God seems to love festivals and has used them not only to bless His people with reasons to worship and fellowship but also to appreciate His divine plan.  That’s because each of the seven that He specifically ordained have prophetic fulfillments.   Four of them have been fulfilled in the first appearing of Jesus Christ and the consequent birth of His church. 

Briefly, Pesach or Passover was fulfilled on the day of this festival when Jesus was crucified.  He was the true Passover Lamb that all the sacrifices pointed to since Moses first told the Hebrew slaves to kill a lamb and place its blood upon the door openings and in the basin (see Exo 12).  Where they placed the blood pictured the bloody head, arms and feet of Christ on the cross.  

The next feast is all about unleavened bread.  The Feast of Unleavened Bread began the day after Pesach and was a continuation of the Passover.  It lasted for seven days (see Lev 23:6).  Recalling that leaven in the scriptures speaks of sin, this unleavened bread pictures a needed purity of that which we as believers take in.  Jesus’ perfectly pure life fulfilled this.  As the spotless Lamb of God, His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary was acceptable to God.  Believing that is what we consider ‘taking Him in’ to our hearts. 

Unleavened bread also symbolizes the manna that the Israelites ate when they traveled through the wilderness.  This reminds us of Jesus’ own words, “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.  This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:57,58)   

The Feast of First Fruits was celebrated soon after the Feast of Unleavened Bread (see Lev 23:10,11; Deut 26:1-4).  The first of the barley harvest was dedicated to God and brought before Him. The Jewish people recognized that it was God who brought the increase, and it all belonged to Him. By giving the first part, they were recognizing God as the provider.  Christ fulfilled this holiday literally with His resurrection, “on the day after the Sabbath” and thus He is called the “firstborn among many brethren”. (Rom 8:29)   

The Feast of Weeks which we know as Pentecost was celebrated 50 days after this last feast.  This celebrated the harvest and was again fulfilled to the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers gathered together in the upper room.  A harvest of three thousand souls were saved that day, and the church was born having a commission to reap the harvest of souls in all nations.   

Hence, there remain three festivals or feasts to be fulfilled.  They are all in the fall season.  

The first is the Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah.  This festival starts the new year with the blowing of the ram’s horn trumpet, hence the name. Since it is a preparation of repentance, the traditional activities center around looking at sins.  It has become customary to go down to the sea, filling one’s pockets with rocks along the way.  Once there, the rocks are thrown as far as possible into the sea, identifying one area of sin with each rock.  As they are thrown, it symbolizes a cleansing, representing God removing the sins to the bottom of the sea.    

This feast will be fulfilled at the last trumpet (as opposed to the first trumpet – see Exo 19:16) and the voice of our Savior calling us up in the Rapture of the church (see 1 Cor 15:51-55).  In a glorious transformation, all our sin will be left behind forever.  Though we know the day of this festival, Jesus said that no one knows the day or hour of this event.  It is always to be considered imminent.  Its position, however, preceding the next feast is very relevant for in like manner its fulfillment will surely precede the fulfillment of the next one.   

The sixth holy day is the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.  This is the only solemn feast - all the nation of Israel would fast together, coming before God, to atone for their sin. This is the one day of the year when the High Priest would enter into the Holy of Holies, bringing the blood to place on the mercy seat. The temple of God and all the worship items in it were consecrated anew to the Lord.  I’m strongly inclined to believe this will be fulfilled when the 144,000 saints of the tribes of Israel are saved by grace, sealed and sent, like the church, to continue God’s witness in a godless world (see Rev 7).  They will bring the atoning grace of God through Jesus Christ to both Jew and gentile in the terrible days of the tribulation.   

Finally, there remains the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot.  This seven-day festival commemorates God’s provision while the nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness. In addition, the people express thanksgiving to God for His continued provision in their lives.  During this festival, the people live in, or at least take their meals in temporary shelters, commemorating that time. The family starts building their sukkah (tabernacle) immediately after Yom Kippur.  It is noteworthy that this is the only feast that will be celebrated throughout the millennial reign of Christ (see Zech 14:16-19).  As such, it will undoubtedly also commemorate the caring of God for His remnant of Jewish believers in the wilderness during the tribulation.  From its place in the sequence of feasts and its symbolism, I’ll suggest that it will be fulfilled in the second coming of Christ, the victory of Jesus and His saints at Armageddon and the ushering in of the millennial age.   

Welcome to the Last Days

Anytime events like we’ve seen the last several days take place, we pray for 
God’s will to be done and then look to see what we might do to help those in need.  There have been so many lives lost already – elderly, women, children, even babies among them.  And undoubtedly, there will be many more casualties. 

And I can’t help but believe that we are seeing the prophetic stage being set for some very sobering endtimes events to come.  Hamas will not destroy Israel but the carnage will continue and I think we will see Hezbollah, Syria and Iran more involved in the conflict.  In addition, I think it’s very possible that the US will experience catastrophe as well.

The Bible tells us several things we can expect to happen in the near future.

• An immense gathering of armies from Russia and Muslim partner nations that will attack Israel called the war of Gog and Magog.  The prophet Ezekiel says that God will directly intervene and save Israel.
• The instantaneous disappearance of many millions of sincere Christians, taken to heaven by Christ, an event called the Rapture.
• That an ‘attractive’ and persuasive leader will arise to power over the countries of Europe, the Middle East and potentially elsewhere.  Initially, he will seem like a savior of sorts to the Jews but later he will turn on them and on everyone who will not regard him as savior and god
• A hellish period of time in which the rich get much richer and most everyone else is mentally, spiritually and economically enslaved.  It will last seven years.

Now, the end of the story (as well as the new beginning) is when Jesus Christ physically returns to this planet along with the armies of heaven and will conquer the armies of sin-filled men including their devil-leader.

And though we do not know the details of exactly how this will all transpire, we do know that this present time is prophesied to be a time of “wars and rumors of war” and a period of world-wide “birth pangs” in which “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Tim 3:13)

Welcome to the last days. It’s going to ultimately get worse for all of us unless you’ve got your heart right with God through Jesus Christ.

Are You Ready?

Upon reaching the land of promise about two years from the time they were delivered from Egypt, the host of Israel, still very young in their experience with the great “I am”, failed a crucial test of faith.  They shrank away in fear, cowering before the concept of taking the land.  You see, they had learned ‘the talk’ saying, “All that the Lord says, we will do!”  But ‘the walk’ was all together a stumbling.  You remember the story of how the 10 spies were sent into the land to scope it out, but the report they brought back was one of catastrophic cowardice.  Only Joshua and Caleb among them said, “We can do it.”   

And so, for the next 38 years they wandered in a wilderness wasteland.  It was a time in which the old died and the new people that emerged were honed by the hard times, developed by the difficulties and thus ready to run to the battle.  Moses couldn’t lead them in – Moses, as a symbol, represented the Law, and for those of us who have wandered, you know the Law only exposes the nature, the ugly nature, of self.   

It took Joshua, the one whose name and leadership represented Jesus, to lead Israel out of the self-oriented wasteland, crossing the Jordan river on dry ground, and into the conquest of the land promised by God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  The same is true today.   

The prophetic symbolism in this story is powerful for the dead religion of today, having merged with the value system of the surrounding world at large, has fostered a generation of me-oriented wanderers just like the Hebrews in the desert.  It wasn’t that long ago that Jesus-people, the Jesus Revolution, emerged from ‘Egypt’ - perhaps a generation or so - but they never ‘took the land’ spiritually. 

Instead, they fostered a celebrity-oriented, lukewarm, compromised Christianity.  What started out radically different, died out, conforming to the pattern of the previous piety and ultimately left Jesus outside.   Many congregations are simply social clubs designed and managed to entertain.

But now, here on the east side of Jordan so to speak, is a final opportunity for God’s people to forsake the religious wasteland of the last generation and to selflessly follow Jesus. Allow me to illustrate:

I was scared stiff!  Entering into the total darkness of the Space Mountain ride, my little boy and I were not yet securely strapped in and when the car jolted downward in a near free fall, I held desperately onto him.  He was crying because he sensed the danger, and I was really freaked because I couldn’t see to fix his strap and my own was way too loose as well. 

Every twist and turn was without warning and under other circumstances, would have been fun.  This, however, was sheer torture and when it was finally over, we both were white as ghosts and worn out by the terror of the seemingly endless series near-death experiences.   

So here’s the lesson – darkness and a loose grip are indeed a grim pair.  Unfortunately, that is indeed the state of the world and the church in our times.  Of course, a good deal of the world has always been in darkness but even where the light of the gospel has for millennia transformed pagan societies into caring cultures, advancing in arts, sciences, law and such, we witness everyday more evidence of societal demise as people have turned away from the light.   

What the Bible prophetically terms as Babylon in the book of Revelation represents the worldwide congregation of the rebellious against God and today its leaders are introducing darkness into every nook and cranny of our societies.  Personally, I am convinced that they will continue to reject redemption.  There’s no saving the ‘Babylonians’ now.  God is entirely justified in judging them and as sure as the sun rises, that judgment is on its way.     

All around us deception is the new norm.  Evil is being considered as good and good as evil.  Sexual perversion is not only tolerated but extolled by the leaders of the nations - political, judicial and otherwise.  Murder is glorified in our entertainment.  Moral conduct is routinely mocked in almost every venue from schools to business to the media.  Our politicians are ripping off our society and laughing that we were stupid enough to put them in the position to do so.  Every media message is polluted.  

There’s no saving Babylon now.  Like the Titanic, its sinking fast and rearranging the deck chairs is absurd.   

While there remain many people who will ‘abandon ship’ and still respond to the life of Christ’s light, our societies as a whole are in the stench of rigor mortis.  So what hope remains?  What are we as believers to do?  Do we stick our head in the sand and pretend everything will be alright?    

Definitely not!  Christ said that the person whom He finds feeding His sheep when He returns will be blessed.  He also said to hold fast to what we have – that is, our faith in His grace.  We must recognize the nature of the warfare to which we are called – it’s spiritual, not fleshly – and do the ‘first works’.  We must be sure of our own salvation and with regards to the world, live defiantly free from its entanglements.    

The true church has always been the community of the faithful to Christ.  It has never been Catholic or Protestant, Baptist or Brethren, Calvary or Calvinist.  There is one Bride of Christ period.  These are the last days and last days lies are being aimed at the Bride.     

The church cannot save anyone through politics or law or entertainment.  The church cannot save anyone period.  Salvation comes when the church is engaged in lifting up the light of Christ, pointing people to the One Who does save.     

Unfortunately, the world is swirling around and down the toilet-path to hell and sad to say, some of the contemporary church is in danger of going with it.  The Lord’s call is as emphatic as ever – “Come out from among them and be separate!” -- separate from the world, its lies and lusts, its parades and passions, its call to self-gratification.       

One of the problems with the last days church as explained by Jesus in Revelation chapter three (See Rev 3:17,18) is blindness.  Absent the light of the scripture and spiritual discernment, this church has a false sense of needing nothing.  It is entirely susceptible to deception.  As a consequence, some people associated with it may end up following a false messiah into the lake of fire. 

Don’t you be one of them!    Make the break and head for the high ground now.  Lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us.  Christ will be with you and care for you.  Live entirely for Him – entirely.  This is the balm that clears our vision and how we do battle against Babylon.

Considering “Things above” - Part four, Heaven

In considering heaven and the heavenly city, I’m not going to rely on personal accounts which may or may not be accurate.  Rather, we’ll look at what Bible authors have written as our references. 

Also, even as we are overpowered by the enormity of the physical universe, we must keep in mind that our heavenly home may be as much, or more, spiritual as physical.  Recall, Jesus, after His resurrection, showed Himself as physical but with spiritual capabilities.  In other words, heaven may be vastly bigger than the physical universe, perhaps infinite.

Within this infinite vastness is the heavenly city, New Jerusalem, where the Bible says God will reside or at least have His throne.  The apostle John tried to describe some of it in the book of Revelation. 

                First, the throne: Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.  Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.  And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. (Rev 4:2-6)

Next, we learn of the four living creatures and the 24 elders that surround the throne and worship the Lord. (See the book, “Fire Eyes” for more on this.)  And there are at least 100 million angels as well (Rev 5:11). 

And though heaven was (or is) the site of warfare, (see Rev 12:7-9) it will ultimately be made new and clean from evil. 

                Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” (Rev 21:1,3,5)

                And of the heavenly city, we read that it has a spectacular appearance:  The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.  (Rev 21:18-21)

                Plus, there’s the water of life:  And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Rev 22:1)

                And trees with special fruit: In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  (Rev 22:2)

                And no need for ‘lightbulbs’:  There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. (Rev 22:5)

But all this, as amazing as it is, is only what John could see.  The really wonderful things of heaven are simply inexpressible – 

“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 Cor 2:9)

Consider the loving relationships with the Lord and with all the saints.  Consider the new hope, new purposes, new characters and then there’s the new body filled with life and well-being and joy. 

Personally, I’m looking forward to an eternity of discovery and growing harmony with all.

Considering Things Above - The Holy Spirit

In the beginning, He brooded over the chaos   

For what was made perfect

Became void and without form, a ruin   

But in utter harmony with Father and Son

They brought light and life and beauty   

And He was the breath, the grace, the goodness, wisdom and might   

In the new creation, from the Father, through the Son

And when the Son came to save us

It was He and the Father Who sent Him

It was He Who created Him in the virgin

And empowered Him

For His fruit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

He gives wisdom, knowledge and faith

He was with Them in eternity past

He was with the first Adam formed from dust

He was in and upon the last Adam

And the last Adam’s children are washed and sanctified and justified by Him

For He is eternally good

For He, too, is God

Considering “Things above” - Part two, Jesus

The Apostle Paul exhorted us to set our minds on things above (Col 3:1,2) but he did not identify those things so our ‘list’ must include God Almighty, Jesus – God the Son, His Holy Spirit, the saints who have gone before us, the godly angelic hosts, and then of course, the throne of God, the heavenly city and the heavenly ‘dimension’. These are the Beings and the things we know are ‘above’ us but likely, there are many more.

Now, this exhortation from the Apostle presents a challenge because, as the scripture says, 

“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.”

So, we cannot rely just on what we have seen or heard or imagined.  Therefore, we look to God’s Word along with the leading of God’s Spirit to help us know the Who’s and What’s of the “things above”.

Another challenge is attempting to comprehend or even describe the infinite, boundless, measureless, qualities of the things above – our minds are finite and so small in comparison. The Lord Himself tells us, 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8,9)

Simply put, God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours.

So, our posts on this subject can only be meager and at best weak starting points - attempts to encourage you as you take heed to Paul’s exhortation.

Considering Jesus Christ, God the Son. 

Now with Jesus, we have two frames of reference – the earthly and the heavenly.  And we are not just going to consider what He did or said in His earthly ministry, but instead, what we can perceive and appreciate about Who He is. 

The question we seek to answer is just what is the Name or more literally, the Nature of Jesus? Of course, He told us that He is in God and God is in Him so as we are considering Jesus, we are also considering God the Father and God the Spirit.  And so, there are an infinite number of places we could start from the infinite past in which the Godhead was in perfect communion and evil did not exist, to the creation of all things seen and unseen, to the amazing story of redemption of mankind and of the entire creation to the throne of Heaven where He is seated at the right hand of Father God.  You can see that even our best effort will certainly fall short.

In any event, what do we see most ‘clearly’ – the nature of Jesus in the Gospels and the nature of Jesus in Revelation?

It boggles the mind to consider that the One the Almighty used to create all things and by Whom all things consist, chose, ... yes, He Chose to take on the form of a fetus in the womb of Mary, to live in our fallen, dusty, oppressed world mismanaged, (if you would) by the essence of evil itself.  When He made this choice, we do not know.

However, we all know what He accomplished which is recorded for us in the Gospels.  So, let’s consider Who He is. 

Consider that with this act of ultimately humble submission to the Father’s will, He defined for us Grace – kindness that started sometime is eternity past, exploded into our reality in Genesis chapter 1 and then went ‘nuclear’ on Calvary and, I believe, continues to expand forever on our behalf throughout eternity future.  

Every miracle of Christ was an example of this grace, the Father’s grace, which Jesus embodied and put on display. It angered the evil-hearted and brought joy to God’s children.

On many occasions He demonstrated mercy as well – the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda, the widow with the dead son, the man born blind, the demoniac on the shore of Galilea, the woman caught in adultery, not to mention Peter the ‘boys’ in John chapter 21 – I could go on.

And this character of mercy was amplified when from the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”  Clearly, His nature is forgiving.

One of the reasons we call Matthew, Mark, Luke and John gospels is because they record how Jesus shared the Gospel of the Kingdom everywhere He went.  He wanted us to know and to experience new life; to know the nature of Father God, to be warmed and grow in the Life of His Love.  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

After He rose from the dead, He again demonstrated patience with the disciples struggling faith and Thomas’ defiant doubt.  He showed humility of the shore of the sea by making and serving a breakfast to the wayward crew. 

In the Revelation delivered to John, we see Him as the Lamb of God reigning in absolute power and ultimately destroying death, the devil and all evil.

I’ll conclude with a devotion on His marvelous character of forgiveness:

Fastened by Forgiveness

“Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.” 

“Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”” 

“And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”” 

“So, he said, “Teacher, say it.”” 

““There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”” 

“Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”” 

“And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”” 

“Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”” 

“And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”” 

“Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”” (Luke 7:36 – 50)

The word the Holy Spirit chose with which to describe this woman means one “dedicated to sin or especially sinful”. Yet when she approached Jesus, she “fastened” to Him. That’s what the word “touching” really means in the verse. Now, this offended the Pharisee, Simon, because the whole premise of the Law of Moses is that sinful man cannot approach a Holy God let alone cling or fasten to Him. ‘One must be clean and pure to come before God.’ In their minds, the same would be true of a prophet, rabbi or anyone strongly adhering to the Levitical system. 

But I can relate to this woman. I often wonder why in world God gave me a ministry of encouraging people to be spiritually or heavenly minded. I rejoice in it, but just shake my head at the irony. And I am blessed just wonderfully by this story because in it Jesus directly fastens love to forgiveness. The way Jesus said it, her love led to His forgiveness; and then,implied in the next part, “But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” is the counter-point that His forgiveness also leads to love on our part. That is, it’s a two-way deal; you see His forgiveness à our love à His forgiveness à our love… 

And to boot, this passage also shows that the degree of such love is directly related to the degree of forgiveness. Now, this is awesome because that explains to me why the people I know who clearly love God very dearly are the ones who have been faced with the reality of their own human frailty and sinfulness. And they have acknowledged it in sincerity. 

You see, God can (and does) tell us we are sinful creatures, but unless we truly believe Him, we don’t really see the need to accept His forgiveness. Obviously, this is fundamental to salvation, but it is equally relevant to our lives as believers as well. At times, we may be moved to an intellectual response or assent, but we know that that is quite different from a sincere acknowledgement. 

Frankly, the ‘better’ we do in keeping whatever moral code we personally believe in, the less we think we need His forgiveness, and thus the less we find ourselves enraptured with love for Him. This is NOT a justification for immoral behavior by the way! For the love that is engendered by forgiveness leads us up the high road of repentance. “We don't need to go and sin more in order to be forgiven more, thus loving God more - all we must do is become more sensitive to our current state of sinfulness.” (D Guzik) 

Simon may have had fewer outward sins to forgive than the woman, but the result was a coldness of heart. He did not even grant Jesus the customary courtesies of water to wash His feet or anointing oil. I’ve known people like that; maybe you have too. “Good people”. In fact, they are fastened to looking good (notice I didn’t say doing good) to the exclusion of faith, love and humility. 

“Simon was a rude host. And in that culture hospitality was something that was treasured highly. When you invited guests to your home, they would leave their sandals at the door, but immediately there would be a servant there with a towel and with a basin of water, and the host would provide that servant to wash your feet in order that you might come into the house to dine. Of course, they wore open sandals; they had dirt pathways that they walked on, and it was just a common, accepted courtesy that the guests that were invited would have their feet washed by the servant when they entered the door of the house. And then it was customary to greet your friends with a kiss. Usually it was a kiss on each cheek. This was just common. And, in fact, in some of those areas it is still practiced today. Italy, the men in the church when they come up and greet you, kiss you on both cheeks. And it's a sort of a beautiful, loving thing. But it was common in that culture. And then also it was common to anoint with oil. To pour oil on the head of the guest. Which was a symbol of the joy that you'd hoped to share together that evening. And they would then serve you your first cup of coffee, no sugar, strong Turkish type coffee, bitter. The idea being that you are washing away now all of the bitter experiences that you've had. The second cup they offer you is very sweet. Symbolic of that sweet time that we can now share together, that all of the bitterness was taken away.” (Chuck Smith) 

Now, this woman, whom by contrast, we do not even know by name, was washing His feet with her tears. I don’t think it was intentional. You see, she had brought perfume to anoint Him, but finding Him willing to let her ‘fasten’ to Him if you would, she broke into tears at His acceptance. It must have just boggled her mind and heart for in that society and especially in that house she was virtually untouchable, religiously filthy. She probably wiped these loving tears off His feet with her hair in absolute humility perhaps concerned that she’d unintentionally gotten His feet wet. Her hair may have simply been cleaner than anything else she had at hand. Using her hair was a very intimate thing. She didn’t come to wash His feet, but it happened that way because God wanted to expose her love. 

Are you willing to be exposed? 

And she kissed His feet; kissed His dusty feet. What a humbling thing. Simon had not given Him water to wash which was customary in that culture where most people wore sandals. Jesus’ feet were undoubtedly soiled. 

Humiliation, indeed, is a ‘dirty’ experience, but on the other hand, it can lead to a clean heart. Unfortunately, we really know precious little of this in our prideful, self-oriented culture. 

Of note is that this woman, the one who was ‘especially sinful’, had to enter the ‘house of hypocrisy’, Simon’s house, in order to reach Jesus and display her affection. She probably could have found Him somewhere else, but she exposed herself in front of the very audience that would have condemned her. In doing this, she faced her accusers and her Lord at the same time, and often times so will we. As we approach our Holy God, say in prayer or worship, we can be sure that we’ll recognize also the drivel and whine of the ‘accuser of the saints’, Satan. If we listen to his diatribes, we may back away. 

But deep love beckons onward, into the intimate presence of the One who’s feet have been dusty. The One who walked on earth will not turn you away. If you approach in love and faith, you may proceed. If you will allow the love He’s planted in your heart to humble you, you’ll be exposed. In that, you’ll very possibly kindle rage from the religious but raves from your Redeemer. 

And like this woman, it may be you’ll have no ‘name’. You may never be asked to speak at the next conference or huddle with the religious ‘honchos’. But, you see, that’s really the essence of this new life. It’s your love and faith that identifies you with Jesus; it’s a humbling love and that’s your ticket, not your standing in the congregation or the ministry or the movement. When you’re breathing the heavenly air of humble love, your life, your works, and your display are all unto Him and that’s what matters. 

The Christian culture of today, especially in the West has fostered many ‘Simons’ if you would – people seeking a name for themselves and their ministries. Once humble ministers, lovers of God, have increasingly been convinced that they deserve more spotlight. As a consequence, they are embracing positions of ministerial power or celebrity more and people less. 

David L. McKenna writes, “Of all the traits that parents instill in their children by example, forgiveness is the most difficult. Early in my career…, a sophomore appeared before me as court of last resort to appeal his dismissal from school. Violation after violation of residence hall rules had exhausted the patience of directors, deans, and disciplinary committees. His hostility knew no bounds. Whatever awe may seem to pervade a president's office had no effect on him. Anger and hatred exposed a vicious rebellion against anyone in authority. As I listened to him vent his spleen, a contradiction posed itself in my mind. His father enjoyed the reputation as one of the most powerful and effective evangelists in the church. The inconsistency snagged my thoughts. When he had finished and waited for my response, I caught him completely off guard with the unofficial question, "Have you ever been forgiven?"” 

“A slap in the face would not have been more shocking. His eyes emptied of fire, his head dropped, and he choked out a barely audible, "No."” 

“"Would you like to be forgiven?" I asked. His answer taught me a lesson of a lifetime. Sobbing now, he lifted the lid that covered his resentment, "I have heard my father invite thousands of people to come to Christ . . . but he has never asked me if I wanted to be forgiven."” 

When I was younger, I was focused on encouraging those to whom I ministered to invite Jesus into their heart. Surely, that’s important, conceptually. But, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. We’ve often heard sermons that highlight the fact that the Laodicean church in Revelation chapter three has left Jesus outside. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev 3:20) 

But opening the door is just the step in the right direction. The question remains, what will you do when Jesus enters? You indeed may ‘dine with Him’, yet what kind of relationship will emerge? This is critical not just as a new born babe in Christ but throughout your Christian life. Having encountered Jesus, having invited Him into your ‘home’, what attitude will you embrace? 

I submit that there is the human tendency to ‘simonize’ – to ask Jesus in to our home but to come to treat Him quite casually. The religious and the righteous are not necessarily one in the same. Oh, may God give us a fresh glimpse of how desperately we need Him, and as a consequence, may our hearts be fastened to Him by forgiveness – by our recognition of the need for it, along with our humble, trusting petition, and our honest acceptance. 

Have you invited Him in? Dined with Him? Do you love Him? How much?

These are your starting points in considering Jesus.  We could go on and on.  Like John recorded, “there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” 

Considering "Things Above"

Part One – God Almighty

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Col 3:2:

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

But, alas, Paul did not provide specifics so I’m going to consider some of those things above that I would set my mind upon.  First, I’d consider God Almighty, Father God and some of His attributes.  There are things like His: 

Love, Holiness, Patience/forgiveness, Grace/Kindness and much, much more.

Let’s first consider His Grace.  You know, I have a complete set of the Andy of Mayberry TV shows (now, don’t laugh) because the concept of down-home friendly folks is so appealing.  Of course, that’s a fantasy life.  Reality is starkly different.  People are not normally that kind to one another.  Here, ‘outside of Mayberry,’ we are much more inclined to be selfish, trying to get ahead of others. 

Honest gestures of selfless kindness are so rare, that I still remember the time when someone I didn’t know in the car in front of me paid for my coffee.  That was six months ago but I remember it because such kindnesses are very infrequent.  Of course, I’m not including general friendliness.  Folks can and do find it in themselves to offer a friendly greeting or to ask how you are doing but extending a genuine act of kindness to someone when it costs something is far less common. 

Such sacrificial acts of kindness, bestowing a blessing on someone, is a small part of the concept of grace.  I say small part because you have to extend the notion much further.  Grace is not simply kindness but it’s giving such kindness, such sacrificial charitability, giving it to someone unworthy, someone who has done nothing to earn or merit the ‘reward’, perhaps just the opposite.  If you know the TV show, it’s like Andy, the Mayberry sheriff putting Otis the town drunk in jail overnight, night after night, and Aunt Bee bringing in her homemade breakfast for him morning after morning.  Clearly, Otis doesn’t deserve it, but he accepts it delightedly.

And when it comes to the grace that is a glorious attribute of our God, we still have more to wrap our head around – God’s grace was supremely manifested in the giving of His Son’s precious life to pay fully, completely and forever, our immeasurably huge debt of sin. Most of us don’t get that, we’re ‘numb’ to the actual cost. That’s why Peter wrote, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Pet 1:13) 

As believers, we have all been granted this wonderful gift. “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.” (Eph 4:7) And it’s been on God’s mind for a lo-o-ong time – “God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,…” (2 Tim 1:9) Isn’t that just amazing!  Jesus came to save us and to show us this grace. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  (Jn 1:14)

And experiencing this unmerited kindness from God will continue throughout eternity – here’s His promise – “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. “ (Eph 2:4-6)

God is eternally gracious, and I suspect we will spend eternity just letting that sink in. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”  (2 Cor 8:9) That is, His ‘riches to rags’ so to speak became our ‘rags to riches’.  You could say, He really set the standard by doing the standard right before our eyes – wow, that convicts me! 

Now, let’s consider God’s Love.  As we begin to consider God’s attributes, we have to acknowledge our limitations.  His attributes are themselves infinite, thus we who are finite cannot fully appreciate them nor can we sufficiently describe them. 

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:9)

Jesus, Himself quoted what the Jews called the Shema when asked for the most important command in scripture.  It says, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deut 6:5) This was and is considered by the Jews as the most important scripture.  However, it should be noted that as important as it is we cannot initiate this commanded love.  That’s because we are not the source of this love, God Himself is.

John wrote, “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1Jn 4:19)

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 Jn 4:10)

In other words, we can never obey this critical command to love God unless we first receive and acknowledge God’s love for us.  In Eden, we learned from the serpent to doubt God’s love for us;  believing his lies sent us spiraling away from God and into self-destruction.  However, the good news is that believing in Jesus is believing again that God does love us.

Interestingly, the Old Testament is filled with at least a couple dozen commands like the Shema for us to love God but only a few that speak of God loving us. (eg Zeph 3:17) Conversely, the New Testament is filled with verses that express God’s love toward us such as:

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8) and, 

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38,39) and, 

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,…” (Eph 2:4)

Another example is when Paul prayed for the Ephesians “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:17-19)

Of course, God has always loved His children and He demonstrated that countless times throughout the OT, but the epitome of that endless infinite love was and is expressed in the gift to us of His own Son’s life to take our places and pay for our transgressions.  But it doesn’t stop there.  His love keeps on giving throughout eternity for…:

“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 Cor 2:9 and Isa 64:4)

Now the one thing that we all long for but rarely if ever experience is sincere, trustworthy and enduring love.  That’s because people fail us - mates, friends, children.   But knowing God, by definition, means knowing His love.

John, the Apostle wrote: “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 Jn 4:8) and “we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” (1 Jn 4:16)

Now it has come to be in vogue to assert “Love is god.”  But clearly this is not at all the same thing and is yet another serpent-lie.  When you believe that, you by default allow for any trending or politically correct definition of love and thus your god. That of course subjugates your puny fantasy god to your own ideas and ‘agenda’. 

Of course, love is a relationship and since God is eternal, it’s a really long relationship (lol) but truly, it’s something that will grow and grow and grow forever.  First, believe; then receive and keep on receiving and returning divine love.

Of note, this is what I call a ‘Who’-attribute of God as opposed to a ‘What’-attribute.  His amazing Love speaks to Who He is; so how do we recognize this love?  We could go into defining the three different words in Greek for love but instead, let’s consider Jesus.  How did he show us God’s love?

The first thing that comes to mind is that He gave His life for us on the cross.  That is the ultimate selfless sacrifice.  “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (Jn 15:13)

In this selfless act, He not only suffered a terribly painful death, but He carried upon Himself all the sins of humanity  - a truly incomprehensible weight.  We are naturally so self-occupied that we cannot grasp the selfless love of our Creator. It is the polar opposite of our naturally evil hearts.

But when we are truly saved, His love overflows in our heart empowering  wonderful acts of worship as the Holy Spirit embraces us, children of the Most High, filling us with love-light and love-life – and in so doing, grants us the power to recognize and return God’s love. 

What this means is that you can talk about, contemplate, ponder and discuss this Who-attribute of God forever but you won’t know it, that is know God’s attribute of Love until you know Him.  You must establish an intimate relationship through His Son, Jesus.  You see, grasping at least some of the ‘What-attributes’ of God like His sovereignty or His triune nature can be approached intellectually but getting a handle on the ‘Who-attributes’ like love or grace require actual relationship.  It is this relationship, which by the way is also initiated by God, that allows us to know and be known by our Lord.

When Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Mat 7:21-23)

These who will be barred from entering the kingdom of heaven will evidently know about God, but they never actually know God and thus they cannot fulfill Deut 6:5 to love God.  You see, this attribute of God, Love, this is the big one.  Don’t debate it, don’t just approach it intellectually.  The Pharisees never got it; sometimes contemporary seminarians don’t either. 

Come to God on His terms – simple, humble faith.  Ask Him sincerely for forgiveness for all the misdeeds of your life; ask for faith to believe in the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus.  Ask Him to fill you with His Love. 

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen” (2 Cor 13:14)

And now consider God’s holiness.  This short lesson absolutely sobers me and presses me into reverence that shakes me. 

When we use the word holy to describe God, we face another problem. We often describe God by compiling a list of qualities or characteristics that we call attributes. We say that God is a spirit, that He knows everything, that He is loving, just, merciful, gracious, and so on. The tendency is to add the idea of the holy to this long list of attributes as one attribute among many. But when the word holy is applied to God, it does not signify one single attribute. On the contrary, God is called holy in a general sense. The word is used as a synonym for his deity. That is, the word holy calls attention to all that God is. It reminds us that His love is holy love, his justice is holy justice, his mercy is holy mercy, his knowledge is holy knowledge, his spirit is holy spirit.

As you can see, when we set our minds on things above, there’s a lot to consider.  Perhaps my next post can be about considering Jesus.

A Time to Fight

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments (speculations) and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,  (2 Co 10:4,5)

The environment in which we live is ready for revolt.  People are done with the steady diet of lies being foisted on us.  Now, understand, I’m not advocating revolt, not physical violence. But we are going to have to engage in the war that surrounds us.  Deceit is being exalted over our faith and we need to cast it down.

We must use every spiritual weapon at our disposal – prayer, the Word, our faith and hope and the truth and Courage.  Clearly, God has begun to judge our nations for evil is beginning to be unchained – violence, lawlessness, perversity and fearmongering are everywhere. 

If you are a believer in Christ, it is time to stand strong in your faith, to speak the truth, to love your brothers and sisters in the Lord, to listen to Him and radically obey His leading.  No sticking your ‘head in the sand’, no cowering, no ‘hunkering down’ but rather live full-on for Jesus.  Get busy doing good, helping those in need. And bear in mind - 

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.  (2 Tim 2:4)

And understand that your first battle, your initial warfare is your own heart – only Christ can clean it. Of course, that doesn’t mean you become mired in self-obsession.  Rather, you simply confess to God your sins and ask for His forgiveness and cleansing (from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:9) and then move on in trust and confidence.  It’s time to fight.

Adversity's Advantage

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. Ex 1:12

This illustrates an important spiritual principle.  Affliction can birth God’s goals.  Let me explain:

Have you suffered affliction, a crushing of sorts, or bitter disappointment?  Everyone gets these in this life but there can also emerge purpose, hope, even a triumph.  During such times it is important to know your Lord and know He is with you.  When that is the case, there are many ‘advantages’ that come out of adversity, for instance:

Increase and might

The nascent church was persecuted and ultimately driven out of Israel, but it grew tremendously thereafter and spread around the world.  In Egypt, under the “new Pharoah”, the nascent Hebrew nation was afflicted and crushed but it only served to cause multiplication and might.

Purifying

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.  Isa 48:10

Guidance

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word. Psa 119:67

Understanding

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes. Psa 119:71

Intimacy with Christ

In all their affliction He was afflicted,
And the Angel of His Presence saved them;
In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;
And He bore them and carried them
All the days of old.  Isa 63:9

Glory

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,  2 Cor 4:17

The affliction which God allows for His people brings forth His fruit – obedience and learning His ways.  Of course, none of us wants or enjoys affliction.  Generally, we will try to avoid it but if we can see the other side, see it in hope, we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1,2

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Lu 14:27

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  Mat 16:24

Now, I am not advocating that you seek adversity.  Not at all. But if you are following Christ, I guarantee it will find you because our spiritual enemy will seek to derail you just as he did with Job.  But God will use it to develop and deliver you.  So hang in there and ask God to help you see ‘the other side’ of your affliction.

Foreshadowing Redemption - 
Exodus 1

The number of Jacob’s descendants in Egypt began with 70 and the fact that they are each mentioned is not just good accounting but significant for multiple reasons. Later, there were 70 elders who accompanied Moses as he approached the Lord (though they remained at a distance). Also, God instructed Moses to gather 70 elders around the tabernacle and He placed a portion of the same anointing of Moses on them. So seventy speaks of origins and of leadership.

It is also part of the illustration of God’s faithfulness and provision in spite of desperate circumstances: “Your fathers went down to Egypt with seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of heaven in multitude.” (Deu 10:22)

Yes, 70 is a significant number. With it, the book of Exodus begins and since that book is known for its theme of redemption, I’m going to say 70 can also be the number of redemption symbolically.

It is also a number associated with judgement and prophecy because of the following verses:

in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. (Dan 9:2)

“Seventy weeks are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy. (Dan 9:24)

The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psa 90:10 - spoken by Moses who lived to be 120)

In the new testament, we see it associated with forgiveness: Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (Mat 18:22)

And with spreading the gospel: After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. (Lu 10:1)

So, I think it is very significant to see this symbolically important number presented just as Jacob and his descendants are entering into 30 years of plenty followed by 400 years of slavery. God is giving a sign that the generations of hardship they experienced would lead to blessing, failure, restoration and ultimately, salvation. You could call it preparation for the promises.

After the initial 30 years, a new king arose who feared them because of their numbers and strength which led to their slavery and tasks intended to afflict, humble and oppress them. All this in light of the fact that they had done nothing against the Egyptians nor to threaten them. They simply prospered.

The king assigned task masters who forced them to serve with “Rigor” - harshness, severity, cruelty, crushing.

So nearly from their beginning as a people group, the Hebrews experienced crushing slavery. The Egyptians enslaved them, the Assyrians and the Babylonians enslaved them, the Romans oppressed them and ultimately scattered them, Hitler murdered them and enslaved them, the Russians oppressed and enslaved them and the soon coming anti-christ will eventually try to eliminate them.

Now, from the standpoint of prophecy, if we can consider Mat 1:17 as identifying 40 generations from Abraham to Christ and Psa 90:10 as specifying 70 years in a generation – (BTW there are 360 days in a prophetic year) we can see approximately 70 (69.5) prophetic generations from Abraham until now.

I won’t be dogmatic about this, but I do absolutely believe that God has always had a plan for His people and has been preparing them for a wonderful redemption that is coming soon.

Caves

David knew despondency. Hiding in a cave, he wrote:

I cry out to the LORD with my voice;
With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk…

Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul. (Psa 142:1, 3, 4)

Elijah lost his ‘mojo’ as well and despaired:

And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”  (1 Kings 19:9, 10)

Christ was moved with compassion: 

Jesus wept.

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.  (John 11: 35, 38)

What is it about caves? The large majority of times in the Bible, we see them used for refuge and as tombs.  But they also seem to be the places of encountering God.  David found the strength of God’s Spirit at his ‘low-point’; Elijah heard God voice in a whole new way; Lazurus was raised from the dead by the Son of God. 

Encouragement, new perspective, new life – all associated with a ‘cave-experience’. 

Now, some have met God on the mountain top – Abraham did (Gen 22), Moses did (Ex 19), Peter, James and John did (Mat 17).  And mountain tops tend to get the spotlight; you know the view can be so impressive. But caves, Biblical caves lead us to impressive ‘views’ as well – oh, not spelunking sights but vistas only seen with the spiritual eyes. 

You see, the mountain top encounters are by invitation – Abraham was called up to Moriah, Moses was called up to Sinai, the disciples were called to the mount of transfiguration. But David, Elijah, and Lazurus ended up in caves on their own, and so do you and I.  So we like to talk about the mountain top but we are usually embarrassed by the cave – dark, and often stinky.  But we need to because all of us end up in our own cave or caves that reveal our problems and our needs – they show us and the world that we are not ‘together’, not the spiritual giants we want to other to see. 

But God uses caves. He meets us there and lifts us up from there.  So, when you realize your own cave, don’t think of it as your end-point; it’s not.  Look for God, listen and you’ll discover that He’s there with you.  He has a marvelous new beginning for you, a new life, and hope that makes a way where you saw no way.  It’s Jesus.

Awake

Just before the most significant event in human history, the disciples were sleeping  while Jesus prayed fervently. 

Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?  Mat 26:40

And although they knew something important was about to happen, they were more interested in their future positions in Christ’s kingdom - 

And there was also a strife among them (the disciples), which of them should be accounted the greatest. Lu 22:24

In like manner, today most Christians are spiritually sleepy just as the second most important event in human history is imminent.  And many are more concerned about notoriety or comfort than for obeying Christ’s commands to Watch for His Return and Reach out to those in need of His salvation.

Meanwhile, 422 million lethal doses of fentanyl are seized at the border. Yes, 422 million. At the same time, the crime of human trafficking – selling millions of people, many if not most, young children into slavery is now around 150 billion dollars a year.  In fact, this global slave market now dwarfs all other crime networks and is nurtured by the most senior politicians and famous celebrities and major corporations.

Yes, as Paul predicted, the evil people are waxing worse and worse – the world is rapidly becoming planet Babylon, the congregation of those rebellious against God, and the repository of all evil in the cosmos.

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  2Tim 3:13

And he (God’s angel) cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Rev 18:2

All that is to say that ever since Eden, spiritual warfare over the fate of mankind has been on-going and it intensifies  when the stakes are high or upcoming events are important.  We can sense and see the effects of this everywhere today.  Just as with the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ’s Spirit urges us now to be watchful and alert – to wake up and pray fervently, to follow our Lord closely, to trust Him more than ever.  He is at the door.

The (last days) church of Philadelphia was commended for perseverance.  Jesus said to them, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience (perseverance), I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”  

Persevere

What Jesus said clearly indicates that the people in this last days church will be snatched out of the world, ensconced in heaven, to avoid the hellish tribulation time on planet Babylon – earth.  That time, called the Rapture of the church, is imminent.  That means when you’re not expecting it, boom, you’re gone.  And you do NOT want to miss it. 

So, I urge you all to persevere, by, in and through the Holy Spirit, keep the commands of Christ and don’t let anyone or anything steal your faith or interfere with your relationship to the Lord.  As a sincere believer, you are deeply loved by God and He will help you. 

“The church of Philadelphia is commended for keeping the Word of the Lord and not denying His Name. Success in Christian work is not to be measured by any other standard of achievement. It is not the rise in ecclesiastical position. It is not the number of new buildings which have been built through a man’s ministry. It is not the crowds that flock to listen to any human voice. All of these things are frequently used as yardsticks of success, but they are earthly and not heavenly measures.” (Barnhouse)

However, in this commendation, persevere is in the past tense, showing it is something that the Christians had already done before the hour of trial, which has not yet come upon the world. The promise is a reward for past perseverance, not the equipping to persevere in the future. “As far as the Philadelphian church was concerned, the rapture of the church was presented to them as an imminent hope.” (Guzik, Walvoord)

Have you grown dull or bored or too busy for spiritual issues?  “Never forget that the man most likely to steal your crown is yourself. ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life’ (Proverbs 4:23). You are in no greater danger from anyone or anything than from yourself.” (Havner)

The Secret Place of Thunder

You called in trouble, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah  Psa 81:7

This is fascinating! Speaking to Israel (and Asaph the Psalmist), God says He answered them in the secret place of thunder. There are 28 mentions of thunder of thunders in the Bible and each one refers to God or another very holy creature speaking.  In all but two cases, it is associated with a judgement of some kind.  When God thunders, it’s a fearsome thing. 

So where is this secret place of thunder?  And what does it mean for us?

Simply put, the secret place is in God’s presence and it’s there that you can hear His voice, His thunder. Here are a few verses that speak to this:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  Psa 91:1

For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock. Psa 27:5

You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence
From the plots of man;
You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion
From the strife of tongues.  Psa 31:20

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matt 6:6

Unfortunately, man’s natural tendency, since Eden, is to hide from God’s presence:

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  Gen 3:8

But when Moses told the Lord he couldn’t lead Israel without God, He answered:

                And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Ex 33:14

And David sang:

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psa 16:11

And he prayed:

Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psa 51:11

So, although the presence of God is terrifying to the sinful heart of man, it (He) is adored by the redeemed, by those who love Him.  So for those of us who seek to know God better, to hear from Him – to hear His thunder even if it’s a still small voice, we must welcome His presence in our hearts and listen.

But understand as well that you may also encounter your own ‘Meribah’.  Yes that second part of the verse is there as a message that God’s presence, His thunder will come along with or as the result of Meribah (strife).  Do you remember the story? 

Israel was dry, parched, crazy thirsty, but there was no water to drink.  Instead of trusting or just asking the Lord for help, they whined and complained to Moses.  So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!” Ex 17:4

So God told him to strike this rock with the staff he used to split the sea.  Moses obeyed and out gushed torrents of water, enough to slake the thirst of the whole nation.

Now that Rock was a wonderful picture of Christ and we are reminded of the verse - “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  (John 7:38)

In other words, when you want to hear from, or receive from the thunder, the secret place is God’s presence which is Christ your Savior, living in your heart by His Spirit – the Rock of Ages. Because He was ‘struck’ for you, you can have abundant water.

I don't usually repost news articles but this one is very important for all of us to be aware of.  I urge you to do your own research on the topic.   Really sets the stage for a world wide authority over all nations. 

World Wide Power

Exposed: UN Set to Launch ‘Global Shocks’ Plan Just Prior to US Presidential Election

By Anthony Gonzalez, The Western Journal Jul. 10, 2023 10:15 am

The powerful United Nations is now seeking to increase its influence worldwide by seizing global “emergency” powers.

Interestingly, the U.N. proposal would begin September 2024, a mere two months before a highly anticipated general election in the U.S.

The global organization will host a “Summit of the Future” where associated nations will adopt a so-called “Pact for the Future.”

The “pact,” or agreement, would set in place multiple policy reforms offered by the U.N. in past years as part of its “Our Common Agenda” platform.

While there are several aggressive proposals included in the agenda, none are as disconcerting as the U.N.’s plan for an “emergency platform,” which would provide the international organization significant powers in times of “global shocks,” such as another global pandemic.

Most details of the U.N.’s proposal were included in a March policy paper titled, “Strengthening the International Response to Complex Global Shocks — An Emergency Platform.”

The U.N.’s secretary-general, António Guterres, outlined the emergency platform proposal: “I propose that the General Assembly provide the Secretary-General and the United Nations system with a standing authority to convene and operationalize automatically an Emergency Platform in the event of a future complex global shock of sufficient scale, severity and reach.”

“The challenges we face can only be addressed through stronger international cooperation,” Guterres declared.

The emergency platform would provide the international body with power over all nations in times of distress.

Such power, according to the U.N., is needed to “[e]nsure that all participating actors make commitments that can contribute meaningfully to the response and that they are held to account for delivery on those commitments.”

According to the U.N.’s policy proposal, the secretary-general could extend the emergency platform, if need be, despite its duration being set for a “finite period.” Such a decision would be made without the consent of any member nations.

So, precisely what type of “global shock” would trigger an emergency platform?

According to the U.N., a “large-scale event,” “future pandemics,” a “disruptions to global digital connectivity,” a “major event in outer space,” and other “unforeseen risks” are all causes of an emergency platform.

Many have criticized the U.N.’s proposal and have accused it of being an attempt at consolidating power.

Seventy Sevens

Daniel was the first book of the Bible that I studied after giving my heart to the Lord about 51 years ago and I’ve continued studying it and teaching ever since; but I’m sensing it’s time to once again revisit chapter nine.  World events are such that I think we should renew our vision of God’s omnipotence and omniscience.

Daniel was probably a teen or very young man when the king of Babylon’s army conquered Jerusalem and tore it down.  He along with many others were taken  captive to the foreign land and served the king eventually becoming one of his advisors. Several amazing stories are recorded for us in the first chapters of this book and by the time chapter nine occurs the Medes had conquered Babylon but God wasn’t done with Daniel.

As with the kings of Babylon, Daniel continued serving the kings of the Medes and Persians.  Chapter nine transpires or rather is recorded during the reign of Darius of the Medes.  Daniel writes, “…in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. (Dan 9:2) 

By this time, Daniel is probably in his eighties.  The books he mentions are the Hebrew scriptures and he points specifically to Jeremiah.  Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. (Dan 9:3) 

During this time of deeply earnest prayer, an angelic messenger, Gabriel, came to him and Daniel records, “And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.  At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision:” 

“Seventy weeks (sevens) are determined
For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end of sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.”

“Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;
The street shall be built again, and the wall,
Even in troublesome times.”

“And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.”

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.”  (Dan 9:23-27)

In this passage, the word translated as ‘weeks’ is literally ‘sevens’ so the prophecy starts with a declaration that 70 sevens have been determined or pre-established in which several awesome things will be accomplished. Note also that these ‘sevens’ are set specifically for the Jewish people and Jerusalem.

So, what are these awesome things? First, he says, “To finish the transgression” or literally, the rebellion or break away. You see, mankind broke away from God back in the Garden of Eden and the Lord said that within this period, the rift would be healed – mankind (including the Jewish people) would be reconciled with our loving creator—the revolt ended, the rift healed. But for this to happen, the next promised occurrence had to take place – “To make an end of sins” or literally offences and their penalties.

All of man’s offenses before a just and holy God had to be paid for – all past, present and future offences. And furthermore, the slate had to be wiped clean so the true reconciliation of man with God could take place. That is, not only would all offences and their penalties be satisfied but it would be as if they never occurred in the first place – “to make reconciliation for iniquity.”

Then he added the kicker – not only would the rift be bridged, offences and penalties ended, and reconciliation produced, but then, a perfect future is guaranteed, for he said that “everlasting righteousness” would be brought in – eternal rightness in everyone and everything! Wow!

Finally, he said that vision and prophecy would be sealed or closed up and that the Most Holy would be anointed.

So what was revealed in this passage is clearly the grand and glorious plan of God, and the timepiece so to speak for it is also made obvious – the Jews and Jerusalem – like two hands on a clock. And they’re ticking off 70 sevens or 490, but 490 what? We’ll see that it refers to 490 years. Verse 25 gives more detail.

Specifically, the passage says that from the going forth or issuance of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, and notably the wall of the city, until the coming of Messiah the Prince (i.e. Messiah hailed as royalty, in the line of David) would be total of seven plus 62 or 69 ‘sevens’ or 483 years. Then verse 26 adds that after this period, the Messiah would be cut off or killed but not for Himself.

This prophecy is so explicit in its schedule – only God could pull it off. You see, just as Daniel predicted, the command which allowed the Jews to restore Jerusalem and specifically to rebuild the wall was given March 5, 444 BC by Artaxerxes Longimanus to Nehemiah. ( Other similar decrees were given but this one included the rebuilding of the wall, i.e., restoring the city’s defenses as mentioned in the prophecy.) We arrive at this date by looking at Neh 1:1 and 2:1. Then, by knowing that Artaxerxes succeeded his father Xerxes immediately after his death around Dec 17, 465 BC and had a year of accession before his own reign began, we come to Nisan 1, 444 BC (March 5).

Now, we’re going to do a little arithmetic. Although the total period outlined in the passage was 70 sevens or 490 years, the declaring of the Messiah as King was pinpointed as being after the 62 sevens which are listed after the first 7 sevens. Therefore, this put it after 7 + 62 or 69 sevens. That equals 483 years.

Also, we must use the 360-day calendar for each year. This was the calendar of the day, the calendar originally used as shown in the Genesis account of Noah’s flood – it’s the prophetic year, if you would. So, if each year holds 360 days and we want to measure out a span of 483 years, that is the same as 173,880 days.

Now, beginning with March 5, 444 BC, if we proceed forward 173,880 days, accounting for the 116 leap years, only one year between 1 BC and 1 AD, and a couple other slight imperfections in our own calendar -- we come to Monday, March 30, 33 AD exactly. There indeed we find Jesus, riding on the donkey, entering Jerusalem, hailed as the Son of David, that is, Messiah the Prince.  

And just as Daniel’s messenger foretold, Messiah was cut off, but not for Himself. Jesus laid down His life freely on the crucifix of Calvary the following Friday, April 3, 33 AD – but not for Himself. You see, He was sinless, the spotless Lamb of God. He was ‘cut off’ for us!

Now, you may be thinking, ‘We’ve explained 69 sevens, but we started with 70.  What about the last seven?’  Very astute.  The last seven is the seven-year tribulation period described in Jeremiah (same book as what Daniel was reading) as, 

“Alas! For that day (period of time) is great,
So that none is like it;
And it is the time of Jacob's trouble,
But he shall be saved out of it.” (Jer 30:7)

Lord willing, I’ll go more into that in another post; or you can check out my podcasts on the whole book of Revelation available on this website or on www.thefathersgrace.com or at my rss.com site entitled, “Abundance of Grace” by J R Dickey.

Daniel's Display -     A Deeper Look 

   Historically, Daniel came on the scene coincident with the first dispersal of the Jews from Judah.  In fact, he was a part of the first group of captives to be taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar’s army.  Of course, many of you already recognize him from the well- known Bible stories in the book that bears his name in the scriptures.

   He was a prophet and one of distinction, as Jesus validated him in the New Testament.  However, he not only recorded prophecy and interpreted prophecy but he himself lived or rather portrayed a prophetic picture.  You see, in a very beautiful way, Daniel pictures the mostly gentile church which is unusual because all his prophetic writing focuses upon the Jewish people.  I’ll present some examples for you to consider and then explain why this is important.

   First, by reason of persecution, Daniel wound up in a foreign land and never did return to Jerusalem.  In like manner, it was principally persecution that resulted in the early church, which was comprised of Jewish believers, being scattered into gentile lands and since that time, the church has never really returned to take root or blossom in Israel.

   Next, in this foreign land, Daniel’s name was changed, and like manner, the Bible tells us that the believers were first called Christians in Antioch, a city in present day Turkey.

   Next, Daniel’s life spanned the entire time of the Jews’ banishment from Jerusalem during which he was exalted to prominence, ultimately being promoted highly by each of four kings.  We also note that his first promotion took place after a period of testing.  Likewise, the church, after an initial period of testing and persecution, rose quickly to become the dominant cultural and authoritative body in the world second only to the sovereigns.

   Next, in chapter six, Daniel was thrown to the lions and survived.  Many Christian martyrs were likewise thrown to the lions in Rome but the church survived.

   Next, Daniel is a rare figure in scripture in that he has no recorded sin and was only imprisoned with the lions because of his devotion.  This mirrors the sinless state of sincere believers in God’s eyes since it is the atoning blood of Christ that covers our sin.  Meanwhile it is our devotion to Christ that generally brings the world’s scorn and anger.

   Next, in chapter nine, it was Daniel’s understanding of the scriptures and the 70 years of Jeremiah’s prophecy that drove him to his knees in prayer seeking God’s forgiveness of His people and their return to Jerusalem.  In like manner, it was partly by the instigation of many fervent praying Christians that the major governments of the world ultimately brought the nation of Israel back into being in May of 1948.

   Next, Daniel, though we do not observe any sin that he committed, “confessed” his sins and asked for God’s mercy and forgiveness, asserting that his coming to God was not based upon man’s righteous acts but on God’s great mercies (Dan 9:5,20).  God responded through the angel Gabriel and quickly told him that he was “greatly beloved”.  Of course, the similarity to the church is clear – as believers, we are instructed to confess our sins (1 Jn 1:9, even though we are sinless in God’s eyes because of Christ) and to ask for God’s forgiveness, trusting completely in the sacrifice of Christ – the expression of God’s mercies.  And, we are told by Jesus in the Word that we are greatly beloved because of Him.

   Next, Daniel’s vision of the divine messenger in chapter 10:4 and 11:16 – 19 is strikingly similar to John’s record of Christ’s appearance in Revelation 1:10- 20 which we should also note prefaces Christ’s detailed address to the seven churches of the “church age”.

   OK, so those are quite a few examples of Daniel’s “display” or representation of the mostly gentile church. But the reason this is of importance for us beyond the interesting similarities is that there is another display that is yet to be fulfilled.  We find it in Daniel chapter three.  You may recall the story.  

   In the previous chapter (ch 2), Daniel and his three companions revealed the prophetic dream of Nebuchadnezzar and interpreted it for him.  It was a dream of a large statue of a man with a head of gold, a chest and arms of silver, an abdomen of bronze, legs of iron and feet of iron and clay mixed.  Daniel told the king that he was symbolized by this head of gold.  That must have been an ego-stroke for Nebuchadnezzar.  The downer, however, was the clear indication that his kingdom was to be replaced by others in successive order of the metals in the statue.

   In chapter three, ‘Nebby’ had apparently decided to assert his own ‘divine’ plan by constructing what would appear to be his own version of the dream statue, you see he made it entirely of gold.  In his arrogance, he was defying the prophetic dream-message and declaring that his kingdom would last forever – a messiah complex, if you would.

   Well, he commanded everyone in the kingdom – all officials specifically – to gather around the immense golden idol and when the music played, to bow down and worship this false god.  Anyway, the music played, and all the people bowed except for three – Daniel’s companions – who remained standing.

   When the king learned of this defiance to his dictate, he was incensed and had them brought before him.  With the intent to utterly intimidate, he gave them another chance to bow or be thrown into a fiery furnace.  Their response was awesome – in essence, they said, “God may or may not deliver us from you, king; but, we won’t bow”.

   At that point, the king went ballistic and had the furnace heated up seven times hotter than normal – so hot that it fried to death the soldiers who tossed the three prisoners in.  But then the king’s choler turned to confused amazement.  He asserted to everyone around that he saw four people including the Son of God walking in the fire and they were all untouched by the flames – only their binding ropes were burned off.

   Now, many of you know this story, and how it accurately foretells the coming seven year Tribulation time in which the Antichrist, portrayed by Nebuchadnezzar, will attempt to force the worship of his own idol – the image of the beast (Rev. 13:15) on the whole world and specifically the Jewish people and how only a ‘remnant’ of faithful, born again Jews will stand up against this, incurring the fire of his hatred.  

   This believing “remnant”, however, will be divinely protected by Christ and will in fact be freed from their bondage to death and sin to preach the good news worldwide.

   So, what’s the big deal about Daniel??  

   It’s simple.  Where IS he?  

   Remember, he was promoted by the king to be in charge of the whole province of Babylon (Dan 2:46-49).  As the senior-most advisor of Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men, he of all people should have been present, but he is not even mentioned.  Did he bow?  NO WAY.  He’s simply gone.  Do you get the picture?

   In like manner, we as the church, will not be present during the seven year Tribulation.  Our calling to be a witness for the Lord to the world will soon be passed like a baton to the Jewish believers of this coming period. (Rev. chapter 7 specifies their divine anointing and the outcome of their evangelism.) The church will be in heaven – see our lesson “Breakpoint and Beyond” for more on this, and our exposition of the book of Revelation, “Fire Eyes”.

   That’s great news for all believers.  Even when Daniel is not displayed in his book, he’s prophetically portraying the church and God’s plan for us.  Just as he stood courageously to speak the truth of God’s plan to Nebuchadnezzar in Chapter two, so must we speak the truth in love in this present age.  We are racing toward the end when we will disappear!  May we all faithfully display the Gospel!

In Jesus' Name

“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.  (John 14:14)

This is one of the most amazing promises in the Bible.  I mean, is it real?  Is it literal?  Is there a ‘catch’?

Yes, yes, and no; but we really need to understand something that I think has been trivialized for a long time.  People nearly all the time pray, “In Jesus name.”  as if it’s a magic trick or spell that requires you to say these words and thus it’s not much more than superstition. 

Now, Jesus was absolutely sincere in making this promise but what does “in my name” mean?  Do we just have to say the words or say them with the right intonation or with our brows furrowed?

Let me introduce or re-introduce you to something that’s been all but forgotten in modern Christianity – All the way back to the very first use of the word “name” in the Bible and throughout Old and New Testament history name is actually “character” or “nature”.  Go ahead and look it up.

In other words, if you’re going to do anything “in Jesus name”, you have to know His character or nature because, to be authentic, you have to have the same character, the same heart, if you would, as Christ.  So let’s identify His nature:

Clearly, He is tuned in to the Father – all the time.

Clearly, He is obedient to the Father – all the time.

He is loving, gracious, selfless, humble, kind, giving, forgiving, compassionate, prayerful, courageous.

His heart is pure and he never sinned.

So “in Jesus name” meaning “in Jesus’ character or nature” implies all these things.  You see, the Greek word used has, as its root, the word, “ginosko” which means to know by experience or intimacy.

Do you really know Jesus in this way?  You cannot do anything truly “in His name/nature/character” unless you do.

Chris Tomlin’s song, The Name of Jesus is beautiful and even more powerful when you keep in mind our lesson here:

The name of Jesus is a refuge
A shelter from the storm, a help to those who call
The name of Jesus is a fortress
A saving place to run, a hope unshakable

When we fall You are the Savior, when we call You are the answer
There is power in Your name, there is power in Your name

In the name of Jesus
There is life and healing
Chains are broken in Your name
Every knee will bow down and our hearts will cry out
Songs of freedom in Your name, oh, in Your name

Bring salvation, bring Your Kingdom
Let all that You have made bring glory to Your name
When we fall you are the Savior, when we call You are the answer
There is power in Your name, there is power in Your name

Check out his video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZii7zjj3m4

Increase Our Faith

Read Luke 17:5-10

Now, the apostles had heard Jesus say many times, “Your faith has saved you.”  So it was understandable when they petitioned Him, “Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)  But rather than simply granting their request, the Lord decided to teach them and us something about having faith that unless you really think on it, may pass you by. 

First, He tells them that faith, even as small as the puny mustard seed can do the miraculous; but then He seems to shift instantly to the topic of servanthood and the servant’s required attitude. (Luke 17:6) So what’s the lesson and how does it address the apostles’ request?

Consider first that the servant in the lesson is out doing his work of plowing or tending all day – work that his master expects of him and commanded him to do.  It can remind us of what Jesus told His disciples, “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) 

Then He follows with, “And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?”

“But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?”

“Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.” (Luke 17:7-9)

Keep in mind, this is not a lesson on the master or some point of labor practices, but on the right attitude of the servant.  He finishes with, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ” (Luke 17:10)

You see, the lesson is on obedience and humility.  In other words it pictures that faith is the outcome of obedience to God’s commands and humility concerning the results. 

You may remember Peter, James and John were aghast on the mountain top seeing Jesus transformed and accompanied by Moses and Elijah and they bumbled miserably with the offer to build three tabernacles – seeing the miraculous evidently really wowed them but ‘wowing’ wasn’t God’s desired outcome.  He simply spoke from out of the cloud,  “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Mark 9:7 emphasis mine) and we recall the verse:

                So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (Rom 10:17)

You see faith, the faith they were asking for, is never intended to make you a spiritual celebrity or to wow anyone but comes in response to hearing God’s commands to do His work and obeying – obeying with a very loving, humble, selfless attitude. You just don’t look for thanks; you do not expect back-slapping or any attention at all.

Of course, you may have experienced faith in situations or for certain things that don’t immediately seem to relate to “God’s work” but trust me, faith is always the result of God working, and God deserves ALL the credit.

So Listen!  Hear the Lord’s voice – in prayer, in His Word, in the counsel of believers.  Obey the guidance of His Spirit in love, humility and selflessness.  Voila – your faith will increase.

The End of Evil

It seems that upon occasion, even as today, God allows evil dark hearts to abound.  We can go all the way back to Noah’s day where evil hearted beings virtually destroyed the planet and the human race; so much so that God decided to start over.  We can consider the vile perversion of Sodom, or the myriad Canaanite races, or the cruelty of the Assyrians and Babylonians, or the worldwide oppression of Rome. 

And of course, there’s the more recent Nazi tyranny or Communist insanity of Russia or China and even the make-you-want-to-puke values of contemporary movie makers and the US society and political parties.

God sees it all and is not surprised. But why does He wait?  Why doesn’t He start over again as with Noah’s society? 

Huge question, and here’s some of the answer. 

1. God is going to start over anew, brand new, when He decides the time is right.
2. God is merciful and patient but when the final line is crossed, He will unleash His wrath upon those who trample the gift of His Son underfoot.
3. Believe it or not, the terrible ugliness of evil in this world, God is able to use even it to accomplish His good will.
4. God wants to save the evil and dark hearted people and gives them chance after chance after chance to wake up and come out of their stupor.

But evil will end.  And those of us who love the light and struggle against sin and temptation will rejoice forever.   You’ve probably heard of the battle of Armageddon which comes at the conclusion of the seven-year tribulation. 

Horribly, hundreds of millions will die during both events, but wonderfully, Christ will afterwards reign over this planet for 1000 years – a time without war; a time of peace under His righteous rule.  Then evil will be allowed to reemerge for a short time after which the final judgement from God will obliterate all evil forever.   

The author of evil, Satan, and his followers will be thrown into an eternal lake of fire.  That’s when God will start over anew with a new earth and a new heaven filled with His goodness and life and light forever. Yes, evil will end. 

And in the meantime, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  (Rom 12:21)

The Unexpected

Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 

When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ”   Lu 7:18 - 23

The very one who was commissioned to precede the Messiah, the one who told Christ, “I should be baptized by You.”  The one who told John the disciple, “Behold the Lamb of God.”  The one who witnessed the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus as a dove.  And NOW he’s doubting Christ?!

How could that happen and what can we learn from Jesus’ reaction?

First, we have to recall that at this time John was in a prison cell.  But he had lived in the wilderness as a firebrand for a long while – so not a ‘sissy’ or one easily discouraged by hardship.  Also, Christ’s last statement to John’s messengers is revealing - “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Lu 7:23)

 “Offended” means, “to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority.”

So, it leads to a question – what was it about Jesus that John, in prison, either disapproved of or that hindered him from acknowledging His authority.  Jesus later said of him to the people, “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:

‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

“For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist;…” (Luke 7:26-28a)

It is very apparent that John expected to see a different Messiah.  Perhaps, like the vast  majority of the people, he thought Christ would cast out the Roman oppressors and establish His own rule immediately.  Afterall, John had preached, “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”  (Mat 3:10) And… 

“His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Mat 3:12)

Yes, it looks like John expected judgement and fire.  But Jesus as we mentioned above, responded with specific actions to John’s disciples, “And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.” 

And furthermore, Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.”  (Lu 7:21,22)

Jesus was and is the unexpected Messiah.  Our perspective of God is so skewed, so off, we expect Him to be like we imagine. And if He doesn’t do things the way we expect, we can doubt.  For this reason, we truly need help perceiving the Father, perceiving Christ, as He is.

You see, He, that is His Spirit, can be right before us or in our midst and we can miss Him, because, like John the Baptist we can get down or discouraged by circumstances and/or have a preconceived idea of what to expect which may be inaccurate for the moment. Even Christ’s disciples struggled with this.

Jesus said to His disciples, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 

Philip said to Him, “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; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (Jn 14:7-9)

Now, hear me carefully on this.  There are a lot of spiritual lunatics out there who would love to draw you away from sound doctrine into their own flights of fancy.  You must know our Lord by His Word and by the guidance of His Spirit, by prayer and supplication.  Test all things. 

John was the greatest prophet but even he needed faith in this unexpected Christ that was beyond, or different, than what his own ideas had formulated.  Without it, he was still outside the kingdom – Jesus said,  “…but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Lu 7:28b)  Of course, I’m 100% sure we’ll see John in heaven – that’s why Jesus sent his messengers back with His response – it was what John needed to hear.  Kind of like when Jesus dealt with Thomas’ doubt by showing up and telling Thomas to touch His scars.  That’s what Thomas needed, and he responded, “My Lord and my God.” (Jn 20:28)

Indeed Christ is merciful to our errant expectations and even our doubts, especially when He knows we love Him. 

God's Kids

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Mark 10:14b,15)

Little children and the kingdom of God – Jesus, once again, shook things up when He made it clear that their receptivity to the kingdom is a model for us all.  So, what is the essence of that receptivity?  And what is the kingdom of God?

Now, in this circumstance the little children were coming to Jesus.  This was not a matter of coming to anyone else and thus having to discern truth or falsehood.  That’s because we know that everything Jesus said/says is truth.  He said of Himself, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6)  So, the essence of this receptivity is receiving the truth of the kingdom of God with child-like faith and trust.  Little children have a natural tendency to do just that; everyone else, not so much. For everyone else, apart from the work of God’s Spirit, the natural tendency is to doubt, distrust and question. That’s the impetus behind being ‘born again’.

Now, the kingdom of God is fundamentally God’s authority to rule all of creation.  Contrary to Adam and Eve’s first terrible decision, we are told to seek and trust in God Who is righteous in all that He thinks, says and does.  Consequently, His kingdom is perfect.  Little children can do this quite easily but those who have acquired riches struggle because they tend to put their trust in their ‘stuff’. 

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:23,24

We should note that in Greek writings this word for riches is literally “whatever is for use, whatever one uses, a thing, matter, affair, event, business.”  In other words, you may not be rich and so presume that this warning from Jesus doesn’t apply to you.  But if you are putting your trust for your life, your welfare, in any thing, matter, affair, etc. other than Christ and His salvation, you have no assurance of entering. 

Now the reason this was such a shaking up of Jewish theology was because since the time of Moses, getting into God’s Kingdom was first a birthright because of being a descendant of Abraham, and second an uncertain matter of diligently keeping the law which of course no was truly able to do.  Jesus addressed this when He said, 

“And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” (Mat 3:9) and

“Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law?  (John 7:19)

Thus, this teaching of getting into God’s kingdom only by way of the receptivity of a child was a bombshell and it still is today.  Christianity has been loaded up with morality, laws and church rules in much the same way. Child-like faith is sometimes set aside in favor of intellectual agreement with Christ or acceptable moral conduct or certain membership rules, etc.

But here’s the bottom line. If you want the full assurance of Christ’s welcome and ‘well done’ in the Kingdom of God, you must listen and follow Christ’s words over and above these other things.

The Cross Walk

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)

Here’s the setting - Jesus had just dealt rather severely with Peter when the disciple spoke disparagingly of Christ’s dying on the cross.  It was the voice of Satan in Peter.  Soon afterwards, in this passage, his whole group of followers learned that the ‘death walk’ of the cross was not just for Jesus.  It is for anyone who will follow Christ sincerely.

But of course, we don’t hear any of this today; it just doesn’t ‘preach well’.  Donations dry up when you suggest that we might have to deny self and take up a cross.  And what is this denying self anyway?  “Denying self is not the same as self-denial. We practice self-denial when, for a good purpose, we occasionally give up things or activities. But we deny self when we surrender ourselves to Christ and determine to obey His will.” (Wiersbe) 

And taking up a cross – isn’t that merely figurative?  What it is, is a radical way of thinking; in essence, it’s anti-establishment, spiritually. “Most people think of following Jesus as conforming to the establishment. Actually, Jesus called us to rebel against the established order of this world. We are called to rebel against the tyranny of the flesh, against the fear and conformity of the world, against the traditions of man. Jesus encourages a slave rebellion, where the slaves of sin, Satan, and the world rebel against their masters.”  (Guzik)

Today, much of the church is soft and comfortable.  If we don’t get coffee and pastries, we’re sacrificing.  Carrying a cross which BTW is an instrument of death simply doesn’t register.  It’s too serious, too severe.  Frankly, the modern church is a bunch of spiritual wimps.  Oh, God still loves us but there’s a whole lot of waking up and strengthening necessary.  He says to us, you “…do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”

Now there is an ‘upside’ as well.  Christ didn’t give up on Peter or his disciples.  The church is still an object of His affection.  What He does want is for all of us to truly consider what it means to carry a cross today, to be unashamed of our Saviour and His words.

Marvelous

“Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!  Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?”

And He marveled because of their unbelief.  (Mark 6:2,3,6)

They thought they knew Him. They apparently thought they knew all about Him.  But it gave them a type of self-righteousness that blinded them to the truth.

And Jesus marveled or wondered at it.  Interestingly, there are only two times that the Bible says that Jesus marveled.  In Luke 7:9 and in Mat 8:10 He marveled at the great faith of a centurion, a Roman soldier and in this passage, He marveled at the lack of faith of His own neighbors. 

Now everyone marveled at Jesus, His disciples, the people who saw His miracles, even the Pharisees and the Governor.  But what relevance does this notion of marveling have for us?

The Centurion knew the power of Christ.  In effect, he told Jesus, “You don’t have to come to my house to heal my servant.  You can just speak the command.”  On the other hand, those who thought they knew Jesus, actually had no clue.  They said, “Is this not the carpenter…”

In today’s church, there are many who think self-righteously that they ‘know’ Jesus.  Perhaps it’s because they were raised by Christian parents or they went to a Christian school or they strongly observe a moral code or they’ve attended a church.  There are many possible reasons but they actually have no clue.  What they presuppose about their knowledge of Jesus is in fact an inaccurate and prideful posture.

Friends, the Centurion, a man of power and position, actually had a humble posture towards Christ and it allowed him to express genuine faith, great faith.  And Jesus marveled.

The ‘neighbors’ who watched Christ’s perfect life as he grew up manifested a prideful disdain and it blocked them from having faith.  And Jesus marveled.

I think most of us would like to impress Jesus like the Centurion – with great faith.  But at the same time, we’d like to do that on our own terms.  That’s because sincere humility has no place in our churches or our society in general. Even some of our most well known Christian ‘celebrity’ pastors openly lust for money and notoriety – they crave a ‘name’ for themselves.  So sad.

But then there are some, admittedly few, behind the pulpits and in the pews who get it without even ‘trying’.  Filled and guided by God’s Spirit, their hearts are truly upon the Savior and they believe like the Centurion.  They’re not seeking a spotlight; however, the only spiritual light in the churches whether they have five or five thousand in attendance is in the hearts of these people.

And from heaven’s perspective, they are marvelous.

On the Floor

There I was, on the floor, face down.  I couldn’t get up and I was delirious.  My wife called 911 and after a lengthy delay, the paramedics showed up but they wouldn’t listen to her.  She tried to get them to take me to the hospital but they said since I was conscious (sort of), I had to tell them where to take me. 

That was pretty nuts because all I knew was that I was fading fast but I didn’t understand what was happening.  If my son had not interceded, I probably would have died.

Anyway, I’m reminded of this recent event as I read, He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (John 1:10) I think that’s because the ‘world’ was/is truly clueless when it comes to recognizing Who Christ is and their need for Him.  And in these final days, the vast majority of people, sadly even those who identify as Christian are in this lost condition. 

Instead of listening to the scriptures and taking heed, virtually everyone is defining for themselves their own god or their version of christ.  This is, of course, based upon pride and the folly of Satan’s deception – exalting man above God.  As a consequence, societal perversions of all sorts are being crammed down our throats so to speak.  And what is ugly, dark and unabashedly evil is being promoted as good.

No sincere follower of Jesus Christ can be silent in these times.  That’s not to advocate protest but rather promotion of the Gospel.  Now it is more important than ever to speak the truth in love, to pray fervently for God’s help, to worship whole heartedly, to reach out to those in need and do so compassionately and humbly.

Christ is coming soon and many if not most will be surprised.  When we, the church, are gone, the world’s ‘spin-machine’ will go into hyper-drive.  Delusion will be so pervasive, even the elect, that is the remnant of Jewish believers left behind to evangelize, will struggle to know and hold to the truth of God’s salvation.  But empowered by the Holy Spirit’s anointing, they will faithfully proclaim the truth. If you are here, listen to them and join them.  It will be your only hope.

You see, the world has never really known Him.