Clear Statements of the Final Judgment

Clear Statements of the Final Judgment

That there will be final appearance before God and a final judgment is obviously taught in the Bible. It is not that in some vague way, open to various interpretations, that somehow men might be brought into His presence. The Scriptures are filled with clear statements which leave no doubt about that final judgment.final judgment

Listen to the finality of these words from heaven. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor 5:10). “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10). “He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31).  It is an eternal truth that it will happen.

In view of how sick and spiritually depraved our world has become, why has He not already come? There were those in the first century who thought He should have come and concluded that the Lord had made a promise to return and failed to keep it. In Peter’s second epistle, he writes about this and then gives the reason why He had not come in their day. It is the same reason He has not returned in our day.

There were those who looked around them and concluded that “…since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were” (2 Pet. 3:4). Peter said that those who were saying this had forgotten what had happened in the past. They had done it on purpose (v. 5). It is so easy to fail to see the big picture of God’s dealings with man. The apostle pointed them to the flood in Noah’s day. God’s view of that ancient world was vastly different from those who heard Noah’s preaching. God kept His promise, and the flood came!

Why did He delay? Read God’s words about this question, and you will have a better understanding about the reason He has not come even in our day. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Think of it in these terms. There was room on the ark for many more than Noah and his family, but not one single person wanted to “purchase the ticket.”

The implication of these truths? We live in a world where it is widely believed that the world has nothing to do with a Creator but is the result of an evolutionary process. God has made us, and we live, walk and have our very existence because of Him (Acts 17:28). Why does He delay of the final judgment? Because He is not willing that any should perish. He waits as we try to teach those around us. He has delayed His return because He is waiting for us to tell others about sin and salvation. He is counting on us. We must not fail to be part of saving just one more soul for Him.

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The Immune System – It’s Intelligently Complex!

The Immune System – It’s Intelligently Complex!

I have been reading a book lately called “Darwin’s Black Box” by Michael J. Behe. The book is about how Darwin himself set the conditions for how his theory of evolution could be proven false. In his own words Darwin said, “If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down.” In his book, Behe demonstrates with several examples at the molecular level how gradual evolutionary change fails because of the need for multiple things to evolve simultaneously, which is mathematically impossible.

Complex immune system

We have a complex immune system.

Part of his research involves studying the complexity of the immune system in the human body and how the body responds to foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. It is an incredibly complexly designed system the details of which could not be explained in this short article. One interesting thing about the system is that each antibody has a unique protein “key” that matches the unique protein “lock” on the invading organisms. One would wonder how the antibodies could “match” up. There are so many of these different antibodies in our bodies that the diversity of “keys” is guaranteed to match up with the unique “locks.” Once the body finds the correct “key,” it then immediately begins to manufacture millions of these antibodies with the correct “key” to attack the invading organisms. The result is that the bacteria or virus is attacked and destroyed by the body’s defenses. (I apologize to our medical people for my crude description of this system. I know it is much more complicate than this!) This system demonstrates tremendous intelligence to anticipate the numerous invaders that could destroy the body. God’s design is truly amazing.

 

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A Proper View of What God Treasures

A Proper View of What God Treasures

It is foolish to fail to think soberly about what really matters. Our secular world focuses on misguided values and attributes while failing to see that heaven’s value system is so different from theirs. Far too many Christians suffer from low self-esteem simply because we have embraced a secular view of how we measure ourselves. The worldly view of importance is determined by the job we have, our educational attainments, how we look in the mirror measured by Hollywood’s standard of beauty, and by the awards and honors we have received.

The proper view of beauty and outward appearance. If our value is determined by how beautiful or handsome we appear as we look in the mirror, we may all be in trouble. Answering one question can help us see that outward appearance does not show our value. How handsome was Jesus? “And when we see Him, He has no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isa. 53:2). His worth, and more importantly ours, is not determined by beauty. It’s alright to be ugly!

The proper view of the kind of work we do and where we are employed. Our world says that the closer we are to making minimum wage the less important we are. How true is this? When Jesus came, what kind of job did He do? He was a laborer, a carpenter like His father. His worth, and more importantly yours, is not determined by the place you work. It is alright to have an insignificant job!

The proper view of your bank account. When God sent His Son into the world, how rich was He? If wealth really matters, then surely God would allow the King of the world to be wealthy. Those wise men from the east sought to find the new king in Herod’s place—they were not that wise. Ignorant shepherds found Him with Divine guidance. “You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12). How wealthy was He in His adult life? “Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has no place to lay His head” (Matt. 8:20). It’s alright to be poor!

The proper view of education. The same question shows one’s worth is not determined by the degrees he has earned. The educated men of His day said of Jesus, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied” (John 7:15)? It’s alright to never have finished high school!

What are you worth? Let God answer the question for He alone knows what really matters. You matter—just ask God! “Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him” (James 2:5)? Just love God with all your heart and let Him determine what you are really worth!

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¿PORQUÉ MARCOS 1:2 CITA A MALAQUÍAS?

¿PORQUÉ MARCOS 1:2 CITA A MALAQUÍAS CUANDO REALMENTE LA CITA ES DE ISAÍAS?

Ciertamente es una buena pregunta que amerita una respuesta concreta. Hace muchos días escuché por internet a un ateo decir que el texto de la Biblia estaba corrupto y era incoherente, el hombre citó este lugar en Marcos 1. Creo firmemente que se debe de responder con una base sólida pero no solamente para darles respuesta a los ateos sino porque en verdad la inerrancia de la Biblia podría ser la primera tela de juicio que puede venir a la mente de muchos que ya son creyentes.

 La cuestión que encierra esta pregunta entra en la disciplina a la que llamamos “Critica textual” y no se llama así porque hablemos mal de los textos, sino que tiene que ver con el pensamiento crítico y las disciplinas que rigen ese pensamiento. Más específicamente esta pregunta tiene que ver con las variantes textuales. Por lo que, al ser un tema meramente técnico, nos ayuda a avanzar e incursionar en el maravilloso universo de la crítica textual.

Debería el texto de leer “como está escrito en los profetas” (ἐν τοῖς προφήταις) o debería de leer “como está escrito en el profeta Isaías” ( ἐν τῷ Ἠσαίᾳ τῷ προφήτῃ).  Los unciales (manuscritos más influyentes por antigüedad) siempre son la primera fuente para consultar. Para la primera opción “como está escrito en los profetas” el testigo más importante a favor es el códice Alejandrino (A) y también el códice Washintoniano (W), ambos muy respetados por su antigüedad. Otros como algunos cursivos (180,579, 1006 entre otros) junto con los “Byz” que representan cientos de manuscritos griegos con no menos de 900 años de antigüedad también están a favor de esta lectura.

 Para la otra lectura “como está escrito en el profeta Isaías” es sostenida por su parte por el códice vaticano (B), Códice Sinaítico, algunos otros códices del Siglo X y cerca de 10 manuscritos cursivos.

 Bien se sabe en que en las variantes textuales no importa la cantidad que puedan respaldar una lectura o la otra sino, lo que importa es la calidad del manuscrito que lo respalda (y por calidad me refiero principalmente por antigüedad). En este caso dos unciales contra uno pueden tener mucho más peso de un lado de la balanza.

Cuando Jerónimo estaba en lo más y mejor de su obra más prominente, la Vulgata latina   al llegar a Marcos 1:2 adoptó  la lectura que menciona el nombre del profeta Isaías y James Snapp Jr, es quien comenta que se vio obligado a hacer un comentario al margen de este texto. El dice:

En la erudición en todo su esplendor para defender su trabajo de traducción, Jerónimo acierta que hasta donde él tenía conocimiento, Mateo cita mal Zacarías 13:7 en Mateo 26:31, en esta ocasión partiendo de mi juicio el evangelista es culpable de la falta de suscribirte a Dios aquello que eran las palabras del profeta, dice Jerónimo.

La posición de Jerónimo solamente nos orilla a una alameda un poco más compleja. Sea cual sea el asunto que defendía se nos hace parecer que ahora tenemos dos distintos errores muy similares y que parecen ser graves con distintos profetas. Pero la solución podría parecer más simple de lo que parece. De hecho al observar varias versiones provenientes del textus receptus como Reina Valera entre otras parece no existir ninguna diferencia con las versiones que provienen de otros textos griegos distintos como la Biblia de las Américas que usó como texto base a Westcott y Hort.

El asunto radica más bien en la forma de pesar las variantes. Cada copista de estos manuscritos principales, fueron muy valientes e inteligentes al hacer su trabajo de forma meticulosa. Resulta ser que cada pasaje de los antes mencionados, particularmente el de Marcos 1:2 está compuesto por dos citas del antiguo testamento citadas al mismo tiempo. Aquí el texto como tal: “Como está escrito en Isaías el profeta:  He aquí yo envío mi mensajero delante de tu faz, El cual preparará tu camino delante de ti. Voz del que clama en el desierto: Preparad el camino del Señor; Enderezad sus sendas.” (Énfasis HLM).

Note con especial delicadeza que la parte que no se encuentra subrayada proviene de Malaquías 3, mientras que la parte subrayada de Isaías 40:3. El escriba al observar las dos citas combinadas en una, sencillamente para no citar a ambos profetas prefiere utilizar al profeta más prominente y el profeta menor queda a inferencia del estudiante de la Biblia. Esa es la razón por la que en los manuscritos más antiguos siempre se leerá la citación al profeta Isaías y pasa lo mismo en cualquier caso igual o similar al de Marcos 1, donde una cita está compuesta por dos textos distintos citados al mismo tiempo.

Es satisfactorio apreciar la tremenda ayuda que nos ofrece la disciplina de la crítica textual. Otras versiones ahora comienzan a traducir “en los profetas” a lo que el conocido crítico de textos y erudito, Bruce M. Metzger considera esta opción como una fórmula introductoria más incluyente,  tal como lo está en algunas  versiones en Ingles: King James, MIV y la WEB.

Personalmente considero que la lectura de,  los profetas en nuestras versiones podría ser de entendimiento muy amplio mientras que la de Isaías el profeta, ubica rápidamente al estudiante que podrá hacer un rebusco y llegar a la otra cita omitida. Para nada es un error, sencillamente es un aspecto técnico de los muchos que pudieran existir, pero que con un poco de interés y diligencia los hijos de Dios podemos resolver con facilidad.

Referencias

Bruce M. Metzger. (2006). Un Comentario Textual al Nuevo Testamento Griego. Alemania : Sociedad Bíblica Alemana .

James Snapp Jr.. (Octubre 25, 2017). Marcos 1:2 Orígenes, Eusebio y Jerónimo. Mié.26 Enero de 2020, de The Text of the Gospels Sitio web: https://www.thetextofthegospels.com

 

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Dealing with a Preteen

Dealing with a Preteen

Most individuals know the story of Jesus being separated from His parents because they accidentally left Him behind after observing the Passover. He was only twelve years of age, but this event shows just how sincere and devoted a preteen can be to God. Too often we overlook the ability of those of this age to be devoted to the Lord.

preteen boy

He can be devoted!

Look carefully at the words used to describe this time in the life of young Jesus. We sometimes think that this was the first trip Jesus made to the holy city, but Jesus grew up in a family in which from infancy God was first in the family. He had been circumcised on the eighth day just as God had commanded (Luke 2:21). The firstborn son belonged to God, for He bought them by the blood of lamb in the last plague in Egypt (Ex. 13:2), so forty days after His birth Jesus was brought from Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem and presented to God “according to the law of Moses” (Luke 2:22). The proper sacrifices were made “according to what is said in the law of the Lord” (Luke 2:24). “So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to…Nazareth” (Luke 2:39).

Jesus grew up knowing the importance of consistently doing what God said. “His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover” (Luke 2:41). Think of the impact this had on Jesus in contrast to a modern child saying, “Are we going to Bible class this Sunday?” From infancy Jesus had been taught to do what God says all the time.

After three days of searching, Joseph and Mary found young Jesus in the temple. Read the text carefully. Mary said, “Your father and I have sought You anxiously” (Luke 2:48). Now look at how Jesus reminded them that He had another Father who had first claim over Him. “I must be about My Father’s business.” It is remarkable that “they did not understand the statement He spoke to them” (Luke 2:50). Twelve-year-old children really can have deep understanding of spiritual truth.

In response to Mary’s words about their anxiety, Jesus simply implied that they could have avoided this anxiety and found Him much sooner had they realized that they had trained Him well. It is as though He said, “You should have known where I would be.” The ESV reflects the impact of the Greek language when it says, “Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?”

Let me appeal to those who have younger children. Make sure the daily conversation in your home includes talking about God. Teach them by example the importance of worship and Bible study. Never underestimate the ability of preteens to have great spirituality. Make sure you do not lose your child.

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