Revelation 21:1-8
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Offer Special Glory to God and Jesus
People in the world often give thanks to their ancestors and offer memorial services whenever the holidays come around. They gather to eat, drink, have a good time, and thank each other, saying, “I owe my success to you.”
Such people thank only each other or their elders, rather than giving thanks, worshiping, and glorifying God who created the heavens, the Earth, and all creation, and who has protected them and given all kinds of blessings. They only use and enjoy God’s creation without repaying God at all for His grace.
However, as those who believe in the Trinity and Jesus, we should give sincere thanks, love, and special glory. Therefore, each year, all of our churches have been spending a longer period to worship, thank, and glorify God from January 1st to January 15th. And individually, we are also giving glory in our everyday lives.
Know the Necessity of Giving Glory to God and Jesus
Scientifically, it took God approximately 14 billion years to create the heavens and the Earth, and it took Him about 4.5 billion years to create the Earth.
Using the mathematical principle in 2 Peter 3:8, if you were to calculate 14 billion years of human time into God’s time—where 1000 years is like a day—then that would still be 14 million lengthy days of God’s time.
As such, God spent an unimaginable amount of time creating the heavens, the Earth, all creation, and human beings. Afterwards, He raised mankind and began salvation history.
We were born in a time when God is fulfilling His greatest purpose and Will, and we have been chosen and called through the gospel. We who believe in God and Jesus should truly rejoice and give thanks more than anyone else, and we must give glory of love to God and Jesus.
We need to know the necessity of giving glory to God and Jesus and receive Them with love. If you receive Them without knowledge, there is no satisfaction, you cannot give proper glory, and you cannot live an ideal life properly either.
Realize the Value of Escaping the Second Death
Revelation 21:8 speaks about “the second death” and those who will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. We, however, have been chosen and called by God through the gospel. God has helped us to know and believe in Him properly, allowed us to become His counterparts of love, and enabled us to escape the second death. Therefore, we must know the value of this, and give thanks and glory to the Trinity and Jesus.
If you know the value properly, you will also realize Revelation 20:6 more deeply:
Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
And in Matthew 13:17, Jesus spoke about the value of that time like this:
For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
So as our bodies live on Earth, we need to learn more about the value, and always live giving glory to the Trinity. If we don’t know the value, we are like people with just ordinary faith. We must know how much God loves us and how well He treats us. When we live eternally in spirit, we will come to fully appreciate just how great it is.
Value and Know the Word Properly
The Word is God and Jesus. You should listen to and obey the Word as you become one with God and Jesus. Then you will have vitality and power, and you will gain what you want in life. As much as you value the Word, God and Jesus who are the owners of the Word will work upon you and bless you. And as much as you know the Word, They are with you and love you. You need to know the Word properly in order to participate in God’s history and transform into His counterpart of love.
You must also pray continually and live a life of thanksgiving. Love is loving and living with the Trinity and Jesus in your everyday life. Now is the time to make your own faith solid, rather than blaming others or finding fault with them.
May everyone become harmonious and united through the history of forgiveness, peace, and love. May everyone reach the end of 2023 according to God’s Will so that your physical and spiritual hearts will be freed from bondage and so that you can receive God’s blessings for this year.
