Rapture and End Times

Do you know the laws of heaven?
Can you impose its authority on earth? (Job 38:33)

Darkness Visible, Finally: Astronomers Capture First Ever Image of a Black Hole
Astronomers at last have captured a picture of one of the most secretive entities in the cosmos The New York Times, April 10, 2019

Astronomers announced on Wednesday that at last they had captured an image of the unobservable: a black hole, a cosmic abyss so deep and dense that not even light can escape it.

For years, and for all the mounting scientific evidence, black holes have remained marooned in the imaginations of artists and the algorithms of splashy computer models of the kind used in Christopher Nolan’s outer-space epic “Interstellar.” Now they are more real than ever.

“We have seen what we thought was unseeable,” said Shep Doeleman, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and director of the effort to capture the image, during a Wednesday news conference in Washington, D.C.

The image, of a lopsided ring of light surrounding a dark circle deep in the heart of a galaxy known as Messier 87, some 55 million light-years away from Earth, resembled the Eye of Sauron, a reminder yet again of the implacable power of nature. It is a smoke ring framing a one-way portal to eternity.

To capture the image, astronomers reached across intergalactic space to Messier 87, or M87, a giant galaxy in the constellation Virgo. There, a black hole several billion times more massive than the sun is unleashing a violent jet of energy some 5,000 light-years into space.

The image offered a final, ringing affirmation of an idea so disturbing that even Einstein, from whose equations black holes emerged, was loath to accept it. If too much matter is crammed into one place, the cumulative force of gravity becomes overwhelming, and the place becomes an eternal trap. Here, according to Einstein’s theory, matter, space and time come to an end and vanish like a dream.

On Wednesday morning that dark vision became a visceral reality. As far as the team of astronomers could ascertain, the shape of the shadow is circular, as Einstein’s theory predicts.

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Unveiling the Universe: Illuminating the Unknown

The phrase “the mystery of the ages” refers to profound truths that were hidden or unknown for long periods of human history before being revealed or uncovered. This concept applies intriguingly to two major developments that transformed the world – the scientific revolution and God’s plan for the salvation of all nations.

In terms of the scientific revolution that began in the 16th and 17th centuries, many of the key discoveries and theories that laid the foundations of modern science had eluded the brightest minds for millennia. The true motions of the planets, the laws of gravity, the cellular structure of life – these mysteries had been veiled by flawed models and misconceptions since antiquity. However, through a combination of brilliant insights, dedicated empiricism, and the questioning of long-held dogmas, pioneering figures like Copernicus, Galileo, Newton and others managed to unlock and reveal fundamental truths about the natural world that had remained shrouded for ages.

Mathematics, often referred to as the language of the universe, plays a pivotal role in unraveling mysteries that have eluded human understanding for ages. Its universal nature allows us to decode the fabric of reality, from the microscopic realm of particles to the cosmic scale of galaxies. In this essay, we will explore how five fundamental equations have been instrumental in solving age-old mysteries, demonstrating the profound impact of mathematics in explaining our world:

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1. Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation:

Sir Isaac Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, expressed as , where F is the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses, and r is the distance between their centers, revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Prior to Newton, the motion of celestial bodies was a perplexing enigma. This equation not only provided an explanation for the orbits of planets around the sun but also demystified the force that keeps us grounded on Earth. It was a monumental step in unifying the heavens and the Earth under one universal law.

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2. Maxwell’s Equations:

James Clerk Maxwell’s equations, encapsulated in four partial differential equations, describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated and altered by each other and by charges and currents. They are the foundation of classical electromagnetism, optics, and electric circuits. These equations unveiled the mystery behind the interrelation of electricity and magnetism, leading to the realization that light is an electromagnetic wave. This discovery had far-reaching implications, paving the way for the development of technologies like radio, television, and radar.

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3. Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity:

Einstein’s field equation is at the heart of his Theory of General Relativity. It describes how matter and energy determine the curvature of spacetime, which in turn dictates the motion of matter. This groundbreaking equation solved the mystery of the anomalous orbit of Mercury and reshaped our understanding of gravity, not as a force, but as a curvature of spacetime. It also led to predictions and subsequent discoveries of phenomena like black holes and gravitational waves.

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4. Schrödinger’s Equation:

Erwin Schrödinger’s equation, a fundamental equation of quantum mechanics, describes how the quantum state of a physical system changes over time. It is crucial for understanding the behavior of atoms and particles at the microscopic level. This equation resolved many puzzles of the atomic world, explaining the discrete nature of atomic spectra and the wave-particle duality of matter. It laid the groundwork for modern electronics and technologies like semiconductors and lasers.

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5. The Higgs Boson Equation:

The equation associated with the Higgs field and its corresponding particle, the Higgs Boson, fills a critical gap in the Standard Model of particle physics. It explains why some fundamental particles have mass and thus solved the long-standing mystery of the origin of mass. The experimental confirmation of the Higgs Boson at the Large Hadron Collider was a milestone in physics, proving the existence of the field that imparts mass to particles.

The universality of mathematical language in these five fundamental equations has profoundly impacted our understanding of the physical universe. From the orbits of planets to the fundamental nature of light, gravity, and matter, mathematics has been the key to unlocking mysteries that have puzzled humanity for centuries. It not only deepens our understanding of the physical world but also continuously propels us toward new frontiers in the quest to comprehend the cosmos. In the realm of science, mathematics remains the most eloquent language to articulate the unknown and bring to light the hidden wonders of our universe.

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“The Mystery Hidden for Ages”: The Salvation of the Gentiles

The dissemination of the Christian Gospel to the Gentiles or non-Jewish peoples after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ represents perhaps an even more profound example of the unveiling of a mystery sequestered for ages. As the New Testament describes it, the divine truth that salvation through Christ was available not just to the Jewish nation but to all peoples had been effectively concealed until that time. As the apostle Paul writes in his epistle to the Colossians, “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

In the grand tapestry of God’s word, there are spiritual truths woven so intricately that their full meaning only becomes clear in the light of Christ’s gospel. One such truth is the mystery hidden for ages – the salvation of the Gentiles. Let’s explore this mystery through seven key scriptures:

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1. Ephesians 3:4-6:

Here, Apostle Paul explicitly reveals this mystery: “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” This passage makes it clear that the salvation once thought to be reserved for the Jews is equally available to the Gentiles. The wall of separation has been broken down in Christ.

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2. Isaiah 49:6:

The prophet Isaiah foreshadows this mystery, saying, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” This prophetic message highlights that God’s plan for salvation was always meant to encompass all nations, not just Israel. It was a promise that remained veiled until the coming of Christ.

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3. Galatians 3:28-29:

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul speaks of unity in Christ: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” This scripture abolishes all distinctions that might keep people apart, uniting everyone under the banner of Christ.

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4. Romans 11:17-18:

Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to describe how Gentiles have been grafted in among the Jews, sharing in the nourishing root of the olive tree. This grafting signifies the inclusion of the Gentiles into the promises given to Abraham and his descendants.

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5. Ephesians 2:13-14:

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” This passage symbolizes the end of the separation between Jew and Gentile, making peace through the blood of Christ.

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6. Acts 10:34-35:

In the book of Acts, Peter comes to the realization that “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” This was a significant turning point, as it highlighted that the Gentiles were not second-class citizens in the kingdom of God but were fully accepted and loved by Him.

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7. Revelation 7:9:

The culmination of this mystery is beautifully depicted in John’s vision of heaven: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” This scene epitomizes the fulfillment of the mystery – a salvation so vast and inclusive that it encompasses every corner of the earth..

The mystery hidden for ages, now revealed through Jesus Christ, is the profound and inclusive plan of God for the salvation of all people, Jew and Gentile alike. This truth, central to the Christian faith, underscores God’s boundless love and grace, extending beyond the confines of nationality, race, or social status. This is the heart of the gospel – the open invitation for all to come and partake in the eternal promise through faith in Jesus Christ.

The mathematics of physics is hard. The Good News is that the mathematics of salvation through Jesus Christ is simple:

Tell someone about Jesus today, or forward this message to them!

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If you are not sure that you are saved, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

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