The choice that God gave through Moses (given twice in the Book of Deuteronomy - 11:26 and 30:19) echoes down the centuries to all mankind: to hear and obey the Lord our God (Sh'ma), or to close our ears (lo-sh'ma - not to hear) and rebel against His word. What is our response today? Will we choose blessing or curse, life or death? This choice, for each of us, has eternal consequences.
A brief look around the world at the rising tide of evil, even in this last month, brings this choice for us into sharp focus, for none of us can know the day when our life here on this earth will end. Who can forget the recent attacks in Paris, Brussels, Nice, Munich, Ansbach, Rouen or Orlando (and of course Israel)? Nearly 6,000 precious lives world-wide have been ended suddenly in these attacks in the past two years alone.
God's desire for His ancient Hebrew people as they were about to enter the land He was giving them (and for us in these days) was: Be sure to hear and obey my decrees and laws; choose blessing and life. His love for them was expressed by encouraging them to consecrate to Him important things such as blood, life, offerings, sacrifices and tithes, and not just to do as they saw fit (Judg 21:6, 25) or as the pagan nations did in worshipping other gods and idols.
Do we today have a clear distinction between the sacred and the profane - between the holy and the common - between God's laws and liberal worldly values? Will we respond by seeking to walk in obedience to His laws and so receive His blessing - even His gift of eternal life?
God Blesses Obedience - So That We Might Be Grateful
If we fully obey God's laws with a willing heart, He promises rich blessings (Deut 15:4-5). For Israel the sh'mittah years were such a test. Every seven years, the land was to lie fallow (enjoy its sabbaths) and all debts were to be cancelled. They could lend to the nations but not borrow; they were to be open-handed (generous) to the poor and they were to release servants. Their gratitude was to be expressed as they attended the major Feasts (mo'edim, appointed times), Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost) and Sukkot (Tabernacles) in Jerusalem, God's appointed place.
They were to bring freewill offerings, in proportion to the Lord's blessing upon them (and thus in proportion to their obedience), given first to the Lord, but also to the poor and needy, and to rejoice in God's provision. None were to come empty-handed.
When we get a pay-rise at work, or an unexpected windfall, do we put aside a portion of this as an expression of thanks? Do we give generously and willingly to charities or to those in need, in gratitude for God's blessing to us? We have so much to be thankful for, even when times are hard. Jesus commended the widow, who out of her poverty, put in two mites (but "more than all the others" because it was all she had (Luke 21:2)).
One example of this gratitude for Israel was the decree to bring tithes. A mere tenth of our wealth doesn't seem much but are we also obedient to this command? In ancient Israel there were three tithes. The first tenth (ma'aser ha'rishon) was given to the Levites, the priests - those who, without pay, dedicated their whole lives to the Lord's service (there is a parallel here for us today also). But the priests were also to give a tenth of this to the Lord (then passed on to Aaron), and it was to be the best part of this tenth, because it was a tithe to the Lord. It was to be "the Lord's portion" (Num 18:29). We fulfil this decree by giving our best tenth to the Lord and His work in obedience to His command.
The second tenth (ma'aser ha'sheni) was set aside to ensure that the family had sufficient for a meal together in Jerusalem when they attended the Feasts, so they could rejoice in the Lord's provision for them in saving money for the family holiday. They would thus have something to share so that those less fortunate could also rejoice before the Lord. This is a mitva (righteous deed) that many are still fulfilling (would you like to have lunch with us today?) as they choose to obey God's laws.
The third tithe (ma'aser ha'ani) was a gift for the poor, a charitable gift given willingly which prevents hearts from becoming hard and rebellious, and ears from 'closing' to the needs of others. God provides for us that we might both rejoice in His gifts, and care for poorer folk, so that they also may rejoice in His provision through our generosity. In this, we find blessing too.
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good: His Chesed Endures Forever (Ps 136)
This tzedakah (love-gift) expresses our gratitude to the One whose chesed (mercy, loving-kindness, favour) is inexhaustible. Giving thanks in all circumstances is a command (1 Thess 5:17), where obedience brings blessing. But not giving thanks to God is described as godlessness and wickedness (Rom 1:18, 21). God gives us everything, our life, our wealth, our salvation, every breath we take. All we have comes from Him.
Giving Him our thanks is an appropriate response, and we have a simple choice whether to hear and obey His voice, and share his blessing of chesed with others, or to rebel against His goodness. This is a reflection of His nature, the One who shares Himself with us. Amazing thought! He says to us, "Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters and drink. Listen, listen to Me, give ear, hear Me, see My faithful love, that you may live" (Isa 55:2-3). This offer of abundant life was echoed by Jesus when He stood up during the Feast of Sukkot and cried out: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink" (itself a fulfilment of Isaiah's call). And some replied, "He is the Christ" (the Messiah, John 7:37, 41).
Nearly 90% of what the scriptures have foretold has already come to pass. This gives us confidence that the scriptures are a true guide for the coming times. God has shown us many signs in recent months and years which speak of events before Jesus' return (Matt 24; Mark 13; Luke 21). Indeed, six times Jesus Himself said, "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe, and have peace" (e.g. John 13:19; 14:29; 16:33).
Many times He told us of the signs of the end of this age, so that we should know what is coming, and not be troubled (John 14:1). He says to us: watch and pray (Matt. 24:42; Mark 13:35; Luke 21:36). John also tells us clearly that the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of falsehood is already in the world (1 John 4:6). Beloved, the hour is late. Let us listen to His voice and consider the choice that God gives us:
Choose to hear Him and obey - choose blessing - choose life.
Author: Greg Stevenson
This week's scriptures: Deuteronomy 11:26-16:7; Isaiah 54:11–55:5; John 7:37-52; 1 John 4:1-6.
It is vital that those in Britain who know the Lord declare the Gospel with their words and lives.
In last week's editorial, I wrote about the signs of God's blessing upon Britain in the aftermath of the vote to leave the European Union. All the forecasts of doom from those who wished Britain to remain within the EU have not been fulfilled.
The economy has not suffered dire consequences, the housing market has not collapsed, unemployment is down and retail sales are up, giving a general feeling of buoyancy and hope for the future. But will it last? That is the big question.
One of our readers posted a comment last week pointing out that God's blessings are conditional. He is absolutely right in this and if God's blessings upon the nation are to continue, there is a huge responsibility upon those who know the Bible and have some understanding of the nature and purposes of God.
Passing on the Message
Last week we reminded readers that only 44% of the nation now claim to be Christians and 48% say that they have no religion at all. In many churches in Britain today the congregation consists mainly of elderly worshippers which means that they have a huge responsibility for evangelism if these churches are to survive beyond the present generation.
If older Christians are to be successful in passing on the faith to the next generations, they not only need to know the Gospel but also need to understand what's going on in the world today. This was the great strength of the prophets of Israel, who were able to declare the word of the Lord with conviction and authority because they were keen observers of the contemporary world as well is being in communication with God.
If God's blessings upon the nation are to continue, there is a huge responsibility upon those who know the Bible and the purposes of God.
Jeremiah's great frustration was that nobody was aware of the great dangers facing the nation. He said:
I thought, these are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God. So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God. But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds. (Jer 5:4-5)
Jeremiah continued, "A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?" (Jer 5:31). The whole nation was living with a false sense of security when there was a tremendous storm brewing on the international scene and the moral and spiritual life of the nation was in a mess (see also the article on Jeremiah by Tony Pearce which we are publishing today).
Seismic map showing the impact of North Korea's recent nuclear test. See Photo Credits.
Very Present Dangers
There are many similarities with today. On the international scene the threats to world peace are growing daily, with North Korea now claiming the ability to launch a nuclear warhead on international ballistic missiles. Tensions between Russia and the USA are increasing in the highly unstable situation in the Middle East. The unspeakable horrors of the civil war in Syria show no signs of ending and Turkey's intervention has added further complication.
Poverty and deprivation in Africa are combining with the tragedy of the Middle East to force vast numbers of migrants to seek refuge in Europe. They are not only changing the face of our continent but also bringing with them militant Muslims who pose a threat to the communities where they settle. Their presence is having an unsettling effect throughout the European Union, where right-wing protest parties are gaining support and popular demand is rising to follow Britain's lead and leave the EU. All these things are increasing uncertainty for the future.
If ever there were a time for steady and firm international leadership it is surely today; but America is paralysed in the run-up to their November presidential election, the outcome of which could be even more disastrous. The choice facing the American electorate between the corrupt Clinton and the loudmouth bully Trump is unenviable. Voters will have to decide between the lesser of two evils: but either way the future for world peace looks ominous.
Jeremiah's day was like our own - the whole nation was living with a false sense of security while there was a tremendous storm brewing.
Times of Turmoil: How to Respond
So what does the Bible have to say that helps us to understand the world situation today and what Christians should be doing? Jesus warned that days of great turmoil would happen when nation would rise against nation and there would be famines and earthquakes and persecution of those who believe in God (Matt 24). The Apostle Paul warned of what he called "the man of lawlessness" being released into the world in a time of great rebellion among the nations (2 Thess 2).
None of us knows whether we are in those days. But we should all be aware of what is prophesied in the Bible so that we can communicate the Gospel effectively to our friends and neighbours, who are bewildered by what is happening and who do not know the word of the Lord, or his love and promises to those who are faithful to him.
We especially need to be praying young people into the Kingdom. The powers of darkness that they face have never been greater, especially with all the pressures of the internet and social media shaping their lives ever-more invasively. Young people are also vulnerable to the deliberate attempts of secular humanists and satanists to rob them of their innocence and thirst for the truth. Parents and grandparents should be aware of the intention of satanists to establish after-school clubs to counteract Christian teaching – it's already happening in the USA.1
We especially need to be praying young people into the Kingdom at this time.
Faith in Word and Deed
We should all be rejoicing in the sense of hope that there is in the nation today while also being on the alert to the enemies of God and their evil intentions. God is clearly giving us a window of opportunity to communicate his love and his purposes to more than half of the population who have no faith at all and who are at risk.
We need to remember that we communicate our faith as much through our daily lives as through our words. The Apostle John reminds us of the power of love. He says, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death" (1 John 3:14).
References
1 Horton, H. Satanic Temple tries to open after-school clubs in 9 US districts. The Telegraph, 5 August 2016.
Paul Luckraft reviews three of CFI's handy teaching booklets, each approaching this important topic with a slightly different emphasis.
Praying for Israel: Practical Guidelines (various contributors, 18 pages, available from CFI for £2.50)
This short booklet has been compiled from a selection of articles by various contributors including Lance Lambert and Derek White. As the title suggests, it is mainly a series of tips and hints for those who already see the need to pray for Israel and who are committed to this.
The first section gives a series of bullet points to enable stronger praying regarding the Church and Israel. The aim is to uplift those in the Church who support Israel and teach Hebraic roots, and to pray for a change of heart for those who do not. Each point is backed up with a verse from Scripture.
The second section recognises that praying for Israel is a spiritual battle which requires intervention in the heavenly places. Some 'prayer weapons' are listed, as are some scriptures (mainly verses from the Psalms) to enable the prayer warrior to cry to God from the heart.
The third section concerns praying for Israel in the modern world today. We are encouraged to pray for truth, for those in authority and for the salvation of both Jews and Arabs. Reconciliation and protection are also key issues. We should also not forget those in Israel who are already believers in Jesus.
The final section provides guidelines for corporate prayer. This is the longest section and gives practical advice for leaders of prayer groups as well as for those who are new to intercessory prayer. These final few pages are full of wisdom and good sense, and round off the whole booklet in an excellent way.
For Zion's Sake: Praying for the Restoration of Israel (Carl Kinbar, 12 pages, available from CFI for £2)
This is the shortest of the three booklets but overflows with excellent information and advice. It is a basic prayer guide for those who have a heart for the Jewish people and who desire to see the complete fulfilment of God's purposes for them.
It opens with an outline of God's basic plan for Israel based on passages from Ezekiel, highlighting the three main aspects of the prophetic promise; namely their return to the land, their restoration to God and then the reign of Messiah. These serve as the foundation for intercessory prayer on their behalf. Kinbar is clear that Jews are "restored to relationship with God in exactly the same way non-Jews are saved, by the grace of God through faith" (pp 3-4). The barrier of sin must be removed and a spiritual cleansing take place. Only then can they walk in God's ways and fulfil their destiny as a nation.
The rest of the booklet contains seven specific areas of prayer that arise from the prophetic pattern and which are shaped by God's promises. One area is to pray for believers and congregations already in the land. Another is to pray for the attitude of the Church and that it would fulfil its God-given role of making Israel jealous. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is explained in two ways, external and internal, covering both protection against enemies outside the land and reconciliation between factions inside the land.
The overall conclusion is that one day "God will capture the heart of Israel and possess her as a people who worship and serve him fully" (p13). Those who pray "For Zion's sake" have a part in that restoration.
Intercession: Called to be Watchmen (Lance Lambert, 28 pages, available from CFI for £2)
This longer booklet is obviously a transcript of a talk given by Lance back in 1987. Nevertheless, the principles it contains remain the same even though the final section on certain specifics of the time is now outdated.
Lance's first point is that interest in Israel must lead to intercession for them, rather than obsession with them. He asserts that 'watch and pray' should be a key instruction for all who love Israel.
He warns that intercession is the deepest form of prayer. It is not a light or easy thing. He gives details from the biblical examples of Moses, Samuel and Daniel to back up this point. Anyone wanting to be a watchman needs to feel called to this. He or she doesn't need special education but does need vision, someone who sees the Lord and what he is doing, not so much with physical eyes but with the eyes of the heart. Lance explains that the "function of a watchman is to guard the interests of the king and of the city" (p9).
He must see not only what is coming from outside, but also what is happening inside the city. His job is not only to see enemies coming from afar but also look for betrayers within.
Lance goes on to explore the mystery of intercession, including why God requires it at all. He also helpfully outlines common misconceptions regarding intercession. With the help of real life stories that are both amusing and alarming, he explains the errors and pitfalls that he has come across in practice, and warns of the dangers of entering into this ministry without the leading of the Spirit.
He ends with the costs and rewards of being an intercessor. Intercession requires "your whole being, spirit, soul and body for twenty-four hours of every day of every week of every year" (p20). This might seem rather daunting, even off-putting, but it is as well to be aware that intercession is a constant burden and not for Christians of 'minimal maturity'.
Taken together these three booklets provide a comprehensive set of teaching on this important topic of praying for Israel.
There are many more teaching booklets available through CFI (Christian Friends of Israel) – just click here.
The word 'Jeremiah' has come down the years to mean a foreteller of doom. But this does him an injustice, as Tony Pearce notes in the next of our series on the prophets.
Jeremiah was clearly not one of the more popular preachers of his day. It is unlikely that his diary was full of engagements or that he was invited to leadership meetings planning the next wave of revival. In fact, in his times of dejection he sat alone, lamenting the day of his birth and describing himself as a "man of strife and contention" whom everyone cursed (Jer 15:10).
Plain Warnings
Some might have argued that his isolation was his own fault. He did not go out of his way to make friends and influence people. He denounced his generation as spiritual and physical adulterers "going after other gods to their own hurt", and "like well-fed, lusty stallions, everyone neighed after his neighbour's wife" (Jer 5:8).
He had no time for their hypocritical form of religion in which they kept up appearances of faith in the Lord, while breaking at every turn the covenant he had made with them. He punctured their illusions, particularly the false assurance that, because the Temple stood in Jerusalem, God was under an obligation to defend them from enemy invasion and the deportation that had previously afflicted the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Jer 7:4).
Jeremiah warned his listeners plainly that God's condition for protection was that they amend their ways, that they "execute judgment between a man and his neighbour" and they do not go after other gods (Jer 7:5-6). For 23 years Jeremiah repeated this message, telling the people to repent and turn back to the Lord, upon which change of heart he would cause them to dwell in the land (Jer 25:3-6).
The People's Response
But although he faithfully relayed God's word to them, neither king nor priest, rich nor poor, would listen. Therefore, he said, God would compel them to listen by bringing Nebuchadnezzar against them to destroy the city and the Temple and taking them away captive to Babylon for 70 years (Jer 25:8-11). For this warning he was denounced as an enemy agent come to undermine the confidence of the people, thrown into prison, and left to die. A scroll containing his message - God's prophetic warning — was torn up and thrown into the fire by the king.
It was much more encouraging to listen to those who were prophesying peace, saying in effect, 'It does not matter how you live, laugh, enjoy yourselves, have parties and fun. God will look after you and give you peace, because you are the King's kids.' Jeremiah denounced these men as false prophets, which did little to improve his popularity rating. He prophesied that the sword, famine and pestilence, would come on that wicked generation (Jer 14:12).
The soothing prophecies of peace and safety were much more attractive and acceptable to the people. But they were false prophecies, while Jeremiah's predictions of forthcoming doom on that generation were true, and actually came to pass.
Soothing prophecies of peace and safety were much more attractive to the people - but they were false, while Jeremiah's predictions of forthcoming doom were true.
The catastrophe he had prophesied materialised and Jerusalem and the Temple lay in ruins. But did Jeremiah then point the finger and say, 'I told you so?' No. In the book of Lamentations he wrote, "My eyes overflow with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people" (Lam 3:48). His heart beat with the compassion and mercy of God. Even as he saw God fulfil his word of judgment he knew that "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases" (Lam 3:22).
Prophecies of Hope and Restoration
Jeremiah was not just a prophet of doom; he wrote some of the most beautiful pictures describing Israel's restoration, showing the people that there would be a "future and a hope" when they sought the Lord with all their heart.
70 years later in Babylon, Daniel recognised that the word of the Lord through Jeremiah concerning the desolation of Jerusalem had been fulfilled, and in prayer he confessed the sins of the nation (Dan 9). He coupled the disaster which had come upon Israel to the breaking of the covenant which God had made with her through the Law of Moses (Lev 26; Deut 28; Jer 31:32).
Following Daniel's prayer, Jeremiah's prophecies of restoration were fulfilled: the exiles returned from Babylon and the Temple was rebuilt. In the fullness of time the Messiah - whom Jeremiah also prophesied - came to bring in the new covenant made with "the house of Israel and the house of Judah". Through the witness of the first Jewish believers in Jesus, people all over the world can come into that new covenant and enjoy its benefits:
'I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts; And I will be their God and they shall be my people...They shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,' says the Lord, 'For I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more.' (Jer 31:31-34)
The Message for Today
The message of Jeremiah is relevant to our time, as we see the approaching judgments of the end times. We cannot "heal the hurt of the daughter of my people lightly, saying 'Peace, peace,' where there is no peace" (Jer 6:14). We cannot make grand promises of coming revival, where there is no true repentance and faith. Whether it makes us popular or not, we must warn of the terrible judgment that is coming on this wicked generation that rejects the word of the Lord.
The Lord Jesus warned of a time of great tribulation coming at the end of this age (Matt 24:21). As in Jeremiah's day there is a reason for this time of trouble coming. Our century has seen a rebellion against God on a scale that is unparalleled in human history. We boast of our technological ability which we vainly imagine has made us 'the Captains of our fate', no longer dependent on God. Yet the very technological advance contains the seeds of our own destruction as we pollute the only planet we can live on and create bigger and better weapons with which to destroy each other.
Whether it is popular or not, we must warn of the terrible judgment coming on this generation that rejects the word of the Lord.
Conscious of the coming calamity, nations and religions are joining hands in a vain attempt to save the world by means of a 'New World Order' backed by a 'Global Ethic' which, it is hoped, will unite humanity. The slogans are attractive and the promises dazzling, but it is a house built on the sand. It ignores the sin problem of humanity and decisively rejects the only solution to this problem - repentance and faith in the one way of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock
"Peace, peace, where there is no peace." "Peace and safety." The voice of the false prophets is as loud in our generation as it was in Jeremiah's. It offers a false peace and a false hope based on human potential and human goodness and reconciliation apart from God revealed in Jesus Christ.
The chastisement of our peace was upon him... (Isa 53:5)
But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace. (Eph 2:13-14)
The true prophets pointing to the Lord Jesus as the only way to God and warning of his soon coming in judgment face scorn, rejection and persecution as Jeremiah did in his day. They are not welcome at the great international gatherings where political and religious leaders try to sort out the world's problems. In the great ecumenical and inter-faith meetings the Lord Jesus too stands outside the door and knocks, as he stood outside the door of the worldly, self-confident church of Laodicea (Rev 3:20).
Does he also stand outside the door of many great evangelical and charismatic gatherings? David Wilkerson spoke of a "Christless Pentecost" in which phenomena and physical manifestations become the mark of spiritual re-birth, rather than a humble walk with the Lord and a life of service.
How many prophecies of coming great revival, backed by spectacular miracles which will dazzle the unbelieving world into submission, are in fact false prophecies, raising hopes and expectations but ultimately leading to disappointment and disillusion, as did the false prophecies of Jeremiah's day?
How many contemporary prophets of revival will the Lord say, "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and caused my people to hear my words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings" (Jer 23:21-22).
How many contemporary prophets of revival will the Lord say, 'I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied'.
Today God is looking for those who will stand for him in the public place, as Jeremiah did, and say to the kings (political leaders), the priests (religious leaders), the rich and poor alike: "Hear the word of the Lord...Amend your ways and your doings and I will cause you to dwell in this place" (Jer 7:2-3).
First published in Prophecy Today Vol 11 No 6, November 1995.
Clifford Denton draws his series to a close by offering his own perspective on 'the Rapture' and other hotly anticipated end times events.
Having written this short series with the primary purpose of encouraging each of us to study the end time scriptures for ourselves, individually and in groups, it would be unwise for me now to promote my own interpretations of these passages using details gleaned from my own studies.
Nevertheless, a few further ideas are worth sharing to bring the series to a conclusion and to illustrate the method of studying we have endorsed through it.
The Overall Framework is Vital
The end time scriptures should be read in the context of the whole of Scripture. God is completing his covenant plan – and so the end of time should be seen in the context of the whole of time. When we realise this, and no longer dip into the end time scriptures in isolation, not only will they become clearer but we will also be less prone to error caused by taking passages out of context.
The path to the future is a walk with the Holy Spirit, during which details previously obscured to us are made clearer as they become more relevant. Nevertheless, there are principles we can study – broader themes in which the detailed events of the end are embedded - which reassure us, protect us against deception and help us to prepare.
These include principles of covenant, God's plans and promises for Israel, the Feasts of the Lord, types and shadows of world history (especially the prominent empires of Bible times) and the centrality of Jesus. These are the main threads of the tapestry into which all time, including the end times, is set.
The end of time should be seen in the context of the whole of time – end time scriptures should not be dipped into in isolation.
From Shadows to Fulfilment
For example, the Feasts of the Lord are shadows of the main events of covenant history. Year after year, Israel was to observe these Feasts as a preparation for what was to come. The seven Feasts are Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavuot (Pentecost), Rosh HaShannah (Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Tabernacles).
We know that these Feasts are shadows of covenant history because of the way the first four were fulfilled by Jesus. Passover and Unleavened Bread pointed to his sacrificial death. Jesus was the Firstfuit of those being saved and the giving of his Holy Spirit fulfilled Pentecost.
Many scriptures in the Old Testament (Tanach) shed further light on how God begins with types and shadows and ends with fulfilment at the right time. Passover relates to the types and shadows of Israel's experience in Egypt and deliverance under Moses. Moses becomes a type and shadow of Jesus. Pentecost relates to the giving of the Law at Sinai and gives us a framework for understanding the relationship between Torah and the fulfilment of the New Covenant in the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Yet to Come
The last three Feasts are shadows pointing to Jesus' return. If many Jews did not recognise his fulfilment of the earlier Feasts, how much more must we take seriously the entirety of Scripture in preparation for his return? Indeed, his return is the central event of end time scriptures, completing God's chief aim throughout all history – the reversal of the Fall.
It has taken many centuries for this plan to be outworked. It is easy to get lost in the details of everyday life and forget this priority during the short span of our individual lives. All of history, especially the history of Israel, with so many types and shadows to teach us, is a preparation for the coming Kingdom.
The Feasts of the Lord are shadows of the main events of covenant history – the first four were fulfilled by Jesus.
God's Purposes for the Church...and Israel
For 2,000 years, a prominent emphasis has been the spread of the Gospel to the entire world. So prominent has this been, that it is sometimes mistakenly thought that God's purpose for the Christian Church in the Gentile world is the only focus of the end times. Some Christian theologies have taken the New Testament out of context of the Old Testament, neglecting God's continuing purposes for Israel and his bringing about of the One New Man of Ephesians 2.
Could the detaching of our concept of 'the Church' from the full picture of God's purposes be the reason for so much anticipation by many Christians for 'the Rapture'? Many are expecting to be taken, soon, out of these times. But is there not a journey to go yet which will be for further refining and for opportunities for witness in a world gravitating toward the time of a final one world system?
For this reason, I would like to make a brief comment on my own view of the times of tribulation and the timing for God's intervention on behalf of his own people.
Rapture?
I prefer not to use the term rapture. For one thing, different Christians mean different things by it. For another, though I understand the reason for the choice of the word rapture, it is not a biblical term.
The closest we can get in biblical terms to studying what this event may look like is the protection of the Israelites in Goshen during the plagues of Egypt, the protection from the angel of death at the first Passover and the protection of Noah's family at the Flood when God judged the entire world. Such comparisons illustrate the extreme circumstances that we expect the world to reach prior to the return of Jesus, and the time when we will need special protection when God's judgments begin to fall on the world.
All of history, especially the history of Israel, is a preparation for the coming Kingdom.
Scripture clearly indicates that the world will reach a point when some will be taken and some left (the event of Matthew 24:40-41). This is emphasised in a different way by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (the trumpet call and Jesus' disciples being caught up in the clouds, meeting the Lord in the air).
The nature and timing of this event must be considered with caution as the future unfolds. If we see this event outside of the principle of the One New Man of disciples from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, I believe an error is likely, especially the idea that 'the Church' will be 'raptured' to leave God to deal with the Jews.
My personal view is that there will be a distinction between the difficult days of the Anti-Christ (the Great Tribulation, described in the earlier chapters of Revelation) and the time of woes such as fell on Egypt (the bowls of judgment) beginning from Revelation 15. This is because of the "Immediately after" of Matthew 24:29, which leads me to consider the events described after this verse as fitting after the difficult days of the Anti-Christ.
My view is that we will need to persevere through the days of the Anti-Christ (called the Great Tribulation) and then expect God's intervention when he protects us from the days of wrath, taking us to a place of safety.
Jesus warned us not to listen to deceiving words about his coming so we must be careful what we listen to in these days, especially when interpreting the times prior to his return. Paul also warned about this when he wrote to the Thessalonians. He said that we must expect a great falling away prior to Jesus returning for his people and establishing his rule on earth (2 Thess 2).
Many Christians overly anticipate 'the Rapture' – have we detached our concept of 'the Church' from the full picture of God's purposes?
How We Read Scripture Determines How We Live
The way we read the end time scriptures influences the way we prepare for the days ahead and live our lives today. This is still an era for witness, for the strengthening of God's people through days of trial on the earth, for pure living, for watching and praying.
Too early an expectation of deliverance from the world system will lead us to passivity, unreality and poor preparation, possibly through lack of vigilance. When our views of a soon-to-come rapture remain unfulfilled, we may find ourselves more like the foolish virgins than the wise ones, giving up on active watching and waiting because we feel confused or let down.
144,000 from the Tribes of Israel
My own searching of the scriptures has also led me to ask questions about the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14, which are puzzling until one is given some keys of understanding. It is quite possible to resist the ideas of the Jehovah's Witnesses but still be left with a mystery! Are these literal numbers or figurative? Why is Israel singled out from the other 'tribes' of the world?
Surely God is reminding us that the Tribes of Israel will be retained in their pure (virgin) state, identifiable from the rest of the world, as a sign of God's faithfulness to his Covenant1 - but what of the 144,000? With that question at the back of my mind I thought I had perceived a clue when I read about the 100,000 lambs that Mesha, King of Moab, gave to Jehoram (2 Kings 3:4). That is a large number of lambs, if taken literally, for a tribal King in Moab to give regularly to the King of Israel. However, a study of the Hebrew for one thousand, the word eleph shows that this can be a literal number or a large number of a more general kind – a word for a large group such as a flock.
This makes more sense - not 100,000 lambs, but 100 large flocks. If we take the English of Revelation 7 back through the Greek from which it came back again to the Hebrew foundations, could this not be true for Israel too, that the 12,000 of each tribe are 12 large groups from each tribe (clans, say)? The picture clarifies if this is so: God will gather Israel as a nation of tribes and clans, just as it was in the old days. Our literal mind-set finds such figurative language hard, but this picture is compelling and reasonable.
The way we read the end time scriptures influences the way we prepare for the days ahead and live our lives today.
Yet the question still lingers at the back of the mind and one comes to another notable parallel. The times of Messiah in Isaiah 9 are likened to the times of Midian's defeat (Isa 9:4-5). This takes us back to Numbers 31, where Moses (a shadow of Messiah) was told to take revenge on Midian for what they did through the seduction of Balaam to cause Israel to intermarry with the Midianites. Such an act had the potential of assimilating Israel into the world. 1,000 warriors from each of Israel's 12 tribes was chosen to administer God's judgment on Midian.
This too echoes into the 12,000 from each tribe mentioned in Revelation 7 and 14, giving yet another emphasis on the imagery used by God. God will choose 12,000 from each of the Tribes of Israel as witnesses to his Covenant faithfulness. This time the victory is not over Midian but over the powers of satan, so that many will be redeemed through the shed blood of Jesus.
Perhaps both the above interpretations will prove true – and perhaps there is still more to see. My point is to illustrate that the whole of Scripture has light to shed on the topic of the end times – indeed, on whichever theme we are studying.
Finally...
If I were to select one final principle to have in mind as we proceed with our studies of the end times it comes from the very last chapter of the Book of Isaiah. In the context of proclamations concerning the end times, God said:
...on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word. (Isa 66:2)
The days we are entering will fulfil the final prophecies of the Bible. It is not a time for the headstrong. Let us listen to one another as we walk with the Lord, let us watch and pray according to Jesus' command, and let us test everything - being students of the whole of Scripture (more so than of the books being written by others today). Let us be those who tremble at his word.
Notes
1 There is a puzzle about the fact that Dan is not mentioned. I am still pondering on this, but it may be related to the situation right back in the days of the Judges, when the Tribe of Dan turned to idolatry (Judg 18) and so became treated by God like other idolatrous nations. This does not mean that the descendants of Dan are completely lost, but that they will hear the Gospel from a position of being mixed among the peoples of the world. Of course there may be other things as yet unseen that will shed light on this - or perhaps we must simply leave it in God's hands.
This week's scriptures: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25; Isaiah 49:14-51:3; Hebrews 11:8-13; Romans 8:31-39.
Some of the biggest battles we will fight in this life, the most difficult trials we experience, and the most important victories we win, take place in the depths and the secrecy of our own hearts – often without anyone else knowing. No external suffering, no persecution, no difficult circumstance, possesses quite the same power to challenge our serving the Lord as the subtle rebellions of the heart.
Indeed, it is the state of our hearts that will determine our responses to these external pressures and ultimately the impacts they will have on our lives – more than the other way around.
Stumbling Blocks
As Israel were poised to enter the Promised Land (finally!) after 40 years of wandering in the desert, Moses was keen to stress the great plans God had in store for them. Abundant blessings, victory over enemies, long life - the Father's desire to bless His children is more than apparent in these chapters. But with these promises of blessing came strong warnings of what would happen if they turned away from Him.
The stumbling blocks that God outlines in these chapters are all – I believe – ultimately about the human heart, and so they are applicable to all mankind, including us today. What were they? After 40 years of learning to lean upon the Lord and being disciplined by Him to walk in His ways, what were the Children of Israel expressly warned would nevertheless tempt them away from God if they weren't careful – despite all their training and discipleship?
1. Other gods (Deut 7:16; 8:19; 11:16-17): Moses repeatedly warned the people against being enticed to worship and adore anything above or instead of the Lord. The words used here – entice, snare – carry a warning of how subtly persuasive and dangerously attractive these idols can be. Whatever physical form they take – wood, stone, metal, electronic, flesh – they all too easily become a hiding-place for the heart, through which we feel better or more secure.
2. Fear (Deut 7:17-21; 9:1-3): Israel were warned against allowing themselves to be cowed by external threats or intimidating circumstances – but the lesson here was not about minimising the threat, but about maximising their view of God's power and learning to trust in His ability to fight for them. Fear is given ground when we lose sight of who God is and forget to trust Him.
3. Pride (Deut 8:12-14, 17-18; 9:4-6): Moses knew that blessings can easily begin to take up heart space that rightfully belongs to God, putting people at ease so that they forget their need of Him or begin to trust in themselves instead. God becomes a last resort instead of a first resort – and our own desires start to come first.
Each one of these snares leads back in some way to the idol of self - the putting of our own needs, desires and securities above our love for God and faith in His ability to be all to us. Moses was warning Israel in various ways to avoid at all costs the trap of loving themselves more than God.
He used a different turn of phrase, talking instead about the human tendency to be "stiff-necked" (Deut 9:6, 9:13) – that is, hard-hearted, rebellious, stubborn, arrogant, difficult and unwilling to listen. At the root of this, as at the root of all sin, is selfishness.
The Narrow Path
Being stiff-necked is the human condition – for the Children of Israel, for you and for me. Recognising the truth of this is the first step towards allowing God to overcome it for us. We will get nowhere in the battle against sin unless we first recognise that it exists (Rom 7:21-25) and that consequently our own hearts cannot be trusted.
Choosing to deny our sinful desires - laying down idols, removing the comfort blanket of fear, uprooting the foundation of pride and trusting God instead – is difficult. It is a narrow path that requires us to become both vulnerable before God, abandoning our desires and needs into His hands, and humble before Him, acknowledging that He alone is our provider, our protector, our victory.
What sustains us along this difficult road? What protects us against temptation and keeps our priorities right? What lights the path ahead when all seems utterly dark? What comforts us when we are forced to face up to the darkness in our own hearts? Only faith in the truth of who the Lord is and what He has done.
Constant Reminders
That is why, through these chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses emphasises again and again that the people were never to forget the Lord or what He had done for them – or that it was He who was the source of all their blessings and prosperity, past, present and future (e.g. Deut 8:11-18; 9:5). Their lives were to be marked, even defined, by constant praise and worship (Deut 8:10), remembrance of His character and mighty deeds, remembrance of where they had come from and who had brought them thus far, and a contrite understanding of their own sinfulness and need of Him.
They were to find any and every way possible to fix the truth of all this in their hearts and minds (Deut 11:18) and build it into their everyday lives and relationships (Deut 11:18-21).
How much more should we do likewise with our hectic and abundant lives, busy and full to the brim with 'stuff'? How many Christians fall away from the Lord not by wilfully choosing to rebel, but by simply allowing the stuff of life to creep in subtly and crowd Him out, so that they soon forget their need of Him? If we allow Him to be pushed out of our lives, there are always plenty of other things waiting to step in and fill the vacuum. But if we build every area of our lives around God, how much more will our everyday existences become redolent with His Presence, Love and Glory?
More Than Conquerors
Our hearts are deceitful and will betray us at a moment's notice. There is no escaping this in this life - nobody said that walking in God's way would be easy. But though often steep, we can proceed boldly thanks to the Lord Jesus, who Himself is The Way and stands ready to help us in every step if we will but submit ourselves to His Lordship.
Let us be courageous and faithful this week in the face of our own inadequacies, for "in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:37-39).
Author: Frances Rabbitts
The economy is unexpectedly buoyant in the wake of the Referendum - were the doom-mongers wrong?
What has happened to all the forecasts of doom and gloom that were heard in the run-up to the Referendum, predicting what would happen if Britain voted to leave the EU? George Osborne, who was then Chancellor of the Exchequer, even said that he would be forced to bring in an autumn budget with swingeing tax increases.
The Governor of the Bank of England hinted at a collapse of the British economy. The President of the IMF predicted dire consequences and even President Obama said that Britain would be last in the queue for trade deals with the USA. A whole army of world leaders conspired to scare the British people into voting to remain within the European Union.
Well, the British people demonstrated their independence! As an island people we have been used to standing alone. We have faced a hostile world many times in our history and we have not only survived but thrived. So what is happening today?
Certainly the pound has fallen in value which has affected British holidaymakers going overseas (although it has staged a partial revival in the past 24 hours), but apart from that there's been little noticeable change. We have certainly not seen unemployment rising, house prices falling and the economy collapsing.
General Feel of Buoyancy
In fact, unemployment has fallen – at least the number of those claiming unemployment benefits has fallen. Share prices have risen and the market seems buoyant. Retail sales were up by 1.4% in July; house prices continued to rise; lots of tourists came taking advantage of the weaker pound. Even the weather was good through much of August and our Olympic athletes came home with pockets full of gold. So there's been a general feel of buoyancy in the nation and hope for the future. The doom-mongers have been defeated – or so it would seem!
An army of world leaders conspired to scare the British people into voting to remain – have the doom-mongers been defeated?
Most of the nation is slowly going back to work. The children will soon be going back to school. The MPs will be returning to Westminster. The 'silly season' for journalists will soon be over and the real issues in the nation will have to be faced. Of course, before we really get down to business we will have to live through the annual political circus of the 'conference season' and the media moguls can flex their muscles with the entertainment provided by the Corbyn/Smith contest in the Labour Party and the delights of division among their supporters.
No doubt unemployment will fall farther in the next few months as we recruit thousands of new employees into the Civil Service to deal with the complexities of disentangling our legal system from the European Union. We also need to recruit a small army of skilled trade negotiators and lawyers to deal with the trade arrangements and constitutional agreements in everything from leaving the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Market to dealing with immigration and the multitude of foreigners living in Britain and Britons living in Europe.
Time of Unprecedented Change
But what is the real situation in the nation? Apart from all the constitutional and commercial complications, what can be said about Britain's health? No, I'm not talking about the NHS, or the junior doctors' strike and waiting times for operations. I'm concerned about the cultural and spiritual health of the nation in a time of significant upheaval.
What we are facing as a nation is unprecedented. We don't know where we're going or what the future holds and we have never been in such a position before.
During the 20th Century our fathers and grandfathers reluctantly fought two world wars to preserve our independence, democracy and concept of civilisation. As a nation they did not want to go to war but they saw no alternative. They did not know the future or the outcome but even in the darkest days they had confidence that what they were doing was right and that in the end righteousness would prevail – it was a matter of faith. They believed in the God of the Bible, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and they took a stand upon the conviction that the hardships they were enduring would be justified by the outcome, because God blesses those who take a stand for moral and spiritual righteousness.
During the darkest days of two world wars, the British people did not know the future, but faith carried them through.
Today, the majority of the nation does not share that faith. Only 43.8% of the nation regard themselves as Christian and 48.5% say they are non-believers – they have no faith in any kind of supernatural being – they are alone in the universe.1
The big question Christians have to face is whether or not the strength of our faith is sufficient to carry the nation. We know that Abraham pleaded with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah and he was told that if he could find 10 righteous individuals God would spare the city. Jeremiah was told "Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find that one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city" (Jer 5:1). So clearly God does not wait for everyone in a city or nation to be righteous before he pours out his blessings.
Blessings for Faith
Is God blessing Britain today through the many thousands of Christians who prayed for a vote to leave the EU? They believed that God wanted Britain to separate from the un-godly and unrighteous institutions of the European Union and to find a new relationship with our European neighbours through which God would demonstrate the blessings of righteousness and faith.
Is the strength of faith left in Britain sufficient to carry us through?
The Prophet Malachi faced a similar situation in Israel when he was told that if the people put their trust in the Lord and behaved in righteousness, God would not only bless them, but use them to evangelise their neighbours. He said, "'Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,' says the Lord Almighty. 'Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the Lord Almighty'" (Mal 3:10-12).
If all those who prayed (and voted) for Brexit would now seek to live in right relationships with God and their neighbours, sharing their faith and concentrating their prayers upon seeking God's blessing upon the nation, the promise given to Malachi could become true for Britain. The British people, who have long been a thorn in the flesh of the EU, would then become a blessing to Europe!
References
1 British Social Attitudes survey, published May 2016. See also coverage by The Guardian. The proportion declaring no religion peaked in 2009 at 51% and has since been falling, reports Inspire Magazine.
Clifford Denton continues his series on the end times by looking at Jesus' illustrative teaching.
In an earlier article we made the point that Scripture must be read in a meditative way, allowing the Holy Spirit to interpret what we read, rather than over-analysing it in our own strength. There is a stark contrast between the Hebraic faith-motivated life and the Greek philosophical mind-set that is of this world. Which way of thinking we adopt has a bearing on how we approach Scripture, including the end time scriptures and the illustrative language used by God.
Our God teaches us through visions, figurative language, parables, etc, speaking to our hearts through familiar images. Difficult though some of these are to understand, we must not consider them as puzzles to unravel - but illustrations that God uses on our walk with him.
Our Walk with God
Because the Western mindset can be over-analytical, it has led some to seek cut-and-dried formulae for the end times. This is not God's way. He speaks to us heart to heart to encourage us on a walk with him. Our God is near to us, and looks for our fellowship. Indeed, he abides in his people by the presence and power of his Holy Spirit. He is not a distant God who gives us formulae to live by independent of him.
Our New Covenant relationship is for the purpose of securing our walk with him. It is on this walk that we prayerfully study the scriptures pointing to the way ahead with sufficient clarity for today.
Our God is not a distant God who gives us formulae to live by independent of him – he is near to us and wants to walk with us.
Prophetic Insights Along the Way
The visions and dreams along the way sometimes seem to be engulfed in strange mystery that is hard to unravel. Some aspects might be revealed for the time in which the mystery is given, with other applications becoming clear later on. Kept in balance with our daily walk with him, however, we always have enough insight to encourage us for the present, warn us about where we might slip off track, and set a vision and a hope before us for the future.
If there is mystery to be unravelled, it will be unravelled by the Lord on our walk with him. If he revealed everything fully to us ahead of time, our walk would all too quickly become independent of him.
The Parables
As for all Scripture, in reading the parables we must resist the temptation of over-analysis and simply let the Lord speak, within the limits he intends. This too is part of the walk. Though parables are mysteries to those who are not given insight (Matt 13:11) the Holy Spirit gives understanding to Jesus' disciples. Parables bring a clear teaching on a certain theme for immediate application and also have ongoing relevance.
Each portion of Jesus' teaching through the parables is for a specific purpose, within intended limits and one aspect of the whole truth. On the one hand, his pictures are so carefully and appropriately chosen that it is good to read and re-read the same passages to deepen our understanding. On the other hand, if we try and push too hard we may add to what the Lord is saying, or create bias or even error.
Jesus' parables each had a specific purpose when they were told – but they also have ongoing relevance today as the Holy Spirit reveals understanding to us.
Multi-faceted Truth in Visions, Pictures and Parables
The end time teaching of the Bible contains a multitude of illustrations from God. Here are some of them by way of example:
- Horses among myrtle trees (Zech 1:8)
- Joshua the High Priest (Zech 3)
- Lampstand and olive trees (Zech 4)
- Flying scroll (Zech 5)
- Woman in a basket (Zech 5)
- Four chariots (Zech 6)
- A burning oven (Mal 4:1)
- Valley of dry bones (Ezek 37)
- Gog and Magog (Ezek 38)
- A sacrificial meal (Ezek 39:17-20)
- Nebuchadezzar's dream of a statue (Dan 2)
- Vision of a ram and goat (Dan 8)
- A sealed scroll (Dan 12:4)
- Seals, trumpets, bowls, woman and dragon, Babylon etc (Revelation)
There is much more we could add to this list, but it is sufficient to remind us that God uses a wide variety of images to speak to his people. Any individual illustration is a study of just one aspect of the whole truth. We must read everything in context of the whole and, in our walk with God into the future, allow him to bring further clarity at the right time.
The Wise and Foolish Virgins
Jesus' parables are among the clearest of Bible teaching and each have a particular emphasis. They include the parables of the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:21-35), the workers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16), the withered fig tree (Matt 21:18-22), the vinedressers (Matt 21:33-46), the growing fig tree (Matt 24:32-35), the wise and foolish virgins (Matt 25:1-13) and the talents (Matt 25:14-30). Like all illustrations in Scripture, however, they must not be taken beyond the point of his teaching, and must be kept within the context of the whole.
The parable of the wise and foolish virgins is especially important to us in these days. So let us be clear about what Jesus is teaching us through it - since it is a wonderful illustration for a particular purpose, but no more. Some modern Bible teachers have forced it to say more than was ever intended.
Because of its importance there has rightly been much attention drawn to it. Yet it is such a wonderful picture, pointing to the return of Jesus, that some have gone too far and extracted a formula for the end times from it.
Jesus' parables draw on familiar experiences of mankind, especially familiar in the days when they were first spoken. He draws our attention to what he wants to say by stirring our hearts and minds on matters that are meaningful and important to us – in this case the preparations that precede a wedding in ordinary human life. Jesus stirred the hearts of his listeners through a story of a bridegroom who had delayed his coming. Some of those waiting retained their watchfulness and expectation of his coming and some drifted away into apathy and sleepiness.
Jesus' parables draw on experiences that are familiar to us – he emphasises his message by stirring our hearts with matters that are meaningful to us.
The story prompts us to the context of his coming. It will be as wonderful as the best of human marriages, but the emphasis is not so much on the wedding as on how we should wait for him. The message to us is to "watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (Matt 25:13). This is our great teacher at work, emphasising his message and giving us a picture to emphasise the importance of it.
This could not be more important for the days in which we live, because we all can be prone to giving up and misinterpreting what we heard about his return. We are encouraged to watch and wait prayerfully for the wonderful final point of the end times.
Yet, for all its importance, this is not a formula for the end times. It is one of a number of images likened to his coming: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." not "The Kingdom of heaven is...". Some have pushed this parable so far as to make it a formula. Because the picture is in the context of a coming wedding and because the imagery of a wedding is used elsewhere (for example, the picture of Jesus preparing a place for us likened to many mansions (John 14:2)), some have used it to construct a detailed picture of the end times based on the order of events in a Middle Eastern marriage of Jesus' day, even to the extent of predicting the time of Jesus' return and supporting certain rapture theories. This fascinates those who are drawn in but perhaps extracts from the parable more than Jesus intended.
Even though there is plenty of teaching on aspects of the end times, we must be careful not to use a parable given for a specific purpose to draw more from it than was intended. This is true of every other aspect of Jesus' illustrations preparing us for his coming - whether spoken plainly or in mysteries.
Learning to Read End Time Scripture for Ourselves
Even through mysteries, God does not send us a puzzle to solve when he speaks to us through symbolic or visionary means. He often relates what he wants us to know with something familiar like a marriage, a fig tree, a sealed message, etc, as an anchor for his teaching. He wants us to understand – not to be confused!
Whether it be the symbol of a bridegroom returning, an owner returning to his vineyard, an investor returning to retrieve his investment or a fig tree blossoming, let us read the scriptures through the Spirit and let the key truth achieve the Lord's purposes, within the limits he intends.
Our Lord is coming. Let us watch and pray both individually and together as for a wonderful event like a wedding. Let us walk into the future in the Spirit of God, prayerfully considering all aspects of what the Bible says as we go, dependent on him, not according to a formula that we have sought to extract, or one passed on to us by others.
Next time: Some personal perspectives.
In Part 5 of our series on the message of the Prophets, Richard Griffiths looks at the prophet Nahum.
The Bible, someone once said, is a tale of two cities - Babylon and Jerusalem. Even before either was founded, and again after Babylon fell, there was confrontation between the people of God (represented by Jerusalem) and the enemies of God (Babylon).
Assyria and its capital city Nineveh were the historical predecessors of the Babylonian empire, but the 'Babylon principle' was as evident in Nineveh as it ever was in Babylon and its successors, the empires of Greece and Rome and their structures to the present day.
Nahum's prophecy is "an oracle concerning Nineveh" written probably during the mid-7th Century BC, but it contains principles relevant to every place and age.
Ninevah's Pride and Arrogance
Ninevah was not only a pagan city, but one unsurpassed for its pride, arrogance and determination to rule the world. Already, during the course of its relentless advance, Assyria had overrun the 10 northern tribes of Israel and their capital Samaria. Some 50 years before Nahum's prophecy, its armies had laid siege to Jerusalem itself.
Predecessor of Babylon, Ninevah was unsurpassed for its pride, arrogance and determination to rule the world.
During those years, Assyria had learned something of the ways of the living God (Isa 37:4); indeed, a hundred years earlier they had turned to God in repentance, responding to Jonah's message.
Their repentance had not lasted, however, and God's next warning came with awesome power. The leaders of the besieging Assyrian army had dared to ridicule the living God (Isa 37:4) by making him out to be no better than the gods of the nations (Isa 36:18-20). Isaiah predicted the downfall of the army and its king. In a single night the Angel of the Lord went out and put to death 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp (Isa 37:36).
Later, back in Nineveh, King Sennacherib of Assyria (who had dared to mock the true and living God at the walls of his temple) was brutally murdered while he was worshipping in the temple of his god Nisroch (Isa 37:38).
When God Draws Near, We Have a Choice
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a God who, from time to time, draws near. There are times when he is to be found and people should seek him; times when he is near and people should call upon him (Isa 55:6). At such times he comes in love and in judgment; to forgive or to destroy. At such times his prophets - Jonah, Isaiah, Nahum and others - may declare his judgment. Yet, whenever people turn to him in repentance, they find that he is a God who in wrath remembers mercy (Hab 3:2).
He has always been like that, from the day that he sorrowfully sought Adam and Eve in the cool of the day so soon after they had taken the forbidden fruit. Time and again his chosen people learnt this truth about their God when, even as they felt the first stirrings of his wrath, they turned to him - only to be enveloped in his love.
At the time of Jonah, the Assyrians tasted the consequences of repentance; at the time of Isaiah they experienced the inevitable results of defiance. They knew that the living God was not to be mocked (Gal 6:7), yet they still refused to honour him. Once again God spoke against Nineveh, and this time it was final.
At the time of Jonah, the Assyrians tasted the consequences of repentance; at the time of Isaiah they experienced the inevitable results of defiance.
Nahum: The Man
We know nothing of Nahum except what we can glean from the prophecy that bears his name, which means 'comforter'.
That a message of such stern judgment should come from a 'comforter' reminds us that the same Holy Spirit who inspired the message is both the comforter of believers and the one who convicts the unbelieving world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:7-11).
The object of his message, Nineveh, had a proud history. Even centuries after its ruin, its place may still be identified. By contrast, Nahum came from Elkosh. No-one can now identify the location of Elkosh, and no record remains of Nahum and his family - a nobody from nowhere, with a message concerning the downfall of the world's greatest superpower! Surely the weakness of God is stronger than the strength of man (1 Cor 1:25).
Nahum may have been a nobody, but his soul was aflame with the majesty of God. After the shortest of introductions his vision of God blazed from him (Nah 1:2-6). Here was a man whose mouth had been touched by coals from the altar (Isa 6:6-7).
The world, even though it will not acknowledge them, needs prophets; the need being particularly acute at times when God is 'drawing near' in judgment and mercy. We ourselves live in such times, yet sadly there are few leaders in whose hearts such prophetic fire burns. Could it be that we are so busy carving out our reputations and hurrying about God's business that we have no time left for the holy place?
Better a nobody walking in awe of God's majesty than any amount of human achievement and reputation. Nineveh had plenty of both, but Nahum feared God more than he feared Nineveh.
Better a nobody walking in awe of God's majesty than any amount of human achievement and reputation.
Nahum: The Message
Under Josiah, the people of Judah were once again returning to God and seeking him (2 Chron 34:3), and in fulfilment of his promises God returned to them (cf. Mal 3:7; Nah 1:15). In so doing he would overthrow their enemies. There was a confrontation between Nineveh and Jerusalem, but the outcome was determined by their response to God. It was Nahum's task to bring to both nations the revelation of God's burning holiness.
Nahum, however, perceived more than God's majesty. He saw, in vivid detail, the course and the consequence of God's judgment on Nineveh. Chapter two of his prophecy describes the Assyrians' hopeless attempts to save their city against the onslaught of the invading Medes.
With true insight Nahum sees that these adversaries are not the real enemy. Nineveh has defied God, and the Medes are merely the rod of his wrath. It is God who is against them (Nah 2:13). It is always the prophet's task to see beyond the superficialities of world events to the hand of God that orders them.
When God turns against a nation they are helpless. In the third chapter, Nahum introduces a note of panic. The aggressor has become the victim (Nah 3:1). The rhythm of the poetry changes to one of breathless fear through which again resounds the terrible declaration: "'I am against you', declares the Lord Almighty" (Nah 3:5).
A generation before, Assyria had taunted Jerusalem about its reliance on Egypt (Isa 36:6). Assyria was greater even than Egypt - why should not Jerusalem shelter under her protection (Isa 36:16,17)? Are you really better than Egypt? asks Nahum (Nah 3:8-9). It fell, and so will you, he says (3:10-11).
It is always the prophet's task to see beyond the superficialities of world events to the hand of God that orders them.
A People of Blazing Passion
Nahum stands in the great tradition of the Hebrew prophets: his prophetic word was born in the holy place. There was fire in his message - not the fire of oratory, nor even of poetry, but of the divine presence.
God is looking for men and women who are hungry for God; willing, like Nahum, to enter the holy place, and who out of that meeting with God, will have a blazing passion for him.
Standing in the holy place, he perceived the hand of God behind the events of history. He saw God's hand in the reforms of King Josiah and knew that the Lord was once again with his people. He saw the hand of God stretched out over Nineveh and knew that God had seen enough of the blood and the lies, the plunder and the victims (Nah 3:1). He did not hesitate to declare that God was against that wicked city.
Today, many of God's people are experiencing God's blessing in new ways, and are entering into a depth and reality of relationship with him such as they have never found before. What is to be the fruit of this?
As Christians respond to God's graciously drawing near today, I believe that he is wanting to raise up people who will be prophetic in our day, just as the leaders of revivals were in theirs. In meetings throughout Britain and in many other parts of the world, ordinary Christians are falling to the ground under the power of God's Spirit moving in their lives. One of my colleagues said at such a meeting, "It is not how you go down that matters, it is how you get up." Exactly so.
God is looking for men and women who are hungry for God; willing, like Nahum, to enter the holy place, and who out of that meeting with God, will have a blazing passion for him.
Today we talk of 'blessing,' but God is looking for more than that. He is looking for men and women who may be nobodies in the world's eyes, but who are hungry for God; willing, like Nahum, to enter into the holy place, and who, out of that meeting with God, will have a blazing passion for him, his purity and majesty. Given such people the church will once more be a prophetic voice calling the nations to repentance.
First published in Prophecy Today, Vol 11 No 1, January 1995.
Paul Luckraft reviews 'Hebraic Church' by Steve Maltz (2016, Saffron Planet Publishing).
This is the latest book from Steve Maltz, and the culmination of many years of thinking and writing about where the Church is today and where it should be. He contends that it is not possible for the Church to change significantly unless it is prepared to think differently. Attempts in the past to reform its practices have all run into the same persistent problem – the mindset has remained Greek. The original Church was Hebraic in its thinking and approach, and a recovery of this is needed if today's Church is to regain its strength and purpose.
The term 'Hebraic Church' is in many ways a strange one, and needs careful explanation, which Maltz provides early in the book. It is not, of course, about becoming Jewish or reverting to Judaism, but it does involve shedding the Greek-based Western influences which have robbed the Church of its Way, Truth and Life.
Contrasting Greek and Hebraic Thinking
The book is in three parts, covering the 'why', 'what' and 'how' of Hebraic Church. The first section includes a brief survey of the journey the Church has made over the centuries and where it has ended up today. Part of this is a review of Alice Bailey's 10 point plan to "wrench society away from its Christian roots" (p27), which over the past 70 years has been so successful in achieving its aim that it is not only a description of society now but also "a huge indictment of the modern Church" (p27) for allowing this to happen.
The Church must be prepared to think differently – with a Hebraic rather than a Greek mindset.
The rest of this section starts us off on the path of 'thinking differently' by comparing how Hebraic thinking contrasts with Greek Western thinking in two key areas: time and space. These vital concepts dominate the way we live.
Time seems to have us in its grip and has become a driving force, instead of a backcloth for remembering the wonderful moments in which God has acted in our world and in our lives. As for 'space' (meaning the objects that occupy space) the key is to think 'function, not form'. We need to change our perspective, understanding and appreciating things (and people!) not primarily for what they look like or how they're put together but for their God-ordained purpose and design. Maltz give details here of how to make the transition in our thinking - as a result, we sense there's a real adventure to go on.
Grappling with God Himself
The second section is the longest and covers five major themes: God, Jesus, the Bible, Israel, the Church. The aim of Hebraic Church is to enable everyone to engage directly with God and to create a people of extraordinary faith and vitality who can reveal God to the world. A man-centred approach to Church has to be abandoned. Instead the desire must be to grapple with God himself, rather than just adhere to the creeds or doctrine. God will always remain mysterious and paradoxical to some extent, and our 'put everything in its box' thinking does not serve us well when it comes to the Almighty.
Our desire must be to grapple with God himself, rather than just adhere to creeds or doctrine.
The chapter on Jesus is a summary of an earlier book, Jesus, Man of Many Names, and is a "whistle-stop tour of the Life and Times of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), from Creation to New Creation" (p82). Two parts especially stand out: Jesus as the Word and Jesus as Messiah.
In discussing the Bible, Maltz explains that in Hebraic terms study is considered a high form of worship and that the aim of learning is that we might revere God more. The purpose of Bible study is not to engage in an intellectual pursuit but to be able to participate more in its story. Too often the 'form' of the Bible is put ahead of its function - namely the primary means by which God communicates to his people.
In terms of how we study, the Hebraic model is the yeshiva or Beth Midrash, a communal affair involving dialogue, and often noisy! Studying in pairs is a good way of teasing out the truth; challenges and disagreements form part of the learning process.
Changing Church Attitudes
Attitudes towards Israel inevitably form part of the contrast between those who think Hebraically and those who do not. Here is a brief reminder of the differences between those who see Israel as still having a key role in God's purposes and those who have laid aside such considerations in favour of a Church that has replaced Israel.
The chapter includes a fascinating account of the meeting in 2002 between prominent Jews and Christians which was reported by Melanie Phillips in The Spectator under the title 'Christians who hate the Jews'. This is an eye-opener to those not previously aware of this meeting. Maltz points out that Hebraic Church would be remiss if it didn't provide "an active reminder of the history of "Christian" anti-Semitism...and truly work towards the mysterious entity of One New Man" (p120).
Too often the 'form' of the Bible is put ahead of its function - namely the primary means by which God communicates to his people.
The chapter on the Church is not surprisingly the longest. Many aspects come under the microscope including worship, good deeds as an expression of faith, and the use of storytelling (haggadah) as a means of passing on truth and wisdom. Also emphasised are prayer, discipleship, sin and repentance, and the importance of the festivals as God's calendar (his 'appointed times'). Perhaps Hebraic Church is best summed up as "a place where like-minded believers grow together, worship together, and exercise their gifts" (p160).
Working It Out Together
The final part of the book contains quite a bit of repetition of what has been said earlier but it is a useful review, as this section is essentially about putting the previous ideas into practice, best summed up as 'now let's do it!'. There are many practical suggestions all based upon the 'big thoughts' Maltz has been outlining in previous chapters.
Maltz is aware that such a transition into Hebraic thinking is not necessarily easy. For many it will be nothing less than a total transformation and can only occur if there is a practical context. To this end there are 'Hebraic Church' days at his Foundations conferences which are proving increasingly popular and productive. These conferences have become opportunities for testing the ideas in this book.
The author is clear that Hebraic Church is not a bid for a new denomination, nor should it be confused with one! Rather it is just a name, a convenient way of expressing the restoration of the Jewish roots of Christianity and the emerging One New Man movement. He is also aware that 'balance' has to be a key watchword. The Church has limped along in a lopsided unbalanced way for most of its life.
Maltz hosts Hebraic Church days to test out and apply the ideas in the book practically.
He concludes with a useful 'mission statement'. Hebraic Church provides "an environment where we can all meet God individually, discover and exercise all of our gifts (not just spiritual gifts) and callings and to worship the living God, with the correct application of His Word and an acknowledgement of the debt the Church has to the Jewish people, including a desire to bless them" (p202).
But no formal statement can adequately summarise what it is really about. Perhaps better is the thought that this is a dynamic way to rediscover that church can be exciting! In short, it is an adventure to set out on, with others, and with God.
You can buy Hebraic Church (222 pages, £10) by clicking this link.
*EVENT NOTICE: FOUNDATIONS CONFERENCES*
Steve Maltz's next Foundations conferences are in Suffolk (Bungay) from 30 September to 2 October 2016, and in Devon (Torquay), 2-4 December. Click here for more information and to book – places are still available but going quickly!