- INTRODUCING GOD'S WORD -

INTRODUCING GOD’S WORD – GOD SPEAKS

My friend,

Here are a few thoughts to introduce God’s word.  Today the question I want to ask and answer is:  How is the Bible most different from all other books?

Firstly, I want you to consider that God speaks to everyone.  How so?  In several gracious ways. 

One way is through our conscience (Romans 2:15).  That is, in my heart and mind I know right and wrong.  If I tell a lie, immediately God whispers to me in my conscience that I have done something wrong.  And, I cannot rest until I confess it and make it right.  God speaks to our hearts and minds.   This is one of many ways that we know that God is – that He exists.   We have all experienced this, even people who say there is no God.

As we open ourselves to God’s voice we begin to hear clearer and better.  But, if we resist and ignore, our sensitivity is dulled, and we hear less and fainter. 

Some resist God completely and lose their conscience (Romans 1:28-31) and become greedy, selfish and evil people who say there is no God.  God allows us to have this free choice.  

God also declares His glory in creation (Psalm 19: 1-2) – the beauty of sunset and sunrise, drama in clouds and the wonder of how our bodies are “fearfully and wonderfully made” – recovering from disease.  So, God displays Himself and speaks to us – but He wants to speak much, much more clearly than these ways..

Let me ask you a question:  If I wrote a book, but yet someone told me what to write, did I write the book or was it the person who told me what to write?  Both in a manner I suppose.  But, mostly it seems to me, the one who told me what to write. 

So it is with the Bible.  God spoke to those who wrote it down (similarly as to how He speaks to our conscience, but very clearly), so it is God’s words.

And, there is evidence of just this thing - that people did not write the Bible by themselves, from their own imagination, but rather God spoke to them, to their hearts and minds, just as He speaks to our conscience also, but clearer and stronger and told them what to write.  Let us hear of the evidence.

Now, the Bible is not one, but 66 books, bound together as one.   Consider this:  66 books written over a period of 4000 years, by 40 different human authors who often did not know each other and did not even live at the same time.   YET, despite not knowing each other, they all had the same theme:  God will provide Salvation to those who choose Him.   39 books in the Old Testament (Hebrew) and 27 books in the New Testament (Greek).  There is interesting history of how God worked with different cultures over time and preserved His word.  But that is a story for another time.

This is what the Bible is.  We learn from God speaking to men in this way that God first of all created everything – including us.  And, God gave us the ability to choose to love and obey Him or not (otherwise our love for Him would not be true love).  We humans rejected and disobeyed God and this brought evil and all manner of suffering into the world.   We learn this beginning with the very first book of the Bible.  So, because of our rebellion against God, death and suffering came into the world. 

But, we also learn from the very beginning in the first books, that God began a plan to set all right again and to save us all – that the penalty and consequence of sin is death, which Jesus would one day pay for us.

Each book of the Bible reveals bit by bit, through the history of mankind, how God is planning to save us.  So, we learn about God, and about ourselves.   Many years before Jesus lived, God revealed prophecies of how He would become man, live among us, and die to pay for our sins.   God inspired Moses to write the first five books – giving us the moral law, and gave us hope that God would save through His “sacrificial lamb” – pictured in the Passover lamb (Exodus 12), and 1500 years later John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29).

Consider King David who wrote, (inspired by God – 2 Samuel 23:2), poetry that saw Jesus a thousand years before Jesus lived and died. 

So, Psalm 22 was written by David one Thousand years before Jesus died on the cross, yet it reads like a diary, a journal, of the experience of Jesus on the cross…   Psalm 22: 7,8 : “All who see me mock me; they wag their heads; ‘He trusts in the LORD; Let Him deliver Him’ …  Psalm 22:16: “they have pierced my hands and feet” (this was the experience of Jesus – not David)  Psalm 22:18: “they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”  There is more about Jesus in this Psalm and many other Psalms – the experience of Jesus, and not David.  All written a thousand years before Jesus lived on earth with us.  Prophecy in Poetry. 

Other Old Testament prophets wrote in detail of the circumstances of Jesus’ birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21), how God would come to us (Psalm 40, Isaiah 9), escape death as a baby (Hosea 11;1), where He would be born (Micah 5:2), how and when He would enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9), Jesus’ use of parables (Psalm 78:2), the hardening of the hearts of many who heard Jesus (Isaiah 6:9-10),  the exact amount of money that would be paid to betray Him (Zechariah 11:12-13), the cowardice of the disciples (Zechariah 13:7), Jesus’ side pierced and other details of His death on the cross and of His resurrection (Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 22, Psalm 16, Isaiah 53).

  There are many more prophecies.   Some have counted more than 300 prophecies written about our Savior Jesus, the Christ, many hundreds of years before Jesus lived by many different prophets who did not know each other and who lived at different times and places!   And, over and over again Scripture declares:  “I the LORD say:”  Or, “The LORD says…” about Jesus and His Salvation for us.    All of the prophecies regarding Jesus’ life on earth came true exactly as written!  

There are some prophecies which are yet to be fulfilled in the future – regarding His Kingdom established and God making all things right again one day.

This answers the question and shows us how the Bible is different from all other books.  GOD speaks to us.  

Will we listen?  And, the voice of God grow strong in our hearts and minds, and we find life for all eternity?   Or, will we reject and die, the voice of God grow weaker to us?

These fulfilled prophecies are strong EVIDENCE that the Bible  is what it says it is:  the Word of God.   

How can these prophecies be?  Because GOD spoke to the hearts and minds of those God chose to write His words (as He does to our conscience) but in clear and precise way.   

God brought His word to us.   God speaks to us about this throughout the Bible, but here are two direct messages to us regarding this process: 

First, from 2 Peter 1: 20-21 we have this explanation:  “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture (God’s word) comes from someone’s own interpretation (imagination).  For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

2 Timothy 3:16 informs us that:  “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, …”  So, we see that God’s word is breathed out to us who will receive it.   As the words from the Hymn “Ancient Words” puts it:  “We have come with open hearts,  Oh let the ancient words impart.”

As regards the Salvation that God’s word speaks of, we learn that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23).  And, we learn that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  How can God give us who have sinned against life?  Because, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24).  So, we look to Jesus, believe and live, for Jesus Himself has told us:  “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” (John 11:25).   “Repent and believe in the gospel” Jesus said (Mark 1:15).  We can thank Him for all eternity. 

God’s word to us is the most precious thing we can hold in our hands.  No one can be a true disciple and son or daughter of the Lord, without the Bible’s revelation of God’s truth to us (John 8: 31-32).  As Psalm 119: 105 says, “a light to our path” and as Psalm 19:10 says: “more to be desired than Gold, than much fine Gold”.   There are many deep and precious secrets about God and ourselves to be discovered in God’s word for life and godliness, that we might even partake of His nature (2 Peter 1: 3-4). 

Jesus has come to us in the flesh, God living among us as we read in the Gospel of John 1:1 and John 1:14.   As the Gospel of John explains:  Jesus – the Living Word of God to us, God the Son who came to save us.   There is much for us to learn about God and ourselves in God’s word.  

The Gospel of John (the fourth book of the New Testament) is often considered a good place to begin the adventure of hearing from God Himself.   I agree that you will be blessed by beginning there.

With Warm Regards.  Your Friend,

Jim 

- "SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN" -

SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN…

Jesus said… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8: 31, 32

Jesus' words to us were conditional - "If..."

Jesus also said... “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”...”These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15: 7, 11    If the words “ask whatever you wish…” are difficult for me to accept, to believe and understand… why not tell Him so?  “Lord – forgive me, but in my experience, that doesn’t always seem to be the case.”  Or, whatever is an honest response.   “I don’t get it – what are you saying Lord”?  And, so, the dialogue begins as we open our hearts to Him, to accept to hear and begin abiding in His Word.  He will bring understanding to us as we earnestly seek and look to Him.  Jesus has promised us:  “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13).  

Do I believe that He is speaking to me?   Will I respond?  Or, will they be just so many words that I let roll off my back and mind… until the cumulative effect is hearing:  “I never knew you…”?

It is a true understanding that 2 Timothy 3:16 refers to an inspiration event which first happened when scripture was infallibly recorded, by the inspiration of God, in a manner pleasing to our Father God, and God’s people inscribed God’s word as He inspired and directed them.   Now, this truth alone is a rich treasure, greatly to be valued. 

But, our Lord wants to be even richer towards us.  This statement about God’s word being breathed out as scripture to us has deeper meaning relating to those of us who are children of God, and explains why scripture can be so precious to our hearts – why there are those of us who cannot live without abiding in it.   I believe that this also refers to an event happening again and again, when it is given as scripture to our hearts as we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, as we open our hearts to Him and search and pray His word. Then it is given to us as scripture and not just words on the page, and we have the full understanding of: “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” - “breathed out by God” to our hearts.

However, God’s word cannot be given as scripture to us if our hearts are and remain closed to Him.   But, God’s word does not need to remain just so many words on the page to us.  Praise be to our Father God!  As we abide in Him and practice obeying His word, praying it, and planting it in our hearts, then His word is given as scripture, breathed out by God to our hearts and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness.  Our faith grows and we may be complete, equipped for every good work. So, my hope is that God’s word will grow in all our hearts for His good purposes as we abide in Him and His word abides in us – as we pray His word and it lives in us with as correct of an understanding as we can have by His Spirit this side of eternity.

When is “scripture” given to us?  I firmly believe that it is as the Bible declares it – it is by the inspiration of our Father God as He breathes it out as scripture to us, and it is to the extent that we open our hearts and abide in God’s Word.  It involves us having receptive hearts – being willing to let the Word of God spoken to us by His Spirit, conform us to His purpose in our lives – not us trying to conform the Word of God to our purposes.  It is then that the God’s word becomes “profitable”.

  We need to be praying God’s word over our lives.  When we receive the text, “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”, it requires soul-searching.  “Father, show me how I have not forgiven.  Help me to be more like you.  Father, I forgive.  Help my un-forgiveness!”  And when we read, “pray for those who persecute you”, in many cases I find that I need to be asking God for the grace to do that instead of how else I might allow the darkness and deceitfulness of my heart to respond.  When I read from Psalm 1, am I asking God to reveal to me if I am “accepting the counsel of the ungodly” – and repenting of it?  Do I examine myself in the light of Psalm 1, questioning if I am “meditating day and night” in His Word or some worldly distraction?   Are we praying His Word?   I need to allow the light of the Jesus’ presence and His Word to fill my heart, change my heart, and conform myself to it. 

We can confidently pray God’s word because His word is His revealed will towards us.  And, His words become more than just so many words on the page, but are given to our hearts as Scripture.  

Dear reader, when we receive God’s word, we need to be asking ourselves:  What does this say about our Father God?  What does it say about me?  How do I need to change as a result? – Then pray it through with your Father God and Savior.

Jesus lived and breathed the Word of God — it was part of Him.  It shaped all his thinking and acting.   If we are going to walk as he walked, the same should be true of us.  

When Jesus battled with Satan, he defeated every temptation using words from the Bible.  During His ministry, His heart was full of ready quotations and allusions to the Old Testament.   The Word of God was in His heart and on His lips while He was on the cross for us - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1).

So - what does it mean to abide in God’s Word?

It means having the words of the Bible delivered to our hearts as inspired scripture by the Spirit of God, as we open our hearts to it, allowing God’s Spirit to speak to us through it, by meditating on it, praying it back to Him, and asking God to change us and bring us into conformity with it as we apply it in our lives – in this house of prayer – our hearts.

It involves a relationship with and an interaction with our Father God and Savior - the Living Word.   If we are simply reading God’s word in a cursory manner, as it is presented to us in sermons and church bulletins, and taking snippets of it here and there, then we are missing out.  It means God’s word is implanted in our hearts as we set aside other distractions calling to us and seek out opportunities to dwell in God’s word regularly instead.

   You will be much blessed in doing so.  Hear from James 1:21: “…receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

  Our Father God has promised that His word will not return to Him in vain.  He has a work for His word in our lives, and His call to us is clear in Hebrews chapter 4:

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”   

Not only does God speak to us with His word.  His word sees into our hearts and illuminates our hearts to us (“piercing even to the dividing asunder…”) – allowing us the opportunity to confess our sins – and we are washed (“washing by the word…”).  It becomes then to us a lamp lighting the way (“a lamp unto my feet…).  What a treasure!  How precious!   Will we not respond to the Spirit of God speaking intimately with us through His word?

The world from time to time picks and chooses bits of God’s word – to prove a point, or to mock…  Such interaction of course is not “abiding” in God’s word – and to a closed heart, it is not “breathed out” to them - given as Scripture.

  Remember - Jesus said, “If you abide in my word….”  As we abide in His word, we will naturally want to respond to our Father God when He speaks, sees, lights up the way and washes us.  That responding, that prayer from our house of prayer, is part of abiding in His word.  We will be His true disciples – as Jesus promised, and His word will be given to our hearts as “Scripture” – an on-going process.

Our Father God wants us to “abide” in His word, that His purpose may be complete in us.    Too many in the Body of Christ these days accept the premise that it is sufficient to be spoon fed the Word of God by Pastors and others. But our Father God wants to deal directly with us as well - that we might grow more intimately with Him, and have fuller repentance in our lives and our nation healed as we interact directly with our Lord.   Let’s set aside distractions and do just that - as we cry out:  “Father from this house of prayer may your word dwell in me!”?   Will you join me in this?

So thankful for our Savior,

Jim B.

Post Script:  How about taking God’s word into our hearts and minds regularly, as events happened in a chronological order?  There is a link to some interesting reading plans in the “Links” page, with pdfs available for download.

- GOD SPEAKS: THE WEAK LINK ... -

 GOD SPEAKS …         

Dear Reader,

As a young man, I was trained to be a military linguist.  In my experience using and living in a language environment other than English over the years, I have come to understand and live with this reality:  There will always be loss and distortion in translation – because the “mindset” of one language is not identical to the “mindset” of any other given language.  

            In spite of this “pollution” our Father God delivers His word, and it “does not return to Him void”, but accomplishes His purposes – (Isaiah 55:11)  as He promises, to the hearts and minds of those willing to hear.

            Here is a modern rendering of a tiny portion from “The Translators to the Reader” (the original full preface of the KJV), which illustrates how the translators of the KJV saw this issue of pollution in translation, yet remaining the Word of God:

            “Rather than deny, we actually claim that the poorest translation of the Bible into English offered by Protestants ( we see none of the whole Bible offered by Romanists as yet) contains the Word of God, no, is the Word of God.

            The king’s speech before Parliament, when translated into French, Dutch, Italian and Latin, is still the king’s speech although it is not always translated with as good a style or as apt aa phrase or exact a sense…”

            Our Father God is not restrained in giving His word in translation any more than He was restrained in giving His word to us in the original languages.   God’s word remains an expression of an eternal, infallible Being humbling and limiting this expression of Himself in fallible, human language to the limited mindset of humanity ( Isaiah 55: 8-9) in both the original and a proper,  good translation.

            The weak link in the chain of this giving of God’s word to us is not in the autographs, or the transmission of copies (for God has preserved His word, with thousands of copies, intervening in history) or a proper translation.   The weak link is whether the receiver, the hearer of God’s word. is willing to hear and obey, hear and submit themselves to what God is saying.  

            There is none so blind as those who CHOOSE NOT to hear and submit.  THIS is the weak link. 

            This is why, referring to this dynamic, Jesus quoted Isaiah and said:  “… indeed see but never perceive.  For this people’s heart has grown dull …  their eyes they have closed.” (Matthew 13: 14,15).

            The Lord has told us:  “All scripture is given (or “breathed out”) (2 Timothy 3:16) by God….”  And, it arrived in the heart and mind of Moses and others and flowed from their pens to papyri just as God intended.  Further, we can know that it is an on-going event because it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” … But, of course it cannot be given or breathed out to those who choose to close their eyes, as Jesus explained.

            For those who choose to close their eyes to God’s word when it comes to them, the whole inspiration given to the prophets, the transmission of the autographs and copies, the guided translation, however good, is all for naught.   This is why I perceive that whether the reader chooses to see and hear is the end link and the weakest link in the inspiration / translation event, which is why it is such an integral part of whether God’s word lands as an inspired gift to someone’s heart and mind.  

:) Jim

- THE TALK: A CONVERSATION WITH THE SAVIOR -

THE TALK:  A CONVERSATION WITH THE SAVIOR

 “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?”

 How is it that a learned scholar and leader of the Jews could have a question expressing such dismay directed to him from the One who came to us that all humanity might live?

 You can read about their discourse in the Gospel of John – specifically, John 3: 1-21.   But, to grasp the fuller picture of the background behind the drama, we will need to remind ourselves of bits of the “Old Testament” portion of God’s Word as we know it – that is, the completed revelation of the Hebrew Scriptures which Jesus expected Nicodemus to be familiar with and known to Nicodemus as the Tanakh.

 How is it that Nicodemus, who had studied the Hebrew Scriptures all his life, and had taught so many others about right standing with God, now finds that what Jesus was telling him to be something new?   What should he have had in mind?

 Nicodemus, as a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin ruling council, would have known and practiced Jewish normative traditions, apart from God’s word, the Old Testament, as necessary to establish a right relationship with God.

 Jesus instead, pointed to God’s Word to establish an understanding of how to be right with God, and not the traditions of the Jews.   Jesus expected Nicodemus would also be able to understand the role of God's Spirit in spiritual cleansing and rebirth, even from the Old Testament Scriptures.

 Jesus established Himself as an authoritative eyewitness to the truth of God’s word, and commissioning, and of having John the Baptist as his earthly witness (see John 1: 19-34)  when He said to Nicodemus in John 3:11: "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you (plural “y’all”) do not receive our testimony.” 

 Jesus was saying that the Sanhedrin (hence the plural use of “you”), of which Nicodemus was a member, and who had sent representatives to John the Baptist, had not only rejected Jesus’ and John’s testimony, but the testimony of God and His Word.   They also rejected reports, which came to them of the voice from Heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).

 Jesus would later rebuke other members of the Sanhedrin with: “You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe the One whom He has sent.  You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life" (John 5: 38-40).

 Nicodemus, though, did come to Jesus, and this is his story.

 Jesus would later teach at the synagogue in Nazareth (found in Luke 4: 16-21) that the words of Isaiah the prophet were fulfilled in Him.  Jesus fulfilled these words of the prophet:  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Isaiah 61: 1-2).

 And, Nicodemus was likely familiar with this Scripture, but Jesus announced this after Nicodemus came to visit with Him. 

 On the night Nicodemus visited Jesus, what should Nicodemus have reasonably been expected to have had in mind from God’s Word regarding this life-or-death issue regarding being “born again” of the Spirit?

 Even before the Old Testament was begun or completed, Old Testament saints looked to God and were saved by their faith that God would provide a solution for their sins.  At first they knew less of how God would provide, and as time progressed, they learned more, and from the time of the first Passover, they began to understand that God would one day provide His "lamb."   So we are reminded in Hebrews 11 of the faith of the saints of old.  They looked forward and, by faith saw God's provision.  We look back and see God's provision.

 And so, by hearing with faith, Abraham “believed the LORD, and God counted it to him as righteousness.” – Genesis 15:6

 Nicodemus could reasonably be expected to know this.

 Further, we can now know from Galatians 3:5 that the Spirit is supplied to us by "hearing with faith."   From Romans and elsewhere, we easily understand that all believers are regenerated by the Spirit of God and made to live. 

But what of Nicodemus, who only had the Old Testament? 

Jesus had asked him: "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?" (John 3:10). 

Jesus seemed dismayed to find Nicodemus confused and questioning the Spirit's role in making one spiritually alive, even with only the Old Testament in hand.

 Jesus had just told Nicodemus:  “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).  Jesus spoke to being “born from above”… or “being made alive from above” when He said what is often translated into English as “born again”.

Understand this, dear reader:  The Jewish ruling council, of which Nicodemus was a member, purported to hold in great esteem the first five books of the Old Testament – the Torah, the writings of Moses. 

This is why Nicodemus could reasonably have been expected to be familiar with and embrace wholeheartedly Deuteronomy 30:6, from the Torah …

"And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:6

Notice that this act of the LORD was not only for their offspring in generations to come, but also for them.    Of course, this “circumcision” of their heart by the LORD was not done physically with a knife, right?  It was a work of God’s Spirit.  So we see the work of God’s Spirit even in Old Testament times – for spiritual life (“that you may live”), and for the receiving a new heart (“so that you will love,,,”) – from the pages of the Old Testament.   In his Hebrew Scriptures, Nicodemus could read of God making alive from above, of people being born anew from above.

Jesus expected Nicodemus to not only know this, but teach it, and walk by faith, and look to the Spirit of God to be made alive from above.  Jesus expected Nicodemus to look to the testimony of God’s Word rather than the traditions of the Jews.

Nicodemus should have been familiar with other Old Testament testimony of the work of the Spirit of God in the lives of those who had faith in God!    Ezekiel testified that “the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.” (Ezekiel 2:2 ).   After his sin, David earnestly prayed in Psalm 51:11 “… take not your Holy Spirit from me”.  Zechariah was told that the Spirit would enable, encourage and strengthen Zerubbabel for the work God called him to do.  “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit…” (Zechariah 4:6).   God told His people through Haggai, “… my Spirit remains among you.  Do not fear” (Haggai 2:5).   The list goes on.

When Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:5 that “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”, Nicodemus should have also been familiar with Ezekiel 36: 25-27, and it would be reasonable for him to remember these words:

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall  be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart  of flesh.  And  I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules“ (Ezekiel 36: 25-27).

Here, water signifies the reception of the Holy Spirit.  The prophet Ezekiel compared the Spirit of God with a cleansing of the heart.   Jesus used two terms – water and the Spirit, referring to the same spiritual birth.   This, the spiritual birth, Jesus contrasted with physical birth.    (Of course, for us, we have the clarity of the New Testament where Jesus identifies water as the Spirit, flowing from the hearts of those who have faith in Him in John 7:37-39.   Again, in John 4 Jesus offered the water of life to the Samaritan woman, and elsewhere.  But, this is Nicodemus’ story and he did not have the New Testament.)

Nicodemus could have also been acquainted with:

“With joy you will draw  water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3), and

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. … to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.” (Isaiah 43:19-21).   (This brings to my mind the words of Jesus when He referred to the rivers of living water flowing from the hearts of His own – referring to the Spirit.  (see John 7:37-39).   I believe that not only are we seeing this spiritually fulfilled, but that it will be physically fulfilled one day as well.)

Water is a fitting symbol of the work of the Holy Spirit – solving the problem of our spiritual thirst, and cleansing us.

 There are many other essential words given to us regarding salvation and our Savior in our Old Testament (and Nicodemus' Hebrew Scriptures) that Nicodemus should have known.  

You will find a list of these Scriptures in the article titled: "Salvation and our Savior from the O.T." here at Fresh Acclaim on this page.  

These ancient words of life included such as:  

Isa. 1:18:  “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”  

And,  Isa 45:22: “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”

Jesus began His ministry by calling for repentance.  “… Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe  in the gospel”  (Mark 1: 14-15).  

I would like to point out to you dear reader, how Jesus yearned for Nicodemus' repentance from the traditions of men to God's way of life by being radically born from above. 

We need to see that in John 3, when Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, Jesus' appeal to repentance must come to mind!  Consider that Jesus spoke of the necessity of being born of the Spirit.  This of itself, speaks to repentance - for by being born of the Spirit,  our new nature in Him means that we can turn from our former ways and we have the ability to walk by the Spirit, and not by our flesh.  This is why whoever "believes in Him" (depends on, trusts in Him to save) finds in their new birth by the Spirit of God, a new way of walking.

If Nicodemus had ears to hear, he would have heard Jesus explain to him that He (Jesus) came to pay for the sins of humanity when He told Nicodemus: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent (a picture of being condemned by God on our behalf) in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up (on the cross), that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:15).  Nicodemus could have been expected to understand again from the Torah, this time from Deuteronomy 21:23, what we can also know from Galatians that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us – for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’ “ (Galatians 3:13).

Now we may stand in awe and in adoration proclaim with John the Baptist:

“… Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

- SALVATION & OUR SAVIOR FROM THE O.T.... -

As regards SALVATION and our Savior from the Old Testament in Brief…

The heart of it all seems to be encapsulated in Isaiah Chapter 53 and Psalm 22.    Beyond, consider further:

Isaiah 53: 5-6

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.   (cf. Rom. 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Pet. 2:25; Jer. 50:6; Jer. 50:17)

Eze. 18:4

Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.  (cf. Rom. 6:23)

Dan. 12:2

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.   (cf. John 3:16;  Matt. 25:46)

Isa. 59:1-2

1Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,

or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

2 but your iniquities have made a separation

between you and your God,

and your sins have hidden his face from you

so that he does not hear.

Isa. 1:18

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.  (cf. 1 John 1:9;  Rev. 7:14; Psalm 51:7)

Isa 45:22

“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.  (cf. Mark 1:14; John 14:6)

Isa. 49:6

He says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (cf. Acts 13:47)

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.  (cf. Mt. 2:6; John 7:42; Heb.7:14)

Zech. 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  (cf. Mt. 11:29;  21:5; Jn.12:15)

Zech. 11:12-13

Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver… to the potter.  (cf. Mt. 27:9-10) 

Zech. 13:7

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the LORD of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.  (cf. Matt. 26:31; Mark 14:27)

Isa. 50: 6

I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.  (cf. Matt. 26:67; Mt. 27:26; Mark 15:19; Luke 22:63)

Dan. 9:25-26    (i.e., regarding when He will come)…

Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince… And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.

In remembrance of what He endured…

Isaiah 53: 7-8

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he opened not his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he opened not his mouth.

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;

and as for his generation, who considered

that he was cut off out of the land of the living,  (cf. Acts 8:32-35; Matt. 26:63; Mark 14:61; John 19:9; 1 Pet. 2:23; Jer. 11:19; Isa. 57:1)

Psalm 22:1

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? …    (cf. Mt. 27:46;  Mk. 15:34)

Psalm 22: 7-8

7All who see me mock me;

they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;

let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”   (cf. Mt. 27:39-43; Mk. 15:29-32; Lk. 23:35-36)

Psalm 22: 12-13

12Many bulls encompass me;

strong bulls of Bashan surround me;   [cf. Ps. 68:30 (Heb); Amos 4:1]

13they open wide their mouths at me,

like a ravening and roaring lion. (cf. Ps. 35:21; Job 16:10; Lam. 2:16; 3:46)

Psalm 22:16

For dogs encompass me;

a company of evildoers encircles me;

they have pierced my hands and feet… (cf. Phil. 3:2; Rev. 22:15; Ps. 88:17)

Psalm 22:17

I can count all my bones—

they stare and gloat over me;  (cf. Luke 23:35-36)

Psalm 22:18

they divide my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots.  (cf. John 19:24; Mt. 27:35; Luke 23:34)

Further identifying…

Psalm 22:31

they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,

that he has done it. (cf. Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:3; Ps. 78:6; Ps. 102:18)

Isaiah 53:9

And they made his grave with the wicked

and with a rich man in his death… (cf. Matt. 27: 57; Mt. 27: 60)

Psalm 16:10

For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

or let your holy one see corruption.   (cf. Acts 13:35; Job 21:13; Psalm 89:18; Mark 1:24)

Mal. 3:1

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.  (cf. Matt. 11:10;  Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27)

There remains yet…

Mal. 3:2-3   But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.   He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.   (cf. Rev. 19: 11-21;  Matt. 25: 46)

Mal. 3:17

“They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.   (cf. 1 Peter 2:9;  Acts 17:31)

Zech. 12:10

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.  (cf. John 19:37; Rev. 1:7)

Isa. 55:7

let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  (cf. Mark 1:14)

Gen. 15:6

And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness.  (cf. Rom. 3:22-25; John 5:24)

Isaiah 30:15

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” …   ( cf. Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28, and Luke 6:5;  John 5:24; John 11:25;  Heb. 4:9)

Isa. 55:6

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”  (cf. 2 Cor. 6:2)

Ps. 94:9

He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?

Isa. 55: 1

 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.    (cf. John 7:37; Matt. 5:6)

Isa. 1:18

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.  (cf. 1 John 1:9;  Rev. 7:14; Psalm 51:7)

Deuteronomy 30:6

“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.  (cf. Jeremiah 31:33 Jer. 32:39-40; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26-27 )

Isa 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.  (cf. Mark 1:14; John 14:6)

- WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS ... -

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’ “

-JESUS – as given in John 7:38

 There is no specific passage in Jesus’ Bible, the Hebrew Scriptures (the Tanakh), which has become our Old Testament, that contains the exact words Jesus declared when He said: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’”.  

 John tells us that Jesus was speaking about the Holy Spirit (Jn. 7:39) when He spoke of the “rivers of living water” in his gospel.   Jesus spoke elsewhere of this “living water” (Jn. 4) – a spring welling up to eternal life.  As Jesus explained to the woman at the well, “IF you knew the gift of God…you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”   Our Father God is the source of the Spirit – and the river flowing out of us to others. 

The Spirit from Jesus wells up within each believer, satisfying the thirst in our souls for Him, enabling our very being to become His “temple” (1 Cor. 6:19), His house, and His house of prayer as the Spirit within us, flowing as a river, seeks communion with God the Father.   Our heart becomes a heart with a tendency to pray, a heart of prayer as the Spirit within flows out of our being, communing with our righteous heavenly Father, and overflowing as a blessing in our interactions with others.

The dynamic is set.   But if we choose to sin, or fail to respond to the Spirit’s prompting in His word to us, because of the world’s distractions, we will miss out on opportunities to see our prayers answered in keeping with His will for our lives, as we “quench the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19). 

Yet, the dynamic for a far greater opportunity in our lives is available to us as the words of Romans 8:26, 27 explain to us: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

This opportunity involves fullness of joy and satisfaction by the way, as the river flows from our hearts, for the Spirit to pray for us, when we do not know what to pray, and for our hearts to become truly – His house of prayer!  And we, a blessing to others.

How about if we take a moment now to speak with the Lord about this and ask Him to make our heart a house of prayer, granting us the strength to set aside distractions of this world, by His grace.

We may ask what we will – when we ask not of our own selfish desires (James 4:3), but rather when it is of the living water flowing from our hearts.   And, we can be assured that when our prayer is of the living water springing from our hearts, we can have confidence in what we ask, for it will be an act of faith, as James points  out as necessary (James 1:6).

Because our Lord did not use a specific quote, it seems reasonable to believe that He saw this in several scriptures.  I will deal with at least two portions of Scripture from the prophets that I believe the Lord may likely have had in mind ...

It seems that the Lord may very well have had Isaiah 12: 2-3 and Ezekiel 47: 1-12 in mind.  These two Scriptures involve water flowing with joy associated with salvation and life. 

There are other allusions from our Father God’s deep, inscrutable words to us – prophecies with near and far fulfillments, near and far in one.  Consider Isaiah 43: 19-20.  I believe that we will see a literal physical fulfillment of this, especially in our Lord’s forever kingdom in the new earth, but we can also observe the spiritual fulfillment of this in our lives (do you not know yet that everything is a spiritual battle?) …  “I am doing a new thing (the Spirit … new covenant… make a way (walk by the Spirit) and rivers in the desert (a river in the desert of our heart)… to give drink (the Spirit) to my chosen people… “  Wow.  Let us pause in awe.

And, double fulfillment in Isaiah 41:18 for example: “I will open rivers on bare heights (rivers made to flow in the bareness of our hearts) and fountains in the midst of valleys (the Lord has rescued us from dark valleys and given us a fountain of life).

(There are of course other allusions to the outpouring of the Spirit.  You may care to compare what Joel predicted God would do in the last days, Joel 2:28-32; cf. Acts 2:16-21.  And other allusions in Exod. 16:4; 17; Num. 20; Neh. 8:5-18; Ps. 78:15-16; Isa. 32:15; 44:3; 55:1; 58:11; Ezek. 39:29; Joel 3:18; Zech. 14:8).  

Isaiah’s text in Isaiah 12: 2-3 clearly mentions terms we know is associated with the Spirit of God: “God is my salvation”; “my strength”; “my song”.   Isaiah 12:3 reads: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”  Where does our “joy” come from?  From “water” drawn from “wells of salvation”!

I believe that Jesus must have also had Ezekiel 47: 1-12 in mind.   Ezekiel 47:1-12 is such a clear picture of a “river of living water” …

“… so everything will live where the river goes” (Ezekiel 47:9).   Everything will live where the river flows.

This section of Ezekiel is worthy of further consideration.

Ezekiel saw a river.  You may begin experiencing his river in Ezekiel 47.   Read about it in Ezekiel 47: 1-12.  “… and behold water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple… and it was ankle-deep…and it was knee-deep…and it was waist-deep…and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen.  It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.”

The Lord spoke to Ezekiel – “Son of man, have you seen this?”  Ezekiel was led to the bank of the river, and saw “on the bank of the river very many trees...”  The Lord continued to speak with Ezekiel.  “And wherever the river goes, every living creature…will live…everything will live where the river goes…on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food.  Their leaves will not wither…Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

When Jesus spoke of a river of living water flowing out of the hearts of those who believe in Him, it was not the first time that He spoke of such a river.  Jesus had spoken with Ezekiel of a river.   There are some details in the context of Ezekiel which must be carefully considered for a fuller understanding.             

Because Ezekiel’s vision of the river is water flowing from the temple, let us begin with his new temple vision beginning in Ezekiel 40.  There are many sincere Christians who think of Ezekiel’s temple as a description of a “Millennial temple”.  This understanding I have come to believe is quite improbable. 

For Ezekiel’s vision of a temple to be a Millennial temple requires explanations for the existence of blood sacrifices for sin in the Kingdom age in direct contradiction to Jesus’ statement on the cross and with the book of Hebrews (Heb. 10: 1-18).  Consider what the book of Hebrews has to say in chapter 10.  In Heb. 10:10: “…we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”  In Heb. 10:12: “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down…”  And in Heb. 10:18: “Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.”  And there is Jesus’ statement from the cross.  His work finished, His sacrifice for our sin complete, Jesus declared:  “It is finished”. 

Further, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are in Ezekiel’s vision sacrifices which are described as “sin offerings”, and for making “atonement” (Ezekiel 40:39; Ezekiel 42:13; Ezekiel 43:20-22, 26-27), rather than memorial offerings.   Even the “prince” must make sin offerings for himself!  In Ezekiel’s vision, the prince provides in a single action, “for himself and all the people of the land a young bull for a sin offering” (Ezek. 45:22).  And, if this is a “Millennial” vision, this cannot happen because in the “Millennium”, the key person in government, the prince, on whom the government will be on His shoulders, is of course be Jesus.  So then, if this vision of Ezekiel does not involve a Millennial temple, what then?

In light of the many specific dimensions and the vivid details of Ezekiel’s vision, I believe that we must agree that some sort of literal fulfillment is in view.

Does Ezekiel’s prophecy of the temple in chapters 40-48 tell us the “when” and “how” of the fulfillment?  Yes indeed! 

We need to consider the words recorded in Ezekiel 43:9-11.  In Eze. 43:10 Ezekiel is charged to describe the temple to the “house of Israel” – certainly referring to the Babylonian captives (the only “house of Israel” there was) – so that they may be “ashamed of their iniquities”.   What follows in Ezekiel 43:11 is the conditional punchline:  “And IF they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple…”  IF describing the temple resulted in the captives being ashamed, then Ezekiel was to give them all the details – “its whole design and all its laws, and write it down in their sight, so that they may observe all its laws and all it statutes and carry them out.”  Do what?  “…observe all its laws and all its statutes and carry them out.”  By Whom?  - The captives.  When are they to do this?  Upon return from their captivity, for it would require that they be in Jerusalem. 

It is a conditional statement of what could have been theirs – a magnificent temple, a healing, miraculous river of living waters – all within their reach and would be made available to them if only they turned to God after their captivity to observe all His laws and carry them out.  History shows that they did not do so, and the temple as described was never built.   The Old Testament ends with a disheartened and despairing “house of Israel”, being prompted to repent by the prophets, and followed by 400 years of silence from Heaven. 

All the exacting details of the temple vision were necessary for the people to grasp the enormity of what they had missed out on.

This is an understanding and interpretation which agrees with clear precedence already established in Scripture:  Opportunities offered by God may be postponed, modified, or even refused by God if conditions are not met. 

A clear example of this may be seen in the offers of blessing in Deuteronomy chapters 28-30.  “…the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth…and all these blessings shall come upon you, IF you obey… the LORD will cause your enemies … to be defeated…IF you keep the commandments of the LORD your God… you shall only go up and not down, IF you obey…and IF you do not turn aside… But IF you do not obey…then all these curses shall come upon you…”

We may consider the potential of John the Baptist to fulfill the prophecy concerning the coming of Elijah when we compare Malachi 4:5 with Matthew 17:11; and 11:14.

We must remember the words of Jesus, “Would that you, even you, had known…” as recorded in Luke 19:42.   And, the lament of the Lord for us in Isaiah 48:18: “Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments…”

It is a good thing for us to experience regret over what may have been – it keeps us humble, and motivates us to obey better going forward.  Our Father God can restore what the locusts have eaten.

Consider how handily Ezekiel’s vision could have found fulfillment after the return of the people of Israel from captivity (from 538 B.C and following):

- Blood sacrifices still would have been needed for sin and atonement.

- An administrative “prince” would have been appropriate in view of the fact that Messiah had not yet come (there is no mention by the way of the Messiah in Ezekiel 40-48).

-  When we consider the miracles in the wilderness that God worked for His people, a healing river with remarkable trees should not surprise us if the people had chosen to embrace all that the LORD had for them.

One might ask: “What if Israel had wholly turned to the LORD in obedience”?  How would this have impacted on God’s purposes in Jesus’ coming and His rejection and crucifixion”?  We can be confident that our heavenly Father not only knows what could have been for Israel, but He also knew that Israel would not wholly turn to Him.  This is why Isaiah 49:6 records what our Father God purposed for Jesus in view of His knowledge from eternity past: “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” 

The offer of blessing as recorded by Ezekiel was real nonetheless and will still find ultimate fulfillments.

Though the people of Israel failed to turn wholly to the LORD after their return from captivity, is there any evidence that God may fulfill any part of Ezekiel 40-48 yet?  Indeed there is… 

We find from Scripture that our Father God is and will ultimately fulfill His promises to His people in terms of what will be appropriate at the time – just as He has had multiple fulfillment of other prophecies and has fulfilled the Mosaic law in Jesus.  It is secure in His hands.

These specific items are expressed in Ezekiel 40-48:  A city, a temple, trees for healing, a prince, a river.   Zechariah 12-14 is a helpful comparative Scripture – describing events still future much after their return from captivity and the construction their relatively humble temple – a time apparently after Christ’s return to begin His earthly kingdom.  Revelation 20:1-6 may be describing the same time as Zechariah, apparently at the end of our age - because we read of “those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark” came to life and subsequently reign with Christ during His kingdom age. 

We must also keep Revelation 22 in mind – the eternal state.   I believe that those who belong to Jesus will one day see a river of living water, clear as crystal, as Revelation 22 describes, flowing from the throne of God.  There will certainly be the fullness of the Holy Spirit flowing as a river.  But, why not a literal river as well?  A river infused with life.  There will be the tree of life with its leaves for the healing of the nations.  Fulfillment.

Praise God!  His grace has no measure!  Changes indeed will be made from pre-Calvary to Millennial Kingdom to Eternal State.   But there will be a glorious harmony, a divine mosaic on display – Divine wisdom far beyond our limited sight!

There may be other myriad wondrous ways the LORD fulfills these things in His great tapestry of time, such as the work of Jesus in Ezekiel’s glorious temple, which cannot be readily seen yet – because, well, “as the heavens are higher than the earth”, so are His ways higher than ours.

It seems that Ezekiel encounters Jesus in His pre-incarnation glory as the only-begotten Son of God, from the first chapter onward.   Beginning at verse 26 of chapter 1 in Ezekiel we read: “…and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.  And upward from what had the appearance of His waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around.  And downward from what had the appearance of His waist I saw at it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around Him…”  This is remarkably similar to the vision of Jesus which the Apostle John received while exiled on Patmos, and which you may read about in Revelation chapter 1. 

I believe that the metaphor of living water flowing from our hearts is valid as well.  Why?  Because Jesus gave us that metaphor – “As the Scripture has said, out of their hearts will flow rivers of living water…”  Living water flowing from our hearts, from our house of prayer, by His Sprit praying through us – touching and healing lives of those around us.

Fulfillment.  Today and tomorrow.

- ON THE THIRD DAY... -

ON THE THIRD DAY…

I have read and have heard it said that our Lord performed a creative act at the wedding in Cana, as a sign.  Amen.  How true.  However, the Lord has brought to my attention something quite specific regarding this event.   The activity at Cana as recorded in John 2 was a demonstration by Jesus showing us the same specific activity that He participated in on the third day of creation as recorded in Genesis chapter 1!   And this matters…

Chapter 2 of the Gospel of John begins with: “On the third day…” (John 2:1).  Dear Reader please understand that this is no coincidence – for the words of Scripture do not fall idly to the ground (consider Isaiah 55:11).  We know that God the Son, the Word, the Truth, Lord of the Sabbath, became flesh and walked among us.  Morality itself became flesh and voiced the expectations of our God in the Sermon on the Mount.   We know that He was with God the Father at the creation of all and that “…without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3).   “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and o earth, …” (Colossians 1:16).

When we consider Jesus’ activity “On the third day” at Cana, we need to recall another significant “third day”.  On the third day of creation as recorded for us in Genesis 1:9-13, we learn that God sorted much on that third day.   Included among His activity, God gathered waters together.  God also brought forth vegetation and fruit according to its kind.   Gathered waters.  Fruit.  

Dear Reader, it is good to recall that in our Lord’s mind, wine was fruit.  How can we know this?  Our Lord referred to wine at the Lord’s supper with His disciples as “fruit of the vine.”  Luke 22:18: “For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”   Stone water jars were available at the wedding.   Jesus gathered water in them.  “Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’ … “(John 2:7).  And in John 2:9 we read of “… the water now become wine…”.  This wine being fruit in our Lord’s mindset.  That is, “fruit of the vine.”

Jesus gathered waters and created fruit at the wedding.   He did the same thing on day three of creation as recorded in Genesis chapter 1.   At the wedding in Cana, our Lord demonstrated His activity which He had participated in, on the third day of creation.   It matters because He fully “manifested His glory.” (John 2:11).   The servants knew.  The disciples saw and believed.  And, his mother Mary was in on it.  

We also know from John 2:6 that the stone water pots which played a role on that day, were set aside “for the Jewish rites of purification…”.  This Jewish rite was a ritual never mentioned in God’s word, the Torah – but rather was an added rule set down by Pharisaic tradition wherein the pots could only contain the water used for the purification rite.  Even a hint of anything else, such as wine, would be in the Pharisaic mindset and tradition, an unacceptable contaminant.   In this miracle, Jesus set a precedent for His forthcoming miracles to push against Pharisaic traditions which would try to usurp the authority of the LORD.   In manifesting His glory in this manner, Jesus chose to judge and violate ungodly Pharisaic rules and tradition. 

This is a good time to clear the air regarding the mysterious exchange of words Mary had with her son as well.

We do well to keep in mind that from the beginning, regarding the events and birth of Jesus, that “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19).   Gabriel himself had informed her that her son would inherit “…the throne of his father David, …and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33).  So of course, Mary continued to follow and involve herself in the life of her son as He matured.  Now, she sees her son has gathered His disciples.  And, He is mature.  Of course, her expectation is that her son is beginning His ministry which will culminate in Him being as was prophesied to Mary, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32).   Then there was the somewhat ominous tone to the prophesy which she had also received: “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel… and a sword will pierce through your own soul…” (Luke 2:34-35).  Mary was, I believe, also familiar with God’s word and Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 53.  (If through no other means, Joseph would have in their society studied the Old Testament prophets and no doubt mused with Mary over the word of God and their son.)   Jesus taught in the temple even as a child.  He no doubt discussed Scripture with His parents.  Of course, Mary pondered all these things and would have always had them in mind interacting with her son as He matured. 

Now at the wedding, Mary could of course see that Jesus had gathered His disciples.  Seeing Jesus now with His disciples, it is reasonable that Mary perceived her son was beginning His ministry and that He may begin revealing who He is with signs – perhaps even at this time.  Her mind filled with things which had been revealed to her and she had long pondered, Mary approached Her son.   This is in Scripture for us to see and understand.  And, now comes our Lord’s response which has been so often misunderstood.

In John 2:4 we read: “And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me?  My hour has not yet come.”   Dear Reader, these words need to be understood in the context of many texts in Scripture.  “What does this have to do with me?” is a well-known Semitic and Jewish idiom – ancient even at the time of Jesus.   The idiom generally meant something along the line of: “I understand what you are saying to me, and I believe that we can come to an agreement, an arrangement.”  You will see this in how it is used elsewhere.  There is for example the event recorded in Genesis 23 when Ephron answered Abraham: “…what is that between you and me?” in Genesis 23:15. Ephron was telling Abraham that he understood, and that they could reach an agreement.  (Among the many examples of this idiom, you may want to consider this idiom as used in 2 Sam. 16:10; 2 Sam. 19:22; and 2 Kings 3:13).

In our customary modern expressions, it would be as though Jesus said: “Mother, I am sure that we can come to an agreement.  After all, my time has not yet come” (for the “sword to pierce your soul”).  Mary did not change Jesus’ mind.   Rather, she understood from her son, by use of the idiom, that He can agree and was about to take action.  (The unstated words of Jesus that Mary clearly understood was:  yes, my ministry is beginning as you see, and it is time for me to demonstrate who I am and show signs to Israel.) 

That is why Mary’s response to the servants to “Do whatever He tells you” in Luke 2:5, makes perfect sense.

What does all this say about our Lord?   It says that He cared, humbled Himself and was obedient.  He cared so much that He came to us, walked among us, and that He is able to save us, for He is indeed our very Creator!    He who created on the third day, has walked among us. 

Dear Reader, what should be our response?   Should we not share this with others, that they too might believe who walked among us? 

Whatever my response, it seems so inadequate.

- "WILD GRAPES" -

WILD GRAPES

We may have begun our nation with a Christian worldview and heart, but the heart of man is so prone to wander. It has always been so throughout history and cultures. It brings to mind the O.T. prophets.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, ISAIAH weaves a symphonic masterpiece – with rising crescendos of triumph and crises, and lows of failure and the breaking of the heart of God. This seems clear from the opening chapter which is like a courtroom scene involving the reaching out of the heart of God for people – “Come!” And the rebellion of the human heart – “I will not!” with the corresponding revelation of the judgment and kingdom of God. This continues through the book of Isaiah.   How rightly did Augustine appraise: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our heart shall find no rest ‘till it rest in Thee.”

Note the contrast in emphasis of the beginning of chapter 2 (1-5) with the ending of chapter 5 (24-30) that God directs Isaiah to use. From “…they shall beat their swords into plowshares… come, let us walk in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2: 4-5)  to “…behold, darkness and distress; and the light is darkened by its clouds” (Isaiah 5:30).

When I try to put into other words the nature of this contrast, ABC’s old theme from “The Wide World of Sports” comes to mind: “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” It begins with an exciting, happy, hopeful people running to God and ends with abject terror, realizing their hopelessness and absolute desperation – yet the section began with “let us walk”... a contrast with what could have been!

The root cause seems to be a prideful, arrogant trust in man, filled with everything but God. 

What a tragedy for any society to miss out on what God has for them!

We need to examine our own hearts! Our Father God gives us a song / parable in Chapter 5. (How fitting that our Lord would continue the use of parable when He visited us on earth.)

In view of the clear analogy in this parable and the fact that the woes immediately follow, what are these woes? They are the bad fruit, the “wild grapes” of the parable.

I can feel the heartbreak of our Father God – He worked so hard in the vineyard, “but it yielded wild grapes.” ( Isaiah 5:2) And then the rhetorical response as from a lover betrayed in Isaiah 5:4: “why did it yield wild grapes?” …

The HEARTBREAK - “Why did it yield wild grapes?”

We are more than the sum of our past mistakes. The grace God grants to us is sufficient for us to rid our lives of the “wild grapes”.

I hope you take the time to read Isaiah chapter 5, this moving parable and the six woes, the wild grapes:

Isaiah 5:8-10… “Counterfeit Security” - An obsession with gathering more and more to ourselves. The houses, the “homer of seed” (for us - the stock market, 401Ks…) We need to carefully guard our hearts and actions that we are not laying up treasures for ourselves here on earth. Whether you have crossed that line you will need to examine before the Lord in quiet. I cannot know or judge when your heart begins to cling – I just need to address the issue with my Lord and do as He directs me - so as not to be ashamed regarding this when I come before Him. Do I need to be giving more to those in need – to the unemployed, the hungry?

Isaiah 5:11-12… “Counterfeit Joy” – the party is on, let us not consider the Lord. The lewd revelry of “Carnival” and “Mardi Gras” and endless parties comes to mind. We don’t have an inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness in any way we please. Our only inalienable right is to be an extension of God’s life – “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…” – John 1:12. This true inalienable right involves humbling ourselves and learning to love each other and be servants to each other.

Isaiah 5:18-19… “Counterfeit Confidence” – a haughtiness that demands we can keep our sins, and pull it along with us as a cart… and not abandon them. And the ultimate chutzpah – while holding onto sins, our demand that God act quickly on our behalf… We need to examine ourselves – this can be subtle – we need the Lord to help us see ourselves correctly.

Isaiah 5:20… “Counterfeit Ethics” – how commonly do we call evil, good, and good, evil in our culture? Do we not commonly call the evil of homosexuality “good” in our culture? In our age, saying this may seem over the top to you, but it is the truth. And the heterosexual with lust in their heart, especially when acted on, is also harboring evil in their heart and actions in the sight of our Heavenly Father. Please consider for yourself this comment from our Father God regarding these counterfeit ethics: "Don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom." - 1 Cor. 6:9-12. God's word makes this clear enough for us, yet these lifestyles are celebrated on TV and in our popular culture. We have all fallen short and all offered forgiveness and loving encouragement from our Heavenly Father as we repent and seek a way of life that pleases our Creator by His grace. So we need to be careful not to bully and hate people, which is another evil, but rather always respond with love, imitating our Lord, and always be ready to forgive. The list is long though. We need to examine ourselves...

Isaiah 5:21… “Counterfeit Wisdom” – not just applying to ancient Israel – how aptly this describes our mainstream culture today... A wisdom that would seek to elevate man and his ambitions over the God of the heavens and earth.
And, dear Christian - how wise are we regarding our "enemies" - are we loving them as our Lord asked of us?

Isaiah 5:23… “Counterfeit Justice” – may we not be guilty of trying to “buy” justice today with expensive lawyers… Or… Bribed judges – bought by a dark, God-hating, political faction…

Now let’s stand back and consider… What was the heaviest thing on Isaiah’s heart as he preached? What is the Holy Spirit teaching us? Doesn’t it involve the awful tragedy of a person losing touch with why they are alive and having a relationship with God replaced by material things?

Let’s Be Real - I'm going to ask God to reveal anything that I have put in a place of importance that interferes or hinders my relationship with Him. How about you?

Yours in Jesus,
Jim

- THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD -

THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

          He has visited us previously.  We are now awaiting the second advent of God the Son, Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus the Christ – and His return to earth.   During the evil times we live in, I firmly believe that we need to be found strong in our devotion and faith in the Lord, by His Spirit, by His word, now more than ever, having fullness of joy and peace in knowing that the Prince of Peace is our Lord and is ever and always with us regardless of what may come our way.

Our risen and living Lord will surely return as complete victor over all powers that oppose Him.  You may read about it for yourself in His word given to us.  These dark days seem like a very fitting time to dwell on the glorious return of our Savior.  But will Christ return in the future one more time or two more times?

Jesus has promised that He will return.  I take from the New Testament that Jesus will return once, providing at the same time a final rescue for those who are trusting Him and a final judgment to those who are not believing in Him.   I don’t believe that there are two comings of Christ in the future, but only one, and this is in keeping with teachings from early church leaders including Polycarp (discipled by the apostle John), Augustine and others.  This is also in keeping with the teachings of Reformation leaders such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and many living today in traditional reformed church denominations.  However, I don’t believe there is only one return of Christ merely because these giants of the faith have believed this, but because I believe God’s word teaches us this and here is why…

Most of my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord who believe that Christ will return twice more in the future, believe that His first return will be His coming to snatch away the Church out of the world (a sort of secret Rapture, leaving the world to wonder: where have they gone?) back to heaven for seven years, usually while the Great Tribulation happens on earth, and then comes a final (kind of a second stage) return of the Lord to establish His millennial kingdom.

I grew up attending churches that believed that view.  I did as well.  I remember at a very tender age (pre-school) what seemed like complicated charts being presented to my parents and others (I was with them and at that time first heard of the Rapture) at a church conference, and ended up determining my strategy regarding the Rapture.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.  I reasoned: “I know my mom will go up, so I’ll stay near her just in case and be ready to grab ahold when she goes up!”  Ha… Not a very good strategy!  But it was the best that my pre-school, yet fallen, pathetic view could come up with.   Later, as a young adult and thankfully, a born-again believer, I graduated from a Bible college that held to this view of the end times.  I had some questions and some doubt, but not enough conviction otherwise to justify a strong challenge.  It is called the “Pre-tribulation” rapture view because there is a coming of Christ “Pre” or before the Great Tribulation, so believers are taken out and spared that time of great suffering at the end of the age.

It is a very modern view, not coming down to us from early church history as some surmise, but has only been around for just over 100 years – originating with an ex Anglican Pastor, John Nelson Darby, who founded the Plymouth Brethren.  Darby’s most vociferous critic was Charles Spurgeon, the legendary Reformed Baptist pastor.  Darby’s teachings were picked up and widely distributed to modern day America by Cyrus Scofield in his Scofield Reference Bible in the early 1900s.  I had a copy, and much to my chagrin now, rather than depending on promised guidance from the Holy Spirit, praying and seeking to “rightly divide” matters, I largely accepted Scofield’s notes as the gospel truth to make sense of puzzling Scripture, (and Bible teachers in my church who were also following Scofield’s explanations) rather than seeking the Lord’s guidance as offered by our Lord.

But the more I studied this topic for myself, with a growing dependence on the Holy Spirit, I just could not find two comings in the future for believers.   I knew the charts espousing the “Pre-tribulation, Pre-Millennial, Dispensational” view of eschatology.  But, I was seeing God’s word teach a much simpler message regarding our Lord’s plan for the ages.  And, I was getting confirmation from others who were also looking to the Lord for answers.

For me, it all began with what Jesus said in Matthew 24: 29-31:  “Immediately after the tribulation… then will appear… the Son of Man coming on the clouds…” I had been taught that in saying this, Jesus was referring not to His Rapture, but another coming subsequent to the Rapture.   Yet, here in Matthew Jesus spoke of the same elements that the Rapture text in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 spoke of… appearing from heaven, on the clouds, the sound of a trumpet, and gathering His elect… I sought the Lord, and it kept returning to me that it had to be the same event!   But, I was still not completely persuaded that I was understanding correctly, as I had not yet discovered the passages which would fully persuade me.

I have seen and heard the responses of some respected present day Bible scholars when asked:  What is the most important text that persuades you that before Christ comes in judgement He will come earlier to take the Church out of the world and then only return in judgement years later (seven years or 3 ½ maybe)?  Their answers are unhesitating - typically they say, “Revelation 3:10”.  There, Jesus is speaking to the church and says this:  “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”   In other words, there are those who believe this verse teaches Believers will be taken out of the world before God brings about, allows, the hour of trial, or tribulation on the world.

But, does it?  I believe with many others that God’s promise to keep us from the hour of trial probably doesn’t mean that we are taken out of the world but rather that God will keep us from the faith destroying effects of the hour of trial – just as the LORD kept the children of Israel from the plagues, though they went through the plagues and experienced that time.  They did not suffer from the plagues as the people of Egypt did, and the Lord brought them through.  Egypt placed burdens on Israel, but not the Lord.  Indeed, in Exodus we see the Lord’s promise to Moses “I will be with you” (Ex. 3:12); “I will bring you out” (Ex. 3:17);  “I will…strike Egypt” (Ex. 3:20);  Israel had “no swarms of flies” (Ex. 8:22); “Not one of the livestock of Israel died” (Ex. 9:6); “where the people of Israel were, there was no hail” (Ex. 9:26);  The Egyptians suffered darkness but “all the people of Israel had light” (Ex. 10:23);  And of course though all the firstborn of Egypt was struck down, because Israel was under the blood in obedience, they were spared (Ex. 12).  The Lord grew the faith of Israel.

We also need to remember Revelation 2:10 vis a vis Revelation 3:10 - that when speaking to the churches in Revelation, Jesus also said (to the church in Smyrna, Rev. 2:8-11): “Do not fear what you are about to suffer…you will have tribulation… be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life….”

Our Lord will keep us - guard us, He will protect our faith.  Yes, the Lord allows His people, His servants, His “Bride” to be grieved by trials though He is with us to guard us and to protect genuine faith in Him for our strengthening and purification.  As 1 Peter 1:6,7 puts it:  “… though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

It has always been so with the Lord and His people has it not?  Noah and his family was kept from the flood water, but went through the flood.  Dear Reader, you may care to review how the Lord refines His people (and we too belong to Him, having been grafted in) through afflictions in Ezekiel 5: 1-12 and Zechariah 13:9.  There are many more references.  If you look carefully, you will find that the list of references is long.  Our Lord admonished us to count the cost of following Him in Luke 14:27-28.

I have come to believe that this will be the case for believers alive when the tribulation begins and they will not be an exception.  I have met some who seem to confuse the wrath of the enemy of our souls during the tribulation and the wrath of God.   Those of us who belong to the Lord, have been purchased by Him, and are sealed by His Holy Spirit “for the day of redemption” (Eph.4:30) as the Scripture teaches, will not suffer the wrath of God!  And, “there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1).  Rather, the Lord’s favor will be with us, just as His favor was with His people in the time of Moses during the plagues in Egypt.  However, we may expect that the enemy’s wrath will fall on us.  Jesus has told us: “… A servant is not greater than his master.  If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” (John 15:20).   The body of Christ, His bride, in Syria and North Korea can testify to this.  Are we in the U.S. greater than them that we will always be immune?

In Jesus’ Revelation to us He speaks through images and symbols throughout the book of the spiritual battles we face in life, and how by Him, we will overcome – “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Rev. 12:11).   In the letters to the churches we see much need for growth and repentance until we finally arrive kept, purified and perfected as His bride revealed in Rev. 21 (you may care to consider an article posted here in “Let’s Be Real” entitled: “New Jerusalem”).

Our Lord, speaking about the time of the great tribulation in Luke chapter 21, made it clear that “some of you they will put to death” (Lk. 21:16) but “you will gain your lives” (Lk. 21:19).  Revelation 7:13-17 speaks of those coming out of the great tribulation into the presence of the Lord, rewarded with white robes where “He who sits on the throne… will shelter them …and wipe away every tear.”  “…gain your lives” indeed!   It is fitting that we expect our Lord to keep us and be with us for it is He who promised, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  The prophet Isaiah spoke to this as well when he prophesied thus says the LORD: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;” (Isa. 43:2).  In Mark 13:20 and Matthew 24:22 the Lord tells us that “for the sake of the elect” present, He will shorten the days of the Tribulation.

But I was still not fully persuaded that all of the elect would be present.  Those persuasive passages I had not yet discovered.

There was also 1 Peter chapter 4 which speaks to suffering for Christ and our attitude: “The end of all things is at hand; …” (1 Peter 4:7 )… “Beloved do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) … “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:13).

I don’t see Scripture as teaching that God rescues His people from trials.  But rather, “keeps” them through trials (by strengthening us with His presence even when we must endure to the end, but protecting our souls, and our faith in all).

Now, that is not a complete enough answer to the view that when the time comes, those of us who are in Christ and alive at the time of the Tribulation must be prepared to pass through the Tribulation with our Lord beside us, and in dependence on Him – but, they are the words of Scripture that got me started.

The passages that fully persuaded me were compelling words from 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 and chapter 2.  Both of these chapters speak to the coming of the Lord, His glorious appearance and second coming, in a way that makes two comings – one to rescue us and then a subsequent coming to judge unbelievers, nearly impossible to my heart and mind.

First, listen to how Paul treats the coming to give relief to believers and the coming to give affliction to unbelievers as one coming in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8… Both relief for us and affliction at the same time.  Here is what Paul says:  “God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you”... (So, here are the two things that are going to happen.  God regards it as just: to repay with affliction, i.e. judgment on unbelievers (cf. 1 Thess. 1:9 as well) and to grant relief, i.e. rescue believers in the Rapture.) Paul  continues:  “… to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”  I see these words clearly teach that Christ is coming again and that when He comes He will repay unbelievers with affliction and He will grant relief to believers.  And, he says these two things happen “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven.”  So this is one coming and not two.  This is the first text that persuaded me.   But there is more just ahead…

2 Thessalonians 2: 1-8 also compelled me.  Let’s begin with 2 Thess. 2: 1-2: “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him (i.e. the Rapture) we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”  So, after Paul had written to the Thessalonians concerning the Lord’s coming and our Rapture in 1 Thessalonians, someone had said to these Christians that the day of the Lord had already come.  Paul responded by replying in 2 Thessalonians 2 that the day of us “being gathered together to Him” (verse 1, i.e. the Rapture that he had previously written about) “that day will not come, unless…first…the man of lawlessness is revealed” (verse 3, i.e., the day including us being gathered together to Him – the Rapture, will not come until the Antichrist first comes.)  Paul also identifies that day as “the day of the Lord” in verse 2.  This is why we can rightly associate the events of Scripture associated with the “Day of the Lord” as happening at this time.   Paul in effect argues: “That can’t be!”  How easy and natural it would have been for Paul to say, it can’t be because I’m still here.  And that would be a persuasive argument for that early community of Thessalonians, but no benefit to us who are alive today, because now Paul is no longer with us.  So, instead the Lord inspired Paul to say something beneficial to both the Thessalonian community of believers and to us as well.    Paul continued (2 Thess. 2:3) “Let no one deceive you in any way.  For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction…”

I believe that 2 Thess. 2:6-7, rightly refers to God, through the Holy Spirit, restraining Antichrist, “the man of lawlessness” until his time, and until the Holy Spirit is “out of the way”.   Some believe that this refers to the Holy Spirit retracting to heaven and the removal of believers, the body of Christ in the rapture.   However, this verse does not refer back to “the day of the Lord” in verse 2 (as verse 3 does), lending support to this idea.    That is, we have clearly seen in verses 1 – 3 that we will not be gathered together with our Lord unless the rebellion and the man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) is first revealed. 

So, IF we associate  “he is out of the way” and the subsequent revealing of the lawless one in verses 7-8 with the event of our being gathered together with the Lord in the rapture, then that would place the rapture before the lawless one is revealed.  And that cannot be the case, because it would contradict verses 1-3, where we have seen the assurance that the rapture comes after the man of lawlessness is revealed.   It would be placing the cart before the horse.

Rather, the statement “He who now restrains it (the lawlessness) will do so until He is out of the way” which we see in verse 7, appears to be in reference to the same dynamic we see provided to us in the Book of Job (Job 1:6-12), where God exercised restraint until withdrawing His restraint in a limited manner.  I believe it is likely that we see the same thing here, when the Holy Spirit once again sovereignly shows restraint, to “get out of the way” for a limited time, allowing Antichrist to be revealed.   Then, after the revealing of the Antichrist, the Lord in His timing will gather us together with Him, as 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-3 teaches us.

So, we arrive at 2 Thess. 2:8 now, “…whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of His coming.” (In keeping with Revelation 19).   So just like chapter 1, there is one coming, and Paul says it hasn’t happened yet because the “man of lawlessness”, that is the Antichrist, has not yet been revealed.  And, when that happens, then Paul said the second coming will happen in the Lord’s time, and it won’t be to simply snatch believers away, but to kill the lawless one with the breath of His mouth and the appearance of His coming.

I absolutely cannot reconcile the text of 2 Thessalonians chapters 1 and 2 with the concept that our Lord will come back to earth twice in the future.  2 Thessalonians speaks to one return of our Lord in a very compelling manner to me.

Consider also the familiar text in 1 Thessalonians 4 about our Lord’s coming and our Rapture to be with Him.  Hear 1 Thess. 4:16-17:  “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

Indeed we will rise to meet the Lord in the air!  It is what God’s word tells us.  Many people are surprised to learn that the word translated “meet” – to “meet” the Lord in the air is used two other times in the New Testament – Matthew 25:6 and Acts 28:15, and in both of these places it is a group of people going out to meet someone and accompanying them back - to the place they just came out from.   So, it is not the intention of that verse that we rise to meet the Lord in the air and then return to Heaven for seven years.  That’s just not the intention of that verse.   It is indeed a Rapture – we rise to meet the Lord in the air.  But, we will be like a great welcoming crowd.   And then we will descend with Him in His triumphant arrival – in keeping with the proper use of the word translated “meet”!   We will ever be with the Lord, invited to the marriage feast of Revelation 19: 6-10, (fulfilling the “grant relief” of 2 Thess. 1:7) and I believe that Psalm 23 speaks prophetically to this in: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”; we will witness our Lord’s judgment (‘repay with affliction”) and the establishment of His kingdom.

Scripture speaks to our Lord accomplishing all of His purposes in what seems to us a brief time in that day.  For me, that is not a problem.  Our Lord’s arm is not shortened, nor His mouth muted that He cannot accomplish all He wants in an instant if He chooses.  Just as the Lord spoke and accomplished so much on any given day of Creation, so shall it be in the Day of the Lord, His second coming, that much will happen which will seem from our perspective to be happening almost simultaneously.  (In the old Gospel Hymn “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder” there is a line:  “When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more…”  We don’t know how the Lord will time out everything, but I think as the hymn alludes to, that time as we have experienced it will be no more and not be so important when eternity is ushered in.)  It will be a day, a season of much:  The Rapture, enemies vanquished, the resurrection of the remaining dead, some to life and some to eternal destruction as the Scripture declares, the judgment, time for the marriage of the lamb, the Lord will establish His kingdom.

From the mouth of our Lord (Rev. 19:15) His enemies will be vanquished, and we will be rescued (the Rapture) as Scripture informs us.   In the description of the “marriage of the Lamb” in Revelation 19:7 we find these words: “His Bride has made herself ready” (refined during trials on earth, and the Tribulation for some).  There will be judgment and “books opened” (Rev. 20:12). There will be a recognized King for a Kingdom, or as Daniel 7:13-14 puts it: “…with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man…and to Him was given…a Kingdom…”  The “Day of the Lord” will be a day, a season of the Lord to accomplish all these His righteous purposes in His timing.   I intend to flesh out details with additional articles later.

I have wanted to show you in this article that our Rapture is included in one great, glorious second coming of the Lord in our future.  He will come once more to give relief to His afflicted Bride, the Church, and judgment to His adversaries at one time in keeping with 2 Thessalonians chapter 1.  In that “Day of the Lord” the Antichrist will be dealt with (2 Thess. 2:8) after the Rapture.  And of course, because it is the end of the Antichrist, it is the end of the Tribulation.

Elsewhere in Scripture there are other events happening in that day.  All will be resurrected – “some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (cf. Dan. 12: 1-2; Matt. 25: 46; 1 Cor. 15: 22-24) and in keeping with Dan. 7:9-14 and Revelation 20: 11-15 there will be judgment and the Lord will establish His Kingdom in that day.  In keeping with Revelation 19: 6-10 there will be a marriage supper and the Bride of the Lamb will be made ready.  What a day!  What a season!

There is a very pressing and practical reason for us to be aware of these end time events.   The return of our Lord will bring relief to those of us who belong to Him, but will be a time of judgment for our neighbors who do not know the Lord.   Prayerfully, this will motivate us to warn, and plead and entreat, impacting our culture for the Lord, and making disciples (cf. Matthew 28: 18-20) as our Lord has commanded us to do.   May the Lord prepare hearts!   And may we be faithful – the Lord has told us days are coming when we will have special opportunity to bear witness (Lk. 21:13).   By His grace, and Spirit, may we walk in a manner acceptable and pleasing to our Lord (Gal. 5:25).

As He intended for us in these dark times, by His Spirit may we always have our Lord’s words and light in our hearts and minds:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch the out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snath them out of the Father’s hand.” –  Jesus, as recorded by His disciple John in the Gospel of John  (John 10:27-29 ESV).

And, from the letter to the Romans:  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  As it is written,  ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:35-39 ESV)

And so the LORD will establish His Kingdom on earth.  For now…

I look forward to proclaiming “to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” and I look forward to the river of blessing and delight and the fullness of the Spirit flowing from His throne to those of us who belong to Him, and I look forward to saying “Come let us go up to the mountain of the LORD” as Micah 4:2 and Isaiah 2:3 have proclaimed, in the new earth, in His Kingdom which will have no end – His eternal kingdom (Lk. 1:33; Isa. 9:6-7)

So with a full heart I call out with all my brothers and sisters in Christ:

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20)

Jesus' Shocking Metaphor - "EAT MY FLESH"

“EAT MY FLESH …”!?

Jesus wants a relationship with us. But not just any relationship will do. Not such a relationship for example as a casual one we easily cultivate with our neighbors.

Hear Jesus out: “…unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” – John 6: 53-56

Our Lord loves metaphor. And, here, the fact that He is using metaphor is abundantly clear – after all, He wasn’t asking His Jewish audience to cannibalize Him on the spot. So, what then? What is the meaning of the metaphor?

Is He asking his listeners to partake of communion? How can this be? Because, remember - no church exists yet.

Perhaps He is speaking prophetically... Is He speaking prophetically then of communion?

Seems reasonable, but consider this - I know Jesus to be sincere. Entirely sincere. Utterly sincere. For Jesus to be sincere means that what He said had to have real and sincere meaning to those listening to Him at that time – as well as to those who would hear Him later.  Jesus gives a sincere offer to his Jewish listeners to respond immediately in order to live – and to have this life He is speaking to them about, from that time, that moment on.

So no - Jesus' sincerity demands it - Jesus is not demanding that his listeners wait and hope that they might somehow live long enough to participate in communion in a future church. Understanding that what Jesus is saying is said in all sincerity, this metaphor cannot refer to communion.

Let’s not forget though that communion is a special and precious time to bring to mind our Lord's sacrifice - His body broken, and His blood shed for us, redeeming us and establishing a new covenant. Christ is present in our praying, singing, breaking, eating and drinking, as He is always. This is possible by His Spirit and the opening of our hearts in faith - and even that faith is a gift from our Father God so that no one of us can boast.

  As we receive the bread and wine in faith, we are gratefully accepting our Father God’s offer of Christ to us.

So, I believe that is how in the cup we participate in the blood of Christ. And, the bread that we break is a participation in the body of Christ (ref. 1 Cor. 10:16) - a profound spiritual participation and bonding. We are "bought with a price" and we need to remember - Jesus asked us to do this in remembrance of Him.  It is predicated on a relationship with Him.

We must not think that we can live without regard to Him, with no relationship with Him, and then think that we are partaking of Him merely by participating in a communion ceremony. And, communion cannot be what Jesus was referring to with His Jewish listeners, remember?

So, the point is, Jesus had something else in mind in John chapter 6: “…unless you eat …you will have no life in you…” Talk about significance! What then?

We need to be all in with Jesus – a profound union, internalizing and becoming radically different… We need to be found in such intimacy with Jesus – that it is as though we are eating His flesh and drinking His blood so to speak – and be careful not to exchange this particular intimacy Jesus refers to here with anything else, as some have suggested.

For us to have life, Jesus demands such deep joining with us that only shocking metaphoric language such as this will suffice… “eat my flesh…” We need to take Him in – He needs to become part of us. Jesus wanted His listener’s to receive Him - to partake of Him…“But to all who did receive Him…He gave the right to become children of God…” – John 1:12

Hear the heart-cry of our Lord in His prayer (John 17:23): "...I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me..."

Now the terms used in the New Testament regarding Jesus begin to make sense when talking about “putting on Christ” (Rom. 13:14; Gal. 3:27…); about “abiding in Him and He in us”(John 15; 1 John 4:13 and elsewhere); about our coming to “have the mind of Christ”(Phil 2:5) and so forth.

Let’s be clear - this is not simply a matter of we read what Christ says and do our best to carry them out. No, there is more to it! He becomes part of our being. The Tri-One God is at work with me, beside me, within me. So that when I bend my knees in prayer before God the Father, Christ is beside me and His Spirit within me, changing me. Jesus Christ, Creator, risen and living Savior, intervening in my inner being, killing the old natural self in me as I choose to die to myself, and replacing it with the kind of self He has as I partake of Him.  In interacting with Him and taking Him and His words in, He is becoming part of us – and His words can become realized in our experience with Him.  Do you see what is happening?  Our hearts are becoming a welcome place for Him - His house, and a house of prayer. 

When we meet Jesus face to face, prayerfully it will be a fuller revelation to us of our best of friends, our Savior and Lover of our Souls – He whom we have known intimately because we have experienced partaking of Him in this life.  Prayerfully, hopefully we have experienced Him in such an experiential way. Otherwise, do we not risk being one of those to whom He says “I never knew you”?

He wants intimacy with us. Intimacy - He wants us to be constantly casting our cares on Him, forsaking sin and dying to ourselves, daily internalizing His word – Jesus reminded the enemy of our souls that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God…” (Matt. 4:4). And here in John 6, verse 63 “…The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” And in verse 57 and 58 “…whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from Heaven.” So, as we are intimate with Him in this real sort of way, we live. Why? Because in Him is life. We can only participate in this life when we are close to Him and taking Him in.

Look, when I am out camping and chilled at night, I get close to the fire to get warm. So it is here. In Jesus is life. If I want His life, I must get close. I need to take Him in. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that whoever drinks from Him would no longer thirst. In Him is this well of life – and if we want joy, peace, eternal life… we need to be drinking of Him. To choose not to drink of Him is to wither and die like a plant without water.

Choosing to partake of Him or not is not only consequential, but cumulative in its effect…. Choices build on one another, taking us step by step further along a pathway to becoming one kind of creature or quite another.

So, our choice of repenting and receiving Him into our heart, and dying to ourselves daily means taking a step one day into His home and becoming then a completely perfected being in Him along with fullness of life and joy.

On the other hand, rejecting Him is rejecting an Eternal Being with an eternal offer – so in the end, a final rejection is an eternal rejection. It begins with a step by step process of making choices which removes ourselves from Him, and day by day finding it more difficult to turn back to Him because of the deceitfulness and complexity of sin and growing darkness until one day stepping into Hell having removed ourselves eternally from Him and becoming then over eternity a monstrous being of complete and eternal selfishness, hatred, loneliness and despair.

For some, because of innocence and childlike hearts, gaining intimacy with Jesus can be a fairly quick process. For others, who have made many wrong choices and have hard habits to die to, it can take time to become intimate. This is why our choice must not be put off and the first choice of dying to ourselves and partaking of Him must be made without further delay.

When I was a young man in the military, I participated in prisoner of war and survival training. After weeks of a near starvation diet, I could not eat substantial food again immediately. It took some time. So it is spiritually speaking when considering partaking of such a substantial feast as Jesus offers of Himself. For some, it may take longer for the Grace of God to become effectual and true repentance gained. So, don’t count on any last-minute-before-dying-turn-around. The good news is that God does not wish that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). So, ask God to grant you repentance today, and begin feasting on Him before it is too late.

Repenting, receiving Jesus and partaking of Him, is a work of God’s grace in our hearts as we open ourselves up to Him. Ephesians 2: 8 and 9 reads: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Grace is God’s power granted to us to overcome sin in our lives when we choose Jesus. Our faith will be shown to be real and true by the works that will be manifest in our lives as we feast on Jesus – counting on Him. By the gift of His Son, God the Father can forgive us, and as we choose to receive His Son, by grace He changes our hearts and we desire to live unto Him. Our lives will manifest the fruit and works of true faith. But it is not our works which saves us - we are saved by the sacrifice of Christ - we are bought by His blood.

Ezekiel 36 declares that God says: “I will give you a new heart,… and I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes…” Romans 6:14 explains – “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law, but under grace.”

What? It is like the steel flag pole / steel railing phobia. The school boy in Minneapolis is told not to stick his tongue on the steel railing in the school-yard during the freezing winter cold. So, now, because he has been told not to, he wants to all the more! And sure enough, with tongue stuck to the railing he now has nothing but painful decisions ahead of him, unless he can get some help. This is an example of the Law at work.

And Grace? If you change the school-boy’s heart, so that he doesn’t want to stick his tongue on the steel railing, then he is in no danger. That is what God’s grace does for us, when we partake of Jesus – it changes our hearts and our desires by His Spirit within us. We become new from the inside. Jesus makes grace possible by purchasing us with His body and blood. It is what He called a “new covenant”, changing our hearts and making it possible to please Him, fulfilling the law, though we are no longer under the law.

Matthew chapter 3 tells us that John the Baptist was the one spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord: make his paths straight.” What does this refer to? – “make His paths straight”? For His way to be in our hearts, we must prepare our hearts with repentance - then, by His grace living and overcoming in such a way that the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts are pleasing to Him. For example, we need to read His word with not just repetitive habit - in one ear and out the other, but read while praying God’s word and applying it to our hearts every day – so that for example when we read in Psalm 19, “may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you…” we can ask our Father God to make it so – we can from our heart pray to Him: “Father forgive me for the vile things I have said and thought… forgive me for my selfish intentions… may your will be done and may you be pleased with my words, thoughts, intentions and actions towards others. Give me a heart full of worthwhile words and intentions…”

Get it? We need to be praying His word, and by doing so, further taking Him in! Are you praying a bit of God’s word daily and often? Hear what Jesus said: “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Taking Him in. And as we take Him in, we are given life by His word in us – we live by them.

So, He desires that we partake of Him and have intimacy with Him, not a mere impulse of the moment – as seen in John 6: 14-15

He desires that we partake of Him and have intimacy with Him, not seeking to have merely our personal wants, e.g. health and wealth, IRAs established – as seen in John 6:24-27.

He desires that we partake of Him and have intimacy with Him, not merely religious performance – as seen in John 6: 28-29. Not us responding, “I’m a nice person” “I follow along with everything in my church.” But rather by believing in Him, by embracing what Jesus said: “Unless you eat my flesh…”

He desires that we partake of Him and have intimacy with Him, not merely asking for signs and wonders, as in “If He provides a job, changes this situation… then I will trust Him”… - as seen in John 6:30-31.

He desires that we partake of Him and have intimacy with Him, not that we look for mere ease and comfort – as seen in John 6:35-36.

I want to feed on Jesus. To live, we must – Jesus has told us so. Further, our complete satisfaction is in Him – Bread of Life, and Dispenser of Living Water.

As David expressed in Psalm 34, I want to “taste and see that the Lord is good!” Won’t you join me?

Yours in Jesus,

Jim

- A SABBATH REST -

A SABBATH REST FOR THOSE WHO BELONG TO JESUS

If we who belong to Jesus are going to understand and enjoy the Sabbath in our lives rightly, then I think it reasonable to begin by considering some words from our Lord:

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  - Matthew 5:17-20

How do we experience and live out Jesus' fulfillment of the Law?

Consider a few more words:

“For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." – Matthew 12:8; (cf. Mark 2; Luke 6)

Our Lord recognizes Sabbaths as a sign of a special relationship with His own. Our Father God has declared: 

 “Moreover, I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.” – as recorded for our benefit by Ezekiel the prophet (Eze. 20:12) 

Further, the Lord promises to give those who belong to Him a new heart – a heart to keep God’s commandments: 

 “26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit  I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. … 31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations.” (Eze. 36:26-31)

On the cross, His work completed, Jesus proclaimed the debt of my sin, of your sin, paid in full and the legal requirements of the Law fulfilled:

"It is finished" – John 19:30

The finished work of the Lord on the cross for us and His work and Spirit in our lives elevates each of our Father God's commandments to a higher standing in our hearts. Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill, and complete it. Consequently, Jesus taught us in Matthew 5 that in the kingdom of heaven, harboring hatred in our hearts is murder. To keep the commandment not to commit murder, the least we can do is not murder someone. By our Lord's grace, we must do more and not harbor hatred. This principle applies to all the commandments.  We begin to keep the commandment to not commit adultery by not committing adultery. That is the least we can do - by the Lord's grace must find it fulfilled by not looking upon another with lust.

I suggest to you, dear reader, that every other one of the ten commandments and all of God's Law has been elevated to a higher standing and calling in the life of believers due to the finished work of our Lord because He has fulfilled the Law. It is being fulfilled (made complete) in our hearts. 

In keeping with Jesus' fulfillment of the Law, the commandment to keep the Sabbath has also been elevated in our lives.  We begin by setting aside a day of rest in remembrance of the Sabbath.  But there is more to it than that!  The rest is meant to remind us of something.  We should not be surprised to see in scripture the Sabbath elevated in the lives of those who believe in and belong to Jesus - just as the other commandments have been elevated.  Our Lord reminded us that He is Lord of the Sabbath.  We must look to Him; by His grace, there is more for us.

In Colossians we are reminded that the feasts of the LORD and all of His Sabbaths are a shadow of things to come in the lives of those who belong to Him:

“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.  These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” – Colossians 2: 16-17

 What meaning then do we ascribe to the Sabbath for a believer in Jesus as our Savior?

I believe that in the book of Hebrews, we find the Sabbath as God has it for us in Jesus.               Beginning in Hebrews 3, Israel is held out as an example of those who do not enter God's rest because of unbelief. They did not listen. They did not believe it. They did not join in our Father God's rest.

Yet, in Hebrews 4:3 – “we who have believed enter that rest.” 

Our Father God keeps calling and setting the date as "today."  If we have believed, we can rest in Him today. "We who have believed enter…."  It is not: "will enter" someday when we are with Him in eternity. Instead, "enter" - we can enter today - if we will listen, believe in Him, obey His Spirit in our hearts, and not harden our hearts. When we respond in such a way, the promise for us is in Hebrews 4:9: 

“So, then, there remains a Sabbath rest   for the people of God…." 

Just as all the rest of the Ten Commandments were elevated to a higher standing by Jesus fulfilling the Law – the same is true of the Sabbath.   We keep the Sabbath and enter into His Sabbath rest for us when we believe, trust, and depend on Jesus' finished work for us every day.   In this way, Jesus fulfills the Sabbath in and through us.

Let us not deceive ourselves. There are many good reasons we should gather together as believers in church. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together," "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…."  For these reasons, we gather together – because we are one body in Christ.   But, we do well not to gather together believing that we have attained a greater standing before the LORD by our virtue in keeping a legal requirement.   With such thinking, we are on the dangerous edge of leaning on righteous acts of our own, though all our righteousness is as "filthy rags" before Him - risking not entirely believing in Jesus and His finished work for us.                

Instead, our Father God has fulfilled the Sabbath in Jesus and provides a Sabbath rest from our own efforts to attain righteousness and instead trust in Jesus as our Savior, fully available for those of us who believe in and belong to Jesus! Thanks be to Jesus – He is all our righteousness, fulfilling all righteousness in us.

For those who belong to Jesus, we need to carefully seek out and listen to the words of our Lord to us regarding the Sabbath, as He fulfills it for us in Him.

There needs to be a meeting of the mind with Him who owns the Sabbath, and entering into the Sabbath He has provided for us.  

Remember - just as all the rest of the Ten Commandments were elevated to a higher standing – the same is true of the Sabbath.   Why would we recognize this dynamic for the other commandments and seek to make an exception for the Sabbath?  Rather, we keep the Sabbath and enter into His rest for us when we believe, trust, and depend on His finished work for us every day in our lives, just as Hebrews admonishes us.

Let us remind ourselves that "resting" in our Lord is not a call to slothfulness!  Our Father God's word to us from Philippians 2:12-13 comes to mind. "…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

And, in Phil.2:15, “…shine as lights in the world." 

In these words, we find that we have our salvation in hand due to our repentance and placing of our faith in Jesus as our Savior.

But our Father God desires that we join Him in working out the salvation our Lord has given us – so that with fear and trembling, there is an outworking of it in our lives.   Our life in our Lord becomes active – lived out in obedient response to the guiding and empowering of His Spirit in us as He joins with us and works out His will and pleasure.

In this activity, we have peace and rest in Him – due to knowing that He provides our salvation, we are not laboring to earn it – it is a joyous obedience springing from a changed heart and His Spirit in us. 

The Old Testament living metaphor of Israel called to take the promised land does not fail us – God's chosen people were called to much toil and battle in the endeavor – but were also offered the rest of the Lord in obeying, knowing that He would work it out for them. They could rest in that if they were willing to believe and obey. Unfortunately, many did not enter His rest.

Am I trusting, believing, and resting in Jesus' finished work? Or not? This is the heart that Jesus will be interested in when I bow before Him one day. I would be ashamed before my Lord to try to explain to Him that I consider myself to have kept and entered into the Sabbath by attending church on a specific day of the week because that is what a church taught me.

What about embracing what Jesus has taught me and done for me?

The apostle Paul rhetorically asks in Galatians 3:2,  “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

The only way to fulfill the Law is to be found "in Christ" – for our Savior has fulfilled the Law.  God the Son, our Savior, has fulfilled every jot and tittle, every holy expectation of God the Father as expressed in the books of Moses.  We cannot fulfill the Law except in Him.  

All of the Sabbaths find fulfillment in Christ, and He invites us: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28).

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, and unless we find rest in Him, we are not fulfilling the Sabbath.

When I bow before my Lord one day, I want to express to Him with a clear conscience that I entered into, kept, and reveled in His Sabbath by resting in His completed work for me.  

All praise be to Jesus - God the Son, Lord of lords, King of kings, Lord of the Sabbath, and my Savior.

- Jim B

P.S. – Please keep in mind dear Reader that just as the Passover in the Old Testament was a picture of Jesus as our sacrificial “Lamb Of God” as revealed in the New Testament, so the Sabbath(s) in the Old Testament are a picture of the rest we can have in Jesus as revealed in the New Testament.

- "ON THIS ROCK" -

"ON THIS ROCK…"

Christians readily recognize that when Christ said, “On this Rock, I will build my church…" (Matt. 16), He was using metaphor.  That is, there is no literal rock - (as in the dome of the rock) wherein he has built a church. Christians do not generally challenge the understanding that metaphor is used here – but rather, the meaning of the metaphor. Who is the “Rock”? Is it Peter? It certainly appears to be Peter at first glance – but is it? And does this understanding then square with the rest of Scripture?

I have been praying and wondering in my heart regarding this. If this is of interest to you, read on, and I will share with you.

As I meditated, my thoughts first turned to another incident described in John 2: 18-22 just after Jesus cleanses the temple. The Jewish leaders said to Jesus: “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in three days?”

We know that our Lord was using metaphor, and the “temple” He referred to was His body. John tells us so: “But He was speaking about the temple of His body” (Jn. 2:21).

What Jesus said in effect was: “If you kill me, I will rise again from the grave.” This was no shallow boast. These words came from God our Savior, Jesus, a lover of truth and sincerity, a hater of shams and hypocrisies and futile boasts.

But, the truthful words spoken out of inner humility, and meant to enlighten and save were lost on the hearers – men full of ulterior motive, arrogance and hatred. The Jewish leaders watching and listening were ever hearing but never choosing to hear, ever seeing, but never choosing to see. Never is anyone as blind as someone who chooses not to see. For we know they got it to an extent, because we have the record in Matthew 27 of their plea before Pilate after the death of Jesus: …The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise’. Therefore order the tomb to be made secure...” (Mt. 27:62-64).

But even if they did get it to an extent, they did not believe, they chose not to hear, and later twisted their testimony regarding Jesus’ words at Jesus' hearing before Caiaphas to serve their own selfish purpose.

Now... I want you to pray (as is your common practice, I trust) and ask the Lord to enlighten you and guide you regarding this portion of His word by His Spirit – because all Scripture is given by inspiration of God  (2 Timothy 3:16).

(I believe it is a true understanding that 2 Tim. 3:16 refers to an inspiration event which first happened when scripture was infallibly recorded, by the inspiration of God, in a manner pleasing to our Father God. Now, this thought alone is a rich treasure, greatly to be valued. But, our Lord wants to be even richer towards us. This statement has deeper meaning relating to those of us who are children of God, and explains why scripture can be so precious to our hearts – why there are those of us who cannot live without it. I believe that this also refers to an event happening again and again, when it is given as scripture to us in our hearts as we abide in Him, and His words abide in us, as we open our hearts to Him and search and pray His word. Then we have the full understanding of: “all scripture is given by inspiration of God” - “breathed out by God” to our hearts.)

It is not scripture to us if our hearts are and remain closed to Him. But, praise be to our Father God! As we abide in Him and open our hearts to obeying His word, then His word is given as scripture, breathed out by God to our hearts and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness, our faith grows and we may be complete, equipped for every good work. So, my hope is that God’s word will grow in all our hearts for His good purposes as we abide in Him and His word abides in us – as we pray His word and it lives in us with as correct understanding as we can have this side of eternity by His help.

Now, after prayer and seeking the Lord, read the narrative in scripture and try to visualize the scene. What do you see? In my mind’s eye, I do not see Jesus extending His arm and gesturing to Herod’s temple with His hand as He speaks. No! Rather, I see our Savior, holding His hand to His chest and saying “Destroy this temple…” – placing His open hand on His chest, earnestly gesturing that He meant His body. And even some of the listeners with ulterior motives got it. Now look, we have the inspired text handed down to us, and not a video. So, I cannot know that Jesus placed His hand on his chest and referred to His body – but that is what I see in my mind’s eye. And, I do not expect you to trust my mind’s eye – but to trust God’s word – so here we remember, John tells us plainly that Jesus spoke of His body (Jn. 2:21) when He said, “Destroy this temple...”

This is to point out that our Lord loves using metaphor, wonderful enlightening ways for us to learn: the “bread” of life, the “light” of the world, “living water” the “body” of members in Christ as metaphor for the “church” – the group of true believers in Christ today, known to our Father God, “salt” of the earth, the “harvest”, “leaven” and so forth. Now, it is apparent and I believe all would agree that our Lord was using metaphor when He referred to “Rock” and had the “On this Rock” discussion with Peter.

Many seem to think that when Jesus said "upon this Rock" that He meant on Peter. But, after examining the Lord's word to us, we can reasonably understand from Scripture that when our Lord said “on this Rock I will build my church (the assembly of true believers)”... our Lord was referring to building on He Himself, as the cornerstone, the foundation of the church.   But, again, don’t take my word for it. Let’s examine God’s word...

Peter got it. Peter himself understood what Christ meant. Listen to Peter’s testimony as inspired by the Lord – (Peter proclaimed that Christ was the cornerstone, the foundation, and that he himself, and the rest of God's Chosen Ones, are as living stones being built up on that cornerstone for the true assembly of believers – the church). Hear Peter’s confession in 1 Peter 2:3-8 ….

3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,”

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word.

Paul also said in agreement in I Corinthians 3:11 “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ”.

Other scriptures back this up quite solidly. Isaiah 28:16 "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."

Now, the stone laid for a foundation, the precious cornerstone is not Peter!  It is the Lord Himself – Jesus our Savior.

Isaiah 28:16 quotes from Psalm 118 (cf. verses 14, 21-22…) making it crystal clear.  In Ps. 118:14 it the LORD who is identified as “my salvation”.  Then, from Psalm 118: 21-22 … “…my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…”  Scripture identifies “my salvation” – our Savior, Jesus as the foundation cornerstone. 

Jesus Himself quoted Isaiah in Matthew 21:42" Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."

And Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians 2:20 -"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Also consider: has Peter been identified as head of God's church in scripture? No, Christ is clearly the Head as we read in Ephesians 5:23 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body".

But what about the discussion Jesus had with His disciples and recorded in Matthew 16: 13-20? In addressing Peter, it seems contradictory to what we have just seen. Or is it?

Now, our Lord had named Andrew’s brother Simon, Peter (Greek) or Cephas (Aramaic), because I believe that our Lord saw solid rock traits in Peter, and knew how Peter would greatly serve His purposes.

Some have said that “Peter” means “little” rock and our Lord referred to Himself as the “big” rock in Matthew 16:18. I have formally studied N.T. Greek and I just can’t see it – “little” and “big” is just not there.

But, in all fairness, we must recognize that the implication is there in this sense: “Peter” is “Petros” the name form of the word meaning “a rock” (masc.), or “a stone” whereas our Lord referred to Himself simply as “petra” – the word meaning “rock” (not in a name form) or “bedrock”.  In Matthew 16:18 we read: “Peter” (Greek Petros) = a name meaning a specific stone or rock. Then, on this “Rock” (Greek petra) = a rocky crag or bedrock. That’s about all we can get out of the “rock” word – just as you read in English – without a “little” or “big”. Our translations are correct.

So, what was going on in this conversation? I believe that our Lord used metaphor as He often did, and in a manner similar to what I believe happened at the temple. And Peter, true to the name our Lord gave him, was solid. He got it. When our Lord asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Our Lord responded: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, by my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter” (as if to say, Bravo for you! Kudos to you! My Father has revealed this to you. Bottom line, in the end you are a rock indeed as I named you)

Then our Lord went further: “but (yes, indeed the greek word “kai” here can properly be translated “but” or “and”, “even”, “also” – it is simply a conjunction) on this rock”…  It is Peter’s revelation from the Father and his confession of Jesus as the Son of God that becomes the “rock foundation” for the church – in keeping with Deut. 32:18, 30-31; Psalms 18:46; Isaiah 8:14; 17:10; 28:16; 51:1-8; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph.2:20-22 and 1 Pet. 2:3-8.   Our Lord may have placed His hand on His chest, or not, we cannot know.   But, Peter and the other disciples got it, that Jesus meant Himself - as revealed in scripture - 1 Peter 2, Ephesians and elsewhere as we have reviewed… “but on this rock I will build my church…” 

Jesus continued: “… and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”  The “it” being the church – the assembly of true believers, the “living stones” of 1 Peter chapter 2.   It could not be that Jesus was simply telling Peter that only the early church would be built on Peter as I have heard suggested.  Because that would put Jesus in the position of in effect saying: “I will build my early church on you Peter and the gates of hell will not prevail against it…” No - What about the later assembly of true believers?  The gates of hell will not prevail against later true believers as well.  So, it cannot be that Jesus was referring to only the “early” church.   The prophesied foundation stone has always been Jesus Christ.

Our Lord then gave Peter great encouragement and charged Peter with great responsibility because our Lord knew that Peter would have the Holy Spirit with him, strengthening him, and Peter would serve our Lord for His purposes greatly in the years to come.

Look, we have the words of the conversation recorded for us in God’s word. We don’t have a video. But, we can petition our Father God to give us a correct understanding of His word. Seek Him in this. He will guide you into all truth as you earnestly seek Him.

We need to trust God’s Word, and His Spirit guiding us through His Word, as He has promised.  Does Scripture support this suggestion that our Lord told Peter He would build His church on Himself?  We can confidently say, yes indeed it does, as we have seen.

I was recently reminded by a dear brother how our Lord used Peter mightily… Peter preached and 3000 on one day believed, repented, turned to the Lord and lived. People were healed when Peter’s shadow fell on them. Peter, an important rock in that scenario of living rocks…

I was just reminded today by that same dear brother in our Lord of that scene of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21, coming down out of heaven from God.. “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, an on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:14). Our Lord has certainly used His apostles in building for His purposes.

But, our Lord wants to use us too. The Lord wants to bless us by using us and giving us the privilege of being rocks in that clear picture given to us in 1 Peter 2:5, of the house being built.

I am asking the Lord, by His grace to grant that I please Him from here on out, being a lively stone in that building up of that spiritual house, of His living church - the body of true believers. How about you? Wouldn’t you like to join me in that?

Yours in Jesus,

Jim

- THE CONSEQUENCE OF GLORY -

THE CONSEQUENCE OF GLORY

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor. 3:18).

What dear reader would you say is the greatest blessing or reward that our Father God bestowed upon Job?  I would submit that it does not involve any of the blessings which we see at the end of Job, when his property and family is restored.  Rather than these temporary blessings on earth, I believe it involves blessing of eternal impact.  Zophar the Naamathite, “miserable comforter” that he was, thought he was being clever when he mocked Job in chapter 20 and verse 7:  “he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’.”  To the contrary, consider dear reader that Job is remembered in God’s word – which will last well, forever.  An eternal memorial – recorded by our Father God.  This, I submit, is a legacy far outweighing the healing of Job’s sores and the restoration of his fortune and family during the remaining of his temporary time left on earth.  Through the suffering God allowed, Job was fashioned for eternal glory.  We are eternal beings and what we are becoming day by day is the weight of the eternal glory awaiting us.  Job understood that he would not perish forever when he proclaimed in chapter 19 and vss. 25 on…”For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth…in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself.”

Recently I sat and observed the moon, which had not yet set, on a brilliant blue-sky sunlit day.  I am sure that you have seen the same at times.  Have you considered what can be learned from this?  After all, we know that “The heavens declare the glory of God …” (Ps. 19:1).  As earth’s moon reflects the glory of the sun, it gains its own glory, and becomes “the lesser light.”  This is a physical graphic for us in the heavens which carries a consequential, weighty, and very valuable lesson to us.  We become as the glory we reflect…

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor. 3:18).  

This is bit by bit as the LORD works with us – that is, “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor. 3:18).

In Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis spoke of “good infection” and wrote: “If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them. … Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever? … He came to this world and became a man in order to spread to other men the kind of life He has – by what I call ‘good infection’ ”.

This dynamic extends to God’s glory – and when we understand the import, we should be left awestruck and bow in humble adoration and gratitude before our Father God. 

Glory really is infectious.  And, when we consider the Glory of our Father God, it is truly a good infection that we gain to our own eternal benefit or lose out on to our own eternal harm.

In The Weight of Glory Lewis eloquently captured the eternal import of it in our lives when he wrote:  “remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you say it now, you would be strongly temped to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a night mare. … There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.  But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

If we make or allow something into our lives that we trust will provide better for us than our Father God.  It is an idol we have made.  If we desire it and it is to us a greater joy than our LORD, it is an idol we have made.  And bit by bit… “Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them” (Psalm 115:8; Psalm 135:18).

On the other hand, the LORD has provided us an opportunity to delight in Him, His Spirit, His word, behold His glory and become transformed more and more into His image, someone able to more fully appreciate and reflect His glory for all eternity as a reward. 

We are eternal beings – for we have been created in the “image” of God (Gen. 1:26).  Dear Reader – consider this:  Just like Job, we set our feet on a path in this life to what we will become in eternity.

Jesus said:  “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth …” (John 8: 31-32).  I take “know the truth” here as not merely trivially being in on some secrets, but “knowing” in the biblical sense – where the truth becomes part of us, and we become part of the truth, for we become true disciples that way – reflecting the glory of His word in our lives, becoming a “lesser light”.   Is my mind set on His eternal word, becoming part of me, or is my mind set on this world’s lies through the world’s entertainment, letting the world’s dim, temporary glory become part of me?  Either way, we are choosing a mold for all eternity. 

We know that our Father God is “good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him” (Lam. 3:25).  And, so it is with us – He wants to be good to us and place us in the cleft of the rock for our safety as He did for Moses (Ex. 33:22), and that as Moses’ face shone (Ex. 34:30), so may ours in eternity.

We should also solemnly hear the words of Jesus:  “… Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28 and Luke 12:5).  If we reject One Who is eternal in nature, our rejection becomes by definition an eternal rejection, and so the only appropriate punishment is eternal – an eternal destruction in an eternal hell.  We should shudder for those about us who are rejecting the Lord, and call for our nation, our culture, our neighbors to be reconciled to God through Jesus and repentance.  We should begin by examining ourselves, and repent as the Lord convicts, dying to ourselves daily. 

Choosing to allow the Lord and His glory into our lives is not only consequential, but cumulative in its effect…. Choices build on one another, taking us step by step further along a pathway to becoming one kind of creature or quite another.

So, our choice of repenting and receiving Him into our heart, and dying to ourselves daily means taking a step one day into His home and becoming then a completely perfected being in Him along with fullness of life and joy.

On the other hand, rejecting Him is rejecting an Eternal Being with an eternal offer – so in the end, a final rejection is an eternal rejection. It begins with a step by step process of making choices which removes ourselves from Him, and day by day finding it more difficult to turn back to Him because of the deceitfulness and complexity of sin and growing darkness until one day stepping into Hell having removed ourselves eternally from Him and becoming then over eternity a monstrous being of complete and eternal selfishness, hatred, loneliness and despair.

For some, because of innocence and childlike hearts, gaining intimacy with Jesus can be a fairly quick process. For others, who have made many wrong choices and have hard habits to die to, it can take time to become intimate. This is why our choice must not be put off and the first choice of dying to ourselves and partaking of Him must be made without further delay.

Let’s be real – this is not easy in our world.  It isn’t for me.  But, I have also experientially confirmed His promise of glory to me (and you) when He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).  

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor. 3:18).

- ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR, KING OF BABYLON -

One Day in the Life of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon

It was the day the fog lifted from my mind.  I found myself on all fours in the dew-laden grass.  My hair was tangled, matted and reached the ground.  My nails were long, curved and full of dirt.  What?!! But I am King! My mind was clear again.  It all came flooding back…

I recalled how I had in foolishness mused on my balcony at the greatness I had attained, boasting: “Look at this marvelous Babylon – which I have built all by myself!  Behold! My palace – full of glory yet barely able to display all of the glory and honor due to me!”  No sooner had these words passed my lips that a voice rang clear from heaven: “This is the judgement passed on you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your kingdom is taken from you. You will be driven out from among human fellowship and live with animals. You will eat grass like a cow. This discipline will last for seven years, enough time for you to learn that it is the true God on high who rules nations and installs whomever He wishes as leaders.”

Now clear thinking, I rushed back to the palace to clean myself and set things right before the Lord of All in the kingdom of Babylon – I dared not call it “my” palace now – I now saw it is a palace which God, who is God over everything and everyone has gifted me with.  All belongs to Him.  Ahhh…. I blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever:

“His sovereign rule goes on and on and on into the eons,

His kingdom is never diminished.

Our life on this earth is so short,

 and not at all as significant when all is said and done,

 as we think.

It is God’s heavenly legions which keeps all maintained.

God’s purposes are never thwarted,

There is no one who can question His authority.”

 I will sing praises to Him.  In the court praises to Him.  And those with ears to hear, will wisely join in.

Oh, what a day!  From the confusing labyrinths of madness in the field, awaking to the joy of praise in the palace. 

Straight off in the courtyard I announced my return and called for my bath and groomers.  I set about arranging the festivities – not to celebrate my re-enthronement, but rather to laud, extol and bless the King of Kings! 

I summoned musicians, singers, and dancers and beseeched them to join me in praise to the God of Heaven.   I set servants free from oaths of allegiance to me and bade them join in only if their heart was in it.  As I told my story to the royal court, to friends and family and servants as well, and they could see my clarity of mind, some seemed to dare to believe, to trust, that I was no longer mad, and joined in praising the God who is over everything – as they saw He had returned my mind to me.  The call was sent throughout the kingdom for leaders and those in authority to come and see for themselves. 

And so we sang.  Late into the afternoon and evening I sang in rapture and praise and bade those who would accompany me to join in.  Singing and praising the King of Heaven:

“Everything He does is just and perfect,

and He does it in most inscrutable ways.

He knows how to humble proud men and women

into those who recognize the King of Kings.”

Dear reader, you have been reading the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon on the day his sanity was returned to him, as I see it in my mind’s eye.  It really happened.  And you can read about it for yourself in chapter 4 of the book of Daniel from the Old Testament.  Splendor was returned to Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar was raised again as he humbled himself, gave recognition to, and honored his creator, the true God over everything.

Our Father God used Nebuchadnezzar not only to teach Neb and his court a lesson, but us as well.

The king’s madness came because he set himself up as a god, and did not acknowledge the true God outside of his arranged political order of things as the one over all the affairs of men. 

If there is no God outside of our order of things, then our own order is as god, and creates a culture of folly rushing headlong into judgment just as Nebuchadnezzar.  In such a culture egos can accommodate depravities and allow for nonsensical thought such as boy is girl and girl is boy.  Such a culture strives to convince itself of its “tolerance” while the full fury of its intolerance crashes down on dissenters and those who hate God stumble about in utter darkness because of their blindness.

If our arranged political order of things, our culture, is god, then that means that there is no external standard by which our order may be examined.  “…But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” – 2 Corinthians 10:12b.  This is an age-old issue.  Our culture is not being “progressive”, “modern” or “enlightened” in this.  Hundreds of years after Nebuchadnezzar, it was still an issue when Paul wrote to believers at Corinth.  Yet, there has been and always will be healing and restoration for those who walk in repentance before the Lord.  “Turn and be saved” our Lord calls.

It is an age-old issue because sin is an age-old issue.  We have lost our way, and the only hope for our society is repentance and turning to Jesus the Christ, God-the-Son, and our Savior.  It was not a new issue in Jeremiah’s day when the armies of Nebuchadnezzar lay siege to Jerusalem and Judah.   "For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are 'wise'—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not." – Jeremiah 4:22   And, "My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold.” – Jeremiah 50:6

Yet, our Father God’s offer stands:  “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other.” – Isaiah 45:22

And so, dear brothers and sisters - Our Father God has a beautiful offer, but our neighbors are blind, stumbling in darkness and simply can't see it. Our Father's offer is a many splendored thing, a brilliant and sunny day that our neighbors cannot see - without us sharing the light which our Father God has put in our hearts by virtue of His Son in us.  Sharing the Light - this is how we push back – this is how we return love when hatred spews our way.

Lets be real – our culture is experiencing demonic delusions – thinking of itself as its own standard and god.  There is One Who is outside of our collective order of establishment and Who is the true God and LORD of all, though so many have forgotten Him or refuse to acknowledge Him.    Do we want salvation for our culture?  We have a Savior for that.  Beginning with the Body of Christ, we believers need to show our neighbors the way and walk in personal repentance, recognizing the authority of the King of Kings in all areas of our lives, and abide in His Word – gaining a restored relationship of light, life and love with our Father God and escaping judgment.

So thankful for our Savior,

Jim

No Country Bumpkin..."STRIKE THE PILLARS!"

“SRIKE THE PILLARS…”

“You need to understand WHO I saw…

Am I to be undone?  I saw… I saw… The Lord.  The. LORD.  GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies Himself.  

HE who touches (only a slight touch) and the earth melts, sending all of its inhabitants into lament. 

HE who has the upper rooms of His palace in the highest heaven and its supports on the earth. 

HE who assembles the waters of the seas and then spoons it out into its place onto the surface of the earth.   This is Who I saw.  The LORD is His name.

Standing beside the altar, HE said:

‘Strike the Pillars (capitals)!  Strike the pillars of the shrine so hard the thresholds of the doors shake and come tumbling down onto the heads of the people inside.  If anyone is left standing, I’ll kill them with the sword.  Not a single soul will get away.  No one will be able to make a run for it.  Should some strive for hades, I’ll pull them back up.  Try to reach for the stars and I’ll drag them back down.  If any think they can hide on Mt. Carmel, what?.  He who made the eye cannot see?  It’s no use!  I’ll find them.  Even those who would try diving to the bottom of the sea will find that I can send my sea creatures to swallow them whole.  And if any runaways are captured alive by their enemies, well, I’ll see to it that the sword catches up with them.  I have determined calamity will be their portion, and not good-times.’

‘You Israelites think that you are safe and secure and so much better off than the pagan nations around you.  Is there that much difference?  Don’t I deal with all nations?  I certainly do.  I see and I have my eyes fixed on the sinful ones which I intend to eradicate from the earth, though I will not wholly wipe out the descendants of Jacob.   Yet none will escape my shake up - placed together with all the nations and shaken like grain in a sieve.  The unrepentant sinners among them who say that ‘Nothing bad can happen to us’ will surely die by the sword as I have said.’ “

Reader, you have been standing in the shoes of the herder and farmer called to prophesy: Amos.  And, you have been listening to a bit of Amos’ prophecy - from the first portion of Amos 9, in the Old Testament, in the Bible. 

Amos.  Do you know him?  (Get to know Amos and other obscure “minor” prophets and you may discover that they are not so “minor” after all.)

Amos confronted the bent priest Amaziah, who, unable to bear the truth that he was hearing, told Amos to go prophesy in Judah instead.  Amos answered:  “I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs.  But the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’  Now therefore hear the word of the LORD.” (Amos 7:14-16 ESV)

Amaziah, fearing I think, that Amos indeed spoke God’s words and truth, shuddered in my mind’s eye and shrank back as Amos continued…  “You tell me don’t speak out for God.  Well, here’s what He wants you to know:  Your wife will prostitute herself, your children will die violently, your land given to others, you yourself will die in a foreign, perverted land, and Israel will surely be taken into exile.”

We may be tempted to say something like… “Wow.  Yeah - not so good for Amaziah.  But what has that got to do with me?”  

That strikes me as a very good question and I am glad that you have asked it.   When reading God’s Word,  I think it is very important to always ask:  What does this have to do with me?  What does this say about me?,   (To find ourselves in Amos, and how Amos’ message relates to us, we will want to read more of Amos’ message.  More on that in a bit.)

Actually, there are three simple questions that I have found so helpful to me when coming to God’s Word…

As you read, always ask yourself:

• What does this Scripture say about God?
• What does it say about me?
• What needs to change as a result? (Pray the scripture regarding this)

Dear Reader – I hope that you are doing something like this as a regular practice!  You will be blessed indeed, for Father God will bring joy to your heart with His presence as you seek Him, forsake sin and walk and talk with Him.  (For me, sometimes scripture lends itself to praying the content outright, as in the Psalms, other times I need to “digest” the larger content in context, and after seeing with God’s help what it says about me and what needs to change as a result, I find myself on my knees thanking and praising God or often, repenting and asking His grace to help me overcome…)  Sometimes we may find ourselves asking these 3 questions of the Lord, and waiting and listening.

In my experience, my walk can always be brought into better step with the Lord and my heart made to be better tuned to His, through the washing of His Word, by His Spirit, when sincere, real prayer time is spent with our Lord while approaching Him humbly in heart and mind with these three simple questions.  Let’s begin with the first question.  What have we learned about God from what we have seen in Amos so far?  

How about to begin with:  Our Father God sees sin and deals with it very seriously.  He will not overlook sin forever, and will deal with it both in personal lives and with nations as well. 

Wouldn’t you agree with me that this is a lesson our nation needs to heed?  This is something we need to earnestly take to our Father God in prayer.

There is more for us to learn about our Father God in Amos.  And, I think we can find ourselves in Amos as well. 

First, please bear with me while I re-inforce (Amos did) how seriously our God views and deals with sin…

The first two chapters tells of God’s judgment by repeatedly pointing out “For three transgressions… and for four”(i.e. many sins) (Amos 2:1, 4, 6) …”because of…”   

Then later, “flight shall perish from the swift” (Amos 2:14) …”nor shall the mighty save his life” (Amos 2:14)  “Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it?” (Amos 3:6).

The take away?  Our Father God views and handles sin seriously.  We need to examine ourselves and quickly forsake and severely deal with any sin in our lives.

We might think that we are largely off the hook – that this all mostly involves Israel and its neighbors’ wrongs.  Yet, question 2 presses more – what else does it say about me?

While I may not have sold slaves (“exiled a whole people”) to Edom, I have to solemnly examine myself, we must solemnly examine ourselves, when we read how the Israelites had a tendency to gloss over their shortcomings and not hunger and thirst for the Lord (“yet you did not return to me”)  - so much so that the Lord told them He would send a famine of hearing the words of the Lord! (Amos 8:11-12).  This could happen to us!  May it not be!

We have not exhausted Amos’ list – there is more which may apply to us.  Here is the short list of our need to examine ourselves.  (You can dig for more yourself)  From Amos 4 and Amos 5:  Are we ever dismissive of the down and out?  Ever demanding of others?  - “bring me that drink!”   Ever put on religious shows to look good to others?  And from Amos 6 I have to ask myself do I seek pleasure and comfort for myself to the exclusion of grieving over the ruin of my country (“over the ruin of Joseph” Amos 6:6) ?  From Amos 8 – How can I get that further edge in my business with just a little more not so obvious cheating?  What needs to change as a result of this self examination?  What must I lay before the Lord?

Yet – there is always hope shown for us in Scripture because of our Father God’s work on our behalf!  And Amos is no exception.

I have for some time thought that Isaiah’s call:  “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isaiah 1:18) might serve well as a theme for Scripture.   From the very beginning in Genesis, after the Fall, our Father God begins to reveal his plan for redemption.  And we see Jesus in prophesy, in  type and form and person throughout the Old and New Testaments.  Our Savior’s presence and handprint is everywhere.  It is an expression of our Father God’s provision and of His yearning to deal with and fix our sin issue.

So, it should not come as a surprise to find in Amos also the building crescendo expressing the “come now let us reason together” heart of our Father God crying out repeatedly (in Amos 4) because we (yes us modern believers too – not just the Israelites) are too often prone NOT to hunger and thirst for our Father God relentlessly:   “…yet you did not return to me.” “…yet you did not return to me.” “…yet you did not return to me.”  “…yet you did not return to me.”  “…yet you did not return to me.”  ….  AND then there is our Father God’s plea… (in Amos 5)  “Seek me and live”… “Seek the Lord and live”… “Seek Good and not evil that you may live.” …  

God’s heart to us is: “Seek me and live.”  After hearing this, surely hope swells in our hearts for us to confidently approach our Father God in prayer!

Amos cried out to the Lord in Amos 7:2-3 and Amos 7:5-6 :  “O Lord GOD, please forgive!”  And immediately we see: “The LORD relented”  And again, “O Lord GOD, please cease!”  And,  “The LORD relented…”  

Yet, God the Father has a standard that we cannot attain to:  a “plumb line” (Amos 7:8) that the Lord showed Amos.    The nation was so far out of plumb that God would tear it down.  Sin would no longer be overlooked.  Is America approaching being that far out of plumb?  On a personal level, we would be without hope except that God the Father sent God the Son to satisfy that standard for us at Calvary.  Having paid for our shortcomings, God the Son presents us straight as the “plumb line” to God the Father when we repent and trust Jesus as our Savior!     

Further, “And on that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.” (Amos 8:9 ESV)  This prophecy may have additional fulfillment, but was also certainly fulfilled at Calvary - the handprint and foreshadow of Jesus in Amos – our hope and the heart of God expressed.  How does this answer question 1?  Will I not bow before Him?

And our Father God looks into the future for Israel as well bringing hope at the end of Amos 9:  “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches ( Amos 9:11)…”I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel,…(Amos 9:14) “I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them, says the LORD your God.”

A testimony to the faithfulness of our Father God when we come to Him in prayer.  That is our Father God!  

Let’s be real - We need to cry out daily in earnest prayer seeking personal repentance, repentance as the Body of Christ (“If my people…”), that our nation may be healed and be granted repentance and faith again.

Father God grant us repentance and faith - bring us into your light out of our present darkness!

And in whatever comes in the days ahead, in our personal lives may we always appropriate His Grace and be found faithful and ready - walking, speaking and thinking in a manner pleasing to our Lord and Savior Jesus.

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”  - Amos 5:24

So thankful for our Savior,

Jim

- "GRAIN BY GRAIN" -

Grain By Grain

I was living in Yanji China, the corner of the world where N. Korea, China and Russia meet, when SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) became an epidemic. Beginning in the south, it had quickly spread north throughout China and elsewhere. Thousands were getting sick. I read the news reports of people of all ages being suddenly and inexplicably stricken. Those who got it found survival to be a strain. For many it was a death sentence.

Throughout China people panicked. Travel and commerce was restricted. Soap showed up in the University restrooms, but the water still ran only cold. The students at the University were overwhelmed with anxiety and looked to me for answers (if you are older and a teacher you are supposed to have all the answers).

At the time I felt and believed much the same as I do when I survey the calamities all about us in every corner of our world today with COVID-19.  I hear the words our Lord when He considered the trials our world will go through: “These things must come to pass...” And, “Let not your hearts be troubled…”

But how can our Lord say this to us? I mean, take a look around. Worldwide you will find gang riots and wars in the streets, hatred and harm rampant, famine, drought, disasters and disease. Add to this list the rumors of government and industrial conspiracies.

Review with me if you will our Lord’s parable of the farmer and the seeds. Are you looking in the Gospels?

No, not this time… Turn if you will and give your prudent consideration to the parable in:  Isaiah 28: 23-29 …

23 Give ear, and hear my voice;
give attention, and hear my speech.
24 Does he who plows for sowing plow continually?
Does he continually open and harrow his ground?
25 When he has leveled its surface,
does he not scatter dill, sow cumin,
and put in wheat in rows
and barley in its proper place,
and emmer as the border?
26 For he is rightly instructed;
his God teaches him.

27 Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge,
nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin,
but dill is beaten out with a stick,
and cumin with a rod.
28 Does one crush grain for bread?
No, he does not thresh it forever;
when he drives his cart wheel over it
with his horses, he does not crush it.
29 This also comes from the Lord of hosts;
he is wonderful in counsel
and excellent in wisdom.

If a farmer learns how to handle his individual seeds to bring them to the point of usefulness, then God who instructs the farmer, also knows what each of His children needs in order to be brought to maturity.  Surely trials will come into our lives for His good purposes.  Let’s have faith in our Father God and realize that not all of His blessings are in the form of sunshine (ct. Isaiah 45: 6-7).

Grain by grain.  According to Isaiah 28, each type of grain has its proper place in the ground (Isaiah 28:25).  Each specific grain is handled in a manner appropriate to it alone (Isaiah 28: 27,28).

That is how our Father God handles us – in a manner individually designed for each of us, by understanding which type of grain we are most like.

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” – Philippians 1:6

“Oh, God, Help Me! "Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes” - Psalm 60:11-12

It seems that every day there is some kind of trouble that can arise. I paid big money to have my car fixed and the problem is still there. The gas company is over billing me. I don’t have money to buy that birthday gift I want to share. The bathtub won’t drain. My computer has issues. I’ve lost my employment. You fill in the rest.

I have learned that I cannot handle day-to-day living without the help of the Lord. I need the peace and strength He gives me. I don’t care to get out of bed thinking that everything that happens that day is in my hands. I shun thinking that there is no control other than what I provide. I choose not to rely totally on the skills and knowledge of humans.

We are not alone. We are not expected to be able to make wise decisions all the time. But we can seek His wisdom at any time. Our loving Heavenly Father is offering His help. He is offering His advice. He wants us to seek Him and to accept the things He has for us. Not a day goes by without His unfolding grace.

Don't be fooled into thinking that you don't need God. Seek a relationship with Him so that when times get rough you'll know the help He can give. Many people wait until they have exhausted their resources and have nowhere else to turn. Don't wait, as they do, and cry out, "God, help me!" when you hit bottom. Don't wait until it is to the point of no return and wonder if there really is a God and if He hears and will answer. If we have any interest beyond this world, we should keep ourselves in a position to hear our Father God’s voice, understand His language, and bow to His requirements.

I was blessed recently when I learned of this quote from the founder of the Shakers, Anna White: “Are you free as you are? Are you in any degree bound by your appetites, your passions, and your self-will? Are you at all in bondage to the opinion of your neighbors, to the customs and notions of society, however harmful or absurd? These do not travel the true Shaker.” These issues "do not travel" any true child of God. Your Father God sees you now. He knows your situation. Talk to Him. He listens.

I believe that our Lord is pleased when we don’t focus on the negative, but obediently respond to “whatsoever things are of good report, think on these things.” Everything in this world our Lord is prepping for eternity can be repaired and prepared by our Father God. And that is exactly what He is doing. The good report is: our Lord is overcoming and He is allowing us the privilege of overcoming with Him if we choose.

So, we don’t give into sensationalism, anger, or fear of what rages around us in this world at large. We are on the winning side. We fight; we resist evil with love – as our Lord leads. We do not fear.

Our Lord is not asleep. He is aware of what is going on. He is handling it. This world will last until He returns and gives us a new one in His time. He has told us so.

His question to us is: “Will I find faith in the earth when I return?” So, in the meantime, we need to place our trust firmly in Him and His work in progress regardless of what we see. I believe that it pleases our Lord for me to concentrate on what He has given to me in my sphere of influence: to learn to love my neighbor better, to be spontaneously honest, to set aside sins, to love my Lord in all my ways. If I love Him, I need to obey Him, and as He requested, feed His sheep. Not alarm His sheep by pointing out the negative that I cannot deal with. I need not fret over things that are outside of my sphere of influence.

The inspired words of 2 Corinthians come to mind: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” - 2 Cor. 4:16-18. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. So, I choose not to focus on the negative about me that is out of my control, but give it to Him. And I know that I “cannot add an inch to my height” by fretting. I believe that if our Father God wants us to act, then He will place issues within our sphere of influence and show us how and when He wants us to act.

At the time of SARS, I received e-mails identifying SARS as a plague and curse from God. The University was locked down. I prayed that we would have peace in our hearts. I prayed that my faith would not waver. I did not want to tell the students that they were being cursed. I wanted to tell them that their Heavenly Father loved them so much that He sent His only Son to redeem them and bless them. I wanted to tell them that our Father God had all in control and wanted to bless them beyond their imagination.

Blessings from our Father God are sometimes difficult for us to recognize at first. SARS turned out to be a blessing - an opportunity to share and place faith in our Father God – despite what we saw happening around us. The frailty of our lives was apparent even to young people. Eternal issues which had been overlooked were scrutinized. Praise God – many chose to place their faith in our Lord, who otherwise would not have considered Him.

Let’s be real - I don’t want to look about myself, despairing over this world. This world will last as long as it suits our Father God’s purposes, and then he will give us a new one. I want to have faith in my Father God’s hands and address that which is unseen – that which is eternal. I want my remaining energy here on earth to be invested in eternal issues. And, I am asking my Heavenly Father to help me in this. How about you?

Yours in Jesus,

Jim

- "NEW JERUSALEM" - ... Have you considered this yet?

NEW JERUSALEM

The “New Jerusalem” as described in Revelation 21, has captured the hearts, minds and imagination of many.  I too rejoice in this.  I marvel at the depth of His handiwork in my life, and in the life of all who belong to Jesus.  God the Son.  The beginning and the end of all.  Jesus - the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”, the victorious “Lamb”, the reigning “King of kings and Lord of lords” and lover of our souls – who is expecting great things from those who belong to Him, His church - prepared and presented as His “bride” when we enter the season of a new heaven and a new earth as Revelation 21 informs us.

We may all look forward to a literal new heaven and new earth, for as scripture declares our Lord will create all things new.  “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17).   “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it…what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set of fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!  But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:10-13).  I do not see metaphor or symbolism in these words which are easily understood when taken literally – as they stand.  And, from Revelation 21:1… “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…”  

Let’s first consider a sound approach in understanding God’s word.  I first heard years ago, while I was in Bible College, something which made sense to me, and which I have often referred to in my mind.  It would not surprise me if you have heard it said as well:  “If the literal sense of Scripture makes good sense, seek no other sense.”  Now, that is a good starting point, but of course there needs to be much more involved.  It is important that other words of Scripture relating to the issue be carefully compared and considered because there are different perspectives which must be looked at in arriving at a common understanding and agreement.  History, archaeology, original wording, consideration given to an understanding of metaphor and symbol can all be helpful.  But, above all, and supporting all is an understanding gained by seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit regarding the word of God.  Jesus promised us that “when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide us into all truth” (John 16:13).   Then we must obey and apply the truth given to us, in keeping with the text of God’s word, in an intellectually and spiritually honest manner regardless of our preconceived notions.

Further, it is important to handle metaphor and symbolism in a manner which is in keeping with the truth that God’s word is expressing to us.  How so?  Metaphor and symbolism is used extensively in God’s word, along with some allegory as well.  Our Lord loved metaphor!  I believe that it pleases the Lord  when we take metaphor and symbolism “literally” but not “literalistically” (the adverb form, which I use differently - to help express what I am trying to say).   By this I mean that I take the common sense approach that metaphors and symbols can be taken as they literally stand to express a meaning, a truth to be understood without being taken “literalistically”.  An example or so will help.   When John the Baptist saw Jesus and declared: “Behold the lamb of God…” the metaphor of the “lamb” has a literal common sense understanding that Jesus is recognized in the sight of God the Father (and hopefully by us as well) as taking the place of a sacrificial lamb.  Jesus sacrifices Himself and pays for our sins.  “He Himself bore our sins in His body…” (– 1 Peter 2:24).  We are saved when we place our trust in Him, taking refuge in His sacrifice.  The metaphor has a literal meaning.  However, to take the metaphor to mean that Jesus is a literal, physical lamb to be found in a field, and available for sacrifice would be to take the metaphor “literalistically” as I say.  When Jesus said that He is the “bread of life”, He was using metaphor with a meaning that He is the one who provides us with the nourishment and sustenance needed to experience true, eternal life – not that He is somehow a loaf of bread.   You get the point.  Our Lord used many metaphors and colorful illustrations to provide us with concrete, literal understanding of spiritual truths.  (You may be interested in reading the article “Eat My Flesh” for an understanding that I believe the Lord has guided me to in regards to that important metaphor.)

I have had need to explain all of this because I see God’s word as clearly using metaphor when it speaks of the “New Jerusalem” in Revelation 21.  We will get there in a bit, but first…

When understanding the “New Jerusalem”, we must also keep in mind that Jesus told us:  “I go to prepare a place for you…”  This simple statement by the Lord is easy to get because it is a straightforward literal statement – no symbolism to watch for and navigate. 

We know it will be a beautiful place that the Lord is preparing – and contain even more than we can conceive of.  For the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit and alluding to Isaiah 64:4 declared in 1 Corinthians 2:9…

“However, as it is written:

 “What no eye has seen,
  what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
  the things God has prepared for those who love him—“  (- 1 Cor. 2:9)

        Yeah, the literal, physical place in the new heaven and new earth that the Lord is preparing for those who love Him is beyond our imagination – “what no human mind has conceived” - Wow!  That is what we have to look forward to.  Our hearts can rejoice.

        Now, medical doctors affirm in their profession to “first do no harm”.   And, those who love God’s word and seek to order their lives by it must “first read the text”.  Read it.  Stand by what is says.  Let God’s word stand as it states.  And remember - we can seek the Lord’s guidance – for our Lord promised us that “when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide us into all truth” (John 16:13).  The Holy Spirit will guide us regarding God’s word as we seek Him - regarding the truth of any scripture – and that begins with what the scripture actually says.

        It strikes me that many have not carefully read the text in Revelation 21: 9-10, (or, worse yet, choose to ignore these words) when it says in verse 9 and 10…  “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…”   So, here we have: “I will show you the bride… and he showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem…”   And, in Rev. 21:2 we have “…new Jerusalem…prepared as a bride.”  I think it is important to point out for the sake of some, that the text does not say in verse 9: “I will show you the “City of the Bride”, or the “City where the bride will live for all eternity”.  No, rather, I will show you “the bride …”

        This is what Scripture declares for us - available to all who would hear what it actually says and embrace with their hearts and minds.   Now, we can know that the “bride” of the “lamb” is the church, as other scripture identifies for us – John the Baptist speaks of Jesus as the bridegroom and mentions the bride, then there are the gospels and the parables…) – The “bride” is the true church as it enters into eternity (not any religious, ecclesiastical order) – the assembly of true believers who know Jesus and He knows them. 

A city as a metaphor for the church is an easy metaphor for me to add to the list of metaphors for the church:  “living stones” His “bride”.  His “sheep”.  His “city”.   This first came to my attention when I noticed quite forcibly that God’s word tells us…I will show you “the bride”… and He showed me the Holy City Jerusalem…”  Hence, I am no longer at peace accepting this as a picture of a literal city.   Firstly, as has been pointed out, the text does not say “the city where the bride will live” or the like.  But rather simply “the bride”... For me, the only honest thing to do is to recognize the metaphor as the text presents it.  The metaphor is clearly there – the New Jerusalem as His bride, His sheep, His body of believers…

But, how can we understand the extended metaphors in Revelation 21 regarding the New Jerusalem? 

As I seek the Lord’s guidance, as He promised to give, I am at peace with such things as: 

In Revelation 21:11, we see New Jerusalem “having the glory of God…” 2 Corinthians 3:18 is in keeping with this when it is declared that we will be “…all…transformed…from one degree of glory to another…” – 2 Corinthians 3:18).  And, from Rev. 21:11, the true church will be precious to Him – like a most rare jewel.  And, pure (our sins removed) – clear as crystal.  In the first few chapters of Revelation, Jesus shares with churches, His “body” (compare Eph. 5:23) of believers:  praise, admonitions, and what His expectations for them are.   How fitting that after much spiritual battle, in this chapter of Revelation we return to see the church in the end, the true body of believers at last perfected and prepared.  This is in keeping with Ephesians 5:27 where we read:  “so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”  We do win in the end!

In Rev. 21: 12-14 we see… the gates, the names of the twelve tribes of Israel looks to the heritage we have in God having revealed His truth to His chosen people before sending to the ends of the earth.  The names of the apostles recognizes their contribution in the building up of the true body of believers – foundations and a wall for us. 

How about the measurement in verses 15-17 of this chapter?   Do we not also use the very same metaphor when we speak of the “measure of a man” or, what is the “measure” of his character?  Here I see, by the length and width being the same, that it will be very stable.  The true church will have the same, stable character for all eternity – both in human terms and spiritual terms (– as measured by God’s emissaries, the angel’s measurement)  And, the “measure” of the true church’s character will be significant (these are large numbers).  That is the “measure of the man”, the “measure” of the true church.  We will be pure – as “pure gold” – v. 18.  Also 1 Peter 2:4-5 speaks of us in the true church as being chosen and precious - like living stones being built up a spiritual house…”  From 1 Peter 2 we are living, precious stones…  In Rev 21 these stones are described in verse 19-22 as “every kind of jewel” stone…  Precious in His sight.

Seek the Lord dear reader and I believe that you will see the remaining content to follow in like manner in this chapter and the next.  Naturally there will be no need of a temple, as we worship God in His presence.  Gathered from various ethnic groups and nations, His “holy city Jerusalem” will be comprised of “those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev.21:27).

Now is a good time to set aside charts and listen to the word of God.  Those who truly belong to Jesus, His Church, His Body – will be purified during difficult times in our lives, but our Lord will bring the faithful through to purity for our presentation to Him.  Jesus is speaking in Matthew 24: 29-31, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days…then will appear…the Son of Man…a loud trumpet call…gather His elect…” and from 1 Thess. 4:13-17, “…the Lord Himself will descend…the sound of the trumpet…we…will be caught up...so we will always be with the Lord.”  I firmly see that the plain and simple teaching of the word of God is that we who know Him and are alive, will go through the tribulation time.  Our Lord’s promise is that He will be with us: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matt. 28:20.  The heart of God has always been to be with us in difficult and trying times, to strengthen and purify us.  Hear from Isaiah as the Lord speaks to His people, those who belong to Him: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” – Isaiah 43:2.   It has always been the case.  Our Lord was with Noah and brought him and his family through.  Our Lord was with His people, those whom He loved dearly, while they suffered greatly during bondage in Egypt, saw them, remembered them, and brought them through.  Our Lord was with the disciples when they feared for their lives in the storm on the Sea of Galilee and brought them through.  During the time of tribulation ahead, saints will be here for Rev. 13:7 tells us that the beast will be “allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them”, or as Dan. 7:21 says “…made war with the saints and prevailed over them…”   Jesus has told us that “many will fall away” (Mt. 24:10), “but the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt. 24:13).  Jesus has told us that “there will be great tribulation” (Mt. 24:21), but again, He is with us, and will remember us just as He did His people in Egypt, “for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short”.   We need to trim our lamps and be ready.   By the time the church is “prepared as a bride” (Rev. 21:2), we will be entering our season of celebration with the Lord, for “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9).  Until then, by His sufficient grace, may we steel ourselves, be expectant and faithful even unto death, for He has promised us “the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

        In light of the overwhelming use of metaphor and symbol in Revelation, and because we are told in verse 9 and 10… “I will show you the bride… and showed me the Holy city Jerusalem”… we must understand the New Jerusalem to be the bride.  Otherwise, we stand in danger of not reading the text and understanding what the Lord is telling us.

 Keep in mind dear reader, as regards the vision of the perfected “Bride”, the “New Jerusalem” of Revelation 21… To say that our Lord has given us a vision of his perfecting work in His people, is not to preclude the existence of a literal kingdom and a literal Jerusalem on the new earth.  They quite rightly need to be understood quite apart from one another.  Except, they are related.  That is, I mean that because of the perfection of those who belong to Him (the vision of Rev 21), we the redeemed, will be prepared and qualified to meet our Lord in that genuine place of inconceivable beauty in His “holy mountain” on the new earth.  One does not rule out the other.  They completely complement each other.  We will be perfected and qualified to “inherit” His holy mountain as alluded to in Isaiah 57:13: “But he who takes refuge in Me shall possess the land and shall inherit My holy mountain.”

 Of course there will be a literal Jerusalem (Isaiah 65:19) on a new earth, a literal “mountain of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:1-4 ; Micah 4:1-3)!   It is what so many, many scriptures allude to throughout the Old and New Testaments – His literal eternal kingdom on a new earth, and in the new heavens.  

        As regards our dwelling place for eternity in the new earth, let us not forget that it will be a place so beautiful that our imagination has no capacity for it:  “no eye has seen, no ear has heard… no human mind has conceived” (1 Cor. 2:9) what the Lord is preparing for us – where we will celebrate for aeons of aeons without end.   Many have supposed that our literal dwelling place would be the “New Jerusalem” of Revelation 21, and I have heard various imaginative takes on the New Jerusalem, from a celestial city with streets of gold to a pyramid style heavenly spaceship of sorts.  This mere fanciful imagination is surpassed by a reality which is far, far better… If the New Jerusalem of Rev. 21 is to be a literal city and not the bride as the text points out, then we would be in a position to imagine our future prepared place.  We would have a detailed description to imagine, complete with measurements.   This cannot be though because the reality of our eternal dwelling place is far more beautiful than we can imagine – as our Lord has told us.   And the “New Jerusalem” of Revelation 21?  Look to the meaning the Lord has given us.  We must let the plain words of any text stand… “…New Jerusalem…a Bride…”

 Our first and primary understanding of the New Jerusalem must be that it is a vision and prophecy regarding those who are in Christ, perfected by our Lord as a beautiful “bride”.  For the angel said to John (Rev. 21:9-10) “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb….showed me the holy city Jerusalem.” 

We can be assured that there will be a physical Jerusalem in the new earth as well – for as the prophets inform us.   And, because dual prophecies are also presented to us in Scripture, I believe that may very well be the case in Rev. 21 regarding the “New Jerusalem” as well – allowing us by means of a dual prophecy and vision to see glimpses of the new physical city of Jerusalem which will also be in the new earth, and understand that it will be a place where our senses are lost in the beauty of our Lord’s reflected light.   In the physical New Jerusalem in the new earth, we will be able to say: “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2), and: “Shout and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:6).

But, we must not lose sight of what the text of God’s word tells us directly in Revelation chapter 21: “I will show you the Bride…” and we can see and know from the Revelation of our Lord, that His work of purifying and completing our lives in Him, will bring us to a point of perfection and beauty in the Lord’s view of us.  In the waning verses of Revelation 21 we are reminded that those of the city will have no need for the sun or moon for the glory of the God and the lamb will be its light (Rev. 21: 22-24), and the city will be composed of “only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21: 27).

In the New Jerusalem, the Spirit and life of God will flow, flow…from the throne through the middle of the street, as the “water of life” (see Rev. 22:1-2).  Jesus referred to the Spirit as “rivers of living water” flowing from our hearts (John 7:38-39).  Jesus prayed in John 17:3, “…that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” 

A dual vision emerges perhaps – figuratively the Spirit of God flowing to all as a river, and literally as well - providing life and healing in the light of God, and we in fullness of joy worship Him, for all eternity. 

The words of the prophet Isaiah should not fall lightly on our hearts and ears… “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.  But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness…” (Isaiah 65: 17-18).

        May our Lord bless and keep you dear reader – He is always with us in all storms, and He is perfecting us to one day be prepared as His “Bride”, His “Holy City Jerusalem”, resplendent before Him as we enter eternity.

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6).

        So thankful for our Savior,

Jim B

Post Script: 

 There are many examples in God’s Word of prophecies with double meanings and fulfillments.  (You may care to review this dynamic explained in “The Near and The Far” in Snippets).  Please understand that of course I believe that our Father God can if He is pleased, may very well have a place of His abode modeled after what we see presented in “The New Jerusalem”.   Even so, we cannot know that from the description of “The New Jerusalem” in Rev. 21.  What I hoping you see is that Rev. 21 does not speak to that issue and our Father God has something else to teach us in Rev 21.  And, the Word of God is worthy of our careful examination and right understanding.

 Because of the perfection of those who belong to Him, we will be prepared for and can expect to meet our Lord in a genuine place of inconceivable beauty.  I look forward to joining with others in saying "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD..." as Isaiah and Micah declare.   What a day!  Our Lord of lords and King of kings recognized for who He is.  We will know Him in His glory.  We will know Him as our friend.

Those of us who belong to Him will with our own living eyes see and experience that of which it is written: “Of His Kingdom there shall be no end” as many scriptural passages affirm throughout the Psalms, Books of History, the Prophets and the New Testament as well. 

“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.”

- "ATHEISM AND SUFFERING" -

Atheism and Suffering

In the News - The New York Times headlined an article entitled “Student Faces Town’s Wrath In Protest Against Prayer," a few years back. It is the story of Jessica, a 16 year old high school student and an atheist, who won a suit to have her high school prayer poster removed. You may read the N.Y. Times article by clicking here.

Here's Jessica:

Here's the Prayer:

Jessica said she had stopped believing in God when she was in elementary school and her mother fell ill for a time.

“I had always been told that if you pray, God will always be there when you need him,” she said. “And it didn’t happen for me, and I doubted it had happened for anybody else. So yeah, I think that was just like the last step, and after that I just really didn’t believe any of it.”

This begs the question (and thanks to Dawn Evans with Christianity Explored for lending a hand):

If there is a God, why does He allow suffering?

It’s a huge question, isn’t it? And we cannot know completely because God's ways are not our ways. Still, we observe. Hardly a day goes by when we don’t come across suffering. Devastation caused by earthquakes and tsunamis… millions living in poverty… children being abused… family breakdowns… bullying… people suffer. We suffer. So it's natural to say to God: “God, if you’re there, why don’t you do something about it?”

Well, imagine we could actually tell God what to do. Where would you suggest he starts? How about God gets rid of the terrorists and the murderers. That would mean a lot less suffering for many people—but suffering hasn’t been eradicated yet. How about God deals with the pedophiles and the drug dealers and the thieves? We can see the world’s getting a much better place, but it’s still not perfect.

How about God gets rid of the unkind, the gossips, the liars, the selfish — oh, but that’s actually me.

You see, when we ask God to get rid of suffering, we’re actually asking him to get rid of us. We do suffer, but we actually cause loads of suffering ourselves. That time when we lost our temper with someone… when we trod on someone to get to where we wanted to… when we ignored our kids because we were just too tired or busy… when we gossiped about a work colleague… when we were just plain nasty to someone. We cause much suffering.

So if we demand that God throws suffering out of this world, we’re actually demanding that he throws us out too.

God is delaying the day when he will deal with all suffering so that we can realize that we’re part of the problem, and we can ask him if there’s any way not to be thrown out of his world.

And the amazing thing is that God knows what you’re going through when you suffer—because he himself suffered. God lived on earth as a man, Jesus, and Jesus suffered and even died in agony on a cross. He promises to be with those who trust in him, comforting them and helping them through their suffering, and one day bringing an end to all the suffering, in His time, when His purposes are complete.

It’s worth starting by turning the question round a bit. Clearly, there is suffering (even though some eastern religions say it isn’t really real: it certainly feels real when it happens to us).

Let’s imagine for a moment that we decide that since there’s suffering, there isn’t a God, as Jessica has concluded.

Firstly, that would mean that there’s no justice. One of the writers of the Bible imagines a world with no God, and he says:

“In the place of judgment, wickedness was there, in the place of justice” (Ecclesiastes 3:16).

Often, people who cause great suffering get away with it in this life: perhaps they’re never caught, or perhaps they commit suicide. If there’s no God, then they never face justice. Wickedness wins.

Secondly, that would mean that there’s no future. In a world without God, “all go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return” (Ecclesiastes 3:20). Life may well be miserable, and death is the end. If you’re unlucky to be born into a life of poverty, or abuse: well, that’s all there is. In a world without God, there’s no hope.

Thirdly, that would mean that suffering itself doesn’t matter. If there’s no God, we’re all just animals; in fact, we’re all just collections of atoms. A child being shot is of no more importance than a gazelle being taken down by a lion: or a plant being trampled on. Human life is worth no more than any other life. Suffering would only matter if it happened to us.

But you’ve probably read this far because to you, suffering is a problem. And the whole idea of “suffering” being “wrong” only works if there’s a God, giving us the ability to conceive of right and wrong. Suffering is only a problem if it’s the case that suffering is an intruder into human life in this world.

And the Bible says that’s exactly what suffering is: an intruder. When God made this world, it was “very good” (Genesis 1:31): there was nothing wrong with it, no suffering. Humans were not made to know pain or death.

So why is there suffering now? Well, the Bible’s answer is that humanity caused suffering to enter the world; and that each day, even after all this time, we still cause suffering. Suffering is our problem; but as we look around, we can see that it’s actually our fault, too.

So, if there’s no God, this is a world without justice, without a future, and where suffering isn’t something we should be bothered about (unless it happens to us personally). It seems to me that’s NOT the world we experience; and it’s certainly not the world we want.

If the God of the Bible is real, however, justice will be done; there is a perfect future on offer; suffering is an intruder which will one day be banished.

How do we deal with suffering?

So when we hear of suffering, how does the Bible suggest we might like to respond?

When Jesus was alive on earth, a tower collapsed, killing many. How did Jesus respond? “Unless you repent, you too will all perish”(Luke 13:5). The existence of suffering is a reminder that all is not well with this world, or with us, and that one way or another we will all one day die: and so we need to turn back to the one who can give perfect life beyond our death—to Jesus, God himself.

By the way dear Christian, There are times when God calls for his children to suffer. Sometimes the suffering comes from forces we cannot avoid or we cause: a hurricane, an earthquake, our own wickedness. But sometimes we are called to put ourselves in the path of suffering. We go to lands where Christianity is outlawed, carrying our possessions in a coffin for we know this is a one-way trip. We move into the inner city to bring light into the darkness. We visit housing projects to share the love of Christ. And we give up fame, fortune, and prestige, all for the glory of God.

Christian, the Lord does not always call you to easy things. He will often call you to suffer for the sake of his name.

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1 Peter 2:2).

"For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29).

We do not know what lies ahead for us - but the Lord calls us to be prepared in our hearts and minds and remain faithful so we live like those saints in Hebrews 11:16 who desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Sometimes God allows suffering for His testing, His refining, His purposes which are beyond us - for we do not have His full mind on the matter.

And Jessica? It is a shame that such a young and intelligent girl, so lovely in her Creator's eyes, has not recognized yet that her 16 year old mind may not be able to fully understand or even conceive of that which is on God's mind and His eternal purposes in allowing suffering.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 
so are my ways higher than your ways 
and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55: 8-10

Must the Creator of the universe immediately jump when we, the created, snap our fingers? As though we know the big picture better? Might not our Creator answer "Not yet...wait" or "No" for His good purpose that we do not yet understand?

It would also be good for Jessica to consider the words of a wise middle eastern king:

1 So remember your Creator in the days of your youth:
Before the days of adversity come, 
and the years approach when you will say, 
“I have no delight in them”; ...

7 and the dust returns to the earth as it once was, 
and the spirit returns to God who gave it. ...

13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil. - Ecclesiastes 12

I am going to be praying that a caring, Christian woman will lovingly mentor Jessica, so that Jessica might not remain in darkness, but gain fullness of joy while walking in the light with Jesus.

Will you join me in that prayer?

And - I'm going to ask God to grant grace, and help me accept by faith God's way for me when suffering or persecution enters my life and remain faithful to Him. How about you?

Yours in Jesus,
Jim

- "CAMOUFLAGED DISTRACTIONS" -

Camouflaged Distractions
(that is, beyond the obvious ones)

"27 And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family."
Judges 8:27

Let's back up a little to verses 22 and 23:
" 22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” 23 Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.”

Gideon knew that God was ordering his steps and was the reason he had turned into such a good leader. So, very wisely, he proclaimed what he had learned to all the people. After all, that was the way God intended it all along. God wanted to be their King and Ruler!

Then Gideon proceeded to do something to "honor God" apparently. He collected up a bunch of gold earrings that the people had collected off of their defeated enemy. (Hey, Red Flag! - It should have brought to someone's mind the story of the golden calf that the people had made while waiting for Moses at Mount Sinai. That should have hinted that caution was necessary.) Anyway, what started out as an honor to God turned into idol worship. Instead of dedicating the ephod to God and worshipping God, their focus turned to the ephod, itself.

And, did God need another ephod? The high priest already had one. An ephod is part of what the high priest wore. Gideon put the ephod in the city in which he lived. It really wasn't given to God, but was made to admire.

The ephod was probably beautiful and probably very expensive.

I can see myself wanting to see it, or maybe hold it. Then, I can see myself imagining what it might look like on my coffee table - but only for a short time of course.  You see how that goes.

Anyway, the ephod's original purpose was to turn people's eyes to God. They would see the ephod made of jewelry taken from their defeated enemy and praise God for helping them to arise out of the condition of being captives in their own land to being the conquerors. Instead, they focused only on the ephod, itself.

Do you think that broke God’s heart?

But we wouldn't ever do that right? We wouldn't focus on something beautiful to us more than on God, right? Yet, maybe...

So how about it? How about things today that should bring us closer to God but only serve to distract us from focusing on God, and break His heart?

Church buildings sometimes become way more important than they should.

I remember standing in the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. It would have been good to have cried out to our Father God, asking that His name be Hallowed there. Instead I walked through the galleries, standing in awe of the architecture, and then left - grieving God's heart, don't you think?

I've seen people bicker and angrily argue with each other over what color of paint to use in a church building, what type of carpet to put in, and whether to use rooms for storage or classrooms.

And our Father God’s heart breaks.

I was told of a Palm Sunday at a church that did a presentation on the progress of the construction of their new building for their service that Sunday. The King of Glory, indeed, God - the Maker of Heaven and Earth Himself, chose to come to us in the flesh and display His gentleness and humility among us by riding on a donkey, on that very Sunday. That Sunday was a good opportunity to remember and celebrate that event, wouldn't you say?

So when the new building is complete, will those who use the building allow further distractions? How about adding a pipe organ? How magnificent shall we make it? What about people planning church services and neglecting to let God choose what is done there? What about the line drawn between clergy and laity?

What sort of myriad ways are we breaking our Father God's heart, and are not even aware of it because our hearts are distracted by things that we are thinking of as doing for the Lord?

All things that we do for the Lord, give to the Lord, or are about the Lord, can easily become distractions that break our Father God’s heart, and hinder our relationship with Him! We need to exercise care -if we don't see God first and foremost because of an "ephod", then the ephod needs to be deleted from our lives to allow God's presence to grow in our hearts.

Listen to Augustine's focus on our Lord in his own words: "...where His light, which no place can contain, floods into my soul; where He utters words that time does not speed away; where He sends forth an aroma that no wind can scatter; where He provides food that no eating can lessen; where He so clings that satiety does not sunder us. This is what I love when I love my God."

Let’s Be Real - I'm going to ask God to reveal anything that I have put in a place of importance that interferes or hinders my relationship with Him. How about you?

Yours in Jesus,
Jim

- JEREMIAH BUYS A FIELD -

Jeremiah Buys A Field

Dear reader, I ask you:  If you were locked up in jail, and an overwhelming enemy army fully determined to ransack and destroy the city which your cell is located in, and take everyone in your city into captivity as slaves, were in the midst of laying siege, would your mind turn to a real estate transaction?  Yet, this is what Jeremiah, though imprisoned in a palace cell, and with the Babylonians battering the gates and walls of Jerusalem, and knowing full well that the Babylonians would soon invalidate all commercial transactions, was intent on completing.   Why do you suppose he would do such a thing?   Jeremiah gives us all of the details as the Lord had him record them.  So, there is little left to the imagination - as I read the account, I can see and hear the witness of Jeremiah from his cell…

“The jailor asked me to stand aside as he ushered in Hanamel, my uncle Shallum’s son, and the witnesses he had brought with him.  ‘Buy my field in Anathoth of Benjamin.  You have the legal right.  You have the means – the palace guard has not deprived you.’ Hanamel stated forthright.”

“I followed all the procedures I knew to be proper:  Before all those assembled there as witnesses, I wrote out the bill of sale, sealed it, and weighed out on the scales Hanamel had brought, the price Hanamel demanded for the property - seventeen silver shekels.   And so it came to be that I bought the field of Anathoth from my cousin, under guard.”

“I took the deed, the sealed copy with its contract and conditions and the open copy and gave it to Baruch, son of Neriah, and told Baruch in front of all who were assembled there as witnesses:  ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:  Take these deeds, both this sealed deep of purchase and open deed, and put them in an earthenware vessel, that they may last for a long time.  For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:  Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.’” – Jeremiah 32: 14,15 ESV

“The LORD had told me to prepare myself, for my cousin would come to me to sell me the field, so I knew the Lord’s hand was in it.  I was locked in a cell because Zedekiah the king was not pleased with the message the LORD had given me, telling him that he and city would be handed over to the Chaldeans.  But, I had seen the Lord’s hand in my life time and time again, so I trusted.   And I prayed:  “Father God you have created the heavens and the earth by your outstretched arm…you show steadfast love to thousands…yet you bring this disaster on your people…the siege ramps are in place, on our doorsteps.  And yet, though the Babylonians will surely take this city, you also told me, Buy the field.  Do it before witnesses…”   (Dear reader – read all of Jeremiah’s prayer in Jer. 32: 17-25)

So we have the testimony of when Jeremiah obeyed and bought a field, though the enemy was at the gates, and he was in jail. (A better deal on its face for Hanamel than Jeremiah, for when the Babylonians take all the land, silver in hand would be of more value.)

And the Lord answered that He is in control, God over all, and He has had His fill with the idolatry and rebellion of His people… (Dear reader – read all of our Father God’s answer to Jeremiah in Jer. 32: 26-44)  

Yet, “For thus says the LORD: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them… Fields shall be bought for money, and deeds shall be signed and sealed and witnessed… I will restore their fortunes, declares the LORD.” – Jeremiah 32: 42-44 ESV

 What do we learn about our Father God in this story?  We learn that He is in control, though it may seem not to be the case, regardless of our circumstances.   Jeremiah trusted, obeyed, and learned from our Father God’s answer that He is willing to give a sign and make a pledge (the selling of the field as an indication of times to come again).  An extraordinary thing, don’t you think, for the God of the universe?  Yet, out of His love for us, He is willing to do such things - so that we might more clearly see that He will surely keep His promises to those who belong to Him.   And what does this story say about me and you dear reader?  We need to examine our hearts before the Lord.  What it says about Jeremiah is that he was willing to trust the Lord and be obedient in spite of what he saw going on around him.  Are we?

Let’s be real – Am I willing to trust the Lord and obey, blessing His name in spite of my circumstances?  Oh – I just lost my job – without explanation.  Can I say to those around me:  “The Lord has His perfect purposes – Let’s trust Him and wait and see…”  Yes?  No?  Our circumstances will always change.  Our Father God does not change.  He sees all and is in control.     Father, I believe, help my unbelief! 

So thankful for our Savior,
Jim

- CHUTZPAH WHEN LEAST EXPECTED -

Chutzpah When Least Expected

You would think that surely the few remaining in Judea would have learned their lesson.   They had seen the northern kingdom of Israel carried into captivity because they had chosen not to repent of following false gods.  Now they had witnessed their own kingdom of Judea and their beloved Jerusalem ravaged and their brothers and sisters and neighbors made slaves by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.   They were destitute and left with the soil beneath their feet, and the promises of their Father God to bless them if only they would now remain in land, trusting and obeying Him, forsaking the false gods of their neighboring nations. 

But, no!  Sadly we read of one of the most extreme examples of direct defiance against God displayed in God’s Word.  After the ravaging of Judea and destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldean forces of Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and their nation carried off into captivity, only a very few of God’s people remained in the land.  Some of them approached Jeremiah and asked him for a Word from the Lord – so that “they might know what to do”.  They swore repeatedly that they would follow the instructions that the Lord would give them.    

It is so much like our Father God that He generously offered to bless this group of people and prosper them in the land, but they would need to stay in Judea and not go to Egypt as they intended.  They would need to trust the LORD that He would protect them in Judea and obey Him.   After what they had been through, it is reasonable to expect that this group of the remnant would humble themselves and accept the LORD’s terms for their blessing.  After all, HE IS GOD. GOD OVER ALL.  and we are, well, wee.  wee.   That they would have accepted the LORD’s offer is an entirely reasonable expectation. 

What the remnant heard though was not to their liking, and not in keeping with their intentions, so they flat out refused to obey the Lord’s message to remain in Judea, as heard through Jeremiah and chose instead to run off to Egypt where they would worship other gods and the “Queen of Heaven” instead!  Let’s face it.  Their response to the God of the Universe, who loved them and saved them on occasion without number, reeked of:  Insolence.  Audacity.  Gall.  Nerve.  Cockiness.  Cheekiness.  Brashness.  Arrogance.  Chutzpah.  Chutzpah when least expected.  Dear reader, you are right to be shocked.

Consider this:  we live in a land which has been blessed by our Father God.  Yet, just as the Judean remnant did, our nation has largely turned away from our Father God’s way for us.  Whenever we personally, or as a people, presume to know what is better for us than what our Father God has so clearly shown, we should be shocked at ourselves as well.  With our legal abortions, "pride" in abominations, our “boy is girl”, “girl is boy” “tolerance” and when we set whatever we “feel” right to be “right”, without absolutes, we exhibit the same chutzpah.  Yes, chutzpah before our Father God.   May our Father God grant us repentance.

However, before we blame calamities suffered by others on their sinful lifestyle, or lightly say that others are worse offenders, let us soberly remember the reproof of Jesus:  “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them:  do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (- Luke 13: 4-5 ESV) 

Orlando?  Every person born into this world is in need of repentance.  Jesus said:  “…this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” (John 3:19)  For our nation to heal, those of us who belong to the Lord need to begin by examining ourselves for complicity in the world’s ways and repenting – “…if my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and repent…” 

When we as Christians do not love those who have offended us, or take lightly the entertainment of this world, rather than abiding in His Word, are such things not also an offense to our Father God worthy of repentance? 

Look, we will all one day find ourselves before our Father God and need to answer to Him.  The only possible way to prepare for that day is to take refuge in Christ – to know Him as our Savior and for Him to know us.  “…in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them…We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God… (- 2 Cor. 5: 19-20 ESV)  And that is for all of us.

Returning to our narrative - This true story of the Judean remnant we review now is recorded in Jeremiah chapters 42-44, where we can prayerfully consider our own lives and learn lessons from this chapter in Israel’s history, which underscores the inevitable judgment which comes to a nation and its people who willfully continue to choose to behave contrary to the expressed will of God in their lives.

How did all this come about?

In Jeremiah 42: 1-3 we hear the request of the group of remnants, led by Johanan – “pray to your God for us that your God will tell us the way we should go and what we should do.”

We know though from Jeremiah 41:17 that they were already “intending to go to Egypt…”  (And in light of their subsequent response, it appears though that they wanted the LORD’s word more as a means to hedge their bets than a sincere desire to obey and please the LORD.)

Jeremiah the prophet said to them, “I have heard you.  Behold, I will pray to the LORD your God according to your request, and whatever the LORD answers you I will tell you, I will keep nothing back from you.” (– Jer.42:4 ESV)

The people swore three times… Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us.  Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.” (- Jer. 42: 5-6 ESV)

At the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.  Then he summoned Johanan… and all the commanders of the forces…and all the people… (- Jer. 42: 7-8 ESV)

The Lord told the people… “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,…If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down: I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I relent of the disaster that I did to you.” (- Jer. 42: 9-10 ESV)

The Lord, as sovereign over Nebuchadnezzar, told them not to fear him… “Do not fear the king of Babylon…for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand.”  (- Jer. 42:11 ESV)

However… “But if you say, ‘We will not remain in this land,’ disobeying the voice of the LORD your God… If you set your faces to enter Egypt and go to live there, then the sword that you fear shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine of which you are afraid shall follow close after you to Egypt, and there you shall die.”  (- Jer. 42: 13-16 ESV)

What have learned about our Father God?  That He is sovereign over the kings of the earth (of Babylon, of us) and His judgment can and will reach anywhere (to Egypt, to us).

Jeremiah remained faithful to the Lord, reminding the people that they had asked him inquire of God’s instructions for them, had promised to do whatever He commanded, and of the consequences of disobeying.  

We need to remember that there are consequences in our lives for disobeying the Lord. 

When Jeremiah finished speaking to all the people these words of the LORD their God,…Azariah…and Johanan…and all the insolent men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie.  The LORD our God did not send you to say, “Do not go to Egypt to live there,…” So Johanan and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of LORD, to remain in the land of Judah. (- Jer. 43:1-4 ESV)

Warren Wiersbe has this to say about their response: “Sometimes God’s people take this false approach in discerning the will of God.  Instead of honestly seeking God’s will, they go from counselor to counselor, asking for advice and hoping they’ll find somebody who will agree with their hidden agenda.”  

Johanan, and the people in this group of remnants were Judeans gathered near Bethlehem – not all the people in the land.  There were Judeans who remained in the land and did not go to Egypt.  In the end, those who remained were blessed, and those who accompanied Johanan in disobedience, were judged.  

And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD.  And they arrived at Tahpanhes. (- Jer. 43:7 ESV)

Think of it!  The descendants of Abraham – the “Friend of God”, descendants of those whom Moses had led out of Egypt in triumph, bringing to shame the “gods” of the Egyptians, carrying the bones of Joseph, and delivered from slavery, were returning nine hundred years later, enslaved to their own fear, and intent on worshipping the false “gods” of Egypt.  How utterly sad.  May we not turn from our walk with the Lord!

Jeremiah had been carried there with them.  Jeremiah remaining faithful, God instructed Jeremiah to prophesy, beginning with a living picture:  He had Jeremiah place stones “in the pavement that is at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace in Tahpanhes in the sight of the men of Judah.” (- Jer. 43: 9 ESV)

And say to them, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:  Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant…He shall come and strike the land of Egypt, giving over to the pestilence…to captivity…and to the sword those who are doomed to the sword.  I shall kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he shall burn them…he shall clean the land of Egypt…He shall break the obelisks of Heliopolis…and the temples of the gods of Egypt he shall burn with fire.”  (- Jer. 43:10-13 ESV)

Nebuchadnezzar would set up his throne over where Jeremiah had imbedded the stones.  Though the remnant had placed themselves in Egypt, they would suffer Babylonian might just as they had previously witnessed in Judea.

Sure enough, Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt and defeated the Pharaoh – compare Ezekiel 29: 19-20 (and the history of Josephus as well).

Nebuchadnezzar also broke down the obelisks that stood at Heliopolis, and burnt the temples of the gods of Egypt.   One of these obelisks, re-assembled, is now on display in Central Park in New York City, and another is on the Thames Embankment in London.   (Both have been incorrectly referred to as “Cleopatra’s Needle” – though pre-dating Cleopatra).   Chutzpah on our part!   Because, the obelisks honor various Egyptian gods.  God used Moses and then Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan king, to humiliate the “gods”.  Who will He use next?   

Sadly, the people of the remnant responded to Jeremiah:  “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you.  But we will do everything that we have vowed, make offerings to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offering to her, as we did, both we and our fathers, our kings and our officials, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem…” (- Jer. 44: 16-17 ESV)  They reasoned that when they did so, they prospered, but suffered when they failed in this.

This of course was a direct challenge to the LORD God’s sovereignty.  Much as we do in our society.  

“No”, Jeremiah responded…. “As for the offerings that you offered in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem…did not the LORD remember them?  Did it not come into His mind?  The LORD could no longer bear your evil deeds and the abominations that you committed.  Therefore your land has become a desolation…It is because you made offerings and because you sinned against the LORD…that this disaster has happened to you, as at this day.”  (-Jer. 44: 21-23 ESV)  

Yet, dear reader, hear and see in the midst of all of this the hope and never-failing love the LORD offers for those who belong to Him:  The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel said:  “Behold, I am bringing punishment upon…Egypt and her gods and her kings, upon Pharaoh and those who trust in him…But fear not, O Jacob my servant,…I will make a full end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but of you I will not make a full end.”  (- Jer. 46: 25-28 ESV)

The remnant of Judea that fled to Egypt in the days of Jeremiah failed to see that their disasters were punishments from the LORD for forsaking Him.  They wrongly concluded it was because they had forsaken their false gods. They feared the Chaldeans and sought comfort in false gods, in their own way of doing things.

This incident speaks directly to their relationship with the Lord.  Their father King David had shown them the value of an intimate relationship with the Lover of Our Souls.  “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Ps. 23: 4…KJV)   In the darkest valleys of Judea that the remnant walked in, in their fear they imagined they were in the shadow of death at the hands of the Chaldeans, their enemies scattered throughout their valleys.  But, Who was it with them in the dark?  When they imagined footsteps behind them, they could have listened carefully for the welcoming, warm encouragement from their Lord...  “Don’t worry.  I am with you.  I carry my rod and my staff.  Reach out for the goodness and mercy I have for you.  I will bring you to a table in my house where you will dwell forever and ever.”  

And in our fears, that is our Lord’s call to us as well.   The real tragedy is when we don’t stop to listen for that word, and hear instead the clamor of our own fears and the world around us.

In our time, there are secularists who blame Christianity for many of our nation’s ills, attributing our problems and tensions in society to biblical restraints and moral absolutes.  Just like the fearful, disobedient and rebellious remnant with Jeremiah, they are seeking to overcome our problems, not in God, but from God.   

Let’s be real.  To the extent that we go along with our culture’s push against our Father God, to that extent we are practicing “Chutzpah when least expected”.  Let’s be real as we practice abiding in our Savior Jesus, and His Word, and conforming ourselves instead to the will of our Father God in our lives and the still waters He has for us.  Let’s be real as we pray: “Lead me. O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.” (- Psalm 5:8 ESV)

So thankful for our Savior,

Jim B.

- "LIVING BY FAITH"... -

2 Timothy...
Living By Faith - Visualizing what God intends
in a given situation & acting in harmony with it.

Dear Reader - I am going to be making comments and asking questions.  It relates to me. It may relate to you. Our text is 2nd Timothy. Please read from the inspired text as we go along.

2 Timothy 1:1,2: Paul greets Timothy, who we see is precious to him. Why is Timothy precious to Paul? Give consideration to this as we continue in the text. Paul desires that Timothy have grace, mercy and peace from God the Father, the head of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 11:3) and from Christ Jesus, our head - our Lord. That is the order of a proper relationship. Take notice that Paul is not desirous that Timothy's walk be without hardships or trials. Not at all. But rather grace - the power and will to do God's will, mercy and peace, in which we are not found lacking when we are properly related to Him - the source of our strength, God the Father and Christ Jesus, one and the same.

2 Timothy 1:3-5: Do we serve our God with a clear conscience? Can we honestly say that we are in the service He desires of us? Is there value in any other "service" we come up with? Are we in prayer night and day?! And then do we love someone enough that we constantly remember a brother, or sister in our Lord then? How much more of an impact would our faith have on this world if Christians everywhere would join in supporting another in this sort of fervent prayer? I need to find someone whom I love enough that I will bring them and their ministry before my God constantly. And so do you.

When others consider your faith and mine, do they recall our tears? When was the last time you or I shed tears in our service for God? Ok, so you put hours of study into preparing for your service, but how many tears? and so you have a grandmother or mother who is a woman of God? If so, do you thank God for her? You better. And often. She no doubt has had much influence in your acceptance of God's grace in your life.

2 Timothy 1:6-8: Let us take the gift of faith which God has given to us and polish it until we can wholeheartedly act in harmony with what we see God intends to do in a given situation. We need to be glad to join in suffering or being praised for the gospel of our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:9-10: For who among us can say he has been called to this holy life because of what he has done? Rather it is God's very purpose and grace revealed in Christ Jesus our Savior which has brought us this life and light.

2 Timothy 1:11-12: So, what a privilege to be part of His program! Let us realize that it is only natural that we suffer for Him. A servant is not greater than His master. Yet by knowing Him, we need not be ashamed, for we know that He is able to guard that which we have entrusted to Him. If indeed, we have entrusted it to Him?

2 Timothy 1:13,14: We will be able to guard sound teaching we have received with he help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us! Praise the Lord. He himself helps us guard this good deposit entrusted to us. What a sober responsibility, yet what an encouragement for those who diligently study God's Word.

2 Timothy 1:15-18: Will you be remembered as someone who searched hard for God's helpers so that we can help them in many ways and provide refreshment for them when it is inconvenient, or full of trials or even putting ourselves in jeopardy? Should that time come for you and me, will we act in harmony with what we know God would have us to do or will I or you be one of the deserters? Let us determine now, in all earnestness, that by God's grace we will do what He would have us to do. Praise God! And shame be on me if I can't earnestly commit this matter my Lord right where I am now.

2 Timothy 2:1: Our hearts are far from the things of God - we're interested in money, good meals, and pretty homes, in living as we please. Would we rather just get angry when we're not treated as fairly as we think we should be - when things don't work out as we expected them to? This is when you and I need to bow our heads before our Lord and humble ask for His grace in our weak, petty lives. This is getting real, the nitty-gritty, the meat of how we are to act in harmony with what God would have us do in a given situation.

2 Timothy 2:2: Am I allowing the truth to control me? Are we entrusting the truth we have learned to apply in our lives to reliable men (i.e. men who aren't afraid to let the truth control them also), who will be qualified to teach others?

2 Timothy 2:3,4: Are you a veteran? When we were in the military - did we expect gentleness and kindness from enemy forces? Should we expect gentleness from Godless people? And, did I get involved in civilian affairs as I pleased? Did we put on our uniforms and join in anti-war demonstrations? No! Why? Because we were soldiers - belonging to a larger organization. Do we become involved in the things of this world? No! Why? Because we have been bought with a price. We do not belong to ourselves. We are children of, and belong to, a living God.

2 Timothy 2:5-7: When we work hard, and shoot the basketball according to the rules of God's game - can we expect our Lord Himself will reward us? (I hope you are answering "Yes! Amen".)

2 Timothy 2:8-9: If I should ever have the privilege of being chained for my Savior - I pray that I remember this: His Word is not chained - and my Lord is risen, alive, a descendant of David - He is to be King and then who will be in chains? Satan. Praise our God!

2 Timothy 2:10: We need to plead, entreat, work hard, bear aching backs, endure, - that others chosen too may obtain salvation in our Lord Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:11: Here are contrasts for us to realize in our lives... We die with Him - we live with Him; We endure - we reign with Him; We deny Him - He denies us; We are unfaithful - He remains faithful. We need to often remind ourselves of these things and not quarrel and bicker over words in the living out of it all.

2 Timothy 2:15: Are we doing our best, working hard, splitting a gut, putting calluses on our hands, and handling accurately what God has given to us? If I don't care this much, do I deserve to be called by His name, in His service?

2 Timothy 2:16-18: Do I avoid getting involved in careless, agreeable chatting with those who have wandered away from the truth? How about enjoying the dialogue of Godless movies? It is like the poison gangrene, slowly claiming clean tissue which is exposed to it. Our indulging will replace godliness with ungodliness in our lives.

2 Timothy 2:19: We find in God's Word the answer to Godless doctrines and philosophies thrown at us. God to God's Word. Search for your solid foundation. Do you spend time in God's Word daily? How much? Does it control and mold you and me? Do we allow God's word to change our lives?

2 Timothy 2:20,21: We need to get the desires of the world, it's perverse ways, and warped truths out of us. Am I looking to my Savior and experiencing His cleansing continually so that I may be useful to Him?

2 Timothy 2:22-26: Are we following this straightforward instruction from our God? How I need this advice! Stubborn, vile, me and you. What a thrill too that God may grant us a part in leading another to a knowledge of the truth. Praise God! Let us pursue His righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:1-9: Look at this list of Godlessness in the last days. Does this describe people today? In your society and mine? It sure does! Have nothing to do with them. Their folly will some day be clear to everyone.

2 Timothy 3:10-13: Everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ will be persecuted. Count on it from here on out. The ungodly will abound in ungodliness. So have we no hope? We have every hope! We have the victory, we have Jesus Christ, who will deliver us from all, in the end, just as He did for Paul. Jesus Christ will be able to make suffering for Him a joy for us.

2 Timothy 3:14-17: Are we continuing in God's Word - in what we have become convinced of? Are we? Because all of God's Word is from His very inner being, and is useful so that we might be thoroughly equipped for every good work of our Lord.

Chapter 4: This is Paul, a man whom God had entrusted much of the revelation of His Word, speaking to a young man he loves very much, concerning his ministry. It is a charge to this young man Timothy, but no less of a charge to us - for our God was using Paul, His personality and situations in pouring His Spirit through him to revelation to us. Are we taking heed to the charge here??

2 Timothy 4:1,2: Paul gives his charge: Preach the Word... Is this what we image or think would be a nice thing to say? No - but what God has to say.

So, must I prepare? Yes - in season and out of season - that is, any and all the time! That takes hard work and persistence. Is that what we are doing? Are we sweating, working hard to be ready to give God's Word to those who need to hear? If not, we'd better get on the ball, hadn't we?

We are to correct - how can we do this unless we know God's Word well?; rebuke - how can we do this unless we are being controlled by God's Word? So, does it? And, encourage. Praise God! We have everything to be encouraged about if we are on His side - our God is the God of all comfort.

How are we to do this? With great patience and careful instruction. We need to look to our God here - all true patience, when tried hard, is of Him.

Also look! - "Careful instruction". God's Word is holy and inspired - a solemn responsibility. So, we need to be careful that our instruction is not given in a flippant, light-hearted manner. Is that what we are doing? We are dealing with the souls of men here. In vs. 1 Paul has given us the context in which he is giving us these exhortations. It is not something he has dreamt up, but rather it is in the Presence of God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ - Who will come and judge soon! Oh! Are we urgently, earnestly taking such as this to heart, in an immediate, all diligent manner? It is our God's very program.

2 Timothy 4:3: Here's another why for us. The time will come when men simply will not put up with sound teaching. Incredible? No, that's the way the heart of man has always been. Desiring to suit themselves they will gather their own teachers who will teach what they want to hear. So, are we "correcting", "rebuking" and "encouraging"?

2 Timothy 4:4: These people will want to listen to myths! When all the while, we have the very Word of God! What are we doing with God's Word? Are we busy preaching and sharing it? Or, are we allowing people to listen to myths instead?

2 Timothy 4:5-8: So, what are we to do? Keep our heads, and endure hardship for the sake of these very things - these very important, solemn things. We need to ask our Father God to teach us DETERMINATION - Purposing to accomplish God's goals in God's time regardless of the opposition. And, one day (vs. 8) we will find that there is a crown of righteousness laid up for all of us who desire to see our Lord. Truly, he who does God's work gets God's pay. That beats union wages any day. Dear reader, are you desiring to see the appearance of our Lord? Are you, am I, involved in a program such as we have seen here? Are we fighting the "good fight"?

2 Timothy 4:9-10: Are we asking the Lord to teach us ENDURANCE? That is, the inner strength to withstand stress to accomplish God's best. The Lord Himself was with Paul through all His trials, that His will might be accomplished. It is not necessary for us to repay harm. That is the Lord's work. He will bring us safely to His kingdom. Do you believe that? Then, let us live by it. It is but our work and understandable duty to be but faithful to Him as He grants us the grace. (cf. 2 Cor. 9:8).

2 Timothy 4:19-22: Paul closes with kind greetings, desiring that the Lord and Grace be with Timothy. Would we get far in our efforts without such sweetness from our loving Lord?

I am asking my Heavenly Father to help me in all this. How about you?

Yours in Jesus,

Jim

- THE PRUDENT, WISE AND SUCCESSFUL WAY FORWARD -

The Prudent, Wise and Successful Way Forward 

 Going forward for any culture, that is, for every person everywhere, we must repudiate in our heart and mind the notion that not following Jesus in our personal and public decisions carries even a remote possibility of God’s blessings.  

Secularism is utterly bankrupt and it is our responsibility as Christian citizens to hasten the day when that will be evident to all.

Jesus said: “Whoever is not with me is against me…” - Mt. 12:30

And in Mt. 12:38-41, Jesus illustrated the sign of Jonah, and Nineveh repented.

Jesus further explained: “Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is Like:  like a man building a house… on the rock… the one who does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground…it fell” – Luke 6:47-49

It is Christ or chaos, Christ or nothing, Christ or the abyss. 

When you read the history of Israel and Judah, you will see that time and time again God judges a nation with its leaders.  We must resist placing our trust in solely our national leaders, because, unless we repent, our culture will remain divided and under God’s judgment.  And Jesus said: “Every Kingdom divided against itself is laid waste” (Mt. 12:25b). 

We need to commiserate with our neighbors who may be genuinely anxious over their future in light of the election, because they do not know the Prince of Peace and Lover of our souls.   So, we need to share our Lord and the hope that can be had in Him. 

Our Father God is in control of nations.  And, being in control, He is presenting us with the opportunity to reflect on our situations and repent.  We cannot manage our way out.  We cannot vote our way out.  The way out is repentance.  (And if the way out is repentance, we need to take care not to call evil good in the process, because minimizing evil is not in keeping with true repentance.)   I firmly believe that the hand of God is at work in the affairs of nations, and that God is in charge of judgment and blessings - we do not own the luxury of devising God's judgment or blessing. 

The only prudent thing for anyone ever to do is to finally wake up, humble ourselves, and for us individually and corporately, to repent of our sins, placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and applying His Word in our lives, through a great reformation and revival.  If we want anything else, we are desiring salvation without a Savior.

- IN HIS NAME -

In His Name

In the Gospel of John, chapter 16, and verse 23, Jesus tells us: “…whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.”  

I firmly believe that to ask “in Jesus’ name” does not mean that we can simply tack His name onto our selfish requests and expect that they will be given to us.  What then does Jesus mean by “in my name”? 

Jesus tells us what He means – for this is a continuation of His discussion with His disciples from chapter 15.  There He tells us “…bear fruit…abide, so that whatever you ask…” (John 15:16).  And, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).  In John chapter 15, we learn that abiding in Him is a lifestyle of being a fruit-bearing branch in Him, the true vine.  As we live that lifestyle of abiding in Him, and His words abide in us, when we come before the Father with our requests, we come in His name. 

 Further, as we abide in Him, as we delight ourselves in Him, He will place desires in our heart that are of Him – “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).   As we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we will ask what we wish, and it will be given to us (cf. John 15:7).  Our wishes, our desires, will be in keeping with His word and what He places in our hearts, as we practice a lifestyle of praying and living out His word, abiding in Him.  

An example?   It won’t be: “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?  My friends all drive Porsches, and I must make amends”.   And, it won’t be: “Bless our nation, though we make divorce easy, abort babies at will, and celebrate sexual sins”.   If God’s word is in our heart, and we are in His name, then we will have a desire to conform to His word, humbling ourselves and repenting for our sins first (2 Chronicles 7:14), asking God to grant that our nation will turn from its wicked ways, then expecting and asking for our Father God’s blessing and healing in our land. 

Because if His words are abiding in us, 2 Chronicles 7:14 will be in our hearts as well:  “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

- "A TWO-WAY STREET" -

A Two-way Street

Mark 15 records it: the veil of the temple torn from top to bottom – we have access to our Righteous Father God. Amen. Amen. What a blessing! What a cause for celebration. But, that is only half the story. It is not a one-way street. It is not only a picture of our access to Him – but also of He to us! His Spirit sent to us, spread abroad in our hearts… we, refined for God’s glory! A two-way street.

This has always been the heart of our God: reaching out to us. He is our Redeemer who lives in us as believers, as our Comforter. He is the God who wants to come to us, teach us and “lead you in the way you should go.” - Isaiah 48:17b

The nagging assertion of the Jewish people (and all of us for that matter) has been something like what is expressed in Isaiah 40:27… “My way is hidden from the LORD and my claim is ignored by my God” And our Father God’s answer time and time again has been to patiently point out – “Can’t you see? Don’t you understand? It is you who have forgotten me!”

Please turn in your bibles and consider Isaiah 48. The essential meaning of the chapter can be capsulated like this:

“Oh house of Jacob (and us), your pious words are only a front; I know you as you really are! The things I have done in the past, I always had to tell you before they happened so that you would not give the credit to your idols (1-5). There is so much more I might tell you. But can I? No! And why not? Because you would mock my treasured thoughts by casually saying, ‘Oh, I knew about that!’ As a rebel from your birth, you deserve my wrath. But I will restrain it. Why? Certainly not because of you; but because MY NAME is at stake! (6-11)… I still love you; I will bring you out of Babylon. I will teach you. I will show you the way…But oh, if you had only really responded, it could have been so perfect (12-19). But let’s forget that now… get happy; I am still your Redeemer (20-21).

Isaiah 48:20b: “…the LORD has redeemed…” The veil is torn. We can come before Him. He comes to us. Jesus’ redemption and fulfillment of the law was perfect in His Father God’s eyes.

And as He reaches out to us, He does so as He is: Three in One. Don’t let anyone tell you that the trinity is not expressed in the O.T.!  We see this unique Trinitarian passage in Isaiah 48:16: “And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit.”

I cannot take this as Isaiah suddenly finding his voice and interjecting his own words at the end of verse 16, as some say.

For one, punctuation in the earliest papyri is largely interpreted for the sake of convention and placed into our translations.   As I review my Septuagint (that Greek translation of the O.T. that our Lord quoted from) in this verse, the last part of the verse is an extension of the first part of the verse. (As the King James translation of this verse constructs it.)

Also then, consider the use of “And”. When I use “And…”, it is because I have already been speaking for a bit, extending my thought.  This is everyone’s habit, by and large.   To me, using “And” clinches that it is the extended thought and conversation of the speaker.  “And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit.”  Three as One.

But wait – who is “me” – the speaker?  The speaker is clearly our Creator – Isaiah has been recording the words of our loving, heart-stricken God all along... But there is more here...

Consider first that all along it is God who is speaking. From the beginning of the chapter to the end… A few examples: “The former things I declared of old; … and they came to pass.” (Isaiah 48:3) … “Behold, I have refined you..” (Isaiah 48:10). “…My glory I will not give to another.” (Isaiah 48:11). This is not Isaiah speaking. This is Isaiah recording what our Father God is speaking. Isaiah 48:12-13: “Listen to me , O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. My hand laid the foundation of the earth and my right hand spread out the heavens;..” Our Creator is speaking. It continues… Isaiah 48:16: ”…from the time it came to be I have been there. And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit.”

So who exactly is the “me”? The speaker has already told us in Isaiah 48:12 that “I am the first, and I am the last.” Sound familiar? Listen to the words of Jesus in Revelation 22:13… “I am… the first and the last,…” And, the speaker in Isaiah has told us: “My hand laid the foundation of the earth,…” in Isaiah 48:13. In chapter 1 of the Gospel of John we are reminded in Jn. 1:3 that “All things were made through him…” and in John 1:14 – “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” So, who is the “me”, the speaker in Isaiah 48?  It is Jesus! “And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit” Jesus speaks to us from Isaiah. “I am the first, and I am the last.”… And in Isaiah 48:17: “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, ...”

Praise be to God! Jesus is our perfect Redeemer and when His perfect work of fulfilling the law and buying our redemption was complete, the veil of the temple was torn.

And, we celebrate His resurrection, providing proof of His Father’s approval, even as the very first Christians did – on “the Lord’s Day”, as recorded in the Didache.

Let’s Be Real: I am going to be praying that my devotion to God becomes such that my Father God will find joy in fulfilling His promises to me, rather than only to save His Name (Isaiah 48:9-11)! How about you?

Yours in Jesus,
Jim

- "SELF-EVIDENT TRUTHS"? -

SELF-EVIDENT TRUTHS?

In the preamble to the U.S. Declaration of Independence, these are the lines contemporary Americans know best: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.”

Let us briefly consider these lofty words, which hold so much inspiration for so many - in the light of being a follower of Jesus – God who became flesh and dwelt among us, light of the world, and our Creator – ourselves and all else as well having been made through Him.

“Endowed”: “to provide with something freely or naturally” as a meaning my Merriam-Webster dictionary states.  So, according to the preamble, this is how as people we are provisioned by our Creator.  This is what we are equipped with as we enter the world, by our Creator – according to the preamble.   Endowed with what?

Endowed with unalienable rights.  “Unalienable”: “incapable of being alienated (separated from us), surrendered or transferred” – again, according to my Merriam Webster dictionary.  So, we enter this world equipped with these rights, which we cannot be separated from us, and which even we ourselves cannot surrender – according to the preamble.   Rights which cannot be denied to us because we enter this world endowed, equipped with them by our Creator, or so as the preamble proclaims.   Millions believe.

As followers of Jesus, God’s word regarding these rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should matter to us.  Let us take these rights in order – the right to “life” first.

Recall and hear what Jesus explained to Nicodemus long ago in that Judean night:  “for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (The gospel of John 3:17-18).   From the beginning it is recorded in Genesis 2 how God explained to the father and mother of all humanity what would be the result of disobedience: …in the day you eat of it you “shall surely die”.  They disobeyed and died.  We have a share in the consequence.  We enter this world with the burden of that consequence – spiritually dead, though upright and kicking.   As Ephesians chapter 2 reminds us, we have all disobeyed as well and are “dead in our trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1) and, “…by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Eph. 2:3b).   So, to say that we enter this world endowed by and equipped by our Creator with life is an affront to God’s word and raises humanity to a level of speaking for God.  God has told us that we enter this world “dead in our sins” and “condemned already”.  

But, praise be to our Father God - that is not the end of the story!   For, He sent His Son.  Even as Ephesians 2:4 continues:  “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive with Christ…”.    There is a right to life that our Creator offers to us.  As John 1:12-13 declares:  “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”   The true right to life is conditional according to our Creator.  Not endowed.  It is only for those who choose to receive God the Son and believe in His name.  We are all given opportunity and access to this life from God.  But, we do not come equipped with it.  It involves a choice. 

What we come equipped with as we enter this world is the consequence of sin – death.  God offers us life.  We do not have life because of the “will of man” – so, we cannot loftily state our will, in the insolence of man, that we are “endowed with the right to life” and expect it to be so, just because we say so, usurping the position of God.  Yet our Father God, rich in mercy, offers life to us and the right to become His child, if we receive His Son and believe on Him.   This is far different from the usurping humanism of the preamble and it makes all the difference for all eternity.

As regards liberty, the important liberty to be considered is that which is found in Christ.  Unfortunately, I believe that this is not the liberty which most people who read the preamble have in mind.  

Here is the liberty our Father God declares for us who belong to Him from Romans 8: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:1,2).  And, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15).   We arrive in this world enslaved to sin.  Until we are set free by our Savior, we have no true liberty, though we proclaim so.

“Proclaim liberty throughout the land” in Leviticus 25:10, in its context was a means for God to provide for redemption of property in the year of Jubilee to prevent the utter ruin of debtors and remedy the evils of destitution and exhausting toil, showing the heart of God in allowing for order and kindness in the administration of those who belong to Him – and not referring primarily to the throwing off of one form of governance for another.  

When it comes to the “pursuit of happiness”, we as followers of Jesus must see that it is granted to us by our Father God as a consequence of a right relationship with Him.  That is, it flows to us naturally out of this relationship.  Psalm 16: 8-9 is an expression of this dynamic:  “I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.”  And Ps. 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” 

The world constantly screams that we have the right to the pursuit of happiness wherever our desires lead – loving and practicing lies, sexual immorality and whatever we deem necessary for happiness, regardless of the laws of God and His purposes for us.  “Getting an abortion will make me happy.”  “It’s ok to lie on this resume – because it’ll help me get the job, which will make me happy.”   “Seducing my neighbor will take my mind off my troubles and make me happy.”  “After all, I am endowed by my creator with an unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness.”  Are we endowed by our Creator with the right to pursue happiness however we are pleased to do so apart from the purpose and will of God for our lives?  No. 

The rights and liberties we have enjoyed in our nation for so many years are blessings granted to us by our Father God, which He has been pleased to grant to us in keeping with His purposes and according to the honor given to Him by so many for so long.  These rights and liberties are blessings and not endowments.  If we choose not to honor God any longer as a nation, our blessings can be removed by He who has given them to us.   God has demonstrated this time and again among the nations and among His people as we see in history and in His word.  I earnestly want to see wholesale humble repentance by those who belong to the Lord in the church and in our nation and culture that the blessings of the Lord may flow to us.   For we have the declaration of the Lord:

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD – Psalm 33:12

Sadly, we are not earnestly repenting wholesale in our nation.

If we have been complicit in celebrating and raising humanism to a lofty plateau, usurping the voice of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us, we must repent.  Our Father God declares in Revelation 22:14 the fate of those who choose His way, and those who choose their own pursuit of happiness:  “Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.  Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” 

We are not endowed with the right to the pursuit of happiness wherever that may lead.  Happiness flows from our choice of God and His way in our life or not.  I pray that all within hearing distance will choose to flee to the One who declared Himself to be the “bread of life” – offering true satisfaction.  Repenting of our past misdeeds and disobedience, we must shun the world and its ways and learn from Him who offers a more “abundant life”. 

Humanity stands in desperate need of a Savior.  We have One.

Thanks be to our Father God!  For He has sent His Son to be our Savior!

So thankful for my Savior Jesus,

Yours in Him,

Jim B.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD – Psalm 33:12

- "LET THERE BE" - ... A Creation Poem

- "IDENTIFYING WITH JESUS" -

Identifying with Jesus

First there was Tebowmania. Then there was Linsanity.  This refers to a time when Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin were both playing in the Pros.   But, the principle is as timely as ever.   Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin became sensations in pro sports because of their strong Christian beliefs.

Both have said in interviews that they have learned not to obsess about stats and championships, such things as: “I’m not working hard and practicing day in and day out so that I can please other people. My audience is God. ... The right way to play is not for others and not for myself, but for God. I still don’t fully understand what that means; I struggle with these things every game, every day. I’m still learning to be selfless and submit myself to God and give up my game to Him.”

Lin uses his social media platforms to spread the Word.

His Twitter account's description is, "to know Him is to want to know Him more." His account's avatar depicts Jesus telling a young man, "No, I'm not just talking about Twitter. I literally want you to follow me." His Facebook page quotes Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

These men are examples of sharing their beliefs even when it is not easy – taking on pressure from the media and adding even more pressure to the fourth quarter of their play, but taking it on because of their love for the Lord.

“And they conquered him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” - Rev. 12:11

Look, dear brother and sister - Our Father God has a beautiful offer, but our neighbors are blind, stumbling in darkness and simply can't see it. Our Father's offer is a many splendored thing, a brilliant and sunny day that our neighbors cannot see - without us sharing.

Let's Be Real... How about us? Are we sharing that beautiful offer from our Lord in our workplace? To our neighbors? Are we walking in a manner that humbles ourselves and brings honor to our Lord? Are we real in our identity with and relationship with our Lord?

Yours in Jesus,
Jim

- "SEEKING GOD'S FACE" -

Seeking God’s Face

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14

Since moving back to Oregon from Colorado, I have had opportunity to restore relationships with people that I have not seen for many, many years - people that had heard of or had been hurt directly by my sins and disobedience to the Lord when I stepped far away from Him some years back.  I broke my Father God’s heart as I broke all of His laws, written on my heart – all of them.  I had sinned greatly and acted foolishly, including lies and adulteries, and I participated in abortion, which is murder.

Returning to the Lord has meant confessing sin and dying to myself. It is sometimes about as natural and pleasant as pulling a lodged and barbed fishhook out of our flesh. But overcoming and finding a restored relationship with the Lord is worth it – and brings light and fullness of joy to a repentant heart. The Lord is full of mercy and steadfast love.

I have had the joy of witnessing my dear friend from childhood unconditionally loving me and accepting my repentance.

The Lord prompted me to go look up another old friend, whom I hadn’t seen for many, many years - an aging elder in a local Korean Presbyterian Church – who, along with his wife had always been an encouragement to me as I witnessed their faithful love for the Lord and others. I found myself making excuses – I have projects… tomorrow will be better. Yeah, tomorrow. But the Lord was not prompting me to go tomorrow. I loaded myself into my Jeep and headed for his custom tailor shop, having heard that he was still in business there. It was a precious time! I did not stay long – but long enough for me to admit I had sinned, that the Lord has rescued me, and pray with Him. I witnessed to the Lord’s faithfulness in our lives and not giving up on us. There were heartfelt hugs and fullness of joy all around. It was the fruit of a simple act of obedience. This good time could never have been without my obedience.

What does it mean to seek God's face? What is in a face? If you pay close attention to someone's face you can see a lot of things. In their eyes you can see if they are at peace. In their countenance you can see if they are happy, sad, mad, scared, or indifferent. You can tell what they think about you. When you are seeking God's face you are seeking His heart and His mind. You are interested in what He is thinking. You are seeking Him straight up and are willing to obey – if you were not willing to obey, you would avoid His face, His gaze. But, by being willing to obey, you can expectantly look for His approval and support.

Our first inclination is often seeking God’s hands. We seek what God can do for us. Our prayers of… please heal, please give, please fix.....

In order to seek God's face we often need to step out of our comfort zone. We have to be ready to accept anything that God reveals to us. We often have to let go of things that are near and dear to us – mainly ourselves and be willing to die to ourselves.

We can't come face to face with God unless we are repentant of our sins. Not only do we need to be repentant, we need to be AWARE of our sins. We need to find out from Him what things in our lives are displeasing to Him. Then we need to get rid of them. We can't hang on to things that He tells us are bad and expect to an approving gaze from Him.

In humbling ourselves we have to let go of those things that are important to us. We have to face the fact that everything we are and everything we have are because of Him. In ourselves, we have nothing that is of any value. We have done nothing in ourselves that will withstand the test of time. NOTHING!

We are in a society that is self-oriented. Everything is me, me, me. We are not going to find God with that attitude. We have to let go. We have to find out what we do that is wicked in God's eyes and remove that from our lives. He tells us in Galatians 6:2-10 …

2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. - Galatians 6:2-10 (English Standard Version - ESV)

Our nation will not naturally seek God's face. It is painful to the flesh and a heart of stone. We need revival. But it is not just our unbelieving neighbors who need revival. Us believers do too. We need to set an example... But, it is much easier to read the scripture, listen to a sermon, sing hymns and think that by doing that only, we are seeking His face, than it is to actually apply that scripture and sermon and in obedience seek His face.

We lament, "If only our nation would once again turn and seek His face..." But it needs to begin with us believers - "If my people.." Our nation needs the example - but that seeking is painful to the flesh and often involves dying to ourselves. So, we put it off for "tomorrow". And if we do not set the example, how can we lament that our nation does not?

Are you hungry for more? Are you hungry for a real relationship with Him? Let go of yourself - find out what He is telling you.

We need to respond to this question: "Is there a step of obedience that I need to take today in order to be seeking His face?

Yours in Jesus,
Jim

- "RECEIVING JESUS & WELCOMING CORRECTION" -

Receiving Jesus – and Welcoming Correction

John 1:12 reads: "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

Receiving Jesus means that when Jesus offers himself to us, we welcome him into our life for who He is.

When He comes to us as Savior, we welcome His salvation.

When He comes to us as Leader, we welcome His leadership.

When He comes to us as Provider, we welcome His provision.

When He comes to us as Counselor, we welcome His counsel.

When He comes to us as Protector, we welcome His protection.

When He comes to us as Authority, we welcome His authority.

When He comes to us as King, we welcome His rule.

When He comes to us as a Corrector, we welcome His correction.

Welcome correction.   Sometimes our Lord uses His family to draw things to our attention.  And, I thank Him for it.  And, I am thankful to be a part of the family of God.

Dear brothers and sisters – Let’s welcome our beautiful Lord readily into every area of our lives – Let’s Get Real.

Receiving Jesus means taking Jesus into our lives for who He is. It does not mean a kind of peaceful co-existence with a Christ who makes no claims — as though He can stay in the house as long as He doesn't play His music so loud.

When Jesus preached in Nazareth in Luke 4:16ff., the people received him gladly. It says in Luke 4:22, "All spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." But a few verses later it says in Luke 4:28 they were "filled with wrath" and tried to throw him down from a cliff. They were happy to receive Him while they were hearing words that pleased them. But when their pride was pricked, they rejected Him. Receiving Jesus means taking him into our lives - (our home, our school, our work, our marriage, our dreams) for who He really is.

Next look at John 5:43-44, where "receive" and believe" are used again in close connection the way they are in 1:12. "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?"

Do you see what verse 44 implies about believing? It implies that we can't believe in Jesus if we love the praise and glory of men - if we only want to accept praise and glory and are unwilling to accept correction.  This means that receiving Him and believing is so contrary to pride and self-exaltation that it involves a deep humbling. It means abandoning the craving for human praise, and caring more about the praise of God.

Yours in Jesus,

Jim

- A FEW OBSERVATIONS REGARDING JOB -

Regarding JOB…

42 chapters in Job as organized in our modern Bible…

                        2 chapters are an Introduction, setting the stage.

                        Job’s responses take up 25 chapters.

                        Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar combined have 9 chapters.

                        Elihu speaks in 6 chapters.  (The LORD did not rebuke Elihu for what he spoke.)

                        The LORD speaks in 4 chapters.

                        1 chapter is a mix of Job’s confession, the LORD’s rebuke and the conclusion.

Job speaks directly in nearly 60% of Job.  The LORD speaks directly in about 9.5% of Job.  The LORD is quick to listen, slow to speak, and PATIENT. 

The LORD’s anger burned against Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar because they did not speak what is right regarding the LORD.

Yet, what Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar said seemed so reasonable to me at times!   I have had to recognize that I have often thought wrong of the LORD and without understanding – and found myself repenting.   As Daniel declares, our Father God is the “Ancient of Days” – an eternal Father cloaked in mysteries so often beyond the reach of my imagination.   

I am so thankful to our Father God that He sent His Son, that we might know Him.  As John declares in the first chapter of his Gospel: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  No one has ever seen God (The Father); the only God (The One and Only, God the Son), who is at the Father’s side, He (The Son) has made Him (The Father) known.”  

Job speaks honestly.  “Let the day perish on which I was born” (Job 3:3).   He tells his friends: “miserable comforters are you all” (Job 16:2).   

Job poses the question: “how can a man be in the right before God?” (Job 9:2).   And, maintains his faith: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself and my eyes shall behold, and not another” (Job 19:25-27).

The LORD questions Job: “Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?” (Job 40:8b).   After the LORD points out wonders from His creation, and how He sees and cares for all, including creatures to the stars of the heavens, Job humbly comes around and answers the LORD in recognition: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).  “I have uttered what I did not understand…therefore I despise myself and repent…” (Job 42: 3-6).

When Elihu poses the question so apropos to authorities in our current culture: “Shall one who hates justice govern?” (Job 34:17), we are reminded regarding our Father God: “For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all His steps…He strikes them for their wickedness in a place for all to see, because they turned aside from following Him and had no regard for any of His ways…”  (Job 34:21-27)   In His timing, may it be so!

The LORD gives us a marvelous peak behind the curtain during creation when He asks Job: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  …  when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38: 4-7).

When Job laments: “Oh that my words were written!  Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!” (Job 19:23) … At that moment, Job did not realize that his words would indeed be inscribed in the Word of God for eternity!  For, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).