Dear Friend, Happy New Year! Do you keep eternity in mind? Last week, I shared the Hebrew word, “Barak,” which is translated into “bless” in some English versions. And it means to kneel down in adoration or to bless person in humility. So, when we bless the Lord, we kneel down in adoration and in humility. Pastor John Fenn also shared a case where God blessed Abraham in Genesis 12:2: I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. Here, the word, bless is also barak in Hebrew, and he explained that God meant Abraham’s life would be honored in the generation to come. I think it is indeed fulfilled, as he has been honored not only by the Jews, but also by the Gentiles, like us, who are grafted Jews. What honor he would see, when we see him face to face! After I got to understand bless, i.e. barak doesn’t mean so-called prosperity that many Christians might think of, I came to read the word, “blessed” in Proverbs 22:9: “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.” I became so curious as to whether the word, “blessed” here is also barak in Hebrew that I searched the verse in blueletterbible.org and I found out it is indeed barak in Hebrew. And I interpret that those who are generous and help the poor will be honored in eternity. I think there might be some who would be indeed honored and rewarded on earth, and became prosperous in this world. Yet I think His reward would be more for eternity. We might not be rewarded during our lifetime here on earth for the good works we have done, like helping the poor. And only God and we know some good works we did. But I believe He would make us honored in eternity. This is His Words and it’s impossible for Him to tell a lie. In Sister Margaret’s class on the book of Revelation, we studied the faithful church in Philadelphia, i.e. His Bride: “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:9~10)” And Sister Margaret shared an interesting insight. We learn from the Bible that none is to be worshipped except the Lord. When Apostle John tried to worship the angel, it forbid him. Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” (Rev. 22:8~9) Sister Margaret said that none is to be worshipped, yet Jesus promised to the faithful church that He would make her worshipped. And she went on to share an illustration that she used to get honor for what his late husband, Pastor Fred Seaward had done, and she received rewards together with him. Though he did the work, not she, she was honored as his wife. Likewise, His faithful Bride would be honored. And I also learned from her that the 24 elders sitting on the thrones represent those who are raptured before the 7 year of Tribulation and we see those who are raptured in the middle of Tribulation stand before the Lamb, not sitting on the thrones like the 24 elders. And Rick Joyner said that there are ranks in heaven, saying “Read your Bible.” I recall Angelo, once homeless, but a king on the throne in heaven in a Rick Joyner’s book from the visions, “The Final Quest.” And I also remember a young deaf and mute man in a church that Pastor John wrote about. He heard the Father say that young man would be on the throne and He is very pleased with him. I believe they are all “blessed” in eternity. Friend, if you have to choose to be blessed (i.e. honored) in eternity or to be blessed here on earth, such as being prosperous in material or career and so on, what would you like to choose? Pastor John Fenn shared his friend’s story in high school. When they were high school students, his friend said that the Lord said he has two options on his future full-time ministry: one is a big and well-known ministry here, but little riches in heaven and the other is smaller without a lot of glory here on earth, but greater riches in heaven, which He has for him. And he chose the latter. Friend, I’m being honest. I look forward to reward in heaven. Don’t you? And our Lord talked about it and it’s absolutely ok to look forward to it. Then, can you compare 80~100 year of lifespan here with eternity? I really get no feeling on how long the eternity would be, but if I would imagine 1,000 years or 10,000 years, then I would at least get a sense of how long it would be. If I should choose one between a little glory for 80~100 years here and more riches and more glory for 1,000 years later, I’d absolutely go for the latter. Yet, so many Christians spend their whole life for the little glory that will vanish away. I think we will be surprised in heaven, as we tend to see appearance only, here on earth, whatever it may be. I recall a prophet couple’s blog that said we should not try to be popular, but to be influential. It spoke to me much. In one evening after I wrote the draft of this blog, I worshiped the Lord, praying and singing in tongue. And I took some time, kneeling down on the sofa and being quiet, to listen to Him. I expected Him to speak to me so that I put a notebook on the sofa. Then, the Words, “Whoever wants to be served should serve.” came to me. And I felt He echo my writing. I looked up the book of Matthew until I found out the verses on “Greatness is Serving” in chapter 20. Then, I wrote down the revelation from the verses: When Jesus came to this world, He came as Servant. Yet in eternity, He will reign as King. Likewise, we must live as servants here on earth. But, in eternity, our Father desires us to reign as kings, like our Lord, Jesus. Our Father wants us to follow Jesus as our Role-Model. Jesus is the first born, and God the Father made us His sons and daughters and we have Jesus as our eldest Brother. He wants us to be co-heirs with Jesus. After writing this down, I went to bed. Interestingly enough, my friend in Singapore just sent me a link of a short prophecy. And I was surprised to read “I am not subject, not a slave to the powers of this dark world - but rather, I am free, I am an anointed son/daughter, a Servant King, fully surrendered to The King of kings!” I was marveled to see Him repeating the message. Friend, I would like to encourage us to long to be blessed in eternity. We’d rather choose to be nameless and faceless here, not looking for glory from people, but to choose true glory in heaven. It would simply require menial daily work or small little things to look after your family, friends or neighbors, His little sheep. We have a great Role-Model, our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s my prayer that we serve here and we reign in eternity with Christ, our Lord. That is our calling and our destiny. May He bless you in a new year and in eternity! Have a bliss! Yunee Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26~28) Comments are closed.
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