Hallelujah from the Psalms.

Psalm 22 is the prophetic insight into the crucifixion. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” gives way to “praise” in verse 22. “Hallelujah” shattered the gloom of grief and the darkness of despair. “Hallelujah” flowed from the lips of Jesus as He praised His Father for the victory over torture and death. “Hallelujah” is the believers’ anthem of praise for the resurrection of Christ Jesus. 

There Jesus is depicted sharing the reality of His victory with His people. Hallelujah comes from ‘halal’ Jewish word for praise and ‘Jah’ means God. This word resonates throughout Scripture, and particularly in the Psalms. In this collection of 150, the psalm 22 about the crucifixion and resurrection leads the ‘Halal’ chorus. How fitting it is that they would point to the words which would flow from the lips of Jesus.

In the next verse we are invited to agree with what Jesus celebrated. ‘You who fear the Lord, praise Him; all you of the seed of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you of the seed of Israel.’ Then, in verse 26 it says that those who seek the Lord shall praise Him and live forever. 

Christians have countless reasons for echoing the many ‘Hallelujahs’ found in the psalms. Psalm 56:4a ‘In God, I will praise His word in God I have put my trust…’. Do we honestly express a “Hallelujah” for the 66 books of the Scriptures? Within this library of God and from Him to us, we can understand Creation and Humanity and the chaos caused by Sin and Satan. More than that, we read of the Lord of Heaven coming to redeem repentant sinners, overthrow sin and death at the cross, offer a new start in life and journey with us to His glory. Psalm 119 is the psalm of praise for God’s Word and its influence within a life.

Those who have heard Handel’s majestic ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from ‘The Messiah’ know the thrill it gives to the heart and mind. Handel tapped into the very essence of the Psalmist’s heart and expressed it with grace and power. It gives expression to how those with faith in and experience with Christ Jesus feel about the Lord and Saviour.  To quote the Psalmist again ‘I will praise the name of God with song, and magnify Him with thanksgiving’ (Ps 69:30). Those who know the transforming grace given by Jesus, His forgiveness, His peace and His promises, cannot help but sing His praises. We may be tone deaf, flat or melodic and exuberant but what the Lord hears is our heart. In turn I believe it makes us sound awesome in the ears of God the Father when we sing praises to God the Son.

The Psalms begins with the word ‘Blessed’ and closes with the word praise. In between are the experiences of God’s people across time. They are confronted with opposition, frustration, enemies, failure, catastrophes and demonic assaults. These are intended by the Devil to shatter God’s promise of being the ‘blessed’ person. What unfolds in the believer’s experience is the faithfulness of God in and through all those moments of pain and confusion. 

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Sure, we will wrestle with many issues throughout life but we tie ourselves to His unchanging grace and eternal Word. That is why we have hope. That is why we can sing “Hallelujah” even as tears flow, for God will not forsake us. The Psalmist even asked Him to collect his tears in a bottle and record them in Heaven’s book (Ps 56:8). I think it was so that later God would vindicate the Psalmist.  This caused the writer, David, to exclaim “In God will I praise (Hallelujah) His word” (verse 10).

The final five Psalms form a quintet of Hallelujahs. What a crescendo we enter into as we read them as a testimony of God’s faithfulness, the believer’s testimony and the declaration

of Faith. “Hallelujah” is proclaimed 20 times. I like to think that number represents 2x10. Two points to testimony and ten expresses God’s perfect order within His world. Are the closing 20 Hallelujahs the Psalmist’s overwhelming testimony and conviction to God’s perfect sovereign rule within a believer’s life? What do you think?

Hallelujah!
Copyright Ray Hawkins Sept 17 2017.

Where Marriage was created.

The sexual debate has gone full circle from Caesar's time to now. When the Church began its entrance into Gentile territory it faced a sexual minefield. Rome's attitude to sexual relations was in stark contrast to that upheld by the Judeo-Christian faith. How did the Christian faith take on the challenge? 

By paying a high price in its commitment to the Scriptures Jesus believed in. By an understanding that marriage had links to the Creation of Adam and Eve. Believers showed a better way in their marital relationship and its impact upon the children. I don't read of Christians holding protest marches but rather being vilified for their stance and power of debate. The cross triumphed over the sword and the arena by the faithful witness even unto death.

Why would people once happy with a free and easy, unrestrained sexual taste remove themselves from that scene? Why would they be willing to be scorned by those once considered friends? Because the came to understand that marriage was more than sex and having legitimate heirs. Behind it was a spiritual dimension that only the Creator would explain much later. This reason undergirding marriage has for many Christians and church goers been neglected, or worse still, debunked.

Genesis tells us that the Lord created Adam first and from his side made Eve. How ridiculous! We all know it is the woman which gives birth. Why would the Creator stretch our credibility with Adam producing Eve? This isn't only recorded in Genesis 2:21-25 but by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:13. It is only the Scriptures that tells of the reason and it is twofold. One is that when a husband and wife come together in the sexual act they become one flesh. This is why the Bible is so strident against promiscuity. It is also the same reason as to why same sex relationships will never be valid  in the Lord God's sight. 

The other reason is that Eve being formed from out of the side of Adam pointed to Christ and the cross. Jesus is the redeemer. He is also the One (and the only One) from whom the Church could come. The significance of the spear into His side is for forgiveness, yes, but more so for the creation, birth, forming of the Church. That is why the Church is likened to a bride. It takes us back to the Creative act of God in Genesis. Therefore when a person was converted and realised the call upon his or her life a new mindset based upon the Bible developed.

Within this new realm grew a desire to honour the Lord and Saviour. To do that required making a commitment to live a life pleasing to Him. There are many verses in the New Testament explaining the difficulties but determination in living such a life. Too many disciples of Christ have too little understanding of the lifestyle required as pleasing unto their Lord.

Let us stand our ground as to why the Christian concept of marriage is best for our society. we don't have to be rude, crude or derogatory towards other views. However we may need to develop a mindset which will endure various forms of opposition. The best answer is in many ways is being muffled by relationship breakdowns of church goers. What is needed by non-Christians to see is a fulfilled, interesting, growing and enjoyable marriage between a man and a woman who seek to honour Jesus. Let it be your!

Ray Hawkins 13.8.2017
The devotional 'From Eden with Love is about Marriage. It is available from Christian bookshops and as an ebook.

You can get it from me, the author, also.

Good enough for God!?

Good enough for God?

We tend to think so. This arises from out of our own construction of who we think he, she, it, is. God could not keep us out of Heaven because we have fashioned him, she, it. God may keep others, less nice or naughtier than us from entering for we are the ‘good enough ones.’ How then is it possible for those not up to our standard to have any hope of entering the Celestial city? Are they without hope, locked into fatalism and despair?

There is a historical record of two men considered the worst of their kind. From all accounts they had no chance of receiving a pass into Heaven. One was a king, the other a prominent religious figure of his day.

Manasseh was king over Judah for 55 years. He violated Judah and Yahweh’s covenant, placed idols around the country, in the Temple and worshipped the stars. This man sacrificed his sons to Molech and practiced witchcraft and sorcery. All this corrupted the spiritual and moral life of the nation. His story is in 2 Chronicles 33 of the Bible. Most would write him off. Not the Lord God of Glory who is revealed in the Christian Bible. This true and living Lord God caused Manasseh to be humiliated by Assyria, and terribly afflicted. Sorcery and power could not help him. The affliction did, however, wake up his dormant realisation of the holy and everlasting God. The king cried out for mercy. He repented of his ungodly reign, He sought forgiveness. He made restitution to his people and to Yahweh. He removed the idols and sorcerers. In all this Manasseh was supported by God’s true servants.

The other ‘un-good enough’ for God was religious, devout, moral and intent upon protecting his religion from corruption. He was intent on proving he was worthy of a free pass to Heaven. Paul the Pharisee saw it as his duty to destroy those who were disciples of the crucified Jesus of Nazareth. Surely, he would have been acceptable. Paul was sincere, scrupulous in religious observance and an aggressive defender of his belief system. However, in his words recorded in the book of Acts and Timothy he was the chief of sinners. Paul was on rock bottom. No one was under him. He was the worst possible person according to God’s estimation.

Something happened to him on the Damascus road. His self-righteousness and sense of receiving an entrance into Heaven was shattered. How? He came into contact with Jesus. Paul realised this Jesus was the standard demanded for Heaven. This Pharisee knew he was doomed. Was there any hope for the worst of sinners? His testimony in 1 Timothy 1:12-17 is awesome in its simplicity and powerful in its message of grace. Here is a part of it: ‘This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.’

These two men weren’t good enough for Heaven – yet they’ll be there! Manasseh and Paul actually demonstrate the fact that Heaven isn’t for good people. It is for ‘the un-good’ the failures in being worthy, sinners so defined. That means there is hope for all of us when we recognise we will never get a free pass to the Celestial City on our merit. We need something, someone to deal with our failures, un-goodness, and sinfulness. The Bible says that has been dealt with by Jesus on the cross. He forgives when we cry out for mercy. He cleanses when we confess our need for newness. He gives us the quality of life demanded by Heaven’s ‘gate-keeper.’ Therefore, when we admit we are not good enough for glory but are failure we actually open ourselves up to the grace of God. All of that is found in Christ Jesus and becomes ours when we claim Him as our Lord and Saviour.

As Christ Jesus on the cross was able to reach back to Manasseh (and beyond him) and

forward to Paul, He can reach you. The question is ‘will you let Him?’

©Ray Hawkins Jan 4^th 2016.

Jesus' Healing Powers Reveal - ?

From out of obscurity into being a celebrity is the story of Jesus. In Matthew 4:17 it is written ‘Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.”’ Why would anybody listen to Him? That is answered in verses 23-25. it is recorded that He cured every disease and every sickness. Later, when John the baptiser asked a question from his prison cell Jesus’ answer pointed him back to the prophets.

What is the significance behind the words of Jesus about the blind seeing, the lame walking, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear and the dead are raised to life? Apart from reassuring John that his role as ‘forerunner’ wasn’t in vain, Jesus was making a statement about Himself. This wasn't about ego, it was about the prophetic word. In them there are specific statements linking Yahweh to certain acts of healing. Isaiah 35 points to the time when God will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap and the tongue of the speechless will sing for joy. Compare also Psalms 146:8, 103:3.

What Jesus was unfolding, to John and all others was the wonder of Jesus being Emmanuel, the God who is with us. He was declaring for all who can grasp it, He is the Lord God come to the people as the promised Servant of Isaiah 42.1-9. One of the signs by which He will verify His mission was ‘to open the eyes that are blind.’ The very moving account of just such a healing is found in John 5.1-18. In that final verse is the punch line pointing to Jesus. The Jews wanted to kill Jesus because He was making Himself equal with God (compare John 10:28-33).

The healing miracles of Jesus astounded the people and annoyed the Nation’s leaders. The Lord healed individuals and each one was a declaration that the Kingdom of God was impressing itself upon the Nation. If Jesus could do this to an individual then there was National implications. Unfortunately, the leaders of the country had eyes which wouldn’t see and hearts as cold and hard as granite.  Instead of assessing Him in the light of their Scriptures they judged Him by their prejudices and preconceived ideas. To them He was, and remained ‘Belzeebub’ and His power source was the Devil. When they had the opportunity to remove Jesus from the earth they took it. That happened when Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, an amount the Sanhedrin was more than willing to pay.

Knowing the story as we do what eventuated still moves us with wonder and gratitude. Their betrayal and unjust condemnation of the Man from Nazareth became the most attractive power in the universe. Jesus foretold that when He said if He was lifted up, He would draw all peoples unto Himself (John 12:32). The healer of the physical, emotional and mental condition of people now became the One who would make believers morally and spiritual whole. The cross offered redemption. This paved the way for forgiveness. Personal repentance and faith would transform the lost believer into the found, the cursed into favoured ones and the rejected and despised into the accepted and loved.

The cross of Christ Jesus also transformed Him. He who was the healing servant of Isaiah 42 now became the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. In that glorious passage what do we read? ‘By his bruises we are healed!’ (NRSV) What is that healing? The Nation which was under the curse of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 was set free. The dire picture of Isaiah 1 was blotted out. Jesus became Sin so as to take it out of God’s sight when dealing with the Nation and with us. How sad it must have been for Peter and John according to Acts 3:17-26. They offered the Nation God’s promise of ‘times of refreshing’ and the return of the Messiah and the universal restoration long promised. It was rejected. Such a state exists still. For them and Gentiles the issue isn’t sin, it is what will they do with Jesus? The Bible points to future events for Israel and Gentiles and it all hinges on the relationship which they have, by faith, with Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. The same applies to us, personally.

copyright Ray Hawkins Sept 2015.

Next week: Healing limitations highlighted in N.T. letters.

Peace: Islam's verses Christ's

“Islam is a religion of peace” is almost a mantra when their representatives are interviewed. Usually it is a defensive smoke screen after some Islamic terror has been perpetrated somewhere around the world. What riles me however, is the failure of the reporter to ask a simple question: “What do you mean by ‘peace?”’

Islam's idea of peace is submission to Mohammed and the Koran as interpreted by their Imams. Trouble is, Islam’s various sects kill each other as they try to impose their style of peace. The religion of Allah will never bring peace simply because his adherents do not know how to be at peace with him. Muslims have no certainty of paradise because they can never determine if they have impressed Allah enough to merit an entrance ticket. Martyrdom is promoted as the sure fire way to get there. What a travesty and waste of a life. Also, from what is seen and promoted, Islam is a religion of externals. To become a Muslim is to repeat a set formula. There is no change of heart, no repentance, no acceptance of forgiveness and no change of lifestyle.

Christianity's promise of peace is commitment to Jesus Christ. Peace is a heart

matter dictated by a relationship of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. If there can be no peace between an individual and God it is virtually impossible for peace between people. How does the Christian faith define peace with God, especially as it reveals Him as holy and us as the exact opposite? How can the unholy have fellowship with the Holy Eternal God? Unless there is an answer a person will live in terror of fronting Him on judgement day.

Peace with our Creator requires some common ground. Can you or I construct such a meeting place by good works, promises and outward ritual? Impossible! Everything we would touch or endeavour would be smeared and tainted by un-holiness. If such a ground was to exist, only God could bring it into reality. Has He done it? YES! How? Where?

The ‘how’ was accomplished by sending His Son, Jesus. His mission, to deal with all that offended the Father within our heart, mind and behaviour. Jesus took our offences and judgement upon Himself and carried them into the tomb. They were left there when He rose again.

The ‘where’ is the cross of Christ at Calvary! Here is the common ground created by God the Father. We stand upon it when we hear the story of Jesus, believe it is real, recognise our desperate need and ask the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. Such a conviction about Jesus Christ providing the common ground allows Him to deal with our heart ‘disease’, our perverted mind and our vain behaviour. Jesus has the power and authority of His risen life and who He is to forgive, cleanse and recreate. He makes us acceptable to His Father. Then, and only then, will you and I or anyone else have peace with God. For He meets us at the cross. In a sense, the risen Lord Jesus takes our hand and the Father’s hand and joins us together. (Read Ephesians chapters one and two plus Colossians chapters one and two.) This is why we affirm the fact that Jesus is our peace.

What has taken place in the life of a convinced and committed believer is internal. He (or she) is at peace with God. That means he (or she) can be at peace with himself (herself). There will be adjustments. There will be new insights to life. There will be the sense of relief at being forgiven and having the conscience cleansed and liberated. There will be a new outlook on life, on eternity, and on relationships. Peace is the gift of God to us through the person and work of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

There are many wonderful and powerful acts of God’s grace to us who give our lives by faith to His Son, Jesus. One at the top, to my mind, as we live in uncertain days and experience unsettling circumstance, is peace. It is a promise He gave to the disciples on His way to Calvary. It is also the greeting He gave to them after the resurrection. It is also what Jesus offers to us. “Peace I leave; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

©Ray Hawkins 9:3.2015.

Next week. Living out the peace of God which dwells with.

Jesus' Christmas Job Description.

The Angel declared the Job description for the promised Baby. His mission, to save people (among other things). As we finish celebrating Christmas it is a good time to ask ourselves “what does ‘save’ mean”. To help understand this I’ve used four personal illustrations.

When I was about 11 years old I was on a pontoon at a swimming beach and I was pushed into the water. I couldn’t swim. The other Y.P. thought I was fooling around until my mother screamed out ‘Save him’! Someone had to dive in and rescue me. I was saved from drowning.

When the Bible uses the term ‘saved’ it means someone had to ‘dive into that situation and rescue the person who cannot save himself. This is what Jesus Christ came to do at Christmas. That was part of His ‘Job Description’. But there is much more to being saved than being ‘pulled out of the water’ – or whatever other situation. When I accept Jesus as my Saviour He saved me from my sin and judgement.

When I was about 19 years I was going to church but I was only really play acting at being a Christian. After the evening service I was standing on the street corner, alone, and it was as though God said in my heart “Shape up or ship out”! The Lord was offering me the opportunity to be saved from hypocrisy and a wasted life. That wasn’t a fun time I can tell you. I chose to shape up. I was saved from being masquerading and a useless life. The alternative was too terrible to contemplate. This decision two years later led me into Bible College. At that moment my Saviour became my Lord.

My first few days in College were great, until one night. I sat at my desk and felt guilty about being there. Memories of my past mistakes, failures and disobedience flooded the mind. The devil whispered “you are no good. You should not be a minister. You are unworthy”. He was right. He didn’t have to lie or make things up. What was I to do? I opened the Bible and these verses from Colossians 2:13-15 leapt out at me. The Lord was saying to my heart “you are saved from your past. The Devil hasn’t any power to blackmail you. You are forgiven! You are cleansed! You have been set free by Christ’s victory at the cross”.  

Over the years I’ve been challenged by people who believe that all religions are leading you to the same God. However when I looked at the Bible it said something different. Acts 4:12, John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is the only way to know and meet God and call Him ‘our Father’. The Bible means what it says. Therefore if anyone wants to know what God is like, how to meet Him and be accepted in time and eternity there is only one way. It is called ‘Salvation’ and it has been made possible because Jesus Christ came into this World to ‘make it possible’. To do this He had to live as a man and suffer an unjust death. More than that, to be the Saviour, He had to rescue us from sin and judgement by taking it from us and putting it upon Himself. However, if He was still in the tomb there is no way He could be our Saviour, only a failure. However as Matthew 28:6 and other passages tell us, Jesus conquered death and the tomb by rising again and by that became fulfilled His job description, to save all who believe in Him.  . No other religion or Faith has a message such as this, or a Saviour such as Jesus.

How then can you experience the salvation secured for you by Jesus?
First, you must recognise that you are ‘drowning’ in sin, hopelessness, and the wrath of God.
Second, you must accept the fact that Jesus is the only One who is able to reach out to you and place you on salvation’s ground.
 Third, you must invite Him into your life, by faith, and allow Him to be your Saviour and Lord.

 When you do this a whole new destiny awaits to be discovered, enjoyed and shared. You become a new person in God’s eyes. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. That is the Joy promised at Christmas. That is the reality secured at Calvary. That is the gift offered by Jesus Christ on behalf of the Father and it is yours to be claimed by faith. What a great way to end the year and face the New Year.

Today make it your day for claiming Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. 2 Corinthians 6:2

(© Ray Hawkins Dec 28.2014.)

 

 

God the Messiah

Series…David. Psalm 110. Great David’s Greater Son.

Most know I’m not a fan of ‘Jig-saws’. However I do like word games. Within the Bible you can combine the two. To get a proper completed ‘picture’ of events – people – promises you need to research and fit things together without force.

This is especially true when researching Jesus.
In Luke 20 we witness an intense day of questioning. It begins in Matt. 21:9, 15-16. when the children celebrated the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem on the foal of an ass. “Hosanna to the son of David, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” The Chief priests and Teachers of the Law objected. Why? Knew it was a Messianic title. Later in temple precincts and after series of questions Jesus asks one. Luke 20:41-44. (Ps.110) How was it that David said ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “sit on my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.” This most quoted Psalm pushes us into a corner. It is a ‘jig-saw piece’ expressing Deity. In Hebrew the opening line reads “Yahweh said unto my Adonai…! Both these terms refer to God. Yahweh…Gen.2: 4. Adonai…Gen. 15:2. (in v.1 Yahweh is used) Ps. 35:23.

There is no way, esp. in the Hebrew culture would a father refer to a son in this way. The Jewish leaders knew it. By accepting the accolades from the crowd and throwing down this challenge Jesus was offering a vital piece for their mind and faith in understanding who He is.

The authorities had access to the births etc. They knew Jesus birth details and that He was of David’s line. They reacted to the Title ‘Son of David.’ And its Messianic implications, If no resurrection then they are correct. However it is the resurrection which verifies the claims of Jesus as Paul the convinced Rabbi stresses in Romans 1:2, 3.

50 days after crucifixion Peter gives the 1st sermon in Acts 2 about the crucified Jesus called the Christ. It is in essence a ‘year of Jubilee’ message. All debts cancelled. Freedom from debt to God has been achieved. What scripture used? Ps. 16:6-11. then Ps. 110. The resurrection of Jesus the Messiah is again the guarantee. Notice the promise ‘sit' at my right hand until…’ Christ Jesus’ work is finished. He now occupies the place of Honor in Glory. What is Jesus doing now on the throne? According to Hebrews 8:1. (7:25) He is our Advocate and our Warrior Lord waiting for the time to be fulfilled to return to earth. He will return and fulfill the promises made to David and rule from Zion and make Jerusalem the praise in all the earth! Isaiah 2. 9. 62:7. 65:17, 18.

This is only possible if Jesus is the fulfillment of Ps. 110. Jesus is the Emmanuel, God with us! He is the fulfillment of Psalm 110 and all others relating to the Messiah. Consider the beautiful Aaronic blessing i the light of the commission given by Jesus to His disciples. They, we, are to penetrate this world and make disciples in THE Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Only an acceptance of the Godhead – The Name – (Matt. 28:19, 20) helps us appreciate Deuteronomy 6:4.’Hear O Israel the Lord (Yahweh) our God (Elohim -- plural) is one Lord (Yahweh). The threefold use of ‘the Lord’ in the blessing of Numbers 4:24-26 takes on deeper and more awesome dimensions.

‘The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious to thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.’
Here is the Godhead, the mystery of mysteries and the wonder of wonders, making Himself known in the most beautiful of blessings to Israel.
Ray (the convinced) Hawkins.

Israel is Distinct from the Church

Israel in the Scriptures ( brief outline)

Due to some technical difficulties the theme ‘Whose Land’ will be delayed for a few weeks. I've also had problems trying to download pictures. Sorry about that.
However I’ve put together the following outline hopefully showing the distinction between the Nation of Israel and The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Below in outline are some reasons why I’m convinced about God’s purposes for Israel.

When God makes a promise He keeps it – regardless. Romans 11:25-36.
(Especially v. 29)

Israel and the Church are two distinct identities with two separate missions. The Church was unknown in the Old Testament. Notice Ephesians 3:1-13. (Esp. v.5, 10) Rom. 16:25 – 26.

Israel is national and linked to the land.
The Church is International, It’s the body of Christ and is linked to Heaven.
When Israel’s leaders rejected Christ Jesus as their crucified, risen Saviour/King they were destined to judgement and dispersion. (Remember Deuteronomy 28-30). The Kingdom of God seemed doomed. Why? It requires a nation, a land and a capital. Satan seemed to have won. The Lord however called the Gentiles to be the bearers of the Gospel not to set up the Kingdom but to reveal the wonder of wonders, Christ is the Head of the Body of believers called the Church.

If God gave up Israel because of the Nation’s failure, there isn’t any reason why He will not forsake the Church because the Church (I’d rather say Christendom) is far worse because it has a greater revelation. That’s why Romans 11:29 is so important. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

If God cannot fulfil His recorded promises to and through Israel, regardless of their wilfulness, then He has failed and His word is unreliable. This is untenable and preposterous! Read passages such as Isaiah 60-66. Ezekiel 34-39. Zephaniah 3:14-20. Zechariah 14. for insights into the future fulfilment.

The question arises when will the Church give way and Israel come back on line? I believe the Lord snatches His Body, the Church, away before the time and evil domination of the world by the anti-Christ.
Why would the Lord God Do this? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The church appears before the judgement seat of Christ. Rom. 14:10. It is accounting time. There 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 takes place.

Israel endures the great Tribulation. Matthew 24:15-31. and Rev. 6-19. The nation has been warned and warned and warned abut this. Unbelief has blinded their eyes. The anti‒ Semitic world seizes the chance to destroy Israel and make God’s word a lie. Jesus says it will actually cause the nation to cry out to Him to rescue them.

During that time the Jewish people who believe Jesus is the Messiah promised set out to tell the world this truth. (That’s the 144,000. Notice they are from the 12 tribes. This cannot be explained away. It must be taken as plain speaking) Their efforts bring many Gentiles and Israelites to faith and martyrdom. It also paves the way for a national awakening to recognizing Jesus as He is. Matthew 23:37-39.

Revelation 20 2, 4-6 speaks about the fulfilment of the opening verses of the Lord’s prayer. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Also highlighted are the promises given by God to Israel through the prophets. C/- Isaiah 11:1-9. 9:6-7. Ezekiel 39:21-29. It will be in this time such little but important words pertaining to Israel and God will be true.
Check our ‘Never again’ ‘until then’ and similar words linked to Israel by the prophets on this matter.
It hasn’t happened – yet. It will!

I will endeavour to get back to my theme on ‘Whose Land’ as soon as possible. Until then I will share some outlines from Revelation. Please accept my apologies for this confusion.
Ray.

Ray.

THE DARKSIDE OF GOD #5.

The Dreadful Words from God

Have you ever attempted to get into a movie or some other event without a ticket? You are denied the right of entry. It has nothing to do with who you are. You haven’t a ticket. Of course there are those who have ways of sneaking in or bribing the door-keepers.

That cannot be done concerning involvement in the Kingdom of God. Sure the Lord doesn’t set up a stall and sell ‘tickets’ to His kingdom. He does however have a pass that allows the guardian angels to admit the person holding it. What does the Bible say is ‘printed’ on the pass you and I must offer for acceptance into the presence of the Lord?

Jesus defined for each and everyone of us what was needed to be written on the 'pass.' It would state that the person carrying this mark was one  ‘who does the will of my Father in Heaven’. In the context the Lord states the Father isn’t impressed by mouthing words such as “Lord, Lord”. Doing miracles and making prophesies doesn’t impress God. In fact the Eternal God doesn’t recognise them in any capacity. Without the proper certification they would not gain admission. In fact they are dismissed from His presence. (Matthew 7:21- 23) His dreadful words ' I never knew you, go away from me you evildoers' would linger in their mind for all eternity.

The question each must ask and follow through on is simply ‘What is the will of God?’ I need to limit this to the consideration of entrance into the Kingdom of God.  Once we have that assurance we will discover the Lord has other expressions of His will for us to undertake. Such obedience isn’t for entrance into the Kingdom. We would already be there. Rather it is for enjoyment in the Kingdom.

In John 6 is a most wonderful message from Jesus. Verse 40: ‘This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life…’ Therefore to enter the realm of God depends on your relationship with Jesus. Is he your example? No ticket there! Is he one of many ways to God? No ticket there! Is he simply a myth or a misrepresented historical figure? All those views are a slap in the face to the Father’s integrity; the Bible’s accuracy and the defaming of the person and work of Jesus the Christ. In fact according to 1 John 5:10 by doing such things you are calling God the Father a liar! Then people with such attitudes and belief systems wonder why the righteous Lord burns with anger and will bar them from His Kingdom.

As you can realise it isn’t who you are or what credentials you have that impresses God. What He looks for is whose you are! Actually your ticket into God’s kingdom, which is open now is in reality the person of Jesus Christ. It is as you are accompanied by Him that the grace of the Eternal Father envelopes you, embraces you and accepts you.  To feed your heart and mind on this read the 1^st letter of John found near the end of the Bible.

Jesus becomes your Lord and Saviour by a commitment of faith based upon the knowledge of Him presented in the Bible. By such a decision you are doing the will of God. In the mind of the Father you are accepted into His Kingdom. The spiritual reality will, in His appointed time, become a tangible reality. What lies ahead until then is to get to know the Lord Jesus through His Word, worship and witness.

To let unbelief rule your heart will keep you out of the Kingdom. Why? It is such an insult to  the Lord's grace and you are actually calling Him a liar. All that awaits such a person is to experience the Lord God's dark-side. Not a pleasant prospect. 

2 Corinthians 6:2  reminds us: Now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation.' Escape from God's darkside now! Call out to the risen Lord Jesus to be your Saviour, Lord and companion in life, through death and into His Father’s Kingdom.

Ray (who obeyed the will of the Father) Hawkins.

This completes the series.

The Darkside of God #4

WHEN GOD GETS ANGRY

Various words are used to describe the anger of God. Each one builds on the other to present a rather frightening revelation. It is described as ‘heat, fury, fierceness, and wrath’.  Once again we are confronted by the Lord God who is Love, Goodness, Patient and Merciful having a ‘dark side’.

Why would the Lord ‘lose His cool’? What would make the Creator Redeemer God cross the line from tolerance to wrath? The Judeo–Christian Bible holds the key to understanding this problem. The reason the Lord gets angry is to call Him a liar. 1 John 5:10; ‘Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life

The Lord God of glory spent a lot of time and effort in preparing the World for the coming of the Promised One of Genesis 3:15. Throughout the Judeo–Christian Bible is woven this promise. Hints to His birth (Isaiah 7:14) His character (Isaiah 9:6-7) His mission (Isaiah 53) His birthplace (Micah 5:2) and many, many others references also. Through faithful unknown men and women the scriptures were preserved. When Jesus came into our World He pointed to the Scriptures to verify His credentials. (John 5:39). After the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension the disciples of Christ summed up their message and authority in the words ‘It is written!’ (Read the sermons in Acts 2 onwards).

Therefore when a person deliberately disparages, distorts or denies these testimonies of the Bible they call the God of holiness and truth a liar. They fail to realise that in essence they are saying God has taken on the character of the Devil.  (John 8:44) God is patient. He does give time for a person to apologise and ask for forgiveness. If this isn’t done then the righteous fury of the Lord overflows.

 

Across the globe today a religious/political system is promoting their view that God has no Son. It also states that Jesus didn’t die on the cross but someone else. It means there is no resurrection or second coming. Other issues of the Bible are also denied or tampered with thereby saying God’s word and therefore God is a liar. The sad thing is that so many weak kneed church goers in pulpit or pew appease such a system. That is apostasy, written about in 2 Thessalonians 2.

How does it describe the ultimate liar? ‘Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? (That is the promised One) This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also.’ (1 John 2:22-23)

The Bible says God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19. Titus 1:2).

Ray (who believes the testimony of God about Jesus, the Son of God) Hawkins