CHRIST, ON THE C.R.O.S.S.

ON THE C.R.O.S.S. – Christ Ransomed Our Sinful State

Acronyms help sometimes put things into perspective and allow us to remember things in an easier way.

ON THE C.R.O.S.S. – Christ Redemption Overcame Satan’s Scheme

The scene at the top of the hill, called Calvary, was not pleasant.

In fact ‘pleasant’ is a mild word trying to envision a picture depicting the exact opposite.

The prophet Isaiah gives us an understanding of the moment.

Isaiah 52:13-15, The Amplified Version, “Indeed My Servant (the Messiah) will act wisely and proper; He will be raised up and lifted up and greatly exalted. Just as many were astonished and appalled at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form [marred] more than the sons of men. So He will sprinkle many nations [with His blood, providing salvation], Kings will shut their mouths because of Him; For what they had not been told they will see, and what they had not heard they will understand.[Romans 15:21]

“The Hebrew word for “marred” or “deformed” is mishchat. It often refers to disfigurement or damage to appearance or quality. In Isaiah 52:14, it is used to describe a marred or disfigured appearance. (AI overview, Google)

Strong’s Concordance, Hebrew, #4893, mishchat, means ‘disfigurement’ (King James Bible Dictionary)

Can you visualize, the horrific scene, that describes a mutilated body.

As I was musing about this post, the words to a song came to mind.

“There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God, a place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.

O, Jesus, blest redeemer, sent from the heart of God, hold us who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.

These words speak solace (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness); peace (Strong’s #7965, shalom; completeness, wholeness, peace, health, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, rest, harmony; the absence of agitation or discord); repose (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, eternal or heavenly rest); and safety (Hebrew, betach, trust, confidence, security).

The crucifixion of Christ-On The Cross was not a “place of quiet rest near to the heart of God”.

It was a place of anguish.

It was a place of ultimate horrific despair.

This is Jesus, nailed to a cross, where, just before saying, “It is finished”, He had cried out to God, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? (Mark 15:35, KJV)

Jesus was experiencing a total separation, as the Son of Man, from God.

The full weight and measure of humanity’s sinfulness crushed (Isaiah 53) Him, as He hung nailed On The Cross.

By one offering for sin (Hebrews 10), the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus, “who knew no sin, became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God.”(2 Corinthians 5:21)

John the Baptist had declared, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29, ESV)

The Son of God did not come into this world, created by Him, out of compulsion.

He came according to the will and purpose of His Father.

On The Cross is not just an event in human history.

It is the epicenter of God’s will and purpose to redeem mankind from its sinful state, and set us free from Satan’s power and dominion, and cause death to die.(Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 4:1-11)

On The Cross is the convergence of God’s justice and love, judgment and grace, His wrath judicially satisfied and His mercy unleashed.

The final cry of Christ, “It is finished”, is not out of despair; but is one of culmination in which He realizes He has completed completely what God, His Father wanted accomplished.

Because “It is finished”, mankind can now be set free from the bondage of sin.(Romans 8:1-4)

Because “It is finished”, mankind can become a new creation in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The cross is the pinnacle of ultimate separation of mankind from his Creator, God; and at the same time, the place of God redeeming love that paid the judicial ransom for sin completely by God, Himself, who was in Christ Jesus, reconciling the world unto Himself.

God, Himself, experienced that separation, so that we, whom He loves, does not have to incur that eternal separation; but can live eternally in His Presence. It is God, the Father’s love and grace manifested at the Cross that makes it possible for us to be part of the family of God for eternity. (2 Corinthians 17-19)

The cross is the place where, G.R.A.C.E. – God’s Redemptive Activity Changes Everything.

It is the place where, “By grace you have been saved by faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9, NKJV)

In God’s foreknowledge, in God’s heart, in God’s will, before the creation of the world, God the Father, chose you because He loved you and He wanted you to be part of His eternal family.

He desires you to be conformed to the image of His Son, Christ Jesus.

That conformity is a blessing.

It is our blessed hope. (Titus 2:11-15)

What God, the Father, proposes; Satan opposes.

Satan’s opposition resulted in disorder and disobedience to be introduced into God’s creation of order and obedience, because of man’s sin.

The Son of God, who came as the Son of Man in a body, was nailed to the cross.

As the Son of Man, He died to break the bondage of ‘disorder and disobedience’ by His complete ‘obedience’ and ‘orderly’ life lived before His Father to please Him.

In order for me, for you, for anyone, to ‘be near to the heart of God’, as stated at in the song at the beginning of the post; it required that the Son of God ‘leave the nearness of His Father’s heart’; come into this world, and experience the total annihilation of being separated ‘from the nearness of the heart of God’ as a human because of his/her personal sin.

Because He chose to leave ‘the nearness of the heart of God’ as the Son of God, and experience being completely separated from ‘being near of the heart of God’ as a Man; His death, burial, and resurrection, and ascension not only restored Him back to ‘the nearness of the His Father’s heart’ that He laid aside (Philippians 2:5-8) ; but He made the way for us to experience ‘being near to the heart of God’, too; just like Himself.

That ‘way’ was made On The Cross.

The text of the song, Near To The Heart of God, by Cleland Boyd McAfee (1901) was composed shortly “after the concurrent deaths of his two young nieces, caused by diphtheria.”

The text of the song is as follows:

1.There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God, a place where sin can not molest, near to the heart of God.

Refrain:

O, Jesus, blest redeemer, sent from the heart of God, hold us, who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God.

2. There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God, a place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God.

[Refrain]

3.There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God, a place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.

[Refrain]

If there had been no perfect Lamb of God offered for the sin of the world, then justice would not have been served to satisfy the wrath of a Holy God against sin.

The incredible truth is, to realize that God, Himself, who is Absolute Holiness, took upon Himself, the task to appease His own wrath, and to secure salvation for His own created mankind that had willfully sinned against Him.

There is one verse of scripture that epitomizes this realization.

This is only imperative explanation.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

1 John 3:16 (The Amplified Version) says of this Divine Love, “By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love; that He [willingly] laid down His life for us, [because He loved us]. ….”

Christ died, was buried, and three days later was raised from the dead.

Christ lives.

He is Risen.

You, too, can live; call upon His name, and be saved.

a sinner saved by grace, deo

At The Cross, At The Cross…

A man was nailed to a cross between two other men on a hill called Golgotha, which is also known as Calvary.

That man was Jesus.

His death on the cross was His Father’s intended result for His Son who had been born of an earthly woman, named Mary, who was a virgin. (Galatians 4:4,5)

His birth began, no doubt, with a cry of ‘the breath of life’; and His death ended in a cry of anguish with the words “It is finished”. (John 19:30)

God in human flesh.

Who could of known?

Actually, it was no secret.

It is called the Incarnation of Christ.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her [promised] husband, being a just and righteous man and not wanting to expose her publically to shame, planned to send her away and divorce her privately. But after he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus [The Lord is salvation], for He will save His people from their sins.” All this happened in order to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet [Isaiah]: “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL” — which translated , means, “GOD WITH US” [Is. 7:14] .” (Matthew 1:18-23,The Amplified Version)

The entirety of the Word of God is about Jesus Christ, Who is the Word of God. (John 1:1-5)

In the above passage in Matthew, the words, “…she was found to be with child by [the power of] the Holy Spirit” are the words that explain the miracle of the Incarnation.

Consider this passage found in Philippians 2:3. The Apostle Paul is encouraging the believers in Philippi to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.” (The Amplified Version)

To whom does the Apostle point the believers?

Christ.

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing, the fullness of all the divine attributes-the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human (*Incarnation) but was without sin, being fully God and fully man] (*Son of God/Son of Man). After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man[for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by being obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on the cross. For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [Isaiah 45:23] and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.” {Philippians 2:4-11, The Amplified Version} (*inserts mine)

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS…

The Man, Christ Jesus, hangs there, nailed to a cross.

The fulfillment of the words that you just read.

The Apostle Matthew writing about Jesus, on the cross, says, in Matthew 27:45-51, The Amplified Version:

“Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.); [Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49] About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud [agonized] voice, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABCHTHANI?” this is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME? [Psalm 22:1] When the bystanders there heard it, they began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, soaked it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. [Psalm 69:21; Mark 15:36f; Luke 23:36; John 19:29,30] But the rest said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him [from death].” And Jesus cried out again with a loud [agonized] voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan. [John 10:18]”

John 10:17-18 (The Amplified Version), “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back. No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.”

His words caused a division among the Jews that heard what He said.

His words still cause division among many people who hear His words.

John 10:20-21 (The Amplified Version), “Many of them said, “He has a demon and He is mad[insane-He raves and rambles]. Why listen to Him?” Others were saying, “These are not the words and thoughts of one possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Q: What do you believe regarding the person of Jesus?

Q: Who is this person nailed on a cross?

Q: Is He truly the Son of God who took on human flesh for the specific purpose of dying on a cross?

Q: Why did He need to come and take on human flesh to die on the cross?

A: “Because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17, NKJV)

Q: Saved from what?

A. God’s wrath of judgment against sin.

Romans 1:18-19, (The Amplified Version), “For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth, because that which is known about God is evident with them [in their inner consciousness], for God made it evident to them.” (emphasis mine)

Romans 3:21-26, (The Amplified Version), “But now the righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law , though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] (*all humanity) who believe[and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction,[I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28] since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified[declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption[the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] (*AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS) as a [life giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood[to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness[which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus[and rely confidently on Him as Savior].” {emphasis mine} (*insert mine)

Here is something we must all understand.

Heaven and hell are real destination places. Heaven is the destination for those that accept Christ as their personal Savior. Hell is the destination for those who do not accept Christ as their personal Savior. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Tough words but true.

The Word of God has made it abundantly clear that there is nothing that an individual human being can do of his/her own merit that is acceptable to God because God is Holy. Each human being has a sin nature. Therefore, it is impossible for them to do anything to satisfy the righteousness of God that would appease His wrath against sin. He is Absolute Holiness.

What can be done to rectify this impossible situation?

God did it.

How?

2 Corinthians 5:21, The Amplified Bible, “He (*God) made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him (*Jesus) we would become the righteousness of God[that is, we would be made acceptable to Him (*God) and placed in a right relationship with Him (*God) by His (*God’s) gracious lovingkindness.”

This was done AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS….

God in His grace and mercy, demonstrated His love for all humanity, “that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed the message of reconciliation[that is , restoration to favor with God]. (2 Corinthians 5:19, The Amplified Version)

Ephesians 2:8-9, The Amplified Version, reminds us, “For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved[actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not the result of [your] works [nor your attempt to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].”

The Bible says, Romans 10:13, (The Amplified Version), “For WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD [in prayer] WILL BE SAVED.” [Joel 2:32]

A personal note: I am not criticizing the above verse; however, I would like to comment on the inserted words [in prayer]. I am confident that many people have cried out to God to be saved simply by asking Him to save them; and there was no formal prayer like you may be envisioning. The important thing is to say something–Lord, I need you, please save me; or it may be longer–I believe You are the Son of God, that you died on a cross for me, Your blood was shed for me, please forgive my sin, thank you for saving me. You may not even say all those words. Consider the thief hanging on a cross next to Jesus. He simply asked the Lord to “remember me when You come into His kingdom!” The Lord ‘sees’ the desire of your heart; He hears the words of your mouth; and He knows the truth of your sincerity. “Jesus said to him, Today, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-32, The Amplified Bible)

Act 4:12 (The Amplified Version), “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved[for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].

That name is Jesus.

Why must Jesus take on human flesh?

Let me share what I believe to be a very significant reason.

Romans 5, the Apostle Paul, clearly shows us two men; the first man Adam; the second man, Christ.

Sin came into the world through one man’s disobedience, Adam.

Through the obedience of one man, Jesus Christ, the results of Adams’s disobedience was completely annulled.

This is what is clearly explained in Romans 5.

I encourage you to read the entire chapter.

Adam sinned in a body, human flesh.

Christ obeyed in a body, human flesh.

What was brought into God’s creation through disobedience in a body; needed to be dealt with by obedience in a body.

That is how God planned for it to be dealt with.

The writer to the Hebrew Christians makes this point very poignantly.

Hebrews 10 is entitled, One Sacrifice of Christ is Sufficient. (The Amplified Version)

I encourage you to read the entire chapter.

[Quoting The Amplified Bible]

Hebrews 10:5, Therefore, when Christ enters into the world, He says, “SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, but [instead] YOU HAVE PREPARED A BODY FOR ME [to offer]; IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO DELIGHT. THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD-[TO FULFILL] WHAT IS WRITTEN OF ME IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK.’ ” [Psalm 40:6-8]

What does this imply?

Hebrews 10:10-14, “And in accordance with this will[of God] we [who believe in the message of salvation] have been sanctified[that is set apart as holy for God and His purposes] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ(the Messiah, the Anointed) once for all. Every priest stands [at his altar of service] ministering daily, offering the same sacrifices over and over, which are never able to strip away sins[that develop and cover us];” (emphasis mine)

{Note: the reference to the priests is a representation of each one of us trying to do some ‘work’ to satisfy God to “strip away sins [that envelop and cover us]”. The priests could not do it; neither can we.}

(continuing), “whereas Christ, having offered the one sacrifice (Romans 5)[the all-sufficient sacrifice of Himself] for sins for all time, (*in His body) SAT DOWN [signifying the completion of atonement for sin] AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD[the position of honor], waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES ARE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.[Psalm 110:1]. For by one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified[bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity]. (*insert mine)

Hebrews 9:22, tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, Jesus was nailed there in a body.

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, Jesus shed His blood for sin of the world. (John 1:29)

His death was the One Sufficient Sacrifice that His Father required for sin to be dealt with.

AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS, justice and mercy collided. The wrath of God was completely satisfied, and new life in Christ was made possible.

Death died, sin can be forgiven, and life can be lived in a body by those who put their faith and trust and Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. (Galatians 2:20)

Not only did Christ die, but He was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)

His Resurrection from the dead validates everything that is written about Him in the Word of God and everything that He said about His Father and Himself. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

It also assures us of living eternally with Him in heaven if we have placed out faith and trust in Him. This is our blessed hope. (Titus 2:11-14)

God the Father does not send any human being to hell.

Hell is a place God prepared for Satan and the angels who followed him. (Matthew 25:41)

Each individual human being must decide whether or not to believe that Jesus is God’s Son, who was sent as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

If a person does not make that confession of faith, then that individual will spend his/her eternal lifetime in hell separated from God.

2 Peter 3:9 (The Amplified Version), says, “The Lord does not delay (*His coming) [as though He was unable to act] and is not slow about His promise (*to return) as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (*insert mine)

What about you?

Have you come to Christ?

Have you asked Him to be your Savior?

I encourage you to call out to Him now.

He is waiting with anticipation for you to call upon His name and be saved.

1 Timothy 2:1,2 the Apostle Paul is urging believers to pray for all those in authority so that the Church “…may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:2b, The Amplified Version).

Paul continues, “This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the divine truth. For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom [a substitutionary sacrifice to atone ] for all, the testimony given at the right (*Galatians 4:4) and proper time. (1 Timothy 2:3-6, The Amplified Version)

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday hearing thunderous cheering and the proclamation, “Hosanna to the Son of David”; at the end of the week, He heard the crowds shouting, “crucify Him, crucify Him”. (Matthew 21:9; 27:22,23)

What was the result?

Jesus died AT THE CROSS, AT THE CROSS for you….

I am a sinner saved by grace, you can be too, deo

I AM in Charge, A Heavenly Coming! Part 2

The final words of the previous post were, “I AM in Charge”.

God is always in charge. He cannot be anything else but in charge because He is God.

He is Sovereign.

Who is the ‘Man’ standing in front of Joshua?

He identified Himself as, “… but as Commander of the army of the Lord” I have now come.” (Joshua 5:14, NKJV)

His identification tells us that He is a Heavenly Coming.

[A personal reflection: When you think about Joshua’s life, living in the shadow of Moses; he has literally experienced the Presence of God. (Exodus 33:11) Therefore, I find his response not ignorant but showing that he had not experienced this type of Heavenly Presence before.]

What happens next certainly shows us that Joshua has been in the Presence of the Lord . “And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does My Lord say to His servant? (Joshua 5:14, NKJV)

Joshua 5:15, NKJV, is the response of “the Commander of the Lord’s army”…

He said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.”

Guess what Joshua did?

[No questions asked.]

“And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 3:15)

Compare this visitation with Joshua at Jericho with the visitation of Moses at the burning bush.

Exodus 3:4,5 NKJV, “Now when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take the sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”

[I encourage you to go to Got Questions.org, and read their article, ‘What does the Bible mean when it refers to holy ground?”]

The ‘Heavenly Comings’ are similiar, yet different.

God’s identification of His Name to Moses was different than His name to Joshua; but they knew in whose Presence they were; and they both were given the same instructions in the Presence of a Holy God, take off your sandals, in My Presence.

Throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, the Lord God comes and manifests Himself to individuals for His purposes.

We need to remember what God says about Himself, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your way, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV)

The ‘Heavenly Comings’ are sometimes called a Theophany, a visible manifestation of God; and sometimes they are called a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. (And sometimes, they are angels)

In Joshua 5:13-15, some scholars believe it was a Theophany; and some believe it was a Christophany.

What can we be certain about regarding this incident?

Joshua “fell on his face to the earth and worshiped”. (Joshua 5:14, NKJV)

He was not rebuked; therefore, it was either God, the Father; or Christ, the Son.

[See Revelation 22:8-9 and compare that incident to John’s encounter with Christ in Revelation 1:12-18]

The place where Joshua was standing was declared to be ‘holy’. (Joshua 5:15)

We cannot read the Word of God and conclude that Heavenly Comings have not occurred.

In the Old Testament, there are instances of God coming as a Theophany; or Christ coming as a Christophany.

[Go to Got Questions.org, What is a Theophany? What is a Christophany?]

In the New Testament, the Incarnation of Christ was neither a Theophany nor a Christophany. It was an Incarnation.

It was a Heavenly Coming of God in the person of Jesus coming as the Son of God/Son of Man born in human flesh.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, NKJV)

When the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, it was a Heavenly Coming.

It was the fulfillment of what Jesus has told His disciples in the Upper Room; the night in which He was betrayed regarding the coming and the work of the Holy Spirit.

(John 13-16 is the context of His teaching about the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit.)

Consider this: when Jesus was clothed in human flesh (Philippians 2:5-11) having set aside His Heavenly Coming prerogative as the Son of God, to become the Son of Man (hypostatic union); at His water baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him as a Dove. (insert mine) (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11;Luke 3:21-23)

What happened next?

I wonder how many Christian have thought about these words?

“And suddenly a voice came from heaven , saying, “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (tested) by the devil.” (Matthew 3:17-4:1 NKJV)

What was the temptation about? Satan questioned Him regarding what God, His Father, had said about Him at His water baptism.

When the temptation was completed(Luke 4:13), Luke 4:14 NKJV, reads, “Then Jesus returned (from the wilderness) in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.” (insert mine)

Jesus lived out His life, ‘governed’ by the Holy Spirit, only doing what His Father showed Him to do(John 5:19-20); and only what His Father said (John 12:49) and wanted Him to say. He did nothing on His own ( John 5:30).

This understanding is important for us as believers in Jesus Christ, as members of the Body of Christ.

Where is Jesus now?

He is seated in Heaven next to His Heavenly Father.

We need to understand that when the Promise of the Father, came on the Day of Pentecost, that Heavenly Coming, the Spirit was sent to represent (be His) Presence here on earth in each believer, all of whom are the Body of Christ. (insert mine)

Ponder that !

Jesus is saying, I AM in Charge. The Body of Christ, My body, of whom I am the Head (Ephesians 1:15-22; Colossians 1:15-18) will be ‘governed’ and ’empowered’ by the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit

This is the reason why Jesus instructed His followers to wait for the [Heavenly Coming] promise of the Father. (Acts 1:4-8) [insert mine]

Between the great commission(Matthew 28:18-20), and the birth of the Church, the followers of Christ, who had been told (John 16:5-15) that He was going away; but that there would be a Heavenly Coming of the Holy Spirit, so that will be My presence with you; then you will walk with Me ‘governed’ and ’empowered’ by the Holy Spirit, who is the promise of the Father.

Just as the Spirit descended upon Jesus at His water baptism, when He was here in the flesh, in a human body; so now the Holy Spirit ,Christ’s Presence , descends upon Christ’s Body, the Body of Christ, made up of many human bodies, each one a believer in Christ.

Just as Jesus walked by the Spirit, when He was here on earth; so are we to walk by the Spirit individually and collectively as His Body.

What takes place?

The Holy Spirit guides and directs us daily; and all of us functioning under the direction of the Holy Spirit manifest One Person, Jesus Christ on the earth, individually and/or corporately as the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4-6)

[Acts 2:40=47 tells us how the Church began its new life in Christ,]

I want to challenge you with this thought.

I propose that the manifestation of the life of Christ in each individual, and the corporate life of the Body of Christ is the fulfillment of the following words that Jesus taught His disciples to pray.

One day, the disciples of Jesus approached Him and asked Him to teach them to pray.

Matthew 6:9-13 is that prayer.

It begins as follows:

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9 NKJV)

Consider this, Jesus fulfilled these words every day of His life here on earth in human flesh.

How?

He was ‘governed’ by the Spirit.

He only did and only said what the Father was doing and saying.

Therefore, His Father’s Kingdom came, and His Father’s will was done here on earth as it is in heaven.

Therefore, His Father’s name was Hallowed, Holy, set apart, bringing glory to His name.

In heaven, God’s will is perfectly ‘obeyed’, and everything He does is ‘orderly’.

Jesus perfectly ‘obeyed‘; and He was ‘orderly‘ in doing everything the Father wanted Him to do.

On the cross, Jesus uttered these final words, “It is finished”. (John 19:30)

All the days of Jesus’ life were completely ‘orderly and obedient’ lived out before His Father, from His Incarnation to His death, burial, and resurrection.

It was then that His early life was finished.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, has been given All authority on heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18-20)

This authority is now carried out by the Holy Spirit here on earth ‘governing’ the Body of Christ.

Joshua had asked,if the Man ,that suddenly appeared before Him was for or against us (Israel)?

The Man answered, neither, ‘I AM in Charge’. (paraphrased by Pastor Goree).

In heaven, God’s Sovereign Authority is perfectly ‘obeyed’, and everything is done ‘orderly’.

Jesus perfectly ‘obeyed’(not only did He do His Father’s will; but He completely fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17-18), and He did everything ‘orderly’ as the Father told Him to do.

God is NOT the source of ‘disobedience’ (Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 2:22; I John 3;5); or the source of ‘disorder’ (confusion-I Corinthians 14:3

What we are called to do?

We are called to walk by the Spirit, in our human body, in which Christ’s Presence lives. We are learning to be ‘governed’ by the Spirit, according to the Word of God; not fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. We are not to be self-serving; but we are to be servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:1-11; Galatians 5; Colossians 3:1-17)

Our discipleship is to learn as the Body of Christ to walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit, according to the Word of God, so that the Father’s Kingdom comes, and the Father’s will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven, ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently’.

By the way, Who is the Word of God?

The Word of God is a Person, Jesus. (John 1:1-5)

Our blessing is that our God, our Father, is committed to see that each one of His children are conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29)

There is an End Point for each one of us who names the Name of Christ as our personal Savior.

We find that End Point stated in Jude 24-25, NKJV.

“Now to Him (God) who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His (God) glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” (inserts mine)

The Good News is that there is another Heavenly Coming that the followers of Christ are awaiting, Christ’s Second Coming.

But until that moment…(I Thessalonians 4:1-17)

God is ministering throughout the earth using the Body of Christ.

There are Heavenly Comings today.

The Word of God is being preached; the Lord Jesus Christ is present,in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Just like on the Day of Pentecost, people are repenting, being water baptized, and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38-40)

[Let me give you a few sources to check out and read about God’s Heavenly Comings. Go to CBN app., Christian Broadcast Network; Voice of the Martyr’s, VOM.org; Samaritan’s Purse, samaritanspurse.org; B.G.E.A., billygraham.org]

Remember these words, ‘I AM in Charge’.

Come, Lord Jesus.

To the praise of His Glory,

your brother in Christ, deo

I AM in Charge, A Heavenly Coming! Part 1

The 40 years of wandering has ended. The unbelieving generation has passed away. Aaron has died. Moses has died. And now, Joshua is leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land.

Joshua takes hold of his responsibility.

Joshua 1:10-18, begins, “Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people saying…”

The nation is finally no longer ‘lapping the mountain’ in the wilderness, they are moving forward.

Joshua is giving instructions to be obeyed and done orderly. (Joshua 1:10-5-12)

He reminds two and one half tribes of what Moses had commanded them regarding their responsibility to the whole nation in spite of the fact that they had chosen not to settle in the Promised Land. (See Numbers 32)

The two and one half tribes answered Joshua saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.” (Joshua 1:16-17, NKJV)

(Q: I wonder if that last sentence is a statement of confidence or concern?)

They followed this declaration of allegiance with this warning.

“Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.” (Joshua 1:18, NKJV)

(This ‘next’ generation had grown up seeing the previous generation put to death for their disobedience to God in the wilderness.)

The scene is set; it’s time to move forward.

Joshua sends out two spies, ‘to spy secretly‘, saying, “Go view the land, especially Jericho.”

(I recommend that you read the ‘spy’ story as told in Jericho 2.)

Chapters 3-5:12 recount the crossing of the Jordan River and the details God required in order for the nation of Israel to enter the land in an ‘orderly’ and ‘obedient’ manner.

In a previous post, dated, January 27, 2025, entitled ‘Heaven is Coming Part I’, I shared that a Person, Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity came on the Day of Pentecost.

What took place?

The followers of Christ experienced Him as He appeared to them as ‘tongues of fire’ and they experienced His infilling “and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4 NKJV)

(My emphasis was to focus on the Third Person of the Trinity, not our doctrinal understandings of the event.)

Holy Spirit is a Person.

Holy Spirit’s arrival was a ‘Heavenly Coming’.

Peter preached his first sermon anointed with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:14-36)

Many people were convicted in their hearts of their sin; they repented; were water baptized; and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:37-41)

The Church is recognized as being ‘born’ on the Day of Pentecost.

The Day of Pentecost is said to be the day of transition from the ministry of Christ personally on earth to the beginning of the Church age.

The Church, is now the Body of Christ, comprised of all those born by the Spirit of God.

The Church is to be faithful to the Lord; obedient to the Word of God; in fellowship with the Body of Christ; governed by the Holy Spirit; and submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church. (Acts 2:42-46)

Jesus is no longer in just one human body in the flesh.

His Body is a ‘many membered‘ Body of all believers in Christ. (I Corinthians 12:12-31)

(As this post proceeds, please note that in the Word of God, it is not stated nor said, that the Holy Spirit ever took on the form of a human likeness, as Jesus did. [Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 10:5-10] )

[In the Word of God, there are symbols of the Holy Spirit.At Got questions.org, in their article, ‘What are some of the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible?’, it lists the following symbols: dove; seal [or pledge]; oil; fire; wind [or breath]; water[rain, rivers, dew]; wine; clothing (Luke 24:49).I recommend this article to you to read, along with other articles of theirs about the Person and Word of the Holy Spirit.]

Returning to Joshua 3-5:12.

The Lord God was very specific regarding preparations that needed to be carried out in order for His people to enter the land of promise.

Why is this important?

Because God is a God of order and obedience. (Genesis 1)

One thing that stands out reading the history of the nation of Israel, as they journeyed in the wilderness, is God’s ‘meticulous order’ and ‘obedience’ regarding what He wanted to be constructed; where it was to be placed; how it was to be handled; and when it was to be done. (Genesis – Deuteronomy)

[‘order and obedience’ is a separate study in itself; I am so grateful for Jesus’s words found in Matthew 11:28-30. His words do not minimize’order and obedience’; but they do reveal God’s heart toward us as a God of ‘order and obedience’; Our God is a God of rest. After six days of creation, that is replete with ‘order and obedience’. God’s seventh day, was a day of rest.] (Genesis 2:1-3)

{Question: What is our nation wrestling with in 2025? We are wrestling with ‘order and obedience’. Is our nation in disorder and disobedience? Is our nation wrestling with ‘who is in charge?’ ‘Who gave you the authority to do what you are doing? The answers to these questions are not trivial. Our nation is not at rest. What will rest look like in our nation after the ‘political earthquake’ we are now experiencing? The One who is Sovereign knows; and I choose to ‘rest’ in His Sovereignty. (Romans 13, Psalms 2)}

Joshua 5:13,NKJV, [pictures for us, the new leader of the nation of Israel in a ‘thoughtful’ place, pondering what lies ahead for himself and Israel] , “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho…”.

Jericho is a very large, formidable, walled city.

In the eyes of man,it is a city that is impenetrable.

This city is Israel’s first obstacle in the land of promise that needs to be conquered.

This city will test Joshua’s resolve to believe the word of the Lord spoken to him in Joshua 1:3-6.

This ‘giant’ obstacle is ’emblematic’ of the ‘giants’, that he, Caleb, and the 10 spies saw when they were sent by Moses to ‘spy out’ the land of promise. Not only were they ‘giants’ but the promised land was a land of abundance. (Numbers 13-14)

Jericho is a type of ‘giant’ that the 10 spies said ‘could not be overcome’.

Joshua, standing here alone, looking out at his ‘obstacle’, his real ‘giant’, as the leader of God’s people, might be having a personal flashback, reflecting upon the incident, when, as one 12 spies, he stood with Caleb before Moses affirming that the ‘giants’ in the land ‘could be overcome’ because God was with them. (Numbers 14:6-9)

There are no naysayers standing next to him at this time.

He is alone, or is he?

Joshua 5:13, continues, “… he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, (suddenly from heaven), a Man stood opposite him with his sword drawn.” (insert mine)

Does this remind you of any other incident or similar incidents in the Bible?

I am reminded of Moses’, Joshua’s mentor, personal experience in the wilderness while tending sheep,(Exodus 3:1-10) “And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of the bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was not consumed.” (Exodus 3:2, NKJV)

[The Hebrew word, behold, is ‘hinneh’, Strong’s Concordance, # 2009, it means behold, lo, see; it is used to draw attention to something. The first time it is used is in Genesis 1:29, when God is speaking to Adam and He tells Him, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding see that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed, it shall be food for you; …” (NASA 2000). The second time the word, behold, is used is in Genesis 1:31. “And God saw that all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”]

In Joshua 5:13, the same word used in Genesis, is being used in this passage to draw our attention to the appearance of a Man “…that he(Joshua) lifted his eyes and looked, and behold…” that suddenly appeared in Joshua’s presence. (insert mine)

In Genesis 3, the voice that spoke to Moses out of the burning bush, identified Himself, as “I AM THAT I AM”. (Exodus 3:14)

In Joshua 5:13, we are told, “And Joshua went up to Him, and said unto Him, Are You for us or for our adversaries?” (NKJV)

[Interesting question! What is the implication of the person’s response?]

There has been a Heavenly Coming.

Joshua 5:14 NKJV, “So He said, No, but as the Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”

A previous pastor of mine, Robert Goree, commenting on this Man’s response, paraphrased it as, “I AM in Charge”.

TBC,

your brother in Christ, deo

This is not a Post, it’s a Personal Journal Entry. Text: Isaiah 10

March 3, 2025

Reflecting upon Isaiah 10:20-34 from yesterday’s teaching sermon at North Creek Church, by Pastor Kent Dresdow.

Father, these past two weeks, I have been shown from Your Word by Pastor Kent that those whom you have raised up for Your sovereign purpose to judge Your people, because of their unfaithfulness to You, (because they were sharing their love with others and rejecting Your love, and covenant care for them), will be judged themselves, especially because they have arrogantly asserted themselves, beyond Your intended purposes. Therefore, they will be judged accordingly-Thank you Father for a promise of a remnant-those who focus on You, overcome, and remain faithful, listening to what you are speaking by Your prophet, hearing the Word of the Lord, inspired by You/the Holy Spirit. This is the same intent you have always had for Your people-to hear Your Word, inspired by the Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-18), to be Your Church-Your called out ones-Father, give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to Your Church today.

This journal entry is roughly written, but that is ok.

Isaiah 10:10-34, the king of Assyria, boasts arrogantly.

Some additional thoughts.

God raises up individuals and/or nations for a specific task.

God has a specific assignment for them to do.

The reality is that most of the time such individuals and/or nations do not realize that they are being directed by the sovereignty of God.

A problem comes, when that individual and/or nation becomes proud in their heart-and acts arrogantly believing that they are invincible.

That arrogance of the heart is Satan driven.

God hates arrogance. That is saying it mildly.

God will judge all such arrogance.

In the context of Isaiah 10, this very dynamic is taking place.

God raises up Assyria to judge His people; the king of Assyria becomes arrogant; After God used Assyria to judge His people; God judges Assyria; God also promises His people that there will be a remnant; God intervenes mightily for His people; and in Isaiah 11 speaks of the coming of the Messiah.

As I shared in my previous post, I am concerned for President Trump and his administrative team that they will not become ‘arrogant’ and assert themselves beyond the assignment that God wills for them to do.

Remember the Church is in the world; but the Church is not to be part of the world. (John 17)

The Church must pray and intercede for President Trump and all those in authority over us. ( 1 Timothy 2: 1-15)

The Church must rest in the sovereignty of God regarding the leaders of the governments of the nations in this world. (Romans 13:1-14)

The Church must acknowledge the Authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Head of the Body, and the King of the Kingdom. (Ephesians 1:15-23)

The Church must abide in the Lord Jesus Christ, governed by the Holy Spirit, and live obediently to the Word of God. (John 15:4-8; Romans 8:5-28; John 14:15)

As Jesus said, if you want to be My disciple, then this is what you need to do daily: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27; Luke 14:27-35.)

Read 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

I recommend that you read Isaiah 10, especially in the Amplified Version if it is available.

Rooted in Christ’s Kingship, a brother in Christ, deo

Words of Caution to the Church, An Immediate Prayer Request

This post was originally published last March, 2025. I have been reminded of the need to pray for our administration. It is always important.

But its importance has been elevated because of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, September 10, 2025.

Our nation is being awakened to the real spiritual battle that it faces every day of its existence.

‘Unprecedented unrest’,’ the spirit of antichrist’, ‘unrestrained lawlessness’, ‘increased violence’ ‘virulent rhetoric’comes to mind to characterize our nation’s atmosphere.

Today is September 20, 2025, the day before Charlie Kirks memorial service.

I encourage you to read this re-post.

____________________________________

Words of Caution to the Church, An Immediate Prayer Request

In the previous post (Another Heavenly Coming , 3/4/25), the Church was reminded of its position before the Lord functioning in the world. The Church must remember that God is Sovereign.

All the leaders of the nations are in their places of leadership because of God’s will and purpose.

Each leader is individually responsible to God .

God will judge and reward each national leader’s performance carrying out their duty.

The Church is responsible to pray for the administrative leadership of their nation and submit ‘orderly’ and ‘obediently ‘to their authority.

The members of the Church are first citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Each individual member of the Church lives his/her life in the world but not a part of the world.

In Christ, we are separated from the world, the flesh, and the devil. (I John 2:15-17)

We are being conformed to the image of Christ.

We are functioning as members of the Body of Christ, fulfilling our assigned spiritual vocation, using the spiritual gifts given to us to build up the Body in love; and fulfilling the work that God Himself has designated for every believer before the foundation for the world. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Why?

If we focus on the venom of the verbal rhetoric that is being spewed forth daily in our nation that rhetoric can infiltrate into our heart and mind, and darken our soul.

What happens within us if we focus on such negative rhetoric?

We will find ourselves coming into alignment with the ‘spirit of the world’ and not in alignment with the Spirit of God.

How do I know this?

I have been there; and I must constantly guard myself against listening to the offensive political rhetoric and subtly embracing the mindset of the world.

I confess to you that is very easy to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; believing that you are strong enough to listen to the world’s rantings and assume that it will not affect you.

Wrong!

I have been there believing that I can handle this; that I can criticize those in authority over me; and not become affected in my personal attitude.

I am not strong enough.

The Lord showed me my fallacy; and He helped me to overcome my weakness.

In the midst of the administrative upheaval since the re-election of President Trump, our nation has been experiencing a political earthquake that has resulted in a daily shaking of the political landscape that has unsettled many people.

I support the re-election of President Trump.

I am aware there are many people in this nation, and probably around the world that do not support his re-election.

Many despise and hate him; yet, there are many who support the changes he is bringing to our nation.

Many citizens of this nation voted for him because of what he promised he would change.

Others supported him, because they did not support the Democratic platform and their agenda to govern their administration of this nation.

In my previous posts, I have explained my personal struggle and my conclusion as to why I chose to vote for the Republican party platform.

I have been confronted by members of my own family that do not agree with me.

That is ok.

The bottom line for me was a matter of personal conscience before the Lord.

Each individual believer will one day stand alone before the Lord to give an account of their life as a follower of Jesus Christ.

My eternal salvation is not dependent upon who I voted for in each election during my lifetime.

My desire is to please my heavenly Father.

The choices that I make, the words that I speak, the works that I do, either glorify the Lord or they do not bear witness to His life in me.

We are told to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)

If the Church is going to live up to its calling and walk as children of light in this world of darkness, then it must learn and practice the teaching of Ephesians 4-6. (especially Ephesians 5:20-26.)

Please read these verses in the context of what I have been sharing.

As previous posts have explained, I believe Psalm 64 will be fulfilled.

( I recommend that you read the post: A Time To Read it Again)

God has shot His A.R.R.O.W.

Adonai’s Righteous Revelation Of Wrongdoing is being exposed.

There are many who are being wounded, and will be wounded by the revelation of their own malicious words that they have spewed out upon others that will ‘boomerang’ and come back and wound them. (Psalm 64:7-10)

What will be revealed will not be pleasant.

God doesn’t take sides politically.

He is no ‘respecter of persons’. (Romans 2:11-16)

God will judge righteously.

God is not mocked; individuals will reap what they have sown.

(Galatians 6:7-8)

I offer the following as a word of caution.

The Church must pray for President Trump and his administrative team as they implement changes in this nation.

Why?

If you recall my previous posts about the nation of Israel, and God’s intended purpose to bring them out of the bondage of Egypt and into the Promised Land, then you will recall that the original leadership of Moses and Aaron were not allowed to go into the land.

Why?

Because they disobeyed what God had told them to do.

God had told Moses to speak to the rock.

God said that He would bring out water from the rock to provide ‘drink’ for His people that were ‘grumbling and complaining’ about the lack of water.

Ironically, this is what happened 3 days after God had brought His people through the Red Sea and drowned Pharaoh and his army in that same Red Sea. (Exodus 15:22-26) At this time God had Moses strike the rock. Moses struck the rock and the water came forth.

In Numbers 20, Moses did not speak to the rock as God had instructed him; he struck the rock twice out of frustration and anger.

Moses, throughout his entire lifetime of leadership had listened to the people he was leading ‘grumble and complain’.

After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, at the very precipice of entering the land of promise, when he was confronted once more with the people’s ‘grumbling and complaining’, Moses seeks God about how to handle the situation.

God tells him what to do; and He tells him what He will do.

Moses and Aaron, carrying out their administrative appointment, as the governmental leaders of the nation of Israel, do not follow God’s directive.

I, submit, that Moses and Aaron, listened to the ‘grumbling and complaining’ of the people, allowing the spirit of the people, entrance into their own spirit disobeying God’s word to them.

The consequences was that Moses did not execute his office of leadership according to the Spirit of God through obedience to God’s directive; but he exercised his leadership, influenced by the lawless spirit of the people of Israel that ‘grumbled and complained’ and he struck the rock twice (Numbers 20).

Moses struck the rock out of anger (his personal rebellion and lawlessness) ‘governed’ by his own spirit.

God graciously met the need of His people.

The water came out of the rock.

The people received what they had ‘grumbled and complained’ about.

In Exodus 15:25, God made the bitter waters sweet; and then directed them to Elim where there were 12 wells of water and 70 palm trees.

[Many believe the 12 wells represent the 12 tribes of Israel, and the 70 palm trees represent the original 70 descendants of the nation of Israel that entered Egypt in the time of famine.]

Moses and Aaron’s disobedience misrepresented the character of God.

God’s Spirit is gracious and merciful, because He loves His people.

That does not mean He approves of their sinfulness.

God judges His people for their sinfulness.

Moses and Aaron’s disobedience went beyond what God had told them to do.

This is my concern for President Trump and his administrative team and all whom God is using at this time to bring about change in our nation.

I pray, and ‘beseech’ the Church to pray that those in the places of authority, raised up by the sovereignty of God, will stay within their appointed leadership boundaries, asking and doing what God directs them to do; and not allow themselves to be influenced by the opposing rhetoric that is shouting, grumbling, complaining, and hurling venomous rhetoric at them.

I pray that the ‘words’ of the world wisdom will not influence the minds and hearts of those in authority over us, so that they are negatively influenced in their souls.

We must not be ‘governed’ by individuals who ‘govern’ out of their own ‘self-government’ and not the government of God, ‘governed’ by the Spirit of God.

Remember, the Church is called to stand against the principalities, power, and evil rulers that seek to influence our lives. (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

These past two weeks (March 2025), Pastor Kent Dresdow, Senior Pastor at North Creek Church, has made it very clear what happens to individuals, who God has sovereignly chosen to use for His purposes, take matters into their own hands, and go beyond the boundaries that God had originally planned for them to accomplish.

I recommend that you read Isaiah 10.

To summarize Pastor Kent’s teaching, when a person goes beyond what God intends, that person becomes arrogant and boastful.

God hates arrogance and boasting.

As mentioned before, God will judge such individuals with righteous justice

Why?

The source of pride and arrogance is Satan, himself, who said that he will be like God. (Isaiah 14:12-17)

Our task as the Church, is to pray that President Trump and his administrative team will not become arrogant and prideful; that President Trump and his administrative team will stay within the sovereign purposes of God that He has ordained for this nation and the nations of the world, as he exercises his office as the President of the United States of America.

As the Lord taught us to pray, our prayer is that the Lord will not lead them (President Trump and his team ) into temptation, but to deliver them from the evil (evil one[Satan]), because the kingdom is God’s “and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13, as paraphrased by myself)

Thank you for praying for our leadership as I Timothy 2:1-7 directs us to do it daily.

Remember, that the enemy, Satan himself, is relentless, constantly fighting against the work of God.

Therefore, the Church must pray. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

The Church must humble itself before the Lord, resist the devil, and he will flee. (James 4:7-10) [Read the context in James 4:1-17]

Our battle is daily, until ‘that Day’ when God ‘ends’ it; however, until ‘that Day’, our refuge is in Christ.

(See rpmministries.org, 36 Scripture Passages on Safety and Refuge in God: Home, Safe, and Sound)

I am sure that you have your own personal scriptures that you seek out for refuge.

What is your personal favorite?

I encourage you to seek out your personal passage of scripture that is yours when you seek refuge in the Lord.

blessings, your brother in Christ, who, too, takes refuge in our Lord, Deo

(Psalms 62, Psalm 46, Psalm 37)

Another Heavenly Coming.

Moses, the chosen leader by God Himself to lead His people out of the land of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land, has died.

The nation of Israel was at the doorstep of entering the Promised Land roughly 40 years after they had been miraculously delivered from the land of Egypt.

Israel’s deliverance was a ‘Heavenly Coming’. (See Exodus 1-15)

The Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy document the history of the nation of Israel and their relationship to their God.

God’s intent was to fulfill His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,the fathers of the nation of Israel; however, the nation of Israel, did not really know the God of their fathers; therefore, God, because of His love for His people sought to make Himself known to them and to establish His ‘government’ in their hearts.

If you would like in depth understanding what God was doing, I recommend that you read Deuteronomy 8.

Again, Moses has died, and God has buried him. (Deuteronomy 34:1-8)

Deuteronomy 34:9-12 relates to us the transference of leadership from Moses to his servant, Joshua.

“Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses. Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord know face to face, [none equal to him] in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and in all the mighty power and all the great and terrible deeds which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” (Amplified Version)

Joshua has assumed his new responsibility

The Book of Joshua continues the history of the nation of Israel under his leadership.

Joshua 1:1-9, the Lord comes to Joshua, and engages him, as He had engaged Moses, his predecessor.

I would like to encourage you to envision what the Lord said to Joshua as words you, can personally receive as you walk with the Lord; words that will encourage and strengthen you by the Holy Spirit; and instructs you to daily meditate upon the Word of God, knowing that the Lord Who spoke to Joshua, is the same Lord that speaks to you daily, and says,”I will never leave you nor forsake you”.(Joshua 1:5; Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5)

Also, I would like to encourage you to envision these same words spoken to Joshua as words that Jesus would say to His Church, the Body of Christ, the Israel of God to encourage and instruct it serves Him who is the Head of the Church.

Let us now read this passage of scripture for our edification.

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you observe to do according to all that is written in til For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

The Person of Jesus Christ, Who is our Lord and Savior, we have in ‘Him’ the complete fulfillment of these words to Joshua.

The name Joshua means, “Jehovah saves” or “the Lord is salvation”, and corresponds to the NT name “Jesus”. (Introduction to ‘The Book of Joshua’, MacArthur Study Bible)

Many years prior to this moment, Joshua had been selected by Moses to be one the 12 men that were sent out to ‘spy out’ the Promised Land.

The spies reported that there were giants in the land and by comparison the people of Israel were grasshoppers. (Numbers 13:33)

The land they ‘scouted out’ was a good land and plentiful with food; but there were these ‘giant’ obstacles.

10 of the spies said that the people of the land were stronger than they were, and gave a bad report about the land; however, 2 of the spies, Joshua and Caleb ,gave a good report and said that the nation of Israel should go up and ‘take the land’ of promise. (Numbers 13)

It is interesting that in Numbers 13:30, it says that Joshua “quieted the people before Moses” and said that the nation should go up and capture the land.

This is the same Joshua that has taken Moses’ place of leadership after his death.

Unfortunately, the people’s ‘grumbling and complaining’ before Moses and Aaron throughout the night, and their desire to stone Moses and Aaron really infuriated God . (Read Numbers 14)

The people’s verbal rebellion against Moses and Aaron’s leadership in God’s sight was ‘grumbling and complaining’ against God Himself.

The result of their rebellious hearts precipitated God’s judgment for them to wander for 40 years in the wilderness until the adult generation that ‘grumbled and complained’ completely had died in the wilderness.

God’s judgment is a ‘Heavenly Coming’.

And the ‘Heavenly Coming’ keeps coming.

[A note of transition: In the wilderness there was a tent of meeting for God and Moses to talk. The ‘Heavenly Coming’ wasn’t very far away in the natural world. This tent was outside the camp, where God and Moses met(Exodus 33:7), and Joshua was sometimes there too. (Exodus 33:11)]

I would encourage you to read Numbers 15 to see God’s heart for His people and the future He had for them in spite of the disobedience.

This has been my introduction to the next POST.

Let’s stop here, take a deep breath, and then continue.

Blessings, deo

A Thoughtful Consideration

On Tuesday, March 4, President Trump will be addressing a joint session of Congress giving a State of the Union address.

It is no stretch of the imagination to believe that all of the people who ‘watch’ this address in our nation and throughout the world will have their own ‘prejudicial mindset’ of President Trump, me included.

To believe otherwise is simply not true.

(Yes, I know it is possible for someone not to know about President Trump, but that probability is small, and nit picking that mindset, is absurd.)

No matter, how personally righteous, one may feel about themselves, the reality is that each one of us has our own personal feelings, mindset, and opinion of President Trump.

As such, when one watches his address, hears it later, reads it later, or listens to those who evaluate and discuss what he said and propose what the truth of his intentions mean, are influenced by their mindset.

Some have the mind-set of ‘never Trump’; some have the mind-set of ‘hatred’; some have the mind-set of ‘dictator’ and/or destroyer of democracy; some have the mind-set of believing everything he says is ‘true’; and some have the mind-set of a ‘MAGA mentality’, and some have a quieter mindset of hope being restored nation in our nation.

For me personally, I take solace in the mindset of people who voted for hope being restored in our nation.

Actually, the demographics of the populace vote is varied with regard to their mindset.

That is what a Constitutional Republic is all about.

The reality is that all of the above are true spread throughout the populace of this nation and throughout the world; and there are various ‘shades of gray mentally’ that are the result of the intersection of the above mentioned mentalities.

There are even some who honestly believe in themselves insisting that they have a more ‘balanced mentality’ approach to President Trump.

I do not despise that; but I know that we are all afflicted with a ‘prejudicial mentality’ toward any subject, whether it’s President Trump or something else.

Some of these mindsets are positive; some of these mindsets are negative; and some of those mindsets are , like I said, gray.

When his address is completed; and his words have been heard, then the ‘prejudicial mindsets’ juices will start to flow and there will be an plethora of words that will be vocalized and written interpreting the meaning and purpose of his agenda.

Some people will be totally approving; some people will be totally critical; some will be polite and hesitant; some people will be unsure.

One’s response is ‘governed’ by one’s mindset.

Whatever category of mindset you fit into, your opinion, written or spoken will be apparent according to your words.

How do we know this?

“The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and moral out of the good treasure[stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved our of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.” Luke 6:45 Amplified Version.

Why am I saying this?

Your words reveal your heart.

This is what I, we, have all seen and heard since 2015.

The scenario is not new.

Most of the reported rhetoric regarding Mr. Trump has been accusatory, defaming, and deceitful.

I am not exonerating him of his own responsibility for the words he has spoken.

I am making an observation of reality.

Positive words directed toward Mr. Trump have been sparse since 2015; but they have been on an increase since his re-election; and now more positive words are being shared more openly than before.

Unfortunately, the converse is also true since his re-election.

The Church must remember I Peter 5:8, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

This tactic has been going on since the Garden of Eden.

This is Satan’s strategy against God.

We are in a spiritual warfare, please read Ephesians 6: 10-20.

Believers in Christ, be careful what you focus on after the State of the Union address.

Many words will be spoken and written.

There will be many opinions, ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’.

There will be those that will say ” ‘words’ looking they may ‘devour’ “

Remember, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6), therefore, we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift us up, and in Him, we can resist the devil and he will flee. (see James 4:7-8).

Therefore, be careful who and what you listen to too.

Remembering, you, too, have a ‘prejudicial mindset’ regarding President Trump.

As do, I.

Focus your attention on the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Be aware of what is going on around you; but do not be deceived or consumed by it.

Here is wisdom from the Lord.

Hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the Church in the last days,the ‘days of evil’.

blessings, a sojourner in Christ, deo

An Addendum To The Election

Reflecting back to when these posts began, they were given ‘birth’ by a poster carried by a protester after Donald Trump was elected President in 2016.

I believe it was in January 2017.

That’s a long time ago.

The sign said, ‘be ungoverned’.

What does ‘be ungoverned’ mean: lawlessness.

Quoting Got Questions, What does the Bible say about lawlessness?, the opening paragraph says, “To be lawless is to be contrary to the law or to act without regard to the law. Laws are necessary in a sinful world (I Timothy 1:9), and those who choose to act lawlessly further sin in the world. The word for “lawlessness” in the Bible is often translated “iniquity”. According to the Bible, the root of all lawlessness is rebellion.”

What have we witnessed in our nation as a result of his election in 2016?

The growth lawlessness that has borne the ‘fruit’ of those ‘two words’ written on that cardboard sign.

Those ‘two words’ are still resounding loud and clear today in 2025.

Their boisterousness has enlarged since the 2016 Presidential election.

The growth of lawlessness has resulted in chaos, confusion, corruption, and consternation in our nation.

What took place in 2016 at the election polls in 2016 repeated itself at the election polls in 2024.

Donald Trump was elected to be the President of the United States.

I know this is redundant; but the rhetoric against his re-election is still loud, disruptive, and irrational.

Mr. Trump promised change, if elected.

He was elected because he promised change; and now having been re-elected, he is following through with his promises of change.

There has been, literal, ‘screaming’ coming from those who oppose him; vehemently voicing their disapproval.

What will be the outcome of this political earthquake?

Only time will tell?

What I see happening, and many others also see happening , is the uncovering of the ‘deeds of darkness’ that have been overshadowing and influencing our nation for many years.

This uncovering of ‘darkness’ is the result of many praying for our nation.

I believe that the Lord will fulfill the words of Psalm 64.

Please read Psalm 64.

[If you are interested, please read the post, THE A.R.R.O.W. OF GOD]

God has shot His Arrow. (Psalm 64:7)

There will be ‘Adonai’s Righteous Revelation Of Wrongdoing.’

The evil words that have been spewed out over our nation (Psalm 64: 1-4) will come back upon those that spoke them, and they will be wounded by their own words. (Psalm 64:7-8)

Humanity will witness God’s uncovering; the effect of the wounding that occurs; and will know that it is a Heavenly Coming of God. (Psalm 64:8-9)

God ‘comes down’ in His own way;He sees the evil that prevails; and He exercises judgment and salvation according to His will and purpose. (Psalm 64:9)

[God ‘sought out’ Adam and Eve; God ‘came down’ in the days of Noah; God ‘came down’ in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah; God ‘came down’ in the days of Israel in Egypt… and we can follow this pattern throughout the Bible.]

God is a Righteous Judge.

He rules and reigns.

He is in complete control.

He is Sovereign.

In the context of Psalm 64:

Psalm 64:10 (Amplified Version) says, “The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; All the upright in heart will glory and offer praise.”

In our ‘days of evil’ (Ephesians 5:16), what is the Church responsible to do?

1. Remember Romans 13:1-7.

It’s all about who has the authority and why.

2. Remember I Timothy 2:1-7.

It’s all about praying for those in authority.

3. Remember Ephesians 6:5-9

It’s all about being submissive and obedient to authority.

4. Remember John 17:14-16

It’s all about Jesus’ prayer for us.

We are to be responsible citizens in the nation we live in; however, our primary responsibility is to our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are, first, the citizens of another kingdom, the Kingdom of God; then we are citizens of the nation in which we live.

Paul instructs the Church in Ephesus about how to live.

Read Ephesians 4-6

As followers of Christ, we are to be governed by Christ, obedient to His Word, guided and taught by the Holy Spirit, pleasing our God and our Father, to Whom, all praise, glory, and honor is due.

Remember, the ‘days are evil’ (Ephesians 5:16, 2 Timothy 3:1-17)

This is not something new.

Nevertheless, in our walk with the Lord, we need to be mindful to Whom our ultimate loyalty belongs.

When opposition comes, when an opposing ‘government’ asserts itself, or when we are faced with persecution for Christ’s sake, we must follow the example of Peter and John.

Please read, Acts 4:1-31.

What do we need to be willing to embrace, to endure, and not avoid?

Opposition for the name of Christ.

One of the most intriguing verses about Jesus, Who is the Son of God/Son of Man is found in Hebrews 5:8.

The context discusses His position as our eternal High Priest.

Hebrews 5:4-11, Amplified Version, “So too Christ did not glorify Himself so as to be made a high priest, but He [was exalted and appointed by One] who said to Him, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN (fathered) YOU [declared Your authority and rule over the nations]”; just as He also says in another place, YOU ARE A PRIEST [appointed] FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIEDEK.” In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered up both [specific] petitions and [urgent] supplications [for that which He needed] with fervent crying and tears to the One who was [always] able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission toward God [His sinlessness and His unfailing determination to do the Father’s will]. Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient to the Father] He learned [active and special] obedience through what He suffered. And having been made perfect[uniquely equipped and prepared as Savior and retaining His integrity amid opposition] He became the source of eternal salvation [an eternal inheritance] to all those who obey Him, being designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become *dull and sluggish in [your spiritual] hearing and disinclined to listen.” (emphasis mine) [*insert mine]

His willingness to obediently suffer, as the Lamb of God, becomes the source of salvation to those who obey Him. (emphasis mine)

We must not be “dull and sluggish in [ (our) your spiritual] hearing and disinclined to listen.” (insert mine)

How is your hearing?

What are you hearing?

To what are you attuned?

Do you know what the Spirit is saying to the Church today?

To each of the seven churches, listed in The Revelation, a letter was written to each church.

Toward the close of each letter the following was said, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Why?

Christ, the Head of the Church, was correcting His Church.

What was the purpose of His correction?

Please read Hebrews 12:1-13.

So that the Church may ‘overcome’, be ready, steadfast and victorious in the Day of the Lord.

Please read Revelation 12.

Revelation 12 describes the spiritual battle between God and Satan.

There is constant angelic warfare.

The Church, by virtue of being in the world, lives in the reality of the constant spiritual warfare. (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

Revelation 12:11, says, “And they [the followers of Christ] overcame him [Satan] because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.” (Amplified Version) [inserts mine]

Quoting the Spirit Filled Study Bible, KJV, (copyright 2020, commentary, page 1964),

Revelation 12:11 says:

“12:11 They overcame him by appropriating the victory of the finished work of Christ, by the public confession of their faith and patient endurance (see note * on 1:9). The church’s constant posture under the authority the authority of the cross’s victory by the blood of the Lamb and the steadfastness to the promise of God’s Word-the word of their testimony-is the key to their overcoming.”

[* commentary note regarding 1:9–“John experiences with his readers tribulation, or persecution on account of their faith, with patient endurance, which is steadfast courage under unjust suffering. However, attendant to the trials involved in the Christian life of the glory of the kingdom.”]

They were willing to suffer for Christ’s sake, even unto death.

Revelation 12:11, quoting George Eldon Ladd, a ‘Commentary on the Revelation of John’, copyright 1972, pages 172-173; he writes,

“And they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb. This shows clearly that the victory over Satan which John described in mythological terms actually was accomplished in history at the cross. The shed blood of Christ is the real means of victory over Satan. The secondary means is the word of their testimony; their witness to the saving power of the blood of Christ. The background of martyrdom stands on these words. They loved their Lord more than life itself and willingly suffered death rather than deny Christ. Jesus had said, “He who endures to the end [i.e., to the point of death] will be saved. (Matt. 24:13). Victory over Satan is not not physical victory to be found in the preservation of life or escape from the persecution he wages against the saints. They stood fast in their testimony to Christ and loved not their lives even unto death. Their very martyrdom was their victory over Satan; it proved that his accusations against the brethren were empty. It is clear that victory over Satan is a spiritual victory which is even won in the terrible experience of martyrdom.”

It is no secret that there are believers throughout the world that live in the ‘certitude’ of this verse (Revelation 12:11) everyday of their lives because of the spiritual opposition they face.

The western church in North America has not faced the fullness of this type of persecution described in Revelation 12:11.

However, that does not mean we are exempt from such opposition.

The Word of God does not exempt the followers of Christ from suffering.

Please read 1 Peter 2:11-25; 4:1-19.

In closing,

The ‘Epistle to the Hebrews’ was written “to wavering Jewish believers, encouraging them to stand fast in their faith. The writer points out the overwhelming superiority of Christ over all that they had experienced under the law. Jewish believers should never consider turning back because what Christ offers them is so much better than what the law had promised under the Mosaic economy. The author dwells on the incomparable glory of the Person and work of Christ, showing His supremacy over, prophets…angels…Moses…Joshua…Aaron…and the whole ritual of Judaism.” (Introduction to the ‘Epistle to the Hebrews’, Spirit Filled Life Bible, copyright 2020, page 1844, KJV)

Therefore, let us consider these words,

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the father’s by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who is the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name then they…Therefore we must give the earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-4 NKJV)

God, has Personally ‘come down’ in the Person of His Son, Jesus.

Jesus is still speaking to His Church today.

In fact, He is speaking loud and clear.

A ‘Heavenly Coming‘ has begun.

His voice is sounding forth with intensity and visibility throughout the earth.

It is even speaking in our nation, especially on college campuses.

Lord, as You said to Your seven churches, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the Churches.”

Thank you Lord for giving us ears to hear.

We praise You and glorify Thy name.

blessings, ‘Resting In Christ’s Kingship’, deo

His Comings Keep Coming! Part 4

2 Timothy 3:1-17 has different headings depending upon the translation used.

For example, the MacArthur Study Bible says, “Perilous Times, and Perilous Men”; The Spirit Filled Life Bible (KJV) says, “Perilous Times Shall Come”; Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible has no chapter title breaks; Master Study Bible says, “Difficult Times Will Come”; The Tree of Life Version says, “Opposition in the Last Days”; English Standard Version (ESV) says, “Godlessness in the Last Days”; The Message says, “Difficult Times Ahead”; “Kings James Version says, “Difficult Times Will Come”.

Question: What is the heading in your personal Bible?

‘Heaven is Coming‘ to confront ‘the evil days’.

God came down in the days of Noah. God came down in the days of the Tower of Babel. God came down in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Why did God come down ?

He came down to ‘see’ the evil.

The result of what He ‘saw’ was a Heavenly Coming.

Using the Exodus of Israel from Egypt as a template a second time, God came in response to His people crying out to Him for deliverance.

God keeps His covenant with His people.

He revealed Himself to Egypt (a type of the world), and specifically to Pharaoh, who boasted before Moses:

“Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2, NKJV)

That kind of arrogance will get God’s attention.

God made Himself known to Pharaoh( who represents the authority of Satan and his total opposition to the authority of God); to the nation of Egypt( a picture of the world); and to the nation of Israel (God’s people).

The process of God that He sent to set His people Israel free from the bondage of Egypt is a representation of the conflict that is in the universe between God and Satan.

It was God’s ‘Heavenly Coming’.

It is also a picture of God’s people who are in the world but not a part of the world. A world that is governed by the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2 NKJV)

The conflict is over who is in charge?

God or Satan.

The answer is God.

His opposition is Satan.

Is there a conflict?

Is there an ongoing battle?

Is God threatened by this conflict?

Absolutely not!

How has Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the Creator of the world, the One and Only True God responded to this uprising by Satan?

His response actually took place before the foundation of the world in eternity.(Ephesians 1-3)

The explanation of His response is found from cover to cover within God’s written Word, the Bible.

God’s people today, the Church, the Ekklesia, like those who have gone before them, must take its stand in the Word of God.

Reflect on these words: “For you were once in darkness [Egypt, the world], but now you are light [out of the world, and ‘in Christ, Who is the Light of the world] in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness [Egypt, the world], but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things which are exposed are made manifest by the light [Q: when you turn a light on, what leaves?)] for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says, “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” “. [Paul’s call to the Church is to remind them that they, too, were once not saved, in darkness, and they came to the light, now live like it.] Continuing, “See then that you walk circumspectly (carefully, [a marginal note]), not as fools [a fool is one who says there is no God,Psalms 14:1], but as wise (Proverbs 9:8-10) redeeming the time because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:8-16, NKJV) [inserts mine]

In context, Paul, speaking to the Church at Ephesus, is reminding them of their responsibility as Christians to be sure that their lifestyle does not reflect the lifestyle of the world but reflects the life of Christ to which they are being conformed.

Using Proverbs 9:8-10 Amplified Version, to help us focus,

“Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he that hates you; correct a wise man [who learns from his error] and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.”

This, I believe, is the teaching spirit of Paul, as he addresses the Ephesian Church in their midst of struggles to persevere and continue in faithfulness to the Lord.

If you have been a follower of my posts, then you know, and it is no surprise to you that the “days are evil”(Ephesians 5:16).

Am I sharing anything that the Body of Christ is not already aware of?

I sincerely doubt it.

Then, why, the posts?

I want you, Church, to see what Paul is teaching through encouragement and admonition to the Church at Ephesus.

He begins showing them that they are ‘seated in Christ’, “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name, that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.” (Ephesians 1:21, NKJV)

i.e.: seated above the “prince of the power of the air”.

Because of the finished work of the cross (Ephesians 2:1-10), “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus… ” (Ephesians 2:4-6, NKJV)

Next, Paul (Ephesians 4-5) focuses their attention on ‘walking out’ what God has birthed within them, “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called”(Ephesians 4:1 NKJV); Ephesians 5:2, NKJV, “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

Paul shares how Christ has loved us and how we should love one another.

Then in Ephesians 6:1-9, Paul focuses upon the importance of obedience in our earthly relationships, which is paramount to walking in love as Christ has loved us.

Finally, in Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul brings their attention to the importance of spiritual warfare.

Why? because the ‘days are evil’.

Read Ephesian 6:10-18.

Paul’s emphasis is to stand.

Why the emphasis on standing?

Because we, believers in Christ, the Body of Christ, the called out ones, are in the midst of a spiritual conflict, doing spiritual warfare, because the ‘days are evil’.

Let me say emphatically, the Church must awake to this realization in this hour of its existence.

In every generation, the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has realized its generational spiritual warfare.

There are many in the Body of Christ today that are fighting this ‘conflict’ daily, by praying and interceding for their loved ones, this nation, and the ‘slumbering church’ that does not understand where it sits; how it is to walk; and for what it is to stand.

Please look up Psalm 1 and read it carefully.

Many years ago, it was pointed out to me that the three words Paul structured his letter to the Ephesian Church-sit,walk, and stand-is the teaching of Psalm 1.

What is the blessing, admonition, and result of heeding the words of Psalm 1?

It is dependent upon your personal answers to the following questions.

Q: How is your relationship to the Lord?

Q: Does it reflect the characteristics and fruit of the world?

Q: Or, does it reflect the characteristics and fruit of Christ?

Remember-the ‘days are evil’.

This was emphasized at the beginning of this post.

Please read 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

Question: Will your lifestyle as a believer in Christ Jesus withstand the evil influence and pressure of Ephesians 6:12, Amplified Version?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending with only physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly [supernatural] places.” (personal insert-this is another way of describing the ‘prince of the power of the air’ and his demons)

Remembering Ephesians 1:21 Amplified Version, who did Jesus conquer at the cross? “…all rule and all authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human]…”

Combine this with Colossians 2:15, Amplified Version, “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession] having triumphed over them through the cross.”

I am not forgetting that Jesus is the Lamb of God that died as the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

What the Church needs, is to be re-awakened, to the truth that there is an adversary-Satan, and the angels that rebelled with him.

The warfare between the Church and Satan will continue until Christ returns.

B.U.T. – But Understand This – Church!

The ‘work of the Cross’ won.

The power of Satan has been conquered.

One of the mysteries of the Sovereignty of God is His permission allowing Satan to continue to have the influence he exerts in the world today.

I Peter 5:8-9, Amplified Version, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined, be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry] seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack-rooted, established, immovable] {may I insert this thought? this is a picture of Ephesian 6:12, stand}, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone].

God’s Heavenly Comings are dramatic, bringing judgment and salvation.

God’s Heavenly Coming to His people, the nation of Israel, was manifested through 10 plagues.

God brought a Personal ‘saving’ revelation of Himself to His people and Personal revelation of ‘judgment’ to Pharaoh and to the nation of Egypt.

The night of the 10th plague, the nation of Israel, in obedience to God’s Word, stayed in their dwelling places, under the blood of a lamb. (Exodus 12)

They were saved.

Saved from what?

Those in the land of Egypt whose dwelling places did not have blood applied over the entrance to their household experienced judgment of the death of their first born. (Exodus 12:29-30)

The purpose of taking Israel ‘out’ of Egypt (type of the world, the kingdom of darkness) was so that He could bring them ‘into’ the land (type of the Kingdom of God) that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God is keeping His covenant with His people.

When we respond in faith to the message of the Gospel, He saves us, and brings out of sin and death and brings us into Christ in Whom we have the forgiveness of sin, and we are born again by the Spirit of God.

We are brought out of the kingdom of darkness(Egypt, world) and into the glorious Kingdom of Light(Kingdom of God).

We have passed from death unto life, because of the blood of Christ.

The nation of Israel came out ‘under the blood’ and went through the Red Sea on dry land.

We, too, come out of death because of the Blood of the Lamb and then our old nature is buried in the water (Red Sea) of baptism identifying with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We come up out of the water into the newness of life. The old has passed away and all things have become new in Christ Jesus. (insert mine)

I recommend that you read I Corinthians 10:1-13.

Just as the nation of Israel had to journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, so we, too, are on a spiritual journey with the Lord until He brings us into His Presence.

We must understand that we are walking with the Lord daily.

Our life’s journey is out from the world of darkness that has been left behind; and walking with Him through the wilderness chosen by Him to conform us to Himself and be a mature son or daughter of God, now.

God has brought out His people from under the government of the world, and led them into the wilderness to teach them about His rule and reign for their lives.

Guess what?

‘That’ is exactly the same journey we are on after we come to Christ and are saved; and then learn to live out our life with Him.

Our story is a story of learning the rule and reigning of God in our life.

So, who is in charge?

‘That’ is Paul’s heart for the Churches that h has founded.

‘That’ is the substance of his letters.

Read Philippians 3, in the Amplified Version it is entitled The Goal of Life.

Philippians 3:12 Amplified Version, reads, “Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.”

TBC

Blessings, your brother in Christ, on His journey with the Lord, learning His rule and reign in my life, too-deo