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Today, I violate the code and open the door on something Christian men have tried to keep quiet. Why? Because women need to know what Christian men REALLY think about modesty and immodesty in women so they can have more empathy and compassion. I hope you will read the article and share your thoughts on what I consider an important issue.
I am preaching through James and this Sunday morning, my text will be James 1:21, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
What a great passage! What thoughts do you have on the implanted word and this passage in general? Thanks! I look forward to reading your great comments.
Richard, James’ words harmonize well with other areas of the NT regarding the word as seed analogy. The seed is living Heb 4:12-13, John 6:63; enduring I Pet 1:23 as well as soul-saving your text, Rom 10:13-15, & I Thessalonians 2:13. The successful engrafting of the word shows itself in exercise of our will to follow the spirit’s lead Gal 5:22-23, as opposed to allowing the flesh by default to quench the Spirit which permits an unsaved state of being to prevail Gal 5:19-21. Just a couple of third.
Hello Richard,
I always think of the parable of the sower in Luke 8. I also think of the emphasis that James placed in how we are to receive the word – with meekness. This is really powerful in light of the previous two verses that talks about our attiude toward the correction and admonition of God’s word. Most of the time we use the verses in relation to our relationship with others when the context is actually about our relationship with God’s word. The parable of the sower doesn’t say much about anger choking out the fruitfulness of God’s word but James sure does. Preach on!
A woman calls me and basically says, “My husband is doing something I don’t like. Can you preach a sermon about it?” I’m thinking, “Um, no.” Have you ever had people try to get you to solve their issues with other people in the pulpit? It is disgusting, isn’t it?
No, I have not been so “fortunate.” I am glad.
Several years ago, I did have a young wife request a sermon from 1 Peter 3:7 (her husband is also a Christian–both great people). I accommodated the request, but did not feel “used” as a weapon. I think she was sincerely trying, submissively, to help mold her husband’s character for the better. It sounds a little different than the case you mentioned.
If we adamantly preach from the pulpit that the Lord’s Church should not have a choir, then why do we joke from the pulpit about preaching to the choir? Do we just like to confuse people?
Some words can be used in different contexts to convey a significant point. I think this is one of those words. The word “choir” to me is not a troublesome word. As you would say (presumably), I do the same, the congregation is the Lord’s choir.
True. However, are we certain that everyone in attendance understands the nuance? No.
This is true, and it is fair to ask as you have. That also applies, however, to the many other words that are used by people in a local or larger setting.
I’d think people understand, since it’s a figure of speech quite well known.
Someone shared this on Facebook and I wanted to share it with you. Alcohol and bad parenting skills converged in this home.
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?” (Proverbs 23:29-35).
:( sad
Randal asked if we have a sense of humor. I’ve been told I have a good one. I love humor and can’t resist it. I have funny thoughts running through my head most of the time.
I have what is called a dry sense of humor that can be described as observational. I can usually rift off of the things I see around me quite easily. I also love witty repartee. It helps to read a lot to have more ammunition.
I am often thinking of funny replies to what people post on Facebook. But I try to resist. :)
I love puns and smart humor. I see humor in almost everything. I can sit at WalMart or watch TV and think of almost non-stop jokes. I always wanted to be on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Crude humor doesn’t have a place with me. In fact, my creed is, “Humor should amuse, not abuse.” I don’t believe in cruel humor because the Golden Rule dictates my life. If I don’t like it, I’m not doing it to others. Hence, I don’t taunt or cruelly mock others because I don’t want them turned on me.
Getting laughs with crude talk is too easy and therefore pointless. It’s like one comedian said about performing his comedy routine to a drunk audience. “If you make them laugh it doesn’t count. They’re drunk. They’re always laughing.”
It is disturbing that true humor is almost dead in popular culture. All they have left is the crude, easy joke. I think that either says something about the intelligence of the entertainment business or the public. Or, both.
I am dismayed that so many people fail to see humor in Scripture. In fact, some people see it as offensive to even suggest that there is humor in God’s Word. It is somehow sacrilegious.
How can you read Elijah mocking the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), Balaam and the donkey (Numbers 22) and Micaiah and Ahab (1 Kings 22) and a host of others without laughing?
Job was so frustrated with the rants of his ignorant friends that he said, “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!” (Job 12:2). I find this funny but have pointed that out to congregations and they just stare at me. Maybe that says something about my humor.
Besides women like a man with a sense of humor. Or, so I’ve been told.
Richard, Oh, to have the humor of the dog in the above picture you posted! HA! HA! (:
I want to talk about a strange brand of hypocrites who hate children. Well, that’s not exactly true. They only hate other people’s children. Let me explain.
Trevor and Jasmine are married and they have two children, a nine year-old boy and a seven year-old girl. They love their children more than life itself and they protect their children in every way that they deem important. They do not allow their children to watch certain channels on TV and they are very careful about what kind of music their children hear. Most of us would say they are good parents.
Now, let’s consider the following scenario. Trevor and Jasmine are with two other like-minded families in a banquet room at a local restaurant for a birthday party. They are all dressed in their best clothes. Half-way through their party, a man they do not know walks into the room containing all the children and parents. The stranger starts loudly cursing and talking about his sexual prowess.
What do Trevor and Jasmine do? Trevor goes over and pushes the man out of the room, screaming at him to shut his filthy mouth. Meanwhile, Jasmine has covered their children’s ears. Naturally, they love their children and don’t want them corrupted.
Trevor and Jasmine take their children home and leave them with a baby sitter. Trevor and Jasmine change their clothes and put on jeans and t-shirts. Trevor’s t-shirt brags about his sexual prowess and Jasmine’s is covered with profanity. Happily, they go to Walmart to shop among other nine year-old boys and seven year-old girls who can read their shirts and be corrupted by them.
Hence, hypocrites. Pure and simple. No one better corrupt their children but they can damage other kids.
In all honesty, what is the difference in walking into a room of children and saying obscene things and wearing obscene t-shirts in a store where children are present? Nothing. Both exhibit a hatred of children, no matter what rationalization we use.
Teaching Revelation is fascinating. Reading the bizarre comments from commentaries is both mystifying and amusing. I saw one today that I wanted to share. I shall withhold the name of the commentary to protect the guilty. :)
Revelation 17:6 says: I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
The commentator came to this grisly, powerful verse and spent his entire entry on the dangers of drinking alcohol. I kid you not.
Here we have faithful Christians, godly people walking in the light, being massacred for being in Christ and all he can muster is don’t drink alcohol? This verse should provoke tears rather than a temperance lesson.
It is actually offensive to think that someone could ignore the sacrifice of the martyrs while riding a hobby horse. Have some respect for those who died for their faith!
Sometimes you don’t understand what runs through people’s minds.
Actually the answers to our problems do not exist within mankind. Only in Christ can we find what we seek as human beings. Sin will continue to be here and everything that comes with it (1 Peter 5:8). We cannot stop it no matter what we do. All we can do is give ourselves to the Lord, so He can help us deal with them (Romans 5:6-11; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 22:16).
“A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is… A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness. They have lived a sheltered life by always giving in.” [C.S. Lewis].
An excellent post!
Yes, Lewis was a thought-provoker. I don’t remember if it was he, or another writer, who made the point that Jesus knew temptation’s power even more than any of us, since, by resisting till he conquered, he always experienced temptation’s full force.
I am currently teaching Revelation on Wednesday night. We finished our last lesson midway through chapter 16. The study is challenging but empowering as we see the clear gospel and the power of God.
One of our men found an old Adult Bible Quarterly from 2000 on Revelation. We recently spent a good bit of time working through chapter 13 because it is such a difficult chapter. He was curious to see what this book said about that chapter.
He soon discovered that this Quarterly had a clever way of handling Revelation — you skip all the hard chapters. Chapter 13 wasn’t even covered. They also skipped chapters 16-18 and 20-21. hmmm
This may make it easier on the writer but it doesn’t do anything for the teacher or the student. While these chapters are difficult to understand, they are also very powerful testaments to the glory and plan of God.
Ignoring them is an insult to the Holy Spirit’s efforts to give them to us and leaves us without the full message of judgment. How can that benefit anyone?
hUM…I’m doing a Monday Night Bible study with those interested in studying the book of Revelation, and I’m using the material gathered by James M. Booth, from the web site http://www.padfield.com. I find James material refreshing and rather easy to teach and understand.
I used the pdf class outline for Revelation from Padfield and it was very useful along with a commentary by Donald R. Taylor called “The Apocalypse: A Revelation of Jesus Christ”. I found them both to be useful when I taught through the book of Revelation in our teenage class (by request). I don’t think they thought it was as “exciting” as they “thought” is was going to be. No doubt though, there are some wonderful lessons to learn from Revelation about the work/will of God that go along with the “small” glimpses of heavenly glory that can comfort us greatly when understood properly.
Good article Richard.
Christmas is over and the wrapping paper is discarded. The toys are being ignored and Christmas cards are in garbage bags.
The things of this world fade with time. Man’s idols and empires are dead and false messiahs are in their graves. Money is shredded and material wealth is languishing in landfills. Everything in this world will expire because the fleshly is temporal (2 Peter 3:7-11).
If we desire a gift that will be timeless, we must turn to the spiritual for answers. It is the only thing that lasts (Matthew 25:31-34, Matthew 25:46).
So, why is Jesus the limited, unlimited? What does He provide for us?
Christmas is a time of peace on earth and good will toward men. Or so we are told.
Rather, in our modern day, it is a time of insane commercialism and insatiable greed. We spend all of our money for gifts and fight on, tossing future earnings, plus interest, into the melee. All of this to buy gifts for our loved ones, no matter the cost or physical harm that may come to our bodies.
I wonder why we never pause, reflect and ask why. Why do we damage our health and finances to find the perfect toys or electronics? What lies behind our behavior?
Words we need to ponder. I have really focused on an change of attitude this season and it has taken tough financial times to bring me here.
Without God: “Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” There isn’t any point to life without God. We are born into trouble and then we die, never to exist again. If I believed that, I don’t know how I would make it through the day.
With God, we have everything we could possibly need: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
Jesus came to bring the abundant life to us all and we should be thrilled (John 10:10). He is the blessing, the gift, given to the world and we must be eternally thankful (John 3:16; John 14:1-6). Without Him, there isn’t anywhere else to go.
Reading the commentaries on Revelation chapter 9 will make you dizzy. They all feel compelled to find historical figures to plug into this chapter. Since they all have different ones, the reader finds it hopeless. I tend to think that the visions are more timeless than specific. The spiritual war with Satan and his forces will always be with us.
The book showers comfort on the Saints of John’s day and the Christians, Jews and Romans are backdrops. Yet, the overall theme is much larger, encompassing the entire spectrum of spiritual existence. We must be careful not to become lost in the morass of imagination when we study Revelation.
The locusts are the power of Satan and those who do his will. They bring havoc to the world but they are limited in their power and scope. Thank the Lord that He is always with us (Hebrews 13:5) and has prepared an eternal place of comfort for us (John 14:1-6)!
Will you share your thoughts on the joy of Bible Study? Why do you enjoy it? What does it do for you besides give you the Word of God?
Why do I enjoy Bible study?
1) Because I receive insight into the mind of God through the inspired words provided by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11-12).
2) Because I receive spiritual edification and renewal from the inspired words that I read and ingest into my mind (2 Corinthians 12:19; Romans 12:2).
3) Because God’s word helps me not to sin (Psalm 37:31; Psalm 119:11).
4) Because God’s word is a light (Psalm 119:105), illuminating the right path for me to take in my walk here on earth (Proverbs 3:5-6), that I might be pleasing to Him (John 4:34; John 5:30; John 6:38; John 8:29)
5) Because through daily Bible study, I learn to put on the characteristics of my Lord (loving, merciful, forgiving, compassionate, humble, etc.) to become more like Him (Gal. 2:20).
6) Because I can look at the history of God’s people and learn from their examples (Romans 15:4; cf. Hebrews 3:5-13; Hebrews 11; Hebrews 12:14-17; Jude 1).
7) Because I love God and desire to keep His commandments (John 14:15; John 15:14; 1 John 2:3), Bible study being one of those commandments (2 Timothy 2:15).
8) Because I love sharing the Word of God with others and interacting with them (2 Timothy 2:1-2), and you can’t teach what you don’t know (Hebrews 5:12-13).
There are many other reasons why I enjoy Bible study, but the above reasons will suffice for now.
I am trying to start Thankful Thursdays among my friends. How you can help:
The Lord is worthy of all our praise and more.
“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You” (Psalm 63:1-3).
What a fabulous idea! We tend to complain about everything although we have everything!
Every congregation struggles with how to encourage people to attend worship. Some disappear and show no interest in coming back. Others show up occasionally.
We contact them and try to get them back. However, we know that they may come only after we push them to do so. If they are attending simply because, in their minds, we are “harassing them” and coming will “shut us up,” it is likely that very little is being accomplished.
I am preparing a mail-out to contact everyone that has visited us in the past two years to encourage them to return.
We live in a military community, so people are highly transient. Possibly none of them still live here. It is harder in a military community because no one is from here and they don’t have extended families. We are left with troops and their families, who aren’t here very long.
Whenever someone in a congregation asks the question, “How can we encourage people to attend worship?” I always smile. If I could answer that, I’d be the smartest man in the church because every other congregation is asking the same question.
What works for your congregation? I’ve worked with another congregation where we grew by keeping our visitors but that was significantly different than the community I now serve where people aren’t putting down roots.
What thoughts do you have on these important questions?
Richard, I would love to see what you’re sending out, or even the wording of it, if nothing else. I’ve thought of doing something similar here, but have had trouble figuring out exactly what I want to say. You have my email…I’d sure love to see what you’ve put together…thanks!
We do things by rote memory, floating through mundane tasks. Things like driving, writing, walking or wrestling with a child or grandchild are things we do without any thought.
Our bodies do them without conscious effort. They are as natural as eating or sleeping.
Yet, when these same tasks require effort, the scales come off our eyes and life becomes more precious & tenuous.
The world gains a new perspective and we begin to examine every aspect of our lives.
In a way, we go back to our childhood and when we learned how to do the ordinary things of life. Humbling and humiliating, it reorders our existence.
When we awaken, we look around and everything has a new vividness. Our fresh perspective brings priorities into focus and we yearn to pull our loved ones closer. Shuffling the pieces of our lives, important things gain new meaning while others are discarded.
The problem is that people usually never reach this point without pain and heartache. Sadly, most will never get there at all.
We shouldn’t have to be debilitated before we wake up. Open God’s Word and allow Him to help you see what is truly important in life. Study Proverbs to learn more about the intricacies of how to weigh the value of things in our lives.
Walk in the Gospels and allow Jesus to lead you to righteousness and peace through His Word. Allow the blood of Christ to wash away your sins in baptism (Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:7) and then live on the wings of eagles (Isaiah 40:31).
Wake up now! Don’t wait to be knocked down before you walk in the grace of God!
“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea” (Revelation 7:1-2).
The Bible class gathers on Wednesday night and they open their Bibles to Revelation 7. There are right, productive ways to do things and there are wrong, counter-productive ways to perform the same functions.
Here are some wrong ways to spend class time studying these two verses.
My point is that we can completely miss the points made in Revelation by focusing on the wrong things. The symbolism in the book points to the power of God and His glory and our responsibilities in terms of salvation and obedience. The book is about victory.
However, we can drown in the symbols and details and miss all of the valuable material. In essence, we strangle John’s message and God’s teachings do not get into our hearts.
Too many congregations never study Revelation and I wonder how many ignore it for the reasons stated above. We don’t need to be afraid of Revelation. However, we must remain focused on the true lessons of the book and never lose sight of the overall picture John is painting.
Revelation 7:4-8 says:
“And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.”
It is amazing to me that some think this is a literal passage. Are they saying that only 144,000 of all the Jews who ever lived will be saved? Moreover, that there are exactly 12,000 of each tribe?
It is mind-blowing to think that could even be possible with the presence of freewill. Out of the millions of Jews, only this paltry number will be saved? How insulting to the countless numbers of Jews who devoted their lives to God.
Revelation 14:1-5 tells us that these 144,000 are virgin Jewish males. So, not a single Jewish woman and married Jewish man will be in heaven?
If our doctrine demands that we accept the ludicrous, so that our overall doctrines remains intact, we seriously need to look for truth elsewhere. Revelation is not literal but symbolic. It is on the only way that the book makes any sense at all.
Thanks for reminding us that Satan is on the prowl. Actually, Satan wants much and is always looking for an individual’s susceptibility to that which will draw one away from God. For he is a great respecter of anything which leads one to do that which is contrary to the will of our God. James 1: 11-13; vs12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” How do each of us stack up to the trials of life?
Once we become a Christian, immersed in the waters of baptism (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4), cleansed in the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7), and sanctified from the world by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), can we ever be lost?
We know that if we walk in Christ, bringing glory to God, as we find in Scripture, we will remain in the arms of God (Ephesian 2:19; 3:20-21; 4:1).
There are those who teach that a true Christian can never be lost. I agree (Romans 8:1).
However, the question remains as to whether we can leave the Lord by exercising our freewill? Scripture says that we can (Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31).
The following articles examine this very important question:
I hope you will diligently study these passages and pray about them.
My article today at Forthright is the second in a series of articles on the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory. They base their doctrine on works salvation, which is completely foreign to the Gospel.
If we can be saved because of works, we are ostensibly saying that we can live perfectly enough that God would be forced to save us or be shamed before the world. That is laughable but is exactly the idea behind Catholic salvation.
I hope you will read Purgatory 2 and give your thoughts on their false claims.
Works are as necessary as faith – if you believe in Him, then you must also obey and do the works He has commanded. Of course, we also know that faith is a work, and yet without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb.11:6). Doing what our Lord has asked never obligates Him to us but not doing works separates us from Him. Therefore, what kind of works are should we consider doing? Not works of the law (of Moses), not works of boasting, not works of my own devising, not works of the flesh, etc. However, the works we are to do are the works associated with faith, and those works are simply obeying the positive and negative commands of the Lord.
Another thought: when it comes to sin, no one has to sin. There is not a soul who will stand before God and tell Him that on certain occasions he or she just had to sin. That won’t fly, especially since our Lord provides everyone with an escape for every temptation that comes down the pike (1 Cor.10:13). Paul says it like this, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Yes, Christ died for sin, but that does not mean we must, therefore, sin. Those who say we must sin due to our humanity are forgetting Christ. Jesus was totally human like we and He did not sin. Yes, He was totally God too, but Satan tempted Christ’s human side. What good would it have done to tempt His God side? God cannot be tempted, but man can. God cannot sin, but man can. God is not vulnerable, man is. Therefore, Satan tempted the vulnerable side of Christ – His human side. This illustrates the point that since Christ did not sin, then it’s possible for us not to sin. This also clearly demonstrates the fact that we do not need direct help from the Holy Spirit, or any other member of the Godhead, to keep from sinning. Jesus didn’t receive any help in not sinning and neither do we.
One of the most dangerous things to do is to give voice to a sin that someone has not been able to conquer. Specifically, they know that they have done wrong and they are fighting a war with their conscience and we speak up, inadvertently becoming their enemy.
Men will do whatever they can to be at peace with themselves. The war raging in their minds to have their own way is palpable. It may conflict with societal norms, their core beliefs, or their upbringing. When this conflict occurs, the mind will wrestle and either cease from violating their beliefs or attempt to beat them into submission.
Silencing a guilty conscience is an arduous task filled with pain and confusion. We arm ourselves with rationalizations and denials and wade into battle. When we find victory, we can be at peace with our actions and continue on our selfish path. When we lose or find stalemate, our emotions become frayed and fierce.
Paul writes of people having their “own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). If someone is fighting a losing battle in this regard, their frustration and self-loathing will be manifested against us, simply because we are there. In fact, it often has nothing to do with us whatsoever. We have to be mature enough emotionally to see the displaced anger and not take it personally (John 15:18-19).
I am studying this challenging chapter today, in preparation for Bible Class tonight. What are your thoughts about this chapter?
Coffman start his thoughts on the chapter with the wide divergence of opinions that exist on what all the images mean. Personally, I’m not really concerned about figuring out each image. The overall spiritual message is what is important to me.
You really have to restrain your imagination when studying Revelation or you will work yourself into delusion. For example, commentators debate the identity of the rider on the white horse. But, Coffman puts it succinctly: “A crown in the scriptural sense upon the head of some profane conqueror is impossible to believe.”
In this chapter, I think it is better to take a sweeping perspective on the action. The more narrow we become, the blurrier the spiritual message. We cannot put individual names on these other riders. They are representative.
I guess 6:12-14 are the most challenging passages. What do you think they mean?
I appreciate your thoughts on this chapter in advance.
Richard, I look at the Revelation in this sort of way: Chapters 6 – 11 are one scene, Chapter 12:20 are another scene. I am in the minority, but that helps me process it better. Moreover, I think your remark relative to a sweeping perspective is wise. Greg Swango wrote a book on Revelation with this in view (Star Publishers).
Richard, for what it’s worth, here’s my stab in interpreting Revelation 6:
Revelation 6:1-2 – First Seal – The White Horse – Here we have a picture of the conquering Christ who rides a “white horse” (cf. Revelation 19:11-16). He is pictured here as being as on who “conquers” (cf. Rev. 14:14; Rev. 17:14). All Christians who are “in Christ” overcomes (1 John 5:4). He goes forth to conquer sinners by the saving Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). Christians are literally saved in order to save others.
Revelation 6:3-4 – Second Seal – Red Horse – Here we see a picture of suffering and persecution of Christians who have been “conquered” by the gospel. Paul tells us that persecution will follow one who names the name of Christ (2 Timothy 3:12). We may even be persecuted by our own family (Matthew 10:34-39) if we become a New Testament Christian.
Revelation 6:5-6 – Third Seal – Black Horse – Here is a picture of economic discrimination upon those who obeyed the gospel message (those who were “conquered” by Christ in vs. 2). Also see Revelation 13:17. The measures presented in this text had just enough purchasing power to just barely keep a family alive with no extra money for other necessities of life. Soon, they would more than likely die. Thus, we have death being pictured in vs. 7-8.
Revelation 6:7-8 – Fourth Seal – Pale Horse – Death and Hades (the Hadean realm) closely followed those Christians who were faithful to the Lord (Revelation 2:10). Also compare with Ezekiel 5:16-7 and Ezekiel14:21. Also note the suffering and persecution of those who were faithful in the Old Testament (Hebrews11:32-40).
Revelation 6:9-11 – Fifth Seal – Here we see pictured the souls who were slain for the Word (martyrs, such as Stephen in Acts 7). Note they were “under the altar” and “before the throne” (Rev. 8:3). They cry out for God to render vengeance upon the enemy (cf. Deuteronomy 32:43; Luke 18:7-8). Note in verse 11 that each martyr was given “white robes” indicating their “overcoming” (cf. Revelation 7:13-14). Also note, they are to “wait” for other faithful brethren to be killed and join them (cf. Revelation 20:4).
Revelation 6:12-17 – Sixth Seal – Here we see divine judgment being announced. Compare the symbols here with Isaiah 13:10-11 and Isaiah 34:1-5 to see the complete picture. This symbolism cannot refer to the end of the world, simply because we still have the seventh seal left. Also note that in verses15-16, we have folks hiding in caves and fleeing to the mountains asking the rocks to fall on them (note similar symbolism in Hosea 10:8). These actions will be of no avail when the Lord actually comes back again and the creation is burned up (2 Peter 3:10-11). The key to these verses is found in the last question in verse 17, “who shall be able to stand” (compare with Nahum 1:5-6). The only ones able to “stand” the onslaught of God’s judgment, would have been faithful saints (note the word “stand” in Ephesians 6:11,13).
We also need to remember that all of the above events were to “shortly come to pass” (Revelation 1:1) – applicable to those saints living in the first century.
On my left, I have my commentaries for the Gospel of John [for sermon preparation] and Revelation [Wednesday night Bible class]. On my right, my New Testament and a a pack of Sugar Free Werther’s. Ready for action!
I think a photo would be good!
There’s a photo now. :)
What a clean desk. I sure do long for those days. I am afraid to take a photo of my office/desk; not sure what might pop out of the debris!
Ron, I cleaned the desk up before the photo. :)
Today at Forthright, I began a series of articles on the complex and confusing Catholic doctrine of Purgatory. After doing a study of the subject and delivering two sermons on the subject, I still find it convoluted.
What it actually says about Christ and his sacrifice on the cross is offensive. Your input on the article will be appreciated.
I list several quotes today that help the reader get an idea of what the doctrine claims. One of the quotes, which will be covered more in the second installment just astounds me. It stands completely opposed to all of the study I did for my book on salvation.
Ponder this amazing quote from those who teach purgatory:
“The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.”
What thoughts do you have on this admission? My thoughts will come next week but I look forward to reading yours, in the meantime.
Richard, my question is, “How can folks die in God’s grace and friendship, but still be imperfectly purified?”
The New Testament teaches that believers are purified when we “obey the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren” (1 Peter 1:22; cf. 1 Timothy 1:4-5). Since we’ve been provided “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3), what need would there be to have to “undergo purification, so as to achieve holiness?”
Their doctrine on Purgatory must have originated from the twisted mind of some man, certainly not in the mind of God.
Yeah, that is a shocking twisting of Scripture. Works-oriented Christianity is always bizarre.
As a writer and editor, I always need to have my audience in mind when I write, design, select photos and create titles. What can best serve the reader while maintaining the integrity of the message?
That is always a challenge. If there is something about our product that turns readers/viewers away, we must eradicate it immediately and arrive at a better design.
With that in mind, I wonder how many people have stopped reading the “Spiritual Sword” because they can no longer see the microscopic print. I admit I have a hard time seeing it and it requires a lot of work to make it through such a large issue. I expect the font is so small to keep printing costs low. But, that must be weighed against losing readers. I guess I can stop reading it or get a magnifier.
Randal and I always want your input about Forthright — what you like and do not like. Your input is like gold to us. We maintain the site but it exists for you. Therefore, you always need to be in the equation.
As always thank you for your patronage of Forthright and at the Fellowship Room.
Have you talked to the editors about the print being too fine? I had not noticed that it was. A few months ago THINK changed the font of their magazine and I let them know right away that it was a problem. I knew it couldn’t be to save space, because they were using a lot of space for graphics. Saundra, in the Focus Press office, told me they would be changing it back, and within the next couple of issues they did. She said it actually wasn’t smaller print, just a different font they had tried.
Sandra
I’ve sent them a message but I’ve not heard back, yet. Thanks for your input.
Christians mock the Sunday morning attendees for not attending Sunday night or Wednesday night. Not me. I give them reasons why they should attend more often. But, I am glad the are attending on Sunday morning. They are being blessed by being there and serving God. And they, as Christians, are a part of the Lord’s body. Let’s show them some respect.
Richard, I feel sorry for those who only attend on Sunday morning, when they can be there other times but just choose not to be. I don’t mock them though. I’m thinking about those I know of who only come for Sunday morning worship, not even getting there for Bible class. I have to question the part where you say they are “serving God.” These I’m thinking of are blessed by being there, and they may be worshiping God, but is that serving Him? They do not participate in any other activities of the church at all.
Thanks for your reply, Sandra. I feel bad for them, too. They are missing the wealth of a fuller relationship. That is what I stress. I said that they are serving God in that they are coming to worship and many of them are trying to live faithfully. Yet, they have a different definition than God does in Scripture. We need to teach/model righteousness without mocking them. I feel the same way about those who only attend at Easter and Christmas. They will never be led to become more faithful or to become Christians by us laughing at them.
On Sunday morning, I am speaking on Purgatory. That leads to the issue of baptism for the dead (1 Corinthians 15:29).
When I was reading what others have written about it, the general consensus is that it does not mean vicarious baptism because it was not being practiced at the time by the church as a whole, but that we do not fully understand what it means.
One writer said that Paul appears to be making the point that detractors were denying the resurrection but that even pagans believed in the doctrine, since they were practicing vicarious baptism.
What do you think the passage means?
Thistleton (highly recommended) on 1 Cor. makes a strong case that it means being baptized in order to see one’s dearly beloved deceased in the Lord. Seems to fit best with all other evidence of Christian baptism. I thought I had written on it somewhere, but I cannot find it just now.
Richard, we finished 1 Corinthians a few weeks back and of course had a discussion about this passage. My comment got long so I’ll make it a separate post.
Works-based religion puts God in our debt and any system which diminishes God is an abomination (Ephesians 2:8-10). “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).
Anyone who brings such a contemptible doctrine to us, must be ignored and sent away immediately (Galatians 1:7-9). Insulting God is obviously not a wise way to get into his heart.
Therefore, we must never countenance such temerity.
I am preparing to speak at a lectureship this Sunday on the doctrine of the Purgatory. The study has been discouraging because of the levels of false doctrine I am reading. Here is a quote that is simply astounding. It is like they are speaking a foreign language because this is so far removed from what I see in Scripture.
A writer wanted to explain how you can avoid purgatory through indulgences:
“For one recitation of short prayers, He grants 100 or 300 or more days Indulgence. These we may say hundreds of times in the day. Those who say the little prayer: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee” one hundred times a day gain 30,000 days Indulgence. Those who say it 1,000 times, as many do, gain 300,000 days Indulgence each day! These Indulgences can be applied to our own souls, and we shall thus directly make satisfaction for our sins. Or, we may apply them to the souls in Purgatory, who will see to it that we do not lose by our generosity.”
Wow. Where to begin…
Richard, this kind of false teaching makes you wonder, “How in the world do folks come up with this kind of foolishness?” I’m supposing from the deceptive and wicked workings of the inner mind (Jeremiah 17:9).
A false doctrine, no matter how artfully constructed, is still a false doctrine. No building can be successfully built with a shoddy foundation.
Paul said our faith should be “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).
We each have a sobering responsibility to pore over the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15), to see if we are truly living as God’s people (Ephesians 4:1).
We build the foundation of our faith on the rock of Jesus, so we can withstand the forces of sin.
” Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).
We must have the courage to examine our doctrines and be certain they are Biblical, so as to please God. False doctrines have no transformative power, in that it does not elevate us into the arms of God (Romans 12:1-2). Rather, it drags us down into the displeasure of our Lord (Galatians 1:7-9).
We must beware what we teach because it DOES carry a heavy price (John 12:48) on our souls and those of the world (Matthew 28:18-20). Build carefully by the Lord’ building codes.
You are right. Your situation is entirely different than anyone who has ever lived. And yes, God never thought of this and Scripture should be amended to condone what you believe.
Sincerely,
Satan
Richard, you are right on target with that one. It seems that a lot of people have the idea that their situation is unique and they need special treatment. I am reminded of a man who was talking to me after our Sunday morning Bible study a few years ago. He said “I know what the Bible says about this subject but here is what I believe…” I could see by talking to him that regardless of what God had said, his mind was made up and he would not change. As we were talking I thought about John 12:28.
I meant to type John 12:48
Thank you, Richard. That means a lot.
I recently spent a week at the Hinesville, Georgia congregation teaching the deity of Jesus in the Gospel of John to young men in the Leadership Training camp. It is a challenging study that I enjoy. John and Ephesians are my two favorite books, so I’ve done more study in them.
I started today on a series of articles on Christ as God in the flesh from the Gospel of John. I include my theory of the purpose of the book and how it comes to bear on the theme established in the prologue.
I would be interested in your thoughts on my article and the overall subject of God in the flesh. How do we express something that is so vital, yet so incomprehensible? Thanks in advance for your insight. I want to be able to learn from you, as well.
Bruce Morton’s book, “Deceiving Winds” is a well-researched book that is primarily on the Church in Ephesus and the challenges that they faced and how they mirror our own times.
In this book he asks, “Is the Church adapting to remain relevant to our culture or are we simply repeating the abuses of worship in ancient Ephesus?” Morton’s subtitle says: “Christians Navigating the Storm of Mysticism, Leadership Struggles and Sensational Worship.”
Read my review of this book and see if it will fit your library.
I am reading Dante’s Divine Comedy and Dante is entering the circles of hell in Inferno. It is disgusting to see him list unbaptized babies in hell in Canto IV. Even the thought of babies condemned to hell is repulsive.
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 19:14).
Jesus would not ever think of sending innocent babies to an eternal hell. I would hate to try to explain to those who have lost their precious infants that they have gone to hell. But, of course, we don’t have to, because Scripture nowhere teaches this abominable doctrine.
These three items in the title are on my mind this morning. Let me explain:
Dr. Thomas Sowell has another masterful column about politics and the economy today. He makes more salient points that Americans need to consider. His premise is that we cannot use reality to understand politicians, because they most often act contrary to all normal conventions.
It is hard to understand politics if you are hung up on reality. Politicians leave reality to others. What matters in politics is what you can get the voters to believe, whether it bears any resemblance to reality or not.
Not only among politicians, but also among much of the media, and even among some of the public, the quest is not for truth about reality but for talking points that fit a vision or advance an agenda. Some seem to see it as a personal contest about who is best at fencing with words.
He discusses some examples such as taxes on the rich. There is solid, verifiable proof of what happens when you cut taxes or raise taxes on the rich. Yet, Sowell writes, they do not care at all about these statistics, only their talking points. If it doesn’t fit the script, it must go. They must always choose emotion/popularity over reason and facts.
I realized that this is a good way to understand the current state of Christianity in America. Those who falsely call themselves Christians have their own talking points and they will push them with all of their abilities. If they conflict with what Scripture says, they will choose emotion/popularity every time.
For example, there is not one example or iota of proof in the New Testament that infant baptism is Scriptural. Yet, millions persist in this doctrine out of tradition. They get angry if you point out their fallacy and treat you like you are a heathen. They can’t allow facts to get in the way.
On so many doctrines, the will of God –like the will of the people to politicians–carry no weight when compared to popularity and filling their coffers –or getting re-elected.
We just have to continue to study and proclaim the Word (2 Timothy 4:2) and stand for truth in every way. We cannot succumb to the fleshly ideal that man’s will trumps God’s because we can’t bear to face the former.
Let us ALWAYS exist in the reality that God’s will is the only one that matters. Outside of His reality, there is only fantasy and death. Only in Christ will we find life and truth (John 10:10).
Great thoughts!
Dr. Sowell’s premise is “right on!”
“We cannot use reality to understand politicians, because they most often act contrary to all normal conventions.”
When you have an “agenda” of furthering your own philosophies, ideologies and bank account, you will more than likely “act contrary to all normal conventions.”
A liar and thief doesn’t possess any “normal conventions” of morality.
I agree, I mainly blame the media for out current political climate. They are the filters for which we get most of the information about politicians and policies, etc.
Patrick Medlock are discussing. 
Will are discussing. 
Deirdre is discussing. 
Doug Post is discussing. 
Sandra Moore are discussing. 
Richard Parsons are discussing. 
Rick Kelley are discussing. 
Ron Thomas 5:22 am on February 21, 2012 Permalink |
I would be interested in reading, Richard, but I got a warning sign from google (malware). Consequently, I did not follow the link.