Author: petebeck3

Pete Beck III ministered as a pastor and Bible teacher in Burlington for over 34 years. He is married to Martha, with whom he has four children, ten beautiful grandchildren, and four amazing great grandchildren. He ministers in his local church as a Bible teacher and counselor. He has published two books - Seeing God's Smile and Promise of the Father - as well as a wide variety of Bible-related articles which he has compiled into books in PDF form.

The Primary Importance of Genesis Chapter One

Genesis Chapter One contains the very first words of God recorded in the Bible. It describes how God created the cosmos – the seas, earth, firmament, and sun, moon, and stars. As such, it is of primary importance.

The battle of the ages is being fought over Genesis because, if it can be shown that it is not literally and actually true, there is no reason to assume that anything else in the Bible is true.

This is why Satan has worked so hard to convince the people in the world that evolutionary astrophysics is real, making the Bible an archaic fairy tale.

I have conversed with numerous Bible-believing Christians who insist that it is not necessary or even correct to accept that Genesis is literally true. These friends believe that Jesus rose from the dead. They believe in the primary importance of the gospel message and tell me that insisting on a literal interpretation of Genesis is an unnecessary obstacle to people’s accepting the gospel claims.

Without fully realizing it, those who reject the literal truth of Genesis have set foot upon the slippery slope of deciding which parts of the Bible are true and which merely contain truth, which is exactly the position of the more liberal denominations which have departed from the faith.

Why do any of us feel that it is necessary to reject the literal truth of Genesis? Is it not because we regard the claims of what is called science to be of greater import than God’s Word?

If we accept the proclamations of theoretical science above God’s Word, we have become idolators who worship at the altar of a new religion called “Scientism,” which has its own high priests, scientists, who tell us what we must believe.

I admit that people come to faith in Christ without believing that Genesis is literally true. I did. But this does not mean that believing Genesis is true is not important. Jesus said the the scripture cannot be “broken,” (John 10:35) meaning that every word of God is true. He said in another place that we are to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). People who already believe in Jesus will continue to do so regardless of whether they accept a literal interpretation of Genesis. To them, it is non-essential. However, those who are in the process of exploring the claims of the Bible and who read Genesis are faced with a huge obstacle to faith. Everything they have been taught from infancy rejects the creation account of Genesis. They must decide what to do with the Bible. Many decide that Genesis is not true and therefore reject all the Bible’s claims.

The goal of evolutionary astrophysics, geology, paleontology, and biology is to convince us that our universe and all life sprang from nothingness by absolute random chance without any influence from a Creator.

We have to admit that Satan’s plan has wonderfully succeeded. He has successfully eliminated the Bible from public education and the halls of what is called science. Any reference to a Creator is rejected. Science must be able to explain things entirely using mechanistic processes. Nothing divine is allowed.

It stands to reason that the best way to combat the lie of evolutionary “science” is by reestablishing faith in the literal truth of Genesis.

It is impossible to accept the Genesis account as true and end up with a heliocentric view of what is called the ever-expanding universe. Until we are willing to repent from our rejection of the literal truth of the Genesis account, our ability to win over atheists and agnostics to the gospel will be limited.

But when we come face to face with the truth about the heavens and earth that God made, we can only arrive at one conclusion. There must be a Creator. No matter how truth is twisted, evolutionary processes cannot explain the existence of the firmament.

It is not a far jump to show those who acknowledge the Creator that the one who made them is named Jesus, the Eternal Logos who became a man and died for our sins and then arose as Lord of Lords, who will come again in glory when God dissolves the firmament. (2 Peter 3:12)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1–5 (NKJV)

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The Firmament, the Throne, and the Apocalypse

In my previous article, I described the firmament and what it contains – the sun, moon, and stars. God’s throne is situated above the firmament.

From his lofty position above the earth, he watches and sovereignly rules over all things as the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord.

It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23 He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. Isaiah 40:22–23 (NKJV)
The Throne

The Bible has some amazing revelations about the firmament that pertain to God’s throne. God’s habitation is mentioned in Exodus when God invited Moses and the elders of Israel to dine with him.

Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.  Exodus 24:9–10 (NKJV)

Obviously they were no longer on Mt. Sinai! God lifted them into heaven, above the firmament, as he did with Ezekiel and John the Revelator later. The description of the pavement agrees with other descriptions of the firmament, above which is God’s throne.

Below are verses that describe those later descriptions of the firmament as the location of God’s throne. The first is at the beginning of Ezekiel’s ministry. God revealed himself to that prophet before sending him to fearlessly speak to a rebellious nation who would not heed his words. The second passage is taken from Revelation near the beginning of what God would unfold to John.

It seems that God reveals the firmament in greater clarity before he is going to provide us with even more revelation and call us to be his fearless witnesses.

The likeness of the firmament above the heads of the living creatures was like the color of an awesome crystal, stretched out over their heads. 23 And under the firmament their wings spread out straight, one toward another. Each one had two which covered one side, and each one had two which covered the other side of the body. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. 25 A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings. 26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking. Ezekiel 1:22–28 (NKJV)


Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. Revelation 4:2–6 (NKJV)

The descriptions of the firmament agree – pavement as clear as the sky, crystal, and glass. Ezekiel 1:22 says the firmament is like “awesome crystal,” which literally means frost or ice. It is really high above the earth and may indeed be some sort of ice. Incidentally, frozen oxygen is sky blue in color. Just a thought…

If you are like me, I tended not to pay great attention to these verses before believing in a literal firmament because they seemed so otherworldly and loaded with almost unfathomable symbolism.

Once I started taking the existence of the firmament seriously, however, I began to see that these verses describe a heavenly reality.

Below are some significant insights they give us.

  • God inhabits a place where the hard “pavement” has a clarity like the sky.
  • From below the firmament looks like crystal. The Hebrew word here is qerach, which literally means frost or ice. The word for crystal from Revelation 5:6 uses the Greek word krustallos, which means congealed or transparent and is derived from a root word for frost. (You may wish to go back to the previous article and look at how lightning sprites illumine what looks like a crystalline firmament above them.)
  • God’s throne rests on this glass-like pavement of the firmament and is the color of sapphire, very much like the color of the sky itself.
  • The one who sits on the throne must be our Lord Jesus himself. In Exodus and Ezekiel this would have been a pre-incarnate theophany of the eternal Logos. We know from the words of our Lord Jesus that the triune God is a spirit (John 4:24) whom heaven cannot contain, but Jesus acquired a human body (John 1:14) and has been given authority to judge. It is he who sits on the throne as the glorious son of man prophesied by Daniel. (Daniel 7:13-14)
  • The rainbow appears around God’s throne, which testifies to what an abomination it is that it has been subverted to represent something anti-God. John the Revelator describes the light as emerald green in nature, which is the main color of the aurora borealis, located at the north pole, which is directly below the apex of the firmament. Could it be that the northern lights are expressions of God’s glory above the firmament? One day we will find out for sure!

God told us that every matter or word will be confirmed out of the mouths of two or three witnesses. (Matthew 18:16).

Therefore, since we have three verses describing the firmament, I believe God wants us to accept these verses as describing reality, not some vague symbolism. If we do this, we will see other verses in a new light.

The Apocalypse

The apocalypse or revelation of Jesus Christ on the last day can be understood best when we accept the reality of the firmament as the location of God’s throne and the barrier that separates us from God’s realm.

God is called the Most High because he literally occupies the highest place in creation. When God told John the Revelator to “Come up here,” (Revelation 4:1) “up” had meaning, which it does not on a globe, since all positions are relative. (This should be a red flag in itself. Satan desires to make all truth relative and malleable.) Heaven is above. Sheol is below. Earth is in between. Jesus told us to “look up” as end time signs appear.

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28 (NKJV)

The reason we are to look up is because that is where God’s throne is and from where the Lord Jesus will appear when God rolls back the firmament like a scroll, dissolving the heavens.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:10–13 (NKJV)

Jesus said the the sun will stop shining, the moon will go dark, and the stars will fall to the earth.

But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25 AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 “Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. Mark 13:24–26 (NASB95)

If the stars were distant suns larger than our sun, this could not happen. Because the stars are simply luminaries, not “suns,” in the firmament, when their habitation is dissolved, they will fall to the earth. To me, at this point, it is not clear exactly what stars are. Sometimes they seem to be living beings or angels. At other times, simply lights. One day we will know. For know we must be content with what God allows us to know. Going beyond that is what got humanity in trouble in the first place!

When the firmament is dissolved, the stars fall, and the sun and moon cease to give their light, it will be a day like no other.

For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. Luke 17:24 (NKJV)

...Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You. 6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7 It shall be one day Which is known to the LORD Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light. 8 And in that day it shall be— That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be “The LORD is one,” And His name one. Zechariah 14:5–9 (NKJV)

What will that be like? It shall be both wonderful and terrible, glorious and fearful.

When God says he will roll up or split apart the heavens like a scroll, he means he will peel back the firmament to reveal the glorious one who sits on the throne.

The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Revelation 6:14–17 (NASB95)

At that point in history, every eye shall see him. His throne is so high, higher than the North Star, and his being is so gloriously bright that he will be seen by all those who dwell on the earth plane.

...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10 (NKJV)

The one who ascended through the heavens after his resurrection (Ephesians 4:10) will be revealed in flaming fire when the heavens are dissolved. Afterward God will create a new haven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13). Glory to God. What a day that will be!

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Chapter 82: The Eternal State

Our state of being after death is topic in which we should be most interested. If we accept the Bible as our source of truth, we can gain many insights into this existence, but there is still some mystery to it.

God created us to live forever as a unified being consisting of a body, soul, and spirit.

Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground [body], and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [spirit]; and man became a living being [soul].  Genesis 2:7 (NASB95)

The addition of a spirit to the body produced a soul. However, sin introduced death, according to God’s word.

The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”  Genesis 2:16–17 (NASB95)

The day Adam ate, his body did not die, which seemed to confirm the serpent’s lie, but his spirit was cut off from its connection with God. Spiritually he died, but it took many years for it to show up in his body. Today people are born into the world with spirits that are cut off from God. Before the new birth, people are zombie-like creatures who are spiritually dead while living physically. Our souls are cut off from the Holy Spirit and only know a self-directed way of living, which is destitute of the fullness of life and joy God intended for us to have. We only experience an empty unfulfilling existence that we try to offset in any number of ways – wealth, pleasure, power, and various ways of escapism. Nevertheless, something within us yearns for more, which is only found in God. As the French philosopher wrote:

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.” – Blaise Pascal, Pensées VII(425)

Sin created a God-shaped hole in our souls that only he is able to fill.

God saw us in our lost condition and took initiative to save us.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:4–6 (NLT)

The glorious truth is that God so loved us fallen creatures that he sent his own Son to suffer the consequences of our sins, which included experiencing death, so that we can once again live forever as God originally intended when he put the tree of life in the garden.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  Hebrews 2:14–15 (NKJV)
The Current State of the Saved

When we are born again, our spirits are renewed and made perfect in God’s sight through our identification with our Lord. This is a once for all time event that permanently imparts Christ’s righteousness to us. You can read more about this by going to the section on justification. Following justification, our souls enter an ongoing daily process called transformation or sanctification in which the Holy Spirit works inside us to make us more and more like Jesus. This will continue until we die or are caught up to heaven at Christ’s second coming. As our bodies await resurrection, we undergo the process of dying daily. (1 Corinthians 15:31) We may experience temporary reprieves from this march toward death through healing, but eventually we will die.

Our current state can be most perplexing since we continually experience a battle between what the Bible calls the flesh and the spirit.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)

We are sort of bipolar in that we have a justified perfect spirit combined with a very imperfect and dying body that is still linked to the judgment of death on Adam’s sin. Paul called this a battle between the flesh and the spirit that requires us to walk by faith and not by sight.

The Current State of the Unsaved

Those who are not born-again are spiritually dead while physically alive. They are cut off from God.

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.  Ephesians 2:12 (NLT)

Since existing without God is the only state unsaved people have ever known, it seems normal.

Unless God intervenes, they will continue in this condition until death and the judgment.

The Intermediate State of the Saved and Unsaved

Our existence after the physical death of the body, but before the resurrection of the dead, is called the intermediate state.

Probably the least is known about this form of existence, but the Bible does give us some information.  Some believe that at death people go into an unconscious state until the resurrection, since it is inconceivable that our souls could exist without a body. The Bible however indicates that we will have consciousness in this state.

Jesus told a parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) which indicates that this is the case. After death, the rich man could see Lazarus enjoying his intermediate existence in a place called Abraham’s bosom, which seems to have been a holding place for the righteous before the resurrection of Christ. In contrast, the rich man was in a place of torment, but he was able to communicate, nevertheless. There was an impassable chasm between the two versions of the intermediate state.

Therefore, since I do not believe Jesus would tell a parable that leads us down a false path, we can conclude that we will have consciousness in the intermediate state and that the righteous will be blessed, but the unrighteous will be tormented.

After Christ’s resurrection, I believe he led those righteous dead in Abraham’s bosom (paradise) right into the presence of the Father. Paul later wrote about the intermediate state of the righteous dead in Christ.

Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:6–8 (NASB95)

It seems obvious that Paul is not looking forward to a state of being unconscious, but to enjoying God’s presence.

The Final State of the Wicked

If we die in an unsaved condition, we have no hope in the final state.

We will continue eternally in the state in which we died, that of being cut off from the life and presence of God.

“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”  John 8:24 (NASB95)

And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.  2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 (NLT)

This eternal destruction is described in another place as the lake of fire.

And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.  Revelation 20:11–15 (NLT)

Before this consignment to the lake of fire, there will be a general resurrection. (Acts 24:15) Therefore, the wicked will be cast bodily into this fire, as prophesied by Jesus.

And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’  Mark 9:47–48 (NLT)
 
The Eternal State of the Saved

Those who are born again have an indescribably better future. After our resurrection, we will have an eternal bodily “tent” in which to dwell.

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.  2 Corinthians 5:1–4 (NLT)

Our final state is called glorification.

We will reflect the glory of the Lord in our entire being. From God’s point of view, this has already been accomplished, but for us who currently dwell inside time, it remains in the future.

And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.  Romans 8:30 (NLT)

It is impossible for us to understand or appreciate fully what this will be like, since we have not experienced it yet.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  1 John 3:2 (NKJV)

The eternal state will include the recreation of heaven and earth.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.  Revelation 21:1–7 (NLT)

Revelation uses apocalyptic language, which must be properly interpreted. We should take it literally unless it is obvious from context that it should not be. Not surprisingly, God says much the same in other prophecies to help us understand more fully.

But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.  2 Peter 3:10–13 (NLT)

Our eternal bodies will be able to endure this catastrophic judgment and cross over into the new eternal state of things. We do not really know what the new creation will be like, but we will fit in, being new creations ourselves. The goodness and glory of God will be reflected in everything, as was the case before the entrance of sin with the resulting spiritual blindness. There will be no danger of our being bored or unfulfilled. I assume that our revelation of God will continue through eternity. I also assume that we will have much to do as residents in this new creation, but we will have to wait to see what it will be like. One thing is for sure: we will delight ourselves with worshiping God.

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified.”  Psalm 70:4 (NASB95)

In the meantime, we are encouraged to live with the confident expectation of our glorious eternal state with God.

Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.  1 John 3:2–3 (NLT)

Those who believe what the Bible says about eternal rewards and the glories to come will live in a way to maximize their joy in this life and guarantee a better resurrection in the next.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  Philippians 3:7–14 (NLT)
Click here to see all the articles in this series.
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Chapter 81: Eternal Rewards

Over the years I have heard many say that they are not looking for rewards for serving God, as if that were a very noble thing. There is only one problem, however: it directly opposes Jesus’ teachings on the matter. Our Lord made a very big deal of how important it is for God’s people to live in a way that will gain for them a maximum reward from God.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV) 

People will sacrifice for what they treasure.

We learn from Jesus and other biblical authors that “laying up” heavenly reward is costly. Just as we must deny ourselves to put aside savings and investments in the natural world, it is necessary to deny ourselves to gain heavenly riches, too.

Jesus taught in the passage above that the pursuit of worldly wealth and laying up heavenly riches can be at odds. We must choose which we will prioritize.

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24 (ESV)

Money can be extremely useful in God’s kingdom if it is managed by someone whose heart is devoted to God. Those in whom God has put a gift of giving need money to fulfill this calling. Paul wrote about using money for God.

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NKJV)

It is not money that is the problem: it is the love of money.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV)

If we make the choice to forego the pursuit of money, the thing that is most attractive to the great majority of people, it stands to reason that there must be something even better being offered by God.

Surely our Lord is not asking us to deny ourselves in this life just to be masochistic.

Paul the apostle was a man who willingly gave up worldly wealth, prestige, and power to follow Christ. What motivated him? Here are his stated reasons.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:8-11 (ESV)

Paul received a clear revelation of Christ that motivated him to pursue a lifetime of costly service to his Lord. He suffered quite a lot and was finally martyred, but to him it was all worth it.

Our willingness to deny ourselves in the pursuit of Christ and his kingdom indicates how much we treasure the rewards God offers.

Likewise, our unwillingness to sacrifice in the here and now for what is promised in eternity means we probably do not even believe it is true, at least not at a “gut” level. Or perhaps we simply don’t care. I am not sure which is worse.

The following passage is a sad biblical example of this in operation.

Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.  Genesis 25:29–34 (NKJV)

Paul probably had this passage in mind when he wrote the following:

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.  Philippians 3:18–19 (NKJV)

Jesus taught his followers that we should perform acts of love because of the attached reward.

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14  and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12-14 (ESV) 

Jesus not only taught this principle: he lived by it. As he approached his crucifixion, he weighed the price he was about to pay against the reward that lay ahead in heaven. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews informs us that Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that awaited him at the end. (Hebrews 12:2)

It is a good practice to weigh the cost of serving God against the joy of our heavenly reward.

Every time we choose between immediate gratification and the reward that God promises to those who love and serve him, we please and glorify God and become spiritually richer. Otherwise, we put ourselves in danger of becoming like the rich fool who lost everything while trying to hoard his wealth.

Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  Luke 12:16–21 (NKJV)

There is an intense battle associated with the choice to live for heavenly reward. Only those who have faith will be able to choose well.

The world system, flesh-oriented people, and the devil will tell us that expending our lives for Jesus is a waste.

When the woman poured the expensive bottle of perfume upon Jesus’ feet, she was rebuked by worldly minded disciples.

And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”  Mark 14:3–9 (NKJV)

Nothing we expend upon Jesus out of devotion and worship to him is ever a waste.

It is important that love be our motivation; otherwise, our sacrifice may be in vain.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:3 (NKJV)

Over our lifetimes we demonstrate whether God and his promises mean more to us than what this world has to offer. We do not want to wrongly invest our lives in things that do not matter to God. Right now, we still can put God first. There will come a day when it will be too late to make changes, as it was for Esau.

Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17  You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. Hebrews 12:16-17 (NLT) 

But when we do choose for God, Jesus promises a sure and lasting reward.

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30  who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10:29-30 (ESV)

The apostle Peter, who heard Jesus say these words, took it to heart and lived accordingly.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you... 1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) 

Should we be rewarded for serving God? Yes, according to Jesus. Even though our ability to serve God comes through grace and is a gift from God, our choice to serve him is so priceless to God that he celebrates it by pouring out even more blessings upon us.

We cannot overestimate how much God appreciates people who lay down their lives in service to him.

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.  Mark 9:41 (NASB95)

God is extravagant. He will richly reward us beyond our imagination.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  Ephesians 2:4–7 (NKJV)
What Will These Rewards Look Like?

It is impossible for us to comprehend the wonders and glory that await us in eternity.

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

In another verse it compares variations in reward to how stars differ in brightness, which is an obvious reference to our somehow reflecting God’s glory in varying degrees.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.  Daniel 12:2–3 (NKJV)
There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.  1 Corinthians 15:40–42 (NKJV)

Jesus spoke of heavenly reward in terms of how a master would repay a servant for being faithful.

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)

The idea here is that being faithful in carrying out responsibilities gains a reward of praise from the master and added responsibility. This would not be appealing if we are lazy or irresponsible. But for those who find joy in service, it is attractive. In contrast, according to the Lord, lazy servants will be punished. (Matthew 25:26) In heaven, we will have responsibilities and work to do, it appears.

Heavenly reward is compared to an inheritance in several places in the Bible.

All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.  Matthew 25:32–34 (NLT)

Peter said this inheritance is ours because of the new birth through which we have become children of God.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  1 Peter 1:3–5 (NKJV)

Paul agreed with Peter and added that the Holy Spirit guarantees it.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.  Ephesians 1:13–14 (NKJV)

In another place, however, it seems that our obedience will influence our inheritance.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.  Colossians 3:23–25 (NKJV)

One of God’s unchangeable principles is the law of sowing and reaping. We gain an inheritance because of what Christ did for us, but that inheritance will be measured to us based on our obedience to God.

In God’s mysterious economy, his sovereignty never dispenses with our need to act responsibly. Grace never precludes obedience. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Grace leads to good works, and grace produces obedience.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 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 (NKJV)

Those who serve God with a whole heart in the pursuit of God’s honor and glory will store up for themselves eternal unfading reward. Those who belong to Christ but do not choose heavenly riches, will still be saved, but without acquiring what could have been theirs.

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.  1 Corinthians 3:10–15 (NKJV)

The Bible makes it clear that in either case, full of rewards or suffering loss, heaven will be a place of eternal joy. I suppose once we get past the judgment and meting out of rewards, we all will be simply amazed and overcome at the mercy, grace, and glory of God. There will be no room at all for any sort of regret or sadness.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”  Revelation 21:3–4 (NLT)

The sure conclusion is that whatever the cost associated with honoring and obeying God here on earth will all be worth it.

Click here to see all the articles in this series.
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The Danger of Being Wise

How could anything as profitable and desirable as wisdom put anyone in danger? Didn’t Solomon write that finding wisdom is better than acquiring gold? (Proverbs 16:16) Proverbs also tells us that finding wisdom is a way to love our own soul. (Proverbs 19:8) How could something so valuable be dangerous?

Consider these words of Jesus.

At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. Luke 10:21 (NASB95)

This passage is noteworthy because it is the only recorded instance of Jesus showing such exuberant joy. What made him so gloriously happy? He rejoiced because his heavenly Father chose to conceal the truth about Jesus from the wise and intelligent and reveal it instead to the childlike or simple-minded. Why would that bring joy to the Lord?

Isaiah prophesied something very similar.

Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.” Isaiah 29:14 (NASB95)

Apparently God says that it glorifies him that he made it impossible to find him or know him by using our intellects or human wisdom. Perhaps the reason is because Satan prompted Adam and Eve to pursue godhood by using their reasoning and knowledge, and God decided that no one will find him that way.

We have to be willing to lay aside the pride of human intellect and wisdom to know God.

In another place, Jesus quoted Isaiah.

FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.’ Matthew 13:15 (NASB95)

Faith comes by hearing or perceiving God’s words spoken in our hearts by revelation of the Spirit. (Romans 10:17)

We can only know God by faith. Faith is ignited when the Spirit of God opens our hearts and minds to apprehend the truth of God’s words.This is a spiritual activity that transcends human reasoning and wisdom.

Paul likewise took up this theme in his first letter to the church in Corinth.

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 1 Corinthians 1:26–29 (NASB95)

Putting these verses together, I conclude that there is a wisdom from God and a wisdom of the world. (James 3:13-18) The best examples of wisdom from the world is when it uses sound principles for evaluating knowledge in order to arrive at a prudent course of action.

The wisdom from God, includes the previous definition, but relies primarily on our apprehension of and faith in God’s written Word and the revelation of the Spirit.

There is a very big difference between the two kinds of wisdom that produces quite opposite results.

If we as Christians choose to rely more upon the world’s wisdom to guide us in our thinking and actions, rather than upon the written Word and the Holy Spirit, it will put us in danger.

My observation is that the people whom I consider to be the wisest are quite careful and make it a practice to try to avoid all extremes, following King Solomon’s advice.

So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? 17 On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? 18 Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes. Ecclesiastes 7:16–18 (NLT)

Wise people I know generally believe that the truth is almost always found somewhere in the middle between opposing extremes. This results in their tendency to refuse to identify with either side in a political debate, for example, believing that the wise position is a compromise between the opposite extremes. Politically this works pretty well a good deal of the time, but when it comes to truth issues, compromise is not always the answer.

People in the Bible who tried this “wise” approach sometimes ended up in the wrong place. Take for example, when Jesus challenged the Jewish leaders by asking them if John’s baptism were from God or not. They “wisely” considered the outcome of their reply, choosing to avoid committing to either a positive or negative position. They remained cowardly “agnostic,” revealing their duplicity. Jesus told us in Revelation that he would rather we be hot (yes) or cold (no) rather than be “lukewarm” or non-committal. Another example of using wisdom to avoid making a commitment is when Gamaliel advised the Jewish leaders to avoid persecuting the apostles.

And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” Acts 5:38–39 (NKJV)

Gamaliel used his wisdom to remain neutral. At least he chose to not persecute the Christians, which is something, but his “wisdom” never helped him make a commitment to Christ, as far as we know. It left him in the gray lukewarm undecided realm.

Truth requires us to make a commitment to it, even if it runs counter to the dominant viewpoint or seems to be an extreme position.

In this day and age, it is important that we understand that communists seek to move the middle to the right, calling what formerly was a mildly conservative position, far right, and what was formerly far left to the middle.

I think most of us understand that sometimes we must take an “extreme” position, such as in the case of abortion. Even though the predominant view in our country is that abortion is a legitimate (legal) option for a woman, we people of the Book know that abortion is the taking of an innocent life. There can be no compromise on this. Regarding less obviously “black and white” issues, however, it seems that wise people try to stay somewhere in the middle and to remain neutral.

If wisdom’s aim is to avoid controversy, this is certainly the way to go.

When Jesus arrived on the earth, he was thought by many to be the bastard child of an insignificant woman from Nazareth. The dominant view at the time regarding the expected Messiah, one supported by the “experts” in such matters, was that he would be born in Bethlehem and would lead the nation out from under Roman oppression and back to being in a dominant position of honor and power in the world. When the Lord revealed to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna that this little babe was the one chosen by God to assume David’s throne on a forever basis, it was not something anyone would ever have guessed or been able to figure out. It was a completely surprising claim that was so extremely divergent from the opinion of the experts (the priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Saducees) that it must have seemed like some sort of weird conspiracy theory. (Of course, that term had not yet been coined  by the CIA to dissuade people from probing into the JFK assassination.)

Few if any wise or biblically educated persons would ever have believed such a claim made by ignorant persons from the lower rungs of society.

When Jesus entered his public ministry, very few from the group considered to be educated and wise “fell” for his message. In fact, they were offended by his confident teaching, his demonstrations of God’s power to heal and deliver people from demons, his refusal to be bound by Talmudic oral traditions, and his claim to be able to forgive sins. Eventually those in power put him to death for saying he is the divine Son of Man prophesied by Daniel. From their point of view, Jesus’ claims were dangerous, misguided, and blasphemous.

Their “wisdom” completely let them down because it was unable to accept anything outside their understanding of what was the correct interpretation of the scriptures. How could all the experts be wrong?

These so-called authorities in the Law rebuked those who appeared to be open to the possibility that Jesus might indeed the Messiah.

Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” 46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” 47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” John 7:45–49 (NKJV)

The rulers and Pharisees were so convinced that their view regarding the coming Messiah was correct that they were not able to recognize him when he stood right in front of them and spoke to them. Their hearts were closed to anything that did not fit into their paradigm, understanding, and training. They were convinced that they were far wiser and more discerning than the “simple minded,” ignorant people who were being deceived into believing in Jesus. They were convinced that they were the guardians of truth responsible to protect God’s people from heresy and false messiahs. Their worldly wisdom and desire to avoid being deceived by “extreme” claims took them down a wicked path to murder the true Messiah, all the time thinking that they were serving God.

In the eyes of the world, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is outside the pale of what is reasonable and wise.

It is thought to be an extreme position that runs counter to the dominant worldview and all sound wisdom. To accept that Jesus rose from the dead as the Lord of Lords who will one day return to judge the living and the dead requires one to be willing to be labeled as a misguided religious fanatic.This happened to Paul when he preached the gospel in Athens, the center of worldly wisdom at that time.

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” Acts 17:32 (NKJV)

Some rejected the gospel, but others were “open” and wanted to hear more. In order to be saved, we have to move from being “open” to God to being committed to him. Before doing so, one should count the cost of making such a decision.

A public confession of Christ followed by water baptism is the designated way for us to declare our allegiance to Jesus the Messiah and become part of what the world considers to be a misguided fringe sect of fanatics.

It is impossible for us to accept the gospel as being the truth without the help of the Holy Spirit. Christianity is a revelatory “religion.”

Only those people who hearts are open to receive revelation from God are able to believe and come to Jesus. This is what it means to be childlike.

Jesus said that unless we become like little children, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 18:3) Jesus said we cannot come to him unless we are drawn by the Father and have our eyes opened by the Spirit of God. (John 6:44)

Once that happens, the Holy Spirit enables us to see things in an entirely new way. We are able to operate by means of a divine wisdom not recognized or understood by those in the world.

Paul wrote:

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 1 Corinthians 2:6–8 (NASB95)

Since we are human, we remain susceptible to the temptation to rely on human wisdom instead of the Spirit of God and the written Word. This can take us into dangerous territory. Every strength has a corresponding weakness. The strengths associated with wisdom are obvious, but the weaknesses are more subtle. A person who is endowed with natural wisdom can easily begin to rely on that strength and slip away from a dependence on the Holy Spirit to open God’s Word and wisdom to us. There is a similar peril attached to being intelligent. We can start relying upon natural smarts instead of God’s Spirit.

The truly wise person learns to submit his natural wisdom and intelligence to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

The humble person will remain open to the Holy Spirit’s revealing surprising truth to him or her for life. Otherwise we are in danger of becoming what Jesus called an “old wineskin” that is unable to receive new revelation from God’s Spirit.

The humble of heart understand that the predominant view of things can be quite wrong. They will accept the need to commit to truth, even if it puts us on the outside looking in at the rest of society.

It is getting to the point where our ability to see through the propaganda of the government run media and education system could be a matter of life and death.

Our government, media, and other powerful influencers have proved to be quite untrustworthy. We will have to listen to God, depend on the what the Bible teaches, and be willing to think for ourselves. Every position that violates the clear teaching of Scripture must be rejected, no matter how many experts say otherwise. It may not be possible to hold a “wise” middle of the road position on some future issues.

I believe we must be prepared to make a stand, one that in many cases may relegate us to being seen as being on the fringe of society – ignorant Bible believers. We should not fear being marginalized.

The church has always been most effective working from the margins. Christianity began as a “fringe sect” of Judaism that soon found itself being persecuted by the Jews and the Roman government alike. Things may be heading that direction again. But that is when the church was able to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6), upsetting the dominant worldview and power structures.

If we are willing to be identified with the remnant who believe God’s Word and declare allegiance to Jesus, we likely will have great impact on the world. We may be foolish in the world’s sight, but God will say we are wise.

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Are We Willing to Declare Allegiance to Every Word of God?

Jesus warned that we will be judged regarding our allegiance to him and his words.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26 (NKJV)

Satan’s chief strategy has always been to plant doubt in our hearts regarding God’s character and the truth of his words in order to break our allegiance and obedience to God.

We see this played out in the Garden of Eden, when he questioned Eve, “Did God really say?” After casting suspicion on God’s character and truthfulness, he countered God’s truth with a lie, which she and Adam believed.

It is important that we grasp that Satan made Eve and Adam feel foolish and ignorant for taking God at his word, instead of figuring out things for themselves.

Satan still seeks to shame anyone who simply believes what is written in the Bible.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote:

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)

We learn from the opening passages of John’s gospel that Jesus is the Word of God who became a human, and everything was created by him.

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:3 (NKJV)

We also know from John’s gospel that the one who created everything came to earth to die as a living sacrifice to restore us to a right relationship to his heavenly Father. Sadly, those whom he created, for the most part, refused to believe that he was and is who he claimed to be. A relatively few people, whose hearts were open, believed that he was and is the promised Messiah King of Israel.

Jesus knew that his purpose was to die for our sins and that he would rise again after three days. How did he know this? The only thing he could rely upon was what is written in the Bible.

Our Lord Jesus had absolute confidence in the truthfulness of God’s Word – all of it. He taught that it cannot be “broken.” (John 10:35)

Leading up to his death, he told his disciples that everything would happen to him as was written.

Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. Luke 18:31 (NKJV)

As he hung upon the cross enduring the mockery and taunts of his enemies and the excruciating pain of crucifixion, feeling his life blood drain away, he only had God’s promises to which to cling. He “put all his eggs into one basket,” so to speak. Jesus bet his life, his ministry, his reputation, and his eternity – everything – on the truthfulness of God’s Word.

As the “second Adam,” Jesus passed the test of the ages: he displayed full allegiance to God and his Word.

After he rose from the dead, he appeared to two discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus. He gently rebuked their despondency, indicating that it was caused by a failure to believe the Word of God.

Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:25–27 (NKJV)

He called them “foolish” because they did not believe everything in God’s Word! He said they were “slow of heart to believe.” Faith resides in the heart. It surpasses what the intellect can comprehend. Only those whose hearts are open are able to believe God’s words. To everyone else, the written Word seems to be foolish.

Jesus did not condemn them, and he will not condemn us when we stumble through lack of faith and allegiance to God’s Word, but he will correct us and challenge us to believe every single word of God.

But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” Luke 4:4 (NKJV)

We are not allowed to pick and choose which words of the Bible we are going to believe. We either believe all of it or everything in the Bible comes into question.

When Paul was on trial for his faith, he declared that he believed everything written in the Bible. (Acts 24:14) He said in another place that the written Word required him to speak about what he believed. He had no other recourse.

God required Paul to show public allegiance to Christ and to his Words.

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 2 Corinthians 4:13 (NKJV)

Today it seems that many Christians believe that it is possible to show allegiance to Christ without making a stand for every word of God written in the Bible. Jesus contradicted this false notion in my opening verse above (Luke 9:26).

God gave us the written word upon which our faith rests.

Every word of God is tested and true. (Proverbs 30:5) John said that what is written is given to us so that we can “know and believe.” (John 20:31, 1 John 5:13) Paul said that faith bursts into bloom in our hearts by “hearing” the word of God. (Romans 10:17) The Lord warned us against invalidating God’s written word with our man-made traditions. (Mark 7:13) These are not only religious traditions. Anything that is handed down from one generation to the next that contradicts God’s Word is a demonically inspired tradition.

I believe the days are upon us when we too will need to have complete  reliance upon the written Word as deception grows in intensity. I believe that taking such a stand brings honor and glory to God.

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Chapter 80: The Last Judgment

Next to receiving a visit from the Grim Reaper, perhaps the most feared future event for many people is the prospect of facing God in judgment after death. Most of us realize that we have failed to live up to God’s holy standards of righteousness and wonder what he will say to us. Many, however, do not believe that God will judge people at all. They hold that God either does not exist or loves people too much to condemn anyone and will benevolently give everyone a “pass.” Such a view has God ignoring all sin and injustice in the name of love. He is ready to admit everyone to eternal bliss, even those who despised God and took pleasure in evil and hurting others. What does the Bible have to say?

Everything as we know it now will come to an end one day. Everything in this world upon which people pin their hopes will eventually cease to exist. According to the Bible, even the earth and heavens will “wear out like a garment” and pass away. (Psalm 102:25-26, Isaiah 51:6, Hebrews 1:10-12) In their place will be something new and amazing. But until that day arrives, the Bible teaches us that when our physical lives are completed, we will die, and, after that comes judgment.

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.  Hebrews 9:27–28 (NLT)

Whether we look toward that day with dread or delight depends on our relationship with the Judge.

Does Justice Matter to God?

I know a man who insists that God will never judge or condemn anyone; yet, I saw this person become very angry over a perceived injustice. Something in him hates it when anyone is treated unfairly. What gives? Can we have it both ways? Can we believe that a loving God does not really care about injustice when we care so much?

The truth is that if God is not just, he is not good.

No amount of love and forbearance allows a judge to overlook crimes against humanity. Very imperfect humans expect more from other humans. Either God is just, or he is not good and loving.

The Bible says that God loves justice. It is part of his nature.

The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. Deuteronomy 32:4 (ESV)

God’s justice, which is part of his goodness and character, poses a huge problem for us.

Injustice is rooted in the human condition due to the perversion produced by sin. Even though people seem to universally hate injustice, we are all guilty perpetrators of the same to some degree or another.

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2  We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Romans 2:1-2 (ESV) 

God is good and we are not. God is just and we are not. Therefore, we have a problem. We hate injustice, but we don’t want to have to face up to our own sins and failures. Ultimately, however, we will answer to God for our own participation in injustice and evil.

Jesus, the Judge

Jesus taught his disciples that he has authority to judge all people.

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26  For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27  And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28  Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29  and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:25-29 (ESV)

No one I know has died and come back to life. Granted, some tell of having near death or temporary death experiences from which they recovered. I believe that these should be viewed somewhat skeptically, unless they agree with the Bible. Even then, we realize that it is one thing to be dead for three days and rise again compared to being “out” for a few minutes.

Jesus the Lord is the only person who died and rose again without ever dying again.

According to the Bible, he pre-existed before coming to earth (John 1:1), at which time he took upon himself our human condition minus our inherited “sin nature,” in fulfillment of promises made to Abraham (Genesis 22:18) and King David (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah (Isaiah 53:4-6) and John the Baptist (John 1:29), he gave up his life as a sacrifice for our sins. Three days later, he rose again from the dead, demonstrating that his sacrifice on our behalf was accepted by God. His resurrection also vindicated Jesus in the eyes of his disciples and all who would later believe in him. Forty days later he ascended into heaven, where he now rules as Lord of Lords and from where he poured out the Holy Spirit upon the church. (Acts 2:32-36) The Bible says that, at the appointed time, he will return to judge the living and the dead.

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42 (ESV)

Jesus’ voluntary sacrificial death and resurrection can only be understood against the demands of God’s justice.

Mankind in general and each of us individually owed God a just debt in payment for our sins that we were completely unable to pay. Bankrupt people cannot pay off their creditors. Jesus, who lived in complete submission to his heavenly Father, was the only one with enough spiritual “credit” (righteousness) who could pay the debt, which he did at great cost to himself. The “wages” of sin is death, which is what Jesus paid. (Romans 6:23) In recognition for his amazing act of sacrificial love and obedience, God the Father elevated Jesus to the highest rank in the universe – Lord of Lords.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 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, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:8–11 (NKJV)

Jesus is now the One God the Father chose to one day judge all people to finally set things right in the universe with respect to divine justice.

God’s Standard of Judgment
As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire.10  A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. Daniel 7:9-10 (ESV)

Daniel the prophet was given this vision of the coming Day of the Lord, when God will judge all people who ever lived. This heavenly courtroom scene is both majestic and terrible. The Judge is Someone called the Ancient of Days, whose presence creates awe and dread. Is there anything here on earth that can prepare us for what that day will be like?

“And the books were opened.” If you are like me, I would like to know what are those books? Is there something in them about you and me? God gave John the apostle a similar vision when he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos for his bold testimony and faith in Jesus the Messiah. Here is his written record of that experience.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13  And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV)

According to this and other Bible passages, the books that will be opened before the Ancient of Days contain a written record of how each of us lived here on earth during the time allotted to us.

This will include, according to Jesus, not only what we did, but also what we said. (Matthew 12:36) Our utterances are what we might consider to be verbal deeds. And according to the Bible, even our thoughts and intentions will be made known, which makes this an even more horrifying spectacle. (Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 12:14) None of us desires our worst thoughts to be made public, but that is what is going to happen. Imagine a book that contains all the thoughts, words, and deeds we ever had or did!

Another question we might ask ourselves is by what standard our thoughts, words, and deeds will be measured? Will we be compared to other people from our socio-economic group who lived about the same time as we, or will we be graded against all people who ever lived? Will we only be scored against others from our own religious grouping, or against all other world religions? Will we be graded “on a curve,” which would allow most of us to pass, despite our poor showing? But what if some, as is often the case, did so well that a normal “curve” no longer applies? What if someone made a perfect score? And what if we did not even believe that there was such a person as the Ancient of Days? Will we get a do over?

The Bible reveals that the Law is God’s standard for judging people. It reveals to us what God’s holiness looks like and what he expects of us.

The Ten Commandments are the bare essence of this standard. When we consider our lives against these commands, some of us might think we will come away fairly well at the Last Judgment. Most of us have never murdered anyone, right? That is, unless abortion is murder, or, as Jesus taught, being angry with someone is tantamount to committing murder. (Matthew 5:22) What if hatred or harboring a grudge and wishing ill on another is in the same category as murder?

Jesus taught that God looks at the thoughts and intentions of the heart, not just what we had the nerve to perform.

What about adultery? It might once have been true that most people have never committed adultery, but perhaps not today. Adultery, like murder, under the Law was punishable by death. It is an extremely serious offense in God’s eyes, which are the only eyes that will matter at the Last Judgment. Jesus raised the bar even higher when he told his followers that, if we lust after another person in our hearts, we are guilty of adultery. (Matthew 5:28) Does this mean that lustful thoughts are worthy of death? Since lust is a sin, its wages demand death. (Romans 6:23)

God created us to live in harmony and dependence upon him. We sin when we choose to go our own way in disobedience to his clear commands and try to live without consideration or reference to God.

Sin is not just when we do “bad things” like murder. It is also includes when we do the most evil thing of all – forsake God.

Sin began in the Garden of Eden and has been passed down genetically and spiritually to all of their descendants. As a result, we were born with an inner propensity to sin and have all contributed our part, spreading sin and rebellion against God to the far corners of the earth. We have all fallen short of God’s glorious standard of right living.

Every single human being who has ever lived a self-directed life apart from God will inherit death because such a life defines what death is – existence apart from God.

…when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  2 Thessalonians 1:7–12 (NASB95)

We may not like God’s holy standard, but it is the one by which we will be judged.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (ESV)
The Gospel of Justice and Judgment

Paul preached these words to onlookers while he stood in the middle of the Areopagus in Athens, Greece.

“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31  For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31 (NLT)

The announcement that Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead is integral to the gospel message.

Jesus is not the symbol of a “feel good” religion which affirms everyone’s beliefs and behavior. Rather, he is a very real person, who lived, died, came alive again, and still lives in a glorious spiritual body, waiting in heaven until the appointed time for his return, when he will raise the dead and judge all people according to their works. (John 5:19-29)

The Apostle Peter said that Jesus instructed his followers to focus on this part of the Gospel message.

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43  To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:42-43 (ESV)

Jesus, the only One who really knows what will take place after we die, made it abundantly clear that he will judge every person who ever lived. Jesus has the right to judge mankind because he chose to absorb God’s judgment against humanity on our behalf. All who declare their allegiance to Christ the Lord and believe in his atoning sacrifice are made right with God.

If we spurn this generous offer, we condemn themselves to endure God’s just judgment against such arrogant rebellion. We judge ourselves to be “unworthy of eternal life” when we refuse to believe the gospel. (Acts 13:46)

Now What?

In today’s world, it is not popular or “politically correct” to announce that Jesus will come again to judge people, assigning them either to eternal blessedness or eternal damnation. This generation has largely rejected God and his truth. It demands tolerance for sins and cannot imagine or believe in a God that could be so intolerant! People who reject the gospel ask what right do we have to think that Jesus is the only Way to God? Nevertheless, that is the clear teaching of Jesus in the Bible (John 14:6) and is part of the gospel message.

If Jesus is who the Bible says he is, there is no other way to God and no other way to escape condemnation at the last judgment.

He is the only One who took our just condemnation upon himself; so, we don’t have to endure God’s wrath against sin for eternity.

Gospel means “good news,” and good news gets even better when it’s contrasted with any bad news we might be expecting. Most of us are familiar with the photos taken at the announcement that the second World War had ended. Joyous celebrations erupted. People celebrated exuberantly because that horrible period finally ended. Soldiers who previously faced the prospect of invading Japan now enjoyed the hope of soon returning home.

It is only when we properly fear having to face God’s holy justice as sinners that we can appreciate the good news that Jesus already did it for us.

One of the main deceptions of Satan is to convince people that they have no need of what Jesus came to provide for us. The alluring song of Satan is “I’m okay and you’re okay. Don’t worry. Be happy. Enjoy life. When you die, your existence is over. Don’t fret yourself about it.” Reality, however, is that this life is our opportunity to learn to trust God. If we reject God’s offer of salvation through Christ, there will be hell to pay, literally. After all, it’s what we sinners deserve anyway.

No one goes to damnation without choosing it. To reject the gospel is to choose to face God’s wrath against sin and end up in the lake of fire for eternity.

The Bible says that, because of sin, people come into this world without God and without hope. (Ephesians 2:12-13) It says that we are dead in sin and enemies of God. (Romans 5:6-11) Jesus said that eternal suffering awaits those who reject his message. (John 8:23-24 and Mark 9:43) Paul declared that the future for such people will be an eternity separated from God’s presence. (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10) I don’t know about you, but that all sounds very bad indeed. Is it wise to dismiss such dire warnings? Since we have no empirical proof, is it safe to declare that we do not believe there is a God or an afterlife? I choose to believe the one person who rose from the dead and subsequently ascended into heaven rather than any number of people who have not yet died. One day we will all know firsthand whether or not the Bible is correct regarding the coming judgment! Then it will be too late for those who did not declare allegiance to Jesus.

The Only Way to Escape the Coming Judgment

But, if we do accept that all people will eventually stand before God, what are our prospects at the last judgment? Jesus taught his followers that those who put their faith and allegiance in him will never be condemned.

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NLT)

Putting our faith and allegiance in Jesus will give us a “pass” from ever being condemned for the bad things we have thought, said, or done! How can that be? It’s really very simple: he already underwent judgment on our behalf. He stood before Pilate as an innocent man but was condemned to die.

The just One died in place of those who deserved to die, thus winning our release from condemnation. Debts cannot be justly paid twice.

The logic is inescapable, but it requires that we lay aside any notion of our own worthiness before God, which should not be too difficult for any honest person. Once we grasp just how bad we are, we will be overjoyed to accept God’s provision of his innocent Lamb, who died to take away the sins of the world.

Click here to see all the articles in this series.
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Resources for Researching a Biblical Cosmology

Here are some resources that I think are very good that should help anyone who is interested in developing a proper biblical cosmology. When we first begin to investigate this subject, since it runs counter to the official government narrative, we encounter the “matrix” and discover that Google, et. al., have installed algorithms to rig internet searches against us, just as during the Covid “pandemic.” Almost every site with good information has a flat earth “warning” attached. Anytime the government thinks it is necessary to warn us away from a site, it is almost a proof that we are on the right track. 

I have put what I consider to be quality resources on this page. I plan to update this information as needed. This list includes a link to my private Facebook page – The Biblical Flat Earth Forum, biblical explanations, scientific reasons for believing that the earth is a stationary plane instead of a rotating globe suspended and hurtling through space at unfathomable speeds, and testimonies of people who have discovered the truth.

Hopefully what is contained on this page will help anyone who is open to the amazing claim that we live in a world that was designed and created just as the Bible says by the Most High who sits enthroned above the firmament.

If you want a good place to begin, I suggest that you try the Biblical Cosmology Series by Pastor Ray McBerry. It’s long, but quite good. Please watch each video in succession. Don’t cheat and skip ahead.

Caution: Not everyone who ascribes to the "flat earth" model is a follower of Christ or a Bible believer. We Christians understand that our Lord Jesus, the eternal logos, created everything. Those who are not adherents of the Bible sometimes end up in strange places. Don't be put off by this. Truth is truth and can be discovered by anyone. We are all on a spiritual journey that hopefully will lead us to Christ. The big difference for us who already know him is that we have a guide, the Holy Spirit, and a map, the Bible. Many of us Bible believing Christians are arriving late to the party, so to speak, when we should have been the ones hosting it! We are people of the Book who should have known all along that the earth is designed exactly the way Genesis describes it. Let's make up for lost time.
Private Facebook Pages for Honest Enquirers

Biblical Support

 

Historical Perspectives

 

 

 

Scientific Evidence

   

   

Eclipses

 

 
 

 

Pilot Testimonies

 

Mapping the Flat Earth

  

Satellites

 

https://rumble.com/v1cd8kn-flat-earth-and-fake-satellites.html

 

Antarctica

Stars

 

 

 

Space Is Fake Evidence

Go to 5:42 to begin section regarding NASA’s history.

   

Website: aulis.com – provides extensive documented evidence of NASA fakery

 

Testimonies

 

Humor

 

Recommended YouTube Channels

  • Ditrh
  • Flat Earth, Banjo, USA, Japan and Brazil
  • Flat Earth Reality Explorers
  • Flat Earth Sun, Moon & Zodiac Clock app
  • Flat Out Hope
  • GeoTruth
  • J. Tolan Media 1
  • Jen Murray
  • Observable Reality
  • Paul on the Plane
  • Sky Free
  • Taboo Conspiracy
  • TeethoftheLamb
  • Vikka Draziv /Truth In Plain Sight
  • Witset Gets It

Recommended Books

 

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Grumbling against God’s Appointed Authority – the Traitor in Us

This test reveals whether we will support God’s delegated authority in our lives or choose to speak against and perhaps even try to overthrow it.

We are prone to fail this temptation because the “old man” is proud, rebellious, and judgmental. We realize that leaders are people just like us, who always have quite obvious faults and failings. We can grow dissatisfied with their leadership and start viewing them with a critical eye. If this goes unchecked, it can lead to outright rebellion and participation in an overthrow attempt. In 1 Corinthians 10:10, Paul refers to one such case in Numbers, when Korah attempted to unseat Moses as Israel’s leader. God promptly destroyed him, his family, and his associates – a total of 14,700 people! We can read all about it in Numbers 16:1-35.

It might startle us to discover how much God hates this behavior since grumbling and complaining against delegated authority are considered to be an American birthright of sorts. Our constitutional republic gives us the privilege of electing those who govern us. Since our leaders’ authority indirectly derives from the people via the election process, we may feel free to fearlessly criticize and judge them. But this is not God’s way, especially when it comes to spiritual authority. This does not mean we are not allowed to use discernment regarding others, but we should always try to maintain an attitude of humility. This can get tricky when people in authority abuse and misuse their position and power to harm those they govern. In these cases, it may be necessary to speak up against these abuses or even to resist them, but always in the fear of the Lord.

It is one thing to honestly resist the illegitimate use of authority and quite another to grumble and complain.

In the case mentioned in Numbers, unbelief and pride combined to fuel the rebellion of Korah and his followers, producing something God hates.

Moses was appointed by God and carrying out the Lord’s will. We have a responsibility to support godly leaders in their attempt to discharge their responsibility to oversee God’s people!

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

When Korah defied Moses, he seemed to have some good arguments, but he was fundamentally in the wrong. Like the rest of us, Moses had flaws, but he was still God’s appointed leader. God uses flawed people.

When Korah attacked Moses, without realizing it, he attacked God’s authority, too.

Judgment was swift. Today we don’t always see such quick retribution against those who undermine authority, but be assured that God has not changed his mind about this sin. Judgment will surely come! We always reap what we sow.

If, God forbid, we find ourselves in a situation in which we believe our church leadership is in error, we should approach them humbly and voice our concerns. If there is no remedy, we may find ourselves having to choose between resisting those in authority or finding another church. A general principle is that it is probably better to find a new church with trustworthy leadership than to engage in resisting the existing leadership in a local church. Sometimes we may need to give God “space” or time to work in the hearts of leadership. Patience is a needed fruit of the Spirit. In all situations, we need guidance from the Lord.

Application

If we have become critical of those God has placed in authority over us, it is very important for us to change our tune. This is no small matter. If we need to confront a leader for some reason, we should do so with a humble attitude. Properly regarding, honoring, and following God-appointed leadership is crucial to our spiritual well-being.

We pass the fourth big test by learning how to properly relate to and live under delegated authority, trusting that God is bigger than all who have such authority and is at work in their lives, too.

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Putting Christ to the Test – The Rebel in Us

The third big test we all will face at one time or another is connected to our choice to be satisfied with God and content with what he is allowing us to experience or to cave to grumbling and complaining.

We will be able to pass this test if we discover that God satisfies our deepest longings no matter what our circumstances may be. We can choose to praise God at all times, refusing to knuckle under to our tendency to complain. If we fail this test, we will find ourselves in the unhappy situation of discovering that God is not our first love after all, and our happiness depends on things “going our way.”

This is called “tempting” God because it tests the limits of his patience and can provoke his anger.

How dare we his creatures complain against our maker? How dare we who have been redeemed by the blood of God’s own Son demand anything at all? Truly he has already given us all things in Christ.

The passage to which Paul alludes in 1 Corinthians 10:9 is found in Numbers.

Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. 5  The people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.” 6  The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. Numbers 21:4-6 (NASB)

Even though the Israelites saw God deliver them from Pharaoh’s despotism and the cruel slavery they experienced in Egypt, at this point on their journey in the wilderness they only cared about their current physical needs.

They did not know God’s character or ways; so, they judged their situation by their circumstances, reasoning that either God did not really care for them or that he was unable to provide for them.

Both of these accusations reveal a deep seated rebellion against God that originated with Satan, who inspired Eve and Adam with the same doubts in the Garden of Eden.

When we doubt God’s love, character, and ability to care for us, it is a slap in his face and tests his patience. The Israelites dared God to judge their lousy rebellious attitude, and they got what they requested.

We learn from this passage and others like it that God absolutely hates complaining, grumbling, and rebellion against him, his authority, and his provision. For those of us who have parented children, we know that sometimes kids get progressively “out of hand.” When this happens, things usually will trend towards getting worse unless we, the parents, take care of our responsibility to discipline them. As adults, we can allow ourselves to “get out of hand,” too.

If we start grousing and complaining against God and life in general we have crossed the line. If this becomes a habit for us, we need to realize that in God’s eyes it is a serious sin, one for which he will discipline us because it reveals a sullen rebellious attitude against him.

Ironically, at this stage of their wilderness journey, God really was in the process of killing most of them as they had requested. As a group, except for Joshua and Caleb, they previously defied the Lord’s command by refusing to enter and conquer Canaan. Their fear kept them from inheriting what God had promised. Here is what they said.

Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. 2  And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! 3  Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4  And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Numbers 14:1-4 (ESV)

Rather than obey God, they complained that it would be better to die in the wilderness! God warned them that they would see their wish come true: all the adults who rebelled against him would die in the wilderness. Their “little ones,” however, would be the generation who would obey and go into the land.

Fear, grumbling, rebellion, and disobedience put God to the test and try his patience with us.

All of us have the propensity to rebel, complain, and sin against God. All of us have to be taken into the “wilderness” in order to learn how to trust and obey him.

And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:2–3 (NKJV)

The difficulties we endure are custom designed by God to help us grow spiritually, if we keep our eyes on him. (Romans 8:28) Otherwise, we may find ourselves on the wrong side of this test.

Paul discovered the secret of contentment.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11–13 (NKJV)

Like King David before him, he learned to praise God at all times.

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Psalm 34:1–2 (NKJV)

Only the proud in heart complain against God and demand that he change things to suit us. This is a “hard pill” for our pride to “swallow.”

If we find that we habitually complain against God and find it difficult to be satisfied with him no matter what our situation, it is time for us to repent.

Grousing and complaining reveal hearts that are ungratefully out of sync with God.

Faith never complains, because it believes Romans 8:28 – God is working out all things for the good of those who belong to him. We can choose to act and speak as if we believe this and thereby bring glory to God.

We pass the third test by continually praising God.

Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for the times I tried your patience by refusing to acknowledge you in all things. Holy Spirit, help me to cooperate with your transformation process by choosing to praise, even when things are difficult and confusing. I believe that you always have my best interests at heart. I love you and consecrate myself to you once again. Amen.

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