All posts by Kameel Majdali

Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

Getting It Wrong While Looking For ‘Mr. (or Miss) Right’ PART 01

For any thinking, caring, concerned individual, we should all be interested in the welfare of marriage and family. Famously called ‘the building bloc of society,’ when marriage and family prosper, everyone prospers, including those unmarried and never-married. The reason is that marriage and family provide stability, nurture, identity, and training for present and future citizens, who go on to make a contribution to society. When marriage fails, it is not just a tragedy for the couple and their children, but we all have to carry the can with increased welfare payments, court costs, societal dysfunctionality, higher crime, and more.
Recently I received some sad news from a long-time acquaintance: their 3 year marriage is over. This person is a solid, dedicated Christian, accomplished in their career, a faithful member of their local church. Having been married before conversion, they looked forward to having a ‘Christian spouse.’ Eventually, they did marry a ‘Christian’ but within a short time it all went sour. Though they waited years to remarry, once done, it was quickly over.
As tragic as this is, it need not be terminal for the believer. We all make mistakes and our faith in Christ can pull us through to victory, provided we ‘follow the instruction manual,’ namely the Bible.
Nevertheless, it is worth asking the question:
How can any decent, mature, thinking person, especially of faith, get it so wrong while looking for Mr. or Miss Right?
More positively, when it comes to finding a spouse, how can we increase the chances of ‘getting it right?’
In this blog, Part 01, we would look at the pitfalls.
Our world today makes it easier to ‘get it wrong.’ Here’s why.
1.    A corrupt, sex-saturated culture: Secular humanism has done an effective job of detaching western society from its moral Judeo-Christian foundations. Add to this a 50 year old cultural civil war between the so-called progressives versus the social conservatives. The sexual revolution, women’s liberation movement, abortion on demand, rise in cohabitation, and postmodern relativism, means our society has a distorted, devalued view of marriage and family. Unless you have a strong spiritual walk, you will be adversely affected by the culture around you.
2.    False gods: Everybody worships somebody – or something. Whenever that somebody is not Almighty God Himself, we call such worship ‘idolatry.’ The Apostle Paul calls covetousness ‘idolatry’ (Colossians 3:5). Some of the modern idols include:
A)   Materialism;
B)   Narcissism (more about this in a moment);
C)   Statism (‘big government’ that will ‘take care of you’ – socialism and progressivism are in this category);
D)   Selfism (the religion and worship of self).
Let’s face it, in Australia, one of our biggest idols is sport. When Sir Donald Bradman died, Cathy Freeman retired, Ben Cousins pulled a hamstring, and/or the horses caught the equine flu, for some it was Armageddon. We even have a public holiday to celebrate a horse race! Yes, sport is good – just don’t worship it!
3.    Opportunism: People who are perceived as being monied and successful will be tempting targets for opportunists – those who want to ride the financial and social coattails of that accomplished person for their own selfish gain. The Book of Proverbs says, tongue-in-cheek, that if you want many friends – then get rich (Proverbs 14:20)! However, when the riches sprout wings and fly away (Proverbs 23:5), so will those friends. If a person is showy about their assets, be careful of those who hang around.
4.    Narcissism: This is about a distorted, fanciful self-image which has little to do with reality. Narcissists love to attract attention to themselves (hence, the posting of 500 ‘selfies’ on social media), practice seduction and rejection, and have no problem lying, intentionally or under their own deception, in order to prop up their desired image. Indeed, the narcissist is adept at putting on the mask and speaking the party-line for a considerable period of time. Some do it so well they would earn an Oscar if they were in Hollywood. However, the facade will eventually give way to reality. The big question: will it come down before you say ‘I do?’ You don’t want to marry an ‘image;’ you want to marry the real deal.
5.    Pornography: This is the scourge of our time. Once restricted to ‘dirty magazines’ in questionable bookshops, the hardcopy version are now going out of business – simply because pornography is freely available online. Let’s forget the notion that born is ‘what men do:’ porn addictively weakens when men should be strong; devalues women and sex when men should be protective, and provides a slippery slope to more hard-core imagery, when a man should be self-controlled. This author sadly remembers a nice Christian man, married to a beautiful Christian woman, who discovered his father’s pornographic magazines in the garage at a young age. He could not shake the addiction. In time, his lust was no longer satisfied merely by viewing the pornographic pictures. Ultimately, the stimuli caused him to seek a ‘3D version’ – he visited a prostitute. The bondage and shame were so great it led this man to commit suicide. Make no mistake about: pornography is addictive and dangerous. If you are hooked and can’t break the habit, seek help (hint: fasting and prayer can do wonders in this area).
6.    No fear of God: When there is no concept of personal accountability towards God, people will do ‘whatever it takes’ to get ‘want they want,’ including nabbing a rich spouse for self-centred reasons. If we took the commands of Scripture seriously and remember, as Romans 14:12 says, that everyone of us will have to give account of themselves to God, then we would think twice before ‘telling a whopper,’ ‘jumping into bed,’ or ‘moving in first.’
7.    Ignoring Wise Counsel: Proverbs 11:14 says it all: ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ Don’t try to muddle through on your own, hoping to ‘get it right.’ Seek wise counsel from spiritual, mature people. And don’t overlook family, especially parents. Our parents are in an optimal place to assess the suitability of a potential spouse. This even applies if you are a Christian and your parents are not. If your parents clearly love and care for you, then listen to their counsel. It could save you a lifetime of grief.
Now that we have a better idea of the pitfalls in finding a great spouse, Part 02, which is available next month, we will give some practical advice. Stay tuned.

Articles, Bible, Prophecy, Teaching

ABORTION: How Would You Answer Your Niece?

Recently I received a friendly Facebook message from my niece, who lives in the United States. A 24 year old millennial, she is an intelligent thinker, thoroughly postmodern, has a soft, sweet, and compassionate side. She loves US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders – she ‘feels the Bern.’ Though she had been exposed to the gospel, she chose to embrace an alternative lifestyle. She knows and respects that I am an ordained Christian minister with a conservative, high-view of Scripture.
Imagine my surprise when she asked me the following question:
What is your view on abortion, and why do you feel that way? Your professional and personal qualms with the issue would be appreciated. Please feel free to get as deep as you would like. The more information the better. Thank you uncle.
So, as a blogger, I decided to share my answer to my niece with the world.
What would you say to your niece if she asked you about abortion?
Here is what I said to mine:
Terminology: First, let’s define terms. Abortion means the deliberate termination of a pregnancy. Miscarriages are actually called ‘spontaneous abortions,’ meaning they come from nature at any time, usually in the early weeks or months of a pregnancy. ‘Therapeutic abortion’ is caused by direct human intervention, normally by a medical professional. It is the latter type to which I will address.
Why abortion was outlawed in the past: If the foetus in the womb is truly a human-person from conception, then abortion is clearly murder. This was the consensus for centuries and the laws treated it as a criminal offence. The Judeo-Christian heritage of the western world, and the Ten Commandments as the foundation of the legal system, made it so. The sixth of the ten commandments clearly states ‘Thou shalt not murder’ (Exodus 20:13).
Even so, abortions have happened throughout history, despite the physical risks and the legal and Scriptural prohibitions.
Why did things change? We have had 200 years of The Enlightenment, where human reason became king. Then we had the advent of liberal theology, higher criticism that has a lower view of Scripture, and the rise of evolution. Add to this a cultural civil war that has lasted over half a century. In this war we’ve had a sexual revolution, the feminist movement, and postmodernism with its ‘truth is relative’ and ‘tolerance is a must.’
Roe vs. Wade 1973: The watershed happened on January 22, 1973. On this date, the United States Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision called ‘Roe vs. Wade,’ which gave American woman a constitutional right to have an abortion. Thirty-one states had their abortion laws overturned in an instant. Though ‘Roe’ was considered a ‘compromise’ and not a ‘blank cheque’ for abortion on demand, the fact is that over 55 million abortions have been performed in the US since 1973. That is about as many people who perished in World War II.
Roe vs. Wade cited the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution (ratified in 1865, just after the Civil War), which guarantees Americans the right to ‘life, liberty, and property.’ Then the court applied ‘substantive due process’ to the 14th Amendment, and somehow created a ‘woman’s right to privacy,’ though this is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. Thus, the amendment that was meant to protect life was now used as justification to terminate the life of a future American citizen. As one person put it, the US Supreme Court created a constitutional right to privacy ‘out of thin air.’
Abortion Justified: If you can successfully deny that the foetus is a ‘person’ and worthy of legal protection, or at least, be ambiguous about its personhood, then abortion goes from being ‘murder’ to merely a ‘constitutional right’ and ‘medical procedure.’
Today’s Scene: Apparently, many millennials are more pro-life than their baby-boomer parents. The annual rate of abortion in the United States is declining (e.g. from 1.6 million to 1.2) and clinics are closing across the country. Being an abortion doctor can be hazardous to your health: a string of high-profile assassinations of abortionists have clearly encouraged some to close their doors (pro-lifers condemn these assassinations; of course, the ‘right to life’ extends to abortion doctors, too). Even Norma McCorvey, the ‘Jane Roe’ in Roe vs. Wade, apparently defected from the ‘pro-choice’ camp to ‘pro-life.’ The 2015 revelation from surreptitious videos that Planned Parenthood medical staff were selling aborted baby body parts (clearly an illegal act) keeps this divisive issue on the ‘front page.’
On high-profile retired US politician, with universal name recognition and says he is a evangelical Christian, claimed to search the Scriptures on this issue. His conclusion: The Bible does not say when the human spirit enters the body. Once the spirit enters the foetus, it is a person, he reasons. Needless to say, this politician is ‘pro-choice.’
Is the Bible really silent on the personhood of the foetus?
My position: as a born-again Christian and ordained minister, I take an predictably pro-life position. I have no other choice: my understanding of Scripture compels me.
•    God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah: Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ – Jeremiah 1:5.
•    Psalm 139:13-16: there are some incredible statements in this passage. Apparently, the detailed mapping of our very being (perhaps right down to the molecular level) was written in God’s book, even before we were conceived. 
•    Ephesians 2:10: God knew us from before the foundation of the world (eternity past) and ordained us for good works.
•    Matthew 10:30: The hairs of our head are numbered.
•    Matthew 19:14: Jesus commanded that the little children be brought to Him and no one was to forbid them. They are what constitute the kingdom of heaven.
•    Genesis 1:27: This affirms that humankind is made in the image of God.
•    Genesis 9:6 says simply: Whoever shed man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.
Could it be any clearer?
With such meticulous care, there is no question that in God’s mind the foetus is a person, even before they are in the womb. Therefore, deliberately terminating that pregnancy is destroying a life.
Don Feder says speaks of abortion as part of a larger culture of death. When it was legalised in 1973, prophetic voices warned that euthanasia would be next. People scoffed at them and said it would never happen – yet, it is happening before our eyes. The most vulnerable people – the very young and very old – are being targeted for destruction, often for economic or expedient reasons.
Simple, true justice means we should do our best to defend those who cannot defend themselves. This includes the very young and very old.
Are we a better country because of Roe versus Wade?
Does 55 million abortions improve our quality of life, instil compassion for the needy, or improve our ability to care?
Does it help strengthen the family?
If a child cannot be safe in its mother’s womb, is there any safe place on this planet?
I am unashamedly pro-life and, where possible, and to the best of my ability, I would encourage and support any courageous woman to refuse abortion and carry the child to term.
Dear niece, thank you for allowing me to answer your question on abortion.
I conclude with a simple challenge given by God to all of us. It is found in Deuteronomy 30:19:
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

CABBAGE & MEAT: A Stir Fry ‘Home-Run’

We have been serving this stir-fry style dish for years and it always hits a home run.
Ingredients
2 T. oil (coconut, peanut, olive oil, or some other healthy oil)
1 onion, chopped finely
2-3 cloves of garlic
1-2 carrots, grated or chopped small
3 celery ribs, chopped finely
500 to 750 grams of mince (ground) meat: beef, chicken breast, or turkey
1/2 cup of rice, preferably long-grain (basmati, jasmine, or similar)
2 chicken stock cubes or a packet of dry chicken noodle soup
2 cups of liquid chicken stock
2 T. curry powder
1 cup water
1/2 cabbage, cored and shredded
1-2 spring (green) onions for garnish (optional)
Directions
1.    Heat a wok or frying pan with oil, using medium to high heat. Pan fry onions, garlic, carrots and celery for 3 minutes. Add meat and cook for 5 minutes, making sure the mince is broken up. Drain excess fat.
2.    To this mixture add rice, stock cubes/soup mix, liquid chicken stock, water and curry powder. Stir thoroughly.
3.    Allow to boil and immediately reduce heat to simmer. Cover and allow to cook at low heat for 20-25 minutes. Stir from time to time so the mixture does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
4.    Shredded cabbage: add either at the beginning of the simmer, during the simmer, or at the very end. Stir it through the mixture and serve immediately. Salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

Serves 4
Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

CABBAGE & MEAT: A Stir Fry ‘Home-Run’

We have been serving this stir-fry style dish for years and it always hits a home run.
Ingredients
2 T. oil (coconut, peanut, olive oil, or some other healthy oil)
1 onion, chopped finely
2-3 cloves of garlic
1-2 carrots, grated or chopped small
3 celery ribs, chopped finely
500 to 750 grams of mince (ground) meat: beef, chicken breast, or turkey
1/2 cup of rice, preferably long-grain (basmati, jasmine, or similar)
2 chicken stock cubes or a packet of dry chicken noodle soup
2 cups of liquid chicken stock
2 T. curry powder
1 cup water
1/2 cabbage, cored and shredded
1-2 spring (green) onions for garnish (optional)
Directions
1.    Heat a wok or frying pan with oil, using medium to high heat. Pan fry onions, garlic, carrots and celery for 3 minutes. Add meat and cook for 5 minutes, making sure the mince is broken up. Drain excess fat.
2.    To this mixture add rice, stock cubes/soup mix, liquid chicken stock, water and curry powder. Stir thoroughly.
3.    Allow to boil and immediately reduce heat to simmer. Cover and allow to cook at low heat for 20-25 minutes. Stir from time to time so the mixture does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
4.    Shredded cabbage: add either at the beginning of the simmer, during the simmer, or at the very end. Stir it through the mixture and serve immediately. Salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

Serves 4
Articles, Bible, Prophecy, Teaching

A HASTY DEPARTURE: Why Study the Book of Exodus

Introduction
It has captured the world’s imagination: ten dramatic plagues meant to chasten a recalcitrant Pharaoh, the parting of the Red Sea as on dry land, manna descending from heaven, fire and shaking that hits the holy mount. It was even the subject of a block-buster movie called The Ten Commandments.
Those who want to be ‘future-ready’ need a solid grounding in God’s Word. Understanding Exodus is fundamental for such grounding. May this article be a resource for further Bible study.
Hebrew Name
All these things – and more – are part of the great Bible book called Exodus. The name in the original Hebrew is we’elleh shemoth, ‘And these are the names …’ which happen to be the very first words of the book. The name ‘Exodus’ comes from Greek, meaning
Pentateuch Introduced
Exodus is one of the five books of Moses, known as the Pentateuch (Greek for five volumes) or Torah in Hebrew. These include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Originally, the Pentateuch was written as one volume and Moses was the universally recognised author throughout the ages. While some scholars and higher critics question Mosaic authorship of the Torah, ancient Israel and the early church did not. Indeed, Jesus Christ Himself attested to Mosaic authorship without hesitation (Matthew 8:4; 19:8; Mark 1:44; 7:10; 10:3; 12:19, 26; Luke 5:14; 16:29, 31; 20:28, 37; 24:27, 44; John 1:17, 45; 3:14; 5:45, 46; 7:19, 22, 23). If Mosaic authorship is good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for us, too. The Torah/Pentateuch is also known by other Biblical phrases, like ‘The Law of God,’ ‘Book of Moses,’ Book of the Law,’ etc.
Genesis Summary
Genesis tells us of creation, the origin of all things, and the the holy family – the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God made a covenant with these men, known as the Abrahamic covenant, which promised to use them and their seed to bring blessing to the world, especially redemption. The book ends with the sons of Jacob living in Egypt because of the great famine. It was prophesied that their descendants would be there for 400 years.
Exodus Summary
Exodus begins with that 400 year period drawing to an end. The sons of Jacob, who started off as 76 persons from Canaan, had grown during this period to a great nation. The census: 600,000 men of military age, not counting women and children, thus possibly exceeding 2 million people.
The Egyptians, who felt threatened by the size and prosperity of the children of Israel, oppressed them. All this was allowed by God to prepare them to return to the land of promise, Canaan.
The Lord raised up Moses to challenge Pharaoh to let the children of Israel go. He stubbornly refused and thus began the 10 sensational plagues that punished Egypt. The final plague was the death of the first-born. Israel was authorised to sacrifice a lamb, put the blood on the doors and window lintels. When the death angel came to the house and saw the blood, he ‘passed over’ that house and it was not visited with death. This sacrifice, and the feast that follows, became known as ‘Passover,’ one of the Jewish people’s great holy days.
After Israel departed Egypt, Pharaoh got ‘buyer’s remorse,’ regretted letting Israel go, and sent his military forces to bring them back. This was where the great miracle of the parting of the Red Sea occurred. Israel walked through the sea as on dry land but once they went past, the closed in on the pursuing Egyptian troops. On the way to Canaan, they stopped at Mount Sinai and Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The remainder of the book speaks of sundry laws, case studies, and the design of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.
Exodus: This is a Greek word which means ‘to go our, depart, exist.’
Author: Moses
Theme: Salvation by blood
Key verse (6:6): Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Portrait of Christ & Biblical Typology
Though there are no direct messianic prophecies, Exodus is rich with typology that teaches us more about Christ and His ministry.
•    Moses was the prophet, priest, and king, so is Christ;
•    Both were threatened with destruction at birth;
•    Like Boaz in the Book of Ruth, Moses is a type of kinsman-redeemer. So is Christ, who comes from the tribe of Judah and offers salvation to Israel and the Gentiles;
•    Both Moses and Christ forsook worldly ambitions in order to serve a higher purpose and receive a greater reward;
•    The passover lamb prevented the death angel from destroying anyone who was under the blood; Christ saves us from the death of eternal condemnation;
•    Christ is our passover lamb (I Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29; Isaiah 53:6) and
•    His shed blood causes us to pass from death to life; blood spread by hyssop (faith) and is applied for our salvation (Exodus 12:22; John 1:12; Hebrews 9:22);
•    Lamb is to be eaten. This reminds us of holy communion, take eat, this is my body, take and drink for this is My blood (John 6:54-48);
•    Remove all leaven, which represents pride and sin. See Psalm 139:23-24; I Corinthians 5:7; leaven of Pharisees (Matthew 16:6);
•    Bitter herbs: represents suffering in this life (Hebrews 12:11);
•    Quick departure from Egypt: Christians are to promptly depart from the world spiritually and in the rapture (I Thessalonians 4);
•    Exodus from Egypt, where the latter represents the fallen world system (Kosmos), is like the believer forsaking the world in order to follow Christ;
•    Seven feasts of Exodus all teach an aspect of Christ;
•    High priest in Exodus is a type of Christ, our faithful priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25; 9:11,12, 24-28);
•    The exodus and crossing the Red Sea are a type of water baptism (Romans 6:2,3; I Corinthians 10:1, 2);
•    Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting:
•    3 courts;
•    Outer court has laver (washing) and altar of sacrifice. Type of Christ’s sacrifice, which happened outside the city walls;
•    Holy Place: altar of incense, shewbread, candlestick. Incense a type of Christ’s intercession (Hebrews 7:25), bread and candle is Christ the bread of life and light of the world;
•    Most holy place: Ark of the covenant (God’s throne, containing the 10 Commandments), represents God’s presence;
•    Conclusion: Though there are no direct messianic prophecies, Exodus is rich with typology that teaches us more about Christ and His ministry;
•    Exodus and the New Testament: This book is quoted 44 times in the New Testament by every author except Jude, who himself alludes to the exodus. Only Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy are quoted in the New Testament more than Exodus.
Special Features
10 Plagues
    1      waters turned to blood (7:14-24)
    2      frogs (7:25-8:12)
    3      Lice (magicians said: “This is the finger of God.” (8:16-19)
    4      Flies (8:20-32)
    5      Diseases in livestock (9:1-7)
    6      boils (9:8-12)
    7      hail (9:13-35)
    8      locusts (10:1-20)
    9      darkness (10:21-29)
    10    firstborn (11, 12:1-30)
10 Commandments
    1      You shall have no other gods (heart – 20:3)
    2      You shall not make any graven images (hands – 20:4-6)
    3      You shall not take the name of the LORD in vain (mouth – 20:7)
    4      Remember the Sabbath day (mind – 20:8-11)
    5      Honour your parents (hold them up – 20:12)
    6      You shall not murder (don’t place them down – 20:13)
    7      You shall not commit adultery (heart – 20:14)
    8      You shall not steal (hands – 20:15)
    9      You shall not bear false witness (mouth – 20:16)
    10    You shall not covet (mind – 20:17)
Outline of Exodus
I.         Israel in Egypt (1:1-12:36)
A.     Israel oppressed by Egypt (1:1-22)
B.      Moses’ early life (2:1-2:25)
C.      Moses called by God (3:1-4:31)
D.     Moses Meets Pharaoh the 1st time: remove straw (5:1-23)
E.      God reminds of covenant (6:1-13)
F.       Genealogies of Moses & Aaron (6:14-30)
G.     Moses Meet Pharaoh 2nd time: rod turns to serpent (7:1-13)
H.     Ten Plagues (7:13-12:36) Passover instituted (12:1-28)
II.      Exodus from Egypt (12:37-18:27)
C.      Journey from Egypt to Red Sea (12:37-14:20)
D.     Journey through the Red Sea ((14:21-31)
E.      Songs of Moses and Miriam (15:1-21)
F.       From Red Sea to wilderness of Shur (15:22-26)
G.     From Elim oasis to wilderness of Sin (15:27-16:36)
H.     From Sin to Rephidim (17:1-7)
III. Israel at Sinai (19:1-40:38)
A. Rephidim to wilderness of Sinai (19:1-2)
B. The Law given (19:3-25)
C. Ten Commandments given (20:1-26)
D. Judgements and feasts given (21:1-23:33)
E. People agree to the Word of the Lord (24:1-18)
F. Tabernacle of Moses in detail (25:1-31:11)
G. Specification and Building of Tabernacle (31:12-35:3): in this period we have the giving of the two tablets of stone, golden calf incident, veiling of Moses’ face because it shined with glory)
H. Building of Tabernacle (35:4-39:43)
I.      Tabernacle finished (40:1-38)

Articles, Bible, Prophecy, Teaching

A HASTY DEPARTURE: Why Study the Book of Exodus

Introduction
It has captured the world’s imagination: ten dramatic plagues meant to chasten a recalcitrant Pharaoh, the parting of the Red Sea as on dry land, manna descending from heaven, fire and shaking that hits the holy mount. It was even the subject of a block-buster movie called The Ten Commandments.
Those who want to be ‘future-ready’ need a solid grounding in God’s Word. Understanding Exodus is fundamental for such grounding. May this article be a resource for further Bible study.
Hebrew Name
All these things – and more – are part of the great Bible book called Exodus. The name in the original Hebrew is we’elleh shemoth, ‘And these are the names …’ which happen to be the very first words of the book. The name ‘Exodus’ comes from Greek, meaning
Pentateuch Introduced
Exodus is one of the five books of Moses, known as the Pentateuch (Greek for five volumes) or Torah in Hebrew. These include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Originally, the Pentateuch was written as one volume and Moses was the universally recognised author throughout the ages. While some scholars and higher critics question Mosaic authorship of the Torah, ancient Israel and the early church did not. Indeed, Jesus Christ Himself attested to Mosaic authorship without hesitation (Matthew 8:4; 19:8; Mark 1:44; 7:10; 10:3; 12:19, 26; Luke 5:14; 16:29, 31; 20:28, 37; 24:27, 44; John 1:17, 45; 3:14; 5:45, 46; 7:19, 22, 23). If Mosaic authorship is good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for us, too. The Torah/Pentateuch is also known by other Biblical phrases, like ‘The Law of God,’ ‘Book of Moses,’ Book of the Law,’ etc.
Genesis Summary
Genesis tells us of creation, the origin of all things, and the the holy family – the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God made a covenant with these men, known as the Abrahamic covenant, which promised to use them and their seed to bring blessing to the world, especially redemption. The book ends with the sons of Jacob living in Egypt because of the great famine. It was prophesied that their descendants would be there for 400 years.
Exodus Summary
Exodus begins with that 400 year period drawing to an end. The sons of Jacob, who started off as 76 persons from Canaan, had grown during this period to a great nation. The census: 600,000 men of military age, not counting women and children, thus possibly exceeding 2 million people.
The Egyptians, who felt threatened by the size and prosperity of the children of Israel, oppressed them. All this was allowed by God to prepare them to return to the land of promise, Canaan.
The Lord raised up Moses to challenge Pharaoh to let the children of Israel go. He stubbornly refused and thus began the 10 sensational plagues that punished Egypt. The final plague was the death of the first-born. Israel was authorised to sacrifice a lamb, put the blood on the doors and window lintels. When the death angel came to the house and saw the blood, he ‘passed over’ that house and it was not visited with death. This sacrifice, and the feast that follows, became known as ‘Passover,’ one of the Jewish people’s great holy days.
After Israel departed Egypt, Pharaoh got ‘buyer’s remorse,’ regretted letting Israel go, and sent his military forces to bring them back. This was where the great miracle of the parting of the Red Sea occurred. Israel walked through the sea as on dry land but once they went past, the closed in on the pursuing Egyptian troops. On the way to Canaan, they stopped at Mount Sinai and Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The remainder of the book speaks of sundry laws, case studies, and the design of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting.
Exodus: This is a Greek word which means ‘to go our, depart, exist.’
Author: Moses
Theme: Salvation by blood
Key verse (6:6): Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Portrait of Christ & Biblical Typology
Though there are no direct messianic prophecies, Exodus is rich with typology that teaches us more about Christ and His ministry.
•    Moses was the prophet, priest, and king, so is Christ;
•    Both were threatened with destruction at birth;
•    Like Boaz in the Book of Ruth, Moses is a type of kinsman-redeemer. So is Christ, who comes from the tribe of Judah and offers salvation to Israel and the Gentiles;
•    Both Moses and Christ forsook worldly ambitions in order to serve a higher purpose and receive a greater reward;
•    The passover lamb prevented the death angel from destroying anyone who was under the blood; Christ saves us from the death of eternal condemnation;
•    Christ is our passover lamb (I Corinthians 5:7; John 1:29; Isaiah 53:6) and
•    His shed blood causes us to pass from death to life; blood spread by hyssop (faith) and is applied for our salvation (Exodus 12:22; John 1:12; Hebrews 9:22);
•    Lamb is to be eaten. This reminds us of holy communion, take eat, this is my body, take and drink for this is My blood (John 6:54-48);
•    Remove all leaven, which represents pride and sin. See Psalm 139:23-24; I Corinthians 5:7; leaven of Pharisees (Matthew 16:6);
•    Bitter herbs: represents suffering in this life (Hebrews 12:11);
•    Quick departure from Egypt: Christians are to promptly depart from the world spiritually and in the rapture (I Thessalonians 4);
•    Exodus from Egypt, where the latter represents the fallen world system (Kosmos), is like the believer forsaking the world in order to follow Christ;
•    Seven feasts of Exodus all teach an aspect of Christ;
•    High priest in Exodus is a type of Christ, our faithful priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25; 9:11,12, 24-28);
•    The exodus and crossing the Red Sea are a type of water baptism (Romans 6:2,3; I Corinthians 10:1, 2);
•    Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting:
•    3 courts;
•    Outer court has laver (washing) and altar of sacrifice. Type of Christ’s sacrifice, which happened outside the city walls;
•    Holy Place: altar of incense, shewbread, candlestick. Incense a type of Christ’s intercession (Hebrews 7:25), bread and candle is Christ the bread of life and light of the world;
•    Most holy place: Ark of the covenant (God’s throne, containing the 10 Commandments), represents God’s presence;
•    Conclusion: Though there are no direct messianic prophecies, Exodus is rich with typology that teaches us more about Christ and His ministry;
•    Exodus and the New Testament: This book is quoted 44 times in the New Testament by every author except Jude, who himself alludes to the exodus. Only Psalms, Isaiah and Deuteronomy are quoted in the New Testament more than Exodus.
Special Features
10 Plagues
    1      waters turned to blood (7:14-24)
    2      frogs (7:25-8:12)
    3      Lice (magicians said: “This is the finger of God.” (8:16-19)
    4      Flies (8:20-32)
    5      Diseases in livestock (9:1-7)
    6      boils (9:8-12)
    7      hail (9:13-35)
    8      locusts (10:1-20)
    9      darkness (10:21-29)
    10    firstborn (11, 12:1-30)
10 Commandments
    1      You shall have no other gods (heart – 20:3)
    2      You shall not make any graven images (hands – 20:4-6)
    3      You shall not take the name of the LORD in vain (mouth – 20:7)
    4      Remember the Sabbath day (mind – 20:8-11)
    5      Honour your parents (hold them up – 20:12)
    6      You shall not murder (don’t place them down – 20:13)
    7      You shall not commit adultery (heart – 20:14)
    8      You shall not steal (hands – 20:15)
    9      You shall not bear false witness (mouth – 20:16)
    10    You shall not covet (mind – 20:17)
Outline of Exodus
I.         Israel in Egypt (1:1-12:36)
A.     Israel oppressed by Egypt (1:1-22)
B.      Moses’ early life (2:1-2:25)
C.      Moses called by God (3:1-4:31)
D.     Moses Meets Pharaoh the 1st time: remove straw (5:1-23)
E.      God reminds of covenant (6:1-13)
F.       Genealogies of Moses & Aaron (6:14-30)
G.     Moses Meet Pharaoh 2nd time: rod turns to serpent (7:1-13)
H.     Ten Plagues (7:13-12:36) Passover instituted (12:1-28)
II.      Exodus from Egypt (12:37-18:27)
C.      Journey from Egypt to Red Sea (12:37-14:20)
D.     Journey through the Red Sea ((14:21-31)
E.      Songs of Moses and Miriam (15:1-21)
F.       From Red Sea to wilderness of Shur (15:22-26)
G.     From Elim oasis to wilderness of Sin (15:27-16:36)
H.     From Sin to Rephidim (17:1-7)
III. Israel at Sinai (19:1-40:38)
A. Rephidim to wilderness of Sinai (19:1-2)
B. The Law given (19:3-25)
C. Ten Commandments given (20:1-26)
D. Judgements and feasts given (21:1-23:33)
E. People agree to the Word of the Lord (24:1-18)
F. Tabernacle of Moses in detail (25:1-31:11)
G. Specification and Building of Tabernacle (31:12-35:3): in this period we have the giving of the two tablets of stone, golden calf incident, veiling of Moses’ face because it shined with glory)
H. Building of Tabernacle (35:4-39:43)
I.      Tabernacle finished (40:1-38)

Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

HE IS RISEN: A Case for Easter

What is Easter all about? For many, it is a much anticipated long weekend. For younger ones, it means Easter egg hunts, chocolate treats, bunnies and baskets. There is even the origin of the name ‘Easter,’ which is meant to be derived from the goddess Astarte.
Putting aside the folklore, the Easter holiday, including Good Friday and Easter Sunday, commemorates the most important event in Christendom, indeed, of history itself – and that is, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We know that the word ‘gospel’ means ‘good news.’ The Apostle Paul, in his famous chapter on the resurrection in I Corinthians 15:3-6f, gives a wonderful summary of the gospel:
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once … (emphasis mine).
The key points of the gospel are:
Christ died,
Christ was buried,
Christ rose again on the third day,
There were many witnesses,
And all of this was according to the scriptures
Believe these simple statements (Romans 10:9-10), and receive Him as Saviour and Lord (John 1:12), and you have the new birth, forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life.
In short, Easter is about the atoning death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without this, there would be no forgiveness of sins, no justification, no new birth, no Christian faith and no Christian Church.
Why the Crucifixion?
The execution of Jesus of Nazareth was the worse miscarriage of justice in history, both from a Jewish as well as a Roman point of view. This man never sinned nor broke any laws during His entire earthly life. Yet, despite legal safeguards, He was sent to the cross while a seditious murderer named Barabbas was released in His stead.
The reason a holy God allowed for this horrific event had to do with redemption and salvation. Sin has a price and someone had to pay it – it could not be written off. Christ willingly paid that price that the unjust – namely all of us – could be made ‘justified’ (declared ‘righteous’). I Peter 3:18 puts it succinctly:
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Another reason for Christ’s suffering and crucifixion was because of the Scriptures. Jesus Christ had a ‘high view’ of God’s Word (Matthew 5:18; 22:29; 26:54, 56; Mark 12:24; 14:49; Luke 24:27, 45; John 5:39). The Bible is all good, all glorious, all God. Totally inspired, wonderfully infallible, and gloriously profitable.
Jesus had a clear passion that the Scriptures must be fulfilled. The New Testament records how Christ fulfilled so many wonderful prophetic passages of the Old Testament in His suffering, death, and resurrection, the very things we remember at Easter.
Here is a partial list:
PROPHECY
OT Reference
NT Fulfillment
Betrayed by a close friend
Psalm 41:9
Luke 22:47
Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
Zechariah 11:12
Matthew 26:14-15
Accused by false witnesses
Psalm 35:11
Mark 14:57-58
Answered His accusers by silence
Isaiah 53:7
Mark 15:4-5
Spat upon and struck
Isaiah 50:6
Matthew 26:67
Hated without a cause
Psalm 35:19
John 15:24
Vicarious sacrifice for sin
Isaiah 53:5
Romans 5:6-8
Crucified with criminals
Isaiah 53:12
Mark 15:27
His hands and feet were pierced
Zechariah 12:10
John 20:27
Mocked and sneered
Psalm 22:7-8
Luke 23:35
Reproached
Psalm 69:9
Romans 15:3
Prayed for His enemies
Psalm 109:4
Luke 23:34
Soldiers cast lots for His garment
Psalm 22:17
Matthew 27:35-36
Forsaken by God
Psalm 22:1
Matthew 27:46
None of His bones were broken (unusual at a crucifixion)
Psalm 34:20
John 19:32, 33, 36
His side was pierced
Zechariah 12:10
John 19:34
Buried in a rich man’s tomb
Isaiah 53:9
Matthew 27:57-60
Resurrected
Psalm 16:10; 49:15
Mark 16:6
The record is clear: crucifixion is a horrific way to die – agonisingly slow, totally humiliating, and unspeakably painful. Jesus Christ was willing to do all this for the sake of world redemption (Hebrews 12:2).
The Resurrection
The resurrection is the central event of sacred history. If you can prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ, then all other miracles in the Bible become believable, for the simple reason that Jesus believed in all of them, too.
One point believers and nonbelievers can agree on: the tomb of Jesus Christ was empty on the third day. The argument is why the tomb was empty. Let’s take a quick look at the ‘objections’ to the resurrection of Jesus.
Stolen body: Skeptics say that the disciples came by night while everyone slept and stole the body of Jesus, only to announce His resurrection later. How can this be? The disciples were very fearful and kept away from both Golgotha and the tomb. Peter, the spokesman, denied Jesus three times. Furthermore, the tomb had been sealed and guards posted outside (Matthew 27:66). How could these affrighted men pull off such an act of trickery, only to turn around and say ‘He is risen?’ After the resurrection, the chief priests and elders conspired to spread the lie that the body was stolen (Matthew 27:11-15).
Swoon theory: This teaches that Jesus did not die on the cross but only swooned. Then, in the coolness of the tomb, He revived and walked out. How could Jesus, having been scourged with the Roman cat-o-nine tails, endure 6 hours on the cross, be pierced on His side, be pronounced ‘dead,’ put in a dark tomb without food or water for 3 days, push away the stone and walk past the guards? It takes more faith to believe in the swoon theory than in the resurrection.
Wrong tomb: This says that the disciples went to the wrong tomb, found it was empty, and pronounced Christ as risen. Not even remotely plausible: Jesus’ tomb was close to where he was crucified (John 19:41-42) and the faithful women had made careful note where the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea was located. The latter, also, could verify the correct location of his tomb.
Spirit only: This theory teaches that the disciples saw only the ‘spirit of Jesus,’ but not the bodily person. Again, a ‘spirit Jesus’ would have to get up from the tomb, fold the grave clothes, push the rolling stone, walk past the guards, and then convince everyone He was alive. Yet, he said these words in Luke 24:39:
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Verse 43 says He ate a broiled fish and honeycomb in their presence.
Hallucination theory: This teaches that the disciples merely ‘imagined’ Christ rose from the dead. There is no such thing as a ‘mass hallucination’ or ‘imagination.’
Only one other conclusion is possible: the tomb of Christ was empty because He rose from the dead! The grave clothes were folded in an orderly manner, the angels rolled away the stone, the guards became as dead men, and Jesus proceeded to show himself to those chosen by God.
The great physician and historian, Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts, put it very clearly in Acts 1:3:
To whom (the apostles whom He had chosen – verse 2)  He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (emphasis mine).
There were many sightings of the Risen Christ by many witnesses over a period of 40 days. This can not be a coincidence, and it totally disproves the above theories. Biblical references of the bodily resurrected Christ, include:
Appearance of the Resurrected Christ
Reference
Mary Magdalene, the first to see the Risen Christ
Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18
Seen by the other women
Matthew 28:8-10
Seen by Peter
Luke 24:34
Seen by the ten disciples
Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25
Seen by the eleven disciples, including ‘Doubting Thomas’
Mark 16:14; John 20:26-29
Seen by the disciples at the Ascension of Christ
Mark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:4-12
Seen by the disciples on the Emmaus Road
Mark 16:12,13; Luke 24:13-35
Seen in Galilee
Matthew 28:16-20; John 21:1-24
Seen by 500 people at once
I Corinthians 15:6
Seen by James and the apostles
I Corinthians 15:7
Seen by Paul on the Damascus Road
Acts 9:1-6; 22:1-10; 26:12-18; I Corinthians 15:8
The early church came into being because of a rock-solid conviction that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. They were even willing to suffer and die for this fact. Think about it? Who is going to risk their life for something they are uncertain about or know to be a lie? Answer: No one. Remember that skeptics have tried research in order to disprove the resurrection, only to end us as believers in Christ!
No Resurrection? Big Trouble!
A good place to understand the Resurrection is I Corinthians 15. We learn about the nature of the resurrected body, the surety of a coming resurrection, and the perils if there was no resurrection of Jesus.
Without Jesus’ resurrection, we would be in dire straits. Here is a catalogue of woes:
•    Prophecy would be unfulfilled (Psalm 16:10);
•    If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ did not rise, either (I Corinthians 15:13);
•    Our preaching would be in vain (v. 14);
•    Your faith in Christ and the gospel would be vain (v. 14);
•    We would be false witnesses of the resurrection of Christ … if there is no resurrection of the dead (v. 15);
•    Our faith would be futile and we would still in our sins (v. 17);
•    Those who are ‘dead in Christ’ would be eternally lost (v. 18);
Have no fear … the gospel truthfully and victoriously proclaims that Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have died (I Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection guarantees yours. The early church was founded on the Rock of Christ and the Resurrection, and has been flourishing ever since.

So as you celebrate this nice long weekend, remember that the very event it commemorates – the death and resurrection of Christ – has transformed history. Open up wide and it will transform you, too.

Articles, Prophecy, Teaching

HE IS RISEN: A Case for Easter

What is Easter all about? For many, it is a much anticipated long weekend. For younger ones, it means Easter egg hunts, chocolate treats, bunnies and baskets. There is even the origin of the name ‘Easter,’ which is meant to be derived from the goddess Astarte.
Putting aside the folklore, the Easter holiday, including Good Friday and Easter Sunday, commemorates the most important event in Christendom, indeed, of history itself – and that is, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We know that the word ‘gospel’ means ‘good news.’ The Apostle Paul, in his famous chapter on the resurrection in I Corinthians 15:3-6f, gives a wonderful summary of the gospel:
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once … (emphasis mine).
The key points of the gospel are:
Christ died,
Christ was buried,
Christ rose again on the third day,
There were many witnesses,
And all of this was according to the scriptures
Believe these simple statements (Romans 10:9-10), and receive Him as Saviour and Lord (John 1:12), and you have the new birth, forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life.
In short, Easter is about the atoning death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without this, there would be no forgiveness of sins, no justification, no new birth, no Christian faith and no Christian Church.
Why the Crucifixion?
The execution of Jesus of Nazareth was the worse miscarriage of justice in history, both from a Jewish as well as a Roman point of view. This man never sinned nor broke any laws during His entire earthly life. Yet, despite legal safeguards, He was sent to the cross while a seditious murderer named Barabbas was released in His stead.
The reason a holy God allowed for this horrific event had to do with redemption and salvation. Sin has a price and someone had to pay it – it could not be written off. Christ willingly paid that price that the unjust – namely all of us – could be made ‘justified’ (declared ‘righteous’). I Peter 3:18 puts it succinctly:
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Another reason for Christ’s suffering and crucifixion was because of the Scriptures. Jesus Christ had a ‘high view’ of God’s Word (Matthew 5:18; 22:29; 26:54, 56; Mark 12:24; 14:49; Luke 24:27, 45; John 5:39). The Bible is all good, all glorious, all God. Totally inspired, wonderfully infallible, and gloriously profitable.
Jesus had a clear passion that the Scriptures must be fulfilled. The New Testament records how Christ fulfilled so many wonderful prophetic passages of the Old Testament in His suffering, death, and resurrection, the very things we remember at Easter.
Here is a partial list:
PROPHECY
OT Reference
NT Fulfillment
Betrayed by a close friend
Psalm 41:9
Luke 22:47
Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
Zechariah 11:12
Matthew 26:14-15
Accused by false witnesses
Psalm 35:11
Mark 14:57-58
Answered His accusers by silence
Isaiah 53:7
Mark 15:4-5
Spat upon and struck
Isaiah 50:6
Matthew 26:67
Hated without a cause
Psalm 35:19
John 15:24
Vicarious sacrifice for sin
Isaiah 53:5
Romans 5:6-8
Crucified with criminals
Isaiah 53:12
Mark 15:27
His hands and feet were pierced
Zechariah 12:10
John 20:27
Mocked and sneered
Psalm 22:7-8
Luke 23:35
Reproached
Psalm 69:9
Romans 15:3
Prayed for His enemies
Psalm 109:4
Luke 23:34
Soldiers cast lots for His garment
Psalm 22:17
Matthew 27:35-36
Forsaken by God
Psalm 22:1
Matthew 27:46
None of His bones were broken (unusual at a crucifixion)
Psalm 34:20
John 19:32, 33, 36
His side was pierced
Zechariah 12:10
John 19:34
Buried in a rich man’s tomb
Isaiah 53:9
Matthew 27:57-60
Resurrected
Psalm 16:10; 49:15
Mark 16:6
The record is clear: crucifixion is a horrific way to die – agonisingly slow, totally humiliating, and unspeakably painful. Jesus Christ was willing to do all this for the sake of world redemption (Hebrews 12:2).
The Resurrection
The resurrection is the central event of sacred history. If you can prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ, then all other miracles in the Bible become believable, for the simple reason that Jesus believed in all of them, too.
One point believers and nonbelievers can agree on: the tomb of Jesus Christ was empty on the third day. The argument is why the tomb was empty. Let’s take a quick look at the ‘objections’ to the resurrection of Jesus.
Stolen body: Skeptics say that the disciples came by night while everyone slept and stole the body of Jesus, only to announce His resurrection later. How can this be? The disciples were very fearful and kept away from both Golgotha and the tomb. Peter, the spokesman, denied Jesus three times. Furthermore, the tomb had been sealed and guards posted outside (Matthew 27:66). How could these affrighted men pull off such an act of trickery, only to turn around and say ‘He is risen?’ After the resurrection, the chief priests and elders conspired to spread the lie that the body was stolen (Matthew 27:11-15).
Swoon theory: This teaches that Jesus did not die on the cross but only swooned. Then, in the coolness of the tomb, He revived and walked out. How could Jesus, having been scourged with the Roman cat-o-nine tails, endure 6 hours on the cross, be pierced on His side, be pronounced ‘dead,’ put in a dark tomb without food or water for 3 days, push away the stone and walk past the guards? It takes more faith to believe in the swoon theory than in the resurrection.
Wrong tomb: This says that the disciples went to the wrong tomb, found it was empty, and pronounced Christ as risen. Not even remotely plausible: Jesus’ tomb was close to where he was crucified (John 19:41-42) and the faithful women had made careful note where the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea was located. The latter, also, could verify the correct location of his tomb.
Spirit only: This theory teaches that the disciples saw only the ‘spirit of Jesus,’ but not the bodily person. Again, a ‘spirit Jesus’ would have to get up from the tomb, fold the grave clothes, push the rolling stone, walk past the guards, and then convince everyone He was alive. Yet, he said these words in Luke 24:39:
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Verse 43 says He ate a broiled fish and honeycomb in their presence.
Hallucination theory: This teaches that the disciples merely ‘imagined’ Christ rose from the dead. There is no such thing as a ‘mass hallucination’ or ‘imagination.’
Only one other conclusion is possible: the tomb of Christ was empty because He rose from the dead! The grave clothes were folded in an orderly manner, the angels rolled away the stone, the guards became as dead men, and Jesus proceeded to show himself to those chosen by God.
The great physician and historian, Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts, put it very clearly in Acts 1:3:
To whom (the apostles whom He had chosen – verse 2)  He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (emphasis mine).
There were many sightings of the Risen Christ by many witnesses over a period of 40 days. This can not be a coincidence, and it totally disproves the above theories. Biblical references of the bodily resurrected Christ, include:
Appearance of the Resurrected Christ
Reference
Mary Magdalene, the first to see the Risen Christ
Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18
Seen by the other women
Matthew 28:8-10
Seen by Peter
Luke 24:34
Seen by the ten disciples
Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25
Seen by the eleven disciples, including ‘Doubting Thomas’
Mark 16:14; John 20:26-29
Seen by the disciples at the Ascension of Christ
Mark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:4-12
Seen by the disciples on the Emmaus Road
Mark 16:12,13; Luke 24:13-35
Seen in Galilee
Matthew 28:16-20; John 21:1-24
Seen by 500 people at once
I Corinthians 15:6
Seen by James and the apostles
I Corinthians 15:7
Seen by Paul on the Damascus Road
Acts 9:1-6; 22:1-10; 26:12-18; I Corinthians 15:8
The early church came into being because of a rock-solid conviction that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. They were even willing to suffer and die for this fact. Think about it? Who is going to risk their life for something they are uncertain about or know to be a lie? Answer: No one. Remember that skeptics have tried research in order to disprove the resurrection, only to end us as believers in Christ!
No Resurrection? Big Trouble!
A good place to understand the Resurrection is I Corinthians 15. We learn about the nature of the resurrected body, the surety of a coming resurrection, and the perils if there was no resurrection of Jesus.
Without Jesus’ resurrection, we would be in dire straits. Here is a catalogue of woes:
•    Prophecy would be unfulfilled (Psalm 16:10);
•    If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ did not rise, either (I Corinthians 15:13);
•    Our preaching would be in vain (v. 14);
•    Your faith in Christ and the gospel would be vain (v. 14);
•    We would be false witnesses of the resurrection of Christ … if there is no resurrection of the dead (v. 15);
•    Our faith would be futile and we would still in our sins (v. 17);
•    Those who are ‘dead in Christ’ would be eternally lost (v. 18);
Have no fear … the gospel truthfully and victoriously proclaims that Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have died (I Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection guarantees yours. The early church was founded on the Rock of Christ and the Resurrection, and has been flourishing ever since.

So as you celebrate this nice long weekend, remember that the very event it commemorates – the death and resurrection of Christ – has transformed history. Open up wide and it will transform you, too.

Articles, Prophecy, Teaching, Terrorism

TERROR IN BRUSSELS: Making Sense Out of the Senseless

Another tragedy, another headline: Paris, Ankara, Istanbul, and now Brussels. Belgium authorities knew that an attack was possible. The stakes were raised even higher after the capture a few days earlier of Salah Abdel Salaam, an Islamic State operative accused of being part of the Paris Massacre of Friday 13th November 2015. The death total was 129.
Yet, when on March 22, 2016, terrorists struck Zaventem International Airport in Brussels, transit point for 23 million people a year, and a train station, resulting in over 31 deaths, several missing, and 270 injured, it seemed to come as a surprise. What was not a surprise is that the so-called Islamic State claimed credit.
Yes, there were condemnations from world leaders, expressions of sympathy to the people of Belgium, declarations of support as well as action against terrorism. Before all else, we need to ask: how do we make sense of the senseless?
First, it is important to face the situation with healthy realism and honesty. Put aside political correctness and the fear that you ‘might offend’ someone, and let’s call the situation for what it is. As Tarek Fateh of the Toronto Sun says, ‘Deploring jihadist attacks without naming who is responsible just doesn’t cut it anymore.’
First, what happened is really an act of war. True, you don’t have uniformed soldiers, facing each other on the battlefront, equally armed and determined to take or defend territory. But it is still a war.
Nature of War
Consider the some other aspects of war today:
1.    High-tech: you can attack an enemy without ever-seeing him.
2.    Asymmetrical: The parties are not evenly matched, one is smaller than the other, like David and Goliath. In this case, it is Belgium and the EU vs. the Islamic State.
3.    Intra-Muslim: From Nigeria in the West to Pakistan in the East, there is a low-level world war among Muslims, between radicals and mainstream, Sunni vs Shia, modernists vs. feudalists. The players may vary, be it Nigeria and Boko Haram, Somalia/Kenya and al Shabaab, Yemen and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Afghanistan and the Taliban,yet this multi-faceted war for the soul of Islam has wounded and killed many, mostly Muslims themselves. Today, the war in Syrian has morphed: no longer is it a civil war between pro-government, pro-Assad forces and Syrian rebels. Today, it is a regional proxy war between the Sunnis (Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia) versus the Shia (al Assad, Iran, and Hizballah).
4.    Trans-Muslim war: Here the radical, militant Islamists are also targeting the West; examples include September 11th in New York and Washington (2001); Madrid bombings (2004); London bombings (2005), and so on.
Brussels is more than the capital of Belgium, and a place of great chocolate: it houses the headquarters of the European Union. It is the hub of the vision of a ‘peaceful, secular, democratic united Europe.’ That’s why the French President Francois Hollande said ‘terrorists struck Brussels but it was Europe that was targeted – and all the world that is concerned.’ Let’s face it: as Tarek Fateh said earlier, you cannot win a war until you are first ready to name your enemy!
The Brussels attack was both an act of war and an act of terrorism. Terrorism is defined as using criminal, violent means in order to bring political change. Terrorism may not be an existential threat to a nation state, but it can cause much damage, especially if the terrorists have weapons of mass destruction.
It is very common to condemn terrorism, but also to make exceptions, as if there are ‘good terrorists’ and ‘bad terrorists.’ Often we hear the phrase, ‘I condemn this act of terror, but ….’ Until we are unequivocal that all terrorism is evil, such double-minded thinking will only make the problem worse.
Sensible Solutions
What can be done? For starters, remember that terrorists try to exploit loopholes in security. Plug the loopholes and the chances of an attack are greatly diminished. Belgium authorities exhibited a shocking lapse of intelligence and security, despite the warnings. Brussels knew that an attack was possible and yet there was no visible, increased police presence, especially at the public transport areas. Anyone could walk into the airport, and that’s exactly what two suicide bombers did laden with explosive vests.
Contrast that with Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, where you can’t even walk through the front door unless you go through security, including all your luggage x-rayed, and then, after checking in, you go through another security check. At Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, there are 11 visible security posts or inspection points from the entry to the airport until you board the plane. This explains why there has not been a hijacking or attack at Ben Gurion Airport in 40 years.
Increased intelligence is also a key that can be very effective. Brussels has a Muslim-majority suburb called Molenbeck, where Belgium police do not go. A place of criminal gangs and drugs, Molenbeck is ripe for radicalisation. Jihadis returning from the war in Syria would find it an ideal place to plot attacks on Belgian soil. It is time that Belgium and Europe reclaim their sovereign territory and clean out the nest.
As a long-term world-watcher, this author is of the conviction that the root cause of our social and political problems is spiritual – and so is the answer. Two points on this: prayer can and does make a big difference. The lead-up to the 1991 Gulf War to dislodge Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi army was fraught with peril. We were warned of a war lasting months or years, 10,000s or 100,000s of coalition deaths, and the possibility of Saddam unleashing terrorist attacks in the West. In the end, Kuwait was liberated in only 43 days with less than 300 allied casualties and the terrorists stayed home. No question about it: the concerted prayer intensive at the time gave us such results.

Second point: remember that the goal of terrorism is to cause fear. If you are a prayerful, faithful, Spirit-filled person, you will not capitulate to fear. Make a decision to be fearless and get on with normal life – vigilant and observant – but normal, and you and your nation will not be defeated.
Articles, Prophecy, Teaching, Terrorism

TERROR IN BRUSSELS: Making Sense Out of the Senseless

Another tragedy, another headline: Paris, Ankara, Istanbul, and now Brussels. Belgium authorities knew that an attack was possible. The stakes were raised even higher after the capture a few days earlier of Salah Abdel Salaam, an Islamic State operative accused of being part of the Paris Massacre of Friday 13th November 2015. The death total was 129.
Yet, when on March 22, 2016, terrorists struck Zaventem International Airport in Brussels, transit point for 23 million people a year, and a train station, resulting in over 31 deaths, several missing, and 270 injured, it seemed to come as a surprise. What was not a surprise is that the so-called Islamic State claimed credit.
Yes, there were condemnations from world leaders, expressions of sympathy to the people of Belgium, declarations of support as well as action against terrorism. Before all else, we need to ask: how do we make sense of the senseless?
First, it is important to face the situation with healthy realism and honesty. Put aside political correctness and the fear that you ‘might offend’ someone, and let’s call the situation for what it is. As Tarek Fateh of the Toronto Sun says, ‘Deploring jihadist attacks without naming who is responsible just doesn’t cut it anymore.’
First, what happened is really an act of war. True, you don’t have uniformed soldiers, facing each other on the battlefront, equally armed and determined to take or defend territory. But it is still a war.
Nature of War
Consider the some other aspects of war today:
1.    High-tech: you can attack an enemy without ever-seeing him.
2.    Asymmetrical: The parties are not evenly matched, one is smaller than the other, like David and Goliath. In this case, it is Belgium and the EU vs. the Islamic State.
3.    Intra-Muslim: From Nigeria in the West to Pakistan in the East, there is a low-level world war among Muslims, between radicals and mainstream, Sunni vs Shia, modernists vs. feudalists. The players may vary, be it Nigeria and Boko Haram, Somalia/Kenya and al Shabaab, Yemen and Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Afghanistan and the Taliban,yet this multi-faceted war for the soul of Islam has wounded and killed many, mostly Muslims themselves. Today, the war in Syrian has morphed: no longer is it a civil war between pro-government, pro-Assad forces and Syrian rebels. Today, it is a regional proxy war between the Sunnis (Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia) versus the Shia (al Assad, Iran, and Hizballah).
4.    Trans-Muslim war: Here the radical, militant Islamists are also targeting the West; examples include September 11th in New York and Washington (2001); Madrid bombings (2004); London bombings (2005), and so on.
Brussels is more than the capital of Belgium, and a place of great chocolate: it houses the headquarters of the European Union. It is the hub of the vision of a ‘peaceful, secular, democratic united Europe.’ That’s why the French President Francois Hollande said ‘terrorists struck Brussels but it was Europe that was targeted – and all the world that is concerned.’ Let’s face it: as Tarek Fateh said earlier, you cannot win a war until you are first ready to name your enemy!
The Brussels attack was both an act of war and an act of terrorism. Terrorism is defined as using criminal, violent means in order to bring political change. Terrorism may not be an existential threat to a nation state, but it can cause much damage, especially if the terrorists have weapons of mass destruction.
It is very common to condemn terrorism, but also to make exceptions, as if there are ‘good terrorists’ and ‘bad terrorists.’ Often we hear the phrase, ‘I condemn this act of terror, but ….’ Until we are unequivocal that all terrorism is evil, such double-minded thinking will only make the problem worse.
Sensible Solutions
What can be done? For starters, remember that terrorists try to exploit loopholes in security. Plug the loopholes and the chances of an attack are greatly diminished. Belgium authorities exhibited a shocking lapse of intelligence and security, despite the warnings. Brussels knew that an attack was possible and yet there was no visible, increased police presence, especially at the public transport areas. Anyone could walk into the airport, and that’s exactly what two suicide bombers did laden with explosive vests.
Contrast that with Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, where you can’t even walk through the front door unless you go through security, including all your luggage x-rayed, and then, after checking in, you go through another security check. At Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, there are 11 visible security posts or inspection points from the entry to the airport until you board the plane. This explains why there has not been a hijacking or attack at Ben Gurion Airport in 40 years.
Increased intelligence is also a key that can be very effective. Brussels has a Muslim-majority suburb called Molenbeck, where Belgium police do not go. A place of criminal gangs and drugs, Molenbeck is ripe for radicalisation. Jihadis returning from the war in Syria would find it an ideal place to plot attacks on Belgian soil. It is time that Belgium and Europe reclaim their sovereign territory and clean out the nest.
As a long-term world-watcher, this author is of the conviction that the root cause of our social and political problems is spiritual – and so is the answer. Two points on this: prayer can and does make a big difference. The lead-up to the 1991 Gulf War to dislodge Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi army was fraught with peril. We were warned of a war lasting months or years, 10,000s or 100,000s of coalition deaths, and the possibility of Saddam unleashing terrorist attacks in the West. In the end, Kuwait was liberated in only 43 days with less than 300 allied casualties and the terrorists stayed home. No question about it: the concerted prayer intensive at the time gave us such results.

Second point: remember that the goal of terrorism is to cause fear. If you are a prayerful, faithful, Spirit-filled person, you will not capitulate to fear. Make a decision to be fearless and get on with normal life – vigilant and observant – but normal, and you and your nation will not be defeated.