Category Archives: Prophecy

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Fifth Commandment: Honour Your Father & Mother

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee — Exodus 20:12 (KJV)

The 10 Commandments are like 10 rules for life – a good, Godly, blessed life. We have learned that the first four commandments are about God: have no other gods in your life. Do not worship idols. Do not use God’s name in vain. Keep the Sabbath day holy unto the Lord.

The next six commandments are related to our conduct with people. Number five is special: honour your father and your mother. It is very simple: righteous people honour their parents; unrighteous people do not. There is blessing for compliance and curses for failure:

The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it — Proverbs 30:17 (KJV)

The word for ‘honour’ is kabad כָּבַד, related to the word for ‘glory,’ which means heavy. Some other meanings include ‘to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant, glory, honour’[1]

How Do You Honour Your Parents?

Practically speaking, how do you honour your parents? Obedience and respect are good places to start. But what if they are not Christians? The commandment does not give exemptions because of their religious affiliation. My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother – Proverbs 6:20 (KJV)

We honour parents by caring, sharing, and cooperating with them. When they have a need, we meet it if we can. When they age, we continue to provide care where possible.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God — 1 Timothy 5:4 (ESV)

At the same time, Jesus condemned those who used religious precepts to deprive their parents of what they needed. Such dishonour brings a curse. — Matthew 15:4-6.

In fact, parents are the closest thing to God in your life. They beget, nurture, feed, care, love unconditionally. Sound familiar? That’s what God does. It’s part of the reason Jesus wants us to refer to Almighty God as ‘Heavenly Father.’ That’s why treatment of parents is a litmus test on how we treat God. If you honour the parents you can see, then you’ll honour the Father whom you can’t see.

Remember that the Fifth Commandment is the first to offer a promise: if you honour father and mother, … That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth — Ephesians 6:3b (KJV). Think about it: longevity is not pegged to vitamins, exercise, or diet – but to the fear of the Lord and walking in wisdom (Proverbs 3:2; 16; 4:10; 14:27; 19:23; 22:4), watching your words (Psalm 34:12-13), and honouring your parents.

Scriptural Examples of Honouring Parents

The Scripture is replete with examples of people honouring their father and mother.

Joseph: He put his ageing father and brothers in the best of the land of Egypt where they could tend their flocks and live their lives securely — Genesis 47:12

David: Though he was the youngest son, it was David that looked after his father Jesse and his mother. While fleeing from king Saul and his murderous intentions, he took his parents to the king of Moab and left them in his care while he was on the run — 1 Samuel 22:3-4.  Why Moab? Because his great-grandmother was Ruth the Moabitess.

Solomon: Now king of Israel, honoured his mother Bathsheba by bowing to her. The he gave her an honoured seat next his throne – 1 Kings 2:19-20

Sons of Jonadab: Though he was probably deceased, the children of Jonadab refrained from drinking wine because their father commanded them not to. They obeyed him even when he was not around — Jeremiah 35:8.

Jesus: He is the template of righteous obedience to the commands of God. As a 12 year old, He was at the temple speaking to the chief priests. When he parents came to get him, the Scripture says he returned with them to Nazareth and ‘was subject unto them …’ — Luke 2:51.

Care from the Cross: Jesus’ care for His mother was evident even while He suffered on the cross. While his mother Mary and John the beloved disciple were watching, He commended John to Mary and Mary to John. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home — John 19:25-27. Though Mary had other sons, it was the Son who honoured her.

One of the fundamental precepts of Scripture is the law of sowing and reaping. If you sow sparingly, you will reap sparingly, if you sow abundantly, you will reap abundantly (2 Corinthians 9:6). Here is another incentive for obeying the Fifth Commandment: if you honour your parents now, when your turn comes you, your children will honour you. The opposite is also true.

Come to think of it, honouring your parents is not just the right thing to do, it is a blessed thing, too.


[1] “H3513 – kabad – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 5 Nov, 2020. https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3513&t=KJV

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Day of the Lord – Amplified: Why Study the Book of Zephaniah Part 02

 

In Part 01, we learned that Zephaniah, the ‘hidden one,’ lived near the end of the kingdom of Judah, especially, after the evil reigns of kings Manasseh and Amon. He inspired king Josiah and the prophet Jeremiah, and Jesus Christ quoted him (1:3 cf Matthew 13:41; 1:15 cf Matthew 24:29). His is the most concise, comprehensive description of the key period known as the ‘day of the Lord’ (1:14-15). Just as Zephaniah was ‘hidden’ from the evil designs of Manasseh, so the meek who seek the Lord may be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger (2:3).

In order to encourage serious study of Zephaniah and other books of the Bible, we offer this concise background information. 

SUMMARY OF ZEPHANIAH

Judah and Jerusalem in the days of good king Josiah are the immediate objects of Zephaniah’s prophecy. By this time, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already been deported a century earlier in 722 BC. Zephaniah’s ministry may have spawned king Josiah’s reformation, where he destroyed the altars of Baal, burning the bones of false prophets, getting rid of the incense altars, breaking down the images of Ashera. Later, when Hilkiah found the Book of the Law (most probably Deuteronomy) in the temple, a second reformation commenced. Most probably the young Jeremiah was also greatly influenced by the older prophet.

The Day of the Lord is mentioned or alluded to 23 times. What is the Day of the Lord? It is the time of judgement, return, and restoration; the tribulation followed by the Millennium. It is when God’s righteous anger finally spills out after showing legendary patience. While people don’t like the idea of God being angry, it comes after a long wait and is righteously executed. Jesus, who is the Son of God and image of God, showed this same anger when He cleansed the temple (John 2:14-17).

1. Judah would be judged, Day of Judgement for God’s people comes first 1 Peter 4:17 –  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

2. Followed by the judgement of the nearby nations – he prophesied the downfall of Assyria and Nineveh fell in 612 BC. (Zephaniah 2; Rev 4-15);

3. Jerusalem & the whole world will be judged (3:1-8 cf Revelation 20).

DISTINCTIVE OF ZEPHANIAH 

1.       Gives his genealogy, though we know nothing else about him;

2.       Most concise and extensive description of the Day of the Lord;

3.       God’s people are recipients of strong warnings and promises of restoration; 

4.       Coverage of faithful remnant (3:9-20) restored when God comes;

5.       Sets template of wrath against the wicked and salvation for the just, a clear New Testament theme;

6.       Parallels the Book of Revelation: Both speak of God’s people judged first; then the judgement of the nations; finally, what we know as the Last Judgement (3:1-8 cf Revelation 20).

7.       Of the 400 Old Testament allusions (rather than direct quotes) in Revelation, it is possible that Zephaniah comes closest to it. 

OUTLINE OF ZEPHANIAH

Introduction (1:1)

I.         Judgment in the Day of the Lord (1:2-3:8)

A.     Judgement on the World (1:2-3)

B.      Judgement on Judah (1:4-18)

1.       Judah’s sins (1:4-9)

2.       Warning to Jerusalem (1:10-13)

3.       The Great & Notable Day of the Lord (1:14-18)

C.      Call to Repentance (2:1-3)

D.     Judgement on the Nations (2:4-15)

1.       Philistia (2:4-7)

2.       Ammon & Moab (2:8-11)

3.       Cush (2:12)

4.       Assyria (2:13-15)

E.      Judgement on Jerusalem (3:1-7)

1.       Jerusalem’s sins (3:1-4)

2.       God’s Justice and Jerusalem (3:5-7)

F.       Judgement on the World (3:8)

II.      Restoration & Salvation in the Day of the Lord (3:9-20)

A.     Faithful Remnant Restored & Jerusalem Cleansed (3:9-13)

B.      Rejoicing People with God in the Midst (3:14-17)

C.      Promise of Restoration (3:18-20)

 

 

 

Articles, Bible, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Beyond Covid-19: Is There A Word from the Lord? Part 6 Prosperity During Crisis

 

We learned in our last article that, ‘Yes,’ it is possible to prosper in the midst of crisis, of which our present world is awash. You can have peace where there is panic and pandemic; joy even where misery reigns; and to be positioned to help others experience the same. 

We see this in the life of the patriarch Issac who prospered enormously during a time of drought and famine. How did he do it? It came by obeying the call of God on his life, and then doing the clear word of the Lord. God commanded him to sojourn in the land of Canaan and He would bless him there (Genesis 26:3). Isaac wisely chose to obey God and stay, even though everyone else was fleeing to Egypt.

In addition, Isaac had a strong work ethic. He sowed in the land and reaped 100-fold (Genesis 26:12). He dug and re-dug wells in the otherwise dry Negev wilderness. Wherever he inserted his spade (shovel), the water flowed.

Opposition

All of this is wonderful, but remember, his prosperity stirred up deep envy on the part of the locals in Canaan. How he handled this and powered on in prosperity is an example for us all.

Opposition is a fact of life in a fallen world. When God prospers you, especially in time of crisis, people will not necessarily pat you on the back and congratulate you on your success. Surprisingly, people who you think would be happy for you, like family and friends, can be the worst opponents. Resentment can rise up and manifest in some strange and unsavoury ways.

The Bible illustrates a catalogue of envy, like Rachel to Leah, Jacob’s sons to Jospeh, Balak to Israel, Dathan and Abiram to Moses (Psalm 106:16), Saul to David, chief priests to Jesus, and Diaspora Jews to Paul and the other apostles. This ‘tall-poppy’ syndrome is a manifestation of the carnal nature. As such, it can only be cured by the new birth, the cross of Christ, dying to self, God’s Word in the heart, and fulness of the Holy Spirit.

Isaac’s opponents were the Philistines. First, they were so resentful of him that they expelled him from Gerar, where he lived. Then, they either filled up with dirt the wells of Abraham, or stole the wells that Isaac dug … more than once.

Isaac’s Response to Opposition

Don’t be surprised or discouraged when opposition comes. Not only it is a sign that you are on the right track, but there are practical ways to respond which will leverage you to more victorious outcomes. Just watch Isaac.

Isaac was a textbook case of Biblical meekness, the reward of which is inheriting the land (Psalm 37:9; Matthew 5:5). He did not fight back, seek vindication, or strive in any way.

He wisely knew that to drop his spade and pick up a weapon meant that the opponents had already won. How? By getting him to stop doing what he was called to do. Isaac kept digging (Nehemiah did the same).

When people tell you you can’t, keep digging. When you are criticised for doing what’s right, keep digging. When the bullies bellow, keep digging. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him – Proverbs 16:7. The psalmist learned to be ‘deaf’ and ‘dumb’ in the face of opposition (Psalm 38:13-15). It’s amazing how much of the opposition you miss out on when you take this stance.

The most perfect example of earth-inheriting Biblical meekness was Jesus, especially during His passion and crucifixion. Without resistance, defence, or arguing, He submitted to God to the point of death on the cross. Even from a secular view, the influence of Jesus of Nazareth on the world was incalculable. For believers, it is eternal.

Reward & Extra Blessing

Despite their opposition, Isaac’s meekness, which was really strength restrained by grace, gave him an open heaven and manifold blessings from God. Despite their bullying, it was his enemies who sued for peace.

Opposition drove Isaac to a wonderful place called Rehoboth, where there is room, fruitfulness, water, and no strife (26:22). Then he ended up in Beersheba, where he made a peace treaty.

All in all, Isaac’s crises turned into God’s multi-faceted opportunity and manifold blessings.

A vital final point: When you are born again, you are a dual citizen: of your homeland and of the kingdom of God. In addition, you are not just part of the global economy, you are connected to God’s economy. Follow the Isaac principles of obedience and Biblical meekness, and you will enjoy prosperity in crisis.

A quick example of God’s economy: Exercise prudence in financial matters, budget, tithe, giving to the poor, live within your means, save for a rainy day, and you will never run dry.

We did a two year round the world, ‘Corrie ten Boom-style’ missionary journey. What does that mean? It was inspired by her book Tramp for the Lord. Wait on God, let the Spirit direct where to go, and trust God for the provision to get there and stay there. Leaving the USA with one-way tickets to Europe and $2,000 spending money, with no fixed address or any regular financial support, God took us around the world for two years and when we returned to the USA, we still had $2,000. That’s God’s economy in action.

Yes, it’s time to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Isaac, and the psalmist, and prosper in crisis.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

2020 US Presidential Election: Some Initial Reflections

 

The United States votes every four years in the presidential elections. Campaigns are becoming increasingly longer and frightfully more costly. Once the voting ceases, however, the country generally knows who’s the winner within hours.

But this is the year 2020 and nothing has been normal. We have had the most serious pandemic since the Spanish flu a century earlier. Countries went into lockdown, affecting the citizenry and the economy. Australia has had its first recession in 30 years. Then there were the American riots and continued social unrest.

 What about the presidential candidates themselves? Though more than 20 people put up there hand for the Democratic Party nomination, the man who was chosen is the oldest major party candidate to run for office at the age of 77 (soon to be 78). He has spent much of the campaign season in his Delaware basement. Both political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, largely had their conventions in virtual mode. And when November 3rd passed, in stead of having the issue resolved, as of this writing, we have a contested election that is heading for the courts.

 Yet there is an historic precedent: 20 years ago the 2000 Presidential Election between Vice-President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush also went to the courts. America had to wait 6 weeks to see who the next President would be.

 Here are a few reflections on the 2020 election:

1.       Opposition: Regardless of what you think of President Donald Trump, you have to admit that he has faced furious opposition, perhaps more than any other president. False dossier, FISA warrants to spy on his campaign, opposition from the media, the Democrats, ‘Never-Trumper’ Republicans, academia, and hostile Hollywood. There was elector meddling, Mueller Probe, Russia hoax, and impeachment. In 2020 the nation was hit with a pandemic, lockdown, economic downturn and riots, all used by his enemies to stop his re-election. The President even caught Covid-19! Now we have a contested election.

2.       Meddling: 2020 is not the first time that there has been attempts to meddle with US elections, but this year has been exceptional. The methods of meddling are legion, for they are many: Computer hackers; a hostile media; civil unrest; big tech; Hollywood; the ‘billionaire’s club,’ all coalesce to form a dam of opposition. One of the fears was that mail-in ballots were a recipe for voter fraud, a point President Trump reiterated repeatedly. Now, it appears that one state has more ballots than registered voters. In another every mail-in ballot tabulated votes for the same person, every time. Tampering with people’s ballots is a criminal offence but it appears to be happening anyway. While voter turnout may be higher than normal, the concern is how many of those ballots are legitimate? Remember, voter fraud seriously undermines democracy and the rule of law. Like some third world country, does the United States now impartial election observers to prevent fraud?

3.       World interest: Of course, it is normal for the world to take interest in who will win the US presidential election. For decades, as the sole superpower, the United States is considered the leader of the free world. To some extent, the world is affected by what happens out of Washington. Yet, this particular election, and its aftermath, has caught the imagination of the world like no other. Global citizens are watching and many are praying.

4.       The most important election: For decades during an election year, people say, ‘This is the most important election of our lifetime.’ One of the clearest things about Election 2020: it really is the most important. Why? It is not just about the candidates involved, but about the worldview on offer. For years, there wasn’t a lot of difference between the two major political parties. In 2020, there is a Grand Canyon-sized difference. One party is leftist globalist, the other right-leaning nationalist; one party is pro-abortion, the other pro-life; one party is motivated by progressivism, identity politics, intersectionality, the other has an America first agenda; one sees America as systemically racist, the other that America is good and exceptional; one party has been influenced by cultural Marxism while the other advocates Judaeo-Christian / Western values.

The Spiritual Dimension: As a Christian minister, I clearly see that above all these issues is the active spiritual realm. Strongholds of lawlessness, rebellion, hatred, fear, violence, division, deception, cancel-culture, Marxism, Jezebel, and Moloch, are firing up. How can we respond to these challenges?

Prophecy: There have been credible prophetic voices speaking about the outcome of this election. If you believe these prophecies, stand on them … that’s how you can fight the good fight of faith. Paul says1 Timothy 1:18: This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.

Prayer: The second thing is prayer: Much individual, group, and mass corporate prayer has been offered during campaign 2020, including prayer marches on Washington, DC. Many Christians overseas are doing the same. One Australian wrote that he has never prayed so much in his entire life as he had for the 2020 US election. Other people in other countries are doing the same. A great exhortation comes from Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Pray for mercy on the United States, God’s will to be done, and a quick resolution of the electoral impasse.

Perseverance: It’s simple. If the battle continues, then keep going. Galatians 6:9 promises we will reap in due season if we don’t give up.

Revival: If many of us have been praying more than ever, and it is worldwide, think about it … we are preparing for revival 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Remember that effectual fervent prayer is like casting a ballot in heaven, with the blessings raining back on the earth. Ask the LORD that His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven — Matthew 6:9-13.

 

Articles, Education, Faith, Prophecy, Teaching

Take Your Rest: The Fourth Commandment Part 05

 

 

The Sabbath & the Book of Hebrews 

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour,

and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it — Exodus 20:8-11

 

From Blessing to Burden?

 

The 10 commandments offer a concise portrait of God’s alpine high standards; they have been a bedrock for western civilisation and a major reason for its blessing. Of all the commandments, the fourth should be greatly celebrated: it is called the Sabbath rest.

Who wouldn’t want a regular day off?

As we have learned in earlier articles, the very commandment that was meant to bestow blessing became a great burden by the 1st Century AD – the time of Jesus. There were so many manmade ‘do’s & don’ts’ on how to keep the Sabbath ‘holy’ that one wonders if they all could be remembered, let alone observed. It drained the joy right out of the day

Jesus cut through the clutter with His statement that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath: the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28). For most Christians, we have accepted the concept of ‘Sabbath’ being on the first day of the week, a celebration of the new creation in Christ.

Insights from the Book of Hebrews

In order to have a complete and balanced understanding of the fourth commandment and rest, we need to turn to the Book of Hebrews 3:7-4:12.

Four times in this passage it makes a reference to Psalm 95:7-11, which says Today, if you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart.

What does this have to do with the rest of Sabbath?

•    Weekly Sabbath: A day of rest on Saturday from your normal labour;

•    The promised land: When the children of Israel possessed the land of Canaan under Joshua, this was a type of rest. God promised the land to their father Abraham and now it was theirs. Instead of wandering through the wilderness or fighting off the locals, every man could ‘rest’ under his own vine and fig tree (1 Kings 4:25; Micah 4:4). The Israelites have arrived and possessed their ‘rest.’

•    Ultimate rest: Making it to heaven, the Kingdom of God, and New Jerusalem, is the final rest. Our life and labours for God lead us to this destination.

Merely having a day off on Saturday or Sunday is not necessarily the rest of God. Jesus’ opponents – Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, scribes, chief priests – all observed Saturday Sabbath, but they in no wise pleased God or prepared themselves for the His rest.

Remember the words of Hebrews 3:7-11, quoting Psalm 95

Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.

The Israelites during Moses’ day rested the Sabbath but God says in Verse 11 they shall not enter His rest.

Why couldn’t they enter into His rest? And how can we?

1.        Refusal to listen to God’s Word: God is always speaking (Hebrews 1:1-2) but we are not always listening. If you belong to Jesus, He says that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27).

 

2.        Hardened heart: Rejecting God’s voice leads to a hardened heart, and that is more deadly to the spirit than hardened arteries to the body. It is a form of blindness and deafness.

 

3.        Missing out on God: Stubborn spiritual deafness means tempting God, rejecting His grace and miracles, erring in the heart, and ignorance of God’s ways. A person can miss heaven’s best if they persist in this condition.

 

No amount of Sabbath-keeping will remedy this dire situation. So what is the solution? Faith in God and His gospel is the key to pleasing Him, accessing His kingdom, and entering into His rest. Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes from the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Just as faith is commended, doubt and unbelief are condemned. In fact, Hebrews 3:12 speaks of the worse sin of all: the evil heart of unbelief. Any other sin can be atoned by faith in the gospel of Christ, but if you can’t believe, the gospel will not profit you. That’s why we need to mix the word of the gospel with faith (Hebrews 4:2).

Ironically, we are encouraged to labour in order to enter into God’s rest (Hebrews 4:11): This is not talking about hard manual labour. It is referring to effort to draw close to God in faith and to let the atoning work of Christ on the cross be credited to your life.

Faith and rest: Your standing in God is not determined by what you do but what Christ has done. Believe in receive.

In conclusion, regarding the Sabbath, a disobedient hard-heart will preclude you from God’s rest, even if you do observe the Sabbath. But a life of faith will cause you to please God, enter into His rest, and everyday belongs to Him.

 

 

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The Day of the Lord – Amplified: Why Study the Book of Zephaniah Part 01

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO ZEPHANIAH

King Hezekiah was one of Judah’s great and righteous kings. Unfortunately, the next two kings, Manasseh and Amon, with a combined reign of 57 years, did great wickedness in the sight of the Lord. Manasseh, in particular, specialised in evil and tradition says he executed the prophet Isaiah. With his demise there was no prophetic utterances for around 70 years. Judgement was becoming riper by the day.

Amon’s untimely death brought an eight year old Josiah to the throne (640-609 BC). Would he be like his immediate predecessors or harken back to the time of Hezekiah? It was in this period that God raised of Zephaniah to influence Josiah. He outlined the nature of judgement, the Day of the Lord, and the promised restoration of the remnant. Though only three chapters long, Zephaniah teaches us much about the last days.

HEBREW NAME OF ZEPHANIAH

‘Tsephan-yah’ means ‘Yahweh Hides’ or ‘Yahweh Has Hidden’

AUTHOR OF ZEPHANIAH 

The great grandson of Hezekiah, of royal seed, familiar with the court, and a Judean aristocrat, Zephaniah lived with great danger. King Manasseh was prepared to sacrifice royalty to the hideous false god Moloch. It could be that Zephaniah was ‘hidden’ during this period, thus experiencing the mercy and preserving power of God.

It is highly possible that Zephaniah was the catalyst for revival in the days of Josiah, who in his 12th year commenced his great work of reform. His works were not enough to stave off ultimate judgement on Judah, which happened by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. Zephaniah warned that judgement would come but would be tempered by the remnant and restoration.

PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN ZEPHANIAH

(3:17) Mighty in our midst to save and rejoice.

Jesus Christ tied Zephaniah 1:3 to Matthew 13:41 and 1:15 with Matthew 24:29; these are references to the second coming. Though Messiah is not directly mentioned, it should be obvious that He, and He alone, is the one who brings the great judgement and restoration.

THEME OF THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH

Zephaniah, of royal seed, sought to address Jerusalem and Judah after the torrid reigns of Manasseh and Amon. He spoke of judgement as the ‘Day of the Lord,’ which punishes the wicked. For those who repent and are part of the faithful remnant, they will not be judged at all. They will be restored and rewarded.

The most concise description of the Day of the Lord is given in Chapter 1: a day of wrath, trouble, distress, wasteness, desolation, darkness, gloominess, clouds and thick darkness; that’s the bad news. But for the faithful remnant, it will be a time of purifying, worship, righteousness, singing, vindication, fearlessness, God will be in the midst and rejoice over them with joy. Sorrow will be removed and it will be a time of gathering, honour and praise, and restoration.

Josiah and Jeremiah were both influenced by the ministry of Zephaniah.

KEY VERSES OF ZEPHANIAH

1:14-15 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.

TO BE CONTINUED

 

 

 

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Beyond Covid-19: Is There A Word from the Lord? Part 05 Prosperity During Crisis

 

 

Crisis: It is not a happy, ‘feel good’ word, and we would prefer not to even hear about it. Yet, as the maxim goes: When you understand the nature of a problem, you are halfway towards a solution.

Yet there is more. While for some, crisis can mean the ‘end of the world,’ for others, it can be the womb of opportunity. Biblical greats faced serious crises, in some cases, insoluble by human means. When God was all they had, they wonderfully discovered that God was all they needed.

 

With bush fires, droughts, pandemic, lockdown, riots and recession, is it even possible to even contemplate surviving, even succeeding, where others struggle or fall?

The answer is ‘Yes.’ It is possible to prosper during crisis.

Here is a prime example. It comes from the Book of Genesis.

Genesis 26: If you think our challenges are great, spare a thought for the Biblical characters. The patriarch Isaac dwelt in the promised land, as God commanded him, yet his faith was being put to a severe test. The ‘land of milk and honey’ was afflicted with drought and famine.

What do you do?

The normal response was to do what everyone else was doing – Go to Egypt. His father Abraham, and his son Jacob ended up doing that very thing and for the very same reason – famine. In that great land the mighty Nile River provided the water and fertile soil to make it a breadbasket. As the holy family found out in Matthew 2, Egypt was also a refuge from danger. However, if we are going to prosper in crisis, we have to go beyond the ‘good idea’ and embrace the ‘God-idea,’ even if we are the only ones doing it.

The God-Idea: This comes by ‘waiting on the Lord’ and ‘hearing the Word of the Lord,’ since God speaks (Hebrews 1:1-2). In Isaac’s case, God told him to do the exact opposite that everyone else is doing. God said to ‘Dwell in the land’ (Genesis 26:2-3). Isaac wisely chose to ‘follow the cloud, not the crowd.’

Promise for obedience: God promised to bless, cause Isaac to inherit the land, see Abraham’s covenant fulfilled, plus bestow on him many descendants and be a source of universal blessing. Remember, that New Testament believers have also been given many promises and they are all ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). However, God expects our full cooperation for this to come to pass.

Response: Jesus often said that, ‘many are called, but few are chosen’ (Matthew 22:14). What makes the difference between ‘many called’ and ‘chosen few?’ The ‘chosen’ say, ‘Yes’ when God calls. While Isaac’s verbal response was not recorded, his actions spoke louder than words. (26:6): So Isaac dwelt in the land. He was truly chosen.

Reap: (26:12) Isaac chose to obey and dwell. This verse gives a remarkable point: Isaac sowed in the land and in the same year he reaped 100-fold – and the Lord blessed Him. He prospered with flocks, herds, and servants. Remember, this sowing and reaping was in a time of drought and famine. Yes, it is possible to prosper in crisis, but one must do as Isaac did.

When a person comes to Christ, they are not just part of their earthly family – they join God’s family. At the new birth, they become dual-citizens of their native land but also of God’s kingdom. And, remember this, the person of faith is not just tied to the local, national, and global economy; if they obey Biblical principles of finance, they are stakeholders in God’s ‘recession-proof’ economy.

Next time, we will explore this topic more, as well as how to handle opposition.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

2020 US Presidential Election: Watch & Pray

 

The US Presidential election will be held on Tuesday 3 November 2020. It is clearly the most unusual US election in history. It has been defined and limited by a pandemic. There was no big party convention with 1000s in attendance. Many events have been virtual. One candidate is hardly on the campaign trail at all, preferring to stay in his basement. Who could have imagined such a scenario, even a year ago?

One of the big concerns for the 2020 election is that voters will be looking at personality rather than policy. This is a big mistake. Serious governance is influenced by personality but ultimately guided by policy. There are serious issues at stake and we need to focus on them.One of the big concerns for the 2020 election is that voters will be looking at personality rather than policy. This is a big mistake. Serious governance is influenced by personality but ultimately guided by policy. There are serious issues at stake and we need to focus on them.

The Economy

This is often the Number One concern of most voters. In normal elections, the health of the economy can make or break an incumbent leader. Again, the situation is unusual: at the beginning of 2020 the US economy was in great shape in most areas (the federal deficit being the exception). Then the pandemic came, the economy was partially closed down, growth stagnated and many lost their jobs.

While there has been a partial reopening and rebounding, unemployment is an still and issue and also the US federal deficit. There was a stimulus bill of 2 trillion (two times a million dollars a million) earlier this year and there is the plan to run up another 2 trillion, with around $25 trillion currently.

Do we really want to pass on this debt to our children and grandchildren?

And if we demand fiscal responsibility and restraint, the government will turn around and ask: which federal programs do you want to cut first? Let’s start with ‘kosher food,’ and get rid of the pork ….

Questions: Do the candidates promise a tax cut? Or a tax increase? Will they retain tariffs on steel and China, or will they lift them? (Remember: tax cuts can stimulate business, which brings more revenue. Higher taxes are not necessarily applied to the deficit – usually, they go to fund new programs).

Foreign Affairs

As a superpower, US national elections are never exclusively about the United States. Its role as a military and economic leader influences what happens in the rest of the world. While there have been some peace breakthroughs in the Middle East, there are challenges ahead: UK and Brexit, negotiating a trade deal with the European Union and USA; Iran, its nuclear program and EMP capability (which they claim could affect 90% of the US population); the Iran nuclear deal JCPOA; the rise of China, its economic and military ambitions, and Covid-19;

Questions: What are the candidates policies on Iran and China? Do they want to send troops to the Middle East or withdraw them?

The Judiciary

The Trump administration has appointed literally 100s of judges at different levels, including two confirmed to the US Supreme Court. His appointment of ‘conservative’ justices is not necessarily a political thing, but constitutional: they take the constitution as it is written, which advocates limited government, separation of powers, balance of powers. ‘Liberal justices’ look at the Constitution as ‘living, breathing,’ and have been able to find ‘rights’ to socially progressive issues that are nowhere mentioned in the Constitution. This is called ‘judicial activism,’ or legislating from the court bench. This is a breach of the separation of powers and balance of powers principles of the Constitution.

Questions: Do the candidates want originalist conservative justices or judicial activists? Do they want to ‘pack’ the Supreme Court?

Moral Issues

This covers several areas but especially abortion, which continues to be a ‘hot-potato’ 47 years after the US Supreme Court legalised it. The court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was considered a compromise which was meant to put the issue to rest. Instead, it has been seething for decades; the most contentious American issue since the abolition of slavery 150 years ago. The two presidential candidates diametrically opposite positions on this issue.

Questions: Where do the candidates stand on abortion?

National Sovereignty

Immigration, legal and illegal, is a big ticket item throughout the western world: Europe, Australia, Israel, and the United States. Do you want border enforcement?

Style and Size of Government

Do you look to the government to meet your needs? Do have health care funded by the government called ‘Medicare for All?’ A Green New Deal? Or do you want limited government, which maximises freedoms?

Gun Control

For non-Americans, it is hard to understand the emotion attached to gun ownership in the United States. It is an indisputable right of the Second Amendment of the US Constitution. There has been far more heat than light on this issue, but the bottom line is this: Should the Second Amendment be honoured or should there be even more stringent control on guns than there already is?

Religious Liberty

America has always been a beacon of religious freedom, starting with the English Puritans who sailed from Plymouth, England on the Mayflower and established the Massachusetts colony exactly 400 years ago. Yet, there are ominous signs that the New Left deliberately aims to curtail religious freedom for the sake of ‘equality,’ ‘tolerance,’ and ‘social justice.’

Questions: What priority, if any, do the individual candidates have on religious liberty? It is a high priority for you? Or it is expendable in order to advance the rights of sexual minorities?

Power in prayer

Whether you are American or not, you all have a vote. It’s call effectual fervent prayer with avails much (James 5:16b). With the stakes so high, be informed and prayer without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

It’s time to ‘watch and pray’ (Matthew 26:41)

A NOTE ON RESOURCES:

For the sake of being informed, here are some resources:

Intercessors for America offer a plethora of information on all sorts of issues. You can find them at:

https://ifapray.org

The Democratic Party platform can be found here:

https://www.demconvention.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-07-31-Democratic-Party-Platform-For-Distribution.pdf

The Republican Party, because of the limitations of the 2020 convention, decided not to adopt a new platform, but continue to use the 2016 America First agenda. You can read the 2016 here:

https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/docs/Resolution_Platform_2020.pdf

A comparison of the policy positions of the Democrats and Republicans can be found here.

https://downloads.frcaction.org/EF/EF18H05.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

THE COMING US SUPREME COURT BATTLE: WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

 

If 2020 were not eventful enough – Covid, lockdown, economic downturn, wild-fires, hurricanes, and a rowdy presidential campaign – the temperature is about to burst out of thermometer. Now there is a vacancy in the US Supreme Court. If you thought that the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings were turbulent … put on your seatbelts for a potentially wild ride.

 

Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS), Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second female justice, died on the 18th of September. Known affectionately as RBG, she had a sharp mind, steel determination, and was universally respected by leftists and conservatives alike. She successfully fought for women’s right in the workplace. Her philosophy was autonomy for women, equality with men. As a left-of-centre judge, she sided with the liberal wing of the court consistently. Since Trump’s presidency ‘RBG’ became a cultural icon to the Left.

What happens next is that the current US President Donald Trump nominates a new justice to fill the empty seat, and it must be confirmed by the US Senate. In times gone by, this was a normal Constitutional procedure but the culture war has converted this process for an apolitical position into a political storm. The clouds are rolling in.

PURPOSE OF SCOTUS

Like other western democracies, sound governance requires independent branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judiciary. With the appropriate ‘checks and balances’ and ‘separation of powers,’ no one gets too much power and the wheels of government move smoothly for the benefit of all.

The Supreme Court, consisting of nine appointed justices-for-life, are meant to be an non-partisan constitutional umpires. They are supposed to determine the constitutionality of any given legislation, and nothing more.

LEFT TURN

From the 1950s, if not earlier, SCOTUS started to turn left and drift from its original purpose. Justices no longer stayed in their box by measuring laws according to the Constitution. Instead they became activists for ‘social justice’ and ‘left-wing causes.’

The results of this included banning prayer and Bible study in public schools, permitting porn novels, allowing a confessed a raptist-murderer released on a technicality because he wasn’t told his right to a lawyer when questioned; enabling other murderers to get off lightly because ‘they did poorly in school.’

THE TURNING POINT: ROE VS. WADE 1973

Of all the rulings in the 20th Century, the most notorious of all was Roe vs. Wade on 22 January, 1973 (the very day former President Lyndon Baines Johnson died). This ruling changed everything. In a 7-2 ruling, SCOTUS decreed abortion rights be given to women across the United States.

The justices took the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, meant to preserve ‘life, liberty and property,’ and used it to create a ‘woman’s right to privacy.’ No where is there an explicit or implicit mention of such a right. Even if the Constitution did point to a right to privacy, how does it justify abortion? In essence, SCOTUS created the right to abortion out of thin air. The Constitution was totally irrelevant.

Roe vs. Wade changed everything. Justices were now dictating public policy from the court bench. The seven unelected judges had become de facto super legislators. Roe overruled the laws of around 30 US states with the stroke of a pen. From 1973 onward, SCOTUS would continue to interfere with states rights, religious liberty, sanctity of marriage, and the list goes on.

Make no mistake about it: no single-institution, be it academia, the media, Hollywood, or the Democratic Party – has had the single-most radical impact on society during the current culture war than the Supreme Court. Don’t be fooled – just because a person wears a black robe does not make them a paragon of traditional values and conservatism. SCOTUS has greatly contributed to the long march towards a progressive utopia.

Over the decades conservatives watched in dismay as SCOTUS made decision after decision that departed from the Constitution, eroded the checks and balances in government, and undermined Judaeo-Christian values. The US Framers of the Constitution would be shocked at how the Supreme Court has evolved. This central document is not a mere suggestion; it is the law of the land.

What’s worse is that Republican Presidents would nominate seeming conservatives or moderates, only to have them drift to the Left. This happened with William Brennan, nominated by Dwight Eisenhower; Warren Burger, a Nixon appointee; David Souter from Bush 41; and the current Chief Justice John Roberts, nominated by Bush 43. Every one of these justices cast off judicial restraint and joined the leftist wing of the court.

Why did this happen? Possibly they succumbed to pressure from the White House, Congress, or both. Of course, that’s not how it should happen to co-equal independent branches of government.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

RBG, of Jewish heritage, died on Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. The symbolism of ‘new year, new beginnings’ is amazing: Her replacement will be a woman, something she would have approved of. And there is more ….

President Trump and the Republican Party have a golden opportunity – the first time in over 50 years – to create a conservative majority in SCOTUS, which could continue for decades due to life tenure. This comes by appointing justices who takes the US Constitution as written, as well as employ a balanced common sense view. Such issues as abortion, the 1st and 2nd Amendments, and religious liberty, have an excellent chance to be properly adjudicated and/or restored.

A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS?

As per the Constitution, the sitting President is to make a nomination to the court and have it confirmed by the Senate. Many of these nominations have been in an election year. President Trump has announced his intention to do precisely that.

For such a routine constitutional procedure, the opposition Democratic Party is going ballistic. They are highly incensed that Trump would nominate a justice so close to an election. However, nominating a judge in what is meant to be an apolitical Supreme Court shouldn’t matter – the seat needs to be filled.

The Democratic Party and its supporters have threatened the following:

1.        Pack the Court: Add more seats to the court and fill them with activist judges. The last time this was proposed was 83 years ago by FDR, after his landslide election win in 1936 – he failed. Even RBG disapproved of court packing.

2.        More Senators: Democrats want to give statehood to Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, thus adding 4 senators;

3.        Filibuster: They want to abolish the filibuster, which affects the confirmation process.

4.        Remove the electoral college: This mechanism in the US Constitution is to balance states rights with the people’s vote – a circuit breaker against mob rule;

5.        Protests and riots: Threats of even greater unrest are being promised if the President even dares to nominate a justice, even a female.

6.        Mobs: They are gathering in protest in front of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s home, and other prominent Republicans.

7.        Impeachment: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not ruled out impeaching President Trump for merely fulfilling his constitutional duty.

This rhetoric, even if not acted upon, represents a potential constitutional crisis. Any or all of these actions could undermine the checks and balances of the Constitution, putting the union in peril.

Why all this angst and unhinged behaviour? It has to do with Roe vs. Wade and the right to an abortion. Mind you, if Roe was overturned, abortion would not disappear in the United States. If would simply return the issue to the states, who can decide on their own. With such a hot potato issue as abortion, it should be left to each individual state.

CONFIRM A JUSTICE NOW

Senator Ted Cruz gave the best reason for a nomination and confirmation for the next SCOTUS seat, as soon as possible. In normal times, it need not be a rush – but these are far from normal times and the culture war is at fever pitch.

Do you remember the 2020 US Presidential election? Vice-President Al Gore won the popular vote by 300,000 out of 100 million. However, his opponent Governor George W. Bush claimed victory in the electoral college by winning Florida by only  500 votes. Gore refused to concede, contested the election results, and demanded that there be a recount. Eventually SCOTUS got involved and voted to let the Florida results stand. Bush was declared President. This process took 6 weeks and it involved only one state.

Joe Biden has hired 600 lawyers to contest the election outcome in several states, even before one vote has been counted. He is being urged to not concede an election loss ‘under any circumstances.’ Should the election results go to the Supreme Court, like in 2000, an even-number of Supreme Court justices could render a tie vote 4-4. This nightmare scenario would subject the nation to gridlock for weeks and months. Nancy Pelosi, as the 3rd highest official ranking politician in the country, would become the acting President.

America needs an odd-number of justices – all 9 of them – to prevent a possible tie. In essence, this is not just a routine constitutional procedure – it is a national security issue. With so much at stake on so few, it is time to pray for God’s hand of mercy on the United States and for a quick and decisive election result on November 3rd.