Let me tell you about my day.

Posted on 03/12/2012 by remso

 

First off, I am in the middle of three days off, and it was much-needed.

I went and caught up with the guys for Monday morning “bible study”. I am putting it in quotes because there are more than enough days that I do not feel like it qualifies as a bible study. I arrived there about 07:35.

When I walked in they were already in some discussion about what I am not sure. One of the guys breaks away from that conversation and asked me about my weekend. We laughed and giggled about that for a minute, and then the last of the regulars shows up. We will call him Fred.

Fred, almost always shows up right at 08:00. This will become important in a minute.

Fred has told us, several times, that he feels this is the only place he can go where he actually walks away with something he can use, most of the time.

Fred asks Bob, the so-called leader what they were looking at today. So Bob answers with, “I am still hung up on the wording in Revelation 22:2 and the usage of the word ‘were’ but someone has pointed out to me that the right wording used is are, changing the tense, but really I am not sure, and would really like to talk about this some more.”

Mind you this conversation started, and should have ended two weeks ago. Trust me on this, I am not being short-tempered. We have two very knowledgeable people always in attendance here. One is Greek, Greece is his native land and our resident go to guy on original meanings. The other is seminary trained, with over 40 years of study in Greek. Their conclusion two weeks ago. The word is are, and is present tense.

That is so like God. Compare this idea of present tense with the wording found in Ephesians

Ephesians 2:13 KJV But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

 It does not matter when you read it, it is always now.

When this subject came up two weeks ago, there was the secondary confusion that goes like this. “I also see the new Jerusalem coming down, but it is heaven, and if it is in heaven, then why do we need healing for the nations, and who are all these evil people who cannot go into the City of God, because of their sin.

I mentioned that the time factor would become important in a minute, so here goes. Fred arrives at 08:00, and Fred and Bob, go back and forth with this endless banter until 09:30 when two of the guys have had enough, get up, and leave.

I had little else to do or I might have left also. I stuck it out until 10:30 before I left.

Nothing got said, nothing got clarified, nothing got accomplished, and there was no room in Bob’s mind for change.

At one point I got up to throw away my trash, and noticed a man watching our table intently.

Personally, I think useless banter like this just turns people off to religion. I invited the man to come on over and throw his two cents in. He just left a few minutes later.

I went back to the table and held up my hand. Finally Fred stops and says, “what is that for?” I said, “I would like to throw in my two cents, for a couple of minutes.” And I did.

Only a week ago I had written a paper and handed it to Bob, specifically for the purpose of assisting him with clarification of these questions. He apparently rejected not only my help, but God’s word, because I based my paper upon God’s word.

I told the guys to write this down, but no one did, as I took them back momentarily to Revelation 20

Revelation 20:7-9 KJV And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, (8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (9) And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

What is my point here?

Satan has been released at this point, deceives the nations, and they come back to attack two things:

  1. the camp of God,
  2. and the City of God.

Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind when this takes place?

Let’s clarify.

Revelation 20:1-3 KJV And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. (2) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

 Now jump forward.

21:1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Rev 21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

All of sudden confusion again. Not really. We just read that after the 1000 years Satan has been released, deceives the nations, and they come against the City of God, and the camp of God. The City of God is here. Ezekiel saw it and described it with in similar terms to what John is now seeing.

If God is burning everything up, Earth included, then anything existing upon this earth is burnt. Not just burnt a little, but utterly destroyed.

Why? Because it is all tainted with sin. But wait a minute. We are talking about a New Jerusalem, one in which no sin can enter. I am jumping ahead, but follow with me.

Why wouldn’t the city be destroyed? It would. Therefore it is not, and that changes some perceptions, doesn’t it.

If this book of Revelation is chronological, and it is not, then we have Satan attacking a city that is not even here yet.

Another aspect of this mornings foolishness is the concept of this New Jerusalem not being here on earth. Let’s disrupt that one for a moment.

How would the nations, a physical people, still prone to make their own choices, and at this point under Satan’s influence because of his release, attack a spiritual city (some think it is spiritual analogy) they would not be able to even see?

Consider the logic of your questions if you’re asking this, and/or making rash statements about the concept of a physical heavens validity.

Heaven is a real place, as is the New Jerusalem, and no, there are not going to be two of them.

For the last argument against this mornings fallacy, I attempted to take them back to the origins of their problem, Revelation 22:2

Revelation 22:1-5 KJV And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (2) In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was therethe tree of life, which bare twelve manner offruits, andyielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree werefor the healing of the nations. (3)And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (4)And they shall see his face; and his name shall bein their foreheads. (5)And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

 So what is the chronological order here?

Bypassing the catch phrase “the Great Tribulation” we are going to call this what it is, the wrath of God being poured out on earth.

Who is this wrath being poured out on?

  1. Israel for their unbelief.
  2. The nations for their unbelief, and the act of fighting against God.
  3. And sadly, many who will not be caught up in the rapture.

What is happening here on earth during this time period?

Fire, smoke, stars falling from the heavens, waters being poisoned, the earth severely being shaken, hail stones, burning, and oh yeah, the Great Tribulation of the “Saints of God”. The saints of God only gain that title by refusing the mark, and refusing to worship the beast.

Will everyone be hit by this? It is entirely possible that the be-headings will be a middle eastern phenomenon, but based upon CIA statistics, there are 2,500,000 Muslims in the USA alone. That number is difficult to ascertain, because what little freedom we have left has precluded the CIA from being able to ask the religious affiliation as people enter this country legally. Of that 2,500,000 only 14% are considered to be full-blown radicals, willing to perform Jihad upon command. If I am right that is only 35,000 radicals in this country. Spread 35,000 over a nation like this, and God help us. There is a small problem with any of this. They are all under direct command by the Qur’an to do Jihad when necessary. That is why it is necessary for Islam to infiltrate our learning centers, our legislative system, our courts, and our law enforcement, and they are doing just that. Ouch! So, when you add this to perversion that country is allowing FEMA to construct prison of war camps in our own nation, the chances that great tribulation will happen here are very good.

When the period of wrath comes to an abrupt halt the 1000 year period begins.

Satan is bound during this time, the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven.

Saints rule and reign with Christ, and the nations have to come before God to honor him, regardless of how they believe.

Satan gets released for a short time at the end of 1000 years, deceives the nations, God wipes out the offenders, throws Satan into the lake of fire, and restores the most amazing peace on earth.

I happen to find Revelation 22 a beautiful and fascinating read. Why? One because it is the end of the story on earth as we know it, and it only gets better. It is not a time of fear, but of rejoicing, because our redemption draws near.

Paul’s gospels are gospels of hope for the believer, not wrath. We were not made for wrath, but salvation. The Jews that asked Jesus “when would these things be”, were not looking for, nor expecting a snatching away, but a militaristic messiah that would reign triumphantly, defeating their foes forever. He will, but even as he stood before them, clearly prophesied by Daniel and others, they rejected him, and put him to death. He will come, just as he said, to capture us away, and then again with justice to put things right.

James told us to ask for clarity and wisdom.

James 1:5 CJB Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him.

 We are not in the darkness that we should not know. Just ask.

A postscript to the morning.

I told you that I spoke to a man in the restaurant as I threw away my trash this AM. Well he got up within a few minutes and left. Several minutes had passed, and suddenly God places this man heavily upon my heart.

God spoke to me and said, “If you will rend the heavens on his behalf, then I will move upon his life at your request.” I said yes sir, and started praying.

This went on for several minutes; me praying in the spirit for this man, claiming his life for God, and doing also what God told me to do, putting my hand on the back of my Greek friend as I prayed.

I composed myself and went back to trying to find a clear-cut answer to the futility that was being passed back and forth across the table. An hour and fifteen minutes of nothing. This is madness, and demonic.

Two of the guys are now gone, and suddenly God has drawn my attention to a young man, sitting at an extra seat across the room, but clearly within earshot. He has his eyes closed and God speaks to me, about him, in the same way. I turned to the one I called Fred. Totally interrupting their useless banter and said,

“God has not called us to confusion, but to bring life. I have, at God’s direction prayed for the man who showed an interest, and he is mine. God is calling for his prophets and the time is now. He is calling us forth to bring life and healing to the broken, not this foolishness. God has spoken to me about that young man sitting over there with his eyes shut, pretending that he does not hear, and told me to rend the heavens on his behalf, claiming his life for the kingdom, and I have, he is mine. This is what we have been called to do.”

Fred is just staring at me. He says, you sound angry. I responded with, “I am not, but I am intense.” You want to know what a prophet is like? You just saw it. Declare those things that be not as though they were. The testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy, therefore testify of Jesus.

I got up and left.

Some time later dad gets home from his morning bible study and tells me that he tried to get the men there to ponder Genesis 1:26

Genesis 1:26 KJV And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Dad was focused upon the aspect that this plural personal pronoun our implies that God is talking to someone else, but even more important is fact that the “them” have dominion.

Add this to the statement that Jesus made “all power has been given unto me, therefore you go.” implying they were to move out in the usage of that power.

That power transfer was not temporary, and still viable today.

If that is the case why are we not walking in that power?

You don’t believe that do you?

What happens when the Holy Spirit comes?

Acts 1:8 KJVBut ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

I pointed out to dad what I said and did this morning.

Power is the ability to produce change.

God asked me to step into the lives of two men this morning, and whether they know it, or not change will come.

Power.

Act out in the spirit of the Lord and you will know power, his power.

 

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Calling forth the Prophets. Answer the call if this is you.

Posted on 03/09/2012 by remso

For several weeks now something has laid heavy upon my heart.

Having recently read through Ezekiel’s prophetic book three things stood out.

1. God gave Ezekiel a clear-cut directive; warn the people of destruction coming.

2. The penalty upon Ezekiel if he did not warn the people, and dire trouble coming upon those that do not heed the warning.

3. Ezekiel’s cry of repentance.

I feel that God has asked me to be a watchman upon the wall, and I can tell you, in the name of the Lord, that the end is close. God is calling out for people to cry out in repentance for turning their backs on making, and committing adultery with the world and it’s ways.

God will not hold me responsible for doing anything other than to deliver his message. We struggle with the concept of tribulation, and some even declare that there will be none, or that we are in this tribulation now. I am warning you, you have no idea how bad it is going to get, if you can think this way.

God has called this nation to repentance on previous occasions and we have ignored those words. We have taken our deprivation even further, and committed atrocities that no longer make us blush with shame.

We have done detestable things and called it our right.

Hear the word of the Lord, “you are on your last call.”

Therefore say to the people

Jer 3:25 Let us lie down in our shame, and let our confusion cover us; for we have sinned against Jehovah our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day; and we have not obeyed the voice of Jehovah our God.

Dan 9:13 Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.

Jer 14:7 Though our iniquities testify against us, work thou for thy name’s sake, O Jehovah; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.

‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent!

Eze 14:6 “Therefore say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!

“If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me

Jer 15:19 Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 NIV

(30) “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. (31) Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?(32) For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

Repent and live!

Jer 14:20 We acknowledge, O Jehovah, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against you.

Read the words of Daniel’s prayer. Apply the name of this nation, and/or your own. God’s is calling upon the people, his people of the earth to pray and repent.

Daniel 9:4-20 NIV I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, (5) we have sinned and done wrong.

We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. (6)

We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

(7) “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame–the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.

(8) We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, LORD, because we have sinned against you.

(9) The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; (10) we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.

(11) All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. (12) You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem.

(13) Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth.

(14) The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

(15) “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong.

(16) Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

(17) “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.

(18) Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.

(19) Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

God has also spoken to me to call forth the prophets.

God is not interested in prophets for hire, or showmen.

I feel strongly that this is a word than I have been asked to deliver to those who will hear.

“I am calling forth those who have the heart and backbone to begin declaring those things that be not as though they were. 

The day is upon us, the time is now. 

I have already been calling you, preparing you.  

The time is now for I am pouring out the oil. You would be wise to take it in and move out in its anointing. I am asking you to step forward in faith and decree my name.

As my servant Peter announced on the day of Pentecost that Joels’ prophecy about this time was being fulfilled in their ears, he opened the door for my Spirit to move upon the earth. You will now see me move through my people, those who will move forth boldly as I speak to them. 

The time of fear is over, it is now time for men and women of valor to step forward, declaring boldly my name. 

Set the captives free. 

Cause healing to flow into the broken and wounded. 

That day is upon us.

 I have pulled the horn to my lips and I am preparing to blow. All things are falling rapidly into place, and nothing is lacking in my scheme. 

 The cry has gone out. 

I have asked you over and over to get ready, prepare your oil, and turn your face toward me as one that seeks me as though your life depended upon it. 

Look at Matthew 25, and ponder this parable, but do it quickly. Ask yourselves, do I have any oil at all? They all thought they were going to the same wedding. Half were unprepared. If you are unprepared, then you will subject yourselves to the wrath to come; and you do not have to do that. It was not meant for you.

As you step out in faith there will be those that attempt to slam you back down to the ground. Find faith filled people who understand, and are willing to pray. I have placed them in every city and hidden many just for this time.

Just as in the days Elisha, I have preserved my prayer warriors and prophets. Many of you already know who they are. You are not alone. I given these people orders to strengthen you, and carry you in prayer. You can do this.”

The call of the prophets has gone forth. The power of the Holy Spirit will guide you and give you the words to say.

The time is now!”

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The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Posted on 03/03/2012 by remso

Another typical morning with the guys.

The “leader” of the group finally sits down and says, “I would like everyone to look at Revelation 22:3. I am having a problem with this.” So we all jump in.

Just for fun, I will call our leader Bob. Bob prefers to read from the Modern King James Version.

Here is the passage from the ASV:

in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2 ASV)

While some might read this, and rejoice over the idyllic scene, for it depicts this amazingly beautiful river that flows from the throne of God, and it has the tree of life growing along its banks. If you pursue the references to this river you will find one of my strong motivations, fishing.

Others, like myself, notice things like the tense, or the sudden possibility that my concepts of heaven were wrong. Let me take this one further scary step. If my concepts are wrong, then it is possible that much of what I think about God is wrong too.

This may surprise you. I have found many of my ideas about God to be wrong, and it has changed my thinking about who God is. I have actually found him to be more merciful than I ever thought possible.

Consider Jonah, he attempted suicide in an effort to not do what God asked him to do. Read the story! What was the last thing we hear from Jonah? I knew you would be merciful to them. God operated outside of Jonah’s concepts of judgment and punishment. Easy now, do not think for a moment that God withdrew his judgment, he merely withheld it. Nineveh was turned into a dust pile some time later, and rightfully so, for they were a vile, brutal people, and Jonah knew this.

I know the idea of God shaking your foundation scares many of you. You might think it blasphemous to even consider the notion, or even worse, it frightens you because you think it might make you turn away from God, and what else is there to turn to? You need to ask yourself what your foundation is built upon, truth? (that requires that you spend time in His word finding out who He is.) or fiction? (things you heard and never opted to find out for yourself.)

Really? Jesus told you that your notions and work will be tested in the fire, and the junk will be burned up. What if you could burn up some of that junk down here, get your thinking hat back on straight, and start giving people reasons to live for the King.

The discussion, was far to brief, with no real answers, as the good Doctor of Humanities showed up, but the questions coming from Bob, were two.

– The minor question, based upon his MKJV version:

What is the tense when it says, “the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

– And the major question. Why do the nations need healing if we then live in heaven, a perfect, sin free place?

I have been looking at end times events for some time and thought I had it clear, so I responded immediately with, “because you are not looking at heaven at this point.” To be honest I had not looked at the passages even though I had opened to them.

Bob looked toward me with a menacing glare and said, “yes we are, look at the previous verses in chapter 20 and 21.” So I did.

While our resident grammarian, expert on Greek, and church history, expounded about the tense (it is present tense, by the way), I opted to try to sort this out.

If I am wrong in my assertion, and without reading, it sure appeared that I was, then I must admit to you that I HATE THAT. (Got that out of my system.) The worst part of this, and I think this is what was throwing Bob for a loop, is that suddenly things are not what I imagined them to be.

Heaven does not seem to be this la-la land where we dance around aimlessly in fields of clover. Life seems to just keep going on. And to be honest, this is throwing me for a loop also. What is even worse. This is not the first time I have seen something like this, that challenges most everything I have come to understand (from Sunday School) about heaven.

I thought I had this one figured out. Fortunately I had to leave early because the good Doctor was now heavily involved and had us chasing rabbits down endless trails, and I hate wasting precious time.

The day had moved on into evening when like a light bulb coming on it occurs to me that I have read a description of the millennial kingdom that speaks of the city of God coming down from God, composed of the Saints, and key here, is that upon Satan’s release he deceives those nations, and they try to do battle with the Saints of God. This battle is the Gog and Magog war that ends rather quickly with God destroying them, and then the white throne judgment.

I gather you figured out that this is not a three minute sermon.

Open your bibles.

(This is a Word that I received as I wrote. I felt compelled to insert it here.)

“We are warriors, called by God, watchmen upon the walls. Hear what the Spirit says to you, my church. I, Jesus Christ the living one, am coming soon, and my wrath is coming with me. Turn your hearts and minds toward me, seek me while you can. Seek me while my grace is freely given. In these last minutes here on earth, find the broken and heal them, bring to those that have none, find the lost and compel them to run to me. You have been called to be men and women of valor. Live a life of one committed purpose and that is to be ablaze with my fire. Have you not been called a city upon a hill, a beacon. Be that beacon. Be different; be set apart; be what I called you to be. I am coming soon, have your oil ready.”

If I only focus on the time line account in Revelation 22 I might miss something here.

Look at Revelation 20:1-3 Briefly –

“…He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. …”

This is the beginning of the thousand year period, we call the millennial reign, but a breath later Satan is released, and we should all have an understanding that this happens at the end of the thousand years.

(Revelation 20:3 NIV) “… He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. ”

Keep reading! There should be no confusion.

(Revelation 20:7-9 NIV) When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth–Gog and Magog–and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

Recap:

  • The thousand years have passed
  • Satan is released for a time.
  • Satan deceives the nations, who are many, diverse, and not committed to God. (Get that?)
  • These crazed combatants surround the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.

Focus with me on this last line for a moment. Within it are some aspects you should consider.

The nations coming to do battle with God’s people, and they (the combatants) completely surround the camp of God’s people, the city he loves.

It does not effectively change from one translation to the next this feeling that the city and God’s people are one in the same. What is clear from this passage (Revelation 20:7-9) is that God really loves us, his people.

(Hebrews 11:16 NIV) Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

(Revelation 21:2-3 NIV) I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

What I am trying to prove is that the city is here during the thousand-year reign. Revelation 20:9 has the nations coming against the camp of God.

The word city in verse 9 is the Greek word polis

Thayer’s Definition:

1) a city

1a) one’s native city, the city in which one lives

1b) the heavenly Jerusalem

1b1) the abode of the blessed in heaven

1b2) of the visible capital in the heavenly kingdom, to come down to earth after the renovation of the world by fire

1c) the inhabitants of a city

 

From Vine’s NT words: polis (G4172), primarily “a town enclosed with a wall”

 

This is not a concept exclusive to Revelation. Look at Ezekiel with me.

(Ezekiel 40:1-4 NIV)

In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city–on that very day the hand of the LORD was on me and he took me there. In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze; he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see.”

What did king David see:

(Psalms 46:4 NET) The river’s channels bring joy to the city of God, the special, holy dwelling place of the sovereign One.

The Greek word holy, as applied to the city is:

  1. topos (G5117), (Eng., “topic,” “topography,” etc.,) is used of “a region” or “locality,” frequently in the Gospels and Acts, in Luke 2:7 and Luke 14:22, “room”; of a place which a person or thing occupies, (From Vine’s NT words)
  2. The Net bible translation notes are quite extensive: 13tnHeb “the holy [place] of the dwelling places of.” The adjective “holy” is used here in a substantival manner and placed in construct with the following noun (see GKC 428 ß132.c). Origen’s transliterated text assumes the reading קֹדֶשׁ(qodesh, “holiness; holy place”), while the Septuagint (LXX) assumes a Piel verbal form קִדֵּשׁ(qidesh, “makes holy”) and takes the following form as “his dwelling place.” The plural form מִשְׁכְּנֵי(mishkeney, “dwelling places of”) is probably a plural of degree, emphasizing the special character of this dwelling place.

There should be a sudden realization that the nations are not just coming against God’s beloved people, us, and His city, but God himself. That man Ezekiel saw standing in the doorway, was Jesus himself.

Alright, let’s try a recap again.

  1. Safe assumption – rapture
  2. Seven years of wrath.
  3. Ensuing battle at the end of the seven years.
  4. Satan is locked up for a thousand years, and the “beast and false prophet” are thrown into the lake of fire.
  5. Ezekiel sees the city of God, the temple of God, and the associated activities involved with that temple. Revelation 20 also describes the city of God; the camp of God; God’s people.
  6. Satan is released at the end of the thousand years and deceives whom? The nations, not God’s people. An obvious factor here is that there is still free will, and clearly these nations are not choosing God, but regardless of their free will scripture tells us that God makes: the surviving combatants come to the “city of God” the new Jerusalem, yearly to worship Him, and participate in the Feast of Tabernacles.
  7. The nations rise against the City of God, surrounding it.
  8. God destroys those nations
  9. The Great White Throne judgment
  10. And then what?

This should absolutely take your breath away!

(Revelation 22:1-6 ASV) And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads. And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.

I am not confused, but I know some still are. I told you, get your bible out and read it. Read it with a determination to understand; read it, because your life depends upon it; read it, because in it are the words of life, and read it because only then do you begin to understand the nature and character of God.

As I read I made up my mind to understand. Read Daniel, he did the same thing, and then based upon simple math, he knew that the end of the Babylonian captivity was near.

I admit some difficulty at first, but I asked the Holy Spirit to walk me through this. I think a major point of confusion is that the scenarios are re-spoken several times over, using varying terminologies. As the Doctor of Humanities, a teaching professional said to us, “If you do not understand then I have not taught you correctly.” Maybe God is just that patient with us, and varies the teaching methods so that we do learn.

How many of you can relate to the barbaric slaughters that David and his men were involved with? Yet there are many who have that mentality and can totally relate. We, in this so called civilized world, do not act that way toward others. Yeah right! How many of you wish to take your cares to a priest like Samuel that can swing a sword? How about the prophet that is capable of slaughtering a multitude of false prophets. Anyway, the point is that different methods are often necessary to impact the variety of people that God has to deal with.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.

(Revelation 22:17 ASV)

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I went in the bitterness and anger of my spirit.

Posted on 03/02/2012 by remso

 

It feels like it forever since I wrote anything. It has been a tough couple of weeks.

A couple of months ago, one of the people closest to me said, “you’re not a man of God!” To be honest, that was about the lowest thing this so-called Christian could say to me. If you have it you to speak that way to someone then you must have some kind of a God complex, because you have just judged that person; a person you really know nothing about. Plan on having a statement like that rebound on you. It will feel very similar to the worst slap in the face you have ever received.

Now how would I know that? Because I have done it, and six months later had those words come back to crush me.

Another aspect of this persons comments are that I am full of myself. If you only knew. Life has come close to devastating me. I have fought off the concept of suicide on several occasions, and there have been many moments where I could find no value in me. Sadly these damaging words are one of roadblocks that I have to over come as I write.

One of the men at Monday morning bible study has made comments to the effect, “is this an essential aspect of doctrine? Do we really need to focus on this so much?” Mind you, I am not the only one there, but I am one of the outspoken ones. And yet, this man, who, in my mind, is a scholar on church doctrines and early church history, consistently asks me if I have written anything new, or have something to say.

Why ask me?

If I were to define the why, as if I were looking at myself, I would have to say, I know where life has taken me and it is filled with painful realities of God’s mercy and grace. To top off this dark cloud I found myself under, work has been especially stressful to me.

I finished reading Leviticus, and had a difficult time with it much of it. Sometimes I feel like a kid, climbing a very rocky hill, and I keep falling down as I go. Each of those falls just beats me up, and I think I only continue climbing because of sheer determination.

So, I migrated into Ezekiel

Ezekiel fascinates me for several reasons, and here is one.

 The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD on me.

(Ezekiel 3:14 NIV)

 What is the big deal about this passage? Quite possibly nothing, but then why does the Holy Spirit bother to even mention it at all?

 We know a little about Ezekiel

  • He was a priest. That may imply a cushy job. It certainly implies an education and a better than average knowledge of Moses and the preceding prophets.
  • His being a priest also implies that he has friends that are priests, and may imply that he has intentions of climbing the religious ladder, but we do not know this.
  • We do not know that any of the priesthood could hear from God, and as we read Ezekiel we learn that if anything Israel has turned it’s back on God, and has never abandoned their idol worship.
  • He is a married man. The only thing we hear about this aspect comes when God tells Ezekiel that he is going to take her life quickly, and that Ezekiel is not to mourn for her. (How do you do that?)
  • We also know that Ezekiel is among the captives in Babylon.
  • He is told what his mission is, and I am not sure it could be any tougher. He is to go to the house of Israel, a people who will not listen to him, because they will not listen to God.

I realize that we could conjecture many things and reasons about why Ezekiel reacted as he did, and many would not be that far off, we really need to stick with scriptural aspects that define this. Problem is I don’t see much, but this idea of knowing that no one will listen to me sounds very discouraging.

What I do see is God not reacting to what ever was bothering Ezekiel

One might think, oh goody, God has finally called me. Based on how wealthy some of today’s ministers seem to have become, you might think that Ezekiel would be ecstatic about that possibility. Not having much in the way of a track record, Ezekiel might not have any idea of what God was about to ask him to do, but then not knowing how “ridiculous” the tasks would be, what cause would he have to be mad.

I tossed this idea about with someone who has known the Lord for many years just to see what they thought. They responded with, “I think it is because God picked him up by his hair.” I can remember thinking, “where did that come from?” We have nothing to show that God is carrying anyone around by their hair.

Here is my take on this. God has taken Ezekiel out his comfort zone. He has given him an impossible mission, and Ezekiel knows full well that the message is not going to be popular, possibly taking away friendships and relationships that Ezekiel found essential.

When I have found myself in bitterness and anger of my spirit, I am probably not aware of God’s hand upon me, and yet Ezekiel was.

This man Ezekiel is exceptional and worthy of an intense look. The prophetic words he spoke have tremendous significance for today, and echo in Revelation as well as the word of other prophets.

 

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What is balance in a Christian life?

Posted on 02/22/2012 by remso

This originated as a response to a blog I read, but don’t get me wrong, I agreed with the brother.

Balance; the Christian life is one that should be lived in balance.

I suspect that most think balance means living with one foot in both worlds at the same time.

How are you supposed to do that when scripture tells us that the friendship of the world is God’s enemy.

Look it up, James 4:4.

Now I suppose the next question is what would it mean to be friends with the world? The Greek word for friend is phlilia. The same root word used in Philadelphia, the town of brotherly love. It means to have a fondness for. If you think about it, this can really limit the way you feel about, and interact with the world.

I can hear the whining now, you don’t want us to have any fun. You have whatever you want, in your quest for balance. Just know that you will pay a dear price for this fun that helps create your own personal balance.

Take a look at the passage. You will see a man bristling with anger as he says this.

 James 4:4 LITV Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever, then, purposes to be a friend of the world is put down as hostile to God.

 To be an adulterer is to seek out another in illicit relationship. James is equating our fondness for the world with adultery, something that God despises, and warned Israel about on many occasions. Do you not realize that an aspect of the Great Tribulation period is a time of judgment and punishment upon Israel for their adulteries.

 So, in your quest for balance James defines what it is not.

You give in to envy, ambition, boasting, denial of the truth, and selfishness, you have given yourself over to the demonic. The kingdoms of this world, that is what Satan called them, are filled with nothing but disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:13-16 NIV Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (14) But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. (15) Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (16) For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

 As I try to find some place to gain balance, I see nothing in the world that will give me that, and yet James got right to the point in verse 13 by saying, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

What is he talking about? Balance.

Of course that would mean “if I gave my life over to God,” but that is so restrictive. Perhaps, if all you can do is compare this life in Christ to gaudy baubles, then I suppose I could understand, but how can you compare, Love, the creator, the Word, and the feeling of being alive that you feel when you respond to his call and bring life to someone else.

Perhaps another concept of balance is being able to merely cope within the world’s system.

Yes, we have the admonition, “you don’t work, you don’t eat, 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

But maybe it is something more. Maybe people are really trying to walk with confidence in this world.

No, I am not saying you cannot go to work, have a business, or drive a car.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV (11) and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, (12) so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

 Not that you need the respect of outsiders, but that your lifestyle is one that demonstrates a Godly life, and they see and want it.

Paul wrote to Timothy instructing him to:

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ASV Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (18) that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (19) laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.

 In other words, use this gift of making money to do the right thing, not just to satisfy your selfish desires, and give into the adulteries of the world. The disciples were shocked when Jesus made the statement that it was hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Why did this shock them? Perhaps they had enough money to consider themselves rich?

Matthew 19:23-26 ASV And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. (24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (25) And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved? (26) And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 Jesus had, only moments earlier, told the rich young ruler, to go and sell everything he had and give it to the poor, and come and follow me.

What would that have accomplished? It would have busted up an adulterous relationship the young man had with money, and shown him a far more rich and fulfilling life.

 Let’s dispel something now. I am not against you making money. I am against money owning you, and there is a very thin line separating between what God wants, and what you want. Your motivation is purely selfishness, and God’s is giving out of love.

 I find myself thinking God, if only I had those things I could share them with people.

But would I? Truth is, to some major degree, I get really tired of selfish people and would probably not share anything, because people would mess my stuff up. There it is, the truth, it is my stuff, the basis for a torrid, and adulterous affair.

You know what the strange thing is. Like one of those relationships in which I am taking something that is not mine to take, at the end of the day I feel some strange disgust about the intimacy I had with those things.

 Here is my idea of balance.

The world and it’s draw, is this huge weight on one side, and living as Jesus did is on the other. The world’s weight is huge, ominous and actually trying to push us off the scales, while Christ, the creator of the universe calmly calls us to know him. Do not think for a minute that this calm quiet man is not capable of tipping the scales in his, and our favor.

So the bottom line for me is this.

The balance comes when I put the word of God into action in my life as I stand on one side of this scale, while lifting my hands toward the Glorious God that pours out his life and love toward me from the other side of the scale. Don’t think that the scale creates a separation between you and Him. It is only for demonstration purposes.

The day is coming when the harlot (the lust for power driven by greed)  will be thrown off the scales, for Jesus, the Word, is the scale.

 

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I thought I had a plan.

Posted on 02/15/2012 by remso

This is a response I posted to a new blogger, on another site I go to.

I got on the computer this morning because I thought I had a plan, but  all morning long I have run into people like you, and I cannot stop the tears.

When you ask “why things happen?”, I don’t know why either.

I am now 58, but at 25 Jesus appeared to me and laid my life out before me. I thought, I should write this down, but I did not, and in the morning, when I awoke, I could only remember that he had been there, and the joy I felt knowing the end result.

May I just say that I have wanted to give up and walk away on many occasions. Yes, the thought of suicide crossed my mind many times, but I am still here.

Through the toughest times I always knew that God was right there; I was the one that was distant.

One recent episode (two weeks ago) I lost it at work. I cussed out anything that breathed, including the manager standing in front of me. He told me to go home! Can you imagine how I felt? Whatever just went through your mind would be about right. The next morning I went to one of my favorite churches, because worship time there is always awesome. I stood there in rebellion, my arms crossed. God spoke to me, even through my disgust and anger. I gave into God and let the anger go. That is when He spoke to me.

The awesome aspect of this is that God gave me a word, and told me that He would protect me at work, and He did. The same store manager that pulled me in the office and said, “I can fire you on the spot,” did not. (Thank you Jesus.)

That manager just the other day, sat down with me, in the break room filled with people, and asked about what I was studying and why. Praise God. I shared this same story with him, and I shared it with everyone else that could hear me in the break room. I do not talk quietly, especially when it comes to my Jesus.

I can tell you this. I would not have chosen this path to get to this point in my life. I lost everything, but found a God I thought I knew, but really did not.

I have fallen in Love with Him more than I ever thought possible, and I sense that it is going to get better.

His word, which I have read several times, is jumping off the pages at me, as though they are so new and exciting.

I always had a want to understand Revelation and it’s “fearful” prophetic words. Only recently, I think because I asked the Holy Spirit to make it clear, Revelation and end times events are becoming so clear to me.

As for the fear aspect. I will give you a few quick references that God saw fit to show so that fear is not an aspect of our vocabulary when it comes to our hope in Christ.

  1. There is no fear to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. He is righteousness. You are in Christ, and there is no fear in love. 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18. I have heard these all my life, but only in the last few years have they began to make sense to me.
  2. In Matthew 24:37-39 Jesus, in response to several direct questions about the end of time said this, “But as the days of Noah were, … until the day that Noah entered the ark, ..” The point here is that as you read references to Noah, you find that God closed the door behind him, and then when Noah and his family were safe, God brought the wrath that he had promised.
  3. Peter not only used Noah as a reference about God preserving us from the wrath to come, but added Lot into the mix. Read Genesis 13 and you find Lot choosing sin city to make his home. In chapter 19 of Genesis angels come to get Lot and anyone willing to go with him, out of there. Why? because God’s wrath was coming upon this place. The angels told Lot that they could do nothing until Lot was out of harms way, and then they grabbed hold of all that were going with, and took them out. Clear of harms way, fire fell upon those cities.
  4. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says, “..Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” No differently than Lot, or Noah. He will deliver us. Therefore we have a strong hope, based not in guess-work, but in the Word of the King of the Ages, God himself.

If we are in Christ then we are new creations. Do you believe that? It is part of your hope.

We study and take drivers tests at Motor vehicle department because we have a hope. A hope that we can obtain a goal, a driver’s license.

Part of the reason many come to the Lord is because we offer them hope. A hope of what? Life and deliverance from God’s wrath. Man’s wrath is a whole other issue, but I implore you ponder Peter’s message to the crowd on the day of Pentecost you will find a freedom that will blast the doors off your thinking.

Peter quoted the Prophet Joel. Peter said, “this is fulfilled in your hearing” It happened there before them and like light has never ceased.
What happened? …. Considering that Joel prophesied about the end times, a time of darkness, gloom, and trembling, what could there possibly be in here that brings hope and life to anyone.

Joel 2:28-32 KJV  ….. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  (29)  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.  ……  (32)  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Do you realize that this time is now.

We have been given the right to move heaven and earth in behalf of people. Not just people, but captives.

Consider what happened in the garden when they came to take Jesus. Few seem to realize this. They said to him, are you the one we are looking for? Jesus replied, I AM, and they all fell backward at his response.

Oh dear Lord, let us grasp this. For we have denied you and lived in fear, lacking an understanding of who you were for so long.

Read the book Hebrews, starting around chapter 11, and you will find what some call the hall of Faith. Some of these people choose not to be delivered, because they knew their reward was in heaven, and by choice they died.

Hebrews 11:33-35 Moffatt NT  (33)  …who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouth of lions,  (34)  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness won to strength, proved valiant in warfare, and routed hosts of foreigners.  (35)  Some were given back to their womankind, raised from the very dead; others were broken on the wheel, refusing to accept release, that they might obtain a better resurrection;

Jesus himself said to the Romans and Jews:   John 19:11 Moffatt NT  Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me, unless it had been granted you from above.”

Yes, I am telling you there is power in the name of Jesus Christ. Power to still an enemy and an avenger.

This Jesus Christ, chase him, pursue him, follow after him as a deer that longs for water.

Make him your pursuit and your oil will never run dry.

Think about this. The prophet Elisha tells the dear woman, who is on the verge of having to sell her son to pay debts, to gather pots and pour what oil you have into them. The woman and her son did this until they ran out of pots, and then the oil ceased. (Read about this in 2Kings 4:1-6)

Yours is a pot that is endless, and even at that we have the promise that God will continue to pour even if it overflows. He is all in favor of the blessing that you are receiving flowing out onto others.

I am responding to you, but I will tell you this. This has spoken to me too, and in the Name of Jesus Christ, this will minister to others as well. You have no idea, like Queen Esther, that God called you here just for this purpose.

There will be those that speak against this word. You may be one of them. Don’t just sit there, be like the Berean Jews, who heard a word that challenged them, and then looked it up for themselves. We are the Laodicean church because we have denied God, refused His power, and looked to be entertained and not be the ones that set people free. You will know exactly why you are here on this earth the day you step outside yourself and lift someone off their feet to bring them deliverance.

Try it. I dare you!
In Gods loving arms and grace, until the day of His appearing.
Ozzie

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Birthday Party

Posted on 02/15/2012 by remso

 

This is one of those things you stumble upon that changes everything about the way you think.

Birthday Party.

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The President & The Prophet: Obama’s Unusual Encounter With Eric Metaxas

Posted on 02/14/2012 by remso

 

Reading Material into 2011
Reading Material into 2011 (Photo credit: Bob AuBuchon)

The President & The Prophet: Obama’s Unusual Encounter With Eric Metaxas.

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A word to the body of Christ. Yes, that is you.

Posted on 02/12/2012 by remso

God has grabbed my attention and shown me an image like a noisy drill sergeant, which snaps out commands to soldiers under his authority. You soldiers are Marines, and he gives a series of instructions, finishing with an energetic “Semper Fi” (Always faithful.)

Why? Knowing little about the background of those under his command, he must create in these new recruits a skill level, so that during times of war they will not have to be coached on how to survive and who they are.

God called and you enlisted you; now through God’s word He has trained you and you have become the person God designed you to be. You have questioned your standing with God and wondered why you have struggled with the simple sins; it seems as though you cannot rise above life’s circumstances.

Romans 5:15 Gives you an answer.

… For if by the transgression of the one (Adam) the many died, (the entire human race) much more did the grace (favor though undeserved) of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

We were all born into sin, and sin required a death. Jesus paid the price required for us, brought on by Adam, with His own life.

If you think you are alive because you breathe, know this, it is only through Christ that you live, and move, and have your being.

If you have not been commissioned, or do not understand who you are, then I would have you stand to your feet and commission you. I would look into your eyes so that I could see that what is being said to you is becoming an image that is emblazoned in your memory and heart. Another way of putting this is in relationship to knighthood. You would be announced before the public, and given the parameters on your abilities, your sphere of influence, and how you impact others and the kingdom.

Perhaps you understand these concepts already and yet you struggle; I would remind you of whom you are.

As you stand before God the King, I commission you this day before the presence of the God whom I serve and have sent me; I declare by God’s hand who you are this day.

You have been adopted into a royal family, a family whose nobility shall never end. This adoption of yours came through your acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as the redeemer of your life. I declare that from this day forward you are free from the sinful nature that held you down and separated you from God. I declare to you that because you have accepted Christ’s death and burial that you have buried you old nature with Him and like Christ, you are now raised to new life. A life in which your human nature is now hidden in Christ, regardless of what it seems like.

Will you have opportunity to stumble? Absolutely, but you are to remember this day; the day that God’s servant declared to you who you were. You are nobility and through the Word of God you have trained yourself to rule and conduct yourself as a king. Your calling in life is to rise to your highest potential in Christ, and carry His presence in you as you wear the royal robe; a robe that was washed in the blood of the one who made you able to be adopted. When you stumble you are to get up, dust yourself off, remind yourself of who you are, and stand in an erect, dignified manner for you represent the Kingdom of the Most Exalted God. The only One to who praise is due.

You have been: Washed, Clothed in Him, made new, brought into the family of God, established, caused to reign, and given the Father’s authority to rule over and change this life.

Let God’s Grace, which poured out toward you when you did not deserve it be the light that you pour out toward others.

Until we reign together in Glory, all my love in the Holy Spirit.

Ozzie

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Thoughts on John 5:17

Posted on 02/08/2012 by remso

John 5:17 Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”

They were already furious with him. He had, contrary to the law, ordered the man to carry his bed roll on the Sabbath. It did not matter that the Sabbath belonged to God; It did not matter that this man, a man they recognized (maybe) was now well; It did not matter that this kind of thing, a healing, was a rarity, and there should have been great excitement over that.

One of the early incidents, as Israel wandered, was someone caught gathering firewood on the Sabbath. Those that caught the man brought him to Moses for a judgment. The man was stoned to death. That should cause you to think that these Pharisee’s, the keepers of the Jewish law, took this very serious.

Now, in response to their attack about the Sabbath issue, Jesus says, “My Father is…”
Father is the Greek word pater and means no less. The KJV also translated the word as parent.

Let’s assume that was all he said, obviously it was not, but it was known that Jesus parentage was in question, for they (the Jews) had tried to throw him off the cliff previously over such a statement. If the Jews took it as a physical parent then the barrage about him being an illegitimate child would have begun again. There was nothing about this statement that was anything less than Jesus declaring his role as God’s Son, and (omit) the strengths of the Father were his, and they understood clearly what he meant.

The look on their faces must have been priceless. Silence filled the air for a moment, long enough for him to finish his thought. He buried them in the glory of who He was. Statements that should have sent them to their knees, and yet all they could do was scream and start looking for boulders to throw.

In the “Revelation”, John says, “who is this King of Glory”. Dear lord, he was standing before their faces. They should have been blinded by his glory; they were blinded alright, by the god of this world, for they could not see him standing directly in front of them.

“My Father is always at work to this very day, …”
That seems like an odd statement. It tends to imply that there were those that did not know or believe that God was still at work. How could you not believe that?

Keep in mind that Israel had just gone through about 400 years of what appeared to be silence from God. Did not the man who was healed walk before them? Perhaps they attributed the miraculous to: the devils work, or some strange mysticism. In the Acts there is the story of Simon, the sorcerer, and he had a following. People have a tendency to follow the dramatic, at least for a time, but they also follow what appears to be results.

The word translated work is ergazomai in the Greek, and means to toil (as a task, or occupation), by implication it means to be engaged in or with.

Consider that not everything in Greek directly translates, therefore much of what we read has been conceptualized. An example of that is this verse. In the KJV it reads: “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work”. The word hitherto is the same concept used to produce “is always at” in the NIV. The word here is heos and it is a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place). From Mickelson’s Greek Dictionary

If I restated what Jesus said, I might be able to say that My Father has never stopped being engaged with us and will continue to do so until the desired time has been accomplished.

Jesus arrival on this earth was and is monumental, but even he stated that we were to hold on, because there is more to come. The end of all things will be a time of God showing us the things he has prepared for us.

Knowing that the Father is working toward a goal, Jesus stated that the goal was his cause also. You saw some of that goal demonstrated that day. Jesus went to one who was broken, unwanted, hopeless, had no way to change his life without the savior, and gave him the freedom to hope again.

Jesus gave him a new life.

 

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