fulfillment Archives - As It Is in Heaven

December 27, 2022December 27, 2022

You Have to See It to Believe It! – Reflecting on Shincheonji’s 100,000 Graduation

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:6-7

I don’t know if you’ve heard the news – whether through a newspaper or on the Internet – but on November 20, 2022, Shincheonji Church of Jesus (New Heaven New Earth Church) held a large graduation ceremony for those who had completed their Bible study program at their study centers. These were graduates from all around the world. The event was held in Daegu at the Daegu Stadium. This was the second graduation ceremony they had with over 100,000 graduates – 106,186 to be exact. The first one was three years ago – which was the first of any kind in the world. And I was at both of them.

November 3, 2021November 2, 2021

What Time Are We Living In?

time, era, bible, time we're living in, Jesus' return, Revelation

The Bible, from beginning to end, tells us of different eras in which people lived, and events pertaining to God’s history occurred. We have the eras of Adam, Noah, and Abraham in Genesis.

Then there’s era of Moses and the Israelites – their freedom from slavery, years in the desert, and conquest of Canaan. Afterwards, we see the eras of the judges, the kings, and the prophets.

The four gospels record the era of Jesus’ first coming. The book of Acts examines the era of the early church, and the Epistles record instructions and advice on how to be Christ-like for Christians, new and old. Finally, the last book of the Bible, Revelation, prophesies the second coming of Jesus. With all these eras, or times, in the Bible, which era do you think we’re living in now?

May 31, 2021May 31, 2021

What to Expect for the Second Coming of Jesus

second coming of Jesus, Jesus's return, Bible, faith, Christianity

One of the hottest topics within Christianity is the second coming of Jesus.

Ideas and speculations of how Jesus’s return will take place have been circulating for thousands of years now. Everyone seems to have their own understanding and expectations of it.

May 27, 2021November 8, 2021

Why Are the Pharisees the Bad Guys in the New Testament?

pharisees, bad guys, new testament, jesus

Heretic! Demon possessed! Liar!

A roar of countless voices hurls insults at Jesus. Hands grasping stones, prepared to throw. You’d maybe expect this kind of treatment for a cold-blooded criminal. But not for Jesus, the Son of God. Nevertheless, this is the kind of treatment he received when he went out to do the work of God. Most of us know that Jesus was not well-received during the time he was alive. But do you know who was to blame for Jesus’ treatment?

May 24, 2021May 23, 2021

The Danger of Adding Our Own Thoughts to the Bible

danger of adding our own thoughts, revelation, Bible, God, Jesus

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Revelation 22:18-19

This passage comes as the very last warning written in the Bible. Scary, right?

The last thing God tells us is to not add or take away from His word, especially the prophecy of Revelation. If we take away from it, God will take away our place in the holy city, i.e. heaven, and if we add to it, He will add the plagues in the prophecy. Yikes.

May 13, 2021May 12, 2021

Spiritually Full or Spiritually Hungry – Which is Better?

spiritually hungry, spiritually full, food, God's word, hunger

As a kid, I loved the holidays, especially Christmas and Thanksgiving. We always had friends over and all shared a big meal. There were so many kinds of foods: turkey, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, buttery dinner rolls, and cherry pie. I didn’t eat much during the day so that I’d be especially hungry at dinner time.

Then by the end, I felt so full…almost too full. You know that feeling when you eat too much? The food coma that starts creeping up? Or that gross, sick-to-your-stomach feeling of having stuffed too much down?

May 3, 2021April 29, 2021

Is the Book of Revelation Literal or Figurative?

revelation, literal or figurative, God's will, prophecy

The book of Revelation is usually in Bible reading plans. Maybe it’s a part of your “Read the whole Bible in a year” plan or something similar. But Revelation usually isn’t the first book most people choose to read. That’s because it often seems scary, or difficult to understand. Countless pastors and theologians have written their own thoughts and interpretations on what Revelation actually means. Some of the questions that come up are things like, ‘Are the events described in Revelation literal or figurative? When do they happen? Will we be alive to see them take place?’ and countless other points of discussion and speculation.

April 29, 2021July 29, 2021

Why Can’t I See God? How to Believe in the One You Can’t See

see, believe, why can't i see God, God's Word, promise

At one point or another, most people have spent time considering the existence of God. It comes up in good times and bad, while we’re surrounded by other people in conversation or alone with our own thoughts. This thought, in some shape or form, has probably crossed everyone’s mind: Why can’t I see God? It would be so much easier to believe if He just came down and let me see Him.

I’ve lied awake waiting for that spiritual experience, a sign–anything. But I never saw God. They say that “seeing is believing” but perhaps that phrase needs some revision.

April 19, 2021April 19, 2021

A Prophet Without Honor: Why Jesus’ Hometown Didn’t Believe in Him

a prophet without honor, jesus, believe in jesus, bible

Jesus Christ. The Son of God. We love and respect him, and rightfully so. There are churches all over the world where people dedicate everything to Jesus. Today, he can come up in casual conversation and usually, nobody bats an eye. And if he came back today riding on a cloud, people would probably roll out the red carpet. Christians today often imagine Jesus being treated in this way…royalty that everyone adores. However, looking back at the first time Jesus walked the earth, do you think he received the same warm welcome? Jesus even referred to himself as a prophet without honor. Why do you think that is?

April 15, 2021June 10, 2021

It Is Finished: What Jesus Actually Completed

It Is Finished, fulfillment, promises, Jesus

Angry shouts filling the air, curses, beatings, humiliation, pain. And then, the final words from Jesus, “It is finished”. The event of Jesus bearing the cross is a familiar one for most Christians. But how much time do we spend truly reflecting on this moment? Recently, I was reading through the book of Matthew again and came across the account of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Churches and media everywhere commonly refer to this event on Easter or in movies. But take a moment to really put yourself into that moment. Picture what it would’ve been like to be there.