Apocalyptic Writings

Apocalyptic Admonitions

Studying the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Revelation and other apocalyptic prophets can be challenging, but rewarding at the same time.  While it is difficult to be dogmatic about what the various symbols mean, there is much to be gained from the study.  There are some definite lessons as well that we can glean from the cryptic writings of these prophets.  During my studies, I’ve learned the following things.

Apocalyptic

Apocalyptic Writings Reveal Much.

First, one can always learn more from studying the scripture in greater depth.  Looking at the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah and Revelation teach us that there are many things that we do not know about what God has said and encourages us to dig deeper.  One great lesson is that in studying these things we learn more about other parts of the Bible.  One can scarcely look at many of these apocalyptic writings and not take into account the various symbols used in the Old Testament.  Another great lesson is that the Bible is its own best commentary.  Much of the language in the book of Revelation comes from other parts of the Bible; one understands Revelation only as much as one understands the rest of the Bible.  So it is important to learn the Bible as a whole before seeking to understand the book of Revelation.

Second, God will punish the wicked.  Here is one truth that is simply inescapable.  Regardless of how one views the apocalyptic writers, this truth can be universally acknowledged.  Daniel speaks about “desolations” coming upon Jerusalem (Daniel 9:16-17).  Joel speaks about the “great and very terrible” day of the Lord (Joel 2:11).  Zechariah 11:6 states, “For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour’s hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.” Revelation 19:15 speaks about the winepress of God’s wrath being tread out upon the nations.  We know from plain Bible passages that the wicked will not go unpunished.  Paul wrote that those who either did not know God or did not obey the gospel would “be punished with everlasting destruction…” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

Third, God will care for the righteous.  Again, all of the apocalyptic writers acknowledge this fact.  Gabriel says to Daniel, “I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved…” (Daniel 9:23).  Daniel 12:3 states, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”  Zechariah 14:9 says, “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”  Revelation 22:3 states, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.”  Isaiah 60:21 “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.”

Finally, the wicked must repent.  Revelation 3:19 states, “As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”  Isaiah 31:6 says “Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.”  Ezekiel 18:21 “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”  Daniel 9:13 “As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.”  Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Regardless of how one views the specifics of these writings, these general truths can be clearly understood.  Let us study these writings to grow, be warned, and stay faithful to the Lord.

Apocalyptic Admonitions

Studying the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Revelation and other apocalyptic prophets can be challenging, but rewarding at the same time.While it is difficult to be dogmatic about what the various symbols mean, there is much to be gained from the study.There are some definite lessons as well that we can glean from the cryptic writings of these prophets.During my studies, I’ve learned the following things.

First, one can always learn more from studying the scripture in greater depth.Looking at the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah and Revelation teach us that there are many things that we do not know about what God has said and encourages us to dig deeper.One great lesson is that in studying these things we learn more about other parts of the Bible.One can scarcely look at many of these apocalyptic writings and not take into account the various symbols used in the Old Testament.Another great lesson is that the Bible is its own best commentary.Much of the language in the book of Revelation comes from other parts of the Bible; one understands Revelation only as much as one understands the rest of the Bible.So it is important to learn the Bible as a whole before seeking to understand the book of Revelation.

Second, God will punish the wicked.Here is one truth that is simply inescapable.Regardless of how one views the apocalyptic writers, this truth can be universally acknowledged.Daniel speaks about “desolations” coming upon Jerusalem (Daniel 9:16-17).Joel speaks about the “great and very terrible” day of the Lord (Joel 2:11).Zechariah 11:6 states, “For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour’s hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them.” Revelation 19:15 speaks about the winepress of God’s wrath being tread out upon the nations.We know from plain Bible passages that the wicked will not go unpunished.Paul wrote that those who either did not know God or did not obey the gospel would “be punished with everlasting destruction…” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

Third, God will care for the righteous.Again, all of the apocalyptic writers acknowledge this fact.Gabriel says to Daniel, “I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved…” (Daniel 9:23).Daniel 12:3 states, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”Zechariah 14:9 says, “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”Revelation 22:3 states, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.”Isaiah 60:21 “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.”

Finally, the wicked must repent.Revelation 3:19 states, “As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”Isaiah 31:6 says “Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.”Ezekiel 18:21 “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”Daniel 9:13 “As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.”Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Regardless of how one views the specifics of these writings, these general truths can be clearly understood.Let us study these writings to grow, be warned, and stay faithful to the Lord.

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I’m Proud of you Son

Proud of You

“A wise son makes a father glad…” (Prov. 15:20).

proud

You can be proud of a Good son.

 

I remember a time, when I was about four years old, when I said something disrespectful to an uncle whom we were visiting.  Shortly afterward, feeling guilty, I crawled upon my father’s lap and said, “I love you” (hoping that would make up for my offense).  He replied, “I love you too; but I’m also disappointed in you.”  My father told me that 34 years ago and I still remember it vividly.  And you know what else?  My father was right to say it – and that bothered me.  You see, even at that young age, I didn’t just want his love, I wanted his approval.  So you can imagine how great I felt at those times when I did something that made him proud of me.

Jesus certainly had that experience when His Father said of Him, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17; 17:5).  Friends, a good father needs to be honored (Eph. 6:2-3).  So, for all that he means to me, I can say, “I’m proud of you, dad!”

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The Finger of God

The Finger of God

Finger

The Bible Uses Figurative Language Like ” Finger of God “.

Skeptics have railed against the Bible on account of its allusions to God’s body parts. For example, the Bible speaks of the arm of God (Job 40:9), the hand of God (Job 19:21), the face of God (Job 13:24), the eyes of God (Deuteronomy 11:12), the ears of God (Psalm 130:2), the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3), the voice of God (Job 40:9), and even the “ finger of God  ” (Exodus 31:18). Attentive Bible students are aware that all such references are simply accommodative language—anthropomorphisms (man forms)—in which the Scriptures provide humans with a reference point for relating to God’s activity. The Bible clearly teaches that God is spirit—not physical (John 4:24). He does not possess physical mass. Jesus Himself stated, “a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have” (Luke 24:39; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:50). It is difficult for humans to conceptualize an infinite, eternal Being Who is not composed of physical matter, since humans are subject to space and time, and experience existence in a setting that is preeminently material. Nevertheless, while we may have difficulty fully understanding the nature of a nonphysical Being, the concept itself is neither self-contradictory nor incoherent.

For example, when Moses and Aaron unleashed the plagues by the power of God upon Pharaoh and the Egyptian population, Pharaoh’s magicians concluded: “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). They simply meant that the plague was God’s doing—that the affliction was the result of God’s power. In like manner, the Bible states that the original Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses on two tablets of stone were “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18; cf. Deuteronomy 9:10). In other words, God authored them and supernaturally placed them in writing on the stone tablets. Another sample of this type of figurative speech is seen in the declaration of the psalmist regarding God’s creative activity: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:3-4, emp. added). Obviously, God does not have fleshly fingers, nor would He find it necessary to use them if He had them. Being the ultimate Mind, He can bring into existence ex nihilo (out of nothing) whatever He chooses by simply willing it into existence.

This same figure of speech is seen in the New Testament as well. Jesus stated: “But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20, emp. added). He simply meant that His actions were by divine agency. Observe the alternate wording of a parallel passage where, in place of the “finger of God,” the text has the “Spirit of God”: “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matthew 12:28). It is evident that “finger” simply refers to deity (whether the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit) manifesting His presence and power in a time-space continuum.

Those scholars who have devoted their lives to studying dead languages, discovering their linguistic intricacies, figurative features, and idiomatic expressions, have long recognized this particular figure. For example, E.W. Bullinger, who published a monumental volume in the nineteenth century titled Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (1898), labeled this linguistic attribute “anthropopatheia” or “condescension,” which he identified as “the ascription of human passions, actions, or attributes to God” (p. 871). He devoted several pages to illustrating this figure of speech (pp. 871-897). In his specific remarks regarding the “finger” of God, he wrote: “A Finger is attributed to God, to denote the putting forth of His formative power, and the direct and immediate act of God” (p. 881). John Haley, who in 1874 produced the respected and scholarly reference work Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible, defended the “immateriality” of God on the grounds that all such anthropomorphic passages “are simply bold figures and startling hyperboles in which the Orientals are wont to indulge” (p. 63). He identified the expression “finger of God” as referring to God’s “direct agency.”

The Bible has been the target of a myriad of attacks by skeptics for over 2,000 years. It will undoubtedly continue to be so. No other book in all of human history has been the object of such sustained, frenzied, and antagonistic scrutiny. For the honest, unbiased investigator, the Bible’s supernatural attributes continue to validate its authenticity.

Dave Miller – Apologetics Press

REFERENCES

Bullinger, E.W. (1898), Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1968 reprint).

Haley, John W. (1977 reprint), Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).

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The Ten Lepers

Are You Among the Nine Lepers

It is difficult for us to imagine the emotions of the ten lepers who met Jesus in Luke chapter seventeen. For years, they had been outcasts, and then they stood before the Lord. He saw them and said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they went they were cleansed. Luke tells us that only one returned to express gratitude to the Savior, and he was the Samaritan. Jesus’ questions to him deserve careful consideration. “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” Where would we have been if we had been cleansed by Him? How often do we fail to express gratitude for what He gives to us?

lepers

Lepers in black and white photo.

When have you given thanks for the blessing of living in this great land? Think of the strife that is around the world. Contrast that with the peace we have in our lives in this land of freedom. We had nothing to do with the land of our birth. Are you among the “nine” who have failed to give thanks?

When have you given thanks for your health? Even if it is bad, there are thousands and thousands of others who are worse off than you are. Think of how blessed we are to have the medicines and doctors to help us. Are you among the “nine” who  failed to give thanks?

When have you given thanks for your salvation by grace? Think of the events which brought those who taught you the gospel and lead to your relationship with the Lord. You did not arrive to the point of your salvation on your own. Paul’s words, “By the grace of God I am what I am,” are so true of each of us. Yet, so often we tend to take this greatest gift for granted. Are you among the “nine” who failed to give thanks?

When have you given thanks to our older members at this church? So many of them have worked tirelessly for decades to create/maintain all that makes this church what it is. We sit under the trees they have planted and eat the fruit from those same trees. Yet, sometimes we fail to thank them or God. Are you among the “nine” who failed to give thanks?

When have you given thanks to all those who do so much behind the scenes? It is not just many of our deacons who have the heart of a servant, but there are scores of others who have that kind of heart. There are so many who work with our teens, provide transportation, prepare events, teach Bible classes, etc. and often are never mentioned. Are you among the “nine” who failed to give thanks?

The “nine” had to be happy that they were cleansed, but what was lacking was a heart of thankfulness. The Bible is filled with admonitions to be thankful for what we have. May we never be among the “nine.”

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Roman Road to Salvation

The Real Roman Road to Salvation

“The Roman road to salvation” is a term in denominationalism that refers to salvation as Paul mentions in the book of Romans, which usually culminates with Romans 10:13 and an invitation to pray “The Sinner’s Prayer,” all of which are either taken out of context or seriously flawed in their interpretation. Since it falls short of what Paul says in this New Testament book, consider the real “Roman road to salvation.”

salvation

The Roman Road to Salvation?

Just as Paul begins his “gospel of God” (1:1) with an introduction of Jesus (1:3-4), our salvation lies firmly planted in what Jesus did for us. The first four books of the New Testament declare that Jesus came to fulfill the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17) by living it perfectly, as no mere human could do (John 7:18; 8:46). With such being the case, He voluntarily offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins (Rom. 3:24-26; 5:6-11). Nevertheless, demonstrating His power of deity and role of Savior, He was resurrected from the dead (1:4). All of this was necessary since Adam unleashed the consequences of death by his disobedience (5:12-21).

Now, how do we learn about such? There is no way to understand what God has done for man without God declaring it to him (1:16-17). He quotes from Habakkuk 2:4 to show that salvation has always been by the activity of faith. Hebrews 11 shows many from the Old Testament who demonstrated such, and Paul will continue through this epistle to declare that the Law of Moses with the Jews was not the way, but faith in God exhibited by both Jews and Gentiles (3:27-4:25).

After discussing how evil man has become by following a lifestyle of sin (1:18-2:3), Paul declares, “…the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (2:4). Then, he discusses in the next chapters how that he holds every man accountable—Jew or Gentile. This leads to the oft-quoted verses of the sinfulness of man (3:10, 23), showing that sins plagues both Jews and Gentiles.

Now, why is it that hardly anyone wants to declare what Paul discusses in the first part of Romans 6? In clarification of their misunderstanding of the grace of God in relationship to their sins, he reminds them that they were “baptized into Jesus Christ” (6:3). Since he explains that baptism complies with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (6:4-6), how else would one access the saving blood, located “in Christ” (cf. Gal. 3:26-27; Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5)? He later says that they “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin…” (6:17-18). When were they free from sin? They became free after their faith responded in obedience. This is the real meaning of Romans 10:13, for the context declares it (10:16-21). If we desire salvation from sin, we must also do as the Romans did and obey the gospel, not pray the sinner’s prayer.

If I am wrong, please show the error of my ways, but if I am right, please obey it today!

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