Ichabod – The Glory has departed.

Glory is an expression for the presence of God. This Glory was revealed from Mount Sinai to Israel and then in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle, later in the Temple at Jerusalem. Unfortunately, there came a time when, according to the Bible, ‘Ichabod’ happened. The record is in Ezekiel 8-11.

Why did God’s glory depart?

Continuous, unrelenting dishonour by those who claimed to be His people, to worship and serve Him and obey His teachings.

Flick over to the New Testament and Revelation 3:14-22. A similar thing has happened. This time it involves the Church. The people claiming to be followers of Christ have actually taken a detour away from Him and His teachings. This is so vividly highlighted in the church of Laodicea. Among the many facets of sadness mentioned in this account is that of Jesus ‘knocking on the door’ to make the church aware of His absence.

Outwardly, the followers [now detour-ers] had it all. Christ’s view - they were empty, materialistic and dishonouring. They imagined they had everything but couldn’t grasp the fact that they were ‘Ichabod’.

Since A.D. 300 this has been an unfortunate history of the Christian church. It was foreseen and written down to warn and bring sorrow of heart. ‘Ichabod’ is defined in 2 Timothy 4:3 as

rejecting sound teaching and accepting fables and immorality. The Glory returned to the Church because faithful men and women took the Bible seriously and taught it fearlessly and paid a heavy price in doing so. Men such as Huss, Luther, Latimer, Wycliffe believed in the whole of Scripture as God’s Word; preached Christ crucified, risen and ascended reigning as Saviour and Lord and taught righteousness as the lifestyle pleasing to Christ. They ‘paved the way’ for the Glory to return. This underscores the morality, motivation and the story of the Western Civilisation.

What of today?

My heart is heavy as I sense ‘Ichabod’ happening. When Church leaders support immoral relationships and are silent on issues such as child abuse and abortion, they have taken a self-destructive detour. Then to say, as the Pope was quoted, that he expects atheists to be in Heaven denies the work, worth and words of Jesus. When Governments, founded upon Faith and conviction that the Bible’s principles are true and worthy to implement, begin to destroy that foundation the ‘Glory’ fades and dies. When Christians endorse Government decrees that murder the unborn, uphold the immoral and seek preferment rather than revival they should never misunderstand their sense of feeling God is a long way away. He is! ‘Ichabod’ happens when Truth is rejected and Lies reign. ‘Ichabod’s darkness deepens and sorrow increases as righteousness is shredded by lust and larceny.

Where is Jesus in all of this?

He is knocking on the doors of Governments to warn of coming consequences. He is ‘ringing the bell’ of the Church to wake and recommission it. He is ‘sending texts’ (scriptural) to individuals to have them repent and be re-equipped to reflect His Glory.

During the time ‘Ichabod’ rules, Christ’s disciples undergo tough trials. The price they pay in discrimination, suffering, rejection and loss will be their testimony to the inner presence and joy of the Lord. We in the West could be entering into the experiences of God’s people in Africa and Asia. Don’t face it unprepared!

‘Let your Light [God’s glory] so shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.’ Matthew 5:16.

Ray Hawkins Nov. 6 2020

This I know...

It is time for me to finish my blog postings. I have appreciated the opportunity of sharing my heart, mind and faith with you these past few years. But with the unknown length of time I have ahead of me (I’m not sick, just ageing) I want to pursue some other things.

This, my final sharing with you will be done in two parts. I am using a verse from Paul’s letter to Timothy as the basis of the blog. What Paul wrote expresses my heartfelt gratitude to Jesus Christ and my confidence in Him. The verse is… I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. ( 2 Timothy 1:12.)

I know: There was a time when I didn’t know Jesus in a personal way. I knew about Him. I was impressed by the stories written but Jesus was a stranger, aloof and distant. That changed one day on the footpath outside the Rockdale church of Christ (New South Wales, Australia). It was after the Sunday church service and I knew in my inner being the Lord was dealing with me.

He wanted to know me. This meant I had to know Him! It was a relationship founded upon His invitation and my faith response.  That was sixty years ago.

In whom: Could I have been imagining what I heard within? That was possible but as they say ‘the proof is in the eating.’ The reality of that moment has been proven countless times, and tested more times than I care to remember. Jesus invited me to know Him, not merely to hear about Him or see Him as a noble stranger, but to know Him. This meant He must be my Saviour, Lord, Master, and friend. How was I to grow this relationship? Through knowing His word, being involved in worship of and fellowship with Him. That means sharing with His people. Something strange began to take shape. A new ‘me’ emerged. Hypocrisy slid away. Ignorance was replaced by His word. Faith grew as it confronted the doubts and insinuations which developed.

I have believed. Some will wonder how I, or anyone, can have a personal relationship with Christ. For He is unseen and dwells in the spiritual realm. That is similar to saying a blind person cannot enjoy the warmth of the sun or the freshness of the wind. At first it is hard to define but once experienced, built upon, tested and even neglected for a period (which has its own sense of sorrow), you know the relationship is real.

What do I believe about Jesus?
 Time and space are too limited for an adequate reply. Suffice to write that across sixty years and a church based ministry spanning over fifty years I have found Him faithful. Jesus is faithful to His Word. He is faithful to His name and titles. He is faithful to His personal promises to people such as you and I. Jesus promised never to leave or forsake those who trust in Him. But, what is His reaction to the times I have smeared my calling, broken His trust, played on the edge of the darkness, grieved His Spirit or doubted His

grace? Discipline falls, but not divorce. Pruning is applied, not removal from His presence. Silence falls, but not separation. His intentions are to bring me to repentance, to an awareness of my stupidity that generates a heartfelt cry for His mercy, forgiveness and cleansing. The unseen scars on my soul are evidences before the angels, the demons and my conscience, Jesus is my Lord, Saviour and healer! He is faithful and His power liberating.

And am persuaded: Certain memorials were erected by Israel as a testimony to some act of God on His people’s behalf. They expressed the nation or the individual’s intention of wanting to honour the Lord. What observers thought of those cairns is not the issue. I have certain unshakeable events in my life which makes me bow in adoration and gratitude before Him.

Without explanation I list: being accepted into Bible College; meeting my future wife,

Mary. Having the Lord confirm to us separately and indelibly His will to marry. Guiding and providing for us in our self-supporting church planting ventures. Mission trips to Africa. Purchase of a house. The gift of writing books.

Atheists may laugh, philosophers may scratch their heads and readers may put it down to luck. But ‘I know!’

That He is able: After walking with Him hand in hand with Mary we have emerged with a confidence in our Lord’s strength. That word ‘able’ is the word for power, ‘dunamis’. This power is evident in the Gospel for it lifts a person out of eternal death into eternal life. The cross displays Christ’s power to anyone who believes in the crucified and risen Lord. It is His power (1 Peter1:5) which alone can keep us safe and secure. We are unable to save ourselves, nor keep ourselves saved. Christ alone has that ‘dunamis’. He alone is our boast. 

To be concluded next week

©Ray Hawkins February 18^th 2018.

 

When 'Clay-pots' offend

To offend – or not to offend isn’t really the question. It is impossible not to offend as we live in a diverse and often perverse society. Christmas offends some and others are upset by the Islamic Ramadan or Hindu festivals. Atheists get agitated by' God speak' and evolutionists become frantic when a person believes the Bible’s account of Creation. There are those who cannot abide people from other nations and find it impossible to be courteous to them.

From the Christian perspective in trying not to offend those who disagree with us is actually offensive. We denigrate our faith and thereby our Lord. The issue isn’t about what is in the Christian faith that riles others, but our response when people react. It has been apparent over the Christmas season that some, wanting to be nice, sold out their faith or heritage. Appeasement never solves the problem, it simply pushes it into another issue when the offended person is upset again.

Jesus on earth was the great offender! He upset people’s belief system, elitism, taboos regarding eating with the socially unaccepted. (Check Him out with the Tax collector, Matthew – The Samaritan woman and others such as Luke 7:36-50 – Roman soldiers Etc). Jesus unmasked hypocrisy with strong words (Matthew 23), yet at the same time with grace. The Lord felt sorrow, not glee for those whom He had to rebuke. His example is a tough one to follow, yet by His grace and presence, that is what we must do.

The great offence Jesus caused was not what He said, but what happened to Him! It causes people to be upset ever today because it speaks against their ‘goodness.’ It challenges their religious views of god, salvation and worship. What happened to Jesus? He was crucified! Politics and hatred were the human factors for this event. However, God used it to make His Son the Saviour of all who put their trust in Him. This faith isn’t in a dead corpse but in the risen Lord. Jesus took our deserved judgement so that He might bestow upon us undeserved righteousness and eternal life. Read about it in the New Testament.

The cross offends. When you read the history of the Church the message of the crucified and risen Lord stirs up self-righteous indignation. This is still happening even though Christians return good for evil, feed the hungry and care for the sick. How does the Lord want us to respond? To pray for those who are offended and become aggressive. To turn the other cheek (if that is hit what then?) But not back away and thus deny the Lord. To be gracious in response and caring by helping those who oppose the cross is not weakness but Christlikeness. Jesus did tell His followers that they would be similar to sheep amongst the wolves. The fact was the wolves would be afraid of the sheep (and their message).

We offend without even saying a word. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 says Christians are similar to clay pots filled with a precious perfume. It seeps out. That fragrance is the saving, transforming, forgiving, rejoicing and eternal presence of Christ. When we move amongst people they will be affected by this spiritual aroma. Some will appreciate it. Some will wonder what it is. Others will be offended and want to get rid of it. Over the years many, many, many ‘clay-pot disciples’ have paid a high price for simply being fragranced by Christ and His word.

Therefore, if you are a Christian don’t be surprised that you are offensive to some one. However, let it draw you closer to Christ and His word so that His grace in you might be the way you respond.

Ray Hawkins 28/12/2015.

Subversive Prayer of Jesus

The Lord’s Prayer.

Prayer made headlines in the past week. An advertisement for the Lord’s Prayer to be played in cinemas was denied. Reasons given included it might offend people who are not Christians, or sympathetic to the Christian Faith.

Predictably, a furore arose because the cinema’s fear of offending was doing just that. It was also breaking anti-discrimination laws. Some other religious bodies and an Atheist organisation supported the Church of England’s right to have it screened.

That is great for Freedom of speech and freedom of Religion. What was shown up in all this was the stupidity of Political Correctness. It also unmasks the subtle changes taking place to isolate Christ, the Church and weaken our Christian heritage. This can be seen in the demeaning of Christmas by certain intolerant Imams, weak city councils and indifferent politicians.

As I thought about the cinema’s reaction to the Lord’s Prayer advertisement they had a point. This finely crafted prayer, loved by many, is subversive, exclusive, prophetic and challenging. This should be a reason for not showing it, but it does say something about the human heart. Within all of us there is an awareness we all have to meet the Lord God, Creator and judge one day. There is either a fear or a joy in this prospect.

This prayer points to a future event as well as God’s expectation of us and ours of Him. Jesus gave this Rabbinic styled prayer to His disciples. It is therefore Jewish in nature and builds on what the prophets of Israel foretold. The Christian Church has claimed it for its own, as it has the right to do, without forgetting the original presentation and environment.

How is it subversive? Because it talks about ‘Our Father!’

We often forget that God is creator of us all, but He is the Father of the nation of Israel (Isaiah 64:8).

The Church is the creation of Christ through His death on the cross and resurrection. He is our Head and Lord.

Jesus didn’t have to prayer ‘our Father!’ Jesus is the Son, eternal, unique and the One who reveals the Father. (John 14:6-13.   10:30.) It is this very fact that upsets Islam. They call Jesus a liar when they say ‘God has no Son!’ However, they are correct when they say ‘Allah’ has no son – for he isn’t the eternal God of creation, redemption and Love.

It is prophetic because it points to a time when the Son of God sets up the promised Kingdom and rules the world from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2 and Zechariah 14. Etc). This kingdom is not wanted, except by those who belong to Christ. It is opposed by a counterfeit caliphate which is doing everything in its power to prevent its coming.

It is challenging because of its implied and explicit demands. The requirement to forgive can be very difficult, yet it holds within it the wonder of grace, liberty and and inner healing.

The Lord’s Prayer is exclusive. To be able to say “our Father” means a person has been spiritually born through His power. This comes about by a personal faith in Jesus as the Son of God, the promised Saviour who was crucified, entombed and rose again on the third day (John 3. Romans 10).

Maybe, just maybe, unseen forces were at play endeavouring to prevent this well known, well-loved prayer being shown. Behind political correctness and other anti-Christian actions lies the power of Darkness.

 However, John1:1-5 tells us about Jesus coming into this World and being the Light of the Word. Verse 5 reminds us of ultimate victory: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not (will not, cannot) overcome it.”

Ray Hawkins

Nov 29^th 2015.

Christmas - No Compromise

There’s a madness spreading across the world breeding antipathy and hostility to the Christian faith. This plague is infecting countries and community with a long history of Christianity. Civic and Church leaders are losing moral strength as they are confronted by an influx of people with this antichrist fever. Not wanting to offend such people, those in Government make excuses for expressing sympathy by undermining their Christian Heritage. As the Christmas season draws near this well-meaning empathy is actually desecrating the name of Christ.  Some areas of Germany are calling the Christmas season ‘Festival of Lights.’ In Australia Christmas Nativity scenes in some communities are banned. It is politically incorrect to wish someone “Merry Christmas”.  A Muslim cleric said to be part of the Christmas celebration and wishing another “Merry Christmas” was worse than murder.

 Some well-meaning and ‘nice’ Christians are going along with this nonsense. Such ‘jellyfish’ believers are in actual fact betraying the Faith.  We may debate the date but not the fact of the birth of Jesus. Our authority for this event and who it reveals are *Prophetic Scriptures *Eye witness accounts in the Gospels.  *The Church, which, without the other two and the historical facts of Christ’s birth, life and resurrection, wouldn’t exist. We also have to remember the apostles and many first century believers in Christ paid for their faith with their blood. Our response, as Christians should be similar to those over the centuries who called Jesus Lord, ‘No Compromise.’

Why is Christmas so offensive? Depending upon the belief of the person the celebration of the birth of Christ upsets their tolerance. Atheists are rankled by anything which points to the creator, redeemer God. Muslims deny the claims of Jesus, especially about Him being the Son of God. Jews reject Jesus as their promised Messiah. In the final analysis all this angst is directed to the Church and the Bible. The books of the Bible have one major theme – Jesus! In the 39 books of the Old Testament He is the promised someone who is coming. In the four Gospels, Jesus is the promised someone who has come. In the twenty-three other books of the New Testament Jesus is the promised someone who is coming again.

Every Christmas and every Easter and Passover the non-Christian belief system is given a pounding. This happens at Christmas through church services, greeting cards, nativity scenes, music and the church providing Christmas cheer to the hungry and destitute. Handel’s marvellous music of the ‘Messiah’ must disturb those who reject the coming of Jesus to be the Saviour of the World. This would be especially true of militant Islam which disallows music in their culture. Who can blame them! They have nothing to sing about, either to their god, his interest in them, or about their hope of being accepted by him!

It is time for Christians to stand their ground. It is time to be gracious in the face of being charged as bigots. It is time to challenge political correctness when it tries to silence our voice from speaking the truth of God’s Word. It is time to pay the price for teaching the message of grace, mercy, judgement and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. It is time to pray for those who are intent upon nullifying, undermining and destroying Christ and His Church. It is time to cancel out compromise.

May the Lord bless you this Christmas! As you celebrate the birth of the Son of God may He fill your heart with wonder! In wishing others, friend, family or foe, “Merry Christmas” let it be our expression of faith in the Christmas event.

©Ray Hawkins November16th 2015.

If anyone is interested in finding out more of what the bible says on Christmas get ‘Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby’ by Ray Hawkins. Available in Christian bookshops and also as an Ebook from Amazon and Goodreads. RRP $10:00.

Let's Blame God!

God gets bad press whenever something upsets us. Whether it is personal sorrow, inflicted by self or others, God is accused as the perpetrator. The catastrophes of war and disease are said to be preventable, if God did something about them.

During the week of February 1^st 2015 Stephen Fry, well known actor and T.V. personality, added his unflattering assessment about God. Given an opportunity to charge the Creator, who Stephen doesn’t believe exists anyway, he would call Him a monster. There is something within the human psyche which doesn’t want to accept personal responsibility for the world’s turmoil. People want God to stop what they don’t like but ignore what they do like doing, despite the fact God is offended by their actions and attitude. Imagine the howls of protest if the Lord God of Holiness enforced His standard of morality as set out in the Bible.

By blaming God for personal issues and the mess the World is in gives people a sense of moral superiority. It makes them judges of what should be and innocent victims when reaping what they have sown. What is also revealed is an ignorance of why the nations, societies and individuals are in such a sorry and warlike state. To reject the very existence of God doesn’t solve the problem. It actually compounds the despair and injustices with hopelessness for wrong can never be righted by a higher entity. To have a sense of God but no framework by which to understand Him (or Her or It) will give rise to all types of weird and not so wonderful images.

The God who seems to be silent and invisible has not left Humankind in the dark about His Being. He has spoken! He has left His imprimatur upon Creation (see below for some references). He has raised up certain scribes through whom He has made His defence for why things are as they are in the World. At the same time this God of holiness and truth has expressed what He requires from each of us and that there is a future accounting. More than that, what has been recorded promises a whole New World Order in which righteousness, truth, grace and love rule. Unfortunately, this means that those who curse God and reject righteousness and truth are denied entrance.

Where can we find the mind of the vocal God and signposts pointing to places where His presence is felt and ‘fingerprints’ are evident? In the 66 books called the Judeo-Christian Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Some may still want to accuse the Author of these books as being out of touch with our human condition. “You don’t understand what I’m facing, feeling or fleeing!” Such thinking is a universe away from reality. Here is the wonder of the invisible God, untouchable by sinful people. He has come into our world and in our form and within world history. The Bible revealed Him as Jesus (Greek translation of the Hebrew Joshua) who lived in Israel under Rome’s occupation. He understands the Human situation more than we can ever realise. Because of that He has set in motion Heavenly forces to usher in new beginnings and a new relationship with God and a hope which stand with you in the darkest of times.

How can anyone be sure of this promise?
Consider who Jesus is, what He has taught but more than that, what He achieved. For when He was crucified this Jesus became the vilest of the vile and the lowest of the low. How? He was cursed by National leaders, forsaken by friends but that wasn’t the issue. Jesus willingly identified with you, me, all creation in our blaming God the Father for our sin, indifference, plight, although Jesus in and of Himself was sinless. In essence Jesus said to the Father “put all their offences on me. Let me bear your Judgement upon them. Use this unjust verdict of the cross to offer forgiveness, hope and a new lifestyle for men and women”.

What a wonderful ideal. How do we know it happened and does the offer still stands? Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Because the good news of His triumph is still being offered and people are being transformed from hopelessness to

godliness and purpose. This doesn’t mean believers in Jesus will be immune from life’s sorrows and uncertainties. What it means is they have an understanding of why the world is a mess and what the Lord has done to change it.

Let Jesus lift you out of the ‘blame game’ and into the ‘acclaim game’ of gratitude to God. For whether the World likes it or not, God will have the last word. Because of faith in Jesus His word will be “welcome”. Reject Jesus as Lord and Saviour and insist on blaming God for ‘whatever’ is to hear the dreadful last word “depart”.

Some Bible readings.

Psalm 19.

Isaiah 53.

Romans 1.

Hebrews 1.

Hebrews 4

©Ray Hawkins February 15 2015

The Devil is a Pervert

 When we look at creation we are faced with a dilemma. It is beautiful, awesome and amazing. Then we see cruelty in the animal kingdom, disease and decay. Somehow something has perverted it. We look at Humankind and see brilliant minds, creative geniuses, adventurers and people with talents to heal, teach and care. But at the same time there are terrorists, predators, criminals and so much suffering. How has this perversion happened?

The World Book dictionary describes the word ‘pervert’ as ‘to lead or turn away from the right way or from the truth.’ It also adds ‘to change from what is natural or normal’ especially in regard to sexual behaviour.

Philosophy and religion seek to explain it and present innumerable explanations. The best insight, however, is found within the pages of the Judeo-Christian Bible. People may reject its account in Genesis or explain it away as poetical or mythological but they have no better explanation. Sure some parts raise questions which are not answered in this blog. Still what is stated in plain language makes sense.

Genesis chapters one and two tell us the World was created good. Chapter three introduces the Perverter! He is termed the ‘Serpent.’ Most people imagine this person as a snake. The term comes from the word ‘shining ’ and describes  Seraphims in Isaiah 6:2.(the perverter is able to appear as an angel of light – 2 Corinthians 11:14 – and could well have impersonated a serpent to achieve his perversion of Humanity. The curse on the snake reveals complicity and a warning. Study the Scriptures and see this ‘shining one’ to be an angelic being who rebelled against God and turned away (perverted himself) from God’s truth and holiness. Revelation 12:9 gives the final unmasking of this creature. He is defined as ‘the great dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.’ As you read the Bible you become aware of his insidious perverting of God’s word, creation and worship.

Genesis unfolds the Devil’s approach. He deceived Eve through making her doubt the honour of God. He did this by casting doubt upon God’s word. She in turn beguiled Adam into breaking the explicit prohibition he had received from Yahweh about eating of the fruit. This act of neglectful disobedience, urged on undoubtedly by the Perverter, turned both Adam and Eve away from God. Something took over their soul and their mind. It is called falling short of what the Lord had created them to be. It is a walking in the darkness of self-interest rather than the Light of God. They had been perverted!

The Devil is also the perverter of Godly worship. As the deceiver, the Devil has offered people myriads of ways to worship. They range from Idolatry to Atheism. Failing that he infiltrates and corrupts Communion, songs/psalms/hymns and makes the pulpit an ego centric opportunity to distract from the Gospel. The sad story of five of the seven churches in Revelation chapters two and three makes the reader aware of that. In Australia Christians are shuddering at the unfolding stories of perverts in clerical uniform who have abused young and old. Such behaviour is the imprimatur of Satan’s perversion in the heart towards the sanctity of another, of marriage and the principle of chastity before marriage.

Another aspect of the Devil’s perverted nature infecting the human soul is seen in people’s attitude to creation. While the Psalmist looked at the earth and the heaven’s and saw God’s handiwork (Ps 8) people choose to see ‘chance.’ Evolution is the mantra of science. The dictionary says mantra comes from Hinduism meaning ‘instrument of thought.’ That in turn comes from the root ‘man think.’  Strange how people can see the wonder of creation in the micro or the macro dimensions and give credit to ‘nothing’ for all creation’s complexity. Then there are those who worship creation (Pantheists) and at the same time sever it from the Creator. Some environmentalists are prone to a similar folly.

The Bible gives understanding on Creation, Morality, the human soul and Spiritual matters (and much, much more) and how they have been perverted. Can you understand why the Devil, the perverter doesn’t want people to read it or believe it. It unmasks him. It reveals his purposes. More to the point it declares his ultimate judgement. (Revelation 20.) He has the World under his pernicious and perverted spell and wants to keep it that way. However, God will not be defied. He set about overthrowing the perversion and the damnation inherent in what the deceiver has done. This is the message of Christmas and of the Passover (Easter). It also underpins His command to repent (turn back to God) and obey the Truth (His word).

© Ray Hawkins

 

(A fuller explanation of God’s reclaiming from the Pervert’s grip creation and humankind can be found in my short devotional books ‘Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby’ and Captured by Calvary.’ These are available in Christian bookshops or Amazon in paper back or Ebooks)

Onward towards the Past!

A concerted campaign is gaining momentum to relegate the Church to the edge of irrelevance. Unfortunately this is being aided and abetted by revelations into child abuse by various church leaders. Listen to the squeals from some areas of Christendom as their power, influence and status in society wanes. You would imagine the Church’s mission was about to collapse. Instead of bemoaning the loss of tax benefits, perceived status and special privileges we should be more vocal in proclaiming the Gospel.

In Matthew 24 and Luke 21 we have the record of the collision of the future with the past  Jesus used the historical figure of Noah to make a point or two. To understand the magnitude of this future event read Genesis 6. The moral and spiritual decline into depravity was immense. God’s judgement was slow in coming and His grace provided the ark. Unbelief and self–gratification treated His mercy with disdain and the world paid the penalty. What is gathering momentum which should warn people to turn to Christ and make Him their refuge, their ‘ark?’ 1 Peter 3:17-22.

Here’s a short list:

*Seeing the evidence of creation and making it the offspring of chance and evolution.

*Thereby declaring an individual’s life is meaningless.

*This permits the murder of babies (abortion) and euthanasing the disabled, infirm and old.

*Then there’s the moral corruption within Christendom detailed in child abuse and apostasy.

*With the loss of faith in the Bible people are seeking spirituality and morality in the occult.

*The rejection of the Biblical understanding and symbolism of marriage and endorsing as normal same–sex marriages.

*Endorsing what the Bible condemns in relation to sexual behaviour

 Add to the above the onward move to the past as detailed by the prophet Daniel 2. 10:1-12:1 and spelt out in more detail in Revelation 6-19 and Matthew 24:15-28. It is as though Jesus is saying ‘keep your eyes open for the events recorded.’ These are portents which drive the kingdoms of this world and Satan’s forces into the last great judgement and conflict. (Read 2 Thessalonian)

NASA in recent days has been speaking of the potential threat to earth of asteroids and comets. The space authority is endeavouring to develop some defence shield against such an eventuality. (Matthew 24:29)

How then should the Church of today handle the spiral into the moral and spiritual dark ages? Not by whingeing, crying ‘foul’ and compromising the Gospel’s message. Rather the opposite. Have the faith and mindset revealed in the early Church’s history. Make Christ and the cross and the future known. Expect to be opposed yet trusting in the Lord to honour His word to those who are seekers after truth. Realise, as is evident in places such as Iran, that the Church’s faithfulness to Christ can mean various sanctions, dismissal and even death.

Therefore we must be certain about knowing in whom we have believed. We must know that He is the Lord of Glory, He is the victor over the tomb. He is the One who can forgive us, cleanse us, accept us and keep us through whatever the collision of the future with the past throw our way. Jesus is the person who fulfilled the written promises of the past and He will keep His word about the future. Therefore saturate your mind with His word, keep your eyes open and your faith strong. Be prepared to give and account of your trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Should any retribution fall upon you from your sphere of influence consider it a badge of honour knowing your reward is in Glory! Read the letters of James and Peter to sustain you through such times.

 © Ray Hawkins Oct 2014.

Fools, from a Bible's viewpoint. #1

A stand up comedian in the U.K. has helped establish the godless church. That’s no joke. He is expecting many other such assemblies to spring up in the course of time. He was quoted in ‘My Christian Daily’ as saying: ‘We are born from nothing and go to nothing. Let’s enjoy it together.’

That intrigued me and saddened me at the same time. What have they to celebrate? Nothing! What, apart from ego and trying to prove nothing, can possibly hold a diverse group of people together? Nothing! Will it last? Time will tell.

Looking up my concordance on the subject of ‘fool’ I was informed that in the Old Testament 5 Hebrew words are so translated. In the New Testament the Greek uses four different words. In Psalms 14:1 and 53:1 such people as the comedian are defined as an ‘empty person.’ Why? Because they say there is no God. In what way would the Psalmist consider them ‘empty headed?’

In both psalms the writer contrasts them with those who he sees as wise. The wise are those who seek to find and know the God of Creation and of the people of Israel.

To make mindless chance and at the same time presume billions of years as the creator of the universe is beyond belief. Nothing can only beget nothing. How much greater is the Psalmist’s words from psalm 19:1 ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.’ It is this Creator the Bible reveals. Paul uses a similar argument in Romans 1:18f. The word he uses for such thinkers is ‘moraino’ which means ‘to make foolish.’ It is their lack of a seeking heart and a seeing mind which has emptied their head and made them foolish.

Those who deny the reality of God say ‘Where did He come from, who created Him?’ That doesn’t demolish God’s existence. It merely brings us to the realm of the unknown. The same can be applied to ‘chance’ as the cause of creation. We are brought before the unanswerable. Both are faith matters. By faith the ‘fool’ says ‘Nothing’ created all that there is’ and by faith Christians state ‘it is by the power and word of the Lord God.’ He has also made Himself knowable in His Word and in the person of His Son, Jesus the Christ.

The Psalmist also says such ‘fools’ are very aggressive against God’s people. He implies that these ‘empty headed ones’ want to make null and void the Scriptures God’s people treasure. Why? For it was by the creation of this particular people that God would work with to give us all His word and commandments (check Psalm 147:19–20). His plan of salvation required His Son, the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to come to earth. We call it Christmas which culminated at Easter (Passover) and the resurrection. The ‘fool’ not only rejects both premises they want them banned. This is being pursued in law courts and media especially in Christian countries. In the graphic words of the Psalmist ‘they eat up my people as they eat bread.’

In Psalm 53:5 we are given an insight into the sadness awaiting those who imagine they are on the way to ‘nowhere’ and into ‘nothingness.’ They are actually on a date with the One they don’t believe in. It will not be a picnic. It will be a time of terror and they will be put to shame.’

The Bible is Christ Jesus’ gift to us all so as to prevent any and all from being ‘Empty Headed’ towards Him. What He offers is better than ‘nothing’ it is defined as ‘abundant life’ in time and eternity.

How Death Died

It was a fair enough question the atheist asked: “Why did an all powerful God have to die to save Humankind”? As the Passover or Easter event draws near we are once again confronted by this issue. Does the Bible give us some answers? Yes!

There are many reasons for the necessity of the cross of Christ. Of course there is the issue of our salvation and the conquest of sin. However there is one aspect more often than not left unconsidered. In Romans 5 it is written that ‘Death reigned from the time of Adam.’ (Biblically this precludes any such thing before Adam’s treasonable act of Genesis 3) Notice the word ‘reigned’ it intimates sovereignty. Death is personified and it claimed superiority over the Sovereignty of the Creator God who is Life.

Here is a direct challenge that must be answered. It is a contest in which there can be only one who reigns supreme. But here is the problem for the God revealed in the Bible, how can Life beat death? The only answer can be found in the pages of Scripture and the person and purposes of Christ Jesus. Death can only be defeated by embracing it, dragging it into the tomb, and crushing its power by personal resurrection. This is a major reason for the need for God to become Emmanuel, God with us in human form. Here is the reason for the virgin birth so that the human nature would be without a sin nature. Here again is why the Lord God went to so much effort to present in symbol, prophesy and promise a plan which culminated in an historical time and upon a cross.

Even if after the crucifixion, the entombing and the resurrection of Jesus Christ no one became a believer in Him, Jesus still had to die. Only by that means could Jesus render death powerless by His physical resurrection. That is the great angelic victory shout ‘He (Jesus) is not here (in the tomb) He is risen!’ Ever since that glorious day the Church’s anthem has been that fact. Ever since the cross and the resurrection the gospel has been proclaimed. Ever since and for all eternity the resurrection declares Death has been dethroned, ‘It’ is no longer able to claim sovereign status. Though it remains our enemy it is doomed to utter destruction on the day Christ Jesus returns as Judge and to rule His creation. (Revelation 20)

To look on the Easter/Passover event simply as referring to our forgiveness event achieved by Jesus is to limit its majesty and power. The cross of Christ bears testimony to a Cosmic conflict affecting all creation with eternal consequences. Some will view the cross as stupid, others as an offence. Those who have eyes to ‘see’ and a heart to believe embrace it as the power and grace of God. For such people they understand that Jesus is The Life which triumphed over the Usurper Death. As such Jesus has crushed its hold over believers in the risen Lord. There is just so much more for you to know even on this one aspect of the Cross of Christ. I invite you to read such passages as 1 Corinthians 15; Isaiah 25:6–10; Revelation 1:1–18 as starters.

Because Jesus Christ is the risen Lord, the sovereign of Creation, Eternal Life and conqueror of Death, Sin and Satan, an invitation is given to you. That is, become a partaker in his victory. Let Him break the power and fear of death in and over your life by asking Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour. Let His resurrection life become your possession now and it will last you through all eternity.

(For those able and interested in obtaining and reading two devotionals which explain some of these issues see my ‘The Bethlehem Warrior Baby’ and ‘Captured by Calvary.’ Both are printed by ‘Even Before Publishing’ www.evenbeforepublishing.com or can be obtained through any Christian bookshop).

Triple 'J' versus Triple 'N'

No, this isn’t a battle for ratings by two radio stations. It isn’t a wrestling match by two sides of three each. This is a battle for the mind and destiny of individuals and nations. It has consequences far beyond a play on words.

An old quote by a railway station sticks in my mind: ‘What you eat today walks and talks tomorrow.’ Turn that saying around and make it say: ‘What you believe today will guide your life and destiny.’ This undergirds the very issues of ‘J’ and ‘N’. The triple ‘J’ team points out Jesus, Justice and Judgement.’ The triple ‘N’ team comprises, No God, No absolutes and No Judgement.

If ‘N’ is correct we live in a world without a moral and spiritual compass. It makes every person a ‘god’ and therefore they expect due allegiance. What we witness in much of life is a classic battle of ‘the gods.’ However, beyond that, the cry for justice is meaningless. What do we mean by the term? Justice requires a standard. That standard requires absolutes. Breaking the standard implies judgement. There’s the problem for atheists, evolutionists or those who believe either death ends everything or we all go to heaven: Where is judgement exercised and justice meted out?

If we imagine it will be in this life then we are disillusioned and irrational. Where is judgement given to the Mafia bosses who rule by terror, live in luxury and die feted? Where is justice for all those who were never caught before death who abused children, corrupted individuals and institutions, even countries? What about the drug barons, war lords and slavers? Where is accountability to the religious wolves posing as sheep who rip apart the body of Christ, the Church? These pariahs of life imagine that belonging to the Triple ‘N’ team is to win. Their victims die as losers screaming for judgement to fall on the depraved destroyers of their lives.

Into this arena jumps the triple ‘J’ team. Jesus, Justice and Judgement bring a moral imperative for life. The ‘J’ team declares that this world is unfair and therefore unjust. Some perverted principle, power or person usurped creation and plays out its wickedness through the lives of people. Jesus is recorded as entering this world to deal with such poison. To do that He had to confront it, drink it, experience its killing power on behalf of the world. To break its power required His personal resurrection from the tomb. Only then could there be verification of victory. Here is the utterance that shatters the universe “Jesus, He is not in the tomb. He is Risen!” He is the testimony that offers a moral compass for living in time and eternity. Jesus is the guarantor of a future judgement day.

How can we be sure of this? It is the testimony of secular and sacred history. The existence of the Christian Church points to it. Lives transformed from the realm of Triple ‘N’ with its despair are an ever present testimony. Read the bible and sense the risen Lord’s presence. Jesus tells us that before Him every knee will bow. Every person will be accountable for his or her faith, unbelief and actions. Christ’s Jesus standard is Himself and His Word. When will this take place? After death comes the Judgement, Hebrews 9:27. and Revelation 20.

Those in the Triple ‘N’ team will know Heaven’s justice through Judgement. As there are degrees of rewards to those in the Triple ‘J’ team so there are degrees of punishment for those outside it. Both are eternal (Matthew 25:46). Some feel God is unfair to do such a thing. Such views are the warped thinking of those who don’t believe in God anyway. They really don’t have any concept of righteousness, justice, accountability and the Supreme Judge of all things. His judgements flow from His intimate knowledge of each of us. He looks at us to see whether or not Jesus is our Lord and Saviour. His decision is flavoured by His holiness, mercy, truth and justice.

The ‘N’ crowd may hypnotise themselves into imagining oblivion waits and therefore they will escape any form of judgement. The bible describes the after effects of such believing as producing an eternal weeping and gnashing of teeth. Those who cling to Jesus and belong by faith with Him in the ‘J’ team will know the price paid to belong has an eternal reward. In this world the Lord says to His followers they will not experience justice because they belong to Him. However, as Christ’s followers they are to give justice, express love and to live faithfully. Jesus is our moral compass. He will be our eternal reward.

The bible has forecast the end result of the contest between Triple ‘J’ and Triple ‘N’. Read it especially in the Gospel of Matthew and the book of Revelation. For followers of Jesus throughout eternity ‘J’ will stand for joy, jubilation and justice.

The Bullies against Christmas

Christmas Bullies

Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. It use to be mostly boys but now girls have joined the ranks. Such creatures usually cannot hold their own in debate and discussion so seek to win by muscle power or verbal humiliation. Their effect on some has been devastating.

History has thrown up untold numbers of national bullies in the form of dictators. Such men are usually in Government, tribal or religious areas. Dominating women of history are much more subtle and seductive. Both have their power for a while but death always takes them from the scene. Whether they believe in God or not, they will have to stand in judgment before Him.

Onto the 21st century a new and more corrosive form of bullying has developed. It is religious in nature but seductive in its approach. Through the abuse of anti-discrimination laws and political correctness these bullies seek to destroy Christmas. They want the holiday but they want to remove the Christian reason undergirding it. What is it? Christ’s birth at Bethlehem. In its Christless place they want innocuous terms such as vacation or recreation day.

Who are at the head of the ‘Bully Boys Brigade’? Islam and Atheists. Who are their compliant assistants? Government and local councils. Such countries with a previously Christian history and majority, such as Norway, are buckling under the fear of offending non Christians. It doesn’t seem to matter that Christians and their faith and holy days are violated and other faiths are left untouched.

Why is there such hostility to Christmas and Easter and of course, the Bible? Could it be due to what they declare? That is the promised one of the Tanak (Jewish scriptures) is declared to have come in the Gospels. In them we read that the promised one is the Messiah who came as the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. That pointed to the Jewish Passover being fulfilled in the Messiah’s crucifixion. If this promised one we know as Jesus was still dead no one would celebrate Christmas or Easter. The section of the Bible called the New Testament declares Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to His Father’s realm. Jesus in now Lord and Saviour! He waits the right moment when the rest of Scripture is fulfilled to return as ruler and judge.

That is what the bully boys don’t want to happen (not that they can stop it). As they don’t like to be reminded of their fate and as they don’t want to change their mind, they endeavour to remove that which offends their belief system. No tolerance there. No sound argument can destroy the Christmas event, so be a bully and crush your opponent. ‘Hide incompetence and lack of argument behind well meaning laws that can be twisted to one’s own advantage’ is their mantra.

The bullies can not prevail. Caesar tried it with the lions in the arena. He failed. Christmas will be celebrated and its message will shine out more brightly than ever. The meek may pay a price but they are on the winning side, just read what Jesus said in Matthew 5:5.

Whether you like or dislike Christmas, whether you believe December 25 is the right date, ultimately doesn’t matter. What matters is its testimony. That is ‘He who was long promised came in the fullness of time.’ You can follow His story in the Gospels. How do we know Jesus came? Because of the

cross and resurrection! Without that event we wouldn’t be having this celebration. Then we wouldn’t have bullies trying to prove Christmas didn’t happen.
But it did.
Its meaning prevails.
Its promise endures.
So put your trust in Jesus the Messiah and have a happy Christmas.

Beware the Christmas Plague

The Blights of Christmas

Blight according to the World book dictionary ‘is a disease which causes plants to wither and die.’ Used figuratively it points to ‘anything that withers the hope or causes destruction or ruin.’

Christmas is experiencing a plague of such blighters. Their aim is to reduce Christmas and its meaning to ruin in the hope it disappears. Each of the ‘viruses’ attacking this great testimony have a replacement of their own. Before we look at aspects of the Blights be reminded as to the meaning of Christmas.

It was long promised and recorded within the Judeo–Christian Bible. No one with a fair mind will deny that the Old Testament declared someone is coming. It detailed place (Bethlehem) mode of coming (virgin birth) titles (Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Wonderful Counsellor) purpose (Messiah to save His people) Suffering Servant (Isaiah ch.53) to name but a small sample.

The Gospels declared the promised One has come. His name in Greek is Jesus. In Hebrew, Joshua. He is called Lord, Son of Man, Son of God and the Word (Logos) made flesh to dwell among us. People may disagree with such records and Names but such matters cannot be refuted. Nor can the ‘Blighters’ accuse the Apostles and early Church from fabrication. Why? Because the Apostles paid for their hope and convictions with their blood. The governing authorities could not deny Christ Jesus’ existence, teaching, death and resurrection. That is why they resorted to making it a criminal offence to believe in the birth of (Christmas) Jesus and His Calvary and empty tomb testimony. Their attempts to wither and ruin Christmas and Calvary failed. The ‘Blight killer’ was ‘It is written’ according to the Scriptures and verified by Christ’s resurrection.

Today the plague has mutated and is more virulent because it has an element of fun, commercialism and ideology. Such things appeal to the human heart because they destroy the real meaning of Christmas.

Santa Claus is Christ Jesus great rival at Christmas. His “HO, HO, HO” drowns out the Angels song. Santa is the myth we want to control and promote. He is the character that seduces our cash from our bank accounts. He panders to our greed and blinds us to the emptiness of our lives.More than that Santa Claus doesn't disturb our lifestyle or ungodly thinking nor impose upon us teachings which are worthwhile but unwanted. Jesus Christ however is still active within the Christmas scene but only to those with eyes to see and ears to hear. Sounds familiar doesn’t it.

Doctrine and ideology also want a piece of the withering process. Atheists and Muslims are surprising linked in their opposition to the Person of Christ. Atheists in denying God’s existence cannot handle the simple yet supreme message that the Lord God would care for wayward ‘junk.’ The teaching that the Heavenly Father set a saving process in motion is anathema. Mohammed called the Gospels and the Old and New Testaments a lie by saying Jesus Christ is not the Son of God. Why? Because Mohammed said God had and has no Son. Therefore the mystery of the Godhead, Father Son and Holy Spirit, is arbitrarily dismissed. ‘No god but god’ is a great cliché but such a god is aloof, indifferent to creation, offers no salvation or hope in life or death. There is no Christmas for Atheists or Muslims. To adopt their attack on the Christian Faith and its historical reasons for Christmas is to create a spiritual plague. It affects your heart and hope of ever knowing the Person of whom Christmas reveals.

The way to bust the Blighters is to discover who Jesus is for oneself. Do this by simply reading the gospels and cross referencing between the Old and New Testaments. Then Christmas will take on new, exciting and enjoyable dimensions. You can still give presents. You can still enjoy special and culturally appropriate meals. You can get together and enjoy carols and worship with understanding and gratitude the Lord Christ. You will know Him as Jesus, Son of God, Lord of Glory and your own Saviour.

He is the One who makes it a happy and meaningful Christmas.

He is the One who takes us onwards into a meaningful life.

For those interested you can learn more about Jesus and the Christmas event from my book 'The Bethlehem Warrior Baby'. It is an EBook available from amazon or in print from Christian Bookshops or the publisher Even Before Publishing (division of Wombat books, Queensland Australia.)www.evenbeforepublishing.com

The Battle of the gods

The Lord God and the gods

The claim of the atheists that all the wars have been religious ones has a ring of truth about it. They could have used the term political wars as well. They may not agree with the assessment that even Atheism is a religious belief yet as it requires faith it qualifies.

Perplexed people ponder why is it that nations and individuals find it hard, indeed impossible to get along. Is there an answer? The Bible says ‘yes’ in words plain and clear. Why then do men and women find it hard to accept? I think it is due to the fact the Bible makes us realise that all of us are part of the problem.

What does the Bible reveal as the basic cause of strife, wars and various other aggressive facets of our human nature? Genesis chapter three paints the picture. Satan leads Eve and Adam into an act of rebellion against the Creator God. This fallen angel tempts them with the notion that by taking of the fruit forbidden by Yahweh they will become gods. I think Satan believed their treason would make them slaves in his realm. The unexpected happened and it has infected all their descendents ever since. Humans came to believe they are gods.

The most striking examples of this are the Pharaohs, Caesars and current North Korean leaders. What we fail to appreciate is that each of us possesses this spiritual and moral disease. Within individuals this legacy of Adam’s disobedience will express itself in various ways. From the dominating bullying ego centric despot to the servile, cringing and manipulating weakling. What is the outcome in real life of people? Quarrels and arguments as we seek to assert our rights, our will, our wisdom, even our dislikes and revenge! The human heart wants to rule. It craves sovereignty and the obedience of others. Consider that in the light of James 4:1-3. It is a battle of a ‘god’ seeking lordship over others who think they are ‘god’.

When Adam and Eve took the fruit Satan must have been dismayed, frustrated and angered. Why? Because they didn’t succumb to being his slaves in his kingdom of darkness. Ever since this angel of evil has sought to seduce Humankind to accept his sovereignty. He has done this through the occult, magical arts and the promise of power.

Where has the Lord God almighty, the Creator been in this conflict? He too has been endeavouring to bring the descendents of the first couple back into His Kingdom of Light. He continues to do this before the declaration that time is up. There can only be one Sovereign. Only One who is to worshipped. Only One whose will is to be obeyed.

Therefore as you read the Bible it becomes clear the Lord embarked on a reconquest of His creation and the children of Adam and Eve. His call to them to bow to His sovereignty embraced a number of issues. Love motivated Him for He knows that Judgement awaits those who refuse His offer. Forgiveness has been made possible as the basis for re-entry into His presence. How, for treason is a capital offence? Here is the wonder and the power behind the events we call Christmas, the Cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has dealt with the moral and spiritual expressions of the conflict and consequences of the battle of the gods with the one and only God.

What now is the issue? Individuals can hang onto their ‘god-ness’ or join with the powers of darkness. Or they can realise the unwiseness of fighting against Yahweh and rejecting His right to their allegiance Such recognition by you, by me, means we reject our claims to personal sovereignty, we acknowledge our rebellion and delusion, we accept His amnesty offered to us in Christ Jesus. It means we bow the knee in surrender and worship.

When we yield up the rights to ourselves to the Lord God Almighty we discover many wonderful truths. We know peace, we have hope and there is no fear in meeting the God before whom all must stand. Sure each of us will face many conflicts and issues which challenge our allegiance to Christ Jesus but we know He stands with us in the fight. We know we have the victory for all eternity. It isn’t ours but Christ Jesus’ and He has given it to us. Our faith commitment to Him is a declaration that for us the battle of the gods against the Lord God has been won by Him. That is a most wonderful defeat and glorious surrender.

Ray (who surrendered and won) Hawkins