Heralds Digest

“Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.14.12.nkjv There is no doubt that Judas Iscariot was among the disciples who were concerned about “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”. Whereas, Jesus responded by delegating only Peter and John for the assignment when Judah Iscariot was the recognized financial secretary. Notwithstanding, Peter and John really had nothing more than just the task of ensuring the readiness of the upper room, since almost all the necessities have been prepared. Symbolically, Jesus Christ was the prepared Pascal Lamb for the Passover, while many, in a bit to get involved, often get on the negative side of the preparation (like Judah’s betrayal). There are many tasks and expected transformation in believers’ life, family, career and min...

“After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death...Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:1, 10-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.14.1,10-11.nkjv If breakthrough in life is solely established at the point where precious potentials meet open opportunities, no one would have the moral ground to blame Judas Iscariot for taking the available opportunity of financial blessing. Whereas, it would have taken significant intelligence for Judah to discover the needs for secret service to the chief priests. And the submission in his betrayal proposal clearly shows brilliant demonstrations of intellectual capabilities, without breaking the edge of a possible public outcry. Even tod...

“But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.14.6-7.nkjv Public assessment of the opportunities in time cannot be taken for granted for anyone who is conscious of public acceptance. Unfortunately, the heart is constantly burdened by the conflict of interest on the appropriate use of time, especially when it comes to making a choice between the will of God and the expectations of the people. For example, after the chief priests have invested on how to catch and kill Jesus, they discovered a public disapproval of the time for the execution of their plans. Whereas, the woman with the alabaster box of oil found the appropriate time for anointing the body of Jesus; but she received the disapproval of the disciples on the account of a waste of treasure. Obviously, everyday brin...

““But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:32-33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.13.32-33.nkjv If match fixing is regarded as a serious offence in international sporting activities, it is understandable why knowing the exact date and time for Christ’s second coming or the end of life can be a cheat. Living for giving God the glory by the quality of the life we live will undoubtedly be compromised, if everyone is privileged to know the exact time of the Master’s returning. Whereas, proximate preparation for the Lord’s coming enables consistent compliance to the “Take heed, watch and pray” command. Unfortunately, many servants there be who are constantly distracted from the consciousness of their ignorance of the precise time. Just a failing to daily take heed of the preservation of own’s heart in holiness, distraction from watching the a...

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light...Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:24, 26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/mrk.13.24,26.nkjv In the much talks about saving the planets and the impact of climate change, there is no scientific consideration or sustainability plan for possible cessation of the solar system. Given that science declares that sun has over 99% of the mass of the solar system (a gravitational bound of the sun and its revolving eight planets, including the earth) and the dependence of the entire ecosystem on solar power, the eventual cessation of the concept of sustainability of the planet earth should be a no brainer. Therefore, when the scriptures declare that after the Great Tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, it actually announces the forced replacement of the solar sustainability with the So...

“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...