God's Word #4

You can access all of the Lessons posted via the Blog Archive going back to March 2020.

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How do you see 2021? A time of hope or a time of anxiety? Whatever you anticipate, may 2021 be a blessed year for you and yours. 

We concluded 2020 with Charles Stanley’s Christmas sermon, “Our Savior Who is Christ the Lord.” As we enter the New Year, just like Stanley’s message, we need to remain mindful that Jesus is our hope for tomorrow. God is sovereign over all things, even letting evil flourish as a byproduct of sin. He is a God of perfect love and perfect justice. A question that lingers over from 2020, will the America we know survive in 2021 or be radically changed, politically and culturally? Under all circumstances, prayer is always the Church’s role. 

How would you respond if you were asked what you believe as a Christian? Let’s begin the New Year with a mini review of what the Church has professed all the way back to the Apostles, when pagan Gentiles began converting to Christianity. It’s a good place to start in sharing what Christians believe and what you believe. I rarely start by telling people they’re sinners. It tends to turn them off—and they just glaze over, change the subject, or just walk away somewhat annoyed. Doing so would be step 2 in response to a question they may ask. 

The Apostles didn’t write the Apostles’ Creed, but it sums up the principles of the faith professed by them and used for and by early converts. The Apostle’s Creed is a brief summary of the principal beliefs defining Christianity that new converts would then accept. As such, it avoids and dispels heresy entering into the Church, because most early century converts had been members of a pagan religion which flourished in the Roman Empire, running deep in their culture and thinking. Theology goes much deeper than the Apostles’ Creed, but that comes later for most of us, and something that we are still in the process of learning. You don’t have to be a theologian to share the Gospel. 

This is a contemporary version, common in many churches: “Holy Spirit” vs. “Holy Ghost”; “living and the dead” vs. “quick and the dead”. If you check individual churches, even Presbyterian ones, you will see slight variation in wording, not substance. The word “catholic” mean universal. Many churches use the term “Christian church”, others still use the original term “catholic”, which comes from a Greek word meaning “on the whole”, or “all inclusive”; also “universal”. 

What are the highlights of the Creed? I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth (Gen. 1:1)—a Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in His Son, Jesus Christ (second Person of the Triune God, fully divine and fully human), who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary (He did not have a human father, and thus avoided inheriting Adam’s DNA, i.e., his fallen nature). He was crucified, died and was buried (in full restitution to a Holy God for our sins--i.e., our sin debt paid in full--which we are incapable of paying by our own good works). He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven (He will come again). He sits at the right hand of God the Father. He will come to judge every human (at the Great White Throne Judgment), those who are still alive when He returns (His 2nd coming at the end of the Tribulation, Rev. 19:11-21) and those who had already died who will also be resurrected—every grave will be emptied. We believe in the forgiveness of sins (we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone, and not by good works—we can’t earn it). We believe that we will have resurrected bodies (Rev. 20:4-5, 12-14) and everlasting life (including a new heaven and new earth—Rev. 21:1). It doesn’t explain certain theological doctrine, like predestination, election, nor the moral issues confronting the church. But it's a great start for sharing the faith. 

The human race is divided into the unsaved and the saved. Until we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, we are yet to be saved or just remain unsaved for lack of faith. Let’s pause and look at today’s world. Is Covid-19 God’s judgment looming over America and the world? Or is it a warning and wakeup call? Have our government institutions and those of higher learning, become unethical and even corrupt in that they have abandoned biblical principles and practices for personal gain? How much influence does the atheistic Communist Chinese Party have on the world in general and America in particular, especially those having financial ties with the CCP? Are we any different than ancient Israel in walking away from God? Isaiah gives us a hint. 

Isa 1:4 Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel  and turned their backs on him.  (NIV)

Down through history other generations thought they were in the End Times. Early Rome when John wrote the Book of Revelation; even many of those facing the trials and tribulations of WWI and WWII. The Covid-19 pandemic, forced government shutdowns of small businesses, leading to bankruptcy and even permanent closures, and even lockdown of churches; add widespread election fraud, all of which has led many to believe we are, without doubt, there now.  Yet some will say no, and that this too will pass away; while others will just brush it off and say there is no way of knowing, so why even ponder it. Actually, being aware of the signs might give us a hint. 

Book of Revelation: areas of disagreement include: 1. Is there a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church? 2. Is there a literal 1,000 reign of Jesus Christ after the Tribulation—i.e., the Millennium?  3. Did the Church replace Israel, and the rebirth of Israel in 1948 is just a coincidence of history, or is it part of God’s prophesy? When an individual or nation neglects God’s Word, the consequence of their willful sin might very well lead to disaster, be it political, civil unrest or even natural disasters—including unleashing a virus that creates a pandemic as we see with plagues in the Book of Revelation. 

If you were to lay out the groundwork for the Antichrist, what would it look like? Did Red China develop the Covid-19 virus as some believe? Did it get loose accidentally in Wuhan, China and rather than suffer a pandemic alone, China kept quiet and allowed, actually encouraged, those Chinese with symptoms to travel to the West and the USA, yet restricting travel within China, so that the world would suffer the same consequences? Plausible? I think so. Did Left-wing politics in an election year, use the pandemic to undermine the Trump economic boom with shutdowns, and use it as a basis for election fraud—sending ballots to everyone and anyone? Even the dead voted. Widespread lockdowns have literally destroyed hundreds of thousands of small independent businesses. Even forcing the closure of churches (some of whom may not recover) in some cities and states. Isn’t that the definition of socialism? Yes it is, including making the middle-class dependent on the government for everything. A mild at first, yet real form of tyranny. 

Socialism definition: a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole—[the community being government regulations and control as we’re seeing with the virus]. 

The goal is utopia, but under the control of government regulations and the auspices of the elite who make all the decisions for everyone else, like we see in Cuba and Venezuela. So, let’s go back to the beginning…. (next slide)

Back to the beginning: God created Adam (Gen. 2:7), gave him a helpmate (Gen. 2:21-22), and dominion over the earth, all living creatures and even tending its gardens. 

Gen 1:26-27 – 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  (NIV)

Adam and Eve had everything going for them. God placed them in a perfect garden with perfect weather and perfect health, and everything that they would ever need. But they believed Satan's lie and thus, threw everything away. Not only for themselves, but for every living creature on the land, in the sea, and in the air, bringing total decay and death. Adam literally forfeited his God-given-birth-right to Satan. How do we know? Read Matt. 4:8-10 (next slide). Consequently, when Adam forfeited his birthright to Satan, the earth’s kingdoms became Satan’s to give (Luke 4:6). 

Gen 2:16-17 – 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." (NIV) – die both spiritually and physically. 

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (NIV)

Satan was crafty and persuasive in the Garden of Eden, just as he was when he convinced 1/3 of the angels in heaven to follow him. What was his lie to them? Scripture doesn’t tell us, except it was convincing. It wasn’t just for Eve and Adam to commit a sin—it was never about just one sin, but about a fallen nature for the entire human race, including you and me. Ever since, Satan has been working toward a complete moral collapse of the world system; but restrained by the Holy Spirit. America and its founding values, with God’s grace, have been a stumbling block to his compete control of the world system. 

How do we know Satan inherited the world system from Adam? Matthew 4:8-10 tells us. 

We also see it in Luke 4:5-8. Jesus rejected the Devil’s offer, but it’s clear that Satan had the authority to give it to anyone he wanted to give it to (v.6), otherwise Jesus would have told us. That someone, will be the Antichrist. Is the world system moving in that direction? Is the groundwork being laid out for the Antichrist to take over the world system? Is Covid-19 part of it? Does a decline of American influence make it possible? I think so, which we will look at...

Why has American been a stumbling block for Satan’s world domination? In 2 John 2:18 we are told there has been and will be many antichrists. At a particular time, a particular antichrist will step forward. In both world wars, America prevented the complete takeover of tyranny in Europe and Asia. Even within our own country, it took a Civil War to eliminate slavery, but it was eliminated. America has been a stumbling block to tyranny across the globe, by being on the front lines and confronting tyranny (WWI—WWII) and maintaining peace ever since (strong military presence and diplomatic influence). Through most of its history, America was rightfully declared “One Nation Under God!” But it is being eroded away at an alarming rate, and when it no longer stands as such, Satan will gladly raise the ante and that ante may very well open the door for the Antichrist, proposing what appears to be solutions for all the world’s problems (another of Satan's lies); and with it the means for complete control of the world's people. Are we starting to see such signs? I think so. 

So, who is the Antichrist? Down through history, certain people were considered to be the Antichrist, including the Roman Emperor Nero when John wrote Revelation, and even Adolf Hitler with the genocide of six million Jews. They may have been an antichrist, but they weren’t the Antichrist. When he arrives, it will be apparent for those familiar with the Book of Revelation but too late to do anything about it. 

If enough American politicians believe Satan’s lie that their political position and ideology can lead to power and wealth, it may very well be the beginning of the end, because there is no end to an insatiable appetite for political power and wealth There is even talk about a covid-immunity passport—to ensure everyone gets vaccinated. It would allow the police to stop anybody and ask to see their passport. How does that fit in with an Antichrist drama? Such tactic have been used in Nazi Germany and every Communist country as a means of power and control of the people. 

But, there’s a price to pay. Those who willingly violate God’s decrees for self-gain, be it in the Halls of Congress, corporate boardroom, or even a church pulpit preaching a false gospel, will not escape the consequences of their sins. The destiny of every individual and nation is established by God. As seen in Revelation 20:11-15, God will not tolerate a sinful world forever. Jesus gives an example in Luke 16 of the rich man and the beggar. The rich man had everything going for him, including all the luxuries of life, while ignoring the beggar’s plight and basic needs. The beggar, was covered with sores, and laid at the rich man’s gate. Yet their eternal destiny was the reverse of their respective lifestyles. The rich man went to hell and the beggar was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom (paradise). 

There are eternal consequences, as Jesus Himself tells us in John 3…

John 3:18-21 – 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."  (NIV)

God is in control, even when evil seems to reign over earthly matters, like voter fraud and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Man is responsible for his actions, and there are consequences for sin. Just like the holocaust was meant for evil by Hitler and the Nazis, God used it to return the Jews to their ancestral homeland, yet allowed the destruction of Hitler and Nazi Germany. I feel certain Israel could not have survived without God's protection and intervention just as He did in the Old Testament.  

Tiny Israel was first attacked by the Arab states in 1948 to annihilate the newly declared State of Israel of less than 1 million people vs. tens of million in Egypt and the adjacent Arab nations. Other major wars for survival followed, including the Six Day War in 1967 with Egypt, Syria and Jordan, and the Yom Kippur Arab-Israel war in 1973. Plus numerous other attacks by Hezbollah. Would you say God placed a protective shield around Israel, and that they are far from irrelevant as some Bible scholars claim? A respected Bible scholar stated in his study of Revelation that the Church was the New Israel, and Israel was no longer relevant; while totally ignoring the rebirth of Israel in 1948, and its survival against great odds ever since. Why? (Next slide)

Judah/Israel ceased to exist as a nation with the Destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The Jewish Wars began in 66 AD and they were a direct revolt by the Jews against Rome’s authority. Titus with his Roman legions arrived at the outermost northern Wall of Jerusalem, during the Passover of 70 AD, and destroyed the City of Jerusalem and with it, the nation of Judah, selling many into slavery, with many others escaping into exile across the then known world, even as far as Germany over an extended period of time—hmmm? (Next slide tells the tail).

Dispersal of the Jews is shown on the map. The early Church concluded that since God doesn’t abandon His promises, it was apparent to them that the Church was the new Israel, since Israel no longer existed, and consequently was no longer relevant to Bible prophesy including Revelation or Daniel’s prophecy (looked at in a prior lesson). The Amillennial view is based on those early Church conclusions, while ignoring the rebirth of Israel in 1948. These Jews were the same people rounded up by the Nazis and carted off to concentration camps. Again, just like Sherlock Homes, I see these as pieces of the End Time puzzle. Like Hitler and the Holocaust, Satan has hated the Jews down through history. Why has Satan’s hatred for the Jews persisted over the centuries if they were no longer relevant in Bible prophecy? Again, like Sherlock Homes, I see these as signs and pieces of the big picture, i.e., the End Times puzzle. Of course, not everyone will agree. It’s my personal conclusion and not something stated by a Bible scholar or something I downloaded from a website.

God could have destroyed the human race after Adam, or even during the Noahic flood, allowing Noah and his family to perish along with the entire human race, but He didn’t. Yet, God knew that man would continue to sin because we inherited Adam’s sinful nature. So God sent a Savior, whose birthday we celebrated last week. He didn’t come to reign on this earth at the time, but to serve and to save. 

The King came as a servant—and washed the Apostles’ feet to demonstrate humility as we are told in Philippians 2. 

Phil 2:5-8 – 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  7 but made himself nothing, 

taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!  (NIV)

The New Testament’s use of Hades, including Luke 16, builds on its Hebrew parallel, Sheol, which was the preferred translation in the Septuagint, according to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Hell Described in the Bible, the word of God warns about hell describing it with images of darkness, gnashing of teeth, fire, and complete separation from God. [Jesus’ parable of the rich man and the beggar is intended for all humanity]. 

Some Bible commentaries believe because the beggar has a name, Jesus is describing an actual situation of real people. 

Luke 16:22-25 – 22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham , have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 25 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  (NIV)

Worth repeating that those in Congress or global corporate boardrooms, or in the pulpit preaching a false gospel, whose decisions are for personal gain, and consequently enjoy the associated pleasures of life, there will be a day of reckoning. Evil does not go unpunished, nor does man get a second chance at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20).

Rev 20:11-12 – 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. (NIV)

Jesus birth, life and ministry, His crucifixion and resurrection are all tied together as part of God’s plan. Our hope and salvation rests in Jesus Christ and Him alone. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we were created to do good works. Do you know what good works you were created to do in Christ Jesus? 

Is Covid-19 God’s wrath or a wake up call? Or possibly the groundwork for the Antichrist? Any way you look at it, God is sovereign over all things. He allows evil and even pandemics for a reason. Put on you Sherlock Homes hat when you ponder the big picture.

This is a six-minute explanation of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in response to a question—God is sovereign, man is responsible, yet God chooses and predetermines all things. 

https://youtu.be/oGhFslv1HKo

(copy and paste into your web browser)

Pray for America in these uncertain times especially as we enter a New Year, also pray for our president and his family, and for our church, pastor and his family. I would also add John MacArthur to our prayer list. 

So, the blog will continue.  Each week I ponder what next? Then after I start I have a hard time turning it off. Do you have a question you would like covered? Let me know via email or even a phone call. 

End of God's Word #4