May 8, 2008

Hair of Women

Filed under: Living With Religion — admin @ 1:26 pm

At this writing, my hair is close to a hand’s breath above my
waist. It has been some variation of long mostly since being a
teen, out of preference.

Though, after having read an old book on the thoughts and
beliefs that originated around a woman’s hair, with much name
calling toward the female gender, I did thorough research of
scripture in reference to hair.

Having discovered sheep verses goats being symbolic of types of
people, I traced to find a definition of their hair as being the
offspring seed of each.

Paul referred to himself as a type of father. Without going
into the various symbolic definitions of the term ‘woman’, even
as we perceive it to mean today, some are mothers by having
literal children.

But, even those without children, who teach children in Sunday
School, take on a partial role of motherhood.

Though, greater yet is when we take upon a spiritual nurturing
role to spiritual babes. The offspring of a woman’s spiritual
seed would bring much more glory than the appearance of her
physical head.

On rare occasion, God allows me to see a small glimpse of His
glory rising in people who’ve been blessed through my
ministries. And, my heart glows to see such beauty, a bit of God
blossoming in each one of them. However, only God can count the
number of hairs ~ the number of times that seed has been
multiplied.

These are conclusions God led me to, giving me much peace.

But, if literal hair is, in any way, a testimony for which we
can minister to those who believe as tradition, let God be
glorified.

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting
the hair, and of wearing of gold,

or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the
heart, in that which is not corruptible,

even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the
sight of God of great price.”

1 Peter 3:3-4

© by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ This writing
may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for
non-profit ministering purposes.

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May 1, 2008

Seven Clues To Mystery Babylon in Revelation

Filed under: Living With Religion — admin @ 8:11 pm

From Fear and Fascination to Faith and Facts

My first encounter with the book of Revelation was fear. Who didn’t get a few chills running down their spine about the number 666, the “mark of the beast,” the seven plagues and this dramatic portrayal of the endtime? That fear kept me from wanting to know more about this book, though I was drawn to it.

Then I stumbled across a study that made an intelligent versus fanciful media-hyped approach to the book. It addressed it as a coded message, but written to the first century church who were part of its history and time. That evidence focused on the date of the book. It raised and answered the question, was it written pre or post A.D. 70?

Thirdly, an investigation of the internal evidence and alignment with other texts as commentary overruled the temptation to rely on imagination and the media. This was one of the most enlightening and satisfying decisions in my quest to understand the message of Revelation. What follows are a few keys that were convincing to me.

What Is A Mystery?

A mystery is not something which cannot be known, but simply that which is not known until it is revealed. The seven points in this article are now a mystery, but if you read further, they will become manifest to you.

In Revelation, “Babylon” is a code word for the mystery city. The book is not about ancient Babylon nor modern day Iraq. Babylon was used as a sign to disguise in military-type code, the identity of the city. Why? It’s because this city was marked for destruction. The political climate of the day made it extremely dangerous to speak openly of destroying this city, (Acts 6:14) especially by Christians who were viewed as its chief enemies. The preaching of Jerusalem’s impending destruction led to Stephen’s martyrdom, (Acts 7).

Its connection with ancient Babylon was its moral decay and idolatry. Ancient Babylon’s fall was precipitated by their pride and disrespect for God, the persecution of God’s people and the profaning of the temple’s holy vessels . Thus Belshazzar’s feast led to the demise of his kingdom. Hence the term Mystery Babylon.

1. “The Great City, –Where The Lord Was Crucified)

Further identifying Mystery Babylon as the great city (Revelation 17:18; 18:10), leads us to clue number one. The great city of Revelation is identified as the city spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” (Revelation 11:8)

Besides the actual city, there is only one city in the Bible ever referred to as Sodom. It is Jerusalem, (Deuteronomy 32:32; Isaiah 1:10). The description, where also our Lord was crucified is strong evidence pointing to Jerusalem. Further, it could not be that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem, Luke 13:33. Jerusalem was called the city of the great King. (Matthew 5:35) To the Jews it was the greatest city in the world.

2. The Golden Cup of Abominations

The imagery of the filled cup of iniquity indicates that God’s period of longsuffering had run its course. Genesis 15:16 shows why God expelled the Amorites from the land in order that Israel might inherit Canaan. The reason he did not do so immediately was because the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full. Their cup of sin yet had room for more and did not run its course until the time of the Exodus.

Jesus spoke to the people of Jerusalem warning them that they would fill up the measure of their father’s guilt in killing the prophets. See point #3. Paul says they had filled up the measure of their sins and would experience the coming wrath. (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).

3. God Would Avenge All The Righteous Blood Shed on Earth By Jerusalem.

Mystery Babylon was guilty of shedding the blood of the apostles and prophets, (Revelation 18:20). However, God avenged the blood of the apostles and prophets. Not only was their blood be avenged, but God avenged all the blood shed on the earth on Mystery Babylon, (v. 24).

Jesus predicted the same for Jerusalem. In Matthew 23:34-37, Jerusalem is charged with the blood guilt of all the righteous blood shed on the earth up to that time. Jesus would send more wise men, scribes and prophets whom he said they would scourge in their synagogues and persecute from city to city until he destroyed Jerusalem. It therefore matches perfectly with this description.

4. The “Mystery Babylon” Was Once a Queen.

This identifies the city as having a covenant relationship with God. Neither ancient Rome, nor any other modern city could appropriately be styled as God’s wife. Through the Old Covenant, God was married to Jerusalem, (Jeremiah 2:14). Because of her unfaithfulness, God threatens divorce. While Mystery Babylon claims to be a queen, she is widowed. (Revelation 18:7)

5. The Antithesis of the Two Cities

The contrast of the two cities in Revelation are a strong clue to the identity of Mystery Babylon. After the great city, Mystery Babylon is destroyed, God blesses a New Jerusalem. That implies an Old Jerusalem. This is the same antithesis running throughout the New Testament expressed in covenantal terms. (See Galatians 4:24-26; Hebrews 8:6-13; 12:18-23). The new Jerusalem however is not an earthly city but one which comes down out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, (Revelation 21:1-3).

Paul writes that the church is the bride of Christ, 1 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-31, Hebrews 12:22, 23). The new holy city Jerusalem, takes the position as bride while the former adulterous wife receives death by fire.

6. Come Out of Her My People

The call to God’s people to come out of Mystery Babylon” (Revelation 18:4) further aligns with the ancient city of Jerusalem. Prior to its destruction, Jesus warned that his disciples should flee the city to avoid its plagues of destruction, famine and death. (Matthew 24:15-17; Luke 21:20-22).

7. Trodden Down of the Gentiles

In Luke 21:24, Jesus remarks that Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled. Unfortunately, today, many believe the Gentiles are rulers over the people of God. This is impossible as that period ended in A.D. 70 when Rome destroyed Jerusalem. It was the time when all things written were fulfilled, coming to pass before that generation passed away, (Luke 21:22, 32). As old Jerusalem was once called the faithful and holy city, John prophesied that it was measured for destruction, (Revelation 11:2).

Old Jerusalem Is A Perfect Match

Everything said about Jerusalem in the gospels, is symbolically described for Mystery Babylon in the book of Revelation. There are more contrasts and parallels but these should at least get one thinking.

Fanciful and colorful charts as those presented by John Hagee and others will forever fail to properly identify the Mystery Babylon as long as they are pointed in the future and toward some city or nation that has no antithesis with old Jerusalem. Further, a modern or present day Jerusalem, does not descend from heaven and can never be the holy city of Revelation 21.

The message and meaning of Revelation seems best and most easily understood when one values the shortly to come to pass, time is at hand time parameter of the message keeping it within a contemporary, historical setting of its first century hearers, (Revelation 1:1, 3. It may not frighten us as much, but it certainly encourages us with the message of faith, confidence in God’s sovereign power and victory over the forces of evil.

William Bell is the author of “The Re-Examination, a critique of futurist eschatology showing Christ’s return in the first century. Visit: http://www.allthingsfulfilled.com

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April 6, 2008

Straight Talk: Homosexuality

Filed under: Living With Religion — admin @ 12:08 pm

In the mid 90’s, a Presbyterian minister named Steve Brown conducted an interview with the lesbian Pastor from the largest Gay Church in America. Steve had already laid the ground rules for their dialogue regarding the expected, conservative, fundamentalist stance on homosexuality. Essentially, he agreed not to state the obvious and refused to “go there.” Instead, Steve displayed one of the most loving, concerned examples of a Christian that I’ve ever seen as he interviewed this woman. In so doing, I heard her say, softly and sincerely, that gay people sin just as any other Christians sin. She explained that when a person becomes convicted of their sins, godly sorrow leads to repentence from those sins. She admitted that, as a Christian homosexual herself, she simply has not been convicted…condemned, yes, by other believers…but not convicted by the Holy Spirit. Steve replied, “You realize you sound somewhat like a heretic in the gay community by saying these things….” She nodded, “Well, it’s the truth.”

The presentation was so touching, so inspirational, that the station later re-ran the program by popular demand. Brown had remained aware throughout the interview that although the apostle Peter told us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,” he also said, “But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

Was this woman speaking for all homosexuals everywhere? Doubtful. No more than yours truly speaks for everyone presently reading this article. The point is, just as this lesbian minister alluded, how many of us are knowlingly, secretly, doing that which is sinful, yet we persist? We may even pray fervently, quietly, that God would help us. I’ve been there. Especially in matters of forgiveness, knowing what was required of me but wanting to have a few moments alone in which to hate somebody’s guts.

Is homosexuality a sin? According to Scripture, I believe it’s very clear that it is. As I read Genesis 19:4-5; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; I Corinthians 6:9-10; I Timothy 1:9-10, it seems clear. Lest we forget, homosexuality is no worse a sin than over-eating, hatred, gossip, doubt, unbelief, rage, rebellion and theft. My own sins are no worse and, as result of the Cross of Christ, are forgiven and forgotten forever. Because His mercy is new every morning, we literally have no past every day! That’s great news! The best news is that this forgiveness and mercy is available to ALL. Now THAT is the loving, hope-filled message that Christians should be sharing with those trapped in gay lifestyles. Not to mention those trapped in adultery, substance abuse, unforgiveness or any other sin. Rather than pointing the unfeeling finger of accusation, we must ask ourselves if we qualify for throwing out that first stone.

Do we care? I was preaching one Sunday years ago and announced that I was considering placing a banner on the street that said, “This Sunday is Gay Day!” A hush came over the group. Some nervously laughed. Very telling. On the love-meter, I’m afraid we weren’t where I thought we were as a group.

Too often, as a whole, the Body of Christ seems more concerned with outward appearances than we are with the bondages an individual may be saddled with. We go through our spiritual check-lists: Was he baptized? Does he attend church? Is he regularly in Sunday School? We may never know what another person is struggling with deep inside - and we won’t, as long as we continue in our prescribed methods of what we typicaly refer to as “ministry.” Homosexuality, a life as an abused child, addiction to everything from porn to pot, thoughts of suicide…any one we know may be wrestling with these issues. Too often, we settle for church attendance as our gauge of how well an individual is doing. We’re so impressed by outward appearances, aren’t we? In contrast, God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7).

But I digress.

Tolerance at all costs!

Tolerance has become the sole absolute of our society, the queen mother of all social values. Kids are hearing it preached every day in Secular Indoctrination Centers (excuse me…Public Schools) and in the media. Unbeknowst to most Christians, tolerance is a threat to our very faith.

Some might say that tolerance merely means to recognize and respect all beliefs, practices, and so forth regardless of whether we agree with them or not. After all, we all have a right to our own opinion, right?

Today, tolerance means to consider every individual’s beliefs, values, lifestyle and claims about truth as being equally valid. So, not only do we have equal rights to our own beliefs - which we DO - but these days, all beliefs are being seen as equal. It’s no longer enough to merely respect another person’s rights; we’re expected to endorse their beliefs, values and lifestyles as well.

That is, of course, unless those beliefs are Christian in nature. Then it’s open season.

When one openly discusses the diety of Christ, His sinless lifestyle, His resurrection, how He is the ONLY way to salvation, people get up in arms. We hear such things as, “How dare you say that?” Wearing a T-Shirt that reads “Jesus is Lord” is to imply that no one else CAN be and it makes people mad. As Christian speaker Josh McDowell states, “The issue is no longer the truth of the message, but the right to proclaim it. In the new cultural climate, any unpopular message can be labeled “intolerant” and therefore be repressed.”

Former President Bill Clinton linked so-called “hate crimes” to intolerance when he was in office and said, “The No. 1 security threat to [our nation] is the persistence of old, even primitive hatreds.” Since when does intolerance equal hatred? It does in today’s version of tolerance. Where homosexuality is concerned, the Bible, fundamentalist, conservative Christians and Jesus Himself are taking quite a beating. Across the globe, more and more nations are embracing the gay agenda.

Tolerance at all costs? Romans 6:23 says, “…the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” William Barclay paraphrases the verse in this way, “If we got the pay we had earned it would be death; but out of His grace God has given us life.” The word “wages” (opsonia) in the original Greek language means, “provision money,” or supplies paid to an army. The soldiers earned their wages and were paid in daily provisions of food. Sin pays wages in full, without any deductions.

Another Greek word we should learn is metanoia, or “Repent.” It literally means “to change one’s mind.”

It’s not too late. But just as the “straight” Christian world is loaded with sins of its own, we must remain cognizant of the fact that there are people out there who love the Lord despite being gay. We, too, may be in need of repentance, i.e., changing our minds, too. All Christians must teach new disciples, as well as our own children, to embrace all people, but notALL their beliefs. We can listen and learn from everyone without necessarily agreeing with them. We can courageously but humbly speak the truth, even if it makes us the object of scorn. Jesus said all men would hate us because of Him. Make certain that, if anyone hates you, it’s ONLy because of Jesus and NOt because you hate them, too.

Legal Gay Marriage around the World:

Belgium: Legalized gay marriage in 2002.

Britain: Plans to introduce legislation soon authorizing civil unions giving gay couples legal recognition with most of the rights enjoyed by married partners.

Canada: Legalized gay marriage July 2005.

Denmark: The first country to legalize same-sex unions in 1989, later giving couples adoption rights. Other Nordic countries followed in 1990s.

France: Allows civil unions since 2000.

Germany: Introduced civil unions in 2001.

The Netherlands: Became the first country to legalize gay marriages outright in 2001.

Portugal: Lesbian and gay couples who live together acquire the same rights as heterosexuals in common-law marriages.

Spain: Gay marriages made legal, June 2005.

South Africa: Recognized gay rights in its constitution after apartheid ended in 1994. Activists are preparing litigation to have the common law definition of marriage extended to include same-sex couples.

Switzerland: Its largest city, Zurich, started recognizing registered gay couples in July 2005. Geneva also recognizes same-sex couples, although grants them fewer rights.

In the United States, Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriages; Vermont and Connecticut have approved same-sex civil unions. California is feeling the pressure.

In Jim Nelson Black’s book “When Nations Die,” as he describes the fall of all the world’s great empires, he writes, “Sexual promiscuity led to the downfall of these nations….” Although he also mentions that homosexuality was prevelant within each fallen empire, so was immorality among those we would refer to as being “straight.” Abortion, infanticide and strangulation of children were commonplace in these “advanced” cultures as unwanted children were seen as a burden in an atmosphere of hedonism.

The shedding of innocent blood really does bring a curse upon the land. It wasn’t just homosexuality that caused each empire’s demise. It was the perverse hedonism of those who were straight and “normal,” too.

What God requires of us

Do we stop speaking the Truth? No, not when Jesus said, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31,32). That Truth is Jesus Himself for he declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,”(John 14:6). He was either a liar, a lunatic or He really was - and IS -Lord of all things.

But when we speak the truth, let us be sure that we are speaking the truth in love for, as the Bible says in Ephesians 4:15, by doing so, we will “grow up into Christ.” Lord knows we could use some growing up. Do we love those who say they are gay? If you were/are gay, would you/do you love those Christians who are straight whose lifestyles are loaded with sin?

One final thought regarding the Tolerance vs. Love issue. Josh McDowell says:

“Tolerance says, “You must approve of what I do.” Love responds, “I must do something harder; I will love you, even when your behavior offends me.”

Tolerance says, “You must agree with me.” Love responds, “I must do something harder; I will tell you the truth, because I am convinced ‘the truth will set you free.’ “

Tolerance says, “You must allow me to have my way.” Love responds, “I must do something harder; I will plead with you to follow the right way, because I believe you are worth the risk.”

Tolerance seeks to be inoffensive; love takes risks.

Tolerance glorifies division; love seeks unity.

Tolerance costs nothing; love costs everything.

Jesus is proof of that.

Need pastoral counseling and prayer? Write or IM me at team1min@aol.com

Every blessing!

Michael
A servant of God
t.e.a.m. ministries
A Message of Discipleship & Encouragement to the Body of Christ
P.O. Box 633
Stephenville, Texas 76401
http://www.planetaryministry.org
BLOG: http://journals.aol.com/team1min/YourTownforJesus/

Pastor Michael has been broadcasting his eMail messages of Discipleship and encouragement to Christians of all denominations
since 1999. These messages are literally reaching millions each week and the messages are being re-posted on other Christian sites,used as Bible studies for groups, and are being used by those in ministry as a preaching guide.

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