Category Archives: Bible

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What Did You Think About the Coronation?

I am not a lifelong royalist. Born and raised in the United States, I had no acquaintance with royal things. Instead, I learned about republican government and the American Revolutionary War. America broke with King George III and the British Crown because of taxation without representation and other grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence. The only royalty we Americans had was Hollywood and the ‘Camelot Kennedys.’

I am interested in the (constitutional) monarchy because of its role in modern Britain, Australia, and the rest of the Commonwealth. One thing I learned quickly is that the monarchy greatly evolved since the days of King George III and 1776. 


Apparently, people worldwide are, as a whole, fascinated with the pageantry, pomp, and ceremony of the kings, queens, crowns, castles, and costly jewellery. As illustrated in the coronation service, the Biblical Christian emphasis in the crown is beyond dispute and unmistakable. In an age where we need to withstand the assault on our history and heritage – if we want to have a future – the coronation service is a reminder of where we came from, where we are going, and ’who’s the boss’ (hint: it’s not the monarch).


The coronation on 6 May 2023 was the third grand national/international UK event in less than one year. The other occasions included the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (June 2022) and her funeral (September 2022). Regarding meticulous planning and military precision, no one does it better than the British.


A reminder: What is a coronation? It is the ‘crowning’ of the monarch before God and man. While Europe had regular coronation services for their respective monarchies, only Britain still does it to this day. Charles III’s coronation was the fortieth to be done in the last one-thousand years within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey.


A Scriptural Event


The coronation service gets its cue from the Bible. Let’s have a quick look: 


So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David’s mule, and brought him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them — 1 Kings 1:38-40


Three points about the above passage:

  1. God save King Solomon: This is the title of the British national anthem and the phrase is found seven times in the Bible. This story has a salvational quality because if Solomon had not been coronated when he was, his older half-brother Adonijah would have succeeded in stealing the throne. If that happened, Solomon and his mother Bathsheba would have faced execution. Life is an irony: great power creates great vulnerability and God’s hand of protection should be ever-present. Hence the words, ‘God save the king.’
  2. Public ceremony: In order to secure the coronation it had to be done in public, with the public witnessing and affirming the monarch. The coronation site was the Gihon Spring, Jerusalem’s only natural source of water. It would have been a major gathering place and thus an ideal venue for the public ceremony.
  3. Joy: Coronation is a joyous time. The people gathered together, played instruments, praised exuberantly, and the earth quaked as a result.
  4. Empowerment: The coronation anointing of Solomon gave him great power and authority immediately. He forcefully dealt with potential seditionists like Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei (1 Kings 2) and quickly rendered justice to one of two harlots (1 Kings 3).

The coronation of Charles III pretty much stuck with the traditional order of service, words, and practices. There were innovations: the people, not just the nobility, could pledge allegiance to the monarch. Also included was the participation of other non-Christian religious communities, though this was a supporting role to the overall Christian theme. For example, the UK’s prime minister Rishi Sunak is an observant Hindu, yet he did a very professional reading of Colossians 1. The word of God went forth.


We are Royalty


Earthly royalty is obtained through three avenues: 1. By birth; 2. By marriage; 3. By seizing power. On the surface, it looks like all-glamour but it is not a normal life at all. It is a lifestyle of continuous unrelenting service and much public scrutiny.


What we observe is that a constitutional monarchy is where the monarch is a servant leader: On his entry into the church, Charles III was greeted by a young man from the Chapel Royal chorister with these words:


Your Majesty,

As Children of the Kingdom of God,

We welcome you in the name of 

the King of Kings.


CHARLES REPLY?


In his name and after his example,

I come not to be served but to serve


Elizabeth II, known for her flawless commitment to duty to God and her people, saw her reign as a spiritual calling that must be conscientiously embraced. Her son and heir has expressed his intentions to do likewise.


Since the Crown takes its orders from the Scripture, the coronation oath ‘to uphold the law of God and the profession of the Gospel,’ and then is cemented by a private anointing ceremony, what takeaways can we have?

  1. Believers in Christ are royalty: We are called a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Christ has made us ‘kings and priests’ unto God (Revelation 1:6; 5:10). We will live in the biggest, grandest, most costly, most enduring royal city imaginable: the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-22:5).
  2. How did we become royalty? We are born-again followers of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
  3. Our coronation: Our crowning is made possible by the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The anointing by oil represents an even greater and invisible anointing of the Holy Spirit. This occurs when we are born again of the Spirit, baptised in the Spirit, filled with the Spirit and learn to walk in the Spirit. 

Spirit-filled living makes us spiritually crowned and empowered to do whatever God has called us. While we might not have the costly paraphernalia of orb, crowns and sceptre, what God gives us by the Spirit is far more valuable and powerful than anything this world can offer. It’s time to think, speak, and act like royalty because, according to  God’s Word and Spirit, we are. 

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Winning the War on Truth – Part 01


For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before — Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:24-25

Since we are in the last days (Hebrews 9:26; 1 John 2:18), prophetic awareness is a key to surviving and thriving. Study the pastoral epistles of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, and you will not only get great leadership tips but also principles of last day living. While there are several key signs we can focus upon, there is one sign that has immediate and practical ramifications. It has to do with the war on truth.

This war is real and it is fierce. Israel, its place in the Bible, today’s world, and end-time prophecy, also hang in the balance.

Why the C?

Warring against truth is nothing new … it has been happening since the days of Eden. Yet, prophetically, what we are seeing today is a frontal assault in overdrive! It is not just that people are lying, more than ever. Or that they do so with a very straight face and without a pang of conscience. It is that there is a strong spirit of deception and delusion that must be proactively resisted.

Let’s consider how the last days’ war against truth came into being:

  1. Relativism: This is facilitated by postmodernism, which is the successor and critic of scientific rational modernism. It believes is ‘radical relativism,’ namely you have ‘your truth,’ I have ‘my truth,’ and no one’s truth is more true than anyone else’s. The proliferation of postmodern relativism is a recipe for philosophical, semantical, and spiritual anarchy.

  1. Low view of truth: Postmodernism is only one of the reasons why many people, including some church goers, have a low view of truth. One popular group of churches in the West make themselves deliberately attractive to postmodern people but it comes at the cost of truth. Go to their website and you will struggle to find a ‘Statement of Faith’ or doctrine. Remember: no truth means no law, liberty, and/or justice.

  1. Delusion: This is what makes the last days particularly dangerous. A spirit of deception and strong delusion will be so potent that the elect have to make a conscious effort to remain ‘in the truth.’ The devil knows his time is short and works overtime to deceive. Fortunately, our weapons are more powerful weapons than his.

‘Post-Truth Vocabulary’

The arsenal against truth is growing. Here is a sample vocabulary lesson on what constitutes the modern version of lies and mendacity:

Spin: Takes the unsavoury issues of life (e.g. abortion), sugar coats and spins them like cotton candy. When signing a grizzly executive order expanding medical research on aborted foetuses, a former US President gave this spin: ‘America deserves the best health care system in the world.’ Spin creates euphemisms, taking sour lemons and makes ‘lemonade.’ Masters of spin – spin doctors – help public officials craft byte-size phrases to get their point across, quickly and persuasively, even if it is not true.

Post Truth: Instead of conveying objective, verifiable facts, post truth seeks to shape public opinion by appealing to narrative, personal belief, feelings and emotion. 

Double-speak: Speaking one way but deliberating meaning something else. Double-speak seeks to obscure, disguise, distort, and divert real meaning by fostering great ambiguity. Political rhetoric can fall under the heading of double-speak.

Smoke and mirrors: An attempt to make you believe something to be true, when it is not. Like a tax-and-spend parliament telling the population that the big spending bill will not add a penny to the national debt or ‘the war to end all wars.’

Gaslighting: This is particularly insidious. It is a form of manipulation, often incessant, to cause a person to doubt their sanity, memory, perception and judgement. The gaslighting person tries to convince the other party that they really did not see what they clearly saw or hear what they clearly heard.

Misinformation: Misleading or incorrect information treated as fact. Less menacing the disinformation but still problematic because it is not truth. We must get our facts right!

Disinformation: A subset of propaganda, false information deliberately and quickly spread with the express purpose to deceive. This is a problematic and evil thing. 

Irrational, unproven, preposterous ideas and policies, void of empirical evidence, are enacted by governments, media and academics. Intimate sexual issues are taught from kindergarteners to university by those who have no Biblical worldview. This practice is backed up by government, big business, and popular culture. 

War on Truth – The Bible Says

Let’s face it, we have never seen such a concerted attack on truth – absolute truth – God’s truth, as we do now. This includes the Bible and what it teaches about Israel. Yet it should not be a surprise to students of the Scriptures. As we have learned, one of the most fundamental signs of the last days is that deception will be manufactured and disseminated on an industrial scale. 

When Jesus’ inner circle asked Him the direct question on what will be the sign of His coming and of the end of the age, His very first words were “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4). This is not just a polite suggestion; it is a divine command. Deception does not merely distract and divert people from the right path – it can hijack and destroy. That’s why it should be recognised, repudiated and avoided.

Under this banner of deception, Christ goes on to say that many shall come in His name, proclaiming themselves to be the Messiah, and shall deceive many. 

If ever there was a good reason to “follow the cloud (of God’s glory), not the crowd,” this is it. TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Time for Truth: The Ninth Commandment – Part 01

 

Time for Truth: The Ninth Commandment – Part 01

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour — Exodus 20:16

It is as old as the Garden of Eden, familiar as weeds in the field, common as colds in the winter. Yet, it is also a great evil that has spread faster than Covid on a cruise ship. What is this pernicious thing? We know it as ‘bearing false witness’ or, in short, ‘lying.’ It is the subject of the ninth commandment. While the command seems to be narrow – abstaining from false witness – it actually applies to the entire gamut of the falsehood industry.

The Bible has some very strong things to say when it comes to lying vs. truth. While it goes back to the beginning of human history, lying today has entered into an enlarged and dangerous phase.

We live in a corrupt culture that rejects objective and absolute truth for ‘framing,’ ‘narrative,’ ‘perception,’ and ‘relativism.’ Postmodernism, which represents a radical form of relativism, rejects the certainty of absolute truth. Everyone has their ‘personal truth.’ In a narrow way, they may have a point: Two people can be sitting in the same room. One person says they are ‘hot’ and the other ‘cold.’ Who is telling the truth? Both of them.

Yet, danger lurks beneath. One of postmodernism’s key phrases is ‘perception is reality.’ A person’s perception has replaced truth as the gauge of reality. If the person feels, ‘rejected,’ then they are ‘rejected,’ no matter how much those around them show love. If they think they can fly, who are you to tell them otherwise as they are climbing their way to the top of the skyscraper to jump off? Perception can be stubbornly moody and subjective, blinding a person from real truth. Such attitudes are an incubator for lies and deception. We need to ween people from ‘perception as reality’ to ‘truth is reality,’ but how? More about that later.

Yet, does the law of gravity apply equally to two people who jump off the cliff? If the speeding car crashes into a wall, do all passengers face the prospect of injury or death? Can two people enjoy the same sunshine at the same time and place? Or the same rain?

The Bible is clear: God’s Word is permanent, eternal, universal, and true (John 17:17). While there may be differences of interpretation on some aspects of theology (e.g. pre-tribulation vs. post-tribulation rapture), there should be no disagreement on the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, like those listed in Hebrews 6:1-2.

 A society that rejects absolute and objective truth, especially God’s, is a sitting target for a pandemic of lies, deception, and delusion. Cultural Marxism, which has zero fidelity to truth or the western constitutional order, seeks to deceive, divide, and conquer. They tell us that mathematics is ‘racist.’ William Shakespeare, the finest playwright of all time, and Beethoven, the finest composer of all time, are denounced as ‘white supremacists,’ as is objective truth itself. The American Medical Association recommends that we delete the line item ‘Sex’ from birth certificates. Why? Because we can’t tell the gender of a new-born by genitalia alone. We can tell the gender of the animal world but now in the 21st Century we can’t on newly born humans? Furthermore, statements by people who are experts and credible in their field are being censored as ‘misinformation’ by ‘fact checkers’ (really, ‘truth-smashers) in positions of big tech power.

Here is some insight from the New Testament. Listen to this warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (KJV):

Even him (antichrist), whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Did you notice? In the very last days before the return of Christ, there will be:

1.      Signs and lying wonders;

2.      Wicked deception of unrighteousness;

3.      Lacking a ‘love of the truth’ that precludes them from salvation;

4.      A spirit of strong delusion will happen to them so that they believe a lie;

5.      Condemnation follows after those who refuse to believe the truth but enjoy unrighteousness.

Today, the battle for truth has spilled over into areas that, at least in some cases, were once reliable and credible bastions of veracity. In the ‘spirit of wokery,’ the media, education, judiciary, science, and medicine are more guided by politics and narrative than on bedrock truth. This distortion leads to delusion, which can be very dangerous indeed – akin to drunk driving.

Next time, we will look at the deeper spiritual cause of deception and begin to learn how to respond in the truth.

TO BE CONTINUED

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The Hardworking Servant Messiah: Why Study the Gospel of Mark? Part 02

SUMMARY OF MARK

 Like the start of a marathon, the Gospel of Mark begins with a bang. Rich in detail, fast in pace, breath-taking in scope, this Gospel shows Jesus as an active, robust, on-the-move Servant-Messiah. He also was destined to suffer as no human has ever suffered – bearing the world’s sin, forsaken by God, and an object of divine wrath.

In the first part of Mark, there is an emphasis on service and power. Jesus is shown to have authority over sin, sickness, and demonic power; healings abounded and the crowds swelled as a result.

Then comes the second part of Mark. If the disciples were unclear about His true identity, it became strongly apparent when Peter confessed Jesus as Messiah (Son of David, Son of God) at Caesarea Philippi. This was followed by the transfiguration, where eternity touched earth on that holy mountain. They also were informed that Jesus’ destiny was to suffer, die, and rise from the dead. In fact, there were frequent mention of suffering as part of the price of discipleship (3:21-22,30; 8:34-38; 10:30,33-34,45; 13:8,11-13). Suffering brings purification and perfection, which also leads to enlargement and promotion.

Should Mark 16:9-20 Be in the Bible?

An on-going controversy involves the last twelve verses of the Gospel of Mark. The Greek manuscript called Textus Receptus, which was used in Luther’s German Bible, the King James Version, and Modern English Version, includes these verses.

The NIV uses an eclectic Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament, sometimes called ‘Critical Text.’ In its footnote for Mark 16, is says: ‘The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20.’Basically, they are questioning the inclusion of these verses in the Biblical text.

If the inference that these verses are not from Mark and/or part of inspired Scripture is correct, it creates problems.

1.  Tampering: God’s Word can be corrupted.

2.  Doubt-building: If Mark 16 is not legitimately included, what other parts of the Bible are suspect? The purpose of Scripture is to help build faith (Romans 10:17). Such comments can undermine faith.

3.  Divine inability: The message this sends is – God is not able to preserve or protect His Word.

4.  Addition/Subtraction: There is censure and penalties for ‘adding’ or ‘subtracting’ from God’s Word (Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). If these verses were not Holy Spirit-inspired, then someone (or ones) will be in serious trouble with the Lord.

Donald Stamps in the Full Life Study Bible, which uses the NIV, says on  Page 1512 that vv. 9-20 are omitted (perhaps removed) from two of the oldest Greek manuscripts, they do appear in other old manuscripts, as well as in the majority of Greek manuscripts from all over the ancient world. Many scholars conclude, therefore, that any reading attested to by the majority of ancient manuscripts is likely to be part of the original writing of the Biblical author. Thus, Stamps concludes,  Verses 9-20 should thus be considered part of the inspired Word of God.

David W. Daniels in Answers to Your Bible Version Questions, page 117 says, ‘Mark 16:9-20 should be in the Bible, since it is found in almost every Bible manuscript of Mark in existence (emphasis mine) … Wherever you look, the evidence, including Alexandrian manuscripts, is over 99% in favour of keeping the words of God in Mark 16:9-20 … Out of 620 manuscripts that contain Mark’s gospel only two omit the last 12 verses.’

Finis Dake in the Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible New Testament page 55, builds the case that Mark 16:9-20 is part of the original manuscript. He, too, states that their are 618 manuscripts that contain Mark and only two (we know them as Codex Sinaitic and Codex Vaticanus) do not. He adds that the Syriac, Gothic, Egyptian, Armenian, and Georgian versions contain Mark 16:9-20. The Latin version has 8,000 manuscripts in existence, copied from Jerome’s Vulgate 382 AD (who had access to the Greek New Testaments of his day). The Vulgate has these verses and so did the 2nd Century Vetus Itala, from which it was a revision. Like the Septuagint, the Vulgate served the church for centuries all the way to the Reformation.

The Church Fathers give testimony about Mark 16. There are 100 writers older than the oldest Greek Manuscripts and 200 more between 300 to 600 AD. All these church fathers attest to the originality of Mark 16:9-20. Vaticanus has a blank space where they verses could have been (before being removed). Also, Codex Vaticanus has missing Genesis 1-46; Psalm 105-137; Hebrews 9:14-13:25; all of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Revelation. Why don’t the critics of Mark 16:9-20 say that these other portions should be left out as well?

Doctrines taught in Mark 16:9-20 are taught elsewhere in the New Testament:

1.  Post resurrection appearances: Mark 16:9-14 is in John 21:14 and elsewhere;

2.  The Great Commission: Mark 16:15 is in Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:47-53; Acts 1:1-8;

3.  Power in Preaching:Mark 16:16 is in John 3:16-20; I Corinthians 1:18-21;

4.  Preaching with signs and wonders: Mark 16:17-18 are in Matthew 10:1-8; 17:20; Mark 9:23; 11:22-4; Luke 10:19; John 14:12;

5.  Ascension of Christ: Mark 16:19 is in Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:9-11

6.  Word of God, duly preached, confirmed by signs: Mark 16:20 with signs Mark 16:17-18 is in Hebrews 2:3-4; Acts 2:43; 5:16.

One need not wrestle or lose sleep over these verses. In light of the above comments, my recommendation is take them as from the mouth of God. They will not lead you astray.

TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Hard-Working Servant Messiah: Why Study the Gospel of Mark – Part 01

 

 INTRODUCTION TO THE 

     GOSPEL OF MARK 

It was the first of the four gospels to be written; it is also the shortest. Yet the Gospel of Mark is an indispensable account of the life, ministry, and death of Jesus the Messiah. It is very action packed; indeed, Jesus is rightly seen as a hard-working, active Messiah who preaches to the poor, heals the sick, casts out devils, raises the dead. As the Gospel of Matthew initially reached out to the Jewish people, with a great emphasis on fulfilled prophecy, Mark targeted the Romans – who respected power and action rather than Greek-style philosophising.

GREEK NAME OF MARK

Kata Markon – According to Mark. ‘

AUTHOR OF MARK

‘Mark’ may have been his Roman surname, since he was known as Yohannan or ‘John Mark.’ He was from Jerusalem and his mother Mary had a large house where believers met for prayer and fellowship. Mark may have been the young man in who followed Jesus to Gethsemane with a bed sheet wrapped around his body. Once discovered, he fled from the scene naked (Mark 14:51-52).

Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey, but deserted them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). When the second missionary trip was being organised, Paul and Barnabas disagreed so vehemently over the inclusion of Mark that they split (Acts 15:36-40).

John Mark was blessed with high-profile mentors: first it was Paul (Acts 13:1-13), then Barnabas (Acts 15:39), and finally he found a father figure in the apostle Peter, who refers to him as his ‘son’ (1 Peter 5:13). Even Paul had a change of heart over John Mark; in his last recorded words, he wanted the very one he rejected for the second missionary journey … to be brought to him, since Mark was ‘profitable for the ministry ‘(2 Timothy 4:11).

Despite his set backs, John Mark persevered and became the true ‘comeback kid.’ His greatest contribution was writing the gospel that bears his name. Because of Mark’s very close association with Peter, who would have shared with him many things, his Gospel is considered ‘the gospel according to Peter’ – what Peter would have written if he wrote a gospel. Church tradition says that he became the great apostle to Egypt and Africa.

PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN MARK

The four gospels have ‘metaphors:’ Matthew is a lion, representing the kingly Messiah;

Luke has the ‘perfect man,’ John is the eagle, emphasising the heavenly and spiritual of his Gospel. Mark is the ox, representing a strong, energetic, hardworking servant of the Lord.

THEME OF THE BOOK OF MARK

To present an active, robust, dedicated-to-duty Messiah; when Jesus comes into the picture, things get done quickly. The key word of Mark is eutheos (Greek), used 42 times, which means ‘immediately’ or ‘straightaway.’ Jesus is shown as a Man on-the-move in teaching, preaching, moving in spiritual gifts, and faithful to the end.

Because Mark is targeting the Romans, there is less emphasis on Jewish things like reference to the Law, holy days, fulfilled prophecy, and genealogies. The portrait of Christ in Mark is one to whom the Romans could relate to and respect.

KEY VERSES OF MARK

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? — Mark 8:34-37

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many — Mark 10:43-45

 

TO BE CONTINUED

 

 

 

 

 

Articles, Bible, Education, Faith, Prophecy, Teaching

The Eighth Commandment: More Than Ever – Part 03

 

The Eighth Commandment is so central to living a God-honoring life. It simply tells not to steal. Yet, stealing is practiced more and more, by the poor, the powerful, and those in-between. Theft is now on an industrial scale and uses variety of methods.

Covetousness can lead to stealing (we will learn more about this in the Tenth Commandment); defrauding people of what is rightly their’s is also stealing. Stealing does not merely involve the tangible; theft of intellectual property is just as real as taking any three-dimensional object. Large governments can cast an envious eye on private property wondering how to extract more revenue to pay for pet projects or a growing bureaucracy. While the Bible does accept taxation as an accepted practice of human government (give unto Caesar what is Caesar, Christ said in Matthew 22:21), there is a reason tax-collectors were despised in His day; they took more than they required and kept the difference. That’s why a penitent Zacchaeus offered to restore foretold to anyone he defrauded (Luke 19:8).

Other things to consider in upholding or violating the Eighth Commandment include:

Failure to pay: Failing or refusing to pay what one owes is theft. It’s one thing to be unable to pay and work out a repayment plan; it’s another thing to refuse payment altogether. Psalm 37:21 tells us the wicked borrow and do not pay again.

Co-Signing, guarantor or suretyship: If there is one thing that the Book of Proverbs warns against is surety or co-signing a loan (Proverbs 6; 22:26). Never agree to take responsibility for someone else’s debt; the horror stories of what follows are endless.

Contentment: We are commanded to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5), for godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). The lack of contentment leads to covetousness, theft, and sorrow.

Get a job: The New Testament tells us to steal no more, but do an honest day’s work and you will have something to give to the needy (Ephesians 4:28); stated more starkly, … if any would not work, neither should he eat’ — 2 Thessalonians 3:10. Imagine how much better off things would be if those who are able to work would do so.

Key to All Ten Commandments

How central is the prohibition against stealing? Does it really contain the other nine commandments? See for your self.

First Commandment: We are to worship and serve no other gods, except the Lord God Himself. Violating this steals the primacy that the Lord our God deserves in our lives; in other words, God should be Number One, period.

Second Commandment: The prohibition on idolatry. Worshipping the creation or a created thing steals the focus and glory which belongs to the invisible God.

Third Commandment: God’s Name is higher than any other and brings salvation (Acts 4:12). Using God’s Name in vain is stealing the reverence and awe it rightly deserves.

Fourth Commandment: Desecrating the sabbath steals the rest and refreshment intended for the individual. The focus on God, faith, and family, which should be our highest priority, is taken away, too.

Fifth Commandment: Dishonoring your parents, whom you can see, mirrors and amplifies dishonour of the Heavenly Father, whom you cannot see. Both the earthly and heavenly are denied the respect, gratitude and credit they rightly deserve.

Sixth Commandment: Murder is the stealing the life of another person.

Seventh Commandment: Adultery is the theft of someone’s intimacy, trust, virtue, vow. It is the vile breaking of the holy covenant and commitment that was promised on the wedding day. Marital love is stolen and carnal lust is put in its place.

Ninth commandment: False witness is another form of lying, and a major form of betrayal, stealing one’s reputation, dignity, livelihood, and peace.

Tenth commandment: Covetousness is the down payment for possible theft, defrauding another and endangering one’s soul, as do the violations of any of the other commandments.

If we will remind ourselves that theft in all its forms is wrong, and teach others likewise, think how much better off this world would be.

 

NEXT TIME: We will learn about the Ninth Commandment – and how precious truth really is.

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Elijah is Coming: Why Study the Book of Malachi – Part 02

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts — Malachi 3:1

Yes, God will send His messenger and indeed, he has already come. His name is Malachi, which literally means ‘my messenger.’ This last prophet of the Old Testament may actually be anonymous and his title has become his name.

 

While this book deals with issues of the day, it speaks about modern things like tithing (3:8-12). It is not an exaggeration to say that you can tell the direction of a person’s heart by where their money goes. In places where Christians are an oppressed minority, you can tell who the infiltrator or ‘fake Christian’ is during the church service because they steadfastly refuse to give money when it is offering time. As always, Jesus said it best ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ – Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34

SUMMARY OF MALACHI

The Hebrew people, soon to be called ‘Jews,’ were back in their land after the 70 year Babylonian exile. Though the religious life had returned to its familiar routine, there was spiritual lukewarmness. People were not tithing and intermarriage with heathen peoples was common. It was time to ‘wake up the sleepers’ and Malachi did precisely that.

He offers six oracles where 1. God speaks of His great love for His people; 2. His people dishonoured him; 3. Their offerings were rejected; 4. The sending of His messenger before the Lord’s sudden coming; 5. A call to return to the Lord; and 6. Addressing Israel’s unwarranted comments about God. There are 23 questions back and forth between God and Israel. The end of the prophecy – and the Old Testament – gives a solid warning and forecasts the long-anticipated ‘day of the Lord’ (Chapter 4).

Malachi mixes the Law (Moses – 4:4) with the prophets (Elijah 4:5), both whom appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. After Malachi there is the 400 years called the inter-testament period that ended with the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist and the Gospel of Matthew. Daniel 11 is a prophecy about that period.

Malachi is quoted in Romans 9:13 regarding God’s love (1:2-3); the coming messenger (3:1) is quoted by Jesus Himself regarding John the Baptist (Matthew 11:7-15); finally, the prophecy of sending Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord (4:5) is interpreted as John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14; 17:10-13; Mark 9:11-13). Revelation 11:3-6 speaks of the spirit of Elijah.

God does not want to see marriage or any other commitment as merely a contract, which has legal and financial implications but nothing more. No, marriage and relating to God is a covenant, a binding agreement. When covenant is honoured, there are great rewards; when broken, there are dire consequences. Covenantal faithfulness should be seen in marriage and family life.

Tithing, giving the first 10th of your income increase to God, is part of that too. Tithing settles the ownership question since everything belongs to God. Those who tithe acknowledge that principle. The prophet gives a challenge: if you pay your tithe, the windows of heaven will open and shower so much blessing that there is no room to contain it. In addition, God will rebuke the devourer for your sake. Finally, worship should be of the heart

The last chapter of Malachi and the Old Testament solidly focus on the future ‘Day of the Lord.’ It is likened to fire that burns up the stubble until there is nothing left. Yet, for those who ‘fear the Lord,’ you have a bright future because the Sun of righteousness is coming with healing in his wings. Instead of being judged, you will be an implement of judgement by treading down the wicked.

The faithful are to remember the law of Moses, given on Horeb, before the promise of the coming of Elijah, who will reconcile fathers to children and vice versa. Without this reconciliation, the Lord personally will come and smite the earth with a curse.

Yes, it’s true – the last word of the Old Testament is ‘curse.’ Understand that the Old Testament is a blessing, yet failure to obey God brings judgement. Remember the last words of the New Testament are The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen — Revelation 22:21. Thus, we go from ‘curse’ to ‘grace’ thanks to the gospel of Christ.

OUTLINE OF MALACHI

I.         Oracles of the Lord (Contemporary scene – 1:2-3:18)

A.     Oracle One: God’s Love for Israel (1:2-5) – Israel: How have you loved us? (1:2)

B.      Oracle Two: Israel’s disobedience (1:6-2:9) – Israel: How did we despise your name? (1:6); How have we polluted you? (1:7);

C.      Oracle Three: God rejects Israel’s offerings (2:10-16) – Israel: Why? (2:14)

D.     Oracle Four: The Lord will come quickly (2:17-3:6) – Israel: How have we wearied You and Where is God’s justice? (2:17)

E.       Oracle Five: Return to the Lord (3:7-12) – Israel: How do we return? (3:7) & How have we robbed you? (3:8)

F.        Oracle Six: Israel’s uncalled for statements about God (3:13-18). Israel – What have we spoken against you (3:13)? What did our obedience gain? (3:14)

II.      The Day of the Lord (Future – 4:1-6)

A.     A day of judgment against the proud and wicked (4:1)

B.      Day of victory for the righteous (4:2-3)

C.      Fathers and children restored to each other (4:4-6)

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Education Matters

 


Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it — Proverbs 22:6

When people are polled, the majority say that education is a top priority for them. Indeed, it should: education helps set people on the path of life. Yet, pouring more government money into education does not necessarily translate into greater outcomes or solid citizens. If we are going to see an improvement in educational standards, we need to look at the basics.

Education Defined: The word apparently comes from the Latin term educo, which means to ‘train, educate, and to lead forward.’ Education is more than merely informing a student; it ultimately is about formation. Classical and Judaeo-Christian education helped to mould students into responsible citizens with a worldview that appreciates thinking, ethics, morality, rule of law, democratic governance, human rights, and more. Ultimately, education means enculturation.

Misperceptions

Number One – Teachers Only: There is a perception that education only happens by trained career teachers in the classroom. Not so. The first school is the home and parents are the first teachers.

Deuteronomy 4:9b (Regarding the righteous statues and judgements of God’s Law): “… Make them known to your children and your children’s children.’

Much training for a lifetime happens in the home. It is of the utmost importance that people take seriously their responsibility to train their children. Schools couldn’t possibly teach everything anyway but bear in mind that parental training is a Biblical command.

Ephesians 6:4: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Number Two – Formal Education Only: There is the idea that formal education, where there are classes, lectures, assignments, examined, and awards, is the only education we get. Not so. Only a fraction of our life is spent in the classroom; the rest of the time we should imbibe the concept of informal education or life-long learning. It can be more powerful than any classroom. The church is another source of education, formal and informal, as its been for centuries.

Number Three – Value-Free: With the notion of separating ‘church and state,’ public schools are considered to be values-neutral. Not so. Public education, like so many things in life, has a worldview. Worldview is defined as ‘The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world; a collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by a person or group.’ Western education once embraced the dominant Judaeo-Christian worldview, but has gradually replaced it by progressivism, cultural Marxism, secular humanism and postmodernism.

Reformers (or revolutionaries) like John Dewey (1859-1952) helped institute ‘the long march of the ideologies’ through the educational system. The reason that these worldview are so dominant in our culture today – in the media, judiciary, politics, law, the entertainment industry, and the like –  is because they were introduced in the school system many decades ago. If you hold on to traditional Judaeo- Christian values and your children or grandchildren are in a public school, don’t be surprised if they come home espousing positions and worldview very different to your own.

Secularism and progressivism are very much the worldview of western public education today. In the United States, such organisations as the National Education Association and Federation of Teachers very much push for these values. For example, such education demands the teaching of evolution and rejects the notion that we were created by God in His image. If God is our creator, then we are under His rule and ultimately accountable to Him. This is something that the secularists don’t want (Psalm 2:3).

In the United States, the right-leaning Republican party favours ‘choice-based, parent-driven accountability’ at all ages. The left-leaning Democratic Party opposes school choice and vouchers, saying money should be spent in supporting the public schools.

There has been an increasing trend to nationalise education. Traditionally, school boards were local and this allowed parents to have needful input. This is no longer possible with nationalisation, where decisions affecting students are made by nameless, faceless bureaucrats 100s and 1000s of kilometres away.

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge — Proverbs 19:27

It is said that education is expensive but ignorance even more. To this, we add wrong education is the most costly of all. Bad education can morph into indoctrination into false ideologies.

A Christian mother approached this author after a public meeting and told her story. She lived in a rural area and she and her husband sent their 18 year old son to the big city to learn computer science. Though raised in the church all his life, in only six weeks he came home as an arrogant, opinionated ‘social justice warrior.’ Both parents were university graduates, but this fact did not stop their newly ‘woke’ son from lecturing them about how the mother was ‘oppressed’ by the patriarchy, ‘her husband.’ He also wagged his finger on other progressive causes. Needless to say, the young man also stopped going to church.

How should you handle education?

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise — Deuteronomy 6:6-7

First, recognise that the family and church are top sources of (informal) education, and need to be utilised more and more.

Second, make the acquisition of truth the highest priority. God is the ultimate source of truth (John 1:17; 16:13). It sets us free (John 8:32), brings hope (Psalm 25:5), a cause for rejoicing (1 Corinthians 13:6), and a valued part of the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:14). With so much falsehood, lies, spin, gaslighting, doublespeak, smoke and mirrors – indeed, a spirit of deception, we need truth and discernment to come out on top. Truth also helps us avoid false teachers (1 Timothy 1; 2 Peter 2) and keep us on God’s path.

Third, education involves thinking and reflection. Foster such a skill: after all, we have a God-given reasoning capacity and with the right education it can bring great good.

Philippians 4:8:Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Yes, education matters because you matter to God.

Articles, Bible, Education, Prayer, Prophecy, Sexuality, Teaching

Issues Facing the Church: A Common Act No One Talks About Part 02

 

The Way Forward

Last month we looked at the topic no one talks about, yet is ever-common, called masturbation or self-stimulation (from now on referred to as SS). We looked at the topic from every angle. Yes, it is correct that the Bible does not explicitly mention the practice, so hence there is no blanket commendation or condemnation. It provides a temporary release of energy and there is no danger of catching sexually transmitted diseases.

 Yet, at the same time, we learned that SS is often, even mostly, motivated by lust, visual stimulation like pornography, or worse. It can happen even when the person had not planned for it, at awkward times, hence implying a lack of self-control. It is not an easy habit to quit. Another problem is that there can be a terrible sense of guilt, even though no one (but God) is watching. Along with the guilt is a puzzle: why do many married men practice SS?

Do you do SS or know someone who does? If so, it is up to you, and you alone, to decide whether you want to continue this practice. If you are of the conviction that this is not good for you? Are guilt and lust part of your experience? Despite its addictive side, do you want to break free?

Remember that human effort is normally not enough. After all, it’s not only your actions that have to change, but also your thinking. It must be a holistic effort. Lust in the heart has to be conquered in order to control your actions of your hands. Like in many things, we need God’s help. And, if necessary, confide in a trusted person who can pray and keep you accountable.

Martin Luther was credited with this quote: I can’t stop the birds from flying over my head, but I can keep them from nesting in my hair. Our world is sinful, seductive, and visually stimulating, ever-beckoning to its dark sensuous ways. Proverbs 7:26: For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

The following Scriptural practices can help. They can help you overcome in this area, and in any area, which has control over your life. Seek pastoral or mature Christian advice. Some practical tips include:

1.       The Word: Psalm 119:9,11: When you hide God’s word in your heart, you won’t sin against Him. Take a few of the many scripture promises, meditate, memorise, then confess them aloud before the Lord.

2.       The Cross of Jesus: Religion, good works, education, cannot overcome the lust-sin issue. Only the gospel of Christ, with the cross at its centre, can hit a death blow. Romans 6 is your declaration of independence from the sin dominated sex-saturated self-life. You are encouraged to focus on verses 6-14 especially. Again, read, meditate, memorise, and confess.

3.       The Holy Spirit: Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). The Holy Spirit is able to put to death the deeds and thoughts of the flesh, which includes lust (Romans 8:13). Remember the injunction of Jude 20 to build yourself up in your most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. Prayer in the Spirit is powerful and edifying – while you are doing Spirit-prayer, it is virtually impossible to practice the bad habit you eagerly want to break.

4.       Quality Christian music: Listening to anointed music has a great effect on causing lusts to flee.

5.       Praise and worship: Again, if you know how to offer heartfelt praise to God, and you are in a place where others do the same, it also can keep the ‘birds of lust’ from nesting in your hair and head.

In overcoming habits and sins, one of the redemptive features is the more we work with God, His Word and Spirit, the stronger we will become. As Revelation 21:7 promises: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

 

 

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Sexuality, Teaching

Issues Facing the Church: A Common Act No One Talks About – Part 01

It is a most common practice that stretches back to millennia. Yet, when a high-profile television personality was caught doing it on Zoom – not realising the camera was still ‘On’ – he was sent home in disgrace to have some ‘personal time.’ Many people, including Christians, want to ask about this subject but are afraid to ask. How do we handle it from a Biblical perspective?

The ‘subject’ is masturbation, also known as ‘self-stimulation.’

Before we address the issue itself, be assured that it will be handled in a pastoral manner. The goal is to help, not hurt nor condemn, people along the way. No doubt, some who read this article are engaged, casually or regularly, in this practice.

It’s time to have a much needed chat. What are we to make of it?

First, by definition, masturbation (from now on referred to as SS – ‘self-stimulation’) is ‘stimulation of the genitals by hand for sexual pleasure,’ in order to reach a climax – ejaculation or orgasm – without the involvement of their spouse or partner. It is a form of solo-sex. It is mostly done by men but woman can do it, too.

What do we know about this practice? It is a very widespread, involving young and old, single and married, Christian and non-Christian. The fact that people are delaying marriage in our sex-saturated popular culture – with plenty of visuals – means that SS is being done at record levels. With 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns, one can imagine that possibilities.

SS provides a quick and easy ‘release’ if one is feeling aroused but does not have a sexual partner available. It is even considered ‘safe-sex:’ you cannot get someone pregnant or contract STDs (sexually-transmitted diseases) by SS. Furthermore, on the surface, it appears that the Bible is silent about it.

The one Bible story that seems to refer to it involves Onan and Tamar in Genesis 38:9. His older brother, Er, who married to Tamar first, was so wickedness that the Lord slew him. As was the prevailing custom at the time, when a man died childless, his brother married the widow and the first child born was dedicated to the deceased. It is called Levirate marriage and described in more detail in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. It was a form of familial social welfare. Onan did not want to ‘do his duty’ so he spilt his seed en route to Tamar. As a result, the Lord slew him, too — Genesis 38:10.

In times gone by, preachers used this story to scare the daylights out of people if they practiced SS – or even contemplated doing so. Some referred to SS as ‘onanism.’

Yet, in all honesty, the reason Onan was judged was his failure to fulfil the mandate.

Does this mean that it is okay to practice SS? Let us consider the following:

1.       Human sexuality, as the Bible and particularly the New Testament teaches, is an expression of physical love to our spouse. The command that husbands ‘love their wives’ (Ephesians 5:25; Colossians 3:19) includes all areas of being: mental, spiritually, emotional, and physical. The idea is that the couple seeks to fulfil each others sexual needs, not just their own.

2.       On the surface, SS seems similar to sexual intercourse but is actually very different. It strives to fulfil one’s own need without any reference to another. The accent mark of SS is ‘self.’ We are made in the image of God, Who loves and seeks the welfare of the ones He love. With SS, love has nothing to do with it; it is a self-centred mechanical solo act.

3.       Unfortunately, SS often involves lust, either mentally or in visual form like pornography. The Sermon on the Mount teaches that lusting after someone, who is not your spouse, is the same as if they committed the illicit physical sexual act, be it adultery or fornication — Matthew 5:27-28. Please consider.

4.       SS can be very addictive and a difficult habit to break. The more we feed the lust, the more it grows, and the more entrenched the habit becomes. It is the opposite of the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ which includes ‘self-control’ — Galatians 5:22. In other words, SS does not eliminate the lust problem; it exacerbates it.

5.       A sad by-product of SS is a feeling of guilt after the climax, something that doesn’t happen with Biblically ordained sex. The person knows that something is wrong, even if they don’t know why.

6.       Finally, there could come a time when SS is simply no longer satisfying, and the person reaches out for more. The danger is that it could lead to other sexual expressions that are condemned in Scripture, like 3D fornication or prostitution.

7.       In summary, the Bible does not directly talk about SS, but it does deal with lust, lack of self-control, and guilt. These factors make SS a troublesome proposition.

Sometimes, it is possible to have a ‘release’ without any touching and any lustful thoughts. These are called nocturnal emissions or ‘wet dreams.’

Human sexuality is a wonderful gift from Almighty God but it has to be on His terms, not ours. Think of it like electricity: handled correctly, it harnesses beneficial power. Mishandled, it can be deadly.

Now that we have spoken about the problem, in our next article, we will look at tips to lead us to a fulfilling solution. TO BE CONTINUED