God’s Chosen People: Then and Now

In the Bible we learn that God chose Abraham to be the father of His chosen people, the people through which His promise of redemption would come (Genesis 18:18; 22:18). This promise was passed on to Isaac and reiterated to Jacob (Genesis 28:14). Following their time in Egypt the Israelites were lead to the Promised Land by God. On the way they were given charge of God’s immutable law, the Ten Commandments, and they were also given ceremonial laws and services, which were symbols of God’s plan for our salvation (Psalms 77:13; Hebrews 8:1-6). It was the responsibility of the Israelites to live out this example and share the hope of a coming Saviour.

However, Israel repeatedly “did evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges). Time after time they got comfortable and forgot their purpose and adopted the ways of the neighbouring heathens. God raised multiple judges to help them every time they cried to Him for help, then they rejected God and demanded a King “like the other nations” (1 Samuel 8:5-7). So God granted them their request. And as has been the pattern they fell into apostasy again leading to the division of the nation and the “loss” of ten tribes and the captivity of the remaining two.

Despite the nature of His people, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. God made a covenant with David that his line would last forever (Psalms 89:3,4; 2 Chronicles 7:18) So He sent prophets to remind the Jews of this promise. Isaiah and Daniel outline all the signs that were to come announcing the birth of the Messiah and the nature of His mission (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6,7; 53:3; Daniel 9:25, 26).

But after the Jews left Persian captivity they decided that this should never happen to them again so to prevent this they developed a religious group known as the Pharisees. The Pharisees were to be the keepers of the law and to ensure that everyone in Israel knew and obeyed God’s law. This all seemed like a good idea until the Pharisees decide the only way to keep God’s laws is to make more laws (Matthew 23:1-7). They forgot that God empowers us to keep His law because we cannot do it in our own strength. So they make God’s law tedious, this is also displeasing to God and they end up under Roman rule.

To keep the people loyal the Jewish leaders, misinterpreted the prophecies, that the Messiah would come to die, and told the people He would come to over throw the Roman rulers. This sent absolute confusion among God’s chosen people and when the Messiah arrived only a few people were prepared, Joseph and Mary (Matthew 1:18-25), Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:41-45), Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-38), and wise men from the East (Matthew 2:1-5). God then sent one final messenger, as promised, before Jesus began His ministry (Isaiah 40: 3). John the Baptist preached a message of repentance (Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 3:3,4)

When Jesus began His ministry He had to correct the misinterpretation (John 2:19-21). Even until the day before He died His closest disciples didn’t fully understand that He came to die (John 18:10,11,36). It wasn’t until Jesus rose from the dead that they finally understood the prophecies (John 2:22).

And unfortunately ‘those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it’. Again, God has chosen a specific group of people to shine a light on His immutable law and to carry to truth of Salvation, found in the Sanctuary, to bring hope to a dying world, and we are failing. Like the Israelites we put aside the beautiful truth that we have because we want to be “like the other nations”. The prophets have laid out what is to happen before Jesus returns and like the Israelite leaders we modify it to suit our own ends. People are being lied to in order to attain perceived success. Greater numbers are being called into the church exposing them to half-truths and thereby imperiling their souls (Matthew 23:15; Revelation 12:15).

Jesus is coming soon. The signs are all there. This time He comes as a conquering King to bring rewards according to our works (Revelation 22:12). We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). Our faith helps us to rely on God’s grace to overcome sin; the greater the sin the more grace we receive to resist (Romans 5:20; 6:14). And our faith in His power to help us reject sin and worship Him will determine our eternal reward.

I pray God’s courage on all who hear His Spirit to choose to obey His call to sound the alarm “ Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

Through Faith

Bible vs. Tradition

A question that has become prevalent in my church lately is whether some of the things we teach as doctrine are Biblical or church tradition. Growing up I’ve always known them to be Biblical, but like most people raised in my church the way I was we don’t have the verses at the ready. A few of these are our stance on wearing jewelry, going to the theatre/watching certain TV shows/ reading certain books and even drinking alcohol. All my life I’ve known that these things were wrong but have only recently been challenged as to the Biblical reason. This challenge elicited an extreme response that was as a result of my own lack of knowledge. Knowing that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine… (2 Timothy 3:16) I set to studying. So by the grace of God I now have a more sure standing.

I could easily list the verses that would stand against these – Jewelry: Jacob preparing his family before coming to God in prayer Genesis 35:4, God preparing to judge the Israelites after they engaged in idolatry Exodus 33:5, and Peter’s instruction for adornment 1 Peter 3:3; Entertainment choices: King David promising not to look at evil Psalms 101:3, and Paul’s instructions of what to keep in our minds Philippians 4:8; Alcohol: Solomon’s instructions Proverbs 20:1 and 23:31. However, there are scripture references used to support the use of jewelry, Rebecca receiving Isaac’s gifts, Joseph wearing Pharaoh’s ring, Jesus giving us crowns when He returns. Similarly, with alcohol and unhealthy entertainment I have heard the reasoning that in moderation it’s not harmful.

Let’s look at these one at a time: Jewelry. This is a major hang up for many people because they have become so comfortable with it and with pastors now telling them it’s ok my belief and practice elicits a major response. I won’t expound on the pagan origins of jewelry and the coordinating meanings behind this, this can be found out by anyone with the internet or a library card. I look at it from the Bible’s point of view. As prophecy believing people we know that we are currently living at the end of earth’s history which means the end of church history, the final church, Laodicea – A people judged. We are people that are to live in an attitude of constant prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). If we as Bible believing Christians believe that God’s instructions, which has always been to remove jewelry, are constant, as He does not change (Malachi 3:6), why would He waver on this. We are living in a time of judgement. We as a people are being judged by our response to His mercy and following this judgement we will enter the Promised Land. Furthermore, in Ezekiel 28:13 we learn that Lucifer was covered with every precious stone. Human beings were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), His people were made to be clothed in light (Genesis 2:25, Revelation 12:1) but following sin He gave us covering that reflected His sacrifice (Genesis 3:21). When we cover ourselves in jewels we reject the image of God that remains in us and form an image to Lucifer. This is why my church believes and many others used to believe that we should not wear jewelry.

Entertainment choices: The Bible teaches that we should look to Jesus in all things because by beholding we become changed (2 Corinthians 3:18). Scientists have demonstrated that the things we listen to, read, and watch changed to way we think. This is how brainwashing works, the human mind does not loose it’s “sponge-like” properties after the age of seven. As a TV/Movie addict in recovery I can attest to the change in mood and thinking that occurs. It has been demonstrated that while passively watching a scene your brain believes that you are actually living the event, thereby changing the neural connections to suit this new experience. Because as Christians we believe that earth’s final conflict is for our beliefs, is it not prudent that we guard or minds from things that negatively impacts its function?

Similarly, with alcohol, consuming alcohol is known to damage various organs in the body including the brain. I find it flabbergasting that this is an issue among professed Bible believing Christians. I don’t have to list the evils that come from alcohol use. This is in the news and scientific articles every day. I have one verse that summarizes my sentiments on this and I will say no more anyone who has been touch directly or indirectly by the effects of this substance knows it is evil. 1 Peter 5:8 says: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. No honest person can justify the use of alcohol.

This is by no means a condemnation on those who wear jewelry, enjoy unchrist-like entertainment or drink alcohol. We all have shortcomings. This is why He died, to cover us from the things we did in ignorance and the catch us if we fall in knowledge. How we respond to this mercy will determine whether we receive His crown of life or smelt with the ornaments we place on ourselves. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17 He gives us all opportunities to learn His truth and every incentive to choose His Way. Today, in whatever means you may hear His call please respond (Hebrews 3:15).

By Faith

P.S. There are other seeming peculiarities that were held as doctrine at the foundation of my church (Health Message, Dress Reform, etc.); all with Biblical standing. As a faith founded in the Protestant tradition, Sola Scriptura, ‘this is where we stand and we will go no further’. In this year that we remember Martin Luther’s declarations let us not forget why he made those statements and what we will return to by attempting to erode the truth of the Bible.


Lord, I Want to be a Christian

Unlucky Charms

Influence