Saturday, October 26, 2019

"for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" - God and 12 Apostles



On Tokyo Bay

God and 12 Apostles

There were 12 Apostles of Christ Jesus, according to the Bible.  But the fates of most of them are unknown.
How Did the Apostles Die?
Reports and legends abound and they are not always reliable, but it is safe to say that the apostles went far and wide as heralds of the message of the risen Christ. An early legend says they cast lots and divided up the world to determine who would go where, so all could hear about Jesus. They suffered greatly for their faith and in most cases met violent deaths on account of their bold witness.
(https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1-300/whatever-happened-to-the-twelve-apostles-11629558.html)
At least these 12 Apostles lived with Christ Jesus in His immediate circle for about three years, learning His teaching, watching miracles, and receiving His super power.  Their diseases, if any, must have been cured.  Their wisdom and talent must have been highly developed.  And their faith in the God must have been significantly strengthened.  So, these Apostles must have become outstanding persons in any society wherever they might have gone.  However, mainly only Peter was described in the Gospels.   

Where were they after the death or ascension of Christ Jesus?  What did they perform after the death or ascension of Christ Jesus?  It is unknown.  But it is strange.

However, it is assumed that these Apostles contributed to future development and deployment of the teaching of Christ Jesus or Christianity like St. Peter.  Probably for them to have continued their living, always thinking about Christ Jesus, must have greatly contributed to expansion of the teaching of Christ Jesus.

So, even most of 12 Apostles of Christ Jesus did not earn their places in history.  We should not be disappointed or frustrated even if we cannot perform great accomplishments, while we have faith in the God, although the God can freely set our fates.

For the God, it does not matter whether or not those who believe in Him earn their places in history even in terms of religion.  But according to the teaching of Christ Jesus, it might matter for God how much wealth His believers store and accumulate in Heaven.  God must attach more weight to things in Heaven than this-worldly things.

We had better change our view that the spiritual world (Heaven) is superior to the physical world (the human world).     


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M'r:10:24: And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
M'r:10:25: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
M'r:10:26: And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
M'r:10:27: And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.