What did Jesus mean when he said, "I came not to bring peace but a sword!"

This is one of those apparent contradictory statements by Jesus again. I love these type of statements by the Lord. And why? Because it forces me to carefully examine the text to see what he meant by this controversial phrase. 

Once again to understand what Jesus meant, we must understand the context in which he said it. Matthew 10:34-37 says, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth, but a sword. For I came to set a man against Father, and a Daughter against her Mother, and a Daughter-In-Law against her Mother-In-Law; and a man's enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves Father and Mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. He who has found his life will lose it, and he who will lose his life for my sake will find it."

The prior verses tell us that Jesus had commissioned his disciples to preach the gospel, heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast of demons (Matt 10:5-8). 

When Jesus said, "I came not to bring peace, but a sword", he was making reference to a sword of division between family members. Why in the world would Jesus want to do that? Because, family are the closest relationships we have in the earth. If we are to be effective genuine Christians, we have to be willing to abandon any and all relationships for the excellency that is in Jesus Christ or else we CANNOT serve him.  Jesus is commanding ultimate love and devotion to him first. All other relationships must be subservient to his. 

Jesus is not being double minded when he says that he came not to bring peace. He is and always will be the Prince of Peace as Isaiah 9:6 tells us. Yet at the same time, the life we must live as Christians will not be totally devoid of conflict and trial. Ultimately peace will prevail, but prior to obtaining eternal peace we will have conflict; perhaps even in our own family. Jesus is warning his readers that a cost is required to follow him. It is like he is saying, "Are you willing to cast your vote for me even at the expense of your family and even your own life?" If one is unwilling to do that, they cannot be Jesus' disciple. 

In Luke 9:59-62 we read these words, And he said to another, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my Father. But he said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." Another also said, "I will follow you Lord, but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." But Jesus said to him. "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God."

If we are to follow Christ, we cannot make any excuses. Either we are all the way in, or we are out; no middle ground! Thank the Lord he cares enough about us to warn us first what is required to  follow him. Jesus does not paint a unrealistic pretty picture, but a real one of the cost of discipleship. 

Are there times when it is OK to hate someone?

In Psalm 139:21 we read David saying, "Do I not hate them O Lord that hate you? And am I not grieved with those that rise up against you? I hate them with perfect hatred. I count them my enemies."

These feelings by David are in contradiction to what Jesus taught us about loving our enemies and doing good to them right (Matt 5:44)? So why did David feel justified in hating his enemies? How could he make such an out loud and brash statement like he did? The word hate is the Hebrew word miseo. The word has several meanings; malice, disregard, preferring one thing over another, dislike.

David was justified in saying he hated those that hated God because those that hate God are his enemies, and are bent on committing evil. The nations that Israel had to drive out of Canaan were perversely wicked nations that God commanded them to destroy. Why? Because God hated those nations. Would God have commanded those nations be destroyed if he loved them?  Of course not. An evil person wicked ways are repulsive to God and HAVE to be repulsive to us as well - those of us who are his children.  If not, we are siding with God's enemies which we must not do.

So, how do we balance what Jesus commanded us in Matthew 5:44 verses what David said in Psalm 139:21? Jesus commanded us to love and pray for our enemies which we are supposed to do. That does not mean we want God to bless them in their state of wickedness and rebellion. Rather we should pray that they repent of their sins and believe the gospel so that they can be saved. We are to despise them - not with an unjustified malicious hatred toward them, but a godly, holy hatred because of their wicked ways. It is a justified hatred with a godly cause - all the while praying for the salvation of their soul even as your enemy. 

Remember, whom or what God hates, we hate. Whom or what God loves, we love. 

A perfect example of a righteous hatred would be the terrorist regime ISIS. Question, does God love them? I would say yes and no.

These terrorists are enemies of God and his Church. They are beheading and crucifying Christians. They have made it clear that they hate God and his children. I think I would be safe in saying that God hates ISIS and we should to because they are evil. I know that language sounds strange. The paradox however is that we are to love and pray for the individuals salvation, and at the same time pray for them being brought to justice, their organization destroyed and even executed for their crimes. They deserve to die. They are an abomination to all, but we as believers should pray they do not perish eternally.

Even though it can be hard to understand this apparent duplicitous dynamic humanly, it is not difficult to decipher in the mind of God. God's hate of something or someone is just as perfect and holy as his love. We must not forget that. And remember, David's loathing of those in his day was justified because of the wickedness of those who hated God. God is holy and perfect. Anyone who is against God is against us. Jesus said, "Whoever is not for me is against me (Matt 12:30)."

Jesus at the end of time will destroy all evil - that means he will kill everyone of his enemies. Why? Because he loves them so? No, because he despises them for their evil and for his holiness sake he must judge them (Rev 19:11-21).  God would not be just if he did not judge evil doers. Just as a human judge must sentence wicked people to life in prison or death for their crimes, God must and will do the same thing.

God's hating of individuals is never baseless or causeless. It is because man is against and hates God that God reacts with perfect hatred. We like David have to hate evil doers as well; not with the attitude that we are pursuing personal revenge, but that God would punish them in his time.

Is there such a thing as a heavenly prayer language?

To those in the Charismatic and Pentecostal communities, the question is a no-brainer. They are convinced there is a heavenly language spoken of in the Bible. If so, where would one find this language? In 1 Corinthians 13 and 14. 

In 1 Corinthians 13:1 we read, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels..." Now, when Paul says he speaks with the tongues of angels, is he speaking literally or figuratively? It would have to be figuratively. Every time an angel spoke in the Bible, they spoke in the language of the people they were talking to - not in some "angel talk". Yet many have determined that speaking with the tongues of angels is speaking in tongues. How they come to that conclusion is a mystery to me. 

Are there two different gifts of tongues in the Bible?

The reason I present this question is because there are those that believe and teach there are two types of tongues in scripture - one for the Church in public use that requires interpretation (not translation in the Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches),  and one for private use (which requires no interpretation because it is between the speaker and God alone).  Why is this so? I believe because of a misunderstanding of what Paul is describing in 1 Corinthians 14. In verses 18 and 19 Paul says, "I thank God I speak in tongues more than all of you. Yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue." 

There is no account in scripture where Paul spoke in tongues. But we know he did because he tells the Church at Corinth so. But Paul says something interesting. He says he rather speak only a few words in his native tongue to the Church so that he can instruct and edify others than ten thousand words in a tongue. Why would Paul say that? Because he understood the superiority of edifying the Church than edifying one's self  by speaking in a foreign tongue that no one could understand, not even him (1 Cor 14:4).

Also, this supposed "second tongue" for private prayer cannot be found in the Bible. So what is going on? Why are so many speaking in unintelligible speech and saying that is a heavenly language or tongues? They are misinterpreting 1 Cor 14:4 which reads, "He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the Church." 

What the Charismatic is saying is that when one speaks in this ecstatic speech (or what they call tongues), it is some type of esoteric prayer on a heavenly level that is a greater form of worship (some believe) than if one spoke in their native tongue to God in prayer. Also, it is a way to build one's self up in the Holy Spirit. And by the way, this gift is available to every Christian and does not need to be interpreted because it is strictly between the tongue speaker and God alone.  

Paul made it clear that anyone that spoke in a tongue were to pray that they may interpret (1 Cor 14:5,27). Now keep in mind when Paul mentions tongues, he is not talking about a heavenly language or gibberish for gibberish or non language cannot be translated because it has no meaning.

This is the difference between the tongues spoken in the assembly vs the one spoken privately in one's prayer closet. I grew up in the Charismatic movement from the age of 13-24, and I have never witnessed a genuine manifestation of the gift of language and an interpretation of that foreign language. 

All I experienced and practiced were the current counterfeit manifestations.  

What about using tongues as a means of spiritual warfare?

One of the main passages used for tongues as a means of  wrestling against the unseen forces of evil in heavenly places is Ephesians 6:18, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for this purpose with all perseverance for all saints".

The phrase "In the Spirit" is the what Charismatics believe is the phrase that justifies them engaging in what I believe is a foolish practice at best, and perhaps a demonic practice at the worst. Why do I say demonic? Because there are pagan groups like Tibetan monks and foreign tribes that chant in unknown tongues that are not of the Spirit of God. The genuine gift of tongues was always human languages not known by the speaker but understood by the hearers as witnessed on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The phrase "In the Spirit" simply means by the leading of the Holy Spirit, not uttering ecstatic speech as a means of spiritual warfare.

Other passages used to justify what they believe is spiritual warfare are: Romans 8:26 and Jude 1:20.

Conclusion

There are ongoing debates regarding whether the Biblical gift of  tongues has ceased or is operative today. What I am arguing is there is no such thing as a personal private heavenly language to build one's self up. There is a great divide regarding this matter also. Those that practice this ecstatic speech are considered the "haves", and those who do not are the "have-nots" spiritually speaking.

I fall into the latter group.

Speaking in the Biblical gift of tongues was never a weapon to fight demons and fallen angels, nor was it used as a personal prayer language. The gift was manifested to advance the kingdom of God, to magnify God and his power (Acts 2:11;10:46;19:6), and it was a sign of judgment to the unbeliever (in particular unbelieving Israel, 1 Cor 14:21-22). To see how it was a sign of judgment to Israel one has to travel back to the book of Isaiah 28.

We Need Humilty!

What does mean to be humble? With all of the seminars, books, and videos that tell us to "Believe in yourself", "You can create your own reality if you can just visualize it", it's no wonder why people today have very little or no humility at all. I am by no means advocating apathy, and not having confidence in one's abilities, but like most things we do as humans, we take it to the extreme.

Too often many are overconfident in themselves to the degree that many believe they are better than those who they feel have not reached their status in life - money, education, corporate success, etc.

Humble by definition means one of low degree, one of a lowly spirit. These are adjective forms of the word. This perfectly describes Jesus who said that he was gentle and humble in heart (Matt 11:29).

To have humility is not a bad word. Some have misunderstood the term believing that to be humble is to exhibit weakness, to not have a backbone. To become a doormat.

No. Rather a humble person knows that they do not have win every argument. I believe also a humble person is a peacemaker and a fair leader - one who is willing to go the extra mile to smooth things out between adverse situations. They are looking for a better way to handle things instead of yelling and cursing and fighting to get their way.

I felt it important to discuss humility in light of everything happening with our corrupt government and the recent natural disasters the nation and other nations have and are experiencing.

I know there are an innumerable amount of people blaming God for all the catastrophes happening in our world right now. With the all the earthquakes and hurricanes hitting areas like Puerto Rico, the Carribean Islands, Turk and Caicos, Houston, TX, the state of  Florida, Mexico, et al, many believe God does not care so they are cursing his name, or have resolved in their minds that he is not real so what is the point in calling out to him.

The Prophet Daniel had a different mindset regarding the exile of the nation Israel. Daniel knew why they were in captivity. So what did Daniel do? He humbled himself and petitioned the Lord.

In Daniel 9:3-20 we read the following, 

3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him;

10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God because we have sinned against him.

12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand your truth.

14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and has gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people have become a reproach to all that are about us.

17 Now, therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies.

19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for your city and thy people are called by your name.

20 And while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God;

21 Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

We see here that Daniel made himself a committee of one to intercede to God on behalf of the nation Israel. Daniel understood why they were enslaved by their enemies; because of the disobedience of their fathers. He made it clear in verse five: We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments.

Daniel didn't get angry and curse and blaspheme God; rather he beseeched and petitioned God to forgive the nation Israel and to pardon their sin for his holy name's sake. In other words, Daniel asked God to forgive Israel in spite of their sinful rebellious ways - not because they deserved it, but because God is merciful (v 18). 

This is one of the greatest displays of humility ever recorded not just in the scripture but in human history. When we read further in Daniel chapter nine, you discover that the angel Gabriel gives Daniel understanding regarding the future of the nation.

We must learn from Daniel's outstanding humility and character. The U.S. and the world are in the mess it is in because of its countless sins. It's not God's fault things are happening the way they are - it's ours. We as a nation has turned its back on God. As a result, we are being judged in the form of earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. These calamities should serve as a wake-up call and cause us to fear God and cry out to him for repentance and mercy, but the pleasures of sin have a way of lulling people to sleep - making us dull and insensitive to God's clear warnings that he is angry.  The moment we realize that as a nation, we should collectively get on our knees and implore God's forgiveness like Daniel did 2500 years ago for the nation Israel.

Will the U.S. ever do that? I doubt it. Why? Because it is too proud. This U.S. is rushing headlong into hell unless she repents.

Listen to the wisdom in the following verses:

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 29:23 - A man's pride will bring him low, but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.

James 4:6b - God resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 6:17 - God hates a proud or arrogant look.

Psalm 9:17 - The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God.

Matthew 23:12 - And whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (Jesus speaking). 

A humble man is a righteous man. He will not be quick to point the finger at others when he knows the problems he is facing is most likely because of his own sins. He will cry out to God for mercy - realizing that the Lord is the solution, not the problem.

A self-righteous man is blind and will point the finger at everyone else for his problems except himself. That is why he will be brought low, or made to be humble or humiliated because of his sinful pride. 

Do we want things to get better as a nation? Then we must do what Daniel did, humble ourselves and pray.

The Lord speaking to King Solomon uttered these timeless words:

If my people, who are called by 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 hear their land. 

Now, this promise was made directly to the nation Israel, but I believe that by extension America can hear from the Lord if we humble ourselves and pray to the God who has and is blessing this nation daily despite its unfaithfulness to God.

And finally, the humble heart is never self-reliant, they are petitioners. They are people of prayer; they are intercessors like Christ, Daniel, and the prophets of old along with the apostles. They know who their source is and where their help comes from (Heb 4:16).

The proud and arrogant heart are those that are self-righteous. They are like Nebuchadnezzar who in Daniel chapter four said the following prideful words, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty" (Dan 4:30)?

The Bible says that same hour Nebuchadnezzar was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox. His body was wet with dew from heaven. His hair was grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws (Dan 4:33). The king suffered a psychological disorder called Boanthropy. Those with this condition believe they are a cow or an ox so they graze and eat grass. If you do not humble yourself, God will humiliate you. This happened to the king for seven years until his mind was restored. Fortunately for Nebuchadnezzar, he repented and praised God and gave him thanks for all things (Dan 4:34-37).

I hope those that read this realize humility is not a weakness but a strength.
Humble people pray and are exalted by God. Proud people only brag and are brought low by God.

What is the Battle of Armageddon?

The word Armageddon is the Hebrew word [Har]megiddon which means mountain or plain of Megiddo. Megiddo is located in northern Israel in the valley of Jezreel. In ancient Biblical times battles were fought there.

If you look closely at the map, you will see the half tribe of Manasseh to the left and Megiddo in the northern part of it. 

In the 15th Century B.C. Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III fought against a group of Megiddo and Kadesh rulers. There are some that believe this is the same Pharaoh Moses and Aaron confronted when they demanded that Pharaoh let the Hebrews go free in the book of Exodus. 

During the time of Joshua's and his army defeat of many kings, it is mentioned that the tribe of Manasseh (one of the 12 tribes of Israel) received the region of Megiddo (Josh 12:21).

This is also the area where King Josiah of Judah is killed in 609 B.C. when battling against Pharaoh  Neco (2 Kings 23:29 - 30, 2 Chr 35:20 - 35). 

The word Megiddo is also mentioned in I Kings 9:15, "And this is the reason for the labor force which  King Solomon raised: to build the house of the Lord, his own house, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer."

That region has been the place of several battles in history and will be the place of a final battle - in essence World War III. Revelation 16:16 says that all nations will gather themselves to fight at this place - the plains of Megiddo. Or more popularly called Armageddon.

The armies of the earth are defeated by Jesus Christ

Revelation 19:11-21, "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is the Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike the nations, and he will rule with a rod of iron. He will tread the wine press of the fury of his wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. 

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive (italics mine) into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. 

The Apostle John is miraculously transported to the future, to the end of time as a matter of fact. He sees numerous visions which he records in his revelations, hence the name of the book - Revelation [(no "S" :)]. 

The above mentioned verses describes in incredible detail a final battle which most Biblical scholars believe will take place in the plains of Meggido. This battle comprises the armies of heaven led by Jesus Christ himself against the armies of the earth led by its leaders. The result will end in a gruesome blood bath where the earth armies will lose so that horse and rider along with the nobility of the earth and with all the ignoble that side with them will be devoured by ravenous birds.

After this victory by Christ, he will usher in the Millennium which is a thousand year period of global peace (Rev 20:2-7).

Everyone will inherit eternal life

The above title is not an incorrect phrase. Everyone who will ever live soul will never die. God created the soul to exist forever. So no one ceases to exist as some have taught. There is no such things as annihilation-ism. 

The Bible in Daniel 12:1-2 says, "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such has never been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name is written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."  

What Daniel is explaining is that those who are currently dead will be resurrected, that is raised out of the grave to receive judgment. Those who died in Christ will receive everlasting life, and those who died in sin will receive eternal damnation. 

In John 5:28-29 we read Jesus speaking, "Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment."

In Revelation 14:9-11, And another angel, a third followed them saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

And the last passage we need to examine is in Luke 16:23. We read of a rich man dying, and waking up in hell. Noticed that in hell his soul was wide awake and that he was fully aware of where he was - he was in torment and anguish and desired relief (vs 23-24). Why was the rich man there? Because he was evil and had apparently lived an unholy rebellious life while on earth. The rich had reached the eternal state. Or as we typically use the phrase, "He has reached the other side".

The point I am making is that whether one is in Christ or in sin, we all live forever. If one is in Jesus, you will receive a glorified body fit for heaven (Phil 3:21;1 Cor 15:51-58;1 Thess 4:13-18) If you die in sin you will receive a body fit for hell (Rev 20:11-15).  No one ever ceases to exist. 

I am not saying that we will not die. The body will eventually expire, and return to the dust from where it came, but after physical death is where eternity begins for that soul. The soul of man never dies. Once again, it either is forever with its creator or forever separated from its creator. 

Slain in the "Spirit?"

What is this practice or phenomenon known as the slain in the spirit? Well, it is when people in the Church supposedly fall out under the power of God when hands are laid on them for physical healing or some other blessing. The biggest advocate of this practice is televangelist Benny Hinn. He is notorious for waving his hands or his coat in front of people and they fall backward under the supposed power of God. 

 See what happens in this video clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvx0xjnBGh0 

To say Benny Hinn and those like him are frauds is an understatement. One does not receive the anointing of God by someone waving their hands or coat at you - ridiculous! What we are witnessing is a dog-and-pony show and not the power of God. It is utter blasphemy and shameful that men in pulpits across America would engage in this type of behavior in the name of Jesus.

To be slain in the Spirit is not biblical. It makes the true Church of Jesus Christ look foolish, yet entertaining to the uninitiated. When a Church sorely lacks Biblical exposition, it covers up with chicanery, often an overdose of music, and useless fillers to keep parishioners entertained (i.e. being slain in the Spirit). 

What happened to those who really experienced God's glory and power? 

When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, he was awestruck, afraid and ashamed. He said, "Woe is me! For I am lost! I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isa 6:5)!

Isaiah knew he was in the presence of the Almighty and was humiliated because he knew he was a sinner.

When Daniel saw visions from the Lord he was overcome, sick and retained no strength (Dan 8:27;10:9). The real power of God is often too much for a human to endure. 

When John the Apostle saw Jesus in His glory in the book of Revelation he fell down as if he was dead (Rev 1:17). Jesus told him to "fear not", strengthening him. 

These are only three accounts of the power of God. God's true power can bring one to their knees in worship and fear, but certainly, will not have someone fall out and convulse on the floor. That type of behavior is typical of one that is demon possessed.

What is God's anointing?

The Greek word for anointing is Chrisma. It means one separated by God for a special purpose and service. Jesus who is the Christ means anointed one. Christ is Jesus' title, his function and not his last name. In the OT, the anointing was symbolized by the pouring of olive oil on someone's head - setting them apart for service. This was conferred on the OT priests and kings (Ex 40:13;1 Kings 1:34,39. In the NT, the anointing is symbolized by the indwelling Holy Spirit. (1 John 2:20,27). 

Every Christian is anointed. Why? Because all Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling on the inside of them. We all have been set apart and made holy by God to serve Him and others. That is why we are here. To have the anointing of God is not a play thing! God has graciously chosen to have his Spirit dwell in us so that we can be a light in this thick sinful dark world we live in. God's anointing is not in anyone's coat that can be thrown around and people fall out supposedly subdued by God's power. This is nonsense. This madness is rehearsed, and you usually see the same suspects performing these antics every week. I know, I have personally witnessed it at churches I attended years ago. 

Concluding, I have no doubt that God's power can be an emotional experience and bring someone to their knees, but what I am against is the foolishness we see on television - often on the Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN), and other places. If you are attending a Church where this ungodly practice is occurring do yourself a favor and leave that Church immediately. If you remain, you are sacrificing Biblical substance for sensationalism which dishonors God. 

1 Corinthians 10:13

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man.  God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape that you may be able to bear it."

                                                                                                                        - 1 Corinthians 10:13


I woke up this morning with this verse on my mind for some reason so I felt I needed to write about it. Paul the writer is saying that any temptation we go through is a common temptation, it is not something strange that is happening to the believer. The word temptation in the Greek is  peirasmos which means trial or test.

When God is testing us, it is for our growth and edification. We see this clearly when God allowed Satan to severely afflict Job (see chapters 1 and 2 of Job).  Job never knew why He suffered so greatly, but what the trials taught him is to fully put his whole life in the care of His God; even if the trials cost Job his life which they almost did. 

Also, when Paul says that God will provide the way of escape that you may be able to bear it does not mean God is removing the trial from us, rather He is fortifying us through the trial that He ordained that we would endure.

Why?

Let's go to 1 Peter 1:5-9, "Who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials (same Greek word peirasmos), so that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

The Apostle by inspiration of the Holy Spirit perfectly answers why we must go through trials:

1. To test and try our faith in God (vs 7)
2. For the praise and glory of God ( vs 7b)
3. To bolster our belief in God (vs 8)
4. So that one day we will see the outcome of our faith - soul salvation (vs 9)

In Acts 9:15-16 Jesus appears in a vision to one of his servants named Ananias. Jesus said to him that Paul was a chosen vessel of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and children of Israel. For I must show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.

Paul speaking to the Philippians said this, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Phil 1:29).

We know faith to be a gift from God (Eph 2:8-9), but we are not familiar or comfortable with suffering being a gift from God, are we?

The last one that I cannot leave out is in James 1:2-4, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing."

Notice what Paul says, count it or evaluate your trial and determine, make up your mind to be joyful. The trial itself is not joy, but our response to it can be one of joy because we know the trial has a redeeming benefit for us - to produce patience in us by the trial sent to humble us. The negative of this process is if we fail the test that God has sent our way, it can lead to a temptation to sin. Our attitude toward the trials is the key - will we choose to rejoice through the pain of the trial (Phil 3:1), develop patience and strengthen our faith in God, or will the trial defeat us and we throw up our hands, lose the battle and commit sin only to have to go through the same process all over again?

We all have to choose.

Restoration

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The will of God vs the will of man

The will of man is a gift given to us by our creator. It is one of the things that makes us like God - in that we have the ability to make choices. It also has been a point of it seems like an everlasting conflict between mankind and worse, between man and God. 

What I would like to do is compare the two wills, how they differ from one another, and how they operate in the area of our salvation.

Man has free will in every area of his life, but tragically because of our sinful nature inherited from Adam and Eve, our will is in bondage to our sin. Herein lies a paradox - we are free to choose, but at the same time, our freedom to choose is hindered because of our inherent wickedness. As a result, the choices we often make are evil. 

Comparing our will against God's will is important because it reveals His perfect will versus our flawed will. God's will is autonomous. What that means is God is sovereign and He can do whatever He wants to do. We may think we can do anything we want, but we know (or should know) by now that will end tragically. Adam and Eve decided way back in the Garden of Eden to do what they wanted and you see how that ended up.

Whatever God decides is just and righteous because He is just and righteous. As someone said, "God doesn't see something as just and does it, rather the thing is just because God does it."

In the area of salvation, who chooses whom? Does man choose God, and in turn God chooses man? Many believe that to be the case. I will argue from scripture that that is not the case. The order is reversed. Man cannot choose God unless God gives man the ability and the willingness to choose Him. 

In Psalm 14:1-3 we read, The fool has said in heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

Paul repeats this truth and more in Romans 3:10-18. 

The Bible has just described the lost and hopeless condition of every man born into this world. Mankind is this way because they have chosen to be.

Jesus said it this way, "Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil" (John 3:19).

So, with all, I just mentioned, how can man choose God when man is full of wickedness and loves that wickedness? Remember, we cannot serve two masters. We either will serve God and righteousness, or Satan and unrighteousness. 

I have described the will of man. Now let's turn to the will of God.

As I have said in the past, I must say again God has to choose us first in order for us to choose Him. The Bible says in Ephesians 1:4 that we were chosen before the foundation of the world. 2 Timothy 1:9 says we were called before time began.

The Bible makes it clear, we who are the chosen by God were chosen for salvation before He created anything. 

Can those chosen before time began reject God's sovereign choice in time?

This is the heart of the matter. I will try my best answer the question clearly.

Those whom the Father gave to the Son to come and redeem will most assuredly come to saving faith. How do I know this? Because the Bible tells me. Jesus Himself said in John 6:37, "All that the Father gives to me will  (italics mine) come to me, and those that come to me I will never cast out."

So in order for one to come to Christ, that person has to be among the chosen by the Father who gives the chosen to the Son. This was done before time began. Jesus knew along who the chosen were by the time he began his public ministry. He also knew they would believe in Him. 

This is where we run into a problem from a human perspective. If God has already predetermined that certain people would believe in Jesus before they are even born, how is their choice a real choice?

Just because God chooses us for salvation does not invalidate our choice being real. God must overcome the stubborn of resistance man, activate his freedom so that he chooses God and be saved. God must supersede the evil will of man and empower us by His benevolent omnipotent will so that we will be willing to make the right choice in choosing Him. If God does not lovingly intrude in our lives in this way, we will never come to saving faith. Why? Because natural man is a dead man spiritually (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). He must be born again (John 3:3) in order to see the kingdom of God and enter it. 

Many will object to this line of reasoning and say that God is dragging people into the kingdom of God "kicking and screaming! He is violating their will!" 

God has never violated the will of man and He never will. If man is left to himself to believe, then he never will. Without God's power enabling him to come to Christ, he can't come. (John 6:44, 65). That is why it is essential that God is proactive in choosing man instead of reactive. In God being the aggressor in salvation, He gives the chosen the willingness, the desire and ability to repent and believe in Christ through the gospel message and be saved. This ensures that God's plan of redemption is successful and Christ's humiliating death on the cross and shed blood was not in vain. 

Those chosen by God will not reject the choosing of God because it is the will of God they believe in time because they were chosen before time. God's love shed abroad in our hearts will ultimately be too irresistible to refuse (Rom 5:5). This love will bring the chosen sinner to the point of brokenness and contrition of their sins. They will genuinely repent. Although man's sin is great (negatively), God's grace is greater (Rom 5:20).

Hopefully, the reader understands now why the will of God in salvation is the way it is. We will not on our own incline ourselves from unbelief to belief when we hear the gospel message. If we could, we would boast about it and God would not get the glory for saving us. God has made it clear that He will not share His glory with anyone (Isa 48:11; Acts 12:21-23).

Once again, we choose God because He chooses us first. Although some may argue and say that our choice of God is invalid because we are chosen for salvation before the foundation of the world, does not mean our choice is not real because the Lord navigates our will to choose Him. Remember, we have a will, but it is not autonomous like God's. God's will in divine election is His decretive will meaning that it always comes to pass regardless of what man does. God's decrees are fulfilled providentially through the free and even sinful choices of mankind.

Redemption was God's decree before time began. All those chosen by God will be redeemed. Not against their will, but in accordance with God's will.

Unequally Yoked

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A Contradiction in Scripture? #2 Why should we hate our family?

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Does God promise Eternal Security?

The idea of eternal security in Christ should provide believers with relief and it does for those of us who understand that salvation is eternal. But for some who over analyze this wonderful truth, it has become a stumbling block.

Let me explain what I mean.

I have read articles and spoken to some who believe that eternal security somehow is ultimately contingent upon man to secure it. Now if that is true, then Christ's atonement on the cross was not sufficient. For many believe it cannot be that easy - for Christ to die and someone repents and believes and they are saved eternally.

The question must be asked then. "What if someone believes in the work of Christ on the cross, but still lives the same way they did before their profession of faith?" This is an excellent question. Let's explore this.

1. The one who made the profession of faith in Christ yet still lives as if they are unsaved most likely is still unsaved. Remember if a person is genuinely born of God's Spirit, then they are a new creation. Old things have passed away and all has become new (2 Cor 5:17-18a). We must realize a supernatural transformation has occurred in our inner man and we cannot remain the same. God dwelling on the inside of us demands that we conform into the image of Christ our Savior. The true believer who grows to understand this truth will happily submit their will to God's will. This of course is an ongoing life long process. But, it will occur in the child of God. We must choose to live a sanctified life.
2. Our salvation is secured by God at the moment we believe so it is guaranteed to endure until the end of our lives. It will carry us into eternity. Why would God provide salvation for those whom He chose and leave it for us to actualize it? There is no eternal security if it's up to us to secure our own salvation by trying to live right. If we have to live right to keep our salvation, that is legalism, or salvation by works. We do not live right to keep our salvation, rather we live right because God has saved us. Remember what Paul said in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God had prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (i.e. the good works). It was God's plan before creation to save those who believed in Christ for them to walk faithfully with him.

I see two extremes happening here regarding eternal security. 1) There are those that are smug and careless with this reality so they live anyway they want. Since they believe they are saved and nothing they do will ever change that status, they think it is okay to be hell-on-wheels for they are going to heaven. 2) The other group lacks faith in the completed work of Christ on the cross so they exert useless energy to make sure they secure their own salvation. For the second group lacks assurance of their salvation as presented in the Bible. Group one is cheapening the grace of God. Group two does not realize the sufficiency of God's grace to save alone without man's help. Both groups are in sin.

Those in group one are frustrating the grace of God with their irreverent behavior. Romans 6:1-2 tell us that, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" The obvious answer is we can't! Those that die are free from sin. Since we symbolically died with the Lord when He was crucified - that is the old man of sin was buried in the grave. When Christ raised from the dead, we were raised with Him in newness of life (Rom 6, entire chapter). Those in group one cannot be saved if they are living a habitual unrepentant life of sin. The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Those that truly know the Lord will be smitten of guilt and will run to God for repentance and cleansing of unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Those who name the name of Christ are to depart from iniquity (2 Tim 2:19b).  Those in this group have not exercised faith, only foolishness and presumption.

Those in group two are afraid so they are doing every "good" thing they can think of to merit the salvation God promised them when they believed. Salvation is obtained by grace through faith. It is the gift of God, not works lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9). We are used to working for what we want so it is a natural proclivity to attempt to do the same thing to secure our salvation. This group is attempting to have faith in their own faith, and not faith in God.

The work has been completed perfectly by Jesus Christ. We cannot add or take away from it. If we truly have salvation, we can never lose it. God is going to see to that. If we can lose it, we never had it in the first place. How can salvation be eternal if it can be lost or forfeited? If one insists on saying and I have heard this phrase, "Salvation is secure as long as you secure it!" My reply to that statement would be, at what point is your salvation secured? What or how many steps are there to securing it since for you genuinely repenting of sin and believing in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith isn't enough to save you? There is no way one can meet the requirements needed to secure their salvation apart from Christ. This mindset makes you perhaps a "Good Catholic", but a bad Christian. Once again, this is a person who lacks faith in the atonement, and ultimately in the Word of God.  This person is double minded and unstable in all their ways (James 1:8).

Eternal security rests on God not us. Salvation is God's gift to humanity. Those who obtain it will over time treat it as the most precious gift they have received because it is. But it came to us at the ultimate price - it cost the life of our Savior and the spilling of his blood. His holy sacrifice was the perfect means to redeem mankind. Christ death was the cause and our salvation is the effect. There should never be any doubt whether God's gift of eternal life could not be anything but secure - look who is securing it!

Listen to the eternal security language of the Apostle Peter, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you (italics mine), who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5). 

The Greek word for guarded is phroureo. It is a military term. It means to protect with a garrison.  In the 1 Peter context God by His omnipotent power is protecting and guarding us in Him.

Rest assured we are eternally secure in the Lord.

Is there a time when God permits anger?

Does the Bible provide examples to the above question? Yes. There are many examples of what is called righteous indignation. We should be angry about what the Lord is angry about. Unfortunately, we are often laughing and making light of what God hates. We can attribute that to our fallen sinful nature.

We are so desensitized to sin that things that are heinous in the sight of God are pleasurable to us. 

Jesus said in John 3:19b, "Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were (and are) evil".

Yes, this is one of those articles that will step on toes, mine included. And by me writing this article, it makes me even more culpable for my actions - something the natural man hates to admit. 

Phineas

Phineas was a priest during the time of Moses. He was the son of Eleazar who was the son of Aaron, the first High Priest of Israel. Aaron and Moses were brothers.  Aaron was dead by this time and his son Eleazar was installed as High Priest after him (Num 20:28-29). 

In Numbers 25 we read of Israel committing gross sin. They are intermarrying with the Moabites, sacrificing and worshiping their gods - idolatry. This violates the first two commandments inExodus 20:2-6).  This angers the Lord so He commands Moses to kill all the perpetrators. Phineas sees a Hebrew man bring a foreign woman to his tent so he grabs a spear and kills them both, through the man's back, and through the woman's stomach. 

  

Why would Phineas commit this seemingly gross act of murder? We discover as a result of Israel's sin, God sent a plague of death through the land. Phineas was angry for the Lord's sake. Killing the Hebrew man and woman was an act of righteousness that ended the plague, not before it claimed the lives of 24,000 people (Num 25:9). God commended Phineas for this and promised him a covenant of peace (Num 25:12).

Samuel 

The Amalekites were enemies of Israel for around 350 years during the time of the Prophet Samuel. The Lord promised that He would blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven during the time of the Exodus (Ex 17:14-15). A short history of the Amalekites: Amalek was the grandson of Esau the twin brother of Jacob (Gen 36:12). God commanded Samuel to give word to King Saul to destroy the Amalekites. Saul did not obey the Lord's command. He saved the best animals. He also spared their king, a man by the name of Agag. Samuel obeyed the word of the Lord and hacked Agag in pieces (I Samuel 15:33). 

Again, this was Samuel executing divine judgment on behalf of the Lord's wrath. It had to be done. This occasion was the perfect time to be angry because it was divine justice. Agag was an evil man and was doomed to destruction. Samuel being a righteous man was grieved by Saul's disobedience. The disobedience led to Saul's throne being taken away and given to David (I Sam 15:28).

The Corinthians 

In I Corinthians 5 we read of a man having a sexual relationship with his father's wife - his step mother. This sin was so gross that Paul said that the heathen would not engage in it (vs. 1). What made this even worse was that it was happening among professing Christians! Paul was outraged, but the Corinthian church was not. Rather they were arrogant. What should have happened is that the sinning member should have been removed from their assembly until he repented. Since it was not done there, Paul tells them to "put out that wicked person" (vs. 13).

There should have been grief over his sin instead of apathy among the congregation. It is important to remove the evil person before their ways influence others to commit sin as well. If allowed to remain in the bosom of the church the person believes there is no divine retribution for their sinful behavior and others will follow their evil ways deceiving themselves into thinking one can live anyway they want and God not chasten them for it (Heb 12:5-11).

Paul said later in this same letter that, "Do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals" (I Cor 15:33).

What do these accounts teach us? There is a time to be angry - when God is angry. In each instance God commanded his servants to take action. To ignore the righteous anger of God is sin, and will be met with retribution on those who ignore His divine command to execute justice.

Please understand the last account is in regard to the Church, the people of God. God judges the outside world (I Cor 5:12).

Here is the balance we must have, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the son go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity" (Eph:26-27).

We are commanded  to be angry against evil for it will manifest the righteousness of God and show the sinner their sin clearly. This can drive them to godly repentance and ultimately salvation.

Who or what is the Church?

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Will one be sent to hell for calling someone a fool?

We all use the word fool every day. It's part of our daily vocabulary. We call people fools when someone does something we do not like, and we use it often times in jest toward one another. Are there times when we should not call someone a fool?

I would like to examine that in this article.

The word fool has several meanings. One Hebrew word is nabal. This is a person who is a deviant in their behavior, who is ungodly and plots evil. In the Proverbs, the fool is primarily described as one who lacks wisdom because they despise instruction - they act without thinking. This Hebrew word is ewil. Another Hebrew word is kesil. This person is obstinate, arrogant, has no desire for wisdom, Godly wisdom - they not only commit evil, they enjoy wickedness. They also refuse rebuke.  That type of person is a wrecking ball and should be avoided. They are incorrigible. 

In Matthew 5:21-22 we read, "You have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not commit murder, and whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court, and whoever says to his brother, "You good-for-nothing', shall be guilty before the supreme court, and whoever says, 'You fool', shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. The word fool here is the Greek word moros - where we get our English word moron.

Jesus is the one speaking in these verses. Why is his language here so severe? To get the import of the meaning, we must understand the context.

Jesus began by saying one that is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court. Committing murder violated the sixth commandment (Ex 20:13) and was punishable by death (Ex 21:12). Here, Jesus said if one is angry with his brother shall be guilty (italics mine) before the court. Jesus is equating anger with murder - not just any anger, but a murderous anger based on an internal hatred. Remember murder is the context in these verses. 

Jesus takes it a step further. He says if one calls his brother. "you good-for-nothing" (or "Raca") shall be guilty before the counsel or the supreme court. If you call your brother a moron, your guilt is at its worst because your hatred of your brother is wicked enough to send you to hell. That person has exceeded the court of men and has caught the attention of God Almighty.

 I do not know about you, but to me that warning is terrifying! And anyone that knows me well know I do not scare easily. 

When one calls someone a moron in this sense,  we are insulting a person at the lowest possible level. We are calling them a worthless, stupid person. It's the worst character assassination. Jesus sees this type of verbal abuse against one's brother morally repugnant.

      Why?

The problem is not just the words, but the attitude behind the words. If it were just the words, that brought condemnation, then Jesus would be guilty as well - for he called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites and blind fools (Matt 23).

Paul also rebuked the Galatians and called them foolish. Why? Because they became duped into believing their justification was by the works of the law rather than the law of faith (Gal 3). They knew better for Paul had taught them their salvation came as a result of the atoning work of Christ and their belief in that work and not by their own efforts.  So, in these two instances, it was justified and actually loving for both Christ and Paul to rebuke their audience and explain to them why they were foolish. Turning away from being a fool and embracing Godly wisdom will save your soul.

But, when one has venomous hatred against another human being without a cause, that evil Jesus regards as bad as the act of murder itself, and if someone does not repent of it, could lead to actual murder. Do you understand what Jesus was teaching to his audience? He not only taught the written law, but he amplified its meaning on a level far more revelatory than Moses could have done. For in this context he tells us a man's anger based on an internal hatred is as if he committed homicide! Why? Because of the wickedness in the person.  This is clearly a loving and severe warning from our Lord how we are not to treat one another.

Another point that I must make is when one maligns a fellow human being, it is an attack on God himself. How? All men no matter how scandalous their character are made in the image of God (James 3;8-9).

In 1 John 3;15 we read these sobering words, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

It cannot be made any clearer than that.

Listen to the command of the Lord through Paul, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men (Rom 12:18)."

Finally, let's examine our attitudes and our tongues toward all.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Rom 12:12).

What is Universalism?

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What is foreknowledge?

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The Rapture

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Why death couldn't hold Jesus in the grave

   Some would look at the title of this message as a question and it would be okay to look at it that way. Everyone else that has ever lived has died and has remained dead. Even those who Jesus raised from the dead like Lazarus eventually died again (John 11:43).  Why do we die? Because of sin. 

   Romans 6:23 declares, "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This verse has a negative and a positive. The morbid truth is we all die because of sin, but the wonderful contrast is that eternal life is given to all freely who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for their soul salvation. 

    Here's a question that MUST be answered, since Jesus never committed any sin, why did he have to die? The Bible answers that question for us; to be a propitiation for mankind's sins. What in the world does propitiation mean? It is the Greek word hilasmos. This means Christ's sacrifice was the means by which a person can have their sins removed from them forever when they believe. Christ had to die in order to appease the Father's anger against him for being made sin although he personally knew no sin because he never committed any sin (2 Cor 5:21).

   Sin always has to be judged and punished. The only one worthy to accept the punishment for all of the mankind's sins and eradicate it was Jesus alone. Imagine how terrible it would be if every person that will ever live had to pay for their own sins! What that would mean is God would be exercising his justice with no mercy and everyone would go to hell!  And get this, he would be totally righteous in doing so! We all deserve God's wrath.

 Getting back to the original statement, Christ HAD to die because of our sins, and get this, he HAD to raise from the dead because he has no sin! Both scenarios had to play out in the one person, Christ Jesus. A sinless divine and human being had to die in order to appease the Father's wrath against sin, and only a sinless divine human being can raise himself from the dead (John 10:18)! Sinful mankind could never pull that off. Death cannot hold a perfect man in the grave. That is why Jesus rose in three days like he declared (Matt 16:21). 

 In Acts 2:23-24 we read, "this Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised up, loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible (emphasis added) for him to be held by it."

  Here's the wonderful news for believers, we will be raised from death like Christ. Here's the proof, "who will transform our body of our humble state into conformity with the body of his glory..."(Phil 3:21).

  

  

Who wrote the Bible?

A simple but most important question. Many years ago I was heading home from work on the bus. I was sitting in the back and heard a man say, “well you know man wrote the Bible!” Since he was in my earshot, I felt compelled to tell him that that was an untrue statement. Surprisingly, he listened to me as I presented my case. The scripture I used to prove my point was 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is theopneustos in the original Greek language or God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete or mature, equipped for every good work.”

The man’s reply to me was, “You’re the first person to ever tell me that!” Why do I bring this matter up? Because it is essential that we as believers can 1) know the origin of the Bible, and 2) be able to properly defend its truthfulness (1 Pet 3:15; Jude 3).

If we believe man wrote the Bible, then it is no different than any other false religious book. It does not have divine authority, and it is untrustworthy. But, if we believe the collection of 66 books are of a divine origin, then we have to believe it has absolute authority, and we MUST submit to its demands.

Here is another passage that proves that the Bible is God’s word, “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever (italics mine) by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 2:20-21).

Someone may still argue that “The words were still written by men!” True. But that is where it ends. Man did not contribute any wisdom or insight into God’s word. Man was only an instrument the Lord used to record it.

In Exodus 24:12 God commands Moses to come up to Mount Sinai so he could receive tablets of stone with the Lord’s commandments on them (Emphasis added). Once again, these are God’s words, not man’s.

All throughout scripture we read the phrase(s), “The word of the Lord came to me saying, or God spoke to….”

Jeremiah 1:4 – Now the word of the Lord came to me saying…

Jeremiah 1:9 – Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold I have put my words in your mouth.”

Jeremiah 30:2 – Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.

Ezekiel 3:4 – And he said to me, “Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears.”

Ezekiel 22:1 – And the word of the Lord came to me saying…

Zechariah 4:8 – Then the word of the Lord came to me saying…

Jonah 1:1 – Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying…

1 Kings 21:17 – Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite saying…

Luke 3:2 – during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

Acts 13:48 – And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

1 Corinthians 14:37 – If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

Even Jesus while on the earth respected and obeyed his Father’s commands. “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment – what to say and what to speak (John 12:49).

These men of God did not move unless commanded to do so. Jonah is an exception – he did not initially obey the word of God when he was commanded to preach to Nineveh (Jon 1:3). He did obey later on (Jon 3:1).

The aforementioned verses clearly let us know the words in our Bibles come from God. This is the order of how the word of God came to us in the present:

1

.       Revelation – God supernaturally disclosing his words to the prophets and apostles and men of old

2.       Inspiration – Or better translated, God-breathed. From the mind of the prophet to the original document. Lord placed his words in the minds and hearts of the human authors of scripture to record it on a document

3.       Canonicity – The process that determines which books would comprise our Bibles. We have 66 books in our Protestant Bibles. The Catholic Bible has an additional 12 books called the Apocrypha.[1] Protestants do not believe the Apocrypha are inspired books. Two of the books have reliable historic material – The books of 1 & 2 Maccabees

4.       Transmission – The method of preserving and getting the manuscripts through time to us in the present

5.       Textual Criticism – We have numerous extant (or existing) manuscripts that have to be placed into Old & New Testaments, Hebrew and Greek Bibles

6.       Translation – The process of getting our Hebrew and Greek Bibles into one’s native language

Men throughout history have carefully preserved the Biblical text. That has been their involvement regarding it. He has never had the responsibility or the right to write his own thoughts. The wisdom it contains is far too great for any man or committee of men to develop. The reason the writer of this article can dogmatically say that is because I have read the entire Bible several times, and feel like I have just scratched the surface regarding its marvelous truth. One of my teachers likened his knowledge of Biblical truth like walking along the beach standing at the shoreline with his feet barely getting wet. In his mind, he had not reached into the deep richness of God’s word. What was amazing about his statement was he had been teaching God’s word for forty years and was an amazing and extraordinary expositor of the truth before his passing.

So again, the question must be asked, “Who wrote the Bible?” If you say man wrote it, then we must conclude that it contains nothing but errors and cannot be trusted. It is corrupted and should be thrown away. But, if these are the very words of God, then we must embrace it as the most precious, priceless commodity on earth and be willing to study it diligently, learn its precepts, plumb its depths, obey its commands, preach and teach it lovingly, and boldly, and defend it at all costs. That is what faithful men and women have done throughout history; they were convinced the word of God was true and many gave their lives for it.

Why should we do this?

Simple, because its true (Pro 30:5; John 17:17).

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[1] Apocrypha means hidden. These books were written in what is called the intertestamental period – between the Old and New Testaments. None of the N.T. writers quote from these books. That is why they are not included with the Canon – i.e. the sixty-six. If they are in any Bibles they should be included as a post script indicating they are non-canonical.