Heralds Digest

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. Mark 13:21‭, ‬23 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mrk.13.21-23.NKJV It is a common phenomenon for any soul that is overwhelmed with trials and tribulations to run helter scatter in search of security. But in such situations, the Psalmist rather admonished a cry out "Lord, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I". Just as Jesus warned the 'unfortunate elects' (who will partake in the Great Tribulation, after the rapture of the saints of God) against the offer of false christs and prophets, the emphasis remains the fact that the Rock of our Refuge and Strength lives within the hearts of the redeemed; and not necessarily found with our unguided search for security in remote mountains. Most often than not, an overwhelmed heart needs a moment alone with God rather than a mile away with people. Obviously, the ...

““But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.13.9.nkjv Peace initiative in moments with peace or peaceful environment is largely unreliable. The reality is that sanity is a hard buy when life is bombarded with deception, troubles, calamity, and destruction, particularly instigated by trusted allies. In Christ’s response to the private enquires of the disciples about what and when relating to the end-time events, it is note-worthy that the Master was more concerned about how saints can maintain personal sanity in troublous times. When life’s challenges at home, workplaces and the society deliver the soul before councils of doubt and indecision, finding a lasting peace for the soul becomes the true test of sanity. It is always well in the well of worry and pains when the saints of...

“And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.13.2.nkjv Some of the indices for the pursuit of excellence in life include access to wealth, fame, and pleasure. Therefore, life’s investment of time, talent and treasure are thrown down in exchange for future lifting up. And unfortunately, some selfish and wicked people are even careless about wasting other people’s lives for their own personal gains. Whereas, the reality still remains the unendurable lifespan of these earthly gains, needless to mention the transient lifespan of man. When one of the disciples of Jesus got distracted by the glamour of the temple complex, Jesus was prompt to check the danger in the ensuing misplacement in affection. “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down”. The problem here is not the a...

“So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:43-44‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.12.43-44.nkjv The response of Jesus to the release of the poor widow’s mites into the treasury teaches that life is not so much about what a man gives away, but actually much about what a man refused to give. This is all about the measure of life’s gift of gratitude. In times of great needs, many are tempted to throw unnecessary tantrums, protests, blame game, long faces, and provoke a peaceful atmosphere with unsolicited nuances. Whereas, the life of many people without may appear glamorous but loaded with hidden grief, disappointments, and begging for the salvage of any gracious touch. And for the poor widow, she chose to throw out all she had...

“For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” And the common people heard Him gladly.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:36-37‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.12.36-37.nkjv If the treatment of interdependency based on earthly interrelationships is discouraged by the Lord on the subject of His lordship, believers’ interrelationships without heavenly considerations must be equally dangerous. Notwithstanding, even when the teaching of the scribes that Jesus is the Son of David is wrong, Jesus had gladly ministered and met the needs of people who addressed Him as the Son of David. However, it is important to note that the motives behind the same reference of Jesus as Son of David are different. While the reference from the needy was borne out of respect for authority, the reference from scribes suggested repugnance of His authority. Even today,...

“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:30-31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.12.30-31.nkjv The response of Christ to the scribe’s question on the greatest commandment of all shows that loving God is greater and deeper than knowing about God and His commandments. After Christ’s acknowledgement of the scribe’s wisdom and understanding of the priority of love, He said “You are not far from the kingdom of God”. Like the deferring scribe’s position on the interpretation of the law to the position of either the Sadducees or Pharisees, many religious people in life struggle with divergent views on different matters of life. But if loving God becomes the living lifestyle of everyone, it would be easier to accommodate these di...

“Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?...He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:24, 27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.12.24,27.nkjv The inability to place a human logical handle on certain miraculous events and supernatural manifestation in life will always explain the concept of divinity. Those who have been privileged to learn submission to the power of God understands how to appreciate the limits of humanity in dealing with the realities of life. Unfortunately, like the Sadducees in the matter of the resurrection, many often are mistaken in their unwillingness to accept the ability of God to change situation and circumstances within their sphere of influence, but that appears to be out-of-control. Resurrection from the dead, and literally including dead womb, dead financial situation, marital status, and career stat...