THE WRATH OF THE LAMB?

I just read Revelation 1-8 in one sitting, desperately trying not to get caught up in the amazing metaphors and imagery.  A major thread in the apocalypse is undeniably the subject of judgment.  Questions emerge is to why it was difficult to find someone worthy to open the scrolls (a euphemism for the right to initiate end times events) in Revelation 5? Much of the narrative has to do with bowls, trumpets and angels and all of these events, in a general way, are about bringing  judgment on the earth.  Then in Revelation 6:16 (ESV) we read, “¹⁶ calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.”  Did you notice the flagrant oxymoron? The wrath of the Lamb!  Gentle Jesus meek and mild is not the Person represented in this amazing account.  Nor is the Church characterized as apathetic, in this Book.  Much of the judgment seems to be the result of the prayers of the saints (“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” (Revelation 5:8, ESV); confirm: Revelation 8:3). 

Perhaps it is summarily true to suggest that we have watered-down our  understanding of the Savior and that His coming is one of righteous re-assertion over a world that has rebelled against Him.   Secondly, perhaps it is not so callous as some think for His saints to seek for just and cry day and night, “How long O Lord, how long?”

 

 

 

Taking A Stand!

The Honorable Rona Ambrose, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women came under attack today as she stood to vote in favor of opening the debate as to the "when life begins."  The opposition saw the motion as the government's attempt to open the abortion debate.  Ambrose not only stood in recognition of that obvious connection, but stood against her party's leader and our Prime Minister who has refused to re-open the debate.

NDP MP Niki Ashton called Ms. Ambrose’s vote in favour of the motion “unacceptable,” saying it shows the Conservatives don’t respect women’s rights. In my opinion Ms. Ambrose's stance is the one position that honors women.  When the moral direction of Members of the House of Commons and citizens of Canada suggest that it honors women's rights to kill their unborn babies we have reached an all-time low. 

 

Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae might be accurate when he believes the vote’s result reflects a Canadian consensus to leave the question of abortion up to women. “. . . we have to respect women’s right to choose,” he said.  I wonder if that logic really holds water?  I really wonder if the same people would really remain consistent if this logic were applied to other decisions in life?

 

Hats off to Rona Ambrose.  I don't know why she did what she did, but her actions were truly honorable. 

 

 

What Should Be Our Foreign Policy Regarding Israel? (Part 2)

I'm reacting primarily to a post by John Hagee entitled Understanding Christian Zionism.  Hagee  is an American, the founder and the senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, a non-denominational charismatic megachurch with more than 19,000 active members.  His has great influence in the US and around the world through his media ministry.

I stated in my previous blog that I believe him to be fundamentally wrong on this issue and if fact this ideology is racist and unbiblical.

The present state of Israel ought to have all the rights and considerations of a modern nation state.  It is sovereign and all the present international laws of morality and trade ought to be respected.  I agree with Dr. John Piper who writes:

"We should approve or denounce according to Biblical standards of justice and mercy among peoples. We should encourage our representatives to seek a just settlement that takes the historical and social claims of both peoples into account. Neither should be allowed to sway the judgments of justice by a present divine claim to the land. If you believe this, it would be helpful for your representatives to know it." (Emphasis is mine.)

Israel has no present Divine claim upon it's land.  God fulfilled his promise to Israel, as confirmed by Joshua 21:43-45.  Later, in 1 Kings 4:20-21 and in 2Chronicles 9:6 we see the precise geographical boundaries promised to Abraham in the actual possession of Solomon, at the height of Israel’s political history. (Pitchford).  Deuteronomy 28:63 (ESV) reminds us:

^"63 And as the Lord took delight in doing you good and multiplying you, so the Lord will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. And you shall be plucked off the land that you are entering to take possession of it."

The promise of the land was never intended for covenant breaking, rebellious Israel.  The promise of the land was for believing Israel .... the Israel of God.   And for believing Israel (not according to the flesh) the promise was far more extensive that a little plot of land in the Middle East.  Romans 4:13 (ESV) affirms that "for the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith."  In fact believing Israel was desiring "a better country, that is, a heavenly one."  (Heb 11:16).

Present Israel is rebellious and lost (confirm Romans 10:1).  Present Israel is not of the same faith as Christians.  Christ Jesus denounced them (confirm John 8:39-47).  Israel is presently an enemy of the Gospel.  Israel needs only one clear foreign policy on behalf of the Church. A Gospel-driven, Spirit-empowered campaign that would allow Jews to see, hear and respond to the Gospel.   Then the hope of Israel and the promise of the Gospel can be realized.  (see Romans 11:25-28)

 

 

 

What Should Be Our Foreign Policy Regarding Israel? (Part 1)

John Hagee wrote: “CUFI [Christians United For Israel] is the largest pro-Israel organization in the country and among the largest Christian grassroots movements in the U.S.  Support for Israel is not just an issue for Christians; it is our primary foreign policy focus.” 

To disagree with Hagee would invite his response that the Bible is a Zionist document and any idea to the contrary would incur the curse of God.   According to the Scriptures and the very Jewish follower of Jesus Christ, Peter,  there is but one foreign policy for the state of Israel and it is this: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38, ESV). 

So-called Christian Zionism is neither Christian nor pro-Israel.  It is an obliteration of Scripture.  The promotion of such an aberrant form of Dispensational Theology will neither bring about peace nor serve the underlying need of all Jews.

Let me be clear about my stance on this issue:  To assume that the current ethnic nation of Israel represents God’s people is not only a gross misrepresentation of Scripture, but is also racist to the core.   So where do I get this?   Let’s start with Paul’s letter to Galatia.   Notice in Galatians 6:15–16 (ESV),

¹⁵ For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. ¹⁶ And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Now when I turn to a highly Dispensational commentator[1] this is what he says:

“Israel of God is in contrast to Israel after the flesh. Those who received the Saviour who came through Israel are true Israelites, spiritual descendants of Abraham.”^[2]

Who is a real Israelite?   A true Israelite is not a Jew according to the flesh but one who has experienced the New Birth.   This gives the correct interpretation of this commonly misapplied verse:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:28–29, ESV)

No, to be part of God’s chosen people, the true Israel of God is to be born of the Spirit and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb because the Scripture bears witness to the truth that “. . . not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,” (Romans 9:6, ESV).

The Church’s foreign policy to the nation Israel is to love ethnic Jews and tell them that unless they repent they will die in their sins and spend eternity separated from God in the Lake of Fire (as will every Palestinian, Canadian, American, etc.).

The Bible does not sanctimoniously guard the boundaries of the nation of Israel, nor does it guarantee its success or prosperity; and neither does it absolve it of moral and military crimes.  And what I have just said about Israel applies to Canada, Britain, Palestine, Syria, and the United States of America. 

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[1] I do this purposely. I do not hold to a Dispensational interpretation of Scripture.  So to block the rebuttal that I disagree with Hagee because of my non-dispensational hermeneutic, I quote a credible Dispensational commentator.

^[2] KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2402). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Excellence- Part 8

"How do you fight discouragement, Paul?"

Paul's answer is in verses 17-18.  “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18, ESV)  

 It's a matter of perspective, isn't it?    Paul says, "We keep our focus on the eternal things.  This teaches us a huge lesson: an earthly perspective will discourage.   So that's the prescription, but what does that look like?  Paul gives us 4 practical things to consider as we fight discouragement.  Here's the first one:

 

#1. Trust the Power of the Gospel.   Where do I get that?   This comes behind the little word "therefore" in verse 1.   Behind that little word in Chapter 3, verses 17-18 we learn that this Gospel is a Spirit empowered Gospel; and that it is life-transforming. 

The OLD Covenant	The NEW Covenant
Of the letter	Of the Spirit  3:6
Kills	Gives life  3:6
Glorious	More glorious  3:7-11
Ministry of condemnation	Ministry of righteousness  3:9
Ministry passing away	Ministry which remains  3:11
Ministry with a veil	Ministry which is unveiled  3:12-17
Ministry which hardens hearts	Ministry which gives liberty  3:14-17
Transformed one	Transforms all  3:18

 

Beloved, the Gospel is inherently powerful.  It is not only powerful to save (Col 1:3-6 ), but it is powerful to keep.  Notice Romans 1:16 (ESV), "¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."   That's encouraging.  The Gospel is powerful to save all who believe.

Excellence - Part 7

Paul founded the church at Corinth on his first missionary journey.  On his third missionary journey, while he was in Ephesus, messengers came from Corinth with some questions which he answered in the document we have today called 1 Corinthians.  It seems that sometime later Paul made a trip to Corinth that didn't go was well as expected (2 Corinthians 2:1).   There seems to be a hint of ongoing problems in Corinth but by sending Timothy Paul learned that things had changed for the better.   Paul wrote this document we call 2 Corinthians from Macedonia to express appreciation for the change.  He also need to encourage them to complete their faith pledge to the suffering Christians in Jerusalem; and to reflect his concern over the false apostles that seemed to be trying to undermine his reputation and ministry.^[1]

 One of the ideas that Paul included in this letter in contrast to the ministry of these false apostles was the blessings of the true New Covenant Gospel and the privilege it was to be a minister called to proclaim this Gospel.   Chapters 2:14-7:4 center on this concept.   This study is focusing on Chapter 4.

Here in this chapter, Paul expounds on the glorious ministry of the New Covenant Gospel, but particularly he shows why he doesn't get discouraged.    Where do I get that?  Note:

a. At the beginning Paul writes, “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” (2 Corinthians 4:1, ESV) ; and

b. In verse 16, forming a sandwich of ideas, he writes, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, ESV)

 We do not lose heart is just another way of saying, "We do not get discouraged, disheartened."

So that is the theme.  It is an important theme for Christian servants who strive for excellence.  There can be and there will be days of discouragement.  How do you fight discouragement?   Paul is going to help us immensely here.

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^[1] Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). The Reformation study Bible: Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture: New King James Version (2 Co 1:1). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Excellence - Part 6

When was the last time you read Matthew 25:31-46?

Matthew is giving us insight into the final judgment of the nations.  Christ has come in all His glory and is seated upon the throne.  Before him are the ethnos the nations.  This is a judgment of separation: sheep on His right …. Goats on his left.  The judgment of the nations depends, in part, on how they respond to other Christians.  It seems very clear that the characteristic of the redeemed are those who served the need of the Church.  And in doing such, Christ says, they served Him.

It is without doubt that Christ came to serve and give His life for us.  This is your Christ.   Thankfully as we look back at all the times when we have served poorly or not at all we can know that through faith in Him, His perfect service has been given to us as a gift and that all our wayward sin has been paid for on Calvary's Cross.   But Christ does not leave us there.  No, He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to enable and empower us to serve Him and the Church.   Because of God's grace we can chant with President Obama: "Yes we can!"   And for those who serve with His grace and for His glory, we can anticipate with great joy hearing:

 ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matthew 25:21, ESV)

Excellence - Part 5

 4 Important Considerations from Matthew 20:20-28

1.  Servanthood was the theme of Christ's life.  Notice what he said, “even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28, ESV). 

2.  Servanthood is not the opposite of leadership.  Servanthood is an important characteristic of leadership.  It is the opposite of "lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them."^[2]  So what is going on here?  Ideas that emerge from this statement are such things as tyranny, dictatorship, domination, etc.  Now this point deserves a lot more attention than I will give it this morning.   Let us be clear, there is authority in Christian relationships.  But the New Testament tempers that authority in many ways.   Contextually it adds one thing that I will only state briefly:  Don't treat people like they need you.  Where do I get that?   Read the parallel passage in Luke where Christ says, “And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.” (Luke 22:25, ESV).   One of the greatest particulars of servant leadership is to release people to serve, when they are ready, without domination.

3.  Servanthood is an identifying trait of Christianity.  “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,” (Matthew 20:26, ESV).   That is about as clear a command as you get.  "It shall not be so among you."

4. Servanthood is uniquely excellent in God's opinion.  "But whoever would be great among you . . .." Jesus does not deny the pursuit of greatness.  The Holy Spirit uses the family word here μέγας [megas /meg·as/].  We understand that prefix.  It means big, abundant, large, grand etc.  It terms of human society it means highly esteemed for one's excellence.^[3]   Who wins that prize?  God says that it is the one who is the servant; the one who is the slave.

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[1] δοῦλοσ1, δοῦλοσ2 [doulos /doo·los/]

^[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 20:25). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

^[3] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.