Title December 2020

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Welcome to this time of learning and reflection on the very words of life—eternal truths that have stood the test of time and will endure forever.

Today, we focus on a powerful truth found in the opening verses of the Gospel of Mark. It begins this way:

Mark 1:1-2 (ESV)
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way.’”

Unlike the Gospel of John, which opens with a profound theological declaration—

John 1:1 (ESV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”—
the Gospel of Mark starts with a proclamation: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

These introductions are not random; they reveal the central themes and purpose of each gospel. John’s Gospel emphasizes the divinity of Christ, portraying Him as the eternal Word and Light of the world. It draws the reader into the mystery of the incarnation—God becoming flesh to dwell among us. When read prayerfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, John’s Gospel draws the heart toward deep love and faith in Christ.

In contrast, Mark’s Gospel is action-oriented. It presents Jesus as the suffering Servant and the Messiah who came to proclaim the gospel of God with urgency. Mark emphasizes the message Jesus preached, beginning immediately with His public ministry.

Just a few verses later, we read what Jesus proclaimed when He began preaching:

Mark 1:14-15 (ESV)
“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying,
‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”

This statement captures the heart of Christ’s gospel in four key elements:

1. “The Time is Fulfilled”

This marks the long-awaited arrival of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. The prophecies and promises of the Old Testament were coming to fruition. The age of salvation had dawned—not just for the Jews, but for all nations. The gospel was now available freely to everyone—Jews and Gentiles alike, regardless of race or background.

We, too, must proclaim that now is the time of God’s favor. The door of grace is open. Let no one miss it.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

2. “The Kingdom of God is at Hand”

The reign of God had drawn near through the person of Jesus Christ. This was not just a political or earthly rule, but a spiritual kingdom that would transform hearts and destinies. The signs of the end and the establishment of God’s eternal reign are evident. Therefore, we are called to shift our focus from earthly matters to heavenly priorities.

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is… Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

3. “Repent”

Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for sin—it is a decisive turning away from sin and turning to God. It involves surrender, cleansing, and renewal. If the time is fulfilled and the kingdom is near, the only right response is to examine our lives, renounce sin, and return to our Creator.

Acts 17:30 (ESV)
“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”

4. “Believe in the Gospel”

Faith is the hand that receives God’s grace. To believe in the gospel is to fully embrace the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and to live by His teachings in holiness and obedience. It’s not mere belief in facts—it is trusting in the Person and work of Jesus Christ for salvation.

Romans 1:16 (ESV)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

These four components—fulfilled time, nearness of the kingdom, repentance, and faith—form the core of Christ’s gospel. Any true gospel message must carry these truths. This is how Jesus Himself preached, and through this, the Father confirmed that He was indeed His beloved Son.

So, we too must walk in these footsteps. But we must also ask ourselves a sobering question: Are you truly in the faith?
Examine your heart. Look honestly at your spiritual condition. The time of salvation is now—not tomorrow.

If you are treating this grace lightly, remember: grace is not everlasting for the unrepentant. Like a limited-time offer, it is extended freely but not indefinitely. There will come a day when this door will close. That’s why it’s called grace—because it’s undeserved and temporary in availability.

Romans 11:17-21 (ESV)
“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in…
do not be arrogant toward the branches… They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.”

Therefore, repent. If you have not yet received baptism in the right manner, seek it in obedience. God will give you His Holy Spirit to guide you.

May the Lord bless you and draw you ever closer to Himself.

In ancient times, people did not have watches, clocks, or digital devices to tell time as we do today. Instead, they relied on natural means to track the hours of the day. One of the most common tools was the sun dial, an instrument that used the position of the sun’s shadow to determine the time.

In some places, a special device was placed in an open area where the sun could strike it from all angles. This device typically had markings or steps—called “degrees” or “steps”—which indicated the time as the sun’s shadow moved across them. Another form used stair-like structures built in the east and west, where the shadow would descend or ascend based on the sun’s position. As the sun rose in the east, the shadow would fall down the steps; as it set in the west, the shadow would rise up the steps. By watching the movement of the shadow, people could tell whether it was morning, noon, or evening.

This background helps us understand what the Bible refers to as “the dial of Ahaz”—a time-telling structure likely built by King Ahaz (Hezekiah’s father). Although Scripture does not describe the dial in detail, it was evidently used to measure time based on the sun’s shadow.

Hezekiah’s Illness and the Miraculous Sign

In 2 Kings 20, King Hezekiah fell gravely ill. The prophet Isaiah came to him with a message from God: “Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live” (2 Kings 20:1, NKJV). But Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly, weeping before the Lord. God heard his prayer and sent Isaiah back with a promise: Hezekiah would be healed and live fifteen more years (vv. 2–6).

Yet Hezekiah asked for a sign to confirm the promise. The Lord, through Isaiah, offered him a choice:

“Shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go backward ten degrees?” (2 Kings 20:9, NKJV).

Hezekiah reasoned that it would be too easy for the shadow to move forward—after all, that’s the natural direction as time progresses. But for the shadow to move backward would defy the laws of nature. That would be a true miracle.

“It is an easy thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; no, but let the shadow go backward ten degrees” (v. 10).

Then Isaiah prayed, and God caused the shadow on the dial of Ahaz to go backward ten degrees—a stunning supernatural event that symbolized God’s absolute power over time and nature (2 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 38:7–8).

Theological Significance

This miracle teaches us several powerful truths:

1. God is Sovereign Over Time and Creation
   Just as God stopped the sun for Joshua in battle (Joshua 10:12–14), He now reversed time for Hezekiah. Time is a created reality, and the Creator is not bound by it. He can halt, extend, or reverse time according to His will.

2. God Answers Prayer
   Hezekiah’s heartfelt prayer moved the heart of God (Isaiah 38:5). The Lord is not distant or unmoved by our cries. He responds to faith and humility.

3. God Gives Confirming Signs
   While faith should not rely solely on signs (Matthew 16:4), God sometimes graciously provides confirmation to encourage His people. In Hezekiah’s case, the reversed shadow was both a confirmation and a witness of God’s presence and power.

4. Nothing is Too Hard for the Lord
   As Jeremiah 32:27 declares:

   “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
   God can restore time, health, relationships, opportunities—anything that seems lost.

5. Encouragement for Us Today
   If God could turn back time as a sign of healing and restoration, He can certainly redeem lost time in your life. Whether you’ve missed opportunities, made mistakes, or feel that it’s “too late,” remember that God can restore what was lost (Joel 2:25). He can bring renewal even in your most hopeless moments.

Final Thought

Let this story inspire faith and hope in your walk with God. He is not limited by natural laws. He can reverse time, restore brokenness, and fulfill His promises in ways that surpass human understanding. All He asks is that we believe and trust in Him.

Shalom.

In Daniel 6:22, the prophet declares:

“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
(Daniel 6:22, NKJV)

The word “mouths” here refers literally to the mouths of the lions—but symbolically, it carries a deeper spiritual implication. Daniel uses the word to describe the instruments of destruction that were supernaturally restrained by God.

Context: Lions Prepared to Devour

Daniel was thrown into a den of lions, not because of wrongdoing, but because of his unwavering faithfulness to God. These lions were not ordinary animals—they were intentionally kept hungry and used as executioners for condemned men. The intention was clear: anyone cast into that den was to be devoured without mercy. This brutal system ensured that no bones remained—just as seen later in Daniel 6:24, when Daniel’s accusers were thrown in and were torn apart “before they ever reached the bottom of the den.”

Yet in Daniel’s case, something extraordinary happened. God intervened.

God Shuts the Mouths of Destruction

Daniel says, “God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths.” That’s a powerful image—not just of physical protection, but divine authority over even the fiercest forces of death. The lions, though naturally ferocious and hungry, could do nothing against a man whom God had declared righteous.

This act is not just about physical preservation, but a theological statement: God has authority over all that seeks to destroy His people. If God can shut the mouths of lions, He can silence every threat against your life—be it human opposition, demonic attack, or systemic injustice.

The “Mouths” Today

In Scripture, “mouths” are often used metaphorically to represent destructive forces. In Joel 1:4, we read about a destructive army symbolized by locusts:

“What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; and what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.”
(Joel 1:4, NKJV)

These locusts symbolize invading nations and judgment—“mouths” that devour crops, livelihoods, and peace. Likewise, in Revelation 9, during the time of judgment, demonic beings described like locusts are released upon the earth to torment those without God’s seal (Revelation 9:1–11). These beings too have “mouths” prepared for destruction.

Even the Devil Has a Mouth

The apostle Peter warns us:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
(1 Peter 5:8, NKJV)

The devil’s “mouth” is always open, seeking to devour the unsuspecting. But God’s power to shut that mouth is still active today—especially for those sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Just as Daniel was untouched by the lions, so believers walking in holiness and filled with the Spirit can trust in divine protection.

Are You Sealed by God?

The real question is: Have you been sealed by the Holy Spirit? In Ephesians 1:13, Paul writes:

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”

The seal of the Spirit comes after genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, often accompanied by baptism and a transformed life. Daniel’s protection was not random—it was the result of a righteous life. God’s favor rests on those who walk in integrity.

Final Reflection

If God could shut the mouths of lions for Daniel, He can shut the mouth of anything set against you—poverty, slander, demonic attack, even death itself. But the key is righteousness, obedience, and being found “innocent before Him.”

If today you desire to be sealed with the Holy Spirit and walk under God’s protection, consider turning your life over to Jesus Christ through repentance, faith, and baptism.