Posts Tagged ‘God’

Victory of the Redeemed – Zechariah 3


Arkhangelsk (Arkhangelsk oblast), coat of arms...

Victory of the Redeemed - Zechariah 3"

The Victory of the Redeemed, Zechariah 3. At the time of the writing of Zechariah, God’s people were in trouble. Satan stood at the right hand of Joshua the high priest to oppose him. He sought to condemn the people of God. However, Joshua stood before (in the presence of) the Angel of the Lord.

The reason Satan sought to condemn Joshua (representative of the righteousness remnant of Israel) derived from verse 3 of Zechariah 3. Joshua, clothed with filthy garments declared their sinful condition. In offering the “blood of bulls and goats” he could effect no lasting cleansing and thereby righteousness through them, (Heb. 10:1-4). Mere shadows of the coming redemption in Christ, they failed to atone.

Objection Overruled!

Satan knew this and sought to cash in early on his winnings. However, the Angel of the Lord intervenes. Rather than attack Satan, he replies. “The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire? Meaning, the remnant being spared destruction in (more…)

That I May Plant the Heavens – Genesis 1 or the Kingdom?


Original caption from NASA: "S103-E-5037 ...

Foundation of the Earth

That I May Plant the Heavens, Genesis 1 or the Kingdom?, is part of a text from Isaiah 51:16. The controversy around this text offers three possible solutions for its interpretation. Some believe that it refers historically to Genesis 1:1, but not to a physical creation, rather to the covenantal creation of Israel. Others offer Sinai at the giving of the Law. Yet another group believe it refers to the kingdom age.

And I have put my words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” (Isaiah 51:16).

Adam Clarke is verse sparse in his comments on the text. He offers justification for what we wrote above saying the text is very obscure. That doesn’t help much!  Young, a bit more (more…)

But of That Day and Hour Who Knows?


Roman Triumphal arch panel copy from Beth Hate...

But of That Day and Hour>

But of That Day and Hour Who Knows? This is a common response by those who yet believe Jesus’ second coming is future. This is a brief response to demonstrate why that reasoning does not follow. The view addressed here comes from a study citing Luke 21:34-35, as a day of uncertainty. The writer maintained that since those verses followed Luke 21:32, which clearly delineated the A.D. 70 fall or Jerusalem, then they must of necessity be speaking of a yet future unknown coming of the Lord.  The following is a partial reply.

Not Knowing the Day and Hour

Luke does not mention the phrase, “but of that day and hour no man knows” as does Matthew and Mark. That does not mean that the idea is not present in the text. Clarke correctly deduces the idea from the language of surprise suggested by the (more…)

“Land Therapy” For Christian Zionists?


Native Americans 1. Aleut 2. 3. 4. Inuit (woma...

Land Therapy for Christian Zionists>

“Land Therapy” for Christian Zionists? What does this mean? It’s a kind of therapy that we recommend for those who do not believe God kept His word to give Israel the land promised to them in the Abrahamic Covenant. God made a promise to Abraham that he would give to his descendants the land of Canaan for a possession. He describes the land as follows:

“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates– “the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, “the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, “the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”(Gen. 15:18-21)

The time in which God promised the fulfillment of the promise names the fourth generation of Israel’s descendants. That brings us to the time of Moses and Joshua. “But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Gen. 15:17).

God in his long-suffering and forbearance refused to remove the nations from the land undoubtedly hoping they would repent. However, their continued transgressions filled their “cup of iniquity.” By the time of the Exodus when the promise drew near, he (more…)

Do the Egyptians Belong in Mount Zion?


Egypt's coat of arms

Egyptians to worship in Mt Zion

Do the Egyptians belong in Mt. Zion? From the beginning of Covenant Israel’s history and quest for nationhood, a mixed multitude traveled with them from Egypt.  Moses was married to an Ethiopian. In the latter days Egypt and Israel’s relationship once again unite, not as master and slave but as brethren in the new temple keeping the Feasts of the Lord.

In the prophetic imagery of Zechariah 14, the nations share in the post parousia (coming of Christ) blessings of Israel.

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain.

If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, (more…)

Can End Time Beliefs Lead to Death?


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Can end time beliefs lead to death? Unfortunately, this question has already been answered. Some years ago, Branch Davidian Seventh-Day Adventsist Leaders saw the June 1967 Israeli-Arab War as a sign of the imminent end. Ben Roden interpreted Isaiah 31:5, “As birds flying so will the Lord defend Jerusalem,” as Israeli Jets which rendered Arab planes inoperable.

Here is a prime example of lifting a text out of context. God speaks about Judah trusting and seeking Egypt and their “horses” to save them from the Assyrians. However, God saves Hezekiah by destroying 185,000 of Sennacharib’s army by the angel of the Lord. See chapters (more…)

Did Christ Promise and Earthly Kingdom?


St Augustine's Commentary on THE SERMON ON THE...

Christ's Kingdom Mission

Did Christ promise an earthly kingdom? One of the big deceptions of Dispensationalism is its teaching that Christ came to establish an earthly political kingdom. They see the modern Zionist Israel as a key player in the fulfillment of kingdom prophecy. Here are reasons from the scriptures why Christ’s kingdom is present, spiritual and non-political.

The Kingdom of God Is At Hand

Christ announced that his kingdom had drawn near. Citing Daniel, he preached the kingdom of God saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15) Daniel prophesied God’s time for the kingdom as the “days of these kings”, i.e. during the ancient Roman Empire, existing in the days of Christ. John the Baptist, preached during the reign of Tiberius (more…)

Do We Have the Right Focus on the Millennium?


Preterism_Eschatology_Every_Eye_Saw_Him_Revela...
Image by allthingsfulfilled via Flickr

How do we understand eschatology versus teleology? Eschatology focuses on the end of prophetic events. It relates to what is temporal. The word means the study of last things. In this definition, the judgment, the resurrection, the parousia, and the end of the world comes to mind.

Teleology is the study of ultimate purpose or design. To help one understand the difference, you may ask? What is the ultimate pupose of bringing all things to an end? The answer to that question is teleological.

For some, eschatology means an end to time, life on the planet, and opportunities for salvation. This view fails to understand both (more…)

How Did Every Eye See Him, Revelation 1:7?


Preterism_Eschatology_Every_Eye_Saw_Him_Revela...
Image by allthingsfulfilled via Flickr

When we share the message of Christ’s return in glory in A.D. 70, we often are asked, “How Did Every Eye See Him?, Revelation 1:7. Often the conversation degenerates with snickers and sneers from detractors. Quite often the response is, “I haven’t seen him, did you see him?”  The implied answer is no, of course. None living today saw Christ return in the clouds and therefore, it is assumed a ridiculous argument and proof that Christ’s coming remains a future event.

Such responses may gain the attention of the less serious bible student but have no value for those who are acquainted with reason and logic and the sacred text. Christ is unveiled in the Apocalypse in his glory. He is manifested as the Ancient of Days, a clear expression of his Divine nature. Crucified for his testimony that he would sit at the right hand of the Power (The Father) and come on the clouds of heaven, his testimony was regarded by the Caiaphas, the High Priest as blasphemy, (Matthew 26:64). However, that text is parallel to Revelation 1:7.

Christ told the High Priest that the latter would live to see him return upon the clouds. This means he would have to return in the lifetime of Caiaphas. In the same manner, not only would Caiaphas see him, reigning on the throne in the clouds, but many more would as well. In fact, all the land would mourn (more…)

Is Matthew 25 and the Ten Virgins Fulfilled Bible Prophecy?


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Matthew 25, Ten Virgins

As the old saying goes, each day you live, you learn something. In a recent conversation with a very kind gentleman from Nigeria, we discussed the ministry and work Holy Spirit in the absence of Christ.

Naturally, for those who really understand eschatology, that subject leads to a discussing the parable of the 10 virgins. Is Matthew 25 and the Ten Virgins Fulfilled Bible Prophecy? The Holy Spirit’s work is undeniable eschatological, (Joel 2:28-30; Acts 2:16-20).

Somewhere in this discussion on pneumatology, we ventured into last things in a most surprising manner. The 5 wise virgins were accused by this gentleman of being selfish because they would not share their oil. I thought, (more…)

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