August 3, 2021

The Seventeenth Day of the Second Month

If you made a list of the most important dates in the history of the world, what dates would be included on that list? One date that should make everyone’s list is the seventeenth day of the second month of the 1,656th year from the creation of the world. The significant events of that day are recorded in God’s history book in Genesis 7:11-16. Genesis 1-9 gives us the history of the first 1,657 years of this earth. Obviously, in nine chapters, we do not have a detailed account of every day. Many days were ordinary or routine, but there were several days that God wanted us to remember as important days. In Genesis 1, we have a description of the various days of creation week. Genesis 2 provides some specific details about the sixth day of Creation week. Genesis 3 marks a very significant historical event, as mankind sinned for the very first time. Genesis 4-5 outlines for us approximately 1,500 years worth of history. But then God writes four chapters to draw our attention to a significant historical event, the worldwide flood, which began on the seventeenth day of the second month of the 1,656th year of the history of the world. This event made God’s list of the most important dates in the history of the world and it ought to be on our list.

Genesis 7:11 describes what happened on the seventeenth day of the second month of the 1,656th year of the history of the world: “All the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” The two verbs, “were broken up” and “were opened” are in the passive or reflexive voice, which means the subjects of the sentence weren’t doing the action. Rather the subjects were being acted upon! This was not just a natural disaster, but rather God caused all the fountains of the deep to burst open and the LORD God caused the windows of heaven to be opened. In Genesis 7:4, the LORD spoke to Noah and said, “I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights.” This day is significant because it teaches us that our Creator God is involved in the affairs of this world. Psalm 29:10 declares that this day shows that the LORD reigns over the earth, serving as a historical reminder that the LORD as King, has and will righteously judge the wickedness of mankind.

Now it is important for us to consider the catastrophic and worldwide ramifications of the events of this day. During the last few weeks in Western New York, we have had several rounds of rain. One weather report warned that an inch of rain could cause flooding in light of the saturated ground. The seventeenth day of the second month of the 1,656th year of the history of the world marked the beginning of 40 days and 40 nights of heavy rain! Imagine the flooding from that much rain. But that day also marked the day that God caused all the fountains of the deep to burst open. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and destructive geysers began to take place all over the world. And these events continued for 40 days so that “all the mountains were covered”(Genesis 7:20) and He destroyed all living things from the earth” (Genesis 7:23).

Today, approximately 5,000 years later, evidence remains all over this world in the fossil records of death and destruction that began on the seventeenth day of the second month of the 1656th year of the history of this world. Every major mountain range includes marine fossils. Some have been found nearly 15,000 feet above sea level. Yet with the overwhelming evidence of the fossil record, some deny or doubt the historic events of that day (2 Peter 3:1-7). What they really reject is the truth that the LORD is the righteous King over all the earth and there is coming another day in history when He will destroy the earth again because of the wickedness of mankind (2 Peter 3:10).

“On that very same day Noah . . . entered the ark . . . and the LORD shut him in.” (Genesis 7:13-16) This important day in history not only teaches that the LORD will judge this world again, but also that the LORD is a merciful King who will save all those that put their faith in His gracious provision of salvation (2 Peter 3:8-9). God, in His goodness, wants His creation to know this important day in history, so that we don’t make the same mistake of history and perish in the judgment to come.

June 30, 2021

If It Is from God

History records that the early church faced intense pressure to obey man instead of obeying God. The religious leaders of the Jews were filled with indignation as the Apostles were preaching the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name throughout all of Jerusalem. These leaders had the apostles threatened, beaten, and thrown into prison in an attempt to stop the spread of the gospel and of people becoming followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, the apostles boldly proclaimed to the religious leaders an essential component of Christian discipleship, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29; 4:19-20). For the sinner who repents, Jesus Christ is Lord and therefore He is to be obeyed in all areas of life. Obedience to Christ is synonymous with those who love Christ and (John 14:15, 23) it is the conclusion of the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20). As the Christian obeys Christ, he ought to expect persecution and resistance in this world.

In Acts 5:33-39, the Lord provides encouragement to His followers from a very unlikely source. Gamaliel, a member of the ruling class of the Jews, was part of the opposition. Gamaliel was a Pharisee who was on the council that commanded the Apostles to stop preaching in Jesus’ name. Although he was part of the opposition, he recognized a truth that ought to encourage every follower of Jesus Christ to obey God no matter the consequences. Gamaliel’s council began with two historical examples of Theudas and Judas of Galilee. These two men had disciples, who followed and obeyed them, but when they died, their disciples dispersed. He observed the truth that Theudas’ and Judas of Galilee’s “ministry” were of men and not of God and therefore came to nothing. Then he advised to leave the apostles alone (Acts 5:38), implying that time will tell whether their claimed supreme obedience to God was of man or of God. By this, he was inferring to the council that if the Apostle’s message was of men that it too would come to nothing. Then he shares, “But if it is of God, then you cannot overthrow it; lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:39)

Nearly 2,000 years later in 2021, we recognize that the gospel message is of God and that no man, no matter how fierce his opposition, has been able to overthrow the church of Jesus Christ, because it is a work of God. These last 2,000 years of history affirms the words of Gamaliel and the reality that our Lord is worthy of our complete obedience and his gospel message must be proclaimed to all nations. Gamaliel’s council encourages us to obey God even when opposed by man, tempting us to obey man rather than to obey God. Gamaliel’s council also exposes the state of those who are opposing obedience to God through the preaching of the gospel message; they are actually fighting against God. Whenever one encourages obedience to man over obedience to God he is actually fighting against God. The true follower of Christ will want no part in fighting against God and will therefore go against the teachings of man that are contrary to obeying God.

As the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name continues to be under attack today, and as efforts continue to grow to prevent Christians from proclaiming that message, be encouraged to obey God by preaching the truth, because “it is of God.”

June 9, 2021

The Serpent of Old and the Lawless One

“The lawless one” is the description that God uses to describe the coming Anti-Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2:8. He will be lawless because he will have no regard for the laws of God. He will live in open rebellion against his Creator. Just like the serpent of old (Genesis 3) had no regard for the commandment not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so too the Anti-Christ will have no regard for the commandments of God. He will be lawless regarding the laws of God.

However, the lawless one will make and enforce laws. In Revelation 12:9, the serpent of old will be cast down to the earth during the tribulation period and he will deceive the whole world. He will influence and control the coming lawless one, the Anti-Christ. As he makes and enforces various laws, they will represent the laws of Satan’s kingdom. In Revelation 13:12, a law is made regarding worship; only the Anti-Christ is to be worshipped. In verse 16, laws are made regulating commerce; no one can buy or sell unless they have the mark of the beast. From a human level, when the Anti-Christ rules the world during the Tribulation period his government will not be limited. There will be no Bill of Rights limiting the power of government; rather he will control all aspects of a person’s life by not allowing them even to buy food unless they become a worshipper of the creature, instead of the glorious Creator!

Back in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, we read that “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” There were things in Paul’s world nearly 2,000 years ago that paralleled the coming of the lawless one. Those parallels include the serpent of old deceiving people and nations and governments to disregard God’s laws and to establish laws that go against God’s truth. Since we are nearly 2,000 years closer to the coming of the Anti-Christ it should not surprise us to see those same parallels in our world today. However, during this time there is something restraining the lawless one. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8, “For the mystery of the lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”

What is restraining the lawlessness today is the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Church of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth and is sanctified or set apart from the world by belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13). But when the church is caught up in the air, the ministry of the Spirit of Truth through Christ’s church will also be removed from this world (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and the lawless one will be revealed.

It is important for Christ’s church to know the times in which we live. We must beware of the spirit of lawlessness which is currently at work. The serpent of old, who deceives the world, is still throwing his fiery darts at the church. He wants the church to doubt and disregard the Word of God, just like when he deceived the Woman in the Garden. But the church is to above all take the shield of faith (believe the truth of Christ and His Word) with which the believer will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16). In these “unparallel” days of the last 15 months in the history of the world, know there are “parallels” to the way the serpent of old has worked and the way the coming lawless one will work. Cling to Christ and His truth and do not be deceived by the laws of men that are contrary to God’s laws.

May 11, 2021

Wisdom for Words

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Wow! The potential to bring life or death is wrapped up in the use of our words. Solomon, in the great wisdom that he received from the LORD, knew the power of the tongue. And that is why so many proverbs deal with our tongue. When we recognize the power of the tongue, we will desire God’s wisdom for our words. It is good and right for us to consider some of these proverbs.

1. Do I speak too much? Proverbs 10:19 states, “in the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”
2. Do I speak enough? Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Open your mouth for the speechless; In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
3. Are my words true? Proverbs 18:8 declares, “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.”
4. Do my words stir-up or turn away wrath? Proverbs 15:1 proclaims, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
5. Do I think before I speak? Proverbs 15:28 reveals, “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.”
6. Am I growing in my words or do my words still get me in trouble? Proverbs 16:23 describes the one who is growing, “the heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.” Whereas, Proverbs 18:6-7 describes the foolish mouth, “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.”
7. Do I speak too quickly? Proverbs 20:25 warns of making a rash vow, “It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, and afterward to reconsider his vows.”
8. Do my words come from a heart of pride as they focus on me? Proverbs 27:2 clearly teaches, “let another man praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
9. When speaking words of correction do they heal and help? Proverbs 24:17 reminds us, “do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.”
10. Are my words seasoned with grace? Proverbs 22:11 encourages us with these words, “He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.”

When we trust in the Lord with all of our heart, our tongues will be springs of life. May the God of life control our hearts so that our lips bring life. And when we recognize that we have leaned on our own understanding and have destroyed people with our words, then may we speak words of confession to our God. Proverbs 28:13 gives us this hope, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whosoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

March 31, 2021

Now or Later

On Palm Sunday, the followers of Christ cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The word, hosanna, is a command that means “cause us to be saved now.” Those who cast the palm branches along the road as Jesus traveled to Jerusalem desired Jesus to save them now. Specifically, they wanted the Son of David, the rightful heir to the throne of David, to save them immediately. The salvation that they demanded was a political salvation, not a spiritual one. They wanted Jesus, the King of the Jews, to redeem Israel from the hand of the Romans, not from the bondage of their sinful rebellion against God (Luke 24:21). They wanted a political savior, not a personal savior who would deliver them from their sins. And they wanted Jesus to save them NOW!!

But these followers of Christ were wrong about what was supposed to happen now and what was supposed to happen later. They wanted the glory of Christ’s reign at that moment. They wanted the glory now, but that glory was reserved for later. The Scriptures taught that “now” was the time for Christ’s suffering! “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:26) Suffering now; glory later! After the events of Palm Sunday, Jesus taught that He would come again with great glory! (Luke 21:27) But now was the time for the Passover Lamb to be sacrificed. (Luke 22:7)

The first and second comings of Christ, the now and the later, outline a pattern that is wise for all of us to consider as followers of Christ. As followers of Christ, now is a time for suffering, later will be a time for glory. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13). “That you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you also suffer” (2 Thessalonians 1:5). That is the now! “When He comes in that Day to be glorified in His Saints” (2 Thessalonians 1:10). That is the later!

It is important for us to think correctly about what we should expect in both the now and the later. Today, when you live godly in Christ Jesus, you should expect persecution. But it is the glory that will be revealed that allows us to rejoice in partaking in the sufferings of Christ. When we live life in this fallen world we should expect pain and sickness and suffering. But in glory there will be no more pain, sickness or death. The disciples, when they had the wrong expectation concerning the now and later, were full of gloom and sadness (Luke 24:17), but when they understood the necessity of the death and resurrection of Christ for their salvation they were exceedingly glad (Luke24:52). Luke 24 concludes with the disciples walking back to Jerusalem. It is very likely that this road took them past the place of the crucifixion, but they were no longer sad that Jesus didn’t save them now, but they were full of great joy as they fixed their hope on the gospel of Christ and the glory which shall be revealed in them later.