Remember the puzzling question Jesus asked the scribes after he told the paralytic his sins were forgiven? The man had been brought to him for healing, but instead Jesus had forgiven him of his sins (see Matt. 9:5) This sent the scribes to murmuring, "Whom does he think he is? Only God can forgive sins?" Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he asked them this question: "Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk?'"
For years I wondered why he asked that question. Clearly it was no more difficult to speak six words instead of four. So the difficulty couldn't be about the words. For him it was not any harder to forgive sins than heal the man. I was perplexed.
Well, I realized recently that the answer to the question is, "It is easier to say, 'your sins are forgiven.'" Why? Because there's no visible proof anything has taken place. Anybody can say, "Your sins are forgiven," because you can't disprove it. That's why Jesus went on to say, "But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, He said to the paralytic, 'I say to you, arise, take up your stretcher and go home.'" The healing was visible evidence he really did forgive the man's sins. So that we could all believe him when he said he had that authority from God.
I believe this is an encouraging word for us today. Because one of the cries of the church for so long has been to walk in the authority that the Bible says Jesus gave to his body. To not only do the miracles of healing and deliverance Jesus did, but also the greater miracles he said we would do someday. Nevertheless, except for a few individual ministries who always seem to be in far off corners of the world, this demonstration of God's authority on earth has been noticeably lacking.
Well, get ready. I believe the Lord's power is about to wash over the body of Christ like a tsunami. Believers have been telling folks for 2000 years that Jesus was the son of God who atoned for our sins. They have heard the message over and over and over again. Many have believed, but most have remained skeptical, even cynical. So in order that they may know "that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," he will soon be empowering his body to say - "Arise, pick up your stretcher and go home." And they will!
Pretty soon, His weak and battered body of believers will arise with a new confidence in who we are and the authority we have in Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of God. Like the Continental Army following a defeated winter in Valley Forge, we will come forth as the Army of God. "For the Lord says to my Lord, sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" (Ps. 110:1) We are His feet! That's why Paul told us, that at the right time, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Rom 16:20).
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Body of Anti-Christ
It became fairly obvious over the 2008 election period that objective reporting has virtually disappeared in America. It's now all about promoting ideology. From newspapers (like the N.Y. Times) to TV networks (like MSNBC) to other news media, only the news that fits their political viewpoint is presented. Stories that don't are just not reported, or slanted until they do fit, either negatively or positively.
And it's not just the news media. The same thing is happening in our educational system, government, judiciary, entertainment, and corporate world. There's a concerted effort to promote only one intolerant, politically-correct viewpoint with no thought for the truth or respect for other points of view. And as I'm sure you've noticed, the biblical world view is the least tolerated of all.
What's going on? I believe I know. It's the distorted mirror image of what's happening in the body of Messiah ("Christ," if you're into Greek).
For centuries the body of Messiah, which is the ecclesia ("Church," if you're into Gallic), has been a divided people. We got sold a bill of goods a long time ago that the body was made up of laity and clergy and that we were the laity. Our lifetime assignment was to go to work Monday to Friday (with Saturday off for good behavior for some) and focus all our attention and energies on our secular calling. It was not expected, nor encouraged, that we apply our Christian faith at our job, much less minister to anyone. We were to leave the ministering to the professionals. Sunday was the time when we could come out of the closet and be Christians.
Well that has been changing. The Holy Spirit is waking up more and more believers to discover that we are all ministers in Messiah. And that our area of calling is whatever occupation or location the Lord puts us in. And that calling is a seven-day affair, not just on Sunday. As a result, we are becoming single-minded, focused on advancing the coming Kingdom of God. And in the process we are "being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2;22). His body is coming together.
But so is the body of anti-christ. The spirit of anti-christ is causing those who are his to become single-minded, and to work together for a common purpose, also. They are not to be divided in their lives any more, either. They are to see their careers, whether newscaster, teacher, judge, bureaucrat, or film star, as opportunities to advance the kingdom of the evil one. They are to passionately promote his agenda and not be side-tracked by personal pursuits or fairness to the other side, which is seen as being counter-productive.
Sadly, they don't even notice they are being manipulated by this evil spirit to walk, talk, and think alike. That they are becoming slaves to a satanic drum beat that is driving them forward faster and faster in their arrogant indignation and purpose, as they slowly surrender their individuality and human dignity for the good of the cause.
"And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness" (2 Thessalonians. 2:11.12).
The tower and the city of Babylon is being rebuilt. And as the Lord observed the last time it was tried, if its inhabitants were allowed to continue to work together, "Then nothing [no evil] which they purpose to do will be impossible for them" (Genesis 11:6). That's why they and all their work will be destroyed again.
"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
And it's not just the news media. The same thing is happening in our educational system, government, judiciary, entertainment, and corporate world. There's a concerted effort to promote only one intolerant, politically-correct viewpoint with no thought for the truth or respect for other points of view. And as I'm sure you've noticed, the biblical world view is the least tolerated of all.
What's going on? I believe I know. It's the distorted mirror image of what's happening in the body of Messiah ("Christ," if you're into Greek).
For centuries the body of Messiah, which is the ecclesia ("Church," if you're into Gallic), has been a divided people. We got sold a bill of goods a long time ago that the body was made up of laity and clergy and that we were the laity. Our lifetime assignment was to go to work Monday to Friday (with Saturday off for good behavior for some) and focus all our attention and energies on our secular calling. It was not expected, nor encouraged, that we apply our Christian faith at our job, much less minister to anyone. We were to leave the ministering to the professionals. Sunday was the time when we could come out of the closet and be Christians.
Well that has been changing. The Holy Spirit is waking up more and more believers to discover that we are all ministers in Messiah. And that our area of calling is whatever occupation or location the Lord puts us in. And that calling is a seven-day affair, not just on Sunday. As a result, we are becoming single-minded, focused on advancing the coming Kingdom of God. And in the process we are "being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2;22). His body is coming together.
But so is the body of anti-christ. The spirit of anti-christ is causing those who are his to become single-minded, and to work together for a common purpose, also. They are not to be divided in their lives any more, either. They are to see their careers, whether newscaster, teacher, judge, bureaucrat, or film star, as opportunities to advance the kingdom of the evil one. They are to passionately promote his agenda and not be side-tracked by personal pursuits or fairness to the other side, which is seen as being counter-productive.
Sadly, they don't even notice they are being manipulated by this evil spirit to walk, talk, and think alike. That they are becoming slaves to a satanic drum beat that is driving them forward faster and faster in their arrogant indignation and purpose, as they slowly surrender their individuality and human dignity for the good of the cause.
"And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness" (2 Thessalonians. 2:11.12).
The tower and the city of Babylon is being rebuilt. And as the Lord observed the last time it was tried, if its inhabitants were allowed to continue to work together, "Then nothing [no evil] which they purpose to do will be impossible for them" (Genesis 11:6). That's why they and all their work will be destroyed again.
"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
Sunday, May 3, 2009
A Wind from the East
There is a torrid wind about to blow in upon the West. The Arabs call this wind the Sirocco. Hot and gusty, laden with sand and dust, it occurs most frequently in May and October. It is the punishing "wind of the wilderness" that knocked down the house that killed Job's sons (Job 1:19), sank the ships of Tarshish (Ps. 48:7), and metaphorically drove the northern kingdom of God's people out of the land in judgment (Isaiah 27:8; Hosea 13:15).
It is no doubt the wind James was referring to when he said, "For the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and the flower falls off, and the beauty of the appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away" (James 1:11).
In Israel, it is the winnowing wind that helps the farmers separate the chaff from the wheat.
I believe the Lord is going to use this east wind to judge our self-indulgent Western world. And also to purify His people by separating us from all that is not based on the Word of God, namely our religious traditions that carry no weight in His Kingdom.
The wind is Islam.
I received this insight when asked to speak recently at a Philadelphia synagogue about the threat of the growing worldwide jihadist movement before a small crowd of Christians and Jews. The Lord told me to tell His people not to fear, that He would deliver them, if we would just trust in Him completely. That this coming invasion is what was prophesied in the Book of Joel. It is the army of locusts whose "appearance is like the appearance of horses...that will make the sun and the moon grow dark" (Joel 2:4,10). If you recall, it was the east wind that brought the locusts to Egypt in the eighth plague (Exodus 10:13). And this same east wind of judgment is headed our way.
This invasion, which introduces the Day of the Lord, will be so frightening that there will never be, nor has there ever been, a time like it. But just when it looks like nothing can withstand the onslaught of this army, the Lord will intervene and deliver His people: "I will remove the northern army far from you. I will drive it into a parched and desolate land, and its vanguard into the eastern sea and its rear guard into the western sea" (Joel 2:20).
"And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who will escape, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls" (Joel 2:32).
P.S. After posting this blog, I received this confirming e-mail from a believer who ministers in Israel:
"Wow bro! Right on target with the East Wind blog I just read from your site! I do not know if you know this but last week we had the most strange (even for local Israelis') a scorching East wind blow in that choked out the sky with dust and sand from the Eastern deserts....it was wild and tormenting!
It is no doubt the wind James was referring to when he said, "For the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and the flower falls off, and the beauty of the appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away" (James 1:11).
In Israel, it is the winnowing wind that helps the farmers separate the chaff from the wheat.
I believe the Lord is going to use this east wind to judge our self-indulgent Western world. And also to purify His people by separating us from all that is not based on the Word of God, namely our religious traditions that carry no weight in His Kingdom.
The wind is Islam.
I received this insight when asked to speak recently at a Philadelphia synagogue about the threat of the growing worldwide jihadist movement before a small crowd of Christians and Jews. The Lord told me to tell His people not to fear, that He would deliver them, if we would just trust in Him completely. That this coming invasion is what was prophesied in the Book of Joel. It is the army of locusts whose "appearance is like the appearance of horses...that will make the sun and the moon grow dark" (Joel 2:4,10). If you recall, it was the east wind that brought the locusts to Egypt in the eighth plague (Exodus 10:13). And this same east wind of judgment is headed our way.
This invasion, which introduces the Day of the Lord, will be so frightening that there will never be, nor has there ever been, a time like it. But just when it looks like nothing can withstand the onslaught of this army, the Lord will intervene and deliver His people: "I will remove the northern army far from you. I will drive it into a parched and desolate land, and its vanguard into the eastern sea and its rear guard into the western sea" (Joel 2:20).
"And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who will escape, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls" (Joel 2:32).
P.S. After posting this blog, I received this confirming e-mail from a believer who ministers in Israel:
"Wow bro! Right on target with the East Wind blog I just read from your site! I do not know if you know this but last week we had the most strange (even for local Israelis') a scorching East wind blow in that choked out the sky with dust and sand from the Eastern deserts....it was wild and tormenting!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The Millennial Reign of Messiah
This blog came out of a recent phone conversation with a believer who did not think there would be a thousand-year reign of Christ (Messiah) on this earth. He believed that the solitary reference of such an event in the Book of Revelation (Chapter 20) was not enough to convince him it should be taken literally. That instead it should be understood spiritually, which meant seeing that the reign was already taking place now through the life of the believer.
Now I have never been able to keep all those theologies straight that are described as postmillennialism, premillenialism, dispensational premillennialism, and amillennialism. In restudying them last week, I decided the two premillennial viewpoints came closest to my understanding that Jesus would reign over the world for a 1000 years with Jerusalem as His capital, which would then be followed by the new heaven and the new earth. The view of my believer-friend on the phone was closest to the ammillennial and postmillennial view that dispenses with the visible reign altogether. Of the four view, the postmillennial one is the least attractive because it sees the world getting better and better through the influence of the gospel, culminating in the final judgment and new heaven and new earth. But one look at the world today shows you that ain't going to happen.
Anyway, the Lord just showed me this morning that contrary to popular understanding, the 1000-year-reign of Messiah is not just found mentioned in the 20th chapter of Revelation. Rather it is found throughout the Bible, only it is called "the Day of the Lord." As we know, the apostle Peter informed us that, "One day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). We are just so used to thinking of the "Day of the Lord" as a time of judgment, that we forget the judgment is just God's way of cleaning up the world to get ready for the new Day when he will bring in the promised times of worldwide blessing through His nation Israel. Of which all those in Messiah are included.
In addition to the "Day of the Lord" references, the "restoration of the Kingdom of David" in the promised land is one of the most prophesied events in the Old Testament. That's why the apostles asked Jesus just prior to His ascension, "Is it at this time that you are restoring the kingdom to Israel" (Acts 1:6). Clearly they were hoping it was, understanding that He was the promised son of David who would sit on that throne. However, it wasn't time for the kingdom to be manifested fully yet. The kingdom had come, but it would remain hidden within the hearts of those who were called to be His loyal citizens - on that point, I agree with my telephone friend - until all the lost sheep of Israel had been found and brought home. Then will the kingdom come - with a bang!
Now I have never been able to keep all those theologies straight that are described as postmillennialism, premillenialism, dispensational premillennialism, and amillennialism. In restudying them last week, I decided the two premillennial viewpoints came closest to my understanding that Jesus would reign over the world for a 1000 years with Jerusalem as His capital, which would then be followed by the new heaven and the new earth. The view of my believer-friend on the phone was closest to the ammillennial and postmillennial view that dispenses with the visible reign altogether. Of the four view, the postmillennial one is the least attractive because it sees the world getting better and better through the influence of the gospel, culminating in the final judgment and new heaven and new earth. But one look at the world today shows you that ain't going to happen.
Anyway, the Lord just showed me this morning that contrary to popular understanding, the 1000-year-reign of Messiah is not just found mentioned in the 20th chapter of Revelation. Rather it is found throughout the Bible, only it is called "the Day of the Lord." As we know, the apostle Peter informed us that, "One day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). We are just so used to thinking of the "Day of the Lord" as a time of judgment, that we forget the judgment is just God's way of cleaning up the world to get ready for the new Day when he will bring in the promised times of worldwide blessing through His nation Israel. Of which all those in Messiah are included.
In addition to the "Day of the Lord" references, the "restoration of the Kingdom of David" in the promised land is one of the most prophesied events in the Old Testament. That's why the apostles asked Jesus just prior to His ascension, "Is it at this time that you are restoring the kingdom to Israel" (Acts 1:6). Clearly they were hoping it was, understanding that He was the promised son of David who would sit on that throne. However, it wasn't time for the kingdom to be manifested fully yet. The kingdom had come, but it would remain hidden within the hearts of those who were called to be His loyal citizens - on that point, I agree with my telephone friend - until all the lost sheep of Israel had been found and brought home. Then will the kingdom come - with a bang!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Paradigm Shift
This is the first of what I hope will become many sharings from the heart.
I titled this blog "Paradigm Shift" because I believe an extraordinary milestone has been reached that will propel us soon into a dramatic new move of God. There is a movie playing in American theatres now entitled, "The Cross." It tells the story of Arthur Blessitt, the man whom God told to carry the cross literally to every island and nation in the world, preaching the gospel as he went. I myself, my wife, brother-in-law and his wife (girlfriend then) encountered him in Los Angeles in 1977 where he led both my b-i-l and s-i-l to the Lord! But as astounding as his 40-year walk (just completed) was, it is the prophetic significance of that feat I find even more incredible. For I believe it signifies the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14, where Jesus declared, "And this gospel shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to the nations (Gentiles), and then the end shall come."
For nearly 2000 years the gospel has been preached all over the earth. But never more so than in the previous century thanks to the introduction of televison, radio, advanced travel, film, hi-speed printing and the Internet. But the question has always been, how will we know it has officially reached all the nations of the world to the satisfaction of God so that it can be declared finished? We know now because we know Arthur Blessitt did it!
That tells me the grace given to us who are chosen from among the Gentiles to receive the gospel is now being withdrawn. But as this door shuts, and before this corrupt age is brought to an end and the kingdom of God arrives, another door of grace must open. This one to the Jewish people who, by God's design, have been blocked from seeing Jesus as their Messiah all these centuries. For Paul told us, "From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:28,29).
But Paul also told us a day would come when that block would be removed and the grace denied them so long would be given to them also. The event that would signal this transition would be the completion of the gospel to the Gentiles. "I do not want you brethren to be uninformed of this mystery, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel [the nation as represented then by the Jewish people], until the fullness of the Gentiles had come in [to Israel], thus all Israel [now represented by Jew and "Gentile" believer]will be saved" (Romans 11:25,26).
Therefore, if Arthur Blessitt's odyssey means what I think it means, then the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And we can expect a new Pentecostal outpouring of God's Spirit - the often prophesied latter rain - to deluge the Jews around the world to recognize their Messiah. Could it begin this Pentecost? When it starts to happen, and all those chosen from among the Jews awaken and join us in Messiah, then "all Israel" will then experience the salvation we have long awaited.
I titled this blog "Paradigm Shift" because I believe an extraordinary milestone has been reached that will propel us soon into a dramatic new move of God. There is a movie playing in American theatres now entitled, "The Cross." It tells the story of Arthur Blessitt, the man whom God told to carry the cross literally to every island and nation in the world, preaching the gospel as he went. I myself, my wife, brother-in-law and his wife (girlfriend then) encountered him in Los Angeles in 1977 where he led both my b-i-l and s-i-l to the Lord! But as astounding as his 40-year walk (just completed) was, it is the prophetic significance of that feat I find even more incredible. For I believe it signifies the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14, where Jesus declared, "And this gospel shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to the nations (Gentiles), and then the end shall come."
For nearly 2000 years the gospel has been preached all over the earth. But never more so than in the previous century thanks to the introduction of televison, radio, advanced travel, film, hi-speed printing and the Internet. But the question has always been, how will we know it has officially reached all the nations of the world to the satisfaction of God so that it can be declared finished? We know now because we know Arthur Blessitt did it!
That tells me the grace given to us who are chosen from among the Gentiles to receive the gospel is now being withdrawn. But as this door shuts, and before this corrupt age is brought to an end and the kingdom of God arrives, another door of grace must open. This one to the Jewish people who, by God's design, have been blocked from seeing Jesus as their Messiah all these centuries. For Paul told us, "From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:28,29).
But Paul also told us a day would come when that block would be removed and the grace denied them so long would be given to them also. The event that would signal this transition would be the completion of the gospel to the Gentiles. "I do not want you brethren to be uninformed of this mystery, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel [the nation as represented then by the Jewish people], until the fullness of the Gentiles had come in [to Israel], thus all Israel [now represented by Jew and "Gentile" believer]will be saved" (Romans 11:25,26).
Therefore, if Arthur Blessitt's odyssey means what I think it means, then the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And we can expect a new Pentecostal outpouring of God's Spirit - the often prophesied latter rain - to deluge the Jews around the world to recognize their Messiah. Could it begin this Pentecost? When it starts to happen, and all those chosen from among the Jews awaken and join us in Messiah, then "all Israel" will then experience the salvation we have long awaited.
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