Tag Archive: Truth


“Words vs. Images” ~Excellent Quotable

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November 29, 2010

“Our generation has largely given up on language as the primary means of communication, preferring images, instead. Whether it is television, computer graphics, or the psychological technique of visualization, images are primary while language and dialogue are eclipsed…

Language  [not the image] is the medium with which we ask and answer the question of truth. With language we are able to formulate our ethics and make judgments.  While the spoken word promotes reasoning, intereaction and careful thinking, the image promotes conformity and mass manipulation. 

When imagery becomes primary, our very humanity is threatened.”  (Emphasis mine.)

Reed, Jolley, “Language is the Medium,” in Eternity, May 1986, p. 43.

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Are You Safe in the Savior?- A Unique Look at Noah’s Flood

Filed under: Creation, Truth — Leave a comment
October 17, 2010

This is an excellent 3 minute clip featuring Mike Riddle from Answers in Genesis providing a one-of-a-kind animated look at what it might have been like as the flood of Noah’s time impacted this planet.  What a great reminder of both God’s judgment and His mercy!  Please feel free to pass this along! 

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Plastic Jewel #1- Psychology and Right Brain/Left Brain Thinking- PART 1

Filed under: Emergent, Truth — Leave a comment
October 11, 2010

     For the next several posts, I plan to share some of the largest and most colorful plastic jewels that I had picked up while in the world.  After becoming a born-again believer it took time for me to begin understanding that there were many things I had picked up and was still picking up from the world.  These jewels were easy to find, and get ahold of simply because they were and are so popular and pervasive.  The first in this series of blogs is the popular notion of right brain/left brain psychology which is still main stream in numerous educational resources and couples self-help articles and books. 

Right brain/left brain psychology entered the main stream somewhere in the early to mid 1980’s and can truly be labeled science falsely so-called. Many in the neuroscience fields know this concept has little data and much assumption surrounding it, yet many Christians have unfortunately clung to it as a precious jewel.  Every time the saints accept worldly philosophies in lieu of God’s Word, both our walk and our witness are affected.  One man put it like this, “The cause of Christ is not discredited by failure to keep up with modern science (which has nothing to do with spiritual reality), but by the substitution of “science falsely so-called” for God’s unchanging truth. This is a modern abomination.” Dave Hunt, TBC Newsletter- “Science Falsely So-Called”, Feb. 1, 1989.

There are few topics that are held with such passion as that of popular psychology.  It would be one thing to say that the world won’t let go of it, but unfortunately most of today’s Christianity is spell-bound by its teachings, raising many popular Christian psychologists up to a priest-like status that is almost untouchable even by the Word of God.   After all, you need a degree to become a psychologist so how could someone who only knows God’s Word ever be able to correct a psychologist?  Yet many go to psychologists for the very reason they should be going to our Lord and Savior- for counsel.  This article will not be an attempt to critique popular psychology and the love many Christians have for it, but since right brain/left brain thinking has its home in this general area let me say just a couple more things pertaining to psychology in light of God’s Word.

Did you know that psychology is the number two field of study both in Christian and secular universities alike?  It is interesting that no matter what bookstore you go to you will more than likely find more books on counseling and psychology than you will on biblical Christianity.  To say the least, psychology is very popular among both Christians and non-Christians alike.  Did you also know that the Lord never ascribes counseling as a spiritual gift in the Bible?  He does give some to be teachers, pastors, and some to be apostles and evangelists.  Some have the gift of helps, and others have the gift of tongues and prophecy.  And others have the gift of healing, yet nowhere does God reveal to us that He gives anyone a specific gift called “counseling”.  (Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11) With such a big draw and such an apparent need, why are the Scriptures silent on a gift of counseling?  It seems the Lord has perhaps overlooked the needs of us living in the 20th and 21st Centuries. Perhaps this is why Godless men like Abraham Maslow and Carl Yung were raised up.  Perhaps they were raised up to assist us poor, needy Christians who didn’t know how to properly give or receive counsel for almost 2,000 years prior to their arrival.  Or perhaps there is another answer. 

Is not God Himself called the Counselor, and does not the Holy Spirit indwell all believers?  (Isaiah 9:6, John 14:16-17) Is not the entire body of Christ commanded to draw along side one another to bear each other’s burdens, helping the weaker for the strengthening of the whole body, which is fit together and supplied by the love of Christ?  (Romans 15:1-2, Galatians 6:2-3, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:18-27)  Does not the Word of God claim to be sufficient in all things pertaining to life and godliness?  (2 Peter 1:1-3) Then why should we go to the muddied streams of human psychology that was invented by Godless men, to try to glean a few nuggets of truth that will minister to hearts and minds? 

“But you have not so learned Christ; If so be that you have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  Ephesians 4:20-24

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Plastic Jewels

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October 7, 2010

There are so many lies that I bought into while walking in darkness.  They all seemed so sensible at the time.  But now they seem at best like plastic jewels. I remember playing with little pieces of colored plastic as a kid, pretending they were valuable rubies and diamonds.  Too often we hold onto the doctrines of this world as if they are beautiful and valuable jewels adorning us.  In reality they are at best useless, and at worst deadly. 

Once I accepted the full and free forgiveness of my sins by Christ Jesus, He began to shine His light on the lies I had once held to so tightly. After I saw the truth I began to realize these were not jewels.  I had been lied to!  The vain philosophies of the world and sciences-falsely-so-called are very alluring.  Unfortunately many of its teachings don’t just fall away once we come to Christ.  Why do we hold onto supposed jewels when we could instead be filled to overflowing with the treasure of the knowledge of Christ?  May the Lord continue convicting our hearts with His truth and love so that we may desire to make Him our One and Only Treasure! 

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

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As We Worship…

Filed under: Emergent, Truth — 5 Comments
October 3, 2010

Although music is only one of the many facets of worship in the Scriptures, the purpose of this blog is to briefly, yet carefully explore music’s modern role in the worship of our Creator and Savior. As those who have been born again worship at the feet of Jesus, hearts bowed low both before His Cross and His Throne, may we never check our minds at the door of His throne room!  Our worship is not born from mindless melody, rhythm and beat designed to tweak our emotions.  True praise ought to always emanate from the knowledge of the Holy, revealed to us by His Spirit and His Word. 

Music…in and of itself.  First and foremost, may we never seek to make music our source of revelation.  While songs might inspire and ‘speak’ to us, ultimately Jesus Christ, revealed by His Holy Spirit through the heartfelt study of His Word is where our true motivation and love should reside and reflect. As we grow in our understanding of the true and living God, praise ought to overflow into thanksgiving to the One who died for a wretch like me. Although this generation of Christians has learned to seek fun and exciting rhythms, may we never forget to seek to understand and know our God through His Word before all else. “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” Psalm 47:6-8 (Emphasis mine.)

Music…A dramatic influence.  It is an understatement to say that music is a dramatic and driving force in the technological age in which we live.  It most certainly has a motivating effect on the listeners of today.  Are we not trained to respond to music?  Its influences are virtually everywhere.  Think about it…what would a movie or TV program be like without its soundtrack?  How many restaurants and stores attempt to effectively use music to motivate their patrons?  And now that we have entered the digital age, the possibilities for musical motivation seem almost endless. But even though our generation is the first to have such amazing technologies, we are not the first to be moved by musical melodies.

Throughout time, music has arguably remained a very powerful tool in effectively altering the state of the listener.  Every generation has utilized music both for entertainment and spiritual enlightenment.  Music is not simply entertainment, but a tool that can, when properly crafted, influence us greatly. With this as a basic foundational understanding may we always, always remember to enjoy and make music with biblically discerning hearts and minds.   

Beware… Musical Wolves in sheep’s clothing.  Not only pastors, teachers and evangelists spread false doctrines.  With music as such an integral part of our society, why would the enemy avoid utilizing this popular and powerful medium?  It is clear he has not.  Although music has been used to influence and direct those in darkness for centuries, we are facing a time in the Body of Christ when the enemy’s lies are openly allowed entrance through musicians and their music.  Below is a short excerpt giving us a glimpse of the seduction we face today. 

“Michael W. Smith has most likely sent tens of thousands to the feet of mysticism proponent Brennan Manning through his endorsement of Manning. In light of Manning’s spiritual views, that is very troubling. For instance, in Manning’s book, Above All (in which Smith wrote the foreword), Manning echoes the words of Thomas Merton biographer and mystic William Shannon when Shannon (and Manning) rejected the idea that a loving God would send His son to a violent death: THAT God does not exist, they both insisted. What’s more Manning actually teaches mantra-like meditation is his book, The Signature of Jesus.

David Crowder, also at the conference, is the author of the contemplative-promoting book, Praise Habit (referring to the habits worn by Catholic nuns). In an interview with LifeTeen.com (a web site for Catholic teens), Crowder admits: “Much of the Catholic traditions and writings have been influential in my formation of faith … I’ve found much inspiration there.” These Catholic traditions referred to are those emulated by monks such as Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating.”  (Emphasis mine.) See the entire article at: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=181

Influences… It always amazes me to read some of the musical influences stated by those in today’s Christian music scene.  Why when asked about musical influences and inspirations do so many artists list bands that have been so clearly influenced by anti-Christian sources, i.e. Eastern philosophy, meditation, drugs, etc.?  There is discussion within the Body of Christ over music, and I by no means hope to settle others’ debates. I do, however, desire to encourage every thinking believer to carefully check their own influences. May we always remember that those who influence us were also influenced themselves and those influences, like seeds are most likely passed on to their hearers. And many of these seeds have the potential to entangle us again with the world from which we were so graciously set free from.  Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” 

Motivations…  Should music make us, or should we make music?  As a Christian, this should be an easy answer.  We are confident that only the Lord, not music has the power to transform (make) us.  As He works within us, we cannot help but express Jesus’ love and truth that springs forth.  For some, music becomes one of the means by which we allow the love for our Maker to shine forth.  But just like any other saint, those who write and make music are called to carefully point others to the truth, not to the music itself.  Music should not be our ultimate motivation, rather we should be motivated to point others to the One who moves and transforms His children.

The Challenge… The challenge to both the musician and those enjoying their music is the same.  Music has the power to subjectively reach and move our emotions.  And while God has created us as emotional creatures, we are not designed to be directed by our emotions.  Unfortunately, in the sinful state of our hearts, emotions have the tendency to drift toward lifting up self, turning us away from our Maker.  The challenge in making music is that we ought always desire pointing the hearer to the objective reality of God’s truth found solely in His Word- The Bible.  We all need to beware of allowing music- its subjective and emotional rhythms, timbres, tones, and melodies to be more important than the primary, and objective Influence and Motivation- The Lord Himself.  In this self-centered and soulish generation, it can be a difficult task to carefully draw that line between the objective nature of God’s Truth and the emotional, subjective nature of music.  Praise and worship, in the musical sense should always require an active mind thinking on Him, not merely enjoying a song for music’s sake. 

There are times where the unintended, or perhaps intended ideas of relativism and subjective, emotionalism might take center stage in the hearts and minds of those enraptured in certain songs.  May we make extra effort as listeners and makers of music to clarify that line so that there is no confusion as we enter into worship.  May we always desire to praise our King with understanding, always allowing the Lord to speak more clearly to and through us than the vain philosophies of this world.  May we continue bowing low before our Lord, never allowing man’s ways to be our influences or motivations.  Praise be to God that His ways are above ours, and His power greater than this world’s!   

Finally… be lovers of the Truth!  The answers to life are not found in music, rather in the truth of God’s Word! Truth, not emotionally charged rhythms, is how God ultimately communicates to men.  Man is separated from the animal world because God has created men alone with the capacity to understand.  And understanding is ultimately produced by and expressed in words, not in pictures and not in rhythms.  In God’s Word, Jesus says much concerning the truth.  As a lover of music, I must always remember that I am called to be a lover of the Truth more than a lover of music.  This love for the Truth of God, His Word, and the reality of His creation is what should daily move me more than anything else.  Consider the following verses concerning the value God places on the truth (all emphasis mine):

  • Psalm 51:6a– “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts…”
  • John 8:31-32– “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
  • John 17:17– “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10– “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
  • 1 John 5:20-21– “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

My prayer…   It’s my prayer that I never worship music, rather worship the Lord Jesus in Spirit and in Truth.  Some times this worship will involve praising God through music made by those who love Him; who love the truth.  My heart’s desire is that I always consider carefully my own influences, allowing the Lord to transform me into His image, so that I may truthfully, lovingly, and even musically point others to a thoughtful understanding of Jesus Christ, and Him alone!

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” 1 John 5:20-21

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“Getting Smaller…” A.W. Tozer

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September 25, 2010

“Only the humble man is completely sane, for he is the only one who sees clearly his own size and limitations.  The egotist sees things out of focus.  To himself he is large and God is correspondingly small, and that is a kind of moral insanity.  Humility is a coming back to sanity like Nebuchadnezzar.  The humble man evaluates everything correctly, and that makes him a wise man and a philosopher. 

Young Christians often hinder their own usefulness by their attitude toward themselves.  They begin with the innocent notion that they are at least a bit above the average in intelligence and ability, and consequently they feel shy about taking a humble place.  They want to begin at the top and work upward!  What happens is that they usually fail to secure the high place they feel qualified to fill and end up developing a chronic feeling of resentment toward everyone who stands in their way or fails to appreciate them. 

This is too serious to be funny and too tragically harmful to take lightly.  The simple fact is that no one can stand in the way of a completely humbled man.  There aren’t enough mountains in hell to hold down the true man or woman of God even if they were piled on him or her at once.  God chooses the meek to confound the mighty.  “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou ordained strength because of Thine enemies, the Thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2.  Babies pass for what they are — they have no pride in themselves and they bear no grudges.”  A. W. Tozer, “This World: Playground or Battleground?” pp.37-38.

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Jesus is God and…

Filed under: Creation, The Good News, Truth — 4 Comments
August 30, 2010

As a Christian, all of what I believe is completely and utterly centered around who Jesus Christ truly is.  However elemental this sounds, the born again believer will never move beyond it, only deeper into it.  The truth of  Jesus Christ is the absolute key to eternal life and is found in His Word, illuminated by the Holy Spirit of God.  To say we are Christians is to actually say we are followers of Christ and His truth.  It is not for us to claim anything other than His Word as our doctrine.  It has rightly been said that Jesus is not merely a good man.  He is either a liar, a lunatic or the Lord Almighty.  His claims to be The Messiah, The Prophet, The Word of God, The Savior of the World, and The Almighty God are not good unless they are true. 

For those who have moved beyond the stumbling stone of Jesus being God, there is a peace and comfort knowing God became a man, never stopped being God. Entering His creation, Jesus died upon the cross taking away the penalty of our rebellion against Him.  There is rest in knowing that Jesus is our Advocate, the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls.  He truly is the Lamb of God, and the Lord of Lords! 

Although there is comfort and rest in the wisdom that is beyond this world, we always need to be careful not to become complacent,  falling asleep to the lies which our adversary spews forth.  We are to always be on guard and alert against false teachings and teachers which claim to be from God, yet are not.  There is one word that will reveal the heart of false teaching. It is the little three-letter word “And.”  

Why is it that some who claim to hold so tightly to the divinity of Jesus Christ also hold onto the misguided and antichristian teaching of human godhood?  Although many who claim to be Christians would agree upon the fact that Jesus is God, some hold to what I would call the doctrine of “…And”.  “Yes, Jesus is God,” they would say.  But then they would go just a little further…”And…so are we.”  What!?  How can someone who truly knows the Lord of Lords not only fall for such heresy, but also teach such lies?  Is there still a small part of the old man in them that desires to share in the Glory of God?  Perhaps they do not really think they are that bad?  Or maybe they are happy their sins are forgiven, but don’t like it that they won’t get some of the credit for being good enough to get to Heaven.  Or maybe they have never truly believed the true Gospel of Christ.  Consider a few quotes from very popular teachers who claim to believe the Gospel of God…

  • Kenneth Copeland  “Every Christian is a god. … You don’t have a god in  you, you are one“. (Kenneth Copeland, The Force of Love (Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Ministries, 1987), audiotape #02-0028, side 1.)  
  • Benny Hinn says “God came from heaven, became a man, made man into little gods, went back to heaven as a man. He faces the Father as a man. I face devils as the son of God. Quit your nonsense! What else are you? If you say, I am, you’re saying I’m a part of Him, right? Is he God? Are you His offspring? Are you His children? You can’t be human! You can’t! You can’t! God didn’t give birth to flesh…You said, “Well, that’s heresy.” No, that’s your crazy brain saying that.” (Benny Hinn, Our Position in Christ #2—The Word Made Flesh  Orlando Christian Center, 1991).
  • Mr. Kenneth Hagin, “Every man who has been born again is an incarnation and Christianity is a miracle. The believer is as much an incarnation as was Jesus of Nazareth.”( the Incarnation Kenneth Hagin, p. 12). 
  • Creflo Dollar-“Now I gotta hit this thing real hard in the very beginning because I ain’t got time to go through all this, but I am going to say to you right now you are gods, little “g”, you are gods because you came from God and you are gods. You are not just human.  The only human part about you is this physical body that you live in.” (Sept. 15, 22, 2002, Made after his Kind)
  • Joyce Meyer– “You know, I was listening to a set of tapes by one man and he explained it like this, and I think this kind of gets the point across, he said, ‘Why do people have such a fit about God calling His creation, His man—not His whole creation, but His man—little gods? If He’s God, what’s He going to call them but the god-kind?’ I mean, if you as a human being have a baby, you call it a human kind. If cattle has another cattle, they call it cattle-kind. So, I mean, what’s God supposed to call us? Doesn’t the Bible say we’re created in his image? Now, you understand I am not saying you are God with a capital G.” Joyce Meyer, “Authority and Opposition,” audio tape 1236.

The false teachings here make the dangerous and unbiblical assumption that creation (ie. Adam and Eve) was not only created by God, but created from God.  So just as a kitten comes from a cat, men come from God- making men little gods.  I remember talking to a Mormon once reminding him that God went to great lengths to record how Adam was formed…He was formed out of the dirt.  Man was not made from God, he was made from the dirt which God made out of nothing on Day 3.  Yes God breathed life into man, but no where, absolutely no where does God’s Word teach that man was created from God. 

Interesting side note:  “After their kind…”   All trees, plants, sea and air and land creatures were all created to produce after their own kind.  For mankind, the difference is not that we were created to be something other than men, i.e. little gods, but that man was created to produce after our own kind as vessels for the True and Living God, our Creator and Savior- Jesus Christ. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

So is Jesus God?  Absolutely!!!  But should the true follower of Christ ever believe or teach that we are little gods?  Absolutely NOT!!! May we carefully consider the warning from the One and Only God in Jeremiah 10:11…

“Thus shall you say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.” Jeremiah 10:11 

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me…”  Isaiah 46:9

“For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.”  Isaiah 45:18

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The First And Final Lie- Quotable from TBC

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August 27, 2010

“Self rules in the heart of every person, even at times among new creatures in Christ. Satan has not missed any opportunity to entice the world into seeking his delusionary prize of godhood. The idea that man could become a god, or part of God, or that he is a god but doesn’t yet realize his divinity, may seem farfetched to some people, but that’s because they are simply unaware of how prevalent this belief is. Furthermore, from a biblical perspective, the criterion for being a god is rather simple. Everyone who has not submitted to Jesus Christ and has not been reconciled to God through faith in Christ’s finished sacrifice as payment for his sins qualifies as a god–that is, an autonomous, or self-governing, being who has elevated self over his Creator. As Dave Hunt has noted, “The basic cause of the many problems in the world today is not that man fails to recognize his godhood but rather that there are about seven billion gods on this planet, each one doing his or her own thing.”  The First and Final Lie: Self Deification, The Berean Call Newsletter.

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‘Worldviews’ Don’t Just Have a Beginning

Filed under: Creation, Truth — Leave a comment
August 26, 2010

The concept of ‘worldviews’ has been popularized over the last several years and is now integrated into Christian terminology as a way to explain how Christians should “see” the world around them.  Arguably, someone cannot properly understand the present without understanding the past.  But a ‘worldview’ does not just have a beginning.  Nor does it  just a middle.  So for simplicity sake we might say that a ‘worldview’ has three basic pieces.  Any ‘worldview’ has a beginning (past), middle, and a future (an end).  For the born-again, Bible-believing Christian, a ‘worldview’ should come from one place and one place only- God’s Word.  Here it is interesting to note that although many good Bible teachers hold to a literal, biblical beginning (creation), and the complete redemption and atonement of the Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, they may fall very short in the last piece of the Bible puzzle- The Future.  Below I’ve attempted to ‘boil down’ the three basic puzzle pieces both biblically and rationally and welcome any discussion or debate on any or all.

The Beginning:  Creation.  Not evolution plus creation, but as we let God’s Word speak for itself, telling us our history, creation is revealed as a miraculous six-day event in which God created all things out of nothing by His all-powerful Word. (See Genesis 1.)  All things were created without sin (very good).  Nothing with blood was created to die.  All creatures were created to eat plants. However, once Adam and Eve rebelled against God, things changed.  Sin and death entered God’s perfect creation.  This piece of the puzzle is quite controversial not only in the world, but also among many Christians.  interestingly, the debate becomes fairly simple if you just let the text speak for itself.  After all, Genesis is grammatically written as a historical account, not an allegory. 

The Middle:  (Although there is much to be explored between Creation and Jesus’ birth some 4,000 years later, this post is meant to explore the contradictions that exist in the last piece of the puzzle.)  Jesus Christ, being God and Creator, came from Heaven to Earth.  He became a man, born of a virgin (Mary).  He never stopped being God.  He lived a sinless life, was crucified on a cross, died and was buried, just as the Old Testament Scriptures prophesied.  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4.) Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, never to die again.  He paid for mankind’s sin against their Creator, the Just for the unjust.  Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life.  No one comes to the Father,  but by Him. (John 14:6.)  This is the Gospel of God which was foretold by the prophets and seen by  hundreds of eye-witnesses.  This teaching is neither a fairy tale nor religion.  This is reality!  This is the only truth that will set men free.  (John 8:31-32.)

The End:  Jesus, the Lamb will return from Heaven to Earth as the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  All saints would agree on this truth; however God goes to great lengths to give us much more detail than this.  And even though many Christians cannot seem to agree on the details, God’s Word is clear.  When one applies the same logic and reason to discerning Scriptural text regarding the future as in the beginning and middle of God’s Word, there is only one way to understand the return of our Savior and King.  No where in God’s Word does it teach that Jesus returns for His saints.  Rather Jesus returns from Heaven with His saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13, Jude 1:14.)  The Bible does reveal that the Lord does return for Israel, not the Church. (Matthew 24:24, 31.)  But hasn’t Israel been replaced by the Church?  Isn’t Old Testament Israel more or less just an allegory for the New Testament Church?  No and No. 

Israel: A Key in the End– It is this Christian blogger’s view that your understanding of Israel and it’s relevance and place in the last piece of your ‘worldview’ puzzle will affect your entire ‘Worldview’ sooner or later.  Even though the beginning of someone’s ‘worldview’ will most likely shape their understanding in other areas; all pieces of one’s ‘worldview’ will affect and influence one another.  Why?  Simple.  God’s Word is not just made up of one piece.  All the pieces are intertwined and interrelated for the purpose of not exposed the pieces, but to reveal the One True God.  No one piece of God’s Word enlightens a man, rather it’s the One true God, through His entire Word, who illuminates the entire heart and mind of man.  Back to Israel… Israel has played a huge role in all of Scripture, yet it is somewhat ironic and truly tragic that many who hold to a literal Creation, don’t seem to understand the role of a literal Israel in this piece of the puzzle.  For example, Lord is called “The God of Jacob” 25 times and “The God of Israel” 205 times. Without Israel, God has no reason to return to earth. (Matthew 24:31.) Without Israel, the Antichrist will have no reason to gather the world together.  The whole point of gathering the world will be to destroy Israel. Without a literal and Biblical Israel, many Old Testament prophecies become allegorical at best; empty and worthless lies at worst. 

While it seems many saints understand what happens when you allegorize the Genesis account, these same saints don’t see the danger in allegorizing the Lord’s future return for Israel.  You could reason if one allegorizes the beginning, why not allegorize the middle.  Could it not also be reasoned that if you allegorize the end, why not allegorize the beginning and middle?

From Cover to Cover: Putting all the Pieces Together.  Many Christians claim to believe God’s Word from cover to cover.  And many teachers have been willing to become very unpopular by teaching a literal creation, as well as the power of the exclusive Gospel of God.  So why is it that such willing vessels become so unwilling to allow God’s Word to speak plainly of the role of Israel in the end times, as well as God’s never-ending love and faithfulness for them?  If God does not hold to His promises made to Israel in the Old Testament, assuming they are now nullified and replaced by the Church due to Israel’s disobedience, what kind of hope do we have as New Testament saints.  Does God’s faithfulness depend upon any man’s works?  It is clear from Scripture God is dealing with Israel today and has blinded them in part (Romans 11:25), but God is not through with them.  This is clear.

Praise our God that His faithfulness endures not just in the beginning and not just in the middle, but forever and ever!  “If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments, If they break My statutes and do not keep My commandments, Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My loving-kindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail.”  Psalm 89:30-33

May we always be willing to allow the Lord to reveal our inconsistencies when reading and teaching His Word.  May we all allow God’s Word to speak plainly in those areas that are plain, leaving the teaching of men behind.  May we all be willing to not only be unpopular with the world in the beginning and middle of our biblical ‘worldview’, but also in those doctrines regarding the end, no matter what the cost!  “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8

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Excellent Quotable: “The Battle Over the Truth”

Filed under: Edifying Quotes — Leave a comment
August 19, 2010

“The Bible is the most exciting book there is, yet for years here in the U.S. our children have been fed a “let me entertain you” diet with only a hint of scriptural nutrition. That’s part of Satan’s “Yea, hath God said…?” strategy. The consequence is an upcoming generation that is, for the most part, spiritually anemic and ripe for the various schemes of apostasy. Deprived of the objective truths of Scripture, they are easy prey for those who would entice them through the subjective and experiential, that is, their “feelings.” Nevertheless, our marching orders involve a rescue operation as found in 2 Timothy 2:24-25: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.

Pray for our young people that they would have a heart for truth, but then seek out those of their generation to whom the Lord would have you minister His love and truth.”     T.A. McMahon, “The Battle Over the Truth”, www.thebereancall.org, April 1, 2009.

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