Question: Do Extraterrestials Exist?

Posted on May 1, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Do Extraterrestrials Exist?

Good Morning America reported that 80 million Americans believe in extraterrestrials.¹ Stephen Bassett, who leads the Citizen Hearing Foundation, blames the “truth embargo” on the Cold War for why Congress hasn’t investigated the issue.² He reports that there are over 3,500 pilot sightings, but the pilots are not allowed to speak publicly by the Air Force. Apparently, there will be hearings at the National Press Club regarding government cover-ups at Roswell, New Mexico, which is the 1947 “UFO crash site.”

A June 2012 National Geographic survey shows that 36 percent of Americans believe aliens have visited Earth. And 80 percent believe the government is withholding evidence.³ Many question those who question the evidence. They claim that highly respected testimonials will be given by Apollo Astronaut Edgar Mitchell, former Canadian Minister of Defense Paul Hellver, USAF Captain Robert Salla (commander of Nuclear Missile Silo), and New York University, Rochester Professor Richard Dolan at the National Press Club. And what about Area 51 in Nevada? This is a secretive military installation just 100 miles from Las Vegas.

How do you make sense of all this unexplainable information and the alleged sightings? We either don’t trust our government or we have a great deal of trust or respect for alien stealth.

The Apostle Paul explained that these kinds of things would happen. He recorded it in Romans 1. He writes,

²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

²² Professing to be wise, they became fools,

²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man– and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

²⁷Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Rom. 1:20-27)

Note several things. First, God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen (all-power, infinite creativity, merciful love, justice, unchangeable, etc.) by mankind, so they should acknowledge God (Rom. 1:20). But, secondly, man did not glorify Him as God and was not thankful for all that God did and does to provide for salvation. So mankind became empty (futile) in his thoughts and his heart was darkened, so he could not understand the truth and would believe the lie (Rom. 1:21). Thirdly, mankind thinks he is so wise to determine the answers himself, rather than seeking truth from God, he becomes foolish (Rom. 1:22). Fourthly, mankind changes his focus from the infinite God to his own man-made focus, whether “four-footed” animals or extraterrestrials (Rom. 1:23). So, God gives mankind over to that way of thinking and it results in all sorts of immorality and distortions in thinking (Rom. 1:24). Man wants something other than the holiness of God, so God allows man to pursue what he wants in order to show that man will never be satisfied with anything, if it is something other than God Himself. Fifthly, mankind continues to buy into the world’s lies and focuses on the world around him rather than depend on God for all answers (Rom. 1:25). Sixthly, we see one of the results of mankind pursuing what is not natural because he is foolish, his heart is darkened, because he wants what he wants when he wants it (Rom. 1:26-27).

Friends, the extraterrestrials exist. And they are another life form. Additionally, they are not of an earthly form. They are part of the angelic realm called demons. Demons can manifest themselves in a variety of forms. Paul writes that we battle against these spiritual forces, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age¹, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12) They purpose to deceive people, as Paul writes, “…with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thes. 2:10) In other words, their purpose is to blind people to the Truth, so they will believe the lie, rather than the Truth and be saved from judgment to come.

Why are they becoming more prevalent today? It is more prevalent, because man is turning away from God in greater numbers. When people dabble in the occult, witchcraft, psychics and fascination with the bizarre, God allows greater manifestations to demonstrate if people are not dependent on Him, they will become captivated by “extraterrestrials.” It was after World War II, there was an attraction to eastern mysticism. Additionally, the ease of world travel has made it much more accessible for people to bring back to the United States an appeal for answers other than the Truth of God’s Word. Drug addiction has taken many people on trips far worse than world travel with resultant devastation in objective, divine thinking. Astrology and sexual immorality replace a love of Truth and our Divine Creator, which makes room for further darkness in thinking.

Extraterrestials exist, but they are of the spirit world, not this world. Search in the Scriptures and God will give you all the answers you need!

¹http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/06/28/most-americans-believe-government-keeps-ufo-secrets-survey-finds

²http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/04/29/former-members-of-congress-getting-20k-to-hear-evidence-of-extraterrestrial-cover-up

³http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/06/28/most-americans-believe-government-keeps-ufo-secrets-survey-finds

Question: What are baptismal practices of other faith groups?

Posted on April 26, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Question: What are baptismal practices of other faith groups?

There are two main baptismal practices in churches. There is infant baptism and believer’s baptism. Infant baptism is most often practiced by those in the Catholic Church and those who follow a Covenant Theology (although neither would agree on the other’s theology) and the parent makes the decision on behalf of the child. Believer’s baptism is taught by most other churches who teach that the person must make his own profession of faith and submersion into water is the normal mode.

Those who teach infant baptism draw upon several concepts for support. First, because circumcision was the sign of the Abraham Covenant and it identified the boy with the nation of Israel, infant baptism is said to be a continuation of identifying the infant with the family of God. Also, many use the proximity of circumcision and baptism in the Colossians 2:11-12 as being significant. James Buswell in his A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religion states that infant baptism indicates membership in the covenant, not necessarily personal faith (2:262).

Secondly, an historical argument states that church fathers supported infant baptism which identifies the child with the church. However, some in the early church also taught baptismal regeneration (you must be baptized in order to be saved), which is error (heresy).

Thirdly, there are examples from Scripture where whole households were baptized (Acts 11:14; 16:15, 31; 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:16). It is argued that infants were included.

Yet there is another view against infant baptism. Scripture always follows an order of “believe and then be baptized” (Matt. 3:2-6; 28:19; Acts 2:37-38; 16:14-15, 34). Secondly, baptism is considered an initiation rite of joining the Christian believing community and therefore must be done only with believers. Thirdly, the passages that describe those who were baptized in the households, had believed. This would exclude infants. Fourthly, if the infant were baptized, in the case of one believing parent and one unbelieving parent, then that unbelieving parent would be baptized and that seems to contradict Scriptural intent.

Within the spectrum of those who follow believer’s baptism, there is a divergence of the mode, but most accept immersion into water. The divergence of the mode consists of whether the baptism should be in a baptistery, lake, or running stream or river. Some prefer a stream or river, because the water is considered living.

Immersion is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Immersion into the water is identification with the death and burial of Jesus. It recognizes a death to the old way of living as an unbeliever. Coming out of the water is identification with the resurrection of Jesus to a new resurrection life. It is recognition and proclamation of walking in newness of life in the power of the Holy Spirit.

There are some denominations and religions who teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. This is called baptismal regeneration. Grace sees that baptism is an ordinance and as a public proclamation of faith, but not a requirement for salvation.

Regarding the view of other religious beliefs on baptism, please note the table below.

Baptisms of Other Religions
Adventist	It expresses a person’s personal faith in Christ, who died for our sins. By immersion only. Baptisms by other churches are accepted on conditions.
Baptist	It is not necessary for salvation. By immersion only. Baptisms of other churches accepted if done by immersion. Infants are not baptized. Candidates must first believe.
Catholic	By pouring, sprinkling or immersion. Baptisms of other churches accepted when performed as Catholic Church prescribes. Necessary for salvation. Infants are baptized.
Christian Scientist	Baptism is not a physically manifested rite or ritual. Do not immerse, sprinkle or do any outward ordinance. Baptism is the spiritual purification of daily life.
Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints	Through the Atonement, Christ the Redeemer and Savior assured redemption, or resurrection, for all. Provides for salvation and exaltation according to our personal worthiness. The baptismal covenant is the first covenant a person makes with God. Members are baptized at the age of 8, the age at which they begin to take accountability for their sins.
Disciples of Christ	Done by immersion, showing one’s obedience. Symbolic of death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Only those old enough to know what they are doing when they confess the name of Christ are baptized.
Eastern Orthodox	By immersion for the remission of sins and entrance into church. Essential to salvation must be performed by one holding proper priesthood authority. Required of all 8 years & older. Infants are not baptized.
Episcopalian	By immersion or pouring. In an emergency any Christian may baptize saying “in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Ghost”. Necessary to salvation. Infants are baptized.
Jehovah’s Witness	By immersion, in lake or river, no fonts in Kingdom Hall. Symbolizes being dead to old way of life. Baptism does not cleanse from sin. Infants are not baptized.
Lutheran	By sprinkling, pouring or immersion. Baptisms performed by other churches accepted when all Bible conditions are met. Necessary to salvation except in rare instances. Infants are baptized.
Methodist	By sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Is only an outward sign of one’s entrance into the church. Baptisms of other churches accepted. Not necessary to salvation. Infants are baptized.
Presbyterian	By sprinkling, pouring, or immersion which ever method is preferred by the applicant. Baptisms of other churches accepted. Not necessary for salvation. Infants are baptized.
Quaker	Do not believe in outward ritual of baptism. The ongoing spiritual process should not be treated as an event. Inward baptism and communion are most important to spiritual life.
Unitarian	Do not baptize. Members are admitted by the following covenant “In the love of truth and spirit of Jesus we unite for the worship of God and the service of man,” or by signing statement of ethical purpose.
United Church of Christ	Done at time of confirmation and reception into church. Infants presented by parents or sponsor. Usually performed by sprinkling.

The above chart was obtained from: http://www.religionresourcesonline.org/different-types-of-religion/compare/baptism.php

Question: Do we see Jesus when we die or at the Rapture?

Posted on April 7, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Question: Do we see Jesus when we die or at the Rapture?

This is a great question and the study of last things is always fascinating. The answer to the above question is yes. Yes, we will see Jesus at death and yes we will see Jesus at the Rapture. We should consider 1) the death of the believer; 2) the order of ascension; and 3) additional passages. Let’s first look at the death of the believer.

At the death of the believer, the saint will be ushered into the presence of the Lord. Paul writes, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8) The context of 2 Corinthians 5 is regarding death and the tearing down of our outward body and receiving a new resurrection body from the Lord. The above passage states that we can have confidence that when we are absent from the present body, we will be “present” with the Lord. The word “present” comes from a prepositional phrase that means “face to face” with the Lord.

Secondly, let’s note the order of ascension. At the Rapture, there seems to be a confusing statement that causes some to think that those who die before the Rapture won’t see Jesus until the Rapture. Paul writes,

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus¹.

¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thes. 4:14-17)

The first aspect is the order ascension. The phrase “sleep in Jesus” is a reference to those believers who have died (1 Thes. 4:14). Paul adds, “We who are alive and remain until the Lord’s coming (Rapture), will by no means precede those who are asleep.” (1 Thes. 4:15) If those who are dead go first, have they really seen Jesus at death? The answer is yes, because in order to harmonize 2 Corinthians 5:8, they have in spirit, but they may not have received their resurrection body until the Rapture. The second aspect is that once we die, there is no time. In time beyond, everything happens (no time given). The third aspect is that those who are alive will be together with those who died “to meet the Lord in the air.” The fourth aspect is that “we shall always be with the Lord,” so that the time element will seem instantaneous and we enter right into the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9).

Thirdly, let’s note several additional passages. David writes, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” (Ps. 17:15) David spoke of seeing Christ when he was walking in righteousness, but we should consider that in our perfect righteous state, we will see Jesus. Jesus said that He would leave to prepare a place for His followers, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3) Jesus desires that we behold His glory, which will be completely fulfilled at death, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)

The application is that we want to please Him now! In the verse immediately following the first verse above, Paul writes, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. (2 Cor. 5:9)

Question: Are Sign Gifts operational today?

Posted on April 3, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Question: Are Sign Gifts operational today?

Many good students of Scripture will rest on 1 Cor. 13:10, when it comes to answering the question whether the sign gifts are available today or not. Basically, the perfect [the Bible] has been completed, so the partial [sign gifts] are removed. It is a valid thought process, but likely not the best supported interpretation of that passage. There are many well-thought-out reasons why this simplistic approach is not a correct interpretation. There are much better reasons taking into consider the context of 1 Corinthians 12-14, within which 1 Corinthians 13:10 is found and other explanation.

For example, in the context of Ephesians 2:20, the gifts of apostle and prophets were the foundation for the building structure of the church. Those gifts ceased during that first century foundational era with the completion of the canon of Scripture. However, you cannot argue the sign gifts have ceased because of that passage.

There are other passages like Philippians 2:26-27 and 2 Timothy 4:20, in which Paul was present with very sick co-laborers in the gospel. Paul, who had healed others, gave no indication that he was able to heal again as he did in Malta (Acts 28: 8,9). Is it possible that God took away the gift of healing from Paul? If so, why? Was the purpose for which Paul had the gift of healing now completed?

Much of church history shows a vacuum of sign gifts until the beginning of the 1900s. It was in the modern Charismatic movement in Los Angeles, California, in 1904, when the power seemed to be restored. Yet with all the writing, there have been objective investigations to verify the veracity of “the miracles.” The dead were not raised, the lame were not healed. The blind did not receive sight. The modern tongues movements seemed to be questioned because modern tongues are a repetition of a small number of phrases, in contrast to the biblical examples of Acts 2 and 10. The miraculous do not match the miracles presented in the New Testament.

I’m very open to the presence of sign gifts, but I see that with the provision of greater amounts of the canon or “measurement” of Scripture, sign gifts were not recorded as in the initial apostolic days of beginning the church. The reason may be because of the purpose of sign gifts. The reason is the same reason as any of the miracles in Scripture.

God allowed miracles in order to draw attention to the truth. Moses was one who worked many miracles (Ex. 4:1-5)

Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say,`The LORD has not appeared to you.'”

² So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.”

³ And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it.

⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail ” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand),

⁵“that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” (Ex. 4:1-5)

God gave Moses miraculous powers, so “that they may believe that the Lord God…has appeared to you.” (Ex. 4:5). God also worked the plagues and other miracles to give the entire nation of Israel reason to trust God was speaking through Moses. God gave Elijah miraculous powers, so Israel would believe God appeared to Elijah and was speaking through Him.

God also worked miracles through Jesus, so the people would be attracted to Him and believe His words. After Jesus fed 5000, people came back for more. Sometimes when you give people what they want, they only want what they want rather than the truth, so Jesus didn’t give them more food.

During one of the Passovers, Jesus had 5000 men and their families, who needed to eat. Jesus directed the disciples to feed them (John 6: 4-10). They recognized they could make the provision, so God used the opportunity to reveal His ability to provide through Jesus and they should listen to Jesus. Jesus fed the people and an abundance was recovered (John 6: 11-13). Those who saw the “sign” recognized Jesus as “the Prophet who is to come into the world.” But when Jesus perceived the people were going to “take Him by force to make Him king, He departed…”(John 6: 15) Jesus knew they only wanted Him to be a Bread King, not a Suffering Messiah Savior, so He withdrew from letting the “sign gift” or “miracle” from being a distraction. The importance was the message, not the sign. The sign was to lead to the message – Jesus Christ, sent from God for the world.

If the message is clearly communicated in Scripture, are sign gifts needed today? Jesus told the account of the rich man and Lazarus and how the rich man wanted Lazarus to go back to the world to tell the rich man’s brothers that they must repent. The rich man was counting on the miracle of someone coming back from the dead waking his brothers up from their complacency,

²⁷ “Then he said, `I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,

²⁸ `for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’

²⁹“Abraham said to him, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’

³⁰“And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

³¹“But he said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'” (Luke 16:27-31)

Abraham was very clear, [“If they don’t believe what was written, they will not believe.”] The issue of the sign gifts is not having a great miracle. The issue of the sign gifts is to draw attention to the truth of the Word. If the Word is completed today, then is there a need for sign gifts? I’m open to explanations, but I’ve found explanations for present activity wanting for substance.

Maybe you have some Scriptural support that God is using sign gifts today. I know they will begin again during the Tribulation and the Millennium, but I’m not seeing the need today. Could God use sign gifts in primitive places? I’ve heard some experiences that seem plausible. I know God can do what He wants to do. If He puts Himself in a box during this dispensation and restricts them because of the completed canon, I cannot change that. Let us dialogue for unity and peace. Let us also ensure we rely on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live godly lives in the discussion process. We want to follow the excellent words:

In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity. We should strive for unity in the sphere of love as we pursue the truth.

Question: Can a believer lose his salvation per Rev. 3:5?

Posted on March 24, 2013 by shepherdbryan

What is the “Book of Life”?

Can a believer lose his salvation per Rev. 3:5?

The Book of Life contains all the names of everyone who is born. Only God could know all those names. In ancient cities, a register was kept with a list of living citizens. The names of the dead were erased. The Book of Life therefore, contains the names of all the living, the wicked as well as the righteous. David writes,

²⁸ Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. (Ps. 69:28)

We need to recognize that the names of the righteous are written in the Book from the foundation of the world according to Revelation 13 and 17,

⁸ All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev. 13:8) (my emphasis)

⁸ “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Rev. 17:8) (my emphasis)

Their names were written before they had done anything good or bad. They were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world,

⁴ …just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (Eph. 1:4)

Now when the disciples returned from a mission ministry, they were all excited about what they saw. Jesus exhorted them to not be excited about demons subject to them, but that their names were written in heaven.

²⁰ “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

The word for “written” is in the perfect tense, which means that it could be translated “written with the result that they cannot be not written,” that is, “the names cannot be removed.” If the names of believers are recorded in heaven, why would Jesus give any indication that the name could be removed? Only if the name was not a part of the living, that is, those who have trusted in God’s plan of salvation found in Jesus Christ.

As unbelievers die, their names are removed from the book, just as the names were removed from the registry of the ancient city. So that at the Great White Throne, only the names of believers remain in the book and it becomes known as the Lamb’s book of life,

¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

¹³ The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:12-15) (my emphasis)

Those who never trusted Christ were removed from the book and they are cast in the Lake of Fire. That book becomes known as the Lamb’s Book of life,

²⁷ But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 21:27)

These are the true believers for eternity. They are the elect. It doesn’t matter if the name was included in a local church on planet earth. It only matters if the name is in the Book of Life for eternity.

Some people struggle with the passage in Revelation 3:5, which says, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (my emphasis) If someone is genuinely born again, he remains regenerate and written in the book (John 5:24; 6:35-37, 39; 10:28-29).

However the seed thought of removal was begun by Moses during the formation of the great nation of Israel. Moses and the Lord dialogued,

³¹ Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! ³² “Yet now, if You will forgive their sin– but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” ³³ And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. (Ex. 32:31-33) (my emphasis)

Overcoming is a concept John addresses in 1 John 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world– our faith.”The one who overcomes the world is the one who trusts in Jesus Christ and is no longer blinded by the god of this world (1 Cor. 4:4). Revelation 3:5 does not state that a name will be removed, but that those who are believers absolutely will not be erased (cf. Walvoord, Bible Knowledge Commentary, pp. 82, 338). God would never blot out the name of a true child of God.

Words: What is the Biblical view of Homosexuality?

Posted on March 22, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Homosexuality: What are the Church’s and modern views?

The homosexual agenda is becoming much more vocal. Just this week a Senator from Ohio revealed that he was in support of homosexual relationships, because he said he didn’t think he could deny his son a good relationship.¹Hillary Clinton also exposed her view that a homosexual relationship should be granted by our society and no one should deny them the dignity of a loving relationship and “gay rights are human rights.”² The question is what does God say?

1) God loves everyone, because are we identified as from the Father

¹⁴ For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. (Eph 3:14-15)

2) The whole world is fallen and deserves condemnation

³² But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor.11:32)

3) But God loves the entire world and sent Jesus to pay the penalty for their sin

¹⁶ “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

² And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1Jn. 2:2)

4) The issue is always, “What is God’s view?” Man is only capable of understanding some things.

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. ⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Is. 55:8-9)

²⁵ Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Cor. 1:25)

5) God called it sin in the Old Testament

²² `You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (Lev. 18:22)

¹³ `If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. (Lev 20:13)

6) God calls it sin in the New Testament

⁹ Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, (1Cor. 6:9)

7) God further describes it as a distortion of what is natural

²³ …and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man– and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. ²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Rom. 1:23-27)

8) Life is not about what feels good or what I want to do

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luk 22:42)

9) The issue is always the holiness of God

¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:15-16)

10) Fathers are to pass on Father greatness by “commanding” holiness to his children and each generation.

¹⁹ “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, (Gen. 18:19)

11) The modern views are too numerous to delineate. We don’t go along with experience or feelings. We are saved by God’s Word and we must live by God’s Word. We don’t believe the Senator should change his views based on his grown son’s perspective. We don’t believe that “what God calls sin” should be rendered dignified because people choose that behavior. What God calls a sinful behavior is not a birth issue. That would put the blame on God.

a) We do not endorse pedophiles, even though some people like that.

b) We do not endorse necrophilia, even though some people choose that.

c) We do not endorse bestiality, even though some people choose that.

d) We do not endorse polygamy, even though some people would like that.

e) All of these are aberrations from the holy standard of God. It doesn’t matter what someone says or believes contrary to Scripture. It matters what God says.

12) However, all grace and mercy should be exercised to help a person who believes or lives that way to recognize God’s view, repent and leave that behavior. That sin is no worse than worry or rudeness, however, it does fall under judgment from God.

a) Sodom Gen. 19

b) SPQR in 476 A.D. when homosexuality was prevalent.

c) Jesus Christ is the issue for salvation and the issue for life. It doesn’t matter if the people say they are committed to a loving relationship.

d) My issue is I want them to experience oneness with the Lord and an eternal relationship with Him. An ongoing holy relationship is not possible when living in that lifestyle. I do not condemn one who lives that way, for my sins are evident before me. I do want them to trust in Jesus as Savior, grow in Him as Lord and let Him rule in their life as King!

¹ http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/15/us-usa-portman-gaymarriage-idUSBRE92E0G020130315

² http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/18/hillary-clinton-endorses-same-sex-marriage/

Question: Resurrection: Who and When?

Posted on January 31, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Resurrection

Who is taken at the different resurrections? And when do they take place?

1) Resurrection comes from a word that means to stand again (anastasis.). It is the transformation of the physical to the spiritual (1 Cor. 15:50-54), the transition from the temporal to the eternal (1 Cor. 15:52) and the transparency of the ambiguity to clarity (Dan. 12:3; 1 Cor. 13:12).

2) The basis of the teaching is built upon the empty tomb of Jesus (John 20:1-17).

3) Resurrection is more about the corporate resurrection than the individual. There are two resurrections: The resurrection order of the living (elect) and the order of unbelievers (non-elect) (Matt. 25:33-46).

4) Jesus’ first resurrection order is for all believers and includes Jesus (Rev. 20:5-6).

a) Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection (Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 15:23).

i) The Father planned that Jesus be raised from the dead (1 Thes. 1:10).

ii) He was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 1:4).

iii) Jesus’ resurrection is the basis for our hope in life (1 Pet. 1:3).

b) The raptured Church is second (1 Cor. 15:51-57; 1 Thes. 4:13-18).

c) The Old Testament saints and Tribulational martyrs are third at the end of the Tribulation. There would be a rest for the Old Testament saints until the last days concluded during the Tribulation (Dan. 12:13).

i) Martha knew Lazarus would rise in the last day (John 11:24).

ii) The Old Testament saints will rise from the dust (Is. 26:19-20).

iii) Tribulational martyrs will join the Lord at this point (Rev. 20:4).

d) Millennial saints are fourth at the Millennium end (Rev. 20:11-15).

5) The second resurrection occurs at the end of the Millennium and is composed of all unbelievers who rejected the saving work of Jesus on the cross (Rev. 20:11-15). They will be judged based on their works, because they were not persuaded to believe in Jesus as their Savior (John 3:36).

a) The Day of Judgment will come (2 Pet. 3:7).

b) The evil of rejecting Jesus Christ brings condemnation (John 5:28-29).

c) They will join the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41).

Question: What does hate mean in the Bible?

Posted on January 24, 2013 by shepherdbryan

What does hate mean in Scripture?

Here are a few thoughts.

Most people think of hate as the opposite of love and it is.¹ Hate is often expressed by opposition, or the actions of detesting and despising toward another with whom you have no desire for contact. Love draws in, while hate separates. Amnon hated Tamar with a greater hate than the phony love he expressed to her and drove her away from him (2 Sam. 13:15).

We read of how God hated Israel’s festivals, because they were mixed with sin and human glory. God hates any action of worship from sinful, unholy people (Is. 1:13-15; cf. Zech 8:17). God hates the wicked (Ps. 11:5). God hated idols (Deut. 16:22) and those who love God will also hate idolators (Ps. 31:6). That hatred is acceptable to God.

However it is not always a violent separation or opposition. It can be a passive action as when David hated his friends who stood with him against his rebellious son Absalom. Joab rebuked David, “…you love your enemies and hate your friends” (2 Sam 19:6) when he showed mournful love toward his rebellious son Absalom. That kind of hate is a passive indifference of not caring about those who loyally stood with him.

We can hate someone by not loving the one to whom love is expected (Gen. 29:31-33). Jacob was not showing love to Leah (unloved, saneh, i.e. hated) and God blessed her in spite of his indifference.

If a man had two wives, and one was unloved (saneh, hated), the man could not give firstborn status on the son of the loved wife. He must give firstborn status to the firstborn, even if the son was from the unloved (hated) wife (Deut. 21:15-16).

The word, therefore, expressed a choice of one over the other. How that choice is manifested can be expressed in different ways.

¹Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, ed. by Harris, Arch and Waltke, Vol. 2, p. 880

Question: What is heaven like?

Posted on January 8, 2013 by shepherdbryan

At a funeral this week, one of the passages I addressed was Revelation 21. I was asked by one of the family members to address what heaven is like. I only scratched the surface of how great heaven is. It was just enough to give those who had not trusted in Christ an opportunity to hear that heaven is a place unlike the earth. Let’s note several principles about heaven:

Heaven is coming. Twice in Revelation 21:1-2, John says, “I saw…” the new heavens and new earth. We can praise the Lord for the great expression in the Bible, “And it came to pass…” It didn’t come to stay, but it came to pass, because there is something better coming. We may or may not experience it on earth, but we, who have trusted in Jesus Christ will experience the better in heaven.

Presence of Jesus. In Revelation 21:3, we see the “Tabernacle of God” is with men. The Tabernacle in the Old Testament was a type of Christ with all of its articles pointing toward an aspect of Jesus Christ. For example the showbread spoke of Jesus as the Bread of Life. The Menorah spoke of Jesus as the Light of the world. Revelation 21:3 says there will be a new relationship with men far beyond anything even what most Christians will experience on earth. Jesus will be with Christians in heaven and they will willingly submit to Him as their head. He is the great Builder of heaven.

No more pain. Revelation 21:4 provides that great expression, “No more death, no more sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Why? It is because God makes all things new in quality and wipes away every tear. We will have sorrow and pain on earth, because this is not heaven and it is a sin-dreadful place. But it will come to pass.

New surroundings. Revelation 21:5 describes how Jesus will make ALL things new. Nothing from the old will pass into eternity. We can’t load up the Uhaul and take anything to heaven. We won’t want to once we get there. It will be beyond what we could ever imagine. That’s the reward for simple faith at the point of salvation. His words are true and faithful.

Living fresh water. Revelation 21:6 describes Jesus, the Alpha and Omega from Rev. 1:8 and 22:13, promising the water of life to anyone who thirsts. We can experience that fresh water on earth, and it will be unbelievably real in heaven.

Overcoming friends. Revelation 21:7-8 describes those who overcame will be in heaven and inherit all things. John writes in 1 John 5:4 that an overcomer is one who has been born again because of faith in Jesus Christ. However, the rest of humanity who rejected Jesus and showed their rejection by hatred, sexual immorality, idolatry and lying will end up in the Lake of Fire, which is the second death.

Glory of God’s city. Revelation 21:9-11 describes the Bride, the Lamb’s wife, which is the holy Jerusalem, the glory of God prepared for God’s people to dwell. It is the presence of God. It’s hard to understand the infinite, so John records Jesus’ words that He was going to prepare a place for Christians, mansions in heaven (John 14:1-3).

Solid structure for living. Revelation 21:12-14 describe a city of walls, gates and foundations. There is perfect protection and orderly living in heaven, because there will be perfect harmony in Jesus Christ. It will be the best vacation spot, but where every believer will want to worship the Lord forever and ever.

Perfect spaciousness. Revelation 21:15-17 describe the space provided in the city. God has it measured and God’s perfect character ensures it will be perfect for us. There will be no fighting because of a lack of room or having to share with another person. Why? It will be because we will be in perfect harmony with each other.

Perfect beauty. Revelation 21:18-21 describe using precious gems and stones the construction of the city. It will be beautiful! It will cause everyone to have to lift their mouths, like a gal who sees a beautiful one carat diamond ring a guy she loves uses to propose to her. It will hold our attention because of perfect variety and beauty.

God’s presence. Revelation 21:22 describes a lack of a temple, because the Father and Lord Jesus Christ are its temple. It will be beyond anything we could ever imagine today. Some great cathedrals seize your breath the first time you walk into them, because of their grandeur. God’s presence will be amazing.

Light of glory. Revelation 21:23-24 describe the lack of light in heaven, because Jesus is the Light and all nations will walk in that light. The infinite character of Jesus’ light is not easily understood, but in heaven, there will be no need for street lights for seeing or for protection. Jesus will be the light.

Open access to Jesus. Revelation 21:25-27 describe the open door policy of Jesus. He doesn’t just have open door hours. He is always available. You won’t have to leave a voice mail or wait for a text message return. Jesus will be instantly available, not for or to you, but with you because you will be in perfect submission to His glory.

Unending truth provided. Revelation 22:1 describes a river of life coming from the throne of God. This will be truth that we will continue to enjoy the infinity of God. Water is used for God’s Word in Ephesians 5:26.

Perfect sustenance. Revelation 22:2 describes 12 varieties of fruit for a different kind of pie or food each month. God is creative and what is provided will not be boring or monotonous. It will be better than anything you can imagine.

Freedom from cursing. Revelation 22:3 describes the freedom we will possess from the effects of the curse of sin. All of God’s children will be servants who serve the Lord in perfect harmony. There will be no estrangements. There will be no hurt feelings. There will be no harsh words spoken, wicked comparisons made, slights made toward anyone. People will always be focused on the Lord in perfect unity. THAT will be heaven!

Perfect fellowship with God. Revelation 22:4-5 describe that in the radiance of Jesus’ face, which will be reflected on our foreheads, we will see and reign forever. Even as Moses’ face shone when he came off the mountain (Ex. 34:29-35), so we will bear that radiance on our face, because we will be face to face with the Lord! There will be no shadows. There will be no distrust. There will be perfect harmony in heaven with each other, because we will be in perfect submission to the Lord.

Friends, are you a child of God? You can become a child of God by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior. There is nothing more important that understanding and taking the gift of salvation that God offers in His grace. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. You will be adopted into God’s family and become a part of the Bride of Jesus Christ. Your destiny will be heaven.

Jesus was God and when He became man also, He bore the sins of all mankind while He hung on the cross. God the Father made Him the target of His wrath as sin. And pouring out His wrath on Jesus, the righteousness of God was satisfied and the world was reconciled to God awaiting that decision of faith by people to accept the gift of salvation.

Then you can begin to enjoy the blessings of heaven on earth as you submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. To the extent that you humble yourself to His Lordship, to that extent you will enjoy heaven on earth. Yes, there will be tribulations (John 16:33), but you can have His peace and harmony that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7) and be a blessing to others regardless of their actions toward you. You will be living heaven on earth, which is something the world does not and cannot understand.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Shepherding Truth

Renewing Truth, Rightly Divided

Category Archives: Theology