power in the Kingdom

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Louis

The use of power comes from those who have an advantage. The underdog who prevails has an advantage which may be hidden (even to the underdog) until such a time the advantage is recognized and used successfully. Gideon overthrew the vast army of the Midianites with three hundred men. Jonathan and his armor bearer slew twenty men in battle. David defeated Goliath with a sling. In these three cases, the unseen advantage was the LORD. Consider Gideon; “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.” (Judges 7:2) Jonathan’s words were as such; “. . .no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (I Sam.14:6) The confidence of David was not in the might of arms; “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.”(I Sam.17:47) The power of the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. It is not apparent. On the surface there is not much to behold. It is not like the nations with their pomp and display, or like the religious world at large with its self-glorifying ways. The singular nature of the Kingdom’s advantage rests in the fulfillment of Israel’s Messiah.

Jesus was a man of low birth; born in a stable, laid in a manger. Mary and Joseph were called to make the journey to Bethlehem at the behest of a foreign king. Jesus was raised as the “carpenter’s son.” When He came of age to preach the gospel of the Kingdom, he maintained the proper attitude of meek and lowly:

Isaiah 42

  1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
  2. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
  3. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
  4. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

 

Some Attributes of the Kingdom –

  • The Messiah’s death.  (a testimony of who God is)
  • The Messiah’s death.  (a testimony of who we are)
  • Repentance. (voluntary submission, no coercion with gun or sword)
  • No weapons of war.  (rather the Armor of God)
  • Recognition that all have sinned. (all are responsible for the problems of life)
  • Redemption.  (our lives can be renewed to good purpose)
  • Forgiveness.  (extended to one through whom it is given to another)
  • Mercy born of recognition. (the helpless need help)

Therefore power in the Kingdom of Heaven is not so obvious. Because it originates in the Lamb of God, it’s appearance will reflect His attributes and only will be appreciated by those who hunger and thirst for such things. Let us turn away from the glory of men: the father, the reverend, the rabbi, and the doctor, the titled purveyors of religion and their ways.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Lk.14:34-35)

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The Party of God?

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Louis

There is a belief which maintains God has given sanction to govern mankind in His name. Not to govern in acknowledgement of His name, but His personal representation empowered for the sake of peace, prosperity, etc. Such a party of God may identify with Jesus Christ, or, the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, or, Allah through the writings of Mohammed. Types like this do exist, don’t they? Or perhaps the party might be a Gaia type, blending eco-awareness with hope for the earth. Maybe it is atheist/humanist in its religion, holding a steadfast conviction that the answer is in godless humanity. Of all political processes, these theistic / humanistic / gaiaistic systems are the least deserving to provide order. Inherently they are proud, steeped in an assumption they represent the absolute.

Let me be clear on this point. There is nothing wrong, from the standpoint of political power, with any political group acknowledging God, or giving a nod to the absolute of their choice. It would be a natural reflection of the constituency. I think this is what made America great, it held an acknowledgement of God without a governmental priesthood or body of mullahs. It is rule by priest, mullah, rabbi, or preacher which brings nothing but trouble. Those who desire to be the lens though which the people understand life, those who desire to subjugate in the name of their absolute have little to offer but pain and blasphemy.

That being said, the Lord has designed we should be governed from ourselves. Through the ages there has been rule of various types for the sake of protection and order. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Rom.13:1) During the time of that writing, the Mediterranean world was under the Roman Empire. Christians were held accountable for honoring the Roman government (a pagan one at that). They paid taxes, and did not foment rebellion in the name of the Lord. (At least it was the case for those who were faithful to God.) So it should be now. Of course, if we are commanded by law to do something against the will of God; “. . . We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) By the same token, earthly government has the God given power to do things the church cannot; maintain boundaries, engage in war, and put criminals to death, among other things. It also has the necessary job of coalescing a society made of many differing points of view. It has to make allowances for differing convictions. Good government cannot throw a religious net across the spectrum of citizens. This means concessions have to be made for some things which might be considered sin, according to the Bible.

There has been only one legitimate theistic form of earthly government; the Law of Moses as was given by God to Israel. It was a society coalesced under the promise of God’s blessings. If the commandments were kept, God would bless them materially. Conversely, if the nation disobeyed curses would follow, from failing crops to being overthrown by other nations. Under the Law, adulterers, rapists, and the rebellious to parents were to be judged and put to death. Allowance was made for the hardness of men’s hearts; therefore lenient divorces were granted. There were no prisons, but restitution was required. The year of Jubilee returned all land back to the original family. Every seven years, debts were canceled. Three times a year, all males were to appear at the location where the Lord placed His name (ultimately, the temple in Jerusalem). There were laws touching on every aspect of societal life, all by the revelation of God. There has not been, nor will be another earthly nation so legitimately governed.

The Law of Moses came to its end when the great promise of the covenant was fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. He was the one of whom God spoke and Moses wrote;

  • “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
  • And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” (Deut.18:18-19)

Jesus had this to say concerning His rule and the nature of His kingdom;

  • “. . .The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
  • Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)

And;

  • “. . . To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” (John 18:37)

There is no Divine advocacy for Jesus being directly represented by any political party or organization for the sake of ruling a nation. He already reigns. “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” The objective of Jesus’ kingdom is salvation for all who will believe on Him. Its preaching is the Lord’s command for repentance. He has given His people no power to prosecute evil in the name of the Lord or the church. (He has already empowered human government to do that according to its capacities for justice.) The vengeance of the Lord will be upon His return. It will not be a secret return with an enclave of holy warriors initiated into His plan. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” (Rev.1:7)

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Crusaders vs. Christianity

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Louis

“The idea of the crusade corresponds to a political conception which was realized in Christendom only from the eleventh to the fifteenth century; this supposes a union of all peoples and sovereigns under the direction of the popes. All crusades were announced by preaching. After pronouncing a solemn vow, each warrior received a cross from the hands of the pope or his legates, and was thenceforth considered a soldier of the Church.” (Catholic Encyclopedia – http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04543c.htm)

Ostensibly, the crusades dealt with  freeing the Holy Land from occupation by Muslims. It also had to do with purging dissenting points of view from “Christendom”, such as the 1209 crusade against the Cathars in southern France. In general, a crusade was a military action taken in the name of the church unto subsequent blasphemy of the Lord.

The crusades were blasphemous because they falsely represented the will of God and Jesus Christ. Gross violence was done in His name. Their activity stood in plain disregard of Jesus’ words;

  • Mt. 26:51 –  And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
  • 52 – Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
  • 53 – Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

The above teaching was not about the right of nations to police their internal affairs or boundaries. It had to do with direct action taken on behalf of the Messiah and His kingdom. There is no such thing as preaching the good news of redemption with a Bible in one hand and a sword in the other. The only sword in the name of the Lord is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Again, the words of Jesus;

  • John 18:36 – Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Nowadays, the term ‘crusaders’ is used as a byword for Christianity. This is particularly true of many in Islam who view the West’s involvement in the Middle East as an extension of Christianity. Undoubtedly, there are those in the West who hold some kind of millennial vision, supposing the Lord will use His disciples to take up arms in His name. The idea is just as blasphemous as those things promulgated by the Papacy centuries ago.

However, the prayer and desire for Israel’s salvation is indeed of the Lord. It is a righteous thing to acknowledge the roots of their being and to hope for their fruition.

  • Ro 11:15 – For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
  • 16 – For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
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Israel, the seedbed for good to all nations:

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Louis
  • Ps 67:1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.>> God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
  • 2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
  • 3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
  • 4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
  • 5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
  • 6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
  • 7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
  • Isa 60:9 ¶ Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
  • 10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
  • 11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
  • 12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
  • 13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
  • 14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

The above verses reflect what God has done through Israel. The Messiah has brought blessings to the world and fulfillment to that honorable nation, inasmuch as through Israel the gospel has gone into the entire world.

It is amazing that various people who call upon the name of the Lord treat that nation as a society to be cast off, or that somehow they are just another nation. It might be easier to make Abraham and Sarah have a child in their youth. Rather, may we receive the Holy Spirit’s message; “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:13-15)

 

 

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Boundaries of Nations (pt.2)

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Louis

And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” (Gen. 11:4) 

After the flood, the world began to be repopulated. The Genesis account reveals mankind possessed a presumed wisdom. They thought unity would prevent the problems of the previous age. Perhaps they sought to avoid the division between the families of Seth and Cain. However it may have been, there was a determination to make a new world. The tower’s purpose was to memorialize themselves. . . “a name for ourselves” and maintain unity. . . “lest we be scattered. . .” 

 “And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Gen.11:6) This was God’s perspective over the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. We get a sense of their great potential, unified identity producing unified efforts. Yet, God saw something our ancestors could not; “. . . now nothing will be restrained from them. . .” They possessed the attitude of “The sky’s the limit.” Mankind would have succeeded into a world of hubris; an unreal world where the underlying condition of sin would have been ignored. Imagine a society of superficial cooperation with men and women moving farther and farther from God. God saw their desire for fulfilled potential blinded them from their need to embrace their Creator, the One who brings true fulfillment. God saved man from himself through the induction of languages. 

The languages of Babel brought optimum conditions for man to search out God. Languages demonstrated their perceived dream of unity was empty. Instead of exercising good will to reestablish communication, the people separated from one another. This absence of unity was an impediment to growth. It needed to be understood. God provided a reality check for the builders of the tower. The reality was/is sin. Because of sin they separated. It is because of sin we tend to distrust those with whom we cannot identify. The happy dream of a brotherhood of man without God was/is false. They (as well as we) needed to understand there could be no unity because of sin in their lives. Languages corrected mankind’s course by giving the opportunity for humility, to see the problem of sin and the need for God. From this the individual may repent and learn to walk with God.

The descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japeth were stripped of their unity for the sake of a better plan – “. . .by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.” (Gen.10:32)

 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah. (Psalm 9:20)

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boundaries of nations

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Louis
  • Ac 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
  • 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
  • 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
  • 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

The Jews are the only people in the earth who were expressly granted a portion of land by the Almighty God.

  • Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
  • 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

About 500 years after these promises were given, the descendants of Abraham entered that land after their slavery in Egypt and sojourn in the wilderness. They conquered a land where the inhabitants practiced bestiality, incest, and burning their children alive to Moloch, among other things. This possession was given to Israel by God. No other nation has been granted such a thing. One may question whether or not this promise is still valid. However, the promise itself is a dimension to the argument which cannot be removed.

God has granted the times and boundaries for nations through the strength and attrition of human society. This is aside from the promises which God gave to Abraham. One nation weakens and another moves in. History in the Bible and human record displays this activity. It is the cycle of lost people trying to fulfill their desires. How many nations have arrived through violence and spoils of war? No doubt, some of the original explorers from Shem, Ham, and Japheth came upon pristine lands for them to inhabit. Perhaps some of them settled peaceably for a time. But none could escape the problem of avarice and greed. It is the reality of all earthly nations because sin is a constant in the human condition.

So who is to say that Israel has no right to keep and maintain the land which was gained in the aftermath of their neighbors’ aggressive actions? And what now can be said of this persistent propaganda that Israel should no longer exist? Which nation can accuse Israel without seeing the same grievances and worse when they look in the mirror of their history?

  • Ps 9:15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
  • 16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
  • 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.
  • 18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
  • 19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
  • 20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

 

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If . . . the light that is in thee be darkness. .

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Louis

Light can be a synonym for understanding. The expanded idea is of great fulfillment through clarity of mind; enlightenment. This should be a priority in our lives. The danger of pursuing such a path comes with what we bring. Sins, such as the desire for preeminence, presumption, and pride, can bring us to darkness confused for light. They contain a bias which twists perspective.

  • Matt. 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
  • 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Jesus’ teaching points to all disciplines which would seem to have promise. Science, the arts, philosophy, and religion are such disciplines. There is not a single path of our devising which cannot be corrupted through our own conceits.

Some paths such as the arts, science, and philosophy have inherent limitations. They cannot bring us to any absolute. To think they can bring the answer is to be blinded already. They are products of the spirit of man, thus are subject to our frailties. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (I Cor.2:11)

Religion (that is, faith in an absolute – deity, deities, or atheism) can produce the ugliest of corruptions. When we place the idea of the absolute at feet of our emotions and desires, what can be done other than to kill or subdue all who stand in the way? After all, isn’t that what is done when a priest, a king, a cleric, a rabbi, a preacher feeds our zeal with human imagination posing in the name of an absolute, whether God or atheism? “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (II Pet.2:2-3)

There is only one way that is true. There is only one way which is pure. Jesus said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) He cannot be corrupted. He conquered His temptations. He conquered death. He will help us to follow. But it cannot be on the basis of what we want Him to be. It can only be on His terms, and His alone.

  • Matt. 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
  • 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

These words are from the one who said to the adulteress, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

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Scapegoat

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Louis

Usually considered one to take the blame/consequences for another’s actions, the scapegoat foreshadowed the Messiah bearing our sins away.

The scapegoat was chosen by lot to be presented “alive before the lord”. This was part of the atonement process for Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. The scapegoat was to make atonement for the sins of the people. The high priest laid his hands upon its head, confessed the sins of the people, and sent “. . him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness. .”

On that day there were two goats incorporated for the people. The other’s lot was for the LORD, a burnt offering to make atonement for the Holy Place, that is, to cleanse it  from the sins of the people. These two goats represented two elements of the Messiah’s life, the inner man and the outer man. One lived and the other died.

The goat for the sin offering was necessary in order to cleanse the meeting place (i.e. the Holy Place) for God and man. It represented the way prepared by the Messiah. Cleansing is not to be confused with material sanitization. Its effect is upon the conscience. Death makes clear the nature of our sins. The horror, the blood, the stench of carnage are real manifestations of sin. Those who love the truth must come to terms with the reality of sin. That clarification is necessary so we can receive the true atonement as foreshadowed by the scapegoat.

The scapegoat did not die. The sins of the people were confessed upon the head of the scapegoat. So also the Messiah retained in His mind knowledge of our sins and awareness that our guilt brought His unjust death. Contained within His awareness was also the command of the Father that He should bear these things in order to make true reconciliation. He was presented “alive before the LORD”, a pure mind and spirit. He responded with no ill will though unjustly treated. Though His body died, His inner man remained alive. He went into the barren land, the barren land could not hold Him.

  • Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
  • 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
  • 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
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the fear of the LORD

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Louis

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. – Psalm 19:9

Thus is shown the reason for fearing God – His judgments. This fear is based on our capacity to recognize the truth. It is the reality of our condition; “. . in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” We are bound by this ability to discern, to recognize the voice of our Creator, to know the value of His words.

Jesus spoke a parable of a king inviting people to a wedding. It would seem there was a requisite wedding garment. . .

Matt. 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The speechlessness of the negligent guest speaks loudly. He knew the protocol. He knew his presumption. He had no argument. He had no fight. He should have been afraid of rejecting the wedding garment. Instead, he came to the wedding in the boldness of his imagination. So we are left with a picture of reality laid bare.

We should fear God, because what He does is right. We can pretend it isn’t so. We can say things like; “If I were to stand before God, I’d tell Him what I think.” (As if to say, “I’m the real king around here.”) We can be deluded for a time. In the end we will confront the truth. God is King. God is just. “Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess. . .”

Think of the weeping and gnashing of teeth portrayed above. Jesus said this so we can understand. These things don’t have to be. He didn’t describe the effects of some eternal demon tormenting the lost. He described the fruit of man’s speechlessness before the king, the total awareness of personal culpability. Now is the time for such awareness, while we have opportunity for repentance.

II Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men . . .

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remnant

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Louis

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Rom.11:5)

There were Jewish saints who made the transition from the Law of Moses to the covenant of grace. They were called a remnant. In a figure of speech they were the natural branches of the good olive tree, the planting of God. They needed not to be grafted.

This remnant is to be distinguished from the Jews who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. They were called the natural branches which were broken off. The message in Romans 11 is for the sake of the branches which were broken off, that they would be grafted in again.

Paul’s use of the phrase “at this present time” might suggest the subsequent teaching was only valid for those contemporary with the apostle. If this is the case, then why were the succeeding ideas of Romans 11 even recorded? Why would one generation (the generation directly responsible) be given such hope only for the following generations to be denied? Perhaps it was for the assurance of the Gentiles in future generations they need not be bothered by these Jews? (I am being sarcastic.) Some have gone so far as to say that the Jews are the true fulfillment of Babylon, the mother harlots. Others believe and promote that modern Israel is Gog and Magog. Such ideas only serve to choke the mind from every good thing which leads to repentance and salvation. “The present time” pointed to the conditions which existed at the time of his writing, not to the exclusion of future generations.

Some of those from Jesus’ time  were persuaded of  Jesus’ guilt; “His blood be on us, and on our children.” It is obvious the generation which cried so to Pilate had children, and their children had children, etc. They also had rabbis which tried to lead and maintain some semblance of service to God after the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. In 132-135 Simon Bar Kokhba tried to re-establish Jewish independence and the re-building of the temple. His efforts were brought to nothing, yet the continuation of Jewish oral traditions and commentaries proceeded forth into the future. Thus we have the Talmud, with its components of the Mishnah (interpretations of the scriptures) and Gemara (commentary on the Mishnah). More importantly, a people is with us to this day. In part, these have been coalesced through their identification with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Bible, and the Torah. However, another tie exists which has kept this remarkable people through the ages. I believe it transcends their religion, their lack thereof, or even their intentions. It is the reality of a nation produced by the Creator for the sake of redemption. Even though, as a nation, they rejected redemption through Jesus of Nazareth, their identity didn’t just slip into oblivion. The scripture says of them; “beloved for the fathers’ sakes.”

Therefore, there is at this present time a remnant. Also, there are natural branches to be grafted back into their heritage.

On a personal note:

Will the remnant become a nation? Will the relevance of Romans 11 diminish because of a great restoration? I don’t know how to answer. I would like to see the answer of God’s hand in this matter before my departure.

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Passover Lamb

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Louis

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

John the Baptist made reference to the Passover lamb in his observation of Jesus. The ancient feast at once brought called to mind Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, and foreshadowed deliverance from sin, the most horrible of taskmasters. John pointed to the latter when he heralded Jesus. Jesus came to free us from our sins. He was the fulfillment of the Passover lamb; the true, the real, the anti-type.

The type, a lamb without blemish, pointed to the gentle innocence of the One to come. The lamb’s blood was painted on the header and sides of the door as a sign to the destroying angel; such households were not to be harmed. I think this pointed to accepting responsibility for the kill; in our case, accepting responsibility for our sins bringing death to the Messiah. That’s a part of the thing protecting us from God’s wrath.

“And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.” (Ex.12:8) The leftovers were to be burned up. The key word is “eat”. It was to participate in the subliminal virtues of meekness and innocence more than sustenance to the body. The real eating has nothing to do with the body ingesting food. It has to do with taking in the will of God and living by it; “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” (John 4:34) For the followers of Jesus the bitter herbs have to do with remembering the darkness where we came from, lest we fail to appreciate our newly found freedom.

Many of our Jewish neighbors will keep a specified celebration of  this feast. May they turn to the Lamb of God who takes away sins. Many of our neighbors who call upon the name of Jesus will invest their faith in empty liturgy with icons abounding. Remember what the Spirit revealed through Paul; “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” (Gal.4:11)

 

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Transition

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Louis

When the Gentiles were converted to Israel’s Messiah, they had to leave their idolatrous ways behind. It was a matter of leaving a sink of pollution and gross superstition. When the Jews received Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah, they had to step up into a greater covenant. In some ways this must have been more difficult for the Jews than for the Gentiles.

  • The covenant from Sinai was given by God; so why change?
  • It had external tokens such as a tabernacle/temple, priestly service with surrounding regalia, feast days, daily sacrifices, monthly and yearly observances, all of which had been ordained by God. These things had the “feel” of religion, and without vigilance, could be substituted for faith.
  • As a people, it would have been difficult to give up their native heritage from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in favor the spiritual society where “ . .there is neither Jew nor Greek.”

We can see the beauty of Israel’s transition in the person of Saul of Tarsus, a “Hebrew of the Hebrews”.

  • But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
  • Yea doubtless, and 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,
  • And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. . (Phil.3:7-9)

Is this an inherent contradiction that Israel is called upon to disregard their identity to be fulfilled as Israel? Rather than a contradiction it is the heritage of ascension, the transition of faith:

  • That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
  • If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Phil.3:10-11)

 

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. . to do Your will . .

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Louis

God gave two major covenants which coalesced a society under His governance. One was given through Moses and one through Jesus of Nazareth.

Here is the heart of the covenants and the change:

Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

 

The one from Sinai required the offering of animals for cleansing and atonement; “sacrifice and offering.” This was under the umbrella of commandments written on stone. The cleansing and atonement of that covenant were sufficient to prepare the faithful for something greater. Thus, the superceding covenant came from Mt. Zion. One life was laid down for all people through all times; “a body thou has prepare me” – a covenant of transformation and redemption. The covenant from Sinai ultimately did not satisfy; “thou hast had no pleasure.” Whereas the Messiah’s sacrifice was completely fulfilling; “Lo, I come to do thy will O God.”

Before Jesus came, keeping God’s will had never been fully accomplished. Even righteous Daniel needed redemption. Jesus kept the Law; a lamb without spot. He also carried out something impossible for any other; the Creator bearing mankind’s blind animosity against Himself. This is the absolute of  “loving the Lord thy God,” and “thy neighbor as thyself.” He brought reconciliation in the most complete way possible by keeping the Father’s will.

The will of God is that we should live and overcome the world. “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb.10:10)

 

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A Generation

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Louis

Pr 30:11 There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother.

  • 12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
  • 13 There is a generation-oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.
  • 14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men.

Ps 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

  • 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
  • 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
  • 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

A generation doesn’t always mean a people contemporary with one another. It can also mean the offspring of a given progenitor. The contexts above point to progenitors whose issue transcends the limits of a lifespan. Doubt and faith are produced through all ages. There are those who are of Jacob and those who are of apostasy.

Every individual is a receptacle of seed and bears the responsibility of what is accepted or rejected. The seed comes in the form of words and examples set before us; the truth of what has been done. Of Jacob it was said; “And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen.28:14)

 

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A Magnified Office

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Louis

The apostles of Jesus Christ were given a great responsibility. Through them God established His revelation for the ages, as witnessed by these few references:

  • Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)
  • Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (John 17:20)
  • Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21)
  • But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
  • That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. (I John 1:3)

Their work has provided the basis for all things we can currently understand concerning the Messiah of Israel; who He is, what He commands us to do, where it all leads, the particulars of Jesus being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Messiah would have been little more than a rumor if Jesus had not empowered His apostles to accomplish their work.

Therefore when an apostle of Jesus Christ wrote “. . I magnify mine office . .” it must have indicated something of particular importance. It was stated in the context of teaching people who had already tasted the fruit of salvation. So it was an issue of perspective and spiritual development.

It was written to a focus group of believers; “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office . .” (Rom.11:13) It was a “heads-up” for Gentile believers. (Are you a Gentile believer? In other words, is your human stock from the nations other than Israel?)

If you have read the eleventh chapter of Romans, you know where this is going.

  • Rom.11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
  • 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
  • 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

The express intention of God (the apostle’s magnified office) is that Gentile believers share in His desire for Israel’s salvation. It is singled out from His desire that all should be saved. Why?

  • Rom. 11:30-31 “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.”

 

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