More Sure Word - Understanding Bible Prophecy

Trojan Horse

A Trojan Horse is defined as, “someone or something intended to defeat or subvert from within usually by deceptive means” (merriam-webster.com). This term is derived from Greek mythology. The story is told that the Greeks defeated Troy by sending them a wooden horse as a gift; within the horse were Greek soldiers. Upon receiving the gift and closing their gates the Trojan’s were defeated by the soldiers that they unwittingly took into their land. We are committing a similar error in judgement as Bible-believing Christians today. The social justice movements of today are Trojan horses. They purport to be one thing, but closer examination of their beliefs shows that their agenda is the opposite.

 

For example, the BLM movement has taken hold of the very real issue of the unjust treatment of black people in America and is using it to push an agenda of sodomy. They, like the slave masters of earlier years, the sharecropping “partners”, the politicians, and so many others, are yet again taking advantage of the plight of one group of people to accomplish their depraved, anti-biblical, anti-patriarchal agenda. They do very little to uplift the people they claim matter, on the contrary, their highest purpose is to degrade all of society. As Christians our guilt in maintaining segregation in our churches has now caused us to flood the streets with these “social justice” groups to assuage our collective consciences. This is not the answer (Proverbs 11:21).

 

One of the rally cries in the recent demonstrations caught my attention. It is the idea that the US Constitution is racist. As Bible believing Christians, we know where the US fits into prophetic events and the role of their constitution in those events. The US constitution and Bill of Rights, as they were originally written ensured a nation without a king and churches without a pope (Revelation 13:11). The people that founded the nation were running from the tyranny of both of these rulers. In the 1860’s, however, a Trojan horse was placed into this document. The 13^th Amendment of the US Constitution states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

 

On a cursory reading of this amendment it seems like standard verbiage for its intent – ending slavery – however, a closer look brings to light the hook with which many former slaves and their descendants have been caught – “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted”. This hook is now firmly in the grasp of the ones who placed it there, to do just the thing they had planned – the demolition of the US constitution. There is one group of subtle, deceitful, crafty people, from the “old world”, who despise all that the US constitution stands for, and they worked determinedly from inside the governance to see it destroyed. Now here we are.

 

This document stood as a barrier between the “new world” and the tyranny of the dark ages in the “old world” (Revelation 12:13, 14). Now, because it has been repeatedly violated by prejudice, its end is here. With the fall of the governing principles of the constitution, the only thing left to rise is the tyranny of a dictator (Revelation 13:15-17). This has been prophesied in Scripture. A United States unrestrained by the reins of the constitution will carry out the dictates of the tyrannical “old world” (Revelation 13:12).

 

I caution those of us that are aware of what is happening not to get caught up in the pseudo-righteousness of the world (Isaiah 64:6). Jesus told us that there will always be injustice in this world, this we cannot fix (John 16:33). What we can and need to do is to hold up God’s truth. Point the people of this dying world to the real Jesus Christ of the Bible, Who is willing and able to forgive our sins and cleanse us form all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The same Jesus Who is returning “with power and great glory” to put an end to all injustices and evil forever (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11; Revelation 20:14). This is the commission that was given to us as Bible believing Christians (Matthew 28:19, 20).

 

Behold the Bridegroom Cometh!

Job

Iceberg ahead... Meet It

How did we get here?

Atonement

According to the dictionary atonement is “the act of making amends for a wrong or injury”. In scripture we learn that God ordained ceremonial services that ran on an annual schedule. These services were tangible representation of how sin would be removed from their individual lives and the collective community (Leviticus 16; 23). Because sin is corrupting and ultimately kills, because it separates us from the Life Giver, it is vital that they be removed (Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:20). Ideally, not sinning at all would ensure that its adverse effects would not be experienced; however, Adam sinned, and we’ve all sinned, therefore, in order to regain connection to the Life Giver we need to engage in the process of atonement (Romans 2:23; Leviticus 23:23-32).

As sinners, we know that atonement is necessary to restore our relationship with God; but how do we accomplish this? The reality is we could never pay the debt for the sins we commit – this would mean death (Roman 6:23). God made a promise to humanity to take that consequence, and He did by dying on Calvary (Genesis 3:15; John 19:30; Romans 5:19; Galatians 1:4; Hebrews 9:26; 1John 2:2). So how do we gain the benefit of this gift? John the Baptist, Jesus, and all the Apostles preached the how – “Repent” – The central theme of Jesus’ ministry on earth, and the commission He left the apostles with, was to preach repentance from sin, and adherence to His commandments (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 28:19, 20; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 26:20).

Well how does one repent? Do we merely give a verbal acknowledgement of our wrongs and keep on in the path? Do we make excuses and give reasons why the offence was committed? Or is there to be a change made? A prime example of repentance can be found in the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). Zacchaeus was a thief and when he encountered the Saviour he repented of his sins and pledged to repay all that he had stolen with interest. As a result of Zacchaeus’ thorough repentance Jesus declared, “This day is salvation come to this house”. True repentance is manifested in genuine heartfelt remorse demonstrated in our actions without attempts at self-justification.

How do we know what is appropriate? In Physics we learn that ‘for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’. Scripture also teaches that what you sow you’ll reap. The reality is reaping usually yields more than was sowed (Hosea 8:7; Galatians 6:7). If you steal you pay back with interest, if you lie you retract with loss of trustworthiness, etc. But what if your crimes are multifaceted like King David’s big sin (2 Samuel 11; 12). David’s sin brought punishment directly from God, his home didn’t see peace again until after his death (2 Samuel 13-15; 1 Kings 1:1-40). How did David take his punishment – like the man of God he was – he did not complain, he did not beg for the punishment to be removed, he did not attempt to manipulate situations, he accepted God’s punishment for his selfish act, and continued praising the name of the Lord (2 Samuel 16:5-14; 1 Samuel 13:14; Psalm 51; Acts 13:22).

Does David’s suffering or Zacchaeus’ need to make restitution mean they were not forgiven? On the contrary, because they recognized their sins and accepted willingly the consequences for them, forgiveness was immediate. Being forgiven does not mean that the natural effects of one’s wrongs are not experienced. Being forgiven means you are not stuck in that vicious cycle of sin and guilt and sin to cover guilt and guilt over sin. When you are forgiven you are free, free from the sin that brought the guilt in the first place (Romans 4:6-8). In popular culture there is a move toward the idea that being forgiven means you don’t have to suffer the consequences for your actions. This is unbiblical, ungodly and an utter falsehood directly from the heart of the enemy.

Some believe that because they have ceased the sinful act which caused harm to others, that all is well, and restitution is unnecessary. This flies in the face of God’s justice. God is both merciful and just. Individuals, organizations, and nations need to be aware that they are responsible for the entire history of their actions and will be accountable to God for all their choices (1 Samuel 15:2, 3; Revelation 18:4, 5). If you have committed some wrong in the sight of God toward your fellow man make amends, repent. If your organization or company has grown at the expense of others, pay your debts, make a public acknowledgement of corporate wrongs. If your nation has harmed others, built and sustained itself on the victimization and degradation of its citizenry, and the citizenry of other nations, make an outcry for restitution, because judgement is sure (Exodus 20:5, 6). No one who benefits from or condones such activity, within their family, business, or country, whether actively or passively, will escape retribution (Exodus 22:21-24; Joshua 7:16-26).

God bless,

Three

I saw an interview with, what seemed to be, an earnest couple who had recently become Christians. They were ostracized from their church because they chose to believe the non-trinitarian views of another individual who was put out of the church for these views. Prior to hearing this interview, I saw a video of an elder calling out a pastor for believing and teaching that God is three distinct beings. I also had an interesting discussion with a very confident individual at church once, who did not believe that God is three distinct beings. Therefore, I feel the need to address this topic. However, before I begin, I must make a disclaimer: As finite, created, human beings we will not now nor ever in the future be able to fully understand the nature of God (if we get to that point then we become God); however, the parts of Himself that God has deemed necessary for us to understand He has revealed in His word and therefore, we are perfectly capable by His grace to comprehend. Let’s begin.

 To find out what God has to say about Himself let’s begin “In the beginning”. Genesis 1 opens: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” From this we learn that God is the Creator. As we continue reading, we learn that God, by commandment, created all the things we interact with on a daily basis including ourselves. Let’s take a closer look at the “ourselves” aspect of this. In Genesis 1:26 after God created the land animals, He engages in a discourse: “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” This is a loaded verse, however, the first thing about God that we need to point out is the plurality with which He refers to Himself. He said “Us” and “Our” not ‘me’ or ‘my’. The second thing is that man was made in Their image giving them (man) dominion over creation. Verse 27 says, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Man was created in the image of God – to reflect God – therefore man is to share some of God’s characteristics. The ones listed in these two verses are that man was to have dominion over the creatures of the earth, just as God has dominion over all created things, and the plurality of man (male and female created He them) reflects the plurality of God.

The argument of the non-trinitarians that I have encountered centre on the scripture in Deuteronomy 6:4 in which God speaks to Israel saying, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord”. This is also repeated and affirmed by Jesus in the new testament (Mark 12:29). So, the question now arises, ‘Is the Bible contradicting itself when in the beginning God refers to Himself as plural and then five books down, says that He is one?’ There is no contradiction here to understand the oneness of God we need to look at the image of Himself that He created. Genesis 2:23, 24 states, “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Adam was one distinct individual and the Woman, later named Eve, was one distinct individual, however, scripture tells us that in marriage the two become one. This is a reflection of the Oneness of God in multiple distinct beings.

Now based on Genesis 1, we know that there are more than one beings that is God, however, we have to probe further to find out how many. Some may hold to two beings as man and woman reflecting God are two. However, we know from practical experience that images are not exactly like the original. Case in point, God is self-existent, all powerful, all knowing and omnipresent we, His image, are not. So how many beings make up God? In 1 John 5:7 we learn that “there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, The Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” To bear record is to be a witness and to be an good witness one has to have seen the whole of an event. Form Scripture we know that there are other beings in heaven worshiping God day and night (Revelation 4:8). However, these beings can’t bear an adequate record because they were created and haven’t seen the whole story, they can only give their perspective of events. There are only Three in heaven that have this capacity.

So, Who are these three, “the Father, The Word, and the Holy Ghost”. The Father is the One from Whom we are separated because of sin. He is the One to Whom we address our prayers (Matthew 6:9-13). He is the One Who sent Jesus to die for our sins (John 3:16). The Word is Jesus, the Son (John 1:1-5, 9-14). He is the One that spoke in the beginning and created all things on the earth. John 1:1 clearly points out the plurality of God because “the Word was with God and the Word was God”. He is our redeemer and our mediator; we pray to the Father in His name (John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 15:16). Jesus led the Israelites through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). He came to earth in the form of a man, the image of God, to show us the Father, and stand at the head of the human family to reconcile all of mankind with God (John 14:8, 9; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19; Colossians 1:15). The Jews wanted to kill Jesus for blasphemy because He claimed to be God (John 10:30-33). Jesus forgave sins and thereby successfully brought healing because He is God (Matthew 9:2-7). Jesus submitted Himself to the father to die in our behalf and did not feel diminished by this position (Philippians 2:5-11). God is the only one that is worthy of worship. The scripture actively encourages us to worship Jesus; all other messengers that have come to earth emphatically instruct humanity not to worship them (Revelation 19:10; 22:9). The Father refers to Jesus, the Son as Lord and God (Hebrews 1:8-10). He laid down His own life as a man and took it back up as God (John 10:17, this is the mystery of Godliness – 1 Timothy 3:16). Jesus is God. The Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is referenced throughout scripture as well. In Genesis 1:2 “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” to enact creation. The Spirit of God dwelt in Joseph giving him wisdom to interpret dreams and govern a nation (Genesis 41:38, 39). The Spirit of God caused Saul and others to prophesy (1 Samuel 10:10). Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah (Jesus) would be filled with the Spirit of God and by the Spirit He would preach, heal and free humanity (Isaiah 61:1). At Jesus’ baptism witnesses saw the Holy Spirit descend on Him in the form of a dove (Matthew 3:16). They also heard the voice of the Father declare, “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Jesus promised when He left earth that the Father would send the Comforter, Who would teach all believers about Jesus (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). With these scriptures (and there are many more) we see that the Godhead (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9) is composed of three distinct individuals with distinct job description, existing eternally and that Jesus came to earth as Their representative to reconcile humanity with God.

As it relates to terminology, I prefer to be cautious about the words I use. I’m not perfect and therefore sometimes I slip and use the wrong term. But as a general rule, in all things, it is best to use scriptural definition for all things. The bible does not use the word trinity. Many people that believe as I do try to explain away the term as meaning what the Bible describes. Because the term trinity is loaded with many pagan connotations, I choose to use the Biblical term Godhead. It is abundantly important, in the time of earth’s history that we find ourselves living, that we be very solid on what the scripture actually teaches in all things because “the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” and the deception in these last days will be such that “if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (1 Peter 5:8; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).

Hold fast,