I was reading Psalm 140 one day recently. It's one of those Psalms that don't get quoted a lot in church because it's a prayer for vengeance.
"As for the head of those who surround me,
May the mischief of their lips cover them.
"May burning coals fall upon them;
May they be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits from which they cannot rise.
"May a slanderer not be established in the earth;
May evil hunt the violent man speedily."
Psalm 140:9-11 NASB
Many of the Psalms have this mysterious double meaning, one as a prayer and one as a prophecy. In this Psalm David is praying for deliverance from his enemies who have surrounded him. This is the most obvious meaning when you are reading or reciting the Psalm.
But if you look closely you will see an underlying prophecy regarding the final fate of Satan and his followers. The "head" of those who surround David is also their "leader" or "chief". David in a prophetic sense is Christ and His kingdom. The "head" of those who surround Christ is Satan. The curse which is repeated every time this Psalm is recited is that Satan, the beast and the false prophet will be cast into a fiery pit from which they shall never arise.
When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20:7-10 NASB
There are two interesting men mentioned in verse 11. In Hebrew they are Ish-Lashon (man of the tongue) and Ish-Hamas (man of violence). These are most surely the false prophet and the beast of the Revelation in a prophetic sense. I also found it interesting that the word "Hamas" is used in the context of those surrounding the camp of David. I don't think it's a coincidence that Hamas means "zeal" in Arabic and "violence" in Hebrew.
Those who are on the wrong side in this cosmic battle constantly participate in this ancient curse. An ever expanding chorus of martyrs in heaven join in this prayer. Choose this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house we will serve the Lord!
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
God is in Control
A few days ago I was reading something a friend liked on Facebook, which said that some who focus on prophecy are too negative and lead believers into fear and anxiety.
I lost a lot of sleep that night thinking seriously about this. I had never considered that what I post online about Biblical prophecy might cause some to stumble or fear, and I was deeply convicted. If you feel this way, please accept my humble apology and let me explain my motives.
First, I know there have been marketeers who prey on people's fears and superstitions to sell books and supplies for end-time preparation. Some may do this simply to feed their egos and enhance their power and influence over other believers. Some of these would fall into a category I've already blogged about, the wandering stars who have rushed headlong into "Balaam's Error".
I must confess that researching prophecy has been fulfilling to me because it's sort of like solving a puzzle, or finding that piece you were missing for so long. Little revelations keep me interested in studying more, and I think this is a good thing as long as it doesn't distract me from seeking the heart of God. But it's not the main thing.
After a lot of introspection I think I know why I am personally interested in this subject. I feel like the world we know in America is spinning out of control and lurching into some very troubled waters. This is currently disguised by a very unsustainable program of government borrowing and economic stimulus. In fact, I can't help believing that the end of the American era is at hand and without America the entire world is in for a very rude awakening. If I didn't believe in God I would be very troubled by these feelings of hopelessness for my homeland.
However, as a Christian I have a better home and a better hope in the eternal presence of God. When I read and write about end time prophecy I am reinforcing my confidence that indeed God has forewarned us about what is coming, and is giving us the hope and strength to thrive in the midst of a cataclysmic disaster.
What I know is this - that as hard as things may get in my lifetime, I am accepted and beloved by God and He will provide a way for me even in death to have eternal joy and hope. I am learning goals and strategies to reach the lost and leave a legacy of testimony to my Jewish brethren who have yet to accept Yeshua as their Messiah. I am learning how to put on the full armor of Christ so that I am prepared for spiritual warfare.
At the same time, I want to encourage those who see this to do the same.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
I Thessalonians 5:4-8 NASB
Remember that even though we may one day see hardship and persecution in our own land, God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
My goal is to encourage the fainthearted and help the weak, so please be patient with me. I will not allow the Holy Spirit in me to be quenched even if some may despise my prophesying. So hold fast to whatever I write that seems to be good and encouraging and cast away whatever appears to discourage you. After all, sometimes I miss the Lord or need to correct what I say in the spirit, even as I'm sure you do as well.
(I didn't intend to borrow so heavily from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, but found myself on exactly the same wavelength!)
I lost a lot of sleep that night thinking seriously about this. I had never considered that what I post online about Biblical prophecy might cause some to stumble or fear, and I was deeply convicted. If you feel this way, please accept my humble apology and let me explain my motives.
First, I know there have been marketeers who prey on people's fears and superstitions to sell books and supplies for end-time preparation. Some may do this simply to feed their egos and enhance their power and influence over other believers. Some of these would fall into a category I've already blogged about, the wandering stars who have rushed headlong into "Balaam's Error".
I must confess that researching prophecy has been fulfilling to me because it's sort of like solving a puzzle, or finding that piece you were missing for so long. Little revelations keep me interested in studying more, and I think this is a good thing as long as it doesn't distract me from seeking the heart of God. But it's not the main thing.
After a lot of introspection I think I know why I am personally interested in this subject. I feel like the world we know in America is spinning out of control and lurching into some very troubled waters. This is currently disguised by a very unsustainable program of government borrowing and economic stimulus. In fact, I can't help believing that the end of the American era is at hand and without America the entire world is in for a very rude awakening. If I didn't believe in God I would be very troubled by these feelings of hopelessness for my homeland.
However, as a Christian I have a better home and a better hope in the eternal presence of God. When I read and write about end time prophecy I am reinforcing my confidence that indeed God has forewarned us about what is coming, and is giving us the hope and strength to thrive in the midst of a cataclysmic disaster.
What I know is this - that as hard as things may get in my lifetime, I am accepted and beloved by God and He will provide a way for me even in death to have eternal joy and hope. I am learning goals and strategies to reach the lost and leave a legacy of testimony to my Jewish brethren who have yet to accept Yeshua as their Messiah. I am learning how to put on the full armor of Christ so that I am prepared for spiritual warfare.
At the same time, I want to encourage those who see this to do the same.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
I Thessalonians 5:4-8 NASB
Remember that even though we may one day see hardship and persecution in our own land, God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
My goal is to encourage the fainthearted and help the weak, so please be patient with me. I will not allow the Holy Spirit in me to be quenched even if some may despise my prophesying. So hold fast to whatever I write that seems to be good and encouraging and cast away whatever appears to discourage you. After all, sometimes I miss the Lord or need to correct what I say in the spirit, even as I'm sure you do as well.
(I didn't intend to borrow so heavily from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, but found myself on exactly the same wavelength!)
Thursday, September 12, 2013
The Valley of Jehoshaphat
"I will gather all the nations
And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.
Then I will enter into judgment with them there
On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
And they have divided up My land.
"They have also cast lots for My people,
Traded a boy for a harlot
And sold a girl for wine that they may drink."
Joel 3:2-3 NASB
Joel prophesied that the LORD will execute vengeance on the nations in the last days. This would happen in the "Valley of Jehoshaphat". Another way to translate this is "Valley of God's Judgment" since Jehoshaphat means "God is Judge". This is no doubt in reference to the valley where God destroyed the nations who came against Judah, in response to their fasting and prayer and praise and worship.
It is from this chapter that John draws at least two quotations in the book of Revelation:
Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
Come, tread, for the wine press is full;
The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.
The sun and moon grow dark
And the stars lose their brightness.
Joel 3:13,15 NASB
These verses are clearly referring to the battle of the ages between the armies of the LORD and the armies of the nations. What have the nations done to merit this day of vengeance?
On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel,
Whom they have scattered among the nations;
And they have divided up My land.
"They have also cast lots for My people,
Traded a boy for a harlot
And sold a girl for wine that they may drink."
Joel 3:2-3 NASB
Joel prophesied that the LORD will execute vengeance on the nations in the last days. This would happen in the "Valley of Jehoshaphat". Another way to translate this is "Valley of God's Judgment" since Jehoshaphat means "God is Judge". This is no doubt in reference to the valley where God destroyed the nations who came against Judah, in response to their fasting and prayer and praise and worship.
It is from this chapter that John draws at least two quotations in the book of Revelation:
Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
Come, tread, for the wine press is full;
The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.
The sun and moon grow dark
And the stars lose their brightness.
Joel 3:13,15 NASB
These verses are clearly referring to the battle of the ages between the armies of the LORD and the armies of the nations. What have the nations done to merit this day of vengeance?
- Scattered His people among the nations - desolation of the church by persecution and corruption
- Divided up His land - confiscation of property and occupation of holy ground
- Cast lots for His people - slave trade
- Traded a boy for a harlot, sold a girl for wine - sex and drug trafficking
These atrocities happen around the world, but mostly outside America. My church has committed to fighting human trafficking and the sex trade. I must believe that as heinous as the persecution of the church has been throughout history, rampant sex trafficking of innocent children must surely fill the cup of God's wrath to overflowing.
We are working to stop the tide of human trafficking and sex slavery, and I have to believe from studying these verses about Jehoshaphat that we can:
- Recognize that we are powerless before this great multitude coming against us
- Stand before the LORD with our infants and wives and children
- Bow with our face to the ground and worship the LORD
- Rise up early and put our trust in the LORD our God
- Begin singing and praising God
- Stand and see the salvation of the LORD on our behalf
- Take back the spoil, which are the poor desperate young people caught in these traps
Friday, September 6, 2013
Guide to Apocalyptic Scriptures
After years of study, I put together this timeline that I have used to understand biblical prophecy related to the end times. I have intentionally put aside the many teachings I have had on this subject and mainly used the Bible as my guideline, checking what I learn from the Bible and the Spirit against those teachings when necessary and fruitful. I once again must thank the publishers of the Biblehub website for the enormous benefit of having so much information easily available online.
I would just add a few notes. One is my mapping of the "Great Tribulation" to the entire time period from the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 until the Day of the Lord at the final trumpet. I did not set out to take such an unconventional view of this term (the "thlipsis megale" in Greek), however after cross-referencing the synoptic accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke, I came to the conclusion that the "Olivet Discourse" is mostly referring to the end of the Jewish kingdom and the desecration of the temple by the Roman Emperor. After all, this is what the disciples asked about (the destruction of the temple) and what they would be most concerned about in their lifetimes. This drove me to review the prophecies of Daniel regarding the abomination of desolation and the cessation of the regular sacrifice which were fulfilled at that time and are not mentioned in Revelation. The tribulation in my view, is great not only in intensity, but also in its breadth (worldwide) and duration over the centuries. This trying of our souls involves not only endurance through persecution, but also endurance through false prophecy and the mocking wisdom of man.
Of course, Jesus also talks about His second coming after the great tribulation so we cannot take a "post millennial" viewpoint; the balance of scripture still indicates much to come before the great day of judgment.
If you study end time teachings over the years, you will discover that commonly accepted teachings come and go, and change greatly over time. This is natural, because nobody really knows when the things yet to come will happen, or exactly how. That part is up to God. I may change my own view of some of these events, but I have tried diligently to respect the entire teaching of the Bible and only use the tools available to consolidate wisdom and knowledge from the Bible and present it here in a very broad summary.
I hope you enjoy using this for reference, and consider it prayerfully before commenting below!
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Of course, Jesus also talks about His second coming after the great tribulation so we cannot take a "post millennial" viewpoint; the balance of scripture still indicates much to come before the great day of judgment.
If you study end time teachings over the years, you will discover that commonly accepted teachings come and go, and change greatly over time. This is natural, because nobody really knows when the things yet to come will happen, or exactly how. That part is up to God. I may change my own view of some of these events, but I have tried diligently to respect the entire teaching of the Bible and only use the tools available to consolidate wisdom and knowledge from the Bible and present it here in a very broad summary.
I hope you enjoy using this for reference, and consider it prayerfully before commenting below!
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Mercy and Atonement
Reading Psalm 136, you can't help but notice that every verse ends with "His steadfast love endures forever". (It would help if we also had the original tune to go along with this "praise chorus"!)
So being overly analytical I wanted to see what those words are in Hebrew. Ki le'ovlam chasdow - Because of His eternal mercy. The Hebrew word for "steadfast love" or "mercy" is chasdow or Chesed (start by snoring backwards, then add "hess-said"). Chesed is one of the core attributes of God. It refers to how God treats those in need - to care for them and help them. A Chesed organization in Israel would be called a charitable organization in America.
So I got curious if this word was used in the "mercy seat" of the Torah. Not at all. Actually I was surprised to see that the "mercy seat" is really mistranslated and would be more accurately translated "the covering" or "the atonement cover". The Hebrew is "Hakkaporet" or simply "The Cover". The root word "kopher" (KPR) in Hebrew has several meanings, most often translated "ransom" or the price one must pay to redeem a life from debtor's prison or slavery. I think this must be where we get the usage of "covering a debt" in English.
OK, so step back for a moment and consider what the the Kopher is covering. It's the lid on the ark of the covenant. Inside the ark of the covenant is the Law of Moses, which is the law of sin and death. We could go back one more step and note that "kopher" also means "pitch" or "bitumen" which was used to seal and protect another ark - Noah's ark.
So, why does the ark need a covering? In Noah's case the ark needed to be sealed so it could float for a year without leaking or getting waterlogged. The "kopher" kept the creatures inside the ark separate from the water outside the ark. In that sense it stood between the redeemed and judgment.
In the case of the ark of the covenant, the cover was to stand between man and the law of sin and death. This is the concept of atonement. Yom Kippur - the day of atonement - would ensure that the sins of the people were covered for another year. Why is this translated "the mercy seat"? "Seat" because the cover is seated on the top of the ark (an artifact of King James English I suppose). "Mercy" because it is only by God's great mercy that we are not consumed by His wrath. The law requires death as the penalty for sin, and all of us stand in need of His mercy to save us from the just sentence of death.
So now we come to what covers our sins as Christians. It is the righteousness of Christ. Unlike the black tar used to cover the ark of Noah, the righteousness of Christ is a white linen garment, fine and clean.
Genesis 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.
Isaiah 61:10 For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Revelation 19:18 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Yet there is something more than atonement available for followers of Christ. Atonement is temporary, and our sins are covered by the blood of Christ while we are in the flesh, but we are also:
Redeemed (all our debts under the Law are paid by Christ's sacrifice),
So being overly analytical I wanted to see what those words are in Hebrew. Ki le'ovlam chasdow - Because of His eternal mercy. The Hebrew word for "steadfast love" or "mercy" is chasdow or Chesed (start by snoring backwards, then add "hess-said"). Chesed is one of the core attributes of God. It refers to how God treats those in need - to care for them and help them. A Chesed organization in Israel would be called a charitable organization in America.
So I got curious if this word was used in the "mercy seat" of the Torah. Not at all. Actually I was surprised to see that the "mercy seat" is really mistranslated and would be more accurately translated "the covering" or "the atonement cover". The Hebrew is "Hakkaporet" or simply "The Cover". The root word "kopher" (KPR) in Hebrew has several meanings, most often translated "ransom" or the price one must pay to redeem a life from debtor's prison or slavery. I think this must be where we get the usage of "covering a debt" in English.
OK, so step back for a moment and consider what the the Kopher is covering. It's the lid on the ark of the covenant. Inside the ark of the covenant is the Law of Moses, which is the law of sin and death. We could go back one more step and note that "kopher" also means "pitch" or "bitumen" which was used to seal and protect another ark - Noah's ark.
So, why does the ark need a covering? In Noah's case the ark needed to be sealed so it could float for a year without leaking or getting waterlogged. The "kopher" kept the creatures inside the ark separate from the water outside the ark. In that sense it stood between the redeemed and judgment.
In the case of the ark of the covenant, the cover was to stand between man and the law of sin and death. This is the concept of atonement. Yom Kippur - the day of atonement - would ensure that the sins of the people were covered for another year. Why is this translated "the mercy seat"? "Seat" because the cover is seated on the top of the ark (an artifact of King James English I suppose). "Mercy" because it is only by God's great mercy that we are not consumed by His wrath. The law requires death as the penalty for sin, and all of us stand in need of His mercy to save us from the just sentence of death.
So now we come to what covers our sins as Christians. It is the righteousness of Christ. Unlike the black tar used to cover the ark of Noah, the righteousness of Christ is a white linen garment, fine and clean.
Genesis 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.
Isaiah 61:10 For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Revelation 19:18 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Yet there is something more than atonement available for followers of Christ. Atonement is temporary, and our sins are covered by the blood of Christ while we are in the flesh, but we are also:
Redeemed (all our debts under the Law are paid by Christ's sacrifice),
Reconciled (brought back into the presence of God),
Saved (delivered from the power of sin and spared from the wrath of God),
Reborn (resurrected to a new life in Christ),
Justified (imputed with the righteousness of Christ),
Sanctified (purified from sin and re-formed into the image of Christ),
Anointed (filled with the Holy Spirit of God),
Appointed (sent into the world to make disciples of all men), and
Glorified (together with Christ) when our earthly bodies are exchanged for heavenly bodies in the world to come.
Now that I think about this list, I think I will memorize it for a time of thanksgiving and praise!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Buying the Land of Promise
'Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You...O great and mighty God...great in counsel and mighty in deed...'
Jeremiah 32:17 NASB
I guess if you've been around Christian music more than a few years you recognize that song. This was a prayer by Jeremiah as a profession of faith in God's coming restoration of His kingdom in Judea. It was said on the eve of the destruction of Jerusalem by the armies of Babylon. You see, Jeremiah had just purchased some of the Benjamin tribal territory from his cousin Hanamel. He did this while the armies of Babylon camped outside the gates of Jerusalem ready to strike. And this testimony of faith was done in front of the king and the high priest in the royal palace.
The deed to the land would be sealed in an earthenware pot, in order to last a very long time. So long was the exile in Babylon that Jeremiah would not enjoy this new purchase in his lifetime. Of course the contract would be nullified when the government of Judea was overthrown, but the promise of God to return His people to the land of their forefathers was Jeremiah's assurance of things hoped for, and conviction of things not seen. He was one of those who were stoned, sawn in two, tempted, put to death with the sword; who went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy). Hebrews 11:1, 37-38 NASB
Jeremiah traded this little bit of silver for a piece of the land of promise. What a lesson for us. To trust God enough to trade our worldly pleasure here for an eternal treasure there! God, whose outstretched powerful right arm (Jesus) made heaven and earth, is worthy of our faith and our praise! Nothing is too difficult for Him, even to give us "what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him. I Corinthians 2:9 NASB
If you remember this song, remember Jeremiah and his purchase of heaven's promised land.
Jeremiah 32:17 NASB
I guess if you've been around Christian music more than a few years you recognize that song. This was a prayer by Jeremiah as a profession of faith in God's coming restoration of His kingdom in Judea. It was said on the eve of the destruction of Jerusalem by the armies of Babylon. You see, Jeremiah had just purchased some of the Benjamin tribal territory from his cousin Hanamel. He did this while the armies of Babylon camped outside the gates of Jerusalem ready to strike. And this testimony of faith was done in front of the king and the high priest in the royal palace.
The deed to the land would be sealed in an earthenware pot, in order to last a very long time. So long was the exile in Babylon that Jeremiah would not enjoy this new purchase in his lifetime. Of course the contract would be nullified when the government of Judea was overthrown, but the promise of God to return His people to the land of their forefathers was Jeremiah's assurance of things hoped for, and conviction of things not seen. He was one of those who were stoned, sawn in two, tempted, put to death with the sword; who went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy). Hebrews 11:1, 37-38 NASB
Jeremiah traded this little bit of silver for a piece of the land of promise. What a lesson for us. To trust God enough to trade our worldly pleasure here for an eternal treasure there! God, whose outstretched powerful right arm (Jesus) made heaven and earth, is worthy of our faith and our praise! Nothing is too difficult for Him, even to give us "what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him. I Corinthians 2:9 NASB
If you remember this song, remember Jeremiah and his purchase of heaven's promised land.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Holiness and the Sabbath
One of the things that I find difficult to reconcile between the Old Testament and the New Testament is the Sabbath. This was one of the fundamental tenets of the Law; the Sabbath is to be a holy day unto the Lord. The Sabbath rest is introduced in the very beginning of the Bible and it is one of the Ten Commandments. I ran into this quandary again today when I was reading Isaiah 56.
Thus says the LORD,
“Preserve justice and do righteousness,
For My salvation is about to come
And My righteousness to be revealed.
“How blessed is the man who does this,
And the son of man who takes hold of it;
Who keeps from profaning the Sabbath,
And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
This theme of not profaning the Sabbath is repeated three times in Isaiah 56, even applying it to gentiles who come to the Lord.
“Also the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
To minister to Him, and to love the name of the LORD,
To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the Sabbath
And holds fast My covenant;
Even those I will bring to My holy mountain
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar;
For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
When I was a child in Houston, I remember the world around me seemed to stop on Sundays. At that time (the 1960s) America was just getting started on its way to abandoning the Sabbath or "blue laws." Today in America you couldn't tell much difference between Sunday and any other day of the week. Most people still get weekends off from work (praise the Lord), but treat Sunday just like Saturday or any other day off from work.
So I had to stop and ask myself, how does this fundamental Old Testament law apply to Christians, or does it apply at all? First, the Sabbath as counted by the original keepers of the Sabbath occurs on Saturday. That immediately causes me concern about Sabbath legalism being applied to Sundays.
The apostles seemed to dismiss or even discourage observance of holy days, and even Christ seemed to intentionally violate Jewish traditions based on the Sabbath day, in order to challenge the religious establishment.
So, what can we learn from the principal of the Sabbath that applies to Christians? Well, first the principal of rest on the seventh day is built into our genetics by our Creator. This is a physical principal which we would do best to observe.
More importantly, just like our bodies need rest periodically, our spirits need refreshing periodically. The Sabbath, like the tithe, is a principal which pre-dates and exists outside the Law of Moses. Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So we should use the Sabbath rest for its purpose, to re-unite our spirits with the Spirit of God, and re-unite our souls with our brethren in the Lord.
Most critical though, the Sabbath is a demonstration of the holiness of God. Profaning the Sabbath is really just making the Sabbath like any other day. There is another similar commandment right before the Sabbath law.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."
Exodus 20:7 NASB
The first four commandments deal with the holiness of God. There have been teachings in America that bring God down to our level, as a friend or a brother. While it is true that God may present himself through Jesus as a fellow servant of God, we cannot presume to approach Him in that way. The first words in the Lord's prayer lift up the holiness of God.
I came across this in my study of the prophets.
He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the sons of Israel forever. And the house of Israel will not again defile My holy name, neither they nor their kings, by their harlotry and by the corpses of their kings when they die, by setting their threshold by My threshold and their door post beside My door post, with only the wall between Me and them. And they have defiled My holy name by their abominations which they have committed. So I have consumed them in My anger.
Ezekiel 43:7-8 NASB
It appears to me that the Jewish priests set up a room next to the holy place in the temple where they kept the remains of their kings. This reminds me of some churches I saw in Europe where they had the bones of dead saints right there in the sanctuary mixed in with images of Jesus. Certainly elevating saints to a level of worship is an abomination to God.
God may come down to our level, but we are not allowed to go up to His level or bring Him down to ours. If we make His throne in our lives just one of many, we profane His name. God's throne must be supreme; He will not share His glory with any other.
"I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images."
Isaiah 42:8 NASB
The early disciples called Sunday the "Lord's Day" and it was indeed a special day. We need not re-introduce the Law of Moses to make Sunday our Sabbath. Rather, I pray that I will remember to keep the Lord's day separate in some ways, to spend a little more time in prayer, to read a little more from His word, and maybe even write something honoring the Name of my Creator!
Thus says the LORD,
“Preserve justice and do righteousness,
For My salvation is about to come
And My righteousness to be revealed.
“How blessed is the man who does this,
And the son of man who takes hold of it;
Who keeps from profaning the Sabbath,
And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
This theme of not profaning the Sabbath is repeated three times in Isaiah 56, even applying it to gentiles who come to the Lord.
“Also the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,
To minister to Him, and to love the name of the LORD,
To be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the Sabbath
And holds fast My covenant;
Even those I will bring to My holy mountain
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar;
For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
When I was a child in Houston, I remember the world around me seemed to stop on Sundays. At that time (the 1960s) America was just getting started on its way to abandoning the Sabbath or "blue laws." Today in America you couldn't tell much difference between Sunday and any other day of the week. Most people still get weekends off from work (praise the Lord), but treat Sunday just like Saturday or any other day off from work.
So I had to stop and ask myself, how does this fundamental Old Testament law apply to Christians, or does it apply at all? First, the Sabbath as counted by the original keepers of the Sabbath occurs on Saturday. That immediately causes me concern about Sabbath legalism being applied to Sundays.
The apostles seemed to dismiss or even discourage observance of holy days, and even Christ seemed to intentionally violate Jewish traditions based on the Sabbath day, in order to challenge the religious establishment.
So, what can we learn from the principal of the Sabbath that applies to Christians? Well, first the principal of rest on the seventh day is built into our genetics by our Creator. This is a physical principal which we would do best to observe.
More importantly, just like our bodies need rest periodically, our spirits need refreshing periodically. The Sabbath, like the tithe, is a principal which pre-dates and exists outside the Law of Moses. Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So we should use the Sabbath rest for its purpose, to re-unite our spirits with the Spirit of God, and re-unite our souls with our brethren in the Lord.
Most critical though, the Sabbath is a demonstration of the holiness of God. Profaning the Sabbath is really just making the Sabbath like any other day. There is another similar commandment right before the Sabbath law.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."
Exodus 20:7 NASB
The first four commandments deal with the holiness of God. There have been teachings in America that bring God down to our level, as a friend or a brother. While it is true that God may present himself through Jesus as a fellow servant of God, we cannot presume to approach Him in that way. The first words in the Lord's prayer lift up the holiness of God.
I came across this in my study of the prophets.
He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell among the sons of Israel forever. And the house of Israel will not again defile My holy name, neither they nor their kings, by their harlotry and by the corpses of their kings when they die, by setting their threshold by My threshold and their door post beside My door post, with only the wall between Me and them. And they have defiled My holy name by their abominations which they have committed. So I have consumed them in My anger.
Ezekiel 43:7-8 NASB
It appears to me that the Jewish priests set up a room next to the holy place in the temple where they kept the remains of their kings. This reminds me of some churches I saw in Europe where they had the bones of dead saints right there in the sanctuary mixed in with images of Jesus. Certainly elevating saints to a level of worship is an abomination to God.
God may come down to our level, but we are not allowed to go up to His level or bring Him down to ours. If we make His throne in our lives just one of many, we profane His name. God's throne must be supreme; He will not share His glory with any other.
"I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images."
Isaiah 42:8 NASB
The early disciples called Sunday the "Lord's Day" and it was indeed a special day. We need not re-introduce the Law of Moses to make Sunday our Sabbath. Rather, I pray that I will remember to keep the Lord's day separate in some ways, to spend a little more time in prayer, to read a little more from His word, and maybe even write something honoring the Name of my Creator!
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