Is Celebrating Christ's Birth More Important Than Anticipating His Return?

This December 25th, people in church pews all across the world will celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ (a date, by the way, that some historians say is not accurate). 

I wonder how many of the people in those churches will be stirred with excitement because they will also hear about the promise of our blessed hope, which is the return of Christ Jesus?

There is nothing wrong with looking back, as long as we also look forward.  His story starts in a manger, but it does not end on the cross.  Scripture tells us over and over again that there is so much more to come! 

In the words of Isaac Massey Haldeman:

"If the value of a statement or is to be measured by the number of times repeated, then, since from Genesis to Revelation, in every form of human language, the Second Coming is proclaimed upon almost every page of the Bible, is inwrought with every fibre of truth it finally presents; since in the New Testament alone it is mentioned directly and indirectly more than three hundred times, as there is no other theme in the Bible that approaches it in frequency of repetition, it should seem that this event and doctrine of the Second Coming with all its promises and certified consequences should easily be of supreme and all-compelling importance; and because the Holy Spirit has made it of such importance I am under bonds to preach it.  Those who persist in saying it is incidental, secondary and sporadic might well be said to be of that class of theological disputants who never study the Bible; for the fact is should you cut out every reference to the Second Coming, its cognate truths and all the events to which it gives emphasis, you would have but a fragment of the Bible; and the Book upon which faith is founded, from which hope casts its glances heavenward, see light in the grave and immortality assured, would be as a broken reed, a garment of beauty torn and shredded, or as a harp whose main chord has been snapped asunder." 

From Why I preach the second coming.  Published in 1919.

The Passover and the Lamb

I am reading the Old Scofield King James Study Bible, which provides a wealth of wonderful insights about the types in Scripture.

Scofield writes that the Passover is a type for Christ the Redeemer, because the Israelites had to find a lamb without blemish and it was kept up for four days to be tested.  Just as Jesus was tested by Satan and His holiness was pure.

During the Passover, the lamb was slain and the blood was applied as instucted in Exodus 12:7:

Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

Reading this passage, I had a picture in my mind of the blood being applied to the door in the shape of a cross.  Scofield does not note this, but he does write that the blood applied constituted protection from judgment.

I also had a visual of the Lord passing over the homes of the Israelites while taking the firstborn children from the Egyptians.  Although believers will meet the Lord in the clouds when we are raptured, I could not help but think that this account in Scripture, like so many others, is God's way of showing us that we will be protected when He returns to earth to judge all those who do not believe in Him.

Most of my writing here is geared to believers who are growing in their faith, but if you have not professed your belief in Jesus as your Saviour, I pray that you will fall to your knees and do so right now.

God has been very patient with man since the death and resurrection of His Son.  But the period of time that He has allowed for mankind to receive His Gospel of Grace is finite and will come to a close at the rapture.

Judgment Day

Judgment day is coming and I am not talking about those who are unsaved, as one might expect.  No, judgment day is coming for all Christians when we will stand before the Lord and account for our works as believers.

Will our works withstand the test of fire as gold, silver, and precious stones or will they be burned up as wood, hay, and stubble?  Will we experience loss or receive rewards?

In his book, "He That Hath Ears," Gary T. Whipple writes that wood represents the world and hay is cut down grass, which represents the flesh. Stubble is an emblem of Satan. Gold is an emblem of deity (the Father), silver is an emblem of redemption (the Son), and precious stones are an emblem of power (the Holy Spirit).

Where does your heart lie?  
What motivates you each day?  
What idols have taken precedence over your life?  
Whom do you toil for?
Whose will are you following?  

I ask these questions knowing full well that I often fall short on many accounts.  Some days I am a wise virgin.  Other days I foolishly neglect to stock up on oil.  Or remain cautiously silent when I should be shouting "People get ready... Jesus is coming."

Time is short.  What shall we do with it?  

Seek first His kingdom.

I Never Knew You

Lately I have been thinking about what author David Biven terms “the difficult words of Jesus” (if you are interested in Hebraic gems that help illuminate the Gospels, read his book).  I am talking about Scripture passages that people tend to gloss over because they cannot make sense of them.

Matthew 7:21-23 is an example.  Jesus says:

²¹Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  ²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  ²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  ²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Some commentaries suggest that this passage refers to Christians who were never really saved, which I believe is blaspheme!  For Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us: 

⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

Once a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and is saved they cannot become unsaved, can they?  That would imply that Jesus “took His free gift back.”  Others state that Jesus was talking to unbelievers.  But unbelievers would never utter the words, “Lord, Lord.” 

The reason this passages does not line up for many is because it refers to soul salvation, not spirit salvation.  When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the free gift of spirit salvation and eternal life.  What we do with this gift determines whether we will receive a reward (Revelation 22:12) when we stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ or loss. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

If our works are deemed to be of gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:10-15), we will receive a reward, which I believe is the salvation of our soul that Paul writes of in Philippians 2:12 (another “difficult” Scripture passage):

¹²Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  ¹³For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (KJV)

Here Paul must be talking about soul salvation, which we do need to work out with fear and trembling before we appear before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  I believe what is at stake is whether we will rule and reign with Christ during His 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom (Romans 8:17, 2 Peter 3:8, Revelation 20:4).  The types in Scripture (see my earlier post on Entering the Land) suggest that believers who do not receive soul salvation will be on the outside looking in.  They will have eternal life, but will not be able to enter the Millennial Kingdom.

 

When you are able to distinguish between spirit salvation (the free gift) and soul salvation (a reward based upon our works), then Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-23 finally begin to make sense. 

Quoteworthy: Reward

"But even a casual study of the Word of God reveals that a new horizon now opens on the redeemed soul.  If life is by faith, reward is consequent on works done after faith.  For Scripture regards each saved soul as a runner racing, an athlete wrestling, a warrior fighting, a farmer sowing, a mason building, a fugitive flying, a besieger storming; and all this strenuous intensity rests on a fundamental of revelation —" that God is, and that He is a Rewarder " (Heb. 11:6).  "With many disciples the eyes are yet blinded to this mystery of rewards, which is an open mystery of the Word.  It must be an imputed righteousness whereby we enter; but having thus entered by faith, our works determine our relative rank, place, reward" (Dr. A. T. Pierson).  Calvin, though seeing this truth but dimly, has packed into a sentence the Scripture doctrine of reward :—" There is no nconsistency in saying that God rewards good works, provided we understand that, nevertheless, men obtain eternal life gratuitously."

Nor is there any doubt that this is a truth for the Church of God.  "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each [disciple] according as his work is" (Rev. 22:12).  To whom is this said?  I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things (or the churches."  Too often, as Dr. A. J. Gordon says, "just as the Legalist resents the doctrine that good works can have no part in effecting our forgiveness, so the Evangelical recoils from the idea that they can constitute any ground for our recompense."  But Paul says :—" He that planteth and he that watereth are one "— in standing and redemption —"but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labour "1 Cor. 3:8), So also he balances the double-edged recompense.  "Servants, obey…knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. For" — on the other hand —" he that doeth wrong shall received again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons" Col. 3:24  It is thus a that concerns us.  In the words of Dr. Eadie :—"The Christian doctrine of reward is too often lost sight of or kept in abeyance, as if it were not perfectly consistent with the freest bestowment of heavenly glory."

From "The Judgment Seat of Christ" by D.M Panton

Tested Against Body, Soul, and Spirit

While studying the book of Matthew, I came upon an interesting commentary by the late Ray Stedman.  He wrote about the three parts or levels of man — body, soul, and spirit — and that Jesus was tested against all three by Satan.

The Body — Matthew 4:1-4:

¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus had not eaten for 40 days and nights and He must have been starving.  Stedman questions whether we would have had such fortitude? 

The Soul — Matthew 4:5-7:

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”  ⁷Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Here Satan tries to attack by appealing to Jesus’ ego and pride.  Jesus proved Himself true and steadfast.  I shudder when I think of the times when Satan has appealed to my ego and pride — and how easily I was deceived.

The Spirit — Matthew 4:8-11:

⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” ¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Here Stedman writes that the spirit is always looking for something to worship.  That the spirit of man craves to find someone or something to idolize and follow.  Perhaps this explains why so many believers today are being deceived by false prophets and man-driven church leaders.

Instead of hearing about kingdom truths, and “seeking first the kingdom,” church pews are overflowing with people who are hearing about having their best lives now.  And instead of learning about what it means to store up treasures in heaven, believers are hearing sermons about getting out of debt!

What is so heartbreaking is that they have no idea that their greatest debt will be the incredible loss that they will suffer when they come before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Entering the Land

This morning I was struck by this passage in Deuteronomy 32:52 (a book I like to think of as Due to Honor Me):

Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel. (KJV)

Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.” (NIV)

Despite all that Moses did for the Israelites and the Lord, as a result of his rebellion at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the desert at Zin, he was able to see Canaan, but could not enter it.  God tells Moses that he did not show Him proper respect among the Israelites.

If we look earlier in Numbers 14:30, the Lord tells the Israelites:

Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. (NIV)

When the Lord is talking about the false prophets of Israel, he says in Ezekiel 13:9:

They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. (NIV)

And in Ezekiel 20:38:

I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 

Many people believe that the Bible is full of random stories, but I believe the Lord orchestrated the writing of His Word so that we would see His patterns and types.  In his book, “The Kingdom,” author Jim Harmon writes that believers whose works do not stand the test of fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ will suffer loss.  As a result, they will be able to see the Millennial Kingdom during Christ’s one-thousand-year reign when He returns to earth, but they will not be able to enter it.*

Much like Moses was able to see Canaan, but was not allowed to enter it.

*This is not to be confused with the free gift of eternal life — which all believers receive when they believe in Jesus Christ — a gift that is not based on works and can never be lost or taken away.

Are All Christians Overcomers?

When I was first saved, I was led to believe that all Christians are overcomers, but I have come to learn that Scripture does not support this.   

To the church in Ephesus, Jesus said:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.  (Revelation 2:7)

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus said:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.  (Revelation 2:11)

To the church in Pergamos, Jesus said:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17)

To the church in Thyatira, Jesus said:

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  (Revelation 2:26)

To the church in Sardis, Jesus said:

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  (Revelation 3:5)

To the church in Philadelphia, Jesus said:

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.  (Revelation 3:12)

To the church of the Laodiceans, Jesus said:

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  (Revelation 3:21)

Jesus was talking to believers in each of these seven churches.  So clearly, not all believers will be overcomers.  

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Believers who are overcomers will receive their reward when they stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Believers who are not overcomers will receive the free gift of eternal life, but they will not receive any rewards.

When I look around at what is happening in our world, I believe that there is not much time left to run this race.  I must ask myself: Have I fought the good fight?  Have I kept the faith? 

Quoteworthy: From A to Z

 

The current world in which we live is under the dominion of Satan and his angels, it was given to Satan (Luke 4:6) and he will keep it until Christ takes it (Rev. 11:17).

Eph 6:12

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV)

However, the world [Gk oikoumene - (empire, domain)] to come will be run by Jesus Christ and His co-heirs (those that overcome at the Judgment Seat, and being saved does not guarantee one will overcome [Rev. 2, 3]).

Heb 2:5

5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (KJV)

The Scripture refers to Satan as ‘the god of this world’ :

2 Cor 4:4

4 In whom the god of this world [Gk. aion - age] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)

After Lucifer’s fall, God made man to replace him and his angels as the provincial ruler of this earth (Heb. 2:5-9).

Gen 1:26, 28

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (KJV)

 

Satan sought to disqualify man at Eden (and he succeeded), and ruined the restored earth and remained its incumbent ruler, though rebel capacity:

Gen 3:1-5

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (KJV)

Though Satan succeeded and caused man to die spiritually (be disqualified); God has made provision to restore man to that place where he can realize his purpose:

Eph 2:1-2

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (KJV)

When one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and becomes saved, it’s his spirit that is saved:

Eph 2:8

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (KJV)

It is at the point of ‘spirit salvation’ that the distinction is made of the tri-partite being that man is; spirit, soul, and body:

Heb 4:12

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV)

The spirit is that part of man that connects him to God, now saved — which is on the basis of Christ’s finished work on Calvary:

Eph 2:9

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)

Titus 3:5

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (KJV)

The soul is that part of man associated with the natural. It is the seat of a person’s emotions, feelings, and desires pertaining to his man-conscious existence. The Christian still has an unregenerated soul living alongside his regenerated spirit:

1 Cor 1:18

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish [lit. them that are perishing] foolishness; but unto us which are saved [lit. us which are being saved] it is the power of God. (KJV)

The salvation of our souls, unlike that of our spirits; is realized at the end of our faith, the soul is currently “being saved” as seen in 1 Cor. 1:18.

1 Peter 1:3-5, 9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (KJV)

The Christian at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will either ‘overcome’ or ‘be overcome’; as seen in the warnings given to all seven Churches of Revelation chapters two and three. The Church at Laodicea (the one depicting the current state in which the Church currently exists), is warned against ‘nakedness’:

Rev 3:18

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (KJV)

The clothing of the Christian (fine linen, clean and white), is [lit. ‘the righteous acts of the saints‘]:

Rev 19:7-8

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (KJV)

The Christian that does not overcome at the Judgment Seat, who is not clothed or whose raiment is not white; will ‘suffer loss’.

1 Cor 3:14-15

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss [Gk. zemioo - to injure or experience detriment]: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire [lit. ‘through fire’]. (KJV)

Our Lord, in praying for His own said:

John 17:14-15

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world: 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (KJV)

The word ‘world’ is a translation of the Gk. kosmou, — orderly arrangement, the world system; in which the Church currently has to coexist but should not be influenced by. The Church, however, to our shame, has taken on worldliness to the extent where it’s difficult to make distinctions between them at times — the orderly arrangement:

2 Cor 6:17-18

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (KJV)

God expects Christians to constantly seek to live holy lives or we will be castaway [disapproved] at the Judgment Seat:

1 Cor 9:27

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (KJV)

Or we could be rejected:

2 Cor 5:8-9

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (KJV)

Christ in addressing His disciples expressed the same warning:

Matt 16:26

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV)

Mark 8:35-37

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV)

Luke 9:23-25

 23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (KJV)

Jesus was actually saying to His disciples, “you can loose your souls”. (The Gk word translated “soul” is the same one translated “life” psuche).

Remember it’s the salvation of the spirit that is realized when one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, the soul is ‘being saved’ and determined at the end of our faith (1 Peter 1:9).

Acts 16:30-31

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (KJV)

The writer of the Hebrews says:

Heb 2:1-3

1 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. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 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; (KJV)

The “great salvation” is the salvation of the soul, which relates to “the world [lit. the age to come] to come” of verse five:

Heb 2:5

5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (KJV)

The Christian that looses his or her soul at the Judgment Seat, will be denied the ‘rest’ that remains for the people of God, castaway, overcome, and will have negative impact on his inclusion in the kingdom for a thousand years:

Heb 4:1, 6, 9, 11

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.

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV)

Jesus taught kingdom exclusion in the parables of the “friend” in improper garment in Matthew 22:1-14; the “virgins” of Matthew 25:1-13; and corresponding parables. Like the Jews during the time of Jesus’ first coming who were over looking the suffering that Christ had to undergo prior to His reign; so the Church today is over looking the Millennial Kingdom (1000 year reign of Christ) which precedes the eternal ages or the Day of God:

Rev 20:6

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. (KJV)

Christians are not taught that “the inheritance” that’s awaiting the people of God, is not the same as the “Heaven” of the Bible. Heaven is not an ‘inheritance’ (it is derived on the basis of one’s believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and is saved), but only those in the ‘family’ can be eligible to receive inheritance. That is what Jesus was referring to when He told Nicodemus that he had to be born again before they can even discuss “the kingdom”:**

John 3:3

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV)

It was in that same passage He said, “you have to walk holy to inherit the kingdom:

John 3:5

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Paul in his epistle to the Galatians Christians gave a list of things that would exclude them from ‘inheriting’ the kingdom:

Gal 5:19-21

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Unfortunately, Christians often do these things. Does that mean they won’t go to Heaven? It’s not in reference to Heaven, but to the inheritance — rest.

** The term “born again” is incorrectly used to describe one’s becoming saved. To be more accurate, when one becomes saved, he is “born from above” and not “born again.” It is the Jewish people that were ‘born before’ — born out of Egypt, by water and the Spirit — that had to come to a place of repentance (being born again) so they can be included in the inheritance that was first given to them, that they subsequently rejected (Matt. 21:43). 

The term “born again” is used only three times in Scripture (John 3:3, 7; 1 Pet. 1:23) and all three are in reference to Jews (who were already born out of Egypt by the water of the Red Sea).

A similar error is perpetuated in Christian circles by what has become known as “soul winning.” The way it’s taught is surely not the Scriptural teaching on the subject. Soul-winning has erroneously been equated with reaching the unsaved with the message of the gospel of grace; and few Christians, viewing soul-winning in this manner, seem to even give the matter a second thought.

Books have been written on soul-winning, Bible colleges and seminaries teach courses on soul-winning, and soul-winning conferences are held by those same institutions and by various Churches. But, among these groups, almost without exception, soul-winning is viewed from a non-Scriptural perspective.

Soul winning in Scripture has to do with the saving of the soul/life of those who are already saved, whether Israelites in the Old Testament or Christians in the New. When it comes to the saving or loosing of the soul/life in this respect, solely from a Scriptural standpoint, the unsaved are not in view.

What then is soul-winning? And why is there so much confusion on this subject today? The questions are interrelated, and Scripture is quite clear concerning the answers to both.

Soul-winning, having to do with those who are already saved, is seen connected with a kingdom in both Testaments. In the Old, this kingdom was an existing kingdom (the O.T. theocracy); and in the New, this kingdom is seen as the coming kingdom (the coming Kingdom of Christ).

Thus, it is no wonder that corruption and confusion have marked the proclamation of this message throughout Man’s Day. Satan, the present ruler in the kingdom — ruling from a heavenly sphere through the Gentile nations on earth (cf. Dan. 10:13-20; Luke 4:5, 6; Eph. 6:12) — knows that the ultimate outworking of that contained in the message surrounding the salvation of the soul will bring about the end to his rule.

Accordingly, Satan has done all within his power, over millenniums of time, to destroy this message and with tremendous success, to the point where most Christians know nothing about this truth. And exactly how well he succeeded can be seen on practically every hand in Christendom today (cf. Matt. 13:31-33; Luke 18:8; Rev. 3:14-21).

Written by Pastor Al Williams (reprinted with permission).

Rosh Hashanah and the Rapture

At sundown on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 (the Hebrew month Tishri), Jewish people around the world will celebrate Rosh Hashanah (also called the Feast of Trumpets), which is the festival that marks the Jewish New Year.  This holy Jewish holiday is also rich in significance for those who are eagerly awaiting the return of Christ Jesus.

Rosh Hashanah is traditionally known as the day of creation of the world when God remembers all His creatures.  Jewish people also believe God passes judgment on His people on Rosh Hashanah and it is called “The Day of Judgment” (yom hadin).  A traditional greeting on this day is: “May you be written down in the book of life for a good year.”  It is believed that the names of people who are good are written down by God in a book for good — and for life.  Those who are not good are blotted out of the book of life.  On the first and second days of Rosh Hashanah, the Torah readings include Genesis 21:1-34 and Genesis 22, which chronicle the birth and offering of Isaac.¹  Prophetical readings include 1 Samuel 1:1 to 2:10 and Jeremiah 31:2-20.¹

Dressing in white on Rosh Hashanah is a sign of the confidence Israel has in God as it comes before Him in judgment.  At the end of the devotions, the coming period of repentance — which leads up to Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement” — is announced by the loud blasts of a shofar, which is a curved wind instrument made from a ram’s horn.  In ancient times, a shofar was used for signals or alarm, to signal an attack, stop an armed pursuit, announce an important event, or for the return home.¹  

The date of Rosh Hashanah coincides with a new moon.  Pastor Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries and others have pointed out that Rosh Hashanah is a festival that: "of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father" (Mark 13:32).  The reason for this is that in ancient times, on the 30^th day of the month, a special council would gather together to hear the testimony of witnesses who said they had seen the new moon.  If there were two trustworthy witnesses who said they saw the new moon that day, the first day of the new month was proclaimed to begin on that day (each Jewish month begins with a new moon).¹ 

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 tells us:

¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  ¹⁵For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  ¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  ¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  ¹⁸Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (emphasis mine)

While we do not know the day or the hour when the Bridegroom will return for His bride, I will certainly be looking up with anticipation this Rosh Hashanah — and future Rosh Hashanahs, should the Bridegroom tarry.

Reference:

1.  Universal Jewish Encyclopedia.  Varda Books.  Skokie, IL, 2009. 

Binding and Loosing: What Do They Mean?

There has been a lot of conversation lately over what a church should or should not be and I wanted to see what Jesus had to say about it.

Surprisingly, our Lord only mentions the word “church” two times in the book of Matthew:

¹⁷And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  ¹⁸And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  ¹⁹And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  (Matthew 16:17-19)

¹⁵Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  ¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.  ¹⁸Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:15-18)

These two passages also appear to be the only time that Jesus refers to “binding and loosing.”  Since I have an interest in Hebrew idioms, I did some searching to learn more about what these words might mean.

In his book “New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus,” David Biven writes that the asar and hitir, the Hebrew words for bind and loose, have more than one meaning.  During Jesus’ time, asar also meant “forbid” and hitar also meant “permit.”  Prior to our Lord’s time on earth, bind usually meant imprison, hitch, tether, or tie. 

Biven states that the Greek words that are used for bind and loose in Matthew are forms of the verbs dein and luein.  Dein means to tie, bind, and imprison.  Luein means to untie, loose, or release from prison.  Biven points out that this meaning does not seem to fit within the context of what Jesus is saying (and I agree).  He believes that since Jesus was giving Peter authority, He was saying that Peter’s decisions on earth would be upheld in Heaven. 

That explanation, however, does not resonate with me.  I wonder if Jesus was actually telling us that whatever is forbidden on earth shall be forbidden in heaven, and whatever is permitted on earth shall be permitted in heaven? 

The Word of God gives us clear instructions for how we are to live on earth, and perhaps Jesus is telling us that these instructions will also be followed in His Millennial Kingdom.

This is one of many questions I have that I can’t wait to have answered when our Lord returns!

Quoteworthy: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

 

¹This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  

²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  

³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  

⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  

⁶For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  

⁷Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

⁸Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  

⁹But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.  

¹⁰But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, ¹¹Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.  

¹²Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  

¹³But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  

¹⁴But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 

¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  

¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Signs of the Times: As in the Days of Noah

Lately I have been thinking about Matthew 24:37-42 where Jesus provides a clue as to when He will return to rapture believers:

³⁷But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  ³⁸For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  ³⁹And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  ⁴⁰Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  ⁴¹Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  ⁴²Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 

I went to Genesis to study more about what was happening during Noah’s time.  Genesis 6:1-7 tells us much of what we need to know:

¹When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, ² the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. ³ Then the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”  ⁴ The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.  ⁵ The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. ⁶ The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. ⁷ So the LORD said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” (NIV)

The Nephilim — which are also referred to as giants in other translations — are the offspring of the sons of God (fallen angels) and mortal women.  Unger writes: “This utterly unnatural union, violating God’s created order of being, as such a shocking abnormality as to necessitate the worldwide judgment of the Flood.”¹  Some argue that the Nephilim² are the result of the intermarriage between the godly line of Seth and the ungodly line of Cain.  But if mortal men mated with mortal women, how did we end up with a race of Giants?  And why single them out as Nephilim?

I agree with other writers, like Chuck Missler, who believe that Satan was attempting to alter the human gene pool to prevent the birth of a perfect Messiah.  Our Almighty God thwarted Satan’s plan by flooding the earth and killing every human and every animal, bird, and creature that moved along the ground (except for Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark).  I bring this up because this week there have been news reports in the media that British scientists have created more than 150 human-animal hybrid embryos.  Since Genesis 6:4 tells us that the Nephilim were still on the earth after the flood (we read about them again in Numbers 13:33) I can’t help but think…as the days of Noah were.

Satan may have been foiled temporarily, but his plan has always been same: to prevent man from ruling and reigning with Christ in His Millennial Kingdom.  When we read the kingdom parables in Matthew, Jesus says in the parable of the sower that the birds of the air represent the evil one (Matthew 13:19).  Comparing Scripture with Scripture, in the parable of the mustard tree, we learn that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches of the tree (Matthew 13:32).  Those who know Scripture have eyes to see the apostasy that is growing like a cancer in visible churches.  What better way to deceive professed believers than to stand beside them in the pew (just as Jesus prophesied in the parable of the wheat and tares) and get them to question, “Did God really say?”

I believe that the signs of our times are telling us that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, and it is definitely time to repent.

¹Unger MF.  The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary.  Harrison RK, Vos HW, Barber CJ, eds.  Chicago, IL: Mood Press; 1988.

²To learn more about Nephilim, you might want to start with  "As the Days of Noah Were" and "Mischievous Angels or Sethites?" by Chuck Missler.

What Will it Take?

What will it take for us to stop our self-seeking — and seek God's kingdom first?

What will it take for us to stop inventing culture-driven theologies and doctrines — and know that God’s Word alone is all that we need?

What will it take for us to believe that all of God’s Word is true — and be completely obedient to His Word?

What will it take for churches to stop being dens of iniquity — and start being houses of God?

What will it take to stop portraying God as “our buddy” — and fall upon our knees in fear and reverence when we worship the Lord?

What will it take to stop furthering man-driven works — and be driven to have all our works glorify God?

What will it take to end senseless violence — and start loving one another as Jesus commanded us to do?

What will it take to understand that the Lord is a God of righteousness and judgment — and not a God who will close His eyes to sin?

It will take the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Come quickly Lord Jesus, come.

The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven: The Same or Different?

I have been researching the phrases "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God," and whether there is a difference between the two.  Kingdom of Heaven is used throughout the gospel of Matthew, while the other gospels use Kingdom of God. 

Some scholars believe that both phrases mean the same thing.  In his book, New Light on the Difficult Words of Jesus, David Biven states that Jesus often used euphemisms for God (including the Kingdom of Heaven).  His audiences would have been shocked if He had not because it was forbidden for the Jews to utter the name of God.

This thinking seems to fall apart, however, when you look at several other passages in the gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 6:33:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 12:28:

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Matthew 19:24:

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Matthew 21:31:

Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

Matthew 21:43:

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

In Matthew 12:28, 21:31, and 21:43, Scripture tells us that Jesus is addressing the Pharisees (also referred to as chief priests) or the elders.  If Biven is correct, why would Jesus use the phrase Kingdom of God when addressing these Jewish leaders?  What confounds me even further is that in the other gospels, there are several passages—which are obvious references to similar passages in Matthew—where the phrase Kingdom of Heaven has been replaced with the phrase Kingdom of God.

As much as it would be very tidy to say that the two phrases mean the same thing, the fact that Jesus uses both terms in Matthew has me wondering if they must mean something different?

Clarence Larkin writes that the Kingdom of God represents the reign of God over all things in the universe and is spiritual.  He also states that the Kingdom of Heaven is of “time and sphere.”  The time is between the first and second coming of Christ, and the sphere represents all of Christendom.

Scofield (according to David Reagan) takes the view that the Kingdom of Heaven “signifies the Messianic earth rule of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.”  Reagan concludes that "the kingdom of God is the kingdom set up by God. The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom that finds its source in heaven." Others say that the Kingdom of Heaven is a political kingdom. 

There are other explanations offered by other authors, but none of them completely satisfies me.  What I do know with absolute certainly is that every jot and tittle in Scripture has been placed there for a specific reason.  I may not see it yet, but pray that one day the Lord will reveal it to me.

Quoteworthy: The Second Coming of Christ

The Second Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ is One Event Most Often Recorded in Holy Scripture.

IT is recorded in type, in figure, in symbol, in analogue, in parable, in hyperbole and metaphor, in exalted song, in noblest poetry and in rarest rhetoric.  It is set before us in dramatic and dynamic statement, in high prophetic forecast, in simple narrative, close linked logic, expanded doctrine, divine exhortation and farreaching appeal.

The first promise of the Second Coming was made in Eden.  It was made in the promise given to the woman that her seed should bruise the serpent's head.  On the cross the serpent bruised the heel of the woman's seed, but her seed did not bruise the serpent's head.  Never was his head more uplifted and unbruised than now.  The promise of the bruising is of God and must be fulfilled.  The record of that fulfillment is to be be found in the twentieth chapter of the book of the Revelation where our Lord descends and in the plenitude of His power by the hand of an angel binds Satan for a thousand years beneath His feet and the feet of His saints.  As the bruising of the serpent's head takes place at the Second Coming, and the promise of the bruising is made in Eden, then the first promise of the Coming is made in Eden; and as you see rising above the figure of the fallen first man the figure of the Second man, you hear for the first time the story of the Second Coming of the Second man; and thus the story and the doctrine of the Second Coming begin with the very beginning of the Book.

Isaac Massey Haldeman in Why I preach the second coming.  Published in 1919.

Jesus in Exodus 17

Once you become aware of types in Scripture, you cannot help but see them.  I am re-reading Exodus, and was already familiar with the “rock in the wilderness” as a type for Christ in Exodus 17:6.  In this passage, Moses strikes the rock to quench the thirst of the Israelites, which many commentaries state is a type for Christ’s death.  The water is said to symbolize both Christ's side being pierced, and the Holy Spirit. 

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Two verses later in this chapter, I came across an image that really jumped off the page as a much clearer type for the crucifixion of Christ.  It is the story of how Moses helps Joshua overcome Amalek and his people in Exodus 17:8-12:

⁸Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. ⁹And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. ¹⁰So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. ¹¹And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. ¹²But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun (emphasis added).

Chuck Smith points out in his commentary that Amalek was the grandson of Esau, who was of the fleshly seed; making Amalek a type for the flesh.  Both Smith and Ray Stedman have written that these passages describe a battle against the flesh.  In his commentary, Matthew Henry writes that Moses has his arms lifted because he was praying, but Scripture does not say this directly.  In the book of Numbers, Scripture does describe two occasions when Moses prayed: 

And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched. (Numbers 11:2)

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. (Numbers 21:7)

It sounds like the battle against Amalek was a long one, because Exodus 17:12 clearly communicates that Moses suffered considerable strain.  Just as our Lord suffered terrible physical strain when he was hung upon that cross at Calvary. 

I wonder if the Lord is telling us in Exodus 17:6 and Exodus 17:8-12 that because of Christ’s death, as believers we receive the Holy Spirit, which helps us battle against the flesh to “win” salvation of our soul?

Is The Outer Darkness Eternal?

When I am researching one topic in Scripture, it often leads me to another.  While putting together my previous post about the outer darkness, I made a mental note to do a word search for “eternal.”*  I was specifically looking for passages where Jesus talks about eternal punishment or eternal damnation. 

Here is what I found:

Matthew 25:46: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

This passage refers to the second coming, the time when Jesus returns to earth to establish His millennial kingdom, and will judge the nations; separating the sheep from the goats.  The goat nations are the ones that will receive everlasting punishment, while the sheep nations will be permitted to enter the millennial kingdom — and as saved nations — will receive eternal life.

Mark 3:29: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

In this passage, Jesus is addressing the experts in the law who came down from Jerusalem.  In his commentary, Guzik states that these scribes were an official delegation of experts who came to observe and assess the ministry of Jesus, and that that many people valued their opinions.  Jesus was telling them that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is a sin that will never be forgiven, and results in eternal damnation.

While the passage below is not from Jesus directly, I am adding it for clarity.

Jude 1:7: Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

We are being told to remember God’s destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha.  This is a pretty strong warning that while God is loving, He is also a God of judgment.  

Jude 1:14-15 further states:

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

After looking at these passages, I am even more convinced that the outer darkness is not hell, or a place of eternal damnation.  The three passages that mention outer darkness (Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13, and Matthew 25:30) provide no indication that the outer darkness is place of eternal punishment.

 

*When I do a word search, I start at BibleGateway, then go to the NET Bible website (I prefer the classic version) to see what the actual Hebrew or Greek words are.  The Net translators provide their translations, along with definitions from Strong.  It is a great tool to see if the same word is being used in multiple passages you are researching, or whether they are different words.  In this case, the same word was used for eternal in all the passages above.