"the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath" - The End of the Millennium Continuing

 

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The End of the Millennium Continuing

When the 20th century came to an end, some people got worried about whether the end of the world would come.  Indeed, it was 2000 years after the coming of Christ Jesus that had been 2000 years after the appearance of Abraham.  And, it seems that the end of the world or the millennium is still continuing.

In 1986, the Chernobyl disaster occurred as a large-scale nuclear meltdown in Ukrainian, Soviet Union, spreading a large amount of radioactive material across Europe.  In late 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed.  In 1997, Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in Paris and Mother Teresa died in India; in 1999, JFK Jr. was killed in a plane crash in Massachusetts.  And, in 2001, the 9/11 terror attacks were carried out in New York and Washington D.C., triggering the War on Terror.  In late 2004, a tsunami from the Indian Ocean earthquake killed over 230,000 in Indonesia and neighboring countries.  In 2005, Pope John-Paul II died, but his successor Pope Benedict XVI resigned in 2013.   Meanwhile, the subprime loan crisis occurred in 2008, leading to the international financial crisis.  And, Obama became the first African-American President of the United States in 2009.  However, billionaire Trump was elected as US President after Obama in 2016.  Meanwhile, the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred in Japan due to a big earthquake and tsunamis in 2011.  Then, in 2020, the corona-pandemic generated in China attacked the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Indeed, as Christ Jesus predicted, social turmoil, wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, an epidemic, etc. occurred.  Even, Trump may be the one who should not have been elected as US President as Christ Jesus implied.

In these 2000 years after Christ Jesus, people have developed strong material civilization.  Even China and other developing countries have been expanding their economy.  And in the middle of success of the global material civilization, the end of the world seems to be approaching.  The current corona pandemic must be viewed from this historical and religious point of view, since it has killed more than 600,000 Americans and about 4 million people globally.

The richer people have become, the less they become pious and righteous.  Everybody sells his soul to Satan.  Virtue and ethics are neglected.  And, some people openly shout anti-Christian slogans such as LGBT rights.  The gap between the poor and the rich is expanding with about 600,000 homeless Americans.  The poor, faithful, or righteous are suppressed or attacked by the rich and the followers of Satan.

In this context, the God should listen to the poor, faithful, or righteous.  And if they ask the God to get revenge against the rich and those with worldly power, He should respond to their prayers.  Accordingly, movement to the end of the world should not be stopped.  So, it is naturally estimated that a great tragedy should occur on the mankind in the middle of this century as an event symbolizing the end of the world.  At the start of the 22nd century, the world civilization might be broken, say, through WWIII where biological weapons such as the corona-virus will be used.

To avoid such a tragedy and put an end to this movement toward the end of the world, which has been continuing since 1980s, all the people have to become poor and ponder the words of the God and Christ Jesus to act accordingly.   

                     

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Luke 6, King James Version
3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

"he marvelled because of their unbelief" - Death of Evil Man's Soul in the Hell

 

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Death of Evil Man's Soul in the Hell

Christ Jesus taught two significant teachings: One lives in an afterlife after physical death and one must love the God and his neighbors.  But which is more important.

Even if one knows that his soul can survive death of his body and live in an afterlife, he might not love the God and his neighbors.  Such a man would not mind living in the hell.  Therefore, Christ Jesus warned that the God could kill the soul of such a man in the hell.

To know that the one's soul can live in an afterlife after death in this world does not necessarily mean that one loves the God and his neighbors, loving good and hating evil.  Even an evil man would be happy to know that he can live an evil life in an afterlife after death in this world.  It is not only God's angles and holy spirits that would meat souls of men in an afterlife or the spirit world, but Satan and evil spirits also live in the spirit world and the hell.  

So, Christ Jesus declared that the God could even kill evil spirits in the hell.  For an evil man, it would be the second death after his death in this world.  Indeed, it is reasonable that the God would ultimately destroy Satan and all the other evil spirits in the hell.  Finally, Satan and all the other evil spirits should completely go extinct and come to naught.

However, it is great good news for poor people that men can live in an after life and ultimately in Heaven after death in this world.  No mater how poor they are and how much they are suffering in this world, their souls will enter into the spirt world and finally will be accepted in Heaven where there is no poverty and suffering.  This is the core of messages of Christ Jesus.

Both poor men and rich men would enter into an afterlife, but the former go to Heaven to enjoy eternal life while the latter go to the hell to be finally destroyed by the God and come to naught.  So, rich men have to face death twice when they die in this world and when their souls are destroyed to come to naught in the hell.   

This is the core of teachings of Christ Jesus.  Every church, including the Vatican, should make it clear to the public and the world.  There is life after death, and poor men can go into Heaven, but rich men fall down to the hell and finally get destroyed by the God.

The notion that there is the spirit world and there are spirits and ghosts does not necessarily improve men.  The notion that some men, if not saints, could exercise miracles or execute supernatural power in, say, spoon bending does not enhance humanity.  Communications, if possible, between spirits and men do not necessarily upgrade men's quality of life but bring about confusion.  What's worse, Satan and evil spirits would interfere with men's communications with spirits, which is dangerous.  So, it is interesting that Christ Jesus gave to Swedenborg such an ability to make communication with souls in the spirit world in the 18th century when the modern science started to develop and the modern spiritualism started to flourish. 

Nonetheless, it is important for churches to declare that men's souls would survive physical death in this world.  Poor men should be relieved from the fear of death, since they will be greatly consoled with hope of their entering into Heaven after physical death.

So, there is no such a thing as death of one's soul except death of evil man's soul in the hell.        

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Mark 6, King James Version
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

"because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased" - The Concept of Death must be Changed according to Christ Jesus

 

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The Concept of Death must be Changed according to Christ Jesus 

Death is the most important issue for anybody.  Life in this world is the most precious matter for anybody.  But Christ Jesus said no to be afraid of death and those who kill you, but to be afraid of the God who can destroy both your bodies and souls in an afterlife.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10).

For anybody, it is good news that his soul continues to live in a afterlife if his body dies.  No matter how poor and unhappy he is in this life, his soul continues to live in a afterlife.  And, moreover, although rich men cannot enter into Heaven, poor believers are welcomed in Heaven.  What good news for poor men!  Besides, Christ Jesus who told this good news was authentic, since He proved that He came from the God.

In this meaning, Christianity is revolutionary, so that it has been able to be sustained for 2000 years.

The Gospel reads: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live  (John 11). 

Put simply, if anybody is told by the God that his soul will live in an afterlife after his body is dead in this world, he will be exceedingly relived and rejoiced.  So, everybody must be glad as Christ Jesus with authority from the God declares that he will live after death.

Will everybody become unafraid of his death?  Not necessarily.  If one dies and enters into life after death, he cannot come back to this world to enjoy the material life.  Only poor and unhappy men who hate their lives in this world must be glad if they cannot come back to this world after death.  But rich and happy people enjoying their happy lives in this world should be afraid of death.

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14).

Loving one's own life and his family members means loving his life in this world.  But if one loves life after death, he should not love his life in this world.  Indeed, poor and desperate men without hope in this world should hate his life in this world.  And, only such men can be accepted as followers of Christ Jesus to be loved by Christ Jesus, the Son of the God.

So, life after death is not good news for rich and happy men in this world.  It is good news only for poor and unhappy people in this world.

Before entering into Heaven or the hell, one's soul should spend some time in the spirit world; however communications between those souls and living men are basically impossible.  Only with approval from the God, one may communicate with souls in the spirit world while living in this world like Christ Jesus.

Nonetheless, the concept of death must be changed again drastically according to the teachings of Christ Jesus.   

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John 6, King James Version
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

"and his disciples follow him" - Who Can Have and Execute Supernatural Power?

 

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Who Can Have and Execute Supernatural Power?

In a sense, Christ Jesus was a spiritualist of a holy type with an ability to execute his supernatural power. 

According to the Gospels, He changed water to wine; increased the numbers of breads and fish people left after eating; walked on a lake in the tempest; drove out demons out of a man; healed the sick with his spiritual power; revived a dead man; saw what persons thought in their minds and their past lives; resurrected Himself three days after the crucifixion; presented His body materialized from the spirit; and finally ascended in the sky to Heaven, leaving this world without leaving His dead body in this world. 

Christ Jesus even told people that they could even move a mountain if only they had true faith.  He also said to follow Him simulating His way of living.  It means that any man has a potential ability to have and execute supernatural power.  So, it is no wonder that Swedenborg saw the spirit world, Heaven, and the hell, though, in the 18th century.

But, before he could execute his supernatural power, Christ Jesus appeared to him in London although Swedenborg was Swedish.  So, if anyone who wants to have and execute his supernatural power, he must have a great opportunity such as meeting Christ Jesus.  There have been many spiritualists in this world who have claimed that they saw the spirit world, but they can be trusted only if they have been guided by Christ Jesus.  Even Satan can give supernatural power to a man it likes.

There must be supernatural power with which a man can work on substances and objects.  For example, our bodies are moved subject to our intentions.  Our bodies are under control of our minds.  Hence, any subjects in this world must be able to be moved by power in the spirit world, so that a man who can use this power like Christ Jesus must be able to move an object by use of spiritual power.  But, it must be realized only when Christ Jesus or the God allows it.  If no faith in God was found, it should be suspected that any such movement of an object is a trick, an act of magic or Satan.  

Especially it is very doubtful when a performer of supernatural power requests money for his supernatural performance such as speaking to a dead man, healing a sick, spoon bending, visualizing a hidden or distant object, etc.  Such a performer should scientifically cooperate with scientists openly under daylight but not for his own interest.          

With advancement of science and technology, less and less spiritual or psychic phenomena have come to be reported and spotlighted.  Indeed, the core of spiritual or psychic phenomena is faith in God but not in worldly profits. 

Yet, the biggest concern about supernatural power is whether or how much correctly one with such power can predict or foresee the future.  If such a man can correctly foresee economic trends, such as a trend in the stock market, he can make a big fortune.  Therefore, only a person with faith in God who hates money like Christ Jesus should be allowed to have and execute supernatural power.

     

  

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Mark 6, King James Version
And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

"with publicans and sinners?" - A True Interpretation of the Gospels

 

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A True Interpretation of the Gospels

Swedenborg (1688-1772), who claimed that he could see Heaven and the hell while living in this world, wrote in 1744 a diary to show his thoughts about this world and belief in Christ Jesus and the God: 

[164] Afterwards I came into a state of hesitation, — ^because 

I seemed to be so far separated from God, that I could not yet 

think of Him in a living manner, — whether I should not turn 

my journey homewards. There came a mass of involved rea- 

sonings and motions of the body, but I gathered courage and 

experience and perceived that I had come here in order to do 

the very best and to promote the glory of God, that I had re- 

ceived talent, that everything had helped to this purpose; that 

the spirit had been with me from my youth unto this end. I 

considered myself unworthy to live if I had gone otherwise than 

the right way, and thus I laughed at the other seductive 

thoughts. [165] Thus as to pleasure, wealth, high position, 

which I had pursued, I perceived that all was vanity, and that 

he is the more happy who is not in possession thereof, but is con- 

tented, than the one who does possess them. And therefore I 

laughed at all confirmatory reasonings, and thus by the help of 

God I came to a resolution. May God help ! 

I seemed to hear a hen cackling, as takes place at once after 

she has laid an egg.  

(https://archive.org/stream/emanuelswedenbor00swed/emanuelswedenbor00swed_djvu.txt)

The italic part in the above citation proves that Swedenborg was not brainwashed by Satan, and thus we should trust in him, although "Swedenborg identifies him with "luxury, riches, pride.'" and in the Spiritual Diary 5492-95 describes his death-bed repentance as being of no avail" (ditto).

The point at issue is that being rich is a state of betrayal to the God and Christ Jesus.  And, Satan uses money and worldly wealth to brainwash men.  The more a man thinks of money, the less he loves the God and Christ Jesus. 

Indeed, this is one of major themes of the Gospels.  The Good News mean that there is life after death, the spirit world, and Heaven when poor or unhappy people are welcomed.  For poor and unhappy people in this world, the Gospels and the words of Christ Jesus are really good news, since Christ Jesus declared so with authority given by the God.  And Swedenborg supported the ideas of the Gospels, although there are some biases and confusions in his writings. 

So, even for people suffering from the corona-pandemic, the Gospels must be good news reassuring them of life after death.

In this context, the Pope and other religious leaders in the Christian communities should declare at any occasions that there is life after death and Heaven where poor and unhappy people are welcomed.  If people have really realized the meaning and significance of such declarations, people should become unafraid of death as well as poverty.

Anyway, we had better not try to solve problems or address challenges by use of money.   

But we must ask the God, Christ Jesus, and their Angels to give help, advice and hope.  So, somebody around A.D. 1 around Jerusalem must have prayed and asked the God to send one of His Angles to save Jewish people from the Roman Empire, and in response to such a pleading the God sent His Son Christ Jesus to Palestine 2000 years ago, which should be a true interpretation of the Gospels.  

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Luke 5, King James Version
29 And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.
30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.