Thinking in Reality

How Do You Respond?

2011-10-28T17:27:00.007-04:00

This is a re-post of an entry I wrote last February. I thought it might be appropriate in light of all the recent occupy this and that to protest big corporations....and the Tea Party's "down with Government" marches....oh, the richy rich are the top 1% and the other 99% of us are working so hard and living such horrible lives....and the political elite that want to take all your money and your "rights" away. (see John 8:32-36 and 2 Corinthians 3:17 if you are wondering what your rights are).

WHAT?!?! What are we all so concerned about as we sip our Starbucks and chat on our iPad. (well, I don't really like Starbucks that much and I don't have an iPad - but you know what I mean)

Let's just think - where do we fit with the rest of the world's population? How do they see us? How do we see them? How do we treat them? How do you respond?

Approximately 8% of the people in the world have a car....yes, 8%. As of today, October 27, 2011, it is estimated that there are 6.97 billion people on this earth. So, of those people - less than 560,000,000 of them have cars. I know, that still seems like a big number.

So, here's the catch---92% of the people in the world (that's a little more than 6.4 billion) see you driving in your car - no matter the car, and they think "oh...rich".

But, we're good now - becuase we have ethanol fuel that burns cleaner and puts out less pollution that traditional fossil fuels...so, rather than feed all those hungry people with our 72 million acres of corn worth $15 billion in sales - we'll burn it up in our cars and SUV's.....right?

Well, speaking of feeding people....Did you eat today? What did you eat? How many times did you eat? Did you know that roughly 800 million people in the world won't eat at all today? And, probably 300 million of them are kids. Every couple of seconds, someone dies from hunger.

At least 80% of all humanity lives on less than $10 a day. Hey. Go check how much loose change is in your car. Do you remember that 1% of the most elite richy rich people?? Well....about 1% of the world's population live on less than $1 a day.

Roughly 1 billion people in the world don't have any clean water to drink.

Some experts suggest that to supply everyone in the world with clean water, basic health and nutrition would cost something like 20 billion dollars....which is about how much Americans spend in one year.........on ice cream.

Here are some other interesting statistics:

How often throughout scripture are we called to take care of the orphan, the widow, and the poor? I would like to suggest to you that we are called to do that a whole lot more than we are called do to anything else.

For they will know we are Christians by our Love....

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends....

Now, go and sell all that you have and give your profits to the poor....

For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son....

You shall do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father....

How do you respond?

The Error of Christopher Columbus

2011-10-11T12:36:00.005-04:00

There have been a number of books over the years published to give a more accurate understanding of and interpretation of History in recent years. For example, Christopher Columbus biographer, S. Eliot Morison, published his book in which the round vs’ flat earth reasoning for Columbus’s voyage are described and “pure moonshine” and “misleading and mischievous nonsense.”

Modern atheists and rationalists will try to argue that the early Church believed the earth to be flat (in order to undermine and negate the relevance of Biblical teaching). This entirely untrue. In fact, the Church taught that the earth was spherical for centuries before much of the modern world accepted the idea.

However, the first idea, that Columbus was sailing around the world to prove the world wasn’t flat is a myth. I actually remember being taught this in my early history education. In the early 6th century, the Pythagoreans (a group that influenced Platonism - out of which we find Augustinian Christianity) taught that the world was spherical, Aristotle proved it by observing that the earth casts a spherical shadow on the moon. The scientists and church leaders of the 16th century taught that the earth was round based on a study that was created using the passage found in Isaiah 40:22 “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth”. Circle, in this case, is the Hebrew word khuwg – which more literally means sphere.

In the same year that Columbus sailed, Martin Behaim of Germany, created a globe - named The Nuremberg Globe. You don’t make a globe if you believe the world is flat.

Here’s the deal with Chris.
The debate in his day wasn’t if the world was flat or round. The issue was the width of the ocean…here-which, Christopher made his mistake. Columbus had underestimated the circumference of the earth and the width of the ocean by quite a bit actually. Providentially (if I may say so) the Americas stood in his way and shortened what would have been an otherwise extremely long and essentially impossible voyage.

The educated opinion in Columbus’s day was that the earth was a sphere about 24,000 miles in circumference. Therefore, since China was some 8,000 miles to the east, the conventional wisdom held it impractical to sail west for 16,000 miles to reach the orient. That is why Columbus had such a hard time finding people to support his idea.

Columbus had calculated the earth’s circumference at only 18,000 miles, and he also believed Ptolemy’s over-estimation of the eastward region of Asia. Combining these two errors, he came to the conclusion that Japan was only about 3,000 miles to the west of the Canary Islands.

Chris made some additional mistakes. He believed the length of a degree was 56.66 miles, when it is actually nearly 69 miles (at the equator). It is possible that if Columbus was correctly informed on the earth’s circumference and the length of a degree, he might have stayed home. Ptolemy’s mistaken calculations were a good mistake for Chris and his crew.

So, what is my point?
While this is all very interesting, there is a lesson to be learned in relation to certain ‘cherished’ myths about the Bible. There are many Biblical myths that have been stuck in The Church for years. Some of these are harmless since they do not effect our salvation; the myth of the fruit in the garden being an apple, that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, or that angels have wings, for example. These “myths” (like Columbus’s flat earth) have little effect on the average Christian, there is however an underlying danger.

If Christians have adopted myths as truth in areas where little if any interpretation is needed, is it possible that we may have adopted myths as fact in areas where greater study is needed?

Look through my blog posts under the category of misunderstood scripture to learn of some of the "myths" and misunderstandings that we have in The Church. I will be writing more in the near future. Some of these are just misplaced facts, while others may very well impact your world view, your view of humanity, and yes...Salvation.

But, It's Not Fair!

2011-08-26T11:37:00.003-04:00

Indignant –adjective: feeling, characterized by, or expressing strong displeasure at something considered unjust

Imagine a property manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers from downtown to work in his fields. He finds a few and after some discussion about the work, pay, and their time, they come to an agreement. They all agree on $100 for their day's labor and went to work.

Later, about nine o'clock, the manager was in town again saw some other men hanging around, apparently unemployed. He suggests to them that they go to work in his fields and he would pay them a fair wage. They went.

The manager does the same thing again at noon, and again at three o'clock. At five o'clock he went back and found still more people standing around downtown.

He asks them, 'Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?'

'Because no one has hired us.' They respond

So, like before he told them that they could go to work in his fields.

When the day's work was over, the owner of the fields instructed his foreman, 'Call all of the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.'

Those hired at five o'clock came up and were each given their $100. When those who were hired first saw this, they got excited and assumed they would get far more. When they came to their place in line, the foreman paid each of them the same, $100. Taking their pay, they fussed angrily to the manager, 'That's not fair! Those guys started only an hour before the end of the day, and you paid them equal to us...while we slaved all day in the dust under a scorching sun!'

He replied to the one speaking for the rest, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair. We agreed on the wage of $100, didn't we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?'

Adapted: Matthew 20:1-16

Unlike the workers hired late in the day, those who came at the beginning of the day had worked hard over long hours and in the brutal heat. When the last workers are paid a full day's wage, I'm sure the first were probably expecting a lot more than a full day's wage. Instead, they got the same amount for their work as the last guys who hadn't worked as long. But they got what they had agreed to receive. They were paid the going rate and a fair wage for that day.

So why were they angry? Because they wanted more and felt as if they deserved it.

In matters of our salvation, who can really deserve it? Is there sweat equity in The Kingdom? Remember, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast....

The test for us is what kind of people will we be? Will we picture ourselves as those who are blessed undeservingly? Or will we want to show Jesus our spiritual resume?

If we resent the grace that God freely gives to others, may I suggest to you that grace is not fully understood.

#3 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

2011-07-14T20:58:00.007-04:00

Oh...I know all too well the over-extension of myself...

The idea of misrepresenting the Name of Christ is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. There has been a lot of Christians poorly re-presenting Christ in the world today.

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. ~Deuteronomy 5:11

Let us look at the first part of this command:
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain,

The Lord told us way back when that we are not to take His Name in vain. For too long I believe we (both the believer and non-believer) have interpreted that to mean don't drop the name of Jesus Christ as an expletive...

Many of our English translations have it worded - you shall not misuse The Lord's Name. God's Word Translation says "Never use the name of the LORD your God carelessly" The Basic English Bible says "You are not to make use of the name of the Lord your God for an evil purpose".

I have come to think of it more in this way:

When my wife and I got married, she took my name. My name became her name. My family became her family. The lineage, history, and inheritance of my family name became hers.

The word vain is (by definition) a characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance...excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements.

Taking the Lord's Name means to put His name on our self (as in the covenant of marriage)...but not to do so with a sense of self-importance or pride...

(I'm not sure exactly where I'm going with this...but I think you can track with me) ;)

When we are married to Christ (Romans 7:4), we take His name upon ourselves. But, our reasons for doing so must be in humility - because while we were sinners, He died for us. Our becoming one with Him (in covenant marriage) and taking His name - is it out of selfish ambition (get out of Hell free), or is it to bring glory and honor to His name because, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.

I wonder if I might start a series on the Big 10...starting with #3 of course....

The second part of this passage is quite gripping in light of understanding the first part this way.
the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.

The word 'unpunished' (in Hebrew is naqah) can be more accurately read 'hold him guiltless'.

It isn't about doing or saying the right things. It IS about having the right heart. The religious spirit in the world will tell you that this command is pointing a finger at anyone who says an OMG or a "gosh darnit"...or shouts about the name of Jesus when they hit their finger with a hammer. And, while these probably aren't the best idea, I don't think this is what The Father is talking about.

He is, however, giving a stark warning to those who chose to be in His Family. This warning is that we had better be careful to take His name upon ourselves realizing that we do so for His Glory.

We don't enter into His Kingdom for our sake or comfort...it is for His joy.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say,
“If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”
~1 Corinthians 1:26-31

God chooses the humble and meek to propagate His Gospel. He alone determine what men and measures serve the purposes of His glory. Often it is the humble Christian, though poor as to this world, who has more true understanding of the gospel, than those who have made the study of Scripture their life-call.

And even young children have gained such knowledge of Divine truth as to silence the enemy. The reason is, they are taught of God.

The greatness of this design is, that no flesh should glory in His presence. It is by the sovereign choice and regenerating grace of God, that we are in Jesus Christ by faith. Jesus is to us, by God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; all we need, or can desire.

So that by his word and Spirit and from his fullness and treasures of wisdom and knowledge, we may receive all that will make us wise unto salvation, and fit for every service to which we are called. It is strangely comforting to realize that my calling is beyond what I am capable of. It is not a matter of growing into faith and salvation, it's a matter of realizing that without My Father, I could not do it.

We are fully liable to just punishment. He makes us righteousness because of our Faith. We are depraved. He is our redemption, so that He may in the end be made complete.

And this is, that all flesh, may know that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. ~Romans 5:10

Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. ~Romans 15:7

Why then do we take The Name of the Lord? It is all for, and for always, His Glory.

Therefore, God elevated [Jesus] to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:9-11

In The Rapture Business

2011-06-01T09:15:00.009-04:00

As I mentioned in my last post some people are making money from rapture and end of the world claims. Some of these people are the very people propogating the ideas, but then, there are those who see the radical support and belief in the claims as opportunity to make some money. (see offering long-term care for post-rapture pets (those left behind)).

Regarding the absurdity of predicting the rapture, Atheists Pope, Richard Dawkins said,

An aspect of religion that intrigues me is its capacity to con money out of a seemingly endless supply of gullible idiots. Is there anything so stupid that, if you put it out there, you can't find thousands of people (and their money) to believe it.

Interestingly (ironically), those who believe what Dawkins preaches can buy his books, DVD's, trinkets, T-shirts, etc., from his website. I am sure there is an endless 'line' of people who do.

Pictured: Atheist Earrings & Necklace Set Just $38

I'm just saying......

Are Atheists Right About Bible Prophecy?

2011-05-11T22:47:00.005-04:00

After months of putting up with the unnerving dogmatic propagation of Harold Camping’s signs, commercials and bumper stickers telling us that the end of the world is on May 21, The American Atheists have announced that they are planning “Rapture Parties” in Oakland, Houston, and Fort Lauderdale from May 21–22 for “heathens and skeptics,” and are advertising in large cities throughout the country.

(click the picture to see their party schedule)

I seldom find that I can agree with an atheist about the Bible, but on the subject of Bible prophecy, it seems to me that these atheists have got it, at least partially, right in this case.

Some of you may realize, this isn't the first time Harold Camping predicted the end. He similarly predicted the end was in 1994. He was wrong in '94 and he’ll be wrong on May 22. You don’t need to be a prophet to know this.

Many Christian teachers, authors and preachers have been saying that the Rapture and/or the end could occur at any moment. Most recently, Camping has been announcing that the Rapture will be on May 21, 2011 and many of his followers are traveling around vehemently warning others that the end is near. Some people have quit their jobs. Some entrepreneurial minded people are offering long-term care for post-rapture pets (those left behind), for a fee of course.

The group American Atheists is planning Rapture Parties across the country to show how silly it is to them. Their billboards say "2000 years of any day now". The atheists just may have it right this time, almost.

Prophetic speculation has a long, shameful history in the church. It has created a mind-boggling count of library shelves full of poorly translated and ineffectively presented Gospel messages that has crippled the church and limited (if not nullified) the credibility of Christianity to the modern world. And even worse, within the church, these speculative interpretations and teachings of prophecy has created a piously self-righteous attitude that says "you'll get what's commin' to ya". I don't recall Jesus ever saying anything like that.

In every generation since Christ, someone has predicted an imminent end of the world. Crying prophetic wolf has never helped the cause of Christ. Such Christians do not understand the Bible’s very clear message on prophetic matters because they have been reading popular prophecy writers instead of the Bible. The best and most effective way to answer today's skeptics is to take Jesus and the New Testament writers at their word....yes, literally.

While most of the today's prophecy writers don't make date-setting claims like Camping does, they all argue that Jesus’ coming is “near,” that all the signs are in place for the “imminent rapture” of the church or the Second Coming. Their books sell millions of copies.

After the first Gulf War, author & teacher John F. Walvoord pulled out a book he wrote in 1974, Armageddon, Oil and the Middle East Crisis, revised it, and republished it in 1990. It sold nearly two million copies. He states that, "...since the stage is set for this dramatic climax of the age, it must mean that Christ’s coming for his own is very near.” That was 21 years ago. The book was revised again after the September 11th 2001 attacks now "offering new insights on what to expect in this age of terror". What to expect?? The new authors still maintain that the end is near.

Students of contemporary prophecy only have to go back to 1970 and read The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey to see how common and popular date-setting is. We were told that the establishment of Israel as a nation in 1948 was prophetically significant. The countdown started with the claim that a “rapture” of the church would take place within 40 years (the length of a biblical generation) in apparent conformity with Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:34: “This generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Lindsey's book has sold nearly 35 million copies. We are more than 23 years past the 1988 cut-off date set by Lindsey and other prophecy writers.

Anyone familiar with the history of prophetic speculation since 1970 knows the pathetic track record of Christian prognosticators; I mean, the atheists certainly know it. Harold Camping is an extreme example of date setting, but his methodology is no more excessive than that of Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, Chuck Smith, and dozens of others. They all take words like ‘near’ and ‘shortly’ and project them into the distant future when the contexts of these prophecies dictate that the described events were on the near horizon for the those to whom the letters are actually written. And, interestingly, all of these prophecy proliferators say that they interpret the Bible literally.

In this instance, I stand (in part) with the American Atheists. They do have a legitimate charge against modern-day prophecy writers. But, they have nothing against the Bible. Jesus and the rest of the New Testament predicted that He would return with great and horrible judgment within a generation. AND HE DID.....At Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The New Testament writers clearly state that the time was near for this event. There is no other way to read the New Testament, so let’s stop giving atheists ammunition.

The only thing that Jesus said about His earthly return is that not even He knows when it will be (Matthew 24:36), and that we just need to be ready. In the meantime....He has given us a charge:

To go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

If this is my charge, then, I will not flee to the hills. For if God is for me, than who could possible be against me?

Jesus instructed us to pray that The Father's Kingdom would come, and His Will would be done on earth just like it is in Heaven.

Our job is not to build fear and declare destruction but to release hope and call for mercy; as it has been the role of God's people since Genesis.

Please see these related posts:

It's The End of the World....Again.

2011-04-20T10:53:00.024-04:00

When Will All These Things Happen: Part 2

Wars and rumors of wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes. These are all biblical signs that Jesus warned about. All of them are realities of Planet Earth each day.

So, is Jesus coming back soon?

Did Jesus provide an exact, predictable scenario as so many modern prophecy writers advocate?

The answer to these questions will shock many and ambush the promulgators of end-times status quo Christianity.

I no longer need be bound by the idol of eschatological tradition that has paralyzed The Church and minimized the impact of Christianity on our world.

Don't be alarmed by what you read, because The Truth will set you free!

Throughout history there have been literally thousands of predictions setting the date of Christ's return. Most recently, October 21, 2011, or the end of 2012. These dates and speculations all have one thing in common.....They have all been wrong!

Daily on Christian radio and television and the the endless stream of prophecy books we get pumped up with even more "evidence" that Jesus is now "at the door." World events are matched with prophecies as definitive proof that the end is near.

Why do we continue to teach and embrace a view of "the end" that cripples The Church, puts fear in the hearts of believers, and encourages them to look at tragic events as a "sign of the times" that are necessary for the return of Jesus?

I'm sorry folks, but it just doesn't make any sense.

Again, we wait and hope. It's a familiar cycle: time nullifies each prediction, our hopes are deflated, and out trust level smashed. The doctrine of 'futurism' is one of the ways Christians lose credibility. Seeking for The AntiChrist, stating that this or that is a beginning of 'birth pangs'...we've been preaching that for 200 years - and it just turns up empty and turns away hearts.

Basing our under standing of Biblical prophecy on speculation of what might happen rather than on what has historically happened (particularly in the 1st century AD) is faulty theology.

I'm not even talking about The Gospel here...I'm talking about The Kingdom and The Church coming into their fullness - here and now on this earth.

I realize, I have deviated from my past "theme" of the end. I apologize. I guess, I got distracted. This is a continuation of my last post (Part 1 - 9/28/10). I would suggest re-reading that post to get acquainted with the preface of this discussion. Particularly, the destruction of Jerusalem.

The Disciples asked Jesus three questions in response to the amazingly graphic imagery He painted in the previous chapter and the beginning of Chapter 24 where He tells them that all of the building around them (in the city of Jerusalem) will be completely destroyed.

The discples ask in 24:3:

"When will these things happen?"
"What will be the sign of Your coming?"
"What about the end of the age (world)?"

He begins to answer them - very straightforward.

The False Messiahs
24:4-5: "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, "I am the Christ," and will mislead many."

Christians who have heard only a modern end-time view immediately place these words of Jesus in our future, shortly before the end of the world. They are looking for some evil leader or several leaders to start claiming that they are the Christ.

This is the first mistake we need to correct.

Jesus was answering the question concerning when Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed. So, sometime around 70 AD, within 40 years of the time in which Jesus said it would happen. Jesus was telling His disciples, soon many people would come claiming to be Me. For Jesus’ words to be fulfilled, these impostors would have to come sometime in the first Century - within the lifetime of His disciples.

So, did that happen historically? Yes. Right after the death of Jesus, many leaders rose capturing the hearts of the Jewish people. That may seem difficult for us to understand today, but we need to keep in mind the culture of the day. The Jewish people were desperately looking for a Messiah, someone to free them from Roman domination.

As we know from some of my other posts, the Messiah that many of the Jews were looking for – even while Jesus was physically on the earth – was a political savior who would rescue them from Roman rule. Their hope and much of their religious system was based on a coming Messiah. When Jesus died, many of His followers gave up believing that He was the Messiah. Other "leaders" quickly arose, drawing large followings.

Historically:

Eusebius
After the Lord was taken up into heaven the demons put forth a number of men who claimed to be gods. (The History of the Church)

St. Jerome
At the time of the Jewish captivity, there were many leaders who declared themselves to be Christ, so that while the Romans were actually besieging them, there were three factions within. (Cited in: Thomas Aquinas’ Golden Chain)

The Venerable Bede
For many came forward, when destruction was hanging over Jerusalem, saying that they were Christs (Cited in: Thomas Aquinas’, Golden Chain)

John Wesley
...And indeed never did so many impostors appear in the world as a few years before the destruction of Jerusalem; undoubtedly because that was the time wherein the Jews in general expected the Messiah. (The Works of John Wesley)

Let us come to realize here that Jesus was warning His disciples that soon they would see and hear many people coming out proclaiming to be the Messiah. Particularly during the next few years when Jerusalem would come under siege and be destroyed by Rome. The Jews would be seeking their Messiah and would not find Him during that time unless they would turn to Jesus. You know how people are in times of great trouble (or tribulation)...they will look for anything that could give them even a glimmer of hope - and people capitalize on that. Certainly, in this time - they did.

Wars and Rumors of Wars
24:6-7: "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom…"

Approximately 2,000 years ago when Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives with His disciples, He prophesied of coming wars. Interestingly, at the time when Jesus prophesied this there were no signs of "wars and rumors of wars". The power of Rome seemed to be stable, strong, irresistible and permanent. Historically, the period was referred to as Pax Romana, that is, Roman Peace. This was about 27 BC to 180 AD during which time Rome saw a period of relative peace and minimal expansion by military force. The enemies of Rome, however, would not have spoken of the time so graciously, but Rome definitely was established in the region. It was at that time that Jesus prophesied of coming wars.

Did the prophecy of Jesus come true within that generation? Indeed, wars began to break out all over the empire. The Jews lived in constant fear, with 50,000 Jews being slain in Seleucia and 20,000 in Caesaria. Then in 66 AD, 50,000 Jews were killed in Alexandria. Within a period of 18 months, four emperors in Rome were murdered violently. Civil war broke out in the city of Rome. It was a time of great turmoil and there were constant rumors of new rebellions.

Famines
24:7: "...in various places there will be famines..."

Did famines and earthquakes occur during the generation of the disciples?

In Acts 11 we are told about the "great famine."

…Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. (Acts 11:28)

That famine was so severe in the region of Judah that we can read two places in the New Testament where Christians took offerings to collect money for believers suffering there (Acts 11:29-30; I Cor. 16:1-3).

The historian Josephus wrote about the devastation of that period.

But the famine was too hard for all other passions, and it is destructive to nothing so much as to modesty…insomuch that children pulled the very morsels that their fathers were eating out of their very mouths, and what still more to be pitied, so did the mothers do to their infants; and when those that were most dear were perishing under their hands, they were not ashamed to take from them the very last drops that might preserve their lives…but the seditious everywhere came upon them immediately, and snatched away from them what they had gotten from others; for when they saw any house shut up, this was to them a signal that the people within had gotten some food; whereupon they broke open the doors, and ran in and took pieces of what they were eating, almost up out of their very throats, and this by force; the old men, who held their food fast, were beaten; and if the women hid what they had within their hands, their hair was torn for so doing; nor was there any commiseration shown either to the aged or to the infants, but they lifted up children from the ground as they hung upon the morsels they had gotten, and shook them down upon the floor.

Eusebius:
Under (Claudius) the world was visited with a famine, which writers that are entire strangers to our religion have recorded in their histories. ( Ecclesiastical History, ll:8)

Knowing about this famine and the destruction of Jerusalem to follow, it makes sense then why Jesus said to the women of Jerusalem:

"Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, "Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed!" (Luke 23:28-29)

This wasn't a warning to the women in our future who may be nursing or pregnant during "the end". It was a warning (motivated by grief) to the women in the First Century Church. For, if there was no food - nursing a new born baby would be virtually impossible.

Earthquakes
24:7:"…in various places there will be…earthquakes."

Are these earthquakes that we have been seeing recently in Japan a sign that the world is ending and that Jesus is Coming Soon? Let's not forget the tragic earthquakes in Haiti and Chile last year. Could these all be a pre-cursor to "the end"? Well, No.

Not only did the Earth quake when Jesus died on the cross (Matt.27:51-52) and again when He rose from the dead (Matt.28:2), but also history shows us that a few years just prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD was a time of unusually high quake activity. The most famous earthquake was the destruction of Pompeii in 63 AD. The historians of this period also tell us about earthquakes at Crete, Smyrna, Miletus, Laodicea, Heirapolis, Colosae, Rome, Judea and many other regions.

Birth Pangs
24:8 "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."

It is common today for people trained in the popular endtime view to look at present-day natural disasters and claim that they are signs of the imminent return of Jesus, yet that is not what Jesus said. He was very clear that these signs would happen within that generation, and that they would not be signs of the end of the world but "merely the beginnings of birth pangs."

These birth pangs preceded the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

Persecution and Tribulation
24:9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name."

I think this verse is one of the favorites of Christians. We have been trained to prepare ourselves for the great and horrible day of tribulation. There are even songs by Christian bands that speak of how horrible it will be for us on those days. And, somehow, this offers hope to the non-believer.

Can I take a step out of the apocalyptic box for a moment and say, things are looking much better today than they were even a century ago (even more so 2000 years ago when Jesus said this).

In one of the darkest periods in history, Jesus had the audacity to teach His followers a prayer so shocking that to this day it defies reason. Jesus instructed His tattered brigade of spiritual warriors, "Pray that My Father's kingdom would come and His will would be done on Earth, just as it is in Heaven."

Are the words of this prayer a pie-in-the-sky mantra He coined to ease suffering? What does this prayer, given by Jesus some 2 thousand years ago, have to do with our world today....with its mounting crises and calamities? Is it possible that Jesus taught us to pray this way to in fact bring His Kingdom and His Will to this earth today, here and now?

Let me present this scenario:

Are we healthier today than we were 200 years ago?
Are more people fed in the world today than 200 years ago?
Are women more free today?
Are blacks more free today?
Is it legal to be a Christian today?

Certainly, there are instances of calamity. There are moments of strife. There are obviously regions and people groups that are rising against another. And, yes, I know that there are attacks on Christianity in America....you do realize however that the number of Churches and Christians in countries like China, India, Africa, Egypt, Iran & Iraq is growing exponentially on a daily basis. Contrary to what you might think or hear in "the news", today Christians are the fastest growing people group, and are gaining positions of authority the world around....that...Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.

Let us look at History:
First came the persecution of the Christians in the first century instigated by the Jewish religious leaders. Saul was among those leaders who oversaw the men who were putting Christians to death. The book of Acts describes that persecution saying:

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1b)

That "great persecution" continued to spread and soon the Roman government officials such as King Herod got involved (Acts 12:1).

The persecution became even more intense in the year 64 AD....the year when over one-third of the city of Rome burned to the ground. People today have difficulty understanding the significance of this event.

If I could compare the burning of Rome with the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York, I would have to say that the fire in Rome was far more devastating.

Rome was considered the center of the civilized world during the first Century and over one-third of the city was destroyed. Nero, who was the Emperor at the time, blamed Christians for that terrible fire, and then he began what Church historians call "The Great Persecution." Not only were thousands of Christians tortured, but Nero actually, (among many other brutal means of torture and humiliation) had Christians covered in tar and set on fire so their burning bodies would light up his gardens while he entertained guests at his extravagant evening parties.

Certainly, there have been atrocities carried out against Christians and Jews since this time. But, including the Holocaust during WWII, none compare to the gruesome, horrific, & tragic brutality against the Christians and Jews during this time.

Why did this happen? It is the Roman and Greek governing thought. I am not saying government, but their thinking. They believed each emperor to be divine. That's right, their emperors were considered to be gods, worthy of worship. And, as you can assume, the Christians and the Jews would not bow their knee and acknowledge Nero (or any other emperor) as god. And, therefore, meet their fate.

I will discuss Emperor Nero in a later post.

Apostasy and False Prophets
24:10-13 At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end. He will be saved.

And, here it is...The Great Falling Away.
Our contemporary teaching assures us that before Christ returns there will be a great many people walking away or abandoning their faith. This doesn't make any sense. Why would Jesus come back for His Bride that more than half of Her members have left the body? Why would Jesus say that this must happen if His Kingdom (His Bride) will be the 'rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth' (Daniel 2:35)?

Soon after the death of Jesus, false prophets and teachers began appearing on the scene. (They are not new to The Church today). Several times Paul warned his followers to watch out for the false prophets. John explained that during his lifetime "many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). Similarly Peter warned that there were already false prophets in Israel who introduce destructive ideas... (ll Peter 2:1).

The first group of these false teachers are the Judaizers. These are a group of men and women who taught that the Gentiles had to become Jewish proselytes. They taught that all Christians had to adhere to the Law of Moses as well as have faith in Christ to find favor with God and receive salvation. And, we all know that it is only by Grace we are saved, and not by anything we do. This is why Paul had such a hard time with this group of people.

Then we have the Gnostics. The very teach of Gnosticism is anti-Christ. Gnosticism is a worldview in which the spiritual world is separated from the natural world. According to Gnostcism, the spiritual world was considered good and the natural world was thought to be corrupt and evil. As some leaders attempted to merge this view with Christianity, they determined that God could not have become flesh nor could He have come into this evil world as Jesus. This led to several false teachings about the very nature of Jesus. (John was responding directly to this problem in the church his letters).

Gnosticism literally means to have or practice secret knowledge. They taught that, since God is spirit and man is flesh, we need be very spirit-conscience to be a good Christian. Therefor, they developed mystical understandings and taught that a person must have secret knowledge to know God.

Gnosticism took many forms. One of the most influential groups rejected the Old Testament. They taught that the God of the Old Testament was the devil and that Jesus had come to reveal an "unknown Father" to us. Other Gnostics taught that the Old Testament rituals were still valid for Christians. Some were hyper-ascetic (renouncing material comforts), taught vegetarianism and were opposed to any sexual expression even within marriage, while others taught "freedom" from all laws and held orgies as part of their religious rituals.

History tells us that by the year 150 AD, about one-third of all Christians were involved in Gnosticism in one way or another. Imagine how it would be today if one- third of all Christians in your own community or church were taken in by a certain heretical teaching. What impact would this have on your church family or The Body as a whole? That is exactly what happened during those early days when the church was struggling to survive. It was against such teachings that Paul was battling in Acts 20:29-30.

There is a lot more about Gnosticism that is relevant to our understanding of Scripture and in understanding the problems of the First-Century Church. It is certainly worth taking a moment to explain. Perhaps in a later post.

So, the end of the world is here...again.

At every calendar milestone or catastrophic weather pattern, self-proclaimed modern-day prophets arise to stir up a furor rivaled only by the impending apocalypse they predict.

This doom-and-gloom prognostication is not only spread by a few fanatics, but millions of Christians, including some of the most recognized names in mainstream Christianity who are caught up in the latest "last days" frenzy.

Seduced by the popular craze, they are driven not to action, but to radical inactivity, ineffectiveness, and lethargy while waiting for the easy-out "end" be that pre, post, or mid-tribulation...('cause there isn't going to be a tribulation!)

I'm sorry folks, but it's much better than that. All those things that we have grown in faith to be afraid of have happened already. So, if you're looking for the great tribulation...I'm sorry, you missed it. Things are looking up folks. The world is becoming a better and safer place. Christianity is growing at a rapid pace with great power and authority.

Jesus tells us that there are two things that must happen before He returns.

1. I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

Sure, there are some miracles happening here and there throughout the world. People who are blind can now see, the lame can walk. And, yes...people have been brought back from the dead. But, can I just remind you...Jesus did that too. In my human mind, I can not comprehend a greater work than that - but until we see greater works than what Jesus Himself did, He is not coming back.

2. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

World-wide missions has exploded over the last century and even more so in the last 2 decades with the advent of the computer and the internet. YWAM has bases in every country in the world. The Kingdom has reached "the four corners", but we have not yet seen discipled Nations. This in reality would fulfill Daniel 2:35 in that the rock [The Kingdom] that knocked the statue [the Kingdoms of this world] down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.

So here, I suggest to you....the next time you hear of a cataclysmic event, an apparent evil ruler coming into a position of power, or worse, someone rejecting or attacking Christianity - respond not with "oh, it's a sign of the times"...but rather, LORD...LET YOUR KINGDOM COME AND YOUR WILL BE DONE, HERE ON EARTH JUST LIKE IT IS IN HEAVEN!

And, wait watch and be amazed as the Lord does something so amazing in your day that you might not believe it even if someone told you about it.

I know, perhaps this post leaves more questions than answers. But, I do hope that it helps reveal some truth. I would like to address other questions in later posts such as "the mark of the Beast", the "Antichrist" and other scare-tactics in popular end-times theology....

For now, Be blessed. Take courage in knowing - YOUR GOD REIGNS!

Related Posts:

5 Distinctive Noses. 5 Distinctive Blows-es

2011-02-08T03:38:00.003-05:00

We have 5 children. Each one has their own things, personality, clothes, styles, and of course, how they each blow their nose. As I watch, listen, and experience each of their nose blowing methods over the last few months of cold and flu season, I have come to appreciate them each a little more within their own personalities.

So, here they are. The noses and the blows-es. The names have been changed, but the noses are real. (I tried to make that dragnet-y, but it didn’t really work).

The 12 year old. Until very recently, his nose blowing was fairly consistent with what you may expect from any other 12 year old. He would take a tissue up to his nose, make some kind of nasally exhaling sounds, roll the tissue around, and throw it away (more than likely a perfectly unused tissue.) Because everyone knows, people will think you’re weird if you blow your nose and it make a sound. And, then he will continue to sit there for the next 30 minutes sniffing snot every second, because that sounds much nicer. He recently came to the revelation that it is healthier to blow – and blow like you mean it – than it is to suck it back in. So, now he blows, just like the rest of us….or something like that.

The 7 year old. He is trying real hard. With an emphasis on hard. I don’t know, maybe he is blowing a whole lot more than everyone else in the house, but I think he may be just putting too much pressure on himself. I mean – they’re tissues, not sandpaper. He gets fluid out and in the tissue just fine. I think he may have some touching up to do in the touching up department for the after-blow. We need to get him to understand that he doesn’t have to scrape of the first layer of skin with each tissue, just dab around for any missed boogers and other nasal remnants.

Our 5 year old. He is an fun one. When he started on his nose-blowing independence, he would often forget to blow his nose. “I need a tissue” would be the cry. (It still is today). When he would get the tissue (bigger than ½ of his face), he would use a tiny corner of it to dab the drip a snot under one nostril and be done with it. Now, he does blow his own nose, but he has the process backwards. He will roll up his tissue and wipe any excess that may have already dripped out of his nose, and then proceed to use the ball to somehow blow from both sides at once. He’s learning the right method, it just takes time to change a habit.

Our three year old. I would have to say, she might be our best nose blower. However, she is a bit premature on her blowing. I will bring a tissue to her face, and just before I get about 1” away, she blows with everything she’s got! It’s a good blow, but where everything goes has left a little to be desired sometimes. She really anticipates blowing her nose, too much at times. But when it all comes together, and the timing is just right, her nose blowing experience ends up quite well..

The 19 month old. Well, no. He doesn’t. In fact, he hasn’t even learned the art of wiping it on his sleeve like his predecessors had before him. What he has learned to do however is when he feels that he wants to come sit on your lap, he will climb up more than likely at one of his snottiest opportunities. And, not only that, he will somehow find a way to climb into your lap and rest his head on your shoulder using nothing but his nose. Maybe he wants to leave a trail in case he needs to find his way back down, I don’t know. Whatever his reason for doing so, he certainly leaves his mark, giving him credit in the current nose blowing chronology.

And there you have it. My inspiration for the night. I love my children.

My First Treasure Hunt

2010-12-10T10:33:00.012-05:00

This is some fun stuff.... :)

I went out on a Treasure Hunt this past Thursday the 9th with a group of 5 from our School of Ministry to the Capital City Mall, in Camp Hill. IT ROCKED!

What is a Treasure Hunt you ask?

Well, simply put - the hunt is seeking who God has on His heart to bless through us. He gives us clues to who it is, and we go find them.

How does it work?
Before we went, our group met together and prayed....jotted down some "clues" on our treasure maps. The map is just a list on a piece of paper. Clues are grouped in categories of location, name, appearance, prayer needs, and misc....

In case you're wondering about a Biblical example of this sort of thing. Acts 9:10-18. The disciple Ananias received a word from the Lord by the Holy Spirit of a precise location, a person's name, and a specific 'prayer need' for a divine appointment....

We encountered 4 people on our lists in about 50 minutes...I will highlight one on this post.

One of us had 'silver columns & rainbow' on the list as the description of a location...another had the name Thomas, and three of us had the word depression as a prayer need...

As we walked along, we passed the entrance to Macy's within the mall, and noticed to big stainless steel columns at the entrance. Just inside the store there was a display of Christmas stockings. The stockings at the end of the display were all rainbow prints. To top it off, above the display there was a BIG sign - the word 'believe'...we thought, this has got to be the spot. So we hung out there for a few moments keeping our eyes opened for other clues.....(like a red hat, blue jacket, or platform shoes).

I saw a family (mom, dad, and two little sons) sitting at one of the columns. I wondered if one of the boy's names might be Thomas. I approached and asked "by any chance, is either one of your son's names Thomas?" They said no. But then, the mother said "his middle name is Thomas"...pointing the the younger son who was coughing. "Well, that's good enough for me", I said. And I waved at the other people in my group to join me.

I explained to the family that we are on a treasure hunt...telling them that we met 1/2 hour before coming to the mall to pray about who it is that God would want us to meet and share His Love with, bless and pray with....and that they were "holding" some of the clues (a location surrounded by silver columns & rainbows, and the name Thomas)....

So, we just offer to pray with them, specifically for Zachary Thomas and his cold....they had no problem receiving the prayers.

When we got done praying over Z.T. I felt there was something more. The Lord reminded me that three of us had the word 'depression'. So, taking a chance, I asked our group if they felt there was something more, and they agreed.

I explained to the family that we had another 'clue' on our list. This clue was a prayer need. I took a chance and mentioned the word depression.....

With that, the mother's countenance changed dramatically and she began to cry...she explained to us that their 13 year old son had just been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and that it was so extreme they were talking about institutionalizing him....*yay God*...

We explained to her that The Lord set up this divine appointment. We had the opportunity to pray hope, joy, and faith into this family and into the mother. We were able to declare depression broken, bi-polar disorder canceled, and restoration of their family to begin....

They said they were believers and that they belonged to a church, but hadn't been there in over a month because of their oldest son. We certainly invited them to our church, but rejoiced with them over theirs....

Can I just say - we were all charged and blessed from that encounter....we had three other ones that night, but this one was 'way cool' :)

I did have one person, who I believe was on my list - but he declined prayer...and that happens sometimes.

Sure, it takes some courage to walk up to someone and ask them if you can pray for them....but when you show them a list with two or three things that relate to them, they tend to be a little more open to it. :)

Out of the people we met, two of their names were on the list (Thomas as mentioned above, the other was Sue). All of them had specific locations, one even as specific as a bench outside of Old Navy...3 of 4 had descriptions with their appearance....and of course, they all had prayer needs. :)

It was a fun night.....

This was my first, and certainly not my last, Treasure Hunt.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

The heart of a man is the Treasure of The Kingdom of God. We are here on earth to seek the Treasures, and return it its rightful owner.

But to everyone is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word or message of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge & understanding from the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-8).

Every Christian can hear from God. Jesus said My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (John 10:27). And just like Jesus, we can do nothing on our own...but only that which the Father is doing. (John 5:9)

Ananias was a Christian like you and me and he heard his directions clearly from the Lord. So too, we must realize that we can hear Him and receive directions from Him.

Hearing the voice of God is something that we all have the capability to do. And, since your mind is renewed (Romans 12:2) and we now, as it says in 1 Corinthians 2:16, understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

Don't second guess yourself. God speaks to you, and through you.

So, go out. Bless someone today because Jesus loves them!

It's The Most Wonderful Time....

2010-12-06T14:21:00.005-05:00

As we are now heading full tilt into the Christmas Season....I just wanted to remind you (my faithful readers), what this is all about..

And, don't forget...It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Is the Christmas season the best month of the year or just the most stressful?

Stay focused people. :)

Stop Blaming Your Old Man!

2010-10-25T10:49:00.001-04:00

I've written about this idea before. I know some of my readers get this, while others I believe, for one reason or another, struggle coming to this conclusion.

This is the idea. You are not wrestling with your old-man. You are not fighting your flesh. You don't have to overcome the old man - the flesh...over and over.

You have an old nature. God did not fix or restore your old nature, He killed it.

When you believed in Jesus and "became" a Christian, God did not repair you. He killed you.

We read this at least 47 times throughout Romans 5-7: You are dead!

Go and read it, now....

WAIT, check that. Before you read the rest of this - you need to read Paul's whole thought. Start at Romans 4:18 and read all the way through chapter 8. It starts with, "even though there was no hope"...and ends saying, I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord....(read it here).

Yeah, now that's a good read....

So, you've read it....now hear this.

You are dead.

God did not fix your old man. He killed him.

He’s not trying to restore your old man. He killed him and made you a new man.

He tore down your old house and He built you a knew one.

Well, we had problems with our electricity in our old house and the roof leaked.

You don’t have that house anymore! God plowed it over and built a new one!

He said “ALL things have become new”.

Some say, “Well, I’m wrestling against my flesh” No no. Now, get this people. You are wrestling against somebody who wants to make you think it’s you so you have no antidote! The enemy wants you to believe that you are battling your flesh so that you believe you are in an uphill battle against something for which you have no cure. It's a lie. He is called the Father of Lies for a reason....

Does anyone remember....we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places....(Eph 6:12)

Here's the deal. The one who is wrestling with you has no power over you, unless you give it to him.

The battleground is in the mind.
The battle is not the mind, the battle is not thoughts, but the battle is manifest in thoughts.

Do you see the difference?

The battle is not your thoughts. However, the way you perceive the battle, the way that you know you’re in a battle, is that you’re having bad thoughts.

The thoughts are not the battle. The thoughts are the weapons that are used against you.

The battle is the spirit realm in conflict with the spirit in you. Why? Because The Christ is trying to emerge within you. There is a baby being born. Christ in you – the hope of Glory. Paul said, I’m going to work until Christ is formed in you. (Galatians 4:19).

Be Prepared
1 Peter 1:13 says to prepare your mind for action...

There are times when you have to keep your armor on all the time.

In Nehemiah 4 they even slept with their swords and the spears, they kept their armor on at all times. Ready - poised at any moment to defend against an attack.

There are evil days when you can’t entertain any thoughts, there are times when you can’t watch TV, there are times when you can’t be in certain places, there are times when you can’t do what you normally would do. Because it’s just screaming in your ear that you’re going to die, you’re going to fall, you’re going to crash your car, this or that is going to happen…you’re going to do something crazy, and you just have to stay focused you have to gird your mind for action and keep your helmet on, even in times when you can normally rest you have to keep your focus.

No, I’m not listening to you, you’re a lying spirit and I am going to push through this thing and get my inheritance.

Taking Territory
Spiritual conflict most often occurs when we advance into new territory that is inhabited by evil.

One of my biggest frustrations with the Church (and I love the Church) is, I am shocked at how unspiritual the people who are supposed to understand the spiritual world are. I am shocked by how much Christians who are born into the spirit, who are born by the spirit, don’t even understand that there is a battle in the spirit! They relegate everything to their flesh or to their mind so much that they try to council themselves out of something that they need to kill and destroy. You don't need to overcome it, you need to kill it! You were born to destroy.

This is your mission – To destroy the works of the devil.
You might be asking ‘How do I know when I get close to one?’ He starts yelling ‘I’m going to kill you…I’m going to kill you’. You need to know and respond, “I’m going to kill you, that’s what I was born to do. I was born to destroy the works of the devil. If you come into my house, I’m going to destroy you!"

He's Got You Figured Out....or so he thinks....
This is the perfect scheme – the enemy gives you the thought. If you’re not spiritually minded you might not even know it’s not your thought

You start to think the though...and then you think to yourself.... “Oh how can I think this?”....(you know his game)

Then, the enemy comes at you with “Oh, Look at you, you’re evil. You go to church. You call yourself a Christian, you call yourself a leader, and this and that…and you’re thinking about women, you’re sexualizing men, you’re thinking impure thought, you’re thinking about killing someone, your thinking about getting high or drunk…and you call yourself a Christian."

He’s called the accuser of the brethren. There is a reason he's called that. It's not because the brethren have done something wrong, it's because through his accusations he is trying to make you think of yourself as inadequate. How?? He LIES to you. Satan is the father of lies for a reason. How do you know if the enemy is lying? When his lips are moving. Nothing he says is truth. Ever. Everything he ever says is a lie. So, if he's talking to you, it's a lie. Period.

What happens next? He destroys your confidence, which takes away your ability to use the weapons that you have that are vastly more powerful than his. He knows that if you raise the sword then he’s dead. So, what does he do? He convinces you that you don’t have the strength do it. Do you see that? He derails what the Truth is. He tries to unravel what we know already. When we run into problems, we know that they help us develop endurance. Endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Rom. 5:3-5) THAT is the truth. He tried to undermine that by getting you to believe that these problems are here to bring you down. Don't believe it.

Entering In.
Most often the battle starts when you enter into territory that is yours – your promised land – but you have never inhabited it.

You say, I think I have this talent. I think I would like to pray for the sick, to preach, take up art, I think I’d like to work here, I really have a passion for whatever it may be. Then suddenly you realize that evil spirits have been keeping you out of that territory forever and when you make a seemingly casual decision to enter that territory you enter into a conflict. And you wonder what’s going on!? Well, it’s your territory that is inhabited by someone that you are supposed to kick out.

The battle almost always happens when you decide to take territory that was always yours but you never inhabited it.

Do I need to go into all the accounts of Israel getting into battle just before they enter into their Promised Land of inheritance?

Dis-place the enemy
It’s been taught for years that darkness is the absence of light.

That isn't entirely correct. In science, they have found that light is actually light waves. When they shoot a beam of light from earth to the moon, it doesn’t travel in a straight line. They’ve found out that darkness is actually a substance and it resists the light. That is why light waves.

In the natural darkness is not the absence of light.

In the spiritual darkness is not the absence of light – it is the presence of evil.

Darkness is a substance. When you move in the darkness you will find out that it doesn’t go away just because you turn the light on. It wants to resist you. That’s why it’s not called a cake-walk. That’s why it’s called a struggle. (Ephesians 6:12) Jesus says, countless times, in teh gospels that we need to be in the light, walk in the light, so we don't stumble in the darkness. He wasn't just talking in the natural....He meant so much more than just to follow Him while He was walking on the earth at that time. He knew what the enemy's goals are - and He knew what we need to do to realize and overcome.

All that the enemy is trying to do is scare you into stopping your pursuit of your promised land.

The reality is - he is more scared of you that you should be of him. The enemy has been defeated. Colossians 2:15 reminds us (and the enemy) that he was defeated and disarmed. The enemy was shamed publicly by Christ's victory over them on the cross.

Ephesians 4:8 (Psalm 68:18) says that when He [Jesus] ascended , He led captive a host of captives...the very gates of hell are held captive....and their scared out of their little fiery demon britches.

So, come on Church.....stop whining and know who you are!

You are a New Creation, the old man has been put to death and the New has come! Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ in baptism, we also joined Him in his death? Our old man died and was buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also have new lives!

Now, stop blaming your old man! The old man is dead! Get up, realize who you are, and re-claim your promised land!

It's Trash Day!

2010-10-12T10:10:00.013-04:00

Today is trash day. No, really...it is. Tuesday morning is the day when our "household" trash gets picked up...

As I sat here working I realized what today actually is.

Trash Day is one of my favorite days of the week.

On Monday night, we go through the house and collect all the junk we don't want anymore. Some of it is what we call refuse. Some of it is just old junk that might be useless, broken, or just completely and utterly unwanted in our house for one reason of another.

I gather up all this junk in bags and drop in in our ugly, stinky, cracked 33 gallon blue Rubbermaid trash cans and place it at the curb and leave it there. You know the stuff I'm talking about....snotty tissues, dirty diapers, broken toys, socks with holes in that are too big to sew, coffee grounds, rancid meat scraps, unusable construction materials, junk mail, dirt from the floors...and all that blechka.

But, here's the crazy thing. The next morning (Tuesday) someone that I don't know quietly comes and takes it all away, no questions asked, no picking through it saying "I can't take this" or "you need to hold on to this". He takes it all never to bring it back or bring it up again....

Please....if that's not amazing grace.....

Now, all of the highly spiritual people who read my blog might take offense but...

Jesus is my trash-man.

I am told to dump the entirety of my cares [all my anxieties, all my worries, all my concerns, once and for all] on Jesus because He cares for me so affectionately and watchfully. (1 Peter 5:7 )

I am supposed to fully give my burden to the Lord, releasing the full weight of it upon Him, and He will sustain me; He will never allow the me (as I seek and run after Him) to slip, fall, or fail). (Psalm 55:22)

Because He picked me out of the slimy pit, out of the nasty mud and mire; and then He set my feet on a solid rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Psalm 40:2)

If I take out my trash - Jesus is faithful and just to pick it up, take it all away, and never to bring it back or bring it up again. (1 John 1:9)

I enjoy trash day. I love my trash-man.

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Selah (Psalm 32:5)

When Will All These Things Happen? Part 1

2010-09-28T21:57:00.006-04:00

More Understanding: Matthew 23-24

Here we go, back to our look into what we call eschatology. The study of "the end times".

This post will look deeper into Matthew 24, a passage which has become know as the “Olivet Discourse” because Jesus gave this teaching to His disciples while they were gathered at the Mount of Olives. Now certainly, there are other passages and chapters in the Bible that seem to give light and understanding into the end times - and I might even get to them at some time. However, I am going to start with Matthew 24, since it is probably the most widely (mis)quoted and (ab)used portion of prophetic writing.

We will begin in Matthew 24:3, where the disciples asked Jesus some key questions.

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciple came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

In the verses that follow, Jesus gives answers to each of these questions. Essentially, the way we understand His answers here determine what we believe about the endtimes, tribulation, the antichrist, and the unfolding of future events...and I might add also that your view of the end has a direct affect on your view, outlook, and response to the present.

After the disciples asked Jesus their questions in Matthew 24:3, Jesus answered talking about false leaders claiming to be Christ, wars, earthquakes, famines, persecutions, and people falling away from the faith. He also talks about the gospel being preached around the world, followed by destruction, tribulation, and people being taken away.

Christians who believe the popular endtime view study Jesus’s answers and conclude that all of the events listed are going to happen in the future, shortly before the end of the world.

Over the last few years, I have come to very different and very hopeful conclusion.

In this post, I will try to walk with you through Matthew 24 verse by verse to explain. First, I need to clearly identify the questions Jesus was asked by His disciples.

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will the sigh of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matt.24:3)

Some translations end this verse with "end of the world," because the Greek word anion, which is used in the original text, may be translated as "age" or "world." Using the term "world," modern endtime theology tend to summarize the questions asked by the disciples into an inquiry about the second coming of Jesus and the end of the world. Therefore, when Jesus gives His answer in the verses that follow, all His comments are thought to be answering that question. The initial problem with that understanding is in that the disciples probably had no thought of Jesus leaving much less of His coming back. They hadn't even really considered that He was going to die.

I would like to suggest that in Matthew 24:3, the disciples asked Jesus not one question, but three distinctly different and separate questions.

Question #1: "When will these things happen?"
Question #2: "What will be the sign of Your coming?"
Question #3: "What about the end of the age (world)?"

As we realize there are three different questions, this should dramatically change how we understand the answers that Jesus gives. He first answers question one in verses 4-28. Then He answers the second question in 29-34. Lastly, He addresses the question about the end of the age (or the world) in verses 24:35-25:24...

Question #1: "When Will These Things Happen?"
The first thing asked of Jesus was, "When will these things happen?" Before we look at Jesus’ answer, we need to identify what "these things" actually are. What things are disciples were asking about?

Christians who have been taught the popular futurist end-time view think "these things" refers to the events which will precede the second coming of Jesus and the end of the world. I believe what we find reflects a very different understanding if we read within the context of these Bible passages.

Matthew 23 tells about a day when Jesus was speaking in the temple in Jerusalem. First, He warned the crowds and His disciples to watch out for the Scribes and Pharisees (23:2-12). Then beginning in Matthew 23:13, Jesus turned from the disciples and directed His words directly towards the religious leaders. We can sense His intent in reading the first few words of each verse that follows:

Verse 13: "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites…"
Verse 14: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites…"
Verse 15: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites…"
Verse 16: "Woe to you, blind guides…"

Here, Jesus is rebuking the religious leaders right there in their temple. Glance down a few more verses and pick up the intensity of His rebuke:

Verse 23: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!..."
Verse 24: "You blind guides…"
Verse 25: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!..."
Verse 26: "You blind Pharisee…"
Verse 27: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!..."
Verse 29: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!..."

Jesus built up to a climax in which He declares severe judgment against those religious leaders.

You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell? Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the alter. Truly I say to you, all these things shall come upon this generation. (23:33-36)

At that moment, I don't think I would have wanted to be sitting with the scribes and Pharisees.

As Jesus declared coming judgment, He referred to the blood of every righteous person, from Abel to Zechariah. Why is this significant? In the Hebrew Bible, Abel is in the first book and Zechariah is in the last book. In essence, Jesus was saying to the religious leaders that the guilt of the blood of every righteous person – from the beginning of their Holy Book to the end—will come upon them and on their generation! That's pretty intense.

Judgment has been decreed
Typically we understand a generation to be 40 years in length. If Jesus' words were to come true , we should expect the judgment He declared to fall upon those religious leaders who were listening to His words and on those who would be around during the following 40 years. As Jesus said in 23:36, I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.

In the next 2 verses Jesus tells more specifically how this great judgment was to occur.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!

The Judgment Fulfilled in 70 AD
So, the question comes to this. Did all that Jesus said come true? Everything He said would have had to have been fulfilled by 70 AD, as Jesus made this declaration around 30 AD. Historically, did anything happen?

Yes, in 70 AD Jerusalem was destroyed. My post "Matthew 24, is it the end, or History?" talks about this. Forgive me if I am repeating myself, but I feel this is an important matter to discuss. I intend to bring it up again becuase, in fact, our understanding of "the end" does effect our view and and reactions to our present.

So, here it is, within 40 years after Jesus declared judgment (Matthew 23), some 20,000 Roman soldiers, under the command of General Titus, surrounded the city and cut off all supplies of food for four months so the people would starve. Then they came into the city and mercilessly killed over one million Jews. The soldiers set the temple on fire, and they led away 97,000 Jews as Roman captives.

At that time the Jewish population was decimated. Historically, little is known about the Jews’ actions or lives for the following 60 years. It was not until 130AD that they began reassembling with enough strength to attempt one last rebellion against Rome. Then after three years of battling, the Romans were able to crush that rebellion, and Israel was no longer recognized as a nation (until 1948). It also was at that time that the Roman commander ordered the temple in Jerusalem to be demolished so completely, that each and every stone was carried away, and then the land on which the temple had stood was plowed over completely. The temple was destroyed entirely, as Jesus said it would be. (24:2)

There are a good number of historical documents from that time period which give us information about the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. However, most of our current information comes from Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived at that time and was an eye witness of the events. Concerning the war against and destruction of Jerusalem, Josephus wrote many things, including the following:

…when the(the Roman soldiers)were come to the house to plunder them, they found in them entire families of dead men…that is of such as died by the famine; they then stood in a horror at this sigh, and went out without touching anything. But although they had this commiseration for such as were destroyed in that manner, yet had they not the same for those that were still alive, but they ran every one through whom they met with, and obstructed the very lanes with their dead bodies, and made the whole city run with blood, to such a degree indeed that the fire of many of the houses were was quenched with these men’s blood. From The Works of Josephus, translated by William Whiston Hendrickson Publishers, 1987

It is worth reading all of Josephus’ writings about the fall of Jerusalem. What is so astounding about them is how clearly – sometimes word for word—they fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 23-24.

The writings of Josephus are available in most Christian bookshops or libraries, and can be accessed freely on many websites.

John Wesley is quoted as saying (regarding v 24:2)

This was most punctually fulfilled: for after the temple was burned, Titus, the Roman general, ordered the very foundations of it to be dug up; after which the ground on which it stood was ploughed by Turnus Rufus, this generation of men now living shall not pass till all these things be done . The expression implies that a great part of that generation would be passed away, but not the whole. Just so it was; for the city and temple were destroyed thirty-nine or forty years after. (The Works of John Wesley, 1985 at Christ Notes commentary)

The Context of Matthew 24
We will possibly discuss the battle and destruction of Jerusalem and the temple more fully later, but here we are noting the context in which Matthew 24 begins. We know that in the original Greek manuscripts of the New Testament there are no chapter breaks. Matthew 23 flows right into Matthew 24 with no interruption. Matthew 24:1 goes on to say:

Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He said to them, "Do you not see all of these things? Truly, I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down." (Matt.24:3)

After repeating that the temple would be demolished completely, Jesus walked away from the temple with His disciples. Then the next verse starts off saying, As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives …

Where is the Mount of Olives? It is the hill just outside the temple in Jerusalem. As Jesus sat down with His disciples they most likely were looking right at the temple from which they had just left.

Let’s put ourselves in the disciples’ position. If I had been sitting there with Jesus, what would you ask? Jesus had just finished decreeing a vast judgement over the city of Jerusalem and the Temple. More than likely this is on my mind, so wondering what Jesus is talking about I would have asked a similar if not the same question. The disciples asked: "Tell us, when will these things happen?"

They were asking, "When will Jerusalem and the temple be destroyed?"

As I said earlier, popular endtime teachers assume that the disciples were asking about the end of the world. It’s possibly not until the third question that they asked Jesus about that end. More than likely, they asked about the end at the same time that they asked about the temple being destroyed because in their Jewish minds what Jesus had just predicted was so cataclysmic that they must have wondered if it would be the end of the world. They were shocked at the thought of God’s holy temple being destroyed. How could life go on without it? Could it possibly coincide with the end of the world? If not, when would it occur?

I will look at Jesus’ responses to the second and third questions sometime later.

But now, I want to clarify that the first question the disciples asked Jesus is, "When will these things—Jerusalem and the temple—be destroyed?" Within a Generation.

As we look at His answer, keep in mind His time frame. Jesus said Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed within a generation. He repeated that again in Matthew 24:34, saying: "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."

So, can we accept these words of Jesus literally? Absolutely, yes!

Popular (modern) endtime teaching sees all of the events of which Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24 happening not by 70 AD, but some 2,000plus years later, sometime in our future. Therefore they cannot the time frame of that generation which Jesus declared in two separate passages (Matt.23:36 and 24:34).

Some popular endtimers will explain their position by redefining the word "generation" to mean "race," and say that the race of Jewish people will not pass away before the end of the world. Others claim that the generation which would see all of the events listed in Matthew 24:4-33 – that generation will not pass away until Jesus returns.

I believe that Jesus knew exactly what He was talking about.

Everything that is prophesied between Matthew 23:36 and Matthew 24:24 took place exactly as Jesus declared, during the generation which was alive when Jesus declared those words.

This is what I want to try to show you in my next blog entry. (I fear this may be too long for only one).

Next post: Jesus answers the first question. (including Famines, Wars, Earthquakes, and the anti-Christ).

Also see:

Matthew 24...is it the end...or History?

A Thought: His Kingdom is without end.

8 Core Values of Eschatology

I'm Just Teasing

2010-08-18T22:47:00.013-04:00

I just wanted to share a brief update on the happenings here at our rehab-house.

The other day we (my wife) decided to refinish and restore the fireplace mantle in our new/renovated kitchen.

So, here are a few teaser photos just to get your appetite budding.

The fireplace before, (during reconstruction of the new kitchen). In all it's creamy white painted trim and fake brick paneling glory....

With a little sanding, stripping, sanding, chipping, sanding and sanding....

Behind all that paint (2 coats) we found a lovely oak. We now have something that looks a little like this

And, applying the first coat of stain......we chose the Special Walnut #224.

We might have something a little like this.....

I can only imagine the possibilities.

Matthew 24...is it the end...or History?

2010-08-12T12:32:00.010-04:00

Is the Olivet Discourse (as it is often referred to) a conversation that Jesus has with his disciples about what is to happen in the far distant future, just before His second coming? Or, is Jesus giving a clear warning to the men and women sitting with Him that evening of things that were soon to come?

In reading Matthew 24, there is a matter of interpretation and understanding that most people (especially in modern American Christianity) don't have, or possibly ignore, prior to reading.

Historically, the events that Jesus is talking about in Matt 24:4-34 have essentially happened already in and around 70AD when Rome attacked and defeated the city of Jerusalem.

Numerous historical accounts, like those provided by first-century historian Josephus, record in great vivid detail the horrific events and circumstances that surrounded the siege. Some suggest that the Romanic siege on Jerusalem was more horrifying than the Holocaust of WWII, not in numbers but in brutal and barbaric treatment.

The Fall of Jerusalem
The Siege of Jerusalem in the year 70 AD was a decisive event in the First Jewish-Roman War. The Roman army, led by the future Emperor Titus, besieged and conquered the city of Jerusalem, which had been occupied by its Jewish defenders in 66 AD. The city and its famous Temple were destroyed in 70 AD.

The destruction of the Temple is still mourned annually at the Jewish fast Tisha B'Av. The Arch of Titus, depicting and celebrating the Roman sack of Jerusalem and the Temple, still stands today in Rome. It shows the soldiers carrying the Temple’s treasuries, including the Menorah, during Titus's triumphal procession in Rome.

Despite early successes in preventing the Roman sieges on the city, the Zealots (Jewish political activists) fought amongst themselves, lacking proper leadership. They lacked discipline, training, and preparation for the battles that were to follow.

The Battle of Jerusalem
Titus and the Roman army surrounded the city, with three legions on the western side and a fourth on the Mount of Olives to the east. He closed off food and water supplies to city. There was an increased demand in the city for these basic essentials as the armies were allowing Jewish pilgrims to enter the city to celebrate Passover, then refusing to allow them to go out.

In mid-May Titus set to destroying the newly built third city wall, the weakest spot in the city, with a ram. The wall was built shortly before the war began so it wasn’t as protected as other walls. Breaching it as well as the second interior wall, Titus turned his attention to the Fortress of Antonia just north of the Temple Mount. The Romans were then drawn into street fighting with the Zealots, who retreated to the temple to avoid heavy losses. During the fighting inside the city walls, stockpiled supplies of dry food were intentionally burned to induce the defenders to fight instead of negotiating peace; as a result many city dwellers and defenders died of starvation during the siege. Food, water, and other provisions were dwindling inside the city, so much to the point that some imprisoned in their own city turned to cannibalism.

Over the next three months and after several failed attempts to breach walls of the Antonia Fortress, the Romans finally launched a secret attack to take the Fortress. The Antonia Fortress overlooked the Temple and provided a perfect point to attack. The fighting eventually set the Temple walls on fire.

Destroying the Temple was probably not among Titus' goals, after all Herod the Great had done major expansions to the Temple just decades earlier – an appeasement from Rome to keep the Jews quiet. However, the fire spread quickly and was soon out of control. The Temple was destroyed on Tisha B'Av, the 9^th day of the Jewish month Av. Tisha B'Av now is the peak of a three week period of increasing mourning, beginning with the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, which commemorates the first breach in the walls of Jerusalem. (Zechariah 7:3). The flames from the Temple spread into the residential sections of the city.

The Roman army defeated the remaining Jewish resistance. Part of the remaining Jews escaped through hidden underground tunnels, while others made a final stand in the Upper City. The city was completely under Roman control by September 7 as Roman soldiers continued to hunt down Jews that had fled the city.

The siege of Jerusalem had begun early in the war, but had turned into a stalemate. Unable to breach the city's defenses, the Roman armies established a permanent camp just outside the city, digging a trench around the circumference of its walls and building a wall as high as the city walls themselves around Jerusalem. Anyone caught in the trench attempting to flee the city would be captured, crucified, and placed in lines on top of the dirt wall facing into Jerusalem. It is estimated as many as five hundred crucifixions occurring in a day.

By the summer of 70, the Romans were within the City of Jerusalem, ransacking and burning nearly the entire city. Tacitus, another historian of the time, notes that those in Jerusalem, men and women alike and every age, engaged in armed resistance. Everyone who could pick up a weapon did, preferring death to a life that would involve removal from their country. All three walls were destroyed and in turn so was the Temple.

The Dispersement of the Jews
Some historical accounts claim that Titus destroyed the Temple to help uproot and demolish the Jewish people. The account of Josephus described Titus as moderate in his approach and suggests that ordered the thousand-year-old Temple be spared. According to Josephus, the Roman soldiers grew furious with Jewish attacks and tactics and, against Titus' orders, set fire to an apartment adjacent to the Temple, which soon spread all throughout. The Roman soldiers then overturned and cast out every stone of the Temple, down to its foundation; thus fulfilling Jesus’ words “Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another” (v. 24) The remaining west wall (the Wailing Wall) is actually not the part of the Temple but rather part of the wall around the city. There are huge foundation stones lying amidst the courtyard areas still evident today.

Josephus had acted as a mediator for the Romans and, when negotiations failed, witnessed the siege and aftermath. He wrote:

“Now as soon as the army had no more people to slay or to plunder, because there remained none to be the objects of their fury (for they would not have spared any, had there remained any other work to be done), [Titus] Caesar gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and Temple, but should leave as many of the towers standing as they were of the greatest eminence; that is, Phasaelus, and Hippicus, and Mariamne; and so much of the wall enclosed the city on the west side. This wall was spared, in order to afford a camp for such as were to lie in garrison [in the Upper City], as were the towers [the three forts] also spared, in order to demonstrate to posterity what kind of city it was, and how well fortified, which the Roman valor had subdued; but for all the rest of the wall [surrounding Jerusalem], it was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it [Jerusalem] had ever been inhabited. This was the end which Jerusalem came to by the madness of those that were for innovations; a city otherwise of great magnificence, and of mighty fame among all mankind.

And truly, the very view itself was a melancholy thing; for those places which were adorned with trees and pleasant gardens, were now become desolate country every way, and its trees were all cut down. Nor could any foreigner that had formerly seen Judaea and the most beautiful suburbs of the city, and now saw it as a desert, but lament and mourn sadly at so great a change. For the war had laid all signs of beauty quite waste. Nor had anyone who had known the place before, had come on a sudden to it now, would he have known it again. But though he [a foreigner] were at the city itself, yet would he have inquired for it.”

Josephus writes that some 1,100,000 people were killed during the siege, of which a majority were Jewish, and that 97,000 were captured and enslaved. Many fled to areas around the Mediterranean.

In Matthew 24 the great majority of "bad news" that Jesus was talking about is speaking of events that happened within the 40 years after his crucifixion and resurrection. (He said this around 30-33 AD and the siege of Jerusalem took place around 70AD - 40 years ("this generation") Even the earthquakes, famines, wars and rumors of war...the false prophets, false Messiah's, and great apostasy. It all happened during that generation. It all happened within and around the city of Jerusalem. He was warning his disciples of what was going to be happening in a short time after He left them...ascending into heaven.

There also is evidence of verses 26-29 happening already (in and about 70AD) near the end of the Jerusalem siege and directly after. There were many who were claiming to say they had seen the Messiah – who would rescue them from the Romans. They would often times develop a group of followers who believed them in desperation to get out of the horrific situation they were in, only to be lead out of the city to their most brutal execution. Jesus says to the disciples "in that day"... it suggests to me that v30-34 is also a prophecy of events that has happened already...then he concludes with saying (v 34) I tell you the truth, this generationwill not pass until these things take place...(I will dig into these verses later)

With a futurist apocalyptic view of these passages - we have to somehow twist 'this generation' to mean this nation, or this race, or something other than this generation. The word Jesus used was genea...which is the same word He used in Mat 12:39, and Hebrews 3:10 as well as 40 other times in the New Testament where it referred to a specific & chronological group of people at a given time. Some passages (like Acts 14:16, 15:21, Eph 3:5) it is translated as a specific chronological time....

In other words: what has been interpreted as speaking of the end of the world, essentially was the end of Jerusalem in 70AD. And as we study prophecies of the end of the world in regard to the advancement of the Kingdom I find the end (and the years building up to it) to be a time a great moves of God in the earth. Quite the contrary to the grim doctrine of apocalyptic futurism.

In reality, if we study classic world history, the world today is a much better place than it was even 200 years ago. Even more so than 2000 years ago. I do believe that True Christianity - (The Church living out the Power and Glory of God) will grow and become the salt and light in the world that we are called to be. Some say that the world is getting more evil, I would suggest that the world is getting better as the Light of Christ is shining more strongly it exposes evil more clearly exposed so that it can and will be overcome.

Contextually

When we read Matthew 24; Remember to also read Matthew 23 with it, it's all the same event, time & moment. It all subscribes to each other. An important thing for me when reading these passages (or any of the Bible) is to put myself in the reader's/author's/receiver's position....rather than reading it from 'my' perspective.

When we read this passage today, we have a pre-conceived/learned understanding of Jesus' mission - to die for the redemption of all Creation and defeat the powers of Satan through His resurrection. Jesus' disciples essentially had no clue. When they were asking the questions stated in 24:3 (3 distinctly different questions) they were not asking about His second coming. They didn't even think Jesus was leaving. They hadn't even considered that He was going to be dying in a few days. In fact, if you remember when Jesus ascended into Heaven they were standing there asking Him "are you going to set up your Kingdom NOW?" They were still looking for a King to overthrow the Roman oppression and free Israel from Roman rule (Acts 1:6). They weren't looking for Jesus the Author of Salvation.

I don't think the disciples fully understood what Jesus' mission was until Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2 when Peter says "This is what Joel was talking about" and because the Holy Spirit came upon them they finally got it (although still in part because they didn't realize until later that it was not only for the Jews but for all of humanity).

Really, in this chapter - the only thing that Jesus says about His second coming to earth is found in verses 35-44 then 45-51 as an allegorical picture of His return. Jesus' instructions regarding His second coming to earth is simple - don't worry about when it is because I don't even know - just be ready. The only sign of His second coming is; that there will be no sign.

Romans 8:20-24 speaks of the curse that is placed on all of creation (not just man). And that creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God....yes, there will be a New Heaven and A New Earth - just as in Christ we are A New Creation. *yippy*. :)

I must say, for me, coming to this "view" of end times is actually quite liberating It offers so much more hope to see "Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven"....and that 'of the increase of His Government and Peace there shall be no end..." (Is 9:7) The increasing will not end! That is pretty exciting to me. Increase here in Isaiah is "marbeh" which literally means abundant increase....

More to come…Obviously, there are many other scriptures that refer to "the end". I will try to address some of the 'major' ones.

8 Core Values of Eschatology

A Thought: His Kingdom is without end.

Honor: Pass It On

2010-07-22T10:49:00.026-04:00

My good friend Brandon entered a video contest this past week to honor the troops. As a prize, he would win a car which couldn't come at a better time. He is about to head out to California as a graduate student at the American Film Institute. So, I am enlisting your help! Below are the details for the contest and I'd so appreciate your help.Thanks so much.

Brandon created and entered his video in a national patriotic contest to honor the troops. His video was accepted and posted on Sean Hannity's website.

The video is entitled Honor: Pass It On.

There are TWO phases to this contest and we need everyone's help!

PHASE 1: Between now and July 30, you can “Rate” the video one time from each computer.
You can find the video at: www.hannity.com/videos and then search for the title Honor: Pass It On.
(you can also click most watched or best rated and you'll find it)
To give the video a 5 Star rating, click on the “5th Star” on the bar below the video. The rating period is very significant and could make a difference in the outcome.

PHASE 2: From August 2-5, there will be a public voting period. At this time, you will be able to “Vote” for his video, Honor: Pass It On, one time from each computer per day...for a total of 5 votes.

Search for, watch and rate the video "Honor: Pass It On"

Thank you.

The Future is On The Line

2010-06-09T09:19:00.016-04:00

The clothesline seems to be getting a lot of press lately: People either love it or hate it, and the battle is heating up now that it's warm outside. Many private communities actually ban the use of clotheslines because they believe it makes an area appear to be poor, according to an article on Time magazine's Money blog. Another article in The New York Times reported that even a trailer park forbid one of its residents from hanging her laundry.

Tell me, in what universe is this an eyesore:

While this is not?

I know - it's a pretty vehicle. And, in fact, we own a large SUV ourselves. My point being, the condition of the culture whereas the SUV is symbolic of our urbanized sprawling development and expansion.

However, now that frugality rules, clotheslines are gaining momentum. There's even a documentary film in the making about the right-to-dry movement, which is called Drying for Freedom, to be released in late 2010. (You can see the trailer here.)

I've looked up some of the reasons why people love or hate the clothesline, and here are some answers:

Pro-clothesline folks love air drying because it shaves significant money off of electric bills (in fact, according to Time Magazine, dryers account for about 15% of domestic energy). Clothesline fans also say clothing smells fresher and does not wear out as fast. Whites are brighter when dried in the sun...and most clothes and fabrics last longer when air dried.

On the other hand, anti-clothesline activists say outdoor drying makes allergies worse by capturing dander & pollen on fabrics. They also claim air drying is a hassle, complaining it takes too much time to hang clothing, that clothes fall off line and need to be rewashed, that garments feel "crunchy" after it dries on a line and that the line itself is difficult to install. All to which, I say..."oh, grow up".

Ultimately, pro-clothesliners are worried their anti-air-drying neighbors will think a clothesline is an eyesore, or that their neighbors might see some 'unmentionables' or that their neighbors might think that they can't afford an electric dryer........(yeah, these are problems...)

However, both clothesline haters and those of us who love our clotheslines are not too excited about the love affair that bugs and birds seem have with hanging clothing.

So, if you want to dry your clothes outside, but caught up in the "what will the neighbors think" problem, there are a options.

There are some effective and aesthetically-pleasing products, such as the retractable clothesline. Or, how about the Wall Shelf Drying Rack to keep your 'unmentionables' air-drying, but unseen. Or, what we use, a Fold-Away Clothesline from Home Depot. And for those neighbors who are all giving you the hairy eyeball, why not set up your own solar clothes dryer. Who can argue with that?

This is a revisited article from my friend, Paul over at his Kitchen and Residential Design Blog.
other references to Shelterpop.

A Good Book

2010-06-04T09:08:00.007-04:00

I don't often recommend books. Actually...I don't often read books ;)

But....I have been reading an excellent book by a wealthy motivational speaker and author named Solomon Davidson. His book leaves other best sellers dead in the water. Solomon Davidson is now deceased, but he came from a very interesting background. His life reads a lot like a tabloid.

He was the son of a war hero. His father was consecrated as a king. Mr. Davidson became unspeakably rich but he made a mess of his life after committing adultery. He inherited his father's wealth and became even richer than his father. That’s when he began writing about good investments, seduction, laziness, how to gain wealth, how to handle your boss, about women, about men, about relationships and many other subjects and topics that every person encounters from day to day. Anyone who would read his writing would glean wisdom from him.

His book eventually became a best-seller, but like many successful men, he ended up having a number of bad marriages. Still, his wisdom is amazing. I try to read his book regularly in a effort to learn from his experiences in life. I would encourage you to read him also. You can find his book directly after the Book of Psalms: "The Proverbs of Solomon the Son of David, King of Israel..."

:)

A Thought: His Kingdom is without end.

2010-05-05T08:32:00.013-04:00

"And of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." Is. 9:7

Daniel 2:44 - Daniel interpreted the King's dream saying that "in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."

Jesus brought with Him a new kingdom, and it is increasing still, over 2000 years later.

I don't think His Kingdom will stop, until the whole earth is filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations will worship before You. (Psalm 22:27)

They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9)

Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is You who possesses all the nations. (Psalm 82:8)

WHO does? Who possesses all the nations? That's God...it's not satan that possesses the nations - In fact, he doesn't possess anything...why do we Christians give satan so much credit? Even more so, why do we give him so much "air-time" during the 'end of the world'?

All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord. And they shall glorify Your name. (Psalm 86:9)

This is pretty exciting stuff if you ask me. The "end" of the world will be a wonderful time...we Christians (over the last 100 years or so) have really made the events of the "end" to be some sort of horrible turn of events. Something tells me that this kind of thinking is a bit off base (scripturally).

And of the increase of His government and peace there will be NO END!! That means...none, nada, zilch, none...like...never gonna stop increasing...not a day since His kingdom was established will it ever lose momentum or power or strength or glory!

Where does the idea that the whole world is out of control and spinning in a vortex of evil and destruction awaiting Christ's return?? I mean...really...where does that idea come from??

Of the increase...there shall be NO END!! WOOT!! NO END!! Can I hear it again?!?! NO END!!

8 Core Values of Eschatology

2010-04-19T09:26:00.010-04:00

I am hoping to write a few posts on a view of eschatology...

I am not going to call it "my view"....because it's not mine - but it is the view that I have. What I mean is - I didn't come up with the idea. But - over the last few years as I have studied scripture and what He teaches through scripture and His revelation about the Gospel of The Kingdom, I have come to realize that much of what I have believed to be scriptural is not. Even more so - what I believed to be scriptural isn't even in the Bible.

So, to start - I would like to suggest these 8 core values of eschatology. Perhaps, these points will be the headings for my next posts.

1. I will not embrace an end time world view that re empowers a disempowered devil.

In Colossians 2:14-15, God made a public display of him when he triumphed over him on the cross.

2. I will not accept an end times worldview that undermines my childrens future and goes against a mentality of leaving a legacy. I intend to leave a legacy that is followed by victory.

Jeremiah 29:11 – even when in Babylon we read that God has good thoughts to us to give us a hope and a future

3. I will not accept an eschatology that sabotages the clear command of Jesus to make disciples of all nations and the Lords prayer that earth would be like Heaven - when He said, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 28:18-20
The last days have to continue long enough to fulfill the end prophesies of John 14 & Mat 28. The good things have to be fulfilled not just the bad things

4. Will not accept a mindset that will destroy the hope for the nations and undermine our command to restore ruined cities

Amos – rebuild tabernacle of David
Isaiah – restoration of destroyed places. Restore ruined cities of many generations.

5. I will not embrace a world view that changes the nature of a good God. (Yes, He is righteous and just and He will judge but not before He returns to His Kingdom.)

6. I will not take on a belief system that celebrates bad news as a sign of the times and a necessary requirement for the return of Jesus.

Jesus said that 'No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father' (Matthew 24:36). He gives no indication of a sign for His second coming.

7. I will not accept a Biblical worldview that pushes the promises of God into a time zone that can’t be attained in my generation and takes away any responsibility of mine to believe God for this to be attained in my lifetime.

We say that certain things can only happen in the millennium and therefore never take the responsibility to press into them now.
In the last days I will pour out my spirit on all flesh – acts. There are many last days verses that have good promises so lets expect those to happen and not just bad things.
David brought things into his generation that were reserved for a different covenant. In the Law the high priest could only stand before the holy of holies once a year and, if he had any sin, he would die. But David brought priests and worshippers around the Ark of the Covenant on a constant basis and everyone lived. They worshiped for 24 hours a day for 32 years because David pulled into his generation what was reserved for another day. What would it look like if we pulled the things of heaven and the millennium into our day?

8. I don’t believe that the last days are a time of judgment nor do I believe that the church is supposed to judge cities. I believe there is a time where God will judge man but man won’t be the judge.

Additional thoughts:

The Pharisees combined the 1st and 2nd comings that’s why they couldn’t recognize the guy who embodied the book they had memorized. Their theology kept them from meeting their Christ. Does our theology keep us from meeting Christ today?

Acts 2:17 – 'in the last days I’ll pour out my spirit on all flesh, sons and daughters prophesy, before the great and glorious day of the Lord. And all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' We live in the last days not the last day. These are 2 epic seasons

The last days – great and glorious
The last day – great and terrible

2 Corinthians 5:17 states if anyone is in Christ he’s a new creation. And god was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. Not counting their trespasses against them.

We have been giving the ministry of reconciliation – which is not holding people’s sins against them. This means; not judging, not condemning, not declaring doom and gloom.

The Last Day:

Always mentioned as a day - great and terrible
Great if you know the Lord, terrible if you don’t
Acts 17:30 – because he has fixed a day when he will judge the world
John 17:48 – he who rejects me. . The Word will judge him on that day
2 Peter 3:7 – the day of judgment
Jude 6 – the angels who fell . . . kept for the judgment of the great day
1 John 4:17 – confidence in the day of judgment
On this day God will be the judge. Our job is to extend mercy to those who don’t deserve it.

When we celebrate days of judgment and people dying watch out because we also deserve to be judged. Our job isn’t to call for judgment but to call for mercy and stop judgment, as it has been the role of God's people since Genesis.

Our job is not to intensify fear and declare destruction but to release hope, call for mercy, as it has been the role of God's people since Genesis.

If you can scare people into heaven they can be scared out. But perfect love casts out fear. The Gospel isn’t You’re going to be punished if you don’t receive this but that you can get out of the punishment you are currently in by accepting this great news. Jesus forgives and loves you. Repeating the negative news of the world around us isn’t a way to get people saved- declaring Hope is.

Arise and shine for you light has come – deep darkness has covered the earth but the Glory of the Lord will rise up on you and the nations of the earth will come to you. – Isaiah 61:1

Don’t arise and reflect what’s going on around you but arise and shine the true light of God’s perspective. You’ll have answers in dark times. Answers that offer hope. Let us arise as this light and house of hope in the midst of any situation.

Isaiah 9:6-7 – there is no end to the increase of His government and peace. We will go from glory to glory and faith to faith. Things are evolving to get better and better until His return...and then, it gets even better!
What if the influence of the who are born again makes our time on the earth better than any other time in history? What if it’s supposed to improve after the cross?
What if heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons. Doing greater works than Jesus is supposed to happen before the millennium? If not, you’ll still have a great time! If all that is for the millennium, why doesn’t it say that clearly? There are only 2 references to the 1,000 year reign of Christ.
The earth is groaning –not to be destroyed but to give birth to the glorious sons of God and be released from corruption. So go preach to creation and see it step into its destiny. To call forth those things that are not as though they are!

So we bless our president and leaders, we call forth those in the porn industry to be saved, that those performing abortions would come to know you and be the leaders of the next revival. That those in the White house would become the Holy House and come to know your glory. Let our city prosper, do something wild and crazy here, cause the economy to suddenly come back in a way that people cannot explain. Let this be a city in revival. Let Jesus take on flesh in our city. Move in the educational system, in the political system, in the shopping malls. We bless our city leaders and counsel men. Give them wisdom and insight, bring in money and jobs. Let people have such creative ideas that people come from all over just to be in our city.

(and bonus points go out to whoever can associate the image relationship....and I don't mean just what the image is....but rather, why I chose that image to go with this post).

Haiti....It's so Good.

2010-03-30T09:17:00.006-04:00

On February 12, 2010, President Préval of Haiti called his nation to 3 days of fasting and prayer.

The nation canceled the regular Mardi Gras celebrations!

Several of the Nations Christian Leaders had 5 days to set up and arrange this event, Pastor Rene Joseph of Loving Hands Ministry was one of the head leaders and over 1 million Haitians attended this epic event.

For more information visit:
Loving Hands Ministry

This isn't what you will hear on CNN, or even Fox. No media will tell you of the good and wonderful things that the Lord is doing (at least not yet).

BUT, this is what is happening in Haiti.

This is how a nation should respond. This is what the Lord's heart aches for.

Haiti, A Country Brought to its Knees - with it's eyes on the Lord.

I wait with GREAT expectation to see the Lord bless this nation for their obedience.

Let's Get Some Perspective....

2010-02-02T20:16:00.007-05:00

Let's just think - where do we (I'm thinking the American Church) fit with the rest of the world's population? How do they see us? How do we see them? How do they see us? How do we treat them?

Approximately 8% of the people in the world have a car....

---92% of the people in the world see us in our car - no matter the car, and they think "rich".

But, we're good now - becuase we have ethanol fuel...so, rather than feed all those hungry people with corn - we'll burn it up in our cars and SUV's.....

Did you eat today? Did you know that something like 800 million people in the world won't - probably 300 million of them are kids...every couple of seconds, someone dies from hunger.

Roughly 1 billion people in the world don't have clean water to drink.

At least 80% of all humanity lives on less than $10 a day....how much change is in your car? About 1% of the world's population live on less than $1 a day.

Some experts suggest that to supply everyone in the world with clean water, basic health and nutrition would cost something like 20 billion dollars....which is about how much Americans spend in one year.........on ice cream.

Some other interesting statistics:

How often throughout scripture are we called to take care of the orphan, the widow, and the poor? I would like to suggest that we are called to do so a whole lot more than we are called to 'go and make disciples of all nations'...

For they will know we are Christians by our Love....

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends....

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son....

You shall do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father....

The Elect....Forknowledge and what not

2010-01-03T16:36:00.002-05:00

There is lots of discussion over the idea of "predestination"...and all that crazy stuff...

Isaiah 43:10-11 says

You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me. "I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no savior besides (other than) Me.

"Election" is not based on foreknowledge or foreseen faith; more-over, it leads to faith: “My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me ”....

Hot diggity....I just thought that was good! :)

Just some odd thoughts....

2009-12-27T15:34:00.002-05:00

It is a civil war perhaps....

Or maybe you've heard of a class in computer programing called "Advanced BASIC"

It's awfully nice to hear a doctor tell me that he is cautiously optimistic that I am not in bad health.

How can someone be found missing?

And, in our society of Government organization, we have many groups of individuals...

But of course, we all know...Microsoft Works

Have you ever gone to a Mobile Station for gas?

This morning, I decided to wake up. Now I am awake. But when someone goes to a wake - it's for someone who is dead...?

And how about your vibrating ringtones on your cellphone?

And, lastly...becuase all of this thinking has given me a terrific headache - I will go watch some TV now using my wireless cable....

Christmas Eve Heard Round the World

2009-12-26T09:52:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas!

I Am Being Saved

2009-12-12T09:11:00.014-05:00

Some have likened the Salvation of Christ to a life-guard and the life-preserver. We are drowning in a sea of sin, self-righteousness, and pride. Jesus (the Life Guard) throws the life ring to us (I guess it's shaped like a cross). And, Jesus pulls us in to safety.

However, what that analogy often forgets to mention is that we (those who are 'being saved') need to hold on tight to that ring as He pulls us through the raging sea that we otherwise would have drown in.

We will have plenty of opportunities to let go. There will always be something that might seem better that comes along. A big boat that might look a lot easier or fun, and even bears the same name as the one who is pulling us in.

But if He didn't send it, it is simply not going to save us.

Scripture also teaches us that The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10) Yes, it says the righteous run...but they need to run into the tower. They can't run to it, they are not to run around it. It's not about a parade with flags and banners waving all around the name of the LORD. You have to run into it. Once you're in the tower, don't come back out. Stay there. It's not a vacation home...

Nevertheless, Psalm 106:8, He saved them for the sake of His name,That He might make His power known.

So, just as it is with the life-ring analogy and as it is in Proverbs 18:10 - we have an act to commit. What is that act?? It is the act of hanging on, staying in the tower - the act of faith.

As it says in Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith [G-pistis - a conviction of the truth of anything regardless of what I can relatively see or even understand]; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not as a result of works[my efforts], so that no one may boast[G-kauchaomai - to glory (whether with reason or without) on account of something].

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Paul says: Now I make known to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the Word which I preached to you, unless you believed [took the name of the Lord] in vain.

Paul later said in 2 Corinthians 2:15 that as Jesus is pulling in the life-ring...that as we are standing strong in the Tower of the Name of the Lord, that we are the fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing...

Some have said that there is nothing that we can do or have to do to be saved. While it is true that there is nothing I can do to earn being saved, or even merit being saved, I would like to suggest that there is something I can, and must, do.

I have to come to Jesus, then I need to have the faith to believe that He is who He said He is and that He can do what He said He can do. When I stand strong in the Name of the Lord, not taking His name in vain, and hold fast and tight to that which He has given to me (a new name, a new identity, a new creation) only then, I am being saved.

Furious Love

2009-11-13T21:50:00.003-05:00

The war is real. Darkness vs. Light. The Devil vs. God. Furious Love, the new film from the director of the powerful and controversial documentary, Finger of God, steps fully into the battle to see if there is any darkness that God's light cannot overcome. A revolution is on its way, and it is spreading around the world at a breakneck pace. It is a revolution of Love. On Valentine's Day, 2010, love fights back...

"Jesus certainly didn’t die and go through all His suffering so we could do church. Let’s face it, He had more in mind than us meeting once a week and tithing." – Bill Johnson

The Very Rocks Will Cry Out.

2009-11-11T21:25:00.005-05:00

Luke 19:35-40

… So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

³⁶ As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. ³⁷ When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

³⁸ “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”

³⁹ But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

⁴⁰ He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

Compare, as found in John 12:12-19

¹² The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors ¹³ took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,

“Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hail to the King of Israel!”

¹⁴ Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:

¹⁵ “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”

¹⁶ His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.

¹⁷ Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. ¹⁸ That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. ¹⁹ Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”

Jesus very simply enters the city riding on a donkey. While in every means of His appearance, He is riding very humbly and quietly, I notice a sense of confidence within righteous humility. I find it interesting also that the account from John makes a point to share that there are out-of-town guests that came in for the Passover.

Jesus, as He is entering the city, is allowing the people to place their coats on the ground before Him. This, to me, seems to reflect the people's acknowledgment of who He is. That although the people don’t know fully who He is – they do have at least a directed view of who He is. Jesus, I believe, knows that they misunderstand who He is and His purpose at that time, but that doesn’t cause Him to correct the people in their understanding. The waving of palm branches is an interesting act as well. The act of waving palm branches is a sign of revolt against authority - a peaceful protest if you will - of the Roman authority over the Jewish people. They knew who Jesus was - but did not understand what He was going to do. This peaceful protest of Roman authority is (I believe) why the religious leaders were getting involved.

Jesus reveals so much about His purpose and ministry through this event. He fulfills a number of prophetic writings as stated in John’s account. The simple act of riding the donkey into the city was fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9. His disciples weren’t aware of that (among many other things) until after He rose from the dead. The people were shouting as written in Psalm 118:26 and saying Hosanna. Hosanna is a Greek word that is related to the Hebrew yasha` which literally means “to save me” or to deliver. The people realized His purpose of saving and delivering – but they were missing the means to which this purpose would be fulfilled.

Psalm 118:23-26

This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success.

Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord.

Save us – in verse 25 – is the word yasha` which is a cry of the oppressed for liberty.

Blessed (bless the one) in verse 26 is the word barak which is a blessing of Honor given to a King or dignitary.

I get the impression that the people know, or at least acknowledge, that Jesus is their Messiah King but they misunderstand the means to secure His purpose.

Of course, as always, the religious leaders of the day were there. And, once again they are complaining about how the people are reacting to what is happening in regard to Jesus. The teachers are saying to Jesus ‘don’t you think they should stop saying these things?’ Jesus’ response is simply profound. If they don’t then the very rocks will cry out. Yet again, Jesus is using scripture that the teachers should already know to express His place and purpose. Psalm 148:5 says Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being. The teachers leave – upset with the people, with Jesus and His subtle means of revealing their spiritual ineptitude.

Psalm 148:5

Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being.

Romans 8:19-25

For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the children of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Luke 1:37

2009-11-03T21:26:00.005-05:00

Luke 1:37 says For nothing will be impossible with God....

The word translated nothing.....well, it's actually three Greek words...ou, which is a negative inclusion, pas which loosely means every. But the third part of that word is actually rhēma which is a word in scripture used to describe the spoken Word from God.

So - when we read this verse - realize it is saying to us that No Word from God is impossible.

Whatever He has said - It is possible.

The power of God's Word - it is to be received in humility, because it has the power to save, heal, deliver, and His words have life. Because His words are spirit, there are many times when we don't have the capacity to understand a word from God, yet we must be able to position our hearts to receive the life and power from that Word, in that, after faith comes understanding.

That's a really good word!

The fool says in his heart...

2009-10-22T17:10:00.007-04:00

Here we are again, with another mis-quoted, mis-cited, abused bit of scripture.

Psalm 14:1 says "The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."

So often, this verse has been quoted as an attack on atheists. Too often, I believe.

And there-in lies the misconception. This passage isn't directed at non-believers....Let's look at it closer.

First, read Psalm 14 in its entirety.

Let's hope that none of us are this blind. In my experience it is possible that Christians can be what David describes here as a fool.

How could that happen? Fool here is nabal. Remember the story of David and Abigail (1 Samuel 25)? Abigail's husband was named Nabal, and was called foolish. It means someone who is contemptible, someone who is empty, someone who cares for nothing other than himself. It does not mean "an atheist" or one who has no contact with God. It does not even mean that such a person does not see God in His creation. The fool that David is talking about here in Psalm 14 may even admit that God is Creator and even claim that this belief has a major impact in his life.

This person, this "fool," though not an atheist, lives as if he believes no God exists. A nabal is not stupid; he is not a person who does not reason. He is a person who reasons incorrectly. A nabal is a person who chooses or assumes to ignore God's authority over his life. He views God as an "absentee landlord" who may be disregarded because he assumes that God is not really active.

So - here, this verse - Pslam 14:1 is not speaking of "atheists" - but really speaking to the 'Christian' who does not live reflective of what he believes....which places a better understanding of the latter parts of the verse.

Let's rephrase the verse (using the unorthodox and unauthorized CFT)
The Christian who lives contrary to what He says he believes is foolish (nabal). His works and deeds are corruptible and abhorrent in God's sight, without purpose, reward, or eternal value.

So - in response - how then should we live? Possibly as Paul suggests in Ephesians, to be very careful how you live...making the most of every opportunity... understand what the Lord's will is. But even more so - live as though we believe that God will do what He has said He will do.

(CFT - Chris Fenstermaker Translation)

Jesus Appears to Thomas

2009-10-05T09:24:00.004-04:00

Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:24-29

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas, was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."

Jesus had appeared to the other disciples previously. Thomas, in his respectful and humanly reasonable nature, doubts that the man the other disciples has seen is actually Jesus. He says that he would have to physically touch Jesus’ wounds in order to believe that it is really Him. When Jesus appeared to the disciples again, and Thomas is with them. Jesus invited Thomas to check things out for himself and see that it really is Him.

In my opinion, Jesus reveals that He wants us to examine the evidence put before us in regard to finding our faith in Him. He doesn’t want us to simply buy into it because everyone else is, or because it’s popular. This has always been one of my favorite examples of using intellectual reason and understanding to evaluate our response in faith to the message of the Gospel. In a sense, this is the introduction of the scientific method into Christ’s purpose and ministry.

In a nutshell – Thomas examines the evidence of Jesus and determines beyond any doubt that Jesus IS.

In the journal of the National Association of Biology teachers, Wayne Carley presented a fresh twist on the "dangers" of bringing religion in to the science classroom. Not only, he suggests, is religion inherently un-testable by scientific means, but to test it would be to destroy it.

“The real threat to having religion in the science classroom is to the religion, not the science. Evolution can and will stand up to scientific scrutiny over time. But the very testing of religious beliefs such as creationism in a scientific setting destroys the basis of the religion: faith. Just as evolution is fundamental to biology, faith is the very foundation of religion. Placing a religious believe under scientific analysis, which demands physical evidence, erodes the faith that is fundamental to that belief.”– Wayne Carley, “In Defense of Fundamentalism”, The American Biology Teacher, 58 (April 1996) p.14

Carley is suggesting that science can be tested and religion can not; to test religion would be to destroy it. Even Jesus knew this. Carley says when the disciple Thomas demanded to place his hands in Jesus’ wounds before he would believe Jesus had risen, Jesus did not praise Thomas for his wise used of the scientific method. Rather Jesus praised those of faith saying “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed” (John 20:29)

If you are familiar with Jesus and with this account you realize that Carley wasn’t playing fair with the context of Jesus’ discussion with Thomas. Thomas was absent when the other disciples saw Jesus alive and he showed them His hands and side. But when Thomas wanted to see evidence, Jesus came to them again and said specifically to Thomas, “put your finger here; see my hand, Reach out your hand and put it into my side Stop doubting and believe.”

If that wasn’t an invitation to examine the physical evidence that Jesus was alive then what was it? Jesus offered evidence – the best he could find – his own body and challenged Thomas to evaluate it firsthand.

Jesus does entreat a blessing on people who have never seen His resurrected body yet believe in Him. That describes most of the millions of people who have ever believed in Him. But those millions have other types of evidence.

How do we know that Jesus said what he said to Thomas – or anything else that is attributed to Him in the four gospels? The study of textual evidence for the Bible can occupy a scholar for a lifetime. There are over 5,000 pieces of ancient manuscript copies the New Testament, including a piece of the Gospel of John that dates approximately 100 years after Jesus’ death. The consistency of the Bible with other historical records attests to its accuracy. Historians such as Josephus and Pliny the Younger mention Jesus the Christ, supporting the accuracy of the Gospel accounts.

There are many pieces of data that can be examined and studied. While truth can be recovered, revealed, and exposed that fact remains constant, that in the true practice of science AND religion there must be an understanding that we do not, and will not know the origin and the extent of the universe, both natural and supernatural. Neither side can declare, without being abhorrently hypocritical and in utter betrayal of their respective view, that there is an absolute positive or negative of either natural or supernatural, and there-in lies, I believe, the issue of what the purpose and need for faith might be.

2 Timothy 3:16

2009-09-23T19:56:00.004-04:00

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

I wonder...what scripture was Paul referring to when he wrote this to Timothy? He didn't have the New Testament that we have today. Could Paul presume that what he was writing to Timothy was later to become Holy Scripture?

Paul was writing this to a young Pastor (Timothy) who was dealing with a troubled yet thriving young church in Ephesus.

Paul was writing this letter (2 Timothy) and this particular passage within that letter as a way of giving advice to Timothy so he could remain solidly grounded in Christ's service and to endure suffering during the difficult days to come.

It's easy for us to serve Christ for the wrong reasons....

Without a proper foundation, however, we will find it easy to quit during the difficult times. All Christians need a strong foundation for service and their lives (in fact all people Christian or not)...becuase, serving Christ does not necessarily get "easier" as we get older....

Paul wrote these words and the remaining portion of the letter while he was in Prison. His writing was in the hope of passing the 'torch' to the next generation of Church leaders. This was Paul's last letter - it really reveals his heart and priorities - sound doctrine, steadfast faith, confident endurance, and enduring Love.

All Scripture is....

We DO Radiate God's Glory!

2009-09-11T19:27:00.004-04:00

This little bit of science got me pretty excited...

Your Body Literally Glows With Light

The human body literally glows, emitting a visible light in extremely small quantities at levels that rise and fall with the day. Past research has shown that the body emits visible light, 1,000 times less intense than the levels which can be seen with the naked eye.

To learn more about this faint visible light, scientists in Japan employed extraordinarily sensitive cameras capable of detecting single photons. Five healthy male volunteers in their 20’s were placed bare-chested in front of the cameras in complete darkness in light-tight rooms for 20 minutes every three hours. The researchers found the body glow rose and fell over the day, with its lowest point at 10 AM and its peak at 4 PM, dropping gradually after that. These findings suggest there is light emission linked to the body clock, most likely due to how metabolic rhythms fluctuate over the course of the day. Their research also showed that faces glowed more than the rest of the body.

Schematic illustration (at left) of experimental setup that found the human body, especially the face, emits visible light in small quantities that vary during the day. B is one of the test subjects. The other images show the weak emissions of visible light during totally dark conditions. The chart corresponds to the images and shows how the emissions varied during the day. The last image (I) is an infrared image of the subject showing heat emissions. Credit: Kyoto University; Tohoku Institute of Technology

Now - let's see what this really is.
Do you see the correlation?? Science is finding that we (humans) ARE made in the image of God...we are reflecting His glory!! They may not come to that conclusion (yet) though...

I wonder if the 5 Japanese men were believers or not.....

Sources:
Strange! Humans Glow in Visible Light
Imaging of Ultraweak Spontaneous Photon Emission from Human Body Displaying Diurnal Rhythm

Related Posts:
A New Creation!
In His Image and In His Likeness
Create Light, Make Light

How Naïve

2009-09-06T16:36:00.008-04:00

Naïve:
na⋅ive
–adjective

having or showing unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality; unsophisticated; ingenuous.
having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous: She's so naive she believes everything she reads. He has a very naive attitude toward politics.
having or marked by a simple, unaffectedly direct style reflecting little or no formal training or technique: valuable naive 19th-century American portrait paintings.
not having previously been the subject of a scientific experiment, as an animal.

Naïve is also synonymous with words such as:

simple
unaffected
unsuspecting
artless
guileless
candid
plain

I find it relatively interesting that when you read the letters backwards you find…Evian.

As we all know, Evian is a bottled water brand. It is actually one of the first commercially bottled water companies. Evian is owned by Danone Group, a French multinational company. Evian first entered the U.S. market in 1978 where it was served in high-end restaurants, lounges, and hotels in New York City and throughout Hollywood.

In popular culture, Evian is portrayed as a high-end and pricey bottled water, making it popular among Hollywood celebrities, and other people who have more money than they have worked for.

Evian....it's water in a bottle...And we - buy this stuff....how Naïve.

I promise - I will get back to my usual posting in the near future. Posting thoughts that actually have some relevance and meaning.

The 'Problem' With Miracles.

2009-08-30T13:45:00.006-04:00

I've been asked often why the media or other documentary sources don't cover miracles. I simply don't know - but they are starting to.

In Portland Oregon the ABC affiliate there (KATU2) recently reported on a man who is legally blind...I know - that doesn't mean he can not see at all - but he is a 90 year old man who was diagnosed with macular degeneration...which means his eyesight should continue to get worse. He became legally blind a couple years ago.

The doctors don't know what's going on. And of course - they are trying to figure it out.

He was feeling dizzy one weekend evening, and went to the ER (thinking a possible stroke). After the ER team checked him out and found nothing - they sent him back home....and now he could see. That's what happened. The ER team gave him nothing - only checked his vitals and monitored him for a short while.

His doctors actually say that there is nothing in his eye that would give any indication that the scar tissue on his retnas has been restored or corrected, but he has regained his sight. (This is what we call a creative miracle) After a follow-up checkup, the doctors still could not identify why or how his sight was restored....

Article:
90 Year Old Blind Man Sees Again.
Part 1:

Article:
Doctors Mystified By Blind Man Who Can See Again
Part 2:

The funny thing is....his family and his doctors are hoping to find a reason for his sight....

I wonder who was praying for Mr Alvey. Maybe it was a mother and her child as they walked to school in the morning. :)

The problem with miracles is this. Too often people think this is "God trying to prove Himself".

Even when a miracle happens (blind eyes restored to sight, deaf ears opened, broken bones mended, dead raised to life, tumor dissolved, cancer eradicated) we as humans try to reason it and figure out why and how it happened. Sometimes, there is no way that it did, but the fact and evidence shows that it did happen...and there-in lies the issue of faith.

Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must first believe that He is.

A miracle will not prove God's existence. Your faith does.

I wait on Him with great expectancy, but without expectation.

Insurnace is Not Assurance.

2009-08-11T12:24:00.012-04:00

There has been a lot of talk about health care reform lately. There is all sorts of stuff going around about who should pay for what, and how, and who will provide it and yadda yadda.

Health Care reform is not what we need in this country – the USA has a super health care system - however, it is insurance that is the problem. And for the church, I think insurance is an even bigger problem. In my opinion, insurance undermines the very calling of the church to carry one anothers' burden.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate provider for all of life’s needs.

He is Jehovah-Jireh, which is so much more than just provider. Jehovah-Jireh in total means, The Lord will see, the Lord will provide, and the Lord will be seen.

He is the Lord who sees. What does He see? Everything! Jehovah-jireh tells us that the Lord will see our great need. God constantly sees the needs of his children and provides for them.

God, in the gift of his Son Jesus, made full provision for all the needs of his people. He sees us in our need and provides for all our needs in his Son. The Lord graciously beheld the needs of His people long before we were even aware that we had any needs before him.

Just when Isaac was in imminent danger of death, the Lord stepped in to rescue him. The knife was lifted up by the resolute hand. Isaac was but seconds from death, when the angel spoke, "Don’t lay a hand on the boy!" (Gen 22:12). God provided when the need pressed urgently.

So, I believe, it is with us.

He is the Lord who provides. If God sees our need, his provision is sure.

This is what Abraham tells us by the name, Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide. Jehovah-jireh was Abraham’s testimony to the goodness and grace of God in providing a ram to take the place of his son, Isaac, upon the altar of sacrifice.

The provision God makes is always the very thing needed - "a ram!" Maybe not what we think we need, but what He knows we need, because He is the God who sees and provides.

The Lord Will Be Seen. He will be seen in the mount of sacrifice. He will be seen in the gospel of Christ. He will be seen in His provision, for His Glory, for His Kingdom.

He will be seen in the mountain of trial. Your trials may seem severe; but don't despair. In your greatest need, the Lord will be seen.

God sees our need, His provision is certain, and His Glory is evident.

So, how does this fit into my opening thoughs on health care?

Individuals and families have the primary responsibility for their own health and decisions related to health and care. I'm not speaking politically here, this is scriptural. (1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 3 John 1:2) When they have burdens that are greater than they can bear, I think that the body of Christ, at the local church level first, and then in a broad corporate sense, should bear one anothers' burdens to fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

When health care costs are paid by someone other than the person receiving care, typically an insurance company or the government, the Biblical model outlined in Galatians 6:2 can be undermined.

I believe many of the current problems with the health insurance systems are the direct result of restricting personal freedom and responsibility through dependence on third-party payers, therefore causing people to be less dependent on God's provision through His church.

Insurance should be based on how I can help others with the needs they have right now (Acts 20:35).

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! ¹¹ Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (Malachi 3:10-12)

But he commanded the skies to open;
he opened the doors of heaven.
He rained down manna for them to eat;
he gave them bread from heaven.
They ate the food of angels!
God gave them all they could hold.
He released the east wind in the heavens
and guided the south wind by his mighty power.
He rained down meat as thick as dust—
birds as plentiful as the sand on the seashore!
He caused the birds to fall within their camp
and all around their tents.
The people ate their fill.
He gave them what they needed. (Psalm 78:23-29)

I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing. (Ezekiel 34:26)

Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land. (Leviticus 26:5)

...and, everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed (Isaiah 61:9)

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

What's wrong with this picture?

2009-07-28T14:28:00.010-04:00

So, we're in a housing slump they say.

I hear the economy is bad....

They also tell us that there is a health care emergency and our health care system needs to be reformed.

As I drive around town, I notice some new construction going on, quite a bit in fact. Sure, it's commercial construction - but it does give an indication that something is going well in their business.

Who is under construction all over the place?

New McDonald's on the west side....they tore down the old one, a built a new one.

New Burger King on the west side....they also tore down the old one, a built this new...smaller one.

Does anyone else see the sad irony here?

Gideon Micheal Has Arrived

2009-06-30T13:10:00.008-04:00

Just to let everyone know.....

Gideon Michael was born on Monday 6/29 at 9:10 am...
Weighing in at 8lb 9oz and 21" long.

It was a restful and wonderful labor experience.

New baby boy and family are all doing well....we expect to be coming home from Hershey on Wednesday.

It truly was a supernatural experience in labor and we give Glory to God for His grace and provision.

Gideon is a strong and mighty warrior. Michael means who is like God.

Our friend Anne was there to take some quick snaps of Gideon at about 8 hours old. His photo session will be in a few days but for now, here is a preview...

Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5

The Resurrection(s)

2009-06-25T16:33:00.007-04:00

I think this may be my last post (for a while) on this subject - although, I am getting into a slightly new topic - the resurrection. The thoughts within this post are very much some of the questions that birthed my previous thoughts on Hell.

Those who believe (as I had) that the Bible teaches eternal (ongoing) punishment should ask whether such a belief is consistent with what the Bible teaches. For example, how could God justly deal with those who have lived and died without having ever received an opportunity to be saved? This would include the millions who died as babies as well as the billions of unbelievers who lived and died never knowing God or Jesus (much less even hearing about Jesus). Regrettably, the vast majority of all those who have ever lived fall into this category.

Some theologians try to reason around this by assuming that those who never had the opportunity to know God or hear the name of Jesus Christ will be given a sort of free pass. They suggest that, because their state of ignorance is because of circumstances beyond their control, God will allow them into heaven regardless of their lack of repentance. If true, it raises the troubling possibility that missionary efforts to such areas could cause people who do not accept their teachings being lost...

Then, there is also the argument that they have no reason to be ignorant of God becuase creation testifies of His greatness. This is true. Scripture, on many accounts, teaches us that all of Creation declares the work of His hand. Psalm 19:1, Romans 1:19-20, Luke 19:40 among many others tell us this. I believe, this is why there are so many misguided religions in the world who worship an "unnamed" God. Hinduism, for example, actually has a god called "the god of the Universe" and has no graven image in his temple (becuase they don't know what he looks like) he is just one of the thousands of gods they worship. Actually in his temple there are images of things such as lambs and lions, a man & woman in a garden, and many other things. In Athens, Paul noticed them worshiping at a temple for the 'unknown god' wherein their ignorant worship opens the opportunity to share Christ (Acts 17:22-23).

However, the issue lies in Jesus. Our Faith is in Jesus. Our Salvation is in Jesus. Scripture tells us that no man can come to the Father but through Jesus (John 14:6). While it is true, the very creation itself cries out the testimony of God it is not through creation that man is redeemed. Just the same, signs wonders and miracles in scripture and today are not that which bring about salvation, but they are directed to bring people to the saving knowledge of the power of Christ.

Romans 10:14-15 asks how will they know unless someone tells them?

Quandaries such as this have painted many Christians into a corner. Accordingly, some have challenged the traditional concept of a hell of eternal torment through the centuries. In every generation people question the traditional belief in everlasting conscious torment (see Four Views on Hell, by William Crockett).

Nevertheless, as we have seen, church councils through the ages have upheld the traditional doctrine. Firmly rooted in traditional Christian belief, it is an idea that will not go away. “A new U.S. News poll shows that more Americans believe in hell today than did in the 1950s or even 10 years ago” (U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 31, 2000).

The prospect of hell will continue to haunt people. As U.S. News reported: “Hell’s powerful images will no doubt continue to loom over humanity, as they have for more than 2,000 years, as a grim and ominous reminder of the reality of evil and its consequences”

Let me look into the question now that I have of those who have gone onto death without any knowledge of Jesus.

The First Resurrection
The resurrection of those who are called now, the ones Paul referred to as firstfruits, is described in the 20th chapter of Revelation.

Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. (Revelation 20:4-5).

Notice that some are resurrected at the beginning of the 1,000-year reign of Christ—at “the first resurrection.” The use of the term first suggests to me that at least one more resurrection will follow. There is another resurrection after the first. The first resurrection being all of those who have died in Christ prior to His 1000 year reign. This resurrection, I believe, will be a physical resurrection.

Another Resurrection?
That same verse explains, “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed.” In this resurrection will others have the opportunity to receive salvation? I believe, they will be called to understand God’s truth and His plan during a period sometimes referred to as the “great white throne” judgment (verse 11).

This time is further described in verse 12: “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”

Those resurrected in this group have never completely understood the truth of God's plan for Grace and Mercy that He has designed and instituted from before the beginning of time. Once we realize that the majority of all people who have ever lived have never heard God’s truth, this resurrection offers some clarity and hope to these. Rather than such people being condemned to eternal suffering, the truth of the Bible is much more comforting and encouraging. I believe that God will extend the opportunity for eternal life to everyone, possibly relatively few in this age but to billions of people in the coming second resurrection.

Judgment is much more than a final decision to reward or condemn. Judgment is a process that takes place over time before the final decision is rendered. It seems to me those brought to a temporary, physical life again in this second resurrection will, for the first time, have their minds opened to the truth of God’s plan (Ezekiel 37:1-14). They will have the opportunity to decide whether they will accept and receive God’s instruction and Grace. After coming to see the truth, they will be judged according to their response with their new understanding. Many will accept that truth, repent and receive God’s gift of eternal life.

Jesus spoke of this time when He said even the sinners of the long-destroyed city of Sodom would have the opportunity to repent in a future judgment. As He sent His disciples out on a mission to preach the gospel (Matthew 10:9-15), He told them that some they would encounter would reject their message. Of these Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city” (verse 15). For those whom the disciples preached (and those with whom we share Jesus today) and reject His truth, judgement will be less tolerable than the very inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. That there is room for tolerance [literally: bearable in its Greek] in that day toward Sodom and Gomorrah suggests to me that they will have opportunity to repent and enter God’s Kingdom. Tolerance is an act of Mercy.

This, I believe, is because when they formerly lived, they either never had opportunity to know God or His way or never fully understood what they heard. The time for their calling and judgment is yet future.

Now, keep in mind, this is not a second chance for salvation. This will be their first chance - their first opportunity to act on a clear understanding of God’s saving Grace.

In a similar example, Jesus said the long-dead people of the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh and the biblical “queen of the South” from Solomon’s time would rise alongside those from Christ’s generation. (Luke 11:31) The people from those generations had lived and died many centuries earlier, never having understood God or His plan to offer eternal life through His Son Jesus the Messiah. In a great act of Mercy toward all people, I believe, God will offer salvation to all who lived and died in all ages without ever really knowing Him. God does not show partiality (Romans 2:11). He calls everyone at a time that is appropriate for them, and all eventually will be given the same wonderful opportunity to receive His gift of salvation. 2 Peter 3:9

Evidence of a third resurrection
Other scriptures indicate that a third group will be resurrected just before the final destruction of the earth and the wicked in the lake of fire.

Jesus explained that some would deliberately and knowingly despise the spiritual revelations that God would open their minds to understand. These, He said, will not be forgiven “either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32). We are still in "this age" I believe. And even so, “all who are in the graves will hear Christ’s voice and come forth . . .” (John 5:28). Even those who will not be forgiven will be resurrected from the dead.

This group will include only those who have deliberately rejected God’s way of life even after they have been “once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit” (Hebrews 6:4-6). Here, I think these few are people who were once forgiven and converted but later intentionally chose to reject the Holy Spirit and the Power that God gave to them.

Because they “trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace,” for them “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,but a terrifying expectation of judgment and, fury of fire which will consume the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-29).

Scripture suggests that the ultimate fate of the ineradicable is to be burned up. "For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze," says the LORD of hosts, "so that it will leave them neither root nor branch." (Malachi 4:1).

Therefore, destruction in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13-14) would include those few who stubbornly refused to repent of their own self-willed rebellion in spite of all the tremendous opportunities God has made available to them.

When all this is finished we read: “Then Death and Hades [the Grave] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (verse 14). The judgment of God is complete. Those who are saved will never again have to fear death.

What is in it for me? Well, that's the fun part. I know now that death nor the grave have any bounds over me becuase of Christ. I have no fear of death, becuase I know that death itself has no authority over me. And, whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Jesus, although he may die, even so he will live! And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Jesus will never actually die at all. John 11:24-26

That is the power of the Gospel of Christ.

As in Daniel 3:29 No other God can save in this way!

Please read:
Part 1 - Where are we going...?
Part 2 - A History of Hell
Part 3 - Another Quick Thought on Hell
Part 4 - Immortal Worms
Part 5 - Destruction of the Soul and Body

Back From The Dead

2009-06-22T13:14:00.009-04:00

OK...I just couldn't let THIS one by without posting for everyone to hear!

This is from Bethel Church in Redding, CA (Pastor Bill Johnson)

GOD, LET YOUR KINGDOM COME!

More, I am certain, will be heard. One of many many testimonies of The Lord raising His people from the dead.

More about The DRT.

The Church (especially the American church) needs to realize the power of Jesus.

Bring it on Lord!

Does the Bible Speak of Hellfire That Lasts Forever?

2009-06-15T15:19:00.013-04:00

A scripture that many assume proves the wicked are to be eternally tortured in hellfire is Matthew 25:41. But does it? Let’s take a closer look.

First, notice the setting, which is when Jesus “comes in His glory” (verses 31-32). We are told that He separates the sheep from the goats.

The sheep represent the righteous (verses 34-40). At His return He sets the sheep at His right hand. The goats in this instance represent sinners.

The goats are appointed to assemble on Jesus’ left hand. He then consigns the goats to “the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

The word everlasting is translated from the Greek word aionios. The key to understanding this verse is knowing what will occur everlastingly. Does it refer to a fire that tortures without end, or does it have another meaning?

In Matthew 25:46 Jesus spoke in a single sentence of everlasting (aionios) punishment and of life eternal (aionios). Since the righteous will be given eternal, or everlasting, life, many theologians believe the punishment for the wicked must last as long as the life given to the righteous.

But this cannot be reconciled with the statement that those cast into the lake of fire perish; they are killed. As we have seen, they suffer death—the second death (Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8).

A plain and simple meaning of Matthew 25:46 that reconciles with the rest of the Bible is that the wicked are cast into a fire that annihilates them, renders them forever extinct.

The resulting punishment of being cast into the aionios fire is a one-time event. It is a permanent punishment, the results of which will remain forever—that is, eternal death. It is not an ongoing punishment that continues forever. The wicked will never live again.

They will be completely destroyed. The fire brings eternal punishment and not a constant, unending punishing. This is the only explanation that accords with the rest of the Scriptures.

An additional point needs to be made regarding aionios. Genesis 19 describes God’s destruction of two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, for their wickedness: “Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah” (Genesis 19:24). They were utterly destroyed—consumed
by fire.

In the New Testament, the book of Jude describes these cities as “suffering the vengeance of eternal [aionios] fire” (verse 7). Yet it is obvious that the fires that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah are not still burning. In the case of these cities and in the case of the wicked, who are consigned to aionios fire, the fire burns and completely destroys. But the eternal aspect of the fire is its everlasting effect, not how long it literally burns.

Please read:
Part 1 - Where are we going...?
Part 2 - A History of Hell
Part 3 - Another Quick Thought on Hell
Part 4 - Immortal Worms
Part 5 - Destruction of the Soul and Body

Revelation 14:10-11 Will the Torment Last Forever?

2009-06-15T15:18:00.007-04:00

“He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:10-11).

At first glance this may seem to confirm the traditional idea of a seething, sulfurous hellfire, mercilessly and eternally tormenting helpless immortal souls. But, if we don’t already hold to a preconceived mental picture of hell, we can quickly grasp that this passage describes a quite different circumstance.

First, notice the setting for this passage. From the context we see that the events it describes aren’t in hell or the afterlife at all, but rather on earth amid the earth-shaking events and disasters occurring immediately before or at Christ’s return. This warning describes the punishment that will befall all of earth’s inhabitants “who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

Chapter 13 describes this “beast” —an end-time dictatorial superpower opposed to God—and its mark. Those who accept this mark show that their allegiance is to this powerful system rather than God, and in chapter 14 God reveals the consequences of that choice—warning of the terrifying punishments that will precede Christ’s return (see verses 14-20 and the following two chapters).

Notice also in this passage that the smoke from these terrifying events ascends forever—it does not say that the people’s actual torment continues forever. The smoke is no doubt associated with God’s wrath poured out on earth as described in chapter 16—which includes widespread
destruction, great heat, warfare and a massive earthquake. All these events will generate massive fires and a huge amount of smoke.

The properties of smoke are such that it “ascends forever”—meaning that nothing will prevent or stop it. Being a column of heated gas containing tiny, suspended particles, it rises, expands and eventually dissipates. The Greek word translated “forever” does not always mean eternity or infinity. It can simply refer to something that will not be stopped, that will continue as long as conditions allow. This passage is simply describing fires associated with this devastation that burn as long as they have fuel to consume, after which they simply burn out.

The reference in Revelation 14:11 to the wicked receiving “no rest day or night” speaks of those who continue to worship the beast and his image during this time. They will be in constant terror and fear for their lives, and thus aren’t able to find a moment’s rest during this terrifying time of God’s anger.

Please read:
Part 1 - Where are we going...?
Part 2 - A History of Hell
Part 3 - Another Quick Thought on Hell
Part 4 - Immortal Worms
Part 5 - Destruction of the Soul and Body

Response: Revelation 20:10

2009-06-15T15:08:00.007-04:00

“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

Does this verse say that the beast and false prophet will be tormented for eternity?

First of all, the beast and false prophet are human beings. While they are alive, they will be cast into the lake of fire.

“Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:20).

According to Malachi 4:1-3 that any human being thrown into the lake of fire will be destroyed by being burned to ashes. He will perish. His punishment will be eternal - it will have eternal consequences - but he will not be tormented for all of eternity.

In some printed translations of Revelation 20:10 that the word 'are' is italicized, in the KJV the word is printed [are]. The use of italics or the brackets indicates that the word are was not in the original manuscripts from which the translation was made. The word was probably added by the translators to make the verse more readable. The verb, in Greek, was left unexpressed in the original text. The verb should correctly be “were cast,” the plural expression of “was cast” used earlier in the same sentence (rather than "are")

The verse would then properly indicate that the devil is to be cast into the lake of fire that had already consumed and destroyed the beast and false prophet. In essence, the translators incorrectly put the word 'are' into the English text probably because of their preconceived concept of eternity.

Please read:
Part 1 - Where are we going...?
Part 2 - A History of Hell
Part 3 - Another Quick Thought on Hell
Part 4 - Immortal Worms
Part 5 - Destruction of the Soul and Body

And, now I could not leave a post discussing the context of Revelation 20:10 without sharing this great song:

Yes, I listened to Stryper in the 80's and 90's when they weren't old. And, believe it or not - I saw them in concert just 4 years ago. It was loud as anything - but they still put on a rocking show...and yes, for the Glory of God!

A Response: Luke 16:19-31 Lazarus and the Rich Man

2009-06-15T15:01:00.017-04:00

I will wrap this discussion up with a few last posts. These posts will be in response to specific scriptures that others have asked about.

First of all, Jesus spoke using the parable of Lazarus (a beggar) and the unnamed rich man in Luke 16:19-31. Please, read it yourself to refresh your memory - and while reading see what you learn new again for the first time.

It's interesting that you can read a particular verse or passage of scripture 100 times, and each time the Lord can reveal something new about His nature through it. We get caught up in the rut of religion if we hear one thing from the Lord and build a doctrine around it.

So, here is my present understanding on the parable that Jesus used.

First of all, when we look at this parable in light of other scriptures and in its historical context, it seems apparent that this is allegorical in its presentation. It is a familiar story of the age that Jesus used to point out a spiritual lesson. The Jews have heard this story before, and were well acquainted with it (just as we are today of fables and other stories). Jesus was specifically directing this story to those who knew the law quite well but did not keep it. I don't think it was intended to be understood literally.

Jesus was using contemporary Jewish ideology about the afterlife to point out a spiritual lesson:

In Christ’s story God was the beggar’s only source of help - the rich man certainly wasn't going to do anything for him. It is important to see this parable of Jesus as a continuation of His conflict with the Pharisees over riches. Christ had said earlier, ‘You cannot serve God and Money’ (16:13). When the Pharisees sneered, Jesus came back with, ‘that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.’ (16:15). There’s no doubt in my mind that the Pharisees remained unconvinced . . . And so Christ used a familiar fable intended to underline the importance of what He had just said.

Imagine, the rich man with his marble mansion, fancy chariots, and large feasts with many guests. One of these guests may stumble upon Lazarus just outside the man's property. But, they pay little attention to him as he lies there begging for even just a bite of food from the fabulously dressed table.

But then, Jesus says, both men died. And their situations are now reversed Lazarus is by ‘Abraham’s side,’ which is a historically contemporary phrase picturing him reclining in the place of honor at a banquet that symbolizes eternal blessedness. But the rich man finds himself in torment, separated the blessing of communion by a ‘great chasm’ (16:26). Even though he begs for even a drop of water, Abraham sadly shakes his head. No relief is possible—or appropriate.

The rich man had received his good things (his comfort), and had used them selfishly for his benefit alone (Luke 16:24). This rich man’s indifference to Lazarus shows how far his heart is from God and how far his path strayed from God’s ways. They were his riches, and he would use them only for himself. (Matthew 25:40)

Jesus’ first point is driven home. You Pharisees simply cannot love God and money. Love for money is detestable to God, for you will surely be driven to make choices in life which are hateful to Him . . .(Proverbs 19:17, Hebrews 6:10)

But Jesus doesn't stop here. The rich man as calling out to Abraham, begging him to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, who also live selfishly as he did. Again Abraham refuses. They have ‘Moses and the Prophets’ (16:31), in other words, all the Scriptures. If they do not hear and believe the Scriptures that they already should know, they wouldn't listen should someone come back from the dead . . .

In essence Christ makes this accusation: the hardness and unwillingness of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law against Jesus’ words reflect a hardness to the Word of God itself, which these men are pretending to honor . . .

This entire chapter (Luke 16) calls us to realize that if we take this reality seriously, it will affect the way we view and use money, and the way we respond to the poor and the oppressed.

Please read:
Part 1 - Where are we going...?
Part 2 - A History of Hell
Part 3 - Another Quick Thought on Hell
Part 4 - Immortal Worms
Part 5 - Destruction of the Soul and Body

The Destruction of Soul and Body in Hell

2009-06-08T22:46:00.004-04:00

Part 5: The Destruction of Soul and Body in Hell:

I apologize for the delay on this post (for anyone who has been following).

This is part 5 in a series of posts I have started on a study of the 'doctrine' of Hell. Please, read first:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Another place where Jesus spoke of the Gehenna fire is Matthew 10:28:

And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

The word Jesus used here that we translate at Hell is the greek, geenna. Geenna literally is the place of the future punishment call "Gehenna" or "Gehenna of fire". This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a symbol of the wicked and their future destruction.

I also noticed that Jesus doesn't speak of people suffering everlasting torment. Rather, He said that God can destroy both the body and soul in Gehenna.

The word Jesus spoke when He said those who "kill" the body (that can not kill the soul) was apokteinō which is essentially "to kill". While, he spoke a much different word when He said to fear God who can 'destroy'...using apollymi which refers to an act of putting out of the way entirely or to abolish - to render useless.

According to Websters the word annihilate means - to vanquish, to cause to cease to exist, to render ineffective.

Jesus here explains that, when one man kills another, the resulting death is only temporary because God can raise the dead to life again. But, when God destroys one in hell (Gehenna), the resulting death is eternal. There is no resurrection from this fate, which the Bible calls “the second death.”

Scripture explains that unrepentant sinners are cast into the lake of fire, or Gehenna, at the end of the age. “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

As I mentioned earlier, the wicked will be destroyed. They will not live for eternity in another place or state of everlasting anguish. They will reap their destruction in the lake of fire at the end of the age. They will be consumed virtually instantaneously by the heat of the fire and will never live again. What and where that fire physically is - I believe possibly is at the moment of this earth's destruction to make way for the new earth and the new heaven.

The wicked burned to ashes
Another passage that graphically illustrates the complete destruction of the wicked is found in the book of Malachi.

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘that will leave them neither root nor branch’” (Malachi 4:1).

The time setting is The End, when God will bring retribution on the wicked for their rebellion.

To those who surrender to God and live in obedience to Him, God says: “‘You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this,’ says the LORD of hosts” (verse 3).

God makes clear the ultimate fate of the wicked. They are to be uprooted like a nonproductive tree, leaving not so much as a root or twig. They will be consumed by the flames of the lake of fire, leaving only ashes.

The Bible does teach that the wicked will be punished by fire— but not the mythical Hell of most imaginations.

God is a God of justice, mercy, and love. Those who willfully and willingly reject His way of life, characterized by obedience to His law of love (Romans 13:10), will die, not suffer forever. They will be consumed by fire and forgotten. They will not be tortured for all eternity, nor will God grant His priceless gift of eternal life to those who persist in rebellion against Him.

The Gift of God is eternal life. To receive eternal life is the promise of God for all those who have responded and received His grace, walked in His word, and lived by His truth. To be sentenced to eternal torment - would be to receive eternal life - contradicting His promise of eternal life for the righteous. Those who reject Him will not gain eternal life.

I see the final death of the unyielding wicked in a lake of fire as an act of justice as well as His loving mercy. God will not grant them eternal life, neither will He torture them for all eternity. The encouraging truth of the Bible shows that God is indeed a Being of great mercy, wisdom and righteous judgment. As Psalm 19:9 tells us: “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”

So, we might ask, when does this punishment take place?

Jesus quoted from the prophet Isaiah, who wrote of a time after the Messiah establishes His reign on earth. Only then would all humanity “come and bow down” before Him (Isaiah 66:24). Only then would this prophecy be fulfilled.

Jesus used a site of trash disposal in His day—the burning garbage dump in the Valley of Hinnom outside the city of Jerusalem—to illustrate the fate of those who reject Him in what the Scriptures call a lake of fire. Just as the refuse of the city was consumed by maggots and fire, so will the wicked be burned up—consumed— by a future Gehenna-like fire more than 1,000 years after Christ returns (Revelation 20:7-9, 12-15).

Peter explains that at this time “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

This suggests that that the surface of the earth will become like a molten mass, obliterating any evidence of human works (good or evil). What will happen after that? John writes: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1).

The entire earth will be transformed - a new earth - a suitable place for the righteous who will, by that time, have inherited eternal life. There the righteous will live eternally with the Father to reign in His Kingdom over all creation.

Here's a thought: Jesus was the sacrifice for the sin of the world. For all humanity. For all eternity. His sacrifice was eternal. His death and resurrection are eternal. This doesn't mean that He is continually enduring His sacrifice - but that the once and done sacrifice fulfilled the requirements for eternity - once time - for ever.

There may be more. If you're interested (let me know).

Please read on:
Part 1 - Where are we going...?
Part 2 - A History of Hell
Part 3 - Another Quick Thought on Hell
Part 4 - Immortal Worms

Are there immortal worms in hell?

2009-05-27T13:26:00.012-04:00

(Please realize, reader discretion is advised - I will be referring to some graphic scripture.)

This is part 4 in a series of posts I have started on a study of the 'doctrine' of Hell. Please, read first:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Part 4: Immortal Worms In Hell:

In Mark 9:47-48 Jesus specifically referred to Gehenna and what took place there. But, without a proper historical understanding, many people draw erroneous conclusions.
Notice His words:

It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell [geenna] fire—where ‘their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.

The residents of Jerusalem would have immediately understood what Jesus meant, since Gehenna—the Valley of Hinnom—was just outside the city walls to the south. Today, many people don't even know where their trash goes - much less would know that Gehenna was a local place.

In addition, according to Jewish culture, the burning of a body was an abhorrence to the will of God. Jewish law and tradition is to be buried in the ground. Early in Genesis, Abraham buried Sarah. The other patriarchs and matriarchs are also buried. The words in Deut. 21:23 are "You shall surely bury him". In the Jewish tradition, the Chevra Kadisha, a holy burial society who see to it that the bodies of Jews are prepared for burial according to Halacha (Jewish law), carefully and lovingly washes the body and dresses the body in tachrichim, simple white burial garments with no pockets. The Chevra Kadisha treats the body with the utmost respect. They ask for forgiveness if they have violated the person's privacy. This beautiful and profound ritual is usually not available for those who will be cremated.

Without understanding the Gehenna fires, people commonly hold several misconceptions about this verse. First, some believe the “worm” is a reference to pangs of conscience that condemned people suffer in hell, or that there is some never dying eternal worm that physically devours flesh.

Second, many believe that the phrase “the fire is not quenched” is a reference to eternally burning fires that torture those who have rejected the Lord for all eternity.

This scripture has been notoriously interpreted out of context.

Jesus was actually quoting from Isaiah 66:24. A proper understanding of this verse would begin there. (On a side note, Jesus didn't say a whole lot that was original to His ministry - much of what He spoke and taught was in reiteration of what the people should have already known through what we now call the Old Testament).

The context in Isaiah refers to a time when, God says, “all flesh shall come to worship before Me” (verse 23). God spoke a promise that all flesh will worship Him. It is a time on earth when the wicked will be no more. So, what happened to them?

In verse 24 we read that people will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.

When Jesus returns He will fight those who resist Him (Revelation 19:11- 15). Those who are slain in the battle will not be buried; their bodies will be left on the ground, where scavenging birds and maggots will consume.

The original Hebrew word translated “worm” in Isaiah 66:24 is towla. The greek word Jesus used in Mark 9:47-48 was skōlēx. Both words can be literally translated as maggot or larvae. Neither Isaiah nor Christ was talking about immortal worms. I believe the worm of which they spoke- maggots or larvae - do not die because they turn into flies. The flies then lay eggs that hatch into more maggots, perpetuating the cycle.

This helps us better understand Christ’s words. In that time, when the bodies of dead animals or executed criminals were cast into the burning trash heap of Gehenna, those bodies would be destroyed by maggots, by the fires that were kept constantly burning there, or a combination of both. Historically a body that was not buried, but was subjected to burning, was viewed as accursed (Joshua 6:18; 7:11, 25).

Then what does Jesus mean in Mark 9:48 when He said, “. . . The fire is not quenched”?

With the understanding that Gehenna is what it is (an acursed trash pile), we can begin to ascertain that He means simply the fire will burn until the bodies of the wicked are consumed. This expression, used several times in Scripture, refers to fire that consumes entirely (Ezekiel 20:47).

An unquenched fire is one that has not been extinguished. A fire can burn out on its own - and still not be quenched. It burns itself out when it consumes everything and has no more combustible material to keep it going. In reality then - the Gehenna fires will burn (probably for quite a long time) until all that can be has been consumed.

Please, come back - more is coming....(I think one more)

Please read on:
Part 1 - Where are we going...?
Part 2 - A History of Hell
Part 3 - Another Quick Thought on Hell

(comments have been disabled with this post due to excessive spam)

Another Quick Thought on Hell

2009-05-26T21:13:00.008-04:00

I wonder. Is it possible to reconcile a view of God that terrorizes people with the fear of eternal torment in a place called hell with the compassionate and merciful God we meet throughout in the Bible?

Our God is a God of love who does not want any to perish.

The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

He tells us to love our enemies.

But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..
Matthew 5:44

And, To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers alike. Matthew5:45

Yet the traditional view that many Christians adhere to regarding hell would have us believe that God vengefully punishes His enemies through all eternity.

Again, however - I do believe, according to scripture that once everyone (those already dead and those still living) at the time of the resurrection will have opportunity to receive The Lord's promise - at that point, if they still reject - their judgment is sealed. The faulty teaching I find is where or what that judgment is. Hell - not a place, but rather a termination of body and soul - once for all eternity...

Please, come back soon - more is coming....

Please read on:
Part 1 - Where are we going...?
Part 2 - A History of Hell

A Brief History of Hell

2009-05-21T12:05:00.012-04:00

Let me first preface this post to state my firm commitment to the belief that God will punish the unjust, the unrighteous, all in all, the unsaved. My question is – will that punishment be an eternal position of peril, torture, and suffering? I do believe that there will be a final judgment in which the fate of those who reject the promise of Christ’s gift of salvation results in eternal separation of and from God (being ultimately consumed in death) – but whether or not that separation is in a place of eternal torment is yet to be confirmed to me through scripture.

Secondly, this is part 2 in a series of posts I am sharing on the subject of Hell. Therefore, keep in mind, this post is not conclusive and must also be read in conjunction with part 1.

Thirdly, I am by no means suggesting (as I said in the first post) that I have the corner on the market study here - but rather I am sharing what I am finding in regard to scripture and the subject of "Hell" as it is taught in much of Christianity.

To understand a little more about the ideologies and doctrines of Hell taught in many Christian groups, maybe we need to look at Hell through the centuries. The traditional view of hell as a fiery cauldron of punishment has been taught for many centuries.

Teachings on the subject of hell have by no means been consistent through the centuries. Beliefs about hell have varied widely, depending on which theologian’s or church historian’s ideas one reads. Generally speaking, the most common belief has been that hell is a place in which people are tortured, but never consumed, by ever-burning flames.

Hell’s location has been a subject of much discussion. Some have held the idea that it was in the sun. For centuries the common view was that hell is inside the earth in a vast subterranean chamber.

The most comprehensive description of hell as a place, as man commonly views it, is found not in the Bible but in the 14th-century work Divine Comedy, written by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. In this work, Dante describes an imaginary journey through hell replete with its fiery sufferings.

The popular concept of hell is a mixture of small bits of Bible truth combined with pagan ideas and human imagination. As we will see, this has produced a grossly inaccurate portrayal of what happens to the wicked after death.

A more modern interpretation completely rejects the idea of physical torment and suggests that the "torture of hell" is mental anguish caused by only by separation from God. A recent survey of modern attitudes revealed that 53 percent of Americans embrace this perspective (U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 31, 2000). In the same article, Pope John Paul II “declared that hell is ‘not a punishment imposed externally by God’ but is the natural consequence of the unrepentant sinner’s choice to live apart from God”.

Yet, others have rejected the doctrine of hell outright and believe everyone will somehow be saved. Why is there so much diversity in the teachings about hell? The reason simply, I believe, is common misconceptions of hell are rife with the ideas of men rather than the teachings of the Bible.

One of the most graphic descriptions of the torments of hell as conceived by men was given by the Puritan minister Jonathan Edwards in a 1741 sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God .”

He said: “The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrows made ready . . . [by] an angry God . . . It is nothing but His mere pleasure that keeps you from being this moment swallowed up in everlasting destruction! The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you and is dreadfully provoked: His wrath towards you burns like fire; He looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire . . .

“You are ten thousand times more abominable in His eyes than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours. You have offended Him . . . and yet it is nothing but His hand that holds you from falling into the fire every moment . . .

“O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: it is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of God . . . You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder.”

This idea of hell was so terrible that the thought of such fate caused such angst, fear and anxiety for many Puritans. In a sense - driving them out of fear for turn to Christ. But, that's not a scriptural response. That is not why Jesus calls men to Himself is it? The heavy emphasis on hell and damnation combined with an excessive self-scrutiny is simply not biblical.

Many people have been terrorized by the thought of hell ever since this nonbiblical concept crept into religious teaching. Other ministers and teachers have, like Jonathan Edwards, used a similar approach to frighten people into belief and obedience.

One of the reasons this concept of hell survived is because theologians believed the teaching deterred people from evil. For many, it was thought that, if the fear of eternal punishment were removed, most people would behave without any moral restraint.

I know, for myself, the response to Christ is not out of a fear of judgment, but out of the humble realization of the Love and Joy that He has over me.

Where are we going...and why are we in this hand basket?

2009-05-15T22:18:00.018-04:00

I wanted to look into something that has always been a question in my mind.

Hell.

Not that I have an interest in going there or visiting, but I want to see what the Bible actually says about it and if what we as Christians say we believe is an accurate understanding with what is spoken through scripture.

So, if you're interested...please read on. If not, well...come back in a few days and maybe there will be something else you might be interested in. This may be a multi-part post as I am writing about questions that I have been pressed to respond to. Questions that, it seems, many Christians just don't have the ability or maybe the understanding to be able to answer. I'm not suggesting that I have the corner on the market study here - but what I'm digging out is pretty interesting stuff. At least I think so...and I hope that you do too....

So, my first question:
Will a Loving God Punish People Forever in Hell?

What about the unrighteous - the unsaved? What happens to them? Many who profess Christianity believe the unsaved will burn forever in hell. They claim that this is found in the Bible. That thinking drives me to ask a simple question: Would a merciful God inflict excruciating pain and torment on human beings throughout all eternity? Could the great Creator God of the universe be that unfeeling and uncaring? Yes, even though the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), somehow, I don't think that the God of love, justice and mercy has a desire to see anyone, even the incorrigibly wicked, suffer in agony for all eternity.

The Bible does say that God has appointed a day when He will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). At that time those who have repented and accepted Christ as their Savior will be given eternal life. There is no salvation through anyone else; in all the world no other name [than Jesus’] has been granted to mankind by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12).

But what will happen in that day to the hapless people who were never fortunate enough even to be exposed to that name? Will they be cast shrieking into hell along with those who hate and despise God?

Only a small percentage of the earth’s population claim to be Christian. Those who profess Christianity total only some 33% of the world’s population. Vast numbers of the other 67 percent have never had the opportunity to genuinely repent and accept Christ simply because of where they live. Millions more through the centuries likewise never had the opportunity because of when they lived. Would it be just and right for God to subject them to the same punishment He will give to those who willfully reject Him and make themselves His enemies?

I don't think these questions are neither trivial nor hypothetical. They affect the overwhelming majority of all people who have ever lived. When we carry these questions to the assumed conclusions, the traditional answers have sobering implications about the character, nature and judgment of the very God Christians claim to worship.

I certainly do not have all the answers - but I am seeking, and share what I may find.

So, again I ask; Will a Loving God Punish People Forever in Hell?

Try this. Or, on second thought, just imagine, since doing it could prove quite painful. Light a match, then hold your finger in its tiny flame for five seconds. What happens? You’ll likely scream involuntarily and suffer miserably for several days from a painful burn. Now, imagine that same experience - but rather over your entire body - for a moment, a day, a lifetime...eternity. Not an experience we would want to inflict on anyone, is it....

Why then are so many willing to accept the idea that the God they worship and hold in high esteem would willingly inflict such punishment not on just a few, but on a great multitude of people who die every single day? How can such a belief possibly square with the Bible’s description of a God who is infinitely loving and merciful?

This brings me back to Romans 6:23 where it says, the wages of sin is death. It does not say - the wages of sin is eternal suffering....

The very idea of this Hell - eternal suffering - is actually what drives many highly intelligent people away from Christ and His love. They say that they can't beleive in a God who would be so terribly horrific. In fact Charles Darwin, in his autobiography, wrote: “Thus disbelief crept over me at a very slow rate, but was at last complete . . . I can indeed hardly see how anyone ought to wish Christianity to be true; for if so, the plain language of the text seems to show that the men who do not believe . . . will be everlastingly punished. And this is a damnable doctrine”

I think, the problem is not that the Bible teaches this “damnable doctrine” but that men have misunderstood what the Bible actually says.

So, let's look at the Bible...and what is written about Hell.

In fact, as we read the text - you will find more than one "hell" in the Bible. In the original languages there are four words are translated “hell” in English. These four words convey three different meanings. The Hebrew word Sheol, used in the Old Testament, has the same meaning as Hades, one of the Greek words translated “hell” in the New Testament.

The Greek word Hades and the Hebrew word Sheol refer to the place of the dead. Many of the scriptures that use the term hell are talking about the grave, the place where everyone, whether good or evil, goes at death. The Hebrew word Sheol is used in the Old Testament 65 times. The Greek Hades is used 11 times in the New Testament.

There are two other Greek words are translated “hell” in the New Testament.

One of these is tartaroo, used only once (2 Peter 2:4), where it refers to the place where the fallen angels, are held awaiting their judgment. Tartaroo means “to confine in tartaros” in that Tartaros was the Greek name for the mythological abyss where rebellious gods (of Greek lore) were confined (see wiki). Peter was using this reference to contemporary mythology to show that the fallen angels were “delivered . . . into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.” Fallen angels are in restraint awaiting their ultimate judgment for their rebellion against God and their destructive influence on humanity. Tartaroo applies only to demons. Nowhere does it refer to a fiery hell in which people are punished after death.

The third Greek word used in the Bible and translated “hell” is Gehenna. This does refer to a fiery punishment for the wicked—but I don't think in the manner portrayed in the hell of popular imagination.

Gehenna refers to a valley just outside Jerusalem. (see wiki) The word comes from the Hebrew Ge-Hinnom, the valley of Hinnom (Joshua 18:16). (Also see 2 Kings 23:10) During Jesus' day this valley was what we might call the city dump—the place where garbage, trash and refuse were thrown and consumed in the fires that constantly burned there. The carcasses of dead animals—and the bodies of executed criminals—were also cast into Gehenna to be burned. Jesus used this particular location and what took place there to help us understand the fate the wicked and unrepentant will suffer in the future.

In Mark 9:47-48 Jesus specifically referred to Gehenna and what took place there. But, without a proper historical understanding, many people draw erroneous conclusions.

We'll get into this passage with it's immortal worms and eternal flames in my next post....

Thoughts? What do you think so far?

Please read on:

Part 2 - A History of Hell

Kingdom Economics

2009-04-30T15:48:00.000-04:00

We're really not testing the water here anymore - rather, we're jumping in over our head.

We are putting it at the feet of the Lord with great expectation in faith.

We're seeking the Lord for more than we could ever possibly imagine in so many ways.

More Kingdom economics...contrary to "common sense"

There are Laws in the Kingdom. These laws aren't a list of regulations and rules, rather - they are laws much like our natural laws. The law of gravity for example. And, in God's Kingdom - there is a Law of sowing and reaping.

Galatians 6:7-9 says Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

2 Corinthians 9:6 says Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully...

Proverbs 11:24
There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,
And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.

Proverbs 22:9
He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.

Malachi 3:10-12
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Set our hearts on the Kingdom of God; for it is at hand - which means - it is attainable and reachable.

Ephesians 3:20
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Just have to say.....

2009-04-29T16:27:00.001-04:00

I can't help but really appreciate my wife...

Is The Fender Bent?

2009-04-09T16:41:00.008-04:00

So there we are, driving home along Rt 83 (near the Harrisburg Mall) this morning and traffic slows to nearly stopped.

Yep - I rear-ended the person in front of me.

We pulled over to the shoulder and began to discuss the usual "can you call the police?" "I guess we need to exchange information."

Neither of us had a cell phone. They were driving a rental car. They were following someone else, who apparently didn't see what happened and therefore didn't stop.

SO, what do we do now?

The other driver stepped out from the shoulder to wave down a vehicle (there were many passing by). Who does he wave down? A police officer! Now, he wasn't a state trooper as needed since we were on a state road, but a police officer non-the-less who could direct us and help us make the connections we needed to make, and he had a phone.

As we were standing there, I began to realize some things. The Lord's provision was present.

How? Let me share a few ways...

1. The Lord protected us during the impact - the contact between the two cars was minimal (still cause substantial damage to the vehicles), but leaving no one hurt.

2. I was traveling in the left lane. There was an RV that I was watching in the right lane that seemed to be a little too waverly in its direction. I was watching the RV more closely than the vehicles in front of me becuase I thought the RV was trying to get into my lane, and I was in his blind spot. I am grateful that I didn't have an interaction with the RV.

3. No one rear-ended me. I stood there and realized as hundreds of cars are coming by in both lanes that even though I came to a complete stop, no one ran into me.

4. As we were standing on the road side, neither of us had a cell phone. How would we contact the police? Whom should drive by at just the moment we tried to flag down passers-by but a police officer. He stopped and very assuredly contacted the state authorities and allowed us all to use his cell phone to call those who we needed to contact.

These are some of the ways that I can point out clearly (at this time) of the Lord's directed hand in this event today.

Then, as I stand there with the couple from Germany that I just met, I am reminded of a dream I had a few months ago. You can read this dream here at my 'dreamer blog'. Please, take the time to read it before going on with this. Open the link in a new window - read about the dream (and the commentary following if you wish), then come back to this.

---

I was looking at their car, the damage to the back and read side fender and noticed...

This is a Chevy Impala....and it's burgundy in color....

Seeing that made me take a mental step back.

Whoa God. What's that?

Deep in my spirit, I knew that the Lord orchestrated this event for His Kingdom...what and how, I do not know.

The police officer had to call the state police (again, becuase it is on a state road). That took nearly 45 minutes for an officer to come to the scene. Apparently, they were in the middle of a shift change....

My excitement is building with just the recollection of the burgundy Chevy Impala.

We begin to make conversation. They are visiting from Germany with their two sons (who are in the car - that's 4 people in their car). She was originally from the US, and her parents now live in Mechanicsburg. (and as I sit here writing this, I think, I should have asked their names - maybe they are part of our church).

We talk about some of the differences between life in the US and in Germany. I have my oldest son in the Suburban with me. He was coming home from taking his standardized test for school. I had the opportunity to explain homescholing to them. It is not legal in Germany - but many parents want to because the public schools there are less than favorable they say. I was able to share with them the blessing that is is to be able to teach our children and even more so, the joy that it is to be able to develop that relationship with them while they are in our care.

I had opportunity to talk about things that the Lord has shown us and has been doing in our lives. I had the opportunity to just share the joy of raising our children with such a blessed grace from the Lord.

I also was able to share what I realized about that very incident. I was able to yield with them the Lord's provisional protection over us.

Then the sate trooper showed up.

The officer did his thing - getting all the information, writing the report and all that. Then he gave them their papers and began filling my report.

Before Rachel and Ekkhart (that's his name) left, I just asked "Hey, can I pray with you guys". To my surprise...they surely accepted.

I took their hands, prayed the Lord's blessing over them and their family.

Then, we all went home.

As I was driving home, I thought to myself - I wonder how old Ekkhart is. His two children looked to be about 3 and 5 years old. I wonder if he was born in 1964?

The Lord's grace and peace is so restful. I trust the Lord's provision to take us through.

Just Sinner Saved By Grace?

2009-03-21T09:10:00.019-04:00

Many Christians call themselves a "sinner, saved by grace"...

That's not an accurate description. I WAS a sinner....I am now a New Creation in Christ.

To fall into sin may happen as a Christian - but it is not inevitable. We have the power, through Christ, to resist, overcome, and defeat all that the enemy may bring our way.

Too often people believe that we are going to sin as Christians. Yes, it is a possibility - but it doesn't have to happen.

Now, hang with me here....

In Matthew 11, John the Baptist is in prison. He asks his disciples to go to Jesus and ask "Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?" (verse 2-3)

John is in prison, and he is Jesus' cousin. At this time, the Jews are all looking for a savior - for their promised messiah. But what and who they are expecting is somewhat different than what and who Jesus is. They are really looking for a political savior. They are looking for the one who will come and rescue the Jewish people from Roman rule and establish the new Kingdom as the prophets had spoken about centuries before. What the people are missing is that the prophets also spoke of a messiah who would come as a suffering servant as the passover Lamb for All.

It is possible that John - sitting in a prison cell hearing about Jesus' ministry is wondering - if Jesus is the Messiah, the one that has been spoken about, the one that I have been speaking about in the desert - why then, am I in prison?

Jesus' response to John is interesting. He tells John's disciples, Tell him what you have seen. Tell him that the blind can see, the lame can walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them. Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me. (v 5-6) At which John's disciples leave.

As they are going away, Jesus starts talking to the people about John. Jesus points out to them that John is the one that Isaiah was talking about when he said "I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you." (Is 40:3, Mal 3:1)

Then He goes on to say in Verse 11, "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he."

Jesus is talking about being Born Again. (also with Nicodemus in John 3:1-21).

This being Born Again idea is a new concept to the Jews and to all of humanity. Even today, many people (even Christians) don't fully understand what this means.

Jesus said, among those born of women John the Baptist is the greatest. Born of women - well, every person in the history of the planet is born of a woman. John was not born again.

Now, after Jesus' resurrection, we have what is called, being Born Again.

Born again is more than merely a second chance as some in the Christian life have called it.

When one believe in Christ and His atoning sacrifice as the Passover Lamb for all time we are born again. We is literally born again from above. This is not a figurative form of speech. This is a spiritual, mental, (dare I say) physical change - we are reborn...we receive a DNA transplant from God the Father with His seed. (Greek - spora)

1 Peter 1:23 says, you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ...

John 1:12-13 ...as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

When we are born again - we become sons and daughters of God and heirs to His Kingdom (which is at hand). It's not just a metaphor - it is a physical, spiritual, and mental reality. We are a New Creation. And not only is it the reality for every Christian, it is here and now - not reserved for eternity.

The issue then lies in our ability to understand and live as New Creations.

Paul tells us in Romans not to be conformed to this world and this age, not be fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs, but rather be transformed & changed by the entire renewal of our mind with new ideals and attitude, so that we can prove for ourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you.

The extent of our rebirth and transformation to a new creation in Christ's Image is directly dependent on the capacity of our renewed mind.

We are born of God.

Here is the clincher....1 John 3:9 says No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

1 John 5:18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.
John 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God
1 John 3:6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.
1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

God, through Christ, broke the power of sin and death. And while he was up to it - be also broke the power of sickness and shame...

In Christ - there is no sin. In Christ - there is no shame. The old is gone...the new has come [and is coming].

Without Christ, none of us can live a sinless life. But with Christ - we can.

My point is we don't have to settle for failing in sin - There is a process that we grow in to be transformed. And all of us, as with unveiled face, because we continue to behold, through the Word of God as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord. We are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one glory to another; for this comes from the Lord. (1 Corinthians 3:18)

I would rather expect to not sin - and recover & repent quickly if I do...than expect sin as inevitable.

I choose to live this life, reaching for His Glory while soaking in and relying on His Grace and strength.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. - 1 John 5:1

Related posts you I think should read:
In His Image, and In His Likeness
A New Creation!

Quite a find....

2009-03-19T17:06:00.005-04:00

This is by far - the best dumpster dive I have ever been on!

This table was out in someone's trash - in Ocean City NJ! I was riding my bike one afternoon and saw it on the trash pile; one leg had come loose. I rushed back to the house to inform my wife of my find.

My wife and I came back a little while later on our bikes so she could check it out, and with great excitement we decided to go back and get the Suburban. We quickly came back to the trash pile with the Suburban and tossed it, carefully, in the back.

We considered leaving a child or two behind...but we managed to fit the table and all the passengers and associated beach gear in the Suburban.

We took it home, I re-attached the leg, I didn't have to refinish it or anything....and here it is.

Our anniversary present, a free Bombay Company sofa table....

God forgives sin, no matter how big (part 3 and last)

2009-03-14T06:49:00.004-04:00

Just as I Am

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God I come! I come!
- Charlotte Elliot

A simple invitation

The simple message of the song Just as I Am was so popular in the early days of Billy Graham's evangelistic crusades that it became a regular part of the response to each appeal to make a public commitment for Christ.

Charlotte Elliott seemed to have everything going for her as a young woman. She was gifted as a portrait artist and also a writer of humorous verse. Then in her early thirties she suffered a serious illness that left her weak and depressed. During her illness a noted minister, Dr. Caesar Malan of Switerland, came to visit her. Noticing her depression, he asked if she had peace with God. She resented the question and said she did not want to talk about it.

But a few days later she went to apologize to Dr. Malan. She said that she wanted to clean up some things in her life before becoming a Christian. Malan looked at her and answered, "Come just as you are." That was enough for Charlotte Elliot, and she yielded herself to the Lord that day.

Fourteen years later, remembering those words spoken to her by Caesar Malan in Brighton, England, she wrote this simple hymn that has been used to touch the hearts of millions who have responded to Christ's invitation to come just as they are.

God's gift of salvation; there are no prerequisites.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. Psalm 130:3-4

On May 24, 1738, John Wesley was depressed. He had been wrestling with spiritual questions. Was faith alone enough for salvation? If so, could a man be converted instantaneously?

That afternoon at London's St. Paul's Cathedral, he heard an anthem sung that opened his heart. Based on Psalm 130, it began, "Out of the deeps of long distress, the borders of despair…" He was moved because the anthem from Psalm 130 told his personal story. That evening he attended a meeting in a little chapel on Aldersgate Street, heard a reading from the introduction to Luther's commentary on Romans, and felt his heart "strangely warmed." He had taken the leap from verse 1 to verse 5 of the psalm.

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.....I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

Many outstanding Christians have loved this psalm. One of them was John Owen, who wrote an extended commentary on it—with nearly three hundred pages on verse 4 alone! He loved that verse because once when he was "brought to the mouth of grace" and when his soul was "oppressed with horror and darkness," that fourth verse brought him close to God.

God offers forgiveness, verse 4 says. Forgiveness is God's free gift. Have you received it?

Psalm 130
¹ From the depths of despair, O Lord,
I call for your help.
² Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.
³ Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
⁴ But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
⁵ I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
⁶ I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
⁷ O Israel, hope in the Lord;
for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
His redemption overflows.
⁸ He himself will redeem Israel
from every kind of sin.

Have you received it?

I mean - have you deeply, ultimately, and eternally received it...His infinite, absolute, & unashamed forgiveness?

God forgives sin, no matter how big (part 2)
God forgives sin, no matter how big (part 1)

God forgives sin, no matter how big (part 2)

2009-03-10T15:05:00.008-04:00

Like dominoes…

Have you ever felt as though the problems in your life were like a series of dominoes? One domino falls down, and it sets off a chain reaction that knocks down the rest of the dominoes. David felt that his problems were going from bad to worse—his enemies had surrounded him, waiting for his ultimate demise. David could see no way out. But even in his despair, he knew there was one whom he could always trust to help him. He turned to God, confessed his sins, asked for forgiveness, and pleaded for mercy. (Psalm 25:11)

When we are separated from God because of our sins, we need to repent and ask for forgiveness. Then, with a clean heart, we can come before Him and ask for help. He will hear and answer us for the honor of His name.

A prayer for today:

Dear God, for the honor of your name, please forgive my many, many sins and have mercy on me…(Psalm 25:11)

Why would God want to forgive?
I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn blood-red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. There will be people on Mount Zion in Jerusalem who escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called. Joel 2:30-32

If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. 1 John 1:8-9

God is bound by His Word.

Why would God want to forgive people who have spent a lifetime denying him and hurting him? Why doesn't he just zap them? In our humanity we say that certain people don't deserve forgiveness. In his sovereignty and perfect love. God essentially says, I love and forgive those who, to others, appear un-salvageable. (John 3:16-17, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Isaiah 45:22, 1 John 2:2) This is just one of the ways in which God's thoughts are beyond our own. His mercy is so overwhelming that it can seem unreasonable to us. Are you willing to let God's mercy do as it wishes—with anyone?

If His conditions are met, God is bound by His Word to forgive any man or any woman of any sin because of Christ. - Billy Graham

He, [only] himself, is the sacrifice that atones for [all of] our sin—and not only our sin but the sin of all the world. - 1 John 2:2

Related Posts:
God forgives sin, no matter how big (part 1)
On God's Grace, Forgiveness, and Mercy
Cardboard Testimonies
I Am Second

God forgives sin, no matter how big (part 1)

2009-03-10T14:58:00.007-04:00

A Two Way Street:

Come now, let us argue this out," says the Lord. "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

The situation referred to in these verses is what can be called a "two-way street." We move in humility and repentance toward God. In turn, God moves toward us with forgiveness and restoration. When we obey, God will send blessing. And when we disobey God, we still have the option of humble repentance. Blessings can flow again if our repentance is genuine and not merely a ploy to get "back on God's good side.

This two-way principle is also at work in all our human relationships. When sin has damaged a relationship, we can be restored through honest repentance, met with forgiveness. Sometimes, both parties must repent and forgive, because the fault is shared.

Nothing can ever separate us from His love… Romans 8:38

For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins…Psalm 25:11

Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. O, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. Psalm 25:16-18

Related Posts:
On God's Grace, Forgiveness, and Mercy
Cardboard Testimonies
I Am Second

Prophetic worship

2009-03-06T16:41:00.003-05:00

Where the Spirit of the Lord is....there IS freedom.

I came across this recently.

Listen today, and be blessed...

Matt Gillman IHOP

So, I started it.

2009-03-04T12:10:00.004-05:00

Thanks for everyone who responded to my media review blog idea.

I decided to throw a little something together.

You can check it out here.

Good Pleasure

Thanks!

Considering A New Blog....

2009-03-02T08:14:00.007-05:00

I am considering starting a new blog....

I believe the Lord is directing me to organize a blog for movie and entertainment reviews. I know, there's all kinds of sources already like this; plugged in, AFA, and a few others - but they typically look at the mainstream movies and entertainment that's currently available or new. For the most part, we don't watch current or mainstream anything.

I also have a few people in mind to ask to participate in this blog, and will be contacting them shortly.

So, I'm just wondering if this would be something that you would be interested in.

Leave comments that share your thoughts on this idea. Would you and your family benefit from this? Would you be interested to read reviews? If you're reading this and your jumping up and down saying "Ooh I want to write too!" Then let me know that.... :)

Just curious, so....let me know!

Oh...and, what do you think of my new blog? :)

Now...don't get your hopes up.

2009-02-24T12:24:00.005-05:00

How many times have we been told that?

"Don't get your hopes up." People might often will tell me that for one reason or another. Essentially, they're suggesting to not do so because, if I get my hopes up too far, I might be in for major disappointment.

I can understand and even respect that they want to protect me from disappointment and frustration, but what does the Lord say about keeping your hopes up? What does the Lord say about settling for less than the highest expectations?

So, I just found a few scriptures on the subject. I’m not going to go into commentary over these, but rather let the Lord speak through His Word.

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Psalm 331:24
Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 38:15
For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.

Psalm 39:7
And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

Proverbs 23:18
Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

Psalm 103:1-5

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with loving-kindness and compassion;
5Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Exodus 15:26

And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer."

Psalm 30:2
O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

Isaiah 53:5

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

Deuteronomy 7:15

The LORD will remove from you all sickness; and He will not put on you any of the harmful diseases of Egypt which you have known, but He will lay them on all who hate you.

Are You a Sell Out.

2009-02-19T12:23:00.004-05:00

Be a sell out. It's a good idea.

Actually, I think it's the best idea.

I'm sorry....?

2009-01-30T23:53:00.006-05:00

Something that happens here in our house a lot...

Something breaks, someone gets hurt, or any other myriad of childhood troubles....

The 'accused' immediately says "I'm sorry"....

So, now - everything is all right....right?

What I need to know is - just because they say they're sorry doesn't mean whatever was broken is now fixed. It doesn't mend the scratch on his brother's arm. Saying "I'm sorry" doesn't 'right the wrong' that was done....

There is such a line here (I think). I know repentance begins with the acknowledgment of the wrong.
Leviticus 5:5 says "When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin."

Confession is only the beginning of repentance....and my offer of forgiveness is ready to be granted even before the apology is established.

My question is, when does the responsibility for the consequence become voided (if at all)?

I'm looking for your comments here. Share your insight. And I am wondering both in the physical parenting world and in our spiritual discipline with our Father.

A meandering thought - into which I need to inquire more.

Way to go Coach!

2009-01-29T10:48:00.005-05:00

I don't need to say much about this clip. I think I can let it speak for itself.

I think this coach made the best decision of his coaching career at that game.

From Behind Door Number One....

2009-01-28T13:22:00.022-05:00

Here are some more before and after shots from the ongoing project that is our house.

We are currently working on our hall(s), which include the entry way, foyer, first floor hall, stairway, and second floor hall.

I found some older pictures of our second floor hallway to share. These photos were taken nearly 2 years ago when we decided to build a linen closet in the hall right at the top of the stairs. There was a big of wasted space there. We collected things there (like laundry baskets, vacuum cleaners, and other items) so we decided to put a closet there - to hide the things we collect.

Here is the hall area before the closet (actually, it's more just before and during closet construction). But, these snaps give you a good idea of what the hall looked like before we started. No picture however of the green shag carpet that was there.

Please, notice the green. That color was everywhere.

We let the boys draw on the walls, before we built the new walls. Since, I was making lines and markings on the wall - they wanted to as well.

The hall closet during construction.
This picture was taken by the end of the day. Also, notice the door to the left into the middle bedroom (which would later become the nursery). That door has been replaced.

The closet actually stayed just like this for a few months.
We did get some shelving in there not long after it was framed and dry-walled. But, it was unfinished for a while.

The next step was to strip the wall paper. Now, this wall paper was under at least 2 layers of paint. The top layer of course was the lovely green that you see in the above pictures.

With a mixture of boiling hot water & white distilled vinegar we were able to loosen the paper and it came off quite nicely (from the walls and the ceiling which was also painted green).

These three photos show what we have now. It's come a long way from what it was. We still have some minor touch up work to do, and some trim work to finish up, but it's coming along quite well.

There's that new hall closet and the new door into the nursery.

The hall closet from the stairs.

Looking down the hall to the front of the house.

A Brief Thought About God's Authority

2009-01-23T15:26:00.008-05:00

I am sure, given current political conditions, we have all become more than familiar with the scripture found in I Timothy 2:1-3 which says:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.

Romans 13:1 also tells us to remember that:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1-7 (in context)

All authorities that exist have been appointed by God: See also Daniel 4:32 & Psalm 75:6-7.

Paul does not suggest, however, that God approves a corrupt government, ungodly officials, or unjust legislation.

Sometimes, however, in punishment for the sins of a people, or for other reasons known only to Him, God allows evil rulers to have authority for a time, as the Old Testament prophets frequently testify.

Ideally, God grants authority to serve good ends (Rom 13:3-4). How that authority is exercised will be the accounting of each to whom it has been given.

Related posts I think you should read:

Why do we pray in Jesus' name?

2009-01-21T15:24:00.006-05:00

Why is it that we pray in Jesus' name? Jesus is God, but then He is also God's Son. So, why do we not just simply pray in the Father's name?

Prayer in Jesus’ name is taught in John 14:13-14.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

Some mistakenly apply this verse in believing that saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer results in God granting what is asked for. This is essentially treating the words “in Jesus’ name” as a magic formula. This is rather unbiblical, and in reality is using His name in vain.

Praying in Jesus’ name essentially means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus' name is synonymous with praying according to the will of God.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus.

Saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic formula. If what you asked for or said in prayer was not for God’s glory and according to His will, saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless. Genuinely praying in Jesus' name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose and motive behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name.

Burning Coals

2009-01-17T10:00:00.013-05:00

Scripture says: (Romans 12:17-21)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

What is that heaping burning coals? Does this really tell us to dump hot ashes on someone's head. Is that a spiteful remark to inflict pain, suffering, and hidden judgment on our enemies? That thinking seems to be in contrast with what Jesus is saying throughout the rest of this passage.

Quite the contrary, heaping burning coals was a cultural tradition....

When a traveler was walking by at night, it was chilly. The custom was to place hot coals in a jar that he would carry on his head while walking. These hot coals would serve two purposes.

The keep him warm.
When he would get home - he would have hot coals with which to start a new fire.

So, the next time you use that scripture to announce judgment on another - remember this. It's really not in alignment with what Jesus was telling us.

Too often, this passage has been used as an almost sinister suggestion to God's people for how we are to treat those who 'hate' us. It has been suggested in the church that by treating our enemies with grace we will be secretly punishing them. There are even some modern English translations that say "burning coals of shame on their heads".

Somehow - this just doesn't sit right with my spirit. And it certainly doesn't align with the Heart of the Lord.

Jesus tells us to love our enemies. By heaping burning coals on their heads - we're aiding them in their travels and journeys. We give them comfort, and we give them supply and provision for their home. We bless our enemies.

The heart of Jesus...He goes against common sense. He goes against popular culture.

Other references:

Proverbs 20:22
Proverbs 24:29
Romans 14:19
Deuteronomy 32:35
2 Kings 6:22
Proverbs 25:21-22