Angels and Demons Part 2

Greetings,

                Last week we left off in the midst of our discussion on how the angels were able to procreate with human women as described in Genesis 6:1-4. We also realized that although Lucifer had already rebelled, it is unlikely that he was involved in this since he was not locked up like the angels that were involved (2 Peter 2:4). On this note we will resume our discussion as we seek to understand the difference between fallen angels and demons.

I want to make you aware of an ancient text known as 1 Enoch. Although it is not canonized, it is quoted by the Bible and gives information that the Bible is relatively silent on. Note how it is quoted by the Bible:

“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 14-15)

“And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of His holy ones, To execute judgment upon all, and to destroy all the ungodly: And to convict all flesh Of all the works of their ungodliness which they have ungodly committed, And of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (1 Enoch 1:9)

The following quote is from the book of 1 Enoch and if it is correct, it sheds additional light on the incident of Genesis 6:1-4 and helps us to understand that there were exactly 200 angels involved in the incident. Furthermore, the record in 1 Enoch confirms what I pointed out in the last email. Lucifer had little if anything to do with this rebellion. His name is not listed among the names of the captains.

“And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children…' Then sware they all together and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. And they were in all two hundred; who descended in the days of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon, because they had sworn and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. And these are the names of their leaders: Samlazaz, their leader, Araklba, Rameel, Kokablel, Tamlel, Ramlel, Danel, Ezeqeel, Baraqijal, Asael, Armaros, Batarel, Ananel, Zaqlel, Samsapeel, Satarel, Turel, Jomjael, Sariel. These are their chiefs of tens.” (1 Enoch 6:1-3a, 5b-8)

                Thus far everything that we have discussed has been in relation to angels. However, now that we have established what Genesis 6 actually explains we can move on. The word translated as “giants” in the book of Genesis is the Hebrew word nephilim. It was primarily due to nephilim activity that the flood was sent. This activity threatened a pure human seed which would be necessary to bring about the birth of the Messiah. God could not let that happen. Moreover, this activity also played a role in bringing about total lawlessness and evil (Genesis 6:5).

                After the flood the nephilim show up again, particularly in the Promised Land (Canaan). When they show up there are different races of them:

Ø  Rephaims: a tall ancient people in the land east of the Jordan. The dead ones (Genesis 14:5)

Ø  Emims: Fearful ones (Deuteronomy 2:11-12)

Ø  Anakims: long necked ones (Deuteronomy 2:11-12)

Ø  Zamzummims (Deuteronomy 2:20)

Ø  Horims: a race of nephilim conquered by the descendants of Esau (Deuteronomy 2:12)

Ø  Avims: Conquered by the Caphtorims (Deuteronomy 2:23)

Ø  Caphtorims: giants from the lineage of Mizraim (Egypt) (1 Chronicles 1:11-12)

Etymologically related to the Hebrew word Rephaim (one of the tribes of the giants) is the Hebrew word rapha. They both carry the connotation of being dead—rapha referring to the dead Rephaim. It is no coincidence that rapha actually means ghost or shade according to Strong’s Concordance. This leads us to a particularly interesting passage in the book of Isaiah.

“They are dead, they will not live; They are deceased, they will not rise. Therefore You have punished and destroyed them, And made all their memory to perish.” (Isaiah 26:14 NKJV)

This passage is speaking to the resurrection of the dead. How are there some “deceased” that will not rise? I bolded the word deceased because it is translated from the Hebrew word rapha. Remember that while this word means ghost and shade it is etymologically related to the word Rephaim. In essence, Isaiah is actually saying that as ghosts, the spirits of dead nephilim will not have a resurrection. Trying to interpret it as pertaining to humans is straightforwardly impossible; this is the only conclusion that makes sense.

The Bible is clear that all humans will have a resurrection. From the book of Revelation we learn that there are two resurrections. One resurrection is for those that have died in Christ (Revelation 20:5-6) and the other is for everyone else (Revelation 20:12-13). The important point is that every human will experience a resurrection for judgment at some point. It is impossible to be human and not receive a resurrection.

Isaiah’s comment in regards to the word rapha is actually for the purpose of setting up a comparison. Just a few verses later Isaiah continues to speak to the resurrection of the dead. He is intentionally making a distinction between human spirits and nephil spirits.

“Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead.” (Isaiah 26:19 NKJV)

Although the Bible doesn’t specifically tell us what happens to the spirits of dead nephilim, the fact that the word rapha means ghosts or shades is enough to draw our conclusion. Demons are not angels, but the disembodied spirits of dead nephilim. Having proven this with the Bible, we can verify it by returning to the account of 1 Enoch.

“And now, the giants, who are produced from the spirits and flesh, shall be called evil spirits upon the earth, and on the earth shall be their dwelling. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies; because they are born from men and from the holy Watchers is their beginning and primal origin; they shall be evil spirits on earth, and evil spirits shall they be called. [As for the spirits of heaven, in heaven shall be their dwelling, but as for the spirits of the earth which were born upon the earth, on the earth shall be their dwelling.] And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the earth, and cause trouble: they take no food, but nevertheless hunger and thirst, and cause offences. And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded from them.” (1 Enoch 15:8-12)

To be continued…

Unity and an Eschatological mindset

12/24/11

Greetings,

                The New Year is right around the corner! What’s more, tomorrow is Christmas. Believe it or not this is the fifty-second BRIDE email on the topic of unity. This will also be the last. I will be taking a week off and BRIDE emails will resume beginning the first Saturday of 2012. The topic of the coming year will be spiritual warfare. We will discuss what it means, what’s involved, and most importantly how to exercise the victory that we have in Jesus Christ. If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you believe will benefit from learning about spiritual warfare please send me their email addresses so that I can add them to the recipient list! With all that is coming upon the earth, it is time for the body of Christ to arise as the powerhouse that God has appointed us to be.

                With that said, I was asked an interesting question recently. A friend of mine asked me what perspective the body of Christ should have in regards to the last days. This was a good question because many perspectives have been suggested by various sources. Some have said that we should simply focus on being “rapture ready.” This means we should be saved and prepared to vanish at any time so that we don’t have to deal with all of the negative things coming upon the earth. Another perspective suggests that we should be prepared to hide in caves, under rocks, or in holes in the ground. Some have even suggested that Jesus won’t come back until the whole world becomes Christian, so we should just keep evangelizing the lost.

                All of these suggestions have reasons for embracing them, but I am not convinced that any of these are the final say as it pertains to what perspective we should assume. As God has opened my eyes to His unfolding plan I have realized that He has a grand, awe-inspiring agenda prepared for the last days. In light of this, one passage in particular gives us a blunt glimpse of the plan that God has. The book of Daniel actually tells us what we will be doing in the last days. When we stop and consider what is truly being said it begins to reveal what kind of perspective we really should be embracing.

                “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)

                In order to understand the ramifications of this brief passage we must establish its timeframe. Believe it or not, the timeframe for this comment is the coming antichrist’s rule. This season will reveal the greatest evil ever released upon the earth. In spite of the darkest season history will ever record and without concern for the seemingly impossible circumstances under which they will be operating—the Christians of the last days that know their God will be strong and do exploits.

                There is nothing impossible for the true people of God because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). We are not looking forward to evacuation, but to a glorious mission. However, we must know our God. These people of Daniel 11:32 will have become the answer to the following prayer of Jesus:

                “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word (the testimony of the first apostles); That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are.” (John 17:20-22)

                The implications of this prayer are staggering beyond the imagination. Jesus is essentially praying for everyone that will ever believe upon His name. However, what He prays for them is nothing short of bewildering. He prays that they will be one in the same way that He and the Father are one. There is no unity as powerful as the unity of the Godhead. Jesus prays that the church will achieve the same unity that He shares with the Father. (This unity is manifested trans-dimensionally which is why Jesus says that the unity will manifest “in us”). This unity will allow for the saints to be strong and execute great exploits in the face of the antichrist agenda.

                Jesus goes on and declares that the activation of this unity among the saints will cause the world to believe in Him. This means that the result of unity is a massive harvest of souls—a side-effect of the strength and exploits of the last day saints. Jesus also speaks about His glory. Some people think that God will not share His glory. This is not what the Bible says. The Bible says that God will not give His glory to another (Isaiah 42:8). However, He will share His glory with those found in Him. The very glory of Jesus has been given to the church. Jesus says that He has given His glory to the church that we might become one in Him. This glory will empower unity, strength and great exploits in the last days.

                Unity is inseparable from the coming moves of God. As I have said before, unity is not an end in and of itself. Unity is necessary in order to achieve the things that God has planned for the last days. Moreover, I am not speaking of a counterfeit unity based around a globalist agenda. This is a false unity and it is a counterfeit and a means of control. There is only one true unity and that is unity based on the common goal of coming to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). As the year winds to a close, let us keep in mind that Jesus has more prepared for us than we can imagine. Let us together press on towards the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)!

Discussion

1.       What perspective regarding the last days have you embraced until this point?

2.       What perspective regarding the last days does Daniel 11:32 suggest we should embrace?

3.       When Jesus prays for the unity of the church, what kind of unity does He pray for?

4.       What are some of the most powerful lessons in reference to unity in the body of Christ that you have learned in the past year?

5.       Do you have any suggestions that will allow me to improve these letters in the coming year? (Feel free to email me the answer to this question)

2012

12/3/11

Greetings,

                We are officially in the last month of the year. For the past eleven months we have been focusing on the power, the purpose, and the necessity of unity in the body of Christ. The reason we need unity is because many of the works that God wants to do in the coming years will require increasing degrees of unity among His people. Unity is not an end in and of itself, but it is a means to an end. We must begin to grasp this, it is imperative.

                After this month is over the focus of BRIDE emails will most likely be transitioning. I’m not yet sure what direction God will take these emails, but this will undoubtedly be clarified by the beginning of 2012. The year 2012 is going to be a major part of our discussion this week. There is quite a lot of buzz regarding what it will bring, and this week we are going to bring out some important elements.

I have a great deal of confidence that the enemy has big plans for the following year. Will it be the end of the world as some have suggested? Don’t count on it. The real danger of the year has to do with the astrological significance of the planetary alignment that will be occurring. What many don’t understand is that witchcraft in all its various forms and identities is largely based around the cycles of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and planets. Without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that we can expect unprecedented coordination of rituals throughout the entire kingdom of darkness in an attempt to take advantage of the fact that our solar system will be coming into alignment with what is known as the galactic center.

                This alignment with the galactic center is something that only happens once every 25,920 years. To put this into perspective, if one were to hold a strict young earth view (meaning that they believe the entire history of events on earth is confined to roughly a 6,000 year period) then they would have to accept that earth has never experienced this alignment before. On December 21 of next year, our sun is expected to rise in perfect alignment with the galactic center pictured below. The galactic center is also known as the mouth of the ouroboros (the snake which eats its own tail according to esoteric belief).

                With such an astrologically significant event occurring there will probably be preparations throughout the year by the kingdom of darkness to make sure that full advantage is taken of this astrological alignment. So why should we be concerned? I think the answer is obvious.

                Whether people involved in darkness realize it or not, the very underlying structures of their respective belief systems will be pulling them together in the following year. These underlying structures involve the common beliefs in astrological alignments and their importance. In other words, I expect for the following year to serve as a unifying force within the kingdom of darkness among other things. Will the body of Christ step it up to shut down what the enemy is trying to do? I certainly hope so.

                A major problem that I have become increasingly aware of in the body of Christ is that we really don’t know what to rally around. At the most basic level, Christianity is divided into those that consider themselves evangelical and those that do not. To be evangelical basically means to believe that we must be saved by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Obviously, groups that do not believe this have little business claiming to be Christian. Moreover, even if they try to unite with evangelicals, what are they going to effectively unite around?

                The answer is usually good works like feeding the hungry and getting medical attention for those that can’t afford it. These are good causes but the problem is that humanitarian causes do not require any form of spirituality whatsoever. Moreover, they can be done in the name of any god. The solution to the problem of unity in the body of Christ will not be found in figuring out ways to feed the hungry together. This must be done, but the calling of the church is higher.

                One of these major calls is spiritual warfare. There is only one group of people in the world that is capable of destroying the works of the enemy on a spiritual plane. This is the true church of Jesus Christ.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

The church must unite around the very purpose for which we have been placed into the earth. This purpose is actually to corporately come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). We will never achieve this by continually putting all of our efforts towards feeding the hungry and providing humanitarian aid only. There is so much involved in this, and it will require heavy duty warfare with the powers of darkness. Unfortunately, most Christian leaders know little of how to train people in or personally carry out heavy duty spiritual warfare. This leaves the body of Christ largely defenseless against large scale efforts of the enemy. At this point I’m going to put it plainly: the year 2012 will result in large scale efforts by the enemy.

So what are we going to do? I believe that it’s time for all of us to personally seek out training in our spiritual weaponry from leaders that are equipped. We are going to need it to face the coming increase in darkness. We also need to deepen our relationships with Jesus, without which we will never become effective spiritual warriors. We need to unite with those that are of a similar mind to begin to shut down the works of the enemy and establish righteousness. We need to open ourselves up to receive the truth about what the enemy is already doing and stop plugging up our spiritual ears when we get “uncomfortable”.

Consider that the whole earth is built around an extremely hot core. In the same way, a united body of believers will effectively unite around an extremely hot core. I challenge you to be part of that hot core, because the moves of God that are coming are going to be built around forerunners that are hot, powerful, and well able.

“And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)

Discussion

1.       Is unity an end in and of itself?

2.       Should we be worried that 2012 is the end of the world?

3.       What is actually going to happen on December 21, 2012?

4.       Who is the only group of people capable of truly destroying the works of the devil in the spirit realm?

5.       Are you an effective spiritual warrior, why or why not?

Family

11/26/11

Greetings,

                As you are well aware, this past Thursday was Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time for get-togethers and reflection on all of the things we are thankful for. It is a celebration of the blessings that we enjoy in our lives. A common theme of thankfulness is the presence of family with whom we can share the ups and downs of life.

                Nonetheless, not all families are as functional as others. Some are downright dysfunctional. The most unfortunate part is that it often seems that the families that should be the most functional often have the most dysfunction. This is particularly true of a family I am going to share about today. This family is the family of God on earth.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14-15)

It is no good for any family to be in a state of feuding. When any family is broken into factions it weakens the family as a whole. It removes a foundation of identity and it opens up doors for the enemy to work his wickedness. The fact that the family of God is broken up into many factions and divided against each other is not good. Reconciliation must be established and for this cause we have all been given the ministry of reconciliation.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18)

The fact that the body of Christ is a family is poorly understood by a majority of Christians. If we are honest with ourselves, we often view other Christians as people that share the same religion that we adhere to. We give them little consideration beyond this. We don’t look at fellow believers as family and in this way it becomes all too easy to dismiss them as less important to our lives than they really are.

If we compare our approach to fellow believers with the approach of the first church our approach to Christianity is honestly unacceptable.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:42-47)

This year, I challenge you not only to be thankful for your relatives and the other blessings in your life, but also for every person that is your brother or sister in Christ. I am convinced that if we begin with an attitude of thankfulness towards one another it will make it easier to break the walls that separate us.

Discussion

1.       What are you thankful to God for?

2.       Do you consider other Christians your family?

3.       How often have you felt that other Christians viewed you like family?

4.       How does the church of Acts 2 compare with your experience?

5.       How do you think that God feels as the Father of such a dysfunctional family?

The Issue of Self

11/19/11

Greetings,

                When we think about the practicality of unifying people, it never fails that one thing must first be overcome: Self. Until we get “self” out of the way it is impossible for us to live for anything that is above ourselves. Our selfishness actually becomes our limiting factor. The problem is that many Christians are unaware that they are failing to overcome in this area. Whether they realize it or not they are obstacles. They are the enemies of unity.

                There are several approaches to Christianity. Some are better than others, most are counterfeits. The “self-exaltation” approach is one that many find themselves comfortable with. This approach embraces Christianity to a degree, but then exalts the agenda of the individual far above the agenda of God. For this person Christianity is little more than a “hobby.” Maybe they like the pastor of their church. Maybe they like the blessing that the tithe brings on their business. However, it may just be that they are looking for the social status involved with being a regular church attendee. In short, they are lukewarm. For those that fall into this category, the following verses are particularly applicable.

 “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:16)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away…” (John 15:1-2)

These people disrespect their Maker with the way that they approach Him. They spit in the face of God with their attitude and expect God to give them a pat on the back for their time. They look at the very God of the universe as if He owes them something. They exalt themselves above the knowledge of Christ, and apply their Christianity when it’s convenient.

There are other approaches to Christianity, however, that actually become self-destructive as opposed to self-exalting. This can include the “guilt-based” approach to Christianity. This approach becomes a form of bondage in an individual’s life. While they see themselves as being maximally religious they actually become self-serving in a destructive sense. This is the person caught in the cycle of “try to be Christian, fail at being Christian, beat myself up because I’m not a good Christian, and try to be a Christian again…”

The problem with this approach is that too much time is spent nursing a self-destructive cycle. In the end, these individuals are rendered ineffective in their ability to further to kingdom of God. They are actually no better at getting things done than those that are self-exalting. At the end of the day, both have failed to get “self” out of the way. The guilt-based Christian steals time away from God to invest it in self-blame and condemnation. The guilt-based Christian is usually in need of a new perspective of God and deliverance from un-forgiveness towards self. Discipleship is also an important part of resolving these issues.

Another type of self-destructive approach to Christianity is the “overly available” Christian. This unfortunately includes many present day leaders in the church. It often includes the “inner circle” of volunteers in many churches as well. These people spend so much time trying to do things for God that they spiritually dry up and become ineffective. Many times, they use it as an excuse for true spirituality and relationship with God. Even if they begin with the right intentions, they eventually fall out of relationship with God and substitute it for relationship with ministry. These people are also failing to get “self” out of the way. Ministry is work, just like anything else. Although ministry is intended to further the agenda of the kingdom we are to first build spiritually. Ministry should manifest as the natural outflow of relationships that leaders share with God. Unfortunately, some people want to build in the natural and convince others that they are doing a spiritual thing. Their ministry becomes an excuse for selfish pursuits and a way to earn the approval of others. When Martha complained that Mary wasn’t helping her do chores because she was sitting at Jesus’ feet, Jesus rebuked Martha—not Mary.

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-42)

                There are other counterfeit approaches to Christianity that could be discussed but I’m going to cut to the chase. The approach to Christianity that is called for by the Bible is a sacrificial pursuit of relationship with God. This is the kind of sacrifice that will cause a person to go without food and water because they are longing for their lover. This is the kind of sacrifice that will cause a person drop what they are doing to follow Jesus regardless of personal cost. This is the sacrifice of a wife that will do whatever it takes to embrace the fullness of her husband’s heart.

                “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7)

                Sacrificial lovers are the most effective Christians. They are entirely wrapped up in the lover of their souls, Jesus Christ, and don’t have room to be wrapped up in “self.” In fact, they have died to “self.” When it comes to the discussion of unity, it truly becomes a question of sacrifice. Unity requires sacrificing the agenda of “self” for the betterment of the whole. Today, many can’t embrace unity because they are too wrapped up in “self.” Who are you wrapped up in?

“I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:31)

Discussion

1.       What areas of your life are still dedicated to selfish ambitions?

2.       In what practical ways can selfishness sabotage attempts at unity?

3.       What ways, other than those described in this letter, have you witnessed others exalt “self”?

4.       What does being a sacrificial lover mean to you?

5.       What does it mean to you to “die daily”?

The Intimate Bride

10/29/11

Greetings,

                God is the ultimate Romantic. His beauty is boundless. His eyes are filled with the burning of eternal passion. He seeks not only to be close to us, but to actually cover us with His feathers (Psalm 91:4). He houses us within Himself, becoming our fortress, our security, and our refuge (Psalm 91:2). Getting to know this side of God is a road less travelled for many believers. The reason is that it is incredibly scary. When the apostle John looked into the eyes of Jesus he fell as if dead at His feet.

“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me…His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire…And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.” (Revelation 1:12a, 14, 17a)

I have experienced these eyes. Although I do not claim to have seen Jesus manifest like the apostle John, I know that I have experienced these eyes in the realm of the spirit during times of deep prayer. I have felt the terror of having nothing to hide as eyes full of the knowledge and authority of eternity pierced through me. My spirit has trembled and quaked in the presence of God. His holiness and perfection are unimaginably intimidating. How can we draw close?

The themes of marriage fill the scriptures. The present age that we are in began with marriage and it will end in marriage. It began with the marriage of Adam and Eve and it will end with the marriage of the church to Jesus Christ. Marriage is something that is ever so important to God. If you find this hard to believe, simply consider that everything leading up to the return of Jesus is ultimately for the preparation of the church to become the wife of the Lamb. Christianity isn’t about a method for getting to heaven. It is about becoming prepared to be wed to the very God that sits upon eternity.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

 Let this sink in for a moment. If we are afraid to look into the eyes of God, how can we consider ourselves ready to be married to Him? Have you ever found yourself in a position where you had to look someone in the eyes and found it particularly difficult? For instance, consider failing your boss and having to explain yourself. Think about how difficult it can be at times to disappoint simple human authority. How about facing a close friend after you’ve utterly betrayed their trust? Looking into the eyes of pain that you are responsible for is chilling. What about answering to your parents after you did something very wrong and you knew it? Guilt weighs heavily upon the soul.

We can hide things from men, but a single glance from God brings everything to the surface. Nothing can be hidden from His sight. Now imagine yourself, right where you are. Suddenly Jesus is standing before you. The entire atmosphere shifts as darkness flees his presence. Everything around you conforms to the brilliance of his magnificence. Every justification and excuse you make before men utterly fails you. Your spirit collapses within you, your head spins, and you weep profusely. He draws close because you cannot move. He looks into your eyes, and the depth of eternity is burned violently into your heart. You have just experienced the ecstasy of your future spouse.

What are we living for? When will the day come when the church begins to understand that this isn’t about a church program or a weekend seminar? When will a new identity define the church? We are the bride of Christ. We are called to be intimate with the Most High God. This isn’t just for me or the super-spiritual guy that everyone is uncomfortable to be around. The church isn’t prepared until you are prepared. Our preparation requires a united effort. Are you ready to look into the eyes of Jesus, your lover; or does the thought of it cause your bowels to sink within you? Be honest with yourself because you’re not hiding anything from God.

“Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.” (Psalm 44:21)

Discussion

1.       What emotions does the thought of looking Jesus in the eyes evoke within you?

2.       How prepared are you to call Jesus you spouse?

3.       Have you ever felt intimate with God?

4.       Is intimacy for the super-spiritual or for the whole church?

5.       What is the most incredible moment of intimacy you have experienced with God?

Governmental Unity

10/22/11

Greetings,

                This week we are going to take a look at the role of church government in establishing unity. Once proper church government is in place and unity has been established, the Spirit of God will operate in ways that boggle the imagination. This is modeled for us in the book of Acts.

                Before we jump in, I need to establish an important fact. Everything in the Bible has significance. This not only extends to the stories and wisdom it relays, but into every color and number that it employs. For some people, it is too difficult to accept that one book could be so perfectly accurate. Yet when the evidence is considered, the fact that the Bible uses the same meanings for numbers from beginning to end cannot be denied, even by the greatest skeptic. The importance of their meaning as established by Scripture is carried even into realms such as dream interpretation.

                Having said this I am going to give a few examples of what I mean. The number one means unity and the beginning of something. God is three and yet one. When people act as one they are operating in unity. God is also the beginning and the end. The book of Genesis, being book number one of the Bible, discusses the beginning of creation. The number three stands for whatever is solid, real, substantial or complete. We live in a three-dimensional world with length, width, and height. As Christians, we believe in the triune God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. The list goes on.

                For a thorough discussion of the importance of number in Scripture I recommend a book by E.W. Bullinger called Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance (Kregel Publications, 1967). With this said, I want to focus in on the numbers of importance for this letter. These are the numbers eleven and twelve.

The number twelve is the number of perfect government. This is established by the fact that Jesus appointed twelve apostles. There are twelve tribes of Israel. There are also twelve gates to New Jerusalem according to the book of Revelation. Eleven, being one short of twelve becomes representative of imperfect government, disorder, disorganization, and imperfection. When Jacob lost Joseph (leaving him with 11 sons), he was miserable and mourned His loss. While Jacob was the Father of Israel, his brother Esau became the father of the Edomites. It is recorded that God said, “Jacob have I loved but Esau have I hated.” There were twelve tribes of Israel but according to Genesis 36:40-43 there were eleven Dukes of Edom. In addition, consider that Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years before Nebuchadnezzar conquered him and ended Israeli control of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:11, Jeremiah 39:2).

                What does this have to do with our topic? We are going to pick up our discussion at the ascension of Jesus.  At that time only eleven apostles were alive because the twelfth—Judas—had committed suicide after betraying Jesus (Acts 1:16-19). This represented imperfect government, something that God would not allow his church to be built upon. When Jesus ascended to heaven, eleven apostles watched, and then returned to Jerusalem to wait in the upper room for the promise of the Holy Spirit. This was in obedience to what Jesus told them.

“And being assembled together with them, He [Jesus] commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5 NKJV)

When they got there they were in one accord in prayer and supplication, yet the promise of the Spirit did not come.

“And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: [1] Peter, [2] James, [3] John, and [4] Andrew; [5] Philip and [6] Thomas; [7] Bartholomew and [8] Matthew; [9] James the son of Alphaeus and [10] Simon the Zealot; and [11] Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:13-14 NKJV)

They were in one accord. They had unity, but it was based on imperfect government. At one point Peter had a revelation and stood up to speak. He realized that Psalms 109:8 prophesied exactly what would have to happen. Judas had betrayed Jesus and another man would have to take his office. Peter said:

“For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’” (Acts 1:20)

When everyone else realized that he was right they selected two men, prayed and cast lots. The lot fell on Matthias and he became the twelfth apostle, taking the office of Judas. After his selection, they went back to prayer and supplication. Perfect government and unity was in place. Only at this time did the promise of the Spirit manifest on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit showed up with signs, wonders, and did things that were certainly beyond the disciples imaginations. He showed up as tongues of fire and baptized everyone in the upper room.

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” (Acts 2:1-3)

As we work towards unity and all of the possibility that it will open up for us, we must keep in mind that it must be established along with proper government. We are part of a kingdom. A kingdom is a government. This is why Ephesians 4:11 lists the offices of God’s government over his church. All must be in place and fully functional for unity to have its intended impact.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

Discussion

1.       Are numbers in the Bible significant?

2.       What is the significance of the number 12?

3.       What is the significance of the number 11?

4.       What is the significance of the number 1?

5.       What happens when you take the difference of 11 and 12? [12-11=___]

The Miraculous Lifestyle

10/15/11

Greetings,

                As I was reading the Bible the other day I was absolutely struck by something that Jesus did. While reading this particular passage God confirmed some of the things that have been burning inside of me. In this letter I am going to communicate this understanding along with its relevance to unity.

                Before we get into what Jesus did, imagine a situation with me. It’s an average Monday. You wake up feeling groggy but nonetheless it’s time to get up and get ready for work. You roll out of bed, put your slippers on and walk to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom you shower, brush your teeth, and comb your hair. Hopefully, you remember to put on deodorant! As you go downstairs to grab breakfast your spouse’s call catches your ear. “Honey, can you start the coffee, I forgot to set the timer last night.”

                You respond, “Sure, I can start the coffee.”

                In this scenario nothing out of the ordinary has happened. There is nothing that seems off kilter, nothing that seems to go against what the average person could experience on any given morning. Granted, not all of us are married, but unless you don’t ever brush your teeth the scenario should read as a regular, average experience.

                Let’s consider another scenario. Imagine again that it’s an average Monday. You wake up feeling groggy but nonetheless it’s time to get up and get ready for work. You roll out of bed, put your slippers on and walk to the bathroom. Once in the bathroom you shower, brush your teeth, and comb your hair. Hopefully, you remember to put on deodorant! As you go downstairs to grab breakfast your doorbell rings. Your neighbor is at the door and he says, “My son has just been diagnosed with an incurable cancer. In addition, he just got hit by a car and he’s lying in a bloody heap on the sidewalk where I just dragged him. Can you help?”

                You respond, “Sure, I can get him healed right away.”

                In this scenario nothing out of the ordinary has happened. You may be thinking; of course something out of the ordinary has happened! The man’s son was diagnosed with an incurable cancer and then run over by a car. Moreover, who in their right mind just says, “Sure I can get him healed right away!”

                Here is the fact of the matter. People are diagnosed with life threatening diseases every day. This is not an out of the ordinary situation just because it doesn’t happen to everyone on a daily basis. Also, not a day goes by that someone, somewhere, is not getting hit by a car. Tragedy strikes regularly. It is simply a part of living in a fallen world. In this scenario, cancer and getting hit by a car represent a vast array of terrible things that can happen to people. It is not tragedy that is out of the ordinary.

                If we are willing to accept that tragedy is not out of the ordinary, is it possible to accept that the response to it (from our scenario) is not out of the ordinary as well? Being realistic, who in their right mind would respond to the scenario with the words, “Sure, I can get him healed?” If your “right mind” is the mind of Christ, I propose that you would respond as such. The Bible says we have been given the mind of Christ, but we don’t automatically operate according to it.

                “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

                The mind of Christ means thinking Jesus’ thoughts as opposed to thinking our own thoughts. Now let’s take a look at what Jesus did, which reveals to us how He thinks.

“As Jesus went into Capernaum, a centurion came up to Him, begging Him, And saying, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and [c]distressed with intense pains. And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him.” (Matthew 8:5-7 AMP)

                Imagine a run-of-the-mill Tuesday. Jesus wakes up early to pray, eat some breakfast and journey to the next city on his schedule. As he is walking into town, possibly considering whether to go to Burger King or McDonald’s for lunch, the Chief of Police meets him in the middle of the street. He explains to Jesus that his servant is terribly sick. There is no cure and no hope for his servant apart from supernatural intervention. Jesus shrugs his shoulders, winks at Peter and John, looks back at the man and says, “Sure, I’ll come and heal him.” McDonald’s can wait a few minutes.

                I know that there were no Burger King’s or McDonald’s when Jesus walked the earth, but the point is to establish how casual Jesus was about the miraculous. The whole point of being Christian is to become Christ-like in our thoughts, attitudes and actions. Thinking like Christ doesn’t just mean refraining from sin and living lives of repentance. It also means seeing the supernatural as something that should be a natural part of our lives.

                I don’t want to oversimplify the miraculous because I am well aware of the various factors that come together when the miraculous takes place. In addition to the attitude that Jesus had, the centurion had great faith. Spiritual warfare through prayer had to be done for the area prior to that type of ministry. Furthermore, in order to operate certain gifts of the Spirit, we have to first receive them according to 1 Corinthians 12. Nonetheless, walking on the level of power that Jesus demonstrated begins with our ability to see its potential for becoming our lifestyle… not just His.

                How does this relate to unity? Unity can promote the proliferation of supernatural activity among the saints until it becomes natural. If the people of God are agreed upon the move of His power it will become a defining characteristic of our daily lives. On the flip side, if those that know Jesus reject the proliferation of supernatural activity, God will not work on this level in their midst. This is illustrated by the people of Jesus’ hometown. They all knew Jesus. Unfortunately, they rejected Him and His ability to work supernaturally in their midst. Thus it is written that in their city Jesus did not do any great works because of their unbelief. What is your Christian community agreed upon?

“When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:54-58 NKJV)

Discussion

1.       When was the last time you prayed for someone and truly expected God to do the impossible?

2.       Does your Christian community witness the supernatural regularly?

3.       Does your leadership train you to live practically or miraculously?

4.       What steps can you take today to begin to position yourself to see greater works from the hand of God?

5.       Can you find several other believers in your sphere of influence that are willing to begin seeking the miraculous as a lifestyle?