The beginning of a new year is a compelling reminder that we are creatures of time. The reality of our limited time on earth is slow dawning upon human consciousness. Youth does not give much thought to it for it seems a year is forever but as the years pass, each of us find they pass with ever-increasing speed. How astonishing is it to read the Bible of a coming age when time will be irrelevant.
Two words often used in the prophetic portions of the Bible directly refer to this timeless age. The are especially significant because they imply the central message of the Gospel good news. The phrase "That Day" is found repeatedly in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and most all other prophetic books of the Bible. For example, the prophet Zechariah writes in Chapter 14, verse 9, "And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one." It is obvious that this expression does not refer to the familiar 24-hour day of this age, but to the beginning of a new era when time will not be used as the measure of human events. Christ will reign forever - visibly and directly over all the nations and peoples of the earth. In the annunciation of Christ's birth to the Virgin Mary, Gabriel spoke these words in reference to these days; Luke 1:33 "And he shall reign-forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."
The heart of the Gospel good news is centered in Jesus Christ. His miraculous birth to be sure, but more importantly, His suffering on the cross for our sins, His resurrection, and His promise of immortality for all who receive Him as Lord and Savior. Not immortality with the suffering, grief and calamities that we experience in this life and have seen already in the opening days of this new year. To the contrary, it is life without sorrow, grief, pain and tears.
In light of this, it is infinitely wise to seize the opportunity of the new year to make certain our readiness and preparedness for this glorious age. To sincere followers of Christ this means continuing the diligent practice of important spiritual disciplines such as seeking a deeper personal relationship with Christ, faithful church attendance, meditation in the Scriptures in addition to cultivating honest, kind and forgiving relationships with others. For others, a new year is an opportunity to renounce any delusions that this present life is forever. Time can be a friend or a devastating enemy. Don't waste another year. Find your life's purpose in the Scriptures and in a Gospel church. Immediately and decisively bring it into conformity with God's good intentions for your eternal future.
