The Book of Esther Played Out in Acts

In Acts 4, Peter continues the accusation that Jesus began. He accused the Sanhedrin and the High Priest of killing the “Blessed One.” The Apostles’ message of comfort for all who would listen changed once they appeared before the Sanhedrin & that leadership began their attempt to stop the message. Peter turned to accusation because he had made his choice – Christ, the King. It was either Christ or the establishment. The apostles and other of Christ’s followers, like Stephen, clearly thought Christ would be victorious over the establishment of that day. The establishment thought they would survive somehow within the Roman system or escape it in the future somehow. Christ and His apostles focused on God and his judgment of who should succeed and prosper into future generations; the establishment relied upon political power, negotiation, gamesmanship, waiting the Romans out, as they had waited out the other empires that had taken Israel captive. In that waiting, however, the establishment ignored Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the other visions Daniel saw. See the post, “Daniel – The Key Timing Prophecy.” Continue reading “The Book of Esther Played Out in Acts”

June 16, 2017June 15, 2017

Adding to the Law – As Bad as Subtracting

Adding to the Law

When he was president, I was thinking about what I would have said to President Barack O’Bama. You know how you think when you think you’re smarter than everybody else. I would like to explain the danger of politics. One of the dangers is the contrast with faith. Faith seeks to be right with God, and He will give power to that faithful one. Politics is the attainment of power without any need to be right with God. When you’re poor and weak and God gives you power, you know you’re on the right track, not perfect, but on the right track. But with politics, how do you know you’re using power rightly? Do you need faith? Do you help the poor? Who are the poor? Is it those without means, or is it those who are pursued for their means? I mean, can you vote the largesse of those with means so that you can enjoy the product of their work? Does “Thou shalt not steal” not apply as long as a majority says it’s okay? Can you steal by using the ballot box?

Continue reading “Adding to the Law – As Bad as Subtracting”

May 10, 2017May 18, 2017

Last Means Last Except . . . post 2

A Never-Ending Last Days

We also use the word “last” to describe days past, not future. “In the last few days” would be an example. But that would be stretching the meaning of “last” too far in the Hebrews passage. Clearly, the author is speaking of the end of something because he warns people about something passing away and of something else appearing and that they should view those “last” days in faith, as if they’re headed toward a destination, a goal, a finish. But the finish is something better than what was past, not something worse. Those who suffered in the past were giving their lives for us, for something to come, for something better. Hebrews 11. The Israelites who left Egypt were headed somewhere; they wandered because of disobedience, not because the goal could not be accomplished. The “last” days refers to the time just before the accomplishment of the mission or goal for which the faithful saints gave their lives.

Continue reading “Last Means Last Except . . . post 2”