When I started to understand the Bible, I experienced some strange things. Some Bible verses got stuck to my head and were repeated over and over again until I grasp the meaning of it. I even made a document named ‘Bible verses from God’ in my computer. It is dated 8 May 2017.
I wrote earlier that Rom 3:11-18 drew my attention when I was about 6. I could not understand the word ‘righteous’ then. And I now understand that my understandings and dreams are connected to this word.
The first verse that got stuck to my head was Exodus 33:19.
And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
The verse did not leave my head until I understood TULIP. Then, there were other verses. According to the document, they are:
Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
8 May 2017
Matthew 6:33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Around that time, I had a dream. In the dream, I was wearing a white swim suit with two stripes. The colors of the stripes were green and blue. So white, green, and blue were all in the same suit. (Later I learned that a saint also takes up the three offices of Christ). It looked like I was in a tropical island and I went into a swimming pool. I was overjoyed that the water was so clean and the sun was so bright. Yet, the sun did not beat on my skin. Then I realized that my mother was in the pool but looked unhappy. She was in a black suit. There were other people. They were also wearing black suits. I shook my mother so that she would know she was in the clearest water and the brightest light. She then understood it and fully dived into the water and was overjoyed.
My mother, despite learning and studying the Reformed theology for long, did not have much joy as a Christian. One day I noticed that she had a book on Plato. I told her to throw it away because it is an abomination to God. (Those who have studied theology know that the Greek philosophy takes a significant role in theology. At that time, I did not know it.) I believe the sadness on her face in the dream was because of the impurity of theology that she learned. She was unhappy. A few months later, she understood why God hates human philosophies and threw it away.
I also had this experience in real life. I finished a long hours of work and was driving home. I was quite tired mentally and physically. Then I said, “What is the purpose of your life? What do you live for?” I was surprised that I spoke it out loud (I was alone in the car). I thought about the question and said, “…Jesus?” Then immediately I said, “That’s what you think as the right answer.” I was astounded by my answer. My mind was busy thinking why Jesus was not the answer. Honestly speaking, I said it because I felt like I should say it. I then suddenly I cried out “I must live for God’s sovereignty, God’s Kingdom and God’s people!” Immediately after I said it, I saw a lightning in the distance as if the answer was accepted.
As I grew up, all the churches have emphasized the man Jesus. I saw Jesus’s pictures and paintings everywhere in both the Catholic and the Protestant churches. I grew up singing that Jesus is good and I love Jesus. But in 2017, I realized that Jesus came for the Kingdom. From then on, my question was: “What is Kingdom?”
Many people and myself in the past go to a church and the church activities take a significant part in our lives. This church-focused life had one purpose – salvation. Subconsciously, we believe that being a member of a church can save us and we put Jesus’ picture in the forefront to sell this message. We believe in the system more than the one who gave the system. This is idolatry.
God wants His people to shift the focus from men-made church to Himself and His Kingdom.