Category Archives: Biblical truth

Jacob in Genesis 28:20-22

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And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

A recent comment: “Jacob’s prayer is a real shocker . . . It’s a selfish prayer.”

Considering prayer in Genesis, first of all, where is it?
Genesis 4:26 then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
– It’s implied that they prayed.
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God. Did he pray? No record.
Genesis 24:12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, . . . (repeated in vs 42-44.) Not until Genesis 24, hundreds of years since the creation, we read the words of what someone actually prayed. Here is the first recorded prayer in Scripture. After how many hundred years?

Then we have a few others:
Genesis 25:21 Isaac intreated the Lord.
Genesis 25:22 Rebekah enquired of the Lord. – These, too, are prayer events

When we come to 28:20-22 we are told that Jacob ‘vowed a vow’. This does not necessarily constitute a prayer. The text says it was a vow. This may well have been heard by others. To condemn Jacob’s “prayer” on the basis of verses 20 to 22 is unjust; especially when it may not necessarily constitute a prayer at all. It might be like reporting a car accident when in fact someone has reversed into a shopping trolley in the supermarket car park. The two are not the same

If we really must ‘analyse’ how Jacob prayed, for whatever reason, we would be better to look at Genesis 32:9-12. It is without doubt a prayer. O that more people would pray as Jacob did on that occasion.

If we are worried about the number of the words “I”, “me” or “my” in analysing whether a prayer is good or not, as some ill-advisedly accuse of verses 20 to 22, then surely we’d equally have difficulty with what Joshua, Job, Jonah, Hannah, David or many others prayed. And John 17 would, on the same basis, have to be frowned on – yet, that has to be the ultimate example, if prayed by the Saviour, surely. Clearly, there is something far more significant involved in considering someone’s prayer than this type of ill-founded lack of exegesis.

That Jacob vowed a vow actually tells us something about Jacob that is borne out in several places and on several occasions – he was ahead of his time. He had spiritual insights that others are not recorded as having. On this occasion he vowed a vow. When we get to verse 22 we read of him mentioning ‘the tenth’. It was considerably later on that God spoke to His people regarding tithes or vows, for that matter. The only other to have mentioned tithes was Abraham when he gave tithes to Melchizedek, Genesis 14:20.

What Jacob mentioned regarding “the tenth” in his vow is a reflection of the mind of God. Jacob’s heart was already in tune with his God that he loved and lived for. So much so that he spontaneously offers of his substance to the Lord, in a way that God will happen to later on reveal to His people, and require of them. At this time there was no requirement. Here, we have Jacob offering to God, out of his heart.

Does this also reveal the heart and mind of the man, Jacob? As the one who was spiritually-minded, he had been entrusted with carrying the genetic line of the Messiah; his “profane” twin having declared his utter disdain of the things of God. Spiritual elements were an integral part of the birthright, and Genesis 25:34 records, thus Esau despised his birthright.

This brings us to the next point about Jacob: verses 20 and 21 highlight Jacob’s absolute reverence for the purposes of God, as seen in the way Jacob reviews the Abrahamic Covenant that has been entrusted to him, as it was to Isaac, his father. It is fresh in his mind, especially seeing the Lord has just reiterated parts of it as recorded in verses 13 to 15.

In verses 20 & 21 Jacob is not questioning God’s ability to protect or provide – quite the opposite: he is affirming his absolute trust and dependency on God, and what God has just told him in the dream. He recounts several parts of the message from the dream (which is in substance Abrahamic Covenant) and so states it. His ‘vow’ is in essence an echo of what the Lord has just revealed to him, showing his humble acceptance of it and preparedness to be part of it. His attitude is similar to that of Mary when she said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ (Luke 1:38)

It is unfortunate that there are a few who choose to twist what many see as a clear and widely accepted meaning of verse 20, probably in an effort to substantiate their speculative denigration of Jacob, whom they see as a villain for most of his life. How anyone could ever find reason to come to the defence of a profane Esau (when God says “Esau have I hated”) and denigrate Jacob on every occasion possible (when God says “Jacob have I loved”) seems totally contrary to Scripture. Alas there are a few, even within some conservative evangelical circles, that seem to glory in promulgating this deprecating line of irrational reason, calling evil good and good evil; which so doing is ill-spoken of in Isaiah 5:20; Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil. . .

What then did Jacob mean when he said If God will be with me, . . .?

Just because the verse reads “If . . .” it doesn’t necessarily mean that Jacob is doubting or questioning God. ‘If’ can often be used to mean ‘Since’ or ‘Seeing that’. In keeping with all that we know of Jacob and his total dependency on the Lord and his honouring of the Covent entrusted to him, it is most likely that he was meaning Since’ or ‘Seeing that’. .

Here is an example of how we might use ‘If’ in modern times:
A businessman stands looking out of his 2nd storey office window. He comments to his receptionist, “If it’s a blue car, and it’s around midday, and it comes north and turns left at the traffic lights, then the lady that comes to the door will be my wife.”

There is no doubt in the mind of the businessman that the person about to arrive is his wife. He is not questioning whether he wants her to be or not – he is saying that in view of all of those things being as they are, he knows assuredly who will be knocking at the door shortly. He is convinced already.

Jacob is no different. He basically says, “Seeing that You have promised me all of these things (and lists the very things that God has just showed him) then You will be my God . . . as you have promised me . . . what have I to fear?”

How did God think of Jacob? Pretty highly from what we read in verses 13 to 15. How many others in Scripture were afforded the kind of promises that God gave Jacob that day? There are good reasons why He did. This was not unexpected at all. We must remember that Jacob’s mother had been shown the future of Jacob before he was born. The one of whom questions might be asked, if ever one might, is Isaac. Rebekah knew what God’s perspective was for Jacob. She was under no delusion. So what happened to Isaac that he couldn’t go along with God’s pre-revealed plan of action?

God’s plan had always been to use Jacob. He never used profane people (like Esau) to bring about certain pieces of His spiritual plan. God may have chosen to use a heathen king to get His temple built – yet He never allowed His unique servant, Moses, to lead the people into Canaan.

Two other comments in relation to all of this:
1. Did Jacob ever pay his vow? Was that a problem with God? Does God ever say anything about that? There was, actually, no set-up within Jacob’s lifetime for a material payment to be made, so that Jacob never really had any opportunity to do so. Had Jacob lived several hundred years later, there would have been a system that could handle it. Many believe that Jacob did, in fact, fulfil his vow – through his descendants, once the time and set-up allowed for it; probably far more fully than he could ever have done himself.

2. The Abrahamic Covenant which God re-affirmed personally with Jacob, after Isaac had also passed it on, has a very sobering statement as part of it. When God first mentioned it to Abraham He said, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee. . .” (Gen 12:3).

If that isn’t significant enough, we should note that Isaac, as part of his blessing to Jacob said, “Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.” (Gen 27:29)

What was said concerning Abraham was also said concerning Jacob. As we see what has transpired in modern history, there is no doubt that God blesses those who bless modern day Israel, even. The converse is equally true; those who curse her are cursed by God.

If those who do not bless Israel as a nation incur the Lord’s displeasure, can the Lord’s people in the Body of Christ expect any different if they do not bless Jacob, the father of Israel, the nation? Those who would denigrate or condemn God’s clearly stated preferences of those in His Godly Messianic genetic line are at risk of being on the wrong side of the ledger. Is it possible that even conservative assemblies of God’s people might not always enjoy the ‘blessing’ of the Lord because of their denigration of Jacob? Can there be blessing where a conscious denigration of Jacob takes place? We cannot have it both ways – those who curse Jacob will suffer for it.

In closing, we should read the Scriptures as they are written and use only Scripture to commentate on Scripture. There is no place among God’s people for the [false] interpretation of verses generated by the puny attempts of some to manipulate wordings in verses so that they fit into a pre-conceived, man-made perception or mould of a particular Bible character. This is especially so when that perception is seen by many to not conform to the widely accepted view of numerous Biblical cross references.

Jacob is referred to in Scripture more frequently than virtually any other person; especially when his God-given name Israel is taken in to account also. God has left nothing on record in which He speaks in a negative way about Jacob. We should be very careful how we present this man of God too.

Here Am I

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In response to an article on page 26, of Magazine 219, January 2018.

The very first thing we notice in analysing this article is that the writer of it has deliberately overlooked an earlier event in the life of Jacob, in Genesis 31:11, when it is recorded that he said, “Here am I”.

One has to ask why anyone would ignore such a mention and base a new chapter in this Here Am I series on only the later, 2nd recorded occurrence.

As usual, where error is found, it is sure to manifest itself in multiples rather than in isolation. One has to read only to the 3rd paragraph to find why the writer wants us to focus on this one particular instance of ‘Here am I’. Clearly, the writer subscribes to the fallacious theory, found still in a few conservative circles, which delights in portraying Jacob as an unspiritual scoundrel, out of the will of God until he is transformed at Peniel.

To admit that Genesis 31:11 has Jacob saying to God, “Here am I”, would greatly weaken, if not almost negate, the flimsy foundations of the man-made hypothesis that sadly the writer seemingly adheres to.

How is it that even a ‘conservative’ writer could believe he is permitted to be dishonest – as he conceals vital relevant background references when building the platform for the viewpoint he wishes to present? Worse than it just being poor exegesis, it is actually dishonest.

Haven’t we heard in the past: A text out of context is a pretext? If the context containing Jacob’s first recorded ‘Here am I’ is deliberately ignored, isn’t the following ‘Here am I’ out of context? Then, don’t the subsequent foundational points of view presented become a pretext?

Further to the obvious deliberate omission referred to above, there are 3 statements made in the Here Am I article that beg to be addressed in this short response.

Statement #1
Jacob was the name associated with his… low spiritual state. (3rd paragraph Here Am I)

A look at the evidence does not support Jacob’s alleged ‘low spiritual state’.

In Genesis 25:29-34 Jacob valued the birthright and proposed a valid, legally binding, openly negotiated agreement with his brother Esau, who willingly accepted. In contrast, it is recorded in verse 34 that Esau despised his birthright. In verse 32 Esau has already displayed his carnal disregard toward it. Note that it is recorded that Esau ‘sware’ and ‘sold’ his birthright; a deliberate, legal transaction.

Some try to find support for Esau but in doing so ignore what God says of him: Esau have I hated. (Romans 9:13); …profane person (Hebrews 12:16). Esau supporters need to be careful that they do not be seen as those who call evil good, and good evil.

When we come to Genesis 27 many people immediately accuse Jacob of being sly, dishonest and evil. Yet they never offer any supporting comments that God ever made to that effect. There aren’t any.

Note 2 other things relating to chapter 27:
1. You cannot get the blessing unless you have the birthright. For all those who still think Esau should have inherited the blessing – how could he, without the birthright? In allowing for it, such Esau-supporters would all be in breach of the rules! Esau-supporters would commit an offence, in breaching birthright protocols, to support one who God said He ‘hated’!

2. In the record of what took place, Jacob displayed an honourable heart and attitude:
a) He obeyed, honoured his mother (8).
b) He appealed to reason. (11-12)
c) The plan to get the blessing was his mother’s – not Jacob’s. Clearly, she was acting on the basis of prior knowledge through revelation from God as recorded in Genesis 25: 22-23 and mentioned by Paul in Romans 9:11-12.

One wonders why Isaac pursued his plan to back his ‘profane’ son when God had already revealed that His plan and purpose was for the elder to serve the younger (Genesis 25: 22-23). We are told that Esau’s wives were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah (26:34-35). It is not as if Isaac didn’t already know about Esau’s rebellious and profane heart – he (Isaac), too, was suffering the fruits of it, thanks to Esau’s relationships.

Furthermore, when Isaac commented in chapter 27, “The voice is Jacob’s voice” (27:22), was he, in fact, recognising that the reply of “the LORD thy God brought it to me.” (27:20) was made from words that Jacob was known to use – whereas Esau would never use such spiritually-oriented words or make such a reference to God?

Why do the knockers of Jacob never question Isaac and his ‘blindness’ to the purposes of God? Had Isaac been true to the revelation of Genesis 25:22-23, this chapter 27 would surely have happened so differently.

In chapter 28 Isaac is quite happy to pass on to Jacob what was promised to Abraham and himself (28:3-4). Such substance would be of no consequence or value to a man of ‘low spiritual state’. But Jacob was a man who valued the spiritual elements of the birthright (which is why it is recorded in Romans 9:13 ‘Jacob have I loved’) – he would understand the import of what Isaac was passing on to him.

The next 10 paragraphs are from another Paradise Publishing article on Jacob in Genesis 28, with a few alterations:

When we come to verse 13 of chapter 28 we have the LORD speaking to Jacob. He passes on the same message as He had given to Abraham and Isaac. Verse 15 is a promise of His enduring preservation and help. Jacob responds immediately.

Jacob’s response is a spiritual one. It reveals the heart and mind of the man, Jacob. As the one of the twins who was spiritually-minded, he had been entrusted with carrying the genetic line of the Messiah; his “profane” twin having declared his utter disdain of the things of God. Spiritual elements were an integral part of the birthright, and Genesis 25:34 records, thus Esau despised his birthright.

Verses 20 and 21 of chapter 28 highlight Jacob’s absolute reverence for the purposes of God, as seen in the way Jacob reviews the Abrahamic Covenant that has been entrusted to him, as it was to Isaac, his father. It is fresh in his mind, especially seeing the Lord has just reiterated parts of it, as recorded in verses 13 to 15. These are not the words of a man of ‘low spiritual state’.

In verses 20 & 21 Jacob is not questioning God’s ability to protect or provide – quite the opposite: he is affirming his absolute trust and dependency on God, and what God has just told him in the dream. He recounts several parts of the message from the dream (which is in substance Abrahamic Covenant) and so states it. His ‘vow’ is in essence an echo of what the Lord has just revealed to him, showing his humble acceptance of it and preparedness to be part of it. His attitude is similar to that of Mary when she said,” Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Like 1:38)

It is unfortunate that there are a few who choose to twist the widely accepted meaning of verse 20, probably in an effort to substantiate their shabby speculative denigration of Jacob, whom they see as a villain for most of his life. How anyone could ever find reason to come to the defence of a profane Esau (when God says “Esau have I hated”) and denigrate Jacob on every occasion possible (when God says “Jacob have I loved”) seems totally contrary to Scripture. Alas there are a few, even within some conservative evangelical circles, that seem to glory in promulgating this deprecating line of irrational reason, calling evil good and good evil; which so doing is ill-spoken of in Isaiah 5:20; Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil. . .

What then did Jacob mean when he said “If God will be with me…”?

Just because the verse reads “If…” it doesn’t have to mean that Jacob is doubting or questioning God. ‘If’ can often be used to mean ‘Since’ or ‘Seeing that’. In keeping with all that we know of Jacob and his total dependency on the Lord and his honouring of the Covent entrusted to him, it is most likely that he was meaning Since’ or ‘Seeing that’…

Here is an example of how we might use ‘If’ in modern times:

A businessman stands looking out of his 2nd storey office window. He comments to his receptionist, “If it’s a blue car, and it’s around midday, and it comes north and turns left at the traffic lights, then the lady that comes to the door will be my wife.”

There is no doubt in the mind of the businessman that the person about to arrive is his wife. He is not questioning whether he wants her to be or not – he is saying that in view of all of those things being as they are, he knows assuredly who will be knocking at the door shortly. He is convinced already.

Jacob is no different. He basically says, “Seeing that You have promised me all of these things (and lists the very things that God has just showed him) then You will be my God . . . as you have promised me … so what have I to fear.”

How did God think of Jacob? Pretty highly; from what we read in verses 13 to 15. How many others in Scripture were afforded the kind of promises that God gave Jacob that day? There are good reasons why He did. This was not unexpected at all. We must remember that Jacob’s mother had been shown the future of Jacob before he was born. The one of whom questions might be asked, if ever one might, is Isaac. Rebekah knew what God’s perspective was for Jacob. She was under no delusion. So what happened to Isaac that he couldn’t go along with God’s pre-revealed plan of action?

God’s plan had always been to use Jacob. He never used profane people (like Esau) to bring about particular pieces of His spiritual plan. God may have chosen to use a heathen king to get His temple built – that was just a building. But He chose not to allow even His unique servant, Moses, to lead the people into Canaan due to one event where he did not sanctify the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel. (Numbers 20:12) No, the impression we get regarding Jacob is not that of a man of ‘low spiritual state’.

In further chapters of Genesis we see Jacob acting in a godly manner:
Genesis 30:2 Am I in God’s stead?
Genesis 30:27 The LORD hath blessed me for thy sake, Laban said.
Genesis 30:30 The LORD hath blessed thee since my coming, said Jacob.

In chapter 31:
The LORD tells Jacob to return home. (3)
Jacob testifies, ‘The God of my father hath been with me’. (5)
Jacob acknowledges God in his life. (9)
God explains how He has helped Jacob and tells him what to do. (11-13)
Rachel and Leah acknowledge God’s part and mind in relation to Jacob. (16)
God warns Laban not to harm Jacob. (24)
Jacob testifies of God’s help and goodness to him. (42)

In Genesis 32:1 Jacob is provided similar protection and revelation of it as afforded other favoured servants of God. e.g. Elisha in 2 Kings 6:17

Verses 9-12 record Jacob’s lovely prayer. O that more would pray as Jacob did in verse 10. These are not the words of a man of ‘low spiritual state’.

Statement #2   At last he is ready to hear God’s voice and to heed his calling.
(7th paragraph Here Am I)

Apparently the Here Am I writer is at liberty to ignore all the instances during Jacob’s life just outlined and discussed above. Even just considering these four occasions on which God spoke and Jacob responded: Gen 28:13-15; 31:3; 31:11-13; 32:29-30, we see that Jacob has been hearing from God and responding for 53 years (see Jacob’s Chronology page[i]).

Statement #3  . . .his only act of faith recorded in the hallway of faith, Hebrews 11, was from this episode in his life. (8th paragraph  Here Am I)

Many of us are increasingly wary of such Pharisaic comments made by people in relation to Hebrews 11. The Holy Spirit has chosen to mention certain things and purposely left out much that could have been said. One can’t help noticing that even David, the man after God’s heart, only gets a mention of his name. Others, like Elijah, are not even named. Does that insinuate something? No, it does not!

The comment made in reference to Hebrews 11 in this Here Am I article actually amounts to a waste of print. It says nothing of any consequence; and offers nothing of edification while possibly implying something quite negative and groundless. It is not the only paragraph, in this article, guilty of a rather weak attempt at application.

An additional point of interest
Joseph shall put his hands upon thine eyes. (2nd to last paragraph)

In addition to the meaning given, that  Joseph would be present at Jacob’s death, it is interesting to note from the writings of historical researchers that Joseph was also famous in his time for a number of things not recorded in Scripture.

One of these was that he was known for having knowledge and remedies in matters of health. One area specifically mentioned is eyesight. Apparently God blessed him with not only prophetic knowledge relating to famine and plenty but Joseph was also credited with the design, and overseeing the construction of, grain storage facilities, pyramids and such like. He was equally renowned for matters relating to health.

Some have suggested that the verse Joseph shall put his hands upon thine eyes may mean that Jacob would have his eyesight restored by visiting Joseph.

To those who will immediately get upset by any ‘outside information’ being considered, let me ask, ‘How do you know that the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:2, about the temple being destroyed, were ever fulfilled? It’s not in Scripture! Yet we hear countless preachers telling us that the army of Titus came through in AD70. How do they know that?

In conclusion, it seems incredulous that a believer writing an article could feel at liberty to malign one of God’s key characters in the Bible through concealing or deliberately ignoring strategic verses. Even worse, it appears this is done to enable the writer to conform to a pre-determined man-made view that he wishes to promulgate.

It seems, therefore, that the whole basis of the Jacob article in the Here Am I series is groundless. Sadly, it is based on a false assumption and therefore lacks credibility.

Sadly, this is not an isolated case in this particular magazine, as good as it it, as may be seen by reading some responses that refute and correct other erroneous aspersions, as shown on this website.

 

For a companion article from Paradise Publishing dealing with Jacob please read the Jacob in Genesis 28.20 article on this website.

[i] Jacob’s Chronology page is available for download on this website.

Ensample & Example

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When the Scriptures use a particular word you can count on it to mean something specific. Men are foolish to tamper with the words that the Holy Spirit has chosen through inspiration to be written. After five decades of reading the written Word of God this writer has yet to come across a single word that can be shown to be out of place in the Scriptures. So why is it, then, that some writers pick their puny wits against the Almighty and make fools of themselves when they consciously exchange a word in the Holy Scriptures with one of their own?

As I read the verses for today, the 24th of June 2011, I noticed that one word had been changed in one of the two verses. The word “ensamples” has been replaced with the word ‘examples’. How did that happen?

Was it a ‘typo’? I don’t think so as most people use computer software when having to print verses. If it was a ‘typo’, the person responsible needs to be made aware of their shortcoming in light of the admonitions in Scripture that “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Cor 4:2) and to copy a verse erroneously is a serious misdemeanour. Some Old Testament scribes would begin a scroll again if they made a copying error.

Did the writer of this comment use a King James Bible that had been printed by one of those publishers who have changed various words to suit their own liking? If so, had he never read it or heard it read as “ensamples” rather than ‘examples’? Really. Where has he been fellowshipping all this time? Even I can recall a sister in the Lord quoting the very verse with the correct word in it over forty years ago, during a discussion over a cup of tea. I remember it because the word fascinated me seeing it was not part of everyday speech in the world I lived in then. The Bible I use still has it. It hasn’t been lost and is still read by many. So to go with this excuse amounts to ‘willful ignorance’. Nobody who expounds the Word of God should dare to use that as any excuse. As one well-known speaker used to say: “You know as much as you want to know.”

Then there is the possibility that this change of word was deliberate – whether it be done by the writer of this article or the publishers of the Bible quoted from. There are two reasons why someone would think to do it with the verse under discussion. Firstly, it was a case of substituting the word that most people would use today if they were to write the verse. Secondly, there is a trap writers fall into where they think they are at liberty to replace a word in order to have the verse say something to the present when it clearly makes a reference to a past specific period of time; an event. If the verse was left as written it would still deliver a perfectly good exhortation for the present.

In using a Bible that substitutes the word ‘examples’ (that most people would use today if they were to write the verse), the writer displays his ignorance of the proper word used in the Scriptures; namely “ensamples”. What is the difference? Does it really matter?

It mattered enough for the Scriptures to use both words, only five verses, or sentences, apart. They are each used in different ways because they have different meanings. Surely any ordinary person can see that ‘en’ on the front of a word means something to do with ‘in’. For example, without getting all complicated and just keeping it basic, an entrance is the way in. In the same way ‘ex’ on the front of a word means something to do with ‘out’. For example, an exit is the way out.

The word “ensamples” has to do with that which reflects within the group referred to; the Israelites. The word “examples” has to do with that which radiates to outside of the group where it took place. Consider how the verses actually read:

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (1 Cor 10:6) These things that happened show us [Paul, the Corinthian assembly, any believers (1 Cor 1:2) and us] what we should not do.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Cor 10:11) These things that happened were to show them [the Israelites] what they should not do, but however, they are written for us [Paul, the Corinthian assembly, any believers (1 Cor 1:2) and us] to learn from.

What on earth is going on?

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Sudden floods, mudslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, heatwaves and bush fires. Fighting within counties, terrorism, financial instability, widespread unemployment. What is going on?

Didn’t Jesus warn, “there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places”? Doesn’t it say in Revelations 6 about the four apocalyptic horsemen that ‘power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth’. (Just remember we aren’t told whether these horsemen are the servants of men or of God.)

A Biblical timetable of events
The next big event, Biblically speaking, which will take the world by surprise, is the “snatching away” of the “saved” ones – who truly belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thes 4:16-17)

“The rapture”, as it is commonly referred to, will remove handfuls of truly “born again” people –  those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus and His atoning death at Calvary as God’s only provision to give eternal life; not through some religious system.

A Time of Great Trouble
Once God has taken out His own blood-bought, redeemed people, there will begin a time which will ultimately see great trouble for the world. A time of ‘peace’ for some will be short lived as the new dictator inflicts his evil agenda on the planet. The World Leader (false Messiah / man of peace), who promises wonderful things, will soon turn life into a nightmare for many.

For the Jews it will become a horrific time worse than anything they have ever known in history. This time is spoken about in the Bible as a time of “great tribulation“. We know from Daniel 9:27 that the false Messiah, who has become a world leader, “will confirm the covenant with many”, then break the covenant which he has confirmed, halfway through the agreed time of 7 years.

Trib

Once this false Messiah turns against the Jews and their temple worship, a terrible time of trouble will follow for them. God will use this time of great trouble to purify His chosen people, the Jews. They will turn to Him, acknowledging Jesus Christ as the true Messiah, and He will return to earth and save them.

God’s wrath
Before Christ returns to earth the false Messiah will take action against anyone opposing him, especially anyone who sides with God or Jews. He will also be out to destroy any who have a copy of the Bible. But even if people are at peace with the false Messiah they will still have someone greater to consider – God. The wrath of holy God will be against the Gentile (non Jewish) nations of the world, as He judges them for their rebellion against Him, their hatred of His righteous ways, their terrible treatment of Bible believers and Jews, for “destroy[ing] the earth” (Rev 11:18) and for dividing up His land, Israel. They will see God to be sovereign, yet most will reject and hate Him. The Bible says that people will cry out to the rocks and mountains to fall on them, so that they don’t have to come face to face with Christ whom they have rejected, as God’s wrath is poured on the planet.

After the Tribulation
At the end of the “Tribulation” the Lord Jesus Christ will come back to earth in person and save from certain destruction the one third of His people, Israel, who have survived thus far. He will set up His kingdom and reign for 1000 years as prophesied by His prophets and recorded in the Old Testament.

After the Millennium
After the Lord Jesus Christ reigns on earth for 1000 years Satan is released, having been “bound“ for that 1000 years in the “bottomless pit”. In his final fling he gathers a “number of whom is as the sand of the sea” to surround Jerusalem – to wipe it out. But he meets his end. Imagine … there is such hatred – even after a 1000 year reign of absolute justice and unparalleled productivity, in a world where the creator had brought about a restoration in the creation so that Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled; “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” (Isa 11:6) It demonstrates the bankrupt condition of the human “heart” that rejects Christ.

The best is yet to come
The closing chapters of the Bible speak about “a new heaven and a new earth” (Rev 21:1)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up . . . Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Pet 3: 10, 13)

God has something better planned for His people than a world of suffering and pain. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Rev 21:4)

He wants everyone to accept His offer of salvation and enjoy eternity with Him.
The Lord is … longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

God’s plan is to save
The Bible tells us about God‘s plan to save people – the gospel of salvation.

This earth is just a launching pad for eternity. How will you get on when you stand before God?
Hebrews 9: 27 says: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. . .
and 2 Corinthians 5:10 says: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ . . .

The Bible makes it clear that only those who have come to God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ will be accepted by Him.

In John 14:6 Jesus said to His own disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The good news of the Bible is that anyone can know Jesus Christ as the true “Saviour of the world”. He created the world and came to earth in human form to become the only Saviour who can save us.

Follow the ABC of the gospel and be assured that you are saved for eternity:

Admit to God that you are a sinner and need to be saved.
Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again.
Call upon the name of the Lord; ask Him to save you.

 

Are you ready?

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Are you ready to stand before God? The Bible speaks of people standing before Jesus Christ who will judge them. Will He be your judge or your Saviour?

Romans 14:10 . . . for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Many people think that they will wait to get right with God – maybe once things start happening they’ll get right with God.

After what we call ‘The rapture’ when God will remove handfuls of truly “born again” people [those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus and His atoning death at Calvary] the Bible says God will send strong delusion.

Rapture: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thes 4:16-17)

Strong delusion: And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (2 Thessalonians 2:11)

Many people have been fooled into thinking that after the rapture everything will work out alright and they’ll get another chance – just like in the ‘Left Behind’ series of books and movies.

Don’t be conned. The context of God sending strong delusion is described in
2 Thessalonians 2:10 and 12 – the verses either side of the one quoted above.
Note what they both say:

. . . they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (10)
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (12)

They both give the clear message that these people had already had a chance to accept God’s gift of salvation but had rejected it.

Now when God sends the strong delusion they still have no desire to be saved.
It’s serious stuff.
The Scriptures teach: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2)

God wants everyone to accept His offer of salvation and enjoy eternity with Him. The Lord is … longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

God‘s plan is to save people. This earth is just a launching pad for eternity.
How will you get on when you stand before God?
Hebrews 9: 27 says: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. . .
and 2 Corinthians 5:10 says: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ . . .

The Bible makes it clear that only those who have come to God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ will be accepted by Him.

In John 14:6 Jesus said to His own disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

You can be saved today – right now.

Follow the ABC of the gospel and be assured that you are saved for eternity:

Admit to God that you are a sinner and need to be saved.
Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again.
Call upon the name of the Lord; ask Him to save you.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. . . 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:9, 10, 13)

20 August 2013 Calendar Reading

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Any contradictions I’ve read on calendars over the years usually seem to come about when writers quote from New Age versions and not the true Bible. Something of this nature happened again on the 20 August 2013 calendar.

The ideas behind what the writer K C U shared were probably fair enough but right in the middle of the comment we read:

The whole world lies in the wicked one.
(1 John 5:19 most New Age ‘versions’)
and in the same breath the writer is quoting from a passage that also says:

and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 5:20)

The present ‘god of this world’ would like to think that we are all in his power, as in the New Age version of verse 19. But this verse is not a discussion about that. What verse 19 really says is: And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. [not in the wicked one as the New Age bibles will say.]

This is quite in keeping with what verse 18 says when it points out: We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

The believer is not as the unbeliever who freely does the works of the “wicked one” (v18 not 19). The believer is begotten of God and keepeth himself, and because of this that wicked one toucheth him not. (italics quoted from verse 18) In complete contrast to the believer, those who are not believers, i.e. the whole world, that group lieth in wickedness. (italics quoted from verse 19)

The context of this is the earlier group of verses (16 & 17) that speak about sin. The believer’s new life in Christ is not characterised by sin as is the life of the unbeliever (v18). Then verse 19 says that the believer knows that they are of God, but the whole world (speaking of unbelievers) lieth in wickedness. Now get this: the unbeliever is so busy living in wickedness, as described in the context of verses 16-18 (and what verse 19 puts as lieth in wickedness) that they don’t even know who their master is. Think about it – you know that’s the truth because if they did really know, they would do something about it. And they don’t.

For some thoughts on something similar see 16 August 2012 Calendar Reading.

8 August 2013 Calendar Reading

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The opening line of the comment written by VM on the 8 August 2013 calendar is:

Chapters of genealogies with all their names are recorded forever in God’s Word.

While we know what the writer means, we also recall the words of the apostle Paul:

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (1 Timothy 1:4)

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. (Titus 3:9)

Sincere believers often fall into the trap of using the ‘worlds’ terms instead of the ones used by the Scriptures. Paul clearly exhorts believers to not give heed to and to avoid genealogies. So what is the correct thing for believers to do when it comes to such a matter?

When the Scriptures speak of such lists of names the term used is generation or generations.
Some examples are found in: Genesis 10:1; 11:10, 27; 25:12 etc, Matthew 1:1

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was careful to show the dangers that exist when people use man-made records to try to give foundation to teaching in the local church.

Clearly, God put the records of many names in Scripture for a purpose. He refers to them by the term ‘generations’ and so should we. We should never be seen to be in contradiction of the Scriptures.

10 June 2013 Calendar Reading

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This relates to the daily reading written by MM on the 10 June 2013 calendar.

The text chosen by the writer was Habakkuk 3:18. The writer chose to use an ESV rendering of ‘I will take joy’. However my Bible says I will joy in the God of my salvation.

“Now that’s pin-pricking; only one word different,” I hear someone say. But is it just that trivial?

Please consider one simple thing that was obviously beyond the writer of the page: Certainly, there is only one word different. Let’s consider that word, ‘take’. It is being used as a verb here. The believer is exhorted in the writer’s comments to ‘take joy’. That word ‘take’ is the verb, is the action. The word ‘joy’ in that statement is a noun. It is what is being taken.

Now consider what the real Bible says: ‘I will joy’. Here the word ‘joy’ is a verb. It is something you could do. Nobody needed the ESV to make the point that MM was trying to make. In fact, the ESV doesn’t technically make it anything like as well as the true Scriptures. Does that surprise me? Not a bit.

Once again we have well-meaning people writing well-intentioned thoughts but in doing so changing the meaning of the Scriptures.

Sorry Mr or Madam MM, but you haven’t convinced me that your ESV is worth being burnt at the stake for. Start using the King James Bible and you’ll soon discover that the real meanings of verses are stated so plainly that you don’t need the work of man to run to. God has already provided a perfect Bible – just use it.

Sin questions – to get people started

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Be warned – these questions will shake preconceived ideas and challenge the very foundations of doctrine, causing people to question what they thought they knew. They will divide groups. Hopefully they will cause readers to carefully re-examine the Scriptures in order to judge between truth and Augustine error.

Sin questions – to get people started

Did I need a sinful nature in order to sin?

Are any people found in the Bible who sinned but didn’t have a sinful nature?

Does the “were by nature the children of wrath” of Ephesians 2:3 refer to being born sinners? Or does ‘nature’ as used here refer to something else like the character of the person?

If Ephesians 2:3 means we are all born with a sinful nature, are we prepared to accept that this would mean that any baby or little child that dies would go to hell to face the wrath of God for eternity?

Do I sin because I’m a sinner? Or Am I a sinner because I sin?

Psalm 51:5 says: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Does this really mean David was born a sinner? Could this be a description of his mother’s condition?

If you want to have Psalm 51:5 making us all sinners from conception, then are we also prepared to accept that this would mean that all aborted, stillborn and miscarried babies would therefore go to hell to suffer the wrath of God because they were sinners?

Deuteronomy 1:39 speaks of a time when their “little ones” and their “children” had “in that day had no knowledge between good and evil”. What does this suggest?

Isaiah 7:16                This speaks of a time “before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good”. When is that?

Romans 9:11            This was written about Jacob and Esau. “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil. . .” Does God regard a baby as a sinner?

In Acts 17:28-29 where Paul says “. . we are the offspring of God”, was Paul talking to believers or unbelievers?

If unbelievers are created in the image of God can they be created sinners?

Is it right that because Adam sinned, and since we’re all his off-spring, we have inherited his sin?

Is the Lord Jesus Christ a “son of” Adam too according to the generations in Luke 3 comparing verses 23 and 38?

If we can all be made guilty of Adam’s sin because of the reasoning used in Hebrews 7:9-10 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. i.e. that we were all “in the loins of” Adam and are therefore implicated in Adam’s sin. . . doesn’t this, by the same reasoning, implicate the Lord Jesus Christ also [make Him a sinner]? (In connection with this see the previous question.)

Does Romans 5:19 tell us that we are sinners because of Adam?

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Rom 5:19)

If the first part of the verse [by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners] means that we are all sinners because of Adam, then what would the second part of the verse [by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous] have to mean? Do we accept the heresy of Universalism???

Look again at the consequences of Adam’s [and Eve’s] sin. What “punishments” were given to Adam and Eve as people? What “punishments” were promised to Adam and Eve’s off-spring?

Now consider whether your answers to the previous question are an accurate reflection of the question or relate to the “curse” that God put on the creation, including people, as a consequence of the sin. Is there a difference between implicated guilt and the curse?

What does the Bible teach about the consequences of sin in relation to accountability?

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. (Deut 24:16)

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Ezekiel 18:20)

Does God punish anyone for someone else’s sin?

Why might the enemy be so keen for us to believe we are implicated in Adam’s sin?

If I am born a sinner, am I accountable or someone else [who made me]? Could I then blame someone else?  

If I am born a sinner, how can I then become a sinner by actively exercising my God-designed will and choosing selfishly?

 

Implications / Ramifications

What doctrine of sin do we subscribe to?

What has influenced this doctrine so much over the years?

What groups actively promote the idea that we all are guilty for Adam’s sin? Why would they? What makes it so acceptable to many people?

Can we claim Biblical backing for the idea of “an age of understanding / accountability” and also claim Biblical backing for the idea that we all are guilty for Adam’s sin [being born a sinner]? 

Are the 2 underlying ideas of the previous question mutually exclusive?

Why do so many believers make excuses – “we can’t help sinning”?

Does God expect His people to keep sinning?  

Was it possible to keep the laws God gave?      

Did the people to whom God gave the laws think it was possible to keep them? (Exodus 24:3)

Did anyone ever get close to keeping God’s laws? What did God think of Enoch, Job, Zacharias and Elizabeth?

Is there a link between a cop-out doctrine and believers who claim lives of we-never-can-be-perfect as the norm?

What excuse do many believers use for their carnal and luke-warm spirituality?

Why should we ever accept the word of others over God’s Word? 

Download a PDF copy of these questions:  Sin questions

Some Scriptural teaching on the above will be posted sometime in the future, (D.V.).

O and Oh usage in Scripture

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I believe writers of Scripture have made a distinction when it comes to the use of Oh and O. I see a difference in the way they use these two distinct, in my view, words.

And I do not believe it is OK to interchange the two words. I would go as far as saying I am appalled with the apparent ignorance of some writers in allowing such an oversight to creep into their writings. Don’t they think about what they allow on their pages?

There is a pattern to how the King James translators, scholars of English certainly, but commissioned by God to preserve His Holy Scriptures in the then ‘coming’ world language of English, and so clearly ‘helped’ in doing so to produce an error free, better than Elizabethan English text. What they came up with was God’s English. Their usage of Oh and O is consistent.

Consider this usage:

— “O” is used in front of a name to give the effect of sincerity and solemnity or intensity or just real feeling. e.g. Psalm 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust:

– “Oh” is really more of an exclamation that people give when in trouble, despair, excitement, hope, anticipation etc. e.g. Psalm 6:4 …oh save me … 

Choice Gleanings Calendar for 14 October 2012 has this text:
I will extol thee, Oh Lord. Psalm 30:1

I would be interested in seeing the Bible that this was copied from. Or is it a ‘typo’? But who doesn’t copy verses these days by doing a copy and paste?

In all fairness, I have seen this type of substandard attention to detail before. I well remember a so-called ‘Christian’ school that had the following verse on its letterheads and promotional pages:

Teach me Thy way, Oh Lord.

Nobody raised an eyebrow for ten years until it was pointed out by some alert teacher, I think, and they changed it. 

I will extol thee, Oh Lord should read I will extol thee, O Lord.

Teach me Thy way, Oh Lord should read I Teach me Thy way, O Lord.