2023.06.24/25
From the Pastor’s Desk:Rev. Raphael Chow
On a childhood day, for reasons I have long forgotten, I went mountain climbing. The mountain had an altitude approximately half that of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. At that time, the sky was devoid of clouds, and it was a pure blue. Standing at the summit, I gazed southward and saw the continuous and magnificent mountain ranges. Looking eastward, I beheld the vast expanse of the azure sea, stretching afar. The sea resembled a silky carpet, smooth as a mirror, perfectly complementing the splendor of the sky. Another time, during the peak of summer, after swimming in the sea, I leisurely enjoyed the surrounding scenery on the beach. Suddenly, what astonished me was the sound of the tides. The rhythmic tides gently lapped against the rocks on the shore, tenderly washing over the fine sand. Accompanied by occasional breezes, the leaves rustled and sang. This duet of nature can truly rival the works of master composers. Occasionally, seagulls joined in as guest performers, creating a rich variation in this trio. These scenes, once witnessed with your own eyes, will stay with you for a lifetime, bringing you everlasting enjoyment.
The ocean can also be fearsome and awe-inspiring. When a tsunami arrives, it can easily destroy cities and leave countless people homeless. The ocean is always cold, mysterious, and full of hidden dangers. Even the warm currents in the ocean are not very warm (about 4 degrees Celsius). The deeper you go into the sea, the darker it becomes. There are reefs, hidden currents, and dangerous animals, including fierce predators and species with deadly toxins.
The meaning contained within the ocean in the Bible is exceedingly rich. The ocean signifies the mighty power of God: the sea is created by God (Psalm 95:5; Acts 4:24; Revelation 14:7; Jonah 1:9), and God has set the boundaries of the sea (Genesis 1:2, 9-10; Psalm 104:5-9; Job 38:8-11). However, at the same time, the ocean is also a source of opposition against God: the waves of the sea are arrogant (Job 35:8-11) and always attempt to surpass the boundaries set by God (Jeremiah 15:22). There are fierce beasts in the sea (Genesis 1:20-21; Psalm 104:24-26). Moreover, terrifying and powerful beasts that oppose God also emerge from the sea (Daniel 7:3; Revelation 13:1). In the Book of Daniel, for instance: “3 Four great beasts… came up out of the sea. 4 The first was like a lion… a second beast, which looked like a bear… another beast… looked like a leopard… 7 After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left…” (Daniel 7:3-7).
Whether it is the sea or the beasts, their power is limited. Our Lord controls the great sea (Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 14:45-52) and also destroys the beasts (Isaiah 27:1). Moreover, our Heavenly Father will one day annihilate evil: “And the beast was captured… And the false prophet… were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur” (Revelation 19:20). The sea will exist no more, and the former heavens and earth will pass away (Revelation 21:1). Instead, a perfect sea of glass, bright as crystal, will take its place (Revelation 4:6; 15:2). At that time, all cold, mysterious, dark, and dangerous circumstances will cease to exist with the vanishing sea.
I eagerly anticipate the embrace of eternal warmth, light, peace, and joy within it. “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
His Servant
Pastor Raphael Chow