New Beginnings

In the Beginning
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A new year is something like a new morning giving us a fresh day for living the life of Christ better than we did before — except that in this case we set our sights for a longer range, for a year ahead, or more. A new start is a fresh opportunity to put old stumblings in the past, and set out with a fresh desire to do well in our spiritual life.

God’s Plan contains various New Beginnings, building one development upon another toward the endless age when good and holiness nevermore are tainted by the swaddling bands of darkness. The darkness helps the world to see the need of good over evil. But when that function is complete, and those influences dissipate during the Millennium, the value of God, his love, his principles, his beneficence, will be as clear as the bright sun of morning.

Our first article, “New Beginnings,” introduces our theme with an overview of various new stages in the Plan of the Ages, with a variety of engaging insights. The second, “Beginning Again,” is similar, but briefer, focusing on a few specifics of interest. “Consider Your Ways” is about one particular New Beginning, Israel resuming work on the Temple of God following their return from Babylon. In this are lessons for us not to drift with the current of earthly duties and let our spiritual fervor lapse.

The advent of Christ Jesus brought a major New Beginning with light and hope for the whole world. However, the value of Jesus, his teaching, and his costly sacrifice, was dimly appreciated at the time. This is explored in a fascinating article, “Behold, the Man!”

The second advent of Christ initiated the Harvest, the ending period of the Gospel labors of nearly two thousand years. “The Harvest” looks backward, present, and forward, at the progress of this work.

“Lessons from the Life of Joseph” is a heart- felt exhortation from a senior member of the New Creation. He urges that we pursue patiently the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14), the vital work of the present, precursor to the kingdom blessing.

Our closing article looks at the wonderful New Beginning we all have prayed earnestly for, “The Kingdom of God.” It expresses a hope that distinguishes our prospect for blessing “all the families of the earth” from many lesser views of God’s munificence.

May this issue help each reader to appreciate the fullness of God’s grace, punctuated with so many New Beginnings, to crescendo in life everlasting for the teeming billions of mankind.