Revelation 12:3-4 3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
All the angels were created goodWhen God created the heavens and earth, He stated seven times that all He had made was good. By the end of the creation week in Genesis 1 and 2, we see a completed creation. When we add in Psalm 33 and Psalm 104, we observe that in the invisible realm, all was good. We have also noted in this blog series that God is not the author of evil, however in His permissive will he did permit evil to come into the heart of Satan to achieve Satan's prideful lust for his own exaltation.
Some of the Angels chose to rebel, following Lucifer
Was Satan alone in his rebellion? Though scripture gives us a faint sketch of what took place in the heavenly realms following the creation week of Genesis 1-2, we do know that the Satanic rebellion took place very shortly thereafter. In Genesis 3 we see Satan in the Garden of Eden, posturing himself to tempt the man and the woman. In the passage above we are given the clearest summary of the scope and nature of this rebellion that took place between Genesis 2 and 3.
As Lucifer turned into satan, 1/3 of the angelic host became the demonic realmThe Bible tells us that the angelic host is ultimately more numerous than we can count (Hebrews 12:22). Around the throne of God alone is over 100 trillion angels (Revelation 4 and 5). Yet we do know that the number of angels is not infinite, since Revelation 12:3-4 gives us the number of 1/3. These angels were swayed by Lucifer. According to the profile we read in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, Lucifer most likely was the choir leader of heaven, the chief over the Cherubim - the guardians of God's very presence. When he rebelled, it was undoubtedly the last thing any angel would had expected. As a result, 1/3 of the angelic hosts, of all different kinds and ranks, followed Lucifer, and were cast out of heaven.
Different types and ranks of angels and demonsThe angelic realm is noted for the fact that it was created in orderly ranks. There is Michael the archangel (Daniel 10, Revelation 12:3-4), there are angels that worship God, called "seraphim" (Isaiah 6) and there are four angels committed to the throne of God called "cherubim" (Revelation 4 and 5). There are angels that will be assigned to execute God's judgment, as well as messenger angels and guardian angels (Matthew 18). There are even angels assigned to cover children and illuminate their way prior to their reaching the age of accountability (Matthew 18). The sheer number of angels could number way above the trillions.
In tomorrow's blog we will look more into the issue of the problem of evil as it relates to the invisible realm.
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Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Problem of Evil and Suffering: How Jesus would address 9/11
Luke 13:4-5 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
What I experienced and saw the day 9/11 took place
As a nation we should never forget the terrorist attacks that would come to define life as we know it in the 21st century. At the time I was working night shift in a plant in Eastern Pennsylvainia with non-Christian men who were tough, rugged and used to the harshness of life. I was also attending seminary and was taking a course on Christian counseling. The day that those events unfolded, a faculty member ran into our class, wheeling a T.V on a cart. As the class and I watched those events unfold, the Dean of the Seminary dismissed all classes. Not a sound was to be heard as faculty and students alike left the campus. That same night, as I went to work, the atmosphere was identical at the plant. No joking, no crass humor could be heard. All were walking around, as in a daze. More questions than answers were in the chilly air that night. Many were asking the question: "Why did this happen"?
A falling Tower and Jesus' response to it
In the passage above we are brought into a middle of a conversation between Jesus and a group of people discussing the problem of evil and suffering. Two situations are mentioned. The first had to do with a group of Jews who were minding there own business, worshipping God at the temple, when suddenly a group of Romans soldiers came in, ambushed the worshippers, and quite literally the blood of those victims mixed with the blood of the sacrifices on the cold temple floor.
The second incident involved a collapsing tower - the tower of Siloam. The Bible says some people were walking by as construction was being done. These people, minding their own business, were suddenly crushed when the tower, without warning, fell over. Jesus even gives the death toll - 18.
The first incident was mitigated by ruthless men who cared nothing for the sanctity of human life. They were more bent on carrying out tyranny rather than preserving justice and fairness. Like the incident in the temple, the day those twin towers were struck, ruthless men, with ruthless ideologies, were behind the plot. The second incident would be what we would term "an accident". It could not be explained - at least from a human point of view. Yet Jesus gives a response to both incidents: "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Why did Jesus respond the way He did
Jesus short and terse response did not offer explanations, did not pull back the curtain to reveal all the "why's" or answers to these two incidents. Rather his response points us to a far greater need than simply answers - He points us to the God of scripture. His response tells us a few things:
1. God is not unaware of those who perish. Whether those who died in both of these incidents were believers, or unbelievers, is not revealed by Jesus. The fact that Jesus tells the death toll reveals that God is keenly aware of the souls of men and women. Even those who die in their sins, the Bible reminds us that God does not rejoice over the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 33:11)
2. Man's greatest need is spiritual. Jesus' word to his audience was that of "repentance". All men need to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
3. The Greatness of God's Mercy. The fact that not everyone is wiped out on the planet is testimony to God's mercy. The Bible says: "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) It is amazing that God has granted this age of grace, holding back the judgment that all men justly deserve. Only the cross can explain why God extends such common grace to all men. The word there for "perish" points not merely to a worse calamity in this life, but eternal judgment that awaits those who die in rejection of Christ as Savior, Lord and Treasure. (John 3:16-19)
4. God does not owe anyone explanations. Jesus did not feel the need to go into a detailed explanation about these events. His fundamental assumptions were that God is good, and that if anything, He was giving His listeners, who were no better than those people who had perished, the chance to trust in Him as Savior and Lord.
5. Our greatest comfort in times of calamity is Jesus Christ. As we come to the end of the sequence of events here in Luke 13, we read the response to Jesus' words in Luke 13:17 "As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him." Clearly Jesus' opponents were shown for who they were - they did not desire the God of glory, only answers. Would it be, dear friend, that you and I find in Jesus the answer - for truly He alone did something about the problem of evil - the cross.
What I experienced and saw the day 9/11 took place
As a nation we should never forget the terrorist attacks that would come to define life as we know it in the 21st century. At the time I was working night shift in a plant in Eastern Pennsylvainia with non-Christian men who were tough, rugged and used to the harshness of life. I was also attending seminary and was taking a course on Christian counseling. The day that those events unfolded, a faculty member ran into our class, wheeling a T.V on a cart. As the class and I watched those events unfold, the Dean of the Seminary dismissed all classes. Not a sound was to be heard as faculty and students alike left the campus. That same night, as I went to work, the atmosphere was identical at the plant. No joking, no crass humor could be heard. All were walking around, as in a daze. More questions than answers were in the chilly air that night. Many were asking the question: "Why did this happen"?
A falling Tower and Jesus' response to it
In the passage above we are brought into a middle of a conversation between Jesus and a group of people discussing the problem of evil and suffering. Two situations are mentioned. The first had to do with a group of Jews who were minding there own business, worshipping God at the temple, when suddenly a group of Romans soldiers came in, ambushed the worshippers, and quite literally the blood of those victims mixed with the blood of the sacrifices on the cold temple floor.
The second incident involved a collapsing tower - the tower of Siloam. The Bible says some people were walking by as construction was being done. These people, minding their own business, were suddenly crushed when the tower, without warning, fell over. Jesus even gives the death toll - 18.
The first incident was mitigated by ruthless men who cared nothing for the sanctity of human life. They were more bent on carrying out tyranny rather than preserving justice and fairness. Like the incident in the temple, the day those twin towers were struck, ruthless men, with ruthless ideologies, were behind the plot. The second incident would be what we would term "an accident". It could not be explained - at least from a human point of view. Yet Jesus gives a response to both incidents: "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Why did Jesus respond the way He did
Jesus short and terse response did not offer explanations, did not pull back the curtain to reveal all the "why's" or answers to these two incidents. Rather his response points us to a far greater need than simply answers - He points us to the God of scripture. His response tells us a few things:
1. God is not unaware of those who perish. Whether those who died in both of these incidents were believers, or unbelievers, is not revealed by Jesus. The fact that Jesus tells the death toll reveals that God is keenly aware of the souls of men and women. Even those who die in their sins, the Bible reminds us that God does not rejoice over the death of the wicked. (Ezekiel 33:11)
2. Man's greatest need is spiritual. Jesus' word to his audience was that of "repentance". All men need to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
3. The Greatness of God's Mercy. The fact that not everyone is wiped out on the planet is testimony to God's mercy. The Bible says: "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) It is amazing that God has granted this age of grace, holding back the judgment that all men justly deserve. Only the cross can explain why God extends such common grace to all men. The word there for "perish" points not merely to a worse calamity in this life, but eternal judgment that awaits those who die in rejection of Christ as Savior, Lord and Treasure. (John 3:16-19)
4. God does not owe anyone explanations. Jesus did not feel the need to go into a detailed explanation about these events. His fundamental assumptions were that God is good, and that if anything, He was giving His listeners, who were no better than those people who had perished, the chance to trust in Him as Savior and Lord.
5. Our greatest comfort in times of calamity is Jesus Christ. As we come to the end of the sequence of events here in Luke 13, we read the response to Jesus' words in Luke 13:17 "As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him." Clearly Jesus' opponents were shown for who they were - they did not desire the God of glory, only answers. Would it be, dear friend, that you and I find in Jesus the answer - for truly He alone did something about the problem of evil - the cross.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Problem of Evil and Suffering: Its origins
TWO ASSUMPTIONS FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF EVIL AND SUFFERING
As we are on the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I felt it necessary to do a series of blogs on the problem of evil and suffering. Throughout the course of these next few blogs, the fundamental assumption will be two-fold: that only the Bible can answer the problem of evil. Second, although we may never fully comprehend all the issues raised by this question - yet God's goodness, justice and power are certainties, despite the presence of evil and suffering. Today we will begin to look at evil's origins.
SO WHERE DID SATAN DERIVE HIS SINISTER IDEA?
We must realize that Lucifer was an angelic being that originally was created good and perfect along with the rest of creation (compare Genesis 1:31-2:3). The closest the Bible comes to answering this question is Ezekiel 28:17a “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor". In other words, Lucifer took his eyes off of God's ultimate goodness and reasoned that his creaturely goodness was superior to God's goodness. When it comes to the problem of evil, as it pertains to satan, we're not told why he did it, rather we're told what he did, and from whence it came - his focus on his beauty and the pride in his heart.
GOD IS NOT THE SOURCE OF EVIL, YET HE DECREED TO PERMIT IT God is not the author or direct source of evil since no darkness is in Him (1 John 1:5). We know that God is eternally good and hates the sight of sin (Habakkuk 1:13). Whenever we speak of God's will, we can sometimes speak of what He decrees and what He Permits. We know from other scripture that nothing occurs in our universe apart from God either decreeing it directly or decreeing to permit it. (Please compare Daniel 2:21-23; 4:35 Romans 11:33-36). In fact the Bible tells us in Isaiah 45:7 "I form light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil (some versions say "calamity"): I the Lord do all these things."
EVIL EXISTS FOR THE SAKE OF GOD'S GLORY
From these verses we can say the following: First, God decreed to permit evil. Second, God does not desire nor condone such evil. Thirdly, evil exists ultimately to bring glory to God. Though God did not place evil in satan's heart (for the Bible says it was satan who stirred up the pride), yet God did permit it to occur. Though God is against evil morally, yet He allowed it ultimately to bring glory to Him. Bible teacher John MacArthur uses this simple string of thinking to bring clarity to the problem of evil:
A. God exists
B. Evil exists
C. God willed evil to exist
D. Though He is not the origin of evil
E. Yet He permited evil to accomplish one ultimate purpose, his glory
As we are on the eve of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I felt it necessary to do a series of blogs on the problem of evil and suffering. Throughout the course of these next few blogs, the fundamental assumption will be two-fold: that only the Bible can answer the problem of evil. Second, although we may never fully comprehend all the issues raised by this question - yet God's goodness, justice and power are certainties, despite the presence of evil and suffering. Today we will begin to look at evil's origins.
SO WHERE DID SATAN DERIVE HIS SINISTER IDEA?
We must realize that Lucifer was an angelic being that originally was created good and perfect along with the rest of creation (compare Genesis 1:31-2:3). The closest the Bible comes to answering this question is Ezekiel 28:17a “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor". In other words, Lucifer took his eyes off of God's ultimate goodness and reasoned that his creaturely goodness was superior to God's goodness. When it comes to the problem of evil, as it pertains to satan, we're not told why he did it, rather we're told what he did, and from whence it came - his focus on his beauty and the pride in his heart.
GOD IS NOT THE SOURCE OF EVIL, YET HE DECREED TO PERMIT IT God is not the author or direct source of evil since no darkness is in Him (1 John 1:5). We know that God is eternally good and hates the sight of sin (Habakkuk 1:13). Whenever we speak of God's will, we can sometimes speak of what He decrees and what He Permits. We know from other scripture that nothing occurs in our universe apart from God either decreeing it directly or decreeing to permit it. (Please compare Daniel 2:21-23; 4:35 Romans 11:33-36). In fact the Bible tells us in Isaiah 45:7 "I form light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil (some versions say "calamity"): I the Lord do all these things."
EVIL EXISTS FOR THE SAKE OF GOD'S GLORY
From these verses we can say the following: First, God decreed to permit evil. Second, God does not desire nor condone such evil. Thirdly, evil exists ultimately to bring glory to God. Though God did not place evil in satan's heart (for the Bible says it was satan who stirred up the pride), yet God did permit it to occur. Though God is against evil morally, yet He allowed it ultimately to bring glory to Him. Bible teacher John MacArthur uses this simple string of thinking to bring clarity to the problem of evil:
A. God exists
B. Evil exists
C. God willed evil to exist
D. Though He is not the origin of evil
E. Yet He permited evil to accomplish one ultimate purpose, his glory
ILLUSTRATION: DIAMOND RINGS AND DARK CLOTHES When I was getting ready to ask Debi to be my wife, I went to the Jeweler to look at engagement rings. The Jeweler brought out a dark piece of cloth. Now did I want the cloth? No. Then the Jeweler brought out some rings. Now they did shine, but was I able to see their beauty completely? Well, no not really. The cloth and the diamond are two completely different things. The diamond is a diamond, whether I see it or not. The dark cloth is completely useless and undesired by me. However, the Jeweler took the ring and placed it on the cloth. Wow! Did that ring ever pop out! How is it that someone came up with idea of putting together a dark cloth and a diamond ring as a means of making the diamond more desireable to the onlooker? I don't know. Likewise, why did God decree to permit evil and suffering in His plan to offset His unending glory? Consider Romans 3:5 "But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) Though we may never fully comprehend the why questions in the problem of evil, we can be certain that God is always Good, always Fair and that in His Power He works to accomplish the Highest Good - His glory.
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Beauty of the Holy Trinity
John 14:17 – “that is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you”
Holiness is what makes God to be God
When you consider the Triune God, you must begin with His holiness. In the first verse above, we come to understand that God in one respect cannot be comprehended nor related to by any creature apart from grace. God is infinite, everything else is finite. One writer has noted that animals have a beginning and an end; angels and people have a beginning but will remain throughout eternity; however God alone has no beginning or end.
Comparing God’s Holiness, and the need for grace, to the sun
As we approach the Trinity, we are immediately confronted with a Life that is so unlike anything else we know. God’s holiness marks a boundary that no creature, no angel nor no man could ever hope to cross. God’s holiness is like the brightness of the sun – stare long enough and you will grow blind. God’s holiness demands we respect and approach God in such a way as to be in awe. When viewed through Grace, which God chooses to extend to us, His holiness is seen for what it is – beautiful, exquisite, captivating. Think of that same sun, which moments before would blind me – now put it lower on the horizon with a veil of clouds, and I can admire the sunset refracting its light in beautiful color.
Why God’s Holiness makes grace truly amazing
As Holy God, the infinite boundary between His creatures and Himself can only be crossed by Him. He must come to us – which is Jesus’ point in the passage above. The world in all its wisdom and knowledge cannot comprehend God – due to its preference for the darkness rather than light. (please compare John 3:18). The Holy Spirit is God reaching out to fallen humanity. His role within the Trinity is to open the eyes of the heart blinded by sin to behold the glory of the Son, who reveals the glory He shares with the Father. God the Son crossed that boundary by taking upon Himself a robe of humanity. God the Father crossed that boundary by sending the Son and the Spirit to a people who otherwise prefer to stay separated from Him. That’s Grace – God’s Amazing Grace.
Cities don't compare to sunsets
Think of our sunset once again, only this time it is setting above a brilliant city skyline. The city is beautiful, it has much to offer. Perhaps I live there, or have traveled there. It represents the world. The darker it gets, the more beautiful it seems to me. I enjoy gazing at it. But then my attention is drawn to the sunset, and suddenly the city is but a pitiful flicker of lights compared to the colorful sunset. I may have seen many cityscapes, but sunsets are unique, unparalleled, never to be forgotten. Only the Triune God, in grace extended to me, can convince me that His glory is more preferable than the desires of sin and this world. O may we ever by grace admire the beauty of the Triune God who dwells in His Holiness.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
How the Trinity makes Prayer Possible
Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
The Trinity is The Relational God
What is prayer? Prayer in its simplest definition is me talking to God and God talking to me. It is where the child of God, based upon faith in the word of God, through the blood of Calvary's cross, approaches the throne of God to gain an audience with the Son of God by means of the Spirit of God. Understand that when we speak of God's Triune nature, we are talking about how God relates within Himself. He is at the most fundamental level the God of Relationship - since by nature He relates in and of Himself.
How the Trinity makes prayer possible
In the two passages above, we are given insight into how the God of the Bible relates to the Christian in their prayer life. If God were not Trinity, prayer would be impossible, since by its nature prayer is based upon relationship. In using the two passages above, we can briefly outline how it is that the Trinity alone can make the Christian's prayer-life a reality:
1. The Father in Heaven is the Recipient of prayer. What did Jesus pray in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 concerning the Lord's prayer? "Our Father, who are in Heaven". God the Father becomes the Christian's Heavenly Father at salvation. The Holy Spirit, "God in us", enables the Christian to refer to God the Father as "Abba" or "Daddy". (Romans 8:15).
2. The Spirit here on earth relays our prayers. Did you ever watch a relay race? One runner passes the baton off to another runner, who in turn takes the baton across the finish line. What happens when we pray? The Holy Spirit, God "in us", actually burdens us with the prayer. In order for God to receive prayer, He must initiate it in us. Prayer does not change God, rather it is designed to change us. God is constantly communicating within Himself as Father, Son and Spirit. It is the Spirit - our advocate here on earth - who take the prayers of the saints into the heavenly throne room.
Contrary to what many Christans may think, our prayers don't just bounce off of the ceiling. According to Revelation 5:8, each prayer of every child of God is recorded in Heaven (described as bowls full of incense), ever before the presence of the Father and the Son. Incense wafts its way through the heavenlies, ever in the nostrils of the Triune God. Luke 18:7 reminds us of how God ever hears the prayers of those whom He has set His affection upon, who cry out to Him day an night. What happens next once God the Holy Spirit has brought our requests before the throne?
3. The Son represents the praying Christian to the Father. Jesus, ever at the righthand of the Father, takes the request brought by the Spirit, and enters into conference with the Father. In reality all Three persons, as One God, are ever communicating, agreeing and working forth in what the Bible calls "the counsel of God". (please compare Ephesians 1:11) God Himself meets with Himself over your prayer. God the Son brings up the fact He purchased the saint of God with his blood in his humanity. He also brings up that the child of God has been called by the Father, convicted by the Spirit and gifted with faith to believe upon Him for their everlasting enjoyment.
The Father in turn responds, and the Advocate in Heaven, Jesus Christ nods to the Holy Spirit, who brings the request back to the child of God.
Why only the Triune God can make prayer possible
Now all of this occurs instantaneously. Imagine if God were not Triune? He really could not be at all places at all times. He could not relate. He would be isolated from everything here, since His Triunity makes it possible for Him to be at more than one place and to truly relate. He does this for billions of Christians every day. This ongoing activity, whereby we have an advocate here on earth - the Holy Spirit, and an Advocate in Heaven - Jesus the Son, appealing to the Almighty Father, is the sum activity of Holy God relating to His people. As Christians, we have opportunity to be part of this wonderful ongoing dialogue of the Triune God. Praise God for His goodness.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
The Trinity is The Relational God
What is prayer? Prayer in its simplest definition is me talking to God and God talking to me. It is where the child of God, based upon faith in the word of God, through the blood of Calvary's cross, approaches the throne of God to gain an audience with the Son of God by means of the Spirit of God. Understand that when we speak of God's Triune nature, we are talking about how God relates within Himself. He is at the most fundamental level the God of Relationship - since by nature He relates in and of Himself.
How the Trinity makes prayer possible
In the two passages above, we are given insight into how the God of the Bible relates to the Christian in their prayer life. If God were not Trinity, prayer would be impossible, since by its nature prayer is based upon relationship. In using the two passages above, we can briefly outline how it is that the Trinity alone can make the Christian's prayer-life a reality:
1. The Father in Heaven is the Recipient of prayer. What did Jesus pray in Matthew 6 and Luke 11 concerning the Lord's prayer? "Our Father, who are in Heaven". God the Father becomes the Christian's Heavenly Father at salvation. The Holy Spirit, "God in us", enables the Christian to refer to God the Father as "Abba" or "Daddy". (Romans 8:15).
2. The Spirit here on earth relays our prayers. Did you ever watch a relay race? One runner passes the baton off to another runner, who in turn takes the baton across the finish line. What happens when we pray? The Holy Spirit, God "in us", actually burdens us with the prayer. In order for God to receive prayer, He must initiate it in us. Prayer does not change God, rather it is designed to change us. God is constantly communicating within Himself as Father, Son and Spirit. It is the Spirit - our advocate here on earth - who take the prayers of the saints into the heavenly throne room.
Contrary to what many Christans may think, our prayers don't just bounce off of the ceiling. According to Revelation 5:8, each prayer of every child of God is recorded in Heaven (described as bowls full of incense), ever before the presence of the Father and the Son. Incense wafts its way through the heavenlies, ever in the nostrils of the Triune God. Luke 18:7 reminds us of how God ever hears the prayers of those whom He has set His affection upon, who cry out to Him day an night. What happens next once God the Holy Spirit has brought our requests before the throne?
3. The Son represents the praying Christian to the Father. Jesus, ever at the righthand of the Father, takes the request brought by the Spirit, and enters into conference with the Father. In reality all Three persons, as One God, are ever communicating, agreeing and working forth in what the Bible calls "the counsel of God". (please compare Ephesians 1:11) God Himself meets with Himself over your prayer. God the Son brings up the fact He purchased the saint of God with his blood in his humanity. He also brings up that the child of God has been called by the Father, convicted by the Spirit and gifted with faith to believe upon Him for their everlasting enjoyment.
The Father in turn responds, and the Advocate in Heaven, Jesus Christ nods to the Holy Spirit, who brings the request back to the child of God.
Why only the Triune God can make prayer possible
Now all of this occurs instantaneously. Imagine if God were not Triune? He really could not be at all places at all times. He could not relate. He would be isolated from everything here, since His Triunity makes it possible for Him to be at more than one place and to truly relate. He does this for billions of Christians every day. This ongoing activity, whereby we have an advocate here on earth - the Holy Spirit, and an Advocate in Heaven - Jesus the Son, appealing to the Almighty Father, is the sum activity of Holy God relating to His people. As Christians, we have opportunity to be part of this wonderful ongoing dialogue of the Triune God. Praise God for His goodness.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Why the Trinity is the Comforting God
John 14:1 Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever
As Jesus has his final meal with His disciples the night before His crucifixion, He begins to unfold to them the inner nature of God and His own relationship to that nature. As Jesus does this, He uses the Triune nature of God to comfort His friends. In today’s blog I want us to consider two points: How does Jesus unfold the Trinity and How does Jesus use the Trinity to comfort His disciples.
How does Jesus unfold the Trinity?
Though we do not find the word “trinity” in the Bible, yet there are various other truths about God and Christ that demands one to believe in the Trinity. Jesus unfolds the Triune nature of God in the following way:
a. God is One God. John 14:1 “Believe in God”.
b. Jesus declares Himself equal to God. John 14:1 “believe also in me”; John 14:9 “He who has seen me has seen the Father”
c. Jesus asserts the Holy Spirit to have the same qualities as He and God the Father. John 14:16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper” (that word “another” refers to being the same kind of being)
d. Jesus asserts the Holy Spirit to be a person. John 14:16 “that He may be with you forever”
This four-fold argument is used by Jesus to lead us to the understanding of the God of the Bible. Jesus purpose’ for doing this is to enable his disciples, and us, to find comfort in the fullness of who God is. Let’s now see how the Trinity brings comfort.
How the Trinity brings comfort
a. The Trinity is the comfort of the Christian’s future
In order for the Christian to find comfort in Jesus Christ, they must believe in the Trinity, since Christ’s Deity leads naturally to an affirmation of that doctrine. Jesus says in John 14:2 “In my Father’s House are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” In Hebrews 11:10 describes Old Testament Abraham as “looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God”.
b. The Trinity is the comfort of the Christian’s present
In equating Himself with God the Father, Jesus also identifies the personality and equality of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of God Himself inside the Christian is the most supreme comfort we can have in this present world. Jesus uses two verses to assert the reality of the Triune God indwelling all Christians through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:17 states – “that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” The Holy Spirit is not an “it” or an impersonal force, rather the Holy Spirit is “He”, a Person, a Divine person, God Himself, coming to take up residence.
In John 14:23 Jesus says – “If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our abode with him.” To never be alone, to have the One God, who is Three Persons, with you at all times, means you are never alone.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Glory of the New Testament - Second Coming & Eternity
As we close out this particular blog series: "The Glory of the New Testament", I pray you have found it helpful in your walk with the Lord. We have explored the entire New Testament by means of themes. Those themes, which walk us through all 27 New testament books, are: Incarnation, Humiliation, Gospel, Exaltation, Pentecost, Missions, Christian Life and New Covenant. As we round the corner and head down the homestretch, we will look at the final two themes in this blog series: Second Coming and Eternity.
THEME NINE: SECOND COMING
If one thing united the first eight themes of this study, it is that they all our connected somehow to what Christ accomplished in His first coming. However, we also understand that the Christian is directed to base their hope and life upon Christ's second coming. If there was one verse I could name that brings home the significance of Christ's soon return, it would be 1 John 3:2-3 - " Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Now as a Christian, I know on the one hand who I am and whose I am - I am by Grace through Faith a new creation in Christ. Whose I am is Christ's - His possession, His vessel to do with what He will. Yet in another way it has not yet been revealed what the Christian will become. Now John does not leave us in the future, for the reality of Christ's return affects the Christian in the here and now. His Return provides the grounds for our sanctification - our progressive growth in Jesus Christ. The Cross of Christ is the Grounds for victory, and the Second coming guarantees it.
THEME TEN: ETERNITY
I want to end this blog series in Revelation 22:16-21. The Great Preacher and writer Warren Weirsby has well stated that Redemptive history is determined by four gradens: Eden, Gethesemane (where Jesus sweat drops of blood), Calvary (Jesus was buried in the garden tomb) and the garden described here in Revelation. John describes here an inviation by the Holy Spirit, through the church, echoing the urging of Christ to come unto Him. Eternity beckons, it reaches into time. The mighty dam of time's end is about to bust loose. The Christian, reading the scriptures, knows what is on the other side. You cannot escape the inevitability. Christ issues the call to come and heed what He has been communicating throughout the entire Bible. Be ready, by faith, for His return.
THEME NINE: SECOND COMING
If one thing united the first eight themes of this study, it is that they all our connected somehow to what Christ accomplished in His first coming. However, we also understand that the Christian is directed to base their hope and life upon Christ's second coming. If there was one verse I could name that brings home the significance of Christ's soon return, it would be 1 John 3:2-3 - " Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Now as a Christian, I know on the one hand who I am and whose I am - I am by Grace through Faith a new creation in Christ. Whose I am is Christ's - His possession, His vessel to do with what He will. Yet in another way it has not yet been revealed what the Christian will become. Now John does not leave us in the future, for the reality of Christ's return affects the Christian in the here and now. His Return provides the grounds for our sanctification - our progressive growth in Jesus Christ. The Cross of Christ is the Grounds for victory, and the Second coming guarantees it.
THEME TEN: ETERNITY
I want to end this blog series in Revelation 22:16-21. The Great Preacher and writer Warren Weirsby has well stated that Redemptive history is determined by four gradens: Eden, Gethesemane (where Jesus sweat drops of blood), Calvary (Jesus was buried in the garden tomb) and the garden described here in Revelation. John describes here an inviation by the Holy Spirit, through the church, echoing the urging of Christ to come unto Him. Eternity beckons, it reaches into time. The mighty dam of time's end is about to bust loose. The Christian, reading the scriptures, knows what is on the other side. You cannot escape the inevitability. Christ issues the call to come and heed what He has been communicating throughout the entire Bible. Be ready, by faith, for His return.
Monday, September 5, 2011
How to Enjoy "Labor Day" everyday
Hebrews 4:10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
Where did the U.S Holiday Labor day begin?
According to reliable sources, the holiday we know as "Labor Day" occured on September 5, 1882. The reason why this day was commemorated was to note the economic and beneficial contributions of all workers in all areas of life. On this day, people enjoy the fruits of those labors - picnics, BBQ's and relaxation.
What is the Christian's labor day, and when?
However the Bible details for us how everyday for the Christian is a labor day. How? In the passage above, the fundamental thought of the Christian walk is presented - Rest. When by God's grace I enter in relationship with Christ through faith, I cease relying upon my own efforts to achieve favor with God - and choose to fully rely upon the labor that Christ did on my behalf through His cross and resurrection.
What the Bible means by "rest"
Now the writer here takes us back to the open chapters of Genesis, where God "rested" from His creative work. When the Bible says God rested, that does not mean God was tired. That phrase "rested" means God took His seat upon His throne, and that the reign of God was established over all He made. Everything was at peace, in harmony. If anything, God went from creating to that of conserving, preserving His creation.
Thus for the Christian, when the choice is made everyday to enjoy the rest of God, that means that there is delight over the reign of God in your life. A Christian who aims to rest in Christ everyday will be marked by harmony in their heart because of the assurance of God preserving their salvation. (please compare Philippians 1:6) To rest in what Christ has labored for does not mean I do nothing, rather it means enjoying, delighting and drawing nourishment from Christ by means of scripture and prayer.
As you enjoy labor day, remember this...
You can always tell when labor day is occuring in your neighborhood: the smell of cooked food, the parades, families gathering together and the simple pleasure of enjoyment of the fruits of hard work. As a Christian, your life and mine ought to be characterized by the sweet aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14), the clear demonstration of His glory (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) and a peaceful heart that has found its rest in His labor (Philippians 3:8-9).
Where did the U.S Holiday Labor day begin?
According to reliable sources, the holiday we know as "Labor Day" occured on September 5, 1882. The reason why this day was commemorated was to note the economic and beneficial contributions of all workers in all areas of life. On this day, people enjoy the fruits of those labors - picnics, BBQ's and relaxation.
What is the Christian's labor day, and when?
However the Bible details for us how everyday for the Christian is a labor day. How? In the passage above, the fundamental thought of the Christian walk is presented - Rest. When by God's grace I enter in relationship with Christ through faith, I cease relying upon my own efforts to achieve favor with God - and choose to fully rely upon the labor that Christ did on my behalf through His cross and resurrection.
What the Bible means by "rest"
Now the writer here takes us back to the open chapters of Genesis, where God "rested" from His creative work. When the Bible says God rested, that does not mean God was tired. That phrase "rested" means God took His seat upon His throne, and that the reign of God was established over all He made. Everything was at peace, in harmony. If anything, God went from creating to that of conserving, preserving His creation.
Thus for the Christian, when the choice is made everyday to enjoy the rest of God, that means that there is delight over the reign of God in your life. A Christian who aims to rest in Christ everyday will be marked by harmony in their heart because of the assurance of God preserving their salvation. (please compare Philippians 1:6) To rest in what Christ has labored for does not mean I do nothing, rather it means enjoying, delighting and drawing nourishment from Christ by means of scripture and prayer.
As you enjoy labor day, remember this...
You can always tell when labor day is occuring in your neighborhood: the smell of cooked food, the parades, families gathering together and the simple pleasure of enjoyment of the fruits of hard work. As a Christian, your life and mine ought to be characterized by the sweet aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14), the clear demonstration of His glory (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) and a peaceful heart that has found its rest in His labor (Philippians 3:8-9).
Glory of the New Testament - Christian Life and New Covenant
What is the aim of missions? Missions aims not at just making converts, but making disciples. A disciple was not only someone who believed what His Master - The Rabbi - Taught, but also aimed to be like the Rabbi. The Disciple aims to be like the Rabbi - His Lord - in order to model the life of the Master before others, who then too will want to speak, act and know like the Rabbi. This is where we come to our next theme: The Christian life.
THEME SEVEN: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
One of my favorite texts in the New Testament is 2 Peter 1:4-11. The Christian life is about escaping the corruption of this world, partaking of the life of God and then living the faith life. We live by growing onward and upward in Christ. The Christian life is summarized excellently by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Paul in this text gives the purpose for trials, the inward working of the Holy Spirit, the goal of His work and the command not to lose heart.
So then how is the Christian life made possible? This is where we come to the next theme...
THEME EIGHT: NEW COVENANT
The New testament's backbone is the gospel, its skeletal structure - missions, and its heart - The new Covenant. The New Covenant is spoken of in the Old Testament by Jeremiah and Ezekiel as they predict what will be the future work of restoring the nation of Israel at Christ's return. As much as those passages point to that yet future reality, the New Testament also speaks of the New Covenant's blessings having their inauguration in the church.
New Testament texts such as 1 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 5:15-21 and Hebrews 9 reaffirm the New Covenant reality operating in the church. Think of the following phrases as defining New Covenant - or New Testament Christianity: Onward and Upward; Inward and outward; Going and telling. The first phrase refers to our progression in spiritual growth, the second speaks of the Spirit's work inside working to affect our outside and the third details our role in missions.
This New Covenant reality is made possible by the ministry of Jesus Christ and is brought to life by the Holy Spirit. Truly it is this theme which prepares us for the last two themes in our study of the Glorious New Testament - Second coming and Eternity, which we will look at in tomorrow's blog. May the Lord richly bless you dear reader.
THEME SEVEN: THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
One of my favorite texts in the New Testament is 2 Peter 1:4-11. The Christian life is about escaping the corruption of this world, partaking of the life of God and then living the faith life. We live by growing onward and upward in Christ. The Christian life is summarized excellently by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Paul in this text gives the purpose for trials, the inward working of the Holy Spirit, the goal of His work and the command not to lose heart.
So then how is the Christian life made possible? This is where we come to the next theme...
THEME EIGHT: NEW COVENANT
The New testament's backbone is the gospel, its skeletal structure - missions, and its heart - The new Covenant. The New Covenant is spoken of in the Old Testament by Jeremiah and Ezekiel as they predict what will be the future work of restoring the nation of Israel at Christ's return. As much as those passages point to that yet future reality, the New Testament also speaks of the New Covenant's blessings having their inauguration in the church.
New Testament texts such as 1 Corinthians 11, 2 Corinthians 5:15-21 and Hebrews 9 reaffirm the New Covenant reality operating in the church. Think of the following phrases as defining New Covenant - or New Testament Christianity: Onward and Upward; Inward and outward; Going and telling. The first phrase refers to our progression in spiritual growth, the second speaks of the Spirit's work inside working to affect our outside and the third details our role in missions.
This New Covenant reality is made possible by the ministry of Jesus Christ and is brought to life by the Holy Spirit. Truly it is this theme which prepares us for the last two themes in our study of the Glorious New Testament - Second coming and Eternity, which we will look at in tomorrow's blog. May the Lord richly bless you dear reader.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Glory of the New Testament - Missions
Over the past few days we have been exploring the glory of the New Testament. Let me remind the reader of the main themes we have discovered so far: Incarnation, humiliation, Gospel, exaltation and Pentecost. As the first five themes centered around the results flowing from the Person and work of God the Son, today's theme - Missions, is made possible by the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.
THEME SIX: MISSIONS
The Strategy of Missions
The book of Acts provides information on several fronts when it comes to describing this theme of missions. First, it details the missionary expansion of the early church as it spread of Jerusalem, into Judea and Samaria and then unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). In fact Acts itself can be divided along this missionary strategy - giving us a Divinely ordained plotline:
Acts 1-8 Jerusalem
Acts 9-12 Judea/Samria
Acts 13-28 Uttermost Parts of the Earth
When we flip that plotline on its side, we see the principle missionaries used by the Holy Spirit:
Acts 1-8 Peter
Acts 9-12 Peter, Paul and Others
Acts 13-28 Paul
The Person and work of the Spirit in Missions
The Book of Acts also reveals the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit Himself. It shows how He convicted and called people to repentance and faith, as well as filled and lead the early church to walk out the Christian faith in life and witness.
The Missionary Background for the remainder of the New Testament
Acts also provides the historical and missionary background for the remaining New Testament epistles or letters written by the Apostles. From Acts we discover for instance that Paul had four missionary journeys and imprisonments that was used by the Holy Spirit to prompt Him in the writing of His letters.
Missions is found in every New Testament book
Undeniably the theme of missions is found in all 27 New Testament book: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16; Lk 24; John 20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5; Galatians 1; Ephesians 3; Philippians 2:15; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 3:15-16; 2 Timothy 3; Titus 2:11-15; Philemon; Hebrews 13; James 2; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Peter 1; Jude 1-3 and Revelation 4-5.
May you and I dear reader be so moved by God's great heart for missions as we focus on the glory of the New Testament.
THEME SIX: MISSIONS
The Strategy of Missions
The book of Acts provides information on several fronts when it comes to describing this theme of missions. First, it details the missionary expansion of the early church as it spread of Jerusalem, into Judea and Samaria and then unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8). In fact Acts itself can be divided along this missionary strategy - giving us a Divinely ordained plotline:
Acts 1-8 Jerusalem
Acts 9-12 Judea/Samria
Acts 13-28 Uttermost Parts of the Earth
When we flip that plotline on its side, we see the principle missionaries used by the Holy Spirit:
Acts 1-8 Peter
Acts 9-12 Peter, Paul and Others
Acts 13-28 Paul
The Person and work of the Spirit in Missions
The Book of Acts also reveals the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit Himself. It shows how He convicted and called people to repentance and faith, as well as filled and lead the early church to walk out the Christian faith in life and witness.
The Missionary Background for the remainder of the New Testament
Acts also provides the historical and missionary background for the remaining New Testament epistles or letters written by the Apostles. From Acts we discover for instance that Paul had four missionary journeys and imprisonments that was used by the Holy Spirit to prompt Him in the writing of His letters.
Missions is found in every New Testament book
Undeniably the theme of missions is found in all 27 New Testament book: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16; Lk 24; John 20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5; Galatians 1; Ephesians 3; Philippians 2:15; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 3:15-16; 2 Timothy 3; Titus 2:11-15; Philemon; Hebrews 13; James 2; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Peter 1; Jude 1-3 and Revelation 4-5.
May you and I dear reader be so moved by God's great heart for missions as we focus on the glory of the New Testament.
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