How long is Forever?
How often non-believers promote their incredulous attitude
We may desire to avoid people that will do everything possible while putting Christians down using subtle approaches to convince everyone of us that we are wrong. There just might occur, during our discussions, where current events promise to place our faith in a questionable situation and unfortunately many fence sitters may fall off to the side of agnosticism.
One sign of this probability is the recent election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City and the obvious acceptance from other cities around America that are promising to do the same. For too many weak citizens the philosophy of their sheep approach to leadership has built a wall of doubt for Christianity and the truth of Christ no longer remains a call to sainthood and holiness. Wait! Some will say that we all are not designated to sainthood. That is a far off idea that only certain people reach that plateau. “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5: 48). Every soul in heaven is a saint and awaits our arrival as well.
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from? ” I said to him, "My Lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. “For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in this temple.” For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rv 7: 13 - 14, 17).
Of course this narrative from the Book of Revelation that John experienced is the very essence of what the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, gives to all of us by his Passion in Jerusalem and the spectacle on Mount Moriah; believed to be where Abraham took his son to be sacrificed as well.
So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There he was crucified. (Jn 19: 17 - 18).
An answer to those who have not believed what the Passion during this Holy Week is all about; Suffering, Sacrifice, Crucifixion, and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even his enemies are given the opportunity to accept and be saved; if they’ll accept Christ as their Savior!
Then glory and Light in three days assures us that we too shall rise as Christ did.
Ralph B. Hathaway