Promises of God in Jesus

Marriage and Family

Ken

Marriage is Walking in Agreement 

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3 KJV). Male and female are attracted to one another because their Creator made it so, for the Divine Purpose is to produce a “godly seed” (Malachi 2:15). Marriage is a joint sharing or agreement, it represents the understanding that the “husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). Marriage is God’s arrangement of opportunity and responsibility. Adam had the intelligence to name all the animals (Genesis 2:19), yet he is remembered for humanity’s first sin (Romans 5:14). Not because he ate the forbidden fruit first, but because he was responsible for Eve, when she was deceived (1Timothy 2:14). God named Adam. Adam named Eve (Genesis 3:20). Parents name their children. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). Parents are accountable to God for they determine the destiny of their children. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Children are inescapably a reflection or response to their parents, for the parents are the caregivers, whose conduct molds their children’s impressionable minds. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). 

Marriage and Family: Ordained to Promote Obedience to God

Marriage is the means God gave humanity to fulfill the commission, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion” (Genesis 1:28). The necessity of marriage as opposed to simple cohabitation is based upon the commitment of a man and a woman becoming “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5). If marriage was not an institution of God, fornication (premarital sex) and adultery (sexual intercourse with someone other than your spouse) would hold no meaning. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Discussion of differences between the sexes recognize the female capacity of bearing the child and the male role of giving the seed; but, God instructs “husbands, [to] dwell with them [wives] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1Peter 3:7). 

Life’s Purpose: Glorify God

The discussion of marriage and family becomes lost in the struggle of life until life’s purpose is understood beyond merely existing. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1Corinthians 10:31). Moses declared, “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The Preacher concluded, “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The Twenty Four Elders worship God, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). All of this unites in the centrality of the worship of Jesus throughout all the ages to come. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). 

Whatever Adam and Eve were purposed to do in the Beginning (walk with Yahweh), whatever Messiah Jesus accomplished in His Atonement upon the Cross (reconciled us to God), and whatever the NT Church is supposed to be accomplishing until Jesus raptures His Church (teach people to obey Christ), we are to accomplish within the framework of Christian marriage. “30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:30-32). 

Success in all areas of marriage and the family require

 A Basic Understanding of How God Accomplishes Obedience in Our Lives. 

First, we have been commanded to teach others to obey Christ. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).

Second, if we simply assume, we will obey because we choose to obey, then we are likely to assume our obedience is due to our good intentions resulting in our obedience. Yet, we have been plainly made aware, our obedience is due to God inspiring us to obey, i.e., “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). 

Third, the whole purpose of the New Covenant was to give us God’s Spirit to indwell us to inspire us to obey Him. “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). 

Fourth, the first sermon of the New Covenant was Peter explaining what we must do to receive God’s Spirit. “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). 

Fifth, we were then reminded, The Holy Spirit is given to them that obey Him, i.e., obedience to the command to repent and be baptized (2:38). “And 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). 

Sixth, Spirit directed walking is the obedience that overcomes the flesh. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). 

Seventh, this cycle of obedience continues for a lifetime until we are translated into eternity, where it is confirmed forevermore. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Corinthians 3:18). 

Father, cause us to see Marriage and Family as a powerful tool to accomplish Your purposes in the Earth. Overcome all of the enemies’ attempts to make Marriage and Family as only accidental or incidental to the human experience. Bless all those who embrace Your ways in this life. Grant them understanding and happiness as they overcome all the inevitable troubles of life, until we are translated into Your presence. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Forgive, And Ye Shall Be Forgiven

Ken

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” (Luke 6:37 KJV). It is interesting that forgiveness for our sins is reciprocally dependent on our forgiveness of those who have sinned against us. One might think our need for forgiveness for our own sins would be more the deciding factor for our effectiveness rather than our ability or willingness to forgive others. Apparently, we are more prone to stymie our Spiritual Effectiveness by disregarding our need of forgiving others. Most likely, what we do not think to be a lack of forgiving others, we may label as a lack of necessity for our forgiving others. 

What does forgiving others look like? 

On the Cross, Messiah Jesus “made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12), who were nailing Him to the Cross. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do [Greek, poiousin, present tense, are doing]. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34). He was praying for their forgiveness before they were done sinning against Him. Certainly, the Father will not forgive anyone unless they confess and repent of their sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). We can tell if someone responds to our pray for their being forgiven, when we can see them cease from their sinning. “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil [literally, stop sinning]” (Isaiah 1:16). “Awake to righteousness, and sin not [literally, stop sinning]; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1Corinthians 15:34). 

We have not been praying for the forgiveness of those, who have offended against us, because:

First, though we admit the intellectual need for forgiving them, we don’t see the practical point of praying for it. Yet, Jesus’ prayer was answered even as He was dying. “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). 

Second, we were there in spirit nailing Jesus to the Cross, since “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5), so He prayed for our forgiveness in the same fashion we should pray for the forgiveness of others we do not directly know nor are present at hand. 

Third, we are releasing the Holy Spirit upon those, for whom we are praying to be forgiven. “And when He [Holy Spirit] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). 

Fourth, the forgiveness of sin magnifies God even more than the healing of disease. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house” (Matthew 9:6). 

Fifth, concerning forgiveness, unlike the OT sacrifice, whose sacrifices were only a temporary covering for sin, waiting for Christ’s atonement, our forgiveness is now once and final. “1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:1, 10).

Sixth, our forgiving others and praying for others’ forgiveness is a mark of ushering in the Kingdom of God on Earth, until the LORD returns. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me” (Acts 26:18).

Seventh, though there is no need of forgiveness of sin in Heaven — since there is no sin in Heaven — God will wipe away all the tears from the sin for which we already have been forgiven, remembering the first sin committed by Lucifer was also in Heaven. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Father, the blessing and power of Your forgiveness of us can only be seen in the power of changed lives. Teach us to trust and pray for Your forgiveness of us, even as we forgive and pray for others. Magnify Your name by who You forgive. Bring captivity captive and give the gift of repentance and forgiveness to as many as our Lord will call. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

 

Inspired to Obey

Ken

One of the main things that should attract us to being baptized is not just the forgiveness of sins, but the receiving of the Holy Spirit. 

Let me explain. 

The very first sermon of the NT Church taught us: 

“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 KJV). 

Repentance and baptism bringing about the reception of the Holy Spirit — should intrigue us. 

Our sins are taken away and replaced with God’s Indwelling Spirit. 

Now, people can see when you have been baptized, because you just got wet. But, how can they tell, if you have received the Holy Spirit? 

Obedience is how you can tell if someone has the Holy Spirit. 

That is what the LORD told the prophet Ezekiel.  

“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). 

That to me is one of the most significant verses in the OT, which puts into perspective Acts 2:38. 

Perhaps you have already heard about the Promise of the Spirit? 

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14). 

But, did you know something as simple as water baptism could be so significant? 

Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). 

Notice the Loyalty Oath taken and given at baptism, in the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event, declares Jesus as Lord. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [confession with the mouth implies the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event], and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). 

But still, it isn’t a debate whether water or grace through faith saves us. 

It is Jesus that saves us. 

What should become clear is that the Gift of the Holy Spirit preached by Peter at Pentecost 

Isn’t you possessing the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit possessing you.

By our obedience to something as basic as water baptism, we were given the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Just listen to how Peter and the other apostles put it in the Book of Acts: 

“And 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). 

Did you notice that?

Obeying the command to be baptized gave the Gift of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.  

But, Jehovah’s promise of Ezekiel 36:27 was: 

“I’ll put My Spirit in you” 

 and 

“Cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” 

What dawned upon me (over long years) is the Holy Spirit causes us to walk in His Statutes, keep His judgments, and do them.  It meant

The Holy Spirit inspires us to obey God. 

Praise God! 

When the OT prophets and NT apostles were inspired to pen the words of Scripture, they were not taking rote dictation. 

I have come to the conclusion that

The giving of the Holy Spirit is for the express purpose of God securing and guaranteeing our obedience. 

Hallelujah! 

Not just securing our obedience to be baptized, but guaranteeing our obedience for everything! 

Paul expressed his heart to the Thessalonian disciples, as I do to you:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).

May you be inspired to obey God! 

Heavenly Father, if we being evil know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more are You willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask You. Pour out Your Spirit upon us. Teach us to do Your will. Your Spirit is good. Lead us into the land of uprightness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Return quickly. Amen and amen.

Basic Christianity

Ken

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:1-2 KJV). Elementary or Basic Christianity is built upon a foundation of: (1) turning away from self-righteous, dead works, i.e., “repentance from dead works” (6:1), (2) confidence or faith in the Living God, i.e., “faith toward God” (6:1), (3) pledging our loyalty to Christ through a public display of water baptism, and entering into communion with the Body of Christ through baptism, i.e., “doctrines of baptisms” (6:2), (4) reception of gifts of the Holy Spirit through the “laying on of hands” (6:2), (5) anticipation of our future physical resurrection from the dead or our reuniting with departed saints at the Rapture, i.e., “resurrection of the dead” (6:2), and (6) anticipation of our future reward, i.e., “eternal judgment” (6:2). Are these not already “principles of the doctrines of Christ” (6:1) or “elementary instructions” (6:1 NET) for us, so that we “may move on to maturity” (6:1 NET) or “perfection” (6:1 KJV)? First, since “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20), then dead works must be self-righteous works, which only justify us and not God, from which we are to turn away from in repentance. Second, to “have faith in God” (Mark 11:22) is fundamental to repentance. Third, willingness to pledge our loyalty to Christ in water baptism is fundamental to those whom “shall [not deny Christ] before men” (Matthew 10:33) and whom are “baptized into Jesus Christ” (Romans 6:3) and His communion. Fourth, recognition and preparation by others in the Body of Christ through the “laying on of hands” (Hebrews 6:2) is empowering disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit to make disciples, i.e., “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2Timothy 2:2 ). Fifth, preparing ourselves for the Resurrection or the Rapture — whether we are the “dead in Christ [who] shall rise first” (1Thessalonians 4:16) or “are alive and remain [who] shall be caught up together with them in the clouds” (4:17) at the “twinkling of an eye” (1Corinthians 15:52). And, sixth, the Bema Seat Judgment is the anticipation of those who have died in faith or were Raptured, to be rewarded and not punished, i.e., “For we must all appear before the judgment seat [Greek, bema] of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad [loss of reward, not punished]” (2Corinthians 5:10). Father, where we have poor understanding, strengthen us, because we desire to be those, who go on to maturity and perfection in the face of upcoming hardship. Number us among those, who seek to add to our understanding and who refuse to be at ease in Zion. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Promises for Our Children

Ken

Parents, raising your children is not a democracy. Not even the secular humanists will allow an infant to crawl into a dangerous place without restraining the child. Car seats are not designed to be optional for the child’s safety. God is our Great Father, and He commands us, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you” (Jeremiah 7:23 KJV). We are His children, and our children are His. Our children’s future is largely in our hands, as we are in our Father’s hands. 

What Does God Require of Us Parents? 

A worldly sense of altruism may motivate us to give our children the opportunity to make up their own mind, as they invariably will, and decide to come to the Lord or reject Him. But, does the LORD have that same opinion? No, not remotely! For He commands us (with promise), “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). The Tempter seeks to convince our children of the unfairness of not being able to reject God, which of course they always can. If our First Parents did not originally sense Yahweh’s love, then they never would have consented to obey Him. “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments” (Exodus 20:6). 

The LORD fairly warned us of the deadly consequences of disobedience (Genesis 2:16), but He also lavishes upon us all the benefits of obedience (2:17). We are to follow the LORD’s example. “And thou shalt teach them [God’s commandments] 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 6:7). This was the same pattern of teaching followed by Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2Timothy 1:4). “And that from a child [Greek, brephos, infant, baby, young child] thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (3:15). Could we not raise Christian prodigies?

Parents Need Promises to Successfully Raise Their Children 

  1. Bedrock promise of success for our children. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). 
  2. Reclaiming our children after the LORD has reclaimed us, if we did not raise our kids with Proverbs 22:6. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). 
  3. Refusal to let go of God until He converts our obstinate children. “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except Thou bless me” (Genesis 32:26). 
  4. Spirit-filled intercessions for our children will be answered, for it brings out righteous emotion. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). 
  5. Avoid anger in raising your children, for it brings out unrighteous emotion. Wrath means you are not raising your children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).
  6. Discipline your children, just as God disciplines you, for that is how He shows, you are His children. “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:7). 
  7. The least understood promise of our New Covenant Age, is how the Indwelling Holy Spirit’s purpose is to inspire us to obey God, in much the same way He inspired the Scriptures to be written. “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). Father, inspire our children to obey You!

Children Need Promises to Successfully Follow the LORD 

  1. Children will find their greatest success following God, by first obeying their parents. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3). 
  2. Jesus is actively seeking parents to let their little children come to Him because they are then most like those who live in Heaven. “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). 
  3. Submission to Jesus as the Lord of their life keeps the devil from overcoming them. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). 
  4. Faith that comes from God’s Word in their life causes them to overcome the devil and his demons. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He [the Spirit of Jesus] that is in you, than he [the devil] that is in the world” (1John 4:4). 
  5. God’s angels are supernatural, invisible, but real because their job is to camp around your children and deliver them, when the angels know they are needed most. “The angel of the LORD [especially Jesus] encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7). 
  6. Your children do not need to be afraid of all the wicked things that they might not be able to see, because Jesus the Good Shepherd shed His blood and laid down His life for the sheep, which are your children. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). 
  7. When your children are old enough to understand, tell them they are no longer just a kid, but are serving with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Captain of the LORD’s Host. “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Father, You are God Over All. There is none greater. You have delivered all power to the Son. Blessed be Your Name. May we be empowered by Your Spirit to lay hold of these exceeding great and precious promises that we may be more like You and participate in all things to bring about Your Kingdom. Overcome that wicked usurper who seeks to destroy us and claim Your throne. Cause Your Son to overcome him through those who loved not their lives unto death. Rapture Your Church. Save Israel. Set up Your Kingdom on earth. Help us, Jesus, in our time of need! Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Importance of the Rapture

Ken

Perhaps the most difficult doctrine to believe is the Rapture of the Church. If you can believe Israel was prophesied a coming Messiah (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Daniel 9:26), then you can believe the Church has been promised a Second Coming of that same Messiah. “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11 KJV). But, is that a picture of the Rapture? No, it is not the Rapture. Then, what is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? The Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ are two separate events. Read on to see the difference. 

[This is intended as a more comprehensive read. Scan ahead to see how long. Come back later and examine the pivotal design of the Rapture.]

Question: What Scripture depicts the Rapture best? 

Answer: The Rapture (Greek, harpazō) is described best in First Thessalonians 4:16-17: “16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [Greek, harpazō, caught up, violently but firmly plucked] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:16-17). Rapture and Resurrection are without debate, placed together by the LORD. This cannot simply be at the point of death of the individual saint. Prophecy demands more. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2). 

Christ’s Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) portrays the Rapture of the Bride of Christ: 

(1) In the Jewish custom, a marriage was contracted by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom, where the parents of the bridegroom would pay a dowry to the parents of the bride. “Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest [Greek, arrhabōn, pledge, downpayment] of the Spirit” (2Corinthians 5:5). The Father has given His Holy Spirit as the downpayment for us to be His Son’s “bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Revelation 21:9). Both the “Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (22:17). Before the Rapture is consummated, there is opportunity for the Bride of Christ to be spiritually enlarged by new members of the Body of Christ. 

(2) The betrothal of the Bride came through God saving us by the “precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Peter 19). We are now in the stage of awaiting the Bridegroom to come for us. “Which is the earnest [downpayment] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:14). Though the actual coming of the Bridegroom is indeterminate, it is at hand, so the Bride must be careful to be ready. Christ’s Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25) depicts the Wise Virgins as those who are ready, and the Unwise Virgins as those who were foolishly unprepared. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). Readiness involves believing and walking “in the light” (John 12:36; 1John 2:7) free of known sin, and conducting our Master’s “business” (Luke 2:49). 

(3) The Marriage Supper of the Lamb would be the next stage of the Jewish ceremony; however, even before the actual Marriage Supper, the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10) or Bema Seat Judgment (2Corinthians 5:10) would seem to coincide with the opportunity to praise the Bride to be wedded and feted. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad [Greek, kakos, worthless]” (2Corinthians 5:10). 

Question: You say you believe in the Resurrection of the Dead in Christ. When will the Marriage Supper of the Lamb take place, if the alive and remaining Christians are caught up “to meet the Lord in the air” (1Thessalonians 4:17), who then accompany Him to defeat the Antichrist at Armageddon (Revelation 16:16), which is the Great Banquet of God (19:17 NET), feeding the flesh of the rebel kings to scavenger birds?

Answer: Scripturally, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9) takes place directly before the Battle of Armageddon (19:16). What we know as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the Messiah’s return to defeat the Antichrist at Armageddon. “And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (19:16). The perceived difficulty is time. How can all these things take place? The answer is simple. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2Corinthians 5:8). We change from our present dimension to the dimension of eternity. Everything promised by God can easily take place, because time will have no restriction or effect upon the outcome. God can easily Rapture Christians prior to the Beginning of the Seventieth Week of Daniel, conduct a Bema Seat Judgment, entertain the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, then complete the Second Coming Return at Armageddon, all within seven years. The catching up takes place before the Tribulation Week, while the completion of the Second Coming takes place at the End of the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27). 

Significance of the Rapture 

First, the Literal Interpretation of the Word of God is the foundation of all doctrine, much less the Rapture. To be clear, the Literal Interpretation of the Word of God does not deny the use of figurative, parabolic, or poetic language; but, it insists that God is to be taken at His Word, meaning what He says, and saying what He means, as we allow for any other person. “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good” (Numbers 23:19). God’s Word is absolutely efficient in accomplishing everything He says. “So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). 

As the amillennialists, who deny a literal Millennium is intended by the words “thousand years” (Revelation 20:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7); because Peter used the comparative, “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2Peter 3:8); would they also fail to see the literalness of the Psalmist’s use of ‘thousand’ in Psalm 84? “For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10). The Psalmist did not demand a ‘thousand’ to be the equivalent of a single ‘day.’ Neither should we force Peter to promote a ‘thousand years’ to mean only a day. Nor should we conclude John’s use of ‘thousand years’ to also mean only one day. “The premillennial return of Christ to institute a literal kingdom is the outcome of the literal method of interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies. It is only natural, therefore, that the same basic method of interpretation must be employed in our interpretation of the rapture question. It would be most illogical to build a premillennial system on a literal method and then depart from that method in consideration of the related questions. It can easily be seen that the literal method of interpretation demands a pretribulation rapture of the church” (p. 193, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology (1965), J. Dwight Pentecost).

Second, the Doctrine of Imminency (coming at any moment) to deliver the Righteous, at Christ’s return for us, is reinforced with the Rapture, i.e., the Pre-Tribulational Rapture prior to the onset of the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:26). As far as can be known, the Rapture is the next thing that must be accomplished before the Tribulation Week can begin. “Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Corinthians 1:7). “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). “The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). “The Judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9). “I come quickly” (Revelation 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20). 

Third, a promise of judging the earth without harming the godly (as in Lot’s deliverance from Sodom) is the promise to be kept from the ‘hour of temptation’ — not simply overcoming temptation (1Corinthians 10:13) — was and is promised to the Church of Philadelphia, of whom Christ said, “Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Revelation 3:10). Why such a magnanimous promise? Because He is the Most Generous Master and an Utterly Capable Judge. “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word [obedience], and hast not denied My name [faithfulness]” (3:8). Oh, to be counted among that number! 

Fourth, pray that you would be worthy to escape all the events of the Tribulation Week, as a testament to the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). Though Pre-Tribulation Rapture adherents defend the concept of salvation by grace through faith, they must consistently abide by the literalness of Christ’s Luke 21:36 commandment with promise to watch and pray that we “may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass” (21:36), i.e., through a Pre-Tribulational Rapture. Remember, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). 

Fifth, our hope is in the Lord (Psalm 146:5), but thank God, He has emboldened us through His promise of Rapture and Deliverance, as we see the disintegration of the world around us. “But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves” (2Timothy 3:13 NET). We shrink not from admitting the boldness and hope produced by the Doctrine of the Rapture. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). 

Sixth, the Rapture solves a problem, not viewed by most as a problem. How does flesh and blood inherit eternity? Well, of course, God simply makes it to happen, when it is needed. Quite correct. But, can the Rapture be such an obvious solution? “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1Corinthians 15:50-53). The Rapture is the means to accomplish this inheriting eternity “in the twinkling of an eye” (15:52).  Thank you, Chuck Missler, for reminding of this thought (from The Rapture: Christianity’s Most Preposterous Belief). 

Seventh, the Church Age ends where Daniel’s Seventieth Week starts again. Most prophetic confusion comes from mixing or replacing the Church for Israel. When Scripture explicitly grants the New Covenant, made to Israel (Ezekiel 36:27) to be inherited also by the Gentiles, then no confusion takes place. But, when Daniel’s Seventieth Week begins, the Church Age has ended, since the Church has departed in the Pre-Tribulational Rapture. So, the Rapture returns the focus to Israel, who has been blinded since their rejection of Messiah Jesus (Romans 11:25). “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not” (Matthew 23:37).

Eighth, no Resurrection without the Rapture, and no Rapture without the Resurrection. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thessalonians 4:16-17). Debates about the Rapture would be reduced or eliminated, if the timing of the Rapture had to coincide with the Resurrection, which is what the above Sixth Point references. 

Ninth, no Church in the Seventieth Week of Daniel, and no Seventieth Week of Daniel with the Church. Ekklēsia (Greek, church) does not appear outside of Christ’s Seven Letters to the Churches in Revelation 2 and 3, except in the plural (22:16) as part of the epilogue at the end of the Revelation. The Church is absent from the discussions of the remaining 19 chapters of the Book of Revelation. Why? Because the Church has been Raptured. Immediately after the invitation given to the Church of Laodicea, the door promised to the faithful Church of Philadelphia, is offered even to Lukewarm Laodicea, of whom nothing good is said. To Laodicea: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Notice, immediately after the invitation is given to Lukewarm Laodicea, Revelation 4:1 begins with, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter” (Revelation 4:1). 

No guarantee that any or all Lukewarm Professors of the Christian Religion repented of their lukewarmness, but it is notable that Christ cared enough to make the offer, to make it with the same door of deliverance from the “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world” (3:10), then He opens the door with the Rapture. “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter” (4:1). Also, notice the phrase, “Come Up Hither” (4:1), coinciding with a Pre-Tribulational Rapture, appears again in the Resurrection of the Two Witnesses, when they are Raptured into Heaven in the presence of the entire world (11:12). The Two Witnesses are first resurrected from the dead, then they are raptured; so, understandably, some term this a Pre-Wrath Rapture. And, their Enoch-like (OT, previously translated without physical death), Moses-like (called down plagues on Egypt), or Elijah-like (OT, previously translated without physical death) ministry of calling down judgments upon the earth are immediately positioned before the Seventh Trumpet Judgment (11:15). But still, notice the absence of the Church in the Tribulation. 

Tenth, the Rapture of the Church accomplishes what the Apostle Paul said, “I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you” (Romans 10:19). In other words, the Gentile world, chiefly through the Church, will arouse the obstinate Jew to jealousy, because the Church escaped the Wrath of God of the Tribulation Week, which they now face. “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy” (11:11). Our Salvation and Rapture will ultimately provoke the Jew and Israel to jealousy and finally to repentance. This is part of God’s masterplan to win back Israel. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (11:33). Pray for all men; but especially, pray for the salvation of Israel. God most certainly will answer! 

Eleventh, the Restraining Influence of the Holy Spirit will obviously be removed, when all the Spirit Indwelt people are removed at the Rapture. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He [the Holy Spirit] who now restrains will do so until He [the Holy Spirit] is taken out of the way” (2Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV). This will have the effect: (1) The right action promoted by the Holy Spirit with all humanity, will be felt less because the Christians are removed from the world, and (2) Satan will have to immediately offset this with “signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:8-9). Remember, the bizarreness and outlandishness of the imagination will be available to the Wicked One, since the Holy Spirit has withdrawn His people to represent truthful opposition to Antichrist’s lie, that He is the God of the Universe. “And then shall that Wicked [Antichrist] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even him [Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:8-9). 

Twelfth, the Rapture clearly distinguishes between Israel and the Church. The initial difficulty of the Apostles to comprehend the nature and scope of their present circumstances, i.e., do you need to become a Jew first before you become a Christian, illustrated the learning necessary to function in this Church Age. Debate as to who is “in Jesus” (1Thessalonians 4:14) or “in Christ” (4:16) “which are alive and remain” (4:17), are determined by our appreciation of the nature of faith. But, Spiritual Israel is now part of the Spiritual Church. Paul understandably answered the concerns of the Early Church over the reluctance of the nation of the Jews to admit Jesus to be their Messiah. Israel is temporarily relegated to a status of Blindness — but, not forgotten. “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” (Romans 11:25). The Rapture is about the Church. The Second Coming is more about Israel. “And His [Messiah Jesus] feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south” (Zechariah 14:4).

NOTE: I have previously posted representing the Rapture as only a part of the Second Coming, which is more attractive to those who barely admit to the Rapture as an eschatological event. However, I would like to correct that emphasis. The Rapture (1Thessalonians 4:17) is a distinct and separate event from the Second Coming (Revelation 19:11-21), and both the Lord Jesus Christ and the Antichrist are well aware of the difference. A time separation between the two events of about seven years of a Tribulation Week (Daniel 9:24-27, especially v. 27) is sufficient for the prophesied events of Revelation 4 through 19 to take place. The Rapture is a Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13) for the Saints Departed and the Church Remaining to be reunited and gathered to their Lord, while the Second Coming is a fearful time of judgment and “fiery indignation” (Hebrews 9:27) upon those, who reject the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Honesty compels me to change my position, as often as I receive increased light or understanding to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Peter 3:18).

Father, Your plans for the Church are “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Thank You for showing us how we rightly have this Blessed Hope of the Rapture. Fortify us that we may be “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as [we] know that [our] labour is not in vain in the [You]” (1Corinthians 15:58). Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

I’ve Never Been Angrier At Myself

Ken

In the movie, Top Gun (1986), Goose said to Maverick, “The Defense Department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.” When the devil gets the best of us, when we make careless, thoughtless decisions, real consequences occur for the Kingdom of God. Ask King Hezekiah, after he had shown the Babylonian envoys his treasures, because he was impressed that they had taken notice of Judah’s deliverance from Sennacherib (2Kings 18) and Hezekiah’s amazing recovery from his sickness, which was accompanied by the sundial miraculously going “back ten degrees” (20:9 KJV). Little Judah was receiving notice from the great Babylonian Empire, which was not good. Hezekiah was not careful about being flattered by the world, and they later would overthrow Judah after performing a military, economic reconnaissance of Judah through an unsuspecting-but-stupid Hezekiah. He should have known better! But, so should we! 

Listen to the prophet Isaiah analyze Hezekiah’s situation. 

“14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. 15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. 16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. 17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?” (2Kings 20:14-19). 

How to Prevent a Similar Replay of Hezekiah’s Actions in Our Own Circumstances 

First, the enemy exploits our weaknesses to turn them into sin, because there is no such thing as necessary sin. Our weaknesses are common to man. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13). 

Second, if we have sinned, confess it, and throw yourself at the mercy of God to preserve us from repeating it. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). 

Third, God is not simply in the business of forgiving sin, but He is interested in preventing sin. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11). 

Fourth, here’s where most of us have traditionally missed the fact that the Holy Spirit was given to the Church through the New Covenant for the express purpose of inspiring us to obey God — not forcing us. “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). 

Fifth, we have neglected the giving of the Holy Spirit, because we have not viewed it as a cooperative act of ourselves pledging loyalty to Christ through a public display, in particular, at baptism. “Then Peter said unto them, 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). 

Sixth, because we quarrel about water or grace through faith saving us, we neglect that it is Jesus that is saving us, but only so we will walk in a sanctified, Spirit filled way. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). 

Seventh, we need to turn from merely a reactive, defensive walk into an offensive, mode of gaining souls for the Lord Jesus Christ, clothed with the “whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:11), and in particular, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (6:18). 

I invite you to improve upon this plan, but we can’t sit and do nothing!

Lord Jesus, You are standing on the right hand of the Father, and have told us, “If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14 ). Stephen prayed and received Your answer in the salvation of Saul of Tarsus. May You raise up Your witnesses to this generation. Count us among that number! In Your Name, we pray. Amen.

Raise Up Godly Men

Ken

God, give us godly men, who will walk in love, faith, and purity. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV). Christianity is a hard way, unless we learn the secret of the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:27; Acts 2:38). Young men, who walk in purity cannot achieve it through sheer force of will. Simply attempting to obey the command of sexual purity, will not truly accomplish it, without the Holy Spirit. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). We fail our young men, if we neglect to teach them, The Holy Spirit’s primary function is to inspire us to walk in obedience. We are commanded, “Keep thyself pure” (1Timothy 5:22). But, our good intentions will only prevail unless the Spirit of God gives us the victory. “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). Faith or confidence that the Holy Spirit inspires us to obey, will cause us to be obedient, and will give us the victory. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4). 

In the OT, a godly young person was one who sought God with their whole heart. “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:2, 10). The greater advantage of the New Covenant is the indwelling presence of God’s Spirit, who inspires us to obedience (Ezekiel 36:27). 

Why hasn’t the heritage of the righteous always been a smooth path of obedience rather than a battle between righteousness and wickedness? 

First, the Almighty is God over everything. “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). 

Second, humanity was given stewardship of the earth. “And 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). 

Third, Satan became the god of this world, when the entire population of the Garden of Eden rejected the Creator. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2Corinthians 4:4). 

Fourth, a spiritual battle for the cosmos has resulted, where God’s servants preach obedience to the Gospel to the ends of the earth. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). 

Fifth, love of God must overcome love of the world. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1John 2:15-16). 

Sixth, spiritual warfare requires a type of John Bunyan Pilgrim’s Progress, Holy War, where both men and women of God put on the Whole Armor of God until the KING of Kings and LORD of Lord’s returns to rule over the earth. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18). 

Seventh, a restricted understanding of our warfare limits our efforts and success. “And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all” (1Corinthians 15:28). 

In summary, our young men will see victory in their purity, when they cooperate with the Holy Spirit to inspire them to obedience. Fathers and husbands will not only defend their families, but will lead their churches in a Spiritual War against the darkness of the world to the knowledge of Christ. 

Father, raise up men of God to lead Your people. Give us godly, courageous leaders. Educate them. Fortify them. Protect them. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Blind Faith

Ken

If faith can see an invisible God or can trust God to deliver in spite of invincible odds, then faith is blind to the natural world. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27 KJV). Faith is not the denial of what the natural eyes see, but it is the refusal to be limited by the natural, when God commands or calls us to act contrary to the natural. “And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus” (Matthew 14:29). “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2Kings 6:17). 

Before ignoring the danger signs placed by humans to prevent harm and death, of course, we had better consult God on the necessity of any action. We call it miraculous, when the natural is overruled by the supernatural. God is for the miraculous, but not if it is simply a shortcut from disciplined work. Miracles are to magnify God, not to remove the discipline of work and faith from the disciple. Let us not promote Blind Faith as acting contrary to what our natural eyes see, unless we have command or authorization from God. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Corinthians 5:7). 

Father, we desire to see Your glory. Teach us the discipline of a faith that worketh by love, so we can discern when You are commanding us to act contrary to the evidence of the natural. Preserve Your people from self-delusion. Take away the ammunition from the mockers, who do not know how to respond to the Elijahs. Raise up men and women of faith to inspire confidence in You. Awaken Your Church. Deliver and convert Israel. Support the Persecuted Christians of India, China, and North Korea, who view Christianity as subversive. Cause Your people to stand, thrive, and set the example for the rest of the world for faithfulness to Your name. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen.

Trusting God Fights Paranoia

Ken

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV). The absolute standard for trust is “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). Unwavering trust in God keeps us from being unsettled by humanity’s fickleness. If God can be unreservedly trusted, then humanity’s often untrustworthiness would not be surprising. In fact, when humanity does the admirable in not seeking its own at the expense of others, it can only be because God made it so. Of course, praise should also be given to man, when it is praiseworthy. The opposite of paranoia is when we can see God successfully working in a human heart to do the acceptable and right thing. If this is never possible, “we are of all men most miserable” (1Corinthians 15:19). Faith in God breeds hope, which “maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). The cynical, “In God We Trust, All Others Cash,” sign at the store checkout needs to be balanced in our hearts “With God All Things Are Possible” (Matthew 19:26). Give God the chance to change even the cynical human heart. Father, make it so. In Jesus name, amen.