Reflection Story: In Treating the Lord’s Return, We Cannot Blindly Follow Others

By Li Minghui

In welcoming the Lord’s return, what should we do so that we will not miss His return? The following short reflection story will inspire you: In Treating the Lord’s Return, We Cannot Blindly Follow Others.

One day, I was leaning against a window and browsing the web on my cell phone without much enthusiasm when suddenly a short story caught my attention. This is how the story goes: A boss was at the meal with his employees. One of the employees, who suffers a severe myopic, mistook an orange for an apple and bit into it, which provoked a lot of laughter. However, only one employee not only didn’t laugh but passed a cup of fruit juice to the man.

Will the Lord Jesus Come Back in the Flesh?

By Weiwei, United States

Editor’s note: When working in a foreign country, Weiwei bumps into someone from home whom she hasn’t seen for years, and she learns the news of the Lord’s return. When she hears that the Lord has already returned in the flesh, her pre-conceived notions are shaken to the core. After seeking and investigating, however, she comes to understand the significance of God becoming flesh.

“Are you Weiwei?”

“Jingyi?”

“Oh, Weiwei! My old neighbor! What a surprise to bump into you! We haven’t seen each other in years and we meet again in a foreign country. This really is by the Lord’s arrangement!”

“Yes indeed! Thank the Lord!”

…

When You Behold the Spiritual Body of Jesus Will Be When God Has Made Anew Heaven and Earth

Almighty God says, "The return of Jesus is a great salvation for those who are capable of accepting the truth, but for those who are unable to accept the truth it is a sign of condemnation. You should choose your own path, and should not blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and reject the truth. You should not be an ignorant and arrogant person, but someone who obeys the guidance of the Holy Spirit and longs for and seeks the truth; only in this way will you benefit. I advise you to tread the path of belief in God with care. Do not jump to conclusions; what’s more, do not be casual and carefree in your belief in God. You should know that, at the very least, those who believe in God should be humble and reverential. Those who have heard the truth and yet turn their nose up at it are foolish and ignorant. Those who have heard the truth and yet carelessly jump to conclusions or condemn it are beset by arrogance. No one who believes in Jesus is qualified to curse or condemn others. You should all be someone who is rational and accepts the truth. Perhaps, having heard the way of truth and read the word of life, you believe that only one in 10,000 of these words are in line with your convictions and the Bible, and then you should continue to seek in that 10,000th of these words. I still advise you to be humble, to not be over-confident, and to not exalt yourself too highly. With your heart holding such meager reverence for God, you will gain greater light. If you carefully examine and repeatedly contemplate these words, you shall understand whether or not they are the truth, and whether or not they are life."

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3 Aspects to Help You Understand the Significance of the Lord Jesus Incarnate

By Dong Fan

Brothers and Sisters of Spiritual Q&A:

Hello everyone! I have a question. We all know that in the Age of Law, God worked to guide man in the Spirit, then why was God incarnated to do the work of redemption through crucifixion in the Age of Grace? Is there any mystery in this? I see the confusions of many brothers and sisters have been resolved through your website, so please communicate with me about my question.

Sincerely yours,

Mu Zhen

Christian Short Sketch "A Warning From History" (English Skit)

Two thousand years ago, when the Lord Jesus appeared and worked, the Pharisees clung to the laws and condemned His work, saying that His work went beyond the Scriptures. To protect their status and livelihood, they strove with all their might to stop people from seeking the Lord Jesus' work, and joined forces with the Roman government to nail Him to the cross. In the last days, as the Lord Jesus again appears in the flesh to do work, the leaders of the religious world repeat the historical tragedy of the Pharisees' resistance of Lord Jesus. How do they resist God's work of the last days? Through a pastor acting a Pharisee in a performance, this skit exposes how modern pastors and elders hold on to the Bible to resist God, and shows clearly that the path they walk is exactly the same as that of the Pharisees.

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Christian Skit | "My Father, the Pastor" | A Truth Debate on the Bible (English Dubbed)

Chi Shou, a religious pastor who has been a believer in the Lord for forty years, has always held to the views that "all of the Lord's words and work are within the Bible," and that "belief in the Lord may not deviate from the Bible, and believing in the Bible means believing in the Lord." When it transpires that his daughter has accepted God's work of the last days, he makes a plan with his wife to stop her. On this day, their daughter returns home to bear them testimony to the gospel of the Lord's return, and a heated, witty, yet serious family debate thus ensues …

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Does “It Is Finished” Mean All of God’s Work Have Been Completed?

By Qianhe

　　Every Christian knows that the Lord Jesus said, “It is finished” when He was upon the cross, but what did He actually mean by saying “It is finished”? Some brothers and sisters believe that the Lord saying “It is finished” proves that God’s work to save mankind was completely finished and that He would no longer perform any work of salvation; there are also some brothers and sisters who say that, by saying these words, the Lord Jesus meant only that His great work of redemption was finished, and not that God would no longer perform any work of salvation after that … Today, let’s discuss together what the true meaning of the words “It is finished” spoken by the Lord Jesus actually is.

Breaking Free From the Religious Prayers, I Know How to Pray to Be Heard by God

By Claire, Philippines

　　I was born into a Catholic family, and since I was young, I observed all kinds of religious rituals with my parents, among which various prayers impressed me most. Rosary prayer was the most basic one we Catholic had to keep. Every night we would pray the Rosary. First, we made the sign of the cross with the crucifix on our fingers and prayed the Apostles’ Creed; next, we prayed the Our Father, ten Hail Marys, the Glory Be, and prayed mysteries for each of the five sections of the rosary, and then prayed a Hail Mary. The prayers were very long, and it was really not easy to finish all of them.

　　“Nine-day prayer” was also another kind of prayer in Catholicism, which meant praying for the same wish for nine days in a row so as to gain the Lord’s favor and help. We also had a prayer-book, in which there were different prayers for different wishes. Before praying, we would intensively meditate on our wishes; then we would read the related words in the book; after finishing these words, we would say Our Father, Hail Mary, The Glory Be, then meditate, and say the Closing Prayer to end the prayer. It was really not easy to finish this prayer either, and at that time I thought it a godly manner. But as time went on, I found that many of my wishes failed to come true. I couldn’t help but start to wonder: “Isn’t it said that as long as we pray for the same wish for 9 days in a row then it will come true? Why haven’t my wishes been realized? If such prayer cannot help us get our wishes, then why do we keep praying in such a way?” Thus I became somewhat unwilling to attend this prayer, but seeing everyone else in the church did so, I had no choice but to keep on acting this way.

A Special Fellowship Allows Him to Know How to Approach Unfavorable Things

By Albee, Philippines

　　Editor’s Note:

　　We often feel distressed when encountering unfavorable things. The fellowship in this article will help you understand how to approach them and escape the pain.

　　Exhausted and depressed after a busy day, Albee alone climbed up a mountain at dusk. Sitting in silence, he recalled the series of unfortunate things he encountered recently and felt very sad, tears uncontrollably streaming down his face. In weakness, he had a strong desire to pour out his depression to William, a good brother of his in the church, so he took out his cellphone and edited a message to William.

　　Albee: Brother William, recently I encountered a series of misfortunes—a key part of my motorcycle was stolen, my brother, who was always healthy, has suddenly had a toothache for several days, and I myself have also been sick. Not only that, but some of my personal items were also damaged. Faced with all these things, I feel very upset and harbor complaints about God. I don’t understand: Since I’ve just accepted God’s work of the last days, God should protect me, so why did He still allow these unhappy things to befall me?

How to Keep Jealousy From Destroying a Friendship

By Xinling

　　Editor’s Note: Ling Ran is a designer at an advertising agency. When her old friend outperformed her at work and gradually began to receive the approval and regard of co-workers, she was seized by a feeling of jealousy that coiled round her heart and devoured her happiness like a venomous snake. This jealousy left her in a state of agony out of which she was powerless to escape. So, how did Ling Ran free herself of jealousy and reestablish her old friendship by relying on God?

Competing With a Friend, A Miserable Existence

　　Ling Ran and Zhang Ke are Christians and good friends who could talk about anything with each other. Recently, the two were both hired by the same advertising agency to work as designers. Ling Ran was delighted to hear that she would be working with one of her good friends. In the beginning, Zhang Ke and Ling Ran were always helping and encouraging each other, so despite neither of them being familiar with the work, they didn’t feel particularly pressured.

I Finally Discover the Source of Anger and the Way to Control It

By Su Xing, Taiwan

　　“You believe in the Lord and yet you lose your temper at the drop of a hat. Why haven’t you changed at all?” This was my husband’s rebuke to me. I used to feel such distress that I was unable to live out the Lord’s teachings, and I often implored the Lord to lead me to cast off the bonds of sin. During my search, I heard the utterances of the second coming of the Lord, and I finally found the path to resolve my anger. I’d like now to tell you all about my experiences.

I Live in Sin, Powerless to Free Myself

　　In my daily life, I lived constantly within a cycle of sinning and confessing. For example, one time, because my child was too fond of playing and was too sloppy with his schoolwork, I grew angry and scolded him. My husband couldn’t stand by and watch me scolding him in such a way, so he criticized me for it. I didn’t accept what he said, so we got into an argument. This kind of scene became a regular occurrence, and every time my temper cooled after an outburst, I would feel very distressed and would reproach myself, especially when I thought of the verses: “Be you holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16), and “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). The Lord is holy and yet I always lived in sin. I couldn’t stop myself from losing my temper and I couldn’t get along peacefully with other people, so how could I possibly delight the Lord?

The Key to Managing to Attend the Wedding Feast of the Lamb

The Parable of the Wise Virgins

　　The Lord Jesus said, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I know you not” (Matthew 25:1–12).

In What Way Will the Second Coming of Jesus Christ Happen?

By Gao Jie

　　We Christians all know that when Jesus Christ descends for the second time, He will receive us so that we can be with Him. This is the promise that the Lord has made to us, and also is the greatest longing for all Christians. So welcoming the second coming of Jesus Christ is the most important matter of us believers’ lives. But to welcome the Lord, we must first know in what way His second coming will happen. If we are not clear about this, then we will be apt to miss the second coming of Jesus Christ and lose the opportunity to enter into the kingdom of heaven for all of eternity. Let’s fellowship about this topic today.

How to Approach Bible Prophecies in Accord With God’s Will

By Song Tao

　　When it comes to Bible prophecies, the majority of us Christians all want to understand their implied meaning. In particular, we want even more to have a clear knowledge and understanding of the prophecies regarding the Lord’s return because it concerns whether or not we will be able to welcome the Lord’s coming. Then how should we deal with Bible prophecies in accordance with God’s will? After a period of seeking, I finally understand how to correctly approach Bible prophecies.

Reading the Scriptures Got Me to Reflect

　　“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on even for ever. The zeal of the Jehovah of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6–7).

Know God’s Disposition From the Story of David

By Xiaowei

　　The Old Testament records a king. He was once an ordinary shepherd but later chosen by God and became a beloved king of the Israelites.

　　When David was only 14-15 years old, he tended sheep in the fields. He was able to save the flock from the lion or other beast with his bare hands, because he had Jehovah God as his backup. His hymns that praise Jehovah God always echoed through mountains and fields. The intimate relationship between him and Jehovah God is enviable!

How to Read the Bible? 4 Aspects of Practice

By Shun Chengxin

Brother Zhao Ming:

　　Unwittingly, we have been parted for over two years. How are you doing these days? What’s the situation of the brothers and sisters? I really miss those days when we spread the gospel, read the Bible and attended meetings together. Do you still remember we once discussed a question: How should we read the Bible since we still don’t understand the Lord Jesus’ words although we read them every day? To be honest with you, several days ago, I posted this confusion on the Internet. A church friend quickly answered me, which made me gain so much. So I wrote you this letter to share the path of how to read the Lord’s words to understand the truth.

2019 English Christian Video | "Believers in the Son Have Everlasting Life" (Crosstalk)

The Bible says, "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him" (John 3: 36). Su Yue thinks that believing in the Lord Jesus is believing in the Son and can gain her everlasting life. When Sister Ling says her understanding is only half-complete, Su Yue is confused, and begins debating Ling …. So, what is true belief in the Son? What does "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life" refer to?

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She Finally Quit a Game Addiction That Had Been Ruining Her For 23 Years

By Yi Xin, Malaysia

　　Once she got home after work, Yi Xin fell exhausted to the couch. She thought about how she had once again been unable to keep herself from playing games that day at work and had been scolded and given a warning by her boss. She felt so depressed. For 23 years, Yi Xin had been so addicted to online gaming that she could no longer tell fact from fiction. The characters she played in her games did not eat and did not sleep, nor did they need to study or work, and so when she played these games she did not eat or sleep either, and she came to hate both study and work. Living such an irregular life over a long period had caused her to have frequent health complications. The online games afflicted her with mental and physical exhaustion. She so wanted to quit them, but how could she rid herself of them? She rubbed her temples and frowned deeply.

Kidnapped When Seven Months Pregnant, She Relies on God to Escape Danger

By Li Ai, Italy

　　“Don’t move and don’t scream! Do what I say, or this knife will end both you and your child!” said the vicious ruffian, threatening an unarmed pregnant woman with a sharp knife.

　　This was something that happened to Li Ai over 10 years before, and she still felt a lingering fear when thinking about it even now. After it was over, however, what she felt most of all was gratitude to God, for at that time of danger, had it not been for God’s guidance and protection, she dreads to think what might have happened.

　　It was October 2006, and Li Ai and her husband had bought a house in the suburbs. Because the house was far from where her husband worked, they decided to rent the house out. It wasn’t long before a middle-aged man who’d said he owned a factory took the lease, and said that his family would be moving in. Li Ai spoke with the man twice and, after the price and other matters were agreed upon, all they needed was for the contract to be signed.

Christian Crosstalk "Going Outside the Bible" | Can We Gain Eternal Life by Keeping to the Bible?

Xiang Yang works at a house church, and just like many religious believers, he thinks that God's words and work are all in the Bible, that believing in the Lord means believing in the Bible, that the Bible represents the Lord, and that if he abides by the Bible, he will enter the kingdom of heaven and gain eternal life. Brother Zhang Yi, who has just accepted God's work of the last days, has doubts about this view. The two engage in a humorous debate: Are all of God's words and work really in the Bible? Do es the Bible really represent the Lord? By keeping to the Bible, can we enter the kingdom of heaven and gain eternal life? To find out the answers, please watch the crosstalk Going Outside the Bible.

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