Hope for Children - All of Them

"...your children shall come back to their own country."

 - Jeremiah 31

The Fourth Day of Christmas. The Holy Innocents.

Evil men have always used the massacre of children, as a way to establish terror, wipe out a population, totally demoralize an enemy, and model the terror of unfeigned power in the hands of fallible humanity.

Sometimes, the slaughter of innocents is justified: population control (because you know, overpopulation leads to global warming), economy, sustainability, and even, ecology (imagine that).

How about controversy? I am going to present some ideas here that are for discussion. I wonder if people can consider the points without feeling personally offended? The point is to challenge, maybe, but offend, no. If we cannot entertain hard concepts, then we cannot claim to be a progressive culture.

Assume that God really meant it when He said "Be fruitful and multiply." This therefore, is the ultimate step in faith. Men and Women: can you do that? Can you simply populate and repopulate the earth, without manipulating nature through procedures, medications, surgeries, gadgets, devices that will prevent the launch of a . . . . new life?

What would have been the outcome had humanity simply done that, with full trust and faith in the God that commanded it? Is there some beautiful result when the wealth of humanity realizes it's full potential via a complete flowering of its reproductive powers? First of all, God would not allow devastation to a race that follows His command to "be fruitful." We probably would have advanced to the stars hundreds of centuries ago, had we just obeyed. Full Human Potential (FHP) would have been realized scores of generations ago. The universe would have expanded exponentially with the growth of humanity. God called us "good." But governments, and some Science, calls humanity, with frightening increase "not good." Is there a single act of disobedience that more embodies our opposition to our Creator, than that? "No, God. We are NOT good. We must be limited and our growth prevented."

Of course God also would not have allowed the exasperated, unchecked growth of an unruly race. this growth must occur under our full humility and obedience to God. But that is not in our nature. I suggest all of these points, realizing that the playing out of God's plan would not allow this growth of humanity in an unredeemed, un-resurrected state. I simply suggest an ideal scenario, the one we may know, in eternity.

Infinite possibilities, in infinite combinations. We cannot have that when we kill children: the unborn, as well as the born. If we do not value life, even potential life, as a sacred and wonderful thing, we are only proving that we are far from fully actualized. And in God's eyes, it is possible that the very tolerance of abortion, by pro-lifers, itself is abominable.

King Herod did the worst thing of all. His response to the birth of a king that would never challenge  him directly, was to slaughter baby boys everywhere. Terror, in the face of perfect peace. 

And so our response should be to revere and adore the baby, the new life. And to resist, and abhor the wicked human government that fights peace and love, through the most horrible of terror acts.

God Changes His Mind

"Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will change his mind about the disaster that he has pronounced against you."

 - Jeremiah 26

God never changes. This is true. Then, why is it so common for Him to change His mind, over and over again, in the Old Testament?

A friend of mine lost his faith, because he was troubled that Christ did not return during the lifetime of the Apostles, as He "promised" to do. But God promised a lot of things in the OT, things that would be bad. He promised judgment and eradication to the people of Israel. He pronounced curses and death for they that would not obey. But then, again and again, He turns, repents, and does not follow through on His warning. 

He acted like a parent. A true parent. 

Why do parents change their minds? Because they love their children, unconditionally. "I will love you . . . even if a have to break a promise, I will love you still. I will always put you first." Wow. No conditions. Really. No conditions. 

God did not judge, condemn, and destroy the world, followed by the return of Christ, by 100AD, because He loves us. He changed His mind before. He'll change it again. There must have been something in those early Christian generations, that He liked. Or maybe He knew that it was critical that every generation believe, with conviction, that He was coming back soon . . . . even if that "soon" did not relate directly to Peter and his friends.

God changes His mind. And that's a good thing.

Today is the feast of Stephen. Boxing Day. Go out and do good today. Love today. Be urgent about it. Why? Because Jesus is coming back. Not will be coming back. Is coming back.

A Holiday That Has to Happen

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light

 - Isaiah 9

The War on Christmas.

This is the year that the Left steps back and declaims that, come on you idiotic Christians, there is no war on Christmas!

People just want to be left alone and they don't want you shoving your religion in their faces.

Here we are in the season where the days are shorter, and the nights are longer. It is the season of darkness. If you didn't know any better, the idea that the sun would keep dwindling, day after day, could be terrifying. It gets darker and colder. The green has disappeared. The harvest is finished. Imagine the early generations of humanity, actually believing that their sacrifices and other religious rites are responsible for the return of the sun, and warmth, and spring and summer, year after year!

I'm not sure I buy the theory of Seasonal Affecive Disorder, or "SAD", the condition that vexes depressed people in the stark of the winter.

Just get out! Get outside! Read a book! Put a log on the fire! Get out into the crowds! Go to a party! Listen to great music! God and nature have given us a blessed excuse, to do NOTHING if that's what we want!!

If there were no Jesus, no Bethlehem, no Santa Claus, no Wise Men, no gifts, and lights, and carols, and feasts, the most creative of the atheists would have to invent all of that. And having invented it, they would realize how stupid it would be to go around talking people out of participating.

You see, in the darkest and coldest days of the year, we need light. We need music. We need laughter and joy. Did you catch that? We need these good things. The first day of winter gives us license to celebrate.

I have heard that, on a dark night, it is possible to see a small candle flickering, up to thirty miles off. That can be a lifesaver to a sojourner.

We believers have seen a great light. And it means everything to us.

Even non-believers need to see some light. It too can mean their survival. I hope that, soon, our culture can get back to just letting Christmas be. Yes, just let it be. For even you, Mr. Atheist, need light.

Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, 
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.

 - From Isaiah 12

Isaiah 12, in the middle of an ecstatic discourse about God's eternal salvation, finally coming to earth, in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, continues the refrain of full-hearted praise to God.

It is good that Christmas is affiliated with so many beautiful hymns and carols of praise and remembrance. Of course, you cannot say what I am about to, in these times, without being branded narrow and bigoted. But truly, when considering the theory of what makes music beautiful, and the elements that go into effective chord structure and the melodic lines that bring life to music . . . has there been a genre of music in all of history, that has produced finer works of music?

Even two of the most familiar and beautiful melodies of all time, Silent Night, and Greensleeves, are rooted in the Christmas tradition. And both came from the people, from common, everyday folks like you and me.

So as we move ahead into the Advent season, be sure to sing much, to sing loud, and to sing with joy.

"And the woman which thou sawest is the great city, which has kingship over the kings of the earth."   Revelation 17:18

Now comes a troubling aspect.

There is a way to interpret Revelation that could possibly bring both Left and Right together in agreement. I don't even like to think about it.

The "harlot" could easily be describing modern America. Not America in 1776, nor in 1865, nor 1918, nor 1945. Not even 1963 or even 1998. It is upon us even now, and is upon us swiftly.

This parallels the decline of Judah in pre-Christian times. First a gradual decline, a few weak kings. But ultimately, when the end came, it was consummated within a few generations. The Golden Years never last for long.

But the filth of American culture, demonstrated by Hollywood and the lifestyles of our "heroes" certainly qualifies as that of a harlot. And the great city that rules everything? How about New York? And the abominations and wine that makes the nations drunk? It's power, popularity, "coolness," "being on the right side of history," fitting in, etc. It's the appeal to human insecurities, the desire to fit in, or not to draw attention to oneself.

The Beast? Well - we have the harlot in league with the beast while they wage war on the Church. But eventually the harlot herself is cast down by all others. Fill in the blanks. The age-old conflict began when Cain and Abel had their dispute that ended in a brutal murder. Think about it.

For the Left and Right to agree is one thing, but they will have differences over the description of harlotry: money? wealth? greed? destroying the environment? Or is it sexual immorality? Broken homes? Abortion?

Imagine the Christian Right and Left putting their differences aside, and agreeing to collaborate. What if they each embraced the passions of the other? Now that would be a force that neither the Beast nor the Harlot could overcome. But when Christ's Body is broken, it can be killed.

"And he cried with a strong voice, saying, Great Babylon has fallen . . . "

From Revelation 18

When the time comes for God to exact the severest judgment, notice that it is reserved for a city. There is more here said about the destruction of Babylon, the city, than about its inhabitants. 

As the Left goes about reading Scriptures to ensnare Christians, why doesn't it look at this one carefully (unless their eyes are blinded to what it says?). Wealth, and riches, and pomp, and plenty, hoarded by just a few, is destroyed. It's all burned up. And the people that had been made wealthy through all of it, stand at a distance and watch it all go up in flames. This sounds like a dream come true, for the "Other 99 Percent."

We can talk about what is meant by "Babylon." There are many different meanings. But lest we jump to the conclusion that it means one region and its prominent religion, let us also remember that in one point of the Old Testament, Babylon is listed among them that will be redeemed side by side with Israel (and Egypt). There does seem to be a special place for Babylon - it's good variety.

But remember to share with your Leftist friends: "Hey! God says that the wealth of earth will be destroyed! The wealth of the 1% will go up in flames!!

New Testament - What is the "Violence"? Chapter 19

And the rest were killed by the sword of the rider on the horse, the sword coming out of his mouth . . . "

 - Revelation 19

And again, non-believers, and mostly those from the American political Left, like to quote Scripture as a way to ensnare believers, to trip them up, to illuminate hypocrisy.

Perhaps they use this verse.

"There! Did you see that?! Jesus Himself will kill people with a sword!!"

But what does it actually say?

The sword coming out of his mouth!

God's Word, and His plan, is full of symbolism. In the end, the unbeliever is the one that's vexed.

The Word of God, spoken by Christ, is more tangible than an iron broadsword, and more lethal.

But Christ does not return in judgment, only to slaughter all his enemies like an attacking medieval horde! His word itself convicts them! His words of life, His method of true love, is like H2O2 upon an infection. They cannot live, when in His presence! They cannot stand up to His light! And His words themselves, snuff out all that have refused Him!

It's like the breath of life that God breathed into them, in Eden on the first day, was sent out, under their own power! Their rejection of Christ is what ends it for them! When you reject life, and affirm that on the Last Day, then you're finished! It's actually not a big deal. It's what you wanted.

And many people today even allow that. "I don't want eternal life anyway."

Well, then.

He Can't Lead the Nations Astray Anymore - Revelation 20

Revelation 20 identifies the dragon as "the serpent of old, the Devil and the Satan."

Of course, you have to go back to Genesis for the first appearance of The Serpent. We see the "Devil" and "Satan" woven in and out of Scripture from then forward, throughout all of the 66 books in the Old and New Testaments.

If the final chapters of Revelation are a summary of it all; if they comprise the "closing arguments" of God's plan, then it follows that the most important points are contained therein. If you have been following the narrative from Day One, that is, Genesis, then these closing points will be clear.

What is the chief activity of The Serpent? Apparently, to "lead the nations astray."

It says elsewhere, by Paul, that we fight against "powers" and of "principalities." Christ urged us to seek, not a Kingdom of the world, but the Kingdom of Heaven. He paid no attention at all to worldly Kingdoms. He did not command us to gain political power.

Yet, why have people today, on the political Left, embraced Scripture and used it as a bludgeon against Christians? Why have they partnered with "Christians on the Left," thus splitting the Body of Christ, with accusations of hypocrisy and failure to follow the words of Christ? Why do they insist on using government as God's tool to help the poor and needy?

The concluding remarks in Revelation seem to portray the nations as Satan's greatest tool. And we know that Satan can and does use Scripture to vex believers. Indeed, he very well could have tempted Christ with the words: "Why don't you take charge of the world's governments now, and feed the hungry? Why do you hate them so much?"

When the Left uses Scripture . . . especially when it uses New Testament scriptures, use the final few chapters, the concluding chapters, as your counterpunch.

Holy, Set Apart: Our sin is linked with our tears. Revelation 21

But I will tell you what will happen to cowards and to everyone who is unfaithful or dirty-minded or who murders or is sexually immoral or uses witchcraft or worships idols or tells lies. They will be thrown into that lake of fire and burning sulfur. This is the second death.    - Revelation 21:8

More strong words from the final chapters of God's Scriptures. The closing arguments for eternity. The most important things are summarized. And the way to eternal life . . . 

- the way to live forever
- the way to be happy, forever
- the way to have all your needs fulfilled, forever
- the way to see all of your loved ones again, forever
- the way to be in God's light and glory, forever
- the way to experience unimagined wonders, forever

Is trust in Christ. It is NOT in judging others. It is NOT in believing the right things. It is not in living according to a certain code of behavior, necessarily. It really isn't completely in expressing love in the ways that we have always heard. It isn't even, really, self-denial, not exactly.

For if it were all of those things, they would be listed. 

How does God summarize the difference between people that make it, and people that don't, in these final chapters, where the most important points are made?

Simply put: to be holy. Now, those aren't the words used. To be sure, a holy person is charitable. A holy person is disciplined. A holy person loves unconditionally. But look:

Cowards are not holy. Neither are unfaithful, nor are people with dirty minds! Sexual immorality is not holy. Neither is idol-worship, or telling lies.

These are simply the high-end of holiness: the delineators that may be observed, or experienced. Any of the points are open to discussion. Chances are, though, do not take chances! Go for the high end of each! Keep your mind clean!! Be sexually pure! Be truthful! It's how we speak, think, and interact with others! 

Notice too, that the wiping away of tears, is linked to it. Our dirty thoughts, our sexual acts, our lying, are all self-serving acts that only set ourselves up to be grief-stricken later. Think about the sexual bond. And when it is broken, the pain that one experiences: People going through a divorce often cry like a baby as they enter the first stages of grief. Our selfish needs only made us cry later.

Holiness, set-apart, joy . . . they all go together.

So, let your friends tell you what Jesus said about this or that moral issue, and how the New Testament doesn't mention some things. In the list here, of the types of people that make it, and those that don't, God speaks a few words, and speaks volumes. 

Letting the Bible Speak

"Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood."

 - Revelation 22: 15

Since I last blogged actively, social media has become a firestorm of debate. One of the common themes is the use of Scripture, by political Progressives, to mock and vex Believers. They love to point out areas of "hypocrisy." They love quoting Scripture back at us: as in rules for treating women, and support for slavery, etc., found in the Mosaic Law. All of these are areas of fervent discussion, at another time.

But let's consider what the New Testament (i.e., Jesus Himself) says about certain matters that keep popping up. And I will take the approach at letting Scripture itself state the point, with as little elaboration as possible. The New Testament is used all the time, by the Left (the Christian, as well as the non-believing Left), to suggest, most prominently, that God endorses homosexuality by saying nothing about it, in the New Testament. (And not just homosexuality . . . our treatment of aliens, of the poor, etc., stands up poorly under any Scriptural test. We don't need pagans pointing that out to us).

Or, as a Christian college professor would say: "What does the passage mean? It means what it says! What does it say?"

I have isolated the above verse from the final chapter of the Bible. It's the final word, if you will. In fact, when debates arise over what the Bible says about this or that, redirect to Chapter 22 of Revelation. This is the closing arguments, if you will, of everything contained in all of the Old and New Testament books that precede it. It describes those that are not going to make it. And we all know what that means. Some say these are the people that end up in Hell. Others say they are the ones that will die forever, whatever that means.

So here it is again:

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Show this to your friends that gleefully point Scripture out to you. How to define "sexual immorality"? Well, we can define it using Scripture. Or we can just choose to take the most severe definition of it, and live.

And the same goes for murder, idolatry, and the practice of falsehood! It doesn't leave much wiggle room for any of us!

So that, God seems to be saying: "Look, yes it is true that you should not be sexually immoral. But I don't even want you telling little fibs!"

And notice who are not on the list: Drunks, thieves, the uncharitable.

At the end of it all . . . God wants us to go beyond just practicing real love and servant-hood to others. He doesn't want us just to refrain from being judgmental.

He wants us holy. Set apart. Different.