6/28/21

Super Blue Blood Moon by Alana May, M.S.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=5508

Super Blue Blood Moon

by  Alana May, M.S.

[Editor’s Note: Alana holds a Master’s degree in Astrophysics from the University of Alabama.]

In the early morning hours of January 31, 2018, much of North America will get the privilege of witnessing a rare celestial event: Super Blue Blood Moon. But what exactly is this trifecta of lunar phenomena? Is it a harbinger of doom or apocalyptic events? Let’s break it down.

Supermoon

Like the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, the Moon travels in an elliptical orbit around the Earth. Because of this, the Moon has a closest approach (perigee) and a farthest approach (appogee) to the Earth. A Supermoon occurs when the Moon reaches its perigee and will therefore, appear up to 16% larger and 30% brighter than usual.1 The January 31st Supermoon is the last in a trio of back-to-back Supermoon Full Moons, the previous occurring on December 3, 2017 and January 2, 2018.

Blue Moon

The Moon orbits around the Earth in approximately a 29.5 day cycle. During this cycle, the Moon appears to go through phases: New Moon, Crescent Moon, Quarter Moon, Gibbous Moon, and Full Moon. Occasionally, there will be two Full Moons in a calendar month. The second of these Full Moons is called a Blue Moon.

Image credit: https://mars.nasa.gov/images/Lunar_eclipse_sideview.jpg

Blood Moon

 A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow, blocking the sunlight on the Moon. One of the first things a spectator of this event might notice is the reddish color the Moon seems to turn. (The red color is caused by the scattering of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere as the Moon enters Earth’s shadow and reflects only the scattered light.)

Super Blue Blood Moon

On January 31st, the Moon will be in its orbital perigee (Supermoon) at the time of the second full Moon of the month (Blue Moon) and will reach the lunar eclipse maximum in the early morning hours appearing completely awash in a reddish hue (Blood Moon), therefore giving it the name: Super Blue Blood Moon.

While total solar eclipses might be considered more spectacular than lunar eclipses, lunar eclipses are quite impressive, too. While the precise alignment of a solar eclipse means that only those in the narrow path of the shadow can see it, a lunar eclipse can be enjoyed by entire continents of people.

These naturally occurring events are part of the physical laws God put into place when He created the Universe, and are not harbingers of doom. Rather than being characterized by chaos, as though from an explosion, the Universe displays magnificent order, which attests to a Grand Designer. The machine-like behavior of the Universe allows scientists to understand and even predict celestial events long before they occur. The beauty, magnificence, and complexity of such celestial events should fill us with awe toward the Designer of the Universe.

Endnotes

1 https://www.space.com/34515-supermoon-guide.html.

Successful Scientists’ Retreat by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

 

 https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=2596

Successful Scientists’ Retreat

by  Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

January 6-7 marked an historic date in the history of Apologetics Press: the first annual A.P. scientist retreat. The six professional scientists currently writing for Apologetics Press gathered in Huntsville, Alabama to discuss potential avenues whereby the Kingdom of Christ can be advanced through a more concerted team effort. Geologist James Spencer and Drs. Joe Deweese (biochemist), Jerry Fausz (aerospace engineer), Mike Houts (nuclear engineer), Branyon May (astrophysicist), and myself (biomechanical engineer) spent several hours together brainstorming how our efforts for the Lord could be expanded (see http://apologeticspress.org/Auxiliary.aspx for more information on these scientists).

One important element of our discussions involved the importance of getting the truth out on the Creation/Evolution controversy. Why? Who cares? Does it really matter what a person believes with regard to how the Universe was created—in six days or six billion years? Our conclusion, with one accord, was an unequivocal, resounding, “Yes!” If sections of the Bible, which have no indication of being anything other than literal, historical truth, are taken to be symbolic, figurative, or poetic, what’s to keep a person from viewing the virgin birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as figurative—as some have done? Or what about the God-ordained plan of salvation, involving water baptism for the remission of sins? Further, an evolutionary stance on the Creation account pits the Bible against itself, since the Bible elsewhere confirms a literal, historical interpretation of the Genesis events—Jesus Himself putting His stamp of approval on such a position (e.g., Mark 10:6; Matthew 19:4; Romans 1:20; Luke 11:45-52; John 8:44; Exodus 20:11; Isaiah 40:21; see http://apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/cre_comp.pdf for more information on theistic evolution). Will a person believe in God and His Word, as He requires of us (Hebrews 11:6), or capitulate to the pressures of today’s pseudoscience in his interpretation of Scripture? The truth is, there is no need to take the Genesis account as anything other than literal. True science supports the Bible without exception. We, the A.P. scientists, firmly stand on this truth.

The first joint effort of this team is to present a seminar featuring all six scientists. Though arranging our schedules to accommodate such an ambitious goal is a daunting task, we all believe such an effort would be well worth the difficulty, and we believe God will bless this venture with success. The Jacksonville church of Christ in Jacksonville, Alabama will host the first A.P. scientists’ seminar on February 26-29, 2012. Each speaker will present material, largely in his field of scientific expertise, that points to the fact that the evidence demands a Designer—not random chance, as the atheistic viewpoint contends. We hope to produce a companion book and DVD of the seminar in the coming months.

Also, like last year, the scientists plan to have a presence during the A.P. youth camps this summer. Be sure to enroll your 3rd-12th graders for camp before space runs out! Other exciting potential ideas were discussed during the retreat as well, including long-term joint projects. Stay tuned over the coming months for more exciting details concerning the A.P. scientist projects.


Successful Scientists Seminar by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

 

https://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1658

Successful Scientists Seminar

by  Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

February 26-29 of this year marked the first-ever Apologetics Press Scientists Seminar. Held at the Jacksonville church of Christ, across the street from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, the seminar proved to be an unqualified success. The goal of the seminar was to show that the scientific evidence points to the presence of design in the Universe—not random chance, as evolutionary theories suggest.

The seminar kicked off with a general look at the concept of design and the Teleological Argument for the existence of God. Dr. Joe Deweese, a biochemist, presented evidence for design at the molecular level. James Spencer, a geologist, presented evidence of design in the waters of the Earth—specifically the microorganisms that cause natural attenuation. Dr. Jerry Fausz, an aerospace engineer, presented evidence pointing to design in the air. I presented evidence for design in human beings—specifically the human bio-thermal system. Dr. Branyon May, an astrophysicist, presented evidence for design in the cosmos, and Dr. Michael Houts, a nuclear engineer, wrapped up the seminar, looking at the concept of design as a whole.

The seminar was a testament to the fact that there are many qualified scientists who hold to the biblical view of Creation, because we believe that is where the scientific evidence leads. Belief in God and the Bible is not a “blind leap into the dark” without evidence. Rest assured, the Christian’s faith is based on evidence.

For more information on the A.P. scientists seminar, By Accident…or Design?, please click here, or contact our offices at 334-272-8558 to book a seminar in your area.

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" The Cleansing Of The Temple (2:13-25) by Mark Copeland


 

 

 

 

 

  

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

The Cleansing Of The Temple (2:13-25) 
  
 INTRODUCTION

1. It is common to think of Jesus as a gentle, peace-loving man...
   a. He certainly presented Himself as such on most occasions - e.g., Mt 11:28-30
   b. People felt comfortable in bringing their children to Him - e.g., Mt 19:13-14

2. Yet on occasion Jesus displayed strong righteous indignation...
   a. Such as when He visited Jerusalem during the Passover at the
      beginning of His ministry
   b. As He drove the moneychangers and merchandisers out of the temple- Jn 2:13-15

[What prompted this outburst of anger?  What gave Jesus the authority to
do this?  What lessons might we glean from this event?  As we seek to
find the answers let's first note...]

I. THE REBUKE OF THE LORD

   A. MERCHANDISING HIS FATHER'S HOUSE...
      1. The Lord's rebuke reveals the reason for His outburst - Jn 2:16
      2. The sellers of oxen and sheep, along with the moneychangers,
         had turned the temple into a house of merchandise
      3. It was to be a house of prayer, they had turned it into a den
         of thieves - cf. Mt 21:13
      -- The Lord was angered by the manner in which some used religion
         to make money

   B. MIGHT WE BE GUILTY OF A SIMILAR OFFENSE...?
      1. What if we attend church simply as a form of "networking", to
         make business contacts?
      2. What if we take advantage of our relationship as brethren to
         further a multilevel marketing business, a home-based business,
         or any other financial enterprise?
      -- The Lord's temple today is the church, we must be careful lest
         we defile it as well (cf. 1Co 3:16-17)

[The Lord has ordained that those who preach the gospel be supported (1Co
9:14).  But He is angered by those who view the Lord's temple (people)
as a way to get rich.  Next, we note that His anger was prompted by...]  

II. THE ZEAL OF THE LORD

   A. ZEAL FOR HIS FATHER'S HOUSE...
      1. The disciples were reminded of an Old Testament prophecyJn2:17; cf. Ps 69:9
      2. Jesus had zeal (fervor) for God's house, for it's intended
         purpose (a house of prayer)
      -- His great zeal for His Father's house moved Him to action

   B. HOW IS OUR ZEAL FOR THE LORD'S HOUSE...?
      1. Remember, today the Father's house is the church - cf. 1Ti 3:15
      2. Do we have great zeal for the church?
         a. That it fulfill it's intended purpose (to make known God's will)? cf. Ep 3:10-11
         b. That we are troubled when we see people try to turn it into
            something else, such as social club, or a purveyor of entertainment?
      -- If we have zeal for the Lord's house, we will not rest silent
         when others pervert its purpose

[Of course, the action we take may not be the same as what Jesus did. 
Indeed, He took up "a whip of cords."  What right did He have to use
such a display of force?  That's what the Jews wanted to know...]

III. THE AUTHORITY OF THE LORD

   A. THE SIGN THAT PROVES HIS AUTHORITY...
      1. They wanted to know what sign (miracle) He could offer to prove
         His right to cleanse the temple - Jn 2:18
      2. Jesus offered His ability to rise from the dead as the ultimate proof - Jn 2:19-22
         a. Later, He would restate His claim to have this ability - Jn10:17-18
         b. His resurrection proved that He was the Son of God - cf. Ro 1:4
      -- He has been given the authority to exercise such judgment as
         cleansing the temple - cf. Jn 5:22,26-27

   B. WE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME AUTHORITY...
      1. We are to judge with righteous judgment - Jn 7:24
         a. At times we must distinguish between "hogs" and "dogs" - Mt 7:6
         b. We can distinguish between good and bad fruit - Mt 7:15-20
      2. But our authority to judge is limited - Mt 7:1-5
         a. There are things we cannot judge in this life - 1Co 4:3-5
         b. There are people we are not to judge - 1Co 5:11-13
         c. Vengeance in particular belongs to the Lord - cf. Ro 12:17-19
      -- While Jesus is our example (cf. 1Pe 2:21), there are some
         "steps" that He took that we cannot take

[The reason we cannot emulate the Lord in every case becomes evident as
we consider...]

IV. THE POWER OF THE LORD

   A. THE POWER THAT JUSTIFIES HIS ACTION...
      1. John mentions how many came to believe in Him because of His signs - Jn 2:23
      2. John also makes note of His unwillingness to commit Himself to
         others at this time
         a. He had no need to, because he knew all - Jn 2:24
         b. He had no need to, because he knew what was in man - Jn 2:25
      -- Jesus is revealed as one who can discern the hearts of men 
         - cf. Mt 9:4; Re 2:23

   B. WE DO NOT HAVE THE SAME POWER...
      1. We cannot discern the hearts of men like the Lord can; note these comments:
         a. "Our Lord knew all men, their nature, dispositions,
            affections, designs, so as we do not know any man, not even ourselves."
         b. "He knows his crafty enemies, and all their secret projects;
            his false friends, and their true characters."
         c. "He knows who are truly his, knows their uprightness, and
            knows their weaknesses."
         d. "We know what is done by men; Christ knows what is in them,
            he tries the heart."
         -- Matthew Henry Commentary
      2. Since we cannot read the hearts of men, we must be careful
         a. We are unable to always know the motives of others
         b. We must approach those in opposition with humility - cf. 2Ti 2:24-26  
         c. We must approach brethren overtaken in a fault with
            gentleness - cf. Ga 6:1

CONCLUSION

1. In contending for the faith (which is a solemn duty, Jude 3)...
   a. Some often use the example of Jesus cleansing the temple to
      justify their behavior
   b. As they lash out in anger (righteous indignation?) towards those teaching error

2. Is it right to appeal to Jesus' example in this case...?
   a. Can we appeal to every example of Jesus?
   b. If so, are we justified to use a whip of cords as well?

3. The immediate context offers reasons to answer carefully...
   a. Jesus possessed unlimited authority to judge man, proven by His
      resurrection from the dead
   b. Jesus possessed divine power to read the hearts of men, we
      sometimes cannot even discern our own hearts

4. There are times for righteous indignation...
   a. But some things must be left to the Lord, the righteous Judge
   b. We must avoid what might actually be "self-righteous" indignation!

While we may not always be able to emulate the Lord's prerogative to
judge, we should certainly strive to copy His zeal for His Father's
house.  Is our zeal for His church what it ought to be...?         
 
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

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Chaos or Calm? by Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

 

https://thepreachersword.com/2020/11/03/chaos-or-calm/#more-17676

Chaos or Calm?

While settling into my little corner in the Hampton Inn lobby to write today’s post, the lady working the front desk walked by and asked, “Are you ready for all the chaos that’s about to unfold today?”

I chuckled to myself. I already had decided to share a few thoughts about our attitudes and actions on this Presidential election day.

My new “friend” further opined that the chaos would not end today, predicting post-election problems, discord, and disorder. She may be right. Some businesses in downtown Indianapolis, as well as Washington, D.C., and a number of other major cities are boarding up their windows, fearing post-election riots, and looting.

Since 2020 has been such an unpredictable and unprecedented year, who knows what will happen? We may not know the election results tonight, tomorrow, or for a few days or weeks. But I predict this. When the dust settles and the winners are announced, about 50% of our citizens will be glad. And the other 50% will be sad. Some even dismayed. Upset. Angry. Worried. And distressed.

While mental health experts have been talking about the stress people are feeling leading to the election, they’re also talking about post-election stress. Yet, whatever chaos that may erupt and ensue following the election, and whatever stress that may be pervasive in our nation, Christians have reasons to remain calm.

I’m reminded of Jehovah’s advice through the prophet Isaiah. The nation of Judah was facing a perilous period during the days of King Ahaz. Assyria was growing stronger. The king was afraid. He was trusting more in political alliances than the power of God.

God then instructed Isaiah to meet Ahaz and offer this counsel. “Say to him, “Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart…” (Isa. 7:4).

Calmness, however, does not naturally occur. Deciding to be calm is a determined response instead of an emotional reaction. It demands discipline. Requires the right focus. And calls for courage, strength, and fortitude.

Keep calm, because…

…God is more powerful than any political party.

…God is provincially at work behind the scenes.

…God can use whoever is elected to accomplish His purpose.

…God’s will for you transcends this life.

…Your fears, concerns, and challenges will be eased by your trust in God.

…Your faith will sustain you through whatever chaos will ensue.

…Your hope will provide a perspective beyond political issues, social concerns, and worldly problems.

…Your prayers are heard by a God who loves you, cares about your concerns, and will ease the burdens of your mind.

…Your life is founded on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.

…Your citizenship is in heaven. You’re just a sojourner here.

I would urge my brothers and sisters to exercise a calm and measured response on social media. Regardless of the results, refrain from outlandish accusations, unkind retorts, unfounded conspiracy theories, and vitriolic posts that incite anger and kindle strife.

Let’s rise above the chaos of our current social and political climate. Let’s be light in a world of darkness. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Be peaceful when there are protests. Maintain the unity of Christ’s Body in a divisive culture. Be thankful for our blessings. And “do all things without complaining or arguing” (Phil. 2:14)

Keep calm.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman


WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE CHURCH? BY STEVE FINNELL

 

https://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-name-of-church-by-steve-finnell.html

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE CHURCH? BY STEVE FINNELL

The question has been asked "Of what church are you a member?" I am a member of the church that Jesus owns. 

WHAT CHURCH?

Acts 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

I am a member of the church of God which Jesus purchased with His own blood.

Romans 16:16 .....all the churches of Christ greet you.

I am a member of the church of Christ.

Galatians 1:22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ.

I am a member of the church that is in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea......

I am a member of the church of God in Christ.

I am a member of the church of the Messiah.

I am a member of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am a member of the church of the King of Kings.

I am a member of the church of the Lord of Lord's.

I am a member of the church of the Lamb of God.

I am a member of the church of the Prince of Peace.

I am a member of the church of the Son of Man.

I am am member of the church of God's only begotten Son.

I am a member of the church of the Living God.

I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ the Son of God.

My church membership is written in the Lamb's book of life. (Rev. 20:15, Rev. 21:17)

The Lord adds the saved to His church. (Acts 2:47 ... and the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.)

Jesus gave the instruction on how to be saved and added them to His church. (Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved....)

THE CHURCHES I AM NOT A MEMBER OF

The church of King Henry the VIII.
The church of Alexander Campbell.
The church of the Pope.
The church of John Calvin.
The church Eudorus N. Bell.
The church of Alexander Mack.
The church of Mary Baker Eddy.
The church of Joseph March.
The church of John Knox.
The church of Freemasons.
The church of Charles Taze Russell.
The church Martin Luther.
The church of Menno Simons.
The church of Joseph Smith.
The church of George Fox.
The church of William Booth.
The church of Ellen G. White.
The church of Herbert W. Armstrong.
The church of John Smythe.
The churches of Catholics.
The churches of Lutherans.
The churches of Baptists.
The churches of Methodists.
The churches of Episcopalians.
The churches of Pentecostals.
The churches of Mormons.
The churches of the Salvation Army.
The Christian church.



 Christians do not own the church. All Christians are part of the body of Christ, however, they did not purchase the church. Christians are part of the Lord's church, but it is not their church. I do not belong to the "Christian" Church.    

You can join a denomination, but the Lord adds the saved to His church.

YOU CANNOT JOIN THE LORD'S CHURCH!

YES, I AM A MEMBER OF THE church of CHRIST. Why, because the Lord adds the saved to His church.

THE LORD ADDS ALL THOSE, TO HIS CHURCH, WHO HAVE OBEYED HIS TERMS FOR PARDON.

FAITH: John 3:16
REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38
CONFESSION: Romans 10:9-10
BAPTISM: (IMMERSION IN WATER) 1 Peter 3:21

THEN, THE LORD ADDS YOU TO HIS CHURCH! 

 

The Foreknowledge of "I AM" by T. Pierce Brown

 

https://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Brown/T/Pierce/1923/iam.html

The Foreknowledge of "I AM"

Most of us are aware of, and perhaps have meditated upon the answer God gave to Moses in Exodus 3:14 when Moses wanted to know what he should say when he was asked who had sent him. Part of the verse reads, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'I AM hath sent me unto you.'" We have probably come to the conclusion that regardless of what other wonderful things may be involved in that answer, it suggests that God is eternal -- timeless. There is neither past nor future with God, but everything is now. He can thus "declare the end from the beginning" (Isa. 46:10).

It has long been a problem for philosophers, theologians and even for brilliant Christian scholars to explain how, if God foreknew that a thing would happen and thus it had to happen, could man have any freedom to choose. It appears to me that the problem becomes relatively simple, although fantastically profound, if one recognizes that the word "foreknew" is merely a word that applies to man, not to God. From God's standpoint, God knew a thing because to Him it was as if it was happening at that moment, for God is not subject to time as we are. He could say to Joshua, in Joshua 6:2, "I have given into thine hand Jericho," because to Him it was a present reality, though to Joshua it was future. He could say to Abraham in Genesis 17:5, "A father of many nations have I made thee," for it was done, as far as God was concerned, though to Abraham it was future.

Many astute philosophers, theologians, scholars and those who have wrestled with the problem, even those who deny the false assumptions of Calvin, have reasoned like this: "If God knows anything that will happen in the future, then those things are unchangeable and the effect is the same as if God had predestined that they happen." But we may fail to realize that it is not a matter of God "knowing what will happen in the future" for there is no "future" in God's experience, for God is timeless. He only speaks of "future" to accommodate man's understanding. It is what is called an "anthropomorphism," or using human language to accommodate man's perspective. This is common in the Bible. For example, in Isaiah 59:1 we find, "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear." Surely most of us understand that God does not have a hand or ear as man has, and when "his eyes run to and fro throughout the earth" (Zech. 4:10) we understand the metaphorical language. Surely most of us do not think that in Genesis 18:21 where God says, "I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know" that God had to literally go down and find out personally if Sodom and Gomorrah were sinful. In Genesis 22:12, when God says, "Now I know that thou fearest God" surely few of us would assume that God did not know this before the event. The language is simply adapted to man's way of thinking and speaking, as when a teacher has solved a math problem on the board and says, "Now we know that x equals 6." She knew that x was equal to six before she worked the problem. So, when God says, "It will happen" it is not a matter of his making a decision that it will happen and man therefore has to abide by his decision. It is a matter of his ability to see what IS happening (for the future and the past are all present with him) and simply saying so.

It is presumed that if God foreknows (or knows) everything, we are but pawns in his hand. This is not so, for God knows that man has freedom of choice, for he made us that way, and God can know that man is freely choosing to do what he does. A good question for those to answer who assume that God's knowledge leaves man no freedom of choice is this: Did God know before the foundation of the earth that he would send Jesus to redeem mankind? If so, he knew that mankind would sin, but in no case does the Bible suggest that God was the cause of man's sin, or predestined that he had to sin. 1 Peter 1:20 states that not only was it known, it was "foreordained." Then he must have known that man would sin, and need redemption. Calvin and his followers then assume that since God foreknew that man would sin, man had to sin and that every act of man was foreordained of God. That is not so, as we have pointed out, not because God did not know that man would sin, but because God knew that man would, of his own free will, choose to sin. Let us repeat: It is not that God knew man would do it, so man had to do it. It is the case that God sees Adam choosing to sin as a present reality (from His perspective), and plans for his redemption. He foreordained that Christ would come to redeem man, and what God foreordained could not be changed by any act of man, and would not be changed by any act of God. God did not foreordain that Judas would betray him, but God "foreknew" that Judas would, of his own free and wicked will choose to betray him. In Ezekiel 3:18, God is represented as saying to the wicked, "Thou shalt surely die." Did God know that some of those would not surely die? Of course, for he tells what will happen so they would not die. He was not lying when he told what would happen, but there is not the remotest indication that he made it happen, or that it had to happen because he said it would. He simply knew that some would repent, and when they did, God is represented as repenting. He is not represented as repenting because he changed his mind and did not know what would happen.

1 Samuel 15:29 says, "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent." So when the Bible says that God did repent (Ex. 32:14, Jonah 3:10) it is not teaching that God did not know what was going to happen, and changed his mind because he had made a mistake. He had already told us in Ezekiel 33:8-18 that when the wicked changed, God would change, relative to him. God did not change in himself, or in his essence, nature or purpose. He did not need to say, "I am sorry for what I did, for I did not really know what would happen," for God is always sorry when man sins, and is always glad when he repents. So when the Bible says that God does repent, it is not contradicting the statement that says God does not repent. God does not repent in the same sense that man does, but only repents relative to man. God knew (foreknew from man's viewpoint) that he would destroy Israel (Deut. 9:14) and Nineveh (Jonah 3:4) if they did not repent. He told Jonah to preach "Forty days and you will be destroyed." Was God lying? Of course not, although they were not destroyed after forty days. And when he "repented of the evil that he would do, and did it not," was God sorry because he was going to do evil and decided he had made a mistake? Surely not. He already knew what would happen, but from man's viewpoint, he repented or changed relative to man. God is an unchanging God in himself, but is represented as changing toward man because when man acts properly God is pleased, and when man does not, God is displeased. "In him is no variableness, nor shadow of turning" (James 1:17) yet he is represented as turning when man turns.

Then when we find in the case of Judas as recorded in Acts 1:16 that "the scripture must needs have been fulfilled" it is often assumed that since God had prophesied before that Jesus would be betrayed, Judas was forced to do it, for God had already decreed that he would. If we can look at it from God's standpoint, so to speak, we can see that God is looking at Judas, long before Judas was born, and sees Judas of his own free will, because of a covetous heart, deciding that he would betray the Lord. So it is not a situation where God determined that it had to be that way, and foreordained it, but that He sees what is happening and tells it like it is, when from man's standpoint it has not yet happened. So in various passages like John 17:12, where it seems to imply in the King James Version that the son of perdition (Judas) had to be lost in order to make sure that the scripture was fulfilled, the truth would be better served to realize that the expression should be translated "with the result that the scripture was fulfilled." The idea that God had to make people wicked whether or not they chose to be wicked in order to make one of his predictions come to pass is totally out of harmony with the whole tenor of the scriptures.

When we read in John 18:31-32, "The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die," surely we do not need to assume that in some way God made the Jews say something in order to make sure that what the scriptures had said would come to pass. Rather it is as Thayer indicates on page 304 "with the result that the scripture was fulfilled." There are several such passages that in most versions may sound as if the event had to be that way because God ordained that it be that way in order to fulfill what He had said would happen. But the truth is that God did not ordain that it be that way and thus had to overrule the will of some person or persons. God merely saw the event taking place as if it were what we would call "present time" and said so. When it happened as a result of the free will of man, the result was that the scripture was fulfilled.

This realization will help us to understand many things that may be a mystery to us. For example in Acts 2:23 we find, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." If one wonders how or why one can accuse a person of having wicked hands when he does what God had already determined that he do, the answer is relatively simple, although profound. God had determined long ago that Christ was to die for our sins. The Bible teaches that many times, and the first hint of it is given in Genesis 3:15. However, at no place in the Bible are we taught that God had determined that some specific person would do the wicked deed. God knew who would, of their own free will, do the wicked deed, for all future events (from man's standpoint) were present events from God's standpoint. Remember that God can declare the end from the beginning, but that does not say nor mean that God predestinates the end from the beginning. This is why predestination and foreknowledge are not the same thing, though many have assumed they have to be for they reason that if God knew that a thing would happen, He must make it happen. Again the simple explanation is that God knows a thing will happen because from His viewpoint it is happening. For God to be able to see the future (from our viewpoint) as present (from His viewpoint), does not necessitate his determined purpose or plan that it happen. God does have some specific fixed purposes, and all that man can do will not change those. But not everything that happens is because God had a fixed purpose that it happen that way, as John Calvin and his followers assumed. For example, God does not have a fixed purpose that any should perish (2 Pet. 3:9) but many will, and God knows that and has said it will happen. When it does it could be written, "These are lost that the scriptures might be fulfilled that said, 'Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat.'" But the expression, "that the scriptures might be fulfilled" would be better understood if it were stated, "thus the scriptures were fulfilled," for that expression does not suggest that God decreed that certain persons be lost and at the same time other scriptures said that he did not so decree, nor was it his will. Remember that the primary key to your ability to grasp that which seems so hard for many brilliant persons and great scholars to grasp is the realization that God said, "I AM." He is eternal, and sees everything that has been or will be as a present reality. Do not be disturbed if when you read this, you think, "I simply can't understand that." Of course you cannot understand infinity, or eternity, or omnipresence. You cannot understand how God can see any future event as certain, nor how God can be everywhere in the universe, although he is represented as "coming down" to some mountain or other place.

Someone may say, "I believe that God has the ability to foreknow some things and the ability to choose not to foreknow some other ones." The main problem with that concept is that in order for God to choose not to foreknow some specific thing, He would have to know what he chose not to foreknow before he could choose not to foreknow it. That is simply a contradiction that cannot be resolved with man's words. If one can comprehend the idea that whatever is going to happen (from man's viewpoint) is now happening from God's standpoint, he can at least grasp the idea I am trying to present. To state it another way, all events, past, present and future have already happened from the standpoint of an eternal God. There is a great deal of difference in the fact that we cannot understand an eternal God for whom time means nothing, and who can be everywhere (omnipresent) at the same time and our not believing in those realities that the Bible reveals. That man freely acted and is responsible for his actions God has always known. The fact that God knew that Adam (or any part of mankind) would sin does NOT involve the idea that God predestined that Adam, or any other man, would sin. But God had to know that or he could not have foreordained that Christ would come and redeem mankind from sin. From His timeless perspective, God simply sees Adam (and us) sinning as we choose to do so. Adam is responsible for his sin, and we are responsible for ours. God did not foreordain us to sin, although He did foreknow that we would.

We will continually be confused if we do not differentiate between what God knew (foreknew is the way we put it), and what God determined would take place. The whole idea of Calvin and those who follow his assumptions, even when they do not realize they are doing it, is contrary to God's will and His revelation. Man does have freedom of choice, and if God predestined him individually to be saved or lost, he would not have it. Man's freedom of choice cannot change that which God predestined. He predestined that Christ would die for the sins of the world, and regardless of who did what, Christ would have died for the sins of the world. He was "slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:8) and no power in the universe would change that. Man's salvation depends on his submission, but the fact that God knew that man would rebel and that He would provide a way for man to be saved in spite of that rebellion did NOT mean that God predestined man to rebel and made certain that he would, so that he could gloriously save his specific predetermined elect. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden" is still God's message, even if He knows some will not. He knows beforehand that some will not, but he has not predestined every thing he knows beforehand, for he is not willing that any should perish.

T. Pierce Brown

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Precious by Gary Rose


 Harold Ogilbee ( 2012 picture )

Unlike most days, today’s post did not begin with a picture; that came later. Rather, it began with a phone call and the news; Harold is dead. I didn’t say anything at first, I just couldn’t speak. Funny, I don’t remember a great deal of the conversation after the news; I was shocked at the news of his death.


Harold Ogilbee was an older brother in Christ; in his late seventies I think. He had driven a tractor trailer most of his life and so had spent a lot of time away from home. However, he was blessed by a wife that loved the LORD and did everything she could to raise her children to be faithful Christians. Her efforts proved to be successful, for her efforts even turned Harold to the LORD. And, as long as I have known him ( a little more than a decade, think ) Harold has remained faithful.


A great man is not truly measured by his intellect, talents or accomplishments, but rather by how much he is loved by others. All the things that the world holds to be of importance- power, riches, beauty, accomplishments and intellect; these fade, but LOVE abides forever. Harold loved God and his brethren and that love was returned by those who knew him.


The Bible says…


Psalm 116 ( World English Bible )

15 Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of his saints.


I loved Harold. He was ( is ) my brother, my friend and a shining example of what a Christian should be. The Scripture says that those who die in the LORD ( saints ) are precious. I never told Harold he was “precious”; I wish I had.


See you later Harold! “I love you- deal with it”


Gary