Thought for the Month

"Beloved.I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:13‑14 NRSV)

This year it is the turn of Qatar to host the World Cup from 20 November to 18 December. It’s the first time it has been hosted in the Arab world and the first to play in the winter for the northern hemisphere countries.32 teams have achieved their goal of reaching the final from all around the world from England and Wales from this island, countries like Cameroon and Ghana in Africa, Canada and the USA in North America, Australia and Brazil in the southern hemisphere. Each striker may aim to win "the golden boot" for the most goals in a single World Cup. The goal of each national team is to win the World Cup. Each member of the winning squad will probably be acclaimed as "national heroes."

Paul used the sporting picture language in his epistles to help the early church understand how they ought to apply the Christian message to the full in their lives. He does so in Philippians 3 in language they would understand from the ancient Greek Olympic games. Most modern translations use the word goal to convey the sporting language.

‘Skopon’ is the Greek word translated as ‘goal.’ It is the only time this Greek word is used. In British English it is in the sense of "scope" which can relate to the use of a rifle to hit a target.

When did that begin and when does it end? Philippians tells us it relates to Jesus Christ. It was hinted at in Isa.7 and 8 with the promise of the coming of Immanuel. At that period of time some thought it may relate to a son of Isaiah himself, others to Hezekiah the son of King Ahaz who was a rare good king of Israel or Judah. Matthew makes it clear that it was Jesus. (Matt.1:23) Isaiah in his famous ninth chapter tells of all the names of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

But what is the message for today’s Christian? Is it not to be part of the heavenly resurrection, to be with our Lord Jesus Christ? Was is not what Paul was talking about in Philippians 3? The question to ask ourselves now is "Are we going straight for the goal?"

The Day of Jehovah is the time the new kingdom is set up. Primarily this is the removal of the imperfect systems and failing governments and thus we see the signs in the world around us with the wars and the economic problems. Typically these problems are worse in certain nations than in others. But the purpose is to set up the kingdom on earth.

Recently in Britain there has been the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It was interesting to note the words of the Dean of Westminster in a prayer at Westminster Hall regarding "the general resurrection at the last day." The same words were used at the funeral of Prince Philip by the Dean of Windsor. These words echo those spoken by Martha, after the death of Lazarus, about her brother being raised at the last day. (John 11:24) The use of the word "general" does imply there is more than one resurrection. Indeed Revelation 20:4‑6 refers to "the first resurrection" which is the goal of those seeking to live and reign with Christ for a thousand years.