I am apolitical. Unabashedly so in fact. Have been for quite a number of years now. The circus that was the election for the California Governor's seat in 2003 sealed the deal for me. And no, I didn’t vote for Arnold. I voted for one of the other 100+ candidates vying for my attention. To some it might seem odd then that I feel compelled to speak on political things from time to time, but I do, however very rarely. I haven’t written a “letter to the editor” in years. Yet now is one of those times, but not for the reasons you may think.
I remember that I used to argue with my mother (Heavenly Father, rest her soul) while growing up as a young adult when she used to say to me, “If you don’t vote you have no right to complain” to which I would always retort, “Mom there’s nothing in the First Amendment that says if you don’t vote you have no right to speak out against the government.” To me this is still true today. Now interestingly, some may equate the voting process as a form of speaking pro or con and our “civic duty”. They indeed have a legitimate point. However I don’t see the right to speak freely limited to just the voting booth. With that said, I have purposely limited myself to rarely, if ever, speaking out about our government and what the government chooses to do. I mean seriously if anyone thinks they are going to tell a 3.6 trillion dollar-a-year gorilla where to sit, where to stand and what to do then I have news for you — you are seriously kidding yourself.
No, the reason I’m bringing politics into the mix here is to make a simple illustration about religious liberty and how I believe it will eventually be eroded away. The Senate has set itself to finalize a vote to pass President Obama’s massive heath care reform bill on Christmas eve. That bill, whether you agree with it or not or even whether you believe this or not, includes language that a person must buy health coverage and if they don’t they will be taxed. Seriously. The last time such a massive power grab was instigated against the American people by Congress at Christmas time we got the Federal Reserve Act and we all know where the cliff is that that Act has eventually led this nation to.
Now frankly to tell anyone that they have to buy health coverage or else be taxed is unconscionable and a violation of basic human rights. Basically the equivalent to telling a vegetarian that they must buy and eat Filet Mignon and if they don’t they will be taxed. Vegetarian? So what. Buy and eat....or else! It’s the equivalent of telling someone that doesn’t eat swine (like me!) that they have to buy hog maws and pickled pigs feet and eat. Swine free? So what. Buy and eat....or else!
As we know this bill will be passed and signed by the President. Guaranteed. It will then make the obligatory rounds through the press and the courts, where it is my prediction that the Supreme Court will eventually give us some wonderfully flowery language how this bill is good for the nation as a whole, outweighs individual liberty and thus the 3.6 trillion dollar-a-year gorilla must get it’s way. Now, of course I could be all wrong, that none of this will in fact happen, but I don't think so.
This is where I believe the aspect of religious liberty can and will eventually be tested. The questions regarding of freedom of conscious — brought to bear by this bill and it’s attendant wrangling will thus be settled once and for all. Can the questions regarding our religious liberty to worship on the day we choose be far behind? Personally, I don’t think so. Once that 3.6 trillion dollar-a-year gorilla is in the room anything is liable to happen.
When Caesar knocks at the door and says, “Pay up” what shall we as Christians do? When the government comes and demands our participation in this future boondoggle what shall we do? We shall say, “Yes sir, how much you want?” It is clear from scripture (and you may disagree) that if Caesar thinks something is his, whatever that something is, we are to give it to him because we know in reality that whatever Caesar has doesn’t actually belong to Caesar, it belongs to our Heavenly Father. When Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and render unto God the things that are God’s” Jesus made the situation as plain as day. He shocked everyone in the process. He made it plain that nothing belongs to Caesar and everything belongs to God. Yet if Caesar wants something, give it to him.
What then are we to do when Caesar tells us what day we can take off to worship or even what day in fact we can worship? What then? Well that’s easy. We obey God. Our Heavenly Father has given us something, His Sabbath day, that no man has a right or any authority to take or to claim for it belongs to Him. The Sabbath is God’s day. He made it, He owns it. It was made for man to enjoy. If Caesar wants to violate our freedom of conscious to tell us want to buy then that is certainly something Caesar can and will do. However, if Caesar wants to violate our freedom of religious conscious and tell us what day we can or can’t worship our Heavenly Father then you are free to tell Caesar sorry, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalms 118:24
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Meekness of Moses
I have spoken with a few folks about this quarter's Sabbath School lesson on the book of Numbers and to a man (an woman!) everyone is quite enthusiastic and grateful for the particular lesson. And why not. This quarter's lesson has brought for many renewed interest in a book of the Bible that many consider, quite frankly, fairly boring. I've read the book before but this quarterly has helped shed new light on a number of topics and given new light to, and renewed interest in, this book. When examined much closer the book of Numbers is a book full of many fascinating, dramatic and certainly heart wrenching stories of both individuals, and the congregation of the children of Israel in particular. These stories really cause the brain to work overtime in an attempt to understand just exactly what is happening and the lessons we are being taught from scripture.
Then something hit me this morning while I was reading the E.G. White Notes book that is part of the Sabbath School quarterly. Moses was not just meek, he was super meek (if there is such a thing)!
Regarding the Sin of Moses and Aaron Inspiration writes: "Aaron and Moses both sinned in not giving glory and honor to God at the waters of Meribah. They were both wearied and provoked with the continual complaining of Israel, and, at a time when God was to mercifully display His glory to the people, to soften and subdue their hearts and lead them to repentance, Moses and Aaron claimed the power of opening the rock for them. "Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Here was a golden opportunity to sanctify the Lord in the midst of them, to show them the long-suffering of God and His tender pity for them. They had murmured against Moses and Aaron because they could not find water. Moses and Aaron took these murmurings as a great trial and dishonor to themselves, forgetting that it was God whom the people were grieving. It was God whom they were sinning against and dishonoring, not those who were appointed of God to carry out His purpose. They were insulting their best Friend in charging their calamities upon Moses and Aaron; they were murmuring at God's providence." {3T 301.3}
And that's when it hit me just exactly who Moses was, and what a truly a meek and humble man was. While it is certainly evident in all the wonderful actions of Israel's first shepperd in guiding God's children, and his magnanimous pleadings and prayers to God, just exactly how meek and humble Moses is what dawned on me. The quote above helped me figure it out.
Now, if we believe that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, and I see no reason not to believe this considering just how many theologians believe this, then this quote from Numbers 20:10 really is quite fascinating: "Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Moses was writing about himself! He was writing about what he had done. He was admitting for all to see his fault, his misstep, his error and most of all his sin. How many of us could do this? He goes on to tell us even more in verse 11: "And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also]." Wow, what honesty in the face of all the difficult times he had been through with Israel amd on the heels of the death of his sister.
How many could, or would, write so little about the death of our sister and yet be so open and honest about the very sin that would keep Moses from entering into the promised land? While pondering this I couldn't help thinking about just exactly how great a servant of God Moses truly was. Would any of us have been so willingly honest and open regarding our own sinfulness? Would we write what happened without embellishment and admit our fault as Moses did?
The humbleness, humility and honesty of Moses are truly magnificent gifts that God gave this man, who in spite all that he went through with Israel, was still able to delivery them into the hands of Joshua. Mission accomplished.
Then something hit me this morning while I was reading the E.G. White Notes book that is part of the Sabbath School quarterly. Moses was not just meek, he was super meek (if there is such a thing)!
Regarding the Sin of Moses and Aaron Inspiration writes: "Aaron and Moses both sinned in not giving glory and honor to God at the waters of Meribah. They were both wearied and provoked with the continual complaining of Israel, and, at a time when God was to mercifully display His glory to the people, to soften and subdue their hearts and lead them to repentance, Moses and Aaron claimed the power of opening the rock for them. "Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Here was a golden opportunity to sanctify the Lord in the midst of them, to show them the long-suffering of God and His tender pity for them. They had murmured against Moses and Aaron because they could not find water. Moses and Aaron took these murmurings as a great trial and dishonor to themselves, forgetting that it was God whom the people were grieving. It was God whom they were sinning against and dishonoring, not those who were appointed of God to carry out His purpose. They were insulting their best Friend in charging their calamities upon Moses and Aaron; they were murmuring at God's providence." {3T 301.3}
And that's when it hit me just exactly who Moses was, and what a truly a meek and humble man was. While it is certainly evident in all the wonderful actions of Israel's first shepperd in guiding God's children, and his magnanimous pleadings and prayers to God, just exactly how meek and humble Moses is what dawned on me. The quote above helped me figure it out.
Now, if we believe that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, and I see no reason not to believe this considering just how many theologians believe this, then this quote from Numbers 20:10 really is quite fascinating: "Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?" Moses was writing about himself! He was writing about what he had done. He was admitting for all to see his fault, his misstep, his error and most of all his sin. How many of us could do this? He goes on to tell us even more in verse 11: "And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also]." Wow, what honesty in the face of all the difficult times he had been through with Israel amd on the heels of the death of his sister.
How many could, or would, write so little about the death of our sister and yet be so open and honest about the very sin that would keep Moses from entering into the promised land? While pondering this I couldn't help thinking about just exactly how great a servant of God Moses truly was. Would any of us have been so willingly honest and open regarding our own sinfulness? Would we write what happened without embellishment and admit our fault as Moses did?
The humbleness, humility and honesty of Moses are truly magnificent gifts that God gave this man, who in spite all that he went through with Israel, was still able to delivery them into the hands of Joshua. Mission accomplished.
Monday, November 16, 2009
So.....where are we headed?
While tooling around You Tube I ran into www.3angelstube.com which is a link from a channel a lady named Pamela who invited me to be a You Tube friend. I'm glad I accepted because I found this link from Pamela's channel. As a result I've added the following video from Hope Video because this video clearly shows where our Adventist church is heading. It is also full of Sister White quotes that clearly demonstrate she was from a true prophet of God. So check out the video below and explore the other video's at www.3angelstube.com.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Here's the description:
"Hope Media Ministry (www.hopevideo.com) invites you to watch this warning to all of God's people for this new movement - The Emergent Church - A New Spirituality has taken root in the Church today and an attempt to reinvent Christianity itself is underway. Ellen White exposed the Alpha of heresies in her day as pantheism and warned that it would resurface in the Omega apostasy before Christ's return. What are the characteristics of the Omega? What is the Emergent Church? Let's delve into contemporary Christianity and the inroads that Spiritualism and Catholicism are making both inside and outside the Christian Church. Be sure to watch both part 1 and part 2."
Follow this link to the second half of this presentation: http://www.3angelstube.com/video/242/The-New-Spirituality-Pt-2
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Here's the description:
"Hope Media Ministry (www.hopevideo.com) invites you to watch this warning to all of God's people for this new movement - The Emergent Church - A New Spirituality has taken root in the Church today and an attempt to reinvent Christianity itself is underway. Ellen White exposed the Alpha of heresies in her day as pantheism and warned that it would resurface in the Omega apostasy before Christ's return. What are the characteristics of the Omega? What is the Emergent Church? Let's delve into contemporary Christianity and the inroads that Spiritualism and Catholicism are making both inside and outside the Christian Church. Be sure to watch both part 1 and part 2."
Follow this link to the second half of this presentation: http://www.3angelstube.com/video/242/The-New-Spirituality-Pt-2
Friday, November 13, 2009
One man's opinion
My buddy Keith Johnson, who got me involved in prison ministry, in an email that he sent just a few days ago has commented on the recent incident at Foot Hood that I thought was interesting and worth sharing. So I asked him for permission to post it here. Thankfully he was glad to share.
One man's opinion
by Keith Johnson
A Poor Excuse for a Major, a Physician, and a Human Being
Major Nidal Malik Hasan is a religious and a medical fraud. As a veteran, I served in the Marine Corps from 1966-1969; during the time of the draft where one could claim to be a conscientious objector for religious reasons and/or choose to serve as a medic/corpsmen while refusing to carry a weapon.
The late Desmond Doss is the only Congressional Medal of Honor winner to never carry a weapon in combat. Doss said, "I am willing to die for my country, but not kill for my country." He also referred to himself as Cooperative Objector. Yet, he chose to go to war and not carry a weapon, while taking valor to a whole other dimension.
But Major Hasan willingly wounded and murdered unarmed personnel, while claiming Muslims should not be killing other Muslims. Well, if all Muslims held firmly to that belief then please explain to me how Iraq and Iran could go to war for 10 years; while killing, wounding, and maiming millions of Muslims? Was not that war, Muslims killing Muslims? Or can Sunnies kill Shites and visa versa and that rule not apply? Then again, how can all of the suicide bombers be relentlessly killing civilian Muslims every day? What book are they reading, because there are some who are definitely not on the same page of those who have reached a higher calling?
Where is their religious code against Muslims killing Muslims? I am smelling religious hypocrites... thousands of them, maybe millions or more. If their mantra is true about Muslims not killing Muslims, then they should be living in peace, love, harmony, and serenity, but we know that is not the case. So much for zealous religious beliefs.
In addition, Major Hasan also took the Hippocratic Oath as a medical doctor and a portion of that oath reads, " ...I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone. ..." Did he just gloss over this oath or something? Or did he have his fingers crossed--when he swore to its creed? Or was he just kidding?
Furthermore, he also took an oath to defend the Constitution from enemies within and without. Meaning, as a professional soldier, he volunteered. Nobody forced him to enter a professional standing Army. So, in reality he is more than a deranged hypocrite despite the oaths that he took, it reveals that he is another typical, religious, pious fraud. So, to those who think he is a hero, then you are just as big a fraud as Major Hasan, for it is clear that by his actions, he endorses the bombings of innocent Muslim men, women, and children that are occurring in Pakistan, Iraq, and Iran as I compose this. Muslims killing Muslims...to the demented zealots is an everyday occurrence. They are so demented that they call cowards and liars, heroes. Will somebody please pass me a dictionary, because one of us appears to have a hard time finding truth, even if truth is the only light peering out of a dimly lit room--Major Hasan would obviously not be able to find it.
Yet, he is in dire need of prayer for he is utterly deceived.
End of the article.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Isn't it interesting how it is so easy to see the deception from Satan that we are all subject to when it is so dramatically, vividly and personally brought home to roost by such public displays of evil, yet when these very deceptions are personified closer to home they can be sometimes harder to see and recognize?
This from the pen of Inspiration:
"Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by it unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations? Professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ? What will hold God's people from giving their allegiance to false Christs? "Go not ye after them. The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to teach the truth must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against storm and tempest, because the anchor holds them firmly. The deceptions will increase, and we are to call rebellion by its right name. We are to stand with the whole armor on." - SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1114
One man's opinion
by Keith Johnson
A Poor Excuse for a Major, a Physician, and a Human Being
Major Nidal Malik Hasan is a religious and a medical fraud. As a veteran, I served in the Marine Corps from 1966-1969; during the time of the draft where one could claim to be a conscientious objector for religious reasons and/or choose to serve as a medic/corpsmen while refusing to carry a weapon.
The late Desmond Doss is the only Congressional Medal of Honor winner to never carry a weapon in combat. Doss said, "I am willing to die for my country, but not kill for my country." He also referred to himself as Cooperative Objector. Yet, he chose to go to war and not carry a weapon, while taking valor to a whole other dimension.
But Major Hasan willingly wounded and murdered unarmed personnel, while claiming Muslims should not be killing other Muslims. Well, if all Muslims held firmly to that belief then please explain to me how Iraq and Iran could go to war for 10 years; while killing, wounding, and maiming millions of Muslims? Was not that war, Muslims killing Muslims? Or can Sunnies kill Shites and visa versa and that rule not apply? Then again, how can all of the suicide bombers be relentlessly killing civilian Muslims every day? What book are they reading, because there are some who are definitely not on the same page of those who have reached a higher calling?
Where is their religious code against Muslims killing Muslims? I am smelling religious hypocrites... thousands of them, maybe millions or more. If their mantra is true about Muslims not killing Muslims, then they should be living in peace, love, harmony, and serenity, but we know that is not the case. So much for zealous religious beliefs.
In addition, Major Hasan also took the Hippocratic Oath as a medical doctor and a portion of that oath reads, " ...I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone. ..." Did he just gloss over this oath or something? Or did he have his fingers crossed--when he swore to its creed? Or was he just kidding?
Furthermore, he also took an oath to defend the Constitution from enemies within and without. Meaning, as a professional soldier, he volunteered. Nobody forced him to enter a professional standing Army. So, in reality he is more than a deranged hypocrite despite the oaths that he took, it reveals that he is another typical, religious, pious fraud. So, to those who think he is a hero, then you are just as big a fraud as Major Hasan, for it is clear that by his actions, he endorses the bombings of innocent Muslim men, women, and children that are occurring in Pakistan, Iraq, and Iran as I compose this. Muslims killing Muslims...to the demented zealots is an everyday occurrence. They are so demented that they call cowards and liars, heroes. Will somebody please pass me a dictionary, because one of us appears to have a hard time finding truth, even if truth is the only light peering out of a dimly lit room--Major Hasan would obviously not be able to find it.
Yet, he is in dire need of prayer for he is utterly deceived.
End of the article.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Isn't it interesting how it is so easy to see the deception from Satan that we are all subject to when it is so dramatically, vividly and personally brought home to roost by such public displays of evil, yet when these very deceptions are personified closer to home they can be sometimes harder to see and recognize?
This from the pen of Inspiration:
"Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by it unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations? Professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ? What will hold God's people from giving their allegiance to false Christs? "Go not ye after them. The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to teach the truth must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against storm and tempest, because the anchor holds them firmly. The deceptions will increase, and we are to call rebellion by its right name. We are to stand with the whole armor on." - SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1114
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Luke 16:18
Have you ever thought much about this verse? Have you ever wondered why this verse is where it is in scripture and why Jesus uses the language here just before He goes into the second half of the Parable of the Unjust Steward?
I have and that is why I find this verse so interesting and compelling.
If we think about it this verse almost seems out of place. It really starts as the Pharisees begin to deride Jesus. v. 14. Then Jesus, after being derided, takes His turn and begins dressing down the Pharisees! Jesus chides the Pharisees right after concluding the first half of the parable of the Unjust Steward.
"You like to look good in public, but God knows your evil hearts. What this world honors is an abomination in the sight of God. Until John the Baptist began to preach, the laws of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and eager multitudes are forcing their way in. But that doesn't mean that the law has lost its force in even the smallest point. It is stronger and more permanent than heaven and earth." - v. 15-17
Then comes the "coup de gras" if you will:
"Anyone who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
I was always somewhat confused about this verse and why it was there in the first place frankly but especially right before the continuation of the parable with the tale of Lazarus and the rich man.
That was until it suddenly dawned on me one day that God always likens going after spiritualism, false religion and false pagan worship as adultery. Spiritual adultery. Now God had laid down some pretty specific rules as to why He didn't want the Children of Israel to go after "strange gods." His advice was for an obviously good reason - He didn't want these people corrupted with paganism. Now coupled with the parable in Luke 16 and the story of Lazarus and the rich man and then the reasons for this verse became much clearer.
Deu 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.
Even God had to unfortunately grant a "bill of divorce" to Israel and uphold the very law He gave to Israel because through their going after other gods and idols Israel became unclean. They became unclean because of the constant chasing and acceptance of paganism. Thus they were considered engaged in adultery and harlotry.
Jer 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
Isa 50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
The books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah are filled to the brim of all the various forms of adultery and harlotry that Israel and Judah committed against the Lord. This adultery and harlotry was a result of accepting all the false gods and false religion and the most grotesque spiritualism of the pagan cultures around her.
Jer 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
Jer 5:19 And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these [things] unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land [that is] not yours.
Eze 16:28 Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.
Eze 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;
It is plain to me now that the reasons Jesus lays into the Pharisees the way He does and why He considers them to be adulterer. Jesus explains what happens in the case of the Pharisees adultery in recounting the tale of Lazarus and the rich man. It is because the Pharisees had accepted another teaching. In Jesus’ recounting this story of Lazarus and the rich man it is clear that He was comparing the Pharisees own understanding of what happens in the afterlife. That understanding was derived from the neighboring pagan cultures – in this case, the Greeks.
It is the Greeks that taught that man had a “dual nature” and that man was a in possession of an immortal soul. Jesus was using the Pharisees own false belief system which was borrowed from the pagans against them. At the same time He is deriding them even further.
That is why verse 18 in Luke 16 will always and forever be to me one of the most fascinating single verses in all of scripture. It is so brilliant in it’s application with regards who it was directed at and in relation to what it concludes about these false beliefs.
"But Abraham said, `If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'"
The Pharisees had long before this time given up on seeking the higher meaning of God's character and instead were comfortable being their "own gods" if you will. This is even true of many Christian sects associated with the beliefs of 'modern' pagan Rome. Pagan protestantism has adopted so many of these same false beliefs.Thus both Rome and Protestantism are committing the same "spiritual adultery" that the Pharisees did.
Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.
As spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light. Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought,the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed. And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, and manifest respect for the institutions of the church, their work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power.
The line of distinction between professed Christians and the ungodly is now hardly distinguishable. Church members love what the world loves and are ready to join with them, and Satan determines to unite them in one body and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping all into the ranks of spiritualism. Papists, who boast of miracles as a certain sign of the true church, will be readily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protestants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be deluded. Papists, Protestants, and worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium. - Ellen White, The Great Controversy, page 588
I have and that is why I find this verse so interesting and compelling.
If we think about it this verse almost seems out of place. It really starts as the Pharisees begin to deride Jesus. v. 14. Then Jesus, after being derided, takes His turn and begins dressing down the Pharisees! Jesus chides the Pharisees right after concluding the first half of the parable of the Unjust Steward.
"You like to look good in public, but God knows your evil hearts. What this world honors is an abomination in the sight of God. Until John the Baptist began to preach, the laws of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and eager multitudes are forcing their way in. But that doesn't mean that the law has lost its force in even the smallest point. It is stronger and more permanent than heaven and earth." - v. 15-17
Then comes the "coup de gras" if you will:
"Anyone who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
I was always somewhat confused about this verse and why it was there in the first place frankly but especially right before the continuation of the parable with the tale of Lazarus and the rich man.
That was until it suddenly dawned on me one day that God always likens going after spiritualism, false religion and false pagan worship as adultery. Spiritual adultery. Now God had laid down some pretty specific rules as to why He didn't want the Children of Israel to go after "strange gods." His advice was for an obviously good reason - He didn't want these people corrupted with paganism. Now coupled with the parable in Luke 16 and the story of Lazarus and the rich man and then the reasons for this verse became much clearer.
Deu 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.
Even God had to unfortunately grant a "bill of divorce" to Israel and uphold the very law He gave to Israel because through their going after other gods and idols Israel became unclean. They became unclean because of the constant chasing and acceptance of paganism. Thus they were considered engaged in adultery and harlotry.
Jer 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
Isa 50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
The books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah are filled to the brim of all the various forms of adultery and harlotry that Israel and Judah committed against the Lord. This adultery and harlotry was a result of accepting all the false gods and false religion and the most grotesque spiritualism of the pagan cultures around her.
Jer 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
Jer 5:19 And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these [things] unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land [that is] not yours.
Eze 16:28 Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied.
Eze 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;
It is plain to me now that the reasons Jesus lays into the Pharisees the way He does and why He considers them to be adulterer. Jesus explains what happens in the case of the Pharisees adultery in recounting the tale of Lazarus and the rich man. It is because the Pharisees had accepted another teaching. In Jesus’ recounting this story of Lazarus and the rich man it is clear that He was comparing the Pharisees own understanding of what happens in the afterlife. That understanding was derived from the neighboring pagan cultures – in this case, the Greeks.
It is the Greeks that taught that man had a “dual nature” and that man was a in possession of an immortal soul. Jesus was using the Pharisees own false belief system which was borrowed from the pagans against them. At the same time He is deriding them even further.
That is why verse 18 in Luke 16 will always and forever be to me one of the most fascinating single verses in all of scripture. It is so brilliant in it’s application with regards who it was directed at and in relation to what it concludes about these false beliefs.
"But Abraham said, `If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'"
The Pharisees had long before this time given up on seeking the higher meaning of God's character and instead were comfortable being their "own gods" if you will. This is even true of many Christian sects associated with the beliefs of 'modern' pagan Rome. Pagan protestantism has adopted so many of these same false beliefs.Thus both Rome and Protestantism are committing the same "spiritual adultery" that the Pharisees did.
Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.
As spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light. Through the agency of spiritualism, miracles will be wrought,the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed. And as the spirits will profess faith in the Bible, and manifest respect for the institutions of the church, their work will be accepted as a manifestation of divine power.
The line of distinction between professed Christians and the ungodly is now hardly distinguishable. Church members love what the world loves and are ready to join with them, and Satan determines to unite them in one body and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping all into the ranks of spiritualism. Papists, who boast of miracles as a certain sign of the true church, will be readily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protestants, having cast away the shield of truth, will also be deluded. Papists, Protestants, and worldlings will alike accept the form of godliness without the power, and they will see in this union a grand movement for the conversion of the world and the ushering in of the long-expected millennium. - Ellen White, The Great Controversy, page 588
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Fallacy of the Secret Rapture
Sadly it seems that most Christians today who preach about end time prophecies believe that prior to the end the church era true believers will be secretly raptured and flown home to heaven to escape the coming of tribulation.
This event will supposedly commence in the midst of the 70th week of Daniel 9:25-27. During this time 144,000 Jews will be converted and will rebuild a temple at Jerusalem where animal sacrifices will resume. Then these Jews will get on with the business of preaching the gospel to all the world. Of course, let's keep in mind, that the preaching of the Gospel has been going out to the entire world for centuries now.
Rapurists believe that the beast power, the mysterious antichrist figure, will then appear and make a "peace treaty" with these 144,000 Jews. After 3½ years of keeping a covenant with the Jews, the beast will break the covenant and commence 3½ years of persecution on the Jews and their converts. Finally there will be a third coming of Jesus to end it all and Jesus will rescue His people.
This is all a wildly fantastic scenario. The fact that it is pure fiction, found only in the pages of the "Left Behind" books and the fiction section of your local bookstore, and not anywhere in the pages of scripture should cause anyone even remotely interested in the truth to question this scenario.
It can be demonstrated quite clearly and distinctly from recent world history that this school of prophetic interpretation, coined "futurism," was developed by a Spanish Jesuit by the name of Manuel De Lacunza as a counter measure to the Protestant Reformation which had identified the Papacy as the Antichrist. It was later made popular by the Brethren Movement and Cyrus Scofield and the Scofield Bible. In the last 50-60 years it has become the prevailing view of many, if not most Evangelical churches. This teaching has many serious differences with the prevailing historical prophetic teaching and understanding of the Reformation and in particular Seventh-day Adventist doctrine. Some of the major flaws of this dispensational secret rapture scenario are:
1. There is second chance to believe in Jesus after His second coming if somehow one misses out on the secret rapture. This has got to be the most dangerous aspect of this doctrine.
2. The Antichrist appears after the church age era and this occurs after the church is raptured. Yet clearly scripture teaches us that even in the apostles day, as 1 John tells us, there were many antichrists in the church.
3. These end time prophecies call for the re-establishment of the State of Israel and the rebuilding of the Jewish temple. Clearly this is an extremely myopic and somewhat convoluted interpretation of scripture because so many of these prophecies are taken from prophecies that have already been fulfilled regarding Judas return from captivity in Babylon.
4. This scenario of the secret rapture 1) absolves a Christian from the necessity of preaching the word of God to modern day Jews, which, for most Christians would be practically impossible because they do not know their scriptures better than even a nominal Jew, and 2) it neglects the obvious symbolic connection between Israel, Christ's fulfillment of prophecies regarding Israel and the fact that Jesus Christ is in fact the physical embodiment of Israel.
And yet the commission to preach the three angels messages of Revelation 14:6-12 make it abundantly clear that "the everlasting gospel" is to be preached to them "that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" and that all should "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The Three Angels messages easily dispel the notion that the word of God will be preached after the church has flown away.
And it must be stressed that this admonition is something that is to be done now, not later, in anticipation and in preparation for the fall of Babylon and before the coming of the mark of the beast.
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:" - Revelation 14:8-9
Therefore it makes the ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist and the historic interpretation to the entire world, including modern day Jews living in that secular, nation/state of corporate ISRAEL clearly different, and vital to that of most every other church in the world. In this preaching, it has to be noted and responded to the "secret rapture" view by pointing out the following:
1. After the second coming of Jesus Christ there is no opportunity to accept Him as Lord and Savior. Outside of His second advent which will be glorious, noisy, powerful, and final there is just no second chance. It is this belief the secret rapture proponent is teaching a "fairy tale" and this can cause many to fail to follow Christ now and possibly be lost eternally. It's a harbinger of a "I'll wait and see" attitude. According to the Three Angels messages of Revelation 14:6-12 the gospel and its preaching to the entire world, which directly challenges men and women to accept Christ now, is central to this issue.
2. The Antichrist is now operating in the church and has been for many centuries. The first epistle of John makes this abundantly clear. In John's day there were antichrist's in the church. The Beast power is Papal Rome, according to a historical interpretation of Daniel and Revelation, who along with other temporal political powers and her harlot daughters is set to arise and work at the end time just as she has through the centuries.
3. At this time there is no genuine significance to the Jews as a nation fulfilling Bible prophecy. In fact, it has already been accomplished by the person of Jesus Christ. We all belong to Israel, "fellow citizen's with the saints," as a result of Jesus' sacrifice. The New Testament teaches that the Christian church is true Israel. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28
The final end time battle will be fought all over the world, wherever God's people are to be found and it will center around the commandments of God and His authority as opposed to the mark of the beast system and that authority. The battle lines are clearly drawn: "Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." - Revelation 14:12. Whether the Jews rebuild a temple in Jerusalem is of no significance as the true temple of God is to be found in heaven where Jesus Christ our righteousness now dwells.
Lastly, it should be noted that this prophetic message does make those with the historic interpretation of scripture much, much different from practically every other church denomination today. It is very interesting to also note that in recent years there has been a moving away from the teachings of futurism by many prominent scholars. The movement has been more towards the historic interpretation held by the early reformers position which can only be the work of God.
It is an undeniable fact that God has commissioned all Christians in Revelation 14:6-12 to preach some great truths namely, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His soon return and the glory of His commandments and His faith to both Christians and non-Christians alike to prepare all them "that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" to meet Jesus when He returns.
There can be no more dangerous interpretation of scripture than the notion of a "rebuilt temple" and a "secret rapture."
This event will supposedly commence in the midst of the 70th week of Daniel 9:25-27. During this time 144,000 Jews will be converted and will rebuild a temple at Jerusalem where animal sacrifices will resume. Then these Jews will get on with the business of preaching the gospel to all the world. Of course, let's keep in mind, that the preaching of the Gospel has been going out to the entire world for centuries now.
Rapurists believe that the beast power, the mysterious antichrist figure, will then appear and make a "peace treaty" with these 144,000 Jews. After 3½ years of keeping a covenant with the Jews, the beast will break the covenant and commence 3½ years of persecution on the Jews and their converts. Finally there will be a third coming of Jesus to end it all and Jesus will rescue His people.
This is all a wildly fantastic scenario. The fact that it is pure fiction, found only in the pages of the "Left Behind" books and the fiction section of your local bookstore, and not anywhere in the pages of scripture should cause anyone even remotely interested in the truth to question this scenario.
It can be demonstrated quite clearly and distinctly from recent world history that this school of prophetic interpretation, coined "futurism," was developed by a Spanish Jesuit by the name of Manuel De Lacunza as a counter measure to the Protestant Reformation which had identified the Papacy as the Antichrist. It was later made popular by the Brethren Movement and Cyrus Scofield and the Scofield Bible. In the last 50-60 years it has become the prevailing view of many, if not most Evangelical churches. This teaching has many serious differences with the prevailing historical prophetic teaching and understanding of the Reformation and in particular Seventh-day Adventist doctrine. Some of the major flaws of this dispensational secret rapture scenario are:
1. There is second chance to believe in Jesus after His second coming if somehow one misses out on the secret rapture. This has got to be the most dangerous aspect of this doctrine.
2. The Antichrist appears after the church age era and this occurs after the church is raptured. Yet clearly scripture teaches us that even in the apostles day, as 1 John tells us, there were many antichrists in the church.
3. These end time prophecies call for the re-establishment of the State of Israel and the rebuilding of the Jewish temple. Clearly this is an extremely myopic and somewhat convoluted interpretation of scripture because so many of these prophecies are taken from prophecies that have already been fulfilled regarding Judas return from captivity in Babylon.
4. This scenario of the secret rapture 1) absolves a Christian from the necessity of preaching the word of God to modern day Jews, which, for most Christians would be practically impossible because they do not know their scriptures better than even a nominal Jew, and 2) it neglects the obvious symbolic connection between Israel, Christ's fulfillment of prophecies regarding Israel and the fact that Jesus Christ is in fact the physical embodiment of Israel.
And yet the commission to preach the three angels messages of Revelation 14:6-12 make it abundantly clear that "the everlasting gospel" is to be preached to them "that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" and that all should "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The Three Angels messages easily dispel the notion that the word of God will be preached after the church has flown away.
And it must be stressed that this admonition is something that is to be done now, not later, in anticipation and in preparation for the fall of Babylon and before the coming of the mark of the beast.
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:" - Revelation 14:8-9
Therefore it makes the ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist and the historic interpretation to the entire world, including modern day Jews living in that secular, nation/state of corporate ISRAEL clearly different, and vital to that of most every other church in the world. In this preaching, it has to be noted and responded to the "secret rapture" view by pointing out the following:
1. After the second coming of Jesus Christ there is no opportunity to accept Him as Lord and Savior. Outside of His second advent which will be glorious, noisy, powerful, and final there is just no second chance. It is this belief the secret rapture proponent is teaching a "fairy tale" and this can cause many to fail to follow Christ now and possibly be lost eternally. It's a harbinger of a "I'll wait and see" attitude. According to the Three Angels messages of Revelation 14:6-12 the gospel and its preaching to the entire world, which directly challenges men and women to accept Christ now, is central to this issue.
2. The Antichrist is now operating in the church and has been for many centuries. The first epistle of John makes this abundantly clear. In John's day there were antichrist's in the church. The Beast power is Papal Rome, according to a historical interpretation of Daniel and Revelation, who along with other temporal political powers and her harlot daughters is set to arise and work at the end time just as she has through the centuries.
3. At this time there is no genuine significance to the Jews as a nation fulfilling Bible prophecy. In fact, it has already been accomplished by the person of Jesus Christ. We all belong to Israel, "fellow citizen's with the saints," as a result of Jesus' sacrifice. The New Testament teaches that the Christian church is true Israel. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28
The final end time battle will be fought all over the world, wherever God's people are to be found and it will center around the commandments of God and His authority as opposed to the mark of the beast system and that authority. The battle lines are clearly drawn: "Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." - Revelation 14:12. Whether the Jews rebuild a temple in Jerusalem is of no significance as the true temple of God is to be found in heaven where Jesus Christ our righteousness now dwells.
Lastly, it should be noted that this prophetic message does make those with the historic interpretation of scripture much, much different from practically every other church denomination today. It is very interesting to also note that in recent years there has been a moving away from the teachings of futurism by many prominent scholars. The movement has been more towards the historic interpretation held by the early reformers position which can only be the work of God.
It is an undeniable fact that God has commissioned all Christians in Revelation 14:6-12 to preach some great truths namely, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His soon return and the glory of His commandments and His faith to both Christians and non-Christians alike to prepare all them "that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" to meet Jesus when He returns.
There can be no more dangerous interpretation of scripture than the notion of a "rebuilt temple" and a "secret rapture."
Friday, June 12, 2009
For God so loved the world....
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Is there really anyway we can imagine that, the Just One for the unjust? The following video attempts that very thing...in a most sobering way.
May Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Son of God, the Holy One of Israel shine forth in your heart today and everyday.
Is there really anyway we can imagine that, the Just One for the unjust? The following video attempts that very thing...in a most sobering way.
May Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Son of God, the Holy One of Israel shine forth in your heart today and everyday.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Connection of the Mercy Seat
I was telling a Messianic Jew that occasionally worships with us at our church how I thought the sabbath commandment - the 4th commandment, was actually a representation or type of the Mercy Seat. We are commonly taught in most Christian circles but especially Seventh-day Adventist teaching that the first 4 commandments of God's Moral law instruct us how to honor God, and the next 6 commandments instruct us how to honor our fellow man.
Now, here's the connection. The Mercy Seat covers the law inside the Ark of the Covenant which are on two tables of stone (Exodus 25:21-22, Deuteronomy 10:2). And yet, at the same time, it also bridges the gap as it also connects the law inside the Ark with the Shekinah Glory above the Mercy Seat. I have always equated the law inside the Ark of the Covenant as, prophetically or as a type, symbolic for the law being placed inside man's heart. Man's heart is to contain the Word of God represented by the manna, the Law of God as presented by the commandments and finally the Hope and Promises of God as represented by Aaron's Rod that budded.
There is only one commandment that bridges this gap and connects the responsibility of honoring God, which can be summed up with certainty in the first three commandments, and the responsibility of honoring our fellow man together and that is the 4th commandment. It is the only commandment where it can be seen that God is with us, communing amongst His people while we are also communing with Him, enjoying His time that He chooses to be with us and marveling at His creation. We are connected.
Just as the Mercy Seat connects and bridges the gap between the law and grace, so too does the 4th Commandment.
Now, here's the connection. The Mercy Seat covers the law inside the Ark of the Covenant which are on two tables of stone (Exodus 25:21-22, Deuteronomy 10:2). And yet, at the same time, it also bridges the gap as it also connects the law inside the Ark with the Shekinah Glory above the Mercy Seat. I have always equated the law inside the Ark of the Covenant as, prophetically or as a type, symbolic for the law being placed inside man's heart. Man's heart is to contain the Word of God represented by the manna, the Law of God as presented by the commandments and finally the Hope and Promises of God as represented by Aaron's Rod that budded.
There is only one commandment that bridges this gap and connects the responsibility of honoring God, which can be summed up with certainty in the first three commandments, and the responsibility of honoring our fellow man together and that is the 4th commandment. It is the only commandment where it can be seen that God is with us, communing amongst His people while we are also communing with Him, enjoying His time that He chooses to be with us and marveling at His creation. We are connected.
Just as the Mercy Seat connects and bridges the gap between the law and grace, so too does the 4th Commandment.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Sunday Law? Piece of cake.
Go ahead and watch the following video and you tell me that leading the masses towards a Sunday law observance won't be a piece of cake.
The point is real simple. When Americans, such as those shown in this video, are given a plethora of reasons why a Sunday law is needed and necessary they will absolutely jump at it. Now add another Catholic judge to the U.S. Supreme Court and it should be fairly certain that the United States is in the process of setting up the image that will give power and great authority to the beast.
It's just a matter of time. And yet, even so, "Come Lord Jesus, come."
The point is real simple. When Americans, such as those shown in this video, are given a plethora of reasons why a Sunday law is needed and necessary they will absolutely jump at it. Now add another Catholic judge to the U.S. Supreme Court and it should be fairly certain that the United States is in the process of setting up the image that will give power and great authority to the beast.
It's just a matter of time. And yet, even so, "Come Lord Jesus, come."
Thursday, May 28, 2009
1844 & the Final Onslaught by Proferssor Walter Veith (Full Version)
Take heart all you Seventh-day Adventist's and stand firm in your faith! Stand by what you have been taught and what you have learned from the scriptures and from Inspiration....
These are trying times, they will get much worse, and yet there is no other church or movement - none, that teaches what the Seventh-day Adventist church teaches the Bible says.
And remember to say with a loud voice, "...Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
These are trying times, they will get much worse, and yet there is no other church or movement - none, that teaches what the Seventh-day Adventist church teaches the Bible says.
And remember to say with a loud voice, "...Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
1844 & The Final Onslaught by Proferssor Walter Veith - Parts 1 to 9
Take heart all you Seventh-day Adventist's and stand firm in your faith! Stand by what you have been taught and what you have learned from the scriptures and from Inspiration....
These are trying times, they will get much worse, and yet there is no other church or movement - none, that teaches what the Seventh-day Adventist church teaches the Bible says.
And remember to say with a loud voice, "...Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
These are trying times, they will get much worse, and yet there is no other church or movement - none, that teaches what the Seventh-day Adventist church teaches the Bible says.
And remember to say with a loud voice, "...Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Pork: The Other White Meat®
More proof God was right and Jesus Christ didn't die on the cross for bacon, ham and pickled pigs feet.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Happy Passover!
That's right, at sundown tonight April 8, 2009 the Passover of the Lord officially began.Today is when He ate the last supper: Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-30
He was betrayed and arrested: Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:2-12
Tried by Annas and Caiaphas: Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-65: John 18:13-27
The next day, which would be this Thursday Jesus was:
Tried by Sanhedrin: Matthew 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66
Tried by Pilate, Herod: Matthew 27:2-30; Mark 15:2-19; Luke 23:1-25; John 18:28-19:16
Crucified and Buried: Matthew 27:31-60; Mark 15:20-46; Luke 23:26-54; John 19:16-42
This coming Friday would be the day He spent in the tomb.
And this Saturday, the Seventh-day Sabbath will mark the day He arose from the tomb: Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-35
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The retribution of God?
A few days ago a tragic accident occurred when a plane carrying three families totaling 14 people on their way to a ski vacation in Montana crashed killing all aboard. The victims were all members of the Seventh-day Adventist church. According to the Adventist Review, “All three families were members or regular attendees at congregations in the Northern California Conference; the three husbands were longtime friends who attended both church-owned Pacific Union College and Loma Linda University.”
Three families, 14 people. Gone just like that. This is no doubt would be a very difficult situation for the survivors of just one family to bear. It is hard to comprehend three. Yet, on top of that tragedy there is still much more to deal with, a tragedy within the tragedy. What can only seem to be the total and complete mischaracterization of God Himself, His nature and His character, is the tact that has been taken by some who consider themselves “pro life.”
It appears that there are certain members of the “pro life” community, writers, speakers, etc., that see this plane crash as God’s very own retribution against the family patriarch of the deceased, a prominent Adventist, Dr. Irving M. “Bud” Feldkamp III, who owns the Hospitality Dental Group in San Bernardino, California, the Glen Helen Raceway and Family Planning Associates, a California corporation that provides abortions.
This entry is not about whether abortion is or is not wrong, or whether it is immoral.
What this particular entry is about is trying to understand God Himself and whether God is actually responsible in these situations. In other words, does God kill and/or seek retribution against sinners by attacking the sinners’ family? And if so, what does that say about God? Is all that “mercy” talk just a bunch of tripe?
Without coming right out and saying as much many “pro lifers” have hinted at the fact that this is God’s retribution for the fact that Dr. Feldkamp owns a corporation that performs abortions. Which begs the question, does God kill those family members – specifically the young children, in this case grandchildren, of people that may or may not be in working in the will of God?
In the Book of Luke (Luke 13:1-6) after Jesus was told of Pilate murdering certain Galileans as they sacrificed at the Temple Jesus said plainly to His disciples, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?” The standard view of the Jews in these times was that those who suffered, or who were poor, or who were in some other way not as fortunate as others that somehow they were cursed by God. Is that what we are to think regarding this plane crash? Yet what does Jesus go on to teach us? He says, “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Jesus continues on, “Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?” Jesus repeats His admonition, “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
So what are we to think? Is God constantly lurking in the background waiting for those very children He created to slip up so He can pounce? Is this what God does? Paul tells us in Galatians 1:4 that Jesus died and, “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” In the Book of Ezekiel (18:20) we are told that, “The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son.”
In the desire of some people to expose what they consider to be the greatest sins of others they use a tragedy such as this to coldly and callously denounce people and yet become insensitive to others themselves. They paint God as a God that would kill the living, and breathing children and grandchildren as a perfectly just punishment for the sins of another man.
Is it any wonder that so many distrust God and want nothing to do with Him? A God that seeks to destroy the very creation He has made is a God that no one cares to know, that no one cares to learn of and is as pagan as the day is long.
Three families, 14 people. Gone just like that. This is no doubt would be a very difficult situation for the survivors of just one family to bear. It is hard to comprehend three. Yet, on top of that tragedy there is still much more to deal with, a tragedy within the tragedy. What can only seem to be the total and complete mischaracterization of God Himself, His nature and His character, is the tact that has been taken by some who consider themselves “pro life.”
It appears that there are certain members of the “pro life” community, writers, speakers, etc., that see this plane crash as God’s very own retribution against the family patriarch of the deceased, a prominent Adventist, Dr. Irving M. “Bud” Feldkamp III, who owns the Hospitality Dental Group in San Bernardino, California, the Glen Helen Raceway and Family Planning Associates, a California corporation that provides abortions.
This entry is not about whether abortion is or is not wrong, or whether it is immoral.
What this particular entry is about is trying to understand God Himself and whether God is actually responsible in these situations. In other words, does God kill and/or seek retribution against sinners by attacking the sinners’ family? And if so, what does that say about God? Is all that “mercy” talk just a bunch of tripe?
Without coming right out and saying as much many “pro lifers” have hinted at the fact that this is God’s retribution for the fact that Dr. Feldkamp owns a corporation that performs abortions. Which begs the question, does God kill those family members – specifically the young children, in this case grandchildren, of people that may or may not be in working in the will of God?
In the Book of Luke (Luke 13:1-6) after Jesus was told of Pilate murdering certain Galileans as they sacrificed at the Temple Jesus said plainly to His disciples, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way?” The standard view of the Jews in these times was that those who suffered, or who were poor, or who were in some other way not as fortunate as others that somehow they were cursed by God. Is that what we are to think regarding this plane crash? Yet what does Jesus go on to teach us? He says, “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Jesus continues on, “Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them–do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?” Jesus repeats His admonition, “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
So what are we to think? Is God constantly lurking in the background waiting for those very children He created to slip up so He can pounce? Is this what God does? Paul tells us in Galatians 1:4 that Jesus died and, “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.” In the Book of Ezekiel (18:20) we are told that, “The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son.”
In the desire of some people to expose what they consider to be the greatest sins of others they use a tragedy such as this to coldly and callously denounce people and yet become insensitive to others themselves. They paint God as a God that would kill the living, and breathing children and grandchildren as a perfectly just punishment for the sins of another man.
Is it any wonder that so many distrust God and want nothing to do with Him? A God that seeks to destroy the very creation He has made is a God that no one cares to know, that no one cares to learn of and is as pagan as the day is long.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Happy Easter?
I like to visit various Christian forums to discuss and debate different aspects of Christianity and especially the doctrine and beliefs of Seventh-day Adventistism. Just a few days ago I logged on to one particular Christian web forum where I saw a banner ad for Easter costumes. Having my curiosity pricked I clicked on the banner to see just exactly what an "Easter" costume was all about.
The picture you see here is a product of what I found from searching the site. This picture has also left me scratching my head quite frankly.
Now, the picture here is not a picture of an aged or maturing Sasquatch although it could certainly pass for one! According to the web site it's a costume for those that want to "dress up" as Moses (Rav Mo'she)! Gee, ain't that just a hoot!
Now I'm sorry to be so sarcastic regarding this but I find this absolutely fascinating and just a wee bit troubling, and here's why.
We all know, for the most part that Easter has its origins in paganism and the adoption of pagan practices. In fact the name "Easter" has at it's core the name of several different pagan gods - Eostre of the Saxons, Ishtar of the Assyrians, Ashtoreth of the ancient Canaanites, derived from the ancient word for spring! Just another pagan god. Spring! Is Easter just becoming a new Halloween for Christians? It was pointed out to me, if you think about it, that Sunday is really just a "mini-Easter" celebration! In that sense celebrating Easter would almost appear to be redundant!
Of course, this Easter is (by far) much, much different from what the Passover of the Lord in the book of Exodus was to not only represent, but to become in our lives. Our Passover Lamb - Jesus Christ, was sacrificed at a different time, in a different place, in a completely different manner and, above all, for a completely different reason than what is represented in the Easter "holiday." His shed blood was meant to cover our sins that are found on the door posts of our earthly tents (justification) and, as that Lamb is ingested into our bodies, we are to become more like Him by taking our His nature and His character (sanctification).
This distinction should never, ever be lost on Seventh-day Adventists or for that matter any Christian.
I remember that very first Christmas I experienced in an Adventist church like it was yesterday. Of course, in that was just a little over three years ago, it really was just like yesterday! I remember thinking to myself that considering all the truth Adventists have in the Word of God and explained through the Spirit of Prophecy regarding that which will soon come to pass that embracing something born from paganism seemed odd. You know it's taken a few years since I became an Adventist to kind of get used to the whole Christmas thing.....honestly. But it still surprises me somewhat to this day that Adventists (not all) celebrate Christmas to some extent. And yes, I've read Mrs. White on Christmas.....so I see the point, at least a little anyway. In considering that so many Adventists are converts from other denominations Christmas almost becomes somewhat understandable frankly.
But not Easter - I'll never get used to seeing Easter celebrated in an Adventist church. Why? Because of all Christian denominations Seventh-day Adeventism seems to come closer to any other in understanding the sanctuary, the services of the sanctuary, the feasts and festivals centered around the sanctuary and above all the rich and deep meaning behind all the things that are represented by and through the sanctuary. Personally, I almost find it difficult to understand the true nature and character of God that Satan has constantly and regularly assailed without understanding these things.
In fact, I would love to see Seventh-day Adventists, as well as all Christendom for that matter, begin to embrace all of the feasts and festivals of the Torah and the Prophets, and learn and investigate the meaning behind the Bible feasts and festivals. These feasts and festivals, unlike some will say, have not been "nailed to the cross" but still provide a valuable window for us all to understand the second coming of Jesus Christ.
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