Two Books

Two Books

  Revelation reveals two scrolls or books. Chapter 5 talks of one and Chapter 10 the other. The Greek word is “biblion” and plainly means book or paper scroll. Chapter 10’s book is called a little book and is open. I have been curious about Chapter 10’s book for decades.

First let’s discuss the book in chapter 5, since it will set the stage to understand the second book. Chapter 5 opens with: I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. Apostle John was painfully mourning that this book was sealed and no one was worthy to open it. As John was weeping one of those around the Throne informed him that there was One who is worthy: The Lion of the Tribe of Judah—The Root of David—He is worthy to open the book and release the seven seals. The book’s seals are restraining the events contained within each of the seals.

As this scene unfolds Jesus takes the book from the Father on His throne. As He does those around the throne begin intense worship with harps and incense proclaiming, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood [men] from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10"You have made them [to be] a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10) Six points in these two scriptures:

1. Jesus is the only One worthy to take the book from the Father;

2. He alone is the only One worthy to open its seven seals, because:

3. He was slain—meaning He overcame death (the last enemy). Death could not hold Him, since no sin was found in Him;

4. He purchased men for God with His blood—meaning He was the perfect flawless sacrifice, therefore His blood was worthy before the Father to pay the price for the world’s sins;

5. Through Jesus we are His kingdom and priests to God;

6. … and [we] will reign upon the earth.

Humans reigning on the earth was God’s original intent for humanity. It has been God’s plan since before our creation in the Garden, and it is the main theme for humanity as the end-times culminate. Satan wants to reign on the earth through a man (the Antichrist) and we will reign with Jesus on the earth for 1000 years during the Millennial Age. (Not to set aside the Bride, for she too will reign with Christ.) The Antichrist is only a sideshow. His rise, empowered by Satan, allows for sin to reach its fullness where men choose in full display whom they will serve.

Worship around the Throne continues as the seven seals await their opening. The beginning of the end commences, for as the seals are opened they usher in and court the Great Tribulation.

The first seal in my opinion (and many others’ opinion) is the Antichrist on the world stage. He rides a white horse, as does Jesus, but he has a bow and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. The wording indicates the rider is the Antichrist, since he is given a crown (meaning authority) just like the Antichrist is in Daniel 7:6 and Revelation 13:2. Furthermore, this rider carries a bow and is out to concur. Though this is conjuncture, he seems to be a type of Nimrod: a second Nimrod. Nimrod was a mighty hunter (Some say the hunting of humans, since the word can carry the idea of sport-hunting.) and was the founder of Babylon, Nineveh, and Assyria. The Antichrist in the Old Testament is often call The Assyrian. The subsequent seals release war, famine, death, martyrs, terror, and the seventh releases the seven trumpets.

The seventh (and last) trumpet sounds in Revelation 11 right after the second book is given to John. (Revelation 10:8-11, 11) When John is given the second book he is told two things: 1. It will taste good, but as it digests it will become bitter in your stomach. 2. He “must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.” That John is given another book and must prophesy again has always sounded like a revamp to me, like the inception of a new thing. And so it seems it is.

Listen to the wording as the seventh (last) trumpet sounds: … that there will be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.(Revelation 10:6c-7) Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become [the kingdom] of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” 16And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 18 And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time [came] for the dead to be judged, and [the time] to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:15-18) Note the words: and to destroy those who destroy the earth. Sounds surreal and final, doesn’t it? The last trumpet begins to sounds at the end of the 1260-day/3-1/2-year Great Tribulation. At the trumpet sound the dead in Christ are raised (first resurrection) and we who are alive are caught up (the rapture) and given new bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:52) However, after Revelation 11 there are still the catastrophic bowls of wrath chapters in Revelation and 30 more days according to Daniel 12:11¹ “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished (likely the breakage of the covenant in Daniel 9:27) and the abomination of desolation is set up, [there will be] 1,290 days.” I believe this is what that second little book is about—the last 30 days—it contains and propels the bowls of God’s wrath just as the first book contained the seven seals. The bowls of wrath are reserved for the Antichrist and his worshipers, after the rapture and first resurrection.

Both angels and new-bodied humans are with Jesus when He returns. (Jude 14-15, Matthew 235:31) We know we are with Him when He returns, since so we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) During these last 30 days will have new bodies, therefore the bowls of wrath will not harm us. (Luke 20:35-36)

Some of you may be asking, “But wait, Berta, you said above that when Christ returns we meet Him in the air, so how can He return when He has already returned?” Oh great, I’m so glad you asked! As Jesus descends to the earth we meet Him in the air and are changed. We then come to the earth with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:16) He returns to the earth somewhere south of Israel and marches up towards Jerusalem. (Isaiah 63:1-6) He slaughters His enemies—those in allegiance with the Antichrist—as He makes His way to Jerusalem. I, along with many others, believe this to be during the extra 30 days of Daniel 12:11.

The two books mentioned, in Revelation 5 and revelation 10, reveal and release two series of events as they are opened. The first book reveals and releases the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation, as its seals are broken by Jesus. The second little book reveals and releases the bowls of wrath. This is during the days (not day) of the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet. Revelation 10:7 states that the seventh trumpet completes the mystery of God proclaimed by the prophets.

Note: ¹ According to Daniel 12:12 there are yet another 45 more. Daniel 12 discusses the end-times. It talks about the time, times, and half-time (3-1/2 years) and the time of distress and purification commonly known as the Great Tribulation. (The term Tribulation usually is known as the whole 7 years, while Great Tribulation is the last 3-1/2 years). The last half of the 7-year tribulation begins with the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 12) and ends with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. (Revelation 10-11) The seventh trumpet continues throughout the next 30 days.

Term Paper on Zechariah 14

I chose to write my term paper for the IHOPKC Module 4 end-times Bible Class on Zechariah 14. This paper has parameters that must be followed. I mostly chose to write on Zechariah 14 due to its clarity on Antichrist-resisting Tribulation-surviving natural-bodied humans on the earth during the Millennial Age. Your questions and comments are welcome.
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Zechariah 14 is a riveting end-time chapter. The entire chapter speaks to future end-time events. In it we read of the wealth of the nations given back to Jerusalem (1, 14), Jerusalem captured and spoiled by all nations, and the LORD fighting against all those that went to war against Jerusalem (2). We read of the Mount of Olives splitting as Jesus stands on it when He comes up from the south to the eastern side of Jerusalem first—preparing the way for the people to flee through a created valley. We find a vague timeline as we read that then the LORD will come (to Jerusalem), and all the holy ones with Him (5). This event ties in nicely with Jude 14-15, 1 Thessalonians 3:13 and 4:17, and possibly Revelation 19:14. Zechariah 14:6 describes a celestial unique day similar to that of Joel 2:30-31, Isaiah 13:10, and Amos 8:9. Verse 8 succinctly juxtaposes with scriptures such as Psalm 46:4 and Revelation 22:1. It is possible that as this river flows from Jerusalem to the east and west that it cleanses the blood-filled water judgments of God (Revelation 16:13).

Zechariah 14:9 presents a glorious transition as the Millennial Age is ushered in: … the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one. Verse 10 reveals the ultimate fulfillment of John the Baptist’s message from Luke 3:3-6: the land is leveled to make way for New Jerusalem’s footprint as valleys are raised and mountains are lowered. People will live securely in New Jerusalem, and the curse will be completely eradicated (11).

Verse 12 describes an ominous judgment on the people (and their animals) who warred against Jerusalem. In great panic: their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth. 15 So also like this plague will be the plague on the horse, the mule, the camel, the donkey and all the cattle that will be in those camps.

Zechariah 14:16-19 is the reason I chose to write my term paper on this chapter. I know of no one outside the IHOPKC relationship who knows of or teaches on the natural-bodied Antichrist-resisting surviving Gentiles on the earth during the Millennial Age. This section of scripture reveals with undeniable certainty there are such people. It brings theological force with it, especially when coupled with other scriptures such as Isaiah 60, 65:20, 66:23, and likely Joel 2:32. Without Zechariah 14’s specificity on these natural-bodied Millennial Age humans who are left we would find it more difficult to understand the other scriptures mentioned above. Recently I talked with a former pastor of mine; he admitted that scriptures such as Isaiah 65:20 were difficult to understand. I admit they would be very difficult, if one does not believe in the “surviving resisters.” He is another reason why I chose to write on Zechariah 14. I wanted to lay out a succinct position on these natural-bodied Tribulation survivors that is easy for my friends (and others who may read this) to understand. Zechariah 14 clearly states that there will be people who are left from nations aligned with the Antichrist when he went against Jerusalem during the last revolt of this age. These survivors are required to yearly journey to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths (16). And if they neglect to or refuse to, their land will suffer drought—this is during the Millennial Age! Scripture calls this punishment a plague (18-19). Because of these scriptures one must admit that there are not only the resurrected saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) and the “we who are changed” at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51-52), but also natural-bodied survivors of the Great Tribulation on the earth during the Millennial Age.

All things in the City—New Jerusalem—will be “HOLY TO THE LORD.” This should affect the way we live our lives today—we should live holy and wholly to the LORD in all things. This life is a vapor, which will pass quickly, but we are eternal and should live with eternity as our focus. To lightly paraphrase 2 Peter 3:11-12: Since all these things will be this way, what sort of people ought we to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 

 

 

Term Paper: Another Woman

This is my term paper for my class through IHOPKC. In this class we are going through the 150 chapters in the Bible whose main theme is the end-times. There are parameters I had to adhere to, two of which are double spaced and only two pages. Therefore, it is a condensed short paper. Enjoy!

Another Woman

While studying Isaiah 66 it became apparent that the woman in Isaiah 66:7-9 must be a different woman than Revelation 12’s woman, since there are irreconcilable differences.

A fresh look at Isaiah 66’s woman: “Before she travailed, she brought forth; Before her pain came, she gave birth to a boy. 8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons.” We find two key points: 1. Isaiah 66’s woman brought forth a boy before she travailed; 2. Through travail she brought forth sons. This woman is Jerusalem. Jesus is birthed before travail (the 3 ½ year tribulation) (7), while her sons are birthed through travail (the 3 ½ year tribulation) (8e). The sons birthed through travail are defined as: “Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once?” Meaning that the nation of Israel—the sons—receive their Savior Jesus at once! Romans 11:26 coincides: …and so all Israel will be saved. Furthermore, Romans 11:26 must be married to Romans 10:13: … for “whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The nation of Israel finally embraces her Savior! The “boy” is born pretribulation, in fact 2000 years before. The nation “sons” are born post-tribulation—after the 3 ½ years.

Revelation 12’s key points about its woman: 1. She was with child and in labor (1); 2. Her child was caught up to God and to His throne (5); 3. Immediately she fled into the wilderness for 3 ½ years (6); 4. The dragon, who now dwelt on the earth, persecuted the woman (13); 5. She was supernaturally taken to a safe place from the dragon for 3 ½ years (14); 6. The earth helped the woman (16); 7. The dragon went to war with the rest of her children (17).

Although there are many differences between these two women, there are two distinct similarities—they both travailed and birthed a boy. However, Isaiah 66’s woman travailed with sons, while Revelation 12’s woman travailed with a male child. In Isaiah 66 we understand the travail to be the 3 ½ year tribulation, however in Revelation 12 it cannot be so. This woman supernaturally flees to safety for 3 ½ years—the exact duration of the tribulation—after she gives birth. She travailed with her boy before the tribulation—a distinction of magnitude!

Isaiah 66’s woman and boy are surrounded by eschatological scriptures, yet they are distinct from them. Verse 8 states: As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. Subsequent scriptures reveal these “sons” (through Jesus) are nourished by Jerusalem following His return. The woman, Jerusalem, has both a son and sons, howbeit 2000 years apart.

Jerusalem was God’s wife (Isaiah 62:1-5). He divorced her due to her unfaithfulness to Him. Could the woman in Isaiah 66 be Jerusalem and Jesus’ Bride? Could the Son take His Father’s wife? How could Jerusalem or Jesus’ mother fit Revelation 12:6—this woman fled supernaturally into the wilderness for safety for 3 ½ years? I conclude that Revelation 12’s woman is the Bride of Christ. She is the part of the church who made herself ready (Revelation 19:7). The man child is not Jesus, but is an “offspring” of Jesus and His Bride. This child will rule the nations with Jesus and overcomers in Thyatira (Revelation 2:27). Also, consider the faithful in Philadelphia are preserved through the hour of testing on the earth (Revelation 3:10). Revelation 12’s woman must be people alive on the earth at the time of tribulation (Revelation 12:16), otherwise it would of necessity be subsequent to the first resurrection. 

Isaiah 66 broadens our eschatological understanding as we can clearly see Jerusalem’s eternal place in the heart of God. It propels us to engage with His heart in prayer to carry this people through her most severe of times and into her eternal destiny. Without Isaiah 66 we would lack understanding of God’s purpose for Jerusalem during this time. Isaiah 66 will bring hope and a message to Gentiles and Jews alike as we walk through the last 3 ½ years of this age.

The Millennial Age – Part 1: Leading up to the Millennium

The Millennial Age – Part 1: Leading up to the Millennium  

This is the first in a series on the Millennial Age. I have taken for granted that Christians are informed about the Millennial Age, but come to find out I have been mistaken. I find that most teachings I hear about the end of this age goes right to the Throne in Heaven. Streets of gold, no more tears, no pain. There is a lot missing in those messages – like 1000 years. 

Before we get to the Millennial Age it’s important to explain what happens at the time of death both for the Christian and the unbeliever. Both the Christian’s and the unbeliever’s body decomposes when they die. In Genesis 3:19 God says to Adam: “For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” That sadly is the end of the similarities between the believer in Christ and the unbeliever upon their deaths. The Christian’s spirit and soul go straight to the Throne in Heaven when they die, but not so for the unbeliever. We can find in 2 Corinthians 5, Revelation 6, and Revelation 7 what the Bible says about the believer’s spirit and soul when they die: 

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 

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. 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?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Revelation 6:9-11 

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 13 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. 15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.” Revelation 7:9-10, 7:13-15 

However, the spirit and soul of the unbeliever is not as the believer. Revelation 20:13 states: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one [of them] according to their deeds. This is after the tribulation (Matthew 24), after the rapture of the church (1 Corinthians 15), after the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6), and after the Millennial Age (Revelation 20:3, 6, 7). In Revelation 20 we read that these dead talked about in verse 13 were not part of the first resurrection, but were in the second resurrection and were coming from death, Hades, and the sea. (The sea could be a reference to the nations, as it seems it is in Revelation 13:1.) The first resurrection is where the Christians are resurrected at the coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:31, Luke 14:14, John 5:29, 1 Corinthians 15: 51, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16). The second resurrection is where those who have done evil are resurrected to judgment (John 5:29). 

Here is a brief outline of events in the end-times:

1.     The first half of the Tribulation lasting 3 ½ years.

a.     The beginning of birth pains—see Matthew 24:8.

b.     The rise of the antichrist.

c.      The Bride of Christ is taken into the wilderness to be kept safe from Satan right at the end of the first 3 ½ years, which is the beginning of the 2^nd 3 ½ years. Revelation 12.

2.     The 2^nd half of the Tribulation (also 3 ½ years, 1260 days, time, times and ½ time).

a.     The Abomination of Desolation set up in the Temple begins the 2^nd half of the Tribulation. Daniel 12:11 and Matthew 24:15

b.      It is the most severe time on earth except for the 30 days after the rapture of the church mentioned in Daniel 12:11.

c.      The seals—Revelation 5-7.

d.     Trumpets 1-6 found in Revelation 8:6-Revelation 11. Trumpets 5-7 are also called woes.

3.     The return of Jesus Christ, the rapture of the Church, and the 1^st resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) are all occurring during the days of the sounding of the 7^th trumpet, which is at the end of the 1260 days of Revelation. See Revelation 10:7 and 11:15. Note the wording of 11:15 that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. It must be the end. Furthermore, Revelation 10:7 states: “…but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.”  The last 30 days spoken in Daniel 12:11 are after the 1260 of the 2^nd half of the Tribulation and the rapture of the Church. These 30 days are the most severe time on earth. During these 30 days Jesus destroys the antichrist and his kingdom. Consider that when Daniel was spoken to by the angel the angel spoke like this: “Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city (meaning Jerusalem and the Israelites), To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.” (Daniel 9:24) This discourse doesn’t mention the judgment of the antichrist, which is outside the 70 weeks.

5.     The Millennial Age.

6.     New Heavens and New Earth—Eternity  

Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I [saw] the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4-6

Strengthen What Remains

Strengthen What Remains

Surely this phrase brings to mind Revelation 3 in the letter to the church at Sardis. Verse 2 reads: Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 

While in prayer the other day I asked the Lord what He wanted to say to me. He spoke: “Strengthen what remains.” I know this scripture in its context which led me to a gasping, “Oh know” as my mind was flooded with thoughts from Revelation 3's Sardis. Its context immediately anchored my thoughts melding them with what the Holy Spirit had spoken. However (and thankfully), immediately another thought flowed through my mind “don’t add to My words” watermarked with a scripture from Luke 22.  

We all know that things have shifted since early January of 2020. We have both the election and Covid-19 to thank for this. Then there is our porous southern boarder, Afghanistan, the national debt, rioting, looting, shootings, harassment of peace-loving people, and on the list goes. Yet, there is another realm at work, the spiritual realm, where both the evil and the Holy are at work. Whatever the outcome of all the world's upheaval both God and Satan are using this time to promote their agendas. (There will be a day when the purposes of God allow and even empower the rise of the antichrist.) 

Now back to the title of this blog. 

Remember when Jesus told Peter (you is plural, so this was spoken to all the apostles) that they would be sifted? It is found in Luke 22. Satan demanded permission to sift the apostles and Jesus implied He granted him permission to do so. (Aren’t you glad he has to ask God for permission?) The word sift is from the word sieve. A sieve holds back the larger items and lets the smaller particles flow through. In the Luke 22 scripture Jesus uses the example of wheat being sifted. And even though Satan had in mind to destroy the apostles faith,  Jesus had already prayed for them. He knew what was coming. He was using Satan's sifting for His very own purpose. This is the backdrop the Holy Spirit gave me as He said not to add to His words "Strengthen what remains."  

What remains in you that was given by God: your vision, your gifts, your passions? These are the things to strengthen. Let the other stuff fall by the wayside. Don't pick them back up. They are dead weight. A hinderance to what God has truly given to you. Someday we will really stand before the King of kings to receive a reward for things done in the body. In that day you'll be glad you left the dead things behind.

And how about your church? What things that used to soak up finances and time have become far less important? Let them drift away down the river of irrelevance. 

As I write this, I know that some of His church in 20/21 has become more spiritually lethargic and dull. Wow (!) this not a time to be dull and lethargic! If this is you, get back in the battle, you have become a prisoner of war. Some likely need to hear the entire scripture: Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. 

But for those of us that this word speaks to, set aside some time to ask the Lord what remains, if you don’t already know. Know that it is God Who has removed things that are like dead wood in your garden. Don’t try to carry forward what God has marked as dead. Then strengthen by the power of the Holy Spirit what has remained through this season of sifting. Let the Lord fully blow the chaff from your wheat. 

…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith… Hebrews 12 

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9  

Sometimes as we walk through life God brings a season of reset. 

This is such a time.

Living Well in Hard Times: Part 1

Living Well in Hard Times: Part 1 

A few years back I was chatting with one of my dearest friends. At the time we were both struggling with selling our houses. They had been on the market far too long. For years we have prayed together sharing deep private matters of our lives and our family’s lives. Most times the Holy Spirit would interact with us as we prayed and chatted. I remember this one time in particular because it rocked me as the words came out my mouth. 

“We just love the world too much. That is why we care so much about our lives and our stuff.” 

This was truer than I even realized at the time. Hebrews 11 talks about phenomenal people of faith of whom the world was not worthy. All the people of Hebrews 11 lived with eternal priorities. God says of them: 

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that [country] from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better [country], that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16 

These Hebrews 11 people had their feet on the earth, but their heart lived somewhere else. They saw beyond this age, welcoming the promises from a distance – that is, seeing into the next age from this age. That is faith. Faith sees the things God says as reality even when they are not yet manifested (verse 6). Don’t miss the last sentence of verse 16: Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. Abraham left everything for this City—the Millennial New Jerusalem—the City with foundations whose builder and maker is God (Revelation 21). And God says that He has prepared this City for those who see and live beyond life in this world, for it is said of them that they seek a heavenly country. These scriptures, and others like them, reveal the eternal purposes God has for Israel and Jerusalem. No wonder there is such fierce demonic activity surrounding Israel in our time! It is the spiritual manifesting through the natural. 

Having eternal eyesight gave the Hebrews 11 people courage in intense circumstances. It gave them courage to obey when obeying was costly. Hebrews 10:34 says they accepted joyfully the seizure of their property, knowing that they had a better possession and a lasting one. Consider these extremes from Hebrews 11: verses 32-38 exhibit the victories of their faith and the utter vandalism of their lives because of their faith—those of whom the world was not worthy! 

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:32-38 

Can you imagine what Noah went through? God tells him to do something no one would understand and probably mocked him for, because he found favor with God and was righteous (Genesis 6). It wasn't for a week or a year either, it was 100 years he endured their ridicule. This was in the midst of extremely wicked people, so wicked that God wiped them ALL out. Yet in the midst of this environment Noah continued to build and prepare for what was coming (Genesis 6:13). 

Everything about Abraham’s promise centered on Isaac, and yet Abraham willingly offered him. He reasoned that God was able to raise Isaac form the dead. Abraham was taken to the extreme point of losing everything to obey. Abraham offered his promise over to death that he might see that promise receive life.

And of Moses that he chose rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. Think about Egypt’s treasures. Egypt was wealthy and powerful, however, Moses considered the REPROACH of Christ more valuable. Moses lived for the eternal knowing the value of the eternal kingdom far outweighed anything Egypt could offer. This bookmarked his place in Hebrews 11. 

Others foreclosed on this life choosing rather a better resurrection. What gives people the strength to do this? It is all in what we see and what we value. If we love this world and our stuff we will not have the spiritual fortitude to endure. 

Would your choices fit in Hebrews 11? 

By faith she chose to be a stay-at-home mom, knowing that the value of raising her children far outweighed a Coach purse or a new house. 

By faith he chose the job that paid less, because it please God. 

By faith he spoke the truth in the midst of God’s enemies knowing the power of the Gospel could save them, but may cost him his job. 

By faith she gave her last $10 to the poor.  

The list could go on and on. Not all, if any, of our faith choices are earth shaking. But they reveal who we are and where our eyes are fixed. Living with eternal eyesight gives us courage and endurance in this life. There may come a day for us here in the USA where we too will have to accept the confiscation of our property.  

Will it be said of us that we did it joyfully?

 

 

The Law: It Speaks, But to Whom?

 It Speaks, But to Whom?

Over the years I have heard many different people’s perspectives on the OT Law and our obligation to it. Whether we are talking about the Law referring to the 10 Commandments, the complete OT, the Torah (Pentateuch), or simply the Law and the Prophets, people’s perspectives differ. Theologians likewise differ. Some of my friends and/or acquaintances brood over certain Jewish feasts or traditions. Some keep the Sabbath out of duty, while others out of festivity celebrate feasts such as Purim and Tabernacles. What are the NT’s requirements regarding the Law? 

The other day I was reading Romans and came across this Scripture: 

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God. Romans 3:19 NASB

The word translated Law (nomos), which is capitalized in the NASB, is a generic term meaning law. It could be moral law, the law of sin and death, the Mosaic Law, the Law and the Prophets, or the whole of the OT, or some other law. Just which law or Law is determined by its context. In Romans 3:19 above “Law” is capitalized in the NASB because the context clearly denotes specific law that is associated with the Old Testament. The scriptures that proceed it are from Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah, so we must admit that the Law here is more far reaching than the Mosaic Law or the 10 Commandments. However, it must include them due to verse 20. As we juxtaposed verse 20 with Romans 7:7 below, where the 10 Commandments are clearly portrayed, we undoubtedly see the correlation: 

…because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law [comes] the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 

…I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” Romans 7:7 

Whichever Law is discussed here in Romans 3:19 (and believe me commentaries are all over the place), a definitive conclusion can be made that the statement “whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law” is referring to the Jew as the one who is under this Law. To paraphrase then, it would read, “whatsoever the Law’s requirements are, it is only speaking to the OT Jew who is under that OT Law.” Hebrews 8:13 goes so far as to say that the Old Covenant is obsolete.  

Ok take a breath and let’s move forward to get where I’m heading. 

Dear Christian, you are not an OT Jew. Therefore, what the Law says, it is not speaking to you, as it did to the Jew. You, if you are in Christ, you are free from the Law. Free—I mean really free! But that is not where it ends.  

1 Timothy 1:8 says that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully. The Law is detrimental, however, if one uses it illegally. It will wrap you up into a condemnation ball if you mishandle it. Worse yet, it can lead you astray from the grace that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul says in Galatians 5:4 that those who seek to be justified by law (any law) have been severed from Christ and have fallen from grace. Paul also equates works of the Law with the flesh—not with faith and not with grace (Galatians 3:2-3). There is benefit to the Christian in the Law:  

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction [to teach us], so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4  

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction [warning, admonition], upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11  

Furthermore, the OT gives us great insight into the character of God and His interactions with man. Insights into creation, sin, God’s protection of His people, His absolute sovereignty; there are types, prophecies, prophecies regarding our age and Messiah. Israel's history, the Psalms, and God’s supremacy from beginning to end is all beautifully displayed in the pages of the OT. Reading about David and his exploits, his ravished heart for God, his sin, and his calling as a little shepherd boy all give us hope. There’s Abraham and his many failures turned to being the friend of God. And as Hebrews 11:32 confesses: time will fail me if I tell of the rest. 

We do see ourselves in the pages of the OT. As we read it, it speaks to us too.

But we cannot—we must not—find our rightness-with-God there. There is only one place to find that and His Name is Jesus Christ. 

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4

 

 

 

 

A Lot in There

A Lot in There 

My husband and I have adopted a new saying, “There is a Lot in there.”  It came about after a Bible study on Genesis 13. In Genesis 13 we read that Abram returned from Egypt with Lot and all their stuff to the place between Bethel and Ai—to the place where Abram had built an alter to the Lord and called on His name. Egypt seems to have been out of the perfect plan of God for Abram. And it seems he returned to the place he knew God had met with him before. Conjecture, of course, as to why Abram returned to that place in particular. 

Due to strife between Lot’s and Abram’s herdsmen the two decided to part company. Abram, though God had promised him Canaan, offered Lot first choice. Verse 10 and 11 reveal a great deal about Lot: 

10 Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere-- [this was] before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah-- like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. Genesis 13:10-11 

Hadn’t Lot heard about the wickedness of Sodom? Yet he moved so close to Sodom that he eventually ended up inside the city. Why? Because Lot looked with his eyes and chose for himself. He didn’t ask God. I find verse 10 quite telling. The name Zoar means “insignificance.” As Lot looked at this beautiful land, God was saying that it really was like passing through Egypt into insignificance (like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar). Egypt often typifies worldliness. Choosing by what we see instead of by the Holy Spirit’s leading is worldly and leads to insignificance—spiritual insignificance, that is. Yes, it may look like the Garden of Eden, but if God isn’t leading you there then don’t go. You too may end up first pitching your tent close to Sodom and then ending up inside. The end of this story for Lot is very sad. He lost his wife and everything he had. His moral compass seems lost as well. Chapter 19 says that Lot ended up in Zoar, then from there he moved into a cave. The story further deteriorated from there. 

Both Abram and Lot ended up with beautiful land, though through different means. God gave Abram the land of Canaan. Canaan was so lush that Numbers 13 says the spies brought back clusters of grapes so large they had to carry them on poles. Quite a land. The difference was that Abram asked God while Lot saw and chose.

Abram, when he returned from Egypt, returned to the place he knew God had spoken to him. Lot really never returned. His feet were there but his heart was not. Revelation 2 states that the remedy for the Church of Ephesus was to repent and do the things they did at first. They too had to return or become insignificant, meaning their candlestick would be removed. Maybe you’re at a point where you too need to return.  

Make that choice today. 

Don’t end up like Lot.