Christians often get very vocal with anyone who would dare insinuate that faith is meant to be accompanied by works. Indeed, the bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, and not of works lest any should boast, Eph 2:8-9. This is one of the first teachings given to new believers in Messiah. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Sin is the transgression of the law, which demands death..We are all under the penalty of death because we all sin. Christ came as a sinless human to completely fulfill the requirements of the law and take upon himself the penalty for sin in our stead by death on the cross, freeing us from the requirements of the law. What is our response to be? Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt CONFESS WITH THY MOUTH the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Whereas it is absolutely true that we can do nothing to receive salvation, is it not also true that God expects those he has redeemed to leave sin behind and grow into maturity and obedience? Now that we have received the gift of the promised Holy Spirit to help us and teach us, we should be bringing forth fruits unto repentance. Sin should no longer have dominion over us. The scriptures teach that we are to leave the "old creature" behind and become "new creatures" in Christ. We are now part of the family of God, and surely God does not want a household of disobedient children. Even we who are parents want our children to obey us and follow our instructions. We teach them for their good, because we want to protect them and keep them from harm and the bitter results of following after evil. Certainly our heavenly father would want nothing less for his children. He wants to dwell with us and bless us always, but disobedience brings nothing but a curse. Therefore, his teachings and instructions are wholly for our good, that we may be a blessed people.They are not given to burden us or enslave us, any more than the laws of our nation. Laws are meant to protect and serve us. Isn't that the motto of our police, "To protect and serve"? The bible teaches us that law-abiding citizens have no reason to fear the law. Only those who break the law fear punishment.
God instructs us to consider our ways and love him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. We could do nothing to save ourselves, that is true. However, now that we have been accepted into the household of faith, into the very family of God, by faith in the sacrifice of our redeemer, let us look to him as an example and follow in his footsteps. The bible is filled with admonitions to believers to keep his commandments. Many years after his death, burial and resurrection, the apostles taught the new converts how they were to walk in Messiah. They all instructed the believers in Christ to leave sin behind and walk in newness of life. Christ died for our sins, but in no way allows for continual sin on the part of a believer. His death did not annul the law, but the penalty of breaking the law, being death. His grace is not a license to sin.
By the way, grace is not something new, exclusive to the New Testament. By grace, sin's penalty was satisfied in the Old Testament through the sacrificial system administered by the Levitical priesthood. It is now satisfied through the administration of our eternal high priest, Y'shua. Did you know, however, that there was never a sacrifice that covered deliberate sin, even in the old covenant?
May we all seek to leave any lingering sin and accept the grace of our savior with King David, who prayed, "Create in me a clean heart" and "Lead me in the paths (cycles) of righteousness."
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Change the Language, Change the Culture
I was introduced to this phrase recently and, as I began to ponder this concept, a very important understanding emerged with regard to man’s relationship to God.
When Yahshua became flesh and dwelt among us, one of his purposes was to introduce us to the father and teach us of his ways. Following his death, his disciples continued his ministry and carried his message to the known world at that time. However, from the beginning there were those who began to corrupt the message and teach heresies. The Apostle Paul often warned the believers in his letters to be aware of these false prophets. Unfortunately the early church fathers were never completely successful in eradicating the errors that crept into the fellowship of the saints.
Fast forward to 325 A.D. Constantine was emperor of the Roman Empire. He found himself with a dilemma. The empire had become bitterly divided between pagans and the rapidly growing number of Christians. He was, himself, a worshipper of the sun-god, but due to a supposed vision he had while going to battle one day, he suddenly converted to Christianity. Many believe he never fully embraced this new faith, but it was a brilliant strategic move on his part to use for his advantage.
He convened the famous Council of Nicea in which all the bishops of the empire were assembled to lay the foundational doctrines of this new religion. It was indeed a brilliant move, but I contend it was birthed in the very heart and mind of Satan, the adversary.
Constantine established Christianity the official religion of the empire and, with one bold move, merged Christianity with paganism. Suddenly it was popular to be Christian and the pagans were baptized in great numbers. Unfortunately their conversion was not born of true faith in Messiah and they were unwilling to part with their pagan ways. They brought with them all of the customs and traditions of their previous sun-god worship and these things slowly replaced the teachings of the early church fathers and of Yahshua himself. Leaven had entered the lump and so it has remained, resulting in hundreds of differingt denominations and factions, dividing the body and making it ineffectual.
The symbols of ancient sun-god worship were given different names to make them more palatable to true believers. December 25th, the birthday of the sun-god, suddenly became the birthday of the Son of God. The Sabbath was discarded for Sunday, named in honor of the sun-god. Easter, the ancient festival of the fertility goddess Ishtar, replaced the observance of Passover. And so it went! They changed the language and changed the culture. Today we are so far removed from that time that we don’t realize where our popular customs and traditions come from.
It’s past time for true believers to return to the mountaintop, to our source, to the beginning, to the garden and see if we can, once again, earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
When Yahshua became flesh and dwelt among us, one of his purposes was to introduce us to the father and teach us of his ways. Following his death, his disciples continued his ministry and carried his message to the known world at that time. However, from the beginning there were those who began to corrupt the message and teach heresies. The Apostle Paul often warned the believers in his letters to be aware of these false prophets. Unfortunately the early church fathers were never completely successful in eradicating the errors that crept into the fellowship of the saints.
Fast forward to 325 A.D. Constantine was emperor of the Roman Empire. He found himself with a dilemma. The empire had become bitterly divided between pagans and the rapidly growing number of Christians. He was, himself, a worshipper of the sun-god, but due to a supposed vision he had while going to battle one day, he suddenly converted to Christianity. Many believe he never fully embraced this new faith, but it was a brilliant strategic move on his part to use for his advantage.
He convened the famous Council of Nicea in which all the bishops of the empire were assembled to lay the foundational doctrines of this new religion. It was indeed a brilliant move, but I contend it was birthed in the very heart and mind of Satan, the adversary.
Constantine established Christianity the official religion of the empire and, with one bold move, merged Christianity with paganism. Suddenly it was popular to be Christian and the pagans were baptized in great numbers. Unfortunately their conversion was not born of true faith in Messiah and they were unwilling to part with their pagan ways. They brought with them all of the customs and traditions of their previous sun-god worship and these things slowly replaced the teachings of the early church fathers and of Yahshua himself. Leaven had entered the lump and so it has remained, resulting in hundreds of differingt denominations and factions, dividing the body and making it ineffectual.
The symbols of ancient sun-god worship were given different names to make them more palatable to true believers. December 25th, the birthday of the sun-god, suddenly became the birthday of the Son of God. The Sabbath was discarded for Sunday, named in honor of the sun-god. Easter, the ancient festival of the fertility goddess Ishtar, replaced the observance of Passover. And so it went! They changed the language and changed the culture. Today we are so far removed from that time that we don’t realize where our popular customs and traditions come from.
It’s past time for true believers to return to the mountaintop, to our source, to the beginning, to the garden and see if we can, once again, earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
REVELATION
I am so awed by Yehovah's glory this day. I have begun studying the Hebrew alphabet, termed the Aleph-Bet. Ancient sages believe that these twenty-two letters are the building blocks of all of creation and that all things are held together by them. What a revelation! There is such deep meaning hidden within these letters. Like everything Yehovah has revealed in his word, they are likened to bottomless wells that never cease to offer up new insights into the very nature of our creator and his purpose for mankind. Each letter of the Aleph-Bet contains within it a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the very mind of Yehovah, for which there is no beginning, no end, eternal.
I have been studying the bible for more than thirty years and the understanding that I have gained by acknowledging his ways rather than “leaning unto my own understanding” has been astounding. As I have discarded, one by one, the vain traditions inherited by my forefathers and embraced that which Yehovah has instructed through his word, I can scarce describe the deep respect and awe that I have gained for my creator and the wonderful blessings he has bestowed upon me.
Through the shadow pictures and symbols he has outlined throughout the scriptures, he has revealed his glorious plan for our redemption. His Sabbath, along with his annual holy days, teach us that plan in a myriad of ways. The richness of each of them I am sure can never fully be grasped in a lifetime, for their meanings are deeper than the ocean, higher than the heavens. We can only glimpse their true glory as peering through a darkened glass.
The tabernacle in the wilderness, and later the temple in Jerusalem, also held within the very design and furnishings, a picture of Yehovah's dealings with man and our eternal redemption.
Alas, mankind has abandoned Yehovah’s reckoning of time, his calendar, his holy seasons and Sabbaths, his revelation, and replaced them with the ancient religious customs of long-dead civilizations. These are all vanities. Christmas trees and dyed Easter eggs cannot reveal Yeshua. They are as trinkets, mere costume jewelry in the face of pure gold. What divine revelation is seen in these customs? December 25th. is not the day of our savior’s birth, nor is Easter Sunday the day of his resurrection. If we had not abandoned Yehovah’s holy seasons, we would know this, for our savior's birth, death, burial and resurrection are revealed within them. Yeshua cannot be seen in a celebration of the ancient sun-god during the winter solstice. Nor can the ancient customs associated with the fertility goddess Ishtar (Easter) reveal anything concerning our savior’s sacrifice for us. No, his birth is seen in the Feast of Tabernacles, when he came to earth to tabernacle with man. His sacrifice is seen in Passover, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of those who trust in him. His resurrection is seen in the events of the Feast of Firstfruits and His second coming is portrayed in the Feast of Trumpets. Yehovah gave these seasons to us that we might see and understand, that we might become a people prepared as a bride to meet our bridegroom and dwell with him for all eternity.
Only as we leave behind the dead celebrations we inherited from ages past and embrace the living oracles of Yehovah as revealed in his word, can we begin to fully understand the richness of his glory and majesty and the awesome future he has purposed for his creation.
I have been studying the bible for more than thirty years and the understanding that I have gained by acknowledging his ways rather than “leaning unto my own understanding” has been astounding. As I have discarded, one by one, the vain traditions inherited by my forefathers and embraced that which Yehovah has instructed through his word, I can scarce describe the deep respect and awe that I have gained for my creator and the wonderful blessings he has bestowed upon me.
Through the shadow pictures and symbols he has outlined throughout the scriptures, he has revealed his glorious plan for our redemption. His Sabbath, along with his annual holy days, teach us that plan in a myriad of ways. The richness of each of them I am sure can never fully be grasped in a lifetime, for their meanings are deeper than the ocean, higher than the heavens. We can only glimpse their true glory as peering through a darkened glass.
The tabernacle in the wilderness, and later the temple in Jerusalem, also held within the very design and furnishings, a picture of Yehovah's dealings with man and our eternal redemption.
Alas, mankind has abandoned Yehovah’s reckoning of time, his calendar, his holy seasons and Sabbaths, his revelation, and replaced them with the ancient religious customs of long-dead civilizations. These are all vanities. Christmas trees and dyed Easter eggs cannot reveal Yeshua. They are as trinkets, mere costume jewelry in the face of pure gold. What divine revelation is seen in these customs? December 25th. is not the day of our savior’s birth, nor is Easter Sunday the day of his resurrection. If we had not abandoned Yehovah’s holy seasons, we would know this, for our savior's birth, death, burial and resurrection are revealed within them. Yeshua cannot be seen in a celebration of the ancient sun-god during the winter solstice. Nor can the ancient customs associated with the fertility goddess Ishtar (Easter) reveal anything concerning our savior’s sacrifice for us. No, his birth is seen in the Feast of Tabernacles, when he came to earth to tabernacle with man. His sacrifice is seen in Passover, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of those who trust in him. His resurrection is seen in the events of the Feast of Firstfruits and His second coming is portrayed in the Feast of Trumpets. Yehovah gave these seasons to us that we might see and understand, that we might become a people prepared as a bride to meet our bridegroom and dwell with him for all eternity.
Only as we leave behind the dead celebrations we inherited from ages past and embrace the living oracles of Yehovah as revealed in his word, can we begin to fully understand the richness of his glory and majesty and the awesome future he has purposed for his creation.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Blueprint
If you were a home builder, would you discard the blueprints that the architect drew up and attempt to build the house without the use of the owner’s planned design? That would be ridiculous, to be sure!
The bible speaks of believers in Messiah as the temple of God. In I Cor 3: 9-10, Paul tells us that we are God’s building and he is a master builder, laying the foundation, which is Christ. Our lives are to be built upon Christ, the true foundation upon which our entire walk in Him is held together. Ephesians, chapter 4 explains that believers make up the body of Christ. Each member of the body, with the gifts he or she is blessed with, serves the entire body…why? Verse 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Heb 3:4-6 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Notice that Moses was a faithful servant for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after. God revealed to Moses his plan, his blueprint for bringing salvation to mankind. He did it through shadow pictures, types and symbols that represented the reality. He was given the revelation of the coming Messiah through the design of the tabernacle in the wilderness and through the Torah, the Sabbath and the annual holy days. Today, much of this knowledge has been lost because we have been led to abandon these revelations as old, done away with, no longer valid, or replaced with some so-called “New Testament” theology.
Modern Christianity has discarded the original blueprints that God presented to Moses and attempted to build the “house of God” with an inferior design and building materials that will be rejected by the master builder. I Cor 3: 12-13 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
II Cor 6:16-18 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Most Christians today have been fed a steady diet of pagan customs, traditions and teachings that bear no resemblance to the revelation of God and we know it not. When I was a child, I was taught the accepted ways of “Christianity” as it has been handed down for generations before me. Why would I question when everyone did the same things? When I was donned in the garments of witches or ghosts and sent out to proclaim trick-or-treat, or told the fabled story of Santa or sat in the kitchen dying Easter eggs with mom, did any of that seem odd to me? Why would it? These customs were endorsed by Church, school, family and neighbors. The malls were decked out with all the necessary items associated with each holiday, TV shows abounded with themes representative of the seasons as they came year after year.
It wasn’t until I grew up and had already begun my own family that I came to see the reality. I began studying the scriptures in earnest and very slowly, one step at a time, was introduced to the real teachings of my bible. I researched and studied and questioned, and I was appalled and sickened by what I discovered. I had been deceived, as all have been. I had read the book of Revelation which revealed Satan to be the deceiver of all mankind, but I had never before saw to what depths he would go to infiltrate the very worship of those who proclaimed belief in the Messiah, those who desired to follow him and live a life worthy of his calling.
From the beginning of time, God has warned those who would follow him that they were not to imitate the ways of the heathen, or to inquire as to how they worshipped their gods and do so unto him., the Creator God. They were to be separate and holy unto Him. Israel never fully obeyed and as time moved on, their descendants were merged with the pagan nations of the world and adopted the ways of sun-god worship. We are the recipients of that form of religion today. We have unwittingly abandoned the ways of our Creator and have created our own ways, all of which have their origins in the ancient religions of sun-god worship. Will we wake up and face the truth?
Jer 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
Jer 16:19? O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Will we always be as the prophet wrote? Isa 30:9-10 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Jer 5:30-31 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
I pray that each Christian today will seek truth for themselves, that they will study the Word and cleave to that which is true, no matter the cost. I pray that each one will ponder the customs and traditions that we have clung to for so long and ask themselves if these things prosper, or are they just recycled pagan worship that has been stamped with the “Christian” seal of approval?
The bible speaks of believers in Messiah as the temple of God. In I Cor 3: 9-10, Paul tells us that we are God’s building and he is a master builder, laying the foundation, which is Christ. Our lives are to be built upon Christ, the true foundation upon which our entire walk in Him is held together. Ephesians, chapter 4 explains that believers make up the body of Christ. Each member of the body, with the gifts he or she is blessed with, serves the entire body…why? Verse 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Heb 3:4-6 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Notice that Moses was a faithful servant for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after. God revealed to Moses his plan, his blueprint for bringing salvation to mankind. He did it through shadow pictures, types and symbols that represented the reality. He was given the revelation of the coming Messiah through the design of the tabernacle in the wilderness and through the Torah, the Sabbath and the annual holy days. Today, much of this knowledge has been lost because we have been led to abandon these revelations as old, done away with, no longer valid, or replaced with some so-called “New Testament” theology.
Modern Christianity has discarded the original blueprints that God presented to Moses and attempted to build the “house of God” with an inferior design and building materials that will be rejected by the master builder. I Cor 3: 12-13 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
II Cor 6:16-18 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Most Christians today have been fed a steady diet of pagan customs, traditions and teachings that bear no resemblance to the revelation of God and we know it not. When I was a child, I was taught the accepted ways of “Christianity” as it has been handed down for generations before me. Why would I question when everyone did the same things? When I was donned in the garments of witches or ghosts and sent out to proclaim trick-or-treat, or told the fabled story of Santa or sat in the kitchen dying Easter eggs with mom, did any of that seem odd to me? Why would it? These customs were endorsed by Church, school, family and neighbors. The malls were decked out with all the necessary items associated with each holiday, TV shows abounded with themes representative of the seasons as they came year after year.
It wasn’t until I grew up and had already begun my own family that I came to see the reality. I began studying the scriptures in earnest and very slowly, one step at a time, was introduced to the real teachings of my bible. I researched and studied and questioned, and I was appalled and sickened by what I discovered. I had been deceived, as all have been. I had read the book of Revelation which revealed Satan to be the deceiver of all mankind, but I had never before saw to what depths he would go to infiltrate the very worship of those who proclaimed belief in the Messiah, those who desired to follow him and live a life worthy of his calling.
From the beginning of time, God has warned those who would follow him that they were not to imitate the ways of the heathen, or to inquire as to how they worshipped their gods and do so unto him., the Creator God. They were to be separate and holy unto Him. Israel never fully obeyed and as time moved on, their descendants were merged with the pagan nations of the world and adopted the ways of sun-god worship. We are the recipients of that form of religion today. We have unwittingly abandoned the ways of our Creator and have created our own ways, all of which have their origins in the ancient religions of sun-god worship. Will we wake up and face the truth?
Jer 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
Jer 16:19? O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Will we always be as the prophet wrote? Isa 30:9-10 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Jer 5:30-31 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
I pray that each Christian today will seek truth for themselves, that they will study the Word and cleave to that which is true, no matter the cost. I pray that each one will ponder the customs and traditions that we have clung to for so long and ask themselves if these things prosper, or are they just recycled pagan worship that has been stamped with the “Christian” seal of approval?
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Are We There Yet?
In my last post, “An Inquiring Mind Wants To Know”, I delved into the subject of life after death and the obvious question regarding the masses of humanity who lived prior to our Lord’s appearing and died without knowledge or belief in him as their savior. What is their fate? Is it the “hell” that we have been taught awaits all who have not accepted Christ in their physical lifetime?
First, let me challenge the common belief that man has an immortal soul which, at death, either ascends to heaven or descends to hell. The bible is very clear on this subject. I Tim 6:16 tells us that God, alone, possesses immortality. I Cor 15:53 reveals that man is mortal. Corruption must put on incorruption, mortal must put on immortality. Death is spoken of in many scriptures as “sleep” or “rest”. See Deut 31:16, II Sam 7:12, Job 7:21 and 14:12, Dan 12:2 and 13, Psa 13:3 and 16:9. These are a very small sampling of the biblical teaching on this subject. Continuing in this study we learn that all who are in their graves are awaiting a resurrection from the dead. While in this state, they have no knowledge of the affairs of the living. Read Gen 3:19 and Eccl 3:20, 9:5 and 10.
Rather than heaven or hell receiving those who die daily in this life, the dead are asleep in their graves awaiting a future resurrection from the dead, in which they shall be judged according to their works. I Cor 15 is often referred to as the “resurrection” chapter in the bible. It fully explains the sequence or order of events that awaits mankind at the end of days. It actually speaks of two resurrections. I Cor 15:20, 23-24 tells us that Christ was the “firstfruits” from the dead, the first human to be resurrected from mortal to immortal. Afterward those who are Christ’s at his (second) coming will rise. The remaining dead will come forth at the time in which Christ delivers up the kingdom to God, having put down all rule, authority and power.
In I Cor 15:51-52 Paul continues by telling his hearers that those who remain until the coming of Christ (those who are his at his coming) shall be changed in an instant, in the blink of an eye. I Thes 4:13:17 confirms this with Paul’s comforting words to the believers in Thessalonica that they not be troubled concerning belivers who had already “fallen asleep” or died. He assured them that, at the last trump when Christ descended from heaven, the dead in Christ would rise first and those who remained would be caught up to meet them in the air and forever be with the Lord.
The book of Revelation also makes this clear in Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15 where it tells us of both the first and second resurrections. Those who are Christ’s will rise first and reign with him for one thousand years. After the thousand years are finished, the rest of the dead are raised to face the Great White Throne Judgment.” Their fates will be decided at that time.
So the answer to the question, “Are We There Yet” is no. Whatever we may perceive to be the fate of mankind after death, either heaven or hell, we all will have to wait to find out. The real question is, which resurrection will be our destiny?
First, let me challenge the common belief that man has an immortal soul which, at death, either ascends to heaven or descends to hell. The bible is very clear on this subject. I Tim 6:16 tells us that God, alone, possesses immortality. I Cor 15:53 reveals that man is mortal. Corruption must put on incorruption, mortal must put on immortality. Death is spoken of in many scriptures as “sleep” or “rest”. See Deut 31:16, II Sam 7:12, Job 7:21 and 14:12, Dan 12:2 and 13, Psa 13:3 and 16:9. These are a very small sampling of the biblical teaching on this subject. Continuing in this study we learn that all who are in their graves are awaiting a resurrection from the dead. While in this state, they have no knowledge of the affairs of the living. Read Gen 3:19 and Eccl 3:20, 9:5 and 10.
Rather than heaven or hell receiving those who die daily in this life, the dead are asleep in their graves awaiting a future resurrection from the dead, in which they shall be judged according to their works. I Cor 15 is often referred to as the “resurrection” chapter in the bible. It fully explains the sequence or order of events that awaits mankind at the end of days. It actually speaks of two resurrections. I Cor 15:20, 23-24 tells us that Christ was the “firstfruits” from the dead, the first human to be resurrected from mortal to immortal. Afterward those who are Christ’s at his (second) coming will rise. The remaining dead will come forth at the time in which Christ delivers up the kingdom to God, having put down all rule, authority and power.
In I Cor 15:51-52 Paul continues by telling his hearers that those who remain until the coming of Christ (those who are his at his coming) shall be changed in an instant, in the blink of an eye. I Thes 4:13:17 confirms this with Paul’s comforting words to the believers in Thessalonica that they not be troubled concerning belivers who had already “fallen asleep” or died. He assured them that, at the last trump when Christ descended from heaven, the dead in Christ would rise first and those who remained would be caught up to meet them in the air and forever be with the Lord.
The book of Revelation also makes this clear in Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15 where it tells us of both the first and second resurrections. Those who are Christ’s will rise first and reign with him for one thousand years. After the thousand years are finished, the rest of the dead are raised to face the Great White Throne Judgment.” Their fates will be decided at that time.
So the answer to the question, “Are We There Yet” is no. Whatever we may perceive to be the fate of mankind after death, either heaven or hell, we all will have to wait to find out. The real question is, which resurrection will be our destiny?
Sunday, September 18, 2011
An Inquiring Mind Wants To Know
Modern Christianity today may have differing beliefs on a number of doctrinal issues, but most agree on life after death. Most accept the common teaching that, when this physical body passes away, we have an eternal soul that departs the body and goes to either heaven or hell. In order to be accepted into heaven, one must accept Jesus Christ as his/her personal savior. Indeed, Acts 4:12 tells us "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” That being said, are we missing something? II Pet 3:9 tells us that it is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all might come to repentance.
If Jesus is the only way to salvation, then I would content that the bible is the only revelation of that way. II Tim 3: 16, “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” We also find in II Pet: 1: 20-21, “ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The bible reveals that God has a plan for mankind and that plan was established from the beginning of time. Rev 13:8 tells us that Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We are also told that there is a definite timetable for this plan to be fulfilled. There is coming a day when all mankind will be judged according to his ways, but the bible identifies it as a future “DAY OF THE LORD” and I believe the outcome will be far different from anything we have imagined.
I want to analyze, first, the common belief that immediately upon death, the soul goes to heaven or hell. We have concluded already that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. I perceive a logistics problem already with this theory. Four thousand years preceded the appearing of our Lord. I can’t find anywhere in the Old Testament that indicates God was trying to save mankind as a whole during this time. In summary, we had the great flood, in which all but Noah and his family were spared. We then see the calling of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (one family) who would bring forth the nation that gave birth to the coming savior of the world. We find that all nations on earth prior to Messiah, other than Israel, were pagan and did not know the Creator God nor worship him. Sodom and Gomorrha were utterly destroyed for their sinful ways. When Israel entered the promised land of Canaan, they were instructed to destroy the seven nations that occupied the territory at that time. Throughout their history, wars were fought, nations were subdued, much blood was spilled on both sides leaving millions, perhaps billions, dead.
Has hell been the destination for the vast majority of mankind since the dawn of time? Even Israel, who was God’s chosen nation, was not spared the consequences of unbelief. Many died in the wilderness, never reaching the promised land. Later, both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms were sent into captivity due to idolatry. God divorced the Northern Kingdom and removed them from his sight altogether. How many people of faith do you suppose lived during that entire four thousand years of human history, people who truly worshipped the God of Israel and believed in the coming Messiah? Does the bible indicate that God tried to “save” the nations of the world at that time, that he dealt with any nation other than Israel? Were the prophets sent to these nations to preach to them or warn them of God’s judgment? Does he, however, have a future plan for these nations?
I will leave you with this. When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, he instructed them concerning any city that would not heed their message, saying “Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Matt 10:15).
Also notice his words in Matt 11:20-24 “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”
Jude tells us that Sodom and Gomorrha are suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Did he mean that they are yet burning in hellfire or that the fire that destroyed them left them no root or branch? No civilization has ever emerged from that destruction to this day. When these people rise in the “DAY OF THE LORD”, what will be their eternal fate?
In my next post I will continue with “Are We There Yet?”
If Jesus is the only way to salvation, then I would content that the bible is the only revelation of that way. II Tim 3: 16, “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” We also find in II Pet: 1: 20-21, “ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The bible reveals that God has a plan for mankind and that plan was established from the beginning of time. Rev 13:8 tells us that Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. We are also told that there is a definite timetable for this plan to be fulfilled. There is coming a day when all mankind will be judged according to his ways, but the bible identifies it as a future “DAY OF THE LORD” and I believe the outcome will be far different from anything we have imagined.
I want to analyze, first, the common belief that immediately upon death, the soul goes to heaven or hell. We have concluded already that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. I perceive a logistics problem already with this theory. Four thousand years preceded the appearing of our Lord. I can’t find anywhere in the Old Testament that indicates God was trying to save mankind as a whole during this time. In summary, we had the great flood, in which all but Noah and his family were spared. We then see the calling of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (one family) who would bring forth the nation that gave birth to the coming savior of the world. We find that all nations on earth prior to Messiah, other than Israel, were pagan and did not know the Creator God nor worship him. Sodom and Gomorrha were utterly destroyed for their sinful ways. When Israel entered the promised land of Canaan, they were instructed to destroy the seven nations that occupied the territory at that time. Throughout their history, wars were fought, nations were subdued, much blood was spilled on both sides leaving millions, perhaps billions, dead.
Has hell been the destination for the vast majority of mankind since the dawn of time? Even Israel, who was God’s chosen nation, was not spared the consequences of unbelief. Many died in the wilderness, never reaching the promised land. Later, both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms were sent into captivity due to idolatry. God divorced the Northern Kingdom and removed them from his sight altogether. How many people of faith do you suppose lived during that entire four thousand years of human history, people who truly worshipped the God of Israel and believed in the coming Messiah? Does the bible indicate that God tried to “save” the nations of the world at that time, that he dealt with any nation other than Israel? Were the prophets sent to these nations to preach to them or warn them of God’s judgment? Does he, however, have a future plan for these nations?
I will leave you with this. When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, he instructed them concerning any city that would not heed their message, saying “Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” (Matt 10:15).
Also notice his words in Matt 11:20-24 “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”
Jude tells us that Sodom and Gomorrha are suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Did he mean that they are yet burning in hellfire or that the fire that destroyed them left them no root or branch? No civilization has ever emerged from that destruction to this day. When these people rise in the “DAY OF THE LORD”, what will be their eternal fate?
In my next post I will continue with “Are We There Yet?”
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Visions of Heaven
What images come to mind when you consider a future in heaven? I was raised primarily in a Baptist Church, although I did have contact with Catholicism as a very young child through my paternal grandparents. I was treated to visions of fluffy clouds, white robes and angel wings, harps and St. Peter greeting me at the pearly gates. It seems strange to me today that, as inquisitive as children are, more don't question such teachings. When one really considers these things, it doesn't seem all that exciting to contemplate a future with nothing to do except "roll around heaven all day", as the saying goes. Eternity would be quite boring if there were nothing to look forward to, nothing to experience. Maybe these images explain why most people are not too eager to get there.
What a different picture the bible portrays! There are numerous scriptures that tell of a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. We are told it will be a world of peace and security, one devoid of pain and suffering, disease, poverty, tears and heartache. God will descend from heaven and dwell with mankind. He will teach us the ways that lead to joy and happiness and we will live by His laws. The earth will be cleansed and there will be abundant food and clean water. Land ownership will be provided for all and our children will play in safety. There will be annual celebrations and rejoicing throughout the land. Our Savior, Jesus Christ will be king over all the earth and He will rule with justice and equity. He will put an end to war by replacing every present government with His own everlasting Kingdom.
Let's take a look at some of these exciting times!
Isaiah 65:17-19 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Isaiah 2:2-4 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Isaiah 11:4-9 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 65:21-25 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Micah 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
Isaiah 66:22-23 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
There are so many more references in God's Word regarding the future he has planned for his people. It will be an exciting time. God wants to live with his children and share his glory with us. This has always been his purpose for mankind. From the very beginning he created us in his image, after his likeness. Every animal in the garden was created after it's kind. Man was created after the God kind, like his creator. It has always been his desire to live with us throughout eternity. Remember Jesus' model prayer, Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. This should be the prayer of Christians everywhere. May he hasten the day!
What a different picture the bible portrays! There are numerous scriptures that tell of a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. We are told it will be a world of peace and security, one devoid of pain and suffering, disease, poverty, tears and heartache. God will descend from heaven and dwell with mankind. He will teach us the ways that lead to joy and happiness and we will live by His laws. The earth will be cleansed and there will be abundant food and clean water. Land ownership will be provided for all and our children will play in safety. There will be annual celebrations and rejoicing throughout the land. Our Savior, Jesus Christ will be king over all the earth and He will rule with justice and equity. He will put an end to war by replacing every present government with His own everlasting Kingdom.
Let's take a look at some of these exciting times!
Isaiah 65:17-19 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Isaiah 2:2-4 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Isaiah 11:4-9 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 65:21-25 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Micah 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
Isaiah 66:22-23 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
There are so many more references in God's Word regarding the future he has planned for his people. It will be an exciting time. God wants to live with his children and share his glory with us. This has always been his purpose for mankind. From the very beginning he created us in his image, after his likeness. Every animal in the garden was created after it's kind. Man was created after the God kind, like his creator. It has always been his desire to live with us throughout eternity. Remember Jesus' model prayer, Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. This should be the prayer of Christians everywhere. May he hasten the day!
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