`The Primary Purpose Of Visions And Dreams

What does it mean to dream dreams and see visions? We continue our study.

 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. - Joel 2:28-29 ESV 

The prophet Joel wrote these words, later quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:17). Joel wrote what the LORD revealed during the very dark days of Judah six centuries before Christ. Already the mighty Assyrians had ravaged the northern kingdom of Israel. Would the kingdom of Judah be next? Joel was called upon to speak words of comfort and hope. . . and warning. The people of Judah were also faithless. They too ignored God's Word and they too would meet His judgments. The LORD's army would soon come to destroy them unless they returned to the LORD. So Joel speaks for the LORD,

"Yet even now, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God? - Joel 2:12-14 ESV

Then come the words of comfort and hope.

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame. - Joe 2:25-27 ESV 

After this promise come the words quoted by Peter on Pentecost (Acts 2:17-28),

 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. - Joe 2:28-29 ESV 

Your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions. . . and even the servants will have the Spirit poured out upon them. Peter interpreted this vision, saying that the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, followed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, was the fulfillment of this and other prophecies of the Old Testament, such as those made by David in Psalm 16:10.

This then is the primary reason why the LORD grants His people visions or waking dreams and dreams while sleeping. He wants to comfort them with the Word of His mercy and forgiveness. He wants them to believe He has not forsaken them, but will or has come among them to take the ultimate punishment for their sins to Himself. And as they hear this Good News, this Gospel, the Spirit of God speaks comfort and hope to their hearts. So we listen with joy and hope to the way the visions and dreams were given and the promises they bring for us today. In other words Judah saw the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy when she returned to the land after 70 years of captivity and slavery. But that was not the ultimate fulfillment. There was more. There is more. It is to this that Peter speaks as he quotes Joel.

But what about today's visions and dreams? Does God still grant them? Here is one useful answer to that question: How Did God Use Dreams and Visions In The Bible? 

But more needs to be said. We'll continue next time.

Worthy Is The Lamb

John has taken us with himself to stand before the awesome and frightening throne of God. As we stand there a dramatic moment unfolds.

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. - Rev 5:1-4 ESV

What is this mysterious scroll, sealed with seven seals? And why is John so deeply moved when he sees that no one in all of heaven and earth is able to open and look into it?

In his Gospel John writes of the Word (Logos) who was with God from the beginning and is God. By Him all things were made and without Him nothing! has come into existence (John 1:1-4). This Word has revealed His secrets to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). From these prophets we learn that the names of all those who revere and stand in awe of (Heb.-yare' ) the LORD of hosts and esteem His name have their names written in a Book of remembrance. They are His treasured possession (Mal 3:16-17; Ps 56:8). John sees this scroll. It is full of names written on both sides, but it is completely sealed with seven seals and no one in heaven, on earth or under the earth is able to open or look into it. What now?

A mighty angel steps forward to ask, "Who is worthy (Gk - axios) to break the seals and reveal the names of the LORD's treasured possession?" (Rev 5:2)  No one steps forward, no one is able and John begins to weep loudly. Are all lost?

"No," says one of those 24 elders. "Weep no more. Look upon the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David . . ." Ever since the day that Israel first blessed his sons Judah has been called a lion (Gen.49:9-10). Jesus is clearly descended from that tribe and from the royal family of David  (Matt 1:3-16; Heb 7:14). He who was born in David's village, He is the righteous Branch destined to reign as the God-appointed ruler of the true Israel (Mic 5:2; Jer 23:5-6; Isa 11:1, 10; Gal 6:16).

The Lion of Judah on a Bezalel ceramic tile

So John looks, but what does he see? Instead of a lion he sees One like a slaughtered lamb.

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. - Rev 5:6 ESV

 A lion that is a lamb? Remember, as always, that we are dealing with images, symbols that point beyond to reveal something we are to understand and believe. The Lamb of God had been predicted since John the Baptist prepared the way (John 1:29-36). Jesus is that slaughtered Lamb who endured the cross under the judgment of Pontius Pilate and is now risen from the dead and seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12:2). By His suffering and death He has conquered death. All those who put their faith in Him find forgiveness and life (1 Cor 15:53-57). They have the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This Lamb has seven horns. He has complete power (Matt 28:18; Ps 2:8-9). And His seven eyes points symbolically to the truth that He knows all things (Rev 1:14; 2:18; 19:12). Even Gentiles may now find hope in Him (Rom 15:12).

And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 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. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." - Rev 5:7-10 ESV

No wonder that the living creatures and the elders and the unlimited thousands (myriads of myriads) of angels (Heb 12:22) break into loud song, 

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" - Rev 5:12 ESV

Lamb of God

And on earth our prayers rise as incense (Exo 30:34-37) to join those prayers of praise in heaven.

O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! - Psa 141:1-2 ESV

Join in your heart as the Messiah chorus leads us to praise the Lamb: Worthy is the Lamb. 

To God Be The Glory And Honor Forever

The throne of God, described in Rev. 4:1-3 is surrounded by 24 other thrones, 7 burning torches of fire and 4 living creatures. We need to look at them and try to understand what is being revealed as we do. Let's start with the 24 thrones on which 24 elders were seated.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. - Rev 4:4 ESV

Who are these "elders"? Normally one thinks of the rulers of the Jewish people, either in smaller towns or as members of the highest court, the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:5,6:12, etc.). Later John's revelation points to the 12 patriarchs and the 12 apostles whose names are on the gates and foundation of the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12-14). We may also compare the number 24 with the 24 courses of priests appointed to serve in the Temple (1 Chron. 24:3-19). The duties of these sons of Aaron included leading the people in worship and teaching them God's Word. In that these 24 elders represent the ministry of the Word, they point to this ministry carried on for all time.

The elders were clothed in white garments, which as previously noted (Rev. 3:4), represents purity and holiness. On their heads are crowns of gold, symbols of victory, glory and royalty (Gen. 41:42).

God's almighty power and authority echo around His throne: "From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder."This was awesome and frightening, as when God came down on Mt. Sinai as Israel began her wilderness journey.

On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. - Exo 19:16 ESV

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off - Exo 20:18 ESV

 And before God's awesome throne burn seven torches, interpreted by John as "the seven spirits of God" (Rev. 4:5). We've heard of these seven spirits before God's throne earlier (Rev. 1:4). We will see them again in the Lamb "with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth" (Rev. 5:6).

It is well at this point to introduce the sacred numbers of the Bible: 1, 22, 40, 12, 4, 10, 6, 3, 7 and 21.   These sacred numbers will occur again and again as symbols throughout the Revelation. At this point we encounter seven, the number pointing to perfection. Earlier we saw seven golden lamp-stands, seven stars and seven churches (Rev. 1:12-20). Here John points to the perfect fruit of the Spirit at work in those who live by the Spirit (2 Pet 1:3-8; Gal. 5:22-24). These burning torches are a metaphor of the Spirit encountered earlier (Acts 2:3; Matt 3:11).

"Before God's throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal" (Rev. 4:7).

 Note that John does not say that there was a great sea. Rather he says that it looked to him as if it were a sea of glass, like crystal. This seems to point to God's providence encircling the earth like the sea. His ways are inscrutable, but here they appear crystal clear (Rom 11:33-36).

The Four Living Creatures

On each side of that glorious throne of God are 4 (four) living creatures. Of the 12 tribes of Israel, Jesus' lineage is traced to Judah, the fourth tribe (Luke 3:23-33; Matt. 1:2). In Ezekiel these four creatures carry God's throne (Ezek 1:5-25) Here they encircle it and instead of having wheels with rims full of eyes the creatures themselves are full of eyes in front and behind (Rev. 4:6,8), full of eyes all around and within. Nothing escapes them. So it is with God's providence. Nothing escapes Him.

The Four Evangelists

Since the days of Irenaeus, bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, these four creatures have been portrayed as  symbols of the four Gospels. Irenaeus held that the face of a man signified the human nature of Christ, the lion His royal character, the calf an emblem of sacrifice, His priestly character, and the flying eagle the grace of the Holy Spirit ever upon Him. There is, however, no obvious connection between these four living creatures and the four Gospels. Christ is portrayed with other symbols in the next chapter. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David and the Lamb, standing as though it had been slain (Rev. 5:5-6).

We may be advised not to manufacture connections between these symbolic creatures and the four Gospels. It is enough to hear them singing the praises in the wild places (lion), in cultivated places (calf or ox), in the cities and towns where men live (man's face) and in the whole expanse of the air (flying eagle). Their hymn has three parts. The triple holy, holy, holy points to the great Three-in-One. There is also the triple name: Lord God Almighty, the almighty Ruler of the universe, "who was and is and is to come" (Rev. 4:8). This is the hymn of glory, giving Him all honor and thanks for all that He is and does (Ps. 103:19-22; 111:7-10; 145:1-21).

So whenever and wherever God's Word is proclaimed God accomplishes His purposes. This ministry of the Word accomplishes all that God pleases (Isa 55:11).

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." - Rev 4:9-11 ESV

Christ's Sharp Two-edged Sword

We've all heard the saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword." This adage suggests that the independent press is more effective in governing a people than direct violence. The idea has been expressed in various forms many times. This particular form, says Wikipedia, was coined by English author Edward Buller-Lytton in his 1839 play Richelieu. 

John's Revelation says that from Jesus' mouth "came a sharp two-edged sword" (Rev. 1:16).

My Christian Resource blog

The image has often been portrayed literally, but what does it mean symbolically? The phrase is found several more times in Revelation:

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. ... Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. - Rev 2:12, 16 ESV

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ... And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. - Rev 19:15, 21 ESV

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the coming Messiah as a shoot from the stump of King David's family:

. . . but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. - Isa 11:4 ESV

How does the Christ strike the earth and kill the wicked with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips? And in Revelation what is this sword of Christ's mouth that strikes down the nations? The straightforward answer is that Christ has always done everything with His Word. John wrote of this in the beginning of his Gospel. There John speaks of Christ as the Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. - John 1:1-3 ESV

That Word creates and redeems, but He also judges and condemns the wicked. When He speaks it happens. No one can resist the power of God's Word. Moreover this Word is both sharp and two-edged; it can cut in either direction. One day all will stand before Him to be judged by His Word. And His sword will bring vengeance and judgment upon those who dare to oppose Him.

Even Christ's apostles and disciples are permitted to wield that sword. Paul calls it the sword of the Spirit. It is part of the armament to be worn by soldier / disciples as they fight the devil to the death.

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, - Eph 6:16-17 ESV

We believers find great security in the power of the Word. It is Christ's Word; Christ's creative Word. It is the Word that strikes down the nations and rules them with a rod of iron.

On the other hand, the believer is comforted knowing that Christ's Word accomplishes all that the Lord wishes. With His Word He called us to faith, confirms us in the faith and promises to guard us until we reach our heavenly home. The Word of our Good Shepherd brings forgiveness and the promise of life forever as well as His all-powerful and eternal protection.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. - John 10:27-29 ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. - John 15:7 ESV 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 ESV

My Birthday Gift To You

Last Sunday I heard a sermon that touched me deeply. The Pastor spoke about how we all like to compare ourselves to others. They have this, but I don't. They are recognized and praised, but I am not. Or the other way around. I'm so very happy that I have this or that I am better than him. And so forth. Yes, I realized, this is indeed how I am. I'm forever comparing myself to someone else, someone who is better than me, who has what I want and so forth.

At that point he changed gears and asked all of us hearers to turn to Psalm 139.

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. ... 

If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! - Psa 139:1-2, 11-17 ESV

My LORD Jesus knows everything about me. He knows how my pride-filled heart urges me to be jealous of others or to boast about how wonderful I am in comparison to them. He knows how I love to make myself out to be what I am not or how I beat myself down because I am not applauded as this one or that one is. . . He knows my sin and my sinful nature.

And yet He loves me, forgives me and has formed all these days for me, days in which I may receive His forgiveness and mercy, days in which I may praise and thank Him, days in which I may serve others in His name. He had this all worked out long before I was formed in my mother's womb, when as yet there was not a single day in which I lived.

All this is so precious, so wonderful, so vast. And it comes to me from the living and active Word of God. This is the Word that gets to the very bottom of my being, dividing even my soul from my spirit, just as if I were slicing up a side of beef or pork for a meal. My God discerns every thought and intention in my heart, knows them better than I do. Not a single one of my thoughts is hidden from Him. I stand naked and exposed before Him. . . and yet He loves me. This is what Jesus has come to reveal to me. This is what the Hebrews letter tells me—and you as well (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. - Hbr 4:14-15 ESV

Jesus, my high priest, understands me. He knows my weakness. He knows how I fall into the temptation to boast one day and then the next fall head-long into the ditch of despair and doubt. He sympathizes with me. He can relate, because He too faced these temptations, along with all other kinds. But He did not sin. Instead He assumed responsibility for my sin.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hbr 4:16 ESV 

Because Jesus has identified with me, because He understands what I'm going through, I can draw near to Him unafraid. He is praying for me. He is pleading my case before His Father. He is asking the Father to forgive and bless me—all because of His perfect obedience and His suffering and dying upon the cross for my sake. So He is always there with His undeserved yet complete grace. In my time of need I always have Him.

As I said, I needed to hear that last Sunday. I want you to know about it today. Today is my birth-day. And on this day I want this good news to give you new birth, new life, a new beginning. It is my birthday gift to you—in the name of Jesus.

Why Only Jesus Can Solve The Dilemma Of Death

I ended yesterday's post with these words about our troubled world: "Everything is in confusion. It was never to be this way. God did not want it this way, but what could He do about it?" We pick up our discussion, based upon a book written by Athanasius of Alexandria on the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.

The law of death prevails upon the entire human race despite our best efforts. In earlier posts of this blog I outlined how some believe they will soon be able to reduce our individual human personhood to a computer program that can be stored and retrieved when repairs to one's body or mind are needed. Cf. blogs about The Singularity. At that point, they say, humans will become immortal. Death will be conquered—at least for those with access to such cloud-based computers.

We all share a desire to live. And we Christians know with certainty that you cannot reduce human life to a computer program, regardless of its complexity. But how then will death be conquered? Here is our dilemma. It is quite unthinkable that God should go back on His Word that we children of Adam and Eve must die because of disobedience, our sin. He cannot falsify Himself. On the other hand it is equally unworthy of God's goodness that we who are created in His image be brought to nothing both by our sinfulness and by the deceit of the devil and those rebel spirits that follow him.

Like so many of us, I distinctly recall thinking in my youth about this issue. What's the point of living if it all leads to death? Surely it would have been better for the Creator never to have created us than to be thrown away and die. Is God so helpless that he cannot do something about this horror? To leave us to corruption and death is unfitting and unworthy of a loving and all-powerful God.

To solve this dilemma some suggest that instead of relying upon computer programming and other forms of science, we need to repent, that is change our way of thinking and acting. By openly admitting our guilt and promising to change we should be able to reverse the situation, right? Wrong! It might sound good, but repentance doesn't change human nature. Granted, the witness of Scripture is that the Lord GOD has no pleasure in the death of anyone (Ezekiel 18:32). We may accept and rejoice in that truth, but it still changes nothing. To be honest not a single one of us even comes close to keeping God's commands to love Him and to love one another. No one is righteous, no not one (Rom. 2:10-18; Psa. 14:1-3).  And God cannot change His Word that pronounces death upon sinners. The dilemma remains.

This is why the Word of God had to do it for us. In the beginning He called forth all things out of nothing (in today's language: the Big Bang). Consequently He is the only one who can reverse the situation and maintain the heavenly Father's consistency. Jesus Christ, God's Son, is God's Word by which all was made and without whom nothing was both created and made (John 1:1-3). He was, is and ever will be above and outside creation. One must rightly describe Him as immaterial. He is not created. He is "God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds" (see Athanasian Creed:31). He is eternally one with His Father (John 10:30; 17:11, 21). As God's Word He fills all things. Everything exists by Him. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

The Word Was Made Flesh

Since He alone can deal with our dilemma, the Word of God came down to our level to do just that. He who occupies and has created all dimensions of this creation confined Himself to the four of our existence. He became a man, borne of the Virgin Mary. He did it out of compassion for us. He was unwilling that death should remain our master. Out of sheer love He lived a life of complete and total obedience to His Father—for us. Out of sheer love He surrendered His body to death—for us. In this manner He robbed death of its power. Death disappeared as utterly as straw from fire (1 Cor 15:55-57). With His death the Lord Jesus became the Victor over death. We who have been born anew of God share in that victory (1 John 5:4).

The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way:

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. - Hebrews 2:9-10 ESV

By His suffering and death He completed the work He set out to accomplish. By the sacrifice of His own body He did two things:

• He put an end to the law of death that barred our way to the eternal presence of God

• He made a new beginning of life for us, giving us the certain hope of resurrection.

Paul puts it this way:

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. - 1 Cor 15:20-22 ESV

We still die, but no longer as men and women condemned. Death for us is now a part of the process of putting away sin and death in order to rise again in the general resurrection that will be openly displayed at the time appointed (1 Tim. 6:13-16).

This, then, is the first reason of our Savior's becoming Man. There are other things, however. We will consider them in the next blog post.

Captive To God's Word

I take no delight in the endless quarrels between churches and church members. I do not rejoice in the multitude of christian church denominations. I am puzzled by the growth of so called non-denominational churches in the United States, especially since they generally reflect a particular denominational viewpoint anyway. Born and raised in a family of Lutheran christians, I long to retreat into the catholic church and be done forever with all the dissension and differences.

But note that I said catholic, not Roman Catholic!

The historic, universal, worldwide church has three ecumenical creeds, statements of belief generally accepted by all christians. These include the Apostolic, the Nicene and the Athanasian creeds. In the Nicene Creed we find this phrase: We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I focus on that statement as I continue this brief study of the Reformation.

We christians believe in the Church, especially since we do not always see her with our physical eyes. Yet we believe, because the Holy Spirit has called us to faith in Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, and our Savior and Lord. The Spirit calls, nurtures and grows this faith in us by means of God's Word. Thus we believe that wherever the Word of God is taught, there also the Holy Spirit is at work creating in the hearts of young and old faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Listen to the Apostle Paul.

But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." - Rom 10:6-11 ESV

The Apostle is paraphrasing a couple other portions of Holy Scripture. The first are the words of Agur, son of Jakeh.

Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. - Pro 30:2-6 ESV

As far as I can tell, no one knows who Agur was. One explanation is that Solomon was playing upon the name's meaning. Agur means "the one who is brave in the pursuit of wisdom"; the son of Jakeh signifies "he who is free from sin." Whatever the intent, Agur's words are preserved in the Book of Proverbs and later quoted by the Apostle.

The point of the quote is obvious. God, the Holy One, dwells in heaven. He controls the wind and waves throughout the earth. Unless He reveals Himself and the name of His son, we know nothing about Him. We are totally reliant upon His revelation. In His Word He speaks to us and His Word is absolutely true. We trust and rely upon that Word precisely because it is God's Word, and not man's. No man can ascend to heaven nor control wind and wave. This is why we dare not add to nor take away from His Words. To do so makes one a liar.

The second quote in Paul's paraphrase comes from the Book of Deuteronomy. Moses is concluding his instructions to the Children of Israel who have completed 40 long years of wandering in the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula. They are now about to take possession of the Promised Land. Moses promises they will indeed possess the land and the LORD will circumcise their hearts so that they love the LORD with all their hearts and souls. Thus will they live by the power of God speaking to them in His Word.

And you shall again obey the voice of the LORD and keep all his commandments that I command you today. The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. "For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. - Deu 30:8-14 ESV

Note again the emphasis upon God speaking personally, in their hearts. No need to ascend to heaven and God's throne. No need to travel beyond the sea to discover some new revelation from a wise man on a distant mountain. No indeed. God Himself came down to you on Mount Sinai. There He spoke face to face with His servant Moses. In turn, Moses gave you God's Word. You heard His voice. Now His Word is both in your heart and on your lips. And as you go to possess the land, God will fulfill all His promises. Trust and obey God's Word and He will bless you. Turn from Him and you will surely perish.

This was the first major premise of the Reformation movement that Martin Luther began. God has given to us His Word. We have no choice but to hear and believe it. This was Luther's stance as he stood accused before the Diet of Worms. Relying completely upon God's Word he is supposed to have said, "Hier stehe Ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir!"

In his seminal book Luther: Man Between God and the Devil (English edition Yale, 2006), Reformation scholar Heiko Oberman correctly renders Luther's speech like this:

Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one's conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.

We christians have always been captive in our consciences to the Word of God. We remain so today.

Secrets Of The Secret Kingdom

In my previous post I wrote about the secret kingdom known only to believers in Christ. Today I want to point out how things work in that kingdom of God.

The crowd that followed Jesus across the Sea of Tiberias did not know about this secret kingdom. Their focus was upon themselves and their needs for food and healing. To obtain these they, like all outside Jesus' secret kingdom, believed they had to do something to obtain God's good will. So they wanted to know how to do the works of God. Jesus answered them,

"This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.  

So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 

Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 

They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. - Jhn 6:29-35 ESV

Believing doesn't sound like a work, does it? Believing seems to be passive, whereas working is active, something one does. How indeed can believing be the work of God? Aha! That is indeed the very thing the crowd missed and still misses to this very day. Faith, believing in Jesus, the bread of life, is indeed the work of God. It is not the work we do for God. It is His work, God working in us. The Apostle Paul puts it this way,

But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ... For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." ... So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Rom 10:6-10, 12-13, 17 ESV

Read the whole chapter very carefully. Throughout it Paul emphasizes that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. The Gospels make the same point. The Word was with God and the Word became flesh and blood in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:1; 1:14). Whoever believes in Jesus, the Word, and in the words he speaks has eternal life. He is righteous and forgiven in God's eyes. Jesus' disciples abide in his word (John 8:31). That word is seed planted in their hearts. It takes root and grows, producing a life of faith, love and obedience to God (Luke 8:11-15). Jesus' disciples cling to this word he has planted in their hearts and put their trust in it. This faith is the work of God, God's gift to his children.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Eph 2:4-10 ESV

Word, Seed, Bread of life—these images all speak of Jesus through whom we daily receive forgiveness for our sins and through whom we are richly filled with abundant life of Christ (John 10:10). If you know about these things then you both know about Jesus' secret kingdom and you know some of the secrets of the kingdom. You know that Jesus, the Word made flesh, does everything in his kingdom through his Word. Through his Word he creates and sustains faith. Through his Word he fills the hearts of his disciples with love for one another. Through his Word he moves them to love, forgive, feed, clothe and care for those in need even as he does. As John writes in his epistle,

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. - 1Jo 4:19-21 ESV

That's how things work in the secret kingdom of God. It is not how they work in all other kingdoms. We'll finally have to take up that topic next time as we look into the kingdoms of this world, how they work and how God uses them to maintain outward peace and order.
 

Dreams In The Light Of God's External Word

We're looking at the Bible's peculiar worldview (at least to the modern world). To do that I'm focusing on the fact that we all dream and consequently ask what the dreams mean. Psychological answers vary.  Freud thought they are symbolical representations of unconscious desires and thoughts. Others say that dreams are one's interpretation of signals generated by one's brain. Out of this come many creative ideas. Still others say that dreaming is the brain's computer-like process of cleaning up the previous day's clutter. And so it goes. There's no modern single, unifying understanding of why we dream or what our dreams mean.

To assist us in interpreting our dreams you can find whole dictionaries of dream symbols and terms such as "An A to Z Dream Dictionary." Others offer dream interpretation, based upon years of experience. Still others, claiming to be Christians, tell us they can teach us not merely to study about God, but how to have direct experiences of Him speaking to us in our dreams. It all sounds most enticing. But is that what the written, objective Word of God as contained in Holy Scripture teaches? Recall Dr. Luther's comment about enthusiasm quoted in my earlier post: 

"We should and must insist that God does not want to deal with us human beings, except by means of his external Word and sacrament. Everything that boasts of being from the Spirit apart from such a Word and sacrament is of the devil."

What does Luther mean by God's external Word? He means simply and emphatically the Scriptures. The very words of Scriptures are God's words, all of them. The Holy Spirit always blesses and brings salvation in Christ through the Word. No preached or taught word not based upon the Scriptures is the Word of God. The Holy Spirit comes and reveals God and His will in the Word of the Lord Christ. Anyone, therefore, who distorts or blasphemes the written Word will be judged by God. This was Luther's sola Scriptura principle. This claim is further founded on the total truthfulness, reliability and
consistency of Scripture. One text of Scripture does not contradict another, regardless of how ridiculous it may seem at first. To that end I quote again what Paul wrote to Timothy:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. - 2Ti 3:14-17 ESV

 With that in mind, return with me to Joseph's dream experience as recorded by Matthew (Matt. 1:18-25). Joseph was of royal lineage, as Matthew emphasizes in the opening verses of his Gospel (Matt. 1:1-17). He traced that lineage all the way back to David and through David to Abraham himself. He knew of the promises recorded in the written Scriptures about the coming of the Messiah. He knew about the promised virgin birth of the One named Immanuel. A few examples:

To Abraham — "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." - Gen 12:2-3 ESV 

And again to Abraham —"I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." - Gen 22:17-18 ESV 

To Isaac — "I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" - Gen 26:4 ESV 

About the promised Messiah —"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins." - Isa 11:1-5 ESV

To Ahaz, one of Judah's anointed kings — "And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." - Isa 7:13-14 ESV

There are numerous other passages of Scripture. Joseph knew them. He was a righteous and just man who sought ever to conduct his life according to the plans and will of God. He believed in the promises of the Messiah as recorded in Scripture. Therefore it was not at all impossible for him to accept what the angel said to him in his dream about Mary's pregnancy and the promised coming of the Messiah. His dream was a confirmation of God's external Word and in no way contrary to it.

The best counsel to any dreamer is based upon this record of Joseph's dreams as well as other dreams in Scripture. If you believe God has sent His messenger to speak to you, then test it carefully against the written Word. Ask especially how what you have seen and heard in your dream relates to God's will and plan to lead men to salvation and eternal life in Christ. Remember as well that we are all members one of another. No one of us owns nor can he control the Spirit. Invite other members of Christ's body to ponder with you your dream in the light of God's revelation in Scripture. Seek confirmation from other members of Christ's body. And at the same time be very conscious or the fact that demonic powers are also at work to lead us away from Christ and distort God's Word.

Bottom line: There's more indeed to this world than what we can see, taste, touch, smell and feel. There's more than we can measure with our scientific instruments and theorize about with our mathematics. Scripture teaches that men have contact with that other world in dreams and visions. But—and this is critical—our first, primary and most significant contact with the Spirit of God is in the written Word of Holy Scripture. As Jesus emphasized in his criticism of the Jews of His day,

And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. - Jhn 5:37-40 ESV

Jim Died A Most Prosperous Man

I am very proud to tell you I live in a house that Jim built. Jim was a builder from Michigan who arrived here in Texas in the early 1970s. The house building business in Michigan was at a standstill. People were leaving the state in droves, looking elsewhere for work. But in the Houston area things were booming. So Jim ended up here. Sylvia and I contracted with Jim to build us a new house.

Jim was a very devout Christian lay member of our congregation. During the days he worked on our house a very strange disease he had already in Michigan worsened. Blood circulation to his extremities was cut off for reasons the doctors could only guess at. Little by little the tips of his fingers and toes died and had to be removed. As the disease progressed he finally lost his hands and feet, then his forearms and calves. By the time he died—a little over a year after the disease began—he had but stumps where his arms and feet had once been.

BUT! Jim never lost faith in the mercy, forgiveness and love of God! Astounding. How was that possible? I learned so much from this humble man, so very much about real faith. Jim was my Job. It was as if Job were there in the hospital bed as I visited and prayed with Jim.

"Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face." - Job 13:13-15 ESV

That was Jim. He believed that he was unworthy of God's love. He was a sinner and deserved, as we confess week by week in our liturgies, "Your present and eternal punishment." That prayer of confession continues:

"For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen."  

When Jim left this life, we joyfully committed what was left of his suffering body to the hands of his Lord in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. The congregation I served at the time later named a pre-school building in Jim's honor.

Here's where I return to my critique of the prosperity preachers.

Jim came to Texas to prosper. He believed in God and in His love. For a time he found work and gained money to care for his family. And then his illness. Why? I never heard Jim ask that question. He simply submitted and did his work until he had to be confined to a hospital bed.

It was as if God was hiding Himself—or at least so it seemed. In Martin Luther's terms, God was speaking from behind a mask. And what was he saying to Jim—as well as to all of us? Certainly that He has poured out abundance upon us, giving us all that we need in this life. We have homes, food, good weather, basically good government, protection from our enemies, friends and family. And what are we doing with all this? Honoring Him? Thanking Him? Serving Him? So often, so very often the answer is no, no, no. We forget about loving Him and serving Him with all of our being, with our hearts and minds as well as our bodies. We forget to reach out to share this abundance with the weak, needy and helpless.

So He spoke a word of warning to us through Jim's illness. He told us that this is what we each deserve—to die and to be separated from Him for eternity. BUT! Yes, but . . . He bent down low to speak to us another Word. And this is the good news, the most unexpected, wondrous news that ever there can be, the message that Jim believed and to which he clung until he drew his final breath. That Word is that the very WORD of God became flesh, incarnate in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. He did what the ancient prophet Isaiah (to whom I referred in my previous post) said He would.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. - Isa 53:3-5 ESV

From behind this wondrous mask, our hidden God has spoken His Word of forgiveness. It was all for us sinners. Because Christ died, we died. With His stripes our broken relationship with God is now restored.

Jim never became a prosperous man. He died from his sickness. His family struggled to recover from the loss. Yet we are all confident that Jim lives in the endless abundance of the Lord and God in whom he put his trust. He died in faith, faith given to him by the generosity of God, faith given to him by God's Holy Spirit at work in that Word spoken in Christ. Jim was unable to accept the bread of the Sacrament with his hand when we celebrated it in his hospital room. He no longer had hands. But he ate the bread and drank the wine and believed that in that precious gift of God he received forgiveness for all his sins. He believed that he received the very body and blood that Jesus offered up for him. And he rejoiced to know that by God's priceless grace he was God's child and would receive a renewed and eternal body on the great Day of Christ's return. He has been invited to the feast (Isaiah 25:6-8).

We thank you Jim. You are a saint, made holy by the blood of Jesus. And your works follow you.

I'll have a bit more to say about all this in my next post.

Genetics And Human Responsibility

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America adopted a statement at its August, 2011 Assembly: Genetics, Faith and Responsibility- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The following is from the Prologue:

Genetic science includes a range of disciplines that deal with biologically based characteristics and their inheritance. The developments stemming from genetic science and its applications illustrate the abundant gifts of God's creation. Breakthrough discoveries and cutting-edge technologies evoke a sense of awe and provide insights into the human place within the web of creation. They unlock unprecedented power to diagnose and cure diseases and to address agricultural and environmental problems. 

These developments also exemplify how contemporary human knowledge and technology are creating a different relationship between human power and life on this planet. Genetic science extends human powers over the fundamental processes of life in unprecedented and qualitatively different ways. It enables human beings to shape directly and rapidly the characteristics of living beings, including human beings 

The collective effects of these new powers mean human beings increasingly bear the moral burden for the shape of nature and the very existence of future generations. The cumulative force of such unparalleled power and choice promise great benefit but also present qualitatively new levels of danger and ambiguity.

In this and future posts I will share my views about these powers and dangers. I encourage you to read the entire ELCA statement. I especially like these comments further into the prologue:

• Genetic knowledge and its applications are not morally neutral. They require diligent and sustained attention in order both to direct their potential good and to limit potential harm.

• Individual and collective decisions must take into account the long-term impact of genetic science and technology as well as the character of the world today as a global village.

What we Christians especially bring to this dialogue is an understanding of what God in His Word tells us about how we are to use these powers. The Word also warns us about the dangers we face, especially since we are by nature sinful and rebellious. Let's start with a brief review of how we stand in relation to our Creator. Luther's Small Catechism teaches us in a simple, but profound manner how all creation depends upon God.

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my limbs, my reason, and all my senses, and still preserves them; in addition thereto, clothing and shoes, meat and drink, house and homestead, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my goods; that He provides me richly and daily with all that I need to support this body and life, protects me from all danger, and guards me and preserves me from all evil; and all this out of pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I owe it to Him to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him.

Notice that this statement affirms that God continues to provide us with all that we need to support our lives. He protects, guards and preserves us from those things that might harm us. For instance, when Sylvia and I huddled in the hallway of our home back in 2008 as Hurricane Ike came storming in from the Gulf of Mexico, we could only pray that our Father in heaven would spare us, because neither we nor anyone else had the power to control or divert the storm in its fury. And spare us He did, out of "pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy." We were without electrical power for weeks, but beyond that we were OK. For all this we give Him thanks and praise. In this we join the Apostle as he says, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). God's providence and protection is evident all around us. This is further affirmed by the Apostle in his letter to the Colossians,

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. - Col 1:16-17 ESV

The all things means just that and includes hurricanes, squirrels, dolphins, fleas and we humans, alongside everything else. All these things were created, says the text. The verb were created is passive; these things did not—and do not—create themselves. In that sense our Father continues to create. He is continually creating, causing them to exist. They are utterly and completely dependent upon Him for their existence. As Luther's Catechism says "God has made me and all creatures."

Take me as an example. I am unique, am I not? Certainly. There has never been another quite like me. True, I look quite a bit like my father—and a bit like my mother, but I am not merely a clone of either of them. Nor will I, the unique person that I am, ever cease to exist now that I received a "new self, created after the likeness of God" when I was taken with Christ into death and raised with Him to new life (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:13). He who first caused me to come into existence through the union of my parents has continued throughout these years to preserve my life. And beyond that, when I was baptized, He re-created me, giving me a new self, remade in His image and likeness. And His creative activity continues within me.

This continuous creating activity of God is everywhere, in trees, streams, the air we breathe, and the universe that surrounds us. "In him all things hold together." He upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).

The fact that we creatures exist only and always by His Word of power does not mean that we are in any sense the same as God. The creatures do not equal the Creator. This teaching does not in any sense suggest pantheism, the idea that the sum of all that exists is God. He remains the Other, the Holy One, above, beyond and outside His creation. Yet within His creation, this natural world, there is an incredibly complex interplay and extensive sublime order. Tides rise and fall, water satisfies our thirst and planet earth continues to revolve around the sun. Modern science in all its varied disciplines reflects an ongoing discovery of this amazing order. We even dare to say that this order reaches out into the universe, the UNI-verse, not the MULTI-verse. All created things are UNIFIED, everything interplays with everything else. We affirm this because we believe there is but ONE God by whom and for whom all things exist. "In Him all things hold together."

Since we humans are interdependent with this amazing creation and given the vocation to oversee it, our task is to respect God's creation and to assist it to flourish. This is certainly part of what the Bible means when it teaches that we are created "in the image of God" (Gen.1:26-28).

Thus we must ask what this stewardship, this management responsibility implies in the amazing discoveries our scientists are making about genetics. We'll look further into that next time.

Even The Flowers Proclaim God's Word

As planned, we made it to Yankee Boy Basin, outside of Ouray, Colorado in the great San Juan mountains. The flowers are a little late this year, but they have certainly begun to bloom in their glory. Below are a few of the snaps I took after our Jeep reached the basin. I cannot begin to describe the vistas around us. Today, however, I'll simply share a few images of the flowers that grow up there in abundance and add a couple comments. If I've mis-identified, I welcome corrections. 

Yellow Monkey Flower

Mountain Bluebells

 Buttercups

Columbine

Here are a few passages from God's Word to meditate upon as we consider the wondrous beauty of the mountain flowers. 

And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you,even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? - Matthew 6:28-30

As a lily among brambles,
   so is my love among the young women. . .
for behold, the winter is past;
    the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth,
   the time of singing has come - Song of Solomon 2:2,11-12

As for man, his days are like grass;
   he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
   and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him - Psalm 103:15-17 

God Has Spoken By His Son

We are taking a look at prophecy in the Bible. The writer to the Hebrews starts his letter referencing the prophets. He writes,

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Again and again the Apostles referenced the prophets' writings, emphasizing that the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus was in fulfillment of the prophets' writings. For instance, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the holy family fled to Egypt and returned to Nazareth, John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, Jesus healed the diseased and cast out demonic spirits, Jesus taught in parables, Jerusalem was destroyed, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, Judas betrayed Jesus—all to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets (see Matthew 1:22; 2:5; 2:15-23; 3:3; 4:12-16; 12:10-21; 13:34-35; 21:1-11; 23:29-56; 27:3-9).

There are around a hundred Prophecies in the Old Testament that are commonly referred to as being fulfilled by Jesus. Hundreds of books have been written about these matters. In addition to the link listed above, you may also find helpful Rich Deem's side by side list, Prophecies of Jesus Christ as Messiah.

The writings of the prophets are all about the Messiah and His coming. As Jesus said in His confrontation with the Jews,

"You do not have his (the Father's) word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life" (John 5:39-40).

In that sense the writings of the Prophets are what has been called self-authenticated. Here we may return to a prophetic verse from Moses' final discourse:

"But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my (the LORD) name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.' And if you say in your heart, 'How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'—when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). 

If we turn the statement into a positive one, that means that when a prophet's word does come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has spoken. And so we return to the first words of Hebrews 1:1-2. What God spoke to the prophets about His Son has come true. So when these prophets speak of Jesus as the Son of God, very God of very God, Creator of the world, then we had best pay attention. Jesus is God's Word, His Living Word spoken in these last days. We await now with joy and hope for His glorious return.

But what about His return? What have those same prophets said? To that we shall return at a later time.

 

No Peace Without Violence

All along I thought this was a season of peace on earth, good will toward men. But then I read the Gospel lesson appointed by the church for this third Advent week (Matthew 11:2-15) and am quite taken back. It's all about John the Baptist, that rough, tough, tell it like it is guy who scorned luxury to live in the desert and dine on wild honey and locusts. Some diet! This is no push-over man. He's not bent this way or that like some politicians by whatever favorable wind is blowing his way. He's a prophet, a Nahvi (Exodus 7:1), a man called by God to trumpet openly and powerfully the Word of God. And when he does violence occurs.

John's preaching out on the other side of the Jordan river caused a wave of excitement among the Jews. The crowds were longing for change and he gave them what they were asking for. He announced the imminent coming of the long-awaited Kingdom. The messianic King was in their midst and he, John, was being sent by God to announce his presence. "So get your house and your lives in order," he shouted. "Get rid of all the lies, the greed, the lust and the selfishness that fills your lives. Admit it, confess it and be cleansed from it by the water of this river. It's time for a new beginning, a new start for your lives. The Kingdom of God is upon you!"

They responded to his message by the hundreds. The wave of excitement grew until it swept across the land. This was their time. They believed it. They poured out to hear John's message, pushing, shoving, demanding and forcing John to baptize them and tell them more. Who was the Messiah? Where was he hiding? When would he appear? Would the Romans indeed be driven out? What was to happen next?

Jesus affirms John's preaching. In himself, Jesus, the Kingdom has indeed come. He is the King and not only was John his forerunner and a prophet, he was more than a prophet. He was the last of the ancient prophets to forecast the Messiah's coming. The King has arrived and John is the one to proclaim his presence with unquenchable passion.

This peace we Christians like to sing about today is also not brought about without violence. By using that peculiar word Jesus is telling us that we, like John, are called by the living and risen Christ to move out with confidence, zeal and determination to capture the world around us and those living in it for the Kingdom. In our hands is the same sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17, Isaiah 49:2). With it we are indeed doing violence to the demonically controlled kingdoms of this world.

I'm all for peace, but not the make-believe kind offered by princes and politicians. The only lasting and eternal peace is the kind that comes when we accept the message of Christ the King and kneel before our him in homage and faith. The Prince of Peace has indeed come, but the peace he brings came at the cost of his violent death at the hands of adversaries who passionately hated him. The same intensity marks those of us who proclaim his coming. Through power of that Word the Holy Spirit is conquering the hearts of men and the Kingdom is being established. This is the only kind of peace that will survive into eternity.

Sustained by the Word of the LORD

This morning I opened an email from an old friend who wished a happy Thanksgiving. It had pictures of turkeys, cartoons and other paraphernalia connected with the uniquely American holiday. Here is one.

It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. So our family is set to gather in south Texas for the celebration, along with millions of families across the nation.

It is also customary for American Christians to gather for a worship service of thanksgiving, often on the evening before Thanksgiving Day. The O.T. lesson appointed for a general thanksgiving service is Deuteronomy 8:1-10. The lesson is part of the instructions Moses gave to the Israelites who had just spent 40 years in the wilderness of Sinai. Now they were set to enter and occupy the land the LORD God promised centuries before to Abraham and his descendants.

For 40 years the LORD had tested their faith and trust. He wanted to know what was in their hearts. In this desert they had no bread, but were fed with the mysterious manna six out of seven days of every week. As He said, the LORD did this so they may clearly understand that "man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" (Deut.8:3).

This is a critical lesson for our country and our day, especially when you consider that "bread" is but a symbol for all the things we need to live and prosper in the land the LORD gives to us. It makes me wonder how many people will even bother to give thanks for all the bounty of this land. How many are ready to acknowledge that we live "by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD"? For that matter, what does the phrase mean?

Here's a quick answer. God's revelation tells us that all of creation came into being, not by chance, but by God's Word. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." How? Again and again we read, "And God said" (Genesis 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26). In other words, the universe was created out of God's creative mind by His Word. He speaks and it comes to be. So Moses teaches us all to recall that we and everything that exists, continues by the wondrous creative power of God's speaking, His Word.

The even deeper mystery is what we find in the Gospel of John as we discover that the Word is a Person and that Person is the second member of the Trinity, even Jesus Christ. John writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made"(John 1:1-3).

The coming of Jesus into human flesh is intimately tied to our faith that He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. In Him we have not only human existence, but a new life, a new birth and a hope that we and all creation will one day be completely set free when our Creator and Redeemer returns (Romans 8:18-25). On that day we and all creation will be set free from our bondage to corruption. Until then we wait expectantly, in hope and with patience.

Not What But Who Is The Word of God

Over the past several weeks we've been pondering the statements of the Apostle Paul  in Ephesians 6:10-20 about spiritual warfare. He writes both about wrestling and about the armor of a Roman foot soldier. After teaching about the protective value of the armor he points us to the offensive weapon of the soldier, the word of God, what he calls the "sword of the Spirit."  What is that word of God?

As I suggested earlier one could simply say that the Bible as we know it is the word of God. I could spend a lot of time defending that statement. I could point you to the writings of many scholars who have defended the Scriptures from attacks by the higher critics, the Copenhagen school and others. But that would miss the point those very Scriptures make, a point emphasized by Jesus in a debate with the Jews of His day that the Apostle John records in John 5.

And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life (John 5:27-40).

Jesus point: we can argue all day and all night about the authority of the Scriptures, the lack of evidence for or against biblical stories in archeology, the value of the many ancient copies of the Scriptures and so forth. We can do that, but if we do we've asked the wrong question. The essential  question is not WHAT is the word of God, but rather WHO is the word of God. Jesus and His apostles claim that He, Jesus, is that word of God. The writings of the prophets, poets, wise men and finally the apostles and their students are all about Jesus. He is the Creator of all things, the One through whom all things were made at the very beginning. And this Creator has taken on human flesh and blood in order that He might bring to all mankind the undeserved grace and mercy of God (John 1:1-18).

Paul knew that. He had been an avid protector of the Jewish faith, a member of the Pharisee party, a leader of armed men commissioned to ferret out followers of that rebel rabbi from Nazareth, those folks that blasphemed God and the Scriptures. And then Jesus confronted Paul on the road outside of Damascus (Acts 8:1-18). Jesus forced him to ask, "Who are you Lord?"

This is the question you—and I—must wrestle with again and again. The Scriptures will not allow us to argue about their authority, their historicity, their reliability, etc. until we have first confronted the question about Jesus. Who is He? Is He the Messiah? Is He the Creator of all things, the One by whom all things were made (Colossians 2:1-15)? Did Isaiah point to Jesus when he wrote about the Servant who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows and through whose stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:1-12)?

We must all wrestle with Jesus and finally be defeated by Him (Genesis 32:22-32). Only then will we know and have in our hand the sword of the Spirit. Jesus is that word of God who drives out Satan and the forces of darkness. In essence everything that Paul writes about in Ephesians 6 is about Jesus. He provides the whole armor. He brings salvation, peace, righteousness, hope, faith and forgiveness. Protected by these the soldier of God attacks all his enemies with Jesus, the sword of the Spirit, the true Word of God. 

The Whole Defensive Armor of God

Today I want to complete our brief study of Paul's comments about spiritual armor in Ephesians before moving into a discussion of the warrior's instrument of attack, the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. 

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:11-17).

For long, hard work there's nothing like a good, sturdy pair of boots. I know from personal experience of hiking in the mountains that you can quickly develop some very painful blisters if your boots don't fit and protect you. It was the same for Roman foot soldiers. These men had to march long distances and then stand on their feet to fight. Without the proper boots they were vulnerable and even helpless.

So Paul emphasizes that the spiritual warrior must have a good standing, a good binding around his or her feet. This is nothing less than the Gospel of peace. This good news is ours because Jesus has gone before us and prepared for us a permanent and good standing before God by His sacrificial death upon the cross. We are at peace with our heavenly Father (John 14:27-33; Romans 15:13). Our accounts have been settled, our sins forgiven. The Father has declared us His children for the sake of Jesus. Therefore, no matter what the accuser may throw at us, no matter  how true it is, we can always return humbly to Jesus and be washed by His sacrificial blood. We have a sure place on which to stand.

Further, when the dark powers throw flaming darts, we may raise up the shield of faith as our protection. What are these “flaming darts of the evil one”? They are the schemes and stratagems of Satan. These “flaming arrows” come upon us in various forms. The attacks will always focus upon our weakness, that point where we are most vulnerable. This was particularly so for a Roman foot soldier in the field. What did he have to protect him? He certainly did not have a fortress in which to hide. All he had was the shield he carried with him into battle. So the Apostle speaks about the "shield of faith" that is able to extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one.

These flaming darts or arrows come in many forms. For some believers they come as the temptation to give in to sexual lust. For others it is greed or pride. Further, for over a hundred years a whole volley of arrows have been coming at Bible students to suggest that we can no longer trust or believe in the truth of the Biblical text. These arrows lift up human reason and exclude any notion that God had a chosen people or that He was involved in their history. Consequently there is no Word of God, no Word from God. He did not speak to His chosen people. He does not speak now from that history to us. He is silent and removed. He has not revealed Himself. We are alone in this mystery called human life. We face the vast darkness of death without hope or promise. I will discuss this issue in a later blog.

Paul's advice to all believers under attack is to take up the shield of faith. What is this faith? It is the belief that we are righteous in God's eyes for the sake of Christ. Such a belief is a gift from God worked by His Spirit in His Word. Study carefully what the Apostle says in his letter to the Romans (Romans 10:5-21). There he emphasizes that no one can climb the ladder to heaven to claim personal righteousness. Nor can anyone unlock the gates of hell to release those sent there by a just God. Only Christ can do that. And Christ has done that. In His rich and eternal mercy Christ has descended into hell to proclaim His victory over sin, death and satan. He has in turn ascended into heaven to plead for us before the judgment seat of the Father. He has accomplished for us sinners what we cannot do for ourselves. Thus we stand forgiven before the throne of God. This is God's Word to us. Such a faith comes from hearing in ones heart the Word of Christ.

So we stand firmly planted on the Gospel of peace. We lift up the shield of faith against the flaming arrows sent our way and we keep the helmet of salvation securely tied to our heads. With such armament we are well protected and may now move forward to the offense. That instrument of attack is the Word of God. I'll take that up the next time.