Hebrews, chapters 3 and 4 give us the example of Israel, who failed to stay faithful to God’s calling. They continually tried his patience during their wilderness wandering and the adults who departed Egypt never entered the promised land God had prepared for them.
Numbers 26:65 “For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.”
Notice the verses that tell us why they were not able to enter into the land. Verse 10, “They do always err in their hearts, and “They have not known my ways.” Verse 12, “An evil heart of unbelief”. They entered not in because of unbelief, personified by sin and disobedience. We are told that the word preached to them did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. They hardened their hearts against their creator through the deceitfulness of sin.
To those who sinned in the wilderness God swore “They shall not enter into my rest”. Hebrews 4:1 opens with an admonition for the believer, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
Although those to whom the promise was first given did not enter that rest because of unbelief, that rest still remains and some will enter in. Heb 4:6, 8-9, 11 “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
The Bible is filled with duality, a former fulfillment and a latter fulfillment. The children of those who died in the wilderness did enter the promised land, a physical rest. This was a foreshadow of the eternal rest awaiting us today. This was God’s plan from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:4 “For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works”. Hebrews 4:9-10 “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his“.
The previous scriptures speak of God’s rest by referencing the seventh day of creation week. That may seem strange to those of us who have been raised with a Gentile, Western mindset which has no concept of God’s reckoning of time. Because we have exchanged much of the original teachings of the Bible with man-made concepts and ideas, we have lost the keys that are vital to our understanding of God’s plan for mankind.
Dedicated students of the word of God recognize the patterns he uses to fulfill his purposes. As God worked six days during creation week and rested the seventh, he has given man six thousand years to do all his work, the seventh thousandth being the Sabbath rest of the Messiah. 2Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day“. God placed intermediate fulfillments between the two. The seventh day of each week is to be a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Every seventh year is to be a rest for the land and a release of debt.
Annually, the day of Pentecost is calculated by weekly Sabbaths. Leviticus 23:15-16 “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days.”
The Jubilee year, likewise, is calculated by annual Sabbaths. Leviticus 25:8-10 “And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family“.
Yeshua came to earth and tabernacled with man four thousand years in the span of human history. Two thousand years have elapsed since that time. We are approaching the thousand year Sabbath alluded to in the book of Hebrews. This is the rest that awaits those who are faithful to their calling in Messiah.
Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”.
Revelation 20:5 “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished”.
I can’t help but wonder. Hebrews 4:9 says “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” This is interpreted as “a keeping of the Sabbath”. Is it possible that those who honor God’s holy Sabbath now will enter their eternal rest when the thousand year Sabbath appears? Could it be that those who have replaced God’s seventh day Sabbath with Sunday (the day of the Sun God) do not rise until the Sabbath is over? It is certainly food for thought. One thing is sure. The Sabbath will be kept in God’s Kingdom on into eternity.
Isaiah 66:23 “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.”
It behooves us all to consider our ways now, whether we will follow the traditions of men or the word of God. Hebrews 4:1 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
The Household of Faith
As Abraham was called out to seek a home that God prepared for him, a land that he and his offspring would eventually inherit, so are believers called out of this world that we may one day enter our eternal home. By faith, Abraham obeyed God and lived out his calling, as did his son Isaac and grandson, Jacob. Jacob’s descendents left behind 400 years of slavery in Egypt and wandered in the desert 40 years before their offspring, by faith, entered their promised land. We wander in our own wilderness today. The world we live in is not our permanent home. We seek the resting place God has prepared for us and, by faith, we shall enter if we hold fast to the end.
Hebrews 3:1-6 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 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.”
2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
We are called to be the house (family) of God. 1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Philippians 2:12 admonishes us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. As I move forward, I hope to shed light on why the children of Israel who left Egypt, those who were literally redeemed by the blood of the lamb, did not enter their promised land. Their experience is an example for us today.
Hebrews 3:7-8 “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”
We have a calling. If we have accepted Yeshua as our Lord and Savior, we have the hope of salvation and eternal life. However, it is not to be taken lightly. Our salvation is something that is worked out over our lifetime, through faith and obedience. Those to whom the gospel was first preached did not enter in because of unbelief. May we learn from their experience, that we may enter into our rest.
Hebrews 3:1-6 “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 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.”
2 Peter 1:10 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
We are called to be the house (family) of God. 1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Philippians 2:12 admonishes us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. As I move forward, I hope to shed light on why the children of Israel who left Egypt, those who were literally redeemed by the blood of the lamb, did not enter their promised land. Their experience is an example for us today.
Hebrews 3:7-8 “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”
We have a calling. If we have accepted Yeshua as our Lord and Savior, we have the hope of salvation and eternal life. However, it is not to be taken lightly. Our salvation is something that is worked out over our lifetime, through faith and obedience. Those to whom the gospel was first preached did not enter in because of unbelief. May we learn from their experience, that we may enter into our rest.
Our Calling and Election
In my previous post on angels, I discussed how God now speaks to us through his son, Yeshua, whom he has appointed heir of all things. The scriptures make it clear that he was the creator of all things in the beginning, that it was he who dealt with the partriarchs of the Old Testament and led their offspring through the wilderness into the promised land. It was he who delivered the commandments to Moses at Sinai, the one who made a covenant with the children of Israel. He is our savior, the one who sacrificed himself for our sins.
Hebrews 2:1 begins with a warning. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”
In the past, angels ministered the word to those whom God called to be his children. Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Angels were dispatched to Sodom to save Lot and his family from destruction. The Lord oftentimes sent angels to speak to the heirs of salvation; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was the angel Gabriel who spoke with Daniel, who appeared unto Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, and who visited the young virgin chosen as the mother of our Lord. We are told in Galatians 3:19 that the law was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator (Moses).
Now that our salvation has appeared bodily in the form of a man and has chosen to tabernacle among us in the flesh, we are warned to listen all the more diligently to his teaching and keep his words, lest we fall short of our calling and election into his family, “lest at any time we should let them slip(run out as leaking vessels)”.
Remember Yeshua’s words, Matthew 9:16-17 “No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”
Yeshua came preaching repentance and the coming of the kingdom of God. Yes, we are saved by grace through faith. Yes, he alone is our salvation. However, Philippians 2:12 admonishes believers to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. After accepting the glorious gift of our savior, we are to continue unto good works. Our obedience to his word is to be the testimony of our faith. We are to leave our old way of life behind and become new creatures in Christ, that we may bring glory to his name.
Hebrews 10:26-29 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
Indeed, how shall we escape if we neglect (be careless of, make light of) so great salvation? Let us seek to follow his teaching and his example, that we may stand in that day. May we hear those words, well done my good and faithful servant.
Hebrews 2:1 begins with a warning. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”
In the past, angels ministered the word to those whom God called to be his children. Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Angels were dispatched to Sodom to save Lot and his family from destruction. The Lord oftentimes sent angels to speak to the heirs of salvation; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was the angel Gabriel who spoke with Daniel, who appeared unto Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, and who visited the young virgin chosen as the mother of our Lord. We are told in Galatians 3:19 that the law was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator (Moses).
Now that our salvation has appeared bodily in the form of a man and has chosen to tabernacle among us in the flesh, we are warned to listen all the more diligently to his teaching and keep his words, lest we fall short of our calling and election into his family, “lest at any time we should let them slip(run out as leaking vessels)”.
Remember Yeshua’s words, Matthew 9:16-17 “No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”
Yeshua came preaching repentance and the coming of the kingdom of God. Yes, we are saved by grace through faith. Yes, he alone is our salvation. However, Philippians 2:12 admonishes believers to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. After accepting the glorious gift of our savior, we are to continue unto good works. Our obedience to his word is to be the testimony of our faith. We are to leave our old way of life behind and become new creatures in Christ, that we may bring glory to his name.
Hebrews 10:26-29 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
Indeed, how shall we escape if we neglect (be careless of, make light of) so great salvation? Let us seek to follow his teaching and his example, that we may stand in that day. May we hear those words, well done my good and faithful servant.
The Ministry of Angels
Continuing my study of the book of Hebrews, I discover a greater understanding of the role that angels play in God’s plan of salvation for mankind.
Previously the writer revealed Yeshua as the one who created the world and brought all things into existence. He also is our savior, having sacrificed his very life for his creation. Phillipians 2:9 tells us “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” We are told in Hebrews 1:4-7 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
Hebrews 1:13-14 “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Hebrews 2:5 “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.”
Through these passages, we get a glimpse of the role of angels. God has created man in His image and chosen to beget His family through us. Angels are to be the ministers or servants of those who are heirs of salvation. 1Peter 1:12 “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” 1Corinthians 6:3 “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
Through his death, burial and resurrection, Yeshua is the firstborn of many brethren. We are the ones who are to be heirs of salvation. Although we are yet lower than the angels while in our fleshly bodies, we will one day be glorified with Messiah and will rule with him over all of his creation, including angels.
Heb 2:6-10 “But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
God has created all things according to His purpose and each creation has its own role in His ultimate plan. Angels are to be our ministers, our helpers as we become what God intends us to become. They bow to the same God we do. They are sons of God, but their function is far different from ours. They faithfully carry out their role according to the responsibilities they have been given. They are not to be worshipped.
In Matthew 4:10 , Yeshua told Satan, “ Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Paul warned believers in Colossians 2:18 “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”
Man’s preoccupation with the worship of angels has created a boon for retailers today. Images of angels abound and the sale of “all things angels” are a huge industry. We may mean well, but we need to always be willing to reconsider the beliefs we have inherited and let the word of God shine a light on them.
The first two commandments should be our guide into these matters. Exodus 20:3-4 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”
Previously the writer revealed Yeshua as the one who created the world and brought all things into existence. He also is our savior, having sacrificed his very life for his creation. Phillipians 2:9 tells us “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” We are told in Hebrews 1:4-7 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
Hebrews 1:13-14 “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Hebrews 2:5 “For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.”
Through these passages, we get a glimpse of the role of angels. God has created man in His image and chosen to beget His family through us. Angels are to be the ministers or servants of those who are heirs of salvation. 1Peter 1:12 “Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” 1Corinthians 6:3 “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
Through his death, burial and resurrection, Yeshua is the firstborn of many brethren. We are the ones who are to be heirs of salvation. Although we are yet lower than the angels while in our fleshly bodies, we will one day be glorified with Messiah and will rule with him over all of his creation, including angels.
Heb 2:6-10 “But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
God has created all things according to His purpose and each creation has its own role in His ultimate plan. Angels are to be our ministers, our helpers as we become what God intends us to become. They bow to the same God we do. They are sons of God, but their function is far different from ours. They faithfully carry out their role according to the responsibilities they have been given. They are not to be worshipped.
In Matthew 4:10 , Yeshua told Satan, “ Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Paul warned believers in Colossians 2:18 “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.”
Man’s preoccupation with the worship of angels has created a boon for retailers today. Images of angels abound and the sale of “all things angels” are a huge industry. We may mean well, but we need to always be willing to reconsider the beliefs we have inherited and let the word of God shine a light on them.
The first two commandments should be our guide into these matters. Exodus 20:3-4 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”
Our Creator, Our Savior
I am doing a study of the book of Hebrews, but as I do, I find so many correlating biblical texts that enhance my understanding of the subject matter at hand. The bible interprets itself, but its revelation is buried throughout its pages. We are encouraged to dig for these hidden treasures and discover the mysteries that lie deep beneath the surface.
The book of Hebrews interestingly opens much the same way that the books of Genesis and John do, by introducing the reader to our creator.
Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made“.
Through these passages, we get a glimpse of our creator prior to his physical birth as a human being. It was he who made the worlds. As the very Word of God, it was he who spoke the words, “Let there be light”.
Colossians 1:15-17 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
From the beginning, he was with the Father in heaven, clothed with glory and honor. In his final hours upon earth, he prayed to his Father, John 17:4-5 “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
It was he, the one who died for our sins and became our savior, that walked and talked with our forefathers. It was he who was in the garden with Adam, who spoke with Abraham, who led the children of Israel through the wilderness, who wrote the commandments with his own finger, who called the prophets of old.
John 1:18 “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
From the beginning it was decreed that our creator would also be our savior, the sacrifice for our sins.
Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
How can we possibly fathom so great a love? How can our minds contain such revelation, that the one who brought the worlds into existence, by whom all things consist, who holds all power in his hands, could possibly humble himself for his creation and lay down his very life for us? Why would he do such a thing? David asked the same long ago, “What is man that thou art mindful of him.”
Hebrews 2:10 “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
Our creator, believe it or not, is creating a family. His desire is to share his awesome glory with mankind. The bible walks us through the various stages of this divine plan from Genesis to Revelation. Every event, every prophecy speaks to us of God’s plan to share eternity with his creation. That there be no doubt of his unending love for us, he gave the ultimate gift by laying aside his glory in exchange for a human tabernacle, shared our humanity, preached the coming kingdom of God, and ultimately gave his own life for our sins that we might through his sacrifice be given eternal life.
The book of Hebrews interestingly opens much the same way that the books of Genesis and John do, by introducing the reader to our creator.
Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made“.
Through these passages, we get a glimpse of our creator prior to his physical birth as a human being. It was he who made the worlds. As the very Word of God, it was he who spoke the words, “Let there be light”.
Colossians 1:15-17 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
From the beginning, he was with the Father in heaven, clothed with glory and honor. In his final hours upon earth, he prayed to his Father, John 17:4-5 “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
It was he, the one who died for our sins and became our savior, that walked and talked with our forefathers. It was he who was in the garden with Adam, who spoke with Abraham, who led the children of Israel through the wilderness, who wrote the commandments with his own finger, who called the prophets of old.
John 1:18 “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
From the beginning it was decreed that our creator would also be our savior, the sacrifice for our sins.
Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
How can we possibly fathom so great a love? How can our minds contain such revelation, that the one who brought the worlds into existence, by whom all things consist, who holds all power in his hands, could possibly humble himself for his creation and lay down his very life for us? Why would he do such a thing? David asked the same long ago, “What is man that thou art mindful of him.”
Hebrews 2:10 “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
Our creator, believe it or not, is creating a family. His desire is to share his awesome glory with mankind. The bible walks us through the various stages of this divine plan from Genesis to Revelation. Every event, every prophecy speaks to us of God’s plan to share eternity with his creation. That there be no doubt of his unending love for us, he gave the ultimate gift by laying aside his glory in exchange for a human tabernacle, shared our humanity, preached the coming kingdom of God, and ultimately gave his own life for our sins that we might through his sacrifice be given eternal life.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Circle of Life
I sometimes wonder how many of us can look back over our lives and really sense that a higher power was at work in the milestones along the way, the events that framed our existence. I often have and I am fully persuaded that my entire life, the good, bad and ugly, was orchestrated by my creator. With that said, I don't mean to insinuate that he took full control of my faculties and that I operated as a puppet in his hands. I see it more as he declares in Jer 29:11, " For I know the thoughts (intention, plan) that I think (weave, fabricate) toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace (health, prosperity, favor), and not of evil (adversity, affliction), to give you an expected (literally a cord, as an attachment, figurately an expectation, hope) end (future, reward)."
His plans for me have always been for good. Ro 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." I believe that his intention was always to call me into his family, long before I could ever have conceived such an outcome. In looking back, I realize that even as a child of eight or nine, his hand was upon me. The events of my life, although not always what I would have chosen, literally moved me into a deeper and deeper relationship with him. He carried me along, revealing himself to me more and more, as I was able to receive revelation.
Today, I trust him with every major decision I have to make. Experience has taught me that, each time I prayed and asked for his direction, he was always there with an answer. Now I immediately go to him and await his leading. I have learned not to burst headlong into a decision, based on my own thoughts or emotions. I understand Jer 10:23 " O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps".
Whenever I've faced major issues in my life, Yehovah has always been more than ready to lead my family to a favorable outcome.....when I've prayed and asked for his assistance. He never pushed his way into our lives. He has given us free moral agency and he respects and allows us to choose for ourselves the path we will follow. We just need to understand that he has set in motion blessings and cursings within the very fabric of creation, natural laws that will dictate the ultimate outcome of our choices in the day of judgment. De 30:19 :I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Sometimes, I've had to learn that the hard way, but chastisement and correction have driven the rebellion out of me.
Today, I know I need him. I know that his thoughts are not my thoughts and his ways are not my ways. I've learned that his ways will always lead to blessings. Mine have a tendency to result in disaster. There was a time when I would cry out to him as a last resort, when I had already made a mess of things. Now he is the one I go to first, before any decision is made, and then I wait. I wait upon him to direct my steps, to give me wisdom and insight. I wait for his season, for I know that he knows the end from the beginning, he sees what I cannot see.
I have come to imagine my life as a circle within a circle. Yehovah has created all things and he has an ultmate plan for this earth and mankind. His plan trumps ours every time. Through the ages he has orchestrated the workings of nations and governments, the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms for his own purposes. His is the big circle. My individual life is but a very small circle. The world does not revolve around me. It's not about me! It's about HIM! If I am in his will and allow him to possess my being, I know that blessings are sure, for he has promised. With that said, he does care about my life, each detail, great and small. He wants to share that life with me and he wants it to be an abundant life. I want that too. I want to be aligned with that larger circle, not only in this life, but throughout all eternity.
His plans for me have always been for good. Ro 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." I believe that his intention was always to call me into his family, long before I could ever have conceived such an outcome. In looking back, I realize that even as a child of eight or nine, his hand was upon me. The events of my life, although not always what I would have chosen, literally moved me into a deeper and deeper relationship with him. He carried me along, revealing himself to me more and more, as I was able to receive revelation.
Today, I trust him with every major decision I have to make. Experience has taught me that, each time I prayed and asked for his direction, he was always there with an answer. Now I immediately go to him and await his leading. I have learned not to burst headlong into a decision, based on my own thoughts or emotions. I understand Jer 10:23 " O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps".
Whenever I've faced major issues in my life, Yehovah has always been more than ready to lead my family to a favorable outcome.....when I've prayed and asked for his assistance. He never pushed his way into our lives. He has given us free moral agency and he respects and allows us to choose for ourselves the path we will follow. We just need to understand that he has set in motion blessings and cursings within the very fabric of creation, natural laws that will dictate the ultimate outcome of our choices in the day of judgment. De 30:19 :I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Sometimes, I've had to learn that the hard way, but chastisement and correction have driven the rebellion out of me.
Today, I know I need him. I know that his thoughts are not my thoughts and his ways are not my ways. I've learned that his ways will always lead to blessings. Mine have a tendency to result in disaster. There was a time when I would cry out to him as a last resort, when I had already made a mess of things. Now he is the one I go to first, before any decision is made, and then I wait. I wait upon him to direct my steps, to give me wisdom and insight. I wait for his season, for I know that he knows the end from the beginning, he sees what I cannot see.
I have come to imagine my life as a circle within a circle. Yehovah has created all things and he has an ultmate plan for this earth and mankind. His plan trumps ours every time. Through the ages he has orchestrated the workings of nations and governments, the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms for his own purposes. His is the big circle. My individual life is but a very small circle. The world does not revolve around me. It's not about me! It's about HIM! If I am in his will and allow him to possess my being, I know that blessings are sure, for he has promised. With that said, he does care about my life, each detail, great and small. He wants to share that life with me and he wants it to be an abundant life. I want that too. I want to be aligned with that larger circle, not only in this life, but throughout all eternity.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The House of God
In the Christian community, there seems to be a difference of opinion about the subjects of grace and works with regard to salvation. I have contemplated both concepts over the years, and been confused often about the role each plays in the salvation process.
However, as with most biblical teachings, our physical experience often mirrors the spiritual and makes clear those topics that otherwise seem hard to understand.
In the beginning, God instituted marriage and the family structure. Laying aside the present-day controversy over their definition, let's assume for a moment that we are speaking of a father, mother and children. When a man and woman bring forth new life, that child is theirs, 100%. The child has done nothing to deserve being born. As a newborn, the child is totally dependent upon it's parents for food, shelter and clothing. As the child grows, the parents instruct the child in an age-appropriate manner how to function in the family structure and within society at large. There are rules in the household that each member is responsible to abide by. Oftentimes, correction is needed to take rebellion out of a child's heart. The child does not decide for him or herself how they will conduct their lives, but are taught obedience (hopefully in the fear of Yehovah). A child does not yet have the capacity to make wise decisions without direction. They must be guided and directed along the way until they reach adulthood. Their parents know the perils that they will encounter along the way and offer wisdom and instruction to save them from pain or bodily harm. Their greatest joy is to watch their children grow up to be fine young adults, to be prosperous and happy, physically, mentally and spiritually whole. Sadly, some children refuse instruction and correction. They are unruly, disobedient and disrupt the entire household, creating havoc for all family-members. They have no respect for their parents, doing everything in their power to disregard all attempts at bringing them under authority. In these cases, many parents have been forced to sit them down and lay down the law, as it were. The conversation might go something like this. "You are our child and we love you dearly. However we cannot condone this disruptive behavior. Your attitude has become a cancer in our family. We have rules in this household and they must be abided by. We provide for all your needs and, in return, you spurn us and have no respect for us as your parents. You think you can come and go as you wish and do whatever you wish. This is about to stop. If you want to live in this home and under this roof, you will come under our authority. If you think you are grown enough to decide for yourself how you will live, then you can pack your bags and get out of our home. Go out into the world and see how you fare, providing for yourself."
Likewise, our heavenly Father has a household. Those who have been saved by the grace of our Lord and savior, Yeshua, are all member of that household. Using the analogy above, we can get a clearer picture of what being in His family is like. Yes, we are saved by faith and not by "works". We have done nothing by our own efforts to become His children. We haven't earned it. He brought us into His family through Yeshua, out of His abundant love for us. However, His is a household of rules and He expects His children to abide by them for their own good. When He brought the children of Israel into the promised land, He instructed them regarding the Sabbath and annual holy days that He wanted to celebrate with them. He gave them dietary laws for good health. He told them He didn't want them to live as the other nations, but to be a set-apart people. He forbid them to make and bow down to graven images, or to follow the customs of the surrounding nations in their worship of Him. He gave them an order of worship that would prove to be a blessing to them. For His part, He would be their safety. He would bless them, provide for all their needs, keep their enemies at bay, give them peace and security in their new home. Their example of disobedience should be a warning to any who would spurn His instructions for righteousness. After many years of chastisement, after proclaiming warning after warning through His prophets, He cast them from their home into captivity among the nations.
You see, order is a necessary part of any family or civilization, for that matter. Otherwise, anarchy prevails, followed by destruction. God doesn't require obedience of any who are not His, but for those who live in His home, obedience is necessary for the good of the entire family. Again, we don't become His children by obedience, for the scriptures teach that, while we were yet sinners, Yeshua died for us. We can't earn a place in His home. Obedience, however, is taught in the home by our loving Father. Have you ever witnessed the destruction an unruly child can cause? What about an unruly fellow-believer within a congregation? The results are the same. The entire family is poisoned by bad behavior. Yehovah will not tolerate such behavior in His home. If we claim salvation through Yeshua, obedience to our heavenly Father is a must. His coming kingdom will be a kingdom of righteousness and the disobedient will not enter into it's gates.
However, as with most biblical teachings, our physical experience often mirrors the spiritual and makes clear those topics that otherwise seem hard to understand.
In the beginning, God instituted marriage and the family structure. Laying aside the present-day controversy over their definition, let's assume for a moment that we are speaking of a father, mother and children. When a man and woman bring forth new life, that child is theirs, 100%. The child has done nothing to deserve being born. As a newborn, the child is totally dependent upon it's parents for food, shelter and clothing. As the child grows, the parents instruct the child in an age-appropriate manner how to function in the family structure and within society at large. There are rules in the household that each member is responsible to abide by. Oftentimes, correction is needed to take rebellion out of a child's heart. The child does not decide for him or herself how they will conduct their lives, but are taught obedience (hopefully in the fear of Yehovah). A child does not yet have the capacity to make wise decisions without direction. They must be guided and directed along the way until they reach adulthood. Their parents know the perils that they will encounter along the way and offer wisdom and instruction to save them from pain or bodily harm. Their greatest joy is to watch their children grow up to be fine young adults, to be prosperous and happy, physically, mentally and spiritually whole. Sadly, some children refuse instruction and correction. They are unruly, disobedient and disrupt the entire household, creating havoc for all family-members. They have no respect for their parents, doing everything in their power to disregard all attempts at bringing them under authority. In these cases, many parents have been forced to sit them down and lay down the law, as it were. The conversation might go something like this. "You are our child and we love you dearly. However we cannot condone this disruptive behavior. Your attitude has become a cancer in our family. We have rules in this household and they must be abided by. We provide for all your needs and, in return, you spurn us and have no respect for us as your parents. You think you can come and go as you wish and do whatever you wish. This is about to stop. If you want to live in this home and under this roof, you will come under our authority. If you think you are grown enough to decide for yourself how you will live, then you can pack your bags and get out of our home. Go out into the world and see how you fare, providing for yourself."
Likewise, our heavenly Father has a household. Those who have been saved by the grace of our Lord and savior, Yeshua, are all member of that household. Using the analogy above, we can get a clearer picture of what being in His family is like. Yes, we are saved by faith and not by "works". We have done nothing by our own efforts to become His children. We haven't earned it. He brought us into His family through Yeshua, out of His abundant love for us. However, His is a household of rules and He expects His children to abide by them for their own good. When He brought the children of Israel into the promised land, He instructed them regarding the Sabbath and annual holy days that He wanted to celebrate with them. He gave them dietary laws for good health. He told them He didn't want them to live as the other nations, but to be a set-apart people. He forbid them to make and bow down to graven images, or to follow the customs of the surrounding nations in their worship of Him. He gave them an order of worship that would prove to be a blessing to them. For His part, He would be their safety. He would bless them, provide for all their needs, keep their enemies at bay, give them peace and security in their new home. Their example of disobedience should be a warning to any who would spurn His instructions for righteousness. After many years of chastisement, after proclaiming warning after warning through His prophets, He cast them from their home into captivity among the nations.
You see, order is a necessary part of any family or civilization, for that matter. Otherwise, anarchy prevails, followed by destruction. God doesn't require obedience of any who are not His, but for those who live in His home, obedience is necessary for the good of the entire family. Again, we don't become His children by obedience, for the scriptures teach that, while we were yet sinners, Yeshua died for us. We can't earn a place in His home. Obedience, however, is taught in the home by our loving Father. Have you ever witnessed the destruction an unruly child can cause? What about an unruly fellow-believer within a congregation? The results are the same. The entire family is poisoned by bad behavior. Yehovah will not tolerate such behavior in His home. If we claim salvation through Yeshua, obedience to our heavenly Father is a must. His coming kingdom will be a kingdom of righteousness and the disobedient will not enter into it's gates.
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