06/20/2026
ENLIGHTENMENT Lecture 14
The Victory of True Love and the Restoration of God’s Kingdom
“Through many trials, persecutions, and suffering, I have pressed toward the mark of God’s calling, advancing through the stages of the individual, family, tribe, people, nation, world, cosmos, and finally to God Himself. As the Apostle Paul declared, ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith’ (2 Timothy 4:7).
The purpose of this victory is not merely personal triumph, but the liberation of God’s heart, for creation has groaned under the burden of sin and separation from its Creator (Romans 8:19-22). Yet one task remains: to love and save even my enemies, fulfilling the command of Jesus, ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you’ (Matthew 5:44). Through such love, God’s ideal of creation can be fulfilled.
The vision of reconciliation extends beyond individuals to nations. As Scripture declares, ‘He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth’ (Psalm 46:9). Through the work of True Parents and God’s providence, healing can come to divided lands, whether in Korea, the Middle East, or any place where hostility exists. For Christ ‘is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us’ (Ephesians 2:14).
Though I have faced opposition and persecution, I have sought to forgive as Christ forgave, for He prayed, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do’ (Luke 23:34). I have endeavored to embrace all people regardless of race, religion, or nationality, remembering that God ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men’ (Acts 17:26). Therefore, I choose to have no enemies, for ‘if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men’ (Romans 12:18).
Standing upon the ideal of God’s original family, I affirm that all humanity was created to be one family under God. As Malachi asked, ‘Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?’ (Malachi 2:10). We are brothers and sisters in His sight.
The ultimate hope is that God may reign fully in the hearts of His children. Scripture declares, ‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever’ (Revelation 11:15). The enthronement of God is therefore not merely a ceremony but the restoration of His rightful authority over humanity.
Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven’ (Matthew 6:10). The work of restoration seeks to establish that heavenly kingdom on earth a world characterized by righteousness, reconciliation, and peace.
Blessed families are called to participate in this sacred mission, becoming peacemakers among nations and peoples. As Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9). When barriers of hatred, prejudice, and division are removed, people may walk freely toward God’s Kingdom, and the prophecy shall be fulfilled: ‘Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more’ (Isaiah 2:4).
This is the vision of God’s Kingdom a world of true love, one family under God, and everlasting peace.”
