Heavenly Comings! Part 3

As I was pondering this subject of ‘Heavenly Comings’, it occurred to me that the entirety of Scripture is a series of God’s Sovereign Interventions, that I have called A Heavenly Coming.

Where does one begin? The Book of Genesis is all about God’s Heavenly Interventions, or His, A.I.s–Adonai’s Interventions.

I have chosen to introduce this POST using the Book of Exodus.

The story of the Exodus regarding the children of Israel from the land of Egypt is an incredible continuation of the history of God’s people that originated with God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jacob’s family history, his name being changed to Israel, and the events surrounding his son, Joseph, are historical interventions of God that were the backdrop for the Exodus of Israel from Egypt.

According to Exodus 12:40, on the ‘very’ day, when the nation of Israel left the land of Egypt after the tenth plague, Israel had lived in the land for 430 years. (See Genesis 15:1-19) [I know some question the word ‘very’]

The Exodus of the nation of Israel represents the culmination of God’s A.C.T.I.O.N on behalf of His people that were crying out for deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

The nation of Egypt and the nation of Israel are going to experience God’s Heavenly Coming.

His coming will be orchestrated by Him through two people, Moses and Aaron.

God sent ten plagues upon the nation of Egypt.

Some of these plagues fell up on the nation of Egypt and the nation of Israel; however, beginning with the fourth plague, the plagues fell only upon the nation of Egypt.

God told Moses, Exodus 8:22-24 NKJV, “And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land. I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.”

These words were spoken by Moses to Pharaoh.

Plagues four through ten occurred in the land of Egypt; but in the land of Goshen, in Egypt, where God’s people lived, the plagues did not affect the nation of Israel.

God’s intervention was a ‘real and tangible’ difference.

This was the type of ACTION God took to deliver His people.

The word A.C.T.I.O.N. has an acronym. (I like acronyms)

Adonai’s Chosen Time In Our Nation.

Regarding Israel, this was Adonai’s Chosen Time In the Nation of Egypt.

God’s ACTION was His ‘Heavenly Coming’.

The nation of Israel was delivered from Egypt through a series of ten plagues. (Exodus 5-12:36)

The ten plagues caused a lot of ‘ten‘sion.

They were miraculously delivered from Egypt.

Pharaoh and his army pursued Israel soon after they left Egypt.

The nation of Israel found themselves between the Red Sea that was before them, and Pharaoh and his army that was behind them. (Exodus 14:1-12)

Let’ say, they were between a ‘rock and a hard place’.

Circumstantial or by design?

There is no doubt this is God’s sovereignty at work watching over His people.

What a wonderful opportunity for God to reveal Himself.

Does it surprise you that Adonai Intervened?

Absolutely not!

God divided the Red Sea so that Israel passed through on dry ground.

Pharaoh and His army attempting to do the same thing by pursuing them were drowned in that sea by ‘Adonai’s Intervention’ after Israel had safely passed through to the other side. (Exodus 14:13-31)

Israel’s Exodus from Egypt is the beginning of what becomes an arduous journey in the wilderness for Israel.

It was God’s plan to bring His people into the land promised to Israel’s patriarchs: Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. (Genesis 12-50)

Fast forward to Joshua 5:13-15.

Israel has ‘just crossed over’ the Jordan River into the promised land that God had promised to Israel for their homeland.

What does ‘just crossed over’ mean in the history of the nation of Israel?

Their ‘just crossing over’ was 40 years after their departure from Egypt.

Why the delay?

Their unbelief, had put on hold, an entire generation from inheriting the promise of God.

Everyone in the adult generation that had departed originally from Egypt died in the wilderness, except for Joshua, Caleb, and two others.

What happened?

Joshua and Caleb were two of twelve spies sent into the land to ‘check it out’ and report back.

The twelve spies returned.

Ten spies said ‘we can’t do this’; Joshua and Caleb, believed God, and said, ‘Yes, we can do this’.

The bad report prevailed and the result was a 40 year history of wandering in the wilderness until the unbelieving generation had completely died.

Because Joshua and Caleb believed God to fulfill His Word as promised, God was with them (as they waited in the wilderness) and they finally entered the promised land.

But they had to wait until all the previous people who did not believe died out.

The report of the spies said that there were ‘giants’ in the land. (Numbers 13-14)

Their report was true.

The nation of Israel ‘grumbled’ and ‘complained’

This was their normal response since they entered into the wilderness after leaving Egypt.

Initially, they rejoiced, having witnessed, God’s overthrow of Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea.

Three days later, when a need arose, instead of realizing that the same God that had brought them out of Egypt was in their midst, they forget what God had done to Pharaoh and his army, and they grumbled and complained.

In fact, they thought it would be better to return to Egypt.

I would like to suggest that you stop here and take time to read Deuteronomy 8.

Deuteronomy 8 will give you a clear picture of the ‘heart’ of the nation of Israel and their relationship to God. It will also explain to you what God was doing in the ‘heart’ of His people.

Paul, addressing the believers in Corinth, recalling the history of the nation of Israel, specifically their grumbling and complaining in the wilderness, reminds them about their forefathers who died in the wilderness. (I Corinthians 10:1-11:1)

Quoting The MacAuthur Study Bible, page 1743, study notes: 10:1-13, “Ancient Israel’s 40-year journey between Egypt and Caanan (Exodus 13:21; 14:16; 16:15; 17:6) is a sobering illustration of the misuse of freedom and the dangers of overconfidence. The Israelites missed their new found freedom, fell into idolatry, immorality, and rebelliousness, disqualifying themselves from receiving the Lord’s blessing.”

Question: Is this possible today in the Church?

Answer: Absolutely.

I believe that Deuteronomy 8 shows us a progression of the ‘heart’ that can occur in the life of an individual, the Church, or in a nation.

It was mentioned earlier that there were two others who were denied entrance into the land of promise.

Those two were Moses and his brother Aaron.

Moses was the Lord’s hand picked leader to represent Him to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt.

Aaron had been sent by the LORD to be a support to Moses because of Moses’ reluctance to be what God had chosen him to be. (Exodus 2-4)

Moses was not allowed to enter the land of promise because he disobeyed what God had instructed him to do.

Moses misrepresented the Spirit of the Lord, by ministering in his own spirit.

Numbers 20:1-13 is the context of Moses disobedience.

What’s the issue?

There was no water. (Not an unusual problem in the desert.)

Had this been an issue before? Yes (Exodus 15:22-27)

Ironically, as mentioned before that happened three days after their Red Sea miracle. (Exodus 14-15)

Let’s read what took place that disqualified Moses from entering the promised land.

Numbers 20:7-13 NKJV, “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So Moses took the rod, and from before the LORD as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted has hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.”

What’s wrong with this ‘picture’?

The ‘spirit of the people’ that Moses was leading had gained entrance into ‘his own spirit’ and he, too, spoke like the people, with a verbal rebellion.

His spirit is not being governed by God’s Spirit.

What’s gracious about this ‘picture’?

In spite of Moses’ disobedience, God graciously brought forth water from the rock.

The nation of Israel got what they wanted.

They were unaware of Moses’disobedience.

What happened next?

God confronts Moses and Aaron.

Why?

They spoke for God in the wrong spirit, their own.

(Numbers 20:12-13 NKJV) “Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the LORD, and He was hallowed among them.”

Before we exit Numbers 20, and the aforementioned incident, Numbers 20:22-29 records the death of Aaron, and the installation of Aaron’s son, Eleazar, as High-Priest.

The event of Aaron’s death is not morbid.

His death is for the same reason that an entire generation died out in the wilderness because he did not believe God’s Word spoken to him.

God tells Moses to “Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor; and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; for Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there….Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. Now when the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.” (Numbers 20:25, 28b, 29 NKJV)

Aaron did not get to enter into the promised land because of disobedience.

This is an account about Heaven Coming/Adonai’s Intervention.

Deuteronomy 35:48-52: God gives instruction to Moses about the end of his life before Him, and He reminds him why he cannot enter into the promised land.

Deuteronomy 34:1-8 records Moses’ last day here on earth.

Moses was shown the land by God .

Deuteronomy 34:4 NKJV: “Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’, I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not go over there.”

Moses’ death is a personal encounter between the two of them.

Think about how much time God and Moses had spent together throughout Moses lifetime.

In spite of Moses’ disobedience, I suggest, God honored their relationship personally overseeing Moses’ death.

Deuteronomy 34:5-6 NKJV says, “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.”

Many people believe that the promised land is a reference to heaven.

I personally do not hold that position.

If that were true, then logically, Moses is not in heaven because he did not get to enter into the land because of his disobedience.

Consider this, Matthew 17:1-8, tells us that Jesus went up onto a mountain top with Peter, James, and John.

On this mountain top, Jesus was transfigured, meaning there is a change in HIS appearance that affirmed “the essential glory of Jesus the Messiah.” (insert mine from the MacArthur Study Bible)

I bring this to our attention because standing on the mountain top, next to the ‘transfigured’ Jesus are two people, Moses and Elijah.

Commentators say that Moses represents the Law and that Elijah represents the prophets.

Moses is ok.

His disobedience is forgiven, and forgotten.

He has received God’s grace and mercy.

But, one may ask, where does it say that in the Bible?

I do not believe that it does; but it is certainly implied.

There is an interesting passage of scripture that I believe verifies Moses relationship to God has been reconciled.

Jude 9 (The Tree of Life Version), says, “But when Michael the archangel, disputing with the devil, was arguing about the body of Moses, he did not dare to render a judgment against him to slander, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you.”

I bring this scripture to our attention not to consider the issues for its inclusion by the Holy Spirit, but to substantiate what I shred about the relationship between God and Moses personally.

And,

when you consider Hebrew 11:23-29, the testimony of Moses has a legacy of faith that motivated him.

Moses is a sinner just like you and me.

Moses is not a perfect man.

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Romans 3:23 NKJV (MacArthur Study Bible)

In fact, Moses was a murderer(Exodus 2:11-13) and he found forgiveness.

Moses spent 40 years in the desert from the time he had killed an Egyptian and the time God called and chose him to lead His nation, Israel.

I believe Moses confessed his sin and found forgiveness for his act of murder just as he found forgiveness by not speaking to the rock as he was told to do by God.

Why do I believe this?

As mentioned before, God took personal oversight in Moses’ burial.

In closing: ‘Heaven’ came to earth to intervene in the life of the nation of Israel.

They were taken ‘out of’ Egypt to be ‘brought into’ the land of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God keeps His Word.

Moses has died and God has buried him.

Now, there must be a change in leadership.

Who did God choose to replace Moses?

Moses’ understudy, Joshua.

Joshua means ‘Jesus Saves’ or ‘the LORD is salvation’.

TBC

Personal note: At the end of this day, I realized that in principle I, too, did the same thing Moses had done. I was instructed not to do something; yet I did what I was instructed not to do. Therefore, I have transgressed against one who is an authority in my life. I have asked the Lord to forgive me; and now I need to tell the one whose words I did not obey, about my disobedience, and ask his forgiveness.

your brother in Christ, deo

Heaven is Really Coming! Part 2

This POST is a bridge of thought between the previous post and the next post.

In the previous post it was emphasized that the Third Person of the Trinity was sent on the the day of the Feast of Pentecost to empower Jesus’s disciples that had been instructed to wait for the promise of the Father by Jesus Himself. (Acts 1:4-8)

The Spirit of God was poured out (Acts 2: 1-13); and the disciples in an upper room were ‘filled with the Spirit’ and they began to speak in other languages unknown to them but known to others that heard their speaking.

The result of this outpouring of the Spirit was the fulfillment of what the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-29) had prophesied.

In fact, that was the starting point of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the promise of the Father had come from heaven to the disciples in an upper room.

Peter preached to those who had heard and seen what happened. (Acts 2: 14-36)

The substance of Peter’s words were centered on Christ, emphasizing His crucifixion and His resurrection. (Acts 2:22-24, 29-33,36)

Peter said, Acts 2:36 NKJV, “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

These words were quickened by the Holy Spirit, in the hearts and minds of those who had heard what Peter had shared.

This is the work of the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit.

His work (John 16:8-11, NKJV), when He comes, is to “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness , because I go to My Father, and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler (Satan) of this world is judged.” (insert mine)

When Peter finished his words, (or maybe when they interrupted him), he was asked a question by the crowd. (Acts 2:37) (insert mine)

Acts 2:37 (NKJV) says “when they heard this, they were cut to the heart (that is the work of the Spirit), and they said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (insert mine)

Acts 2:38,39 NKJV, tells us.

Peter said in response to their question. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, (that’s us), as the Lord our God will call.” (insert mine)

Acts 2:40-47 records for us the glorious aftermath of this question, Peter’s response, and what took place in the lives of about three thousand people that day.

The Spirit of God was poured out upon the followers of Christ; they were baptized in the Holy Spirit; the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ was preached; those who heard Peter’s words were”cut to the heart” by the Spirit; and around 3000 people were ‘saved’. (emphasis mine)

The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ began formally.

The Holy Spirit is the One who governs the activities of the Church, empowers it to function as the Body of Christ, and to carry out the will of Christ, Who is the Head of the Church.

In the previous post, it was shared that God is taking ACTION in this nation, this world, in the lives of individual people, and in the life of the Church.

Heaven Is Coming in a way that this generation has not witnessed before. (emphasis mine)

There have been past revivals and awakenings throughout the history of the Church; but God is about to break forth in a powerful way not seen or witnessed before with an intensity that is coming.

God is taking A.C.T.I.O.N to bring about a mighty outpouring of His Spirit to awaken mankind to Him; and will by the Holy Spirit bear witness to the preaching of His Word, confirming His Word with signs and wonders following. (Mark 16:20)

A.C.T.I.O.N. is an acronym for ‘A Chosen Time In This Nation’.

If you are aware of what has been happening throughout the world and in our nation, then you know that God, is confirming the preaching of His Word with signs and wonders following; and that many people are coming to Christ, being water baptized, and being filled with the Spirit.

It is God’s AI–Adonai’s Intervention.

It has begun, and it is going to increase mightily.

I encourage you to check out what God is doing on college campuses in our nation.

God is shaking and this shaking the lives of individuals, this nation, and the world. (Hebrews 12:25-29)

Many Christians, many churches, and different church denominations are coming to cross-road.

Many believers in Christ are going to be like those in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost ‘seeing and hearing’ the coming of the Holy Spirit from heaven.

They will be asking themselves.

What does this mean?

The short answer is that God is moving in all the earth.

It will be awesome.

blessings, your brother in Christ, deo

Heaven Is Coming! Part 1

In the late 1960’s, I said to my wife, Christine, “If this is all there is to Christianity, then I want out.”

Was I in despair? What is the basis for such a statement?

I can only make conjecture.

I think I can safely say that it was a frustration of an unsatisfied spiritual life that I was not even aware that I had.

I am grateful to the Lord that upon hearing those words of ‘despair’ He didn’t abandon me (us); but graciously, mercifully, and lovingly, intervened in our lives and showed us that there is truly more to Christianity than one may think.

In essence, heaven intervened.

Christine and I both grew up attending church.

It was, shall I say, part of our childhood life; what we did; and what was expected.

We were married in 1964 at the ‘mature’ age of 20.

Legally, when we were married; Christine was my legal guardian under the law. I didn’t turn 21 until two months after we were married. (lol)

Because we ‘grew up attending church’, we looked for a church to ‘attend’, believing it was right to do so.

The normal thing to do, right?

We wanted it to be part of our married life.

We looked. We attended. We were dissatisfied with what we saw and heard.

We were not ‘satisfied’.

Question: What were we looking for? I am not sure we knew.

Little did we know that the Lord was guiding our footsteps.

That’s called Sovereignty and Providence.

Christine and I were both nominal Christians at best.

We had some Biblical understanding (I think); but basically trained to ‘attend’ church.

Speaking for myself, I had some basic Biblical understanding; but I cannot quantify it, other than it was shallow; yet there was a foundation that had been laid that ‘attending church’ was important.

Question: What was the Lord’s response to my personal words of ‘despair’?

Answer: The Lord introduced us to the Third Person of the Trinity.

His Name is Holy Spirit.

It has been nearly 60 years since that intervention.

The Lord began revealing to us who Holy Spirit is, and what is His part in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ; His function in the Church; and His part in the salvific plan of redemption by the God-head.

During the past 60 years of our married life, our journey with the Lord has been more than we could have imagined.

Married at 20;turning 81 in 2024; we have lived 75% of our lives together under the tutelage of the Lord, guided by Holy Spirit, learning to please the Father, walking by faith in obedience to the Word of God.

We were ‘enrolled’ in the ‘School of the Spirit’, as members of the Body of Christ, the Church by the Lord.

This enrollment included ‘attending’ church.

But it was much more than just ‘attending’.

We, were now, as outlined in Acts 2:42 NASV, “…continually devoting (ourselves) themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. (insert mine)

Question: What brought about an abrupt change in lifestyle to those who were in Jerusalem fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection?

Answer: Acts 2:1-4 NASV, “And when the day of Pentecost had come (was being fulfilled), they [followers of Christ] were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” (marginal notes) [insert mine]

I want to ‘arrest’ your mind.

I want you to disregard your ‘scriptural prejudices’ about the Day of Pentecost for a moment.

Lay those thoughts aside.

I want you to focus not on ‘what’ took place; but to focus on ‘Who’ came “from heaven“.

Emphasizing Acts 2:2: it begins with these words-“And suddenly there came from heaven…”.

I am NOT minimizing God, the Father; NOR am I minimizing Jesus, the Son.

I am pointing out ‘Who’ came: God, the Holy Spirit.

This is the One, the Lord introduced us too.

I had hardly ever heard about the Holy Spirit growing up in church, as I remember.

The Lord introduced the Person that we needed functioning in our lives.

The Third Person of the Trinity.

The Holy Spirit is the Promise of the Father, according to the words of Jesus, the Son. (Luke 24:49)

The Promise of the Father is one of the central truths explained to Christ’s disciples in the Upper Room, the night of His arrest.

In context, Jesus is speaking about His soon departure going back to the Father.

He is reassuring His disciples of His love and care for them.

He is instructing them about praying to the Father; the ground rules for praying; the expected results of prayer; and about the coming of the Holy Spirit.

This is all found in John 14-16.

Let me paraphrase.

Jesus is speaking to them about a GAP that is going to occur shortly; and how He, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are going to be there for them.

In order to go back to the Father, Jesus will lay down His life as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

He is headed to the Cross!

The G.A.P.- Jesus shares with them about His Going; Assurance, and a Promise.

Jesus emphasizing His oneness with His Father. He instructs His disciples about praying to the Father; the conditions for praying when praying to the Father; and the assurance of answered prayer from the Father.

Continuing, Jesus says, in John 14:16-18 NASV,

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, who the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him, or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Again, let me ‘quiet’ your mind.

Put aside your ‘scriptural prejudices’.

Do you hear what Jesus is saying?

First of all, as His disciple, He invokes the entire God-head, the Trinity is there for you. God-the Father; God-the Son; and God-the Holy Spirit.

Go back and read the verses.

Secondly, He has been physically with them for three plus years; but very shortly, His presence, as they know it, is going to be removed from them.

And He knows that is going to devastate them.

Jesus said they would be as ‘orphans’.

What does that conjure up in your mind?

Maybe you understand that personally?

Third, Jesus is assuring them, that His Father will send them another Person to replace Him in their lives.

That Person is the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

Fast forward to the Day of Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit came; descended out of heaven ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, on the Day of Pentecost.

I contend, that many in the Church today, have an ‘unsatisfied spiritual life’.

There is an undercurrent of a cry in many believer’s hearts like the cry of my heart almost 60 years ago that said, “If this is all that Christianity is about, then I want out.”

I understand now that this was not a statement of disowning my salvation.

This was a longing of the ‘heart of a sheep’ looking for something that is missing and really can’t put a ‘handle’ on it.

I also know I didn’t realize that at that time.

(I barely understood what it meant to be saved.)

I had an ‘unsatisfied life’ explained to me many years ago.

I encourage you to read Psalm 42:1-6 and reflect on the words.

If this is truly the cry of your heart, then read the rest of Psalm 42 and Psalm 43.

Our ‘unsatisfied life’ changes as we learn to be content in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, submitting to His Headship, guided and enabled by Holy Spirit, and learning to walk by faith pleasing our heavenly Father, according to the Word of God, in the context of the Church, as summarized in Acts 2:42: that is centered in the ‘apostles teaching’; maintaining ‘fellowship’ with the Body of Christ; ‘breaking bread’ with the Church; and ‘prayer’, individually and corporately.

The Holy Spirit is an active member of the God-Head.

His activity is documented from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21.

The Person of the Holy Spirit cannot be ignored when living the Christian life.

The Person of the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the entire purpose of God as revealed in the Word of God.

I encourage you to ask the Lord to reveal to you the Person and work of the Holy Spirit in your life.

I am not saying that the Holy Spirit is not in you.

If you belong to Christ, then the Spirit of God dwells in you. (Romans 8:9,10)

I am confident that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is about to be confronted with an A.I. moment orchestrated by God, the Father.

I call it, Adonai’s Intervention–Acts 2:2 says, “and suddenly there came from heaven…”

The Holy Spirit came at the Feast of Pentecost ten days after Jesus’ ascension.

Here is what I want you to think about?

Question: When you pray the prayer Jesus gave to His disciples,when they asked Him to teach them to pray in Matthew 6, what do you expect as a response when you say the following words? (Matthew 6:9,10, NASV)

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” (emphasis mine)

What is your expectation?

My expectation is my Father’s intervention.

Our Father is coming with an Adonai Intervention is going to suddenly happen soon!

‘suddenly from heaven’.

This intervention is NOT the second coming of Christ; but it will be a coming of the Holy Spirit, convicting the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. (John 16:8)

It will be a ‘suddenly’ that will reveal the Presence and Power of God to our nation and the nations of the world before the return of Christ.

God, Himself, is coming with ACTION.

It’s A Chosen Time In Our Nation.

This coming will awaken His Church. (Ephesians 5:13-21)

This awakening will bring change to the Church.

There is a shaking coming.

Hebrews 12:25-28 NASV:

“See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less shall we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. And His voice shook the earth then, but now He promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” And this expression, “Yet once more” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, in order that those things which cannot be shaken remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.”

May the Lord richly bless you as you faithfully continue to follow Him,

blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

It’s Christmas Eve Day

This morning before I arose, a chorus came to mind and I found myself singing it.

“Thank you Lord for saving my soul; Thank you Lord for making me whole; Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free.”

What makes the truth of these words to this chorus a reality?

Luke 2:8-15, NAS, “And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger (feeding trough, marginal note). And suddenly there appears with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased. And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

What did they go to see?

Luke 2:1-7, NAS, “Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inn.”

The reason, we, and multitudes of others, can sing the above chorus is because the message of the birth of Christ the Lord, is still being told by ‘shepherds’ proclaiming, “I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; …there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

That is the joy of remembering and celebrating the birth of Christ.

That is the joy of gathering with family and friends, sharing presents with one another, as God, the Father, shared the greatest gift that He personally could give, His very Own Son.

An unmarried young woman, being pregnant, and her betrothal to Joseph is a great burden to bear.

Ask Joseph and Mary about such a burden.

Yet that is what God asked of them regarding the birth of His Son.

Jesus was not not begotten naturally.

Jesus was Fathered miraculously.

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1 NAS)

The genealogy says that natural fathers, fathered, natural sons.

“To Abraham was born Isaac” (Matthew 1:2 NAS).

This same wording is used throughout the recorded genealogy.

In Matthew 1:16-17, NAS, it says, “…and to Jacob was born Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ (the Messiah, marginal note). Therefore all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation of Babylon fourteen generation; and from the deportation to Babylon to the time of Christ (the Messiah, marginal note) fourteen generations.”

Joseph is not identified as the father of Jesus.

In the third section of the fourteen generations, God, through the prophet Isaiah, speaking to the nation of Judah, and directly to King Ahaz, (Isaiah 7) is pouring out His heart to His people to turn to Him for reliance from the impending invasion that is being planned by “Rezin the king of Aram and Pekah… the king of Israel”, when they “…they went up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but not conquer (fight against, marginal note) it.”

Isaiah, speaking for God, is directed to go and meet King Ahaz, and say to him, (vs 4), “Take care, and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands, on account of their fierce anger…”(vs 5) because these two kings have “planned evil for you, saying, (vs 6) Let us go up against Judah and terrorize it, and make for ourselves a breach in its walls, and set the son of Tabeel, as king in the midst of it, (vs 7), thus says the Lord God (Yahweh, marginal note), It shall not come to pass. In verses 8, 9 God tells King Ahaz that the two countries that are seeking to overthrow him, will be overthrown in the fullness of God’s time. At the end of verse 9, the word of the Lord, through Isaiah, to King Ahaz is, “If you will not believe, you shall surely not last “(be established, marginal note).

God, through the prophet Isaiah, tries to encourage King Ahaz to take His word being given to him seriously.

God loves His people in spite of their turning away from Him.

In context, what is requested by God, for King Ahaz to avail himself of, is to ask Him for a sign to verify what He, God, is telling him (King Ahaz) is true.

God is leaving ‘no stone unturned’, so to speak, to show King Ahaz, and to the people of Judah, His covenantal love for them.

The nation, of Judah, God’s people, have turned away from Him, ignored Him, and His covenant with them, and looked to others for their help and livelihood.

Here the heart of God for His people.

Isaiah 7:10-14 NAS, “Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; make it (make the request deep or high, marginal note) deep as Sheol or high as heaven” (heights, marginal note). “But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!”

Q: is Ahaz’s response humble or hypocritical? A: most commentators agree that Ahaz’s response is hypocritical.

Continuing: (vs 13) “Then he (Isaiah) said, “Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of God as well? (vs 14) Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son , and she will call his name Immanuel.”

In context, God is saying, based upon the present circumstances that King Ahaz and Judah are confronted with there will be a natural birth; a birth that will be a sign to King Ahaz. An unmarried woman will give birth to a son, and she will call the name of her son, Immanuel. This natural birth is a sign signifying to King Ahaz that God is with them.

(To understand the various positions regarding this event, you would need to read commentaries.)

I, personally find it interesting, that this virgin, in the days of King Ahaz called her son, Immanuel, which means, ‘God with us’. In the account to Christ’s birth, both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph(Matthew 1:21) were told to name the Child, Jesus.

The name Jesus (Word Wealth, NKJV Spirit Filled Life Bible) [Jesus, lesous; Strong’s #2424: The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Yeshua, “He Shall Save,” which is the shorter form of Yehoshua(Joshua), “Yahweh is Salvation”. It was a common male name. Ten men in the OT were named Yeshua, and three men in the NT, in addition to the Lord, were so named.]

Let’s compare:

To Joseph, the angel said, “And she (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”

To Mary, the angel said, “And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.” (verse 32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father, David.”

To the virgin in Judah, during the reign of King Ahaz, God said, through Isaiah, “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you (King Ahaz) a sign: Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

{Reflection: Last Sunday, Pastor Kent, at North Creek Church was sharing on Isaiah 7:14. Commenting on the verse, King Ahaz refused to ask for a sign; but God made His own sign. That sign was the birth of His Own Son, the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God.}

There is no greater sign.

We are confronted with an incredible event that ‘boggles the mind’-the Incarnation of God in human flesh.

Previously, I composed a post(2022) entitled, Incarnation: Significant or Insignificant, I followed that post (2023) with an upgrade to Christmas: According to AI, and today on Christmas Eve day, 2024, we are, again, considering the miraculous intervention of God, Himself, in lives of His created humanity.

As Pastor Kent alluded to on Sunday past, the Incarnation is the greatest miracle in the entirety of the Word of God.

Galatians 3:4-7 NAS, Paul writes, “But when the fullness of the time came. God sent forth His Son, born of a woman (promise of Genesis 3:15), born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons (Ephesians 2:8-10), God has sent for the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying Abba Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, then an heir through (through the gracious act of Romans 8:17-marginal note) God.” (inserts mine)

Hebrews 10:5-7 NAS, the author says, quoting Psalm 40:6-8, “Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering Thou hast not desired, but a body thou hast prepared for Me; In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold I have come (In the roll of the book it is written of Me, To do Thy will O God.’ ” (emphasis mine)

Without a Divine Incarnation there is no body; there is no perfect Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world; there is no Savior for mankind.

In the first post, Incarnation: Significant or Insignificant, my wife Christine, came and shared with me a picture she had drawn, while she was reflecting upon the birth of Christ. The picture that see drew had these words, “Without Christmas and the manger, there is no Calvary, no Cross.”

She is absolutely correct. God, Himself, laid aside all His grandeur, and “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made (through the Incarnation) in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8 NAS) [insert mine]

That required a body.

The infant body was wrapped in swaddling cloths. I do not believe that it is wrong to assume that the baby Jesus was cleaned of the birth residue that was on His body before He was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger.

That baby grew into manhood, in an adult body that was stripped and hung on a cross, was crucified,bled and died, and was wrapped in cloths for burial.

Jewish custom was that “the body was washed with lukewarm water, anointed with fragrant oils, and wrapped in a linen shroud. This body was also covered in a linen robe.”

According to John 19:31 NAS, After the Jews had made their final requests regarding Jesus of Pilate, “because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath ( for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their leg might be broken and that they might be taken away.” The Jews didn’t want the bodies hanging on the crosses.

John 19:32-37,NAS, Pilate honored their request, and his soldiers fulfilled the request to break their legs; however, having broken the legs of the two thieves, when they came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead and they did not need to break His legs; however one soldier did pierce His side, and “immediately there came out blood and water.”(vs.34)

This ending of the crucifixion moment is significant because vs. 35-37 tell us, “And he who has seen has borne witness, and his witness is true; and he knows that the is telling the truth, so that many may believe. For these things came to pass that the scriptures that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” “

These seemingly minor incidents are not insignificant. They fulfill the prophetic Word of God regarding He, Who is the Word of God, Jesus.

Returning to our thoughts about Christ’s burial.

John 19:38-42 NAS, tells us, “And after these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one, for fear of Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. He came therefore, and took away His body. And Nicodemus came also, who had first come to Him by night; bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. And so they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore on account of the Jewish Day of preparation, because the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” (my thought-the timing of His burial fulfilled the Law, just wondering?)

I, also, find it interesting that the life of Jesus began with a man named Joseph who assisted His birth, and a man named Joseph who assisted with His burial.

The story of the Incarnation is filled with wonder, majesty, and amazement.

The story of the life of Christ is equally filled with wonder, majesty, and amazement.

The conclusion of Christ’s life is, too, equally filled with wonder, majesty, and amazement, with it’s horrific events.

This year, I am amazed that the infant body was Christ was cleaned up and wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, a feeding trough. And the adult body of Christ was cleaned up and wrapped in burial cloths and laid in a tomb.

Q: How significant is it that God, Himself, came unto His own, being Incarnated in a virgin’s womb?

As Christine said, “Without Christmas and a manger, there is no Calvary, no Cross.”

It requires a body.

Rejoice a Child has been born, a Son has been given.

Blessings to all, Merry Christmas.

a follower of Christ, deo

The Battle Over Authority, Part 3

In January 2017, after Donald Trump became the President-Elect in the 2016 election, I was watching a news broadcast.

This news broadcast was covering a demonstration against Mr. Trump.

What arrested my attention was a sign being carried by a young woman.

On her placard were two words: ‘be ungoverned’.

I was shocked and concerned.

Those two words epitomized the prevailing attitude that was being expressed before Mr. Trump took office.

Throughout his Presidency, the philosophy of being ‘ungoverned’ grew and demonstrated itself against his term of office.

Those two words, ‘be ungoverned’ simply meant in its most negative sense to reject the authority of Mr. Trump as President of the United States.

Since 2017, this nation has witnessed the seeds of those two words, ‘be ungoverned’, grow-blossom-bear fruit-and reap its ‘spirit of lawlessness’.

I submit to you, that the electorate in our 2024 presidential election, was awakened to the philosophy of the current governing political party, both at the national and state levels; awakened them to some of our business leaders, awakened them to many of our educational institutions, awakened them to many in entertainment industry, and especially made it clear to them that the news media outlets thrived on thrusting their ‘lawlessness rhetoric’ upon the citizens of our nation.

That rhetoric reverberated the full weight of the two words, ‘be ungoverned’.

This awareness spread throughout all ethnicities and demographics that comprised the voting electorate, which many called, the silent majority.

But, there were many, that did not ‘awake’ to what millions of other voters were awakened too, and dictated how they were going to respond at the ballot box.

There is no doubt that millions of people simply hated Mr. Trump.

They were known as ‘never Trumpers’.

There is also no doubt that millions of people were angry against the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade.

The Democratic party strongly advocated abortion.

There were millions of people who had bought into the political philosophy of liberalism and were satisfied with the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ that prevailed in this nation’s culture and society.

A great unknown was how would the Christian community vote, or even not vote.

I know there are a lot of numbers that speak to the demographics of the voting electorate.

I’ll leave that search to you personally.

But let me focus upon what I consider to be the most important issue.

Question: What happens to authority when the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ prevails?

Proverbs 14:34, NASV, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Amplified Version reads, “Righteousness (moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character ) exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.”

I John 3:4, Amplified Version, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness (ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrong doing-being unrestrained by His commands and His will).”

Are we a nation that seeks to live morally, with spiritual integrity, and exhibiting a virtuous character?

Or, has our nation become a disgrace?

Our problem is that we are ‘lawless’; and ‘lawlessness’ is sin.

We neglect God’s Word.

We tolerate wrong doing.

Our nation has a heart issue.

How is that assessed?

Just listen to what people are saying!

What does God’s Word say?

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

Our nation has been listening to evil rhetoric for many years; and the people of his nation have finally ‘heard’ what has been really said.

Now back to the question highlighted above.

The answer to the question is that authority is questioned when the ‘spirit of lawlessness’ prevails.

It creates an undercurrent of ‘uncertainty’; a wrestling with ‘am I safe?’; a feeling of a ‘lack of protection’; a ‘gnawing’ that something is wrong.

“Gnawing is a feeling of persistent discomfort, often anxiety or worry, that can be difficult to ignore. It can make a person feel uneasy or restless.” (googled definition)

I submit to you that the voting electorate in the United States had a ‘gnawing’ feeling that had to be addressed.

I believe that the electorate wanted lawlessness to end and authority to be restored.

I am not so naive as to think that many voters did not consciously feel this way regarding the restoration of authority; but if one examines the politics, the culture, and our society, you will easily discern that there was a ‘gnawing’ of ‘unrest’, even ‘unprecedented unrest’ that was eating (not just the bill for groceries) away at our national identity.

The fruit of our lawlessness has been corruption, chaos, confusion, and daily consternation based upon lies, deception, hidden agendas, and a constant daily rhetoric of untruths collaborated by a tight-knit coalition of net-working a ‘verbal dialogue’ that covered up the destructive plans of those in authority that were running this nation.

As was noted earlier in this post a life of lawlessness is based upon the issues of the heart.

Man made laws are not going to change humanity.

Our Founding Fathers understood that explicitly.

As a nation, we were established with documents that the founders understood would work; but only if ‘we as a people’ sought to be ‘morally and ethically’ upright.

They understood that we, as a nation, need to abide by God’s ‘umbrella’ of Authority, guides by the Word of God.

As Benjamin Franklin said in essence, our Republic will work if we can keep it.

If we reject God’s ‘umbrella’ of Authority, another authority will assert itself and fill the vacuum of that influence of authority.

That is what has taken place.

What is implied is that human nature without lawful restraint would dismantle this nation’s freedom.

On November 5, 2024, the voting electorate sought to put a stop to unlawful restraint.

The people cried out for a return to order.

A return to order implies a return to a governmental system that benefits the nation as a whole; not just those in authority that desire to maintain control, establish their agenda that is antithetical to the Constitution of the United States; and promote a system that benefits them personally and not citizens of this nation.

The ultimate issue of the universe is who is in charge?

The Bible, the Word of God, tells us clearly, Who is in charge?

Almighty God.

When one observes a nation’s society, examines its values, pays attention to its daily rhetoric, it can discern whether or not it values the Word of God.

And if that nation ignores the Word of God, then it ignores God, Himself.

Many in this nation give lip service to God and do their own thing.

That lifestyle is recorded throughout the pages of the Word of God.

Unfortunately, it is most prevalent in the history of the nation of Israel.

Now, many believe that the Church is conducting itself just like the nation of Israel had in the past.

What is necessary to understand is that God is never tolerant of sin. God’s love is long-suffering toward the sinner.

The Word of God is God’s legacy of His long-suffering toward sinful mankind; and the story of His plan of salvation for sinful humanity.

That is the message of the Gospel.

If Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, then you live out your redemption according to the Word of God and the Authority of Christ.

You are no longer under the government of sin and Satan’s influence.

You now live in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ is your King.

He is the King of the Kingdom.

You are under a new government.

A government whose headquarters are in heaven.

The young woman that I mentioned at the beginning of this post carrying the placard with the two words, ‘be ungoverned’ represents many in our nation today that do not want to be governed. They want to rule themselves; and they want a governing body of people who will support them in that lifestyle and live according to self-rule themselves.

We have seen that that philosophy is not shared by many of millions of people in this nation who desire to be governed morally and ethically and in justice and truth.

As this nation moves forward, removing the grave clothes of the previous administration bondage, the battle for authority will continue.

Satan has influenced this nation greatly.

His influence has been overturned at the Cross; and will continue to be overturned by a greater influence-the Authority of Christ and the Word of God.

The election results are the beginning of restoring authority in our nation.

Its impact will be determined by elected officials who seek to restore the guidelines of morality and ethics lived out by them personally.

Alongside this, God is working to restore Biblical authority in the Church and a renewed awareness of the Headship of Christ, as the Head of the Church, His Body. That Headship is governed by the Holy Spirit in and through the Church.

Moving forward requires the grace and mercy of God to exercise His Authority, in a demonstrative way, manifesting Himself by His Presence, confirming His Word and Person with signs and wonders, as is written in the New Testament, especially in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. This will awaken mankind to the reality of God in a dynamic way, bringing many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Change is coming-a change that only God can do-a change He desires to do-to bring about the salvation of many individuals-and a restoration of this nation to accomplish will and purpose as originally intended.

Satan will oppose this work.

That is a given.

That is no big deal to God.

Satan has lost.

But God uses him for His purposes.

You and I-believers in Jesus Christ-submit to the Headship of Christ-obey His Authority-walk according to His Word, and complete the works that He has assigned to each of us in these last days.

As Revelation 12:11, NASB, tells us, “And they (that’s us) overcame him (Satan) because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony, and they (that’s us) did not love their (that’s us) even unto death.” (inserts mine)

The conflict over authority is always present; but we are victorious in Christ; because He (Jesus) disarmed Satan’s authority at the cross. (Colossians 2:1-15)

Resting in His Authority, blessings, deo

The Battle Over Authority-The Conflict in the Heavenly Part 2

At the end of Part 1 of the previous post, this proposition was put forward.

Does the Church exercise this authority of Christ in the world today?

If you have not read the previous post, then this question is a challenging one to reflect upon? (Please see Part 1)

There is spiritual warfare that is constantly going on.

Why?

Satan is God’s adversary.

Satan sought to be like God.

His pride caused his fall and his ultimate damnation along with the one-third of the angelic force that sided with him.

Satan is not a threat to God, His will, or His ultimate plan of salvation for His fallen humanity who rebelled against God at the instigation of Satan.

God has always been and God will always be in complete Sovereign control of His entire creation.

God in His grace and mercy so loves the world, that before its creation, in eternity past, He purposed that His Son, Jesus Christ, would be Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world. (Ephesians 1:1-23)

That is the majesty of the Gospel.

That is the message of the Cross.

That is the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory. (John 3:16)

Adam was given a position by God to be His authority on the earth. (emphasis mine)

Satan challenged that authority, by engaging in a conversation with Eve, getting her to question God’s word regarding the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, enticing her to sin, and so deceiving her that she took of the fruit of the tree, ate it, and then gave it to Adam. (emphasis mine)

What did Adam do?

He responded positively to Eve’s temptation, instead of responding negatively, by choosing to obey God’s word given directly to Him not to eat that tree’s fruit.

The result is called, the fall of man.

Adam’s relationship (and Eve’s) was forfeited with God.

They are in a state of total depravity.

Adam’s authority given by God to him to be exercised through a direct relationship with Him was forfeited and now Adam’s authority was his own self-government empowered by Satan’s influence. (emphasis mine)

Leaving Genesis and jumping ahead to the Gospel of John,

Jesus is talking to the Pharisees.

It is a ‘heated’ moment.

Jesus says to them, John 8:41-45 NASV, “You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; (Q: Are they referring to Him being born of a virgin?) we have one Father, even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God (I believe that answers the question about being born of a virgin and not born as a result of fornication), for I have not even come on My own initiative (John 3:16, Ephesians 1), but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? (Jesus will tell us why?) It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father, the devil (Satan), and you want to do the desires of your father . He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks he lies (this is what happened in the Garden of Eden), he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar and the father of lies (and because of Adam’s sin, we are of his nature and a liar, too). But because I speak the truth you do not believe Me.” (inserts mine)

That is as straight forward as it can be explained.

Jesus said it.

Enter the message of the Cross, where God ,the Father’s Justice and Love intersect ,and completely satisfies God’s wrath against mankind and provides His Father’s love for all who will call upon the Name of the Lord to be saved.

That salvation does NOT include Satan and his angelic followers.

Jesus says in Matthew 25:41b NASV, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (this place was not for the humanity God created. However if one does not accept Christ as his personal Savior, then Jesus said, this, too, is your destination).

Compare that to Matthew 25:46 NASV, Jesus speaks of another destination. Jesus says, beginning with the previous individuals that are accursed, He says, “And these(the accursed ones) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

What is the difference?

Jesus explained that in Matthew 25:31-46.

He is speaking of His second coming. All the nations are before Him; and He will separate humanity into two groups.

One group, His sheep (believers in Christ) will be put on His right.

The other group, identified as goats-not His sheep, will be put on His left.

These are NOT their political party affiliation!

It’s more important than that.

It’s having eternal life with God; or it’s being eternally separated from God in hell.

Strong words but that is what Jesus is telling those who are listening to Him; and what He is still telling people today who will listen to His Word.

Fact: God loves you and He wants you to come to Him through Christ.

Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? Yes or No.

Yes, is on the right; No is on the left.

Again, these are NOT political party affiliations!

Matthew 25:34 NASV, “Then the King (Jesus-the One in Authority) will say to those on His right. ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’.” (emphasis mine)

This is God, the Father, heart for mankind.

If you do not know Christ as your personal Savior, I implore you to call upon the Name of the Lord..

Read theses words slowly and carefully.

Romans 10:8-13 NASV, says, “…”THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”–that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED”. (put to shame) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all who call upon Him; for WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” (emphasis mine) (insert mine)

Q: Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?

Fact: One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:11)

That confession is acknowledging that all Authority has been given unto Him. (emphasis mine)

At that moment, you will be making this confession whether you are a believer in Christ or not a believer in Christ.

And then, the Lord Jesus Christ will separate His sheep from the goats based upon whether or not you have received Him as your personal Savior, those who have call upon His name to be saved.

Fact: God is Sovereign over all His creation.

Fact: Jesus Christ has been given All Authority. (emphasis mine)

Jesus said to His disciples just prior to His ascension, Matthew 28:18 NASV, “All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on earth.” (emphasis mine)

Ephesians 1:18-23, NASV, Paul prays, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward those who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and Him as head over the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all.” (emphasis mine).

In the beginning Adam was given authority by God to govern what He had created. Satan deceived Eve, Adam listened to Eve, and Adam forfeited the authority God had given him, and became self-governing. (emphasis mine)

By nature, fallen humanity is a child of his father, the devil (Jesus’ words).

Satan governs fallen humanity by the influence of his sinful nature.

Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy; but Jesus has come to bring life, and that life more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Today, there is still a wrestling over the issue of authority; should there be?

But God…Colossians 2:6-15 NASV:

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over (of) all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having cancelled our the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him(meaning ‘it’, the cross).” (Insert mine from the marginal notes) (emphasis mine)

The Church abides in the Victory of Christ by His blood that forgives us of our sins and His triumph of His resurrection that has completely dismantled Satan’s governing rule, taking back the authority Adam had forfeited through disobedience; because of Christ’s complete obedience as the last Adam. (Romans 5) (emphasis mine)

The Church is governed by the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.

The Church is empowered by Holy Spirit to guide the Body of Christ to obey the will and purpose of the Head of the Body, Jesus Christ.

The Church is to function according to Word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, exercising the authority of Christ here on earth. (emphasis mine)

And, yes, there is an Ongoing Battle in the Heavenly. (emphasis mine)

Satan still wars against God’s will being done in the earth.

God is in the Absolute Authority. (emphasis mine)

God uses Satan for His purposes.

And soon, all of Christ’s enemies will be put under His feet by God the Father.

In closing, I want to share the following.

It comes ‘From Daniel’s Desk’, Ancient Truth for Modern Time.

The article is entitled FIVE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM KING DAVID, April 26, 2020, by Daniel Pentimone-in Biblical Studies.

It’s number 4 out of the 5 listed.

It is entitled: Pray for Deliverance from Your Enemies.

He writes,

“Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.” (Psalm 25:19)

God’s people have a variety of enemies. Sometimes they are physical-the sort that David often faced. In such times, it is important to cry out to God for Deliverance from their craftiness. Other times, these enemies are more spiritual in nature.

While you may not have thought of it this way, every Christian is in a fight with the devil, a spiritual enemy who is violently angry with God and His people. As you read about the devil and his various temptations, it is important to recognize the serious nature of the spiritual struggle. The devil (and every other force aiming for your spiritual destruction) is violent, vicious, and lion-like. You are not sufficient to meet this enemy: you need God’s deliverance.”

End of paragraph.

If you can synthesize what I have been sharing, please understand that you and I do not wrestle against flesh and blood, fellow humans; we wrestle against demonic influences that seek to undermine each one of individually, our families, and our nation. (Ephesians 6:12)

We have been considering, the effect that Satan and his demonic forces have had upon our nation, suffocating it mercilessly with destructive rhetoric, evil thinking and evil influence for many years.

But our nation is being brought back to life by the intervention of God’s grace and mercy.

Satan will continue to attack and seek to destroy what God is raising up.

Satan is not victorious, Jesus is!

Satan does not have an authority that can overcome the authority of Christ. (emphasis mine

John 1:4-5, NASV, “In Him (Christ) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overpower)it. (insert from marginal notes)

But the Church must ‘be strong and stand’ as Paul says in Ephesians 6:10-11,13 NASV,

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against schemes of the devil…Therefore, take up the full armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”(emphasis mine)

Church, rise up, take off your grave clothes, get into the Word of God, ask Holy Spirit for His guidance and power, and learn to exercise the authority of Christ here on earth. (emphasis mine)

Blessings, on this journey with you, a brother in Christ, deo

TBC

Battle Over Authority is Nothing New-The Conflict is in the Heavenly

Prior to our previous presidential election, a post entitled, I AM the Resurrection and the Life, was centered on Jesus standing before a sealed tomb in which His friend Lazarus had been lying dead for four days. (emphasis mine)

This scene is part of a pivotal moment in the life Jesus Christ recounted in John 11.

I am applying this event in the life of Christ to our nation’s national election.

How so? (See the post-I AM the Resurrection and the Life.)

I had previously asked the following question: “Will we ‘abort’ this nation’s life, or will we ‘sustain’ this nation’s life?

I know those are strong words, but I believe this question speaks directly to the main issue that is the driving force for this election spiritually. (emphasis mine)

Someone might be thinking, wait, you can’t mix politics and religion!

Wrong, I am not mixing politics and religion; I am showing us that God is Sovereign of all the nations of the earth. (Romans 13:1-7)

Our nation, has been entombed, and bound in grave clothes, with a stone rolled across its entrance for the past four years (not just four days).

Intercessors throughout our nation, and intercessors throughout the world, churches, and multitudes of Christians have been beseeching God to come and raise this nation back to life.

The election on November 5, 2024 revealed the Sovereign work of God intervening in the life of our nation, answering intercessory prayers asking Him to restore this nation’s health and well being.

On November 5, 2024, the voting electorate rolled back the stone at the ballot box; the votes were counted; and the results were declared to the people of this nation and to the other nations of the world that the United States of America was being brought back to life.

If you will permit me, just as Lazarus responded to Jesus’ words, “Lazarus come forth”; so our nation rose up and came out of its political tomb bound in all its grave clothes.

The voting electorate cast their votes for this nation to ‘come forth’.

John 11:44, NASV says, “He who had died (Lazarus) came forth bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” (insert mine)

As a result of our nation’s election process, our nation has arisen and we have been given a renewed life.

Our newly elected officials have the responsibility to unbind (remove) the grave clothes of the previous administration that have bound our nation’s hands and feet, and covered our eyes.

As the grave clothes are removed, once again we will be able to walk freely, work unhindered, and see clearly.

The results of this election has amazed many; some positively; some negatively.

John 11:45 NASV says, (positively), “Many, therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary (John 11:19) and beheld what He (Jesus) had done, believed in Him (Jesus).” (inserts mine)

John 11:46 NASV says, (negatively), “But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.” (insert mine)

The same is true today.

I can see a number of people shouting back at me accusing me saying that I am saying that our new President is the savior of our nation. That is totally wrong. I am not saying that. I am not inferring it.

God, Himself, who is Sovereign over the nations of this world raises up individuals to be put in places of importance and authority according to His will and purpose.

Please see my previous post, A Comment About the 2024 Election.

There is no doubt in the hearts and minds of many believers in Christ that God heard their prayers, answered their prayers, and raised up a ‘bound-lifeless’ nation giving it new life to move forward.

There is also no doubt that in the hearts and minds of many believers in Christ that God did not answer their prayers as they had prayed.

These people are in anguish; especially if they do not understand the Sovereignty of God as taught in the Bible.

The truth is that the results of the election have left millions of people devastated and distraught.

Please see the post I AM the Resurrection and the Life.

This is NOT the time for believers in Christ to gloat over the results.

Reflecting on I Corinthians 13:4b-5a NASV, “…love does not brag, and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly…” Unfortunately, some have; but to gloat-by bragging, being arrogant, or unbecoming is not the “love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”

(The election results do not give a believer the right to gloat.)

Unfortunately, the reality is, just because the election process has taken place, and the results have been announced does not mean that bringing this nation back to full life is not going to be without difficultly.

What I am about to share with you, the Church must learn not just as information, but in their life experience.

Living in a sinful world demands that the Church understand the daily spiritual warfare that it faces.

What I am sharing, intercessors understand and battle daily.

I, confess, that I do not understand the dynamics of intercession; but I do understand that the Church must pray and learn to wrestle against the principalities of evil in the heavenly realms.

Paul writing to the Corinthian Church regarding learning to walk with Lord every day of his life, says, in I Corinthians 10:3-6, NASV, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

Paul understood the importance of the constant spiritual warfare he faced as he carried out his ministry for the Lord in the Church.

Jesus said, Matthew 16:18b, NASV, “… I will build My Church; and the gates of Hades (hell) shall not overpower it.” (insert mine)

Please stop, and read, Ephesians 6:10-19.

In Ephesians 6:12, NASV, Paul exhorts the Church telling them this truth.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (emphasis mine)

Does the Church exercise this authority of Christ in the world today?

Hence, the title of this post,

Battle Over Authority is Nothing New-The Conflict is in the Heavenly.

TBC

your brother in Christ, deo

A Comment About the 2024 Election

I am at the close of reading a book entitled, The Many Sided David, written by Philip E. Howard.

It is the end of David’s life, in fact, King David has died. I Kings 2:10,11.

I am quoting from this book. Page 130, Section II.

“If any man is moved, as these glimpses of David’s life draw to their close, to remember most vividly the worst and to forget most readily the best about him, let him reflect upon the distorted view that such a retrospect would give of his own life if he himself should be so remembered. That which is most worth remembering about any man is what God has done for him. It seemed good to Jehovah to select this man for a great task-the welding of a nation, and the writing of heart-songs not for his Hebrew people alone, but for his other folk yet unborn in lands where his redemptive love should be made known. We ourselves are in no position to offer suggestion to Jehovah as to the type of man he should have chosen, particularly when we recall the fact that in spite of God’s thorough knowledge of us today, he yet goes so far as to entrust some of us commissions that seem quite inconsistent with what we know of our own defects. It becomes evident that God chooses men for service on the basis of what he sees he can do with them. If he had waited until he found men upon the earth who were in ideal correspondence with his own perfections, he would have had no human instruments through which to work. But he could find here and there a man who was at heart willing to take his orders from God, and then he could equip him and use him for beyond human calculations.”

The Many Sided David, by Philip E. Howard, Association Press, 124 East 28th Street, New York, 1917, copyright 1917 by The International committed of Young Men’s Christian Associations. The Bible test used in this volume is taken from the American Standard Edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1901, by Thomas Nelson & Sons, and used by permission.

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

In my previous post, I closed with this question:

“Will we ‘abort’ this nation’s life, or will we ‘sustain’ this nation’s life?

Those are strong words; but I believe this question speaks directly to the main issue that is the driving force of this election spiritually.

In John 11, an event in the life of Jesus is recounted.

Beginning at John 11:1-3 NKJV, “Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary, and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with fragrant oil, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent unto Him (Jesus), saying, Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” (insert mine)

This plea comes to Jesus. I wonder what went through His mind upon hearing/reading (?) their request.

Jesus was definitely close friends with this family.

How do I know that?

John 11:5 NKJV says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”

It is here that we need to remember that, even though, Jesus loved this family deeply, He was centered in doing His Father’s will, and in His Father’s timing.

John 6:37-40 NKJV, Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me; and him that comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent me. This is the will of the Father Who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The reality of living these words is the foundation of the story of Jesus and the family of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

Jesus had received a message from Lazarus’ sisters, that he is sick.

They expected Him to come.

Why?

In their own words, (John 11:3, NKJV), “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

My interpretation, drop everything and come quickly!

What did Jesus do?

In the television series, The Chosen, this episode in life of Jesus is portayed.

He is with His disciples.

If we conclude that the events of John 10 is sequential to John 11, then John 10:40-42 NKJV, tells us where Jesus went when He escaped from Jerusalem, at “the time of the feast of dedication” from the religious leaders because they “sought again to take him” (John 10:1, 39 NKJV).

It says that Jesus “went again beyond Jordan in the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. . Then many came to Him, and said, “John (the baptist) performed no sign,: but all the things that John [the baptist] spoke about this Man were true.” And many believed in Him there.” [inserts mine]

In the place where Jesus was staying, He received the information from Martha and Mary that Lazarus was sick.

In The Chosen, this is shown with Him receiving a note.

He reads it, sets it aside, and is troubled.

Why is He troubled?

A close friend is sick.

A family that He loves is seeking His help knowing that He has the ability to heal their brother.

BUT, as we read earlier in John 6, Jesus is governed by His Father’s will and His Father’s timing.

This is the Lord understanding that it is not His will, but the will of His Father that must be done.

John 11:4, NKJV, Jesus reveals the content of the message He has received; and then explains, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

I believe the disciples assumed that Lazarus would recover; but they had no comprehension what Jesus was saying about the ‘glory of God’, and ‘that the Son of God would be glorified through it’.

Let me share at this time an observation regarding our upcoming election on November 5.

We, too, are asking, and praying about the sickness in our nation.

We are asking Jesus to come and heal our nation.

We believe that Jesus loves this nation.

We are concerned for our nation in the same way that Martha and Mary were concerned about their brother Lazarus.

I know I am using this story, and applying it to our current situation in our nation.

Therefore…

John 11:5 NKJV, has told us that Jesus “loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus”.

John 11:5 NKJV, also tells us, when Jesus “heard that he (Lazarus) was sick”, He didn’t tell the disciples to pack up; we got to hurry to Bethany.

It says, “He stayed two more days in the place where He was.”

Lord, what kind of love is this?

The text tells us that He loved this family.

Jesus’ decision is based upon a love that begins with His love for His Father and pleasing Him, first.

It is a love that seeks not its own will, but doing the will of Him Who sent Him.

That is what we read in John 6.

The Father showed Him that He was to wait two days.

John 11:7 (NKJV) says, “Then after this (waiting two days) He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” (insert mine)

The response of the disciples focused on the reason why they had fled from Jerusalem originally.

Lord, don’t You remember that the Jews wanted to stone you? Why are you headed back there? (John 11:8) [Bethany is about 2 miles from Jerusalem] (insert mine) [brackets mine]

Jesus’ answered them.

His answer is recorded in John 11:9-10.

The disciples, I assume, are confused about what Jesus is telling them.

It probably sounds confusing to us, me too!

Lord what are you saying?

Please explain.

I will quote The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, commentary notes. Page 1606.

“During the light of the sun, most people did their work safely. When darkness came, they stopped. The proverbial saying had a deeper meaning. As long as the Son performed His Father’s will(i,e., during the daylight period of His ministry when He is able to work), He was safe. The time would soon come (nighttime) when, by God’s design, His earthly work would end and He would “stumble” in death. Jesus was stressing that as long as He was on earth doing His Father’s will, even at this late time in His ministry, He would safely complete God’s purposes.” (inserts are in the Bible notes)

Jesus, says to them, I can go back to Judea. I am totally safe doing My Father’s will.

John 11:11, Jesus repeats what He had said to the disciples two days earlier, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

A couple of thoughts.

Jesus says, ‘our friend’.

I wonder how a two day delay affected the disciples’ emotional feelings regarding Lazarus’s sickness?

And did it trouble them that Jesus was not going immediately?

We struggle with the same types of issues in our lives.

Are you struggling like the disciples regarding our election?

Lord where are You?

What are You waiting for?

Is our nation asleep regarding this election?

Have we, as a nation, been put to sleep spiritually?

Is the Lord in the process of waking us up?

I believe so.

John 11:12 NKJV, tells us what the disciples heard and how they interpreted what Jesus said, “Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.”

There are many people today, like the disciples, who are impervious to what is really happening in our nation.

How does the phrase go? ‘asleep at the switch’. This idiom means “to be inattentive or neglectful, and to fail to perform one’s duties or take advantage of an opportunity” (AI overview)

Have we as a nation neglecting our responsibilty to vote intelligently?

Jesus ‘awakes’ His disciples to the truth about what He is saying.

John 11:13 NKJV, “Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.“(emphasis mine)

This brings us full circle to the question that I posed at the end of my last post and reminded us of, at the beginning of this post.

Question: Will we ‘abort’ this nation’s life, or will we ‘sustain’ this nation’s life?

We are battling for the life of this nation.

November 5, 2024 is our national election.

This nation will decide who will be our next President.

Also, at the state levels, all the House of Representatives are up for re-election; and many senate seats, too, are up for re-election; and in each state there are critical issues that need the special attention of the voting electorate that can dramatically change the landscape of our nation’s position regarding abortion, transgender issues, parental rights, drug usage, and a myriad of specific issues for each individual state.

Your vote can be the difference between this nation being ‘aborted’ or ‘sustained’.

Strong words, but necessary words to wake up the Church and the electorate of this nation to vote.

The results of the election on November 5 will reveal the heart and soul of this nation.

[Personal note: Today is November 1, 2024 as I continue this post. This is Day Two of the Six-Day War, that I wrote in a previous post.]

Prior to my personal note I wrote: “The results of the election on November 5 will reveal the heart and soul of this nation.

What do I mean?

Question: Is democracy at risk in our nation?

Do you know and/or do you understand that both political parties have implied and even vehemently stated if the other side wins, we lose our democracy.

Let us reflect upon this, regarding the results of the election, and its effect upon the continuation of our democracy.

Our founding father’s understood the importance of praying and asking God for His help and assistance in fighting for our independence; the form of government that we posses; and the words that were written into our founding documents.

Some people reject what I just wrote.

Many people accept what I just wrote.

The historical fact is that God was prominent and prevalent in the formation of this nation.

Throughout our history, there have been individuals, and now many different ‘ism’s that want to dismantle our relationship to God, undermine our Constitution, our Declaration of Independence, and our Bill of
Rights using whatever means they can to convince the electorate of this nation to follow them, and accept their philosophy to bring change to this nation so that this nation can move forward.

God is not an ‘ism’, nor is the Church.

Jesus Christ is a Person.

Consider this, an ‘ism’ means: I Satisfy Myself, or I Serve Myself. The focus is being man-centered, not God centered.

This election is NOT about a woman or a man.

This election is not about choosing the one you despise the least.

This election is not about haranguing over words that avoid the real issues of the day.

Our founding documents espoused that we were “one nation under God”. (AI overview)

In 1956, “In God We Trust” became the official motto of the United States of America. (AI overview)

It replaced, “one nation under God”. (AI overview)

When the votes are counted and the results are in, the party that wins can say, “we have saved our democracy.”

But have we ‘saved’ our nation.

Will we be “one nation under God”

Will we still proceed forward as a nation proclaiming, “In God We Trust”?

Regardless of who is elected as President of our nation, in the ‘natural’, democracy will still function the minds of many; but in the ‘spiritual’, I perceive many people will conclude that the life of our nation is on a ‘life support system’ or they may believe it has even been ‘aborted’.

Strong words, but necessary words to think about and pray about regarding our nation’s election on November 5,2024.

I will now return to John 11.

We left off at John 11:14, NKJV, “Jesus said to them(His disciples) plainly, Lazarus is dead .” (insert mine)

Will the election results show us that we have ‘aborted’ this nation; or will the election results show us that this nation is being ‘sustained’, on a life support system?

When I say ‘aborted’, I mean given over to the ‘isms’ that reject the protection and provision that God covenanted with this nation with its founding, and pursue its own self-serving agenda apart from the living God.

As one Bible teacher has said, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Robert Mumford)

Hebrews 12:29 NKJV, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

When I say ‘sustained’ that is inferring that we as a nation have been granted God’s grace to forgive our sins, and graciously intervening to bring this nation back to life as a nation that honors Him.

Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV, (context is Jesus, the Son of God as our great High Priest) verse 14 says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Mercy is God’s kindness and compassion-not being punished as our sins deserve that we should. Grace also includes God’s kindness and compassion-but it also includes us receiving God’s favor or gift. “…mercy is often equated with a deliverance from judgment and grace is always extending of a blessing to the unworthy.(Got Question. com)

I pray that we as a nation will experience God’s mercy and grace as we move past this national election whatever the outcome.

Rest in this truth,regardless of the outcome, God is Sovereign over all the nations of the world.

We are not exempt.

Moving forward to John 11:20-27( Martha’s interaction with Jesus) and John 11:28-32 (Mary’s interaction with Jesus). Both sisters said the same thing to Jesus when they spoke to Him.

“Lord, if You had been here, my brother, would not have died.” (John 11:21, John 11:32 NKJV) (inserts mine)

Martha knows what Jesus is capable of doing.

[Personal note: It has been two days and I still haven’t completed this post. Today is day 3 of the Six-Day War, as outlined in a previous post.]

Question: What will be your reaction to the election results?

There are Democratic Christians and Republican Christians petitioning the Lord to intervene in this nation’s election.

What does Martha know?

John 11:22-24 NKJV, “I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (This is what Jesus said in John 6) [emphasis mine]

Is Martha’s understanding correct? Yes!

Her answer, at this time in the life of Jesus. is very insightful.

We, too, know what Jesus is capable of doing.

It’s one thing to know the words correctly; however it’s another thing to know the reality of those words experientially in your life.

How does Jesus respond to Martha, and what does Martha say in response to Him?

John 11:25-27 NKJV, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. [This is our Blessed Hope] And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” Do you (Martha) believe this? She said to Him, “Yes Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God who is to come into the world.” (inserts mine) [emphasis mine]

Question: Who else made a similar confession when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” ; and then after their response; Jesus asked them directly, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15, NKJV)

Matthew 16:16 NKJV, Simon Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Question: In John 11, Who is standing there?

Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Martha leaves, rushes back to Mary, telling her that Jesus wants to see her. Jesus hasn’t moved from where He had spoken to Martha. Martha tells Mary that Jesus wants to see her. Mary responds, leaves their home, the people there, see Mary leave, and assume she is headed to the tomb of Lazarus, “saying, she is going to the tomb to weep there.” (John 11:28-31 NKJV)

Mary arrives where Jesus is waiting.

She sees Him, falls at His feet(she has been there before, John 8:1-8), and says to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Martha and Mary are struggling.

Why, Lord, have you allowed this to happen?

When the votes are tallied, and the results are finalized, there will be Christians who will be wondering and even asking the Lord, why have you allowed this to happen?

Recentering on the story of Lazarus’ death, John 11:33 reveals to us Jesus’ reaction to personally being there in the midst of this death.

“Therefore, when Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping, and Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned* in the spirit and was troubled.” (‘agitated’, TLV)

*KJV Spirit Filled Life Bible, Word Wealth, pg. 1557, groaning, Strong’s #1690, The word is used to express anger (see Mark 14:5), to indicate speaking or acting with deep feeling(as here in John 11:33), and for stern admonishment (see Matt. 9:30; Mark 1:43)

He,who,said, I am the Resurrection and the Life, is angry about the pain and suffering that death brings.

It was never originally designed for life to be lived this way; but the wages of sin is death. Everything in the story points to the fact that Lazarus died a natural death.

We know that the Gospel changes that. Because God’s Redemptive Activity Changes Everything.

Jesus is not saying that Martha and Mary were wrong expressing their grief.

(I Thessalonians 4:13) The Amplified Bible says, “Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life].”

Grief is real; but we know that ‘in Christ’ when death comes into our lives with the passing of a loved one who knows the Lord, we are not without hope.

Martha knew that her brother Lazarus believed in the Lord. She said that he would be raised from the dead because that was her confession of faith to him about her brother being raised on the last day.

So Jesus asks the obvious question.

Where have you buried him?

Assuming, He asked Martha and Mary, “They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” (John 11:34 NKJV)

John 11:35, NKJV “Jesus wept.” Got Questions explains, “Jesus wept when He gathered with the sisters and others mourning Lazarus’ death (John 11:35). Jesus did not weep over the death of Lazarus itself since He knew Lazarus would soon be raised and ultimately spend eternity with Him in heaven. Yet He could not help but weep when confronted with the wailing and sobbing of Martha and Mary, and the other mourners(John 11:33). The original language indicates that our Lord wept “silent tears” or tears of compassion for His friends (Romans 12:15).”

When the election results are in and the decision has been made who has been elected, there will be Christians,who will wonder,Lord do You care?

And there will probably be non-believers who will ponder,what has happened to our nation?

There will probably be tears of unbelief regarding the outcome on both sides.

John 11:36-37 is the world’s response to this event in the life of Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and Jesus.

Yes, all 4 are interconnected by God’s love.

The world does not understand the depth of God’s love.

That is why the other people present express their unbelief.

As an aside, I wonder what the disciples are thinking?

“Then the Jews said, “See how He loved them?” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus’ reputation is known.

I can imagine that Martha and Mary are struggling with the same questions expressed by the unbelieving Jews.

John 11:38, Jesus steps into the forefront of the setting.

All eyes turn quickly center upon Him.

There is spiritual tension in the air.

The Lord of Life is confronting the spirit of death.

It’s time to fulfill the words that Jesus had spoken two days earlier to His disciples.

John 11:4, In response to His disciples hearing about what had happened, “He said, “This sickness in not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Fast forward to the Revelation.

The Risen Christ had this same John, who wrote the account of Jesus’ life, had him write seven letters to the seven churches that were in Asia.

In each of the letters, the following sentence was included in each letter.

“He that has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, 3:22, NKJV)

Hear Jesus’s words to His Church today.

The sickness that is in this nation is not unto death. It is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.

Returning to the account of Lazarus’ death-

Knowing what is being said about Him by the Jews, “Then Jesus (John 11:38 NKJV), again *groaning (see above definition) in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone”.

Continuing to apply this event to our nation and the national election, I see the removal of the stone likened unto the electorate of this nation casting its votes.

Jesus did not personally remove the stone; nor did He speak a word to the stone to be removed.

People moved the stone.

Martha spoke up(John 11:38 NKJV, ) and questioned removing the stone.

Lord, get real, it’s been four days since we buried him.

The stench is going to be unbearable.

Both political parties are concerned about the ‘stench’ that our national election will create after we vote, i.e. when the stone is removed, based upon the finalized election results.

Jesus (John 11:40) lovingly, yet firmly, says to Martha, What did I tell you Martha? “…that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?

No matter the outcome; no matter how bad the stench; a government is going to arise from a tomb.

We, the electorate, of this nation, need to vote; after voting, a stone is going to be removed that has been politically blocking us for many years in this nation and we are going to see the glory of God.

John 11:41, the stone is removed.

Now what?

What was said and done, can only be accomplished by Jesus, who said, I AM the Resurrection and the Life.

What did He do?

John 11:41-42 NKJV relates what Jesus did. Follow the steps : 1. He lifted up His eyes; 2. He addressed His Father and thanked Him that His Father hears Him; 3. He verbally confirms audibly that His Father always hears Him; He says, I have so spoken so that those present “may believe that You sent Me.” 4. is coming later.

Do you see the shift in emphasis?

This is not about Lazarus’ death.

It’s about the revelation of who Jesus is..

He said, I AM.

Why have the Jews been against Jesus?

He has said I AM God.

Is it possible that our election, as important as it is, and I am not diminishing its importance in any way, is about coming to a greater understanding about who Jesus is, and who His Father God is?

The Word of God begins with “In the beginning” in Genesis 1.

God spoke His Creation into existence. God said…

In the New Testament, in John 1:1-5, John writes about this same Jesus that is ‘front and center’ in the flesh in front of Lazarus’ tomb.

It is important to read these words at this time. John 1:1-5 NKJV,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome) it.” (inserts mine)

Jesus (who is Eternal Life in the flesh) is standing in front of a tomb in which there is death.

Who prevails?

He does.

Jesus had told Martha, I AM the Resurrection and the Life.

Are we ready for a dramatic ending? or shall I say an expression of God’s love for this grieving family; and a glorious revelation of the Son of God, in the likeness of human flesh as the Son of Man?

Jesus, the One who spoke Creation into existence, speaks these words for all to hear.

“He cried out in a loud voice (didn’t mumble), “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43. NKJV) [insert mine]

This is just like, Genesis 1, God said…

John 11:44 NKJV, “And he who had died (Lazarus) came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them (In the TV series, The Chosen, Martha and Mary were them), “Loose him and let him go.”

Is is reasonable to say that those present were shocked, aghast, stunned, amazed, overwhelmed at what they just witness?

Absolutely.

When the election is over and the results are known and verified, our nation will come forth from its grave, bound with its graveclothes and its face wrapped with a cloth.

We the people of this nation will be responsible for removing those graveclothes and facial cloth.

How will that be done?

By walking with Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life.

Like Joshua said to Israel, Joshua 24:14-15, “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” These words seem somewhat benign, but in their context of Joshua 24, they are very straight forward and penetrating.

They are words that one day the Lord’s Church may have to respond to itself.

It has been a long journey composing this post. Thank you to everyone who has walked this journey with me.

How do I close?

On November 5, 2024 our nation will conclude its process of voting.

When the votes are counted the results will reveal a new administration with a new President and Legislature.

It will also reveal the results of all the elections that have taken place though out our states.

The results will reveal to us the ‘heart and soul‘ of this nation’.

That said, I believe, that in the past decade, our nation has been bound with graveclothes.

Our nation, like Lazarus, has been undergoing political sickness.

As such this nation is bitterly divided.

We are sick.

Is this sickness unto death?

The election results will show us the state of the heart and soul of this nation.

Will we be “One nation under God” or even a nation that declares, “In God We Trust”?

Many people, in this nation, and throughout the world are praying for God’s intervention in our national election.

I am convinced of this; whatever, is the result of this election, Jesus Christ is Lord, all authority has been given unto Him, God is Sovereign over all the nations, and that Romans 13:1 NKJV,is true.

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

Quoting Ephesians 5:8-14 NKJV, Paul writes to the Ekklesia, “For you were once darkness (dead in sin), but now you are light (alive in Christ) 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, but rather expose them. For it is shameful to speak of those things which are done in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” (Inserts mine)

Jesus said Lazarus was asleep, yet knowing he was dead.

Jesus went and raised Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus is The Resurrection and the Life.

Is it possible that Jesus’s assessment of this nation’s ‘life’ is in His eyes ‘dead’ and needs to be raised to newness of life?

Jesus who is the ‘Resurrection and the Life ‘is going to reveal Himself to His Church, demonstrating a mighty revelation of who He is, and that His Father has sent Him, so that His Church will see and experience the glory of God.

I believe that others will see and experience it.

Many are praying for a Third Awakening in our nation.

I want to encourage you to keep praying regarding our election process, for its integrity, and a righteous accountabilty.

I also remind you that we are in a spiritual warfare.

Today is November 3, 2024 this is the middle of our Six-Day War wrestling against the principalities, rulers, powers, and spiritual darkness in heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Be strong in the Lord, and stand, in His grace and power.

a brother in Christ, deo

Battling For the Life of our Nation

I Corinthians 15:45-47 TLV:

“If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam (Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man) became a life-giving spirit. However, the Spirit is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is of the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven…”

‘First the natural, then then the spiritual’, a principle that we must understand that is foundational to understand the Word of God, the message of the Gospel, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our life after we become a believer in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

I want to use this principle to put before you a question regarding this nation’s national election on November 5 (Today is October 30, 2024).

When the electorate in the nation cast their vote, whether by mail, early voting, or on election day, each individual vote represents the heart and mindset of that voter. The outcome of the entirety of all the votes cast will show the heart of the electorate in this nation.

The results may be extremely close or even lopsided.

Who knows?

But an outcome will take place.

Not only will the selection of a new president show the heart of the electorate, but, also, the results for each individual choice, at the state level , will reveal the heart of the electorate, too.

I am concerned.

Why?

Let me ask you, each individual voter, this question?

Will we ‘abort’ this nation’s life, or will we ‘sustain’ this nation’s life?

I believe this will be clearly seen when the votes are tallied, the dust settles, and a direction for this nation has been determined by its electorate.

I encourage you to vote.

I encourage you to vote with a Biblical world-view; not a worldly mind-set that trust in the wisdom of man and ignores the wisdom of God.

blessings to my fellow believers in Christ, deo