Some readers will know my
story about how I found hope and purpose. For those who don’t, I would like to briefly
share with you.
I reached a point in my life years
ago, which some psychologists might diagnose as a ‘quarter-life crisis’. Although
I achieved some measure of ‘success’ by the world’s standards, it was fleeting
and I felt scarred by a deep, pervasive emptiness. Coupled with knowledge of bleak
headlines and global media coverage of the world’s many wars and conflicts, I despaired
of life itself. Where could I find hope?
For whatever reason, I inherently
believed that only the Creator could help me find my purpose and fill my empty heart
with a measure of hope. For the first time in my life, I picked up the Bible and
began to read it avidly; early morning, away from colleagues on my lunchbreak
and before bedtime. But I didn’t understand it. I went to local church leaders and
asked them to help me understand it. Despite their best intentions, no one could
give me a clear answer. ‘Just have faith and believe’ is what I was commonly
advised. Seeking answers, I went to church services in many denominations and served
in whatever way I could. I attended many Christian and secular conferences and courses,
and ended up paying thousands of pounds. Nothing seemed to nourish my broken spirit.
I had reached the nadir of my life. Then one evening, I cried out to God and pleaded
with Him to show Himself to me, either through an understanding of the Bible or
through vision.
I write this article today,
several years later, with the certain knowledge that God is real and answered my
prayer that night. Soon after, I met someone who had a sound understanding of
the Bible. He explained the Bible to me in a clear and logical way, answering
the many questions I had about it. I was stunned that everything I was being taught
was explained through the Bible itself. No external interpretations or commentaries;
just the Bible. My spiritual eyes were being gradually opened.
I was then given the free opportunity
to dig deeper into the word of God. I took it and began a six-month Bible study
course. l gained a thorough understanding of
God’s 6000-year history recorded in the Bible, was shown the true meaning of
the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Genesis, and
also learned about the new covenant that believers must keep today, recorded in
the four Gospels and book of Revelation. More than anything, that course provided me with
a clear understanding of God’s will for my life and His redemptive plan for humanity
in our deeply broken world. I also came to understand that God is a God of
promise; whatever He promises, He fulfils at an appointed time in the future.
Although I still have hurdles
to overcome daily in my faith, I give all thanks to God that I now have a
definite hope and purpose in Shincheonji Church of Jesus, The Temple of the
Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereon 'Shincheonji church'). Shincheonji church
is with God because it is the church Jesus promised in the book of Revelation
2000 years ago. Unlike any other church in the world, the head of this church
is Jesus, not man. Jesus is the one who promised Revelation and he is the one
who fulfils it, revealing the true meaning of Revelation that has been sealed
for the last 2000 years (see the below link). The name ‘Shincheonji’ appears
according to the Bible (‘New Heaven New Earth’ in Rv 21). It is also called
‘Tabernacle of the Testimony' according to the Bible (Rv 15:5) because it
has seen and heard all the promised events in Revelation and can, therefore,
give testimony about it. The people in Shincheonji church are all on the same
journey, practising our walk of faith as best as we can and with sincere love and
respect for one another. Many people who are hungry for answers to life’s problems
are also studying the word and flocking to this promised church all over the
world. For this, I will be forever grateful. Thank you, God. Thank you, Jesus.
I know that God is a living,
not distant, God who fulfils everything He promises. In Rv 21:3-4, it is
written that a world without mourning, death, crying or pain will be created on
the earth. This is God’s hope and my greatest hope.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling
place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his
people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every
tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or
pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rv 21:3-4)
To read more about how Shincheonji
Church of Jesus, The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony has been created
according to the promises of the Bible, please click here
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