Making the Most of Your Time

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those

who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

-Daniel 12:3

                The start of the new school year is here and I have had several young adults ask me how they can further empower their lives and spread the Good News of God to their peers. Reflecting on my past, I realized I was once just like them: unsure about how to draw others to Christ, afraid of rejection and rebuke. Like most people who don’t have the privilege of going to a Christian academy, I wasn’t surrounded by many people who could help me stand strong against enemy attacks. It is still the same in my college years but this past summer has been very eye opening for me. God has shown me so much and has given me so much knowledge to help prepare me for this upcoming year. So, whether you’re male or female, 12 or 62, or in grade school, college, or the work field, the Bible gives us instructions on how we can be good disciples of God.

                First, we must put all fear of mankind aside. This life is fleeting; it’s just a small dash between two numbers on a stone-a hand’s breath. What matters is how we define ourselves and spend that time. The years fly by and our mortal lives will soon be over. Did you live that life for God?

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of

evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in

Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

-Matthew 5:11-12

                God gives each and every one of us spiritual gifts. He gives us these gifts to help us draw others to Him. He wants us to use them for His works so that everyone may see His grace (1 Peter 4:10-11) and we can save spirits from death.  Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us to be careful and wise in the way we live so that we can make the most of every opportunity thrown our way. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he gives Timothy instructions on how to be a light for others.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set

an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. Until I come,

devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching…

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone

may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because

if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

-1 Timothy 4:12-13…15-16

                The words that come out of our mouths are very important. We don’t always have to mention Jesus’ name but we should be cautious about what we say. It is not what goes into our mouth that makes us unclean, but rather what comes out (Matthew 15:11). Things that come from the mouth are what consume the mind and the heart. Like 6:5 states that the mouth speaks what is overflowing from the heart.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is

helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

-Ephesians 4:29

“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.”

-Proverbs 14:25

                What we say greatly influences others. Proverbs 10:21 tells us that the lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. The nourishment is not for the body but for the spirit. The righteous communicate spiritual knowledge and understanding of divine things; these things are the bread of life. Men suffer a spiritual death when they don’t accept and understand Biblical truths.

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.”

-Proverbs 13:14

                How we talk also plays a role in who we impact. If we talk with hesitation or as though we are flustered, we will cause people to doubt. We need to be serious and firm in what we say, not stuttering or too humorous.

“In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot

be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed

because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

-Titus2:7-8

                You might be worried about what to say when someone asks you a question about your faith or God. You shouldn’t be afraid. Study the Scripture and pray to God for wisdom. In Nehemiah 2, the king’s cupbearer Nehemiah was very saddened by hearing about the destruction of the wall of Jerusalem. The king, upon seeing him, asked him what was troubling him and what Nehemiah wanted. Very quickly, Nehemiah prayed to the Lord that he might direct him with the right words to say. The apostle Paul, the wise speaker and loyal believer, even requested prayer for knowledge and courage.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be

given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which

I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

-Ephesians 6:19-20

                One tool that I use is the Pocket Testament League. You can order 30 Gospels of John every 30 days for free. The goal is to hand out at least one a day to help spread the Word. The site also sends Daily Devotions to your email and provides other tools in how you can spread the Word.

                Jesus is the ultimate example of a good teacher. We should live by his example and love at all times and allow God to work through us. Let us not choose our own words but listen to what He wants us to say and do. A simple act of kindness can have a big impact on a stranger.

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.”

-Titus 2:7

Understanding the Book of Revelation: The New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem

                Chapter 21 discusses the New Heaven, the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem. God has perfected and completed His final kingdom and people. There is no blemish or flaw. The sea no longer exists because it was a place for demons (Revelation 20:13) and is no longer needed. It played a major role in the judgment of the world. Therefore, no sea creature will exist nor will any serpent exist in the New Heaven and Earth. The New Heaven and Earth were first promised in Isaiah 65:17-25. 2 Peter 3:10-12 mentions the destruction of the heaven and the earth and the creation of new ones where righteousness dwells. This current earth is not our permanent dwelling place but it is just something we pass through. We must look forward to the reward we will receive once this life ends.

                Revelation is full of symbols. Here, in verse 2, the New Jerusalem signifies the totality of God’s works and the redeemed throughout the ages, who have been restored and transformed. The church is Christ’s bride. Jesus was once God’s tabernacle, a bridge to close the gap between mankind and God so that we may have a relationship with Him. Now, God will be able to reside with them always, as He did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. There will be no presence of Satan so there won’t be a possibility of another fall. Full satisfaction and rest will be found here because Death, and all other demons, have been cast out by life (1 Corinthians 15:5) and sent to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). 

                God make all things new. In Revelation 19:11 Jesus is referred to as Faithful and True. Here in verse 5 Gods words are referred to as faithful and true. Isaiah 65:17 lets us know that there will be a new heaven and a new earth and no one will remember the old. Those who go to God will receive His free grace, everlasting life. All believers will be able to participate in the new earth and the new heaven. All those who don’t believe and never repent of their sins will be burned in the lake of fire, to suffer torment and a second death. They won’t be able to experience the same joy that all of the believers will. During the thousand years, the believers will be the bride, which is temporary, meant for the wedding day. They will be the wife once all things new are brought about, which will last eternity. 

                Verse 10 is in contrast to John being brought to the wilderness to see the great harlot. Here, is lifted up to see the wife of Jesus, the Lamb. Today, we are to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14), but the New Jerusalem will be the light to all the nations. In Revelation 4:3 God’s appearance is compared to that of jasper. Here, the New Jerusalem is compared to jasper so therefore, she bears the appearance of God. The wall in verse 12 is for her protection. She will defend all that is good and of God. The number twelve is the number of God’s completion. The New Jerusalem is eternally complete and perfect. The angels help protect our possessions and all that we consider dear to us while we enjoy the everlasting life. The names of the tribes represent the Old Testament, the law. With the gate facing all four cardinal directions it signifies that the city is open to all believers. With three gates on each side, it indicates that the triune of God guides everyone here. There will be no more need for prophets in Heaven, so the apostles will represent that grace that God has and the grace that the city is built upon. 

                In Revelation 11:1, John was given a measuring rod to count the saints and believers. He was told only to measure the inner temple, not the outer. Here in verse 15 he is told to measure to show the perfection of the city and what God has made. Gold represents the divine nature of God. Therefore, the city is measured according to God’s divine plan and nature. In saying that the city is square, it is saying that it is perfect in every way. The repetition of 12,000 in the measurements emphasizes completeness. One hundred and forty-four is twelve times twelve, which signifies total completion. The Old Testament times the New Testament. Gold, in verse 17, represents the purity and holiness of the Church. It’s clear like glass so that God’s light can shine through the whole city. It lacks imperfection and flaws. 

                The New Jerusalem is a city of foundations (Hebrews 11:10). Each of the apostles is represented by a type of stone. The apostles were all once clay but have been transformed into stones, as Peter’s name suggests. He came to Christ as Simon but Christ called him Peter, meaning a stone (John 1:42). The colors of the twelve foundations are as follows: the first stone is green, the second and third are blue, the fourth is green, the fifth and sixth are red, the seventh is yellow, the eighth is bluish green, the ninth is yellow, the tenth is apple-green, and the eleventh and twelfth are purple. I’d like to note that the 12 birthstones and signs of the zodiac have the exact same precious stones, excepted listed in reverse order. Pearls are objects of great price but they are also made through the suffering of the mollusk. The idea is that the only way into the city is through the suffering of Christ on the cross. He was wounded by us and secreted his life around us to make us precious, just as an oyster does when a grain of sand wounds it. The New Jerusalem is built of three kinds of precious materials, signifying that she is built with the Triune God. 

                Verse 22 lets us know that there is no need for a temple or tabernacle now because God will dwell among His people and walk amongst them (2 Corinthians 6:16). This is the fulfillment of Ephesians 2:22 where it says that we are being built together as a dwelling place of God. The sun and moon will still exist in the new heaven and new earth but they will not be needed in the New Jerusalem. God will shine so much brighter there, with Jesus as the lamp. Nothing unclean will enter the city and only righteousness will surround her. At night, people usually close their gates. Here, however, there are angels who guard the gates so that no evil shall enter. Isaiah 60:11 and Zechariah 14:11 tells us that there will be perfect security.