Women in the Church
We can see in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament YHVH has an important role for women. I would like to discuss this role in both Testaments.
Old Testament:
Eve: God makes male and female in His image. God uses the rib of the man as a symbol of their equality. An old story of the rib is told by Rabbi Joshua:
"God deliberated from what member He would create woman, and He reasoned with Himself thus: I must not create her from Adam's head, for she would be a proud person, and hold her head high. If I create her from the eye, then she will wish to pry into all things; if from the ear, she will wish to hear all things; if from the mouth, she will talk much; if from the heart, she will envy people; if from the hand, she will desire to take all things; if from the feet, she will be a gadabout. Therefore I will create her from the member which is hid, that is the rib, which is not even seen when man is naked."[9] (Wikepedia)
The words used for the creation of the female and her help to man imply equality (Hebrew: ézer k neged). This word is the same word used for help that YHVH gives His people. There is nothing of less importance in this word for helper.
Miriam: She was a leader is Israel. Micah 6:4 -God says He sent Moses, also Aaron and Miriam to Lead the Israelites.
Deborah: A judge and leader of Israel and a prophet. Judges 4:4. Deut 17:9-12
Huldah: A prophet who was consulted by high priests. 2 Kings 22:11-20; 2 Chr. 34:22-28
Isaiah's Wife: Called a prophet (Isa 8:3)
Joel 2: 28-29 YHVH will pour out His Spirit on all people. Sons and daughters will prophesy. YHVH will pour out His Spirit even on men and women servants. Acts 2:16-18 the scripture is fulfilled on Pentecost.
Esther: Was called by YHVH to save her people and to become a leader over them.
New Testament:
Mark 15:40 Luke 8:1-3: Women were allowed to support Yehoshua financially.
Mat 19:4-9 Mark 10:2-9, John 8:7: Men leave their parents to be united with their wife. Women did not leave their family to be united with their husband.
Mat 9:20 Mark 5:25 Luke 8:43: Jewish women were not supposed to speak in public to a religious leader, because of the Greco-Roman influences over the Jewish culture. Yet Yehoshua called her to public dialogue and called her, daughter. He affirmed her faith in public when it was shameful for women to read from religious teachings in public, because of the Greco-Roman influences on Jewish culture.
Luke 13:10-17: Yeoshua called a crippled woman to the front of the synagogue where women were not allowed. He called her a daughter of Abraham when only men were referred to as sons of Abraham.
John 11:27 Mat 12:47 Mark 10:29: Whoever did the will of YHVH was considered His brother, and sister, and mother.
John 11:27 Luke 10:38: Martha had the Revelation that Yeoshua was the Messiah. Yehoshua let Mary sit at his feet which was a phrase, meaning a student learning from a teacher.
Mat 12:42: The Queen of Sheba would rise in judgment and condemn the generation of his day.
Mat 28:8-10 John 20:17 Mark 16:14: After Yeoshua was resurrected, He appeared first to women and gave them the first opportunity to report that he has risen. His disciples were rebuked later for not believing the women.
Col 2:11-12: The mark of the believer changes from a gender exclusive one, circumcision, to a gender inclusive one, baptism.
Acts 1:14-2:4: On Pentecost 120 men and women had received the gift of tongues and began speaking in languages they did not know.
Luke2:36-38: the prophet Anna gives thanks to YHVH for baby Yeoshua at the temple.
Acts 21:9: Luke tells us that the evangelist Peter has four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
Gal 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ.
Phil 4:2-3 Paul says there were two women who were at his side the cause of the gospel. Phoebe is called a deacon/minister of the church. Diakonos in the Greek does not mean servant, but of deacon like duties.
Rom 16:1-15:
Ephesians 11: Yeoshua gave gifts to His -people -some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. The word in the Greek for people used here anthropos which means for both men and women.
Rom 16:7 Paul calls Junia an outstanding apostle. Scholars say Junia was a common female name in that day.
The scriptures in question:
1 Cor 14:34-36: women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
This seems contrary to all the information above and in fact there is no law in scripture that tells women to be silent. Jewish oral law said women need be silent in synagogues and it was the influence of the Greco-Roman culture on the Jewish culture that made women second class. Paul speaks about women prophesying and praying earlier without rebuke. There is an additional mark in the Greek after these verses indicating a refutation to what was just said. It is as if these verses were made in sarcasm. Some translations include after theses verse Paul saying, What? As if to say why do you think this way??
It is also likely that Paul was speaking only of the women in that church area who were known for corrupting YHVH's word.
It is seen from Old Testament and New Testament that women are an important part of the church in the teaching/leading/prophesying/deaconship/tongues and take part in all of the spiritual gifts YHVH has given.
1 Tim 2:11-15: A women should learn in quietness and full submission. In that time that was a way of saying being a good student which was amazing since women were not taught at that time.
I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be quiet. The word in Greek for authority here is authentein. Research has shown this word more closely means to have the upper hand or dominate. Women often used their sexual ploys to have an upper hand with men and taught them their corrupted versions of the truth in some church areas.
This behavior was being admonished and corrected here by Paul.
Clearly a woman with good intent, having a strong hold on YHVH's word may teach a man who is in need of truth and may preach the word of YHVH to a congregation in need of it.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The End is Near
The End is Near
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under thesun." -- Ecclesiastes 3:1
My child just as in the beginning I marked off the different seasons, sohave I appointed a time for every activity and every deed. Therefore be ofgood cheer, for though you have been in a season of being salted by fire; Iam about to do something new. Though you may not perceive it, it willspring up.
My child, you have said in your heart "Why is this burning taking solong,for I feel so dry?", and that you have felt bewildered as you seeminglywandered through the land of confusion. But I have led you down thislengthy desert road so that My Name might be glorified. For if I had takenyou on a shorter route, the enemy would have raged against your soul muchmore severe and you may have become too discouraged and given up.
But now I decree to you that your days are numbered and your deliverance isclose at hand. For just as Esther had to undergo twelve months of beautytreatments before she could appear before the king, so have you beenundergoing something similar. Just as the Israelites salted the grainoffering and how it was made the most holy of all the offerings,so as it iswith you that you be made holy and set apart for the Lord. For I requireall offerings to be salted and burned as to be a sweet smelling aroma untoMe.
All of your days are ordained for you beloved and are written in My bookeven before one of them came into being; therefore do not be anxious aboutstriving or if the mistakes you have made disqualify you. For it is I whoworks in you to will and to act accordingly to My good purpose, and thework I began in you I will carry it on to completion until the day of JesusChrist. For you can do nothing against Me because I work all thingstogether for good for those who love Me and are called to My purpose.
Therefore, My child, rejoice! For it is through your prayers and the helpgiven by the Holy Spirit that what has happened will turn out for yourdeliverance. For I am making a way in the desert and streams in thewasteland, so My chosen people may drink because I am sending rain initsappointed season.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under thesun." -- Ecclesiastes 3:1
My child just as in the beginning I marked off the different seasons, sohave I appointed a time for every activity and every deed. Therefore be ofgood cheer, for though you have been in a season of being salted by fire; Iam about to do something new. Though you may not perceive it, it willspring up.
My child, you have said in your heart "Why is this burning taking solong,for I feel so dry?", and that you have felt bewildered as you seeminglywandered through the land of confusion. But I have led you down thislengthy desert road so that My Name might be glorified. For if I had takenyou on a shorter route, the enemy would have raged against your soul muchmore severe and you may have become too discouraged and given up.
But now I decree to you that your days are numbered and your deliverance isclose at hand. For just as Esther had to undergo twelve months of beautytreatments before she could appear before the king, so have you beenundergoing something similar. Just as the Israelites salted the grainoffering and how it was made the most holy of all the offerings,so as it iswith you that you be made holy and set apart for the Lord. For I requireall offerings to be salted and burned as to be a sweet smelling aroma untoMe.
All of your days are ordained for you beloved and are written in My bookeven before one of them came into being; therefore do not be anxious aboutstriving or if the mistakes you have made disqualify you. For it is I whoworks in you to will and to act accordingly to My good purpose, and thework I began in you I will carry it on to completion until the day of JesusChrist. For you can do nothing against Me because I work all thingstogether for good for those who love Me and are called to My purpose.
Therefore, My child, rejoice! For it is through your prayers and the helpgiven by the Holy Spirit that what has happened will turn out for yourdeliverance. For I am making a way in the desert and streams in thewasteland, so My chosen people may drink because I am sending rain initsappointed season.
Is God just Love? or is he Holy too?
Is God just Love? or is he Holy too?
I think many of us perceive God as a Loving God, almost as an Unconditionally Loving God....
Yes God is Love...
But something we have Forgotten about...is that God is HOLY !!!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come- Revelation 4:8
When we go to heaven, we won't be crying "Loving Loving Loving is our Lord God Almighty, who loves me today and tomorrow and yesterday and every other day"
well I got an eye-opener and a half for you....
have you read this verse:
You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;with you the wicked cannot dwell.
The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;you hate all who do wrong.
- Psalm 5:4-5
So could God be a God of Unconditional Love?
what does that mean?
To Love beyond all Conditions....
it says in Psalm 5:5
"You HATE ALL WHO DO WRONG"
that may be tough to hear, but instead of taking it as tough, take it as convicting, remember that God doesn't want to Hate us, but because he is so HOLY HOLY HOLY he cannot stand within the presence of sin and of those who follow after lawlessness
So You've Read that Verse? What About this One?
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven
- Matthew 7:21
What do you suppose that verse means?
Exactly what it says....however sad it may be, we have to remember that if God is Holy, he must also be Loving....Loving toward the righteous, not the sinful,
God is a Holy and Loving God....but in order for us to grasp who he truly is....we must not see his Love as such a thing where we can do anything and live in rebellion, for he is a Holy God....and he cannot stand it when we sin....
and we can't view him as a Holy God with no Love, because then we feel that he is distant...when in truth, he's only as distant as we allow him to be...
He knows everything about us:- Psalm 139
but in order for us to Both Know Each other, we must get rid of our sins, by get rid of them I mean forsake them....and never look back....
We will always be tempted to go back, but it's important that we never do go back.......and when we're deep enough with him, even when we're tempted, we won't want to go back....his Holiness and Lovingness all put together will be more than we could have ever imagined before we knew him.......
God is Love:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him- 1 John 3:1
You want God to Know You, and his Love fall down upon you....then read this verse, and remember it, and meditate upon it throughout the day:
But the man who LOVES God is KNOWN by God- 1 Corinthians 8:3
Love God, that is how he can know us....
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us- 1 John 4:12
and as a result of loving God, our Love will come to others, because we Love God and because of following after his righteousness commandments and acknowledging him as a HOLY HOLY HOLY GOD....and Living Knowing that he is a HOLY HOLY HOLY GOD....
Remember God is Love, but Don't Forget.....
HOLY HOLY HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY- Revelation 4:8
We can never be perfect enough to be Holy enough to be with him, for all have sinned- Romans 3:23
but because of Christ's death on the Cross, the wages and price of sin is paid, for all that believe and follow after righteousness
- Romans 6:23- Romans 10:9- John 14:23
God Bless You All,
Forever In Christ <>< Michael
Remember:
The LORD detests the way of the wickedbut he loves those who pursue righteousness
- Proverbs 15:9
Don't forget those words.....
God Detests the Way of the Wicked
But he LOVES those who Pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS
so go now....and live in Righteousness, following the Example of Jesus Christ
I think many of us perceive God as a Loving God, almost as an Unconditionally Loving God....
Yes God is Love...
But something we have Forgotten about...is that God is HOLY !!!
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come- Revelation 4:8
When we go to heaven, we won't be crying "Loving Loving Loving is our Lord God Almighty, who loves me today and tomorrow and yesterday and every other day"
well I got an eye-opener and a half for you....
have you read this verse:
You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;with you the wicked cannot dwell.
The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;you hate all who do wrong.
- Psalm 5:4-5
So could God be a God of Unconditional Love?
what does that mean?
To Love beyond all Conditions....
it says in Psalm 5:5
"You HATE ALL WHO DO WRONG"
that may be tough to hear, but instead of taking it as tough, take it as convicting, remember that God doesn't want to Hate us, but because he is so HOLY HOLY HOLY he cannot stand within the presence of sin and of those who follow after lawlessness
So You've Read that Verse? What About this One?
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven
- Matthew 7:21
What do you suppose that verse means?
Exactly what it says....however sad it may be, we have to remember that if God is Holy, he must also be Loving....Loving toward the righteous, not the sinful,
God is a Holy and Loving God....but in order for us to grasp who he truly is....we must not see his Love as such a thing where we can do anything and live in rebellion, for he is a Holy God....and he cannot stand it when we sin....
and we can't view him as a Holy God with no Love, because then we feel that he is distant...when in truth, he's only as distant as we allow him to be...
He knows everything about us:- Psalm 139
but in order for us to Both Know Each other, we must get rid of our sins, by get rid of them I mean forsake them....and never look back....
We will always be tempted to go back, but it's important that we never do go back.......and when we're deep enough with him, even when we're tempted, we won't want to go back....his Holiness and Lovingness all put together will be more than we could have ever imagined before we knew him.......
God is Love:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him- 1 John 3:1
You want God to Know You, and his Love fall down upon you....then read this verse, and remember it, and meditate upon it throughout the day:
But the man who LOVES God is KNOWN by God- 1 Corinthians 8:3
Love God, that is how he can know us....
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us- 1 John 4:12
and as a result of loving God, our Love will come to others, because we Love God and because of following after his righteousness commandments and acknowledging him as a HOLY HOLY HOLY GOD....and Living Knowing that he is a HOLY HOLY HOLY GOD....
Remember God is Love, but Don't Forget.....
HOLY HOLY HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY- Revelation 4:8
We can never be perfect enough to be Holy enough to be with him, for all have sinned- Romans 3:23
but because of Christ's death on the Cross, the wages and price of sin is paid, for all that believe and follow after righteousness
- Romans 6:23- Romans 10:9- John 14:23
God Bless You All,
Forever In Christ <>< Michael
Remember:
The LORD detests the way of the wickedbut he loves those who pursue righteousness
- Proverbs 15:9
Don't forget those words.....
God Detests the Way of the Wicked
But he LOVES those who Pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS
so go now....and live in Righteousness, following the Example of Jesus Christ
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
When God calls little children
When God calls little children to dwell with Him above, We mortals sometimes question the wisdom of His love.
For no heartache compares with the death of one small child, Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild. Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to His fold, So He picks a rosebud before it can grow old. God knows how much we need them and so He takes but few, To make the land of Heaven more beatiful to view. Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try, The saddest word mankind knows will always be "Goodbye." So when a little child departs we who are left behind, Must realize God loves little children Angels are hard to find.
Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the Surgeon come out of the operating room. She said "How is my little boy? Is he going to be O.K.? When can I see him?" The Surgeon said, "I'm sorry, we did all we could." Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer, doesn't GOD care any more? GOD, where were you when my son needed you?" The Surgeon said, "One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes to let you spend time with your son's remains before it's transported to the university". Sally asked that the nurse stay with her while she said good-bye to her son. Sally ran her fingers through his thick red curly hair. The nurse said, "Would you like a lock of his hair?" Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of his hair and put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. Sally said, "It was Jimmy's idea to give his body to the university for study. He said it might help somebody else," and that is what he wanted. I said, No at first, but Jimmy said, "Mom I won't be using it after I die, maybe it will help some other little boy to be able to spend one more day with his mother". Sally said, "My Jimmy had a heart of Gold, always thinking of someone else and always wanting to help others if he could". Sally walked out of the Children's Hospital for the last time now after spending most of the last 6 months there. She sat the bag with Jimmy's things in it on the seat beside of her in the car. The drive home was hard and it was even harder to go into an empty house. She took the bag to Jimmy's room and started placing the model cars and things back in his room exactly where he always kept them. She laid down across his bed and cried herself to sleep holding his pillow. Sally woke up about midnight and laying beside of her on the bed, was a letter folded up. She opened the letter, it said:
Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me, but don't think that I will ever forget you or stop loving you because I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU. I'll think of you every day mom and I'll love you even more each day. Some day we will see each other again. If you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, he can have my room and my old stuff to play with. If you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things as us boys do, so you will have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like. Don't be sad when you think about me, this is really a great place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything here. The angels are so friendly, and I love to watch them fly. Jesus doesn't look like any of the pictures I saw of Him, but I knew it was Him as soon as I saw Him. Jesus took me to see GOD! And guess what mom? I got to sit on GOD'S knee and talk to Him like I was somebody important. I told GOD that I wanted to write you a letter and tell you good-bye and everything, but I knew that wasn't allowed. God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter with. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel that is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him about... Where was He when I needed him? God said, "The same place He was when Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. I almost forgot to let you know - Now I don't hurt anymore, the cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me suffer the pain either, so He sent The Angel of Mercy to get me. The Angel said I was Special Delivery!
Signed with love from God & Jesus & Me
For no heartache compares with the death of one small child, Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild. Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to His fold, So He picks a rosebud before it can grow old. God knows how much we need them and so He takes but few, To make the land of Heaven more beatiful to view. Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try, The saddest word mankind knows will always be "Goodbye." So when a little child departs we who are left behind, Must realize God loves little children Angels are hard to find.
Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the Surgeon come out of the operating room. She said "How is my little boy? Is he going to be O.K.? When can I see him?" The Surgeon said, "I'm sorry, we did all we could." Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer, doesn't GOD care any more? GOD, where were you when my son needed you?" The Surgeon said, "One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes to let you spend time with your son's remains before it's transported to the university". Sally asked that the nurse stay with her while she said good-bye to her son. Sally ran her fingers through his thick red curly hair. The nurse said, "Would you like a lock of his hair?" Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of his hair and put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. Sally said, "It was Jimmy's idea to give his body to the university for study. He said it might help somebody else," and that is what he wanted. I said, No at first, but Jimmy said, "Mom I won't be using it after I die, maybe it will help some other little boy to be able to spend one more day with his mother". Sally said, "My Jimmy had a heart of Gold, always thinking of someone else and always wanting to help others if he could". Sally walked out of the Children's Hospital for the last time now after spending most of the last 6 months there. She sat the bag with Jimmy's things in it on the seat beside of her in the car. The drive home was hard and it was even harder to go into an empty house. She took the bag to Jimmy's room and started placing the model cars and things back in his room exactly where he always kept them. She laid down across his bed and cried herself to sleep holding his pillow. Sally woke up about midnight and laying beside of her on the bed, was a letter folded up. She opened the letter, it said:
Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me, but don't think that I will ever forget you or stop loving you because I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU. I'll think of you every day mom and I'll love you even more each day. Some day we will see each other again. If you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, he can have my room and my old stuff to play with. If you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things as us boys do, so you will have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like. Don't be sad when you think about me, this is really a great place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything here. The angels are so friendly, and I love to watch them fly. Jesus doesn't look like any of the pictures I saw of Him, but I knew it was Him as soon as I saw Him. Jesus took me to see GOD! And guess what mom? I got to sit on GOD'S knee and talk to Him like I was somebody important. I told GOD that I wanted to write you a letter and tell you good-bye and everything, but I knew that wasn't allowed. God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter with. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel that is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him about... Where was He when I needed him? God said, "The same place He was when Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. I almost forgot to let you know - Now I don't hurt anymore, the cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me suffer the pain either, so He sent The Angel of Mercy to get me. The Angel said I was Special Delivery!
Signed with love from God & Jesus & Me
Was Jesus' Return a Waste of Time?
Was Jesus' Return a Waste of Time?
Commentary on the News
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Jan Markell ChristianNet.com recently asked readers to respond to the question, "Are we living in the end-times?" Of the hundreds surveyed, 75% responded positively.One said, "Everything Jesus spoke about in regards to the signs of the times at His return is happening right before our eyes." Many of the respondents agreed that what is happening in the world today is fulfilling Bible prophecies regarding the last days.
Some also stated that Christians should not be fearful of this time but rather be rejoicing. One said these days are as they were in the days of Noah (Matthew 24). Another believer exclaimed, "You can see it, taste it, smell it, hear it, and feel that Jesus is coming soon."
Yet one of the most frequent comments I get is that when those who want to pass on this good news to friends or family, they are met with criticism, apathy, or scorn. And while Peter tells us there will be a generation of scoffers (II Peter 3:4), clearly not everyone has caved to this attitude.
So if there is a strong remnant believing in His soon return and who even suggest we can almost hear the hoof beats of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, why aren't more pulpits teaching this? Why aren't more publishing houses printing such books, more TV preachers explaining it, and more seminaries helping future pastors prepare to teach it?
Why can't some in all of the above categories step up to the plate and endure some criticism which they will surely get? The Lord's soon return is a message that helps us live holy lives in an unholy age. It encourages us to evangelize if we believe the hour is late. It takes our eyes off of daily struggles and helps us focus on eternity. And a special crown awaits all who long for His appearing (II Tim. 4:8).
But many church leaders will tell you the issue is "divisive," it will "impede church growth," and the church must address "cultural issues" facing families. Pastors don't want "pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by." They want to address issues that their congregation may be struggling with. But if the congregation was focusing on the "blessed hope" of Jesus' return, a lot of other anxieties and "cultural issues" would diminish! This is the best news in the Bible, and it occupies about three-fourths of the Bible. Do you think God wants us to know about these things? Don't you think He believes this message is the antidote for a lot of social, personal, and family issues?
Roger Oakland writes in his new book, "Faith Undone," a critique of the Emergent Church, "Many who were once looking for the return of Jesus have fallen asleep. We now live in a period of time where numerous prominent Christian leaders are telling the Christian masses that paying attention to the signs of the times in light of the Bible is a waste of time. And many of them take it a step further and accuse those who believe what Bible prophecy says about the end of the age of being negative and self-centered."
Oakland quotes Rick Warren in "Purpose Driven Life" as saying, "The details of my return are none of your business. What is your business is the mission I have given you. Focus on that."
But Jesus never said that! Rather, He chastised the Pharisees of His day for knowing the signs of the weather but not the signs of the times (His first coming). And our "mission" should be winning souls while there is still time. Again, this blends in perfectly with a "lateness of the hour" theme. The words of Jesus and exhortations about His return in the Bible are legion!
The poll results encourage me greatly. There are those in the church today who do anticipate a soon-returning King.
We just don't know how soon.
Commentary on the News
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Jan Markell ChristianNet.com recently asked readers to respond to the question, "Are we living in the end-times?" Of the hundreds surveyed, 75% responded positively.One said, "Everything Jesus spoke about in regards to the signs of the times at His return is happening right before our eyes." Many of the respondents agreed that what is happening in the world today is fulfilling Bible prophecies regarding the last days.
Some also stated that Christians should not be fearful of this time but rather be rejoicing. One said these days are as they were in the days of Noah (Matthew 24). Another believer exclaimed, "You can see it, taste it, smell it, hear it, and feel that Jesus is coming soon."
Yet one of the most frequent comments I get is that when those who want to pass on this good news to friends or family, they are met with criticism, apathy, or scorn. And while Peter tells us there will be a generation of scoffers (II Peter 3:4), clearly not everyone has caved to this attitude.
So if there is a strong remnant believing in His soon return and who even suggest we can almost hear the hoof beats of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, why aren't more pulpits teaching this? Why aren't more publishing houses printing such books, more TV preachers explaining it, and more seminaries helping future pastors prepare to teach it?
Why can't some in all of the above categories step up to the plate and endure some criticism which they will surely get? The Lord's soon return is a message that helps us live holy lives in an unholy age. It encourages us to evangelize if we believe the hour is late. It takes our eyes off of daily struggles and helps us focus on eternity. And a special crown awaits all who long for His appearing (II Tim. 4:8).
But many church leaders will tell you the issue is "divisive," it will "impede church growth," and the church must address "cultural issues" facing families. Pastors don't want "pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by." They want to address issues that their congregation may be struggling with. But if the congregation was focusing on the "blessed hope" of Jesus' return, a lot of other anxieties and "cultural issues" would diminish! This is the best news in the Bible, and it occupies about three-fourths of the Bible. Do you think God wants us to know about these things? Don't you think He believes this message is the antidote for a lot of social, personal, and family issues?
Roger Oakland writes in his new book, "Faith Undone," a critique of the Emergent Church, "Many who were once looking for the return of Jesus have fallen asleep. We now live in a period of time where numerous prominent Christian leaders are telling the Christian masses that paying attention to the signs of the times in light of the Bible is a waste of time. And many of them take it a step further and accuse those who believe what Bible prophecy says about the end of the age of being negative and self-centered."
Oakland quotes Rick Warren in "Purpose Driven Life" as saying, "The details of my return are none of your business. What is your business is the mission I have given you. Focus on that."
But Jesus never said that! Rather, He chastised the Pharisees of His day for knowing the signs of the weather but not the signs of the times (His first coming). And our "mission" should be winning souls while there is still time. Again, this blends in perfectly with a "lateness of the hour" theme. The words of Jesus and exhortations about His return in the Bible are legion!
The poll results encourage me greatly. There are those in the church today who do anticipate a soon-returning King.
We just don't know how soon.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
THREE STEPS ,,,,,
THREE STEPS ,,,,,
YEARS OF TRADITION AND UNBELIEF HAVE DELUDED MANY IN THE CHURCH WITH THE LIE THAT HOLINESS IS BUT FOR A FEW SPECIAL ONES CHOSEN OF GOD....
"But the Comforter [Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby] the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name to represent Me and act on My behalf, He will teach you all things...."John 14:26
Amplified Translation....
"But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; He will disclose to you what is to come"
....John 16:13 ....
"But as for you, [the sacred appointment, the unction] the anointing which you received from Him, abides permanently in you; so then you have no need that any one [flesh and blood] should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true, and is no falsehood, so you must abide, live never to depart, rooted in Him, knit to Him just as His anointing has taught you to do"....
1 John 2:27
Amplified Translation
Many children of God have little knowledge [even at this late hour] of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and this MUST change before the church begins to walk in the fullness of the authority she has been given in Christ. The Holy Spirit has been given to us for our total and absolute empowerment in ALL things. Therefore, it is important for each and every believer to bring themselves into a position of total and absolute submission to Him [through an act of their will, and faith] in EVERY facet of their lives. To do this one MUST have a revelation of the Divine Requirement set out for them in the Word of God [Luke 10:27] firmly established in their heart. Until the child of God begins to enter into the full realization of this truth they will remain bound by carnality to some degree, and will not be found walking as a representative of the "true" Christian life. It is the will of the Father for each and every one of His children to be "filled" with His Spirit at all times. He knows - AND SO SHOULD WE - that we will need to operate continually in the "fullness" of our salvation in Christ to get the work done that we are called to both fully and accurately - and, thus, reap the maximum fruit and glory for the Kingdom that He has purposed. If the child of God refuses to acknowledge the fact [spiritual reality] that it is ONLY through the Holy Spirit that they can receive the Father's direction and wisdom - as well as His strength [divine empowerment] for accomplishing any given task - they will continue to lean upon their own understanding, and this will keep them in darkness, and apart from the true purpose and will of the Father for their life and ministry. The refusal to believe the truth that whatever the Father commands He ALSO empowers will, again, cause that child of God to seek out - and lean upon - their own understanding [with a great deal of help from Satan and his forces], apart from the Wisdom of God and the Spirit of God. This will always, if continued, make that child of God more and more uncertain [ignorant] of their position in Christ and, thus, they will turn even farther away from the Word of God as their "final" authority. It is because of these things that many abandon [ignore] the command to "walk by faith and not by sight" and, thus, their lives remain under the power of sin and NOT GRACE [although the mercy of God remains] - and it is certain that darkness will continue to abound in the life of that child of God until such a time as a deep and thorough [true] repentance comes forth. It has always been the first and foremost scheme of the Evil One to separate the child of God from the Word, thereby moving them out into an area where - in constantly leaning upon their own understanding - they will have no inclination to either be led by, or be filled with, the Holy Spirit. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to bring each child of God into an "abiding" holiness - for, indeed, He is the Spirit of Holiness. Everything is provided in Him for us to be one with Jesus Christ - in EVERY way.
Years of tradition and unbelief have deluded many with the lie that holiness is but for a few special ones chosen of God but, in these days, we shall see a Glorious Church rise up in the earth - each individual member of the Body walking in holiness, and totally empowered by the Holy Spirit in ALL things. In this hour, let us be found pursuing a continually deeper revelation of the ministry of the Holy Spirit as it applies to us - for in this way a superabundant entrance into the fullness of our Kingdom-position will be assured.
THREE STEPS TO RECEIVING DIVINE GUIDANCE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The child of God needs to surrender their whole heart and, therefore, be willing [to be made willing if necessary] to do ALL of the will of God for their life.
2. The child of God must be ever ready and willing at all times to obey [yield to] even the simplest instruction given by the Holy Spirit.
3. The child of God must have full and absolute trust in the Holy Spirit - and this can ONLY be brought about through daily intimate fellowship with the Father and His Word.
Related Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 14:23b; Matthew 28:18-20; Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Peter 1: 2-11; John 7:17-18;
YEARS OF TRADITION AND UNBELIEF HAVE DELUDED MANY IN THE CHURCH WITH THE LIE THAT HOLINESS IS BUT FOR A FEW SPECIAL ONES CHOSEN OF GOD....
"But the Comforter [Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby] the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name to represent Me and act on My behalf, He will teach you all things...."John 14:26
Amplified Translation....
"But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; He will disclose to you what is to come"
....John 16:13 ....
"But as for you, [the sacred appointment, the unction] the anointing which you received from Him, abides permanently in you; so then you have no need that any one [flesh and blood] should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true, and is no falsehood, so you must abide, live never to depart, rooted in Him, knit to Him just as His anointing has taught you to do"....
1 John 2:27
Amplified Translation
Many children of God have little knowledge [even at this late hour] of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and this MUST change before the church begins to walk in the fullness of the authority she has been given in Christ. The Holy Spirit has been given to us for our total and absolute empowerment in ALL things. Therefore, it is important for each and every believer to bring themselves into a position of total and absolute submission to Him [through an act of their will, and faith] in EVERY facet of their lives. To do this one MUST have a revelation of the Divine Requirement set out for them in the Word of God [Luke 10:27] firmly established in their heart. Until the child of God begins to enter into the full realization of this truth they will remain bound by carnality to some degree, and will not be found walking as a representative of the "true" Christian life. It is the will of the Father for each and every one of His children to be "filled" with His Spirit at all times. He knows - AND SO SHOULD WE - that we will need to operate continually in the "fullness" of our salvation in Christ to get the work done that we are called to both fully and accurately - and, thus, reap the maximum fruit and glory for the Kingdom that He has purposed. If the child of God refuses to acknowledge the fact [spiritual reality] that it is ONLY through the Holy Spirit that they can receive the Father's direction and wisdom - as well as His strength [divine empowerment] for accomplishing any given task - they will continue to lean upon their own understanding, and this will keep them in darkness, and apart from the true purpose and will of the Father for their life and ministry. The refusal to believe the truth that whatever the Father commands He ALSO empowers will, again, cause that child of God to seek out - and lean upon - their own understanding [with a great deal of help from Satan and his forces], apart from the Wisdom of God and the Spirit of God. This will always, if continued, make that child of God more and more uncertain [ignorant] of their position in Christ and, thus, they will turn even farther away from the Word of God as their "final" authority. It is because of these things that many abandon [ignore] the command to "walk by faith and not by sight" and, thus, their lives remain under the power of sin and NOT GRACE [although the mercy of God remains] - and it is certain that darkness will continue to abound in the life of that child of God until such a time as a deep and thorough [true] repentance comes forth. It has always been the first and foremost scheme of the Evil One to separate the child of God from the Word, thereby moving them out into an area where - in constantly leaning upon their own understanding - they will have no inclination to either be led by, or be filled with, the Holy Spirit. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to bring each child of God into an "abiding" holiness - for, indeed, He is the Spirit of Holiness. Everything is provided in Him for us to be one with Jesus Christ - in EVERY way.
Years of tradition and unbelief have deluded many with the lie that holiness is but for a few special ones chosen of God but, in these days, we shall see a Glorious Church rise up in the earth - each individual member of the Body walking in holiness, and totally empowered by the Holy Spirit in ALL things. In this hour, let us be found pursuing a continually deeper revelation of the ministry of the Holy Spirit as it applies to us - for in this way a superabundant entrance into the fullness of our Kingdom-position will be assured.
THREE STEPS TO RECEIVING DIVINE GUIDANCE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. The child of God needs to surrender their whole heart and, therefore, be willing [to be made willing if necessary] to do ALL of the will of God for their life.
2. The child of God must be ever ready and willing at all times to obey [yield to] even the simplest instruction given by the Holy Spirit.
3. The child of God must have full and absolute trust in the Holy Spirit - and this can ONLY be brought about through daily intimate fellowship with the Father and His Word.
Related Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 14:23b; Matthew 28:18-20; Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Peter 1: 2-11; John 7:17-18;
Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Teeth of The Beast
The Teeth of The Beast
by Michael G. Mickey(10-2-07)
On many occasions I've had people write to me to tell me that they're struggling to see the European Union as the great military power it seems to be in Bible prophecy if the European Union is indeed the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy.
Here's what the Bible tells us concerning the revived Roman empire's future military prowess:
Daniel 7:7:
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it [was] diverse from all the beasts that [were] before it; and it had ten horns.
Daniel 7:19:
Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth [were of] iron, and his nails [of] brass; [which] devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
Daniel 7:23:
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.I have to admit that it's difficult to see the European Union being that powerful militarily, but I want to take everyone back to what I've said earlier.Appearances Can Be DeceivingWhile the European Union isn't known for its military prowess, it has forces actively deployed in a number of locations around the globe where they are acting in peacekeeping roles.
Not only that, the EU's military forces are becoming a subject of concern in Brussels where both NATO and the main offices of the European Parliament are headquartered.In recent years the European Union has been busy creating a contingent of rapid reaction forces designed to be deployed to hot spots around the globe on short notice.
Much as I anticipated would eventually become the case, NATO is beginning to wonder to whom those forces would belong in the event of a crisis scenario.
The following is an excerpt from an EUObserver article:
Over the last decade there has been simmering tension between the organisations as NATO tries to redefine itself after the Cold War and the EU has become more present on the world stage, and increasingly prepared to back its humanitarian and development goals up with peacekeeping forces."Soldiers that are active for the EU will be missed by us and vice versa," a NATO official told Der Standard."And in a crisis. To whom do the soldiers then really belong? The EU will lose out," the official added.Is the NATO official correct in believing that the EU will "lose out" in a crisis scenario or could it be that, in a crisis scenario that will occur in the prophetic future, a meeting of the European Union's parliament will take place in Brussels as NATO gathers nearby as well?
Could it be that a leader who will use peace to destroy many - the prophesied Antichrist - will subsequently rally all the might of the West's military, including the combined forces of NATO, around him that he might lead the revived Roman empire to fulfillment of Daniel's prophecies shown above?
I don't know the answer to that question, of course, but what we're seeing take place here is what I have written about on a number of occasions in the past.As the European Union continues to create forces for its own use, NATO is becoming concerned that its ability to function in a time of crisis may be greatly hampered. The NATO official quoted in the article above believes that, if a day comes in the future when NATO needs to act as a group, the European Union is going to "lose out."The prophet Daniel, as shown above, doesn't foresee the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy losing out militarily. Not at all! Therefore, whatever the E.U. is up to where its military is concerned is going to succeed, leading to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. The question that remains to be answered at this point is how the teeth of the beast are ultimately going to be bared for all to see.The end times drama continues...
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