Category: Christ’s earthly ministry

Is It Wrong to Go to War?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:… a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8 KJV).

War is devastating. It causes great loss of life, injury, and heartache. Considering this, does God’s Word encourage war? Clearly, it does (today’s Scripture is only one example).

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). This is conditional—some wars cannot be avoided. Why? James 4:1,2 reads: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” War occurs because of sin. In this sinful world, war will occur, as it has for 6,000 years.

The Bible makes many references to God’s people and war. Moses gathered 12,000 Jews “armed for war” (Numbers 31:2). Through the prophet Samuel, the LORD encouraged King Saul to attack wicked King Amalek and his people (1 Samuel 15:3). Entering into the Promised Land (Canaan) under Joshua, some 40,000 Jews “prepared for war” (Joshua 4:13). The LORD helped King David win countless military battles (see 2 Samuel chapter 8, especially verse 6).

Jesus Christ was no pacifist when He claimed, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). In fact, God is called a “man of war” (Exodus 15:3; Isaiah 42:13). Moreover, Jesus will fight and overcome Satan, the antichrist, and his armies at His Second Coming (Revelation 16:14,16; Revelation 19:11-21).

Understand that war is not necessarily evil, for Proverbs 20:18 says, “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” There is nothing unbiblical about defending yourself and your possessions. Countries must defend themselves against terrorism. God does not expect us to sit quietly as we are robbed of our freedom and possessions. “If it be possible… live peaceably with all men.”

Cunningly Devised Fables

Sunday, January 8, 2012

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16 KJV).

Satan has been working for thousands of years. Spiritual warfare between good and evil begins in the denominational leadership. Ungodly, lost church leaders with religious clout entice the masses to follow them… to hell! Jesus explained, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14).

Religious authorities concoct nonsensical stories that play on gullible people’s emotions in order to gain followers and their savings. Last May, Harold Camping was the latest “date setter” for the end of the world. For years individuals have been calculating elaborate timelines that document the end of world, only to be mocked when the dates fail to come to pass. How people ridicule God because of these fools, too! But, the “cunningly devised fables” grow more and more far-fetched.

Tales of tumors miraculously falling from infirm bodies, Mary appearing in treetops, stigmata seen on hands and feet, weeping statues, “Holy Ghost” encounters, relics, and grotto shrines are but a few of religion’s “cunningly devised fables” used to deceive sincere souls. These “doctrines of devils” distract people from the truth of God’s Word, and because these stories are so preposterous, they cause people to doubt the Bible’s testimony (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. Ephesians 4:14; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

Beloved, the Bible warns us about people “beguiling [tricking] us with enticing [nice-sounding] words” (Colossians 2:4). The story appears to be godly, but do not be fooled. Compare it with the Bible rightly divided.

In today’s Scripture, the Apostle Peter reassures his Jewish readers that he did not fabricate the account of Jesus Christ appearing in all His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). Unlike the “signs, miracles, and wonders” of religion, it really did happen—visibly, physically, and literally.

As long as we believe the King James Bible rightly divided, we too “have not followed cunningly devised fables.”

He Shall Know of the Doctrine

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17 KJV).

One of the Bible’s prevailing teachings is mankind’s free will. God is God, whether or not mankind wants to acknowledge it. Man can choose to cooperate with God, or he can decide to work against Him. Either way, God’s will—His “eternal purpose” (Ephesians 3:11)—will still be accomplished.

In today’s Scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of individuals who “will do [God’s] will.” If someone truly desires to do God’s will, the Bible says that God will give him or her the capacity to first know His will. All will be without excuse because everyone has a chance to know God’s will. Those who do not want to know the will of God will remain in spiritual ignorance (Romans 1:18-32).

There were many ignorant Jews during Christ’s earthly ministry. These Jews viewed Jesus Christ as a devil-possessed, mentally disturbed imposter (Matthew 9:34; Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:21-23; John 9:16; et al.). In their sinfulness, they refused to acknowledge the truth (that He was their Messiah), so they remained spiritually blind. But, those who wanted to see God’s truth saw and believed it (Jesus’ apostles and disciples).

The context of today’s Scripture explains that as Jesus taught in temple (verses 14,15), “the Jews marveled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” Rather than focusing on the doctrine Jesus taught, His audience was sidetracked, bewildered by His theological literacy! (Ridiculous!)

If you want to know if what you are reading here is true, ask God (that is, refer to His written Word, the Bible). Jesus told His audience that if they wanted to know if He was telling the truth (speaking on behalf of God), or lying (speaking of Himself), they could find out. They were to compare His doctrine to what they knew from the Old Testament (there was no New Testament written at that time).

So, do you will to know God’s doctrine? You have the Bible, so you are without excuse.

When the Fulness of the Time Was Come – 333’s 200th

Saturday, December 17, 2011

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4,5 KJV).

In the beginning God set the first man, Adam, on earth to “subdue [control] it,” to “have dominion” over it and everything on it (Genesis 1:28). Alas, Adam sided with Satan, joining the rebellion against God. The human race, now marred by sin, was unable to fellowship with its holy Creator God.

Fortunately, God promised mankind’s Redeemer in Genesis 3:15: a Man who would do what Adam failed to do—rule earth for God’s glory. Adam was “the figure [preview/type] of him that was to come” (Romans 5:14c). About 4000 years after Adam, the “him that was to come” finally came—Jesus Christ. How human history was forever impacted when that Redeemer came!

Jesus Christ’s birth was not some haphazard event of nature. God the Father had preplanned the exact moment of the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture). Recall that, unlike us, before His physical birth, Jesus Christ lived as a Spirit in heaven’s glory with His Father (John 1:1,2; cf. Micah 5:2).

When the appointed time came, at His Father’s behest, Jesus’ Spirit came to earth to indwell the body in the virgin Mary’s womb. For nine months, God Himself actually lived inside Mary’s womb! Being delivered, He lived a sinless life of 33 years, despised by His family (Israel) and the world. As one dear Christian brother explained, “That was the greatest life ever lived in a human body!”

No event in human history compares to the coming of Jesus Christ. As today’s Scripture teaches, the Lord Jesus became a small Baby… to become a grown man… to become Israel’s rejected Messiah… to ultimately die for us, the wretched Gentiles! God became a man, to “give Himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6).

We are ever grateful that “when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son….”

Saints, we have reached a milestone – #200. WOW!

The Little Flock #4

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32 KJV).

When Jesus Christ came to the nation Israel, He came to fulfill hundreds of Old Testament prophetic statements. He was the Messiah-King of whom God’s holy prophets had spoken for centuries. Israel’s long-prophesied kingdom was finally going to be established!

But, most Jews rejected Jesus as King-Messiah (John 1:11), eventually demanding the Romans crucify Him. In John 19:15 they cried, “We have no king but Caesar!” The few Jews who trusted in Jesus as their Messiah received John the Baptist’s water baptism (Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:1-5). They became Israel’s believing remnant (this was “the church” that followed the twelve apostles’ doctrine in early Acts [2:41-47]; cf. John 21:15-17).

John also warned that Jews who refused his message and water baptism would be “baptized with fire” (Matthew 3:7-12; Luke 3:7-9, 16-17). We know this as the period of God’s wrath, the seven-year Tribulation. The twelve apostles in Acts chapters 1-8 were unsuccessful in converting every Jew (a prerequisite for the kingdom). Now, God was about to pour out His wrath on rebellious Israel. But, God temporarily paused Israel’s prophetic program, and postponed that wrath and earthly kingdom.

Today, we live the Dispensation of Grace, separate from Israel’s kingdom program. But, when our dispensation ends (at the rapture), God will return to Israel and begin the seven-year Tribulation. God will continue the “little flock” by saving one-third of Israel, bringing them through that wrath (Zechariah 13:8,9; Matthew 24:15-21; Revelation 13:6,14-17). But, unbelieving Jews, as John predicted, will burn up in God’s wrath (cf. Matthew 24:36-44).

After Christ’s Second Coming to conclude the seven years, the “little flock” of the Tribulation will join the resurrected members of the “little flock” of Christ’s earthly ministry and early Acts, and the resurrected Old Testament believers. This entire group will inherit that earthly kingdom (today’s Scripture; Matthew 25:34).

The “little flock” should not be confused with us, the Church the Body of Christ. We believers in this dispensation will inherit God’s kingdom in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6,7; 2 Timothy 4:18).

The Little Flock #3

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32 KJV).

According to the Abrahamic Covenant, God’s purpose in forming the nation Israel was to make her a kingdom of priests through which He would send salvation and blessings to the world (Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5,6; et al.). Sadly, during the 2,000-year period between Abraham and Christ, sinful Israel drifted from JEHOVAH. Furthermore, Satan kept Israel from becoming what God wanted her to be. The devil sent false prophets to deceive and encourage Israel to embrace pagan idol worship (Deuteronomy 13:1-18; Jeremiah 6:13; 2 Peter 1:21–2:3; et al.).

Just before her Messiah-King Jesus comes, the Jews are “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24). So, God sends John the Baptist to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). John preaches, “Repent ye, the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).

The Jews who believe and obey John’s message of “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” form the “little flock,” the believing remnant in Israel (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 13:24). Contrariwise, the remaining Jews refuse John’s baptism and message, and thus willingly continue in apostasy and spiritual blindness (Luke 7:29,30).

When Jesus’ ministry begins, shortly after John began his ministry, He preaches to Israel the message John proclaimed: “the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15; cf. Matthew 4:17). John’s converts now begin to follow Jesus (their Messiah); this includes the twelve apostles (John 1:40ff).

Jesus then sends the twelve apostles to convert the rest of Israel and continue forming the “little flock” (Matthew 10:5-7). Once Jesus dies, is buried, is raised again, and is ascended, He again sends the twelve apostles to convert the remaining Jews (the first eight chapters of Acts).

Unfortunately, most of Israel remained in unbelief, so God temporarily paused their program and opened our dispensation. But, Israel’s program will resume one day. Then, as today’s Scripture says, God will give the “little flock” their earthly kingdom!

The Little Flock #2

Monday, December 5, 2011

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32 KJV).

When God promised the Abrahamic Covenant, He intended to form a nation (Israel) in the earth through Abraham’s son Isaac, and Isaac’s son Jacob (Genesis 12:2). Then, God would establish His earthly kingdom, and through the Jews, God would send salvation and blessings to the Gentiles (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 22:18; Exodus 19:5,6; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; et al.). Throughout the Old Testament, God continued to form His nation Israel.

However, some 2,000 years after Abraham, during Christ’s earthly ministry, Israel is “the lost sheep” (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24; et al.). Satan has so confused sinful Israel that she has strayed from the commandments and doctrines JEHOVAH gave her through Moses. Israel, as a whole, is in unbelief. As long as Israel is lost (unsaved), she cannot be God’s vessel to bring salvation to the Gentiles.

So, God sends John the Baptist to warn Israel that her kingdom is near and to declare Jesus as her Messiah-King (Matthew 3:2; John 1:6,7; John 1:29-34; Acts 13:23,24; cf. Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1). The few Jews who listen to John the Baptist’s preaching receive his water baptism and become “a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13-17; cf. Mark 1:1-9; et al.): they form Israel’s believing remnant.

Now, God will not give that earthly kingdom to just any Jew—only Jews who are members of the “little flock” (see today’s Scripture). Matthew 21:43 says God will only give that earthly kingdom to Jews who “bring forth the fruits thereof [the kingdom of God]”—the Jews of faith!

Thus, when the Bible says, “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6), it means that not every descendant of Jacob (a biological Jew) is God’s Jew (a born-again, saved Jew; see Romans 2:28,29). Not every descendant of Jacob (Isaac’s son) is saved. Only saved Jews (the believing remnant in Israel, the “little flock”) can inherit that earthly kingdom (cf. John 3:3,5).

One day, as today’s Scripture indicates, the “little flock” will receive their earthly kingdom!

The Little Flock #1

Sunday, December 4, 2011

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32 KJV)

Christendom enjoys claiming the previous verse, “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things [the material goods of verses 24-30] shall be added unto you” (verse 31). Yet they do not enjoy the verse after today’s Scripture (verse 33): “Sell that ye have, and give alms….” Today’s Scripture identifies the audience of verses 31 and 33—“the little flock,” not us!

Throughout the Bible, God refers to Israel as sheep (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 10:6; et al.). In one parable (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7,10), Jesus likens Himself to a shepherd, who has 100 sheep (the nation Israel). One sheep is lost and cries for help, so He seeks that one sheep. This one sheep symbolizes Jews who acknowledge their lost (unsaved) condition. The other 99 sheep (most Jews) willingly continue in spiritual ignorance.

Notice the adjective “little” in the term “little flock.” Even after Israel saw her Messiah Jesus perform miracles, signs, and wonders, most of them ignored Him. Very few Jews trusted in Jesus as Messiah—the Bible says only 120 believers were in Jerusalem at the end of Christ’s earthly ministry (Acts 1:15). The “little flock” was little indeed!

Although 8,000 Jews were saved during early Acts (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4), that was just a fraction of Israel. Millions of Jews did not believe. Those who did believe during John the Baptist’s ministry followed his water baptism: the little flock is “a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). Any Jew who was saved in early Acts obeyed Peter’s instructions of Acts 2:38, and joined that little flock of Jewish believers from Christ’s earthly ministry.

The “little flock” encompasses all Jewish believers from Christ’s earthly ministry, early Acts (pre-Acts chapter 9), and the Tribulation (it does not include any Jewish believers today). In Galatians 2:9, the little flock is called the “circumcision” and in John 21:15-17 they are called “sheep” and “lambs.” Unlike us, they are not members of the Church the Body of Christ. As today’s Scripture indicates, the little flock is the recipients of Christ’s earthly kingdom.

.

This is the Day Which the LORD Hath Made

Friday, November 25, 2011

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean? Is it talking about today? Many times people quote this verse but they have no idea what it means. As always, we look at the context to determine the meaning, lest we make the Bible say something God never intended it to say.

Notice verse 22: “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” According to Acts 4:10,11, Psalm 118:22 was fulfilled when Israel rejected and crucified her King Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross: “Jesus Christ of Nazareth… is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner” (cf. 1 Peter 2:7,8). Thus, we are led to conclude that today’s Scripture is foretelling the coming of Israel’s Messiah.

Look at Psalm 118:26 for additional insight: “Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.” Does this sound familiar? Was this not what rejoicing Jews shouted when Jesus Christ rode on the colt, the foal of an ass (donkey) on the Sunday before His crucifixion? Yes, it was! “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38; John 12:13).

Had Israel accepted Jesus as her Messiah-King, that earthly kingdom would have been established. Instead, most Jews rejected Him and demanded His crucifixion. Although God gave Israel a renewed opportunity of repentance in the first one-third of the book of Acts, they still rejected Jesus as King. Today, Israel’s program is postponed, and that earthly kingdom is still future.

In conclusion, today’s Scripture does not describe today (or any day in our dispensation, for that matter). It applied to the Sunday before Jesus’ crucifixion, often called the “Triumphal Entry.”

The New Testament Scriptures

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

During Christ’s earthly ministry, there were no New Testament Scriptures. In fact, according to Luke 24:44, the only Scripture at that time was “the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms” (Old Testament). But, God’s Word still needed 27 other books—what we call the New Testament—in order to complete His revelation to man.

In today’s Scripture, Jesus explains to His apostles that the Holy Ghost will later bring to their mind the words He spoke to them. It is generally agreed that the first New Testament books written may have been the Four Gospel Records (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), written no more than 40 years after Calvary. These four books record the very words that Jesus Christ spoke during His earthly ministry.

During the 40-year period between Calvary and A.D. 70, the Holy Ghost revealed the New Testament Scriptures. For instance, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 12:1). Paul understood that Jesus Christ would appear to him at later times to reveal further information (see Acts 26:16).

Moreover, the spiritual gifts of Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28-31 held together the early Body of Christ, until the canon of the Scripture was completed. The term “canon” (from the Greek “kanon,” meaning “rule”) collectively describes the 66 books of the Bible. Consequently, the 39 Old Testament books and the 27 New Testament books comprise the Biblical canon.

There would come a point, however, when that spiritual gift program would cease operation, as God’s full revelation (the completed Bible) would be accomplished (1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Colossians 1:25). Once Paul wrote 2 Timothy, the Bible was completed (see 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Thus, revelations from God have stopped. Today, illumination is the method whereby God the Holy Spirit, through His written, completed Word, teaches us (1 Corinthians 2:9-16; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Ephesians 3:4).