May 22, 2022

New Heavens and a New Earth (and a Book Review)

Matthew 24:35

Noun: epiphany [ih-pif-uh-nee]
1. A divine manifestation
2. A moment of sudden understanding or revelation

We should all be on a quest to grow in grace through the renewing of our minds, seeking increased understanding of the pure, precious and perfect word of God. It is an amazing blessing when He embeds in us the zeal for such an effort, the reward of which can nearly amount to an ongoing epiphany.

As we humble ourselves and faithfully ask for God the Holy Spirit of Truth to guide us in the Way, fervent study of the Scriptures transforms us wonderfully. Not to say that true Christians cannot legitimately arrive at differing interpretations of holy writ but submitting to the Bible as a whole, beyond one’s systematic presuppositions, is essential to correctly perceive its teaching and be enlightened thereby.

Matthew 24 Fulfilled by John L. Bray includes personal testimony of the author’s journey through his changing perspectives on eschatology. A verse by verse commentary on our Lord’s teaching in what is commonly called the Olivet discourse as delineated in the “little apocalypse” of Matthew chapter 24, it is not so technical as to exclude the Christian layperson from appreciating it. The volume very effectively incorporates the parallel gospel accounts as well as cross references from the Old Testament in the discussion. Perhaps the most valuable benefit of the work is the extensive bibliography. Multitudinous and sundry resources are not only cited but quoted copiously, several of which are older and out of print or otherwise obscure to today’s inquiring minds. That it is available in PDF makes it even more of a worthy addition to one’s library, since in that format the many works referenced can be bookmarked for instant retrieval. With the support of many well-known older writers, including John Owen and Milton Terry, as well as many not so well-known older and newer ones, Bray ably presents the preterite perspective (he informs us that “preterist” is the noun whereas “preterite” is the adjective) of the “end times” teaching of the Bible.

The preterite perspective takes Christ at His word when He said “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (Matthew 24:34), indicating that everything He had foretold up to that point in​ His discourse would have a near term fulfillment, certainly within the lifetimes of some of those who were alive at that time. It does not attempt to apply any etymological alchemy to alter the time frame as stated, in order to accommodate ​a preconceived ​​futurist interpretation of the prophesy.

Having completed this comprehensive study, I am more convinced than ever not only of the complete fulfillment of the entirety of Matthew 24, but also that the references to “new heavens and a new earth” in Isaiah 65:17 and elsewhere foretell of the present gospel age and not the eternal state hereafter. Isaiah 51:16 says “And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’ “ which refers not literally to the physical creation 3,000 years earlier but symbolically to the establishment of old covenant Israel; the very same “heavens and earth” that would pass away in A.D. 70 as foretold by Jesus in the Olivet discourse (Matthew 24:35) and subsequently also by Peter in his second epistle: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10). It h​as become​ clear to me that Peter referred not to a physical destruction of the universe at the end of time but to that cataclysmic event of the Lord’s coming in judgment in those “last days”. The apostle then goes on to tell his 1st century readers “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13), which was couched in the same symbolic language to represent the establishment of the new covenant, having done away with the old.

The critical thing to understand is that while this prophecy was near in the future for those old covenant Jews who recognized the Messiah’s first advent and were converted, we are now looking back on it with joy as new covenant Christians born/reborn and living under the new covenant, in the “new heavens and earth” of this gospel age. When Jerusalem was destroyed, the temple and its ordinances, which were types and shadows, were done away with. This happened within the generation of the original hearers of the prophecy. Since then the church is the new dwelling place of God, and we now worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The new covenant church is the new bride of the Lamb, the new Jerusalem, a new heaven and a new earth (cf Revelation 21:1).

No doubt this is a radical shift in perspective from the futurist mindset pervading the church today, which pushes already fulfilled prophesy into the “not yet” of our future. The Bible says nothing about a rebuilt physical temple despite the popularity of dispensational premillennialism. The modern mindset seems to have developed a natural aversion to the preterite understanding of Bible prophecy, and embracing a biblically sound, historical viewpoint requires a prayerful focus on determining what sayeth the Scriptures rather than expecting them to validate preconceptions made popular by the rise of dispensationalism only since the 19th century.

While the tide of eschatological consensus may be turning, a remaining obstacle to a hermeneutically sound, historical understanding of Scripture is the fear of going too far so as to depart from orthodoxy traditionally adhered to by the church (and some do!). In that regard let me hasten to affirm that there will be one great, final, visible, glorious, personal Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15), to coincide with universal, physical resurrection and judgment. This blessed hope is cherished even as we find that Scripture teaches there are also other ways in which He comes.

Read Matthew 24 Fulfilled (only $10 in PDF) which compellingly exonerates the preterite perspective of Bible prophecy, going no further than where it can be exegetically shown to apply. As John L. Bray did at the end of that work, I herewith quote what Dr. Milton S. Terry wrote (1898) in his book Biblical Apocalyptics:

…it is important to observe that the preterist and historical method of interpretation followed in this volume conserves the substance of every fundamental doctrine of the Gospel of Christ. It may helpfully modify some current conceptions of “the great and notable day of the Lord,” for it treats the imagery of collapsing skies, and falling stars, and sounding trumpets, and dissolving mountains, and great white throne, and scores of similar figures of thought as expressing great realities, but not spectacular physical phenomena. Our interpretation no more denies or sets aside the doctrines of eternal judgment, of heaven and hell, of resurrection of the dead, and the coming and kingdom of Christ than does the refusal to affirm the literal “fire and brimstone” of future retribution deny or invalidate the doctrine of eternal reward and punishment beyond this mortal life.

Nearly nineteen centuries of the manifested power and glory of Christianity in the world ought to have thrown some light on the nature of the coming and the kingdom of Christ. It can scarcely be a question among intelligent believers in Christ that the beginning of the era of our Lord and Saviour was the most signal and significant epoch in the history of mankind. It marked a “fullness of times,” a crisis of ages. The exact point of transition from the old to the new may be with many an open question. But whether we place it at the birth of Jesus or at the time of ​His crucifixion, when ​He cried, “It is finished,” or at ​His resurrection, or at ​His ascension, or at Pentecost, or at the fall of Jerusalem, the great commanding fact is still before us that the manifestation of the Christ, with which all these events must ever appear in vital relation, opened a new era in human civilization.

We now submit the thought that these nineteen centuries of Christian light and progress are relatively but the misty morning twilight of the great day of Christ. It may be that ​He must reign a thousand times a thousand years before he shall have put all his enemies under his feet (1 Cor. xv, 25).

The coming of Christ in ​His kingdom and power and glory is not one instantaneous act or event. It is a long-continuing process comprehensive of ​His entire work both of redemption and of judgment. He comes in the power of his Spirit to convict the world respecting sin and righteousness and judgment (John xvi, 8); ​He comes in like manner to forgive the sins of the penitent and to lead the disciple into all the truth; ​He comes and is present wherever two or three are gathered together in ​His name. He has been coming through all the Christian centuries to receive unto ​Himself the faithful souls who have looked for ​His heavenly appearing and glory (John xiv, 3; xvii, 22–24). As truly as Jehovah came of old in the clouds of heaven to execute judgment on the Egyptians (lsa. xix, 1), so did the Son of man come in the clouds and with the angels of ​His power to execute judgment on the great city that was guilty of ​His blood and drunken with the blood of ​His saints and martyrs. He sitteth at the right hand of Power and sendeth forth continually ​His innumerable company of angels to minister for them that shall inherit salvation…1

Just like in the days of Noah when the entirety of the evil society of mankind was destroyed, the wicked generation of apostate Israel was obliterated along with all the elements of the old covenant “heavens and earth”.

The Messianic reign of the Lord Jesus Christ will continue with the inexorable advancement of His kingdom until all His enemies are under His feet (cf. 1 Cor. 15:25) …and then He shall come again, bodily (cf. Acts 1:11), at the end of time to judge both the living and the dead.

My constant prayer is for a clearer, more widespread understanding of Messianic prophecy and its historical fulfillment. Recognition of this revealed truth leads ​immediately​ to the question, “How then should we live?”. Fresh understanding and appreciation of our blessed position in Christ is critically significant for a more positive outlook and a more practical application of the gospel in the everyday life of Christians and the church in the new covenant here and now. We are not on a sinking ship where it is futile to polish the brass; that’s how it was for old covenant Israel in the years just prior to 70 AD. We are the church militant in the kingdom of Christ which has come in power and glory, which must grow until it fills the earth. The Messianic reign of the Lord Jesus Christ will continue with the inexorable advancement of His kingdom until all His enemies are under His feet (cf. 1 Cor. 15:25) …and then He shall come again, bodily (cf. Acts 1:11), at the end of time to judge both the living and the dead. God’s people just need to be enlightened and exhorted to greater faith and obedience; perhaps the first step in that direction is for the scales to fall from our eyes.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)

—-

[1] Terry, M. S. (1898). Biblical Apocalyptics: A Study of the Most Notable Revelations of God and of Christ in the Canonical Scriptures.

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January 1, 2019

Is it Now the End Time of the American Idea?

Like the coming of the lawless one, Nero Caesar, in the 1st century A.D. when the Roman empire dominated old covenant Israel, deep state operatives and their army of haters in the world today proceed according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth… (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
The patriots’ hope and prayer for the here & now is that the unfolding exposure of the entrenched leftocrat government swamp, the Godless, lying Democrat party and their corrupted media mouthpieces, will be the beginning of our nation’s purging of deep state wickedness, and a return to the Christian values upon which it was founded; that the gospel will shine forth and flourish in our time, and that those traitors who have criminally schemed to overthrow the president of these United States will be prosecuted, convicted and punished.

et al.

As Star Parker has observed, in 2020 America must decide whether to be biblical and free, or secular and statist. Will we go forward as one nation under God, embracing the ideals of our heritage as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, providing for limited government; that all men (and women) are created equal, endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Or will we succumb to the nihilistic ideology that by big government decree purposes to kill defenseless babies in the womb (or even after birth!), and destroy the deeply held values such as the rule of law, the sanctity of life and marriage, the critical importance of the traditional family, personal responsibility and free enterprise for a prosperous economy, etc; etc. that have made this the most exceptional nation of this age?

Irrespective of the fate of our present generation, the long term, ultimate triumph of the ascended, enthroned, sovereign Lord Jesus Christ and His church over all opponents in time and history is inevitable. For He must reign til He has put all enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25). May our time be a time of new awakening to the Truth!

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
-Habakkuk 2:14

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October 19, 2018

Reflections on the Rich Ruler

17And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'” 20And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” -Mark 10:17-27   ———————————————————————————————————–

This ruler (we know he was a ruler from Luke’s account, cf. Luke 18:18) distinguished himself by showing esteem for Christ, and having concern for eternal destiny, as others of his stature were not so inclined. We can read between the lines that the Lord would have had him know that if he realized by calling Him “good” he was calling Him God, that he was indeed correct.

The law, when understood correctly, functions to reveal our helplessness under sin and drive us to Christ as the only hope of attaining righteousness unto salvation. Had this ruler known the true nature of the commandments in their extent to the heart, he might rather have admitted “All these I have transgressed from my youth, in thought, word and deed.”

The Lord’s stipulation, presented as a requirement to this would-be seeker, like all of Scripture, must first and foremost be understood in the historical context, before being applied to us in the here and now. The Christian church was founded in the last days of the old covenant, when great tribulation would soon arise leading to the prophesied destruction of apostate Israel at Jerusalem within that generation (cf. Matthew 24). The selling of properties destined to be demolished would shortly be called for. The book of Acts records how at that time those believers who were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need (Acts 4:34). Jesus of course knew that this ruler had his heart set on his own estate and riches on which he relied and could not part with. The disciples had dropped their meager livelihoods on the spot and followed the Lord. In contrast, the rich ruler went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Not everyone at all times is called to divest of all wealth and give it to the poor; and certainly no one can do anything ever by way of works to obtain eternal life! If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing (1 Cor. 13:3). Being rich is not a bad thing in and of itself. Rather, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). Faithful saints who were also wealthy as depicted in Scripture include Job, Abraham (and all the patriarchs, most notably Joseph), David (and all the godly Jewish kings), Boaz, Zaccheus and Joseph of Arimathea, among many others. The apostles were called to leave all and follow Christ, but there is no universal obligation for everyone to give all that they have to the poor.

Even so, everyone, as they are able, should provide for the needy and be content to do so even if at personal loss. After all, none of us has anything which we did not receive from God in whom we live and move and have our very being. Worldly wealth enables the bearing of various burdens as ordained; and also is entrusted to be put to use for the glory of God and the advancement of the kingdom of Christ (cf. Matt. 25:14ff). The danger of riches comes not so much from having them as in setting the heart upon them to the point of not parting with them even for Christ’s sake. Trusting in and being devoted to wealth more so than God is idolatry. Anything in our lives that keeps us from fully loving God is an idol and must be renounced (cf. Matt. 22:37; Matt. 6:24).

True believers with financial wealth are wonderful examples of the grace of God. Seeing through the riches to realize the temporal vanity of them, the regenerate heart knows the absolute insufficiency of any amount of money to satisfy the soul, and resists letting it come between the soul and the Saviour. They have, by the grace of God, overcome the obstacle which Jesus compared to a camel passing through the eye of a needle, which is to say is insurmountable, apart from that divine grace. “For all things are possible with God”.

 

 

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August 15, 2013

Where’s the Outrage?

The recent internet news story about the U.S. Treasury running a $98 Billion deficit in July 2013 yet the national debt stayed exactly at $16,699,396,000,000 (just below the latest “legal limit”), goes to show that this illegitimate, corrupt federal administration does whatever it wants, even blatantly “cooking the books” right in front of incredulous eyes. Well, at least of those of us who have eyes to see. Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD (Proverbs 20:10). Alas, the lamestream media has taken the term “in the tank” to an amazing level, and its a septic tank that’s full and needs to be drained.
 
This issue of the national debt may seem inconsequential in the absence of a free press that actually investigates and reports the news; nevertheless it is crucial to the economic survival of this nation as we have known it. Its safe to say that we would not be in as ridiculous of a deficit situation now if Romney had been elected; as a sound business man if nothing else, he would have at least begun to turn around the fiscal skyrocket to oblivion. While I do not decry the choice of my Christian brothers & sisters who did not vote for Romney on a conscience basis, there are other abominations that have encroached upon us which even McCain’s election in 2008 may have avoided, most notably that “same-sex marriage”, the ultimately moronic oxymoron, could have been denied Supreme Court support without Kagan and Sotomayor. Notwithstanding ballot fraud, ingrained class/race propaganda and rampant ignorance, those of us who voted for both McCain and Romney, besides feeling the need for extra cleansing, are left with the fact that God’s will has been, is and always will be done.
 
With the USA going down in financial flames amid cultural chaos, how then should we live? …a rhetorical question without an easy answer beyond the basics according to God’s will, prayerfully, as best we can determine from His word… I suppose we ought to, in the words of Jesse Jackson, “keep hope alive”, while qualifying the object of that hope of course. Now I really need cleansing having quoted him; may as well quote Obama while I’m at it: “god bless planned parenthood”… its hard to imagine that even his god could bless planned parenthood.
 
The dreadful state of the union is made out by so-called progressives to be success, only hampered by conservatives clinging to their religion who are “racists”, “homophobes”, “xenophobes”, etc. What’s left of the country many of us grew up in by 2017 may be presided over by Hillary Clinton; America: the land of the spree and the home of the slave. Nevertheless there is no darkness greater than the grace of Jesus. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:7).
 
So let us not be embittered, but rather comforted that God is in sovereign control of all things. We submit ourselves to His timetable according to His will, even when the wicked are allowed to outwardly prevail, knowing that all things work together for our good and His glory. We pray for empowerment to stand uncompromisingly on the truth of His word in every area of life, with love for the lost and with faith in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Keep fighting the good fight, keep the faith, and finish the race (cf 2 Timothy 4:6-8).
 
O Lord of all the earth, be the stability of our times, our abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Let the righteous flourish among us, and let there be those who fear You in our land, while the sun endures, throughout all generations; that peace may abound, and the children yet to be created may praise the LORD. We ask it all in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
 
America the Beautiful
Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the fruited plain! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood 
From sea to shining sea! 

O beautiful for pilgrim feet 
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat 
Across the wilderness! 
America! America! 
God mend thine every flaw, 
Confirm thy soul in self-control, 
Thy liberty in law! 

O beautiful for heroes proved 
In liberating strife. 
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life! 
America! America! 
May God thy gold refine 
Till all success be nobleness 
And every gain divine! 

O beautiful for patriot dream 
That sees beyond the years 
Thine alabaster cities gleam 
Undimmed by human tears! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood 
From sea to shining sea! 

O beautiful for halcyon skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the enameled plain! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till souls wax fair as earth and air 
And music-hearted sea! 

O beautiful for pilgrims feet, 
Whose stem impassioned stress 
A thoroughfare for freedom beat 
Across the wilderness! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till paths be wrought through 
wilds of thought 
By pilgrim foot and knee! 

O beautiful for glory-tale 
Of liberating strife 
When once and twice, 
for man’s avail 
Men lavished precious life! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till selfish gain no longer stain 
The banner of the free! 

O beautiful for patriot dream 
That sees beyond the years 
Thine alabaster cities gleam 
Undimmed by human tears! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
Till nobler men keep once again 
Thy whiter jubilee!

Detroit, Michigan, USA

—
My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words. (Psalm 119:139)

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September 23, 2012

Wayward Worldviews & Political Persuasions

world·view  (wûrld‘ vyoo)
noun  1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.

          2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.
[thefreedictionary.com]

To begin with, the only worldview that can account for morality is the Christian biblical worldview. God almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, in Whom all truth and logic inheres, has revealed Himself through the Incarnation of the Son, and by the Spirit inspired Scriptures. Also, in creating mankind in His image, God embedded our ability to reason according to and by the standard of His immutable nature. So there is special revelation which brings Christians near to God, as well as general revelation which leaves all without excuse for not acknowledging Him. There is no explanation for rational thought itself, let alone morality, outside of the Triune God of Scripture.

Therefore the atheist cannot logically make a claim as to whether or not anything is “right” or “wrong”, because he has no standard to appeal to. If we are just masses of protoplasm that randomly evolved from slime, what difference does anything make? In that worldview, we are only instigated to do whatever we do by “survival of the fittest”. What’s right for you may be wrong for me; what’s offensive to you may be my cup of tea. Why can’t someone just take another life if they find it convenient and choose to?  Ridiculous?  Absolutely!  In the absence of the fear of God, there is nothing to constrain one’s disposition to man. There are other such wayward worldviews as are common to fallen mankind, which contrast starkly with the Christian worldview of creation under God’s law. Along with the atheist, adherents to these worldviews willfully reject God by replacing Him with something else that they look to for their identity and values.

One particularly vehement and deeply ingrained example of a sociopolitical persuasion is the “racial” (more properly termed ethnic) worldview, held by segments of society separating themselves, for example as Blacks, or Italians, or Jews, or Latinos, etc., etc. or even “White supremacists” — which indicates that such distinctions need not only be applicable to “minority groups”.  Hitler’s Third Reich was based on a worldview of Germans as the “master race”.  In this country, where a war was fought 150 years ago to abolish slavery, the Black worldview today most powerfully epitomizes a “racial” state of mind, not just manifested by Black TV, Black History Month, Congressional Black Caucus, etc., but even to the point of distinguishing a “Black Liberation Theology”. While many U.S. citizens no longer define themselves primarily by ethnic heritage, there are many that remain first and foremost not Christian, nor American, nor even  just a man or a woman; but rather identify  themselves above all else as Black.  Accordingly, a common set of values within this group (not from the external standard of any “higher authority”) is propagated — all-too-typically to include a perpetual victimhood mentality and unwavering allegiance to the Democrat party so that there is a non-negotiable commitment to blindly support the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama aka Barry Soetoro, no matter how questionable his eligibility, qualifications, competency or character; or even how unmitigated of a disaster for the nation as a whole he has proven to be. Ridiculous? Absolutely!

The effect of this racial worldview is to lead us away from being one nation under God, towards dependency on an increasingly tyrannical federal government. The most aberrant aspect of it is that it flies in the face of the fact that there is only one “race”, the human race!  We are all descendent from Adam, and from Noah. What we have is different people groups and combinations of physical characteristics, genetically distinguished by the amount of melanin in the skin and other physical traits. The concept of separate “races” as in different species or “kinds” among people is the pernicious thinking of the evolution worldview, which is where the idea of “racism” comes from. The institution of slavery in the new world was a scourge justified by that mindset. Jim Crow in the American south reinforced it with the “little dab ‘ll do ya” theory to perpetuate segregation. Thus developed a mixed “class” of people who went from being called “mulattoes” to “quadroons” to “octaroons”; to “colored”, to “negro” to “black” to “African-American” — a hyphenated term which doesn’t seem to have stuck any better than any of the others, bringing the preferred nomenclature back to “Black”, no matter the broad range of actual skin shades of persons so culturally distinguished. Ridiculous? Absolutely!

Some had hoped for a “post-racial” era to be ushered in by Obama’s election, but instead his presidency has been an extremely divisive influence on this nation. Rather than providing leadership towards unity, seeking common ground to achieve bipartisan objectives, this illegitimate president’s m.o. has been to ramrod his extreme leftist policies down everyone’s throat, if not by partisan power then by executive order. The net effect has been polarized political discourse, worsened congressional gridlock, heightened ideological animosity, and greater enmity between people groups. On top of that the democrat controlled senate even rejected the Obama budget, such that this administration has not even gotten a budget passed in over 3 years. Still, in spite of this most biblically hostile imposter having the worst economic record conceivable by a president in a single term — the highlights of which are a $6 TRILLION increase in national debt and sustained unemployment above 8% (conservatively estimated) — the “race”-based block of voters continues to support him. Ridiculous? Absolutely!

We might hopefully assume that there will be at least some attrition by citizens within this group who wake up from a parasitical dependency on government, and from the false hope that government can provide societal utopia for them or anyone else. As Margaret Thatcher once said, “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”

These dynamics are clear indications of the abhorrent nature of sin in a fallen world. A people group enslaved, brutalized and hanging from trees like “strange fruit” is the imagery of the horrific history which this nation carries as baggage to this day, even after the election of a person with brown skin to the highest office in the land. I remember my dad, who had dark brown skin, telling me the story of how (some time in the 1940s I presume) he stepped into a facility where there was a job opportunity fair of sorts, and immediately over the loudspeaker, the facilitator broadcast the words “I can’t do nothin’ for you”. No one can deny the horrible wickedness of colonial slavery and its enduring effects that no man nor war could simply “abolish”.  Indeed the emotional scars of institutionalized persecution are deep and long lasting, and such wounds can never be healed but by the grace of God.

Martin Luther King had the dream that one day people would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. He never dreamed that the content of their character would be based on the color of their skin. While the civil rights movement in the USA made profoundly positive strides, politically; now nanny-statism threatens to reverse the progress of liberty, as government oppression and citizen dependency is just a different form of slavery.  Here’s the bottom line: notwithstanding all human causes and effects, the changing of hearts and minds, spiritually, is in the purview of the sovereign Spirit of God alone. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The evil one, satan (name intentionally not capitalized), our adversary from the beginning, who is the devil, fosters the locking in of the racial worldview and hatred for those who dare to think outside of that box. It is a bitter irony that those who to this day self consciously subscribe to the black democrat dependency group-think may believe that they are “keepin’ it real”, when in fact they are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness by perpetuating the great deception of “racial” pigeonholing.

There are those of us who have both African and European ancestry who are 50 cents away from having a quarter, and just want the economy to improve and opportunities to increase, for freedom and liberty to prevail as the gospel spreads; not for citizens to be controlled and provided for by big government. So its not just “white people” or “the rich” who are against Obama and the historically demonstrated ills of socialism, which pit the people against each other by “class” and by “race”. We as a nation desperately need to get past all that, and it is only possible when eyes are opened to see that there is no pain, no hate, no envy, no fear, no heartache, no wickedness, no nothing beyond the healing grace of Jesus… that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4).

What all of mankind and creation desperately need and groan for is reconciliation with God, to enable living according to His purpose; with forgiveness, respect and love for one another as all likewise bearers of His image. All people of all persuasions are called to repent and believe the gospel. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

—
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

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July 17, 2012

Hard Pressed, Hemmed In, and On The Horns…

Christian Americans know that this nation has fallen disastrously far from the biblical principles of it’s founding, and is reaping the results of the continuing failure to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We also know beyond any doubt that He Who ascended to the right hand of God the Father almighty is the One to Whom every knee shall bow. Standing on the timeless, true word of God we know that just as the promise of the Messiah (the Seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15) came to pass in the fullness of time, He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead. Hallelujah. But lets not get ahead of ourselves. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25). Many of us overlook this critical revelation.

We are hard-pressed on every side in this time and place because we are in the period of advancement of the kingdom of God, and the age-old battle rages on. Our Lord Jesus Christ reigns in heaven even now, as the sovereign Holy Spirit calls the Father’s children to covenant in the invisible church, to be living stones in a living temple, built upon the chief Cornerstone. While this is an indescribably blessed status for us to have, it puts us at enmity with our own flesh, the seed of the serpent, and the world (culture) that we are still smack dab in the middle of. The secular humanist forces have been doggedly advancing their anti-god agenda here in the United States of America, a nation founded as a constitutional republic under God.

We are hemmed in by wickedness in high places. Big bankers control the political process so that the two-party system is a stark reality, and we are limited to a choice of either one or the other in electing leaders, especially for the highest office in the land. A complicit major media, along with an electorate that is largely ignorant and gullible, helps maintain the status quo. Any candidate who is not a puppet for the system is systematically excluded. Of course our ideal candidate is a bonafide, born-again Christian whose faith is not separated from his politics, and who has biblically informed positions on all the issues. Let us continue to pray and work for such even as we realize that there is no one so qualified in the running at present. The closest we have come to a realistic alternative to the status quo is Ron Paul, a professing Christian whose positions at least consistently align with the U.S. Constitution. He would end all unjust wars and foreign entanglements and cut a TRILLION dollars in government spending. Now that’s real change. Ron Paul has been the Christian’s best hope by far for election to the office of President of these United States.

We are on the horns of a dilemma as the fat lady appears to be clearing her throat and getting ready to sing the end of the Ron Paul revolution. Let’s see what happens at the Elephant Convention, and hold fast with prayerful hope for what would be no less than miraculous at this point. Even so, its time to square up to the consideration of an Obama vs Romney race for President. First of all, as difficult as it is to do, we must face the fact that once the opposition nominee is officially determined, there is no viable third option. Careful, prayerful consideration has led me away from vowing to cast a write-in, or determining to opt out with a no-vote. There shall surely come a day when Christians will no longer be bound by the cords of the wicked, but for now we are indeed hemmed in (see above).

Yes, it is a sad state of affairs when Christians must vote for the “lesser of two evils” who is an adherent of Mormonism, a religion which teaches the abominable blasphemy that Jesus and Satan are brothers. Yet, with a clothes pin on our noses if necessary, we must vote for Romney because any other vote, or a no-vote, is effectively a vote for Obama, who is undeniably proven to be an unmitigated disaster. Obama’s particular anti-American deception and destructiveness must be cut short. For the sake of damage control alone, Obama has got to go. Without going into a lengthy political analysis, lets just look at life and death: Romney says he is now pro life; Obama has proven to be unswervingly pro murder. Romney favors repeal of Roe v Wade; Obama glorifies it. Romney agrees with parental consent; Obama eschews it. Romney has been on record supporting de-funding of Planned Parenthood; Obama reveres it. Romney is not in favor of embryonic stem cell research; Obama aggressively supports it. Romney has promised to scrap obamacare which if left unfettered, only the Lord knows how many will be harmed.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8). Remember this: we are not violating or compromising our commitment to scriptural doctrine by making a practical political choice in voting, and we should not equate the two. Voting for Romney against Obama is not making a compromise to nor an endorsement of Mormonism. This election is just one battle in a long-term war. If we insist on writing-in someone or voting for a 3rd party candidate who we know will not win, we are only contributing to losing this battle for whatever its worth, and each and every battle makes a difference. Likewise, the only statement a no-vote makes is that Christians have a lack of political clout. We cannot keep ceding battle victories to the greater evil without things continuing to get worse and worse. We are not compromising biblical standards by not letting idealism deter us from the realistic political action we need to take for the greater good.

George Bush prevailed over Al Gore by a mere five hundred-something votes in Florida, giving him the electoral total for victory. If only 500-some-odd more Bush votes had been no-votes or gone to a 3rd party candidate instead, we would’ve had Al Gore for President. Something to think about as we bite the bullet and vote for Romney this year.
—
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

 

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July 3, 2012

Government, Gospel and God’s Glory

A famous quip made by the 40th President of these United States which hit home and rings true today is “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.” [listen] Previously having served as the 33rd Governor of California, it was Ronald Reagan who also astutely observed that “As government expands, liberty contracts.”

Indeed an out of control government, having undergone unprecedented expansion, now presents a practically insurmountable fiscal problem for this once prosperous nation, while personal freedom gives way to statist control. The highlight of the Obama economic record is a 43% increase in the Federal Debt which stands at an unspeakable $15.2 TRILLION, and all the so-called “stimulus” government spending has completely failed. Regardless as to whether this is a case of good intentions combined with pathetic incompetence; misguided ideology mixed with power-hungry narcissism; all Bush’s fault; or worst case – deliberate “Cloward-Piven Strategy”, it is undeniable that individual rights, which come from God, have correspondingly suffered and necessarily erode under bigger and more intrusive government.

So what is the solution? Even the limited government model established for our nation by its founders was and is dependent on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything is dependent upon, contingent to, defined by, and judged according to the gospel. The word gospel literally means “good news”. The gospel is really good news because it is the solution to a much bigger problem that all of mankind faces: the problem of sin. Why is sin such a big problem? Because it cannot be tolerated by our creator God, Who is infinitely holy and the sovereign judge of all. So why did God permit sin to come into the world? I’ll tell you exactly why: for His glory. Life is not about the ordinances of men. No matter what political philosophy is en vogue, all is meaningless outside of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its just so, you must know.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).  “By this gospel you are saved…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time…” (1 Corinthians 15:2-6).

Glory, glory and hallelujah for the Holy Bible which is the word of God. It affirms that Jesus Christ is God. The Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures are to be believed, as His word carries both instruction and authority for every area of our lives. We stand uncompromisingly on the authority of the Word of God! Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Pontius Pilate, when staring right into the face of Truth personified, pondered, “What is truth?”. We know Who the Truth is and we stand for Him even unto death. Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples (and us), “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17), which confirms that the Word of God – both the eternal Word Himself as well as the canon of Scripture (the Holy Bible) – is Truth. Amen!

If you don’t have the Bible, GET IT.

If you have the Bible, READ IT.

If you read the Bible, BELIEVE IT.

If you believe the Bible, LIVE IT.

—
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

 

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June 28, 2012

Perplexed but not driven to despair…

No doubt blogs are all abuzz today with banter about the supreme court decision to uphold the legislation commonly known as obamacare. What shall we say then?  It is indeed disappointing that this atrocious health-care mandate would even be considered to be “constitutional”.  The U.S. Constitution restricts the federal government to specifically enumerated powers which do not include providing/managing medical insurance coverage… end of story. But in the hoodwinked world of politics, it played out on a stage reminiscent of the high places in Israel of old where they worshiped their idols. Should we have even gotten our hopes up? Public officials who understand and abide by the principles of Constitutional government are few and far between — Ron Paul is the only one I can think of offhand who has been consistent in that regard. In a political environment where a presidential candidate of his caliber is “unelectable”, what should we expect from the “high court of the land”?

In 1973, in the infamous Roe v. Wade pro-abortion decision, seven justices ruled that women could kill their pre-born babies.  50+ million such babies have been brutally murdered since then, because of “choice”.  Since it’s already ok to choose to murder pre-born babies for whatever reason, then stealing from people (and calling it a tax) to regulate healthcare, or in the future – by precedent – for whatever reason, is just another action towards the repeal of God-given rights (first life, now liberty)… but “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked…” (Galatians 6:7).

Not only will this flawed law raise taxes, kill jobs and increase our already unsustainable national debt, but insult is added to injury by the vote of John Roberts, a Bush appointee and heretofore respected judicial constructionist. It goes to show that the influence of the powers that be are deep and wide. But there is no darkness greater than the grace of Jesus! Too many Christians are focused on the “conservative right” political platform instead of a biblical world view.  “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus told his disciple, “…you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).

So we need to get even deeper than “grass roots”… “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Don’t support candidates for public office who don’t take their oath seriously (believe it or not they all take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution). The fight against obamacare now shifts to the halls of congress where for the most part the only option is either donkey or elephant dung. But Jesus’ disciples were dealing with an even more putrid scenario: Caesar was on the throne and tyranny was well established; yet Rome fell and God’s kingdom increases.

Press on, beloved, stay strong in the faith. Even now in this postmodern era, as hearts & minds are changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit we will prevail.

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June 25, 2012

Best Laid Plans and Righteous Resources

In entering the blogosphere I am acutely aware of the Lord’s mighty hand on all things. Indeed He has brought about a confluence of circumstances leading me to establish this new blog, as I have become more and more zealous for the advancement of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ in the here & now, and being on the “other side of the hill” so to speak, while living in a country that has regressed so far from the soundness and respectability of its founding documents which are based on biblical principles. The FaithFacts website has an excellent section on The Bible and Government which delineates this relationship. It is absolutely crucial that Christian Americans be aware of the revisionist bastardization of history that has been ubiquitously propagandized so as to impugn the motives of the earliest settlers of this nation who were Christian evangelicals! The postmodern “progressive” (actually regressive) agenda would have us forget that the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence acted on behalf of their posterity, “and for the support of this Declaration with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” Beloved, though our weapons are not carnal, and we fight not against flesh & blood, the kingdom of our Lord encompasses every area of life and we must be similarly dedicated, faithful and prayerfully confident to prevail.

To that end let me heartily recommend some resources to start. As victims of public schooling, many of us have been taught many erroneous things about the European explorers of the new world (Christopher Columbus et. al.), as well as the “Indians”, the Pilgrims and the Puritans, etc. so as to denigrate our nation’s founding, even to the point that the chief executive of these United States has stated that we are “no longer a Christian nation”. Do a phrase search of the Bible for “all the nations” to see how the regressives are going the wrong way…  (not only this nation, but Yahweh told Abraham that “…in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed…” [Genesis 22:18]).

Which leads me to the first recommended resource: Berean Bible Study Freeware, aka BerBible, available here. Get the Free Bundle with ESV, NASB, KJV, and other Bibles (about 10 MB).

Secondly, there is a 4-sermon series recorded by Pastor Joe Morecraft III in mp3 format that comes on a CD for only $5 titled “Ideas Have Consequences”, available here. The promo says it all:  Watching the news or observing the American culture begs the question, “What went wrong?”.  We were founded as a Christian nation, fleeing persecution, and now we cannot pray in public or speak out against wicked behavior without being persecuted or even prosecuted.  Listen to these lectures filled with historical facts and presentations of attitudes of another era and you will understand “what went wrong”.

Thirdly, a book titled “The Light and the Glory” by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, subtitled “Did God Have a Plan for America?”. Here is the editorial review: For those of us who, like the authors, have been exposed mostly to the secular accounts of this period of American history, the information presented becomes a revelation of very great magnitude. … This book is important. I would that every professing Christian read Gods Holy Bible and this book. There are, of a surety, better and more comprehensive histories than this, but I would recommend none more highly to introduce the student to our Christian American roots as pertains to our beginnings on these shores. — Christian Forum Book Review. This book is available from amazon.com. Also let me take this opportunity to advise that many books are available in Kindle format at significantly lesser cost, and they can be viewed on any computer with the free Kindle reading app.

Lastly, a new friend of mine has recommended “Paradise Restored” by David Chilton, available as a PDF for free online here. Not having read it yet myself, but familiar with Chilton’s work (“Days of Vengeance”), and with the subtitle of “A Biblical Theology of Dominion”, I recommend “Paradise Restored” unhesitatingly. I also highly recommend my new friend Publius Huldah’s blog, accessible from the blogroll at the right or here… and I close with this as stated there (extrapolated from Galatians 3:28):

“There is no such thing as Jew & Greek, slave & freeman, male & female, black person & white person; for we are all one person in Christ Jesus.”
—
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

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June 24, 2012

Is this Your Religion?

Puritan Audio Devotional: Is this your religion?

J.A. James, challenging

Play Audio!    Download Audio

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June 24, 2012

Great Searchings of Heart

Great Searchings of Heart

James Smith, 1856

Being called upon to attend an association of churches during the past week, I was painfully affected by the fact, that out of more than twenty churches — only four could report an increase of numbers during the last twelve months, and that increase was small. Yet, in every church the gospel is preached, and in most, if not all, prayer-meetings are held. What is to become of the world, thought I, if things go on thus? What will become of our own beloved land?

The population is increasing, souls by millions are perishing, and the gospel seems to have lost its power! The churches decrease. What a solemn, what an alarming fact! About three thousand sermons had been preached, about three thousand children had been taught in the Sabbath-schools, a great number of Bibles, tracts, and religious periodicals had been circulated — and yet the majority of the churches had decreased! Surely this is enough to make one weep, lie low before God, and ask, “Show us why you contend with us.” Three questions arose in my mind, and have been exercising my thoughts since. Let me invite you, my fellow-Christian, to attend to them with me.

First, Is there not a cause? Surely we cannot ascribe our present languishing condition wholly to the sovereignty of God. In Old Testament times the Lord laid the blame on his people, and asked, “Have you not procured this unto my yourself?” And again, by another prophet, “Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened? Are these the things He does?” Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?” Many similar portions may be remembered by the reader, if he is familiar with the Scriptures.

In the New Testament, the apostle James tells us, “You have not — because you ask not; or because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts.” Surely there is some worm at the root, that causes the plant of God’s right hand planting to wither. There is some wedge of gold and Babylonish garment hidden in some Achan’s tent, which causes Israel to turn their backs on their enemies. Yes! There must be a cause. We have the same gospel to preach which the apostles had. We have the same promises of success. We have the same kind of people to address. Yet they were successful; they turned the world upside down; they triumphed in Christ, and spread abroad the savor of his knowledge in every place.

But what are we doing? Where are our triumphs? We decrease; what is the cause? Let us then inquire,

Secondly, Can we ascertain the cause? Methinks we may, if we are hearty in our desire, and are willing to dig deep enough. It does not seem to lie on the surface; let us therefore plough up the fallow ground, and look deeper. God said that he would search Jerusalem, as with candles, and punish the men that were settled on their lees.

Let us who preach, look at our preaching, and ask: Do I preach Christ enough? Is Christ crucified, and Christ glorified — constantly kept before the people? Do I, in my ministry, exalt and extol him? Is it my delight to proclaim Him . . .
in the glory of His person,
in the merit of His blood,
in the riches of His grace?

Do I present Him to my people as the only Savior to be trusted, and the great example to be copied? Do I preach Christ plainly, with deep feeling, and with a hearty desire that my hearers may believe in Him and live? Do I aim at the immediate conversion of every soul that hears me, travailing in birth for souls until Christ is formed in them?

Do I honor the Holy Spirit in His Divine personality, office, character, and gracious work? Do I preach, impressed with the thought, that unless the Holy Spirit accompanies the Word with His power —
no dead sinner will be quickened,
no undecided hearer will yield to Jesus,
nor will the Lord’s people be revived or comforted?

Do I realize that it is personal, heartfelt, believing prayer, that brings down the power of the Spirit, which alone can render the Word effectual? And do I in private, among my people, in the pulpit, and even while preaching — endeavor to bring down the Spirit by such prayer? Do I strive to impress upon my people, the necessity of incessant prayer for this invaluable blessing, and set them an example by cultivating such a spirit of prayer? Am I an example to my people of . . .
deadness to the world,
zeal for the Lord’s glory,
devotedness to the Lord’s work, and
burning desire to bring souls to God?

And let the brethren who are HEARERS examine themselves on this point also. Brethren, much depends on you. A praying, zealous, lively, working church, must be successful. We fear that many of you do not realize the value of the immortal souls around you as you should. You do not aim constantly at bringing souls to God, as if it was the first and grand object of your life. Souls are dropping into Hell around you — but where is your feeling? Souls are hardening in sin under the preaching of the gospel — but where is your concern? You know that though Paul preaches — yet without the power of the Spirit of God, no saving effect would be produced — and yet you hear sermon after sermon, without pleading with God for His Spirit to come down! You hear of the low state of the church, you talk of the low state of the church — but where are your tears? Where are your wrestlings with God? Where is your deep and heart-affecting concern? How few of you feel as if you could not live if the cause of God did not prosper? and yet this is how every one of us should feel. Ah, my brethren, I think a little examination will lead us to discover how we have grieved the Spirit, and why our churches are in the state they are! There is a cause — let us search it out, and then let us inquire,

Thirdly, Can we remove it? Are we willing to make the effort? Are we right heartily desirous to witness the change? If we are, let us ascertain what part we have had, in causing the Spirit to withdraw.

What sins do we indulge?

What duty do we omit?

What wrong feelings do we cherish?

What improper principles do we hold?

What unhallowed spirit or temper do we give way to?

There is some special cause in every one, though there may be a general cause spreading over the whole church.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life!” Psalm 139:23-24. Let then our pastors, elders, deacons, and private members, commence the work of self-examination at once, and let us be impartial in the work . . .
sparing no sin,
tampering with no lust,
listening to no temptation.

But let us make thorough work of it. Let every sin we detect be confessed over the blood of atonement; let us . . .
deplore it,
grieve over it,
seek the pardon of it, and
pray for grace at once to depart from it!

Let us humble ourselves before God. The guilty should confess, and the confession of guilt should lead to deep humiliation before God. Brethren, let us lie low. Let us abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes. O for humbling grace from God, for I fear most of us think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think!

Let us plead with God in earnest prayer for deeper sanctification, for greater spirituality, that, like Jesus, our Master, it may be our food and drink to do the will of God. How little we resemble him, who left us an example that we should follow His steps!

A worldly church can never be really a spiritually prosperous church. As our land, in a spiritual sense, is like what Israel’s land was once in a literal sense, when for three years and six months there had been no rain, so that dearth and death were the characteristics of the country — let us, like Elijah, go up to the top of Carmel, and like him, determine never to leave our post until the Lord sends down revitalizing rain upon the earth. He is saying to us, “Ask the Lord for rain in the spring, for he makes the storm clouds. And he will send showers of rain so every field becomes a lush pasture. For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit.” (Zechariah 10:1, Isaiah 44:3).

Remember, O remember, that the energetic prayer of the righteous man avails much! Who shall say how much? God is still love. We have his promise. He is on the throne of grace. He bids us to come to it boldly. He asks us to prove Him, by penitence, reformation, and prayer. (Mal. 3:10, 13.) He is true to His word. He will show himself faithful. He never did say to the seed of Jacob, “Seek me in vain,” and He never will. It is still true that every one who asks aright — receives; he who seeks in faith — finds; and to him that knocks with importunity — the door of Heaven’s storehouse is opened. Let us ask, seek, and knock, then, that our joy may be full.

O that I could write something that would touch the hearts of the Lord’s people, and stir them up! O that the Lord would use my pen to awaken concern, quicken desire, and lead to hearty wrestlings for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit! Nothing will do but this. Without it we are like Samson, who lost his locks on Delilah’s lap! We may go out and shake ourselves, we may make a stir — but we shall accomplish nothing! There can be no substitute found for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the church.

He is the only giver and nourisher of spiritual life. He is the only efficient teacher of the ignorant. He is the only life of the church. O that God, even our own God, would at once give us anew this great blessing, that we may see a great and glorious revival of pure and undefiled religion! O to see thousands pierced in the heart, led to the Savior, and introduced into the church! O to hear the dear name of Jesus sounded forth by the tongues of millions of ransomed sinners, brought by the promised Comforter to know, love, and serve him! Lord Jesus, pour out the ever-blessed Spirit, to sanctify the church, to gather together into one your scattered people, and fulfill the largest promises of the everlasting covenant! Amen.

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June 24, 2012

Church Victory

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3…

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June 8, 2012

Deliverance

Posted by compugor June 8, 2012 at 2:10 pm on the Midwest Christian Outreach blog:

An unbelieving man who instinctively looks at women with lust is an adulterer, but he does not even recognize that he is an adulterer. A born again Christian (especially one regenerated at age 52) may still have the same adulterous instinct, but knows that it is adultery, sinful and wrong. So he repents of it, struggles against it, and relies on the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit to deliver him from it. He may continue to struggle with it for the rest of his life, but here’s the point – he is no longer an adulterer… he no longer practices that sin by suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, and he now hates it because it is against God’s law (cf Matthew 5:28 ).

Well its the same thing with homosexuality. That’s just another sin that a believer can repent of and be delivered from. But an unbeliever cannot just “decide” to repent and believe the Word; nor can he/she be intellectually convinced; it is only by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit that sinners are saved. So it all comes down to this: you must be born again.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can be saved except through faith in Him. As it is written “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)… “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8)… Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).

The message has not changed, and it can’t be sugar-coated. It applies to homosexuality just the same as all sins. Christians should indiscriminately share the gospel message of faith, hope and yes, love. What a wondrous love is this, that the Lord of glory would die on a cross for the sins of His people! There is no darkness greater than the grace of Jesus. He not only saves from the damnation of hell but makes FREE from the condemning power of sin. Let us point to the thousands of ex-gays who have now “come out” of homosexuality to lead healthy, fulfilling lives:  http://familypolicy.net/hope-for-homosexuals/living-proof

 

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