Many know that Reverend Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification movement, passed away last September at the age of 92.  However, the plans that he set into motion are very much alive, in the hearts of individual  believers, as well as in providential initiatives going forward on a global level.  

It is the faith of those consider Reverend and Mrs. Moon to be the True Parents, which in essence also encompasses the mission of the return of Christ, that the unfolding of God's kingdom on earth can no longer be stopped.  How quickly the world of peace and goodness is manifested though will depend on each one of us.  We are the ones who can help shorten the time, or conversely, if we fail to recognize and support God's providential work, we could cause more delay.  But either way, the spiritual and substantial victories that Reverend Moon won during the last half a century now guarantee that the forces of evil must retreat.  Satan's realm is crumbling, both in the spiritual world and in this world.  We may not see it, but that is the reality.  I believe that the turmoil we see in the world today are signs that extraordinary things are happening in the spiritual dimension having to do with the battle between God and Satan-a battle that Satan is losing.

For the world at large, February 22nd will likely be a day like any other.  But this is a providential day that marks the beginning of a new era.  It will be celebrated in the Unification movement as Foundation Day.  We believe that this year, 2013, will eventually be recognized as Year One of the Kingdom of Heaven.  Remember, as Jesus said, God's kingdom is like a mustard seed.  It starts out very small, so small that it is ignored or not even seen.  "The Kingdom of Heaven is within you."   But, when it is fully grown it is a tremendous tree.  

The kingdom of heaven starts with each one of as individuals, when our hearts and lives are transformed by the power of the truth and God's love.  It must manifest further in families, for a family, in it's original form, resembles the nature of God himself.  Eventually, this kingdom will become visible, as even entire nations must kick off the structures of power linked behind the scenes to the "ancient serpent".  This process has begun and the Foundation Day of God's kingdom is upon us.

On January 28th of this year Reverend Moon will be celebrating his 92nd birthday.  By Korean counting he will be 93.  Nevertheless, he has once again undertaken the arduous task of a public speaking tour, this time in South Korea.  Since January 8th Reverend Moon and his wife have been traveling and speaking in all the provinces of Korea.  These are not just small events held in local churches.  Some of the speeches are expected to attract more than 10,000 participants.

Despite his age, Reverend Moon feels the urgency of God's heart at this time in history.  In his opening speech he called 2012 a "watershed" year in human history, and has been shedding tears while delivering his remarks with great passion.

If you are among those who admire and support the work of Reverend Moon, please offer up your prayers of support at this time.  If you're not a supporter, please pray and reflect on what motivates a man of such an advanced age to push himself so, even getting by on two or three hours of sleep each night.  Let's pray that God's will can move forward greatly in this year of 2012.

For most Christians the return of Jesus and the ushering in of God's Kingdom are central to their faith.  And certainly there has been a high level of expectation that the time of Jesus' coming must be near.

The Unification Church propounds what for many Christians is an unacceptable proposition-that Jesus himself cannot return again to this earth.  Jesus is a spirit, living in the highest realms of Paradise, surrounded by the spirits of devout departed Christians.  The body in which his disciples witnessed his resurrection was in fact his spiritual body.  In that sense Jesus is no different than any of us.   Once we go to the spiritual realm that becomes our home for all eternity.    Yes, it is possible that spirits can appear and give occasional guidance to people living on Earth, just as Jesus has done over the past 2000  years.

In this respect, it's important to understand that the Messiah cannot come on the clouds of heaven.  While the verses implying the Lord will come riding triumphantly on clouds into this world are popular among Christians, it has to be admitted that there is the possibility that the clouds have a symbolic meaning.

The Unification Church teaching is that in order to redeem the original sin the Messiah must be born again on earth.  Please consider Revelation 12:5.  It talks of a child who is born of a woman, who will be caught up to the throne of God, and who will rule all nations with a rod of iron.  Although some take this child to be symbolic of the church, the one who rules the world with a rod of iron (the truth) is clearly the Messiah.  If one is willing to put aside the concept that the Messiah must come on the clouds, this verse implies strongly that the Messiah will be born as a child.  Further, both Revelation 2:17 and 17:12 point to the Messiah coming with a new name, a name that only he himself will know.

Yes, the coming of the Lord will be like lightning that all will see (Luke 17:24), but first the returning Lord may have to suffer many things and be rejected (Luke 17:25).  Why would the Christ suffer when he returns?   It could only happen if he wasn't recognized, at least initially.  If the Messiah comes on the clouds that is very unlikely.