Looking for the Promise

Why Are People So Easily Fooled?

Ken

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24 KJV). How could Lucifer — the highest of Yahweh’s created beings — choose himself over the Most High God? No sin had ever been committed, so he couldn’t blame anything or anybody but himself for doing it. Yahweh gave Lucifer the capacity to choose, just as He has given us the same ability. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:27). Pride is glorifying self instead of God, “who is worthy to be praised” (1Samuel 22:4; Psalm 18:3 KJV). Five times, Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12) was recorded by Yahweh as not having said out loud, but only voicing in his heart, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (14:13-14). He wanted what only the Almighty was worthy to have — the praise, honor, and glory for being the first, the highest, the most powerful, the wisest, the Creator, the Sustainer, the Righteous Judge. He refused to give Yahweh the credit for being Yahweh. “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour” (Romans 13:7). Whenever anyone willingly does not acknowledge self-evident truth about the Most High God, they commit the sin of pride, and take that glory for themselves. Again, pride is essentially glorifying self instead of God. 

Okay, so why are people so easily fooled? And, why will they be ensnared by the Antichrist to worship him as God Almighty? Because they have been willing to give someone other than Jesus Christ the glory for being the True Seed of the Woman (Genesis 3:15). But, you say, How can we know that Jesus Christ is the prophesied seed? Because He fulfills all the prophecies concerning the Messiah, e.g., Psalm 2:7, 12; Proverbs 30:4; Daniel 9:26; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Isaiah 53; Malachi 3:1; et al. Which means whoever will be sitting in the Jerusalem Temple at the middle of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:26) proclaiming himself as God (Matthew 24:15), is an impostor — the Antichrist. Paul tells us, “10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2Thessalonians 2:10-12).

They had “pleasure in unrighteousness” (2Thessalonians 2:12), since they did not “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24), because, like Lucifer, they sought their own glory, for they were speaking on their own authority. “If anyone wants to do God’s will, he will know about My teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak from My own authority” (John 7:17 NET). Notice the relationship of the one who does not speak on his own authority and the one who sent him. The righteous relationship stems from seeking to honor God and not himself. “The person who speaks on his own authority desires to receive honor for himself; the one who desires the honor of the one who sent him is a man of integrity, and there is no unrighteousness in him” (John 7:18 NET). Both the Antichrist and those deceived by him speak on their own authority, as Lucifer did with the First Sin. 

Father, teach us to beware of speaking on our own authority that we would not be deceived by the claims of Antichrist and the Antichristian system of the world. Give us strong understanding of You and the strength to withstand the wiles of the Devil. Lord Jesus, return quickly to deliver Your faithful followers. In Jesus’ powerful name, we pray. Amen. 

Ye Are the Salt of the Earth

Ken

The chemical compound NaCl is necessary for life to survive. Beyond its ability to season and preserve food, what we call common table salt was useful for the transport and distribution of food over long distances enabling the spread of civilization. Roman soldiers were paid in salt, from which the word salary is derived. Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour [Greek, mōrainō, to make dull, to lose the purpose for existence], wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13 KJV). Salt makes food flavorful and it causes us to thirst. Do you cause others to thirst for the Living Water of Christ (Jeremiah 2:13; John 7:37-38)? Whenever you cause others to seek out the Word of God to know how to act, you are being used by the Holy Spirit as Spiritual Salt. But, woe to those who cease to savor, flavor, or cause others to seek Christ, for they are “good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13). Lucifer was once salt, but no more. May the God of Peace keep us as the Salt of the Earth, so that ours is not an inward focus of whether we can maintain our saltiness to the end, but whether others will thirst for Christ because of us. May God place us in Eternity wherever He sees fit, so long as Christ is exalted. Amen. 

Blessed is the Nation

Ken

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12 KJV). Israel was that nation chosen by God, but any nation can be so chosen. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2Chronicles 7:14). God did not purpose to call out and save Israel only, but “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). The prayer of God’s people in any nation is peace for that nation, land, or city. Remember, the LORD held off judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah, as long as He did, because of the prayer of Abraham and the presence of Lot (Genesis 18-19). Are you the reason our nation is not yet destroyed? 

“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). It is the spiritual responsibility of all Christians to pray for secular governors that they would rule in keeping with the truth. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1Timothy 2:1-2). As much as the world would rather recruit us for their own exclusive partisan position, God’s people need to be identified with the truth as their distinctive. If engaging in politics comes with party identification, only use it so far as it serves the LORD (1Corinthians 13; Matthew 22:37-39). “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away” (1Corinthians 7:31). Always remember Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 

Father, You always give us wisdom for our journey. May we walk with You until the end. May You bless the cities in which we dwell with peace that we may have peace. Give us the discretion to act responsibly for Your Kingdom’s sake. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Thou Maintainest My Lot

Ken

“The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot” (Psalm 16:5 KJV). To the OT Jew, each of the twelve tribes had been apportioned a “lot,” an area of Israel for their inheritance, except the Tribe of Levi, which was scattered throughout the cities of Israel. They were to maintain worship for Jehovah. To Levi, the LORD proclaimed, “I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel” (Numbers 18:20). Instead of land, Levi was to be supported with the tithes brought into the Tabernacle. “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation” (18:21). The certainty of the LORD’s sustenance, a guaranteed income — “Thou maintainest my lot” — when compared to Levi, is what any child of God can expect from the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23). But, that income is by faith and only from God.

A Prayer of  David:

“LORD, You give me stability and prosperity; You make my future secure” (Psalm 16:5 NET). 

“It is as if I have been given fertile fields or received a beautiful tract of land” (Psalm 16:6 NET).

“I will praise the LORD who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn” (Psalm 16:7 NET). 

“I constantly trust in the LORD; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8 NET). 

“So my heart rejoices and I am happy; My life is safe” (Psalm 16:9 NET). 

“You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow your faithful follower to see the Pit” (Psalm 16:10 NET). 

“You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in Your presence; You always give me sheer delight” (Psalm 16:11 NET). 

Pour Out My Spirit

Ken

“Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you” (Proverbs 1:23 KJV). Ever notice when you begin to take notice of something, you begin to see the same pattern where you never saw it before? The Holy Spirit is the author of our ‘teachable moments,’ since the same Spirit of Wisdom He placed upon Joshua to teach him what he needed to know to succeed Moses (Deuteronomy 34:9) under the Old Covenant, He promised to influence all His people in Proverbs 1:23. 

But, He gave special promise for that same Spirit to have a Privileged Place of Dwelling Within Us under the New Covenant. “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). The NT promise of the Spirit would treat God’s children as the Temple of God, just as He appeared in the OT Holy of Holies. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1Corinthians 3:16). The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence within us is not just understanding of God’s Laws and their application to us, but inspiring or causing us to keep, obey, or do His judgments and statutes (Ezekiel 36:27). This is the grand purpose of the Holy Spirit in us, to restore that right relationship with God. 

Father, cause us to receive the outpouring of Your Spirit, just as Your Early Church repented and were baptized to “receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Cause us to walk in obedience. Cause us to walk in a right relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Perfect Love

Ken

Nobody’s perfect! has been the defense of humanity throughout the ages. Some might add, If God is so wise, why don’t we see Perfect Love in society? Still others have carefully analyzed, Even if God did require Perfect Love, He knew we would never achieve it, which would only further prove humankind’s sinfulness. Besides, we’ll never see Perfect Love until we get to Heaven, would be the apparent conclusion.

What saith the Scripture? 

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7 KJV). 

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40). 

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). 

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1Peter 5:10). 

“But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him” (1John 2:5). 

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us” (1John 4:12). 

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous [literally, weighty]” (1John 5:3).

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit

Ken

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Peter 1:21 KJV). Christians believe in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for the Scriptures, that the Bible is a divinely inspired book. Amen. We do not normally think of the Holy Spirit inspiring us to be obedient. When we say inspire, we do not think of a slave or robot carrying out a command. An artist, actor, sculptor, poet, or writer is inspired for their art. Christians are inspired to obey God, especially because of the Indwelling Holy Spirit. In the OT, Jehovah promised, “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). In the NT, Peter preached, “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). The Holy Spirit “worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13), so we can also say, “We are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). God’s inspiration works in us to cause our obedience, which further testifies we are His children. Hallelujah! Father, may Your Blessed Holy Spirit inspires us to be obedient, just as You predicted. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen. 

Shine or Stumble

Ken

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19 KJV). Either we are shining or stumbling, but not both, at least at the same time. You cannot be going opposite directions simultaneously. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [riches]” (Matthew 6:24). Even the world says, You can’t have it both ways. It seems that the Church of Laodicea went back and forth between hot and cold for Christ, so much so, they were characterized as lukewarm — fit only to be vomited out of the mouth of Christ. “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16). 

If we develop the position we are saved-and-sure-to-go-to-heaven, but we’ll simply lose some rewards because of our present sinning, then Jesus disagrees. Why? Any confidence of our salvation based upon past actions and not upon a present walk of obedience with the Lord, lacks the testimony of the Holy Spirit. “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1John 2:4). How can this be? We confuse our intellectual memory of the past with the Holy Spirit’s testimony. We are dead, if the Holy Spirit says we’re dead. And, we’re only alive, if the testimony of Scripture says we’re alive. “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep [Greek, tēreō, are keeping, i.e., present tense] His commandments” (1John 2:3). I’ve met many Professed Christians living in open sin, who still console themselves with their hope of Heaven, because they remember getting saved. The only way to prove you are a backslider is to “be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19)! 

Father, deliver Your Church from comforting Professed Christians, who are abiding in sin, with any hope of Heaven. May we agree with the testimony of Your Spirit, when there is open and known sin. May Your Church separate itself from the practice of sinning. And, may we gather inspiration from Your Spirit to walk in obedience. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Antichrist Replaces Christ

Ken

If the Antichrist claims to be Christ, then the Antichrist is replacing Christ. The Antichrist is effectively saying, God Almighty never became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ. “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1John 4:3 KJV). The New World Translation from the Jehovah’s Witnesses of John 1:1 allows Jesus to come in the flesh, but limits Him to being only “a god.” This torturing of the Greek text, of course, denies the whole theme of John’s Gospel — God Almighty became human “flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14 KJV). Evangelical Christianity correctly uses Isaiah 9:6 to counter the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ claim that Christ was not God Almighty. “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). Both the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Jews deny that the title of “The mighty God” (9:6) accurately belongs to Jesus Christ. 

John bolsters our understanding of John 1:1 (KJV) — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” — with the picture of the Rider of the White Horse at the Battle of Armageddon. “And He [Jesus Christ] was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus already returned invisibly but ‘not literally’ in 1914, so the literal Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the End of the Tribulation Week will demonstrate the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ belief wrong of denying Jesus Christ as Jehovah God. And, the Antichrist, who not only opposes Jesus Christ, but replaces Christ, will be utterly defeated. “And the beast [Antichrist] was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him [the Antichrist], with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:20). 

Father, we know only Your Blessed Holy Spirit can persuade anyone of the Truth, if they can be persuaded. May we rejoice in Your Son as “The mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) knowing You have given Him “all power in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). Save to the uttermost those who come to You by Him. Save the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Jews alike. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ all powerful name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Err From Thy Commandments (Psalm 119:21)

Ken

“Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:21 KJV). God rebukes the proud with a curse. Sinful pride is being more concerned about our glory than His. An evil misfortune wished upon someone is only incidental, unless it comes from the Almighty. “But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Erring from God’s commandments is not an attempt to obey that falls short, but a lack of heart to do what God requires. We shift the blame from ourselves to God, if we say we are doing the best we can, but only a sinful nature or inopportune circumstances prevented us from fully obeying and complying with His commands. God is a “discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12) and knows if we really are sincere and trying to be obedient. On the other hand, it is easier for us to blame a sinful nature or poor circumstances. 

Theologians have given us the opportunity of laying the blame upon a sinful nature. In Adam’s fall, we sinned all. Popularly put, I can’t help it, I was born this way. Blaming a sinful nature for our sinning is like blaming God for why I am the way I am. It is true, we may be more prone to steal to survive, if we were born poor; but, possessing riches is no guarantee we will not become thieves. Consider this in support of not being born with a sinful nature: “For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments. And His commandments do not weigh us down” (1John 5:3 NET). In short, God’s commandments are not impossible to obey. If we could plead His commands too weighty, then we are absolved from loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbor equal to ourself. God is no man’s fool. Perfect Love must be possible or else God’s Kingdom has no foundation. Father, may we rest in Your Spirit inspiring us to keep Your commandments. And, may we teach and act, as if the laws of Your Kingdom are a joy to be obeyed. Preserve us from misunderstanding Your precepts. May You receive the praise for our obedience, for it is You, who works in us “to will and to do” (Philippians 2:13). Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.