Christianity is so much more than an 'ism' (Conclusion)

     False prophets did, and do, speak to audiences with itching ears.  Everyone likes to hear that there will be peace and all things are getting progressively better.  False prophets prey on the self righteous and give them false hope.

     A false prophet of today would proclaim that peace is coming to the world; no one should ever be sick; and the American Dream is the ultimate goal attainable by all with personal effort.

     In the New Testament Jesus was totally transparent with His disciples as His Father was with Abraham.

     “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”  John 15:15

     Not only does God declare in advance what He is going to do, He confirms that He will do what He has said.

     History has confirmed the great truth that God’s word is and will be totally fulfilled in His timing.

     “So the LORD gave Israel all the land... and they took possession of it and settled there... just as he had sworn to their forefathers…Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”  Joshua 21:43-45

    Joshua then warned the Israelites that just as all the good things the LORD had promised came to pass, so would chastisement for disobedience.

     “But just as every good promise of the LORD your God has come true, so the LORD will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has destroyed you from this good land he has given you.”  Joshua 23:15

     And then recall Jesus’ words on the Road to Emmaus:

     “This is what I told you while I was still with you:  Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”  Luke 24:44

     Inasmuch as Christianity has proven through history to be the truth, Christians are hated and persecuted by many ‘isms’ of the world.  Such was forewarned by Jesus.

     Regardless of the hatred and persecution, Christians are admonished not to take vengeance on those who hate and persecute them.  Christians must be willing to die for their faith; not kill in the name of their faith.

     God Himself will avenge His chosen in His timing.

     “…since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction… when He comes, in that Day…”  2 Thessalonians 1:6-10a

     There is, however, good news for those willing to listen.  The blood of Jesus shed on the cross is sufficient to cover the sins of ‘whosoever will.’

     The day will come when confessing Jesus as the Son of God will not be optional.

     “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11

     That same Jesus summed up the matter succinctly: 

     “And behold, I am coming quickly…I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”  Revelation 22:12

    

     Therefore, God’s immutable plan is totally transparent to His own; His plan was revealed in advance; God cannot lie; and all of His ‘I will’s’ will surely become ‘I did.’

   

     And lastly, there is a stern warning for anyone who would venture to add or subtract from God’s word in the name of any ‘ism.’

     “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that              are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life.”

Revelation 22:18-19

     “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  Revelation 22:20b

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Christianity is so much more than an 'ism' (pt 2)

     Last week we ended with the Scripture that stated in part:

     “God…has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things…”  Hebrews 1:1

     The result of God’s proclamation?

     “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11

     Christianity is unique in many ways.  The Bible is unique in itself.  It reveals God’s plan for mankind in great detail in advance of its implementation.  The Bible is the only book on earth that lays out history before it happens.

     Total transparency is another of God’s divine attributes.

     God is and always has been totally transparent; a quality that is virtually non-existent to the world today.  He reveals His total intentions and immutable plan for His chosen ones at the precise time predetermined before the world ever existed.

     “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.  The lion has roared – who will not fear?  The Sovereign LORD has spoken – who can but prophesy?”  Amos 3:7-8

     Seven centuries before Jesus’ birth Isaiah prophesied that God would reveal the end of His plan from the beginning.

     “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”  Isaiah 46:9b-10

   

     Now let’s go back in Biblical history and examine God’s transparency in more detail relative to the implementation of His glorious plan.  Recall that God chose and worked through a man named Abraham to be the founder of the nation of Israel and the Church.  God revealed early on that He would tell Abraham in advance what He was going to do.

     “And the LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?  For I have known him... that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.’”  Genesis 18:17-19

     And two thousand years later…

     “…And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”  Galatians 3:8

       God had made an irrevocable covenant with Abraham and his offspring.  God named Abraham’s offspring in advance who would inherit the covenant, i.e.  Isaac, Jacob, Judah…David…

     For example, note the absolute authority given to Abraham’s grandson Jacob who would tell in advance the future of his twelve sons.

     “And Jacob called his sons and said, ‘Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days…listen to Israel your father.’”  Genesis 49:1

     Jacob then proceeded to reveal God’s plan for the future of each of his sons including Judah who would be the kingly tribe out of which would come Jesus Christ, the ultimate Seed of the woman.

     As history unfolded God spoke to the Israelites through Moses and foretold of the coming Messiah of the Jews who would be of the tribe of Judah and of the family of David.

     “And the LORD said to me: ‘…I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.  And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.”  Deuteronomy 18:17-19

     God also warned of false prophets who would rise up and pretend to speak in God’s name but would present his own vision and interpretation of events and offer it to the people as the word of God.

     “…that prophet shall die.”  Deuteronomy 18:20

     To be concluded next week.

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Christianity is so much more than an 'ism'

     An ‘ism’ is defined as a distinctive doctrine, cult, or theory.  A theory can likewise be defined as something that is speculative, conjectural, or hypothetical.

     Christianity, on the other hand, transcends the definition of any ism and, as we’ll see shortly, is rather defined as reality.  Christianity is defined by Webster as ‘the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred Scripture…’

     In the New Testament Christians are defined as disciples or followers of Jesus Christ.  Synonyms for Christians include learners, brothers, faithful ones, and saints.

     The word ‘Christian’ was first used as a term of ridicule.  Doubters thought ‘Christianity’ would not pass the test of time.

     And while Christianity may have been revealed just two millennia ago, the Church of Jesus Christ, along with other ‘mysteries’ originated in the mind of God before the foundation of the world.

      Two major mysteries revealed by the Spirit through Paul in the New Testament were that gentiles would partake of God’s sovereign grace and that Christ would be Head of the heretofore unknown body of believers called the ‘Church.’

     “To me (Paul)…that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church…according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord…”   Ephesians 3:8-11

     “…the church…the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.  To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you…”  Colossians 1:24-27

     Therefore, the salvation of gentiles and the church have always been a major part of God’s eternal plan but not revealed to Old Testament prophets. Such wisdom remained mysteries until the exact predetermined time to be revealed by the Spirit.  God used Paul to reveal those heretofore mysteries.

     Let’s go back in history and review other unique aspects of God and His eternal plan.  The Bible in all ways refutes with proof any thoughts that God, His Son, and His plan could ever be limited to the description of an ‘ism.’

     The Old Testament defined God as the ‘God of truth.’

     “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.”  Deuteronomy 32:4

     Hebrew synonyms for ‘truth’ include (but not limited to) certainty and assuredly.

     In the New Testament ‘truth’ and ‘reality’ are brought together.  Consider the following verses.

     “And the Word (Jesus Christ) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”  John 1:14, 17

     The Greek for ‘Word’ is logos meaning in essence divine reason and wisdom.  The Greek for ‘truth’ is aletheia with significant meanings beginning with ‘reality,’ i.e. ‘the unveiled reality lying at the basis and agreeing with an appearance.’

     Jesus Christ is God incarnate and is the truth in all aspects.

     “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.”  Colossians 1:15-16 

     The Greek for ‘image’ in the present context means ‘the exact image of God’s essence.’  Jesus is the perfect expression of God.  Christ does not merely reflect God’s character; He radiates God’s character from the original pattern. 

     “God…has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…”  Hebrews 1:1-3

     To be continued.

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Wisdom, Naivete, or Deceit?

     President Obama has openly voiced his thoughts on the challenges presented by Islam and ISIS.

     Following are several of his statements:

     “Now let’s make two things clear: ISIL is not ‘Islamic.’  No religion condones the killing of innocents.”

     Does ISIL (ISIS) know that?  Why, then, does ISIS stand for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria?

     “I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam…”

     Does ISIS agree with the president’s assessment?

     “I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy…let it be clear; no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other…”

     The president was explaining that a nation, specifically America, should not impose democracy on any mid-eastern nation.  Does that also mean that Islam should not try to impose Sharia law in America?

     “I am committed to working with American Muslims…it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit…”

     Perhaps the president should ask Britain, Germany, and France how this strategy is working out for them.

     “I am a Christian…”

     By their fruits you will know them.

     President Obama has tried repeatedly to convince the electorate that he is the most qualified leader with the necessary skills and wisdom to be the commander in chief of this great nation of over 330 million people. 

     It appears that he has given little consideration to God’s sovereignty over all the nations on this planet and that all national leaders and kingdoms are established by God.

     Remember the words given to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar when he proclaimed his own greatness:

     “They shall make you eat grass like oxen…until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men…and gives it to whomever He chooses (sets over it the lowest of men).”  Daniel 4:32

     Now let’s consider the situation of one of Israel’s kings who was appointed by God.  Israel at the time consisted of approximately 4 million people.  The king was about 20 years old.  His name was Solomon.

     When Solomon learned of his appointment, he humbled himself in prayer.

     “Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in…Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.  For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”  1 Kings 3:7, 9

     Solomon was well aware of several facts, i.e. he was in no way qualified on his own merits or wisdom to be king of Israel.  He knew he did not possess the knowledge to discern between good and evil.  He acknowledged that the people over whom he was to rule were God’s people.

     He, therefore, asked God to prepare him for his kingship.

     What a difference between Solomon and America’s current president.

     God’s response to Solomon’s request?

     “Because you have asked this thing…I have done according to your words…see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.  And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.”  1 Kings 3:11-13

     Solomon’s priority focused on being equipped by God to successfully perform that for which God had chosen him to do.  He voiced no concern for personal advantage, recognition, wealth, or prestige.  Rather he asked only for wisdom with which to rule Israel according to God’s will.

     And so it was, all nations recognized Solomon as God’s chosen and the wisest and richest man on all the earth.

     That opportunity exists even today for any potential leader of America who will humble themselves before God Almighty and ask Him for the necessary qualifications to lead this great nation.

     To all 2016 presidential candidates, are you listening?

     It appears, however, that such a king will not be found until Christ the King of kings returns.

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