Tag: Salvation

Why Not if There’s Safety and Security Today?

On By TimIn 2 Kings 20, JudgmentLeave a comment

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” And he said, “Why not, if there is peace and security in my days?”

2 Kings 20:19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is just one verse at the end of a long narrative. The word of the Lord that Isaiah spoke to Hezekiah was the doom of certain judgment.

For your own edification read the account from the first verse. It may help to offer insight as to the importance of what is happening.

In the beginning, Hezekiah is told to get his affairs in order as his death is near. He pled with God, and God extends his life for 15 years.

It is when dignitaries arrive from Babylon that things turn a bit sour. Hezekiah shows off. He gives the emissaries a grand tour of the treasures and storehouses.

When Isaiah asks about the visitors of what they wanted and whence they came, Hezekiah says they came from Babylon and were shown everything. The prophetic word given back is that Judah would be led away captive in the future.

Hezekiah’s answer was smug and self-serving. At least as long as Hezekiah reigns, there will be peace. Hezekiah confessed his actions, yes. But he did not confess any wrongdoing by those actions. He certainly showed no concern for the welfare of his progeny, either. In so doing, he ensured their future is dark and bleak.

I cannot help but to think of the United States… No almost every nation in the world. People are more than ever willing to place heavy and demanding burdens on their progeny for a bit of safety and security today.

What I mean is most currencies are debt-based. Like Hezekiah, national leaders cede responsibility by apathy. Central banks loan nations money. You and I pay the interest on the loans by taxes.

It used to be honorable to work and save, passing inheritance to our children. Mindsets changed. People pass on debt and with it slavery. They have themselves become bondservants to debt. That’s been the same deal from the garden where the enemy used deceit to enslave.

It’s the same principle ensuring a dark and bleak future, except we clearly see the danger looming.

Hezekiah was only thinking about himself.

Hezekiah enslaved his progeny and his nation simply because he didn’t confess his wrongdoing. Our nation, nay our world, is hurtling into chaos (by demonic design,) and many live like Hezekiah thinking it’s good enough now.

The entire globe is on the precipice of the culmination of being led off into Babylonian-type captivity. I know this isn’t a rosy outlook. It’s Biblical, though. The Bible told us of these particular tribulations among many more things in advance.

So, what to do?

The first thing is to do what Hezekiah did not do. Get right with God. That’s going to mean different things to different people. But it means having nothing between you and God. If it’s sin, confess it. If it’s not believing… Believe!

Hezekiah did get right with God, but when he stumbled afterward… He failed to confess his sins to God. That’s an important thing. Hezekiah’s actions had grave consequences for others. Those consequences would remain because of his inaction on the matter.

What I do know, is there is a Remedy.

Like Hezekiah in this instance, all people have fallen short somewhere of the standards of doing right. I don’t care how short or how far away any fall is. I know the shortness cannot be made up in our own endeavors. You cannot clean yourself up enough to come to God. And you cannot fix a bright future without God.

But Jesus…

Yes, Jesus shed His own blood for that reason. Jesus covered the shortfall by giving of Himself He did that because each of us needs to be in good standing with God. That would be impossible if there is an impediment between you and God. Jesus obliterated all impediments. He opened the presence of God to any and all that would come, no matter their moral condition.

I also know the rose again. He defeated death resoundingly. And one day, there will be no death.

If you find yourself to be in the predicament of falling short and myopically thinking of numero uno… You can fix it now. It isn’t fancy preacher-type talk. It’s you alone going to God. Acknowledge Jesus is real and is Who He claimed to be. Believe He died for you and your sins, and can forgive them when confessed because He rose again. Confess this out loud to Him. Give to Him your burden of sin by confessing it to Him.

Second… Stay right with God.

My hope and prayer are that anyone reading this has talked to God in that way. For Christians, God is not some old man in the sky. He is a Heavenly Father Who wants many children. Even a child like you… No matter what it is you’ve done. Yeah, even that thing that just blasted into your mind.

God wants you as a child, no matter what it is you’ve done.

Making Faith my Own

On By TimIn 2 Peter 01, Encouragement2 Comments

Begging for a bit of indulgence to deviate slightly in order to demonstrate a life lesson.

I met a young woman named Dinah this weekend. She was with an older friend and coworker named Byron. I had the opportunity to hear both of their testimonies before they were baptized.

Dinah spoke of a sort of coming of age in her own walk with Jesus. She had grown up in a Christian home with Christian parents. She went to church. She prayed. She read her Bible. She had even been baptized before.

But when she went to college, she realized something was missing. She was not going to church. She was not with her parents. Her faith was not her own, but it was her parents. She had gone to church, prayed and was even baptized because that was what was expected of her to do.

She endeavored to make her faith her own.

As questions were posed to her, the answers seemed to be good but there was a subtle vagueness to them. She never had a testimony of responding to an invitation, nor really saying a sinner’s prayer. She did have a testimony of asking God to be real to her and work in her.

When the attention turned to her friend Byron, things become crystal clear. By looks alone, this man seemed to be old enough to be Dinah’s father. He was a coworker.

Byron, knowing Dinah was a Christian asked her to pray for him as he was going through a dramatic and emotional upheaval of his life. She said I can pray for you and sensed he need more than prayer. She told him she would pray for him but said it would be better for him to come to come sit next to her in church.

Byron soon became a Christian. He knows the day he was saved, and two months later was standing in front us ready to be baptized.

As I was listening to all of this, I could not help but to think of Peter’s second epistle. In that writing Peter speaks of distinct groups of people by seemingly similar phrases. The first group are those saved, the ones who escape the corruption of the world and partake of the divine nature. Dinah’s testimony comes in Peter’s words.

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

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

These are real Christians. They can be babes in the faith or seasoned saints. Nevertheless, these live as a partakers of the divine nature. The divine nature is permanent, and such speaks to the permanence of salvation as a part of the divine nature.

Look at how Peter’s further encouragement to these saints helps us to see the shining Light of Dinah’s testimony.

For this reason make every effort to add virtue to your faith; and to your virtue, knowledge; and to your knowledge, self-control; and to your self-control, patient endurance; and to your patient endurance, godliness; and to your godliness, brotherly kindness; and to your brotherly kindness, love. For if these things reside in you and abound, they ensure that you will neither be useless nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But the one who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted because he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

2 Peter 1:5–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Dinah did know all of the Christianeze. Yet she also knew something was missing. She also knew she had sinned and fallen short of the perfection God demands. She went to Jesus as He is the only way to escape the certainty of that corruption that comes from those defilements.

In her own youth, it seems she forgot to make her faith her own. She didn’t add virtue to her faith. She didn’t add knowledge to that virtue. There is a chain of things we must add to our faith, which brings us to godliness, brotherly kindness, and love for others.

Dinah had the protection of family and church. It was when she left she realized she missed the fellowship of the Spirit of God, though she never voiced it that way. The reality was clear.

It’s easy to relish in that when we go to church and have a Christian family. The presence of the Holy Spirit is always there. When we become separate from others who have the indwelling Spirit that comes by that faith… If we’ve not matured we sense the emptiness. Sometimes that emptiness comes from not really being a saint. I trust that isn’t the case with anyone reading this, but if it is… It’s quickly rectified by asking Jesus to save you right now. That’s the best way to start.

This neglect of our faith leads to a bit of shortsightedness. It will eventually place the memories of salvation into the far recesses of the mind, only to be forgotten.

Nevertheless, Dinah worked out her own faith. She cried out to Jesus to be real to her. Instead of being useless and unfruitful to God, she had the opportunity to ensure another man was led to Jesus. She was the willing tool God used to bring a radical change in Byron’s life.

Byron’s presence and testimony proved that Dinah was indeed saved and useful to God. She is bearing fruit in her walk with Jesus.

It was an awesome thing to see both of them baptized that morning. There is such a satisfying sweetness in the juxtaposition of a young lady leading an older man to Jesus.

There is that second group of folks Peter also describes.

Although they promise them freedom, they themselves are slaves of corruption, for by that which a man is overcome, to this he is enslaved. For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then turn back from the holy commandment that was delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and “the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mud.”

2 Peter 2:19–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here Peter is talking specifically about the false teacher. He doesn’t have kind words. What is clear from Peter’s writing is that these false teachers have some knowledge of Jesus and the way of righteousness. But they reject it. They turn their back on the Holy command, you must be born again.

These are ones that have a familiarity with the Holy Spirit because they may have grown up in a Christian home or they have even attended church for some time. They’ve read their Bible, sang worship songs and may have even been baptized. In that sense, they escape the defilements… The sins and decadence of the world for a season. They enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit not inside of them, but around them. When they leave those environs these become entangled again in the mess they left. The end is worse for them.

It’s not that they are doomed, but much more unlikely to come to their senses and be born again.

As I am reading this portion of text this morning and thinking of yesterday, I rejoice in Dinah’s repentance. Yes, there was real evidence, not so much as on a certain day she said a certain prayer or responded to a preacher’s pleading. She reached out to God for herself by herself because she knew something was missing and He is the only remedy. He answered her!

For those of you reading this far, if you are a Christian and have neglected your faith, start feeding it. Pray to God, ask for help, and read your Bible. That’s adding virtue. Continued reading and prayer adds knowledge. These things make your faith stronger and a continued exercise of that faith muscle makes a mature believer. One unmovable in faith who truly loves and serves others.

But what if you read this and have gone to church or had Christian parents, but cannot seem to escape the siren call of the decadence of the world that entangles you?

I have one answer. Come to your senses. Stop indulging your flesh, and hang out in that community where the Holy Spirit works. Repent… That means change your mind. Acknowledge that Jesus is right. Believe He is God, that He died to atone for all sins, the sins of the whole world. And confess that aloud to Him.

You can renounce your old way of life. You can take back control of your own life. You can ask Jesus to save you. You can escape the corruption of th world and that comes by lust. But you need Jesus inside of you first. That’s the hint command, you must be born again.

If there is one thing that I am sure of, Jesus can change your life.

If you’re not sure about anything here, and need help… You can send a message via the contact section. Find a Christian friend to listen.

Note: The testimonies are accurate though the names have been changed.

The Parable of the Sower

On By TimIn Apostasy, Luke 08Leave a comment

When a large crowd had gathered together and people were coming to Him from every city, He told this parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on a rock. And as soon as it sprang up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. Yet some fell among thorns. And the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. And other seed fell on good ground and sprang up and yielded a hundred times the amount sown.”

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

I love the parables Jesus taught. The depths of meaning converted in a simple story, often are misunderstood. This is one example. Jesus explained the parable in detail… Even so, it is misunderstood.

Here is Jesus explaining the parable:

“Now the parable means this: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are those who hear. Then comes the devil, who takes away the word from their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

Luke 8:11–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I am going to stop here. This is the natural dividing line in the parable. In this part, salvation is mentioned. It is mentioned to be employed as a contrasting point. These folks hear, but the seed is never planted. Clearly, these are unsaved folk.

Now that the division is established, let’s move on.

Those on the rock are the ones who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root, for they believe for a while, then in the time of temptation fall away. That which fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the seed on the good ground are those who, having heard the word, keep it in an honest and good heart and bear fruit with patience.

Luke 8:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the former explanation, the seed never was planted in the hearts of those who heard it. That is the person didn’t believe what he heard. Which means those are not saved. It follows that those who did hear received the seed (believed) and were saved.

These next groups are those who received the seed. These three groups are those who heard and believed. These are saved people. They receive the seed with joy.

The first group falls away. They apostatize. That English word comes from the underlying Greek word translated to fall away. The root of that word are where the English word apostatize has origins.

What does that mean?

Let’s see if we can glean some understanding of what apostasy means by examining the rest of the text of the parable.

The second group received the seed. It took root but was stunted by other cares. The end result of such is given, these bring no fruit to maturity. Jesus doesn’t say these lost or didn’t have salvation.

The next group received the seed, nurtured it, and through patience bore fruit.

To conclude, in this trio who received the seed and believed, we see various stages of fruit production from the seed planted. The first has no root and obviously bore no fruit. The second bore some fruit but it never matured. The last bore good fruit.

Apostasy doesn’t mean people lose salvation at all. It means they fell away from being fruitful and useful to God. They didn’t fall away from being saved.

Redemption is for All Adam’s Race

On By TimIn Justification, Romans 03Leave a comment

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and all the world may become accountable to God. Therefore by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

What Paul is writing is that the purpose of the law is to expose the futility of the bondage every human is in. That bondage is sinning unto death. Romans 3 shows us our bondage and silences any objection we might have. We all know that we have missed the mark of perfection.

Even by keeping the law for the rest of our lives, it cannot make up for past offenses. What the law shows us is that barring intervention, we are doomed.

But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe, for there is no distinction.

Romans 3:21–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The law doesn’t show us the righteousness of God. That is revealed apart from the law. Though the law is a witness to the righteousness of God, along with the prophets. It didn’t reveal the righteousness of God.

What is the righteousness of God?

Paul says it comes to all through faith and is upon all who believe. There is a very subtle distinction here. Though the righteousness of God comes to all it is not upon all. It is only upon those who by faith… Believe. Yes, it sounds redundant. It’s an important point.

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:23–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Whether a believer or not, Israeli or not, atheist, Buddhist or whatever… There is no difference. All fall short of the mark of righteousness. The righteousness that is revealed to all. Yet every single one of those that have sinned and fallen short is being justified freely right now. That justification comes in Jesus Christ.

What it means is that if you’re breathing and reading this, it’s because of Jesus. That is especially true if you are painfully aware of your personal imperfections.

This is a respite from punishment. Some call it a delay. God calls it a day of salvation. Without the stay of execution, no human could live long enough to escape death and the condemnation that comes with it.

This grace comes to all. That is the righteousness of God revealed. It’s been revealed since the garden when Adam sinned.

Paul will tell you why.

whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed,

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

God set forth Jesus as a propitiation. That’s a big word. What it means is God’s wrath is set aside. It is set aside for everyone. God is ready to forgive!

That’s the demonstration of His righteousness. Because He passed over sins previously committed. He passed over Adam’s. He passed over David’s. He passed over mine. He passed over yours.

All of that is to give time for repentance. That’s the important point we spoke of before. There is a delay. If there wasn’t, each of us would die in our sins. We would not have any time to repent and seek remission of sins.

to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Universally, every human is free to go after sinning. That’s the cross. That’s the proof of His righteousness. He doesn’t wink at sin. Every sin has received a just punishment… At the cross.

Jesus says the problem is dying in sins. Sure, the penalty is removed, yet the sin is not. That’s the condemnation. Sin can only be removed by confession.

God is both just, saying to all who’ve sinned, you’re free to go. What each of us does with that freedom is exactly where the hinge of eternity pivots. Some believe the truth, and by faith confess that and their sin, and they are saved. Others do not and die IN their sin.

Don’t be like the latter.

The Efficient Work of the Cross

On By TimIn Redemption, Romans 03Leave a comment

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:23–24

I am certain the former verse has been cited to everyone reading. It is used to demonstrate that everyone has failed to make the mark God has set. For those of us in the church, we say all are sinners.

It is one of the most disheartening things to encounter, by the time we understand clearly, we know the reality that each of us has already missed the mark set by God. Yet that is the truth being declared.

In the wake of what appears to be stultifying judgment comes the next thought. The same folks that have already fallen short… Are being justified freely. Meaning, that they are treated as if the offense didn’t happen. (It doesn’t mean that the offense did not happen, just that the penalty for the offense is delayed.

What is being offered here is clear. Jesus died sufficiently and efficiently for those that have fallen short. That’s what He did at the cross. That freedom comes to all, believers or not.

But… There’s always a but… What Jesus did at the cross isn’t about eternity. It’s about physical existence now… When you decide your eternity.

The cross alone gets nobody to heaven. It provides a “day of salvation.” That is, time to consider reality and repent. Repent means to change direction.

When confronted with the fact that Jesus died for your own shortcomings, what do you do?

You could ignore it, shun it, mock it, or whatever. Clearly, you have that freedom. Freedom came at a great cost to Jesus.

Or you could use that delay as a time to change your mind. You could believe that what He did is for you. (And it is because you’re alive right now reading this.) You could confess it aloud to Jesus. Then confess your sins to Him, and receive the gift of eternal life.

It’s clear from the context that Jesus did indeed die efficiently for all, believer and unbeliever alike. But what will you do with the freedom Jesus gave you?

Escape the Corruption of the World… For Good.

On By TimIn Colossians 02Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

What’s that?

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

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

Peter words this from another perspective…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In doing so, the rules are irrelevant.

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

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

Shipwrecked Faith and Disqualification

On By TimIn 1 Timothy 01, Eternal SecurityLeave a comment

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

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

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

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

But what does it really mean?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That moves us to the potter.

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

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

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

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

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

Paul used this idea in another place.

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

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

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

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

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

I am going to tell you…

God gives mulligans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Before the Beginning of Sorrows

On By TimIn Last Days, Matthew 24Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Need I say Ukraine… anyone?

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

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

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

We aren’t even at the beginning of sorrows.

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

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

Jesus is coming.

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

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

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

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

When we go up, they will come down.

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

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

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

The Rapture (Part 7) – The Last Trump

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, RaptureLeave a comment

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

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

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

The Moedim

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Trumpet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Shofar at the Feast of Trumpets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Last Trump

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Homeborn Servants and Sons

On By TimIn Israel, Jesus, John 08, The ServantLeave a comment

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Now a slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever.

John 8:34–35 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Not having a full understanding of the Torah hinders us Gentiles. We want to understand the things Jesus says, and we do in a shallow sense. There are deeper things we need to be diligent in searching out.

It would not occur to me to understand what Jesus is saying in light of the Torah. In this case, Jesus is referring to some of the first things about an elect people God will call His servants and the origins of that.

Therefore she said to Abraham, “Throw out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son, Isaac.”

Genesis 21:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We know that Isaac was the chosen heir. But there is an important distinction being made between servants and heirs. There is also an apparent distinction inherent among servants. There are those bought with money and there are those homeborn.

Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave?
Why has he been plundered?

Jeremiah 2:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I understand that these texts will have layers of meanings. The first question asked here lends itself to be prophetic in nature as it speaks of Jesus. It also encompasses the entire nation of Israel. While it causes us to remember the son of Isaac, Jacob.

The Homeborn Servant.

But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Abram said, “Since You have not given me any children, my heir is a servant born in my house.”

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

We get a tiny glimpse into the realities of life in those times. To a childless couple, the first homeborn servant is heir apparent. It was no different for Abram and Sarai.

In their haste to work God’s promises for themselves, Sarai’s servant Hagar was given to Abram. The homeborn son is named Ishmael.

As Ishmael had the distinction of being fathered by Abram with the servant Hagar, he was now heir-apparent. This by the distinction of not being bought, but homeborn. More important is the fact that he is the firstborn son.

When the promise of God came after Abraham and Sarah’s names were changed, Isaac was born. Isaac is not firstborn and not heir-apparent. Therefore, the servant-child had to be driven out. Even though Isaac was a son, he was also a servant.

Though Ishmael benefits of the promise made to Abraham, the promise was on Isaac, not Ishmael. Isaac was the son of promise. God would also establish a covenant with Isaac.

The Lord appeared to him that same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”

Genesis 26:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is my contention that Abraham typifies the bought servant, while Isaac, the homeborn. Genetic heritage does not change, and the people descended from Abraham through the homeborn slave-son Ishmael and the son Isaac are innumerable. The son of bondage heir apparent had to be removed.

This hints as to the work of the cross. When Jesus died, the son of bondage was driven out. It made room for the son of promise. In other words, death was removed that life could be received.

Jacob is Born.

Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her, and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. Then the Lord said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples will be separated from your body;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:21–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paralleling the plight of his parents, Isaac and Rebekah were also barren. The promises of God entail countless progeny. In these times people waited years for the promises of God to come. It is not that He is slack or slow, but all things happen in due time.

When Isaac and Rebekah conceived, two babies would be born. This provides another important distinction. The older shall serve the younger. The covenant promise will be to the younger.

We follow that covenant promise. Just as Isaac was chosen and the slave driven away. The younger would be chosen as the conveyance of God’s promise.

We know the account of how Jacob bought the birthright with a pot of red lentils. We also know how Rebekah and Jacob connived to obtain the blessing of Isaac. It teaches us another important lesson, a birthright can be bought (I will leave that to you to figure out how that points to Jesus.)

Then the man said, “Your name will no more be called Jacob, but Israel. For you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Genesis 32:28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is this Jacob that serves as a further typification of Jesus in many ways. God’s covenant comes to Jacob, and his name is changed. The way the Bible weaves together the names of Israel, Jacob, and Jesus provide an easily accessible entree to a deeper truth.

Jacob prevailed. I think this to be prophetic in nature as it foreshadows Jesus.

But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look in it. I began to weep loudly, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look in it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

Revelation 5:3–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus has prevailed. But what of this fought with God?

The Hebrew word behind the English fought is from the same root of Jacob’s grandmother’s name Sarah. It doesn’t mean physical fighting, but more like persistence and perseverance. As an aside, Sarah had to persist and persevere with Abraham! Yet something else about Jesus comes to mind…

Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and your hearts give up.

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

Jacob my Servant.

Here is My servant, whom I uphold,
My chosen one, in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon him;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You are My witnesses, says the Lord,
and My servant whom I have chosen
that you may know and believe Me,
and understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
nor shall there be after Me.

Isaiah 43:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Yet now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
and Israel, whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 44:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Remember these things, O Jacob,
and Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you; you are My servant;
O Israel, you shall not be forgotten by Me.

Isaiah 44:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are many witnesses to attest to the fact that Israelis are servants. The texts also have prophetic implications. They show us plainly that the names Jacob, Israel, and my servant all point to Jesus.

A Son is Forever.

In the Tanakh, we see Israel presented as a servant. Since Abraham, these would be the homeborn servants. But as clearly seen, there is a better relationship. That is to be a son (or child of God.) Jesus said a son remains forever.

A physical birthright doesn’t convey salvation. Salvation comes by promise. With all of this, what Paul writes to the Galatians is clear.

Sons by Faith.

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

Homeborn servants are not necessarily sons of promise. Salvation isn’t conferred by election or birthright. It comes by faith.

No Longer a Servant, but a Son and Heir.

Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ from a servant though he is lord of all. But he is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father. So when we were children, we were in bondage to the elements of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born from a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth into our hearts the Spirit of His Son, crying, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ

Galatians 4:1–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Adam sold his birthright for some food just like Esau. Jesus bought that birthright by obedience. He bought it to give it back to you as children of God received by faith.