'His Kingdom will never end'

Over two thousand years ago, the angel Gabriel greeted the Virgin Mary, the mother of our Saviour and foretold of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, and at the end he has said "..... His Kingdom will never end" (Luke 1:33) - How true these words are: Today His Kingdom has reached to the farthest corners of the world.

The world's population has accepted Him as Saviour and still more and more are added to His Kingdom by the inspiration of His Holy Spirit.

The Blessed Virgin Mary, the most venerated woman of this world, was the first disciple and witness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Had she refused to obey Holy orders, the scriptures would have been different. From the birth to His death and Resurrection, our Lord's mother was by His side and it was from her that the Christmas story in the gospels had been derived.

She would have been confused at times, especially at His cruel death, but she had immense faith in God and knew that in the end all the sayings prophesied by the Angel will come to pass. In Acts 1:4 - we are told that the blessed Virgin Mary joined our Lord's Apostles in constant prayer, and thereby inspired them by her presence.

Though the most powerful of emperors, kings and rulers down the ages have persecuted His followers, history has proved that millions have been added to His Kingdom. Today, although the names of all powerful rulers have been long forgotten, the name of Jesus Christ stands out as the 'powerful person' who lived on this earth. That is the reason why wherever his message is preached His followers are persecuted, in spite of which, more and more gathers in belief of Jesus Christ.

This infant who was born in a lowly cattle shed in Bethlehem to a humble peasant girl Mary, and was crucified, dead and buried and rose from the dead is today the 'Central Figure' in history - dividing the ages to 'BC' and 'AD'. The saving power of His Holy Spirit has changed lives and given meaning and purpose to those who believed on Him.

Therefore, we who believe in Him should take courage to proclaim His word as exhorted in the 'Great Commission' (Matt. 28:18-20) as He has assured us "..... and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age".

- Leila de Silva