Matthew 24 – Part 7
Jesus Makes the Timing Very Clear Yet We Keep Getting it Wrong
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:30-1.
“Now, we have him,” the end-of-the-world pursuers say. How can he explain this portion. Clearly, Jesus returns physically at the end of time, according to this passage. But this entire passage is bookended by timing verses. The first, of course, is when Jesus’ disciples ask him when the temple will be destroyed, and He answers very clearly and explains the signs of an event we already have the historic record of its occurrence. Then he follows with a specific timing statement for those who didn’t have that history . . . yet. “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:34-5.
Romans 13 – Submit or Rebuke? Submit Might Mean You’re Falling Down Before the Wicked
History as Your Context for Judging
In the case of the U.S., Secularism or Humanism or Progressivism or Liberalism – pick your term – is attempting to woo the Christian West, to reverse that order, and they do so by arguing a lie. First, they assert that the U.S. governmental structure and legal system are Humanist, that the Founders rejected all biblical law and influence when they founded this country. Second, they jettison the means of changing the law, which the Founders themselves established in the U.S. Constitution – by amendment, which requires the consent of the people. Third, they then say that once that change has occurred, it can never be reversed without violating “the law.”
In other words, unlike the Christians who altered the Roman Empire over time by being forthright and honest about their religious faith in Christ and not Continue reading “Romans 13 – Submit or Rebuke? Submit Might Mean You’re Falling Down Before the Wicked”
Romans 13 – Wait a Minute! Wasn’t that Written in Pre-Christian Rome?!
History as Your Context for Judging
“A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.” Proverbs 25:26, KJV.
“How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?” Psalm 82:2, KJV.
“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.” Proverbs 28:4, KJV.
“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” Proverbs 17:15, KJV.
“He that saith unto the wicked, ‘Thou art righteous;’ him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:” Proverbs 24:24, KJV.
“Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?” Psalm 94:20, KJV.
Continue reading “Romans 13 – Wait a Minute! Wasn’t that Written in Pre-Christian Rome?!”
Avatar – post 2 – Jake Sully
Avatar’s Jake Sully
Jake Sully, the main character, is something of a lost person when he arrives at Pandora. He had lost his twin brother, and he talks like he’s open to anything new that might give his life meaning. Of course, the prospect of having a new body, even if only virtual, is attractive to a marine who has lost the use of his legs. Jake doesn’t know his purpose, so at the same time he’s helping the anthropologist understand and befriend the Pandorans, he’s also giving intel to the colonel for him to know when and how to strike the enemy. Jake is the ultimate double agent, although there is no attempt to fool the Pandorans who call Jake and the other virtual Pandorans “sleep-walkers.” Often our lives take odd, unnerving and faith-challenging turns, and we wonder what purpose we were intended for. In that sense, we’re like Jake who had to wait to see the purpose for the crippling he’d experienced. He had to go low before he could go high. Obviously, the “divine” dandelions that light upon Jake while he’s following the Pandoran woman through the jungle are the sign of some sort of calling upon Jake; the Pandoran woman recognizes that.
Stephen’s Defense – Acts 7
Stephen’s Defense – Acts 7
I. High Priest: “Are these things so?” “These things” were the accusations of blasphemy against Moses (no such biblical prohibition against blasphemy toward a deceased person), blasphemy against God, blasphemy against “this holy place,” & blasphemy against the law. Specifically, the men contending with Stephen said he said that Jesus would destroy this place & change the customs delivered by Moses. While reading Stephen’s brilliant defense in chap. 7, listen for any blasphemy of the type of which he’s accused. His 53-verse speech is a historical survey of the Jewish people. Along with evidence of blasphemy, listen for references to the temple & to what he focuses on in Israel’s history.
There Was Never a Covenant of Works Instituted by the Gracious God
There Was Never a Covenant of Works Between God and Man
God did not require Adam to perform any good works prior to creating him. Seems obvious, doesn’t it? So the original gift of life was based on grace. Then why do theologians say that the original covenant between Adam and Eve and God was a “covenant of works?”
The reformed faith teaches that even in the Old Testament, among His people Israel, God did not save any individual based on works. It was always by grace, specifically by faith in a savior to come. It has always troubled me that the Reformed faith is consistent regarding salvation by grace throughout history until it gets to the Garden of Eden before the Fall. If God is a God who never changes, how could he impose a covenant of works at one point in history but a covenant of grace at another?
Continue reading “There Was Never a Covenant of Works Instituted by the Gracious God”
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Matthew 24 – Part 6
How Can It Be That Israel’s 1st Century Leaders Were Judged So Harshly?
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Matthew 24:29. Here is what Luke says in Luke 21:25: “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.”
Again, the bible itself explains the bible. “Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Genesis 37:9. Joseph’s dream was immediately understood by his brothers, his father, and his mother. Genesis 37:10. He would rule over them. Why would Continue reading “Matthew 24 – Part 6”
America’s Established Religion is Polytheism
America’s Established Religion is Neither Secularism Nor Christianity
The U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the opening of monthly town meetings in Greece, NY with prayers by clergy is problematic because contrary to its stated intent, it does establish a religion for the civil sphere. The high court says they’re okay with the town meeting prayers, as long as the city invites other religions and not just the clergy of the Christian religion.
We in 20th century America are accustomed to the Christian religion being primary; however, for most of human history, the major religions of the world have not been the Christian religion. The religion of Rome, Greece, and many Continue reading “America’s Established Religion is Polytheism”