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People of The Living God |
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September 2022
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
LIVING IN A FANTASY WORLD
Alfred King
As a child growing up and, as most children, I enjoyed cartoons and fantasy movies and often purchased Comic Books, which were total fantasy. It was interesting to see Wile E. Coyote attempting to catch the Road Runner. Ole Wile E. could attach himself to an extra-large cylinder of dynamite, lite the fuse, and travel at extraordinary speed, to miss his target and go off a cliff about the time the dynamite explodes. He, then, falls 1500 feet and lands on a rock that flattens him paper thin. All this was fantasy but what was even more fantastic was that in the next scene, ole Wile E. would be back to normal and ready for his next great idea to capture Road Runner.
In the late eighties, Disney produced a movie entitled, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” It was live-action/animated film (a movie I would not recommend because of its vulgar and inappropriate content). The theme revolved around the death or destruction of all the animated heroes of the past: heroes such as Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Wile E. Coyote, etc. The focus was that these animated heroes would be actually killed and would no more be able to recover themselves as in the past, such as Wile E. was able to peel himself off of the rock and again pursue Road Runner. As I recall, there was discovered a chemical which would finish these animated heroes for good. They could not come back to life once this chemical was placed on them. As it turned out, one evil animated creature was using this chemical to defeat all his competition. He would be the only one who, basically, had eternal life. The movie presented the fantasy in a very interesting way.
Living in 21stCentury, one has to wonder why many adults are living in a fantasy world. Is it possible that some adults have not outgrown Disney’s fantasies? Fantasy has replaced vivid facts and indisputable facts that have been more than obvious for more than six thousand years. Some, today, are living in a dream world, a figment of men’s imagination, where reality is forsaken and truth is what one wants it to be and then determines it to be.
Today, it seems that many adults have rejected plain facts. Facts that males are born males and females are born females. Their anatomy is different. They have different parts. Today, it seems we can decide our own gender, in spite of all obvious and indisputable facts to the contrary, facts which anyone with common sense and eyeballs can tell at a glance.
I happen to have been a GM guy over the years, but recently our church has purchased some Dodges and Fords. My fantasy is to call our Ford Van a Chevy. But somehow that Ford doesn’t look or drive like a Chevy. My fantasy just doesn’t seem to work, because when I open the hood on that Ford, it has all Ford parts. Ridiculous, I know. But that’s the point.
Consider just a few ways where societies have come to the place where fantasy replaces truth: Men promote racism while they think they are addressing the problem of racism. Do we actually believe that if we make a big enough stink about racism that racism will cease. The truth is that the more that racism is brought up the more it fuels the fires of racism. Does racism exist? Certainly! And it will continue as long as it is kept in the forefront as a means of contention. What does history and truth teach us? It shows that children who grow up with other races have no problem with racism. It’s normal for them. But if adults make an issue of race, the children will become racists.
Another fantasy men have adopted is that we can live in a world where there is peace, harmony, and unity while they lie, cheat, deceive, hate, and promote the very things which cause division, turmoil, distrust, and hatred, and this is especially true when it involves our political leaders and governing officials. It is our leaders in America that have brought about the division which we see in our nation today. And they seem to think that continuing down the path they have always taken will somehow, eventually, change our nation for better. They are living in a fantasy world. They use all the techniques that are proven and are certain to destroy a once great nation.
Those who believe we can live in sin and live in peace are living in a fantasy world.
Those who believe that we can print money as though it grows on trees and that will solve our problems are living in a fantasy world.
Those who believe a nation can kill the unborn and justify it and elude God’s judgment are living in a fantasy world.
Those who believe they can reject God’s laws and His moral standards and not face the consequences are living in a fantasy world.
When men believe that they can allow and encourage same sex marriages and claim that this is love, which God clearly states is an abomination, they are living in a fantasy world. God will judge America for this grave transgression.
When our educational institutions are encouraged to teach and promote sex changes and that this will make the world a better world because we are “tolerant”, we are living in a fantasy world.
When our elected officials believe we can reject history’s lessons and that somehow we are going to escape the judgments those historical accounts experienced, we are living in a fantasy world.
When a nation rejects God and believes they can create a better world without God, they are deceived and living in a fantasy world.
Actually, there is no fantasy world. It is a world that is a lie. It is a fantasy. It is a world of deception and one which leads to destruction.
It is often said that God’s judgment is not one which He Himself imposes but, rather, that He removes His hand of protection. God created this world, and He has determined and set certain protections upon it that He has ordained. It is when God removes His protecting hand from a people or nation that Satan and his evil forces are allowed to do their evil works. This is seen many times in scripture. There are many examples of this truth but, for this article, let’s consider just a couple.
In the southern kingdom of Judah, God, through His prophets and servants, had warned Judah’s kings and leaders of coming judgment (Luke13:34). A cloud of judgment was hanging over Jerusalem because of their idolatry and transgressions. In the days when Babylon began to possess the lands around Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar was a man God raised up to come against His own people. Because the Jews did not heed the warning of those men of God who warned of coming judgment and return to their God, judgment fell upon them. But take special note that God allowed an evil kingdom to come against Jerusalem and destroy it. God removed His protecting hand. The Jewish people were taken captive and were taken as slaves to Babylon. Jerusalem was destroyed and the majestic temple of Solomon was completely demolished.
God, in His mercy and after seventy years of slavery in Babylon, allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the city walls and the temple. However, the peace they once knew and prosperity they had enjoyed never returned. It was centuries later that King Herod restored the temple in Jerusalem to its beauty, but the worship of Jehovah was never to be as it was before the Babylonian captivity.
It was at this time, when Herod had restored the temple to its beauty, that God sent His precious Son to offer salvation and eternal life. While Jesus brought the Gospel to the Jews, they rejected Him and His Gospel. Jesus warned the Jews over and over and even wept over Jerusalem, yet it never changed the people’s hearts. They so lived in a fantasy world that they believed they were better off without Jesus. So they had Him crucified. Jesus had declared to His disciples that there would not be one stone of the temple left upon another and that the city would be completely destroyed, for they recognized not the time of their visitation.
It was only a few years after the Crucifixion of Jesus that Titus came against Jerusalem. In 70 AD, Rome set a siege against the Jews and Jerusalem. It was the worst destruction and desecration the world has ever seen. While this scene was God’s judgment, it was Satan and his demons that actually inspired and possessed those within the city to destroy themselves. Josephus claimed that more people were killed by internal factions within Jerusalem than were destroyed by Roman soldiers. Jerusalem self-destructed. Titus had given instructions that his armies were not to destroy the temple, but evil spirits were so in control of Titus’ soldiers they rejected his orders and destroyed the temple anyway. Over a million Jews died in that siege. What took place in Jerusalem was a living portrait of the evil that Satan was allowed to do because the Jews lived in a fantasy world, a world void of truth. Carefully take note of this statement because if Satan were loose today, this is what we would see, for he is called the “destroyer”.
If America continues to live in a fantasy world, God will remove His hand of protection from this nation. Already we see the handwriting on the wall. Sin is gaining ground every day and the powers of hell are already working to destroy this once great nation. Our government officials are focused on gender identity, climate change, killing the unborn, seeking revenge on our past president, printing money so they can spend more on worthless projects and supporting foolish agendas, while turning a blind eye to the real problems facing America and the world. They refuse to go to God and His word for the answers to America’s problems. They arrogantly feel they can solve all these problems. They, like Wile E. Coyote, think they can peel themselves up from their failed policies, repeat them over and over and that, somehow, things will get better. If one will exit the fantasy world and face truth, there is only one answer. It is the same as that Jerusalem was offered: God and His word. But history will no doubt repeat itself once again, for America’s leaders and many of its citizens will continue to live in a fantasy world, a world void of truth and a world that will lead to destruction, one of no return.
The fantasy which our nation has embraced is one where men believe they can solve all of the world’s problems without the council, wisdom, and power of God. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” and He is America’s and the world’s only hope, and this is fact and not fantasy.
THE REIGN OF CHRIST
Curtis Dickinson
The apostles and early Christians did not live in a Christian nation, but they were optimistic about life and were victorious over the world, in spite of its hostility.
This deep faith and spirit of victory began on the Day of Pentecost, when Peter showed how the long-awaited promise of a King to sit on David's throne had been fulfilled by Jesus. Peter first showed that the prophecy by David concerning the resurrection was fulfilled in Jesus, and not in David.
“Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hell, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this, which you see and hear. For David ascended not into the heavens: but he says himself,
'The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.'
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts2:29-36).
On David's Throne
Peter asserts that Jesus was exalted at the right hand of God, meaning that Jesus has been given all authority over all God's creation. “God has made him both Lord and Christ.” This is all past tense. Peter, here in the first century, declares that God has already set Jesus on David's throne, in the place of authority, and that He has already made Jesus Lord over all.
In his sermon before the high priest and council at Jerusalem, Peter repeated this theme (Acts5:31). This is the high priest who had asked Jesus if He were the Christ. Jesus had answered, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt.26:64). In this statement, Jesus claimed to be the Lord of Psalm110 and the Son of Man of Daniel7:13.
Note that Jesus was not suggesting that these prophecies would be fulfilled in some distant future time, but that they would be fulfilled during the lifetime of the people before Him – “you shall see.” These men would “see” the Son of Man coming to “the ancient of Days” as described in Daniel7:13. At that time, according to Daniel, Jesus “was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him” (7:14). The event took place when God “raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named” (Eph.1:20-21), and is the primary reason for the great event of Pentecost (Acts2:33).
In harmony with Psalms110, Paul writes that Jesus “must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” (ICor.15:25).
But how can Jesus be reigning today when there is so much evil in the world? Unable to answer this question, many choose to believe that the “kingdom passages” must be describing a future kingdom when all who oppose Christ will be overthrown.
According to David, the Messiah would not reign over a world of tranquility, perfect peace, and love, but would reign in the midst of (His) enemies” (Psalm110:2). The violence of these enemies is described in Psalm2:2,3: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us…”
The kings of Israel always faced enemies, sometimes from rebels in their own kingdom, and almost always enemies from surrounding kingdoms. Every ruler, whether king, prime minister, dictator or president, must rule in the midst of enemies who would unseat him and destroy his power and authority.
Jesus, as the universal King, has also been confronted with universal rebellion. No earthly ruler has ever had such powerful and well-organized opposition as King Jesus. His enemies have devised every conceivable plan to undermine His authority and destroy His kingdom. The rebellion has intensified in modern times as His enemies have gained control of the TV networks, major newspapers and magazines, as well as influential places in government and education.
His enemies, however, will not prevail. The same Psalm which describes their stand against the Anointed also says that God will “break them with a rod of iron” and “dash them in pieces” (Psalm2:9).
Children Of The King
Years ago, many hymnals included a song entitled “A Child of The King.” It reflected the optimistic encouragement of Christ's statement. “You are the light of the world” (Matt.5:14).
The song has all but disappeared, and so has the optimism and light. What does the world see in modern Christians? With some beautiful exceptions, the modern church exhibits confusion instead of light and fear instead of faith. The popular idea is that Jesus is not reigning now, but is waiting in the wings watching the world stage as evil increases day by day. At a certain point (a date that modern prophets are always trying to determine), He will come on stage and take charge. In the meantime, the devil is the one in control.
This denies the present reign of Christ and results in confusion and fear – fear of government, fear of financial loss, fear of a depression, etc. Churches look to the power of psychological manipulation, rather than to the power of the Gospel, and seek to blend into the world's lifestyle in order to gain members. The observant world does not see an example of faith in Christ the King, but a faith in clever programming and managing.
Christ's disciples were aware that His teachings were contrary to accepted norms and that to embrace His kingdom would put them at odds with the Roman government. Christian truth and practice have never been “politically correct.”
Knowing their fears, Jesus said, “Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke12:32). He condemned fear, saying “be not anxious for your life…” (Matt.6:25). In Revelation21:8 the “fearful” heads the list of those who will be destroyed in the second death. Such fear indicates a lack of faith. How can one fear what is going on in the world when he is a loyal subject of King Jesus Who has dominion over all the world and heaven, too?
The enthronement of Jesus at God's right hand clinches the proof of His redemptive work on earth and the credibility of His promise of a resurrection to immortality.
Like those early Christians, we live in a largely pagan society, filled with corruption and those who are opposed to Christ. Yet, our “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil.3:20), “where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God” (Col.3:1), and we are part of His kingdom. We must not become so preoccupied with the activities of the enemy that we lose sight of this glorious fact.
The crucial need of the hour is for Christians to lay down our fears and take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and let the world see that we are servants of the King to Whom belongs all power and authority. In so doing, we will be giving the glory and honor so richly deserved by Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and will be helping to defeat His enemies.
HEAVENS OPEN
Armando Montes
Armando Montes
A good Christian friend of mine has called me a few times, “old fogy man.” And, truthfully, I am that kind of person in some ways. I have my old fashioned ideas and beliefs. Besides this, it takes time for me to get accustomed and adjusted to changes. It seems that, by nature, I am a conservative guy.
In Daniel12:4, we read “knowledge shall increase.” It’s a sign of the last days. Surely, knowledge has increased by leaps and bounds in the last 50 years. Let us consider the area of communication that has been revolutionized. It’s amazing to see and hear how this world has changed so fast. There are so many ways to be able to communicate with anybody in any part of this earth. We hear from time to time, “This world has become a small place.” It has even affected our daily family life. Let us just look at a modern family. Parents are immersed in their personal lives and, of course, modern devices are a need to stay connected with friends. Children begin to play games at a very young age. Later, they need these modern gadgets to stay connected with their peers and the world they are living in. So much time is spent in these modern electronic devices that family communication is almost a thing of the past. Parents don’t share as much of their time with their children as they should.
Man was created in God’s image. God is a spirit and a rational being. Adam was able to talk to his Creator. He spoke the heavenly language. There was divine communication between God and the first man. How long did this precious gift of heavenly communication last? We don’t know. But we do know that, after sin, man lost the direct fellowship with the Living God. After sin, Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden. God, in His mercy, allowed them to keep the same language of the heavenly beings.
Sin separated man from God. He is holy, pure, and righteous. He cannot tolerate rebellion in His very presence. There was a mighty gulf between the sinful creature and his holy Creator. Jesus spanned that gulf at the Cross. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John14:6). As sin has increased in the land, the lack of communication has decreased to the point that very few people have direct leading from the Lord. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isa.59:2). If we don’t follow Jesus we walk in darkness. Gross darkness has covered the world, but the time is at hand when the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ will dispel every cloud of darkness. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall rise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isa.60:1-2).
Matthew recorded that when Jesus was baptized “the heavens were opened unto him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. (Matt.3:16-17). The Lord walked with the heavens open during His ministry on earth. He had the direct leading of the Spirit of God. All that He did and said showed complete submission to our heavenly Father. “And he that sent me is with me; the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John8:29). The Father gave Him commandments of what to do and speak.
Philip introduced Nathanael to Jesus. In his conversation with Nathanael, the Lord told him, “Verily, verily, I say unto you. Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (John1:51). The Lord partook of flesh and blood like we are. He was God in the flesh. He was subject to the limitations and needs of a fleshly body. Angels ministered to the Lord of glory. In the garden, He was in agony when He submitted His will to the Father’s will. “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke22:43).
God has called man to walk with Him. To accomplish His plan, the Father designed a process called, “Walk in the Spirit”. We find ourselves in a fleshly body. “For now we see through a glass, darkly” (1Cor.13:12). The flesh is a veil that hinders us from seeing clearly. We live in an environment that is so opposed to the plan and will of the Father. He has given us His Word and His Spirit to guide and lead us. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John8:12). This light of life is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that every true Christian should have in his (her) heart. Obedience to the Word of God and complete submission to the Holy Ghost are key elements in this walk in the Spirit. As we follow divine guidance we will see more clearly; the heavens are open unto us. Helpful resources are at our disposal to live a victorious life in the Spirit. Sometimes the Holy Spirit brings us things from without the veil and sometimes He takes man through the veil like it happened to Brother Paul (read 2Cor.12:1-4).
The first five chapters of Acts tell us of the glory that was upon the early disciples. Jesus chose twelve men and instructed them in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. He demonstrated before them and the multitudes the blessings of His kingdom. The hour had come for Jesus to go back to the Father. These men were “to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark16:15). They were to carry on His work after His death. He gave them the promise of the Father.
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Ghost, the Father’s promise, was poured out. The heavens were opened. They even spoke the heavenly language. Their lives were revolutionized. The Holy Spirit was in charge of the work now. They were willing to give their lives for their Savior. Their souls were threatened, but they received power and boldness to proclaim the words of life. The apostles preached and gave testimony of the resurrection of Jesus. He is alive. Jesus is Lord. Angels ministered to them. Signs and wonders confirmed the message.
The heavens were opened. The gospel was to go to the whole world. At Calvary Jesus broke the middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles. The message of salvation in Jesus was to reach every corner of the world. The Lord led the Italian centurion to meet Peter. He was “a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people and prayed to God alway” (Acts10:2). He had laid treasure in heaven, but he needed salvation. Heaven was moved to work in his behalf. God prepared Peter to receive the Gentile Cornelius, and the Lord showed him that he should not call any man common or unclean. Peter was obedient to the heavenly vision. “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard them” (Acts10:44). Those who came with Peter were astonished because the gift of the Holy Ghost was also poured on the Gentiles.
Not many men and women of God have walked with the heavens open. This is God’s will for everybody. Since creation, the Lord has been looking for people completely devoted to Him. He is still looking for servants that believe Him and do His will. Elijah “was a man subject to like passions as we are” (James5:17). He was just an instrument in God’s hands to make a great havoc of the powers of hell. On Mount Carmel, God was glorified and exalted. All Israel learned that the Lord, He is the God. When the heavenly fire consumed the burnt sacrifice and everything, the demons of hell were reminded that the God of Israel is the Almighty God.
Israel had been in a drought “by the space of three years and six months” (James5:17). There was a sore famine in Samaria. Elijah was in tune with God. He told the wicked king Ahab, I hear “a sound of abundance of rain” (1Kings18:41). He prayed and told his servant to go up and look toward the sea. There was nothing. The servant was told to go again seven times. At the seventh time, the servant saw a little cloud out of the sea the size of a man’s hand. Then, “the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain” (verse 45).
“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2Cor.1:20). God is faithful to His Word and to His people. The Word states that “there shall be showers of blessings” (Ezek.34:26). This is a promise of love. “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field” (Zech.10:1). We are living in the day of the latter rain. Let us pray for the rain. We may not see any sign of rain in the horizon. But God said, “There shall be showers of blessings”. Let us thank God for the mercy drops that are falling upon us. Let us plead for the showers of blessings that shall come upon us and overtake us.
NATURAL RESOURCES
AND SPIRITUAL RESOURCES
Warren Berry
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and on the sixth day He created man in His own image. Although sin entered and man suffered tremendously as his heart was corrupted and his likeness with God diminished greatly, it is not the opinion of this author that all of God’s image was lost. God mercifully allowed enough of His likeness to remain in order that men could come to the knowledge of God. There resides and remains good characteristics such as love for family, compassion, desire to help people in need, and things of like nature. These attributes are certainly not characteristics of Satan.
Other things God permitted men to possess were abilities to gain knowledge, obtain wisdom, possess ingenuity, and some power for men to make good choices in life. God expects men to use these blessings to make the world a place compatible with the needs of mankind. Some have used these blessings for good; others have chosen a different path and use them to bring evil and chaos upon the earth. Men have used knowledge and wisdom for personal gain, even at the expense of their fellow earthlings, and others have used them to engage in war and destruction. Yet, at the same time others have used these retained blessings of God to help those in need, aid the handicapped, and labor to make the world a better place.
Natural Resources
When God created the earth and the heavens, He placed in the earth what we call, “natural resources.” It is these natural resources that have been used by men to create the world in which we live today. Recently, a question was raised as to what is the greatest invention which men have produced. Some were saying it is air-conditioning, others the automobile or airplanes. Whatever one may consider the greatest invention, every invention has come about through the knowledge given men by God. It is over the centuries as men used their knowledge and wisdom, along with a touch of ingenuity and curiosity, that the luxuries we take so much for granted came about.
But knowledge and wisdom alone could not produce the luxuries of our modern world, for it was necessary that there be some product with which to create these luxuries, that would be natural resources. These are elements and matter which God created for men to use for their benefit. It was on the third day that God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” (Gen1:11-12) God supplied food for His creation and trees for lumber and building of various sorts. Men in ancient times learned how to use rocks and mud to build housing and other structures. Men were able to take these God-given resources for the benefit of mankind. Men, by nature, are creative, a trait of God, that although diminished in every dimension, yet retained to some degree.
It was only at the time of the Industrial Revolution that petroleum became a useful resource and, without it today, we would still be living in the dark ages. There are many more examples of how natural resources have been used by men to improve their way of life.
Physical Laws
Natural resources and ingenuity alone were not enough to bring us to where we are today. God has given men knowledge and wisdom and provided natural resources for men to use to better their lives. But He has also provided other great blessings for man’s benefit: they are physical laws. There are laws in the natural world that make it possible for a plane to defy gravity. The law of gravity is a very important law which affects everything on this globe. There are physical laws which allow an engine to pull a car around with people inside. These are all simple things we learned in our science classes in elementary school, but they are laws which have been used to create man’s greatest inventions. The laws of Physics have been used to build bridges that can hold the weight of hundreds of cars and trucks or support the weight of a freight train. These laws, coupled with men’s knowledge and wisdom, have made it possible for men to build large dams, install turbine generators to provide electricity for the operation of all the other electrical inventions found in our modern homes.
Spiritual Resources And Spiritual Laws
While there are natural resources and physical laws in this physical world in which we live, and the knowledge and wisdom of men to use these for men’s benefit, there are also spiritual resources and spiritual laws in the spiritual world for men’s use in gaining abundant spiritual life. Through natural resources and physical laws embedded in God’s creation, man has developed a standard of living that even a century ago would have been considered impossible and unimaginable. Likewise, God has incorporated into the Gospel abundant life through Christ Jesus. There are spiritual resources and spiritual laws which are available for those who desire to obtain a greater spiritual life. The spiritual world far surpasses the material in every aspect of human existence. In the spiritual world there are spiritual blessings which God has provided in order that men might return to Christ-likeness and again return to the image of God. God has made available spiritual resources, spiritual knowledge, and spiritual wisdom which men may tap into, much like men have in the physical world tapped into the earth’s natural resources. Men have studied, experimented, and labored to get to where society is today. It requires the same perseverance, patience, and fortitude to tap the resources God has provided in the spiritual realm. It takes time and diligence spent in God’s word and prayer to tune one’s ear to hear as the Holy Spirit teaches and instructs concerning the laws of the spiritual world to bring us to the place where we find that resting place in God.
Faith is one of these blessings provided, and with it mountains can be moved. Love is another resource of the spiritual; it is sown abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This takes time, but one will find that love covers a multitude of sins. Peace is another gold nugget which can be discovered, and it is something all men long for. This peace is common and pervasive in the presence of God. According to scripture, the Holy Spirit can be allowed entrance into one’s heart if he will ask and believe. I read in scripture that God has given great and precious promises through which we might be partakers of the divine nature (IIPeter1:4). Oh, that we might tap into God’s resources, learn His spiritual laws, and gain His knowledge to possess all that He has desired to give His people.
God has created the universe that it would declare the glory of God; and the firmament reveals His handiwork. (Psalm19:1) The heavens (the solar system) are used to teach us something about God's heaven; it is infinite. God created this world in such a manner that it can instruct us in spiritual and heavenly things through physical things. Jesus often used parables in which He referred to material things to teach spiritual lessons. Therefore, let us learn the lessons God has provided through His creation to understand spiritual truths, that we might possess all that God has for His people and possess the kingdom which He came preaching.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Because of the length of this letter and the list of scriptures presented, we will only present the question asked and, in our response, we will address those verses which were included in the letter to the editor.
“In regard to your note following (the) article titled, “God is a Consuming Fire,” Aug 2022 issue. You state in effect that “People of the Living God are not convinced that the Saints will possess the new heavens and new earth”. I respectfully ask, then, who will? And why would God create as He states many places in scripture, a new heavens and a new earth, then leave it uninhabited? According to my understanding of the scriptures, Christ promises a place for His faithful Saints.”
Brother D.K.
I do appreciate your inquiry concerning the note added to the article, “God is a Consuming Fire” and would like to begin by saying that there are many things about heaven (the heaven where God resides), the new heavens and the new earth, the future state of believers, their eternal dwelling place, and many other such things which are not given us to fully understand while in this life. We know that whatever God’s plan is for His people, it will be glorious and heavenly.
Addressing your concern about the saints possessing the new earth: The first verses to which you referred in your letter was John14:1-3. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
These verses do not give us a clear definition or indication of where this place is. The only indication is that we will be wherever Jesus will be. From these verses one has to “assume” that it is the new earth because it is not stated so in this passage. Jesus very often used material things in teaching spiritual truths. That is because we cannot fathom or comprehend heaven, for it is beyond our mental ability. There is a veil that separates mortal man and that realm where God resides.
The next scripture you referred to in your letter was Rev.21:10: “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” You write, “In verses 11 through 21, John describes the Holy City”. From here you skipped to Rev.21:22-27, “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”
The verses from 11-21 do describe the Holy Jerusalem, but nothing in these verses give any indication where that Holy City is or will be once it comes down. Neither do the verses, 22 through 27, give any indication of the city’s location. One has to assume it is going to be on the new earth because scripture does not specifically state that.
At this point in your letter, you go back to the first few verses of Rev.21:2-5. “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
Before I address these verses in Rev. 21, let’s first examine that portion of scripture where the new heavens and the new earth are mentioned. This is found in the prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 65, beginning with verse 17 and continuing to verse 20. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.” (emphasis mine)
There are several points which could be discussed in this passage which appear to me to be referring to something different than that described by John in Revelation. But for the sake of brevity here, consider just two things which indicates that this new earth is not where God’s people will be. (By God’s people, I mean those who are living or have lived on this earth, for it is obvious in the above scripture that there are people on the new earth that belong to God.) In the place where the saints will go when this earth is destroyed, there is no death. Yet in the new earth there is death. And in the place where the saints will go after this life there will be no sin nor sinners, yet in the new earth there is sin and there are sinners.
One of the problems I see here is that this whole doctrine or idea of the saints being on the new earth is based totally on signs, symbols, allegories, and types. In Revelation chapter one, it reads, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.” (emphasis mine) Notice that this message given to John was in sign language. This means that most of the book of Revelation cannot be interpreted literally. The things presented are mysterious and the only way one can understand is by going to other parts of scripture and comparing. I do believe we can understand part of what was given, but much is still hidden in mysteries. Therefore, in my humble opinion, I think that building a doctrine on dark and allegorical prophecies is not the way to come to truth. We must build our foundation for every doctrine which we hold on plain statements in scripture. Consider, for instance, the following plain statements:
IThess.4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (emphasis mine) The way I understand this plain statement is that we are going to meet the Lord Jesus in the air, and we will be with Him eternally. I don’t see Jesus nor the Father leaving heaven and coming down to dwell on a new earth where sin still exists, where sinners dwell, and where there is still death. Going back to the book of Revelation 21 from which you referred, there will be no more death where the saints go. How does that fit in with Isaiah 65?
Another scripture which is fairly plain is ICor.15:51-54. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” (emphasis mine) According to these verses, the saints will be given immortality. Immortality means that they will never experience death. They are also incorruptible. If they are incorruptible: Who then are the sinners on this new earth? If they are immortal, which means they cannot die: Who are those who die?
Concerning the question as to who will inhabit the new earth: God is a creator. That is part of His being. Just as He, in His infinite wisdom, created this heaven and earth for a specific purpose, which is called in scripture, “the eternal purpose” (Eph.3:11), so He will throughout eternity be creating universes or things of which we have no concept, things which not only the angels will desire to look (IPeter1:12) into, but I believe the saints will, also. God is infinite and He is so far beyond our understanding that we can only stand in awe at His amazing ways. His ways and His thoughts are infinite and we will spend eternity in His infinity.
The New Jerusalem
Returning to Rev.21:2-5, which I have not yet addressed: Rev.21:2 states that John saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God as a bride adorned for her husband. The bride of Christ is His church. This is so clear in scripture that I don’t feel it necessary here to present scripture to support that fact. I have some opinions on what this New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven is, but I don’t feel it necessary to express my opinion here, because it is somewhat involved and unnecessary in answering your questions. Nevertheless, it is wise to consider the relationship between the bride of Christ and the New Jerusalem, for this is essential in coming to a correct understanding of this topic.
In conclusion: It appears to me that Jesus and the Father will always remain in heaven. In Acts7:49, Steven, quoting from Isaiah66, stated, “Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?” Heaven is God’s dwelling place and Jesus will always dwell with the Father. He has declared that His saints will be with Him where He is. In closing, consider this statement in the Lord’s prayer just prior to His crucifixion: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.” (John17:24) Where is Jesus today? Seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High making intercession for His saints. (Heb.7:25)
As I stated in the beginning of my response, there are many things about heaven and the new heaven and new earth that we know very little about. The important thing is that whatever God has planned for His saints will be wonderful and glorious. Getting into the particulars too seriously is a futile endeavor and to get hung up on it, my opinion or yours, is not profitable. What is necessary today is to take heed to God’s laws and walk in humility, yet diligently, until the day God takes us home. We want to be sure that when we appear before Him on judgment day that we hear Him say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
The Editor
TO THE EDITOR
From a phone call relative to an article published in the August, “Testimony of Truth” publication: “Toward the end of your article entitled, “Roe Verses Wade”, you wrote, “There is no sin that is so great that God cannot forgive.” I know that God can forgive sin, but there is one sin that cannot be forgiven and that is the “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.” Could you clarify your statement? Thank you, L.J.
(This was from a phone call so is not an exact quote but contains the content of the call.)
Response to L.J. and to any others who may have questioned the statement mentioned above.
We always respect and appreciate every response to articles contained in the Testimony of Truth publication and want to address every concern our readers may have concerning articles published. We realize that if one person has a question, there are probably others who have the same query. Since Alfred King wrote the article of concern, he will reply to this question.
The purpose of the article was to present the seriousness of the sin of abortion. The specific sentence under question was intended to give hope to any who have possibly had an abortion in the past and even to those who may have family members or close friends who have allowed their unborn to be taken through abortion. God is a God of mercy and grace, and I would be amiss if I were to leave a reader without hope who had fallen into the trap through ignorance or pressure from outside forces and had an abortion. God has forgiven men and women through the centuries who have committed worse crimes than abortion. Paul said that Jesus came to save sinners. And Jesus Himself stated that He came not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.
So with this thought in mind, let us briefly consider the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. A definition given by Joseph Thayer of the Greek word which is translated in our English bible, “blasphemy” is: “railing, reviling, slander, speech injurious of another reputation, reproachful speech.”
The place in scripture where Jesus states that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven is found in Matthew12:31. There is much controversy surrounding Jesus’ words in this passage, and so, I can only state my opinion after wrestling with this issue over the years.
When one considers how many souls have been saved throughout history, who have committed the grossest of sins, many of those sins falling into the category of what might appear to us as blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, yet they were later saved and forgiven. Because of these facts, and placing Jesus’ statement in Matthew12 alongside of everything else contained in scripture, I have come to the opinion that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not something that is a one-time sin; rather, it is a continuation of sins over a period of time. I base this on other scriptures, which seem to me to clarify Jesus’ statement.
One such scripture is found in Hebrews6:4-5: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Take special note of the words in bold. The writer to the Hebrews presents an unforgivable sin. This sin is not something a sinner can commit, but is specifically a warning to some who have been, not only saved but have experienced some of the deeper things of God. In Matthew12 where Jesus made this statement, He was speaking to the Pharisees. The Pharisees knew the scriptures (though all they had was the Old Testament), and they were stating that Jesus was casting out evil spirits by Beelzebub, the prince of the devil. However, Jesus was casting out evil spirits by the power of the Holy Spirit. The slander and accusation was that the Holy Spirit was not of God but was from beneath. These teachers of scripture should have known and been careful what they labeled as evil. However, their hatred for Jesus and their desire to defame Him,turned to defamation of the Spirit of God.
A couple of other verses in the book of Hebrews, which to me shed more light on this topic, are Hebrews10:28-29: “He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
The two portions of scripture from Hebrews in chapters 6 and 10 seem to me to point out what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is. I have read of people who, at one time, became angry at God and spouted off with some very ungodly and profane words, and then later felt they could not be saved because of that one action. I, personally, do not believe that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is a one-time act. It is something that is on-going. If it were a one-time event, then the Pharisees to whom Jesus was speaking would have been left hopeless. Yet, Jesus did not even come close to saying their situation was hopeless. Rather He warned them that they were heading in that direction.
The two portions of scripture in Hebrews, which are presented above, speak of a people who were once saved and then turned from that salvation. They did not merely backslide; rather, they turned against the salvation they once knew, and the Holy Spirit, which once resided within their hearts, was now departed because they had “crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame.” They rejected one of the greatest gifts ever given to men, and that gift is the Holy Spirit, which is the third person of the Godhead. Think about what they have done to the Spirit of Truth!
While I realize that there are some, and maybe many, who will disagree with my position on this topic, I ask that we not be divided over a topic so controversial and so little understood. Let us continue to love one another and pray that God will open our eyes so we can better understand the deeper things of God and be those who will help lead others to find salvation through Jesus Christ and where the Holy Spirit can come and reside in them as He does in all those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.