The Scarlet Thread

The most significant doctrine in the Bible is redemption and is presented as an unbroken scarlet thread that flows from Genesis through Revelation. When man chose to disobey God’s commandment in the Garden of Eden he sealed his own death warrant. Without the provision of redemption by a just and holy God, there would be no hope for mankind. God’s very nature demanded that a payment be made for that original sin of disobedience as well as for every sin committed since that time. God’s word is very clear regarding the required payment for sin, any sin; it is death, or eternal separation from God.

“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a

My favorite verse in the entire Bible is found in the Old Testament book of Leviticus.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11

Life is sustained by the flow of blood. And when sufficient blood is lost life ceases. Therefore, God required blood, or the sustenance of life, as payment for sin. That has not changed through the millennia.

Consider the second half of Romans 6:23.

“…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23b

Notice in the above that eternal life for the sinner, i.e. every human being, is a free gift of God. This free gift is the blood of His Son Jesus Christ that was offered on the cross. We call the day of Jesus’ death ‘Good Friday.’ In the Bible Jesus’ death occurred on the Jewish Holiday called Passover.

“…On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb…your lamb shall be without blemish, a male…you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly…shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses…” Exodus 12:3-7

“Now the blood shall be a sign for you…and when I see the blood, I will pass over you…So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast... an everlasting ordinance” Exodus 12:13-14

The Jewish historian Josephus reported that the customary time to kill the Passover lamb was 3:00 in the afternoon.

In the New Testament John the Baptist immediately recognized Jesus for who He was as soon as he saw him.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” John 1:29

As Jesus’ earthly ministry was coming to a close He set His face like flint as He journeyed to Jerusalem for His final Passover. Jesus told His disciples:

“You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Matthew 26:2

Jesus then shared His last Passover meal with His disciples.

“When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…’ and He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you…’ likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’” Luke 22:14-20

Then came Gethsemane, mock trials, suffering and death.

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Luke 23:44-46

The ninth hour was counting from 6:00 AM which meant that Jesus died at 3:00 PM, the exact time that the traditional Passover lamb was offered. Perfect prophecy, perfect fulfillment.


The Jewish Passover ordinance was a foreshadow of that which was fulfilled on the Cross. The Apostle Paul summarized it for the church.

“…For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” I Corinthians 5:7

Of course, Christ didn’t remain in the grave. He arose from the grave on the third day just as He had announced to His disciples. The resurrection of Christ was proof that the offering of His blood was sufficient payment to satisfy a just and holy God for the sins of the world!

But the world has not seen the last of the Lamb of God. His blood paid for the redemption of all creation in addition to the souls of all who believe. The Bible reveals that the day will come when He will complete the redemption process. He will break open the seals of the title deed to the earth and reclaim all that He paid for on the cross.

“And I (the Apostle John) saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll…sealed with seven seals…I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open…the scroll…But one of the elders said… ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll…’ and I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne…stood a Lamb as though it had been slain…then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.” Revelation 5:1-7

That event will signal the beginning of the seven year tribulation period after which time Christ will appear as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus, the Lamb of God, paid the redemptive price to remove the curse pronounced in the Garden of Eden and Jesus, King of Kings, will rule over all that He has redeemed.

Is it Really Politics as Usual?

A major Biblical premise when dealing with others is equitable and impartial justice for all, but is justice really blind? One of the onerous realities associated with the health care debacle was that selected politicians were offered special concessions in return for their vote. Such concessions used to influence the voter, if not offered to all, constitute a bribe. Congressmen and senators from both sides of the aisle are quick to say that this is ‘politics as usual.’ They prefer to use the term ‘quid pro quo’ instead of bribe.

The Bible is rich in wisdom relative to the subject. Bribery used for the perversion of justice is certainly not a new or unique issue. It has been used, abused, and condemned for over 3,000 years. In the Bible the words bribe, gift, present, reward, and payoff are used interchangeably. Solomon himself had much to say about it.

“He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.” Proverbs 15:27

“Many entreat the favor of the nobility, and every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.” Proverbs 19:6

“The king establishes the land by justice, but he who receives bribes overthrows it.” Proverbs 29:4

So wise King Solomon confirmed bribes were very popular in his time and also that they were destructive. But let’s go back further in history and review God’s instructions to the Israelites when they were a new nation.

“You shall not pervert the judgment…For I will not justify the wicked and you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.” Exodus 23:6-8

“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns…according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the LORD our God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:18-20

As history progressed the prophet/judge Samuel defended his position as an impartial judge by stating that he had never received nor was influenced by a bribe.

“…I have walked before you from my childhood to this day…Witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom Have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes?” I Samuel 12:2-3

And then as history entered the times of the kings, Jehoshaphat reiterated God’s position on bribery.

“Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you…for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.” II Chronicles 19:7

King Solomon’s father David prayed that God would recognize his integrity rather than being associated with sinners.

“Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands is a sinister scheme, and whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity…” Psalm 26:9-11

But during the days of the kings, God observed and renounced Israel’s deviance from His original law relative to impartial justice.

“How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers…Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards…” Isaiah 1:21-23

“For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: Afflicting the just and taking bribes; diverting the poor from justice at the gate. Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, for it is an evil time.” Amos 5:12-13

The offering and acceptance of bribes to pervert justice is adamantly condemned in the Bible. Such practice may even degenerate to the level of using bribery to promote and legalize anti-scriptural precepts. In other words bribery involved in such issues results in ‘calling evil good.’ Such was the recent controversial issue involving Bart Stupak, democratic congressman from Michigan, who initially opposed the proposed health care legislation because of its provision to use federal funding for abortions. Congressman Stupak; however, succumbed to presidential pressures and promises to ‘call evil good’ at the eleventh hour.

As stated above, the Bible has succinct warnings about offering bribes for such perversions of justice.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness…woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight: Woe to men…who justify the wicked for a bribe…Therefore the anger of the LORD is aroused against His people…” Isaiah 5:20-23

So whatever term is used, quid pro quo, gift, payoff, promise or bribe the principle is the same, i.e. to deemphasize impartial justice. And though it may be considered the ‘norm’ and politics as usual, such practice just adds to the list of grievances God has against this great nation just as He did for His chosen nation of Israel. His judgment is totally impartial.

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The Seeker-Sensitive Church: Theology or Psychology

In addition to the ‘emerging church’ recently discussed in this column, there is a more subtle movement underway involving mainline denominations in an attempt to bolster sagging attendance as well as to gain new members. Many new and existing churches are embracing contemporary philosophies and miscellaneous activities to provide wide appeal. Several other titles attached to this effort include the ‘new paradigm’ church and the ‘market-driven’ church. The impetus for this movement was society was changing while the church was not keeping pace. It was felt that something more must be offered. After it was determined what potential members wanted then a marketing strategy could be developed to make the church more appealing.

A pioneer in the area of church growth was Robert Schuller, who in fact claims to be the founder of the church growth movement. His philosophy was quite simple… “Find out what would impress the non-churched in your community and then offer it to them.” Dr. Schuller believed that expository preaching had little value. Norman Vincent Peale was his mentor and he “began to communicate a message of Christianity that focused on meeting the emotional and psychological needs of the people.” Schuller’s thinking was that the major perceived need of people was self-esteem. He then initiated a radical shift from God to human needs as the focus for his church. The results were impressive as his church grew dramatically.

A problem with Schuller’s approach is that the recognition and elevation of one’s self-esteem is totally contradictory to Biblical teachings. Consider self-esteem is related to pride and is a contradiction to humility and meekness. There are literally hundreds of scripture references commending humility and meekness and just as many others that condemn pride and self-exaltation. A result of Schuller’s strategy is a dilution of Scripture.

Schuller’s proposition that self-esteem was mankinds predominate need was followed by Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community church, who thought that while self-esteem was indeed important there were more pressing ‘felt needs’ that if addressed would grow the church more. Hybels and others such as Lee Strobel, author of ‘Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary’ determined that the pursuit of happiness trumped all others. Following the pursuit of happiness was identity, companionship, marriage, family, relief of stress, etc. Other very popular books on church marketing include George Barna’s ‘Marketing the Church’ and ‘A Step-by-Step Guide to Church Marketing.’ Barna is the most highly regarded marketing researcher in evangelicalism.

One of the results is a contemporary gospel that attempts to convince people Christ died to meet their needs. The focus becomes self-centered, i.e. knowing and accepting oneself rather than Christ-centered, i.e. knowing the mission and real purpose of Christ and His death. Sin was redefined from rebellion against God to a flawed strategy to gain fulfillment.

The Biblical gospel has limited appeal to the need fulfillment seeker who is looking for satisfaction here and now. The Bible, however, promises persecution, trials, and discipline in the here and now.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you…Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12

“…and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” II Timothy 3:12

“…if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” I Peter 4:16-17

The ‘seeker-sensitive’ and ‘market-driven’ churches are motivated more by market research and polls than the word of God. There is the ultimate disparity between the two sources.

However, not all church leaders are led by emotions and popular opinion. Pastor and author Gary Gilley of the Southern View Chapel, Springfield, IL states: “The new gospel is liberation from low self-esteem, freedom from emptiness and loneliness, a means of fulfillment and excitement…The old gospel was about God; the new gospel is about us. The old gospel was about sin; the new gospel is about needs. The old gospel was about our need for righteousness; the new gospel is about our need for fulfillment; the old gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing; the new gospel is attractive.”

Christ Himself described the church as it will appear during the latter days.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot…So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked...therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me…” Revelation 3:15-20

So while the ‘seeker-sensitive’ and ‘market-driven’ churches think they have it all together and are in need of nothing, some will actually leave the real Christ out of the picture and are, therefore, in need of everything.

The 'New and Improved' Church

As globalism is gaining popularity with the world’s superpowers to bring together economic and political aspirations, so too is a movement underway which will bring together diverse religions. Just as globalism compromises nationalism, so the ‘emerging church’ will compromise basic Biblical doctrines.

There are those who believe that inasmuch as we are in the postmodern cultural times the church must change to keep pace with the changing culture. Subscribers to the ‘emerging church’ movement are concerned that the present church is not capable of attracting or communicating with those in the postmodern cultural era. One predominant writer on the subject states, “Christian leaders must therefore adapt to this emerging church. Those who fail to do so are blind to the cultural accretions that hide the gospel behind forms of thought and modes of expression that no longer communicate with the new generation.”

Let’s summarize some of the thinking of the ‘emerging church’ in practical terminology.

• Major Biblical doctrines are compromised and/or minimized in favor of appealing to more popular cultural and social issues.

• The emphasis is on the here and now and the movement will appeal to secularism resulting in the alignment with liberal ideology.

• The emerging church’s major focus is on social and progressive issues, i.e., how can we make the world a better place, now.

• The emerging church is also concerned with ecological issues. The focus is not on the redemption of mankind, but rather the restoration of the earth.

• The emergent church’s leaders do not give credence to the doctrine of ‘original sin’ and redemption from it. Instead the focus is on curing social ills so that the whole world can live in peace and harmony.

• Proponents also reject substitutionary atonement. They deny the existence of Hell as well as scriptural inerrancy. They instead espouse universalism which welcomes all religions that strive for peace and the betterment of man and the planet.

As would be expected the movement is gathering wide appeal because it
offers a better quality of life to all without addressing the sin question. The ‘emerging church’ also moves religion and politics towards a one world, i.e. global system.

There is little question that people can be drawn into a movement that promotes the betterment of social conditions, restores the earth, welcomes a wide variety of philosophies, and doesn’t make a big issue of man’s basic depravity called sin. However, if the Bible is the reference guide there is much said therein to refute the major tenets of the ‘emerging church.’

Ironically the major dilemma in the Bible is the sin problem which must be addressed before any other issue has any significance. And the sin issue can only be solved by way of substitutionary atonement. Jesus Himself said the true church was founded on the fact that He was God in the flesh and His blood was shed for the payment of sin. Therefore, according to the Bible, a movement cannot be called a ‘church’ if it does not have as its foundation the fact that Christ addressed and solved the sin problem by His vicarious death. Any other teaching is termed antichrist and subscribing to such heresy spells doom. The Bible states that those that subscribe to such teaching are not part of the one true church.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” I John 4:1-3

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
II John 7

The great teacher and Apostle Paul also stressed the keystone doctrine of substitutionary atonement.

“…but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness…” I Corinthians 1:23

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I Corinthians 2:2

The Bible also foretold that such movements appealing to the masses with diluted Biblical doctrines would be prevalent in the latter days.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.” II Timothy 4:3-4

The Bible also clearly states that in the latter days the ‘church’ that denies the sin problem and its sole solution through Christ will align its vain philosophies with the ten nation political establishment that will subsequently destroy that false ‘church.’

“Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication…The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet…having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations…” Revelation 17:1-4

“Then he said to me, ‘The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire…For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind…until the words of God are fulfilled.’” Revelation 17:15-17

Perhaps the ‘new and improved’ church should re-evaluate their message and mission.

Biblical Economics 101

During the latter days the seven year tribulation period will begin with the seven seals of the title deed to the earth being loosened. The seals are loosened as Christ takes possession of what was lost in Genesis and redeemed on the Cross. The third seal (commonly referred to as the third horseman of the Apocalypse) tells of extreme economic hardship.

“When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice…saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius; and three quarts of barley for a denarius…’” Revelation 6:5-6

This passage reveals that during the tribulation period it will require a full day’s wages just to buy food for one person for one day. Many think this situation will exist due to food shortages caused by the extreme global cooling described in Revelation chapter 8.

“Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon…so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine…” Revelation 8:12

There is no question such abrupt limitations of heat and light will have catastrophic effects on earth’s climate and its subsequent ability to produce food.

But there is another factor to help explain why it will require a day’s wages for a day’s food requirement. And this factor deals with the value of the currency involved in addition to food scarcity.

Presently the US dollar is the predominate currency of the world. However, in recent days the value of the dollar has continued to weaken compared with the euro, for example. A weakened dollar has wide reaching affects, one of which is inflation. The dollar is weakening due in part to the fact the US economic system is faltering. We are incurring major deficits and subsequently increasing debt. We are selling treasury bills to other countries in record amounts to support our increasing debt. China and Japan are the two largest buyers of our debt; however, recently China has begun reselling our treasury bills for different currencies because of their decreasing confidence in the future value of the dollar.

Another disadvantage relative to selling so much of our debt to China is they are now openly influencing our foreign policy positions because of their lender status. Solomon warned of such an arrangement 3,000 years ago.

“…and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7

Such financial challenges will be accelerated in the coming days and will raise concern with the present G-20 members. After the recent G-20 conference President Obama declared, “All the nations must come together to build a stronger, global regime.” Similarly Prime Minister Brown proclaimed, “There will be a new world order and a new progressive era of international cooperation.”

The world’s financial leaders recognize if one super power has financial difficulties it affects the rest of the global community. That is why the recent G-20 conference produced consensus that new global controls were in order and perhaps it was time to consider there should be a single world currency. The US Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner concurred with that premise.

Recall the Bible reveals that the form of global governance at the end of the age will consist of a ten nation confederacy. Shortly after this confederacy is formed there will be real economic woes. The ten nation consortium will have elected a leader who turns out to be none other than the Antichrist. The Antichrist will be accompanied by the false prophet who:

“…causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast (Antichrist), or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16-17

The members of the final confederacy believe their globalism agenda will promote worldwide economic stability. They further believe economic stability will be accompanied with political stability. However, according to the Bible when the world thinks their system is as its zenith, it is really at its weakest.

Remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the metallic image representing the gentile world empires. The metals forming the image, i.e. gold, silver, bronze and iron, in that descending order, decrease in value and malleability while increasing in strength and brittleness. This is confirmed by the decrease in atomic weights of the metals going from gold to iron. Then Daniel’s prophecy foretold the destiny of the future ten member global system.

“You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:32-34

Then Daniel reaffirmed Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and confirmed its interpretation with the prophetic words:

“…the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” Daniel 2:45

So as the world pursues global monetary and fiscal policies it will be interesting to note how quickly the final ten become reality and poised for total destruction. According to the Bible Christ is the stone that will strike the gentile world system upon His return to earth and the kingdom that He will establish in its place will fill the earth.

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