God consistently urges us to abandon fear, as fear and doubt constitute distressing emotions triggered by the perception of imminent danger, malevolence, or pain, irrespective of whether the threat is concrete or hypothetical; they encapsulate a state of apprehension. When the threat is tangible, fear endures until the imminent danger manifests; conversely, if it is solely a construct of the imagination, the experience may endure indefinitely. Human beings possess the capacity to envision various scenarios, and through this imaginative capability, a multitude of creative expressions and innovative concepts have been brought into existence.
A Spherical Earth
While many believed the erroneous notion that the Earth was flat, Pythagoras (c. 570 – 495 BC) is often recognised as one of the pioneers who proposed a spherical Earth based on philosophical reasoning. Aristotle (384–322 BC) contributed observational evidence, noting the curved shadow cast on the Moon during eclipses and the appearance of different stars as one travelled north or south.
Eratosthenes (c. 276–194 BC), a Greek mathematician, famously calculated the Earth’s circumference with remarkable accuracy utilizing geometry and shadows. This understanding evolved over centuries, cementing itself as established scientific knowledge in antiquity, long before the age of Columbus or Copernicus.
Columbus’s first voyage in 1492 occurred when Copernicus was merely 19 years old, well before the publication of Copernicus’s significant work in 1543; however, both individuals contributed to pivotal shifts in worldview during a transformative period in European history. Subsequently, the duo Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastián Elcano (1519–1522), through their circumnavigation, provided definitive practical proof that one could sail around the world.
In the present age, with the advent of satellites, we can observe that the Earth is indeed spherical rather than flat. This imaginative vision, bolstered by substantial practical evidence and the mathematics that accurately calculated the Earth’s circumference, represents a significant development in the pursuit of truth. The apprehensions held by these scientists materialised, as they grappled with fears while ignoring the prevailing fallacy that dominated public perception. The element of fear resided in the minds of both scientists and the general populace; however, the reality of the situation ultimately prevailed, transforming fear into truth.
It Takes Centuries to Understand the Truth
While it required centuries for humanity to accept the spherical form of the Earth, a notion supported by concrete evidence, one might speculate on the duration necessary for a similar understanding of the existence of God’s Kingdom. Jesus articulated that the Kingdom of God is not a material existence that can be perceived through observation.
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst. – Luke 17:20-21 (NIV)
His Kingdom represents a state of existence with our Father God, who remains unseen yet manifests His presence through His agape love. For those who do not perceive His love as evidence of His existence, this presence is nonetheless experienced through His creations. Nevertheless, God desires to disclose His love towards us, as demonstrated by the gift of His only Son for the atonement of the sins of all mankind (John 3:16-17). The prophecy of Jesus’ birth was foretold centuries prior, and upon its fulfilment, Jesus Himself elucidated the nature of God’s love and His Kingdom to us.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. – Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)
Despite Jesus imparting comprehensive knowledge to His disciples regarding His Father’s Kingdom and, in particular, His impending sufferings, the disciples were unable to comprehend the truth and instead remained fixated on the material Kingdom of Rome. Following Jesus’ resurrection, they found it difficult to accept the truth, as they were reliant on the deceptions of the world.
This shows the disciples’ ignorance; even the explicit teachings of Jesus failed to enlighten them to the light of the Gospel and to experiencing the presence of God, for being with Him signifies being in His Kingdom. By rejecting the truth, the disciples allowed their expectations to be shaped by fear and falsehoods. However, the truth shall endure, and people will ultimately come to know it, subsequently liberating them from darkness, maybe not instantly, but progressively as time unfolds.
In light of this, it may require centuries to comprehend and embrace the truth; God is patiently awaiting mankind to understand and accept, which in turn results in the postponement of His Second Coming. Nonetheless, this delay engenders fear and uncertainty within individuals, leading them to neglect contemplation of His return, even as they routinely commemorate His First Coming.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Darkness Lies Within Us
At the conclusion of His earthly ministry, Jesus informed His Father that He imparted His Word to mankind (John 17:14), as the Word of God represents truth (John 17:17). Given that Jesus has provided us with the Word, which embodies the truth, we must inquire what barriers exist that hinder our understanding of this truth. The challenging reality is that we can dismantle the obstacles obstructing our comprehension of the truth solely through the acceptance of the truth itself (John 8:32). Therefore, it is essential to recognise that it is not external agents that impede our access to the truth, but rather the falsehoods we have constructed that serve as the genuine impediment.
These falsehoods arise from a deliberate concealment of the truth. While every aspect of God’s creation proclaims His power and existence, humanity often obscures this truth by fixating solely on His creation. In gold mines, individuals frequently find themselves trapped and perish, entombed by the very substance they sought to extract. In a similar manner, we may figuratively bury God, the Creator, beneath His own creation. Instead of contemplating the truth that God has imparted, we persist in adhering to myths and traditions that are founded upon falsehoods.
Although God bestowed His only Son to impart truth and guide us towards eternity, we remain entrenched in worldly deceptions, thereby causing ourselves distress by rejecting that truth. We attribute every mishap to malevolent forces, imagining that the devil possesses the power to challenge God and inflict suffering upon us. The Bible documents two distinct instances in which the devil sought permission from God to carry out evil acts: one in the Book of Job and another when Judas departed from the table to betray Jesus. Nothing occurs in this world without His sanction.
While we may harbour apprehensions about the influence of darkness in our lives, such as black magic or divination, it is crucial to consider who truly connects these elements to our state of affairs. We, ourselves, create these associations, thereby tormenting our minds and fostering fear within us. For instance, news of an individual’s demise often instils a sense of unease and fear. This reaction stems from our tendency to associate death with darkness, neglecting the perspective that it serves as a bridge between mortal existence and the realm of immortality. Many individuals are intimidated by dark places and may avoid areas where discussions of malevolent spirits occur. Conversely, when these areas are illuminated, fear diminishes, as those fears are always lies. This observation implies that darkness does not predominantly exist externally; rather, it dwells within our spirit, mind, and soul.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. – Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
To Whom Do We Belong?
John attested that Jesus is the true light that grants illumination to all (John 1:9). He articulates this based on his own personal experience of the enlightenment of his soul, as evidenced in the subsequent verse:
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14 (NIV)
The grace of Jesus has replaced falsehood with truth, leading John to experience the fullness of grace and truth in Christ. If we are indeed children of our Father God, we would undoubtedly undergo this transformation, as the lies and darkness within us would be dispelled by the light and truth (2 Corinthians 5:17). Should we fail to become new creations and instead deceive ourselves by clinging to religious rituals and festivals, we are not true children of our Heavenly Father but rather offspring of the Father of lies, who offers only temporary pleasure and satisfaction through self-righteousness. In the unfortunate state of rejecting truth while embracing falsehoods, the following words of Jesus serve to illuminate our condition and guide us toward transformation into the children of our Heavenly Father:
If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. – John 8:42-47 (NIV)
Centuries have elapsed since God bestowed forgiveness upon our transgressions. Should we persist in indulging in the celebration of various rituals rooted in historical truths and contemporary falsehoods, akin to pagan practices, or ought we to be readying ourselves to face the judgment that is said to await us during the second coming of Jesus? If we undertake this endeavour, we shall fulfil the purpose for which Jesus was brought into this world, consequently alleviating all our fears and elevating our joy to its fullest expression.
The Jordan Valley 
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