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His work!

May 13th, 2013

You think you’re bad or not good enough to be used by God?? Just remember, that God is never hindered by our incompetence. On the contrary. His preference, by definition, goes out to those who are, by our standards, (totally) unacceptable. There are many examples of this, in the Bible.

Jacob was a deceiver. David had an affair. Paul was a murderer. Thomas was a doubter. Elijah was depressed and Moses stuttered. Sara was impatient. Noah got drunk. Peter was a hothead. Zacchaeus was too short. Jonah did not want to go. Martha was over-concerned and Gideon was insecure. Rebekah was barren and Lazarus was even dead.

But God does not call the qualified. HE qualifies the called!

Posted in faith | Comments Closed

give thanks in everything

May 10th, 2013

In an previous blog, I wrote about “the fruit of the Spirit” which is placed in contrast to “the works of the flesh” It is “the fruit of the Spirit” and not the result of our own efforts. Does this mean that if we do not make an effort, “the fruit of the Spirit” will automatically grow? No, that is just as false a reasoning as: an apple tree does not grow on terpentine and therefore, if I do not give an apple tree terpentine, she grows fruit automatically. That is absurd. An apple tree should stand on good soil, where it receives food and light, and then the fruit will naturally grow. So it is with “the fruit of the Spirit.” That grows where a man stands in grace (Romans 5:2).

What does it mean “to stand in grace”? And how does one do that? The answer is: standing in grace = giving thanks in everything. Or as Col.2:7 says: “overflowing in thanksgiving.” There is a direct relationship between thanksgiving and grace. Grace, in Greek, is CHARIS and thanksgiving is EU CHARIS. In other words, thanksgiving is the consequence or reflection of grace. Whoever lives out of- and in grace, thanks God in everything. And that unleashes the joy, because the fundamental meaning of CHARIS is: joy, freely given. Hence Paul’s words:

Be rejoicing always.
Be praying unintermittingly.
In everything be giving thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Quench not the spirit.
-1Thes.5:16-19-

How can we always rejoice and pray without ceasing? By thanking God in everything. That’s what God wants in our lives! Don’t we do that, we quench the Spirit. Powerful and effective will be the Spirit in us, when we thank God in everything, because He works all (!) together for good!

Posted in Thessalonians | Comments Closed

the indignation of God revealed… wherein?

May 8th, 2013

Question:

Paul writes in Romans 1:18 that the indignation of God is revealed from heaven. It is stated in the present tense and that, I do not understand. Does God presently not reign in grace? In what way is God’s indignation revealed, today?

Answer:

Indeed, Paul explains in this letter that in the present time, grace reigns (Rom.5:21) and that the “day of indignation and righteous judgment of God” will be in the future (Romans 2:5). Nevertheless, he writes that God’s indignation from heaven is being revealed, namely about

… all the irreverence and injustice of men who are retaining the truth in injustice,
-verse 18-

How can grace reign while God’s indignation is being revealed? The answer is clear from the way in which God’s indignation is displayed. God does not intervene, but He lets things be. Three times, Paul says in Romans 1 that God gives people over. He gives them over in their passions (:24), in shameful passions (:26) and to a reprobate mind (:28). And in verse 21, he writes:

because, knowing God, not as God do they glorify or thank Him, but vain were they made in their reasonings, and DARKENED is their unintelligent heart.

If man does not glorify or thank God, it becomes dark in the heart of man. God’s abhorrence of the lie does not manifest itself in lightening and thunders from heaven, but in the darkening of the human heart. It is not an active intervention, as it will be in the future “day of indignation”, but a passive giving over. Also note that it does not say that God gives them over to their passions, but in their passions (:24). In other words, they already travel on a dead-end road and God does not interfere with them.

The grace that reigns today is fully in line with the way God shows his indignation about the lie: He does not openly act against it, so that mankind can, undisturbed, continue on its way. Now that the truth is obscured, it is dark. Therefore, later on in this letter, Paul says that the night is in this world (Rom.13:12).

Only those who believe the truth “are being saved from indignation” (Rom.5:9), i.e., they do not walk (any longer) in darkness, but are transferred into the light (2Cor.4:6; Eph.5:8,13,14; Col.1:12,13).

Posted in Romans | Comments Closed

accountable?

May 6th, 2013

In Hebrews 4, we find these well-known words about the Word of God.

12 For the word of God is living and operative, and keen above any two-edged sword, and penetrating up to the parting of soul and spirit, both of the articulations and marrow, and is a judge of the sentiments and thoughts of the heart. 13 And there is not a creature which is not apparent in its sight. Now all is naked and bare to the eyes of Him to Whom we are accountable.

What in this and in other translations, unfortunately is not clearly shown is that this statement, in the original text, begins and concludes with the exact same words: “ho logos,” that is, “the Word.” What in verse 12 is correctly rendered “the Word”, is in verse 13 translated with “accountable” This is regrettable, because in both cases it is about one and the same expression: “the Word”. The end of verse 13 should, therefore, read:

Now all is naked and bare to the eyes of Him to Whom we have … the word!

It takes some getting used to, but that is what it says here! When God speaks, then is that for the purpose that His word would do its in-depth work and not return to Him empty (see Isaiah 55:11). In Hebrews 4:13, it is not about us giving account of our works, but about the result of the word in us.

God is not interested in our work. The whole point of Hebrews 3 and 4 is that we should stop our work and should enter the rest. When Hebrews 4:12 begins with “For the word of God is living …”, that forms the reason-giving “for” the explanation of the immediately preceding texts:

10 For he who is entering into His stopping, he also stops from his works even as God from His own. 11 We should be endeavoring, then, to be entering into that stopping, lest anyone should be falling into the same example of stubbornness.

Believing means not working (trying), but saying Amen to what God promises to do, Himself. So all the credit is His (Romans 4:20)! That Word, that promise should find a hearing in us, so that it should do its work in us in a living and powerful way. That is what it means to rightly give a response, for God makes us response-able. Remember that response is composed of two words: re (=again) and the Latin word for promise (spondere = promise). Response is the echo of the promise!

Posted in Hebrews | Comments Closed

regal considerations

May 1st, 2013

Starting today, April 30, 2013, the Netherlands, for the first time since 1890, have again a male king. This is a huge event that already for months has been very much in the news. The monarchy may hardly be any more than a ceremonial phenomenon, it may, nevertheless, enjoy a high degree of popularity.

Traditionally, a king is someone who leads the way. The king is the first. A leader par excellence. Someone who directs and in times of trouble and division, who makes the difficult decisions. In a democracy, however, such leaders are incompatible and the concept of kingship cannot be harmonized with it, either. Leadership in a democracy is, by definition, dependent on popular favor. If a leader desires to maintain himself, as such, he must be willing to adapt himself to that reality. Partly on account of this, democratic leadership is surrounded by an aura of unreliability. Everyone knows this, and it is considered being normal: politics is naturally elastic.

One thing, Scripture reveals to be absolutely certain is: that the future belongs to a real king. He will be the King of kings. Not democratically elected, but a king who was appointed by God, when He was anointed with the Spirit from on high and rose from the grave. From the heavenly sanctuary, where He resides since His ascension (He is King-Priest). He will soon appear and then subject to Himself Israel and all the other nations of the world. Yes, you read it correctly: subject (dominate). He will not run for election, nor ask for approval through referendums. No, His authority comes from above. A dictator, you say? Not at all. Dictators allow people, with the greatest of ease, to die for them, but this King has proven Himself by dying for others; like a good shepherd who put His life on the line for the sheep. This King will not rule democratically, by a majority vote, nor dictatorially, in accord with His own thoughts, but according to the standard of righteousness, “that is written”, black on white. No compromising politician, but a King who resolutely decides, for the good of all. Not someone who merely cuts ribbons, but one who will cut the Gordian knot. The waiting is on Him to arrive.

Until then, we consider ourselves very happy to live in a country where we may freely bear witness of this coming King!

Posted in actuality | Comments Closed

church discipline??

April 30th, 2013

In the series of studies that I’m giving about the first letter to the Corinthians, I had arrived, last week, at the fifth chapter. This is a chapter that has the reputation of dealing with “church discipline.” This is not correct, for the ecclesia in Corinth was not a church in the modern sense of the word: an organization with a board, statutes and a membership lists, etc. The word “discipline” does not even occur in this letter.

Let me summarize in six points what I have presented in this study, last week:

1. who is no good or evil?

1Corinthians 5 is not about who is “not good”, but about “the wicked one” (5:13). Not someone with certain vices (who would not qualify for this?) But someone who is causing harm to the faith community. The word for “wicked” in 1Cor.5:13 concerns, in Rev.16:2, a “malignant ulcer”.

2. misstep of lifestyle?

1Corinthians 5 is not about someone who has committed a misstep, but someone effecting evil. 5:3 uses a timeless verb form. With regard to someone who “is overtaken in a misstep”, we are instructed to be merciful, in the realization that we, ourselves, too, might make a misstep when tempted (Gal.6:1).

3. remove or be taken away?

Many translations, incorrectly, translate 1Cor.5:2 into the active form: “remove from your midst.” But Paul uses a passive form and writes: “might be taken away from among you.” That’s a big difference!

Imagine: in Corinth, it was widely talked about, how one of the attendees of the ecclesia indulged in excessive fornication. But instead of being sad about this reputation to the outside world, they became puffed up, one against another. Paul says in 5:2 (paraphrased): if you were sad about this scandalous reputation, then this man would have been taken away from among you. He would not be able to cope with being wicked in the midst of you. In other words, this particular man, having an affair with the wife of his father (5:1), was only a symptom of the problem. The crux of the matter was the attitude of the Corinthians, themselves.

4. excommunicating or letting go of?

1 Corinthians 5 is not about excommunicating or erasing a name from the list of members, because the latter they did not even have. Paul counsels the Corinthians to copy him (although he, physically, is not present with them) has given this man up to Satan (5:5). As “a wicked one” he was, in practice, an accomplice of Satan (= opponent) and Paul’s judgment is: give him over to this, let him go. When someone, willingly and knowingly remains in a wicked way, then there is nothing left, but to give him over and to let him go, in the hope that by this loss and shame he will become wise. All this, always with an eye to the preservation of him.

5. associate or commingle?

Many translations talk about not “to associate” with “the wicked ones” in the ecclesia. But Paul uses a word that literally means “to commingle” (blend in with him). The same word he used in 2Thes.3:14. From verse 15, it is evident that it is not about breaking a relationship with him. Not to commingle means to keep a certain distance, making a difference, distinguishing yourself.

6. leaven or feast?

The heart of the problem in Corinth 5 is that the boasting of the Corinthians was not good (5:6). They gloried in the flesh: the wisdom of the world and influence and prestige in the world were ranked high among them (1Cor.1 :27-31). Such a mind set attracts people who live “in accord with the flesh”. Paul compares the boasting of the Corinthians with the workings of yeast: it causes dough to rise, but it is only bluff and mere air. Leaven also symbolizes decay and that the old has passed by. It’s interesting to note that the word “yeast” is derived from “yesterday,” i.e., dough from the previous day. Paul says, “you are unleavened” (5:7) – a new creation! (2Cor.5:16.17); not anymore a people of yesterday, but of the future. Know your identity and celebrate the feast of being unleavened, in “sincerity and truth”!

Posted in Corinthians | Comments Closed

the fruit of the Spirit

April 25th, 2013

works & law

It is very significant that the apostle Paul precisely in the Galatian epistle speaks of “the fruit of the Spirit” (5:22). He places it in sharp contrast to “the works of the flesh” (5:19). The concept of “work” is related to earning something; doing something for wages (Rom.4:4). Already five times before this, were “works” mentioned in this letter and every time it is connected to “works of the law” (2:16; 3:2,5,10). “Works of the law” means: to fulfil the law in order to earn God’s favor, especially, to receive justification (2:16). That is impossible. The great Biblical example is Abraham, who believed when God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars of the heavens. Nothing was asked of him, but Abraham believed God’s unconditional promise and that made him righteous in God’s sight (Gen. 15:6; Rom.4:2,3).

an offer or an announcement?

Every religion, including the Christian religion, is based on works or earning favor. God is your Savior on the condition… . In the Christian religion, “believing (having faith)” is very craftily changed into a work. They say, God is your Savior as long as you believe. That is a lie, because the Evangel is not a transaction or an offer! It is an announcement, a message! God is your Savior (1Tim.4:10)! It is not: If you believe, God will be your Saviour; no, but: God is your Savior… believe that!

works or believing?

The universal principle is that a man is justified by faith and not by works. These two are, by definition, opposites to each other. This not only applies to becoming righteous, but also to living righteously (Rom.1:17). That is what the Galatians letter is all about. God blesses faith: i.e., saying, Amen! to His unconditional promises. As soon as one goes to work (= trying to earn God’s blessings), then one is “fallen out of grace” (Gal.5:4) and one’s walk, how ever pious, is “according to the flesh” (Gal.4:23.29). And “the works of the flesh” (fornication, strife, envy, drunkenness, etc.), go along with this, hand in hand.

fruit

Working means earning. In contrast to this stands: fruit. A fruit grows freely. Is the tree in a location where it receives food and light, then the fruit grows of itself and God gives the increase. So it is with “the fruit of the Spirit.” This fruit does not grow where people try to achieve something – that is working. This fruit grows where people are planted in the light of God’s grace and are nurtured by His promises. Then one is grounded in love; and in joy and peace one tastes the privilege of having and showing patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Behold, the fruit of God’s Spirit!

Posted in faith, Galatians | Comments Closed

the rich man & Lazarus

April 24th, 2013

Summary of a study presented on April 21, 2013 in Zoetemeer.

source of information about the situation after having died?

The story Jesus told about the rich man and Lazarus is traditionally taken as the main source of information about death and the dead. It is suggested that the ignorance of the “Old Testament” about the state of the dead is, hereby, canceled. But it is the reverse: when we listen to “Moses and the prophets,” then we know that the usual explanation of this parable must be incorrect.

a parable

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is a parable. That is not said so, explicitly, but neither is that said about the previous parables in Luke 15 and 16. Only the first story in Luke 15 is expressly called a parable. According to Matthew 13:34, it was standard for Jesus to always speak to the multitudes in parables, so that it did not need to be especially mentioned.

why parables?

Parables have wrongly the reputation to clarify matters. But Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables to hide matters, so they would not understand. Eventually(!) they were explained to his disciples, but never to the multitudes (Matt.13:10-13).

undeniably not-literal

Nowhere in the gospel accounts do we find a passage, which is so clearly spoken in a metaphorical sense, as in Luke 16:19-31. Would we take it literally, then we must assume that after dying, but before the resurrection, a human being has a body. In this section, after all, mention is made of eyes, finger, tongue, but also of physical sensations such as thirst and torment. How can this be reconciled with even the doctrine of the immortal soul, which states that man, between dying and resurrection, is still awaiting a body?

the joyful view?

If we assume that Luke 16:19-31 informs us about the literal situation after dying, then we can conclude that not only the place of torment is dreadful, but that “Abraham’s bosom” is not much less. Just imagine, having “the joyful view”, only a few steps away of the place of flames and torment, and where it is possible to communicate back and forth…

contrary to Moses and the prophets

Nowhere in the Tanakh, do we find an indication of a consciousness in death. On the contrary, we find statements like:

* “The dead do not praise You” (Isa.38:18)
* “The dead cannot praise the LORD” (Ps.115:17)
* “There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave” (Eccl.9: 10)
* “The dead know nothing” (Eccl.9:5)
* Etc..

The Hebrew Bible is not ignorant about the dead. It clearly testifies that the dead are ignorant (unconscious)! If the Bible passage in Luke 16 makes anything clear, it is this that man should listen to “Moses and the prophets” (:29,:31). Then we know immediately that Luke 16 must be a parable.

not from the Tanakh but from the Talmud

In addition, that the presentation in Luke 16, about the condition of the dead, is contrary to what Moses and the prophets reveal, it also is to be noted that Jesus’ terminology, associated with death and Hades, is taken from the Talmud.

Expressions and concepts such as:

* carried by angels
* Abraham’s bosom
* The great chasm

are equally unknown in Scripture as they are known in Jewish traditions.

the context

The context of Luke 16 shows that it is on the one hand, about the contrast between the scribes and Pharisees and on the other hand, Jesus, who received the publicans and sinners and ate with them (Luke 15:1). In Luke 16:14 it is additionally mentioned that the Pharisees were covetous and taunted Jesus. In that context, the rich man and Lazarus can easily be identified.

the rich man – whom does he picture?

The rich man in this story represents the Jewish leaders. It is significant that he was dressed in purple and fine linen. Purple is a clothing-fabric that was worn by kings. Fine linen was worn by the priests. Purple and fine linen, therefore, represent the people called to be a royal priesthood. Specifically, the rich man is also pictured as a child of Abraham.
Purple: Esther 8:15; fine linen: Exodus 28:5; royal priesthood: Exodus 19:6; Child of Abraham: Luke 16:24,25.

Lazarus

Lazarus stands for those who need help. Lazarus comes from the Hebrew Eliezer and Eleazer. Lazarus means God is my helper. Lazarus was laid down at the gate of the rich man to still his hunger with the crumbs that had fallen from the table of the rich man. He represents the outcast and is associated with the dogs, a depiction of the Gentiles (Matthew 15:24-27; Luke 15:1-3).

the death of Lazarus

Lazarus represents those who were callously ignored by the rich man (the Jewish leaders), but they knew God as their Helper. Jesus’ death marked for them the big change: messengers made them aware of the promised blessing of Abraham: life out of death (Galatians 3:14; 4:28,29)

the death of the rich man

The death of the rich man refers to the (temporary) end of the Jewish nation. In the figurative language, used in the Bible, Israel came to be in the grave of the nations and in the flames of anti-Semitism (Ezekiel 37:12; Hosea 6:1-3).

fire in hades

Towards the end of Deuteronomy, Moses extensively prophesied about the terrible fate that would overtake Israel in the dispersion among the nations (Chapters 28 and 29). Chapter 32 is dealing with that, also. It says that YAHWEH would hide His face from them (32:20) and He would make them jealous of what is not a nation and of a foolish people (32:21; cf Rom.10:19!). And in that context, we read: “for a FIRE is kindled in My anger, it burns down to the depths of Hades… “(Deut.32:22). A striking resemblance to Luke 16: it is about the fate of Israel in the grave of the nations.

the great chasm

The (present) allotment of Lazarus (God is my Helper) and that of the rich man is impossible for people to bridge. It is God Himself who opens eyes and who hardens hearts. The ever so much privileged leaders of the Jewish people are dead during two days (= two millennia; Hos 6:1-3; 2Pet.3:8) while a despised people, who are no nation (see above) during this time, receive the blessing of Abraham.

five brothers

A remarkable detail that confirms that the rich man is a representation of (the leaders) the Jewish people is that the rich man says, “I have five brothers.” With this, he as yet gets a name, because of Judah (from which the word “Jew” is derived), we read that he had five brothers (Genesis 35:23, Luke 16:27).

pharisaical story

The end of the parable is the climax, as well as the point of the parable. The request of the rich man to warn his family (the house of Jacob) by someone rises from the dead, is rejected by Abraham. They have “Moses and the prophets” (=the Hebrew Bible) and to it they should give heed. Is it not ironic that Jesus, by using a Pharisaical story, irrefutably and plainly exposes the Pharisaical errors?! Who does not listen to Moses and the prophets, is blocked, in advance, to understand the parable; for the idea of consciousness and knowledge in the grave, is squarely at odds with “Moses and the prophets!”

another Lazarus was resurrected

Concerning the deceased Lazarus, mentioned in the account of John (chapter 11), Jesus says: “… Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going, there, to awaken him out of sleep.” In many places of Scripture, death is compared to sleep, i.e., a state of non-awareness. This Lazarus was actually raised from the dead and we read that the leaders of Israel considered killing him. This proves that they would not accept instructions from someone arisen from the dead. On the contrary.
John 11:11; 12:9-11.

Posted in death = death, Lucas | Comments Closed

Is God handicapped?

April 23rd, 2013

The God Who makes the world and all that is in it, He, the Lord inherent of heaven and earth, is not dwelling in temples made by hands, neither is He attended by human hands, as if requiring anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all.
-Paul in Acts 17 verse 24 and 25-

When Paul, in the center of Athens is being challenged, he begins to speak about the one GOD, Who does not allow Himself to be served by human hands. Just imagine: the city swarmed with idol images, created and displayed by people. Images that had to be taken care of and needed repairs from time to time. The word Paul uses for “attended” is in Greek “therapeuo”, in which we easily recognize our word “therapy”. Paul shows the absurdness of the idea that GOD would need anything from man. It is exactly the other way around: He is the One who “gives to all, life, breath and everything“.

Dear reader, do not think that the idea of a dependent and, therefore, a handicapped god, in the meantime, belongs to the past. To this very day, in theology, the idea of man having a “free will” dominates, which implies that god is helplessly dependent on the choices of his own creatures. You figure: in the past, God made (as is being taught) a perfect creation, but unfortunately, one by the name of Lucifer became disobedient and threw a spanner in the works. Then, God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but once more, things went wrong, so that sin and death appeared in the world of man. Also that was not intended and God is trying(!) ever since to save what can be saved… All this may be called “orthodox theology”, but it pictures a God who is no less handicapped than the idol gods Paul talked about on the Areopagus; someone namely, who, for the success of his intention, is entirely dependent on the response of people. In advance, the end result of his work will be indelible blemished, for countless numbers of his beloved creatures will definitely be missing; abiding in (what is called) “eternal death”. Besides, the end result is still to be seen, because who can guarantee that, in the future, nothing else will go wrong, again?

Diametrically opposite to this portrayal is the one GOD, Who “gives to all life and breath and everything.” So Paul proclaimed Him. He is the Potter and each creature is formed by Him, so that a perfect end result is guaranteed. Never does anything go wrong in His “workshop”, because everything goes according to His plan. Does anything happen, it is because He gives it time and place to happen.

For God locks up all together in stubbornness,
that He should be merciful to all.
(…)
seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all:
to Him be the glory for the eons! Amen!
-Romans 11:32, 36-

Posted in Acts, God = GOD | Comments Closed

the conclusion of the eons

April 19th, 2013

The expression “the conclusion of the eons”, we encounter in Hebrews 9:26 in a rather complex sentence. When we translate this verse literally, word for word, it reads as follows:

yet now once on conclusion of the eons into repudiation of the sin through the sacrifice of Him He has been manifested.

Most translations let the words “He has been manifested” apply to the “conclusion of the eons”. This produces a strange sense, because it suggests that in the past the eons, at Christ’s appearance, would have ended. That can obviously not be the case, because when Christ will reign as King, in the future, He will do this “for the eons of eons” (Rev.11:15). That is to say, that after the present eon, at least two eons will follow (see also: Ephesians 2:7).

A clear picture of this verse arises only, when we relate the “end of the eons” to the “repudiation of sin.” That connection is just perfect, because, when someday there will be no sin anymore and with it, death (“sin reigns in death”; Rom. 5:21) as last enemy will be abolished, then, indeed, the eons will be concluded. Christ’s reign will have been completed and He will transfer a perfected Kingdom to His God and Father (1Cor.15:22-28). “Through the sacrifice of Himself” in the past (=His death and resurrection), this final result is guaranteed!

Paraphrased, Hebrews 9:26 reads:

But Christ has now once appeared, in order, at the conclusion of the eons to put away sin, by the sacrifice of Himself.

In short, Christ appeared not at, but in view of the conclusion of the eons.

first line: original text
second line: concordant rendering
third line: KJV