In today’s devotion, we focus on the significance of the end times or “eschatology” in the Bible. The Bible is not just a book of history; it also speaks of the future and the “last things.”

We are all familiar with the stories and events from the past recorded in the Bible. However, they serve not only to convey the past to us but also to provide spiritual lessons for our lives in the here and now. The Bible uses past events to teach us how to live our lives today.

But the Bible not only looks back at the past but also forward to the future. It not only tells of past events but also events that are yet to come. It gives us insights into the future, even to the end of times. Eschatology in the Bible deals with the events of the end times, including our doctrines of death, judgment, heaven, and hell. It is about the promise of hope for a new existence in a new world.

An example from the Bible that illustrates this hope can be found in Daniel 2:44 and 7:18. These verses point to the hope that God’s kingdom will be established at the end of time and will last forever. Unlike worldly kingdoms that come and go, God’s kingdom is eternal.

“The plan of redemption will end in bringing back the world to God’s original purpose. All that was lost by sin will be restored. Not only man but the earth will be redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years, Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is accomplished. ‘But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever’ (Daniel 7:18)” (from “Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 317).

While the Book of Job may end with his death, the good news for us, as well as for Job, is that the end of the book is not the end of his story. Similarly, our death is not the end. Our hope lies in the promise that God’s kingdom will be established at the end of time and will be an eternal home for the redeemed.

May this hope shine in our hearts as we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises in the future. Let us live in gratitude, knowing that our life does not end with death but continues in the glory of God.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/the-end-the-final-kingdom/

The deep inner conflicts and prejudices expressed in Jonah’s reaction to God’s grace for Nineveh – here are some thoughts on the key points:

1. Jonah’s hatred and prejudices: This section of the Bible clearly shows how deeply Jonah’s hatred and prejudices against the inhabitants of Nineveh were rooted. He harbored such a strong grudge against these people that he even wished for death when God’s judgment on the city was withheld. This reminds us of how prejudices and hatred can be deeply ingrained in our hearts and influence our view of the world.

2. God’s gentle rebuke: God confronted Jonah not only with a sermon or words but with a concrete experience in which a plant quickly grew and then withered. This experience was meant to help Jonah recognize his distorted worldview. It emphasizes how personal experiences are sometimes necessary to change our perspective and soften our hearts.

3. Valuing people: The commentary emphasizes how Jonah valued the plant more highly than the many thousands of people and animals in Nineveh. This highlights how easily we can focus on our own interests and comforts rather than considering the well-being of others. It raises the question of how we perceive God’s interest in the “wicked” and the unreached, and how we respond to it.

4. Challenge for us: Finally, the commentary challenges us to reflect on our own behavior and attitudes. How do we react to God’s interest in those we may consider “evil” or “unreached”? How do we deal with our own prejudices and feelings of hatred? Jonah’s unfinished story reminds us that God’s love and grace extend to all people, and He calls us to walk in His footsteps.

It highlights how deeply rooted prejudices and hatred can be in our hearts and how important it is to open our hearts to God’s love and grace in order to fulfill the mission of proclaiming and bearing witness to the entire world.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-5-excuses-to-avoid-mission-5-4-our-excuses-uncomfortable-confrontations/