HEAVENLY PROMISES – JOHN 14:1–6

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIESLeave a comment

After three years of ministry, Jesus is in the final week of His life on earth.  He will be crucified on Friday afternoon.  He will be the Sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, killed at the very time the Jews were killing sacrificial lambs on the Passover that Friday.  He is now in the upper room on Thursday night, His last night with His disciples.

They’ve been with Him for the full three years, 24/7.  They love Him and believe in Him, but they are profoundly confused.  Their hopes and ambitions are collapsing as Jesus continues to tell them He is leaving.

Jesus knew that His hour had come, that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having to leave behind these disciples He so dearly loved.

In John 13:33 He said to them, “Little children, I’m with you a little while longer.  You will see Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I’m going you cannot come.  I’m leaving and you can’t come.’”

Down to John 13:36 Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”  to which Jesus basically replied, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” In Chapter 14 He essentially says the same thing again several times.

In verse 12 He says, “Truly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do will he do; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”  Down in verse 28 toward the end of that verse He says again, “I go to the Father and I’ve told you before it happens, so when it happens you’ll believe,” verse 29.

To add to the confusion, the doubt, the fear, and the anxiety, He had even said that among the twelve there was a traitor who was going to betray Him into the hands of His enemies.  He had told them He would be arrested, beaten, and murdered, and it was all prophesied in the Old Testament. And we also read that in Isaiah 53.  He had even declared at the end of chapter 13 to Peter that he would turn out to betray Him by denying Him three times. On top of it all, now they would be left behind in the middle of hateful enemies.

This is a very difficult time and not how it was supposed to end according to their methodology.  He then offers immense comfort to them; and it runs through all these chapters. That is the gracious, compassionate, merciful, loving heart of God.

The comfort comes, first of all, in chapter 14, verse 1: “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.  And you know the way where I’m going.”

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going.  How do we know the way?”  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

The six opening verses are the foundation of comfort.  Later on, He will give them “the” Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in them.  Those comforts from His promises are increased in power and impact by the indwelling presence of the Comforter.  The theme here then is comfort by trusting in Him. He told them that they should not let their hearts be troubled. He knows everything that is in a heart of a man.

You start there with God all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful, all-ruling, all-caring, all-sufficient, having all resources, all provision.  “You trust God, you believe in God; you don’t have any trouble with that, so believe also in Me.” John all the way through his gospel makes the case that Jesus is God.  They believe in God whom no one can see God.  God is an invisible spirit. They believe in God and they believe in the revelation of God in the Son of God, and that’s why they said, “You’re the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and, “We know that You’re the Holy One and You have the words of life.” They had been regenerated by God and become believers in the true God. They recognized that Jesus is the one who has come from God.  He is the Holy One from heaven.

But then they have seen Him, and now they need to also believe in Him when He’s gone the same way they believe in the invisible God.  Their faith is tested.

But, although He was about to be removed, He will not be far from them. He says to them later, “never leave you or forsake you.  I will come to you.”

He says, “The Father and I literally will take up residence with you before you take up residence with Us.  I will put my Holy Spirit in you.”  We all live and move in the worship of One we’ve never seen.

Over in chapter 16, verse 7, He says, “I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you.  But if I go, I will send Him to you.”  That is the Holy Spirit.

The plea to trust Him is followed by some specific promises.  He would go and prepare a place for us, and He will come again and receive us to Myself, that where He is, there we may also be.

Earlier in the gospel of John, in chapter 2, Jesus went into the temple and overturned the tables.  To those who were selling doves He said, “Take away these things.  Stop making My Father’s house a place of business.”

Here He says in John 14, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places.” Here He certainly did not refer to the temple again as He pronounced doom on the temple in Matthew 24.

It reminds us of what is said in Hebrews 9:23-24, “Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be [a]purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”

The temple was the Father’s house in the sense that it was a copy of the Father’s house which is heaven.  Christ came and cleansed the Father’s house that had been turned, as Luke says, into a den of robbers.  He cleansed the Father’s house on earth and then He destroyed the copy so that He might gather His people and take them into a place prepared for them that was reality in heaven.

The temple at Jerusalem was called the Father’s house, but it was only a copy.  God had designed it and it was His.  He had laid out the prescription as to its architecture and design, and and it was to symbolize His presence among His people.  There He was to be honored and adored and worshipped by His people.

But that worship had become apostate and corrupted.  He sent His Son to attack it and then He sent the Romans in 70 AD to smash it to bits.  There is even today, no longer any earthly copy.  So when Jesus says, “In My Father’s house,” He is talking about heaven.

In ancient times, fathers had a house and when their children got married, they build additions on the house, for every married son in that family.  So also does the heavenly Father’s house has many dwelling places.

People are often confused with the term “Mansions.” This is a family and we are going to be in the Father’s house, one house with many rooms.

Now, if you’re curious about what it is like in heaven, read Revelation 21.  Just a summary, it is golden diamond city.  In the center of this massive, glorious and transparent golden diamond is God’s glory and the glory of the Lamb blazing through and being refracted into the endless new heaven and new earth.  Around the city are massive jewels that spin out the colors of the rainbow.  The city has twelve gates and each one is a single pearl from which the light bounces and adds to the transcendence.

In verses 2 to 3 Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

These words are of an eschatological nature as He is talking about His second coming. In Acts 1:11 we also read, “… This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” In the meantime, when any believer dies, absent from the body, he or she immediately enters the presence of the Lord.

He will come again and rapture the church, as clearly described in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15, to gather the church to Himself.  We do not know exactly when it is going to happen but judging by the prophecies coming to pass, we know that this glorious event is near. This is an amazing promise.

Jesus then said to them then in verse 4, “You know the way where I’m going.  You know the way where I’m going.”  Thomas replied, “Lord, we don’t know where You’re going.  How do we know the way?” This is the question that any legitimate religion must answer, and none can except Christianity.  Religion is worthless because it provides no way to heaven.  That is “the” question that only Christianity answers:  “How do I become reconciled to God and go to heaven?”

This takes us to the third point.  First, there was the plea, then there was the promise, now there is the provision.

In John 10 Jesus said, “I am the door.  I am the door to that eternal pasture.  I am the door, there is no other door.  Anybody else is a thief and a robber.  I am the door.  I’ve told you that.”

Thomas had to get this right. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father but through Me.  I am.”

Jesus alone revealed God.  Jesus alone was God’s chosen sacrifice and He alone is the Savior.  Faith in Jesus is the only way of salvation.  That is why there is a Great Commission, to take the Word to every creature in the world because there is no other way to saved.

Jesus is the way to God, the truth about God, and the life of God; and no one can come to the Father or enter the Father’s house, except through Him.

(Source: Bible studies, using John MacArthur’s sermons as guidance)

HOW CAN JESUS BE THE “WORD” AND THE “LIGHT”? – JOHN 1:1–14

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIES1 Comment

The message of John is about the divine nature (deity) of Christ and the fact that Jesus is God. He said, “I and the Father are one. If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.” Thomas called Him, “My Lord and My God.” Titles are given to Jesus that belong only to God, like the eternal judge, the holy One, the first and the last, the Lord of the Sabbath, the Savior, the Mighty God, the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, the King of kings and the Redeemer. God is eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, immutable, sovereign and all glorious and all of those things are said of Christ as well.

The most concise statement in all the Bible on the incarnation, on God becoming man, is found in verse 14, “The Word became Flesh,” God became a man. John is saying that God came into the world in the man Jesus.

To the Jew, the Word had even more meaning. In the Old Testament, you will read many times, “The Word of the Lord came” to so-and-so. The Word of the Lord was simply God revealing Himself, His person, His nature, His will, His wisdom, His truth. The Word of the Lord was the expression of the personal God, the true and living God of the Old Testament. By His Word, God had spoken. Hebrews 1 says, “Through many means in many ways, in time past, through the prophets God spoke. John is saying that the revelation of God, the disclosure of God, the manifestation of God is now incarnate. The expression of God’s nature, will, wisdom, truth is embodied. That is why Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.”

So the Word is the personal God to the Jew in flesh. Jesus then is God in human flesh. He is the Word of the living God and He uses that term because it covers both the Gentiles and the Jews. Psalm 138:2 says, “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” God and His Word are one and the same because if God doesn’t speak, we do not know anything about Him. When He does speak, everything He speaks is consistent with who He is.

God is unchanging and not at any point incomplete. And yet, He became a man. The Incarnation was that event when God took on the fullness of humanity while remaining fully God. Two natures not mingled, fused together in indivisible oneness, in one person, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ’s humanity is not an illusion or some mental experience. It is not a mere appearance. He took on humanity. Hebrews 2 says, “He partook of flesh and blood.” He lived in this world for thirty-three years, thirty of them as a man among men with no indications that He was any other than a human being, till He began His ministry. The clearest representation of God ever was the incarnation of Christ. Jesus is the Word who became flesh.

First of all, John shows us that the Word became flesh by virtue of His pre-existence. Remember, verse started with, “In the beginning was the Word.” That phrase is taken right out of Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God made the heavens and the earth.” It refers to the original beginning of everything that exists. In other words, Jesus was already in existence when everything that exists came into existence while the Word already was. At the point where everything began, He already was in pre-existence. John does not say, “In the beginning the Word came into existence.” That is very important. Jesus is not God’s competitor, He is God. In John 17 He prays at the end of His incarnation, looking at the cross, “Restore to Me the glory I had with You before the world began.”

God the Father gives testimony to His relationship to the Son in Luke 3:22 at the baptism when He says, “This is My beloved Son.” As He is outside the creation and before time, He is eternal. And if He is eternal, He is God.

Secondly, John is of the co-existence of Christ. Back to verse 1, “… and the Word was WITH God, and the Word WAS God.” Therein lies the mystery of the Trinity. He is as much God as the Father is God. The Word is not a message from God, the Word is God.

Then thirdly, there is His self-existence. His self-existence relates to the essence of His nature. Verse 4 says, “In Him was Life.” John 5:26 again says that in God is life and in the Son is life. He wasn’t given life or received life, He possesses it as an essential of His nature. That is why Jesus would say things like, “I’m the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” This is is foundational to the Christian faith. Unless you believe this, you cannot be saved. Altering the foundational realities of the identity of Jesus Christ is a damning act, very popular in false religions.

Jesus is the source of life. This is the foundational reality of all realities. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth and He gave life to everything that has life, because life is in Him. Sadly we see massive effort to deny the creation account of Genesis 1 today. Get rid of the creation and you can get rid of the Creator. If you get rid of the Creator, you can live the way you want because there is no recourse for your sin.

That is why Acts 17:28 says, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being…” He came into the world as that eternal life and when He arrived, the light was on. In John 8:12 He sais ““I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

There is certainly distinction between life and light but they are fused together. Life is the principle, while light is simply the illustration. The preexistent, coexistet, self-existent life of God in human form in Jesus became the light of men. In other words, when He showed up, the light went on and overcame the darkness of ignorance. As God and the Word are the same, light and life are the same. The light combines with life and manifests itself.

When God appeared in the Old Testament on many occasions as light. It’s called the Shekinah, blazing light. We see that with Moses when He showed up at the tabernacle, when He showed up at the temple, when He led them by a pillar of light during the day, and cloudy light and fire by night. Jesus is the eternal life of God in human flesh, manifesting like light shining in the darkness of a sinful world. Verse 5 says, “The light shines in the darkness. There was nothing like this ever.”

1 John 2:8 says, “The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” As Christ came, and as He began to appear and manifested Himself at the beginning of His ministry, the darkness began to be dispelled and it could not overpower the light of His life.

Verses 6 to 8 mention that there was a man sent from God, a prophet, to give testimony and that prophet was John the Baptist. He came to testify about the light, He pointed to Christ so that all might believe through Him. He wasn’t the light, but He came to testify about the light. Jesus came in to display the life of God like light in a dark world. Verse 9 says there was the true light which coming into the world. Jesus was the Word made flesh and the light coming into the world. He enlightens every man who knows about Him, who ever hear or read of Him.

In verse 10 we read, “He was in the world and the world was made through Him.” That is how we know Jesus is God. The world was made through Him and the world didn’t know Him. They still don’t. Verse 11 says, “He came to His own,” and now he is talking about Israel, His own, “My people” as He refers to them repeatedly in the Old Testament. His own people who had all the prophecies telling them that He was coming didn’t receive Him. They killed Him, along with the nations, the Romans.

In verses 12 and 13 we read, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Not only is the Word, the Lord Jesus, the Creator of the material universe, but He is also the Creator of His own family through spiritual creation. He is the one who creates the material world and He is the one who creates His own spiritual family.” They were born of God, not by any human means, not by blood, the will of the flesh or the will of man. This is a spiritual creation by God. We become His new creation, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

In John 20 as John closes his gospel, he says, “These things that I’ve written to you, I’ve written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in His name.” He also says in chapter 1: 12, “To those who believe in His name.” His name is who He is. To believe in His name is not to believe that His name was Jesus, but to believe in the fullness of His person.

(Source: My Bible studies, based on John MacArthur’s sermons)

 

THE FIG TREE GENERATION

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIESLeave a comment

THE FIG TREE GENERATION

The fig tree generation is the generation that will not pass till all things prophesied in Matthew 24:32-34. It is the generation that will not pass till they see the rapture, the abomination of desolate talked by Daniel, the Antichrist reign, the great tribulation and Jesus Christ coming in the clouds with a great army.

Fig tree in the Bible represents the Nation of Israel. Hosea 9:10 says:” I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at her first time.” Jesus often used fig tree in parabolic form when communicating things about Israel. In His life on the world, Jesus painted a threefold picture of what will become of the Nation of Israel.

  • The fig tree (the nation of Israel) was to be BARREN. We read about this in the parable in Luke 13:6-9. The 3 years referred to in the parable relate to the 3 years Jesus was in the land of Israel looking for spiritual fruits but Israel was barren spiritually. Therefore, Jesus ordered the dresser of the vineyard to cut it down.

2)    The fig tree was to be CURSED. Even after being dug about and fertilized, Israel did not bear any spiritual fruits and Jesus cursed her. In Mark 11:12-14 we read “And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet . And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever. And his disciples heard it.” Jesus was hungry for spiritual harvest in Israel and as made clear by His actions in the temple (v15-17), there were no fruits to harvest. The fig tree was barren, so He cursed the fig tree. (Matthew 21:19 says, “And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.”)

The fig tree withered and died thus stopped using the land. In 70 AD the Romans annihilated Israel, destroyed the temple and Israel seized being a sovereign nation and stopped using the ground (land).

  • The fig tree was to be REPLANTED. In Matthew 24 Jesus was talking of a replanted fig tree, her branches are tender, putting forth leaves. Matthew 24:32-34 says “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.”

Ezekiel 36-37 is clear about the rebirth (replant) of Israel. Israel ceased to be a sovereign nation from 70 AD to May 14th 1948 when United Nations proclaimed Israel a sovereign nation. It was given her land back thus replanted.

Since 1948, we have seen Israel put forth leaves on her tender branches both economically, military and financially it has become a world force, always in the news all over the world. We are about to see Israel build the Third Temple. There spiritual rebirth will happen at the very end, as seen in Zechariah 12 to 14.

THE FIG TREE GENERATION

Luke 21:29 –32 says, “And he spoke to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees. When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” Jesus confirmed these words by saying, ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away’ (Lk 21:33). I.e. this generation that sees the fig tree shoot forth will not pass till all these things be fulfilled.

WHO IS THE GENERATION THAT SAW THE FIG TREE SHOOT FORTH?

In May 14th 1948, Israel became a sovereign nation thus the fig tree come back to life and started shooting forth. The 1948 generation will not pass till all things prophesied by Jesus in Mathew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 be fulfilled. Those born before or in the year 1948 are of the generation that saw the fig tree shoot forth.

HOW LONG IS A GENERATION?

From the time of Adam up to today, humanity lifespan on earth has been deteriorating, eg Adam lived 930 years, Jacob lived 147 years, Moses lived 120 years and Joshua lived 110 years.

Psalms 90:10 says, “The days of our lives are SEVENTY YEARS; and if by reason of strength they be EIGHTY YEARS, yet is their labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”

The labour and sorrow might also be figurative of the tribulation and Jesus will end it when He comes.

Because of the prophecy in Psalms 90:10, we are using a generation to be between 70 to 80 years.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE “SEASON” (NOT THE DAY AND HOUR) OF THE COMING OF JESUS

The 1948 generation is today (2018) 70 years old and Israel marked 70 years of statehood on 14 May. The 1948 generation can to go up to 80 years for years of labour and sorrow (thetribulation), then soon cut off. That means the latest for Jesus Christ to return may be the year 2028. The cut off will happen when Jesus Christ appears in the Armageddon battle.

There are 7 years of tribulation (the years of labor and sorrow) which must be fulfilled before the generation is cut off (See the last week of Daniel 70 weeks prophecy).

Thus the latest for the tribulation to begin is the year (2028 – 7) = 2021, although it can start any time between now and then. Christians will not be in the tribulation and the church would therefore be raptured during this same period (ie between now and 2021).

Just as Daniel understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem (Dan 9:2) so by the same books do we understand the number of years specified for all to be fulfilled.

I am not attempting in any way, shape, form or fashion to set a day and hour for the return of Son of Man but I am revealing the season for His return and all prophesied be fulfilled. For we, children of light, know the season when Jesus Christ is returning.

But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only (Mt 24: 36)

Rev 3:3: Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon thee.

 

CHRISTIANS, JEWS AND “PALESTINIANS”

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIESLeave a comment

When we want to determine where we are on God’s timeline in terms of the Last Days, we need look no further than God’s timepiece, Israel and even more specifically, Jerusalem. The nation of Israel literally lies in the center of events that point to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God deals with Israel in the Land of the Covenant in harmony with the seven festivals of Leviticus 23 and therefore their elect will be born-again as a nation in one day confirming Israel is God’s timepiece. God measures no certain time by us Gentiles for He deals with us as individuals. His servant Israel is a distinct race—one nation in its Covenant Land bound within a common law and culture—separated from the nations of the world. As Israel has specific times and seasons to present itself before the Lord, He could declare in Isaiah 66:8 “the nation will be born-again in one day” in a certain year, month and week.

CHRISTIAN HERESY

Sadly, much of the Christian Church does not properly honor and recognize the nation of Israel, irrespective of the fact that God said to Abraham “I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3). The prophet Zechariah revealed that the physical descendants of Abraham (the entire Jewish nation) are the “apple of God’s eye” (Zechariah 2:8).

Israel is the foundation of the Bible and the Christian faith. God’s intimate relationship with mankind was re-established through the Jews after the fall of Adam. They are the true chosen people of God. It is the same eternal covenant-keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who is restoring Israel to the land of their fathers at the end of this age just as He promised. Her people were never expelled from the Land as chastisement for sin without God setting a precise time for their return.

The fact that Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah resulting in their world-wide dispersion, has led to a great satanic deception which has invaded the Christian Church with many teachings that God’s covenant with Israel no longer exists. This is the view that the church is the new or true Israel that has permanently superseded Israel as the people of God.

It is true that God brought salvation to the Gentiles due to the stumble of the Jews (Romans 11:11). Paul stated that Gentiles who accept Christ are “grafted” spiritually into the Jewish nation and become a part of God’s chosen people (Romans 11:11-36). The Church was however grafted into God’s chosen people but never replaced or superseded Israel. Non-Jews can find great joy in knowing that all who accept Christ will be joined with the “apple of God’s eye”.

The heresy by these Christians has led to the Church abandoning Israel even though the entire world is coming against it, led by forces of evil. It has led to a plethora of false doctrine and anti-Semitism.

Some examples include the following:

  • Revelation has been turned into a history book, instead of being a prophetic book as God intended. Suddenly they Interpret the woman in Revelation 12:1-6 as the Church rather than true Israel.
  • Statements that Christ could return anywhere, even in light of Zechariah 14:4.
  • Misunderstanding of the purpose of the Tribulation and Rapture of the Church.
  • Ignorance of parts of Scripture, such as “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:16).
  • Shear disdain for the Jews, even in the Church. 16th century Protestant Reformer Martin Luther wrote, “Therefore the blind Jews are truly stupid fools…” and “If I had to baptize a Jew, I would take him to the river Elbe, hang a stone around his neck and push him over with the words `I baptize thee in the name of Abraham’.”
  • Israel’s return to the land is just a coincidence.

Significance in the Jewish nation of Israel is found in the fact that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was brought into the world through the Jews and lived in Israel while on earth as a Jew. The scripture refers to Jesus as King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2, 27:11). God’s word also declares that Jesus will return to earth someday to rule and reign from Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:16, 8:3, 14:4, 14:16).

The Church never has nor ever will replace Israel in the eyes of God. This false teaching has no place in the Church and has caused much confusion concerning Bible prophecy and is the reason for anti-Semitism in the Church. This false doctrine should be permanently removed from the Church.

ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

The call to Israel as God’s chosen people began with Abraham. God said to him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants FOREVER”  – Genesis 13:14-15. God later reaffirmed this promise with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob (Genesis 26:3-5; 28:10-15).

“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an EVERLASTING COVENANT, to be God to you and your descendants after you” – Genesis 17:7. This covenant is therefore unconditional in nature.

On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates – Genesis 15:18

But prior to this covenant coming to pass, Abraham’s people spent 400 years under Egyptian bondage. The Exodus out of Egypt came after the sacrificial lamb was slaughtered and the celebration of the first Passover. This sacrificial lamb was a foreshadow of the True Lamb that would come centuries later – the Messiah Jesus Christ.

The Lord called them to be a holy people while leading them to the Promised Land and repeatedly warned them that consequences would follow disobedience. One of the punishments would be Israel’s enemies exiling them their land and taking them into slavery. History reveals that this came about as the Babylonians and Assyrians overtook the Jews. But these proved to be short-term takeovers as God restored His people to their land once they called out to Him and repented from their rebellion (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 30).

DISPERSION

Yet the Jews sinned again and after centuries of occupation, during the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, they were driven away from the Promised Land and scattered throughout the world as punishment for disobedience to God and rejection of Christ as the Messiah (Ezekiel 5:10). Jesus prophesied that this would occur beginning with the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39). Also see God’s warnings in Leviticus 26:33 and Deuteronomy 28:64.

Jesus indicated that the Jews would remain exiled from Jerusalem for a long period of time – until the time of the Gentiles was fulfilled, “And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” – Luke 21:24.

RESTORATION

God stated that He would punish the Jews but not completely destroy them (Jeremiah 30:11). The promise to restore Israel to their land someday was revealed to the prophet Ezekiel in the Valley of Dry Bones Vision (Ezekiel 37). Even though Israel was unfaithful, God is a forever faithful covenant-keeping God who would again restore the nation to their land. Leviticus 26:44-45 confirms this fact.

The restoration of Israel brings tremendous resistance from its enemies. The kingdom of darkness is fully aware of God’s plans with Israel and is the reason for the campaign of hatred against the Jews. Events such as the Holocaust are rooted in a satanically driven hatred against God and His chosen nation.

As God is always true to His word, the Jews have physically returned to Israel and the Jewish nation was officially reborn on May 14, 1948. One would think this event would have erased all thoughts of Replacement Theology.

The spiritual restoration will come about as a result of the worst persecution that Israel will ever face. “And it shall come to pass in all the land, says the Lord, that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, This is My people; and each one will say, The Lord is my God” (Zechariah 13:8-9).

GOD’S PROPHETIC TIME CLOCK

As stated earlier, numerous prophecies of the Bible reveal that when certain events happen concerning Israel, respective prophecies will be fulfilled. One of these prophecies is the Seventy Weeks Prophecy found in the book of Daniel. The prophecy gives specific timeframes concerning the First Coming of Christ, His crucifixion, the antichrist, and Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Jesus also gave the parable of the fig tree to His apostles as an indicator concerning His return to earth. He was conveying the message that when the fig tree (Israel) blossoms, His return would soon follow. He also spoke of Jerusalem and its trampling by the Gentiles as it relates to His Second Coming.

The prophecy of the fig tree was physically fulfilled on May 14, 1948 when Israel once again became a nation. The times of the Gentiles in Jerusalem started in June 1967 with the “Six-day” war. These fulfillments mark the soon closing of the Church dispensation. Scripture states the generation that sees these events will also see the return of Christ.

The spiritual cleansing must occur after Israel has been restored to their land. It will coincide with great distress and tribulation. A remnant of Israel will be refined in the fire of God’s wrath (Zechariah 13:9).

We find further evidence of that nation of Israel as God’s prophectic time clock when studying the Seven Feasts of the Lord. Of the seven feasts, there are three in the spring, one in the summer, and three in the fall.

PRESENT DAY CONFLICT

Many nations have adopted foreign policies for a two-state solution in what they believe is necessary for peace between the Jews & Palestinians. God however warned, “And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it” (Zechariah 12:3).

Regarding a two-state solution: Israel has put numerous offers on the table and they have been soundly rejected by the PLA. Land for peace simply will not work because ultimately Abbas and Hamas don’t want a two-state solution. Their goal is complete control and domination with Jerusalem as their capital.

Any Bible believing Christian would know the actual intent, especially that of the Arab world. “They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:4).

God sternly warned that He would bring judgment upon nations that attempt to divide His land, “I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land” (Joel 3:2).

We are seeing the beginnings of what Zechariah wrote about almost 2,600 years ago. The media, politicians, the pop culture and sadly, even the Christians we spoke about, have wrongly singled out the Jews as the problem. This is because many choose to believe a popular lie and ignore the facts about Palestine.

SO WHERE DOES THE “PALESTINIANS” FIT IN?

When you reduce the Israeli-Palestinian issue down to the ridiculous, you will find its root cause. The cause is the lie about ownership and what I will call “the Palestinian lie” in particular. The situation in the Middle East goes from bad to worse and is ultimately being used as fuel to turn all nations against Israel.

The Palestinian lie is quite simple: People are continually repeating the lie that there is a Palestinian people and that Israel is an occupying force. But truth is rooted in historical, documented, and verifiable facts. The main source to refute this lie is the Bible.

WHO ARE THESE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE?

The terms Palestine and Palestinian have origins dating back to the second century AD. The Roman Empire and its ruler Hadrian wanted to get rid of all Jewish identity in the region. He used the name of Israel’s ancient foes the Philistines and renamed the land Palaestina. The Philistines were located to the north of Israel in modern coastal Lebanon and parts of Syria.

The term Palestine was rarely used until Israel declared her Independence in 1948. The term Palestinian wasn’t widely used until the 1960s and 1970s. Yasser Arafat, a well-known terrorist was the chairman of the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) and his goal was to legitimize a people and cause that have no historical precedent. The PLO seeks to liberate “Palestine” through armed struggle. Since 1994, the PA (Palestinian Authority) has been the governing body of the so-called Palestinian people.

WHERE DID THE PALESTINIANS COME FROM?

Throughout history, there has never been a Palestinian people as a distinct group. This is a fabrication of terms used by Arabs to identify the people who occupy the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and other parts of Israel. These people are Arabs from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and surrounding countries. The Arabs in the disputed areas can trace their recent history to Israel’s neighboring countries. While it’s true that Arab children are born in these disputed territories, they are Arabs who live in Israel, not Palestinians who live in occupied territory.

In announcing the “Disengagement Plan” in December 2003, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the withdrawal from Gaza was to increase security of residents of Israel, relieve pressure on the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and reduce friction between Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, claims that the withdrawal is the result of violent Palestinian resistance to “Israeli occupation”.

To have a legitimate claim you must have historical precedent and there was never a Palestinian people in the land of Israel. People and organizations such as the late Yasser Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas, Tony Blair, the European Union, and the UN are promoting a distorted view of history and holding negotiations based on a false presupposition that Arabs (with no historical claim), deserve land that rightly belongs to the Jews. To make matters worse, many leaders are seeking to legitimize the Palestinian cause under the banner of evangelical Christianity with organizations like Christ at the Checkpoint and others.

Pope Francis, who I strongly believe is the false prophet in Revelation, also made a very unfortunate move by officially signing a treaty recognizing Palestinian statehood. There are also reports that the Pope referred to Mahmoud Abbas as an “Angel of peace.” Add to this the social media frenzy and downright antisemitic actions of many on university campuses, you have a cause based on nothing but lies.

REFUGEE STATUS OF THE PALESTINIANS

Soon after the Palestinian Arabs fled their homes during the 1948-49 war they were taken under the protective wing of the international community and protected like no other group in similar circumstances. This special treatment ranged from their very recognition as refugees despite the failure of many to satisfy the basic criteria for such status, to the unprecedented creation of a relief agency committed exclusively for their welfare: the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA.

Yet rather than help resolve the Palestinian refugee problem, this unparalleled indulgence has only served to confirm its permanency. And no factor has contributed more to this perpetuation than UNRWA, which, instead of ending direct relief and transferring responsibility for the refugees to the host Arab states within months, as stipulated by its mandate, has kept them on the U.N.’s dole for decades under false humanitarian pretense.

World War II created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. In Europe alone, more than 16 million refugees and displaced persons languished in search of a solution to their plight. Some 250,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors herded in overcrowded camps (mainly) in the country that had just slaughtered six million of their brothers; and over 400,000 Finns driven from Soviet-occupied Karelia for the second time in half-a-decade. None of them were given such privileges.

The word “refugees” has been put in quotes with regard to the Palestinians currently cared for by UNRWA for the simple reason that they do not correspond to the conventional refugee concept, which views this phenomenon as a temporary plight that needs to be rectified swiftly. As early as 1929, the League of Nations decided that its International Office for Refugees would shut down within a decade at the most.

Apart from recognizing the Palestinians as refugees despite their failure to meet the basic criteria for this status and assigning a distinct agency to tend to their affairs, the U.N. blindly registered countless false claimants as refugees despite its keen awareness of the pervasiveness of this fraud, then let their falsely obtained status be passed on to future generations.

Responsibility for the Palestinian “refugees” should long ago have been transferred to the Palestinian Authority and the host Arab governments, thus ending their eternal “refugeedom” and facilitating their integration in their respective societies as equal and productive citizens.

THE LIFE OF A PALESTINIAN

The Arabs in Israel are treated fairly and Arab laborers flock to work in Israeli factories instead of those in the West Bank where wages are sometimes double that of Arab employers. Arab citizens in Israel enjoy modern amenities and a stable government. Compare that with the poor living conditions in Baghdad, Damascus, or Cairo and there is simply no comparison.

The governing bodies of Hamas and the PA take western aid money meant to help improve the lives of the so-called Palestinian people. Much of the money ends up lining the pockets of the governing officials and used to procure weapons that are used to wage jihad on the citizens and population centers of Israel. The Hamas thugs routinely place their weapons of war near playgrounds, mosques, and homes of civilians. These actions are indicative of the mindset of the entities Israel is forced to go to the bargaining table with groups calling for the destruction of Israel.

WHAT SHOULD CHRISTIANS DO?

When you see the hate-filled, ignorant, lopsided, anti-Israel anti-Jewish propaganda, understand where it originates from. Satan hates Israel, its people, and its God. The prophets, the Bible, the apostles, and the early church all originated right there. The gospel has gone out from there. It started with the great commission at the Mt. of Olives and will crescendo right up to 144,000 Jewish evangelists proclaiming salvation through Jesus during Daniel’s 70th week. Men including Pharoah, Haman, Hitler, and the coming antichrist have attempted or will attempt to put an end to God’s promises. The Bible tells us the Lord will have the final say regarding who the land belongs to.

Understand that the political turmoil in the Middle East is simply an indicator of the nearness of the Lord’s return. We should see the Israeli-Palestinian issue for what it is: An attempt to undermine what God has done. We can choose not to remain silent despite the onslaught of anti-Jewish rhetoric from the divestment and social gospel crowd.

We should reach out in love to both Jewish and Arab people and be a bold witness for the gospel of Christ. Christians should stand with Israel and we can do that while we show compassion and love to both Jews and Arabs. It may not be politically correct to stand in solidarity with Israel, but history will prove it’s the right thing to do.

We are seeing the stage being set for the end time scenario as Israel and Jerusalem become the geopolitical focal point of the world. No one knows the day or hour of the Lord’s return, but in light of recent events, we seem to be closer than ever. Maranatha

(SOURCES: Articles published by Howard Green who leads Concerning The Times and Brian C Thomas of God’s1st)

IMAGES IN A SCATTERED MIRROR (THE LATTER DAYS)

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIESLeave a comment

(WRITTEN BY A DEAR BROTHER IN CHRIST – HENNIE VAN HEERDEN)

“For now we see in a mirror, darkly…”(1Co 13:12 ASV)

If there is one thing eminent in these last days, it is that we are living in the days of a scattered mirror, where the various dogmas became distorted images and views of the Word of God. It is therefore prophesied that: “the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” (Isa 28:13 KJV)

The seed of confusion always follows truth, because since the beginning in the Garden of Eden the distortion of the Word of God came from the master of lies and distortion of the truth, Satan. As in the days of Moses in Egypt with the plagues, Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses and resist the truth, because they were men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2Ti 3:8)

It is clear what Jesus utilised to explain many things Himself to unveil what has been kept secret from the foundation of the world: “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” (Mat 13:34-35)

In aftermaths on Jesus’ teachings, many are still willingly blind and deaf and their vail yet not removed. Therefore it is written: “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Co 3:14-18)

If people do not even come to the basic truth of Jesus Christ and His teachings, who will be the candidates of what Paul warned about: “Even him (Antichrist), whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2Th 2:9-12)

The confusion of the scattered mirror in the prophecies, created by expositors of Eschatology over centuries, became a dangerous ground as many pieces are even more scattered regarding the end-times, and it requires a sound and careful observation. Many are right in what they say, but create confusion in what they don’t say.

Yes, there is a lot to say about the scattered view of the rapture (harpazō), the millennium, Israel, etcetera, but as we are standing close to events in preparation for Christ Jesus’ return, it is important to observe the proses to what Pauls said in 2 Thessalonians 2 about the falling away and the strong delusion God will send.

The problem is not God, but if a nation wants evil leaders, God will send them evil leaders. If they want ear tinkling preachers, God will send them ear tinkling preachers. The truthful and sincere believer would not compromise the Gospel, to please and accommodate the world and they will contribute to the falling away and the strong delusion which will follow.

Just as with Jannes and Jambres, things are playing out the same way and not many can see that within the church preachers will resist the truth, because they were men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. The most important of all deceptions are to imitate the last day’s events, by distorting the timing of these events.

If you have, for example A-millennium view, you most probably believe that the church is preparing the bride for the coming of Christ Jesus and not that He will come with His victorious bride. We will “meet the Lord in the air” for the Bhema judgement “and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Th 4:17), because it is clear what John saw: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Rev 20:4)

The “Kingdom Now” view is held by most of the A-millennium viewers and again, it is not necessarily wrong in what they say, but what they don’t say or displace. In almost all these views, the view of the temple is historical and preteristic fulfilled in 70AD in order to proof their view of the A-millennium. If Jesus mentioned the temple (3rd temple) in Matt. 24:15 and it is historical and preteristic, how come that Paul distinctively refers to it as crucial for the upcoming and appearance of the Antichrist?

Observe that he directly link it to the return of Christ Jesus; the falling away and the temple: “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together (episunagōgē) unto him,

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except

[1] there come a falling away first, and [2] that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in [3] the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2Th 2:1-4)

Paul direct link creates no doubt what the circumstances will be before the return of Christ Jesus. The rebuilding of the 3rd temple will be one of the major events, as it is already in process, to be observed as the beginning of the 7 year reign by the Antichrist. Both Jesus and Paul take this as signs of His coming to be observed.

However, for us now is to observe the “falling away” and the deception that is part of the process, like Jannes and Jambres, con-artists are preparing the way for the Antichrist, like John the Baptist did for Jesus Christ. Surely the Kingdom Now believers, some Calvinists and others are right about some things, but are wrong in their timing as we see the temple and the two witnesses in Rev 11 as a precondition for these events.

[1] Important indicators

The temple

“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” (Rev 11:1-2)

The two witnesses

“And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” (Rev 11:5-6)

Clearly it concurs with the prophecies: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Act 2:17-21/ Joel 2:28-32)

The two witnesses’ testimony will be for a thousand two hundred and threescore days (3½ years) “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.” (Rev 11:7)

What is the danger then if the timing is wrong and “Jannes and Jambres” of our time do some of the same “signs and wonders” as the “two witnesses” and what is prophesied: “And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke.” The same illusion applies as that of “Jannes and Jambres” by promoting “signs and wonders” which the Antichrist will apply. Let’s look at this deception:

[2] Con-artists – “Jannes and Jambres”

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” (Rev 16:13-14)

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” (Rev 13:13-15)

It also relates, for example, to the world’s approach regarding marriage and food, Paul wrote: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1Ti 4:1-2)

[3] Replacement Theology

Although there is more to it, it is important to focus on Israel, as many see Israel outside the equation of the Bride and the Church. Were the gentiles church (wild olive tree) elected or called out of the gentile nations and crafted into the good olive tree? God didn’t change and His promises towards His elect (Israel) remain the same. In reference to Rom. 11, please observe:

“The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.” (Jer 11:16)

Did God ever call Himself the “husband” of the gentiles, but through them He would be called the God of the whole world? “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.” (Isa 54:5-8)

If we then take these two passages into account, what about Israel if we look at Rom. 11 in total and what the conclusion is:

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (Rom 11:25-32)

The role of the temple and the two witnesses will play out with Israel at the end of the last days. As Israel is referred to as a green olive tree (Jer 11:16), the two olive trees referred to in Rev. 11, might as well refer to the church and the remnant of Israel who believes in Jesus Christ. It is also clear what the lampstands in Rev. 1 means and it could also be both Israel and the believing gentiles which will be part of the tribulation after their testimony.

Israel’s tribulation as referred to by Jesus Christ (Matt. 24) is without any doubt confirmed as part of the end of the last days events in bearing witness before the return of Christ Jesus: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Dan 12:1-3)

Although we should see some of the mysteries yet to be unveiled as if images in a darkly mirror, the spirit of the age is to scatter the mirror even more and to distort true and sincere believer’s views. Clearly not all has been revealed yet, as it was said to John: “And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.” (Rev 10:4)

However, as things are unfolding, we are assured as in Daniel: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan 12:4)

As we are sincere in the end-time events, all we can do is to take the scattered mirror pieces in the prophecies and put it together in in the right order to be forewarned and that we can discern in the timing of events. And most of all to honour the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, by preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Maranatha, come Lord Christ Jesus.

(Hennie van Heerden has a wealth of knowledge of God’s Word. I am often amazed by his ability to present applicable Scriptural references regarding any issues I raise on social media. Knowing him is a blessing and a gift from God and I personally experience him as a great mentor in my spiritual growth.)

TOLERANCE!! (PART 1)

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIESLeave a comment

According to 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, all truly saved Christians are part of the Body of Christ. It reads, “12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.”

Yet, differences sometimes exist in the opinions and interpretations of Scripture between the members of the Body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 13:9-12, Paul gave us a biblical reason why some of these differences may occur, “9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

Sadly, there is also the other side of the “differences” coin, so to speak. These differences are often caused because of pride and arrogance and also due to the Word of God is not being studied for what it says but rather twisted to accommodate personal likes and dislikes. In these instances, differences often result in heated debates and even strait forward and fleshly disputes. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 warns that this would increasingly happen in the latter days “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.”

This leaves us with a few questions, such as: “Is everybody who claims to be a Christian, part of the Body of Christ?” “How much should I tolerate?” “How should Christians resolve their differences?” “Is there a point where we should rather walk away and distance ourselves from others who claims to be Christians?” “Am I causing division in the Body of Christ?”

In an article published by Dr. Mark D. Roberts, he provides good guidance on how to deal with these differences and disputes. Much of what he said is build into our article. He started his article by saying, “I wish conflict among Christians were a relatively insignificant problem. I wish we who believe in Jesus could experience the unity he commended to us (John 17:20-24). I wish there wasn’t animosity within churches and denominations. But all of this is, I admit, wishful thinking. The fact is that Christians often have a hard time getting along with each other.”

These disputes were not what Jesus intended. In his so-called “High Priestly Prayer” recorded in John 17, Jesus prayed:

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23)

A little earlier, Jesus had said to his disciples: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). To be sure, there are times when followers of Jesus do love each other in an exemplary way. But, far too often, such love is marred by conflict, tension, and outright meanness. And, far too often, we have not dealt with these problems in a loving way.”

No church in Scripture is more ridden with disagreement and controversy than the Corinthian church. It took Paul multiple visits and letters, two of which we have in the New Testament, to sort out the problems in this church.

Among other things, some of the divisive issues in the Corinthian church included over-identification with one or another Christian leader and selfishness in church gatherings. These might seem familiar to some of you …

Beneath the plethora of issues lay the challenge of working out the Christian life in a non-Christian culture, as well as a huge crowd of lukewarm church goers and “religious” people.

DEALING WITH CONFLICT AMONG CHRISTIANS: ONE STARTING POINT

God’s inspired Word is always the best starting point there is.

First, in times of conflict our natural human emotions often try to dictate our behavior. We feel anger and want to lash out. We feel wronged and want to get revenge. Chief among these ways is the desire to “win” our opponent. We defend ourselves and we play the victim if needed. We conveniently ignore facts that don’t support our side. We hold grudges, and so forth.

Rarely are these the ways of a God who says to us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). The world doesn’t have much room for one who tells us to turn the other cheek, who calls us to forgive seventy times seven, and who urges us to imitate his humble, self-sacrificial servanthood.

Yet, if we allow our emotions to guide our behavior, inevitably we’ll simply make matters worse. Conversely, if we tenaciously hang onto biblical teaching, we’ll find the power to act rightly even when our feelings try to drag us in the wrong direction. So we need the Bible to show us different ways to operate in times of conflict.

Also, in times of conflict among Christians, we need the Bible as the source both of practical guidance (here’s how to act) and of theological insight. The biblical combination of ethics and theology helps to shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

LET GOD SPEAK TO YOU THROUGH HIS WORD

One of the most important passages for discerning God’s guidance for Christians in conflict is found in Philippians 2:1-8.

“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.”

In light of this passage, if you’re in the midst of conflict with other Christians, you need to do the following:

  1. Ask the Lord to speak to you through His Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. As God convicts you, go with it. Talk to Him about it. Confess if you need to. Ask for His help to obey if you need to.
  2. Be open to correction from other believers.
  3. Act upon what God has said to you through His Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Be a doer of the Word, not a hearer only (James 1:22). You may find it very hard to do what God wants you to do. Be assured: He will provide the strength you need if you depend on him.

HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST

Philippians 2:1-8 speaks of being agreeable, humble, and considering others as better than yourself. This passage begins with a series of ethical injunctions that could be paraphrased: agree with each other; love each other; be humble; care more for the concerns others than for your own concerns. These imperatives are summarized in verse five: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” In a nutshell, we are to think as Jesus thought.

The bigger picture is an image of Christ’s active humility. It’s a portrait of one who was fully equal to God the Father, but who, nevertheless, chose to take on the form of a slave by becoming human. Moreover, this passage paints a shocking picture of a divine being who not only became human, but also chose to die a most humiliating and painful death by crucifixion. One cannot imagine a more startling and unsettling image of humility and self-sacrifice.

How might our conflict with others be different if we took seriously the humility of Jesus? How might we react to those who wrong us if we were to reflect upon the self-giving love of Christ?

In Philippians 2, Paul uses the image of the humble, self-sacrificing, serving, crucified Christ to teach the Philippians believers how they ought to treat each other. We’re called to imitate Christ, not in any way we please, but specifically with respect to his humbling, self-giving, sacrificial action.

This isn’t easy to do! Even when getting along well with others it natural to put our self-interest first. It’s impossible to obey without God. It challenges the very fiber of our being. It calls us to counter-intuitive and counter-cultural humility. We’re just not wired to do this sort of thing apart from divine help.

When we put our faith in Christ, the very Spirit of God comes to dwell in us, empowering us with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. The Spirit is in the process of making us more and more like Christ. Once we realize our own inadequacies, we’re ready to trust God more completely, and to discover that we can do all things through Christ who makes us strong (Philippians 4:13). The more you depend upon Jesus, the more you’ll find unexpected strength to be agreeable, loving, humble, other-directed, and Christ-like.

WHAT IS THE TRUE CHURCH?

Which church is the one that God loves and cherishes and died for? Which church is His bride? The answer is that no visible church or denomination is the true church, because the bride of Christ is not an institution, but is instead a spiritual entity made up of those who have by grace through faith been brought into a close, intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). Those people, no matter which building, denomination, or country they happen to be in, constitute the true church.

On the simplest level, a church is a gathering of people who belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Wherever Christians come together in Christ, there is a church. But this is just the beginning. In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul speaks of the church in striking and surprising language:

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (3:16-17)

Here the temple of God is the church, the gathered fellowship of believers. The context in 1 Corinthians 3 makes it clear that Paul is not focusing on individual believers when he says “you are God’s temple.” In verse 9, the Corinthian church is “God’s building” (3:9). Those who labor as church-planters are in the construction business, so to speak (3:10-15). So when we come to verse 16, we know that the temple of which Paul speaks is not the individual believer but the assembly of believers.

The first three chapters of 1 Corinthians have to do, not with threats to individual believers, but with the threat of division in the church at Corinth. So when Paul says, “If anyone destroys God’s temple,” he’s referring to the church of God in Corinth, which is at risk because of the conflicts in the church.

From the mere fact that the church is God’s temple, you’d naturally conclude that it ought to be treated with reverence and supreme care. Before you start trifling with the church of God, you’d better realize what you’re doing.

So, if you’re in the midst of “church” conflict, step back from the issues long enough to remember what it is you’re dealing with. Are you thinking of yourself and your opponent as the temple of God? Are you doing everything you can to protect and care for God’s temple?

WHOSE CHURCH IS IT?

The church is not simply a religious club, formed and guided by its members. It belongs to God in a strong, ultimate sense.

Paul reiterates this point at the conclusion of his opening address to the Corinthians: “God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1:9). Notice, first of all, that the Corinthian believers aren’t in the fellowship because they chose to join. From a theological point of view, they “were called” by God into the fellowship. They belong not merely to a human institution, but to a fellowship that has been founded by and is the property of the very Son of God.

Twice in his opening address to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes the fact that their gathering is not their own. It belongs to God the Father and to the Son of God. Later Paul will explain that the church comes into existence through the work of the Spirit of God (see 12:12-13). This is a fundamental truth about the church, and one Paul emphasizes intentionally because it relates to the problem of conflict among Christians.

To relate Paul’s point to the situation of conflict among Christians today, when you’re caught up in a disagreement with other believers, you need to remember whose you are. You belong to God through Jesus Christ. This is true of you personally and also of the church.

The church doesn’t belong to you or to the people who are on your side. Not even to the majority of the members or to the founding members or their descendents. It doesn’t belong to the pastor, or the elders, or even the denomination (if there is one).

If we truly believe that the church belongs to God, then we’ll be more committed to finding God’s solution to our conflicts than making sure that our side wins. Only one opinion really matters, the opinion that belongs to God. The church is first and foremost, a vehicle for God’s glory. The church exists to do God’s bidding, to represent God’s kingdom, and to bring praise to God.

HOW TO THINK ABOUT CHRISTIAN LEADERS

Idolizing pastors and church fathers is often one of the major causes of disputes. There are many cases where people are so identified with the pastor or church fathers that things are way out of balance. A church that belongs to God ends up being spoken of, and sometimes even thought of, as the personal property of some individual or denomination. The identity of a pastor (or church father) and church are so intertwined that it’s almost impossible to think of them as distinct. That which exists for the sake and glory of Christ ends up as a personality cult with the pastor (or church father) as the dominant star.

The tendency of Christians to over-identify with their leaders is an old one. In fact, it goes back to the earliest years of the church. In the letter we know as 1 Corinthians, Paul gets right to the point after his opening address:

“Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”” (1:10-12)

Fundamental to the divisions and disagreements in the Corinthian church was the tendency for the different “parties” to identify with some Christian leader over and against the others. Of course, love and appreciation for Christians leaders is a fine thing. But when this love and appreciation becomes divisive or idolatrous, then we have a real problem. Paul wraps up his argument with a simple imperative: “So let no one boast about human leaders.” Though appreciation of leaders is fine, this must not run over into bragging or anything that would divide the church.

Our “job” is to help the church be unified in Christ, based on the truths in the Word of God, not to divide in order to defend ourselves, our denominations, our church fathers, our pastors or our own opinions.  Devote yourself to seeking what’s best for whole church – the Body of Christ.

HOW NOT TO SOLVE CONFLICTS AMONG CHRISTIANS

As mentioned earlier, we are to imitate the sacrificial example of Jesus Christ. As Jesus taught, we often need to turn the other cheek, to walk the second mile (Matthew 5:39-41). Jesus modeled self-giving sacrifice through his death on the cross. Yes, indeed, this sort of thing grates against our own desire for vindication as well as our culture’s preoccupation with winning no matter what. But our Lord teaches us, both by word and by deed, how to give up our lives so that we might gain true life, eternal life, life in all of its fullness.

If you’re in a conflict with other Christians, whether it is personal, professional, or ecclesiastical, the way NOT to solve the problem is by making it a personal vendetta or humiliating your opponent before others. Yes, we may have to sacrifice our pride for a while. Yes, we may lose certain personal advantages and popularity. But what we gain, and what the church of Jesus Christ gains, may well be worth the cost.

Often people are not as spiritually mature and they get caught up in a worldly effort to win. But the fact that we Christians fail to do what Scripture calls us to do is no argument for not trying to obey in the first place. We should make every effort to settle our disputes in a Christ-like manner. And when this fails, there will be times when God will call us simply to lose and walk away, rather than to fight a useless battle. Yet in this losing, as counter-intuitive as it might seem, there will be a great gain for God’s kingdom, and even for our own souls.

Do not miss out on TOLERANCE – PART 2. It will be published on the blog within the next few days.

 

ALL IS VANITY – ECCLESIASTES

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIESLeave a comment

Many readers consider the book of Ecclesiastes as relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance. However, this approach to Ecclesiastes has some problems. Life is not a bed of roses, even for the Christian (especially for the Christian?), and there is a good deal of wisdom in it which corresponds to Proverbs, which is a little hard to explain if the whole book is not considered in context.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

TITLE

The English title, Ecclesiastes, comes from the Greek and Latin translations of Solomon’s book. It means “preacher,” translated “assembly” or “congregation” in the New Testament. Both the Greek and Latin versions derive their titles from the Hebrew title, which means “one who calls or gathers” the people.

AUTHOR AND DATE

All point to Solomon, the son of David, as the author. He was probably writing in his later years, primarily to warn the young people of his kingdom, without omitting others. He warned them to avoid walking through life on the path of human wisdom and exhorted them to live by the revealed wisdom of God (12:9–14).

BACKGROUND AND SETTING

Solomon’s reputation for possessing extraordinary wisdom fits the Ecclesiastes profile. David recognized his son’s wisdom (1 Kin. 2:6, 9) before God gave Solomon an additional measure. After he received a “wise and understanding heart” from the Lord (1 Kin. 3:7–12), Solomon gained renown for being exceedingly wise by rendering insightful decisions (1 Kin.3:16–28), a reputation that attracted “all the kings of the earth” to his courts (1 Kin. 4:34). In addition, he composed songs and proverbs (1 Kin. 4:32; cf. 12:9), activity befitting only the ablest of sages. Solomon’s wisdom, like Job’s wealth, surpassed the wisdom “of all the people of the east” (1 Kin. 4:30; Job 1:3).

The book is applicable to all who would listen and benefit, not so much from Solomon’s experiences, but from the principles he drew as a result. Its aim is to answer some of life’s most challenging questions, particularly where they seem contrary to Solomon’s expectations. This has led some unwisely to take the view that Ecclesiastes is a book of skepticism. But in spite of amazingly unwise behavior and thinking, Solomon never let go of his faith in God (12:13, 14).

HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL THEMES

As is true with most biblical Wisdom literature, little historical narrative occurs in Ecclesiastes, apart from Solomon’s own personal pilgrimage. The kingly sage studied life with high expectations but repeatedly bemoaned its shortcomings, which he acknowledged were due to the curse (Gen. 3:14–19). Ecclesiastes represents the painful autobiography of Solomon who, for much of his life, squandered God’s blessings on his own personal pleasure rather than God’s glory. He wrote to warn subsequent generations not to make the same tragic error, in much the same manner as Paul wrote to the Corinthians (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18–31; 2:13–16).

The key word is “vanity,” which expresses the futile attempt to be satisfied apart from God. This word is used 37 times expressing the many things hard to understand about life. All earthly goals and ambitions when pursued as ends in themselves produce only emptiness. Paul was probably echoing Solomon’s dissatisfaction when he wrote, “ … the creation was subjected to futility” (Solomon’s “vanity”; Rom. 8:19–21). Solomon’s experience with the effects of the curse (see Gen. 3:17–19) led him to view life as “chasing after the wind.”

Solomon asked, “What profit has a man from all his labor …?” (1:3), a question he repeated in 2:24 and 3:9. The wise king gave over a considerable portion of the book to addressing this dilemma. The impossibility of discovering both the inner workings of God’s creation and the personal providence of God in Solomon’s life were also deeply troubling to the king, as they were to Job. But the reality of judgment for all, despite many unknowns, emerged as the great certainty. In light of this judgment by God, the only fulfilled life is one lived in proper recognition of God and service to Him. Any other kind of life is frustrating and pointless.

A proper balance of the prominent “enjoy life” theme with that of “divine judgment” tethers the reader to Solomon’s God with the sure chord of faith. For a time, Solomon suffered from the imbalance of trying to enjoy life without regard for the fear of Yahweh’s judgment holding him on the path of obedience. In the end, he came to grasp the importance of obedience. The tragic results of Solomon’s personal experience, coupled with the insight of extraordinary wisdom, make Ecclesiastes a book from which all believers can be warned and grow in their faith (cf. 2:1–26). This book shows that if one perceives each day of existence, labor, and basic provision as a gift from God, and accepts whatever God gives, then that person lives an abundant life (cf. John 10:10). However, one who looks to be satisfied apart from God will live with futility regardless of his accumulations.

INTERPRETIVE CHALLENGES

The author’s declaration that “all is vanity” envelops the primary message of the book (cf. 1:2; 12:8). The word translated “vanity” is used in at least 3 ways throughout the book. In each case, it looks at the nature of man’s activity “under the sun” as:

1)”fleeting,” which has in view the vapor-like (cf. James 4:14) or transitory nature of life;

2)”futile” or “meaningless,” which focuses on the cursed condition of the universe and the debilitating effects it has on man’s earthly experience; or

3) “incomprehensible” or “enigmatic,” which gives consideration to life’s unanswerable questions. Solomon draws upon all 3 meanings in Ecclesiastes.

While the context in each case will determine which meaning Solomon is focusing upon, the most recurring meaning of vanity is “incomprehensible” or “unknowable,” referring to the mysteries of God’s purposes.

Solomon’s conclusion to “fear God and keep His commandments” (12:13, 14) is more than the book’s summary; it is the only hope of the good life and the only reasonable response of faith and obedience to sovereign God. He precisely works out all activities under the sun, each in its time according to His perfect plan, but also discloses only as much as His perfect wisdom dictates and holds all men accountable. Those who refuse to take God and His Word seriously are doomed to lives of the severest vanity.

OUTLINE

The book chronicles Solomon’s investigations and conclusions regarding man’s lifework, which combine all of his activity and its potential outcomes including limited satisfaction. The role of wisdom in experiencing success surfaces repeatedly, particularly when Solomon must acknowledge that God has not revealed all of the details. This leads Solomon to the conclusion that the primary issues of life after the Edenic fall involve divine blessings to be enjoyed and the divine judgment for which all must prepare.

I – INTRODUCTION

  1. Title (1:1)
  2. Poem—A Life of Activity That Appears Wearisome (1:2–11)

II – SOLOMON’S INVESTIGATION (1:12–6:9)

A. Introduction—The King and His Investigation (1:12–18)

B. Investigation of Pleasure-Seeking (2:1–11)

C. Investigation of Wisdom and Folly (2:12–17)

D. Investigation of Labor and Rewards (2:18–6:9)

  1. One has to leave them to another (2:18–26)
  2. One cannot find the right time to act (3:1–4:6)
  3. One often must work alone (4:7–16)
  4. One can easily lose all he acquires (5:1–6:9)

III. SOLOMON’S CONCLUSIONS (6:10–12:8)

A. Introduction—The Problem of Not Knowing (6:10–12)

B. Man Cannot Always Find Out Which Route is the Most Successful for Him to Take Because His Wisdom is Limited (7:1–8:17)

  1. On prosperity and adversity (7:1–14)
  2. On justice and wickedness (7:15–24)
  3. On women and folly (7:25–29)
  4. On the wise man and the king (8:1–17)

C. Man Does Not Know What Will Come After Him (9:1–11:6)

  1. He knows he will die (9:1–4)
  2. He has no knowledge in the grave (9:5–10)
  3. He does not know his time of death (9:11, 12)
  4. He does not know what will happen (9:13–10:15)
  5. He does not know what evil will come (10:16–11:2)
  6. He does not know what good will come (11:3–6)

D. Man Should Enjoy Life, But Not Sin, Because Judgment Will Come to All (11:7–12:8)

IV SOLOMON’S FINAL ADVICE (12:9–14)

 

*Based on the teachings of Grace To You on the book of Ecclesiastes

https://www.gty.org/library/bible-introductions/MSB21/ecclesiastes

 

 

WHO IS YOUR GOD?

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIES1 Comment

DOES GOD EXIST?

We often speak or hear about “GOD”, but do we understand who our God really is? Many religions describe a being referred to as “God.” Do we know what makes the God of the Bible unique from other gods? Understanding who God is, is of utmost importance because a false idea about God is idolatry.

Voltaire (real name François-Marie Arouet) (1694 – 1778) was a French philosopher and writer of the Age of Enlightenment. His intelligence, wit and style made him one of France’s greatest writers and philosophers, despite the controversy he attracted. Voltaire once said: “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him”.

Too many like Voltaire says God was invented by man. An open-minded individual however would look at both the reasonable and scientific explanations about who God is, why a Creator do exist and the logic behind such a reasoning. Also, why God cannot be just the fabrication of man’s imagination or that religion is just a one-sided effort by man to try to fill a certain psychological need. It is the rare person who has never wondered about the existence of God. Our minds are such that we wonder. Is there something, or someone, who is beyond what we can see with our eyes and who is bigger than the physical universe we are a part of? To be GOD, such a being would have to be peerless, incomparable, unique and unmatched. Is our God such a person?

The fact of God’s existence is actually so obvious, both through creation and through man’s conscience, that the Bible calls the atheist a “fool” (Psalm 14:1). Accordingly, the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence from the very beginning (Genesis 1:1). He has revealed to humanity the essential things we need to know about Him. The Bible reveals the nature, character, and work of God. It also reveals His purpose for our lives, what He expects of us, and what He has determined about our future.

CREATOR, SUSTAINER AND RULER

God is the self-existent One, having no need of being created, since He has existed forever and is the cause of all things, including the dimension of time, to which He is not subject. Likewise, God is not subject to the physical creation, but is spiritual in nature, residing in the spiritual dimensions of heaven.

Theism is the belief in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe. God did not only create the universe and then left it to its own fate. God’s power over the physical creation is absolute, such that He can manipulate matter, energy, space, and time at will. For this reason, God is said to be all powerful—able to accomplish any possible task He wills to do.

WHAT DOES GOD LOOK LIKE?

Since human beings are created in the image of God, most artist’s renditions picture God as looking like a human male. Although the Bible uses the personal pronoun “He” to describe God, it never says God looks like a human male.

God is a spirit (John 4:24), without physical form (i.e., not composed of ordinary matter) and His appearance is not like anything we can describe. Exodus 33:20 tells us, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” As sinful human beings, we are incapable of seeing God in all His glory. His appearance is utterly unimaginable and too glorious to be safely perceived by sinful man.

God does however give glimpses of what He looks like to teach us truths about Himself, but not necessarily so that we can have an image of Him in our minds. Two passages that powerfully describe God’s amazing appearance are Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 1:14-16.

Ezekiel 1:26-28 declares, “Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.” Revelation 1:14-16 proclaims, “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.”

These passages represent Ezekiel’s and John’s best attempts at describing the appearance of God. They had to use symbolic language to describe that for which human language has no words; i.e., “what appeared like,” “like the appearance,” “he looked like,” etc.

There are also descriptions of God that describe Him with wings and feathers (Psalm 91:2-4). Although God’s primary nature is spiritual, He is nevertheless able to take on physical form in order to interact with human beings on Earth. In fact, the Bible says that God took on human form, coming to earth as Jesus of Nazareth.

The Bible says that believers who die will go to heaven and “see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2), because they will be like Him, possessing “spiritual bodies” (1 Corinthians 15:44). Sin will be no more, and we will be able to perceive God in all His glory.

WHERE IS GOD?

The Bible says that God cannot be contained within the universe (1 Kings 8:27). In addition, it says that God fills both heaven and earth (Jeremiah 23:24), which is a Hebrew idiom to describe the entire universe. So, God is both transcendent and immanent simultaneously. God’s normal abode is in heaven, which is not located within the physical universe. According to the Bible heaven seems to operate under different physical laws, with the laws of thermodynamics seeming to be absent. So, the question “Where is God?” is not one that can easily be answered with the limited knowledge we possess. All we really know is that God exists everywhere (Psalm 139:7-12).

HIS CHARACTER

Along with being all powerful, and able to be present at all places at all times (omnipresent), God is also all knowing (Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28) — having knowledge of all things that are possible to be known, including the entire history of the universe—past, present, and future. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

God is sovereign. Nothing in the universe occurs without God’s permission. God has the power and knowledge to prevent anything He chooses to prevent, so anything that does happen must, at the very least, be “allowed” by God. Even Satan cannot succeed in any of his plans, if not allowed by God. God will never create evil, but often allows Satan to go forth, and then turns it around and uses it as part of our sanctification process. Tests, trials and tribulations also reminds us of our dependence on God.

God is infinite (1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable (2 Samuel 7:22), and has all power and authority (Ephesians 1; Revelation 19:6). God is absolutely holy — without any moral or character defect. In fact, the Bible says that God is incapable of doing any evil, despite being all powerful. God is unchangeable (Malachi 3:6). In other words, He does not change any of His attributes or character at any time. Despite humanity’s tendency to change its definition of morality, God’s moral character does not evolve with the times, but remains constant.

God is also just (Acts 17:31), loving (Ephesians 2:4-5), truthful (John 14:6), and holy (1 John 1:5). He shows compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3), mercy (Romans 9:15), and grace (Romans 5:17). God also judges sin (Psalm 5:5) but also offers forgiveness (Psalm 130:4) to those who repent.

The sad thing about modern-day Christianity is that many who call themselves Christians, ignore all of God’s characteristics, except for one – His love. His love is being misused as they expect of Him to bless them abundantly and to never get angry with them for living like the world, without any fear or respect for His holiness. Such people has created a weak, imaginary “Christmas Father-like” god for themselves and should not be surprised when they hear the words, “I never knew you” on judgement day. One only need to study the book of Revelation to realize the fury and wrath of God towards the unrighteous.

HIS TRIUNE NATURE

 As mentioned, God is spirit, by nature intangible (John 4:24). God is One, but He exists as three Persons — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17). This is similar in analogy to the nature of time.  Time is past, present, and future.  The past is not the same as the present, which is not the same as the future.  But, there are not three times.  There is only one thing called time.

The following is an extraction from an article published on the “Grace To You” (John MacArthur) website.

“… though the fullness of the Trinity is far beyond human comprehension, it is unquestionably how God has revealed Himself in Scripture—as one God eternally existing in three Persons.

This is not to suggest, of course, that the Bible presents three different gods (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4). Rather, God is three Persons in one essence; the Divine essence subsists wholly and indivisibly, simultaneously and eternally, in the three members of the one Godhead—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures are clear that these three Persons together are one and only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4). John 10:30 and 33 explain that the Father and the Son are one. First Corinthians 3:16 shows that the Father and the Spirit are one. Romans 8:9 makes clear that the Son and the Spirit are one. And John 14:16, 18, and 23 demonstrate that the Father, Son, and Spirit are one.

Yet, in exhibiting the unity between the members of the Trinity, the Word of God in no way denies the simultaneous existence and distinctiveness of each of the three Persons of the Godhead. In other words, the Bible makes it clear that God is one God (not three), but that the one God is a Trinity of Persons.

In the Old Testament, the Bible implies the idea of the Trinity in several ways. The title Elohim (”God”), for instance, is a plural noun which can suggest multiplicity (cf. Genesis 1:26). This corresponds to the fact that the plural pronoun (”us”) is sometimes used of God (Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 6:8). More directly, there are places in which God’s name is applied to more than one Person in the same text (Psalm 110:1; cf. Genesis 19:24). And there are also passages where all three divine Persons are seen at work (Isaiah 48:16; 61:1).

The New Testament builds significantly on these truths, revealing them more explicitly. The baptismal formula of Matthew 28:19 designates all three Persons of the Trinity: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” In his apostolic benediction to the Corinthians, Paul underscored this same reality. He wrote, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God [the Father], and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). Other New Testament passages also spell out the glorious truth of the Triune God (Romans 15:16, 30; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; Ephesians 2:18).

In describing the Trinity, the New Testament clearly distinguishes three Persons who are all simultaneously active. They are not merely modes or manifestations of the same person (as Oneness theology incorrectly asserts) who sometimes acts as Father, sometimes as Son, and sometimes as Spirit. At Christ’s baptism, all three Persons were simultaneously active (Matthew 3:16–17), with the Son being baptized, the Spirit descending, and the Father speaking from Heaven. Jesus Himself prayed to the Father (cf. Matthew 6:9), taught that His will was distinct from His Father’s (Matthew 26:39), promised that He would ask the Father to send the Spirit (John 14:16), and asked the Father to glorify Him (John 17:5). These actions would not make sense unless the Father and the Son were two distinct Persons. Elsewhere in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit intercedes before the Father on behalf of believers (Romans 8:26), as does the Son, who is our Advocate (1 John 2:1). Again, the distinctness of each Person is in view.

The Bible is clear. There is only one God, yet He exists, and always has existed, as a Trinity of Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit (cf. John 1:1-2). To deny or misunderstand the Trinity is to deny or misunderstand the very nature of God Himself.”

HIS WORK

We cannot understand God apart from His works, because what God does flows from who He is. Here is an abbreviated list of God’s works, past, present, and future: God created the world (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world (Colossians 1:17); He is executing His eternal plan (Ephesians 1:11) which involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death (Galatians 3:13-14); He draws people to Christ (John 6:44); He disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:6); and He will judge the world (Revelation 20:11-15).

A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM

If God created the entire universe as a place to accommodate human beings, He must have had a plan in mind. The Bible says God wants as many people as possible to spend eternity with Him. However, since God’s standard for behavior is perfection in thought and deed, we will never be able to meet God’s standard on our own.

But God is also Savior of mankind, coming to Earth in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. His main purpose was to provide the ultimate sacrifice for sins (bad things we do), by living a completely sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), dying on a cross (Colossians 1:19-20), and rising from the dead (Romans 6:9-10). He provided the ultimate example of holiness and the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s evilness, in order to restore our personal relationship with Him. In the Person of the Son, God became incarnate (John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man and is therefore the “bridge” between God and man (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God (John 15:15; Romans 5:10), and eternal salvation (2 Timothy 2:10). In Jesus Christ “all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). So, to really know who God is, all we have to do is look at Jesus.

SOURCES:

https://www.gotquestions.org/who-is-God.html

http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/who_is_god.html

https://www.news24.com/MyNews24/Who-is-God-20120531

https://carm.org/who-is-god

https://www.gotquestions.org/what-does-God-look-like.html

https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A215/our-triune-god

 

 

IT AIN’T EASY – ASK PAUL

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIES1 Comment

Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” In Acts 14:22 we read, “Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” All Christians who follows Jesus are going to face afflictions. The Psalmist writes, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (Psalm 34:19). Hebrews describes saints who are “destitute, afflicted, tormented” and “endur(ing) a great fight of afflictions” (Hebrews 11:37, 10:32).

 

My family and I have been going through a very tough time during the last three years, mainly due to my wife’s illness and the high impact it has on our financial position. Last night I finally had the opportunity to watch a copy of the movie, “Paul, An apostle of Christ.” Suddenly, I realized that our own tests, trials and tribulations are so much smaller, compared to what the believers in biblical times had to go through.

2 Cor 11:23-28 speaks of the many trials Paul faced. He:

  • Was put in prison over and over;
  • Was flogged an uncounted number of times;
  • Faced death over and over;
  • Received 39 lashes from the Jews 5 times;
  • Was beaten with rods 3 times;
  • Was stoned one time;
  • Was shipwrecked 3 times;
  • Spent a day and night in the sea;
  • Was in continual danger from rivers and robbers;
  • Was in danger from his own countrymen, as well as the Gentiles;
  • Was in danger in the city, in the country, at sea, and from false brothers;
  • Was weary and in pain often, without sleep;
  • Was often hungry and thirsty, cold and naked;
  • And was continually concerned about the health of all of the churches.

Although some of these things might seem familiar to some of us, I doubt that any of us can say that we went through all of them during our lifetimes. Do we with our Westernized culture honestly know what it is to be tested? We are much, much further away from what the Bible means by tribulation, if we compare ourselves to those times. Christians in parts of the world, like the Middle East and China, where persecution is part of Christian life, must have a much better understanding.

The Institute in Basic Life Principles list an interesting, brief description of eight types of tests that Christian are likely to face:

  • Fiery trials: intense encounters or struggles; bursts of anger, grief, or lust;
  • Infirmities: physical limitations and illnesses;
  • Reproaches: ridicule and rejection on account of faith or holiness;
  • Persecutions: harassment and oppression due to religious convictions;
  • Necessities: wear and care of daily responsibilities;
  • Distresses: disappointments and deep hurts;
  • Tribulations: unusual pressures and challenges;
  • Temptations: opportunities to yield to our sinful nature.

WHY DOES GOD EXPECT US TO GO THROUGH TESTS, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS?

When we respond to God’s grace and believe in Jesus Christ, we are “born again” into the Kingdom of God. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in your spirit. He confirms our relationship with God, comforts us, and leads us into all truth. (See Romans 8:16, John 14:16–17 and 16:13.)

God begins the supernatural work of transforming us, His children, into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, who was and is perfect. (See Romans 8:29.) As we mature in our faith, God uses tests and trials to develop our character.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (I Peter 4:12–13).

HOW WILL I KNOW IF GOD IS TESTING ME?

We will not always know when we are being tested by God. Job didn’t know that what he was going through was a test until he came out of it. The best thing to do is to regard everything as a test at first. Every trial, even every time someone does or say something to us that they shouldn’t or try to get us upset or to respond in a negative way. This way we will not react our normal fleshly way. If we are unable to pay your bills are sick and being depress. Try to have faith in God. Having and maintaining faith in God in times of trials will not always be easy and for some of us faith doesn’t come very easy, but we must start training ourselves to have faith if you want to live in victory each day.

It is also important to remember that not all of our trials are tests of faith. There is another of God’s purposes in our trials: The Father is preparing a bride for his Son. And he wants more from us in our trials than greater faith. This bride is going to be tried severely, and her love for the Bridegroom will come through the fire. Her trust in him will be refined through fires, floods and afflictions. Yet these trials aren’t a matter of testing her love and devotion. Rather, they’re about refining a love that is already fully committed.

However, we must be careful not to forget that many of our “trials and tribulations” are also a result of our own wrongdoing. “By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler” (1 Peter 4:15). God will forgive our sins because the eternal punishment for them has been paid by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, we still have to suffer the natural consequences in this life for our sins and bad choices. But God uses even those sufferings to mold and shape us for His purposes and our ultimate good.

WHERE IS GOD DURING OUR TESTS, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS?

God takes no delight in the testings of His children. The Bible says Christ is sympathetic toward us in all our trials, being touched by the feelings of our infirmities. In Revelation 2:9 he tells the church, “I know thy … tribulation, and poverty…” He is actually saying, “I know what you’re going through. You may not understand it, but I know all about it.”

The Lord provides strength and faith through even the most excruciating ordeals. Think about your own past ordeals or trials. While you went through them, didn’t you sometimes thought that you would not be able to endure? And yet you did – all by the strength and mercy of God!

God has assured us that He will not permit us to be attacked with trials or temptations that are too overwhelming for us to handle. He will grant us grace to be overcomers. In I Corinthians 10:12–13, Paul says: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

THE ROLE AND AUTHORITY OF SATAN AND THE DEMONS.

Satan wants us to let go of God, give up on life, curse God, or stop believing in God. Many Christians therefore blindly blame all bad things that happen to them on Satan. Sadly, the actual purposes of tests, trials and tribulations in their lives are then overlooked. As a matter of fact, they give the serpent way too much credit (and he thoroughly enjoys it).

If you think about the word “authority,” it comes from the word “author.” We know from Genesis 1 that God is the Author of the entire universe (including Satan himself)! Remember, Satan is an angel, created by God. Satan is not divine. He is not God’s equal. The closest Satan comes to being an author is by twisting what God has done, and turning it into sin. He’s the author of lies.

“All authority comes from God, and those in position of authority have been placed there by God” (Romans 13:1). Therefore, no authority that God has given has been given to Satan. So any authority that Satan exercises was taken, not given. He is, by definition, unauthorized!

The book of Job gives further insight into the limited nature of Satan’s power. Satan came before God with other heavenly beings (Job 1:6), and God asked him where he had been (1:7). Satan tells him, and God asks if he knows about his servant, Job (1:8). Satan challenges God, saying he’s put a hedge around him and blessed him, and he asks God to take away the hedge, threatening that if he did, Job would curse God to his face (1:10-11). God removes the hedge of blessing around Job’s life, but restricts Satan’s activity.

It is clear from this that Satan could do only what God had given him permission to do, and nothing more. Job was certainly a believer, but there is no reason to think that Satan somehow has unrestricted authority over unbelievers. This Scripture tells us the reason that Satan has any authority at all, because God allows it to be so…for now, and only for the purposes of God.

You can be confident that God will not allow anything to happen to you without His permission, and He will not let any “bad thing” happen that will not ultimately bring you more good than destruction. (See I Peter 4:12–13, Romans 9:14–24, Isaiah 55:8–9, Job 1:6–12, Genesis 50:20, and Psalm 121.)

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO OUR OWN TESTS, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS?

What is a Christian to do when faced with disappointment, disaster, and despair? Scripture teaches us that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Yet when we encounter difficulties, we often wonder, “Why?”

Paul regarded these “tests” as opportunities to grow spiritually. Instead of despairing when he encountered trials, Paul said he would glory in his infirmities so that the power of Christ would rest upon him. (See 2 Corinthians 12:9.) As we, like Paul, choose to trust God and accept the grace He gives us, Christ’s character will be formed in us. “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3–5).

Unless you accept God’s grace to deal with suffering, inevitably you will become bitter. However, if you choose to trust God to bring about His purposes through the suffering, you can avoid the trap of bitterness and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. (See II Corinthians 5:7, Ephesians 4:31, Hebrews 12:14–15, and II Peter 3:18.)

The Institute in Basic Life Principles  provides five responses that are keys to enduring tests and trials through God’s grace:

  1. GIVE THANKS.

Sometimes being thankful in a difficult situation is the most difficult thing you can do. Yet, Scripture is very clear about this response: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). To be thankful rather than to complain takes a conscious act of the will and a sacrifice of natural desires.

Unfortunately, most of us respond with murmuring or complaining when we face hardship of any kind—emotional, spiritual, mental, or physical. However, through trials, “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:13–15).

Thanking God in all things does not mean that we thank God for evil. It means that we are thanking God for the benefits He intends for us when He allows things to happen.

  1. REJOICE!

Along with giving thanks, we also are instructed to rejoice in all things: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). Thanking God is an act of the will, but rejoicing is a response of the spirit. Therefore, it is possible to be sad and joyful at the same time. We cannot escape the pain of a difficult situation, but we can learn to rejoice in God Himself and in the good things God will do through our suffering.

We should try to discern the positive benefits that could come about through the situation. Ask the question, Why did God allow this to happen? Tests and trials give us opportunities to come to know God better and to bring glory to God.

Paul stated: “. . . We are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:14–18).

As you deal with the difficulties, remember the following truths:

Gaining intimate knowledge of Christ exceeds the value of gaining more possessions. (See Philippians 3:8.)

Developing stronger character is more important than getting your own way. (See Hebrews 5:8.)

Demonstrating self-control is more heroic than dominating your competitors. (See Proverbs 25:28.)

Eternal treasures are more valuable than earthly riches. (See Matthew 19:21.)

  1. BELIEVE AND ACT ON THE WORD OF GOD.

When Jesus was tested in the wilderness, He responded to each temptation by quoting Scripture. For example, when Satan urged Christ to turn stones into bread, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). We can follow Jesus’ example and successfully engage in spiritual warfare by proclaiming truth in the face of tests and temptations.

Ephesians 6:17 describes the Word of God as “the sword of the Spirit”—the only offensive weapon in our spiritual armor. Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). They are also the authority by which we can claim the promises of God, since we are told, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).

As you meditate on the truth of God’s Word, which is living and active (see Hebrews 4:12), you can learn to effectively battle the enemy of your soul, Satan, with the sword of the Spirit.

  1. CRY OUT TO GOD.

Perhaps the greatest reason God has for taking us through the trials of life is to bring us to the firm conclusion that we need God. He desires to work powerfully through our lives; therefore we must learn to depend on Him. He alone must become our source of strength, provision, protection, and direction.

God has the ability to protect us from every trial or distress. Instead, He often chooses to deliver us in the midst of trials. In Psalm 50:15 we are told, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” God’s goal through our trials is to strengthen our dependence on Him. We must trust Him to work in the ways and in the time frame that will produce the most good in our lives and the most glory for His name. As we call to the Lord in our distress, He will deliver us.

  1. OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

Jesus gave His disciples a clear set of instructions about responding to those who made life miserable for them. (See Matthew 5:44.) These directions are completely opposite to what we would naturally do:

Love your enemies.

Bless those who curse you.

Do good to those who hate you.

Pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.

Such responses would never be a person’s natural tendency, but they do reflect the heart of God: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

If you react to a person who offends you and become bitter toward him, you actually put yourself in an emotional prison. Bitterness will control your thought life, your emotions, your free time, and your health. In order to be freed from this prison, you must forgive.

Scripture provides many examples of those who forgave offenders, including Job (Job 42:10), Stephen (Acts 7:59–60), and Jesus Christ (Luke 23:34).

THE REWARDS OF RESPONDING WITH GRACE

As God faithfully pours out His grace upon us in the midst of each fiery trial, we can endure hardships and overcome the enemy in God’s strength. (See 2 Chronicles 20:15.) Scripture reveals that there are great rewards for responding to trials with grace, including those listed below:

The strength of Godly character

“We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3–5).

Exceeding joy in God’s glory

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (I Peter 4:12–13).

God’s strength in our weaknesses

“. . . Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (II Corinthians 12:9–10).

Fellowship with Christ

“I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ . . . that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:8–10).

Heavenly rewards

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12).

Reigning with Christ

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (II Timothy 2:11–12).

 

Challenge Your Addiction, and WIN

HEAVENLY REMNANT MINISTRIESLeave a comment

We received an email from one of our subscribers, Adam Cook, who recently lost a good friend who suffered from drug abuse. Adam has now made it his mission to assist and encourage people who are addicted to drugs. The following was written by Adam:

DRUG ADDICTION

Photo Credit: Pexels

If you’re one of the 23.5 million Americans suffering from addiction, you’re not alone. But, now’s the perfect time to give yourself the gift that will last a lifetime, sobriety. No matter what your vice, where you started, or when you started, there’s no better time than now to challenge yourself back to health.

Let’s get started. The first thing you’re going to need to do, is to decide on the level of support you need. Support is usually broken down into these categories:

Medically supervised detox is required for some patients because their long-term addiction has affected their physical health, as well as their psychological health; this is typically done in an inpatient medical setting.

Residential inpatient care typically offers patients a 30, 60 or 90 day program to live on the premise where round the clock care is provided. These highly structured programs offer valuable individual and group therapy sessions.

Partial hospitalization programs are offered at some facilities. Patients typically seek extensive therapeutic treatment during the day, and return to a sober living facility, in the evening.

Counseling for drug and alcohol is the least expensive option because it offers a far less extensive treatment plan, usually an hour of counseling once or twice a week. The best approach to ensure complete recovery is to consider this after completing one of the above.

Once you leave an addiction treatment center, you’ll need to start incorporating healthier habits [br1] in your daily routine. Forming new habits is a critical part of addiction recovery.

Where you live. If you’re returning to a residence where you’re surrounded by others who are addicted and getting care, you’re going to need to strongly consider finding a new place to live. Your successful recovery will depend on who you surround yourself with; search for a neighborhood where you see lots of healthy folks living.

Who you spend your time with. When you’re recovering you need to avoid triggers that may cause a relapse; friends who are still using, is a huge one. Surround yourself with healthy friends who aren’t dealing with addiction.

Exercise. Addiction affects both the mental and physical part of your body, and exercise works to heal both parts. Many recovered addicts report that group exercise was an integral part of their post rehab routine; this is likely because of the exercise and mental health connection and the socialization and mental health connection.

Volunteer. If you’re well along in your addiction recovery, now would be a good time to share your wisdom and experience with others. Consider volunteering to address young people in schools, for example.  If you’re newer to the process, volunteer in something that you’re passionate about. If you’re an animal lover, check out volunteer jobs at the local Humane Society.

Get good rest. A study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine reported that the incidence of insomnia was five times more likely in a recovering addict than in the general population. The National Sleep Foundation recommends:

  • Keep a regular sleep schedule for both falling asleep and waking.
  • Thirty minutes before bed follow a repeated ritual that relaxes you, such as reading a book, taking a bath, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
  • Don’t eat too much or too little before bed, both disrupt your sleep.
  • Incorporate daily exercise.
  • Eliminate light and sound as much as possible. Consider eyeshades and white noise machines to block these out.

Focus on your positive. Part of the 12 Steps of Recovery call for a “fearless and searching moral inventory.” During this exercise, addicts focus on both their positive and negative qualities. All too often, though, addicts tend to find primarily the negative. Use this time instead to focus on your best traits.

Hopefully, after reading this you’ve accepted the challenge. There’s no time like the present to commit for the win!