Have We Been Left Behind? (Part 3 of 3)

The Tribulation

Is The Rapture A Real Event, Part 1

A Church Without Light, Part 2

There are questions, relevant and rhetorical that ought to be asked before this article is casted aside. Whether we accept the thesis that we are in the midst of the tribulation period or not, we ought to come to a conclusion and/or consensus as to the status of the church as we know it today.   In most studies, the church is often used as a marker to signify when the tribulation period began. The flourishing denominational church of today is a divided body and the scripture teaches us that a divided body will not stand.  So, do we accept this divided body as the true church or do we condemn all churches except one denomination?  This division goes deeper than denominations, it exist within the local church on an individual level.  As earthly people, we are not prepared to accept certain conclusions on spiritual matters that causes us to question our indoctrinated view of worship and salvation.  Why?  It is easier to believe that Christ is coming back for his divided church, rather than believe that Christ has already called for his church before it became a divided body and we are in the midst of the tribulation.  If there is any truth in this, then the parable of the ten virgins  is validated and amplified.  Five went in with the bridegroom and five went into the village and the surrounding area pretending to be members of the bridal party in search of oil.  In reality, the bridal party had already left.  Those that were selected went in with him to the 'award ceremony' and are preparing to return with him as His Holy angels.

A study of the history of the Christian Church is revealing and thought provoking.  All church historians have stated that the Christian Church survived the Roman persecution and continued to exist afterwards.  The church lived as one church with one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5), common doctrines, and very closed rituals throughout the whole world for about five centuries. Durning that time denominations or sects did not exist in the Christian Church. Churches were named after big cities.  In Revelation 1-3, Jesus referred to the churches by the name of the city in which they were located.  The division of the churches took place in year 451 AD in the Chalcedon Council.  What took place during that council is researchable and should be important to all believers.  Did Christ suddenly appear and call for his church? At the end of this meeting, a sharp division occurred among the churches. 

It is the question of salvation that bothers most when a discussion of this type proceeds.  If the church is with Christ, and the tribulation have begun, is salvation still possible?   A study of Revelation seems to indicate that John saw many different 'saved' groups.  One of these groups are mention in Revelation 7:13-15:  And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. John did not know the answer to the question when it was first presented, but he knew that the one asking the question knew.  By allowing the elder to speak, John chooses to be enlightened.  The operative words for this discussion are, "These are they which came out of great tribulation".

The tribulation is a period of time when God will finish His discipline of Israel and pour out his wrath on the unbelieving world.  The church, the bride of Christ is made up of all who believed and  trusted in the works of the cross as a pathway to salvation, will not be present during the tribulation.  The Church or saints is a special group, they are being recruited to judge the world.  1 Corinthians 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?  The church will be removed from the earth in an event known as the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). The church is saved from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Throughout Scripture, the tribulation is referred to by other names such as the Day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:12; 13:6-9; Joel 1:15; 2:1-31; 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:2); trouble or tribulation (Deuteronomy 4:30; Zephaniah 1:1); the great tribulation, which refers to the more intense second half of the tribulation period (Matthew 24:21); time or day of trouble (Daniel 12:1; Zephaniah 1:15); time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).

In order to understand the tribulation that is to befall this earth, an understanding of Daniel 9:24-27 is necessary.  A problem might accrue with the acceptance  of the modern day interpretation of this passage when we seek to impose a timeline on the beginning and ending of the tribulation.  Once a timeline is imposed words such as pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation and post-tribulation are used to validate the discussion.  This often leaves the hearer or reader in a confused state.  Daniel speaks of 70 weeks that have been declared against “your people.” Daniel's people are the Jews, the nation of Israel, and Daniel 9:24 speaks of a period of time that God has given “to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.   Seventy weeks are often interpreted as seventy weeks of years. Most Christian scholars, regardless of their view of eschatology (future things/events), have the above understanding of Daniel's 70 sevens.  Yet, we must be careful that in the attempt to impose a timeline on the prophecies of God we do not detract from the prophecy.  

It is also a common trick of the Devil,  if the emphasis can be shifted from the prophecy to the time and place of the prophecy the message can be easily manipulated and rendered invalid.  This holds true with the creation, when the pious prelates learn to count  the years from the creation to the birth of Christ, they were able to state the biblical age of the earth.  This became a point of contention between science and the Bible as the dates did not agree. A generation filled with the knowledge of good and evil, (the knowledge of the world) were forced to choose between the teaching of their pastor or the teaching of their science teacher.   Translating the time elements into years give mankind the ability to predict and project when the events of the prophecy will take place, rather than acknowledging that they will take place or is taking place.  It is possible that to acknowledge time constants within the Holy Scripture as, 'a period of time that God has ordained' is a more effective means of transmitting the knowledge of God. 

The Bible says that in the end times Jesus Christ will be rejected of that generation. Already in the world today in 2015 we're seeing many people reject Jesus Christ. Ethnic groups are clamouring for their own God, this in itself is a form of rejection.   The alternate lifestyle agenda is being advanced and those who disagree are being intimidated into silence.  The social media has become a breeding ground for hate and division. In nearly every Hollywood movie today, the name of Jesus Christ suffers from trivialization to  blaspheme. Increasingly, churches are becoming entertainment centers instead of preaching the Word of God. Instead of singing the old hymns of the faith, churches today have emotional experiences and call it praise worship.  Ministers of God are becoming more concern with the 'planting of a seed' rather than preaching the gospel of the kingdom, preachers are preaching messages of prosperity, favor and earthly blessings, none of this has a place or purpose in the design of the coming Kingdom.  

As we near the End Times, hostility toward Christianity will intensify. Jesus foretold that Christians will be killed, thinking they're doing God a favor (John 16:2). Jesus said that many will betray and hate one another (Matthew 24:10), and due to unpunished evil (iniquity) the love of many will wax cold (Matthew 24:12). Already today we are seeing legalized same-sex marriage, legalized abortion and legalized pornography in America. Sodom and Gomorrah weren't this rebellious!   Now the scoffer and detractors will say, "this is nothing new", it is true the persecution of the Christians began under the Roman Empire, and it is also true that the Roman Empire called for a cessation of persecution.  It is the widespread intensification of hostility towards Christians that should concern us. 

if we chronologically follow the events projected in Revelation, in chapters 1-3, Jesus message to the representative churches ends with his rebuke of an apostate church.  Revelation 3:15-16  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  In Revelation 4:1, John is caught up, which is indicative of the true church being caught up into Heaven.  What proceeded after that event, was John’s view of Heaven and a view of the earth from Heaven.  Immediately, John witnessed a silent God, whose objective was the pouring out of his stored up wrath upon the earth.  John also saw Jesus as a “Lamb, standing as if it had been slain”.  A reminder of the price he had paid.  The works of the cross were the only thing standing between man and an angry God.  The angry God concept does not coincide with our newly created God, who is constantly giving out blessings.

John also saw the bride of Christ, the Lamb’s wife safe in Heaven from the wrath of God. Revelation 21:9  And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Revelation 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. 

Jesus said it would be  just as in Noah's day when only eight people boarded the ark. Luke 17:25-26, “But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.”   The reading of this verse can be narrowed and can be said to be indicative of the time that Jesus was on earth.    I prefer to accept the expanded view that Jesus was referencing the time of his return after the tribulation.  Luke 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?  Framing the question in this manner seems to indicate he is referencing a point in time after the church has been taken out.   He had already indicated that the gate of hell would not be able to stand against his church.

Revelation 6:9-17  And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Daniel 12:4  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 

Is The Rapture A Real Event, Part 1
A Church Without Light, Part 2

Have We Been Left Behind? (Part 2 of 3)

A Church Without A light

In a moment of pious contemplation Jesus spoke to the multitude; Matthew 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  He cautions them further in; Matthew 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  In Revelation, John saw Jesus walking among the candlestick, proclaiming a message to the churches.  Revelation 2:4-5  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.   A threat that it would seem as if Jesus carried out.

The book of Revelation began with seven letters to seven churches.  Seven is a symbolic and representative number used in the scripture to indicate a period of time, a time of repetition, such as seven days is a week, a period of time that will repeat itself as long as time exist.  It signifies the fullness of and a marker that indicates the completeness of the works of God.  If man is involved, then the number seven is a time of testing and it requires, and is indicative of, an act of faith. Joshua was required to march around the walls of Jericho seven times; Naaman was required to wash in the dirty river of Jordan seven times. Now, if we can view the seven churches as representative churches, then we can see the history of the church unfold and the message that is passed down to the church of today. If we refuse to accept these churches as representative churches, and the significance of the use of the number seven then we are justifying the changing and polluted messages that are being preached in many of the churches today.

The seven churches named in the second and third chapter of Revelation represent the churches throughout the church age. They are representative churches, chosen by the spirit because of certain characteristics typical of the character of the church, not only in the day when John wrote, but on down through the ages until the church is caught up to meet their Lord in the air. These seven churches represent periods of time clearly defined in both sacred and secular history.

There are rhetorical questions that we must ask concerning the church of today. These questions are asked as a means of self deliberation. It is an attempt to expose the inner doubts over matters pertaining to the marriage between the church, the government and the road that the church and humanity has chosen In today’s self defining society. Asking oneself (or rhetorically asking one's readers) might be the catalyst that shines a ray of light on the best or appropriate way to approach a confusing subject. There is a failure on the part of the church as a group to come together and present a united front against the Devil. The church that Jesus spoke so fondly of, the church that Paul pleaded with, that church has split into more than 30,000 denominations worldwide, each containing varying rules, laws, taboos, rituals, commandments, and doctrines. Simple rhetorical questions, in search of a startling truth of such a confusing entity as each group proclaim to have found the perfect way.  There must be a logical answer. 

To facilitate a deeper understanding of the Word of God, when asking questions we must be prepared for an answer that do not fit our indoctrinated  narrative. It is only through that approach we will find the truth.  I ask you to seriously entertain a few questions, as true knowledge can only be obtained through the asking of questions. Keep reading and prepair to be shocked.  We know Revelation is not the Revelation of John. Revelation 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:  It was sent to the church to put their mind at ease and answer all of the questions pertaining to the coming Kingdom.

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  This event seems to coincide with 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17) and is a type of reward ceremony for the righteous only.  Is there scripture proof that states, only the Bride of Christ will be a part of his kingdom?  John 3:29 refers to another group known as the friend of the bridegroom.  Revelation speaks of different groups and huge numbers.  I am inclined to believe that there is a deeper message hidden in this parable and that the true message is often overlooked for the sakes of motivating and  emotionalizing.  For further enlightenment, read, "The Five Judgments", a five part study.  

Nearly all religious scholars agree that the church is depicted within the Holy Scripture  as the bride of Christ.   We also know that five were wise, and five were foolish.  Five were caught up or went in with the bridegroom and five were left behind to endure tribulation. 
Visualize the church as a bride.  In a marriage ceremony the “bride” imply a special closeness to the “bridegroom”.   “Bride” is used as a metaphor within the scripture to depict this special closeness that the church have with the “Lord of the household”, or Jesus Christ which is referred to as “the bridegroom”.   The bride enjoys a special position in the building of a marriage and home, the same as with the kingdom.  For most it is easy to relate to a marriage ceremony and how the bride, full of joy,  will have spent her time preparing for the day of her marriage.  A true bride will not be distracted and will proceed with oneness of purpose, whereas a false bride will be filled with pretense and her concerns will be more about herself than the position that she is about to enter.  After the completion of the bridal ceremony the bride and the groom is transformed into a single entity, they are no longer two but one.  Jesus often used the marriage ceremony to describe what the position of the church was to the establishment of the Kingdom. 

The Kingdom of Heaven is one of the least preached about subjects, yet it is the cornerstone  of our religious heritage. Somewhere along the way we have strayed away from the true concept of the Kingdom of Heaven and replaced it with our concept of Heaven.  It is impossible to understand the word of God based upon a flawed concept of Heaven.   The Catholic Pope, leader of one of the largest denominations of Christianity says he can only “hope” that he will go to heaven when he dies. He doesn’t know for sure.  A statement of this type does not inspire “faith”.  Western  authors speak of Heaven as a place where we go and sit on clouds.  Yet, the scripture speaks of the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth in simple terms.  Scholars have used long and confusing words to define the Kingdom and the knowledge of the Kingdom has decreased.   Jesus came as a broker of a plan of salvation, he preached the Gospel of the Kingdom, saying, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.

What has been cast aside is the knowledge that a kingdom is a form of government.  There is a King and there are those who have been selected to rule with the King.   In the scripture these are referred to as the elect of God. Then there is the army, those who will fight with the King when he return to establish his Kingdom.  A problem arises when we attempt to combine the church, the elect of God and the 'number that no man could number' within the same group of people.  There are many different positions available in the kingdom the same as in an earthly kingdom.  There is also the cabinet positions that include the four and twenty elders.  Mark 10:37-40 tells the story of John and James asking for special position.  

Jesus attempted to give us a clear insight into the establishment of the Kingdom in Matthew, chapter 25.  A complete reading of the chapter will provide an insight into the positions offered in the kingdom. In Matthew 22, he seems to be speaking of a selection process.  Matthew 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.  Matthew 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Therefore, when the Bible speaks of the Kingdom of God or The Kingdom of Heaven, it is unlikely that he is speaking of a place where we sit on clouds, sing songs and shout Holy, Holy all day long.    The Bible supports the idea that Jesus is coming back to establish his Kingdom, here on earth after it has been renovated by fire.  This is unacceptable to mankind, because he views his own ruler ship as being perpetual. 

The Book of Revelation began with Jesus’s message to the churches that is often overlooked.  Chapter 1 thru 3 is filled with warnings and exhortations, and John sees Jesus walking among the “candlesticks”.   Chapter 4 began with John being summoned by a trumpet to to come on up.  Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. The rest of the Book of Revelation is John’s view from Heaven, the church is not mentioned again as being on earth. 

Now, in conclusion lets pose the rhetorical questions.  Have the event depicted in in John’s vision, Revelation 4:1 already taken place?  Remember, Revelation 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which “must shortly” come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:  ‘Must shortly come to pass’; seems to indicate that these events were scheduled to begin during John’s lifetime or soon after.  Is it possible that the event portrayed in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17) took place before the church became embroiled in confusion and splits and the tribulation has already begun?  Are the trumpets of God sounding and the world is ignoring them? 

The Bible promotes the thesis through recurring prophecies that in the End of Times, Christ will be rejected by an entire generation. This rejection is evident today as the social media expands and more and more people are voicing their objection to God’s Word. Our leaders, including the Supreme Court  have cast aside the teaching of the Bible and proceeded to enact laws that are contrary to God’s word.  Members of our younger generation respond with indignation and proclaim the Bible to be an outdated book filled with hate.  The indoctrination of old that once held this nation together is being shredded.  The fear of God that once prevailed throughout the land has disappeared.  

Next

The Tribulation

Have We Been Left Behind? (Part 1 of 3)

Is The Rapture A Real Event?

During an impromptu bible discussion centered around the introduction of my latest book, “Understanding The Word of God”, I was asked, “In  view of the events taking place in our country and around the world, do you think we are going through the tribulations spoken of in Revelation, and if so, have we been left behind?”  Being left behind is a concept of the Rapture doctrine that is said to not exist before John Darby invented it in 1830. The Rapture doctrine which is based upon 1st Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  To most, the Rapture doctrine is a confusing entity, there seems to be a lack of knowledge as to what happen next.  There are those who believe in it and there are those who do not believe in it.  Those who believe are divided into at least four groups, pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, post- tribulation and those who say, “I don’t know, I just want to be ready when he comes”.

Quite a few years have passed since I had seen the movie series, Left Behind, and the questions that the movies stirred still remain fresh in my mind.  My search for answers caused me to engage the minds of pastors, ministers and mostly anybody that was willing to engage in a discussion of the subject of being Left behind, or the Rapture.  Regardless of the position chosen, pre-Trib., mid-Trib., or Post-Trib., they all used the Bible to support their belief.  Some denominations teach that there is no scripture support of the “Rapture” taking place, past, present or future.  To place a seal on the subject, many pious prelates are content in stated that the word rapture could not be found in the bible.  Furthermore, any discussion of whether the Rapture is a real event or that it has happened or will happen does not fit the narrative of the modern day churches. 

The proliferation of the churches allows for these diverse doctrines and interpretation.  A doctrine, a set of beliefs that is taught by the church is often more important to the articles of faith than in depth Bible Studies.  Many of us who grew up reading a certain translation of the Bible is appalled that certain Bible publishers are editing the Bible to make it politically correct.  Yet, this is nothing new.  In the early 1500’s Martin Luther preformed a major edit of the Bible, and from his works emerged the King James Bible.  Thus began the division or separation of the Catholic and Protestant Bibles.  Through all of man’s attempts to water down, to shape, and twist the Word of God, it still emerges with power and conviction to those who are willing to lay aside their indoctrination, open up their hearts and study.

Now, there are those who hold the belief that as long as the church is present here on earth God’s wrath will be restrained.  It is after the events portrayed in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 have transpired, that the trumpets of Heaven will continue to sound.  According to Revelation the trumpets indicates that the wrath of God is being poured out.  The bases of this belief are, God always protects his own the same as he did in the day of Noah.   Using the church as a marker unfortunately opens the door to a much deeper and divided discussion.   What church is being referenced?  In view of the great proliferation of the church, to use the cliché, the church exists within the heart seemed a bit out of place.  Now the question emerges, did Christ come back and call the church out long before it became a confused and divided body?  Jesus’s message to the seventh or the final church of the church age, (Revelation 3: 14-22) is a message  of rebuke to an apostate church.  The closing of his message is an indication that he is no longer speaking to the churches, he is speaking to the individual.  Revelation 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

These verses seem to make reference to a time when Christ comes back in the clouds; not setting foot on the earth, but calling the saints to meet him in the air.  This reference an event known in the English language as the “Rapture”.  True, the word “Rapture” is not found in the Bible, neither is computers or coffee, but for certain known or unknown reasons, it is a point of contention for many of the different doctrines that make up the realm of Christendom. .  The phrase “CAUGHT UP” is in the Scripture and  “Caught up” means the same thing as “Rapture.”  The same argument used to invalidate the Rapture can be used to invalidate many of the biblical prophecies.   The Bible is filled with prophecies, and it is these prophecies that disturb mankind.  If changing the meaning or eliminating certain words or verses will change the meaning of a prophecy, then this is the route humanity tends to follow. 

The question that plagues many who ascribe to the Rapture doctrine is, can people repent and be saved after the Rapture?  The Bible teaches that millions will repent and come to Christ for salvation during the time following the Rapture of the church.   John was given a vision of that time after the church had been caught up, he saw millions of people wearing dazzling white robes standing before the throne of God. There were so many that they couldn’t be counted by man. An "elder" in Heaven asked John, who these people were. John didn't know, but knew that the one asking did know. Revelation 7.14: "And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

Matthew 24:7-14  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The Bible is explicit in its prediction of the destruction that is to befall this earth before the end of time.  The doomsday scriptures are often overlooked in favor of scriptures that seems to predict peace, love and tranquility.  As I stated earlier, there is a consensus among many Christians that the wrath of God will not be poured out until the church is safe in Heaven.  Now, again, I have injected the word ‘church’ into this discussion, a word  whose modern day definition is dubious at best.  The prophecies of destruction are upon us, and the church with its changing manifestos does not seem to be a haven of protection from the wrath of God.   Where is that glorious church that Jesus spoke of, that church that Jesus said the gates of hell would not be able to stand against?  It has split into more than 30,000 denominations worldwide, each containing varying rules, laws, taboos, rituals, commandments, and doctrines. 

  Luke 21:11  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Revelation 6:15  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; Revelation 6:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?  Daniel 12:4  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. 

There is no doubt that the age of ungodliness and destruction is upon us.  The scoffers and the intellectuals will agree that this is nothing new.  Rather than trying to establish our own timeline and relativity, maybe we should ask, “how long has it been since the true church was caught up?”  After a moment of reflection and contemplation It is easy to conceded that it seems as if the tribulation spoken of in the Bible is upon us, and maybe, just maybe, we have been left behind.

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A Church Left behind

Revelation 3:14-22

A Study Of Hate, Part #2

A Study Of Hate, Part #2

The Reality of Hate and Love

Psalms 139:21-22  Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Proverbs 8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Standing in the shadows of the church, I was engaged in a very animated conversation with a church member.  Being the victim of an ongoing slander campaign, I spoke with the righteous indignation of a God fearing person concerning my hatred for busy bodies, people who lie and spread false rumors.  My conversation was overheard by a minister who joining in the conversation, I was informed that, contrary to what I had read in the scripture, Christians don’t hate.   As he explained it, “we can hate the sin, but we must love the person”.   The conversation began as nothing more than me venting my frustration in search of a word of support from the household of faith.  Now the conversation was taking me down that road of deliberate confusion.    He further stated that whether a person is a sinner or not it is not for us to judge.  Joining in the conversation, another church member gave the new age testimony of the 'justification of sin'.  “But here's the thing all of it is sin no matter what. I'm not GOD and I'm not judging anyone. As a Christian my job is to love everyone. No sin is greater than the other.”  The smugness of this speaker from out of town seem to indicate that something profound had been stated.  I, like many others who are searching for the true knowledge of God, was not impressed.   For me the conversation digressed into confusing and  irrelevant statements.  To me the statements were like saying, “I love Dr Pepper, but I hate the taste”.  This was my first contact with the religious community toning down its rhetoric in preparation of the governments attack on hate.  In the years that followed I became more aware of the shifting and inconsistent nature of the church.  Cute phrases such as, “don’t hate on me” and “only God can judge” was becoming in vogue.   Both of these phrases seem to have been based upon a shaped  interpretation of the scripture.  

Shaped interpretations of the scripture consist of surgically removing certain words or phrases from a verse, separating it from the supporting scripture, then presenting them as a complete thought.  The scripture, then can reinterpreted to fit the narrative of the speaker.  Thus, sin becomes justifiable, because God loves us and love covers a multitude of faults.  Shaped doctrines have appeared, such as once in Christ, you are never out or even Christ died for my sins, therefore I am free to sin.  Shaped interpretations of the scripture have left many standing by the roadside of despair, waiting for God to deliver a car. 

One of the strangest realities of this modern society is that very little can be said without it being analyzed and declared either “judging” or “hate speech”.   There are those souls standing ready to analyze the words of others based upon their perspective.  They are insulted and resort to name calling if the speaker's rhetoric does not fit within their agenda.  The question of how is it possible to arrive at  the conclusion that a person is judging without first judging, or that a message is hate without hating the message, this does not appear to be a consideration.  

The cauldron of hate is constantly being added to and stirred by the so-called activist of political correctness and leaders of ethnic communities.  Each one is seeking to advance their own agenda.  The freedom of speech for the majority is being infringed upon, and in many venues no longer exist.  This in itself is the greatest producer of hate.  It’s no longer acceptable to voice your opinion, nor is it acceptable to quote scriptures unless they has been shaped to fit the accepted narrative or the minority's agenda.  A minister preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, calling out the sins of humanity is subjected to name calling, which in itself is a reversed form of hate speech.

There are new age messages in and out of the church that proclaim the Bible teaches us that it is wrong to judge, or that only God can judge.  The same holds true with hate.  A careful reading of the scripture fails miserably to validate these arguments, at the risk of being redundant, certain words or phrases are surgically removed from verses and supporting scripture and then presented as a complete thought.  Matthew 7:1  Judge not, that ye be not judged: requires the reading and study of the fifth, six and seventh chapters of Matthew to understand the context of the message, and who was he talking to and what was he talking about.  The same holds true with Matthew 7:7.  There are many who have the false belief that they can ask God for any of their fleshly desires or wants and he will give it to them.  If we allow the evidence to speak, based upon the knowledge of God and the Gospel of the Kingdom, the question should be, “why did we get it wrong”.  Do we not know that there is the fruit of the spirit and there are the works of the flesh.  As far as judging maybe we should contend to understand Corinthians 6:2;  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 

Spiritually speaking, there is a love that is evil and there is a hatred that is good.  There are positive and negative aspects of hatred the same as there is with love.  Therefore is it acceptable to hate those things that God hates?  Indeed, this is very much a proof of a right standing with God. “Let those who love the Lord hate evil” (Psalm 97:10a).  Hate existed long before the creation of man.  It first came into fruition when the devil rebelled against God.  In the garden, it existence and influence was contained within the knowledge of good and evil, it was restrained by the knowledge of God.  There are different definitions of hate the same as there is with love.   Hate that is defined according to the knowledge of good and evil is bad, but hate that conforms to the knowledge of God should be considered good.   It could be augured that the problems of humanity began when man lost his hatred for the Devil.

Proverbs 6:16-19  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.  These verses tend to zero in on God’s hatred.  Hate is a taboo subject when referencing the attributes of God.  God is a Good of love therefore he does not hate us is the accepted interpretation of the scripture. Even a preacher who preached, "God hate you", would find himself in trouble with the organized church.

In a contemporary society that embraces the knowledge of good and evil, it also seeks to create a society free of hate.  This is an impossible task, since hate and love must exist as opposites until the emergence of the new heaven and new earth.  Man can only redefined love and hate to allow for the justification of that which was once considered a sin.  The message of salvation becomes a message of hate.  John the Baptist preaching, “ye generation of viper…”, in today’s society is reaffirmed as a hate message.  If in the contempt of God, a type of hate was exercised by Lucifer, it is also fitting that in contempt of the devil a certain type of Godly hatred must also exist.   For the sakes of offending many, hate is a part of our DNA.  Solomon referred to its existence when he stated that there was a time to hate. In the Old Testament there are many instances where God expressed his hatred of those who did not fear him.  In Psalms 139:22, David expressed his contempt, “I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.”  Psalms 97:10  Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.  Based upon the scripture references there is a perfect or godly hate that is of the spirit and there is a hatred that is of the flesh.  In a politically correct society hate is redefined and irrelevant laws are instituted to control it, and the church must perform the daunting task of separate the person from his evil ways.  Imagine a judge in a court of law struggling to punish the crime without punishing the person.

Churches have become big business, basting in grants and  subsidies from the government. The churches that accepted this handout from the government found themselves amending the gospel, to adhere to the guidelines set forth by the government.  Little by little the Gospel of the Kingdom is  is being replaced by the gospel of the world.  Christianity is now being redefined as a religion of hate.   Christianity, the church and America have been made ashamed of their bloody past.  These entities have allowed themselves to become hijacked and become embroiled in useless struggles seeking to  prove that the base of their  existence is free from hatred and violence.

There is a type of spiritual blindness that prevents man from accepting the existence of the God of Abraham or embracing the knowledge of God.   The knowledge of good and evil provides a platform for the devil to do his works, it also allows man to deny the existence of God.  The knowledge of God provided for the singular mission of God, thus God’s first command to man was to  subdue the earth and have dominion over it.  The test of a man’s commitment was to love God and hate the devil.  Kill and destroy was the command given to the Kings and Judges whose mission was to establish a new nation for his chosen people.  

There is a vast difference between the God given knowledge and the knowledge of good and evil.  The knowledge of good and evil is often translated to include the ability to know the difference between good and evil, but this is not true.  Sometime the English translation can be misleading. The knowledge of good and evil does not differentiate between what is good and what is evil; these guidelines can only be established through the knowledge of God.  The knowledge of good and evil combine that which is evil with that which good.  As this knowledge, increase that which was evil become good and that which was good become evil.

A Study Of Hate, Part #1

A Study of Hate

Part 1 of 3

 Ecclesiastes 3:8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

The wisdom of Solomon shines brightly in his elucidations of good and evil, or the works of the flesh and the works of the spirit. In this narrative known to us as Ecclesiastes the dichotomies of nature’s are illuminated in his attempt to show the contrast between paradise and eternal suffering.  A dichotomy  defines a sharp division of things or ideas into two contradictory parts, thus we have the flesh and the spirit.  Galatians 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh… Each element of the dichotomies of life processes the ability to cancel out the other.  One cannot serve God and the Devil, the same as day cancels the effect of night, or love cancels the effect of hate.  In a natural and imperfect world controlled by the knowledge of good and evil, opposites exist as the works of the flesh and the works of the spirit.  Thus we have the proliferation of this once forbidden knowledge of good and evil verses the knowledge of God. 

The knowledge of good and evil or the knowledge of the world is founded upon the love and works of the flesh, whereas the knowledge of God is founded upon the love and works  of God.  Those who love God have a strong desire to be commanded by God.  Galatians 5:16-23  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would…  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The scripture list hatred hatred as a work of the flesh along with a rather lengthy list of others vices, such as Adultery and murder.  The work of the flesh was condemned by the Law of God, yet the Law was unable to control the sinful nature of man once he had tasted of the forbidden fruit.  Romans 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  John 15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 

Hatred is a powerful aphrodisiac, it produces a psychological high and its addiction rate is higher than that of drugs.  The narrative of a drug addict will draw others in  and replicate itself, thus creating an epidemic.  The same holds true with hate.  Society has separated itself into groups and each group hate the other.  Hate filled  rhetoric brings together those whose  perception  of hatred is blinded by the rhetoric and they rejoice in the evil and attention produced by hatred.    Groups are often formed to combat hate, but, again because of the lack of understanding of the nature of hate, these groups often succumb to hate an become instruments of hate.  Humanity in his infinite wisdom often creates laws to control or combat hate.  The application of these laws often produces a hatred more intense, more profound than the hatred it sought to suppress.  Consider the war on prostitution, liquor and drugs as a measure of effectiveness of man-made laws against the work of the flesh.  If it was because of what the law of God could not do, God sent his son, how effective can the laws of man be?

What is this ungodly hate and why is the world is so mindful of it?  When did this hate first rear its ugly head?  Why do people hate?  Can hate be controlled by the creation of laws?  What is it that causes hate to spread so quickly?  These are just a few of the questions we will explore as we attempt to get a deeper understanding of hate.  Fix these questions in your mind as I suppose in somewhat of a rambling manner, we will seek to shed a balanced light on the nature of hate.

According to the scripture there are certain facts that we should know.  Before the creation of man, Lucifer, God’s Holy angel in charge of God’s creation became jealous because God had all power and commanded the angels.  Desiring a bigger share of this power he organized a revolt against the Kingdom of God.  Failing in his objective, he was cast out upon the earth.  Jesus alluded to seeing the Devil cast out upon the earth, striking it like a bolt of lightening.  The end result of this cosmic upheaval was, the earth became without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  Choosing not to make an end to his creative works, judgment was deferred, a restoration process began.  The earth being overrun with evil, God began to create good or opposite to offset the evilness caused or created by the devil.  God said, “Let there be light”, and he separated the light from the darkness, this is indicative of the fact that he did not destroy the darkness, he contain it.  He spoke to the waters that overran the earth and dry land appeared,  He defined his works as ‘good’.  His divine purpose was not to destroy, but to bring about a restoration process through the establishment of opposites and choices.   According to the book of Revelation in the new Heaven and Earth, there will be no night and the seas will no longer exist.  Scripture documentation can be found in my book, “Understanding The Word of God”.

Within the contents of the Kings James Version of the Holy Scripture the word hate is used eighty seven times, there are eighteen occurrences of the word hatred, the word love is used two hundred and eighty six times.  Another comparison is the word day is used 1576 times while the word night is only used 301 times, darkness appears one hundred and forty five times.   There is a subtle message in these facts which is often overlooked. Hate is like a seed, if we nurture it it will grow.  When hate presents itself, it is hard not to stare at it, but If we stare at hate we can become overcome by it.  Hate produces a blinding effect that causes our perception to suffer. We see things through darken lens.  The rhetoric of a hate filled society can be pervasive, which is why the Bible warning us against letting hate into our hearts.  Once hate enters our heart it contaminates our lifestyle and we become the victims of hate. The opposite of hate is love.  Hate is to love what night is to day. The objective of hate in our heart is to choke out or destroy love.  Hate is an emotion that is fed by the lust of the flesh.  It sees what other processes and its lusts after it.

Asked how to get rid of racism or hate, a person of notoriety responded, “stop talking about it.”  To address the issue of hate does not diminish hate, rather it provides a result that is opposite of the intended objective.   The so called discussion on racism has not curbed the spirit of hate, rather there is a divide that is growing, and this country is being torn apart.  The consensus of todays society is to seek out hatred or racism, expose it, discuss it and it will go away.  This is far from the truth. When Nancy Regan instituted a program of, “Just say no” to drugs in our High Schools, the use of drugs increased.  Hate is like a flower, in darkness, it will struggle to exist, but to expose it to the light for all to see its intricate nature, it will flourish and produce seeds.  This hate, the same as prostitution or drugs cannot be controlled by laws.  Laws merely reshape the playing field.  When the playing field is reshaped it is usually at the expense of some other group.  Under the guise of a Utopian society, hate, racism, and civil rights have been exposed and examined, the rights of one group trumps the rights of the other group and Christ has been left standing at the door knocking.

On October 28, 2009 President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded existing United States federal hate crime law to apply to crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, and dropped the prerequisite that the victim be engaging in a federally protected activity.  The purpose of this act was to insure the protection of all.  This act combined with the Human Rights act of 1964 proposes that we all should be able to live our lives free of hatred, and racism and be able to enjoy a new found freedom based upon tolerance.  These laws or acts are guilty of creating a new form of hatred that is more destructive that the acts they sought to impede.

To be continued

A Question of Faith, Part #2

A Question of Faith, Part #2

Romans 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

This faith that the just shall live by is called the faith in the gospel.  It should not to be entangled with the natural aspects of life, such as jobs, and finances. Faith is about believing in the gospel, and the gospel is about salvation.  If we begin reading at Romans 1:1, there would be little room for misunderstanding.  In verse 16, Paul began by stating that he is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Being not ashamed of this strange gospel as many were in his time, he seeks to establish to the Romans that the righteous of God has been revealed to him, therefore he is not ashamed.  His faith in this new revealed gospel  embodies the substance of all that is contained in the epistle. It is the doctrine which Paul seeks to establish; and there is not perhaps a more important passage in the Bible than this verse, or one more difficult to be understood. 

There are many loose interpretations of faith and the gospel, and a great burden has been placed on the works of God by those who claim to believe.  Because of this burden and the seemly inactivity of God, the believability or faith in the gospel has suffered.   Believability in God is often promulgated through making vast promises as to what God is about to do or even what God is doing.  People are excited when God is showering down blessing, the same as when the government is giving out money.  What is this gospel that the just should have faith in?  Is it a motivational message of Moses floating down the river in a boat?  Is the gospel a message of jubilee as we go through life collecting blessings and favors or is it a message of salvation and repentance?  Jesus came preaching gospel or a message that was different from that of the ancient prophet.  Remember when Peter sought to learn from Moses and Elias, Matthew 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  The message or the gospel preached by Jesus should take precedent over a message of Moses defining the law of God.

 The burden of faith is often amplified when those who speak as messengers of God make a proclamation and the result is not forthcoming.  Cute clichés are cast about as if they contain some hidden message, such as, “God know what he is doing” and “God does not make mistakes”.  These statements are true, but the message can be lost in the over simplification, the same as a message that proclaims the darkness of the night or the wetness of water.   When there is a question of living by faith, before the dialog has ended, a reference to healing and/or money will often be used to validate the degree of faith that one either possess or should posses.  If you have faith God will heal your body.  To some this means refusing to go to the doctor, to other the doctors visit and hospital stay is incorporated into the walk of faith.   If you have faith God will put money in your bank account.  The simplest requirement of living by faith requires that we put God first in our lives, especially when it comes to our finances.  Ten percent of the top of your income to the church will grant you an audience with God and the pastor.  Based upon this modern day interpretation of faith, if you are sick or poor you are not walking by faith, and for a fee, there are those who are prepared to teach us, “how to get what we need from God.”

A testimony of faith can be detrimental  to those who's  indoctrination of faith is suffering.  Imagine the disbelief of a person listening to the testimony of a lady explaining how after prayer God started her car.   After oversleeping and the chance of running late for an important appointment, she dressed and rushed out to start her car.  To her dismay the car did not start and the smell of raw gas emitted from the engine compartment.   She went back into the house, kneeled down and prayed,  being led by the spirit she returned to the car and laid hands on the car.  After prayer and anointing the car, it started on the next attempt.   Her testimony of faith “Can’t God do it” evoked an emotional response that was equivalent to the crowd reaction to a touchdown  by their favorite football team.  This type of testimony has damaged the faith of many who understood the workings of a flooded car engine.

What is more confusing, is that many of todays declarations of faith are founded upon the pretentious nature of humanity.  God is blessing me right now becomes a cliché used to display one wealth.  Another pretentious element is used over the over the internet to attract followers.   If you just type “Amen” under a case full of money God will give it to you.  Bed sheets are often cut into small pieces and sold to the gullible with a promise of God’s interaction.  Many have spent a lifetime donating to religious causes, and have not reaped the fruit of their labor,  while the pious elite dance and prance in the sunshine and proclaim, ‘God is blessing me right now.”  How pretentious.  The sick, the poor and the dying, those that Jesus spoke so fondly of, are not receiving the gospel of salvation, rather they are often left standing along side the roadside of despair wondering if they have been forsaken by God. 

Why are we taught that if we have faith we can ask God for “anything” we want and he will give it to us.  Again, Matthew 7:7 is the basis of this teaching, Jesus said, “ask and it shall be given.”   The question of what was he talking about should be answered, before we become guilty of diluting the word of God and promoting a false faith.  Was Jesus talking about natural things such as asking for a car or money?  Many will say yes, while others will say no.  The testimony of one who was contending for the faith stated, “I have a lot of things that I am asking God for, and I just believe he is going to  answer my prayer.”  Soon afterward, her cancer ravished body was laid to rest.  Her untimely death, was it the result of a lack of faith?  To answer the question, “God knows what he is doing”, or “God doesn’t make mistakes”, to some is considered a non answer.  Maybe we should ask God to forgive us for blaming him for everything that happen to us. 

Luke reveals two important  elements in a true relationship with God.  These two things stand out in the discourse of Jesus and his disciples. Luke 11:1  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.  Luke 17:5  And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.  There is a strong possibility that prayer has evolved to a level where prayer is no longer prayer, and our concept of faith is not true faith.   Remember Jesus musing in Luke 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?  This is a question that seriously requires an answer.   Where is that faith that Jesus spoke of?

The desire for faith which is listed as a fruit of the spirit opens the door to a level of gullibility that is destructive to the process of building true faith, especially when we attempt to mix the natural with the spiritual.  This gullibility becomes a strong asset that is used to manipulate the household of faith.  There are those who are not afraid to make false claims about what God said, or what he is saying.  God often speaks during the offering time when he is telling us to give more money.   A skillful manipulator will twist, turn, shape and surgical remove certain segments of the scripture so that we end up with God saying to the church what he said to the children of Israel.  I have often attended gatherings where the drawing card was, come and get your blessing or come and be healed.  The promise of miracles and blessing once attracted people to worship services like flies to honey.  I have seen people leave the church dejected and confused.

In the first part of our dissertation, we identified the major attributes of faith as a belief, confidence or trust.  All of these things are are relative to a metaphysical god whose image is maintained through his power, and his promise.  Therefore, our faith is our belief and confidence or trust that we have in an unseen entity whose presence is made known through his manifestation.  Faith is a spiritual entity.  Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long  suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.   Here, the writer is describing faith as a “fruit” of the spirit. James 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  The understanding of faith most defiantly requires the understanding of the works of faith. 

Power and promises are the key words used in the definition of faith.  These two words also allow for the trivialization, proliferation and distortion of God’s word.  To understand faith we need to understand the power and the promises of the “gospel”.  Searching the scripture and looking for promises that God made to Abraham or to the children of Israel and claiming them in the name of faith, is not conductive to faith building.  I have been challenged on this point many times.  Consider this; as a work of faith across the nation. Try as we may, but the promises that God made to Abraham and the children of Israel are  not the same promises that Jesus made through the Gospel to the church. 

Prayer warriors often assemble and pray for the healing of the community and the nation.   The scriptural basis of their action is 2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  The phrase, “my people”, used by God in the Old Testiment always referenced the children of Israel.  If that is not true, then the faith of many is suffering because the God of our salvation is presented as a God who is not keeping his promise. All over the world, people are praying, but the problems of the world is not being fixed,  According to the testimony of Jesus, things will get worse.  The world has rejected God and the judgment has been decreed.   Yet many are constantly praying and calling it a work in progress.  The only reconciliation of these facts is, we got the message mixed up.  Anoother point to consider is, under the law judgement was swift, under grace, judgement is delayed.

Who is talking, who is being spoken to and what is the subject matter is often the master key to understanding God’s Word.  The messenger must be careful not to shape the message to validate his irreverent position.   Imagine this, a bank president and his new assistant sitting in his office, he had just finished talking to a couple who was applying for a loan.  He sent them back out to wait in the crowded waiting room while he checked some facts.  After making up his mind, looking out of his glassed in office, he spoke to his assistant, “tell them they can  have the loan.”  Rather than the selected couple, the message was relayed to everyone in the waiting room.   Needless to say there were those who expecting a loan and did not get one. 

What does Paul mean by the just shall live by faith?  Some would say, it means waiting on God to provide all the necessities of life.   Some have even testified that everything they want, whether it be a house or car, food on the table, they tell God their needs or wants and He  supplies their needs.  The basis of this assertion is  Philippians 4:19,   But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Neither scripture is supportive of the above concept if we  allow the word “need” to reference the spirituality of man rather than the natural aspects of humanity.

A measure of our faith is not believing the sun will rise tomorrow, for makes the sun to rise on the just as well as the unjust.  The measure of our faith is believing in the gospel.  The Bible tells us what the gospel is in 1 Cor. 15:1-4, "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . . "

 Jesus came preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.  Mark 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.  The Gospel is the message of the Kingdom.  What is the kingdom?  Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  This verse should teach us that there are those things that are decreed by God or nature, the just and the unjust receive the same benefits or suffer the same consequences.  A drunk, violating the laws of humanity, driving the wrong direction down the freeway is not an instrument of God sent to exact vengeance upon any poor unsuspecting child.  Therefore God doesn’t make mistakes, is not an applicable response.  Surgical removing Bible verses from their supporting scriptures, creating sound bites  that establishes an alien context,  we establish a modus operandi that causes true faith to suffer. 

There are questions of prayer and faith, and in most instances the answers are not forthcoming from the pulpits of our churches.   In many settings prayer has become a loud, boisterous act designed to provoke an emotional reaction from the listener.   The strangeness of may church services is that they seek to obtain the same level of emotions that is achieved when a nationally known performer appears on stage. 

Based upon Paul’s definition of faith the meaning seems can seem somewhat muddled.  It was Peter’s contention that Paul sometime spoke in highly educated language that was hard to understand.  But, it is not the definition of faith, it is the application of faith that bothered me. Some describe the Christian faith as a “personal relationship with Jesus.” But, what type of relationship is the organize church encouraging and developing.  A personal relationship with Christ is defined as leaning and depending on Jesus.  Is this the type of relationship encouraged by Jesus when he said, “Take up your cross and follow me”?  Sadly, our church services, classes, and programs pursue a relationship like, “Jesus will pick us up and carry us.”  Do our faith in Christ means he will carry us through the storm?   Faith is touted as the procurer of our wants or hopes.  Is this an accurate representation of faith...

Think on these things. 

A Question of Faith.

A Question of Faith

I often think of a conversation Jesus had with his disciple, in that conversation he posed the question, “would he find faith when on his return”.  Christianity once a religion of works has now transformed itself into a religion of wants.   Fewer and fewer messages are delivered touting the saving grace of our father while the airwaves, pulpits, and social media are alive with testimonies of what God is doing.   If a church going Christian would respond that God is not doing all of the things we claim he is doing, that church going Christian would be churched and thrown under the bus.

What is faith?  Some years ago, my 90 plus year old mother asked me this question.  We were sitting at the breakfast table about to enjoy our sausage, eggs, conversation, and coffee.   She asked the question with the seriousness of a person searching for an answer, and that caught me off guard.  Our breakfast table discussion was her way of teaching, transferring knowledge and inspiring me to search for and write, with a deeper understanding of God’s word.  In the twilight years of her life, she encouraged me to rethink some of the things that even she had taught me concerning the Word of God.   Often in our varied discussions, she would remind me that as a  Sunday School teacher, she had taught that the earth was square and that man would never go to the moon.  This faulty interpretation  stems from an improper understanding and thus an improper application of the Word of God from a biblical perspective. The angels of Revelation standing on the four corners of the earth was not supportive of a flat earth theory.  Through her years of Bible study, she had learned that the most proficient preachers and teachers use broken scriptures, scriptures out of context, (like broken English) as the basis of their objections or dissertations without considering the full counsel of the Bible. 

 I still can remember the first time I heard my mother explain to her Sunday School class what faith was.  She had begun by quoting Hebrew 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.   As an analogy, she used the old fashion method of cooking Turnip greens.    The greens would be boiled in a pot of seasoned water.  Once the greens were served any leftover water would be saved and later eaten with cornbread.  In the old days, they called it “pot liquor”.  Pot liquor was not turnip greens, but it contained the substance of turnip greens.   Therefore, she concluded, faith was the substance of hope.  Years later, I asked my younger brother the meaning of faith, he responded by quoting Hebrew 11:1. 

As I was about to answer my mother’s question by quoting Hebrew 11:1, my mind became a cesspool of unanswered questions.  Is there a difference between hope and hoped, more than just saying one is present and the other is passed.   When Paul speaks of hope is he referencing a certain type of hope.  Is the substance of this hope the basic elements of faith.   Hope for what?  Hope for the healing of the body?  There was a woman with an issue of blood for twelve years, she hoped for a healing.  Jesus spoke the word and she was healed.  My father lay on his bed of affliction for six months, the prayer for healing and restoration was not answered.  What is hope?  Hope for a new car?  There are many who claim that God gave them a new car, leaving them to make the payments.  Hope for salvation?   I mentally reviewed Hebrew 11:1.  Paul did not say faith was the substance of hope, he said faith was the substance of ‘things’ hoped for.  What were the things he was referring to?  This most definitely  did not mean  a Carte Blanche of things.   Was he giving credence to the old adage of, “If you can believe, you can achieve?”  There are good things and there are bad things.  Therefore, there must be a faith that is of God and if the rule of opposites applies, then there is a type faith that originates from the devil.   When she saw my confusion and  hesitation, she smiled.

Often we read the teaching of Paul and we conclude that it means this, as if we have a divine revelation into the mindset of Paul.  Paul was a highly educated man and he spoke the language of an educated man.   In the Book of Hebrews, Paul is speaking to a group of educated Jews and he speaks a  language that they can understand.   There are many statements attributed to Paul that the lay person is hard pressed to understand or reconcile.  Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 2:12  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence, once was accepted as doctrine by many, whereas in today's society, good or bad,  it is being reinterpreted and cast aside.    It would seem to me that Peter alluded to a certain problem with Paul’s teaching in his final epistle. 2 Peter 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.  There are many who will disagree with me in my assessment of the above statement, but I prefer to let the facts speak for themselves. The question is, what is faith?  Quoting Hebrews 11:1 to a person who is searching for the answer does not necessarily provide the answer.   Acts 8, tell the story of Philip explaining the scripture to the eunuch who was riding along reading the scripture.  It is the preacher's job to explain the scripture so that those who seek answers might understand it.
   

Faith, God, miracles and blessings have been defined and redefined until even the things that God has ordained from the beginning of time is looked upon as a miracle.  The world’s spirituality  has changed and God is in the blessing business.  We go about our daily task, ignoring those unanswered pleas, as we seek to amplify what our Heavenly Father is doing, finding solace in “God is a good God”.   Secretly the faith of many tends to suffer because we are afraid to acknowledge our lack of understanding of the word faith.  When Jesus addressed the subject of faith with his disciples, they responded Luke 17:5  And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
  

We are encouraged to pray for the healing of the land and our body.  We pray for financial blessings and we often pray for God to deliver us from the storm.   We have a scripture that says God answer all prayers and if we ask we shall receive.  For an outward showing, we pretend  that we are receiving and enjoying the blessing of our Father while inward we are struggling with a question of faith.  The conditions throughout the land are not getting better and our bodies are deteriorating at an early age. We cry out to God for healing as we rush to the Hospital and when we survive the operation, our faith tells us it was God who did the work. 

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ was locked away in a jail cell.  When his faith began to weaken, he sent runners to find Jesus and ask him a question.   He did not ask to be delivered from jail, there were questions of faith that he needed to be answered.   Luke 7:20  When the men came unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?  What would, you are I ask for?  No doubt our testimony would have been, “I am trusting God to deliver me.”  All of the old patriots processed a great degree of faith, they did not abuse their faith.   John the Baptist was marooned on an island alone, no one to talk to except Jesus Christ and his angels.   There is nothing in the narrative that said John asked for deliverance.   Why?  Maybe to do so would have been abusing his faith.   Faith is not a question of or based upon what God can or cannot do.   Faith requires a degree of acceptance.  Philippians 4:11  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Now, what is faith?  Every person who professes a belief in God know what faith is, right?  We also know that without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)    According to  Wikipedia, Faith is variously defined as the belief, confidence or trust in a person, object, religion, idea or view.  Therefore, without confidence in God--in his fidelity, his truth, his wisdom, his promises it is impossible to please God.  It is impossible for a child to please his father unless he has confidence in him.  The rules of good and evil or opposites apply.  There is good and bad confidence.  It is impossible for a wife to please her husband, or a husband, a wife, unless they have confidence in each other. If distrust and jealousy exist on either part, there is discord and misery. We cannot be pleased with a professed friend unless he has such confidence in us as to believe our declarations and promises, The same thing is true of God. He cannot be pleased with the man who has no confidence in him; who doubts the truth of his declarations and promises; who does not believe that his ways are right, or that he is qualified for universal empire. The requirement of faith or confidence in God is not arbitrary; it is just what we require of our children, and partners in life, and friends, as the indispensable condition of our being pleased with them.

The problem with our walk of faith manifest itself when we attempt to use faith to get what we claim God promised us, and the result is not forthcoming.  I know that there are many of us who have dealt with this problem privately.  Our testimony speaks of the great thing God is doing for us, while inside we are like John the Baptist, alone on an island.  But, unlike John we are begging for deliverance.  To maintain our degree of faith and sanity we began to trivialize the works of God.  If Bible students could accept that Israel was God’s chosen people and God made earthly promises to Israel, and the church is the bride of Christ, and Christ made spiritual promises to the church, we would not become caught up in begging for the blessings of Abraham.   Israel a natural body received natural promises, the church a spiritual body received spiritual promises.   If this were not true, then sinners would be poor and Christians would be financially rich.

The modern day definition of faith tends to suffer because defining and supportive scriptures have been hijacked and used as a tool for mind control.  The drawing card off too many religious assemblies is based upon how to get what you want from God.  The emerging pious prelates tend to define faith as simply giving money to God and waiting for him to bless you.  The attributes of faith are reduced to healing and  financial blessing as those who seeks to obtain followers make vast promises in the name of God.   The social media are filled with promises of huge sums of money if the reader will type “Amen”  to the status presented.  The use of the phrase, “Somebody will receive this blessing”, is not an accurate representative of God’s power, nor is it an indication of the proper use of faith. 

The problem with trying to determine what is Mustard seed faith is complicated by the changing modern day definition of faith.  Is faith simply a belief in God, or  is faith is believing God will do things for us?   If he did it once, he can do it again, have now become the standard of God’s involvement in our life.   The statement is true from the standpoint of God’s power but is it a true assessment of His involvement in the day to day affairs of humanity.  If he parted the sea, he can do it again, but an exercise in futility might describe as standing on the beach begging God to part the waters.   A deeper understanding of the Word of God would prevent us from making unnecessary and bogus claims of God.

 to be continued