Dead and Dying

 The writer realizes this is a bizarre, strange and morbid title. How can one be dead before they die? This title only makes sense if one has a Biblical worldview. You see when we are born, we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). We are born spiritually dead. Why? Because we are born into this world separated from God. What did John the Baptist say in John 3:36, “He that has the Son has life. He that does not have the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” 

Jesus said. “I Am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). Jesus also said to Martha, “I Am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die (John 11:25-26). So here is the reality. If your life belongs to Jesus you have eternal life. If you die, you will live forever as an immortal being. If you do not belong to the Lord, you are dead spiritually because the Holy Spirit does not dwell on the inside of you. You are disconnected from God. If a person dies having never repented of their sins, they will experience what the Bible calls the second death (Revelation 20:14). This second death will cast a soul into an everlasting hell. There is no hope for a person who dies in their sins. They will die twice - physically and spiritually.

Here is an insight that most people do not realize: If you’re in Christ you will most likely die once and guaranteed to be born twice. I say most likely because most of us will die psychically unless we are alive when the rapture takes place. But as a general rule, we will die once. The believer is born of flesh and is born again of the Spirit (John 3). But once we are resurrected from death, we will live forever. But with the wicked that is not the case. The unredeemed will live once and die twice. Let that sink in.

Here’s the life death sequence for every soul that will ever live:

For the believer: born→born again→may taste physical death=eternal life

For the unbeliever: born→death→second death=eternal damnation

Both scenarios are guaranteed.

“Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” -Galatians 4:16

Narcissism

The arrogance of mankind has no boundaries. This arrogance stems from our inherent wicked nature. It is vital I highlight the wickedness of man in hopes that he will see his depravity the way God sees it - deplorable in His sight. As long as man thinks he is getting away with his sin, there is no stopping what he plans to do. The more evil he believes he can get away with, the more he wants. Our sin is worse than any addictive street drug - it provides a perverse pleasure that if not stopped will kill us dead (pun intended) in our tracks.

The word Narcissism comes from Greek mythology. It comes from the tale of Narcissus, a young man who was known for his good looks. He was loved by gods, mortals and nymphs, but he rejected all who admired him due to being so self-absorbed. Narcissus was cursed by the goddess of revenge Nemesis who led him to a pool of water where he saw the reflection of his own image. He was so enamored with himself that he could not look away. This curse of self-love along with the fact that his reflection could not love him back eventually led to Narcissus' demise.  This cautionary tale provides a real life lesson. Today it means someone who is self-absorbed and who has an inflated sense of who they are. Some have called it a God Complex. The Bible calls this vanity. Being vain will lead to your demise just as it did Narcissus. The term has crossed over from being mythological to morphing into a psychological condition. 

Now medical professionals love to psycho analyze everyone as having some kind of disorder so they can prescribe medication for it. Narcissism at its root is sin. People choose to be arrogant and self absorbed. Why? Many people believe, perhaps due to their pedigree, good looks, athleticism, education, success and money, that they are better than others who do not possess those things. Many believe people are where they are because some are lucky and others are not. Luck had nothing to do with it. YES! You heard me correctly! Luck had nothing to do with it.

Those that are successful in life have worked hard to get there and deserve what they have achieved. It did not come easy and it is not supposed to. Oftentimes those that have not reached a level of success have not worked very hard. Obviously this is not always the case. There are those that have worked very hard and tough breaks, setbacks have gotten in the way. Life is tough for most of us. Things do not always turn out the way we want them to. Equal opportunities does not always mean equal outcomes. 

Sometimes even those who do not work as hard as their counterparts receive blessings beyond those who work harder. We call that favor. God is sovereign. He can bless one over the other for His reasons alone. God's grace should cause us to fall on our hands and knees and worship Him for having mercy on us. There is never any room for arrogance.

The Narcissist is a fool of fools. The reason I say this is because they believe they can match wits with God. Proverbs 21:30 tells us that there is no wisdom, understanding or counsel against the Lord. There would be no reason for the writer of Proverbs King Solomon to provide that caveat unless there are those who believe they are wiser than their Maker.

Paul said in Romans 1:22 regarding the Narcissist, "Professing themselves (italics mine, added for emphasis) to be wise they have become fools." 

This writer cannot stand people like that. If you're an enemy of God, you are an enemy of mine. By the grace of God, I'm the praying kind - I war in the Spirit and not in the flesh. What does that mean? I pray for my enemies even when my wicked flesh tempts me not to. 

The goal of this article is to wake those of you up who have been lulled to sleep due to narcissism. The word of God tells us to therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed less you fall (1Corinthians 10:12).

Scripture also tells us God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

King Nebuchadnezzar 

Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon from 605-562 B.C. He ruled during the Neo Babylonian Empire. He was the king that invaded Israel in three sieges. The first one in 605 B.C., the second in 597 B.C., and final invasion in 587/586 B.C. He stole the money from the treasury, the holy articles, from the temple in Jerusalem and burned the temple and city to the ground. This was literally the death of a nation for 70 years. Jeremiah the prophet was the mouth piece of God during this era and was an eyewitness to the nation's destruction. That is why the Book of Lamentations is ascribed to him. Under King Cyrus (See the book of Ezra) about fifty thousand Hebrews in the year 538 B.C. return back home to the Jerusalem ruins to rebuild the temple which began in 536 B.C. This year marked the end of the 70 years of captivity (i.e. 605-536 = 70 physical years). The temple was finished 20 years later in 516 B.C.

We read in Daniel chapter 4 that Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a huge tree that fills the earth and reaches to the heavens. All the animals reside in its shade along with birds living on its branches. All are fed from this massive tree. In his dream the king sees a holy one say cut down the tree, strip the leaves, cut off the branches, and get rid of its fruit and leave the stump and the roots in the ground. Let the stump get wet with the morning dew. Let the stump graze with beasts. Let his heart be changed from that of a man to that of a beast. Let seven times (or years) pass over him until he realizes that the Most High rules in the world of men, and the Lord gives power and authority to whomever He chooses.  Nebuchadnezzar is troubled by the dream calls in his fortune tellers, dreamologists, wise men, astrologers and magicians, but none of them can interpret the dream except Daniel. Daniel loves the king, and wishes the fate of the king was reserved for his enemies (vs.19). Daniel explains to the king the massive tree is him, and urges the king to repent or else everything he saw in the dream will come true. Well, exactly a year later the dream is fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar literally loses his mind and starts eating grass like an ox. This type of condition today is known as a psychosis called Boanthropy. Bo comes from the Greek Bous which means cow or ox, and Anthropos which is Greek for human. When you combine the terms its a human behaving like a cow or ox, crawling on the ground and eating grass. This was the life of the most powerful man on earth for seven years because he was a narcissist. He gave himself instead of God glory for his power, fame, success and wealth.

This was what Nebuchadnezzar said a year after Daniel interpreted his dream warning the king to repent. All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"

While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken, the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses. That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like bird's claws (Daniel 4:28-33).

It was at that point that Nebuchadnezzar went through his humiliation which was an extreme act of grace and mercy by the Lord. God had every right to strike him dead for his arrogance.

This is what Nebuchadnezzar said after his judgment was over:

And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have you done?" At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the king of Heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down (vv 34-37).

This entire chapter of Daniel was written by Nebuchadnezzar. This address was sent to the entire known world at that time to declare to all the inhabitants of the earth how God dealt with him; from his great power, to his epic fall from that power, to being restored to majesty after the confession of his sin to the Lord.

While I can't prove it for certain, I believe Nebuchadnezzar went to heaven after he died based on his global confession of his sin and faith in the one true God of the universe. He was a pagan of pagans. He thought himself to be a god as he erected a gold image of himself which measured 90 feet high by 9 feet wide. He commanded all to worship the image or be put to death. This is what got Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego thrown in the fiery furnace because they refused to bow and worship the image. (Daniel 3). This event in antiquity is eerily similar to what will happen in the end times when the false prophet will force the world to worship the image of the beast/antichrist and take his mark of 666 in Revelation 13 or face death by decapitation.

Landing the plane

So, the moral of this story is Narcissism is satanic. Read what happened to Lucifer (now the devil and Satan) in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. I see this attitude in politics and even worse in our Churches. How many people, men and women running around claiming they are prophets and prophetesses declaring they have a new and fresh word from the Lord when they know they are lying? So, the codified Word of God isn't enough? Do we need new revelation today?  How many of them are greedy for money? So many of them are bullies in the pulpit, belittling God's flock. And worst of all, most of them are Biblically illiterate. They cannot even exegete John 3:16 properly yet they claim the Lord is speaking to them? All of these charlatans need to shut their ministries down. They need to be educated in truth instead of mis-educating the masses with seeker sensitive falsehoods.

Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

- 1 Peter 5:6

Will our salvation cost us anything?

In a word YES! The late Pastor and Bible Teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA John MacArthur said that once we come to Jesus that is the end of you. In other words, our lives have to be hidden in Christ. Jesus said that anyone that desires to follow Him they need to deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow Him. Jesus went on to say, "Whoever desires to save His life will lose it, but whoever loses His life for My sake will find it (Matthew 16:24-25).

Jesus paid the ultimate cost with His life and purchased our salvation with His blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Remember, ours sins are an affront to God and they must be punished. God will not allow the guilty to go free. The Father sent the Son to pay the price for sin that we could never pay. Why? Because the Father will not accept a sin sacrifice from a sinner. Jesus who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is what I call the great exchange: The guiltless died for the guilty. The sinless died for the sinful. Jesus traded places with us so the Father would judicially pour out His wrath on His only begotten Son on the cross so that we would be saved when we exercised our faith in Christ's finished work.

So herein lies the unfathomable difference between the Lord and us. Jesus purchase our salvation because He was the only one that could. He did the ultimate heavy lift. The Father poured out His wrath on Jesus because of our sins and was satisfied with his vicarious death. 

As a result of Christ's completed work at Calvary, we now have a cross we must bear. We must be willing to suffer the loss of all things to enter into the kingdom of God. Let me be clear, we're not suffering to see if we will make it into heaven. We were granted heaven as a future inherited blessing when we believed on Jesus, but the only way one can prove their faith is genuine is if they endure until the end. This posture is what separates believers from imposters - true Christians from fake ones.

The apostle Paul had his mindset and priorities right, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8).

Jesus told His disciples face to face and to all believers by extension, that in this life you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

Paul again in Philippians 1:29 said, "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake."

So I would encourage and caution all of us as believers to do as a good friend told me over 30 years ago, "Prepare for the worst and believe the Lord for the best." Be of good cheer Jesus said. For He has overcome the world.

If you're in Jesus you're an overcome too (1 John 5:4-5).

Death and Life are Concurrent

 In 2 Corinthians 4:16b we read, “Though the outward man is perishing, the inward man is being renewed day by day.” The word perishing is the Greek word diaphtherio. It means decay and corruption. The word renewed is the Greek word anakainoō. It is a compound word. Ana means back or again. Kainos means new. It is used in the passive voice. What this means is the subject is receiving the action of the verb. The subject is the inward man. The verb action the inward man is receiving is the ongoing renewing of his spirit by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul wrote these words. Why did he write them? In this chapter, Paul is talking about the very high cost of following Jesus. We have to follow the Lord even if it means our death - a price Paul knew he would eventually pay and was happy to do so. You see Paul knew that there is life after death for those of us who are in Christ so he was motivated and motivated others to continue to fight the good fight of faith to the end.

Paul was giving a message of reality and ultimate hope. His present physical reality and ours is bleak yet temporary because of the present wickedness we are bombarded with everyday. Death and life is working in us at the same time. That is why he said the outward man is decaying. We’re all slowly dying physically, but our spirits are forever living and getting stronger. That is why we can rejoice because we have ultimate hope that this temporary life of pain will end when we die. Paul is encouraging us not to ignore what we see, but do not lose heart because of it. Like our physical bodies, it's fading away. Rather, we are with the eyes of faith focus on what we cannot see, for that is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). What we can’t see is ours now for it has been promised to us. It is part of our inheritance.

Paul declares these words regarding his present trials in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18:

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not us. We are hard press on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us (emphasis added), but life in you. 

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believe therefore I spoke”, we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound the the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things that are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The previous twelve verses of revelation is what Paul lived and died for. Are we willing to imitate Paul and do the same?

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Why Are You Here?

I would imagine most of us have asked ourselves that question. The inquiry started for me as a young child. When I ask the question, I am specifically asking, “Do you know what your purpose is in the very brief life that you have? For those who are in government they are convinced they would spend their lives as public servants, community advocates, council men and women, senators,  house members, first responders. Then there are doctors, lawyers, athletes, entertainers, humanitarians, etc. God has given us all talents and gifts to make this world a better, safer and healthier place to live. 

Sadly, many have and continue to abuse the gifts and talents given to them in lieu of helping others. Those that have perverted their gifts have caused irreparable damage to countless lives - not just human life, but wildlife as well. Human flourishing MUST always be the goal.

But that is not always the case.

If you don't know why you’re here, I have the answer for you. The Word of God tells us. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, The end of the matter: all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.

We have been created to give glory to God our whole lives long. That is the beauty and wisdom of the scriptures, it gives a singular all encompassing purpose, give glory to God! 

So, where do we start?

Proverbs 1:7 tells us, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Similarly  Proverbs 9:10-11 tells us, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and the years of life will be added to you.

I’m claiming those promises for myself, but in order to make good on that claim one MUST fear the Lord.

When Jesus began His public ministry He declared these words, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). In case you do not know what repent means, it is defined by changing one’s mind - about our sins in the Biblical evangelical context. You see Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission, to seek and save those who are lost - to save His people from their sins (Luke 19:10; Matt 1:21). The Father God's love for us is what compelled Him to send His only begotten Son to come and die for us (John 3:16). 

The main problem with man is that he has foolishly and hopelessly chosen to be at war with God - a battle he can never win. It's our sin that drives this insidious rage against our Maker. Listen to these penetrating words from King Solomon: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12;16:25).While man lives just to die, God desires to raise the dead to life!

What do I mean?

The Bible declares that we are dead in our trespasses and sins prior to the Spirit of God regenerating us to new life in Christ (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). That is why Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again (Italics added for emphasis John 3:3). Jesus has to come and give us the truth because without the Lord, we are dead while we live. John the Baptist said, “He that has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God abides on Him” (John 3:36). 

Without Jesus you are an empty shell. Although you may appear beautiful on the outside, inwardly you are a corpse, a casket spiritually (Matthew 23:27). No one should want that to be their legacy. To live your life apart from the Lord is a life wasted no matter how successful you are. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul, or what can a man give in exchange for his soul (Matthew 16:26)?

I realize that this is a hard word for many people, but it is the truth. Consider how brief life really is. Even if you lived to be 120 years old, what is that compared to eternity? Do you care enough about your life to turn it around for Jesus’ sake, or does He cramp your style? Are you ashamed of the gospel? Or perhaps you’re mad at God because you prayed for a sick loved one to get well and they died. Perhaps your spouse or child died all of a sudden. Why would a loving God allow that to happen? Here’s a very hard truth friends: 

Because of the sin of Adam the world since the dawn of time has been under a death sentence (Romans 6:23). All of us have an appointment with death. All of us are guaranteed to meet that appointment (Hebrew 9:27). What frightens the world is that we do not know or have control of when and how we will die. But God knows. He’s the only one that knows.

Here is another frightening thought, most do not know for certain where they will end up - heaven or hell. These are realities most do not want to talk about. I get that. But as each day comes and goes, we are getting closer to closing our eyes and waking up in eternity - with or without the Lord. These are the only two realities any of us will face. If there are other options, then God is a liar and the Bible is not true. 

Not even the devil is that stupid.

We were made to love the Lord our God with our heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). At the end of the day nothing else matters. Sure, God made this planet for us to inhabit, to train it, subdue and enjoy its numerous benefits and blessings. We should have fun, joy, love and peace and laughter as much as possible in this brief life of pain and sin. But that cannot and should not be the sum total of our lives - to enjoy God’s creation without giving Him praise for it. As beautiful as this planet is, it's defiled because of mankind’s sin. God will destroy and re-create it to the paradise it once was before the fall of mankind that brought sin into the world (Isa 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:1).

So you see unregenerate man is a prisoner to his evil. That is why he can never have lasting peace. Unredeemed man is a savage. It starts in his youth. He is the most untamed beast the world will ever know. Peace only comes from Jesus, the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). Only the Lord can find and save wretches like us. Only then will you know why you’re here - to conform to Christ’s image (Romans 8:29). That will take your whole life long (Ephesians 2:10).

The Bible commands us that whatever we do, do to glory to God (Matt 5:16;1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:17).

Without the Lord you’re only born to die - eternally without him in hell.

Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth (Galatians 4:16)?

Why Are You Here? A Preview

 When Jesus began His public ministry He declared these words, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). In case you do not know what repent means, it is defined by changing one’s mind - about our sins in the Biblical evangelical context. You see Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission, to seek and save those who are lost - to save His people from their sins (Luke 19:10; Matt 1:21). The Father God's love for us is what compelled Him to send His only begotten Son to come and die for us (John 3:16). 

The main problem with man is that he has foolishly and hopelessly chosen to be at war with God - a battle he can never win. It's our sin that drives this insidious rage against our Maker. Listen to these penetrating words from King Solomon: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12;16:25).While man lives just to die, God desires to raise the dead to life!

What do I mean?

The Bible declares that we are dead in our trespasses and sins prior to the Spirit of God regenerating us to new life in Christ (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). That is why Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again (Italics added for emphasis John 3:3). Jesus has to come and give us the truth because without the Lord, we are dead while we live. John the Baptist said, “He that has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God abides on Him” (John 3:36). 

“Move Over. You’re Blocking My View!”

Listen to what happened to me in worship service today. What would you have done?

https://www.patreon.com/posts/youre-blocking-137263832