Category: The Nation Israel

Found Out and Fractured in Twain #25

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

We previously discussed how sin works slowly: it takes an extremely long time before its damaging effects are fully comprehended. An illustration helps here. Think of a beautiful edifice, with a fresh coat of white paint on its exterior. Entering the front doorway, however, we notice the inside walls are rotting! Looks are deceiving. Despite its nice outward appearance, the structure is actually quite weak and liable to fall at any moment. Our final “incentive” to leave is the sight of a casket containing a corpse! What seemed to be a “lovely” house is nothing but a crumbling tomb!

Likewise, Israel in Christ’s day had a religious external form, but, upon closer investigation, there turned out to be thorough rot and decay internally! In Matthew chapter 23, He condemned their spiritual leaders who corrupted them: “[25] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. [28] Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

Frankly, this is America—and has been for centuries. We were not a true Christian nation, but merely one in name only. “Having a form of godliness,” we “denied the power thereof” (cf. 2 Timothy 3:1-5). Nationally, we were the epitome of hypocrisy, but it took decades before people finally realized just how hideous our national soul was. We looked spiritual, like we were worshipping God, but we were really rejecting His words in unbelief. Now, we can fake it no longer….

Found Out and Fractured in Twain #20

Thursday, January 28, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

Anyone who wants to see and hear can perceive our culture is undergoing irreversible transformation. Through eyes of faith, having insight from the Scriptures, we realize our numerous problems have two fundamental sources. Firstly, of course, is our ungratefulness for even the scant Bible knowledge our ancestors had. No matter how shallow they were in doctrine does not excuse our lack of gratitude! Secondly, we have passed on our spiritual thanklessness to our descendants, and those youth have begun the next step in that endless cycle of man’s downward spiral. No matter how shallow we were in doctrine does not excuse their lack of gratitude either!

The LORD knew human tendencies and frailties. Hence, He repeatedly warned Israel about how their nation would be ruined if they allowed sin to enter their land and run its course through their soul. Re-read Deuteronomy 4:1-10. They were to be thankful for God’s words to them. Under no circumstances were they to alter them in any way; adding to or taking from those Divine words was strictly prohibited. These statements were God’s wisdom, and they were to be Israel’s wisdom. Israel was to teach that unchanged Bible to their children.

Verses 9 and 10: “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me [Moses], Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.”

Like ancient Israel, we have refused to hear and fear God’s Word. Our carelessness has thus resulted in costliness….

Found Out and Fractured in Twain #16

Sunday, January 24, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

To receive and possess God’s Word is an awesome privilege, but with it comes a solemn responsibility that is frequently ignored. When remarking on the nation Israel’s prolonged unbelief during the Acts period, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul penned in Romans chapter 10: “[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

JEHOVAH God had been sending preachers to Israel for centuries, calling her to repentance (change in mind). Whether the Prophets of the Old Testament Scriptures, or the 12 Apostles of the New Testament Scriptures, Israel had been hearing from God but had been refusing time and time again. Even after the Apostle Paul was saved and commissioned, Israel did not want to listen to God’s words through him either! The only way to have faith in God’s words—that is, believe them—is to first have them. Israel had the Bible for over 1,500 years, but was still languishing in unbelief! Quoting Isaiah 53:1 (originally referencing Israel’s unbelief seven centuries before Christ), Paul commented, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”

When God reveals information to man, He expects man to receive it by faith. If man chooses not to believe, however, his sin will indeed find him out and fracture him in twain….

Found Out and Fractured in Twain #15

Saturday, January 23, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

Recall Moses’ parting counsel to his Jewish nation, Deuteronomy chapter 4: “[1] Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. [2] Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you…. [5] Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

“[6] Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. [7] For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? [8] And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

“[9] Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; [10] Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.”

Israel deliberately forgot God’s words to her. We, the United States, have done likewise….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Did Peter use obscenities when denying Christ?”

Found Out and Fractured in Twain #13

Thursday, January 21, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

Let us review what we have seen thus far. Pride transformed Lucifer into Satan, and sin divided the angelic host. While some angels remained loyal to God, Hell was prepared for the Devil and his angels. Adam and Eve sinned, destroying their relationship with God and each other. Sin divided them; their marriage irreversibly damaged. Cain and Abel, their first two sons, were split because of sin. Unbelieving Cain murdered righteous Abel, further breaking up the human home. Sinful man, under Satan’s control, corrupted the planet increasingly with violence and killing until the LORD finally judged Earth with the Great Flood. Even after the Flood, man was determined to do what he wanted to do in the Earth. The nations assembled around the devilish Tower of Babel, resulting in the languages and scattering of the Gentiles.

Abraham, instead of relying on God’s grace, worked in his flesh to produce a child. That was not God’s child for him. Ultimately, Abraham’s sin broke up his home between two wives and two sons. Centuries later, 10 out of Israel’s 12 spies overwhelmingly denied the LORD would give the Promised Land to the nation. For the next 40 years, that unbelieving generation of Jews died off in the wilderness wanderings. King Solomon became increasingly attached to pagan women—not only marrying them but also worshipping and serving their idols. Israel lost her political might. Finally, the nation was so apostate she ignored her Messiah (Jesus Christ) when He arrived, and then crucified Him in unbelief! She has now set herself up for the Antichrist, who will come and deceive her yet future. The great majority of her people will thus wind up in Hell and the Lake of Fire.

Sin divided angels, and it divided humans. It still disrupts creation’s relationship with its Creator. Wherever sin is found, wherever sin finds out the sinner, disaster is certain. Let us now focus on the current world situation, especially in the United States….

Found Out and Fractured in Twain #12

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

Christ announced in Matthew chapter 7: “[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” “He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive” (John 5:43).

Since Israel rejected Jesus Christ, now they accept the Antichrist. Consider 2 Thessalonians chapter 2: “[8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Most of Israel will perish in that future wrath, leaving a believing remnant to survive and enter God’s earthly kingdom: “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah 13:8,9).

Israel’s sin will find her out, and split her in twain….

Happy 41st spiritual birthday to my Mom, one of our most faithful readers!

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Found Out and Fractured in Twain #11

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

First Kings chapter 11: “[1] But king Solomon loved many strange women…. [2] Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto… Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.” Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, “and [they] turned away his heart” (verse 3). “[4] …When Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God….”

“[5] For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. [6] And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. [7] Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab…., and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. [8] And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. [9] And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel,…. [10] [Who] had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

“[11] Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. [12] Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. [13] Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.” Fulfilling Leviticus 26:19, Solomon’s sin found him out, and divided Israel and Judah in twain….

Found Out and Fractured in Twain #10

Monday, January 18, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

Exactly 12 spies—representing Israel’s 12 tribes—were sent to scout Canaan (Numbers 13:1-25). Centuries earlier, God had promised that land to their fathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s 12 sons. However, since that original promise, Israel had been in Egyptian bondage. The LORD faithfully delivered her from Egypt, and now the Jews are headed into the Promised Land!

After 40 days, the spies returned to Moses and Israel: “[31] But the men that went up with him [Caleb] said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. [32] And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. [33] And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

Ten out of the 12 spies contradicted the LORD, claiming Israel could not defeat the Gentiles in Canaan. Therefore, the LORD spoke in chapter 14: “[33] And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. [34] After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. [35] I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.”

Israel’s sin found her out, and fractured her in twain….

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Found Out and Fractured in Twain #9

Sunday, January 17, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

In Genesis 12:1-3, the LORD God isolated one man, Abram, promising to make of him a great nation (Israel). After many years of growing old and still being childless, Abram wondered how a nation of people would descend from him. By the time of chapter 16, he has been waiting a decade for God to fulfill His promise (Abrahamic Covenant). He is still without a son! Thus, Sarai, Abram’s wife, suggests Abram take her slave girl, Hagar, and use her as a surrogate.

Notice: “[1] Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. [2] And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai…. [15] And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. [16] And Abram was fourscore and six [that is, 86] years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.”

Move to chapter 17. God informs Abram, now 99 years old: “[2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly… [19] And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.” Several years later, in chapter 21, verses 9-21, a nasty conflict erupts between Ishmael and Isaac, further dividing their mothers Hagar and Sarah. It causes Abraham such pain. The work of his flesh (son Ishmael—Law) was not God’s promised son (Isaac—Grace). His family permanently splits, resulting in the endless Jewish–Muslim–Palestinian–Arab conflict with which we are all familiar even now. Abraham’s sin found him out and fractured his people in twain….

Found Out and Fractured in Twain #5

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Doubtless, we never want to sensationalize or exaggerate. However, the fact remains, some dark days are ahead for the United States and the rest of the world. What can we Bible-believing Christians do?

The LORD God created Adam, and Adam was briefly the only human. Genesis chapter 2: “[20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. [21] And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; [22] And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. [23] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. [24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. [25] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

By delaying Eve’s creation, the LORD taught Adam a lesson. Adam’s yearning for a creature like himself instilled in him the realization that life is not about living for self. When he recognized his wife Eve as taken from his own body, he considered her part of himself (and rightly so). They were to function as one unit. Unfortunately, Satan—who had since fallen from his position in Heaven—came to Earth to recruit mankind to his side. Read chapter 3 of Genesis. Not only did Adam and Eve follow Satan in his rebellion against their Creator, they participated in the destruction of their marriage. They could no longer fellowship with God, for their sin found them out and fractured them in twain. Also, they could no longer fellowship with each other, for their sin found them out and fractured them in twain. The world has never been the same, sin finding it out and fracturing it in twain….

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