GOD'S SIGNATURE

GOD’S SIGNATURE

Sunday, June 01, 2014

  Biblical prophecy is a declaration of divine inspiration to the prophets’ world regarding either past, present or future truth. These declarations of inspired predictions, instructions or exhortations to holy living were Gods message to nations, an individual and at times – all humanity. In order for any prophecy to have an impact on our thinking, it’s meaning must be understood.  To aid us in this understanding guidelines for interpretation were put in place. Let us look at a few of these guidelines and ask ourselves,” where is Gods signature in biblical prophecy”?

  If one is to accurately interpret biblical prophecy, one must recognize that language of predictive literature can either be literal or figurative. It is vital that the nature of the language in biblical prophecy be correctly identified. The primary guideline is to interpret prophecy literally, to look at the context in its simplest form. When Abraham’s visitors told him that Sarah would shortly have a son, Sarah laughed. She laughed because it was impossible; she was past menopause. But with God all things are possible. Sarah became pregnant – literally. (Genesis 18:9-15; 21:1-7)

  Figurative language refers to words that are used other than their common literal sense (pg 136). As He stood in front of the Temple Yeshua stated, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up’ (John 2:19) Yeshuas reference to “this temple” was a reference to His body, the temple of God.  Thus, “this temple” is the figurative language used in this verse.

  In biblical prophecy, typology is a method of biblical interpretation whereby an element found in the Old Testament is seen to prefigure one found in the New Testament. The initial one is called the type and the fulfillment is designated the antitype. It is a characteristic method of interpretation for the New Testament use of the Old Testament. In the early church the Holy Spirit inspired the use of types. A type can also contain symbols. When a symbol is used to predict, it assumes a supernatural character and partakes of the nature of prophesy (pg 222). A symbol may be objects or actions with an inner meaning expressing Christian ideas.

  Prophecy is one of the most powerful authentications of the Word of God and gives creditability to the proclamation of the Gospel and therefore it should establish ones faith upon its fulfillment (231) “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God. And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, let them show these to them” (Isaiah 44:6-7).

  Above all, one must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things.  For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as the Holy Spirit carried them along. (2 Peter 1:20-21) Biblical predictions reveal that they have been fulfilled with a precision that can only be done by divine knowledge predicting events and the hand of God bringing the events to pass. Fulfilled prophecy is God’s signature.

Tonda L. Tavernier

PS: Tonda is a cousin unknown to me until a few years ago when she contacted me about family genealogy. A gracious lady, Tonda is an active person. An ongoing learner both informally and formally, the latter involving not just mind, but heart involvement in study and consideration of God, His Son, His Holy Spirit, and serious personal examination and application of God’s Word. The above essay was originally written in May for a school assignment. With Tonda’s agreement, there is to be future publication of her writings.  EBB4

AFTER ALL: COMMONALITY

AFTER ALL: COMMONALITY

Friday, May 30, 2014

  Several of my cousins have done considerable research and compilation of family history. Their efforts were not limited to scholarly for at times it was physical location of cemeteries and probing therein. I greatly appreciate their investment of time, energy, and willingness to share. Reading over the anthology is interesting.

  I learned:

·         Through the centuries our Heinz 57 developed.

·         Surnames were often changed or spelled differently, sometimes seemingly for no other reason than whim.

·         In ye olde days apprentices, and sometimes journeymen, weren’t allow to marry until they qualified as a master. This at times resulted in children at the wedding.

·         There were otherwise lusty lads and lassies that produced illegitimate children, a family writer deeming one female “the little girl that couldn’t say no.” resulting in 5 illegitimate children, with at number 3 the local villagers forming an unsuccessful mob, but with the pastor writing a definite letter of condemnation. And then on June 20, 1807, Anna married Peter.

·         One relation lived his life as an Orangeman in a Catholic family. It’s rumored he was helped out of Ireland by the Constabulary, though more likely it was An Gorta Mor, the potato famine.

·         Some had very large families. Adult and child mortality at younger ages that now.

·         Several lived on the poor side. Most lived average. A few had wealth and education.

·         Some married couples with children lived with relatives. A few all or most of their life.

·         Some loved a good joke, even to perpetrating a family myth based in a bit of truth.

·         During the great European plague one large branch of family survived mysteriously untouched.

·         They had quite a variety of occupations, but at times grouped as cowherders, shepherds, keeper of forest, carpenters of building and ships, railroaders, plumbers, fitters, compounders et al.

  A diverse family history it is. But there is a commonality: As eventually shall also we, they kept their unavoidable Hebrews 9:27 prior arrangement.  EBB4

THINGS LOOK DIFFERENT TODAY

THINGS LOOK DIFFERENT TODAY

Thursday, May 29, 2014

1Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

  Have you yet noticed how different things look from day to day, or even more frequently?

  Oh yes, people, plants, situations, lots of things change all the time.

  Yesterday, Penny, commenting on the matter, wrote "’The only constant we find in any cultural phenomena is change.’"  That's about all I learned in college, Human Geography.  Perhaps it's merely the only thing I took away from college that I thought worth the trouble of carrying.” A major change of vision those decades ago.

  At age 27 I began seeing life-changes, mine and others, increasingly from a Biblical perspective. Repentance, rethinking that produces new and re-doing, is one of the threaded themes embodied in God’s Word.

  Possibly you can beyond much used 1Corinthians 12 & 13 and Romans 12:1-3 share a few other pertinent passages for Saturday DT FORUM?

  Or, better yet, like Penny you will share testimony of historical change in your sight? Please do.

  As you know, I prefer reading KJV. In past it wasn’t just preference, I was “King James only!!!!!” However, as I was introduced to hermeneutics and other useful tools facilitating Bible study, this changed. Consequently I was increasingly edified. One thing I discovered was not that KJV is terribly flawed, but that the very KJV language I love reading contains English and phraseology that has different meaning today.

  One of my first was KJV 1Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” Reading it I thought Paul was exhorting us to be loving and compassionate toward the educable slow et al, which of course we should. But it is not the emphasis.

  Now read same verse in today’s English, God’s Word (GW) version: “We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.”

  Then there is Luke 13:1-5 “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Easily enough understood if knowing the Greek meaning of “repent””, but if not left believing it means “I better stop boozing etc.!”; This being interpretation I heard years ago.

  Now read GW contemporary English: “At that time some people reported to Jesus about some Galileans whom Pilate had executed while they were sacrificing animals. Jesus replied to them, "Do you think that this happened to them because they were more sinful than other people from Galilee? No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die. What about those 18 people who died when the tower at Siloam fell on them? Do you think that they were more sinful than other people living in Jerusalem? No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die."

  What with the many other new insights this day, this lesson is enough to digest this day. While I’m waiting I’m going to have the same old comfortable familiar breakfast.  EBB4

SKATING WITH ZAMBONI

SKATING WITH ZAMBONI

Thursday, June 28, 2014

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Jesus

  We had an icebox. It fascinated me. It was wood on the outside and zinc lined on the inside. The top compartment is where the iceman put the blocks of ice. He too fascinated me, but not Grandmother McGee as she feared my admiration would lead to my following in his footsteps. Also, as I remember it, once while watching the trash men collecting, throwing trash cans high in the air with helper in truck snatching, dumping, and throwing back in yard, and stomping trash as they moved on . . . I expressed great admiration with result she forbid my watching them anymore.

   Starting about age 6, with brother Jim, age 4, we were given the responsibility going for ice from the local icehouse, this needing to be done on especially hot and/or non-delivery days. (You never missed delivery as when away homes were left unlocked for icemen et al.)

  Off we went with our little red wagon, but not before ice coin was secured in my pocket. (Jim forever asking “When my turn for money?!”) The dime was knotted in a hanky and safety pinned in pocket with warning to not touch until time to put in slot; the wonderful mystical slot that produced rumbling sound followed by block of ice popping down zinc lined chute, flipping rubber door flaps up, and booming against the stop. (Jim and I always made “Gentlemen’s bet.” On exact moment block would exit.)

  After heavily wrapping in burlap to prevent excessive melting, I pulled and Jim pushed the 10-12 blocks including Evergreen Avenue hill. Arriving home an adult quickly deposited the ice in top compartment of the icebox as even Jim and I together could not life it.

  Then people began buying refrigerators and the icemen with burlap on shoulder and tongs in hand disappeared. I asked Grandmother what happened to ours. She said “Maybe he became a trashman.” which I didn’t get the deeper meaning of at the time. Fact is I remember thinking “How wonderful . . . you could do two exciting things in a lifetime.”

  My understanding has increased exponentially since those days of friendly icemen and trashmen singing harmoniously. (Though I am left with question when did trashmen stop singing?)

  What does the Zamboni family have to do with all this? Lesson wise, very much.

  When in the late 40’s the ice business quickly collapsed all over the USA, they didn’t suffer bankruptcy as many others did. They made a radical shift, building an ice-skating rink and developing the ice-leveing machine still in use today.

  What does all of this have to do with us as followers of Christ?

  Things change, sometimes drastically. I believe we are in such a historical period presently. We must again adjust to cultural changes. Using flannel graph in Sunday School just may have run its course.

  As recorded in John 14:12, Jesus promised we would accomplish as did He, and even do greater things. His statement is absolutely credible, but not without problem on Christians’ end; for facilitating His promise requires trust and action on our part. Action that may involve change that entails leaving our old familiar comfortable ways.

  Our change won’t likely be to design and invent a better ice scraper or the fascinating Bobcat breaking my neighbor’s driveway while I sit here thinking and typing. It may be so radically simple as befriending the new visitor at church, or changing the way Sunday School is done (Our church is.), or ___________.  EBB4

DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY: THE LIST OF THESE

DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY – THE LIST OF THESE

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

The following is from notes taken and thoughts provoked from Pastor Paul Marine’s Sunday sermon.

Matthew [MKJV] 25:31-45  But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He shall sit on the throne of His glory. 32 And all nations shall be gathered before Him. And He shall separate them from one another, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. 33 And indeed He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats off the left. 34 Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; 36 I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. 37 Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? 40 And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me. 41 Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in; I was naked, and you did not clothe Me; I was sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me. 44 Then they will also answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You? 45 Then He shall answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.

  For others shouldn’t be emotionally spelled “For me.”

  As it is Memorial Day, let us note that our military “serve” their country. That’s us! Let us not forget that soldiers are focused on the mission set before them. Paul explained this as recorded in 2Timothy 2:1-7. Dear Christian, that is us!!

  Jesus often used parables, stories containing important life lessons for His followers. Matthew records a number of these parables. In them and parables recorded elsewhere in Scripture, we also see a common thread; God does not judge by knowledge, but by our response to and within knowledge. Matthew 25:31-45 is perfect example of this.  Jesus gives list of how and what to, and why to.

  Many of us need instruction, self included, for uncomfortable areas of service don’t come natural to us.   

  This past week a man did something unnatural in response to last week’s challenge at the end of Sunday sermon. He was thinking “What can I do to serve in abnormal way without public conspicuous success?” Then he heard the trash truck roaring as it compressed waste. He quickly walked out and thanked them for serving the community and handed them 20 dollars to buy their lunch. (For some reason they don’t carry their lunch on the garbage truck.

  Another incident: One of our dear elderly women died this week. Eight ladies showed up and prepared food for the reception following her Celebration of Life. As it sometimes turns out, the crowd was not as large as expected. Consequently there was much food left over. What to do with the excess was discussed. Several ideas were presented but weren’t feasible at the moment. Then a battered old vehicle with a mom and children pulled up and the lady explained her husband had been out of work, finally got a job but had yet to receive his first paycheck and their cupboards were bare.

  But let’s not wait for opportunity to come to us. We know to serve. We have knowledge of how to serve. Let’s pray for specifics to initiate or involve in. Want to . . . and God will direct!

EBB4

LEST WE FORGET

LEST WE FORGET

Monday, May 26, 2014

Joshua 6:21-27 … they completely destroyed all in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. And Joshua had said to the two men who had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring the woman out from there, and all that she has, as you swore to her. And the young men who were spies went in and brought Rahab out, and her father and her mother, and her brothers, and all that she had. And they brought out all her kindred and set them outside the camp of Israel. And they burned the city with fire, and all that was in it. Only the silver and the gold, and the vessels of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of Jehovah. And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had. And she lives in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. And Joshua charged them at that time, saying, Cursed before Jehovah is the man who rises up and builds this city of Jericho. He shall lay the foundation of it in his first-born, and in his youngest son he shall set up the gates of it. And Jehovah was with Joshua. And his fame was in all the country. t them away by night. [later] So Joshua and all the people of war arose to go up against Ai. And Joshua chose out thirty thousand men, mighty warriors, and sent them away by night.

"I am not influenced by the expectation of promotion or pecuniary reward. I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary for the public good, become honorable by being necessary." --Nathan Hale, remark to Captain William Hull, who had attempted to dissuade him from volunteering for a spy mission for General Washington, 1776.

EBB4

THE BIBLE IS MYTHOLOGY?

Question: "How do I know the Bible is not just mythology?"

Answer: That the Bible originated in the mind of God makes it not only unique among all books, it is unique among all the treasures on earth. President Abraham Lincoln appropriately referred to the Bible as “the best gift God has given to man.” Indeed it is. It reveals God’s eternal plan of redeeming the fallen human race. Yet even though billions of copies of it have been distributed throughout the world, many continue to question its truth. Is the Bible a book of mythology, or is it the true, inspired Word of God? This question is of the greatest importance to every person, whether they know it or not.

Many religious texts claim to convey a divine message. The Bible, however, stands alone in that God left absolutely no room for doubt as to whether or not this is His written Word. If anyone undertakes an honest effort to examine the facts, he will find the Bible most assuredly has God’s signature all through it. The very same mouth that spoke all of creation into existence also gave us the Bible.

Unlike mythology, the Bible has a historical framework. Its characters are real people living in verifiable locations during historical events. The Bible mentions Nebuchadnezzar, Sennacherib, Cyrus, Herod, Felix, Pilate, and many other historical figures. Its history coincides with that of many nations, including the Egyptian, Hittite, Persian, Babylonian, and Roman empires. The events of the Bible take place in geographical areas such as Canaan, Syria, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and others. All this certifiable detail refutes the idea that the Bible is mere mythology.

Unlike mythology, the Bible has many confirmations in sciences such as biology, geology, astronomy, and archaeology. The field of biblical archaeology has absolutely exploded in the last century and a half, during which time hundreds of thousands of artifacts have been discovered. Just one example: at one time, skeptics used the Bible’s references to the Hittite civilization as “proof” that the Bible was a myth. There was never any such people as the “Hittites,” according to the science of the day. However, in 1876, the first of a series of discoveries was made, and now the existence of the ancient Hittite civilization is well documented. Archaeology continues to bolster the Bible’s historicity. As Dr. Henry M. Morris has remarked, “There exists today not one unquestionable find of archaeology that proves the Bible to be in error at any point.”

Unlike mythology, the Bible is written as history. Luke wrote his Gospel as “an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us . . . just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses.” Luke claims that he had “carefully investigated everything from the beginning” and so wrote “an orderly account . . . so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (see Luke 1:1-4). Did Luke include miracles in his account? Yes, many of them. But they were miracles verified by eyewitnesses. Two thousand years later, a skeptic might call Luke’s account a “myth,” but the burden of proof rests with the skeptic. The account itself is a carefully investigated historical document.

Unlike mythology, the Bible contains an astounding number of fulfilled prophecies. Myths do not bother with prophecy, but fully one third of the Bible is prophecy. The Bible contains over 1,800 predictions concerning more than 700 separate subjects found in over 8,300 verses. The Old Testament contains more than 300 prophecies concerning Jesus Christ alone, many with amazing specificity. Numerous prophecies have already been fulfilled, and they have come to pass precisely as foretold. The mathematical odds of someone making this number of predictions and having every one of them come to pass are light-years beyond the realm of human possibility. These miraculous prophecies could only be accomplished with the supernatural guidance of Him who sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Unlike mythology, the Bible has transformed a countless number of lives. Yet many people allow the views of others—who have never seriously studied the Bible—to shape their own opinions. Each of us needs study it for ourselves. Put it to the test. Live by the Bible’s precepts and experience for yourself the dynamic and transforming power of this amazing Book. Apply its teachings on forgiveness and see how it can mend a broken relationship. Apply its principles of stewardship and watch your financial situation improve. Apply its teaching on faith and feel a calming presence in your heart even as you navigate through a difficult trial in your life. The Bible works. There is a reason Christians in various countries around the world risk their lives daily to expose others to the life-giving truth of this remarkable Book.

Ultimately, many who reject God and His revealed Word do so because of pride. They are so invested in their personal beliefs that they refuse to honestly weigh the evidence. To accept the Bible as true would require them to think seriously about God and their responsibility to Him. To accept the Bible as true might require a change of lifestyle. As Erwin Lutzer stated, “The truth is, few people have an open mind, especially about matters of religion. . . . Thus, perverted doctrines and prejudices are easily perpetuated from one generation to another.”

Millions die every year having bet their eternal souls that the Bible is not true, hoping against hope that it is nothing but a book of mythology, and that God does not exist. It is a risky gamble, and the stakes are very high. We urge everyone to read the Bible with an open mind; let it speak for itself, and may you find that God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).
Recommended Resources: The Quest Study Bible and Logos Bible Software.

While he is not the author of every article on GotQuestions.org, for citation purposes, you may reference our CEO, S. Michael Houdmann.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-mythology.html#ixzz32jRUvetL