“…I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12, 14
THERE can be little doubt that the world of Planet Earth is descending into more turmoil every day. Wars and rumours of war, violence and corruption, and political divisiveness fill every corner, from continent to island, every man’s hand seemingly against his brother. And then issues of climate disasters: more fierce storms, major earthquakes, and wildfires destroying acres of vegetation as well as numerous homes with lives lost. Confrontational politics is increasingly violent and many countries are going through civil war. Drought, famine, and the suffering from conflicts, invasions, and deep divisions are daily news headlines. Crime of all kinds, gang violence, proliferation of dangerous weapons are the order of the day in every country. Many bemoan “good old days,” talk shows offer analyses and solutions, but the obvious social decline in rich and poor nations continues.
The New Testament Bible, in a letter from the Apostle Paul, had prophesied: “…in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Many of us would agree that the Apostle had foreseen accurately the end of human history, these days in which we live. Cynics mock that the world was always like this, there are periods of peace and prosperity even as these times of stress and danger also recur in their cycles. And the optimists would say, pointing to all the developments of civilizations down the centuries, that the world is getting better. By consultation, cooperation, and the right kinds of ideologies – social, political, and philosophical – the human race can do better.
The Biblical world and life view offer a different kind of optimistic view. Even as it explains the existence of evil. Essentially, that view proposes that humanity, tempted by the Archangel Lucifer, now known as Satan, rebelled against its Creator, the Triune God. As warned in the revelation of Genesis, the “wages of sin” proved to be death with all the sufferings of lives that freely chose to go their own way, even against the guidance and warnings of God. The Good news, the Gospel of the Bible and the Christian faith is that God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity from the power, corruption, guilt and consequence of sin, results of rebellion against their Creator. One enters that “ark” of safety, that salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ as Incarnate God, Saviour and Redeemer of all who believe in Him.
For the unbeliever, this is all another human-created myth, fascinating poetic fiction out of the great imagination of men. For them, it is not revealed truth from the Almighty God the Creator. In the words of Pontius Pilate, “What is truth?” Absolute truth is rejected in a world that believes all ideas of truth are relative.
For the believer, the Bible Scriptures, the inspired Word of God, Old and New Testament, teach clearly the ultimate destruction of this world with its evil and corruption. Peter, the Apostle of Christ, echoing in his letters the Old Testament prophets, wrote: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:10-13).
There, in a fine summary, we find the eschatological and apocalyptic hopes of genuine Christian believers, for whom the Bible is God’s revelation, given through prophets, apostles and Christ Himself. The Gospels record Jesus’ prophetic proclamations about the last days of this world and the new beginnings. “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles…” After a lengthy discourse on end-time events, Jesus promises: “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven…But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is…And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13: 8, 26, 27, 32, 33, 37).
These prophecies and that of the return of Jesus Christ as King and Judge are largely mocked everywhere today. For true Christian believers, the Bible Scriptures speak correctly and perceptively about the human condition, about the state of the world and its future. While believers occupy themselves with their lives and responsibilities, their further gaze is on Christ, His return and the new heavens and new earth promised, the place of holiness and peace where God dwells with His people. Paul’s letter to the Philippians about their ultimate citizenship in Heaven and the responsibility to “press on” in faith is an exhortation to be taken seriously.
The true Christian believer desires above all to “know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10, 11). Resurrection from the dead to eternal life, entry into the place Jesus has gone to prepare for His people (John 14:1-6) is the primary concern of the faithful, even as they take diligent care of earthly responsibilities.
To press on is to go against the problems posed by the sinful flesh, the allurements of the world and the temptations of the kingdom of darkness. It is to avoid the divisiveness of religion and partisan politics. It is to keep one’s faith in the risen Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour of all who place their faith in Him alone for salvation. To seek salvation which is needed by every human being, from the consequences of sin. Paul writes in this letter that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.” (Philippians 3:20-4:1). We press on!