A living sacrifice. It’s not what you think. Romans 12:1,2.

Posted on 03/13/2020 by remso

The NASB entitles Romans 12:1,2 as a living sacrifice.

As you pursue the depths within chapter 12, you come to understand that WE are that living sacrifice. Finding the treasures buried within those depths may require a focused examination into what Paul is saying by looking at the Greek background of those simple words. Typically, we skim over words like sacrifice, possibly because we do not want to understand the impact that a word like this can have on us. 

Let’s see what we can find.

First, pay attention to context. When Paul opens with the word “therefore,” it immediately tells us that what we see in chapter twelve is a continuation of a thought process. The origins of this current conversation, between Paul and the church, begins in chapter 11 verses 33-36.

The Complete Jewish Bible version of verse 33 says,

“O the depth of the riches and the wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments! How unsearchable are his ways!”

For me, this puts God at a distance, with little hope of understanding who he is; fortunately, that is not the case.

The CEV version of verse 33 tells us,

“Who can measure the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he does?”

It should be easy to understand that God, and His mercy and grace, is beyond our understanding; once again, this puts almost anything we think we know about the Father into the category of being a mere glimpse of who He is.

With that in mind, we begin our exploration of chapter 12.

Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice — alive, holy, and pleasing to God — which is your reasonable service.
(Romans 12:1 NET.)

  1. “Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters,”

    Here, Paul is not talking in generalized terms, to the world; this is directed at followers of Christ. In his conversation (as the NET version states), I exhort you. Exhort, according to Webster’s dictionary, means to: “encourage, to embolden, to cheer, to advise. The primary sense seems to be to excite or to give strength, spirit, or courage.” I can take this many ways, such as Paul is advising the followers of Christ, or he is trying to excite them into following the words he is about to give them.

  2. “by the mercies of God,”

    Most definitions of mercy lean toward pity; however, that seems wholly inadequate here, especially when we look at passages like Ephesian 1:3,4.

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love.” (NASB)

    Dr. J Vernon McGee, in his simplistic manner, says this of the phrase “By the mercies of God.” “The plural is a Hebraism, denoting an abundance of mercy. God is rich in mercy; God has plenty of it, my friend. He has had to use a lot of it for me, but He still has plenty of it for you.”

    The Word Study Dictionary adds, “It is used in reference to God as the Father of mercies showing His character and that upon which believers can depend as they make their bodies a living offering to Him.”

    2 Corinthians 1:3 NET. “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”

  3. “to present your bodies as a sacrifice – alive, holy, and pleasing to God -”

    Again I draw from J Vernon McGee, who tells us, “the body is the instrument through which we express ourselves. The mind, the affections, the will, and the Holy Spirit can use the body.”

    But does that fully explain what God is asking us to do here? Sure, the Holy Spirit wants to use our bodies, but certainly, we are being asked to lay ourselves down. The commentary by Albert Barnes states that “The word used here commonly denotes the action of bringing and presenting an animal or other sacrifices before an altar. It implies that the action was a free and voluntary offering. Religion is free, and the act of devoting ourselves to God is one of the most freeing acts that we ever perform.”

    Consider these words from Psalms.

    Psalms 50:22-23 NASB “Now consider this, you who forget God, Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver. (23) “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.”

    This first part got my attention, as it declares, “Now consider this, you who forget God, Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver.” Now that God has your attention take note, “ He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright, I shall show the salvation of God.” What can I take away this? That God is deadly serious about this, that and the fact that God’s salvation is deeply integrated into this idea of sacrifice.

    What is He asking me to sacrifice?

    My body and my will.

    Is He specifying how to go about this?

    Absolutely and we see that when He uses terminology like “ alive, holy, and pleasing to God.”

    An immediate observation is that sacrifices get killed. Well, that should be easy for us to associate with, seeing as we died with Christ and were buried with Him in baptism. However, the word used was alive, so He has to be talking about us, filled with vibrancy.

    If you chose to ponder the term holy, how would you apply it to yourselves?

    Most of us can’t imagine anyone seeing us as holy, and yet God does, and this happens when we give ourselves to Christ.

    Webster’s dictionary defines sanctification as made holy; consecrated; set apart for sacred services.

    Ephesians 1:4 tells us that He chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy before Him. Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus chapter 1:13, says, “having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit.”

    In defining the person filled with the Holy Spirit, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews calls it sanctification.

    Hebrews 10:9-10 NASB, then He said, “BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. (10) By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

    The point here is that having given ourselves over to Christ, we have been made Holy, whether we feel like it or not.

  4. “which is your reasonable service.”

    It seems that most of us perceive this idea of service as being God’s will for our lives. The problem with that is that few can define what God’s will is for us. Most will tell you that God’s will is His word, and that would be true; however, the Word rarely speaks directly to the various aspects of our lives. One pathetic example would come from those who say, “what is the will of God for my marriage.” The simple answer is to love your wife; this theme is spread generously across the New Testament.

    Paul helped to define this idea of sacrificial service in the letter that he wrote to the church in Rome.

    Romans 1:9 NASB For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,

    Service, for Paul, was to serve in delivering the gospel of Christ. Yes, I noticed that the NASB uses the descriptive language, “preaching of the.” Still, the NASB writers define for us, in the front of their bibles that those italicized words are only meant to help aid the sentence structure and our understanding. 

    For me, and it has taken years to realize this, that my reasonable service is to teach, but I have sensed this in my heart for years. The peculiarity is that Jesus appeared to me in a dream when I was about 24, and laid my life out before me. I thought I would never forget a word He said and did not write any of it down. When I awoke, I could only remember Him being there and the immense joy I felt. I cannot recall Him telling me how I would severely damage my own life, and how it could seriously impact my acceptance as a teacher, but I have tried the standard church venues, with no luck; and have only “found” myself in teaching small home groups and in taco stands.

Since we understand that Paul’s admonition is that we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, what is next?

And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NASB

How many of you have read Romans 12:2 and thought, what does that mean?

It is not that difficult. Webster’s dictionary defines conformed rather simply as “made to resemble; reduced to a likeness of; made agreeable to.”

So then, the question is, made to resemble or agreeable to what?

Look around you, you don’t have to look far; what does the world do? Some of these, I am calling the world, sit by you in church. Franklin Graham, who preaches a message much like his father’s, has been banned in Europe from several stadium venues he had tried to secure, to do massive salvation crusades. And why? Because he calls sin sin. And who do you think holds the significant responsibility for obstructing his access to these stadiums? Church leaders who do not feel that Franklin Graham reflects today’s norms. So, everywhere you turn, bastions of religion have given way to squeaky wheels, and blatant sinners have been given pulpits. In doing so churches have become agreeable to the politically correct norm; we have become agreeable.

Is that all there is, as though that is not enough?
Ideals and sensibility are being stripped away on a  daily basis. Alright, I get it, I am not supposed to act like the world, but an obvious thing is going to happen; you will not have many friends outside of the church body, and even then many of them are busily conforming to the same world you may find yourselves fighting against.

Let me point out that our President Trump, in his 2020 state of the Union address, said; this will not be a nation where you get punished for praying in school, along with other things that clash against the NEW normal.

Simply resisting is not the answer, you have to change the way you think. 

Paul tells us, “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Assuming that I am a believer and the world is beginning to affect me, then I certainly don’t need to be bolstered and supported in the world’s ways. Something I find myself saying, I don’t need to have some preacher rant about sin; I already know how to do that.. I say all this because the word transformed implies that you are being moved back to some non-changed state, and I have come to the realization that I need to move away from the world’s way of thinking.

Transformed – “Changed in form or external appearance; metamorphosed; transmuted; renewed.

Ah, so there is the implication of being renewed, but it still carries the definition of being changed in form. We can’t do that; only God can. Fortunately for us, Jesus did and does change us. The cross removed the penalty of sin, something we all carry; however, it is the necessary move toward belief in Jesus and the price He paid for us, that makes us His own. That action on His part metamorphosed us into Sons of God. In case you don’t remember, this is what butterflies do; they change from an often ugly caterpillar into beautiful butterflies.

Alright then, who is this person who is conforming to the world?

Those who choose not to renew their minds. I suppose this could be analogous to maintaining a vehicle. If you allow it to run out of oil, what happens? A multitude of horrendous and expensive events. Can the car be renewed? Sure, if you have the time, money, and patience; and, you see “renewals” frequently when people with money, find people with the skills and pay them to rebuild some “classic” car.

The Greek word for renewing is also renovation, and that is what entrepreneurs do to neglected homes – many call it flipping a house (hopefully for a profit.)

This idea of seeing our bodies as a house is not so foreign, and Paul speaks of it in 2 Corinthians 5:1.

For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (NASB)

So what is the advantage of renewing my mind?

Paul gives us the answer to that when he says “so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

The word prove has a variety of definitions, but they all run along the same vein. One goes like this:

“To evince truth by argument, induction or reasoning; to deduce certain conclusions from propositions that are true or admitted.”

As I have read through the Old Testament and observed how people like Gideon, Joshua, and Abigail (our examples are vast in number and varied in their reactions), all came to the conclusion that God was good and acceptable because they argued, reasoned and saw that God was true. It is not that different for us, and the book of Hebrews talks about this process of faith when the author speaks of a great cloud of witnesses. In my childhood, growing up in the church community, there was the sister Dixon’s of my life, each one different, and yet all made an impact that showed me that God was true.

Evince, according to Webster’s, is “to show in a clear manner; to prove beyond any reasonable doubt; to make evident.”

This is the type of terminology that we hear in a courtroom, but how do I apply this information to myself?

I have sat on one jury in my sixty-six years. The judge instructed us that all the evidence comes out of the interactions between the attorneys and the person sitting in the witness stand and that you must acquit the defendant IF there is any reasonable doubt. One of those “witnesses” came in the form of an outlaw biker type. He had seen his friend standing at the curb looking a bit battered. A police officer was nearby, but that officer had already told us that this intersection was not his jurisdiction; so, the officer’s only concern was to assess whether anyone needed medical assistance. Since that was not necessary, he merely stood by until the Highway Patrol showed up – that took almost 20 minutes once the call was made. Back to the biker. Seeing his friend in “need,” he and his buddy pulled over, poured some whiskey they had under the seat into the tall soda cup that they had already flicked some ashes into; and, took it over to the friend in need. Drinking an unspecified amount of Whiskey, for 10 to 15 minutes, can get me drunk; it probably worked that way for the friend standing at the curb. But the jury foreman, a school teacher, said, “that is NOT reasonable, no one would do that!” He had obviously lived a very sheltered life. This short version was a demonstration of the prosecution’s inability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty, and it speaks to me of the shortsightedness of the world, which became extremely evident in the most recent presidential impeachment hearings.

God has always, in talking with us broken people, made it clear that He would uphold His end of the commitment, even if we did it not. We see conversations like this, between God and people, throughout the Old Testament. Two of those interactions that jump to mind are with Abram and Gideon. God, in those circumstances, spoke in this manner, “as for me.” This manner of speech was not the demonstration of a bad attitude, but unquestionably took into consideration the frailty of the human in question; and, it demonstrated God’s determination to follow this agreement through to the end.

In proving what the will of God is, isn’t this solely speaking to the individual?

It is; so this instruction is meant for us to establish ourselves in the nature and character of God. Some may feel that there is a demand to prove to the world that God is faithful, the problem there is that many will not accept truth or evidence because their minds are locked into some twisted logic. If you think about it, wouldn’t a purposeful attempt at understanding God be comparable to knowing His will? Of course, it would, for understanding the nature and character of someone, would give you the reasons why they make the decisions they make, and God is not so different. He longs for us to know Him.

What is good?

The current convention is that we must be politically correct. Is that good? I don’t think so, as the moral standard has inverted and changes from day to day. (An example of current, so-called regular practice, is the wanton murder of babies in a brutal manner, while disguising this murder under the title women’s health.)

Isaiah 5:20 NASB Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

If you look up the Greek word for good you get agathos. One of the meanings and there are only two, is, does it have any benefit.

How much effort does it take to ask, does this have any benefit?

Well, I suppose the answer to that question is subjective, as an alcoholic, when handed a bottle, would probably say, there is unquestionably a benefit. So realistically this conversation is pushing toward a moral evaluation of what is good, however, that moral evaluation has to be based upon a standard, but whose standard? There is only one valid, true, and unchangeable standard – God’s. (I am not talking about religious legalism as the standard, but the consistent pattern, which God demonstrated to humanity throughout the Old Testament; an example of this can be seen in the entire process that led up to the “escape” from Egypt, by God’s people.)

Let’s ponder the term acceptable for a moment. Acceptable is defined by Strong’s as fully agreeable and, well-pleasing. While the world, in their quest for pleasure, would think this is exactly what they want to hear. The reality is, this is talking about what God wants to hear and see, and He would love to commune with you and I.

Perfect is the Greek word teleios and means complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness: – of full age, man, perfect. So when we talk about being perfect, we are talking maturity and growth in our relationship with God.

Where does this maturity show up?

In how we act; how we talk; the decisions we make; and, how we perceive and communicate with the Father.

Posted in apologetics, confidence, disciple, Faith, Freedom from sin, gentiles, In Christ, Israel, Jesus, Jews, recovery, redemption, righteous, Romans, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Has God rejected His own people? Romans 11:1-10.

Posted on 03/10/2020 by remso

We open our study of Romans 11 with the last three verses of Romans 10. Why?

Because chapter 11 is a continuation of thought, and, as you will see, opens with what seems like an important.

If we have some form of Christian world view, one that is aware of the angry tones which accompany the voices of those who say, God is done with Israel, and their fate is hell. Is this question that Paul asks, “did the people of Israel really understand,” a valid one? Paul tells us that they did understand, and he uses himself as an example, but, as he says in verse 21, “they were disobedient and rebellious.”

Romans 10:19-21 NLT  But I ask, did the people of Israel understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, “I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”  (20)  And later, Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”  (21)  But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long, I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

When we open chapter 11, we immediately we see Paul using another rhetorical question. Watch how he answers it analytically and insight-fully.

”I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel?
Of course not!
I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.”
(Romans 11:1 NLT)

Far too many have tried to answer this question; however, they would tell you that God has rejected His own people. How and why would you do that, when the Holy Spirit has seen fit to put an answer there on the page for you to see. A man I sat under for a short time, would say things that conflicted with the Word of God. Called on his error by showing him the truth in the Word, he would respond with, “that’s my opinion, and that is all that matters.”

So then, God has not rejected his people, and the fact that Paul is speaking into our lives proves that point.

God didn’t turn his back on his people. After all, he chose them. Don’t you know what Scripture says about Elijah? He complained to God about Israel.
(Romans 11:2 NIrV)

Look at what Leviticus says,

But for all that, when they are in the land of their haters, I will not let them go, or be turned away from them, or give them up completely; my agreement with them will not be broken, for I am the Lord their God. (Leviticus 26:44 BBE)

I believe that 1Kings 19, beginning with verse 10, is what Paul is referring to when he speaks of Elijah’s complaint.

“Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18 NASB)

It is evident that Elijah felt very alone,

“Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.”
(Romans 11:3 NASB)

Paul pointed out in the ninth chapter of this letter to the church in Rome that only a remnant would survive; is God telling us, based upon the number that He gave to Elijah, that the remnant will equal 7000? I am not so sure, and here is why.

“It will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish, but the third will be left in it.
(Zechariah 13:8 NASB)

Even though Zechariah speaks of a third that does not perish, a more significant number of passages speak of only a few surviving. As of October 2019, Israel claims a population of 9,108,500 inhabitants. If a third survived what is coming, we could potentially be looking at somewhere around 3 million people; a tenth would be 900,000. To only have 7000 walking into the millennial reign is a shockingly small number.

But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.”
(Romans 11:4 NASB)

Don’t we also sometimes feel alone, especially when we see the truth in God’s Word, and it conflicts with what is being taught from the podium and then professed by the lost sheep that we sit by in our churches? I have experienced this feeling on multiple occasions. A pastor of mine was trying to explain the communion, and it’s origins, in his closing comments to a men’s retreat. He said, “Jesus did not want to die for you.” Now, I can give the man some grace and say that he misspoke, but the damage was done, and he made no attempts to correct his error. If you are one of those lost sheep, and cannot, or will not read for yourself, then this conversation is pointless to you. However, I have studied my bible and know what it says,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NASB)

The Apostle John tells us this about God and His attitude toward us.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NASB)

Does that sound like someone who did not want to die for you? No, I didn’t think so.

Now watch as Paul, speaking to an audience in which the majority are Jewish Christ-followers, says, it is not so different today. Remember, context is everything and may exclude me from applying this next verse to the time frame in which we live.

“In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.”
(Romans 11:5 NASB)

Just as the story about Elijah lamented what appeared to be his solitary efforts to promote God, we too are not alone,and, though you may not see them, the others are out there. Many, not needing the spotlight, pray their tears out before God; they pray in this manner because they too feel alone.

The NLT translation does a better job of moving us through Romans 11:5, so let’s look at that.

It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.
(Romans 11:5 NLT)

Note the phrase undeserved kindness.

And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For, in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
(Romans 11:6 NLT)

“And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works.” Who is the “they” in this sentence? The Jews, but as Paul already pointed out, anyone can jump on board.

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
(Romans 3:21-24 NLT)

  • “God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law”
  • “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.”
  • “this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”
  • “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
  • “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.”
  • He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

What is Israel seeking?

What then [shall we conclude]? Israel failed to obtain what it sought [God’s favor by obedience to the Law]. Only the elect (those chosen few) obtained it, while the rest of them became callously indifferent (blinded, hardened, and made insensible to it).
(Romans 11:7 AMP )

So the question is, what is Israel seeking?

Some might say they are seeking a Messiah. Sadly, He came, and they would not recognize Him. Will they know Him when God’s wrath is poured out on them once again?

Have a look at Eugene Peterson’s translation.

Romans 11:7 MSG  And then what happened? Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn’t succeed. The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result, received his stamp of legitimacy. The “self-interest Israel” became thick-skinned toward God.

Has Israel ever stopped trying to be right, pursuing her own self-interests?

If what Peterson sees is those who allow God to pursue His interests in them, do we see Israel as doing that? Apparently not.

2 Corinthians 3:15-16 NASB, But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

So Israel will have to turn to the Lord, and that day will come.

Romans 11:8 NET. as it is written,

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,

eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear,

to this very day.”

Romans 11:9 NLT  Likewise, David said,

“Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve.

Romans 11:10 NLT 

Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”

Paul is quoting much of Romans 11:8-10 from Psalms 69, but he, like Jesus frequently did, is only taking a portion for Psalm 69 speaks of their homes being deserted. Now, this may be the destruction that is coming to Israel, but who would wish that on someone?

Posted in Apostle Paul, bible study, Freedom from sin, Israel, Jesus, Jews, judgment, Romans, Sin, the nations, Thoughts on scripture, wrath. | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The longing of my heart and prayer to God. Chapter two. Romans 10:14-21.

Posted on 02/28/2020 by remso

Paul throws out another of his questions.

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? 
How will they believe in Him, whom they have not heard? 
And how will they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14 NASB)

We have nothing beyond the conversation from the thief on the cross near Jesus, to explain anything this man believed, but he obviously did believe. Paul, in Romans 10:14, seems to imply that the respectful thief must have heard; this strikes me odd when the only one doing any preaching is Jesus. The aforementioned thief and Saul, and Saul, the pharisee, both heard and saw Jesus in action. Because our decisions have consequences, the thief paid quickly for his actions, and yet received the gift of life with the Father. Saul, on the other hand, had followers of Christ jailed and killed, and still, God significantly used him to spread the gospel. Did Saul/Paul pay for his sins here on earth? It would seem he did.

Paul again asks.

How will they preach unless they are sent? 
Just as it is written, 
“HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”  (Romans 10:15 NASB)

Who and what did Paul have on his mind when he asked this question?

J Vernon McGee says this:

“Paul shows that there must be messengers of the gospel who have credentials from God. Paul, you recall, began this epistle with the claim that he was a called apostle of Jesus Christ (see Rom_1:1). There follows a logical sequence. Preachers must be sent in order for people to hear that they might believe, for they would not know how to call upon God. Paul pinpoints all on believing; this, therefore, necessitated his ministry.”

I am not sure I agree with what we deem qualifications. I, for example, have learned simply by engaging my head in the Word of God and asking questions about virtually everything I read, in contrast to someone from theology school. Assuming that I am qualified to preach the gospel, the opportunities have not arisen as I thought they might; this leads me to occasionally think I have not been sent. Personally, I think that we are all evangelists to some degree.

That being said, does everybody receive what we are saying?

NO, and Paul had the same problem.

However, they did not all heed the good news; 
for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” 
(Romans 10:16 NASB)

Once again, I turn to J Vernon McGee.

“The Jews, his own people, hated the apostle Paul even though they applauded Saul, the Pharisee. He is revealing the logic of his position. They rejected his claim, or the right of any of the apostles, to proclaim a gospel that omitted the Mosaic system which had degenerated into Pharisaism.”

Recently, a brother in Christ threw out a challenge/question at me. He asked, why do preachers preach from the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) when Paul received new teaching, which is referred to as a mystery? 

Having learned not to answer such things so quickly, I hesitated, and in a matter of seconds, this guy began answering his own question. Such events are typically a good sign that the person asking the question wasn’t interested in obtaining an answer, but was bent on spewing his opinion. This man is typically boisterous, and unwilling to conform to what the Word of God says. Several minutes passed, and other conversations arose; however, I resurrected the subject of the gospels. I pointed out that all scripture is useful and, therefore, fair game to teach or preach from.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 MKJV)

He retorted with, but the gospels were concerned with the law, and Paul preached that we are free from the law.” Don’t you wish that were true, but it is not for Jesus said, I have come to fulfill the law.

Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17 MKJV)

Look at these verses.

For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when the nations, who do not have the Law, do by nature the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law unto themselves; who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and the thoughts between one another accusing or even excusing one another, (Romans 2:13-15 MKJV)

Having demonstrated that the law is written upon the heart, allow me to show you one more verse that might convince you that WE cannot set aside the law.

There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith, do we truly fulfill the law. (Romans 3:30-31 NLT)

A question, how did Paul open this letter to the church in Rome?

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God, to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. (Romans 1:1 NLT)

Writing with emphasis to a Jewish community, Paul uses a term that should be offensive to anyone, slave; for slaves, whether by force or by choice, have submitted their entire lives to the disposal of someone else. I will tell you something deadly serious to me; I have come to understand that I can’t do this on my own, and desperately need a savior, even to the point of considering myself enslaved to him.

Why say all this? Because Paul makes it very clear that “they,” the Jews,

“did not all heed the good news.”

Paul referenced a passage from Isaiah to indicate his awareness that barely any of the Jewish community are accepting the message of freedom and grace.

“Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? (Isaiah 53:1 ISV)

There is a reason for this conversation. The point is this, Before you trust, you have to listen.

But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. (Romans 10:17 MSG)

So, the logical assumption is that Israel has had plenty of voices speaking to them about faith and grace.

“But, I say, isn’t it rather that they didn’t hear? No, they did hear— Their voice has gone out throughout the whole world and their words to the ends of the earth.” (Romans 10:18 CJB)

Paul still queries,

So the big question is, 
Why didn’t Israel understand that she had no corner on this message?

Moses had it right when he predicted, When you see God reach out to those you consider your inferiors—outsiders!— you’ll become insanely jealous. 
When you see God reach out to people you think are religiously stupid, you’ll throw temper tantrums. (Romans 10:19 MSG)

Paul then tells us, He was found by a people who were not looking for Him.

Then Isaiah was bold enough to say: “I have been found by a people who were not searching for me; I have made known myself to people who were not asking to know me.” (Romans 10:20 Williams)

Cold shoulders and icy stares.

Then he capped it with a damning indictment: Day after day after day, I beckoned Israel with open arms And got nothing for my trouble but cold shoulders and icy stares. (Romans 10:21 MSG)

If this says anything to you, it should say rejoice, because we are seeing the birth pangs the Holy Spirit told us about in Matthew 24:8.

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The longing of my heart and prayer to God. Chapter one. Romans 10:1-13.

Posted on 02/17/2020 by remso

Dear brothers and sisters,

The longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.

I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

They don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself.

Refusing to accept God’s way,

they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law;

for Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.

As a result, all who believe in him (Christ) are made right with God.

(Romans 10:1-4 NLT)

What is the foundation of Paul’s statement?

Paul tells us that the law that Moses wrote about (the Torah) and said that whoever can perform the law will live by it. At first glance, that does not seem like such a bad thing, as there were only ten ordinances to follow; and, the law/Torah brings about a momentary righteousness.

(As I try to put flesh and blood on this act of sacrifice that brings righteousness, I picture a man leaving the temple with a satisfied look on his face because he knows that he has just covered his sins for the year. Only moments later, some camel jockey cuts him off on the way home, and he retaliates with some curse and a few hand gestures. At that moment, he realizes that he just threw a year’s worth of righteousness out the window; and, he must wait until next year. What if something happens and he dies of a heart attack the next day? Can you see the problem in that system? The sacrificial system did not change the person.)

Perhaps, a corresponding verse from Deuteronomy might give us an angle that sheds some light.

And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.” (Deuteronomy 6:25 TNIV)

So then, the Torah would be their/our righteousness, but what does that do with God, since God, knowing that we cannot maintain a righteous condition, and therefore He has to be our righteousness?

Paul has an answer to that question as well. (You may have noticed that Paul’s style of writing is one in which he asks questions. In asking questions, he is trying to get you to think. It does not demand an answer, as Paul does not ask questions for which he does not have an answer.)

But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?'” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?'” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
(Romans 10:6-11 TNIV)

It isn’t about one’s ability to follow the rules; it is faith in the fact that God raised Him from the dead so that you too could have life. Did you pay attention to the line that says, for Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given? So Christ, as the final sacrifice, paid the price necessary for our righteousness; all that is left is to accept and believe this is so.

Earlier in Paul’s letter to the Romans, he pointed out that God leveled the playing. In other words, NO ONE people group has an advantage merely because they are Jewish.

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:22-24 TNIV)

(Side note: Romans 3:23, a passage that we religious folk use to point out that everyone is a SINNER isn’t trying to make that point at all, it is pointing out that WE ALL have a massive problem and NEED a savior. Since the playing field is leveled, then NO ONE has an advantage, and all must come to Him. God is not withholding His love and grace from anyone.)

Notice how Romans 10:11, in the TNIV, says, “anyone who believes in him.” There are a few translations of this, and this is what they say, Everyone, Whoever, or Whosoever. What does that mean? It means that anyone is welcome into God’s family.

Since the concept of belief has multiple possibilities, then perhaps God has the grace to accept faith in a variety of forms. Let me be first to respond negatively to this statement.

There is only one way to the Father, and that is through Jesus Christ.

But what does that look like?

When we look at Matthew 25, the story of the sheep and the goats, and understand that these people being brought before the great white throne (I know it does not specifically say that, but the component pieces are there, if you are willing to look,) are those from among the nations that have died. (I can guarantee that at this point you are not comprehending the immensity of this statement.) The nations, to a Jew, has always meant someone outside of God’s grace. For the believer, it was us, but now means those whom we perceive as not accepting Christ’s love. How would I know any of that? Think in terms of chronology. Since we, the church, are not subject to the wrath that God will bring upon this earth, then we are going to be caught up to meet Him/Jesus, in the air, and forever be with Him. These, from among the nations, did not get caught up. Standard religious thought arbitrarily assigns these to hell. Obviously our thinking is wrong on this, as SOME are given access, And here’s why:

I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’ (Matthew 25:35-36 MSG)

Some might see this as works, and if we have learned anything, it is that works don’t cut it, faith does. There is something far deeper about God’s love than we could have imagined.

For the thief on the cross, his faith was beyond simplistic.

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

(Luke 23:39-43 NASB)

Allow me to break this passage from Luke’s gospel down for you.

  1. One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, saying,
      Well, He is the King of the Jews – both then and now, and Jesus did not defend Himself, He did not need to. Neither of the thieves knew what Jesus was about to do, and the resulting salvation that would come to, NOT only Jesus but billions of followers.
    1. The other thief, rebuking the first, answered,
        Where and how did this thief come to the understanding that there was a God to fear?  Since I assert that belief is not so tightly defined, then how do we explain what this man has said? Despite what he may have heard about Jesus, he believed.
      1. What happened next? The thief, having acknowledged that Jesus had done nothing wrong, said to Jesus,
          Most of the time, because we Gentile believers struggle with Jewish understanding, and therefore ignore it, read this as, when you come into your kingdom. This concept of a kingdom, for many, throws this scene beyond the thousand-year reign of Christ over the earth. Jesus’ response to the thief proves that concept to be wrong. My question to you then is, when will Jesus return to earth as the King? What the Jews longed for then, and expect now, is for Yahshua to come as the warring, conquering Messiah. This triumphant arrival is what we see in Revelation 19:11 when Jesus comes back to earth as the Messiah riding a white horse. (If you hold to the idea that this Bible we read is a Jewish book, then information, such as we see in Revelation 19, will begin to make sense to you.) Merely being a Jew does not exclude you from breaking laws, and this man surely broke enough to get himself hung. Although, considering the Roman propensity for hanging people to make a statement, I am not surprised he is there next to Jesus.
        1. Jesus response to the man who is demonstrating a form of belief,
            There was an emphasis on Jesus’ words to the man. Now whether Jesus said, “what I am about to tell you is true,” is debatable, but the effect emerges from the scripture, and virtually every translation proves this out. Jesus was telling the man, beyond all doubt, that TODAY the man would be with Him in paradise. “Paradise is a Persian word and was used for an enclosed park or pleasure ground. The word occurs in two other passages in the N.T. (2Co_12:4; Rev_2:7), in both of which the reference is plainly to heaven” (Robertson, Word Pictures, vol. 2, p. 287).

          So let’s get back to Romans 10:11 for a moment. Look at this verse in the New International Readers Version.

          “But I will bless any man who trusts in me. I will show my favor to the one who depends on me.” (Jeremiah 17:7 NirV)

          The Word Study Dictionary says this about the Hebrew word for trust.

          bāṭaḥ: “A verb indicating to trust, to be confident. It expresses the feeling of safety and security that is felt when one can rely on someone or something else. It is used to show trust in God. …, and people.”

          The Strong’s concordance tells us this about the word trust.

          To hide for refuge (but not so precipitately as H2620); figuratively to trust, be confident or sure. H2620 is the Hebrew word khaw-saw’ and means to flee for protection.

          Strong’s shows us a word I was not familiar with, precipitately. The word means hastily, with rash haste, without due caution.

          It seems that the only time we run without due caution is when we are in imminent danger. God, on the other hand, desires that we run to Him regularly, not because we are weak and out of control, but because He is love and longs to show us that love. To prove my point, you will be hard-pressed to find anyone willing to give their life to save you. Oh sure, there is always that one person that makes the news, but they aren’t your friend. God, on the other hand, put Himself on that cross, for you, when you hated Him or were so distanced from Him that you did not want Him to see your face.

          Answer me this is that something that we do, flee to God for protection? Israel fled to God, but only when things got completely out of control. I have done that myself, and things were indeed out of control. So for us, this concept seems to be a standard, but is it God’s?

          Did the thief on the cross, that gained acceptance into paradise, put his trust in God?
          Obviously, he did, for Jesus himself said, “what I am telling you is true, this day you will be with me in paradise.”

          Did the thief who gained the assured acceptance into paradise, go through all the standard religious practices? There is no practical way he could have done that. I believe it is safe to assume that this man was a Jew as well, and would have known what the law required for repentance, and how that blood, spilled in sacrifice was the decreed way to gain righteousness at this time. Sadly, the man was in no position to do any of that.

          Another piece of evidence, on behalf of the thief, was that he could recognize that Jesus had done no wrong. How would he have known that and by what standard could he have made that kind of assessment? (We assume that the thief was not a Jew. It would appear that our assumption is wrong, once again.)

          In studying the early chapters of Romans, I commented on how Paul spoke of God leveling the playing field. Well, here it is again.

          For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

          (Romans 10:12-13 NASB)

          Can you not see that the thief on the cross, called upon the name of the Lord?

          Next time we will pick up at Romans 10:14 and finish this out.

          Chapter two.

          Paul throws out another of his questions.

          How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
          How will they believe in Him, whom they have not heard?
          And how will they hear without a preacher?

          (Romans 10:14 NASB)

          We have nothing beyond the thief’s conversation, to explain how this man believed, but he did. Paul, in Romans 10:14, seems to imply that the respectful thief must have heard; this strikes me odd when the only one doing any preaching is Jesus. This thief and Saul, the pharisee, both heard and saw Jesus in action. Because our decisions have consequences, the thief paid quickly for his actions, and yet received the gift of life with the Father. Saul, on the other hand, had followers of Christ jailed and killed, and still, God significantly used him to spread the gospel. Did Saul/Paul pay for his sins here on earth? It would seem he did.

          Paul again asks.

          How will they preach unless they are sent?
          Just as it is written,
          “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”
          (Romans 10:15 NASB)

          Who and what did Paul have on his mind when he asked this question?

          J Vernon McGee says this:

          “Paul shows that there must be messengers of the gospel who have credentials from God. Paul, you recall, began this epistle with the claim that he was a called apostle of Jesus Christ (see Rom_1:1). There follows a logical sequence. Preachers must be sent in order for people to hear that they might believe, for they would not know how to call upon God. Paul pinpoints all on believing; this, therefore, necessitated his ministry.”

          I am not sure I agree with what we deem qualifications. I, for example, have learned simply by burying my head in the Word of God and asking questions about virtually everything I read, in contrast to someone from theology school. Assuming that I am qualified to preach the gospel, the opportunities have not arisen as I thought they might; this leads me to occasionally think I have not been sent. Personally, I think that we are all evangelists to some degree.

          That being said, does everybody receive what we are saying?

          NO, and Paul had the same problem.

          However, they did not all heed the good news;
          for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?”
          (Romans 10:16 NASB)

          Once again, I turn to J Vernon McGee.

          “The Jews, his own people, hated the apostle Paul even though they applauded Saul, the Pharisee. He is showing the logic of his position. They rejected his claim, or the right of any of the apostles, to proclaim a gospel that omitted the Mosaic system which had degenerated into Pharisaism.”

          Recently, a brother in Christ threw out a challenge/question at me. He asked, why do preachers preach from the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) when Paul received new teaching, which is referred to as a mystery? Having learned not to answer such things so quickly, I hesitated, and in a matter of seconds, he began answering his own question. Such events are typically a good sign that the person asking the question wasn’t interested in obtaining an answer, but was bent on spewing his opinion. This man is typically boisterous, and unwilling to conform to what the Word of God says. Several minutes passed, and other conversations arose; however, I resurrected the subject of the gospels. I pointed out that all scripture is useful and, therefore, fair game to teach or preach from.

          All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 MKJV)

          He retorted with, but the gospels were concerned with the law, and Paul preached that we are free from the law.” Don’t you wish that were true, but it is not for Jesus said, I have come to fulfill the law.

          Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17 MKJV)

          Look at these verses.

          For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. For when the nations, who do not have the Law, do by nature the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law unto themselves; who show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and the thoughts between one another accusing or even excusing one another,

          (Romans 2:13-15 MKJV)

          Having demonstrated that the law is written upon the heart, allow me to show you one more verse that WE cannot set aside the law.

          There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith, do we truly fulfill the law. (Romans 3:30-31 NLT)

          A question, how did Paul open this letter to the church in Rome?

          This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God, to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. (Romans 1:1 NLT)

          Writing with emphasis to a Jewish community, Paul uses a term that should be offensive to anyone, slave; for slaves, whether by force or by choice, have submitted their entire lives to the disposal of someone else. I will tell you something deadly serious to me; I have come to understand that I can’t do this on my own, and desperately need a savior, even to the point of considering myself enslaved to him.

          Why say all this? Because Paul makes it very clear that “they,” the Jews,

          “did not all heed the good news.”

          Paul referenced a passage from Isaiah to indicate his awareness that barely any of the Jewish community are accepting the message of freedom and grace.

          “Who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

          (Isaiah 53:1 ISV)

          There is a reason for this conversation.

          The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen.

          But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.

          (Romans 10:17 MSG)

          So, the logical assumption is that Israel has had plenty of voices speaking to them about faith and grace.

          “But, I say, isn’t it rather that they didn’t hear?”

          No, they did hear—”

          Their voice has gone out throughout the whole world and their words to the ends of the earth.”

          (Romans 10:18 CJB)

          Paul still queries,

          So the big question is,
          Why didn’t Israel understand that she had no corner on this message?

          Moses had it right when he predicted, When you see God reach out to those you consider your inferiors—outsiders!— you’ll become insanely jealous.
          When you see God reach out to people you think are religiously stupid, you’ll throw temper tantrums.

          (Romans 10:19 MSG)

          Paul then tells us, He was found by a people who were not looking for Him.

          Then Isaiah was bold enough to say: “I have been found by a people who were not searching for me; I have made known myself to people who were not asking to know me.” (Romans 10:20 Williams)

          Cold shoulders and icy stares.

          Then he capped it with a damning indictment: Day after day after day, I beckoned Israel with open arms And got nothing for my trouble but cold shoulders and icy stares.

          (Romans 10:21 MSG)

          If this says anything to you, it should say rejoice.

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          Is there injustice in God? Romans 9:15 – 27. Part two of two.

          Posted on 02/17/2020 by remso

          We looked at Romans 9:14 where Paul asked the question, is there injustice in God? Paul answers his own question with, Of course not!; Paul continues with what we see in Romans 9:15-16.

          Romans 9:15-16 NET. For he says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” (16) So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

          Where does this showing of mercy come from?

          Exodus 33:18-19 NET. And Moses said, “Show me your glory.” (19) And the LORD said, “I will make all my goodness pass before your face, and I will proclaim the LORD by name before you; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.”

          Moses merely asked to see God’s glory. That was an all-encompassing request, for, as we learned, His Glory shows up in everything. If God was going to be narrow-minded about whom He showed his grace and mercy, why start with Moses, for he murdered a man? Why show any of those things to any of us, as we are all embedded with this sin nature?

          What is the one passage that gets read for most salvation pleas?

          John 3:16 NASB “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

          If John 3:16 shows us anything, it shows us a God that was willing to put Himself on that cross for a world that did not love Him.

          Does that demonstrate a God who handpicks those He will show grace and mercy to, when, in fact, it is a demonstration of how He shows grace and mercy to all who will follow after Him?

          To reiterate.

          Romans 9:16 NASB So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

          We cannot do this on our own, and it is God who demonstrates mercy. Now here comes the one verse that seems to slap us around more than any other. I will give you the MKJV first.

          Romans 9:17 MKJV  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “Even for this same purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be declared throughout all the earth.”

          What scripture?

          And Jehovah said to Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, So says Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, so that they may serve Me. For I am going to send at this time all My plagues upon your heart, and upon your servants, and upon your people, so that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth. For now, I will stretch out My hand, that I may strike you and your people with plagues, and you shall be cut off from the earth. And for this, I have made you stand, to make you see My power, to declare My name in all the land. Do you still exalt yourself against My people, that you will not let them go? (Exodus 9:13-17 MKJV)

          There is a phrase here that I want to focus on for a moment, and I want to look at the NASB to do it.

          “But, indeed, for this reason, I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. (Exodus 9:16 NASB)

          The Hebrew word for reason is abur and also means on account of.

          God was not punishing a human just because He felt a need to be vindictive; there were many reasons. When we look at the context, which I have given in Exodus 9:13-17, you can see several clues as to why God used Pharaoh in this manner.

          1. Pharaoh, regardless of whether he respected the word of Moses or not, was under a mandate to release God’s people; he chose to disregard that mandate.
          2. We learn that Pharaoh was warned that plagues would come: upon his heart, the heart of his servants, and the heart of the Egyptians – your people. While the plagues go beyond annoying, they were meant to demonstrate that God is in control, NOT some Pharaoh. Let us make something understood, God’s people did not belong to Pharaoh, but they had foolishly given their hearts to Egypt. Scripture proves this out, and we see it when Stephen addresses the Jewish council who intends to kill him. He provides the council with a history lesson, which none of them disputed, and Stephen added, “your people, brought the tent of Moloch and the star of Rephan out of Egypt with them. You can find this story in Acts chapter seven but look specifically at verses 39, where their hearts turned back to Egypt, and verse 43, which tells us that they brought the tabernacle of Moloch.

          Romans 9:18 CJB  So then, he has mercy on whom he wants, and he hardens whom he wants.

          Should this perceived attitude problem cause us problems? Why should it, aren’t we currently living in God’s enduring grace?

          Keep something in mind. Joseph, under the control of a different Pharaoh, was raised to the second- highest position in the country. Nobody did anything in Egypt without Joseph knowing about it. Did that Pharaoh care? Not at all, in fact, Pharaoh relaxed knowing that a Godly man was in charge. But almost four hundred years have passed, Joseph has long since died, and Israel is still in Egypt and growing in numbers. This new Pharaoh, who knows nothing of Joseph, nor cares, is concerned about one thing, this vast number of people could turn against him, and therefore, must be quickly controlled and sedated.

          Dr. J Vernon McGee tells us that, “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, it means that God forced Pharaoh to make the decision that was in his heart. God forced him to do the thing he wanted to do. There never will be a person in hell who did not choose to be there, my friend. You are the one who makes your own decision.”

          So the assumption made by the foolish is that humanity has no choice, when, in fact, their course of action to reject God is their own making. God merely helps to get them there.

          Romans 9:19 TLV  You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?”

          Assuming that we lack a choice, some will say, why then still find fault in people, for who can resist God’s will? 

          The Message translation gets right to the point in response to the question we see in verse 19.

          Romans 9:20 MSG  Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you, for one moment, suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?”

          I think the obvious answer NO ONE knows the heart of God, the way the Son did. One way for me to understand this is that our antenna is broken, and as James says, we look through the glass darkly. But also pay attention to this sentence: “Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it.” Now that should straighten the hairs on the back of your neck.

          Romans 9:21 MSG  Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?

          Well, of course, He does, and I suspect He has the right to reconfigure us as it suits His needs, not ours.

          Romans 9:23-24 MSG  and another style carefully crafted to show his glorious goodness, isn’t that all right?  (24)  Either or both happens to Jews, but it also happens to the other people.

          And we are the other people who were adopted into this relationship. Adopted but Sons none the less, and since we are sons, we are obedient.

          Romans 9:25-26 MSG  Hosea put it well: I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved.  (26)  In the place where they yelled out, “You’re nobody!” they’re calling you “God’s living children.”

          Romans 9:27 NLT  And concerning Israel, Isaiah the prophet cried out, “Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore, only a remnant will be saved.

          Concerning Israel, only a remnant will be saved. What does that mean?

          Several things. The meanings can be wrapped up in an understanding that not all will come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and it can also point to Israel’s end-times destruction. I believe this is what is conveyed in Ezekiel 38, 39.

          Romans 9:28 NLT  For the LORD will carry out his sentence upon the earth quickly and with finality.”

          The notion of a sentence, as used here, has to do with judgment. When does God bring judgment?

          Only when He has removed those who are to be excluded in that judgment, will He pour out His wrath upon the earth for seven years. We have two ways of considering this time frame, in contrast to what Romans 9:28 tells us.

          1. Seven years is a drop in the bucket compared to the last two thousand or so years we have been waiting for Christ to return and catch the church away.
          2. Since Paul uses the term finality, then we are thrust forward in time to the end of those seven years, to the time when Jesus will come riding back on the scene on a white horse. It is then that much of what we see as justice will be delivered. If you are familiar with this story in the Revelation, then you are aware of the speed with which it transpires.
          3. For those that love to argue, there is one last judgment However, it is for slightly different reasons, and that is the great white throne judgment. This judgment comes after Christ, and a few others have been reigning over the earth for a thousand years. Satan gets released at this point and deceives the nations. Remember, the nations are those that are outside of a relationship with Christ, and there is surely the opportunity during the 1000 year reign.  Those nations, under the guidance of Satan, try to kill God; however, God consumes them all with fire, and they too are brought before the Great White Throne. This moment in time ends all judgments forever, and the rest of us all live happily ever after.

          Romans 9:29 NLT  And Isaiah said the same thing in another place: “If the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.”

          Paul got this from Isaiah 1:9 NLT 

          If the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of us, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.

          But this has a familiar ring to it.

          Isaiah 10:21-23 NASB A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. (22) For though your people, O Israel, may be like the sand of the sea, Only a remnant within them will return; A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. (23) For a complete destruction, one that is decreed, the Lord GOD of hosts will execute in the midst of the whole land.

          Romans 9:30-33 NASB What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; (31) but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. (32) Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, (33) just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

          • “What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; (31) but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law?”
            • Why did Israel not arrive at that law?

              HE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS CHRIST WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

              Posted in apologetics, Apostle Paul, bible study, confidence, disciple, Faith, gentiles, grace, Hope, In Christ, Israel, Jesus, Jews, Mercy, righteous, Romans, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture, understanding | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

              The rapture of the Church

              Posted on 02/16/2020 by remso

              I found this article on the internet entitled “The rapture of the Church.” It was written by Chris Perver in June of 2007 and posted to his website (http://www.prophecynews.co.uk/articles/13-prophecy/14-the-rapture-of-the-church). To be honest, I was at first hesitant, but I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to pursue what this young man was saying. I found it speaking clearly and distinctly to my heart. Why is any of this important? Because I had a pastor, unprovoked by me, accost me and tell me that I was not to study or share anything about end times events for five years. I get that I am supposed to give honor to my pastor, but NOT when he is advocating that I abandon what I have learned from God’s Word; abandon what the Holy Spirit has been teaching me; and, abandon what the Apostle Paul has taught me. The Apostle Paul told Timothy …

              1 Timothy 6:3-5 NASB If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, (4) he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, (5) and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

              2 Timothy 1:13-14 ASV Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto you guard through the Holy Spirit which dwells in us.

              The words I found here are almost word for word discussions I have had with God about this very subject. In other words, what I came to understand about the rapture of the church, and what this young man understands is remarkably similar.

              If you want to understand the pre-tribulation rapture, then check out the link below.

              Source: The rapture of the Church

              Posted in Thoughts on scripture | Comments Off on The rapture of the Church

              I have had to rethink my position.

              Posted on 02/16/2020 by remso

              This is my commentary on an excerpt from Chris Perver’s post “The Rapture of the Church. The post by Chris, in its entirety, can be found here.

              http://www.prophecynews.co.uk/articles/13-prophecy/14-the-rapture-of-the-church

              There was one section in particular that challenged a position I had been espousing for several years, about the one hundred and forty-four thousand Jewish men who are marked with a seal for protection, it seems, merely from God’s wrath. To make a point, I presumptuously advanced the idea that at a minimum there would be 144.000 survivors that walk into the millennial reign. How perfect would that be, as they could immediately go into teaching mode during the 1000 years.

              This position that I took was evoked by a “Christian teacher” who advocated that NO Jews enter into the millennial reign of Christ. I suppose that is just another way of telling a bunch of men that would come back at this “leader” with hostility, that he believes in replacement theology. Seeing as I can see that a relatively small number of Israelis leads to the idea of survivors. (At least 2/3’s of Israel get killed in my bible. Assuming that these numbers are correct and there are eight million people in Israel today, that would leave about 2.7 million survivors.) That information, and the fact that Paul said heaven and Earth would have to pass away for that to happen, make God’s elimination of His people an impossibility. I don’t want to go into detail on that here, but I strongly suggest that you read your Bible, and stop buying into the fairy tales religion feeds us.

              My comments are in Times New Roman, the excerpts from Chris’s work are in quotes.

              144,000 Jews

              “Throughout John’s description of events on Earth during the Tribulation period, the Church is never mentioned. But Israel is frequently mentioned. In chapter 7, we read how God commands the angels to not hurt the Earth until He has sealed 144,000 Jews with His Holy Spirit. These 144,000 witnesses, 12,000 from each tribe of Israel, will go throughout the world in the last days and preach the gospel of the kingdom. If the Church remains on Earth during the Tribulation, then why is the Lord recruiting Jewish believers to do the work He commanded the Church to do in Mark 16:15? The Rapture must have occurred before the start of the Tribulation period for this reason. After the Rapture, the Church will no longer be able to witness for Christ on Earth. God can’t be without a witness to men, and we know that there will be an untold multitude saved during the Tribulation period (Revelation 7:9). So a remnant of the House of Israel is sealed with the Holy Spirit to be a witness to the world of impending judgment and the need to turn to God for salvation.”

              144,000 killed during the tribulation period?

              “Some say that the 144,000 Jews are the remnant of Israel that will survive the tribulation, and that the Church at this time will still be witnessing on Earth. This following information is something I just noticed recently in discussion with a good friend of mine, so correct me if I’m wrong. I believe that Israel, as a nation, will not be saved until they recognize their Messiah at the end of the tribulation period (Zechariah 12:10) when Christ comes. The 144,000 Jews are saved at the start of the tribulation period and are killed for their witness by the Antichrist (Revelation 13:7). In Revelation 14, the 144,000 are in heaven, which implies that they were all killed for their witness.”

              Revelation 14:1-3 NET. Then I looked, and here was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. (2) I also heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps, (3) and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one was able to learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.

              “The fact that these 144,000 are in heaven before Christ’s Second Coming, and the resurrection of Old Testament Saints, which happens after the tribulation period, is explained in verse four. The 144,000 Jews are called the “firstfruits unto God.” The Feast of firstfruits was when the Israelites offered the food they gathered at the beginning of the harvest for a thank-offering to God. Firstfruits also speaks of resurrection, and Jesus is described as being the “Firstfruits from among the dead,” or the first Man to be resurrected in a new body, never to die again. So the 144,000 are the Firstfruits of the salvation of Israel, and of the resurrection of Old Testament Saints.”

              Revelation 14:4 NASB These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

              1 Corinthians 15:20 NASB (20) But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

              “After the 144,000 are slain, God is still not left without a witness. In the following verses, several angels take up where the 144,000 left off and preach the gospel to the whole world.”

              Here is where things took a turn for me, as I had been telling people, especially those that espouse that no Jews enter into the millennial kingdom, that the 144,000, at minimum, would enter the millennial reign.

              This statement, “after the 144,000 are slain,” prompted me to look intently, once again, at the scriptures surrounding our introduction to these young men, and what appears to be their demise. We are introduced to the 144,000 in Revelation 7, where we are told what tribes they come from, and that they are sealed. This sealing, which we see in Revelation 7:3, tells us that they are sealed to protect them from the “hurt,” which is about to come upon the earth. This hurt is directed at the earth, the sea, and the trees. The problem is that we assume that this grants them immunity from harm and death throughout the time of wrath; as we will see, it does not.

              I have a question, how does God create such havoc that He destroys the earth, sea, and trees, and not impact humanity, which is living here? The answer is, it does affect people. Just look at these two passages from Revelation 8.

              Revelation 8:6-7 NASB And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them. (7) The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth, and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

              The first thing we see is hail and fire mixed with blood coming from the skies; because of this, a third of the trees are burned up along with ALL the green grass. Whatever this event looks like, it is nothing we have ever seen before; and you can’t have an event of this magnitude without people dying, and yet, at this point, the 144,000 are protected. WHY? Because this is specifically a part of God’s wrath and it would seem that these men are protected from God’s wrath.

              Now we have another problem to deal with and that is that God also uses people to bring about His wrath. It is difficult to NOT see the false prophet as a tool that uses to punish Israel, but there is always the possibility that this person is entirely committed to Satan’s team. I realize that is not an answer, but I cannot recall seeing a good explanation for these guys being killed by the false prophet. If it makes you feel any better, the two witnesses sent from are, after 42 months, allowed to be killed.

              In Revelation 14, we see the 144,000 and their validation as virgins, but, as you read the entirety of Revelation 14:4, you can see that it is merely a description of these young men.

              Revelation 14:4 NASB These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

              Since there is very little in scripture that is not validated by some other passage, typically in the OT, I was curious to see if there was a correlation. Perhaps Revelation 3:4 is it.

              Revelation 3:4 NASB ‘But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

              Revelation 3:4 suddenly takes on a potentially new meaning, as it talks about “a few” who have not soiled their garments, and how they will walk with me because they are worthy.

              Something noteworthy. We, to the demise of comprehension, assume that some passages, like what we see in Revelation 3:4, speaks to the exclusion of Jews; it does not. Those of you who have been with me for a time, have already endured my commentary on the fact that this Bible we claim to study, is a Jewish book, and that every question should be addressed initially from that point of view.

              John, in writing the Revelation does something peculiar when he says, to what we assume is a crowd of Gentiles, you are of the Synagogue of Satan. Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 both use the terminology the synagogue of Satan. Just about everyone assumes a little of something about Satan, but I can just about guarantee that NOT everyone knows what a synagogue is unless they are Jewish.

              Now we talked about who these young men were, but we bypassed the distinct, ominous event that happens between Revelation 14:1-4.

              Revelation 14:1-3 NASB Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him, one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. (2) And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. (3) And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.

              In trying to grasp where the Lamb is standing, I did a little cross-referencing, which led me to Hebrews 12:22. It says “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels” (NASB)

              When did we come to Mount Zion?

              When we became followers of Christ Jesus. I know, it doesn’t seem like you did, but your adoption, in God’s eyes, was complete, and WE are not excluded from anything – even if we don’t see it yet.

              So, is it possible that the Lamb standing upon Mount Zion, is in this instance, in heaven?

              The answer is yes, but why? The answer to that question is in the book of Hebrews, where the writer talks about earthly priests who are serving a copy and shadow of the things in heaven.

              Hebrews 8:3-5 NASB For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. (4) Now if He was on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; (5) who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”

              In my pursuit to understand what was happening here, I, too, made the assertion, the Zion event happens when Jesus comes back to earth and physically touches down. However, to make that scenario work, I have to have the 144,000, in unison, meeting Jesus there on the physical mount, and that only happens, in my narrative, at the end of the seven-years of wrath. This train of thought would make them survivors, and send them into the thousand years we call the millennial reign. Since I now get the picture that Zion originates in the heavenlies, then it is easy to perceive Christ in the heavenlies with these young Jewish men. (Why is this statement I just made important, because we, in Christiandom, loosely refer to Jesus coming back when we speak of the catching away of the Church – which is the rapture, and use the same terminology when we refer to when Jesus physically comes back to earth. In the process of catching the church away, we rise to meet Him in the air. At this point, He does not “touch down,” and there is a dramatic difference.)

              The next thing that threw me for a loop was Revelation 14:2.

              Revelation 14:2 NASB And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.

              We have nothing that associates the 144,000 with harps aside from this scripture. Remember, words carry weight, and just the association with harpists created imagery of people playing harps, and that is not the case. The NASB’s usage of the word “voice” also inadvertently misdirects. A version such as the Complete Jewish Bible does a better job of translating.

              Revelation 14:2 CJB  I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of rushing waters and like the sound of pealing thunder; the sound I heard was also like that of harpists playing on their harps.

              John tells us he heard a sound like:

              • rushing waters;
              • pealing thunder,
              • and like that of harpists playing.

              Having done some camping when I was younger, I found the sound of rushing water to be, at times, loud, but and relaxing; I suppose you could equate it to white noise, which drowns out all other sounds. Pealing thunder, depending upon how close you are to it, can be relaxing as well; however, up close, with the associated lightning strikes, it represents danger. Harpists, on the other hand, can fill your very being with emotion and beauty; and, Revelation 1:15 describes God’s voice as being like the roar of many waters. If I were to make an assumption as to what this magnificent noise was, I would say it was God’s voice.

              Note that a portion of the next verse says.

              Revelation 14:3a. NASB And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders;

              Almost as if a magician had misdirected us, one would assume the subject of the word “they” is the harpists; it is NOT, and we figured out why.

              Now pay attention to the song that is being sung, and that brings us to the second half of Revelatio14:3.

              Revelation 14:3b. NASB and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth.

              This is NOT harpists singing; it is the one hundred and forty-four thousand witnesses.

              Now, if the witnesses are in heaven, how did they get here?

              For the answer to that, we have to go back to Revelation 13:4-7.

              (4) they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” NASB

              Who is the dragon? That one is easy, it’s Satan, but you want substance.

              Revelation 20:1-2 NASB Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. (2) And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;

              Although unrelated to the dragon, in the Book of Ezekiel, we find God, referring back in time, to Pharaoh, and calling him that great monster that lies in the midst of his rivers.

              Ezekiel 29:3 NASB “Speak and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, The great monster that lies in the midst of his rivers, That has said, ‘My Nile is mine, and I myself have made it.’

              Therefore references such as the dragon and the great monster are analogous symbols.

              Who is being referred to when it says “they” here?

              The assumption is that it is the global population of Gentiles, and that may be true. Still, since we know that the beast is primarily a middle East phenomenon and that he calls for peace, then we can logically assume that he is an influential Islamic leader, capable of pulling the Islamic world together for some form of order, for 42 months.

              (5) There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.

              This is the false prophet that scripture speaks of, and he becomes the mouthpiece of the Antichrist. Anyone discerning wants to know who this guy is, and so did Daniel the prophet.

              Daniel 7:24-25 NASB ‘As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. (25) ‘He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

              In Daniel 7:23, we see “a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it.” (NASB)

              So this character arises out of the fourth kingdom. (Traditional religious teaching tries to attribute the fourth kingdom to the Roman Empire, but that doesn’t work. If you have done a fair amount of studying Daniel’s writing, then you know that the first three kingdoms are clearly spelled out, with the first being the Babylonian empire. An interesting aspect of the Babylonian empire is that almost all of the northern kingdoms, such as the Persian empire are a part of the Babylonian empire. The fourth kingdom takes some discerning but is pieced out for us in Daniel. Consider the Grecian empire as they played a role in this through Alexander, but it isn’t simply Alexander, it is those who gained control after him. Now we are looking at the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires – offshoots of the Alexandrian empire. These last two had all the intrigue of a soap opera on the television, as there was intermarrying for power, and every descendant of Noah represented. These two empires are the basis of who the world is dealing with today; and, in a sense, has never ceased to exist since. It seems most struggle to comprehend what is going on in Daniel 11, but in a nutshell, that is the story I have just told you. In brief, this is the beginning of the Persian empire, as well as the European royalty, and a few others.

              Assuming, because of what I just told you about the Persian empire, that the fourth kingdom is Islamic in nature and ideology, then you might expect that this mouthpiece will also be Islamic, but Islamic prophecies indicate that the man is a Jew, of the lineage of Aaron, and therefore, by heritage, capable of operating as the high priest in the new temple. Such a man has already been appointed as the high priest for the new temple when it gets built, his name in Rabbi Baruch Kahane.

              (6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

              But I thought you said he was the high priest in the NEW temple that will be built. It doesn’t make sense that he would suddenly blaspheme against God?

              No, it sure wouldn’t, unless Islam got to him and changed his heart toward God. But wait a minute, wasn’t this the problem with Israel from the day they walked out of Egypt? Stephen, in the book of Acts chapter seven, tells us that, when Moses did not return from the mountain, that they convinced Aaron to make them the god of their choice; in doing so, they turned their hearts back to Egypt.

              Acts 7:39 NET. Our ancestors were unwilling to obey him, but pushed him aside and turned back to Egypt in their hearts,

              The point of this is, Egypt had to be there, embedded in their hearts already for them to return to it.

              And finally Revelation 13:7

              (7) It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation were given to him.

              In verse 5 of Revelation 13, we saw that the Antichrist was given a spokesperson. That spokesperson, according to Islamic prophecies, becomes the enforcer of Sharia law on a global scale.

              Jesus, in Matthew 24, said this.

              Matthew 24:15-22 NET. “So when you see the abomination of desolation — spoken about by Daniel the prophet — standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), (16) then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. (17) The one on the roof must not come down to take anything out of his house, (18) and the one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. (19) Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! (20) Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. (21) For then, there will be great suffering, unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen. (22) And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.

              The false prophet is given the power(?) to:

              • Make war with the saints.
              • To overcome them.
              • And, he is given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

                Again, what is the point?

                If I take Matthew 24:22 literally and assume that the world is dealing with Sharia law when this happens, then it is easy to imagine that these 144,000 Jewish young men will be killed for their testimony of Jesus, just as so many others will be.

                Revelation 13:15 is apparent when it says

                The second beast was empowered to give life to the image of the first beast so that it could speak, and could cause all those who did not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (NET)

                Because we see them in heaven, on Mount Zion with Jesus, we know that they did not bow their knee to anyone but the Father.

                Posted in 144000, 70 weeks, antichrist, Antichrist, Apostasy, armies, Assyrians, Daniel, Deception, Dispelling myths, dragon, Egypt, End times, false prophet, false teaching, gentiles, Heaven, Islam, Israel, Jerusalem, Jesus, Jews, Millennium, one world religion, Our being caught up, Prophetic, rapture, Revelation, Rule the nations, Saints, the fourth kingdom, the nations, Things I have never noticed before, Thoughts on scripture, wrath. | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

                The rapture of the Church

                Posted on 02/09/2020 by remso

                I found this article on the internet entitled “The rapture of the Church.” It was written by Chris Perver in June of 2007 and posted to his website (http://www.prophecynews.co.uk/articles/13-prophecy/14-the-rapture-of-the-church). To be honest, I was at first hesitant, but I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to pursue what this young man was saying. I found it speaking clearly and distinctly to my heart. Why is any of this important? Because I had a pastor, unprovoked by me, accost me and tell me that I was not to study or share anything about end times events for five years. I get that I am supposed to give honor to my pastor, but NOT when he is advocating that I abandon what I have learned from God’s Word; abandon what the Holy Spirit has been teaching me; and, abandon what the Apostle Paul has taught me. The Apostle Paul told Timothy …

                1 Timothy 6:3-5 NASB If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, (4) he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, (5) and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

                2 Timothy 1:13-14 ASV Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto you guard through the Holy Spirit which dwells in us.

                The words I found here are almost word for word discussions I have had with God about this very subject. In other words, what I came to understand about the rapture of the church, and what this young man understands is remarkably similar.

                If you want to understand the pre-tribulation rapture, then check out the link below.

                Source: The rapture of the Church

                Posted in Thoughts on scripture | Comments Off on The rapture of the Church

                God’s sovereign choice. Romans 9: 1-14. Part one of two.

                Posted on 01/29/2020 by remso

                The NASB entitles this section, God’s sovereign choice.

                Romans 9:1-2 NASB I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, (2) that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.

                What a peculiar thing to say, “I have great sorrow and unceasing grief, especially for a man who understood that we are to count it all joy when we fall into tests and trials.

                Why does he feel this way?

                Romans 9:3-5 NASB “For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, (4) who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, (5) whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen”

                Paul is deeply concerned for the lost sheep of Israel, his kinsmen in the flesh.

                Romans 9:3 NLT  “for my people, my Jewish brothers, and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.”

                I do not believe that would help bring them to the Lord.

                Paul goes to explain more about his “kinsmen.” Keep in mind that Paul is talking to a primarily Jewish audience.

                Romans 9:4-5 CJB,  the people of Isra’el! They were made God’s children, and the Sh’khinah has been with them, the covenants are theirs, likewise the giving of the Torah, the Temple service and the promises;  (5)  the Patriarchs are theirs; and from them, as far as his physical descent is concerned, came the Messiah, who is over all. Praised be Adonai forever! Amen.

                Most non-Jewish translations merely say something like what we see in the NET reading, “the glory, the covenants.” Contrast this with the Complete Jewish Bible translation, which says, “ the Sh’khinah has been with them, the covenants are theirs.” The difference is like looking at the same scene in black and white and then looking at the same view in color. There is a world of difference.

                That simplistic word glory, which the CJB translated as “Sh’khinah,” is the Greek word doxa and conveys splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace, and majesty. All these things, though difficult to see, emanated within all these ways set before God’s people.

                Romans 9:4-5 Williams  For they are Israelites; to them belong the privileges of son-ship, God’s glorious presence, the special covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, the promises,  (5)  the patriarchs, and from them by natural descent the Christ has come, who is exalted over all, God blessed forever. Amen!

                Israel, in general, could not and will not see clear to find this salvation.

                Romans 9:6 CJB,  But the present condition of Isra’el does not mean that the Word of God has failed. For not everyone from Isra’el is truly part of Isra’el;

                Another version.

                Romans 9:6 NASB But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;

                Where did Paul get the idea that the Word of God had failed?

                Perhaps this is one of Paul’s stylized writing moments. We should by now know that Paul said nothing without purpose. Since he was writing to a majority Jewish community, then it is safe to assume that he is speaking in terms they understand, so let’s pursue that idea for a moment.

                The underlying theme of Paul’s conversation is tied to Abram.

                Genesis 12:1-3 NASB Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father’s house to the land which I will show you; (2) And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; (3) And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

                What are the goals and purposes here?

                • Abraham and his descendants will go to a land that God will show them.
                • They will become a great nation
                • They will be blessed
                • Have a great name.
                • Be a blessing.
                • And, through Abram, all the families of the earth will be blessed.

                  What else speaks to the future of Israel?

                  Genesis 49:10 NIrV  The right to rule will not leave Judah. The ruler’s rod will not be taken from between his feet. It will be his until the king it belongs to comes. It will be his until the nations obey him.

                  In many ways, and for a long time, Judah did not rule. Is that the case today? Perhaps, if we only focus on the physical evidence. The obvious factor is that Israel did become that prophesied nation in 1946. But Genesis 49:10 is not merely speaking about some prime minister; it is talking about Jesus when it says, “until the king it belongs to come.” That King/Messiah was Yashua, and He rode into Jerusalem, just as the prophecies about Him declared.

                  Zechariah 9:9 NIrV  “City of Zion, be full of joy! People of Jerusalem, shout! See, your king comes to you. He always does what is right. He has the power to save. He is gentle and riding on a donkey. He is sitting on a donkey’s colt.

                  So the promise and guarantee were made. It had to come to pass, for God had sworn it, and Abraham carried out his end of the agreement by NOT withholding his only son as a sacrifice. And, we know that God does not and cannot lie.

                  Numbers 23:19 NIrV  God isn’t a mere man. He can’t lie. He isn’t a human being. He doesn’t change his mind. He speaks, and then he acts. He makes a promise, and then he keeps it.

                  If Israel has become so blind that it cannot see that Jesus is the awaited Messiah, it is certainly NOT God’s fault.

                  Look at what the NLT says about this.

                  Romans 9:6 NLT  Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people!

                  Paul had already made this crystal clear early on in the fourth chapter of his letter to the church in Rome by stating, our relationship with Christ is based on faith.

                  Romans 4:13 NLT  Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.

                  Therefore, Paul can say, in response to his question,

                  Romans 9:7-8 NLT  Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too.  (8)  This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children.

                  Paul explains.

                  Romans 4:11 NLT  Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith.

                  We, who have faith in Jesus Christ, are also counted as righteous through our faith, as this faith-filled theme of hope and adoption runs throughout the NT.

                  Galatians 4:5-7 NLT  God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own children.  (6)  And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”  (7)  Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

                  How did all this begin?

                  Romans 9:8-13 Moffatt NT (8) meaning that instead of God’s children being the children born to him by natural descent, it is the children of the Promise who are reckoned as his true offspring. (9) For when God said, I will come about this time and Sara shall have a son, that was a word of promise. (10) And further, when Rebecca became pregnant by our father Isaac, though one man was the father of both children, (11) and though the children were still unborn and had done nothing either good or bad (to confirm the divine purpose in election which depends upon the call of God, not on anything man does), (12) she was told that the elder will serve the younger. (13) As it is written, Jacob I loved but Esau I hated.

                  Don’t get all worked up over this idea of God hating one over the other. The Greek word miseō can also mean merely to love less. This entire theme comes from Malachi.

                  Malachi 1:2-3 NASB “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob; (3) but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”

                  The Hebrew word for hated is śânê‘ and also means to be an enemy or foe. The name Esau takes its origins back to a Hebrew word asah, which also means to hinder or fight with.

                  Genesis 27:39-40 NASB Then Isaac his father answered and said to him, “Behold, away from the fertility of the earth shall be your dwelling, And away from the dew of heaven from above. (40) “By your sword you shall live, And your brother you shall serve; But it shall come about when you become restless, That you will break his yoke from your neck.”

                  The trouble began quickly,

                  Genesis 27:41 NASB So Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him; and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

                  Esau’s descendants became the enemies of Israel.

                  Obadiah 1:8-9 NASB “Will I not on that day,” declares the LORD, “Destroy wise men from Edom And understanding from the mountain of Esau? (9) “Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, So that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.

                  Still focused on Esau and another rhetorical question.

                  Romans 9:14 Williams  What are we then to conclude? It is not that there is injustice in God, is it? Of course not!

                  Posted in Apostle Paul, bible study, Faith, forgive, gentiles, grace, hypocrisy, Jesus, Jews, Mercy, Peace, restore, Romans, Things I have never noticed before, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

                  God’s everlasting love. Romans 8:31-39.

                  Posted on 01/15/2020 by remso

                  We ended with this:

                  Romans 8:30 NASB and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

                  • Predestined
                  • Called
                  • Justified
                  • And Glorified

                  And thus begins our next foray into Romans.

                  God’s Everlasting Love

                  “Since” He has done all this for us,

                  Romans 8:31 NASB What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

                  After what we have learned concerning how God feels about us and who we are now, why throw out a word like “if”? When in fact, at this point, in my journey through Romans, I am deeply aware that God is for me, just as He is for you. Another translation read like this:

                  “So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us.” (ERV) 

                  The word “if” is merely expressive style on the part of Paul and doesn’t require an answer. [Some would say, it is a rhetorical question.] We find Paul writing like this frequently.

                  Against is the Greek word katá and indicates motion meaning down from a higher to a lower place. However, my immediate response to the word does not strike me like that; it comes across like an enemy’s attack. The Dictionary tells us it is something in opposition, a contradiction, or aversions, such as a decree against law, reason, or public opinion. Since we know that God tests no man (James 1:13), then it is not reasonable to think that it would be God coming against us. I can see where this type of thinking comes from, as we tend to perceive God as up in the heavens; therefore, any perceived judgment or test from Him would be coming down.

                  What else could “come down”? Since our enemy originated in the heavens, then perhaps any work or word that comes against us from him, or his cohorts, could be perceived as coming down.

                  Let’s address our rhetorical question, “If God is for us,” for a moment. Since we know that God is for us, then Paul continues in his efforts to respond to such a challenge with a logical approach as he points out:

                  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 NASB

                  Think about this, how or why would God, “who did not spare His own Son,” for a purpose, NOW, not also freely give us all things”? How about one other version?

                  He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how shall He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 TLV 

                  This verse demands that you analyze what it is saying to you.

                  • He did not spare his own Son.
                    • “but delivered Him over for us all,”
                      • “how shall He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
                        • I will bless you
                        • and bountifully multiply your seed,
                        • your seed will possess the gate of your enemies
                        • In you, all the nations of the earth will be blessed

                        Our mutual understanding of the next verse typically reads like this.:

                        Romans 8:33 NASB Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;

                        Even though we struggle frequently with the concept, you, as a follower of Jesus Christ, are one of God’s elect. Let’s try the Message and see if it comes across any clearer.

                        And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Romans 8:33 MSG 

                        That is significantly clearer; however, it still doesn’t answer the question that many ask, how do I know that I was chosen?

                        Deuteronomy 10:15 NLT  Yet the LORD chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today.

                        Even if you cannot claim Jewish heritage, you are a descendant through adoption. We find references to this adoption in Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:5, and Ephesians 1:5. We were adopted through Christ Jesus.

                        Since, in theory, no one should dare to tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen, then Paul can also say,

                        Romans 8:34 NLT  Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

                        You need to know this; people and Satan will try to condemn you. Try as they may, it has no effect, because “Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Oh, how I long to tattoo this on your brain so that you never forget it. Do you understand that amid the voices, Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of the Father, speaking to Him on our behalf? The Complete Jewish Bible does a pretty good job of making this point.

                        Romans 8:34 CJB  Who punishes them? Certainly not the Messiah Yeshua, who died and—more than that—has been raised, is at the right hand of God and is actually pleading on our behalf!

                        It is hard for some to picture, but this is an inexpressible love. No human has ever done this for me, but Jesus did. Now, with someone like this on your side, Paul addresses his next question.

                        Romans 8:35 CJB  “Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah?

                        Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War?”

                        Paul continues:

                         “As it is written, “For Your sake, we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.”  (37)  But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:36-37 TLV

                        Paul may be referencing multiple passages in the same sentence. For example:

                        Jeremiah 12:3b NASB Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter And set them apart for a day of carnage!

                        As yet, this next passage is not so prominent in the United States, but I see it coming in my spirit, and it grieves me.

                        2 Corinthians 4:11 NASB (11) For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

                        And finally,

                        Psalms 44:22 NASB But for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

                        Jesus himself told the Jewish crowd of followers that tribulations would be a way of life for His disciples – that includes us. Just remember that it was the elders and Chief priests that put Jesus on the cross that day, so the majority of tribulations will come from religious zealots.

                        Regardless, the thing to keep in mind is that:

                        “But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37b TLV

                        Almost as if Paul was saying “so what” he continues with this:

                        Romans 8:38-39 NASB For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                        Paul creates an extensive list of things that WE think can strip God’s love from us.

                        • Death??
                          • Life??
                            • Angels
                              • Principalities
                                • Things present
                                  • Nor, things to come.
                                    • Height
                                      • Depth
                                        • Nor any created thing.

                                          Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD; however, this doesn’t mean that they won’t try. Again, I know that this will discourage many, and they will not put out any effort to learn or change. Here is where the understanding of James comes into play because James speaks toward these constant attempts to take us out of the ball game.

                                          Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (4) And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (5) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5 NASB

                                          If we stand against these attacks, whether it looks like we are victorious or not, we still receive all that God has in store for us, because He loves us.

                                          Posted in advocate, Apostle Paul, bible study, Faith, finisher, forgive, gentiles, God's character, grace, In Christ, Israel, Jesus, Jews, judgment, Mercy, recovery, redemption, righteous, Romans, Thoughts, Thoughts on scripture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment