The Testimony of Jesus Is The Spirit of Prophecy

The cries of God's people for salvation have been heard, says the prophet. As they cried out, "Hallelu-Jah" (LORD save us), salvation has come. He has judged Rome (Babylon), "the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of his servants" (Rev. 19:2). So they cry out again, "Hallelu-Jah! The smoke from Babylon goes up forever and ever."

This chapter is filled with praise, "For the LORD our God the Almighty reigns." This is the reason the Bride rejoices. The marriage feast is coming. The Bride of Christ has made herself ready, for she is given fine linen, bright and pure. These are the righteous deeds of the saints and in these she is clothed.

As I write news comes that persecution of the saints continues on the earth. On Easter Sunday of this year (2016) 70 people were indiscriminately killed by the Taliban. In the previous year two Christian churches in LaHore were attacked. 17 people were killed. Another 85 were killed when a suicide bomber targeted a church in Peshawar in 2013. So the cry continues, "Hallelu-Jah!" LORD, save us. By faith we join the multitude revealed in Rev. 19:2-10, as we join them as guests invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

And how can we be certain that "these are the true words of God"? The answer stands in the rebuke of the angel who spoke about the invitation: "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." At the very center of all that is proclaimed in the Bible and in all true teaching is "the testimony of Jesus." What do we proclaim? We proclaim Jesus! He was to come. So said all the prophets. And so He came. He lived and taught. He healed and walked throughout the land. Thousands upon thousands rejoiced at His coming, even as the harsh and evil-minded Pharisees and rulers rejected Him and condemned Him to death upon the cross. But what was the result of all their wickedness. He destroyed the power of sin and death and He rose from the dead! This is the message of Easter. Jesus lives! And because He lives, we shall live also. Death has been conquered. His kingdom is eternal and we are invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb.

This is the great message of the season of Easter. This is the "testimony of Jesus" the angel speaks about. Jesus, our LORD, sits upon a white horse! He is Faithful and True, and in righteousness he

Jesus My Lord

judges and makes war upon the evil of this world.

His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 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. - Rev 19:12-15 ESV

He speaks and His word is a sharp sword, for what He says comes true, even as He lives and has conquered death. So He will "rule them with a rod of iron and tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty" (Isa. 11:4).

So we believe. So we rejoice, not in what is now visible, but in what is to come. And how may we be certain of this prophecy? Our confidence rests in "the testimony of Jesus," the witness we all bear to His glorious resurrection. He is not dead. He lives! Hallelujah!

The Beast From The Sea

John's Revelation makes it abundantly clear that the people of God will be opposed, persecuted and killed, but they will prevail and ultimately win the victory. And so now comes an agent of the dragon, the Beast!

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. - Rev 13:1-2

The prophet Daniel had received a vision of four great beasts coming up out of the sea, pointing to the four great empires that were to follow (best understood as the Assyrian, Median, Medo-Persian and Greek). The sea from which the beasts arise is a symbol of chaos and destruction (Isa. 27:1), but the LORD is in full control of that sea (Psa 89:9; Prov. 8:29; Jer. 5:22). He leads his people safely through it and destroys their enemies (Psa 66:6; 78:13). Nevertheless the enemies of God and his people continue to rise from the sea. The Revelation to John appears to be an update to that of Daniel. John's beast appears as a composite of Daniel's four. His first was like a lion with eagle's wings, the second like a bear, the third like a leopard and a fourth with iron teeth and ten horns (Dan. 7:3-8).  To the Johannine beast the dragon, the devil, gives his power, throne and great authority. John continues,

One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"- Rev 13:3-4 ESV

Daniel's prophecy pointed to the Seleucid Empire that began with the collapse of Alexander the Great's. The Roman Empire replaced the Seleucid and in John's day became the great anti-Christ. The role of Daniel's fourth beast had been filled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated Jerusalem's temple in 167 B.C. by sacrificing a pig to Zeus/Baal upon its altar. Now John's beast from the sea represents Rome, the world power opposing the reign of Christ.

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. - Rev 13:5-6 ESV

Beginning with Julius Caesar, Roman emperors had been declared gods, the early ones after their deaths, but later emperors even during their lifetime. Emperor Domitian required that people address him as "our master and god."

The Holy Roman Emperor

The "mortal wound" that was healed refers to the Nero legend. The 32-year-old Nero committed suicide in A.D. 68. The earliest legend claimed that Nero did not really die, but fled to Rome's greatest enemy, Parthia. From there he would return with a large army to Rome to destroy it. Thus the mortal wound was "healed" and the beast continued to utter blasphemies against God, God's name and dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

The Lord Jesus had predicted that false christs and false prophets would arise and perform signs and wonders so as to lead men astray (Mark 13:21-22). He also predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, an event a generation prior to John's Revelation (Mark 13:14-20). But the opposition to Christ and his people continued as the beast was allowed to make war on the saints, throwing God's word in their faces. In mockery they cried, "Who is like the beast?" and "Who can fight against it?" These words are parodies of the words of the worshippers of the true God, "Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?" (Exod 15:11; Deut 33:26; 1 Kings 8:23).

John points to the beast receiving a blasphemous mouth and authority from the dragon. That authority is world wide, "over every tribe and people and language and nation." However note carefully what John also says,

Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: - Rev 13:7-9 ESV

Four times in vv. 5-7 John points out that the beast "was allowed" or "was given" (Greek - edothē). So John reminds his readers, "If anyone has an ear, let him hear." Not even the Antichrist can escape God's plan and time frame. His time and power are limited. He is given forty-two months (3 1/2 years - Rev 11:2; 12:6). After that he loses his authority. He continues only until his time is up. 

The same lessons apply in our day as beasts and anti-christs of various kind arise to persecute and kill the people of God. But we are comforted. They cannot, they will not prevail, but Christ's kingdom will. That is the great message proclaimed throughout John's Revelation. 

Do Not Be Surprised When You Are Persecuted

Five seals of the scroll with seven seals (Rev. 5:1) have been opened by the Lamb. From the first four came the terrible Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. With the opening of the fifth the martyrs under the heavenly temple's altar cry out to the Sovereign Lord for vengeance. When will the Lord punish those who have murdered His beloved disciples? Be patient, He says and watch. Here comes the opening of the sixth seal.

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 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, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" - Rev 6:12-17 ESV

Scripture in the light of 1st century history

These are classical images from the prophets about the LORD's fierce anger loosed upon proud sinners. The sun, moon and stars will turn dark on the great and terrible day of the LORD.

Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. - Isa 13:9-10 ESV 

Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders. - Isa 24:23 ESV 

When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord GOD. - Eze 32:7-8 ESV

The Lord Jesus Himself foretold the persecution of his disciples. They were to be on guard for councils will condemn them, He warned, and they will stand before rulers to bear witness. And the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations (Mark 13:9-27). To speak of those events He borrowed the fearful symbolical language of prophets:

"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. - Mar 13:24-27 ESV

The martyred saints beneath the altar are comforted as they hear about what was to happen to the seemingly invincible rulers of the earth's mighty nations.

So on to the opening of the seventh and final seal and the sealing of the great multitude, the 144,000, from every tribe of the sons of Israel. More on that in the next post.

And the application of this Word to all who believe in the Lord Jesus? Don't be surprised when the children of this world hate you and persecute you. Expect it. That is exactly what they did to our Lord Himself. Listen to words from the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 4:1-19).

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. . .  

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. . .  

. . . if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" (Proverbs 11:31) Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. - 1Pe 4:1-19 ESV

(A final note to this posting: The picture above is from a group of that teaches the Preterist View of the end times. Preterism denies that Revelation is a prophecy about the future. My readers may want to study that view, among the many interpretations of Revelation. As a Christian committed to the Lutheran Confessions of 1530, I must reject it. I'll have more to say about that in future postings.)

Running With Endurance

I'm still working through John's rock-solid introduction to The Revelation of Jesus Christ. He writes,

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. - Rev 1:9 ESV

Tribulation and patient endurance! These themes echo again and again in The Revelation:

"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. ... "'I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. - Rev 2:2, 19 ESV 

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. - Rev 3:10 ESV 

And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name." Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. - Rev 14:11-12 ESV

 The Apostle Paul recognized the importance of endurance as well:

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, - Rom 15:4-5 ESV

Just today my wife and I began to make plans to celebrate our upcoming wedding anniversary. I suggested that we go to a local steak house. Now you don't have to ask me to endure the eating of a fine steak washed down with a good mug of my favorite beer. Endurance applies rather to things like my heart bypass operation several years back and the later recovery process. Our spiritual life in Christ is more like that than Sylvia's and my upcoming anniversary celebration. God's Word does indeed speak of Christ's return to carry us as His bride to celebrate in the Father's house. Even now the wedding feast is ready. But we have not yet reached the king's dining hall.

"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast."' ... Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' - Mat 22:2-4, 8-9 ESV 

Meanwhile, however, we face opposition, conflict, temptation and—what's John's word here?—tribulation ! He calls himself our brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance. The parallel word for tribulation is persecution, something I wrote about in the immediately previous blog. We have great enemies out there in the world, enemies led by the prince of this world (Eph. 6:12; John 8:44; 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). And they do not back down.

Aware of that reality we need to teach and preach the truth about the Christian life. Yes, there are victories. Yes, there are miracles. Yes, Jesus is with us always. But tribulation, opposition, conflict and suffering in both body and spirit are ours as well. But let us not be discouraged. Listen again and again to the apostles as they offer encouragement in the Name of the Risen Christ.  

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. - Heb 12:1-3 ESV

Persecution of Christians Continues

The Apostle John writes that he was exiled to the island of Patmos because of his witness to Christ. The Lord Jesus had predicted that his disciples would be persecuted.

You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name's sake. - Luk 21:16-17 ESV

Again, the Apostle Paul wrote,

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. - 1Co 4:9-13 ESV

The Bible only mentions the death of two apostles,  James, son of Zebedee, put to death by Harod Agrippa shortly before Passover in year 44 (Acts 12:1-2), and Judas Iscariot who committed suicide. According to tradition or early historians, eight of them died as martyrs. John, as noted earlier, was exiled for a time to the island of Patmos. Various dates for his death were given by early writers, some saying it occurred around 100, some as late as 120 A.D. One tradition says that after his exile ended, he lived in Ephesus as the pastor of the church there and that Jesus' mother was with him (John 19:26).

Christians are still persecuted to the present. We read of various beheadings and other atrocities by members of ISIS in the Middle East. This is horrible and these brothers and sisters in the faith need our prayers. A new form of persecution is becoming the norm in the 21st century in Western countries and in the United States. Such concepts as 'true marriage' and 'natural family' are being attacked by the law in many Western countries. Rev. Franklin Graham of the Samaritan's Purse says that while the  type of bloody persecution of Christians in the Middle East has not yet reached America, the threat of Christian persecution on American soil is imminent. Graham claims there are radical Islamists advising the Obama administration, and that it is getting worse.

Rick Santorum, CEO of EchoLight Studios, and now announced presidential candidate, thanks God that the type of persecution occurring in the Middle East is not happening here, "but things weren't always that way in other parts of the world either. It starts with a gradual erosion."

Historical Context of Revelation

Many people question who the author of the book of Revelation is and when it was written. The author simply calls himself John. In the New Testament we know of two Johns, John the Baptist and John the Apostle. Since the Baptist was long dead, does the author simply assume that we will know it is the Apostle John who writes? Some of the earliest preserved writings of Christian leaders agree. Justin Martyr of Rome (A.D. 150), for instance, wrote that John the Apostle, son of Zebedee, was the author.

Now we have understood that the expression used among these words, 'According to the days of the tree [of life ] shall be the days of my people; the works of their toil shall abound' obscurely predicts a thousand years. For as Adam was told that in the day he ate of the tree he would die, we know that he did not complete a thousand years. We have perceived, moreover, that the expression, 'The day of the Lord is as a thousand years,' is connected with this subject. And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that thereafter the general, and, in short, the eternal resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place. Just as our Lord also said, 'They shall neither marry nor be given in marriage, but shall be equal to the angels, the children of the God of the resurrection.' Luke 20:35f. (Dialogue 81)

The authorship of Revelation was debated back and forth in the Eastern branch of the church. Eusebius (A.D. 325) wavered, but at one point wrote this about the Apostle John and the Apocalypse:

Domitian, having shown great cruelty toward many, and having unjustly put to death no small number of well-born and notable men at Rome, and having without cause exiled and confiscated the property of a great many other illustrious men, finally became a successor of Nero in his hatred and enmity toward God. He was in fact the second that stirred up a persecution against us, although his father Vespasian had undertaken nothing prejudicial to us.
Chapter 18. The Apostle John and the Apocalypse.
1. It is said that in this persecution the apostle and evangelist John, who was still alive, was condemned to dwell on the island of Patmos in consequence of his testimony to the divine word.
2. Irenæus (A.D. 180), in the fifth book of his work Against Heresies, where he discusses the number of the name of Antichrist which is given in the so-called Apocalypse of John, speaks as follows concerning him:
3. If it were necessary for his name to be proclaimed openly at the present time, it would have been declared by him who saw the revelation. For it was seen not long ago, but almost in our own generation, at the end of the reign of Domitian.

These quotes from Justin Martyr and Eusebius do not settle the issue for Mike Blume (Rightly Dividing the Word). He claims that Revelation was written before AD 70 by the Apostle and is a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, among other things. To support this he quotes a number of the earliest Church Fathers and ancient writings, such as the Muratorian Canon.

I mention all this in order to put the book into its historical context. From my perspective it seems best to conclude that the book was written by the Apostle from the island of Patmos toward the end of Domitian's reign (A.D. 90-95). Besides Eusebius this date is confirmed by the testimony of other early church fathers such as  Clement of Alexandria (200) and Origen (254).

Following the lead of Bruce Metzger then, I look at Revelation as a book written in code for Christians under persecution by the Roman Emperor Domitian. The code, of course, is based upon the Old Testament.

God Is Treating You As Children When You Are Persecuted

It is becoming more and more difficult to be a Christian. That's not to say that this difficulty is the same in every country. Since I live in the U.S.A. I can only speak for us in this country. Here the challenge is to deal with hostility in a quite differing manner than in some other places. Here we face what the Hebrews writer calls hostility in a different way than say in a predominately Muslim country. Listen to what he says.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. - Hbr 12:3-8 ESV

The Greek language has a unique word for hostility, one used primarily in this letter and once in Jude. The word is anti-logia. It would be what we call contradiction or dispute. The primary manner by which we Christians face hostility here is by indirect contradiction. In other words, much of what we stand for is considered irrelevant or narrow-minded. Plenty of examples of this:

• Christians are anti-scientific. They are the idiots who claim that evolution did not happen when all of the rest of the world knows that it did. These dimwits claim that the world is only about 6,000 years old while all the rest of the scientific world knows that our planet is billions of years old. 

• Christians are anti-scientific in another way as well. They claim that the entire world was once covered with a flood that wiped out all mankind except one family. There is no evidence of this. None! And yet they hold to this silly little concept because their sacred book says something like that. 

• Christians insist on something they call a soul. Now we all know that this is an outmoded concept. We are nothing more and nothing less than biological machines that have evolved along with all other forms of life. And soon the day will come when we will be able to download this biological information into advanced computers, eliminating the need for outmoded human bodies. We won't need then to talk about souls or spirits—a medieval, non-scientific mental construct. 

• Christians insist that their's is the only religion. What nonsense that is. As any thinking person knows, all religions have something to contribute to the mankind's search for meaning and relevance. Consequently what is called for in these modern times is dialogue, open, honest dialogue and respect. Then we'll all learn from one another. 

I could go on and on to talk about how many in the upcoming generations are taught by their teachers and the media to view Christians as quaint and well-meaning at best. Above all they are sidelined in a way that says, "We'll put up with you as long as you don't interfere. But be sure that you stay out of the way. We have far, far more interesting and important things to do." 

This, I suggest, is what much of modern hostility is about. And, if you are a Christian committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of Holy Scriptures you know what I mean. We Christians in the U.S.A. are not hauled into court directly for being Christians and then thrown to the lions. No we have to deal with the lions in our workplaces, in our schools and even in our homes. There we are challenged, mocked and despised and then driven at times to weariness and exhaustion. We get so tired of having to take up yet another confrontation, another dispute. Why, why? 

The Holy Spirit's answer to all this is (in Greek) paideia. This was the whole training and education of children. It was the work of parents, mentors and teachers. It was the task of getting children to use their minds, deal with the challenges of making decisions in the right way. It was the task of correcting them so that when they make a mistake they learn from the mistake, grow from it and become better prepared the next time they face the challenge. This is why the LORD allows us to be attacked, vilified, mocked and despised. It is part of the paideia, the discipline and training the LORD is putting us through so that we might grow up. 

More on this next time. 

Persecution of Christians Continues Around the World

Last Sunday, many of us worshippers heard our Lord Jesus tell us through the Gospel lesson that we would be persecuted as we go out into the world around us to share the good news of Christ's salvation. 

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ... Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. - Jhn 15:18, 20-21 ESV 

They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. - Jhn 16:2-3 ESV

In the 20th century Christians were driven from their homes and churches and even murdered by the millions. The past 100 years saw more Christians killed than in any previous. 

Here's an article from SHARING, the 2009 Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's World Relief and Human Care newsletter, providing information on how local churches care and protect persecuted Christians who have fled for their lives.

Van K’Pa*, 10, and his family are Montagnard refugees who came to the U.S. in 2005 traumatized from years of persecution for their Christian faith. Like thousands of other “mountain people” from hill tribes of Vietnam, they resettled in North Carolina, making it the largest Montagnard population outside of Vietnam.  

“They have lost a child, relatives, friends, homeland, culture, and almost all worldly possessions,” wrote Sheila Eichert, Neighborhood Outreach Director for Resurrection Lutheran Church, Charlotte, N.C. Van is one of about 120 refugee children who live within walking distance of outreach centers operated by the church

Following is also one of numerous articles on the website: Persecution.org - International Christian Concern - Your Bridge to the Persecuted Church - The site offers information and opportunities to file petitions for related issues in various countries. There are also opportunities to support families, children, women, and pastors, as well as to help rebuild communities devastated by persecution.

China Orders Closure of House Church in Inner Mongolia  Persecution News:

China Orders Closure of House Church in Inner Mongolia ICC Note: Yet another house church has been forcibly closed by the Religious Affairs Bureau in China. It's possible this closure is part of a larger plan by the Bureau to eradicate house churches across China over the next ten years. The Communist Party requires all churches to join the government controlled "three-self" church. Christians who continue to worship in unregistered churches are technically involved in illegal activity and may be arrested or fined. 

05/11/2013 China (ChinaAid) -Local religious affairs authorities in Inner Mongolia have banned a house church, giving it a deadline to shut down and to register with the local government-sanctioned Three-Self church to participate in its activities.

These and numerous other organizations encourage us to pray for our fellow Christians and support efforts to rescue and support them. The links above will get you started. There are many others offered on the Internet.
  

Freedom Of Religion Or Freedom From Religion?

Christians around the world are still persecuted for their faith. Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Christian pastor who was originally sentenced to death for holding on to his faith in that Islamic fundamentalist country, was acquitted of apostasy charges and released from prison on Sept. 8, 2012. His charges were lowered to evangelizing to Muslims, which carried a three-year sentence. . . Read more

Our Lord Jesus walked directly into the path of such persecution during the Jewish Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (Sukkoth - Hebrew). 

¹⁰ But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. ¹¹ The Jews were looking for him at the feast, and saying, “Where is he?” ¹² And there was much muttering about him among the people.While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” ¹³ Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him. . . ²⁵ Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? - John 7:10-25 - ESV

Why the hatred? Why did the Jews seek to kill Jesus? Because he was leading the people astray! From their point of view Jesus' teaching was contrary to God's revelation. According to Mosaic law, such false teaching brought the penalty of death, as is still so in most Islamic countries (Deut. 13:1-5).  

We who have freedom of speech and religious liberty here in the United States have difficulty in understanding such persecution. The United States Courts website says this about Freedom of Speech.

For example, freedom of speech includes the right:

• Not to speak (specifically, the right not to salute the flag).

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943).

• Of students to wear black armbands to school to protest a war (“Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.”).

Tinker v. Des Moines, 393 U.S. 503 (1969).

• To use certain offensive words and phrases to convey political messages.

Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971).

In turn, the First Amendment to the American Constitution has two provisions concerning religion: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. The Establishment clause prohibits the government from "establishing" a religion. 

The precise definition of "establishment" is unclear. Historically, it meant prohibiting state-sponsored churches, such as the Church of England. 

Today, what constitutes an "establishment of religion" is often governed under the three-part test set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971). Under the "Lemon" test, government can assist religion only if 1) the primary purpose of the assistance is secular; 2) the assistance must neither promote nor inhibit religion; and 3) there is no excessive entanglement between church and state. 

The Free Exercise Clause protects citizens' right to practice their religion as they please, so long as the practice does not run afoul of a "public morals" or a "compelling" governmental interest. For instance, in Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158 (1944) the Supreme Court held that a state could force the inoculation of children whose parents would not allow such action for religious reasons. The Court held that the state had an overriding interest in protecting public health and safety. 

Across the centuries church and state were always tied together. The Latin phrase cuis regio ejus religio, (whose realm, his religion) was the operating principle. In the days of the Reformation the various rulers of the German-speaking states agreed with the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, that this would be the principle in all their divided lands. In the Religious Peace of Augsburg (1555) this agreement finally ended the long conflict between Catholic and Protestant armies in the Holy Roman Empire. But this agreement also marked the beginnings of religious freedom as known in the United States.

In the following two centuries scientific and philosophical developments brought about what came to be called the Enlightenment. During those years diversity of thought brought many also to accept diversity of religion. In their search for new knowledge scholars and political leaders emphasized human reason. Enlightenment thinkers questioned all sorts of established ideas about God, religion and the fundamental laws of nature. Many rejected the concepts of supernatural revelation and miracles. Instead they thought of God as above and outside the world, acting only as the rational architect of the universe. This rational belief, known as Deism, was in sharp contrast to revealed religion as preserved in such books as the Bible and the Quran. 

People like Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were avid readers of the great philosophers of the European Enlightenment. They treasured the ideas found in the works of such thinkers as Descartes, Voltaire, Bacon and Locke. These ideas came to be included in the American Constitution. To them religion and worship of God were matters of personal opinion. The state was not to be involved. Each man was alone accountable to his God.

With this background one can easily see why Muslims, Hindus and other religions are so agitated when Christians seek to spread their religious views. In their eyes there can be no separation between religion and the affairs of state. The religious beliefs of the rulers and their people must be intertwined with all public and political matters. Anything less disrupts and destroys peace and unity in the land. Christian convictions and morality destroy the harmony of families and lands. Christians are seen as traitors who tear apart the basic religious beliefs that hold the nation together. In such countries there is no room whatsoever for Deistic or rationalistic views about religious issues.

Even here in the United States where we practice religious liberty tensions continue to arise over race, abortion, the death penalty, religious holidays and a wide variety of related issues. And yet what can we who follow Jesus do but speak out about our faith in him and in the teachings of the revealed Scriptures? Listen again to the words of Jesus:

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. - Luke 9:26 ESV

Persecution Within The Family

We're talking about Christians being persecuted. Jesus certainly was. The world he came to hated him and ultimately murdered him through a manufactured and false accusation of treason. The plot was already brewing, writes John, but it was not time for Jesus to die. Jesus told his brothers to go on to the Feast without him.

Now the Jews' Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come." After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. - Jhn 7:2-10 ESV

How it must have pained Jesus to know that even his brothers did not believe in him. What brothers? Has not a significant portion of the historical church taught that Mary was always a virgin, that she and Joseph never had sexual relations? The English translation of the Latin Mass has these words as part of the confession of sins:

I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary ever Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the angels and saints, and to you, brethren, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed: (here he strikes his breast three times) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault, and I ask Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Angels and you, brethren, to pray to the Lord our God for me. 

Notice Blessed Mary ever Virgin. Why is this so important to Christians who place themselves under the oversight of the Bishop of Rome, those known as Roman Catholics, as well as most of the Orthodox Churches? Here's what Orthodox teachers say about the doctrine.

When the heretics and simple blasphemers refuse to acknowledge the Ever-virginity of the Mother of God on the grounds that the Evangelists mention the "brothers and sisters of Jesus," they are refuted by the following facts from the Gospel:

a) In the Gospels there are named four "brothers" (James, Joses, Simon and Jude), and there are also mentioned the "sisters" of Jesus—no fewer than three, as is evident in the words: and His sisters, are they not ALL with us? (Matt. 13:56). 

On the other hand, b) in the account of the journey to Jerusalem of the twelve-year-old boy Jesus, where there is mention of the "kinsfolk and acquaintances" (Luke 2:44) in the midst of whom they were seeking Jesus, and where it is likewise mentioned that Mary and Joseph every year journeyed from faraway Galilee to Jerusalem, no reason is given to think that there were present other younger children with Mary: it was thus that the first twelve years of the Lord's earthly life proceeded. 

c) When, about twenty years after the above-mentioned journey, Mary stood at the cross of the Lord, she was alone, and she was entrusted by her Divine Son to His disciple John; and from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home (John 19:27). Evidently, as the ancient Christians also understood it, the Evangelists speak either of "half' brothers and sisters or of cousins.

The article continues at some length to provide evidence from various early church fathers and concludes that this teaching is securely based upon Apostolic Tradition handed down to us in a mystery and preserved in the church's worship. Such a statement places Tradition on the same level as Holy Scripture and leaves most of us Lutherans, as well as other Protestants, with a blank stare on our faces, because we do not and cannot accept Tradition on the same level of authority as the Scriptures. And yet Martin Luther accepted the perpetual virginity of Mary! In his writings on The Christian In Society, Luther said,

Scripture does not say or indicate that she later lost her virginity . . . When Matthew [1:25] says that Joseph did not know Mary carnally until she had brought forth her son, it does not follow that he knew her subsequently; on the contrary, it means that he never did know her . . . This babble . . . is without justification . . . he has neither noticed nor paid any attention to either Scripture or the common idiom. —Luther's Works, v.45:206,212-3 / That Jesus Christ was Born a Jew (1523).

But so very many, many battles have been fought over the place of Mary in the church and in the teachings of the church! These things the Bible does make clear about Mary:

• She played her part in the birth of our Lord Jesus and is rightly honored as The Mother of God (properly understood). Even Luther agreed to such a title since God worked this wonder in her to bring about so many good things that pass human understanding. 

• She is not, however, Co-Redemptrix: the idea that she gave free consent to give life to the Redeemer, to share his life, to suffer with him under the cross, to offer His sacrifice to God the Father for the sake of the redemption of mankind, and to bring about all particular post-assumption graces by way of intercession. The latter concept is included in the concept of Mediatrix which is a separate concept but regularly included by faithful Catholics who use the title of co-redemptrix.

• Nor is Mary or any other saint to be worshipped and prayed to. Jesus made it quite clear that we are to honor the First Commandment to have no other gods and that no man comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). 

Whether Mary did or did not have children by Joseph following the Savior's birth must remain an open question. My own church body, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, has no objection to the teaching that Jesus had actual brothers and sisters (John 7:1-10 and Luke 8:19-21).

I mention these things because we within the church have persecuted one another across the centuries. Wars have broken out between Catholics and Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox, and between one group of Protestants and other Protestants. All this is part of the plan of the dark powers to divert our attention away from the Gospel of Christ.  With that in mind we must all ponder these words of our Lord. 

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. - Mat 10:32-39 ESV

The Upward Call

The daily news is filled with stories of rioting, destruction and the murder of Christians around the world. This week we explore the persecution of Christians and ask two related questions: Why do so many hate Jesus and his disciples? And why does the Lord permit his children to be so treated?

In John 7 we read:

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. - Jhn 7:1 ESV

Why did the Jews of that day hate Jesus so much? Why did they try to kill a man whose every word and deed was filled with love and mercy? Earlier members of the Jewish party known as the Pharisees told Jesus that Herod wanted to kill him.

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." -Luke 13:31 ESV

The Pharisees were no friends of Jesus and they did not come to him out of concern for his personal safety. Rather, they wanted to lure him south where they had more influence and could arrange to kill him themselves. Galilee was the province of Herod Antipas, the youngest son of Herod the Great, by Herod's Samaritan wife Malthace. All during our Lord's ministry Herod Antipas ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea (Luke 23:7). He married his half-brother's wife Herodias. Herod threw John into prison because John had been publicly critical of that marriage. At Herodias' instigation, during a birthday party, Herod ordered John the Baptist beheaded (Matt. 14:1-12).

Now Jesus replied to the Pharisees,

"Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" - Luke 13:32-35 ESV

Jesus dared to call Herod a fox! To our modern ears that could sound like a compliment. We speak of women as being foxy. A strategic communications consulting firm even calls itself Smart As A Fox. That is not what Jesus meant. The Hebrew term is sual, a wild animal that infests vineyards and ruins and was much detested. Some believe that the word designates the jackal or does not distinguish between the fox and the jackal. It is as if Jesus called Herod a dirty, rotten, no-good, sneaky thief.

The Lord then goes on to tell them that he is not concerned. He has work to do today and tomorrow. He has a course to follow, a goal to reach, work to finish. It was all laid out. He knew what he was doing and that finally he would end up in Jerusalem. He was a prophet and he spoke God's Word, even though the people of that city and its rulers would not listen to it. The Apostle Paul used similar language as he wrote about his work. 

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. - Acts 20:24 ESV

Is the Lord Jesus and his apostle teaching each of us that we have a course to follow, work to accomplish and a certain ministry or service to perform in this life? The answer is decisively yes! Listen to Jesus again as he prays to his Father.

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. - Jhn 17:4 ESV

And listen to Paul as he speaks about his efforts to follow Christ's leading as if he were in a foot race.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. - Phl 3:13-17 ESV

Runners in a race do not look back. Their eyes are fixed upon the goal and their focus is upon what is happening in the moment. The course is laid out for them. The race is before them. So they eagerly press on (the same verb is translated elsewhere as persecute) with all their might and energy.

Jesus' disciples seek only to obtain the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. What awaits them at the end of the race is the certain promise of the resurrection and the glory of being with Jesus and all those whom Jesus has chosen and called to spend eternity with him in the new creation. This is the inheritance, the prize before us. No more fighting, persecution, suffering, tears and death. Rather what awaits us is peace, rest, harmony, joy, laughter and singing in a new heaven and a new earth. We are heading for home and it won't be long now. So we press on, imitating Paul and all those who have gone before us.

We'll study more about this upward call and why we are persecuted for pursuing our various callings to follow Jesus next time.

Persecution of Christians Continues Today

Recently I heard a pastor tell his congregation that the 20th century has been a time when more Christians were persecuted than in any previous. While I acknowledge that the persecution of us Christians has been immense during the past century, I wonder how we can know that this is so.

There are a number of websites that bring news about persecution and suffering of Christians world wide. Here is a partial list from a Google search:

• Persecution News of Churches Persecuted & Christian Sufferings
• The Voice of Martyrs
• Christian Persecution Info
• Open Doors: serving persecution Christians worldwide
• Christian Freedom: serving the persecuted church
• History of Christianity portfolio: with stories of martyrs 

The Religion Facts site, writing about persecution in the early church, states the following: 

The total number of Christians martyred in the early church is unknown. Although some early writers speak of "great multitudes," modern scholars tend to believe the actual number is not so great as is sometimes imagined. Out of the 54 emperors who ruled between 30 and 311 AD, only about a dozen went out of their way to persecute Christians.{5}
It has been calculated that between the first persecution under Nero in 64 to the Edict of Milan in 313, Christians experienced 129 years of persecution and 120 years of toleration and peace. {6} 

The Roman persecutions were generally sporadic, localized, and dependent on the political climate and disposition of each emperor. Moreover, imperial decrees against Christians were often directed against church property, the Scriptures, or clergy only. It has been estimated that more Christians have been martyred in the last 50 years than in the church's first 300 years. {7}

 The last sentence quoted above comes from Dr. Everett Ferguson, "Did You Know?" Christian History, Issue 27 (Vol. XI, No. 3), inside cover. Dr. Ferguson (born 2/18/1933) is professor of Bible at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX. and author of Backgrounds of Early Christianity (Eerdmans, 1987). He currently serves as Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Abilene Christian University and  is author of numerous books on early Christian studies. He served as co-editor of the Journal of Early Christian Studies. 


So far I have not discovered how Dr. Ferguson arrived at his conclusions. From my own reading of history and from the perspective of most historians, it is not safe to make such sweeping comments. I did find one website listing "Selected Death Tolls for Wars, Massacres and Attrocities Before the 20th Century." Matthew White, the author of that site, writes, 

"The principle argument against the accuracy of ancient atrocity statistics is that they come from innumerate societies without the modern skill in counting large numbers of people and keeping accurate records. Conquerors liked to brag about their exploits, and the vast hordes of the enemy army grew with each retelling. Civilization before the Enlightenment was rather flexible when it came to historic accuracy, and medieval historians never let the truth get in the way of a good story . . .

"We should keep in mind that many of the numbers from well-documented modern horrors are too big to be believed, but true nonetheless. The danger in doubting too easily is that we'll approach the subject with a double standard, believing the stories we want to believe, and denying the ones we don't."

The lessons in all of this are several:

1. Be cautious about making sweeping statements about such things as persecution, hatred, etc. without a solid basis for what you say or write. Everyone writes history from personal bias.
2. Be ready to examine your motives for making any such statements, e.g. "I want to shock you into realizing what a dangerous world we Christians live in and what a brave person I am to endure hatred and persecution in my own life."   
3. Know that Jesus did indeed predict that we Christians must be prepared to take up our own crosses to follow him (Luke 9:23-29; 14:26-27, etc.). We will be persecuted, because the world is under the control of the god of this world, Satan (Ephesians 2:2-3; John 8:44; 12:30-31, etc.).
4. Your quiet, but firm witness to your faith in Jesus as the Christ can and will have great influence upon those around you. 
5. In all of this, recognize that enduring persecution and hatred is not a way to get the LORD to admire, love or forgive you. As always, we are saved by His grace. Our salvation and hope is and always will be a precious and most undeserved gift (Ephesians 2:4-9).

Christ's Power In My Weakness

I am meditating upon the Biblical revelation about Satan and the demonic forces under his control. Today I invite you to consider what the Apostle Paul calls his thorn in the flesh. Here's what he writes:

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

These Bible verses continue to be much discussed. Here are some of the questions that arise:

• Who gave Paul his thorn in his flesh? 
• What was the nature of this thorn? 
• Why does he call it a messenger of Satan? Did Satan give it to him? And was it a live messenger or merely a message? 
• He pleads for the Lord Jesus to take it away and receives an answer. But how did the answer come? 
• What is grace promised? Is it the same as Christ's power?

In this chapter Paul refers to great revelations that occurred fourteen years earlier when he was caught up to the third heaven. He doesn't know whether it was a bodily catching up or something that he experienced in his spirit, without his body. That raises a whole host of questions about out of body experiences (OBE). There are even people who claim they can teach you certain techniques for triggering an OBE and, as you may have guessed, there are many books about near-death and out-of-body experiences. The whole thing is also called "astral projection." I hesitate to give you links to this information, lest you think that the Scripture and God's revelation speak of the same thing and approve of it, for it is but another of the many ways by which the demonic powers confuse and seduce people. For Paul this was an experience "in Christ," one reborn and renewed by Christ's saving grace (2 Cor. 5:17-21). It was not an experience he gained by his own magical or scientific technique.

Paul's experience was not something he sought. He writes about it in a passive tense. He hesitates even to name himself as the one who was caught up, although it is obvious he speaks about himself as the one who received these revelations. Where is this "third heaven" to which Paul journeyed? I have written some detailed Blogs about these questions. See Heaven and Parallel Universes and What And Where Is Heaven? Essentially Paul is saying that the third heaven is outside our atmosphere and beyond the heavens or universe out there among the stars. He was taken beyond the second and into a third heaven, into the very presence of God. There certain things were revealed to him that no mere mortal may discuss. Beyond that, we have no information about how it happened or where the third heaven is.

When did this happen? Paul says it took place "fourteen years ago". Some suggest that this occurred fourteen years prior to writing this letter when Paul was stoned and left for dead in Lystra (Acts 14:19-20). Near death, he traveled to the third heaven, but returned to his body and continued his mission work. Others suggest this was part of Paul's Damascus trance (Acts 22:17-21). We cannot speak about the incident Paul describes here with certainty, however, since there are no other references to it in the New Testament. It may indeed have been a unique experience and not refer to anything mentioned in the book of Acts.

All this is background to our questions about Paul's thorn and Satan's messenger.

The word for messenger in Greek is our word 'angel'. Some speculate that Satan sent a particular demon, a fallen angel, to attack the Apostle. We know that demonic influence upon unbelievers and believers alike can be great. They who give themselves to this influence can also eventually become completely possessed by one or many demons (Mark 5:7-15). In Paul's case, the demons operated through men and the attacks were relentless.

What was the nature of those attacks? He defines them in v. 10 when he writes "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities." In the previous chapter we read of the Judaizers who sought to discredit his apostleship and thus undermine the work of the Gospel among the Gentiles (2 Cor. 11:13-15). They said, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." Again and again Paul was mocked, reproached, persecuted, stoned, shipwrecked, etc. He details these experiences in the previous chapter (2 Corinthians 11:23-33).

In addition to the organized opposition he encountered Paul had some kind of physical weakness (Galatians 4:13-14). Was it poor eyesight (Galatians 6:11)? Did he have a high pitched voice? Did he lack in oratory skills (1 Corinthians 2:1-4)? Did he have malaria? We don't know. The point, however, is that Paul's demon attacked him both physically and spiritually until he was beaten down to the point of exhaustion.

The lesson for us today? Satan and  his minions want to devour you like a ravenous lion devours its prey (1 Peter 5:8). He wants nothing less than to overwhelm your heart and soul with disappointment, despair and hopelessness. He wants to weigh you down until you can no longer arise. He wants to convince you that life is meaningless and that there is nothing for which to hope. He wants you to curse God and die (Job 2:9). Once that happens he has you for all eternity and can forever feed upon your wretched and  helpless soul.

To accomplish this the demons attack us when we are physically and spiritually weak. They taunt and tempt us to abandon our faith in God and His undeserved mercy in Christ. In these times we do well to learn with Paul to rejoice in our weaknesses and throw ourselves completely upon Christ's mercy. Then we will learn of Christ's power at work in us and not our own. Then will we learn of the strength and power that does not reside in us, but comes from beyond us. Then will we learn to say with Paul, "I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

Signs Pointing To Christ's Return

Yesterday morning I had breakfast with a friend at a local restaurant, as we often do on Wednesdays. We talked about the sorry state of world affairs and the struggles we both have in personal and family life. That is a common theme of our conversations. A couple hours later a pastor-friend dropped by my study to share some all too familiar problems he has in shepherding his flock. Members of long standing are no longer coming to worship. No matter what he or his elders do or say, they will not fellowship with other members. In several cases those folks even refused to open their doors when visitors from their congregation come by.

As you know, if you've followed this week's Blogs, we are meditating upon lessons the church has chosen to read on this second-last Sunday of the church's year of worship. The Gospel, Luke 21:5-28, speaks about the same things that my two friends and I discussed. Jesus says we are not to be surprised when we hear about earthquakes, famines and pestilences, as well as terrors and great signs from heaven. What do we read in the news? Here's an example from but a few weeks ago:

A sudden storm left at least five quake survivors dead and dozens more wounded as it blasted through Haiti's capital, tearing down shabby tent homes, trees and power lines. Those killed on Friday included two young girls and a 93-year-old woman who lived in close quarters with the tens of thousands of people left homeless by the powerful January 12 quake that devastated this impoverished Caribbean nation. 

In addition to that, we hear of Christians being persecuted in many lands, as has been the case from Jesus' day to the present. This very month we read about a string of anti-Christian killings in Baghdad. Since Tuesday evening of last week, there have been 13 bombs and two mortar attacks on homes and shops of Christians in which a total of six people were killed and 33 injured. A church was also damaged.

The attacks came less than two weeks after 44 Christian worshippers, two priests and seven security personnel died in the seizure of a Baghdad church by Islamist gunmen and the ensuing shootout when it was stormed by troops.

Our Lord Jesus predicted this very thing as he said, "You will be hated by all for my name's sake" (Luke 21:16-17). He also said these sorts of things in the natural world and in human affairs would continue right up to the very end of this present age. Listen to His words:

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:23-27).

We Christians are a peculiar lot. We believe that our Lord and God is intimately involved both in the happenings of the natural world and in the affairs of man. So deeply committed is He that He chose to become one with us, a plan He announced from the creation of the universe. He by whom all things were made and without whom nothing can continue, became a Man. He did all this so that He might rescue us from our own folly and unfaithfulness by His sacrificial death upon a cross (see John 1:1-16).
He who came once in great humility is coming again soon to complete what began then. When He returns we and the entire created world will finally be set free from hatred, war and death. That's the new song we sing and we invite everyone to join with us (Psalm 98:1-9).

Christmas Swords

Sylvia loves the Hallmark channel on TV. Last night I glanced at the movie playing while going about some other tasks. The story was about a blended family that was having trouble adjusting. Their problems went on for the required two hours before they were wondrously resolved and the family, plus grandparents, sat down for Christmas dinner, filled with thanksgiving and smiles. They thanked the Lord for their First Christmas together.

How nice, I thought.

This same week a friend asked me why Jesus would ever advise someone to sell his cloak and buy a sword. The reference is from Luke 22. Jesus and his disciples were gathered as if they were a family for the Last Supper before he was crucified. It was the Passover.

During the meal the men started quarreling about which among them was considered to be the greatest. Jesus pointedly reminded them they were thinking and acting like the politicians of this world. He was conferring on them a kingdom in which things were quite different. In Jesus' kingdom the greatest are those who serve, even as he, their king, came among them to serve.

Then he turned to Peter who was considered the leader of the group and told him he had prayed for him. Peter, quite unaware of his own vulnerability, promised to follow Jesus even into death. This was a promise he was totally unprepared to keep, as events would soon show.

At this point Jesus changed the topic. He asked them to recall how they never lacked anything while following him. When he sent them on a mission they always had food and shelter. They all agreed. But now it was all to change. No longer would things go so smoothly. With what was to happen to Jesus they would soon be in grave danger. Now they had better take a purse of money and carry a bag with clothing. Moreover they had better be prepared to defend themselves, even if it meant doing so with a sword. And, if they couldn't afford a sword, well, they had better sell their cloaks and buy one.

The reason I quote these two incidents, one from TV-land and the other from the Bible, is to point out that we followers of Christ are advised to ask ourselves what's going on when the world likes us and welcomes with open arms our celebration of the Savior's birth. By the world I refer to all who reject Jesus' claims to being Lord and Savior, God and man in one person. This crowd hates him, because he challenges everything about their way of life, their greed, pride, selfishness and idolatry. He calls them to turn away from all this, admit to it and humbly accept what he and he alone can give them, God's forgiveness and eternal life. Because they cannot and will not, they hate him and all of his followers. World-wide persecution of Christians continues unabated in our day.

Eight days after his birth Jesus' parents brought him to the temple to be circumcised, as the laws of the Covenant required. 33 days later they returned to complete the purification rituals for mothers who had given birth. While there an old man by the name of Simeon came up to them and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, pronounced a blessing upon them and the Child.

Then he said something most peculiar to Mary:

"Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2).

What was this sword? It was the sword wielded by the Romans. Under the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, the government pronounced Jesus guilty of sedition and sentenced him to death upon a cross. This was the sword that pierced Mary's heart, for she was unable to stop the vicious murder of the Son she had born.

The warning in all of this is clear. Let us not get too caught up in the syruppy mess the world around us calls Christmas. This Child whose birth we Christians celebrate is the same One who, a little over thirty years later, was despised, rejected and murdered by the very world he came to rescue from judgment and eternal death.