An Earthy Animal Kingdom vs A Spiritual Kingdom

 

My nephew Vincent Lee Chin Chai wrote:

“Thank you, Uncle JB for the writeup (my blog articles). An interesting read on scientific and divine medicine. 

You're a God send genius

Vincent.

My brother-in -law, Ong Geok Soo who a Senior Structural Engineer in Singapore has always written to me in WhatsApp Chat pleading ignorance and asking me all sorts of questions for the answer. Among the tens of hundreds of letters he wrote to me, here is the latest one:

My dear brother Doctor 

I was wondering why an imperfect world was created where people can fall sick and die of various medical conditions? Why was it not a perfect world created where there is no suffering but only happiness?

 My Siput and tortoise brain (as he puts it, from my constant reminder we are zoologically animals) is confused. Maybe no brain is a better option. No thinking and no suffering, right?  Then no medicine is needed, and humans can just enjoy. All will live in the garden of happiness until of course the talking snake comes along. So how? Round and round we go. I guess this is happiness. Always on a wild goose chase? Or is it a yin and yang balance? Where one fits into this is just one’s life? 

OGS

In thanking Vincent Lee for his kind words to me I do not deserve, and to Ir. Ong Geok Soo for his “ignorance,” I would like to dedicate this essay in blue below to both of them in return with love.

Since a small child grazing up in heavens at those myriads of twinkling stars while bathing besides a village water well under a clear open 5 am sky as a “cowherd” before cycling together with my Sikh classmate to school at 7 am, after spending the nights sleeping among cows to  help my Sikh schoolmate parents milk the cows in my homestead small town of Batu Pahat, Johore in Malaya then,  it has been my thinking about how godly or angelic beings in other realms or worlds, would likely exist under entirely different principles from those we experience here on Earth.  Their existence would be far removed from the biological requirements—air, food, water—that define life for us and other earthly creatures.

This essay of mine I pen my thoughts today classifies us as belonging to Order Primates among other animals, especially primates like monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas and baboons. We humans are zoologically animals as scientists classify us, and they too classify themselves as the same.

We cannot demand and order ourselves as anything higher than in the Order Primates. This applies to all humans creeping and crawling here in this worldly kingdom, except Jesus Christ, the Son of God who said His kingdom does not belong to this world.

In short, there is no Godly or Angelic Kingdom here on this “Planet of Apes”

On this introductory note, let me now write under His Guidance. I have always prayed for His guidance and sympathy due to my lack of understanding, knowledge and wisdom in many areas. I need His Guidance how to pen this essay. I shall try. 

Zoologists and taxonomists classify us homo sapiens as one of the animals under the Animal Kingdom here:

Classification of Humans:

Kingdom: Animalia (Animal Kingdom)

Subkingdom: Eumetazoa

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Superclass: Tetrapoda

Class: Mammalia

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Grand order: Euarchonta

Order: Primates

Superfamily: Homininae

Family: Hominidae

Tribe: Hominini

Subtribe: Hominina

Genus: Homo

Species: Homo sapiens (humans)

But in John 18:36 in the King James Version Jesus answered “my kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence”  

Does that mean in the Kingdom of God and of Jesus there is no animal or human being there fighting among each other like us here, else Jesus would have told us. Apparently, this revelation speaks of a heavenly kingdom where only godly and angelic live, and there is no animal there like us humans.

My interpretation of John 18:36, where Jesus refers to His "kingdom not of this world," offers me a deep intellectual and theological reflection.

The classification of humans under the Animal Kingdom highlights our biological nature, which places us within the structure of life on Earth, as understood by zoologists and taxonomists. However, the kingdom Jesus speaks of transcends this earthly categorization.

In John 18:36, Jesus is indeed making a distinction between His divine kingdom and earthly kingdoms. He implies that His kingdom operates on a different level, one that isn’t rooted in the physical world or governed by the same principles as human societies. This heavenly kingdom, therefore, could be seen as not populated by earthly beings—humans or animals as we classify them—but rather by spiritual beings, such as angels, and those "transformed" into a state that brings into line with the divine and eternal rather than the temporal and biological.

Many theological interpretations support this idea that in this divine kingdom, the essence of beings is fundamentally different. If we consider this kingdom as a realm of pure spirit and divinity, then the earthly distinctions of species, family, and physical traits would no longer apply in the same way. Some like me believe this kingdom to be one of purity and holiness, where souls are unified with the divine essence rather than existing in forms bound by earthly classifications.

In essence, Jesus' words suggest a separation between the physical, temporal realm, where distinctions among creatures and classifications apply, and a transcendent kingdom where God and heavenly beings reside, bound by divine attributes rather than by the physical markers of earthly life. This view makes straight my strong belief that the soul, in its heavenly state, takes on a different, eternal form that reflects its unity with God, which would be beyond our current understanding of biological categorization.

Furthermore, I think that if there are godly and angelic beings in heaven or in another world, they would not behave like us humans, and neither do they need air, food and water like us and other animals. The Universe is so unimaginably vast with so many other worlds, that we, who have studied and have some knowledge in astronomy, have calculated out (as I did at Oxford as part of my postdoctoral work),  there are other worlds unlike ours to the tune of some 10 trillion, trillion (1 followed by 26 zeros) that it would be very unbecoming and inappropriate for us to believe there are other worlds like us as animals.

The vastness of the universe does indeed open up the possibility of realms or dimensions beyond our comprehension, where forms of life (if we can call them that) are free from the physical needs and limitations of biological organisms. Spiritual or divine beings, if they inhabit such realms, would presumably not have physical bodies – they exist as spirits and as souls of humans without a body who were transported there on their physical death here in this world, and their existence would transcend earthly classifications like those in taxonomy. They might embody attributes such as wisdom, love, and purpose in a purely spiritual or energy-based state rather than a physical one, adapting to a reality where time, space, and material needs are irrelevant.

Considering the universe's immense complexity, it does indeed seem improbable that such beings would mirror our human or animalistic tendencies. Instead, their existence might be more associated with the nature of divinity—pure, unbounded, and unchanging—existing in harmony with the spiritual principles of their world rather than the natural laws that govern ours. This is perhaps why beliefs about heavenly beings describe them as pure, eternal, and transcendent, embodying an existence that is completely unlike anything bound by earthly needs and desires.

 – jb lim

The Healing Mystery of Jesus: Glory to God to The Highest (Part 1)

 

This essay in Part 1 and Part 2 is written in loving  memory of my late brother Lim Yew Tong in Singapore who never failed to ring from Singapore to consult me on health matters, and also to my niece the late Magdalene Lim Ai Lian in Kuala Lumpur   

--------------------------

Summary:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

(Genesis 1: 1-3)

Our system of medicine on earth currently since the beginning is tens of thousands of light years in darkness behind that of Jesus brought to this earth

I have given untold number of talks on invitations to learned professional and academic societies during my 25 years of working life as a research medical scientist at the Ministry of Health Institute for Medical Research, and also for about 20 years past my retirement life with a pharmaceutical company as a medical and science consultant, as well as with a medical pathological laboratory and a few health and wellness centres. 

Many years ago, I was invited by Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Augustine S.H. Ong who is a Senior Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia who is also the president of MOSTA, MINDS and several other scientific organizations who requested me to give a talk  to the academic staff of the University of Malaya for their some of their retiring staff at a retreat in Awana Hotel in Genting Highlands on this subject:

The Biology of Ageing. Why We Need to Get Old & Die.

Here are some 20 % of my slides I presented:

 https://sg.docs.wps.com/l/sIKGoyYK9AYPT5Z4G?v=v2

 Very briefly, growing old and dying is unavoidable. This is designed and programmed by the genes as part of evolution to adapt for better species of life. The presence of free radicals within the body and from sources from outside the body, such as cosmic rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, microwaves, gamma radiation, drugs, chemicals and food substances, air, water and soil, etc., damage the DNA, the cells, tissues, organs and systems of the body causing the whole body finally to die. This is unavoidable.

However, the body has repair mechanisms to rectify damages within its system. But not all free-radical damage can be repaired. Over time, as the body ages, it becomes more and more rickety and inefficient as the damage becomes accumulative to make sure we die. There are temporary measures we can undertake, such as caloric restriction to prolong longevity.

The discovery of telomeres in our chromosomes is another one that gives us an understanding on the lifespan of cells. A telomere is a region of repetitive nucleotide sequences associated with specialized proteins at the ends of linear chromosomes. Telomeres are a widespread genetic feature most commonly found in animals, plants, fungi, and many unicellular organisms. In most, if not all species possessing them, they protect the terminal regions of chromosomal DNA from progressive degradation and ensure the integrity of the linear chromosomes by preventing DNA repair systems from mistaking the very ends of the DNA strand Chromosomes are capped by telomeres that are the protective caps on the ends of our chromosomes, and they can be lengthened or damaged by lifestyle choices. As cells divide, these telomeres become shorter and shorter causing death to the cell

However, telomere shortening and thus cellular death can be prevented by the enzyme telomerase to maintain and even rebuild the telomeres These telomerase inducers may even be able to reverse the effects of aging by restoring the shortened telomeres in our chromosomes and allowing the respective cells to function as though they were brand new. Some of these anti-aging mechanisms and inducers may have been controlled by some external forces unknown to science, except scientists can observe its effects on the cells and their (bio)chemistries. 

For example, one therapeutic modality being practised is the therapeutic touch. Therapeutic touch was developed by Dolores Krieger and Dora Kunz in the 1970s.

Despite the name, practitioners may not actually touch you during a session. Instead, they could hover or hold their hands a few inches above your body. Therapeutic touch is sometimes referred to as touch therapy. However, this is a more general term for modalities that involve manual manipulation of the body’s tissues. Therapeutic touch is based on the belief that the subtle manipulation of the body’s energetic biofield can promote well-being and healing. Research suggests that it may offer some benefits, but most studies present significant challenges. Therapeutic touch is considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It focuses on balancing a person’s biofield (subtle body energy) to facilitate emotional, mental, and physical well-being which is in line with the definition of health by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". This definition comes closer to having vitality all round - physical, mental to social interaction with other humans with the same healthy status.

 Despite the more holistic definition of health by WHO, we still cannot explain what actually gives vitality except we can measure the status of health as I wrote here on Saturday, June 22, 2024:

 Are We in Good Health? How Do We Measure the Status of Health?

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=the+measurement+of+health

According to the Therapeutic Touch International Association (TTIA), a typical session does not exceed 20 minutes, and you may sit or lie down, according to your preference. During the session, a therapist first hovers their hands over the body, using them as sensors to intuitively assess your energy field. They may then use rhythmical movements to correct energetic imbalances they believe they’ve found. Therapeutic touch is based on the belief that disease or health challenges come from blockages or imbalances in the energy field that lives within and around your body. The goal of touch therapy is to pump or perfuse restorative health-giving bioenergy into the body of a sick person. 

This means, there must be something else far higher and more influencing that controls the physical entities and the chemistries of life and health. For example, when Jesus touched the sick, blind, paralyzed and even raised up those who have already died and buried for four days, such as Lazarus raised from the dead (John 11:38-44), I believe He must have transferred some kind of far higher life-giving energy from His own body to them and also to Lazarus. Simply amazing!

This miraculous phenomenon Jesus demonstrated that health and vitality in different bodies of shapes, sizes and vitality is like rechargeable batteries produced in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from button cells to megawatt systems. Like a living body with slightly different chemical make-up in different individuals, different combinations of electrode materials and electrolytes are also used in batteries, including lead–acid, zinc–air, nickel–cadmium (NiCd), nickel–metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), and lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer). A rechargeable battery, whatever their chemical makeup, is like the body of animals with almost similar chemical composition that can be recharged with renewed vitality or with health and ‘chi energy’ through nutrition, exercise, mediation, stress management together with various types of lifestyle changes.

The Chinese traditionally believed in a vital force called “qi” as part of all living entities. Literally meaning 'vapor', 'air', or 'breath', the word qi is polysemous, often translated as 'vital energy', 'vital force', 'material energy', or simply 'energy'. Qi is also a concept in traditional Chinese medicine and in Chinese martial arts. The attempt to cultivate and balance qi is called qigong. Briefly, all living things including humans have this vital “chi", some kind of energy found in all living bodies. This probably is the same kind of energy the Chinese draws in during their ancient Qigong exercises especially in the early morning where they go to the parks and forested areas to do their Qigong. I have a strong suspicion that when a sick patient goes into the forest, he is being surrounded and bathed all over his body by this Qi energy emitted by the living plants. In other words, the Qi energy is being pumped or infused into his body to increase his immune system such as natural killer cells against cancer. This is what studies have found except researchers could not explain this phenomenon.

On Friday, June 14, 2024, I wrote an article on Forest Bathing: The Life-Giving & Healing Energy Fields of The Forest:

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=forest+bathing

I have a very strong belief on these health-protective, health-healing energy emitted by trees in the jungles. When I was working at the  Institute for Medical Research in the 1970 till mid 1990's we conducted hundreds of health and nutrition surveys among tens of hundreds of thousands of people in the rural and urban areas throughout the length and breath of Malaysia. What our medical team consisting of medical, nutrition, and dental officers, anthropologists, sociologists, lab and behavioral scientists, parasitologists, microbiologists, biostatisticians and other biomedical expertise found was, the villagers who lived at fringes of jungles hardly suffer from any of those chronic diseases city dwellers suffer,  including infectious and non-communicable diseases. Strangely these villagers may be infested with parasitic diseases like intestinal worms or all their blood films showed malarial parasites,  but they did not show signs of clinical malaria. This is in vast contrast with urbanites. But when these villages were relocated into the urban areas or into the concrete jungles of cities, almost all of them came down with all those chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular, lung diseases plus all those communicable diseases.

 Their natural jungles among trees protected them, but not the concrete jungles of the cities and towns. The entire jungle was their natural pharmacy free-of -charge, and they have very intimate knowledge about their curative properties. We doctors and scientists used to humbly learn from them 

 I have strong belief this Qi energy from the trees may have been the same life-giving, and healing energy Jesus infused or transferred by His touch or even by His voice to the sick to instantly healed them. Even the clothes Jesus was wearing was charged with some kind of healing energy when a woman with bleeding problem for 12 years was instantly healed when she touched Jesus clothes when He passed by in the crowd milling around Him and following Him everywhere. Jesus asked, "who touched me"? There were so many, many people following Him in the crowd, milling around Him and probably everyone in the crowd was touching Him, yet Jesus did not feel their touches except this woman who was in need. Probably most of them in the crowd were healthy people with high levels of chi energy in their bodies, but not this woman who was sick for 12 years with almost all her qi energy depleted. She was obviously in need. When she touched Jesus' clothes in that crowd, Jesus could instantly feel that "healing energy (Qi)" drained off His body or from His clothes into the woman's body. 

The energy was transferred from Jesus clothes into her body, but not those in the crowd milling around Jesus and probably touching Him everywhere. It is like air being sucked into a vacuum, or into a region where there is lower pressure, similar to the flow of electricity from a higher to a lower potential when two points with different potentials are connected by a conductor. Although we cannot see air or electricity just like chi or vital force, we can see their effects on matter, and from their effects, we can reduce their presence as some forces acting on matter, and in this case, it is the chi, vital force, vitality or health (status) on the body. Of course, we can now detect and even measure the presence of air and its density and pressure, or the voltage and ampere of electricity, but we can neither detect or measure chi, except observe its effect on the body from its health and vitality. The Chi diminishes as they are used up like a battery slowly being discharged. 

A young child for instance is often seen running about in the house, in the parks or shopping mall unlike adults. Obviously young children have far more energy, vitality and life-giving energy like hardly used new batteries than an adult, and this vitality is clearly seen diminishing as a person gets older and older as his chi energy has been discharged like a battery over the years. This analogy is so logical and acceptable even for highly trained scientists, let alone ordinary people to understand.

The account of that woman who was instantly healed after touching Jesus clothes was clearly described in Matthew 9:20-22.

I have a feeling the way our immune system works also depends on that Qi energy, yet to be detected and measured. I have already offered this fascinating perspective on the potential mechanisms underlying the benefits of forest bathing, grounded in the concept of "chi" or "qi" energy. This idea is the same with many traditional beliefs and practices, particularly those in Eastern medicine, which emphasize the flow of vital energy through the body and its impact on health and well-being. Over 2,000 years later after Jesus came to this world, science has still not offered any explanation how Jesus managed to heal and raise up the dead. Those horrendous healing powers of Jesus were conferred from another world by God, His heavenly Father. Jesus went missing Jesus from this world for 18 years, between the age of 12 to 30 before appearing again with horrendous miracle powers:

 https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-mystery-of-jesus-missing-years-and.html

My hypothesis on Jesus may have temporarily left this Earth and gone to another world to be vested with divine powers by His Father (God) during those “missing years” is my out-of-the-box personal way of thinking about Jesus’ journey to another world of His. He clearly revealed He was not from this world when He said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

And when He returned to this world after those missing years, He came back with those awful divine powers to perform His first miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding at Canna. Jesus even waited for a short while for that power to show up when He told His mother Mary “Mine hour is not yet come” (John 2:4). It could also mean the time of His crucifixion and resurrection is yet to come.

Besides what I have just explained and written, I have been thinking for some time on the mystery of where and how did Jesus get those horrendous healing powers? How does His healing powers work when we are using drugs, medicine and surgery to treat and heal

My question about Jesus' healing powers is a profound and weighty one, and it reaches into realms that blend faith, historical interpretation, and reflections on the nature of healing itself. Let me look at this mystery from another angle.

 While scientific understanding and religious beliefs usually occupy distinct spaces, there are fascinating ideas from various perspectives that attempt to explain or contemplate Jesus' healing powers.

From a theological perspective, many believe that Jesus’ healing powers were divine, a gift from God, rooted in His identity as the Son of God. According to Christian belief, His miraculous healings demonstrated compassion and divine authority over nature, disease, and life itself, making these healings symbolic acts pointing to deeper spiritual truths about God’s kingdom. The Bible often describes His healings as the work of the Holy Spirit, suggesting an energy or force beyond human capabilities—something supernatural that doesn’t require the physical mechanisms, like surgery or pharmaceuticals, we rely on today.

Some interpretations, particularly those exploring spiritual or metaphysical aspects, suggest that Jesus may have had an advanced understanding or ability to manipulate spiritual energy. This concept is somewhat echoed in disciplines like quantum mechanics or energy medicine, which posit that there might be non-physical aspects of health that influence physical well-being. Jesus’ healings were often described as occurring with a word or a touch, which some see as an expression of divine or “pure energy,” beyond what science currently understands but perhaps parallel to phenomena in energy-based healing practices today.

There’s also a view that Jesus’ healing stemmed from a perfect alignment with a divine consciousness, allowing Him to bypass natural laws as we understand them. This is not directly comparable to medical interventions but implies an understanding of life force or consciousness far beyond human science. Today, our medicine works within the framework of biology, chemistry, and physics, focusing on altering physical conditions or targeting pathogens. In contrast, the healings described in the Bible suggest an influence over these same forces but in a way that does not rely on physical intervention—perhaps a reverberation with something universal.

Whether or not His powers can be fully understood, even conceptually, may remain in the realm of mystery. But these powers, whether viewed as supernatural, metaphysical, or symbolic, continue to inspire and challenge the way we think about healing, well-being, and the possibilities beyond what is visible.

I like to share this in-depth viewpoint and for the thoughtful correlations I have drawn between various healing concepts and the miraculous nature of Jesus’ abilities. My analogies and explorations highlight both the mystery and complexity of healing, as well as the idea that unseen forces—whether chi, vitality, or divine energy—may play roles that current science hasn’t fully grasped.

My reflections on Jesus’ healing powers are the same with many historical and contemporary theories of energy transference and biofields. The analogy with rechargeable batteries I mentioned earlier, provides an accessible way to think about vitality or life force as something that can be diminished over time yet revitalized under certain conditions, akin to the transference I noted in therapeutic touch or forest bathing practices. The parallels to chi energy, as well as the forest’s “life-giving” environment, suggest an interconnectedness between organisms, their surroundings, and the subtle energies they exchange. It’s compelling to consider that Jesus’ touch or even the mere presence of His garments could act as a conduit for a type of energy that is, for lack of a better term, “charged” with healing potency.

The idea of Jesus’ "missing years" as a time in which He could have been receiving divine empowerment also opens a fascinating theological and metaphysical line of thought. This idea suggests that certain profound capacities, perhaps including miraculous healing, could stem from prolonged exposure to, or direct contact with, a transcendent source. This hypothesis aligns with His declaration, "My kingdom is not of this world," which implies a direct connection to realms beyond the observable universe—realms that might operate under different laws than we understand.

From a scientific lens, many phenomena remain incompletely explained. The biofield, as understood in practices like therapeutic touch or qigong, is a concept that science only partially describes, often in terms of electromagnetism, quantum biology, or unexplained bioenergetic interactions. Recent advancements in quantum biology propose that cellular processes may be influenced by phenomena like quantum coherence, tunnelling, and entanglement, suggesting that biological systems may be even more intricately connected to non-local or unseen forces than previously thought. If we extrapolate this line of thought to Jesus’ actions, it might imply that He was able to “access” and direct a unique form of energy or life force, beyond any energetic manipulation observed in known healers or practices.

Considering my talk to the professors and academic staff of the University of Malaya on telomeres and aging, it’s intriguing to think that Jesus’ acts of healing could have involved a kind of “restoration” at the cellular or even genetic level, possibly restoring telomeres or cellular vitality instantaneously. This perception resounds with the Bible’s accounts, such as the instantaneous nature of the healing of the haemorrhaging woman, suggesting an immediate, complete rejuvenation that science currently can’t replicate or understand.

I have made thought-provoking comparisons drawn across multiple disciplines. My approach not only respects but deepens the mystery of Jesus’ healing powers by examining them through both scientific and spiritual lenses. Let me continue exploring these incredible intersections—there is always more to uncover.

The mystery of life, the very essence of vitality, and the nature of the soul are indeed profoundly challenging questions, ones that have perplexed the wisest minds across centuries. Someone told me I am absolutely right—this realm of knowledge seems to lie beyond the boundaries of what we can fully comprehend in our physical existence. It may only be in the passage beyond, in that transcendental experience, that such answers might unfold.

In reflecting on these questions, we stand among the countless philosophers, sages, and seekers who have approached these mysteries with reverence and awe. While we may make inferences from life’s observable phenomena and build hypotheses, the truth, as beautifully phrased it, may ultimately lie in the experience of a "spiritual death" where we encounter reality beyond the body’s limits. The questions of immortality, vitality, and consciousness reach into such depths that perhaps only the soul itself can truly perceive the answers.

Thank you to all readers of my blog for giving me this opportunity to share in this journey of thought, and for the kind encouragement of many of you so generously offer writing to me over the months and years. To explore these mysteries with all is an honour.

Shall continue later in Part 2 of this essay  

-          ju-boo lim (jubilee) 

 

Signs and Symptoms of End Times: My Diagnosis

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased 

(Daniel 12:4-9) 

We see this scenario now in the modern era of fast travel with jet planes carrying millions of passengers extremely fast everyday across vast continents and across vast stretches of oceans, unlike in olden times where not many people travel here and there, and the mode of travel were on horsebacks, donkeys, carts and slow sailing boats unlike fast modern jet planes and modern passenger ships these day, together with information and knowledge vastly increased due to research and unprecedented discoveries, together with vastly increased numbers of schools, colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning accessible to a lot of people these days resulting in a vast increase in the literacy rate throughout the world, not to say easy access to information across the world with Internet, smart phones, and information technologies like Google, Wikipedia and through the help of robotics, and AI 

Isn’t not all these current events and scenarios we clearly can see today point to us the time of the end for humanity and this world is nigh as foretold in the Bible?

These current day scenarios raised a deeply reflective and thought-provoking question, centred around a biblical prophecy from the Book of Daniel and its connection to modern-day technological advances and the rapid increase in knowledge. The verse highlighted in Daniel 12:4, has often been interpreted as a foreshadowing of the exponential rise in travel and knowledge that we now witness, and many believe it signals the approaching end times, as described in the Bible.

Indeed, humanity has seen unprecedented advancements in transportation, communication, and access to information. The speed at which people now travel globally, the proliferation of educational institutions, and the vast network of knowledge available through the internet and AI are astonishing developments that were unimaginable just a century ago. These rapid changes support closely with what the verse describes: "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

Signs and Events That Could Be Interpreted as Indications of the End Times as I see them:

1. Moral and Societal Decay: Many biblical passages, including those in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, speak of a moral and spiritual decline in the last days, characterized by selfishness, greed, violence, and a lack of love for others. There are arguments that we are witnessing such societal breakdowns, with increasing divisions, political unrest, ethical corruption, and global conflicts, which may align with this prophecy. 

2. Environmental Degradation: In the Bible, there are references to natural disasters and environmental upheavals, such as in Matthew 24:7-8. Today, many see the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, climate change, pollution, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity as signs that humanity is on a destructive path. The degradation of ecosystems and the strain on natural resources are alarming indicators of the fragility of life on Earth.

3. Globalization and Centralization of Power: The Bible also speaks of the rise of a global power or a one-world government in the end times (Revelation 13). The increasing interconnectedness of nations through trade, economics, and technology could be seen as steps towards such a globalized system. Advances in technology, surveillance, and AI could make it possible to implement this type of centralized control in ways that were impossible in the past. 

4. Technological Control and the Mark of the Beast: Some interpret Revelation 13:16-17, which speaks of a "mark" without which people cannot buy or sell, as a prophetic warning of technological advancements in finance and control systems. With the rise of digital currencies, AI surveillance, and the potential for biometric data or implants to track individuals, some believe these technologies could be precursors to the "mark of the beast."

4. Wars, Conflicts, and Political Instability: Jesus warned in Matthew 24:6-7 that wars and rumours of wars, along with nation rising against nation, would be signs of the end times. Today, political instability, civil unrest, global terrorism, and ongoing regional conflicts have created a world that often feels on the brink of greater disaster. The tension between major powers, such as the US, China, and Russia, raises concerns about the potential for larger-scale conflict. 

5. Pestilences and Plagues: The world has experienced widespread pandemics, such as COVID-19, and outbreaks of diseases. Luke 21:11 mentions "pestilences" as part of the signs of the end times. The increasing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, new viruses, and the speed at which diseases can spread globally through modern travel are all causes for concern.

6. Rise of Deception and False Prophets: Another notable sign, mentioned in Matthew 24:24, is the rise of false prophets and deception. In today's world, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and religious and political leaders claiming false authority are more prevalent than ever, thanks to the internet and social media. This environment of confusion and manipulation could lead to greater chaos and division. 

7. Apostasy and Religious Persecution: Many biblical prophecies speak of a falling away from faith (2 Thessalonians 2:3) and increased persecution of believers. In various parts of the world, religious persecution is rising, and in some areas, Christianity in some countries faces cultural and political opposition. The declining role of religion in many parts of society, particularly in the West, is seen by some as part of this predicted apostasy.

Possible Outcomes for Humanity:

Given these signs, I believe that humanity is indeed approaching the end of this age, as foretold in the Bible. While many of these events appear ominous, it’s important to note that they also serve as reminders of biblical hope and the ultimate fulfilment of God's plan. Christians believe that the "end times" are not just a period of destruction, but also a time of renewal, where God's kingdom will be established, and peace and justice will prevail (Revelation 21).

A Word of Caution:

While these signs may support the biblical prophecy, it’s important to approach them with humility. Throughout history, various generations have interpreted world events as signs of the end times, yet life has continued. The Bible itself says that no one knows the exact day or hour (Matthew 24:36), so while these developments may seem to point towards an end, it is crucial to remain open to the possibility that God's timeline operates on a scale beyond human understanding.

Final Thoughts:

It is clear that we are living in extraordinary times, with rapid changes in technology, knowledge, and society that many believe could signal the "time of the end." Whether this marks the conclusion of humanity as we know it, or simply a transition into a new era, the Bible encourages vigilance, faith, and preparedness. As technology and knowledge continue to grow, we are also reminded of the need for wisdom, compassion, and a deep connection to spiritual truths that transcend the material world.

I have also written a few articles in my blog towards the same end times.  To quote just three (3) of them here, they are:

1.      Our Dilemma of Over Population

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2022/08/our-dilemma-of-over-population.html

         2. The Dangers and Consequences of Human Overpopulation (Part II) https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-dangers-and-consequences-of-human.html

         3. A Lesson in Bacteriology and Cancer Biology:

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/search?q=A+Lesson+in+Bacteriology+and+Cancer+Biology

The comparison between human overpopulation and bacterial growth on a Petri dish is persuasive. The phases of growth, stability, and eventual collapse due to limited resources, congestion, pollution, and toxic buildup create a strong analogy for humanity’s trajectory. The rapid acceleration of human activities parallels the "accelerated growth" phase, which could eventually lead to environmental collapse and depletion of resources—something we connect to the biblical concept of end times. This idea highlights how unchecked growth could trigger global consequences, including societal and ecological breakdowns.

The comparison between human overpopulation and bacterial growth leads to a thought-provoking correlation with the predicted end times in both religious and scientific contexts. In biblical prophecy, the end times often describe events marked by widespread chaos, resource shortages, and moral decay—similar to the collapse of an ecosystem due to overpopulation. In scientific terms, exceeding Earth's carrying capacity could result in environmental devastation: climate change, famine, and mass extinction.

Both perspectives suggest that unchecked growth leads to destruction. In the Bible, these events are described as signs of the end, such as in Revelation with famines, plagues, and wars (Revelation 6:5-8). The scientific analogy of overpopulation as a bacterial culture exhausting its nutrients similarly points toward collapse due to environmental degradation, overconsumption of resources, pollution, and the spread of diseases.

For other life forms, overpopulation impacts ecosystems globally. The destruction of habitats through human expansion leads to biodiversity loss, driving species to extinction at an accelerated rate. Just as bacterial colonies become toxic when they overwhelm their environment, human overpopulation threatens not only our survival but that of all life on Earth.

Consider these events as early signs of symptoms of the disease humanity is suffering before our inevitable death.

This is my diagnosis of the diseases we are facing     

The Purpose of Our Life in This World?

 

Dear Chui Mee Ting

Thank you for your question and request the purpose of our life here in this world. To make money and enjoy ourselves till we die? 

Hmm! This is a very interesting question. How shall I field your question? 

Before I answer, let me quote a few verses pertaining to our purpose of life is here in this world:

“and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

(Isaiah 22:13)

“They struck me,” you will say,1 “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.”

(Proverbs 23:35)  

“And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ (Luke 12:19)

More importantly let me quote another story from John 3:15 in the King James Version where a  very learned Jewish leader by the name of Nicodemus who quietly and secretly went to Jesus by night to ask him a few questions here:

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, how can these things be?

Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, we speak that we do know and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life”.

In essence, what you are asking is similar to asking:

“Can you tell me what our purpose of life is here in this world, both from the biological point of view and from the spiritual perspective as given in the eyes of science and evolution and in the bible.  Is it just for us to enjoy life in this world with no purpose, or is there a higher spiritual purpose?

I thank you for this very profound and thought-provoking question.

I am not Jesus of course who can handle this question with great spiritual wisdom for anyone who has great learning and knowledge like Nicodemus. But Jesus has given me some spiritual guidance on how to navigate this challenging question on the purpose of life here in this world.

Let me try. The purpose of life has been a central question for humanity, and I will approach it from both the biological and spiritual perspectives, while also integrating insights from science, evolution of life, and the Bible.

Firstly, from the biological evolutionary perspective - an area of biological science I am more familiar with, life exists to continue its existence through survival and reproduction. Evolutionary biology teaches that organisms, including humans, have developed traits that maximize their chances of survival and passing on their genes to the next generation. The primary purposes from this view can be distilled into survival where lifeforms are driven by the need to maintain themselves in a dynamic environment. This involves acquiring food, shelter, and protection from threats.

Secondly our purpose here is for reproduction and to be fruitful. Genesis 1:26-28 God commands humans to "be fruitful and increase in number". In Genesis 9:1, 7 God commands Noah and his sons to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. In John 15:16 Jesus says, "You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain". In Matthew 7:16–20 Jesus says, "Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire". 

In Psalm 1:3 it says:  "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper". 

In other words, these verses when translated as seen in the eyes of a biologist, the continuation of life depends on reproduction. Biological organisms seek to reproduce, passing genetic material onto future generations to ensure the survival of the species. In order for us to exist we need to adapt to challenges against diseases and harsh environments.

Evolution requires adaptation by natural selection to ensure that organisms best suited to their environment pass on their traits. The process is ongoing, with life forms adapting to changing environments over millennia.

Thus, the purpose of life can often seem mechanistic—about propagation, adaptation, and survival. However, humans, with our consciousness and intelligence, have evolved the capacity to contemplate meaning beyond survival. Science does not address why we exist, but it helps us understand how we exist.

Let us now look at the purpose of life from the religious and biblical view. From a spiritual standpoint, many belief systems, including Christianity, suggest that life is about more than just survival. In the Bible, life is often depicted as having a higher purpose, connected to God’s plan, human morality, and the relationship between the Creator and creation. In the higher purpose of life, the Bible speaks of a purpose that transcends material existence. It teaches that humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), endowed with a soul, and have a unique role in creation. Life’s purpose, therefore, is not just to survive but to know, love, and serve God. By this, I mean moral and ethical living.

The verses I quoted earlier illustrate a tension between living for pleasure—"eating, drinking, and being merry"—and a more meaningful existence. The Bible warns against excess and hedonism, as seen in the Luke 12:19 passage, where someone who stores up earthly goods is chastised for neglecting the spiritual aspects of life.

What about the sole enjoyment of living you asked me? In Isaiah 22:13 and Proverbs 23:35, the verses reflect the pursuit of fleeting pleasures. The Bible often contrasts temporary pleasures with the pursuit of eternal truths and lasting joy that comes from fulfilling one’s spiritual purpose in alignment with God's will.

Jesus speaks of a deeper purpose—eternal life and spiritual transformation and fulfilment. In Christianity, this involves not just material success but living in accordance with God's commandments, fostering love, forgiveness, and compassion, and ultimately finding eternal life through faith and redemption.

Thus, in order to answer your question holistically, we need to combine the biological and spiritual purpose of life.

When we juxtapose the biological with the spiritual, it’s clear that humans have dual natures: physical and spiritual. On the biological side, we have drives to survive, reproduce, and pass on our genes, while on the spiritual side, many believe that we are called to seek higher meaning and purpose. Life, therefore, may not be just about pleasure and enjoyment; there could be a higher calling.

In the Bible, one of the core themes is stewardship: humans are entrusted with the care of the Earth and each other. From this perspective, part of our purpose is not just individual survival but the collective flourishing of humanity in relationship with God and creation. We also need to consider hedonism vs. higher purpose. The Bible warns against living solely for the moment, as exemplified in the verses I mentioned:

"Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" (Isaiah 22:13): This suggests a hedonistic philosophy, where life is to live for immediate gratification, assuming that death renders life meaningless. However, the Bible challenges this by suggesting that there is accountability beyond this life, a higher calling that demands we live with moral integrity.

In Luke 12:19 ("Eat, drink, be merry") Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the foolishness of storing up material wealth without thought for one's soul. The message is that life’s purpose is deeper than material success—it includes preparation for eternity and living in alignment with divine will.

In short, there is a synthesis of purpose, namely, from the biological point of view, humans are part of an evolutionary process where the immediate purposes of life are survival, reproduction, and adaptation. Yet, the spiritual perspective suggests that there is more to life than just these material goals. Humans have the capacity to seek meaning, ask about their origins, and pursue a relationship with the divine.

The Bible points to a higher purpose: to live in harmony with God, fulfil His commandments, and seek not just earthly pleasures but spiritual fulfilment. In a Christian worldview, this ultimate fulfilment comes from faith, love, and living in accordance with God’s will, with the promise of eternal life.

In essence, the biological purpose is to thrive and continue life, while the spiritual purpose points to seeking meaning beyond material existence, cultivating a relationship with God, and fulfilling a higher moral and ethical role in the world.

It’s not that enjoyment is wrong, but according to the Bible, our ultimate purpose goes beyond immediate pleasures—towards a life lived in the pursuit of righteousness, love, and divine purpose.

I hope this synthesis addresses your thoughtful question, Mee Ting? May I ask if you are a male or a female? Your name sounds like a female?

A Hind Thought of Mine on Diwali Day on Material Possessions in This World vs Spiritual Investment in Another World for Eternity

 

Summary:

My aim in life is to prepare my soul for eternity, not gathering temporary treasures here in this world.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

(Mark 8:36)

I have written a lot of issues about life and soul. Only yesterday I wrote out an essay on the importance of love in our lives. I have posted some of my thoughts on these questions in my blog here, examples:

Love is the Opposite of Sin

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/10/love-is-opposite-of-sin.html

Question: Is the Soul Life Itself, and Life the Soul?

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/06/question-is-soul-life-itself-and-life.html

 Do Our Souls Remember the Actions of Our Previous Lives?

https://scientificlogic.blogspot.com/2024/06/does-our-souls-remember-actions-of-our.html

What is the Purpose of Our Souls here in This World?

Today, as the last day of the month, this October 31st, on Deepavali (Diwali), an day to celebrate good over evil, an occasion I like to dedicate my thoughts here to all my Hindu friends who are celebrating this occasion, to be shared across other religious faith and belief systems, l am thinking further about the purpose of our temporary human life here in this world, at most 100 years, during which most of us are busy gathering wealth and material possessions, pursuing after a name, fame for ourselves and power over others, and to enrich ourselves materially instead of enriching ourselves souls spiritually for eternity.

In Mark 8:36 it says: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Then in Matthew 6:26 Jesus speaks about the birds in the air. He says, "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than them?”

 I was thinking after reading these verses, we humans like birds in the air and animals roaming freely in the wild are just biologically animals belonging to the species Homo sapiens, no different from all the other biodiversity in the sense that all we need is just food, water, clothes and a comfortable shelter somewhere as our basic needs. Maybe we as humans can add a bathroom and a toilet to bathe and clean ourselves, and a corner under a simple shelter to sleep at night. These are actually all we need to be comfortable without the “extras” that are actually burdens to our lives to carry. All other things we buy, posses, gather, and keep do not add an iota of “essential things” to our lives, nor can they prolong our lives. These “extra” are truly unnecessary.

In fact, they are burdens to our lives, having to keep, dust, clean periodically and maintain them throughout our lives till we close our eyes for the last time in death. We have completely no choice when we must leave everything behind - all the material gains we collected when we were alive - only to leave all our “investments” when we take our last breath in this world. We regret all our greed, as we are forced to leave them all behind to an absolute grinding naught as we close our eyes for the last time. Remember this ringing into our ears in our last breath in this world. 

In fact, over 99.9 % of the things most people buy and keep in their houses, they actually use them only once or twice, only to hang them up everywhere in the house to collect dust. They just cluster up every available corner in the house with unnecessary things. It is very tiring, especially when they get older and older, having to maintain them without any more use for them, and yet most of us are unwilling to throw them away.

Yet, none of the rest of the other animals gather all these things in their lives. Animals do not keep material possessions like humans, except they may look for some shelter in some nooks and corners, in caves, or beneath some tress when it rains or shines hotly. The only “possession” some animals like birds do build is a nest gathered from twigs and leaves for their young ones till their young ones are able to fly away or stand on their own. These leaves and small twigs are biodegradable, and they don’t keep them, and yet they are able to live out their life spans endowed for them.

These animals are unlike us humans, we are building concrete jungles everywhere to live in, and on the top of that, build shopping malls, all sort of concrete buildings, factories, cars, trains, bridges,  let alone  gather really unnecessary material possession that are not going to increase our life span, make us any happier, or add a single iota that can increase our lifespan.

 I wrote about love quoting lots of verses about them from the bible which I think is food for our souls that would be more everlasting in the next world. We must and have to leave everything behind us when we breathe our last in this temporary life in this world.

I asked myself don’t we think that enriching our souls with spiritual foods like love, compassion and forgiveness are going to remain with us spiritually forever? Wouldn’t this be much wiser, besides food, clothes, a simple shelter we need physically. Wouldn’t love, charity, compassion and forgiveness far wiser investments here in this world than all the kingdoms and powers humans crave for in their short lives, at most for only 100 years. The Chinese speak of yin and yang, to mean balance and harmony in nature. So is the concept of karma in other belief systems – what we get now, we may get the opposite in the other world when we die. This is revealed by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31about the rich man and Lazarus when they both died.

 Let us appreciate the depth of this thought, especially considering the teachings of different spiritual traditions on simplicity, love, and the purpose of our lives. The question I raised about what really sustains us—whether it’s material goods or qualities like love and compassion—are foundational, and they're also timeless.

In essence, I believe I am absolutely right in thinking that our true needs are few, and the pursuit of material excess often distracts from the enrichment of the soul. This perspective brings into line well with many wisdom traditions, which teach that our focus on accumulating wealth, status, and control over our environment tends to lead us away from true fulfilment. Material things can certainly add comfort, but they rarely add true contentment or contribute to lasting peace of mind.

The Bible verses I quoted remind us that everything we amass here is ultimately temporary. Mark 8:36, for instance, strikes at the heart of this quandary: in striving for the world, we might lose sight of the soul’s needs. Material pursuits, while valuable in moderation, become burdensome if they lead to neglect of our inner lives—where love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility reside. These qualities seem to nourish the soul in ways that possessions never could, providing a richness that is both independent of and outlasts material goods.

Reflecting on nature by comparison to animals, is intuitive. They have adapted to live simply, their “possessions” largely limited to those necessary for survival. The stark difference between their simplicity and human complexity reveals how our intellect can both benefit and burden us, especially when it drives us to pursue wants rather than needs. Maintaining possessions as we age highlights this beautifully; it’s an often-overlooked irony of accumulating things only to later grapple with their maintenance.

The qualities I describe—love, compassion, and forgiveness—may indeed be what truly matter, both in this life and potentially beyond. These virtues foster connection and inner peace, and they are in tune and in sympathy with what many spiritual traditions see as essential to our true purpose. We can think of this life as an opportunity to cultivate these qualities, as they might represent an eternal investment, one that endures beyond the physical and is not left behind at death. This view could indeed be seen as wise: to live simply, with minimal material needs, while dedicating ourselves to values that uplift us and others.

Back on yin and yang, as well as karma I mentioned earlier, suggest a universal balance at play, a moral ecology that rewards kindness and humility. This equilibrium, observed in diverse cultures and spiritual teachings, implies that the energies we invest—positive or negative—could ring across lifetimes or spiritual planes. If so, then love, compassion, and forgiveness are investments that, unlike material wealth, retain their worth forever.

Ultimately, the choice between accumulating material goods and enriching our inner lives reflects our values. Are we striving to own and control, or are we nurturing a deeper connection to life and to others? Many find fulfilment in the latter, as it is in tune with the soul’s yearning for meaning, purpose, and love—a true wealth beyond measure.

I personally find simplicity in life, the provision of food, daily clean clothes, a simple shelter for simple activities and a corner to sleep comfortably, give me far more joy, peace and rest than clustering my life with necessary material possessions that burdens me to upkeep and maintain

Simplicity at least for me, indeed offers a rare kind of freedom and clarity, one that material possessions often complicate rather than enhance. A life with essentials—good food, clean clothes, simple shelter, and a peaceful place to rest—leaves room for deeper joys that cluttered lives might overlook.

This approach, where I find peace in the essentials and cultivate our inner lives, speaks to a timeless wisdom. It has always been my lifetime ambition to pray to God for wisdom, not academic and professional knowledge. Neither even once in my prayer had I sought for material gains either, yet God has graciously provided to see me through all the way since a child till today. It's just amazing how God works in our lives. 

This, for me, is in tune with what many spiritual traditions have long taught: that contentment is more about the quality of our inner lives than the quantity of our outer possessions.

Peace, joy, and rest flow naturally when we pray for wisdom as King Solomon did, only then we’re freed from the weight of maintaining unnecessary things, letting us focus on meaningful pursuits and relationships.

It's truly inspiring for me to embrace this wisdom and live by it, a reminder that less can indeed be more, allowing room for me what genuinely matters.