The End of the World or a World without End!

All this talk about the end of the world should have all serious Bible students reviewing the Scriptures. But they won't find the words “end of the world.” Why? Because the world has already ended.

Yes, you heard me right. The world is over, done, deceased. Because of the cross, Paul said the world had been crucified to him, and he to the world (Gal. 6:14). You see, the end happened at Calvary when Jesus said “It is finished.” In an instant, He died to this world—and the world's influence was dead to Him. John says “as He is so are we in this world” (1 Jn 4:17). That day the world ended for you and me too—the day Jesus destroyed the power of the devil, of death, and of sin (Heb. 2:14; Rom 6:6).

But of course there is yet an ‘end’ we are waiting for. Peter says, we are  looking for the coming day when Jesus will set the heavens on fire, the elements will melt away, and a new heaven and earth will be formed (2 Pet 3:12-13). So when someone accuses you of being a doomsdayer. Tell them you are not waiting for the ‘end of the world’ but for a ‘world without end’ (Eph. 3:21). 

“For unto us a child is born, a son is given. And the government will be on his shoulders...
[And] of the increase of His government and peace there will be NO END” (Isa 9:7). 

Merry Christmas to you all from me and Altha!

When Anxiety Looms, Faith Blooms

The mainstream media is warning of dire consequences of a fiscal disaster if our leaders are unable to overcome bipartisan bickering and  pass a budget. Though no one can see what is on the other side of the cliff, they are imagining it to be pretty bleak.

Thus, our Father’s promise to protect and provide for us has never seemed more comforting—rescuing us from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10) and meeting all our needs in the mean time (Matt. 6:31-33).

When the believers in the early churches were facing insecure times, Paul counseled them to “fix your eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18) Remembering that this world is temporary is one of the ways our hearts and minds will be protected from anxiety (Phil. 4:8).

Can’t you almost hear the Lord saying to us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10).

There oughta be a law

The slayings of 20 children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School have reignited the debate on gun control—specifically, a ban on assault weapons. Whenever innocent people are affected by some terrible tragedy, politicians and citizens alike say, “There oughta be a law.”

Coincidentally, also in today’s USA is an article about curbing drunkenness in Britian by legislating higher prices, assuming drinkers will drink less. We may agree that there oughta be a law, but we know that no law can change a heart: drinkers drink and killers kill.

And finally, another article in today's paper reports that mass killings (where 4 or more are killed) in America are now happening every two weeks. Is the increased violence the sign of the end times called the “power of lawlessness” (2 Thess. 2:7)?  If so, no man-made law will stop it.  Only God can do that when he put His law in our minds and writes it on our hearts" (Jer 31:33).

An Unused Gift on the Top Shelf

Have you noticed that when tragedy occurs, like that at Sandy Hook, faith shows up?  Crises bring it out. In their helplessness, people turn to God. But where is faith the rest of the time?

Have you ever given a gift to a close friend, sibling, or parent that you never saw him or her using until one day you happen to notice it on the top shelf of their closet—unopened and unused? You tried to hide your disappointed. But I wonder if this is not how many Christians deal with God’s most precious gift to them—the gift of faith (Eph. 2:8). God is no less disappointed (Heb. 11:6) that we put His gift, metaphorically speaking, on a top shelf—unused!

During one life-threatening crisis, the Disciples panicked and cried  out to Jesus. After calming things, he asked, "Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:24-25). Then on another helpless occasion, they asked the Lord to increase their faith! But the Lord responded by saying even the smallest faith, if used, could produce great things (Luke 17:5-6). In other words, if we were using the gift of faith, He would never have to say “Where is your faith,” or “What did you do with the faith I already gave you?”

A Hard Question at Sandy Hook

After the Sandy Hook school shootings, on “Yahoo Answers,” one woman writes: “Why did God allow this sort of devastation? I don't believe in Him after this.” The ‘why’ question is as old as time. In the Bible, it was asked by Job and the Psalmists; and in our time, by those who witnessed two World Wars, the Holocaust, genocides, famines, AIDS, and senseless carnage of 9/11, Columbine, Virginia State, Aurora, and now, Sandy Hook.

Yes, indeed, the single most troubling question today is, “If God knows everything, why did He allow this tragedy in Sandy Hook to happen?” Though innumerable tomes have been written on the subject, the simple answer to this question is, “We don’t know.” But, then, what do we know?

First, we know that we “now we see things imperfectly... but some day we will see everything clearly. All that we know now is incomplete, but then we will know everything completely, just as God knows” (1 Cor 13:12). And second, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Ro 8:28). For those who do not know these things, it's not surprising they will be angry with God. But here's another hard question. Why does the same suffering that causes one person to reject God cause another to seek Him? Pray that those who are asking hard questions today will find Him.

Christmas Presence in the Mall

Black Friday is appropriately named—it’s the gross over-commercialization of Christmas. But it’s only a symbol of the larger problem. The eternal spirit of Christmas has become temporal and material. The secularization of Christmas—now called a holiday—re-focuses the most celebrated Christian day of the year from rejoicing in God’s Presence to celebrating man’s presents.  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name 'Immanuel,' which is translated, 'God with us’” (Matt 1:23).

As I was reflecting on the impoverished condition of Christmas in our nation—trees, lights, pretty paper, Santa Claus, elves, etc.—I was sent the following YouTube video. Right in the middle of a large mall in ‘Anywhere America’ a group of Christians begins singing the songs of Christmas, of Christ, of good news. As you will see, right in the midst of busy shoppers purchasing passing presents, God’s surpassing Presence prevails. Please take a moment to watch it. You won’t be disappointed.

“Christmas Flash Mob by Journey of Faith at South Bay Galleria”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnt7euRF5Pg

12/12/12

Yesterday was 12/12/12. And a record number of people wanted to be married on that date, as though there was something magical about 3 twelves. 

According to Biblical numerologist E.W. Bullinger, the number 12 in the Bible signifies perfect government. It’s the product of 3, the Trinity, and 4, the number of the Earth; thus symbolizing the perfect order that exists when God is working through His people to direct human affairs, i.e. 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles of the Church. Whenever Jesus does return to rule the earth, maybe it will be on a twelfth.

Of course the 12th is followed by the 13th!! Significantly, Bullinger says the number 13 speaks of human effort and self-will. One Old Testament example of the number 13 is quite revealing. In Genesis 16, the son that God has promised to Abraham, Isaac, was born thirteen years after Ishmael’s birth by Hagar. What better picture of failed human effort and the grace of God’s promises.

It seems to me these numbers symbolize two ways of living. We can either live each day as if it were the twelfth—under God’s direction. Or we can make our own way, hoping each day will be a lucky 13th. Hmmm…Might that be what it means to “number our days?” (Ps. 90:12).

A School for False Prophets?

Jesus warned there would be false teachers and false prophets in the latter days. Now, incredulously, a school for training prophets in Tel Aviv has just been announced. “The Cain and Able School of Prophets” claims it will prepare the next generation of Jewish foretellers—the first since the time of Jesus. Can this be for real?

First of all, with a name like “Cain and Able” (Cain’s brother, whom he killed, was Abel, not Able) the school’s credibility seems a bit suspect. Of course it’s a pun on Abel’s name, but for what purpose? Are they going to make people as bad as Cain into ‘able’ prophets?

And second, if the name doesn’t reveal it as a con, the curriculum will. For a tuition fee of $52, the program of study will include face reading, dream interpretation, the study of angels, and ways to achieve divine spirit—all in just 10 one-hour lectures. Each graduate will receive a prophet's diploma.

The Bible indicates that a wave of false prophets will rise up at the end of this age!  And Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16). And now it seems you may also know them by their diplomas.

Is Government Coveting our Money?

Every working American has federal, state, local, Social Security and Medicare taxes taken out of his/her paycheck. But did you know there are more than 40 other taxes we pay? To name a few: unemployment and workers compensation tax, sales, property, and utility taxes, gas taxes, and even taxes for dog licenses. The average American spends 46-58% of his or her income on taxes!

I read an interesting article yesterday that our government is guilty of breaking the 10th commandment: “You must not covet your neighbor's house… or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” And then Moses goes on to say, “You shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, who hate covetousness, to be your rulers.” (Ex. 20:17; 18:21) Clearly, God did not want coveters ruling over the people, taking what is not theirs.

I worked for the federal government for 25 years. And every year when the budgets were prepared, I watched with disgust as our Agency competed with other agencies to get more money than it got the year before—whether they needed it or not. It was nothing less than unbridled greed. Paul said the end-times would be characterized by men who are exceedingly greedy (1 Tim 3:1-2a) Is government over-taxation another sign of the times?

Are you vacationing in Las Vegas or Laodicea this year?

Last year I received a glossy brochure from an Evangelical Christian school raising funds through a silent auction. The grand prize was a weekend in Las Vegas! Last week I received a sleek brochure from an international radio ministry, announcing a Caribbean cruise. While the brochure, replete with children on water slides, young adults windsurfing, diners dressed in tuxedos, was aimed at those with discretionary income, it seemed oddly out of touch with the mood of the day.

Trips to Las Vegas? Caribbean cruises? Didn't Jesus become poor for our sake? (2 Co 8:9).  Didn't He model austerity? I have no doubt these ministries mean well. But I keep thinking the words “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?” (Gal. 3:1).

Might I be so bold to suggest that our ‘first-class’ lifestyles are uncomfortably close to those described of the church at Laodicea: “You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (Rev. 3:17). I know these are harsh words. But these are harsh times, as Thomas Paine said, “these are the times that test men’s souls.” Many believe a time of great testing is about to come upon the church.

Born this Way

This week Washington became the ninth state to legalize same-sex marriage, furthering the debate over civil rights for gays. Last year, Lady Gaga's popular song "Born this Way" underscored the controvery over whether someone is born gay.  Personally, if a research scientist discovers a ‘gay’ gene tomorrow, I won’t be concerned. Why?—because we are all born with unique behavioral predispositions—it’s called flesh; and it causes us to sin.

For example, I was not born happy; I am, by nature, melancholic. Moreover, I am impatient, self-centered, prone to outbursts, unforgiving, and critical. These traits are natural to me, requiring no effort to perform. I was born ‘born this way.’

And I didn’t know how I would ever overcome being ‘born this way’ until I truly understood what it meant to be ‘born again.’ The Bible says everyone who is born of God is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—all reflections of our genetic relation to Jesus. Yes, we have all been born with unwanted predispositions. But born again, we have a new start. “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person; the old life is gone; a new life has begun” (2 Cor. 5:17). But take it from me; when you decide you will no longer live the way you were born (Eph 4:17), and endeavor to live life as your “new self” (Eph. 4:24), you will experience severe growing pains!

Commotion will Spoil Your Appetite for Communion

In my college days I loved to cook dinner parties for my friends. I’ll never forget the time a coed arrived announcing she had just eaten a can of Spaghetti-O’s and was not very hungry. When she was a child I guess her mother never told her that eating before dinner would “spoil your appetite!”

I think one of the consequences of our fast-paced, commotion-filled, life-styles is how it spoils our appetite for communion with God—“If you [can] hear my voice [over the din] and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Rev 3:20). I think if you took a survey on Sunday morning at almost any church, you would be surprised at the number of people who show up spent from a week of activities. And church becomes just one more—not a place of refreshing communion as it should be.

After one time of great commotion (John the Baptist had just been beheaded), the Disciples came to Jesus, reporting everything that had happened. Everything was so chaotic they hadn’t even taken time to eat. So Jesus said, “Come away to a secluded place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). Sounds like a good idea, doesan’t it? I think I’ll schedule it in for next week.

Sensational

In 2009 Obama and Congress passed a stimulus bill of $830 billion. That was preceded, you may recall, by a 2008 loan of $700 billion (TARP) to stimulate the sluggish economy. And did you know that Obama is now asking for another stimulus bill of $500 billion in this year’s proposed budget?

But it isn’t just government trying to stimulate us. If you watch CNN or Fox cable news, you are familiar with the banners at the bottom of the screen that say “Breaking News” and “News Alert”—messages intended to stimulate our interest enough to keep us watching. And have you noticed that if there is no exciting news to report on, they sensationalize almost anything?!

As I reflected on yesterday's post about earthly stimulants, I realized how fundamental it is to human behavior. God created sensual human beings, who, with their senses, would be able to appreciate His glory (Ps 19; Rom 1:20). But it was the senses that Satan used to spoil the human race, when Eve succumbed to the serpent’s sensational suggestions. And he's still trying to fool us into following our fickle feelings. Which is why Paul says “walk by faith, not by sight [senses]” (2 Co 5:7). Wouldn't that be sensational?!

Soldiers find Purpose in Afghanistan

An article in Sunday's paper tells of a different struggle facing American soldiers returning from war: a loss of purpose and camaraderie. One soldier says, “When I was in Afghanistan as a platoon commander, I had a task; I had a purpose; every day I knew what I was going to do.” Now he says boredom is his greatest fear.

It’s a law of natural life: men seek stimulation because men need stimulation. But there is either the stimulation of the flesh or the inspiration/motivation of the Spirit. Without the latter, there will be an endless search for new and exciting activities and relationships to satisfy the flesh—to find something worth living for.

As committed Christ-followers, we are engaged in a battle—and we find our purpose and solidarity in serving our King. When we are living “kingdom life,” we are anything but bored. Rather, we enjoy a sense of urgency—just like soldiers, a warfare mentality—which is more than enough stimulation for even the most vigorous among us! Is this not what Christ demanded (Matt. 16:19) and Paul restated (2 Co 10:5; Eph 6:12)? So then, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds… encouraging one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25).