Escape the Corruption of the World… For Good.

On By TimIn Colossians 02Leave a comment

Therefore, if you died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you subject yourself to legalistic rules? “Do not touch! Do not taste! Do not handle!” These all are to perish with use and are aligned with the commandments and doctrines of men. These things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-imposed worship and humility and neglecting of the body, but are worthless against the indulgence of the flesh.

Colossians 2:20–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love the way Paul writes. He is saying, if you’re saved why do you worry about rules as if breaking them nullifies your salvation?

Of course, we should live blamelessly. There is real wisdom in that. But doing that, or not, doesn’t mean one loses eternal life. Living by legalistic tiles is often just a shallow veneer… A show for others.

Living the right way is going to be no help to anyone in the fight against the indulgence of the flesh.

What’s that?

Living right isn’t going to help fight the cravings of the flesh. If you have battled addiction of any kind, you know exactly what that is. Whatever the flesh craves, for some it’s a substance that may alter moods or help to cope and perform tasks. For others, it could be food. Then another might actually abstain from food or even purge. It could also be chasing that fleeting gratification from looking at graphic images.

The flesh will crave what it craves. But just living right isn’t going to help stave off the desire to indulge the flesh.

Peter words this from another perspective…

Although they promise them freedom, they themselves are slaves of corruption, for by that which a man is overcome, to this he is enslaved. For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then turn back from the holy commandment that was delivered to them.

2 Peter 2:19–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As Peter continues, he is talking about false teachers. These are people that peddle legalistic rules of abstinence from indulging the flesh. Inside they are really slaves of the corruption. (Remember that word corruption.)

These kinds of teachers escape the defilements of the world… For a time. That is, they do not touch, taste, or handle bad things. They may even go to church for a time. In all of that, they only escape the indulgences temporarily.

Eventually, because they have no real salvation… They return to corruption that enslaves them. Usually, the fall is deeper. In some cases, the consequences could be devastating physically, mentally, and spiritually. Dying in that kind of mess without Jesus means an eternity of torment.

And these have no excuse because they heard the truth. What a sad situation.

That word corruption… Peter used it earlier in this epistle.

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and excellence, by which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that through these things you might become partakers of the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:3–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Basically, Peter is extolling the goodness of God to people who are saved. People that have His Spirit living in them. That Spirit is the earnest money or down payment given by God. It is by that Spirit we believers partake now of the divine nature.

It is that partaking of the divine nature that allows us to escape the corruption in this world that comes through giving in to decadent indulgence. The phrase escape the corruption means we won’t die and spend an eternity in perdition.

Modifying behavior only goes so far. Without God, it’s just modifying behavior. But with God and the indwelling Holy Spirit, there is real hope to look toward. There is a God that can be our focus instead of indulging in decadence.

Our minds will be drawn away from the demands of the flesh. And it is the continual practice of flexing this muscle that helps it to grow strong. We let atrophy the muscle that works to indulge the flesh. We can lock minds with the divine nature of the Spirit in us to master the flesh.

In doing so, the rules are irrelevant.

It is the most difficult thing to fight addiction. Believing and trusting Jesus is the first step to partaking in the divine nature. It is that precise move that is made that brings the Holy Spirit (that divine nature) inside of us.

Don’t just temporarily escape the pollution of the world. Get saved and escape the corruption… For good.

The Covenant You Shall Keep

On By TimIn Genesis 17, Israel2 Comments

Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you; every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. Every male throughout every generation that is eight days old shall be circumcised, whether born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.

Genesis 17:9–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sometimes things are too important to just glide over. This is one of those things.

In all of what God said before to Abraham of His covenant, God alone took complete responsibility for keeping it. Up until now, nothing was given to Abraham to do.

Abraham’s part in this covenant is to bear the sign of the covenant, circumcision. It is not that the Israelis keep or perform the covenant, or even that the covenant is conditioned on anything that they do or don’t. They make the sign of the covenant. This means circumcision points to God keeping His Word, just as the rainbow pointed to God keeping His covenant with Noah.

God said that this was for Abraham and his descendants throughout their generations. Like God making an everlasting covenant, one He intended to keep… Abraham’s portion was also eternal. It would be this way throughout the generations of Israelis until ultimately coming to the Descendant who would be named Jesus.

Jesus was circumcised.

When eight days had passed and the Child was circumcised, He was named JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here is how my mind works: Jesus bears this particular mark eternally. Just as He bears the other marks received in His flesh as a sign of God keeping His word. This one is no different.

I can imagine what the thoughts are. Israelis didn’t parade the sign publicly. The sign was covered.

This is an eternal covenant for Abraham and his descendants to keep. What is mind-boggling is that this covenant is all God. Meaning all of the responsibility is His to keep, even Abraham’s.

If this was part of a condition to the covenant that Abraham had to fulfill (I don’t think it was,) it is ultimately completed forever by Jesus! Yet it is never presented as conditional. God gives multitudes as descendants and the land of Canaan. Think about that. Jesus is the end of the law, not that it ever went away. But it is complete forever in Him!

By tradition, some church teachings liken infant baptism as an extension or allegory to circumcision. I don’t think it applies that way. Baptism is like circumcision in a wholly different way.

Self-professed believers are plunged underwater, buried beneath it signifying death. They are suddenly pulled up from it pointing right to the resurrection. Believers will be resurrected by the promise of God. They are pointing their own faith to and in a God Who keeps His own covenant promises. Baptism is a sign pointing to a promise from God.

Abraham didn’t have to wait on God in order to believe and trust God to keep His word. In the same way, Abraham didn’t have to fear not continually keeping a condition for God to keep His promises.

And neither do you.

Shipwrecked Faith and Disqualification

On By TimIn 1 Timothy 01, Eternal SecurityLeave a comment

This command I commit to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies that were previously given to you, that by them you might fight a good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:18–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I am certain most of us have encountered this passage, either in our own readings, or most likely because it was employed to scare others about losing salvation. The phrase used is shipwrecked faith.

Without spending too much time in the original languages, suffice it to say the idea conveyed by the term shipwreck means to suffer loss by living through it.

But what does it really mean?

Consider a practical application. Shipwrecked ships are no longer suitable for the purposes that they were designed to be employed to do. Shipwrecked ships can no longer be used to convey people and goods. Shipwrecked ships cannot stay afloat keeping the cargo out of the water.

It’s the same way with your faith. If faith is shipwrecked, It’s no longer useful for its intended purposes. That is, it is useless to bear fruit for Jesus.

It doesn’t mean salvation is lost or forfeited. It cannot mean that, as persons live through such things as shipwreck and disqualification.

That’s an important concept to understand when reading the Bible. If a particular passage is about salvation, there is no ambiguity. When Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” It’s a clear command.

In a similar manner, those important topics are unambiguous. The soul that sins, it shall die. Or men die once and then comes the judgment. The dangers of perdition are clearly presented.

When it comes to a topic such as losing salvation, are there clear passages?

I would say emphatically, no. The Bible doesn’t tell you emphatically, to be careful you will lose your salvation. Instead, the idea is derived from ambiguity and euphemism as if it exists.

With that concept, let’s examine another term Paul employed and is often misused in a similar way to shipwreck.

Do you not know that all those who run in a race run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain it. Everyone who strives for the prize exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. So, therefore, I run, not with uncertainty. So I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I bring and keep my body under subjection, lest when preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In this case, Paul is using the idea of running a race to teach self-control. Just as an athlete prepares for a race by disciplining his body, Paul extends that to the same discipline of self-control we ought to have as believers. Self-control, not because we might lose salvation, but self-control that we might remain eligible to receive a prize.

To each of us, we make think salvation is a prize won. It is not. It is a gift given to us by a gracious God. Running a race for the prize brings a reward for a job well done.

Lack of discipline can lead to disqualification. That can put anyone in a position of ineligibility to win that race.

Shipwrecked faith and disqualification are not metaphors for losing salvation. They are metaphors for unemployability in being fruitful for the purposes of God. I will say that most of the Bible teaches us to be employable for the purposes of God. The initial part of that is to be saved.

That moves us to the potter.

Paul outlines this idea in Romans 9. This passage is often misused to say something it doesn’t. This isn’t about salvation, but employability by God.

Does the potter not have power over the clay to make from the same lump one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Romans 9:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He uses the familiarity of a potter making vessels. In this case, it serves as a sort of analog to God making men for particular purposes. Humans are not pots. But they are vessels made for use. And they are made from the same clay. And each is made for useful employability by God in a specific way.

The honor and dishonor part speaks to the employability, not the particular usage of the vessel. Humans think a jar to hold wine has an honorable purpose, while a chamber pot made from the same lump of clay has a less-than-honorable purpose. To the potter, both have the same value inherent in their employability and usefulness.

Paul used this idea in another place.

In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some are for honor, and some for dishonor. One who cleanses himself from these things will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, fit for the Master’s use, and prepared for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:20–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

From a human perspective, honor is measured by a different value than God uses. God measures honor by something being fit for the Master’s use. Can the vessel do the job?

Humans are not wine jars and chamber pots. Though like those, we are made for different purposes from the same material. The honor comes in our being sanctified, which is set aside and ready. That requires the discipline Paul spoke about. When we are in that position we are fit for the Master’s use. That is an honor.

But, wait! You might say, “I messed up. My faith is shipwrecked and I’m disqualified!”

I am going to tell you…

God gives mulligans.

Paul’s usage of the potter pays homage to something he would be very familiar with being an Israeli. It is the writing of the prophet Jeremiah.

“Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was making something on the wheel. Yet the vessel that he made of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Jeremiah 18:2–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I do love this entire chapter. God calls Jeremiah to the potter’s house. He is called to watch. In the lesson, the thing being formed becomes marred in the potter’s hand.

Note something else absent from the text. The potter didn’t mar the clay. It became marred. The potter didn’t discard the clay. Instead, he reforms that clay into a vessel of another purpose.

Do-overs are available. Get the do-over, and couple that with some self-control. And God has a vessel set aside to be employed in honor as the Potter intends.

Before the Beginning of Sorrows

On By TimIn Last Days, Matthew 24Leave a comment

Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. For all these things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, epidemics, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Matthew 24:4–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We are just about at the point of mass deception on this timeline. That would be before the beginning. Jesus did give this intel in a private briefing to a few of His disciples. They wanted to know what signs would come with the end of the age.

The deception we experience today isn’t even what comes in the “beginning of sorrows.”

Make no mistake, the governments of the world are aligning in unity quickly. They are already practicing the precursors and cover stories to obfuscate the things Jesus said.

  • Deception.
  • Wars. Rumors of wars.
  • Nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom.
  • Famine.
  • Epidemics.
  • Earthquakes.

Each of these is actively propagandized, even in the United States. Pay attention to what is happening.

UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena formerly known as UFOs) will bring the new Jesus. These will bring our so-called space brothers. The story will be that the massive disappearance of people happened because they are not fit for the next evolution of humanity. These are removed by the brothers who seeded life on the earth.

The mass movement of troops isn’t preparation for war. Outfitting neighborhood police departments with military-grade gear isn’t normal.

Need I say Ukraine… anyone?

Look at the empty shelves at the grocery store. There are things that are periodically hard to find. Food supply lines are being disrupted. That is usually the cause of most famine in our world. People are starved not because there is no food. It is purposefully kept from them.

CV-19 introduced us to the age of the pandemic. That certainly guarantees that more pandemics will not be unexpected.

Did you know earthquake data from the US often doesn’t match location and intensity as other governments’ sources? This link is old but explains the problem.

We aren’t even at the beginning of sorrows.

At the risk of TL;DR… That is possible to be to your own detriment.

The point of the beginning of sorrows will be marked by a mass disappearance of a lot of people. Christians call this the rapture. The powers-that-be already have a cover story prepared. You have been groomed to accept it as true by popular movies, TV, fiction, and music. Falling for it may very well be the impetus that seals the fate of those caught up in it. What I mean is that most people are not going to think any of this suspicious and will dutifully go along with the story they are told.

Jesus is coming.

He is coming to judge the world. The judgment will come after the wrath of God is poured out on the world that is ambivalent toward Him. Even before all of that, Jesus is coming to whisk His own church away.

In a harmonized account of the briefing, Jesus drops a hint about this at the end of what He says.

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

Luke 21:28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When we go up, they will come down.

There is still time for you. You can repent (change your mind) and believe Jesus. Believe that He rose again to save you. Confess your sins.

You don’t have to obey the Ten Commandments, be a good person, give to the poor, or do any other things… Save believe Jesus died and rose again for you as He is your only way to God.

Of course, if you’re just gonna wait it out, I’d say good luck. But there is no such thing. You could listen to a favorite band… And a cool song. But, really… Trust Jesus.

The Transitory Nature of the Old Covenant, Sin and an Angry God

On By TimIn 2 Corinthians 03, SinLeave a comment

We have such trust through Christ toward God, not that we are sufficient in ourselves to take credit for anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:4–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In his lengthy introduction to writing this letter, Paul explains why he didn’t visit Corinth as planned. This letter also serves as a lengthy defense of his ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He points to God as enough to show his own commendation because of the Spirit of God working in the people to whom Paul ministers.

This is a contrast between what is written by hand and what is written by Spirit. The background is itinerant ministers were accompanied by written letters of recommendation from those in authority. The apostles in Jerusalem sent Paul to Antioch with a written letter (Acts 15:22–31.) The church at Corinth is a recommendation letter written by the Spirit of God.

The difference between physical writing that will fade away, and the work of the Spirit that doesn’t.

If the ministry that brought death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, the glory which was to fade away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

2 Corinthians 3:7–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul uses that idea to teach a greater truth. The ministry that brought death is the giving of the law. It is not that it wasn’t good. It had the purpose to bring bondage. Bondage of countless sacrifices day and night. It was a ministry of death. One that clearly demonstrated that sin brings a penalty of death. The reminder was constant. Sin brings death. That is the ministry of condemnation.

That ministry was delivered with glory. Glory was clearly reflected in the face of Moses as he brought the tablets of stone down to the people.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of testimony in the hands of Moses, when he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, amazingly, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

Exodus 34:29–30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Even the reflection of the glory of God was enough to remind the Israelites of that terrifying meeting with God at Sinai (Exodus 19:16–19; 20:18–21.)

At this point, reflecting on why the people were terrified is good. Even before the ministry of the law that brought condemnation, the people understood their condition in the presence of the holiness of God. The idea of holiness is separation. The people knew inherently that there was a problem. The giving of the law would draw that problem into clarity. It would also point directly to the Solution to that problem.

Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, righteousness would indeed come through the law. But the Scripture has confined all things under sin, that the promise through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

But before faith came, we were imprisoned under the law, kept for the faith which was later to be revealed. So the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Galatians 3:21–25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Old Covenant was Transitory

The ministry of the law was to fade away just as the glory of God reflected in Paul’s face would diminish. In a greater sense, the enslavement of sin was to be obliterated.

For if the ministry of condemnation is glorious, the ministry of righteousness much more exceeds it in glory. Even that which was made glorious had no glory in comparison to the glory that excels. For if that which fades was glorious, that which remains is much more glorious.

2 Corinthians 3:9–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

For us to contemplate that condemnation could be glorious might present itself as an oxymoron. Yet we now know that the purpose of that ministry contained a scarlet thread that brings us to the cross. The cross was the definitive point of the end of the law. The resurrection is the permanent victory over death. That is the glory that excels.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we speak with great boldness, not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the end of what was fading away.

2 Corinthians 3:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In contrast to the veil Moses placed over the glory to conceal its fading nature, we Christians speak with boldness. The new covenant doesn’t fade away. Its permanence is the impetus to share it.

Instead, their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the old covenant, the veil which was done away with in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is in their hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:14–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Their minds were blinded in the same way that the veil Moses put on concealed the glory of God reflected in his face. The transitory nature of the law would be hidden from the Israelites. The same veil remains, not because it was already done away with by the work of Jesus. It remains because of the hardness of the heart.

Who is to blame?

Hear this now, O foolish people and without understanding, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.
Do you not fear Me? says the Lord. Will you not tremble at My presence? For I have placed the sand for the boundary of the sea by a perpetual decree so that it cannot pass over it. And though the waves toss themselves, yet they cannot prevail; though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it. But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they have revolted and gone aside. They do not say in their heart, “Let us now fear the Lord our God, who gives rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.” Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good things from you.

Jeremiah 5:21–25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The veil remains because of the hardness of the heart. A hardness that begins in one’s own mind, but like Pharaoh can remain because God removes His influences.

Clearly, it is our sin that hardens.

We see that in the reaction of the Israelites to God coming down on Mount Sinai. They didn’t need the law to know their sinfulness. Being in the presence of a righteous God was terrifying.

The law was to showcase the problem and point to the solution. It became a point of national pride that eventually hid sin. Which in due course, suppresses the knowledge of God (Romans 1:21.)

There is a Problem and a Solution.

Nevertheless when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

2 Corinthians 3:16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the fulcrum that the matter teeters on… The individual will. Since the bondage of sin no longer remains, a choice is available.

Any of us can approach the Word of God. We can read it, and maybe get some good points for living, just like reading any self-help book. That’s the veil.

Some read it and seem to stumble at the presentation of the angry God of the Old Testament. He is contrasted with a loving Jesus. It’s as if the two ideas become a contradiction. That’s the veil.

Some read it and just don’t get it. That’s the veil.

Turn to the Lord. That is exactly what repentance is. It is turning to the Lord. It is not trusting in your own intellect to understand, but turning to Him. It’s like saying “God I believe, help my unbelief.” That is the beginning. That is the pint of salvation.

For the belief, it is a constant reminder to change our minds toward God for understanding.

I will tell you personally, that the God of the Old Testament is just as loving as Jesus. As the law was to point out an obvious problem. Its ultimate purpose was to usher folks to Jesus, that is to have them turn to the Lord.

Glorious Liberty

Now the Lord is the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is no truer liberty than to be free of the bondage of death that comes with sin.

It is true for the individual. It is also true in a collective sense. There are no more bloody sacrifices needed. No daily ministrations of a priestly class that never rested because of the pervasiveness of sin, whether that sin was individual or collective… Intentional or not. The priests worked day and night. Fires burned with the stench of death. Until Jesus came… And as Priest, He sat down.

But every priest stands daily ministering and repetitively offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 10:11–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The work of the law is finished. Its ministry has faded away. What is permanent remains. Jesus rested as the work of redemption is done. The purchase price is satisfied.

But we all, seeing the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

For us believers, we can look to the Lord with unveiled faces. Faces that reflect His glory. We Spirit-baptized believers are being transformed into the same image of Jesus. From His glory, we are given glory.

No. That last line is not a mistake.

I will trace this backward for you to draw on the Spirit to understand the greatest privilege extended to us by the God of the Old Testament.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. May they also be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory which You gave Me, that they may be one even as We are one: I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfect in unity, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:20–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus prays for you to have the same glory He has received from the Father.

And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

John 17:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s the same glory Jesus had from eternity past.

For My own sake, even for My own sake, I will do it; for how can My name be polluted?
And I will not give My glory to another.

Isaiah 48:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Keep looking up.

The Warning Shot

On By TimIn Matthew 16, Spiritual Warfare2 Comments

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

Matthew 16:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi with His disciples. This passage of text is important for many, yet it is not without controversy. Like much of what we find in the Bible, there is far more that is unwritten than we might take care to discover.

The Temple of Pan. Creative Commons image.

Mount Hermon

Caesarea Phillippi was home to the Temple of Pan. It is called the Temple of Banias today, Arabic for the Temple of Panias. (In Arabic there is no letter P.) This temple is part of Mount Hermon, legendary as the place where angels came down seeking different flesh.

I know that might be unsettling to some, but there are additional resources to help understand. Genesis 6 is the first mention and like the text above… There is much context that the writer assumes is understood by the intended audience. Much of that context has been explained away over centuries of time. Suffice it to say, angels came down and took wives.

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. The LORD said, “My Spirit will not always strive with man, for he is flesh; yet his days will be a hundred and twenty years.” 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 6:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Likewise, the angels who did not keep to their first domain, but forsook their own dwelling, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities in like manner, gave themselves to immorality and went after different flesh, they serve as an example by suffering the punishment of eternal fire.

Jude 6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is for this reason, that Mount Hermon is the mountain of the gods (As a title, it ought to be capitalized, but I want to emphasize these are the little ‘g’ type gods.) It is the sides of the north (Isaiah 14:13.) It is the base of operation for the enemy. One that goes by many names and has many minions.

The Warning Shot

They said, “Some say that You are John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Matthew 16:14 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

His disciples answered Him. Jesus wasn’t surprised at their answer. He then addressed them personally.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Matthew 16:15 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That is the question. Metaphorically, it is a question we must all answer as eternity for each of us hangs on it. Who do you say that I am?

Peter steps up.

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There it is. That is the warning shot lobbed into enemy territory from inside enemy territory.

Peter states Jesus’ identity out loud.

Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:17–19 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This isn’t about Peter being given a mission. It’s not about Peter starting a church. This isn’t a Catholic thing. Peter wasn’t the only one given the keys to the kingdom. Neither was it the Roman Catholic church. It was to the body of Spirit-baptized believers.

This is Jesus saying in the midst of enemy territory… “I am here. Come and get a piece of Me!” Jesus is picking a fight, and proclaiming that He wins!

Jesus will build His church on the truth that He is indeed the Son of God. He is the Anointed One. He is the Seed of the woman prophesied in Genesis 3:15. This seemingly frail Human is vulnerable, yet the gates of Hell will not prevail in this fight.

The Offensive

The body of Christ is not on the defensive side here. The gates of Hell will not prevail. Gates are primarily a defensive fortification.

Then He commanded His disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Matthew 16:20 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Instructions were given to not share this information. But it is from this moment that Jesus began to teach His disciples that He must suffer, be killed, and then raised up again.

The enemy took the best shot they had. Jesus did go to Jerusalem. Jesus suffered much, He died. He rose again. He told them they emphatically would not prevail, and they tried their best. And failed.

Do not ever forget, that in Jesus we all have the high ground. We Spirit-baptized believers are already victorious. The enemy and his minions have no rightful claim on any of His. They are terrified at the name of Jesus.

I will leave you with these words from Paul.

As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving.
Beware lest anyone captivate you through philosophy and vain deceit, in the tradition of men and the elementary principles of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him lives all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all authority and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which also you were raised with Him through the faith of the power of God, who has raised Him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has resurrected together with Him, having forgiven you all sins. 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. Therefore let no one judge you regarding food, or drink, or in respect of a holy day or new moon or sabbath days. These are shadows of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Do not let anyone cheat you of your reward by delighting in false humility and the worship of angels, dwelling on those things which he has not seen, vainly arrogant due to his unspiritual mind, and not supporting the head, from which the entire body, nourished and knit together by joints and sinews, grows as God gives the increase.

Colossians 2:6–19 (MEV) — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Harvest of the Earth is not a Rapture

On By TimIn Return of Jesus, Revelation 01Leave a comment

Revelation 1:7 (MEV): Look! He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

This is John’s introduction to an event that is sometimes confused with the rapture. This idea of coming in the clouds is always about judgment. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Paul clearly states that the saints (Spirit-baptized believers) that are alive meet the previously dead saints (Spirit-baptized believers) in the clouds together. Paul does not tell us Jesus comes in the clouds. That is because the rapture is not judgment. This is the precision of the message.

Then What is It?

Revelation 14:14–20 (MEV): I looked. And there was a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like a Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. Then another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap. The time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So He who sat on the cloud thrust His sickle on the earth, and the earth was harvested.

Another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven. He also had a sharp sickle. Yet another angel who had authority over fire came out from the altar. He cried with a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” The angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vintage of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. The winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one hundred and eighty-six miles.

All the nations will be brought to battle Jerusalem. God will gather them just as a vintner gathers grapes.

I under that that is graphic language. This event is not going to be very enjoyable. The earth is being harvested for judgment. This is the gathering of the nations in the final battle at what is known as Armageddon. (More on that in a later post.)

But first, some background.

Space Invaders

There is a modern fascination with mastering the heavens. We fly planes and have sent rockets zooming through space. There has been a push to militarize the heavens. The US even has established a Space Force branch of the military.

Weaponizing the air began soon after the Wright brothers invented flight. Hubs were affixed to plains.

That progressed to delivering bombs with rockets. Wernher von Braun mastered rocketry during WWII. He was swiftly brought to the US and he revolutionized the air and beyond.

In the 80s Ronald Reagan, then President of the United States proffered an idea that helped broker a peace agreement with the USSR. It came after both sides would stubbornly not move on their position. He had a private meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev, then Secretary General of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Reagan asked if the USSR would aid the US if an invader from space were to attack. Both men agreed they would help each other. This became the impetus for finding agreement for a stand down if the Cold War.

In a speech before a gathering of the United Nations, Reagan spoke of the meeting and what was discussed. It shocked the world that leaders would discuss a fringe topic like space aliens. I fondly remember the lampooning Reagan took.

But the issue is serious. In that, a different kind of threat was hinted at. A vastly greater one that could unite humanity for a common goal.

There would be weaponry needed to neutralize that threat. Some were already being considered and even built. The idea has certainly been embraced in the last 40 years. And now we have the Space Force.

The Science

Science now embraces it, as the idea of panspermia is theorized to deal with the seeming impossibility of abiogenesis. That is, the science of the first cell becoming alive. Panspermia is the theory that life was seeded by some alien race on Earth. To me, that sounds like God did it, but hey. That just cannot be.

The idea offered is that earth is just one giant science excitement of hybridization and selection.

Do I believe there are space aliens?

Maybe… But I don’t think so. I think it will be part of the fake story that will be used as an explanation for the mass disappearance of people will be needed when the body of Christ is raptured. There will be what is called space aliens or space brothers that come down when we go up. They will tell those remaining that they were responsible for removing those that cannot move to the next vibration or evolve. They will also say they seeded life here and can help fix the problems.

Many of those in the New Age movement also teaches this.

Why Say This?

I know that sounds kooky. Humans are building weapons to fight an invader. The enemy is also building an army of humans because he is vastly outnumbered. The world will come together to fight what they will call space invaders. It will be an attack from above.

A Day of the Lord

Zechariah 12:1–10 (MEV): 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… Count how many times it’s there in that passage. It’s a future day for Jerusalem. A day of loving kindness from the One whom they have pierced. It will cause them to mourn.

John cites that in the introductory passage above. He is coming and will be seen even by those who pierced Him. That’s Jesus.

To Jewish Readers

Consider that passage in Zechariah. The word Lord used there is the unspeakable name of God, Jehovah. He is the One speaking and plainly says they (Israelis) look to Him Who they pierced through. Ask yourself one question, when did Jehovah get pierced?

The Lord Fights

That day will be cleansing for the people of God, the Israelis. They will be reconciled to their God. They will also divide spoil from the battle He fought.

Zechariah 14:1–4 (MEV): A day of the Lord is coming when your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem for battle. The city will be captured and the houses plundered and the women ravished. Half of the city will go to exile, but the remainder of the people will not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight those nations as He fights in the day of war. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is to the east of Jerusalem. And from east to west the Mount of Olives will be split in two halves by a very great valley so that one half moves to the north and the other to the south.

It will be a two-fold battle, the nations will be gathered and seek to take the city. To all those dwelling there, the cause would be dire. Then sudden destruction comes upon the attackers.

In That Day

Even in the much-talked-about invasion by God of Magog (Ezekiel 38-39,) there seems to be a multi-pronged conflict. Look at the phrases God uses… I will turn you back, drive you on, take you up, and bring you against.

Ezekiel 39:1–4 (MEV): Moreover you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: Thus says the Lord God: I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshek, and Tubal. And I will turn you back, drive you on, and take you up the north parts and bring you against the mountains of Israel. And I will strike your bow out of your left hand and will cause your arrows to fall out of your right hand. You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.

Also pay attention to the familiar phrases encountered; on that day, in that day, and in the latter years. The reference is to the day of the Lord and is not necessarily always meant to encompass just a singular day.

This is also the call to the great feast I’ve written of before.

Ezekiel 39:17 (MEV): As for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God: Speak to every kind of fowl and to every beast of the field: Assemble and come. Gather on every side to My sacrifice that I sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood.

Jesus said, wherever the carcass is, the eagles will be gathered together (Matthew 24:28.) He is referencing this particular day.

It’s the Lord Who fights for Israel.

The Gathering Place

Isaiah 29:1–2 (MEV): Woe to Ariel, to Ariel,
the city where David lived! Add year to year, observe your feasts on schedule. Yet I will distress Ariel, and she shall be a city of lamenting and sorrow, and she shall be as an Ariel to me.

Fascinating is the name Isaiah applies to Jerusalem. It’s Ariel. While many consider the meaning as Lion of God, it also connotes a gathering of God (like from exile) or the place of assembly.

This is indeed weighty material to consider. God is telling us in advance what will happen. But consider the words of the Psalmist….

Psalm 48:1–8 (MEV): Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.

Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her citadels as a refuge.

For the kings were assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they were astounded; they were alarmed, they hurried away. Trembling seized them there, and pain like a woman in labor; You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish it forever. Selah

At the beginning of the song, there is no hint of its prophetic nature. The nations are gathered to Jerusalem. What did they see that caused sudden alarm?

Jerusalem will be rescued by the One the world considers space invaders. It will be led by Jesus and His army of saints. They will come down with the host of heaven. He will come and vanquish His enemies.

The entire portion of the Psalm is really a prophetic song to be sung in yet future. The refrain ends with the admission that God told them the things that would happen before they did and they did happen.

Jesus will rescue Jerusalem.

The Rapture (Part 7) – The Last Trump

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, RaptureLeave a comment

As we continue to explore the Rapture and the many aspects of it, in part 4 we learned that the text in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 has a military style. The underlying Greek words hint at military-style orders being given. It is with that in mind that we shall explore the idea of the last trump.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Moedim

The idea of the last trump has been connected by some to a particular Jewish Feast Day, Yom
Tehurah (or the day of blowing.) This is an appointed time, one of seven feasts (Hebrew: moedim) of Israel established in Leviticus 23. Yom Tehurah is a day known for trumpet blasts, specifically using the shofar. On this day, there is even a specific trumpet blast titled “the last trump.” It is a note that is held for as long as the blower can blow.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: Concerning the feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My appointed feasts.

Leviticus 23:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The seven feasts (more information can be found here) are arranged on the Jewish calendar. There are three spring feasts: Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits. There are three fall feasts: Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and Feast of Booths. There is one late spring feast between the two groups, it is Shavuot (The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.)

I group them that way for a particular reason. The feasts are likened to the Menorah which has seven candlesticks, three on either side of the middle.

It is without question that Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts. Some say He even fulfilled the fourth. With that in mind, it is easy to understand why some think that the Feast of Trumpets is going to be the feast fulfilled by the rapture.

The Trumpet

With our English translations, it is difficult to find the precision in Hebrew. Both Hebrew words shofar and khatzotzerah are translated to the English word trumpet. Both words tend to be blurred together. There is a distinction, and it is that Which needs to be explored.

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Make for yourself two silver trumpets. Of a hammered work you will make them, and you will use them for summoning of the assembly and directing the breaking up of the camps.

Numbers 10:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here we encounter the Hebrew word khatzotzerah. It is translated as trumpet. These silver trumpets had specific uses. They are not musical instruments but have specific purposes. They were used to call the assembly together. They announced the time to begin breaking camp to journey on. They were used militarily and for other various purposes.

When they blow both of them, all the assembly will assemble themselves to you at the door of the tent of meeting. If they blow only one, then the leaders, who are heads of the thousands of Israel, will gather themselves to you.

Numbers 10:3–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the call to assembly. When two are blown simultaneously, the entire assembly meets. When one is blown, the leaders assemble.

When you blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east will set out. When you blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south will set out. They will blow an alarm for their setting out. But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you will blow, but you will not sound an alarm.

Numbers 10:5–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the call to break camp. There was a specific order to breaking camp. The alarm blown on the trumpet signaled the camps in cardinal directions, east, south, west, and north. The signal used was different than that used to call an assembly. And the final blow of the trumpets would mean the entire congregation is on the move.

The sons of Aaron, the priests, will blow the trumpets, and they will be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations.

Numbers 10:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These trumpets were under the control of the High Priest. They were to be blown only by priests (sons of Aaron.) This is the primary distinction between the use of the shofar and the use of the silver trumpet.

And if you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresses you, then you will blow an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.

Numbers 10:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That confirms that these trumpets are used to sound alarm for remembrance when enemies approached. The use of this alarm comes with a specific promise from God.

Also in the day of your gladness, and at your appointed days, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings that they may be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.

Numbers 10:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These trumpets were also used in the celebration of the Jewish feasts. They were blown in glad tidings, at the beginning of months. They were blown over burnt offerings and peace offerings. They were also clearly used during the feast days.

In the way the silver trumpets are used, they can be associated with a typification of prayer.

The Shofar at the Feast of Trumpets

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath, a memorial with the blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.

Leviticus 23:23–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The idea presented in the phrase blowing of trumpets is literally a blast or blowing. It is the Hebrew word tehurah. The word trumpet is assumed. Tehurah means blowing similar to blasting out a note.

As in the citation from Numbers 10, the silver trumpets are blown (Hebrew taqa,) not blasted. Except for when the alarm is blown in verses five and six. There we have both words used taqa tehurah (blow an alarm or blow a blast.) In that sense, it is instruction on how to blow a particular signal.

In Leviticus 23 it is the idea of blasting that assumes the use of a shofar (ram’s horn.) That is the trumpet used on that day. It’s a day of blowing trumpet blasts.

We can already see a distinction in the usage given in the law.

But I don’t think that the trumpet used for assembling the body of Christ is either of these.

The Last Trump

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:52 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s the last trump. Let’s examine the companion passage from 1 Thessalonians. Chronologically, this was written before Paul wrote the first epistle to the Corinthians.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s the trumpet call of God. It is not the trumpet call of the shofar, nor those of the Aaronic priesthood. Like the latter, it is a summoning for the body of Christ to come together in assembly, both dead and alive. It is like the blowing of the silver trumpets, but this trumpet is singular. It is not like the blasts of the shofar on the Feast of Trumpets, the last of which signaled the close of that feast.

Also, note that this is the trump of God. It is not the trump of Gabriel or any other angel. Therefore it cannot be connected to the trumpets of the angels in Revelation 8 through 11. Simply put, there is no connection between the last trump and the seventh trumpet. The dates of the writing of the two books are separated by almost 40 years. That seventh trumpet could not be the context of what Paul was declaring in either epistle. It had not yet been revealed.

The last trump must have meant something of significance to the Christians to whom Paul addressed. It is the last call to assembly for the body of Christ. All Spirit-baptized believers are called to assemble, in the clouds.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a powerful idea to the early believers. In the wilderness, the blasting of the silver trumpets indicated the congregation was moving. Each cardinal direction would have been given a blast to begin moving. The final blast indicated the entire congregation was assembled and on the move. That is most likely the idea conveyed by Paul. Therefore, the last trump at the time of the rapture will indicate that the entire body of Christ is called up together: both the living and the dead.

The Rapture (Part 6) – Why a Change?

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, RaptureLeave a comment

In the last installment, we learned the mystery was revealed by Paul. We will explore the need for change.

Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

1 Corinthians 15:50 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

A Change to the nature of the Body is Necessary

The bodies we inhabit today are mortal. The flesh is corrupted with death. The flesh became corrupted when Adam ate of the forbidden fruit.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

Genesis 2:16–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

And to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ Cursed is the ground on account of you; in hard labor you will eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns and thistles it will bring forth for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you will return.”

Genesis 3:17–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Until the fall, the bodies of Adam and Eve were not corrupted. There was no death. As they ate, mortality entered as God had ensured the body would return to the dust. We know that is true. When our bodies die, they deteriorate into a skeleton, and given enough time, the skeleton also disintegrates back into the dust.

The mortality is passed onto the entire progeny of that first man. The mortality is inherited.

Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men, because all have sinned.
For until the law, sin was in the world. But sin is not counted when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam’s sin, who was a type of Him who was to come.

Romans 5:12–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sin is not passed down, death is. Because these bodies are corrupted. They’re dying.

With these bodies, we cannot enter the eternal state. There needs to be a change.

We Shall be Changed

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We shall be changed, and the change will be faster than instantaneous. Not all of the Spirit baptized believers in the body of Christ will not die. Some will remain and be changed instantly. (But not before those who have previously passed on.)

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We shall not all sleep. All will be changed. Not all of us will die. But all of us will be changed. Some will not undergo the process of physical death. All will undergo a change in that moment. The dead would be raised up incorruptible, no longer to die. And those mortal believers alive will put on immortality.

The change will happen in the twinkling of an eye. The Greek word for moment is atomos, it is from where the English word atom comes. It is a small measurement of time. It can be likened to the amount of time it takes to recognize a face on someone. That flash of recognition is the twinkling of an eye.

For this corruptible will put on incorruption, and this mortal will put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:53 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The dead whose bodies had deteriorated into dust will put on incorruptible bodies. Their bodies will no longer suffer death. In the same way. The living mortals will instantaneously put on immortality.

Looking back at another text, we see clearly that Paul identifies himself with the living and not the dead.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Death is Gone

Paul knew that the rapture was imminent. It was his hope to be caught up, and he identified with the living. This is an important concept as we move forward in 1 Corinthians 15.

When this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then the saying that is written shall come to pass: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:54 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The instant this happens for anyone s the voiding of death. This is the victory, and as we’ve learned from previous installments this is the proclamation to principalities and powers. Those that rule in the unseen realm do not have victory over death. Believers are beyond their grip and control.

Paul is citing this:

He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; and the reproach of His people He shall take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken it.

Isaiah 25:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is also cited in Revelation 21.

“O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?”

1 Corinthians 15:55 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is another citation from the Tanakh. This si another reference to the writing of a prophet.

I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.

Hosea 13:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In this case, God has no compassion for death, his enemy.

This is the victory the church-age believer has. Death is swallowed up. It has no power.

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:56–58 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That is the exhortation. Our belief in God is not in vain.

The Rapture (Part 5) – The Mystery

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, RaptureLeave a comment

Now that we understand who the rapture is for in part 1, what the rapture is in part 2, and in part 3 how it will happen; we discover that a change is necessary for those raptured to enter the kingdom of God. These flesh and blood bodies cannot enter there. This is an important thing to consider.

A Mystery

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul tells us a mystery. This word can have some unintended baggage in English. In English, it means something we cannot know. The word in Greek is musterion. It simply means something that has not been known or revealed heretofore. That is, this idea has been hidden until Paul revealed it. That tells us that Jesus didn’t teach it. Some do try to shoehorn the rapture into the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24.) It isn’t there. It wasn’t revealed until Paul taught it.

The Scriptures do define the usage of this word clearly.

You may have heard of the administration of the grace of God which was given me for you, how by revelation He made known to me the mystery, as I have written briefly already, by which, when you read it, you may understand my knowledge of the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members, and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel.

Ephesians 3:2–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul is telling us these mysteries were not revealed in the Tanakh. They are revealed in the New Testament apostles and prophets by the Holy Spirit. These mysteries are new truths.

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the incomprehensible riches of Christ, and to reveal for all people what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ, so that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He completed in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

Ephesians 3:8–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This tells us that there is a purpose to hiding these truths in the Tanakh only to be revealed later. It is the things Jesus did, the Spirit indwelling believers making them a new man. It is this instant transformation of the body of Christ into His glorious Kingdom.

Each in this body is also tasked with making these things known to other humans, yes… But also, the unseen powers that work in this world. It is by the works of Jesus that we can access the presence of God directly now.

I have been made a servant of it according to the commission of God, which has been given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hidden from past ages and generations, but now is revealed to His saints. To them God would make known what is the glorious riches of this mystery among the nations. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. That is the rapture. It is this sure destiny for the church saint.

It is also for this reason that the second coming and the rapture are not the same things. The second coming was revealed in the Tanakh. In fact, there is much more spoken of in the Tanakh than in the New Testament. The mystery of the rapture is revealed for the first time in the New Testament.