The Devotional

Papa J's rules for Livin #158

Is there a problem with the social conduct of mankind? All of our scissors have become dull and all of our paste has gone stale and the paper mountain of failed programs and promises lay at waste on the floor! Our cut and paste world needs revival. Psalm 85:6

Over the weekend a couple of discussions have developed about our image as disciples of Jesus Christ. Mainly that we were created in the image and likeness of God and that we should be godly people because of this image as presented to the world around us. Truly this is an important subject and do not take it lightly when I say; “So where is the makeup?” or “What mirror should I use to see this image?” Should I go to the makeup parlor in Genesis 1:27 and use the image here? Well no! This is before man's fall. Should I go to the makeup parlor found in Genesis 5:3. No again, since this is what our image is. We are all made in the image of the first Adam after he fell from grace. Temporal and tarnished sinners is what we are and all of the religious makeup available to mankind today is just a cover up! So, does the BIBLE provide and image that God is pleased with? I am so glad you asked? 1 Corinthians 15:45-49. The first Adam became a natural living being, simply put – this is what we are; “living beings”. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit, simply put – this is the image we need; “spiritual beings” Our renewed image is that of Jesus Christ. Romans 12:1-2

1 Corinthians 5

1 Corinthians 5:4-8 It is not hard for us to see the need for us to protect our natural family from sexual immorality. Well, that should be the case and while we can say such things there are many who have failed to do this and lost much. Our record as natural parents is not good and as much as we desire for things to be different, the circumstances will never go away. However, it is God who rescues the perishing and all who will call upon the LORD will be saved from a wicked and perverse generation. Acts 2:40.

So we live in a crooked or bent generation. In our families, with our friends and even in our business associations this perverted bent is ever present. When we fail or fall into this trap, it is not because the devil made us do it, it is because of our own free will of choice. This choice develops consequences that are recorded forever in time in the hearts and minds of the people we know and love. These are stumbling stones of offense for them and strongholds of evil for those who sinned.

When we take these matters to our place of worship we are introducing our selfish behavior to the whole of the congregation. If the church does not respond to this immoral conduct, all of the membership suffers the effects. The church becomes unproductive and the image of Christ who is our Passover is lost in the effort to cover up. If the church is to keep holy the Passover feast, then it must be willing to turn the matter over to God and deliver the sinner for destruction in order to save their soul for judgment and reestablish the good spiritual work of the church. Tough subject, “yes” because too many of us are victims and principles in these matters. More tomorrow.

A Study of Eschatology

Revelation 18

Jesus Christ is coming again – this is a fact that thrills the souls of those of us who wait for His return. This truth satisfies the souls of those waiting eagerly for Him and terrifies the souls of those who are not ready for Him. We have five chapters remaining in the Book of Revelation and in these chapters we will learn about His Second Coming, His Final Judgment, His Rule on Earth and who it is that will be invited to the share in the eternal rewards. As we study these final chapters please understand this. All of this study is about Jesus Christ and His Personal relationship with us. We are learning about Eternal Life and all that God is doing to prepare us for His realm. John 14:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-8.

The judgment of the seals, trumpets and the bowls are complete, the earth and the remaining inhabitants have felt the totality of God's wrath. Also, religion and the counterfeit systems of secular humanism and political corruption are defeated. Chapter 19 of Revelation reveals that this great power tries one last time to overpower God. But, God who is all powerful and rich in mercy does something as unique as His Character. God snatches a few more people out of the hand of Satan in order to demonstrate to the world that Justice and Righteousness, Love and Mercy are four characteristics of God that destroys the character of pride and sin, hate and disobedience – the characteristics of Satan.

The same principle we have seen in the book of Revelation regarding the judgment of man's rebellion against God is in place even today in our own lives, countries and cultures. Storms, fire, disease, war, poverty and crime are with us today but to a lessor degree than seen in our study of Revelation. This has led some people to believe that we have been living in Revelation to one degree or another since the Ascension of Christ. I believe that all of us reel with the effects of a world drunk with the wine of the WRATH of the spirit of Babylon. Like the everyday drunk we know that it takes a season of time before intoxication reaches the peak of inebriation. The restraint is the power of the Holy Spirit at the present time. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. Chapter 19 is a vivid picture of mankind reeling from his drunken condition and not having two nickels to rub together to buy another drink.

To the kings of the earth knowing of the fall of false religion will consider that this is the final victory over the unseen forces that have controlled man for the last seven thousand years. God is dead they will say, thus we are free to pursue human control and prosperity. This is socialism at its peak, the result of secular humanism. Mankind will be operating under his own set of norms and standards and things will seem to be prosperous. It will not take long for the peoples of the world to realize that it is not God who is dead, but false religion and evil that has slipped into the abyss.

The Spirit of Babylon (Revelation 18:1-9) The Babylonian Empire during the life of Daniel was full of pride and arrogance. Daniel 1 through 4 explain the epitome of man's attempt to function in the world apart from God. To mankind religion has seemed to interfere with his independence, now in these final days it will seem that spirit on independence is resurrected and man is free at last. This is short lived.

There are two systems of believe about the Babylon of Revelation: One – that the physical city of Babylon must be rebuilt. Second – that the city does not need rebuilding for the spirit of independence to take hold of mankind. But both groups do agree that the city whether built or not will represent the social, political, cultural and commercial life of the wicked system of a universal government that operates independent of spiritual (good or evil) doctrines. This form of government will rule for a short period before the Second Coming of Christ.

The Judgment of Secular Humanism and Political Corruption: Revelation 18:10 While it has taken seven thousand years to subdue Satan and his counterfeit religious system of works. It will take only one hour for the destruction of secular humanism and political corruption. This does not mean that these human systems have not been judged over time, or that God has ignored man's secular nature or political behavior. God has on many occasion destroyed kingdoms and rebuilt them by judgment through mercy. Mercy identifies the “Long Suffering of God toward man's lost condition” 2 Peter 3:9. So kingdoms do fall and some come to power again. But God who is rich in mercy keeps open the door for the gospel of Jesus Christ to reach the lost. Revelation 18:4

The Greek word episen is the word fallen in verse two and means instantaneous action and points to verse 10, so a swift destruction will happen to this city of Babylon, whether this is a real place on the map or the last system of opposition against God and His Son, it will be destroyed and will not rise again. But the iniquity of mankind is reaching the realm of heaven itself. There are two types of sin recorded in the bible. As sin on earth increases with time the sin of Adam and Eve (Original), is the root of sin in mankind that falls into these two categories. Iniquity is sin against the Moral Code of Law of God like adultery with Bathsheba by King David. And the sin of Transgression which is sin against God's Ethical Code of Law. Both of these sub-categories of Sin are clearly identified in Isaiah 53:5. We as a people are guilty of Both. It is the Blood of Jesus Christ the LAMB of God that sets us free. John 1:29

In Revelation 18: 5 we see another interesting Greek word kalao and this word means to weld or glue together one object like a brick upon another and this helps us to understand the principle of what God sees about the Tower of Babel that we do not. Socialism is man's attempt to make himself to be God. Throughout the history of mankind his iniquities have been mounting higher and higher through the progressive effort evil and false religion The desire of Satan to overcome God. Now, the secular humanism and political corruption of man's socialistic existence is a stand alone effort to over throw the Throne of God. Now remember the battle of sin is over, Isaiah 53:1-12 and John 19:28-30. Also, that man was made in the image and likeness of God, but the desire of man to be independent of God redirected his future, now mankind is made in the image and likeness of the first Adam, the sinner. Genesis 5:1-3.

The Reality that Socialism will die, Babylon will fall A sure as salvation by faith has rescued sinners for the past seven thousand years, Babylon will fall. There is no escaping this judgment for the peoples of the earth. Six times the phrase “not...anymore” is used in Revelation 18:21-23. This is the strongest way in the Greek language to say, “never again” All of the kings and merchants of the earth will be removed from the earth in one hour.

God hates sin so what does sin look like? “The sound of violence” “The sound of music” “The sound of work” “The sound of prosperity” “The sound of the bride” and “The sound of living” You say now wait just a minute. These are things we do daily, oh! Very true indeed, but most all of this is done apart from God. Socialism is the system developed by man to do human good apart from giving glory to God. This hour is referred to by the LORD Jesus in Matthew 24:36-38.

There will be a Reaction to this judgment: The monarchs, merchants and the mariners in Revelation 18:17-19. As Babylon dissolves in one hour, those who control, those who sell and those who deliver the merchandise of socialism will say; “Woe, what is like this great city?” in other words. &ldquoo we have a backup plan?” Of course the answer is no and verse 19 explains their fate.

Heavens Response to the Judgment: At the start of the fall of Babylon, God calls to those who will respond to the message of the “Everlasting gospel” Revelation 19:4 is one of seven times that God calls people to come out of the evil of Socialistic Babylon and be saved, the call is to those who will hear His calling. This is not a call to be “holier than thou” as some would say. It is God's call to anyone who will hear what Spirit of God is saying. “Now is your day of redemption, now is the moment of your salvation. Holiness is separation from ungodly conduct that looks like good works, but in the reality of works under the control of Babylon is nothing more than evil deeds. As we move into later chapters we will see this more clearly.

A thought or two more: We are seeing through the Book of Revelation the end of three forces that has borne and buried the world sin. These systems are: The fallen spiritual world, false religion and socialism. In the remaining chapters we will see the Second Coming of Christ who will set forth to judge the world. Not for sin, but for the works of mankind. Along with the beast and the false prophet unregenerate mankind will follow. So what we see in chapter 18 is that people will chose between to cities. One is the great city of Babylon and the other is the City who's builder and maker is God. A city where holiness is. Hebrews 11:15-16.

Heavens response is found in Revelation 18:20 and we will see this exultation in Revelation 19.

The Devotional

Papa J's rules for Livin #157

When you start to break down time you find that the number 718,320 is the hours of eighty two years, some may say that this is a lot, but known history has time at 7,000 years. That is 61,320,000 hours of existence. Placed against eternity and what you believe, humanity is still in diapers!

There is this story of an African woman who came to Christ, she began sharing her faith with her husband and one day he became so enraged by her continual praying and asking him to be saved that he decided to divorce her. So he decided to accuse her of being a thief. He took his key ring and threw all of his keys in the river. Later that day his wife went to the market and purchased a large fish for the evening meal and while she was preparing the fish for supper she found her husband's keys in the stomach of the fish. When her husband came home later that evening he demanded to know where his keys were. He threatened her in anger and she calmly handed him his keys and he, seeing them and knowing from where they were, instantly bowed his head and converted to Christ. Christian believers are warned against walking by sight, but sometimes seeing is believing, but for all of us who know the mind of Christ we have this wonderful assurance that God will meet with us and those He calls when we allow Him to open the eyes of our heart. You know – such as the Centurion in Mark 15:39 So when the centurion... saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39

1 Corinthians 5

1 Corinthians 5:1-3 The church of Jesus Christ is a place where the saints of God come together. If we fully understood the past lives of the people sitting next to us in the congregation and membership we might decide that we are in the wrong church. As far a people go, there is no such place as “just the right place” and the fact is that if you are there in church as a “saint” then you are in the right place and your presence there is the same as all the rest – saved and holy.

Sexual immorality is an ugly subject, that is because all of us are affected by this sort of conduct and the more it spreads within a group of people the more controlling it becomes. All sin is controlling, but sexual sins take us one step further since it goes beyond that barrier of the human conscious, in that; a stable conscious protects even unsaved people from crossing. It goes beyond morality as the word immorality defines. All sexual misconduct leads to pride and selfish idolatry, the two sins that control the original sin of “unbelief”.

The church is a Spiritual place of worship and training in the things that God has freely given to us through His Lamb. The sacrifice of Christ Jesus our LORD is a “Most Holy Truth”. The people who have come to accept this truth are men, women and children who have had there souls washed in the blood of this most holy sacrifice. If we fail to deal with sin, “all sin” within the church we become like the churches found in the book of Revelation. First we resemble the loveless church of Ephesus, then as the sin gains more control, we become one that compromises with Light and darkness like Pergamos. Then pure corruption sets in like the Thyatira church and finally the church becomes dead like the Sardis church, Revelation 2 and 3. Developing this on Monday.

The Devotional

Papa J's rules for Livin #156

The giving of Thanks should cross the boundaries of twenty four hours and extend beyond eight thousand seven hundred sixty hours. Since this attribute of mankind is one that prepares us for eternity!

May your Thanksgiving Day be blessed with the presence of God, Family and Good Friends!

Psalm 75:1

We would not think that in judgment one could find thanksgiving, but we must learn that in all things, God provides good things for us. “We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks! For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”

Marin Rinkart pastored in Eilenberg, Saxony, during the Thirty Years War. The Swedish army surrounded the gates; and inside the walls there was nothing but plague, famine and fear. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, and people began dying in large numbers. There was a tremendous strain on the pastors who expended all of their strength preaching the gospel, caring for the sick and burying the dead. One after another, the pastors themselves perished until at last only Martin was left. Some days he conducted as many as fifty funerals.

When the Swedes demanded a huge ransom, Martin left the safety of the city walls to negotiate, and there was soon a conclusion of the hostilities. Knowing there is no healing without thanksgiving, Martin composed a hymn for the survivors of Eilenberg:

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, in whom His world rejoices...

This song has been sung around the world ever since and is one of our greatest thanksgiving hymns. This is a time to focus our attention on God, who is the provider of; “All things good”

 

The Devotional

Papa J's rules for Livin #155

Have you felt the solid Rock of Faith? Jeremiah puts in these words. “Heal me O LORD and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved. For You are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who cast their eyes this way and may God who comforts us bless you and your family with good things. We cannot change the people or circumstances around us and the truth is that we should be thankful for this. Some of those people we would like to know better but the circumstances of life prevents this. Some we see more often and the circumstances of life provides this. God in His infinite wisdom causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called in accordance to His purpose. Romans 8:28 is a well used and misused verse when it comes to these hard issues of life long struggles to know thanksgiving. Yet, apart from this verse of scripture and others like it there is nothing to be thankful for. To know this merely listen to the secular messages from the media, or from friends and relatives who do not personally know forgiveness from God through the sacrificial death of His Jesus Christ. So God, in the strength and power of His Love gave us forgiveness even while we were yet unforgiven (Romans 5:8). This by the way does not remove our circumstance of being sinful, it does something more, it opens the door to be forgiven. This pathway is to heal us for a saved eternal life relationship with God, and the example to follow for the pathway to heal and save our natural life with the people in our life. The good news is always the open door of forgiveness and the choice is always available.

1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:14-21 The apostle warns us that God is our Father and He has provided the Spirit and not the Letter as 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 puts it. It is the Spirit of God who provides life to the Words written and it is He who provides truth that guides us to Jesus. That as a result of the ministry of God the Holy Spirit we actually become epistles of Christ, not written on tablets of paper or stone, but actually written on tablets within the heart. That through the scriptures we might follow Christ.

What does this mean? It means that over time we will listen to many people who claim to know something about God, some of these things we hear are not worth listening to. We can be moved or separated from truth and when we are, we are allowing pride to override grace. Pride diverts us to legalism or liberalism. Pride also sets the table for prosperity type gospels that direct us away from God who meets all of our needs and steals the power of Christ from us.

God's desire is for us to imitate the One who is the gospel, when the grace of God is visible it is not because of the instructor, nor is it the result of the epistle. God's grace is visible because people filled with the Holy Spirit are instructing us in the gentleness of the Spirit of God. The Word of God is alive, it is powerful, peaceful, graceful, joyful, faithful, gentle and full of self-control and we who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Those who are puffed up are not walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25-26.