God's Purpose Will Stand

     There are not many things we can lean on in this chaotic world, but we can rest assured that God’s purpose will prevail throughout eternity.  God’s purpose was devised before time began.

     In this column the predominant Hebrew word for purpose will be Etsah which carries the additional meanings of ‘counsel’ and ‘plan.’

     The wise King Solomon addressed the issue of the immutability of God’s counsel, or purpose.

     “There are many plans (devices) in a man’s heart, nevertheless the LORD’s counsel – that will stand.”  Proverbs 19:21

     The plans of a man include his thoughts, imaginations, and intentions.  They are subsidiary to God’s counsel or purpose which will stand, be established, or endure forever.

     God’s purpose also applies to nations as well as to individuals.

     “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.  The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.”  Psalm 33:10-11

     As we progress into the prophets the immutability of God’s purpose is confirmed.

     “The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand.’”  Isaiah 14:24

     This Scripture applies to God’s dealing with Assyria.

     “For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it?”  Isaiah 14:27

     The Hebrew for ‘purposed’ in the contexts above similarly means ‘plan’ and/or ‘counsel.’

     It is quite clear, no man or nation can override the counsel or purpose of God.

     Does that indicate that men and nations are making plans and treaties in total naiveté? 

     Isaiah continues to reveal the sovereignty of God and the immutability of His counsel and purpose.

     “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning…saying, ‘My counsel shall stand…Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass, I have purposed it; I will also do it.’”  Isaiah 46:9b, 10b, 11b

     God confirms that He has not only devised His purpose for mankind and the nations from the beginning, but He has revealed it to man.  And what He has spoken, He will do.

     The thoughts of the nations then and now was/is to destroy God’s chosen nation of Israel.

     “Now many nations have gathered against you…but they do not know the thoughts of the LORD, nor do they understand His counsel; for He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor.”  Micah 4:11-12

     In this passage, both words ‘thoughts’ and ‘counsel’ can be used interchangeably with ‘purpose.’

     Israel was and always will be God’s chosen nation to serve as the example for all other nations. 

     God will fulfill His purpose for Israel and all nations through His Son.

     “…Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor…”  Isaiah 9:6

     ‘Counselor’ in this passage is the same word we’ve been applying as the one to fulfill God’s purpose and plan.

     The nations will attempt to foil God’s plan in total vanity.

     “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together…He who sits in the heavens shall laugh…”  Psalm 2:1, 4a

     God is wondering why the people and nations would build foolish coalitions against His people.  It is such folly that God is laughing at them.

     Let’s list several summary points in this column.

·        Man’s plans are foolishness and will pass away

·        God’s plans, purpose, and counsel were established in eternity past and will endure throughout eternity future

·        God is totally transparent; He has revealed His purpose to man

·        What God says He will do, He will do

·        God has provided and appointed His Son to be the counselor for all nations

·        Any attempts to annul God’s purpose will end in total disaster

·        God laughs at the nations for being so foolish as to plot against His purpose

     Is God’s purpose and counsel a top priority with America and her leaders?

     Has America chosen life, or…

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com      

What is God's Purpose?

     Sometimes it is good to slow down and assess the totality of the Scriptures.  It is so gratifying to concentrate on favorite doctrines and verses that it is easy to overlook the big picture.

     Let’s begin by examining the word ‘counsel’ in the Greek language as found in the New Testament.  Consider the following.

     “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel…”  Hebrews 6:17

     The Greek word for ‘counsel’ in this verse has several synonyms including ‘will,’ ‘intent,’ and ‘purpose.’  It coincides with the meaning of the Hebrew word for counsel found in the Old Testament.  Notice the recipients of this revelation, i.e. the ‘heirs of promise’ which are the elect of God.  This verse also confirms the immutability, or unchangeableness, of God’s counsel, or purpose.

     Paul confirmed God’s purpose and its immutability to His elect.  He does so by explaining the twins in Rebecca, wife of Isaac.

     “(…for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand…)”  Romans 9:11

     The point once again is ‘the’ purpose of God relates to God’s chosen, and is immutable. 

     Paul expounds on the issue in his letter to the church at Ephesus. 

     “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…”  Ephesians 1:11

     Again, the emphasis is on His chosen.  The plan, purpose, will, and intent for His chosen was predestined before the foundation of the world.

     God’s plan and purpose for those created in His own image was a mystery until the birth of the church.

     “…to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord…”  Ephesians 3:10-11

     The church is to represent Christ, not only to the world, but to ‘principalities and powers in heavenly places.’  This is all part of God’s eternal purpose which was/is accomplished by His Son Jesus Christ.

     The prophets and righteous men of old longed to see and experience that which was revealed to the church.  And the whole creation eagerly waits to see the sons of God in their final form.

     “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…”  2 Timothy 1:8-9

     Paul summarizes the fact that God’s purpose for man was accomplished through the vicarious sacrifice of Jesus foreordained before time began.  His purpose for man was to make him fit for His presence throughout all eternity.

      Man had no ability or power to make himself fit to be in the presence of his Creator.  Recall in ages past Adam and Eve attempted to cover their sin with fig leaves.  But God sent them away from the Garden with new clothes, i.e. skins of innocent animals who had given their life and blood to cover their sin.  The ‘coat of righteousness’ was the precursor to Jesus Christ.

     Therefore, the Bible reveals that ‘the’ plan and purpose of Almighty God was to create man in His own image and prepare him to share eternity with Him.

     The creation activities described in the early chapters of Genesis center on God’s preparing a place for man who was given widespread dominion over the earth.

     “Then God blessed them… ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”  Genesis 1:28

     Even the sun and moon were created for the benefit of man who would learn to ‘tell time’ so they could understand God’s plan as it would be revealed in His providential timing. 

     God’s purpose is us!

     Check out Walt’s book entitled: God’s Plan for His Chosen: the Cost and the Conflict

    

    

Why contend with the Invincible?

     There are many ‘absolutes’ in this chaotic world, but are hidden from the ‘world.’  The ‘world’ can be defined as those who reject God and His plan of redemption revealed in His Son Jesus Christ.

     God is absolutely sovereign in the affairs of men and nations.  God’s plan for His chosen is right on schedule and the efforts of the enemy to distract from this plan is less than futile.  God’s immutable time table for dealing with man’s arrogance is quickly approaching.  That time is known as Daniel’s 70^th ‘week.’

     During that 7 year period the majority of those living on the earth will be utterly destroyed.  The world is totally oblivious to what is happening, and why.

     Jesus expounded on some of the events that would occur prior to the 70^th week.

     “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not troubled; for all these thing must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:6-8

     The meaning of ‘sorrows’ relates to birth pangs, i.e. once they begin they increase in intensity until the birth takes place.

     Everyone can determine for themselves if there is enmity between nations, or if there are famines, pestilences, and earthquakes occurring over the face of the earth.

     And then Jesus added:

     “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”  Matthew 24:12

     ‘Lawlessness’ refers to transgressing God’s laws.  An appropriate synonym would be ‘evil.’  One only has to review recent Supreme Court rulings, legislative actions, and executive orders to see if America as a nation has become ‘lawless.’

     It has been estimated that approximately 70% of Americans believe that our nation is headed in the wrong direction.

     The naïve may believe the future president can and will make things better.  In other words, the majority are placing their trust in ‘man’ instead of the One who made ‘man.’  Of course the use of the term ‘man’ is not gender specific, but rather refers to God’s created being, i.e. mankind.

     America’s future president is in the hands of the Almighty to perform His will and execute His plan devised from the foundation of the world.  God uses both those that love Him and those who reject Him and His Son in fulfilling His plan, both for Israel and the saved from all nations.

     Those who reject God and His plan do not understand, nor can they comprehend, His sovereignty which orchestrates all events.

     If Nebuchadnezzar understood God’s sovereignty, why can’t those in this present age?  After Nebuchadnezzar fulfilled the 7 years of grazing as a beast of the field for his arrogance, he spoke thusly:

     “All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth.  No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have you done?’”

Daniel 4:35

     Some will ask, “If God is sovereign and omnipotent, why does He appoint evil leaders to rule over nations who hate Israel and America?”

     Paul addressed that issue in his letter to the Christians in Rome.

     “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…”  Romans 9:22-23

     The ‘vessels of wrath prepared for destruction’ are those who have willfully rejected their Creator.  Even though they deserve immediate destruction, God uses them to make His glory known to those ‘which He had prepared beforehand for glory.’ 

     Significantly, man chooses his own destruction, while God’s chosen were granted mercy before the foundation of the world.  God uses those prepared for destruction to demonstrate His glory to His chosen.

     So then, are we in this chaotic political season giving credence to God and His sovereignty, or are we depending on those who are contending with Him?

     Much more in Walt’s latest book entitled: God’s Plan for His Chosen: the Cost and the Conflict

    

    

Naivete will rule until Truth returns

     The passionate environment in this political season should cause all to pause and consider the big picture.

     Seldom if ever do political speeches focus on the inevitable future intervention of almighty God, but yet close with the words ‘God bless America.’

     Let’s consider several relevant Scripture passages.  Remember Paul said all that happened to Israel were examples for us in the current age.

     When the Israelites possessed the Promised Land and were benefactors of God’s goodness, they were not to forget the source of their blessings.

     “When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.  Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes…”  Deuteronomy 8:10-11

     God provides, not government.  We know that Israel, and all the other nations, would ‘forget’ their God.  The Hebrew for ‘forget’ in the present context means to ‘willfully set aside.’

     “So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD.  They forgot the LORD their God…”  Judges 3:7

     To forget God has absolute consequences.  Righteous judgment is inevitable.

     False prophets spoke encouraging words to itching ears; but such words were not from God.

     “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’  How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies?  Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal.” Jeremiah 23:25-27

     God regards such words as chaff compared to His word which He refers to as wheat.

     “‘Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,’ says the LORD.”

  God’s inevitable judgment for those who have forgotten Him will be accomplished by His Son.

     “But the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.”  John 5:22

     This passage is perhaps the central theme in the Bible.  When God is forgotten and redemption is rejected, judgment is required by a Holy God.

     Luke emphasized this great truth. 

   “…but now (God) commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.  He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”  Acts 17:30-31

     Confusion and deception will prevail, and in fact accelerate, up to and culminating in Daniel’s 70^th week.  The righteous Judge will appear at the end of that ‘week.’

     “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”  Revelation 19:11

     The day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

     Yes, Jesus is real and He makes a difference!

     In an uncertain world, we can be sure of God’s absolutes.  Not only does faith embolden God’s chosen to take a stand, but history has verified over and over again the immutable sovereignty of almighty God.

     “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning…saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My Pleasure,’ …indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass.  I have purposed it; I will also do it.”  Isaiah 46:9b-11

     While the conventions and political rhetoric are entertaining, the absolutes are missing from the speeches and party platforms.

     Has any politician asked, “Are we closer to God’s standard of justice and righteousness now than we were 7 ½ years ago?”  Or has either candidate promised to bring America closer to that standard if he or she were elected commander in chief? 

     Just remember:

     “For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”  Romans 13:1

     Vote your heart and accept God’s sovereignty with confidence and a grateful heart.

     Share your thoughts walt.thrun@gmail.com