War is Immoral; and Yes God Sanctions It! (Joshua 6:17-21)

Joshua 6:17-21 (New International Version, ©2011)

¹⁷ The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. ¹⁸ But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. ¹⁹ All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury.”

²⁰ When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. ²¹ They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

For most of my Christian life I have heard arguments both for and against war as a method by which God deals with nations on planet earth. It is clear he did that under the Old Covenant, but it seems there are many who choose, for whatever reason, to conclude He is not the same God under the New Covenant that He was in ancient times. First of all I think it is incumbent upon us to establish that one of His characteristics is that he is unchanging. 1 Samuel 15:29 tells us,
"Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind." Of course there are those who not only don't know God has a highly multifaceted personality, they also don't believe He functions with every single part of that personality in perfect balance at all times. Many picture God as a split personality, or a kind of a schizophrenic. Of course the facts as revealed in scripture reveal quite the opposite. At the very time God is pouring out His wrath on one nation, He is demonstrating His perfect love to those on whom He is not pouring out His wrath. When He was demonstrating His wrath on Egypt, He was at the same time demonstrating His love and care for His chosen nation, Israel.

I quoted Joshua 16 above for the very purpose of demonstrating how He saved one harlot and all of her family at the very time He was destroying the nation from which she hailed. Her one, almost infinitesimal act of faith, saved her from His wrath. I believe there are basically three reasons the United States hasn't won a war since WWII: 1. we refuse to fight our enemies using a winning strategy; 2. our leaders have no will to win; 3. we believe war is moral.

One of the most basic things all winning nations apply to win wars is strategy. George Washington defeated the most powerful military in the world when he implemented what we now label terrorist tactics. It is also called guerilla warfare. Britain insisted right to the end that they march in columns, fire when told to do so, and never retreat. They even made sure their enemy knew they were coming by beating their drums in a vain attempt to intimidate them. The most powerful military in the world lost the Revolutionary War to a rag tag, unorganized, under armed group of American patriots, using guerilla warfare, picking them off from behind trees, rocks, logs, or anything that would conceal them.

Today, our leaders are so afraid of what the world will think of us that they refuse to use our superior fire power to annihilate our enemies and win the war with one frontal assault by destroying their ability to protect themselves. We place our highly trained and well armed soldiers in harm's way and tell them they can't fire at women, children, or anyone who has not clearly shown the imminent intent to kill them. The major problem with that scenario is that our enemy is using women and children to hide behind; and women and children are taking up arms and shooting at our soldiers when they are able to do so undetected. Our false sense of piety is literally getting way too many of our soldiers killed. We did the same thing in Vietnam, the Balkans, the first Gulf War, and to this day, we are doing no more than we absolutely have to do in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and now Libya to make it look like we are winning without looking like we are being inhumane. I am literally sick of hearing Americans suggest it is inhumane to kill our enemies. War is brutal; by its very nature it is immoral. That said, it is even more brutal and utterly nonsensical to fight it like a bunch of girls pulling each other's hair out because they don't want to appear too masculine by slugging each other in the face with closed fists. We are not the aggressors in this Middle-Eastern conflict. Our first priority, and we have made it clear to all of our enemies is peaceful co-existence.  

Our recent killing of Usama bin Laden is an another excellent of what I mean when I speak of a false sense of piety. It has finally surfaced that our Navy Seals, arguably one of the most elite group of military personnel the world has ever known, went into another country flying in two stealth helicopters none of our allies or enemies even knew we had, landed one inside a multimillion dollar compound, dispatched several unarmed men and wounded at least one woman, brought our number one enemy back dead to one of our military ships, and then had to watch him receive a saints burial in strict accordance with his own religious beliefs. Then we have had to listen for days to left wing radical, socialist thugs in our own country suggest we should have captured him because he was unarmed. This liberal media has had the nerve to tell us it was murder to shoot an unarmed enemy of the United States who has directly ordered the mass murder of thousands of innocent, unarmed, non-military Americans. Then, as if that weren't enough, they have likewise suggested it would be barbaric to show pictures of his dead, lifeless, evil body to the world. Our leaders fail to understand that is the only kind of intimidation our enemies understand and fear.

Several biblical things come to mind when I read such foolishness and hear it spouted on television and radio: 1. God personally orchestrates everything that goes on on planet earth 24 hours of every day, 365 days of every year. He is not sitting idly by, watching what is happening trying, to devise a way to save us from total annihilation. He is a God of peace, but He is also a God of war. He sometimes told Israel to stand by and watch him destroy their enemies (II Kings19:35) ; and He sometimes told them to engage their enemies in battle and destroy them (II Sam. 5:19:25). In the aforementioned verses, God actually gave King David the strategy whereby he would defeat his enemies. 2. God used intimidation to scare the enemies of Israel (which made them His enemies by default). He had Samuel hew Agag to pieces with a sword (I Sam. 15:33). He had David line up the leaders of his enemies and chop off their heads ( ). 3. When going against an enemy sometimes innocent civilians get killed, but usually they aren't as innocent as we think. God knew one thing most today don't even consider; when the children of defeated enemies grow up they become the enemy. In most cases, the only people who were allowed to live when God sent His army against the enemy were single, virgin females. My conclusion about why that was so is that those single virgin females had the best chance of becoming brides of Israelis and thus adopting the God of Israel as their own.   

In conclusion, it is important for those who think the God of love would have us love our political enemies into submission really should read the book of Revelation. In it, we discover the God of the New Covenant bringing the entire world to its knees in just seven short years. He destroys all vestige of man's pomp and pride, levels every city to the ground, levels all mountains, slays the beast and his false prophet, and annihilates the armies of the world in one hour. He all but totally destroys planet earth. He then returns and sets up His throne in Jerusalem from where He rules the earth for 1,000 years with a rod of iron. It really is an injustice to portray our God as a loving, benevolent, tender hearted, kind being without also pointing out he is a God of perfect justice, wrath, anger, jealously, and power. His love, separated from His justice would make him a weak, impotent god like Baal and the millions of false gods the pagans worship. It is an injustice to lost souls for us to present Him as anything but the Creator God who is going to judge all men, women, and children for their reaction to His provision for mankind's sin, His one and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. and, most of all, it is an injustice to God for us to present Him as a paranoid schizophrenic or a split personality. He is a multifaceted being whose various personality traits are all functioning in perfect balance at all times. That's how His word describes Him, and any other presentation of Him is sorely lacking and in many cases just plain heresy.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

December 13-16 (Ex. 12)
The Feast of Unleavened bread was the first holy day instituted by God for the new nation of Israel. He gave it to them as a memorial for when He killed all of the firstborn of the Egyptians (which included all the animals which belonged to the Egyptians. Obviously, the firstborn is significant because Jesus is designated the firstborn of all creation. We must understand all figurative language, even when used by God, breaks down somewhere. Mormons use this designation to suggest Jesus, like Satan, was a created being. Romans 8:29 tells us, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;” In Colossians 1:18 we read, He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Taken together we can conclude correctly Jesus was not the firstborn in the sense that He wasn’t around until He was born in the manger. Mormon theology crumbles under the weight of simple logic if one uses all of scripture to explain the problem one encounters when he uses only those that support his distorted viewpoint. Colossians one makes it clear Paul’s reference in Romans means He was the firstborn to resurrect never to die again. In both places Paul was trying to explain His model for us as to the resurrection to eternal life. His resurrection from the dead defeated death for all time for those who choose life in Him.

God told Israel through His true prophet Moses, His act of taking all the firstborn of Egypt meant He had full and unhindered claim to all the firstborn of Israel from that day forward. The first Passover inaugurated the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12). The Passover consisted of thirteen critical rituals the Israelites were commanded to observe: 1: the Passover represented God’s authority to determine the plan for the redemption of man; 2. they were told they must consume all of the Passover lamb in one night. 3. They were told this holy day would be the beginning of months for them and were commanded to observe it every year on the fourteenth day of the month of Abib (13:4); 4. they were commanded to slay an unblemished lamb on the first day, sprinkle some of the blood on the mantel of the doorpost of their homes (12:7); 5. they were commanded to eat all of the Passover lamb in one night (12:8-10); 6. they were told this was to be a permanent ordinance (12:14); 7. they were commanded to remove all leaven from their homes for the entire week of the unleavened bread holy days (12:19); 8. they were commanded to remain in their homes from dusk to dawn (12:22); 9. they were told to eat unleavened bread for the entire seven days (12:15); 10. they were commanded to do no work on the first and the seventh day of these holy days (12:16); 11. they were told everyone, native and alien in their land who ate leavened bread during these holy days was to be cut off (banished) from the land (12:20); 12. they were told to use a bunch of Hyssop, dipped in the blood of the Passover lamb, to apply the blood to the doorposts of their homes (12:22). 13. And finally, they were told not a bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken.

It’s important for us to understand all biblical holy days were inaugurated by God to help us focus on particular aspects of His character, unlike things like the 4th of July, which we celebrate in the United States. Of course the Fourth is an important day for us because it represents something significant from our past, but holidays like that one should not be confused with, nor should they ever hold as dear a place in our hearts as God’s holy days. Personally, as already indicated, I think Christians would be well served to make it a point to observe all biblical holy days, if for no other reason than to understand the aspects of God’s character they reveal. With that in mind, let’s begin with suggesting the aspects of His character revealed in the holy days of the Passover.

First, the Passover lamb represented God’s authority to redeem man from his sin any way He wanted to do it. Of course, God could have chosen another way. Our problem, as created beings is we often conclude it is also our choice to decide how we are to be redeemed from our sins. We, like Satan, want to be like God, determining our own fate by our own devices. Of course, the only thing true about that philosophy is that it does indeed determine our fate. If we fail to follow God’s revealed plan for salvation, we are assured a place in hell for eternity. God told Israel, those who followed His plan precisely would escape His wrath, which He was about to pour out on the Egyptians. That same requirement applies to salvation today. His word declares there is one way, only one way, that no other way will do, that no one can be saved who does not, by faith, choose to accept His one and only provision for man’s sin in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, confess Him as Lord, believe God raised Him from the dead, confess personal sin, and die daily to the elemental things of the world. (Acts 4:12; 2:38; Rom. 10:9; I Jn. 1:9; Luke 9:23). It is a narrow way and most people are on the broad path. It is narrow gate and few enter there in. Neither Buddha nor Mohammed died for anyone’s sin. Hare Krishna and Mahatmas Gandhi are both spending their time right now awaiting the White Throne Judgment (God’s judgment for those who didn’t choose the narrow gate). Mother Teresa, in spite of the wonderful deeds she did, is waiting with the great multitudes in all of history who thought they could earn their place in the kingdom of God by accumulating more good deeds in this life than bad.

God’s plan is exclusive, unchangeable, unbending, without equal, and without exception. The gospel is a narrow, intolerant message of God’s plan for the redemption of man from both the sin of Adam (inherent sin) and his own personal sin. It is universal in that it is offered to men, women, boys, and girls from every nation and of every ethnic group on planet earth. It is specific in that only those who are the elect, predestined, effectually called, regenerated, granted faith and repentance, justified, definitively sanctified, adopted, and progressively sanctified will ever be glorified. Romans 3 makes it clear only those whom God, in His infinite and inexplicable wisdom, grace, and mercy regenerates will ever choose to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. And that’s the paradox that separates many a well meaning seeker from those who get found.

Second, the requirement for the Jews to eat all of the Passover lamb in one night represented the all sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice at Calvary. He expressed it on the cross when He said, “It is finished.” (Jn. 19:30) The Passover lamb symbolized the final and ultimate payment for man’s condition, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) There are several things about the lamb that tell us about the nature of God, more specifically, God the Son. Lambs are not only attached to their mothers like superglue, they are incapable of surviving more than a few moments without the comfort and milk provided by their mothers. In John 15 Jesus uses the vine to characterize the same relationship. He said the branch cannot bear fruit apart from the vine. Lambs are meek. They are completely helpless. Jesus took it upon himself (voluntarily) to be that helpless, depending entirely on the Father to care for Him and instruct Him on His every move during His first coming to planet earth as the redeemer of mankind, God’s propitiation for his sin. It is crucial we understand this, because a failure to do so results in all kinds of false doctrine. It helps us understand why He could not use His power to turn rocks into bread or jump off the temple pinnacle in Matthew’s account of His trek into the wilderness for forty days. He had to demonstrate for all time the way we can all overcome temptations from the devil. Of course, if he had used his divine powers, he would not have been all man, thus disqualifying Him, according to God’s divine plan, to be an acceptable substitute, dying in our place for our sin.

Third, the command by God that this first Passover would from that day forward be the beginning months for Israel represented the new life one is granted when God regenerates his dead soul at new birth (II Cor. 5:17; Titus 2:5). It is the affirmation of Jesus’ words to Nicodemus that one must be born again if he is to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Fourteen hundred years before Jesus told it to Nicodemus the Jews celebrated the doctrine of the new birth.

Fourth, the Passover lamb’s being slain the first day looks to the church age when believers would be celebrating the first day of every week in honor of its Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, whose empty grave was discovered on that day. It also pictured the union of the Jewish converts to the Gentile converts who would come together as one church under the common blood of the Savior of the world. Of course, the only problem with that is that the evidence indicates Meshiach arose on the even of the 7th day. The fact that His resurrection wasn't discovered until the morning of the first day has caused a great deal of confusion and deficient teaching on the subject. While I continue to believe there is nothing inherently wrong with traditional churches meeting on the first day to congregate and study His word, Jesus and the disciples all honored Shabbat as originally instructed in the Torah. If we carefully study the ancient teachings on the first day, we discover the first day of Passover during Jesus life was a Wednesday. Thus, if Yeshua was nailed to the cross at Calvary on Wednesday, He really was in the grave for three days and three night. Go figure.

Fifth, the seven days in which the feast was to be celebrated declares the completeness and perfection of our creator. We need to grasp this element of God’s nature to understand the picture of the seven Spirits of God who are before His throne in Revelation are not literally seven in number, but represent His omnipresence in the universe He created (Rev. 1:4). God the Father is Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s function as part of the Godhead is to fill the earth with His presence (Jn. 3:8), indwell believers (Jn. 14:20), empower them for ministry (Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:17), protect them from the evil one (Jn. 17:5), lead them into truth (Jn. 16:13), and prepare the hearts of God’s chosen to hear the gospel message (Heb. 1:14).

Sixth, leaven represents sin and/or false teaching throughout scripture. Israel’s removal of it for the entire week of Passover pictured the sinless life the Lamb of God would have to live to be an acceptable sacrifice for man’s sin. While it’s a theological truth we can understand with relative ease looking back and extrapolating all the historical biblical evidence to understand that, I seriously doubt it was so clear to those who first practiced it. Paul told both the Corinthians and the Galatians a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough (5:6; 5:9). Jesus told His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:6), a reference to their false teaching (16:11). Sadly, today's churches seem to have a great deal of leaven within them. And way too much of it comes from pulpits across this land.

Seventh, the Jews were commanded to remove all leaven from their homes for the entire week of the Passover. That act helped them and us to understand a little about God’s requirement for holiness. Jesus said it this way as recorded in John 15:19, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." Paul quotes Isaiah in II Corinthians 6:17 when he tells us, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” also alluding to Revelation 18:4. Historically, one of the major problems with men attempting to manifest this holiness of God is his propensity to measure what it means against other men’s behavior. Of course, that makes it relatively easy to become puffed up and proud of our holiness, which is the exact opposite of what God wants for us. Holiness is not about refusing to drink, smoke, or chew, and likewise, refusing to run with those who do. It’s about behaving in a way that is pleasing to God.

Holiness is about having a love for God that so consumes us that we passionately want others to meet this God we love so. It is best expressed in the famous love chapter, I Corinthians 13. It is unselfish and seeks the best for those around us more than we ever seek it for ourselves. It does not seek self-exaltation, is kind and gentle, is patient, it rejoices in truth, bears all things, and believes all things. It seems one could insert holiness in the place where I Corinthians uses the word love and one would get the idea. Holiness is part of progressive sanctification. It is the goal one can never completely reach in this life, yet we are commanded to live this life continually striving for it. Paul expresses it well in Philippians 3:14 when he says, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Eighth, the Jews were commanded to remain in their homes all night, from dusk till dawn. During that time God went through the land of Egypt and killed all the firstborn of all Egyptians, including their livestock. This expresses God’s ability to distinguish between the righteous and the unrighteous when He pours out His judgment. It’s crucial we understand this element of His nature because entire theological doctrines are built on a misunderstanding of it. Two positions on the rapture of the church, for example are based on a misunderstanding of this part of God’s nature. One of the most outlandish but most declared reasons the pre and mid tribulation rapture theorist give for their position is that God has to remove us from this planet so we don’t experience His wrath. Of course, the first problem with that conclusion is a failure to understand the seal and trumpet judgments are overwhelmingly man’s fighting man for global position and authority. Very small time periods of those two judgments are supernatural interventions. That said, it is still clear God will supernaturally protect both Christians and Jews during the tribulation and this part of the Passover symbolizes that truth (see Revelation 7:3-8; cf. 12:13-17).

Ninth, the seven days they were to eat unleavened bread symbolizes for us the fact that during the entire seven days, seven years of the tribulation, those for whom the Passover lamb was sacrificed at Calvary will be on planet earth. It is one of the strongest proofs the church will remain on planet earth during the tribulation. The eighth and ninth elements of the Passover are inseparable in their application and understanding of this part of God’s nature. Passing over the homes with the blood sprinkled on their doorpost, makes it abundantly clear He will likewise pass over his church when He sees the Holy Spirit within them during the outpouring of His wrath during the tribulation. By itself, one might conclude we are stretching the possible meaning. When one also considers Noah and the flood, Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah, the picture begins taking on more meaning. Over and again, throughout history, God has made a distinction between His chosen people and the rest of the world. He has divinely shielded them from the outpouring of His wrath. They, on the other hand, have always endured persecution at the hands of the enemies of God. The devil and his band of miscreants have been harassing believers since the beginning of creation. It began in the Garden of Eden and continues today. The thought that God would remove them during the final seven years when the anti-Christ is seeking, more than any other time in the history of the world, to destroy them is pure and utter foolishness.

The tenth command to Israel regarding the Passover is incredibly rich with meaning. Together they represent the unification of the New Testament Church with the nation of Israel. Israel is the nation who is in a covenant relationship with God regarding the seventh day of rest. The church is in a covenant relationship with God regarding the first day of the week (the day of the discovery of Christ’s resurrection). Today, churches have chosen to celebrate its covenant relationship with Jesus by honoring, what they incorrectly believe was His resurrection day by meeting together on that day. This command to Israel pictured a time when the Gentiles would unite with Jews as the chosen and effectually called children of God 1400 years before it existed.

The eleventh element of the Passover celebration had to do with aliens in the land. That command pictures those in the church today who are not born-again. Two key instructions are appropriate for us to understand regarding aliens. First is that Israel was instructed to administer the same justice and use the same measurements for aliens in their land as they did for natives. Two things are important for us to understand about that first admonition: 1. these were not illegal aliens; 2. aliens were expected to obey all the same laws the native Israelis had to obey. Illegal aliens in the United States today, contrary to what some would be bible scholars would have us believe, are in no way a similar group of people. Second, this command pictures for us today those who are in the church who are not part of the church. For example, we have great multitudes in hundreds of churches (maybe thousands), who continue to live lifestyles that are unacceptable to God. It is not seemly to throw them out of the church, but it is just as unseemly to let them remain in the church without advising them their lifestyle is unacceptable if they wish to continue in the church (Matt. 18:15-18).

The final part of the eleventh element must not be missed, however. If the alien in the church refuses to respond to scriptural admonitions, he must, once the first three phases of Matthew 18 have failed, the offender be cut off from the people of God. It is crucial that person be turned over to the devil for the destruction of the flesh, that perhaps his soul might be preserved (I Cor. 5:5).

It is important the world not conclude a local resident whom everyone knows is a homosexual, for example, is a card carrying member of a particular local church. It’s a very difficult area of church discipline to administer without being thought callous, but it is an area the leadership of the church has the responsibility to teach and administer. That’s why the admonition in Matthew has four parts to it. It is meant to take a while to administer so the offending party has time to repent and be reconciled. It is biblical, as long as the alien in the church is not living a life of wanton pleasure, making a mockery of biblical standards he be allowed to remain in the church on the chance he will be convicted of his sin and repent and become part of God’s flock. Such people need to be watched carefully, lest they be experts at making it look like they are living moral lives, when in fact, they are seeking to grasp one or several of God’s sheep from the fold.

Another thing the Exodus depicted for us is the fact that there was a mixed multitude that went with Moses as Israel left Egypt. While this is not, strictly speaking, part of the feast of Unleavened Bread, it is in a real sense, directly connected. There’s only one verse that mentions it, so it’s easy to miss the point. It seems clear there were Egyptians who wanted, for one reason or another, to exit with the Israelis. There are any number of reasons they might have wanted to beat feet out of Egypt. Some may have been fugitives from justice. Certainly, some may have been truly desirous of being part of God’s people. It’s clear some were nothing more than rabble (Ex. 12:38; Num. 11:4), leeches who were seeking the easy life, escaping from the oppressive atmosphere the Pharaoh had established. In like manner, there are great multitudes who join with the church for reasons other than to worship and adore its Chief Shepherd. Some join it because they disdain the filth of the world, but do not necessarily disdain their own sin. Some join the church to establish good business contacts. Yes, it is true. Some people actually join the church because it puts them into contact with people who are often so naïve they trust anyone who is part of their local church. If they need work done that one of their members can do, they almost always choose to hire it done by that church member. The exodus warns us there are mixed multitudes in the church, not all of whom can be trusted with anything more valuable than a donut.

The twelfth command regarding the celebration of the Passover had to do with a small aromatic herb called hyssop. As already mentioned, even the hyssop dipped in the blood (Ex. 12:22) demonstrates God’s foreknowledge, His omniscience, by foreshadowing the event yet to come nearly 1400 years later at the cross when they dipped the hyssop into the sour wine and gave it to Jesus (John 19:29). That kind of meticulous attention to detail is not possible in the realm of human achievement. It demands we take note of the mighty God of Creation, fall on our knees before Him and cry out “Abba Father!”

In closing this chapter, I would like to address one more thought appropriate at this juncture. Those Jews who understand the majesty of the God they worship, are so careful to reverence Him they don’t even pronounce His name. They never spell His name out entirely in their literature. When they pray, they prostrate themselves, fall on their faces and listen for a significant period of time before they even dare speak. Though mosty have failed to accept Him as Messiah, they have a much more reverent and appropriate (in my humble opinion) understanding of the God of creation than most contemporary Gentile believers. It troubles me when I attend a local church today and the pastor asks everyone to stand for prayer. I suggest it would be much more appropriate to kneel and bow our heads in humility or even prostrate ourselves as do the pagan Muslims. It’s really troubling to me that Muslims pay greater homage to their false god than Christians do to the One true God. It seems to me standing and praying is a rather arrogant physical position to take while addressing the God of creation. I humbly suggest we might need to re-evaluate our attitudes. The story about the publican and the Pharisee in Luke 18:9-14 is problematic. The Pharisee was proud of his holiness, but the publican was so disgusted with his sinful state, he didn’t even dare look up. Verse 14 tells it all. The publican went away justified. The clear implication is the self-righteous Pharisee didn’t.

The thirteenth element of the Passover was a prophetic image. Anyone unimpressed with this truth need not apply for membership at any local church. More than fourteen hundred years before Jesus was crucified, God revealed an ever so small element of that crucifixion in intimate detail. The soldiers who attended the two criminals and the one supposed criminal (Jesus) had no clue they were fulfilling two ancient prophecies when they broke the legs of the two real criminals, but didn’t break Jesus’ legs. Then, as if that weren’t enough, one actually pierced His side with a spear fulfilling the second prophecy found in Zechariah 12:10.

This specific command of God that Israel observe regarding to the Passover lamb was probably a mystery to them, but we discover in at least two places God continuing to point out to His prophets that the Messiah of Israel, the Lamb of God who was to come into the world would not have any of His bones broken, though, as already indicated, both of the criminals who were crucified with Him had their legs broken (Zechariah 12:10; cf. Jn. 19:36,37 and Ps. 34:20);

I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken.

Finally, and certainly one of the most significant things about this holy day is the fact that it represents God’s care for His chosen in the very midst of the outpouring of His wrath on unbelievers. Pharaoh was the quintessential representative of those of this world. His words, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice and let Israel go?”(Ex. 5:2) demonstrate the ignorance of the masses who are similarly saying to themselves, “Who is God that I should have to obey Him?” The time is soon coming when, like the Egyptians, those who have ignored God’s warnings will experience His devastating judgments on this planet (Rev. 6-11 and 16). Many will flee into caves and cry out to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:16, 17)

The Passover and Feast of unleavened Bread is a beautiful image, full of rich insights about the nature of God. So much is missed when we skim over the hundreds of bible references to it without carefully and specifically seeking to understand this first of the holy days instituted by God on His chosen people (which includes Gentile converts to Christ). In Exodus 12: 14, 17 and Leviticus 6:18, 22 Moses is told the Passover is supposed to be a permanent ordinance throughout their generations. Four times God told Israel through His intermediary Moses this was to be a permanent ordinance. It seems clear, even today, post Calvary centuries later, the Jews are supposed to be celebrating the Passover. Of course, orthodox Jews do celebrate a kind of Passover, but none I’m aware of are still practicing it as prescribe in scripture. The point is that God has instituted each and every one of these feasts for a purpose. Among the many reasons stands the simple yet sublime truth that celebrating them helps His all of us to yearly review the incredible and varied characteristics of our Creator God which are symbolized by them.

Every time Satan tries to convince me this whole “Jesus trip” is a myth, I remember the hundreds of detailed prophecies, that, unlike the ridiculous meaningless rantings of people like Nostradamus, are so detailed and specifically addressed to events hundreds of years into the future, that I just bow in worship to Jesus and tell the devil to be gone.

I'll close this chapter with a final observation, also mentioned earlier. I have no problem with Christians celebrating Christ-mas. I do have a significant problem with us celebrating it as do the pagans amongst whom we live. The Christmas tree with its bright lights is a pagan symbol. Santa Clauses, flying reindeer, magic trips down the chimney, wish lists, homemade cookies set out for the mysterious visitor, letters to the North Pole, toy presents to children, as well as outlandish, lavish gifts to adults only serve to perpetuate a pagan myth and make merchants wealthier in one month of the year than in the combined total of the other eleven. We have been lying to our children for centuries and it’s time we stopped. I firmly believe God is appalled at such foolishness. I think it’s time for true believers to unite under the common banner (image of the cross) and covenant not to promote such pagan foolishness any longer. It’s time we stopped trembling at the slightest threat of violence against us for proclaiming our undying love for and adherence to the commands of our Lord. It’s time to “man up” and not be ashamed of the gospel, “. . . for it is the power of God for salvation, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek,” (a Jewish reference to everyone not Jewish/Romans 1:16).

Where's Your Plane Heading?

December 12 (II Cor. 13:5)
John McArthur addressed the issue of salvation yesterday in a rather refreshing manner. He actually used the bible to prove there are great multitudes who are absolutely convinced they are going to the kingdom of God when they die who are, in actuality not. It reminded me of an analogy Todd Freil used several months ago about a lady who boarded a plane she was sure was bound for Toronto, Canada. The passenger next to her mentioned how much he was looking forward to his vacation in France. She told him he was on the wrong plane. He looked at his ticket and said, “No, this plane is going to France.” The steward overheard them and advised the lady she was on the wrong plane confirming the one she was on was going to Paris, France. Again, she told the steward he was wrong and insisted the plane she was on was going to Toronto, Canada. The steward looked at her ticket and advised her she would have to leave the plane because she had the wrong ticket. She refused just as the pilot came on the overhead speaker and said, “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen; this is your pilot speaking. We will be taxiing for take-off in approximately five minutes; please remain seated and fasten your seat belts. If all goes well, you should be having a late dinner in Paris.”

Like that lady, there are great multitudes who think they have their ticket for the kingdom of God who are on the wrong plane (road). They have believed any number of incorrect teachings on the topic of salvation, and as a result are absolutely certain, unshakably sure, they are bound for eternity in the kingdom of God, when in actuality, if they don’t respond correctly to the true gospel message, they are absolutely, certainly, unshakably, and surely bound for eternity in the kingdom of hell. This is a warning, not a treatise on salvation. I have written one and/or you can download John McArthur’s message from last week if you want to hear a presentation of the true gospel. It is literally a matter of life or death for all of us to pass the test Paul mentions in II Corinthians 13:5. Jesus tells a story on the topic in Matthew 22 about a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He invited a bunch of people who were too busy to attend. Then he sent his servants into the highways and byways to invite the common people. Finally he closed the door because the hall was full. While speaking to his guests he noticed a man there who wasn’t clothed properly (he had the wrong ticket). He had that person thrown out into the outer darkness, “in that place where there will be a weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It’s a powerful but simple analogy.

The king was God the Father; the Son was Jesus; the attendants at the wedding were the chosen of God, i.e., the church, the bride of Christ (see verse 14); and, the improperly clothed man represented the great multitudes who think they’re bound for the kingdom of God who are not. They’ve got the wrong ticket. I beseech you in the Name of Jesus to make sure of your calling. Get my book or go to John McArthur’s site at www.gty.org and listen to his two hour message. It’s a two or three part message in the full version. It is literally a matter of life and death. Your eternal destiny is determined by whether or not you have faith in the true gospel message not some cheap imitation. Tens of thousands of preachers who have been duly ordained by bible colleges and universities and liberal seminaries around the world are preaching a gospel foreign to scripture. And just about every one of them use a few verses from God’s word to convince their victims they are bound for heaven if they just receive Jesus, get baptized, buy one of their many items that guarantee holiness, and give a gift to their ministries. They make giving so easy no one in his right mind would take the chance their magic formula doesn’t work. Of course, if you are one of God’s elect, you will check the scriptures to see if they things they tell you are true. And that’s God’s word for us today.

General Comments about Feasts and Sacrifices

December 11 (Leviticus)
Just as one would expect, God began giving me ideas for this study last night while I slept. I awoke refreshed and anxious to come downstairs and begin. We are going to launch this study pointing out the different ways God uses numbers to declare something about His nature. If you’re like me, please don’t be concerned that I’m going to get really weird and try to calculate the day Jesus is going to return using those numbers. I have a dear friend who has read an apparently scholarly presentation on such gibberish who has tried unsuccessfully to convince me he can calculate accurately, within very few years the exact date of Jesus’ return (a series of obvious contradictions).


I read for years that one could calculate the precise, though not exact, age of the planet by adding the various genealogies together. I actually discovered it can be done with reasonable accuracy. I use the term reasonable accuracy for two reasons: 1. there are a few tiny time gaps I haven’t been able to fill yet using scripture; however, we can tie secular historical records, i.e., the reigns of Babylonian kings like Ahasuerus, to biblical history and get a close date from which to continue counting. One day I just decided I didn’t want to take anyone else’s word for it any longer, so I began adding up the years for myself as I read through the bible. I came up with a figure of about 6,150 years from creation to the year 2010. The Jewish calendar suggests it’s only been about 5700 years. Also, the research I did indicating slight differences are bound to occur just because the Jewish calendar and either of our Western Civilization calendars calculate time differently.

The reason this information will help us understand important things about God’s nature is that numbers, especially as they have to do with major topics like creation, Jewish holidays, and sacrifices, speak to several issues. The seven days of creation, which included six days of labor and one day of rest, represent the completeness of God. I don’t think that number is ever used in scripture without it intentionally being used to tell us something less obvious than is clearly understood by its common usage. This problem is at the very core of the deception used by those who suggest the six, twenty-four hour days of creation, could just as easily have been six eras of time. Those liberally inclined, wannabe theologians have two glaring problems: 1. they think they have to make the biblical record fit into the lying, deceiving, atheistic, evolutionists’ theories. 2. in doing so, they are denying the very essence of God, His omnipotence.

Of course, God could have taken seven periods of time instead of seven days to create the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, but He didn’t. To suggest Peter was speaking to this issue at all just demonstrates one’s complete lack of any disciplined approach to biblical hermeneutics (II Peter 3:8). I argued this issue for years with my father-in-law when I was just a budding child in the faith. He was an a-millenialist, which didn’t make him a heretic, just misguided. The clear context of Peter’s statement has nothing to do with defining the length of a day. Peter was addressing the teaching by the heretics of his day who were telling their listeners it was a waste of time to wait for Jesus to return, because He wasn’t coming back. They were the false teachers and false prophets who have infiltrated the church for nearly 2,000 years. Every gospel record, and every writer of New Testament books or letters warned us these people would infiltrate and remain in the church from time immemorial. Jesus addressed the issue first in Matthew 13:24-30.

The problem with even suggesting God didn’t actually create the heavens and earth and all its inhabitants in six twenty-four days is that it suggests God couldn’t have done that. It literally and blatantly denies His omnipotence. In doing so, it tells us much about the god these wannabe theologians worship. First, it tells us their god has to construct (create things) like man. Thus, they conclude, if it takes one hundred men using the finest technology and man-made machines, three years to construct a 100 story building, certainly no one could create the heavens and earth in six days. That’s utter foolishness on so many levels, I refuse to waste much more space on paper addressing it. I will point out the major flaw of such reasoning. It fails to understand that God does not build anything. He doesn’t go through the process of making a set of blue prints, getting permits, and seeking out the best company to do a job. God speaks things into existence. And because He’s both omnipotent (all powerful) and omniscient (all knowing), He does it, literally, faster than instant of time. It’s a concept almost too much for our finite brains; but God lives in eternity past, the present, and eternity future all at the same time. It’s extremely difficult to grasp the significance of a Being who is time transcendent; but the bible declares hundreds of times, He sees the beginning, the present, and the end (terms used only in a time locked universe) all at once.

Finally, lets address the use of “the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh day” in the creation account. If God would have actually created the earth in seven periods of time, He would have had Moses use that terminology rather than use a phrase that has always meant approximately a twenty-four hour period. Please don’t get excited about my use of “approximately.” There are tiny differences in the length of a day on the Jewish calendar, and should be on the Gregorian calendar. Both are dependent on extrapolating and coordinating existing data about the activities of three celestial bodies: 1. the time it takes the earth to circle the Sun (one year); 2. the time it takes for the moon to circle the earth (approximately thirty days); and 3. the time it takes the earth to rotate one full turn (twenty-four hours).

Hopefully, we have dispensed with any notion the earth was not created in six, twenty-four hour days. I have dealt thoroughly with the age of the earth and problems with Noah getting things like dinosaurs on the Ark in my study on Genesis, so I’m not going to address that here. Please contact me if you’re interested and request a copy of that study. I’ll send it to you free of charge. I believe I have thoroughly demonstrated it is not necessary to interpret any of the literal truths of scripture to accommodate atheists’ suggestions any of it is not trustworthy. The Bible is not a book of science or history, but it is always concurrent and in perfect alignment with any truly scientific or historical work of man. Any time it appears otherwise, we need to question the methods, motivation, ethics, and actual processes those doing it used for gathering their evidence, not God. Those who conclude the veracity of God’s word is subject to the finite thinking of what He created, are dumber than the rocks they claim to analyze.

As I consider the number seven, I recall having read about its use in scripture for nearly 4 decades, There are four significant uses of it: 1. The seven days of creation. I know the earth was created in six days, but I will avoid the clumsy attempt to explain my use of the phrase “seven days of creation,” anymore in this study. I believe God intended us to consider the day of rest (the Sabbath), part of the creative process; 2. the seven weeks of seven days each He had them count off from sowing of their seed to its harvest (aka the Feast of Weeks); 3. the seven days they were instructed to count from the first day of each feast to taking another Sabbath day of complete rest; and 4. the Year of Jubilee, 49 years (7 years X 7 years, aka seven weeks of years), when they were told to release all Jewish servants and return each one’s property. The Jews currently celebrate 27 Holy Days.* I am not going to make any attempt to deal with the ones not mentioned in scripture.

*(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_holiday#Purim_.E2.80.94_Festival_of_Lots)

There are only four mentioned in the Bible, other than the Sabbaths of course. They are referred to with different terms in different places, so it can be a little confusing. We need not be concerned. It is common in a culture to call holidays by different names. For example, some prefer to call Easter, spring break. Some call Thanksgiving, turkey day. Some call Christmas, the winter holiday. I’m actually unconcerned with such distinctions personally. It makes little difference to me if pagans choose not to acknowledge the true believer’s motive for celebrating Christ’s birth. Actually, I think tossing around a greeting like “Merry Christmas” can border on blasphemy, depending upon the heart of the one speaking it. One person sees visions of sugar plum fairies and overcharged credit cards when he says the words. One person imagines a bearded, white haired, pagan deity flying around the earth, dressed in a comical red suit with a ridiculous looking cap, magically descending chimneys, eating home-made cookies, and leaving just what his children wanted, taken from his magical list. And, one person imagines double digit profits in just 30 days of sales in his company’s fiscal year. I suggest it’s likely less than 1% of those using the phrase ever consider what it means to the born-again, God loving, evangelical, true believing follower of Christ. And I further suggest, we need not waste anymore time worrying about how any of them greet you at any of your local merchants. If you really want to be a witness, just say very loudly as you leave, “Have a blessed time celebrating the birth of the Messiah.” Trust me, that’ll make those within hearing stop and think. Maybe they’ll only stop and think for a fleeting moment, but they will stop and think.

Anyway, back to the four feasts mentioned in scripture. They are the Passover (aka Feast of Unleavened Bread), the Feast of Weeks (aka Feast of Harvest), the Feast of Booths (aka Feast of Tabernacles), and finally, the feast of Purim (Esther 9:22). The feast of Purim is sometimes referred to incorrectly as the fast of Esther (Esther 15-17). The two events are dependent on each other for meaning, but are definitively different. They all have the number seven or three imbedded in the pattern of how they are to be celebrated. Of course, the number three is also significant in divine revelation. I will be dividing this study by devoting a chapter to each of the feasts and a chapter to each significant number as it is related to the feasts. Finally, before we begin, allow me to assure any reader, I am not a numerologist. Like everything else in scripture, Satan has his own version of the truth. Numerology is the demonic theory that concludes every event in your life is somehow connected to numbers, beginning with the day you were born. It is practiced by witches, warlocks, seers, and mediums. It is in no way related to God’s use of numbers to tell us things about His nature. I can absolutely guarantee no one can calculate with any accuracy when Jesus is going to return using numbers. Even suggesting such foolishness means Jesus, the one and only divine Son of God didn’t know that.

Feasts Introduction

December 10 (Genesis 1)
I have studied God’s word intensely for nearly four decades now. I have read about the feasts and sacrifices literally hundreds of times and never felt inclined to get to know them intimately. I reasoned they were certainly meaningful to those who actually carried them out, namely the twelve tribes of Israel, but they were almost impossible to follow and certainly difficult to understand thoroughly nearly two thousand years after they ceased. Then, just the other day, I came to realize they will be reinstated during the millennial reign of Christ and there will be a very small contingency of church age saints who will be joining with a select group of the Levites reinstating those sacrifices and offerings. Of course they will not have any redeeming affect (they never did). They will simply be reminders of the cross of Calvary, just as the B.C. sacrifices pointed forward to Calvary. I’m not suggesting any of those sacrifices ever saved anyone. But those offering them according to prescribed sacrificial law offered them in faith, believing in a Messiah who would eventually come and pay for the sins of the world.

I won’t be using any scholarly works to assemble this information accept to gather information I know for a fact is not in scripture. For example, I have already begun consulting web sites to learn about the Jewish calendar. It is a crucial part of the overall scheme of things, and other than being able to discern the number of years since creation, that information is not found in scripture. The reason for using the method of study I use is to allow God to teach me from His word. I believe if it is important enough for us to understand it, He will illumine our minds so that we are able understand it. I have a great deal of regard for the work many before me have put into this kind of a task. I think I am uniquely qualified to do this particular biblical study for several reasons: First, I have walked with Jesus for nearly 40 years; Second, I have studied His word many hours a day for that entire time. There have been few days in that time I have failed to spend a significant amount of time to read and study it. Third, I have written extensively on over twenty-five bible topics already. Fourth, I have taught the Pentateuch twice, the Revelation many times, attended both secular and Christian universities taking, history, Greek, Hebrew, and two years of classes on apologetics. And finally, every day God speaks to me as I read His word and pray. I make no claim He has ever spoken to me orally, but He may as well have done so, because His voice has been as real and believable to me as if He had been standing in front of me.

Jesus declares in John the Holy Spirit, when He comes, will guide us into all truth. I believe, if this study is to be of any benefit to me as His child, it must be done as He speaks to me about the things I will be writing in it. I trust no one thinks I mean it will be inspired in any sense as His book is inspired. While I don’t adhere to the theory revelation is complete (Rev. 10), I am making no claim God is telling me to write the very words that will be in it. We know for a fact most of the prophets who wrote the inspired word of God also wrote things that were good stuff for the church to have, but they have not been preserved, for whatever reason, as the divinely, God breathed scriptures have (II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:20, 21).

I’m quite sure writing about these things over two thousand years removed from their implementation, will be a challenge. My Greek and Hebrew are non-existent any more since I have allowed them to rust in a closet of my mind for over thirty years. Therefore, I will be using six or seven of the major translations together and consulting some Hebrew scholars for meanings of some words. I trust my research will uncover a fresh and renewed understanding for me and any who take the time to read this study. teach me from His word. I believe if it is important enough for us to understand it, He will illumine our minds so that we are able understand it. I have a great deal of regard for the work many before me have put into this kind of a task. I think I am uniquely qualified to do this particular biblical study for several reasons: First, I have walked with Jesus for nearly 40 years; Second, I have studied His word many hours a day for that entire time. There have been few days in that time I have failed to spend a significant amount of time to read and study it. Third, I have written extensively on over twenty-five bible topics already. Fourth, I have taught the Pentateuch twice, the Revelation many times, attended both secular and Christian universities taking, history, Greek, Hebrew, and two years of classes on apologetics. And finally, every day God speaks to me as I read His word and pray. I make no claim He has ever spoken to me orally, but He may as well have done so, because His voice has been as real and believable to me as if He had been standing in front of me.

Jesus declares in John the Holy Spirit, when He comes, will guide us into all truth. I believe, if this study is to be of any benefit to me as His child, it must be done as He speaks to me about the things I will be writing in it. I trust no one thinks I mean it will be inspired in any sense as His book is inspired. While I don’t adhere to the theory revelation is complete (Rev. 10), I am making no claim God is telling me to write the very words that will be in it. We know for a fact most of the prophets who wrote the inspired word of God also wrote things that were good stuff for the church to have, but they have not been preserved, for whatever reason, as the divinely, God breathed scriptures have (II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:20, 21).

I’m quite sure writing about these things over two thousand years removed from their most recent implementation, will be a challenge. My Greek and Hebrew are non-existent any more since I have allowed them to rust in a closet of my mind for over thirty years. Therefore, I will be using six or seven of the major translations together and consulting some Hebrew scholars for meanings of some words. I trust my research will uncover a fresh and renewed understanding for me and any who take the time to read this study.

Join Us for One Thousand Years!

December 9 (Zechariah 14)
God’s word tells right after the 7 years and 45 days we call The Tribulation, Jesus will return to the earth and establish His throne in Jerusalem. Revelation 20 tells us He will throw the false prophet and the beast (aka anti-Christ) alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). Satan will be bound and thrown into the abyss (Rev. 20:1-3). He will be locked up there for one thousand years. All church age saints will take part in the first part of the first resurrection (Rev. 20:1-4). Jesus and those saints will rule the earth with a rod of iron. In other words, there will be no democracies or oligarchies anywhere (Ps. 2:9; Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15). The entire earth will be one big theocracy. It will be the one world government under Christ's rule the anti-Christ is now trying to establish under his authority.


Zechariah 14 gives us a lot of detail about the kinds of things that will be going on during that reign. We are told in that section of God word the feasts will be restored. The glaring difference between these feast and the ones the Jews were observing in ancient times is that during the millennium all nations will be required to go to Jerusalem to celebrate those feasts. And, we’re told any nation or group of people who refuse to go up for those feasts will experience immediate withholding of rain. All the technological systems we currently have to do things like irrigation will be gone, so when the rain ceases during the millennium, the people involved will experience immediate crop loss and thirst for water. Without water, no nation can survive long. My best guess is those conditions will result in much unrest among those nations. Those who have their rain witheld will likely declare war on adjoining nations to get their water. Voila! the reason for ruling with a rod of iron.

I think the reason for this period where Jesus will actually visibly rule from Jerusalem is to show those who use the old line, “The devil made me do it,” he didn’t. When he is locked up and so many continue to rebel against the authority of our Creator it will be obvious man's propensity to sin wasn't entirely Satan's fault. Of course, many conservative theologians completely ignore the massive amounts of information contained in scripture about that millennial period; and some teach an a-millennial view (a misnomer). A-millennialists interpret all verses dealing with that period as imagery and is currently being fulfilled in the church age. Many a-millennialist have excellent theology until they get to that one issue. Most conservative theologians try to ignore the topic altogether because then they have to deal with those humans left on the earth after God’s final bowl judgments. There will obviously be people around the globe who will not be present at the battle of all battles, Armegeddon. Of course, it’s simple to determine their fate. They will be the people who refused to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 19 makes it abundantly clear any who receive the mark will receive God's wrath. There will be people who don’t get converted during the seven years of tribulation. Many of them will actually help the saints escape the murderous rampage of the beast as he sets out to exterminate them. Jesus makes several interesting comments about that group in Matthew 10:41, 42,

“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward."

Zechariah 14 makes it clear there will be unsaved people living during the millennium. The feasts will be reinstated, as already indicated, thus animals will be sacrificed as a reminder of man's sinful state, not as having any ability to redeem anything anymore than they ever did. Prior to the church age, the sacrifices typified the coming sacrifice of the Lamb of God. During the millennium, they will point back to Calvary, reminding everyone of Christ’s payment for sin.

In closing today’s lesson, I confess my own misunderstanding about the importance of interpreting the sacrifices more thoroughly. I intend to begin an intense study of them soon. It seems a very elite group (meaning a very small contingency) of Christians will have the incredible opportunity to minister directly in the presence of the Lord Jesus during the millennium. They will not go out of His presence in the sense that they will actually be living in the Holy City and ministering with the Levites before His throne (Rev. 7:15, 16; 22:3-5). It seems logical one of the requirements for those in that group will be that they know the whys and wherefores of the feasts and the sacrifices. Of course, God could supernaturally imbed that knowledge into the minds of every one, but it seems to me, since He has already given that information in His written word, He is expecting us to know it before we come into His presence. If that’s true, I, of all people, have been terribly remiss as a child of God and teacher of His word. I intend to spend the next few months correcting that. I will what I learn daily in this blog to any interesting in know what I am learning. I challenge each of you to spend time each day reviewing the things I learn. I'm quite excited about the prospects of learning more thoroughly about the significance of those feasts. And I think the information I gather will be the material for my next book. May God bless you and keep you; may He make His face shine upon you, and grant you peace.

And He Ordered us to Preach

December 8 (Acts 10:42)
It forever amazes me the number who think preaching the gospel is optional equipment for disciples of Christ. Of course, one of the main problems is bad teaching on things like gifts of the Spirit. I wrote a book on that topic if anyone is interested in reading it. The bad teaching on the topic of evangelism goes something like this, God calls evangelists and professional, full time preachers to show people from His word what they have to do to be saved. Unfortunately that has bred apathy and incorrect behavior on the part of believers in His church universal. All one has to do is follow the biblical pattern to know it is each and every Christian’s responsibility to tell any who will listen what great things God has done for them. And of course that great thing is not a physical healing, though He still does that. The truly great thing He has done for each of us was to redeem us from the kingdom of hell and welcome us into His kingdom.

No one needs a theological degree to know how Jesus made our once dead souls alive. It truly is akin to having the light switched on in one’s heart. In Acts 16:14 Luke wrote it this way, “. . . and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Paul had gone out to the river to pray supposing there would be people there to whom he could speak about Jesus. Strange thing; there were. The above verse refers to one of the ladies (Lydia), who was a worshiper of God. It troubles me that most who call themselves believers have never in their life shared that information with anyone else, other than possibly inviting someone to church. If you really became a believer at some point in your life, you know what it took for you to do that. That’s called your personal testimony. It includes the marvelous things Jesus has done for you. My younger brother led me to Jesus just that way. One of my favorite theologically profound truths goes like this, “I don’t know about that, but what I do know is, once I was blind; now I see.”

I believe when it gets right down to where the rubber meets the road, the reason so few witness to anyone in the course of their lives is they never made doing it their number one priority. A huge contingency of people I personally know actually think the way to qualify for eternity in the kingdom of God is to attend church, live a good life, tithe to the church, take care of the family, be a good husband or wife, and not murder anyone. Actually, the Catholic Church has a plan where its members can buy forgiveness. They call that satanic doctrine “indulgences.” It made them quite rich. I just had a rather heated debate with a young lady I once had as a student. She got pregnant in high school out of wedlock, which isn’t the point, but it is an indicator of her moral beliefs. She put some words from one of John Lennon’s songs on FB and hailed him as a wonderful musician who made such a marvelous impact on the world. She wrote, “May his music live forever.” I responded, “It won’t,” I also pointed out to her John Lennon was a drug addicted, polytheist, and reminded her one of his songs suggested we “imagine there is no heaven or hell.” I finally argued her time and energy would be better spent honoring someone who was, or is, actually honorable. I also pointed out to her that unless John Lennon repented before he was murdered, his is currently in Hades, awaiting his final judgment (Rev. 20), which will guarantee him a front row seat (figuratively speaking) in hell for eternity.

Her response was interesting. First she said she goes to church every week. She was a Catholic the last time I actually saw her. If that’s the basis for her salvation, she is to be pitied. Then she said she had the right to her own opinion and didn’t appreciate me suggesting she was going to hell for having an opinion. Of course, I never said any such thing, so it’s clear there was conviction by someone besides me involved, like maybe the Holy Spirit. Then, her mother and a few of her friends joined the exchange of words and attacked me for everything but loving her enough to tell her the truth. One other young lady (also raised as a Catholic) actually suggested she could believe what she wanted and she could teach her children whatever she wanted because it was “her” life and the children were “her” children. I’m tempted to write her back and point out her error (her children belong to God). Many young people are losing their children today in a variety of ways, and unfortunately most of them don’t make the connection.

My point for today is, I think, absolutely crucial for us to understand. If you love people enough to tell them they’re going to spend eternity in hell if they don’t repent of their sin, if you care enough to have them angry at you for speaking the truth, be forewarned, only those whom God has effectually called and regenerated will appreciate your intervention into, what they perceive as their own business, i.e., it’s none of yours. Many people will want to have nothing to do with you anymore. It’s nothing new. Jesus told us to move with the movers and leave the others to their own devices (Matt. 10:11-14). You can expect people to respond to the gospel in one of two ways: by counter attacking, using secular arguments, dodging the real issue, spouting words of wisdom from philosophers of this world, which is all they have with which to respond. Guess what, the religious experts in Jesus time did the same things. They hated his constant harassing them for their lies and false theological teachings. They even called him a bastard son. One used biting wit by suggesting he at least knew who his father was. Of course, the implication was Jesus, being conceived out of wedlock, was a bastard child. You can be absolutely sure if no one is offended by the gospel you preach, it isn't the gospel of Jesus Christ. You can also be sure if everyone loves you, you are not filled with Jesus' Spirit. Satan is alive and well on planet earth, and he is the first to recognize the presence of the Spirit of God if He is in you. He will quickly recognize your very presence is a threat to his kingdom. The gates of hell crumble when the gospel is preached. Also be forwarned, this generation has learned to call the gospel "hate speech." It's another one of Satan's cleverly devised plans to make us who proclaim it appear evil.

The second possible reaction you will witness when you preach the gospel is that the light will come on (regeneration), and your listener(s) will choose to follow Jesus. God's word assures us the over-whelming majority of people who hear it will reject the gospel. Jeus said, "The gate to the kingdom of God is narrow and few enter it." If you are not willing to deliver a message that most don’t want to hear, you don’t want to be a disciple of Jesus. We are ordered to go and preach to the people the message of repentance from sin. The true gospel will instantly bring dead souls alive (II Cor. 5:17), and it will make the demons of hell flee (James 4:7).

In closing, allow me to suggest you might indeed choose to be a little more diplomatic than I am. It’s my Achilles Heel. I have always been one to “tell it like it is,” which often makes people so angry at me they miss the point altogether. Actually, the direct approach served me well in prison ministries. It is also quite effective with any who know me because they watch me live what I proclaim; thus the proclamation is credible even if they don't wish to believe it. I am quite aware I'm too direct for some; and I’m working at being more diplomatic; but in the final analysis, I will not stand idly by and allow anyone to go to eternity in hell if I they give me the ever so slim opportunity to preach the gospel to them. And I urge any and all who read these daily lessons to take the order, as spoken in Acts 10:42, seriously. It was given to every single person who claims to be a part of His church. Personal witnessing to any who will listen is not optional. It is not an alternative lifestyle. It is an essential part of the daily life of anyone who claims to be a follower of “The King.” I quoted John 15 yesterday where Jesus insisted everyone who abides in the vine will bear fruit. Of course it doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude you can't bear fruit if you never even water the garden (imagery for preaching the gospel). We must be about the business of going and preaching the gospel, making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). It must be our number one priority. And that’s His word for us today.