El Monte Vietnamese SDA Church

A Light in the Darkness - The Dedication Pt. 2

     Maybe you have forgotten what this chapter is about since it's been so long since I've updated. Here is the chapter => http://www.whiteestate.org/books/da/da5.html

     Last we left off with Simeon who speaks this prophecy at the meeting of Jesus…

Luke 2:29-32, 34-35:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word;
 For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

“Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will  pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

     If you were Mary, hearing this about your child, what would be going through your mind? Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, and we from the 21^st century already know the ending. Let’s just try her shoes (sandals?).

     The beginning of the prophecy sounds amazing.

“God’s salvation.” “A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles.” “The glory of Israel.”

     And then the second part gets a bit muddled.

“Fall and rising of many in Israel.” “A sign spoken against.” “A sword will pierce through your own soul.”

     And all of that is for this entire purpose: “That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”

???? what????

     At least, if I were Mary, that is what I would be pondering while I teach my son to start crawling or walking. “Why would He be destined for a sign that is spoken against? What will He do to reveal hearts? Why will a sword pierce through my soul, ‘also.’ Other’s souls will be pierced because of this sign?”

     What do you think of when you hear, “Fall and rising of many in Israel?”

     My initial thought was like, kingdoms rising and falling. Others might think of someone who falls down and then gets back up. Falls down and gets back up. Stumbling around.

     The latter would be more accurate.

     When Simeon brings up this “fall and rising of many” it’s a reference to a messianic prophecy in Isaiah.

Isaiah 8:14
“He will be as a sanctuary,
But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense
To both the houses of Israel…,”

     Carries some parallels to Simeon’s prophecy doesn’t it?

     So whatever Jesus was going to do, it was going to be offensive to the people of Israel. It would cause many to “fall,” but also, rise again. Fall and rise where? Stumble in what?

They must fall who would rise again. We must fall upon the Rock and be broken before we can be uplifted in Christ. Self must be dethroned, pride must be humbled, if we would know the glory of the spiritual kingdom. The Jews would not accept the honor that is reached through humiliation. Therefore they would not receive their Redeemer. He was a sign that was spoken against.

     To our very own sinful natures, Jesus’ life and character is what causes us to fall. He is the “Rock” upon which we fall and become broken. His life is to make our hearts fall broken before the throne of God, recognizing our incredible unworthiness. However, His life is just the penultimate of the prophecy.

     When Jesus died on the cross, although He was a savior, the King of the Jews, the “fullness of God,” to the those around Him, He was dying as a criminal, a rejected homeless guy being forsaken and cut off from God. He became “a sign which shall be spoken against.”

     “A sword will pierce through your own soul also.” How vividly the prophecy must have replayed to Mary as she watched her 33-year-old son hang there, naked, bleeding, deserted, and tortured by not just physical, but emotional and spiritual agony. I know people who are 33. That’s young. (Luke Evans, James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson etc). To die young is pretty tragic (Heath Ledger would have been 33 today). But, to die an ignominious death while at it? Why?

     "That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." In the light of the Saviour's life, the hearts of all, even from the Creator to the prince of darkness, are revealed.

     This next section deserves a “WHOA!” In the cross, the depths of everyone’s hearts from A-Z and Alpha to Omega would be revealed.

Jeremiah 17:9 says,
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?

     Our hearts are full of so many layers of self-delusion, self-denial, the prophet says, “who can know it?” According to the Bible we can’t even know our own hearts. And yet there is something so powerful about the cross in that it reveals our own hearts, but not only that, even the very heart of the Infinite One.  How does that work? How do you get a finite being, who can’t even understand their own finite hearts, to understand the heart of the Infinite?

But the gift of Christ reveals the Father's heart. It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are "thoughts of peace, and not of evil." Jer. 29:11. It declares that while God's hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed.

     Through the cross, He reveals His heart. And in revealing His heart, it brings into sharp focus the contrast of Satan’s heart.

     At the cross of Calvary, love and selfishness stood face to face. Here was their crowning manifestation. Christ had lived only to comfort and bless, and in putting Him to death, Satan manifested the malignity of his hatred against God. He made it evident that the real purpose of his rebellion was to dethrone God, and to destroy Him through whom the love of God was shown.

     Not only that, through the cross God throws the curtain back and it sheds a light so blazing that it lights up even the darkest of places in the universe – our own hearts. Perhaps that is what is meant by

2 Corinthians 4:6 - For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Dedication (Pt. 1)

Read => Chapter 5

[I'll pretend as if it hasn't been several months since the last post...I'll try to be more dedicated... :\]

Dedication, to be dedicated to something, to give all that you have, to persevere with determination, to be loyal…dedication

The first-born of the nation of Israel were to be dedicated to God. When the Passover took place, it was God’s means of bringing out the Israelites from captivity. There is so much symbolism packed into that event, should the opportunity come up, I’ll try and break down into bite-size pieces things I’ve found that blew my mind [I had intended on including it, until I noticed how long it got].

But we’ll just stick to the nutshell. After 9 plagues, still the Israelites were held in bondage. It is not until the firstborn son of Pharaoh dies that the Israelites are freed from bondage. On the flipside, the Israelites were told to slay a firstborn lamb that their firstborn may be “bought back by a ransom.”

While it was a memorial of the Lord's wonderful deliverance of the children of Israel, it prefigured a greater deliverance, to be wrought out by the only-begotten Son of God. As the blood sprinkled on the doorposts had saved the first-born of Israel, so the blood of Christ has power to save the world.

Likewise, God has given us freedom from bondage to sin. However, in order to do so, it required the death of a firstborn. Those who accepted the death of the firstborn of God, Jesus Christ, His blood covers their life. And they are free from bondage. Interestingly enough, the firstborn of Pharaoh was considered a son of a god type, and in his death, Pharaoh finally let the Israelites leave. So it is interesting, that the Son of God, actually dies and frees the us from the bondage of sin.

What meaning then was attached to Christ's presentation! But the priest did not see through the veil; he did not read the mystery beyond. The presentation of infants was a common scene.

I’ve been to a few baby dedications. The happy pastor calls up the happy parents. Family members are there to support, and everyone’s glowing as the pastor dedicates the child to God. But for Jesus, whose name means “The Salvation of the Lord,” the priest simply sees another baby.

This was He whom seers had long foretold. He was the Desire of all nations, the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star. The name of that helpless little babe, inscribed in the roll of Israel, declaring Him our brother, was the hope of fallen humanity.

In that very moment, to the eyes that could discern spiritual things, God the Son, as an infant, was being dedicated to live the life as no one else in this world will ever live, and pledged to die for a sinful race. Rather morbid, when you compare the thought with the joy that attends today’s baby dedications.

In spite of the apathy of the Jewish leaders, God has raised faithful watchmen, ever vigilant and dedicated themselves. Introduce Simeon and Anna. Almost as if God placed them onto the scene, to give Jesus, His Son, a proper dedication by those whose hearts are in tune with His.

These humble worshipers had not studied the prophecies in vain. But those who held positions as rulers and priests in Israel, though they too had before them the precious utterances of prophecy, were not walking in the way of the Lord, and their eyes were not open to behold the Light of life. So it is still. Events upon which the attention of all heaven is centered are undiscerned, their very occurrence is unnoticed, by religious leaders, and worshipers in the house of God.

When you read the story in Luke, we know that Simeon and Anna are elderly. Too often we allow feeling and excitement dictate our level of dedication. It is easy for time to wear down our resolve and faithfulness. But for Simeon, who knows how long he’s been waiting on the promise of seeing the promised “Redeemer?” Anna? She’s old, but she is so dedicated she’s constantly near and in the temple, fasting and praying “night and day.” Their dedication is not about feeling, but love founded on principle. It pays off.

There are few things that are as revealing as time. Time has a knack of doing that – especially things that are hidden and we can’t see on the surface. Anna and Simeon hold fast to the promises of God, and remain faithful to God regardless of the apathy and indifference of others around them.

As a result, with their own eyes they bear witness to God’s fulfilled promise. Anna gets to be the witness of His presence and tell of others who have “looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” While Simeon is given the honor to present and dedicate Jesus and as the Spirit of rests upon him.

If we knew that Jesus’ coming would not be for another 50 years, would our level of commitment and dedication be different? What does the passage of time reveal about our characters? What about the genuineness of our faith?

Unto You a Savior

Christmas celebration comes a bit early => Chapter 4

Christmas – there is not a more commercialized holiday around the world. Although pagan in date along with carrying various parallels to the winter solstice myths, the majority of the world still holds Christmas as celebrating the birth of Christ. Whether Christians should celebrate Christmas or not, is not the question. I wish we could feel comfortable to celebrate “Christmas” anytime we want all year round. Personally, my greater concern about celebrating Christmas is that it has high-jacked the celebration of the incarnation of Christ so that the event is contemplated on only one time a year. As if that is not enough, recognition of the first advent of Christ is pitted against the “season” so focused on “getting” that stores milk the occasion so far as even trying to sell "Christmas" items as early as October.

Ironically, as much as people pass it off as the “season of giving” – it’s really a, “get, get, get” to “give.”

And that is a half truth of the story behind Christmas, because Christ didn’t have to “get” anything to “give.” He had it all, and set it all aside.

What it must have been to be an angel.

To see Jesus
         take off His heavenly crown,
              stand up from His throne…and step down.
                     See their commander be demoted to a position
                            to a form – lower than the angels, lower than themselves.
                                    Almighty God,
                                           becomes a weak,
                                                     fleshly, frail and feeble,
                                                                         sinful,
                                                                                  human being.

And not just human. If it were me, and I were a queen, I’d at least ease myself in and become a princess. Jesus couldn’t do that. He chooses the humblest of human positions. Because anything that would serve as a distraction had to be dropped. 

"Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him. The character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy, and He desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God."

Who IS this guy? Actually, what is even more mind-boggling is that we’re not just talking about some ordinary guy; this is our GOD we’re looking at.

No wealth. No jewelry. No silk ties. No fame or prestige. Not as the son of Augustus Caesar. There were not crowds upon crowds, or bleachers lining a red carpet for this arrival (for comparison, pictures of Brangelina’s newborn twins went for $14 million dollars).

But fame, prestige, wealth had not saved the people before for the first 4,000 years.

So, the Messiah was born to a poor couple - a humble tradesman and a young virgin girl.

Can you put yourself in the shoes of an angel? For what race did the King of the Universe degrade Himself? Were angels insulted for their King when almost everyone on planet earth seemed indifferent and apathetic to what He had just done?

“Yet Jerusalem was not preparing to welcome her Redeemer.

“The priests and teachers of the nation knew not that the greatest event of the ages was about to take place. They rehearsed their meaningless prayers, and performed the rites of worship to be seen by men, but in their strife for riches and worldly honor they were not prepared for the revelation of the Messiah…Hearts selfish and world-engrossed were untouched by the joy that thrilled all heaven. Only a few were longing to behold the Unseen.”

As God, the Son, He technically could have been omnipresent – everywhere at once – but instead He humbled Himself to become a human. And somehow, He is inside the womb of a woman, His own hands created.

Amidst the humble beginnings, God works unseen and subtly. God’s divine intervention to make sure that prophecy would be fulfilled caused Caesar Augustus to call for a census, sending Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.

"Angels attend Joseph and Mary as they journey from their home in Nazareth to the city of David…Weary and homeless, they traverse the entire length of the narrow street, from the gate of the city to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a resting place for the night. There is no room for them at the crowded inn."

What would have been like as Joseph and Mary? They couldn’t see the angels that traveled with them. With Mary in the last few moments of her pregnancy when she is largest, did they wonder to God, “Lord, why did they have to call a census now that we have to travel so far? Lord, why will you not open a door for us to find shelter? Is this not Your Messiah?”

"In a rude building where the beasts are sheltered, they at last find refuge, and here the Redeemer of the world is born."

No BMW chariots to take them place to place. No sanitized hospital or eager family members. While the planet is in ignorance, all of heaven (perhaps even the entire universe) watches the scenes unfold. Because in spite of whatever the circumstances may be in human activity, their King still made the choice to be born – to become flesh. There’s no way the brain can fathom it or get it. How does God become dust? Become skin? Take on flesh, bones, fingernails and hair?

"With a deeper and more tender interest the holy beings from the world of light are drawn to the earth. The whole world is brighter for His presence. Above the hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world."

So who to tell? God doesn’t choose the most knowledgeable or talented or even the ones with the best communication tools that know best how to work the television/twitter/facebook events of their time.

Apparently in God’s book, it’s more effective to reach a small faithful few.

"To those who are seeking for light, and who accept it with gladness, the bright rays from the throne of God will shine.

"In the fields where the boy David had led his flock, shepherds were still keeping watch by night. Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the coming of the King to David's throne. "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

"At these words, visions of glory fill the minds of the listening shepherds. The Deliverer has come to Israel! Power, exaltation, triumph, are associated with His coming. But the angel must prepare them to recognize their Saviour in poverty and humiliation. "This shall be a sign unto you," he says; "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

What a contrast! The priests had prayers and practiced the very symbols that pointed to the Messiah. The shepherds also prayed for the coming of the Savior. What made the difference? Why was one group’s prayer answered? One was meaningless, done to be seen by others. The other was sincere, and a part of their lifestyle, whether known or not to other people, because it came from their hearts. To the first, the coming of Christ caught them unaware. To the second, it was a glorious event.

"With tender regard for their human weakness, he had given them time to become accustomed to the divine radiance. Then the joy and glory could no longer be hidden. The whole plain was lighted up with the bright shining of the hosts of God. Earth was hushed, and heaven stooped to listen to the song,--

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Does Christmas even hold a candle to the kind of celebration when angels heralded Christ’s coming? Or has it denigrated to winning appreciation and affection via gift-giving? Or a good excuse to get things you want (not even need) for free?

"The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden "the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God." Rom. 11:33.

Mull over that. It “is an exhaustless theme.” So perhaps we should be talking about it more than just once a year. Maybe it would carry more significance if we no longer called it Christmas, but the “story of Bethlehem.” Christmas, full of red, green, gold, silver, bright lights, sparkly, glitzy glitter. Slightly different from “Bethlehem” which carries words like, lonely, remote, animals, closed doors, to my mind. Which one reminds us more of the Savior?

"We marvel at the Saviour's sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence. Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension."

To even take in the concept that Bethlehem was only the “beginning” of condescension implies that as Jesus’ life progressed, He actually, went lower, and lower. The entire antithesis, or opposite, of what people living today on earth aim for.

"It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden."

Try to take that in – it was an INFINITE humiliation. For the angels watching, it was an infinite humiliation for God the Son to become a sinful human being. There is something about sin that we don’t realize how degrading it is. Somehow this world has twisted our thinking to “glorify sin” to toy with it, to compromise with it, to never allow it to be called “wrong.”

"But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors."

I’m already over in terms of length on this blog, so you’ll have to check it out for yourself. But read up on the first chapter of the book of Matthew. God doesn’t waste space in the Bible, He doesn’t just put things in their randomly. Every piece has significance if you are willing to dig and are open to be taught by the Holy Spirit. If you look at the names, those are the names of Jesus’ ancestors. In other words, people who make up Jesus’ DNA, His background, His genetic traits. People involved in situations so repugnant and gross (it’s funny that this is how the New Testament introduces Jesus) that it’d be similar to introducing yourself saying “Hi, everyone! Let me start with my family tree. I’m related to Hitler, Joseph Smith, Hugh Hefner, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears. And by the way, my name is Jesus.” You look at the stories of some of those people that make up Jesus’s human genetic makeup, you’ll find incest, prostitution, murder, adultery, lying, human sacrificing, and just…wickedness. Jesus had some major genetic baggage to deal with psychologically and morally, I’m sure.

Why list it all? Why air the dirty laundry? Doesn’t that “stain” the credibility of Jesus? Make Him less believable and to be trusted?

"He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life."

So when Christ took on being human – that was just part of “condescending.” To really come down to our level, He didn’t hesitate to take on a terrible background of history and sin – it didn’t ruin His credibility, so much as prove it all the more when He conquered sin, with all the same disadvantages we have.

He shared in our weaknesses and sorrows to give us that which we never, ever could have gotten ourselves.

What do angels see every December? Do they see the character and mission of Christ when He was born in Bethlehem light up the darkness of this world? Do they see the gift of His example being given to others? How far and low are we willing to share in the weaknesses and sorrows of those around us, and not just in their moments of joy? Are we willing to give up all that makes us glorified in the eyes of those around us that we may give to others something they may never obtain on their own?

Merry Christmas.

The Fullness of the Time Pt. 2

Finishing the Chapter => Desire of Ages - Ch. 3

Psalm 107

 ¹⁷ Fools, because of their transgression,
         And because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
 ¹⁸ Their soul abhorred all manner of food,
         And they drew near to the gates of death.
 ¹⁹ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
         And He saved them out of their distresses.
 ²⁰ He sent His word and healed them,
         And delivered them from their destructions.
 ²¹ Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
         And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
 ²² Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
         And declare His works with rejoicing.

“ The fullness of the time had come. Humanity, becoming more degraded through ages of transgression, called for the coming of the Redeemer.” Desire of Ages, pg 34

..........

I used to be a wholly ignorant of the Old Testament, aside from the well-known miraculous stories. However, I missed the point of the Scriptures. John 5:39 says, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

In every line and expressed thought, is meant to be a story of a Savior. When I understood this, a lot of the verses I passed over as being unimportant, became rich with meaning.

Read Psalm 107. I’m rather convinced it is a summary of the history of God’s people. “Through every age, through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward the fallen race. “ The climax comes in the verses above, 17-22, particularly peaking at vs 20.

On one hand, the world was primed for the global spread of the gospel, on the other hand, it was dying in need of a lifeline to pull it out of the miry pit of sin.

“The deception of sin had reached its height. All the agencies for depraving the souls of men had been put in operation…The Son of God, looking upon the world, beheld suffering and misery. With pity He saw how men had become victims of satanic cruelty. He looked with compassion upon those who were being corrupted, murdered, and lost. They had chosen a ruler who chained them to his car as captives. “

[Ps 107:18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food,
               And they drew near to the gates of death.]

“Bewildered and deceived, they were moving on in gloomy procession toward eternal ruin,--to death in which is no hope of life, toward night to which comes no morning. Satanic agencies were incorporated with men. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was impressed upon the countenances of men. Human faces reflected the expression of the legions of evil with which they were possessed.”

As it wasn’t hard enough that the world is steeped in blind rituals and superstitions, God’s people – who are to dispel the false idea that you can save yourself from the misery, suffering, and pain that comes upon every person living in this sinful world by pointing them to the coming Savior – they, too, fall into Satan’s trap.

 “The principle that man can save himself by his own works lay at the foundation of every heathen religion; it had now become the principle of the Jewish religion. Satan had implanted this principle.  

Wherever it is held, men have no barrier against sin.”

That last part right there ^that I bolded, tells us right off the bat the problem of mankind - we think we can manage by ourselves. We don’t think we need anybody to save us. We want to figure out on our own how to save ourselves.

If you think you can save yourself, then why not do whatever you want? When you see yourself as your own savior, you control your own rules, and when you control the rules, you make yourself to be your own god.

So God sends His messengers/prophets to turn back the tide of satanic influence. But the moment someone stands up to speak the truth to God’s people, they would be persecuted and killed. Who likes to hear that you can’t make your own rules? Isaiah being sawn in two and Zechariah being stoned in the temple court are just two examples.

Satan had intentionally done all he could to bring mankind down to the depths of sin – all with the aim of making God so disgusted with the race that He would wipe it out. Send another flood, or lightning from heaven to incinerate them, perhaps rain fire and brimstone. And even if God did, the truth of the matter is - God had every right to. Maybe, even to anybody with a moral sense of justice, they would expect God to. Don’t we also question God’s sense of justice, like why He allowed Hitler live long enough to exterminate so many Jews?

And it was actually what Satan was hoping God would do – dish out the justice where it was deserved. Why? Then Satan could say, “See, God? Your rules are too hard. No one can keep them, especially these weak, sinful human beings.”

But instead of destroying the world – God sent a Savior.

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 

Ps 107:19-20
  Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
         And He saved them out of their distresses.
  He sent His [W]ord and healed them,
         And delivered them from their destructions.

What do you do when the message seems to always be intercepted? Was there any hope of reaching the lost world? If the message kept getting intercepted, if His people wouldn’t hear the messengers, then God would send - the Word.

Christ came at a point, when mankind had reached a level of evil so high, with darkness so deep, that there was no room for any argument to say that Christ didn’t come to save man from every type of sin possible.

Where mankind was unable to heal itself, free itself from demons, to redeem itself from a past ruined by defiant mistakes and stubborn ideas of “I will do it my way” - Jesus comes to renew, recreate the lives of all those who will let Him.

That is still available to us today. No matter how vast the gulf may seem between us and God, how deep the scars of our past may run, how high the mountains of our sins may be, and how many other lives we have ruined in living our own, Christ can come into our lives at the “fullness of time.”

“And when the fullness of time had come, the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled.”

His grace is sufficient to close the gulf, He can heal the scars, He can remove those mountains and cast them into the sea, and not only can He save your life, but save the lives of all those you come in touch with the world over.

Ps 107:21-22
  Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
         And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
  Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
         And declare His works with rejoicing.

The Fullness of the Time  - Pt. 1

Desire of Ages - Chapter 3 <= Start the chapter!

 “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son,” Galatians 4:4-5.

I love history. Not so much the dates (I’m a big picture, overarching theme type), but I like scrutinizing, and examining the social reasons, the mental reasons, the political reasons, for why events happen, why trends happen, because of people’s choices and cultural factors. And throw in how God manages to guide the currents and utilize them for His will, it’s just incredible.

Let me put this in more practical terms:

Let’s look at Napoleon Bonaparte, the general that conquered most of Europe during the late 1700s –until that one Battle of Waterloo. You know, historians say that a very different picture would have emerged, if there was just a change to one factor. Weather. The night before the Battle of Waterloo, it had rained, and because of the rain, Napoleon was unable to position his weapons at the locations he had planned because it was too muddy.  What would have happened if there wasn’t rain? Sure, a tornado would have been more distinct, but I think the subtlety of “divine intervention” is just amazing.

And the time of Christ’s coming is no exception.

Check out these factors:

1. Common language – Koine (“common”) Greek was dispersed as a result of the widespread conquer of Alexander the Great, for both dialogue and writing. It was so common, the Romans who conquered them used it. Much like how English is the pervading language in today’s world.
2. Pax Romana – this era of relative peace and security of the Roman empire allowed for easy, and  safe travel
3. Road system – the network of Roman roads cannot be overestimated in usefulness, for spreading people and ideas, especially as many nations were united under one government (much like today’s internet.)
4. Jewish Diaspora - Jews were spread out everywhere because of heathen military conquests. Although it was considered an embarrassing set of circumstances to be under the rule of a Gentile nation, it is obvious it played a part as faithful Jews spread the knowledge of God. It’s been noted in history to find Jewish synagogues lining the coasts of the countries and all over the place. And throw in that the Jews traveled several times a year toward Jerusalem for the feasts, news can travel far and wide.

There are many more incredible pieces that fall into place that made the spread of the “teachings of a 3 ½ year ministry” across the then known world to the unbelievable. Was it just coincidence?

Historical and sociological factors aside, the spiritual soil was ready.

“Men were weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart. While the light of truth seemed to have departed from among men, there were souls who were looking for light, and who were filled with perplexity and sorrow. They were thirsting for a knowledge of the living God, for some assurance of a life beyond the grave…The words of the prophets were uncomprehended. To the masses of the people death was a dread mystery”

A generation tired of hypocrites – actors only playing a part with a mask. Able to change the outside, but the inside is always the same. Souls tired of fables, speculation, tired of men’s fairy tale-like philosophies that do nothing for the sorrow and perplexity of life. Despondent hearts groped in the darkness surrounding questions on death – a symptom stemming from its meaninglessness. What is life if it only ends after 70 or so years? [Vanity oh, vanity if there is nothing beyond death.] And across the board, an undertone of anticipation of a coming teacher was felt with Jews and Gentiles. A lack was felt, something was missing, but where would the answer come from if after 4,000 years the answers to the heart’s deepest questions were still unanswered?

…Like a cup brimming over, just waiting for that one drop of water to break and flood over the cusps of the edge – humanity had the perfect platform for a turn-around, a change, a revolution.

… “the fullness of the time”…

“When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son,” Galatians 4:4-5

Did anything else catch your attention as it caught mine? Is it all just a coincidence, that much of those factors around the time of Christ’s first coming are similar to ours as we wait for His second coming?

1.       English is a common language, even being the official language internationally for aviation, business, science, etc.

2.       Travel has never been easier (Within 2.5 days or so, I can circle the world. Can you imagine travelling by foot and horse?)

3.       The sharing of information has never been MORE integrated – with the internet, smart phones, and network of social media (Twitter, not Morse Code; Youtube, not snail mail with a black and white drawing)

4.       An underlying feeling that the “big one” is going to happen. Something apocalyptic is about to occur and we’re on the precipice of “the end”

5.       A pervading sense of purposelessness, loneliness, meaninglessness, emptiness, coupled with a growth of anti-depressants, meds, therapies, and suicides

6.       There is a strong sense of distrust of the popular Christian churches. (How can there be thousands of options and ways to be a Christian? What is the point if you live and look the same as someone who is not a Christian?)

7.       Believers of the everlasting gospel can be found in almost every country (The Bible is STILL the world's leading bestseller, going beyond being translated into 3000+ languages, but now has even gone mobile)

Are we on the cusp of a global revolution?

Just food for thought.

The Chosen People

Read Chapter 2! <= for free, while supplies last

When you read the first chapter it laid out the background of the big picture. There is a conflict, a controversy – a BIG one that involves the entire universe, so we’ll call it a great controversy - between two sides: the captain of the first debate team, Christ, and the other headed by Satan.

The question: Is God good? Is God fair? Why should we have to follow, or obey, or worship God?

The second chapter lays out field – the battle ground.

We are introduced to the Israelites, “the chosen ones,” “to them were committed the oracles of God” (Romans 3: 2).

While the world was steeped in darkness, God “did not leave Himself without a witness.” He entrusted the Israelites with foreshadowing to the world the coming Christ. When God gave the Israelites the law calling them to obey it, it was so they could demonstrate in their lives who He was to all the nations around them.

In Deuteronomy 4:5-8, Moses says, “Surely, I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statues, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has God so near to is as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statues and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?“

What better way to prepare the coming of God down to earth, by a people who could mirror and manifest Him in their life and their worship?

Instead, time after time, the Israelites disobeyed and followed the traditions and practices of those around them. “Every reformation was followed by deeper apostasy.”

King Hezekiah comes to mind, who managed to bring back worship, unity, humility, and faith in God. His reign brought in order, generosity, and prosperity for the people, only to be followed by his son Manasseh who fell into worship of all the gods of the surrounding nations. He went deeper with witchcraft and divination, even going as far as using his own children in human sacrifices, and filled Jerusalem with the blood of the innocent who stood for truth and what was right.

It was only after the failure after failure and going into captivity from one enemy nation to the next that the Israelites got it – prosperity comes from obeying and worshipping God.

“..the conviction became fixed that their prosperity depended upon their obedience to the law of God. “

There was only one problem upon which hinges everything.

“But with too many of the people obedience was not prompted by love. The motive was selfish. They rendered outward service to God as the means of attaining to national greatness.”

Read Desire of Ages for free! Chapter 1 <= right here

“His name shall be called Immanuel…God with Us”

When you think of God what you do you think of?

Big guy with long white flowing beard? Deep booming voice? Very bright and shiny? Fiery?

For a book, as long and comprehensive as the Bible, there isn’t too much that describes His looks. So it must be that His looks aren’t so important as much as what He is like.

What is God like?

There are many different thoughts, theories, philosophies - some inspiring, others skeptical, some illogical, many valid, but for whatever puny human minds can come up with in all their great wisdom –  “The earth was dark through misapprehension of God.”

You want to understand how a world steeped in pain, in evil, in tragedy, can reveal a God of love? Read the first chapter of the Desire of Ages.  Read it over and over, read it slow, read it backwards and roll every word and meaning around.

Give it time, and it will unravel some of the deepest and most provoking thoughts you’ve encountered. Much like those that have struck some of our favorite speakers. For a live example check out David Asscherick’s Deliver us from Evil, a series that answers the hard questions of why God allows pain and Satan to work, and as you listen you can tell where the seeds of his sermons come from.

For thousands of years, Satan has been saturating and propagating the image of a God, who "has all the power of the universe, but uses it to fulfill His selfish desires, and all the while denying us freedom."

That’s why in Ancient Greece you have the gods of Olympus that used their power for revenge, for entertainment, for sexual relations with whomever they wish, and if they were angry they would turn you into a deer, or a spider, or a tree. That’s why when Hollywood makes a movie about “God” the best they can come up with is Bruce Almighty. Everyone is confused on who God is, because the only living examples of beings in power are kings, presidents, charismatic dictators, that inevitably care more for their own back than the common people.

Therein lies the problem, for without God, we are disconnected from the source of our existence. But, the only way to be connected to God requires that you desire to be. And that is something that God cannot have done by force. God can’t make you want to be with Him. Well He could, but – He doesn’t (a crucial detail that many seem to ignore).

 “God is love” (John 4:8). Love by its defined inherent nature cannot be demanded or coerced. But how do you get someone to love you, who has no interest in you based on what they have heard of you?

“Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him.”

You show them who you are.

There won’t ever be enough volumes and time to unpack the idea of God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit having laid out this plan before themselves, for the Son to be willing to come into finite human flesh just to reveal who they are. [Author’s note: It’s why it took me more than three weeks to write this ONE blog entry, and can assure the rest won’t be this long -- I think?]

But there was no other way. No other way to break the deception and cast a light on the utter darkness of Satan’s lies.

“He was the Word of God, God’s thought made audible.” Rather than argue Satan's point - Christ shows, more than tells his rebuttal. Christ was the deep hidden feelings and thoughts of God finally expressed. Like a guy who has been holding back feelings for the girl of his dreams, and finally comes to the decision point of confessing and “pouring out his heart” in a letter, or a symbolic gift, or what have you.

What is amazing, is that it’s not just to human beings who are learning about an infinite God.

“But not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe.

All across the universe, the story of the broken, wayward, prodigal planet that followed Satan into rebellion, that was sought out by God as a shepherd who seeks after a lost sheep will endlessly be told and retold. How Christ came, dwelt with them, and showed to the universe aspects of love that would never have been known or revealed unless tried and opposed by the darkness of sin and Satan.

“Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His.”

When the rebellion hits its climax at the cross, Christ demonstrates how “love is as strong as death” and is comparable to the ultimate confession of love, a pouring out His heart to mankind. As if the triumph over death and sin is not enough, but the triumph of good over evil is replayed across the earth as hearts give up their sins and follow Christ out of love for One who “first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

“By His life and His death, Christ has achieved even more than recovery from the ruin wrought through sin. It was Satan's purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." John 3:16. He gave Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to the fallen race.” [aagh, must stop writing, but so much to write about]

Incredible…unlike with any other being in the universe, Christ is linked to us into eternity – God in the human flesh.  

“The work of redemption will be complete. In the place where sin abounded, God’s grace much more abounds…And through endless ages as the redeemed walk in the light of the Lord, they will praise Him for His unspeakable Gift,  -- Immanuel, “God with us.”

To a time and a generation highly focused on the “I want, right here, right now”…

Where rules and truths are subject to change with the currents of popular opinion and “every wind of doctrine”…full of people too caught up in the cares and busyness of life to ever ponder what lies at the end of their road…

 “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12).

“The faith of Jesus” – it raises the question, “did Jesus need faith as He lived on this earth if He was perfect?”

Actually, it raises a lot of questions.

If He needed faith, what did His faith look like? What did that faith mean to Him? How did it transfer to His lifestyle as He walked, breathed, and spoke with those around Him? Can it really be expected of us to have the “faith of Jesus?” If so, how did Jesus get that kind of faith in the first place?

But the biggest, yet most basic question, seems best summarized and expressed as:

“who IS this guy?”

It’s with that brief question in mind that this blog will explore and seek for the precious gems of truth to adorn our own faith and understanding. The subject matter covered here will be based off the book, The Desire of Ages. If anything, it’d be more beneficial and enlightening to read the book yourself, (“there is nothing new under the sun”), but hopefully, you can still find something “fresh.”