Category Archives: Prophecy

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

No Other Gods: The First Commandment

And God spake all these words, saying, 2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3Thou shalt have no other gods before me — Exodus 20:1-3
The 10 Commandments have had a profound affect on the world, particularly western civilisation. This is so even though the average Christian has a hard time quoting some of them. In our series of the Commandments, we seek to understand the commandments, especially in the light of Christ and the New Testament. Let’s begin with the very first one. It can be summarised in three words: no other gods.
Exodus 20begins with he simple phrase: And God spake all these words …. This began as an oral law. God spoke the words of the commandments. God would eventually write with His own figure the words of the commandments on tablets of stone. He would do that twice; since the first set of tablets were deliberately broken by Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai due to Israel’s apostasy involving Aaron and the golden calf.
In one sense, see this as a memo. The ‘From’ part is the LORD thy God. Lord means ‘master.’ However, this is no human master, like pharaoh king of Egypt. This is the ‘Master of all masters’ and ‘Lord of all lords.’ To make sure Israel did not confuse their Lord with the many false ones they may have met in Egypt, He uses a qualifier: which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. The LORD God of Israel claims to be the Creator of all (Genesis 1-2) but He is also the liberator and redeemer.
He delivered Israel out of the land of Egypt and the redeemed them from the house of bondage. The only major command He gave Israel before liberation was shedding and daubing the blood of the passover lamb on the doors and window frames of their houses. This act of obedience caused the death angel, who came to slay the first-born of Egypt, to ‘pass over’ their houses and preserve their lives.
Now, at the foot of the holy mount, Israel awaited while their leader Moses received the commandments directly from the mouth of God. He would teach them how to live holy, moral, and ethical lives. Yet, before He gave the commands on how to relate to each other, they would learn how to relate to Him. They were to have ‘no other gods’ before the LORD.
Remember, their father Abraham came from ancient Mesopotamia, a land steeped in polytheism and idolatry. As a family which grew into a nation, they were also surrounded by the many gods of Egypt. The same would apply in the land of Canaan, which they were called to inherit. Some of the more prominent gods included Baal, the god of fertility and prosperity. Another was Ashtoreth, which represented sensuality.
The phrase: no other gods before me is not a license to have other gods in addition to the Lord, as long as He is Number One. The Hebrew word is paniym, literally ‘in the face.’ The other gods should not be equal to God in your life, nor a few steps behind. They should be off the scene altogether.
This is a true and right standard. Yet how easy is it to keep God as the one and only? As we will discover with this and all commandments, wishful thinking alone will not help you fulfil them. It takes the cross of Christ, God’s ever-increasing grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

How to Respond to God’s Call Practically ? Part 07 in the ‘Call of God Series.’

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up — James 4:6-10 (emphases mine)
In our previous article, we began to look at how can we respond to God’s call in a practical manner. It was and still is based onJames 4:6-10. Key points so far included grace and submission to God. In this, the 7th article of the ‘Call of God Series,’ we continue learning the practical steps to responding to the Lord’s call in an honourable and effective manner.
After we have humbled ourselves, which does not mean to put ourselves down. It means to acknowledge our need and desire for God. Once manifested, God will give us more grace. Thanks to this abundance of grace, we are now in an optimal position to do the following needful things:
1.       Resist the Devil (4:7): Of interest, as we submit to God, facing Him fully, we concurrently turn our backs on the devil. The original Greek word for ‘resist’ is ‘anthistēmi’ ἀνθίστημιwhich means ‘to oppose, withstand, stand against, and/or resist.’ Though the devil is strong, we do have the power to stand against his lies and actions. The remarkable thing is if we say ‘No,’ and refuse to cooperate, the devil does not merely walk away from us … he flees! Just as Jesus overcame the devil in the wilderness, so He sets an example of Word-based steadfastness — It is written … Confession of the promises of Scripture is a powerful and practical way to resist the devil. Speak these verses aloud, either from memory or with a Bible in front of you. You’ll be amazed at the results.
2.       Draw nigh unto God (4:8): Humility and faith, working together, results in the submitted individual coming closer to God. What a wise thing to do! When one draws closer to God, they have the promise that God will draw closer to them. When God is with you, near you, and for you, nothing and no one can be against you.
3.       Cleanse and purify(4:8) : The submitted person responding to God’s call has to do some ‘spring housecleaning.’ If their body has been used for sin, it need to be cleansed. If a person’s hands are outwardly clean, but they nurse a bad attitude, nagging personal issues, and sins in the heart, they need to purify themselves. How do we do it? Repentance (Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3,5), the cross of Christ (Galatians 2:20; 6:14), God’s Word hidden in our heart (Psalm 119:11), the cleansing of Christ’s blood (Revelation 1:5), and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:12-14), are the means of purifying the heart.
Next time, we will learn a few more steps to honouring God by saying ‘Yes’ to His call.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Recipe – Dunk a Rusk

Wholemeal Buttermilk Rusks

Rusks are a South African treat. Thick dried finger-shaped baked goods, which are meant to be ‘dunked’ in your tea, coffee, Milo, hot chocolate, or rooibos (red bush) tea. This is a tried and true recipe which is sure to delight.
Ingredients: 
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups wholewheat flour
1 cup brown sugar (experiment – you can have more or less sugar)
3 cups plain flour
2 desert spoons of baking powder
2 t. salt
125 g butter
125 g other fat (e.g. coconut oil) or more butter.
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, add melted fat. Mix. Stir in buttermilk, and when mixed well, put into deep cake tin or 2 loaf tines. Bake 1 ½ hours at 140 C. When cool, cut or break into pieces, and dry out in 100 C oven overnight. Enjoy. 
Feel free to experiment with the above ingredients.

Articles, Education, Faith, Prophecy, Social Justice, Teaching

CULTURE WAR SERIES PART 13: Wisely Defending Your Values Part III

Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say Luke 12:11-12(NKJV)
In our timely culture war series, we have been exploring how to respond in a wise manner while simultaneously standing up for what we believe. So far, we have learned the importance of being spiritually strong, treat the opposition as friends rather than adversaries, project confidence and strength, and to keep calm at all times. We now continue to learn some other traits that can help us respond more effectively.
Avoid being defensive: If a smattering or barrage of insults are hurled your way – for example, ‘bigot,’ ‘hater,’ ‘sexist,’ ‘racist,’ ‘homophobe,’ ‘islamophobe’ are some of the current terms on offer – do not go on the defensive. This will be interpreted as going on the back foot and even weakness. No need to say things like ‘No, I’m no homophobe. I have gay friends’ – such statements will get you no where.
You would be better off going on the offensive. In football, failure to do so means no points and losing the game. If, and only if wisdom decrees you respond, then ‘go for it.’ Your sensible words, calm demeanour, and steely determination, will take you far and you will prevail. Don’t worry about vindication or being proven right – just fight the good fight of faith. God will do the rest.
Issues: Do your best to stay focused on the issues, not on your (screeching) opponent. Frame the topic on something highly valued and worth defending, like faith, freedom, and/or family.
If some argues that you are against the valued notion of ‘social justice,’ your response could be:
For me, social justice means supporting struggling families, caring for our courageous veterans, seeking justice for people being persecuted for their religious beliefs and conscience. Justice means protecting the unborn so they can have a right to life and liberty like everyone else.’
Such words are hard to refute, though there are no guarantees that your opponent won’t degenerate into a triggered tantrum. No matter what, keep calm and solder on.
Be prepared: Above all, be prepared factually, mentally and spiritually. You want to be truthful and accurate, because anything less will undermine your argument and discredit your Christian witness. You will have immediate access to wise answers and, in some cases, the words will deposited into your mouth at that moment (see verses above).
Stay on track: Don’t allow the opponent to get off track or sidle. Stick to the issue – make them answer your questions.
Word wise: Watch your words and body language. Both are potent tools of communication.
Inconsistencies: It won’t take long to identify inconsistencies in your opponent’s arguments. When discovered, hammer the point. For example, a high-profile politician spoke about his deep and sincere concern for taking up the cause of protecting the ‘poor and marginalised.’ Yet this same individual, in the same breathe, advocates liberal and late-term abortion. How about being a champion of the unborn, not just the post-natal? To harm one segment of society is to harm all.
Remember, we are not looking for a fight but if we are challenged on our views, be prepared to defend them. That’s what this, and other articles, are about.
TO BE CONTINUED.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Day of the Lord: Why Study the Book of Joel? Part 02

Last month, we began to examine the key prophetic Book of Joel. We continue our introduction.
Summary of Joel
It starts off with catastrophe. A plague of locusts followed by severe drought, which can be disastrous for a nation whose primary industry is agriculture. Yet, these things, allowed by Almighty God, serve a noble purpose: like an alarm clock, to help the people of God wake up to righteousness and respond with repentance and faith. Such action can spawned a much needed revival.
In practical terms, Judah was called to convene a solemn assembly (1:14; 2:15-16), repent, and come back to God with weeping, mourning, and prayers of mercy (2:12-17). In all this, we are introduced to ‘The Day of the Lord,’ mentioned (5x) in Joel: 1:15; 2:1, 11, 30; 3:14. For the unrighteous, this Day is bad news but for the righteous, it is the Perfect Day. Part of that great blessing will be a universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by great signs and wonders.
The plagues in chapter 1 are just the warm-up for the ultimate event at the end of the age. God then gathers the nations at the end in an Armageddon scenario and they will pay dearly for their sins. The rebels will be defeated and unsaved nations humiliated; but Jerusalem and Judah will prevail because ‘the LORD dwells in Zion’ (3:21).
Timing
Hard to pinpoint because there is no mention of kings, Babylon, Assyria, or the Northern Kingdom. This lack of historic reference point means it could be in the 9th Century BC during the reign of King Joash (835-796 BC) or even post-exilic, meaning the 6th Century BC. Joel and Amos have some common material (Joel 3:16 and Amos 1:2; Joel 3:18 and Amos 9:13) and a similar style to Isaiah and Micah. The locust invasion of Judah, where the sky turned black and the land was denuded of all greenery, was the catalyst for the prophecy.
Distinctive of the Book of Joel
1.  God’s Sovereignty: Links events in history like invasions or natural disasters as God’s means of bringing His people to repentance.
2.  Pentecost: It gives the most profound prophecy about the last day outpouring of the Holy Spirit, fulfilled in the Book of Acts and also in our day.
3.  Natural Disasters: Locusts, drought, famine, fires, foreign invasions, heavenly signs are all seen as signs of God’s judgment against spiritual and moral decadence.
4.  Effective prophet: Joel is a Godly man and role model who succeeds to bring God’s people into repentance and thus reap the positive fruit it brings.
5.  Masterpiece: The Book of Joel is considered a masterpiece of Hebrew literature.
New Testament References to Joel
A.    Acts 2:16-21: Peter quotes Joel in his Pentecost Day sermon; 3,000 people were saved that day;
B.     Matthew 24:29: Jesus speaks of a time where the sun and stars loose their brightness during the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:10);
C.    Romans 10:13: Paul uses Joel 2:32saying whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved;
D.    Revelation 8:12: John uses Joel 2:10in describing event of the tribulation.
E.     Revelation 9: One of the most disturbing chapters in the Bible, it derives its locust invasion to Joel’s own experience.
Old Testament Key Words:
Judah (6x): 3:1, 6, 8, 18, 19, 20
Jerusalem (4x): 3:1, 6, 17, 20
Israel (3x): 2:27; 3:2, 16
Zion (7x): 2:1, 15, 23; 32; 3:16; 17, 21. Zion means Mount Zion, Jerusalem, the land of Israel, or the Jewish people, depending on the context. The Book of Joel ends with the statement that the Lord dwells in Zion (3:21).
Fig tree (3x): 1:7, 12; 2:22
Day of the Lord (5x): 1:15; 2:1, 11, 30; 3:14
Outline of Joel
I.   Day of the Lord in Joel’s Day (1:1-20)
A.  Day of Locusts                        (1:1-12)
B.   Day of Drought                      (1:13-20)
II.                 Day of the Lord in the Last Days   (2:1-3:21)
A.  Imminent Day of the Lord (2:1-27)
1.  Prophecy of Judah’s Imminent Invasion  (2:1-11)
2.  Promise of Judah’s Salvation (conditional)  (2:12-27)
B.  Ultimate Day of the Lord (2:28-3:21)
1.  Final Events before the Day of the Lord (2:28-32)
2.  Events at the Day of the Lord (3:1-21)
a.  Gentiles judged (3:1-15)
b. Judah restored (3:16-21)

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

God’s Top Ten: The 10 Commandments Today – Introduction Part 02

Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good
— Romans 7:12
Last month we began a series on the 10 Commandments. We continue our introduction:




Purpose of the Ten Commandments
Before we tell what the commandments can do, here is an important point of what it cannotdo: the 10 Commandments cannot save the soul. This is made clear in Romans 8:3-4:
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
It is vitally important that we know and understand this fact.
So what can the 10 Commandments do?
1.       Moral fence: Morality is very much a protective barrier that shield us, our souls, as well as our family, present or future from danger. Stay within the bounds of the fence and your spirit, soul, and even body will be protected. Stray beyond the fence and you are taking your chances. The 10 commandments, as God’s righteous and high standard, leads us to that hedge of protection.
2.       Mirror: Most people are under the illusion that they are basically good. They don’t rob banks, commit murder, are sexually responsible (most of the time), pay their bills, provide for their families, and are generally nice to people. Yet, the amazing thing of the law is that, like a mirror, it shows us what we are really like, NOT what we think we’re like. Transgression of the Law is universal (Romand 3:23) and the wages of such transgression is death (Romans 6:23). Through the commandments, we discover that we really are sinners and thus are more open to the Saviour. Using the commandments as a quiz can be a good evangelistic tool. Ray Comfort wonderfully illustrates this in Hell’s Best Kept Secret. Go through the ten commandments one-by-one and ask someone, have you kept this command, both in letter and in spirit, all of your life? If the person is honest, they will say ‘No,’ they have not kept all commandments, all their lives. This includes people raised in the church.
3.       Schoolmaster: In the liberating Epistle to the Galatians, Paul shows that the commandments cannot save but it is a tutor that leads us to the One who can, namely Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:24-25:
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
New Testament Summary
Jesus Christ wonderfully summarised the commandments in Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The Lord not only summarises the 10 Commandments, but indeed all the law is condensed into 2 precepts:
1.       Love God
2.       Love people
You will find that the 10 Commandments do this in an amplified fashion: the first four commandments deal with how to love God, and the last six are about our dealings with people.
As New Testament believers, we should respect the law and guide our behaviour according to its precepts, knowing that it is by God’s Grace that this is made possible.
TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

Election 2019: How Did the Polls Get It So Wrong?

It happened in America. It happened in Sri Lanka. It happened in Israel and the United Kingdom … twice. Now it has happened in Australia. What is the ‘it?’ The ‘it’ is called ‘an upset’ or ‘shock’ election result. All this … and more … within the last four years.
Even if you are not Australian or understand Australian politics, there is a lesson for everyone, including in the British, Americans, and the rest of the world. Election 2019 in Australia may be a foretaste of greater shock elections to come. Let’s learn why?
Australians went to the polls for the May 18, 2019 federal election. The governing party, the Liberal-National Coalition (from henceforth called ‘Coalition’), which, despite the name, is meant to be the conservative party, was trailing in every poll for the last two years, often by double-digits. The left-of-centre opposition Labor Party was tipped to win the election and form  government. Not only did the regular opinion polls support them but also the exit polls, the media, pundits, and the elites. As one commentator said, Election 2019 was Labor’s to lose. People were in gambling mood, apparently one man bet $1 million while some betting agencies paid out before the results were announced.
Then the grand announcement came on election night. The Coalition, under the leadership of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, had won! Everyone, including the winner, was in shock.
How did the polls get it so wrong?
Australia’s polling agencies often get it so right. But not this time. Why?
Theories: Why Labor Lost?
Of course, the theories abound. The Labor Party may have been ahead in the polls but their leader since 2013, Bill Shorten, was not. He consistently lost in the ‘preferred prime minister’ category again and again, against Morrison and even his ousted predecessor Malcolm Turnbull.
Labor also released their proposed policies that they would implement once they took government. These policies were not ‘vote-getters.’ They included the ‘death tax,’ a rise in the corporate tax rate hike, more climate change regulations, removal of the investment property tax-exemption called ‘negative-gearing.’ Shorten promised to ‘de-recognise’ Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and set aside $55 million for a plebiscite on whether Australia should become a republic. Some of these policies were tried in the 1980s and 1990s – and they failed. Why resurrect them now?
There were also hints of class warfare: tax to the max the ‘high-end of town.’ These sentiments don’t normally go well in an egalitarian society like Australia.
There were parallels between Bill Shorten 2019 and Hillary Clinton 2016: both were ahead in the polls yet personally unpopular. Both were promised the ‘un-loseable’ election, yet lost, anyway.
And the Winner Is …
The winner is … Scott Morrison, who has only been in office as Prime Minister 9 months. He took over from left-of-centre Malcolm Turnbull. Morrison won the election in his own right and obtained a majority government … despite the polls.
How did ‘Scomo,’ as he is popularly known, do it? Experts said that Morrison, who has a marketing background, rebranded himself as the everyday, sports-mad, ‘daggy-dad’ who wears a baseball hat. He managed to reunite a fractured Liberal Party that had a toxic atmosphere, including accusations of misogyny (not exactly a vote-winner in the era of #metoo). Thus, his party reunification efforts were no small feat. He also appealed to voters sentiment that favoured economic management over climate change regulations. Economic management is one of the Coalition’s perceived strengths.
Now with the experts’ opinion stated, here are some things to consider.
Why did Scott Morrison win?
Straw in the wind: This author cannot remember who or when, but there was an immensely prescient article in a major Australia newspaper, perhaps 12-24 months ago. It had to do with the opinion polls – Labor vs. the Coalition. Rather than predict a Labor win, the author stated the opposite: yes, Australian Labor Party was ahead in the polls currently, but not as much as they should be, especially considering how vulnerable the Coalition was. The writer accurately predicted that Bill Shorten’s chances of being prime minister were being diminished to nil because of the narrow poll margin. He proved to be amazingly right.
Preferred PM: Mr. Morrison, while he did not reverse the opinion polls in favour of his party, he did manage to narrow the gap from double-digit to 51- 49 in favour of Labor. That’s pretty good. More importantly, he managed to win the respect of the electorate as ‘preferred prime minister,’ again and again.
Conservative factor: Something often overlooked was that Morrison won back the conservative votes. A quick history lesson: the Liberal National Coalition has the reputation of being the ‘right-of-centre’ or ‘conservative’ party (though it can contain a few left-leaning progressives). They came to power in 2013 under Tony Abbott, who was a genuinely conservative man and advocate of personal responsibility. Though he was energetic and productive, Abbott was greatly disliked by the media, did poorly in the polls, and was replaced in a ‘party room coup’ by Malcolm Turnbull in September 2015.
Mr. Turnbull, who gained a national profile as the leader of the Australian Republican Movement in the 1990s, was not even remotely conservative. He wanted to push the Liberal Party to ‘centre’ and even leftward (NOTE: Being ‘centrist’ and ‘moderate’ does not mean what you think it means. It usually implies being middle of the road economically but left-wing morally).
Many conservative people were alienated by Turnbull’s conspicuous progressivism and forsook the Liberal Party. Last August 2018, after losing poll after poll, Mr. Turnbull was ousted by his party and Scott Morrison took his place (Morrison credibly claims that he was not involved in the ouster). Mr. Morrison, a Pentecostal Christian, is reasonably conservative, and many conservatives have returned to the fold.
People of faith: Regarding the ‘Christian’ and ‘religious vote, there were strong and credible perceptions that religious liberty would take a big hit under a Labor Government. This is one of the reasons faith-based organisations like the Australian Christian Lobby, Family Voice Australia, and other conservative Christians campaigned so hard.
Patrick Parkinson, head of the University of Queensland law school said: ‘Labor did poorly in areas of Australia where religious faith ― of all kinds ― is alive and well.’ He concludes : ‘Labor may want to look at its attitude to religious faith among the causes of its disastrous performance … It did poorly in areas of Australia where religious faith ― of all kinds ― is alive and well.’
Finally, and most importantly, the God-factor: A point overlooked by everyone, including many Christians, is the God-factor. No, God does not belong to any political party, but He does promote and demote leaders (Psalm 75:6-7). God’s people are to pray for ‘kings and all who are in authority,’ whether they voted for them or not (I Timothy 2:1-4). We are called to ‘vote on our knees’ before we ‘vote on our feet.’ The two great upset elections of 2016: Brexit and Donald Trump, were bathed in prayer.
Regarding Morrison and the Shock Election 2019, Andrew Evans, former superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Australia, as well as former member of the South Australian parliament, gave this exhortation: Church, wake up. We have a Pentecostal Christian as Prime Minister in Canberra, but he won’t be there for long if you don’t pray for him.’ Andrew Evans has a well-earned reputation as a Christian leader and even in his 80s he still wields great influence. Obviously, people listened. Remember that God is not a member of any political party; but He will hear the prayers of those who pray for His ‘kingdom come’ and His ‘will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’
So as we consider our original question – how did the polls get it so wrong – remember that a praying, fasting, interceding church, will do more to alter the politics, culture, and spiritual atmosphere of a nation, than any other force in society. Prayer is more powerful than polls and can reverse poll results. As the newly-elected Prime Minister put it: ‘I believe in miracles.’
PS Now that the election is over, don’t roll over and go back to sleep! It is time to pray for the Prime Minister, government, and, yes, the opposition Labor Party and their new leader Anthony Albanese. A good opposition helps to make for good governance. Let’s pray for the the nation, more than ever!!
2019 ‘Understanding the Times Tour’ The 5 Annual, Australia-Wide, Understanding the Times Tour’ will be held from late August to early November 2019. Topic: Four Cities that are Shaking the World: Washington, London, Canberra, and Jerusalem. Melbourne: Monday 26 August at Breakthrough Church, Bayswater; Perth: Friday 1 November, Subiaco Church of Christ, and many other venues in-between. For further information, log onto: tan.org.au; vision.org.au/kameel-tour; email: leanne@tan.org.au

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

God’s Top Ten – An Introduction Part A

They are among the most famous, familiar, and influential precepts known to humanity. They have offered a framework of moral, ethical, and spiritual conduct which continues to prove lofty, indeed, loftier, than anything we have ever seen before or since. So profound has been their influence that they have been rightly viewed as the foundation of the western legal system, the rule of law, and of moral society. It also inspired a legendary movie by Cecil B. DeMille, starring Charlton Heston.
Of course, we are talking about the Ten Commandments, God’s law as given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Known as עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת, Aseret ha’Dibrot, the 10 Commandments have had a profound influence on the Hebrew people, the Old and New Testament, and the world. They are mentioned twice in the Old Testament: Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21. Since Deuteronomy is the retelling of the Law to the generation of Israelites born in the wilderness, it is fitting that it be repeated (Deuteronomy means the ‘second’ [recitation] of the law).
There are some echoes of the Ten Commandments among ancient civilisations, particularly the Hittites and Mesopotamian empires. One specifically is the Code of Hammurabi, which is similar in some ways but glaringly different in others. Hammurabi refers to the Babylonia gods, thus making it polytheistic. He also talks about himself a lot, too. The 10 Commandments talked about the one true God and Moses, ‘the law-giver,’ is not mentioned at all.
From this we can draw the principle that when men make the laws, they are often above them. When God makes the law, then the law is above man. Rule of law ultimately derives its legitimacy from the fact that God is the ultimate source of laws and rights, and no human should be allowed to infringe of them. ‘Not under man, but under God and law,’ a phrase posted at the Harvard Law School, sums it up excellently.
Background: Under the leadership of Moses, the children of Israel made a wholesale escape from the bondage of the land of Egypt. They were at the foot of Mount Sinai (which could be the traditional site in the Sinai Peninsula, though there is a growing school of thought that it is Jebel il Louz in NW Saudi Arabia – after all, Paul speaks of Mount Sinai being in Arabia [Galatians 4:25]).
Chapter 20 of Exodus begins with the phrase: And God spake all these words. So we learn that the 10 Commandments were oral at first and they came directly from God. So what you read following are God’s words. These commandments were written on 2 tablets of stone by the finger of God (Exodus 31:18), which eventually were housed inside the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:21; Deuteronomy 10:2,5). Because Moses was the one to receive the law, he is called the great law-giver. However, this is a little misleading: it is God who is the great law-giver, Moses was the law-receiver.
TO BE CONTINUED

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

CULTURE WAR SERIES PART 12: Wisely Defending Your Values Part II

Having gone on an adventure in understanding the great cultural civil war, which is fighting for the heart and soul of western civilisation, we have begun to look at practical issues. How, on earth, should you respond to the massive challenges that lie before us? While it may be tempting to retreat into one’s ‘safe space’ and try to ‘wait things out,’ we are discovering this is not an option. The culture war will not leave the church, nor Christians, alone. You can only be exempted as a conscientious objector if you don’t believe that faith and family are worth the fight. And it that case, you are risking everything in the process and you will be forced to surrender.
In the previous article, we looked at the fact that neutrality is not an option. Key points were 1. Be in the know; 2. Don’t run from the fight; 3. Have wisdom to know when not to respond (Proverbs 26:4) and when to respond (Proverbs 26:5).
How to Respond
If you must do Option 2 – to answer a fool according to his or her folly, lest he or she be wise in their own conceits. Please keep these points in mind:
1.       Spiritually strong: Here’s some insight: at its core, the culture war is more than politics, polemics, or culture. It is a spiritual conflict. The real powers are invisible spiritual forces in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Since the cause is spiritual, the solution is equally spiritual. There can be a strong spirit of partisanship, division, death, deception, and outright hatred. This is not a place for the faint-hearted yet God will fortify you. Thus, when you are actively or passively engaging in the culture war, it behooves you to be in spiritually in tiptop shape. For example, be prayerful, in fellowship, meditate on God’s Word, and keep a good attitude. Sometimes too much social media and on-going news channels give diatribes that can be, after a while, vexatious to the spirit. Have a break from these things and seek spiritual refreshment. Turn off the television, notifications on the phone, and enter into God’s hiding place. Most of all, learn what it means to be ‘filled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:18) at all times; for the Holy Spirit will give you boldness and words that no one can refute or gainsay. This first point is actually the most important of all, but don’t forget the others below.
2.       Treat culture warriors as friends, not an adversaries: This may seem a bit ridiculous – your opponent is attacking the very things you hold dear. Why can’t you treat him or her as an adversary? Because ultimately, as already stated, the root cause of the culture war is spiritual and your human opponent is not your real enemy. They are loved of God, made in His image, and Christ died for them, too. The real enemies are in the invisible, spiritual realm. So take a spiritually mature stance, extend the grace of a colleague rather than the shrill rhetoric reserved for an enemy. If you are prayerful, you have a good chance of defanging the tiger by your strong gracious attitude. Having said all this, it does not preclude putting up a ‘good fight of faith,’ because the battle is with an ideology, and the spirit behind it, not an individual;
3.       Project confidence and strength:  you must also protect confidence and strength. Weakness and under confidence will be as bait to the piranhas.
4.       Stay calm: This goes along with Point 3. Whenever a person, feeling trapped because their arguments are shown to be ridiculous and/or false, may descend into a temper tantrum and begin to throw out childish insults. A person who does so has lost already. Proverbs continues to be a wise guide in all this:
•   He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. – Proverbs 16:32;
•   In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise— Proverbs 10:19;
•   Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding – Proverbs 17:28;
•   A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger – Proverbs 15:1.
Are we getting the picture? Stay calm and watch your words. Need help in this area? The Holy Spirit is here to give you power, boldness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
While there are more points to be shared, just practicing the above points will put you in an advantageous position.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Day of the Lord: Why Study the Book of Joel?

For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land— Joel 3:1-2

Introduction
God loves His people and wants to get their attention before it is too late. His method? Natural disasters like locusts and droughts. By turning, indeed, returning to the LORD, they will be restored and blessed.
The Book of Joel introduces us to the ‘Day of the Lord.’ For the unrighteous, it will be calamitous but for the righteous, it will be a great reward. In addition, we learn about the latter day outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the final gathering of rebellious nations to the Valley of Decision, leading to their defeat and the establishment of God’s kingdom.
Hebrew Name of Joel
Yo’el means ‘Yahweh is God.’ The accent mark is on God and His majestic sovereignty.
Author of Joel
It is safely assumed that the author of the Book of Joel is Joel, the son of Pethuel (1:1). Just by the context of his remarks, especially involving Zion and the house of God, he is probably a Judean and Jerusalemite. He also seems to know about priestly things, implying that he may be a priest himself (Jeremiah 28:1,5).
Portrait of Christ in Joel
Jesus Christ has a twin-role: He sends the Holy Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21) and serves as the Judge in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (3:2, 12).
Theme of Joel
‘The Day of the Lord,’ in the past, current events, and the future Messianic kingdom. There will be judgment and also the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The plague of locusts in Joel’s day is a dress rehearsal to the the Day of the Lord, where God intervenes in world affairs, banishes wickedness, and sets up a kingdom where righteousness finds its true home. In addition to locusts, there is also plagues, famine, fires, armies of conquest, and signs in the heavens. In summary, for the wicked, ‘The Day of the Lord’ is their worst nightmare because they will reap what they sow; for the righteous, it is their vindication and reward of future blessing.
Key Verses of Joel
(2:11)And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
(2:28-29)And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.