Will We Know Our Loved Ones in Heaven?
November 30, 2018 at 9:57 am | Posted in Q&A | 4 CommentsTags: afterlife, family in Heaven, Genesis 25, Heaven, I Corinthians 15, Numbers 20, the afterlife
Question: In Heaven will Christians know and recognize other Christians to whom they were related in this earthly life?
Answer: I believe we will. In the Bible we see the phrase “he was gathered unto his people” when someone dies, meaning that his soul went to a place where his deceased loved ones already were. Genesis 25:8 and Numbers 20:24 are just a couple of examples. This indicates that in Heaven fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, even distant relatives and friends will know each other based on the earthly relationships they had. I don’t think that there will be the same familial, relational, or “legal” responsibilities and obligations between people in Heaven (such as mother-daughter, husband-wife) because Jesus will be the supreme recipient of all worship, affection, and adoration, but I Corinthians 15:49 seems to indicate that our resurrected and glorified bodies will carry with them enough of our physical resemblance and distinctiveness to make us recognizable to our loved ones.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
November 26, 2018 at 1:15 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 CommentsTags: Acts 17, Christmas, Christmas carols, Christmas hymns, Ephesians 5, Isaiah 42, lessons on the Incarnation, Luke 2, Psalm 103, the Incarnation
The well-known Incarnation celebration hymn, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” was first written by Charles Wesley, and later changed by George Whitefield, who changed the first line from, “Hark, how all the welkin ring,” to “Hark, the herald angels sing.” This changed the emphasis from the regeneration of the natural world, including inanimate creation, to the regeneration of mankind, God’s image-bearing creation.
The word “hark” does not appear in the Bible, but it is a shortened form of “hearken,” which does appear in 150 verses. For example,
Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
Isaiah 42:23
Hearken means to listen closely, to listen with intensity and purpose, and with the intention of responding to what is heard. It is a great word to use in connection with the Annunciation: the announcement of the birth of Christ. Only those with “ears to hear” had been listening to the prophecies in the Word of God for centuries and centuries. Now was the time to hearken with joy, for faith to become sight AND to become audible.
The angels are called “herald” angels, and they were announcing good news. Before the internet, television, or even newspapers, the “town herald” heralded good news. The word “angel” means “the deliverer of news,” and, in the case of the EvANGELion, the greatest news of all.
Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Psalm 103:20 (emphasis added)
The angels who announced the good news (“good tidings“) of “great joy” were angels which had hearkened, and which must be hearkened unto.
“Hark, the herald angels SING.” Singing, in the Bible, is often a sign of joy.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Ephesians 5:19
New Testament singing is a gift of encouragement. The angels weren’t content to make a simple spoken announcement. This was an event worthy of sublime poetry in beautiful song.
“GLORY to the newborn King.”
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:14
“Glory” is the weight of God’s attributes. It also speaks of His renown. It is His greatness showing forth – being revealed and made known. It is extreme. We like knowing that He is a powerful, transcendent, glorious God, but His glory also makes us “sore afraid.”
The phrase, “glory to the newborn King,” is a striking paradox, for this King was God, but how could the eternal God be “newborn?” This was a proclamation that God had become man – still God, but now adding humanity to Himself in order to accomplish the redemption of His fallen creatures, now His kinsmen: His own “race.”
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Acts 17:6-7
It took people a while to realize the full meaning of the announcement that the King had arrived as a newborn baby, but, once it was understood, the Apostles and the early Christians turned the world upside down with this message: The true King had died, risen, and ascended to sit down at the throne of God.
The message of the Incarnation of the Son of God (which this world calls Christmas) is a history lesson, but it is also a prophecy, a promise, and a sure prediction that will be fulfilled in a greater way yet to come. We must hearken back, and, every time we hear the familiar song, or think about Christ in any circumstance, to hearken forward as well.
Suffering for Glory
November 21, 2018 at 2:19 pm | Posted in I Peter | 9 CommentsTags: 1 Peter 4, 1 Peter 5, commentary on 1 Peter, fiery trials, Galatians 3, glory, Romans 8, suffering, Sunday School lessons on 1 Peter, trials
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
I Peter 4:11 (emphasis added)
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:16-18
Would a lifetime of what we call “suffering” be worth it to see God’s glory? It’s not even close! Just a GLIMPSE would far outweigh all suffering.
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
Galatians 3:4
It is not vain to suffer for the Gospel. It is not vain to suffer for God’s glory.
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
I Peter 4:13
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
I Peter 5:1
God is not so much in the replacement business as He is in the transformation business. We don’t get our suffering replaced with glory; our suffering is transformed into glory.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
Matthew 12:20
Christ can take the things that seem too broken to be useful, too painful to be joyous, too unpleasant to be productive, and and He can transform them into things too wonderful to be ignored. The discomfort of pregnancy, and the excruciating agony of labor and delivery are transformed into joy at the sight of a newborn baby.
Satan hates for God to be glorified in this world, and he hates the name of Christ. I don’t know that he hates the name of Baptist or Methodist or Presbyterian or any denomination, but if you tell somebody, “Jesus loves you. He wants you to repent of your sin, and He wants to save you,” that’s when Satan will cause somebody get offended.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
I Peter 4:16 (emphasis added)
This is one of only three times the Word “Christian” is used in the Bible (Acts 11:26 and Acts 26:28 being the other two). The idea is that a Christian is a “little Christ” or someone “of the party of Christ.” It was first devised by pagans as a derogatory term, although true Christians would find it extremely complimentary. Over time the Devil has tried to dilute the meaning so that people think it means “somebody who goes to church” or “somebody who has a personal belief in a higher power” or “somebody with conservative political views” or “somebody who doesn’t curse or get drunk or behave promiscuously.”
There is a fiery trial coming. The trials today, for the most part, for Christians living in the comfort of 21st Century America, are just a little toasty – not raging infernos like what is coming. One day the fire will separate folks, and we’ll find out just how much people VALUE the name “Christian.” The thought of eternal fire might get folks a little motivated to “do right,” but even vipers flee from a fire (Acts 28:3).
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
I Peter 4:17-18
Fiery trials bring heat, but also light. They are good places for self-examination, and for asking, “What is causing my suffering?” Suffering for Christ is cause for rejoicing because it brings glory to God.
Eternity
November 19, 2018 at 2:35 pm | Posted in Eternity | 1 CommentTags: eternal, eternal life, eternal security, eternality of God, Eternity, everlasting, everlasting security, unending
The idea of eternity can be difficult for finite minds to grasp. Unlike our amazing Creator, we (His creatures) are constantly changing. Since “time” is the method devised for measuring change, we can scarcely fathom a realm (or a God) that exists “outside” of time. Christians talk of “spending” eternity with God and describe our Heavenly home as a place that will “last” forever, but we truly lack the language to adequately explain what it will be like to live “forever” with our magnificent Savior and His eternal, unending, infinite majesties, glories, and perfections.
Some of the earliest posts on this blog dealt with the theme of everlasting security, so, along with those and some other posts that examine Bible verses which talk about eternal life and God’s infinitude and immutability, I came up with the category called “Eternity.” Here are the links to its posts:
1. The Eternal Glory of God (II Timothy 2:10)
2. There Are Some Absolutes (Psalm 25)
3. Temporary Wealth Vs. Eternal Wealth (II Timothy 6:17-18)
4. Right Where You’re Supposed to Be (Ecclesiastes 3:11-12)
5. R.S.V.P. Before You R.I.P. (Ezekiel 12:27-28)
6. It’s Just Faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 4:5)
7. When Time Shall Be No More (Matthew 13:51-52)
8. The Bridegroom Cleans His Bride’s Wedding Gown (Revelation 19:7-9)
a. Delivery and Birth (I Corinthians 5:1-5)
b. The Deposit on Your Soul (II Corinthians 5:5)
c. It All Depends on What Your Definition of “OF” Is (Galatians 2:16-20)
d. All in the Past (Ephesians 4:30-32)
e. Who “KEEPS” Me Saved? (Philippians 3:9)
f. Perfect Unbreakable Love (Colossians 3:13-14)
g. Learning to Like Eternal Life (I Thessalonians 4:7-8)
h. Eternal Destruction (II Thessalonians 1:7-9, 2:16)
i. Temporarily Saved Is Not Really Saved at All (I Timothy 2:3-4)
j. Get Over Yourself, because You Can’t Get Over on God (II Timothy 2:13)
k. Eternally Paid in Full (Philemon vv. 18-19)
l. The Author of the Story that Never Ends (Hebrews 12:2, 7:5; Titus 1:2)
m. Eternal Security Does Not Have an Expiration Date (I Peter 1:5, 2:24, 4:17)
n. The Legend of the Unsaved Christian (II Peter 2:20-22)
o. The Everlasting Anointing (I John 2:27)
p. The Things that Will Last (II John v. 8)
q. Eternal Infamy vs. Eternal Honor (III John vv. 9-10)
9. Do You Want to Live Forever? (I Timothy 2:5)
10. Discipleship Lesson 2: Everlasting Security
11. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 1) (John 14:16-17)
12. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 2) (Ezekiel 3:20; John 1:12-3)
13. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 3)
14. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 4) (Luke 8:13; Deuteronomy 30:17-20; Matthew 5:13)
15. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 5)
16. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 6)
17. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 7)
18. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 8) (Jude)
19. Objections To the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 9) (Luke 9:24)
20. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket (Job 39:13-17; Matthew 23:37; I John 5:13; Deuteronomy 33:27) *
21. Do Birds Sing about Eternity? (Ecclesiastes 3:11-14)
22. Partakers Overtake Undertakers (Hebrews 6:4-6)
23. The Assurance of the Blood (Hebrews 13:20-21; Jeremiah 32:40; Luke 22:20)
24. The Testator as Intercessor (Hebrews 7)
25. Hard Sayings (John 6)
26. What about the “If”s in Hebrews?
27. An Eternal Appointment? (Acts 13:48-49)
28. Safe and Secure: Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9; John 1:12-13; 6:34-37)
29. Safe and Secure: Eternally Ovine (Jonah 2:9; John 1:12-13; 6:39; 10:27-28)
30. Safe and Secure: The Integrity, Infallibility, and Immutability of the Savior (Hebrews 6:1-12; 7:23-25; 12:2; Romans 8:35-39)
31. Safe and Secure: The Intersection of Security and Assurance
32. Safe and Secure: False Professors Can’t Lose What They Never Had (Matthew 7:21-23)
* most-viewed post in category
Marriage Should Not be Somber
November 14, 2018 at 4:08 pm | Posted in Isaiah, Uncategorized | 8 CommentsTags: a happy marriage, Biblical marriage, Christian marriage, Isaiah 62, Psalm 21
In previous lessons in this series on Isaiah 62:1-4, I said that marriage should not be secret, static, or spurious. Now will see that marriage should not be somber.
Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.
Isaiah 62:4
God’s people had been called Forsaken – forgotten or abandoned by their God – but the parallel contrast is that He would remove the name “Forsaken” and replace it with “Hephzibah” which translates as “My delight is in her.” Normally, I’m a proponent of being somber over being silly. That’s kind of my personality, and, as Christians, although we are not opposed to fun, we don’t want to be primarily identified as frivolous. In our marriages, we don’t want either spouse to be – or even feel, for that matter – “forsaken,” nor do we want people to get that impression. We want our marriages to show off the joy of the Lord. In fact, that joy follows closely on the heels of the idea of exercising dominion and kingship in this world, and, according to the Bible, it is a source of our strength:
The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
Psalm 21:1-3
We hear much about having a “happy marriage” these days, but, for Christians, the idea of joy in marriage is not that we have settled into a complacent peace that is dependent on everything going smoothly in our circumstances. The idea is that we are abounding in joy, and that our joy is contagious because we have been “saved” from the curse of sin. We have been given our “heart’s desire.” We have been crowned, not with a withering grass laurel, but with a crown of “pure gold.”
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Proverbs 5:18
Not only will this delight us because of God’s promise of blessing, but the Lord Himself will “Hephzibah” – delight! – in us and our marriages.
In the next lesson we will see that marriage must not be sterile.
Cooler than the Other Side of the Pillar
November 12, 2018 at 2:37 pm | Posted in Q&A | 3 CommentsTags: 1 Corinthians 10, Christophanies, Christophany, commentary on Exodus, Exodus 14, parting of the Red Sea, pillar of cloud, pillar of fire, Sunday School lessons on Exodus
Question: The children of Israel were led by a pillar of cloud/fire as they left Egypt. When they got to the Red Sea, did the pillar go over or across the sea so they would know they were supposed to go across, too?
Answer: If you look at Exodus 14:19-22 it appears that the pillar moved from in front of the Israelites to behind them in order to act as a shield between them and the Egyptians. After they crossed the Red Sea, it must have returned to the forefront in order to keep leading them. What’s really interesting is that Verse 19 connects the pillar with “the Angel of God,” which many Bible scholars take as a Christophany (a preincarnate appearance of Christ in the Old Testament). I Corinthians 10:1-4 also seems to support this idea.
The But Chapter: Immaturity and Independence
November 9, 2018 at 1:10 pm | Posted in Luke | 7 CommentsTags: child-like faith, childish, Christian maturity, commentary on Luke, dependence, dependence on God, Ephesians 2, Luke 9, maturity, Sunday School lessons on Luke
In the last lesson we looked at Luke Chapter 9 and considered the “buts” of incomprehension, indecision, and ignorance. Now we will see:
4. The But of Immaturity
But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
Luke 9:46
Rather than marveling at the greatness of their Master’s mission, the Disciples were asking what a distressing number of us often find ourselves asking: What’s in it for me? Instead of looking back at what God has done, and looking forward to what He will do, or looking up to Him, we’re looking around – and not to find a need to serve – but to compare ourselves to those around us. “Why can’t I have what he has?” “How do I measure up to her?” “I attend Sunday School AND I have family devotions – the Lord MUST like me more than so-and-so…”
Jesus responded by calling a child into their midst.
And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
Luke 9:47
Notice that the children were right there with the grown-ups when Jesus was teaching. He didn’t have to send someone to fetch a child from children’s church. The point of summoning this child was not to illustrate CHILDISHNESS. That was the Disciples’ problem: they wanted to follow Jesus, BUT they were exhibiting the “But of Immaturity.” “I’m greater than you.” “No, Jesus likes me more than you.” The child that Jesus took from the crowd wasn’t CHILDISH – He was CHILD-LIKE.
And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
Luke 9:48
This child was child-like in the sense of being un-self-conscious. One of the paradoxes of the Kingdom of Christ is that child-likeness is a sign of maturity – because it seeks to please others, not self. Childishness is a sign of immaturity because it looks out for number one.
5. The But of Independence
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
Luke 9:57
Note the play on the word “certain.” Here it means that a particular man is being referenced, but we also use the word “certain” to describe someone who is absolutely sure about something. This man was certainly gung ho about following Jesus. He didn’t just say, “I’ll go where You go.” He said “WHITHERSOEVER thou goest.” That’s the kind of followers Jesus wants, right? Hold on a second.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Luke 9:58
Jesus did not respond with, “Ha! I gotcha now – you made a commitment and that’s all we’re looking for. You’re on the right team now – just do what you can. Serve when you feel like it, and get your bucket ready. My Father’s going to pour out blessings so that you won’t be able to receive them all.” No, instead, Jesus told Him to count the cost – to make a sober assessment of his commitment to follow Christ. Following Jesus means following in discomfort as well as comfort. Jesus never preached a gimmicky gospel. He would have never raised enough funds to keep His TBN show on the air. He never promised a bed of roses as much as a crown of thorns.
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Luke 9:59 (emphasis added)
Notice the command: “Follow Me.” This man wanted to go, but he still wanted some independence. He wanted to go in HIS time.
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:60
Christians preach to dead people – spiritually dead, not physically dead, people.
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:1-5
Christians are not “independent.” We were and are completely dependent upon God for everything good we’ve ever known.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Luke 9:61 (emphasis added)
The But of Independence puts conditions on our service to Christ. We think that we will decide what’s important for ourselves, then serve within that framework, but Jesus says:
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:62
The Lord can’t use you if you’re always looking back at your “but.” Jesus sets the priorities and the agenda. We depend upon Him to let us know where to work, what to wear, what our schedule is, who our friends are. You can’t play follow the leader if you’re looking back, and you can’t keep up if your “but” is too big.
The Deep End 
The Insidiousness of Idolatry
November 28, 2018 at 2:56 pm | Posted in Jeremiah | 6 CommentsTags: commentary on Jeremiah, deuteronomic covenant, idol worship, idolatry, idols, Jeremiah 11, Mosaic law, religious reform, Sunday School lessons on Jeremiah
An idol is dependent on man for its supposed deity, thereby making the man who worships it the actual false deity. Idolatry is the ultimate deception, delusion, and diabolical activity: self-worship.
Jeremiah 11:1-2 (emphasis added)
By “this covenant” he meant the Mosaic or “deuteronomic” Covenant, which, if it had to be described in a few short words, could be summarized as: DO NOT COMMIT IDOLATRY.
Jeremiah 11:3
Jeremiah preached this message over and over, even during the days of King Josiah’s reform, because the reform was only outward. It did not reach the hearts of the people.
Jeremiah 11:4
The iron furnace of suffering was compared to the land of milk and honey. How much would you have to love sin in order to decide to jump back into the furnace and reject beauty, peace, and joy?
Jeremiah 11:5
Jeremiah was the only one with the right response: “So be it; amen.”
Now God revealed to Jeremiah a secret plot that was going on in Judah. It was a conspiracy against Josiah’s reforms. Corrupt priests and leaders who had a vested interest in the worship of Baal in the groves did not want these legal declarations about turning back to Yahweh’s law to catch on.
Jeremiah 11:9-10
Idolatry is a sin that will entice men, seduce them, entangle them, and cause them to foolishly fight on behalf of their idols against reform and even revival.