John the Baptist--Coming Again, Too?

When Jesus comes again it will be with might and power.  When He came the first time there was a powerful forerunner, preparing the way for him.  This forerunner, John the Baptist, had impressive, even powerful spiritual credentials.  For starters, he was “great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:15).  Elsewhere Jesus said, “For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist” (Luke 7:28).  He was a teetotaler and filled with the Holy Spirit—not from birth, but from his mother’s womb! There is no Biblical record of anyone else being “filled” in this fashion, not even Jesus.

John had his job description filled in by an angel, even to the giving of his name before he was ever conceived.  Here’s what the angel said, “he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.  He will also go before Him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord”  (Luke 1:16, 17).  This was an impressive individual who was fearless, and totally unimpressed with himself.

Prior to Jesus’ “Second Coming” there will be a mighty company of “John the Baptists”, round the world who will be temperate, full of the Holy Ghost (operating in the spirit of the prophet Elijah) and self-effacing, always seeking to decrease while magnifying the soon-coming ministry of Jesus (Malachi 4:5,6).  When they begin exercising their ministry they will work signs and wonders as did Jesus, stopping the mouths of all the nay-sayers, and all those who have their arguments against Biblical faith as revealed in Jesus.  Restoring sight to the blind, healing to the deaf, causing the lame to walk, healing disease of every sort and raising the dead, who can stand before them? In response to their ministry multitudes upon multitudes will embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior.

These servants will be fearless and will not love their lives even unto death.   Because of this “John the Baptist Ministry” many outside the present religious system will “press in” to find salvation, while, sadly, even as in Jesus’ day, those inside present religious systems will oppose these forerunners.  This is the way it was the first time; this is the way it will be the 2^nd time.

Presently many have allowed themselves to be “talked out” of a meaningful faith, while wanting to believe always there was something special about Jesus.  Read the Gospel of John for yourself.  Follow it up by reading the other three Gospels.  Ask God to give you a believing heart. 

 

A Faith that Pleases Jesus

There were things that pleased Jesus and we would probably do well in assuming those same things please the Heavenly Father.  One of these things was the exercise of faith, particularly in one instance by a gentile, a Roman Centurion. 

Foundational to this story is the interplay between Jew and gentile.  The story is heightened by the fact Jesus did not come to minister to gentiles, but Jews (See Matt. 10:5-7; Matt. 10:23-24).  It’s further interesting to note the Centurion “went through” Jewish elders whom he knew to make his appeal to Jesus on behalf of his servant who was dying.  The basis of this appeal was his apparent love for Israel and the fact he had built them a synagogue.  This persuaded Jesus so He went with these emissaries toward the Centurion’s house.

Others the Centurion posted looking for the possible appearance of Jesus.  These he gave a message for Jesus.  When these persons saw Jesus a distance away from the house they intercepted Him with the Centurion's message, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.  Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.  But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 

This message from the Centurion continued. “For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me.  And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

“When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, ‘I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’” 

“And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick” (Luke 7:6-10).

Jesus delighted to see people “believe”, possibly with the understanding in time they would come to believe in Him as God’s sent One.  In fact, the Scriptures clearly bear witness to this perspective, “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).

Everyone has the capacity to “believe”.  It’s simply critical which direction one turns with that believing.

 

The Outstretched Arms of God!

Picture a parent with outstretched arms to a son or daughter attempting first steps—such longing to see that child walk!  Repeated falls by the child do not diminish the parent’s longing, indeed the longing is multiplied until at last the child makes several steps into the waiting arms of the parent.

This can be an apt picture of the Heavenly Father’s longing for our belief in Him to salvation, “For ‘whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’” (Hebrews 10:13).  How earnest is God’s desire toward us that we come to Him in repentance.  The whole argument stating this desire for our salvation over against the demands for justice, as will be executed with Christ’s 2^nd Coming, is laid out in II Peter Chapter 3:

“knowing this first:  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.’  For this they willfully forget:  that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. (They forgot or discounted “the flood”.) 

“But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (vss. 3-9).

“Repentance” is a word that needs to be “unpacked”.  In this case it’s shorthand for the whole “scheme of redemption”.  In this the holiness of God is contrasted with the sinfulness of man.  These two are brought together in Israel’s system of worship, first, through the Mosaic Tabernacle and then the Temple.  Sacrifice for sin (covering it over) was made outside the “holy place” and the “most holy place” where the presence of God dwelt in holiness.  Access to the “presence of God” was gained once a year on the “Day of Atonement” by the High Priest to offer blood at the “Mercy Seat” for the sins of the people.

Only historic Judaism was capable of making this distinction between the sinfulness of man and the holiness of God.

Then Christ came as a sacrificial lamb who “took away”, in strong contrast to priestly sacrifice that only “covered over” sin, the sins of all mankind.  Such a sacrifice is required because “without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness)” (Hebrews 9:22b).

This provision of Christ’s sacrifice is not automatic, it’s reserved for those who will call upon the Name of the Lord (Hebrews 10:13).  Further, this is not a perfunctory thing, it requires you become a disciple of Jesus, learning of His ways and submitting your life totally to His direction.  Will you do this?

 

 

 

The Kingdom of God--God Exercising His Options

The Kingdom of God is inward, attitudinal with occasional and too infrequent bursts of power, but one day, perhaps sooner than we know that will change.  Why?  Because Jesus Christ is coming again and then the Kingdom of God will be outward, with an unquestionable attitude, and no limits to its power.

I can hear it now, “What right has He got to come and rain on my parade?”  Could it be God has His own agenda and timetable?  That God and man have different agendas has been the problem from near the beginning of God’s relationship with man.  It seems God has this novel notion that since He created all things, including man, He holds the “trump” cards—all of them.  But out of this position of strength, God has actually wanted to share everything He has with mankind, with only one restriction!—to not partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

How perverse is it that this one restriction, rather than all the available possibilities, should consume the attention of the first man and woman?  But that’s what happened and continues to happen.  It boils down to this, each person wants his or her own way (the basis of sin).  However benign such a notion appears, its consequences are frightful—actually leading to much heartache and ultimately death. This takes us back to the different agenda scenario. 

In time, with plenty of warning revealed by all kinds of signs on the earth, in the heavens and among men, God is going to shut down this present order of things before man blows it up.  Then, once again, God will start building His Kingdom upon the earth, featuring King Jesus upon a throne in Jerusalem and King Jesus’ representatives governing throughout the world.  He will have exactly 1,000 years to see what He can do, reigning as a Jewish King under Jewish law.  For most it will be a blest time.

 

Walking with God--The Holy Spirit's Empowerment

Jesus had an experience with the Holy Spirit we need to investigate.  His baptism by water and the Holy Spirit appear to be simultaneous (Luke 3:21,22).  “Then being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil”(Luke 4:1,2).  Afterwards, He returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee (Luke 4:14).  Was there any event more notable than this in Jesus’ life?  I suspect not, inasmuch as this provided the equipping to face all He must the rest of His life and doubtless perfected understandings of Who He was.  Here, it simply needs to be pointed out this was an event.  Others experienced a similar event.

For the Disciples and others in the “Upper Room” awaiting the “Gift of the Father” which came on the annual celebration of Pentecost, the equipping, anointing and empowering of the Holy Spirit was an event (Acts 2:1-4).  

For Saul, the fiercest persecutor of the early “followers of the Way”, having been struck blind after an encounter with the risen Lord, at the hands of Ananias received his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit—at once.  This was an event (Acts 9:17,18).

For Cornelius, and those gathered  into his household to receive the Apostle Peter, distinguished for being the first gentile converts to “followers of the Way”, was both “converted” and “fallen upon by the Holy Spirit” (acts 10:44) at the same time.  This was an event.

For some disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus, they learned of the need for the Holy Spirit another way.  Paul was visiting them and put a question to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2) They replied, “No, in fact they had not.”  Moreover they said, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit” (Acts 19:2b).  With additional instruction by Paul they were baptized then he “laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).  This was an event.

The first four events were foundational, either charting a “new” course, or, in Paul’s case, equipping him to chart a new course.  The fifth event is for the benefit of all those today who wish to be followers of Jesus and receive the equipping to do so.

Jesus clearly spoke of these events as being “baptized with the Holy Spirit” and that it would happen shortly after His ascension (His case excepted).  He put it this way, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The “baptism of the Holy Spirit” supplies power for the overcoming Christian life and overcoming all the works of the enemy of mankind.  Is it not ironic that much of institutional Christianity sets itself against this event as though it were of the devil?  When, in reality, this is the greatest power the individual and the church possesses to dislodge the devil from his various strongholds.

With what baptism have you been baptized?  If you are trusting in Christ as your personal Savior, you have a measure of the Spirit.  But do you have the Power of the Holy Spirit?  If not, ask God to give it to you and don’t be afraid to “speak or pray in tongues” that’s part of the package.

"Walking with God"

If “walking with God” could involve restoring sight to the blind, causing the lame to walk, the sick to be healed, lepers cleansed, and the dead raised, one might well say, “Should this be expected of me and, if so, how do I go about it?”

Be comforted, the ability to do these things is not self-generated, it comes out of one’s walk with God.  It’s the “perfection” (bringing to maturity) of this walk that should concern every Christian, this can pave the way for miracles to occur.  The prophet Amos (3:3) put it so aptly when he said, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”   If you were a “Private First-Class” in the U. S. Army and wanted to “walk with” (implying common understandings) a 4-star General and discuss matters of military discipline, strategy, tactics, etc., there is such a great gulf of understanding as to make such a walk impossible.  The general can be courteous, but there can be no common understanding without you as a private being “brought up to speed”.

So, you want to walk with God?  In fact, that’s what being a Christian is about.  God is gracious and wants to “bring us up to speed” as rapidly as possible.  For starters we need to understand we walk with Him on His terms.  The prophet Malachi (3:6) put it starkly, “For I am the Lord, I do not change”.  By contrast, what is there about the new born Christian that doesn’t need changing?  Then why do we “grouse and complain” when God subjects us to those experiences designed to provoke godly changes in us—making us like Himself?  Because this is God’s goal:  “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.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:28, 29).

There is the part God does in shaping us and there’s the part we do:  “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1,2).

There’s more we’re supposed to do: we are to be “holy” (set apart).  Paul put it this way, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.  I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:17, 18).

Perhaps you’re beginning to get the picture, “walking with God” calls for a radical change in the way we “walk”.  This nonsense of being “saved”, “converted”, “born again” and carrying on with one’s life as one pleases is just that: nonsense.

Old Testament Joseph went through about 13 years of pressure-packed training before God deemed him fit to take over responsibility as the Prime Minister of Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world at the time.  God wishes to “groom” us to take responsibility for His enterprise now and in the life to come.

Are you ready?

 

 

The Bible a Guide for Living?

If the Bible is not a guide for living, what’s the point of having it?  In fact, at ever so many points the Bible makes it clear “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:22b).  Much more pointedly it says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).  One could actually conclude in a hurry that the Bible is all about the business of telling us how to live.  No passage of Scripture does this more comprehensively than Psalm 119 from which we take just one verse to illustrate the whole, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (verse 105).

This understanding of the Word became a launching pad for Jesus in His ministry in laying out certain principles of how to live and navigate one’s way through life.  Following His teachings unto themselves apart from a vital relationship with Him is vain, but following them under the direction of the Holy Spirit leads to life.  Let’s look at two of these life-giving verses.  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matt. 7:7&8).

These two verses seem so contemporary; so modern, if you please.  We also need to be mindful of the fact Jesus is putting the weight of heaven behind His words.  So, Ask and keep on asking, for that’s the sense of the word.  Even in the “natural realm” how many times have you failed to receive a thing because you did not ask for it—perhaps you were embarrassed to ask.  Here, one is to keep on asking.  Other scriptures support this approach.  This applies in both the natural realm (everyday world) and the spiritual realm (prayer).

Next you are Seek and keep own seeking.  Perhaps a good illustration of this point is Charles Edison’s quest for a filament for the incandescent light bulb.  Combined with the efforts of others, purchasing helpful patents along the way, and unceasing effort he developed a commercially feasible incandescent light bulb.  In his quest Edison was actually following a biblical principle.

Finally you are to Knock and keep on knocking.  Not too unlike seeking, knocking suggests the answer is just on the other side of the door, or, just beyond an immediate obstacle.  One is not to knock and quickly turn away, one must keep on knocking until the door is opened.

The consequence of doing these things:  “For everyone who asks receives, and he seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  GO FOR IT!

C.F.

Entering the Kingdom of God

 

Presumptuous as it may sound and seem, not only may one enter into the Kingdom of God, God is zealous to have us do so.  But, first, a definition—what is the “Kingdom of God”?

The Kingdom of God has many aspects.  Jesus spoke a comprehensive word about the kingdom when answering two of John the Baptist's disciples when John was wavering in his belief in Jesus.  Jesus told them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of me" (John 7:22,23).   Yet another aspect of the kingdom of God is its being invisible and perhaps the concluding aspect of the kingdom of God is visible when ushered in by the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ.  Beyond this there is only one concise definition of the "kingdom of God" in the New Testament and the Apostle Paul gave it:  "for the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

For now one can simply say the “Kingdom of God” is where one “walks with God”. After Adam and Eve had sinned, “they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day; and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God” (Genesis 3:8); because they were no longer walking with Him.

Later it was said of Enoch that he “walked with God: and was not for God took him” (Genesis 5:24).  Now don’t be put off by this idea because Enoch and Elijah are the only two human beings who have been distinguished in this way.  The point is Enoch, in his humanity, walked with God.

Let’s go from Genesis, the first book of the Bible to Revelation, the last book where John says, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell (might we say, ‘walk’?) with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 3:8).  Here we have portrayed the relationship God initially had with Adam and Eve and now has with all His redeemed children.

A next question rightly asked is, “How does one enter the kingdom of God?”  The Apostle Paul linked “Jesus” and the Kingdom of God together in Acts 28:23.  Perhaps the simplest reason for this is that apart from Jesus Christ, there is no other way to enter into the Kingdom of God.  This same subject came up in a notable conversation between Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, and Jesus.  Here Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” and added, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3,5).  This passage is saying that a spiritual re-birth is necessary.

To experience such a re-birth one cannot do it alone.  Also, some facts about our situation must be acknowledged; like our sinfulness.  In establishing this the Apostle Paul in Romans, Chapter 3, actually quotes from the Old Testament:  “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.  They have all gone out of the way; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one” (verses 10,12).  Then Paul sums up the human situation in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

In Romans 6:23 Paul points out that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.  The “death” here spoken of is of two sorts:  (1) no fellowship with God now in this life and (2) no fellowship with God for eternity—spoken of as the “2^nd death”.  So to enter into the “Kingdom of God” now is a “win—win” situation.

Once a person is convinced, “Yes, I have a sin problem—what should he/she do?”  Here’s what the Apostle Peter said in response to the same question, “Repent (turn away from and be sorry for your sins), and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Jesus figures so prominently in this discussion because He is the One, through His death and resurrection, who paid the price for our sins—and a price had to be paid.  One of the rules of life is “without the shedding of blood there is no remission (of sin)” (Hebrews 9:23b).  God set the rules.  If one wants to walk with God, it must be according to His rules.  The saving fact is that “God’s rules” are not burdensome, they lead to life—now and eternally.

The next step in this process, after having repented is to “confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation” (Romans 10:9,10).

If you have questions about this process, or, need someone to pray with you to help “usher you into the kingdom of God” you may e-mail me: claudeandanita@gmail.com.

The Kingdom of God has Come--Part 4 ("The Price for Sin Paid!")

We’ve spoken of how God initiated Covenant (“Abrahamic Covenant”) to get “back into the loop” over the issue of authority surrendered by Adam to Satan.  One might say the road back was long and torturous, demonstrating God’s ability to use the deeds and misdeeds of His people to accomplish His purposes.

Then Jesus came as the fulfillment of Covenant.  Israel’s prophets spoke of His coming in quite some detail, still the Jews were hesitant to pick up on cues revealing His identity.  The great majority of Jewish leadership refused to accept the possibility of Jesus’ Messiahship.  Instead, they sought His death.  By this they were unwittingly completing the final phase of the Abrahamic Covenant, providing the One Who became the “perfect sacrifice” (the “Lamb of God”) for the sins of the whole world.

Could this have brought a rueful smile to the Heavenly Father Whom Isaiah characterized saying, “It pleased the Lord to bruise (crush) Him” (Isaiah 53:10)?  In effect, their sin became God’s opportunity.

Amidst the bruising completed on the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished”—and died.  Out of such a “dark moment” sprang the full results of the Abrahamic Covenant, full and complete access to Almighty God!  This access was graphically demonstrated by what happened to the curtain in the Temple separating the "holy place" from "the most holy place".

In the Jerusalem Temple, in the inner sanctums, there was a massive curtain that afforded only one person, the high priest, access to the presence of God, once a year, on the “Day of Atonement”, to make atonement for the sins (covering them, rather than removing them) of the people for one year.

After Jesus’ death that curtain was split from top to bottom, symbolizing the fact that first, all Jewish people, then, all the peoples of the world had access to God.  Restoring the possibility of a relationship God had with Adam before Adam’s sin, because the price for sin had been paid, redeeming man from its consequence--death.

The divine approval and acceptance of this sacrifice completed on a Wednesday afternoon, a special Sabbath, at 3:00 p.m., was the resurrection of Jesus.  This took place on a Saturday afternoon, after 3:00 p.m., allowing for three, full, 24-hour days in the grave.

With His resurrection the Kingdom of God was quietly ushered in.  At first there was only one witness to this stupendous event, a woman; then two men, Peter and John; next, two, unnamed men traveling on the road to Emmaus; finally He appeared to over 500 at one time.  Another appearance was made to James and then all the apostles (probably at the Ascension), “and last of all He appeared to me” said the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 15:7.

He could appear to you—He did to me in extending forgiveness of sins June 17, 1955, and has continued His forgiving, cleansing and maturing work in my life to the present moment.  You can know Him in that life-changing way, too.

 

Why Should God's Kingdom Come Now? -- Part 3 ("Monarchy to Messiah")

Israel’s continuing development demonstrates at least two components, the spiritual and the political; yet they are combined.  After Joshua there were a series of “judges” who led Israel (politically), with  priests exercising priestly/spiritual responsibilities.  This type of leadership was unique among all her neighbors with God actually Israel’s King.  Perhaps Israel felt “politically incorrect” without a physical king.  Over time the people were able to bring pressure on Samuel, last of the judges and first of the prophets, to anoint a king. 

In this case “the Peoples’ Choice” was Saul, standing “head and shoulders above the people”.  Starting well enough, in time certain of his issues disqualified him as king.  Now Samuel had the ticklish job of anointing another to be king with a sitting king—had King Saul found this out it could have cost Samuel his life. The man he anoints is David, a worship-warrior-king, “a man after God’s own heart”.

The transition takes place, David becomes king and though his issues were a disappointment, his reign, on balance, was such as to mark it the proto-type for all time in Israel.

After the reign of David’s son, Solomon, Israel splits into two kingdoms:  the northern kingdom, comprised of 10 tribes, known as Israel; and the southern kingdom, with the remaining two tribes, called Judah.

Both kingdoms play out the principles of Covenant, experiencing mostly the “curses” (outlined in Deuteronomy 28), which led Israel, the northern kingdom, into captivity and dispersion among the nations—just as Moses prophesied.  Later, the Southern Kingdom, Judah, was taken into captivity for 70 years for “land management issues”.  Because the land was to rest one year for every 7 years tilled, and Judah had not done this for 490 years, God Himself enforced this provision by having them taken into captivity in Babylon.  After this period of forced inactivity of the land, God allowed the people of Judah to go back home and rebuild the city of Jerusalem.  God raised up King Cyrus, a non-Jew, to finance and oversee the return of the people.

Prior to dispersion (in Israel’s case) and captivity (in Judah’s case), prophets were raised up calling both nations to repentance, back to an observance of “Covenant” which was foundational to their existence. Even after Israel was “caught away”, prophets still continued to call Judah to repentance to no avail, at the same time speaking of a day when Israel/Judah’s rebellion would end, they would be restored to their homeland, and their Messiah (“deliverer”) would come.

The prophet Daniel said when Messiah would come.  The prophet Micah (5:2) said where he would be born (Bethlehem). And the prophet Isaiah (7:14) said he would be born of a virgin.

Messiah comes, has a ministry like none other in Israel’s history (actually as a prophet-priest-king) but is not “recognized” (in an official way by Jewish leadership).  Leadership conspires with local Roman authorities to crucify this man whom we know as Jesus.  For Israel, now Judah, this was the biggest mistake of her 2,000 year history to that point—and 2,000 years later it is still the biggest mistake Judah/Israel ever made.

But it was necessary!

Why?  In order that provisions of Covenant might be extended to all non-Jews, gentiles.  Had the "Christian Church” remained within the confines of Judaism, it would have become a Jewish sect, precluding its acceptance by the gentile world.  This way, by virtue of a “new covenant”, made available by the shed blood of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, all who would, Jew or Gentile, could enter into this new relationship with God.  THIS IS WHAT GOD WAS AFTER IN ESTABLISHING COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM!!!

This transaction is so sublime we must hear what the Apostle has to say about this.  “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own estimation, that hardening in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.’  Paul continues, “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 

“For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.  For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.  Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out” (Romans 11:25-33).

Sadly, the Jews still await the coming of Messiah—and He will come, again.  Thankfully, even today, there are Jews embracing Jesus as Messiah, but the focus is still on bringing the Gentile world to Messiah (or, their Savior).  Then the time of the gentiles will draw to a close and Israel will become the focus of God and the entire world.  We are coming ever closer to that moment of transition.

Why Should God's Kingdom Come Now?-- Part 2 ("Abraham & Covenant")

After Adam and before Abram, later Abraham, in terms of His operational relationship with man, God was on the “outside” looking in.  That happened as a result of Adam’s prostituting the authority (total authority over the whole earth) God had given him, by turning it over to Satan. (See Part 1 of this series.)

God chose to “get back in to the loop” with man through “Covenant”, enabling active communion and fellowship with man and ultimately recapturing the authority man had given away. This means  a relationship is established, guaranteeing rights and privileges to both parties, established in blood—on Abram’s side it meant circumcision, is unbreakable and eternal.  A further expression of this covenant was the gift of land (Canaan) that would belong to Abraham and his descendants forever.

Immediately there were lineage issues that had to be straightened out.  God promised Abraham  he would have a son by Sarah, a wife of extended age.  This promise was given 25 years before the accomplished fact.  Not trusting God with this matter, Abraham and Sarah sought to expedite God’s purposes by inserting Hagar, Sarah’s handmaiden into the equation, enabling Abraham to father a son by her, Ishmael. God would have none of it.  Sarah must be the one to bear a son—and she did, Isaac.

 Isaac, born to Sarah when she was 100 years old “jump-started” the faith-walk for Abraham.  Later when Isaac was about 30 years of age, God required he be sacrificed by Abraham.  After it had already been established that only through Isaac would the stream of Covenant flow, this seemed an impossible request.  Still, Abraham did not hesitate, knowing if it be required of him to sacrifice his only son, God would have to resurrect him—this is confirmed by Genesis 22:5.  Following this scene in which God provided a “lamb” in Isaac’s stead for sacrifice, God spoke of powerful blessings to flow from Abraham because of this act of faithfulness.  Also, a principle was being established that one day would call for Abraham’s covenant partner to sacrifice His only Son.

From Abraham to Isaac, through Isaac to his son, Jacob, it was critical to God lineage issues be kept straight.  This guided the flow of Covenant.  Then through Jacob’s son, Joseph, the way was opened for all Jacob’s family to go to Egypt. Over the next 430 years they flourished and became a nation Moses  delivered and led into the Wilderness.  Though disobedience and unbelief was the cause of their lingering in the Wilderness for 40 years, it was a time of training and learning about God.

Under Moses’ instruction and with the demonstration of the Tabernacle, the House of the Lord, the Children of Israel began to learn the nature and character of God.  Everything about the Tabernacle, from its construction to the way sacrifices were administered, revealed the holiness of God. 

This was Covenant at work—with its clear purpose ultimately to restore a personal, viable and working relationship between God and man.  Early on in their stay in the Wilderness all of the people agreed to the principles of Covenant initiated with Abraham.  This made them a “set apart”, “sanctified” or “holy” people; unlike any other peoples on earth.  With this came tremendous privilege and responsibility.

 Prior to laying down his mantle of leadership, Moses reminded the people of these privileges and responsibilities in “Deuteronomy” Chpt. 28.  The first part of the chapter dealt with all the blessings that would flow from obedience to Covenant responsibility; while the latter part of the chapter detailed all the things that would happen if they were disobedient to the terms of this Covenant--some were very, very harsh.  In years following they experienced both.

Why Should God's Kingdom Come Now? - Part 1 ("Restoring the Loop")

Yes, “Why should God’s Kingdom come at this time? Others from an arrogant perspective might say, “Let ‘er rip!”  Still others out of a show of bravado declare, “Who gives a rip?” For purposes of this page we’ll deal with the “questioners”.

Those who question why God’s Kingdom should come at this time probably would not be any more impressed were it said God’s been “putting this thing together” for about 4,500 years.  They’d still wonder “Why now?”  Maybe it can be answered this way.  Without God, man is a mess.  With God, man is still a mess, but a redeemable mess.  How messed up is man?  Let’s go back, say, to the beginning.

God created man (we’ll pass beyond arguments surrounding this) and created him perfectly, without sin.  As God viewed His creative handiwork He didn’t think it could be improved upon (Genesis 1:31). The understanding is that God and Adam (and later, Eve) walked in perfect accord—they actually had fellowship together and didn’t think twice about it.  It was natural.  That was the way it was supposed to be.  Out of the naturalness of that relationship God gave Adam enormous authority—authority over the whole world!  Further, Adam was made (built, put together, created) to last forever.  It was good—almost totally good.  Except for the fact Adam needed a partner, and God took care of that beautifully giving him Eve.  Now, things were perfect.  Then this perfect picture was marred.

It happened in this way, Adam and Eve were tempted, by the enemy of their souls, to exercise their wills against the Father’s.  This was a temptation “to be as God”, supplanting His place.  They went for it, though God had said, “In the day you do this (partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil) you will die.”  And die they did.  It took Adam 930 years to die, Eve is not spoken of.  Our amazement with his length of life is tempered by the fact he was designed to live forever!  But the thing that happened first was they lost fellowship with God.

Adam’s rebellion provoked something else very critical, it cut God “out of the loop” with man.  That’s because God had given man total authority over the earth and to exercise authority, a person must be “under” authority—but Adam is no longer under God’s authority.  That authority roamed about as a heat-seeking missile, attempting to find a “power” (authority) to be under.  Satan graciously volunteered and it became a fact.

Proof of this transaction is revealed when Satan was tempting Jesus (the Second Adam) to sin.  “Then the devil, taking Him (Jesus) up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me (by Adam) and I give it to whomever I wish.  Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours’” Luke 4:6&7).  Of course, Jesus didn’t "bite” and remained sinless.

Because man was built, designed, created to operate in complete and open fellowship with God and that relationship had been scuttled, how can it be rejoined?  It would work like this.  God must find a man He can hook up with, enter into “covenant” with (the best contemporary picture of this is marriage) where everything that belonged to God, belonged to man and vice versa.  This ultimately means God will take upon Himself (through Jesus at Calvary) man’s sin and the consequences thereof which is death and man will take upon himself (through faith and trust in the “redeeming” work of Christ at Calvary) God’s sinlessness and eternal life.  This got God “back into the loop” with man.

Next we will talk about “that man” and the development of Covenant.

From Birth Pangs to a Kingdom

When does something that’s happened in the past become a strong predictor of what’s going to happen in the future?  Labor pangs.  Every mother understands this.  First, labor pangs come and go, increase and then subside.  But initial birth pangs are predictors of two things:  more birth pangs and then the birth of a child.

For the mother-to-be there’s no opting out of this process, once the labor pangs begin eventually a child will come forth.

In order that the whole world might understand Jesus uses the analogy of “birth pangs” to describe the coming of His kingdom.  These birth pangs or “signs” have become the stuff of books and movies, usually portending something very “bad".  Now ask yourself, “Is the birth of a child to a loving mother and father (a pattern Jesus would have envisaged) bad?”  No.  “Is the process getting the baby here uncomfortable?”  Yes.  Sometimes extremely so, but necessary.

We’ve had about 2,000 years to get accustomed to the idea Jesus’ Kingdom is coming to earth.  Frequent pray-ers of the “Lord’s Prayer” remember, “Oh, yes, we do pray ‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).  Strengthening the idea of Jesus’ return to earth were words spoken by two angels to Jesus’ followers upon His Ascension, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

Of course, there are folk who could care less about this whole episode, wishing to go on with their lives as they please.  But everything associated with this event is destined to become the biggest life-interrupter of all time.  It’s to remind people everywhere there is a God, they are accountable to Him and that a “saving” relationship with God’s only Son, Jesus, is all that will make it possible for them to “stand” in “that day” which by every reckoning will be a “great and terrible day”.

Back to Jesus’ use of the analogy of birth pangs heralding His coming.  Here are some indicators He mentioned:  wars and rumors of wars; ethnic group rising against ethnic group; kingdom against kingdom; famines; pestilences and earthquakes in unaccustomed places.  Other signs dealt with how His followers would be treated.  Altogether these are warning signs—Jesus is getting ready to come again.

With the signs listed what we need to be on the alert for is their increase in frequency and intensity.  This you can count on as with labor pangs becoming more intense.

The objective of these events is always for a loving God to draw His wayward children to Himself.  If they will not pay attention at one level of intensity, He will increase it.  One thing is for sure, this “count down” can be interrupted by God’s mercy in response to a deep and widespread repentance of His people.  This was demonstrated with the ancient people of Nineveh, against whom judgment had been prophesied by the prophet Jonah.  They repented and forestalled God’s judgment.  This is because God delights to have His “mercy triumph over (His) judgment” (James 2:13b).

Is this not a time to be attuned to the mercies and goodness of God?

Why Not More Josephs?

In a word, because most folk won’t submit to the same kind of testing.  And of what sort is that? Wait, one thing must precede the testing—a vital, personal relationship with God.  It must be kept in mind that in Joseph’s day there was no such thing as being “born again”, “converted”, “saved” or “confirmed in the faith”.  The “Law” had not been given under Moses, nor a sacrificial system (for the covering of sins) instituted.  Still, persons were able to have a vital relationship with God.

This God was not just any ol’ god, but the God Who identified Himself as “I Am”, the God of Creation, the God of all might and power and the One Who ultimately reveals Himself as the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is also sovereign God as illustrated in another Name for Him, “the Alpha and Omega”, meaning the First and Last, or, the Beginning and the End.  By His being sovereign God, everything is under His control.  That doesn’t mean everything that happens He causes, but it does mean everything that happens He uses to further His cause (and our good).

In this case Joseph’s relationship with God would have been framed by the “covenant” God entered into with his great-grandfather, Abraham, who himself endured some very critical “tests”.

With the relationship intact, then begins the “walk”.  What you are destined for ("your walk") will determine your tests.  Grossly over-simplified, it could work like this:  if one is seeking to learn a “trade”, he/she might attend a “trade school” and would be tested on a range of subjects related to that “trade”; if one were seeking to become a medical doctor, the educational “track” would be totally different with testing on an appropriate range of subjects.

For your “walk” in God to make any sense, have any purpose or direction, you must have a “call”.  Joseph, through a dream, had a “call” to become a ruler.  This required testing of a most severe sort, especially in light of the fact he would be taken from prison, as a slave, to become Prime Minister of the most powerful country in the world.  Perhaps such a transition might be likened unto a person winning $500 million in a lottery, except in this case, in addition to all the money in the world he might need, Joseph had unrivaled political power.

A number of persons who have won a large lottery have had their lives ruined—because they were not “tested”, readying them for that position.  The same has been true of many “pro” athletes who have a lot of money “thrown” at them suddenly—they can’t handle it.  They have not been “tested”.

As Christians, we are actually “called” to be “like” Christ—there is no higher “calling”.  This calls for severe testing.  Many Christians shy away from this because the “way” is too hard.  They turn back.  They turn away.  They compromise.  They quit.

Even so, God is still looking for “Josephs”.  Will you be one?

 

Joseph--Part VII, "The Finale--Dreams Realized"

Seven years of plenty have passed; seven years of famine have arrived.  All the surrounding countries come to Egypt and to Joseph to buy corn; so, too, do Joseph's 10 brothers.

Great drama unfolds between Joseph and his brothers.  Viewing this one might wonder about its necessity, but apparently a loving God was orchestrating the whole scenario.  Here, the reader needs to understand these brothers, as they will eventually all be gathered to Joseph, will become the foundation of a nation unlike any other with eternal implications.

The whole of this drama is recounted in Genesis Chapters 42-47.  The principles played out in the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers will probably occur again when Jesus is reconciled to His Jewish brethren at the "end of the age".

Meanwhile the interaction between Joseph and his brethren as they work out the purchase of corn is designed to accomplish several purposes:

1) To awake the consciences of the brothers and cause them to reflect on and perhaps abhor their own wickedness.  This happened.

2) To enable Joseph to see for the first time his younger brother, Benjamin.  The requirement,  Benjamin be brought  to Egypt as a condition for purchase of additional grain anguished the father, Jacob, beyond measure.  This happened.

3) To bring about reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers, with Benjamin present.  This happened.

4) To bring Jacob and his entire household to Egypt.  This happened.

When reconciliation and restoration occurred, the family realizes:

1) Joseph's dreams were of God and gave direction and validation to all that flowed from them.  The first dream was validated when the brothers bowed down to Joseph; the second, when Joseph's parents bowed down to him.

2) God was directing their steps far more than they knew.

3) God sovereignly chose Joseph for this job which involved the saving of at least two nations:  Egypt and Israel (a nation in the making).  God demonstrates the pleasure of His purposes for the entire family's being in Egypt by the way He opened Pharaoh's heart to the family.  Pharaoh fully accepted the family, though they were herdsmen and shepherds vocations repugnant to most Egyptians.  He also gave them wonderful welcoming gifts; none more wonderful than the Land of Goshen to dwell in.  It was the best land in Egypt and politely off limits to the rest of the Egyptians.

Now the larger purposes of God would be worked out with Israel (over the course of 430 years) growing to such size ( 2 1/2 million by some estimates) as to be able to mount an army when, after Moses, and under Joshua's leadership, they moved into Canaan to possess the land.

It began with two dreams.

Joseph--Part VI, "Two More Dreams! And Pharaoh?"

What is this? A request from the palace to interpret dreams for Pharaoh?  What’s the catch?  Interpreting dreams for a couple of Pharaoh’s staff had borne no fruit, why should this be different?

Well, for one thing they were headed for Pharaoh's palace.   This required Joseph be “cleaned up” to be as presentable as possible to Pharaoh.  While Joseph’s “handlers” were prepping him for the trip, they just happened to let him know none of Egypt’s wise men or magicians could interpret Pharaoh's dreams; for this, Joseph would need to be on “top of his game”.

From prison to Pharaoh’s court, from slave to interpreting dreams and counseling Pharaoh—this was the stuff of dreams.  Doubtless, it had not happened before; it certainly hasn't since.

The butler probably introduced Joseph to Pharaoh with a sheepish/apologetic look toward Joseph.  But his forgetfulness of Joseph need not be cause for embarrassment inasmuch as all these persons were subject to God who had a plan which required ready availability of Joseph at precisely the right moment.  How could this be better achieved than for Joseph to have been kept ready in prison?

Pharaoh recounts his dreams to Joseph.  No problems here.  After making it clear to Pharaoh that God had the answer for these dreams, Joseph buzzed through the interpretation of both of them—indicating they were one and the same and “repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass” (Gen. 41:32).

And with hardly a pause for breath, Joseph launched into a series of steps Pharaoh needed to take to deal with the 7 years of famine that would follow 7 years of plenty.

Joseph’s assessment of the situation seemed so wise Pharaoh “hired him on the spot”, with no courtiers objecting.  Pharaoh didn’t just “hire” Joseph, he made him his 2^nd in command throughout all Egypt. It was a thing done in sight of all the people.  “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.  And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, ‘Bow the knee!’” (Gen. 41:41-43).  This initial tour included a quick, ceremonial trip around the city, with a special stop at Potiphar’s place at city’s edge.  Here, Joseph thanked Potiphar for his kindness and by a nod forgave Potiphar’s wife as she knelt.

Joseph’s exaltation possibly reached its zenith with a Pharaoh-arranged marriage to the daughter of the Priest of On, possibly the No. 2 family in all of Egypt, after Pharaoh’s house.

As Joseph was administrating his way through Pharaoh’s dreams, he wondered about his-were they of God?  He had thought so, but what of his brothers bowing down to him?  Meanwhile, he contented himself with reflections on how God had kept him and lifted him out of prison. 

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Joseph--Part V, "Two Dreams and a Long Wait"

For weeks, even months, there had been no new prisoners admitted to Pharaoh’s special prison.  And though Joseph ran the place beautifully and run it he did as the Scripture attests:  “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.  And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s hand, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper” (Genesis 39:21-23).  Still, things got a bit boring until one day two new prisoners were admitted.  Both were attendants to Pharaoh, his baker and his butler or cupbearer.

Because of the intrigue that would have continually beset pharaoh’s court, it just went with the territory, Pharaoh would have those who prepared things directly for him.  Perhaps the baker might have been likened unto a personal pastry chef, and the butler or cupbearer, squeezed juice from grapes directly into a cup and doubtless would have tasted it before giving it to pharaoh.  These two, for unmentioned reasons, angered Pharaoh.

Where they had been accustomed to serving, now Joseph served them.  After they had been in custody “for a while”, on the same night they both dreamed a dream and both were troubled.  Joseph saw this and in effect asked, “What’s wrong?”  Then they said, we’ve each had a dream and don’t have an interpretation for it.  After telling them interpretation of dreams belongs to God, Joseph said, “Tell them to me, please.” So the cupbearer shared his and Joseph gave the interpretation of it which was favorable, saying that after three days he would be restored to his former position.

Being encouraged by such a favorable interpretation to the cupbearer’s dream, the baker elected to share his dream.  The interpretation of this dream was not positive, saying that in three days he would be hanged.  After three days the baker was hanged and the cupbearer was restored to his position.

Before the cupbearer took leave of the prison, Joseph implored him “to make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house” (Genesis 40:14).

Now comes the long, dark night of the soul for Joseph.  Because “. . .the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him” (Genesis 40:23).  This is an assessment after the fact, Joseph simply had to “live his way through this”.  How well he did, we don’t know.  Did he question God’s goodness—possibly.  It’s just that at such times one’s soul, like a violin string, can be strung so tight as to be near the breaking point. But for those who would exercise an uncommon leadership, as Joseph is so destined, there must be a testing that yields positive results.  Joseph is destined to save two nations, rising from total obscurity to do this.  So in proportion to the light he is destined to walk in, to walk totally as God’s man, he must endure the darkness.

Though he had been forgotten, Joseph was willing to trust his case to God who never forgets.  With that he could rest. . .and wait.