Pedro Melendez

Is it ever wrong to look to some men for guidance, inspiration, or instruction in Godliness, righteousness and truth? Should we only look to God — and God alone — for such purpose?

Here is an example of a situation where we can focus on some particular Scripture passage and build a whole doctrine that thus disregards the testimony of other Bible passages.

For example, we can take hold of what Psalm 60:11 (NKJV) declares [“The help of man is useless” (KJV, “vain”)], and conclude that we should never, ever look to or use the help of any man. Add to that what Psalm 39:5 (NKJV) says [“Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor”(KJV, “vanity”), and one can get the sense that indeed the help of man is useless and vain.

Presumably from such a perspective an accusation has been made of me as looking to men instead of God. And this was occasioned by my mentioning the late pastor-general of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) as having ordained me, in 1984, as “a minister of the Gospel of Christ” [see: Just What Do You Mean – Christ-centered?], and my often referring to his writings and teachings in my own writings and preaching. Thus the validity of my ministry is being questioned.

What can we learn from “The Whole Counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) in this — and other spiritual matters or issues, for that matter?

On ordination or “laying on of hands”

First, let’s take the matter of ordination. Why should we make a big thing about this? Simply because ordination or the “laying on of hands” is one of the “elementary principles” of Christ and the Christian faith (Hebrews 6:1-2, NKJV). The venerable King James Version (KJV) renders this as the “first principles.” It’s like saying these are “Grade-1” stuff! Or, for adults, “Bible 101.”

Ordination is something very basic in the Christian faith. Yet many still don’t have a clear and ready understanding of what it means and what its importance is to a Christian believer. The apostle Paul, who decidedly wrote this letter to the Hebrew Christians [see: Who Wrote the Letter to the Hebrews?], said that those who needed to have the matter rehashed or explained again had not moved on to higher spiritual principles. He compared them to spiritual “babes” [immature] needing spiritual “milk” and still unable to handle spiritual “solid food” or “meat” [for adults or mature people], and therefore not yet qualified to become teachers of God’s word (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Nevertheless, it is not wrong to need or even desire “spiritual “milk.”  The apostle Peter admonishes: “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word [of God], that you may grow  thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” ( 1 Peter 2:1-3).

With this in view, just the same let me explain further here about the Biblical principle of the “laying on of hands,” in hopes that those who read this will grow in spiritual understanding and thus attain to a better, more mature stature as a Christian – better qualified to teach others, whenever called to do so.

The Bible shows at least three instances where God commands the laying on of hands:

1.  Sacrificial animals offered for a person’s or a community’s sins had hands laid on them by the sinner and/or a priest, as a symbol of transferring the sin on to the sacrifice, thereby atoning for the sin  (Leviticus 1-4; 8; 16). [See: Forgiveness in the Bible  and Two Goats Together.]

2.  To impart particular blessings like inheritance and healing of diseases. Some examples:

•     Isaac blessing Jacob (Genesis 27).

•     Jesus healing the sick (Matthew 20:33-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43).

•     Jesus’ apostles/elders commissioned to lay their hands on the sick to make them well (Mark 16:18; James 5:14-15).

3.  To ordain people to an office of authority or service:

•     Moses ordaining Joshua as his successor (Deuteronomy 34:9).

•     Aaron and his sons consecrated as priests (Exodus 29:1-19; 28:41).

•     Kings anointed by prophet (1 Samuel 9:22-10:12; 16:1-12;1 Kings 19:16).

•     Ministers appointed to various services in the new Testament Church (Acts 13:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:22; 3:6; Titus 1:5-9).

Ordination in our times

The late founder and pastor general of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) Herbert W. Armstrong came to understand the basic Bible principle of the laying on of hands. As he diligently searched the Scriptures, and received understanding of many Bible precepts not understood properly by other preachers, Herbert Armstrong felt a definite sense of Christ calling him into His ministry.

At the same time, he had been studying the true history of the true Church of God founded by Christ in 31 A.D. He believed that such a church has survived through the centuries as Jesus promised. His studies led him to finding a remnant of that church in the Church of God Seventh Day. He later came to understand this church to be a part of what he saw as the “Sardis era” of the Church (Revelation 3:1-6). It was in this church that Mr. Armstrong was ordained by the elders to the office of an elder and “apostle.” He recalls this in his autobiography, which may be accessed through this link: https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets, and scroll down to the booklet titled “The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong.”  While on this link, you may also scroll down to the booklet titled “A True History of the True Church.”

Through this ordination Mr. Armstrong claimed to have been given, by Christ, the authority to teach Christ’s gospel as handed down from the original apostles. While he consulted Bible helps like commentaries, concordances, dictionaries and literature of other church denominations, Mr. Armstrong maintained that he had asked for direct guidance and understanding through God’s Spirit and that he did not depend on this literature to shape his understanding and formation of Christ’s doctrines.  Thus he wrote and spoke (through radio and TV) with such authority and conviction that many considered him a modern-day “prophet.” However, some who disagree with Mr. Armstrong’s views of Scripture, have labeled him a “false prophet.” Many, even in the leadership of the former Worldwide Church of God (WCG)  — now “transformed” into an “evangelical” denomination and renamed Grace Communion International (GCI) – have so judged him, too. [See: Where Is God’s Church Today?   and About the Author.]

As I relate in my brief above-mentioned biography, I took up Mr. Armstrong’s challenge to his readers and listeners/viewers to “prove all things” from the Bible and not merely believe what people say, but rather to see what the Bible really says, and believe what one finds written there. I believe I was led by God’s Spirit as I did my searching and studying of Scripture, while checking Mr. Armstrong’s claims, against or vis-à-vis the Bible. I believe that I did not simply and blindly follow Herbert Armstrong, as a former WCG evangelist accused WCG members of having done.

I also submit that this position of mine can be demonstrated in how I have reconsidered Mr. Armstrong’s long-standing teaching about the “azazel” goat of Leviticus 16 picturing Satan the Devil.  [See: Two Goats Together, especially the box titled “Reexamining the roots of our beliefs.”]

The apostolic teaching on regard for church leaders

We come now to Scripture verses which many church leaders love! Let’s see what the apostles Paul and Peter had to say about how we are to regard church leaders.

Paul , the author of the letter to the Hebrews [see: Who Wrote the Letter to the Hebrews?], wrote: “ Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct… Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:7-17).

Paul also instructed:   “We urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

Church brethren who fail to follow Paul’s admonition here often run into conflicts and disagreements – have no peace at all among themselves! Jesus Christ – who is ever alive and is managing His Church even to this very minute! – has ordained the various offices of His ministry in order to edify church brethren so “we can come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature and fullness of Christ, that we should no longer be children [spiritually immature], tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:11-14).

Peter also exhorted church elders to serve the brethren “not as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3). He also exhorted: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ [quoted from Proverbs 3:34]. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (Verses 5-7).

Thus we can see that there is, after all, God’s instruction for us to look to or regard highly those church leaders whom Jesus has placed over His church. While we are not to “idolize” these leaders, we are to look to and follow their Godly examples and Biblically true and sound teachings. Even in our everyday, mundane life, are we not being encouraged to read or study and learn from the biographies of noble men and women who are worthy of emulation?

Paul also wrote to the evangelist Titus, concerning the qualities to look for in a candidate for ordination as a “bishop” or overseer in Church that he should be “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:5-9).

Paul also told his protege Timothy: “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7). Furthermore: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them…” (2 Timothy 3:14).

In the case of Titus and Timothy – and other church leaders at the time, for that matter – Paul told them to teach as they had been taught by, and had learned God’s word from, the one who had taught them, Paul himself, who was personally taught by Christ and who received an abundance of revelations from Him (Galatians 1:11-12, 15-16; Acts 26:16; 2 Corinthians 12:7).

It’s not a matter of following whatever we “have been taught” by just any person. The teacher must be evaluated or “tested” [“proved”] using the standard for truth, God’s word (Isaiah 8:20). For, even in the early days of the New Testament Church of God, many false teachers had wormed their way into the church and misled some brethren, even wrecking their faith (2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1; Acts 20:29-31; 2 Corinthians 11:12-15). [See: Leanings.]

Many who feel they have been “sent” by God to teach on His behalf today are actually self-appointed, and have not really been sent by God. Jeremiah 14:14-16 and Ezekiel 13:3-9 show that this has happened to Israel, just as it is happening to God’s church today!  And what a dire end God pronounces on such deceivers! May they heed God’s warning and repent before it is too late! [See: “Whoever Loves and Practices a Lie.”]

How to know what is “truth”

God has not left it entirely to our human device or intellect to determine what is truth and what is falsehood. Our natural minds simply cannot know or understand “the things of God…the deep things of God” unless we have received the Spirit of God, and “have the mind of Christ,”  for these things “are spiritually discerned” – not understood or accepted by the merely natural or unaided knowledge and understanding of man (1 Corinthians 2:2-16).

The one same Spirit that inspires the teacher or preacher of Christ’s gospel (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28, 29; Romans 10:14-15) also inspires the hearers to understand God’s message and truth, come to repentance, be baptized, and have God’s Spirit beget them as children of God and  as brethren (brothers and sisters) of Christ. And that depends on God to call such persons to understand the truth in this present age, or at a later age.  [See: The Divine Prerogatives, Predestination, This Is not the Only Day of Salvation and Are We All God’s Children?]

God’s Holy Spirit is a “gift” – something God gives to people who have come to believe the gospel of Christ, have repented of their sins, have been baptized for the remission of their sins, and have had the hands of Christ’s ordained minister laid on them for the receipt of God’s free gift of His Spirit. As Acts 2:38-39 puts it:   “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

As His brethren, true Christians are led by the Spirit of Christ in them “into all truth” (John 16:13). As “sheep” of His pasture, they will listen to and hear only the voice of Jesus as their “Shepherd” (John 10:2-5, 14, 27).  They will turn away from the voice of “strangers.” Jesus told Pilate:  “I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

As the ever-living Head of the Church of God, Jesus has personally set in place the different offices of His ministry in order that  His people, the church brethren, will come to and have “the unity of the  faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the stature of the fullness  of Christ, that we should no longer be children [spiritually immature], tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body [the church], joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:11-16).

This way, all the brethren will have the same mind of Christ in them, they will speak the same things [be “on the same page,” as we’d say today] (Philippians 2:5; 1 Corinthians 1:10), and grow as mature Christians.

This is all a part of the “elementary principle” of “the laying on of hands,” as mentioned above. It is a serious matter that shouldn’t be despised, made fun of or belittled! The Bible teaches that all authority comes from God and should neither be despised, nor usurped. [See: The Sin of Rebellion.]

In New Testament times, as in the Old Testament there were those who took it upon themselves to teach things [they usurped the authority to teach] contrary to what God’s called and chosen servants had taught (2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Jude 4; 1 John 4:1-6; ). Paul warned church leaders that, after his departure, “savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves [the church leaders!] men will rise up, speaking perverse things [errors and unScriptural teachings] to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29-30).

In addition, Paul warned Timothy:  “For the time will come when they [some in the Church of God] will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they [those brethren] will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables [falsehoods]. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:3-5).

Those who accuse me of looking to Herbert Armstrong and other servants of God should look themselves in the mirror. If you are not looking to Mr. Armstrong and company, WHO are you looking to? WHO are you “itching” to hear, instead?  Are you so original in your thinking that you have not borrowed from other teachers?  What are all those website articles that promote contrary doctrines, and of which you boast? As Jesus said, “Judge [condemn] not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, It will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:1-2).

Let’s get it straight!  I did not start the judging about looking to men.  I was just “fulfilling my ministry” as I know well how, when I had this “brickbat” thrown at me.

In defense of his ministry

The apostle Paul had his share of afflictions from those who questioned his authority to preach the gospel of Christ as he did. 2 Corinthians 10-12 is his articulate defense of his ministry and authority to teach.

In the final analysis, all teachers [or “prophets”] will be judged by their “fruits” (Matthew 7:15-20). Without evidencing those “fruits,” false prophets will be shown for what they are:  “ravenous wolves” in “sheep’s clothing!”

What “fruits” is God looking for in those who claim to serve Him?

For one, there should be the nine-faceted “fruit of the [Holy] Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-26). For another, there should be the “fruit of righteousness sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). Psalm 119:172 says, “For all your commandments are righteousness.” Those who teach that God’s commandments are no longer to be obeyed obviously do not have the “fruit of righteousness” and disturb the peace of God’s people.  For Psalm 119:164 declares:  “Great  peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”

The “work of God”

Let’s get it straight from Jesus’ mouth:  “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29). Jesus here referred to Himself as the One sent by God. If we believe this, we would also believe that Jesus “sends” whomever He wills, to preach what He preached and do whatever He commands them (John 20:21; Mark 16:15-18). [See: About Pool of Siloam, Where is God’s Church Today?  and Leanings.]

While God sends human beings to fulfill whatever His purpose may be, He clearly declares: “Most assuredly I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me” (John 13:20).

To regard and even accept or receive one sent by Christ to teach His word, is not to look to mere men.  To fail to do the former may actually be to fail to look to God as well!

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
100419/202419

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Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, and be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in  all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1: 13-15, quoting Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7)

This call to “holiness” is by the apostle Peter, who declared it  to the readers of his first epistle –  to “the pilgrims of the dispersion [Greek, diaspora] in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1). Peter’s call to holiness is based on, or echoes, those passages in Leviticus as mentioned above.  These have to do with God’s food law and laws against sexual immorality as part of being holy.

This is the first thing to notice in the matter of “holiness”:  there has to be a call [some call it a “vocation”]  — an invitation by a holy God for a person to become holy as He is holy.  As Peter continued to describe the “pilgrims,” they were “elect” [Greek, eklektos, the derivative of the word “eclectic” – meaning “chosen,” “picked out,” “elected”], according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (Verse 2).

It is God the Father who chooses when and who among the millions of human beings on this earth are to be brought near to His Son, Jesus Christ, who is also called “the Holy One [Greek, hagios] of God” (Acts 2:27; 3:14). [See: Peter Knew “the Holy One.”] As John 6:44 quotes Jesus as saying, “No one  can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”  Verse 65 repeats, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” [See: The Divine Prerogatives.]

The concept of “holiness”

“Holiness” [from the Greek eusebeia] is also compared with “godliness” (1 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 3:5;Titus 12:1; 23 Peter 1:3, 6, 7; 3:11) – the state of being “Godly” or like God.

“Holy” is translated from the Hebrew qadosh, meaning “sacred” – as contrasted with profane or ungodly, evil.  In the New Testament “holy” is translated from the Greek hagios, meaning morally pure – sinless, consecrated.

Holiness, therefore, is equal to moral purity or sinlessness. As such, God stands alone as the Perfect One. Jesus said, “No one is good but One, that is, God” (Matthew 19:17). In contrast, all human beings – whom God created with free moral choice – have chosen to sin, and have sinned and fallen short of the glory [perfection] of God (Romans 3:23).  [See: “My Brain Made Me Do it!  and Is There Ever Any Good in Man? and A Law-abiding Universe — But Man!]

Sin entered our human community early, soon after God created our first parents, Adam and Eve.  [For a detailed explanation, see: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!”]

So, how can sinful man ever become “holy” as God is holy?

First, God has to choose a sinner, to set him or her apart [“sanctify”] from the rest of sinful humanity.  For what purpose?  In order to save the sinner from the consequence of his or her sin – death, “For the wages [consequence] of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and “the soul that sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).

It is the prerogative of God to show mercy to whomever He will (Romans 9:14) – and when.  To such persons God applies His mercy – and thus removes the death penalty which every sinner deserves. [See: The Divine Prerogatives, and This Is not the Only Day of Salvation.]

How is this possible? God, assures John 3:16, “so loved the world [humankind] that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be the “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Jesus was the LORD  God of the Old testament who, by some divine miracle, became a human being so He could die as the only worthy sacrifice in payment (and thus forgiveness] for all the sins of mankind, so that all who believe in Him will not perish [die] but have everlasting life. [See: The Ransomed of the LORD, The True Christ, and Transgressions Under the First Covenant.]

Not only does a believer in Christ receive forgiveness for his or her sin. They also receive the gift of God’s Spirit, after they have repented and been baptized (Acts 2:38). It is that Holy Spirit of God in such persons that makes them “holy” or “sanctified.” They thus become “saints” [Greek hagioi  or Latin sancta; Spanish santos or santas].

Revelation 14:12 describes or defines who God’s “saints” are: “here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Romans 8:7 affirms that the “carnal” or the natural, fleshly mind of man “is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”

The only way by which carnal persons can be subject to [or obey] God’s law is for them to have the “Spirit of Christ,” which thus makes them belong to Christ (Verses 13, 9) who is the”Holy One of God.” [See: Peter Knew “the Holy One.”]

It is that Holy Spirit of Christ in true Christians that enables or empowers them to obey God’s law or commandments.  [See: God’s Spirit and Obedience, The Higher Law of the Spirit,  Breaking Down Our “Walls of Jericho,“ and Saved For Good Works.]  It is that Spirit [which is “holy”] that makes true Christians also “holy.”

The command [for so it is] to “Be holy,” is not in the same category as “Be healed,” which is solely by divine act of healing the sick. “Be holy” is more in a sense similar to Christ’s command, “Be perfect, as your heavenly  Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, KJV). Perfection involves man’s participation in the process by using his power of choice as, for instance, in resisting the Devil (James 4:7), abstaining from fleshly lusts (1 Peter 2:11), etc.

To understand more about the pursuit and attainment of “holiness,” see, besides the aforementioned links: The Flaming Sword East of Eden, Are We All God’s Children? and “I Never Knew You!”

Thus we can fulfill what God commands us, through the apostle Peter: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1: 3-15).

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
300119/180319

Most evangelical denominations claim to be “Christ-centered” and preach the “gospel of Jesus Christ.”  In contrast, other denominations — such as the original Worldwide Church of God (WCG) — believe that a true Christian should rather focus on God the Father and honor Him more than they should Christ. That is, that the focus or center of the church’s worship and preaching should be God the Father and the “kingdom of God” – not Jesus Christ and the “gospel of Christ.”

Some Scriptural support for being “God-centered”

Among the Scripture passages used to support the case for being “God- or Father-centered” versus being “Christ-centered are the following:

•    John 14:28   — “…My Father is greater than I.” The “Sender” (God the Father) is greater than the One “Sent (Christ)” [NKJV throughout]. Jesus often said that He could do or say nothing except what the Father had sent Him to do (John 6:38; 7:16; 8:26, 28-29; 12:49-50; 14:31).

•    Matthew 6:9    — “In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” (See also Matthew 6:6; Jesus Himself prayed to His Father, Matthew 26:53; John 14:16; 16:27; 17:1-26; Luke 22:42; 23:34, 46.)

•    1 Corinthians 15:27-28 – “For ‘He has put all things under His feet.’ But when He says, ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He [the Father] who put all things under Him [Jesus] is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

•    John 17:11, 6   – “…Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are… They were Yours.” That’s why the WCG was named, based on 12 New Testament scriptures, “Church of God” – not “Church of Christ.” [For more understanding of the true, Biblical name of God’s Church, see this link: http://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets,” and scroll down to the booklet titled “A True History of the True Church.”]

Because of this emphasis, the WCG had been accused of putting more weight on the Old Testament, and the Old Covenant, and thus minimizing the honor due Jesus and the New Covenant.

On the other hand, some have asked: Do we thus lay aside or make “inferior” God the Father when we make Christ the center of our worship and our gospel?

Considering the “whole counsel of God”

Following the example of the apostle Paul, who said: “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), let us consider The “Whole Counsel of God” – through His word, the Bible, on the matter.

1. Without Christ we cannot know the Father.

In John 14:6  Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

•    John 1:51 – “…I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Like the ladder to heaven and angels ascending and descending on it in Jacob’s dream at Luz or Bethel (Genesis 28:12), Jesus is the true “Stairway to Heaven” – our one and only access to the Father in heaven.

•    1 Timothy 2:5 – “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” “Mama Mary” – or other dead “saints”– cannot be such, in addition to Christ! [See: Mary Worship.]

•    Luke 10:22 – “…no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Without Christ, we cannot even know God the Father, let alone worship Him.

•    John 14:9 – “…He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” There is so much unity and oneness between the Father and the Son that seeing the Son is like seeing the Father also. Jesus is the faithful and true image of the Father (Colossians 1:15 – “He is the image of the invisible God…”).  This doesn’t mean, however, that God the Father and Jesus His Son are one and the same Person, as Unitarians wrongly believe and preach. [See:  The Trinity Doctrine Reconsidered.]

•    John 5:37 – “And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.”

•    John 1:18 – “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” Unless Christ had declared or revealed who God the Father is, we wouldn’t know nor worship Him rightly.  [See:  True Worship.]

2.  The Father Himself tells us to hear His Son.

Because the Father Himself has not personally spoken to men, He has appointed or sent Jesus to be His “Spokesman” (Greek, Logos) to declare who He is, and what His will is for us.

•    Matthew 17:5 – “…This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (see also Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35). This wasn’t the Father’s actual voice, however; otherwise it would be a contradiction to what Jesus said in John 5:37. It seems more likely that the “voice” heard was that of an angel speaking on behalf of the Father. “…Then a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.’ Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to Him’” (John 12:27-28).

•    Hebrews 1:1-2 – “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds…”

•    Mark 9:37 – “…whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” (See also Luke 9:48.) To receive Jesus is to hear and obey Him – accept His Words and do them – and thereby also receive the Father.

•    John 10:27 – “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” As those whom God the Father has chosen to draw to His Son (John 6:44, 65)  and as His “elect” now, God’s true people hear Jesus’ voice and follow or obey Him only.

3.  God the Father has given all power and authority to Jesus Christ.

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). We might compare this to the relationship between the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company or corporation. Like, for example, company owner Henry Ford “making” cars (not personally) but through his executive officer or manager.

•    Hebrews 1:2 – “…through whom [Jesus] also He [the Father] made the worlds.” Jesus is the Creator God who made the visible and invisible heavens and the earth. [See also John 1:1-3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16.] John 1:1 calls Jesus “the Word” (Greek logos), because — as also God Himself — He created the worlds through His word or command. “When He commanded, they were created,” as Psalm 148:5 affirms.

•    Hebrews 1:3 – “…upholding all things by the word of His power…” Colossians 1:17 says, “…in Him [Jesus] all things consist.” Jesus has both the power to create and sustain the creation through the power of His word. Even as God incarnate [God in the form of human flesh], Jesus had full powers over the material universe and the spirits. He could walk on water, calm stormy waters, heal the sick, raise the dead back to life, read people’s thoughts, cast out demons; He had the authority to call legions of angels to His aid if necessary, etc. He was the YHVH of the Old Testament who dealt with mankind, from Adam to Noah, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to Moses and all the prophets of old. He struck a covenant with the children of Israel, according to His unconditional promise to the fathers, and gave them His law at Mt. Sinai.  [See: Peter Knew “The Holy One” and The True Christ.]

•    John 5:22   – “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son” – that is, at Jesus’ return. At His first coming, Jesus did not condemn or judge the world (John 3:17). While Jesus hasn’t returned, His words (both the Old and the New Testaments) will judge mankind – especially those called to salvation now, in this present age (John 12:48; 1 Peter 4:17).

•    Acts 4:12 – “…for there is no other name [than Jesus] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus is “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). And, as our risen Lord, He is our “High Priest” at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us (Hebrews 4:15-16; 7:25). We are to look to Jesus for help in our time of need (Hebrews 12:1-2) – physical or spiritual.

•    John 17:6-7   – “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.” While the church is kept in the Father’s (God’s) name, the church also belongs to Jesus Christ. That is why Paul mentions “the churches of Christ,” in Romans 16:16.

4.  Jesus is worthy of worship.

The angels, “living creatures” and spirit-elders in heaven worship Jesus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:11-12, 14).

•    Acts 3:14-15 – “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.” Jesus was the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 45:11-12, etc., etc.) whom the Israelites worshiped (or should have!).

•    Matthew 28:9, 17 – “…So they came and held Him [the resurrected Jesus] by the feet and worshiped Him.” See also Luke 24:52 and John 9:38.

•    Philippians 2:9-11 – “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him [Jesus] and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

5.  We honor the Father when we honor Jesus.

“For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:22-23). We honor Jesus best by imitating Him! Paul’s goal for the church was that Christ be formed in the brethren (Galatians 4:19).

•    John 10:30 – “I and the Father are one.”  [See also John 17:22.] Jesus and the Father are so close and harmonious in their relationship that they are “one” in much the same way that in a healthy relationship a husband and his wife become “one” although they are two distinct persons |(Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). For this reason, when we honor Jesus, we automatically honor the Father as well.

•    Luke 6:46 —   “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” We honor and love Jesus as our Lord when we keep His commandments and words: “If you love Me, keep My commandments…He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me…If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…” (John 14:15, 21). Jesus’ commandments are found not only in the New Testament, but also in the Old, because it was He (before His mysterious human birth) who gave Israel the commandments to live by. “For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them [Israel in the wilderness], and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4). [See: Is Jesus Your Lord — Really? The Law of Christ, and The True Christ.]

•    Acts 7:59-60 – “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not charge them with this sin’…” While Jesus taught that our prayers should, in general, be addressed to the Father (Matthew 6: 6,9), we have the example of Stephen to show that it is not wrong to address Jesus directly in our prayers when the occasion calls for it. It’s like Peter, who while sinking in the water, called out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30).

From these scriptural testimonies, I trust that it is clear and inevitable that our focus of worship and obedience should be Jesus. We do not thus disregard God the Father, nor do we make Him inferior to Jesus Christ.  We need to look to Jesus as “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). God the Father has so appointed Him, that Jesus tells us: “…without Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

That is why the apostle Paul has declared, in Colossians 1:18 – “And He [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church…that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Jesus should be preeminent and central in the life of the church!

That is why we are to preach “the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” My certificate of ordination to the rank of “preaching elder” on Feb. 5, 1982 done by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong when he was in Manila designates me as a qualified “minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” We preach not only Jesus’ person, but also – and more importantly – what He taught [the “gospel or “good news”] through His Holy Word (the Bible) about the way to salvation from sin and to living a life that is pleasing to Him and the Father and leading to everlasting life. “More than Thy name, Thy Word is enlarged,” (as Psalm 138:2 has been paraphrased).

Those in the evangelical circles who claim to be “Christ-centered” and are preaching “the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and call Him “Lord, Lord” but do not do what He says (Luke 6:46) are not centered on the true and real Jesus! Instead, they worship someone they “know not what or who”(John 4:22) – a false Christ! Jesus prophesied that, in these our end times, many “false Christs” and “false prophets” would proliferate (Matthew 24:24), deceiving many – even, if  it were possible, the “elect” – the true people of God! [See: Fake News , Beware of False Prophets  and Is Jesus Your Lord — Really?]

False worship

Claiming to be “Christ-centered,” these evangelicals observe “Christmas” – supposedly in honor of Christ. But since the Bible definitely shows that Jesus could not have been born anywhere near December, these evangelicals (among them, sadly, brethren in the WCG, now renamed “Grace Communion International” or GCI) are observing a lie!

Jesus said that the Father seeks those who will worship Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). Celebrating a lie honors neither Jesus nor the Father! Nor does celebrating the Lord’s memorial of His death (Passover) on the wrong date honor Jesus. [Evangelicals, following the dictum of Pope Gregory centuries ago, observe “Maundy Thursday” (Maundy means “commanded” – by the pope!) and “Good Friday.” Those who have studied the Hebrew or Jewish calendar know very well that Jesus wasn’t crucified on a Friday, nor was He resurrected on a Sunday, which most observe as “Easter.”) [For more understanding concerning these issues, see this link: https://www.herbert-armstrong.org., click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets,” and scroll down to the booklets titled “The Plain Truth About Christmas,” “Pagan Holidays or God’s Holy Days—Which?””How Often Should We Partake of the ‘Lord’s Supper?’” The Plain Truth About  Easter,” and“The Resurrection Was Not on Sunday!]

As a result of this deception, these evangelicals have turned against the Holy Days of God as some kind of “bondage” – even, as one church leader suggests, a stumbling block to Gentiles accepting the Gospel of Jesus. Nothing could be more wrong! God’s festivals are actually all about Christ and His saving work! [See: God’s Feasts in the Book of Acts: Mere Time Markers – or to Be Observed? and True Worship.]

To evangelicals, the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” tells about such love of God for sinners that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our forgiveness from sin and our ransom from death (as John 3:16 famously declares). [See: The Ransomed of the LORD.]  All Christians should believe this, too – absolutely!  Evangelicals glory in the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary – and rightly so, as true Christians should also. But evangelicals stop short at that. They refuse to see that the grace and forgiveness of God given us through Christ empowers us, through Christ’s Spirit, to obey God’s laws and do good works. [See: The Higher Law of the Spirit and God’s Spirit and Obedience.]

Paul wrote to Titus: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14). Paul also wrote: “For we are His workmanship, created in  Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).  [See: Saved for Good Works  and “I Never Knew You!”]

Evangelicals, through their lopsided gospel of grace, have blinded themselves (and others) to Jesus’ reply to the young ruler who asked Him the way to eternal life: “…if you want to enter into life [everlasting], keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17). Jesus also reveals: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city [the New Jerusalem]” (Revelation 22:14).

In reality, the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” is not only about His person, but also about the Kingdom of God, and how one may enter it. The apostle Paul preached about both Jesus and the Kingdom of God (Acts 28: 23, 31).

We are heading in the right direction when we become Christ-centered and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom.

Why should we be Christ-centered and preach the real Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Jesus gives us a good reason: “If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor (John 12:26). The Father will not honor us if we worship Jesus in a way He has commanded us not to – by applying pagan holidays and practices and “claiming” them for Christ – to use these to worship Jesus (Deuteronomy 12:30). To them, Jesus would say: “‘In vain they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men…” (Mark 7:7-8).

When we love and honor Jesus by keeping His commandments, He and the Father will love us in a special way: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).

Is it any wonder that The True Christ has not really revealed Himself to these evangelicals? Instead, they have preached a false “Christ” and a false “gospel.”

The greatest honor we can hope to receive from the Father is to be called His very own children in the fullest sense! To become truly a part of His glorious household, His divine family, His everlasting kingdom – and to enjoy “at [His] right hand…pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11)! Pleasures now unimaginable! [See: Are We All God’s Children?]

In order to receive that honor, let’s be truly Christ-centered — as I have explained –and be 100% behind the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez Jr.
26 02 2011/090320019

“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (Revelation 22:15).

Excluded, along with other unrepentant sinners, from having the right to eat of the “tree of life”  (and to thus have everlasting life) and to enter through the gates into the eternal city of God – the “New Jerusalem” – is “whoever loves and practices a lie.”

Earlier, in Revelation 21:8, all such sinners and “all liars” will “[have had] their part” [will have burned to ashes] in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Malachi 4:1, 3 describes that coming day as one “burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble, and the day which is coming shall burn them up…. for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet.”  The “you” addressed here are those “who fear My [God’s] name “ (Verse 2). [See: Can We Love and Fear God at the Same Time?]

That punishment will be  so final and ultimate that it will leave the wicked “neither root nor branch” (Verse 1, last part) – with no prospect of ever being brought back to life again. [See: Why is the “Unpardonable Sin” Unpardonable?]

On the list of “seven abominations” [things which God hates or detests thoroughly (Proverbs 6:16-19|)],  the sin of “lying” is mentioned twice! – as “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who speaks lies.” That shows how serious God considers the sin of lying is!
It is quite significant that the first-ever sin of mankind came as a result of our first parents [Adam and Eve] believing the lies foisted on them by God’s arch-enemy Satan the Devil, in the guise of a serpent. The famous story is found in Genesis 2 and 3. [See: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!”] That’s how we all became “children” of the Devil instead of, originally, the “children of God.”  [See: Are We All God’s Children?]

Lying and flattery

A close “brother” or “ally” to lying is flattery. To “flatter” is to make rough or tough things smoother and less undesirable than they really and truly are. Speaking about an enemy, the psalmist David said of him that “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords” (Psalm 55:21). We have the expression “to butter up a person” to mean to flatter him. The whole concept of flattery is to distort the truth [particularly when it’s bad or evil]  in  order to make it look good, even attractive.

Satan, whom Jesus called the “father of liars” (John 8:44), deceived Mother Eve into partaking of the fruit God forbade, by flattering her with lies. He subtly insinuated that Eve deserved more than what God was offering her. That, if she ate the forbidden fruit, she wouldn’t really die, but she would, instead, become “like God” – having the “knowledge of good and evil,” meaning having the right and power to decide for herself what is good and what is evil. Thus Eve was led to believe that the forbidden fruit would make her “wise.” [See  “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!”]

Thus Satan has taken not just a “foothold” in the minds and hearts of Eve’s descendants – all of us human beings who have ever been born since [except Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:21-22)] – but a “stronghold”  (2 Corinthians 10:4)!  So strong is that hold that the apostle Paul compared it to being taken in “the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26). That is why man is unable to do God’s will instead of Satan’s will — unless God imtervenes to help man break away from that hold.

Is it any wonder that many, presently under the powerful sway of the Devil, have passed off lies for the truth? [See:  Fake News, Beware of False Prophets!  Switching Positive and Negative,  and Leanings.]  Jesus said that in the “last days,” before “the end of the age” – our time today – there would be many false prophets and teachers (Matthew 24:3, 11, 24), deceiving the majority of people, not just a few.

The Devil’s deception is aggravated by the tendency of man to think of himself more highly than he ought (Romans 12:3).  Psalm 56:2 also mentions our human tendency to “flatter” ourselves in our own eyes. [See: Is There Ever Any Good in Man?]

Satan has used a powerful “instrument” to deceive the “whole world” (Revelation 12:9). And that instrument  is a spiritual “Babylon.”  Revelation 17:5  labels her “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” As a “harlot” or prostitute, Babylon has in her hands “a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication” (Verse 4). All nations have drunk of that cup and have become drunk with its “wine.” [See: Drunk With Strange Wine.]

Proverbs 2:16; 7:8, 21; and 26:28 warn about being taken in by a “strange woman,” such as that which“Babylon” embodies, as she will bring ruin to all who succumb to her flatteries and lies.

In contrast, the apostle Paul never used flattery in his writings and dealings with church brethren (1 Thessalonians 2:3). He wrote and spoke only the truth (2 Corinthians 7:14; 11:10; 12:6; Galatians 4:16; 1 Timothy 2:7). He might well have condemned false teachers, as Isaiah 30:10 does those who “do not prophesy right things” but speak “smooth things” and “prophesy deceits.”

God promises to “cut off the flattering tongue” (Psalm 12:2-3). God may not literally cut off such tongue. But a worse fate awaits those who will not forsake lies. instead of embracing the truth. As Revelation 22:15 and 21:8 clearly tell us, all liars and those who love and practice lies will suffer the “second death” in the “lake of fire,” in the ultimate judgment.

Today many who preach and teach lies, and those who believe and follow them, are deluded into believing lies to be truth when, in fact, they are not (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). Thus Paul warns: “Let him who thinks he stands [thinks he is believing truths and not lies], take heed lest he falls” (1 Corinthians 10:12) — he is proven to be false, in the final judgment. Jesus, who is the embodiment of truth, said “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 14:6; 212:48).

God condemned Job’s “friends” who spoke lies about Job and why God was dealing with him the way He did.  So God will also condemn those  preachers who “have not spoken of Me [God] what is right as My servant Job [or God’s true servant today] has” (Job 42:7-8).

Coming out of the snare of lies

It is simply impossible for a man to come out of the satanic grip of lies, on his own strength. Man has to be yanked out and freed from that bondage and servitude through the power and Spirit of Jesus Christ, who alone is our Savior, and no One else (Isaiah 43:11; Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13). [See:   Freed From Bondage,  Are We All God’s Children? About “Pool-of-Siloam,” The Higher Law of the Spirit, and Where Is God’s Church Today?]

With Christ’s Spirit we can understand God’s truth (John 16:13), love it, and practice it. It is the “love of the truth” that will ultimately save us (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Jesus said that His words are spirit, life and truth (John 6:63; 18:37).

Will you strive to know God’s truth by proving things with His word and stick to it (1 Thessalonians 5:21|), love and practice God’s truth now, instead of loving and practicing lies? I certainly hope and pray so!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
281218/230119

“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You? They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood” (Psalm 94:17-21).

What does it mean for a human being, particularly one in a position of authority, to “devise evil by law?”

First of all, what is “evil?”  As understood by most, evil is the opposite of “good.” But, as we also know, individuals and peoples have their own idea of what is evil and what is good. What some may consider good may be bad to others, and vice-versa.

Although many may not like it, it is actually God’s sole prerogative to decide and dictate what is good and what is evil. [See: The Divine Prerogatives.] Satan, in the guise of a serpent, got our first mother (Eve), to choose to disobey God regarding His prohibition to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree [the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”] by making her believe that if she ate the forbidden fruit, she would become like God – knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:1-22). [See:  “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!” and  The Flaming Sword East of Eden.]

When we come right down to it, any act or conduct conceived of and enacted by anyone – regardless of status in life – that is directly contrary to the law of God is evil! For, as the “sweet psalmist” and a man after God’s own heart, Israel’s great King David (2 Samuel 23:1;1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) , affirmed:  “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11).

God’s “law,” of course,  refers to God’s “code of conduct,” put into a formal code of laws as recorded in the books of Moses – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy – known as the “Pentateuch” or the “first five books” of the Old Testament.  Jews refer to these books as comprising their torah or “book of the law” or “the law of Moses.”

In a larger sense, however, the “law” of God includes the entire writings of the Bible!

In one of His confrontations with the Jews, Jesus was accused by them of blasphemy “because You, being a man, make Yourself God.” To which Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your law [Greek, nomos], ‘I said, “You are gods”’ (John 10:33-34). This particular quotation from the Jews’ “law” was actually taken from Psalm 94:20. Here the Psalms, which are a part of what Bible scholars call the “writings,” are actually referred to by Christ as the “law.”

In John 15:25, Jesus tells His disciples about those (especially the Jews) who hated Him and His Father, that “…this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.”  This passage is also quoted from another psalm, Psalm 69:4, also referred to as a part of the Jews’ “law.”

Psalm 119:142 declares, “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.”  Jesus also said to His heavenly Father, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). God’s word or truth, in a manner of speaking, thus becomes His law, and His righteousness (Psalm 119:172). As Psalm 119: 96 also asserts:  “I have seen the consummation of all perfection, but Your commandment is exceedingly broad.” God’s law is so broad that it can encompass all aspects of life!

The apostle Paul referred to the narrative about Abraham and his dealings with his wife Sarah and their Egyptian servant Hagar as having been written in “the law” (Galatians 4:21-31; Genesis 16). Paul also referred to fulfilling Christ’s instructions and commandments, especially regarding loving one another as He has loved us, as fulfilling “the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2; John  13:34). Such would be the case when Christians “bear one another’s burdens,” as Paul exhorts.  [See:  The Law of Christ.]

The writings of the “prophets” who testified for God, which they have left with us, are God’s written testimony as inspired by Christ or His Spirit(Revelation 19:10; 2 Peter 1:21; 12 Corinthians 3:17). God’s prophets invariably refer to God’s law when they reprove or rebuke people for their sins, which are transgressions of God’s law (1 John 3:4, especially KJV). Thus, to commit sin is also to commit evil!

Evil laws passed by leaders

Because they are in a position of authority, leaders and rulers who espouse evil concepts of conduct for people can impose or enforce those concepts on others, the dire judgment of God for evil will fall on themselves and their followers (Romans 6:23).

Under inspiration by the “god of this age,” Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4), some leaders have devised and implemented laws that worked evil for God’s people and others.   As mentioned earlier, Satan started the ball rolling when he got our first parents, Adam and Eve, to devise their own concepts of good and evil – setting up standards or norms of conduct contrary to God’s law.  [See: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!” and The Sin of Rebellion.]

Since the earliest days of human “civilization,” men have devised laws that promote worship of gods other than the true God and Creator of all things.  This is idolatry, which is forbidden by the first two of God’s “Ten Commandments” (Exodus 20:1-17). Archeological evidence dug from the remains of early and later civilizations reveals the widespread worship of idols, gods and goddesses.

One of the earliest human patriarchs, Lamech, proclaimed a “law” which greatly multiplied the vengeance God had allowed to be taken for the death of Cain (“sevenfold”) – by as much as “seventy-seven fold” (Genesis 4:15, 24). Is it any wonder that many generations later, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and…every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually;” “all flesh [humanity] had corrupted their way on the earth,” and “the earth [was] filled with violence through them” (Genesis 6:8, 12, 13)?

As a result, God sent a worldwide flood to destroy all mankind and other air-breathing creatures, except Noah and his family, and the animals sheltered in the ark (Genesis 6-8).  [See:  The Battles of the Almighty.] That’s how mankind and today’s animals (fauna) have survived and thrived again.

Before long, after that flood a band of human beings devised a plan, and as it were bound it as a law among themselves: “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4). This was contrary to God’s will and command for them to “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1, 7).

God caused the people’s one common language to be confounded or broken up into different languages, so that the people would become scattered through all the earth (Genesis 11:7-9), and so fulfill His purpose. The remains of the “tower of Babel” stand as an eloquent testimony of God’s judgment on this evil.

Among the early post-flood civilizations of man was that of Egypt. It was when the children of Israel had taken refuge in Egypt—thanks to their countryman hero Joseph, who provided food, shelter, and livelihood for them during the seven years of famine in the Middle East area—that Egypt’s ruler, Pharoah, later proclaimed laws harmful to the Israelites. The story is told in Genesis 37, 39-50; Exodus 1 and onward.

Because the Israelites reproduced rapidly, the Pharaoh feared that they would become mightier than the Egyptians and would perhaps join forces with the enemies . He thus commanded that the Israelites would serve the Egyptians with rigor and hard bondage (Exodus 1:7-14). He also ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every male child born among the Israelites (Verses 15-22).

However, this law of Pharoah became the way of God to get His future servant Moses into Pharoah’s court and prepare him to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, in Canaan (Exodus 2-3, etc.). The rest of the Old Testament details how God worked out His plans for Israel despite the people’s rebellion. [See:  God’s Kingdom and Israel.]

Evil laws imposed by and upon Israel

From the start, Israel had been a rebellious, stiff-necked people (Deuteronomy 9:6, 13; Exodus 32:9; 33:3, 15; 34:9; Isaiah 30:9; Ezekiel 12:2). They asked for a human king like the nations among them had, thereby rejecting God as their King. The fourth king they had, [Rehoboam, who succeeded Solomon], passed a taxation law that exceeded God’s law demanding a mere 10%  of the people’s income as basic tax. [See: The New testament Teaching on Giving.]

As a result the people, led by Solomon’s military captain Jeroboam, revolted and formed a separate kingdom comprised of most of the ten tribes of Israel (the story is recorded in 1 Kings 11 and onward).

Jeroboam did evil also in requiring his followers to worship the golden calves he made as the people’s new “gods,” made priests from other tribes than the God-ordained children of Levi, and ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month in place of God’s commanded Feast on the fifteenth day of the seventh month (1 Kings 12:28-32; Exodus 20:1-4; Leviticus 1:5, etc.; 23:33). God roundly condemned Jeroboam for the evils he did (1 Kings 13:1-33). Eventually, because of their evil deeds, the 10-tribed northern kingdom of Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians and brought to other places.  [See: God’s Kingdom and Israel.]

The southern kingdom of Judah did not fare better than their brethren in the north.  The Jews were also led into sin or disobedience to God’s laws by a succession of evil kings, who ordained evil ordinances (1 Kings 14:21-24; 2 Kings 17:13-20; 21:1-25; 23:31-37; 24:13-20).

When the Jews were carried away captive by the Babylonians to Babylon, they became subject to evil laws devised against them. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon erected a huge golden image, and required the captive Jews to bow down and pay homage to the image, or else suffer the penalty of death by being burned in a furnace – a law contrary to God’s command against worshiping images or idols. A dramatic story about this event and God’s miraculous intervention on behalf of His faithful servants is recorded in Daniel 3.

After the Medes and Persians took over the empire from the Babylonians, King Darius was prevailed upon by his officials, jealous of Daniel’s high status, to decree a law forbidding any subject from praying to anyone – human or divine – but the king, under penalty of death for those who disobeyed, by being fed alive to lions. Daniel disobeyed the king’s decree, still prayed to His God, as his custom was, and was thrown into the lion’s den. But God delivered him from the lions, and those who devised the evil law were fed to the lions instead.  This other dramatic story is told in Daniel 6.

During the reign of the Persian king Ahasuerus a petty official, Haman, felt disrespected by the Jew Mordecai, who refused to pay homage to him. Because of this, Haman prevailed on the king to issue an irrevocable decree to destroy all Jews in the empire on a certain date. Because of the faith of Mordecai in His God, and the intervention of his cousin Esther, Ahasuerus’ queen, this evil extermination law was neutralized, and the Jews were delivered from destruction. This heroic story is recorded in Esther 2-9, and is deservedly celebrated by the Jews to this day as a special national holiday and festival, the Festival of Purim.

After the birth of Jesus, King Herod issued an evil law requiring that all male children two years and below in all Judea be killed.  The infant Jesus was safely taken to Egypt for refuge, until Herod died. The narrative is preserved in Matthew 2.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus had several confrontations with the Jewish leaders of His day. At one point certain scribes and Pharisees confronted Jesus and His disciples for not following the traditions of the Jewish elders about ritual washing of the hands before eating. Jesus concluded His discussion with them by saying that, by holding this and their other man-made traditions, they had laid aside God’s commandment (Mark 7:1-13). [See: Did Christ Cleanse All Meats?]

Future evil laws prophesied

The prophet Daniel prophesied about a religious leader who would arise after his day, who would “speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law” (Daniel 7:25).

The apostle Paul also warned about such a “man of sin” and a “lawless one” who would oppose God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12), such as by overturning God’s laws, as Daniel had prophesied. Revelation 13:11-18 prophesies about such a leader who would impose a “mark” on all, or else they would not be allowed to buy or sell.

That “mark” has something to do with the observance of days of worship other than God’s commanded Sabbath and festivals. For more on this, see this link: https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets” and scroll down to the booklets titled “What Is the “Mark of the beast?’” and “Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath?”

These booklets reveal how, during the “dark age” of our civilization a religious leader, backed by a political leader or dictator, persecuted those who kept God’s Sabbath as “Judaizers.” It is very likely that this part of our history will repeat itself in the near future!

Another instance of devising evil by law occurred in the Worldwide Church of God in the mid-1990s. After the death of WCG founder and pastor-general Herbert W. Armstrong, his successor Joseph Tkach made changes in doctrine and policy and ordered ministers and members to comply, on threat of disfellowshipment [or excommunication]. [See: Where Is God’s Church Today?]

Our guarantee of salvation

We are living in these latter times that Jesus prophesied would see an increase and proliferation of lawlessness (Matthew 24:11). Indeed, humanity has not been as eager to do away with God’s perfect laws and commandments as today!

Many nations have done away with God’s judgment prescribing capital punishment (death) for capital sin or crime. [See: Of Dungeons and Prisons.] Many are also in a race to approve same-sex marriages and condone same-sex relations. [See: The Rainbow Connection.]

In the face of the challenge of unjust legislation by this world’s authorities – legislation meant to benefit some while oppressing others, as Psalm 94:18-23 condemns – a man or woman of God is commanded to remain “…faithful unto death” and promised, “…and I will give you the crown of life,” and “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:10-11) – will be saved and have everlasting life in God’s kingdom.  Jesus also told His disciples, and tells all today who would follow Him faithfully, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Christ, as the “Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:17) repeatedly tells members of His Church that His promise of salvation and rewards is for those who overcome in this present evil world or age (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

Overcoming, however, is not a matter of mere human effort or endurance. As Jesus said, “…without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5) – and that especially about bearing much spiritual fruit, by which God is glorified (Verse 8).  That is possible only when we “abide” in Christ – when we make Him the center of our lives.  [See:  What Do You Mean – “Christ-centered?”]

To understand better how we can overcome, see:  God’s Spirit and Obedience, The Higher Law of the Spirit,  Breaking Down Our “Walls of Jericho,” and Being and Doing.

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
122317/190119

 

 

The LGBTQ+ [“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,  Transgender and Queer+Others”] community has chosen the rainbow colors for their banner.  In my elementary school days, we remembered those colors through the acronym  “VIBGYOR” – violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red.

Why, of all things, has the community chosen the rainbow colors to represent their cause?

LGBT websites generally take the rainbow as a symbol for pride, and peace. See. for example, this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag_(LGBT_movement).

In at least two Bible passages, we see reference to the rainbow in connection with God’s perpetual covenant with mankind and all of creation, and God’s heavenly dwelling place.

Genesis 9:8-17 shows how God created the rainbow as a sign of His irreversible, unconditional promise never to send again a worldwide flood as He did in Noah’s day.  God had used the flood to destroy mankind for its rank evil or wickedness, corruption and violence.  By using the rainbow connection, the LGBTQ+ community would seem to believe that, in His mercy and what they perceive to be His “unconditional love,” God will not punish them for their sexual orientation or preference and conduct.  That God has, supposedly, declared peace with them despite everything.

Revelation 4:3 shows God’s heavenly throne to have a rainbow around it.  The LGBTQ+ community thus connects their cause with the rainbow to clothe it with glory, beauty, acceptance, and empowerment.

Selective perception

The LGBTQ+ community’s perception of God’s attitude toward their sexual choices and actions, however, turns a blind eye and a deaf ear on God’s clear commands regarding these acts.

•    “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination [a hateful thing]” (Leviticus 18:22).

•    “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.  They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13).

•    “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 22:8).

Because God considers homosexual acts and cross-dressing [and the ultimate abomination of “sex change” or “transgender” alterations] as all abominable and worthy of capital punishment [death], people who engage in them will be excluded from God’s kingdom.

Were David and Jonathan Practicing Homosexuals?

Some LGBTQ+s justify their sexual lifestyle by citing the Biblical example of the close relationship between Israel’s King David and Jonathan, the son of Israel’s previous king, Saul, whom David replaced.  The story is found in 1 Samuel 17-21.

After David had killed the Philistine giant Goliath through God’s intervention, and was praised for it by King Saul, 1 Samuel 18:1 says that “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” Verses 3-4 continue:  “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.”

1 Samuel 20:1-17 describes how David and Jonathan made a covenant before God, that David would show kindness to Jonathan’s family or descendants when David would have ascended to the throne.

Then, after king Saul learned how Jonathan  covered up for David’s absence at the king’s table, Saul angrily told his son: “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman!  Did I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse [David] to your own shame and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?  For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you [as Saul’s heir to the throne] shall not be established, nor your kingdom. Now therefore, send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die (Verses 30-31).

As they agreed on the sign to let David know that it was unsafe for him to come near Saul, David knew how much Jonathan cared for him. Verse 41 says,” And they kissed one another, and they wept together, but David more so.”

After Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle with the Philistines, David made a lamentation, where he mentioned about Jonathan:  “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan.  You have been very pleasant to me.  Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.”

There, say LGBTQ+s, is proof that God approves of homosexual relations!  But, from a Biblical perspective, how do we understand this seeming discrepancy with God’s law against same-sex relationships?

As David himself described it, he looked at Jonathan as a dear and beloved brother.  In this day and age where a close relationship between two men is called “bromance,” many people do not appreciate the close emotional bond that can appropriately exist between two men.  There is nothing sexual about it!

This was the kind of love which Joseph had for his brothers. In their highly emotional reunion in Egypt, Joseph revealed who he really was to them [their long-lost brother, as they thought, after which he] “…kissed all his brothers and wept over them [for joy, gratitude, and relief]” (Genesis 45:14-15).

David’s friendship with Jonathan arose from Jonathan’s humility and respect for David and God’s decision to choose him as Israel’s king in place of Jonathan’s father, Saul. Saul himself admitted this. He told David: “And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Therefore swear now to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s house” (1 Samuel 24:29-21).  And David did swear to that.

Jonathan knew that God was with David in helping him to slay Goliath, reason why Jonathan loved David as his own soul.  They were truly “soul-brothers.”   Jonathan knew that David would be king of Israel in place of his father. He knew that he would therefore not accede to the throne himself. This deep and selfless admiration and respect Jonathan had for him was, to David, a love that surpassed the love of women (2 Samuel 1:27) – a rare and higher level of love that is not sexual but friendly, and noble.  As Proverbs 18:24 says, “…there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Jonathan stuck with David, and trusted that David would not destroy his family; thus he entered into a covenant with him.

True to his promise, David later sought Jonathan’s descendants to whom he could show kindness (2 Samuel 9:1-13).

God said that He found David a “man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 13:14).  As such, David could not have engaged in homosexual acts with Jonathan, as LGBTQ+s make the two to appear as doing. That would have been contrary to God’s will.  True, in a moment of weakness David committed adultery with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba – and also had her husband killed in battle (2 Samuel 11).  But David deeply repented of his double sin after God confronted him with it (2 Samuel 12:1-15).  Psalm 51 expresses David’s heartfelt repentance over this double sin.

LGBTQ+s should, rather, follow David’s example of true repentance for their sin towards God our Creator, and against fellowman.  As Jesus warned twice, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).

The apostle Paul warns: ‘Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived.  Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor [extortionists] will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:7-10, NKJV, emphasis mine).

Paul also wrote that rejecting God’s divine authority leads to idolatry. Result?  “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen.  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.  For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  [This shows that Lesbian or woman-to-woman sex relationship is also condemned by God!] Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful [homosexual acts], and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due [the penalty of imprisonment, or worse – death —  by capital punishment, or as a result of fatal “sexually transmitted diseases” (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS, and, ultimately, destruction in the “lake of fire” (Revelation 21:8).

Hope for LGBTQ+s

Many in the LGBTQ+ community find it hard to get out of the trap of their sexual condition.  The sense of condemnation [by self or by society], and often experience of discrimination, bullying, physical and psychological violence, are challenges many in that community face.  Some who sincerely desire to change their sexual orientation and addictive lifestyle often find the uphill climb formidable and frustrating.  An increasing number – unable to overcome the challenge with success — have resorted to suicide.

Indeed, without Christ to help, failure is sure! He said: “…without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:7) – nothing good, that is;  for without Christ anyone can do quite well enough all manner of evil!  Jesus said:  “For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries; fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:21-23).

Christ can help not just LGBTQ+s but all sinners of every shape or form. Firstly, He grants a person repentance (Acts 11 :18) – a  thorough understanding and acceptance that  LGBTQ+ acts, and whatever other sinful acts, are totally against the will and law of God – and, feeling convicted, the person has a deep-down desire to turn from sin and to obey God.  This He does by making the sinner realize the goodness of God – His mercy and love – thereby leading him to repentance (Romans 2:4).  Then, Christ cleanses the sinner of his sins, and gives him His Spirit to empower him to obey.  [See:  The Higher Law of the Spirit , God’s Spirit and Obedience , Transgressions Under the First Covenant,  Breaking Down our “Walls of Jericho”  and “My Brain Made Me Do It!” ]

Paul testifies that some Christians in Corinth with LGBTQ+ backgrounds will, in fact, make it to God’s kingdom:  “And such were some of you. But you were cleansed, but you were sanctified [made holy], but you were justified [forgiven and made righteous] in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Jesus encourages people with LGBTQ+ backgrounds, like those in Sodom and Gomorrah, that — in the final Day of Judgment —  it would be easier for them to repent of their sin than many religious people (Matthew 11:23-24; Genesis 19:1-25).  People who are sick and acknowledge it and their need for healing by a physician, are more likely to receive healing and wellness (Luke 5:31) than those who think they are well  and don’t need to change or be forgiven and healed or made whole. Concerning that Judgment Day, see: This Is not the Only Day of Salvation.

Support of society

LGBTQ+s who sincerely desire to change their lifestyle need the support of the general community – especially the Church of God.  Those who are otherwise “normal” in their sexual orientation need to be aware of the sensitivities and vulnerabilities of those striving to come out of their dilemma.  [That is to say that the homosexual orientation and act are “abnormal”—not as a statistical fact, for many LGBTQ+s would like more people to line up with their cause so it can become the “new normal.” “Normal” is to be taken in the same sense as “natural” –  lining up with God’s purpose in creating mankind male and female, as Romans 1:26-27 declares.]

Does this mean, then, that for an LGBTQ+ person – particularly a homosexual male [“gay”] or female [“lesbian”] –  to do what is “natural,” as God defines it, he or she has to become a “heterosexual” person – capable of having a relationship with one of the opposite sex?  For many homosexuals, this may be a possible ultimate goal that some, with God’s help, have achieved.  But for others, the homosexual or same-sex attraction may be so ingrained – like some kind of addiction – that, as Paul put it, it has become a kind of “law” in one’s mental and emotional makeup (Romans 7:15-25) .  In this case, God may simply require the person to keep himself or herself from actualizing their sexual desires — or to suppress such desires (see the principle in Matthew 56:27-30). That, in itself, would be a giant step to change, and all that may be expected of the person.  [See:  Switching Positive and Negative.]

These LGBTQ+s who want to turn away from their “unnatural” way may be compared to little toddlers taking “baby steps” on the road to righteous living.   Jesus particularly singled out such ones for others to be careful not to cause them to stumble.   “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes” (Matthew 18:6-7)!

We could offend or cause to stumble or to sin an LGBTQ+ person who’s struggling to live a righteous, holy life.  We could do this by seducing the person to go back to his former problem, and by making discouraging comments and gestures to suggest that the person cannot come out of his dilemma.

It doesn’t help when parents, counselors or friends encourage LGBTQ+ persons to pursue what would give them the greatest pleasure — their deviant sexual urges.  [See:  Can it Be Wrong When it Feels so Right?]   Instead, we should show the same grace and kindness that God has for the person in loving and forgiving him, and giving him the strength and power to change through His Spirit.

A positive, encouraging atmosphere would go a long way to help LGBTQ+s “in recovery.”  Setting a good example of Godly manhood or womanhood, and a healthy, happy marriage and family life is something that can support LGBTQ+s in their quest for righteousness and perfection.  [See: https://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets” and scroll down to the booklet titled “True Womanhood.”]

At the same time the LGBTQ+ person should strive to keep himself or herself away from company of people, material and places that could influence him or her to revert to his or her former sinful acts.  Paul instructs: “Flee sexual immorality [KJV, “fornication,” from the Greek porneia, the same root of the word “pornography”].  Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).  Paul also tells us:  “Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Israel’s King David, a “man after God’s own heart,” resolved:  “I will set nothing wicked [KJV, “vile”] before my eyes;  I hate the work of those who fall away;  it shall not cling to me.  A perverse heart shall depart from me:  I will not know wickedness” (Psalm 101:3; Acts 13:22).  Paul also counsels us “…not to company with fornicators” (1 Corinthians 5:9).  “Be not deceived: evil communications [KJV, “company”) corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Instead, an LGBTQ+  person should seek the company of people who are seeking to live righteously, to obey God’s commandments and laws, such as the Church of God [see:  Where is God’s Church Today?]

No looking back

Once an LGBTQ+ person has decided to change to a lifestyle that is in accord with God’s will and purpose for creating mankind male and female  (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:24), he or she should resolve not to look back longingly to his or her past life in sin.  Jesus warns: “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

The LORD  had warned Lot and his family—as they  were fleeing from Sodom and Gomorrah, on which God would shortly pour out fire and brimstone because of their wickedness and sexual perversions – not to look back to those cities (Genesis 19:1-25).  However, Lot’s wife looked back behind them, “…and she became a pillar of salt” (verse 26) – a grim warning for us not to do the same with our sinful past.  Jesus used the example of Lot’s wife when we are to flee from dangerous situations (Luke 7:32).

The apostle Peter gave graphic examples of what looking back to our sinful past is like. He wrote:  “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.  For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.  But it has happened to them according to the true proverb:  “A dog returns to his own vomit, and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:21-22).  Willful sinning could lead to the unpardonable sin (Hebrews 6:4-8).  [See:  Why Is the “Unpardonable Sin” Unpardonable?]

Born this way?

Some LGBTQ+s claim that they cannot possibly change themselves because they were “born this way.”  They, with parents, counselors or friends agreeing,  believe they cannot possibly change themselves just as people cannot change their racial background.  As Jeremiah 13:23 (now a proverb) asks:  “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.” That is, doing good through one’s own strength and power. 

While we cannot fully understand how or why some children turn out to be an LGBTQ+, we need to understand one thing well:  God did not make a mistake in creating mankind “male and female” (Genesis 1:27).  God did not create an “in-between” sex! Homosexuality is an acquired condition — not an inborn trait [like one’s race] that is passed on through the genes.

Because mankind has sinned over the last millennia of our existence on this planet, many aberrations in the human body and psyche have occurred.  It could be mixture of wrong diet [hormones in food could change a person’s hormonal balance resulting in sexual aberrations], environmental degradation, unhealthy socialization process in the family [such as failure of a father to exert the proper masculine influence on the son, and vice-versa with the mother lacking the feminine influence on the daughter, or a too close bond between mother and son or father and daughter], early experience with homosexual acts, etc.

Whatever the situation may be, we can be sure that it is not God’s express will that anyone should become an LGBTQ+.  God’s will clearly is that none should have an LGBTQ+ attitude or engage in LGBTQ+ acts. God certainly did not intend that anyone should be born an LGBTQ+! God never intends that this be their nature or identity. Thus it doesn’t help LGBTQ+ persons when family, friends and counselors urge them to “be true to their real selves.”  The authentic “self” or “person” God intended, desires, and wants each one of us to be is a child of God.  [See:  Should Everyone Be Allowed to Be Who They Are?  Are we All God’s Children?  Humans — What, Who Are We, Really? and Christian Formation.]

God’s judgment on sin unchanging

God’s everlasting mercy does not mean that God will condone sinful acts. His mercy goes to a sinner who truly wants to repent and obey God’s law.  In such a case, God will not punish the sinner with the ultimate punishment of death.  Mercy is to not give us the penalty we deserve when we truly repent.  Grace, on the other hand, is God granting us something we don’t deserve – forgiveness of sin and everlasting life in His kingdom.  Revelation 21:8 shows that God will punish with destruction in a “lake of fire” those unrepentant sinners, including the “sexually immoral” and “idolaters” and “Whoever loves and Practices a Lie” – certainly including LGBTQ+s, who don’t believe in God’s law, which is truth and righteousness (Psalm 119:142, 172).

God pronounces “Woe” to LGBTQ+s who shamelessly flaunt their condition [euphemistically called “outing” – an ordinary term that used to mean merely going out on a picnic or tour]:  “The [defiant] look on their countenance witnesses against them.  And they declare their sin as Sodom.  They do not hide it [they have “come out of the closet”]. LGBTQ+s have declared the month of June “Gay Pride” month.  All over the world LGBTQ+s hold parades then, bannering the rainbow colors to express pride in, instead of shame for, their sexual choice.  God declares to them: “Woe to their soul! They have brought evil upon themselves” (Isaiah 3:9).  The harmless word “gay” [to merely mean happy and bright] is now so colored that one can’t anymore sing the old Spanish song “The Gay Ranchero” without drawing snickers from the hearers.  [See: Switching Positive and Negative ] and What Does God Mean– “I Do Not Change?”]

Same-sex marriage — Okay in God’s eyes?

It seems like countries all over the world are in a race to pass legislation that would legalize same-sex marriages.  This is an agenda LGBTQ+s are pushing hard on legislators to approve.  Reject God’s verdict on the matter as they might, LGBTQ+s need to understand God’s plain and clear design for the sexes.

From the beginning God says that He created mankind after His own image or likeness, as “male and female” –not “male and male,” nor “female and female” (Genesis 1:27).  And He charged Adam and Eve:  “Be fruitful and multiply [reproduce through their God-given sexual capacity to beget and bear children – something not possible in same-sex unions, short of adoption or surrogate pregnancy or artificial insemination], fill the earth…” (Verse 28).

After He had created and given the woman to Adam, she became his wife (Genesis 2:18-24). When Adam and Eve engaged in marital sex, she conceived and bore their first son, Cain (Genesis 4:1) and eventually many sons and daughters (Genesis 5:1-8).

Some have used the argument that heterosexual marriages that are not blessed with children are like same-sex marriages that cannot naturally produce children.  The sexual bond between a man and woman is what holds the marriage together.  In the same manner, the argument goes, the sexual bond between two same-sex couples is supposed to bind their relationship.  But that ignores the premise that same-sex marriages are not acceptable in God’s eyes and law, to begin with.

Clearly, God intended marriage to be between an Adam and Eve – not between an “Adam and Steve,” as someone has humorously put it, nor between a “Madam and Eve.”  People who promote same-sex marriage do so in rank defiance of our Creator’s purpose and design. This is rebellion and blatant idolatry – making an “idol” of one’s idea of marriage as against God’s idea.  [See:  The Sin of Rebellion.]

LGBTQ+s justify their lifestyle as valid or acceptable as long as there is “love” and caring between consenting same-sex couples and whatever family they may have.  But here is God’s standard or “touchstone” to test genuine love for family:  “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:2-3).  [See:  The Faces of Love and The Four Dimensions of Christ’s Love.]

Those who do not obey God’s commandments don’t really love their family and others, in God’s eyes.  To one who hates God’s command regarding prohibited sexual acts, God’s commandments are burdensome or restrictive.  Not so to one who delights in and loves God’s law (Psalm 119:47-48, 97-104, 140-144).

LGBTQ+s and their supporters also claim that they are Okay as long as they are not doing others harm.  Yes, many of the LGBTQ+ community may actually be contributing to society and culture through their creativity and charity.  But their advocacy for the LGBTQ+ lifestyle is actually harmful to society, because people will earn God’s wrath if they are influenced to follow or even condone their ways (Romans 1:31).

Solution to overpopulation?

Some have suggested that same-sex marriages could help solve the present world’s “population explosion.”  God, in fact, has a sure-fire “plan” to address that population crisis.  Isaiah 66:14-16 reveals about the Lord Jesus’ return to judge His enemies – those who oppose His holy and righteous way:   “The hand of the LORD shall be made known to His servants, and His indignation to His enemies.  For behold, the LORD will come with fire and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.  For by fire and by His sword the LORD will judge all flesh. [And] the slain of the LORD shall be many.”

Revelation 9:13-18 shows that, after the “sixth trumpet” is sounded, a third of mankind will be killed [that is about 2.5 billion of today’s almost eight billion world population!].  When the seventh and last trumpet is sounded, the “seven last plagues” that will be unleashed will kill millions more of God’s enemies (Revelation 11:15-18, 16:1-19:21).  Those who, in this age, have not been given their fair chance to be saved will have their chance at a future time.  [See:  This Is Not the Only Day of Salvation and Predestination.]

This being the case, it behooves those who want to escape the dire plagues of God to repent, fear God and worship only Him.  This is the “everlasting gospel” that an angel of God will proclaim to all of mankind at the end of this present age (Revelation 14:6-7).  [See: True Worship.]

LGBTQ+s – as well as all other sinners – are called to repent or else perish (Luke 13:3, 5).  Only as we all do can we have a connection to God’s heavenly throne, around which is a rainbow (Revelation 4:3).  It is to that rainbow, and what it represents [God’s rule] – not the LGBTQ+ rainbow– that we all should be connected, and that only by obeying God’s commandments.   [See:  “I Never Knew You!”]

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
080118/280618

 

 

 

Take a look at a typical history book of any nation. In most cases you will find that the nation’s history is often defined by wars which a nation’s military forces fought in order to “liberate” the nation from the rule of an adversary power.

Such is the history of this world’s empires. First, King Nebuchadnezzar went conquering nations to establish what historians recognize as the Babylonian Empire. After this, the Medes and Persians subdued the nations under the Babylonian rule, to establish the Medo-Persian Empire. Before long, Alexander the Great went conquering, and defeated the Medes and Persians, to establish the Greek Empire. In time, a more powerful force arose that took over the Greek or Macedonian Empire to form the Roman Empire.

This succession of power is described in the prophetic book of Daniel, chapters 7 through 12. Secular history corroborates this sequence of events.

In recent times, our world’s history has been defined by World Wars I and II, and the ensuing “Cold War” between the communist world and the democratic nations. Many other wars have been fought in various corners of the world – and will continue to be fought until the end of this present age.

God’s battles

In a similar manner, we may also look at the history of our universe and the heavenly realm, in terms of the battles which the Almighty God has waged with His adversaries or enemies. Revelation 12, which we could well take as a “look-back” at events that took place way, way back in the past but are couched in prophetic language – as though they are yet to happen at some future time.

Verses 1 through 6 of this chapter describe the birth of the Christ-child—a past, historic fact recorded in the “gospel” accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and corroborated by honest secular history. Historians place this event at 4 B.C.

Verses 7 through 9 of this same chapter describe a “war” that “broke out in heaven, between the angels of God,” led by the archangel Michael, and Satan’s angels, comprising a third of all angels. Many Bible students connect this war with the “coup” that the angel Lucifer staged to try to unseat God from His heavenly throne, as recorded in Isaiah 14, eons ago. [See: Where Did the Devil Come From? The Sin of Rebellion and The Comings of Christ.]

We might consider this war as the first which God fought against any power that opposes His rule or government. God has since fought many wars to subdue His adversaries. And God has used various “weapons” in His “arsenal!”

Water, and some, for war

Because of mankind’s gross evil and corruption, God sent a worldwide flood that destroyed all creatures that drew breath, except for Noah and his family and the animals protected in the ark. The story is recorded in Genesis 6 through 10. We may consider  this as God’s first “war” against evil mankind.

What we might consider God’s next war versus rebellious mankind, took place soon after that flood, when men built the “Tower of Babel” in defiance of God’s command for them to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). They decided to remain together in one place (Babel) so they would not “be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4).

In those days humankind spoke one language, so that it was easy for them to work together to achieve their aim or purpose, contrary to God’s will (Verse 1). In order to frustrate their plans, God caused their language to be “confused” [or “confounded,” KJV], so that they could no longer understand each other and were thus forced to separate and be scattered all over the earth (Verses 8-9). That’s how today’s many different languages originated. We speak about different languages as a “Babel” of tongues.

The next “war” God waged with defiant mankind was against the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah, whose sin was “very grave” (Genesis 18:20). The “depravity” of the people of Sodom is described in Genesis 19. Here we find that just about all the men of Sodom wanted to commit perverse sexual acts with the angels, in the guise of men, who were guests of the righteous man Lot. This is where the word “sodomy” is derived from. 2 Peter 2:8 tells about how the “filthy conduct of the wicked [people of Sodom] tormented [Lot’s] soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds.” For their wickedness, which God considers an “abomination” [a detestable or hateful thing to God (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13-14); and see: The Rainbow Connection], God rained down fire and brimstone, which completely destroyed their cities (Verse 6; Genesis 12:24-25, 27-29), to serve as a warning and example for others not to commit the same error and ungodly conduct (2 Peter 2:6).

The next battle God waged was that against the power of Egypt, which placed God’s people Israel, in cruel bondage for some 400 years (Exodus 1). To free them from that bondage, God sent His servant Moses, who was His instrument to cause ten plagues to fall upon Egypt (Exodus 2-11). After the last of these plagues, Egypt’s king Pharoah finally let the children of Israel go to serve their God in the place He had promised to bring them to.

Interestingly, although God has promised never to send again a worldwide flood as in Noah’s day, He has hail and snow – forms of water – as a part of His arsenal (Job 38:22-23). In fact, one of the plagues which God poured out on Egypt in His act to free His people Israel from Pharoah’s cruel oppression, was hail from heaven (Exodus 9:13-33).  After Pharoah had let the Israelites go, he wanted to bring them back to Egypt. Thus he sent all his armies to run after the Israelites, who merely traveled on foot.

Exodus 13-14 describes how God saved His people by letting them cross dry-shod over the Red Sea. While Pharoah’s armies chased the people, who had just safely crossed to the other shore, God caused the parted waters of the sea to clap back and drown all of Egypt’s armies. Exodus 15, as well as Psalm 106 and 136, celebrates this miraculous event as an act of God as “a man of war” (Exodus 15:3).

God’s wars to prepare Israel’s way to the Promised Land

Despite the Israelites’ rebellious, complaining ways which God dealt with by a show of His power, in His mercy God enabled them to vanquish the nations (whose lands God promised to give to the Israelites as His divine prerogative). Numbers 10 through 14, 16-17, 21, 31 detail God’s interventions.

God used Israel’s men of war to conquer nations along their way. God had promised that, if the Israelites obeyed God, He would cause their enemies to be defeated, to fall by the sword before them; five of them would chase a hundred of their enemies, and a hundred of them would put ten thousand of their enemies to flight (Leviticus 26:7-8; Deuteronomy 28:7).

In some instances, God used hornets to drive away the heathen in order to give place to the Israelites in the former’s lands (Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20; Joshua 34:12).

Joshua 6 describes God’s miraculous act to destroy the formidable walled city of Jericho. Joshua 8 is about the conquest of Ai by the armies of Israel. Joshua 10 describes how God used large hailstones to conquer Jerusalem for His people. Joshua 11 through 19 lists the other conquests of heathen lands by Israel’s sword.

The book of Judges describes the continuing conquest of the rest of Canaan by the armies of Israel led by deliverers or judges whom God raised up. Judges 7-8 describes the spectacular defeat of the Midianites by God’s intervention through Gideon.

God’s battles against Israel’s enemies

After the tribes of Israel had settled in their respective designated places, and the original confederacy had split into the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel, God allowed them to be besieged now and again by surrounding hostile nations. Every time this happened, and the people cried out to their God for help, God intervened in various ways to save them.

The lad David at first singly defeated the Philistine giant and champion Goliath through his faith in God to guide him as he used a sling to slay the giant. The famous story is recorded in 1 Samuel 17.

When he eventually became Israel’s king, David fought many victorious wars against his and the nation’s enemies, with God’s divine help. [See 1 Samuel 30; 2 Samuel 5, 8, 10, 12-18, 20-22; 1 Chronicles 18-21.] God helped kings who succeeded David in their turn, as they sought God and trusted in Him for deliverance.

One notable example was that in the case of Judah’s King Jehoshaphat. He didn’t have to fight his enemies – the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mt. Seir. God Himself fought the war for Judah. God discomfited the enemies while the temple choir sang praises to the LORD. The story is told in 2 Chronicles 20.

God’s battle against sin and death

No less dramatic and spectacular is God’s continuing war against sin and death. This began to take place when God sent the second Person in the Godhead, Whom John 1:1 calls “the Word,” to be born of a virgin as the God-man Jesus Christ. God prepared Him as the “Lamb of God” who would take away the sin of all humanity and give everlasting life to those who would believe in Him (John 3:16; 1:29, 14), in His own time. Through His sacrifice of Himself upon the cross at Calvary, Jesus has ransomed all who believe in Him from sin and its penalty, death (Romans 6:23). [See: The Ransomed of the LORD, Mary Worship, The True Christ, Freed From Bondage, and This Is Not the Only Day of Salvation.]

God’s last “Great Battle”

Revelation 16:14 speaks about “the battle of that great day of God Almighty,” to which He will gather the kings of the whole world and their armies. Verses 7-21 tell about how God will pour out the seventh and last plague of His wrath – an ultimate earthquake and hail stones – on these armies. Revelation 17-19 describes how God will destroy Babylon, Satan’s instrument of deceit, and people swayed by him, and how Christ will take-over rule of all the earth.

Revelation 20 speaks about God imprisoning Satan and his demonic angels in an abyss, thereby disabling them from influencing mankind to sin, until he is released for a short time after Christ’s 1000-year rule. [See: Two Goats Together.]

Early in Christ’s reign and towards the end of that reign, rebellious nations led by Gog and Magog will be quickly destroyed by fire from God (Ezekiel 38-39; Revelation 20:7-10).

The last enemy destroyed

After God will have eliminated Satan and all of rebellious, unrepentant, incorrigibly wicked men – all of whom will have been given their fair chance to believe and obey the gospel (Revelation 21-22), there is yet one last enemy to be dealt with by God [see: Why Is the “Unpardonable Sin” Unpardonable? and Predestination]. The apostle Paul names that “last enemy” — death (1 Corinthians 15:26). God will give His saints or elect everlasting life at Christ’s return (Verses 50-57). They will then no longer be subject to death.

To them, and not to unrepentant sinners, pertains God’s promise and reward: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:4).

And final of all finality, God will destroy even the “second death” in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). That means that, after all unrepentant sinners will have been destroyed in the lake of fire, God will do away with that lake of fire, and no one will ever be subject to the “second death” anymore – for all who are saved will have everlasting life for all eternity.

Then, and only then will God have no more enemies to fight. Thus all wars will cease. God, who alone is worthy to command total obedience of His creation, will reign supreme and victorious for all eternity. As Isaiah 45:2 quotes God as saying, “…There is no other God besides Me, a just God and Savior;There is  none besides Me.” He will not tolerate any one who would claim to be another “god” — who would thus be His enemy.

May we be counted worthy to see that victorious day!

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
021018/271018

Hogging the Philippine scenery in September up till early October this year, 2018, had been news about the act of President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte to revoke, invalidate, or nullify the amnesty granted by Duterte’s predecessor, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a former officer in the Philippine Navy who had led a coup attempt against then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Trillanes took it upon himself to judge Arroyo as having committed gross corruption enough to warrant her being deposed from her office, and a new revolutionary leadership set up —with him and his military sympathizers at the helm — that would right this wrong.

Trillanes, apparently, found a good number of Filipinos sympathizing with his cause, and he received no weightier judgment than imprisonment. Other regimes would have called for stiffer penalties – even execution. But, no, Trillanes got away with his attempt to overthrow President Arroyo. When Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III won the presidency, he granted Trillanes amnesty from his rebellion attempt.

Now comes President Duterte seeking to revoke Trillanes’ amnesty and ordering his arrest and retrial for his past coup plotting. Senators and other legal luminaries have entered into the legal fray to defend either Duterte or Trillanes. Both sides are confident that the law of the land is on their side. Many citizens are confused over the issue; some couldn’t care less. Clearly, the nation is in a dilemma!

Revolution in history

The soft stance in some toward coups and coup attempts may be a natural result of the awareness that many nations today – the Philippines included — have arisen from past revolutions. France, the U.S.A., Russia, China and nations in South and Central America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East developed through some revolution against previous rule. To Americans, July 4 is their “Independence Day, but to their former British masters, this day is considered to be America’s “Rebellion Day!”

Besides ideologies, religions have also played an important part in revolutions. The Protestant Reformation movement rocked the Roman Catholic world. Even within religious blocs, attempts to return to or revive conservative views, have resulted in radical factions. The ISIS [“Islamic State”] has attempted to take over cities to try to claim them for the“caliphate”of their Messiah-like “Mahdi.”

Prehistoric rebellion

The original, first-ever revolution or rebellion occurred multiple millennia ago in the heavenly realms. This was the first-ever known coup attempt against the sovereign rule of God. This was mounted by the archangel Lucifer, who with his angels [comprising 1/3 of all God’s angels, Revelation 12:4 ], to try to unseat God from His throne, and to take over the reins of the universe in place of God as the “Most High” (Isaiah 14:12-15). But God’s almighty power was too much of a match to that of Lucifer, and he and his angels were cast down to earth. Because of his sin, Lucifer has since become Satan the Devil, and his angels now demons. [See: Where Did the Devil Come From? and http://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, SELECT “Books & Booklets” and scroll down to the booklet titled “Did God Create A Devil?”]

Satan the instigator of rebellion

True to his nature, Satan seduced our first parents, Adam and Eve, into rebelling against God by disobeying His command to not eat the fruit of the tree He forbade, the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil’ [story in Genesis 3, see: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!”].  Humankind has since followed Adam’s sinful, rebellious ways.

Even the people God had especially chosen for His divine purpose, the nation of Israel, fell into rebellion.  This happened when the children of Israel clamored to have a human king like the nations around them.  The story is found in 1 Samuel 8:1-10:27.  In so clamoring, the Israelites rejected God as their king.  And they suffered the dire consequences He had warned them about (8:9-19). God considered their clamor for a human king and thus rejecting God as their King a great wickedness (1 Samuel 12:17-20).

A celebrated case of rebellion was that ascribed to Israel’s first king, Saul. Saul disobeyed God on two counts: 1) He offered an animal sacrifice which was unlawful for him to do but for the ordained priests (1 Samuel 13:1-14); and 2) He disobeyed God’s command to destroy the Amalekites utterly—both men, women and children and beasts. For his first sin Saul was judged by God to “have done foolishly” (13:13). For his second sin, Saul was judged by God as having committed “rebellion” – which God considers to be “as the sin of witchcraft” (15:23)!

In God’s eyes, witchcraft is so wicked and evil that it deserves capital punishment, death (Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; 2 Chronicles 33:1-6; Revelation22:8)!

Rebellion against all authority an offense before God

One of the most powerful kings in all human history was Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar.  He was called a “king of kings” (Daniel 2:37).  He had to learn a difficult lesson so he would realize that “the Most High [God] rules in the kingdom of men, [and] gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men” (Daniel 4-17, 32; 5:21).

The apostle Paul resonated this in his instruction about being subject to human authority: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain, for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.  For because of this you also pay taxes; for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.  Render therefore to all [authorities] their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:1-7).

The apostle Peter also instructs: “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by Him [God], for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men – as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants to God.  Honor all people.  Love the brotherhood.  Fear God. Honor the king” (1 Peter 2:13-17).”

Even in the micro-kingdom of the household, Peter instructs: “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.  For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?  But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’ [Isaiah 53:9], who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return, when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him [God the Father] who judges righteously, who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:18-25).

In the mini-kingdom of the family, a rebellious son was to be dealt with drastically: “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of the city, to the gates of the city.  And they shall say to the elders of the city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones, so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and fear” (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).

No human government perfect

We know all too well that no human government is perfect.  As God revealed it to Nebuchadnezzar, God can, and often does, allow the lowest of men – or women – to occupy seats of authority.

This being the case, what is a man or woman of God to do?

By wisdom, a person can strive to reason with the authorities, but with a humble, respectful attitude.  Such was the way Joseph and Daniel managed to get along with harsh authority.  See Genesis 39-41 and Daniel 2-4.

But resorting to rebellion and forming an independent group or society often results in all sorts of problems, complications, and dilemmas.

For example, the first rebellion in the history of the nation of Israel occurred when Jeroboam, a high military officer of King Solomon, led the majority of the people – ten of the twelve tribes of Israel– into breaking away from the original monarchy.  The malcontents complained about the heavy taxes and other burdens which Solomon’s successor, his son Rehoboam, imposed on the people (1 Kings 11:26-12:21).

Instead of resulting in good, Jeroboam’s rule led the northern kingdom [“house of Israel”] into gross idolatry, until, eventually, the continuing sins of the people caused them to be conquered and taken away captive by the Assyrians. [See:   God’s Kingdom and Israel.]

Is it any wonder that most of today’s nations which were born out of rebellion are dogged with multiple challenges?

“Bewitched” into sin

True to God’s assessment of rebellion as a sin tantamount to witchcraft, God allowed the Israelites to be vanquished and taken away captive by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17). [ Witchcraft: a person or group of persons can be “bewitched” into believing a lie, as Adam and Eve were at Eden by Satan the Devil. For turning to a “different gospel” – one not according to God’s word, therefore a lie — the brethren at Galatia were reproved by Paul: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 3:1). [See: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!” Freed From Bondage,  Beware of False Prophets , and Fake News.]

The streak in man to disregard God’s command or law has a bewitching effect, thereby rewiring man’s perception of what is right and what is wrong.  This pernicious effect makes it doubly or multiple times difficult to erase it from one’s mind and heart.  [See: Switching Positive and Negative, The Deceitfulness of Sin, A Law-abiding Universe – But Man! and  The Rainbow Connection.]

In this life, it is impossible – without God’s help—for a person to overcome a rebellious streak.  That is why, under the Old Covenant [Moses’ “ministry of condemnation”] the only recourse to remove the spirit of rebellion, and witchcraft or sorcery from society was through capital punishment – death.  [See: Moses and Jesus – Are They Contraries?

In this present dispensation, a rebellion left unpunished according to God’s law, will cause unrest in society.  As Proverbs 24:9 says, “The scoffer [KJV, “scorner”—as rebels may also be called for their scorn and disrespect toward authority] is an abomination to men.”  And “Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave” (Proverbs 22:10).  Instead, peace and calm will result when rebels are put away.  Also, the punishment will instruct common men to be wise and not to rebel against or be scornful toward authority (Proverbs 21:11) in the same way.

Rebels to repent — or perish!

Jesus’ repeated word to all sinners is “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish “(Luke 13:3, 5).  But how is one to repent of a sin as pernicious and bewitching as rebellion?

Repentance is something that God grants (Acts 11:18). God’s Spirit works in a person’s heart and mind, to help one realize the goodness of God and thus come to repentance (Romans 2:4).  God’s Spirit then empowers the person to obey God’s law.  [See: God’s Spirit and Obedience, The Higher Law of the Spirit, and Breaking Down Our “Walls of Jericho.”]

As people come to The True Christ, He will give them His Spirit of meekness and gentleness (Matthew 11:28-30). And, as people behave meekly and gently toward each other, they will inherit the earth and enjoy an abundance of peace (Psalm 37:11).  [See: World Peace – At Last!]

Attitude toward all authority

Since all authority ultimately traces back to God (Romans 13:1), disrespect toward all authority – high or low, public or in the home – is disrespect toward God!

The archangel Michael showed the example of leaving the judgment of an authority figure – as Satan is, until now – up to God, even as Jesus did to His persecutors (1 Peter 2:21-23).  “Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ (Jude 9).  [It seems that Satan wanted to take hold of Moses’ body, which God had hidden from human view (Deuteronomy 34:6), for whatever evil purpose Satan had in mind.]  Jude warns about those who deceive themselves and defile themselves by rejecting authority and speaking evil of dignitaries (Verse 8).

In the Church of God even some leaders, being imperfect men “with feet of clay,” are to be treated with due respect. “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of a double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine…. Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses [what we would call “due process,” based on true, factual evidence, not mere hearsay].  Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear” (1 Timothy 5:17-20).

Only those who learn to look up to and submit to all authority are fit to enter the kingdom of God.  Christ as the perfect “King of kings” and “Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16) will not tolerate rebellion of any kind in God’s kingdom, which Jesus will establish after His return to earth. He will, in fact, destroy all defiant, rebellious mankind with the fire of His coming (Isaiah 66:15-16, 24; Revelation 11:15-18).  [See: The Battles of the Almighty.]

In a prophecy about the early days of God’s kingdom, which Jesus will establish at His return to earth, a horde of rebellious nations will attempt to attack that kingdom to try to take over the unwalled villages of Israel.  The horde will be dealt with swiftly and forcefully by God. The prophecy is found in Ezekiel 38:1-39:16.  No enemies of God will be tolerated, and people will “know that I am the LORD, the Holy One of Israel” (39:7).  [See: Martial Law.]

A similar attempt will be staged by the same type of rebellious nations stirred up by Satan, who will be released from his prison for a short time at the end of Christ’s 1000-year rule, but fire from God will devour them (Revelation 20:1-4, 7-10).

The unrepentant destroyed forever

Our merciful God will not pardon or forgive a sinner – more so, a rebel – who does not truly repent, and does not bear fruit worthy of repentance, which is obedience to God’s law (Luke 3:8). [See: Why Is the “Unpardonable Sin” Unpardonable?]

A human authority that exonerates or pardons an extreme criminal like a rebel is not following God’s way. And, as such rebels go unpunished, the hearts of men will be emboldened to commit similar crimes (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

Duterte’s desire to reopen Trillanes’ rebellion charge would seem to be in line with this Biblical principle. Many may not see it that way, but God’s word is clear about this.

Because many people do not agree with God’s testimony, there is great conflict and controversy, as is the case with Trillanes. In the final Day of Judgment, everyone will be judged as to whether they have obeyed God’s word or not. Jesus said: “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). The entire Bible contains the word of Jesus. He – and His Spirit – has inspired the writing of all the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:6; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Peter 1:21).  Jesus is the “Word” [Greek Logos]—Spokesman for God the Father (John 1:1; 49).

Israel’s King Solomon summarized the whole duty, or the whole man: “Fear God and keep His commandments.  For this is man’s all.  For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)!  [See: Saved For Good Works.]

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
110918

Philippine President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte, recently kicked up a lot of rhetorical dust when he declared that the God of most people who profess to be Christians is a “stupid God.” Pres. Duterte has refused to apologize for his now infamous statement.

How do we make sense of all the flak that has followed in the wake of the hard-talking president’s pronouncement?

The “foolishness” of God

His assessment of God, Pres. Duterte explains, comes from his perception that it is stupid of God to allow His good creation, man, to be destroyed by sin. The president is not alone in questioning why God didn’t make man perfect and incapable of sinning in the first place, [thus “the original sin” would not have occurred], thereby preventing or making unnecessary man’s death or destruction. Some ask, “Why did God place the forbidden tree – the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”—in the Garden of Eden? And “Why did God allow the Devil to tempt the first woman, Eve, into eating the fruit of the forbidden tree?” “Why didn’t God stop man from eating the toxic fruit, so that man would continue to live and perhaps eat the fruit, instead, of the “tree of life,” which would have given man everlasting life? [See: Is There Ever any Good in Man?  and A Law-abiding Universe — But Man!]

We can imagine all sorts of “what if” scenarios, and fail to understand God’s perfect design and “strategy,” if you will. If we examine closely His divine scheme of things we will come to understand that God has made everything in His often inscrutable wisdom. The psalmist wrote of God: “O LORD, How manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all” (Psalm 104:24).

Honest eyes looking at plant or animal tissues and cells through a microscope will admit that some ingenious and clever structures and mechanisms have been put in place by some intelligent Maker to make them cohesive and life-sustaining. The same goes with the precision of the movement of the planets and the heavenly bodies.

God’s “wisdom” is often too profound for mere men to grasp. The apostle Paul wrote that the “wisdom” of God is often mistaken for foolishness or, if you will, “stupidity.” “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Greeks foolishness. But to those who are called [of God], both of Jews and Greeks, Christ [is] the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness [what some would consider the ‘stupidity’] of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:22-25). Paul also wrote: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out” (Romans 11:33)).

Despite this, however, God promises to His people and those who have reverent fear of Him: “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant” (Psalm 25:14). God will give understanding to them as to why He does the things He does.

Why a “hell-fire?”

Among the things which Pres. Duterte criticized as the “stupidity” of the God whom most “Christians” profess to believe in is the teaching about “hell-fire” or the “lake of fire” reserved for all unrepentant wicked people (Luke 13:3, 5; Revelation 21:8).

Mr. Duterte posed a question about how God could still throw him into hell-fire if he had been cremated after his death, as is his wish. Unknown to the president, and to many other people, is the true Bible teaching about God’s judgment.

The Bible reveals that God has set apart three judgment periods: our present age [from the creation of Adam and Eve up to the return of Christ from heaven to earth, the first 1,000-year reign of Christ, and after that reign. [See:   Predestination and This Is not the Only Day of Salvation.]

All who have died not having received salvation in Christ, since Adam up to Jesus’ return, will be resurrected or brought back to a physical life at or toward the end of the 1,000 years [also called “millennium”] of Christ’s rule on earth (Revelation 20:5).

God has power then to resurrect these dead people who have become dust or ashes — yes, if ever, including Pres. Duterte! They will have their time to understand God’s plan for creation, especially human life, to truly accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and finally receive everlasting life (Revelation 20:11-12).

After that judgment period [however long God will extend it], those who will prove to be still wicked and unrepentant and therefore whose names are not found written in The Book of Life, will be  cast into the “lake of fire” or the “second death” (Revelation 20:13-15; 21:8).

That God would forever destroy the wicked and give everlasting life to the righteous is based on His perfect and unfathomable wisdom — not stupidity or foolishness! [See: The Universalism (“All Saved”) Issue.]

Back to Eden

Let’s take, for example, why God placed the forbidden tree [which was really the “tree of death”] at Eden, and why God allowed Satan, in the guise of a serpent, to deceive Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, and convincing her husband Adam to do the same (story found in Genesis 3).  [See: “Your Eyes Will be Opened!” and The Flaming Sword East of Eden.]

To begin with, why did God “make” a Devil? Many Bible students understand that Satan the Devil was originally a cherub, a powerful angelic being who once covered God’s heavenly throne. He is described in Ezekiel 28. He was “the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty…Perfect in [his] ways from the day [he was] created, till iniquity was found in [him]. (Verses 12, 15). [See: Where Did the Devil Come From?] God created a perfect angel, not a Devil. [See this link: http://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets” and scroll down to the booklet titled “Did God create the Devil?]

Isaiah 14:12-15 takes up the story of this cherub, apparently named “Lucifer [meaning “bringer of light”], whose sin or iniquity was exalting his throne above all the angels and attempting to overthrow God from His throne so he could take over as “God” or “the Most High.” But the Almighty God threw Lucifer and his angels down to earth, which was the domain God gave them (Jude 6). Revelation 12:3-9 shows that Satan and his angels [he was an “archangel” leading fully one-third of all God’s angels, as Michael was or is (Jude 9)] are cast down to earth. At Christ’s return Satan, with his demons, will be bound in some dark prison, thus making them unable to deceive mankind as they do today (Revelation 20:1-3). [About Satan’s fate, see: Two Goats Together.]

That God found iniquity in a perfect angel shows that Lucifer had a choice to obey God or not. Lucifer chose to rebel and disobey. God also gave Adam and Eve the choice between obeying Him or not. The Genesis story shows that our first parents chose to disobey God and listened to the Devil instead. If God had not given man freedom of choice or free will, man would merely become an automaton or robot, unable to do nothing but what his Maker tells him to as an automatic thing and not through the exercise of the will or volition. This is the wisdom of God that may appear foolish or stupid to some people. [See: “My Brain Made Me Do it!” and  What Is This Thing Called Will?]

As Paul said, God’s wisdom is to give sinful mankind a Savior in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross. This was intimated by God, when He told Satan (in the guise of a serpent): “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15). Paul wrote about this, in Romans 16:20: “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. Revelation 12:7-10; 20:1-3 elaborates on how Christ will do this.

God’s wisdom and knowledge to fill the earth

When Christ returns to earth to claim all rule and authority over all of mankind, only the truth and knowledge of God will be taught. Nations will come to Christ’s throne in Jerusalem to learn about God’s law (Isaiah 2:2-3). “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain [symbolic of God’s kingdom, which will occupy the whole earth (see Daniel 2:44-45; Revelation 11:13)], for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). [See: “The Next Chapter of History” and World Peace – at Last!]

Finally people all over the earth will appreciate God’s wisdom and knowledge. They will acknowledge that God’s thoughts and ways are different from and are higher than man’s thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). God tells unrighteous man to forsake his thoughts and ways and return to God (Verses 6-7). [See: Switching Positive and Negative and Spiritual Dyslexia.]

Someday men will understand the depth and breadth of God’s love and wisdom [See: The Four Dimensions of Christ’s Love]. No one will think or declare God to be “stupid” or “foolish.” As Paul wrote: “Be not deceived, God is not [– and cannot be –] mocked [without some dire consequence]; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Defiant mankind cannot, and will not, prevail against God (Psalm 9:19).

Men will, instead, fear and worship God as All-wise and perfect in His thoughts and ways (Revelation14:7). We are commanded to become perfect as He is perfect (Matthew 5:48). [See: True Worship  and Does God Require us to Do the Impossible?]

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
020718

Recently I viewed with interest a CNN story with that intriguing title.  The program tried to explain bad (anti-social) behavior in some people mainly from a physiological-neurological standpoint. An example cited on the TV program was that of a married man who turned out to be a pedophile and thinking to rape his mother-in-law.  Because of this he was imprisoned.

In line with research being done on anti-social behavior, a scan of the man’s brain was taken. The scan revealed a tumor in the cortex of the man’s brain. A surgeon removed most of the tumor and, after his recovery the man kept from his sexual aberrations for a while, and he was returned to his wife and family.  However, later it was found that the tumor had grown back, and the man went back to his former anti-social behavior.

The brain surgeon featured on the program questioned the time-honored belief in man’s free will. It seemed, from the example of the man with the brain tumor, that his anti-social behavior stemmed not from the exercise of his will, but from the state of his brain, over which he had no control. Correcting the brain abnormality through surgery, the surgeon suggested, could well fix the bad behavior.

The TV program went on to tell that the man underwent a second surgery to remove the vestige of the tumor, and again the man kept away from his anti-social behavior. However, the program ended there, and did not reveal whether the man’s improved behavior was sustained over an appreciable period.

A plea for leniency

Based on his findings with the man with the brain tumor, the surgeon urged that other people (especially the courts) exercise more leniency and understanding toward criminals, who may merely be victims of some cerebral malady which the persons are unable to control.

Treatment, not imprisonment, is therefore recommended as a better recourse.

A new alibi?

The TV program’s title, obviously, is a take from the age-old excuse men and women have used to explain their misconduct (or sin): “The devil made me do it!” Our Mother Eve had used the same alibi at the Garden of Eden.  [See: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!”]

Many humanistic and non-religious people no longer believe in the existence of a devil, much less the devil’s power to influence human thoughts, decisions, and actions. [Most don’t believe in the existence of God, either! See: Where Did the Devil Come From?  and Is There Ever Any Good in Man?  and this link: http://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, select “Books & Booklets” and scroll down to the booklets titled, “Seven Proofs God Exists” and “Did God Create a Devil?”]

Thus it is understandable that many scientists and human behaviorists would look to some physical cause of sexual aberrations that men and women exhibit. And where better to pin the cause than on man’s “command center” — man’s brain!

Questions begged

While this mainly “mechanistic” or rather deterministic view of man seems to offer some hope for criminals, it begs a number of questions, however.

1.    Who, really, controls a man’s brain?  If, as the TV program’s surgeon suggests, man has no free will and is merely at the mercy of his brain, who is responsible if something goes haywire in his brain? Should the man’s parents be blamed if perchance they passed on some defective genes that manifested themselves in the man’s damaged brain, resulting in criminal behavior? Or should the parents’ parents and grandparents, and so on, be blamed for the bad genes? Or perhaps should the parents be blamed for not seeking early remedy for their son’s malady, thereby mitigating, if not obviating the criminal bent in the man?

What if the parents do not have the wherewithal for the needed treatment of their son? Should “society” or the government be blamed for making the parents so poor as to be unable to afford the treatment?

What if the man sustained damage to his brain through some unhealthy practice, such as eating the wrong or unhealthy food, not eating enough of the brain-healthy foods; sustaining some brain damage through an accident or carelessness or exposure to contaminants in the environment? Who is to blame for the man’s lack of knowledge of the principles of healthy living? Should the man, or his family and society be blamed for all this? Does not the man have a choice as to what to do with his own life – such as seeking the right health information and applying it?

2.    Does it always follow that a healthy brain equals good behavior?  Are all criminals thus “brain-damaged?” And do all “good” people have “good” brains?  Is there ever a chance that people with perfectly healthy brains can turn criminal?  And can some people with brain damage live a non-criminal or moral life?  Have sound statistical studies been made on this? Unless proven by facts, this supposition remains a theory.

What is man?

Many scientists believe that man is merely the end-product of eons of evolution. That man is  a mere biological or physical “being” (or “animal”) that happens to have “minds” that are able to conceive of ideas and produce things that the rest of the natural order are not able to, or do differently.

People steeped in the theory of evolution (for that is what it is – a supposition yet to be proven by the facts) do not believe that mankind is a “creature.” For “creation” presupposes a Creator – a “Mastermind” or “Designer”– who has made all things for some purpose that He reveals progressively (not all at once) to mankind. [For further discussions on the evolution versus creation issue, see this link: http://www.herbert-armstrong.org, click ENTER HERE, Select “Books & Booklets” and scroll down to the booklets titled “A Theory for the Birds,” and “A Whale of a Tale” and the book The Incredible Human Potential.]

The Creator claims to have “authored” a Book (some call it a “Manual for Living”) showing what man really is, what man’s potential really is, and how man can reach that potential.  That Book is the Holy Bible. While many scientists and philosophers and similar-minded people disbelieve the authority and power of the Bible, there are quite a number of scientists and other learned people who believe in the revelation of the Bible and in the creation by a divine Creator. [See, for example:<www.thehighestofthemountains.com>.

The Bible unequivocally declares that man was purposely made by God in His own image or likeness (Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 1:7). As the creation story goes (Genesis 2), God made a clay model of Himself, breathed life into it, and it became a living being – man.  Later God made woman out of the man’s rib, and caused the man and woman to reproduce and fill the earth with their offspring.

While man was made in the physical image of God, man is not yet in the perfect spiritual image of God, who is Spirit, and has no beginning nor end of life [John 4:24; Hebrews 7:3; see: The Mystery of Melchizedek Unlocked].  In contrast, man is made of matter and is mortal – subject to death and decay. [See: What Happens to Man After Death?] All men will eventually be given a chance to be saved from death, through faith in Christ (Romans7:23; 6:23) [See: Predestination.]

Man made with freedom of choice

At the Garden of Eden God gave our first parents (Adam and Eve) the choice basically between two trees – the “tree of life” and the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” which was actually a “tree of death.” The well-known story is found in Genesis 3.

If God had intended for man to have no free will or freedom of choice, why would He even offer man a choice? But God did offer man a choice! In Genesis 3:16-17 God commanded Adam:  “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat [including “the tree of life, Verse 7], but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

As most everybody knows the story, Adam (at his wife Eve’s suggestion and urging after the Devil had convinced her) chose to eat of the forbidden tree, the tree of death. [See: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!”] God had to drive man away from the Garden of Eden lest he put his hand and take also of the tree of life, and live forever (Genesis 3:22) – in sin, and thus become like Satan and his demons, who have everlasting life. God placed powerful angels (cherubim) to guard the way to the Garden and thus keep man from illegal reentry to it.  [See:  The Flaming Sword East of Eden.]

Our fate sealed by the choices we make

A bouncy song popular in the 1990s went, “Our fate is sealed by the choices we make.” Adam and Eve chose to obey Satan (in the guise of a serpent) and to eat the forbidden fruit. Eventually, they did die, as God had warned them. After some 6,000 years since that fateful incident at Eden, mankind has followed in Adam’s footsteps, choosing the same path of disobedience to God’s commandments. Result?  All have had the same sentence of death (Romans 5:12; 3:23; 6:23).

Only those to whom God has chosen to show His mercy in this age will be saved from death (Romans 9). [See: Predestination, This Is Not the Only Day of Salvation and The Ransomed of the LORD.]

Although each person has freedom of choice, often our condition may be affected by the choices or decisions others make. We no longer live in isolation; now we are in a “global” community. Many barriers of the past no longer exist. What some people in one part of the globe do can and does affect the lives of others in another part of the world. [See: Climate Change.] Well, who’s to blame for all this?

The ultimate blame

All the mess that our world has been in can be blamed, ultimately, on the original sinner – Satan and his angels (now demons) who followed him in his sinful, God-defying ways. An immortal spirit being, Satan was around at the Garden of Eden when God created mankind. Without missing a beat, Satan went to seduce Adam, through Eve, into defying God’s command not to eat the forbidden fruit of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” [See: “Your Eyes Will Be Opened!”]

Because Satan has induced all human beings into committing lies, murders and other sins (Romans 3:23), Jesus called Satan their “father” (John 8:44).  The apostle Paul called Satan “the prince of the power of the air [where Satan “broadcasts” his evil thoughts] the spirit which now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath [judged with God’s indignation], just as the others (Ephesians 2:23).

While God will judge Satan and his demons for their own sin – that of seducing mankind into sinning, and their rebellion against God– the Bible clearly shows that God will not dump on Satan the direct blame for the sins of Satan’s “children.” ‘See: Are We All God’s Children?]

This is established by two Old Testament passages. Deuteronomy 24:16 says, “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.” Ezekiel 18:20 resonates:  “The soul that sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”  Could anything be fairer than that? [See: Two Goats Together.]

We don’t “pass this way but once”

One of my spiritual mentors said to me that it was a “short-sighted” person who made popular the saying “I shall pass this way but once.” Or, “I shall not pass this way again.” Most people think that the life we live in this present world is all there is. That what we do, or fail to do, in this life will be judged finally or once and for all. Many believe that righteous people immediately go to heaven at death, while wicked people go to some fiery hell at death.  [See: What Happens to Man After Death?]

The apostle Peter, however, assures us, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God [the Church of God], and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God” (1Peter 4:11)? Only those who are now called to be members of the Church of God – God’s “elect” now – are being judged for salvation or damnation.  The rest of mankind – the vast majority – will have their time of judgment later, at a time God chooses. [See:  The Divine Prerogatives,  Predestination, This Is Not the Only Day of Salvation, Where Is God’s Church Today? and The Value of the “Firstborn.”]

God is in control!

The Bible clearly says that God is interested in saving all of mankind, and many people believe this.  The apostle Paul wrote that God our Savior “…. desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

Likewise, the apostle Peter wrote that the Lord “…is longsuffering toward us not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). However, a cursory look at our communities and nations around the world will show that most people have believed Satan’s lies and have refused God’s truth. Most have continued in their sin and have refused to repent of it.

As Jesus prophesied about our times today, lawlessness has abounded, and the love of many has grown cold (Matthew 24:12).  Paul also said that in our day “…perilous times will come” (1 Timothy 3:1-9).  He cited a near-catalogue of evil that men would do – and indeed are doing – today. [See: “The Next Chapter of History.”]

Although it seems like Satan has the upper hand in claiming rule over most of humankind, God is in full control. Satan can only do as God permits him to for a time. Revelation 12:9, 12 shows that Satan only has a short time left to do his dirty work of deceiving all of mankind. In His own time God will send His Son Jesus Christ to bind Satan and his demons in some dark prison, thereby making them unable to deceive mankind as before (Revelation 20:1-3).

Repentance a personal choice

To sin or not to sin is a personal choice every person has to make every moment of his or her life. So is repentance a choice each person has to make, as God makes possible. How?   Repentance is something that God grants (Acts 11:18). He does this by graciously opening a person’s eyes to see God’s goodness and thus he is led to repentance (Romans 2:4). Paul tells us that “…now God commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).

Jesus had warned twice, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke13:3, 5). A command requires a person’s voluntary act to turn from one’s sinful ways and do what God commands in His word, the Bible. True and genuine repentance is as act of the human will [or “free moral agency”].

Every single human being has a human “spirit” given by God for all to have full control of (1 Corinthians 2:11; 14:32). The human spirit works with the mind, which is an output of the human brain. The human brain is not on “auto pilot.” The brain needs a human “pilot” – the person himself!  –  to control which way one’s thoughts and actions should go, whether good or bad, legal or illegal (criminal, unlawful).  “The buck stops” with the person – not Satan or some entity called “my brain!”

Some have twisted the writings of the apostles Paul and Peter cited earlier (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) to mean that God would need to remove human will in order that His supreme will would be fulfilled – that He will have mercy on all  (Romans 9:18; 11:32). [See: What Is This Thing Called “Will?“]

However, we find (in James 2:13) a condition God has set for showing His mercy to people: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” This echoes Jesus’ words, “For if you do not forgive men their trespasses [thereby showing mercy to them], neither will your Father [in heaven] forgive your trespasses [or thus show mercy to you]” (Matthew 6:15). Whether one forgives or shows mercy to others, or not, is an exercise of a person’s will or volition – his or her choice.  And if one fails to show mercy and is not shown mercy by God, one’s sin remains unpardoned, and one will perish [See: Why Is the “Unpardonable Sin” Unpardonable?].

Willing obedience desired by God

By presenting every human being with a choice to obey Him or not, God has given each and every one of us freedom of will to choose which way we should go. However damaging Satan’s influence in our lives may be, God provides a way out.

Paul compares our life of sin to being held captive in Satan’s snare, making us unable to do anything but the Devil’s will (2 Timothy 2:6).  Paul elsewhere describes this kind of bondage as that to “the law of sin and death” in our human person and being (Romans 7:21-22; 8:1), making it impossible to obey God. We can only be freed from that law through The Higher Law of the Spirit [also see: God’s Spirit and Obedience,  The Flaming Sword East of Eden,  The Deceitfulness of Sin, and Is There Ever Any Good in Man?]

It therefore behooves each person to make sure he has good or full control of his own spirit. One of the facets of the “Fruit of the Spirit” [of God] is self-control or self-discipline (Galatians 5: 22). The use of alcohol and regulated drugs can cause a person to lose some or much control over his thoughts and behavior. That is why being “drunk” [intoxicated with alcohol] is a sin in God’s eyes (1 Corinthians 6:10; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21). In most countries drunk driving [or “driving under the influence”] is a crime. So is the use of mind-altering drugs a crime. Hypnosis also causes a person to lose control of his will and consciousness. Degenerative diseases [such as Alzheimer’s or as a result of head trauma] can also affect brain function and behavior. In such cases, God may hopefully judge the person, in mercy, on the basis of his life before the degenerative affliction.  Or else God could heal the person by some miracle.  After all, nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37)!

Let’s get it straight!

God holds every person accountable for every thought, word and deed that proceeds from the person himself. Jesus said, “You have heard it said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27). “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 13:36-37. “… the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His [Christ’s] voice and come forth [ be resurrected] – those who have done good, to the resurrection of [everlasting] life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29).  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”(1 Corinthians 5:8).

God will not judge an entity called “my brain” in the Day of Judgment.  Instead God will judge a person—not his “brain” — according to his thought, word and deed.  God has given each person the responsibility to rule his own spirit.  “Whoever has no rule over his spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). [See: “No Walls, No Ceiling?”  Mind Control, and The Great Wall .]

The bottom line is this: let’s take good care of our brain so that we can use it to do what is good instead of evil.  It is our person or ourselves that God will judge, not our brain as such! Let’s not use the cop-out, “My brain made me do it.”  Let’s simply say, “I did it!” Then, repent of it – and be forgiven. There’s no other way to salvation.

 

Pedro R. Meléndez, Jr.
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