Monday, December 21, 2020

 MONDAY OF THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Sunset in the Great Smokey Mountains

Okay, I’m going to be spiritual this week, although not religious (?)  [Whatever that means!!]

I’m going to look at Isaiah 9: 6-7

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders.     And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

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Christians view this as pointing to Jesus; I think my Jewish friends view this as pointing to the Messiah.  I think we can make a compromise and agree that in the future there will be a new world.  And, I don’t know enough of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or other religions to evaluate these verses in the contexts of these religions. 

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A child is born.   Yes, a lot of children are born.  It is the only way to come into this world (as far as I know).  Maybe someday, there will be some scientific method to produce children without the normal birth process.  (I’m not sure I will like that, but I don’t think this will happen for a long time.)

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The government will rest on his shoulders.

So, let’s think about that government.  “His government and its peace will never end.

So  -  “Never End” implies infinity?  Forever?  Eternal?

That definitely is not now.  The United States government started in 1776.  And, my crystal ball is broken, but someday the United States government will cease - at least in its current form.  As I look at Europe (especially), sure countries like Great Britain have existed for centuries - but they have changed over the years.  There no longer is a strong ruling King in Great Britain (although there is a Queen - and someday - a King).  But, the “divine right” of kings has disappeared.  Governments are formed and dissolved, candidates are elected and eventually leave office.  Even “dictators” eventually die and new leaders emerge.  

This government will NEVER end!!  So, what kind of government might that be?

(My bias).  An everlasting government must be just - above all else, this infinite government must treat all people fairly.  (And, with mercy and love).

So, this everlasting, eternal, infinite government must have the same ruler - does that make sense?

I guess there are two entities that seem to be infinite to me (at least in age).  One is God as I envision him/her/it.  (I don’t really see God as a particular gender - just infinite); the other is the ‘anti-god’ also known as Satan.  The first I view as both infinite in terms of age; but also infinite in terms of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, etc. The second I view as infinite in age.  There are thoughts and interpretations in the Bible of Satan not being quite as eternal as God - as seemingly he was a ‘fallen angel’ and will be thrown into the ‘lake of fire’.

So, let’s take God as the leader of that infinite government.  So, for a million years, a billion years, FOREVER, he rules.  I would assume the world will be drastically different then.  No need to work, no need to invent things, no need to do a lot of things.  We (humans) will be in that infinite place - forever.  I can’t quite fathom what I will be doing then - but it really doesn’t matter - I envision a perfect place - maybe like the Garden of Eden was.  We are free to wander around, free to eat ANY fruit (including the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil - but since there will be no evil, that tree might not even exist.)

We will be happy - no, we will be BEYOND happy - ecstatic, 100% of the time.  I don’t know the concepts of heaven, but my assumption is my brain (and whatever I have for a body) will be 100% given to the love of this eternal government (and governor).  

“His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.”

This, infinite God / infinite being / eternal, everlasting, FOREVER government will be totally fair and totally just.  

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So, I can imagine a place with NO hate, only LOVE?  A place with no complaints, only deep peace?  A place with perfect weather EVERY day?  A place where I will be loved (totally), needed (totally), valued (totally), a place where I will never be sick, never lonely, never depressed, never hungry or thirsty.  

I really can’t imagine such a place - that is so far beyond me.  

BUT, even though I cannot imagine such a place, I believe there is such a place - through such writings as Isaiah 9:6-7.  Even though I don’t understand, that’s okay.  I’ll learn understanding when I am there!!

Now, to close for today - I am not a gatekeeper. I don’t know who gets ‘in’ and who doesn’t get ‘in’.  I am not a judge on an assembly line - watching people sitting on a conveyor belt and that I get to press the “in” or the “out” button.  Will Adolf Hitler be there?  I don’t know and fortunately, it isn’t my decision.  

BUT … whatever it is, it will be amazing, awesome, outstanding, wondrous, fantastic, and utopia in one!!!

Do I need to work to earn such a reward?  I don’t really know - but down inside I want to live as good and holy as possible.  (Knowing that I will never be perfect enough to warrant such an environment!!!) 

More this week!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!!

Karen