Death and Resurrection, Truth About the Deceased, What is God Like?

WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM!

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There she was, lying in a hospital bed with crisp white sheets and monitors beeping all around.   Just a few weeks ago, she was up and doing her normal routine.  Today, she was lying on her back with an oxygen mask forcing her to breathe.  Icema Pappas, my Greek Mom, never liked anything over her face.  Like me, she was claustrophobic.

Mom was an attractive woman.  Some said she looked like Elizabeth Taylor when she was younger.  But what made her special was her kind, quiet spirit.  Everyone who ever met her liked her immediately because she liked people.  She was a praying woman like her mother before her. Even though I was in my Godless decade, having shaken my fist at God, telling Him to go away, I could feel His Spirit coming through her. I had not prayed in 10 years, but I felt moved to comfort her in some way through the God she loved.

My beautiful mom had been fervently praying for me for the last ten years, but I could not find a prayer within me.

They had done everything they could.  She was dying before my eyes.  My heart was breaking for her.  The air seemed to be leaving the room. I asked the doctors and nurses to make her comfortable.  She settled down as the morphine took over.

One by one, the family was called in to say their goodbyes.  She was only 73 years old. 

My parents divorced when I was six and my brother was two.  She had to return to work as the switchboard operator at a trucking company. My Mom, Ronnie, and I lived with my grandmother in a small one-bedroom apartment in a section of the house.  Two very loving women of God raised me.  Both were good Baptists but followers of Christ first. 

When I became a follower of Jesus some twenty-eight years earlier, after studying the Bible to prove my newly baptized Christian wife wrong about the whole religious thing, I shared some of the things I had learned from the Bible with my sweet mom and grandmother.  The passages on the state of the dead, the second coming, and the resurrection were fresh and new to them. 

They listened closely and asked questions.  They found comfort in the return of Jesus, the comparison of sleep with death, and the resurrection, just as Paul instructed in 1 Thess 4: 18 (Comfort one another with these words). They, indeed, found comfort in God’s word.      With a hopeful voice, I described going to sleep in death, but, in a flash, our next view would be of Jesus coming in the clouds; then we would rise above the earth with all the others who loved Him to meet Him there before going to where He promised to take us.

It was my turn to say goodbye to my beautiful, sweet mom, whose brown eyes glowed when she talked to me.  That is what I remember about her.  Her eyes.  Sometimes, it was like Jesus conversed with me…even joking around and laughing with me through those eyes! They were closed now.

I was not sure she could hear me because of the morphine.  She was quiet and not moving as I listened to the heart monitor, beginning to slow.

I took her hand like the young people shake hands by wrapping my fingers around her thumb.  I felt the soft flesh of her hands, which had brushed the hair back from my eyes and wiped the tears away from my face when I was young.    I leaned in to make sure she heard the last words she would hear from me.  “Mom, I love you.  I will see you resurrection morning.”  Suddenly, I felt those sweet fingers squeeze three times.  She had heard me!  Her spirit was saying playfully…”  “You better be there!”

As the heart monitor went silent, so did those in the room.  I looked out to watch the beautiful sun setting in the west.

I had made a promise to her to be there on resurrection morning.  The only way I could keep it is for God to have mercy on His prodigal son.  I was dead in sin.  But, praise God, I was resurrected a few weeks later. 

It is a spiritual truth that we can’t feel our sinfulness until we ask God to take over.  We are like a dead person that feels nothing.  When the Spirit of God convicts us at the request of sweet moms, dads, grandmothers, grandfathers, friends, or strangers. We come alive to our situation, our fate of eternal death; then we die to ourselves, pleading for God’s forgiveness.  Then Jesus comes into our hearts and mind, and the Spirit gives us a new birth, a new way of thinking and feeling.  We are changed miraculously.   

As Mary said in the series The Chosen, “I was one way…now I am completely different, and the thing that happened in between was Him.”

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Even though my mother and grandmother were Baptist, They believed what I am about to bring you from God’s word.

The resurrection from the dead is the most important promised event in our spiritual lives! Without the resurrection of Jesus, you and I have no resurrection, and our faith is worthless.  I didn’t say it, Paul did.

1 Corinthians 15:14, 18-19

And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty… And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

Let’s consider the event that turns us from mortal to immortal, from death to life.

I’ve heard many accounts of heaven, but what will we look like? What will our bodies be like?  Will we be just a wispy spirit floating on a cloud and plucking a harp? Will we be an angel?    

We Will Be Like Him

“…we know that when He is revealed, WE WILL BE LIKE HIM, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2

What was He like physically?

The disciples, who were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ post-resurrected body.  They tell us their account of a real Jesus, not a spirit.  When the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost, He said,

“Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a SPIRIT DOES NOT HAVE FLESH AND BONES as you see I have.”  Luke 24:39

Will we have flesh and bones? Yes! A real person! Then he asked for something to eat!

“But while they still did not believe for joy and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence. Luke 24: 41-43

Will we eat in our glorified bodies?  We will have an appetite!

Jesus had flesh and bones (unlike a spirit), and He ate fish and honey in His glorified body (post-resurrection).  We, too, will have a glorified body with flesh, bones, and an appetite.  We will get a signal from our body that it is time to eat.

The third time Jesus appeared to the disciples (after His resurrection), he returned the favor and cooked them fish and bread!

“Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught…This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.”  John 21: 9-10, 14

Movement by Thought

Our bodies will be like His… Our mode of travel will be walking because we will have legs, but we will be able to think our bodies somewhere, as did Jesus in a room behind locked doors. This is the spiritual side of us.

Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” Luke 24:36

Even though we will have real bodies, it will be fashioned after Jesus, not Adam.

The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.  1 Corinthians 15: 47-49

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When Do We Get Real Bodies?

We will get real bodies, but when does this happen?

Behold, 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, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

We are changed at the last trumpet, which is the second coming of Christ. Continuing with Paul’s description of the second coming, he says,

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15: 51-55

Where I am!

 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so,  I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14: 1-3

So when He comes, he takes us to where He is now!  The City of Heaven, the mansions,-The New Jerusalem.  Streets of God, the river that flows from God., and the Tree of Life on both sides of the River.

But we don’t stay there forever after 1,000 years.  The redeemed of all ages return to this earth.  We will get to watch God recreate this earth. (See 1,000 years for more detail.)

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2

New Heavens and a New Earth

Isaiah, Peter, and John describe the abode of the redeemed. 

…we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13

After Jesus makes a new earth, the meek will finally inherit the earth.  We will have active lives and live forever!  We will continue to have worship services!

They shall build houses and inhabit them;

They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit …And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

They shall not labor in vain, Isaiah 66: 21-23

After working for six days, we will attend worship, not as different denominations, but as those who belong to Christ.

“For as the new heavens and the new earth

Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord,…And it shall come to pass, that from one New Moon to another,

And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.”  Isaiah 66: 22: 23

Can you see it?  Time will still be measured in 7 days.  On the 7th (Sabbath), people will come to the throne of God in the city, and our hearts will be filled with joy to sing and worship the one who made all this possible!

Brothers and sisters, we will be like Him but retain our different personalities and features.  We will have real bodies with flesh and bones; We will enjoy eating and drinking the wine Jesus said he would not drink again until we see Him in the Kingdom (Matthew 26:29).  We will have a city home (Mansions) and a country home (Earth), where we will work and enjoy the work of our hands.  Once a month and weekly, we will travel worldwide by thought and attend worship services as one body of believers.

Yes! Eternity is real! But even all that is disclosed in scripture it is just the beginning of what God has prepared!

“The eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

I want to be there!  Don’t you?

Do you love Him? 

HE Loves you!  He doesn’t want any to perish but all to come to repentance. This is the whole gospel in three words.  God is love!

To say “God is love” is to say the whole truth all at once. Everything after that is exposition. Everything contrary to that is heresy. Ty Gibson

It is because of His love that he comes back for us.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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 thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

1 Thess 4: 16-18

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Yes, one day, I will keep my promise to my Mom at resurrection morning, but I can’t do it myself.  I must trust Him alone!  Not my work, not anything I have done or will do.  I will meet my Mom and Dad in the air as the power of Christ draws us to Him.  The redeemed of all ages will gather together and go to where Jesus is simultaneously.  What a day that will be! What a family reunion!

Will you be there too?  How can you know for sure?

First, you must acknowledge that only He can get you there!

if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  Romans 10:9

 While you were yet a sinner, he came running after you.  You can’t get there by your parents’ experience with Christ; You must have your own experience.  You can’t get there by church membership, not your education, or anything but Christ.  It is only through Jesus.  Jesus does not save groups or denominations; He saves people as individuals.

There is no other name among men whereby we are saved.

Jesus tells us we must be born again.  Reborn of the Spirit.  Have you been reborn?  You will know by your love for others and the peace of knowing Jesus personally.

Salvation in Christ is about letting go to the pull (drawing) and convicting power of the Spirit to acknowledge your sins and shortcomings and let Him be your all and all.  It is about asking Him to take over your life.  It is about trusting Him every day.

The enemy will try to make you selfish and unbelieving, but stay close to Him, and no man can pluck you out of His Hand.

Won’t you talk to God today and receive eternal life?  Will you be like Him?

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! Job 19: 26-27

Israel in Bible Prophecy

THE ENEMIES OF ISRAEL-PART 4-Egypt

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Saul was a Jew by birth and by training, Righteous by the law, a Pharisee, and a blameless member of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3: 4-6).  But he gave all that up after his conversion to Christ.  He surrendered his religiosity to the Savior.  His mind and heart had been changed by an encounter with Jesus on a lonely road to Damascus.  His intent before Jesus appeared was to take prisoner the followers of Christ. Instead, he became a preacher of Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 9:20). 

Concerned about the Jewish people and new believers in Christ, he warned the Corinth church of the failures of Israel in the desert.  He tells of those “things” that were written down so they could be forewarned of God’s promised people’s mistakes.  He directed their attention to the evil things they did after they were freed from their enemy and captors:  Egypt.  That warning message applies to modern-day followers of Jesus, too…if not more.

Now, these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters, as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 

Now, all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10: 9-11)

After spending 430 years in Egypt, the promised people of Abraham had been changed.  As the old saying goes, You can take the boy out of the country, but you can take the country out of the boy.  Their Egyptian habits went with them.  They looked, talked, and walked like Egyptians.  But God remembered his promise to Abraham.  He loved His people.   

Are we not the same as modern society?  Has there ever been a time when these sins have not been part of all world nations? Even more concerning is that the people of God may be indulging in the same sins as ancient Israel:

  • Lust for evil things
  • Idolaters
  • Sexual immoral
  • Tempting (disrespecting) their maker and God
  • Complaining and never happy

Enemy #1-Egypt

Since the stories of Israel’s journeys and missteps were written down for us, it would be wise to take heed lest (we) fall as they did, e.g., 23,000 fell, destroyed by serpents, destroyed by the destroyer. 

Yes. It is possible to be a promised child of God and fall.  This is the mystery of iniquity.  We are privileged to watch from our comfortable homes the 40 years of the Jews’ wanderings in the desert.  The big question for us is how can we learn to trust God by observing their failures?. Complete faith and trust in God,, regardless of the circumstances, was what they lacked.

How did the promised people land in Egypt?  It all started with the favoritism of Joseph, one of the sons of Israel (Genesis 37:3).  The entire story of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the transition of the family from Cannan to Egypt starts in Genesis 11:27.. It continues through the end of the book of Genesis Chapter 50 and on into Numbers.  This written account is almost 80% of the Bible’s first book!  It is an example for us, something we should consider that will help us to avoid the same mistakes and thereby avoid failure and destruction. More importantly, their journeys should show us the patience, sacrifice, and love of God for His people.

Joseph’s brothers despised Joseph due to his dream of their eventual servitude to Joseph.  They became very angry and decided to kill him, but the oldest brother (Reuben) intervened. Judah recommended that Joseph be sold and spared his life by selling him to a caravan of travelers as a slave.  Joseph is resold to Potiphar in Egypt (Genesis 37: 21, 28, 36). 

The story continues with the success of Joseph in Egypt, drought and famine, and the eventual move of Israel and his 70-member family to Egypt.  A series of events started with hatred within the family and ended with dependence on a nation that would eventually turn the promised people into slaves.

In the family of God, favoritism can lead to jealousy, which can lead to hatred and the selling of an innocent soul to the slavery of Egypt.  A practice of disrespect for others in the family will destroy independence from the world’s influence and disrupt the purpose of God unless God leads the offender to repentance.  Jesus asks us to love, not hate.  This is the identifying—trait of the followers of Jesus.  Anything else disqualifies us from the family of God.

By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Escape from Egypt?

The children of Israel lived in Egypt for 430 years (Exodus 12:40).  Generation after generation, molded by the conveniences of city life, had turned God’s people into Egyptians even though they were in bondage.  Their uniqueness as God’s people was being wiped clean by their enemy.

But God heard their cries for independence.  He “remembered” His promise to give them Cannan.  God sent a reluctant Moses to free the Israelites. God had instructed Moses to go directly to Pharaoh; instead, he went to the children of Israel, a seemingly easier task.  They rejected the prophet and deliverer. This gave Moses an excuse, a way out as he argued with God (Exodus 6: 1-13). Moses doubted God’s power and his own abilities.  God, again, told Moses to go to Pharoah (Exodus 6:- 28-30).

Moses and Aaron went before the Pharaoh to tell him to let God’s people go free, but he was equally non-compliant, as were God’s people.  God sent ten plagues on Egypt to help change the Pharoah’s heart, but He protected His people through the last seven plagues (Exodus 8: 22-23).(Exodus 9:4) (Exodus 9:26) (Exodus 11:7). 

The final plague was the death of the firstborn among the Egyptians, even their animals (Exodus 11: 4-5).  For the children of Israel, it would require them to do something.  They were to put the blood of the unblemished sacrificial lamb over the doorposts so the destroying angel would “pass over” their home. God directed other requirements of the “Passover.” This night would begin the cycle of months beginning on the 10th day (Exodus 12: 1-11) and continuing to the 14th day.  This time would be a celebration and instruction on the plan of salvation throughout their generations.  Jesus would be pronounced hundreds of years later as the “Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29)

Disaster in the Desert

Finally, after a multitude of generations bound by their captors, the children of Israel left their captors with their livestock,  wealth from the Egyptians, and the bones of Joseph (Exodus 12: 31-36) (Exodus 13: 17-22)

Israel would take 40 years of travel to realize the promised land of Cannan.  It could have been shorter, perhaps only 30 days, had they trusted God at His word and believed the good report of the spies.  God desired their love and trust in Him alone.  Something they would fail to do for many generations to come. 

The generation that left Egypt would never see the promised land.  Only two men who trusted God at his word and those under 20 years old would receive the promise (Numbers 14: 26-32).  The others would wander in the desert for four decades lusting for evil things; they were sexually immoral, they tempted Christ, complained, and were unhappy.

Do we love and trust God?  Are we complainers sexually immoral and test Christ?  Will we fail to enter the promised land through Christ because of these things? 

 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore, consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.  Romans 11: 21-23

May God have mercy on us.

Eventually, the people of God would settle in the promised land and build a temple to the Lord despite their backsliding from God.  But it would not last forever; that magnificent tribute to the only true God built by the very wealthy King Solomon would be destroyed, and the people would be taken captive again (for 70 years) by their next enemy, Babylon.

Israel in Bible Prophecy

The Enemies of Israel-Part 3-Two Ancestors

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The Seed of Covetousness and Hate

As we progress through the story of Israel and its enemies, the Bible has revealed the origin of covetousness and hate—the key elements for the creation of enemies and war.   The seed was planted in the heart of an angel (in heaven) who desired to be like God and to take His throne (Isaiah 14: 12-14).  He fought in such a way that he and his entourage (One-third of his angels) were cast to the Earth (Revelation 12: 4, 9).  Then the seed began to sprout in the Garden of Eden with the first couple; it began to take off as it moved to their offspring, Cain and Abel (Genesis 3: 4-6). 

In Lucifer’s encounter in the garden with an apparent victory over Adam and Eve, God gave the prince of darkness a dire and deadly prophecy-the deadly crushing of his head.  But the Creator also foretold a Deliverer who would receive a strike from the snake on His heel.  The final victory would be given to the woman’s offspring through the power of Christ.  In a few words, we see the battle between good and evil—a war between the Deliverer (Christ) and Satan. This war would travel through the seed of Abraham.

And I will put enmity (strife/hatred).

Between you (Satan) and the woman (God’s followers),

And between your seed (the offspring of Satan) and her Seed (the offspring of God’s People);

He (Jesus) shall bruise your (Satan’s) head,

And you (Satan) all bruise His (Jesus) heel.” Genesis 3:15

This first recorded prophecy is a picture of the ongoing battle between Satan and His followers with Christ and His followers. The end of Satan is guaranteed along with the cross (a temporary victory, a sacrificial death, followed by the resurrection of the woman’s seed, Jesus). The following article is about how the heritage from the garden progressed to the nations of Islam and the nation of Israel in the modern world.  Part 4 will wrap up with the connection between Israel and the followers of Christ.

The Eden Covenant

This Edenic Covenant was the first unconditional promise to a world soon to be emersed in sin. 

Adam and Eve witnessed the beginnings of the war between good and evil with the first death.  An innocent animal was slain and its skin taken so that they might not be naked and shameful any longer.  It provided warmth as they moved from their Eden to the cold world of sin—a descriptive metaphor for the life and death of Jesus.

Indeed, as Satan had said, their eyes were open, and they began to know good and evil.  But, the first lie to humanity was a direct contradiction of God’s word, “You will not surely die.”  This lie would later open the door to spiritualism and the false possibility of communication with the dead.  Today, these spiritualistic stories raise their heads with popular books about dying and coming back to life, complete with the stories of what they saw—contradicting the truths of the Bible about death.  Those most vulnerable are members of Christ’s church.    God knew such a lie could lead to even further deception.  God would caution His people about spirit mediums, etc. Instead of listening to demonic spirits using this type of deception, they could find truth in seeking God in His word.

And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?  Isaiah 1:18

A Second Death

But another death would follow, closer to the heart of the first parents.  The horrific murder of Abel by his brother Cain-the first death (murder) of a human.  The motivation?  Jealousy turned to hate.   It started when God respected Abel and his offering but did not do the same for Cain.  Cain became angry and ignored the council of the Lord to rule over his anger.  God both encouraged and warned Cain to do well and that he, too, would be accepted.  If not, sin would grow, which it did Genesis 4: 1-7).

As the population grew, so did sin and violence.   Both reign to this day.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12

Two Ancestors

Cain had gone out from the presence of the Lord.  We might say he left God.  He then had a son named Enoch.  From there, the ancestral tree took root from the seed of murder and violence (Genesis 4: 16-17), a direct result of Cain’s decision to leave God and maintain his stubbornness regarding repentance.

But Adam and Eve had another son, Seith, when Adam was 120 years old (Genesis 5:3).  From Seth’s seed (beginning with Enos), the descendants would begin to call upon the name of the Lord (Genesis 4:26).  Seth’s offspring would lead up to Noah (Genesis 5: 6, 32).

The two ancestors (Cain and Seth) went their separate ways.  They created nations that carried different experiences with God. Cain left God and stayed away.  His descendants would fall into more sin, resulting in violence that would cover the Earth.  Seth’s seed would take the opposite route and stay with God.

Before the destruction of the Earth by the flood, the seed of Godlessness made planet Earth a violent place to live.

The Earth also was corrupt before God, and the Earth was filled with violence. Genesis 6:11

This is the first time in the Bible where the word “violence” appears.  The Hebrew word for violence is Hamas: two different ancestors, two different experiences with God.  The Edenic covenant would soon transition into the Abrahamic Covenant.

From Cain’s ancestors, sin and violence would cover the Earth.  From Enos and Seth would come Shem (the son of Noah).  Shem would become the father of Abraham, the father of Israel, to carry on the promised seed.

“Blessed be the Lord,

The God of Shem,

And may Canaan be his servant.

May God enlarge Japheth,

And may he dwell in the tents of Shem;

And may Canaan be his servant.”  Genesis 9: 26-27

The Abrahamic Covenant

God would again make an unconditional covenant.  This time, with Abraham. His heirship and the creation of a nation of God’s people would come through the son Issac.  The son of Promise, even while Abraham and Sarah were in their old age.  Conversely, the son of their own works are marked by attempting to help God out in the birth of a son through Abraham’s bondswoman at the encouragement of Sarah to produce Esau through Hagar (Genesis 16: 1-4).  The women began to despise each other.

Soon, Sarah would encourage Abraham again, but this time it was to cast away Hagar and Esau. Abraham didn’t like the idea, but it was God’s will. This was the beginning of two nations that would fight to this day:

Therefore, she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son.

But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice, for in Isaac, your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman because he is your seed.”  Genesis 19: 10-13

Two different seeds with two different destinies and nations.  Through one, Issac, the promised seed as spoken by God in the Edenic covenant, would bring the Deliverer, Jesus Christ.

Today, both Islamic and Jewish religions claim roots in Abraham.  Therefore, they are called Abrahamic religions. Islam has approximately 1. 7 billion followers based on the teachings of one man, Mohammed.  The Jewish religion worships Jehovah or Yahweh and is much smaller at approximately 15.2 million people.  The Jews have been the most hated and persecuted ethnicity in the world.  The Christians joined them in this persecution via events in the 1st century and the Middle Ages.  Such persecution to the end of time is prophesized in God’s word.

The Jewish religion is based on the writings of some 35 authors in the book called the Tanakh.  This is the same as the Old Testament used by the Christians.  Christianity is the largest of these three religions (2.3 billion), but they have an affinity for the Jewish nation due to the same books of the Bible and the same God (Jehovah or Yahweh).  “God” in the Old Testament has many names that describe His many facets of character, but He is the only true God. There is no other.   (See Appendix, Names of God)

The major difference between Jews and Christians is Jesus. He is the promised Edenic seed that would crush the head of Satan.  Jesus fits all the hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah of the Jewish Tanakh. (See Will the Real God Please Stand Up-Part 4-Who Do You Think He is?)

The Two Seeds of Abraham-Conflict

Moses records in the 17th chapter of Genesis that God told 99-year-old Abraham that his equally-aged wife (90 years old), Sarah, would bear a child.  They didn’t believe it!  They laughed.  But God continued to tell the elderly couple that God’s covenant of a coming Deliverer and His people would be through the line of Isaac (Genesis 17: 15-22)

Consequently, two nations would arise, one through Issac and one through Ishmael.  The conflict between Islam and their nations and Israel can be traced back specifically to Abraham’s two sons and Grandsons.

Issac lineage:

The son of the promise, Issac, begat Jacob, whose name would later become (Israel, meaning God prevails).  The name given to Israel is prophetic in the battle of good and evil.  God will prevail, and a deadly wound by the Seed of the woman delivered to the head of Satan would come through Israel’s seed.

And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”  Genesis 32:28

Ishmael’s lineage:

Ishmael’s firstborn son would be Nebajoth (Hebrews for “heights”). The capital of Nebajoth’s descendants’ country would become Petra.

The descendants of Ishmael became known as Arabs (“nomads”). The descendants of Ishmael were a warlike people, as “they lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them” (Genesis 25: 18). This fulfilled God’s earlier word that Ishmael would be “a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers” (Genesis 16:12).

The Seeds of Abraham’s Son Issac (Jacob and Essau)

Issac’s wife (Rebekka) would produce “battling twins.”  Conflict and hatred would continue their journey through time to today.

 And the Lord said to her:

“Two nations are in your womb,

Two peoples shall be separated from your body;

One people shall be stronger than the other,

And the older shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25: 23

So today, from the seed of Abraham, we have ongoing conflict between the two sons who produced two different religions and states. 

  1. Ishmael produced Islam; the major nations for the Muslim faith are Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Mauritania, and Yemen.
  2. Issac produced the religion of the only true God, Jehovah, through Jacob and his lineage.  The only state of Issac through Jacob is Israel.  However, approximately 50% of Jews live in the United States of America.

Although small, Israel has indeed blessed the Earth and has the God of the universe to protect them.  But they still struggle with the Messiahship of Jesus.

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles (scripture) of God. For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.”  Romans 3: 1-4

The bond of Christians with the Jewish people is due to the common ground of worshipping the only true God (Jehovah or Yahweh) and the same Bible (Tanakh, aka the Old Testament by Christians).  Although Christians believe Jesus to be the promised seed that crushed the head of the snake at the cross and follow the teachings of His disciples as recorded in the New Testament, there is sympathy for their struggles.

Next time, we will trace the struggles and failures of Israel and, hopefully, learn from their stories.

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our [admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11

Then, we will conclude this series with the promise of the Lord to “break down the walls that separate” Jews and Gentiles and how we become one in Christ Jesus.  What does it mean that all Israel will be saved? Romans 11: 25-29.

For a deeper dive in the comparison of the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob with Allah and Muhammed, go to this 6-part series on “Will the True God Please Stand Up?”

APPENDIX-The Names of God

Is This True?, Israel in Bible Prophecy

The Fullness of The Gentiles

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What does this mean?

(Note: I am interrupting the articles on Israel’s enemies to address this question. I will continue with the other series soon.)

The phrase “time/fullness of the Gentiles” appears three times in the Bible.  In time order, they are : Ezekiel 30:3, Luke 21:24, and Romans 11:25.  The difference in these passages is the use of “time of the Gentiles” by Ezekiel and Luke vs “fulness of the Gentiles” by Paul.

The Hebrew word for time found in Ezekiel is a noun (ʿēṯ), which means the time of the event.  Luke uses a similar identification of time as a noun (Kairos), meaning a measure of time. Instead of the time of the Gentiles, Paul uses the word “fullness” (also a noun), meaning ” filled-up or fulfilled.

Paul uses the word “fullness” several times, e.g., “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” Galatians 4:4.  This would indicate the fulfillment of a prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14)

Why is this important?

All three writers are pointing forward to a future event. A time allotted for the Gentiles.  But the most important questions are “What is this work?” and “How does it fit into prophecy?”

Reading these passages in their immediate context (the verses before, those after, and the beginning of each Chapter) is important.  From there, we can see the time applications as prophecy.   We can easily discern in all three passages that it was future to them (Ezekiel, Jesus, and Paul). But, Is it the same event?  What is the event?

Let’s start with Jesus’ discussion with his disciples.

Jesus-Luke 21

 in Luke 21:5 (and Matthew 24:1), we can feel the pride of the disciples in showing off the temple.  They wanted Jesus to be just as proud.  But Jesus surprises them and tells them of the utter destruction of the temple that is to come:

“These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” Luke 22:6

Matthew records it this way:

And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Matthew 24: 2

With this context in mind, let’s read the passages regarding the time of the Gentiles as recorded in Luke 21 starting with verse 20:

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles (ethnos-non-Jews-Gentiles) are fulfilled. Luke 21:20-24

Let’s list the key components of Jesus’ statement to His disciples to identify who the Gentiles are and their “time.”

  1. Armies will surround Jerusalem. Desolations are near
  2. A warning to “flee to the mountains”-depart. if you are away from the city (country), stay there!
  3. These days of vengeance, which are written (Ezekiel 30:3) are about to be fulfilled!
  4. There will be great distress for those in the city.
  5. The sword will kill those in the city. But some will be led captive to other cities.
  6. Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

This destruction and time of trouble for the Jewish people in Jerusalem would continue until the Gentiles fulfilled their work of destruction and trouble.

Jesus accurately predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the disbursement of the Jews to all other nations.  This is well documented in history as it happened in 70 AD when the Roman soldiers surrounded and seized the city, destroyed it along with the second temple (the one rebuilt after the Babylonian captivity), and the people inside it. 

Jesus, prediction can be found in Ezekiel 30: 1-4s:

The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God:

“Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’

 For the day is near,

Even the day of the Lord is near;

It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.

The sword shall come upon Egypt,

And great anguish shall be in Ethiopia,

When the slain fall in Egypt,

And they take away her wealth,

And her foundations are broken down.

Although the destruction in Ezekiel references Egypt, it is applied to Jerusalem as well as He uses similar words and phrases of the prophecy.

LukeEzekiel
Great distressGreat anguish
Fall by the edge of the swordSlain fall
Led awayTake away
Stones not upon another (Matthew)Foundations broken down
Times of the Gentiles fulfilledTime of the Gentiles

So, we can see that the time of the Gentiles is a destructive time in these two cases.  Therefore, it is likely that Paul in Romans 11:25 is describing the same thing as Jesus and Ezekiel.  The difference is that Paul gets more theological as it relates to the state of the Jewish people and argues that their rejection is not final.  But it appears Paul is pointing to the same event as Ezekiel and Jesus, i.e., the destruction of Jerusalem, a destructive event that was future to all three. Again, let’s read in its context starting at verse 11:

11 I say then, have they (Jews) stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

Notice that Paul talks about how their “fall” led to salvation for the Gentiles.  Those not of the Jewish faith began to see the gospel that was once preached to them, and they accepted it!  

Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46

Paul then speaks of provoking the Jews (those who are my flesh) to save “some of them.” This clears up the idea that all Jews will be ultimately saved.  That teaching is not consistent with this passage or the plan of salvation.

With this in mind, let’s read Romans 11:25 within the context of the verses before and after it:

2 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved (*sōzō-delivered) , as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,

And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

27 For this is My covenant with them,

When I take away their sins.” Romans 11: 24-27

(the Greek word sōzō is properly translated as “delivered. “It fits with the “Deliverer” coming out of Zion, which is Jesus.  So from what we know, those whom Jesus delivers out of the coming destruction of Jerusalem will be spared the destruction-all of them.  Those who ignored the warning of Jesus to flee will not be delivered.

Dispensationalism and Replacement Theory

This passage in Romans 11: 25 has been used out of context to connect it to the final end-time events.  True, it was an end-time event for those remaining in Jerusalem.  However, It is often connected with the dispensationalism theory that separates the  Jewish Nation and the Christian church of believers.  Unlike the Replacement Theory and Dispensationalism.  Jesus breaks down the wall between the Jewish believer and the Gentile believer.  These two, together, are true Israel (yiśrā’ēl); God prevails!

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2: 14-16

Paul further drives this point home with statements like this:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

..there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Colossians 3:11

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. Romans 2:28-29

The Dispensationalists believing in the pre-tribulation (the rapture of the church before the Great Tribulation) propose that the “time of the Gentiles” refers to that period when the temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt in Jerusalem at the site currently occupied by the Muslim Masque.  The enemies of Jerusalem will surround Jerusalem, and Jesus will come down and touch the Mount of Olives and deliver Israel from their enemies.  This story is fictionalized by writers like Hal Lindsey (The Late Great Planet Earth) and Tim Lehaye (Left Behind series).

According to this theory, this will occur during the 7-year tribulation.   However, the Bible gives no indication of the time of trouble lasting seven years in the Bible.  The seven years comes from a misinterpretation of the 70-week prophecy of Daniel 9.  For a fairer and more Biblical interpretation of this prophecy, please click here:  7 Years of Tribulation-Biblical?

Conclusion:

The Fullness of the Gentiles or Time of the Gentiles within the context of the passages of the three writers, the prediction of Jesus, and the historical record refers to the seizure and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and has nothing to do with the dispensationalists attempt to force it to mean something else that would fit into the pre-tribulation or the unbiblical 7-year tribulation period. 

This period of destruction was a prophecy to the three writers, but it is history to us.  This happens often in scripture.  Daniel 2 is a good example of the rise and fall of Babylon, Medio-Persia, Greek, Roman, and the eventual ten divisions of Rome into modern Europe. Also, passages like Zachariah 12 and other OT prophets promise deliverance for Israel from enemies, but it is within the time period for which it was written and the enemy that controls them.  When reading the Old Testament prophets about rebuilding the temple or the city, it is always in the context of the second temple after Babylon had destroyed Solomon’s temple.  There is no mention of a third temple in the Bible.

On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David (second temple), which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; Amos 9:11

Artaxerxes wrote the decree in 457 BC for the Jews to return and rebuild their city, including the second temple (See Ezra 7: 11-28), after Babylon had destroyed the first temple 70 years earlier.

Israel’s enemies are the Christian’s enemies.  It goes beyond nations and buildings to include spiritual wickedness.  Here is the real enemy, and the real Deliverer is Jesus the Christ for all, both Jewish and Gentile believers.  We are all one in Christ and not separate in His eyes.                                                                                                                            

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Israel in Bible Prophecy

The Enemies of Israel-Part 2

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Also, the Glory of Israel will not lie nor change His mind; for He is not a man, that He would change His mind.” 1 Samuel 15:29

The Seeds of War, Hatred, and Covetousness

The object of most wars is land on earth, aka “land grab,” It is a desire to have something in someone else’s possession and take it by force (covetousness). But the fuel that most often drives it is selfishness and hatred. Enemies are created this way, wars erupt, and the death of the adversary is the goal.

But, the unexplainable beginning of covetousness begetting war started with the enemy of all mankind.

The Enemy of All Mankind

“You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity (immoral, wickedness) was found in you.” Ezekiel 28:15

“But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north.” Isaiah 14:13 NASB

The mystery of iniquity bore a desire to take God’s throne, which created hatred. This iniquity led to the first war.  It was fought in heaven:

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12: 7-9 (NKJV)

Satan lost the war and was cast to this earth with one-third of the angels, but the hatred for God continued.  Anything belonging to God, particularly His people, became the object of Satan’s great wrath.  He knows his end.  He is like a roaring lion looking to mar the image of God in mankind.  Deception and lies are His most effective weapons to set his base scheme in motion.  John, in the book of Revelation, describes him as the one who deceives the whole world (Revelation. 12:9)

He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature because he is a liar and the father of lies.  John 8:44

This we will keep in mind as we move forward.

In the Beginning, Satan Gains A Victory on Earth

He used his weapon of deception and a lie that seemed to offer an improvement for Adam and Eve in an already blessed life.  The father of lies was able to plant a seed of mistrust for God by creating doubt and covetousness in God’s simple statement.  He told a lie followed by a truth.  This unholy mixture would become his most effective weapon.

Doubt by using a question: “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3: 1b (NASB)

The woman met this doubt with the exact words of God.

“From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”

Genesis 3:2-3 (NASB)

It was a simple restriction of God, preparing the first couple for the verbal attack of a serpent.  Satan contradicted God,

The Lie:  “You certainly will not die!

The Truth: For God knows that on the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:4-5

God declares a condition: obey and live.  God would repeat this simple rule of life many times to the people of Israel and to all who claimed to be His followers (Deuteronomy 4: 1; 20:30; Jeremiah 38: 20). Break the condition, and death would follow. Satan says, no, you won’t.  God is keeping something back from you…. something better than your current environment. So, covetousness, believing a lie, and disobedience brought sin upon all mankind.  It will be this same deadly trio of sins that will bring an end to planet Earth as we know it. 

Indeed, the first couple began to experience a knowledge of both good and evil (Genesis 3:22).  A line that has been blurred in today’s society.  Evil is called good, and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20). 

God Had A Plan Ahead of Time

God, in His grace and mercy, had a plan “from the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4). God could not change his words to fit the situation.  Death came upon them.  They would eventually die. 

The seed of doubt, covetousness, and disobedience had been planted and nurtured through the enemy of mankind to the whole world, resulting in an entire world of wars and rumors of wars.  Satan wanted to control God’s creation and to take it from the one who cast him to the earth.

But God initiated his plan of grace, mercy, and forgiveness on the very day mankind fell into sin.   First, He clothed Adam and Eve by slaying an innocent animal and making garments from its skin and fur (Genesis 3:21).  A simple metaphor for the plan of salvation is the slaying of a blameless animal to provide a covering for the shame and nakedness of the sinful couple. Then, God pronounced a curse upon the earth.  This curse would provide a safeguard against utter destruction and give daily purpose. 

Next, He tells them of the war that would begin and last to the end, with God being victorious over all the lies and evil.

And I will make enemies.

Of you (Satan) and the woman(Her offspring)

And of your offspring (Satan’s followers) and her Descendant (A Promised Redeemer-Messiah);

He (Descendant) shall bruise you (Satan) on the head (Deadly wound),

And you (Satan) shall bruise Him (Descendant) on the heel.” (Injury only) Genesis 3:15

In this first prophecy, the couple began looking for this “Descendant” who would engage the Serpent and restore the broken relationship between God and mankind. 

Through the offspring of the woman, a Messiah would come who would deliver a deadly wound to the head of the enemy after receiving a recoverable injury to the Descendant’s heal.  Israel is still looking for this Messiah.

The First of Many Conflicts For Mankind

The first war or enemy was between two brothers, Cain and Abel.  A Godless world sought their own desires and became so wicked that even their thoughts were wicked all the time.

Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5

Only Noah and his family were loyal to God and escaped the destruction of the earth by water.

After the flood, and from a surviving son (Shem), God would raise up a people of promise through faithful Abram.  Abram (Abraham), enemies would begin to rise up, spurred on by covetousness, lies, and disobedience to the one true God.

Next time, we will explore the birth of the nation of Israel and her first enemy.  Many more would follow, often the result of Israel’s own failure to believe and trust their Creator.  But God’s mercy and patience would find a way…

Israel in Bible Prophecy

ENEMIES OF ISRAEL-PART 1

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Introduction

The latest attack on Israel and the explosion of hatred by their nearest enemies, a terrorist Islamic group known as Hamas, suddenly and without warning attacked and slaughtered innocent children, women, and men of all ages, supposedly in the name of Allah. Many would agree their so-called god is a tyrant of the worst kind, likely used as an excuse by abject evil men to set a fire of hatred, murder, injury, rape, and mayhem on innocent Jewish people of all ages. Now, the fire of destruction is raining down on their heads while innocent Palestinian citizens are used as human shields and suffer because of the extreme Islamic terrorists’ evil agenda.

The nations of the earth hold their breath as Iran (suspected sponsor and overseer of the attack), other Muslim nations, China, and Russia look on with vested interest. United States naval ships are positioned to protect Israel and keep others out of the fight.

Confusing to many Americans (religious or not) is the Antisemitic protests endorsing the attack on Israel.  They have received significant news coverage across America! They are extreme left factions who have wormed their way into high government positions and have refused to comment on the atrocities, thereby endorsing the attack. A few have endorsed the campaign of hatred.  Hopefully, their political careers will be destroyed.   How shameful to endorse such hatred and brutality in a country built on acceptance of all races and cultures.

The latest atrocities are so horrendous that it is hard to describe, but I must mention the heartless beheading of babies who will never experience a life of sounds, tastes, sights, or feelings of love and warmth on this Earth. 

The surviving families’ lives were forever crippled on the morning of the Shabbat, October 7, 2023, while celebrating Shemini Atzeret, a time of re-reading the Torah and renewal of their relationship with God—a period of rededication disfigured by evil godless men.

It has led many to question why God allowed this, but it is nothing new for Israel; Eighty-two years ago, the Nazi regime, under the direction of a madman named Hitler, tried to extinguish the Jewish people and any nation that would get in his way. Millions were taken from their homes and left to die in Nazi camps or sent to the gas chambers.

Those who harbor such antisemitic feelings go back well before the holocaust of World War II.

The Meaning of Anti-Semitism

“The term anti-Semitism was coined in 1879 by the German agitator Wilhelm Marr to designate the anti-Jewish campaigns underway in central Europe at that time. Nazi anti-Semitism, which culminated in the Holocaust, had a racist dimension in that it targeted Jews because of their supposed biological characteristics—even those who had themselves converted to other religions or whose parents were converts.”-Brittanica Encyclopedia.

At the core of anti-Semitism is a hatred that predates Moses. 

A Hated Ethnicity

No ethnicity and culture of human beings are hated more than the Jewish people. Their ancient lineage has felt little peace compared to the thousands of years of captivity and atrocious persecution.  Why are they so hated?  Their enemies could verbalize many reasons, but what are these excuses based on?

 The purpose of this series is to look back at ancient records in scripture known today as the Tanak, also identified as the Old Testament by Christians, to figure out the “Why?” question and how it affects us today.  These 40 writers recorded the history of their patriarch Abraham and the conflict between his original three sons (Ishmael, Isaac, and Esau).

But the seed for hatred began long before the promises of God to Abraham.  Here, we will find hatred taking root and growing in the Middle East. Genesis to Malichi is primarily the story of Israel, but it affects us all, especially Christians.

The followers of Christ see themselves as an extension or grafted-in-vine, sharing the wisdom of God, His love, His mercy, and hopefully His guidance in maneuvering through a sin-filled planet.

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11

And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, Romans 11:17

A Tie Between Christianity and Israel

Jews and Christians worship the same God, Jehovah, and read from the Tanak (Old Testament).  The split comes over Jesus’s Messiahship and divinity as a Godhead constituent.

There is a connection between Christianity and Israel theologically and in the sharing of massive persecutions from the past.  The Christians’ persecution started in the 1st century and ran through the Dark Ages before becoming watered down, requiring a Reformation.   But Israel has experienced persecution from the time of Abraham.  The umbilical cord from ancient Israel leaves the born-again Christian with deep empathy for the Jewish people.  These ties will be explored as we review the long history of the people of God.

It appears that the pinnacle of prophecy will come as a joining of literal Israel and Spiritual Israel to become victors over the greatest of all enemies, Satan himself…The father of death and lies.

Prophecies of Persecution

Prophecies of persecution and wars that are now history provide the platform for forecasts yet to be filled as written in the Torah and from Jesus Christ and His Apostles in the New Testament.  Learning from the past gives us a better vision for the future.   

The future for Israel is prophesied in the Tanak and the New Testament, but with varying interpretations. Nevertheless, the prophecies, both good and bad, came with conditions.  This truth is the foundation for accurate interpretation and good exergies.   An example of a condition is found in the book of 2 Chronicles.  Both Jews and Christians acknowledge this promise.

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

The passage begins with the word “if,” putting it in a conditional state.  The “if” requires humbleness, prayer, searching, and turning away from wickedness to reap the promise. Will the promise be fulfilled if the conditions are not met? Of course not. However, as we will see, there are unconditional promises as well, e.g., the promise to never destroy the earth by flood again.

In the coming weeks, we will explore what God said about Jerusalem and the people of Israel. Questions raised by Paul about spiritual Israel and literal Israel will be reviewed.

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. Romans 2: 28-29

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God (Scriptures). Romans 3: 1-2

I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  Romans 11:1

If you want to get a jump on this series, request a free book called The Fall and Rise of Jerusalem. Leave a comment, and I will get in touch with you about how to get the book to you.

Born Again, Faith, The Gospel, What is God Like?

The Letter Kills, but the Spirit Gives Life

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Overview

“…who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6

This passage is confusing to many, including myself, until I applied the law of context and noncontradiction.  (See article on Context Matters.).  To start, let’s list the keywords: 

ministers,

new covenant,

letter,

kills,

and life. 

Our main questions should center around the deadly “letter.”  Whatever it is.  It kills or takes life.  The questions are simple also:

  1. What does the letter refer to?
  2. What does it kill?
  3. Why is the Spirit the direct opposite of the letter, i.e., life?
  4. Is the letter killing me, or do I have life in the Spirit?

If we can understand Paul’s statement in the context of the story of redemption, we will know what to avoid. Even better, it will lead us to the Spirit which gives life.  Sometimes, it is less about avoidance of something and more about acceptance of a truth that may make us uncomfortable at first.

Immediate Context-

The immediate context (the preceding verses) sets up this metaphoric statement by Paul to the Corinthian church.  The reason for his council is described in the previous two verses (v. 4, 5).

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

2 Corinthians 3: 4-5

The key thought here is trust through Christ and sufficiency from God, not ourselves.  This is the pre-thought before he discloses that the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.  Trust in Christ eliminates self-sufficiency.

Self-Sufficiency

It seems that this church had a “self-sufficiency” problem.  The answer to this dilemma is simple enough: “Our sufficiency is from God.”  Understanding the sufficiency of God through Christ is a critical and unique teaching of Christianity.  It is the difference between life and death. The difference between true and false. This truth is important as we move through this reasoning regarding the letter of the law and the death it causes.

Another passage by Paul to the church in Rome addresses the same issue as the Corinthians.  It appears that the believers at Rome have understood and responded.

But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 7:6

The keywords here are strikingly similar to the ones addressed to Corinth.  The following words in parentheses are the Corinthian words,

Serve (minister),

Newness of the Spirit (new covenant),

Oldness of the letter (letter that kills).

Paul talks as if the Romans had learned the truth.  He mentions “being delivered” from the law by dying to what held them.  What held them?  Self Sufficiency.  It kills faith in Christ. 

Slain by the Law or By Sin?

So, we can conclude that Paul’s theology has not changed between churches.  It is, therefore, a universal pitfall that we can relate to:  The letter of the law kills, and we need to be delivered from it to serve in the newness of the Spirit (i.e., the New Covenant).

I had been told that this letter of the law (that we need to die to) is the ceremonial and priestly law that ended at the cross, but if we stay in context, we see a different law:

Immediately after Romans 7:6, Paul asks a clarifying rhetorical question in verse 7. It lets us know that the Ten Commandments are the object of his discourse.

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

Since “You shall not covet” is one of the ten commandments, it is safe to surmise that the context is about the moral law of God. 

For the next few verses, 7-11, Paul expands on how he was alive without the law.  This would indicate he did not know or understand the law and felt no conviction about his sin, but when he came to this written knowledge of sin, he realized that he was a dead man because of sin that was disclosed by the law. He came to a realization and conviction that it was a sin to covet, and therefore, he saw only death before him because of the sin, not the law.  To make his point, he ends with this statement that sounds like the opposite of his disparagement of the letter of the law.

Therefore, the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Romans 7:12

So that which was holy, just, and good made him aware of the penalty of sin. The sin, not the law, slew him.  The law was good for him.  It opened his eyes to sin and its penalty.

Has then what is good (the law) become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.

Romans 7: 13

He became aware that he was an exceedingly sinful person by a knowledge of the written law, i.e., the Ten Commandments.

The law lets us know what sin is in God’s eyes.  God gave the law to Moses written by His own finger on stone! 

Whosoever commits sin transgress also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.

1 John 3:4

Purpose of the Law

All would agree obedience to the law, without Christ, does not make us righteous. In fact, it makes us unrighteous because of our attempt at self-sufficiency.  The law’s main purpose is to establish what sin is and point out our need for a Savior:

Therefore, by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:20

To make this precept even more robust, Paul says in the previous chapter,

For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Romans 2: 13

So, doing the law is important; it is part of justification!

Now I ask this question:  What is it that we have died to and were held by?  Obedience to the law? How are we delivered from the Law? 

The answer seems obvious. It was not the law but the attempt to obey without Christ, to become self-sufficient.

Let me make an important Biblical assertion: Living through the Spirit doesn’t give license to break, nor provide, the impulse to break the letter of the law.  The other extreme is equally true:  Obeying the law without Christ does not bring about righteousness.  So, what is Paul telling us about the letter of the law?  It appears to be a life and death statement (Letter kills, Spirit gives life). 

We have to die to the idea that we can obey the law to the letter and the Spirit without Christ.

Righteousness by Works

When we use obedience through our self-sufficiency as a way to add to what God has already done for our salvation, we are on the wrong path that leads straight to legalism.   This is hard to accept for those who think of self-produced good deeds and works as an addition to what God has already done through His mercy, love, and forgiveness. Things like repetitive prayers and prayer beads will tend to replace simple trust in Christ. Making up personal rules about how to be holy also replaces simple trust and sufficiency in Christ.

 It is only by the grace and love of God that we are in a position to be saved.  To make this even easier, it is a gift from God Himself.  This is the basis for our redemption, the Grace and Love of God.  Without it, we would all be lost. It is given to us without any work on our part.  Redemption from sin and salvation from eternal death is something we did not initiate.  Our Holy God did not make a list of good deeds and works that had to be completed before acceptance. Instead, He asks for something harder:  Belief and trust.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2: 8-10

A man in his shop builds a beautiful piece of furniture.  It is his workmanship…the product of his doing.  He shapes the wood, sands it down, and applies the paint.   Can the piece of furniture do anything to add to this workmanship?  We are His workmanship in the area of good works.  We are to walk (live in them) …not create them (good works).  With Christ, this situation is more spiritually natural and less tiring than working on producing good works on our own.

The Work of Faith

The platform for being saved by the grace of God has another vital component- faith or trusting in God’s plan, i.e., His incarnation, His life, His death, and His resurrection, His gift of the Spirit, His mediation, and His return again.  It is all about Him! Without any one of these, we would be lost. All of these components have their basis and start with the grace and love of God.

And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty…And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

1 Cor. 15: 14, 17

Some might say, “See, faith is something I have to “work” on.”  Is it something you “work on,” or is it something you exercise from the start?

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:4

Being born of God overcomes the world.  With this new birth comes faith in Christ. It is a package deal. He gives a measure of faith to all who come into the world.  It lies dormant until a choice is made to use it and let God change them.  It is certain that faith can grow.  But, remember, a very small amount of faith (mustard seed) can move mountains.  The amount of faith is less important for salvation as it is to use what little you may have.

Works are Fruit, Not as a Method for Salvation

James, the brother of Jesus, understood clearly that works that include obedience are the fruit of salvation, not the method or addition to salvation.  A person who has truly been born again and in love with their Savior will respond with obedience and good works.  They will live by the workmanship of Christ…good works.

 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2: 18-20

It is James’ way of saying, “lip service proves nothing.”  The proof of your faith is in the pudding itself, i.e., “works.” I can say all day long that I have saving faith, but if my actions prove otherwise, my faith is dead or not real.

So, where do we focus?  On becoming a wonderful worker for God or a wonderful lover and truster of God?  Do we concentrate on doing good works to be accepted by God, or do we respond out of a new spiritual heart that loves God and loves our neighbor?

The Letter is Important. Why does it Kill?

The direct commands of God are important, but not the way you may think.

Let me give a couple of examples and then apply some common sense.

Example:  Jesus described two cases where the Spirit of the law was explained.  He used the two commandments about adultery (seventh) and murder (sixth).

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

Matthew 5: 27-28,

Again, it would seem that Jesus is dismissing, minimizing, or contradicting the specific commandment about adultery (letter of the law), which is having sex with someone who is not my wife.  Instead, He expands the law to include the thoughts (heart).  It is not merely looking at the woman (or a man) but mulling it over and creating lust (strong sexual desire) in the thoughts and perhaps playing it out in the mind to plan a rendezvous.

There is no need to complete the act to commit adultery; It has already been done in the heart. We have broken the seventh commandment.  In such a case, we need forgiveness from Christ even if we didn’t actually sleep with the woman or man.  We may actually need a new heart if this urge is uncontrollable and repetitive.

Here is where spiritual common sense comes into play.  What if I told my wife that from now on, I was going to live by the Spirit and not by the letter?  Consequently, I plan to have sex with as many women as I please because the letter (the literal words of the law) kills, but the Spirit gives life.  I think that reasoning would lead to not just a killing by the letter but murder by my wife! 😊 This leads to the next expansion of the law by Jesus: Murder 

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”

Matthew 5: 21-22

Again, Jesus seems to dismiss the letter or literal words of the command to focus only on the Spirit of the law, But in effect, He is magnifying or expanding the letter of the law…a direct fulfillment of an ancient prophecy about Jesus:

The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable. Isaiah 42: 21

Committing murder by the letter of the law, i.e., taking someone’s life, is not negated by the Spirit of the law, which is anger without a purpose or reason.  So, it would not make sense to say, “I can murder as long as I don’t hate the person.”  Letter VS Spirit. 

How do I know that each letter of the law is important?  Before Jesus expanded on these two commandments, he made sure his audience understood that He did not come to destroy the Law (letter) or the Prophets.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5: 17-20

Jesus’ “fulfilling the law and the Prophets” does not do away with the letter of the law.  In fact, He makes reference to the details of the letter (that He has no intention of destroying). Like a microscope, he zooms in on the details of the Ten-Commandment law.  He references the importance of every letter and mark:  Jot (smallest letter) and tittle (the smallest stroke of the smallest Hebrew letter).  It is like Jesus is saying He isn’t going to change even the dot on top of our smallest letter. “i.” Yet, as humans, we want to rewrite the Ten Commandments to fit our own lifestyle and then teach others to break His law. This is the spirit of the anti-Christ. We are putting ourselves in the place of Christ and contradicting his plain word.  It is not just one commandment; it is all of them!

Righteousness by the law-The Cart before the Horse

Until all is fulfilled, the law and the prophets remain.  All has not been fulfilled yet. Many prophecies about the Second Coming remain unfulfilled.  Jesus’ keeping the law perfectly (jot and tittle) does not give us the green light to break any of the commandments.  We can’t say,

“I don’t have to keep the law; Jesus did it for me.” 

Try to explain that to my wife or those I love if I lie, steal, covet, or live an adulterous life, etc.    But we can never reach righteousness by our own efforts by gritting our teeth and working hard to become a good law keeper.  We must not get the cart before the horse. 

Too many Christians get hung up on that last part of the passage:

For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

 V. 20

They think Jesus is saying obedience to the smallest letter and the smallest stroke will create more righteousness and ensure acceptance by the Lord.  Did the scribes and Pharisees have righteousness?  Yes!  In their own eyes, manufactured by strict observance of the law, but in reality, they did not have the righteousness that comes from faith in Jesus.  Now, keep in mind faith does not negate obedience to the law.  Paul said it very clearly in Romans 3:

Therefore by the deeds of the law, no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.:

Romans 3:20

Can it be any clearer?  That commandment keeping and deeds of the law will not justify anyone in God’s sight.  Thanks be to God for the atoning sacrifice of God!  Paul explains further:

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

Romans 3: 21-22

Did you catch that?  The righteousness of God is apart from the law.  It is not connected!  This should have been good news for those Scribes, Pharisees, and religious people who were trying to obtain righteousness and acceptance of God through the meticulous, to-the-letter keeping of the law.  The righteousness of God cannot be obtained that way. Further, we are all sinners with a human heart that lusts and hates without cause.  Generations of evil and sin influence our hearts.

“Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Roman 3:28

This does not contradict James, who said works (deeds of the law) are evidence of faith.  To say it very simply, Paul describes the soil for salvation (grace through faith); James describes the result (or fruit) of salvation (i.e., works).  One is the method of salvation (gospel), and the other is the results of salvation or the gospel.

That should be settled in the heart of every follower of Christ.  To make sure we understand about the law, Paul exclaims.

Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Romans 3:31

Conclusion Part 1

The attempt to obey the letter kills the relationship with Jesus. However, living in the Spirit will give life to your Jesus Journey. We must die to self-sufficiency in our obedience to the law as a way to obtain righteousness or to gain acceptance with God.  Obedience and good works come spiritually naturally with a new heart and new motives of love toward a holy God who saved us by His unmerited favor towards us.  This kind of salvation is real and spills over to those around us. Instead of pushing people away with legalistic requirements, they pull them to Jesus by their love.

We are thankful for His mercy and love, and we respond accordingly.  By doing this, we obtain life through the spirit rather than death by working on obedience or perfection instead of trusting Jesus.

Take a moment to study these two illustrations.

In “1 Me” I relate to God by the law.

In “2 Me” I relate to the law through God. 

The “1 Me” starts with the law to build a relationship with God. I think that obedience improves my relationship with God.  But my vision of God can be blurred by the obligations God set forth in the Ten Commandments or any other of His commands.  It will lead me to be religious and to live by the letter and not the Spirit.

On the other hand, The “2 Me” knows God first. I see the law through a relationship with God.  I have experienced a loving God who has forgiven my sins, and my desire is to follow Him.  I keep God’s law because I love Him.  It is a response of love and not obligation.  My focus is on Him and Him alone. The more personal associations I have with Him and observe how He works in my life and others, the more I love Him.   I can then clearly see that righteousness by faith works through love.  I have a new heart that seeks to carry out the will of God because of love, not obligation, religiosity, or to gain favor with God.   The law is not negated.  It is established in the heart.  I respond out of love for Christ.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

John 14: 15

“…showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

 Exodus 20:6

Now, let’s look at another chart to close:

Above the blue horizontal lines is Salvation. Below it is the opposite (lost or unsaved). We are lost either at birth or at the age where we can respond to the Holy Spirit. The act of infant baptism accomplishes nothing toward salvation. The destiny of these innocent babies, baptized or not, only God knows, but this I know: The character of God is merciful, loving, and forgiving. He looks to save, not condemn.

At the point where we respond by choice, then repent, and turn to Jesus for forgiveness, we are born again and have salvation. The Holy Spirit will testify to this new birth. Our upward journey with Christ begins. We want to be more like Christ. If we let him, He alone will mold us into His image for His sake, not ours. So even if we die without the molding complete (Christ’s likeness), we are still saved from eternal death. This journey towards Christ’s likeness is called sanctification or the upward call. This we will discuss next time. It is important because there is an enemy that wants to take the Jesus experience away from you and to leave Him. This is why Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6: 10-18). We are in a battle and “press on” even in the bad times.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3: 12-14

Faith, Reasons to Believe, The Gospel, What is God Like?

The Murder of Jesus-Part 2-Is Jesus God?

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(Disclaimer, again):  I have never read Bill O’Riley’s book called Killing Jesus. The following thoughts came from my own personal study. Any similarities are purely coincidental.)

I am using the word “murder” because it is different than “killing”.  Killing can be an accident or defensive.  Murder is intentional with malice. Further, the word “murder” in this article is used symbolically to demonstrate how Jesus and His message are denigrated in our society, including in some churches.

__________

Last time, we looked at how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day belittled and denigrated Jesus’ words, teachings, and example.  They sought to murder Him because he cut across their traditions and man-made rules about the Sabbath.  Their hatred was so strong for Him that they sought how they might destroy Him!

They also did not know Jesus.  They claimed that only God could forgive sins.  They were right about that but wrong about who He was.  In their midst stood Immanuel (God with us)!  Their religiosity blinded them.  Indeed, Jesus could forgive sins because He is God, a member of the eternal Godhead. 

There is nothing new under the sun.  Today, the same two topics of the Sabbath and the divinity of Jesus are constantly called into question even though the Bible is clear on these two topics.  They are twisted and degraded, which leads to the murder of Jesus (symbolically).  So, as we walk on holy ground approaching this topic of divinity, let us consider the importance of understanding the nature of Christ.

Sometimes, someone else can so clearly express the truth better than me.  Rarely do I rely on someone else’s writings, but in this case, I make an exception.  A small book written in the 19th century by E. J. Waggoner, Christ, and His Righteousness, follows the scripture closely and fairly to come to a Biblical conclusion about the nature of Christ.  While some of the following are his words, mine are interspersed as the Spirit leads me. But, the most important words are the words from God Himself as found in both the Old and New Testaments.

The ultimate goal is to understand the depth of the sacrifice of Christ,

who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

Philippians 2:6

If we fall short in our understanding of Christ’s nature, we may attempt to murder Him by minimizing the story of redemption.  Let’s begin with the basic question:

IS CHRIST GOD?

In many places in the Bible, Christ is called God.  The Psalmist says:

“The mighty God (Elohim), even the Lord [Jehovah], hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness; for God is judge Himself.”

Ps. 50:1-6.

It should be clear that this passage refers to the 2nd coming of Christ by two declarations from God’s word:

First, all judgment is given to Christ by God the Father.

Last time, we saw where the Jews sought to kill Jesus, broke their traditions of Sabbath observance, and He made himself equal with God.  He did this by forgiving the paralytic’s sins, and in John 5, Jesus claimed that He and God were equal:

“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”

John 5:18

Jesus’ answer to them showed the closeness of the work of Jesus and God the Father (verses 19-20). It is logical that if Jesus didn’t think He was equal with God, He would have said so.  Instead, He refers back to the Psalmist Asaph’s description of Jesus (God) being given all judgment (Psalm 50: 4-6).  His response to the Jews probably surprised and infuriated them because He is showing the power given to Him by the Father:

For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 5: 22-23

Is it not clear that honoring Jesus honors the Father, also?  More on that later.

Secondly, the description of the Psalmist Asaph matches Paull and Peter’s New Testament description of the second coming of Christ.  Asaph refers to God (Elohim) whose coming is destructive and is the time to gather His people.  Jesus fulfills this prophecy.  Elohim is the same name used at the beginning of Genesis…” In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” and over 2,400 times elsewhere in the Old Testament.  This simple comparative chart should help us see the connection between Psalm 50 and the New Testament.  This is just one of many connections between the God of the Old Testament and Jesus’ divinity in the New Testament.

Psalm 50New Testament
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous (like a storm) all around Him. V.3“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with *a shout, (1 Thess 4:16).” “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be [burned up. 2 Peter 3: 10
The Saints shall be gathered together….God is judge Himself.And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His [saints) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.  Matthew 24: 31, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thess 4: 17

*Note: This shout will be the voice of the Son of God, which will be heard by all that are in their graves and which will cause them to come forth. John 5:28, 29.

A prophecy of Isaiah makes it certain that Jesus would be called (among other descriptive names) “the mighty God, the everlasting Father.”

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

 Isa. 9:6.

These are not simply the words of Isaiah; they are the words of the Spirit of God. God has, in direct address to the Son, called Him by the same title.

In Ps. 45:6, we read these words:

“Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter.”

The casual reader might take this to be simply the Psalmist’s description of praise to God, but when we turn to the New Testament, we find that it is much more. We find that God the Father is the speaker and that He is addressing the Son, calling Him God. (See Heb. 1:1-8).

But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

Hebrews 1: 8

Christ is the “express image” of the Father’s person. Heb. 1:3. As the Son of the self-existent God, He has by nature all the attributes of Deity. It is true that there are many sons of God, but Christ is the “only begotten Son of God,” and therefore, the Son of God is, in a sense, that which no other being ever was or ever can be.

The angels are sons of God, as was Adam (Job 38:7; Luke 3:38), by creation; Christians are the sons of God by adoption (Rom. 8:14, 15); but Christ is the Son of God by association with the Father.

When Philip said to Jesus,

“Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father”

John 14:8, 9.

This is as emphatic a statement as when He said,

“I and My Father are one.”

John 10:30.

So truly was Christ God, even when here among men, that when asked to exhibit the Father, He could say, Behold Me. And this brings to mind the statement that when the Father brought the First-begotten into the world, He said,

“And let all the Christ And His Righteousness. angels of God worship Him.”

Heb. 1:6.

It was not simply when Christ was sharing the glory of the Father before the world that He was entitled to homage, but when He came as a Babe in Bethlehem, even then, all the angels of God were commanded to adore Him.

The Jews did not misunderstand Christ’s teaching concerning Himself. When He declared that He was one with the Father, the Jews took up stones to stone Him, and when He asked them for which of His good works they sought to stone Him, they replied:

” For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

John 10:33.

If He had been what they regarded Him, a mere man, His words would indeed have been blasphemy, but He was God. The object of Christ in coming to earth was to reveal God to men so that they might come to Him. Thus, the apostle Paul says that.

“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself”

2 Cor. 5:19

In John, we read that the Word, which was God, was “made flesh.” John 1:1,14.

In the same connection, it is stated,

” No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (or made Him known).

John 1:18.

Note the expression, “the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father.” He has His abode there, and He is there as a part of the Godhead, as surely when on earth as when in heaven. The use of the present tense implies continued existence. It presents the same idea that is contained in the statement of Jesus to the Jews (John 8:58),

“Before Abraham was, I am.”

John 8:58

And this again shows His identity with the One who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, who declared His name to be “I AM THAT I AM.” And, finally, we have the inspired words of the apostle Paul concerning Jesus Christ, that

“it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.”

Col. 1:19

What this fullness is, which dwells in Christ, we learn from the next chapter, where we are told that.

” For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;”

Col. 2:9.

This is the most absolute and unequivocal testimony to the fact that Christ possesses by nature all the attributes of Divinity.

Conclusion:

The sacrifice of God the Father and Jesus, who are so intimately associated by their existence and purpose. The plan of the Father and Jesus made Jesus’ sacrifice far exceed the mere blood of bulls and goats.  Those poor animals who knew not of their pending death must have kicked and squirmed as they felt the blade of the knife on their tender throats and felt the life go slowly out of their consciences.

But Jesus willingly laid down His life in cooperation with the Father,

Therefore, My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

John 10: 17-18

Let us stand in awe and respond with love for God and the value of sinful mankind that our Creator would die for the created. 

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?  For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11: 33-36

Next time, we will consider Jesus as our Creator. 

Faith, God's Will For Us, The Gospel, What is God Like?

THE MURDER OF JESUS-PART 1

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(Disclaimer:  I have never read Bill O’Riley’s book called Killing Jesus. The following thoughts came from my own personal study. Any similarities are purely coincidental.)

I am using the word “murder” because it is different than “killing”.  Killing can be an accident or defensive.  Murder is intentional with malice. Further, the word “murder” in this article is used symbolically to demonstrate how Jesus and His message are denigrated in our society, including in some churches.

_____________

Let it never be said that a single race initiated the murder of Jesus.  He willingly laid down His life for all races.  He allowed Himself to become the sacrifice for everyone’s sin, whether now, in the past, or in the future. His dying words were one of grace and forgiveness:

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

Luke 23:24

It was out of ignorance, protection of traditions, and religiosity that they encouraged the crucifixion. But It was always in the plan, from the beginning of time, for Jesus to descend to earth to be an example and to be the sacrificial lamb to pay for our sins so that we might have eternal life. Then to rise from death to the heavenly sanctuary.

Jesus Willingly Laid Down His Life

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down for Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

John 10:18

A thought question: “Were we in the same position as the religious leaders, would we want to murder Jesus?”  The answer is likely “yes” if we are as religious, dogmatic, and sold out to traditions as they were. The religious leaders were not open to His words.   They tried to keep Him from talking and teaching. However, we can murder HIm today by making His word and followers of no effect or minimized. Jesus is murdered almost daily in the public eye through social media, movies, TV shows, and leftist news channels.

Another way we can murder Jesus is by treating followers of Christ the same as they did Jesus via hatred.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”

John 15:18

‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Matthew 25:40

Since no one can kill Jesus physically, the enemy and our unconverted selves can do so by promoting our own teachings over His.  This is the point of this article. 

It is not physical harm but the hate-filled accusatory judgment that the world dishes out. Even church members do the same when they fight with each other over the gnat while swallowing the camel in the room.

The Spirit of the Antichrist in the world today

The Jews of Jesus’ day wanted to murder Him because of His teachings. His message cut across their long-held traditions and man-made rules. Today, arguments over theology and man-made traditions have become the anti-Christ of His teachings. In fact, the “Ant-Christ” and the Beast of Daniel and Revelation seek to put traditions and man-made worship and Religious rules above the teachings of Christ! Perhaps this is why John exclaimed that the spirit of the Antichrist is already in the world. (1 John 4:3). This passage is in the context of false teachers or prophets (see verses 1 and 2). False teachers always promote their own agenda, beliefs, and interpretations over the plain spoken word. Let’s examine this closer:

Nothing New Under The Sun

“Therefore, the Jews sought all the more to kill Him because He not only broke the Sabbath but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”

John 5: 18

John’s account of the Jews seeking to murder Jesus points out several great mysteries of God’s kingdom.

On this day, the religious leaders charged Jesus with two violations worthy of death.  One was based on carefully guarded traditions, the other on the word of God!

First, they said He “broke the Sabbath.”  Secondly, they said Jesus (made) Himself equal to God.  Today, churches are still at odds over these two accusations.  They point to this passage and say, “The Sabbath is of no significance because Jesus broke it.” Some claim that Jesus is not God. By making these claims, they denigrate His teaching and thereby murder Him again.

Are we just as rigid, religious, and closed-minded as the religious leaders were? Have we closed our ears to the plain word of God in favor of our denomination or traditions?

Have you heard someone say, “If it was good enough for grandma, it is good enough for me.” This really puts Grandma and her traditions on a pedestal, even over God’s word! She must have known all the truth. While good ole Grandma was a fine Christian lady, I like Jesus better. Is Jesus murdered when the grandson or granddaughter put Grandma over Jesus? Is this not replacing Christ with Grandma?

Murdering Jesus With Man-Made Rules

“Jesus replied…You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain;

their teachings are merely human rules.;”

Matthew 15:7-9 NIV (Jesus quoting from Isaiah 29:13)

Why did the Jews think Jesus  “broke the Sabbath”? Did He really break the Sabbath?  The answer is found in verses 8-10 in the same chapter (John 5).

“Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately, the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.  The Jews, therefore, said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.’“

John 5: 8-10

Who said it was not lawful to “carry your bed” on the Sabbath?  They did!  Not Jesus!  Did you notice that the haughty religious leaders directed their judgment towards the man who was cured, not at Jesus?    It is much easier to judge someone who is weak and unlike the majority than it is to judge Jesus. 

At another time, Jesus demonstrated to them a concept that overruled their legalistic Sabbath keeping when he healed the man with a withered hand in the Synagogue on the Sabbath (Matthew 12: 9-13). He asked them which one would not rescue a sheep fallen in a pit on the Sabbath.” By asking this rhetorical question, he demonstrated the value of a person over the animal world and made this point about keeping the Sabbath:

Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath

Matthew 12: 11-12”

So, doing good on the Sabbath is a teaching of Jesus on how to observe it, but it so enraged the religious leaders that they sought to murder him. The very next verse says this,

Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy (murder) Him.

Matthew 12: 14

How powerful are long-held traditions and man-made rules about the Sabbath? Going against it can lead to the murder of the Son of God and even His followers!

At another time, they would accuse Jesus directly of breaking the Sabbath by healing on the Sabbath (See Mark 3:2) and causing the man to “work” on the Sabbath!  The Lord Jesus told the man to “take up his bed and walk.”  Jesus was influencing the healed man to sin (according to their definition) when Jesus instructed the man to do something that violated their man-made rules about the Sabbath, i.e., getting out of bed, lifting it, and walking!

Ponder Question:  Do we seek to murder Jesus (degrade) His teachings) when we make up our self-made laws about the fourth commandment?  By thinking we obey, we really are modifying based on our traditions to conform the Sabbath to our lifestyle and the popularity of the world or the way we were raised or taught.  Do we set our own rules about keeping the day holy, as the commandment states?  Or do we annul the Sabbath commandment and place the solemnity on another day without scriptural authority? There is no evidence that Jesus broke the spirit or the letter of the fourth commandment…only the religious leaders claimed He broke it. He did, however, break their silly, made-up rules and traditions. Why? Because they didn’t know who He was!

Killing Jesus by Refusing to See Him as God

Jesus answered, “I am the Father are one…”We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

John 10:33

When Jesus healed another paralytic, Jesus forgave his sins. 

When Jesus saw their faith, He told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Mark 2: 5-7

The scribes were right by reasoning in their hearts that only God can forgive sins.  They didn’t dare to claim to have the power to forgive sins. The priests of the Temple performed ceremonies to lead the sinner to God for atonement, but they would never proclaim their sins forgiven.  Sins have always been forgiven by faith in God’s love, grace, and mercy.  Someone greater than the religious teachers was in their midst, the incarnate Immanuel (God with us). He had the power because He is God.

Ponder Question: Do we kill Jesus when we seek forgiveness of sins or absolution from a priest?  Is the heavenly temple where Jesus is ready to minister to our sins and failures left desolate because a mere man has stepped into His place?

Further thought: do we murder Jesus by hating other people?

A Christian teacher at a private school asked her students to draw a picture of the person they disliked the most. One girl drew a picture of her once-best friend who stole her boyfriend. Another person drew a picture of a political figure, while another drew a picture of her father, who had left the family.

Next, the teacher took the pictures and placed them carefully on a dart board. Each student was given darts. Without prompting, all stood and faced the picture of the person they disliked the most and began to throw the darts at their picture. The activity began to get lively as each student threw the darts harder and harder. Soon, the pictures were in tatters, and the teacher asked them to return to their desks.

Once the students were settled and quiet, the wise teacher began to remove the tattered pictures from the dart boards. Underneath was another tattered picture. It was a picture of Jesus!

The students gasped, and some wept when the teacher reverently quoted these words of Jesus:

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Next time, we will explore further Jesus’ claim to divinity from His works, the Apostles, and the Prophets. Did Jesus ever degrade the words of the Father or of the Old Testament writers?

The Gospel

Everlasting Gospel

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Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

Revelation 14: 6-7 NKJV

A Difference Between Gospel and Everlasting Gospel.

How does the “everlasting gospel” differ from the “gospel“? In no other place in scripture does the phrase “everlasting gospel” appear. But, the simple word “gospel” is brought up 100 times in the New Testament. Of the “Gospel” writers, John is the only one who does not use the word. (Matthew 5 times, Mark 8, and Luke 4, John 0. ) The only time John uses the word is here in Revelation, but he insinuates a gospel that does not end. What does that mean? Please keep in mind that just because the word “gospel” is not used, it does not mean that it is not present in the Bible, even in the Old Testament. Its theme is throughout!

I have cautiously come to the conclusion. that the everlasting gospel is the Good News that will last forever, even in heaven.  What is the Good News that will supersede anything else? It is the theme of redemption and the love of the Godhead—a mystery of sacrifice, love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. These mysteries cannot be understood except in the actions of God the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit.

Another author says it this way:

“The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.  Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made on our behalf, call for the most serious and solemn reflection.” (empasis supplied)

Steps to Christ, EG White

What is the Gospel?

The gospel has always been described as the Good News. This Good News comes through the story of Jesus. It is usually divided up into events and actions of the Godhead. The following are the primary parts of the story of redemption.

1.) The incarnation of Jesus (Immanuel-God with us). Even though Jesus is the second member of the Godhead, He became one of us! (Hebrews 2: 14-18) . What a great mystery of love!

2.) He lived a sinless life. (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

3.) He died for our sins, paying the full penalty. We don’t have to work for our own salvation. Any good work or victories over sin are produced by the work of Jesus in our new heart. ( 1 Corinthians 5: 3, Philippians 2: 13, Hebrews 7:25)

4.) He rose again to show that we, too, can be resurrected from the dead. if there was no resurrection, we would still be in our sins and lost. (1 Corinthians 15:4, 1 Corinthians 15: 6-7)

5.) He sent the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and comfort. (John 14:6)

6.) He became an Intercessor for us. The High Priest we can come to directly for help and forgiveness. (Hebrews 4: 16, 1 Timothy 2:5)

7.) He is coming again to take us where He is now. (John 14: 1-3)

8.) He will create a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness will reign, where sin and death will never raise their ugly heads again. (2 Peter 3: 13, Nahum 1:9)

All of these events are based on the love of God and beautifully summarized by John, who does not use the word gospel except in Revelation. Nevertheless, it encapsulates the eternal gospel that we will ponder throughout eternity…perhaps teach angels or unfallen worlds.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Prophecies, Hope, and Faith are Fulfilled. Love Remains

The eternal gospel will be our study of the science of redemption. All the prophecies will have been fulfilled; There will be no need for tongues, faith, or hope. Love is the only one of the gifts left standing.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Cor. 13: 8

Although John is skimpy on the word gospel, his message is the theme of love, which is the basis for the gospel.

Of all the apostles, John talks about love more than any other; it appears 39 times in his gospel writing, compared to Matthew (11 times) , Mark (5), and Luke (12). This is more than all the other gospel writers combined! Only Paul exceeds this number (70 times), but Paul was a more prolific writer with 14 books compared to John’s 5 books of the Bible.

It is John alone who records the 11th commandment of Christ regarding loving one another as Jesus loved.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:34

Everlasting Gospel Provides a Choice for the Warnings

Before the messages of warning of the three angels are proclaimed, it is the “everlasting” gospel that proceeds the tough announcement of judgment, the fall of Babylon, and a terrible beast that will force people to choose between it or God.

It is this everlasting gospel that will likely cause “Babylon” to fall and counteract the threats of the beast. The dire warnings would be weakened without the preaching of “everlasting gospel” first.

This section of Revelation describes a preparation for the return of Christ. Jesus confirms this activity of preaching the gospel to the whole world before the end comes, as recorded by Matthew :

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24: 14 NKJV

The Three Warnings

In the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, Jesus fills in the blanks between the preaching of the everlasting gospel and warnings to the people of earth. Without first preaching the sacrificial love found in the eternal gospel, the three warnings have no context, power, or choices for those who hear. It will sound to them as just noise…a clanging cymbal.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1

The scene in Revelation 14 is the description of an angel (the first of three) who has the everlasting gospel to preach to everyone on planet Earth. It is visible because it is in the air! Not one person is exempt from the hearing of this everlasting gospel. The power of this message gets attention as insinuated by the sound of a “loud voice.” If you have ever been in a relatively quiet place with the sound of people talking in the background and you hear someone get loud. It gets your attention. With all the activity of earth’s everyday activities, a voice will rise above the clatter. It is the preaching of the “everlasting gospel.” In conjunction with that loud voice comes the messages of the other angels, but the core of their messages is a gospel that will never end.

This angel has the first of three warnings for the people of Earth before the end comes. Note: I am briefly showing the warnings for context to end this article. The study of these messages is deep and requires more time and space to investigate, which I will attempt next time.

Warning #1

 “…saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

Revelation 14: 7

The first angel that has and proclaims the eternal gospel gives the first warning. Because of God’s great love, he wants all to come to repentance so that no one will perish. He warns that it is time to turn away from earthly idols and life’s priorities to worship the Creator.

Warning #2

A second angel follows who warns:

Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 14: 8

As people hear the eternal gospel of love, it brings down this symbolic Babylon with its truth about Jesus. Fornication is the mixing of two things that do not belong together…. unmarried sexual relations, which symbolizes the mixing of the truth of Jesus and the error of the false teachings from a city…a dwelling place of power. The truth exposes the lies of Babylon (which means confusion), and it brings down this city of error).

Warning #3

Then, a third and final angel warns with a loud voice like the first angel:

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. 

Revelation 14: 9-10

Of the three messages, this one is the most descriptive and severe. It has to do with worshipping a beast (symbolic for a religious/political power) and showing loyalty to this power by allowing a symbolic mark that displays loyalty to this antichrist power. That is the choice: loyalty to the God who loves and created you or the beast power that wants to manipulate and use you!

These messages are delivered individually but logically connected in their order. Hopefully, we will discover more next time, but for now, let us focus on the eternal gospel. The story of redemption that we will discuss in heaven after prophecies, these warnings, tongues, faith, and hope have been fulfilled.

If the eternal gospel is understood and accepted now, it becomes the insurance against the three warning messages. Blessings as you consider these things.

"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28