In electrical engineering, negative and positive electric currents flow in opposite directions. Yet, both are essential for developing reliable formulas that effectively solve problems. Although the positive live wire requires careful handling, it is ineffective without the negative current. This reflects life’s realities, where all aspects of problems must be considered. Life’s dichotomous conditions embody elements of opposites that cannot exist independently.
Humans have reached a point where they struggle with embracing diversity. Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecuted them. In His teachings, Jesus did not specifically instruct His followers to love and pray for their friends. Typically, members of denominations are encouraged to pray for their families and fellow church members, which fosters a sense of security among believers. However, it raises the question: does this security stem from spiritual fulfilment or physical comfort? The answer should prompt a deep self-reflection for the believer.
Nevertheless, upon closer examination, it appears God intentionally allowed Adam to encounter what was deemed negative for humanity. Adam, by himself, lacked the inclination towards the necessary elements for the growth of human character. It had to be only with Eve’s arrival that he accessed the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This suggests that God wished for humanity to endure the sorrowful journey of sin before being welcomed into the divine family. This was specifically intended for human character development.
Satan is often regarded as the most despised entity, believed to be the root of all human problems. Yet, without confronting the concept of evil personified by the devil, humanity may not be ready to join the divine family. Just as fine craftsmanship demands that a product withstands intense heat before approval, so too must individuals be tested. God represents the ultimate standard. To aspire to God’s Kingdom without undergoing the essential preparation is not just naive but could be seen as treacherous.
The birth of Jesus introduced the only Son of God to ever walk this earth. There have been and still are good people, but such goodness is deemed insufficient without the profound test of character that Jesus underwent. Jesus provided a timeless insight into the nature of human righteousness, necessary for entry into God’s Kingdom. Without the benchmark set by Jesus Christ’s test of character, human righteousness remains elusive. He remains the unparalleled guide, leading humanity through the maze to salvation.
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, since you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, since you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:32-46 NKJV).
The passage above offers a profound assessment of humanity, unparalleled since the time of Adam. It depicts a division where one group is bestowed with redemption into eternal life, while the other faces perpetual damnation. The latter group’s fate as eternal castaways is a consequence of their choices and failure to reach the set standard. Conversely, the former group is awarded eternal life, even without conscious awareness of their good deeds. This is not a display of favouritism by God but rather a measure of Jesus as the benchmark for righteousness. Earthly life, in contrast, adheres to its own standards, deemed acceptable within terrestrial confines.
This can be compared to wheat on a threshing floor, where the chaff is separated and blown away, while the wheat remains, enduring the wind’s force, to be collected in the grain basket. Chaff, though coexisting with the wheat, is not valued. Its role may have been to strengthen the wheat during its growth to a desirable state. The chaff would have gained significantly while living alongside the wheat. Yet, due to its transient nature, chaff is not treated like wheat; it is destined for burning or disposal. The individuals referred to as facing judgment are those who would have passed away before the second coming of Jesus.
The most fascinating event is what transpires during the second coming of Jesus. The banishment of Satan marks a significant moment as Jesus takes the earthly throne for a millennium. The pertinent question to consider is why Satan was permitted to coexist with humanity from the beginning. Nevertheless, the Bible shows that those found still alive should not face judgment until the appointed time. Nonbelievers will live under Jesus’ reign and must comply with God’s laws in Satan’s absence. Although global peace is anticipated, it does not guarantee universal acceptance of Jesus’ peaceful rule.
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up, and set a seal on him so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things, he must be released for a little while.
The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years
“And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him for a thousand years.
Satanic Rebellion Crushed
Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:1-10 NKJV).
The episode in question underscores the significance of coexisting with malevolent forces. Although peace might have been more attainable without such entities, it doesn’t necessarily mean there was a universal pursuit of good governance during that era. It’s crucial to understand that not all strive for good governance. Believing that most are unhappy with the state of the world is a fallacy. Jesus pointed out that even the faithful could fall prey to widespread deceit. Notably, such deceptions often stem from the desires of the flesh.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and few find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:13-16 NKJV).
The allure of God’s Kingdom, despite its positive depiction, may not necessarily appeal to everyone. Even with the option available, some might opt for the current worldly state over participation in God’s Kingdom. Worldly pleasures often hold an irresistible charm for many. Attraction is personal and cannot be imposed. Regrettably, numerous individuals earnestly strive to enter God’s Kingdom, driven by personal motives. They may exert great effort to gain God’s favour to secure a place in His Kingdom, yet their efforts may be futile. Various scriptures support this notion. Their downfall lies in their inability to discern the difference between earthly delights and celestial states. It is believed that only a higher power knows how to assist such individuals.
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother, and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ ” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:16-22 NKJV).
Here was someone who might have understood the concept of God’s Kingdom, yet his comprehension was clouded by carnal desires. He may have cherished the notion of sustaining God’s Kingdom, but he was unwilling to renounce worldly pleasures. Jesus proclaimed the truth he hesitated to embrace. His sole laudable deed was his quest for reassurance that his dedication to the commandments was meaningful. A sincere person seeks confirmation on matters of interest, rather than remaining in the comfort of supposition. He pursued affirmation that his endeavours in maintaining God’s Kingdom were not in vain. Jesus provided him with a response that could have prompted him to forsake the keeping of those commandments.
Though he left in sorrow, he departed free from any delusion. The number of individuals who resonate with the aforementioned characters is uncertain. Nonetheless, those who are sincere are often receptive to upholding divine standards. They consistently show a readiness to transform when faced with veracity. Gospel messengers should not be overly enthused by the number of followers who show approval of their teachings. Such individuals might be drawn more to the preacher’s allure than to the substance of the message. The message ultimately holds no value, as long as the focus is on physical matters. It is the alignment with truth, rather than an attraction to any tangible aspect, that is of significance.
The decisive factors in determining eligibility for God’s Kingdom revolve around the acts of giving and receiving, which are fundamentally at odds. A generous individual does not feel deprived when others appear to exploit their generosity. Conversely, a person inclined towards receiving is averse to the notion of giving and finds pleasure in exploiting others. In the business realm, this trait is often mistaken for shrewdness and leads to being deemed successful. Such an individual’s acts of giving are tainted with hidden agendas. They feel aggrieved when beneficiaries fail to reciprocate their generosity. This epitomizes a person who is excessively focused on profit, a common pitfall among those perceived as successful entrepreneurs.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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