To be at peace with the world is to be at war against God; likewise, to be at war against the world is to be at peace with God.
This thought struck me while reading James 4:4 and other passages dealing with our behavior towards God and subtle love of the world. I am in no way espousing a war in the physical sense, as in
violence, but war in the sense of bringing everything into captivity, every argument, philosophy, affection, belief that opposes the authority and Lordship of Christ: hence a mortification of self and it's lust and a mortification from the trappings of the worlds vanity. There is no sanctification without mortification. Saints, every thought, desire, action and response is a neon sign whose side you are on in this world. Dare you join Christ with your wicked adulterous affairs? your soaking in television? your lust for power?
To Love God is to actively hate the world - the world represents the systems and darkness.
"Don't you know that friendship with the world is enmity (yes, hatred) toward God."
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Sue for Mercy
He Delighteth In Mercy
Micah 7:18
Read Micah 7:1-20
This statement from God's prophet should raise a universal shout of 'Hallelujah' from the fallen sons of Adam. The God whom we have offended, the God whom we have blasphemed, the God whose law we have broken delights in mercy!
Wisdom and power, justice and truth, holiness and infinity are all attributes of God. I am sure he delights in them all. But here one attribute, as singled out by inspiration, gives delight to the eternal God - mercy! God delights to show mercy. It is both pleasant and essential to his being. He can no more cease to be merciful than he can cease to be just and holy.
This mercy which God delights to show unto men is in Christ. Read Micah's prophecy again. In the midst of great trial, Micah's heart was fixed upon Christ. As he anticipated the coming of Christ, he was comforted with this precious truth: 'He delighteth in mercy!' Micah looked for the mercy of God in Christ. And, if you hope to find mercy, you must seek it in Christ. Since Jesus Christ has suffered and died in the place of sinners, satisfying God's holy law and justice, God is both able and willing to be merciful to sinners! That is the good news of the gospel.
There is only one way to obtain this mercy. You must come to Christ by faith. Bow down at his feet, acknowledging his sovereign lordship. Confess your sin. Sue for mercy, saying, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner.' And believe his Word. 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.'
Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God his wrath forbear,
Me the chief of sinners spare?
Indeed he can and will for Christ's sake, because, 'he delighteth in mercy'.
Don Fortner
Freegrace.net
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Until His return
Micah 7:18
Read Micah 7:1-20
This statement from God's prophet should raise a universal shout of 'Hallelujah' from the fallen sons of Adam. The God whom we have offended, the God whom we have blasphemed, the God whose law we have broken delights in mercy!
Wisdom and power, justice and truth, holiness and infinity are all attributes of God. I am sure he delights in them all. But here one attribute, as singled out by inspiration, gives delight to the eternal God - mercy! God delights to show mercy. It is both pleasant and essential to his being. He can no more cease to be merciful than he can cease to be just and holy.
This mercy which God delights to show unto men is in Christ. Read Micah's prophecy again. In the midst of great trial, Micah's heart was fixed upon Christ. As he anticipated the coming of Christ, he was comforted with this precious truth: 'He delighteth in mercy!' Micah looked for the mercy of God in Christ. And, if you hope to find mercy, you must seek it in Christ. Since Jesus Christ has suffered and died in the place of sinners, satisfying God's holy law and justice, God is both able and willing to be merciful to sinners! That is the good news of the gospel.
There is only one way to obtain this mercy. You must come to Christ by faith. Bow down at his feet, acknowledging his sovereign lordship. Confess your sin. Sue for mercy, saying, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner.' And believe his Word. 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.'
Depth of mercy, can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God his wrath forbear,
Me the chief of sinners spare?
Indeed he can and will for Christ's sake, because, 'he delighteth in mercy'.
Don Fortner
Freegrace.net
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Until His return
Monday, October 31, 2011
THE ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN
Come with me to the south of Britain; it is cool, late autumn, and the time is 300 years before the birth of Jesus. The Celtic
civilization is in full flower. The people are thoroughly pagan,
worshipping many gods, and are ruled in a sense by kings; but
the real power is in the hands of the Druids, a secret priestly society which
rules by terror and by sorcery. When the king becomes too old to lead in
battle or to father children, they sacrifice him to the gods, cutting his body
cavity open while he is still alive and using his internal organs for divination
and other magic. (From National Geographic, Vol. 151, No.5.)
Spiritual darkness covers the land, overshadowing every aspect of the
people’s lives. But now the darkness is thicker still, and more threatening,
for it is October 31st, the festival of Samhain, the Festival of Death.
The Druids go from house to house dressed in peculiar robes with mysterious
magical markings (their costumes), heads covered, silent as death,
they appear. Each has, slung over his shoulder on a cord, a large, hollowed-
out turnip with an oil lamp burning inside. Carved into the side of the
hollow turnip is a hideous face, the likeness of the demon spirit that dwells
inside (the origins of our modern-day Jack’o Lanterns).
The Druid spokesman demands certain foods. If the people comply, they
pass on in silence; if their demands are not met, the people and their home
are cursed with trouble, sickness and death (the origins of our modern-day
“Trick or Treat”).
The hillside fires roar skyward, summoning and guiding the spirits of the
wicked dead. Cats screech and howl (the Druids believe them to be reincarnations
of the wicked dead, possessed with supernatural knowledge
and power). It is a night of sickening terror.
As the midnight hour approaches, the madness increases, human sacrifices
are ripped open, hearts torn out still beating; the viscera are spilled in
the dust to be used for divination. The sacrifices are thrown into the fires,
celebrants dancing and screaming around them.
On the hilltops, fires have died down, nothing remaining but ashes and
the bones of the sacrifices. The people call them “bonefires” (bonfires), and
avoid going too near, for the smell of death and the presence of evil still
hang heavily there.
This is where our modern-day Halloween comes from! —Tom C. McHenry
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Until His return
civilization is in full flower. The people are thoroughly pagan,
worshipping many gods, and are ruled in a sense by kings; but
the real power is in the hands of the Druids, a secret priestly society which
rules by terror and by sorcery. When the king becomes too old to lead in
battle or to father children, they sacrifice him to the gods, cutting his body
cavity open while he is still alive and using his internal organs for divination
and other magic. (From National Geographic, Vol. 151, No.5.)
Spiritual darkness covers the land, overshadowing every aspect of the
people’s lives. But now the darkness is thicker still, and more threatening,
for it is October 31st, the festival of Samhain, the Festival of Death.
The Druids go from house to house dressed in peculiar robes with mysterious
magical markings (their costumes), heads covered, silent as death,
they appear. Each has, slung over his shoulder on a cord, a large, hollowed-
out turnip with an oil lamp burning inside. Carved into the side of the
hollow turnip is a hideous face, the likeness of the demon spirit that dwells
inside (the origins of our modern-day Jack’o Lanterns).
The Druid spokesman demands certain foods. If the people comply, they
pass on in silence; if their demands are not met, the people and their home
are cursed with trouble, sickness and death (the origins of our modern-day
“Trick or Treat”).
The hillside fires roar skyward, summoning and guiding the spirits of the
wicked dead. Cats screech and howl (the Druids believe them to be reincarnations
of the wicked dead, possessed with supernatural knowledge
and power). It is a night of sickening terror.
As the midnight hour approaches, the madness increases, human sacrifices
are ripped open, hearts torn out still beating; the viscera are spilled in
the dust to be used for divination. The sacrifices are thrown into the fires,
celebrants dancing and screaming around them.
On the hilltops, fires have died down, nothing remaining but ashes and
the bones of the sacrifices. The people call them “bonefires” (bonfires), and
avoid going too near, for the smell of death and the presence of evil still
hang heavily there.
This is where our modern-day Halloween comes from! —Tom C. McHenry
<><
Until His return
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The view from church
This was our view from 'house church' this morning. As you can see, contented baby sleeping and hot coffee. More importantly, look on the computer screen, our preacher was Ryan Ringnald from YMBBA ministries found on sermonaudio. The title was Willing to do His Will. Advised that all hear this short message.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The day I stood at Hells gate
Sept 03 - decided to obey the Lord and head out to the highways and byways to preach the gospel and to intercede for the voiceless. So, I met SGT John, his daughter Sarah, Rev. Don, and Katie under the broadway bridge. There, the Fishnet ministry was already in full effect serving hot breakfast. While the line for chow was still bulging, SGT John opened up his mouth to herald the gospel and call the men and women to repentance. Fifteen minutes later, I stepped up to preach and point to the Pearl of Great price, Jesus Christ. Most of the crowd had finished breakfast and we spread out to minister one on one. I met Marvin who claimed to be a Christian but also to get drunk on occasion. Ministered to James who seemed very broken and open about his life. He thanked us for coming down and preaching. Spoke to Kevin and then lastly with Ed.
Next we headed right to the devils den, on 4 Office Park drive in Little Rock, to "Open [our] mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. [To] Open [our] mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy." (Pro. 31:8-9)
Now, let me tell you, this was on a Saturday morning and in the span of one hour nearly a dozen cars pulled in for service. Our voice went out to plead with them to chose another option, to not murder their child. Young girls weeping walked into the murderous facility, cowardly men drove off leaving their women, and a security guard at the front opened the door and welcomed them in, filling up his measure of sin (1 Thess 2:16): blood is indeed on his hands and is culprit along with the women and the so-called doctors, Dr. Edwards and Tvedten, and their staff.
Friends, this is the central issue in America today. Upon this front we must fight. Christian, you didn't know you were enlisting for war when you said 'I do' to Christ, but you did, or will you be an embarrassment to God and renounce your confession. There is blood in our streets and there are no Christians anywhere...the Catholics are showing us up in this fight. For too long I was afraid to investigate this issue and find out what was really going on. It's easier to stay ignorant, but ignorance is no excuse to God: "If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, 'Behold, we knew it not'; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth He not know it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?"
I'm surprised how simple joining the fight really is. All I did was stand outside the facility, perfectly within my rights as a citizen, and plead with the young women to chose life. Will you?
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Drunkards (last) Will (and testament)
The Drunkard's Will
(by Gorham D. Abbott, 1833)
"I, ________, beginning to be enfeebled in body, and fearing that I may soon be palsied in mind, and having entered upon that course of drinking from which I have not resolution to flee; do make and publish this, my last will and testament--
Having been made in the image of my Creator, capable of rational enjoyment, of imparting happiness to others, and of promoting the glory of God--I know my accountability. Yet such is my fondness for sensual gratification, and my utter indisposition to resist temptation, that I give myself entirely to alcohol and its associate vices, and make the following bequests--
My property I give to be wasted--knowing it will soon fall into the hands of those who furnish me with liquor.
My reputation, already tottering on a sandy foundation--I give to destruction.
To my beloved wife, who has cheered me thus far through life--I give shame, poverty, sorrow, and a broken heart.
To each of my children--I bequeath my example, and the inheritance of the shame of their father's character.
I give my body--to disease, misery, and early death.
Finally, I give my soul, which can never die--to the disposal of that God whose commands I have broken, and who has warned me by His Word--that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."
Drunkard, this is your will!
"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper!" Proverbs 23:29-32
(Gracegems Editor's note: I have worked in a hospital for over 40 years--and have personally cared for hundreds of such miserable alcoholics. I assure you that the above description is not in any way, an over-statement! Drinking alcohol in moderation is certainly not a sin. Yet Christians should think hard and long, before they flaunt their liberty before weaker brethren or their children--lest they become stumbling blocks to others! The power and influence of example is enormous--especially to our children.)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The business of Pastors
Whitefield once wrote:
I was honored today with having a few stones, dirt, rotten eggs and pieces of dead cats thrown at me.-George Whitefield, a famous preacher who preached over 18,000 sermons between 1736-1770
In fact, John Wesley told his disciples that persecution was a mark of success: He would teach them, train them, then send them out. When they came back he would ask them two questions:
Did anyone get saved?If they answered yes, he would keep them in his ministry. If they answered no, he would ask them another question:
Did anyone get mad?If they answered no he would tell them,
You are not called to the ministry!
And Charles Spurgeon, called the Prince of Preachers, said this:
To be laughed at is no great hardship to me. I can delight in scoffs and jeers. Caricatures, lampoons, and slanders are my glory. But that you should turn from your own mercy, this is my sorrow. Spit on me, but, oh, repent! Laugh at me, but, oh, believe in my Master! Make my body as the dirt of the streets, but damn not your own souls!
Let the love of Jesus constrain you to go out into the highways and hedges to compel poor sinners to come in. Some may say, 'This is not proceeding with a zeal according to knowledge;' but I am persuded, when the power of religion revives, the gospel must be propagated in the same manner as it was first established, by itinerant preaching.Go, dear sir, go and follow your glorious Master without the camp, bearing His reproach. Never fear the scourge of the tongue, ot the threatenings that are daily breathed out against the Lord, and against His Christ. Suffer we must. Ere long perhaps, we may sing in prison, and have our feet in stocks; but faith in Jesus turns a prison into a palace, and makes a bed of flames become a bed of down. Let us be faithful today, and our Lord will support us tomorrow.
George Whitefield (1749-1769) wrote
I love those that thunder out the Word. The Christian World is in a dead sleep. Nothing but a loud voice can awaken them out of it.
Chinese translation of the above:
怀特菲尔德曾经写道：“我很荣幸今天有几块石头，污物，臭鸡蛋，我扔死猫件。”乔治Whitefield的，著名的传教者之间的1736至1770年超过18000说教宣扬
事实上，约翰卫斯理告诉他的弟子的迫害，是一个成功的标志：他会教他们，培养他们，然后将它们发送出去。当他们回来时，他会问他们两个问题：“没有人得救了吗？”如果他们的回答是肯定的，他会留在他的部。如果他们回答说没有，他会问另一个问题：“有没有人生气呢？”如果他们的回答是他会告诉他们，“你是不是所谓的部！”
和查尔斯吉翁，被称为传教士王子，曾这样说：“要在没有很大的困难，我笑了。我可以高兴在嘲笑和嘲笑。漫画，讽刺和污蔑，是我的荣耀。但是，你应该从你自己的怜悯，这是我的悲哀。吐在我身上，但是，哦，忏悔！笑我，但是，呵呵，相信我的主人！的街道上的污垢，我的身体，但该死的不是你自己的灵魂！“
“让耶稣的爱限制你进入高速公路和对冲迫使贫困的罪人进来，有些人可能会说，”这不是一个根据知识的热情出发，“但我persuded，当电源宗教复兴，福音必须以同样的方式传播，因为它是流动的说教，首次建立了。
“去吧，亲爱的主席先生，在营中去，并按照你的光荣的主人，他的责备。不要害怕舌头的祸害，OT每天呼吸对主，对他的基督的threatenings。受苦，我们必须。 ，不久或许，我们可能会在监狱里唱，在我们脚下的股票，但在耶稣的信仰变成一座宫殿的一座监狱，并使得火焰床成为床上下来。让我们忠实的今天，我们的主会支持我们的明天。“
乔治Whitefield的（1749年至1769年）中写道：
“我爱那些风头出单词，说：”乔治Whitefield的。 “基督教世界是一个死的睡眠。它不过是一个响亮的声音能唤醒他们。“
Friday, August 19, 2011
The True Christian is a warrior
"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point." - Martin Luther
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Exam time
A Facebook friend, whom I have never met, posted this on my wall a day ago. At first it startled me and kinda upset me, but then conviction set in and soberness filled my heart.
How about you? Will you carefully consider these questions and let God show you the truth. Let's take this exam now before it really is too late and the school bell rings...
Doctrinal clarity or throbbing Love for God - which is it, Theologian?
"You may not be exactly doctrinal with a man, but the main part is intact. And that is when you are a man of God, brother, when you can accomodate someone that isn't as perfect as you. You’re carnal if you can’t. If you’re just there to defend the faith of the four walls you’re in, or the denomination or culture, heaven help you. You're a grief to GOD. If you're not there in the pulpit for souls brother, get out of it. If you're there for doctrine, you'll have no compassion. You'll even prove people need to go to hell and think it's justifying God's...sovereignty. You'll miss the mark. You'll do anything but you won't have a throbbing cry to God when you’re carnal. You’ll just have a throbbing cry to defend doctrine at the cost of souls being put into darkness, blaming God."
From Keith Daniel, The Revivals of America, preached at Maranatha Baptist Family Camp October 16th, 2004
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Until His return
From Keith Daniel, The Revivals of America, preached at Maranatha Baptist Family Camp October 16th, 2004
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Until His return
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Mercy of the Lord
I will bless the Lord, oh my soul...the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him.
Psalms 103 was the passage of comfort yesterday as we awaited blood results that would soon send my wife into emergency C-section. We were astonished and silent before God as her physical condition and all hopes of control spiraled out of control, seemingly. However, every event, doctor, place, and support person was so divinely and perfectly orchestrated. Beyond natural ability. God has shown Himself sovereign, perfect, righteous and merciful. It is truly because of His mercies that we are not consumed.
Psalms 103 served the three of us this morning, mommy, Jaedon and I, as we sang together this song and celebrated His gift. Jaedon Richard weighing in at 7 lbs and 13 ozs and 19 inches was delivered by c-section yesterday at 7:40 pm by Dr. Sellers from Cornerstone clinic. Prior to being wheeled away to the OR he sat and prayed a godly and God glorifying prayer. We were humbled to the dust.
So looking forward to the reunion today when Joshua gets to meet his brother and celebrate with us. Wont you celebrate with us and seek for the mercies of the Lord before it is too late. God promises that anyone seeks Him will find Him, if that person seeks with all their heart. he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek for Him.
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Till His return...
Psalms 103 was the passage of comfort yesterday as we awaited blood results that would soon send my wife into emergency C-section. We were astonished and silent before God as her physical condition and all hopes of control spiraled out of control, seemingly. However, every event, doctor, place, and support person was so divinely and perfectly orchestrated. Beyond natural ability. God has shown Himself sovereign, perfect, righteous and merciful. It is truly because of His mercies that we are not consumed.
Psalms 103 served the three of us this morning, mommy, Jaedon and I, as we sang together this song and celebrated His gift. Jaedon Richard weighing in at 7 lbs and 13 ozs and 19 inches was delivered by c-section yesterday at 7:40 pm by Dr. Sellers from Cornerstone clinic. Prior to being wheeled away to the OR he sat and prayed a godly and God glorifying prayer. We were humbled to the dust.
So looking forward to the reunion today when Joshua gets to meet his brother and celebrate with us. Wont you celebrate with us and seek for the mercies of the Lord before it is too late. God promises that anyone seeks Him will find Him, if that person seeks with all their heart. he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek for Him.
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Till His return...
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
JUNIPER vs. TULIP
J = Justification by Faith T = Total Depravity
U = Unconditional Election U = Unconditional Election
N = Natural Depravity VS. L = Limited Atonement
I = Invincible Faith I = Irresistible Grace
P = Progressive Sanctification P = Perseverance of the
E = Effectual Atonement Saints
R = Resistless Grace
"It could be said that “Tulip” has a doctrinal progression which may be likened to the golden chain of Romans 8:28‐30, to which Boettner alludes, whereas “Juniper” is not so logically connected. However Romans 8:28‐30 assumes the preceding explicit gospel context of Romans 1‐8, from which “Tulip” has become historically disconnected. Hence “Juniper” is a preferable acrostic representation of sovereign grace truth because it is more essentially comprehensive." - Barry Horner
Has anyone come across this before? More to follow...
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Till His return...
Monday, July 11, 2011
All the good in Jesus dwells
Paul writes in Romans 7:18 that "nothing good dwells in me"(NASB) but Ephesians 2 speaks about the good we are to do, that God prepared beforehand. What gives? How is anyone
to do good if there is nothing good in us?
Good question!
Jesus is our good, period. Apart from him we can do nothing. In fact, it is Christ in us the hope of glory! God has sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him (1John 4:9).
It is not enough to profess Christ, we must possess Christ!
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Till His return...
to do good if there is nothing good in us?
Good question!
Jesus is our good, period. Apart from him we can do nothing. In fact, it is Christ in us the hope of glory! God has sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him (1John 4:9).
It is not enough to profess Christ, we must possess Christ!
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Till His return...
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Doctrines of Grace (Christian Worldview)
This title will be my thoughts about a book I am reading by the same title (parantheses above are mine) authored by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken.
Here is quote from the book with a portion from Abraham Kuyper that I love:
The Christian view of the world includes an awareness of the pervasiveness of sin, which corrupts every human endeavor. At the same time, Kuyper's belief in divine sovereignty persuaded him that God has a purpose and plan for the secular world as well as the sacred community. God allows the goodness of creation to shine even in places where the lordship of Jesus Christ is not yet acknowledged. This goodness is the product of His common grace, by which He maintains human existence, relaxes His curse against sin, arrests the process of decay and thus allows human culture to develop. To quote Kuyper's most famous statement: "In the total expanse of the human life there is not a single square inch of which Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, 'That is mine'." (page 56)
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Till His return...
Here is quote from the book with a portion from Abraham Kuyper that I love:
The Christian view of the world includes an awareness of the pervasiveness of sin, which corrupts every human endeavor. At the same time, Kuyper's belief in divine sovereignty persuaded him that God has a purpose and plan for the secular world as well as the sacred community. God allows the goodness of creation to shine even in places where the lordship of Jesus Christ is not yet acknowledged. This goodness is the product of His common grace, by which He maintains human existence, relaxes His curse against sin, arrests the process of decay and thus allows human culture to develop. To quote Kuyper's most famous statement: "In the total expanse of the human life there is not a single square inch of which Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not declare, 'That is mine'." (page 56)
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Till His return...
The beginning of life
I am amazed at life, when it begins, the author of such life and the fragility of it. Oh, my! Who can look around and not see design, order, method and consistency of a Master builder? It is the fool!
The picture is of my son, ten weeks from delivery in a pike breech position in my wife's womb. Who put him there? What intent is behind his life? What purpose? He provokes the thought - When did life begin?
We read clearly in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God..." That is when life began. Not that God was created but "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth." This my son will learn and appreciate, in order to appreciate ALL of life!
I praise the God who put life in my wife's womb. This is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the God of Yeshua HaMashiach who sent Him to die for a dying world +2K years ago.
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Till His return...
The picture is of my son, ten weeks from delivery in a pike breech position in my wife's womb. Who put him there? What intent is behind his life? What purpose? He provokes the thought - When did life begin?
We read clearly in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God..." That is when life began. Not that God was created but "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth." This my son will learn and appreciate, in order to appreciate ALL of life!
I praise the God who put life in my wife's womb. This is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the God of Yeshua HaMashiach who sent Him to die for a dying world +2K years ago.
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Till His return...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Against ALL Odds - Reggie Kelly
There is a phrase that is not in scripture, but it captures so much of what
the Bible is all about. "Against All Odds" is aptly used for the title of a
video series on the modern miracle of the Jewish resettlement of the Land of
Israel into astonishing nationhood that was able to survive 'against all
odds'. That title made me think that truly, the history of redemption from
start to finish is 'against all odds'. It was meant to be (Ro 8:20).
Anything less would have never so greatly magnified the power, grace, and
unlimited sovereignty of our covenant God (Ro 8:28). As Spurgeon well said,
"considering all things, those who hold out to the end in the way of
holiness will be "men wondered at." Indeed, our final perseverance will be
to the wonderment of the angels.
Even more wondrous (though not more miraculous) is the really extravagant
hope a kingdom come to THIS earth, not off in the realm of the invisible,
out of sight and beyond evidence, but here, on this earth, the very scene of
the crime. The glory of God will be put on public display when in the same
real, space-time history that witnessed the fall, all nations will be
compelled to witness the very public resurrection and rebirth of Israel 'in
one day' (Isa 66:8; Eze 39:22; Zech 3:9).
After generations of wandering and exile, the Jew has returned to the Land,
but the blindness that brought the exile continues for all but a very small
remnant. For all the marvelous wonder that this represents for those who
were expecting the literal fulfillment of prophecy, this is not the kingdom
promised by the prophets. Therefore, Satan is not bound, and the question
still rages, "Has God really said?"
That question is not finally answered by the revelation of the mystery of a
first coming of Messiah that brings the kingdom in its spiritual essence.
The 'already' of present fulfillment is only the earnest or first-fruits of
the 'not yet' of a far greater number of highly detailed covenant promises
that envision a kingdom of righteousness here on this earth, under this
heaven, as all worldly powers are forced under its sway and authority, a
true and everlasting dominion that will be 'publicly' demonstrated for a
thousand years, showing full completeness and public vindication of the
promise.
What will be the proof that this kingdom has come on earth? Since the first
century revelation of Christ's twofold coming, that question has a new
answer. That age will not begin when Messiah comes, but when He returns.
Yet, in another sense, the powers of that coming day have already broken
into this age by the revelation of the Spirit, but not to the exclusion of a
further conquest that must await the final revelation of the 'mystery of
iniquity' (2Thes 2:3, 7-8; Rev 10:7; 12:12).
The mystery of the gospel revealed that BEFORE the day of the Lord, and
BEFORE the tribulation (Deut 4:30; Hos 5:15; Jer 30:7; Dan 12:1), the
messianic salvation would be accomplished by the incarnation and atoning
death of Christ (Isa 53:8; Dan 9:26; Zech 12:10). We lose the force of the
formidable mystery that confronted first century Israel if we fail to
observe that these passages in their original setting and language were not
as clearly messianic as they now appear to the believer in retrospect.
Though fully foretold in the prophetic writings (Acts 3:18-21; 26:22), the
mystery of Messiah's twofold advent was not revealed until after Pentecost
(Acts 3:21; Ro 16:25-26; 1Cor 2:7-8 with 1Pet 1:11). It is therefore not
surprising that with the exception of John the Baptist (Jn 1:29), few, if
any, would have been prepared to consider that the "man child" of Gen 3:15
would be born of a virgin and deal the fatal blow to the serpent's head
significantly BEFORE Israel's deliverance that was commonly expected to come
only after the tribulation,also called, Zion's travail (compare Isa 13:8;
26:16-17; 66:7-8; Mic 5:3; Hos 5:15; Jer 30:6; Rev 12:5). This great anomaly
would have doubtless stood as a centerpiece of Christian apologetic in the
first century (Contrast the term, "before," in Isa 66:7 with "as soon as" in
Isa 66:8; compare also Rev 12:5).
Contrary to the popular theology of replacement that has reigned in the
church since the second century, the revelation of the mystery of the gospel
did nothing to cancel or change the prophets' vision of a restored Jewish
nation after the tribulation. Instead, the gospel revealed the greater glory
of the nature of that one perfect righteousness by which alone the kingdom
is established both in the heart and on the earth.
The "mystery of the kingdom" reveals that God's conquest of Satan is
accomplished in stages. Since the cross, the legal ground of Satan's final
destruction has been accomplished, and his final defeat set in irreversible
motion (1Jn 3:8). But notice, Satan's final eviction from heaven does not
come until the very beginning of the last and brief tribulation (Rev
12:9-10), as his subsequent binding comes still later at the beginning of
the millennium (Rev 20:2). Both of these further stages of his defeat are
manifestly future. We judge then that the Spirit's full enforcement of
Christ's conquest over Satan is accomplished in stages.
This suggests that the Accuser's continued access to heaven, though now
illicit, is somehow related to the believer's conscience. This brings the
interesting question of what it will mean for the Accuser to be finally cast
down by Michael at the beginning of the tribulation (Dan 12:1 with Rev 12:7,
9-10, 12, 14). As a principle, the finished victory of Christ over the
accuser of the brethren can be more deeply apprehended and appropriated, as
the strength of the flesh is further broken through a similar pattern of
crisis and revelation, not only in the history of redemption, but also in
the personal and corporate experience of the saints (Jn 16:21; Acts 14:22).
This too is against all odds.
The accuser of the brethren is cast down by the revelation of "THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS". When this is truly and deeply apprehended by the Spirit of
revelation, Satan's ability to legislate his accusations against the
believer's conscience is broken, and there is fullness of joy, regardless of
the circumstance. This too is 'against all odds'. This revelation that has
come already to the church (the maskilim) will come to the chastened and
penitent remnant of Israel "in one day" (Isa 66:8; Eze 39:22; Zech 3:9;
12:10). "In His (Messiah's) days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall
dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jer 23:6; Isa 45:25; 54:17; with Ro 10:3; Phil 3:9).
This is God's self appointed "mission impossible" in history. When THIS
"impossible" nation (who is less impossible?) is restored to THIS Land in
THIS righteousness, then the earth will enter its Sabbath rest in glorious
public vindication of the everlasting covenant foretold by all the prophets.
For this the creation groans in travail, as does also the church that knows
the scriptures and the power of God.
Against all odds, God has chosen to embody His glory in weak, helpless, and
even naturally hostile, jars of clay, not away in an invisible realm, but
right here, right now, on earth, "in the presence of His enemies". He is a
God of embodiment that will send home His great covenant claim through THEM
(Ro 11:27) in the sight of all nations, "for God is able to graft them in
again" (Ro 11:23), against all odds.
As we so often say, how we see God's covenant with the natural branches in
their enmity and unbelief (Ro 11:28-29), is so much the index of how we see
our own grace.
by Reggie Kelly ay http://the.mysteryofIsrael.org
<><
Till His return...
the Bible is all about. "Against All Odds" is aptly used for the title of a
video series on the modern miracle of the Jewish resettlement of the Land of
Israel into astonishing nationhood that was able to survive 'against all
odds'. That title made me think that truly, the history of redemption from
start to finish is 'against all odds'. It was meant to be (Ro 8:20).
Anything less would have never so greatly magnified the power, grace, and
unlimited sovereignty of our covenant God (Ro 8:28). As Spurgeon well said,
"considering all things, those who hold out to the end in the way of
holiness will be "men wondered at." Indeed, our final perseverance will be
to the wonderment of the angels.
Even more wondrous (though not more miraculous) is the really extravagant
hope a kingdom come to THIS earth, not off in the realm of the invisible,
out of sight and beyond evidence, but here, on this earth, the very scene of
the crime. The glory of God will be put on public display when in the same
real, space-time history that witnessed the fall, all nations will be
compelled to witness the very public resurrection and rebirth of Israel 'in
one day' (Isa 66:8; Eze 39:22; Zech 3:9).
After generations of wandering and exile, the Jew has returned to the Land,
but the blindness that brought the exile continues for all but a very small
remnant. For all the marvelous wonder that this represents for those who
were expecting the literal fulfillment of prophecy, this is not the kingdom
promised by the prophets. Therefore, Satan is not bound, and the question
still rages, "Has God really said?"
That question is not finally answered by the revelation of the mystery of a
first coming of Messiah that brings the kingdom in its spiritual essence.
The 'already' of present fulfillment is only the earnest or first-fruits of
the 'not yet' of a far greater number of highly detailed covenant promises
that envision a kingdom of righteousness here on this earth, under this
heaven, as all worldly powers are forced under its sway and authority, a
true and everlasting dominion that will be 'publicly' demonstrated for a
thousand years, showing full completeness and public vindication of the
promise.
What will be the proof that this kingdom has come on earth? Since the first
century revelation of Christ's twofold coming, that question has a new
answer. That age will not begin when Messiah comes, but when He returns.
Yet, in another sense, the powers of that coming day have already broken
into this age by the revelation of the Spirit, but not to the exclusion of a
further conquest that must await the final revelation of the 'mystery of
iniquity' (2Thes 2:3, 7-8; Rev 10:7; 12:12).
The mystery of the gospel revealed that BEFORE the day of the Lord, and
BEFORE the tribulation (Deut 4:30; Hos 5:15; Jer 30:7; Dan 12:1), the
messianic salvation would be accomplished by the incarnation and atoning
death of Christ (Isa 53:8; Dan 9:26; Zech 12:10). We lose the force of the
formidable mystery that confronted first century Israel if we fail to
observe that these passages in their original setting and language were not
as clearly messianic as they now appear to the believer in retrospect.
Though fully foretold in the prophetic writings (Acts 3:18-21; 26:22), the
mystery of Messiah's twofold advent was not revealed until after Pentecost
(Acts 3:21; Ro 16:25-26; 1Cor 2:7-8 with 1Pet 1:11). It is therefore not
surprising that with the exception of John the Baptist (Jn 1:29), few, if
any, would have been prepared to consider that the "man child" of Gen 3:15
would be born of a virgin and deal the fatal blow to the serpent's head
significantly BEFORE Israel's deliverance that was commonly expected to come
only after the tribulation,also called, Zion's travail (compare Isa 13:8;
26:16-17; 66:7-8; Mic 5:3; Hos 5:15; Jer 30:6; Rev 12:5). This great anomaly
would have doubtless stood as a centerpiece of Christian apologetic in the
first century (Contrast the term, "before," in Isa 66:7 with "as soon as" in
Isa 66:8; compare also Rev 12:5).
Contrary to the popular theology of replacement that has reigned in the
church since the second century, the revelation of the mystery of the gospel
did nothing to cancel or change the prophets' vision of a restored Jewish
nation after the tribulation. Instead, the gospel revealed the greater glory
of the nature of that one perfect righteousness by which alone the kingdom
is established both in the heart and on the earth.
The "mystery of the kingdom" reveals that God's conquest of Satan is
accomplished in stages. Since the cross, the legal ground of Satan's final
destruction has been accomplished, and his final defeat set in irreversible
motion (1Jn 3:8). But notice, Satan's final eviction from heaven does not
come until the very beginning of the last and brief tribulation (Rev
12:9-10), as his subsequent binding comes still later at the beginning of
the millennium (Rev 20:2). Both of these further stages of his defeat are
manifestly future. We judge then that the Spirit's full enforcement of
Christ's conquest over Satan is accomplished in stages.
This suggests that the Accuser's continued access to heaven, though now
illicit, is somehow related to the believer's conscience. This brings the
interesting question of what it will mean for the Accuser to be finally cast
down by Michael at the beginning of the tribulation (Dan 12:1 with Rev 12:7,
9-10, 12, 14). As a principle, the finished victory of Christ over the
accuser of the brethren can be more deeply apprehended and appropriated, as
the strength of the flesh is further broken through a similar pattern of
crisis and revelation, not only in the history of redemption, but also in
the personal and corporate experience of the saints (Jn 16:21; Acts 14:22).
This too is against all odds.
The accuser of the brethren is cast down by the revelation of "THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS". When this is truly and deeply apprehended by the Spirit of
revelation, Satan's ability to legislate his accusations against the
believer's conscience is broken, and there is fullness of joy, regardless of
the circumstance. This too is 'against all odds'. This revelation that has
come already to the church (the maskilim) will come to the chastened and
penitent remnant of Israel "in one day" (Isa 66:8; Eze 39:22; Zech 3:9;
12:10). "In His (Messiah's) days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall
dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jer 23:6; Isa 45:25; 54:17; with Ro 10:3; Phil 3:9).
This is God's self appointed "mission impossible" in history. When THIS
"impossible" nation (who is less impossible?) is restored to THIS Land in
THIS righteousness, then the earth will enter its Sabbath rest in glorious
public vindication of the everlasting covenant foretold by all the prophets.
For this the creation groans in travail, as does also the church that knows
the scriptures and the power of God.
Against all odds, God has chosen to embody His glory in weak, helpless, and
even naturally hostile, jars of clay, not away in an invisible realm, but
right here, right now, on earth, "in the presence of His enemies". He is a
God of embodiment that will send home His great covenant claim through THEM
(Ro 11:27) in the sight of all nations, "for God is able to graft them in
again" (Ro 11:23), against all odds.
As we so often say, how we see God's covenant with the natural branches in
their enmity and unbelief (Ro 11:28-29), is so much the index of how we see
our own grace.
by Reggie Kelly ay http://the.mysteryofIsrael.org
<><
Till His return...
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Christ and Him crucified
Christ Crucified
The greatest love is this, that one man laid His life down for His friends. I observed once the Watoto choir singing about Jesus as friend. Do you know Him as friend? The greatest love is this, two parts: that He died for us and that He in turn offers His death to us as our own. Who's bleeding back would you refuse? Who could look at a dying man, rejected by the masses and ripped to shreds by whip, nails and thorns and reject Him as he reaches out and says, "this is for you"? They could reject him who have not looked upon themselves as needing salvation from anything or deserving of a savior. There is none of Gods love in them. Could anyone keep spitting on that man if there had been keen revelation within that they were the ones filled with sin and not Him?
<><
Till His return...
The greatest love is this, that one man laid His life down for His friends. I observed once the Watoto choir singing about Jesus as friend. Do you know Him as friend? The greatest love is this, two parts: that He died for us and that He in turn offers His death to us as our own. Who's bleeding back would you refuse? Who could look at a dying man, rejected by the masses and ripped to shreds by whip, nails and thorns and reject Him as he reaches out and says, "this is for you"? They could reject him who have not looked upon themselves as needing salvation from anything or deserving of a savior. There is none of Gods love in them. Could anyone keep spitting on that man if there had been keen revelation within that they were the ones filled with sin and not Him?
<><
Till His return...
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Gospel
(James Smith, "Christ Exalted, Saints Comforted, and Sinners Directed" 1855. Posted on GraceGems.org)
"For we know, brethren beloved by God, that He has chosen you--because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
The gospel reveals . . .
a Savior, in whom we must trust;
a Sovereign, whom we must obey;
a Priest, on whose atonement we must rest;
a Prophet, from whom we must learn;
a Friend, in whose love we must confide;
a Brother, from whom we may expect;
a Father, whose authority we must revere;
an Apostle, whose mission we must copy; and
an Advocate, to whom we must commit our cause.
The gospel . . .
flows from the free love, rich grace, and abundant mercy of our God;
is founded in the Savior's person, mediation, and death;
becomes effectual through the revelation, operation, and application of the Holy Spirit. By it, He begets faith, imparts love, and excites hope; and when accompanied by His blessing--the gospel is received in demonstration and power.
The gospel . . .
produces penitence--and godly sorrow for sin;
begets hatred to sin--and love to holiness;
weans from the world--and wafts the affections to heaven;
makes us zealous for God--and the good of immortal souls;
delivers us from the power of darkness--and translates us into the kingdom of Jesus;
crucifies the flesh--and liberates the spirit;
unites Christians in love--and raises us above the fear of death;
fortifies us against persecution--and makes us rejoice in suffering for Immanuel's name;
humbles the spirit--and dignifies the man;
destroys covetousness--and makes us benevolent;
roots out pride--and implants meekness;
transforms us from the world--and conforms us to God;
begets hatred to impurity--and makes us chaste;
throws down idolatry--and leads us to worship God;
conquers SELF--and exalts Christ;
softens the hard heart--and produces kindness;
delivers from sin, Satan, and the world--and devotes body, soul, and spirit to the Lord.
(It is because the gospel results in an exchanged life - "it is no more the i that lives...")
<><
Till His return...
"For we know, brethren beloved by God, that He has chosen you--because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
The gospel reveals . . .
a Savior, in whom we must trust;
a Sovereign, whom we must obey;
a Priest, on whose atonement we must rest;
a Prophet, from whom we must learn;
a Friend, in whose love we must confide;
a Brother, from whom we may expect;
a Father, whose authority we must revere;
an Apostle, whose mission we must copy; and
an Advocate, to whom we must commit our cause.
The gospel . . .
flows from the free love, rich grace, and abundant mercy of our God;
is founded in the Savior's person, mediation, and death;
becomes effectual through the revelation, operation, and application of the Holy Spirit. By it, He begets faith, imparts love, and excites hope; and when accompanied by His blessing--the gospel is received in demonstration and power.
The gospel . . .
produces penitence--and godly sorrow for sin;
begets hatred to sin--and love to holiness;
weans from the world--and wafts the affections to heaven;
makes us zealous for God--and the good of immortal souls;
delivers us from the power of darkness--and translates us into the kingdom of Jesus;
crucifies the flesh--and liberates the spirit;
unites Christians in love--and raises us above the fear of death;
fortifies us against persecution--and makes us rejoice in suffering for Immanuel's name;
humbles the spirit--and dignifies the man;
destroys covetousness--and makes us benevolent;
roots out pride--and implants meekness;
transforms us from the world--and conforms us to God;
begets hatred to impurity--and makes us chaste;
throws down idolatry--and leads us to worship God;
conquers SELF--and exalts Christ;
softens the hard heart--and produces kindness;
delivers from sin, Satan, and the world--and devotes body, soul, and spirit to the Lord.
(It is because the gospel results in an exchanged life - "it is no more the i that lives...")
<><
Till His return...
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