Monthly Archives: February 2019

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Prophet from Babylon: Why Study the Book of Daniel PART 02

In Part 01, we were introduced to one of the most remarkable men in history: Daniel, the prophet from Babylon. His name means ‘God is my judge,’ and he is the author of the book that bears his name. He lived during the 6th Century BC, during the time of the 70 year captivity of Judah in Babylon. We learned that Jesus is ‘the stone cut out of the mountains without hands (2:34),’ the 4th man in the fiery furnace (3:25), and the Messiah (9:25). We now continue our survey of this priceless book.
Theme of Daniel
God’s purposes for the nation of Israel are revealed in Daniel, especially during the ‘Times of the Gentiles.’ Israel’s political restoration is foretold.
The Book of Daniel also holds the keys for understanding the last days, particularly Nebuchadnezzar’s statue in Daniel 2 and the 70 week prophecy of Daniel 9. The book is predominantly written in Hebrew but chapters 2-7 are in Aramaic, thus making them intelligible for God’s purpose for the Gentiles.
Our knowledge of God is greatly enhanced by studying Daniel. In this book we learn that:
1.       God has ‘keeping-power’ (Chapter 1);
2.       God reveals secrets (Chapter 2);
3.       God delivers from trouble (Chapter 3);
4.       God is Sovereign, including in the affairs of men (Chapter 4);
5.       God is the judge (hence, the name ‘Daniel’ – Chapter 5);
6.       God is omnipotent, even in the lion’s den (Chapter 6).
Key Verses of Daniel
Daniel 2:20-22: Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
Daniel 2:44: And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Summary of Daniel
Chapter 01: Daniel, of royal stock, and his three friends were taken from Jerusalem to Babylon as teenagers. They were groomed as bureaucrats in the royal court. God gave them favour so that they were exempted from defiling themselves with the ‘royal food.’ Like Joseph in Genesis, Daniel is promoted in the Babylonian court because of his ability to interpret dreams.
Chapter 02: Babylonian king Nebuchanezzar has a dream of a multi-metalled statue, head of gold (Babylon), chest and arms of silver (Persia), belly and thigh of bronze (Greek/Hellenistic), legs of iron, feet of iron and clay (traditionally Rome or the Imperial Empire). The last empire will be the final world empire until Messiah comes to earth. Daniel accurately interprets the dream.
Chapter 03: Daniel’s 3 friends refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s actual 30 metre high gold statue in the Plain of Dura and were delivered from death in the fiery furnace.
Chapter 04: Nebuchadnezzar was judged, live like a grass-eating beast for a time, and was restored to his throne. He may have even written this chapter.
Chapter 05:Years later, the last ruler of Babylon, Belshazzar (ruling in the place of his father Nabonides, who was on a foreign assignment), sees the handwriting on the wall and is deposed that very night.
Chapter 06: The Persians take over and, like the Book of Esther, made a foolish decree about prayer. Daniel violated it but was delivered from the lions.
Chapter 07: We learned about the vision of the 4 beasts.
Chapter 08: We learn about the male goat, ram, and little horn – antichrist.
Chapter 09: This chapter is about the famous ’70 Week Prophecy,’ considered the foundation of all end time prophecy.
Chapter 10: Daniel’s 3 week partial fast and the conflict with the prince of Persia is told.
Chapter 11: The conflict between the king of the south and north is detailed. It is estimated that over 100 prophecies were fulfilled in this chapter alone. Chapter 11 gives a summary of the period known as the ‘400 silent’ years between the end of the Old Testament, Malachi and the beginning of the New, with the Gospel of Matthew.
Chapter 12: Tells us about the resurrection of the dead and that the prophecy is ‘sealed’ until the end; it is ‘unsealed’ or ‘revealed’ in the Book of Revelation, the New Testament twin of Daniel.
Practical Lessons: The Book of Daniel also outlines principles of victorious Christian living. These include the joy of a submitted life (1:1-21); the importance of being a light in the dark place (2:22); victory in the midst of trial (3:17-25); receiving rewards for faithful service (5:17, 29); the deliverance of the innocent (6:10-24); revival praying, which includes confession of sin (9:3-19); and the wisdom of winning souls (12:3).
Outline of Daniel
I.           Daniel deported to Babylon (1)
II.         Prophecy for the Gentiles (2-7)
III.      Prophecy for Israel (8-12)

Articles, Education, Faith, Prophecy, Teaching

Jerusalem: A Magnet for Christian Visits – Part 07

I

Jerusalem: A Magnet for Christian Visits – Part 07
In Part 01 of our series we learned that Christians have been visiting the holy city of Jerusalem since the beginning of the church. Today, incoming Christian tourist numbers into Israel, with the goal of visiting Jerusalem, is 60% or more.
In Part 02, we learned about how ‘tourism’ affects numbers of Christian visitors.
In Part 03, we saw how since the 1967 War the ‘tourist factor’ and tradition of pilgrimage have caused the number of visitors to Jerusalem to increased dramatically.
In Part 04, we sought to define if the Christian visitor is a ‘tourist’ and/or ‘pilgrim.’
In Part 05, we will continued to explore the identity of Christian visitors as tourist and/or pilgrim.
Here in Part 06 we will explore the nature of today’s Christian visits to Jerusalem.
Onward Christian Pilgrim
First, it is this author’s conviction, after 6 years of study and  a 95,000 thesis, that a Christian who visits a holy city like Jerusalem is a ‘pilgrim,’ whether they consciously and proactively seek to be, or not. Why? Pilgrimage is simply a ‘long journey to a sacred destination.’ The Bible teaches that all believers are on a long journey to the city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). So our rationale is simple: if the earthly life of a person of faith is one long journey to the sacred destination, then visiting the holy city would be part of the larger pilgrimage.
This generous and inclusive label stands strong, even if the Christian visitor has all the hallmarks of a normal tourist. So they can float on the Dead Sea, hike at En Gedi, visit the popular non-non-biblical sites like Masada, plant a tree, go shopping, and other ‘secular’ activities and still be a pilgrim. Like the Christian faith itself, being a pilgrim is not so much a matter of ‘what you do’ but more like ‘what you believe.’ The faith in the heart, rather than the activity of the hand, is what makes you a pilgrim.
One of the evidences of ‘faith in the heart’ is the Christian pilgrims willingness to travel to the Middle East, even though it has pockets of strife and instability (for example, Syria, Libya and Yemen). Those who are mere tourists do not travel to a ‘war zone’ to have a holiday but the person of faith will. They believe God has led them to make the journey and will protect them along the way.
Do the labels ‘tourist’ and ‘pilgrim’ matter? Some can argue ‘No.’ This author says ‘Yes.’ Here is the reason: when you call someone a pilgrim, you recognise them as a person of faith. Second, a journey of faith will lead to the things of God. Furthermore, a reward awaits the person who ‘believes’ and ‘seeks.’ Hebrews 11:6 says it so well: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (emphasis mine).
So if a person understands that their trip is not just for tourism, but is truly journey of faith, they will be more mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared. A great reward awaits them.
This can apply even to the person who is blissfully unaware of these things. This author’s mother, raised in church while young but grew up to be a successful, unchurched, career woman, came for a visit to Jerusalem. Most of her time was spent visiting people and shopping. During the entire period she had only one day of touring Biblical sites and she spent much of it in the local diamond showroom! Yet, years later she commented how ‘close she felt to God’ while in Jerusalem and eventually became a believer.
The Nature of Christian Visits
Since the June ‘Six Day War of June 1967,’ there have been changes in the nature and number of Christian visitors. Prior to this date, since the 1948 war, Jerusalem was a divided city. Israel held the western sector and Jordan the eastern, including the Old City and the Mount of Olives. This means Jordan was the custodian of most of the Biblical sites. The partition of the city did affect tourist numbers. A person could only cross from one side to another via the Mandelbaum Gate, but there were restrictions. Local Jerusalemites, East and West, Jew or Muslim, could not cross to the other side of the city, full stop. Christian citizens of Israel were allowed a 3 day visit to the Old City once a year. Foreign pilgrims were allowed passage through the Mandelbaum Gate. Needless to say, the division of the city did not help foster increasing tourism. While local Christians from Middle East countries would have visited Jordanian-held Jerusalem, numbers of visitors from Europe and the rest of the world were limited.
To understand the nature of Christian visits today, let’s compare and contrast them with what happened in the past. Early Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem was a truly voluntary action motivated by love for the person of Christ and/or desire to see the site of biblical events. No religious merit was accorded for the visit. Byzantine and medieval practices like shrine visitation, liturgy, indulgences, and veneration of relics were minimal or non-existent. Visiting the city, holy people who lived in the city, and pious study, were some of the intentions of these early visitors (e.g. Melito of Sardis, Origen, the Pilgrim of Bordeaux, Egeria). The pilgrim could have sojourned in Jerusalem for weeks, months, even years.
Modern Christian Jerusalem visits are increasing in tandem with mass tourism. Both have influenced each other. Tourism has given the pilgrim fast efficient travel, comfortable lodging, and a sightseeing             element in respect of non-Christian or non-holy sites. Pilgrimage has made holy sites part of the program in many, perhaps most, tour itineraries.
TO BE CONTINUED
NOTE: If you are interested in our June 2019 Jerusalem Encounter Tour or November 2019 Bible Adventure Tour, including Book of Revelation/7 Churches Extension, log onto: https://www.tan.org.au/upcoming-tours/
Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

What To Do When God Calls: Understanding the Call of God Part 04

Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God
It is one of the most important events of one’s life: the moment a person recognises that they have been ‘called of God.’ It is like a conscription notice into the Lord’s army. Such people are in good company – Jesus says that ‘many are called’ (Matthew 22:14). That’s the easy part. However, how do we attain to the second and more important part of the statement: ‘but few are chosen’? How to we go from merely ‘called’ to gloriously ‘chosen?’ More specifically, how do we practically respond to the call of God?
First, understand that this is about the most important thing you can do, apart from accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Every other weighty decision of your life, including where to live, what profession to pursue, who to marry, will all be affected with how you respond to God’s call.
The good news is that God’s Word is not just precepts and inspiriting stories, important as they are. It also full of practical application tips so that if you follow them through, you will be a candidate for life-change.
The above verses from Romans 12 help us in this regard. Let’s see what we can glean:
1.       Mercies of God: This practical passage follows right after the great treatise on God and Israel, Romans 9-11. It speaks how God desires to show mercy on us all. Now, in light of God’s great mercy, the very least you can do is give Him everything you have, including your body as a living sacrifice.
2.       Present your bodies: This speaks of ‘consecration,’ dedicating yourself and your body to the cause of Christ and His kingdom. It matters less where the consecration takes place – at the church altar, at the pew, or even in your home – as much as the sincerity and single-mindedness of heart when coming forward. This author responded to a call to serve God overseas when he was 21. It was at the church altar. Though sincerely done, he did not really expect anything to happen. It did. Within months, he was heading overseas and has been so ever since. In such consecration, your whole body is dedicated to God. Your hands will be used for service, your legs feet will be graced with the gospel of peace, your arms will empty strength to work, your mouth will speak wise words, seasoned with salt. No longer is your body to be used for carnal purposes; it now belongs rightly to God.
3.       Living sacrifice: Normally, the act of sacrifice results in the death of the object of sacrifice, whether it is of bulls, goats, pigeons, doves, or of Jesus Christ Himself. However, a living sacrifice speaks of self-denial and daily cross-bearing (Luke 9:23), while simultaneously being fully alive to God. Indeed, the consecrated, Spirit-filled person should be more alive, vibrant, empowered, and energetic, than ever-before.
TO BE CONTINUED
PART 05
RECAP STEPS
4.       Forget the world: In response to the call of God, we need to learn how to turn our backs on the world. This phrase ‘the world’ can be misunderstood. We are not talking about planet earth, with the beautiful trees, waterways, terrain, and skies. Instead, it has to do with the cosmos, the worldly government order or system, under the immediate command of fallen humanity but ultimately under satanic influence. The Bible teaches that the whole world lies under the wicked one XXX; Satan is ‘prince’ XXX and ‘god’ XXX of this world. Scripture condemns friendship with the world, which is rightly considered enmity towards God (XXXX). For those who crave to be ‘relevant’ with the world, be very careful: you cannot please God and the world, anymore than you can serve God and mammon XXX. Therefore, in responding to God’s call to become a living sacrifice, Paul gives us a straightforward command: Do not conform to the world. If we insist in thinking, acting, speaking and supporting the world’s agenda, we are of no use to God. If we repudiate these things, we become useable and fruitful.
5.       Renew the mind: Responding to the call of God promises transformation – we will be like new people. Such transformation comes by the renewal of our minds. We will be like the thoughts we think or as scripture teaches, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he XXX). Renewal of the mind is like a detox and reprogramming of our thoughts. This takes time and discipline. Four ways to renew the mind include: 1) The Word of God – memorise in your mind, retain in your heart, confess with your mouth; 2) The cross of Christ. Embracing the cross, as Paul did (Galatians 6:14?), means you will relinquish bad thoughts and they will be replaced with good. 3) The Holy Spirit will help you think new thoughts; let Him lead you in this area; 4) Christian fellowship – you will be like the company you keep (Proverbs 13:20?), so make sure you are with people who ‘fear the Lord,’ have the right priorities, and will be a positive influence on you (and vice-versa)
6.       Understand God’s Will: If you will follow through with all the above mentioned steps, the greatest benefit is divine direction. A world-denying, renewed mind will be in an optimal position to discern God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. Furthermore, you will be able to seek God and exercise your faith to obtain the provision necessary to fulfil His will. Then ‘write the vision,’ make it plain, so whoever reads it will run with it (habakkuk). Once you know God’s will, write it down, put the appropriate Scripture promises with it, and confess these passages to the Lord. You will be amazed when God’s will comes to pass before your eyes. But no wonder, you laid the groundwork with proper consecration, totally on God’s terms.
God bless you.
NOTE: in summary, do what every you can to draw close to God, knowing He will drove close to you in return. James 4:8

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Social Justice, Teaching

Recognising & Responding to Progressivism in the Church Part 03 (Culture War Series Part 10)


REINTERPRETATION OF EVERYTHING
We have been exploring the effects of left-leaning progressivism on Christian churches, particularly in the West. Though progressivism is normally and fiercely ‘secular,’ it has made big inroads into some churches. While the change is incremental, the results are large. It starts with a desire to reach the world, often by worldly methods and mindsets. Relevance is a chief goal.
After that, the move towards progressive Christianity has a fresh look at Scripture, often resulting in a ‘low-view.’ One progressive Christian leader said that the Bible condones war, slavery in both testaments and relegates women to a second class status. When Scripture is despised and demoted, the ‘little boy’s finger in the Dutch dike’ is removed, and the sea water begins to pour in.
In this article, we will explore how progressivism seeks to redefine and interpret everything. In lock-step with postmodernism and progressivism, key phrases and key doctrines of the Christian faith come under the scalpel. ‘The virgin birth,’ the resurrection of Jesus,’ ‘heaven and hell,’ the ‘inspiration of Scripture,’ even ‘love,’ as well as hot-button issues like ‘abortion and homosexuality’ are looked at and, where necessary, reconfigured to fit the progressivist mindset. Doctrine will be spiritualised or explained away. Hell is dismissed because ‘God is love’ and the ‘resurrection’ is seen as a concept rather than a reality. Sin is almost never mentioned because we want people to ‘feel good about themselves.’
For example, for the first 1,800 years of church history, the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture was upheld by Christendom as a whole, including the Catholic Church. Yet, thanks to The Enlightenment and the elevation of human reason to a place higher than Scripture itself, doubts began to creep up about Biblical inerrancy. Now, historic churches and a few evangelicals no longer believe in inerrancy. As Harold Lindsell in his seminal book The Battle for the Bible, described as ‘The book that rocked the evangelical world,’ says:
I will contend that embracing a doctrine of an errant Scripture will lead to disaster down the road. It will result in the loss of missionary outreach; it will quench missionary passion; it will lull congregations to sleep and undermine their belief in the full-orbed truth of the Bible; it will produce spiritual sloth and decay; and it will finally lead to apostasy (Page 28 The Battle for the Bible: Defending the Inerrancy of Scripture by Harold Lindsell; Santa Ana: Calvary Chapel, 2008).
Lindsell predicts that if the church would fully, consciously, and proactively return to inerrancy of the Scripture and orthodox doctrine, revival will break out. Evangelism and mission would spread, and there would be manifestations of holy power before the world (Ibid., page 157).
Social Justice
This has been the war-cry of progressivism and has particularly taken hold of the younger generation. From their mind, ‘social justice’ means ‘income equality’ or even ‘income redistribution.’ It becomes a Robin Hood mindset – take from the rich and give to the poor.
Justice is very much a Biblical concept but not in this regard. True justice decries covetousness and stealing; instead, it is seen as rewarding the righteous and punishing the (impenitent) wicked. It is also laced with humility, faith, mercy and peace. These things are what matter to God. It is more important to please Him and be ‘spiritually correct’ than to be politically correct.
Micah 6:8: He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Sound advice.
What Next?
If you think your church is going down the ‘progressivist road,’ and this is of concern to you, what should you do? First, talk with someone who has authority to deal with the situation – often the pastor, elder, or board member. Explain what is the problem and why. Make sure you have a good attitude and humble spirit – you are not a rebel.
If you don’t get anywhere, then go to another higher authority. If that doesn’t work, then you will need to pray and fast about whether to stay in the church. This is a drastic step, one that this author rarely recommends, but at the end of the day, we need to be faithful to God above all. Above all, pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17).
(Culture War series will be continued)

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

2019: What Lies Ahead Part 02? Will President Trump Be Impeached?

2019: What Lies Ahead? Part 02
Impeachment of President Donald Trump?
The word has been thrown around repeatedly during the last 20 years but especially come to the fore with the election of Donald Trump. Now with the incoming 116th Congress of January 2019, with the opposition Democratic Party taking the House of Representatives, talk of the impeachment of President Trump is ‘in the air.’
No sooner had freshmen (or women) representatives taken their oath of office than they were taking of impeachment. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (known as AOC), age 29 from New York, a female Hispanic socialist in the mould of Bernie Sanders, said the impeachment of President Trump was ‘a no brainer.’ Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian Muslim from Michigan, gained international attention by vowing on her first day in office that her party was going to ‘impeach the mxxx fxxx.’
By the way, the Democrats have been talking about impeaching President Trump for the last two years. They even mused on it before he ever took the oath of office.
Impeachment Defined
While we are on the subject, what, on earth, is impeachment? It is when a legislative body charges a government official of serious misconduct. It is like an indictment in criminal law. Once charged, that official faces a trial where the jurors are legislators. If convicted, then the official is removed from office.
The United States Constitution, Article One, gives the House of Representatives the sole power to bring charges, known as ‘articles of impeachment,’ against an official. The Senate has the sole power to try the official, either with an acquittal or conviction. In the case of a President, the US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will preside over the Senate trial. In order to have a conviction, the Senate has to have a 2/3rds majority, namely 67 out of 100 senators must vote against the President.
Impeachment is overturning of a election result and it takes solid majority of senators to bring a conviction. This will not be easy so there has to be a clear-cut case of abuse leading to ‘bribery, treason, and other high crimes and misdemeanours.’ These definitions are subject to interpretation of the congressmen. Even the US Supreme court is not authorised to make a determination or advise the congress on these key terms.
Only two times in US history has a President been impeached. The first was in 1868 when President Andrew Johnson, the successor to the assassinated Abraham Lincoln who was filling his unexpired term, was impeached for violating the Tenure of Office Act. The Senate voted against him 35-19, but it fell short of a conviction by only one vote. The law which triggered Johnson’s impeachment was later declared to be unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court.
The second presidential impeachment was of Bill Clinton in December 1998. The Republican-dominated House of Representatives voted impeachment for two crimes: Lying to a federal grand jury, known as perjury, 228-206 votes. The other charge was ‘obstruction of justice,’ 221-212 votes. In February 1999, Clinton was acquitted in the Senate for failure to meet the two-thirds threshold. The Senate vote 45-55 on the charge of obstruction of justice and perjury was 50-50.
On the other hand, Richard Nixon would have been impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate during the 1972-1974 Watergate scandal. Yet his resignation as President in August 1974, followed by his presidential pardon the next month, put an end to the proceedings.
It appears that impeachment has evolved from being less of a judicial process to more of a political one. The intentions of the US Constitution are noble – to preserve the treasured ‘checks and balances’ that make for good governance. Yet the politicisation of impeachment threatens to undo its original purpose. Since the time of Nixon, other Presidents have been threatened with attempts of impeachment, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. This means that since 1993, every one of the 4 Presidents in office have either been impeached (Clinton) or threatened with impeachment.
So, will President Trump be impeached by the US House of Representatives? Consider this: Congress appears to have sole discretion what constitutes the threshold of impeachment, namely ‘high crimes and misdemeanours.’ The House of Representatives is as polarised and partisan as ever, with Democrats talking regularly about impeachment. Under the circumstances, impeachment is a possibility. Yet, it is also a gamble, too. President Clinton received elevated approval ratings during the 1998 Lewinsky scandal that led to his impeachment; his party even gained seats in the November 1998 mid-terms. If the Democrats are perceived as going too far, it will play right into Mr. Trump’s hands.
Another thing to consider: Only the Senate can remove the President and they need 67 votes to do it. Since Mr. Trump’s Republican party has a slim majority in the Senate, the chances of conviction are very low – as they were for Clinton.
(Our main article, 2019: What Lies Ahead will continue)