The Gospel - A Real Offer

The writer does not know how many critics there are regarding the doctrine of predestination and sovereign election; that is God in eternity past deciding who he would save totally independent of anything that man would ever do. God’s choosing of some was strictly of His own autonomous free will. The clear implication is that there are those that God did not choose in eternity past, leaving them to remain in their sins and ultimately perish.

What the critics are saying is that is totally unbiblical, and blasphemous to declare that God would be unfair in any way to His creation. What do I mean? The critics of predestination and sovereign election have stated for Reformed Thinkers to insinuate that the God of the Bible would choose some and exclude others is heresy. Is their assessment true? I do not believe so, and I will try my best to explain why, but before I do that I will point out some shocking things I read in an article recently that totally rejects the Calvinistic View.[1]

One of things mentioned in the article is that if God has already made a predetermined choice who He is going to save, what is the point in praying for the lost – what is the point of evangelism? They are going be saved no matter what right? The reason we are to pray and evangelize everyone is because God commands us to do so. Yes God has indeed predetermined the salvation of many, but that does not negate our human responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Listen to these words, “For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? And how are they to preach unless they are sent (Rom 10:13-15a)?

So we see there is an absolute necessary condition for the elect to be saved, they must hear the gospel message from an ambassador of God, a preacher so that they can believe and be saved. Salvation does not come by osmosis. The gospel is the means God has chosen to bring about His desired end; the salvation of his elect chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4).

Some Non-reformed thinkers see preaching the gospel with a Reformed thinker mindset an exercise in futility. This writer who rejects the Reformed view also believes that “Calvinists” (I’m using that distinction because that is how a lot of non-reformed people describe Reformed thinkers) are presenting the gospel as a hollow, disingenuous offer to sinners because in the final analysis, they are “pre-doomed” (according the opponents of Calvinism) since most of them are non-elect.

Listen to what the Lord commanded the prophet Ezekiel to say to the nation of Israel, “And He (the Lord) said to me, “son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel, not to many peoples of foreign speech and a hard language whose words you cannot understand. Surely, if I sent you to such, they would listen to you. But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me; because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart” (Ezek 2:4-7).

These verses speak volumes regarding God’s commands and man’s response to those commands. Although God told Ezekiel in advance that Israel would not listen to the word of the Lord, Ezekiel still had the responsibility to deliver God’s word. Now, on the surface, it appears that this is a waste of time on the prophet’s part, but it could never be because God commanded him to do it. The word of the Lord never returns void (Isa 55:11).

My point is preaching the gospel is never an empty exercise for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Rom 1:16). How could it be empty since God has placed His chosen seed throughout the entire world to be reached with His precious truth? The gospel is an absolute genuine offer to everyone, elect and non-elect alike. The gospel is the only engrafted word that is able to save our souls (James 1:21). And, since God has kept it a secret who is actually chosen, and who is not, we must preach to everyone so that God can grant repentance and faith to those He has chosen (Acts 11:18b;Eph 2:8-9).

So, what about the non-elect? This is where it gets sticky. 1) Is there any chance of them being saved since they have not been chosen by God? 2) Has God pre-ordained their destruction? 3) If so, why did God even create them if in the final analysis they are going to hell? These are admittedly very, very tough questions.

The elephant is definitely in the room.

And admittedly the writer probably cannot adequately answer these three questions, but I am willing to try. The passage that comes to mind regarding the non-elect is in Proverbs 16:4, “The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of doom.” This verse I believe provides the purpose for the wicked’s existence.[2] Even the enemies of God serve a purpose in this earth realm albeit most negatively – a sovereign decision by God. It is a reality we are not comfortable with if we are honest. However, God’s purposes will always prevail over man’s objections. No one has the right to ask God, “what are you doing, or why did you do that?”

That type of questioning is foolish.

Well for most Christians, they believe that God sent Jesus to die for all people indiscriminately – for those  He knew would never believe. If this is true, then Jesus died and paid for in full the sins of those who will die in unbelief, go to hell, and ultimately go to the Lake of Fire to pay for their own sins forever. This makes the atonement of Christ powerless to save and His mission to earth an utter failure. In addition, if a person dies in unbelief it proves their sins were never forgiven and paid for. How can Jesus pay in full the price for someone’s sins yet they die in unbelief? Is not unbelief a sin Jesus shed his blood for to? Why is the sin of unbelief a game changer, a maverick atom so to speak that can somehow escape the power of the blood of Christ to wash it away so the unbelieving can be made by God to believe? We need to carefully think these things through.

I guess conventional human wisdom tells us that since God loves the world and sent His only Son to die for it, then Jesus died for all sin; even for those who never believe. This makes salvation only possible, not guaranteed or actual. God now has to hope the sinner makes the right choice to choose Christ on his own with absolutely no power to do so because he is a dead man spiritually (Eph 2:1;Col 2:13). The natural man can and will not incline him or herself to repent and believe apart from God’s resurrecting power. It is impossible (Rom 8:7-8).

Last I checked it is impossible for a dead man to do anything but be dead.

And since it’s true that the natural man is indeed dead in trespasses and sins, he will never come alive unless God resurrects him from death. In other words God regenerates him, or causes him to be born again, preaches the gospel to him so that he can believe and be saved. Jesus didn’t die to make salvation possible, He died to save His people from their sins for real (Matt 1:21).

 I am arguing that God does not save everyone. Why doesn’t He? That is God’s business, not ours. He is not obligated to save anyone, nor is He accountable to us since we are by nature children of wrath (Eph 2:3). We all deserve to go to hell right now! We as a result of our sinful nature we are no good at all. Like it or not that is the Biblical diagnosis of man.

So, since God has decided to pass by some sinners, the outcry for most will be, “How can God blame me for sin if I don’t believe? Isn’t that what he has determined for me?” The one asking the question isn’t sincere about repenting. Rather they are asking facetiously so they can excuse their sin and unbelief.  They are also insinuating that God approves evil. It is our responsibility to believe when we have the knowledge of the truth. Just like someone chooses not to believe, someone can choose to believe. God does not put a barrier in front of them preventing them from believing, but because of the corrupt nature of man, God knows they will not. This is not God’s fault, it’s the sinners. People today are just like they were in Ezekiel’s day, a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. In regards to those who question God’s justice regarding how he handles man, listen to Paul in Romans 9:20, “Who are you O man to answer back to God? Will the thing molded say to the molder, “Why have you made me like this?”

Man never has the right to accuse God of wrong doing. God made us, and it is up to Him how he wants to deal with each human being. God will have mercy and compassion on whomever He wants (Ex 33:19; Rom 9:15). Want God on your side? Then repent of your sins, and believe on Jesus Christ! Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

When dealing with Divine sovereignty and human free will, we see two parallel lines running infinitely in the same direction that never intersect. Many have asked where do the two lines meet? Answer, they don’t. Otherwise they would not be parallel. Let me give the reader some Biblical illustrations of these parallel truths.

Although God has chosen some before the foundation of the world for salvation, the Bible says whosoever will may come, and come all you labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28; Rev 22:17).

Also Jesus commands everyone to repent (Matt 4:17). Yet we know that no one can repent unless it is granted by God (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim 2:25).  Scripture also tells us that God desires that all men be saved (I Tim 2:4) yet He does not save all men and most refuse to believe sealing their doom. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). We know many will perish. The death of Christ was predetermined by God, and yet the Romans crucified Him (Acts 2:23; 4:28). These verses appear to be contradictions, but they are not. They are paradoxes that the human mind cannot resolve. It transcends us.[3]

Concluding, God has never treated any of his creation unfairly no matter what our finite minds may think. God’s ways and thoughts are not ours, and we must remember that (Isa 55:9-10). Since none of us deserved be saved, God who is rich in mercy made a sovereign decision to save some because it was His pleasure in doing so (Eph 2:4-5). God also has reserved the right to execute justice on His enemies. Remember this world is not innocent toward God. We have broken His laws which is an offence to Him. This means God will exercise His sovereign right to destroy the perpetrators. At this point someone will say, “Now wait a minute, God is love right? Why would He destroy anyone?” This question has always astounded and annoyed me, and I will tell you why. Man has this audacious, narcissistic attitude; he thinks he is good in the sight of God, and that he does not deserve eternal punishment. That proves how loss and hell bound he really is. Because man refuses to look himself in the mirror of God’s word to get the absolute truth about his terminal sinful condition he will continue to be defiant in God’s sight and incur His holy wrath (Rom 1:18-32).

So yes, God is a God of love, grace and mercy. Praise Him for that! For if He weren’t none would ever be saved. But, He is also a God of justice and wrath. Praise Him for that as well. What that means is He must punish evil doers in hell and ultimately the lake of fire for their sins. It is a tragic reality, but it is good that God punishes the wicked as well as save His elect. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins–death. So those that refuse to accept Jesus’ substitutionary act as the sole means of mankind’s salvation MUST pay the ultimate punitive act for their treachery; eternal damnation! It’s only fair. If this world is ever going to have perfect peace, God must preserve the righteous and destroy the wicked. Any person with any common sense should desire true world peace. Only God Almighty can bring it to pass.

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[1] To find out more about Calvinism please visit: www.gotquestions.org

[2] Although God created the wicked, does not mean He creates unbelief in their hearts

Or makes them sin. Pharaoh of Egypt, Judas Iscariot, Adolf Hitler fall into this infamous category.

These three men along with countless others served God unknowingly in their wickedness. They providentially fulfilled

God’s purposes yet are totally culpable for the evil they committed. They willfully chose the evil that they

Did.

[3] Although God purposely sent Jesus to die for mankind’s sins, His motives

Were pure and right. The result the salvation of a multitude of people. God’s

Enemies that crucified Christ motives were evil which makes them culpable

For his death. They crucified the Lord out of hate and envy.

You Must Be Born Again!

                                             

Most people think when Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3 that unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God, that being born again is something we can make happen-that Jesus was giving Nicodemus a command.  No. Rather Jesus was making a declaration to Nicodemus; giving him a revelation. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin which was a Jewish Supreme court, and the teacher in Israel (John 3:10). An expert in Mosaic Jurisprudence. He believed he could get to heaven by the deeds of the law, and their oral traditions (Matt 15:3,6).

Being born again obviously presupposes prior birth. In our case natural birth. In John 3:3,7-8 Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born from again (literally being born from above) in order to even see the kingdom of God. We all have had a physical birth which we had nothing to do with. Our spiritual birth is the same way – we have nothing to do with it. In other words, there are no steps to becoming born again. Rather, believing on what Jesus Christ did for our sins proves we have been born anew (I John 5:1a). Being born again is something that God does to and for us. God is the one that has to bring us from spiritual death to spiritual life in order for us to be born again. That is why the analogy of birth is used by Jesus. He is comparing natural birth to spiritual birth to Nicodemus directly, and by extension He is talking to all who reads these powerful words.

Scholars call being born again regeneration. There are several passages that describe regeneration.

“And you He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1,4-5).

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him having forgiven you all trespasses” (Col 2:13).

“Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable through the living word of God”(I Peter 1:23).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (italics mine), (I Peter 1:3).

All of these verses speak of the new birth believers have in Christ.

None one can cause themselves to be born. A power outside of us has to cause that to occur; that cause is Almighty God The confession of faith proves one has been born again or regenerated – experience new birth.

The latter proves the former has occurred.[1]

Just like Lazarus was brought back to life through the power of Jesus’ words in John 11:43, we too also by the power of God’s word are brought back from spiritual death to experience brand new life in Christ.

The Word of God as Paul said is the power of God unto salvation to anyone who believes (Gal 1:16a).

In the final analysis, being born again is a divine choice that God makes alone. Anyone that God confers this blessing upon most assuredly is saved.[2]

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[1] What I mean is that when a person believes in the completed work of Jesus Christ, it proves they have been

Born again.

[2] Being born again never precludes the person repenting of sin, and trusting in Jesus for their salvation. Repentance and belief is an act of the human will. No one can be saved without these two gifts from God.

Apostles and Prophets Part I

Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.

-Ephesians 2:20

Let’s define the apostle, and what was qualified to be one. The Greek word is apóstolos; means one sent forth. A compound word. Apo means “from”, and stello, “to send” .

Jesus is called the Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Heb 3:1). Why was Jesus called an Apostle? Because He was sent to the earth by God the Father (John 3:17,34; 5:36-38;6:38-40;8:42;17:3).

The twelve that Jesus handpicked were apostles along with the apostle Paul whom He chose after He ascended into heaven (Matt 10:1-4;Mark 6:7; Luke 9:6; Acts 9:15).

There were others that were called apostles such as: Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14), Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25), and others  messengers/apostles of the churches that were not mentioned by name (2 Cor 8:23).

                                                               What qualified one to be an Apostle?

1.       They were chosen by Jesus Christ himself; meaning Jesus did not just speak to them, they      saw the Lord bodily (Matt 10:1-4;Mark 6:7; Luke 9:6; Acts 9:15)

2.       They were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection (I Cor 15:5-7)

3.       All of them were Hebrews

4.       All of them were men

5.       Had the ability to perform signs, wonders (miracles) & healings (Acts 2:43; 5:12,16; 2 Cor 12:12)

6.  Were the conduits of direct new revelation from God which they transcribed into holy scripture (2 Pet 1:21; 3:16)

7.      They were taught directly by Jesus Christ (Gal 1:12; I Cor 15:3)

The exact power Jesus possessed the apostles had. The purpose for the ability was for them to perform miraculous deeds which  authenticated their office, and the message they preached.

The other men who were called apostles were messengers in a general sense; meaning they were not chosen directly by Jesus, and did not possess the authority the original apostles did.

There are many in the church that believe that the office of the apostle exist today and that they can perform miraculous signs and wonders like healing the sick or the casting out demons. The text that they will cite is Mark 16:17-18 where it says, and these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink and deadly poison it will not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.[i]

Also very important to note is the word believe in vs. 16-17 of Mark is what is called the aorist tense meaning the text is making reference strictly to belief of the apostles of that time, not to those who would believe later. They (the apostles) are the ones that would  be given these supernatural abilities and some of their associates such as Stephen and Philip. These men  assisted the apostles in ministry. These are also men the apostles laid their hands on which gave them the ability to do what the original apostles did – preach the gospel with miraculous signs following (Acts 6:6-8; 8:6-8).Think about, if every Christian could do the miraculous how could the apostles be identified as God’s special messengers? If there are apostles today, then we are still at the foundation of the church 2,000 years later (Eph 2:20).  Those who had the ability to cast out demons, heal the sick, be bitten by poisonous snakes and not be harmed (Acts 28:3-6), speak with new tongues the writer believes was regulated to the apostolic era. It was a time of transition from the focus being strictly on Israel on to the church. The Jews not being forgotten by God, have been temporarily set aside due to unbelief until the time of the end (Read Romans 11 for a clear explanation of the current state of the Jews).

In addition we see the importance of the apostle’s authority when it came to preaching of the gospel to the Jews bitter enemies, the Samaritans. When Philip preached the gospel to the them, many believed on Jesus and were baptized. But, not until Peter and John arrived did the Holy Spirit fall on them and some supernatural way when they laid their hands on them (Acts 8:18). The text does not say how the Holy Spirit fell, but He did. The reason Peter and John had to be there was so that they could witness the actual conversion of the Samaritans that believed otherwise there would have been no reason to believe they had actually received Christ.

Peter was the one that healed both Aeneas and Dorcas (Acts 9:34, 40-41). Acts 5:12a says, many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles (italics mine).

Scripture says that the sick were laid out in the streets so that Peter’s shadow could fall on them so that they could be healed and they were (Acts 5:15-16).

Scripture also tells us that God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul (italics mine), so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them (Acts 19:11-12).

It would be safe to say that there isn’t a person alive that has this type of power. For if they did, I wish they would use it to heal the sick, diseased, raise the dead, etc.

So, the gift of apostle is operational today; those that are missionaries and plant churches. Remember definition of the apostle means one that is sent – a messenger. But, the office of apostle proper was regulated to those chosen by Jesus Christ Himself. The office no longer exists. It went away once the last apostle died which history tells us was John.

Those who claim the office of apostle today do not have it for they cannot meet the above criteria. There are those that are genuine Christians but are not apostles as some claim they are. There are also many that claim that office, and our false apostles (2 Cor 11:13; Rev 2:2).

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[i] Mark 16:9-20 does not appear in all Greek manuscripts

Apostles and Prophets - Part II

The Greek word for prophet is prophētēs means one speaks forth or openly. Another Greek term is prophēteia which means speaking forth the mind and counsel of God. The prefix pro means “forth”, and phēmi,, to speak. In the N.T. we are talking about the prophet as an office and a gift in the church.

The role of the prophet in the church was to exhort, edify, and comfort those in the body by speaking God’s revealed word to the congregation. Whatever prophet was speaking was to be judged by the other prophets in the assembly. Paul instructed that two or three prophets were allowed to speak in a worship service (I Cor 14:29).  The prophet along with the apostle received the mystery revelation of the church according to Eph 3:5.

The prophet along with apostle were the foundations of the church (Eph 2:20). The specific role of the prophet was more pronounced in the O.T. than in the new. The main prophet during the time of Christ was John the Baptist who was the forerunner of Jesus; preparing the way for the Messiah (Matt 3:1-6).

John’s prophetic word was a contemporary prophetic word. John stated, I baptize with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt 3:11).

Of course this prophecy became true on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent to those first believers in Acts 2.

The prophet was the direct mouthpiece of God. Everything they said was 100% true for they were speaking God’s words, not their own. A clear example of this is the commission of Jeremiah to prophetic ministry: God told Jeremiah, I have put my words (italics mine) in your mouth (Jer 1:9b).

So when we read the phrase, “the word of the Lord came to me saying”, that is the Lord speaking through the prophet. And when the Lord spoke to the man of God in those days, the words were recorded as holy scripture. We have to remember that during  the time of Old and New Covenants, scripture was in the process of being written, so the way that God transmitted His word to man was through direct revelation. God spoke, and man wrote it down. The prophets and writers of scripture only wrote what thus saith the Lord, nothing more. That is why we can trust the biblical record for these are the actual words of God.

Remember what Paul said in I Cor 14:37, If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

Paul was not acting on his own authority but only on his God given authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

                                                  Are there any prophets today?

When we consider that scripture is complete; meaning God’s revelation is finished, it would be safe to say there is no longer a need for the prophet. When prophets spoke it was actually God speaking through them. These words were revelatory which comprised the words that are now in our Bibles. Since no books have been added to the Bible since the last recorded book, the book of Revelation by the apostle John, we know God’s prophetic word is finished and there is not a need for anymore prophets. The prophetic office and gift is no more. What we are dealing with now are false prophets which scripture clearly tells us would rear their ugly heads in the last days (Matt 7:15; 24:11;2 Peter 2:1; I John 4:1). What is a false prophet? One that claims to speak on behalf of God, but what he declares does not come to pass. God has made it clear that when one speaks falsely in His name, He has not commissioned that person, and they are worthy of death (Deut 18:2-22).[1]

So again, are there any prophets today? No. Why? Because when the Canon (the scripture) was complete, the prophetic office ceased.  Think about it, if people are still getting words from the Lord like the apostles and prophets of old did, then there is ongoing revelation, and  the Bible is not complete.

Here are three severe warnings regarding those who would tamper with Holy Scripture:

1) Proverbs 30:6, add not to His word lest He (God) reprove you and you be found a liar.

2) Galatians 1:8-9, but if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

3) Revelation 22:18-19, John the apostle speaking, I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them (emphasis added), God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life, and in the holy city which are described in this book.

                                 A personal assessment of today’s “Prophets”

From the scriptures, and books I have read and messages I have heard, today’s “prophets” are not from God. Why do I say this? For several reasons:

a.       Their “prophecies” are vague, generalities not detailed like the O.T. prophets (Read Isaiah 45 where the Prophet mentions King Cyrus by name before he is even born. He also explains what his role will be as king of Persia).  The modern prophet will use terms like, “the Lord told me to tell you”, or  “I have a word from the Lord for you”, followed by some re-hashed language they heard from somebody else. For instance they will say things like, “the Lord is going to increase your life with abundant riches, or they may say things like the Lord is sending you favor on your job”[i], or people say things like, “someone is being healed of cancer right now!” Well, if that person were a true prophet of God, God would specifically tell them who that someone(s) is that’s being healed of cancer. At no time do we read in scripture where Jesus or the apostles would just blurt out and say, “someone is being healed right now” arbitrarily. No. Rather they would heal someone on the spot, and the healing would be instantaneous and permanent.

a1. What these “prophets” are doing today is more of an encouraging element, its not direct revelation from God. When the prophets spoke, it was to the nation Israel, to kings, and foreign nations. They spoke about the nation’s rebellion toward God an impending judgment. They confronted sin, and predicted Israel’s glorious future, and the coming of the Messiah. They spoke predictive judgments of doom against Israel’s and ultimately God’s enemies. Their oracles were specific, detailed regarding the time in which they lived, and of the future. It was foretelling; it had a specific predictive element which came to pass exactly as they declared it because it was the word of the Lord. God does not now have lower-level-prophets who can give prophetic words that could or could not come to pass.

b.      There is a group  called the “Kansas City Prophets” who will admit that some of their prophecies are wrong. This proves they are false prophets (just look up Kansas City Prophets on the internet. You can also search the names of Paul Cain, Mike Bickle, Bob Jones who make up that heretical group).

c.       If there are prophets today receiving direct revelation from God, who is judging to see if their prophecies are true (I Cor 14:29)? If these are indeed direct revelations, why aren’t these words codified in holy scripture? Is the word of the Lord they are receiving less than the word of the holy apostles and prophets of old? Why would God cheapen the quality of His revelation to accommodate these supposed “new jack” prophets?

      

c1. The answer is obvious. They are not prophets of God; they are self-made prophets.  What they are speaking is nothing more than modern oral tradition. Majority of what we are hearing are flat out lies. Since its not important enough to be included in the canon, then its not authentic revelation.  

Be careful of the one who says, “the Lord told me, or the Holy Spirit told me…”

d.      God will not commission someone whom He has not cleansed and sanctified (set apart)for ministry (Isa 6; Jeremiah 1). There have been many that claim the sacred office of Prophet that have lived immoral lives. The men that served as prophets in the Bible were holy men who lived uncompromisingly righteous in the face of persecution and death. While everyone was living ungodly, they were speaking the word of the Lord against the rebellion of their day. Look at a modern “prophet’s” life to see if they are living a life of godliness. And even if they are, it does not matter. As I mentioned earlier there is no need today for the prophetic office.

e.      The scripture says in Hebrews 1:1-2, long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days (italics mine), He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things through whom also He created the world.

e1.   Since God is now communicating to us by Jesus Christ, why would God revert back to given us His word through the prophets again? Jesus is God incarnate. He’s greater than all the prophets. As a matter of fact, the prophets predicted his first and second comings. Jesus is the consummation, the fulfillment of all the prophets holy predictions. Christ is the living manifestation of all the oracles of the seers of the O.T.  Christ is the living word, the logos. He is the one that speaks to us now. We do not need a prophet to declare the word to us. We have God’s revelation  in its completed form. It is the word of God that we now hold in our hands. God’s revelation is closed.

e2. Remember the words of Matthew when Jesus was on the Mountain of Transfiguration and Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. God the Father declared, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; listen to Him. Moses and Elijah represent the law and prophets respectively, yet the Father commanded those that saw this magnificent sight (Peter, James, and John), to listen to Jesus for He is greater than Moses and Elijah. Jesus fulfilled all the law and prophets (Matt 17:1-5).

f.        

I     Corinthians 4:6 commands us not to go beyond what is written. That command is self explanatory. God’s written word is our final authority. These are the words that God literally breathed out of His mouth to the apostles and prophets which they in turn transmitted these truths into Holy Writ. These are the commands we are to live by. Not some modern “prophecy” from God. Those whom the Lord called to these specific offices are the ones that He breathed His word directly into; not to every believer. That was never God’s intent.  Only a few were direct conduits of God’s revelation (Moses, Joshua, the Judges, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, the Prophets, Apostles).

Concluding, we no longer need a modern prophetic word. For the words of the prophets pointed to Jesus Christ. God is indeed speaking to people today through the written prophetic word which is the word of our Lord and Savior.

God is always speaking  to us through scripture. Are we opening it and listening to His truth, or are we listening to a false word by some modern false prophet so we can get a “break through”?

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[1] The penalty for speaking falsely in the name of the Lord during the

Time of the Mosaic law was death. God did not tolerate nor does He now

Permit  Someone speaking falsely in his name

[i] We all receive favor on our jobs. By virtue of the fact that we are

There is favor and a blessing from God. No word of “knowledge” or

“wisdom” from some self-proclaimed prophet need to tell us that

Vessels of Wrath fitted for destruction

What if God willing to show His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction

                                                                                                                               -Romans 9:22

What is a vessel of wrath? Well to understand the opening verse, let’s go back go verse 21:

Hath not the potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? Paul in this illustration is contrasting two types of people, vessels of honor (the righteous), and vessels of dishonor (the wicked). The point of this brief parable is God in His absolute sovereignty chooses how He wants to use each human being He has created, and how He wants to bless them. In chapter nine of Romans Paul recounts that God exercised His sovereignty when He chose Jacob over His twin brother Esau. Jacob was a vessel of honor, Esau was a vessel unto dishonor – God’s sovereign choice alone is what caused this.

Some believe that when the scripture says that when the vessels of wrath (i.e. vessels of dishonor), is fitted for destruction it means God is the one fitting or preparing them for that destruction. This is untrue. The word fitted is the Greek word kataritzo. In verse 22 of Romans 9 fitted is in the middle voice meaning that subject is acting upon himself; i.e. fitted themselves for destruction. God is not the one preparing the person for destruction. They prepare themselves when they rebel against God, and harden themselves in sin.

The example Paul uses in Romans 9 is Pharaoh, for this very purpose I have raised you up that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth (quoted from Ex 9:16). God hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was an inactive hardening. God removed His restraints off of Pharaoh so that he could sin his full, and so that God could display his mighty works in front of Pharaoh (Ex 7:3-4). God did not create unbelief in the monarch’s heart. If God did that He would be authoring sin which He never does.

In fact God’s hardening of Pharaoh was a result of Pharaoh’s hardening his own heart (Exodus 7:13, 23; 8:15,32; 9:6,34,35).

While it is true that God makes some vessels for common or dishonorable use, does not mean He makes anyone sin. Being that we are evil by nature, we will sin proving that we are dishonorable.

Keep in mind this whole matter in the most strictest sense is dealing with the doctrine of sovereign election; that is God choosing who will be a gracious recipient of His saving grace, and who He decides to pass over leaving them in their depravity. Everyone is either a Jacob (the chosen), or an 

Esau (not chosen). This is always God’s prerogative alone. God is not is being unfair to those whom He has not chosen for none us have the right to demand anything from God.

Those who are the vessels of wrath have chosen that destiny for themselves which is eternal destruction. The vessels of honor/mercy have been chosen by God alone beforehand unto glory

(Romans 9:23).

Daniel's 70 Weeks

“Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make and end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity; to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until the Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty two weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall even in troublesome times.

And after sixty two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of war desolations are determined. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation which is determined is poured out on the desolate.”

-           Daniel 9:24-27

The prophet Daniel receives the answer to his prayer from the angel Gabriel. The following is what God will accomplish for Israel initially, and ultimately to all nations that believe in God.

1.       To finish the transgression – God will deal with Israel’s rebellion. He will in His timing put an end to the nation’s evil.

2.       Make and end of sins – Sin will be judged with finality by God

3.       Make reconciliation for iniquity – This is reference to Jesus dying on the cross as a perfect offering for mankind’s sins. By accomplishing this act, all those who believe in what Jesus accomplished will be forgiven of their sins forever.

4.       To bring in everlasting righteousness – Those whose sins Christ died for will receive righteousness on their accounts in this life, and will retain that righteousness for eternity.

5.       To seal up the vision and prophecy – Once the revelation of Israel’s future is complete along with the future of all mankind, there will be nothing left to disclose.

6.       To anoint the Most Holy – Some versions say the most Holy Place. Scholars have said the Most Holy makes reference to the future millennial temple described in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. Others are referencing the Messiah as the one being anointed.

The things that Gabriel is describing to Daniel are for him (i.e. Daniel) future and end time promises surrounding Israel. It was the nation Israel (his native people) Daniel was interceding for. Gabriel gives the prophet relief from his stress and anguish in prayer by answering his supplication (vs. 19-23).

Now, I want to break down the seventy weeks. They are in three intervals. Understand when the text says seventy weeks, these are seventy weeks of years; in other words seventy times seven (490 years). The word seven in the Greek is heptad. The first 7 weeks or 49 years were for the rebuilding of the walls which took only 52 days (Neh 6:15). During those 49 years the streets were repaired as well even in troublesome times (Dan 9:25). These 49 years also would have included the prophecies of the last O.T. prophet  Malachi. The sixty two weeks or 434 years are consecutive with the first 49 years or 7 weeks for a total of 483 years of 360 lunar[1] days per year equals 173,880 days. The same days compute when we use the following formula: 173,880 divide them by a solar year[2] – 365 days = 476.38356164 years. When multiplying 476.38356164 by 365 = 173,880 days. This discovery was first made by Sir Robert Anderson in his book entitled, “The Coming Prince” (1894). These 483 years began with the decree by the Persian king Artaxerxes Longimanus (465-424 B.C.) to Nehemiah to go and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince; that is when Jesus Christ rode on a donkey into Jerusalem fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. This decree occurred in Artaxerxes twentieth year of his reign (Neh 2:1-8). The Julian date was March 14, 445 B.C. The date given for Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem are 9 Nisan 32 A.D. or on our calendar April 6^th, 32 A.D. This occurred on Palm Sunday, five days before Jesus was crucified on Passover the 14^th of Nisan or April 11th (i.e. He was cut off, Dan 9:26). Nisan is the first month of the Hebrews' religious year. Nisan corresponds to our March/April months. The last week or seventieth week – that is the last seven years deals with the antichrist in the book of Revelation setting himself as the Messiah and making a false covenant of peace with Israel for seven years then breaking that covenant 3½ years into it. He then creates an image of himself and demands the world worship him or be killed. These horrific events occur in the last week of years – the Tribulation years yet future (Dan 7:25;9:26;2 Thess 2:4; Rev 13:5-7).

What is so amazing about these prophecies is the specificity of them. Daniel predicts to the very day from the decree to rebuild the walls and streets of Jerusalem until Jesus presenting Himself as the Messiah. Daniel also predicts Jesus death (Dan 9:26) and the coming of the antichrist. Contrary to the critics who claim Daniel recorded these events after they occurred, do not know their history very well. Daniel recorded his prophecies prior to the decree of King Cyrus allowing the Hebrews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-10). The year was 538 B.C. Daniel was dead by the time Artaxerxes issued his decree to rebuild the walls which once again was March 14^th, 445 B.C. which proves Daniel predicted the events before they happened.

The dates above have been debated. For instance, other dates that have been used are:

538 B.C.; this date does not work for the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem because it was the date when King Cyrus of Persia gave the declaration to the Hebrews to rebuild the temple led by Zerubbabel (Ezra 1:1-10). Another date given is 458 B.C.; this date marks the second return to Jerusalem under Ezra. To indicate the 458 B.C. date was given to rebuild the city and streets of Jerusalem would be too early of a date. The 458 B.C. was during King Artaxerxes 7^th year in the first month of Nisan to the fifth month (or March/April – July/Aug); the time Ezra returned to reinstate the law and religious reform in Jerusalem (Ezra 7). So the date that is left is the March 14^th, 445 B.C. when Nehemiah returned to rebuild the walls.

                           Why did the nation Israel have to go into captivity for seventy years?

In the book of Leviticus chapter 25 verses 1-7 God through Moses commanded the children of Israel not to till their land on the seventh year. They were to allow the land to have a Sabbath rest every seven years. For 490 years Israel failed to obey this command. Along with disobeying the Lord regarding the Sabbath rest of the land, the Hebrews refused to obey any other commands of the Lord resulting in their deportation (Jeremiah 25:11). First in 605 B.C., second in 597 B.C., and finally In 586 B.C. when  Jerusalem was sacked and the temple burned to the ground by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 36:19;Jeremiah 52:12-15).

The seventy years of captivity beginning in 605 B.C. and ending in 536 B.C. when the returning Hebrews began to rebuild the temple allowed the land of Israel to have 70 years of Sabbath rest that it did not enjoy due to Israel’s disobedience. Simply put, Israel owed God 70 years which they served in exile in Babylon.

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[1] The days it takes for the moon to orbit the earth in a year

[2] A solar year is the amount of days it takes for the earth to orbit the Sun.

Paul's Struggle in Romans Chapter Seven

The apostle Paul is explaining to his readers in vivid detail his ongoing battle between his flesh, mind and spirit. This is a struggle we all must suffer as Christians and it is a most painful struggle!

In Romans 7:15-25 we read:

“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.                                                                                                

I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”

I want to focus on the bold texts for a moment. If one fails to read this in context, one could believe that Paul was absolving himself of personal responsibility for his sin when he says, “It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me”

Sin as I have I mentioned before is rebelling against the commands of God; Sin is the total absence of good.  We sin by omission and commission. A sin of omission is not doing what God has commanded (e.g. forgive one another, pray, share the gospel, etc). A sin of commission is going beyond the boundaries of God’s commands (e.g. do not lie, commit adultery, worship other gods, etc). We sin by not doing what God commands as well by trespassing what He has prohibited.

The truth of the matter is sin by itself is a nameless cypher. Sin must have the opportunity to engage a willing host (i.e. our bodies) in order to bring ruin to our lives. In other words, sin has no power without humans. So no, Paul was by no means espousing dualism[1] which some may have accused him of. He was not saying that sin by itself was to blame for his sin. For if that were true, we could not be blamed for sin, for sin alone would be guilty and not the person whom sin indwelt. (I’m drawing this thought to its most logical conclusion). Paul, like us chose to sin because he wanted to even though he knew choice was wrong before he did it. We do the same thing.  Paul in these verses clearly decries his pain, and struggle to do right verses wrong. These verses are an incredible revelation of the pain of the human condition. Paul a redeemed man gives us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit why we act the way we do – even as Christians. Because of our unredeemed flesh, we will continue to war within ourselves. Our spirit man is renewed and desires to obey God, whereas our flesh – the old man desires, and serves the law of sin. This will be our struggle until we are glorified in our bodies. This obviously has not occurred yet due to sin ever being present with us. As Paul cried out, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death?” We cry out to God for the same deliverance.      

If you are like me it seems sometimes I’m being torn apart inside. What do I mean? A similar passage that describes our struggle is in Galatians 5:16-17, “But I say walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit (responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit) then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the Holy Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other (continually withstanding and in conflict with each other), so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do” (Amplified Version).               

To put this in laymen’s terms, we are in a tug-of-war with ourselves due to the flesh and Spirit battle we are constantly engaged in. We must recognize and deal with this struggle. We must be determined to walk in victory by allowing the Spirit of God to rule our spirits. How? By learning, understanding, and applying the word of God.

Jesus said this about His words: It is the Spirit that gives life (i.e. regeneration)…The words that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life (John 6:63). The word of God has inherent power to continue to transform us on the inside so that we can behave holy on the outside. We as Christians have to trust God and His Word! We must for it is our “get-out-of-jail-free-card” constantly, and our lifeline.  

So, when Paul is talking about our flesh dwells no good thing, he is not talking about the human body per se. Our physical bodies are not evil for God made us, and all that God made was perfect in the beginning (Genesis 1:31). When Paul mentions the flesh in this context, he is referencing our fallen sinful nature-that is the flesh.  Sin operates and takes advantage our fallen evil nature to wreak havoc in our lives and tempts us to sin. If we are not filled with the Spirit on an ongoing basis (Eph 5:18), then we are sitting ducks for the devil and his tricks (Eph 6:11), and we will sin every time.

Concluding, we cannot use the old Flip Wilson phrase, “The devil made me do it!” Yes, sin is ever present with us because of our fallen sinful nature. Sin assaults our minds and our flesh to commit evil acts. Likewise, when we yield to the Spirit, He also operates through our flesh to commit godly acts (Gal 2:20). It all boils down to which one we want to serve the most at that precise time, the law of God, or the law of sin?             

The choice is always ours.                           

                                                                                                               

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[1] Dualism was a false Greek Philosophy that taught that the human body was evil

and the spirit is good so when someone sinned, they were not personally responsible

for it because it was their flesh alone that committed the sin; it did not involve their minds

or spirits when the sin was committed. This mindset in the Greeks mind absolved

them of personal responsibility for evil.