Tag: Church

Does the Church Fulfill the Promises to Israel?

On By TimIn Church, Israel, Psalm 105Leave a comment

O offspring of Abraham, His servant,
O children of Jacob, His chosen ones.

Psalm 105:6

Supersessionism cannot be true. I know that is going to irk some. Yes… The New Testament does call believers as the seed of Abraham… And the seed of Isaac. But it never calls all believers the seed of Jacob it Israel.

It is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel, nor are they all children because they are descendants of Abraham, but “In Isaac shall your descendants be called.” So those who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. For this is the word of promise, “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.”  Romans 9:6–9

Psalm 105:6

Descendants of Jacob also descend from Isaac and Abraham. But not all who call Abraham and Isaac as fathers can call Jacob the same. Just as Jewish folk descend from Judah who came from Jacob.

Gentiles are not the children of Jacob, physically nor spiritually. This is important to grasp. Jacob is called Israel by God… Abraham is not Israel, nor is Isaac.

I am going to split hairs even further… The term Jewish derives from Judah and is not synonymous with Israel. Judah is a son of Israel, and Jewish people are a subset of Israelis. Not all Israelis are Jewish.

The Psalmist helps us to grasp this very important point.

He remembers His covenant forever,
the word that He commanded, to a thousand generations,
that covenant He made with Abraham,
and His oath to Isaac,
and confirmed to Jacob as a decree,
and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,
saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as the portion of your inheritance.” Psalm 105:8–11

Psalm 105:6

The promise was made to Abraham. But not all of his descendants inherited Canaan. The promise was extended to Isaac. But not all of the descendants of Isaac inherit the Land. The promise was confirmed to Jacob. Only those from Jacob inherit the Land.

Again, this means that not all of the descendants of Abraham are Israeli. Nor are all of the progeny of Isaac. Only Israelis are descended from Jacob.

What does that mean?

Well… There is yet a future for Israel. Because the promises to Jacob have not yet been fulfilled. And the universal church does not qualify to fulfill them. As the Psalm rightly declares, the inheritance of Israel is the land.

Understand, Christians are heirs of God, too. We are co-heirs with Jesus Christ. God’s inheritance is His people Israel. (See Deuteronomy 32:8–9.) A Christian’s inheritance is not earthly., either.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3–5

Psalm 105:6

There is a distinct purpose for the church, to prevail against the gates of Hell. Tuis is an offensive posture, meaning the enemy is defeated and we work to reclaim creation for God. If you are a Christian, rejoice that God wants you to work with Him in reaching the world.

The universal church does not supersede Israel. It does not replace Israel. The church is not “spiritual Israel.” It is not the fulfillment of Israel or their purpose. Even though no distinction exists between Jews and Greeks. Any can be saved and be a part of the Church, but that does not make one Jewish or Israeli.

The distinct purpose for the church is to go into the world and make disciples. There will be a time when that mission is complete. There will no longer be a need for the Gentile church. What happens then?

The time of grace through mercy is gone… And grace through judgment comes upon the whole world. Do not wait to get right with God, mercy is available now. Judgment comes swiftly… And there may be no respite from it as there is now.

Israel Exists Today That All Things Shall be Fulfilled

On By TimIn Ezekiel 38, Israel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

After many days you shall be called. In the latter years you shall come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered out of many peoples, against the mountains of Israel which had been always a waste. But its people were brought out of the nations, and they, all of them, are dwelling safely. You shall ascend and come like a storm; you shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.

Ezekiel 38:8–9

You may have been tricked into believing that the modern nation of Israel has nothing to do with the Bible. You may think that it is not the same Israel that received the promises of God through the prophets. And those promises have transferred somehow to the church. (I hold very loosely onto the idea of a universal church, preferring the more precise body of Christ.) That text should upend that trickery. God has a purpose for the Israel that exists today.

After the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the troops of the prince who shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall come with a flood. And until the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:26

I will tell you that Israel is here to fulfill all things. Right now, there is a pause after the seven and sixty-two weeks. Messiah was cut off, and God set aside His dealings with Israel. That is the war of desolations, as Jewish people are spread throughout the nations and suffer persecution upon persecution. The desolation ends with the rebuilding of Israel as a nation.

They shall build the old ruins;
they shall raise up the former desolations,
and they shall repair the waste cities,
the desolations of many generations.

Isaiah 61:4

While the Bible details some instances of persecution before Jesus, the desolation for Israelis increased dramatically after the death of Jesus. It is just as the timeline in this wiki shows. The world now nears the end of this war of desolations. This is easily discerned by the establishment of the modern nation of Israel as Jewish folk migrate there amidst a cultural resurgence of anti-Zionism.

For any skeptic to speak credibly on Modern Israel, it is necessary to read, understand, and know Daniel 9:21–27.

As with Daniel, all prophets spoke the promises of God to the nation of Israel. It behooves one to know these were to, for, and about Israel. There would be judgment by diaspora or scattering among the Gentile nations. Many of them wrote of wrath and judgments coming on the nation of Israel. This alone ought to be one of those massive differences to show that the church did not supersede Israel.

Those prophecies of judgment also included God’s promises as the end of the age nears. That is to regather all of the tribes of Israel into the Promised Land. This will be by Jesus establishing one fold under Davidic rule. He will remove the infidels in the Land Himself, fulfilling the land covenant. Nevertheless, He will rule from David’s throne.

As people alive today, we witness the hand of God move. For over 80 years, Jewish people have been drawn to Israel. Whole families continue to relocate to live in Israel. This gathering signals that the end of the war of desolations is near. Yes, the Israel that exists today consists of those being gathered into the land. Just as the prophets told, this will be in unbelief.

Gather together, yes, gather together,
O shameless nation,
before the decree takes effect,
before the day passes like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you.
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who carry out His judgment.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Zephaniah 2:1–3

In this passage, Israelis are encouraged to gather together and believe before judgment comes. What is inferred is that those who are gathered are being gathered in disbelief. And this is before the day of the Lord’s anger. That last phrase is a nod to Jacob’s Trouble, what most call The Tribulation. Israel is gathered together before that. Do note the veiled hint referenced, “perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the Lord’s anger.” This is a hint to the rapture, of which I have written before.

It is established that Israel is regathered in unbelief. This was foretold before it happened. Then other texts signal that the end of the war of desolations is near. Here is one:

The oracle of the word of the Lord against Israel.
Thus says the Lord, the One who stretches out the heavens and establishes the earth and forms the spirit of man within him: I am going to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling before all the surrounding nations. And when there is a siege against Judah, it is also against Jerusalem. And it will be on that day that I will set Jerusalem as a weighty stone to all the peoples. All who carry it will surely gash themselves, and all the nations of the land will be gathered against it. On that day I will strike every horse with confusion and its rider with madness, but for the house of Judah I will keep My eyes open although I will strike with blindness every horse of the peoples. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, “There is strength for us with those residing in Jerusalem by the Lord of Hosts, their God.”
On that day I will set Judah like a fiery pot among wood and as a flaming torch among cut grain. And they will devour to the right and left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem will still reside in her place, the place of Jerusalem. The Lord will deliver the tents of Judah as before, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of those dwelling in Jerusalem will not eclipse Judah. On that day the Lord will defend those residing in Jerusalem; and even the one who stumbles among them will be as David on that day. And the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going out before them. On that day I will seek to destroy all the nations who come out against Jerusalem.
And I will pour out on the house of David and over those dwelling in Jerusalem a spirit of favor and supplication so that they look to Me, whom they have pierced through. And they will mourn over him as one mourns for an only child and weep bitterly over him as a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as that of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land will mourn with each family by itself: the family of the house of David by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by themselves, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by themselves, and their wives also by themselves; and all the families that remain, each by itself and their wives by themselves.

Zechariah 12:1–14

As Israel is regathered, the existence of the nation clearly troubles the entire world. That reality exists today. All one has to do is watch a nightly news broadcast to see the inundating tidal wave of antisemitism that is sweeping the United States. Yes, that was prophesied to happen, and it is. God does indeed know the beginning from the end.

Sadly, some of you may be around to witness what else is going to happen; though anyone may change that reality anytime they want to do so before it occurs, just by believing in Jesus. Yes, there is going to be a siege of Jerusalem. Yes, Israel will do the impossible and turn back the invaders. It will also be clear that it was God who did the real work in that.

Something happens to the people as they witness God move to save them. Israel comes to their senses on that day. They will mourn the God they pierced. The questions to ask, “When did (or really, does) Israel pierce Jehovah?”

For the ones paying attention, the Tanakh plainly declares that Jesus is Jehovah.

It has not occurred yet, so it must be in the future. This is sometimes hard to hear; the future of the world is Israeli in nature.

God judges Israel. God helps Israel. God blesses Israel. Israel turns to God. Israel mourns their actions. Israel is restored to all of the land promised… From the river to the sea. It is not Palestine, it is Israel.

Yes, they do reject Jesus Christ. Which was also prophesied. There was a famine that began with the ministry of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago.

The time is coming, says the Lord God,
when I will send a famine on the land,
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.
They will wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they will run back and forth to seek the word of the Lord,
but they will not find it.

Amos 8:11–12

This famine in Israel of hearing the word of the Lord is nearing an end. The world is racing toward the inevitable war with invaders coming down from space. That is their narrative. The Bible student knows the reality.

I saw heaven opened. And there was a white horse. He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written, that no one knows but He Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood. His name is called The Word of God. The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Out of His mouth proceeds a sharp sword, with which He may strike the nations. “He shall rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury and wrath of God the Almighty.

Revelation 19:11–15

We live in interesting times indeed.

Oft Misused Scripture: Abraham’s Seed

On By TimIn Galatians 03, Israel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.  Galatians 3:26–29

The Gospel of John opens with, among other things, the declaration of the right God has extended to those who believe.

Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  John 1:12–13

Sons of God are direct creations of God. Adam is correctly called the son of God. Angels are the sons of God. Since the resurrection of Jesus, believers are sons of God. They are new creations, born of the Holy Spirit. Hence, Paul addresses believers correctly in Galatians as sons of God, as New Testament believers are indeed sons of the Most High.

The fact of divine parentage has been around since the beginning. Jesus cited it to those who did not believe in His claims, “My Father and I are One.” They wanted to stone Him because He claimed to be God. Yes, Jesus claimed to be God. Much more than just being One of divine parentage. Hete is how He put it.

Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If He called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken, do you say of Him, whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? John 10:34–36

Divine parentage is limited to Adam and angels in the Tanakh. But Jesus opened that right to anyone who would apprehend eternal life and believe.

Being baptized into Christ is not water baptism. It is the baptism of the Spirit where believers put on Christ.

But you did not learn about Christ in this manner, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:  that you put off the former way of life in the old nature, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new nature, which was created according to God in righteousness and true holiness.  Ephesians 4:20–24

The new nature is a new creation of God, through His Spirit. This is the one baptism that saves.

Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Being new creations, there is no more division between Jew or goyim, slave or free, even male or female. It is unity in Jesus Christ, just as there is a Unity in the Godhead.

But here comes the twist… We are Abraham’s seed. This is the portion that is often misused. It has been part of many church bodies for centuries. Israel ceased to be a nation; one could see how that error could be easily embraced. May 14, 1948, changed that.

Being Abraham’s seed is not being the New or True Israel. That is error. The $10 word for it is supersessionism; it is commonly called replacement or fulfillment theology. And it hangs on the misinterpretation of this verse.

Here is why it is wrong theology.

Abraham had his own children. One of whom is Isaac. God reaffirmed the covenant He made with Abraham to Isaac in Genesis 26. Isaac had two sons, Esau, the firstborn, and Jacob, his twin brother. God chose Jacob to have the blessing and reaffirmed the covenant He made with Abraham and Isaac to Jacob. In Genesis 28 Jacob learns of this by dream. God then changes Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 32. Finally, He reaffirms the covenant to Jacob (Israel) in Genesis 35. This is the promise to Israel.

The Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, to you will I give it and to your descendants. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and in your descendants all the families of the earth will be blessed. Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.”  Genesis 28:13–15

This should be full stop.

If believers are Abraham’s seed, they are not Jacob’s seed. The covenant promise went from Abraham to Isaac. It did not go to Ishmael. The covenant promise was extended by God from Abraham to Isaac and then to Jacob, not Esau.

It does not go to the New Testament church, either. Not many of the saints are Jacob’s seed; they are Gentiles. Ishmael and Esau are Abraham’s seed; they are not part of the covenant promise, either. The covenant promise still remains with Israel. God has not extended it to anyone else. It is not superseded nor broken.

God’s promise to Abraham’s seed…

Through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”  Genesis 22:18

Gentile believers are blessed because Jesus Christ came through the seed of Abraham, then Isaac, and then Israel. Faith in Jesus gives us eternal life and the power to become sons of God by new birth!

Believers are blessed and are heirs of Abraham through that Seed who is Jesus Christ. Believers are not Israel; they do not inherit God’s promises to Israel or even Abraham. Israel retains the everlasting land and dynasty of both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. Neither of these has been fulfilled. And they will not until Jesus returns at the end of the age.

This is why Israel is such a most-contested issue for the world. It must not be so for Christianity. Yet, there is a real satanic spirit working in the world. Ignorance and deception that have overcome unbelievers have seduced some Christians. It is not prudent that other Christians have been steeped in fulfillment theologies and embrace the deception that modern Israel is not the nation of God’s blessing. Even though He promised Israel to gather them back!

Remember, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.” Genesis 28:15

Why would there be such demonic vitriol for modern Israel if it was not part of God’s plan?

There have been many historical mistreatments of Jewish people. Many of those had ultimate plans of annihilating the Jewish people completely. Most of my generation still remembers the horrors of the Holocaust. We know the evil of genocide through first-hand accounts. Though it is sadly becoming fashionable to deny or downplay what the National Socialists of Germany did. Yes, Naziism is socialism.

These antisemitic things are purely satanic. There is no other word for it. The endgame is to try to thwart these covenant promises by eliminating God’s people. If they were to succeed, it would ultimately result in stopping the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus does not come back until Israel… Yes, Israel and not a remnant of New Testament saints… Calls “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.” (That is in Luke 13:22–35.)

If Jesus does not come back, He does not fulfill either the Abrahamic or Davidic covenants. As if such a thing is even possible. Nevertheless, the enemy thinks he can and gathers as many as are willing to his side.

Being Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise means that believers share in Abraham’s faith and blessing. And the ultimate object of that is Jesus Christ. It does not mean that believers share in Israel’s national promises by inheritance. (Those God affirmed with and extended to Isaac and Jacob.)

New Testament saints receive the spiritual seed blessings according to the promise. These saints are not heirs to the promises themselves, but as the text precisely delineates… According to the promise.

Israel receives the earthly kingdom promises when Jesus returns. The nation itself is Jesus’ inheritance (see Deuteronomy 32:8-9.) New Testament saints inherit what Jesus inherits. Which means that there will then be One Shepherd and one sheepfold.

Are You Counted Worthy to Escape?

On By TimIn Rapture, Revelation 03Leave a comment

Because you have kept My word of patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:10

This is the promise Jesus makes to the church at Philadelphia. He says He will keep these faithful from a time when all the Earth will be tested. What could that ever be?

Well, there are many today who try to deny reality. They say that there is no rapture, just the return of Jesus. Others mock it by calling it a secret thing. There are those that say it is a recent invention, and that our Hope is just escapism generated by Tim LaHaye’s “Left Behind.” What they all have in common is starting with the necessary startling reality of the rapture. Then they attempt to debunk it.

To them I ask, “What did Jesus mean when He said He would keep the Philadelphians from the hour of temptation that is going to come to the entire world?

I say the escape is real! Jesus taught it, if you know how and where to look, it is plain. He told the Philadelphians they would be kept from it. So what is it?

“Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts become burdened by excessiveness and drunkenness and anxieties of life, and that Day comes on you unexpectedly. For as a snare it will come on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luke 21:34–35

What day comes as a snare unexpectedly?

And the day comes to all those on the face of the whole Earth. Reading for context in Luke 21, clearly Jesus is speaking of the events of the end of the age. Specifically to Jewish people who asked about their end and when Jesus would return. That conversation began with a simple observation.

As some spoke of how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, He said, “As for these things which you see, the days will come when not one stone shall be left on another that will not be thrown down.”
They asked Him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when this is about to happen?”

Luke 21:5–7

What follows as Jesus begins to answer, is clearly a time of testing before the end. One that is very Jewish in nature. False Messiahs come, wars, rumors of wars, famine, and pestilence. And those are just the start. The words of Jesus in Luke 21:8–11 clearly track with the very things John describes in Revelation 6:1–8.

Jesus then goes on to warn of coming persecution to the Jewish people in Luke 21:12–19. This tracks with later parts of the book of Revelation when the whoke world assails Israel.

Where in Revelation chapter 6, John provides a macro-level outline of events if that Day. Jesus also warns of the trampling of Jerusalem by Gentiles. While the latter may seem to have happened in AD 70, I consider that just the beginning of the time of Gentiles.

When considering the times we live in, Jerusalem is not a wholly Israeli city. It is still a contested with a significant Gentile population vying for rule. The nation of Israel controls east Jerusalem. That marks a significant shift from complete Gentile rule. The trend shows a waning Gentile control, and the foreshadows of that Day of complete Israeli control are perceived today.

Likewise, the recent rise of antisemitism becomes more pressing seemingly daily. People do not even understand their own participation in it. If Jewish folk are going to experience unprecedented persecution in that Day, it follows, that like waning Gentile control of Jerusalem, it would ramp up.

These are the precursors of what is going to happen in that Day that cast shadows on us today.

As the high-level view continues in John 6:9–16, events unfold to a seminal event. That climax is the return of Jesus Christ to Earth to rescue Israel. The fear leading up to that moment is palpable, as men hide themselves knowing the wrath of God is at hand.

“There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:25–27

Remember the question the disciples poaed to Jesus, “(W)hat will be the sign when this is about to happen?”

The precision is important to note, it is not when this would happen, but about to happen. His answer follows all of the really testing things He described.

When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:28

The sign is when these things begin to happen. I contend that we are clearly experiencing the beginning of those things. As such, our first expectation should be directed up, toward Jesus, and not forward to what is happening on Earth.

So when Jesus says to Philadelphia, they will be kept from the hour of temptation, it is clear what that hour is. Jesus also said that time comes as a surprise to all on Earth. Doesn’t it follow that those who expect these signs would not be surprised?

Which means, by Jesus’ words, they are not on the Earth… Right?

I am one that knows Paul had the privilege of revealing the mystery of the Rapture. He did not invent it. Neither did Darby. It was always in parts of the Tanakh, and even present in the things Jesus spoke and taught.

This time of testing is NOT for believers… It is for unbelievers. Some of those unbelievers clearly begin to believe during it. But as is shown, today’s believers expect the unprecedented time. It won’t be a surprise at all. Because they have heard the promises of Jesus and are already not present.

Therefore watch always and pray that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Luke 21:36

The question that should press on your conscience… Are you counted worthy to escape?

Doing Church in the Last Times

On By TimIn 1 Timothy 04, Church, Last DaysLeave a comment

Now the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their consciences seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and not to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:1–5

Paul reveals this message is explicitly given by the Holy Spirit, so that there is no question about its veracity. He never reveals how he received the message.

Paul left prophetic clues. These clues were for the last times. Times here is plural, and that is precision that reveals these are both present concerns for Timothy, and yet future ones to come. Even in Timothy’s time, some were already departing from the faith. The departure comes by seduction and lies, and is spiritual in nature.

The seducing doctrines come from those who speak lies in hypocrisy. Devils do that. But some men do that, too. Let me ask you… Do you believe what your teachers teach you, even if it is vaguely Biblical?

I am going to tell you that there are a plethora of seminary graduates who don’t believe what they teach. Some are up front about it. Others hide it. (Here is an example.)

If you read through that person’s testimony, the words of Paul come to life. There are some of these in churches today. If they do not believe, who knows what lies they are speaking in that hypocrisy. They pretend for a paycheck. Jesus had a word to describe these hirelings.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. But he who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and runs away. So the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep.

John 10:11–13

I do not believe there is such a thing as an ex-Christian or former Christian. Jesus is clear, these were never ever believers. Yet some of them get into seminaries. In the experience of the seminary, one would think these would eventually become believers. But the Word of God has a dual purpose.

“Jesus cried out, “He who believes in Me believes not only in Me, but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 *I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not remain in darkness.
If anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him. The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. I know that His command is eternal life. Therefore what I say, I say as the Father tells me.”

John 12:44–50

It would be appropriate to describe the one who does not believe, even though they put in the time and money going through seminary, as having a seared conscience. I would think that such people would have a difficult time discerning truth and, therefore, what is moral.

The forbidding to marry is not too hard to discern today. There is no indication of who forbids people from marrying, but marriage has become quite broadened. Many young folks prefer the hook-up culture for fun. They also selfishly pursue a career before the entertainment of marriage. Isn’t that like forbidding it?

That is a cultural practice. But there are major Christian traditions that forbid marriage for pastors. Both Catholicism and the Orthodox church forbid clergy to marry. The clergy in those traditions are most often seminarians. Given this text, I think that ought to be a glaring indicator of concern.

That abstinence from certain foods is easy. Check out this blog post from The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development. Look at the attempt to use the Ten Commandments to teach Christians not to eat meat. Some of you might think… What’s wrong with that?

Well, God established certain things to be eaten and received with thanksgiving.

Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. I give you everything, just as I gave you the green plant.

Genesis 9:3

Whatever we eat is sanctified by giving thanks. It is not to be refused.

Paul was a doctrine guy. He warned of the false doctrines that had already crept into the body during his time. The hint would be that it would get worse. With that, the descriptions of hypocrisy, seared conscience, and forbidding of things would be the hallmarks of the unbelievers that would creep into the church as teachers. One that he expands upon in his second epistle. He gives explicit words to discern the last days.

Know this: In the last days perilous times will come. Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, slanderers, unrestrained, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Turn away from such people.

2 Timothy 3:1–5

People will be lovers of themselves. Is not that evident in the culture today? I mean, people wait to satisfy their own desires before marrying. They pursue me-time. Concerns of others come after I take care of myself. Yes, it is hard not to get caught up in the zeitgeist. People pursue lofty careers. They boast of their pursuits with letters appended to their names. Social media is the place for most to boast.

This pride leads to blasphemy. It denies God. Don’t get me started on how the kids these days do not honor their parents, and it happens in Christian circles. I get it. Parent wounds are often the most difficult to reconcile. Without attempting to heal these with the Holy Spirit, they often become those entry points, the topos, the Bible says that the enemy exploits.

To see the unthankful, unholy, those with no natural affection, trucebreakers, slanderers, unrestrained, fierce, despisers of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure… Just pick a protest today. Listen to the words, watch the actions. It is plain. They tend to exploit godliness as to why they are protesting. Some have no clue why they are protesting, but claim some spirituality. These have no real clue Who He is or what He is like.

Our current culture indicates we are in the last days now. Paul does not stop with his lessons to Timothy about the last times, and especially the last days.

For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, having itching ears, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths.

2 Timothy 4:3–4

People won’t endure sound doctrine. That means that churches correct the way they reach the culture. In the last decades, seeker sensitivity was the term. It has become so ubiquitous that old-school pastors are fired and replaced with a younger, often more culturally sensitive type. These may not necessarily be seminarians. Nevertheless, the goal is to have teachings that cater to the desires of the people. I mean, nobody wants to be offended, so bend the truth a bit to make it palatable. What is the inevitable end of such?

They turn away from truth toward myths. I know this is hard to read. But what does one do?

I consider the seven epistles Jesus dictated to John as a panorama of church ages. That is, each letter typifies the style of church that would be prevalent as time progresses. There is a natural division in the epistles; the first three are for the early church. Those types of churches really are not typical in modern times. That division happens at the epistles to Thyatira. There are clues, such as the specific mention of an end-times indicator, the great tribulation.

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: “The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like fine brass, says these things: I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience, and that your last works are more than the first.
“But I have a few things against you: You permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, but she did not repent. Look! I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will put her children to death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the hearts and minds. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
“Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this teaching, who have not known what some call the ‘depths of Satan,’ I will put on you no other burden. But hold firmly what you have until I come.
“To him who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, I will give authority over the nations—
He ‘shall rule them with a rod of iron; like the vessels of a potter they shall be broken in pieces’— even as I myself have received authority from My Father. And I will give him the morning star.

Revelation 2:18–28

The second indicator is the change in placement of a certain phrase.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 2:29

This becomes the final exhortation Jesus gives to those caught up in that type of church. Coupled together, these indicate a change. To those who do not hold to the teaching in that church, they are not told to leave but to keep His word.

Likewise with Sardis… To those there, be watchful. That is, so you do not miss Him before the great tribulation. The final exhortation is again to those who hear. To Philadelphia, which is the great missionary church that won souls, He expresses the imminence of His coming. Again, no instruction to leave, but an exhortation to those who hear.

It follows that the same is given to Laeodicia. The Greek word Laeodicia means justice to the people. I am certain that with Paul’s description of what a typical last days church may appear, justice to the people is a succinct phrase. It almost seems as if this type of church is mostly concerned with what we call social justice. Everyone is seeking to have their own grievances addressed at the behest of others.

“To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says these things: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,’ yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments, that you may be dressed, that the shame of your nakedness may not appear, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Revelation 3:14–18

As dire as it may seem for those in this church. All is not lost. It is clear that many in this church do not believe; they are encouraged to become believers. Jesus loves these people, too.

“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:19–20

He appeals to the individuals there who find themselves unbelieving. He is waiting. The appeal is urgent. He is right at the door. They are told to exercise faith and open the door. A doorknob opens a door, but it will not work unless one believes it will and operates it. The application is the same here.

And for the believer…

“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:21–22

There is no instruction to go find another church. In the silence, we find instruction. It is to remain and love the people that Jesus loves in hopes that some come to their senses.

The Church that Follows the Free Man

On By TimIn Church, John 04Leave a comment

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Listen! I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit that leads to eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this is the saying true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap a crop for which you did not labor. And you have benefited from their labor.”

John 4:34–38

It’s interesting how discussions go. This was part of our small group Bible study earlier this week. The discussions around it were intriguing and eye-opening. Hopefully, you will gather some encouragement from it, too.

This part of the Scriptures is where Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman. It is after His encounter with her that His friends were encouraging Jesus to eat. He said He had food they didn’t know about. He heard their murmuring and He answered them as above.

Now, I am going to tell you that Charlie Kirk lived to do the same as Jesus, His Father’s will. He would be at it until the work was complete. Charlie was taken home this last week, signifying his work is finished. He now enjoys the rewards of it.

The rewards of the work are not going to heaven and escaping Hell. No, those are on top of that free gift that He has from the Holy Spirit.

Like Jesus having His life cut short, Charlie’s was, too.

Like those Jesus spoke to, we Christians today are going to get the same benefits. The fields are ripe. Charlie sowed much, and the harvest is here. It’s our turn. Jesus sends us all to reap a crop for which we did not labor.

Are you ready to do that?

I think there is a bit more here… Remember those two witnesses who will come during the Tribulation?

When they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit will wage war against them and overcome them and kill them. Their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Those from every people and tribe and tongue and nation will see their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Revelation 11:7–9

Well, there seems to be a small bit of parallel, or maybe we all had a sneak-peak at the future as one might say.

When Mr. Kirk did what he did best, he prophesied. No, he didn’t predict future events. New Testament prophets speak God’s truth plainly and forthrightly. There is little argument that he did just that. He did it boldly, without fear, and without trepidation.

Yes, there are prophets in the church.

God has put these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28

I consider this an ordered list of value. There are no apostles today, well, probably not. (Ask me about the apostle John one day.) Apostles were eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus. Which disqualifies virtually everyone alive today from being an apostle. The gifts of the Spirit are real, and as here, there is an amplified list elsewhere…

He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ,

Ephesians 4:11–12

These offices are for the equipping of the church. These exist until the church reaches maturity.

That was a bit of a diversion, but back to those two prophets in the future… And Charlie Kirk.

I think the parallel is the aftermath of what happened. There were plenty of people rejoicing over the death of Charlie. It almost resembles a precursor to the fallout that occurs after the two prophets are overcome.

Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 11:10

I tell you, last Wednesday… I expected God to raise Charlie up, just like he had those two prophets. He didn’t, yet it was expected.

Perhaps that was just a precursor to my small group study, and eventually to all that I write here. I think that what we encountered after Charlie was murdered was a small shadow of the attitudes of the masses of people in the future. These people celebrate the deaths of the two prophets. The outpouring of that kind of inhumanity is alive in an astonishing number of people even today. It’s like things are ramping up to that time, as the attitudes become firmly cemented in hearts. These are those who hate the Truth, so they eliminate those who are truth-tellers.

Back to revelation…

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:22

In the seven epistles Jesus gave to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, this phrase is used in all of them. Intriguingly, it is the closing line on the last four letters.

When considering the way Revelation is constructed, a chronological timeline of church history seems to be included in the seven epistles. Intriguingly, any other order and that chronology would not exist. Concerning the last four, these are present today. Thyatira would represent the Catholic era and the churches that are part of it today. Sardis represents the reformation era and the churches from that era. Likewise, Philadelphia, being the great awakening era, and Laodicia, bringing in today’s seeker-forward-style church. These types of churches make up the bulk of Christianity today.

Back to that last line, which is included as such in the last four letters.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:22

The appeal is for the free man to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The name Charles means free man. The word Kirk is an old Scottish word for church. Make of that what you will.

But when you consider that Charles James Kirk was taken out suddenly and unexpectedly, shocking the world. And that Charlie’s life could be summed up simply as he wanted men to be free and to be part of the body of Christ, His church. He lived up to his own name… While pointing to Jesus Christ.

I’ve already told you that Charlie means free man. And that Kirk is church. But James is the English form of Jacob. We know Jacob means heal catcher, but there is a different meaning in that name. It is the one who follows.

Considering his sudden removal, could Charlie’s sudden removal from earth announce the next thing for the church?

Is it the one that follows the free man following the church, or is it the free man that is the one who follows the church?

Let that sink in for a moment.

Kept from the Hour of Temptation

On By TimIn Rapture, Revelation 03Leave a comment

Because you have kept My word of patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which shall come upon the entire world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:10

There are two pertinent things that need to be clearly understood in Jesus’ words here.

First, the hour of temptation comes upon the entire Earth, there will be no place to escape it on Earth. And it will test those who dwell on Earth. The language indicates that every individual on the Earth will be tested.

Second, Jesus promises to keep the ones who believe in Him from that hour of temptation. Which means those kept from it are necessarily not on Earth.

The text clearly indicates that believers are relocated off of the Earth before trouble begins.

    The Truth About Idols

    On By TimIn 1 Timothy 03, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

    Without question, great is the mystery of godliness:
    God was revealed in the flesh,
    justified in the Spirit,
    seen by angels,
    preached to the Gentiles,
    believed on in the world,
    taken up into glory.

    1 Timothy 3:16

    Paul’s charge to his son in the faith Timothy is to reassure him that he knew how to conduct himself in the house of God. Amidst the instructions for overseers in the local church is this sentence which most think was a hymn or creed of those early Christians. It speaks of the mystery that we now know.

    God is revealed in the flesh. The speaks of the incarnation of Jesus. Not that God changed places, but that He is revealed in flesh. This speaks to the Son’s existence before His virgin birth. As Paul wrote in Philippians 2, He being in the form of God. He is the brightness of His glory and the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3.) The Son is Spirit being revealed in the flesh. Jesus taught us that God is Spirit (John 4:24.)

    That’s part of the mystery. It continues. Jesus was not justified in the flesh, but justified in the Spirit. That is attested to in His resurrection. When He came back from the dead in a new body, it proved there was no other entity that could lay hold on Him.

    He is preached to the Gentiles, basically the truth is being spread to all nations. He is believed on in the world. Many people are saved because He is preached. We know He is taken up into glory. He sits at the right hand of the Father, as God.

    Seen by Angels

    It is this idea that Jesus was seen by angels, that draws me in. Jesus being seen by the angels means they could identify Him as God readily. But does it entail that He is known by them before being manifest in the flesh?

    There seems to be testimony to that fact. It occurs in one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ ministry in Israel.

    Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great crowd followed Him from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, and Idumea, and from beyond the Jordan. And those from Tyre and Sidon, a great crowd, when they heard what great things He did, came to Him. He told the disciples to have a small boat ready for Him because of the crowd, lest they should crush Him. For He had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed on Him to touch Him. When unclean spirits saw Him, they fell down before Him, crying out, “You are the Son of God.” But He sternly ordered them not to make Him known.

    Mark 3:7–12

    If we take Mark’s Gospel chronologically here, this incident occurred before Jesus selected any of His inner-circle of twelve disciples.

    What is clear is that the people around Jesus are the time did not really know they were in the presence of God. Let alone that He is made flesh. Yet those unclean spirits know and testify to the fact right. They could apprehend the spiritual reality readily. But a question comes to mind. Where did they come from?

    So many details are not included. I think it safe to assume that Jesus was casting unclean spirits out of people. Those spirits identified Him immediately. And He commanded them to not reveal Who He is. Did the crowd present hear and what did they understand?

    I don’t know. I know there were spiritual beings present by witness of the text. Are there any indications that some of those were angels?

    The text lends itself to that idea. The Bible reveals that there are two kinds of unclean spirits, fallen angels and demons. Demons are the disembodied spirits from the progeny of some fallen angels, the Nephilim.

    The Disembodied Spirits Called Demons

    When men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair and took as wives any they chose.

    Genesis 6:1–2

    Way back toward the beginning of it all, Moses reveals that angels took wives. The language used is not pleasant, and it isn’t without controversy. The term Sons of God is used sparingly in the Tanakh. As it is used in other places, it always means angels. That is direct creations of God and this by that same title given to Adam in Luke 3:38. (There are other resources that delve into this concept, the tag cloud can help in that pursuit.)

    The progeny of the fallen angels and their taken human women were called Nephilim. They were the mighty men of old.

    The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

    Genesis 6:4

    It is my opinion that the corrupted human bloodlines from these strange flesh unions were the vast majority of people that died in the flood. That idea comes from the Septuagint translation where it says that Noah was perfect in his generations. The Greek word translated is where the English word generations comes. It reveals a relationship to Noah’s genetics.

    In fact, the entire incident of the ark hints that there were corrupted genetics in the human and animal kinds. God chose all the occupants of the ark. If Noah was perfect in his generations, it follows that the animals selected were perfect in theirs.

    Now, it becomes a bit clearer that there are many unclean spirits, and kinds such as fallen angel and the disembodied spirits of angel/human hybrids known as demons. It follows that the unclean spirits (both angelic and demon) would see God as He is and readily identify Him in the flesh.

    Before the Time

    There is another encounter Jesus had with unclean spirits that is important to understand. It reveals yet another concept.

    When He came to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two men possessed with demons, coming out of the tombs, extremely fierce, so that no one might pass by that way. Suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

    Matthew 8:28–29

    These unclean spirits are specifically identified as demons. They identify Jesus’ divinity readily. Yet it is those two questions. Apparently they knew of certain timings. And they knew of torment, and their consignment to it. One might ask, is there punishment spoken of in the Bible?

    It takes a bit of sleuthing to get it out of the Tanakh. So the first stop is the last book of the Torah, Deuteronomy. This particular Chester is full of details on the spiritual reality of Things.

    They made Him jealous with strange gods;
    with abominations they provoked Him to anger.
    They sacrificed to demons, not to God,
    to gods whom they knew not,
    to new gods that recently came along,
    whom your fathers did not fear.

    Deuteronomy 32:16–17

    Israel went to worship stage gods. These were actually demons. The Hebrew word is shedim, it appears only twice in the Bible.

    The Israelis sacrificed to the demons. The text says these were new gods that recently came along. It seems to indicate that these came after creation. This is especially clear as it follows Genesis 6 above.

    It bears mentioning that the mythological Golden Age hearkens back to the time when gods lived with humans. This would be before the flood. There is a stark difference between the mythological understanding and what God thinks of the days of Noah. There is a contemporary popular mantra announcing a new Golden Age. The Bible does tell us that the end days will be like the days of Noah. The gods will once again live with men.

    There is a definitive judgment coming. And this is what the demons were alluding to about Jesus coming to them before the time. Jeremiah prophesied the demise of those gods.

    Thus you shall say to them: The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.

    Jeremiah 10:11

    Remember, in the encounter above that those demons also alluded to torment. That is a reference to eternal fire. Jesus told us the how and what for in that.

    “Then He will say to those at the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

    Matthew 25:41

    Eternal fire is made for the devil and his angels. By the testimony of the demons in the vicinity of the Gerasenes, they knew of their fate in torment. It follows that eternal fire is for the devil, fallen angels, and demons.

    To come full circle, we are still before the time. The time comes in the judgment of the great day. The one reserved for all of the enemies of God, the Great White Throne of Revelation 20.

    Idol Talk

    This may shock the sensibilities of some. The idols of the Old Testament are real beings. They are not simple creations of carved wood and hammered metals. They are not figments of active imagination. They were and are real entities that take worship to themselves. They have a clear destination.

    The loftiness of man shall be humbled,
    and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low;
    the Lord alone will be exalted in that day;
    the idols He shall utterly abolish.

    Isaiah 2:17–18

    I know that many think idols are the creation of vivid imaginations. They are not. This truth gets further confused because of the allegorization of the idea of an idol. One that reinforces the notion that they are figments of the imagination which take us away from God.

    I think that this allegorization has led to many folks putting their guard down. In other words, the west has been trained not to see these things. That makes it harder to understand the stark reality of the enemies against us as a race.

    For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

    Ephesians 6:12

    The truths revealed in the Bible don’t always lend themselves to a personal application. Sometimes, that might obscure the reality. It then seems a bit silly to say that something like football or food becomes an idol for people. It may seem to lend itself that way, but the idols of the Old Testament are clearly real entities. Ones who do not want humans to flourish.

    Changing Allegiance

    The purpose for this lengthy article is to expose the reality. The hope is for the body of Christ to shake off the silly thinking that idols are imaginary things that keep us from God. The truth is these are real entities who have real power, that is if one extends it to them. When Jesus went to the cross, He removed the bondage. People can be free of these besetting and disabling influences in Jesus’ name.

    In the Tanakh, there is no sinners’ prayer. Though the invitation is there as a call to change one’s mind… To repent. The reality is that to leave idols is to change allegiance. To come to God is to change allegiance.

    Which leads to an important biblical principle. One that many do not quite grasp. The spirit world tends toward the legalistic. They cannot go where they do not have rights. From the beginning, this principle is laid out. Adam yielded rights to the dominion he was given by God.

    This point is personally extended and explained in the New Testament. One yields their members, thus giving rights and permissions to the unclean spirits. Jesus spoke of this in John 8. Paul shows all exactly what it is.

    Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your bodies to God as instruments of righteousness.

    Romans 6:13

    God does not work in anyone until one lets Him do it. Ephesians 1:13 clearly demonstrates this principle. It is a truth that clobbers some fatalistic lies taught by some circles of Christianity. The Bible is clear, one serves who one yields to serve. That is why the Bible uses the term servants and slaves, as these have masters.

    I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for just as you have yielded your members as slaves to impurity and iniquity leading to more iniquity, even so now yield your members as slaves to righteousness unto holiness. For when you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit did you have then from the things of which you are now ashamed? The result of those things is death. But now, having been freed from sin and having become slaves of God, you have fruit unto holiness, and the end is eternal life.

    Romans 6:19–22

    The problem is that all have sinned. Universally, it is before anyone can know the requirements of the moral law. When that’s explained, the reality is all have missed the mark of perfection necessitated.

    The ugly underbelly of that is a person who sins yields themselves to a master. Sin brings more sin, which brings death. Death brings judgment.

    Jesus frees all from having to be bound to sin. When anyone repents and believes, God deposits His Spirit in that person freeing them from condemnation. The Spirit becomes a permanent presence and mark in them forever.

    Indwelling Unclean Spirits

    Another interweaving theme in the Bible suggests that the enemy counterfeits the things of God. It follows that those unclean spirits could also enter a person. There are many such cases detailed in the Scriptures. Consider what Jesus says about that from a different perspective.

    “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through dry places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it be also with this evil generation.”

    Matthew 12:43–45

    Even though the principle Jesus is teaching is not necessarily about demon possession. He is using that truth to explain the activities of those who questioned and mocked His divine authority. It is a stern warning against the real dangers of stubborn disbelief. The important consideration being taught is that rejecting Jesus lends one to be more open and vulnerable to the principalities and powers of the air.

    Think back to Jesus’ ministry, and the early days of the apostles. Possession of a person by indwelling unclean spirits was real. Jesus, the apostles, and even some others did cast demons out of folks. But did that problem just go away?

    From present reality, no. It certainly seems foreign to many in western Christianized nations. It is as if the enemy has subtly hidden himself and his tactics. The activity of unclean spirits recessed in a way to not really be detectable. In modern times, demon possession is really just fodder for ghost stories and scary movies.

    It did not just disappear. I see the evidence more frequently than I want to encounter it. And I’ve had personal encounters. I think there is a marked increase as the time quickly approaches. It is a last hurrah.

    There are some immediately discernible behavioral indicators of influence and even possession by unclean spirits. These behavioral indicators have increased exponentially in contemporary populations because of the late hour. So… How does this happen?

    It certainly does not without a person presenting themselves for the very purpose. Sometimes those rights and permissions are coerced by trauma, whether the trauma is purposed for that or not. Sometimes they are granted when one willfully ingests hallucinogenics into their body. It doesn’t matter if using those substances is legal or not. Others present themselves purposefully, knowing exactly what it is they are doing.

    The language I use is indeed nuanced for various reasons. Mainly, I am not yet led to write in further detail on the subject. The point is that there are real unclean spirits and they attempt to influence the world in the same ways they did at the time of Jesus.

    Humans are in a real spiritual war!

    The Turning Point

    There’s a reason why much of this has slipped under the proverbial radar. It is to avoid detection. But why?

    Well, that leads to one of my favorite things about what Jesus did at the cross.

    He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

    Colossians 2:14–15

    It was the law that empowered sin because it exposed sin in everyone. At the cross, Jesus took the handwriting, really He took the certificate of indebtedness to sin and destroyed it. In effect, freeing the entire race of humanity from the bondage of sin. The enemies had to go underground. In light of the truth that nobody is bound to yield themselves to their influences.

    It is the other part that is more important. He disarmed the authorities and powers. These unclean spirits really have no power, other than what anyone may be extended to them. Because Jesus removed the indebtedness, they have only whatever is willfully volunteered. The truth is that anything given can also be revoked by will. It is done in the name of Jesus Christ. It is by Him that folks are set free.

    Concluding Thoughts

    This is not meant to elicit fear. On the contrary, because Jesus died there is nothing to fear. As the introductory citation shows, His resurrection is proof of that.

    For those who are reading, it may be that God is revealing some things to you. You may have extended rights and privileges you no longer want to do. That is easy to fix. You can revoke them at any time in the name of Jesus.

    For those who have never really believed or changed allegiances, you can do that, too. Set your mind to serving God. Believe that Jesus did die. In so doing, demolished the certificate of indebtedness that shackled you. The proof is, He rose again. Believing that is what pleases God.

    And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

    Hebrews 11:6

    Covet the Greater Gifts

    On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 12, GiftsLeave a comment

    But earnestly covet the greater gifts.

    1 Corinthians 12:31

    Wait! I thought we were not supposed to covet.

    Here, Paul is telling the Corinthian church to covet something. They are to covet the greater gifts. One might ask what are the greater gifts?

    That could be a good question to ask here. But I think there is one far greater. That is, how often do any of us think about the gifts of the Spirit to even know which are the greater ones to covet?

    When speaking of gifts of the Spirit, I am most certain that the first one that comes to mind for most is going to be speaking in tongues. This is foremost in many conversations about the gifts the Spirit gives. But, if Paul is tanking those gifts in an ordinal way, it might be shocking to discover how Paul ranks tongues.

    God has put these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have the gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

    1 Corinthians 12:28–30

    Clearly, tongues lands as the last in the list. If the list is ordinal, tongue is the least desirable gift to covet. That fascinates me.

    I do not hold to Cessationism. I do not think the Spirit has stopped bestowing these gifts. The gift of apostles, some say is still available today. Others think apostles have to be eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus. It might seem impossible for today, but there are lots of accounts from Iran and China where people are meeting Jesus. Those ideas are fantastical, yes. And apostles were sent out to plant churches. I am uncertain here, and don’t think it is plausible that there are apostles around today, as these would have been taught by Jesus in person. Consider the importance of apostles to the early church… Having been taught personally by Jesus and then sent out Toolan churches.

    Setting aside that gift of apostles, look at the next. It’s the gift of prophets. Now prophets don’t predict things. They are not seers. Prophecy is not about predicting or laying out the future. It is simply relating the truth for what It is. To some, the way prophecy is delivered seems rude, curt, and impolite. It comes without ambiguities and subtleties. As one of my pastors called it… It is “forth-telling.” If the gifts are ranked, why would this one be second?

    Then there is the gift of teachers. Many know those with this gift. I am one that thinks it abounds. In fact the gifts are given individually but may be shared by many in any one congregation. When thinking of teachers, do you partake of teachings led by others in your local church?

    I think wanting and then using these gifts in a congregation makes it healthy and vibrant. What would it do to the faith of anyone who were eyewitnesses to a bona fide miracle?

    Paul said there is a gift of miracles, then healings and helps. Healings is basically self-explanatory. Helps is a bit more vague, but consider that hospitality, facilities, and the like. These are the people that setup and clean up. These hold doors, welcome folks, are ready to speak with anyone. They readily engage and encourage others.

    Then comes governments. ThatI makes me smile, because these are the leaders and decision makers that affect the entire congregation. In the ordinal rankings, this is second to last on this list. Could it be that this is God’s way of doing things?

    He does say that the older shall serve the younger; the strong protect the weak; and the first is last. But on any organizational chart, governments are at the top. In God’s way of doing things, they are necessary, but rank as far less desirable.

    Then there are tongues on the bottom.

    I know the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given me. Some are on this list. Others are not. There are even gifts that I’ve asked for and received. Yes, I can think of a few I’ve asked just for myself. But others were a desire to share them with the body of believers. It took me over 30 years of being a Christian to get to that point of wanting gifts from God, and asking for them. What opened my eyes was the first thing I remembered asking God to give me. I even like the way He revealed it to me. That is one of those anchor points of my faith just as much as my salvation and baptism are.

    My God is real! And He is lavish in giving. He gave His Son. He gave eternal life to any who would want it. And He gives a multitude of gifts.

    This list cited so far is not all inclusive. There are additional gifts listed in this chapter. That list contains one gift I covet over the others. I want it because I think it is of utmost importance in these dark days. Our lives are ever-increasingly crushed by evil. The Church needs people that can prophecy. It needs people that can teach. It also needs miracles and healings. There will always be plenty willing to pitch-in, lead a project, and speak.

    What would your church be like if there were regular workings by prophets, teachers, miracle-workers, and healers?

    Have you ever given a thought to be one of those in your church?

    The Morning Star and the Sun of Righteousness

    On By TimIn 2 Samuel 23, Day of the Lord1 Comment

    The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: He who rules over man justly, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning with no clouds, gleaming after the rain like grass from the land.

    2 Samuel 23:3–4

    This is a description of the ideal King. Moving on, let us focus on the simile that this King is like the light of the morning. The reference to the Person here also brings to mind a specific day. It foreshadows Jesus in the Millennial Kingdom as He rules the Earth from Jerusalem. This day is known as the Day of the Lord. Most focus on specific judgments, but there is far more to be understood. Just like any day, the elements establish a pattern. The Scriptures assume a similar pattern for the Day of the Lord.

    Dusk to Dark Night

    Consider that in Israel, a day begins at dusk, keep that in mind. Seizing the simile that the Coming King is like the sun, when He left Earth to go to heaven would seem an appropriate allusion to dusk and night. Peter helps to demonstrate that this would be one of those harbingers that announce the arrival of the last days.

    But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
    ‘In the last days it shall be,’ says God, ‘that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes. And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

    Acts 2:14–21

    Peter cites Joel 2: 28-32. The greater context of Joel introduces us to a time called the day. It is the Day of Jehovah.

    Alas, for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and like devastation from the Almighty it comes.

    Joel 1:15

    The Israelis present understood the Scriptures. They understood what Peter was saying clearly. Devastation was upon the nation. The last days were here, specifically announcing the Last Day.

    We know the nation of Israel ceased to be around 70 AD when the temple was destroyed and Jerusalem besieged by Rome. It was not until the Bar Kokhba revolt in 135 AD that resulted in a genocidal assault on Jewish populations around Jerusalem. Emperor Hadrian eventually erased the name Judaea from the map and replaced it with Syria Palaestina. Israel was gone, just as Joel foretold.

    Given what is written in Joel, it is clear the Day of the Lord had already begun. Keeping consistent with the pattern of the day, dusk turns to darkness of night. Malachi also educes the same idea. The day coming will bring devastation. Yet it would not leave believers without hope.

    Surely the day is coming, burning like an oven; all the proud, yes, all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming will burn them up, says the Lord of Hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. You will go out and grow up like calves from the stall. And you will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I do this, says the Lord of Hosts.

    Malachi 4:1–3

    Malachi tells us that the day is coming when all the unbelievers will be vanquished. The One saying this is the Lord of Hosts. The Lord of Hosts is Jesus and it specifically calls to the mind His return as He leads the armies of heaven.

    The Son Rises

    For believers on Earth, His coming will be like the rising sun. I think the reference is very important. The sunrise is reckoned here as the second coming of Jesus. There’s more to this…

    Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them has He set a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; it rejoices as a strong man to run a race. Its going forth is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit extends to the other end, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

    Psalm 19:4–6

    The sunrise is likened to the coming of the Bridegroom. This is but another reference that points to the second coming of Jesus.

    “May all Your enemies perish like this, O Lord!
    But may those who love Him rise like the sun when it rises in full strength.”

    Judges 5:31a

    Again, the time when all God’s enemies perish is at the time the sun rises in full strength. It is at the second coming of Jesus as King. There is more to this correlation.

    Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord binds up the breach of His people and heals the wound from His blow.

    Isaiah 30:26

    So what to make of this?

    Considering the reference to the day, there are many parts of it. There’s the sunset. There’s the dark of night. There’s the dawn. There’s the sunrise. There’s the bright sun of the day.

    We have focused on the sunrise. There is a difference between dawn and sunrise. Dawn announces the sunrise. This is important to understand as the Scriptures use these terms. Clearly, sunrise and the Second Coming of Jesus are correlated.

    Why is this important?

    Morning Star

    Well, Peter helps us to understand.

    And we have a more reliable word of prophecy, which you would do well to follow, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

    2 Peter 1:19

    The dawning of the day happens before the sunrise. The Morning Star arises in the dawn to announce the coming sunrise.

    When Peter writes of the dawn of day, that is a reference to that Day, the Day of the Jehovah. We know that sunset brings dusk turning to darkness. Dawning announces the sunrise of the day. The event Peter is alluding to will announce the sunrise of the Day.

    Likewise, scholars believe the reference to the Morning Star as pointing to the second coming of Jesus. We know that the sunrise is the Second Coming of Jesus. But the Morning Star is given in the dawn to church-age believers.

    I Give the Morning Star

    Moving forward to Revelation, and specifically to Jesus’ epistle to the church of Thyatira. He rebukes the church with some strong words.

    “But I have a few things against you: You permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, but she did not repent. Look! I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

    Revelation 2:20–22

    Along with the rebuke, there is a specific promise given to those who do not change, they will be cast with the seductress into great tribulation. It is a precise phrase that many think points to the seven years known as Jacob’s Trouble.

    Yet Jesus promises something to those who still believe…

    And I will give him the morning star.

    Revelation 2:28

    A bit later, John reveals to us exactly Who Jesus says this Morning Star is.

    “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

    Revelation 22:16

    The Scriptures reference the Second Coming of Jesus as the sunrise (of the Day of the Lord.) For the unbelievers, it will be devastating. But for those living, they will rejoice and enter His kingdom. The previous citation above from Judges 5 also seems to hint at the resurrection at the end of the age. This is when the Israeli saints are given their inheritance. (To understand resurrection, see this post: The Surprising Way That Resurrection Proves Futurism and the Rapture Before the Hour of Testing)

    The Morning Star comes in the dawn. It announces the coming sunrise. It is the harbinger of the sunrise of the day, that Day.