Tag: Jesus

Your Good Father Doesn’t Allow Evil

On By TimIn Jeremiah 07, SovereignLeave a comment

I have witnessed many people saying things like “God allows evil things to happen.” That’s simply not true. It seems to stem from the idea that because God doesn’t stop evil from happening in every moment, it is somehow God’s permissiveness.

It is not.

People make all sorts of incorrect statements about God and what He does. When bad things happen, it is not because God allows them or causes them to be. It is also not true that He stands by and lets moral evils occur. That’s just NOT Biblical.

When Adam ate the forbidden fruit, he chose for the entire human race to know calamity and how to alleviate it. Adam fell as a result of insurrection by an enemy.

That enemy and his minions have a certain fate guaranteed by the work on the cross. The Bible says the demons tremble. That’s because they have no redemption. However, humans can be redeemed by the work of Jesus on the cross. They have a respite of punishment as the wages of sin is satisfied. It is a day of salvation whereby they can be snatched from a sure fatal end.

The choice for humans amongst the evil doings in this world is to be rescued or perish.

Evil happens. The kind of evil I speak of is moral evil, those heinous things that happen. There are many things that come to pass that do not arise in the mind of God nor happen because He decrees or commands them to be.

They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command them, nor did it come into My heart.

Jeremiah 7:31

As we see there, things happened that weren’t decreed, allowed, or even controlled by God.

God is also not standing by letting things happen.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed swiftly, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil. Since one who sins may do evil a hundred times and extend his life, I also have experienced that it will be good for those who fear God when they have reverence before Him.

Ecclesiastes 8:11–12

He’s not powerless, nor standing by at all. Punishment doesn’t happen immediately because of the stay from the cross. Many mistake that respite as impotence, reluctance, or indifference. God is not powerless, nor is He disinclined to act. He sent Jesus to die! It proves God loves us and is intentional in that. There’s a reason why it seems punishment is delayed. He puts up with it maximizing the number of people who can be saved.

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

Don’t be a person who despises His tolerance and patience. Those wrong ideas lead to making falsities about Him when the truth is supposed to lead us to repentance.

I suppose some of the fault comes because of teachers building on others’ error without taking the time to ensure a correct understanding. Sometimes these teachings are picked up by pastors and theologians because it sounds Biblical. Not because it is biblical.

Each of us has a responsibility to ensure what we are taught is really real. The blame rests squarely on the person who is not noble in understanding the things of God. It is painfully evident when one hears sad news about a person by a flippant “Hod is sovereign.” It’s like blaming the bad stuff on God.

Learn to do the noble thing like in Acts 17:11.

God is a good, good Father.

It’s not Over

On By TimIn Matthew 26, The CrossLeave a comment

When evening came, He sat down with the twelve. And as they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
They were very sorrowful, and each of them began saying to Him, “Lord, is it I?”

Matthew 26:20–22

I noticed something as I read this. When reclined at what is called The Last Supper, there was a simple exchange of words that reveal a depth of profundity. This Gospel records it succinctly describing that, which would be followed by a meaningful gesture.

Since an Easter Sunday service in Greenville, SC over a decade ago, I cannot ever shake this idea that It Was Unexpected. What I mean is that earlier in the text, Jesus spoke of His being prepared for death and burial.

When Jesus perceived it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor always with you, but you do not always have Me. In pouring this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her.”

Matthew 26:10–13

As it is always my way of seeing this, the statement seems to go largely ignored. Jesus spoke plainly of His impending demise and resurrection. I get that it’s an argument from silence, but the Gospels clearly demonstrate that Jesus’ talk of death and resurrection wasn’t understood well at all by His followers. It was always with a focus on the death and not the resurrection.

In like manner, there is something similar here. And it also comes with a bit of aloofness in the disciples not quite understanding what is happening.

Lord, is it I?

When Jesus speaks here about betrayal by one of His followers, it was received with sorrow, while they wondered who amongst them who it would be. Yet many times He told them that His betrayal must be, “The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him(.)”

He answered and said, “He who has dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

Matthew 26:23–24

The meaning is that it was the determination in eternity past that the Son of Man would be betrayed and die for the lot of humanity. It is not that Judas was fatalistically chosen to have this lot. The way Jesus identified that betrayer proves it.

In that time, the sharing of the dipping of bread was a sign of intimate honor. It signified that the one receiving the gesture was really loved. Here, it was offered by the Messiah to the one who would betray Him that there was still time to believe.

The gesture also came with the assurance of reaping what is sown. That moment was not the culmination of a determination that Judas was the man. It was also an assurance that he was not remanded to eternity in perdition. The grace that Jesus gave to Judas included the same idea that God used to approach Cain.

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your countenance fallen? If you do well, shall you not be accepted? But if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must rule over it.”

Genesis 4:6–7

I want you to pause reading and really think about that. Judas was given the sop. Cain was given a physical mark on his body. Both of these are signs of the abiding love of God toward both of them. In the moment, they were loved without regard to their future endeavors, by a God Who is present with each of them already IN those yet dastardly future endeavors.

Sin is not to Rule

One can always say no.

Yes, this pokes holes in fatalism and determinism. I am also certain there are going to be silent accusations of open theism. Yet it is the truth that the Bible presents. It’s not over until it’s over.

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 3:22

As long as one is breathing… There is still time to believe. Sin is not the inescapable prison.

For God has imprisoned them all in disobedience, so that He might be merciful to all.

Romans 11:32

Yes, it brings death. But death is delayed. Why?

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4

It’s the goodness of God! The grace that is extended to both Cain and Judas exceeds their betrayals.

Sin is Rights

The scriptures say clearly not to give a foothold to the devil. Sin is the foothold. It’s the way he gets in.

From other Gospel narratives, at some point that night Satan entered Judas. He didn’t master his sin and extirpate it with faith. In a way, Satan’s entry into Judas mocks the Spirit God puts in us Christians. The sin Judas held gave foothold to the enemy, Judas extended him that right. One Gospel narrative pinpoints that this sop is the very moment Satan entered him.

Now, recall how the group responded with sorrow and wanted Jesus to point out the betrayer.

Then Judas, who betrayed Him, answered, “Master, is it I?”
He said to him, “You have said it.”

Matthew 26:25

In my mind, I am thinking these are not the words of Judas, but those of the commandant of his body. I can hear the mockery.

The Goodness of God

The history is clear. Cain rebelled and never really sought after the things of God. Judas rebelled to the end.

Considering the grace that is extended in both circumstances. Each lived after their betrayal. They were given stern warnings about the exceeding sinfulness of sin and one reaps what is sown.

Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7–8

Giving in to sin reaps death… Always. The fact that death doesn’t come suddenly is proof of the goodness of God. Because one has life after they sin, there is still opportunity to sow to the Spirit and reap eternal life.

The admonition to Judas was to do quickly his intentions. But Judas lived after he did that, proving the goodness of God still gave him time for repentance. Judas still had a choice.

Do not Comply

Though it’s over for them, it’s not over for you.

Yes, Satan entered and rebellion escalated. Judas still had life, he still had opportunity to master sin by faith in what God says.

That’s the message to you. If you’ve read this far, and you’ve embraced the lies of the enemy… That you’re too far gone… There is great hope in Jesus. There is no rebellion that hasn’t been covered at the cross.

Maybe it’s embracing the message “You’re not good enough.” Perhaps it’s, “Nobody likes me.” Or it’s like, “I am not very attractive.” Other struggle are body dysmorphia, where the message is “You are not like ____.” These thoughts runs amok in your mind like an incessantly looping program. You can be free with one word, “Jesus!”

Even if you made a covenant with your own blood, there is a greater covenant that God made with His!

The Bible says He erased the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and nailed it to the cross. Those you’ve made agreements with have been exposed to not have any real power…

And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:15

The enemies trick you into giving rights to them. That is the only way they have it. And you have the authority in Jesus’ name to revoke and renounce it at any time.

No longer comply. Resist the devil, he has to flee.

Covet the Greater Gifts

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 12, GiftsLeave a comment

But earnestly covet the greater gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:31

Wait! I thought we were not supposed to covet.

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

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

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

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

1 Corinthians 12:28–30

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then there are tongues on the bottom.

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

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

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

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

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

Which Side Are You On?

On By TimIn Psalm 002, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

History provides some poignant lessons… Among those is this one. I know I’ve written about this recently, but here is an important contemporary idea that needs to be considered in light of what the Bible says.

Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord
and against His anointed, saying,
“Let us tear off their bonds
and cast away their ropes from us.”

Psalm 2:1–3

How could this apply today, it’s just poetic literature, right?

Reading it carefully, it is God speaking to the nations and the people of those countries about their policies. God calls their plans self-serving.

The kings of the Earth set themselves. This clearly states that the leaders of the nations set themselves in opposition to God and Jesus. There are also rulers who counsel with these kings. Some of your translations read princes, but I think something a bit more sinister is at play. The Hebrew word translated here as ruler is razan. It means heavy, as in commanding. It is translated as prince or ruler. When we look at the Septuagint, the Hebrew scholars chose the Greek word archon. This adds a spiritual context that may hint at some underlying context.

Archon is used in many forms and places in the New Testament. It is used in the gospels as a descriptor of Beelzebub, ruler of demons (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22; Luke 11:15.) It is also used in the Gospel of John to describe the ruler of this world. For the discussion at hand, let’s look at the two ways Paul uses it.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the age of this world and according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

Ephesians 2:1–2

And again here:

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

Ephesians 6:12

In the first citation, Paul says there is a prince of the power of the air. To understand, think that there is an archon of the exousia of the air. The second instance tells us we wrestle not against principalities, those are the archons. We also wrestle against exousias (powers) and kosmokrators (rulers.) These are dark powers at work in this world.

Considering that, what may be said in Psalm 2 of the kings and rules taking counsel together is that there are dark powers working with human leaders to effect policies in our world. The question then comes, is there evidence for such a thing?

I think there is ample evidence. Step back into recent history:

There is a source called Secret Nazi Plans for Eastern Europe A Study of Lebensraum Policies by Dr. Ihor Kamenetsky. He writes of the German occupation of Poland and the desire to eliminate what the Germans deemed as sub-human. The occupiers desired to weaken Polish society to accept their ideas. Those socialist Germans issued the following decree:

“All measures which have the tendency to limit births are to be tolerated or to be supported. Abortion in the remaining area (of Poland) must be declared free from punishment. The means for abortion and contraceptive means may be offered publicly without any police restriction. Homosexuality is always to be declared legal. The institutions and persons involved professionally in abortion practices are not to be interfered with by police. Racial-hygenic measures are not to be promoted.” — (Page 139, Secret Nazi Plans for eastern Europe)

It is said… Those that do not know history are doomed to repeat it. Looking again at Psalm 2 seems to reveal a prophetic pattern that comes with substantial consequences and an ultimate consummation.

The first point in the socialist’s decree is unrestrictive abortion and contraception. Given modern propensities, these may be perceived as desirable things to have. After all, with global warming, limiting the human population is probably a good practice. But is it?

Except the Lord build the house,
those who build labor in vain;
except the Lord guards the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain for you to rise up early,
to stay up late,
and to eat the bread of hard toil,
for He gives sleep to His beloved.
Look, children are a gift of the Lord,
and the fruit of the womb is a reward.
As arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior,
so are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man
who has his quiver full of them;
he shall not be ashamed
when he speaks with the enemies at the gate.

Psalm 127:1–5

God commands humans to be fruitful and multiply. He calls children a gift of His, they are a reward. They are even deemed weapons of a mighty warrior. Could that be why the Germans wanted to curtail these things under the lie of freedom?

There is also the unspoken idea present in the decree… Marriage to one person for life is too restrictive.

Look… The enemy doesn’t change tactics at all. He gets people to buy into the idea that the institutions given by God are too restrictive. God gave gender, male and female. That is now declared too binary. God told humans to be fruitful and multiply, but having children binds one to home. God gave marriage as a gift, but the idea of one man and one woman is old-fashioned. The means to be fruitful, that is sex for procreation is also considered too narrow. These things are now declared as too binding, just like ropes used to tie something up. They are considered limitations to human freedom. It is the same proclamation of bondage and a false promise of liberty that the nachash (serpent) spoke to Eve in the garden, “You shall be as gods.”.

The National Socialists in Germany knew how to demoralize humans. We are witnessing the repeat by decree of governments worldwide. It is just as if what Psalm 2 says… Is true now. Yet, history demonstrates that atrocities follow such things.

The War Against Humans

The enemy is at war with humans. There is an all-out battle waging in both the spiritual world and the physical world centered on human procreation. It was declared in Genesis 3:15, and it has God as Victor on one side and dark powers on another. It is like the activities of world governments are telling us Who the real Victor is.

I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures saying, with voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and there before me was a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering that he might overcome.
When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come and see.” Then another horse that was red went forth. Power was given to him who sat on it to take peace from the earth, causing people to kill one another. Then a great sword was given to him.
When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” So I looked, and there was a pale horse, and the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed him. Power over a fourth of the earth was given to them, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.
When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had held. They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers should be completed, who would be killed as they were.
I watched as He opened the sixth seal. And suddenly there was a great earthquake. The sun became black, like sackcloth made from goat hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when it is shaken by a strong wind. Then the heavens receded like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the commanding officers and the strong and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. They said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of His wrath has come. Who is able to withstand it?”

Revelation 6:1–17

It is just as He said in Psalm 2…

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the LORD ridicules them.
Then He will speak to them in His wrath and terrify them in His burning anger:
“I have installed My king on Zion, My holy hill.”
I will declare the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are My son; this day have I begotten you.
Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You will break them with a scepter of iron; you will dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now then, you kings, be wise; be admonished, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear; tremble with trepidation!
Kiss the son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath kindles in a flash. Blessed are all who seek refuge in Him.

Psalm 2:4–12

Truth is pure. He knows the end from the beginning and has told us in advance.

Children are a heritage. There is no middle ground.

Which side are you on?

He Who Preaches Another Jesus

On By TimIn 2 Corinthians 11, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

But I fear that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve through his trickery, so your minds might be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might submit to it readily enough.

2 Corinthians 11:3–4

This is a warning against gullibility. Paul is teaching us to be circumspect and not immediately tolerant of other ideas without inspecting them throughly. There are other versions of Jesus being preached. There are other spirits you can receive.

These false teachings use the seemingly right-religious words. These often seem to be pious, and even Christian in nature. Yet the idea being offered in then may not necessarily align with the truth of Jesus Christ.

The strategy is to get the false ideas into the body. Whether that body is the corporate church or the individual believer. This is how the enemy a foothold. It’s an entrance inside the armor, a permission slip that gives him rights to exploit.

Do not give place to the devil. Let him who steals steal no more. Instead, let him labor, working with his hands things which are good, that he may have something to share with him who is in need.
Let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, but only that which is good for building up, that it may give grace to the listeners. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you. And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Ephesians 4:27–32

When false ideas enter the body of Christ, the strategy employed is to savagely destroy that body from the inside. The seduction of false doctrine hoodwinks many.

How can you be certain you’ve not succumbed to such a subtlety?

Pray to God to give you discernment. And when He shows you what it is, disavow it out loud in Jesus’ name. And then don’t do those things that give the enemy a place.

The Deliverer of God’s People

On By TimIn Acts 07, MosesLeave a comment

He supposed that his brothers would understand that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.

Acts 7:25

I stumbled across this while reading Stephen’s testimony to refresh my memory for another task. As God would have it, something caught the attention. This verse was a flashing neon sign that said, “Look at me!”

We know that Moses was chosen as the deliverer of Israel from Egypt. Stephen tells his audience that Moses knew his calling long before it was revealed to him by God. From where did Stephen get that idea?

In our small group, we are going through the book of Exodus verse-by-verse. In the part of the narrative to this point in Moses’ life, it is very difficult to even get a hint of that idea. That is, unless one pokes around the interactive of the Hebrew language and the cognates of the languages at the time.

It is intriguing to look into the origins of his name. In Hebrew, the name Moses is roughly spoken as Moshe. We get the terminal s from Greek language rules that do not allow a vowel to end a masculine proper noun.

Moshe

The underlying evidence is that whoever named Moses knew the Hebrew language well. The context in Exodus also provides some clue as to what the meaning of his name entails and how he received it.

Now a man of the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw him, that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. When she could no longer hide him, she took for him a container made of bulrushes and daubed it with tar and with pitch. She then put the child in it and set it in the reeds by the river’s bank. Then his sister stood afar off so that she might know what would happen to him.

Exodus 2:1–4

Clearly, there is intrigue. A Levite couple bore a Levite son. It was at the time the Egyptians forced infanticide on the Israelis for fear of the strength in their growing numbers. The baby was put in the basket and sent into the river. His big sister Miriam watched to see what would happen to the infant.

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river while her maidens walked along by the river’s side, and when she saw the container among the reeds, she sent her maid, and she retrieved it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying. She had compassion on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call for you a nursing woman of the Hebrew women so that she may nurse the child for you?”
And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the young girl went and called the child’s mother.

Exodus 2:5–8

There is more here than meets the eye of the casual reader. Miriam had to be very close to all of this. As she watched the Egyptian princess’ handmaiden draw her brother from the water, she witnessed the compassion of the young woman. Perhaps that is what drew her. She was close enough that she would even suggest summoning a wet nurse for the new baby.

The princess wanted it to be so, and sent Miriam.

Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.

Exodus 2:9

It is the goodness of God that in such terrible circumstances when all Hebrew infants were brutally murdered, a mother was able to care for her own infant son and earn a paycheck for doing so. It is easy to see how God Himself lifts up motherhood and sees the importance of intimate bond between a mother and child.

Now the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.”

Exodus 2:10

Moshe (Moses) would be under the care of his own mother until he was weaned. That would be somewhere between two and three years old. So now there is a bit of an understanding of the time that has elapsed until the naming of the child. The text says that the Egyptian princess names Moshe. The text also gives a hint to the meaning behind the name.

That is where the intrigue is. Moshe is more than just a name. Could it be that his Hebrew mother gave him his name?

The meaning of the name given in Exodus points to the Hebrew origin of the name. Exodus was written by Moshe. The text also hints at punnery. The meaning give makes it sound as if the word Moshe is passive in nature. Much like one drawn out (of the water.) To be etymologically correct, the word would be Mashuy. But the name Moshe has an active participle in it which changes it from passive to active. Thus the meaning of the name is one who draws (out of water.) Or better understood as the deliver.

Pharaoh’s daughter would Egyptianize the name with a cognate Mose. This word means child or offspring. In this way, Moshe’s name is prophetic. It is aligning directly from the promise given in Genesis 3:15 to the advent of Jesus. It is this (yet future) Child of the woman Who would be Deliverer.

It would be interesting to know if they had any idea of the eternal implications of what they were doing by living their own lives. Nevertheless, this is some tantalizing evidence that Moshe’s name pointed to him as deliverer of the Israelis long before God called him personally.

Mashah

The Egyptian princess claimed “I drew him out of the water.” This is in Exodus 2:10. The Hebrew word used for drew is mashah. That word is used only two more times in the Bible, both references are to being drawn out of the water.

He reached from on high and took me; He drew me out of mighty waters.

2 Samuel 22:17

He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.

Psalm 18:16

My mind reels at how similar those two separate verses are. They connect the idea that the Deliverer draws one out of the water. Biblically, water is symbolic of chaos.

Mose

Perhaps the Egyptian Princess used the name Mose because she thought it conveyed a meaning similar to being drawn out of the water, not quite understanding the nuances of Hebrew. On the other hand, maybe it was more of a claim of her naturally giving birth. The Egyptian word Mose derives from a verb that means to give birth.

Unlike any other Egyptian name, Mose is missing a theophoric element. That is the idea that a name contains a salute to a god. In Egypt, Ramose means born of Ra. Thutmose is child of Thoth. Much in the same way Michael and Daniel end in El. Which salutes the One True God.

Moses

The name Moses is quite unique. I think that tends to validate Stephen’s assessment of what Moses knew when this happened:

In those days, when Moses was grown, he went out to his brothers and looked on their burdens; and he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers. He looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, two men of the Hebrews struggled with each other; and he said to him that did the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?”
He said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known.”

Exodus 2:11–14

Could it be that the impetus for Moses avenging that Israeli by killing the Egyptian be a hint that even at that time he foreknew of his role as deliverer of God’s people?

Stephen, moved by God, said Moses did know at that time.

He Who Sits in the Heavens Laughs

On By TimIn Last Days, Psalm 0021 Comment

Something that struck me from a text taught the other night. It speaks to the urgency of the time in which we live. Things are quickly coming to the point that God is going to establish His throne on Earth and set His Son on it.

Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord
and against His anointed, saying,
“Let us tear off their bonds
and cast away their ropes from us.”

Psalm 2:1–3

When considering the idea that human culture wants to be free from what they perceive as bondage that God puts on them, what does it mean?

Well, let’s just look at the last 70 or so years in the USA. Christianity, the Bible, prayer and God were removed from the schoolhouse. Those same things were also removed from the halls of the government. The people tend to not want influence from those things to enter the school, the government, nor the culture.

There has also been a movement that politicizes morality. What was once immoral now becomes legalized, so people can think it’s not wrong. This is part of the trickery of the age that ensnares people. It looks like hedonistic libertarianism, but without temperance it’s going to bring destruction. More people attempt to be free from constraints of old-fashioned Christianity.

We know God made man and breathed life into him. Science says man came from rocks, rain, and a zap in that primordial ooze that came from rain falling on rocks. Then from a long series of happenstance, humans evolved from that first life. Thats the laughable story science (so-called) crafts in order to loosen any ties to God. Humans don’t have to be bound to thinking of themselves as a creation (and possession) of God.

What else follows?

God established marriage as one man and one woman. That idea is considered too constraining. Marriage has been expanded by law, and is being pushed to extremes. The basic foundation and establishment of human community given by God is considered too narrow.

The blessings of sexual relations God have to be practiced within those boundaries of covenant marriage are another old-fashioned idea. It is considered wrong to confine sexual relations to just one man and one woman in marriage.

There is the issue of divorce. Because a lifelong commitment to one person is too restrictive. As a result the blessings of motherhood and fatherhood are also easily abandoned. Even more so with the availability of sterilization and abortion procedures.

Even the definition of love as selflessness is too restrictive. People are taught to look out primarily for themselves and their own fleeting pleasures.

There is even the idea that fathers can give birth because the binary basics of gender, male and female as God made them, are to narrow. Society is in the midst of freeing itself from that.

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord ridicules them. Then He will speak to them in His wrath and terrify them in His burning anger: “I have installed My king on Zion, My holy hill.”

Psalm 2:4–6

Why would God laugh?

Because He watches the vain futility as humans to try to abandon God.

It is clear that this Psalm is giving us a time marker. It is like it is saying, when these things happen, guess what comes next?

These are the very times we live in and those which God laughs at.

If that is so, it seems that He is going to bring His burning anger to those who do these things. Some call this period of time the tribulation. That is when God’s anger comes upon the nations of the earth. What epitomizes that period of time is the return of Jesus as King. He comes back and rules the earth for 1,000 years from a throne in Jerusalem.

I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “You are My son; this day have I begotten you. Ask of Me,
and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession. You will break them with a scepter of iron; you will dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

Psalm 2:7–9

When Jesus comes again, who will be those broken by the scepter of iron?

Who will be those shattered to pieces like a broken vessel?

It will be the ones who have abandoned the old-fashioned idea of temperance is self-control. Loosing the bonds of God is an exercise in vanity. Christianity and morality, as given by God, are deemed too restrictive.

But there is an admonition to those who would hear it.

Now then, you kings, be wise; be admonished, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear; tremble with trepidation! Kiss the son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath kindles in a flash. Blessed are all who seek refuge in Him.

Psalm 2:10–12

My hope and prayer is that you are of those who honor God by honoring His Son. There is no other way to be truly free of the wrath of God other than seeking refuge in Him.

One Gets What They Give

On By TimIn Genesis 12, SalvationLeave a comment

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

Considering the things people are doing today, there are many chanting “From the River to the sea…” Not quite understanding the genocide inherent in the refrain. The ultimate goal there is the annihilation of the Israelis as a people.

Given the promise God made to Abraham and his descendants, there is blessing to those who bless. Cursing comes to those who curse. In other words, one will get in return what one gives to Israel.

That in itself is a practical personal application. There is a Hebrew word used in hermeneutics. It is remez, which generally means hint. Hint, as in there’s something else here. Knowing that, consider this:

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

Hosea 11:1

Israel was called out of Egypt by God. Moses led them through the wilderness and eventually to the Promised Land. The promise given to Abraham was kept by God. Along the way, those that treated Israel favorably got favor back. Those that didn’t received the unfavorable.

That verse in Hosea is prophetic. Matthew quoted it in his Gospel.

When he rose, he took the young Child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod, to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called My Son.”

Matthew 2:14–15

Clearly Israel serves as not just a synonym for Jesus. The two terms are interchangeable. Some Christians even call Jesus the “Israel of God.”

That has grand implications. One of those may be unsettling to some. That Israel was to bring salvation to the world. What is true for One is true for the Other. Jesus did bring salvation to the world, as is true for Israel.

So… To come full-circle.

One will get in return what one gives to Jesus. Those that give Him their life receive life in return. Those that don’t, won’t. (What I mean is you will lose your life eventually, and when you meet Him after, you will not have life to give to Him.)

God explained the principle. I will bless those that bless Jesus, and curse those who curse Jesus.

The deeper application is to you. There is only so much time that is available to anyone… Why are you waiting to give Jesus your life?

It might not be there when you want to do it.

The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire

On By TimIn Holy Spirit3 Comments

Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them through the way of the land of the Philistines, although it was nearby. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.” Therefore, God led the people around, through the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea, and the children of Israel went up prepared for war out of the land of Egypt.
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely attend to you, and you shall carry my bones away from here with you.”
They took their journey from Sukkoth and camped in Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. He did not remove the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.

Exodus 13:17–22

Having just spent the past few days at a conference where the Holy Spirit was emphasized, it seemed appropriate to adapt this part of a small group study presented on Exodus 13 and post it here. In all the typologies presented in Exodus leading up to the selection above, we have encountered the working of God Almighty (El Shaddai, the Father) and the Lamb (Jesus Christ.) As these have worked to free the Israelites from bondage, we meet this Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire. The question then comes… What (really Who) is this cloud?

I think the answer may surprise some. I think the cloud is the perfect typification of the Holy Spirit. I think the immediate text of Exodus clearly indicates this. Here is why.

Then the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them, and the pillar of the cloud moved before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, and there was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night. Therefore, the one did not come near the other the entire night.

Exodus 14:19–20

Encountering this text is quite an eye-opener. The angel of God properly understood is none other than a Christophany. It is the person of Jesus Christ as He interacts with people as recorded in the Tanakh. In our minds, we may tend to think that Jesus is the Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire. The text gives us a distinction. The use of the conjunction and joins the two ideas together. It would follow that if the angel of God has the attributes of a unique Person, then this Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire must also. They Both move in similar ways. But the Angel of God moved to flank the Israelites, while the Pillar of Cloud moved before them and also stood behind them. It is like they were being commissioned.

If you know me. I like to discover patterns in the Scriptures. I consider this to be one of those things that patterns something yet future. The Israelis were saved from and called out of bondage. The purpose was to serve the Lord. We might tend to think of that as just them making animal sacrifices… But I think it is far more. It was to be a witness of Him to the entire world. In a sense, I see this as the same commissioning that Jesus gave His disciples.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you.” When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”

John 20:21–23

The account of the Exodus gives us the pattern Jesus repeats. Just as God sent Jesus, God sent the Angel of the Lord. Just as Jesus sent His apostles (picture Him behind them sending them out,) the Angel of the Lord flanks Israel. Just as Jesus was revealing the Holy Spirit to His disciples, we see the same action of the Angel of the Lord revealing the Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit

The first thing we can know of the Holy Spirit is that He comes as a gift. Though the initial text from Exodus 13 does not call Him a gift, God gives Him as a guide to the Israelis. He guides and He gives light to them. The New Testament testifies to the fact that the Holy Spirit is a gift.

“Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 2:38

This is the first place we encounter this Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire. I(t is clear that the Holy Spirit covers and guides these Hebrews. The Angel of God removed Himself to reveal the Holy Spirit. This is yet another pattern that is revealed in the New Testament.

“The gift is not like the result that came through the one who sinned. For the judgment from one sin led to condemnation, but the free gift, which came after many trespasses, leads to justification. For if by one man’s trespass death reigned through him, then how much more will those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:16–17

The Holy Spirit comes after the Lamb. Just as the Lamb was sacrificed for the Passover, the Holy Spirit comes to those saved from death. The Holy Spirit comes after the Lamb has given His life.

The evidence indicates that this Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire typify the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What else can we know from the Tanakh about His work?

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

The prophet Isaiah tells us overtly of how God’s Spirit works. But it is the Septuagint that is laser-focused, revealing Him precisely.

And God’s spirit will rest on him, a spirit of wisdom and intelligence, a spirit of counsel and strength, a spirit of knowledge and piety. He will fill him with a spirit of the fear of God; he will not judge according to reputation or reprove according to speech.

Isaiah 11:2–3 (Lexham English Septuagint)

The Holy Spirit comes to the believer with a sevenfold ministry of gifts and activities. These things are witnessed to us by the prophet Isaiah, and expounded upon by the Jewish scholars who translated the Hebrew text into Greek.

Somehow, I want to work the following into a numbered list of seven, and that may work out. I would rather just explore what the Bible says about the working of the Spirit, I think that would be more appropriate. So let’s check it out.

Comforter, Counselor, Advocate

“I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, that He may be with you forever:”

John 14:16

The Greek word paraclete is translated in that text as Counselor. Other translations use the words Comforter and Advocate, (not a conclusive list.) There is no single English word that suffices to encompass the meaning of the word. Paraclete is used much like the idea of a lawyer in court. One that comes alongside to help. Think of the lawyer for a moment. His skill is in knowing the intricacies of the law. He also offers advice and counsel to his clients. The lawyer is an active advocate for the person.

This serves as a unique starting point. It is easy to see how the Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire comes alongside the Israelites. In how the cloud is present with the Israelites, day and night He provides comfort. His presence is as a Comforter. He covers Israel.

“He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light in the night.” 

Psalm 105:39

In the same way that the Pillar, the Holy Spirit comes into each of us believers as cover and protection.

In Him you also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and after believing in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1:13–14

Paul calls Him the Seal of a believer. The earnest (or down payment) of a sure promise to be delivered. In that way, the Holy Spirit is both covering and protecting the believer in the same way the Pillar did for the Israelis. This text also conveys the idea that the Holy Spirit comes after the Lamb.

The Holy Spirit gives counsel.

“He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; they kept His statues and the ordinance that He gave them.” 

Psalm 99:7

Clearly, God speaks to Israel through the Cloud. He counsels them as a guide to keep His ordinances and to go His ways.

“But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own authority. But He will speak whatever He hears, and He will tell you things that are to come.”

John 16:13

One can trust the Holy Spirit to complete His minsitry in the believer. Just as the Pillar spoke to Israel, reminding them… The Spirit does the same in us

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

John 14:26

The Pillar advocated for Israel. He did not forsake them in the wilderness.

yet You in Your great mercy did not forsake them in the wilderness: The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, to lead them in the way, nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way they should go.

Nehemiah 9:19

His presence was a testimony to all. Even amongst those His presence supported Moses and the other leaders in their work. He worked through them, too… Testifying to their leadership.

“And whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord spoke with Moses.”

Exodus 33:9

“The Lord came down in a pillar of cloud, and stood in the opening of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward.”

Numbers 12:5

Other Ministries of the Holy Spirit

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.”

Ephesians 4:30

It goes without saying that the ministrations of the Holy Spirit can be grieved. Even in this account of the Israelites with His very visible protection around them, they grieved Him by not trusting in Him.

When Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and indeed, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they were extremely terrified, so the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Exodus 14:10–12

Thank God that the leading of the Holy Spirit is never to a dead end. God parted the sea and made a way for them, keeping His presence in both the Angel of the Lord and the Pillar. When Moses spoke to Pharaoh the words of God, he called Israel His son. Paul tells us that those led by the Spirit are sons of God. It is He Who testifies to that fact.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”

Romans 8:14

He is Darkness to His Enemies

Have you ever wondered why some just cannot see the truth witnessed by the Scriptures?

In the Exodus, as the Israelis were penned in between the advancing Egyptians and the Red Sea at the gaping mouth of a canyon, the Pillar was working.

“So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel, and there was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night. Therefore, the one did not come near the other the entire night.”

Exodus 14:20

The Egyptians had their perception of reality obscured. It happens in unbelievers. It is not that God blinds them so they cannot see, it is that they have not wanted to see the truth but only desired to satisfy their felt needs. The Egyptians became blinded by their own vengeance.

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, “They are confused in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.” So I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he shall pursue them. And I will be honored because of Pharaoh and because of all his army, so that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

Exodus 14:3–4

God is more than willing to oblige one’s folly by protecting His own. When the Egyptians decided to pursue Israel, it became darkness to them as their goal was obscured by the Pillar. They pressed on in that darkness of hatred to certain doom. One only has to look back at the longsuffering and patience God had for Pharaoh to change his mind. It seems he may have, but we know not really. There is a lesson there for those who do not believe… Eventually, there is a point in time where God removes His influences and all you will perceive is darkness leading to certain doom. That is indeed a scary path.

It is not a bad thing that God hides things.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

Proverbs 25:2

Pharaoh failed to pursue the hidden things of God. He failed the glory of kings. Yet there is a lesson he provides to the unbeliever who finds themselves reading this. You are reading this for a reason. You are pursuing the hidden things. Don’t give up until you find them!

It is this childlike approach to the truth. Pharaoh wanted it for his own exploitation, but they are revealed to those who humbly seek.

“At that time Jesus said, “I thank You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to infants.”

Matthew 11:25

This is the same principle Jesus spoke of and attested to in His parables.

“He answered them, “It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For to him who has, will more be given, and he will have abundance. But from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Therefore I speak to them in parables: ‘Because they look, but do not see. And they listen, but they do not hear, neither do they understand.’ In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: ‘By hearing, you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing, you will see and shall not perceive; for this people’s heart has grown dull. Their ears have become hard of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I should heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them, and to…” 

Matthew 13:11–17

He Rests in the Tabernacle

“He erected the courtyard all around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the curtain of the courtyard gate. So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”

Exodus 40:33–35

This is one of my favorite things about the Holy Spirit. He rested in the Tabernacle. After those Hebrews followed the instructions of Moses, they erected the Tabernacle. The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The picture given to us is that of a cloud, just as presented inthe Pillar that led the Israelis in the wilderness.

Think about where the Tabernacle is today.

What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God, and that you are not your own?

1 Corinthians 6:19

The tent of meeting is within the believer. It is that first moment of faith, I believe that Jesus is the Redeemer Who died and rose again. Most of us believers know these things to be true. But if you are that person who might not quite believe, or perhaps one that scoffs, please don’t harden your own heart.

Apostosy in Thessalonians, It’s Probably Not What You Think

On By TimIn 2 Thessalonians 02, Apostasy1 Comment

Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For that Day will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,

2 Thessalonians 2:3

What would you think if I told you that what you believe about this verse may be a bit wrong?

I am speaking specifically about the idea of falling away. That idea is translated from the Greek word apostasia from which we get the English word apostasy. Abandoning faith is the idea behind the definition of the English word apostasy. You, like me, have probably been taught to look at it with a church-centric focus. That is, the falling away will be some sort of mass walking away from Christianity.

But, is that the right way to understand what Paul is saying?

He used that word once in his writings here. It occurs in one other place in the New Testament. It’s here:

They have been informed concerning you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to observe the customs.

Acts 21:21

The Greek word apostasia is translated here to the English word forsake. It is specifically applied to leaving the observance of the law of Moses.

Could that be important?

It seems to go along with the idea of leaving something. Some even think apostasia can mean something akin to rapture. Granted, that idea has always intrigued me… And I may have embraced it. I have a tendency to challenge the ideas I hold as truth… To see if they are true.

Let’s examine what Paul wrote in the next verse where he used apostasia.

who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God.

2 Thessalonians 2:4

The idea of apostasy is connected to the revealing of the man of sin. That revelation comes at a very specific event… When he exalts himself as God in the temple, causing the sacrifices to stop.

And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”

Daniel 9:27

Because of the connection Paul makes in context, it would be that this is entirely Jewish in nature. That is, all of this is happening in the temple to Jewish people. The antichrist is revealed for who he is here. And it’s with an abandonment of the law of Moses, causing the sacrifices to cease.

The apostasy here is most likely just like Luke used in Acts 21, the forsaking of the law of Moses.

That makes a lot of sense considering that this person is called the lawless one. There comes another conundrum that reinforces the abandonment of the law. Lawlessness and the lawfulness cannot coexist. The law must be removed before the lawless one can be revealed. It follows that this son of perdition can only be revealed with the removal of the law of Moses.

This reinforces the idea that the Thessalonians thought they were already in the Day of the Lord. This error was perpetrated by a seeming previous letter that was a forgery.

Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and concerning our gathering together unto Him, we ask you not to let your mind be quickly shaken or be troubled, neither in spirit nor by word, nor by letter coming as though from us, as if the day of Christ is already here.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–2

Reading this passage with this new information reveals precision not previously encountered here. It also shows us that at some point in the future, a temple odd going to be built and sacrifices will resume.

It opens some unexpected insights that may add to indignation. If as Hebrews 10:4 says the old is taken away to establish the new which is better. It is then a blatant affront to God to reestablish the old and again deny Jesus. That would be abhorrent and could be why the plural is used in the phrase the wing of abominations. That is the abomination of resurrecting the law of Moses coupled with the usurpation of the worship in God’s house.