Have you ever done something that was risky - and you knew it? Of course! We all take chances from time to time. Sometimes it's an ordinary thing like jumping off a diving board. Do you remember the first time you did it? It seemed SO high! If you were little, you might have been terrified. But by the 20th or 30th time, it didn't seem so bad. In fact, fear had turned into fun.
That's an example of what it's like to have a fear of the unknown and to overcome it.
There is a part of the Christian walk that is similar. In fact, many would say that a Christian walk without risk-taking is an impotent venture. It lacks power. It's... dead. Faith without works... right?
But we reach a point where reaching out and sharing the Gospel of Jesus is no longer terrifying. Perhaps it becomes (as it should) second nature. Maybe even fun! I'm just using this as an example. What would scripture say about it?
Jos 5:12 MKJV
(12) And the manna stopped on the next day after they had eaten the old grain of the land. And there was no more manna to the sons of Israel, but they ate the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
Joshua was no longer in the desert. He and the Israelites were now in the Promised Land. Where had they been? They had been in a situation where they could not rely upon their wealth to get them through tomorrow. They had ONLY ENOUGH FOR TODAY! They had to rely upon God to send manna. Manna... remember, means 'what is it'.
Then comes Jericho and the Promised Land. Promised Land living affords us some security we did not have in the desert. With that security comes a responsibility. Now we can save enough food for today and tomorrow and maybe the next day. We can accumulate wealth. The manna stops. The 'what is it' goes away, meaning, there isn't a question about tomorrow any longer. It's a land of plenty. But do we forget God? Does the blessing of today distract us from He who gave it?
Even if the manna stops in the physical, we have a responsibility to continue gathering and consuming Manna in the spirit.
A good question that I heard a rabbi ask is this: Do I have what it takes to go beyond the next ten minutes - alone? I'm a sheep who has wealth. I have enough grass to last me for right now - and I have a Shepherd.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Blessed - The Man
It has been a long couple of weeks for me. South Dakota has been a very white place over Christmas, and people didn't move around much. I was shacked up with my family in a farmhouse with no cable TV, Internet, or cellular service, so God graciously afforded me some study time.
I spent quite a bit of time on this passage:
Psa 1:1-2 HNV
(1) Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
(2) but his delight is in the LORD's law. On his law he meditates day and night.
When trying to commit passages to memory, I try to take out the italicized words, meaning... the ones that were not in the original text. It's intellectually stimulating to sit on a passage that comes across as awkward in English. This one isn't so bad... in fact instead of awkward, I think it becomes more potent.
BLESSED the man - it's emphatic. Notice all the negative actions. Blessed is he who does not... and does not... and does not.
But then there is the one big positive action. The pathway to being blessed is to meditate on the law of the LORD. Do we do this? Much? Some might say... the Law has passed away - that's 'Old Testament'. Was this the stance Jesus took?
Or did Jesus say that not one jot or tittle would pass away from the Law? Yes, Jesus fulfilled the Law, but He also said that it all hung off of two commands:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and also... love your neighbor as yourself. Easy, right?
Tremendously simple! Horribly difficult. That Jesus fulfilled the Law means that to follow Him requires us to chase after these two commands.
It would be quite a feat to love God with everything you are... and your neighbor as yourself... and also to sit in the seat of scoffers, or walk in the counsel of wicked men, or stand as a stumbling block to sinners. Here is a question that we can consider rhetorical: do the biggest scoffers you know consider themselves Christ-followers?
I spent quite a bit of time on this passage:
Psa 1:1-2 HNV
(1) Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
(2) but his delight is in the LORD's law. On his law he meditates day and night.
When trying to commit passages to memory, I try to take out the italicized words, meaning... the ones that were not in the original text. It's intellectually stimulating to sit on a passage that comes across as awkward in English. This one isn't so bad... in fact instead of awkward, I think it becomes more potent.
BLESSED the man - it's emphatic. Notice all the negative actions. Blessed is he who does not... and does not... and does not.
But then there is the one big positive action. The pathway to being blessed is to meditate on the law of the LORD. Do we do this? Much? Some might say... the Law has passed away - that's 'Old Testament'. Was this the stance Jesus took?
Or did Jesus say that not one jot or tittle would pass away from the Law? Yes, Jesus fulfilled the Law, but He also said that it all hung off of two commands:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and also... love your neighbor as yourself. Easy, right?
Tremendously simple! Horribly difficult. That Jesus fulfilled the Law means that to follow Him requires us to chase after these two commands.
It would be quite a feat to love God with everything you are... and your neighbor as yourself... and also to sit in the seat of scoffers, or walk in the counsel of wicked men, or stand as a stumbling block to sinners. Here is a question that we can consider rhetorical: do the biggest scoffers you know consider themselves Christ-followers?
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Wrestling With God?
-from FoxNews
Obama arrived in Copenhagen Friday with a large American delegation in tow, hoping to pressure China and other nations into accepting a global framework for combating climate change.
Obama and an estimated 120 world leaders converged on the city in hopes of saving the long-awaited summit from ruin by hammering out a framework deal in its closing hours. But the stormy two-week conference was marred to the end by flare-ups between the developed world and developing nations.
I don't think there is anyone (with full faculties) that believes any longer that all of this climate change hoopla is truly about saving the planet. We have surpassed that bit of idiocy and have gone straight to power struggle. The world has finally found its avenue - it thinks - to falsely obtain the blessings of God. What avenue is that?
God's blessing on our nation has been unprecedented. We have blessed Him and have blessed His people, Israel, and as a result we have become the greatest empire on earth. Only that season is over. We have turned our back on God and on Israel and now the only ones laughing are our enemies. The world smells blood in the water and it endeavors to siphon off all of the wealth that God has given the United States. How does it do that?
With a Copenhagen Climate Change agreement, that's how! Only the blessings of God cannot be bought, stolen, or had in any way other than through His favor. The world cannot wrestle blessing from the hand of God. The funny thing is that we can all see where this goes prophetically. As the world scrambles for its piece of the pie, God chuckles, because the world cannot organize itself to 'get' the pie. Why? The devil as at the source of all this - and confusion is all he can muster. Look at the last segment of this FoxNews article:
"But the stormy two-week conference was marred to the end by flare-ups between the developed world and developing nations."
What is the characteristic of the last human empire?
(41) And as to that which you saw: the feet and toes, part of potters' clay and part of iron; the kingdom shall be divided. But there shall be in it the strength of the iron, because you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.
(42) And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle.
The world can unite on one thing: a hatred of Truth. All other bets on international cooperation are off.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
What Does The Spirit Say Today?
Heb 3:7-11 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today if you will hear His voice, (8) do not harden your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness, (9) when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years. (10) Therefore I was grieved with that generation and said, They always err in their heart, and they have not known My ways. (11) So I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter into My rest."
What did the Spirit say hundreds of years prior?
Psa 95:7-11 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today if you will hear His voice, (8) harden not your heart, as in the day of strife, as in the day of testing in the wilderness; (9) when your fathers tempted Me, tested Me, and saw My work. (10) For forty years I was grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways; (11) to whom I swore in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest.
Heb 4:11 Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.
What did the Spirit say hundreds of years prior?
Psa 95:7-11 For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today if you will hear His voice, (8) harden not your heart, as in the day of strife, as in the day of testing in the wilderness; (9) when your fathers tempted Me, tested Me, and saw My work. (10) For forty years I was grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways; (11) to whom I swore in My wrath that they should not enter into My rest.
Heb 4:11 Therefore let us labor to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
New Frontiers
For those of you who occasionally like to watch a good animal documentary (I know there are many of you who do...) you have probably seen one that depicts dangerous encounters. The one that comes to mind for me is the problem polar bear in some remote Canadian town. You've seen it - the authorities are shooting firecrackers and shotguns in the air to frighten the creature out of town.
The problem typically occurs when an animal becomes so hungry that its hunger surpasses its fear.
As followers of Jesus, we have to reach this point. Walking like Jesus is not easy. It's not easy to take a stand, or to be different, or to deny the flesh. But the Holy Spirit creates such a hunger in us that eventually - hopefully - the hunger trumps everything else. Then we can step into the frontier of risk.
It is difficult to separate flesh from spirit. In the scriptures, the flesh was the skin and hide, and spirit was the fat. There is a way to separate it, but it takes FIRE. It's the fire within - the hunger within - that drives us into our destiny. If we don't have that, we should be praying for it.
The problem typically occurs when an animal becomes so hungry that its hunger surpasses its fear.
As followers of Jesus, we have to reach this point. Walking like Jesus is not easy. It's not easy to take a stand, or to be different, or to deny the flesh. But the Holy Spirit creates such a hunger in us that eventually - hopefully - the hunger trumps everything else. Then we can step into the frontier of risk.
It is difficult to separate flesh from spirit. In the scriptures, the flesh was the skin and hide, and spirit was the fat. There is a way to separate it, but it takes FIRE. It's the fire within - the hunger within - that drives us into our destiny. If we don't have that, we should be praying for it.
Monday, December 14, 2009
My Friend, You're Going To Die
John the Baptist is in prison. He is frightened, because chances are good that he is going to die. So he asks Jesus this very cryptic question.
Mat 11:3 MKJV
(3) And they said to Him, Are You he who should come, or do we look for another?
John, a rabbi, was doing something very rabbinic. He was prompting Jesus for an answer that only Jesus would give. What he actually asked was, "Are you the coming One?" This is a ramez, which I've explained in previous posts. Only this is a very difficult one to track down. We have to know where in the text Messiah was referenced to as the 'Coming One'. The reference is found in Zechariah:
Zec 9:9-11 HNV
(9) Rejoice greatly, daughter of Tziyon! Shout, daughter of Yerushalayim! Behold, your king comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
(10) I will cut off the chariot from Efrayim, and the horse from Yerushalayim; and the battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak shalom to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
(11) As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.
Why was John asking this in this way? Because the Coming One would set those free who were 'prisoners', and John was definitely this. Here is his question in western English, "Jesus, are you going to leave me in prison?"
What did Jesus say?
Mat 11:4-6 MKJV
(4) Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John again those things which you hear and see:
(5) the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel proclaimed to them.
(6) And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in Me.
If you do not think these men knew the text, this passage should prove to you differently. Jesus is quoting from 6 different places in Isaiah to John, who would have known all of this - by heart.
1) & 4)
Isa 42:6-7 MKJV
(6) I Jehovah have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant of the people, for a Light of the nations;
(7) to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness out of the prison house.
(8) I am Jehovah; that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images.
(9) Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they happen, I cause you to hear.
2) & 3)
Isa 33:23-24 MKJV
(23) Your ropes are loosened, they do not hold the base of the mast; they could not spread the sail. Then the prey of a great spoil shall be divided; the lame take the prey.
(24) And an inhabitant, the people who live in it shall not say, I am sick; iniquity is taken away.
5)
Isa 26:19-20 MKJV
(19) Your dead ones shall live, together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust; for your dew is as the dew of lights, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
(20) Come, my people, enter into your rooms and shut your doors around you; hide for a little moment, until the fury has passed by.
6)
Isa 61:1 MKJV
(1) The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is on Me; because Jehovah has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
All of these references of the sick being made well and the ropes loosened, the lame walking and the ropes loosened, blind eyes opened and the prisoner set free, those made to hear and the prisoner set free, the dead live while the people are beckoned, and the Gospel is preached while the prison doors open. Yet Jesus tells John, "the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel proclaimed to them." What is missing? The captive is set free. John, my friend, it is all true, but you are going to die in prison.
But blessed is he... what? That aren't offended because of these things. What things in our text are so obviously offensive? It is so very hard to know... if you don't know the scriptures. This is a personal challenge - to me.
Mat 11:3 MKJV
(3) And they said to Him, Are You he who should come, or do we look for another?
John, a rabbi, was doing something very rabbinic. He was prompting Jesus for an answer that only Jesus would give. What he actually asked was, "Are you the coming One?" This is a ramez, which I've explained in previous posts. Only this is a very difficult one to track down. We have to know where in the text Messiah was referenced to as the 'Coming One'. The reference is found in Zechariah:
Zec 9:9-11 HNV
(9) Rejoice greatly, daughter of Tziyon! Shout, daughter of Yerushalayim! Behold, your king comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
(10) I will cut off the chariot from Efrayim, and the horse from Yerushalayim; and the battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak shalom to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
(11) As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.
Why was John asking this in this way? Because the Coming One would set those free who were 'prisoners', and John was definitely this. Here is his question in western English, "Jesus, are you going to leave me in prison?"
What did Jesus say?
Mat 11:4-6 MKJV
(4) Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John again those things which you hear and see:
(5) the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel proclaimed to them.
(6) And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in Me.
If you do not think these men knew the text, this passage should prove to you differently. Jesus is quoting from 6 different places in Isaiah to John, who would have known all of this - by heart.
1) & 4)
Isa 42:6-7 MKJV
(6) I Jehovah have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand, and will keep You, and give You for a covenant of the people, for a Light of the nations;
(7) to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness out of the prison house.
(8) I am Jehovah; that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images.
(9) Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they happen, I cause you to hear.
2) & 3)
Isa 33:23-24 MKJV
(23) Your ropes are loosened, they do not hold the base of the mast; they could not spread the sail. Then the prey of a great spoil shall be divided; the lame take the prey.
(24) And an inhabitant, the people who live in it shall not say, I am sick; iniquity is taken away.
5)
Isa 26:19-20 MKJV
(19) Your dead ones shall live, together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust; for your dew is as the dew of lights, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
(20) Come, my people, enter into your rooms and shut your doors around you; hide for a little moment, until the fury has passed by.
6)
Isa 61:1 MKJV
(1) The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is on Me; because Jehovah has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
All of these references of the sick being made well and the ropes loosened, the lame walking and the ropes loosened, blind eyes opened and the prisoner set free, those made to hear and the prisoner set free, the dead live while the people are beckoned, and the Gospel is preached while the prison doors open. Yet Jesus tells John, "the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel proclaimed to them." What is missing? The captive is set free. John, my friend, it is all true, but you are going to die in prison.
But blessed is he... what? That aren't offended because of these things. What things in our text are so obviously offensive? It is so very hard to know... if you don't know the scriptures. This is a personal challenge - to me.
Friday, December 11, 2009
True Discipleship
Jesus spent perhaps thousands of hours memorizing the scriptures - the Tanakh. This was what Jewish children did. By the age of twelve, Jewish boys were to have done their best to memorize Torah - the first five books of the Bible. Naturally, not every boy did. In fact, probably most didn't quite make it - although 'most' would have huge portions of the text memorized.
If the child was particularly talented and had shown an amazing capacity for the scriptures, they could advance to the second level of Jewish schooling - Bet Midrash (understanding - or explanation). This occurred at the age of 12 IF the child had all of Torah memorized. Also, as a rite of passage, the child was allowed to go to Jerusalem on that year on Passover and offer the lamb for his family.
Where do we find Jesus at the age of 12 on Passover? In Jerusalem, at the temple. If you had to venture a guess, would you think He might have been adept at memorizing scriptures?
Being a disciple of Jesus in the truest sense is the endeavor to be just like Him. That means what He found to be important, we, too, should find important. How much time did He spend in the scriptures?
It's very easy to write this off as works... or as legalism, or fill in your own blank. Truly, if one memorizes the entire bible and has not love, he has nothing. But for those of us who have love, or claim to have love, how much time do we really seek to be just like Jesus?
If the child was particularly talented and had shown an amazing capacity for the scriptures, they could advance to the second level of Jewish schooling - Bet Midrash (understanding - or explanation). This occurred at the age of 12 IF the child had all of Torah memorized. Also, as a rite of passage, the child was allowed to go to Jerusalem on that year on Passover and offer the lamb for his family.
Where do we find Jesus at the age of 12 on Passover? In Jerusalem, at the temple. If you had to venture a guess, would you think He might have been adept at memorizing scriptures?
Being a disciple of Jesus in the truest sense is the endeavor to be just like Him. That means what He found to be important, we, too, should find important. How much time did He spend in the scriptures?
It's very easy to write this off as works... or as legalism, or fill in your own blank. Truly, if one memorizes the entire bible and has not love, he has nothing. But for those of us who have love, or claim to have love, how much time do we really seek to be just like Jesus?
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Not Buying Into It
Daniel was quite a guy. He made a name for himself in a pagan nation simply by being true to God and not letting circumstances shake him. With a death sentence upon all wise men - himself included - Daniel won reprieve from the king by interpreting his dream. As a result, he was named the chief wise man.
Dan 2:48 Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over all the province of Babylon, and chief of the prefects over all the wise men of Babylon.
As great an honor as that was, that title came with some baggage that Daniel probably didn't want. Being a wise man, according to his world's standards, was a great thing. But according to his own Godly standard, it was a compromise. Daniel didn't use sorcery or witchcraft to divine answers. He sought God. But as we see below, God didn't always get the credit.
Dan 4:9 MKJV
(9) O Belteshazzar, master of the horoscopists, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its meaning.
He was known as a master of the horoscopists - the chief astrologer. This brings up quite a spiritual dilemma. Do we accept worldly recognition and praise and justify it as the reward of the blessed? Or do we seek the God and let the world find its own heroes? What did Daniel do?
The story shifts to Nebuchadnezzar's grandson who sees the writing on the wall. This is one of the more classic verses that truly comes (hilariously) to life in the King James translation:
Dan 5:6 KJV
(6) Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
The man... was frightened. What he needed was a good horoscopist to translate the writing on the wall.
Dan 5:10-12 MKJV
(10) The queen came into the banquet house because of the king's words, and his nobles. And the queen spoke and said, O king, live forever. Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed.
(11) There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. And in the days of your father there was found in him light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, your father the king, appointed him master of the horoscopists, conjurers, Chaldeans, and fortune-tellers,
(12) because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, explaining of dreams, and revealing of hard sentences, and the unraveling of knots, were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will reveal the meaning.
Here is our answer. Daniel had been the chief astrologer, but where was he now? The king apparently had never heard of him. Only the queen (the king's grandmother, Nebuchadnezzar's wife) remembered Daniel for the wise man he was. Why? Because Daniel had separated himself from the reward of the world - the titles, the prestige, the ceremonies. Reading on, we see that he truly did not care for the recognition of the king:
Dan 5:17 MKJV
(17) Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Yet I will read the writing to the king, and make the meaning known to him.
Daniel's walk with God was one of steadfastness - his eyes always locked on the Father. Daniel was perhaps the only bible persona other than Jesus Himself that never had a single derogatory remark made about him. Despite the law, he prayed. Despite the reward, he remained focused. Despite hardship, he remained thankful. He did not buy into the reward of this world.
Dan 2:48 Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over all the province of Babylon, and chief of the prefects over all the wise men of Babylon.
As great an honor as that was, that title came with some baggage that Daniel probably didn't want. Being a wise man, according to his world's standards, was a great thing. But according to his own Godly standard, it was a compromise. Daniel didn't use sorcery or witchcraft to divine answers. He sought God. But as we see below, God didn't always get the credit.
Dan 4:9 MKJV
(9) O Belteshazzar, master of the horoscopists, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its meaning.
He was known as a master of the horoscopists - the chief astrologer. This brings up quite a spiritual dilemma. Do we accept worldly recognition and praise and justify it as the reward of the blessed? Or do we seek the God and let the world find its own heroes? What did Daniel do?
The story shifts to Nebuchadnezzar's grandson who sees the writing on the wall. This is one of the more classic verses that truly comes (hilariously) to life in the King James translation:
Dan 5:6 KJV
(6) Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
The man... was frightened. What he needed was a good horoscopist to translate the writing on the wall.
Dan 5:10-12 MKJV
(10) The queen came into the banquet house because of the king's words, and his nobles. And the queen spoke and said, O king, live forever. Do not let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed.
(11) There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. And in the days of your father there was found in him light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, your father the king, appointed him master of the horoscopists, conjurers, Chaldeans, and fortune-tellers,
(12) because an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, explaining of dreams, and revealing of hard sentences, and the unraveling of knots, were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will reveal the meaning.
Here is our answer. Daniel had been the chief astrologer, but where was he now? The king apparently had never heard of him. Only the queen (the king's grandmother, Nebuchadnezzar's wife) remembered Daniel for the wise man he was. Why? Because Daniel had separated himself from the reward of the world - the titles, the prestige, the ceremonies. Reading on, we see that he truly did not care for the recognition of the king:
Dan 5:17 MKJV
(17) Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Yet I will read the writing to the king, and make the meaning known to him.
Daniel's walk with God was one of steadfastness - his eyes always locked on the Father. Daniel was perhaps the only bible persona other than Jesus Himself that never had a single derogatory remark made about him. Despite the law, he prayed. Despite the reward, he remained focused. Despite hardship, he remained thankful. He did not buy into the reward of this world.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Who Has Touched Him?
Mar 5:25-31 And a certain woman who had had an issue of blood twelve years, (26) and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and had not been bettered any, but rather came to worse, (27) having heard about Jesus, she came in the press behind and touched His garment. (28) For she said, If I may but touch only His clothes, I will be cured. (29) And instantly the fountain of her blood dried up. And she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. (30) And knowing instantly within Himself that power had gone out of Him, Jesus turned Himself around in the press and said, Who touched My clothes? (31) And His disciples said to Him, You see the crowd pressing on You, and do You say, Who touched Me?
Most of us know this story. We talk about the woman, having suffered so long and having the faith to take a risk. We talk about faith rewarded. But what about all those who had pressed Jesus? What about the many who had touched Him and had never realized.
How many times have we gone to church and left the same way we went in... distracted, annoyed, indifferent? Maybe it wasn't church. Church certainly isn't the only place to find God, although it should be a place we do find Him - without fail. Perhaps that breeze that blew through our hair was His Presence, and we simply thought the AC had kicked on, never knowing the difference.
But He knows the difference, doesn't He.
If we seek nothing, we often find it.
Most of us know this story. We talk about the woman, having suffered so long and having the faith to take a risk. We talk about faith rewarded. But what about all those who had pressed Jesus? What about the many who had touched Him and had never realized.
How many times have we gone to church and left the same way we went in... distracted, annoyed, indifferent? Maybe it wasn't church. Church certainly isn't the only place to find God, although it should be a place we do find Him - without fail. Perhaps that breeze that blew through our hair was His Presence, and we simply thought the AC had kicked on, never knowing the difference.
But He knows the difference, doesn't He.
If we seek nothing, we often find it.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Ignore the Numbers
Jesus did over 90% of His teaching in the area of Galilee, which is a small triangular area cornered by the cities of Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Corazin. The sides of this triangle are approximately 3 miles long.
What do you think of when you think about changing the world with the gospel message? Do you think telling people about Jesus at work has little or no effect? Do you think you have to have the website with thousands of hits? Does it have to be a tent revival that draws thousands?
Jesus spent most of His ministry teaching within a 10 square mile area (closer to 5). Do you think He had much of an effect? Most who heard Him went the other direction. Those who scriptures portray as being the most receptive were often single people in lonely circumstances: a woman at a well, a blind man, an adulteress.
Do not despise small beginnings. Rather plant when you can plant, reap when you can reap, and wait to see what God does with the Harvest.
What do you think of when you think about changing the world with the gospel message? Do you think telling people about Jesus at work has little or no effect? Do you think you have to have the website with thousands of hits? Does it have to be a tent revival that draws thousands?
Jesus spent most of His ministry teaching within a 10 square mile area (closer to 5). Do you think He had much of an effect? Most who heard Him went the other direction. Those who scriptures portray as being the most receptive were often single people in lonely circumstances: a woman at a well, a blind man, an adulteress.
Do not despise small beginnings. Rather plant when you can plant, reap when you can reap, and wait to see what God does with the Harvest.
Friday, December 04, 2009
You Are The Salt of the Earth
In the time of Jesus, people would heat their homes with small, bee-hive type fireplaces in their living spaces. Often they would use olive pressings (pits, skins) from the olive press, which was great fuel, but limited in supply. More often they would use dung from their animals - which was in 'plentiful' supply. This was a good source of fuel because oft-times animals were in the homes, especially at night when it was cold.
One thing that these people learned was that mixing salt into the dung would allow it to burn hotter, longer. After a few fires, however, this mixture would no longer do its job and the fireplace would have to be cleaned out and a new fuel 'mixture' put in. Now, listen to what Jesus said:
Mat 5:13 MKJV
(13) You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and to be trodden underfoot by men.
Yes, we are salt. Yes, salt adds flavor and serves to preserve. But Jesus was telling us that in a world full of 'dung' we can make the fire burn hotter, longer.
Who are you, and why are you here?
One thing that these people learned was that mixing salt into the dung would allow it to burn hotter, longer. After a few fires, however, this mixture would no longer do its job and the fireplace would have to be cleaned out and a new fuel 'mixture' put in. Now, listen to what Jesus said:
Mat 5:13 MKJV
(13) You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, with what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and to be trodden underfoot by men.
Yes, we are salt. Yes, salt adds flavor and serves to preserve. But Jesus was telling us that in a world full of 'dung' we can make the fire burn hotter, longer.
Who are you, and why are you here?
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Feet Like A Deer
Psa 18:32-33 LITV
(32) It is God who girds me with strength and gives my way to be perfect;
(33) setting my feet like the deer, and making me stand on my high places;
Have you ever watched the Green Planet Discover Channel series? What awesome photography and cinematography! Sometimes the information is lacking, but the production is stunning.
Did you see the one where the snow leopard is chasing the mountain goat? It's like... in the Himalaya's or some place like that - where any wrong move or mis-step means certain death. The cat chases this goat hundreds of feet up and down a cliff-face that would be unnavigable to a human. The goat escapes, somehow, and the cat is left forlorn without his dinner.
Can you imagine being able to walk on such terrain? What about 'running' on such terrain?
God says that troubles and trials will come. David had sense enough to ask of God - please Lord give me the FEET to be able to travel the paths you have set before me. After all, even for a goat - it's easier to walk across a plain than a mountain range. But when the rocks come, the goats don't sweat it. They can navigate. They can cope.
God, give us feet to navigate the roads in front of us, because we know it's not always your will to remove the road, or to send us around the other way.
(32) It is God who girds me with strength and gives my way to be perfect;
(33) setting my feet like the deer, and making me stand on my high places;
Have you ever watched the Green Planet Discover Channel series? What awesome photography and cinematography! Sometimes the information is lacking, but the production is stunning.
Did you see the one where the snow leopard is chasing the mountain goat? It's like... in the Himalaya's or some place like that - where any wrong move or mis-step means certain death. The cat chases this goat hundreds of feet up and down a cliff-face that would be unnavigable to a human. The goat escapes, somehow, and the cat is left forlorn without his dinner.
Can you imagine being able to walk on such terrain? What about 'running' on such terrain?
God says that troubles and trials will come. David had sense enough to ask of God - please Lord give me the FEET to be able to travel the paths you have set before me. After all, even for a goat - it's easier to walk across a plain than a mountain range. But when the rocks come, the goats don't sweat it. They can navigate. They can cope.
God, give us feet to navigate the roads in front of us, because we know it's not always your will to remove the road, or to send us around the other way.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Sticks and Stones
Exo 17:5-6 MKJV
(5) And Jehovah said to Moses, Go on in front of the people, and take with you the elders of Israel. And take your rod with which you struck the river, in your hand, and go.
(6) Behold, I will stand before you there upon the rock in Horeb. And you shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, so that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Looking at our Salvation story through events in the Old Testament can be so exciting. Israel represented fallen man, hopelessly enslaved in Egypt. God used Moses to bring them out, through the Red Sea. They were free from Egypt, but only physically free. Mentally they were still enslaved to bitter, selfish souls. They were in the desert.
Notice what God says: take your rod with which you struck the river. The river? The river... which river was that, Lord... because... since we've seen the Nile we've WALKED THROUGH THE RED SEA. Why has God referenced a seemingly small event of the past instead of referencing the HUGE event of walking to freedom through a sea? Here is the verse:
Exo 14:16 MKJV
(16) But lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it. And the sons of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
But no. God is reminding Moses to take the rod he used when he struck the Nile River, which probably seemed eons ago. Moses had struck the Nile in Exodus 7:20 and it turned to blood.
God usually allows mankind to obtain what he pursues, doesn't he? Pharaoh was out for blood. He had decreed the destruction of all the male Hebrew babies by what means? Throwing them in the Nile... But it was the Nile that floated their salvation: Moses. Now God was giving Pharaoh what he wanted - blood.
Back to God's reference. He said, even as you took the rod and struck the river, take the rod and strike the rock.
From here, we can take what we know and apply it. The rod is the cross that struck our Rock, Jesus Christ. From Him came water to nourish us and save us in the desert we were in. Understand, too, that rods have NO CHANCE against rocks. You'd no more set out to break a rock with a stick than you would digging a tunnel with a plastic spoon. Forget it. But the Rock split and water issued forth...
The cross... the Romans... the Jews... had NO CHANCE of killing Jesus unless He laid His life down for us. That He did.
1Jn 3:16 MKJV
(16) By this we have known the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
But the river... what about it? This same cross that was used to bring us water in the desert was also used to destroy the enemy - ultimately bringing him exactly what he wanted. Blood. The cross brings life, but the cross brings death to those who reject it.
(5) And Jehovah said to Moses, Go on in front of the people, and take with you the elders of Israel. And take your rod with which you struck the river, in your hand, and go.
(6) Behold, I will stand before you there upon the rock in Horeb. And you shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, so that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Looking at our Salvation story through events in the Old Testament can be so exciting. Israel represented fallen man, hopelessly enslaved in Egypt. God used Moses to bring them out, through the Red Sea. They were free from Egypt, but only physically free. Mentally they were still enslaved to bitter, selfish souls. They were in the desert.
Notice what God says: take your rod with which you struck the river. The river? The river... which river was that, Lord... because... since we've seen the Nile we've WALKED THROUGH THE RED SEA. Why has God referenced a seemingly small event of the past instead of referencing the HUGE event of walking to freedom through a sea? Here is the verse:
Exo 14:16 MKJV
(16) But lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it. And the sons of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
But no. God is reminding Moses to take the rod he used when he struck the Nile River, which probably seemed eons ago. Moses had struck the Nile in Exodus 7:20 and it turned to blood.
God usually allows mankind to obtain what he pursues, doesn't he? Pharaoh was out for blood. He had decreed the destruction of all the male Hebrew babies by what means? Throwing them in the Nile... But it was the Nile that floated their salvation: Moses. Now God was giving Pharaoh what he wanted - blood.
Back to God's reference. He said, even as you took the rod and struck the river, take the rod and strike the rock.
From here, we can take what we know and apply it. The rod is the cross that struck our Rock, Jesus Christ. From Him came water to nourish us and save us in the desert we were in. Understand, too, that rods have NO CHANCE against rocks. You'd no more set out to break a rock with a stick than you would digging a tunnel with a plastic spoon. Forget it. But the Rock split and water issued forth...
The cross... the Romans... the Jews... had NO CHANCE of killing Jesus unless He laid His life down for us. That He did.
1Jn 3:16 MKJV
(16) By this we have known the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
But the river... what about it? This same cross that was used to bring us water in the desert was also used to destroy the enemy - ultimately bringing him exactly what he wanted. Blood. The cross brings life, but the cross brings death to those who reject it.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
The Promise of Firstfruits
Lev 23:10-12 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. (11) And he shall wave the sheaf before Jehovah to be received for you. On the next day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (12) And you shall offer that day when you wave the sheaf, a male lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering to Jehovah.
Firstfruits is the third high holy day prescribed by God for the Jews to observe; the first two are Passover and Unleavened Bread (a week long celebration). Firstfruits is interesting because it is initiated by the high priest and presented before God. Notice what the priest presents: a sheaf of grain and a male lamb without blemish.
We already know that Jesus was our Passover lamb, without spot or blemish. We also know He was the bread came down from heaven (John 6:33). But what about Firstfruits and what are the implications?
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming;
Jesus was also our Firstfruits offering. He offered Himself to the Lord. When would He have done this? Immediately after His resurrection.
John 20:17 Jesus said to her, Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God.
Later on, you will recall, He tells Thomas to come feel the nail prints in His hand. Why was it okay to touch Him then? Because He had already ascended and accomplished what the priest had to do on Firstfruits!
Now to the implications. The sheaves that were waved before the Lord by the High Priest were considered holy - but because they were waved they also made the rest of the field holy!
Jesus was the Lamb without blemish that had to be presented on First Fruits, but where were His sheaves?
After Jesus died, the earth shook and a strange thing happened:
Mat 27:51-53 And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared, (52) and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose, (53) and coming out of the tomb after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Men rose from the dead! What happened to these? Did they die again? No! These were the sheaves! The would have been taken up with Jesus and presented to the Father. Why? As a down-payment that the rest of the field would soon follow. If that seems like a stretch, read this passage in Ephesians:
Eph 4:8-10 Therefore He says, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." (9) (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He who descended is the same also as He who ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)
The promise of Firstfruits is that we will soon follow because we were made holy by Him who was able.
Rom 11:15-16 For if their casting away is the reconciling of the world, what is the reception except life from the dead? (16) For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, also the branches.
Firstfruits is the third high holy day prescribed by God for the Jews to observe; the first two are Passover and Unleavened Bread (a week long celebration). Firstfruits is interesting because it is initiated by the high priest and presented before God. Notice what the priest presents: a sheaf of grain and a male lamb without blemish.
We already know that Jesus was our Passover lamb, without spot or blemish. We also know He was the bread came down from heaven (John 6:33). But what about Firstfruits and what are the implications?
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming;
Jesus was also our Firstfruits offering. He offered Himself to the Lord. When would He have done this? Immediately after His resurrection.
John 20:17 Jesus said to her, Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God.
Later on, you will recall, He tells Thomas to come feel the nail prints in His hand. Why was it okay to touch Him then? Because He had already ascended and accomplished what the priest had to do on Firstfruits!
Now to the implications. The sheaves that were waved before the Lord by the High Priest were considered holy - but because they were waved they also made the rest of the field holy!
Jesus was the Lamb without blemish that had to be presented on First Fruits, but where were His sheaves?
After Jesus died, the earth shook and a strange thing happened:
Mat 27:51-53 And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared, (52) and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose, (53) and coming out of the tomb after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
Men rose from the dead! What happened to these? Did they die again? No! These were the sheaves! The would have been taken up with Jesus and presented to the Father. Why? As a down-payment that the rest of the field would soon follow. If that seems like a stretch, read this passage in Ephesians:
Eph 4:8-10 Therefore He says, "When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." (9) (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He who descended is the same also as He who ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.)
The promise of Firstfruits is that we will soon follow because we were made holy by Him who was able.
Rom 11:15-16 For if their casting away is the reconciling of the world, what is the reception except life from the dead? (16) For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, also the branches.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Days of Vengeancee
Luke 21:16-22 And you shall be betrayed also by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends. And they will cause some of you to be put to death. (17) And you shall be hated by all for My name's sake. (18) But there shall not a hair of your head perish. (19) By your patience you will gain your souls. (20) And when you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that its destruction has come. (21) And let those in Judea flee to the mountains. And those in its midst, let them go out. And those in the open spaces, let them not go into her. (22) For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Reading a passage like this gets my attention. Jesus was speaking prophetically of Jerusalem, but as in so many cases He wasn't giving away much information. Looking at this passage, we might think this has already happened. After all, in 70AD Jerusalem was sacked and burned by the Romans and many Jews died. If I had to guess, I would say that was a direct fulfillment of verse 20. However, we then get to verse 27:
Luke 21:27 And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Somewhere in the passage... we took a time leap. Confusing. But not totally out of place within scripture. Very often the prophetic message had a early and latter fulfillment. Daniel spoke of the abomination of desolation which did occur by Antiochus Epiphenes. But the real fulfillment he spoke of will be done - again - by the antichrist. Duel fulfillment. Still confusing.
Reading again verse 27, we see that this is a reference to the 2nd coming of Jesus. Why is it the second coming and not the rapture? Because the rapture is a secretive gathering of the saints in the clouds. People will not 'see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory' during the rapture event. However, the second coming will be just this way - public and spectacular.
But to me, this might imply a 'hint' somewhere in the text. If the rapture is a hidden event, is there a hint of it in this text?
Jesus is specific about circumstances. When you have to run for it, and you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that these are Days of Vengeance. See, that is an odd description. It's a title...
Is it used anywhere else? I looked.
Hosea 9:5-7 What will you do in the day of meeting, and in the day of the feast of Jehovah? (6) For lo, they have left because of destruction. Egypt shall gather them up; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess the desirable things of their silver; thorns shall be in their tents. (7) The days of her judgment have come; the days of vengeance have come; Israel shall know it. The prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and the great hatred.
This is the only other place I found the phrase "Days of Vengeance" used. If I look at this passage as a divine link to Luke 21 (oh... and I do!) then this makes an interesting statement.
What will I be doing during the Great Tribulation - Jacob's time of trouble? According to Revelation, I will be at a Marriage Supper of the Lamb. What does Hosea ask? "What will I do in the day of meeting, and in the day of the feast of Jehovah?" "For lo, they have left because of destruction." Who has left? Well... me... for one. "Nettles shall possess the desirable things of their silver." What else happens when millions of people disappear? They leave their riches behind. Why? Because the days of vengeance have come.
It's an interesting cross-reference. Can we be dogmatic about any of it? Probably not, but it's worth discussing.
Reading a passage like this gets my attention. Jesus was speaking prophetically of Jerusalem, but as in so many cases He wasn't giving away much information. Looking at this passage, we might think this has already happened. After all, in 70AD Jerusalem was sacked and burned by the Romans and many Jews died. If I had to guess, I would say that was a direct fulfillment of verse 20. However, we then get to verse 27:
Luke 21:27 And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Somewhere in the passage... we took a time leap. Confusing. But not totally out of place within scripture. Very often the prophetic message had a early and latter fulfillment. Daniel spoke of the abomination of desolation which did occur by Antiochus Epiphenes. But the real fulfillment he spoke of will be done - again - by the antichrist. Duel fulfillment. Still confusing.
Reading again verse 27, we see that this is a reference to the 2nd coming of Jesus. Why is it the second coming and not the rapture? Because the rapture is a secretive gathering of the saints in the clouds. People will not 'see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory' during the rapture event. However, the second coming will be just this way - public and spectacular.
But to me, this might imply a 'hint' somewhere in the text. If the rapture is a hidden event, is there a hint of it in this text?
Jesus is specific about circumstances. When you have to run for it, and you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that these are Days of Vengeance. See, that is an odd description. It's a title...
Is it used anywhere else? I looked.
Hosea 9:5-7 What will you do in the day of meeting, and in the day of the feast of Jehovah? (6) For lo, they have left because of destruction. Egypt shall gather them up; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess the desirable things of their silver; thorns shall be in their tents. (7) The days of her judgment have come; the days of vengeance have come; Israel shall know it. The prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and the great hatred.
This is the only other place I found the phrase "Days of Vengeance" used. If I look at this passage as a divine link to Luke 21 (oh... and I do!) then this makes an interesting statement.
What will I be doing during the Great Tribulation - Jacob's time of trouble? According to Revelation, I will be at a Marriage Supper of the Lamb. What does Hosea ask? "What will I do in the day of meeting, and in the day of the feast of Jehovah?" "For lo, they have left because of destruction." Who has left? Well... me... for one. "Nettles shall possess the desirable things of their silver." What else happens when millions of people disappear? They leave their riches behind. Why? Because the days of vengeance have come.
It's an interesting cross-reference. Can we be dogmatic about any of it? Probably not, but it's worth discussing.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Great Tribulation
The end times present some scary scenarios. If taken out of context, the scriptures can be desparaging. If the Tribulation period is right around the corner (or have we turned that corner already?) what does that mean for Christians? Will Christians have to go through that horrific time?
Just to clarify, what is the Tribulation? The Tribulation is another word for Daniel's 70th week. In Daniel chapter 9, the angel Gabriel gives Daniel a prophetic timeline for just how the end-time scenario is laid out.
Dan 9:24-27 MKJV
(24) Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people and as to your holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
(25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in times of affliction.
(26) And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of the ruler who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, until the end shall be war.
(27) And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abominations, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.
Seventy weeks are decreed that Israel owes God. That's right. Israel. It's all about Israel. That's why this time is also known as the time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). These aren't just weeks of days... they are weeks of years. This 490 year period is divided up into 62 weeks (434 years) and 7 weeks (49 years) and finally in verse 27 comes the last week (7 years). From the information Gabriel gave, we know, historically, exactly when the edict was signed to restore and rebuild Jerusalem and what to add to that date in order to find out when the streets and walls were rebuilt, and then when Jesus was crucified 434 years later. Messiah 'was' cut off (crucified), but not for Himself (then for whom?). He was killed for 'us'.
Verse 27 talks about the final week which begins with a 7-year 'covenant' with Israel. Mid-way through this 7-year period this leader (the antichrist) violates his covenant and causes the sacrifice and offering to cease in the Jewish temple. This is his effort to change the Jewish customs.
Dan 7:25 MKJV
(25) And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and plot to change times and laws. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and one-half time.
Notice, they shall be given unto the hand of the antichrist for 3.5 years. This is the last half of the Tribulation period known as the Great Tribulation. Regarding the Great Tribulation (last 3.5 years of the Tribulation) Jesus said this:
Mat 24:20-21 MKJV
(20) But pray that your flight is not in the winter, nor on the sabbath day;
(21) for then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be.
Lets start with what we know. There will be saved people during the Great Tribulation. That seems obvious from the above verses. The antichrist will 'wear out the saints of the Most High'. Also, the book of Revelation mentions the tribulation saints:
Rev 7:14 MKJV
(14) And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and have whitened them in the blood of the Lamb.
Dan 7:21 MKJV
(21) I watched, and that horn made war with the saints and overcame them
Rev 13:7 MKJV
(7) And it was given to it to war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation.
Ahh it seems hopeless! We are destined to endure horrible things! Indeed... many of us are enduring horrible things every day. Followers of Jesus are imprisoned, tortured, and killed daily because of their testomonies. These are our brothers and sisters. But this is not the Tribulation, for even in the day of Jesus, men such as Steven were stoned because of his witness. Jesus, again, said "then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be."
It will be worse. But there is good news for the church.
1Th 1:10 MKJV
(10) and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:9-10 MKJV
(9) For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him.
The church is not appointed unto wrath. Or perhaps we should ask this: at what point does anyone or anything - antichrist included - prevail over the church? At NO point!
Mat 16:18 MKJV
(18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Isa 54:17 MKJV
(17) No weapon that is formed against you shall be blessed; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from Me, says Jehovah.
So these saints spoken of in Daniel and Revelation are those truly blessed individuals who take advantage of their last chance to receive Jesus. Are they a part of the bride of Christ, the Church? No. The bride makes herself spotless and without blemish 'now', not later.
For those of us who are God-hungry Jesus-followers, we have a duty regarding the time of the end. We must be about the Father's business of winning souls and showing the love of Jesus. But we have a prayer duty as well:
Luk 21:36 MKJV
(36) Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Zep 2:3 DRB
(3) Seek the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, you that have wrought his judgment: seek the just, seek the meek: if by any means you may be hid in the day of the Lord's indignation.
Just to clarify, what is the Tribulation? The Tribulation is another word for Daniel's 70th week. In Daniel chapter 9, the angel Gabriel gives Daniel a prophetic timeline for just how the end-time scenario is laid out.
Dan 9:24-27 MKJV
(24) Seventy weeks are decreed as to your people and as to your holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make atonement for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
(25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going out of the command to restore and to build Jerusalem, to Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in times of affliction.
(26) And after sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself. And the people of the ruler who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. And the end of it shall be with the flood, and ruins are determined, until the end shall be war.
(27) And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abominations, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.
Seventy weeks are decreed that Israel owes God. That's right. Israel. It's all about Israel. That's why this time is also known as the time of Jacob's Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). These aren't just weeks of days... they are weeks of years. This 490 year period is divided up into 62 weeks (434 years) and 7 weeks (49 years) and finally in verse 27 comes the last week (7 years). From the information Gabriel gave, we know, historically, exactly when the edict was signed to restore and rebuild Jerusalem and what to add to that date in order to find out when the streets and walls were rebuilt, and then when Jesus was crucified 434 years later. Messiah 'was' cut off (crucified), but not for Himself (then for whom?). He was killed for 'us'.
Verse 27 talks about the final week which begins with a 7-year 'covenant' with Israel. Mid-way through this 7-year period this leader (the antichrist) violates his covenant and causes the sacrifice and offering to cease in the Jewish temple. This is his effort to change the Jewish customs.
Dan 7:25 MKJV
(25) And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and plot to change times and laws. And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and one-half time.
Notice, they shall be given unto the hand of the antichrist for 3.5 years. This is the last half of the Tribulation period known as the Great Tribulation. Regarding the Great Tribulation (last 3.5 years of the Tribulation) Jesus said this:
Mat 24:20-21 MKJV
(20) But pray that your flight is not in the winter, nor on the sabbath day;
(21) for then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be.
Lets start with what we know. There will be saved people during the Great Tribulation. That seems obvious from the above verses. The antichrist will 'wear out the saints of the Most High'. Also, the book of Revelation mentions the tribulation saints:
Rev 7:14 MKJV
(14) And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and have whitened them in the blood of the Lamb.
Dan 7:21 MKJV
(21) I watched, and that horn made war with the saints and overcame them
Rev 13:7 MKJV
(7) And it was given to it to war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation.
Ahh it seems hopeless! We are destined to endure horrible things! Indeed... many of us are enduring horrible things every day. Followers of Jesus are imprisoned, tortured, and killed daily because of their testomonies. These are our brothers and sisters. But this is not the Tribulation, for even in the day of Jesus, men such as Steven were stoned because of his witness. Jesus, again, said "then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be."
It will be worse. But there is good news for the church.
1Th 1:10 MKJV
(10) and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Th 5:9-10 MKJV
(9) For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him.
The church is not appointed unto wrath. Or perhaps we should ask this: at what point does anyone or anything - antichrist included - prevail over the church? At NO point!
Mat 16:18 MKJV
(18) And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Isa 54:17 MKJV
(17) No weapon that is formed against you shall be blessed; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from Me, says Jehovah.
So these saints spoken of in Daniel and Revelation are those truly blessed individuals who take advantage of their last chance to receive Jesus. Are they a part of the bride of Christ, the Church? No. The bride makes herself spotless and without blemish 'now', not later.
For those of us who are God-hungry Jesus-followers, we have a duty regarding the time of the end. We must be about the Father's business of winning souls and showing the love of Jesus. But we have a prayer duty as well:
Luk 21:36 MKJV
(36) Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Zep 2:3 DRB
(3) Seek the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, you that have wrought his judgment: seek the just, seek the meek: if by any means you may be hid in the day of the Lord's indignation.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sharing Glory with Idols
Have you ever wondered why some people experience the miraculous more than others? Does it seem as though some people have a hotline to Heaven, while others can't get a prayer through?
I'd like to address some possibilities to consider. It is very interesting to compare cultures and their response to the gospel of Jesus. Those who are poor are nearly always more apt to receive the news of Jesus than those who are rich. That appears to be an unfair statement, but in this case, experience agrees with scripture.
Mat 19:23 MKJV
(23) Then Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Why is this the case? Jesus answers this as well:
Rev 3:17 MKJV
(17) Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
Rich people are just not needy people. The flesh tells a lie. It says, "All is well. Relax." And the spirit goes to sleep, not realizing the peril it is in.
But back to our question. Why does it seem as though God responds to some and ignores others?
We cannot deny that our nation has been immensely blessed. Most of this blessing has come 'after' the formation of the nation of Israel, for once it formed in 1948 we blessed their existence as a nation. As a result, God has blessed us - as He promised to do in Genesis 12:3. And He did not bless us 'just a little'. We have for decades consumed the majority of what the world has produced.
But now we turn our backs - publicly - on God and on Israel. What happens now? Hardship. Famine. Terror. Drought. Disaster. Pandemic.
Our reliance upon God is ending - as a culture. That means we rely upon other things. Idols. If we get sick, we rely upon medicines... or doctors... or science (please please please find a cure!). If we are impoverished, we rely up charity organizations or government programs. If we are lonely we look to church (ouch... that can be an idol?). If we are bored we look to sports. I'm not just pointing fingers outwardly, either. How many football games kept me up so late I didn't want to read my bible? I plead the 5th, but God knows.
Shift the focus to Ethiopia. An aids victim may get healed by a prayer of healing. A blind man might receive his sight. This stuff happens daily. Why? They have no faith that medicine will arrive, or that doctors will come, or that they could afford help if it were there. If you tell them God can heal, they believe. God doesn't like sharing His glory with idols.
This is not to say that medicine is bad. Idolizing it is. Putting it before God is.
Also notice that some nations are in continual drought or war or famine. WHY? Because if the 1% of Christians in those nations do pray for relief, 99% of the people give credit to idol gods. We are heading in this direction as a nation.
Then what should we do? Scripture says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if God's people who are called by His name will humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, He will heal their land. But He never says He will heal 'all' the land. Just their land. It's like living in the bubble of the Lord's protection. Put your faith in the One who is in control, first. Next, look at what He might be using for your provision - be it medicine, government, or science.
I'd like to address some possibilities to consider. It is very interesting to compare cultures and their response to the gospel of Jesus. Those who are poor are nearly always more apt to receive the news of Jesus than those who are rich. That appears to be an unfair statement, but in this case, experience agrees with scripture.
Mat 19:23 MKJV
(23) Then Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Why is this the case? Jesus answers this as well:
Rev 3:17 MKJV
(17) Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
Rich people are just not needy people. The flesh tells a lie. It says, "All is well. Relax." And the spirit goes to sleep, not realizing the peril it is in.
But back to our question. Why does it seem as though God responds to some and ignores others?
We cannot deny that our nation has been immensely blessed. Most of this blessing has come 'after' the formation of the nation of Israel, for once it formed in 1948 we blessed their existence as a nation. As a result, God has blessed us - as He promised to do in Genesis 12:3. And He did not bless us 'just a little'. We have for decades consumed the majority of what the world has produced.
But now we turn our backs - publicly - on God and on Israel. What happens now? Hardship. Famine. Terror. Drought. Disaster. Pandemic.
Our reliance upon God is ending - as a culture. That means we rely upon other things. Idols. If we get sick, we rely upon medicines... or doctors... or science (please please please find a cure!). If we are impoverished, we rely up charity organizations or government programs. If we are lonely we look to church (ouch... that can be an idol?). If we are bored we look to sports. I'm not just pointing fingers outwardly, either. How many football games kept me up so late I didn't want to read my bible? I plead the 5th, but God knows.
Shift the focus to Ethiopia. An aids victim may get healed by a prayer of healing. A blind man might receive his sight. This stuff happens daily. Why? They have no faith that medicine will arrive, or that doctors will come, or that they could afford help if it were there. If you tell them God can heal, they believe. God doesn't like sharing His glory with idols.
This is not to say that medicine is bad. Idolizing it is. Putting it before God is.
Also notice that some nations are in continual drought or war or famine. WHY? Because if the 1% of Christians in those nations do pray for relief, 99% of the people give credit to idol gods. We are heading in this direction as a nation.
Then what should we do? Scripture says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if God's people who are called by His name will humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, He will heal their land. But He never says He will heal 'all' the land. Just their land. It's like living in the bubble of the Lord's protection. Put your faith in the One who is in control, first. Next, look at what He might be using for your provision - be it medicine, government, or science.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Who Was That Guy?
It was the first recorded miracle that Jesus did. He turned water into wine at a wedding. His mother was there. Most-likely, His entire family was there. After all, feasts were celebrations that didn't occur every day. People didn't just pass on feast invitations - normally.
Being a wedding, there was much wine to be served, only on this occasion the host ran out. Here is what John wrote:
John 2:3-8
(3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
(4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
(5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
(6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
(7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
(8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
Jesus created the wine, and the servants took it away. What many do not know is that an ancient prayer would have been said before the wine was consumed. The Jewish people still cite this prayer today before wine is tasted. It goes something like this:
Being a wedding, there was much wine to be served, only on this occasion the host ran out. Here is what John wrote:
John 2:3-8
(3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
(4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
(5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
(6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
(7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
(8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
Jesus created the wine, and the servants took it away. What many do not know is that an ancient prayer would have been said before the wine was consumed. The Jewish people still cite this prayer today before wine is tasted. It goes something like this:
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha‑olam, bo're p'ri ha‑gafen.
Translation: "Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine."
But what the servants did not know was that the man in the next room was the Lord God, King of the Universe, who had just created the fruit of the vine.Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Not-So-Famous Last Words
Some people today put great stock in Mary, Mother of Jesus. Some have even gone so far as to deify her. Mary was a great woman. She was truly a blessed girl at the time the angel visited upon her the news of her destiny. She was a virgin. She was pure of heart. She loved God.
Mary, as blessed as she was, would have also lived a cursed existence in the eyes of some. She experienced a face-to-face meeting with an angel, which could have cause many of us a heart attack. The 'good news' she was given was that she was going to be pregnant - supernaturally (how will 'that' work?) - before marriage (what will Joseph think?) and at a time when being pregnant probably wasn't on her to-do list. Stress-free?
But not only that... she was to give birth to the Son of God. That responsibility might have had some weight to it. What if she fed Him bad meat? What if He gets hit by a chariot? What if...
Herod.
What if the president gives orders to kill all the male babies that are the age of MY baby? Stress free?
And... what does it mean that He will be the Lamb of God? All that lambs are good for is sacrifice. I... don't... like... the... sound... of... that...
What a blessed existence! Not. But what a wonderful woman - Mary. What a strong, strong woman she must have been! But should she be deified?
No, scripture indicates no more about this wonderful woman than she was pure - a virgin before the birth of Jesus - a caring mother and an obedient wife. But perhaps the most interesting thing I know about Mary was the last thing - chronologically - that she said:
(Joh 2:5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
If you are paying too much attention to Mary, then pay attention to her last instruction! Whatever HE says, do it! Whatever Jesus says.... DO IT!
Mary, as blessed as she was, would have also lived a cursed existence in the eyes of some. She experienced a face-to-face meeting with an angel, which could have cause many of us a heart attack. The 'good news' she was given was that she was going to be pregnant - supernaturally (how will 'that' work?) - before marriage (what will Joseph think?) and at a time when being pregnant probably wasn't on her to-do list. Stress-free?
But not only that... she was to give birth to the Son of God. That responsibility might have had some weight to it. What if she fed Him bad meat? What if He gets hit by a chariot? What if...
Herod.
What if the president gives orders to kill all the male babies that are the age of MY baby? Stress free?
And... what does it mean that He will be the Lamb of God? All that lambs are good for is sacrifice. I... don't... like... the... sound... of... that...
What a blessed existence! Not. But what a wonderful woman - Mary. What a strong, strong woman she must have been! But should she be deified?
No, scripture indicates no more about this wonderful woman than she was pure - a virgin before the birth of Jesus - a caring mother and an obedient wife. But perhaps the most interesting thing I know about Mary was the last thing - chronologically - that she said:
(Joh 2:5) His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
If you are paying too much attention to Mary, then pay attention to her last instruction! Whatever HE says, do it! Whatever Jesus says.... DO IT!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Rock of Ages
Dan 2:31-35 MKJV
(31) You, O king, were seeing. And, behold! A great image! That great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you. And its form was dreadful.
(32) This image's head was of fine gold; his breast and his arms were of silver; his belly and his thighs were of bronze;
(33) his legs were of iron; his feet were part of iron and part of clay.
(34) You watched until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image upon its feet which were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
(35) Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken to pieces together. And they became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. And the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
What a dream! Have you ever had a dream such as this? At face value, it doesn't seem to be such a horrible dream. Certainly it's nothing like Freddie chasing you down a dark alleyway. But there was something about this dream. In verse 1, it said "Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, with which his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. "
The explanation of the dream revealed a prophecy of the entirety of the last days, beginning with the very time of Daniel. It was a visual timeline. As Daniel described, the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian Empire, followed by the Meado-Persian Empire (breast/arms of silver), followed by Alexander's Greek Empire (stomach/thighs of bronze), the Roman Empire (legs of iron), and the final empire of man, the feet of iron and clay. The statue was that of a man to represent the best man could bring.
Notice, however, that a single solitary stone strikes the statue upon its feet. The final world empire of man will be destroyed by a single stone - the Stone the Builders rejected (Matt 21:42). The destruction by this single event will be so definite, so final, that Daniel saw it as chaff being blown away by the wind. Have you ever taken a hand full of hay and thrown it up into the wind? It is perhaps one of the most inconsequential things that can be done. Chaff in the wind cannot harm even the smallest of flying insects.
Where are we now? I'd say right about the ankles. There will be no other great world empires until the empire of iron and clay comes to power.
Then this Stone, which destroyed the last great empire of man, grows until it becomes a mountain so large it fills the entire earth.
Isa 9:7 There is no end of the increase of His government and peace on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on, even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will do this.
During a time when our representatives are not representing the will of those who elected them, and during a time when the highest of offices are not only pushing unpatriotic ideals but flat-out traitorous ideals, there is something that comes into my mind. There is a Stone coming your way. It's bigger than you think, and the astronomers aren't going to pick this one up in time. Get ready.
(31) You, O king, were seeing. And, behold! A great image! That great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you. And its form was dreadful.
(32) This image's head was of fine gold; his breast and his arms were of silver; his belly and his thighs were of bronze;
(33) his legs were of iron; his feet were part of iron and part of clay.
(34) You watched until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image upon its feet which were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
(35) Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were broken to pieces together. And they became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. And the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
What a dream! Have you ever had a dream such as this? At face value, it doesn't seem to be such a horrible dream. Certainly it's nothing like Freddie chasing you down a dark alleyway. But there was something about this dream. In verse 1, it said "Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, with which his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. "
The explanation of the dream revealed a prophecy of the entirety of the last days, beginning with the very time of Daniel. It was a visual timeline. As Daniel described, the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian Empire, followed by the Meado-Persian Empire (breast/arms of silver), followed by Alexander's Greek Empire (stomach/thighs of bronze), the Roman Empire (legs of iron), and the final empire of man, the feet of iron and clay. The statue was that of a man to represent the best man could bring.
Notice, however, that a single solitary stone strikes the statue upon its feet. The final world empire of man will be destroyed by a single stone - the Stone the Builders rejected (Matt 21:42). The destruction by this single event will be so definite, so final, that Daniel saw it as chaff being blown away by the wind. Have you ever taken a hand full of hay and thrown it up into the wind? It is perhaps one of the most inconsequential things that can be done. Chaff in the wind cannot harm even the smallest of flying insects.
Where are we now? I'd say right about the ankles. There will be no other great world empires until the empire of iron and clay comes to power.
Then this Stone, which destroyed the last great empire of man, grows until it becomes a mountain so large it fills the entire earth.
Isa 9:7 There is no end of the increase of His government and peace on the throne of David, and on His kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on, even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will do this.
During a time when our representatives are not representing the will of those who elected them, and during a time when the highest of offices are not only pushing unpatriotic ideals but flat-out traitorous ideals, there is something that comes into my mind. There is a Stone coming your way. It's bigger than you think, and the astronomers aren't going to pick this one up in time. Get ready.
Monday, November 09, 2009
The War of Ezekiel 38-39
Have you ever read Ezekiel 38-39? It is an interesting passage. Basically Ezekiel is given a description of a last-days surprise attack upon Israel that sees God's hand move and Israel's enemies miraculously destroyed. Who will be involved?
Iran, Turkey, Russia, Libya, and Sudan (Ethiopia region) are the closest modern representations of the ancient names given. But oddly enough, these are all currently coalesced against Israel.
Eze 38:18-23 MKJV
(18) And it shall be on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah, My fury shall come up in My face.
(19) For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great quaking in the land of Israel,
(20) so that the fish of the sea, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men on the face of the earth, shall quake at My presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
(21) And I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains, says the Lord Jehovah. Each man's sword shall be against his brother.
(22) And I will judge him with a plague and with blood. And I will rain on him, and on his bands, and on the many peoples with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.
(23) So I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself. And I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am Jehovah.
If you have ever seen the beginning of the movie Left Behind, you might remember the scene where all of the aircraft are mysteriously falling out of the air. That seems to be an accurate and reasonable recreation of what a futile 'modern' attack on Israel might look like if God intervened. But what would it mean for the rest of us?
First of all, such a war would be instantly covered by the world media. Although most outlets would only get the aftermath of the war, it would all be about the same news: A Massive Military Operation Against the Nation of Israel Has Failed.
What would that do to Christians who have been expecting this type of conflict for a few years now? What would it do to your faith if you knew that Bible prophecy had just been fulfilled in your sight? What would that do to the faith of millions of Muslims who believe it's their destiny to occupy the land of Israel?
What about life as we know it? Gasoline prices would immediately triple. Those who could barely afford the drive to work would have to find a different option. Carpooling? Biking? Working from home? Companies would have to institute work-from-home or 4-day work weeks in order to keep their workers. Others would have to make cutbacks because of the nose-dive our economy would take. A war like this would change things.
Would church services be any more full on Sunday mornings? Perhaps. They were after 9-11... for a few weeks. We should consider these things. In the past couple of weeks, Turkey has signed agreements with Iran that make them strategic partners. This was the last missing link in the coalition of nations described by Ezekiel. Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear sites still seems eminent. Israel cannot afford a nuclear Iran. What will be the spark that sets off the war of Ezekiel 38?
When this happens, will you be prepared to witness like you have never witnessed before? Assuming we get this opportunity, we may never have a better one before the Lord's return.
Iran, Turkey, Russia, Libya, and Sudan (Ethiopia region) are the closest modern representations of the ancient names given. But oddly enough, these are all currently coalesced against Israel.
Eze 38:18-23 MKJV
(18) And it shall be on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, says the Lord Jehovah, My fury shall come up in My face.
(19) For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great quaking in the land of Israel,
(20) so that the fish of the sea, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men on the face of the earth, shall quake at My presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.
(21) And I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains, says the Lord Jehovah. Each man's sword shall be against his brother.
(22) And I will judge him with a plague and with blood. And I will rain on him, and on his bands, and on the many peoples with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire and brimstone.
(23) So I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself. And I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am Jehovah.
If you have ever seen the beginning of the movie Left Behind, you might remember the scene where all of the aircraft are mysteriously falling out of the air. That seems to be an accurate and reasonable recreation of what a futile 'modern' attack on Israel might look like if God intervened. But what would it mean for the rest of us?
First of all, such a war would be instantly covered by the world media. Although most outlets would only get the aftermath of the war, it would all be about the same news: A Massive Military Operation Against the Nation of Israel Has Failed.
What would that do to Christians who have been expecting this type of conflict for a few years now? What would it do to your faith if you knew that Bible prophecy had just been fulfilled in your sight? What would that do to the faith of millions of Muslims who believe it's their destiny to occupy the land of Israel?
What about life as we know it? Gasoline prices would immediately triple. Those who could barely afford the drive to work would have to find a different option. Carpooling? Biking? Working from home? Companies would have to institute work-from-home or 4-day work weeks in order to keep their workers. Others would have to make cutbacks because of the nose-dive our economy would take. A war like this would change things.
Would church services be any more full on Sunday mornings? Perhaps. They were after 9-11... for a few weeks. We should consider these things. In the past couple of weeks, Turkey has signed agreements with Iran that make them strategic partners. This was the last missing link in the coalition of nations described by Ezekiel. Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear sites still seems eminent. Israel cannot afford a nuclear Iran. What will be the spark that sets off the war of Ezekiel 38?
When this happens, will you be prepared to witness like you have never witnessed before? Assuming we get this opportunity, we may never have a better one before the Lord's return.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Keep It Simple
Mat 11:28-30 MKJV
(28) Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
(30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
I've been wrestling with my posting - of late. The reasons are many. For one, I have been over-inspired. Since my last posting, the prophetic time clock has moved forward. More pieces have fallen into place that have added resolution to the picture of Jesus' eminent return. There is more news screaming that it's here.... folks... it's literally time. Look up.
So, for no lack of writing material, I've written nothing because I've just been overwhelmed. Today's post is a passage that should help us in these stressful times. However, I'd like to speak about one part of the above passage.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
Learn from Me, for (because) I am meek and lowly in heart. Stop. WHY is that a reason to learn from a teacher? How many teachers that you've been drawn to because they were meek? How many teachers sell their teaching because of the opposite? They are brash, they are arrogant, they are cocky, they are loud, they are ________?
Truly, in American English is it easy to read this passage incorrectly. Jesus says this: "Look at me. Do I look stressed out? Do I look afraid? Learn this from me and you will find REST." Wow! How can I do that when the economy is tanking? How can I do that if Israel attacks Iran and gasoline goes to $8/gallon?
The yoke of Jesus is simple.
Mat 22:37-39 MKJV
(37) Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
When everything is done out of love, the load gets so much lighter, doesn't it? That's why fishing is rarely considered 'work'! If we can simplify our lives, and just get back to the basic - Love - with the love the Lord gives us - then we will find rest even in these perilous times.
(28) Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
(30) For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
I've been wrestling with my posting - of late. The reasons are many. For one, I have been over-inspired. Since my last posting, the prophetic time clock has moved forward. More pieces have fallen into place that have added resolution to the picture of Jesus' eminent return. There is more news screaming that it's here.... folks... it's literally time. Look up.
So, for no lack of writing material, I've written nothing because I've just been overwhelmed. Today's post is a passage that should help us in these stressful times. However, I'd like to speak about one part of the above passage.
(29) Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls.
Learn from Me, for (because) I am meek and lowly in heart. Stop. WHY is that a reason to learn from a teacher? How many teachers that you've been drawn to because they were meek? How many teachers sell their teaching because of the opposite? They are brash, they are arrogant, they are cocky, they are loud, they are ________?
Truly, in American English is it easy to read this passage incorrectly. Jesus says this: "Look at me. Do I look stressed out? Do I look afraid? Learn this from me and you will find REST." Wow! How can I do that when the economy is tanking? How can I do that if Israel attacks Iran and gasoline goes to $8/gallon?
The yoke of Jesus is simple.
Mat 22:37-39 MKJV
(37) Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
When everything is done out of love, the load gets so much lighter, doesn't it? That's why fishing is rarely considered 'work'! If we can simplify our lives, and just get back to the basic - Love - with the love the Lord gives us - then we will find rest even in these perilous times.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Worrying For Nothing
There are many people concerned about world peace right now. It falls right in line with what Luke wrote about the status quo in the last days:
Luk 21:25-26 LITV
(25) And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with bewilderment, roaring of sea and of surf,
(26) men fainting from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the earth. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
This is the beginning of a great 'shaking'. Truly, it does feel as though things have been shaken up greatly since the 90's. The 90's seem like 50 years ago, don't they?
The world is worried - for good reason. Those who aren't tend to be those in denial or the totally naive. Or there is the group that knows what the Bible says about it all.
One of the focal points of all this unrest is the tiny nation of Israel. Several times this week I have seen news or opinion writers portray Israel in a precarious position. I would like to address this briefly. Israel, the land, the people, the temple, the mosque, the mountain, the goats, the oranges... everything... belongs to the God of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). He made certain promises regarding His land, about His plans for it, about who would live in it temporarily and permanently, and about when all this would happen.
Something should be understood amongst Christians and Jews alike. Israel's existence is in no danger. She will never again be a non-entity. Israel, as a nation, is as sure as God Himself. She is infinitely more sure than the United States, Russia, and Iran. Is there danger to the Jewish people? Sadly, yes. These are an oppressed people, but that is what it is - oppression. Will they survive? Yes. Will there be sad times? Absolutely.
One of the mightiest angels in God's heaven stands as protector of the nation of Israel - Michael.
Dan 12:1 LITV
(1) And at that time, Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of distress, such as has not been from the being of a nation until that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the Book.
Satan has warred with Michael over the body of Moses. Michael prevailed. If Satan himself cannot prevail over the protector of Israel, we should all realize that Israel is not going anywhere. That is not to say that God's word alone isn't protection enough.
We can muse and distress over the events of the Middle East, but it is in vain. Those who threaten God's chosen people are cursed from the beginning, according to Gen 27:29. Have you ever observed the actions of the cursed? Nothing goes their way. Even small victories are hollow and temporary. They are never fulfilled, and their rage drives them to their next defeat. This is the path of the enemies of God and His people.
Psa 2:1-12 ASV
(1) Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
(2) The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,
(3) Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
(4) He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.
(5) Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:
(6) Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
(7) I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.
(8) Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
(9) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
(10) Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
(11) Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
(12) Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.
Luk 21:25-26 LITV
(25) And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars. And on the earth will be anxiety of nations with bewilderment, roaring of sea and of surf,
(26) men fainting from fear, and expectation of the things coming on the earth. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
This is the beginning of a great 'shaking'. Truly, it does feel as though things have been shaken up greatly since the 90's. The 90's seem like 50 years ago, don't they?
The world is worried - for good reason. Those who aren't tend to be those in denial or the totally naive. Or there is the group that knows what the Bible says about it all.
One of the focal points of all this unrest is the tiny nation of Israel. Several times this week I have seen news or opinion writers portray Israel in a precarious position. I would like to address this briefly. Israel, the land, the people, the temple, the mosque, the mountain, the goats, the oranges... everything... belongs to the God of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). He made certain promises regarding His land, about His plans for it, about who would live in it temporarily and permanently, and about when all this would happen.
Something should be understood amongst Christians and Jews alike. Israel's existence is in no danger. She will never again be a non-entity. Israel, as a nation, is as sure as God Himself. She is infinitely more sure than the United States, Russia, and Iran. Is there danger to the Jewish people? Sadly, yes. These are an oppressed people, but that is what it is - oppression. Will they survive? Yes. Will there be sad times? Absolutely.
One of the mightiest angels in God's heaven stands as protector of the nation of Israel - Michael.
Dan 12:1 LITV
(1) And at that time, Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of distress, such as has not been from the being of a nation until that time. And at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the Book.
Satan has warred with Michael over the body of Moses. Michael prevailed. If Satan himself cannot prevail over the protector of Israel, we should all realize that Israel is not going anywhere. That is not to say that God's word alone isn't protection enough.
We can muse and distress over the events of the Middle East, but it is in vain. Those who threaten God's chosen people are cursed from the beginning, according to Gen 27:29. Have you ever observed the actions of the cursed? Nothing goes their way. Even small victories are hollow and temporary. They are never fulfilled, and their rage drives them to their next defeat. This is the path of the enemies of God and His people.
Psa 2:1-12 ASV
(1) Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
(2) The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against Jehovah, and against his anointed, saying,
(3) Let us break their bonds asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
(4) He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh: The Lord will have them in derision.
(5) Then will he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure:
(6) Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
(7) I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, Thou art my son; This day have I begotten thee.
(8) Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
(9) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
(10) Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
(11) Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
(12) Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in him.
Monday, October 19, 2009
It's Here, Sooner Than You Think
For the few Christians who have not been stirred from their slumber of late, there are a few warning signs happening now that should bring sobriety. One world government is on our doorstep. How and why? The excuses are being made up and ratified for us. We are giving our sovereignty away each day. The Constitution is no longer of any effect. If those in power don't care for the wording, they change it. As a nation, we've already given in.
But really... how could they pull off a one-world government?
This is how they are currently planning to pull it off:
Copenhagen negotiating text: 200 pages to save the world?
Lord Christopher Monckton, former science advisor to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher spoke to an audience of over 700 at Bethel University in St. Paul recently and had this to say:
"At [the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in] Copenhagen this December, weeks away, a treaty will be signed," Monckton told a Minnesota Free Market Institute audience on Thursday at Bethel University in St. Paul.
"Your president will sign it. Most of the Third World countries will sign it, because they think they're going to get money out of it. Most of the left-wing regimes from the European Union will rubber stamp it. Virtually nobody won't sign it," he told the audience of some 700 attendees.
"I read that treaty and what it says is this: that a world government is going to be created. The word 'government' actually appears as the first of three purposes of the new entity.
"The second purpose is the transfer of wealth from the countries of the West to Third World countries, in satisfaction of what is called, coyly, 'climate debt' – because we've been burning CO2 and they haven't. We've been screwing up the climate and they haven't. And the third purpose of this new entity, this government is enforcement."
This is all okay. At some point, our nation has to give up its status as 'the' superpower. Jesus is not going to walk into Washington DC and set up shop. There comes a time when "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Messiah. He will reign forever and ever!" Rev 11:15
But really... how could they pull off a one-world government?
This is how they are currently planning to pull it off:
Copenhagen negotiating text: 200 pages to save the world?
Lord Christopher Monckton, former science advisor to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher spoke to an audience of over 700 at Bethel University in St. Paul recently and had this to say:
"At [the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in] Copenhagen this December, weeks away, a treaty will be signed," Monckton told a Minnesota Free Market Institute audience on Thursday at Bethel University in St. Paul.
"Your president will sign it. Most of the Third World countries will sign it, because they think they're going to get money out of it. Most of the left-wing regimes from the European Union will rubber stamp it. Virtually nobody won't sign it," he told the audience of some 700 attendees.
"I read that treaty and what it says is this: that a world government is going to be created. The word 'government' actually appears as the first of three purposes of the new entity.
"The second purpose is the transfer of wealth from the countries of the West to Third World countries, in satisfaction of what is called, coyly, 'climate debt' – because we've been burning CO2 and they haven't. We've been screwing up the climate and they haven't. And the third purpose of this new entity, this government is enforcement."
This is all okay. At some point, our nation has to give up its status as 'the' superpower. Jesus is not going to walk into Washington DC and set up shop. There comes a time when "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Messiah. He will reign forever and ever!" Rev 11:15
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Maintaining Ownership
Have you ever bought a new car? Fresh off the lot... new car smell... gleaming paint job you could swim laps in... Maybe you haven't but imagine you have. What was it like to park that car in the driveway for the first time? When little Joey came out of the house with the ball bat and started swinging at rocks in the driveway, did you encourage him to GO SOMEWHERE ELSE?
What about after that new car has been sitting in the driveway for 7 years. It has been hailed on, dented, scratched... are you as protective?
It is a little bit hard to draw the line, but bear with me. Spiritually speaking, we can easily become like the man with the 7-year old Oldsmobile in the driveway. When the Spirit of the Lord is heavy upon us, we claim and we declare the blood of Jesus over our families, homes, or churches. We war continually against spirits, powers, and principalities. But as life goes by and we get beaten up a little, we might relax our guard.
The enemy does respect the authority of the child of God. However we must maintain the watch. We must be continually vigilant.
(1Pe 5:8 KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
If we concede our duty as God-ordained protector of our homes - even for a season - we open the door to the enemy that once was shut. Re-claim. Re-assert. Recover.
What about after that new car has been sitting in the driveway for 7 years. It has been hailed on, dented, scratched... are you as protective?
It is a little bit hard to draw the line, but bear with me. Spiritually speaking, we can easily become like the man with the 7-year old Oldsmobile in the driveway. When the Spirit of the Lord is heavy upon us, we claim and we declare the blood of Jesus over our families, homes, or churches. We war continually against spirits, powers, and principalities. But as life goes by and we get beaten up a little, we might relax our guard.
The enemy does respect the authority of the child of God. However we must maintain the watch. We must be continually vigilant.
(1Pe 5:8 KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
If we concede our duty as God-ordained protector of our homes - even for a season - we open the door to the enemy that once was shut. Re-claim. Re-assert. Recover.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Head Knowledge vs Heart Knowledge
Imagine that you were in big car wreck and due to head trauma, you lost your memory for a while. Perhaps you couldn't remember your spouse, if your relationship was good or bad, or even how you met. In the process of relearning about your life, you memorized certain dates - like your anniversary. Until your memory was restored, all you had was a head knowledge of a pivotal day in your life. It was a factual day, a big day, but with no recollection... just a day.
Stare down at your wedding ring. What would it mean to you in that situation?
When the prodigal son came back home, the Father immediately put a robe around his shoulders and placed his ring on his finger. He restored his authority immediately. Wow! What do you think that might have meant to the wayward son?
As Christians, we walk around with that ring on, but we really do not understand the implications. It's as though we have amnesia, unable to associate what we have with how we got it. The ring is an object with no real significance in our lives and it effects how we live.
The devil knows what that ring means. All of his host know what that ring means. But until you step into the realm of authority that the ring signifies, nobody has to respect the fact that it's on your finger and that you are a child of the King.
What is the result of living with title only? Powerlessness. Just ask Nebuchadnezzar. He was given a form of amnesia of his own because of pride:
Daniel 4:33-36 LITV
(33) The same hour the thing was fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar. And he was driven from men, and he ate the grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the heavens, until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
(34) And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to the heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High. And I praised and honored Him who lives forever, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His rule from generation to generation.
(35) And all those living in the earth are counted as nothing. And He does according to His will among the army of Heaven, and among those living in the earth. And no one is able to strike His hand or say to Him, What are You doing?
(36) At that time my reason returned to me, and the glory of my kingdom, my majesty, and my brightness returned to me. And my advisers and my nobles sought to me. And I was reestablished in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
Stare down at your wedding ring. What would it mean to you in that situation?
When the prodigal son came back home, the Father immediately put a robe around his shoulders and placed his ring on his finger. He restored his authority immediately. Wow! What do you think that might have meant to the wayward son?
As Christians, we walk around with that ring on, but we really do not understand the implications. It's as though we have amnesia, unable to associate what we have with how we got it. The ring is an object with no real significance in our lives and it effects how we live.
The devil knows what that ring means. All of his host know what that ring means. But until you step into the realm of authority that the ring signifies, nobody has to respect the fact that it's on your finger and that you are a child of the King.
What is the result of living with title only? Powerlessness. Just ask Nebuchadnezzar. He was given a form of amnesia of his own because of pride:
Daniel 4:33-36 LITV
(33) The same hour the thing was fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar. And he was driven from men, and he ate the grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the heavens, until his hair had grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.
(34) And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to the heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High. And I praised and honored Him who lives forever, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His rule from generation to generation.
(35) And all those living in the earth are counted as nothing. And He does according to His will among the army of Heaven, and among those living in the earth. And no one is able to strike His hand or say to Him, What are You doing?
(36) At that time my reason returned to me, and the glory of my kingdom, my majesty, and my brightness returned to me. And my advisers and my nobles sought to me. And I was reestablished in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Laborers Are Few
Luk 10:1-2 GNB
(1) After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go.
(2) He said to them, "There is a large harvest, but few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest.
Have you noticed this passage before? Notice it says... pray for workers to be sent out. Why? Because it's the workers that determine the harvest. Jesus never says here - pray for the harvest. He says to pray that workers will be sent out. If we lack harvest, it will be because the work was not done - not that it couldn't be done.
Luk 10:8-9 GNB
(8) Whenever you go into a town and are made welcome, eat what is set before you,
(9) heal the sick in that town, and say to the people there, 'The Kingdom of God has come near you.'
I've heard it also said by people whom I respect that it's not God's will to heal everyone. I contend that the moment God tells His people - who are called by His name and are indwelt by His Spirit - to go out and heal anyone who is sick, that it became a matter of OUR will, not His. His will was made known - "heal the sick". If the sick aren't healed, why not? Because it wasn't His will? If it wasn't His will, why did He give that choice to someone else? It's a thinker. These weren't 'just his disciples' either. These were 72 followers, many of which still carried around some really screwed-up theology. Having it all together was never a requirement. Being obedient is.
The Harvest IS great and the laborers are few. We must teach that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
(1) After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go.
(2) He said to them, "There is a large harvest, but few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest.
Have you noticed this passage before? Notice it says... pray for workers to be sent out. Why? Because it's the workers that determine the harvest. Jesus never says here - pray for the harvest. He says to pray that workers will be sent out. If we lack harvest, it will be because the work was not done - not that it couldn't be done.
Luk 10:8-9 GNB
(8) Whenever you go into a town and are made welcome, eat what is set before you,
(9) heal the sick in that town, and say to the people there, 'The Kingdom of God has come near you.'
I've heard it also said by people whom I respect that it's not God's will to heal everyone. I contend that the moment God tells His people - who are called by His name and are indwelt by His Spirit - to go out and heal anyone who is sick, that it became a matter of OUR will, not His. His will was made known - "heal the sick". If the sick aren't healed, why not? Because it wasn't His will? If it wasn't His will, why did He give that choice to someone else? It's a thinker. These weren't 'just his disciples' either. These were 72 followers, many of which still carried around some really screwed-up theology. Having it all together was never a requirement. Being obedient is.
The Harvest IS great and the laborers are few. We must teach that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Got Passion?
2Ki 13:18-19 LITV
(18) And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them up. And he said to the king
of Israel, Strike the earth. And he struck three times, and stopped.
(19) And the man of God was angry with him, and said, By striking five or six
times, then you would have stricken Syria until it was finished; but now, you
shall strike Syria three times.
Elisha was the prophet who administered this test to Joash, King of Israel.
Don't you think this was confusing to the king? After all, there weren't very
good instructions to the test. As a great teacher said, the greatest tests
aren't the ones we know we are going through. The greatest tests are the ones
where we live seemingly insignificant moments out of our heart and we discover
what we're composed of in the process. Joash's problem was that he was a leader
without passion. Everything he did showed it, and everyone who followed him was
affected by it.
Could it have been that even if Joash had taken a mighty swing and had broken
all the arrows on the ground with one strike, the prophet might have said, "Just
as you broke the arrows you shall break all those who stand in your path." It
was a matter of passion. There was none.
We long for significance in the Kingdom of Heaven, but we are afraid to get
passionate for fear of public opinion. We value our reputations more than we
value the work of God (this is a form of idolatry). Is it any wonder we live
lives of meaningless influence, or none at all? If you were the Lord of the
Universe, how much would you entrust to 'you'?
(18) And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them up. And he said to the king
of Israel, Strike the earth. And he struck three times, and stopped.
(19) And the man of God was angry with him, and said, By striking five or six
times, then you would have stricken Syria until it was finished; but now, you
shall strike Syria three times.
Elisha was the prophet who administered this test to Joash, King of Israel.
Don't you think this was confusing to the king? After all, there weren't very
good instructions to the test. As a great teacher said, the greatest tests
aren't the ones we know we are going through. The greatest tests are the ones
where we live seemingly insignificant moments out of our heart and we discover
what we're composed of in the process. Joash's problem was that he was a leader
without passion. Everything he did showed it, and everyone who followed him was
affected by it.
Could it have been that even if Joash had taken a mighty swing and had broken
all the arrows on the ground with one strike, the prophet might have said, "Just
as you broke the arrows you shall break all those who stand in your path." It
was a matter of passion. There was none.
We long for significance in the Kingdom of Heaven, but we are afraid to get
passionate for fear of public opinion. We value our reputations more than we
value the work of God (this is a form of idolatry). Is it any wonder we live
lives of meaningless influence, or none at all? If you were the Lord of the
Universe, how much would you entrust to 'you'?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
It's Okay!
My daughters are just learning to walk. Whenever they wipe out, it's my foremost goal to stand them up and get them walking again, all the while saying, "It's okay! It's okay!" I don't want them to dwell on failure because it prohibits them from future success. At the least, it delays it.
What makes any one of us think our Heavenly Father's goal is any different when we fall? Do we really think he wants us to wallow in our failure? Get back up! It's okay!
What makes any one of us think our Heavenly Father's goal is any different when we fall? Do we really think he wants us to wallow in our failure? Get back up! It's okay!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
What Was... Will Be
Remember in the Exodus, right before the 'redemption', there was a travail in the land.
Exodus 2:23 LITV
(23) And it happened during these many days that the king of Egypt died, and the sons of Israel groaned from the slavery. And they cried, and their cry went up to God from the slavery.
So God sent a deliverer, but he wasn't warmly welcomed. In fact, Satan tried to kill all the male Hebrew children in an effort to see that deliverance didn't come. It came anyways. And before deliverance came, it got DARK.
Exodus 10:21-23 LITV
(21) And Jehovah said to Moses, Stretch out your hand to the heavens so that darkness may be on the land of Egypt, and one may feel darkness.
(22) And Moses stretched out his hand to the heavens, and darkness of gloom was in all the land of Egypt three days.
(23) They did not see each one his brother, and they did not rise up, each one from his place for three days. Yet to all the sons of Israel there was light in their dwellings.
A few hundred years later, Israel's cry again reached the ears of God. And they once again wanted deliverance - from Rome.
So God sent a deliverer, but he wasn't warmly welcomed. In fact, Satan tried to kill all the male Hebrew children in an effort to see that deliverance didn't come. He came anyways. But before deliverance came, it got DARK.
Matthew 27:44-45 LITV
(44) And also the plunderers crucified with Him defamed Him, saying the same.
(45) And from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
It's getting dark again, friends. There is a cry reaching Heaven. Blood has a voice, and the cries of millions of unwanted babies are being heard (but they are SAFE!). Satan will always declare war over the seed of men because from that seed deliverance always comes. Do they kill babies in Eastern lands? Strangely... no. Only in the lands where the freedom to spread the Gospel still exists is there a warrant out for the unborn. The deliverers are those who declare the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Ultimately, however, there will come a future dark day.
Revelation 16:10 LITV
(10) And the fifth angel poured out his bowl onto the throne of the beast. And its kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues from the pain.
We will then participate in the final redemption, with our Deliverer claiming forever what He has already purchased. There will be no more darkness and no more death.
Exodus 2:23 LITV
(23) And it happened during these many days that the king of Egypt died, and the sons of Israel groaned from the slavery. And they cried, and their cry went up to God from the slavery.
So God sent a deliverer, but he wasn't warmly welcomed. In fact, Satan tried to kill all the male Hebrew children in an effort to see that deliverance didn't come. It came anyways. And before deliverance came, it got DARK.
Exodus 10:21-23 LITV
(21) And Jehovah said to Moses, Stretch out your hand to the heavens so that darkness may be on the land of Egypt, and one may feel darkness.
(22) And Moses stretched out his hand to the heavens, and darkness of gloom was in all the land of Egypt three days.
(23) They did not see each one his brother, and they did not rise up, each one from his place for three days. Yet to all the sons of Israel there was light in their dwellings.
A few hundred years later, Israel's cry again reached the ears of God. And they once again wanted deliverance - from Rome.
So God sent a deliverer, but he wasn't warmly welcomed. In fact, Satan tried to kill all the male Hebrew children in an effort to see that deliverance didn't come. He came anyways. But before deliverance came, it got DARK.
Matthew 27:44-45 LITV
(44) And also the plunderers crucified with Him defamed Him, saying the same.
(45) And from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
It's getting dark again, friends. There is a cry reaching Heaven. Blood has a voice, and the cries of millions of unwanted babies are being heard (but they are SAFE!). Satan will always declare war over the seed of men because from that seed deliverance always comes. Do they kill babies in Eastern lands? Strangely... no. Only in the lands where the freedom to spread the Gospel still exists is there a warrant out for the unborn. The deliverers are those who declare the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Ultimately, however, there will come a future dark day.
Revelation 16:10 LITV
(10) And the fifth angel poured out his bowl onto the throne of the beast. And its kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues from the pain.
We will then participate in the final redemption, with our Deliverer claiming forever what He has already purchased. There will be no more darkness and no more death.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Postponed Covenant
I'm sure most everyone has heard that perhaps the largest terrorist plot since 911 was recently foiled. Life goes on as usual. Most people found that to be an interesting headline, and nothing more.
But all the experts say it's not a matter of if, but when. So what happens when?
Is that the next wave of church/endtime/apocalyptic interest in this nation? It seems that even back in the time of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, people refused to heed warnings but went about their lives as usual. I found something interesting in Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 5:1-2 LITV
(1) And you, son of man, take to yourself a sharp sword, the razor of a barber. Take it to yourself and make it pass over your head and over your beard. And take to yourself scales to weigh, and to divide them out.
(2) You shall burn a third part in the fire, in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled. And you shall take the third part and beat with a sword all around it. And you shall scatter the third part into the wind, and I will draw out a sword after them.
Why Ezekiel's hair? I believe that God was talking about his covenant with Israel, and that He was going to postpone it for a season due to their disobedience. The Nazir covenant was one that meant your hair was never cut - the Nazarite vow. Yet God told Ezekiel to shave his head and do different things with the hair.
It was a temporary judgment, because all hair grows back. That's grace. We learned this lesson from Samson. The unfortunate thing is what Samson and Israel both had to endure because of their disobedience. Are we different in this nation?
But all the experts say it's not a matter of if, but when. So what happens when?
Is that the next wave of church/endtime/apocalyptic interest in this nation? It seems that even back in the time of Ezekiel and Jeremiah, people refused to heed warnings but went about their lives as usual. I found something interesting in Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 5:1-2 LITV
(1) And you, son of man, take to yourself a sharp sword, the razor of a barber. Take it to yourself and make it pass over your head and over your beard. And take to yourself scales to weigh, and to divide them out.
(2) You shall burn a third part in the fire, in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled. And you shall take the third part and beat with a sword all around it. And you shall scatter the third part into the wind, and I will draw out a sword after them.
Why Ezekiel's hair? I believe that God was talking about his covenant with Israel, and that He was going to postpone it for a season due to their disobedience. The Nazir covenant was one that meant your hair was never cut - the Nazarite vow. Yet God told Ezekiel to shave his head and do different things with the hair.
It was a temporary judgment, because all hair grows back. That's grace. We learned this lesson from Samson. The unfortunate thing is what Samson and Israel both had to endure because of their disobedience. Are we different in this nation?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Worrying About Nothing
Ezekiel 1:28-2:2 LITV
(28) As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of the rain, so appeared the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And I saw, and I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.
(1) And He said to me, Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.
(2) And the Spirit entered into me as He spoke to me, and He made me stand on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.
Ezekiel 3:8-9 LITV
(8) Behold, I have made your face strong over against their faces, and your forehead strong over against their foreheads.
(9) I have made your forehead as an adamant harder than flint. Do not fear them, and do not be frightened by their faces, though they are a house of rebellion.
One of the new cries of my heart is boldness. Lord, make me bold! Lord, give me strength to do what you set before me! I'm not the only one that prays this. In fact, I hear it often. Funny thing, however, is that God provides all of that when the time comes. All we have to remain is 'willing'.
Ezekiel was floored, but the Holy Spirit filled him and he was then 'made' to stand. Will you be able to stand when the time comes? Yes. And then when it's time to face the critics, or the skeptics, or even the enemy... He can make your forehead like flint! That's tough, by the way. You aren't going to shout 'that' guy down! Ezekiel would have worn us out!
I take renewed comfort that God will give us all we need to serve Him.
(28) As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of the rain, so appeared the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And I saw, and I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.
(1) And He said to me, Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.
(2) And the Spirit entered into me as He spoke to me, and He made me stand on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.
Ezekiel 3:8-9 LITV
(8) Behold, I have made your face strong over against their faces, and your forehead strong over against their foreheads.
(9) I have made your forehead as an adamant harder than flint. Do not fear them, and do not be frightened by their faces, though they are a house of rebellion.
One of the new cries of my heart is boldness. Lord, make me bold! Lord, give me strength to do what you set before me! I'm not the only one that prays this. In fact, I hear it often. Funny thing, however, is that God provides all of that when the time comes. All we have to remain is 'willing'.
Ezekiel was floored, but the Holy Spirit filled him and he was then 'made' to stand. Will you be able to stand when the time comes? Yes. And then when it's time to face the critics, or the skeptics, or even the enemy... He can make your forehead like flint! That's tough, by the way. You aren't going to shout 'that' guy down! Ezekiel would have worn us out!
I take renewed comfort that God will give us all we need to serve Him.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Kingdom Is
Kingdom is the realization that all I have is the Lord.
Kingdom is knowing that He is truly enough.
Kingdom is the worldly view that I apparently don't have much, but that I obviously have everything.
Kingdom is giving away all I've been given, because it was given, and there will be more.
Kingdom is only having a sack lunch that can feed 10,000 people.
Kingdom is rebuking cancer.
Kingdom is fellowship that never ends.
Kingdom is God obsession.
Kingdom is taking possession.
Kingdom is casting a shadow.
Kingdom is spontaneous acts of love and kindness.
Kingdom is compassion.
Kingdom is unbridled fury against powers of darkness.
Kingdom is wisdom in motion.
Kingdom is guerrilla warfare.
Kingdom is walking in the supernatural.
Kingdom is seeing as the Father sees.
Kingdom is doing as the Father does.
Kingdom means no goodbyes.
Kingdom is knowing that He is truly enough.
Kingdom is the worldly view that I apparently don't have much, but that I obviously have everything.
Kingdom is giving away all I've been given, because it was given, and there will be more.
Kingdom is only having a sack lunch that can feed 10,000 people.
Kingdom is rebuking cancer.
Kingdom is fellowship that never ends.
Kingdom is God obsession.
Kingdom is taking possession.
Kingdom is casting a shadow.
Kingdom is spontaneous acts of love and kindness.
Kingdom is compassion.
Kingdom is unbridled fury against powers of darkness.
Kingdom is wisdom in motion.
Kingdom is guerrilla warfare.
Kingdom is walking in the supernatural.
Kingdom is seeing as the Father sees.
Kingdom is doing as the Father does.
Kingdom means no goodbyes.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Too Much Light
Have you ever wondered about our solar system? Isn't it interesting that life as we know it depends totally upon a molten hot globe of fire in the dead center of our solar system? I mean, if you read much fantasy growing up, it's not hard to envision the opposite. Perhaps it's a gigantic ball of ice that offsets the heat given off by the earth! But no... it's not that way.
That much light gives off so much heat! So much energy! If you get too close... bad news! Even if you just stay outside too long!
In the Hebrew, the word for 'sun' is 'shemesh', or 'east' (by implication, from where the sun rises). Jesus is directly linked to this phrase, as He is the 'son', and will return by splitting the eastern sky.
Matthew 24:27 LITV
(27) For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Have you noticed that the closer you get to God, the less you care about the fleshly things of the world? The analogy is the same. Too much sun hurts the flesh. In fact, if you get too close all flesh is consumed. That is what we as Christians should be shooting for. I want to be so close to God that the fleshly lusts are just consumed.
That much light gives off so much heat! So much energy! If you get too close... bad news! Even if you just stay outside too long!
In the Hebrew, the word for 'sun' is 'shemesh', or 'east' (by implication, from where the sun rises). Jesus is directly linked to this phrase, as He is the 'son', and will return by splitting the eastern sky.
Matthew 24:27 LITV
(27) For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Have you noticed that the closer you get to God, the less you care about the fleshly things of the world? The analogy is the same. Too much sun hurts the flesh. In fact, if you get too close all flesh is consumed. That is what we as Christians should be shooting for. I want to be so close to God that the fleshly lusts are just consumed.
Monday, September 21, 2009
If The Frog Croaks
Leviticus 11:29-36 LITV
(29) And these shall be unclean to you among the swarming things which swarm on the earth: the weasel, and the mouse, and the great lizard according to its kind,
(30) and the gecko, and the monitor, and the lizard, and the sand lizard, and the barn owl.
(31) These are unclean to you among all which swarm; anyone who touches them in their death is unclean until the evening.
(32) And anything on which any one of them falls in their death is unclean, whether of any vessel of wood, or garment, or skin, or sack; any vessel in which work is done shall be caused to go into water, and shall be unclean until the evening; then it shall be cleaned.
(33) And any earthen vessel into the midst of which any one of them falls, whatever is in it shall be unclean, and you shall break it.
(34) And of all the food which may be eaten, that on which such water falls shall be unclean, and all drink that may be drunk in any such vessel shall be unclean.
(35) And anything on which any part of their dead body falls shall be unclean; an oven or hearth shall be broken down; they are unclean; yes, they are unclean to you.
(36) But a fountain or a well, a collection of water, shall be clean; only that touching the dead body is unclean.
Our pastor commonly tells us that we are to be rivers, not lakes. Water has to keep moving in order to keep the dead flushed out of it. The scripture above describes just that. If something dies in a clay pot, you must destroy the pot. If it dies in a fountain, the fountain is still clean.
This also describes our spiritual condition. There is a difference between stumbling and being lame (always stumbling). If we are spiritually dead, we are headed for destruction. Our earthen vessel bodies cannot - on their own accord - make themselves clean again. But with the Living Water of Jesus within us, even sin cannot make us unclean. Yes, we may stumble, but we get back up without pulling up 'lame'.
The devil uses guilt as a great weapon against the Christian trying to walk in Christ. He would have every Christian believe they are simply lame. Remember, guilt is always from the devil if you are in Christ. By the way, the last thing he wants to do to a lost person is make them feel guilty. If guilt has plagued your walk, realize that you've been a target. Move on in victory!
(29) And these shall be unclean to you among the swarming things which swarm on the earth: the weasel, and the mouse, and the great lizard according to its kind,
(30) and the gecko, and the monitor, and the lizard, and the sand lizard, and the barn owl.
(31) These are unclean to you among all which swarm; anyone who touches them in their death is unclean until the evening.
(32) And anything on which any one of them falls in their death is unclean, whether of any vessel of wood, or garment, or skin, or sack; any vessel in which work is done shall be caused to go into water, and shall be unclean until the evening; then it shall be cleaned.
(33) And any earthen vessel into the midst of which any one of them falls, whatever is in it shall be unclean, and you shall break it.
(34) And of all the food which may be eaten, that on which such water falls shall be unclean, and all drink that may be drunk in any such vessel shall be unclean.
(35) And anything on which any part of their dead body falls shall be unclean; an oven or hearth shall be broken down; they are unclean; yes, they are unclean to you.
(36) But a fountain or a well, a collection of water, shall be clean; only that touching the dead body is unclean.
Our pastor commonly tells us that we are to be rivers, not lakes. Water has to keep moving in order to keep the dead flushed out of it. The scripture above describes just that. If something dies in a clay pot, you must destroy the pot. If it dies in a fountain, the fountain is still clean.
This also describes our spiritual condition. There is a difference between stumbling and being lame (always stumbling). If we are spiritually dead, we are headed for destruction. Our earthen vessel bodies cannot - on their own accord - make themselves clean again. But with the Living Water of Jesus within us, even sin cannot make us unclean. Yes, we may stumble, but we get back up without pulling up 'lame'.
The devil uses guilt as a great weapon against the Christian trying to walk in Christ. He would have every Christian believe they are simply lame. Remember, guilt is always from the devil if you are in Christ. By the way, the last thing he wants to do to a lost person is make them feel guilty. If guilt has plagued your walk, realize that you've been a target. Move on in victory!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Shut Up and Get To Work!
Exodus 14:15-16 LITV
(15) And Jehovah said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me? Speak to the sons of Israel, and let them pull up stakes.
(16) And you, raise your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the sons of Israel may go in the midst of the sea on dry ground.
TheIsraelites were pinned down between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army. Time was running out. Moses was talking big talk, but the people were afraid. Then an odd thing happens. God tells Moses to quit talking and get to work.
"Raise your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it..." Well, duh. What else was Moses going to do?
The observation I gained from this passage is that whenever we hear God speaking to us, He is usually telling us to take some authority that we didn't previously think we had. It's almost as if following Him restores much of what we gave up in the garden. In Eden, man had dominion over the earth. After Eden, man struggled to make a living from the earth. But following God, man once again is expected to start exercising dominion.
(15) And Jehovah said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me? Speak to the sons of Israel, and let them pull up stakes.
(16) And you, raise your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the sons of Israel may go in the midst of the sea on dry ground.
TheIsraelites were pinned down between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army. Time was running out. Moses was talking big talk, but the people were afraid. Then an odd thing happens. God tells Moses to quit talking and get to work.
"Raise your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it..." Well, duh. What else was Moses going to do?
The observation I gained from this passage is that whenever we hear God speaking to us, He is usually telling us to take some authority that we didn't previously think we had. It's almost as if following Him restores much of what we gave up in the garden. In Eden, man had dominion over the earth. After Eden, man struggled to make a living from the earth. But following God, man once again is expected to start exercising dominion.
Friday, September 18, 2009
A Land Full of Giants
Deuteronomy 9:1 LITV
(1) Hear, O Israel, you shall cross over the Jordan today, to go in to expel nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and walled up to the heavens;
Promised Land living, although great and God-purposed, is not something you are going to attain on your own. By our own strength, we really have no chance. The nations and inhabitants of this land are mightier than we are.
The biggest problem with Promised Land living is the risky lifestyle. To be anything like Caleb, we must approach the giants and gently explain the options to them. If the giants choose not to listen, then God had better be in our corner. It's a step of faith that most Christians don't care for. So what exactly does that mean?
It could mean a lot of things, so it might be able to identify what it doesn't mean. When was the last time in our Christian walk that we have been out of our comfort zone at work, at school, or at church? What was it? Identify the giant you faced. Was it the giant of passing the offering plate at church? Or was it the giant of praying for the sick man at McDonald's? Maybe it was saying the prayer at a company party. Remember who is in your corner. Remember WHO is in your corner. Be a risk taker. I'm doing my best to live up to this very thing. Ultimately, my reputation with man isn't worth anything anyways.
(1) Hear, O Israel, you shall cross over the Jordan today, to go in to expel nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and walled up to the heavens;
Promised Land living, although great and God-purposed, is not something you are going to attain on your own. By our own strength, we really have no chance. The nations and inhabitants of this land are mightier than we are.
The biggest problem with Promised Land living is the risky lifestyle. To be anything like Caleb, we must approach the giants and gently explain the options to them. If the giants choose not to listen, then God had better be in our corner. It's a step of faith that most Christians don't care for. So what exactly does that mean?
It could mean a lot of things, so it might be able to identify what it doesn't mean. When was the last time in our Christian walk that we have been out of our comfort zone at work, at school, or at church? What was it? Identify the giant you faced. Was it the giant of passing the offering plate at church? Or was it the giant of praying for the sick man at McDonald's? Maybe it was saying the prayer at a company party. Remember who is in your corner. Remember WHO is in your corner. Be a risk taker. I'm doing my best to live up to this very thing. Ultimately, my reputation with man isn't worth anything anyways.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Millennium Pt2
The Millennium is the Sabbath day of God's first millennial week. God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th. Man, created on the 6th day, really saw nothing until the 7th day when his eyes were opened to the creation of God.
Maybe that's what we're heading towards. We are being built, now, as the stones being chiseled for the temple were chiseled out of earshot of the building site. We, too, are being hewn and shaped for our real place in God's House, and we haven't seen it yet!
1Co 2:9 MKJV
(9) But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard," nor has it entered into the heart of man, "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
Doesn't it make you wonder? Seeing what God created in the span of six 24-hour days, what has He created for us in the span of six 1000-year days? It 'has not entered into the heart of man'.
Maybe that's what we're heading towards. We are being built, now, as the stones being chiseled for the temple were chiseled out of earshot of the building site. We, too, are being hewn and shaped for our real place in God's House, and we haven't seen it yet!
1Co 2:9 MKJV
(9) But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard," nor has it entered into the heart of man, "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
Doesn't it make you wonder? Seeing what God created in the span of six 24-hour days, what has He created for us in the span of six 1000-year days? It 'has not entered into the heart of man'.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Millennium
One Thousand years of peace! Guys, it isn't that far off. I'm telling you, it's not. God reveals things to His people - and those who are seeking Him in this are all saying the same thing: aint much time left. We have to be particularly careful to NOT fall into the group Peter said would emerge:
2Pe 3:3-4 LITV
(3) first, knowing this, that during the last days scoffers will come walking according to their own lusts,
(4) and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For from which time the fathers fell asleep, all things remain so from the beginning of creation.
These are all church people, by the way. Worldly people don't know He's coming and don't care.
Back to the 1000 years... where will you be? What will your purpose be? Suppose for a moment the Tribulation begins next year some time. That puts the Millennial beginning 8 years from now, approximately. Could it happen? There is no doubt. Will it? Watch and see - that's what I'm doing.
What will life be like on earth? Perfect utopia under a Wise King. Will there be sin? Yes, in the hearts of mortal man. This is because some will survive the Tribulation Period. These will have children and grandchildren, and they will ALL have a decision to make about whether or not to follow Jesus. Some will choose not to, in their heart.
This will serve to prove that even when satan is bound and falling for a thousand years, man will still have the capacity to do his own thing, go his own way, and live for himself. We have a sin nature.
But meanwhile, life here will be pretty good for those who are mortal. Perfect peace and wise government, along with the blessing of God upon the world and no satanic influence. We are talking about a remnant of people who come out of tribulation and will prosper to enormous proportions. By the end of the 1000 years, there will probably be more people living on earth than ever. Maybe even more than have ever died to that point. Isn't that a mind-blower? But such is the way living in a utopia would be. No war - no disaster... only peace. Until they reopen the pit for a season... more on that later. Mull over this verse:
Isa 65:20 BBE
(20) No longer will there be there a child whose days are cut short, or an old man whose days have not come to their full measure: for the young man at his death will be a hundred years old, and he whose life is shorter than a hundred years will seem as one cursed.
2Pe 3:3-4 LITV
(3) first, knowing this, that during the last days scoffers will come walking according to their own lusts,
(4) and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For from which time the fathers fell asleep, all things remain so from the beginning of creation.
These are all church people, by the way. Worldly people don't know He's coming and don't care.
Back to the 1000 years... where will you be? What will your purpose be? Suppose for a moment the Tribulation begins next year some time. That puts the Millennial beginning 8 years from now, approximately. Could it happen? There is no doubt. Will it? Watch and see - that's what I'm doing.
What will life be like on earth? Perfect utopia under a Wise King. Will there be sin? Yes, in the hearts of mortal man. This is because some will survive the Tribulation Period. These will have children and grandchildren, and they will ALL have a decision to make about whether or not to follow Jesus. Some will choose not to, in their heart.
This will serve to prove that even when satan is bound and falling for a thousand years, man will still have the capacity to do his own thing, go his own way, and live for himself. We have a sin nature.
But meanwhile, life here will be pretty good for those who are mortal. Perfect peace and wise government, along with the blessing of God upon the world and no satanic influence. We are talking about a remnant of people who come out of tribulation and will prosper to enormous proportions. By the end of the 1000 years, there will probably be more people living on earth than ever. Maybe even more than have ever died to that point. Isn't that a mind-blower? But such is the way living in a utopia would be. No war - no disaster... only peace. Until they reopen the pit for a season... more on that later. Mull over this verse:
Isa 65:20 BBE
(20) No longer will there be there a child whose days are cut short, or an old man whose days have not come to their full measure: for the young man at his death will be a hundred years old, and he whose life is shorter than a hundred years will seem as one cursed.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Anyone Can Procreate...
In Genesis, man is given the commission to go forth and multiply.
Gen 1:28 LITV
(28) And God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the seas, and over birds of the heavens, and over all beasts creeping on the earth.
That was before man sinned, however. Once he did, things got a little more difficult. There was soil to till and were animals to chase. Sweaty work. But along came the Promised Land, which brought more options.
Deu 8:1 LITV
(1) You shall take heed to do every commandment which I am commanding you today, so that you may live and may multiply and may go in and possess the land which Jehovah has sworn to your fathers.
Now we can go forth, multiply, and possess! That's really a reversion to 'taking dominion' again. When Jesus says He has given us the keys to the Kingdom, He means that the right is given to us to take ground - we must simply take action. We lost dominion, but He regained it for us if we'll take it. By following His commands we can step into our destiny.
Jesus Himself follows this pattern. He overcame death and claimed the keys of hell itself when He died and rose. This was the price paid by a Kinsman Redeemer to recover what was lost. But He has not officially retaken possession of His physical Kingdom - yet. He will when He begins to open the seals of the deed (read Revelation).
Gen 1:28 LITV
(28) And God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the seas, and over birds of the heavens, and over all beasts creeping on the earth.
That was before man sinned, however. Once he did, things got a little more difficult. There was soil to till and were animals to chase. Sweaty work. But along came the Promised Land, which brought more options.
Deu 8:1 LITV
(1) You shall take heed to do every commandment which I am commanding you today, so that you may live and may multiply and may go in and possess the land which Jehovah has sworn to your fathers.
Now we can go forth, multiply, and possess! That's really a reversion to 'taking dominion' again. When Jesus says He has given us the keys to the Kingdom, He means that the right is given to us to take ground - we must simply take action. We lost dominion, but He regained it for us if we'll take it. By following His commands we can step into our destiny.
Jesus Himself follows this pattern. He overcame death and claimed the keys of hell itself when He died and rose. This was the price paid by a Kinsman Redeemer to recover what was lost. But He has not officially retaken possession of His physical Kingdom - yet. He will when He begins to open the seals of the deed (read Revelation).
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