From Bro. Charley

Jehovah M'Kaddesh—The LORD Who Sanctifies...(Lev 20:1- 8)

2011-06-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is one of the composite Jehovah names of our LORD, not as famous as Jehovah-Rapha, etc., but powerful. It does not come out as clearly in the English as in the original—our LORD declares Himself to be Jehovah M'Kaddesh, "The LORD Who Sanctifies."

In our time, sin has been upgraded to "mistakes," and "nature"

And, true Holiness is usually unsought, especially among lost and false professors of The Faith, who want to live life as they desire, yet claim for themselves the title of "Christian."

And many true believers are miserable trying to exist in the company of churches where the lost church member is manifestly in the majority!

Now, any time we delve into the Old Testament, especially the Law, we have to carefully examine, first of all, the contexts of the passage

1. Contexts— Lev 20:1-2

a. Historical—

(1) This records the setting up part of the Mosaic Worship

(2) The People knew about Paganism, and some of them probably were over-influenced by paganism (1 Cor 10)—

(3) This is obvious when you see references to Canaanite religion constantly referenced by Moses as he writes the Law

b. Covenantal Context—

(1) This passage has a direct and unabated meaning for the people of ancient Israel during the life of the Mosaic Covenant. Its full force existed until Christ died on the Cross, ending the Mosaic economy.

(2) However, there are moral issues that cross from Law to Gospel, and there are basic principles about the origin and nature of man and God that are unchanging.

(3) Remember the rule: Laws from the Old Testament are still applicable to the church, if those laws are reiterated in the New Testament.

(a) Example #1—the Laws against sexual immorality still stand because they are repeated in the New. However, the laws of civil society are up for grabs because the Church, unlike Israel, is not a nation, we are The Church, which is totally different.

(b) Example #2—The Sabbath does not apply to the church because Christ fulfilled the Law of the Sabbath in His person (Hebrews 3), and because the early church gave the example of meeting on the first day of the week.

(c) Example #3—we don't sacrifice animals at church because Christ's sacrifice on the Cross obviated all of the ceremonial law.

(d) Example #4—the dietary laws, etc., were clearly ended by the Lord in his vision to Peter, and this is backed up by the results of the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15.

(e) Our knowledge of God's Nature is even greater now, because He has revealed more of Himself.

c. Theological Context—

(1) In His essence and nature, God does not change

(2) God's laws of morality and Truth do not change.

(3) God's Word is a unified whole, a total plan

d. Biblical Context

(1) Old Testament

(a) This passage is all about the giving of the Mosaic Law, training the Priests and Levites

(b) The purpose of the Law was to impose a strict regimen on Israel until the Messiah came.

(2) Every sacrifice, all the worship forms, these were all symbolic of Christ Himself—High Priest and Sacrifice in one Man.

(a) The current issue here is sexual morality

(i) Besides setting standards, God gives punishments (usually death) for these offences.

(ii) Since the Law of Moses is a civil and criminal code as well as a ceremonial code, there are not only legal restrictions, there are rules and applications given to include what we would call civil and criminal punishments….Lev 20:2ff

(b) New Testament application of the laws of sexuality

(i) There are no longer civil punishments, because the church is not a state (My Kingdom is not part of this Age…)

(ii) But the Laws of sexuality are re-iterated in the NT, making the Laws themselves fully applicable.
(iii) Now the rule is that the church should discipline itself and leave those outside to themselves

2. Pagan attachments In Israel

a. Immediate context—Molech Worship was the penultimate pagan fertility cult, deserving special attention.

(1) There were several ancient fertility cults, all of which practiced gross abominations as a part of their religion.

(a) Ba'al worship—the Canaanites

(b) Chemosh worship—Moab

(c) Dagon Worship—Philistia

(d) Asherah Worship—combined with the male "gods" of several religions

(e) In fact, these were often combined in various ways

(2) Practices

(a) No rules of life, rules for worship only
(b) Perverted religion
(c) Pedophilia as a part of the religion
(d) Human sacrifice

(3) Why did Israel not need these warnings and instructions?

(a) They had been influenced by Egyptian religions

(b) But, being in the North of Egypt, they also would have encountered travelers and traders from every place

(c) In the wilderness, they had been influenced by Baalam and Balak, and had encountered even more pagan worshipers. (Lev 20:13-16

(4) Did Israel HEED God's warning? Sadly and tragically, no. These sins and this idolatry dogged Israel until their return from exile.

b. The Ultimate Cult, Molech Worship

(1) First, Molech worship included all of the gross practices of the other fertility cults, and went from there down.

(2) Molech Worship—passing their children through the fire…Lev 20:2 ff

(a) The eldest male child, usually a newly-born infant, would be voluntarily turned over to the priests by the parents.

(b) The Idol was heated up to being red hot.

(c) The choir and priests made a lot of noise to drown out the cries of the infant.

(d) Then the infant was placed on that burning altar as a sacrifice.

(Lev 18:21) 'And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

(Deu 18:10) "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,

(2 Ki 16:3) But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed he made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out from before the children of Israel.

(2 Ki 17:17) And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.

(2 Ki 21:6) Also he made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.

(2 Chr 33:6) Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.

(Ezek 16:21) "that you have slain My children and offered them up to them by causing them to pass through the fire?

(Ezek 20:31) "For when you offer your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols, even to this day. So shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live," says the Lord GOD, "I will not be inquired of by you.

(Ezek 23:37) "For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even sacrificed their sons whom they bore to Me, passing them through the fire, to devour them.

c. Other interesting practices—

(1) Note that God judges these!

(2) The Spell Books of Acts 19—in the church!

(3) And certainly, it goes without saying when we think of the Holocaust that has been perpetrated in our own nation by the murder of 50 million infants through abortion.

(4) Again, the sexual practices of Molech, Chemosh, and Ba'al are being imitated on a large scale in our culture—and all too often, in the churches as well,

(5) This has been a problem throughout church history because of the weakness of our flesh and the pressure from the world to conform to its easier standards

3. God's design: The Principles and Practices of Biblical Holiness from Jehovah M'Kadesh— Lev20:7-8

a. Note, He is Their God—strictly speaking, this is doubly addressed to those in the outward nation of Israel, and the remnant of true believers who existed in every generation.

b. Any time this Name of God is used, the subject is God making His people Holy

(1) What is Holiness?

(a) The words associated with this concept all have to do with setting a person apart for a Godly purpose

(b) Dedicate, make holy, hallow, set apart

(2) But there was no golden age of Biblical holiness in Israel—often there were only a handful of true men of God in the land, and the priests and "prophets" often neglected the Law and approved of and joined in, perversion and promoted it for national unity's sake

c. The Levitical priests were supposed to be holy and sanctified

(1) Set apart for obedience—(Lev 20:7-8)

(2) Set apart for purity—(Lev 21:7-8) "

(3) Set apart to God—(Lev 21:15) "

(4) Set apart to learn the Word of God, to teach the people—

d. How was holiness to be achieved?

(1) First, it is God’s work, but God uses means.

(2) Set yourself apart

(3) Obey the Word—which means to know the Word, certainly

(4) Put into practice what God has decreed

(5) And God gives the growth.

(6) This sounds a lot like the great commission! (Mat 28:19-20)

e. Did the priests and Levites do this? Not often

f. A few bad examples of many who could be cited—

(1) The OT Priest and Levite were special men set apart for a special purpose, and God's intent for them was that they would be Holy before Him. But most were not

(2) Nadab and Abihu—destroyed by God for making their own religion

(3) But, of course, many, if not most, of the OT priesthood could be described as the sons of Eli and Samuel

(4) Those who taught peace when there was no peace (Jer 6:1-16)

(5) God's perfect, expressed will was for Israel to follow Him, love Him, and be His a holy nation (Ex 19:1-6)—but except for a remnant, they would not and they did not.

(6) In the New Testament Churches in our day, there are many of our "priests" who are probably not part of the real church.

4. New Testament Holiness

a. The equivalent of the OT Priest and Levite is not the man of God or any other person of office—we are ALL priests—(1 Pet 2:9)

b. How are God's people, the New Testament priests, made holy today?

(1) First, it is not optional

(2) Second, It is accomplished through the ministry of the Word and the Spirit of God in our lives

(3) Specifics

(a) The goal—perfection—(1 Pet 1:16) , 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy.""

(b) Biblical Holiness is a ministry of the Word—(John 17:17) ""Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

(c) Biblical Holiness is a command—(Mat 5:48) ""Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

(d) Biblical Holiness is required by God—(Heb 12:14) "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:"

(e) God's specific concerns

(i) Taking care of the poor and needy in the congregation
(ii) Living outwardly blameless lives
(iii) Sexual Morality
(iv) 1 Cor 6:9-20
(v) Rom 1:18-32
(vi) (Heb 13:4)

For the True Believer in the New Testament Age, we must also praise and honor our Sanctifier—Jehovah M'Kaddesh

Jehovah Elohim Part 1—God Created Man (and set him up)

2011-06-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Gen 2:7-25

1. The First Compound Name: Jehovah Elohim—LORD God (Gen 2:7) "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."

a. In the Old Testament, there are a series of compound names for God—as with all of the 700+ names of God found in the Bible, these names teach us about God’s attributes, and about His ways.

(1) Some of the compound are based on El—the Strong One—El Roi, and El Shaddai, for example.

(2) Others are based on YHWH, such as Jehovah-Jireh

(3) But before we encounter those riches of understanding, there are a couple of compounds that are compounds of the major names themselves, and this is the first that comes up in the Bible.

b. The names’ significance

(1) Jehovah, the loving, personal Covenant God, but also the Self Existent One—I AM THAT I AM

(2) Elohim, the Triune God, nailed into man’s conscience from the start.

c. But, why here, why now?

(1) It is a logical next step in God’s continuing unfolding and revealing of Himself to us.

(2) Gen 1:1-31 established Elohim as:

(a) The Creator of the universe and the human race.

(b) The Giver of Law and Purpose—Man was given a place to live, a job to do, and a basic relationship for all human interaction

(Gen 1:27-28) "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…”

(3) But Gen 1 was an overview, it did not have the details about man’s creation in it. God revealed those in Genesis 2:4-25.

(4) It is vital to see how God lays this passage out—in each movement of Truth in this chapter, there is a pattern:

(a) A need expressed by God—“There was no man to till…”

(b) A need fulfilled—“God Created man…”

2. Jehovah Elohim Created Man—fulfilling the first need

a. The History—this chapter contains the details—“…This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens…”

b. The Need stated—(Gen 2:5) "… there was no man to till the ground;"

(1) This was no “news” to God, but this is stated in this way because of the nature of God gradually unfolding revealed Truth about Himself.

(2) This, of course, goes right back to Genesis 1:26-28—God had a purpose for man, to have dominion over everything, to be God’s “wildlife biologists,” “foresters” and “agriculture managers” over the whole Earth.

(3) There are two basic parts of this need—the man to till the ground, and suitable ground for him to till.

(4) And, as the detailed instructions in Genesis 1 and 2 show, it was more than what we would think of as tilling.

c. The Need Fulfilled

(1) First step—make a man—(Gen 2:7) "…And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."

(a) God Formed Man From the Mud

(b) God breathed life into the man

(c) Man became a living thing

(2) Second Step—set up an agribusiness station for man

(a) God Planted the Garden—"The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.

(b) The Garden was rich in produce—“…And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food….”

(c) The Garden was well watered, with other resources as well— “…10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

(d) God Gave man a place to live and a place to work—one that required no commuting—(Gen 2:8) "The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed….”

(3) God Gave man a legal system and a dietary plan—

(a) Genesis 1 laws—“… "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." 29 And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food."

(b) Genesis 2 laws—“… 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.""

d. Man’s Job Description—The man had a very simple and straightforward job description—“…15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it."

(1) Tending the Garden—man was to be the husbandman, the farmer, the one who kept up the Garden. Indeed, had man stayed in Paradise longer, he would no doubt have planted an expanded garden for an expanding population.

(2) Keeping the Garden—the word “keep” is a military term. “…to hedge about (as with thorns),to guard; to protect…”

(3) What a simple task—farm the land and protect it from bad guys—and this is where Adam first failed, otherwise, why was the serpent allowed to even be there?

Biblical Manhood
created by God ruined by sin redeemed by christ APPLIED TO BELIEVING MEN
Lord of the Earth
Gen 1:26-28 Man was to take dominion by filling and subduing the Earth (Gen 1:26-28)
Through man’s failure, Satan became the “Prince of this world…” And today, Man either abrogates or abuses his rule Jesus took dominion over every realm of the earth. A good example is Matthew chapters 8 and nine where Jesus demonstrated His dominion over death, disease, the natural world, and the spirit world. We are to take dominion in the part of the world God has entrusted to us.
Husbandman
Gen 2:15-16 Man was to tend the garden and keep it—Gen 2:15-16 Man failed to protect his realm—Gen 3 Jesus grew his disciples and protected them unto death. We are to tend and protect the souls, possessions, and places that God has given us
Savior
Gen 3:15 Man was to right any wrong and defeat any injustice Men either make no effort to right wrongs and defeat injustices, or they oppress and abuse those around them. The ultimate Savior defeated the enemy on several occasions, spoke for the downtrodden, and finally, defeated Satan’s whole plan on the Cross. Man are to take stands against injustice, he is to be the civil protector (Rom 13) we are to conduct spiritual warfare, we are to crush the head of the serpent—Rom 16:20
Sage
Proverbs chapters 1-9 God made man to learn, to grow in wisdom, and to be a sage and prophet (telling forth the word of God) Man believes and teaches falsehoods; man speaks, lives, and acts like a fool. As a Man, He grew in wisdom, (a mystery), He confounded the scholars, demolished the false strongholds of the enemy and his representatives, and taught only and always the Truth We are to grow, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the mentoring of Godly men in the church, so we can teach others also.
Glory of God
Is 43:7, 1 Cor 11:7 God made man in His image, to reflect God’s glory. Man reflects his sin, and reveals only a marred image of God Christ could say, “I have glorified thee on the earth…” Jn 17:4 Men are to glorify God in every thought, word, and deed—1 Cor 6:19-20, 10:31, 11:7, Isa 43:7 "Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.""

Worshiper
Gen 4:26 Man is to worship, and to lead in worship, of the Triune God Sin made man fear God’s presence rather than seek it. Gen 3:8. Because of this, Man worships that which is not God, and ignores the True God Christ, always in prayer, worshiped continually—see the worship from Mat 26:30 until He gave up the Ghost. We are to live in worship, to sing His praises, to live his Truth, and to lead our families in worship of Him.

* This chart is partially based on material from the International Council for Gender Studies, Waxahatchie, TX.

3. God’s statement of man’s need—2:18

a. Good theology is needed here—

(1) God had made all things according to plan
(2) God had planned to make male and female
(3) God did not “discover” that man needed woman—“Has it occurred to you that nothing has ever “occurred” to God?”
(4) God’s statement of man’s need was just that—a statement of an ultimate fact about people.
(5) But God left woman till the last (because it took forever for her parts to get designed and put together?)
(a) That man might see his need of her
(b) That she might be a surprise and delight to the man—2:23
(c) For her to be the crown of Creation
(d) That man might be the leader, the first among equals
b. Our marriage ceremony shows this all.
(a) The men come in, and little attention is paid
(b) Then the bride’s maids and matrons, the flower girl and ring bearer
(c) Then, the big moment, and the father and the bride come marching in, arm in arm, all standing, all eyes upon her. At the end of a long stately march, the bride is given away by the father.
(d) So it was in the Garden
(e) So it will be when the Father presents the Bride to the Son at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb

4. First, Man Must See His Need—God’s Object Lesson to Adam

a. See the intimate relationship of God with Adam, and see the personal approach He takes to Adam. God is the first Father, telling His son Adam about how the world works. He demonstrates to Adam that nothing then existing will work as a helper comparable to man.
(1) He teaches Adam about the animal kingdom (over which Adam is to exercise dominion)—God is the first professor of Zoology!
(2) He prepares Adam for Eve by the lessons He teaches him. God is running the first charm school!

b. God, the first naturalist— Gen 2:19-20
(1) God has already made the creatures, but He brings personally-formed examples to Adam to use as visual aids in His teaching.
(2) In doing so, God shows Adam how he was formed, and demonstrates His creative power.

c. Recognition of Adam’s Headship and Dominion over the world— and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them:

(1) God rules the universe, and He named the stars—Isa 40:26
(2) But God delegates to man the task of naming the animal kingdom, showing in this way man’s dominion over the world.
(3) And also, God is showing off His handiwork to His favorite creation, just like you might show your child something you had made.
d. Adam exercised his dominion, and this dominion continues today—no animals name themselves; all names are supplied by man. and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field;

e. God’s Design for Adam— but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him." (But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.--NKJV)

(1) Nothing in Nature is a suitable substitute for human companionship. Gen 2:18 …..And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;
(2) Nothing in Nature is comparable to man, except for woman. Nothing in Nature was designed by God to be man’s partner, except for woman.-- but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
(3) Woman was made for man…1 Cor 11:8-9
(4) This was the point of God’s object lesson to Adam, that nothing in nature sufficed as a helper comparable to Adam.

5. God’s Creation of Woman "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man."

a. The First anesthesia and the first surgery
b. Of the same genetic material—the first clone!
c. Woman is Hand made by God, just as Adam was.
d. “Who Gives This Woman?” God did!

e. God’s Order for the Human Race

f. Adam’s recognition of the special nature of woman. 23 And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."

(1) Adam says, in modern 20th century lingo—“the genetic material of which this new creation consists is the same genetic material as mine. Her DNA is the same as mine, we are a match!”
(2) Woman came out of man, she began as a part of man, and in proper relationship, she is to be one with a man.
g. The Order for Mankind:
(1) Leave— Gen 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,
(a) Leave—husbands, when you wed, you are not Momma’s little boy any more. Momma still has a place in your heart, but your first priority in your family, and the most important woman in the world to you is your wife. That does not take place 10 years after the wedding, or 5 years after—from the time you become man and wife, your wife is the number one woman in your life, period!

(b) Leave—Moms, you respect the fact that the woman of your son’s house is now that “little girl” he married, not you. You respect her as the woman of the house, and you do not interfere with her position nor get involved in any power games for your son’s affection.

(2) Cleave— and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.",
(a) Cleave—be joined to her, heart, soul, mind, and body. She is the woman in your life, and neither your mother, your sister, your daughter, nor anyone else, should ever take that place as long as your wife lives—nor should any woman be allowed to become a rival.
(b) Cleave—this is not achieved overnight, but from the first, it should be the goal, and no one may be allowed to interfere with it. Young men, you may have to tell mom to back off, you may have to tell mom to take a vacation, but you cleave to your wife!

(3) Unity—and they shall become one flesh.
(4) Sinlessness, honesty, and No Barriers—25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."
(a) Why can’t we be like this now? Why is modesty required by the Bible? Because we are sinners!
(b) There were no barriers between Adam and Eve, but there are for us! One of God’s actions after the Fall was to provide animal skins (adequate clothing) for Adam and Eve.

h. STILL The Way It Is Supposed to Be.
(1) Mat 19:4-5
(2) 1 Cor 11:3, 8-9
(3) Eph 5:28-33
(4) The way to restore the image of God and His order for your life: Reconcile with God, and order your life in accordance with His commands.

New Covenant

2011-06-12T21:55:00.000-07:00

Jesus Saves—Jehovah of the New Covenant

Jer 31:31-34

(Isa 12:2) "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation."

1. The Language Barrier: Clearing the Confusion

a. First, the word “salvation,” or “saved” in the OT, is the Hebrew word “Jeshua,” or “Joshua—Jesus’ name MEANS salvation.”

b. Then let us consider the language of Jeremiah 31:31-34

(1) The word YHWH occurs five times in this short passage—and the passage is all about what God has done and will do for the elects’ sake.

(2) This is the New Covenant, the Everlasting Covenant, the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant, and the central figure of this New Covenant (in the Old Testament) Is YHWH, and in the New Testament, is our Lord Jesus Christ.

c. A major issue: Kurios = Adonai? Or, Kurios = Jehovah?

(1) The Old Testament has two distinct words for “Lord,” Adonai and YHWH, but in the New Testament, both names are translated “Lord” or “lord”, or “Master,” or “master,” depending on the context

(2) As to the basic meaning of a word, Kurios could be translated either “LORD,” or “Lord.”

(3) If the verse is a quotation from the OT, the OT usage tells us which word is in view

d. A reminder about Covenant precepts in general.

(1) A Covenant is something conceived and established by God Himself—

(2) The scope of a covenant is defined by God—it may be universal, or it may be personal and limited, such as the covenant with Eleazar.

(3) A Covenant may be conditional (a works covenant) or unconditional (a Grace covenant)—Example of a conditional covenant—the Mosaic (Old) Covenant—

(a) Unconditional: The Second Noahic Covenant and the New Covenant

(b) Conditional: The Mosaic Law.

(4) A Covenant is monergistic, one-sided, dictatorial—God is the ruler and judge of every covenant He makes with man, there is no synergy between God and man.

(5) The times for a covenant are established by God. Some covenants are everlasting, and some have a beginning and an ending. God sets the time of the covenant’s beginning, and God sets the time of duration and ending.

(6) Covenants always involve blood and cutting.

(7) Covenants have rules and regulations of administration and enforcement.

(8) What is a Covenant?

“…A covenant is an unchangeable, divinely-imposed, legal agreement between God and man that stipulates the conditions of their relationship…”

2. Jehovah is the LORD of the New Covenant

a. He Promised He Would Bring in the New Covenant—Jer 31:31 –

b. God is the Actor, God Will Fulfill His Promises—"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will…” God is Sovereign, God is in Control—Dan 2:20 "…wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings…”

c. God Had Set The Time— Behold, the days come [are coming], saith the LORD, that [when]…”

d. God sent forth His Son at His time—Gal 4:4 “… when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law…”

(1) Christ Himself announced this in His ministry—Mark 1:15 "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

e. In the prophecy in Jeremiah, we are told that Jehovah God Will Cut the New Covenant— “…that I will make [cut] a new covenant…”

3. Jesus and the New Covenant

a. A Covenant comes into effect when the blood is shed.

b. The New Covenant Was Taught by Christ in the Upper Room the Night Before His Crucifixion—Mat 26:28 "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

c. The Covenant Meal, which was a picture of the cutting of the covenant to come the next day—Mat 26:20-29

(1) The disciples at the Covenant Meal with the Maker of the Covenant.

(2) After the false disciple left, there was detailed teaching about the new Covenant from John 13-17.

d. The Covenant Presented— Mat 26:28 "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

(1) Testament = diatheke, which is “covenant.”

(2) Christ Himself is the Covenant Sacrifice to be made.

e. The Covenant Cut— Mat 27:50-51

(1) In this moment the Law is fulfilled—

Gal 3:13 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

Rom 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Luke 24:44-49

(1) In this moment, the veil in the temple is torn asunder, showing that the way to God is open, and that the Law and its ordinances are done forever.

(2) This began the New Covenant. We are in the New Covenant, we are seeing its out working continue, and Our Covenant God guides us in working it out in our lives.

f. Jesus Is Jehovah, as shown by the New Covenant

(1) He is the I AM of the New Covenant

(John 6:41) ""I am the bread which came down from heaven.""

(John 6:48) ""I am the bread of life."

(John 8:12) "I am the light of the world…”

(John 8:58) “Before Abraham was, I Am..”

(John 10:7) "…”I am the door of the sheep."

(John 10:9) ""I am the door….”

(John 10:11) ""I am the good shepherd. …”

(John 11:25) "…I am the resurrection and the life…”

(John 14:6) "I am the way, the truth, and the life…”

(John 15:1) ""I am the true vine…”

(John 18:5) "…, "I am He."

(2) We know He is Jehovah by comparing Old Testament prophesies and New Testament fulfillments.

(a) David said, (Psa 23) "The LORD [YHWH] is my shepherd…” But it is Jesus who is the Good Shepherd—John 10:11

(b) Isaiah Saw the glory of YHWH, but John Says that incident revealed Jesus’ Glory—Is 6:1-11, John 12:37-41

(c) YHWH is the Redeemer of God’s people, but it is Christ in Whom we find redemption—Is 44:6, 1 Cor 1:30-31

(d) Theses passages refer to YHWH, but John the Baptist identified them with Christ

(Isa 40:3) "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God."

(Isa 40:10-11) "Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. 11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young."

(e) Jehovah is our righteousness, Jer 23:5-6, but Romans 3:21-28 show that it is Jesus Who is our righteousness.

(f) A comparison of Hebrews 1:10-12 compared with Psalm 102 shows that Jesus is Jehovah.

(Heb 1:9-12) "8 But to the Son He says….10
And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.""

(Psa 102:25-27) "Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. 27 But You are the same, And Your years will have no end."

Adonai—The Master of My Service

2011-06-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

Bro. Charley Buntin

Genesis 18:1-15
Isaiah 6:1-11

• When considering the Names of God, remember this: in considering all of the names and titles of the Triune God, there are well over 700 of them! We are only touching the surface.
• Few of the things in this study apply only to Adonai—but these do apply to Him, and He inspired the writers to use these words in these places

1. Basic Facts About Adonai

a. The word is used to name God 456 times, though many of these (nearly 300) are in conjunction with the Jehovah to form the title “Adonai-Jehovah…”, a multiple designation of God which we will look at in a later lesson.

b. The Language

(1) The word means “Master,” “owner,” “ruler,” “lord,” or “Lord.”

(2) The New Testament equivalent is “kurios.” This is not an exact equivalent, because unlike the OT, there is no distinctive NT translation of Jehovah (YHWH). The way to parse out (YHWH) is to observe OT quotes, and follow the usage in the root passage from the OT.

(3) When it applies to God, Adonai is usually in the singular plural, similar to Elohim in usage, and it implies the Trinity.

c. Adonai was often used by the Jews as a verbal substitute for Jehovah when reading the Bible out loud.

(1) A devout Hebrew would never say the Name YHWH (Jehovah), so when they were reading the Bible out loud, they always substituted “Adonai” for The NAME.

(2) In reliable English translations, the following rules apply for these various root names.

(a) LORD, or GOD, all capital letters, is Jehovah.

(b) Lord, only one capital—another name for God—Adonai

(c) lord, no capitals, is adonai applied to a human master

(d) Lord GOD is Adonai Jehovah

(e) LORD God is Jehovah Elohim

(f) And the special names are variously translated, depending on the rules of each translation or version. The list below are the names we will look at as a part of this series.

El Elyon
El Shaddai
El Roi
El Elohe Israel—
El Olam—
Jah
Jehovah Hossenu
Jehovah Jireh
Jehovah Shammah
Jehovah Rapha
Jehovah Nissi
Jehovah M’Kaddesh
Jehovah Shalom
Jehovah Tsabaoth
Jehovah Ra’ah
Jehovah Tsidkenu
Jehovah Malak

d. Adonai is often used in conjunction with Jehovah, as a descriptive title of the Lord, as we will see in future lessons.

e. We also find some wonderful and absolute statements about God using the name of Adonai—

(1) (Deu 10:17) ""For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord [Adonai] of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe."

(2) (Josh 3:13) ""… the Lord [Adonai] of all the earth…”

(3) (Psa 97:5) "The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord [Adonai] of the whole earth."

(4) (Micah 4:13) ""… You shall beat in pieces many peoples; I will consecrate their gain to the LORD, And their substance to the Lord [Adonai] of the whole earth.""

f. Adonai is usually used to describe one of three relationships—note, I wrote that Adonai Rules—though He often does not, even in the lives of believers—but He has the RIGHT to rule, and he should rule.

(1) Adonai Rules Your Job

(2) Adonai Rules Your Marriage

(3) Adonai Rules Your Ministry

2. Adonai Rules Your Job

a. Examples

(1) OT example—(Gen 24:12 Then he said, "O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham."

(2) NT example—(John 13:13) ""You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am."

b. Rules of bosses and workers—Note—these are not universally adhered to in our land, because of our particular and peculiar (in history) national disease of rebellion against authority, and because of sin and corruption in the workplace

(1) Biblically, both workers and bosses have accountability to God to conduct the workplace in a Godly fashion.

(2) There are many business-related passages in the Bible, because God is the God of all parts of life.

(3) The Boss Has Authority—In a well-managed and led office, company, factory, military, police, or firefighter station, the boss is supposed to have, unquestioned authority, and the servant goes where the Master sends him—(Mat 8:9) ""For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.""

(a) Note—a smart boss will listen to and take advice and counsel from his people—but the authority is at the top.

(b) The owner, master, boss has a right to do as he wants with what is his—(Mat 20:15) "'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?

(4) The servant, the employee (the “associate”) is accountable to the master—

(a) (Luke 19:13) ""So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.'"

(b) (Luke 19:15) ""And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading."

(5) Often, the reputation of the servant, and certainly the economic well-being of the servant is tied to that of the Master, and the enemies of the Master are the enemies of the servant—(John 15:20) ""Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also."

(6) But most of all, remember, we are ALL accountable to someone.

(Col 3:22) "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God."

(Col 4:1) "Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."

e. Then, when you arrive at home, your responsibility to Adonai is just beginning…

3. Adonai Rules Your Marriage

a. Abraham and Sarah—Why Did Sarah Call Abraham “Adonai?” Gen 18:12 “ .. my lord…”

(1) Sarah had laughed at the prospect—in some embarrassment perhaps—of her even having physical relations with her aged husband, let alone the idea of conceiving and bearing a son—Gen 18:12) "Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?""

(2) But, she was counted by God as a true woman of faith—(Heb 11:11) "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised."

(3) Even though Paul had not written Eph 5:22-24 yet, and would not for 1800 years to come, Sarah understood its principles, probably taught directly to her by God’s Spirit, or through conscience! In fact, she is given to us in the NT as the model believing wife!—1 Pet 3:1-6

(4) Here is the New Testament commentary on Sarah’s use of “adonai” to refer to her husband—

(a) She understood proper Biblical submission—and let’s remember that there is a type of mutual submission, as the woman submits to Godly leadership (not sinful or knuckle headed leadership), and the man submits to the woman’s needs.

(b) The woman influences her husband by who she is and how she acts. (1 Pet 3:1-6) "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward; arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel; 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God..”

(c) Sarah is made a positive example because of the respect she shows her husband—“… 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror."

(d) We must remember the missing element in much Christian marriage teaching—The woman is entitled to unconditional love from the husband—and He is entitled to unconditional respect from her—( Eph 5:33) "Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

(e) In 1 Cor 7:2-5, Paul tells us that physical intimacy is a debt we owe one another in the realm of the body.

(f) But love and respect are great needs of the Soul—love from the man for the woman and respect from the woman too the man, and if there is not the sharing of love and respect in the marriage, there won’t be much intimacy in the realm of the body.

4. Adonai And Your Ministry

a. Adonai is often seen as the Sender of prophets, as with Isaiah—Is 6:1, 8-11—note that in this passage, Jehovah is also used (LORD), but when God sends Isaiah, Adonai is the word used.

(1) He Shook Isaiah (Isa 6) "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord [Adonai] sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. …

(2) He Convicted Isaiah—5 “…So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips…."

(3) He Cleansed Isaiah—(Isa 6:6-7) "Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.""

(4) He called Isaiah—“…8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, [Adonai] saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?"

(5) He Sent Isaiah—Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 9 And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' 10 "Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed." 11 Then I said, "Lord, [Adonai] how long?"

b. First, if you are born again, you HAVE a ministry

(1) Every Believer has at least Spiritual Gift— (Rom 12:6) "… 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them… in proportion to our faith;"

(2) The purpose of every Believer’s spiritual gift is to profit the church of which they are a part. (1 Cor 12:7) "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:"

(3) Believers who do not get plugged in and who don’t exercise the gift(s) God has given them are cheating their local church.

(4) Real church growth can only happen when God’s people quit cheating God and the Brethren—(Eph 4:15-16) "… speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ; 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

c. We need to remind ourselves of some of the things that Adonai has done for us.

(1) Our righteousness is nothing, we have none, if not for Adonai—(Psa 16:2) "O my soul, you have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord,[Adonai] My goodness is nothing apart from You.""

(2) Adonai protects me and mine every day, and causes me to escape death itself—(Psa 68:19-20) "Blessed be the Lord, [Adonai] Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah 20 Our God is the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord [Adonai] belong escapes from death."

(3) He is the Adonai of Mercy, always ready to come to our aid—(Psa 86:3-5) "Be merciful to me, O Lord, ,[Adonai] For I cry to You all day long. 4 Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, ,[Adonai] I lift up my soul. 5 For You, Lord, are good,[Adonai], and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."

(4) He is the One that many of you trusted in from an early age, and those of use who were saved in adulthood, when we look back, we see His Hand—(Gal 1:13-15)—(Psa 71:5) "For You are my hope, O Lord ,[Adonai] GOD; You are my trust from my youth."

(5) Our Adonai’s attributes are a great comfort—(Psa 86:15) "But You, O Lord, ,[Adonai] are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth."

(6) His merciful dealings are not for us, but for His glory—(Psa 109:21) "But You, O GOD the Lord, ,[Adonai] Deal with me for Your name's sake; Because Your mercy is good, deliver me."

(7) God is Great, and He is alone in being God—beside the Triune God there is no one—(Psa 135:5) "For I know that the LORD is great, And our Lord,[Adonai] is above all gods."

(8) He is the Adonai of adonai—(Psa 136:3) "Oh, give thanks to the Lord,[Adonai] of lords ,[adonai]! For His mercy endures forever:"

Jehovah

2011-06-12T21:47:00.000-07:00

Jehovah—The Self Existent God of the Covenant

Ex 3:13-15
Ex 6:1-8

1. Some Basic Facts About The Word “Jehovah”

a. The Name itself

(1) The Tetragrammaton (a word with four letters)

(2) The letters do not exactly correspond in English, hence the confusion over pronunciation, etc.

(3) The Vowel points were added to the original text, so no one knows for sure how to pronounce the word.

(4) JHVH, YHWH, etc.

b. The meaning—

(1) from our texts, the self-existent One—“…14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
(2) Covenant Name of the God of Israel—“…"I have also established My covenant with them…”

c. Occurrences:

(1) Including the compound Names, Jehovah occurs over 6500 times in the OT

(2) The commonly-known Jehovah compounds

Name Translation
Jehovah Elohim LORD God
Adonai Jehovah Lord GOD
Jah Jah—I AM
Jehovah Hossenu The LORD our Maker
Jehovah Jireh The LORD our Provider
Jehovah Shammah The LORD who is there
Jehovah Rapha The LORD Heals me
Jehovah Nissi The LORD our Banner
Jehovah M’Kaddesh The LORD who Sanctifies
Jehovah Shalom The LORD of Peace
Jehovah Tsabaoth The LORD of Hosts
Jehovah Ra’ah The LORD is My Shepherd
Jehovah Tsidkenu The LORD my Righteousness
Jehovah Malak The LORD Who Reigns

d. As we talked about last time, Adonai was often used by the Jews as a verbal substitute for Jehovah when reading the Bible out loud.

(1) A devout Hebrew would never say the Name YHWH (Jehovah), so when they were reading the Bible out loud, they always substituted “Adonai” for The NAME.

(2) In reliable English translations, the following rules apply for these various root names.

(a) LORD, or GOD, all capital letters, is Jehovah.

(b) Lord, only one capital letter—another name for God—Adonai
(c) “ lord,” with no capital letters, is adonai applied to a human master

(d) Lord GOD is Adonai Jehovah

(e) LORD God is Jehovah Elohim

(f) And the special names are variously translated, depending on the rules of each translation or version.

2. The Unknown Name?—

a. A puzzle on the surface—

(1) (Exo 3:13) "Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"
(2) Ex 6:2-3—“… And God spoke to Moses and said to him: "I am the LORD. 3 "I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name LORD I was not known to them…”.

b. Did the people of God not know the name YHWH before this passage? Theologians are mixed on this point.

(1) Adam and Eve knew God by YHWH—(Gen 4:1) "Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD.""

(2) Cain and Abel Knew His Name—(Gen 4:3-4) "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,"

(3) There was a revival of the worship of YHWH in the days of Enosh, son of Seth—(Gen 4:26) "And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD."

(4) Noah’s Father Knew—(Gen 5:29) "And he called his name Noah, saying, "This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed.""

(5) Noah knew—(Gen 8:20-21) "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD

(6) Abram Knew from early on in his relationship with God—(Gen 12:7-8) "Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD."

(7) And so on, with Issac, Jacob, the sons of Jacob and with Joseph—but something had either been lost during the captivity or never established.

c. There are two possibilities here

(1) Possibility #1—The true Name of the True God had been lost by the time of Moses, the children of Israel had forgotten YHWH’s Name

(2) Possibility #2—the Hebrews had some knowledge of Jehovah, but He had not been revealed to them as their covenant God until Moses’ day. MacArthur says that they knew His Name, but did not know Him nor His attributes.

3. Obeying the GOD of the Name: Moses’ obstacles

a. The greatest obstacle in the way of Moses was not the Egyptian army, or its chariot corps, nor its magicians. All of these were helpless before the might of God

b. However, there were a set of enemies which caused more trouble than anyone else, and that would be the very people Moses was there to deliver.

c. Consider

(1) The Hebrews did not “get” the rescue thing—

(2) The person who turned him in to the Egyptians forty years earlier was a Hebrew.

(3) From the time Moses and Aaron came to deliver them, and throughout the wilderness, Moses struggled with this “stiff-necked” and rebellious people called Hebrews.

(4) The real truth about the Hebrews was that they did not want any government unless it was going to provide for them and require nothing out of them

(5) The first meeting with Pharaoh only got them more work, so they murmured against Moses and Aaron—and so it went on, for the whole history of the Jewish people through the first Passover, through the wilderness, led by Joshua, the Judges, and the Kings—

(6) To burn Egypt and the worship of idols out of Israel’s heart took roughly a thousand years, until they returned from Persia under Ezra and Nehemiah

(7) And here we can see how deeply the 430 years in captivity had damaged the faith of God’s elect people—surely we need to consider from this the effects on professing Christians of exposure to pagan rites, rituals and (most vitally) immoral acts and lifestyles.

(8) They had forgotten His Name, or had only a surface knowledge of that Name.

4. The Revealed Name

a. God always reveals Himself—it is not that we “discover” about God, but He freely reveals Himself

(1) Through Nature—Ps 19:1-6

(2) Through Conscience—Rom 2:15-16

(3) Through Providence—Is 46:8-11

(4) Through His Word—Ps 19:7-12

b. He revealed Himself to Moses as the Self-Existent One—"I AM WHO I AM [or THAT I AM

(1) I AM as a Name of God is seldom used, but the nature of God as self-revealing is a major theme of the Bible

(2) Here, God reveals the most basic of attributes of Deity—He is UnCaused, Self Revealed, God Unto Himself.

(3) Self Existence and Self-Revelation are attributes that are Trinitarian, because God reveals each of His Persons many times in the Bible

(a) Father—John 17:1-3

(b) Son (John 8:58) "Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.""

(c) Spirit—Jn 14:16, 26

(d) The IAMs of Jesus—several in John’s Gospel

c. The Link to the Fathers—

(1) “…15 Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.'"

(2) Ex 6:4 "I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers…”

(3) The God of their ancestors

(4) Now the children of Israel know who they are and who their God is.

(5) He is, as Jesus said—the God of the living—and these men live on with the Lord.

(6) This is the Abrahamic Covenant alluded to, with its promise of land, among other things.

(7) This is different from the Mosaic Covenant, which will be cut later, and which is a temporary covenant of Law.

d. The promised deliverance, based on the Covenant with Abraham—

(1) They had been doing some serious praying—5 "And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel…”

(2) Their predicament was obvious and serious—the world’s first and at that time, only superpower had enslaved and were oppressing God’s people—“…whom the Egyptians keep in bondage…”

(3) But God does not rescue them because of their cries, nor because of their need—He delivers them because of His Covenant wit Abraham—“… and I have remembered My covenant…”

(4) God reveals to Moses exactly what He will do

(a) First, another reminder of Who He Is— “…'I am the LORD…”

(b) What He Will Do—

(i) “…I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians…”

(ii) “…, I will rescue you from their bondage

(iii) “... and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments….”

(iv) “… 7 'I will take you as My people…”

(v) “… and I will be your God….”

(vi) His reason—that they would really know Him as He is to be known. “…Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians…”

(vii) And He Won’t Stop There!—“…8 'And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage…”

(viii) How and Why can they have faith that this will take place? –“…I am the LORD.'""

Names of God

2011-05-15T20:15:00.001-07:00

Elohim—The Triune Creator
Bro. Charley Buntin

Genesis 1:1-2:4

Basic Facts

--First word for God in the Bible

--The only word for “God” from Gen 1:1-2:4—When God considers creation in general, this is the word that He uses to describe Himself

--Possibly derived from “EL,” which means “the strong one”

“The word used is “Elohim”, which some derive from another, which signifies power, creation being an act of almighty power: but it is rather to be derived from the root in the Arabic language, which signifies to worship f9, God being the object of all religious worship and adoration…He who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth is the sole object of worship…It is in the plural number, and being joined to a verb of the singular, is thought by many to be designed to point unto us the mystery of a plurality, or trinity of persons in the unity of the divine essence: …there is no doubt to be made, that all the three Persons in the Godhead were concerned in the creation of all things, (Psalm 33:6). (John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament)

--Though the word is used to describe false gods and some men, it is used 2570 times to name the One True God

--The word is a singular plural—though plural in itself, when it refers to God, singular verb forms are used with the plural noun Elohim.

“…in the very first chapter of Genesis the necessity of a term conveying both the unity of the on God and yet allowing for a plurality of persons in found (Gen 1:2, 1:26). This is further borne out by the fact that the form Elohim occurs only in Hebrew and in no other Semitic language, not even in Biblical Aramaic….” (TWOT, vol 1, page 44)

--The Bottom line is that this word refers to God as the sovereign creator of all things

--Where is God’s Sovereignty here? It is found in this amazing fact—There is no conflict in the creation account—God’s work stands totally unopposed. This complete submission of the entire cosmos to God reminds me of Nebuchadnezzar’s surrender to God:

(Dan 4:34-35) "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, "What have You done?""

1. Elohim vs. the Scientists

a. There are several burning and largely irrelevant questions that dodge THE question about Creation

(1) When?

(2) How long?

(3) How long were the creative days?

(4) What can we learn from the fossil record?

(5) Is there a “gap” between Gen 1:1 and 1:2?

(6) What about the ages of time?

(7) Was there another creation before this present one?

b. The chief thing about all of these questions is that they are not of any importance in the final analysis, because God transcends them.

c. Burning Question—There are only four possibilities to explain the existence of the universe:

(1) Everything has always existed—this would violate every law of physics, as well as violating the Bible’s eyewitness testimony

(2) Everything made itself—this is Darwinism, the idea of accidental creation—this is especially problematic when one tries to see how it is that intricate and extremely complex existence just happened by pure chance.

(3) The Aliens brought it in—but where did THEY get it?

(4) God made everything.

d. So, which is it?

(1) There are a growing number of scientists, many who are not even believers, who reject the silly notion of accidental creation, that there had to be an intelligent alien lifeforce that made everything (we call Him Elohim)

(2) But all of that still avoids the main question: Is The Bible True, or is it False?

(3) Consider these facts:

(a) The Bible has been proven to be 100% correct as to the nature of human nature

(b) The Bible relates facts about science that were totally unknown when written—

(i) The Earth is a sphere— (Job 22:14) "Thick clouds cover Him, so that He cannot see, And He walks above the circle of heaven.'"

(Isa 40:22) "It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in."

(ii) The Bible’s prophesies have been proven to be 100% accurate and detailed

(iii) The prophesies about Christ that have been literally fulfilled number in the hundreds, and there are still some to come!

(c) All of the questions asked about creation ignore the supernatural—God is supernatural, beyond nature, above nature, surpassing nature—if He can speak a universe into existence, He can also create a mature universe, one that has the appearance of age, one that is finished—just like a master wood worker does not consider a job to be done until the final coat of finish is applied.

e. We are back to this: Elohim created all things because the Bible says He did, and because He claims in His Word that He did!

(1) The Prophets say that God did it

(2) The Psalmists knew and testified—Ps 19:1-6, Ps 139

(3) The Patriarchs knew of it—Job 38

(4) The apostles understood it—

(a) Col 1:15-20
(b) Heb 1:1-3
(c) John 1:3

(5) Christ Jesus Himself affirmed it—Mat 19

2. Elohim Created All Things

a. Before the beginning God existed

(1) John 1:1—The Son
(2) The Father—John 17:5, 24
(3) The Spirit—Heb 9:14, Gen 1:3
(4) Titus 1:1-2

b. Before God created the physical world, He created a spiritual one—

(Job 38:4-7) ""Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

c. God created the basic physics and structures of the universe

(1) (Gen 1:1) "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…”

(a) Note that all the vastness of space is considered side by side with the particular creation of one planet? Why?

(b) Because on THIS planet, God had determined to gather a people for His own glory

(2) In the beginning, in this verse, God created
(a) Matter
(b) Energy
(c) Time
(d) Space
(e) Motion
(f) Physics
(g) Chemistry
(h) Calculus
(i) Quantum mechanics

(3) “…2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep…”

(a) “the deep” and “the waters” are not to be defined by what we consider them to be. This is not a murky sea around some moribund island

(b) At this point, the earth was formless and void—what we might consider to be clouds of gas, particles, and other stuff. The “waters” were almost certainly not “water as we know them—note the chemical “oceans” on Saturn and Jupiter.

(c) The fluids, including gaseous fluids were all floating around—And, as yet, nothing had happened—And there was no visible light.

(d) Darkness—until God created the sources of physical light, there was nothing to see

(4) “ …And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters…”

(a) Here is the first definite mention of the Trinity

(b) The Holy Spirit is seen “brooding” over the face of the “waters.” Again, we must avoid picturing this in human terms—The Omnipresent Spirit of God was everywhere hovering in preparation for His role in Creation

(c) Then, the silence was broken.

(5) Creation by Command.
(a) He spoke a word, and everything began to form.

(b) “…3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good;

(6) “…and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day."

(a) God commands things to happen, and they happen

(b) (Psa 33:6) "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth."

(c) Next was differentiation— (Gen 1:6-10) "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters….”The word “firmament” refers to a great expanse—I think we would call this firmament “space” The amorphous “waters” now began to divide.

(d) {7} And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. {8} And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

(e) {9} And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. {10} And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." Here God creates the Earth

(i) The other planets were not yet formed—why this one?

(ii) Because THIS planet would be the planet upon which the great acts of Redemption would take place.

d. He created plant life, and He created the animals of all types—and in one of the great understatements of all time: (Gen 1:16)"… He made the stars also."

(1) Why are the stars so lightly held?

(2) Why are the myriads of suns and stars considered to be less in importance than man and his dominion?

(3) Did this not all take billions of years to accomplish? It would have, were it not for the fact that an Omnipotent God were running the show!

(4) He created the universe in six days, putting everything in place, giving the appearance of age, just as I might do in creating a table or home entertainment center.

(5) Because the main “show” of the universe is in the redemption of God’s people, all who would ever come to believe in Him!

3. Elohim And the Creation of the Human Race

a. Initial observations:

(1) Note: the details of man’s creation are revealed in 2:7-25—this is about man in general—we will cover that in a later sermon

(2) God created Man in His own image—what does that mean?

(3) He created man as male and female—He gave us NO OTHER CATEGORIES

(4) He commanded man to populate the earth—

(5) He gave man dominion over the earth

b. The Trinity was gradually revealed in the Bible—
(1) (Gen 11:6) "…And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them."

(2) (Gen 1:26-27) "Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; … 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. …”

(3) The Trinity in the OT

(a) The Father and the Son—

(i) Psa 45:7 "You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."

(ii) Psa 110:1 "The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

(iii) Psa 2:7 ""I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You."

(b) The Spirit—Gen 1:2) "The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

(c) The Trinity— Isa 48:16-18 "…And now the Lord GOD and His Spirit Have sent Me." 17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God…”

c. Man was made in Elohim’s Image—Gen 1:26a “…in Our image, according to Our likeness;…” In what way are we in God’s Image?

(1) Not physical—it must be in ways that the animals do not share

(a) God is Spirit—Jn 4:24
(b) Moral—
(c) Emotional—passion, feelings
(d) Volition—free agency, the ability, within our nature, to make ethical choices
(e) Loving—the ability to choose to love
(f) Personally—the ability to form relationships, especially with God
(g) Creative—we make things we create artifacts,
(h) Communication—especially with God

(2) What is left of this image after The Fall?

(a) Still there—(James 3:9) "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."

(b) Marred by the Fall, injured in every part.

(c) Morals bankrupt

(d) Emotions twisted

(e) Our ability to choose is limited by sin

(f) True love impossible

(g) Relationship with God impossible without Christ’s sacrifice.

(h) Creativity perverted

(i) No communion with God

(j) Our sexuality, a great gift from God, is perverted and distorted

d. What will the restoration be?—(1 John 3:1-2) "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. {2} Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

e. Created to Rule—26b

(1) Dominion over the animal kingdom

(2) Gen 9:2 ""And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand."

(3) Psa 8:6 "You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,"

(4) James 3:7 "For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind."

(5) Paganism hates this doctrine—the pagan view of God is twisted and self serving by man

(6) Animals are NOT in the image of God, and they are not on an equal footing with man.

f. Bottom line, God has created us to rule and have dominion over the Earth, and we are commanded to do so.

4. The Act of Creation— 1:27-8

a. God Created man— 27 “Male and female!”

b. The Mission of the Race—This was the mission given to man from the beginning, and it was a detailed mission, a vast mission, a bold mission. Gen 1:28

c. “…Populate the Earth…”—Because God loves people
‘
d. “…Spread over the whole earth…—because God made the earth to be inhabited by man

e. Tame the Earth— “subdue it…”—tame its wild places, traverse its wilderness, explore it.

f. Be the livestock manager for the Earth—be over ALL the animals— “… have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth…”

g. Why has mankind always had the need to explore, tame the wilderness, climb the heights and plumb the deeps? Because of the echo of this charge given to man by God in the beginning.

5. The Implications of Being a Created Being –Acts 17:24-31

a. Knowing our Creator

(1) God is the Lord of Mankind

(2) God does not need man’s work or worship

(3) God controls the fates of nations

(4) The purpose of Providence is the great commission.

b. The Duty of Man

(1) Love God and Worship Him—

(a) Deu 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

(b) Obey God—(under the Law) Eccl 12:13 “…Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all…”

(c) Accountability—Eccl 14 “… For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil…”

(d) Knowing who we are—The world is confused about everything. Part of our job is removing the confusion.

c. The Duty of Fallen Man— (Acts 17:30-31) ""Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.""

Lots Going on

2010-12-18T18:15:00.000-08:00

Since our last blog entry, many great things have taken place, the chief being our being called to pastor LIttle Bethel Baptist Church, on a part time basis.

Other things have happened, good and bad, but we will save that for later posts.

Joseph's Story

2010-12-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

Joseph’s Story
Luke 1:56-Mat 1:18-25

• There is a diversity of opinion about the exact timings and order of things having to do with the Coming of Christ into the world.

• The most important things, however, are easily discerned.

o Christ was conceived in the body of a young woman who had never known a man

o Thus, Christ is the Seed of the Woman, but not the seed of the man

o Just as the Bible gives us the true nature of Mary as a sinner saved by Grace, so Mary herself shuts down all of the theologians who would like to cheapen her.

(Luke 1:34-35) "Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

* But imagine being Mary’s parents and Joseph, trying to swallow this big pill.

1. Mary Returns to Face the Music—(Luke 1:56) "And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house."

a. Mary’s Part of Joseph’s Story—

b. What was hidden by nature will now become seen by all

(1) Why did Mary stay three months?

(a) She was staying in the house of a aged priest and of her kinswoman—a proper chaperone indeed

(b) Upon her return, the situation would be open.

(c) All would know this was not Joseph’s baby, not just Joseph himself.

(d) And this would be the focus of the test of Joseph’s faith

c.

2. The Matthew Account….(Mat 1:18a) "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows…”

a. The two accounts, Luke’s and Matthew’s, like the two genealogies, complement each other, they do not disagree.

b. In order to line all of this up, I have prepared a handout

c. Background—who was Joseph?

(1) Joseph—of the house of David, of the Kingly line—

(Mat 1:6-11) "and Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. 7 Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8 Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah begot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon."

(2) Mary, was of the house of David of the non-kingly line.

(3) Now, the Messiah must be the legitimate King of Israel, which must mean that Joseph, the humble carpenter of Bethlehem is the legitimist heir to the throne of David—and they would have known this based on the genealogies kept in the temple.

d. We really don’t know a lot about Joseph, how he left Bethlehem to follow his trade in Nazareth, how he met Mary, and so on, which means these questions are of no particular importance.

3. A Serious Predicament and a Just And Kind Man:

a. A Young Woman In Trouble—“…After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit…”

(1) The system of that day—betrothal, as binding as marriage, breaking of the vows of marriage was adultery, punishable by death.

(2) Before the consummation of the marriage, Mary is found to be pregnant—this, again raises several questions, since she has not been around her betrothed for several months, and she has been under the chaperone-guardianship of Elizabeth and Zacharias

(3) She was found pregnant by the Spirit—That information must have been revealed by her to her family and Joseph. Did any believe her at first?

(4) Joseph, being a straightforward man, concluded the obvious—who wouldn’t? Based on her testimony alone, he was not about to believe what she had told him—just a young girl who has messed up and is desperate for vindication.

(5) Joseph could have had her stoned, he could have humiliated her with a public divorce trial

b. A just and merciful Solution—“…19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly."

(1) Joseph… the Man He Did Not Have to Be—Joseph was a REAL MAN in the ultimate sense of the word.

(a) Joseph’s Character

(i) Mat 1:18—Joseph respected the Law—he wanted to do the right thing, and in his mind (at first) he would respect the Law

(ii) Joseph respected his betrothed—“…they had not yet come together…”. Young ladies, any man that won’t wait until you are married, is not a real man, no matter how much he can flex and sturt.

(b) Joseph was a Saddiq, a righteous and Godly man…Mat 1:19a—He was “Just.”—Joseph was a saved man, and he lived out his righteousness—Ps 1

(c) Joseph was merciful Mat 1:19b—Joseph showed his righteous character and gave evidence of his salvation by his merciful and kind reaction to Mary’s pregnancy

(2) Joseph was a man of faith who believed in a supernatural God!

2. The Dream and The Vision “…20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

a. While he thought—we must not overlook this innocuous phrase—

(1) Joseph made no rash moves

(2) Joseph stopped to think! It was a visitation in a dream, so here we have Joseph totally absorbed by this question

(3) Joseph’s consideration (no doubt with ample prayer), resulted in a direct answer from God.

(a) Note that there is no question here—in this situation, God’s answer was direct, personal, unequivocal, and simple.

(b) “…20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream…”

b. Fear Not—again, the call of reassurance…“… Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit…”

(1) Again, note the weight of the words—Joseph, “…son of David…”

(2) There are a few passages where this has a general meaning, but most of the time, the phrase is loaded with theological, covenantal, and eschatological meaning.

(3) This is the title that Joseph will pass on to his stepson, Jesus

(4) This is the title of royalty, kingship, ultimately Messiah’s title

c. What a prophecy, one loaded with great weight, great responsibility, and great danger—“…do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit…”

(1) Great weight—Joseph is asked to believe that which is impossible except By God

(2) Great Responsibility—Joseph’s life will never be the same. He has gone from being a simple man with prospects of a simple and perhaps happy life to possibilities

(3) Great Danger (and ridicule) Mary is with Child, and the Child is of the Holy Spirit—

(a) There are miraculous births in the Bible, women with closed wombs opened by God, women too old to bear children naturally who receive the ability to procreate with their husbands

(b) But here the Holy Spirit does this work, this is a Child with no human father—a child for whom the curses of Adam have no effect—This is to be the long-awaited Seed of the Woman, Seed of Abraham, Son of David.

3. The Great Promises—“… And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

a. The Promise of a Son
Isaiah 9:6 “… For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…”.

b. The Promise of a Savior (the real meaning of the word Jesus is “Jehovah Saves”)“… “…you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

(1) The Promise of full and complete salvation for HIS PEOPLE

(a) His people, the remnant of believing Jews in every age

(b) His people the grafted-in Gentiles of the church age

(c) His people, the great Harvest of the Jewish people during the Tribulation, the time of Jacob’s trouble

(i) Jeremiah 30:7
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

4. Another Great Prophecy—“…So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,”[a] which is translated, “God with us.”

a. God works His work to accomplish His plans—Is 46:8-11

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled

b. This is from Is 7:14—“…spoken by the Lord through the prophet…”

c. The definition and proper interpretation of Is 7:14 is in accordance with Mat 1:18-25 “…saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son…”

d. “…and they shall call His name Immanuel,”[a] which is translated, “God with us.”

5. Obedient Joseph—Joseph was a man who followed God’s instructions in spite of any consequences. (Mat 1:24-25) "Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS."

a. His obedience was immediate—“…as the angel of the Lord commanded him…”

(1) Joseph roused himself in the middle of the night and went to get Mary

(2) Joseph had no relations with her until after the birth of Jesus

b. His obedience produced negatives

(1) He had to hear the wagging tongues of others for the rest of his life, certainly. What we he going to say? There was no way anyone would believe it!

(2) The Gossip and the Talk—here are two examples of the innuendo that Jesus had to deal with 30 years after His birth—imagine that Joseph had to endure!

(a) John 8:41 "… Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; ..."

(b) John 8:48 "Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?""

(3) Joseph suffered loss of home. After Jesus’ birth, they had settled in Bethlehem, and the Joseph Bar David carpenter business was no doubt booming, because they had a house. Joseph, on the strength of a dream from God, left it all to protect his young son—Mat 2:13-15

c. But far more, his obedience led to ultimate Positives: Joseph became the stepfather of the Messiah!

(1) He was a father to Jesus

(2) He owned his stepson as if Jesus were his own—he gave Jesus his name (Mat 13:55—Jesus was known as “…the capenter’s Son…”)

(3) He taught Jesus His earthly trade—“…Matthew 13:55…Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?...”

(4) Mark 6:3—“…Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James….”

(5) He passed on his kingly heritage

(6) He taught Jesus to obey the Law of Moses, and taught Him the ceremonies and customs of Israel—Luke 2:42-52

(7) He took Jesus to church, and taught Jesus to stand and be a man of the church—

(a) “…Luke 4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up…” Brought up by Joseph and Mary

(b) (Luke 2:51-52) "Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, … 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

(c) Customs and habits are good things when they are properly understood and done. “…And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read…”

(d) (Luke 2:41-42) "His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast."

Worldview Stuff

2010-06-19T19:13:00.001-07:00

There are, and have been, fromthe first time that our first parents received God's Mandate for the human race, (Gen 1:26-31), only two major worldviews, Biblical Christianity (or in the OT true Jehovah worship) vs. everything else. The problem has always been that the followers of the One True God have tended to liberalize and let themselves be pulled over into the camp of the enemy. It is much the case today, as well exposited by Nathan Rogers, our minister of students, that professing Christians spend much of their time trying to either look, act, talk, and think like the world. We cannot have it both ways.

Luther said it this way:

"...If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point...."

Back in a New Saddle Again

2010-06-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

The Blog is back. We are going to be working on a different format of communicating. Our Sunday School lessons are available through Trace Creek's website, with downloadable audio.

Meanwhile, part of the change is going to be diversified discussions about theology and Bible, as before, but also with an eye to world affairs, politics, and worldview confrontations. So, here it is, for the few that have been faithful, let's blog again.

Sardis

2010-03-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

Sardis—the Dead Church
Rev 3:1-6

 The Progression
o Pergamum—Being corrupted
o Thyatira—Corrupt
o Sardis—Dead

 In Ephesus, a solid orthodox church that put up with no nonsense had, nonetheless lost their first love.
 In Smyrna, persecution had purified the church.
 In Pergamum, the majority were true believers, but they were tolerating open gross sin.
 In Thyatira, the majority were lost church members, and the corruption had become institutionalized.
 And In Sardis, only a small remnant of the church were true believers.

1. Jesus to Them—(3:1) ""And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars…”

a. The ministry of the Holy Spirit—sent by the Father and the Son—

(1) This church was devoid of the Spirit, except for the remnant

(2) Christ is reminding those who are there and listening, that a church without the Spirit of God is not a church!

(3) We depend on Christ to be with us and be our Paraclete—(John 14:15-16) ""If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever;"

(4) The Father and Son sent the Spirit as the ultimate Teacher of the churches—

(a) (John 14:26) ""But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

(b) (John 15:26) ""But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."

(5) The evangelistic ministry of the churches is impossible without the convicting power of the Holy Spirit—(John 16:8-12) ""And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged…”

(6) This dead church needs the enlivening power of the Holy Spirit to come back to life.

b. The ministry of Christ to the pastors—“…and the seven stars…”

(1) The Pastor of this church is either dead along with his members, or he is ministering to the remnant, frustrated and beaten

(2) Either way, Christ reminds the pastor that he is not working for man—he is working for God

(3) He either needs to get saved, as Steve Brown did, under his own preaching, or he needs to pray for revival of this dead church.

c. For us in the 21st century, how many dead churches are out there? Maybe most of them?

2. A Very Simple Condemnation, and a direct instruction—"3:1b …I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead…2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.”…3a "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.

a. Their works—"3:1b …I know your works… I have not found your works perfect [complete] before God.”

(1) There were things going on—otherwise they would not have had a reputation of life.

(2) Christ knows about their works—but curiously, He does not mention knowing THEM…

(Mat 7:21-23) ""Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"

(John 10:26-27) ""But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

(3) It is not that He does not know about them—He just doesn’t know them—there is no relationship.

(4) But even here, there is failure—their works were not “perfect,” this is not Teleios, it is pleroo—completeness, or fullness—it is not that their works were immature, they were half-hearted at best, going through the motions.

(a) They went through the motions, but there was no fullness in what they were doing.

(b) Their works were without life, without feeling

(c) These works were good enough to fool those on the outside, and may be some on the inside, but you can’t fool God.

b. Their Reputation—a scary prospect here!

(1) They had the reputation of being alive

(2) This is not so much among their pagan neighbors, who could not have cared less

(3) This reputation was among the other churches—“Sardis, sure, great church, I hear…”

c. Their reality—their church was dead.

(1) Most of the members—dead

(2) Worship—dead

(3) Prayer—dead

(4) Outreach—dead

(5) Not that these things were absent from the services—they had the NAME of being alive—but there was no reality.

d. What could have caused this? Curiously, Jesus does not mention the specific problems that led to this, but since this is part of a progression, it is easy to see that a lack of love and progressively worse corruption would lead to this eventually.

e. But even here there were a few true believers—unlike Laodicea.

3. Some frightening Consequences— “…3b…Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. …”

a. A curious parallel to the history of the city (summed up from MAC)

(1) Sardis was an ancient city—gold coins were first made there—there was so much gold available their that they had one of the richest of kingdoms. Croesus, one of their ancient kings, set the standard for wealth—if someone was really wealthy, it was said (almost up to our day) that he was “as rich as Croesus.”

(2) The city sat on a very high hill, with three deep 90 degree sides that were impossible to climb, and a fourth side where attackers could only climb in single file. It was considered beyond conquest.

(3) But twice in its long history it had been overthrown by enemies, and in both cases, it was their complacency that led to the overthrow. So confident were they that no one could take their city that they went to bed and left no sentries except on the side facing the narrow path. During the night, specially trained mountain climbers scaled the unguarded sides and in the morning light, the city fell—and again, this identical thing took place twice, separated by a couple of centuries.

b. Christ is coming to this church, and the implication is that He will shake it in a mighty way, and this coming in present judgment will happen without warning, just as the military overthrow of the city had hit without warning.

c. This is compared to the unexpected (by the world) coming of Christ—“…Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you…”

(1 Th 5:2) "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night."

(1 Th 5:4) "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief."

(2 Pet 3:10) "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…”

4. A Word to the Small and Faithful Remnant—

a. The remnant Identified—4 "You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments …”

(1) Even—even in Sardis there are true believers, perhaps as vexed as Lot, but they are there.

(2) A reality check—who is our Master? Jesus defines believers by their fruit, as in John 10:27

(3) Names—He is looking at a “book”, or a roster, and checking His list.

b. Promises to the Remnant—

(1) The Promises

(a) “…and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy

(b) 5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments…”

(2) They Shall—the security of the believer

(3) Walk with Him in white—dressed like Him, walking with Him as God’s people always have, but in That Day, we will walk as His brothers and sisters.

(4) Worthy—how can this be? He makes me worthy through the blood He shed for me, and by justification and imputation.

(5) The Issue of the Book and the Books “…and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life…”

(Exo 32:32) ""Yet now, if You will forgive their sin; but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.""

(Psa 56:8) "You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?"

(Psa 139:16) "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them."

(Phil 4:3) "And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life."

(Rev 3:5) ""He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."

(Luke 10:20) ""Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.""

(Rev 13:8) "All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

(Rev 17:8) ""The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

(Rev 20:12) "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books."

(Rev 20:15) "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

(Rev 22:19) "and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

(6) Christ’s Confession of MY Salvation—“…but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels….”

5. Encouragement From History—“6 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'

a. Jesus is giving this church room to repent—did they?

b. Melito—pastor of Sardis 150 years later, was one of the great defenders of the faith

c. So, what happened? In my sanctified imagination, the pastor of Sardis received his copy of Revelation and took it to his church. Prayerfully, with trembling lips, he read it to the people, he repented of his poor leadership, the Spirit fell on all assembled there, and a great revival took place!.

Thyatira

2010-03-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

Thyatira, A Totally Corrupt Church
Rev 2:18-29

 Pergamos had major problems, but Thyatira had taken it all to a new level


1. The City and The Lord—“…And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass…”

a. The City: Thyatira was: (From AT Robertson) “… forty miles south-east of Pergamum, a Lydian city on the edge of Mysia, under Rome since B.C. 190, a centre of trade, especially for the royal purple, home of Lydia of Philippi (Acts 16:14f.), shown by inscriptions to be full of trade guilds, Apollo the chief deity with no emperor-worship…”

b. The Son of God—

(1) Christ identifies Himself to them by His title of Deity

(2) As God, He has all authority, He is the ultimate judge of what is right and what is wrong.

c. Authority is going to be an issue here, because the sins of this church and the corruption of this church contradict the Biblical standards for behavior .

(1) And what is more, they thought they were right—even though they were very wrong.

(2) Pergamos was being corrupted, and where they were going was toward the corruption of Thyatira that we see here.

(a) Church Corruption always begins with human sin, then it progresses to a claim for Christian liberty or tolerance

(b) Those with standards, who hold for the Truth are misrepresented as being unloving and/or judgmental

(c) The next step is to solidify the corruption by teaching a corrupt theology.

(d) Then one morning the orthodox believers awake to find themselves outnumbered and the heretics in charge.

d. His eyes like a flame of fire

(1) The “X-ray” vision of God—nothing can be hid from Him—(Prov 5:21) "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths."

(2) (Heb 4:12-13) "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

(3) Christ Jesus sees what is going on, and He is angry about it—there will be no compromise with HIM!

e. His feet like burnished brass—He has His HEAVY boots on—pure brass, ready to take a stand and stamp out the heresy

2. The Commendations—19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first…”

a. First note: The commendations are minimal

(1) Works—and the latter are more than the first!

(a) A corrupted church can still produce works of charity; indeed that is often how corrupted churches assuage their feelings of guilt!
(b) Working “for the Lord” is no evidence of legitimacy, nor is it an evidence of individual salvation—(Mat 7:21-23) ""Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"

(2) Love—there was some degree of agape there—from the true believers

(3) Service—there was genuine serving going on, again, most likely from the remnant of true believers

(4) Faith

(5) Patience

b. But one thing that is most definitely not mentioned is Truth

3. The Condemnations: a corrupted church—(Rev 2:20) ""Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols."

a. I have this against YOU

(1) Both pronouns are in the singular

(2) Jesus is talking to the Pastor!

(3) Again, the eldership of a church is charged by God with guarding the church and with dealing with false teachers or others who disturb the holiness of the church—(Acts 20:28-31) ""Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."

(4) Remember these warnings to preachers and teachers—

(a) (2 Tim 4:1-2) "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

(b) (James 3:1) "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment."

b. This was a church where the majority was corrupt and the true believers were relegated to being a remnant—no doubt they had gone through the process that Pergamos was currently in the middle of, but they had seen the tragic results of “tolerance” of evil allowed to the point where it was the dominant factor and faction in the church

c. First—what was the substance of the false doctrine taught here?

(1) Early Gnosticism? “… doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say…”

(2) Gnosticism

(a) Special knowledge
(b) Libertarian lifestyle
(c) Usually syncretic

(3) (From AT Robinson)—“…The deep things of Satan (ta bathea tou Satanā). The Ophites (worshippers of the serpent) and other later Gnostics (Cainites, Carpocratians, Naassenes) boasted of their knowledge of “the deep things,” some claiming this very language about Satan (the serpent) as Paul did of God (1 Cor 2:10). It is not clear whether the words here quoted are a boast of the Nicolaitans or a reproach on the other Christians for not knowing the depths of sin. Some even claimed that they could indulge in immorality without sinning (1 John 1:10; 3:10). Perhaps both ideas are involved. As they say (hōs legousin). Probably referring to the heretics who ridicule the piety of the other Christians…”

d. Why is this woman called “Jezebel?”

(1) It could be that her name was Jezebel, but that is unlikely, given the negative history of that name

(2) It is most likely the case that she is “cut from the same cloth” as Jezebel, and perhaps she had a “familiar spirit” (a personal demon) which influenced the behavior.

(3) The Original Jezebel

(a) She was the true leader of Israel, since King Ahab, her husband, was totally under her thumb, a figurehead at best

(b) She was a Baal worshiper

(c) The came from a pagan nation

(d) She married in to Israel, but sought from the beginning to undermine and destroy Israel morally, and to transplant her pagan worldview and religion into Israel

(e) She was a practitioner of syncretism, combining Baalism with Judaism

(f) She was a lost tool of Satan, of the kind that Paul had warned against—(Acts 20:28-31) ""Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."

(4) The modern Jezebel: Her characteristics and sins

(a) She was the true leader of the church; the pastor was a figurehead at best, or maybe he had been corrupted as well.

(b) She was an adulteress, and rather than being ashamed and repentant, she gloried in her sin

(c) She was teaching God’s people that what we call syncretism is the true faith

(d) She also was teaching an early form of Gnosticism, since she was teaching the people that sinful behavior was OK with God.

e. She was, first of all a violation of Biblical leadership standards—“…20 "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach…”

(a) She was a woman teaching men—(1 Tim 2:12) "And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence."

(b) She was a false prophetess teaching in the church

f. She was unrepentant, a sure sign of lostness—“…21 "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent….”

4. The Judgment—“…22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works…”

a. God’s judgment is going to fall on her and on the others who had followed her.

b. The Judgment against the woman

(1) There are a lot of speculations about exactly who was what

(2) There is some difficulty with the text here, but the best indications are that this “sickbed” is either place to die or is Hell itself.

(3) The punishment against her and anyone else who leads God’s children to sin—(Mat 18:6) ""But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

c. The judgment against her followers, many of whom were apparently saved people

(1) “…those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds….”

(a) There is no definite article here, so this is not talking about THE great tribulation, but it is talking about tribulation in general

(b) And this kind of behavior does lead to great tribulation in your life—as with David

(c) Some notable passages about the dangers here.

(Prov 5:3-5, 8-14) "For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; 4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of hell….) "Remove your way far from her, And do not go near the door of her house, 9 Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one; 10 Lest aliens be filled with your wealth, And your labors go to the house of a foreigner; 11 And you mourn at last, When your flesh and your body are consumed, 12 And say: "How I have hated instruction, And my heart despised correction! 13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me! 14 I was on the verge of total ruin, In the midst of the assembly and congregation.""

(Prov 5:20-23) "For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, And be embraced in the arms of a seductress? 21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths. 22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. 23 He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."

(Prov 6:24-29) "To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress. 25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids. 26 For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. 27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent."

d. The Sin unto Death—23 "I will kill her children with death…”

e. The reason for the public nature of the chastisement—“… and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works…”

5. The Faithful Remnant—

a. A description of the Remnant

(1) They had not given in to this teaching“…24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine…”
(2) They had not participated in the lifestyle and its hidden codes—“…who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say…”

b. Comforting words for the faithful remnant—their church is too late to save as an institution, but they are to continue to worship and serve God in spite of it all…“… I will put on you no other burden…”

c. Which Coming is this:? 25 "But hold fast what you have till I come…”

(1) Is He coming to remove the candlestick (take away the church’s charter)?

(2) Is He talking about the rapture?

d. Words of comfort for all the saved—

(1) We will reign with Christ—. 26 "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations…”

(2) We will rule with Christ— 27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'; as I also have received from My Father;

(3) We will Shine with Christ—28 "and I will give him the morning star.

e. 29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"

pergamus

2010-03-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

Pergamos, A Church In the Process of Being Corrupted

Rev 2:12-17

Now we begin to come to really troubled churches.

 Ephesus had a serious problem, but there was no corruption of either Truth or Practice

 Smyrna was a persecuted church and pure because of that.

 Pergamos had major problems—which is sad, because they were a church that had gone through persecution and held up well—but they had allowed corruption to seep in.

1. The City Pergamum was: (From AT Robertson)

a. A Great City “…on a lofty hill…”

b. An intensely pagan city

(1) “…a great political and religious centre. Ramsay (Op. cit., p. 281) calls it “the royal city, the city of authority.”

(2) It Had “…many great buildings, including a library with 200,000 volumes, second only to Alexandria. …”

(3) The Kingdom of Pergamum became a Roman province B.C. 130. Pliny termed it the most illustrious city of Asia.

(4) As a center of learning—“…Parchment (charta Pergamena) derived its name from Pergamum.

(5) As a center of Pagan worship

(a) “…It was a rival of Ephesus in the temples to Zeus, Athena, Dionysos, in the great grove Nicephorium (the glory of the city).

(b) Next to this was the grove and temple of Asklepios, the god of healing, called the god of Pergamum, with a university for medical study.

(c) Pergamum was the first city in Asia (A.D. 29) with a temple for the worship of Augustus (Octavius Caesar).

(d) Hence … Pergamum is a very centre of emperor-worship “where Satan dwells” (2:13). ….). Like Ephesus this city is called temple-sweeper (neōkoros) for the gods.

2. Who Jesus Is To Them ""And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword…”

a. He comes to them as Judge!

b. Imagine that you are the pastor (angel) of this church, and you get this kind of communication directly from Jesus!

c. Why should a pastor, elder, or deacon be particularly chagrined and embarrassed by this communication from God? Because, the eldership (pastors) are the junkyard dogs of the church—If some strays have wormed their way in—it is the fault of the man of God.

(1) First, one of the qualifications (largely neglected in considerations for ministerial qualifications) is that a elder-pastor-bishop be trained, taught, and able to defend the Faith and the congregation from false teachers.

(Titus 1:9-11) "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain."

(Acts 20:28-31) ""Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."

(2) Peter set the example with Simon—(Acts 8:18-23) "And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 "You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 "For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.""

(3) Paul set the example several times,

(a) Including once when he publicly rebuked Peter—(Gal 2:11-14) "Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?"

(b) Paul named names of false teachers (sometimes—other times he mentioned them but not by name

(i) (2 Tim 2:16-18) "But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some."

(ii) (1 Tim 1:18-20) "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."

d. The corruption had risen to the point where Jesus had His weapon drawn—and the weapon of our warfare is the weapon of the Word, of Truth—

(1) (2 Cor 10:4-6) "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

(2) (Eph 6:17) "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;"

3. Commendations—“…13 "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells….”

a. They were a working church—"I know your works

b. They had a particularly rough assignment, because they were in an area of intense demonic activity “…and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is…”

c. They had remained faithful and orthodox in doctrine—“… And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith…”

d. They had persevered in spite of a local persecution which had resulted in the death of a faithful believer—“…even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells…”

4. Condemnations—“…14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality…”

a. First—the extent of either heresy—“…you have some…”

(1) The two corrupt groups in the church were in the minority

(2) The problem was not that the church was overthrown—they were not—yet.

(3) The problem with most of the people (and apparently the leadership) was that they were practicing unbiblical toleration of these sins

(a) Like in 1 Cor 5—they had an attitude of overlooking sin, (and perhaps were puffed up like the Corinthians, proud of their “tolerance”)

(b) Like in 1 Cor 5, they had not exercised church discipline

b. Heresy #1—Balaam’s doctrine—The Error of Balaam—The History of Balaam

(1) There were two parts to his heresy—

(a) He was a prophet for hire—2 Pet 2:15 "… the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness…"

(b) And he encouraged people to follow a lifestyle of sexual immorality and syncretism—mixing of religions.

(c) And these ideas are popular today!

(2) Balaam is a curiously prominent man in the Bible—he is referred to by name 60 times in the OT and NT.

(3) Balaam truly had a prophetic gift, though he himself was not a redeemed man.

(4) The Story of Balaam is found in Numbers 22-24: nearly three chapters are devoted to discussing this man and his “ministry” of sorts.

(5) To get the full background story on what was going on with Balaam, you have to look at other passages.

(6) The overview of the full story is this:

(a) Balak, the king of Moab, hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam was a hireling prophet—since he was from Mesopotamia, he may have been part of the hereditary priest class that stayed in power no matter who the rulers were.

Deu 23:4-5 "Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. 5 Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee."

(b) Balaam would not curse Israel, because God told Balaam that He intended to bless Israel.

(c) During one instance, when it seemed as if Balaam was wavering in his conviction not to curse Israel, God spoke to Balaam through Balaam’s donkey. 2 Pet 2:15-16 "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet."

(d) Though he could not or would not curse Israel, Balaam did advise the king of Moab to seduce Israel through sexual temptation, which resulted in a plague and many deaths in Israel, and he counseled the Israelites to engage in this mixing of religions—Num 31:16 "Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD."

(e) Balaam was later killed in battle by the Israelites— Josh 13:22 "Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword…”

c. The Character of Balaam

(1) Balaam was a prophet for hire—

(2) Even though he is a symbol of evil religion, Balaam talked to God, and God to him!

(3) Balaam had loose views about sexual purity and morality. Objective righteousness and holy living were not factors of any importance to Balaam.

d. The error of Balaam

(1) “Error is plane, ‘a wandering, a straying about, whereby one, led astray from the right way, roams hither and thither,’ metaphorically, ‘error, a wrong opinion,’ relative to morals or religion…”

(2) Balaam had strayed from truth, he had strayed away, like the false teachers will in the last days.

g. Summary note—

“…Balaam went wrong because he allowed himself to hanker after gain…He not only went wrong himself, but he abused his great influence and his reputation as a prophet, to lead astray the Israelistes by drawing them away from the holy worship of Jehovah to the impure worship of Baal Peor. So these false teachers use their prophetical gifts for purposes of self-aggrandisement, and endeavor to make their services attractive by excluding…all that is strenuous and difficult, and opening the door to every kind of indeugence…”

e. Heresy # 2, the Nicolaitans—15 "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate…”

(1) There is some degree of disagreement among scholars as to who the Nicolaitans were

(2) Drawing on various sources, they were a group who:

(a) Practiced the same kind of wickedness as the Balaamists did

(b) Were descended theologically from Nicholas, one of the “seven”

(c) Believed in establishing a hierarchy above the people. (Walvoord, Scofield, et. al.)

(d) We have warnings from the New Testament about leaders that “lord” it over the believers

(1 Pet 5:1-3) The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: {2} Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; {3} nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock…”

(3) Note what Jesus says about them—He hates their doctrine! This hatred of their teachings has to do with their corruption of God’s church and their oppression and temptation of God’s people.

5. Commands—“…16 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth…”

a. Repent—

(1) A constant call in the Bible which shows to always begin a fix to our sins by first turning toward God, whether initially when we are first saved, or repetitively, when we repent over our sins as believers

(2) What would their repentance involve? (Note, he is addressing the orthodox, not the heretics!)

b. First, the orthodox believers needed to:

(1) Acknowledge their sin

(2) Confess that their tolerance of sin being openly practiced in the church was itself a sin.

(3) Then the orthodox believers had to take action to cleanse their church

c. Or…Jesus was going to come and take care of the problem Himself… “…or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth…”

6. Promises—“…17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

a. “…To him who overcomes…” The promises are for believers only

b. “… I will give some of the hidden manna to eat…” In the New Testament, the Bread of Life is Christ Jesus

c. “…. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'" God knows the secret things, and He gives us a mystery here—a mysterious “stone” with our “new name” on it. This can be compared to casting lots or declaring guild or innocence in a court of Law (Walvoord)

(1) A black stone indicates guilt, or lostness

(2) A white stone indicates innocence

seven churches

2010-03-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

Smyrna—The Persecuted Church
Rev 2:8-11

 Persecution—the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church
 Great Martyr books
o Foxes Book of Martyrs
o The Martyr’s mirror.
The ten major persecutions in the early church, parallel to the ten plagues of Egypt. These ten persecutions are:
 Persecution under Nero (c. 64-68). Traditional martyrdoms of Peter and Paul.

 Persecution under Domitian (r. 81-96).

 Persecution under Trajan (112-117). Christianity is outlawed but Christians are not sought out.

 Persecution under Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180). Martyrdom of Polycarp.

 Persecution under Septimus Severus (202-210). Martyrdom of Perpetua.

 Persecution under Decius (250-251). Christians are actively sought out by requiring public sacrifice. Could buy certificates (libelli) instead of sacrificing. Martyrdoms of bishops of Rome, Jerusalem and Antioch.

 Persecution under Valerian (257-59). Martyrdoms of Cyprian of Carthage and Sixtus II of Rome.

 Persecution under Maximinus the Thracian (235-38).

 Persecution under Aurelian (r. 270–275).

 Severe persecution under Diocletian and Galerius (303-324).

*More recent instances (this year!)
 Belarus: Church Evicted
Forum 18 News reports that on Aug. 20, New Life Full Gospel Church in Minsk, Moscow, was issued an eviction notice by government officials, forcing them to abandon their church building purchased in...
 Nigeria: Pastors Beheaded
On July 26, 12 Christians were killed, including three pastors, in northern Nigeria after members of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram launched attacks on police and government bases, according...
 Bangladesh: Pastor Tortured by Police
On June 7, police raided an evangelism meeting, arrested and tortured a pastor and two others in Boalia, Bangladesh, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Pastor Habibur Rahman, of...
 Pakistan: Eight Believers Killed
On Aug. 1, a mob of angry Muslim extremists attacked Christians in Gojra district, Punjab province, killing at least eight believers, including a seven-year-old child, according to The Voice of the...
 Iran: Women: We Love Christ!
UPDATE: On Aug. 8, Marzieh and Maryam were summoned to an Iranian court and ordered to deny their faith verbally and in a written statement, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Marzieh...
 VOM: 1 Million NT's Mailed
On Aug. 5, 2009, The Voice of the Martyrs’ Bibles Unbound (BU) ministry reached an exciting milestone with its shipment of the 1 millionth New Testament. VOM is grateful to believers all across...
 VOM: 140,000 Bibles for China
On June 10, 2009 Shi Weihan was sentanced to three years in prison in China. His crime? He "violated the regulations of the state in printing illegal publications," according to Shi's official...
 China: Youth Camp Raided
On July 23, a Christian youth camp was raided by Public Security Bureau (PSB) and Religious Affairs Bureau (RAF) officials in Nanyang city, Henan province. PSB and RAF officers took away more...
 Pakistan: Muslims Attack Christians
On July 30, Muslim extremists attacked Christians, burning more than 50 homes and animals in Faisalabad, Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Muslims falsely accused...
 Eritrea: Christian Dies in Prison On July 23, Yemane Kahasay Andom, a Christian imprisoned for his faith in Eritrea died after authorities denied him medical treatment, according to Compass Direct News. Yemane is the third Christian...

 China: Pastor Sent to Labor Camp—On June 29, Pastor Dou Shaowen who is currently serving a one-year sentence for “engaging in illegal activities” was secretly transferred to Shifo Re-education Through Labor Center in...

 Pakistan: Day of Prayer—Christians in Pakistan are inviting believers around the world to join them in prayer for their nation and for the blasphemy laws to be repealed, according to The Voice of the Martyrs...

 China: Persecution Increases—In recent weeks, Chinese officials have raided house church meetings and arrested believers throughout the country, according to reports from China Aid Association. On July 3, a house church was...

 Iraq: Seven churches bombed—On July 11 two bombs targeted churches in the cities of Baghdad and Mosul and killed at least four people and injured 30 others, according to VOM contacts. Two bombs ripped through the St. Joseph...

 Pakistan: Christian Homes Burned—On June 26, more than 150 Muslim extremists launched a devastating attack on more than 150 Christian families

 Somalia: Christian's Sons Beheaded—16 –Islamic extremists have beheaded two boys in Somalia because their Christian father, 55 year-old Musa Mohammed Yusuf, refused to give them information about an underground church leader, according to...

 Yemen: Christians killed—On June 12, nine Christian relief workers were abducted and three killed, reportedly because they were suspected of being involved in evangelistic work, according to The Voice of the Martyrs...

 India: Pastor & Family Attacked—On June 14, a pastor and his family were brutally attacked when Hindu extremists barged into their church during a prayer meeting, accusing them of forcible conversions, according to The Voice of the...

 Laos: Christians Released—UPDATE: Praise God! On June 13, Christians arrested by plain clothes police, after visiting Christian villages in Laos, were released without incident, according to The Voice of the Martyrs...

(James 1:2-4) "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

(1 Pet 5:10) "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

(Acts 14:22) "strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.""

(2 Tim 3:12) "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

1. How Jesus Presented Himself to The Church at Smyrna—(Rev 2:8) "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life…”

a. Christ presented Himself to them as Eternal God, and as crucified, buried, and resurrected Man.

b. First, He presents Himself as Eternal God—“…the First and the Last…”

(1) This is the essential starting point for all Christology—the Deity and manhood of Jesus

(2) The key formulation in the Deity of Christ is that He is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, and is of the same essence.

(a) The Arians, the most dangerous and successful of the Anti-Trinitarian cults of the early church, gave (they thought) a high position to Jesus—

(b) He was, they said, the highest of created beings, and that He had created everything else, but that He was of a different essence than the Father.

(3) But of course, that is both a heresy and faint praise, because Christ and His Father are One.

(4) So when the crucified, risen, and glorified Lord says, “I am the first and the last…” He is expressing the same Truth wrote by John in (John 1:1-3) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was in the beginning with God. {3} All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

(a) In this passage, the “was” verbs are all in the imperfect tense—continuous activity in times past. Since the “time” is eternity, then these verbs carry the meaning of “in the beginning, the Word already was,” which is how it is said in the NLT for this verse. John 1-1-3 “… In the beginning the Word already existed….The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him,and nothing was created except through him.

(b) The Father, Son, and Spirit are co-existent, because the Spirit is of the same essence as the Son, who is the same essence as the Father—John 10:30, 14:15-17,

(c) The Father, Son, and Spirit Son are co-eternal—Jn 1:1-3 and Heb 9:14

(John 6:63) ""It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

(John 7:39) "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

(John 14:17) ""the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

(John 14:26) ""But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

(John 15:26) ""But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."

(John 16:13) ""However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."

c. He is God, but He is also Man—the Eternal and Immense came as an embryo. “…who was dead, and came to life…” Why is this part of His humanity of particular usefulness here?

(1) They were under persecution, some of them had died, and it is likely that many more would die—no matter how strong a believer one is, when we are facing old, cold, river Jordan, we need a reminder and encouragement.

(2) He was dead—“…Which was dead (hos egeneto nekros). Rather, “who became dead” (second aorist middle indicative of ginomai) as in 1:18….” (ATR)

(3) But He Was Not Dead For Long—“…And lived again (kai ezēsen). First aorist (ingressive, came to life) active of zaō (ho zōn in 1:18). Emphasis on the resurrection of Christ. …” (ATR)

(4) The Impact—

(a) In His Life, Christ Died. He died a painful, humiliating, gruesome death. He passed through Old Jordan on the stormy side. He walked the path that many of these persecuted believers will have to walk. He has had to go through assigning his mother to a close friend for care. He publicly was shamed and cursed, and made a public spectacle. And, not just these persecuted Christians or only the persecuted face this. Unless Jesus returns first, we will all have to cross Old Jordan.

(b) He Came back to life—not a passive verb, mind you, but an active verb—He got up, and He stayed up! (John 10:17-18) ""Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.""

(c) Again, a central doctrine that is of great practical use—the persecuted church of Smyrna needed to hear about eternal life!

2. The Providential Position Of The Church at Smyrna—(Rev 2:9) "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)…”

a. To be known is more vital than to know…(Phil 3:8-10) "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death…"

b. He Knows their works

(1) We are not saved by works, but if we are saved, there will be works—Eph 2:8-10

(2) But look at the grace in this statement—as God counts things—our works? Without Him, there would be no works, but in His mercy, He graciously gifts this suffering church, crediting them with what they had done aright, and passing over anything negative that might be there.

(3) And, we often, because we believe in Grace, ignore the importance of works

(4) But evangelical works, those done as a result of salvation, those for which no merit is claimed, these works of the Spirit in our lives, God honors—but we must always let Him do the honoring, and we should not be much in love with our own works.

(1 Tim 2:10) "but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works."

(1 Tim 5:10) "well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work."

(1 Tim 5:25) "Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden."

(Titus 2:7) "in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,"

(Titus 2:14) "who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."

(Titus 3:8) "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men."

(Titus 3:14) "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful."

(1 Pet 2:12) "having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation."

c. He knows their tribulation—thilipsis, pressure, like that of an olive press.
(Mat 24:21) ""For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be."

(John 16:33) ""These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.""

(1 Th 3:4) "For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know."

(2 Th 1:4) "so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,"

(2 Tim 3:12) "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

(1 Pet 5:8-10) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

d. He knows their poverty as this worlds goods go—kai ptōcheian—MacArthur says that this word indicates not “the working poor,” not someone who struggles to survive, but it indicates those who have nothing at all

(Acts 3:6) "Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.""

(Acts 8:2) "And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him."

(Mat 8:20) "And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.""

(2 Cor 6:10) "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

(2 Cor 8:9) "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

e. He knows how rich they are

(1) They have the riches of eternal life
(2) They are joint heirs with Christ
(3) They have the wealth of the universe
(4) They are rich in the things of the Spirit

f. The Persecutions Against Smyrna, Past, Present, and Future—(Rev 2:9-10) " … I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. {10}… Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. …”

(1) There was a synagogue of lost Jewish people there in Smyrna.

(2) They, however, were more than that—they were called by John a “synagogue of Satan.” Their unbelief was particularly powerful and their actions more evil because they were supernaturally influenced and empowered by the Enemy

(3) Note, it isn’t the Roman authorities nor the false Jews who were going to put the church in Smyrna to the test, but Satan, the Accuser of the Brethren

(Zec 3:1-2) "Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?""

(Rev 12:10) "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down."
3. Christ and the Persecuted Church

a. Christ’s Exhortation to Smyrna—(Rev 2:9-10) "…(but you are rich)… … that you may be tested……Be faithful until death…”

(1) They are going to be tested

(2) Some are obviously going to die, and they will have to take the ultimate stand.

(3) But many of the rest will be under this attack, and Jesus exhorts them.

b. Christ’s Promises to Smyrna— (Rev 2:9-10) "… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life….(Rev 2:11) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'

(1) For those who will die—the crown of life— The crown of life (ton stephanon tēs zōēs). See this very image in James 1:12, a familiar metaphor in the games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. See also 3:11. The crown consists in life (2:7). See Paul’s use of stephanos in 1 Cor 9:25; 2 Tim 4:8. (ATR)

(2) What about the other crowns?

(1 Cor 9:25) "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."

(Phil 4:1) "Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved."

(1 Th 2:19) "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"

(2 Tim 4:8) "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."

(James 1:12) "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

(1 Pet 5:4) "and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

(Rev 2:10) ""Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

(Rev 3:11) ""Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown."
(Rev 4:4) "Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads."

(Rev 4:10) "the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:"

(3) For those who overcome—the saved, we shall be saved from the second death.

The Letters To The Churches: Ephesus

2010-01-02T21:28:00.000-08:00

Rev 2:1-7

Observations about the seven churches

• Seven actual churches
• Not periods of church history—

o There is no Biblical evidence for that viewpoint

o And the historical national and international “catholic” churches are not true churches in any sense of the word, they are, and have been for 1700 years or more, apostate political-religious entities.

o Some Protestant and formerly evangelical churches are just as dead

o And many Baptist and other “free churches” are dead.

o When God removes the candlestick, that which is left is NOT a true church in any sense of the word

o Some former churches die out numerically, but others may continue for generations, dead shells ruining lives and sending multitudes to Hell

o The churches in Asia here addressed through John must be churches of true form and doctrine who are in various stages of health

• In an application, they could be seen as somewhat typical of different types of congregations throughout history, and even now

• The seven churches are tied together by the Roman postal system.

• They are

Ephesus the orthodox, hard working loveless church

Smyrna, the persecuted church

Pergamus, the church in early stages of corruption

Thyatira, the corrupted church

Sardis, the dead church,

Philadelphia, the good church

Laodicea, the sickening church

1. The city and church of Ephesus

a. The city

(1) A free city, no Roman troops
(2) Locally governed
(3) 250,000-500,000 population
(4) Large stadium for games
(5) Very prosperous
(6) Extremely devoted to the Goddess of the Ephesians, Artemis
(a) See Acts 19:23-31

(b) Very sensual, immoral worship—thousands of temple prostitutes and slaves

(c) The worship was loud, boisterous, and wild. This was popular worship because is was sensual, because is was done with total abandon.

(d) There were large civic events in the Spring—for a month!

b. The church

(1) The Lord has the messengers of the churches (pastors) in His hands

(2) We know some of the pastors, elders, and teachers who have been to Ephesus and ministered

(a) Paul stopped there briefly—Acts 18:18-21

(b) He came there to definitively plant the church, Acts 19:1-20:1

(c) Apollos—Acts

(d) Timothy—1 Tim 1:3

(e) Onesiphorus—2 Tim 1:18

(f) Acts 18:24-28—Pricilla and Aquila

(g) The trusted solid elders that Paul had trained—Acts 20:17-34

(h) (probably) John the Apostle

2. Analysis

a. Incidentals

(1) The messenger being written to—2:1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus…”

(2) The authority of the author of the message— “…These things says…”

(3) How Christ represents Himself to them—Rev 2:1 "… He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands…”

b. Commendations—(Rev 2:2-3)

(1) Jesus first notes their industriousness

(a) "I know your works…”

(b) “… your labor…”, Hard labor, toil (ATR)

(c) “… your patience…”

(2) Then He notes that they have taken the difficult step of dealing with and expelling false teachers and false believers—“…and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars…”

(a) Note the instructions given to the leaders of the Ephesian church in Acts 20—(Acts 20:26-31) ""Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."

(b) Note Paul’s warning to Timothy in 1 Tim 4:1-6 and 2 Tim 3:1-12

(i) How they reacted when tested in this way—

(ii) “…and that you cannot bear those who are evil…” These false teachers and false believers were a great burden to the church (ATR), and they Ephesians could not put up with them, would not put up with them, and they did deal with them.

(iii) “… And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars…” As taught (probably) by John as well as Paul, they applied the tests given in 1 and 2 John
(1 John 2:18-23) "Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also."

(1 John 4:1-3) "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world."

(iv) {3} "and you have persevered and have patience,..” This was a long battle, not one easily fought, requiring great efforts on their part.

(v) “…and have labored for My name's sake…” Their Motives were RIGHT! They did this difficult thing, not for the benefit of themselves, but for the Glory of God, as they had been instructed (along with other places) in:

(Eph 3:21) "to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

(vi) Their steadfastness and strength were worthy, they did not flag out at the beginning. “…and have not become weary…”

(3) Their overall foe—probably the Nicolaitans.

(a) (Rev 2:6) "… you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate…”

(b) ATR— Of the Nicolaitans (tōn Nikolaitōn). Mentioned again in verse 15 and really meant in verse 2. Irenaeus and Hippolytus take this sect to be followers of Nicolaus of Antioch, one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5), a Jewish proselyte, who is said to have apostatized. There was such a sect in the second century (Tertullian), but whether descended from Nicolaus of Antioch is not certain, though possible (Lightfoot). It is even possible that the Balaamites of verse 14 were a variety of this same sect (verse 15).

(c) What were the Nicolaitan beliefs?

(i) Hierarchy of leadership
(ii) Tolerance of sexual immorality, including by church leaders.

c. Condemnations—

(1) They quit loving their first love—(Rev 2:4) "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love…”

(2) Who or what did they cease to love?

(a) Jesus

(b) The Lost

(c) The poor

(d) Each other

(e) Holiness

(f) Their own salvation?

(3) What is going on here?

(a) They were second generation believers, trained in the great school of the Ephesian church, but they did not have the fervency and love that the originals had

(b) As a church, they were so concerned with being right that they neglected to love the people they had to deal with.

(1 Cor 8:1) "…We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."

d. Correction Required—(Rev 2:5) "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works,.

(1) Remember

(a) First, remember where you are, who you are, and what you are—and what you were

(b) From where you have fallen—they had, at some time been doing the right thing

(2) Repent—turn from the path they were on—as a church!

(3) Retrench—Do the First Works—rediscover the first love!

e. Consequence—“…or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent…”

(1) Again, what does this mean?

(2) The Bible Tells us exactly what this means—(Rev 1:20) ""… the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches."

(3) If they do not repent (quickly) the Lord will “pull their franchise license!” They will cease to be a true church—and the scary possibility is that they might not even notice it.

(4) And, it happened!

(a) The church at Ephesus sold out!

(b) We don’t know exactly when, but the church of Ephesus, along with all of the ancient mainline congregations, joined the imperial church and taught the false doctrines of all brands of Catholicism.

(i) salvation by works

(ii) baptismal regeneration

(iii) a hierarchical form of church government

(iv) monasticism

(v) worship of the “saints,”

(vi) worship of Mary the Mother of Jesus

(vii) Persecution of the true churches by the Imperial churches

3. Challenge and Charge—(Rev 2:7) ""He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…”

a. Regardless of the church, the true believers in it will survive and thrive.

b. First, let’s unpack this repeated phrase

(1) He—anyone

(2) Who has an ear—this is not physical hearing—this speaks of one who hears and understands and agrees with Biblical Truth—

(a) Not everyone listens to the Truth!

(i) (John 8:47) ""He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.""

(ii) (1 John 4:5-6) "They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

(b) (Rev 2:7) ""He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev 2:11)… (Rev 2:17), (Rev 2:29), (Rev 3:6) (Rev 3:13), (Rev 3:22)

(3) “…Let him hear What the Spirit says to the churches…”

(a) Even though it is the Son of God we see and hear in His glorified visage, He still respects the ministry of the Spirit to the churches, which He Himself gave in John chapters 14-16

(b) “…to the churches…” Not to the Church, for that body has never met and will not meet in one Body until after the Rapture, but to the churches, each individual congregation, so long as they are true and have their “candlestick.”

4. Promise—“…To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'"

a. “…Him who overcomes…” One of the great concepts in this book is that of the Overcomer—the meaning is plain in this and other Scriptures

b. What is an Overcomer?

c.

(1) You are an overcomer if you are saved—(1 John 5:4-5) "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

(2) You are an Overcomer if you are promised a meal from the Tree of Life—(Rev 2:7) ""… To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'"

(3) You are an overcomer if you won’t be hurt by the second death—(Rev 2:11) "" He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'"

(4) (Rev 2:17) ""…I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'"

(5) If we overcome, and our fruit will confirm that, we will reign with Jesus—(Rev 2:26) ""And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations;"

(a) (Rev 3:21) ""To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."

(b) (Rev 21:7) ""He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son."

(6) We who are overcomers will receive many signs of that, including being vouched for by our Savior Himself—(Rev 3:5) ""He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."

(7) If we are overcomers, we will be established permanently—(Rev 3:12) ""He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name."

5. The Scary Thing For Us—This had been a great church, and it still looked like one!

a. They opposed false doctrine

b. They resisted the Nicolaitans

c. They stood for orthodoxy

d. They had been founded, discipled, led, and nurtured by a “who’s who” of the apostolic church

e. They were the recipients of one of the great theological masterpieces, the Epistle to the Ephesians.

f. But when their love waned, then they were open to and subject to all manner of false teachings, because if your doctrine does not include love for the Lord, Love for the brethren, and love for the lost, then the sooner or later, love for the Truth will also fly out the window.

Jesus’ Address to the Churches

2009-12-12T19:39:00.000-08:00

(Rev 1:17-20)

1. Who is He? "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.”

a. Falling Down—

(1) Real worship is to fall at the feet of Jesus and ask Him to do something or relieve some fear that humanly impossible.

(2) Real worship is to fall on our faces before God, to fall at His feet!

(3) A Word About the Current Commotion--"being slain in the Spirit..."

(a) First, it isn't mentioned in the Bible – not even one time.

(b) Second, it is doctrinally out of whack- Falling Backward in the Bible is NEVER positive.

(i) Eli fell backward when the Glory departed from Israel—“…1 Sam 4:18 Then it happened, when he made mention of the ark of God, that Eli fell off the seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years…”

(ii) Falling backward was part of the judgment of God against the children of Israel who would not listen to God's prophets—Isa 28:13 “ But the word of the LORD was to them, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little," That they might go and fall backward, and be broken And snared and caught.”

(iii) Jer 7:24 "Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

(iv) Jer 15:6 You have forsaken Me," says the LORD, "You have gone backward. Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; I am weary of relenting!

(v) The soldiers who came to arrest Jesus fell backward—John 18:6 Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.”

(vi) A meeting with God causes people to hide their face, to fall FORWARD!! Gen 17:1 -3 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram ...Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying:

(vii) When God appeared to Abraham at Mamre—Gen 18:2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,

(viii) When God appeared to Moses at the Burning Bush—Exo 3:6 ... And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

(ix) Even Balaam, the false prophet, had sense enough to know what to do when he met God....Num 22:31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.

(x) When God appeared to Joshua at Jericho...Josh 5:14 .....Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped,

(xi) When God appeared to the parents of Samson...Judg 13:20 ...they fell on their faces to the ground.

(Mark 5:22) "And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet"

(Mark 7:25) "For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet."

(Mark 3:11) "And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God.""

(Mark 5:33) "But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth."

(Luke 8:28) "When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!""

(Lev 9:24) "and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces."(

(Num 20:6) "So Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the glory of the LORD appeared to them."

(Judg 13:20) "it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar; the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground."

(1 Ki 18:39) "Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!""

(1 Chr 21:16) "Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces."

(Mat 17:6) "And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid."

(Rev 7:11) "All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,"

(Rev 11:16) "And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,"

b. Do Not Be Afraid “…But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last…”

(1) A common thing said to many of God’s people in great times of need.

(a) Sometimes we fear the situation

(b) Sometimes we fear our enemies

(c) Sometimes we fear what man can do to us

(d) Sometimes we fear our own weaknesses

(e) Sometimes God puts us out of our comfort zone

(f) Sometimes God gives us challenges that seem impossible

(g) But He always says—do not be afraid

(2) Some of God’s choicest servants needed these words…

(a) Moses—(Gen 15:1) "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.""

(b) The People of Israel—(Exo 14:13) "And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever."

(c) Joshua—(Josh 1:9) ""Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.""

(d) Elijah—(2 Ki 1:15) "And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So he arose and went down with him to the king."

(e) Any believer seeking wisdom—(Prov 3:25) "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes…"

(f) Joseph—(Mat 1:20) "But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit."

(g) The Disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration— (Mat 17:7) "But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid.""

(h) The Women At the Tomb—(Mat 28:5) "But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified."

(i) The Virgin Mary— (Luke 1:30) "Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."

(j) Paul the Apostle—

(i) (Acts 18:9) "Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;"

(ii) (Acts 27:24) ""saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'"

c. Why “do not be afraid? Three Consecutive “I AM” statements

(1) “… I am the First and the Last…”

(a) He Is Eternal God—Rom 9:5, 1 Tim 6:15-16

(b) was there before we were, He will be here when we are dust

(2) When we fear death, he is the Victor over it—18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.”

(3) We will be with Him eternally as well

(4) Why should we fear when we have such wonderful Savior?

(5) But He tells us not to fear, knowing that we will

2. The Keys—“…And I have the keys of Hades and of Death…”

a. What about keys? What are they? How many of them are there? What is the literal meaning of these keys?

(1) Outside Revelation, “keys” are mentioned only a few times

(a) Mat 16:19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

(b) Isa 22:22 The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open.

(2) What are the “keys?” They indicate authority—the key holder rules!— (Luke 11:52) ""Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.""

(a) The Keys to The Kingdom—committed to Peter, but not to him alone

(b) The key to the house of David—most likely synonymous to the Kingdom

(c) The keys to death and Hell— Luke 12:5) ""But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"

(d) The Key of David—(Rev 3:7) ""And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":"

(e) The key to the bottomless pit—

(i) (Rev 9:1) "Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit."

(ii) (Rev 20:1) "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand."

b. The “Weekend in Hell” theory is a favorite of many, but it is not solidly established in the Bible, and it actually comes from medieval Roman Catholic teachings

c. The second part of the “Weekend in Hell” doctrine is that Satan owned "the keys" to death, hell, and the grave, and that Jesus had to go win them from him.

(1) There are ABSOLUTELY NO scriptures which even remotely suggest that Satan ever had any keys to anything.

(2) Furthermore, God opens and shuts, and no one stops Him in going either direction—

(3) Isa 45:1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held; To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:

(4) Rev 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":

(a) Now think, did the Devil EVER have the power of life and death? Did Satan EVER have authority to sentence anyone to Hell? Was Satan ever in charge of God’s salvation plan?

(b) The answer is no! God alone has, and has always had, that power and authority.

(Rev 3:7) ""And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":"

3. The Outline of Revelation—“…19 "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this…”

a. To remind us again, this book is outlined simply and directly

(1) Write—again, John writes what he is commanded, not anything of his own.

(2) What has been seen

(3) The Things that exist

(4) The Things which WILL take place after this.

b. Again, Revelation Reveals Itself! “…20 "The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches."

(1) The Angel, or messenger, of each church, perhaps the pastor.

(2) The Lampstands—the churches, the lights that should shine, the city on the hill that should shine—(Mat 5:14) ""You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."

The Vision of the Resurrected Christ—Rev 1:8-20

2009-12-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

Brother Charley Buntin, Trace Creek Baptist Church, Mayfield, KY

1. The Person of Christ Re-Stated Again—(Rev 1:8) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

a. The I AMs of the Gospel of John

(1) (John 6:35) "And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life…”

(2) (John 7:28-29) "… I am from Him, and He sent Me.""

(3) (John 8:12) "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world…”

(4) (John 8:23) "… I am from above.

(5) John 8:24 “…if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.""

(6) (John 8:58) "… before Abraham was, I AM.""

(7) (John 10:7) "… I am the door of the sheep."

(8) (John 10:9) ""I am the door. …."

(9) (John 10:11) ""I am the good shepherd…”

(10) (John 11:25) "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life…”

(11) (John 14:6) "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

(12) (John 15:1) ""I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser."

(13) (John 15:5) ""I am the vine, you are the branches…."

(14) (John 18:5-6) "They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground."

b. The titles of Christ in just the first 7 verses:

(1) The first four titles refer to Who He Is—

(a) “…Jesus Christ…” As the Angel told Joseph in Matthew—I (Mat 1:20-21) "”…you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.""

(b) “…the faithful witness…”
(c) “…the firstborn from the dead…”
(d) “…the ruler over the kings of the earth…”.

(2) What He Has Done for us

(a) “…Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood…”

(b) “…[Who]{6} has made us kings and priests to His God and Father…”

(3) The Worship to which He is entitled

(a) “…Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. …” (Psa 96:8) "Give to the LORD the glory due His name…”

c. The other “I Am” verses of Revelation

(1) (Rev 1:11) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,"
(2) (Rev 1:17-18) I am the First and the Last.
(3) {18} "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen.
(4) (Rev 21:6) I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
(5) (Rev 22:7) "Behold, I am coming quickly!
(6) (Rev 22:12-13) "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me
(7) {13} "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

(8) (Rev 22:16) "I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

d. More titles …” come in this passage:

(1) He is the first “Word” and the last “Word”—“…Alpha and the Omega…”

(a) He was the first word—“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was With God, and the Word Was God…”

(b) He will be the last Word—(Rev 22:20-21) "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

(2) He is Eternal God—“…the Beginning and the End…” — (Rom 9:5) "of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen."

(3) (1 Tim 6:15-16) "… He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. …”

(4) He Has the Dominion, He is the King— “…the Lord…”

(5) “…who is and who was and who is to come…”

(a) He Came as the Suffering Servant

(b) He is now the Exalted Intercessor

(c) He is returning as reigning King

(6) “… the Almighty." This is a title addressed to God several times in Revelation, as His might is stressed as the power behind this great unveiling.

(Rev 4:8) "The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!""

(Rev 11:17) "saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned."

(Rev 15:3) "They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!"

(Rev 16:7) "And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.""

(Rev 16:14) "For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."

(Rev 19:15) "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."

(Rev 21:22) "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple."

2. The Setting of the Vision—(Rev 1:9) "I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

a. John, the last apostle, a witness to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, addresses the churches as brother and companion—he is saying, “we are all in this together—“… John, both your brother and companion…”

(1) He was their companion in Tribulation

(2) He was their companion in the Kingdom—All saved people are in the Kingdom of God—Col 1:13

(3) He was their companion in “the patience of Jesus Christ…” This speaks of the perseverance of those who are truly born again.

b. A time of Tribulation—a time of persecution—“…John was…on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

(1) Before we even look at the persecutions, note this—the base cause of persecution is the reaction of the lost when the truth is preached, proclaimed, and lived.

(2) The Enemy has no particular drive to persecute silent Christians, nor to disturb those who compromise with the world—John was under persecution because he would not shut up!

(3) This was the Persecution of Domitian, the first empire-wide persecution

(4) Early on, the Romans saw the Christians as a subset of the Jews, who were a religio licta (legal religion—and only the Jews were exempt from the requirement to worship Caesar—though they did pray and sacrifice FOR the emperor.)

(5) During reign of Nero, Christianity was declared a religio illicta (an illegal religion), but the Neronian persecution was limited to Rome.

(6) The heart and soul of John’s “offense” was his obedience to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ—another name for the Bible

(7) How to deal with the Christians is the subject of a famous exchange of letters between the Emperor Trajan and the Governor of Bythinia, Pliny

Pliny's written With Trajan (reigned 98-117) About The Christians
How the Romans viewed the Christians:

This correspondence between the Emperor Trajan and Pliny, governor of Bithynia shows how Christianity had spread, and how it was treated. in the second century AD.

PLINY'S LETTER TO TRAJAN: "It is my custom, lord emperor, to refer to you all questions whereof I am in doubt. Who can better guide me when I am at a stand, or enlighten me if I am in ignorance? In investigations of Christians I have never taken part, hence I do not know what is the crime usually punished or investigated, or what allowances are made. So I have had no little uncertainty whether there is any distinction of age, or whether the very weakest offenders are treated exactly like the stronger, whether pardon is given to those who repent, or whether a man who has once been a Christian gains nothing by having ceased to be such; whether punishment attaches to the mere name apart from secret crimes, or to the secret crimes connected with the name. Meantime this is the course I have taken with those who were accused before me as Christians. I asked them whether they were Christians, and if they confessed, I asked them a second and third time with threats of punishment. If they kept to it, I ordered them for execution; for I held no question that whatever It was that they admitted, in any case obstinacy and unbending Perversity deserve to be punished. There were others of the like insanity; but as these were Roman citizens, I noted them down to be sent to Rome. Before long, as is often the case, the mere fact that the charge was taken notice of made it commoner and several distinct cases arose. An unsigned paper was presented, which gave the names of many. As for those who said that they neither were nor ever had been Christians, I thought it right to let them go, since they recited a prayer to the gods at my dictation, made supplication with incense and wine to your statue, which I had ordered to be brought into court for the purpose together with images of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ- things which (so it is said) those who are really Christians cannot be made to do. Others who were named by the informer said that they were Christians and then denied it, explaining that they had been, but had ceased to be such, some three years ago, some a good many years, and a few even twenty. All these too worshipped your statue and the images of the gods, and cursed Christ. They maintained, however that the amount of their fault or error had been this, that it was their habit on a fixed day to assemble before daylight and recite by turns a form of words to Christ as a god; and that they bound themselves with an oath, not for any crime, but not to commit theft or robbery or adultery, not to break their word, and not to deny a deposit when demanded."

TRAJAN'S REPLY TO PLINY: "You have adopted the proper course, my dear Secundus, in your examination of the cases of those who were accused to you as Christians, for indeed nothing can be laid down as a general ruling involving something like a set form of procedure. They are not to be sought out; but if they are accused and convicted, they must be punished - yet on this condition, that whose denies himself to be a Christian, and makes the fact plain by his action, that is, by worshipping our gods, shall obtain pardon on his repentance, however suspicious his past conduct may be. Papers, however, which are presented unsigned ought not to be admitted in any charge, for they are a very Bad example and unworthy of our time."

c. Why did the Romans hate the Christians?

(1) They were different—most pagans, no matter what their religious beliefs, had essentially the same pagan worldview and sinful lifestyle.

(a) Drunkenness
(b) Sexual immorality
(c) Pedophilia
(d) Homosexuality
(e) Violence of a cruelty

Augustine’s comment on the gladiatorial contests—

When they had got in and taken their places in such seats as were available, the whole place was boiling with the most savage passions. With his eyelids tightly closed, he forbade his [eyes] to [look at] such wicked things. Would that he had been able to stop his ears, too! For, when one man fell in the fight and an immense roar from the whole audience struck his ears with a violent shock, he was overcome by curiosity. Convinced that, whatever it was like, he could defy and overcome it, he opened his eyes and was wounded more seriously in his soul than the gladiator, whom he lusted to observe, had been wounded in his body. Thus he fell more wretchedly than that man whose fall had caused the uproar which had entered through his ears and laid bare his eyes so that the means was provided by which his daring mind could be wounded and knocked down . . . As he looked upon the blood, he drank in the savagery at the same time.
(ConfessionsVI.8)

(2) The Romans did not trust the Christians politically—the Empire was always worried about attacks from invaders, and they saw Christians as potential turncoats, sort of like the attitude Pharaoh had in Exodus

(3) The Romans did not trust the Christians economically

(a) Acts 19 and the idol business
(Acts 19:24-27) “…For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. {25} He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. {26} "Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. {27} "So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship."

(b) Also, many slaves were Christians, and there was always a fear that they would help slaves escape

(4) The Romans did not trust the Christians socially, because believers of all classes honored and associated with each other

(5) The Romans feared Christians in the Army, that they might be disloyal, since they would not worship the emperor, and since their moral habits were different from the other soldiers.

(6) If there was a natural disaster, superstitious pagans would often blame the Christians, because the Christians did not worship the pagan gods.

3. The Voice of the Vision—(Rev 1:10-11) "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.""

a. John was worshiping on the Lord’s Day—Heb 10:25—in spite of the fact that he was exiled to this barren rock to die (hopefully, as the Romans thought)

(1) The Loud voice—When Jesus speaks, all must listen

(2) The titles are repeated

(3) A very important phrase: “…"What you see, write in a book and send it…” John’s assignment was not interpretation, nor editing, he was to write ALL that he saw. He received the instructions to write 12 times in this letter.

b. The Address to the seven churches

(1) These were city churches

(2) They were on the same postal route

(3) They were the first ones to hear what the Spirit said to the churches.

4. The Appearance of the Lord Jesus—(Rev 1:12-16)

a. The Voice: "Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me…”

b. The Vision

(1) The Lampstands“…. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands…”

(a) What did the lampstands represent? (Rev 1:20) ""The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches."

(b) And the stars? “…He had in His right hand seven stars…” The “angels” of the churches…

(2) The One in the midst—obviously Jesus— 13… “ …and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man…”

(3) Dressed in an outfit that resembled the Old Testament high priest’s garb—“…clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band….”

(4) Not a normal mere man, and not in appearance like the Christ Who ascended I Acts 1:9-11 “… 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; …”

(5) Everything about Him speaks of power and glory

(a) He stands where He wants, and his footstep is heavy! “ … 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace…”

(b) When He Speaks, all must listen—“… and His voice as the sound of many waters…”

(c) His Word Rules, and His Word can destroy—“…out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword…”—(Psa 138:2) "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: “…Ps 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name…”

(d) His brilliance, now manifested, is too bright to view—“… and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength."

(i) (Mat 17:1-2) "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light."

(ii) But even then, His Glory cannot be fully contained nor shown—(Hab 3:2-4) "O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. 3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. 4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power."

A Preview of the Glorious Appearing

2009-12-12T19:30:00.000-08:00

(Rev 1:7) "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen”

Israel Text of the Week—Dt 30:1-10

1. Preliminary Question: What is Glory? Or, “Glorify,” “Glorified,” etc

a. When the words are talking about the Triune God, Glory is something majestic in God’s eyes, something personal that He holds in great esteem!

(1) (Isa 42:8) "I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images."

(2) (Psa 96:8) "Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts."

b. It is something that is revealed, sometimes visually—

(1) (Mat 4:8) "Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory."

(2) (Mat 6:29) ""and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

(3) (Mat 19:28) "So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

(4) (Mat 24:30) ""Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

(5) (Mat 25:31) ""When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory."

(6) (Luke 2:9) "And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid."

c. Glory also contains Moral Light

(1) (Luke 2:32) "A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.""

(2) (John 1:14) "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

(3) (John 2:11) "This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him."

d. Glory can be works of power that reveal God as He is—(John 11:4) "When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.""

e. Glory is the eternal possession of God—

(1) (John 17:5) ""And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."

(2) (John 17:22) ""And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:"

(3) (John 17:24) ""Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."

f. We cannot self-generate this glory—(Rom 3:23) "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

g. When we witness of Who He Is, we glorify Him—(Rom 4:20) "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,"

h. Glory is something we look forward to as a result of our salvation—(Rom 5:2-3) "through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;"

i. Glory comes to God because of the greatness of His person—(Rom 11:36) "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."

j. Glory is the righteous possession of the Father—

(1) (Rom 16:27) "to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen."

(2) (1 Cor 1:29) "that no flesh should glory in His presence."

(3) (1 Cor 1:31) "that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.""

k. And He Is King Eternal— (Rev 1:5-6) "… To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. …”

l. But Always, He Is Worthy of All Glory—(Rev 1:5-6) "… To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. …”

2. The Glorious Appearing—He is Coming Again—(Rev 1:7-8) "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen…”

a. Why must Jesus Come Again? (MacArthur)

(1) The Promises made to Israel by the Father—(Psa 2:6-9) ""Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion." 7 "I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.'""

(2) The Promises made to Israel by the Son—(John 14:2-3) ""In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

(3) The Holy Spirit inspired all of the Bible, so His reputation is on the line if Jesus does not return.

(4) God’s Program for the church requires the first sequence of the second coming—(1 Th 1:10) "… wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

(5) God’s program for the lost nations requires the second coming

(6) God’s program for Israel requires Christ’s Return—Jer 33:25-26

(7) Christ’s humiliation requires that He return—Ph 2:5-11

(8) The judgment against Satan requires Christ’s return—

(9) The Expectation of believers requires His Return—Titus 2:13

b. John’s Overview of the Glorious Appearing

(1) "…Behold…”

(2) “… He is coming…”

(3) “… with clouds…”

(4) “… and every eye will see Him…”

(5) “… even they who pierced Him...”.

(6) “…And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him…”

(7) “… Even so, Amen…”

c. Basic Facts

(1) Christ Will Have a Glorious Appearing

(2) The Rapture is not the glorious appearing

(3) The Glorious Appearing of Christ is a cornerstone of Biblical doctrine.

(4) Our Lord promised it—Mat 24:30 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man Glorious Appearing in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

(5) The entire book of Revelation celebrates it.

(6) It is not possible to be considered orthodox and evangelical unless you believe Jesus is returning—Christ’s Glorious Appearing will be visible, personal and bodily, and in power.

3. The Overview of the Glorious Appearing

a. "…Behold…” The Holy Spirit, through John, wants us to take great notice!

(1) (Dan 7:13) ""I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him."

(2) Those who witness the Glorious Appearing will find it as a wonder or a horror, depending entirely on their personal circumstance.

b. “… He is coming…” Christ is returning, period. In the New Testament, the Glorious Appearing of Christ is just practically taken for granted—below are just a few examples of the verses that establish this fact.

1 Cor 11:26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come."

1 Tim 6:14-15 "That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;"

Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

2 Th 2:1-3 "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"

c. “… with clouds…”

(1) Clouds are often a part of the revelation of God’s Glory—

(a) Clouds shrouded Mt. Sinai in Exodus

(b) A Cloud led them by day through the wilderness

(c) A cloud filled the Tabernacle so that they could not even enter.

(d) God descended in a cloud to witness about His Son on the Mount of Transfiguration.

(Mat 17:5) "While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!""

(2) In the Ascension, a cloud received Him out of their sight—Acts 1:9-11

(3) In the Rapture, we meet Him in the clouds—(1 Th 4:17) "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

(4) In the Glorious Appearing, He appears “with clouds,” almost certainly referring to the supernatural clouds that accompany great manifestations of God’s Glory, such as the clouds filling the temple or the tabernacle at their dedications

(Mat 24:30) ""Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

(Mat 26:64) "Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.""

(Mark 13:26) ""Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."

(Mark 14:62) "Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.""

(1 Th 4:17) "Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

(Exo 13:22) "He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."

d. “… and every eye will see Him…”—again, this is not the Rapture—see comparison list

(1) As Christ slowly and majestically descends to Earth, every living eye will see him
(2) That is why the tribes are afraid of His wrath.

e. “… even they who pierced Him...”.

(1) Israel pierced Him…(Zec 12:10) "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

(2) The Romans Pierced Him—

(a) (John 19:34) But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

(b) (John 19:37) And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."

(3) Roman and Jew alike cooperated in opposing Christ—(Acts 4:27) ""For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together"

(4) The Wicked pierced Him—(that’s US, all of US) Psa 22:16) For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet;

f. The Horror of the unbeliever— “…And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him…”

(Mat 24:30) "… all the tribes of the earth will mourn…”

(Rev 6:15-17) And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, {16} and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! {17} "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

g. “… Even so, Amen…” The voice of surrender and the affirmation of Truth. Christ IS returning again.

Revelation Lesson 5

2009-12-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

What Jesus Has Done For Us,
What He is Fixin’ To Do For Us

(Rev 1:5-6) "… To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. …”

*Israel Text of the week (we left out last week’s so we have two)

Genesis 17:1-20, the final seal and sign of the Abrahamic Covenant.

• Circumcision
• Sarah will bear a child, who shall be called Issac
• Issac will be born and will inherit
• Ishmael shall not be the Seed bearer, nor shall he participate in the Covenant

1. He Loved Us First— (Rev 1:5-6) "… To Him who loved us…”

a. This is the Lover of my soul—and what a name for Him—“Him Who loved us.”

b. We must always keep this in the front of our minds—It is not about us!

(1) First, it is not for our benefit—we do benefit, and marvelously so, but it is not about us—it is about His Glory, His Name

(2) Is not that we loved Him, it is NEVER about our love for Him, which is fickle, imperfect, incomplete and shot through with our own motives and agendas—it is always and only about His love for Us.

(3) (1 John 4:9-10) "… 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us… and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

(4) He loved us and what? What is this thing called propitiation?

(5) Using our Built in Bible Dictionary—

(a) (Rom 3:24-26) "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

(i) Propitiation deals with God, not men, God set Christ up as a propitiation to justify Himself for forgiving sin

(b) (Heb 2:17) "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."

(i) Again, it is between God and Christ

(ii) It is about the faith of our better high priest

(iii) Again, the action is Gods, as the Son of God mediates and also becomes the propitiation

(c) We find that this propitiation is available for all (1 John 2:2) "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."

(d) This thing comes from God’ own love toward us. 1 John 4:10) "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

(e) Finally we have the largest clue yet, as an Old testament concept is given this name of propitiation—hilisterion = propitiation=mercy seat (Heb 9:3-5) "and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail."

(f) The mercy seat is where the Hebrew worshipper’s sins were rolled over every year, and where God’s wrath against sin was covered by the blood that covered that seat of mercy

(g) The only element of this definition then not yet fulfilled is the mention of wrath, which takes place in Rom 1:18, 5:8-9

(h) Propitiation is the sacrifice and satisfaction set forth by God the Father and carried out by the voluntary submission of Christ that covered the sins of all who would believe and receive His salvation—“in His blood through faith.”

(i) How much did He love us? Enough to have His OWN SON carry not only our sins, but also the Father’s Wrath against our sin and our sins—for us.

c. “…loved us…” this is present tense—Christ keeps on loving us, it is a permanent and continually new and renewed act of God

d. Characteristics of His Love

(1) The origin of His love, in the eternity of God— (John 17:20-26) ""I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 "O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 "And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.""

(2) The indestructible nature of His love—(Rom 8:35-39) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." {37} Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. {38} For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, {39} nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(3) The longevity of His love—(Heb 13:5-6) "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?""

(4) The undeservedness of those who receive His love—(Rom 5:8) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

(5) The self-initiated nature of His love—(1 John 4:19) "We love Him because He first loved us."

(6) The missional intent of His love—(John 3:16) ""For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

(7) His Love works toward our holiness in life—(Rom 1:7) "To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

(8) His love brings a consoling confidence— (2 Th 2:16) "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,"

(9) It is a quickening love—(Eph 2:4-5) "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),"’

(10) It is a saving love— (Titus 3:4-5) "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,"

(11) It is a chastening love—(Heb 12:6) "For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.""

(12) It is an adopting love—(1 John 3:1) "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."

(13) It is an abiding love—(1 John 4:15-16) "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

2. He Washed Us From Our sins in His Own Blood—(Rev 1:5-6) "… To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood…”

a. First, note—He loves, He washed, His Blood—Christ is the Author and finisher of our Faith—It is not because of the actions of anyone else but the Triune God

(1) Loved us—present tense, continual

(2) Washed = loosed us = aorist

(3) Light from the Greek—

(a) “…Note the change of tense. Christ loosed us once for all, but loves us always…” ATR

(b) By his blood . As in 5:9. John here as in the Gospel and Epistles states plainly and repeatedly the place of the blood of Christ in the work of redemption.

b. Blood redemption is a doctrine despised by liberal theologians, but it is the Blood of the Lamb that washes our sins away.

(1) It is not the waters of baptism that wash us

(2) It is not our works that cleanse us—but His work

c. The Importance of The Blood of Christ

(1) Blood Sacrifice in general

(a) When an OT sacrifice was made, all of the blood was drained from the body of the sacrifice

(b) This is why Kosher, or Jewish approved meat must be slaughtered in a certain way.

(c) Then as much of the blood as is possible must be drained from the meat before it is sold.

(2) Christ’s Sacrifice

(a) All of His blood was drained—just because the Roman soldier was doing what he was ordered to do—God’s sovereignty is so amazing! (John 19:34) "But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out."

(b) Jesus’ announcement of the New Covenant stressed the blood—(Mat 26:28) ""For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

(c) The Blood purchased the church—(Acts 20:28) ""Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

(d) It is His blood sacrifice that makes our justification effective—(Rom 5:9) "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."

(e) Through the Cross, peace with God is offered to all—(Col 1:20) "and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross."

(f) His Blood turns wrath aside—(Rom 3:24-25) "being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith…”

(g) His blood continually cleanses us—(1 John 1:7) "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

(i) It is not our submission to God

(ii) It is not because God sent Christ as a mere example—

(iii) It is because our Lord is the Sacrifice of all sacrifices, the Ram with his horns hung in the thicket—Gen 22!

(h) His blood was a vital part in the eternal plan of God to Redeem us—(1 Pet 1:18-20) "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you"

(3) When applying the Bible’s Own Dictionary, we find that the blood of Christ is more than just His physical blood, though the physical blood of Christ is a necessary part—the blood of Christ is the voluntary substitution of Christ’s blood sacrifice, poured out by Christ in accordance with the Plan and purpose of The Father, with the assistance of the Spirit

(4) Wonder of wonders, glory of glories, Christ Himself poured out His Own Blood for Our salvation.

3. Then He Made Us A Royal Priesthood— (Rev 1:5-6) "… To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father,…”

a. Israel had been offered the job, but turned it down—(Exo 19:6) "'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.""

b. See the parallel—

(1) (1 Pet 2:5) "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

(2) (1 Pet 2:9) "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"

(3) (Rev 5:10) "And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.""

c. Adopted into royalty

(1) Every believer is also a royal heir!

(2) We are joint heirs with Jesus

d. The Priesthood of the believers

(1) What is a priest?

(a) A priest is someone who has the privilege and right, under certain defined circumstances, to directly communicate with God

(b) In the OT, the priesthood was
Hereditary—Aaron and his sons,
Very defined in actions but also limited in effects

(Heb 9:6-7) "Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins…"

(c) In the New Testament, the veil has been torn in two, so the way is open—Heb 10:18-25

(d) Every believer, therefore, is a priest with direct access to God, 24/7—“there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” 1 Tim 2:5

Rev 4

2009-12-12T19:21:00.000-08:00

The Apostle, The Churches, and the Trinity
Rev 1:4-6

1. The Apostle and the Churches—(Rev 1:4) "John, to the seven churches which are in Asia…”

a. First, and this is vital—this passage, indeed this book, is initially a message to seven actual local churches which were alive and functioning in John’s day

b. The “seven periods of church history” myth.

(1) No Biblical basis

(2) No standardized way of looking at this, assigning dates, etc.

(3) So what were these churches? They were churches, real, local, churches, all located on a common mail route.

c. General comments about the churches

(1) These were city churches: Ephesus itself probably had 250,000-400,000 citizens

(2) Of the seven churches, only 2 (28%) were fully functioning and getting the job done.

(a) Ephesus was loveless

(b) Pergamos and Thyatira were corrupt

(c) Sardis was dead

(d) Laodicea was sickening in its self-satisfied complacency

(e) And we will say much more about them as we get to each church.

2. The Trinitarian Greeting—“…Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

a. Apostolic greetings

(1) They are pretty standard

(2) Two large exceptions—Romans and Galatians

(a) Romans was a friendly extension—since Paul knew he was going to write doctrinal and theological paper, not a standard letter, he laid his basis for faith out in seven rich verses

(b) Galatians was a stinging rebuke of heresy in Galatia, and Paul threw down the gauntlet right off the bat.

b. The universal elements—“…Grace to you and Peace…”

(1) Grace—the basis for our salvation, and there is nothing we can do to earn the least little bit of credit for it.

(2) Peace—peace with God (Rom 5:1) and the peace of God, Phil 4:4-7

c. The Trinity is also mentioned in other introductions—

(1) (Rom 1:1-7) "… gospel of God 2 which … 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, … 4 declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead…”

(2) (1 Cor 1:1-3) "…3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

(3) (2 Cor 1:2) "…2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

(4) (Phil 1:1-2) "…2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(5) (Col 1:1-8) "… Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. … your love in the Spirit."

(6) (1 Th 1:1-3) "…Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. …6 "And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,"

(7) (2 Th 1:1-2) "Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

d. The Trinity in Rev 1:4

(1) The Eternal Father—“… from Him who is and who was and who is to come…”

(2) The Spirit—“…from the seven Spirits who are before His throne…”

(3) The Son’s titles in this verse—“…Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth…”

(a) Faithful witness

(b) Firstborn from the dead

(c) Ruler over the Kings of the Earth

3. Jesus Is The Faithful Witness—(Rev 1:5) "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. …”

a. Faithful witness—see also 3:14—(Rev 3:14) ""And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:"

b. A faithful witness is one who universally gives reliable testimony, regardless of any other factor but Truth—

(1) (John 18:37) "Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.""

(2) (1 Tim 6:12-13) "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,"

4. Jesus Is the Firstborn from the dead—

a. He is here called “prototokos”, a term more fully explained in Colossians 1:15

(1) The cults use this to teach that Jesus Christ was a created being and not fully God

(2) Such groups as the Jehovah’s Witnesses use this verse for that purpose, saying that this verse shows that Jesus was the first being created by the Father. Does it mean that? Can it mean that?

b. What does this word “firstborn” mean?

(1) First, using our dictionary method

(Luke 2:7) "And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

(Rom 8:29) "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

(Col 1:15) "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

(Col 1:18) "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."

(Heb 1:6) "But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him.""

(Heb 12:23) "to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,"

(Rev 1:5) "and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,"

(2) Second, in comparing scripture with scripture, we find it does not mean that Jesus was created—it cannot mean that—

(a) Because of John 1:1-2, which plainly teaches that The Word, the Son of God, is co-eternal with the Father—(John 1:1-2) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God….”

(a) because of John 1:3, Heb 1:1-3, and the verses that follow this one, which plainly show that the Son has made, in the wonderful words of John 1:3, all that has been made—“… All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made."

(i) Jesus is the uncreated creator, so “firstborn” cannot mean that he has been created.

(b) From John MacArthur—

(i) Although prototokos can mean firstborn chronologically (Luke 2:7), it refers primarily to position, or rank. In both Greek and Jewish culture, the firstborn was the son who had the right of inheritance. He was not necessarily the first one born. Although Esau was born first chronologically, it was Jacob who was the “firstborn” and received the inheritance. Jesus is the One with the right to the inheritance of all creation (Heb 1:2, Rev 5:1-7, 13).

(ii) Israel was called God’s firstborn in Exodus 4:22 and Jermiah 31:9. Though not the first people born, they held first place in God’s sight among all nations…

(c) Jesus was the firstborn among the brethren, even though His human birth was thousands of years after the father of the faithful, Abraham—Rom 8:29 "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

(d) He is the firstborn from the dead—Col 1:18 "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."

(e) And, if God had wanted to call Jesus the “first created,” there is a perfectly good Greek word for that.

(3) “…over all creation…” (Col 1:15)

(a) Here is a key—Jesus’ status as the Firstborn is about His dominion over all the universe. Some translations say “of” all creation, but the Greek should be rendered “over” all creation.

(b) In Mat 8, He is Lord over the storm, disease, and demonic oppression

(4) In John 2, He is Lord over natural forces when He turns the water into wine.

(5) In John 6, He is Lord over all natural processes when He creates enough food to feed five thousand.

(6) In John 11, He is Lord over the grave

(7) In His own resurrection, He shows Himself to be the true master over the Grave

(8) In Phil 2:9-11, we see that one day, every knee will bow to Him.

(9) The very confession that must be made to be saved is to recognize Him as Lord of All (Rom 10:9).

(10) Rev 19:16 "And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

5. Jesus is Ruler over the Kings of the Earth

a. Satan is referred to as the King of Tyre, distinct from the Prince of Tyre, who is a mortal ruler—

(Ezek 28:1-2) "The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, 2 "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,' Yet you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god"

(Ezek 28:12-13) ""Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created."

b. There is a political relationship to be dealt with here—Satan is also “the prince of this world,” and according to Mat 4, he has a measure of authority over the kingdoms of this world.

(Mat 4:8-10) "Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'""

(Eph 2:2) "in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,"

(John 12:31) ""Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out."

(John 14:30) ""I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me."

(John 16:11) ""of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged."

c. The “authority” Satan had was derived from his rebellion and God’s permission—it was never legal, and since the Cross and the empty tomb, Satan’s authority has been destroyed, pending the final consummation of all things

(Col 2:15) "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."

(Rev 17:14) ""These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.""

“…6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen…”

Rev 3a

2009-09-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

Revelation, Lesson 3

• The Israel Text of the Week

The land promise given in Genesis 12 was fully specified later: (Gen 15:18) "On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates…"

• Q and A review on vocabulary words

• Review of homework, particularly the question of authorship

1. A Summary of John’s Work—“…to His servant John,2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw…”

a. Some Basic Facts about John

(1) Most scholars believe that John was the youngest of the 12 Disciples, perhaps only a teen ager during Jesus’ earthly ministry

(2) “…to His servant…” Again, the word is best translated “slave.” John, as all true believers, was a slave to a great master, the Lord Jesus.

(3) Apparently there was a family relationship or friendship that existed, because on the Cross, Jesus made provision for His mother’s care by giving that responsibility to John

(4) He was the human penman for the Gospel of John, the letters of 1st , 2nd , and 3rd John, and Revelation

(5) There was a rumor among believers that John would live until the second coming, but that rumor was based on a misunderstanding of what Jesus said to Peter about John (See Jn 21)

b. “…John…” Here is the first hint of controversy—so now we need to turn to our study guides to deal with the issue of the authorship of the Apocalypse

c. John the witness

(1) John the martyr or, the one who bears witness—(93 times in verb and noun form)

(a) He was suffering exile and living on a cold barren rock of an island that, given his age, should have led to his death from exposure.

(b) Persecution, while common in that time, was not universal—everything depended on the place and who was the direct overseer of the place in question.

(c) Many Christians did die as martyrs, or witnesses of the faith—However, it is not just those who die for the faith who are martyrs.

(d) But the basic meaning of marturian is “to bear witness…” This word is used 93 times in the New Testament, so using the Bible as a Dictionary of itself, lets see the meaning of “martyr”

(i) Jesus Christ Himself came as a witness of the Truth— (John 18:37) "…For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.""

(ii) John the Baptist witnessed Who Jesus was (and is)

(A) (John 1:15) "John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'""

(B) (John 1:32) "And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him."

(C) (John 1:34) ""And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.""

(iii) The Woman at the well testified—John 4:39) "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all that I ever did.""

(iv) Jesus’ own works testified as to Who He was—(John 5:36-37) ""But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish; the very works that I do; bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form."

(v) The Scriptures witness who Jesus is—(John 5:39) ""You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me."

(vi) The Father testified of the Son—(John 8:17-18) ""It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. 18 "I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.""

(vii) The Holy Spirit testified and testifies about Jesus—(John 15:26-27) ""But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 "And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning."

(viii) The word can refer to a Christian’s reputation— (Acts 6:3) ""Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;"

(ix) God testified to the Truth of the Gospel the Apostles brought by miracles— (Acts 14:3) "Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands."

(x) The Law and the Prophets witnessed as to the Truth of the Gospel to come— (Rom 3:21) "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,"

(xi) Abel did die for his testimony— (Heb 11:4) "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks…”

(xii) Enoch’s testimony was so strong that God took him home directly—Heb 10:5 “…By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God."

(xiii) John testified as to Who Jesus is—

(A) (1 John 1:2) "the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us;"

(B) (1 John 4:14) "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world."

(C) (Rev 1:9) "I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

(xiv) We see the martyrs who died to seal their testimony—(Rev 6:9) "When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held."

(xv) By our Testimony, we can overcome—

(A) (Rev 12:11) ""And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

(B) (Rev 20:4) "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."

(xvi) God testifies as to the Truth of the book of Revelation.

(Rev 22:16) ""I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.""

(Rev 22:20) "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

d. So, what does it mean to witness?

(1) It means every aspect of Christian life and testimony that we see above—

(2) Witnessing is not something we do on a Thursday night—our witness involves

(a) Reputation

(b) Love of the brethren

(c) Behavior

(d) Teaching

(e) Discipling

(f) Sacrifice and steadfastness under persecution

(g) And for many, ultimately it means our earthly lives sacrificed in His service.

e. To what did John witness? “…to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw…”.

(1) The Word of God—

(a) God knew that this was the last book of the Bible—(Psa 119:89) "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven."

(b) Though Revelation has no direct quotes of the Old Testament, it does repeat the central themes of the Old Testament and it alludes to the eschatological (end times) passages of the New Testament, including

(i) Mat 7:21-23—the Great White Throne

(ii) Mat 24—(the description of the Tribulation. and Glorious Appearing)

(iii) Acts 1:8-11, 2 Peter 3, The Glorious Appearing

(iv) 2 Th 2:1-14—the Man of Sin—compare with Rev 13.

(v) Jude—The Glorious Appearing

2. The Blessing of God on All Who Read, Hear and Obey— “…(3) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near…”.

a. A Blessing, and (perhaps) a description of an early church worship service

(1) The three participles translated reads, hear, and heed are in the present tense. Reading, hearing and obeying the truths taught in the book of Revelation (and in the rest of Scripture) are to be a way of life for believers. The change from the singular he who reads to the plural those who hear the words of the prophecy and heed the things which are written in it depicts a first century church service. It was common practice when the church gathered for one person to read the Scriptures aloud for all to hear (c.f. 1 Tim 4:3). (MAC)

(2) Why was this the case?

(a) Most of the early believers were poor, or were slaves, and had no resources, and some had no education (though there were educated slaves which were the tutors for the children of the wealthy

(b) A copy of the Old Testament would have been very expensive

(c) Though they had the books of the New Testament, they were often not together in one place for the same reason as above.

(d) So, an appointed person read to the whole congregation, and many committed to memory what they heard in these primitive church meetings.

(3) A description of a second century worship service from the writings of Justin Martyr—

“… on the day called Sunday, [we] gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who [sees to the needs of] the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because… Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead….”(Justin Martyr, 150 AD)

b. A blessing—markarios—

(1) A Christian is deliriously happy because of this book

(2) A Blessing for the reader—and what a great honor it was to be a Lector, who assured that God’s people could hear the Word, and of course, the Lector also had to study and prepare to read his passages for each week.

(3) A Blessing for the listener—the only way most of them could know the Word and Grow was to have it read to them.

(4) A Blessing for the one who acts on the information given—Mat 28:19-20—From the beginning, it was never the intention of God to make converts, but instead to make Disciples who live out the Gospel.

Revelation Lesson 2a

2009-09-13T14:26:00.001-07:00

Revelation, Lesson 2
Bro. Charley Buntin

Vocabulary

tribulation (small “t”) normal things we must endure just because we are human and we are here.

The Tribulation (big “t”) the seven years following the Rapture

The Great Tribulation—the last 3½ years of the Tribulation

The Blessed Hope—another name for the Rapture

Rapture—the snatching away of the church, prior to the Tribulation

The Glorious Appearing—the second coming of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation.

1. Review

a. The basic understanding for all end-times studies is the place of Israel in God’s Plan.

(1) To help us all understand this principle, I am going to have an “Israel Passage of the Week…”

(2) In this week’s Israel passage, we see God’s first Territorial Promise to Abraham— (Gen 12:6-7) " . 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land."

(3) This land promise was specified later: (Gen 15:18) "On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates…"

(4) And God has never abrogated this promise—Israel will one day possess all of the land, but it will not be accomplished by the earthly weapons of Israel nor of the US, but God will give the land.

b. There are five basic principles we are following in teaching Revelation

(1) The book of Revelation is important for us to understand.

(2) The book of Revelation is NOT hard for us to understand.

(3) The book of Revelation outlines itself (Rev 1:19).

(4) The book of Revelation teaches itself.

(5) The meaning of the book of Revelation is best stated in one phrase: Jesus Wins!

c. Five problems with the way people have interpreted Revelation

(1) They make everything into allegory

(2) They use ancient manuscripts which are not Biblical to interpret Revelation

(3) They speculate about modern day explanations for images Revelation or characters seen in Revelation. Example—(Rev 9:1-11) There have been various attempts made to find some modern mechanical thing that this “stands for,” when the scriptures are plain that these “locusts” are supernatural creatures, demonic in nature.

(4) They identify The Man of Sin with a current historical character

(5) They do not read the book as it was written

d. From last week—“…the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants…”

2. The Doctrine of Imminence—“…things which must shortly take place….” …(Again)—“…1:3—for the time is near [soon]…”

a. Nearness—

(1) Personal nearness—We all have a date with death

(2) And the time of the rapture is certainly closer than it ever has been—but this just makes the skeptics continue their blasphemy—(2 Pet 3:3-9) "knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." …7 … the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. …”

(3) Yet it has been the proper attitude for all believers in the church age to expect Christ’s return at any time—

(a) Job saw it indeed, far off—(Job 19:25) "For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;"

(b) The Church of Corinth was on watch—(1 Cor 1:7) "… waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ …"

(c) Paul expected it—(Phil 1:20) "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed…."

(d) The Thessalonians were in wait for Him—(1 Th 1:10) "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

(e) Paul celebrated both parts of the second coming and urged that believers should be looking—(Titus 2:13) "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"

(f) All true believers are looking for Him—(Heb 9:28) "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

(g) Peter wanted his people to be anxious and pulling for it to be close—(2 Pet 3:12) "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God…"

(h) Jude wants us to look for God’s Mercy to us—(Jude 1:21) "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

(i) Paul spoke of the crown of righteousness that all those will receive who loved His appearing—(2 Tim 4:8) "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

(Rev 22:7) ""Behold, I am coming quickly! ...""

(Rev 22:12) ""And behold, I am coming quickly,."

(Rev 22:20) "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

(4) So, believers are to always be on the watch, ready to meet our Lord in the Rapture, because the Rapture is the next thing on God’s prophetic clock

b. There are distinctions, often overlooked, between Israel and the church on this matter—

(1) The Rapture is for the church, the Glorious Appearing is for the Tribulation Saints.

(2) The Rapture (the catching away, Latin)—the Harpazo (Greek)

(a) The church is waiting for Christ and is told to look for Him—we are waiting for no other signs, as there is nothing left on the calendar for the church except to be the church (Chapter 2)

(i) (John 14:2-3) ""In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

(ii) (1 Cor 15:51-52) "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

(iii) (Col 3:4) "When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

(iv) (1 Th 4:16-17) "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

(3) The Glorious Appearing—

(a) Believing Israel (and the other Tribulation believers) are will be enduring the Tribulation and looking for the Glorious appearing—Mat 24—and they are given many signs that must take place before the Glorious Appearing.

(b) The Great Tribulation will be worse than any time of trouble that ever has been.

(c) The Tribulation will be so bad that if God did not end it, everyone would be wiped out

(d) People will be claiming that Christ has already come

(e) False Christs and false prophets will arise and deceive many

(f) Christ will return to defeat His enemies and set up His kingdom.

3. The Revelator [God the Father] Revealed The Revelation to Christ Jesus, Who revealed it to John, Who Revealed It To Us—“… And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, {2} who bore witness to all things that he saw…”

a. The Message sent— Apostello

(1) The word means sending someone as a representative, with a mission to accomplish, under the authority of the person doing the sending

(a) An example

(Mat 2:16) Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men

(2) This verb is the verb form of the word “Apostle,” God’s special messengers who brought us the Gospel

(3) The Verb form is used by Paul, sending people to certain places—(2 Tim 4:12) “… And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus….”

(4) It is used of God sending forth the Apostles—(1 Cor 1:17) “…For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…”

(5) It is used of anyone who is sent to preach—(Rom 10:15) "And how shall they preach unless they are sent? …”

(6) It is used of the angelic beings sent by God to serve believers—(Heb 1:14) "… ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?"

(7) It is used of the Spirit being sent—(1 Pet 1:12) "…the Holy Spirit sent from heaven…”

(8) And it is used of Our Savior being sent to live, die, rise, and come again for us— (1 John 4:9-10) "… God has sent His only begotten Son …”into … He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

(1 John 4:14) "… the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world."

(9) But here we see the Word itself being the “apostle,” the “preacher,”

(a) The word is being sent, as a unified single message—who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He is going to do…

b. The essence of the message of this book

(1) Is that God is going to formally, personally, and absolutely establish His Sovereign rule over all, and particularly against the evil world system, now in abject revolt.

(2) Jesus Christ is going to be finally and definitively owned and crowned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords,

(3) And this message will be sent—as information for the edification of our minds.

(4) So, in a sense, the written Word becomes the apostle.

4. The Message signified— (Rev 1:1) "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants; things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,"

a. This word refers to communicating Truth by using symbolic language—for example, here we see Jesus showing in visual language that He will die on the Cross—

(1) (John 3:14) ""And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,"

(2) (John 12:32) "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die…”

(3) (John 18:31-32) “… Then Pilate said to them, "You take Him and judge Him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death, that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die… " [The Jews did not crucify, they stoned.]

(4) (John 21:18-19) "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

(5) Here again we see our basic principle:

(a) Revelation is meant to reveal Christ, not to conceal anything, except the exact time of His coming—Mark 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father…”

(b) Even the symbolic language of Revelation is meant to reveal

(6) This message is partially given in signs and figurative language, so that we may understand it on levels other than strictly verbal.

(7) John also saw things that defied any words he knew—which is the same experience Paul had.

b. “…by His Angel…” Who was the Angel who delivered this book?

(1) It was not a human being

(2) It was an angelic being

(3) Revelation is unique among New Testament books, in that angels had a hand in delivering it.

(4) There are over 60 direct references to angels in Revelation—again, it is a supernatural book.

rev 2

2009-09-12T20:40:00.001-07:00

Revelation Lesson 1—The Revelator and His Revelation

If it is read as it was intended to be read—as the future history of the time of the end, then the book of Revelation is not hard to understand.

In fact, as we will see in expositing the first verse, Revelation it was designed by God the Father, delivered by the Lord Jesus, and written by John to reveal Truth, and it was not intended to be difficult to understand.

The Apostles and first century of believers had no problems understanding it, and the great leaders of the early church mostly agreed on what it meant and how to interpret it.

1. Introdution

a. There are five basic principles that must be understood and daily applied in our study of the capstone of Scripture

(1) The book of Revelation is important for us to understand.

(2) The book of Revelation is NOT hard for us to understand.

(3) The book of Revelation outlines itself (Rev 1:19).

(4) The book of Revelation teaches itself.

(5) The meaning of the book of Revelation is best stated in one phrase: Jesus Wins!

b. Five problems with the way people have interpreted Revelation

(1) They make everything into allegory

(2) They use ancient manuscripts which are not Biblical to interpret Revelation

(3) They speculate about modern day explanations for images Revelation or characters seen in Revelation. Example—(Rev 9:1-11) There have been various attempts made to find some modern mechanical thing that this “stands for,” when the scriptures are plain that these “locusts” are supernatural creatures, demonic in nature.

(4) They identify The Man of Sin with a modern-day character

(5) They do not read the book as it was written

c. How to read Revelation

(1) A self-interpreting encounter with and look at the risen Lord

(2) A self-interpreting set of messages about and to specific churches of John’s day

(3) A self-interpreting revelation of the events of the last days and the consummation of all things

2. John was NOT the Revelator—Christ IS the Revelator—(Rev 1:1-3) The Revelation of Jesus Christ…”

a. The Revelation

(1) The word “…apokalupsis…” means to reveal

(a) not to conceal

(b) nor to make difficult to understand

(2) Other uses of the word in the NT

(a) The prophecy about the Infant Lord by Simeon when they brought Jesus into the temple—“…(Luke 2:32) A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

(b) The word refers to the judgment of the wicked—(Rom 2:5) “… the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God…”

(c) The word refers to the full revelation of the Sons (and daughters) of the Kingdom—

(i) (Rom 8:19) “…For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God…”

(ii) (1 Cor 1:7)”… so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

(iii) “…(2 Th 1:7) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels…”

(iv) “…(1 Pet 1:7) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

(v) “…(1 Pet 1:13) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

(vi) “(1 Pet 4:13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy…”

(d) The word refers to the full revelation of the Gospel—“…(Rom 16:25) Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began…”

(e) It was used by Paul to describe the Gospel revelations he had received from God—“…(Gal 1:12) For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ…”

(f) Paul used it to refer to the revelation of Heaven he had received from God—

(i) (2 Cor 12:1) “ It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord…”

(ii) (2 Cor 12:7) And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure…”

b. The Revelation of Jesus Christ

(1) Revelation is Trinitarian, it reveals the tri-unity of God

(2) Revelation is a Christology—Many Titles of Christ are used in Revelation

(a) (Rev 1:4-5) “… Him who is and who was and who is to come…”

(b) “… the faithful witness…” “… the firstborn from the dead…”

(c) “… the ruler over the kings of the earth….”

(d) “…To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood…”

(e) (Rev 1:8) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord…”

(f) "…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

(g) (Rev 1:17) “… I am the First and the Last….”

(h) (Rev 2:8) "…the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:

(i) (Rev 3:14) "...the Amen…”

(j) “…the Faithful and True Witness…”

(k) “… the Beginning [orgin] of the creation of God…”

(l) (Rev 5:5-6) “… the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David…”

(m) “…{6} … a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

(n) “… the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world….”

(o) “…O King of the saints!...”

(Rev 17:14) "… He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."

(Rev 19:11) Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True…”

(Rev 19:13) “…His name is called The Word of God…”

(Rev 19:16) And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

(Rev 21:14) Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

(Rev 22:13) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

(Rev 22:16) "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

(3) Revelation is a Theology—(Rev 1:4-6) John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, {5} and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, {6} and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(Rev 1:9) I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

(Rev 2:21-22) "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. {22} "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

(Rev 3:5) "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

(Rev 3:10) "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

(Rev 3:12) "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

(Rev 3:20) "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

(Rev 4:8-11) The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" {9} Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, {10} the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: {11} "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

(Rev 5:13-14) And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: "Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!" {14} Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

(Rev 6:10) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

(Rev 6:16-17) and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! {17} "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

(Rev 7:3) saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."

(Rev 7:10) and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

(Rev 7:12) saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

(Rev 10:6) and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer,

(Rev 11:4) These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

(Rev 11:13) In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

(Rev 11:17-18) saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. {18} The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth."

(Rev 12:6) Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

(Rev 14:1) Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.

(Rev 14:7) saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."

(Rev 15:3-4) They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! {4} Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested."

(Rev 15:7-8) Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. {8} The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

(Rev 16:5-7) And I heard the angel of the waters saying: "You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. {6} For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due." {7} And I heard another from the altar saying, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."

(Rev 16:9) And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

(Rev 17:17) "For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

(Rev 18:8) "Therefore her plagues will come in one day; death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.

(Rev 19:1-2) After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! {2} "For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her."

(Rev 19:6) And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

(Rev 19:9) Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."

(Rev 21:3) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

(Rev 21:10-11) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, {11} having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

(Rev 21:22-23) But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. {23} The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.

(4) Revelation is a Pnematology

(5) It is the revelation of a future history and Jesus Christ is the Author and Actor of that history.

(6) The Revelation is of Christ’s personal, visibly, and bodily return and the events surrounding that event. It is the revealing of HIM.

c. The Triune God Reveals the Future— “…which God gave Him to show His servants; things which must shortly take place….”

(1) The Father gave the Son the message to send

(2) The Servants of God

(a) The saved of the church

(b) The Jews who will be saved in the last generation revival—“(Rom 11:25-26) For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. {26} And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob…”

(c) All the Gentiles who will be saved during the Great Tribulation—who will most certainly need this guidebook during the Tribulation

d. “…Must shortly come to pass…”—the word “shortly” means “soon” (MacArthur)

(1) Must—this is a fixed point. These are things which will happen at some point

(2) Shortly—the doctrine of the imminence of Christ’s return

(a) The Bible teaches the Imminence of Christ’s return—He could return for His church at any time.

(b) There are skeptics because of the length of time that has passed, and this was predicted! (2 Pet 3:3-14)

(c) Other Bible passages that deal with Imminence

(1 John 2:18) “…Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour….”

(d) Other Revelation passages

(Rev 2:5) "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent.

(Rev 2:16) 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

(Rev 3:11) "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

(Rev 11:14) The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

(Rev 22:12) "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

3. The Revelator [Jesus Christ] Revealed The Revelation to John, Who Revealed It To Us—“… And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, {2} who bore witness to all things that he saw…”

a. The Message sent— The essence of the message of this book

(1) Is that God is going to formally, personally, and absolutely establish His Sovereign rule over all, and particularly against the evil world system, now in abject revolt.

(2) Jesus Christ is going to be finally and definitively owned and crowned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords,

(3) And this message will be sent—as information for the edification of our minds.

b. The Message signified

(1) This message is also partially given in signs and figurative language, so that we may understand it on levels other than strictly verbal.

(2) John also saw things that defied any words available to him.

c. Who was the Angel who delivered this book?

(1) It is not a human being

(2) This is an ordinary angelic being

(3) Revelation is unique among New Testament books, in that angels had a hand in delivering it.

d. John bears witness—

(1) He was suffering exile and a cold barren rock of an island that should have led to his death from exposure.

(2) But John fully finished this assignment.

4. The Blessing of God on All Who Hear and Obey— “…{3} Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near…”.

a. A Blessing, and (perhaps) a description of an early church worship service

The three participles translated reads, hear, and heed are in the present tense. Reading, hearing and obeying the truths taught in the book of Revelation (and in the rest of Scripture) are to be a way of life for believers. The change from the singular he who reads to the plural those who hear the words of the prophecy and heed the things which are written in it depicts a first century church service. It was common practice when the church gathered for one person to read the Scriptures aloud for all to hear (c.f. 1 Tim 4:3). (MAC)

And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration (Justin Martyr, 150 AD)

b. First, a commendation for reading and acting upon the information gleaned information, is required of any usage of the Bible

(1) Reads

(2) Hear

(3) Keep

c. Short timer!

Revelation overview

2009-09-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

Introduction to Revelation

1. Five Key Ideas

a. The book of Revelation is important for us to understand—(Rev 1:3) "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

b. The book of Revelation is NOT hard for us to understand—because it is a revealing, not a concealing—Rev 1:1 “…The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants; things which must shortly take place….”

c. The book of Revelation outlines itself (Rev 1:19) "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

d. The book of Revelation teaches (or interprets itself).

(1) The Prophet is directed where to look—

(a) (Rev 6:1) "Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see.""

(b) (Rev 6:3) "When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see.""

(c) (Rev 6:5) "When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand."

(d) (Rev 6:7) "When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see.""

(2) The book often defines its own meanings

(a) (Rev 7:13-14) "Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" 14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

(b) The Prophet, like Paul, is also told what NOT to write! (Rev 10:1-4) "I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.""

(c) John is given a “hands on” assignment—11:1 “… Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there…”

(d) Then John is told what TO write—(Rev 14:13) "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.""

e. The meaning of the book of Revelation is best stated in one phrase: Jesus Wins!

2. What John Saw (in real time)

a. The Key Verses of Chapter 1

(1) Verse 1

(2) Verse 2

(3) Verse 19

b. The key concept—this book is about revealing Truth, not concealing Truth

3. What John Wrote in real time—Seven Letters to seven real churches.

a. The Cold Orthodox Church—(Rev 2:1) ""To the angel of the church of Ephesus… (Rev 2:4) "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love."

b. The Persecuted Church—(Rev 2:8) ""And to the angel of the church in Smyrna …(Rev 2:10) ""Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

c. The Church Being Corrupted— (Rev 2:12) ""And to the angel of the church in Pergamos …(Rev 2:14-15) ""But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate."

d. The Corrupted Church (Rev 2:18) ""And to the angel of the church in Thyatira … (Rev 2:20-23) ""Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works."

e. The (secretly) Dead Church— (Rev 3:1) ""And to the angel of the church in …"I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead."

f. The Good, Strong Church—(Rev 3:7) ""And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia …8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name…”

g. The Apostate Church—(Rev 3:14) ""And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans…15-17) ""I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;"

4. What John Saw and wrote about what will happen in the future

a. What John saw in Heaven—Rev 4 and 5

b. What will happen on Earth, directed by Heaven—Rev 6-19

(1) The Judgments—there is a question about the pattern.

(a) Possible patterns

(i) Three consecutive period of time

(ii) Two consecutive periods, with the last one doubled up with the third one

(iii) My View—Three consecutive periods that build on one another, the first intensified by the 2nd, and the 2nd and 1st intensified by the 3rd

c. The Seals

(1) The First Seal: The White Horse, A Conqueror—(Rev 6:2)

(2) The Second Seal: A Red Horse—(Rev 6:4) a Warrior and ruthless killer

(3) The Third Seal: A black horse: famine

(4) The Fourth Horse—a pale horse, ridden by Death

(5) The Fifth Seal—6:9—the vision of the martyrs

(6) The Sixth Seal a great earthquake with an obstructed sun and with a moon that appears to be blood red because of the effects of the earthquake

(7) The Seventh Seal—Silence in Heaven—(Rev 8:1) "When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour."

d. Trumpets—As the Trumpets are sounded, the wrath of God increases in its expression

(1) The First Angel—a third of the trees and green grass are destroyed in the beginnings of a great ecological disaster—(Rev 8:7) "The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

(2) The Second Angel—the disaster extends to the seas—“…8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed…”

(3) The Third Angel—the ecological disaster extends to rivers and springs, making them poisonous and bitter—(Rev 8:10) "Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water."

(4) The Fourth Angel—the light from heavenly bodies is either eliminated or it is destroyed—(Rev 8:12) "Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night."

(5) The Fifth Angel—an army of demonic “locusts” come from the bottomless pit to attack all those who have not yet believed—(Rev 9:1) "Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit." Read Rev 9:2-11

(6) The Sixth Angel—an army of demonic forces will be released and begin to rampage that have been supernaturally held back by angels controlling the area—(Rev 9:13) "Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,"

(7) The Seventh Angel—the great declaration of victory (not yet fully accomplished, but from here on, the wrath of God intensifies—I11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

e. The Bowls of God’s Wrath

(1) The Sore—(Rev 16:2) "So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

(2) More ecological disasters—“… 3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. …”

(3) More Ecological disasters, 2 “…4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood."

(4) Supernatural Intense Heat— (Rev 16:8) "Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire."

(5) Supernaturally intense pain in darkness so deep that it makes the pain worse (Rev 16:10) "Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain."

(6) God releases the demonic army which has been forming—(Rev 16:12) "Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared."

(7) (Rev 16:17) "Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!""

(8) Peripheral but important

(a) The Sealing of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists

(b) The Salvation of multitudes no man can number—Rev 7:9-14

(c) The Two Witnesses—chapter 11

(d) The Woman and the Dragon—Chapter 12

(e) The Beast

(f) Mystery Babylon

(g) Armageddon

(h) The Glorious appearing

f. What will happen in the Millennial Kingdom—Rev 20:1-10

g. What will happen at the Great White Throne—Rev 20:11-15

h. What will happen in Heaven—21 and 22

The vainity of all this Jackson stuff

2009-07-08T20:32:00.001-07:00

The Celebration of Insignificance In the Life And Death of Michael Jackson
By Brother Charles T. Buntin

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, says the preacher…”(Ecclesiastes 1:2). What a spectacle that declares the truth of these words has been shown over the last few days. Poor, sad Michael Jackson, the King of Pop—the King of nothing, We grieve for his family and for his fans, and we should weep for ourselves because this whole circus is so vain and meaningless. We in the wealthy West obsess over sports figures and entertainment personalities and ignore their sad insignificance in the ultimate scheme of things. We emulate and fawn over people who will be virtually unknown in 100 years, and whose accomplishments will be recognized as totally meaningless long before that. What was the number one hit song in 1941? What were its words? We don't know. What was the best picture or its runners-up in 1941? A real movie buff might know, but the words of a crippled and half burned out politician, FDR "...Today, December 7th, 1941, a day that shall live in infamy...", launched a crusade to preserve liberty, and everyone knows about it.

In considering the career of a man nicknamed “Dutch,” a mostly "b" actor, I doubt if anyone except a champion old movie buff can quote even one line from the pictures he made [except “win one for the Gipper…”]. But when President Reagan said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall...", he was giving witness to a fact that was already true and would soon to obvious to all. “Ronald Reagan won the cold war without firing a shot,” said Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister during the Reagan years.

Hardly anyone remembers who were the great sports stars of the 1950s, but a tired woman who refused to move to the back of a bus in Birmingham started a revolution, and the courage of Rosa Parks lives on.

A teacher, a caregiver, a soldier or marine walking point, an airman fixing a jet engine, a jet pilot flying a mission, a policeman or fireman running INTO the twin towers, a preacher who holds souls in his hands, the effects of these acts and real actors will be significant long after their names will be forgotten, and in the case of the soul surgeon, the significance will be eternal.

Poor Michael Jackson, poor fans, poor paparazzi, they crave worship and adulation that no human deserves (or they desire some mere human to worship and adore), especially not the masters of the trivial. I cringe when I hear an entertainment film, or a music CD described as “important.” When I hear the sad, vain, and trivial song “We Are the World,” I wonder if any of the entertainers who sang it realize that in the ultimate scheme of things, it did nothing but make some rich westerners feel less guilty—the sad nations it purported to help are in worse condition than they were then. It is a sad but true fact that as we pillow our heads tonight somewhere around 65% of the people in this world will go to bed hungry and scared.

It is a tragic but inescapable fact that dozens of wars rage as you read this, and all of the guilt contributions from the overflowing wealth of the tortured souls of entertainers and other celebrities cannot and will not change any of that. Human beings have an incredible ability and inclination to murder the innocent, ravage the helpless, and enslave the free, and only the protectors given us as a gift from God (Romans 13:1-7) can even slow that down. Some think man is an angel, but as the Irish sergeant in “Gettysburg” said, “If man is an angel, he’s a killer angel.”

The truth is, that even the acts of soldiers and kings, doctors and nurses, scientists and politicians are in the long run incapable of fixing the human problem. Our problem is spiritual. We are all afflicted with a heart that is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), and from inside the souls of man comes all manner of evil (Mat 15:18-19), and the best efforts of the best of mankind can only restrain the rot and ease the pain for a time. Only the words and deeds and power of One who came to us as an obscure Jewish Carpenter can end the hurt and bring in righteousness and justice, as He will when He brings in the Kingdom. And that kingdom will not be inaugurated by vain human arms, vain human charity, or vain human temporary peace treaties, and certainly not by sad, afflicted, soul-tortured and ultimately helpless entertainers. The Kingdom’s consummation will begin with a trumpet, a shout, and an archangel’s voice, and will end with the destruction of the old universe and the coming of a new universe. In Eternity, neither the hits of Michael Jackson, nor praises to the heroism of the protectors will be sung. Rather, the songs of Revelation 4 and 5, and the praises of Isaiah 6, and of the psalms, and maybe, “Amazing Grace” will be the anthems we hear. That is important—little else is, because the ultimate significance for any human being is to bow the knee to the Name that is above all names, and to worship Him who alone is worthy of all worship. I am not the ultimate judge of men, but as a surgeon of souls I have to wonder about an ultimate question. With all of the religious and other confusion that surrounded Michael Jackson, did he leave this world without coming to know and worship this One Who is the only One worthy of that worship? If so, that would be the saddest reality of all.

This essay may anger some of you, it may offend others. But the Truth I am bound to tell is this: it was our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6), and who also said, (Mat 4:10) "…it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'""

What a display of the vanity of men this week has been.

Brother Charles T. Buntin, a former Hopkins County resident, teaches middle school history and has an active counseling, teaching, and preaching ministry in Graves County Kentucky.

The People of God, Part 1:

2009-05-31T21:17:00.000-07:00

Those Whom God Knew Before.

Rom 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

Introductory Thoughts

v We are continuing this wonderful passage, from 8:17-8:39, which drills home the doctrine of the Security of the Believer.

v We have now dealt with 8:28, that wonderful, marvelous verse which tells us about:

§ God’s Providence on behalf of His people

§ His people—we are introduced to them with two statements about them:

¨ They are those who love God

¨ They are the called according to His purpose

· Now, in 8:29, we are going to look again at His people, and we are going to see three things about His people:

§ Who they are—another descriptive term is used about them which tells us who God’s people are.

§ What is their destiny—God’s people have a pre-determined destiny, a wonderful destiny, to be conformed to the image of Christ

§ Why God is doing this. “Why?”, is a question seldom answered in the Bible, but it is answered in 8:29 of Romans

· Before we begin, we must remember the One Point of Grace—God Saves Sinners

(a) God does not help sinners save themselves

(b) God does not make salvation possible if the sinner will contribute certain things to the process...

(c) God has not set up some kind of automatic salvation machine which the sinner operates

God SAVES Sinners

God made the plan

God accomplished redemption on Calvary

God awakens the dead sinner, who has no ability to help himself or herself

God saves the awakened sinner through faith in the shed blood of Christ Jesus

God keeps the saved sinner by His power

1. Who Are the People of God?— Rom 8:29 "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

a. Those Whom God Knew Before—

(1) God has always had a people, a remnant, and He gave these people to His Son for special care—Rom 8:29 "

(2) Knowledge—the word here is ginosko, which refers to experiential knowlege

(3) This is about Whom God knew, not what He knew about them.

(a) Some teach that God foresaw who would believe and chose people based on that foresight. That is not the doctrine of foreknowledge found in the Bible—that is the invention of men.

(b) That is the Roman Catholic doctrine of foreknowledge.

b. The People known before

(1) Known before, like Jeremiah—Jer 1:4-5 "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.""

(2) Known before, and therefore chosen—1 Pet 1:2 "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied."

(3) 2 Th 2:13-14 "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

c. The People given by the Father to the Son

(1) John 6:37 ""All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."

(2) John 17:2-3 ""as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

(3) John 17:6 ""I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word."

(4) John 17:9 ""I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours."

(5) John 17:20 ""I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;"

(6) John 17:24 ""Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."

d. The People Saved by the Son.

(1) Mat 1:21 ""And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.""

(2) John 10:11 ""I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

(3) John 10:14-15 ""I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 "As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep."

(4) John 10:17-18 ""Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.""

(5) John 10:26-28 ""But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."

e. The people who love God, the people called—sermon on 8:28c— Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

* Having laid the ground work, we need to look at two main areas to see what the Bible teaches about foreknowledge:

We will first look at the meaning and use of the words translated "foreknowledge" in the New Testament.

Then we will examine the contexts of the verses which directly correlate foreknowledge, election, and/or predestination.

May God help us as we seek to increase understanding of His word......

2. The meaning and use of the words translated "foreknowledge" in the New Testament.

In the context of redemption, there are five incidences of the root words translated foreknowledge :

a. The first mention of foreknowledge (prognosis)--this is an important reference, because it helps understand the use of foreknowledge throughout the rest of the New Testament.

Acts 2:23 "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

"The words boule (counsel) and prognosis (foreknowledge) are in a construction called Granville Sharp's rule, where two nouns are in the same case, connected by kai (and), the first noun preceded by the article, the second noun without the article. The rule states that in this construction, the second noun refers to the same thing to which the first noun does, and is a further description of it. That means that boule and prognosis refer to the same thing, the act of selecting the One out of the Persons of the Godhead who would be the Lamb slain as the Sacrifice for sin. The word prognosis, therefore means more here than mere previous knowledge, even though that knowledge be part of the omniscience of God. It partakes of the nature of boule, and is part and parcel of the same act. It means "foreordination." Wuest's Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, Vol 1, Romans, page 142.

b. The second mention of foreknowledge (proginosko)

Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Even a casual examination of this verse shows us that the prescience view (God forsees, and then elects) is weak. This verse does not speak of what God knew, but whom He knew. It is not that God knew something about some people so He would be influenced to choose them, it is that He knew them--knew them in an intimate way, as He said earlier in the Bible about Jeremiah:

Jer 1:4-5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

God is not saying that He knew about Jeremiah, He is saying that He knew Jeremiah. In a similar vein, God does not know the lost:

Mat 7:22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
Mat 7:23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

I would hope that anyone hearing this would admit that the Almighty God "knows about" the lost—He knows everything—but He does not know them, as He knows His people

c. The third mention (proginosko)--the emphasis is the same here in this verse--it is whom, not what, God knew......

Rom 11:2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew

d. The fourth mention--this verse directly links election and foreknowledge.

1 Pet 1:2 – “…elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

e. The fifth mention: in this verse, the word proginosko is translated as foreordained, not foreknown:

1 Pet 1:20 “… He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you…”

3. Examination of the contexts of the foreknowledge verses

a. Two of the verses have to do with God’s foreknowledge of the crucifixion.

(1) The verses—Acts 2:23 ""Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;"

(2) 1 Pet 1:18-21 "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you…”

(3) The context of the crucifixion more fully explained: Acts 4: 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.' 27 "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done."

(a) Did God forsee that Christ would be crucified, or did God plan that Christ would be crucified?
(b) The answer, reinforced by many scriptures, is that this was God’s plan from all eternity.

(c) Here again, we need to ask: does the word proginosko refer to something God foresaw? Did God only forsee that Christ would come? Of course not! God planned for Christ to come—our Savior's mission to earth was not a product of foresight, but of foreordination; Christ's redemptive acts were the product of Divine Purpose. The word proginosko in the verse above refers to what God had purposed--it refers to the same principle mentioned in Acts 2:23--foreknowledge = determinate counsel.

b. Rom 8:28-29 – The context of Romans 8:29 is the purpose and the acts of God. There is a chain of words which refers to the great doctrine of predestination here:

(1) purpose
(2) foreknowledge
(3) predestination
(4) calling
(5) justified
(6) glorified

c. Rom 8:28 ….. according to His purpose…. Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew,

d. And read: Rom 8:31-39.

(1) Is there any support in these verses for the idea that salvation occurred because God foresaw that certain people would believe, and therefore chose those who within themselves had the innate ability and inclination to choose Him and be saved?

(2) No, these verses support the idea of a sovereign God, who knew those people in His infinite loving, pre-acquaintanceship, and lavished upon the objects of His love all things, even though they had not one iota of their own to contribute to the process.

e. Rom 11:1-6 "I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 "LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work."

(1) [ He has cast away some in Israel--but not those whom He foreknew--the Remnant about which He spoke to Elijah] ***Rom 11:3-4

(2) [Paul interprets verses 2-4 above the same I do, and in so doing, Paul defines the relationship between the divine and human perspectives in salvation...]

f. The context of the faith having been abundantly demonstrated by the verses above, the last of our three passages becomes crystal clear.

g. 1 Pet 1:1-5—

(1) 1 Pet 1:1 “…Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…” [Peter is writing to Jewish Christians living in various places. He is writing to the Remnant spoken of in Rom 11:1-7]

(2) 1 Pet 1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. [Since Peter is talking to the Remnant of Rom 11:1-7, the meaning of "elect according foreknowledge" is the same as the meaning of foreknowledge in Rom 11:2. Peter adds explanatory words as well, which demonstrate the particular acts of the three Persons of the Trinity in the salvation of the readers. It was the Father's foreknowing love and pre-acquaintanceship, the Spirit's drawing and setting aside, and the Son's Sacrifice...]

(3) 1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,..” [It is God's actions which have caused us to be born again, as James said:] James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

(4) “…1 Pet 1:4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time…” [Just as it is God who loved us in His foreknowledge, and just as it is God who therefore saved us, and just as it is God who called us and caused us to be born again, it is God who will keep us saved. What a wonderful passage, which ties this all together!]

4. Soli Deo Gloria--The Glory to God Alone

The Purpose of God, part 2

2009-05-27T20:20:00.001-07:00

The Divine Side of Salvation—
Reading: Eph 1:3-12, 3:1-11, 21
Rom 8:28-30

“…to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Introductory Thoughts

* Recall the Salvation Survey

* Well, whether you know it or not, and whether you accept it or not, if you answered that God gets all the credit for your salvation, you must believe in the Doctrine of Election

* Today, we continue look at one of the great questions and mysteries in the Bible, and one over which men have argued for centuries.

* The question is:

** Does God help sinners save themselves?

** Does God Save sinners with a little help from them?

** Does God provide a salvation machine which the sinner operates?

** Or, Does God Save Sinners?

* Before us, we see a group of people described two different ways. This is not two groups, it is one group described two different ways.

* Our text says that divine Providence is working all things in the universe out for the ultimate good of those who love God, the same people who are also described as those called according to His purpose.

** The First half of this description answers to one half of the argument over salvation, because it speaks to the absolute responsibility that men have to believe in Christ, to love God in Spirit and in Truth.

** The second half of this description answer to the other side of the argument over salvation, because it describes the saved as those who have been called by God according to His eternal purpose.

* God’s Grace, God’s salvation is free.

** Whosoever will, may come.

** All who will, may come

** Only those who will, may come

* God’s Grace, however, God’s salvation, is certain.

** God chose individual people by name, before the world was created

** God called people individually by name in His Time

** God saves His people individually, personally.

* To some, these teachings seem to contradict each other, but both doctrines are true, because both are taught in the Bible. We are not given the option of choosing one doctrine over another; we are not given the option of lamely excusing and explaining away God’s role in salvation.

* Recall the Trash Cans Illustration

The Truth is God Saves Sinners--

God—it is all of God

Saves—God does all the work in salvation

Sinners—The reason why "God Saves" is that lost people are lost, deaf, dead, blind, and haters of God and His ways.

* If anyone tells you they have a simple answer to the question of divine sovereignty in salvation, they are mistaken--it is complicated, it is not simple, and all oversimplification will do is confuse the issue.

* One cute story often heard: “The Lord voted for you, the Devil voted against you, and you get the deciding vote.” That cute story has about four heresies in it—

** One, that God operates a democracy

** Two, that the Devil has an equal vote with God on anything.

** Three, that you have an equal vote with God on anything.

** Four, that election has to do with you choosing, when in fact it has to do with God choosing.

* You may have heard it said that above the entrance to heaven is a sign saying "whosoever will," and that after you enter is a sign above the inside of the entrance which says "chosen from the foundation of the world."

** If that was the case, this verse would not be in the Bible. The fact is, that we are talking about this because the sign over the door to heaven says, in fact: Whosoever Will Let Him Drink of the Water of Life, and

Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World.

**Why is it even necessary to study this?

a. God told us about it in the scriptures

b. It shows the glory of God

c. It helps us appreciate our salvation, and is a cure to pride in the believer.

d. It teaches us the source of all true revival

Today, we look at three things from this last phrase of 8:28:

* The Purpose of God
* The Choice of God
* The Call of God

1. The Purpose of God—“…to them who are the called according to his purpose."

a. God has an ultimate purpose in the universe. There is a goal, a reason, toward which all things are working

(1) Eph 1:3-12

(a) All things in the universe work together toward that purpose.

(b) That purpose involves the salvation of God’s people

(2) Eph 3:1-11, 21

(a) That purpose involves both the church and Israel.

(b) That purpose involves God’s Glory

b. This is a constant theme in the whole Bible.

Isa 14:26 "This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations."

John 12:27 "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour."

Acts 2:23 "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:"

Acts 4:28 "For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."

2. The Choice of God—Grace is Certain—“…to them who are the called according to his purpose."

".....All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.....

Before the foundation of the world, God looked at the race which He knew would fall, and He chose to save for Himself a people.

a. Our calling to salvation is a part of the purpose of God.

2 Tim 1:9 "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,"

b. God Has a People—1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

c. God chose individual people, from eternity

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Eph 1:4 "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,"

d. God Gave the Chosen Ones to Christ

"All that the Father giveth me.... "

(1) Those given receive eternal life

John 17:2 "as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

(2) Individuals were given to the Son, not an indefinite class of people—the gift was real people.

John 17:6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

(3) The Gift was according to the Father’s Will.

John 6:39 "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

(4) Christ prayed for His people, not for the world.

John 17:9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.

(5) The Father keeps those given

John 17:11 "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.”

John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

* God’s purpose is that He have a people, a remnant, a special people all His own, and to that end, God, in this life calls people to Himself.

3. The Call of God— “…to them who are the called according to his purpose."

a. Context

(1) God’s Providence—Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good

(2) Man’s Responsibility—the human side of salvation—Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

b. The Divine Side of Salvation—God’s people shall come.

to them who are the called according to his purpose."

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..."

(1) Remember, there is no “shaller” or “shallest.” God’s people shall come.

(2) There are no conditions, no whys or wherefores. God’s people shall come.

(3) There is no power in heaven or on Earth that can prevent this from happening. God’s people shall come.

(4) This is an agreement between the Father and the Son, and it will be honored—God’s people shall come.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..."

Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."

c. How do God’s people come?

(1) They come by divine revelation—men and women come to Christ because God has revealed to them their need of salvation, and that the only way to that salvation is through the blood of Jesus.....

John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.
Mat 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

(2) They come by divine calling— There are two types of calling in the Bible:

(a) The outward call which goes to all who hear the Gospel and to all who see God's creation (Ps 19)

(b) And the inward call, what the puritans called "effectual calling," which is part of the mysterious working of God in calling out His people....

2 Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(3) our gospel –the Outward call. The means by which God works

(4) he called you— The Inward Call—God’s working, God’s attending the preaching with power.

(5) The Call to salvation is just like the call to the ministry.

1 Cor 1:1-2 "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

1 Cor 1:9 "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

2 Tim 1:9 "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,"

1 Pet 2:9 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"

(3) God’s People come willingly—

(a) It is not that God forces" anyone to come--the awakened, called, sinner WANTS to come.

(b) The drawing of individual people to Himself is one of God's great mysteries, and He does not share the intimate details of how He does it—He only tells us that He does it. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..."

Psa 110: 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power…”

Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

(4) God’s People come in Faith—the doctrine of election does NOT teach that faith is unnecessary—the Bible is crystal clear that the man or woman who comes to God must come in faith, believing in the shed blood of Christ

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..."

Acts 13:48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

d. The Example of Paul—

Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me…”

(1) Paul came by divine revelation-

(2) Paul came by divine calling--

(3) Paul came willingly--

(4) Paul came in Faith--

(5) Paul came for certain--

(6) Paul came in God's time

3. Election and Responsibility: The Two Concepts Unified

a. The Bible unifies the two concepts of Election and Human Responsibility without apology, and without explanation.

b. Examples

Mat 11:27 "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

John 17:2 ""as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

John 6:37-40 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

The Purpose of God, part 2
The Divine Side of Salvation—
Reading: Eph 1:3-12, 3:1-11, 21
Rom 8:28-30

“…to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Introductory Thoughts

* Recall the Salvation Survey

* Well, whether you know it or not, and whether you accept it or not, if you answered that God gets all the credit for your salvation, you must believe in the Doctrine of Election

* Today, we continue look at one of the great questions and mysteries in the Bible, and one over which men have argued for centuries.

* The question is:

** Does God help sinners save themselves?

** Does God Save sinners with a little help from them?

** Does God provide a salvation machine which the sinner operates?

** Or, Does God Save Sinners?

* Before us, we see a group of people described two different ways. This is not two groups, it is one group described two different ways.

* Our text says that divine Providence is working all things in the universe out for the ultimate good of those who love God, the same people who are also described as those called according to His purpose.

** The First half of this description answers to one half of the argument over salvation, because it speaks to the absolute responsibility that men have to believe in Christ, to love God in Spirit and in Truth.

** The second half of this description answer to the other side of the argument over salvation, because it describes the saved as those who have been called by God according to His eternal purpose.

* God’s Grace, God’s salvation is free.

** Whosoever will, may come.

** All who will, may come

** Only those who will, may come

* God’s Grace, however, God’s salvation, is certain.

** God chose individual people by name, before the world was created

** God called people individually by name in His Time

** God saves His people individually, personally.

* To some, these teachings seem to contradict each other, but both doctrines are true, because both are taught in the Bible. We are not given the option of choosing one doctrine over another; we are not given the option of lamely excusing and explaining away God’s role in salvation.

* Recall the Trash Cans Illustration

The Truth is God Saves Sinners--

God—it is all of God

Saves—God does all the work in salvation

Sinners—The reason why "God Saves" is that lost people are lost, deaf, dead, blind, and haters of God and His ways.

* If anyone tells you they have a simple answer to the question of divine sovereignty in salvation, they are mistaken--it is complicated, it is not simple, and all oversimplification will do is confuse the issue.

* One cute story often heard: “The Lord voted for you, the Devil voted against you, and you get the deciding vote.” That cute story has about four heresies in it—

** One, that God operates a democracy

** Two, that the Devil has an equal vote with God on anything.

** Three, that you have an equal vote with God on anything.

** Four, that election has to do with you choosing, when in fact it has to do with God choosing.

* You may have heard it said that above the entrance to heaven is a sign saying "whosoever will," and that after you enter is a sign above the inside of the entrance which says "chosen from the foundation of the world."

** If that was the case, this verse would not be in the Bible. The fact is, that we are talking about this because the sign over the door to heaven says, in fact: Whosoever Will Let Him Drink of the Water of Life, and

Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World.

**Why is it even necessary to study this?

a. God told us about it in the scriptures

b. It shows the glory of God

c. It helps us appreciate our salvation, and is a cure to pride in the believer.

d. It teaches us the source of all true revival

Today, we look at three things from this last phrase of 8:28:

* The Purpose of God
* The Choice of God
* The Call of God

1. The Purpose of God—“…to them who are the called according to his purpose."

a. God has an ultimate purpose in the universe. There is a goal, a reason, toward which all things are working

(1) Eph 1:3-12

(a) All things in the universe work together toward that purpose.

(b) That purpose involves the salvation of God’s people

(2) Eph 3:1-11, 21

(a) That purpose involves both the church and Israel.

(b) That purpose involves God’s Glory

b. This is a constant theme in the whole Bible.

Isa 14:26 "This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations."

John 12:27 "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour."

Acts 2:23 "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:"

Acts 4:28 "For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done."

2. The Choice of God—Grace is Certain—“…to them who are the called according to his purpose."

".....All that the Father giveth me shall come to me.....

Before the foundation of the world, God looked at the race which He knew would fall, and He chose to save for Himself a people.

a. Our calling to salvation is a part of the purpose of God.

2 Tim 1:9 "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,"

b. God Has a People—1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

c. God chose individual people, from eternity

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Eph 1:4 "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,"

d. God Gave the Chosen Ones to Christ

"All that the Father giveth me.... "

(1) Those given receive eternal life

John 17:2 "as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

(2) Individuals were given to the Son, not an indefinite class of people—the gift was real people.

John 17:6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

(3) The Gift was according to the Father’s Will.

John 6:39 "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

(4) Christ prayed for His people, not for the world.

John 17:9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.

(5) The Father keeps those given

John 17:11 "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.”

John 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

* God’s purpose is that He have a people, a remnant, a special people all His own, and to that end, God, in this life calls people to Himself.

3. The Call of God— “…to them who are the called according to his purpose."

a. Context

(1) God’s Providence—Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good

(2) Man’s Responsibility—the human side of salvation—Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

b. The Divine Side of Salvation—God’s people shall come.

to them who are the called according to his purpose."

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..."

(1) Remember, there is no “shaller” or “shallest.” God’s people shall come.

(2) There are no conditions, no whys or wherefores. God’s people shall come.

(3) There is no power in heaven or on Earth that can prevent this from happening. God’s people shall come.

(4) This is an agreement between the Father and the Son, and it will be honored—God’s people shall come.

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..."

Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city."

c. How do God’s people come?

(1) They come by divine revelation—men and women come to Christ because God has revealed to them their need of salvation, and that the only way to that salvation is through the blood of Jesus.....

John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.
Mat 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

(2) They come by divine calling— There are two types of calling in the Bible:

(a) The outward call which goes to all who hear the Gospel and to all who see God's creation (Ps 19)

(b) And the inward call, what the puritans called "effectual calling," which is part of the mysterious working of God in calling out His people....

2 Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(3) our gospel –the Outward call. The means by which God works

(4) he called you— The Inward Call—God’s working, God’s attending the preaching with power.

(5) The Call to salvation is just like the call to the ministry.

1 Cor 1:1-2 "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"

1 Cor 1:9 "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

2 Tim 1:9 "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,"

1 Pet 2:9 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"

(3) God’s People come willingly—

(a) It is not that God forces" anyone to come--the awakened, called, sinner WANTS to come.

(b) The drawing of individual people to Himself is one of God's great mysteries, and He does not share the intimate details of how He does it—He only tells us that He does it. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..."

Psa 110: 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power…”

Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

(4) God’s People come in Faith—the doctrine of election does NOT teach that faith is unnecessary—the Bible is crystal clear that the man or woman who comes to God must come in faith, believing in the shed blood of Christ

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me..."

Acts 13:48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

d. The Example of Paul—

Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me…”

(1) Paul came by divine revelation-

(2) Paul came by divine calling--

(3) Paul came willingly--

(4) Paul came in Faith--

(5) Paul came for certain--

(6) Paul came in God's time

3. Election and Responsibility: The Two Concepts Unified

a. The Bible unifies the two concepts of Election and Human Responsibility without apology, and without explanation.

b. Examples

Mat 11:27 "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

John 17:2 ""as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

John 6:37-40 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

How can it be that God gives us free agency to choose, but that He tells us we did not choose Him, but He chose us, that He loved us before we loved Him—how can this be? The Answer is: IT IS! The Bible in no place resolves the argument so that it makes any theologian totally happy. However, the comments of W.A. Criswell, a man who was a soul winner extraordinaire, seem appropriate here: (The Criswell Study Bible, page1334)

“Why is the doctrine of election present in the Scriptures?” Four distinct answers emerge from this passage: (1) As long as the doctrine of election is in the Bible, salvation must be the gift of God alone. Predestination framed in God’s foreknowledge assures us that salvation is from start to finish the work of God. (2) The doctrine of God’s elective purpose guarantees the perpetuity of salvation. Unthinkable is the idea that one of God’s elect could forfeit his salvation. Those whom he has justified He will glorify. So certain is that sequence that “glorified” is an aorist tense in Greek, meaning that glorification has already happened in the mind of God. How could God lose one of His elect? (3) The doctrine of election assures a peculiar providence which attends the way of every believer. If God’s heart is set on us in His elective purpose, we may be sure of His concern and providential intervention on our behalf. (4) Finally, the same personal providence is bound up in election extends through out the entire course of history. There is no runaway world. God’s hand is systematically guiding the age to its intended consummation.”

The Mystery of Providence, Part 2--The Human Side of Salvation

2009-05-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

The Purpose of God
The Human Side of Salvation:
(Grace is Free)
Reading: John 6:37-47, Rom 8:28-30

— to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose

Introduction

* Tonight, we begin in earnest to look at one of the great questions and mysteries in the Bible, and one over which men have argued for centuries.

* The question is:

** Does God help sinners save themselves?

** Does God Save sinners with a little help from them?

** Does God provide a salvation machine which the sinner operates?

** Or, Does God Save Sinners?

* Before us, we see a group of people described two different ways. This is not two groups, it is one group described two different ways.

* Our text says that divine Providence is working all things in the universe out for the ultimate good of those who love God, the same people who are also described as those called according to His purpose.

** The First half of this description answers to one half of the argument over salvation, because it speaks to the absolute responsibility that men have to believe in Christ, to love God in Spirit and in Truth.

** The second half of this description answer to the other side of the argument over salvation, because it describes the saved as those who have been called by God according to His eternal purpose.

* God’s Grace, God’s salvation is free.

** Whosoever will, may come.

** All who will, may come

** Only those who will, may come

** The idea that a man or woman would be forced to come to God when they were not willing is a travesty of the doctrines of the Reformation, hence we refer to it as “hyper-calvinism.”

* God’s Grace, however, God’s salvation, is certain.

** God chooses people by name

** God calls people by name

** God saves His people individually, personally.

* Both doctrines are true, because both are taught in the Bible. We are not given the option of choosing one doctrine over another. We are not given the option of lamely excusing and explaining away God’s role in salvation, nor are we to ignore man’s responsibility to believe. THESE THINGS SEEM CONTRADICTORY, BUT THE BIBLE TEACHES THEM EMPHATICALLY.

* The first thing, which we look at tonight, is the Human side of salvation. Those who are saved are described as those who love God.

* It is easy to say, “Oh, great! I love God, that must be for me!” But do you really love God?

1. The Absolute Requirement to Love God

a. There is an absolute requirement for all human beings to love God. You are not at liberty to violate this requirement—it is a law applicable to the entire human race.

b. Old Testament

Deu 6:5 ""You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Deu 10:12 ""And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,"

Deu 11:1 ""Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always."

Psa 18:1 "I will love You, O LORD, my strength."

Psa 31:23 "Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person."

Psa 42:1 "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God."

Psa 73:25 "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You."

Psa 84:2 "My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."

Psa 116:1 "I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications."

c. New Testament—The Great command is still in effect

Mat 22:37 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

Luke 10:27 "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

2. Loving God, God’s Way—

a. The First reaction—

(1) Man thinks this is easy stuff.

(2) “Love God? No sweat! That is easy! What’s not to love? God, I think you are “kewl,” you and me, we be OK! Right on God, God’s my man; Jesus is just all right with me, yeah…”

(3) But our definition of love is not God’s definition of love.

b. God defines what it is to love Him.
(i) Merely stating that we love God means nothing. Love is proven by action.

(ii) “Love is a behavior, not an emotion.” John MacArthur.

c. We Are to Love God by Believing in His Son

(1) Believing in Christ offered

Isa 1:18 ""Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."

Isa 45:22 "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

Rev 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of
life freely."

Mat 11:28 ""Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

(2) Believing in Christ urged

Acts 2:37-40 "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation.""

(3) Believing in Christ commanded

Acts 17:30-31 ""Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,

d. We are to Love God By Giving Him Affection and Worship

1 Pet 1:8 "whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,"

Heb 13:15 "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."

1 Pet 2:9 "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"

e. We are to Love God by a life of obedience and service—

Luke 6:46 ""But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?"

John 14:15-16 ""If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever;"

3. The Implication of The Human Side of Salvation: The Freeness of Grace Means We Are to Preach to All—

a. “Bother Charley, how can a man like you who believes in God’s Sovereignty and election also believe in preaching to all?”

(1) Because the same Sovereign God who tells us plainly in the Bible that He is in charge of salvation also told me to go and preach to all.

(2) I have heard men say that if they believed that God did it all without them, then they wouldn’t see the point in preaching…

(a) First, if that’s really your attitude, I question your salvation.

(b) If you are a man of God, you believe what the Bible says, and you do what God says to do. If it doesn’t fit your mind or your emotions, you change your mind or emotions, not the Word of God!

(3) The preaching of the Word fervently and to everyone who will listen (and many who won’t listen) is a plain command of God.

b. The fervent, Biblical, anointed preaching of the Word is God’s way of calling people to salvation. God works through means, and as Paul says,

1 Cor 1:17-18 "… Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

(John 16:7-11) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

1 Cor 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

c. Whosoever Wills

Luke 12:8 "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:"

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 4:14 "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

Acts 10:43 "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."

1 John 5:1 "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."

Rev 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

(1) Whosoever Will, let him come....No one who desires Christ is kept away......

"Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out."

(2) Whosoever Will, Bid him or her come...

Mat 22:9 "'Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.'"

Mat 28:19-20 ""Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

(3) Whosoever Will, command him or her to come....

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

(4) Whosoever Will, come for Free--

Isa 55:1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The Mystery of Providence part 1

2009-05-11T20:31:00.001-07:00

God’s Providence For His People
Readings: Eph 1:1-14
Rom 8:28-30

Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

Introductory Thoughts

* The Salvation Survey

** If you are saved, say, “I’m saved!”

** If you are saved, tell me how much of your salvation is due to what you have done.

** If you are saved, tell me, then, who gets 100% of the credit for your salvation!

** Amen! If you are saved, it not because of anything you have done, and it is 100% due to the work of the Triune God. That is why God put the doctrines of Romans 8:28-30 in the Bible—so we would know that for sure.

** If you are saved, you are God’s workmanship—

Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

** If you are God’s workmanship, you would not want to be found putting your signature on any part of His work.

* Overview of 8:28-30

a. God’s Purpose: —Verse 28

(1) What—God’s Providence makes everything work together.

(2) Who—For those who love God, those whom He has called.

(3) Why—God’s Purpose

b. God’s People—Verse 29

(1) Who—Those known by God beforehand.

(2) What For—They are to be conformed to Christ’s image.

(3) Why—That Christ’s image would be replicated.

c. God’s Plan—Who and How—Verse 30—God’s way of accomplishing His purpose.

(1) Predestination

(2) Calling

(3) Justification

(4) Glorification

* God’s Sovereignty, Human Responsibility, and Salvation—The “Trash Cans” Illustration

a. Trash Can #1—The parts of the Bible you have to remove to deny election: that God chooses His People

b. Trash Can #2—The parts of the Bible you have to remove to deny that every human being is responsible to believe in Christ.

c. Denial of Election always leads to liberalism.

d. Denial of Human Responsibility always leads to dead churches.

e. As we go through these sermons, understand that sometimes we are talking about God’s view of the matter and sometimes about our view.

f. And understand, that we are discussing the doctrines which surround the teaching of Eternal Security. There can be no security unless these doctrines are also true. If Election falls, Security falls.

1. God’s Providence— all things work together (God causes all things to work together)

Acts 17:26 "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,

Job 42:2 "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

a. The Scope of Divine Providence “…all things…”

(1) Not just all our miseries

(2) Not just the events that directly or indirectly touch us

(3) All things in the universe….

Eph 1:11 "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"

b. The EXERCISE of God's Sovereignty—Divine Providence

* Divine Providence means: God rules the universe to accomplish His own purposes and will. Or, as the contemporary Christian singer Twila Paris said: God is In Control.....

(2) The pagan concept of "Luck..."

(a) Remember in the lesson on creation and evolution, we said that evolutionists worship the "god" of chance, that their temple might as well be the river boat, the lottery counter, or the casinos at Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

(b) The pagan concept for how the universe works when things are beyond their control, is the concept of "Luck."

***Luck is a pagan philosophical concept, and it has crept into our daily language.

* "Good Luck..."

* "My, that was lucky...."

* "I'm just a lucky guy...."

(c) The Christian should learn to avoid the use of the word and instead understand that it is not "Luck" which controls things, but Divine Providence. A Christian should say things like:

* "God bless you..."
* "God be with you..."
* "God send His angels to guard and guide you..."
* "God has blessed me...."
* "God's providence was at work in this..."
* "How I love to 'catch God at it'...."

c. The nature of Providence—God's Providence is absolute

Rom 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Eph 1:11--In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Mat 11:27 "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

d. God providentially guides the Rise and Fall of nations and the events of human history – "...every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings..."

Dan 2:20 “…Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings…’ ”

(1) The births of nations are controlled by God

(2) The deaths of nations are controlled by God

(3) Great empires rise and fall at His command

e. The Bible says this is a comfort to God's people.—

Isa 40:1-17 ""Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" Says your God. 2 "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the Lord's hand Double for all her sins."
… 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." 9 ….Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" 10 Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. 11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? 13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? 14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. ……17 All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless."

(1) There is A Hand at the Wheel of History!!!

(2) Life, current events, struggles, crises, there is an Unseen Hand guiding the general course of all things.

Objection #1 -- Doesn't this make God responsible for the sinful actions of men?

Answer -- NO! God restrains evil men or gives them enough rope--they are responsible for their actions, but like Joseph said, God manages the outcome of the events to serve His purposes.

Objection #2 -- How can a loving God allow the misery that exists in the world?

Answer--How can a just God have allowed the human race to continue existing this long?

-- Every man and woman in the world deserves only misery because we are a sinful race in rebellion against the Almighty God Who created us.

-- Were it not for the substitutionary blood sacrifice of Christ, the entire human race would be doomed to eternal separation from God and eternal punishment. .

Objection #3 -- Where does the sovereignty of God end, and the free will of man begin?

Answer -- Man's will is not fully free and cannot be. Unlimited free will is a pagan philosophical concept. Man is bound by sin, Satan, physical and mental limitations, and by the actions of other men and women. We are slaves to what we are; we are slaves to circumstances; we are dead, deaf, dumb, and blind spiritually.

--As for the Sovereignty of God, there is no end to it, and never will be.

2. Divine Providence and You— Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

a. Providence in the Life of the Believer

(1) God guides the events of our personal lives--God has a plan for our lives, that plan is detailed, and He is working in our lives to bring His plan to fruition. Things do not "just happen" to believers, God guides them toward a plan, a purpose. One of the favorite verses for many believers is the comforting verse:

(2) But many of the people who love that verse probably fail to see the real significance of its meaning. God has a purpose for each of His people, and that purpose involves "all things" that touch our lives!

Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Psa 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
Psa 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

(2) God is working in our lives to bring His plan to fruition—Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Mat 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 "Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.

Prov 16:9 A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

b. The doctrine of God's providence has vital practical applications--

(1) Understanding this doctrine of Providence, combined with love for God and faith in God, should free a believer from many of the bouts of mental anguish we all experience.

"Grace under fire" is a cliche' that describes the quality of maintaining an even keel under difficult circumstances. This grace is in reality a gift of God to the mature believer who understands God and God's Providence. A brother or sister in Christ who understand these things will have spiritual resources upon which to draw in times of great stress and in times of great need or danger.

(2) An example of Grace under fire based on the knowledge of God's rulership is the historical account of the "three Hebrew children," in Daniel 3. These three youths demonstrated a tremendous faith in and understanding of God when they were put to the test and ordered to worship a pagan idol. Refusing to worship the idol would result in an immediate sentence of death, and a horrible death at that--death by fire. Their reply to the pagan king Nebuchadnezzar is a classic statement of the practical side of the doctrine of Divine Providence.

Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
17 "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

[Excerpt from "God is In Control" by Twila Paris...]

History marches on, but there's a bottom line drawn across the ages

Culture can make its plans, but the line never changes.

No matter how the deception may lie, there's one thing that's always been true, it will be true forever.....

God is in Control!

We believe that His children will not be forsaken.

God is in Control!

We will choose to remember, and never be shaken.

There is No Power above or beside Him, we know.......
God
is
in
Control!

3. Knowing What is Good for Us—all things work together for good

a. The human idea of “good”

(1) “Good” is fun.

(2) “Good” is painless

(3) “Good” is relatively easy

(4) “Good” makes me feel good about myself.

(5) “Good” is about the now, about this life, about comfort and ease in this life.

b. The Wimpy Christian idea of “good” resembles the pagan idea.

c. The Powerful Truth of What God Says is Good for Us—the eternal, not the temporal.

(1) The example of the Wilderness
Deut 8:11-18

(2) Chastisement—not only is this good for us, but it is an assurance of the reality of our salvation. A person who lives in open or secret sin and rebellion against God and does not receive chastisement is not saved.

Heb 12:6 “…whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."7… what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening,…, then you are illegitimate and not sons."

(3) Tribulation and persecution

(a) One of the most profound statements in the Bible is from a man who knew the reality of divine providence all too well. Joseph--Gen 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

* Being sold into slavery was not in itself good, but it worked to the good. It was due to the evil intent of Joseph’s brothers, but God worked it for good.

* Being falsely accused and thrown into prison was not good, but it worked to the good. It was due to the lying and evil lust and intent of Potiphar’s wife, but God worked it for good.

* Languishing in jail for years, even after Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants, was not a good thing, but God turned it to the good. Pharaoh’s cupbearer evilly and selfishly said nothing about Joseph until the moment of crisis, but God worked that for good too.

* Joseph had no fond memories to express about being beaten, enslaved, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Joseph did not excuse his brothers for their evil intent and actions--but he knew that God had taken their evil intent and actions and turned it to the good. Joseph was a man who understood how the universe worked.

(4) Being at odds with the world

Luke 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Applications

1. What is good for us? What is a blessing?

a. Being poor in spirit is good for us

Mat 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

b. Mourning is good for us

Mat 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

c. Being meek is good for us

Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

d. Hungering and thirsting for God’s righteousness is good for us.

Mat 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

e. Being merciful is good for us

Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

f. Becoming pure in heart, that is good for us.

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

g. Being a peacemaker is good for us.

Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

h. Being reviled, attacked and persecuted is good for us!

Mat 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2. The bottom line on what is good for us is God’s final goal for our life—to be conformed to the image of Christ.

3. What is good for us is to stand in His blessed Presence, clean, Holy, Pure, and in the image of Christ.

The Intercessory Ministry Of the Holy Spirit

2009-05-03T04:44:00.000-07:00

Readings: Mat 6:5-13
Rom 8:26-27

Introductory Thoughts

* We are in the middle of a long series of messages about the security of the believer.

* One of the reasons that many people think a true believer can be lost is that they do not understand the nature of salvation.

** Salvation is a permanent change of state

John 5:24 ""Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

** Salvation involves the personal reputation and actions of the Trinity

*** Salvation as a permanent change of state involves the determinate counsel, or plan of God

*** Salvation as a permanent change of state involves the Drawing ministry of the Father

*** Salvation as a permanent change of state involves the Revealing ministry of the Father

*** Salvation as a permanent change of state involves the Convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit

*** Salvation as a permanent change of state involves the Person and Work of Christ, the permanence and efficacy of His blood, once applied.

*** Salvation as a permanent change of state involves God’s Providence in protecting us.

*** Salvation as a permanent change of state involves God’s covenant promises to us.

*** Salvation as a permanent change of state involves the indwelling of the Spirit of God in us.

*** And Salvation as a permanent change of state involves the intercession of The Son and Spirit for us.

1. For a True Believer to be lost, the plan of God must fail.

2. For a True Believer to be lost, Christ must fail as that believer’s Mediator, His blood not being enough to save fully.

3. For a True believer to be lost, the intercession of Christ must be ineffective.

4. For a True Believer to be lost, the intercession of the indwelling Holy Spirit must also fail.

5. For only one True Believer to be lost, the Trinity must be defeated at every point.

1. The Holy Spirit And His Ministry To Us—"Likewise..”

a. Paul has had much to say in this chapter about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit, by His indwelling, communicates to us that we are heirs of Glory, so He has done many other wonderful things in us.

b. A review of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in Romans 8

(1) Christians are to walk in the Spirit—Rom 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

(2) Christians have minds that are Spirit-dominated. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

(3) Christians are indwelt by the Spirit— 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.

(4) The Spirit’s indwelling guarantees our entrance to heaven. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

(5) The Spirit leads us in sanctification and growth in Grace—13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

(6) The Spirit lets us know we are adopted into God’s family. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

(7) The Spirit Gives us assurance of our salvation—16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

* So, just as the Holy Spirit has done all of these things, Paul now introduces yet another ministry of the Spirit.

2. Our Infirmity Interferes With Prayer—"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:

a. General infirmity

(1) Lost people have total spiritual infirmity, so prayer for them is an exercise in futility.

(2) Saved people have a saved soul and spirit in a body which is corrupted by sin and which must be disciplined away from sin.

(3) Saved people can and do become weak and weary, burdened down with sickness, and aged and infirm.

b. Infirmity of Mind

(1) Unbelievers really know nothing of Spiritual Truth.

(2) For believers, lack of discipleship and lack of understanding weakens our prayer life.

(a) Attributes of God

(b) The Way the Universe works

(c) Who we are in Christ

c. Infirmity of Will

(1) For unbelievers, their will is powerless to do anything beyond their nature.

(2) For believers, our wills fight against the pull of the remnants of sin in our bodies and minds. There is a genuine struggle

d. Infirmity of Spirit

(1) Unbelievers have no spiritual ability whatsoever.

(2) As believers, we are fighting in a spiritual warfare, of which many of us are ignorant.

(3) Sin causes spiritual weakness in believers

(4) Lack of Bible study, lack of prayer, lack of fellowship, lack of service, and neglect of God’s house of worship all cause spiritual weakness in believers.

(5) The attacks of the enemy are often fierce, and weaken us in our testimony.

e. Infirmity of Body

(1) We are tired and worn out often

(2) Because we think that we must have a certain posture and a certain length of time to pray effectively, we play into our physical weakness.

f. We Don’t Even Know What to Pray For—"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:

* We are not God

(1) We often don’t know what God wants us to do

(2) We have no insight into tomorrow, let alone the far future.

(3) We don’t know the long-term effects of what we do, or of what we pray for.

g. The Holy Spirit’s Helping Ministry— Likewise the Spirit also helpeth

(1) The word, “helpeth.”

“…is made up of three words, and each one of the three is important for our understanding of the teaching. The first word means ‘together’; it occurs in the first part of the English word, “symphony.” The second word means ‘over against’. And the third word means ‘to take.’ The idea is that of two people taking something over against one another. It means that one person gives a helping hand to another by taking hold ‘over against that person’ of the load that he is carrying. Think of a man struggling to carry some heavy load and almost at the point of collapsing. Suddenly someone comes along and says, ‘Let me get hold of the other end of your load. So that instead of the man having to carry the whole burden himself, the other who comes along takes hold of the other end, and now they together proceed to carry this load that was too much for one man acting alone. (Lloyd-Jones, Romans 8:17-39, page 132)

Luke 10:40 "But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.""

(2) We must still pray, we have a responsibility, but the Holy Spirit helps, He picks up one end of the load and helps us pray.

Phil 2:12-13 "…. work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

3. The Holy Spirit Intercedes— but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

a. Himself, not itself—the word, autos, (autos) can mean himself, herself, or itself. Since the Analogy of the Faith is plain that the Holy Spirit is a Person, “Himself” is the proper translation here.

John 14:16-17 ""And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; 17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

John 14:26 ""But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

John 15:26 ""But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."

John 16:7-14 ""Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."

b. Groans, not tongues!

(1) We do the groaning, after His intercession.

(2) A groan is not a tongue!

c. Cannot be uttered—

(1) The word in the original means, “wordless,” or “without words.”

(2) We have deep needs and need to pray, but we don’t know what to say.

(3) We have a need to pray, and even if we know what to say, we don’t know how to say it.

d. The Intercession of the Spirit—

(1) The advocate in court does three things:

(a) Explains the proceedings to the client

(b) Tells the client what to say and how to say it.

(c) Speaks for the client

(2) Christ is our advocate IN the court, and the Holy Spirit is our advocate at hand. He helps us understand the proceedings, He helps us understand what to say, and He also speaks on our behalf.

e. The Trinity and Intercession— but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

(1) The Holy Spirit is our advocate at hand

John 14:16-17 ""And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; 17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."

John 14:26 ""But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."

(2) The Son Intercedes for us in Heaven itself.

Rom 8:34 "Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."

Heb 7:25 "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

4. The Christian and Prayer

a. The manner of prayer

* Not for show

Mat 6:5-8 ""And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

b. The Lord’s road map to prayer

Mat 6:9-13 ""In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

(1) This is not the Lord’s prayer, it is the disciples’ prayer.

(2) It is not intended for rote repitition—

Mat 6:7 ""And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."

b. The Lord’s example in prayer

(1) Frequent

(2) Private

(3) Very Specific—see John 17

John 17: “1…..Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You…”

5 "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. ….

9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours…”

11… Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. ….

15 "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one…..

17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 1

20 "…I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ….

24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me…”

(4) “Thy will be done…”

c. Some observations about apostolic prayers

(1) Brief

(2) Definite and focused—asking for specific things for specific people.

Heb 13:20-21 "Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

1 Pet 1:3-5 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

1 Pet 5:10-11 "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

2 Pet 1:2-3 "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,"

Jude 1:24-25 "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen."

d. The Keys To Prayer Effectiveness—

(1) Knowing the God to Whom you pray.

(2) Connection to the Vine

John 15:7 ""If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

(3) Instead of being dominated by worry and anxiety, pray to God.

Phil 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

(4) Pray without ceasing—that is, be in an attitude of prayer and always ready to enter into prayer.

1 Th 5:16-18 "Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Applications

1. If you are a true believer in Christ, your salvation is secure, because it is the workmanship of God.

2. As a True Believer in Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit is your aid in prayer.

3. God commands you to be often in prayer.

4. Prayer is your spiritual lifeline.