Betrothed: Soon to be Wed!

     The bride is the New Testament Church and the Bridegroom is Jesus Christ the Son of God.  The terms ‘wedding’ and ‘marriage’ are synonymous from the Greek gamos which means the actual and permanent joining together of husband wife.

     According to Jewish tradition the marriage between the bridegroom and bride occurred in several stages.

     The initial step was the choosing of the bride. The bride was typically selected by the Bridegroom’s father with little input from the prospective bride.  A price was then paid for the bride.  This first step is the betrothal.

     After the betrothal but before the marriage ceremony, the bridegroom would return to His Father’s house to prepare a place for the couple to live.

     “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:2-3

     The Apostle Paul taught that the relationship between God’s Son and the Church was a mystery revealed in the present age.

     “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”  Ephesians 5:32

     A mystery in the Bible is the unveiling of a previously hidden truth to be revealed at the precise timing on God’s time span.

     Inasmuch as Christ’s bride, i.e. the church represents the elect during the present age, and the elect were chosen and written in the Book of Life at the foundation of the world, it can be concluded that the betrothal was also accomplished at the foundation of the world.

     Another aspect of the mystery revealed by Paul was the price paid for the bride.

     “Therefore take heed to yourselves…to Shepard the church of the Lord and God which He purchased with His own blood.”  Acts 20:28

     Paul also considered that part of his calling was to prepare the bride for her husband.  He refers to himself as a father figure to the church at Corinth.

     “…For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 11:2

     The next step in the marriage covenant is for the bridegroom to return for His bride.  Most Bible students are in agreement that the return of Christ for His bride is illustrated in the following:

     “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout…And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

     The exact timing for this event is unknown, however, its’ sequence in the chain of pre-written future events is well known.  The ‘rapture’ according to Scripture occurs prior to the tribulation period.

     During the tribulation period, the bride and Bridegroom will be at the center of marriage festivities which will be concluded with the marriage supper.

     “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready…Then he said to me, ‘Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’”  Revelation 19:7, 9

     The marriage clearly takes place after the varied activities described in the final book in the Bible, i.e. The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

     Thus, the bride has definitely ‘made herself ready’ for the marriage.  It should be noted, however, that the bride’s readiness has little to do with her personal efforts but rather her readiness must be attributed to the actions of the Bridegroom.

     “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her…that He might present her to Himself a glorious church…holy and without blemish.”  Ephesians 5:25-27

     Therefore, the plan of God for the New Testament church is right on schedule confirming Jesus’ teaching.

     “…and on this rock (Petra, immovable boulder) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”  Matthew 16:18

How Nations can Please God

     The Bible is replete with specific instructions on how a nation can find favor with God.  The standard for national success was given to Israel prior to entering the promised land of Canaan.  The date was approximately 1410 BC.

     “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments…that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth…So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left…”  Deuteronomy 28:1, 14

     The Bible repeatedly confirms the immutability of those instructions.

     Now let’s fast forward nearly 800 years to the reign of Judah’s King Josiah.  Most remember Josiah as the king God called by name three centuries before he was born.  Josiah reigned over Judah from 640 BC to 609 BC.

     “And he (Josiah) did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father (ancestor) David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”  2 Kings 22:3

     However, Josiah’s immediate father Amon and his grandfather Manasseh did not abide in God’s immutable instructions referenced in the aforementioned passage in Deuteronomy.

     “Manasseh…reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem…and he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations…”  2 Kings 21:1-2

     “Amon…reigned two years in Jerusalem…and he did evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh had done…he forsook the LORD God of his fathers…”  2 Kings 21:19-22

     Following Amon’s reign when Josiah was 26 years old and reigning in Jerusalem, a wonderful thing happened.  The high priest at that time, Hilkiah, discovered God’s Book of the Law right in the temple.

     “Then Hilkiah the high priest said… ‘I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.’”  2 Kings 22:8

     The Book of the Law was read to King Josiah and his response was:

     “Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.”  2 Kings 22:11

     He realized the sin and evil ways of Judah and the consequences of their departure from God’s laws.  He sent his representatives to inquire of the prophetess Huldah to clarify the meaning of their discovery.

     “Then she said to them, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel…behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants – all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read – because they have forsaken Me…therefore My wrath shall be aroused against this place…’”  2 Kings 22:15-17

     King Josiah led Judah back to her God and reinstated true worship, and God rewarded him greatly.

      “…Thus says the LORD God of Israel…because…you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke…I will gather you to your fathers…in peace…” 2 Kings 22:18-20

     Many might think that God’s wrath was appeased with the humility and repentance of King Josiah.  However, Judah’s sin was deep and yet to be reckoned with.

     “Nevertheless the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was aroused against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him.”  2 Kings 23:26

     Now consider our president as he recently delivered his annual state of the union message.  Is his vision and agenda for America in sync with God’s immutable standard of righteousness and justice?

     At the end of his speech he read the following words from his teleprompter:

     “…and may God bless the United States of America.”

     Was God pleased with our president as He was with Josiah whose heart was tender and humble, or will the words of the proverb apply?

     “Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke…”  Proverbs 1:25

     Closing thought:  The high priest, while going about normal activities, i.e., counting the money that had been brought into the temple, came upon the ‘Book of the Law’ hidden in the very house of the LORD.  Does that relate to the Church in America today?

    

    

Does Conservatism Promote Division?

     Conservatism according to Webster is ‘a disposition in politics to preserve what is established; a tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change.’  It is quickly noted that the definition of conservatism is nearly opposite to that of progressivism, a predominate tenet of liberalism.

     The polar opposite of the major political parties in our great constitutional republic spells gridlock.  The solution according to the liberals in the senate is compromise, i.e. both sides should give a little to arrive at a consensus.

     The idea of compromise is even more prevalent on the international scene.  An excellent example is the Palestinian demand to have a sovereign state in the land of Israel.  The United States believes that Israel should recognize Palestine as a sovereign state and is encouraging Israel to compromise and let it happen.  However, if the truth was made known, the Palestinians have absolutely no intention of compromising; they want Israel destroyed so they can ‘reclaim’ the whole land as their own.

     Should Israel compromise for the sake of a pseudo peace?  God addressed that issue prior to the Israelites entering their promised land.

     “When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess and has cast out many nations before you…and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.  You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them…”  Deuteronomy 7:1-2

     Israel was to make no covenant or treaty with their enemies.  Compromise was not an option then, nor is it a Biblical option today.

     Paul addressed the issue of compromise in his letters to the church at Corinth.  He instead taught separation of members of the Kingdom of God and the rest of the world.

     “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?”  2 Corinthians 6:14

     Lawlessness means to transgress God’s divine laws.

     Lawless ones can also be described as citizens of the world, from the Greek kosmos, which means order, or arrangement.  It connotes the material and transitory vs. spiritual and eternal.  The ‘world’ is presently dominated by the evil one and the object of future judgment.

     As such there is constant conflict between the citizens of the ‘world’ and the children of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus taught His disciples about the conflict.

     “If you were of the world, the world would love its own.  Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”  John 15:19

     Now let’s focus on the present political gridlock between the senate democrats and those pesky tea partiers.  Harry Reid insists that gridlock could be eliminated if those radicals on the right would just compromise.

     For example, consider the ongoing conflict over raising the debt limit.  If the debt limit is raised to increase spending, then borrowing from other nations would be required.

     There is presently ample tax revenue to fund the government as defined by the Bible.  Therefore, if the debt limit is raised to allow for more spending, then funds would be used for non Biblical purposes.  In addition, borrowing from other nations is a sign of God’s disapproval.

     Thus the question is, should conservatives compromise God’s instructions to appease the opposition or should they stand fast on Biblical principles. 

     For those who might think that it is more important to eliminate friction and division among those governing, perhaps the words of Jesus might shed some light on the issue.

     “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not all, but rather division.”  Luke 12:51

     The principle of compromise is found nowhere in the Bible.  Either a person is totally committed to the word of God, or totally rejects it.  There is no such thing as a moderate Christian.

     And those who refuse to compromise God’s principles will be hated more each day and each day the opposition continues to blame conservatives for the gridlock in Washington.

     Therefore, if the principles on which conservatives stand firm are Biblically based, there will be division.

     

    

Which Sins are the Deadliest?

     Recently Phil Robertson, the perceived patriarch of the popular TV reality show Duck Dynasty, caused nationwide uproar when he commented on the deadly effect of specific sins listed in Scripture.

     Robertson specifically alluded to Paul’s initial letter to the Church at Corinth.

     “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” 1 Corinthians 6:9

     Then Paul lists ten specific sins, or prevailing lifestyles, that one is unwilling to abandon, to define the term ‘unrighteous’.   The list is not intended to be all inclusive, rather representative.

     Inasmuch as the ten sins are listed together they must be equally repulsive in the eyes of God.

     One of the ten listed is covetousness.

     The term ‘covet’ in the Greek means in essence to want or lust after something that someone else has, or basically wanting more than one already has.

     The principle is found early in Genesis.

     The sin of Adam and Eve had its roots in desiring something that God hadn’t provided or sanctioned.  Satan offered Eve something outside the will of God.

     “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.  She also gave to her husband with her…”  Genesis 3:6

     The Hebrew meaning for the word ‘desirable’ in the above is synonymous with the word covet which means in the Hebrew to long for, or selfish desire.

     The concept is so significant that it is the basis of one of the original Ten Commandments.

     “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house…nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” Exodus 20:17

     By man’s logic, the sin of coveting is perhaps not nearly as serious as the other nine sins Paul listed in his writings to the Corinthians; however, Paul addressed that very issue in his letter to the church in Rome.

     “…I would not have known sin except through the law.  For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’”  Romans 7:7

     Paul was confirming what Jesus Himself taught during His original earthly ministry.

     “…Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”  Luke 12:15

     Therefore, the sin of covetousness has been defined and warned against.  The next logical question is how such a sin is to be handled in the church.

     Paul also addressed that aspect of coveting.

     “But…covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints…for this you know, that no…covetous man…has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them.”  Ephesians 5:3-7

     Paul warns the ‘church’ not to partake of such sins as covetousness.  He further instructs the church not to fellowship with partakers and then offers instruction on how to handle those in the church that do participate in such a sin.

     “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”  Ephesians 5:11

     The Greek base for ‘expose’ means to repudiate, rebuke, reprove.

     Recall that covetousness is just one of the ten sins listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.  Phil Robertson highlighted several others while this column is focused on covetousness.  They both carry equal weight according to God’s standard of righteousness and justice.

     The Apostle Paul stated that the church is to rebuke those who claim membership in the Christian Brotherhood but participate in any of the sins mentioned as well as not to ‘fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…’

     There was a tremendous outcry of bigotry against Phil Robertson’s statements.

     Logically then this column will also be deluged with cries of ‘covet-phobia’ unless of course coveting is considered a natural and acceptable minor deviation from God’s standard.

     The conclusion of the matter is that sin is sin and it is absolute folly to attempt to rank sin according to man’s standards or attempt to justify ungodly lifestyles such as covetousness. 

    

Egalitarianism and the Bible

     The major thrust of contemporary egalitarianism includes a belief in human equality with respect to social, political, and economic rights and privileges.  And once again, the vehicle with which to promote and enact such ideology is the government.

     Firstly, one of the goals of economic egalitarianism is to eliminate the class of people defined as poor.  This is done through numerous governmental programs that subsidize those whose income is at or near the governmentally defined poverty level.

     The means to equalize economic status is accomplished primarily through what is commonly termed redistribution.  That means that those who earn more are taxed more so the government can redistribute to those whom the government determines as financially deprived.

     Jesus succinctly addressed the premise that the class of people labeled as poor should be eliminated.

     “For you have the poor with you always…”  Matthew 26:11

     Recall the Prophet Hosea wrote of God’s sovereignty in giving and taking wealth at His discretion.

     “For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold - which they prepared for Baal.  Therefore I will return and take away My grain in its time and My new wine in its season, and will take back My wool and My linen…”  Hosea 2:8-9

     Jesus did, however, speak of redistribution when He taught the parable of the talents; however, His teaching is quite the opposite of man’s logic.

   “For to everyone who has, more will be given…but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”  Matthew 25:29

     This parable addresses the stewardship and productivity of God’s provision and goodness, tangible or spiritual.

     But God’s sovereignty when dealing with individuals goes far beyond physical assets.  Thus, if God deals with individuals, where does class equality fit in?

     “The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up.  He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap…” 1 Samuel 2:7-8

          The Psalmist also addressed God’s dealing with individuals.

     “The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.  From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually…”  Psalm 33:13-15

     And then there is the issue of social and political equality.  For example, our government has recently proclaimed that universal health care was a basic right for every person.  Some have even put forward the premise that it is a basic human right to have a good job, or own a home.

     The lot of every individual has been appointed by God and such power cannot be usurped.  Such attempts by government to equalize individuals or classes are little more than attempts to play the part of God.

     An unpopular truth about God’s absolute sovereignty is found in Paul’s writings.

     “What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called…”  Romans 9:22-24a

     According to the above passage, for those who espouse human equality, they must answer the basic question, i.e. is life equal to death?

     Another way in which our government attempts to blur the line between classes can be found in quotas or immigration policy.  God warned repeatedly of the consequences and dangers of multiculturalism.

     Any ‘ism’ can be compared with Biblical teachings to test its validity.  And while those who subscribe to egalitarianism for example, may mean well, government has a limited role in the general wellbeing of an individual’s life. 

     Recall that government’s primary role is to maintain law and order and protect the citizenry via adequate military forces.  For those limited roles of government, taxes are rightly assessed and collected.

     Government subsidies and entitlements are contemporary terms not found in Scripture and any such use of taxes requires redistribution which is usurping God’s authority.

     God is much better equipped to provide a person’s or nation’s needs than ‘big brother.’

     We should let Him have His way.