Two Earthquakes Hit California in 1906: One Natural, One Spiritual

Two Earthquakes hit California in 1906, four days apart.  The first hit Los Angeles April 14, 1906, the 2^nd hit San Francisco April 18, 1906.  The 2^nd has been widely publicized because of the destruction suffered.  As a result of the quakes and fires, about 3,000 people died and over 80% of San Francisco was destroyed.  Though the city rebuilt quickly, the disaster diverted trade, industry and population growth south to Los Angeles, spurring its growth to become the largest and most important urban area in the west.  (Source: Wikipedia.)

The Los Angeles earthquake on April 14, 1906, was of a different sort with rippling effects continuing to this day round the world.  This event, too, was characterized by fire—a most unusual fire.  Sometimes the fire would seem to come from the heavens downward over this one particular building (an abandoned African Methodist Episcopal Church that had become a stable and had to be cleaned out for use), and other times the fire seemed to emanate from the building reaching heavenward, but most often the flames met.  Repeatedly, fire departments were called to the scene only to be met with a puzzling situation—a building that appeared to be on fire but not burning!

This fiery circumstance was certainly reminiscent of the Day of Pentecost experience: “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2: 3 & 4).

The specific Los Angeles address was 312 Azusa Street, which came to be known round the world as “Azusa Street”.  Yes, though there was a difference in the way the fire of the Holy Spirit was manifest, the same Holy Spirit of God was shepherding both events.  Similarities abounded with persons being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking with other tongues; powerful preaching which resulted in changed lives; and miracles of healing—perhaps more so at Azusa Street than in the Book of Acts!

But there was one difference between Azusa Street and the Book of Acts—the manifest glory of God which was almost in continual manifestation at Azusa Street, a parallel of which cannot be found in the Book of Acts.  In fact this manifest glory of God, by all accounts was very palpable, where people attempted to breathe it in, lie down and roll in it, one person even attempted to “bottle it”, is most to be compared to the Divine presence that hovered between the cherubim, over the Ark of the Covenant, in the Holy of Holies—whether in the “Tabernacle of Moses” or the Solomon’s Temple or Herod’s Temple.  Attenders & workers quickly learned when the “glory cloud” was heaviest accompanied by fire above the building, something mighty special and powerful was about to happen.

These events which attended the Azusa Street Revival (1906-1910), apparently will be “beginning” hallmarks of the final revival that will sweep the earth prior to the 2^nd return of our Lord.  Such understanding needs to shape our praying and our expectation.

All my Christian life I have known of “Azusa Street”, but only recently have I learned of some of the specifics I’ve shared.  You, too, can learn of them through the book:  Azusa Street—They Told Me Their Stories (The Youth & Children of Azusa Street Tell Their Stories), published 2010.

Order Information:  Individual copies @ azusastories.com or DaretoDream Books @ 405/642-8257 
Bulk Orders: 20-99: $9 each s/h included; 100+: $7.30 each s/h included
Contact Person:  Dr. Jim Morris                 

God Keeps His Promises

“The Lord is not slack [“not using due diligence, care or dispatch”] concerning His promise. . .” (II Peter 3:9a)  Any promise God has given you, including a bona fide prophetic word will come to pass.  This promise-keeping quality extends to His children in prayer:  “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (I John 5:14&15).

Then the critical thing for the “believer” is to discern whether or not a thing being asked of God is according to His will.

It’s critical a “believer” learn to “ask” and “receive” because many of those things which God wants to usher in as we come to the end of the age will require some of His children somewhere asking, believing and “receiving” them.  Illustrative of this principle is Amos 3:7—“Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”  This way the prophets would know how to pray and what to declare.

This principle of informational-forewarning is covered exhaustively in the writings of the prophets relative to the coming of Jesus.  Because of the abundance of such prophetic information King Herod, the Roman Client King of Judea at the time of the birth of Jesus, was enabled to tap into this pool of information in an attempt to find and kill the Christ child.  “And when he (Herod) gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel’” (Matthew 5&6).

The information given Herod was correct but he was frustrated in his attempt to kill the Christ child because “an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him” (Matthew 2:13).

The prophet Daniel, himself, tapped into the prophetic word to learn how he should pray, “in the first year of his reign (Darius, the son of Ahasuerus) I, Daniel understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord, given through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.  Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes” (Daniel 9:2&3).

Daniel learned the time of Judah’s captivity in Babylon was 70 years and that now they should be set free to return to the land.  The prophetic word supplied Daniel with the information and he prayed accordingly.  Judah was released to go back and build again the walls of Jerusalem.  All of it done according to the “word of the Lord”.

Certainly, there are those personal and family matters God would have you ask of Him.  But having learned to trust Him for these personal matters, it’s time you took the stance of Daniel and began inquiring of God those things that must happen on behalf of Israel and, by extension, the rest of the world.

That’s a large part of why you have been permitted to live at such a time as this.

For Our Friends in the Ukraine

My understanding is that whatever the ramifications of your struggle politically, you wish to be free.  Ultimately I believe that is what God desires for all His children.  That freedom begins with freedom from sin made possible by Christ’s sacrifice upon the Cross for the sins of all men.  Freedom from sin is the basis of all true freedom.  If one is free in the political sense, but not free from sin, that person is not free.  But, if one is free from sin he cannot be imprisoned no matter in what prison he may be incarcerated.  The Apostle Paul demonstrated this with his life—being frequently imprisoned.

Paul was in a local prison—your desire is that the whole of the Ukraine not become a prison.  This may be a tough battle for you.  For some, you may have to yield your lives but concerning this Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).  Further, you need to “Google” the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” written in 1861 by Julia Ward Howe which could well become your “Battle Hymn”.  Please pay attention to the verse that says, “As He (Christ) died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.”

From the price American military persons have paid serving in various wars has arisen the saying, “Freedom is not free”.  If you genuinely want freedom, you must die for it.

I’m so sorry the American administration has not seen fit to intervene on your behalf in any way, but as a “believer” I can stand by you and pray God will strengthen you for the task that lies ahead.  And perhaps it might be said of you as of Old Testament Queen Esther by Mordecai, “Yet, who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14b)?

Finally, the Apostle Paul said, “What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  (Romans 8:31). 

America--We've Got a Problem!

Once it’s established an individual or nation has a problem, to deal with it, it first must be identified.  Currently America has problems that just won’t quit—even on informal news programs airing the latest tragedy or atrocity folk are saying, “What’s become of us as a nation?”   That’s actually a spiritual question. 

Before venturing what some would quickly call a too-simplistic answer, I want to quote a verse of scripture applicable to all nations:  “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. . .” (Psalm 33:12a).  For God to be the Lord of a people, accountability must be established— can it be any other way?  And, if God is to be Lord, does it not follow that it must be on His terms?

The God of the Bible, even Jehovah God, is holy, just and righteous.  And, yes, He is full of mercy, but His mercy knows limits. 

Now, what is America’s problem?  It is S-I-N.  With no sense of “right” and “wrong” people go their own way and do their own thing, regardless of consequences, the essence of sin.  Dr. Karl A. Menninger was dealing with this in his memorable work, What Became of Sin? (Circa 1970).  His point:  no “sin”, no forgiveness.  However pleasurable a thing, if it’s wrong, it’s sin.  So people go about bearing a ton of unforgiveness because of inability or unwillingness to recognize and deal with sin.

And sin does have consequences.  Consider this in Israel’s experience, “So the Lord’s anger was aroused against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the Lord was gone” (Numbers 32:13).  Is it not possible God’s anger could be kindled against us?

Moses said a simple but powerful thing, “. . .be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).  America, our sin is finding us out.

It has been said, “Put sin out the door and it will come back in the window”.  Sin must be dealt with, it cannot be accommodated.  To deal with this Jesus died on the Cross that through the shedding of His blood, the power of sin might be broken once for all (see Hebrews 9:28).  But that protection is available only as His followers distance themselves from sin, and walk humbly before Him, following His commandments (John 13:33-35).

In 1955 I read  a book “Calvary Road” by Roy Hession a missionary-evangelist (first printed in 1950 but still available over the internet) detailing how revival in central Africa had been maintained for a number of years, centering about three things:  brokenness, repentance and confession of sin.  Using this work with study groups, emphasizing these elements, I have found this as basic (and painful), yet critical to spiritual health as it ever was.

We need to “beat a path” to the Cross and there, through repentance, again find forgiveness of sin.  Then, allow the Holy Spirit to “set us on fire” to carry this message everywhere we go.

 

 

 

Resumes Are Being Taken

Amidst a tight labor market in America and most other countries also, a multi-national conglomerate, controlled by one man is seeking persons to fill slots for every governmental post for every country in the world.  The pay-scale has not been released, but this C.E.O. will do right by his people—if history is any guide.

These positions will not be functionary, i.e., filling slots just to be filling a slots.  Each position will be meaningful and in certain instances only the most highly qualified will be considered.  Experience is critical and one’s previous job performance is paramount.

Know that you will be thoroughly “vetted” and the investigators will not miss even the most seeming innocuous behavior.  What you may have thought to have been done in secret, will be “put out there” for the whole world to see.

In this case the saying will be totally true, “It’s not what you know, but who you know” that will make all the difference.

An interesting phenomenon is developing that will tighten up this particular job market—persons are becoming aware this market will be available and are beginning to prepare themselves to take advantage of it.  All positions will be filled.

The Situation Explained

Jesus is seeking followers, one must have a vital relationship with Him, who will rule and reign with Him during the Millennium.   At present it appears many Christians have as their primary goal simply to get to heaven with scarce thought of taking up a new position in the Millennial Kingdom, ruling and reigning with Christ.

In several parables recorded in both Matthew and Luke, Jesus makes it patently clear that the way a person exercises present responsibility whether over talents or minas (or whatever), will determine exactly what level of responsibility they will have during the Millennium.  Some, because of their slothfulness will be in danger of losing their salvation (see Matthew 25:30).  While others, protesting their good works done in Jesus’ Name, done from the wrong motive will receive a most unwelcome benediction:  “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt. 7:23).

It’s imperative, then, you rightly know Jesus and are walking in obedience to all He requires of you.  To those who are honored and privileged to serve Christ through martyrdom, especially by being beheaded, have a special place of leadership accorded them in the Millennium (Revelation 20:4).

Have you sent in your resume?  Does it need to be updated?

Suppose You Were God

Taking counsel with yourself you have to determine what type of god you’re going to be—that’s a tough one but being god you’ve got the “smarts” to figure out what characteristics you’d want to live with or manifest.  Because, since it’s your universe you figure whatever you establish concerning anything will become the “norm”.  For example, suppose you wanted “fickleness” [“marked by erratic changeableness, especially in affections” {dictionary definition}] to be characteristic of your universe that would become the “norm”.  Anything that happened that wasn’t “fickle” would be alien to your kingdom or universe—you might even elect to call such non-fickleness “sin”.  Anything that’s a characteristic of your universe is also a reflection of your character; therefore you would be a “fickle” god.

Reader, you get the idea, God created the universe as a reflection of His own character and being—at least the only God we know of operates this way.

Because God is “social”, He created man.  The action is self-evident.  And, wouldn’t you know it, God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27)—how could it be otherwise?  Making man just a little lower than Himself (Psalm 8:5), paving the way for them to visit in the most natural of relationships (Genesis 3:8).

Growing out of certain realities, namely that God was God and Adam was a created being, God established the rules—actually, there was only one rule, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die’” (Genesis 2:16 & 17). That was it—just one rule.  As it was this man had authority over the whole earth, had unlimited communion with his creator, and had the prospect of living forever upon the earth.  What more could he ask?  Well, there was the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—it was probably the sweetest of all and God had forbade it to him.  Who did God think He was?  The negativity had been intimated by Lucifer through the serpent.

The entertainment of such thoughts was moving Adam, and now his partner, Eve, into some mighty dangerous territory; they were toying around with the notion of disobeying God!  Who knows how long they toyed around with the notion; doubtless long enough for it to consume their thoughts.  Then it happened—they partook of the fruit and immediately things began to happen.  First, a deep, deep darkness entered into their souls because their “spirit person” had died.  Then the “shekinah glory” of God (as some have conjectured) which heretofore covered Adam and Eve was gone and with it their innocence so that they saw themselves naked (Genesis 3:10).

Then God came calling.  He must.  Though He knew exactly what had happened, indeed knew before it happened, still He must speak with His children about what has happened.  (This was the first of the two most grievous meetings between God and His children, the other would take place at Calvary.)  The sinless God must speak with His children who only moments before were sinless.  Oh the agony, the anguish of that moment for God would be hidden until God’s only “begotten” Son paid the price at Calvary for what Adam and Eve had done.  Yes, Jesus, paid the price for the sins of the whole world but it would not have been any more or less had it been only for Adam and Eve. 

This is the price one pays for being God.  Since we can’t be God, doesn’t it make sense to be His most obedient sons and daughters?

Come, Mighty Prophets of God, Come!

When ancient Israel could not find her way, having turned away from God, a prophet would arise to point the way back to God.  This did not mean Israel would necessarily receive the “word of the Lord”, but it was delivered and the issues were made very clear what would happen to Israel did she not return to the Lord.

The Prophet Jeremiah at one such time spoke this on behalf of the Lord, “Even the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times; and the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow observe the time of their coming.  But My people do not know the judgment of the Lord” (Jeremiah 8:7).

Similarly, in different words Jeremiah expressed the same sentiment when he said the waves of the sea observe the bounds of sand that are set for them, but the people “have turned aside and gone away” (5:22,23).  Most succinctly put, Jeremiah says, all God’s creation follows His ordinances, but Israel? No!--to her own hurt and destruction.

Prophets weren’t just for the Old Testament, but for the New Testament era as well.  Then, given the condition of the church it must be asked, “Where are the prophets?”

We need prophets who can know and fearlessly “speak forth” the word of the Lord.  Certainly, various pastors in various places have spoken forth the “word of the Lord”, but where are they now?  God, through His prophet Malachi, gives us a hopeful answer:  “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5 & 6).

What a thrilling promise that in the face of mounting lawlessness in America, the breakup of the traditional (nuclear) home and the insipidness and worldliness of the church, God Himself will send “Elijah the prophet”.  This would not be literally so but like it was in Jesus’ day when He spoke of the ministry of John the Baptist, “And if you are willing to receive it, he (John the Baptist) is Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:14).  I believe it is possible to extrapolate from the promise in Malachi and the words of Jesus that a “company of prophets” will arise to put the church back on track “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5).

Put another way, as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ First Coming, so must many ministering in the spirit of the fiery prophet, Elijah, prepare the way for the 2^nd Coming of the Lord.  This, to repeat, must happen “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5).

Given what I’ve said here I believe a primary work of the church is to pray the Lord of the Harvest to send the “Spirit of Elijah” to restore the church to its first love and become part of a mighty, threshing instrument to bring in the final harvest.

Be encouraged with me.

 

God Commands Man!

The Apostle Paul in his address on “Mars Hill” in Athens, contending with some resident philosophers, presented a case for the Athenians to come to know personally “The Unknown God” whom they worshipped ignorantly.

After presenting various proofs for God and making the case for the fact “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), Paul logically states that “. . .since we are the offspring of God we ought not think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising” (Acts 17:29).  Essentially, Paul says you worshipped such gods out of ignorance, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:28).

Here we see God is not making a suggestion, He is issuing a command.

Why are we to “repent”, i.e., turn from our own ways and turn to following God’s ways?  Paul answers, “. . . because He (God) has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man (Christ Jesus) whom He has ordained.  He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

This fearful prospect puts the heavy responsibility and privilege on the Church to "get the 'word' out", to make Christ Jesus known, that He died for  the sins of the whole world (John 3:16), that people might repent and embrace Him as their Savior, Lord and King.

In another place the Apostle Peter jumps into this discussion saying, “. . . that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?  For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (I Peter 3:3&4).

Peter continues that these scoffers willfully forget that God once judged the earth with water in which everyone, save Noah and his family perished, choosing not to believe that God will judge the world again.

Peter further says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (I Peter 3:19).

There it is again—a sweeping call to repentance.

Then follows this awesome word:  “But the day of the Lord will come” (I Peter 3:10a).

Count on it!

Belief In God Is Not Optional!

A number of years ago Josh McDowell wrote a book, Evidence that Demands a Verdict, making quite an impact on many college campuses as this writer, Christian Apologist and evangelist, used secular evidences and other historical sources to refute the claims of critics and skeptics.  Since,  he has written sequels and many other books (120 he has authored or co-authored) pressing the claims of Christ round the world.

His central point is in the title, “Evidence that demands a verdict”.  You, as the jury, do not have the option to think, “Now he makes a compelling case” and then go on your way without rendering a verdict.  No.  You must make a verdict. 

Compelling evidence of the reality of Jesus was presented to Saul who became the Apostle Paul.  He recounted the elements of this experience to King Agrippa.  Paul spoke of how he had been fiercely persecuting the followers of Jesus and was engaged in this business when he was on the road to Damascus and now I’ll let Paul speak.  “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.  And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads (of conscience)’”

“So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’  And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.  I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified (set apart) by faith in Me’”(Acts 26:12-18). 

Paul’s response to this powerful experience was, “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. . . (Acts 26:19).  At this point Paul continued to exhort King Agrippa challenging him to act on the evidence presented him, “’King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?  I know that you do believe.’ Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian’” (Acts 26:27, 28).

How sad.

 Another person who was slow of heart to believe the resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of the Christian faith, was Thomas.  Jesus had previously appeared to the Disciples but Thomas was not with them and almost vehemently said he would not believe unless certain conditions were met.  Almost on cue, Jesus appeared in the room where Thomas and the Disciples were and challenged Thomas to touch Him in the ways necessary to compel Thomas’s faith.  As a result of physically touching Jesus, Thomas believed saying, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)!

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:29).

No one has to believe, but all of us having had indisputable evidence presented to us, may believe, but all of us upon hearing a presentation of the Gospel which says that Christ came to save sinners, that’s you and me, must render a verdict.  “Yes” or “No”, which will it be?

 

Know God? Love Man!

Know God? Love Man!

It is seemingly so much easier to love God theoretically than it is to love man practically.  But the Bible will have none of it with both the Old and New Testaments saying the measure of a person’s devotion to God is found in his/her devotion to serving man.  In the Old Testament there are repeated admonitions to remember the poor, even with a special tithe devoted to their needs.  Additionally, the stranger in Israel was to be beneficiary of mercy.

In the New Testament Jesus put a sharp edge on this business that the way we love our fellow man is a direct reflection on the way we love Him (consider Matthew 25:40).  Then He flatly said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).  In his first epistle John hit this matter so unequivocally as to leave no doubt about the correlation between loving man and loving God:  “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from Him:  that he who loves God must love his brother also” (I John 4:20, 21).

So, are you hungering to know more of God?  It’s O.K. to follow those spiritual disciplines like Bible study, prayer and fasting but the real “pay off” from these should simply be foundational for the real “pay off” in getting to know God—finding people to serve.  Even in this you must be careful of your motivation, lest it become a worthless, self-serving act that alienates God.

The world is hungering to see the love of God unleashed in selfless-service.  Ask God to open such a door of service to you.

A Non-Conformist Look at Heaven

Apart from a little respite, change of scenery, shucking the limitations of a body, reunion with family and saints gone by and seeing God face to face without being struck dead, what does heaven have to offer?  Oh, yes, we’ll know as we are known and no longer see through a glass darkly—almost immediately, I would presume, we’ll have many questions answered (I Corinthians 13:12).  One question that needs to be asked now:  “When does this wiping away of every tear and banishment of death, sorrow, and pain kick in?”  Revelation Chapter 21 speaks of these things happening after the Millennium, momentary Satanic-led-revolution, the Great White Throne Judgment, and imposition of a new heaven and a new earth--uh-oh, so much for these things happening in heaven.

Further, in heaven there’s no more growth in grace; our faith-level would seemingly be fixed; inasmuch as tribulation works patience there’s no more growth in patience (Romans 5:2-4).  Come to think of it, in what areas will growth be possible?  Until the resurrection of the righteous dead, one of the things new arrivals in heaven will have to get used to is an almost discordant note sounded by the martyrs of every age, “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth’” (Revelation 6:10).  This is a scene reminiscent of Tiananmen Square.

Now there’s one thing that’s probably big in heaven—anticipation by the Martyrs of having their blood avenged and of all saints returning to earth with King Jesus to get their new and resurrected bodies (I Thessalonians 4:16 & 17). Jesus’ descent to the earth makes it clear the earth is where resurrection takes place.  And there is not one shred of Scriptural evidence to suggest Jesus turns around and “hightails” it back to heaven with all the resurrected saints in tow.  What would be the point?)

Here we need to get our “trumpets” straight, namely the “trumpet of God” in I Thessalonians 5:16 is the same as the trumpet in Matthew 24:31.

An interesting little sidelight accompanying Jesus’ resurrection, while at the same time underscoring the importance of the earth as the future home for “believers”, was the request of the “saints” who had been held captive in Sheol and were on their way with Jesus to heaven, to see their old stomping ground, Jerusalem (Matthew 27:52,53).  They knew this would be the site of future action and wanted to get a “sneak-peek”.

One last thought.  When God created man and set him in Garden with the responsibility to tend it two things were fixed: man’s identity with the earth (Psalm 115:16) and his need to work (Genesis 2:15). A heaven-bound existence doesn’t answer to either of these critical issues.

So, let’s consider to pursue the truth together.

Perfect Peace

Atop a mountain, amidst the woods, by the seashore and at a lonely hi-way crossing, with freshly planted wheat arising to face the challenges of winter and cattle contentedly grazing in the distance, one can find “peace”.  Though seemingly so elusive in so many places, yet peace mocks us with its ready availability.  Further mocking us is the fact that peace can manifest itself amidst greatest turmoil.

Why is it peace can seemingly be found so readily in the out-of-the-way places?  In the situations pictured above, minus people, everything present is doing the will of God; hence, peace.

What a profound and simple picture, let the will of God be done in a circumstance or life and there is peace.  This principle is clearly indicated in the life of Jesus.  Though in the latter part of his life and ministry, unrest swirled all about Him, still He projected nothing but a spirit of peace.  Quite simply Jesus’ mission was to do the will of God.  Period.

To the extent you and I are not experiencing peace, then it must necessarily follow we’re out of the will of God.  Please don’t confuse the issue, turmoil may swirl about you, but peace can reign within.  Our working text is:  “You (God) will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You (God), because he trusts in You (God)” (Isaiah 26:3).  

You Gotta Have Rules

Rules, more at the point of law—fundamental to life itself.  Some are sophisticated, more are simple, but they abound everywhere—why?  Without them we could not exist.  But right away a distinction must be made between “regulations” (“an authoritative rule dealing with details of procedure”), without which life could continue on nicely, and laws, which govern life itself, e.g., gravity.

A homeowners' association may agree to a set of regulations which others, not party to the original drafting of such rules, find onerous.  If so, they don’t move in, going elsewhere.

Still, there are rules (“laws”) governing life from which there is no escape.  Have you ever tried to escape the bounds of gravity?  Even in deep space laws of gravity still prevail, persons just relate differently to them.

Similarly, laws govern electricity and ever so many other areas of life.  Observe these laws and you will get along fine; violate them at your peril.     

There are “social laws” written into the universe that carry as much force as do any physical laws.  The problem is that the consequence of breaking a “social law” may not manifest itself so quickly as transgressing laws governing the use of electricity; but incredibly, their trespass is just as visible and real as the other.  The principle involved is itself a law, "first the natural, then the spiritual" (I Corinthians 15:46).

This principle is illustrated in the act of “taking God out of our schools”, saying “No” to a host of God’s social “laws”, has released unimagined ills of a few years back and sadly will precipitate events beyond our present imagining.

Likewise there are “laws” governing marriage and the family.  God’s standard for marriage:  one man and one woman until death parts, though still the dominant standard, enough inroads are being made through same-sex marriage (?), couples living together without benefit of marriage, and “straight” couples making a mockery of marriage with multiple marriages to constitute a frontal attack on the traditional (nuclear) family.  While at the same time an oblique attack against the family is being mounted by the compound ills of abortion on demand and children born out of wedlock, both problems being exacerbated by government policy.  We have become like those of whom it was said, “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).

And what does one say of "law" and our government?  First, we are to pray for it (Romans 13), not prey upon it.  Perhaps because there are so many “takers”, the “ship of state” is being battered greatly by the fiercest of storms—her survival is yet to be determined.

Most shocking is that the one institution that should be undergirding schools, marriages and state has itself become derelict:  the church.  Without the church’s being “salt and light”, what can we expect of the rest of society?

Pray for the church.  Pray God have mercy upon the church and turn it from the evil of its ways lest He have to turn to it in wrath.  The basis for our praying:  “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

It's Time for Another River Risin'

When God wanted to exalt Moses in the eyes of the Israelites He backed up the waters of the Red Sea so the Children of Israel could cross over on dry land.  Similarly, when God wanted to exalt Joshua He backed up the waters of the Jordan River, at floodtide, for the Children of Israel to cross over into Canaan on dry land.

This type of activity on God’s part on behalf of the Children of Israel seemed necessary because of their particular aptitude for stubbornness and slowness of heart to believe.  Recognizing that tendency to slowness of heart to believe, when God sent His Son Jesus He did so in the full river risin’ power of the Holy Spirit, not the least of which was His being raised from the dead.

Concerning the things Jesus did John put it this way, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30,31).

What Jesus did prompted people to believe.  Granted, many Jews did not believe In Jesus then and many persons do not now.  But there are those like Thomas who said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:26).  Eight days later Jesus appeared again to His disciples and Thomas.  Presumably after a physical examination of Jesus Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)!

Then “Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:29).

It would appear all over the globe there is a slowness of heart to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  What’s needed is for God to magnify some leadership with some mighty demonstrations of power so all the Thomas’s of the world might believe.  Right now God is doing some mighty special things among many Muslims in many Muslim countries, enabling them to “believe” in Jesus.  Similarly, we need to see someone in America exalted, possessed of enormous spiritual power, who will not prostitute it, who will turn many to righteousness.

Certain of these river risin’ signs will be:  “And these signs will follow those who believe:  In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will be no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:17, 18).  Then they did it.  “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” (Mark 17:20).

This is the River Risin’ I’m talking about.

Judgments--a Sign of the Times?

Can it be the closer we get to the end of the age, judgments of every sort will be the grist of every day?

Before preceding farther two definitions are needed:  (1) “the end of the age” and (2) “judgments”.  Writing as I do from a biblical perspective means that an appeal to the Bible will color, if not totally dictate definitions I might cover.  “The end of the age”, from a biblical perspective, clearly and simply refers to a time when the Gentile World (non-Jew world) will no longer have dominance over Jerusalem-“And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).  “Judgments”, as a ruling handed down by a judge in either a civil or criminal case.  In this case, the judgment is handed down by God and covers the whole gamut of life.

Both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible say history is “headed somewhere” and will have a conclusion, one not of man’s ordering but God’s.  One verse of scripture speaks comprehensively of this conclusion:  “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory” (Matthew 25:31).

Leading up to this glorious consummation of the ages, the question is asked, “Can it be the closer we get to the end of the age, judgments of every sort will be the grist of every day?”  A certain amount of logic says, “Yes”! because that’s what the end of the age is all about, one judgment following after another until Christ comes to judge the nations (Matthew 25:32-46).

Ultimately, as history grinds to a close, God, as the author of history, is much concerned with extending every possible opportunity to His wayward children to come to Him.  Logic simply insists that forerunners of what’s to come—“Judgment Day”—be manifest in every area of life.  Possibly beginning with the home, society in general, then one’s nation, the nations, and then the physical condition of the earth itself.  God Himself said, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven” (Hebrews 12:26).  Why? “‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain” (Hebrews 12:27).

God wants people to focus on things that cannot be shaken and are consequently eternal—this require much “shaking”.  The scope of the “shaking” will be such as to cause reasonable people to think, “What’s happening is of God and we best get our lives in line with His principles.”  So, it will be step-by-step, pressure-laden happening after pressure-laden happening, until people either turn their hearts to God or harden them, thus precipitating still greater judgments.

Can you "read" the signs of the times?

 

 

The Day of the Great Swap

There’s something happening in America, it’s not so much one can articulate as feel.  This thing has been happening over several decades but with ever-increasing speed, when men “exchanged the truth of God for the lie” (Romans 1:25).

It began when men had clear enough sense of God, “because what may be known God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:21).

Possessed of the knowledge of God’s reality and refusing to acknowledge the same, men began to worship man and beasts, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, . . . God gave them up to vile passions.  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;” (Romans 1:24, 26).

A sampling of those things which are not fitting:  “. . .sexual immorality, wickedness, greed, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful” (Romans 1:30,31).

Is this reflective at all of contemporary American society?  Many would say, “Yes”.

What must we do?  We need to get our perspective straight.  There is a God with whom we have to do.  The Apostle Paul put it this way, “for in Him (God) we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).  In terms of God’s reality, nature has been our instructor, the continued existence of the Jew and now the re-appearance of the nation of Israel also instruct us, last of all the purest message of the church instructs us.  This being the case, “(God) now commands all men everywhere to repent (turn from the wickedness of their ways and to God), because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man (Christ Jesus) whom He has ordained.  He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30, 31).

This “day” on which God will judge the world, by many biblical allusions (prophetic utterances) appears to be near at hand.  Why wait when all about are evidences of a gathering storm of judgment?  Noah gave such a warning for his day.  None but his immediate family paid attention.  Will you pay attention?  Will you invite your family and friends to the “Ark of God’s salvation”?  That’s a large part of why you’re still on the earth—as a “believer”. There is a work for you to do.  As we do that work God may relent in the judgment He aims to bring to America and the world even as he relented the judgment He designed for ancient Nineveh, after they offered to him great repentance following the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:10).

President Putin, Syria and Battle of Gog and Magog

Not only will events in the Mid-East not “settle down”, they are rapidly being “ratcheted up” with President Putin of Russia insinuating himself in events between the United States and Syria by posing an alternative to America’s intervention in Syria.  That being, Mr. Assad, ruler of Syria, turn over all “weapons of mass destruction” to a 3^rd party, pending some sort of verification.  What a dramatic change of events.  Perhaps more dramatic than seen at first glance.

Consider this.  President Putin has with this one stroke consolidated his and Russia’s hegemony in the Mid-East bringing to the forefront the possibility of the battle of “Gog and Magog”.  In this a leader from the north (of Israel) develops a coalition of nations that will attack Israel, coming through Syria and Iran.

Joel Rosenberg, writer and speaker, is “all over the map” (radio & TV interviews, blogs, addresses in America and abroad) speaking of the possibilities of the battle of “Gog and Magog”.  The issue here is to “hold our peace” because we know the G-d of all history has things under control.  At this point the issue simply needs to be raised: is Putin's so dramatically entering into the situation in Syria the precursor to the Battle of "Gog and Magog"?  Keep watch.   

A Prayer for Israel

Almighty G-d, G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the G-d and Father of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we humbly bow before you and acknowledge that you are the only G-d and that beside You there is none other.

On behalf of Israel we pray using the words of Ezekiel the Prophet:  Sanctify Your great name which has been profaned among the nations by your servant Israel.  Then nations shall know that the Lord is G-d, when He is sanctified in Israel before their eyes.  Sprinkle the clean water of Your Word on Israel and cleanse her from her filthiness and from all idols, including abortion and the occult.  Give Israel a new heart, and put a new spirit within her.  Remove her heart of stone and give her a heart of flesh that can respond to the Holy Spirit, and cause her to walk in Your statutes, keep Your commandments and do them.  (Ezekiel 36:23-27).

Destroy and divide the tongues of those who speak against Israel.  In the name of Jesus, the Messiah, we bind every false religion and false doctrine that does not acknowledge Your eternal plan for the land and people of Israel.  (Psalm 55:9).

Lord, it is You Who brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; Who makes their plans of no effect.  We declare that G-d’s purposes for Israel will be completely fulfilled and that He will be glorified. (Psalm 33:10).

Show Your loving kindness to Your people Israel and keep them as the apple of Your eye.  Hide them under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress them, from their deadly enemies who surround them.  (Psalm 17:7-9).

Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.  Let them be as grass upon the housetops, which withers before it grows up.  Lord, deal justly and swiftly with Your enemies.  (Psalm 129:5-6).

Cause people everywhere to understand, particularly in the Church, that there will not be peace in the world until there is peace in Israel.  For that reason we pray for those things that make for the peace of Jerusalem.  Primary among these is that You, Father G-d, remove the veil You have sovereignly placed over the eyes of Israel, that they would recognize Jesus as their Messiah.  (II Corinthians 3:14).

Finally, we acknowledge the fact that If Israel’s falling away resulted in the light of the Gospel going fully to the Gentile, what shall her return to the purposes of G-d for her mean but resurrection from the dead. (Romans 11:15).

Therefore we bless Israel in the mighty Name of Jesus, remembering how You promised to Abraham, “I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you” (Genesis 12:3).

All these thoughts we offer in the mighty name of Jesus, AMEN.

A Prayer of Repentance for the Church--September 9, 2012

O Lord, great and awesome God, Who Keeps covenant and mercy with those who love Him and do what Jesus commands:

We, the church, have sinned in open and secret ways, often vile beyond mentioning, and been overwhelmed with a sense of our own importance, not remembering that it was for Your good pleasure that we have been created, all this is a demonstration of our rebellion.

Our rebellion is so shameful in light of what Your Son, Jesus, has done for us: bearing in His own body the consequences of our sin and paying the price for that sin which was a shameful death upon the cross.  By our rebellion we have trampled underfoot His precious blood; the thought of which is shameful to us.

That shame is reflected in the fact that many of the buildings constructed to reflect Your glory, by Your presence there, do not even welcome your presence there, even consider such presence an intrusion—this is apostasy of the worst sort.

In a place where the preaching of Your word should be so precious and so highly esteemed, we pay it scant attention.  In our arrogance we have risen up to stand in judgment upon Your word, when all the while our greatest protection is that we should let Your word stand in judgment upon us.

We have trifled with Your word, boldly and ignorantly setting forth new meanings for what was clearly intended.  This has led to “self-deception”, the worst of all kinds of deception, that immediately comes to all those who “hear” your word and do not “do it”.

From the church outward, all about are consequences of rejecting Your word—it is shameful to us.  By contrast we are to be the city on a hill.  We are to be the light of the world. We are to be the salt of the earth.  Have we not failed in all these?  Your kingdom is not about to topple, but our country is and the best way we can set our country right is to turn in humble repentance to you.

And so we do, Lord.  We ask that You would bare the might of Your right arm on our behalf.  We ask that You would turn and have mercy upon us and that the power of Your might would chase away the sin that brazenly shows itself in our midst and all about.  Burn the sin out of our own hearts.  Take away from us a spirit of compromise that keeps us from loving You with all our hearts.  Create within us a zeal for holiness and a zeal to see Your kingdom come and Your Name exalted in every place.

Turn, turn and have mercy upon us; then shall we rejoice as Your kingdom is exalted among us.

In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray.  Amen.

O Lord, great and awesome God, Who Keeps covenant and mercy with those who love Him and do what Jesus commands:

We, the church, have sinned in open and secret ways, often vile beyond mentioning, and been overwhelmed with a sense of our own importance, not remembering that it was for Your good pleasure that we have been created, all this is a demonstration of our rebellion.

Our rebellion is so shameful in light of what Your Son, Jesus, has done for us: bearing in His own body the consequences of our sin and paying the price for that sin which was a shameful death upon the cross.  By our rebellion we have trampled underfoot His precious blood; the thought of which is shameful to us.

That shame is reflected in the fact that many of the buildings constructed to reflect Your glory, by Your presence there, do not even welcome your presence there, even consider such presence an intrusion—this is apostasy of the worst sort.

In a place where the preaching of Your word should be so precious and so highly esteemed, we pay it scant attention.  In our arrogance we have risen up to stand in judgment upon Your word, when all the while our greatest protection is that we should let Your word stand in judgment upon us.

We have trifled with Your word, boldly and ignorantly setting forth new meanings for what was clearly intended.  This has led to “self-deception”, the worst of all kinds of deception, that immediately comes to all those who “hear” your word and do not “do it”.

From the church outward, all about are consequences of rejecting Your word—it is shameful to us.  By contrast we are to be the city on a hill.  We are to be the light of the world. We are to be the salt of the earth.  Have we not failed in all these?  Your kingdom is not about to topple, but our country is and the best way we can set our country right is to turn in humble repentance to you.

And so we do, Lord.  We ask that You would bare the might of Your right arm on our behalf.  We ask that You would turn and have mercy upon us and that the power of Your might would chase away the sin that brazenly shows itself in our midst and all about.  Burn the sin out of our own hearts.  Take away from us a spirit of compromise that keeps us from loving You with all our hearts.  Create within us a zeal for holiness and a zeal to see Your kingdom come and Your Name exalted in every place.

Turn, turn and have mercy upon us; then shall we rejoice as Your kingdom is exalted among us.

In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray.  Amen.

O Lord, great and awesome God, Who Keeps covenant and mercy with those who love Him and do what Jesus commands:

We, the church, have sinned in open and secret ways, often vile beyond mentioning, and been overwhelmed with a sense of our own importance, not remembering that it was for Your good pleasure that we have been created.  All this is a demonstration of our rebellion.

Our rebellion is so shameful in light of what Your Son, Jesus, has done for us: bearing in His own body the consequences of our sin and paying the price for that sin which was a shameful death upon the cross.  By our rebellion we have trampled underfoot His precious blood; the thought of which is shameful to us.

That shame is reflected in the fact that many of the buildings constructed to reflect Your glory, by Your presence there, do not even welcome your presence there, even consider such presence an intrusion—this is apostasy of the worst sort.

In a place where the preaching of Your word should be so precious and so highly esteemed, we pay it scant attention.  In our arrogance we have risen up to stand in judgment upon Your word, when all the while our greatest protection is that we should let Your word stand in judgment upon us.

We have trifled with Your word, boldly and ignorantly setting forth new meanings for what was clearly intended.  This has led to “self-deception”, the worst of all kinds of deception, that immediately comes to all those who “hear” your word and do not “do it”.

From the church outward, all about are consequences of rejecting Your word—it is shameful to us.  By contrast we are to be the city on a hill.  We are to be the light of the world. We are to be the salt of the earth.  Have we not failed in all these?  Your kingdom is not about to topple, but our country is and the best way we can set our country right is to turn in humble repentance to you.

And so we do, Lord.  We ask that You would bare the might of Your right arm on our behalf.  We ask that You would turn and have mercy upon us and that the power of Your might would chase away the sin that brazenly shows itself in our midst and all about.  Burn the sin out of our own hearts.  Take away from us a spirit of compromise that keeps us from loving You with all our hearts.  Create within us a zeal for holiness and a zeal to see Your kingdom come and Your Name exalted in every place.

Turn, turn and have mercy upon us; then shall we rejoice as Your kingdom is exalted among us.

In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray.  Amen.

When Is Bad Good?

When is bad good?  To get “religious”, it’s when the purposes of God are advanced no matter the circumstance.  To further “muddy” the waters of distinction between “bad” and “good”, the Apostle Paul is so bold as to say, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Can it be much peace is lost because God’s children don’t understand the truth of His words, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8)?  We have our notions about the way a thing ought to be and in the process perhaps run afoul of a higher purpose operating in our lives than we dared imagine, leaving us frustrated and totally bereft of God’s peace.

Persecution can advance God’s cause in a hurry.  Right now in many a Muslim country Christian ranks are being swelled by the influx of persons “joining up” because of wars and persecution.  Joel Rosenberg in his book, Epicenter, in a chapter entitled “Muslims Turn to Christ in Record Numbers”, recounts instance after delightful instance of this phenomenon.  Moreover, most of these Muslims are having an encounter with the risen Lord (Jesus) who persuades them of His love for them.  Yet, difficulty after difficulty lies ahead for these new “believers”.  So what?!

Where did the notion come from that being a follower of Jesus was supposed to be easy?  When Jesus declared His followers would also be His “witnesses” (Acts 1:8), a little word study would help get us back on track.  The word “witness” comes from the Anglicized, Greek word, “martureo” from which we directly get the word “martyr”.  Further, Jesus said, “’A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.  If they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).

Could we not conclude acceptance of the fact of God’s ways being both different and higher than ours opens the door to peace and understanding?  Have you been missing God’s peace?

True Fellowship with God or Ziggurat?

Adam (or “man”) was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) Whom Jesus identified as a “Spirit” (John 4:24).  However, when Adam “sinned” (exercised His will against God’s), He died immediately—in his “spirit”, as acknowledged by the fact he no longer had communion or fellowship with God.

But there’s a kindred topic that needs to be addressed:  the desire of man to enter the “spirit world” on his own and God’s strong prohibition of the same.  Perhaps this can be symbolized by the fact God “drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden,  and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24).  Forbidding Adam access to the “tree of life” is obvious and a mercy.  Not so obvious is the fact Adam was prohibited access to the site where the Spirit’s (God’s) anointing was both pervasive and powerful. 

For Adam and Eve to have entered the Garden in their sinful state would have been akin to an unprepared person entering the “Holy of Holies”—resulting in immediate death, because of God's holy, spiritual, residue.  Still, Adam (and Eve) carried vivid memories of the relationship with God they once had.  But they must wait for God to unfold a “safe” way for all mankind to find a way back to Him.  It would take centuries.

Meanwhile spiritual developments were taking place in other ways definitely displeasing to God “when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them.  Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown” (Genesis 6:4b).  This type of union was forbidden and fruit of such a union was not supposed to be, but for now we’ll take it at face value, admitting its existence.  So offensive was this to God and so potentially damaging to the human race, perverting the purposes of God, so as to not allow a vessel God could use to introduce His Son into the human race, God determined to destroy mankind, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:9).

Through Noah and his sons God would re-establish mankind on the earth.  But too soon, that old lusting for invading the “spirit realm” on man’s terms manifest itself with the Tower of Babel.  “And then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower (for “tower”read “ziggurat”, always a site of ungodly spiritual communion) whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4).

God would have none of it, lest by his own hand man pervert the human race by opening “a door—a wide door” through which unclean spirit entities could gain free access to the human race. “And the Lord said, ‘Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do (build a tower, again, read “ziggurat”); now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.  Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language that they may not understand one another’s speech” (Genesis 11:6&7).

Still, God has a program to get man back into fellowship with Him (in the spirit realm) and establishing “covenant” with Abraham is the next step on the agenda facilitating this process.  In about 430 years, under the leadership of Moses with establishment of Tabernacle worship, a way (the only safe way) was opened for man to again have fellowship with God.  There was a “catch”, it had to be on God’s terms.

Too frequently even the Children of Israel, with undeniable evidences of God’s presence with them, sought to gain entrance into the “spirit realm” by other means; hence, their continual falling into idolatry.

Then came Jesus, through His death and resurrection and subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit, making possible restoration of the type of fellowship Adam initially had with God.  Game on?