THE DEITY OF JESUS
Perhaps I have failed to make my position clear about whether Jesus is God or not. I suppose I am what others might want to call Dualist, if I understand that term correctly.
As I see it, Jesus was BOTH God and Man while He was in His ministry here on earth. Until His baptism by John, He was Man with unpolluted blood (the virgin birth accomplished this). His blood could atone for sin because of this.
When Jesus was baptized in water, the Holy Ghost came upon Him.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him]. He was then GOD IN FLESH-- complete Deity in Flesh without the Nature of Sin. (Virgin birth)
Jesus ministered in this manner for three and one half years.
But a transaction took place on the Cross which made Him cry in anguish, "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?" The Holy Ghost was withdrawn from Jesus, and at the same moment, all the guilt of the world flooded over Him. "He who knew no sin (nature) became (laden with) sin for us.
It was flesh that died at Calvary-- not God. Here is the miracle of Justification.
Our guilt was placed upon Jesus, so that His righteousness could be given to us.
We must realize that sometimes Jesus spoke as Man-- other times the same lips spoke as God. Hence "before Abraham was--I AM." "I can of myself do nothing-- what I see my Father do--"
The Holy Ghost, given at baptism, was, is, and always shall be "Alpha and Omega."
The scriptures in Isaiah (41:4 48:12) are not, as near as I can see, speaking of the flesh of God in Jesus Christ. Rather, the Spirit that inhabits Eternity.
We must remember that the doctrine which became known as The Trinity did not make its appearance until over a hundred years after Jesus died. It could well qualify as the teachings of man rather than of God. At least, that is the way it looks from here.
God bless!
Friday, June 11, 2010
COULD NOT DISANNUL
COULD NOT DISANNUL
I got a real “wallop” a few days ago while musing about Abraham and the one-sided (Unilateral) Covenant of Promise that God made with him, after the 42 years of testing (Documenting) his Faith (Obedience) were finished.
Abraham walked with God in very much the same way that Christians SHOULD walk with Him today.
It was, basically, a walk of FAITH and OBEDIENCE. There were no other requirements asked for nor expected, as far as God was concerned.
The relationship had plenty of GRACE (Divine Enablement) in it, for no ordinary man could do what Abraham was asked to do, that of sacrificing Isaac, without the enabling factor of God’s Grace. That was the “Acid Test” of his FAITH (Obedience).
It was after that incident that God added the element of PROMISE to the relationship.
Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Those three elements, GRACE, FAITH, AND PROMISE were all that was needed.
That relationship endured for 430 years before being interrupted for a time, and for a reason.
Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, (to define sin—Wey) (to identify wrongdoing—God’s Word) (to show what wrongdoing is—Goodnews), till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
The Law was given as a Schoolmaster to bring us to Faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
The Law, AT NO TIME was able to supercede or cancel out the relationship of FAITH, GRACE AND PROMISE that existed between God and Abraham.
Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
All through the 1500 years of the LAW, there were people who acquired and maintained the same relationship that Abraham had experienced—that of GRACE, FAITH and PROMISE. Many of the Heroes of Faith (Heb 11) came from that period of time.
The LAW, which had been Divinely inaugurated at the first Passover, was also Divinely set aside on the Cross of Calvary when Jesus said, “It is finished”. The “Schoolmaster” was dismissed, and school was let out. THERE WERE NO MORE RESTRICTIONS. There were NO MORE RITUALS AND NO MORE CEREMONIES.
If we have “done our homework” (learned our lessons), we have learned to put our trust in Jesus for the Salvation of our souls. THAT IS FAITH.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
FAITH gives us access to THE GRACE OF GOD, and HOPE.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
FAITH GRACE PROMISE (The same as Abraham, our Father)
Rom 4:16 Therefore it is OF FAITH, that it might be BY GRACE; to the end the PROMISE MIGHT BE SURE to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
NO RESTRICTIONS NO RITUALS NO CEREMONIES
HOWEVER, if we have completed our lessons given by the Schoolmaster (LAW) we have learned a few PRINCIPLES of God that we will faithfully practice because of Love and Respect for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
I got a real “wallop” a few days ago while musing about Abraham and the one-sided (Unilateral) Covenant of Promise that God made with him, after the 42 years of testing (Documenting) his Faith (Obedience) were finished.
Abraham walked with God in very much the same way that Christians SHOULD walk with Him today.
It was, basically, a walk of FAITH and OBEDIENCE. There were no other requirements asked for nor expected, as far as God was concerned.
The relationship had plenty of GRACE (Divine Enablement) in it, for no ordinary man could do what Abraham was asked to do, that of sacrificing Isaac, without the enabling factor of God’s Grace. That was the “Acid Test” of his FAITH (Obedience).
It was after that incident that God added the element of PROMISE to the relationship.
Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Those three elements, GRACE, FAITH, AND PROMISE were all that was needed.
That relationship endured for 430 years before being interrupted for a time, and for a reason.
Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, (to define sin—Wey) (to identify wrongdoing—God’s Word) (to show what wrongdoing is—Goodnews), till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
The Law was given as a Schoolmaster to bring us to Faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
The Law, AT NO TIME was able to supercede or cancel out the relationship of FAITH, GRACE AND PROMISE that existed between God and Abraham.
Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
All through the 1500 years of the LAW, there were people who acquired and maintained the same relationship that Abraham had experienced—that of GRACE, FAITH and PROMISE. Many of the Heroes of Faith (Heb 11) came from that period of time.
The LAW, which had been Divinely inaugurated at the first Passover, was also Divinely set aside on the Cross of Calvary when Jesus said, “It is finished”. The “Schoolmaster” was dismissed, and school was let out. THERE WERE NO MORE RESTRICTIONS. There were NO MORE RITUALS AND NO MORE CEREMONIES.
If we have “done our homework” (learned our lessons), we have learned to put our trust in Jesus for the Salvation of our souls. THAT IS FAITH.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
FAITH gives us access to THE GRACE OF GOD, and HOPE.
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us EXCEEDING GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES: that by these ye might be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
FAITH GRACE PROMISE (The same as Abraham, our Father)
Rom 4:16 Therefore it is OF FAITH, that it might be BY GRACE; to the end the PROMISE MIGHT BE SURE to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
NO RESTRICTIONS NO RITUALS NO CEREMONIES
HOWEVER, if we have completed our lessons given by the Schoolmaster (LAW) we have learned a few PRINCIPLES of God that we will faithfully practice because of Love and Respect for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
HE THAT BELIEVETH
HE THAT BELIEVETH
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Strong's Concordance gives a definition (4100) of "believeth" which is about as plain as it needs to be. He gives, "Trust the soul's well being to Him."
The Jewish folks still trust Moses. Others trust Alla, or Buddha, or whomever else. It doesn't matter. None of these are trust worthy.
Neither are we safe to put confidence in anything we can do ourselves. Many of us seem to think that we have to add a little bit here and there in order for our salvation to be valid.
This is not true. Jesus paid the FULL PRICE. Salvation is HIS GIFT to us. All He asks from us is full confidence in Him to save our souls from Hell and get us to Heaven.
While it is true that He desires a growth in Spiritual stature as we go along, and is grieved if we do not progress, the lack of it does not in any way detract from our Salvation. It is a gift.
It is just as true that if we make progress in the Spirit, we get a greater enjoyment from, and appreciation for, our Salvation, so that He seems sweeter as we go along. Progress will be rewarded, but in no way can it make our Salvation more secure than it already was, or is.
The victory of the Christian life is no more nor less than our complete confidence in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Deliverer. To place any confidence anywhere else becomes spiritual adultery.
Complete confidence in Jesus makes us steadfast and unmovable. Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever.
Psalms 146:5 Happy [is he] that [hath] the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope [is] in the LORD his God:
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Strong's Concordance gives a definition (4100) of "believeth" which is about as plain as it needs to be. He gives, "Trust the soul's well being to Him."
The Jewish folks still trust Moses. Others trust Alla, or Buddha, or whomever else. It doesn't matter. None of these are trust worthy.
Neither are we safe to put confidence in anything we can do ourselves. Many of us seem to think that we have to add a little bit here and there in order for our salvation to be valid.
This is not true. Jesus paid the FULL PRICE. Salvation is HIS GIFT to us. All He asks from us is full confidence in Him to save our souls from Hell and get us to Heaven.
While it is true that He desires a growth in Spiritual stature as we go along, and is grieved if we do not progress, the lack of it does not in any way detract from our Salvation. It is a gift.
It is just as true that if we make progress in the Spirit, we get a greater enjoyment from, and appreciation for, our Salvation, so that He seems sweeter as we go along. Progress will be rewarded, but in no way can it make our Salvation more secure than it already was, or is.
The victory of the Christian life is no more nor less than our complete confidence in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Deliverer. To place any confidence anywhere else becomes spiritual adultery.
Complete confidence in Jesus makes us steadfast and unmovable. Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever.
Psalms 146:5 Happy [is he] that [hath] the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope [is] in the LORD his God:
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
BRING ME A MINSTREL
BRING ME A MINSTREL
There is a vivid illustration in the Bible of what good music can do for a congregation of saints, or for an individual believer.
I use the term "GOOD MUSIC" intentionally, for it is my opinion that there is far too much "beat of the heathen" in much of the noise that is being passed off as music for worship in these days.
I never studied music, but in my Pastoral years I did learn that music can set the mood for a congregation, either to promote PRAISE, or to promote WORSHIP.
There is a distinct difference between PRAISE and WORSHIP. Both are beneficial and necessary, but neither one to the exclusion of the other.
The use of fast, higher pitched songs will tend to promote a happy atmosphere where folks want to clap their hands, tap their feet, or run around the building. That is very good in its place, but, over the long haul, it produces relatively poor Spiritual stablility in the saints-- especially the younger ones.
Conversely, the slower, lower pitched songs tend to promote more of an atmosphere of WORSHIP, which is more conducive to the bringing forth of the Gifts of Utterance in the congregation. We are nigh starved to death for lack of hearing the Voice of the Spirit in many of our congregations.
Experiment with the 23rd Psalm. Pitch it high, and speed it up. It produces an exuberance of spirit right away. Try it again, low pitched, and quite slow. It calls forth an entirely different mood immediately. What it does for the individual, it will also do for the congregation.
Elisha, and perhaps others of the Prophets knew this about music. When two kings called upon him for advice about a forthcoming battle, he NEEDED something to counteract his utter contempt for one of the kings. He possibly asked the minstrel to sing Psalm 23. ?????
II Kings 3:14 And Elisha said, [As] the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
Do you want the Moving of the Spirit in your congregation? Set the mood for it. Do you want excitement and jubilance? Set the mood for it.
You will have to LEARN HOW to WORSHIP, and then TEACH YOUR PEOPLE HOW, for it is almost a lost art in our present day Church culture.
There is a vivid illustration in the Bible of what good music can do for a congregation of saints, or for an individual believer.
I use the term "GOOD MUSIC" intentionally, for it is my opinion that there is far too much "beat of the heathen" in much of the noise that is being passed off as music for worship in these days.
I never studied music, but in my Pastoral years I did learn that music can set the mood for a congregation, either to promote PRAISE, or to promote WORSHIP.
There is a distinct difference between PRAISE and WORSHIP. Both are beneficial and necessary, but neither one to the exclusion of the other.
The use of fast, higher pitched songs will tend to promote a happy atmosphere where folks want to clap their hands, tap their feet, or run around the building. That is very good in its place, but, over the long haul, it produces relatively poor Spiritual stablility in the saints-- especially the younger ones.
Conversely, the slower, lower pitched songs tend to promote more of an atmosphere of WORSHIP, which is more conducive to the bringing forth of the Gifts of Utterance in the congregation. We are nigh starved to death for lack of hearing the Voice of the Spirit in many of our congregations.
Experiment with the 23rd Psalm. Pitch it high, and speed it up. It produces an exuberance of spirit right away. Try it again, low pitched, and quite slow. It calls forth an entirely different mood immediately. What it does for the individual, it will also do for the congregation.
Elisha, and perhaps others of the Prophets knew this about music. When two kings called upon him for advice about a forthcoming battle, he NEEDED something to counteract his utter contempt for one of the kings. He possibly asked the minstrel to sing Psalm 23. ?????
II Kings 3:14 And Elisha said, [As] the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee. But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
Do you want the Moving of the Spirit in your congregation? Set the mood for it. Do you want excitement and jubilance? Set the mood for it.
You will have to LEARN HOW to WORSHIP, and then TEACH YOUR PEOPLE HOW, for it is almost a lost art in our present day Church culture.
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
MAT 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus had just finished pronouncing desolation to the nation of Judah, when He made the above declaration to them or about them.
Here is what follows that episode.
MAT 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
MAT 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Those words of Jesus set the stage for a much longer discourse at a later time.
MAT 24:3 ¶ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
The primary concern of Jesus as He talked to them on the Mount of Olives was a warning about letting men deceive them.
MAT 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
THAT IS STILL HIS MAIN CONCERN. It should also be ours.
Let's take a good look at what the Disciples asked Jesus that day.
Tell us, when shall these things be? That was the first portion of a three-part question. They, being men and not possessing Spiritual knowledge, THOUGHT they were asking only one question.
The last thing He had told them was about the Temple buildings-- that they would be completely demolished. He DID NOT tell them WHEN it would happen, nor WHY it would happen.
40 years would roll by before the prophecy of Jesus would be fulfilled. It would be accomplished by the Roman general Titus in 70 AD. But Jesus gave them no date.
He only said, "Take heed that no man deceive you." He then related some conditions whereby they might have an idea of what was about to happen.
MAT 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
MAT 24:16-21 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For THEN shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
I readily admit that I do not have all the answers, but I believe I have SOME OF THEM. I also have to admit that I have serious doubts about the validity of most of the answers that are floating around today.
Sounds like Jesus was telling His disciples that the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 AD would be the time of what is called THE GREAT TRIBULATION. (Remember that Jesus was talking about Jerusalem and the Temple when He mentioned the term "GREAT TRIBULATION"
Now, if this be correct (and I am convinced that it is), how in the world did the GREAT TRIBULATION get shoved clear down into what is considered the LAST DAYS? Who did it, and why?
There are a couple of other scriptures where the words "GREAT TRIBULATION" are found. But neither scripture mentions the fact that it will be the worst that has ever happened, or ever will happen.
REV 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into GREAT TRIBULATION, except they repent of their deeds
This one is talking about the great Whore that rides on one of the three (wild) Beasts of the Revelation, as it was given to John.
How come she is a whore? What does it mean to be a scriptural whore? It means to have a divided allegiance-- both to the God of the universe, and to the god of this world . Jesus said we CAN NOT serve two masters.
The word "kosmos" is used to denote the World. Its root means "an orderly arrangement", and is definitely referring to secular rulership, (government) which we are all under today if we are a citizen of any country.
TIT 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
The Word teaches us that our CITZENSHIP is in Heaven.
PHI 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
We are given instructions about the relationship we should have toward the affairs of government while we inhabit the earth.
Jesus said for us to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. We get into trouble when we try to mix the two.
Yet, we should maintain an attitude of being pilgrims and strangers in the world. We are citizens of the "city" that Abraham was looking for.
HEB 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Another mention of GREAT TRIBULATION (Rev 7:1-14) refers to a "great multitude which no man could number" standing before the Throne and giving Glory to God. An angel asked John who they were, and where they came from.
REV 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Again, I submit that I do not have all of the answers, but it would seem to me that GREAT TRIBULATION is an essential element in our Spiritual Development, and is an integral part of becoming an OVERCOMER.
I am of the opinion that the person/s who, for whatever reason, changed the interpretation of the Scriptures, made a mistake.
The Church has seen many periods of intense persecution. But there is ONE such persecution/tribulation which the Word indicates as being the GRAND DADDY TRIBULATION.
That one was identified by Jesus as being what happened at 70 AD., when the Temple was burned. The gold overlay melted and ran into the cracks between the stones. Every stone was separated from all others to retrieve the melted gold.
It indicated that the Law of Ordinances was finished.
Faith in Jesus Christ is all that remains. There simply IS NO OTHER WAY TO APPROACH GOD.
Perhaps in a later issue we will discuss the other two facets of the question asked by the Disciples on the Mount of Olives. "The sign of Thy coming, and the end of the world.
MAT 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus had just finished pronouncing desolation to the nation of Judah, when He made the above declaration to them or about them.
Here is what follows that episode.
MAT 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
MAT 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Those words of Jesus set the stage for a much longer discourse at a later time.
MAT 24:3 ¶ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
The primary concern of Jesus as He talked to them on the Mount of Olives was a warning about letting men deceive them.
MAT 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
THAT IS STILL HIS MAIN CONCERN. It should also be ours.
Let's take a good look at what the Disciples asked Jesus that day.
Tell us, when shall these things be? That was the first portion of a three-part question. They, being men and not possessing Spiritual knowledge, THOUGHT they were asking only one question.
The last thing He had told them was about the Temple buildings-- that they would be completely demolished. He DID NOT tell them WHEN it would happen, nor WHY it would happen.
40 years would roll by before the prophecy of Jesus would be fulfilled. It would be accomplished by the Roman general Titus in 70 AD. But Jesus gave them no date.
He only said, "Take heed that no man deceive you." He then related some conditions whereby they might have an idea of what was about to happen.
MAT 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
MAT 24:16-21 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For THEN shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
I readily admit that I do not have all the answers, but I believe I have SOME OF THEM. I also have to admit that I have serious doubts about the validity of most of the answers that are floating around today.
Sounds like Jesus was telling His disciples that the sacking of Jerusalem in 70 AD would be the time of what is called THE GREAT TRIBULATION. (Remember that Jesus was talking about Jerusalem and the Temple when He mentioned the term "GREAT TRIBULATION"
Now, if this be correct (and I am convinced that it is), how in the world did the GREAT TRIBULATION get shoved clear down into what is considered the LAST DAYS? Who did it, and why?
There are a couple of other scriptures where the words "GREAT TRIBULATION" are found. But neither scripture mentions the fact that it will be the worst that has ever happened, or ever will happen.
REV 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into GREAT TRIBULATION, except they repent of their deeds
This one is talking about the great Whore that rides on one of the three (wild) Beasts of the Revelation, as it was given to John.
How come she is a whore? What does it mean to be a scriptural whore? It means to have a divided allegiance-- both to the God of the universe, and to the god of this world . Jesus said we CAN NOT serve two masters.
The word "kosmos" is used to denote the World. Its root means "an orderly arrangement", and is definitely referring to secular rulership, (government) which we are all under today if we are a citizen of any country.
TIT 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
The Word teaches us that our CITZENSHIP is in Heaven.
PHI 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
We are given instructions about the relationship we should have toward the affairs of government while we inhabit the earth.
Jesus said for us to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's. We get into trouble when we try to mix the two.
Yet, we should maintain an attitude of being pilgrims and strangers in the world. We are citizens of the "city" that Abraham was looking for.
HEB 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Another mention of GREAT TRIBULATION (Rev 7:1-14) refers to a "great multitude which no man could number" standing before the Throne and giving Glory to God. An angel asked John who they were, and where they came from.
REV 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Again, I submit that I do not have all of the answers, but it would seem to me that GREAT TRIBULATION is an essential element in our Spiritual Development, and is an integral part of becoming an OVERCOMER.
I am of the opinion that the person/s who, for whatever reason, changed the interpretation of the Scriptures, made a mistake.
The Church has seen many periods of intense persecution. But there is ONE such persecution/tribulation which the Word indicates as being the GRAND DADDY TRIBULATION.
That one was identified by Jesus as being what happened at 70 AD., when the Temple was burned. The gold overlay melted and ran into the cracks between the stones. Every stone was separated from all others to retrieve the melted gold.
It indicated that the Law of Ordinances was finished.
Faith in Jesus Christ is all that remains. There simply IS NO OTHER WAY TO APPROACH GOD.
Perhaps in a later issue we will discuss the other two facets of the question asked by the Disciples on the Mount of Olives. "The sign of Thy coming, and the end of the world.
VALLEY OF DECISION
THE VALLEY OF DECISION
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.
For many years, I believed and taught that it was the PEOPLE who were making the decision-- to serve God or not serve Him.
But, that theory is one which the Lord stripped away when I became willing for Him to teach me what the scriptures were trying to tell us. After quite a bit of tearing down my former beliefs, He was able to start teaching me what is, I believe, more in line with His plan for humanity.
The word "decision" throws us off course, because it has come to mean differently now than it did when the KJV was translated.
I was sent a writing of a 17th century writer a few years ago, in which the word "decision" was used in its historical sense. It sheds light on the "valley of decision" which brings it more into line with the remainder of the passage.
In 1619, when the article was penned, the writer said that there would come a DECISION, in which the true believers would be SEPARATED from those who were not entirely sold out to God. IT IS GOD WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION-- separating the wheat from the chaff, a "threshing" if you will.
Only HE knows the HEARTS of men. We have to judge by the sight of the eye and the hearing of the ear. He reads the heart.
This is pinpointed in Mal 3 where it tells about the Lord making up His Jewels. They will be those who-- Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often (lit: Consulted) one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that FEARED the LORD, and that THOUGHT (lit: Reckoned) upon his name.
Malachi 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return (lit: look back or around), and discern (see clearly) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (There is a vast difference between those who SERVE God, and those who joyfully bask in the sunshine of His Forgiveness, and neglect the personal refinement which He offers to them.)
II Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of GOLD and of SILVER, but also of WOOD and of EARTH; and some to HONOUR, and some to DISHONOUR. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
It is my firm belief that Malachi wrote of the same time of "decision" (separation) as Joel did when he wrote: Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit [as] a REFINER and PURIFIER of silver: and he shall PURIFY the SONS OF LEVI, and PURGE them as gold and silver, THAT THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
God bless!
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.
For many years, I believed and taught that it was the PEOPLE who were making the decision-- to serve God or not serve Him.
But, that theory is one which the Lord stripped away when I became willing for Him to teach me what the scriptures were trying to tell us. After quite a bit of tearing down my former beliefs, He was able to start teaching me what is, I believe, more in line with His plan for humanity.
The word "decision" throws us off course, because it has come to mean differently now than it did when the KJV was translated.
I was sent a writing of a 17th century writer a few years ago, in which the word "decision" was used in its historical sense. It sheds light on the "valley of decision" which brings it more into line with the remainder of the passage.
In 1619, when the article was penned, the writer said that there would come a DECISION, in which the true believers would be SEPARATED from those who were not entirely sold out to God. IT IS GOD WHO IS MAKING THE DECISION-- separating the wheat from the chaff, a "threshing" if you will.
Only HE knows the HEARTS of men. We have to judge by the sight of the eye and the hearing of the ear. He reads the heart.
This is pinpointed in Mal 3 where it tells about the Lord making up His Jewels. They will be those who-- Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often (lit: Consulted) one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that FEARED the LORD, and that THOUGHT (lit: Reckoned) upon his name.
Malachi 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Malachi 3:18 Then shall ye return (lit: look back or around), and discern (see clearly) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (There is a vast difference between those who SERVE God, and those who joyfully bask in the sunshine of His Forgiveness, and neglect the personal refinement which He offers to them.)
II Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of GOLD and of SILVER, but also of WOOD and of EARTH; and some to HONOUR, and some to DISHONOUR. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
It is my firm belief that Malachi wrote of the same time of "decision" (separation) as Joel did when he wrote: Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit [as] a REFINER and PURIFIER of silver: and he shall PURIFY the SONS OF LEVI, and PURGE them as gold and silver, THAT THEY MAY OFFER UNTO THE LORD AN OFFERING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
God bless!
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
ACONSUMINGFIRE
OUR GOD IS A COMSUMING FIRE
One evening, a few nights ago, Pearl and I were in a service at the church, when, as clear as a bell, the words came to me, "For our God [is] a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
I do not remember the circumstances that might have prompted me to think of that scripture, but I have learned that these things do not just happen without a purpose. It seems that something I had unwittingly said in another public service had made such an impact on one or more individuals as to drastically change the course of their thinking-- for their good. I had not known about it until much later. But, it had re-enforced the conviction that we can do so much more good when we allow the Spirit to "prompt" us in speaking what we are given for any particular situation. That occasion had been one of those times, and I had forgotten about it altogether. Other people had not forgotten, for it had impacted their lives.
The statement, "Our God is a Consuming Fire" comes near the end of the letter written to the Hebrew people, and seems to be the summation of the entire letter. It was written to a people who were enduring much severe persecution for their faith in Jesus, rather than the ceremonies and restrictions of the Law of Moses-- especially the "modern" interpretations of the Law. The persecution was so severe as to cause some of the Hebrew Christians to turn back and return to the Law and traditions of the elders. It involved a ceremony in which they publicly denounced the Blood of Jesus and the Grace of God.
The writer of the epistle called that ceremony Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Then, a couple of verses down, he writes, Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In other words, "Be very careful what you do when in times of stress or distress, for-- Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Moses used the term "Consuming Fire" in Deut 4:21-24 when urging the Hebrews to be very careful in their walk with the Lord. In fact, the Lord used His Glory (which was like a Devouring fire Ex 24:17) to subdue rebellion and anarchy in the camp of Israel in the wilderness. See Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. Numbers 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. Numbers 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
In the Hebrews letter, they are urged to listen carefully to what God is saying to them, for it is dangerous to let his voice fall on Spiritually deaf ears.
Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire.
One evening, a few nights ago, Pearl and I were in a service at the church, when, as clear as a bell, the words came to me, "For our God [is] a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
I do not remember the circumstances that might have prompted me to think of that scripture, but I have learned that these things do not just happen without a purpose. It seems that something I had unwittingly said in another public service had made such an impact on one or more individuals as to drastically change the course of their thinking-- for their good. I had not known about it until much later. But, it had re-enforced the conviction that we can do so much more good when we allow the Spirit to "prompt" us in speaking what we are given for any particular situation. That occasion had been one of those times, and I had forgotten about it altogether. Other people had not forgotten, for it had impacted their lives.
The statement, "Our God is a Consuming Fire" comes near the end of the letter written to the Hebrew people, and seems to be the summation of the entire letter. It was written to a people who were enduring much severe persecution for their faith in Jesus, rather than the ceremonies and restrictions of the Law of Moses-- especially the "modern" interpretations of the Law. The persecution was so severe as to cause some of the Hebrew Christians to turn back and return to the Law and traditions of the elders. It involved a ceremony in which they publicly denounced the Blood of Jesus and the Grace of God.
The writer of the epistle called that ceremony Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Then, a couple of verses down, he writes, Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
In other words, "Be very careful what you do when in times of stress or distress, for-- Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Moses used the term "Consuming Fire" in Deut 4:21-24 when urging the Hebrews to be very careful in their walk with the Lord. In fact, the Lord used His Glory (which was like a Devouring fire Ex 24:17) to subdue rebellion and anarchy in the camp of Israel in the wilderness. See Numbers 14:10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. Numbers 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. Numbers 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
In the Hebrews letter, they are urged to listen carefully to what God is saying to them, for it is dangerous to let his voice fall on Spiritually deaf ears.
Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire.
ALTARS
ALTARS
Abraham has been called the Altar Builder. He built at least three of them in his recorded life time.
The first one was in RESPONSE TO GOD WHO APPEARED TO HIM. He had left his father, Terah, in Haran, and was in the land of Canaan. We have no record of him ever seeing his father again, although Terah lived until after the birth of Isaac.
This was one of the many "SEPARATIONS" of the life of Abraham.
Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
The second recorded altar was built when Abraham called upon the Name of the Lord. It was a form of worship to God.
Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, [having] Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
Abraham found it good to return to his former places of worship, and again "call on the Name of the Lord."
Genesis 13:4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Abraham's last recorded altar became a "life altering altar". His life would never be the same again.
Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Abraham was in deep trauma as he built this last altar. God had asked for what he valued most dearly-- Isaac, his only son by Sarah. He was the "Son of Promise."
God had put him to an acid test of obedience, and though bleeding emotionally, Abraham had passed the test.
He was about to hear God's "Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not witheld..."
At no time did God promise to shield us from difficult situations and hard choices. In fact, He initiates most of them in order to assist us in our maturing process. We naively blame the devil for them.
Richard Reneau tells us that we do not use altars of earth and stone now, because we have Jesus Christ. But he says that we do figuratively build them and use them in our walk today.
OLD TESTAMENT ALTARS WERE SHADOWS OF NEW TESTAMENT REALITY.
There are crises in our lives which need to be brought to our "altars" like our fathers did theirs. There are disappointments and painful and confusing experiences. We can, and should, make "altars" out of the "dirt-y" things which beset us.
Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
We should also make "altars" out of the hard things (stones) of our lives.
Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Don't try to "shape" things with tools. (counselling) Bring them just like they are. Bro. Reneau says that if we don't turn the dirt and stones (hard things) into altars, they will turn us into stone.
They left the altar where they made the sacrifice-- they went on.
We lay our burdens-- dirt and hard things, before Him. Then we walk away from them-- before bitterness and hardness sets in.
It is not easy to build altars. We carry dirt and hard things until we wear ourselves out before we make them into altars-- and go on.
Small, frequent altars diminish the need for large ones.
Take the cross daily-- keep them small.
Accumulated dirt and hard things can become traumatic, and leave us, like Jacob, with a lifetime limp.
Abraham has been called the Altar Builder. He built at least three of them in his recorded life time.
The first one was in RESPONSE TO GOD WHO APPEARED TO HIM. He had left his father, Terah, in Haran, and was in the land of Canaan. We have no record of him ever seeing his father again, although Terah lived until after the birth of Isaac.
This was one of the many "SEPARATIONS" of the life of Abraham.
Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
The second recorded altar was built when Abraham called upon the Name of the Lord. It was a form of worship to God.
Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, [having] Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
Abraham found it good to return to his former places of worship, and again "call on the Name of the Lord."
Genesis 13:4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Abraham's last recorded altar became a "life altering altar". His life would never be the same again.
Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
Abraham was in deep trauma as he built this last altar. God had asked for what he valued most dearly-- Isaac, his only son by Sarah. He was the "Son of Promise."
God had put him to an acid test of obedience, and though bleeding emotionally, Abraham had passed the test.
He was about to hear God's "Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not witheld..."
At no time did God promise to shield us from difficult situations and hard choices. In fact, He initiates most of them in order to assist us in our maturing process. We naively blame the devil for them.
Richard Reneau tells us that we do not use altars of earth and stone now, because we have Jesus Christ. But he says that we do figuratively build them and use them in our walk today.
OLD TESTAMENT ALTARS WERE SHADOWS OF NEW TESTAMENT REALITY.
There are crises in our lives which need to be brought to our "altars" like our fathers did theirs. There are disappointments and painful and confusing experiences. We can, and should, make "altars" out of the "dirt-y" things which beset us.
Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
We should also make "altars" out of the hard things (stones) of our lives.
Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Don't try to "shape" things with tools. (counselling) Bring them just like they are. Bro. Reneau says that if we don't turn the dirt and stones (hard things) into altars, they will turn us into stone.
They left the altar where they made the sacrifice-- they went on.
We lay our burdens-- dirt and hard things, before Him. Then we walk away from them-- before bitterness and hardness sets in.
It is not easy to build altars. We carry dirt and hard things until we wear ourselves out before we make them into altars-- and go on.
Small, frequent altars diminish the need for large ones.
Take the cross daily-- keep them small.
Accumulated dirt and hard things can become traumatic, and leave us, like Jacob, with a lifetime limp.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
MYSISTERMYSPOUSE
MY SISTER, MY SPOUSE
Four times in the Song, Solomon refers to his Beloved as "My Sister, My Spouse."
Most of us know that in Bible times, an "Engagement" was as binding as the "Wedding", and couples were often spoken of as being a spouse before they came together as husband and wife.
Song of Solomon 4:9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, [my] spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.
Song of Solomon 4:10 How fair is thy love, my sister, [my] spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!
Song of Solomon 4:12 A garden enclosed [is] my sister, [my] spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
Song of Solomon 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
In our modern "rush-a-day" world, we might have a tendency to forget some important principles of the marriage relationship.
While we were serving as Pastors (and we did for over 30 years) we had ample opportunity to observe differences in the way spouses treated one another while in the Church house-- compared to how they did after they left and went their way. Often times there was a BIG difference.
To combat the trend, I would often use an illustration, and tell the folks that my wife, whom I called "Sister" while in public, was NO LESS my "sister" when we got safely within our four walls.
Too many times, when the door is locked for the night, a man becomes a brute beast, or a woman becomes a shrew, and a battle is joined. Often, the children become the confused audience. "These things ought not so to be."
Sometimes, in times of stress, we tend to lose sight of the fact that God's Word has something to say about the most sacred relationship we humans can have.
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love [your] wives, and be not bitter against them.
I Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Four times in the Song, Solomon refers to his Beloved as "My Sister, My Spouse."
Most of us know that in Bible times, an "Engagement" was as binding as the "Wedding", and couples were often spoken of as being a spouse before they came together as husband and wife.
Song of Solomon 4:9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, [my] spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck.
Song of Solomon 4:10 How fair is thy love, my sister, [my] spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!
Song of Solomon 4:12 A garden enclosed [is] my sister, [my] spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
Song of Solomon 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
In our modern "rush-a-day" world, we might have a tendency to forget some important principles of the marriage relationship.
While we were serving as Pastors (and we did for over 30 years) we had ample opportunity to observe differences in the way spouses treated one another while in the Church house-- compared to how they did after they left and went their way. Often times there was a BIG difference.
To combat the trend, I would often use an illustration, and tell the folks that my wife, whom I called "Sister" while in public, was NO LESS my "sister" when we got safely within our four walls.
Too many times, when the door is locked for the night, a man becomes a brute beast, or a woman becomes a shrew, and a battle is joined. Often, the children become the confused audience. "These things ought not so to be."
Sometimes, in times of stress, we tend to lose sight of the fact that God's Word has something to say about the most sacred relationship we humans can have.
Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love [your] wives, and be not bitter against them.
I Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
ABRAHAM'SCITY
ABRAHAM'S CITY
According to present day prophetic teachers, Jerusalem in the land of Palestine is the focus of much speculative teaching about what is destined to happen in the last days.
Right now, we are hearing a great deal about a certain red heifer, and the role intended for her to fulfill in the plans of the Israeli people.
We also hear rumors of the plans for a new temple, either on the old site or on a new site-- it doesn't make much difference.
If people are making a mistake, it doesn't matter too much whether it is a big mistake or a small one. Either one will miss the intended goal.
I think, sometimes, that the prople who lived when Jesus lived, and rejected Him because of a lack of proper teaching and understanding, were not much worse off, if any, than our Bible teachers of today. The believers today are apt to miss the true events of God as badly as those who crucified Jesus. Our "guns" are pointing the wrong direction.
Abraham, 4,000 years ago, may have known more than we do today. He didn't have the "benefit" of Bible commentators-- he had to depend upon what God told him. Any way, Abraham was looking for a City. Not an earthly city, but one which has "foundations."
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.
If Abraham knew enough to keep his eyes off of an earthly city, shouldn't we also know as much? Do we have any right to be looking at what God considers "last year's bird nest"?
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Revelation 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
May I submit to you that no earthly city will ever figure into God's Eternal Plan. We need to let those people in Palestine worry about their city-- it will never be accepted of God. MEN ARE BUILDING IT.
God is building His own City-- right now. You and I are a part of it. We fit into it in some manner-- walls, foundations, gates. We are there NOW!
WE are the City not made with hands-- the City Foursquare-- out of Heaven-- the Spirit of God.
Our City has no need of the sun, for the Lamb is the light.
Hey! I don't have all the answers yet. But I believe I have heard from God on the matter. I can't tell you all about the streets of Gold-- the wall of Jasper, etc. etc.. But I do believe they represent Christians with certain characteristics which cause them to be classified as "wall" or "street" or some other part. I am sure God knows where each one of us fits.
Have you ever wondered why you are like you are-- why you do what you do? Has God made you that way by His Spirit, so you can perform a function in His Celestial City?
Consider what I say!
According to present day prophetic teachers, Jerusalem in the land of Palestine is the focus of much speculative teaching about what is destined to happen in the last days.
Right now, we are hearing a great deal about a certain red heifer, and the role intended for her to fulfill in the plans of the Israeli people.
We also hear rumors of the plans for a new temple, either on the old site or on a new site-- it doesn't make much difference.
If people are making a mistake, it doesn't matter too much whether it is a big mistake or a small one. Either one will miss the intended goal.
I think, sometimes, that the prople who lived when Jesus lived, and rejected Him because of a lack of proper teaching and understanding, were not much worse off, if any, than our Bible teachers of today. The believers today are apt to miss the true events of God as badly as those who crucified Jesus. Our "guns" are pointing the wrong direction.
Abraham, 4,000 years ago, may have known more than we do today. He didn't have the "benefit" of Bible commentators-- he had to depend upon what God told him. Any way, Abraham was looking for a City. Not an earthly city, but one which has "foundations."
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.
If Abraham knew enough to keep his eyes off of an earthly city, shouldn't we also know as much? Do we have any right to be looking at what God considers "last year's bird nest"?
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Revelation 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
May I submit to you that no earthly city will ever figure into God's Eternal Plan. We need to let those people in Palestine worry about their city-- it will never be accepted of God. MEN ARE BUILDING IT.
God is building His own City-- right now. You and I are a part of it. We fit into it in some manner-- walls, foundations, gates. We are there NOW!
WE are the City not made with hands-- the City Foursquare-- out of Heaven-- the Spirit of God.
Our City has no need of the sun, for the Lamb is the light.
Hey! I don't have all the answers yet. But I believe I have heard from God on the matter. I can't tell you all about the streets of Gold-- the wall of Jasper, etc. etc.. But I do believe they represent Christians with certain characteristics which cause them to be classified as "wall" or "street" or some other part. I am sure God knows where each one of us fits.
Have you ever wondered why you are like you are-- why you do what you do? Has God made you that way by His Spirit, so you can perform a function in His Celestial City?
Consider what I say!
A न्यू CREATURE
A NEW CREATURE
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is A NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, WORKING IN YOU THAT WHICH IS WELLPLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Eph 2:10 FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, WHO HATH MADE BOTH ONE, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for TO MAKE IN HIMSELF OF TWAIN ONE NEW MAN, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he MIGHT RECONCILE BOTH UNTO GOD IN ONE BODY BY THE CROSS, having slain the enmity thereby:
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus NEITHER CIRCUMCISION AVAILETH ANY THING, NOR UNCIRCUMCISION, but A NEW CREATURE.
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS, AND WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS; AND WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
Eze 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Phi 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is A NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, WORKING IN YOU THAT WHICH IS WELLPLEASING IN HIS SIGHT, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Eph 2:10 FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, WHO HATH MADE BOTH ONE, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for TO MAKE IN HIMSELF OF TWAIN ONE NEW MAN, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he MIGHT RECONCILE BOTH UNTO GOD IN ONE BODY BY THE CROSS, having slain the enmity thereby:
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus NEITHER CIRCUMCISION AVAILETH ANY THING, NOR UNCIRCUMCISION, but A NEW CREATURE.
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I WILL PUT MY LAW IN THEIR INWARD PARTS, AND WRITE IT IN THEIR HEARTS; AND WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
Eze 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Phi 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Heb 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Monday, June 07, 2010
SENDMEAMAN
SEND ME A MAN
Many years ago I knew a man who lived about five miles
south east of Weiser, Idaho. Down on Buttermilk Slough, to be
exact.
This man and his wife had knelt in their living room, along
with his brother and his wife, and given their hearts to the Lord
when both couples lived in Midvale, about 25 miles to the north
of Weiser. Dr. Charles E. Fuller was giving his altar call over
the radio, and both couples responded.
Both couples were grieving over baby boys they had each
lost to infant disease.
The men had been noted for their "wild west" demeanor in
the past, and a very real change had taken place in their lives.
They had joined a church in their little hamlet, but they
were not taught water baptism.
As Floyd was studying his Bible, he became convicted that
he should be baptized. But not just any baptism would do. He
felt that he should be baptized in the same manner that all of the
people of the New Testament time were recorded to have been
baptized.
He could not find a man in the area of Weiser who would
do the job like he thought it should be done.
So he talked to the Lord about it. Surely there was some-
one somewhere who would be willing to baptize him that way.
He said to the Lord, "If this is as important to You as it is
to me, Send me a man."
In a few days, a man from Naches, Washington, about 350
miles away, knocked on Floyd's door.
The house sat at the end of a long driveway, off a side
road from the highway. Highway 30, that is.
The man's name was Bill A. I knew him also. He related
to Floyd that the Lord had told him there was a man wanting to be
baptized, and had directed him to that house. Was it true that he
was ready to go to the water?
It was true, and the water was close by. "So, what doth
hinder-- ?"
"If ye be willing, and obedient--."
Many years ago I knew a man who lived about five miles
south east of Weiser, Idaho. Down on Buttermilk Slough, to be
exact.
This man and his wife had knelt in their living room, along
with his brother and his wife, and given their hearts to the Lord
when both couples lived in Midvale, about 25 miles to the north
of Weiser. Dr. Charles E. Fuller was giving his altar call over
the radio, and both couples responded.
Both couples were grieving over baby boys they had each
lost to infant disease.
The men had been noted for their "wild west" demeanor in
the past, and a very real change had taken place in their lives.
They had joined a church in their little hamlet, but they
were not taught water baptism.
As Floyd was studying his Bible, he became convicted that
he should be baptized. But not just any baptism would do. He
felt that he should be baptized in the same manner that all of the
people of the New Testament time were recorded to have been
baptized.
He could not find a man in the area of Weiser who would
do the job like he thought it should be done.
So he talked to the Lord about it. Surely there was some-
one somewhere who would be willing to baptize him that way.
He said to the Lord, "If this is as important to You as it is
to me, Send me a man."
In a few days, a man from Naches, Washington, about 350
miles away, knocked on Floyd's door.
The house sat at the end of a long driveway, off a side
road from the highway. Highway 30, that is.
The man's name was Bill A. I knew him also. He related
to Floyd that the Lord had told him there was a man wanting to be
baptized, and had directed him to that house. Was it true that he
was ready to go to the water?
It was true, and the water was close by. "So, what doth
hinder-- ?"
"If ye be willing, and obedient--."
THEGOODFIGHT
THE GOOD FIGHT
II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:
Faith is sometimes described as something similar to a pry bar, by which we can procure things from God, such as a new car, a better job, or more finances. The list would be endless.
The real meaning of faith is "Dedication", or "Commitment to God".
Peter and James each referred to the "trial" or "trying" of our faith. These words equal our modern word for a "sworn statement"-- "Documenting".
The crucial part of the Christian life is that of maintaining our "commitment" or "dedication" to God.
Getting a new car, a better job, or any of those things are not essential to our life in Jesus.
MAINTAINING TRUST IN, AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS VERY ESSENTIAL.
When trusting Jesus for the well being of your soul becomes difficult, don't pray for less trials-- pray for more strength from Him.
Fight the good fight of Faith (Commitment to God)
II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:
Faith is sometimes described as something similar to a pry bar, by which we can procure things from God, such as a new car, a better job, or more finances. The list would be endless.
The real meaning of faith is "Dedication", or "Commitment to God".
Peter and James each referred to the "trial" or "trying" of our faith. These words equal our modern word for a "sworn statement"-- "Documenting".
The crucial part of the Christian life is that of maintaining our "commitment" or "dedication" to God.
Getting a new car, a better job, or any of those things are not essential to our life in Jesus.
MAINTAINING TRUST IN, AND OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS VERY ESSENTIAL.
When trusting Jesus for the well being of your soul becomes difficult, don't pray for less trials-- pray for more strength from Him.
Fight the good fight of Faith (Commitment to God)
TIMESOFCRISIS
TIMES OF CRISIS
Great occasions do not make us heroes or cowards. Times of testing serve as a barometer of our Spiritual condition. They simply show us what we have been making of ourselves.
Each day, we are either growing stronger or we are getting weaker. We DO NOT REMAIN STATIC.
God's purpose in sending winds of adversity is NOT that we should FAIL and become DISCOURAGED-- No, No, No! Rather, they are HIS MESSENGERS to cause us to develop STRENGTH in THE FAITH, and walk in VICTORY.
VICTORY doesn't mean that WE WIN EVERY TIME.
The essence of VICTORY is the refusal to let circumstances deter or discourage us in our walk with JESUS.
We MUST, at any cost, maintain the commitment of our souls to the care of the Lord Jesus Christ.
TO HAVE FAITH means that we maintain our CONFIDENCE in the INTEGRITY OF GOD.
THAT IS THE "GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH"
Great occasions do not make us heroes or cowards. Times of testing serve as a barometer of our Spiritual condition. They simply show us what we have been making of ourselves.
Each day, we are either growing stronger or we are getting weaker. We DO NOT REMAIN STATIC.
God's purpose in sending winds of adversity is NOT that we should FAIL and become DISCOURAGED-- No, No, No! Rather, they are HIS MESSENGERS to cause us to develop STRENGTH in THE FAITH, and walk in VICTORY.
VICTORY doesn't mean that WE WIN EVERY TIME.
The essence of VICTORY is the refusal to let circumstances deter or discourage us in our walk with JESUS.
We MUST, at any cost, maintain the commitment of our souls to the care of the Lord Jesus Christ.
TO HAVE FAITH means that we maintain our CONFIDENCE in the INTEGRITY OF GOD.
THAT IS THE "GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH"
Friday, June 04, 2010
MORETHANCONQUEROR
Subj: MORE THAN CONQUERORS
The Apostle Paul spent a few days in Athens, and was invited to preach to them. Read all about it in Acts 17.
He had spent some time in looking over the city, and was impressed by the many altars erected to the various gods of the Athenians. They even had one for the "Unknown God", for fear of insulting one by having left him out.
In seeing all those altars, Paul undoubtedly saw the beautiful statue of Alexander the Great. Alexander has been hailed as one of the all-time greatest military generals. In his short career of maybe thirteen years, he conquered most of the then known world. It is said of him that he wept one day because there were no more nations to conquer.
His statue in Athens had the inscription "CONQUEROR" on it.
Can't you just picture Paul, as he looked at it, saying to himself the words he was yet to pen in one of his letters-- "We are MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US--"
Friends, the best of worldly accomplishments turns pale when placed alongside what God is able to do in the lives of those who set out to make Him their Lord and Master. "Greater is he that ruleth his own spirit--"
The Apostle Paul spent a few days in Athens, and was invited to preach to them. Read all about it in Acts 17.
He had spent some time in looking over the city, and was impressed by the many altars erected to the various gods of the Athenians. They even had one for the "Unknown God", for fear of insulting one by having left him out.
In seeing all those altars, Paul undoubtedly saw the beautiful statue of Alexander the Great. Alexander has been hailed as one of the all-time greatest military generals. In his short career of maybe thirteen years, he conquered most of the then known world. It is said of him that he wept one day because there were no more nations to conquer.
His statue in Athens had the inscription "CONQUEROR" on it.
Can't you just picture Paul, as he looked at it, saying to himself the words he was yet to pen in one of his letters-- "We are MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US--"
Friends, the best of worldly accomplishments turns pale when placed alongside what God is able to do in the lives of those who set out to make Him their Lord and Master. "Greater is he that ruleth his own spirit--"
CEASAR-JESUS
CAESAR--JESUS
When I was a kid in high school we learned about Julius
Caesar, who was, roughly, contemporary with Jesus Christ.
Caesar's famous speech, VENI, VIDI, VICI, (I came, I saw, I
conquered) was drilled into us, especially in second-year
Latin class. Caesar has been called one of the greatest
conquerors of all time, along with Alexander and Napoleon.
But they neglected to teach us about another famous decla-
ration, made by the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ.
If my memory of Latin serves me right, Jesus answered
Caesar's boastings and said, "VIAS, VERITAS, VITAS," (I am
the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.)
It portrays the supremacy of Jesus over the wildest boast-
ings of humanity. The best that man can produce can do no
better than pale into insignificance when compared to Jesus
Christ, the Son of God.
Today, we would be foolish to trust in the abilities of any
man or group of men. The only sure place of security is in
Jesus.
When I was a kid in high school we learned about Julius
Caesar, who was, roughly, contemporary with Jesus Christ.
Caesar's famous speech, VENI, VIDI, VICI, (I came, I saw, I
conquered) was drilled into us, especially in second-year
Latin class. Caesar has been called one of the greatest
conquerors of all time, along with Alexander and Napoleon.
But they neglected to teach us about another famous decla-
ration, made by the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ.
If my memory of Latin serves me right, Jesus answered
Caesar's boastings and said, "VIAS, VERITAS, VITAS," (I am
the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE.)
It portrays the supremacy of Jesus over the wildest boast-
ings of humanity. The best that man can produce can do no
better than pale into insignificance when compared to Jesus
Christ, the Son of God.
Today, we would be foolish to trust in the abilities of any
man or group of men. The only sure place of security is in
Jesus.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
THESHOUT
THE SHOUT
Have you ever wondered what we should be listening
for as the signal that the "Rapture" is taking place?
I have, many times. In fact, I did some extensive
studies on the matter some time ago, and found some
things which startled me, to say the least. The scrip-
ture tells us: I Thessalonians 4:16 _For the Lord
_himself shall descend from heaven with a _shout,_ with
_the _voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:_
_and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which
_are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with
_them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so
_shall we ever be with the Lord.
Notice the three distinguishing features: SHOUT,
THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, and THE TRUMP OF GOD. The
"shout" has always been a signal of VICTORY. It is a
primary feature of battling armies, and was an effect-
ive weapon on many occasions. Jeremiah told of a time
when God's Chosen Ones would "lift up a shout" against
what is referred to as "Babylon."
The "voice of the Archangel" identifies where the
shout is originating. Jesus has triumphed over every
foe, and is declaring it to the Spirit world.
The "Trump of God" tells us WHEN it will happen.
I Cor. 15:51 _Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not _
_all sleep, butúweúshallúallúbeú changed,ú In a moment, _
_in the twinkling of an eye,úat _theú last trump:_úforúthe _
_trumpetúshallúsound,úandúthe dead shall be raised in- _
_corruptible, and we shall be changed.
There are seven "Trumpets" which "sound" during the
Church Age. _NONE OF THEM ARE AUDIBLE TO THE HUMAN EAR.
They are signals in the _Spirit Realm_ to activate
certain aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit in the
affairs of men and governments. We might add Religious
Institutions to that list also.
The "Message" which accompanies the "last trump" is
that the _KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOM
_OF OUR GOD. _ It is all over, as far as human government
is concerned. Jesus takes over, through His Overcomers
from that point on. And we didn't "hear" a thing. All
of it took place in the Realm of the Spirit of God. We
could only know what was taking place as He revealed it
to us by the Spirit. Some "heard" the Voice of the
Spirit, but many didn't know what was happening at all.
Have you ever wondered what we should be listening
for as the signal that the "Rapture" is taking place?
I have, many times. In fact, I did some extensive
studies on the matter some time ago, and found some
things which startled me, to say the least. The scrip-
ture tells us: I Thessalonians 4:16 _For the Lord
_himself shall descend from heaven with a _shout,_ with
_the _voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:_
_and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which
_are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with
_them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so
_shall we ever be with the Lord.
Notice the three distinguishing features: SHOUT,
THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, and THE TRUMP OF GOD. The
"shout" has always been a signal of VICTORY. It is a
primary feature of battling armies, and was an effect-
ive weapon on many occasions. Jeremiah told of a time
when God's Chosen Ones would "lift up a shout" against
what is referred to as "Babylon."
The "voice of the Archangel" identifies where the
shout is originating. Jesus has triumphed over every
foe, and is declaring it to the Spirit world.
The "Trump of God" tells us WHEN it will happen.
I Cor. 15:51 _Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not _
_all sleep, butúweúshallúallúbeú changed,ú In a moment, _
_in the twinkling of an eye,úat _theú last trump:_úforúthe _
_trumpetúshallúsound,úandúthe dead shall be raised in- _
_corruptible, and we shall be changed.
There are seven "Trumpets" which "sound" during the
Church Age. _NONE OF THEM ARE AUDIBLE TO THE HUMAN EAR.
They are signals in the _Spirit Realm_ to activate
certain aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit in the
affairs of men and governments. We might add Religious
Institutions to that list also.
The "Message" which accompanies the "last trump" is
that the _KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOM
_OF OUR GOD. _ It is all over, as far as human government
is concerned. Jesus takes over, through His Overcomers
from that point on. And we didn't "hear" a thing. All
of it took place in the Realm of the Spirit of God. We
could only know what was taking place as He revealed it
to us by the Spirit. Some "heard" the Voice of the
Spirit, but many didn't know what was happening at all.
MERCYSEAT
HE MERCY SEAT
When Moses was given the pattern for the Tabernacle in
the wilderness he was cautioned to make everything exactly to
specifications. The reason for this was because it was to be a
visible representation of something in the invisible realm. It all
had to do with the Plan of God for our Salvation and Redemption.
Let's look for a while at what is called the Mercy Seat.
Exodus 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat [of] pure
gold: Exodus 26:34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the
ark of the testimony in the most holy [place].
Not much is told us about its function. It was actually the
covering for the Ark of the Covenant. There were two cheru¬bims, one on either end of it. Their wings were spread over the
Mercy Seat, and they were looking down toward it.
Hebrews 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing
the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
I like to think that the Shechinah, Glory of God, was
centered in the spot where the gaze of one met the gaze of the
other. Proof would be hard to come by, but I still like to think it.
Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses,-- I will
appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Once every year, on the Day of Atonement, the High
Priest would take blood into the Holy of Holies, and sprinkle it
upon and around the Mercy Seat. Thus the sins of the past year,
(see Rom 3:25) were atoned for. The Old Testament word is the
one used to say that Noah covered the wood of the Ark with pitch.
Blessed is the man whose sin is covered .
Hebrews 9:7 But into the second [went] the high priest
alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for
himself, and [for] the errors of the people:
Leviticus 16:15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offer¬ing, that [is] for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
This ritual was repeated every year for hundreds of years.
And no one had their sins forgiven-- just covered, for that was the
best that animal blood could do. And it was NOT the blood that
did it. It was the obedience of the High Priest in performing the
ritual that accomplished the covering over of past sins.
Every time he sprinkled blood, he was enacting a prophecy
of the One, Christ Jesus, who would one day enter heaven, the
true Holy of Holies, with HIS OWN blood, and there obtain for
us, not just atonement, BUT FORGIVENESS AND MERCY
UNENDING.
Hebrews 9:9 Which [was] a figure for the time then
present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could
not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the
conscience;
I wonder if we have the spiritual capacity to fully grasp the
magnitude of what Jesus accomplished when He entered Heaven
with His own blood and sprinkled it upon the heavenly Mercy
Seat.
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but
by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having
obtained eternal redemption [for us].
The door of Salvation swung wide open to every inhabitant
of earth, and will remain wide open for as long as Jesus is in the
Heavenly Holy of Holies.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
When He is finished in that Holy of Holies, He will do an
even greater thing for His people who are looking for Him.
Jesus purchased for us FAR MORE THAN FORGIVE¬NESS OF SINS when He said, "It is finished" and gave up the ghost on Calvary.
Psalms 100:5 For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is]
everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.
Psalms 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from ever¬
lasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteous¬
ness unto children's children;
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into
heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
When He returns from His intercession, He will be ready
to finish the work portrayed by the ceremonies of the day when
the earthly High Priest sprinkled the Mercy Seat in the wilderness.
There was a second goat waiting for Aaron to return from
the "sprinkling" ceremony. There was a little "prophecy" for it to
enact too. But that is another story.
When Moses was given the pattern for the Tabernacle in
the wilderness he was cautioned to make everything exactly to
specifications. The reason for this was because it was to be a
visible representation of something in the invisible realm. It all
had to do with the Plan of God for our Salvation and Redemption.
Let's look for a while at what is called the Mercy Seat.
Exodus 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat [of] pure
gold: Exodus 26:34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the
ark of the testimony in the most holy [place].
Not much is told us about its function. It was actually the
covering for the Ark of the Covenant. There were two cheru¬bims, one on either end of it. Their wings were spread over the
Mercy Seat, and they were looking down toward it.
Hebrews 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing
the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
I like to think that the Shechinah, Glory of God, was
centered in the spot where the gaze of one met the gaze of the
other. Proof would be hard to come by, but I still like to think it.
Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said unto Moses,-- I will
appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Once every year, on the Day of Atonement, the High
Priest would take blood into the Holy of Holies, and sprinkle it
upon and around the Mercy Seat. Thus the sins of the past year,
(see Rom 3:25) were atoned for. The Old Testament word is the
one used to say that Noah covered the wood of the Ark with pitch.
Blessed is the man whose sin is covered .
Hebrews 9:7 But into the second [went] the high priest
alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for
himself, and [for] the errors of the people:
Leviticus 16:15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offer¬ing, that [is] for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
This ritual was repeated every year for hundreds of years.
And no one had their sins forgiven-- just covered, for that was the
best that animal blood could do. And it was NOT the blood that
did it. It was the obedience of the High Priest in performing the
ritual that accomplished the covering over of past sins.
Every time he sprinkled blood, he was enacting a prophecy
of the One, Christ Jesus, who would one day enter heaven, the
true Holy of Holies, with HIS OWN blood, and there obtain for
us, not just atonement, BUT FORGIVENESS AND MERCY
UNENDING.
Hebrews 9:9 Which [was] a figure for the time then
present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could
not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the
conscience;
I wonder if we have the spiritual capacity to fully grasp the
magnitude of what Jesus accomplished when He entered Heaven
with His own blood and sprinkled it upon the heavenly Mercy
Seat.
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but
by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having
obtained eternal redemption [for us].
The door of Salvation swung wide open to every inhabitant
of earth, and will remain wide open for as long as Jesus is in the
Heavenly Holy of Holies.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
When He is finished in that Holy of Holies, He will do an
even greater thing for His people who are looking for Him.
Jesus purchased for us FAR MORE THAN FORGIVE¬NESS OF SINS when He said, "It is finished" and gave up the ghost on Calvary.
Psalms 100:5 For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is]
everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.
Psalms 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD [is] from ever¬
lasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteous¬
ness unto children's children;
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into
heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
When He returns from His intercession, He will be ready
to finish the work portrayed by the ceremonies of the day when
the earthly High Priest sprinkled the Mercy Seat in the wilderness.
There was a second goat waiting for Aaron to return from
the "sprinkling" ceremony. There was a little "prophecy" for it to
enact too. But that is another story.
LETUSGOON
LET US GO ON
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore LEAVING (not abandoning) the PRINCIPLES of the DOCTRINE of Christ, let us GO ON UNTO PERFECTION; not LAYING AGAIN the FOUNDATION of REPENTANCE from dead works, and of FAITH toward God, :2 Of the DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS, and of LAYING ON OF HANDS, and of RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, and of ETERNAL JUDGMENT. And this will we do, if God permit.
Most of us know quite a bit about these foundational doctrines of the Christian Faith. They are the PRINCIPLES which form the back bone of our Christian society. Without them, we have very little to build upon. Any group that fails to accept one or more of them as necessary blocks in their structure, soon finds themselves off on a siding somewhere-- going nowhere.
But, there is also something saddening about any group who readily accepts these foundational truths, and then feels that there is no need for anything else. They soon stagnate, and begin to smell characteristically with the odor of self-righteous piety, and tend to exclude all who do not agree exactly with their creeds. It contributes to religious bigotry, both collectively and individually.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews is urging us to NOT CAMP PERMANENTLY around the basic principles of our relationship with Jesus, even though they are of VITAL IMPORTANCE. We MUST NOT LEAVE them out of our lives.
Neither should we neglect that which these principles are STEPPING STONES to bring us into. If we do neglect them, our Christian lives will be stunted and very incomplete. FOUNDATIONS are to be built upon-- not to be displayed with pride and satisfaction.
I Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man BUILD UPON this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Paul had as good a FOUNDATION as any man of his day. Philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But, when Paul came to know Jesus, he knew that he could not rely on his earthly roots. Living for Jesus was an entirely "different ball game", to use the vernacular, and the rules were different. The life of Faith is to RELY ENTIRELY upon Jesus for the welfare of our soul, and our hope of Heaven. However, these experiences of Salvation are NOT AN END IN THEMSELVES, and must not be treated as such if we hope to have an effective Christian life. We must BUILD upon these experiences of Salvation.
II Peter 1:4-8 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that BY THESE YE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And BESIDE THIS, GIVING ALL DILIGENCE, add to your faith VIRTUE; and to virtue KNOWLEDGE; And to knowledge TEMPERANCE; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to patience GODLINESS; And to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness CHARITY. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] BARREN NOR UNFRUITFUL IN THE KNOWLEDGE (epignosis--full discernment) OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Brethren, these attributes are NOT A PART OF A PACKAGE SALVATION. They MUST BE ADDED after we come to know Jesus, and if we fail or neglect to add them, the cost will be higher than we can afford to pay. How sad it would be to approach the White Throne with ONLY a ticket to Heaven in our hand, when we COULD HAVE COME in garments shining with the ATTRIBUTES OF JESUS.
II Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is BLIND, and CANNOT SEE afar off, and hath FORGOTTEN that he was purged from his old sins.
Paul was NOT striving for SALVATION when he wrote: Philippians 3:10-14 That I may KNOW (be sure of) him, and the POWER of his resurrection, and the FELLOWSHIP of his sufferings, being made CONFORMABLE unto his death; If BY ANY MEANS I might attain unto the resurrection (THE STANDING OUT FROM AMONG) of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were ALREADY PERFECT: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that (FULL SONSHIP) for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] ONE THING [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I PRESS TOWARD the mark for the PRIZE of the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus.
"Let us GO ON TO PERFECTION" It means to come to COMPLETENESS in God. It means to experience ALL that Jesus died to provide for us here on earth. It means that we should IMBIBE THE VERY NATURE OF CHRIST-- from Him. There is no other place we can get it but from Him. Praying in the Spirit. Every day. Romans 8:13 -- but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
God Bless!
Marion
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore LEAVING (not abandoning) the PRINCIPLES of the DOCTRINE of Christ, let us GO ON UNTO PERFECTION; not LAYING AGAIN the FOUNDATION of REPENTANCE from dead works, and of FAITH toward God, :2 Of the DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS, and of LAYING ON OF HANDS, and of RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, and of ETERNAL JUDGMENT. And this will we do, if God permit.
Most of us know quite a bit about these foundational doctrines of the Christian Faith. They are the PRINCIPLES which form the back bone of our Christian society. Without them, we have very little to build upon. Any group that fails to accept one or more of them as necessary blocks in their structure, soon finds themselves off on a siding somewhere-- going nowhere.
But, there is also something saddening about any group who readily accepts these foundational truths, and then feels that there is no need for anything else. They soon stagnate, and begin to smell characteristically with the odor of self-righteous piety, and tend to exclude all who do not agree exactly with their creeds. It contributes to religious bigotry, both collectively and individually.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews is urging us to NOT CAMP PERMANENTLY around the basic principles of our relationship with Jesus, even though they are of VITAL IMPORTANCE. We MUST NOT LEAVE them out of our lives.
Neither should we neglect that which these principles are STEPPING STONES to bring us into. If we do neglect them, our Christian lives will be stunted and very incomplete. FOUNDATIONS are to be built upon-- not to be displayed with pride and satisfaction.
I Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man BUILD UPON this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Paul had as good a FOUNDATION as any man of his day. Philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, [of] the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But, when Paul came to know Jesus, he knew that he could not rely on his earthly roots. Living for Jesus was an entirely "different ball game", to use the vernacular, and the rules were different. The life of Faith is to RELY ENTIRELY upon Jesus for the welfare of our soul, and our hope of Heaven. However, these experiences of Salvation are NOT AN END IN THEMSELVES, and must not be treated as such if we hope to have an effective Christian life. We must BUILD upon these experiences of Salvation.
II Peter 1:4-8 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that BY THESE YE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And BESIDE THIS, GIVING ALL DILIGENCE, add to your faith VIRTUE; and to virtue KNOWLEDGE; And to knowledge TEMPERANCE; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to patience GODLINESS; And to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness CHARITY. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] BARREN NOR UNFRUITFUL IN THE KNOWLEDGE (epignosis--full discernment) OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Brethren, these attributes are NOT A PART OF A PACKAGE SALVATION. They MUST BE ADDED after we come to know Jesus, and if we fail or neglect to add them, the cost will be higher than we can afford to pay. How sad it would be to approach the White Throne with ONLY a ticket to Heaven in our hand, when we COULD HAVE COME in garments shining with the ATTRIBUTES OF JESUS.
II Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is BLIND, and CANNOT SEE afar off, and hath FORGOTTEN that he was purged from his old sins.
Paul was NOT striving for SALVATION when he wrote: Philippians 3:10-14 That I may KNOW (be sure of) him, and the POWER of his resurrection, and the FELLOWSHIP of his sufferings, being made CONFORMABLE unto his death; If BY ANY MEANS I might attain unto the resurrection (THE STANDING OUT FROM AMONG) of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were ALREADY PERFECT: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that (FULL SONSHIP) for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] ONE THING [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I PRESS TOWARD the mark for the PRIZE of the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus.
"Let us GO ON TO PERFECTION" It means to come to COMPLETENESS in God. It means to experience ALL that Jesus died to provide for us here on earth. It means that we should IMBIBE THE VERY NATURE OF CHRIST-- from Him. There is no other place we can get it but from Him. Praying in the Spirit. Every day. Romans 8:13 -- but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
God Bless!
Marion
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
DEITYOFJESUS
Perhaps I have failed to make my position clear about whether Jesus is God or not. I suppose I am what others might want to call Dualist, if I understand that term correctly.
As I see it, Jesus was BOTH God and Man while He was in His ministry here on earth.
Until His baptism by John, He was Man with unpolluted blood (the virgin birth accomplished this). His blood could atone for sin because of this.
When Jesus was baptized in water, the Holy Ghost came upon Him.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him]. He was then GOD IN FLESH-- complete Deity in Flesh without the Nature of Sin. (Virgin birth)
Jesus ministered in this manner for three and one half years. But a transaction took place on the Cross which made Him cry in anguish, "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?" The Holy Ghost was withdrawn from Jesus, and at the same moment, all the guilt of the world flooded over Him. "He who knew no sin (nature) became (laden with) sin for us.
It was flesh that died at Calvary-- not God. Here is the miracle of Justification.
Our guilt was placed upon Jesus, so that His righteousness could be given to us.
We must realize that sometimes Jesus spoke as Man-- other times the same lips spoke as God. Hence "before Abraham was--I AM." "I can of myself do nothing-- what I see my Father do--"
The Holy Ghost, given at baptism, was, is, and always shall be, "Alpha and Omega."
The scriptures in Isaiah (41:4 48:12) are not, as near as I can see, speaking of the flesh of God in Jesus Christ. Rather, the Spirit that inhabits Eternity.
We must remember that the doctrine which became known as The Trinity did not make its appearance until over a hundred years after Jesus died. It could well qualify as the teachings of man rather than of God. At least, that is the way it looks from here.
God bless!
As I see it, Jesus was BOTH God and Man while He was in His ministry here on earth.
Until His baptism by John, He was Man with unpolluted blood (the virgin birth accomplished this). His blood could atone for sin because of this.
When Jesus was baptized in water, the Holy Ghost came upon Him.
John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him]. He was then GOD IN FLESH-- complete Deity in Flesh without the Nature of Sin. (Virgin birth)
Jesus ministered in this manner for three and one half years. But a transaction took place on the Cross which made Him cry in anguish, "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me?" The Holy Ghost was withdrawn from Jesus, and at the same moment, all the guilt of the world flooded over Him. "He who knew no sin (nature) became (laden with) sin for us.
It was flesh that died at Calvary-- not God. Here is the miracle of Justification.
Our guilt was placed upon Jesus, so that His righteousness could be given to us.
We must realize that sometimes Jesus spoke as Man-- other times the same lips spoke as God. Hence "before Abraham was--I AM." "I can of myself do nothing-- what I see my Father do--"
The Holy Ghost, given at baptism, was, is, and always shall be, "Alpha and Omega."
The scriptures in Isaiah (41:4 48:12) are not, as near as I can see, speaking of the flesh of God in Jesus Christ. Rather, the Spirit that inhabits Eternity.
We must remember that the doctrine which became known as The Trinity did not make its appearance until over a hundred years after Jesus died. It could well qualify as the teachings of man rather than of God. At least, that is the way it looks from here.
God bless!
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