Tag: Faith

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.

There are Three Who Testify in Heaven

On By TimIn 1 John 5, Triune GodLeave a comment

This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. It is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three who testify in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and the three are one. There are three that testify on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are toward the one.

1 John 5:6–8

This one is going to take some time to reason through as it is not without controversy. The importance is that John is going to show again that Jesus is indeed Jehovah now. The controversy comes with a discrepancy in the text. In some versions of the Bible, the two verses seven and eight are far less verbose than what is in the King James Version. The text included in the KJV has a technical name. It is called the Johannine Comma. To explain that idea in detail will take much time, I will not do that. There is an excellent article on this posted from the Berean Patriot: The Johannine Comma. It’s a good read that may help all to understand.

Of course, my foundations in the faith comes by Independent Fundamental Baptist preaching. So I’ve heard much on why the King James Version is the only reliable Bible. I don’t embrace that anymore, and consider much of the argumentation proving the case rather juvenile.

Don’t get me wrong, the KJV is a great and reliable Bible. I say that having read up on the issue of textual criticism over the years. Especially since the introduction of Facebook which has greatly broadened my perspectives. As a result, I prefer the non-Alexandrian text of the Textus Receptus, also called the Majority Text and loosely, the Masoretic Texts. There are caveats that must be understood, more than I want to know. I investigate when issues arise and to learn. If you read this blog regularly, it is also clear that I use the Septuagint when it helps to clarify.

As I learn what the Bible says, the issue that guides me mostly, is the avoidance of Greek Gnosticism. Specifically, it is almost exclusively the denial of the humanity and/or divinity of Jesus Christ. The early church encountered this, as did the apostle John. It is one reason for his epistle. This denial is still around today, and embraced by many who call themselves Christians. You may even have some in your church.

It is with that primary concern that provides the purpose for this post… Jesus is Jehovah. I encourage you to take the time to actually say that out loud. It has a unique way of clearing the air and the mind. Those three words are powerful, yet immensely freeing.

I appreciate the indulgence toward me letting you know my approach to the text. With that, let’s go!

By Water and Blood

This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. It is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth.

1 John 5:6

When it comes to the apostle John, I am learning that he has a very intimate revelation of Jesus. Not only did He know Him as He walked on earth before His crucifixion and after His resurrection. He was in His divine presence in his book Revelation. One cannot understand what is said here, without the entire panorama of what John wrote. One must start from the beginning of the end in Revelation.

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though I were dead. Then He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, though I was dead. Look! I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Revelation 1:17–18

I think John’s reaction to seeing the Divine Jesus is important to note. It’s not like his interactions with Jesus before. John is awestruck at the presence of this Being with burnished orange feet. (That’s probably all he saw falling there. I think the rest of His body has the same skin color. Perhaps this very image is why some direct their hate toward an orange man. There is a real spiritual congruence. No, I am not likening Trump as Jesus or vice-versa. Just pointing out a very real and dark spiritual manifestation. I digress.)

The recurring themes and phrases that thread though John’s major writings are many. There’s the I am (ego eimi.) There’s the after these things (meta tauta.) There are many others to discover. The text in 1 John 5 points to the first of these.

John’s Gospel contains one of the greatest apologetics on the divinity of Jesus. He begins that by saying Jesus is God. He also says that He became flesh. He came by blood, which is the antithesis of being born again which is not by blood. There fore, in my understanding, by blood refers to human birth.

He came by water and by blood.. Though there are differing interpretations of what this means. When I read it, the water immediately points me to John 3 where Jesus is speaking of birth.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 3:5

This part of the epistle is going to provide a rock solid testimony of the essential Truth. Just as John witnessed to in his Gospel account of Jesus’ own words. The first is that Jesus is indeed born human by water. Which means He gestated in the womb, too. The reference to the blood is the second witness to His humanity. Humans have blood, divine beings do not. It’s not just that He is born human, He is human. He has blood.

The Bible teaches us that a matter is established by two or three witnesses. We have two to His humanity. The third Witness is Divine. John wrote of this briefly from the eyewitness testimony of John the Baptizer.

Then John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and have borne witness that He is the Son of God.”

John 1:32–34

The Holy Spirit descended on Him and remained. Other accounts add some detail to the event.

And a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17

This event testifies to the Divine Nature of Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God. But knowing some of the Old Testament Scriptures that give a foundation and testify to the idea, Jesus is Jehovah. In Isaiah, the proof is clear: the Son given is called Mighty God and Everlasting Father. Remember, His birth testifies to His humanity, it also testifies to His divinity, He is born of a virgin.

These three witnesses testify to Jesus’ divinity and His humanity. It’s not two natures existing in One being. He is the unique perfection of both joined as One.

Saying Jesus is Jehovah is just as true as saying Jesus is Human.

This refutes the Gnostic idea that Jesus was only divine. It refutes lots of other ideas, like Arianism, Modalism, Sabellianism, and that Jesus was created by God. There are some who say Jesus is not Jehovah because He sits at the right hand of Jehovah.

All of these are heresies that deny the Truth. These three testify of Jehovah in flesh.

Our Testimony

This is the controversy with the Johannine Comma. If these are really words written by John, then there are three in heaven that testify. Which then makes it rock-solid evidence of the reality about Jehovah. One which John knows very well.

Read this paragraph and see what you encounter.

Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, but you do not know these things? Truly, truly I say to you, We speak of what We know and bear witness of what We have seen, but you do not receive Our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven except He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man who is in heaven.

John 3:10–13

Did you see it?

We speak of what We know. We have seen. Yet Nicodemus did not believe “Our testimony.” Who is the We to Whom Jesus is refering?

I find it ironic that Jesus was speaking to a scribe there. One who would have known the Scriptures in the Tanakh. The words that testify of Him. And it is always with Jesus encountering Israel’s leaders that He expected them to expect Him. As pointed to above from Isaiah 9, the Mighty God and Everlasting Father would be a Son given to Israel

My Father

Before He came to Nicodemus, Jesus overturned tables in the temple, claiming it as His Father’s house. He claimed God as Father, and that should not have been shocking. No reaction to that was recorded, if there was one. Yet John cites it as a fulfillment of a prophecy in the Psalms.

Jesus testified that the Father so loved the world that He gave His unique Son. The language used is a direct reference to Isaiah 9:6, “a child is born,” and “a Son is given.”

Here is testimony that parallels 1 John 5:

He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness of what He has seen and heard, yet no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without measure to Him.

John 3:31–34

Those are the words of John the Baptist. John says Jesus comes from heaven. He testifies to what He has seen and heard. Those that do not believe will not have eternal life. Those that receive what He says, meaning those that take it or lay hold of it, demonstrate that God is real.

After the recording of this, John shows that Jesus intentionally seeks out a Samaritan woman. He reveals to her His divinity, too. He says He is the Messiah. Knowing Isaiah 9, the Son given is a reference to the Messiah. Jesus told her plainly that He is Jehovah.

In John 5, there is the lame man at the pool of Bethesda whom Jesus singled out to heal. He told the man to get up and walk, and the man did. However that day was Shabbat. The authorities took note. The man was then grilled by them because he was carrying his bed—He was working. The man testified he did not know Who healed him, and said as much when asked. Jesus later found the man. That healed man left to tell the authorities that is was Jesus Who healed him. It was then the authorities sought to kill Jesus. It was not for the reason many suspect. The penalty for working on Shabbat is death. Since the man did as he was told, the responsibility for the penalty fell on the One commanding him. (Managers take note.) When the authorities came to Jesus for an explanation, here are the things that followed:

Jesus answered them, “My Father is working still, and I am working.” So the Jews sought even more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 5:17–18

The authorities immediately knew what Jesus claimed. John is not done with making the Truth about Jesus plain to all. Jesus is still speaking to those authorities that seek to eradicate Him.

Three Who Testify in Heaven

Then Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do. For whatever He does, likewise the Son does. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself does. And He will show Him greater works than these so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all men should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 5:19–23

He continues…

“If I bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true.

John 5:31–32

Who is the Other Who bears witness of Jesus?

It is the Father in Heaven. He testifies to the truth of Jesus in the works that Jesus does. These things prove that the Father sent Jesus. He is the Miracle Worker of old Who bore Noah through the flood and the Israelis through the sea.

Where John writes his epistle, Jesus has already been caught up to Heaven. He is there now, so it makes perfect sense to say that there are three in Heaven Who bear witness.

The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit

I personally don’t like to use the word Trinity. I don’t reject the concept. I reject the oversimplification and the baggage added to the idea. Even though that is simple. God has told us of Himself. I take hold of that testimony, all of it.

Considering Father, Word, and Spirit, there are many overt testimonies to find in the Tanakh. The first one comes from Genesis 1:1… In the beginning God. The Hebrew word for God there is Elohim. Hebrew has many unique peculiarities, this is one of them. Elohim is the plural of the singular Hebrew noun El. Both translate to God. Hebrew nouns come in singular form, dual form, and plural. The dual form is Elohayim, which would signify a set of two. Which means that a Hebrew plural is really more than two. Or at least, three. Elohim is three or more which is the initial idea.

Then there is the Sh’ma Yisrael…

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is one!

Deuteronomy 6:4

One, in this verse, is translated from the Hebrew word echad. Which properly means united as one, as in a unity of parts. The word Lord there is the Tetragrammaton. I usually use Jehovah. Jehovah is One!

Two witnesses, but are there more?

Yes, there are a lot of them. Besides the earlier reference to Isaiah 9, there are more. I will reference two.

Thus says the Lord the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts:
I am the first, and I am the last;
besides Me there is no God.

Isaiah 44:6

Thus says Jehovah, the King of Israel. This title that belongs to the Messiah. The Lord (Jehovah) of Hosts is also a title belonging to the Messiah. Finally, the first and the last is also how the Messiah describes Himself in Revelation. There is also a hint of this in Genesis 1:1 where the Hebrew says, “Bereshit bara Elohim et.” Literally in English it is, “In the beginning God.” But the et is not translated. It is two letters encoded in the text. They are the aleph and the tav. These are the first and the last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It is the equivalent of alpha and omega.

Come near to Me, hear this:
I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;
from the time that it was, there I am.
And now the Lord God has sent me
and His Spirit.

Isaiah 48:16

I encourage the reader to diligence—read all of Isaiah 48. For purposes here, I will tell you that the person speaking is Jehovah. (Back in Isaiah 45:18, Jehovah declares Himself as the One speaking.) When getting to this verse, it is Jehovah’s call to Israel. He identifies Himself yet again, but differently. He declares He, Adonai (Lord) God, sent Jehovah and His Spirit.

This text tells us that Jehovah is the One sent from Adonai. John is borrowing heavily from the Tanakh. The sent One is Jesus, Who is clearly Jehovah. John knew this from Jesus’ Own testimony.

The Father Himself, who has sent Me, has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.

John 5:37

The Father sends the Son to give life. One of the previous references above included John 5:21 where Jesus says, “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” To another group of people, Jesus will say in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life.”

By Jesus’ testimony, there are Three Who give life, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

One of those other important consistencies, in Isaiah 48 is that Jehovah declared things would happen before they did. It is God Who alone knows the beginning from the end.

Remember the former things of old,
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
declaring the end from the beginning,
and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying,
“My counsel shall stand,
and I will do all My good pleasure,”

Isaiah 46:9–10

Throughout Jesus’ Own testimony in John’s Gospel, He says He tells what happens before it does. In His case to the authorities, He said if one knew the Father they would know Him.

I am He

Back to John. He knew the Father, and he recorded these words from Jesus.

“Now I tell you before it happens, that when it does happen, you may believe that I am He. Truly, truly I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me. And he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

John 13:19–20

When Jesus says He speaks future things before they happen, He is identifying Himself. Remember, God said there is no other like Him, He knows the future. Therefore, if Jesus says He knows the future there is only one conclusion. He says that “I am He.” This is for His friends so that they may believe that.

In some of your Bibles, the He is italicized. That means it is added for clarification. The underlying Greek is ego eimi, literally I am. Jesus is telling everyone present exactly Who He is.

Furthermore, whoever receives who Jesus sends receives Him. What does that mean and Who does He send?

It is the Holy Spirit.

“But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

John 15:26–27

This verse cements the idea that the Spirit is sent by Jesus. Yet He calls the Spirit Counselor. Recall Isaiah 9:6, the child born and the Son given shall be called… Counselor. Isaiah 48:16 referenced previously says that Adonai sends Jehovah and the Spirit. John 14:26 says that the Father sends the Spirit.

The Father is Jehovah, the Son is Jehovah, and the Spirit is Jehovah. The clear cut reality—Jehovah is One! There is plenty of testimony in John’s own writings that the controversial passage is probably part of the original.

Three testify in heaven, and these Three are One.

Three That Testify on Earth

There are three that testify on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are toward the one.

1 John 5:8

Just as Three in Heaven testify as One, the three on earth testify toward the One. That is, they testify that God has indeed come in Flesh. He is Emmanuel, God with us.

The testimony from John himself is very consistent. That One God exists in Three Persons is not just a tradition, but a reality from the Tanakh. The rejection of which has dire consequences.

This Witness in You

If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God which He has given concerning His Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has this witness in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he does not believe the testimony that God gave about His Son.

1 John 5:9–10

The testimony of the eyewitnesses of Jesus… Like John’s… Needs to be received. It is eternal life. It is not just John’s testimony, but the greater testimony of God.

These testimonies must agree, that the Man Jesus is indeed Jehovah Himself. Which means if a person comes and says Jesus is not Jehovah, they disagree with the testimony of God. The consequences of that is to make Jehovah a liar. That will not work out well for anyone who does that.

This was a prevalent heresy at the time John wrote. The Gnostics denied the uniqueness of Jesus… Man and Jehovah. This denial of truth is still present today. It has become more subtle. Yet it is easily identified when people scoff at the Truth… Jesus in flesh is Jehovah, He is Jehovah today, sitting at the right hand of Jehovah. That Truth never changes.

Those that believe this, have the same witness in themselves. That is, they have Jehovah in them. That is the Counselor that was sent by Jesus. Receiving Him, one receives Jesus and the Father. The Truth reconciles.

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life, and whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:11–12

That is the consistent testimony of John… That Jesus gives life, and as such… Is indeed Jehovah.

The choice is yours to believe or not.

He who believes in the Son has eternal life. He who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:36

No One Can Come, Really?

On By TimIn Exhortation, John 061 Comment

No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:44

I had a hyper-Calvinist quote this to me recently. He then gets on his preacher mode and says: “There are several arguments/interpretations of this verse.”

The first point, is that logical fallacy. He is building a straw man he will dutifully attempt to destroy. He pitched it this way: “(B)ut the truth is simple. Coming here is believing(.)”

This kind of thinking is very flawed. But it is the kind some use to prop up the fatalism expressed in their understanding of this verse. Oh, they may argue and say this is determinism. But that is the proverbial lipstick on the pig of fatalism. It may be dressed up, but it is still fatalism.

The fallacy exists because their beliefs do not reconcile. Truth always reconciles.

Simply put… Coming is coming… And believing is believing. Neither are compulsory, and coming doesn’t mean one believes. That is why the conjunction exists between the two separate ideas. One comes to Jesus, and one must believe, too. They are not the same. Simple elementary school language lessons reveal this. But the tricksters are taught to use flowery religious language to obscure the truth.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.

John 6:35

Jesus is speaking to a crowd that was already drawn to Him by the Father. He is explaining that point to them. They were in His presence on account of the Father’s drawing. And they came to Him at least twice, according to the context. They came to Him, saw Him, and even spoke with Him. Yet something is missing.

But I told you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe.

John 6:36

Yet oddly, they don’t believe. So Jesus debunks the reformers’ fatalism the right there. Jesus goes further. He upends the idea that coming is believing. And frankly any other reformed notion centering on the text in John 6.

All whom the Father gives Me will come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will never cast out.

John 6:37

Reading the entirety of John 6, it is clear that all of those that came to Jesus that day were not ever turned away by Him. They left of their own accord and in disbelief.

For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who has sent Me, that of all whom He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

John 6:38–39

Jesus is telling them that if they don’t believe Him, it’s on them. Because all things are given to Jesus, He’s not going to lose any… And He alone has the power of resurrection. This should not be a surprise to anyone who knows and honors the Father Who has the power of life and death. There is not a human that Jesus will not raise… Some to life, others to perdition, and He has already told them that in another place before they came to Him in Capernaum.

“Do not marvel at this. For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 5:28–29

But just because one comes to the Son and even sees and hears Him… Does not mean one has eternal life. One must do something with what they see and hear.

This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:40

In case you are not able to understand exactly what Jesus is saying, the Jewish folk present at that time did. Their reaction is recorded for our edification.

The Jews then murmured about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”

John 6:41–42

They know His claim is to be the very God of their Fathers. They struggled at that because of the legalism inherent in their beliefs. They could not quite grasp the truth, even though their Scriptures plainly spoke it. A Son is given. He shall be called Mighty God, Everlasting Father. He is rightly expecting them to expect Him, God in flesh!

Jesus therefore answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:43–44

In other words: You are here in My presence because I, the Father have drawn you here. I Am (He,) because nobody else raises people from the dead.

It is written in the Prophets, ‘They shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and has learned of the Father comes to Me.

John 6:45

You should know this!

Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God. He has seen the Father. Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in Me has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

John 6:46–51

It’s necessary that you do something, other than just coming to Him, seeing Him, and hearing Him.

Don’t let a reformer (whether Calvinist or Arminian) twist this text to say something it does not. They will try to teach it is from a god with stingy grace only available to a few chosen people, the rest this God sends to perdition. What this text is showing, and the entire macro level view of John 5 through John 6 is the lavish and extravagant love of the Father to save anyone who wants it.

To understand takes one back to the lesson of the loaves from when Jesus fed these people earlier. Though all of them ate until they were glutted there were twelve baskets left over. The extravagance in providing for their needs left nobody wanting, and what is leftover is not wasted.

Never Die Forever

On By TimIn Death, Eternal Security, John 11Leave a comment

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die ⌊forever⌋. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25–26 (LEB)

Most Bibles will miss something profound in this text. I know this is not the normal version I read, but is one of the study bibles I use.

I draw attention to bracketed weird. This hints at something important. That bracketed word forever indicates a Semitic style emphasis in the Greek. The emphasis of this Hebraism is usually not translated. In the surrounding context, Jesus is speaking to Lazarus’ sister after he has passed. He was assuring her that her brother would live.

Jesus is saying that the one who believes in Him, even if such dies, they will live. That’s a promise of resurrection.

Furthermore, everyone who lives AND believes in Him… Those are present tense verbs… such will never-ever die, forever. The profound reality is that believers will not die for eternity.

It is important to understand the significance of what John was conveying from Jesus’ words. It just cannot and will not happen.

That means clearly, if you are alive and believe in Him right now, you’ll never-ever die forever. If you’re worried about some point in the future where you fear your faith might fail… you’re still never-ever gonna die forever.

That is the true freedom Jesus gives. There is no more bondage of death for believers.

I Laughed Today

On By TimIn Jesus, John 15, LoveLeave a comment

This week, someone said, “Jesus would’ve hated Charlie.” It made me giggle a bit. As I’m writing this, it still makes me giggle, but the laughter comes with the sad reality. Some don’t know Jesus.

I know Jesus. I know the Truth. Jesus loved Charlie Kirk. Charlie is with Jesus now.

A statement like this reveals that some don’t know much about the Bible, Who Jesus is, or what Jesus said. They know what others tell them, but have not verified anything.

As for hatred, it’s the world that hates Jesus and His followers. Consider this about hatred, and what it reveals about those who mocked Jesus, who mock Charlie and other Christians.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, the world therefore hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My words, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not performed among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin. But now have they seen and hated both My Father and Me. But that the word which is written in their law might be fulfilled, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

John 15:18–25

Because the culture hated Charlie, one thing is certain: Charlie loved Jesus. It is the public reaction that brings out the truth Jesus spoke. They identify themselves.

From the personal testimonies of many close to Charlie Kirk. He was doing exactly what he was called to do by Jesus. He was a living witness to all of us that he was the man we all should be. Bold, loving, courageous, and with complete trust in our Savior. It is clearly demonstrated that Charlie was a servant. And he was not above his Master. Charlie even died a younger man than Jesus did.

It’s no coincidence that he was hated by the world. It is because Jesus is. Charlie is proof of that. As was John the Baptist, who was also taken out at a young age. These all spoke the truth; they unveiled the underlying sins of people to the light. Just like the text above says, if they hadn’t been spoken to, they would not have known sin.

The issue is clear. Evil does not like exposure. Exposure takes the stranglehold of its power away.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the verdict, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that it may be revealed that his deeds have been done in God.”

John 3:17–21

When people came to Charlie, he didn’t set out to expose their evil deeds. He simply wanted to have conversations. In those interactions, he spoke truth to people. Truth, to a student culture that is purposefully implanted with delusion, then sounds offensive. Like Jesus said, had they not been spoken to, they would not have known of their sin. In that way, truth is an equal opportunity offender. It happens to everyone. There are things God says to me that I don’t like. Yet in not being offended and confessing those faults, I’ve learned to trust that He has my best interests at heart. Sometimes, they are ones that I have no conscious clue about.

Watching the plethora of videos of his encounters, it’s clear that truth worked in the consciences of those to whom he spoke. Sometimes, a mind was open and willing. Most often, minds were closed, and the people left clinging to their delusions.

That’s sad.

They think they know Jesus. All they have is that He’s a cool dude who was nice to everyone. That’s very shallow. I wonder if the folks whose tables were turned, or the Pharisees He called white-washed tombs thought He was nice?

Yes, Jesus loves all humans. He also speaks truthfully to them. Love and truth are inseparable.

The soul who sins shall die. I think we all know that inherently. When truth is spoken to any of us, we inevitably know our faults in missing the mark of perfection that God requires. It’s like Paul said about the truth of the law… It made sin alive in him, and he died.

Because many walked away from Turning Point USA events rejecting Jesus, Who is the embodiment of Truth. It brings profound sadness. People don’t want to know the truth. Like the person saying Jesus would’ve hated Charlie. That’s mockery revealing no personal knowledge of Jesus. They don’t know Charlie, and they really hate the Truth he represented.

The real problem is sin. The danger is dying in one’s sins. So, how do we humans deal with this inescapable doom of death?

I will tell you now, if you’ve stumbled upon this post and the words of Jesus have somehow pierced through, showing you were caught up in delusion, that’s a first step. The next is believing in Jesus.

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” This is the word of faith that we preach: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:8–10

It is that easy. You can know Jesus today. He’s not dead, but very much alive! This is Who Charlie knew. This is Who I know. Jesus is not relegated to the past… He lives and loves today. He forgives sin, any sin, all sin. He also takes them away forever. Just confess it to Him.

Are you afraid to pray or even approach Him?

Don’t be.

I know the Truth, so how can Jesus hate anyone?

He doesn’t.

I mean this: He died for the sins of the whole world. Think about that. The creation cries out for justice because you and I have sinned. The death of Jesus satisfies that justice once and for all.

Almost 2,000 years ago, He died. His death provided a pardon for sins. You and I have been pardoned effectually and unconditionally. If you’re human, He did that for you.

How is that hate toward Charlie?

Charlie let anyone speak to him. He loved them enough to be truthful, which is exceedingly refreshing in our culture.

Get this, the Bible plainly states… There is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends.

Jesus laid down His life for Charlie.

He did that for you.

He did that for me.

I don’t care where you’re at, what you’ve done, or even who you are. I KNOW that for the sheer fact that you’re a human person… Jesus calls you a friend. One that He died to save.

Charlie was His friend. I am His friend. If He died for you, you are His friend; the question I leave to you…

Is He your friend?

If not, fix that right now.

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.

Go Boldly

On By TimIn Exhortation, Galatians 03Leave a comment

“Even Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Therefore know that those who are of faith are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel in advance to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Galatians 3:6-9

Those who are of faith are the sons of Abraham. Much has been spoken of a so-called spiritual or true Israel. This is just the well-worn nomenclature of dogma. What I mean is that those terms are contrivances. They are made-up, but sound Biblical. They are not. As with much of Scripture, there are manifold applications. Many of these focus on the chosen people, which is Israel. But Paul is demonstrating something greater in that promise God made to Abraham and his Seed. That is, that God would justify all peoples by faith, including the Gentiles.

“For all who rely on the works of the law are under the curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the Book of the Law, to do them.” Now it is evident that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, for “The just shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, for “The man who does them shall live by them.” Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us—as it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—so that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:10-14

If you are relying on the commandments or other laws delivered to Israel as a measure of how well you perform every day… You’re doing it wrong. In fact, if that is the measure—that is how you justify your own behavior—you’re cursed! None of us can do it. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4, The just shall live by faith. He is telling us here how to live.

As Christians, having already been redeemed from the curse, we ought to live in the promise of faith. Often, we are stymied and waylaid by our own failures. And that, for far too long than we need to be. This is just a trap of the adversary, who will not miss a chance to neutralize us, sidelining us from the race set before us. We end up wallowing in and glorifying our own sin.

“Brothers, I am speaking in human terms: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is ratified, no one annuls or adds to it.” Galatians 3:15

Let’s talk turkey, as they say. A covenant is not changed by anyone. Once validated, the covenant exists. Think of it like a Last Will and Testament. Once a will has been ratified and the testator validates it by passing on, no one can cancel it or add conditions to it. The covenant exists between the testator and his heir(s.) A mediator, usually called an executor, ensures the covenant is put into effect. Though we know, in human terms, the covenant is often contested—at law. (This is really something profound.)

“Now the promises were made to Abraham and his Seed. He does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your Seed,” meaning one, who is Christ.” Galatians 3:16

Paul is telling us that God is making a covenant with Abraham and One Other. It isn’t to many, and not necessarily a nation. It is to the Messiah.

“And this I say, that the law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not annul the covenant that was ratified by God in Christ, to nullify the promise. For if the inheritance comes from the law, it no longer comes from the promise. But God gave it to Abraham through a promise.” Galatians 3:17-18

Do you see how the covenant – that promise—to Abraham supersedes the law in so many ways?

First, it came before the law. The inheritance, the land, the blessing, etc., is to Messiah.

“What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, until the Seed should come to whom the promise was made. And it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.” Galatians 3:19

Here we see another difference between the law and the covenant. Whereas the covenant was made by God, the law came by angels and a mediator, Moses. It was to a particular people, in a particular location, at a particular time. It served a purpose. Paul will explain in some detail.

“Now a mediator is not a mediator for only one party, but God is one.” Galatians 3:20

This statement proves difficult. I think Paul is showing another distinction that separates the law and the covenant. Whereas the law came by a mediator between two parties, making at least three… The covenant to Abraham was made by One to the Heir. The Heir is also God. (And if we can extend this hint of three, the executor would be the Holy Spirit, see Ephesians 1:13-14.)

“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.” Galatians 3:21-22

Sin existed before the law. It existed before the covenant. In Romans 11:32, Paul says that “For God has imprisoned them all in disobedience, so that He might be merciful to all.”

You might think that this was punishment. Paul clearly has stated that those under the law are cursed. If a law had been given that could give us life, then certainly righteousness would come through it. Righteousness comes another way, by covenant.

“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.” Galatians 3:23-24

The purpose of the law was as a tutor… A guardian of sorts. It was to point us to Messiah.

Think back to Leviticus; all the offerings were to point out our deficiencies. The remedy by offering of animal blood didn’t cleanse. It was the faith that did. Again, the just shall live by faith. The law was to teach us to look toward Christ. But there was always a gruesome reminder of what sin brings. The end of sin is always death. The soul that sins, it shall die. That is not the law. It was the purpose of the law. When we sin, we must turn to Christ by faith.

In practicality, before Jesus… Israelites had to give sacrificially, of the sweat of their hands. If a live offering, it was killed at the altar. But before it was killed, an Israelite had to travel, sometimes a considerable distance. And it was always with a mediator between man and God. What the law teaches is where we need to go for justification. It has always been to Jesus.

“But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Galatians 3:25

Hallelujah!

“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

Stop living in defeat. Stop looking back toward sin. Confess, and keep going. Note the condition: If you are Messiah’s, you are no longer cursed under the law. Stop measuring yourself by it. You do not have to have your bags packed for the guilt trip. It isn’t necessary. Provision has been made for your journey already (see 1 John 1:9.)

Instead, go boldly! Just as you are instructed, go into all the world and make disciples.

God Has Obligated Himself to Save All

On By TimIn Genesis 03, LoveLeave a comment

I made this statement recently. My thoughts are that from Genesis 3:15 and onward through the Bible, that this truth is self-evident. Imagine when I was challenged to defend the claim that God obligated Himself to save humanity.

As odd as that demand is, the Bible clearly reveals His plan. It was to humiliate Himself under the bondage of death for people… All of them. He says of Himself that He is Just and Justifier. And He is doesn’t choose between people. All have the same invitation to come. That’s the reason Jesus was born, as promised in Genesis. He is the Promised Seed.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”

Genesis 3:15

I can almost hear the doubts. But this was a promise given to the entire human race. (There were only two at the time.) The promise was that a Human would triumph. I said it.

It was not well veiled in the text of the Tanakh. From that beginning, the idea was taught that death was necessary to cover sin. The inference would be that the Seed would also die. And with that, defeat death.

With all of that in mind, let’s check it out.

There are precise passages in the Tanakh where God plainly shows He does things to protect His reputation.

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their way was before Me as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. Therefore I poured My fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land and for their idols with which they had polluted it. And I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries. According to their ways and according to their deeds, I judged them. When they entered the nations, where they went, they profaned My holy name, because they said of them, “These are the people of the Lord and have gone forth out of His land.” But I had pity for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.

Ezekiel 36:16–21

Here, His rescue of Israel would be to protect the reputation of His Name.

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the sanctity of My great name which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified among you before their eyes.
For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean. From all your filthiness and from all your idols, I will cleanse you. Also, I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you will be My people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleanness. And I will call for the grain and increase it and lay no famine upon you. I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field so that you shall receive no more reproach of famine among the nations.

 Ezekiel 36:22–30

This regathering of Israel has not happened as of yet. In my understanding of the text, we are watching Him restore Israel presently.

This portion of the Scripture fascinates me. Especially the last portion. All of those things of restoration promised to Israel are given to us believers today. If we are doing right, and the Israelis really knew their Tanakh, this should provoke jealousy.

I digress.

Back to the subject at hand, that God protects His own reputation. It follows that since man bears the image of God, He is going to protect that image. Here, it is again established.

For My name’s sake I will defer My anger,
and for My praise I will restrain it for you
so that you are not cut off.
See, I have refined you, but not with silver;
I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
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 48:9–11

He even says that we do not immediately die, and it is for His reputation. Adam did not die when he sinned. (And it wasn’t the contrived spiritual death, either.) The inference in the fall in the Garden, animals died to provide coverings for humans. By inference, this leads to the necessity of a substitute or stand-in. One that will take the rap, so to speak.

Of course, we know it was the death of Jesus at the cross that satisfied the wages of sin effectually and unconditionally for all humanity. Nobody dies immediately when they sin, not me, not even Adam. The death of Jesus provides a respite from the wages of sin. The debt is satisfied.

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, all whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13:8

This proves the timelessness of the plan, from the Lamb Who was slain from the foundation of the world. He is protecting His reputation.

God had told the Israelites these things. This is a doctrine that spans the entire Bible. God elaborates elsewhere through the Apostle. Consider what he said here in this passage

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us.
We know that we live in Him, and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way God’s love is perfected in us, so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love.
We love Him because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? We have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

1 John 4:7–21

He gives a detailed explanation for His actions. He gives the motivation, it is not a selfish protecting His name, but a selfless love for others. He defines how He acts because of Who He is.

Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7

God is indeed obligated to save humanity. Not for our sake, but for His, His great love for us.

God is Love.

He extends to all the same invitation, “Come.” The responsibility for your eternity falls only to you. You are free to do so or not.

But… Love never fails.

God doesn’t fail.

When This is That: The Last Trump

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Jubilee, Last Days, Rapture1 Comment

Much has been made of what the last trump Paul wrote of is.

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

Some say it is the last of the seven trumpet judgments John writes of in Revelation. That’s not so compelling, for many reasons. The most glaring is that those trumpets bring judgment, not hope. Many say the seventh trumpet leads to the bowls of God’s wrath, and this is where they place the rapture. Right before the wrath of God comes. Revelation 6 shows that the wrath of God came well before these bowls. This points to another of those unworkables because there are already saints in heaven with crowns before the trumpet sounds. I link to the text so that you can read it for yourself.

A very compelling idea about the last trump is that it is associated with Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets. There is a quick read on this from Koinonia House here: The Feast of Trumpets. The final blast of the shofar is called the last trump. Much of what is associated with the Feast of Trumpets is compelling, especially since it is called the hidden day. As I write, we are coming toward September and the Feast of Trumpets. This makes for some exciting times.

I hold what I think the Bible says with an open mind. I want to know the Truth, and to think I have it already may prohibit that pursuit. But here is why, when this is that.

I think that the term last trump is not a clue to the last trumpet blast, but the opposite. It’s the law of first mention some Bible scholars embrace. That is, the first time a word is used in the Bible conveys certain important ideas as it is used. It is the first use of the word trumpet. I think it is not a shofar blast. It’s something different.

I made a previous post on that a while ago. I have linked to it for your convenience. I want to revisit it. Because that first trumpet is recorded here.

When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.

Exodus 19:13b

This is that first time that God came to meet His people. He came down in thick clouds to meet with them. He gave explicit instructions to be ready. They were to also be careful. Come when the trumpet sounds.

When reading through Exodus 19, it seems to be a frightful situation. Hebrews 12 tends to explain it that way. Yet, there were specific instructions given for the people to approach God. If they were prepared correctly, all would go well. Yet, when they heard the trumpet, they trembled.

That word for trumpet… In Hebrew, it is yobel. It is from where the word jubilee comes. This is not supposed to bring terror, but joy. The Most High God wants to meet with His people.

Of course, there’s a bit of a problem… Sin. Hence, all the rules and meticulous preparation are needed. Read the text. God was very careful to instruct Moses so that none of the people got hurt.

I see love… Really.

When reading this part of Exodus, the people couldn’t get over their fear of God, probably because they didn’t know Him well. At least not like Moses does. Even he had to learn about God by experiencing His care for him personally.

The Israelites who were there missed out. That is also clear from Hebrews 12. The whole Tanakh is replete with how Israel missed out. The missing out was the disbelief. They didn’t trust Him. They trusted Moses to trust Him, and let Moses mediate. Some millennia later, there are still many who don’t trust Him, including the modern Jewish people. I’d say they don’t know Him because they’ve not experienced Him by His Word.

What I think is clear is that when the next long trumpet blast occurs, it will be the same call to assembly for God’s people. But this time, it won’t be for Israel. It will be for a nation bearing the fruits of the Kingdom of God. I have also recently written about it at length on this here: Daniel 9 and Holy Week. These are the people called to assemble by the last trump to meet the same Lord in the clouds.

The question for you is, does the specter of that trumpet blast scare you or excite you?

If the latter, I am certain you have a healthy relationship with Jesus.

If not the latter and the prospect brings dread, it’s possible you don’t have a close relationship with Jesus, or maybe none at all.

That is easy to fix, and can be changed right now. But I have to say, you need to want it to change. Nobody else can want it for you. You have to do it. (That’s probably why you are reading this.)

Moses had instructions for the Israelites; it was a long list of things to do and not do. Like those Israelites, we must all be prepared to meet the Lord when He calls.

That happens simply by belief.

Belief in what?

Not particularly a what, but Who. That Who is Jesus. He told us He is Jehovah. He took on what it is to be human, and He willingly submitted Himself to the humility of death. Not just His own death, but the death as recompense due to satisfy all of our failures. Being perfect, as God and Man, death has no claim. He took up His life and He rose again!

Because He lives, He defeated death and gives eternal life to any who wants it.

If you want it, ask Him right now.

Pray: Father God, you gave your Son. I believe He died for me. He died to take away sin… My sin. I confess my own to You right now, asking You to remove it forever. I ask for and I want the gift of eternal life that You promised to give. Thank you, in Jesus’ name… Amen.

It’s the change in your mind.

The belief in Him.

The confession of your mouth.

This prepares you to draw near to God. It will be a lifelong journey, and your emotions will soon follow.

If you’ve done that, there’s an email link… There is a comment section available… Drop a note, as many will celebrate.

Grab an online Bible (Bible.com, Biblegateway.com) and start reading the Gospel of John. Read it with expectation and ask God to talk to you. Learn to sit and listen to Him.

When This is That: I Will Put My Spirit in You

On By TimIn Ezekiel 36, Holy Spirit, Israel1 Comment

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their way was before Me as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. Therefore I poured My fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land and for their idols with which they had polluted it. And I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries. According to their ways and according to their deeds, I judged them. (Ezekiel 36:16–19, MEV)

Here is Ezekiel providing God’s word to Israel during the Babylonian captivity. The Kingdom has already been divided between the 10 northern tribes, usually called Israel who were overtaken by the Assyrians. There were also the southern tribes Judah and Levi, collectively called Judah. Ezekiel is a prophet speaking God’s truth to—Israel.

The northern kingdom had already been dispersed in judgment at the time. It consisted of ten tribes, which some call the lost tribes. These people became integrated among the Gentile nations. At the time of Jesus’ first advent, the name ascribed to those people was Samaritans.

Judah was also scattered into Babylon. After 70 years of captivity, those people returned to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. They resettled the land. This was the Israel present during the physical lifetime of Jesus Christ.

In his speaking for God, Ezekiel uses some very strong language to demonstrate the detestable nature of the practices of the Israelis. Ones that brought the judgment of the Most High. He did not eradicate His people. Instead, He scattered them into the nations of the world. Where they have remained until modern times.

When they entered the nations, where they went, they profaned My holy name, because they said of them, “These are the people of the Lord and have gone forth out of His land.” But I had pity for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.  (Ezekiel 36:20–21, MEV)

This is the trouble with sin. It always has a penchant for suppressing the knowledge of God. When God judged His people and dispersed them from the land, it caused more damage to be done to His name in the minds of the Gentiles.

This may lack some context, as it reflects a common conception in the Ancient Near East. It is basically the connection between a god, his nation, and the people of that nation. These all possessed the land. When the land’s inhabitants were removed from it, the prevailing wisdom was that the god of that land dispossessed his people. They were driven away because their god abandoned them.

God had a different plan. He never intended to abandon His people.

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the sanctity of My great name which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified among you before their eyes.  (Ezekiel 36:22–23, MEV)

God’s plan from the beginning included the salvation of all the people of all nations. I know this text doesn’t say that, per se. Yet, the entirety of the Bible proclaims that the death of Jesus is for the whole world, and that anyone who wants eternal life needs only believe to receive it. This is why Abram and his descendants were chosen as a blessing to the whole world. This is not just the promise of the Messiah; it is to be their testimony to share this message with all people in all nations.

I will make of you a great nation;
I will bless you
and make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless them who bless you
and curse him who curses you,
and in you all families of the earth
will be blessed.” Genesis 12:2–3

The Most High is protecting His Name among the other nations. If He abandoned His people, He could not keep His promises to them. When the Bible declares the hope that the nations shall know that I am Lord, it is not that they would acknowledge Him as that. It’s that they all might believe!

That was the primary mission of the whole nation of Israel. They were not chosen as His people to be saved, but to make Him, and salvation, known to the world. This is the hope that all the people of the world might be saved. They failed miserably at that mission and compounded that failure by rejecting their King. That’s for another time.

For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24, MEV)

God promises to bring back the lost tribes into the land He gave to Abram, as a possession. God made the covenant with Himself. It has no conditions or contingencies attached to it, and it certainly does not expire. When both the 10 Israeli tribes are regathered with Judah and Levi into the Land, this would be the ultimate fulfillment of the promise made to Abram. It would also be the catalyst for restoring His Name among the nations of the world.

Though Judah and part of Levi returned to Jerusalem and settled the Land, this particular promise of regathering the lost northern tribes has never happened in history. With the birth of the modern nation of Israel, it seems as if those of us alive today are eyewitnesses to God making this happen. Jewish people are being drawn to return to Israel.

The contemporary cultural zeitgeist blames the nation of Israel for the world’s problems. Anti-Zionism is increasing. That factor doesn’t surprise me. Jesus said it would happen as the end of the age approaches.

Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean. From all your filthiness and from all your idols, I will cleanse you. Also, I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you will be My people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:25–28, MEV)

It cannot be overstated, and it must be understood. This promise is made to Israel. It was not made for the church or even Gentiles. Some in Christian circles have usurped this and other Scriptures to claim that the church is the new Israel. That is not true, but it is an understandable thing, what with the absence of Israel for almost 2,000 years. How would anything the Bible says about the future of Israel make sense?

May 14, 1948, became an impetus for changing minds and increasing Bible study, and that quickly. I mean, how can a nation be born in a day?

The promise God made to maintain His reputation was given to the nation of Israel. God was going to remove the sin. All of it. They would be given a new heart and spirit that wouldn’t be so indifferent. The Holy Spirit would live in them, causing them to walk in the right ways. They would finally dwell in the Land God gave them as an inheritance.

Now, I know this may seem controversial. But none of those things are promised to any Gentile in Ezekiel 36. Yet the modern-day New Testament believer is gifted all of that (except for living in the Land.) The church is not some continuation of Israel, nor did it supersede or replace Israel.

Then, how is it that Christians have these things?

In a single parable, Jesus explains the situation. It is found in Matthew 21. Before Jesus concluded His account, He confirmed the answer the crowd gave to His question to them. When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing its fruits.  (Matthew 21:43, MEV)

Those present that day understood Jesus, and they tried to arrest Him. They were actually acting out the very words of the parable they had just heard. They proved Jesus to be right.

So the Kingdom of God was given to another. Paul tells us what that means…

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.  (Romans 9:3–5, MEV)

What it was to be an Israelite, that is, the adoption, glory, covenants, promises, and the service of God, is given to another nation. Collectively, that is the body of Christ, the body of believers today that began on Pentecost. What some refer to as the church, as in the universal church.

But before we get full of ourselves… The transfer would be temporary.

I say then, has God rejected His people? God forbid! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and destroyed Your altars. I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what is the divine reply to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So then at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:1–5, MEV)

I encourage you to continue reading Romans 11. But for the purposes here, there is always a believing remnant.

As an aside, there are words in Christianese that are loaded with baggage. One is election. Most think election is for and to salvation. It’s not. It’s about service to God. Which is clear in this case.

The church body is a hybrid consisting of both Israelites and Gentiles. It benefits from all those promises and privileges given to Israel by being grafted into the Root. It is an agrarian reference. One that speaks of the privilege of service to bear fruit. Paul explains it.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the root and richness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. If you boast, remember you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you. You will say then, “The branches were broken off, so that I might be grafted in.” This is correct. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.  (Romans 11:17–21, MEV)

When a horticulturist grafts a branch into a solid root, the goal is better fruit. Therefore, this passage is about bearing fruit, and connected with the earlier parable cited when Jesus spoke of the vineyard workers; today’s believers can bear the fruit God wants.

Again, as an aside, this passage is sometimes used to support a false teaching. That is, that salvation can be lost. That simply is not true. This is about working for the kingdom of God and bearing fruit. Yes, doing even that requires faith!

Most of those things Ezekiel wrote of are true for New Testament believers—Christians. When we believe, we are washed clean.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25–27, MEV)

We are also given a new heart and spirit. Basically, we become a new creation where old things pass away and we are made new.

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, MEV)

Not really last, and certainly never least is the Spirit of God that indwells us believers.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that lives in you.  (Romans 8:9–11, MEV)

You see, this is that!

What I mean is all of those things Ezekiel promised to the Israelites are still for them. But New Testament Christians have some of them now. If we were to manifest these gifts the right way, and the Jewish people of today were somewhat familiar with their Tanakh, wonderful things could happen.

Perhaps they would recognize that the gifts promised to them are at work today in the body of Christ. Maybe that would be the impetus to provoke them to jealousy.

That’s not a bad thing. That’s how it is to be done.

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean?  (Romans 11:11–12, MEV)

As I think about that. I have some of the promises and privileges given to Israel. These are mine today.

If you are Jewish… Wouldn’t you want them today?