Active Spiritual Warfare

Glorious in Holiness

Ken

“Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11 KJV). Doing nothing but comparing Almighty God’s trifecta of holiness as exceeding the glory, praise, and wonder of gods living and dumb is the fulfillment of our human existence. What service more can we give than elevate Yahweh’s set apartness as exceeding greater than any simple opposition to the vacuum of sin’s lack of submission to God? Our God is “majestic in holiness” (15:11 NET). 

Holiness in God is more than the lack of presence of sin, but the elevation of His set apartness flowing from His person. Holiness is more than a reaction to sin, since Yahweh was holy before any transgressed His law, for “sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4 KJV). To extol God’s character as worthy of praise indicates understanding of Him connected with the emotion to “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (1Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 29:2; 96:9). How can we worship and praise Him for what we little understand? 

May God’s Spirit teach us His character that we may extol Him in heartfelt praise — “majestic in holiness, fearful in praises, working wonders” (Exodus 15:11 NET). More than filling our intellect, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3 KJV). May we do now, what we will do forever. “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). Even so, come Lord Jesus. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Princes Did Speak Against Me (Psalm 119:23)

Ken

“Princes also did sit and speak against me: but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes” (Psalm 119:23 KJV). What princes did David intend in this verse? The princes against him in the court of Saul, his own son Absalom, the counselor Ahithophel, or the princes of the Philistines? Whenever representatives of human government may be oppressive to the godly, what are we to do? David’s inspired solution was to “meditate on Thy statutes” (119:23). This suggests not that no other action be taken, but preeminently, council from God’s Word must be sought to know what to do. And, if nothing else was done, this would be well done. Escalating reprisals against those, who attack us, may be the politics of man, but “love covers a multitude of sins” (1Peter 4:8 NET). Conflict will cease only when there is strength enough to resist war. Love “is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.” (1Corinthians 13:6). Father, may we study Your Word that we may know how to answer the affront of princes. May we know the ways of peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Only Sustainable Solution

Ken

Sustainability, by definition, is the means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals for future generations. Who wouldn’t be in favor of that kind of sustainability? Yet somehow, Christianity has been depicted in opposition to sustainability. But, what saith the Scripture? 

Even before God had given any other command to His newly created human image bearers, “God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28 KJV). He blessed them and approvingly gave His command to multiply their offspring with dominion over all living things. But most significantly, humanity is to “replenish” (1:28) and equally to “subdue” (1:28) our planet. The significance of near space and outer space is important only in relation to how it affects our primary dominion over earth. 

The depiction of ravaging the planet in the name of monetary profitability may be acceptable to some economic systems, but God’s economic model must feature subduing the planet, while replenishing it (Genesis 1:28). This only meets the requirement of God’s original directive to man. Any human system — public or private — must optimize these features of subduing and replenishing, if it reflects God’s original intention for humankind. 

God Alone Is Sustainable 

But, the concept of sustainability is truly feasible only to the extent it represents obedience to the command of the Creator God. This is true because Jehovah alone is sustainably everlasting. “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlastings arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them” (Deuteronomy 33:27). Only a God capable of sustaining Himself from everlasting to everlasting is able to promote true sustainability. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). And, it is unsurprising in our New Covenant times that Jesus Christ is the embodiment of true sustainability. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). 

Sustainability Possible Because God Commands It 

God never gives a command which cannot be obeyed, because God is faithful. “For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments. And His commandments do not weigh us down” (1John 5:3 NET). No one can say to God His commands are burdensome, impossibly grievous, and unthoughtfully weighing us down. When we have treated Yahweh as a burdensome taskmaster rather than a Loving Father or Faithful Creator, then we are prone to interpret our profitability more in terms of subduing our planet rather than also replenishing it. 

Sustainability Advocated by the World, Laudable But Impossible 

Advocated by the world, True Sustainability is not possible. The Second Law of Thermodynamics speaks of a running down process counterintuitive to an evolutionary principle. Sustainability should not be opposed on the grounds the world lacks theological justification, but it should be understood as truly supported by solid biblical principle. Sustainability scientifically modeled may be practically feasible but becomes burdensome without the realistic goal of duplicating the Creator’s intention. “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9 KJV). God’s faithfulness models His intention of sustainability and promotes His glory when sustainability is achieved. 

Sustainability in Economic Model and Resources Unachievable 

Viewing manmade programs from the perspective of sustainability should direct our involvement or reluctance to be involved. To the degree sustainability is understood to align with God’s faithfulness, it is achievable; but, when others promote sustainability short of that understanding, sustainability should only be pursued with the understanding God will sustain His own people regardless of the consensus of the surrounding world. “And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings” (Exodus 10:22-23). 

Sustainability Is Truly God’s Faithfulness 

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). The world can require sustainability, but it cannot achieve it without the Invisible Hand of God working. We do not want to discourage the world from seeking sustainability, but we do desire them to see their goal truly achieved by seeking the Everlasting God. “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 106:48). Sustaining us now and forevermore is our understanding of Jesus Christ. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). God’s blessing of sustainability can be noticed by those outside of our understanding of faith because of the conduct of our trusting in God’s sustainability. “And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake” (Genesis 30:27). 

Father, may Your people look upon You as the Eternal Sustaining God. May You promote and preserve Your people as You sustain our planet. May those around us sense their blessing comes from our presence. But, may your blessing of sustaining us be to your glory and not our credit. Continue to work until our purpose is fulfilled on this planet. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your Name, we pray. Amen. 

Love Life, See Good Days

Ken

“10 For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit. 11 And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12  For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil” (1Peter 3:10-12 NET).

Was that the Apostle Peter, who wrote those words towards the end of his life? Wasn’t he the one, whom Jesus prophesied would die a martyr’s death (John 21:18)? Still, Peter loved life and saw good days, completing his life about age 68. Doesn’t the LORD expect the same of us? The Psalm of Moses reminded us, “Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations” (Psalm 90:1 KJV). We are to rest in the eternity of His strength, though as a “tale that is told” (90:9) our fleeting existence is but “threescore years and ten [70]; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore [80] years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (90:10). And, like the super centenarian Moses [120 years], “O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (90:14). It is the quality of our life, not its length.

What advice does Scripture give us to see good days? 

First, teach us to consider our mortality as we wisely live our lives. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). 

Second, love life because it is a gift from God and approach life as working out for your good (Romans 8:28). “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile [Greek dolos, deceit]” (1Peter 3:10). 

Third, live in righteousness or do that which is right because God’s Spirit “worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13) giving us the satisfaction of the LORD. “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). 

Fourth, do not allow evil and deceit (1Peter 3:10) to come out of your mouth, “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). 

Fifth, actively “turn away from evil and do good” (1Peter 3:11), since it is impossible to be both sinful and holy simultaneously (James 3:11), and seeking “peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:10) will be the only way of catching a peaceful life. 

Sixth, be more concerned about producing spiritual fruit than dying with the most toys (Luke 16:23) or the most admired body (Proverbs 20:29). “13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalms 92:13-14). 

Seventh, focusing our sight on the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9, 13, 22) is our attempt to imitate the highest model of longevity, “for in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). 

Father, teach us to number our days as those who have not a worry about the fleetingness of our existence yet make the fullest count for Your eternal purpose. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

God’s Provision

Ken

“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing” (Psalm 34:10 KJV). All of God’s children must find their lack to be supplied by God, or trust something else to provide for our existence. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (20:7). Whom we trust must be able to fulfill all our needs. “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). 

We are more than animals in God’s creation. Survival of the fittest discounts God as our Creator and Sustainer. Our failure results when we trust the flesh and not the Spirit. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Though we have the agency to obey and do all that is commanded of us, we must not trust in our flesh to accomplish God’s will. We must continually seek God’s Spirit to function within us to fulfill all the will of God. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (5:25). 

Father, cause us to trust in You for all our provision. May we keep our eyes on Jesus, so we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Cause us to walk in Your Spirit until You come for us. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

How to Walk in the Spirit

Ken

“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16 KJV). If we are fulfilling the lust of the flesh, then we are NOT walking in the Spirit. What does it mean to “fulfil the lust [Greek, epithumia, desires, longings] of the flesh” (5:16)? To pursue the desires and longings of the flesh is to “fulfill the lust of the flesh” (5:16). There is no mystery about walking in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is simply conducting ourselves consistent with the supreme heart choice of continually choosing Christ Jesus. The goal we seek is also the means to attain it. This is a virtuous cycle of “I sought the LORD, because He sought me first, so I seek Him, because He continually chooses me to be conformed to the image of His Son.” This virtuous cycle is walking in the Spirit. A scriptural example. The Holy Spirit is “given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32), and God’s Spirit inspires us “to walk in [His] statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). Think on these things.  

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). Whenever we are actively seeking God’s Kingdom first, then we are walking in the Spirit. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Since we cannot serve or seek two masters at the same time, then either we will walk in the Spirit or we will fulfill the lust of the flesh. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon [Greek, mammōnas, riches, wealth]” (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). 

How can anyone change their mind and their heart about the desirability of the Spirit and not the flesh to be the ultimate goal of their existence? Quite simply, 

Allow the Holy Spirit to Persuade and Teach You: 

First, crucifying the flesh spiritually is walking in the Spirit. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Galatians 5:24). 

Second, the Spirit of God alone is capable of changing your heart and mind about sin (what is wrong), righteousness (what is right), and judgment (what God must judge, if we do not judge ourselves). “7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 8 And when He 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” (John 16:7-11). 

Third, though God rightly holds you responsible for obeying  Him, since He created you with the capacity for obedience, we thoughtfully realize we will never obey Him without His Spirit working in us “to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). 

Fourth, when we do repent, for which we have no excuse for resisting Him, it is God granting us repentance. “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2Timothy 2:25). 

Fifth, when we do believe, for which we have no good reason for not trusting Him, it is God’s gracious gift of faith, which makes our salvation possible. “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). 

Sixth, God has always blessed us with obedience, when we wholeheartedly sought Him. “With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:10).

Seventh, God’s Spirit, though always present among His people has been especially covenanted to dwell within the individual members of His Church, who have been grafted into the New Covenant promised to Israel. “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). “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). 

Father, cause us not to be in confusion about walking in the Spirit. Help us to realize and claim our promised condition of abiding in truth, love, and obedience. Grant us new understanding of You that we would not go to sleep in traditions. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Inevitability of God

Ken

“From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God” (Psalm 90:2 KJV). True religion starts and ends with God. That is the inevitability of God. There is none like Him. Any attempt to build the Kingdom of God on any other foundation will “frustrate the grace of God” (Galatians 2:21) and aid the enemy in the delay of the return of our True King to take His place on the Messianic Millennial Throne of David. Herein is the seeming paradox of Christianity. Is our goal to fulfill the Great Commission of evangelizing the world with the saving grace of Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20), which requires more time; or, is it to warn the Church to be ready for imminent departure at the Rapture or Harpazō (1Thessalonians 4:17)? 

Both are true, but it is only the Holy Spirit, who will blend both goals for their appointed time fulfillment. Remember, all of the events of Acts 2 and the subsequent Church Age were directed by the Spirit of Christ to engage in the Great Commission, though the disciples were correctly awaiting the establishment of the Davidic Throne. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The Holy Spirit managed the disciples by preparing them to direct their immediate attention on evangelism (1:8). But, our secret is we need not account for how the world will deal with all the world ending issues of human existence— though we are not oblivious nor insensitive to accomplishing the little we can — our emphasis must be upon keeping our hand on the Gospel Plow (Luke 9:62), strengthening the saints (Jude 1:20), and literally hastening our Lord’s return, i.e., “while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2Peter 3:12 NET). 

Apparent delay will only use the enemy’s wrath to praise God’s name (Psalm 76:10) in the salvation of those previously unreachable. Jesus Christ is Yeshua the Anointed One, who will return not as a lowly sacrifice for our sins but as the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords (Revelation 19:16) to reign over us in an earthly kingdom. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

To end as we started, our LORD is the Inevitable God. He will win the battle. “The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies” (Isaiah 42:13). Righteous energy belongs only to the Almighty. The saints of God participate in the LORD’s inevitability only so far as we walk righteously. “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” (Psalm 62:11). What inspires us to right action? God’s Spirit. “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne” (Revelation 1:4). 


Father, You are the “high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; [You] dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). May Your Spirit direct us to keep our eyes upon Jesus that all will be done until it is the appointed time for our departure and Your Son’s return. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your Name, we pray. Amen. 

What Did Jesus Mean?

Ken

“He that is not against us is on our part” (Mark 9:40 KJV). Jesus had just responded to His disciples forbidding others from casting out demons in His name, who were not followers and colleagues of theirs. Jesus is not interested in building our human organizations; instead, He glories in raising up His Spiritual Kingdom. We are not to quantify support for Jesus simply by counting membership in our group or following, because we are only fellow laborers with the larger Body of Christ. We ought to pray as an organization for all the endeavors of the Body, whether we are familiar with the other members or not. Our power is not in the superiority of our numbers at any given location but our connection with the entire Body of Christ. “He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad” (Matthew 12:3). Our understanding and emphasis must be upon our connection to Jesus. 

Yes, we have more connection to Christ’s Body than possibly we have appreciated; but, do we have more connection to OT Israel than also we have realized? Before there was an Israel, back at the Beginning, at the time of the Fall, the battle lines were drawn, when the LORD announced the conflict between Satan “and the woman, and between thy [Satan’s] seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). Israel and the Jews proclaim, “We have Abraham to our father” (Matthew 3:9; Luke 3:8); and likewise, the Church acknowledges Abraham’s parentage. “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7). 

What connects Israel and the Church? The Messiah. It is Jesus, who proclaimed, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30), and further made known, “he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father” (14:9). Both Israel and the Church are peculiar to the Almighty. “Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye [Israel] shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine” (Exodus 19:5). “But ye [the Church] are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1Peter 2:9). 

Israel’s current status is “unbelief” (Romans 11:20) and “blindness” (11:25) for the past 2,000 years. But, God’s choice or election of Israel is unconditional, “for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (11:29). All of this is consistent with the “purpose of God according to election [that it] might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth” (9:11). On the other hand, God’s Church has also been called, chosen, or elected (Romans 8:28) to fulfill His purpose of fulfilling His promise to Abraham of gaining for Himself “many nations” (Genesis 17:4), even while Israel sleeps. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12). 

If both Israel and the Church are to “declare His glory among the heathen; His marvellous works among all nations” (1Chronicles 16:24), then the Church does not replace Israel but explains the conduct of Israel “until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25). The Church is only doing what Israel should have done, but without the baggage of the ceremonial, Mosaic Law. It would appear the Fulness of the Gentiles concludes at the Rapture or Harpazō of the Church (1Thessalonians 4:17), when the prophetic program of the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) would recommence, concluding with the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16; 19:19-21), the Spiritual Rebirth of the Nation of Israel (Isaiah 66:8), and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to begin the Millennium (Revelation 19:15). 

To be remembered, the all important outpouring of the Spirit of God that defines the essence of the Church (Acts 2:38) was originally promised to Israel (cf. Jeremiah 31:31). Finally, the Blessing will come home to Israel! “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). Only by unbelief has Israel been sidelined, God using the Church to stir up Israel to jealousy (Romans 11:11). That God’s election of Israel might stand, He will pour out His Spirit upon Israel in one day (Isaiah 66:11) and will work out all the elements upon the Nation that once had only been received by a small number of Jews 2,000 years earlier at Pentecost (Acts 2).  

Father, bring about all Your will for Israel and Your Church that You may receive the honor and praise for so vast, mighty, wise, and loving a work. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Didn’t See It Coming

Ken

Revivals — like earthquakes — are hard to predict. A butterfly flapping its wings causing a hurricane is more of a chaos theory perturbation ignored by most working meteorological forecast models because it makes accurate prediction unlikely. Modern Large Language Models of Artificial Intelligence, no doubt will begin to affect the discussion. But, calculating the occurrence of a revival — a moving of the Holy Spirit — was precisely what Charles G. Finney, a controversial 19th century, American evangelist and theologian attempted to do in his seminal work, Revival Lectures. “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12 KJV). 

Finney’s contention was a revival could be expected, when it was needed most. 

“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).

Finney preached in Lecture 2, which was later transcribed into Revival Lectures: 

“At such a time a Revival of Religion is indispensable to avert the judgments of God from the church. This would be strange preaching, if revivals are only miracles, and if the church has no more agency in producing them, than it has in making a thunder storm. To say to the church, that unless there is a revival you may expect judgments, would then be as ridiculous as to say, If you do not have a thunder storm, you may expect judgments. The fact is, that Christians are more to blame for not being revived, than sinners are for not being converted. And if they are not awakened, they may know assuredly that God will visit them with his judgments. How often God visited the Jewish church with judgments, because they would not repent and be revived at the call of his prophets! How often have we seen churches, and even whole denominations, cursed with a curse, because they would not wake up and seek the Lord, and pray, ‘Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice in thee?’ [Psalm 85:6].” 

The Church does not have the luxury of debating Finney’s underlying theology as heterodox, when the enemy is already at the gate. One question only to the Spirit of Christ: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6).

Pushing a String

Ken

“You say, We want to be like the nations, like the peoples of the world, who serve wood and stone. But what you have in mind will never happen” (Ezekiel 20:32 NIV). A friend of mine would often use the expression, pushing a string, when speaking of an impossibility. Ancient Israel was never intended by Yahweh to be anything but a Peculiar People and Treasure for the LORD (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 14:2; 26:18; Psalm 135:4). “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV). Almighty God never intended Israel to be replaced by the Church (Romans 11:1); however, “the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed” (Romans 9:8). Though Israel was politically resurrected from the dead in 1948, it will be spiritually given rebirth at the Second Coming of the Messiah. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8). LORD, hasten the day when Your Church is Raptured Home to You that the events of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:24-27) may unfold and Israel will be finally saved at Your Son’s triumphant return at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.