Finishing Line

Only this morning I could really sense the finishing line towards writing and publishing the second volume of a commentary on the Gospel of John 13-21. By the time I put in my bibliography it is exactly 200 pages, and at most I could add one more page together with the front cover it shall be 202 pages in length. I saw the finishing line as yesterday evening I received a reply from my printers about the cost of printing and sure enough the price has gone up considerably since a year ago.

Pressing On with my Book

I am now in the most difficult phase of getting my book done and dusted. I am re-reading and revising as I go along, putting the last few footnotes, expanding or deleting what I think is not necessary and keep the book within the self-imposed limit of 200 pages of commentary on the last 9 chapters of the Gospel of John, some of the most difficult chapters to interpret, but I am pressing on. It may last for a few more weeks, as I go along.

Middle of the Month

I am very much aware how time passes so quickly, it is already the middle of the month, one quarter plus has gone by for 2026. My commentary on John's Gospel is coming along nicely, with revision now up to ch. 15 and I trust in the Lord by middle of next week, I probably will finish the revision and get a few copies printed for my proof readers.

52 Days

Nehemiah finished building the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days. I completed my manuscript on the commentary on John’s Gospel 13-21 in 52 days from early Feb to mid April with about 3 weeks in the middle with no writing. It comes down to 52 days on intense writing, sometimes as early as 3.30am in the morning with about 4 hours of sleep. I put it down to the Lord’s favour for indeed I have received grace upon grace over these couple of months. I told myself after resigning that I must finish the commentary on John’s Gospel which first volume was published in Feb 2020 more than 6 years ago.

Life's Goals

I was watching a YouTube by BBC India about a 3-foot man's fight to become a doctor. Rejected by the medical council that admits students into medical school and lost in the High Court and at the end, he won his right to become a doctor with a Supreme Court ruling. It's amazing story and he seems to be doing well in spite of his height or lack thereof. Several times this 3-foot tall doctor who made it at the end said one must have life's goals. I was just thinking to myself. What are my life goals at this stage of my life?

Last words to my former congregation

"Isn't worshipping the Father serving God?" "Bukankah menyembah Bapa itu melayani Tuhan?" -those were my last words to my former church as I hinted strongly that they need not worry about what I will do in the future. Quite often, people think I am out of a job or ministry which I never felt even once in my life after beginning full time ministry more than 31 years ago. I have never felt need for a letter or human appointment to say that I am serving God or doing this or that for God. If other people acknowledge my ministry and calling, well and good. If not, it is their loss, not mine. Even when I wait for the next phase of my ministry, I have never stopped serving God.

The Table in Ezekiel's Temple (Ezek 41:22)

While revising my commentary on ch. 13 of John's Gospel, I was watching several you-tubes on Ezekiel's Temple, some by scholars who mostly take a symbolic interpretation. I noted that most of the furniture in Solomon's Temple is no longer mentioned in Ezekiel's Temple narrated from Ezek 40-48, all nine chapters at the end of the prophetic book. One furniture that remains and it seems to be located in front of the holiest of holy in the holy place, namely a wooden altar of about 5 feet tall and 3.5 feet square.

Writing Resumes

I give You thanks, O Lord for you have healed me and given me life. After nearly a month of hiatus, today I began revising my manuscript from John 13 onwards. I have written about 180 pages and I am re-reading and revising my first draft. I will take it easy having learned nothing much could be gained by speed or haste. I will meditatively read the text and whatever needed change or revision, I will do so.

What Price Freedom?

When I was called to serve the Lord as a 18 year old teenager I knew then I would serve for free for the price of freedom. Freedom to speak God’s Word to kings and slaves. Little did I realize it took 43 years after those fateful weeks that I had a series of visions in church that launched my ministry until today. A few may see I went for theological training BTheol and then further post grad study but little is known what God reveals in secret for no one can study or understand the book of Revelation unless God wills it to him.

Rising from the Dead

The ultimate vindication is the resurrection. Even dead, one rises to live again. All wrongs will be righted on that day. There is no Christianity without resurrection. The apostles preached that Christ rose from the dead, barely two months after the crucifixion. Christ took upon himself the sufferings of the world, all the injuctice was borne by Him. He bore the cross with joy knowing that it would only be temporary, on third day he rose again, defeating death forever and bringing the hope of eternal life for all who believe.

Fulfil Your Promise, O Lord

I have had two weeks of doing nothing, resting and just let time passes me by. I have to learn to take things slowly and in its time. Unless God builds the house, the builders build in vain, says the Psalmist. Likewise, I found myself at the mercy of God, very much like Moses in the wilderness for 40 years for unless it is God's will there is nothing much I could do. I learned many things in the past week. Reading a few chapters of Exodus 10-13 as preparation for Passover/Good Friday.