CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you then have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:11)
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as faithfulness, dependability, wealth, focus, devotion, God and money.
“If you then have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:11)
IN CONTEXT
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.If you then have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:10-13)
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“When I am faithful in a very little I will be faithful in much, and if I am dishonest in a very little, I will also be dishonest in much. I ask myself, “If I then have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to me the true riches? And if I am not faithful in that which is another’s, who will give me that which is my own? I will not serve two masters, for either I will hate the one and love the other, or I will be devoted to the one and despise the other. I will not serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:10-13)
THE DOUBLE-MINDED PERSON – UNSTABLE IN ALL THEIR WAYS
The Book of James tells us that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let them ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given that person. But let them ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. That person must not suppose they will receive anything from the Lord; they are a double-minded person, unstable in all their ways.”
The answer is to FOCUS ON THE RIGHT THINGS, “Do not Look to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
The answer is to STAY FOCUSED by “Setting your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2).
The answer is to REMAIN FAITHFUL TO GOD, since, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
It takes faith when trusting God, and although faith is the seed of miracles, and is a wonderful and an amazing gift, it takes practice and patience. Remember that shortcuts almost always lead to small endings – but doing things right is taking the long way around, which takes patience and endurance, but it is the one who endures to the end who will receive the reward!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: (Coming Soon. Please bookmark this page or subscribe).
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” (Luke 12:26).
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as the worries of life, anxiety, God’s provisions, brevity of life, seeking the Kingdom.
“If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?” (Luke 12:26).
IN CONTEXT
“And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If thenyou are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” (Luke 12:22-31)
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“Therefore, I confess that I will not be anxious about my life, that is, what I will eat, nor about my body as to what I will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. When I consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value am I than the birds! And, can I by being anxious, add a single hour to my span of life? If I am not able to do as small a thing as that, why should I be anxious about the rest? I consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. And, if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe me! I will no longer spend all my time seeking what I am to eat and what I am to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and my Father knows that I need them. Instead, I am seeking His kingdom, and these things will be added to me.” (Luke 12:22-31)
DO NOT BE CONFORMED – BE TRANSFORMED
Retraining your mind to believe and practice the Word of God, can often be challenging. However, Romans 12:2tells us and encourages us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”, and we are told to “do all things heartily as unto the Lord” and to be faithful, wise and fruitful servants of the Lord, even multiplying the good things He entrusts to us.
God provides – all the time. Stay vigilant. Stay alert, watching for His provisions. They are already there, just like the MANA in the desert. Just appropriate them and give thanks!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: (Coming Soon. Please bookmark this page or subscribe).
Revelation 17, Verse 1, Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,
verse 2. “with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.”
verse 3. “And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.
verse 4. “The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality,
verse 5. “and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery,
verse 9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom.The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits,
verse 10. “and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while.
verse 11. “The beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighthand is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction.
verse 12. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.
verse 13. “These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.
verse 14. “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
verse 15. “And he said to me, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.
verse 16. “And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.”
“SO, WHAT” does this have to do with you or with me?
While scholars may debate some of the fine details of this particular vision, the main points of application seem abundantly clear:
#1. We are crossing the threshold of a Global Transformation – and it does not look good for most people.
#2. By all indicators, God’s prophecy of the End of Days is well under way.
#3. The Bible says events will turn cataclysmic – very soon.
#4. Culture is not neutral. You will have to choose sides by your actions. Talk won’t work.
#6. The devil is encroaching through the backdoor of seduction, idolatry, technology, perverse entertainment and has crept into the church. He is now in the church, deceiving many.
#7. The majority of the Church is either compromised, asleep, ignorant or afraid to engage the enemy.
#9. God is calling and it is time you and I mobilize and do the Works Jesus has commanded.
#10. Doing nothing, except being nice and “going to church”, assures you of nothing!
To begin with, there are four great signs and events which mark the rise of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, the deception of millions, leading to the End of The Age. These events will affect every single person on this planet. Be informed in order to get ready.
There is much debate and discussion about the identity of
“BABYLON THE GREAT MOTHER OF HARLOTS” – Ezekiel 38.
To be clear, this discussion is interesting and is helpful, but generally it has nothing to do with our salvation in Christ. However, knowledge coupled with action will be vital in your preparation, as followers and disciples of Jesus for His return. We are to be about His Work in these Last Days.
First, some of the most popular speculations about the Great Harlot are:
The Great Harlot could be Rome (the reemergence of Rome as a power),
Or, that even New York City, USA, could be the Great Harlot.
One view suggest that the Apostle Peter uses the word “Babylon” as a symbolic way of referring to the new world culture at war with the covenant community. The Whore of Babylon is the spirit of seductive culture, actively engaged in the deception and destruction of God’s people. That she rides upon “the beast” means she is propped up by the forces of anti-Christian government.
Just like the beast, who was, and is not and is about to rise, the “Whore” keeps on rising from the dead! A particular brand of her seductive charm may fall into the dust and be buried by the sands of time, but just you wait! Before you know it, she will rise again in another place, known by another name but waging the same destructive war against God’s covenant people.
Be watchful. What we are discussing are signs, first, of the beginning of the final 7 years of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Last Days, and secondly, the final three and one-half years. We will know that the time is near by the changing of the ‘seasons’, which is occurring now. (By the way, this is an extremely slow moving storm of cosmic proportions).
Keep a watchful eye on these 10 nations as they align together against, and then for an invasion of Israel.
Gog, a.k.a., Rosh (Russia) and
Rosh(Russia)
Magog (Russia)
Gomer (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
Put (Libya),
Cush (Ethiopia),
Persia (Iran)
Meshech (Southern Russia, *Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia)
Tubal (an area in central Turkey),
Beth-Togarmah (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia)
When they are aligned and armed against Israel, the End of Days Clock is only seconds from God’s intervention in the defense of Israel and the destruction of Israel’s enemies, the dragon and the beast.
COMMENTARY and VIEWby David Rosenthal at Zion’s Hope: The 10 Nation Confederation, (THE HEADS), of the BEAST from Ezekiel 38, of Daniel 7,9 and Revelation 17:
Nation #1. Gog: A Reubenite, son of Shemaiah, the prophetic prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and Magog. Gog is identified as a descendant of the prophet Joel, and in Ezekiel 38–39, he is the chief prince of the tribes of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog, the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media.
Nation #2. Magog: The 2nd son of Japheth, grandson of Noah, and progenitor of several tribes northward from Israel; the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media and habitation of the descendants of Magog, son of Japheth and grandson of Noah
Nation #3. Rosh: “the Prince of Rosh” is Asiatic Russia receives confirmation from the Imperial Dictionary. “Evidence exists of an ancient people called Rosh, or Rhos, supposed to be the original stem from which the Russia or modern Russians have derived their race and name.” The scholar, Bishop Lowther says: “Rosh, taken as a proper name, in Ezekiel, signifies the inhabitants of Scythia, from whom modern Russians derived their name. We must conclude therefore, that Ezekiel’s “episode of Gog’s invasion” (A. B. Davidson) points irrefutably and undeniably to the Russians.
Nation #4. Meschach: Was a Chaldean. The Chaldeans inhabited the coastal area near the Persian Gulf. About 630 Nabopolassar became king of the Chaldeans and in 626 he forced the Assyrians out of Uruk and crowned himself king of Babylonia. Modern day Turkey.
Nation #5. Tubal: a region in east Asia Minor, perhaps nearly equal to Cappadocia
Nation #6. Persia: Iran
Nation #7. Cush (Ethiopia): located on either side or both sides of the Red Sea. As such, “Cush” is alternately identified in scripture with the Kingdom of Kush or ancient Ethiopia.
Nation #8. Put (Libya): Ancient Libya. In this sense, Libya was the whole known African continent to the west of the Nile Valley and extended south of Egypt. Herodotus described the inhabitants of Libya as two peoples: The Libyans in northern Africa and the Ethiopians in the south.
Nation #9. Gomer: (was the wife of the prophet Hosea (8th century BC), mentioned in the Hebrew Bible‘s Book of Hosea (1:3). Hosea 1:2 refers to her alternatively as a “promiscuous woman” (NIV), a “harlot” (NASB), and a “whore” (KJV) but Hosea is told to marry her according to Divine appointment. She is also described as the daughter of Diblaim.) The Hebrew name Gomer refers to the Cimmerians, who dwelt in what is now southern Russia, “beyond the Caucusus”, and attacked Assyria in the late 7th century BC.
Nation #10. Beth-Togarmah: Togarmah is a city mentioned in Assyrian and Hittite texts. It was north of Carchemish on an Assyrian trade route. It may be related to modern Gurun between the Halys and Euphrates Rivers.
These are the 10 Nation Confederation to watch, (THE HEADS), of the BEAST Ezekiel 38, of Daniel 7,9 and Revelation 17. All are Islamic, the Center of which is MECCA.
LIST from Ezekiel 38 – Original regional names and current national names:
#1 & #2. (#1 and #2 from Previous List). Gog – Gog and Magog appear in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran as individuals, tribes, or lands. In Ezekiel 38, Gog is an individual and Magog is his land; in Genesis 10, Magog is a man and eponymous ancestor of a nation, but no Gog is mentioned; and centuries later Jewish tradition changed Ezekiel’s “Gog from Magog” into “Gog and Magog”.
The Gog prophecy is meant to be fulfilled at the approach of what is called the “end of days“, but not necessarily the end of the world. Jewish eschatology viewed Gog and Magog as enemies to be defeated by the Messiah, which would usher in the age of the Messiah. Christianity’s interpretation is more starkly apocalyptic: making Gog and Magog, here indicating nations rather than individuals, allies of Satan against God at the end of the millennium, as described in the Book of Revelation. (From Wikipedia).
#3 & #4. (#4 and #5). Meshech, Tubal: Meshech (also spelled Meshek) and Tubal were sons of Japheth, one of the three sons of Noah who survived the flood with him (Genesis 10:1–2). Meshech (whose name means “long, tall, or drawn out by force”) is the sixth son of Japheth. The land of Meshech is closely associated with that of Tubal, especially in a prophecy of Ezekiel. The region of Meshech is often identified as being north of the Black Sea (southern Russia and Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia), and Tubal as an area in central Turkey.
The land of Meshech is used in Psalm 120:5 as a generic reference to barbarous regions where “those who hate peace” live (verse 6). The lands where Meshech’s and Tubal’s descendants settled figure significantly in some prophecies of Ezekiel, and it is in that book where they are mentioned most. In the prophecy of Ezekiel 38, Meshech and Tubal are ruled by Gog, a prince over those territories: “The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, “Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal”’” (Ezekiel 38:1–3). Ezekiel repeats God’s words of judgment against the descendants of the two sons of Japheth when he prophesies that God will defeat them in a war against Israel (Ezekiel 39:1–5).
Many biblical scholars equate the land of Gog in Ezekiel’s prophecies with Russia, who will attack Israel “from the far north” (Ezekiel 38:15). Meshech and Tubal could be two of the “many nations” joining Russia in their invasion of Israel (verse 6).
The advance of the alliance involving Meshech and Tubal will be like “a cloud covering the land” (Ezekiel 38:9). Some commentators believe this war, often called the Battle of Gog and Magog, will be one of the events leading up to the end-times’ tribulation. Others believe it will occur close to the midpoint of the tribulation, since Israel will feel secure at the time, “dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates” (verse 11).
God will defeat this powerful alliance (Ezekiel 38:22) to reveal His greatness to all the world (verse 23) and restore the people of Israel to a right relationship with Himself (Ezekiel 39:21–29). Meshech and Tubal, despite the strength of their numbers and help of their allies, will fall. (GotQuestions.org)
#5. (#7). Cush: The Kingdom of Kush; Assyrian: was an ancient kingdom in Nubia, centered along the Nile Valley in what is now northern Sudan and southern Egypt.
#6. (#8). Put – Phut or Put is the third son of Ham (one of the sons of Noah), in the biblical Table of Nations (Genesis10:6;1 Chronicles1:8). The name Put (or Phut) is used in the Bible for Ancient Libya, but a few scholars proposed the Land of Punt known from Ancient Egyptian annals.
#7.(#9). Gomer: The Hebrew name Gomer refers to the Cimmerians, who dwelt in what is now southern Russia, “beyond the Caucusus”, and attacked Assyria in the late 7th century BC.
#8. (#10). Beth-togarmah: Togarmah is a figure in the “table of nations” in Genesis 10, the list of descendants of Noah that represents the peoples known to the ancient Hebrews. Togarmah is among the descendants of Japheth and is thought to represent some people located in Anatolia. Medieval sources claimed that Togarmah was the legendary ancestor of several peoples of the Caucasus -including Armenians and Georgians.
These are the 10 Nation Confederation (THE HEADS) of the BEASTEzekiel 38, of Daniel 7,9 and Revelation 17. All are Islamic, the Center of which is MECCA
From Ezekiel 38, 39:
Gog, a.k.a., Rosh (Russia) and
Rosh(Russia)
Magog (Russia)
Gomer (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
Put (Libya),
Cush (Ethiopia),
Persia (Iran)
Meshech (Southern Russia, *Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia)
Tubal (an area in central Turkey),
Beth-Togarmah (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia)
Revised Map of Eastern Europe
From Ezekiel 38, 39:
Gog, (Russia) and
Rosh, (Russia) and
Magog (Russia)
Gomer (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
Put (Libya),
Cush (Ethiopia),
Persia (Iran)
Meshech (Southern Russia, *Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia)
Tubal (an area in central Turkey),
Beth-Togarmah (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia)
These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast: Whatever their exact identity, their actions are clear. They join with the Antichrist in the war against Christ, in the battle alluded to in the sixth and seventh bowls (Revelation 16:12-21).
The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits: The harlot presides over peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. This tells us that the harlot’s influence is worldwide, through her connection to the beast. This will be a truly one-world religion.
The interpretation of the harlot focuses on her relation to the beast: she is utterly connected to the beast and his government. If this sounds unthinkable, remember that throughout history, religion – not true Christianity – has often been the willing servant and supporter of tyrants.
I know this is a difficult subject and a ‘tough read’. So, I have begun with and I will end with…
“SO, WHAT”?
While scholars may debate some of the fine details of this particular vision, the main points of application seem abundantly clear:
#1. We are crossing the threshold of a Global Transformation – and it does not look good for most people.
#2. By all indicators, God’s prophecy of the End of Days is well under way.
#3. The Bible says events will turn cataclysmic – very soon.
#4. Culture is not neutral. You will have to choose sides by your actions. Talk won’t work.
#5. Satan is boldly walking through the front door of a worldwide governmental alignment, even as I write this.
#6. The devil is encroaching through the backdoor of seduction, idolatry, technology, perverse entertainment and has crept into the church. He is now in the church, deceiving many.
#7. The majority of the Church is either compromised, asleep, ignorant or afraid to engage the enemy.
#8. A remnant is rising at the Voice of God.
#9. God is calling and it is time you and I mobilize and do the Works Jesus has commanded.
#10. Doing nothing, except being nice and “going to church”, assures you of nothing!
CONCLUSIONS?
FIRST: The final 7 years of the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord or the Last Days are near. We know this by the change of ‘season’. (By the way, this is an extremely slow moving storm of cosmic proportions).
SECOND: Watch these 10 nations.
Gog, a.k.a., Rosh (Russia) and
Rosh(Russia)
Magog (Russia)
Gomer (Eastern Europe-Southern Russia),
Put (Libya),
Cush (Ethiopia),
Persia (Iran)
Meshech (Southern Russia, *Ukraine and possibly the Republic of Georgia)
Tubal (an area in central Turkey),
Beth-Togarmah (Georgia, Chechnya, Turkey/Armenia)
When they are aligned and armed against Israel, the End of Days Clock is only seconds from God’s intervention in the defense of Israel and the destruction of Israel’s enemies, the dragon and the beast. (Christians will have been taken from the earth 3.5 years prior, and will already be before His Throne, singing Hallelujahs to the King.
Get Ready. Stay Ready. The struggle is great but the victory is greater!
My dear friends, (and if you are reading this, I consider you a friend):
Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the Word of God. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. The Word of God must not depart from your mouth; you must meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then, you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
Thus says the Lord.
I have written 2 previous articles on Ukraine and Russia (see below) as related to Ezekiel chapter 38 and the End Time or the Last Days.
This video (below) is from pastor Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia. It puts an exclamation point on the matter. Please watch and pray.
The day draws near. Be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Go, therefore, and make disciples, teaching them all that Jesus has taught, baptizing them in the Father, The Holy Spirit and the Son.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
2 previous articles on Ukraine and Russia by Whitestone Fellowship:
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as illnesses, demons, faith, forgiveness, healing.
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).
IN CONTEXT
‘”And one person from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, because he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not do it.”
“And He answered them, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” And they brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsions, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.
“And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if Youcan do anything, take pity on us and help us!” But Jesus said to him, ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”
“Immediately, the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
“When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again!”
“And after crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out.” (Mark 917-26)
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“Jesus, I know You can, can do all things. Have pity and help me!”
“IF I CAN?” – Jesus’ question to the father.
Oddly, in our text, the father asks Jesus to help him and his son, “If He can”. And, Jesus replies with an interrogatory, “IF I CAN?” The man immediately, and correctly, begs for help with his unbelief.
There are other times that doubt plagued even the disciples:
“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.” (Matthew 28:17). But Jesus sent them anyway.
“But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So, the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.
“Eight days later His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be to you.” Then He *said to Thomas, “Place your finger here, and see My hands; and take your hand and put it into My side; and do not continue in disbelief, but be a believer.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:24-29). But Jesus showed Thomas anyway and helped him is his disbelief.
Dear Friends, let’s always remind each other, that “it is with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (see Romans 10:10).
Say it. Believe it. Do it!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: (Coming Soon. Please bookmark this page or subscribe).
Amplified Bible
Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.
The world is falling into mayhem and madness. Is this a recent phenomenon, or is it a recurring anarchy?
The Bible verses, posted above, are from a prophetic section of the New Testament book of Matthew.
This, alone, would not be a harbinger of things to come – or, in fact, of things now occurring. But if you read Chapter twenty-four, you will find that this is just one feature of many which define the Last Days, which are occurring concurrently and growing in intensity – worldwide, which would be a harbinger. Listen and read carefully:
Matthew 24:3. “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 24:4, “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.”
“For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”
Widespread wars and global conflicts: Matthew 24:6, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Verse 7. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”
An increase in widespread famines and earthquakes: Matthew 24:6,
“There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
NOW, THE GOOD NEWS
“I have said these things to you, that in me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – Jesus, John 16:33.
Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy
“A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again, a little while, and you will see Me.” Some of His disciples said to one another, “What does He mean when He tells us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again, a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I am going to My Father’?” So, they were saying, “What does He mean when He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him, so He said to them, “Are you wondering among yourselves about what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, that you will weep and grieve [in great mourning], but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has pain because her time [to give birth] has come; but when she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of her joy that a child has come into the world. So for now you are in grief; but I will see you again, and [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away from you your [great] joy. (John 16:16-24 – The Amplified Version).
Prayer Promises
“In that day, you will not [need to] ask Me about anything. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name [as My representative], He will give you. Until now, you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking, and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.
“I have told you these things in figurative language (veiled language, proverbs); the hour is now coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf [because it will be unnecessary]; for the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from the Father. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
His disciples said, “Ah, now You are speaking plainly to us and not in figures of speech! Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; because of this we believe [without any doubt] that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now [at last] believe? Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will all be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me, you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.](John 16:23-33 – The Amplified Version).
Dear friends, we know that there are troubling times in this world. Do not fall prey to them. Set your mind on the things above, and live.
Hear the words of our Lord and be at peace:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here”. (Jesus – John 14:27-31, English Standard Version).
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Here is a sermon and message from Gary Hamrick, pastor of Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia, which will put an exclamation point on the ideas contained in this post. (click this link: HABAKUKK ).
(This is long, it is repetitive – and it is worth it)
“Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved”. (Romans 10:9-10)
Saved: In the Greek language is ‘sózó”, (sode’-zo), Strong’s concordance #4982, made safe, rescued; deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions; saved/rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety“.
SOZO
“Healed, Preserved, Saved (from destruction, evil, harm), Do well, Made Whole”
According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” Do you notice that “good for story telling” isn’t in these verses, or in the entire Bible?
The Bible is God’s Prophetic Narrative of information, instruction, and inspiration, preparing His people with every good work, perfecting and conforming us into the image of Christ so we may live in His Perfect Presence, in the new heaven and new earth for all eternity.
The Bible contains issues about and discusses topics such as geography, sociology, anthropology, science, philosophy, ethics, the church, God and man, community, family, the state, law, arts and media, labor, politics, history, and race relations. Although the Bible addresses these matters and is our instructions in these matters, the main theme of the Bible is NOT these things. Nor is the Bible a disconnected chronicle of stories, one after another, for us to read and muse about.
The Bible IS ABOUT God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It is about God’s plan and purpose for His creation.
The Bible iscausative, creative, prophetic and instructional, telling us to be holy as He is holy.; to have the same mind in us as the mind of Christ; to complete the good works He has prepared for us ahead of time; to be made into the very image of Christ in preparation for an eternity with Him, in His Perfect Presence and with one another.
The Word of God is CREATIVE, CAUSATIVE, PROPHETIC and INSTRUCTIONAL. The entire Bible is PROPHETIC, INFORMATIONAL, INSTRUCTIONAL and INSPIRATIONAL, “profitable for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”
Joshua chapter one, is exactly that:, PROPHETIC, INFORMATIONAL, INSTRUCTIONAL, INSPIRATIONAL The entirety of chapter one is prophetic in that it foretells us of our journey, instructs us on our way, informs us of and our destiny and inspires us to endure to the end.
It informs the Believer of God’s plan, purpose, and
instructs us how we are to navigate life with Him, and
inspires us to undertake our calling with enthusiastic, confident boldness.
(PLEASE NOTE: The best reading and understanding of the Bible is begun with a ‘plain face-value reading’, when possible, with exceptions for metaphors, idioms and similes.)
Joshua 1:1, “After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,
Verse 2. “Moses, my servant, is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.
Verse 3. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
Verse 4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.
Verse 5. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
Verse 6. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
Verse 7. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
Verse 8. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Verse 9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Additionally, when you read the Hebrew language and meaning of a word or verse, in CONTEXT of the preceding and following verses, an amazing picture emerges!
Here are some examples of taking a verse, and transcribing the Hebrew language interpretation into the verse, then reapplying the interpretation into an application of the verse.
VERSE 1
The Verse: 1. Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,
The Prophetic Transcription: Gods says, I will draw you out of your current circumstances (Moses: drawn out). God says I will cause you to rise up and become powerful, you will endure to the end, you will pass over all difficulties, as you lay prostrate before me, you will be saved.
Application:The old way of drawing me out of my former life, is dead; now therefore I will rise up with Christ, now, and come into the enduring power and I will cross over from this descended position of being lost without hope to an Eternal Hope in Christ.
VERSE 2
The Verse: 2. “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.
The Prophetic Transcription: You are become the sons and daughters of God, I am to build you, to establish you. God prevails, God is mighty, God is giving you His Strength.
Application: I and all Christians, to the land which God is giving to us, to us, the eternal sons of God, will prevail, and I.am now made mighty by God in His strength
VERSE 3
The Verse: 3. “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.
The Prophetic Transcription: “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. All, in totality, as you bow yourself down before God, walking in His Spirit, every place your foot treads, is yours – you have victory and dominion in Him.
The Application:Every place and everything I touch, as I bow myself to God, the touch of God will grant me dominion in His Name and for HIs Sake in all circumstances.
VERSE 4
The Verse: 4. “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.
The Prophetic Transcription: “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates,
From the time you lived in wilderness, and the speech of your mouth was dead, I, God, purify and give life to your heart and your mind, and you break forth in fruitfulness.
All the place of terror, the low places that come to you and that you are to enter in, God gives you dominion over
The Application:From the time I was wild in my imaginations, without a new heart or a living spirit or a regenerated mind within me, until the time that God broke forth and gave me a fruitful heart and mind, and an awareness of Him. In Him, I have dominion over all the terrors and low places I will encounter during my life, up until and including the time I enter into His Eternal Kingdom – all of this is mine.
VERSE 5
The Verse:5. “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.
The Prophetic Transcription: No man of any kind, neither great or powerful, without exception, can stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you;
The Application: God will not sink down on me, and He will not relax on my behalf. He will not drop back; and I will not be disheartened. I will know that He is always with me and He never forsake me, nor will He let me be alone. He will never show slack toward me or on my behalf!
VERSE 6
The Verse: 6. “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
The Prophetic Transcription: Be strong and take hold of my strength, and be strengthened, hardened, and prevail. Be encouraged, and secure even obstinate in your assurance, for I am making you superior in your strength. Again, I say, you are strong.
The Application: The land is now mine, that is all the earth. I have already inherited it. And, this is His oath, that is, God’s Oath which He swore to my fathers. Now, I possess it.
Here is a repeat of Joshua 1:1-9 in red text, with the approximated Hebrew meaning and interpretation included in the verses within parentheses.
This also gives you the prophetic interpretation for your life:
Joshua 1:1, “After the death of Moses, (‘The drawn out one’. The one whom God found and drew out of the river, giving him a home and a future. And the way God will draw you out of drifting aimlessly, lost),the servant of the Lord, (the self-Existent or Eternal God), the Lord said to Joshua, (Yehoshua, ‘the Lord is salvation’. A type of Jesus)the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,
Verse 2. “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, (this descending, this declension and deterioration ‘of your life’), you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people (sons as a builder of the family name) of Israel.(he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity: –Israel),
Verse 3. “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.
Verse 4. “From the wilderness,(desert wildness and in thought and speech),and this Lebanon(when God gives you a new heart and mind), as far as the great river, the river(which is your prosperity), Euphrates(meaning you will break forth; rushing forward, alive, vibrant), all the land of the Hittites(the low places you will encounter in life),to the Great Sea toward the going down,(an entrance and not and end; a coming in, entering into a ‘new beginning’), of the sun,(which is a westward window to your future), shall be your territory.
Verse 5. “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you,(you will become together with God, accomplished, committed). I will not leave you or forsake,(not relax, sink, leave, forsake, or loose),you.
Verse 6. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
Verse 7. “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand,(turn your eyes away to fix something by your own strength),or to the left,(do not take on the shape of the things that are of the old life), that you may have good success(in your understanding, wisdom, prosperity, skill, insight comprehension, and prudence),wherever you go.
Verse 8. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Verse 9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (God will go with you, walk with you, come with you, proceed ahead of you, move with you, live life through you, lead you and bring you, carry you , and cause you to walk).”
Note:
This last paragraph is the text of Joshua 1:1-9 in red letters words in parentheses within the verses,is the approxiamte Hebrew meaning, and is also the prophetic application.
Read it. Mediatate on it. Memorize it. Believe it. Do it and it shall come to pass.
May the reading of God’s Word bless you in body, soul, mind and spirit as it comes to pass in your life.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
“The Verses” are from the NASB version of the Bible;
“The Prophetic Transcription” is translated from the Hebrew language with all the detail and nuances of what is written;
“Your Application” is the “Prophetic Transcription” to be applied to our lives.
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.” (Matthew 21:21)
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as usefulness and uselessness, miracles, faith, doubt, authority over circumstances, effective productive prayer.
“And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.”(Matthew 21:21)
IN CONTEXT
“In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.
“When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you,if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:18-22)
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“When I saw it, I marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”
And Jesus answered me, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:18-22)
WHAT YOU BELIEVE YOU KNOW vs WHAT JESUS SAYS
Herein lies what I will call, ‘the line of contention’. The Bible and Jesus say one thing, and our denominational teachings say quite another – either in disbelief or in going too far. Looking at these matters as it is ‘one way or another’ could be aptly named ‘a binary trap’, from which there is no escape.
BALANCE
Very few people would dare say Jesus approached life and spiritual matters with a balance between earthly means and ways, while staying true to His nature as God.
Jesus was both man and God, and He lived both the aspects of His earthly nature and His Divine nature to their absolute fullest.
And, so should we live both our natures – our human nature, as it is controlled by our ‘new birth spiritual nature’ to the absolute fullest. Our balance is only found in Jesus.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: (Coming Soon. Please bookmark this page or subscribe).
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21).
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as obtaining eternal life, the commandments of God, perfection in character, treasure in heaven, the requirements in following Jesus.
Matthew 19:21 – Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect (complete in all its parts, full-grown, of full age, especially of the completeness of Christian character),
go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
IN CONTEXT
“And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If youwould be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:16-22)
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
I said to Jesus, “What do I still lack?”
“Jesus said to me, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS – KNOW THE RIGHT THINGS TO DO
This young man asked, “what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” This is a common misconception, for many, about salvation. If it were that simple, it would certainly be a cheapened grace and a trivial and ineffective salvation – which would be no salvation at all.
Ephesians 2:8-9, informs us that, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Salvation is by God’s Grace (that is, unearned and ‘un-earnable’ favor) through our faith (a belief and a trust in Jesus that is so complete that we are willing to surrender our way of thinking, acting and living and to follow Jesus in His ways.) Then we will walk in the ‘good works’ God prepared ahead of time. And you will have treasure in heaven
It’s all about Him – and we are the beneficiaries of such a Great God and of His great salvation!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: (Coming Soon. Please bookmark this page or subscribe).
A recent publication by Zion’s Hope magazine, dated May-June 2023, asks, “Is the Church prepared to encounter the Antichrist before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?” (Zions Hope, by Marvin J. Rosenthal, 1933-2022).
I attended a small Church in Estero, Florida for a number of years, that is, until ‘certain things’ became clear to me. For example, I cannot count the numbers of members at that church who thought (believed) that the Church would be raptured before the appearance of the Antichrist.
When the matter would come up, I pointed out (on numerous occasions), that 2nd Corinthians 2:1, says, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, verse 2, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Verse 3. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, verse 4, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”, only to be met with a blank stare and a denial.
“Naw”, they would say, “I don’t believe that. We will be raptured before that happens”. I would take a Bible and point out the verse to them. Still, a blank stare.
Marvin Rosenthal points out, in his article, “The Scriptures clearly teach that the Antichrist and the GREAT Tribulation (the final seven years of Great Tribulation) will precede the Lord’s coming. The Church should be constantly watching for her Lord’s coming, but fully cognizant of the fact that it is the emergence of the Antichrist which will indicate the Lord’s emergence is near.
“Believers still living at that time will be removed from the earth by rapture before the outpouring of God’s wrath during the Day of the Lord (the trumpets and bowls of the Book of Revelation) , but they will not be exempted from the difficulties associated with the Antichrist.
“If the Church believes she will be out of here before the Antichrist emerges, she will be caught off-guard and unprepared when he appears to deceive the world.”
Please, dear friends, be ready. Stay ready.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: On another, but related matter, among the many reasons my wife and I had to stop attending that church was the denying of the plain language of the Bible in favor of personal opinions. (Please don’t misunderstand. There were many, many times the Word of God was taught accurately and with great sincerity in this church, and many churches like it. But suppose if you were confronted with this scenario: You are dry and very thirsty, on the verge of passing out for lack of water, and someone offered you a cool, clear glass of water – but the unrevealed caveat is that the glass container itself may have previously been contaminated with fecal bacteria – would you drink? You see, it is the “hidden, missing or omitted facts” that creates danger and should create pause.)
It happened that at some point at this church, someone in the congregation found it necessary to begin ‘giving messages in tongues’ during or at the end of a sermon. Another person, then, would dramatically ‘interpret’ these unintelligible sounds. It was almost always the same two people claiming to have this ‘gift’, and they seemed to play off one another. It awed some people in the congregation, the interruption and strange practice annoyed others. Some people didn’t care one way or another, but some left these services permanently.
I pointed out on occasion that the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:23 said, “Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane?”, some in the congregation would give me a blank stare – there’s always that stare – and would ask, “what are you trying to say?”.
“What am I trying to say”, I would think? “Read it for yourself”, I would think.
Finally, this practice ‘sealed the deal’ for me and we ‘were directed by the Word of God’ to move to another Church: The Word of God proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent”(1 Timothy 2:11–12). (also see GotQuestions.Org).
Also, in 1 Corinthians 14:33, we find, “For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, verse 34, the women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.”
The clarity of these verses is so loud that it is deafening. It must be deafening because it seems some ‘churches and church people’ can’t (or won’t) hear it.
The church, I refer to, had decided not to just ordain women but to appoint women as co-senior or senior pastors to preach from the pulpit – over men. (Again, 1 Timothy 2:11–12, says “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent”.
(There is a Biblical, spiritual, mental, emotional, physical and social reason for this teaching, but I do not have the time or space to explain it here.)
I have had some people in other churches tell me it is none of my business, when I bring matters like this up for discussion, since I am not a member of ‘their church’.
FIRST-OF-ALL, in response to this, I say, “it is NOT your church. It is Jesus’ Church”, it is His Bride, and you have no right and NO AUTHORITY – none whatsoever – to stand in judgment of scriptures. Your responsibility is to read the Holy Scriptures, understand them, and obey them. (Call this ‘legalism’ if you must. I offer it out of love and concern for the Body of Christ, The Church, and for our spiritual prosperity.)
Finally, I would refer you to hear what pastor and teacher John Piper says in an article (interview) on his website “Desiring God”, which he says this:
“Matthew 7:15: tells us to “Bewareof false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” And the word beware means all of us should be alert, but especially shepherds, to identify not just false teaching, but false teachers, whose ways are subtle. They’re clothing themselves with lamb’s wool, while they are wolves.
“And Paul used the same Greek word for beware, in Acts 20:28–29 when he said, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. . . . I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing them.”
“In order to avoid them (false teachings and false teachers), you have to know who they are. You can’t avoid somebody if you don’t know who they are. This idea of identifying and avoiding shows up in 1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 John 10. In other words, Christians, and shepherds in particular, should be discerning and alert to behavior and teaching that dishonors Christ and destroys people — and not treat it in a casual or harmless way.
“And then in 1 Timothy 5:19–20, Paul went beyond just “avoid them” to “rebuke them publicly.” So, speaking of elders who persist in error, he said, “Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin” — and that can be sin of false doctrine or sin of evil behavior, anyone who does not accept correction — “rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”
I know that this “PS” will not make me popular with some and will probably rub some people the wrong way. It may cost me some acquaintance-ships. If so, I will be saddened by that. But enough is enough. It’s time to speak up and to speak out.
So, what do you think?
“Is the Church prepared to encounter the Antichrist before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?”
When they are aligned and armed against Israel, the End of Days Clock is only seconds from God’s intervention in the defense of Israel and the destruction of Israel’s enemies, the dragon and the beast.
Marvin Rosenthal points out, in his article, “The Scriptures clearly teach that the Antichrist and the GREAT Tribulation (the final seven years of Great Tribulation) will precede the Lord’s coming. The Church should be constantly watching for her Lord’s coming, but fully cognizant of the fact that it is the emergence of the Antichrist which will indicate the Lord’s emergence is near.