I have recently read two books that discuss the rapture from the standpoint that it won't happen. I'm not sure what the term is, but the last book called rapture proponents dispensationalists.
Oh well, I have read some of the dispensationalist books as well, and there is clearly two sides that emphasize different points, and since they are guessing about the future....
The bottom line - neither know for sure. God wants all people to come into relationship with Him- both sides agree on that. If that happens then God may change His mind about what He inspired to be written. If you contrast that with the old testament stories of the destruction of Jerusalem which happened exactly as described (prophesied) because people didn't repent and turn to Him.
So what will it be? A sudden turning and God relenting on His inspired word - substituting mercy for judgment, or will it be a stubbornness and unrepentant people that He will pour judgment out on them in an effort to get them to realize their position before Him and change their ways?
I don't know.
I would like to say something about the inspiration of God's word. Often people want to go back to the times and the thinking of the human authors that actually penned the text. A flashing red light goes off in my mind when I read something to that effect. If those people were inspired by God, they wrote what He gave them, whether they understood it or not, and God certainly could have inspired scripture that was applicable in the day it was written and thousands of years later. Certainly their situations are important in bringing them to a point of receiving inspiration, but God is the Source of the text, and He is timeless, so He knows how scripture written 2000 yeas ago will affect people born 500 years from now, and He inspired it accordingly.
Rapture and time line for tribulation period? or not? I think the discussion actually is evidence of our fallen condition and our tendency to pride. We are so proud of our smarts and we can figure things out. We question what God did say, like Eve was led to do back before the fall. We argue - not a very flattering term - and we are a divided kingdom.
One question comes to my mind in these discussions repeatedly. Did you read God's word and form these opinions based on reading and re-reading of only His word, or did your opinion come from men (either authors or people you respect as being those that should know)? See Jeremiah 23:35-38 a passage that exhorts people to discuss how they see God (or what they heard from God) on an issue. Note it is what God has revealed to you directly and not through a third party- He wants that direct relationship with us. Someone saying "God says" should be another flashing warning light- read the section before Jer 23:35.
Sadly I don't think scripture is read enough. In my mind this means reading multiple times as well, and consistently, developing the habit of regular reading and reading it through on a regular basis (all parts). Wouldn't that be the best way for us to get His words written on our hearts?
If you search for Him, He will let you find Him.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The call of God
God desires relationship with us. I've said that many times before. I've been reading Jeremiah 15, and will probably develop an index card of notes to speak from if given the opportunity. In this chapter is a couple of interesting points.
To set the background - God has had enough of Judah's sin, and He is sending judgment. This can seem like God is going to unfairly make people suffer. Any decision we make could/would make people suffer, but this is the God who created us, and knows us intimately. He knows our hearts, so if He sends judgment - we have gotten to the point of NO hope. This statement has to be qualified as well, there is never NO hope with God, but maybe rather we've gotten so far outside of His will that He is sending correction.
What does God want from us? Well He wants to be a part of our lives, He wants us to grow in our knowledge and dedication to Him, He wants us to share Him with others, because its a method (not the only) He chooses to use to show His majesty. So here we are in Jeremiah 15, ultimately we find out that the people of Judah had chosen to turn away from God, after being taught and led by Him for generations. His love is long suffering for generations, if we suffer 10 minutes, we think we're entitled to some kind of recognition.
So here comes His judgment, why because these people had gotten outside His will and needed correction. Will the rapture happen and the tribulation period- I've believed for rapture for a long time, most recently I've questioned it. What are my motives? I want to miss the time worse than any other time in the history of the world- who wouldn't? I do see examples of God sheltering His chosen people, so rapture is a plausible possibility. How this pertains to Jeremiah 15 is this, God is giving the people direction based on His decision. His will for them is to die, or to be killed in war, or starve, or go into exile with nothing. Not very pleasant choices, but clearly God's call for their lives.
When we think about the call of God we get marvelous visions of doing great work. We're always asking kids what they want to do or be when they grow up, creating this marvelous euphoria within them that they are going to be a rich doctor or lawyer. Live a life of luxury and ease. As parents thats what we want for them. Good things, and God is our parent, He wants good things for us.
God wants us to know Him, and to speak His words for Him. Moses had to speak God's word to the Israelites in the wilderness, because hearing directly from God was too fearful for them. It doesn't really matter our occupation, or position in life, He still desires us to speak for Him. He might call some of us to a life less than what we dreamed of as kids, our speaking for Him might reach only a few, certainly less than others probably. Those few are important though.
I've wondered what He wanted me to do, and I've thought about it in terms of occupation, position, and yes I gotten ideas about "doing great things for God". What He wants is an obedient son/daughter, going where he/she is sent, and speaking His words to those before us.
To set the background - God has had enough of Judah's sin, and He is sending judgment. This can seem like God is going to unfairly make people suffer. Any decision we make could/would make people suffer, but this is the God who created us, and knows us intimately. He knows our hearts, so if He sends judgment - we have gotten to the point of NO hope. This statement has to be qualified as well, there is never NO hope with God, but maybe rather we've gotten so far outside of His will that He is sending correction.
What does God want from us? Well He wants to be a part of our lives, He wants us to grow in our knowledge and dedication to Him, He wants us to share Him with others, because its a method (not the only) He chooses to use to show His majesty. So here we are in Jeremiah 15, ultimately we find out that the people of Judah had chosen to turn away from God, after being taught and led by Him for generations. His love is long suffering for generations, if we suffer 10 minutes, we think we're entitled to some kind of recognition.
So here comes His judgment, why because these people had gotten outside His will and needed correction. Will the rapture happen and the tribulation period- I've believed for rapture for a long time, most recently I've questioned it. What are my motives? I want to miss the time worse than any other time in the history of the world- who wouldn't? I do see examples of God sheltering His chosen people, so rapture is a plausible possibility. How this pertains to Jeremiah 15 is this, God is giving the people direction based on His decision. His will for them is to die, or to be killed in war, or starve, or go into exile with nothing. Not very pleasant choices, but clearly God's call for their lives.
When we think about the call of God we get marvelous visions of doing great work. We're always asking kids what they want to do or be when they grow up, creating this marvelous euphoria within them that they are going to be a rich doctor or lawyer. Live a life of luxury and ease. As parents thats what we want for them. Good things, and God is our parent, He wants good things for us.
God wants us to know Him, and to speak His words for Him. Moses had to speak God's word to the Israelites in the wilderness, because hearing directly from God was too fearful for them. It doesn't really matter our occupation, or position in life, He still desires us to speak for Him. He might call some of us to a life less than what we dreamed of as kids, our speaking for Him might reach only a few, certainly less than others probably. Those few are important though.
I've wondered what He wanted me to do, and I've thought about it in terms of occupation, position, and yes I gotten ideas about "doing great things for God". What He wants is an obedient son/daughter, going where he/she is sent, and speaking His words to those before us.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Stem Cell thoughts
There was an interesting story on the news tonight, supposedly we may be capable of generating some kind of stem cells from our own body. I think its neat God has led scientists to this discovery. I also wonder if this technique would have been found if use of embryonic stem cells hadn't been opposed. We'll never know.
Christians being right, and God's ways being best just aren't seen as being politically correct in this day and age. I marvel at the way God set things up, and am regularly amazed at the faith it takes to deny Him. More it seems than the faith to accept Him.
Come quickly Lord, the world needs Your touch.
Christians being right, and God's ways being best just aren't seen as being politically correct in this day and age. I marvel at the way God set things up, and am regularly amazed at the faith it takes to deny Him. More it seems than the faith to accept Him.
Come quickly Lord, the world needs Your touch.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Absence or denial of God
All our troubles come about because of a lack of focus on God. I made that statement several years ago, and the more I live the more I see the truth of it. We need Him in our lives. I just read the passage about Zedekiah in Jeremiah. He was king, the city was surrounded and he met secretly to ask if Jeremiah had a message from God for him. Jeremiah did- surrender the city, Zedekiah would be protected and honored, and live out his life. Don't surrender the city, it would be burned, he would be killed and unburied, his family would be destroyed.
Looking at it from our side of scripture, the choice seems clear. Most of us would even boast that we would have done what God asked. Are you sure? Have you ever remembered a time when you felt God leading, and yet you didn't act? Maybe you listened to the dirty joke, maybe you continued the spread of what you realized was gossip. Why did you do those things? Were you afraid of what someone might think or do if you didn't "go along". Isn't that what Zedekiah did? He let his fear of man trump what God asked him to do, and we today in a lot of ways do just the same thing.
I see two reasons, our understanding of God is limited. Zedekiah believed God could not protect him from men. I see myself "called on the carpet" if I share my faith too much in class, and a student decides that he/she could use that to their advantage. I see the scene clearly. If God wants me to share to a lost and dying world, He probably will protect me, but I entertain doubt- like Zedekiah. Doubt leads to actions- a very true statement.
Health care has been in the news, and this is the example I've been thinking of that has brought me back to my original statement. We as a people have lost our focus on God. It is a tragedy that people suffer for lack of health care. It is even a greater tragedy that a lack of the knowledge of God is what is fueling this. People generally have denied God, or turned from Him leading them to the conclusion that this life is all there is. If that is so then "I" need to live as long as "I" can. Therefore "I" need health care. ("I" is there to emphasize a selfish voice).
Along another fork there is the mentality that since this life is it, I need to be rich. If "I" can sue a doctor for malpractice, then I'm set for life. Doctors are human, humans make mistakes, allowing for other humans to come along and take advantage of this. Do you know of any lawyers in Congress that have made part of their fortunes seeking damages to "injustices"? Isn't it interesting that their fee is based on settlement amount? Some doctors are careless, others make decisions that ultimately are incorrect. How this ties into health care costs is that those doctors are going to order every test possible in order to limit the possibility they are incorrect. These tests costs, which isn't a problem because if you have insurance they will "cover it".
Another fallacy "its covered". In order for insurance to work as designed more people have to pay in more than they will ever get back in claims. Also part of what is paid in goes to the salaries and overhead of the insurance companies. So paying for health care through insurance is more expensive than out of pocket as the need arises. Couple that with the prices of procedures and it becomes a runaway freight train.
"Government health care will let your doctor decide what is best for you"- this sounds wonderful, but what aren't they telling you? At some point your doctor may say its best for you to die, because its too expensive to treat you. To truly control costs procedures will be limited that someone decides would gain the most benefit.
I'm out in the weeds, if your focus is on God, and you have a relationship with Him, then you aren't self focused. You know there is life beyond this one, and you long for it. So why want to live as long as you can here? You realize doctors are human, and sometimes they make mistakes, and you aren't looking to be set for life (you and your children), so you wouldn't be looking to litigate. If you are a Christian doctor and you realize your mistake (or that someone is suffering) you are going to do your part to rectify that mistake in this lifetime. Litigation goes away from both sides. Malpractice insurance (with their premiums goes away)- health care costs are reduced. Lawyers have to get real jobs. Side note - lawyers should read through the Bible yearly- actually everyone should. See how the lack of focus on God has got us to where we are at? Both forks end at the Cross.
We need to be less like Zedekiah. I was going to say - "and more like the Apostle Paul", but he penned the lines about doing things he didn't want to, and not doing the things he should. He too was closer to the human condition than we sometimes want to acknowledge. The human condition of selfishness and this life focused- as opposed to God focused.
Looking at it from our side of scripture, the choice seems clear. Most of us would even boast that we would have done what God asked. Are you sure? Have you ever remembered a time when you felt God leading, and yet you didn't act? Maybe you listened to the dirty joke, maybe you continued the spread of what you realized was gossip. Why did you do those things? Were you afraid of what someone might think or do if you didn't "go along". Isn't that what Zedekiah did? He let his fear of man trump what God asked him to do, and we today in a lot of ways do just the same thing.
I see two reasons, our understanding of God is limited. Zedekiah believed God could not protect him from men. I see myself "called on the carpet" if I share my faith too much in class, and a student decides that he/she could use that to their advantage. I see the scene clearly. If God wants me to share to a lost and dying world, He probably will protect me, but I entertain doubt- like Zedekiah. Doubt leads to actions- a very true statement.
Health care has been in the news, and this is the example I've been thinking of that has brought me back to my original statement. We as a people have lost our focus on God. It is a tragedy that people suffer for lack of health care. It is even a greater tragedy that a lack of the knowledge of God is what is fueling this. People generally have denied God, or turned from Him leading them to the conclusion that this life is all there is. If that is so then "I" need to live as long as "I" can. Therefore "I" need health care. ("I" is there to emphasize a selfish voice).
Along another fork there is the mentality that since this life is it, I need to be rich. If "I" can sue a doctor for malpractice, then I'm set for life. Doctors are human, humans make mistakes, allowing for other humans to come along and take advantage of this. Do you know of any lawyers in Congress that have made part of their fortunes seeking damages to "injustices"? Isn't it interesting that their fee is based on settlement amount? Some doctors are careless, others make decisions that ultimately are incorrect. How this ties into health care costs is that those doctors are going to order every test possible in order to limit the possibility they are incorrect. These tests costs, which isn't a problem because if you have insurance they will "cover it".
Another fallacy "its covered". In order for insurance to work as designed more people have to pay in more than they will ever get back in claims. Also part of what is paid in goes to the salaries and overhead of the insurance companies. So paying for health care through insurance is more expensive than out of pocket as the need arises. Couple that with the prices of procedures and it becomes a runaway freight train.
"Government health care will let your doctor decide what is best for you"- this sounds wonderful, but what aren't they telling you? At some point your doctor may say its best for you to die, because its too expensive to treat you. To truly control costs procedures will be limited that someone decides would gain the most benefit.
I'm out in the weeds, if your focus is on God, and you have a relationship with Him, then you aren't self focused. You know there is life beyond this one, and you long for it. So why want to live as long as you can here? You realize doctors are human, and sometimes they make mistakes, and you aren't looking to be set for life (you and your children), so you wouldn't be looking to litigate. If you are a Christian doctor and you realize your mistake (or that someone is suffering) you are going to do your part to rectify that mistake in this lifetime. Litigation goes away from both sides. Malpractice insurance (with their premiums goes away)- health care costs are reduced. Lawyers have to get real jobs. Side note - lawyers should read through the Bible yearly- actually everyone should. See how the lack of focus on God has got us to where we are at? Both forks end at the Cross.
We need to be less like Zedekiah. I was going to say - "and more like the Apostle Paul", but he penned the lines about doing things he didn't want to, and not doing the things he should. He too was closer to the human condition than we sometimes want to acknowledge. The human condition of selfishness and this life focused- as opposed to God focused.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Two recent thought streams
Two things have been on my mind lately, and instead of continuing to mull them over, I thought I would share.
The first is the sanctuary temperature, but it could apply to your house, your business, your car. It is remarkable to observe people in the context of whether they feel they are too hot or too cold. Have you ever met anyone that was "just right" temperature wise. I regularly hear turn up the air (or down- the point being change the set point), because "I" am "burning up" or "I" am "cold". I feel the thermostat is set properly when I hear an equal number of requests for adjustment in opposite directions.
I've been told I over analyze so maybe I'm guilty. I'm starting to be more aware of the word "I". I am this, I want this, I think this. Can we really ever please "I"? Lets take the temperature and consider this. Instead of focusing on your own discomfort, consider this:
The temperature or environment could in some way clearly be worse- really hot, really cold, humid, in the sun, etc. So be thankful for the fact that it isn't.
The other thing is consider someone other than "I", are you willing to be a little hot if it means another person won't feel as cold? Or are you willing to be a little cold if it will make someone less hot.
This temperature discussion may seem silly but it is a pretty good indicator of how self focused a group of people tend to be. God in his wisdom even in families put this indicator. Are you willing to experience slight (compared to what it could be it is slight) discomfort in order that your brother or sister (wife, husband, child) will feel more comfortable.
Interesting....
Now for the other thought. I was reading in Jeremiah about Hannaniah the "prophet" who is as it turned out to be a false prophet that God let die. "False prophets" ordinarily ignored, considered in my mind to be people who "just don't know God", but then I wondered if I was one, and thought about the road that leads to that point.
A prophet is generally one that has messages from God for the people. That Hannaniah was called one to me indicates a history of some kind that he was recognized as hearing from God. Most of us don't get a label unless we have performed, or others have witnessed some evidence that supports the label. So someone recognized him as hearing from God - or at least there seemed to be evidence of it.
Well he then prophesizes good news - the Babylonian threat will be gone within two years and the temple restored, and treasures taken returned. In actual fact the temple was restored, and the treasures sent back. The only mis-information he proclaimed was the time frame. Instead of two years, it was actually after two generations of the king. So his prophecy wasn't as far off as you initially think, he got a word wrong. It was clearly false though.
Why did he say it, and he clearly said it with a passion. I wonder if he saw the truth (that the people would suffer and the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed) and talked himself into something other than what God had planned. All of us humans want to avoid suffering (then and today), I have heard recently of a statement that the rapture isn't clearly taught. Could it be that it won't happen, that I might have to endure the tribulation period -if that happens in my life time. Am "I" looking for the easy way out. Was Hannaniah so longing that Jerusalem would not be destroyed that he convinced himself of his position -even though it wasn't of God?
Of course the other side of the rapture coin is that - not expecting it, we don't have to prepare for Jesus' return. We don't have to live "ready", we don't have to be in a hurry to witness. That position also avoids human hardship or stress.
Back to Hannaniah, God let him die because he misled people. Was he misled by satan, similarly to the way Eve was in the garden? Satan confused Eve (and Adam) to the point where she acted on it resulting in her death.
OK I've over-analyzed enough. It is neat all the parallels in the Bible. The question remains - how do we not be misled. The people in Hannaniah's day listened to him, a part of them liked what they heard, so it became easier for them to believe him and agree with him. In our walks we also can be misled by people we think have God's message, that is a clear indicator of the need for us to seek God and personally learn to listen to Him on an individual level. Anything other than what we get ourselves from God could be misleading us.
Books written by Christian authors can be dangerous in this regard- read them yes, but ask God to confirm or deny for you - He will - He seeks relationship. I think the initial resistance to "anything but King James" is also a result of this (interesting that this came up last night), the reality that people can easily be misled by the works of man would naturally bring about resistance to a new version or versions of God's word. While it is possible for a Bible version or parts to be corrupted (unintentionally or intentionally) it is also possible that God actively protects His word.
He has definitely brought things to my mind when reading and contemplating His word. In many different versions too. The advice I heard once of "the best Bible version is the one YOU will read" is still true. God will speak to those who seek Him, He desires to.
The first is the sanctuary temperature, but it could apply to your house, your business, your car. It is remarkable to observe people in the context of whether they feel they are too hot or too cold. Have you ever met anyone that was "just right" temperature wise. I regularly hear turn up the air (or down- the point being change the set point), because "I" am "burning up" or "I" am "cold". I feel the thermostat is set properly when I hear an equal number of requests for adjustment in opposite directions.
I've been told I over analyze so maybe I'm guilty. I'm starting to be more aware of the word "I". I am this, I want this, I think this. Can we really ever please "I"? Lets take the temperature and consider this. Instead of focusing on your own discomfort, consider this:
The temperature or environment could in some way clearly be worse- really hot, really cold, humid, in the sun, etc. So be thankful for the fact that it isn't.
The other thing is consider someone other than "I", are you willing to be a little hot if it means another person won't feel as cold? Or are you willing to be a little cold if it will make someone less hot.
This temperature discussion may seem silly but it is a pretty good indicator of how self focused a group of people tend to be. God in his wisdom even in families put this indicator. Are you willing to experience slight (compared to what it could be it is slight) discomfort in order that your brother or sister (wife, husband, child) will feel more comfortable.
Interesting....
Now for the other thought. I was reading in Jeremiah about Hannaniah the "prophet" who is as it turned out to be a false prophet that God let die. "False prophets" ordinarily ignored, considered in my mind to be people who "just don't know God", but then I wondered if I was one, and thought about the road that leads to that point.
A prophet is generally one that has messages from God for the people. That Hannaniah was called one to me indicates a history of some kind that he was recognized as hearing from God. Most of us don't get a label unless we have performed, or others have witnessed some evidence that supports the label. So someone recognized him as hearing from God - or at least there seemed to be evidence of it.
Well he then prophesizes good news - the Babylonian threat will be gone within two years and the temple restored, and treasures taken returned. In actual fact the temple was restored, and the treasures sent back. The only mis-information he proclaimed was the time frame. Instead of two years, it was actually after two generations of the king. So his prophecy wasn't as far off as you initially think, he got a word wrong. It was clearly false though.
Why did he say it, and he clearly said it with a passion. I wonder if he saw the truth (that the people would suffer and the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed) and talked himself into something other than what God had planned. All of us humans want to avoid suffering (then and today), I have heard recently of a statement that the rapture isn't clearly taught. Could it be that it won't happen, that I might have to endure the tribulation period -if that happens in my life time. Am "I" looking for the easy way out. Was Hannaniah so longing that Jerusalem would not be destroyed that he convinced himself of his position -even though it wasn't of God?
Of course the other side of the rapture coin is that - not expecting it, we don't have to prepare for Jesus' return. We don't have to live "ready", we don't have to be in a hurry to witness. That position also avoids human hardship or stress.
Back to Hannaniah, God let him die because he misled people. Was he misled by satan, similarly to the way Eve was in the garden? Satan confused Eve (and Adam) to the point where she acted on it resulting in her death.
OK I've over-analyzed enough. It is neat all the parallels in the Bible. The question remains - how do we not be misled. The people in Hannaniah's day listened to him, a part of them liked what they heard, so it became easier for them to believe him and agree with him. In our walks we also can be misled by people we think have God's message, that is a clear indicator of the need for us to seek God and personally learn to listen to Him on an individual level. Anything other than what we get ourselves from God could be misleading us.
Books written by Christian authors can be dangerous in this regard- read them yes, but ask God to confirm or deny for you - He will - He seeks relationship. I think the initial resistance to "anything but King James" is also a result of this (interesting that this came up last night), the reality that people can easily be misled by the works of man would naturally bring about resistance to a new version or versions of God's word. While it is possible for a Bible version or parts to be corrupted (unintentionally or intentionally) it is also possible that God actively protects His word.
He has definitely brought things to my mind when reading and contemplating His word. In many different versions too. The advice I heard once of "the best Bible version is the one YOU will read" is still true. God will speak to those who seek Him, He desires to.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Another update
I feel led to. We have an intercessory prayer group at church, and we
meet on Tuesday night. After a discussion, and the naming of the sick
that were on our hearts to pray for, I was asked to pray. The words
came with difficulty. God can heal all those people, He wants to, but
often He doesn't - why?
meet on Tuesday night. After a discussion, and the naming of the sick
that were on our hearts to pray for, I was asked to pray. The words
came with difficulty. God can heal all those people, He wants to, but
often He doesn't - why?
Then in preparing my notes for Sunday night I opened to Jeremiah 19 -
eventually we get to the part where He is the potter and we are the
clay. We need to see things from His perspective and what He wants, and
not what we think should happen. He sees the eternal, we see now.
I had felt led to pray for Iran and its people. God has a presence
there, He does everywhere.
I had felt led to pray that He will make Jerusalem a light for the
world, and yet I did not.
So as I began to type my notes I thought I needed to type out my
prayers.
Come soon Lord.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
More recent thoughts
Well its been a while since I last updated this blog.
I created some additional ones- one for my trailwork activities. I was
corrected tonight, it should be called trail fun. It is a blast, and I
have a good time doing trailwork.
I created one for my math classes to post HW - pray that helps them.
I created one for my Sunday night Bible study. My notes had appeared in
this one, but no more.
I've read books- Battlefield of the mind by Joyce Meyers is one I would
recommend.
The Lord has worked, and I seek prayer concerning going after a PhD.
Apologetics interests me- the more I read the Bible the more I see that
we often don't live life as God intended- I'm included in "we"- I'm
hoping to get over myself and put Him first- even more so. Furthermore
His way is better than what we have been able to come up with so far.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
