Category: bible study

Reading Time: 5 minutes

For I am resolved to know nothing while I talk to you today except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2)

Christians today should be agreeable with the idea that there is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures:

Christ and Him crucified

Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. It is only in the light of the cross that we can discern the exalted character of the law of God. The soul wracked by sin and fear can be blessed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author and the Finisher of our salvation.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to die?

Was Jesus just some kind of martyr dying for a good cause? Why was the Sacrifice of Christ necessary? Was it to seek to appease an angry God? Why was it absolutely essential to our salvation? If Jesus had lived a perfect life but had never died on the cross, would our salvation be possible? The Bible answers to such questions are vital. Our eternal destiny depends upon answering them correctly.

Lets review what kind of attitude the Apostle Paul always expressed towards the cross of Christ. This is what Paul once said:

But it’s unthinkable that I could ever brag about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. By his cross my relationship to the world and its relationship to me have been crucified. (Gal 6:14, GW)

As Christians we glory not in our good works but in God’s infinte love, mercy, and grace.

Jesus told us clearly what the result of His death would be.

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,(John 17:1, ESV)

Praise God. There are three reasons that the hour of Christ’s death would be the moment of His greatest glory.

a) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23, NIV)
b) Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us.
(Rom 5:6, ERV)
c) But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.(Rom 5:8, ERV)

What then did Jesus redeem us from?

The law says we are under a curse for not always obeying it. But Christ took away that curse. He changed places with us and put himself under that curse. The Scriptures say, “Anyone who is hung on a tree is under a curse.” (Gal 3:13, ERV)

The curse of the law is simple for us to understand. It has nothing to do with the ten commandments somehow being cancelled by the death of Christ on the cross. Why would Jesus ever do away with His Father’s holy law? (Rom 7:12) Jesus vindicated the law of ten commandments, and held it up before all people as a rule of life. He showed that all of us are under the most solemn obligation to obey that law, which Christ came to make honorable. (Isa 42:21) The Bible teaches that Christ is the only one who can release people from the consequences of breaking the divine law; and that it is only by repentance for their past transgressions, faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, resulting in the life of obedience, that we can hope to experience the favor of God. The Bible says that Jesus came to “fulfill” the law, meaning to demonstrate to us how to keep it. (Mat 5:17)

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Mat 5:17, ESV)

The curse of the law is simply the separation from God that sometimes happens in our relationship with Him, when we choose to not accept Him. In the struggle between good and evil, Jesus took the moral responsibility for our sins. Jesus died the death that we deserve so that we can live the life that He deserves.

Here is how Paul describes the way that unbelievers view Christ’s death

The teaching about the cross seems foolish to those who are lost. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18, ERV)

Isa describes it like this:

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. (Isa 53:3-4, NIV)

To the unconverted heart, God dying for humanity makes absolutely no sense but nonsense. But to the converted heart, Christ’s death on the cross represents the most amazing demonstration of God’s love ever seen anywhere.

Some would ask “did Jesus sin?” Or “Did Jesus become sin?” The Bible tells us

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21, NIV)

Jesus never once sinned. Jesus did take upon Himself the penalty, condemnation, shame, and results of our sin.

There are four gifts that Jesus offers each one of us through the cross:

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us (1) wisdom from God, (2) righteousness (3) and sanctification (4) and redemption
(1 Cor 1:30, ESV)

In the cross, we discover God’s incredible love towards us. Jesus would have rather died eternally, if need be, than to have one of His children be lost. Jesus offers to all His righteousness. Through the revelation of His love on Calvary, and the presence of His Holy Educating Spirit in our hearts, Jesus daily prepares us for eternal redemption. For everlasting life.

What a hope! What a Savior! All we can do is to bow before Him and worship Him!

Paul continues to emphasize that the way to receive salvation is so simple that any person who wants to can understand it. Skill and wisdom do not get a person into God’s Kingdom—simple faith does. So no one can boast that personal achievements helped him or her secure eternal life. Salvation is totally from God through Jesus’ death. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation; we need only to accept what Jesus has already done for us.

God is our source and the reason for our personal relationship with Christ. Our union and identification with Christ results in our having God’s wisdom (Col 2:3), being acceptable to God (2 Cor 5:21), being pure (1 Thes 4:3-7), and having the penalty for our sins paid by Jesus (Mark 10:45).

Do not depreciate or degrade yourself, but give yourself to Jesus today; Jesus will (like a nail in a sure place – Isa 22:23) find a place in this life for you and make your life worth living. Notice that God has put you into personal union with Christ Jesus. (John 1:12) Everything we need for life and godliness is in Him. We must make all that we can of our wonderful position and possessions.

Think of Christ’s humiliation. He took upon Himself fallen, suffering human nature, degraded and defiled by sin. He took our sorrows, bearing our grief and shame. He endured all the temptations wherewith man is beset. He united humanity with divinity: a divine spirit dwelt in a temple of flesh. He united Himself with the temple. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) because by so doing He could identify with the sinful, sorrowing sons and daughters of Adam.

Will you take the time to pray
Ask Jesus in your heart to stay
Keeping you safe this very night
to wake your joy in morning light

Now we know the true meaning of the cross.

Friend, the cross means everything.

Reading Time: 13 minutes

A Covenant with Death

You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”  Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it. (Isa 28:15,18)

Can it be that people really have “a covenant with death?”

For the last two weeks we have been discussing from the Bible about what happens when we die? In Living Lies About Death #1, and Living Lies About Death #2  we discovered that “a living soul” is the whole person, not a separate entity, and that the only one who has immortality is God. No one else will be immortal until the second coming. (see 1 Thes 4:13-18)

Some of today’s preachers have gotten really carried away with the subject of death and what happens when we die. I have heard several preachers who have said things like

“The believer’s death day is really their best birthday – the time of their greatest triumph.”

“Of all the happy days, the death day will be the happiest of all. The day of our new birth. The day of our coming of age. The day of our conversion. The day of our entire sanctification. The day of our marriage. The day of honor. And all other days are nothing compared to the delightful death day which shall usher us into our Father’s House on high.”

Why is death such a happy event? Because, as Pastor Heslop who wrote the above tries to assure us, dead people are not dead. Even though the Bible says they are dead, he and many others keep saying “no they are not. “

Heslop further states:

“Death to the believer in Jesus Christ is but a doorway to a house not made with hands.” “Death is only the hand that snaps the fetters and emancipates the soul. Death is only the bridal peal calling the sanctified soul to its everlasting espousals. Death is the door opener into a city without sin, sorrow or suffering, A sunrise without a sunset.”

There Is No Death

There is no death. There are no dead. These words were found on the stone marker that identified the site of the original Fox Sister’s cottage in Hydesville, New York, in 1948. The obelisk at the later spiritualistic church in Rochester New York also contained the same falsehood: There is no death. There are no dead.

The Yearbook of Spiritualism for 1871 states:

“In strictness there is no death.”

What Are Modern Christians saying Now?

Jesus taught that death was simply a sleep. Jesus taught that death was a rest. There was an occasion where Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died. And Lazarus had become very, very sick before that. And Jesus got word that Lazarus was sick. Jesus waited before going. He waited a couple days, and by the time he got there, since there was a journey, he was in  Galilee, and Lazarus was in Bethany. It was four days. This is a time that Jesus was four days late, and yet, as we now know, Jesus was right on time.

Why did Jesus wait like that? Why didn’t Jesus just go to Lazarus right away? Because he wanted to work a miracle that was greater than merely healing an illness. Jesus was going to work a miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead! After he had said this, he went on to tell them

Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

His disciples replied

“Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”

Jesus had of course been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So, then Jesus told them plainly

“Lazarus is dead, (John 11:11-14)  Here, in John 11, they come to Jesus, and they say, Jesus, your friend Lazarus is sick. And Jesus says, our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I’m going to wake him up. Well, they thought, wait a minute. If Lazarus is sleeping, he’s going to get well. This is not to death. Our friend Lazarus is sleeping. They thought, this is good news, because if you’re sick and you sleep, maybe the fever breaks. Maybe the sickness is over. And then the Bible says

“However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that he was speaking about taking rest in sleep.”

And then Jesus makes it plain.

“Jesus said to them, plainly, Lazarus is dead. So, they clearly understood.”

Now, how did Jesus treat death? What did Jesus say to his closest followers? Did he say to them, now, don’t worry at all about Lazarus, because, sure, he’s dead, but he has this immortal soul, and it’s gone up to heaven. Not at all. No such teaching in the Bible. And Jesus certainly didn’t believe that anyway. Jesus simply said, Lazarus is sleeping. And then Jesus said, Lazarus is what?  Lazarus is dead.

So, Christ then went to the home of Mary and Martha. And as he talked to the sister of Lazarus, Jesus said to her, your brother’s going to rise again. And she said, oh, Lord, if you would have been here, he wouldn’t have died. And I know he’s going to rise again in the last day. This sister of Lazarus, who got her religion directly from Jesus, Mary said, I know he’s going to rise the last day in the resurrection. (the last day). Jesus looks at her and recognizes that she understands the truth about death. What did Martha believe about death? She believed that her faithful brother would rise in the resurrection. She did not believe that he was up in heaven looking down upon her. Mary learned her religion directly from Jesus. And she believed in the resurrection when? At the last day. All the great men and women of faith in the Old and New Testament believe that.

Remember what Paul said there writing to Timothy? He said, my life is being poured out and I wait the righteous judge who will have the crown of life for me in the last day. Paul believed that Christ was going to come again and that he, if he died in that Roman prison, that he would be resurrected in the last day. All believers know that. John believed it, exiled on the island of Patmos. Paul believed it. Mary believed it. Martha believed it. Jesus taught it.

Mary and Martha were crying, not because they thought Lazarus was up in heaven, but because of the pain and the agony of separation from him until the resurrection at the last day. Jesus says to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. In other words, even though that person dies, though they go into the grave, they are going to live again. They will be resurrected from the dead. That first death will not hold its victims. The grave will not keep its victims. That death is not a long night without a morning. The tomb is not simply a dark hole in the ground. So, Jesus said, if you believe, your brother is going to live again to demonstrate his power over death, to demonstrate his power over the grave, to demonstrate his ability over death. Jesus comes to that grave, and Jesus says, Lazarus, come forth.

And Lazarus comes out of the grave, rises to new life. He had been in that grave four days. Lazarus comes out of the tomb. New life, Jesus says to those who see him. Loose him and let him go. He was all bandaged up with the grave clothes. Life is pulsating through his body. There’s a new smile on his face. There’s a new sparkle in his eyes. There’s a new spring in his step. I can just imagine how he comes, and I can picture him as he embraces Christ.

If what some people believe is true, Jesus didn’t say, Lazarus, come down. Jesus said, Lazarus, come forth. If I were up in heaven for four days, rejoicing in glory, if I were fellowshipping with the angels, if I were eating from the tree of life, and Jesus said, come down, I would have yelled back from heaven if I were Lazarus. Nothing doing, Lord. I’m not coming. You just called the wrong name, Lord. You just called the wrong person. I’m already up here in glory. I’m rejoicing in the kingdom of God. I am not coming back. Why would I?

If anybody could have given a testimony about life after death, it would have been Lazarus. If he were up in glory, think of the books he could have written that would have been sold throughout the Middle East, throughout Jerusalem, on life after death. But Lazarus had nothing to say. Why not? Because he wasn’t in glory. He wasn’t in glory. He was resting, sleeping there in the tomb, resting like every believer will rest until the coming of Jesus, with no pain, no suffering, no heartache, no sorrow, no death, resting. The Bible says

“His sons come to honor, and he does not know it. They are brought low, and he does not perceive it.” (Job 14:21

Somebody says, I like to think of my mother up in heaven. I like to think of her looking down at me. It just gives me comfort. Would it be comfort for a mother up in heaven if her son was drafted off to war and the enemy captured him and tortured him and gouged out his eyes and gouged out his tongue and tortured him mercilessly? Could that mother be happy in heaven? But what about a mother up in heaven looking down and here’s her little five-year-old and he’s kicking a ball, and he kicks it on the street and the car screeches, doesn’t see the boy, crushes him and the boy’s a quadriplegic for the rest of his life? Would that mother up in heaven be happy? Or think of fathers in heaven seeing their daughters beaten brutally by some angry man?

Isn’t God’s plan so much better?

Our loved ones are not in heaven They don’t see children that have gone astray, gotten involved in drugs and alcohol. Our mothers and fathers are not up there in heaven looking down upon the conflicts and families and the wars on earth. How could they possibly be happy in heaven if they could look down on us and see all the horrible things happening? Even Jesus did not go to Heaven right away. When Jesus died, he was just keeping the Sabbath.

Our fathers and mothers are not up in heaven. Death is a state of perfect rest or sleep until the resurrection when Christ wakes you up and speaks saying now all the sorrow is over, now all the heartache is over, now all the disappointments are over. You see, my friend, God’s way is so much better. We are sheltered in his arms in that perfect sleep. Our true life, the record of our life is hidden with Christ in God. Others cannot always see it because only God can read the heart. Our all-powerful, infinite God knows our identity. It is in his hands. (Isa 49:16)

When we die, we don’t live. How can we live and die at the same time? THAT would just make the Bible out to be an idiotic lie because it says, “when you die you live.” How absurd is that? Are we bound to believing that kind of contradiction? Does God really contradict Himself like that?

The Scripture says that our bodies go to the earth. The life, the breath goes back to God. There is no conscious existence after death until the resurrection. We rest until the Christ comes. In the next moment, we see him coming down from the sky. The Bible says, Psalm 115:7

the dead do not what? The dead do not praise the Lord, nor any that go down into silence. If you went up to heaven when you died, you’d at least praise the Lord, right? Wouldn’t that be what you would be doing? But the Bible says, the dead praise not the Lord. Fifty-three times, death is called a sleep in the Bible. Sixteen hundred times, the Bible uses the word soul, never uses the phrase immortal soul. The Bible says, in that very day that a person dies, even their thoughts perish, Psalm 6:5

Psalm 115:17 the Bible says, the dead praise not the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 9: 5-6, the living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything.

God’s plan is so much better than human tradition. The immortality of the soul comes in through Greek philosophy, and according to Revelation, will be preparing the world for an overwhelming deception. The Bible says that the works of the dead follow them. It says that those that die in Christ have works which follow them.

When a father or mother dies, and they’ve taught their children about the things of Jesus, those children have that inclination for Christ in their hearts, that inclination for Christ in their lives, and they have that desire to follow Christ. And the works of the parents still follow them, and one day, that child will, making choices to follow Christ, because of an influence of their parents, will be in heaven with Jesus and their parents to rejoice forever and ever. (Prov 26:3, Acts 16:31) God’s word is so clear about this subject of death.

But somebody says, wasn’t there the story of Jesus and the story of the thief on the cross who died, and didn’t the Bible indicate that he would be in heaven with Christ? Well, look, when you have text after text after text that talks about the second coming of Christ, when you have passage after passage in Scripture that talks about the return of Christ, you cannot take one Bible text out of context regarding the thief on the cross and throw out these many other clear texts on the coming of Christ that talk about the resurrection of the body.

Didn’t Jesus say, you will be with me in paradise today? Remember, Jesus is hanging on the cross. There’s a thief on the left, thief on the right. Then the thief says, if you’re the Son of God, come down from the cross. Jesus, hanging there with nails through his hands, with blood running down his wrists, with a crown of thorns upon his head, looks like he cannot save anybody. The other thief turns to Christ, and he says, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Thankfully, nobody has asked that question. Nobody has made that request. Nobody has made that appeal genuinely and sincerely and been turned away by Jesus. (John 6:37)

You’ll recall that Christ died on the cross on Friday. He rested in the tomb on Sabbath. He was resurrected from the dead-on Sunday. And you will also remember that Mary comes to him on Sunday morning, after the resurrection, falls at his feet. And what does Jesus say? John 20:15, Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? She thinks he’s the gardener and says to him, Sir, if you’ve carried him away, if you’ve taken my Lord away, please tell me where he is. Tell me where you’ve laid him. And I’m going to take him away and give him a proper burial. And what does Jesus say to her?

Jesus says, Mary, Rabboni, which is to say teacher, don’t cling to me for I have not ascended to the Father. But go to my brethren saying, I am ascending, present tense right now, to your Father and my Father and your Father and my God and your God. What does Jesus say to Mary on Sunday? I have not yet ascended to the Father. How could Jesus have said to the thief on Friday that they would be together in paradise on that Friday if Christ had not ascended yet to the Father on the following Sunday morning? Certainly, Jesus did not ascend to Heaven on Friday. So, what was really going on there? Jesus is hanging on the cross. And what does he say? He says, I say unto you today, you will be with me in paradise. It all depends on where you put the comma in that passage. The comma or other punctuations are not inspired. If we put the comma after the word today, it’s clear. If we put it before, it’s a little fuzzy. It becomes a contradiction. If you quote the text this way  “I say to you, today you’ll be with me in paradise,” then it appears that Jesus would be in paradise with the thief that day. On the Friday. But if we say, “I say to you today, comma, you will in the future be with me in paradise,”  it makes so much more sense. You say, how do you know where to put the comma?  Well, first, there were no commas in the original text. That did not come until the 1300s, much later. You don’t take a misplaced comma and throw out 53 texts that say the death is but a sleep, throw out all the texts that talk about the resurrection, and you don’t deny scripture when Jesus himself says that he did not ascend to the Father on that Sunday.

What did Jesus mean when he said that to the thief?

He said, I say to you today, this day that I’m dying on the cross, this day that there’s nails in my hands, this day that there’s a crown of thorns upon my head, this day that it doesn’t look like I can save anybody, I say to you this day, I make that declaration that I will be resurrected from the dead. I will ascend to the father. I will remember you. I will remember you when I come into heaven and paradise. And Jesus says that to you. When you say, Lord, remember me. Remember me in all my guilt. Remember me in all my shame. Remember me, Father. Remember me, dear Jesus. Touch my heart, O Holy Spirit. I feel convicted I must come to you.

Remember me, Jesus says. I accept you, my child. I’ll forgive you, my child. I’ll change your life, my child. You will be with me in paradise. You need not fear death because I have conquered the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:55

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus gives us victory over sin. Jesus gives us victory over the grave. Jesus gives us victory over death. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 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.

Have you lost some loved one by death? Some father, some mother.  You still miss your dad and your mom? My father has passed away. My wife has died. Many others that I have loved are now dead. I long for that day that Jesus will come. Have you lost some husband or wife?  Some father or mother? Some sisters or brother? Some sons or daughter? They’re not lost. If they’re a believer in Christ, they are resting where they can never be lost. Their true life, the record of that life, their identity, is hid with Christ in God. They are resting from the pain, the heartache, the sorrow, the tears of life. They know no passage of time. Like that all day surgery I had years ago, the next thing they will know is the coming of Jesus Christ in the clouds of heaven. (Rev 1:7)  And as Jesus comes, that little baby will be put in Mom’s arms again. Mom will reach up and hug your face again. You can look into the eyes of that child one day once again. That son or daughter, lost by death, will be reunited with you. One day that father or mother will embrace you again. One day Jesus Christ will come. And one day the sorrow and heartache of earth will be over.

Would you like to connect with Jesus right now? Will you consider asking Jesus to be both your Savior and your Lord?  I’d like to say, Jesus, pass me not, O gentle Savior. Lord, I’m coming to you. Lord, I want to see my father again. I want to see my mother again. I want to see my son again, my daughter again. I want to see my spouse again. I want to be caught up in that glorious joy when Jesus comes and live forever with them through all eternity. Lord, I want to be in that resurrection so that I can see them again.

Here is the incredibly good news. Jesus will not pass you by. Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry. The thief on the cross, in his dying breath, said, Lord, remember me. Remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus gave the thief on that very day the assurance of eternal life. When the thief woke up that morning, he had no idea that his whole life would be changed that day. When he trudged up Golgotha’s hill with Christ, he had no idea that his life would be changed that day. When they drove nails through his hands and he writhed in agony, he had no idea that his life would be changed that day. But in that moment, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, God spoke to him, and he accepted the gift of eternal life.

Right now, God is speaking to you. Right now, God is talking to your life. Maybe you had no idea that you would be reading this article now, but God’s Holy Educating Spirit is speaking to you just now. You can accept Christ right now. Through an act of your will, you can say “Jesus, I am yours.”

That choice changed the thief’s life. That choice will change your life right now as we pray.

Reading Time: 15 minutes

Immortality

Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!  For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. (Eccl 9:4-5, NIV)

Last week, in Living Lies About Death #1, we said that this week we will deal with what the Bible says about “immortality.”

To understand death, we really must understand this idea of immortality. Is the soul immortal, or is there a resurrection? If you have an immortal soul that wings its way to Heaven as soon as you die, why would you need a resurrection of the body?  We must look at what does the Bible teach about immortality? Do we have it now? Will we have it in the future? Do we have an “immortal soul?” Is this thing called the soul immortal? What is the soul? And what about the resurrection that the Bible teaches about? Where can we find answers?

The truth of the matter is that yes, we can find answers. We find answers deeply embedded in Scripture. We find answers in the Word of God. The Bible helps us to understand the mystery of death.

In Rev 1:18 we read: ” And behold, I’m alive for evermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of death.

Christ was alive, crucified on the cross, went into the grave, rested on the seventh-day Sabbath, and was resurrected from the dead, on Sunday, the first day of the week. It was at that point that Jesus said, I’m going to my father.

Mary tried to cling to his feet and Jesus said,

“Touch me not, I’m ascending to the father.” (John 20:17)

So now we have the basic and Biblical idea idea of death, rest in the tomb over Sabbath, resurrection, Jesus ascending to heaven. But notice what Jesus says.

“I have the keys of Hades and death. Hades, the grave.” (Rev 1:18)

This is incredibly good news.  Death is not some locked up tomb or prison in the earth. Jesus said, I have the keys. You need not fear death.  Jesus already experienced death.  And Jesus already conquered the grave. Death is a defeated foe. Every time Jesus faced death, Jesus won, and death lost. Every time Christ faced the grave, he came out victorious. And he demonstrated his power over the grave by raising from the dead many who had died in those days.

Christ has conquered the grave. Jesus went into the grave and came out. And because Jesus has the keys to the grave, death is an unlocked mystery through Jesus. The Bible teaches that one day Jesus will come again. One day the dead in Christ will be resurrected. Check out 1 Thessalonians 4:16. It talks about the coming of Jesus.

“The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first.” If the dead in Christ “rise first” then how can it be possible that we go to Heaven as soon as we die?

We are told to not fear death because Jesus is coming again. (Rev 1:7) We can see our loved ones again!

When my late wife died of cancer in my arms, she had this hope. I read that passage to her daily in the days preceding her death.

What does the Bible teach about the idea of the immortal soul?  Does the Bible teach that the soul is immortal? Let’s go back to the book of Genesis because if we understand how God created humanity in the beginning, we can also understand about what happens when we die.

Gen 2:7 informs us that there is no such thing as people having a soul. Having an immortal soul. And note what the Bible does not say. The Bible does not say that God put an immortal soul in human beings when they were created.

God formed us. God fashioned us. God shaped us out of what? The dust of the earth. “And man became a living soul.”  God breathed his life-giving breath into man. We do not “have a soul.” We are a soul! God formed Adam out of the dust of the Earth and then God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the “breath of life.” And it was right after this that the Bible tells us “Man became a living soul.” We do not have a soul. We are a soul.

We could look at it this way.

Dust, that is, the dust of the earth is what God created mankind from, and God’s Spirit breathed into man “the breath of life” and thus created “a living soul.” In the Bible the soul is not something put into a human being that is immortal. A human being is a living soul. A mortal. Body plus “breath of life” = “living soul.” (Gen 2:7) The body plus the breath equals a living soul. In the Bible, when the word soul is used, it is used as something we are. I am the product of body and breath. I am a living soul, a living being, a living personality. A living soul means a living being or a living personality. In Scripture, a living being, a living soul, means a living person. We don’t “have a soul.” It is our whole being that is collectively called “a living soul” by God Himself. A living soul means an individual who’s thinking, functioning, and breathing.

Is the soul immortal? Can the soul ever die?

“Behold, all souls are mine. The soul of the Father as well as the soul of the Son is mine. The soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:5)

The soul that sins shall what?

“DIE.”

How else could we read that passage? The same way we read Genesis 2:7 The person, the living being that sins is going to die. So, let’s go back to Genesis again. It tells us that God created man out of the dust of the ground, breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. And only then “Man became a living” what? A living soul or being or personality. A person. The soul who sins. What’s going to happen to them? They’re going to die. The word soul simply put can mean in the Bible

“a living being.”

An entire, or complete being. Not a separate entity of any kind.

Another name for soul in the Bible is person or life. Two-thirds of the time, the Bible uses the term soul. It’s for life. One-third is for person. Sometimes the Bible talks about the soul as something we are, the product of body and breath. Sometimes the Bible uses the term soul as something we have, two-thirds of the time, in fact. But it never once says that we have an immortal soul. We have life. Mortal life. because the soul that sins will die. No two ways about it. We have life. But in our current, mortal state we can lose it. The only way to attain unto immortality in this, our current state is the resurrection.

The Bible says in Matthew 16:25-26

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Whoever desires to save their what? Whoever desires to save their life, will lose it. But whoever loses their life for my sake will do what? They will find it. Then he goes on to say, Mat 16:26 “For what profit is it to anyone if they gain the whole world and lose their own what? Soul. Or what will a person give in exchange for their soul?

In the earlier verse, it talks about losing your life. Then this verse, it talks about losing your soul. It talks about preserving your life or preserving your soul. When the Bible talks about soul, it can be talking about life. About our mortal state.

When we die, our life is no more. The Bible never talks about soul in the sense of immortal soul. In fact, the Bible uses the term soul 1,600 times. Never once does it put the word immortal with the word soul. Never once does it link those two things together. Wouldn’t you think if human beings had an immortal soul, that at least it would be linked once together in Scripture? In the Bible, it is never linked together. Only God is immortal currently. Mortal means subject to death. Immortal means imperishable. The Bible never uses the terms immortal soul or the immortality of the soul. The Bible does, however, speak about Jesus as the One who alone, is immortal.

Now to the King Eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. (1 Tim 1:17)

Immortality is something that God has. Something that God is. Not us. At least, not yet.

Shall mortal man be more just than his maker? (Job 4:17)

We are mortal. Our impermanence is acutely felt every time a loved one dies. Jesus Himself died and was resurrected. Why wouldn’t the same happen to us? We seek for immortality. But we do not have it now in our current state. The Bible tells us when it will happen:

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Cor 15:51-52)

We put on immortality when Christ comes. At His second coming. Because we are mortal. The Bible says clearly that “death is the LAST enemy to be destroyed.” (1 Cor 15:26)

As Humans. As mortals, we do seek for immortality. The Bible says that we put on immortality when Jesus comes again. We put it on when Christ comes. Currently, God alone has immortality.

Let’s look now at something in 1 Tim 6

In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. (1 Tim 6:13-16)

Christians who know their Bible look for the day that we’ll be clothed with immortality when Jesus comes. According to the Bible, God alone is the only One that has immortality now.

The ancient Greeks believed that the soul was immortal and that it would leave the body at death. Also, this idea of the immortality of the soul can be traced back to the Babylonians, it can be traced back to the Egyptian culture. Many pagan cultures had this idea. But the Bible always teaches that the soul was not/is not something that was/is immortal.

Mortality. It’s something we are, the product of body and breath. All our parts and pieces, including our character, collectively are “a living soul.” God created humans out of the dust of the ground, breathed into their nostrils the breath of the spirit of life. We become a living being, a living soul. The soul represents our life. We die, we no longer breathe, that life is over. The Scriptures teach that death is but a rest, a sleep, until the resurrection, and that there is nothing like the immortality of the soul found in the Bible.

What Does New Age/Spiritualism Say?

Spiritualism teaches that the soul is immortal. If you accept the idea of the immortality of the soul, then that leaves you very open, very vulnerable to spiritualism. If we believe the first lie that when we die, we don’t really die, we lay ourselves wide open for the last day deceptions of the devil and his demons who will either impersonate dead loved ones or even impersonate Christ at His second coming. (2 Cor 11:14)

The Bible speaks of spiritualistic delusions in the last days of earth’s history. The devil is preparing men and women through a false understanding or a misunderstanding of death. The devil is preparing men and women through that very first lie in Eden about death with the idea of the immortal soul. The devil will use that specific idea about death to deceive us. The devil can use wrong ideas about death to lead us down the pathway of destruction.

The Bible says

“As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, so they who go down to the grave do not come up. (Job 7:9)

You see, spiritualism says that there’s an immortal soul that leaves the body at death, and that under the right conditions, that this supposed immortal soul, this being that has died, didn’t really die and can still communicate with the living. But the Bible says death is a sleep until the resurrection. Just like the cloud disappears and vanishes, so too, the person who goes down to the grave is not going to come up again until the second coming and the resurrection.

“The dead know not anything.” (Eccl 9:5)

If you are someone who has seen a loved one and talked to them after they have died, you must follow the examples of others who have had to say to these spirit visitants:

“I know you’re not my loved one. I know you’re a demon. In the name of Jesus Christ, be gone.”

As we understand what the Bible really teaches about death, as we understand what the Bible teaches about the immortal soul, God will protect us in the spiritual crises and deceptions of the ages that is almost upon us now. That’s why it’s so vital to understand these truths from the Bible.

Several people I have talked to have said it something like this:

“There is no death in the graveyard. I have frequent talks with the dead. I cannot doubt that people live after death, for I frequently talk with them.”

From the popular, modern magazine called Psychic Powers, page 93 we read:

“The world of mediumship offers a tantalizing promise: the ability to act as a conduit between the living and the deceased. The ability to relay conversations from beyond the grave suggests that life doesn’t truly end with death, a notion that provides many people with comfort. Mediums claim that spirits can provide many people with comfort. Mediums claim that spirits can provide information about their lives, death, and the afterlife, messages that the medium can then relay to their client.

There is no scientific evidence to support the existence of an ability to channel the dead, but we do have insight as to why hearing words from the spirit world presents itself as a true phenomenon that people would want to fervently embrace. It allows us to contemplate a reality where the bond we share with our loved ones can be a magical conduit for communication, which provides comfort and affirmation that love, and life continue beyond death’s door.”

Spiritualism is repeating the first lie in these last days and this very same first lie will be the last lie by which many are deceived in these end times that we are living in now.

Spiritualism is dependent on the idea of the immortal soul. The Bible warns us against spiritualism for several good reasons.

“Do not go to mediums or wizards for advice—they will only make you unclean. I am the LORD your God. (Lev 19:31)

The people will say, “Go to the fortune-tellers and wizards who mumble and chirp like birds. Ask them what to do.” But I say, “Shouldn’t people go to their God for help? Why go to the dead to get help for the living?   You should follow the teachings and the agreement. I swear, if you follow those other things, there is no future for you. (Isa 8:19-20)

The Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe. They will obey spirits that tell lies. And they will follow the teachings of demons. (1 Tim 4:1)

Contrary to the teaching of the Bible, many people deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus. They reject the idea that for believers, death was being asleep until the second coming of Christ.

The Bible reveals the plans of God. The Bible unmasks the plans of Satan. The Bible teaches that death is like a sleep. The believer who dies is as secure as if they were sleeping in the arms of Jesus Christ. Safe in the arms of Jesus. That’s the message that Jesus gives to us in the Bible. More than 53 times in the Bible, death is mentioned as a sleep. 1 Corinthians 15: 51-52 says

Behold, I tell you a mystery. Jesus, through the apostle Paul, is going to tell us the mystery of death. He’s going to solve that mystery. We shall not all what? Sleep. But we shall be changed when? In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound. If it was true that we just go to heaven right away when we die, then why on earth would we need a resurrection? Why would Jesus drag us down for a resurrection if we were already in heaven? Who would want to leave heaven if they were already there?

When we die, it’s just as secure as sleeping in the arms of Jesus. We die and we just rest. There’s no pain, there’s no suffering, and notice there’s no passing of time. It says, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. When you fall asleep, what’s the next thing that you know? You wake up. You see Jesus, (Rev 1:7)

I once had a 13 1/2-hour surgery. When they put me to sleep, I lay on that operating table all day having all kinds of things happen to me and around me. But I was unaware of all of it. When I woke up it seemed as though only a few minutes had passed. I fell asleep and the next thing I knew, I was awake. That’s all death is. Nothing to be feared. If you’re a believer, we simply fall asleep and we rest. The next moment, the next instant, the next conscious thinking moment, we will see Christ coming. (Rev 1:7, Mark 14:62, Job 19:26-27)

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. We are changed in a moment, in an instant. Changed from mortality to immortality, to receive these glorious new bodies in Christ. But this only happens at the second coming. On that resurrection morning.

When God created Adam, He placed his breath within him, not within an immortal soul. (Gen 2:7). The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and he breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Notice what God is breathing into him. It’s the breath of life. Adam was not immortal” before this. Man becomes a living soul. What is this breath that God breathes into him? You see, death is creation in reverse. Death is nothing more than creation in reverse.

“Then the dust will return to the earth when we die as it was and the spirit will return to God who gave it. (Eccl 12:7)

Notice how it doesn’t say the SOUL will return to God who gave it. This is where many people make a big mistake. They think the soul and the spirit are the same thing. They are not. They are two different words that mean two different things. The spirit is nothing more than the breath that God breathed into us initially. The Old Testament word for spirit is ruach, and it means breath. So, God breathes his breath or His spirit, His life force into us.

What goes back to God?

The power of God that he has given us to sustain life.

The spirit and the soul are two different things in the Bible. The soul is something that we are. We are the product of body and breath combined. Not separate entities. The soul has to do with our life. The spirit is the breath of God that sustains or gives us that life. Only when God breathed into it, we lived. When he breathed into that body, we lived. If he wouldn’t have breathed his life into it, we would not have lived. So, the breath of life, the spirit of life, the life-giving force, energy that God puts in us enables us to live. Every breath we take is dependent on the very life that God gives us. It is His breath of life, not our’s.

When we die, we go back to the earth. “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” The breath/spirit goes back to Him, and we await in sleep that resurrection day. The spirit or breath of life, the power of life, goes back to God. The Bible teaches that the breath and the spirit are the very same thing. They are one in Scripture. But the “soul” is something quite different.

The Bible teaches in Job 27:3 that often there’s something called in Hebrew parallelism. God says something in the first verse. He explains it in the latter part of that verse.

if I have life within me, the breath of God is in my nostrils, (Job 27:3)

Notice, all the while my breath is where? In me. And the spirit of God is where? In my nostrils. Its the same thing. Breath equals spirit, in this case.

Let’s suppose that the light bulb represents our body. So, this represents our body, or we’re created out of the dust of the ground. Let’s suppose the electricity represents the spirit or the breath. So, somebody turn on the light. Throw the switch. There we go. Thank you very much. Okay, so when the power comes through the power cord, representing the breath or spirit, to the light bulb, what happens? There is illumination. So, to have illumination, what do you need? Do you need just power and the cord? No. You need what? A light bulb. Do you have a light bulb? Do you have illumination? No. You need power. The spirit represents the power. The light bulb is represented by the body. Now, if you turn off the power, please turn off the power. Thank you. Okay, if you turn off the power, what happens? The electricity is back to the powerhouse. What happens to the bulb? It no longer has illumination.

When a person dies, the spirit goes to God, the body, represented by the light bulb, is buried in the earth, and the person’s true life is hidden with Christ in God. They no longer exist as a living soul. They no longer exist as a living being. As a “living soul.” That which goes back to God is not something that thinks. It’s not something that feels. It’s not something that we can call some conscious entity. Since the power to create life is with God, his spirit, which gave life, returns to God. Is there any consciousness in death? Any thought processes going on in death?

The Bible says, Psalm 146:4

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.

If there was some kind of immortal soul that went back to God, which the Bible doesn’t teach,  what would happen to the thought processes? They would continue. But the Bible says the thought processes do what?

“His thoughts perish.”

Ecclesiastes, chapter 9:5-6 makes it so plain. Notice what it says. “Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.” (Eccl 9:4-6)

How much do the dead know? (nothing). The Bible says the dead know not anything. Their love, their hatred, their envy has now perished. If a person went immediately to heaven, they would have to have love to love God. They would, notice, if they went immediately to hell, they would have hatred or envy. But the Bible says the living know that they shall die. And that the dead knows how much? The dead don’t know anything. Every emotion is ceased. Why? Because they’re resting. Resting until Jesus comes. Resting until they receive their final reward. Resting until the resurrection of the righteous or the resurrection of the unrighteous. (Dan 12:2, Mat 25:46, Acts 24:15)

Death is asleep until Christ’s coming. The Bible writers mention this already over 50 different times. Let me give you some examples. Psalm 13:3,

Consider and hear me, David says, O Lord my God, enlighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. What did David believe about death? He believed that it was asleep. King David believed that it was a rest until the coming of Christ. And we find this same idea throughout the entire Old and New Testaments.

Next week, In Living Lies About Death #3 we will examine what the Bible calls “A Covenant with Death,” and a few other favorite arguments from people who say “we shall not surely die.”

“It is appointed to everyone to die once,” and for those who are loyal to Jesus and only what His Word says, they will rise again. On the resurrection morning.

Reading Time: 8 minutes

All Things Are of God

And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (2 Cor 5:18)

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who first gave to Him, and it will be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever! Amen. (Rom 11:33-36)

God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out our sins (see also Eph 2:13-18) and making us right with him. When we trust in Christ, we are no longer God’s enemies, or strangers or foreigners to him. Because we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same, and thus we are those who have the “task of reconciling people to him.”

But now in Christ Jesus you who were once afar off are made near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, He making us both one, and He has broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity (the Law of commandments contained in ordinances) so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, making peace between them; and so that He might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity in Himself. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off, and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (Eph 2:13-18)

All things in providence are of God. ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose’ (Rom 8:28). ‘For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever’ (Rom 11:36). Every event of providence is ordered and ruled according to the sovereign will of our God. The thoughts of men and the actions of men, good and bad, angels and demons, the path of every grain of dust on a windy day and the path of the whirlwind — everything in this universe is absolutely under the control and direction of God’s sovereign providence. Nothing happens by accident. Our great God, in his sovereign majesty, rules everything with as much case as if there were nothing to rule.

With undisturbed serenity, God rules! Because God rules all things, we know that all things will be so ruled of God as to bring about the spiritual and eternal good of all who trust him and all things will be to the praise of his glory, ‘According to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will’ (Eph 1:11). Because God is totally, absolutely, universally sovereign in providence, we know that his purpose will be accomplished and his promises will all be fulfilled. Anything less than a totally sovereign God cannot be confidently trusted.

All things are of God in salvation. ‘Salvation is of the Lord’ John 2:9). ‘By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God’ (Eph 2:8). ‘Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord’ (1 Cor 1:30-31).

Grace, redemption, regeneration, sanctification, preservation, resurrection and glorification are works of God alone. God gave us life. God gave us faith. God gave us a new heart and a new will by revealing Christ in us. We ‘are kept by the power of God’ (1 Pet 1:5).

We worship and trust and love the one true and living God, who is sovereign in creation, sovereign in providence and sovereign in salvation.

In the contemplation of Christ we linger on the shore of a love that is measureless. We endeavor to tell of this love, and language fails us. We consider His life on earth, His sacrifice for us, His work in heaven as our advocate, and the mansions He is preparing for those who love Him, and we can only exclaim, O the height and depth of the love of Christ! “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1John 4:10; 1John 3:1. {AA 333.3}

In every true disciple this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on the earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross to behold the Lamb of God. {AA 334.1}

God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out our sins (see also Eph 2:13-18) and making us right with him. When we trust in Christ, we are no longer God’s enemies, or strangers or foreigners to him. Because we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same, and thus we are those who have the “task of reconciling people to him.”

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom 5:10

The love that caused Christ to die is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us every day. The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that saved you and is available to you in your daily life. Be assured that, having begun a life with Christ, you have a reserve of power and love to call on each day for help to meet every challenge or trial. You can pray for God’s power and love as you need it.

Some have learned to see in the lowly Nazarene whom their forefathers rejected and crucified, the true Messiah of Israel. As their minds have grasped the significance of the familiar prophecies so long obscured by tradition and misinterpretation, their hearts have been filled with gratitude to God for the unspeakable gift He bestows upon every human being who chooses to accept Christ as a personal Saviour. {AA 379.3}

It is to this class that Isaiah referred in his prophecy,

“A remnant shall be saved.”

From Paul’s day to the present time, God by His Holy Spirit has been calling after the Jew as well as the Gentile.

“There is no respect of persons with God,” declared Paul.

The apostle regarded himself as “debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians,” as well as to the Jews; but he never lost sight of the decided advantages possessed by the Jews over others, “chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” “The gospel,” he declared, “is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

It is of this gospel of Christ, equally efficacious for Jew and Gentile, that Paul in his epistle to the Romans declared he was not ashamed. {AA 380.1}

Timothy once stated

I charge you before God (who makes all things alive) and in the sight of Christ Jesus (who witnessed the good confession to Pontius Pilate), that you keep the commandment without spot and without blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Tim 6:13-14)

In the immediate context, Paul was exhorting Timothy to avoid empty religious argumentation (1 Tim 6:3-5) and the greed of materialism (1 Tim 6:6-10). Timothy was to remain faithful to Christ until He appeared again. Thus, Paul was encouraging Timothy to focus on the return of Christ, not on temporal gain. The imminent return of Christ should be a motive for godly living (2 Pet 3:10-16; 1 John 2:28).

This “good confession” made by Christ in front of Pilate was equivalent to the “good profession” (1Tim 6:12—same Greek word) made by Timothy before many hostile witnesses. So with our own profession of faith (compare Mat 10:32; Rom 10:9; 1 John 4:15).

This is why Jesus said

Then everyone who shall confess Me before other people, I will confess them before My Father who is in Heaven.(Mat 10:32)

In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God expects His messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah’s eternal purpose, this will be to many of the Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul. As they see the Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures, and perceive how clearly the New Testament explains the Old, their slumbering faculties will be aroused, and they will recognize Christ as the Savior of the world. Many will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer. To them will be fulfilled the words, “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12. {AA 381.1}

A patchwork religion is not of the least value with God. He requires the whole heart. No part of it is to be reserved for the development of hereditary or cultivated tendencies to evil. To be harsh, to be severe, too self-important, selfish, to look out for one’s own selfish interest and yet be zealous that others shall deal unselfishly is a religion which is an abomination to God. Many have just such an experience daily, but it is a misrepresentation of the character of Christ {6BC 1101.6}

Before I knew Jesus I had suffered serious burns to 50% of my body. I became an addict, and I felt lost and alone and crippled from the burns and other injuries. One night I was lying in my hospital bed, crying loudly. I was afraid. Everyone thought I was going to die. Most of the nurses could not handle coming around me because I was a handful and I guess I looked like Frankenstein. But at shift change a different nurse came into my room and when she saw what was going on she just took my hand and said “David, I am going to stay right here with you until you are not afraid.” And I was asleep in just a few minutes.

That nurse had an amazing quality of goodness and compassion to her character that really stood out from all the other staff. She did not say a word about Bible, church, or any other such things. Over a period of years after that night, I would sometimes meet people who had a similar quality to their character as did that nurse. I remember saying to myself “I don’t know what these kind of people have, but whatever it is I want that too.” At one point I met some Adventists in Calgary, and again they had a similar character of hopefulness and compassion as did that precious nurse so many years ago and so I eventually gave my heart to Jesus and asked Him to be both Savior and Lord.

Some 25 years later I found myself back in the small Ontario town where I was burned and I decided to see if there was an Adventist Church there. Sure enough there was. Can you guess who was greeting visitors there that day as they entered the sanctuary? YES! It was that nurse! We both just burst out crying and after a bit, she said

“Oh David, are you a Christian now or did you just walk in off the street?”

And all I could say was BOTH! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Pure religion is an imitation of Christ. A religion that is built on self-confidence and selfishness is worthless. The true Christian is a follower of Christ. This following means walking in the light. The heart must be opened to receive the heavenly guest. As long as the heart is closed against His entrance, there can be in it no abiding peace. No sunshine can flood the chambers of the soul temple, breaking through the mist and cloud. {6BC 1101.2}

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.(Psalms 84:5-6, NIV)

In Bible times, the pilgrimage to the Temple passed through the barren Valley of Weeping. No specific valley has been definitively identified. But “Baca” properly means “dry valley.” The “weeping” may have been a symbolic reference to the times of struggles and tears through which people must pass on their way to meet God.

To experience God’s comfort. Growing strong in God’s presence is often preceded by a journey through the terror and barren places in our lives. The person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness even more deeply. If you are walking through your own Dry Valley, The Valley of Weeping today, be sure your pilgrimage leads toward God, not away from Him.

Comfort does not come to us who may be happy and hopeful and experiencing no disappointment. As mere mortals we must sometimes wander into the “depths” before we can experience the most precious of God’s gifts – comfort. This experience in receiving comfort from God Himself is what prepares us to be co-workers together WITH HIM. Not “for Him” but with Him.

The night time of our experiences may be fearful, unwanted even, yet night is necessary in the physical world, because sun and light are sure to follow. Similarly, when the needed night time of our lives gathers threateningly over the garden of our souls, when the leaves close up, and the flowers no longer hold any sunlight within their beautiful petals, there shall never be wanting. For even in the thickest darkness. The most frightening clouds, there will be drops of morning dew which cannot fall except that the sun goes down.

In our opening text for today, the phrase “whose heart is set on pilgrimage” refers those who make their way to the God, not out of obligation, but out of a wellspring of joy. Out of the express anticipation of God’s comfort. God’s guidance. The Valley of Baca, or “Valley of Weeping,” refers to the various difficulties that one might face on a pilgrimage. The person on a pilgrimage might discover that the once-dark, dry valley is filled with springs, rain, and pools—all signs of God’s blessing. From strength to strength. From glory to glory. (2 Cor 3:18) As we journey nearer to God, the rigors of the journey, the tortuous path of the dry valley become tolerable. For the joy of our approaching arrival strengthens the soul.

We, God’s sons and daughters are on a pilgrimage to the Heavenly City. We may have to pass through many a valley of weeping, and many a thirsty desert; and fearful dark, thick clouds, but wells of salvation shall be opened for us, and consolations sent for their support. Those that press forward in their Christian course and in divine providence, shall find God add grace to their graces. And those who grow in grace, shall be perfect in glory.

grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! (2 Pet 3:18, NIV)

It was Jesus Himself who said that it is eternal life to know Him (John 17:3)

Peter concludes this brief letter as he began,(2 Pet 3:18)urging his readers to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; that is, they were to get to know him better and better. This is the best way to discern false teaching. By knowing Jesus. No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, no matter how mature we are in our faith, the sinful world, our own dry dark experiences will always challenge our faith. We all still have much room for growth. (Rom 3:23) Every day we need to draw closer to Christ so that we will be prepared to stand for truth in any and all circumstances.

Friends, growing strong in God’s presence is often preceded by a journey through many barren places in our lives. The person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness even more deeply. To see God’s promises become alive and living right in their own Dry valley. If you are walking through your personal Valley of Weeping today, be sure your pilgrimage leads toward God, not away from him.

Jesus said: “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:38)

And when we are done our pilgrimage through the Dry Valley, Jesus promises

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'” (Rev 7:17)

God will provide for his children’s needs in their eternal home where there will be no hunger, thirst, or pain, and he will wipe away all tears. When you are suffering or torn apart by sorrow, take comfort in this promise of complete protection and relief.

All who have been faithful through the ages are singing before God’s throne. Their tribulations and sorrows are over. No more tears for sin, for all sins are forgiven; no more tears for suffering, for all suffering is over; no more tears for death, for all believers have been resurrected (1 Thes 4:15-17) to die no more.

Those whom the Lamb shall lead by the fountains of living waters, and from whose eyes He shall wipe away all tears, will be those now receiving the knowledge and understanding revealed in the Bible, the Word of God. {7BC 970.8}

We are to copy no human being. There is no human being wise enough to be our criterion. We are to look to the man Christ Jesus, who is complete in the perfection of righteousness and holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the pattern man. His experience is the measure of the experience that we are to gain. His character is our model. Let us, then, take our minds off the perplexities and the difficulties of this life, and fix them on Him, that by beholding we may be changed into His likeness. We may behold Christ to good purpose. We may safely look to Him; for He is all-wise. As we look to Him and think of Him, He will be formed within, the hope of glory. {7BC 970.9}

They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. (Psalms 36:8-9)

God Himself “will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.” (Isa 25:8)

And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isa 25:9)

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“…he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

Any human being who needs our sympathy and our kind efforts is our neighbor. The suffering and destitute of all classes are our neighbors; and when their wants are brought to our knowledge, it is our duty to relieve them as far as possible. By this parable our duty to our fellow mankind is forever settled. We are to care for every case of suffering and to look upon ourselves as God’s agents to relieve the needy to the very uttermost of our ability. We are to be laborers together with God.

There are some who manifest great affection for their relatives, for their friends and favorites, who yet fail to be kind and considerate to those who need tender sympathy, who need kindness and love. With earnest hearts let us inquire, Who is my neighbor? Our neighbors are not merely our associates and special friends; they are not simply those who belong to our church, or who think as we do. Our neighbors are the whole human family. We are to do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. We are to give to the world an exhibition of what it means to carry out the law of God. We are to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. {WM 45.2-3}

In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. (Col 3:23,ERV)

Since the Creation, God has given us work to do. If we could regard our work as an act of worship or service to God, such an attitude would take some of the drudgery and boredom out of it. We could work without complaining or resentment if we would treat our job problems as the cost of discipleship.

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4, NIV)

Think of our Lord Jesus being under the necessity of working:

“I must work.” (John 9:4)

Some people say that the word “must” in the verse is “just for the king;” but here is the King of kings declaring that the work is, by the most urgent necessity, laid upon Him. In return will not you, beloved brethren and sisters in Christ, come under this same divine necessity? Why would we not feel that we also must be doing all we can with and for our Divine Lord and Master?

Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind. Thus he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases, and the work of his grace upon the souls of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature. This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ saw him. And if we know or apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were first known of him.

A lot of people do not have the “I must Work” mind set. I recently encountered a young lady passed out in the hot sun and the cement sidewalk at a drive through fast food place. Her legs were actually resting on the pavement where cars were driving through. Everyone just kept driving past her, ignoring her completely! I was shocked to see so many people do that. But I thanked God that I got there when I did and was able to give her the help she needed.

“As long as I am in the world,” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Then having anointed the eyes of the blind man, He sent him to wash in the pool of Siloam, and the man’s sight was restored. Thus Jesus answered the question of the disciples in a practical way, as He usually answered questions put to Him from curiosity. The disciples were not called upon to discuss the question as to who had sinned or had not sinned, but to understand the power and mercy of God in giving sight to the blind. It was evident that there was no healing virtue in the clay, or in the pool wherein the blind man was sent to wash, but that the virtue was in Christ. {DA 471.4}

“Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy…(Jude 1:17-23)

Although they were to build themselves up, and to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep themselves in the love of God, yet this building, praying, and keeping, cannot merit heaven; for, after all their diligence, earnestness, self-denial, watching, obedience, etc., they must look for the Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bring them to Eternal Life.

Don’t be like all those who drove past that young lady in acute distress and then try to justify yourself by calling yourself a “christian.” Jesus won’t accept such hypocrisy. As Jude says: “Keep yourselves in the main current of God’s love. Build your character after the likeness of Christ. Pray in the Holy Spirit; keep at the open door/window of hope in Christ.

Remember that at one time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:12-13)

It seems that a special revelation was needed to teach people about God’s love. Nature alone cannot teach it, because of its uniformity; Providence alone cannot, because of its perplexity; Judaism could not, because of the sternness of its law; and heathenism could not, because of its coarse polytheistic and sensual associations.

The difficulty of receiving it lies in our own natures, enfeebled and degraded by sin. Our consciousness of sin makes us think God unloving, just as the erring child thinks the father cruel, and the faithless person with the one talent thought their master hard and unjust. As revealed, the love of God is no mere statement; it is an exhibited love, exhibited in a recovering purpose, in a priceless gift, in a mysterious sacrifice. But, as revealed, it needs appropriation by us. When appropriated it becomes a power to change our spirit and our life. It changes our views of God, life, duty, eternity, etc. We see all in the light of “crucified love.”

In our earthly life we know the help and the joy of keeping in the love of mother, wife, or friend. It must be more helpful and more blessed to keep in the love of God. To lose the light of God’s love is more—far more—than losing the sunlight off the flowers. How shall we keep ourselves in the love of God?

Cherish every loving thought of God that may be suggested to you.

Walk in righteousness, and you will ever be in the smiles of the love.

Watch over all your opportunities of heart-fellowship with Christ, for friendship needs communion.

Cultivate the child-spirit. Illustrate by our Lord putting the child in the midst of the people. No doubting in the child-heart. But can this counsel apply to all, “keep in the love”? Do we all believe the love which God hath unto us? Are any living on in sin, because they do not believe the love? Have you felt how God’s love to sinners shines forth from Calvary? I beseech you then, Come into the love, that we may be able to say also unto you, “Keep yourselves in the love of God.”

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. (Eccl 9:10, NIV)

In His ministry, Jesus would often reveal the total sinfulness of “every nation, tongue, tribe, and people,” and yet, Jesus offers His salvation to all. Only Jesus breaks down the walls of prejudice, reconciles all believers to God, and unifies us in one body. No matter who we are, we are only “one in Christ” because of the cross. (Gal 6:14). There is nothing for us without Christ and his cross. Jesus has paved us a new and living way to the throne of God’s grace by his own most precious blood.

 

 

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Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Pet 4:12-13)

At the time I am putting together this message, it seems like the areas all around me are on fire here in Northern Alberta. Perhaps, because I had 50% of my body burned in a house fire, it all effects me differently than it does for most people. But I can’t imagine anyone not being concerned. One thing I learned from my personal experience is how we can draw life lessons from all such tragedies. I am reminded of one news story in particular where a lady led some other hikers out of the back country to safety from the fires. The courage, resilience, and heroism of people comes to the forefront in all of this fire and disaster we face. It gives us hope to carry on. To rebuild. And I like to think that God has a hand in that.

The love of Christ is not a fitful feeling, but a living principle, which is to be made manifest as an abiding power in the heart. If the character and deportment of the shepherd is an exemplification of the truth they advocate, the Lord will set the seal of His approval to the work. The shepherd and the flock will become one, united by their common hope in Christ. {AA 516.1}

Like Daniel and his friends of old, God’s people can pray the following prayer:

“I have suffered much. Preserve my life Lord. According to your Word. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.” (Psalms 119:107,112)

Centuries ago. Not far from the present city of Bagdad,a mighty Behemoth was seen rising on the horizon of an ancient Babylonian plains called Dura. From this site, our message for today unfolds, a story of intrigue, conspiracy, drama and excitement. These events of the past point to another statue that is rising on the 21st century plains of Dura. From the book of Daniel, the story I am about to portray has a deep, figurative significance. And very real implications for this our day and age. In The Book of Heaven, the prophetic Scripture foreshadows a future episode in the history of our planet. A time of envy and religious bigotry, a day when we may be personally tried by fire.

The scene takes place in the land of Iraq. The site of the ancient city of Babylon. Three actors walk across the stage. They face a fierce confrontation with a mighty monarch. An invincible general who never lost a battle. The heroes of the story are three Jewish youth whose master was King Nebuchadnezzar. Thirteen times their names ring out in this chapter. Sounding like the pealing of a mighty bell. Shadrach Meshack and Abednigo.

But today’s message is much more than just a children’s story. Today, we are discussing the revelation of God’s power to deliver his servants who put their trust in him.

The Book of Heaven says in Daniel 3:1

“Nebuchadnezzar,the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits and the bread thereof six cubits. He set it up in the plains of Durah in the province of Babylon.”

Twenty years before, in the second chapter of Daniel Nebuchadnezzar was given a powerful lesson through Daniel’s interpretation of his dream. So impressed was he that he declared

“Of a truth. It is that your God is a God of gods and a Lord of Kings and a revealer of secrets. Seeing you could  reveal this secret.” (Dan 2:47)

In his dream, he had seen a mighty image with a head of gold. Arms and breastplates of silver. Thighs of brass. Legs of iron. Feet of iron mixed with clay. The image was a vivid representation, depicting the panorama of history yet to be. Each section of the image here represented a phase in the sweep of human history. The head of the image represented Babylon. The king had been pleased by Daniel’s words when he said, thou art this head of gold. (Daniel 2:38).

It was the remainder of the interpretation of the dream that bothered him. More and more, he became increasingly resentful of the words “After thee shall rise another.” Nebuchadnezzar decided that the dream needed to be reinterpreted. He decided to rewrite the prophecy. Daniel’s interpretation was to be set aside, to make room for his new theology.

Like many people today, Nebuchadnezzar decided to make God’s word fit his interests. Rather than to direct his life in conformity with the living word, he would make an image somewhat similar to the one he had seen in his dream. His image, however, would be a supposed improvement. It would not have feet of clay. It would not deteriorate in value from the head to the feet. It would be entirely of gold, suggesting that his kingdom would stand forever!

What would it cost to plate an image this side, this size, with pure gold? It didn’t matter. Pagans were often more generous with their religions than are many Christians today. We all know professing Christians who are miserly and give grudgingly to the cause of God. This monarch lavished an immense amount of wealth in creating his colossal image. The Chaldeans had never before produced anything so imposing and majestic as this resplendent statue. It was visible for miles around its gold plated surface. Blinding people’s eyes as the sun struck it. Nebuchadnezzar, the king, invited all the very important people in the then known world for the inauguration of his golden statue.

When the king said, come, people came by the thousands. He had no trouble drawing a large crowd. A herald cries aloud to you. It is commanded to all people, nations and languages. (Daniel 3:4) But no one can command or coerce worship. Certain things cannot be forced. You can’t command love, and you can’t command faith. I guess we can command performance. We can decide to pretend. But real worship is more than performance. Its not a show. It comes from the deep instincts of life. From the very soul of the worshipper. It’s more than standing up at the right time and bowing down at the right time. It’s more than bowing down in the direction of Mecca or Jerusalem or the rising of the sun. It’s more than cutting the throat of a lamb.

What was the message of the heralds?

Let’s read it there in Daniel 3:5

“at the time ye hear the sound of the cornet, the flute, the harp,  the sultry, the dulcimer and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. Listen to the royal symphony orchestra of Babylon. Or listen to the music that comes from God. Heavenly music belongs to the angels. The soul of the Christian overflows in gratitude and worship in strains of heavenly music.

Lucifer, one of heaven’s greatest musicians, fell from grace and from loyalty to God. In his fall, he has desecrated God’s beautiful gift. His off beat music is a prostitution of God’s gift. And to day it forms a background to permissiveness, darkness, folly and sin. It has become a part of the drug culture and many other horrible things.

The next verse says:

“and whoso falls not down and worships shall at the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace”

Now this is compelling language. How could any one differ with a despot, who could back up his arguments with a burning fiery furnace, or with a threat to cut you to pieces and make your house of dunghill?

All the people bowed down?

No, no, not quite. All the princes and the potentates of his world wide dominion gathered around the image, and they bowed down. But three men stood tall, ignoring the music, ignoring the dazzling image. Only they had the courage to be different. How conspicuous to be standing when every one else was bowing down. Three young men had learned from the history of their fathers, that disobedience to god results in dishonor, disaster and death, and that the fear of the lord is the beginning of the wisdom, the foundation of all true prosperity. They had been tested before. They had broken the laws of the court when they refused the king’s wine and the flesh. They had passed the test when at the end of their ten days of trial themselves, their countenance appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all of the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. (Daniel 1:15) Having stood firm for the right before they were made bolder to face a more terrible ordeal, these three despised persons of the Jewish race couldn’t be coerced by the then master of the world.

Going back now to Daniel, the third chapter, verse eight:

“Wherefore, at that time, CERTAIN Chaldeans came near and accused the Jews.”

The word translated accused literally means ate to pieces. A metaphor of fierce devouring malice.

“Oh Mother! Johnny didn’t have his eyes closed during prayer” sister Mary complained. “Well, how did you notice if your eyes were closed?” asked Mother.

CERTAIN CHALDEANS?

Though they were supposed to bow down to the ground, somehow they noticed that three people remained standing? Evidently, they weren’t concentrating on their worship of the golden image either! Twenty years before, the prayer of these three men had saved their lives when king Nebuchadnezzar had pronounced a death sentence upon them. Smooth murderers as they were. They were now stabbing their delivers in the back. These jealous predators rejoice in pointing to these CERTAIN Hebrews. The foreigners these slaves imported from Judea now showing their sheer insubordination, their dark and heinous ingratitude. Certainly, their disloyalty deserves a severe consequence?

How did the king react? Just as they hoped? He would. He was in a fit of rage. He was furious. He was livid. He was out of control, intoxicated with power. He could not brook disobedience or contradiction, let his expressed authority be resisted on however good grounds. And he exhibits his weakness flying into a passion of rage, ruler of the world. He was not equal to the more difficult task of ruling his own spirit. Nebuchadnezzar calls the three young people on the carpet. Is it true Shadrac, Meshak and Abednigo, that ye did not serve my gods nor worship the golden image which I have set up? He asks in disbelief. Can it be true that in this whole empire, there’s any one who dares to dispute my word or disobey my commandment? And of all people to defy him was his three favorites guilty of such? After all, Nebuchadnezzar was their despotic lord. Their employer. Their benefactor. Their friend. It was in their interest to please him. In his hands, rested their liberties and their lives. If they would prosper, they must earn his smile.

The 16th verse, Shadrack Meshak and Abednigo answered the king and said to the king:

“Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. The translation transmits an inaccurate idea. The word careful here means full of care. They answered carefully, but they weren’t anxious about the answer. They knew exactly what they were going to say. They did not deliberate. There was no hesitation. They were so calm and collected that they did not talk to him as king, but rather as Nebuchadnezzar, the man. It was a man to man conversation. In essence, they were saying, it’s not for us to answer you. There is another that will do that. They threw the onus unto God himself.

What grand language. What a noble resolve. What a marvellous example of faith in the living God. They rested their case with him more than 100 years earlier. The prophet Isaiah had penned the promise, when you pass through the waters, I will be with thee. When you walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned. Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2) Wrapped in such a promise, they could give their witness. Confidently never had any one spoken to him as these men did facing the threat of the burning fiery furnace. They had no excuses to offer, no fancy discourses, just a plain and simple avowal of loyalty to God. And they made it grandly with no sign of flurry or fluster.

They showed the very calmness and dignity that Nebuchadnezzar lacked. They had just talked to God Almighty. And when humans see the face of God, they’re not intimidated by the face of any person, no matter how important that person may be. They had been brought up to obey the ten commandments. They could repeat them by memory. Thou shalt not make unto thee any grave and image. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them. Exodus twenty verse four,the ten commandments are not negotiable,king or no king mandate or no mandate custom or no custom, furnace or no furnace,we will not bow down. They didn’t parley
with iniquity.

Now, in verse nineteen, Nebuchadnezzar is full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshak and Abednigo. Therefore he spake and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was normally supposed to be heated. Dressed in their trousers, shirts and mantles and turbans,they were picked up,and like living logs, they were hurled into the blazing furnace. The fire was so hot that the Book of Heaven says that the flame killed those men who took up Shadrak Meshak in Abednego (Daniel 32:2) Into the fire they went. And the king thought that he had put an end to the matter. But when man has done his worst, God can still do His best and lovingly add a final chapter.

And what a chapter it was. In his theory, Nebuchadenezzar had challenged Jehovah by saying, who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? (Daniel 2:15), but he did not realize the power he was opposing in a matter of minutes, this autocratic king got the revelation of his life. He saw the God that he had defied walking in the fire with his faithful servants.

And now Daniel 3:24-25 – Then Nebuchadnezzar, the king, was astonished and arose up in haste and spake and said unto his counsellors,did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, true o king. He answered and said, lo, I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt. And the form of the 4th is like the Son of God. Here we have what theologians call a theophane,a pre incarnate appearance of the Son of God. He had come down to walk with Enoch. He had visited Abraham and talked with Moses from the burning bush. Now he came to walk with Shadrach, Meshak and Abednego in the fire to the Lord. Fire is nothing to God. He is the lord of heat and cold. For Jesus, and by extension to the three men cast into the furnace, that furnace was as comfortable as the Garden of Eden.

Those living coals were as soft as silk to walk upon the fire couldn’t singe a single hair of their heads. They came out of the fire without even the smell of smoke. How did the king know what the Son of God looked like here? The Hebrew captives filling the positions of trust in Babylon had in life and character represented before him the truth they had told him, of Christ the redeemer to come. And in the form of the 4th, in the midst of the fire, the king recognized the Son of God.

Now, the great colossus faded into insignificance. The authority and the importance of king Nebuchadnezzar was completely forgotten. Nebuchadnezzar descended from the throne, and going to the mouth of the furnace, cried out “ye servants of the most high God. Come forth and come hither. (Dan 3:26) Then Shadrach, Meshak and Abednego came forth before the vast multitude showing themselves unhurt. The presence of their Savior had guarded them from harm. And only their fetters had been burned!

All the multitudes who came from far and near to admire and worship the great image which had been set up with such foul pomp! Had there attention directed to the God of Heaven. The king gave his testimony,blessed, be the god of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednigo who hath sent his angel and delivered his servants that trusted in him. Dan 3:28, the king made a public confession, seeking to exalt the god of heaven above all other gods. It was a position that he would soon forget. Now, he repeated his mistake. Human beings don’t learn easily. He made a new decree trying to enforce the Hebrew religion.

It is on this very point that prophecy reveals that human despots will repeat. The mistake of the ancient king. Religion is not something that can be enforced. When those in authority attempt to legislate human conscience, they always raise the ugly head of persecution. That day on the Plain of Dura, two invisible Powers met head on, the power of earthly ambition, inspired by the prince of darkness and the power of love, as revealed in the lives of men dedicated to truth and righteousness.

The Book of Revelation tells of another image that will soon be raised in the final days of the history of this earth as we know it. It’s called an image to the beast. Rev 13:15 It’s another behemoth on the 21st century Plain of Durah it’s already standing, waiting for it’s appointed time, demanding the worship of the multitudes. It’s an image to the beast in that many of its teachings and doctrines are identical. In order to honor this image, it will be necessary to disregard the ten commandments. Once again, we face the test.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:7-8)

We are told that God’s servants will be given over to suffer humiliation and abuse at the hands of those who, inspired by Satan are filled with envy and religious bigotry. Especially will the wrath of the disobedient be aroused against those who obey God’s commandments. Bible prophecy declares at last, and a universal decree will denounce those people as deserving of death. In earth’s final days before Jesus comes back again, God will have a people with a resolve to bear all consequences rather than to worship the idol of the hour as will be mandated by society. Defiance to the world’s threatenings from the burning embers of that fiery furnace by Shadrach Meshhak and Abednigo speak to each one of us today. Like Abel’s blood crying out from the ground, (Gen 4:10) their voices will cry out: “be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.” (Eph 6:10)

There will be a day when the question gets asked: CHRISTIAN! CAN YOU BURN?” What will our answer be? Whatever the future holds, burn Christians, if it comes to that, but never turn from the right way. Die, but never deny the truth. May God help each one of us to have that kind of courage.

John Chrysostom was one of the great Greek Church pioneers. Born in 347 AD. He was brought before the emperor at an early age to answer for his faith. The emperor said: “if you persist in being a Christian,I will banish you from your father’s land.” Chrysostom calmly replied “your majesty. You can’t do that. The whole world is my father’s land.” “Well, then I’ll take away all your property said the emperor. “No, you can’t do that either. My treasures are in heaven.” “Well, then I’ll send you to a place where there will  not be one friend to speak to you.” “You can’t do that. For I have a friend that sticks closer than a brother. And I shall have my brother Jesus Christ with me.” Then Ill just take away your life” said the Emperor. “You can’t do that either. My life is hid with Christ in God” Chrysostom replied.

I included above in this message a picture of me and the burns I sustained in that house fire years ago. That picture is taken from 2 years after the initial burns that I suffered. I should not have lived through all that terror. 32 surgeries over 7 years. If anyone had a reason to doubt God, could it be me? I am forever grateful for the heroic kindness of a few good people back then who lifted me up until I could stand again on my own. After all that I suffered, I still say with belief and confidence that I LOVE JESUS.

That was not blind obstinacy. It was the faith of Jesus! The faith of Jesus will characterize the last witnesses of God’s true church on earth when times get really brutal again. Whatever you might face in the future, no matter how terrifying the experience,you need not face it alone. The same friend who walked with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace, the same Friend who was with me in the flames, will walk with you, through it all.

Will you join me now in prayer:

Dear Father of us all. Please, bless us to day as we go through the Christian pilgrimage, through the blistering, burning wilderness of this world, may we be strong and true. Help us to follow you all the way, in spite of trials or temptations. Help everyone who is hearing my voice to be a recipient of the crown of life that is promised to those who are faithful to the end. We ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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Build yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, by looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21)

Jude tells us how to keep ourselves in the love of God. It is clear that Jude is encouraging us in this verse to cultivate our love for Christ, for we cannot be separated from His love for us (Rom 8:35-39).

We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it. (Heb 4:14-16, ERV)

Jesus is superior to any priest, pastor or prelate. The priesthood of Jesus is superior to any of our religious leaders and their professed priesthood. To the Jews back in Bible times, the high priest was the highest religious authority in the land. He alone entered the Most Holy Place in the Temple once a year to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation (Leviticus 16).

Similar to the high priest of ancient Bible times, Jesus mediates between God and us. (Heb 7:25) As humanity’s representative, he intercedes for us before God. As God’s Representative, Jesus assures us of God’s forgiveness. Jesus has not just more authority than humanity’s religious leaders. Jesus has ALL AUTHORITY (Mat 28:18, Phil 2:9, 1 Pet 3:22, Phil 2;10, John 19:11) and He will never give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8) because he is truly God and truly Man. Unlike the high priest, who could go before God only once a year, Christ is always at God’s right hand, interceding for us. He is always available to hear us when we pray. (Heb 7:25)

What a wonderful Friend we have at court as we face the coming judgment. After His resurrection Jesus spoke to His disciples, saying

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Col 2:10)

These words were spoken to all who will receive them as a living assurance!

Through nature and revelation, through His providence, and by the influence of His Spirit, God speaks to us. But these are not enough; we need also to pour out our hearts to Him. In order to have spiritual life and energy, we must have actual intercourse with our heavenly Father. Our minds may be drawn out toward Him; we may meditate upon His works, His mercies, His blessings; but this is not, in the fullest sense, communing with Him. In order to commune with God, we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life.

Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.

When Jesus was upon the earth, He taught His disciples how to pray. He directed them to present their daily needs before God, and to cast all their care upon Him. And the assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard, is assurance also to us.

Jesus Himself, while He dwelt among men, was often in prayer. Our Saviour identified Himself with our needs and weakness, in that He became a suppliant, a petitioner, seeking from His Father fresh supplies of strength, that He might come forth braced for duty and trial. He is our example in all things. He is a brother in our infirmities, “in all points tempted like as we are;” but as the sinless one His nature recoiled from evil; He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and a privilege. He found comfort and joy in communion with His Father. And if the Savior of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer.

Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children, and yet there is much manifest reluctance on our part to make known our wants to God. What can the angels of heaven think of poor helpless human beings, who are subject to temptation, when God’s heart of infinite love yearns toward them, ready to give them more than they can ask or think, and yet they pray so little and have so little faith? The angels love to bow before God; they love to be near Him. They regard communion with God as their highest joy; and yet the children of earth, who need so much the help that God only can give, seem satisfied to walk without the light of His Spirit, the companionship of His presence.

The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.

There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him. He has promised, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” Isaiah 44:3. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who long after God, may be sure that they will be filled. The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received.

Our great need is itself an argument and pleads most eloquently in our behalf. But the Lord is to be sought unto to do these things for us. He says, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” And “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Matthew 7:7; Romans 8:32. {SC 93.1-95.2}

Jesus once said something very interesting to Mary that relates to us today just how serious He was in how to bring the cross to bear in all of our affairs in these last days:

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” (John 20:16-17)

Here we see how Jesus did not want to receive the homage of His people, His Church, until He knew that His Sacrifice had been accepted by The Father and until he had received the assurance from God the Father Himself that His atonement for the sins of His people had been full and ample, and that through His blood alone they might gain eternal life. When Jesus ascended to Heaven he presented Himself on our behalf before the Throne of God, showing the marks of shame and cruelty upon His brow, His hands, His feet. (Zech 13:6) Jesus resisted the crown of glory, the royal robe, and even the adoration of angels, until the Father had signified that His offering was accepted.

Jesus also showed a strong desire to prefer concerning His chosen ones, His church here on earth, in that he wanted to have the relationship clearly defined that His redeemed should thereafter sustain to Heaven and to His Father.

For Jesus, His Church must be justified and accepted before He could accept any sort of Heavenly honor. Jesus has declared in His Word that where He was, there also His Church should be. In the mind of Christ, if He was to have this Heavenly glory, then His people too should share in this glory. Those of us who suffer with Jesus here on earth must finally reign with Him in His kingdom. In the most explicit manner, Jesus pleaded for His Church, identifying His interests with theirs. Advocating for us with a love and constancy stronger than death for our rights, titles gained through Him.

This is what Phil 2:5 means when it says

“let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

We should be found daily humbling ourselves before God, confessing our own individual sins, seeking the pardon of our transgressions, and cooperating with Christ in the work of preparing our souls to reflect the divine image. Unless we enter the sanctuary above, and unite with Christ in working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, (Phil 2:12) we will be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and shall be pronounced wanting.

We are assured in Heb 10:19 how we may have “boldness” or confidence to enter the Holiest (heavenly sanctuary in prayer) through the blood of Christ and in Eph 2:13 we know that “those who are afar off are made near the blood of Christ. We need never worry about the ever-darkening shadows of ecclesiastical authorities because ALL AUTHORITY has been given to Jesus and by His blood we share in His glory!

Some people talk about “keeping the faith” when what they should be talking about is giving it away!

My friends, sometimes our experiences, both good and bad can be powerful teachers. They shape us, help us grow in faith (for the purpose of giving more of it away) and they provide valuable lessons that we carry with us throughout our lives that we have the privilege of sharing with others in the form of our personal testimony on our own experience with Jesus. (1 John 1:1-3, Rev 12:11)

A good friend of mine shared with me a testimony about how God got her through a difficult, life-threatening pregnancy and child birth. Her baby came quite early and the situation was critical. Both her and the baby could have died. But through her faithful prayer her first daughter, a miracle baby was born. She prayed to live long enough to raise her baby, and God granted her that prayer. When she finished her story she said

“that’s how God really works His great power in my life.”

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)