Author: Ken

Two Olivet Discourses?

Ken1 Comment

No, but the Holy Spirit communicated different messages (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21) by the emphasis and focus He gave the Gospel writers’ choice of words in their reporting. The difference can be as great as the Preterist insistence that all prophecy was practically fulfilled in the 70 AD Roman destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21), and the opposing Futurist insistence that the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) is coming and soon to be fulfilled (Matthew 24). 

Matthew’s Gospel was directed more to the Jewish mindset with the identification of Jesus as King, Messiah, and Savior of the Jews. Hence, Matthew points out the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27 cp. Matthew 24:15) and Luke does not. Written in 63-68 AD, Luke foretells the upcoming 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem, where Jesus warned Christians to flee “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies” (Luke 21:20 KJV). Christ made possible the escape from the Roman destruction of Jerusalem of all those who believed the Gospel of Luke’s warning. In similar fashion, Christ will make possible the future escape of all those who believe His warning about the prophetic “abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), when it finally occurs. 

The crucial flaw of the Preterist position, i.e., essentially all prophecy was fulfilled in the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem, is the lack of the Abomination of Desolation fulfillment at a time future to Christ’s pronouncement on the Mount of Olives, i.e., “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), and certainly not an already occurred fulfillment, i.e., Antiochus Epiphanies (“God Manifest”) sacrificing swine flesh on the Jewish Temple altar between the OT and NT eras. “3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin [Antichrist] be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:3-4). 

Luke’s Gospel had more the Gentile readers in view, not mentioning the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27), yet, both Matthew and Luke mention a crisis with Jerusalem, causing any faithful inhabitants to flee: (1) 70 AD, “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with [Roman] armies,” then “flee” (Luke 21:20, 21), and (2) prophetic future, Tribulation Week, Seventieth Week of Daniel, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel,” then “flee” (Matthew 24:15, 16). Matthew, Mark, and Luke foresaw “nation shall rise against nation” (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10). All the Synoptic Gospels recorded the betrayal of friends and family by those who do not share your loyalty to Christ (Matthew 24:10; Mark 13:12; Luke 21:16). If this turmoil took place within Christ’s Twelve Apostles, should we be surprised it would take place prior to Roman’s destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, or that it would characterize a future time in the Tribulation Week shortly before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? 

The confusion of Biblical interpreters amounts to whether we take the obvious message of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Olivet Discourse) and find fulfillment solely in the 70 AD Roman Destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21), or whether we can also discern the deeper implication of a future Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15) and the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27). 

Failure to see the Futurist View of an upcoming Tribulation Week separates much of the Evangelical Church, where Israel practically has been replaced by the Church, and Israel has no future role in the Kingdom of God, but an asterisk or footnote to the future glory of the Church. Of note, this liberalization of OT prophecy is due to a distaste of taking God’s Word at face value, literally, and in my opinion, contributes to the overpowering antisemitism permeating secular society. The Church cannot restrain secular society from antisemitism because it does not view antisemitism as any worse than any other hatred. To be clear, Antisemitism is the focus of Satan’s hatred upon God’s chosen people. “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:4). Remember, only “through their [Israel’s] fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles” (Romans 11:11), but it is “for to provoke them [Israel] to jealousy” (11:11) that Israel finally would be saved. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (11:25). Luke’s Gospel instructs us, the times of the Gentiles is about to end. “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).

LORD, certainly this discussion is like so much noise that must be blocked out because of the more pressing matters of day to day survival. But, Spirit of God, use this understanding to remove the blinders from our eyes, which have held us in our respective theological traditions. May the day come again where there is “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” (Ephesians 4:6), but especially, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and in you all” (4:7). Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

For a more developed discussion, see our article, Do You Believe There Will Be New Heavens and New Earth?

Treasuring His Word (Psalm 119:2)

Ken

“Blessed are they that keep [Hebrew, nâtsar, guard, watch, observe] His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2 KJV). Why are they blessed? For two reasons. They (1) “keep His testimonies,” i.e., because they are important, so they obey them, and (2) “seek Him with the whole heart,” i.e., emphasis is upon the LORD, and absolute giving of the heart to Him. None other than “whole heart” seeking is possible, since “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). LORD, deliver us from half hearted seeking, believing we can be blessed by such deceptiveness. Show us Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Vain is the Help of Man

Ken

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7 KJV). David slew Goliath, not because of superior armament, but because of His trust in the LORD. In life, warfare, politics, business, and sports, we conceive of competition, where my victory is only your defeat. Where I live, because you die. But, we forget, God is more interested in our heart than He is in our financial bottom line or the results of an election. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). If I must sacrifice my relationship to God, then I would not want that victory. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). God’s people become like the world, when they measure victory in terms other than faith. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4). It is more important that God would be honored than I live, succeed, or prosper. Only those who create their god as a figment of their imagination can afford to sacrifice that god for the benefit of their success. Only those who see nothing beyond the here and now could sneer, “Winning Is Everything, Stupid.” Father, deliver us from the victories, where Christ is not enshrined as the Victor. Teach us to compete so no one can take away our crown of victory. Cause us to elevate our understanding of You and our opinions about ourselves that we might war a good warfare. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

Happiness From His Word (Psalm 119:1)

Ken

“ALEPH. Blessed [Hebrew, esher, happiness or blessedness] are the undefiled [Hebrew, tâmîym, whole, sound, healthful] in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 119:1 KJV). Yes, we are blessed or happy, but why? We are as Noah was a “just [Hebrew, tâmîym, perfect]” (Genesis 6:9 KJV), or undefiled by the physical and spiritual curse of the Nephilim, but why? We are undefiled, because we walk in the law of the LORD. True, we walk not in the “counsel of the ungodly” (Psalm 1:1), but we “delight” and “meditate” in the “law of the LORD” (1:2). If we stop there, we miss the point. It is the LORD’s law. Without Him, we have no source or focus. He alone is able to give meaning to the law. We learn of Him and His character by our association with that law. Unless we view our time around His Word as something more than a word study, then we escape the grand point of our existence — to “know Him” (Phillippians 3:10). 

Fighting on Foreign Ground

Ken

Home court advantage always belongs to the LORD. Our opponents mistake our strength, as if it depended upon our location. “And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they” (1Kings 20:23 KJV). The LORD always wants His people to prepare their utmost for the battle and the likely casualties of the battle, but to undoubtedly trust Him for the victory. As at another time King Jehoshaphat of Judah prayed about his coming battle, “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee” (2Chronicles 20:12). The LORD must take great pleasure in delivering His people to demonstrate He is the LORD, because He also did it for even the Northern Kingdom of Israel: “26 And it came to pass at the return of the year, that Benhadad numbered the Syrians, and went up to Aphek, to fight against Israel. 27 And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. 28 And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD” (1Kings 20:26-28). LORD, may we know the certainty that here or away, You are the God, who delivers us. Teach us to act and believe, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and deliver Your people. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

What is the Doctrine of Christ?

Ken

Unity in the Body of Christ is one of the indications to the world of Christ’s reality and divine love for them. “I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me” (John 17:23 KJV). As important as unity is, Christians need to be even more careful about the teachings or “principles of the doctrine of [concerning] Christ” (Hebrews 6:1), because “whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of [concerning] Christ, hath not God” (2John 1:9). Since “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1Corinthians 5:5-6; Galatians 5:9), once those in our Christian fellowship adamantly maintain doctrines about Christ contrary to the truth, either they depart from our fellowship or you depart from them. “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2John 1:10-11).

For instance, if in your attempt for ecumenical unity and cooperation, you found one of the church participants, such as the Roman Catholic Church, teaching Mary as “Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix of all Graces and Advocate,” i.e., “Mary’s singular and unique sharing with her Son in the saving work of Redemption for the human family,” then you must reject your association with that church. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The purity of your devotion to Christ requires you to “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2Corinthians 6:17). If our actions represent our devotion to Christ, then we are defending Christ, not just words, teachings, or doctrines about Christ. Father, cause our devotion to You to be greater than our attempt to prove the correctness of our doctrine or the incorrectness of anyone else. Preserve Your people in loving obedience and cast out the bondwoman who would draw us back to Babylon. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Miracle of Willingness

Ken

Can’t understand, unwilling to hear. First, we must be willing. Only then can we understand. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17 KJV). We highly underrate willingness. Only God’s Spirit infallibly knows how to reach each of us with a saving and useful understanding of Christ. Or, whether we can be reached at all. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power” (Psalm 110:3). In these NT times, we have an even greater opportunity of knowing Christ because of all the history of God’s unfolding revelation of Himself to humanity through the birth, ministry, sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of His Son; but especially, the sending of the Spirit of Christ to make us willing. 

“And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).

“8 And when He [the Holy Spirit] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:8-15). 

Father, grant us the miracle of a willing heart. Make today the day of Your power for me. Cause me to be fully surrendered to whatever You want from me. Take my heart and do whatever You know is best to bring about Your Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

Team Jesus

Ken

Christianity is a team sport, and Jesus, as the Head of the Team, always wins. Apart from Jesus, there is no victory. “And they overcame him [the adversary, the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11 KJV). “Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:24) because he was not a solo performer. Paul encouraged others to be followers of him “even as I also am of Christ” (1Corinthians 11:1). If others fall away from Jesus, then they forgot or never truly learned that victory is only in Jesus. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Corinthians 15:57). Satan hates us, though he may succeed in martyring some of us, he can never defeat Team Jesus. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4). Father, help us to keep our eyes on Jesus for without Him, we have no victory. Cause us to think, act, and pray like we truly believe it. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God

Ken

If every man is a brother, and God is everyone’s father, then shouldn’t everyone go to heaven? Universalism is a common name for this. Fraternal organizations, such as Freemasonry, teach the brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God. “Currently, it [Freemasonry] has over 6 million members worldwide who share the belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind… If you are a Christian, and if you are in the lodge, you cannot talk of Christ or consider him as God. Freemasons believe G.A.O.T.U (Great Architect of The Universe) is the true God of the universe. Other than that, they also believe that you will go to heaven as a result of your good works. Jesus hasn’t died as the payment for your sins” — Freemasonry describing itself from “What Are the Three Core Beliefs of Freemasons?”  For this reason, True Christians cannot be True Masons. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). Freemasonry is a false teaching, prevailing wherever Scripture is superficially understood and Christ is not truly all in all.

What Is Baptism for the Dead?

Ken

I’m not Mormon, yet Paul did say, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” (1Corinthians 15:29 KJV). Baptism depicts: “we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Baptism is a Loyalty Oath of confessing ‘Jesus is Lord’ before the world, required by those who do the baptizing, so the convert can have the understanding they are now saved. “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NET). 

[This is a longer entry. Scan ahead to see how long.]

Mormons believe, “With a few exceptions everyone will be redeemed” — kind of a universalism — but first, Mormons will go to Paradise, everyone else will go to Spirit Prison, where “Righteous spirits” will preach to them, giving them a chance to repent. Meanwhile, on earth, Mormon faithful will consent to be “baptized or confirmed by proxy for (in behalf of) someone,” which would be done in Mormon temple worship, i.e., being baptized for the dead. But, before dealing with Baptism for the Dead —

How does Scripture deal with Mormon beliefs? 

First, since God was here first, humanity in general, and Mormons in particular, have the burden of proving their case to God. In other words, God is the Judge, not you. Remember, the words of Joseph Smith or Doctrines and Covenants do not establish truth, but must reply to What Saith the Scripture? “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding” (Job 38:2-4 KJV). 

Second, Mormons significantly add to the divine revelation of the traditional Word of God by establishing the Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price as of equal importance. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19). 

Third, Mormons fatally mistake Jesus as merely one of the gods or simply a spirit brother of Lucifer, when He is in fact the Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, Him By Whom All Things Consist, Him With Whom We Have to Do, the Judge of All the Earth, the Savior of the World. “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake” (John 14:9-11).

Fourth, Mormons misrepresent the afterlife, since Jesus’ account of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) informs us that the Rich Man in “hell” (Greek, hadēs) was not exceptionally evil, just rich, was not debating for a second chance, no Righteous Spirit was attempting to gain his repentance, and a “great gulf fixed” (16:26) prevented his escape or help ever to reach him. 

Now, what about Paul’s statement, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for [Greek, huper, concerning] the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for [Greek, huper, concerning] the dead?” (1Corinthians 15:29)? 

First, evangelical Bible interpreters do not agree what baptism for the dead must absolutely mean, but it concerns the resurrection, i.e., why baptism for the dead, “if the dead rise not at all?” (15:29). 

Second, since evangelical Bible interpreters (along with Mormons) have offered their opinions, so I offer my opinion. I will paraphrase 1Corinthians 15:29, ‘Else what shall they do which are baptized concerning or because of the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized concerning or because of the dead?” 

Third, baptism is not then for the benefit of the dead or departed ones (as Mormons mistakenly believe), baptism is concerning or because of the dead, who will resurrect with Christ, as shall we, who are baptized. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1Corinthians 12:13). Baptism is that truth representing our death to sin, conversion to Christ, forgiveness of our sins, reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), resurrection to new life, and final resurrection to eternity in Heaven with Christ. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). 

Father, cause Your Spirit to bless us with a revelation of Your Son to us. May our appreciation of Baptism for the Dead be an occasion for rejoicing what You have done for us, giving us newness of life in Christ Jesus. Magnify Your name. Lord Jesus, return quickly for us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.