Hope ...Where is the hope we can offer those who lose everything? The world offers hope in education, money, fame, fortune and material things. But these things all decay. We must cling to something that has eternal value. I think that Paul had it right. As a man with many problems (prison, beatings, thorn in side and daily life) he says, "Maranatha!".
This word consists of two Aramean words, Maran'athah, meaning, "our Lord comes," or is "coming."
1 Cor 16:22
"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." (KJV)
"If anyone does not love the Lord —a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!" NIVV)
"If anyone won't love the Master, throw him out. Make room for the Master!" (The Message)
"I pray that God will put a curse on everyone who doesn't love the Lord. And may the Lord come soon." CEVV)
There are fourdifferentt versions here. This is a way to study to get a very descriptive view. In the book "The Purpose Driven Life" Rick Warren describes that the Bible uses over 11,280 Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words. But in today's typical English versions we only use 6,000. So it is best to reada lott of versions to dive deep into the word. Unless you are a Greek , Hebrew and Aramaic scholar.
I say all that to say this. We have a lost world reaching out for everything the world offers. But all they find is emptiness. We have the hope. We have the answers to the questions. And yet we stay in our closets and let the world go down hill. Look at what Paul was really saying. He was yelling out Jesus is Coming!! Jesus is Coming Soon!! Come Jesus Come!!
We should have a since of urgency in our steps when it comes to eternity. Get out there and live a Maranatha life.
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