrews 11:35–38).
Zophar was the most blunt. He implied Job was getting less punishment than he deserved:
Job 11:6 (NIV)“Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.”
Later, he mocked Job’s downfall:
Job 20:5–7 (NIV)“…the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.Though the pride of the godless person reaches to the heavens…they will perish forever, like their own dung.”
Theological Error:Zophar lacked compassion and misapplied divine judgment. He made Job feel condemned instead of comforted, violating the spirit of true pastoral care (see Galatians 6:1–2, Romans 12:15).
These friends spoke some truth—but wrongly applied it. They used scriptural ideas (like sowing and reaping, God’s justice) to make Job feel guilty. Worse, they claimed divine dreams and revelations to support their accusations (Job 4:12–17).
2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved… who correctly handles the word of truth.”
They became Satan’s instruments, not by cursing God, but by using twisted theology to tempt Job into abandoning his faith.
Unlike his friends, Job knew that faith is not about outward blessings but about the heart’s connection with God. He never claimed to be perfect, but he was confident in his innocence before God:
Job 13:15 (NIV)“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.”
Job’s hope was not in prosperity or healing—it was in God’s righteousness and mercy.
This story is a timeless warning. Satan still uses hardship to test believers. When that fails, he sends false voices—even from religious people—to make us question our standing with God.
Today’s “Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar” are often prosperity preachers or false prophets who say:
If you’re struggling, God must be against you.
If you’re sick or poor, your faith is weak.
If you’re not successful, you must be cursed.
But the Bible teaches:
Romans 8:35–37 (NIV)“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Faith is not measured by success but by perseverance and relationship with God, even in suffering.
In the end, God rebuked Job’s friends for speaking falsely about Him (Job 42:7–9) and restored Job’s fortunes—doublewhat he had before (Job 42:10). Job’s reward was not just material; it was spiritual vindication.
Let us also stand firm, not shaken by outward losses or human opinions. Like Job, let our faith be rooted in knowing God, not in what we possess.
James 5:11 (NIV)“You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
Remain faithful in every season—wealth or poverty, health or sickness. Don’t judge your spiritual standing by outward conditions. And don’t be misled by religious voices that lack the Spirit of truth.
Stand on the Word. Keep your heart close to God. And in due time, He will lift you up.
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
May the Lord bless and keep you always.
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Although we have the Gospel of the Cross, which is central to every person’s salvation, there is another gospel referred to in Scripture: the Eternal Gospel. This is distinct from the Cross‑gospel. The Gospel of the Cross proclaims that humanity is saved through one person—JESUS CHRIST. Any message that claims to redeem people but does not center on Jesus is false, because He alone is the way, the truth, and the life; no one can come to the Father except through Him.
Therefore, many so‑called “gospels” may promise salvation, but only one truly can save — through Jesus Christ alone, the one crucified, dead, and risen. That’s why Paul warned:
“If someone comes and preaches a different Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” — 2 Corinthians 11:4 (paraphrase)
Paul’s point is clear: there is a “Jesus” of false teaching, and a “gospel” that is not the same as what the apostles preached.
The name “eternal” means exactly that — this gospel is timeless. It existed before humanity was created, it exists now, and it will continue forever. Contrast that with the Gospel of the Cross, which has a beginning (Calvary) and an endpoint (the Rapture). Once the door of grace closes, there will be no further opportunity for salvation. What remains is the gospel that is eternal — the one that has always been.
In Revelation we read:
“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.’” — Revelation 14:6‑7 (NIV)
The Gospel of the Cross is preached. Without someone to preach it, people would never hear. As Paul explains in Romans:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? … ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” — Romans 10:13‑15 (NIV)
But the Eternal Gospel is not spread by human preaching. Instead, God places it inside a person — in their conscience. Every person is born with this inner sense of right and wrong, which acts as a witness to God’s understanding of good and evil.
This gospel is active even without formal teaching. Even those who have never heard about Jesus or read the Bible still know that murder, theft, injustice, sexual immorality, and other sins are wrong — because their conscience testifies.
The Eternal Gospel is not only for humans; it existed before time and even applies to angels, because it is truly eternal.
Because this gospel is written on people’s hearts, everyone will be judged by it, even those who never heard the Christian message. Paul talks about this in Romans 1:
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse … They knew God, but neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” — Romans 1:20‑21 (NIV) (paraphrased)
He goes on to describe how people, knowing what is right, still choose to do wrong. Their conscience knows the truth, but they reject it.
If you are living in sin — whether it’s sexual sin, substance abuse, injustice, or anything else — your conscience already knows what is right and wrong. But God does not leave you there. The only way to avoid the coming judgment is to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, who died for your sins and rose again.
Repent, believe, and receive His power to live a new life. Time is shorter than you may think.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6 (NIV)
You’ve been wrestling with serious questions — as a Christian, one who has genuinely converted and resolved to carry your cross and follow Christ, no matter the cost. Sometimes, those questions echo not just in your mind but deep in your heart. And many times, you feel like you haven’t found real answers.
For instance, you might think: “Ever since I surrendered my life to the Lord, I’ve experienced profound peace within. But nothing much seems to change around me. When I tried to live a holy life, friends and relatives drifted away. When I stopped gossiping, people accused me of being proud. When I refused bribes, more problems surfaced at work and people began to resent me. When I helped others, I didn’t get thanks — I got criticism. When I started fasting and praying, the problems didn’t go away; in fact, they kept coming. And when I began serving God, that’s when financial difficulties peaked.”
You may even reach a point where you say: “Is there any real benefit in denying myself for this faith? I feel no gain. Those who don’t fear God seem to be the ones thriving — rich, healthy, successful — yet they reject God. Meanwhile, despite all my sacrifice and holiness, God seems not to notice me or reward me like them. What am I missing? What curse is on me? Or do they have something extra that I don’t?”
These are not shallow doubts — these are deep, honest struggles of many saints. Even King David voiced similar cries. Consider what he said:
Psalm 69:7–12 (NIV):
“For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.”
Psalm 73:1–12 (NIV):
“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. … For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free of common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. … They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. … They say, ‘How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?’ … This is what the wicked are like — always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.”
Psalm 42:3 (NIV):
“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”
These words come from David and Asaph, two of God’s faithful servants — people who fasted, prayed, cried, and yet felt marginalized, mocked, or envied the wicked. Their struggle was not just emotional, but spiritual.
But here’s the good news: God heard them. He responded. In Malachi 3:13–18 (NIV), He says:
“You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the LORD.“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
Do you see? Your good deeds are not wasted or ignored. There is a Book of Remembrance in heaven, and it’s writing down every act of faith, every sacrifice, every moment you chose God over the world.
So if you are truly committed to Christ, don’t fall into the trap of thinking your service has no value:
Your struggles, your prayers, your sacrifice — they are not for nothing. They’re being recorded in heaven. And your reward is real.
Some final thoughts:
“though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.”
If you haven’t already, surrender wholeheartedly to Christ now — before this season of grace closes. And rest in the assurance that God sees you; He knows you; and He is writing your legacy.
**God bless you.**
*A spiritual reflection on discipline, holiness, and the heavenly reward*
God often speaks to us through the ordinary moments of our everyday lives. We frequently miss His voice because we expect Him to speak only through spectacular means—visions, dreams, prophecies, or angelic visitations—things He does use, but not always.
Most often, God speaks to us **through life itself**, which is why it is vital for us to study the life of our Lord Jesus Christ and the lives of the saints who went before us. When we read books like Genesis, Kings, Esther, Ruth, Nehemiah, Ezra, or even the journey of Israel, we are reading stories of *people’s lives*—and through those lives, the purposes of God are revealed to us.
God usually reveals Himself in small and quiet things. Without stillness and attention, we may conclude that God has never spoken to us, while in truth He has spoken many times—but our hearts lacked understanding.
—
A Lesson From Two Athletes
There was a time we found ourselves living temporarily with two players from a well-known football team in Tanzania. At first, it did not feel like anything remarkable (we are not sports fans—and for a Christian, deep obsession with worldly sports is not fitting). But over time, their lifestyle surprised us deeply.
We expected them, as worldly athletes, to be undisciplined like many celebrities. But what we observed was the complete opposite.
Their daily schedule shocked us:
* They woke up at **6:00 a.m.** (saa 12) and trained until **9:00 a.m.** * After resting until midday, they trained again from **1:00–2:00 p.m.**—in the hot sun, pushing harder than the morning session. * They rested again until evening and returned for team training around **11:00 a.m.** (evening practice).
This was their life every day—morning and evening.
But what shocked us even more was their moral discipline:
* They kept away from women * No drinking or smoking * No wandering or partying * Very few friends * Their life was simply *train and rest*
So one day we asked them, “Why do you live so differently from others?”
Their answer was profound.
They said the things that destroy athletes and make them lose their form quickly are:
1. Sexual immorality 2. Alcohol and smoking 3. Wandering and worldly thrills 4. Lack of training, especially during difficult times
“Anyone who avoids these things,” they said, “will find sports easy and will maintain their level.”
Immediately, we recognized that **God was speaking to us through them**, and the verse that came to mind was:
“Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. They do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable one.”** 1 Corinthians 9:24–27
If these athletes—who do *not* have the grace we have in Christ—can deny worldly pleasures just to win a trophy that perishes, how much more should we, who claim to be Christians, discipline ourselves for the eternal prize?
They know that where they are going, they will face other highly skilled players, so they suffer *now* to be victorious *then.*
The Christian Race
Paul wrote:
“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life.” 2 Timothy 2:4
“And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5*
Being a Christian does not mean we have already arrived. It means:
* There is a **race** ahead of us * There is a **fight** set before us * There is a **crown** prepared for those who overcome
Jesus Himself said:
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”** > — *Revelation 22:12*
But we cannot receive that reward without embracing the cost Paul described
“I discipline my body and bring it into subjection…” 1 Corinthians 9:27
If worldly athletes discipline their bodies to win trophies that will lose value tomorrow, how much more should we discipline ourselves to obtain the **imperishable crown**—one that lasts forever?
The Great Cloud of Witnesses
The Bible tells us of a “great cloud of witnesses” surrounding us—read Hebrews 11. These were people who overcame through endurance:
* They lived as **pilgrims and strangers** * They looked toward **the world to come** * They considered earthly life as **nothing** compared to eternity * They were persecuted, tortured, cut in pieces, stoned, and killed—but did not give up their faith
The Bible says the world was **not worthy** of them.
How will we become like them if we do not deny ourselves today?
Paul concludes by saying:
“Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.” Hebrews 12:1–3
What Are the Athletes Around You Teaching You?
On that Day, how will you feel when you see people you once knew—perhaps more talented or more beautiful than you—who denied themselves the pleasures of this world and now shine like stars, while you stand with nothing?
How will you feel when those who had every opportunity to enjoy the world refused, choosing Christ instead—and now reign while you lost everything?
The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12).
Beloved, lay aside the things of this world. Store up treasures in heaven.
If you have not yet surrendered your life to Christ, **now** is the time. Begin building the crown you will receive on that Day.
Reflection Question
*What are the athletes around you teaching you about your own Christian race?
May God bless you.
Babylon was one of the greatest empires in ancient history, known for its architectural marvels, strong fortifications, and cultural influence. Historically and biblically, it symbolized human pride, idolatry, and rebellion against God (cf. Genesis 11:1–9). At its peak, Babylon seemed impenetrable. Its people believed the city would last forever.
However, Daniel 5 gives us a profound lesson: no matter how mighty a kingdom may appear, God alone holds the final authority over nations, kings, and destinies (Daniel 2:21).
Daniel 5:1–4 (NKJV) “Belshazzar the king made a great feast… he gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem…”
Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, committed a grievous sin—not merely drunken revelry, but blasphemy. He deliberately used sacred items from the Temple of God in Jerusalem to toast idols of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
Theologically, this act represents the ultimate desecration—mixing the holy with the profane (cf. Leviticus 10:10). Belshazzar was not ignorant. Daniel later rebukes him, saying:
Daniel 5:22 (NKJV) “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.”
He had knowledge of how God had humbled Nebuchadnezzar, but instead of learning, he hardened his heart.
Daniel 5:5 (NKJV) “In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall…”
Only Daniel, empowered by the Spirit of God (Daniel 5:11), could interpret the writing:
Daniel 5:25–28 (NKJV) MENE: God has numbered your kingdom and finished it. TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. PERES: Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
These words are a theological proclamation of divine sovereignty and moral accountability. Belshazzar’s sins had reached their full measure (cf. Genesis 15:16), and God’s judgment was immediate.
Daniel 5:30 (NKJV) “That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain.”
While Belshazzar feasted, the Medo-Persian army, under Cyrus the Great, had already diverted the Euphrates River and entered Babylon through the dried riverbed. The city was taken without a full-scale battle, exactly as prophesied (cf. Isaiah 45:1–2).
This fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy:
Jeremiah 51:57–58 (NKJV) “And I will make drunk her princes… and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep and not awake,” says the King… “The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken.”
In Revelation 17–18, “Babylon” reappears—not as a literal city, but as a symbol of a corrupt religious-political system that opposes Christ and leads many astray.
Revelation 17:5 (NKJV) “And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
Just like ancient Babylon, this end-time system will be judged:
Revelation 18:8 (NKJV) “Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”
The mixture of holy and unholy, the use of God’s name in vain, and the commercialization of religion will bring swift destruction.
In the New Testament, believers are described as temples of the Holy Spirit:
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NKJV) “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you…? Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Just as Belshazzar misused the holy vessels, we too can fall into the same sin when:
These are modern-day equivalents of using God’s vessels for unholy purposes, and they invite swift judgment (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16–17).
The Bible commands believers to come out of spiritual Babylon—false religion, compromise, and worldliness.
2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (NKJV) “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”
Revelation 18:4 (NKJV) “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.”
We are called to be holy, distinct, and faithful in a corrupt generation (cf. 1 Peter 1:15–16).
Just like Belshazzar, this generation has received warnings. The question is: Will we repent? Or will we continue in pride, presumption, and sin until the judgment of God arrives suddenly?
Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV) “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Yet, God is also full of mercy, desiring that none perish (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). The message is clear:
✅ Flee from spiritual Babylon ✅ Live a holy life ✅ Honor God with your body and gifts ✅ Be watchful and ready for Christ’s return
The fall of Babylon in Daniel 5 is both a historical reality and a prophetic warning. It reminds us that no kingdom, institution, or person who exalts themselves above God will stand.
As God judged Belshazzar for his pride and desecration of the holy, He will also judge all unrighteousness. The time to repent is now.
Isaiah 55:6–7 (NKJV) “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.”
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In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King over all kingdoms of the earth, be praised.
Welcome to the continuation of the Book of Daniel.
This chapter narrates King Nebuchadnezzar’s remarkable vision and how it transformed his mindset, leading him to humble himself before God. He wrote this letter declaring:
Daniel 4:1 (NIV) Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, to all peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the earth: May your peace abound!
2 It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
Here, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God’s sovereignty and eternal kingdom, which is foundational in biblical theology: God’s dominion is everlasting, transcending human empires (cf. Psalm 145:13).
Nebuchadnezzar, a Gentile king, recognizes the Most High God (El Elyon)—a title emphasizing God’s supreme authority above all earthly rulers (see Genesis 14:18-20). This is significant because it shows God’s revelation extends beyond Israel to the nations, foreshadowing the universal reign of Christ (Revelation 11:15).
Nebuchadnezzar speaks of signs and wonders God showed him. This fits the biblical pattern where God first sends warnings before judgment:
God’s patience and mercy allow time for repentance (2 Peter 3:9), but persistent pride leads to judgment (Proverbs 16:18).
Nebuchadnezzar witnessed miracles such as the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). These miracles demonstrated God’s power to save and judge, validating His sovereignty.
Biblically, miracles are signs pointing to God’s kingdom breaking into the present age (John 2:11; Acts 2:22). Yet, Jesus warned that signs without repentance are meaningless (Matthew 12:38-42), condemning cities where miracles occurred but hearts remained hardened (Matthew 11:20-24).
Nebuchadnezzar describes his vision of a towering tree:
“In my dream I saw a tree in the middle of the land. It was very tall and strong… The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth. Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches… But a holy messenger, a messenger of God, came down from heaven and said: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches… but leave the stump and roots, bound with iron and bronze… Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the wild animals… till seven times pass by for him. This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones… so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.’”
Despite the warnings, Nebuchadnezzar boasts:
“Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
At that moment, God’s judgment comes: Nebuchadnezzar is driven away from human society, living like an animal, eating grass like cattle—symbolizing complete humiliation (cf. Ezekiel 4:12-15; Psalm 102:6).
The watchers in Daniel represent God’s heavenly council overseeing earthly affairs, echoing ancient Near Eastern ideas of divine courts but uniquely shaped by biblical monotheism (cf. Job 1:6-12; 1 Kings 22:19-23).
God holds rulers accountable for justice (Proverbs 29:14), and Scripture warns that pride leads to downfall (James 4:6).
After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity and kingdom are restored when he acknowledges:
“The Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes… His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation… He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
This confession is a profound act of repentance and recognition of God’s kingship, showing God’s mercy and restoration.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you richly as you meditate on these truths. Please share this message with others.
Daniel 3: Bless the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Welcome to the continuation of the book of Daniel. Today, as we explore the “third gate,” we examine events following King Nebuchadnezzar’s first dream—a prophetic vision of four successive world kingdoms that would reign until the end of time (Daniel 2). In chapter 3, we see Nebuchadnezzar fulfilling his vision by erecting a colossal golden statue and commanding universal worship. Refusal to worship the statue meant death by fire, illustrating the spiritual test of allegiance that foreshadows end-time realities.
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then the king sent word to assemble the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, pipe, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
The Old Testament events often foreshadow New Testament realities (Colossians 2:17 NIV). Babylon here symbolizes earthly worldly systems opposed to God’s Kingdom. In Revelation 17-18, a spiritual Babylon rises—corrupt religious and political systems that deceive the nations (Revelation 17:5 calls her “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes”).
This passage is a prophetic warning and encouragement: God’s people will face unprecedented trials, but those who remain faithful will experience divine deliverance. The vision of the statue and the fiery furnace is not just history—it’s a preview of the spiritual battle and final judgment ahead. The call is to commit fully to Christ, reject all forms of idolatry, and be ready for His return.
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There was a divine purpose behind God raising Babylon to be the world’s dominant kingdom in its day. God allowed Babylon to conquer Israel, His chosen nation, to discipline them through exile and destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (2 Chronicles 36:15-21). This was a fulfillment of God’s judgment for Israel’s unfaithfulness but also a demonstration of His sovereignty over all nations (Isaiah 10:5-6).
Though Babylon was once exalted, God declared through the prophet Isaiah that it would one day fall and become desolate (Isaiah 13:19-22). This historical fall of Babylon serves as a type or foreshadowing of the spiritual Babylon described in Revelation 18—a symbol of the ultimate corrupt system opposed to God, which will be judged and destroyed at the end of time (Revelation 18:2-5).
Years before Babylon’s fall, God began warning its rulers through dreams and visions (Daniel 2). King Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream demonstrated that God reveals His plans through divine revelation, often conveyed in symbolic imagery (Daniel 2:28).
The king summoned Babylon’s magicians, enchanters, and wise men to interpret the dream, but none could (Daniel 2:2-10). This underscores a key theological point: only God can reveal the secrets of the heart and future events, not human wisdom or occult practices. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV) affirms this:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.”
Satan’s power is limited; he cannot know our hearts or true thoughts—only God has that divine omniscience (1 Chronicles 28:9). Daniel, through prayer and God’s revelation, was able to interpret the dream (Daniel 2:19-23).
The Dream and Its Interpretation Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a colossal statue made of various materials:
The stone “cut out without hands” represents the Messianic Kingdom, established by Christ Himself (Daniel 2:44). This divine kingdom will smash all earthly empires and endure forever, fulfilling God’s promise of an eternal reign through Jesus (Psalm 2:6-9; Revelation 11:15).
Theological Insights:
Summary: The statue’s components represent successive world empires, culminating in a corrupt, divided kingdom symbolized by iron mixed with clay—the spiritual Babylon of today. Only God’s kingdom, established by Christ (the stone), will last forever. Believers must separate themselves from spiritual corruption and remain faithful to Christ.