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.

Christ the Healer

by F. F. Bosworth

Fred Francis Bosworth (January 17, 1877 – January 23, 1958) was an American evangelist, an early religious broadcaster, and a 1920s and Depression-era Pentecostal faith healer who was later a bridge to the mid-20th century healing revival. He was born on a farm near Utica, Nebraska and was raised in a Methodist home. His Methodist experiences also included salvation at the age of 16 or 17, and a spontaneous healing from major lung problems a couple years later. Bosworth’s life after that was one that followed Christian principles, though his church affiliation changed several times over the years. Several years after his healing he attended Alexander Dowie’s church in Zion City, Illinois, then came into Pentecost and attended Pentecostal services. Most of his later ministry was associated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance church.

When Bosworth came into a Pentecostal experience in 1906, he had an intense desire to preach the gospel, leaving his business pursuits and stepping out in faith for his subsistence. Approximately 1909 he moved to Texas, and in 1910 he started a church in Dallas which was loosely affiliated with the Alliance church. He was one of the founders of the Assemblies of God in 1914 and was with them until 1918 when he had a disagreement on the initial evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit and withdrew. He then started another church in Dallas, affiliating with the Alliance church again, and his revival meetings in the 1920s were sponsored by the Christian and Missionary Alliance church. During the 1920s he was known for his “big tent revival” and large auditorium meetings and his advocacy of faith healing, with people from all denominations attending. He was with the Alliance church until around 1934, then affiliated with them again in 1944. Starting around 1930 he began one of the early successful gospel radio ministries. Today he is best known for his book Christ the Healer which went through seven editions in his lifetime and now has over 500,000 copies in print.

Christ the Healer is an easy to read and inspirational book that comprehensively covers what the Bible teaches about physical healing. In his opening paragraph, the author states what motivated him to write.

Appropriating faith cannot go beyond one’s knowledge of the revealed will of God. (p.5) …Until the person seeking healing is sure from God’s Word that it is God’s will to heal him, he is trying to reap a harvest where there is no seed planted. (p.6)

In Chapter Two Bosworth shows convincingly that physical healing is included in the benefits earned by Christ through his suffering on our behalf. He also makes a case for believing that God’s compound name, Jehovah-Rapha, indicates that God is committed to being our healer. The author’s exposition of Isaiah 53 is worth the price of the book. This important chapter of Isaiah is the foundation of the doctrine of healing.

Chapter Four shows how being convinced of Christ’s compassion helps us to expect him to heal us. Our Lord not only provided the basis of our healing and is able to heal, he also is more than willing, even earnestly desires, to heal us.

Physical healing is an expression of Christ’s love and mercy. This is one reason why it is so important for believers to pray for unbelievers who are sick. Doing so provides our Lord with the opportunity to display his kindness to those who do not yet know him.

Chapter Five shows how we can appropriate the healing Christ died to provide for us. Here are the steps Bosworth gives us.

  1. Be convinced of what the Bible teaches about physical healing.
  2. Be right with God. Here I digress from Bosworth. I do not believe we earn anything from God; although, I agree that walking in harmony with God’s Spirit and will is absolutely the best way to live and surest way to have faith if his faithfulness. If we are struggling with a sense of guilt or conviction, it can be quite difficult to have simple childlike faith until we first repent.
  3. Be sure to take steps of faith and not remain passive. God wants us to act out our faith. In other words, act as if you believe you are healed before you see any evidence. Offering thanks and praise before we see any evidence of our healing is strong evidence that we believe.
  4. Hold fast to God’s promises without wavering.
  5. Expect to receive our healing.
  6. Maintain a confession of faith. This is not magical talk. We simply say aloud what we believe God will do (has done) in agreement with God’s promises.
  7. Rely on the Holy Spirit to make it happen.

In Chapter 13, the author begins a list of twenty-two reasons people are not able to receive healing. Although most of the points are valid, if we are not careful, focusing on what’s wrong can morph into legalism. Too often people come away from teachings on faith with the belief that failing to experience healing is somehow their own fault. They somehow are falling short or not measuring up. I believe this is harmful. Sometimes people do not experience physical healing for reasons known only to God. Our job is to believe in God’s promises and leave the results to him.

In conclusion, the first twelve chapters are phenomenal. I highly recommended reading, studying, and believing what Bosworth has shared in this amazing book.

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Prayer for God to Turn the Tables on His Enemies

But they do not know the LORD’s thoughts or understand his plan. These nations don’t know that he is gathering them together to be beaten and trampled like sheaves of grain on a threshing floor. Micah 4:12 (NLT)

Satan and his followers are never able to anticipate God’s creative responses to their strategies. Evil may be clever and cunning, but it always lacks wisdom. This is its undoing.

Satan did not anticipate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus and his complete smashing triumph over sin and death. Haman did not foresee how God would turn the tables on him as he plotted the death of all the Jews in Persia.

Haman is a picture of what happens to those who go after God’s beloved people. Persecuting and murdering believers will always bring down God’s judgment and wrath upon the perpetrators. Haman, a top man in the kingdom of Persia, hated all Jews on account of one seemingly obnoxious citizen – Mordecai. Mordecai, a Jew, was not intimidated by Haman and refused to show obeisance to him, which infuriated the Persian noble. In his rage, he had a very large gallows constructed to either hang or impale Mordecai as a public example. He also convinced the king to issue a decree authorizing the killing of all Jews and the confiscation of their property.

What Haman did not foresee was that God had placed Queen Esther in her prominent place of favor with the king for such a time as that. Haman was unaware that Mordecai had previously saved the king’s life by exposing a plot to kill him. Haman could not know ahead of time that the king would be unable to sleep and have the historical annals of the kingdom read to him, bringing to his remembrance what Mordecai had done, with the effect that King Ahasuerus determined to greatly honor him. Haman did not realize that Queen Esther and Mordecai were related and that she would petition the king to eradicate the man who set in action the plan to kill her, Mordecai, and all the Jews. Haman could never have imagined that he would be put to death on the very gallows he constructed for Mordecai and that the Jews would be gloriously saved and elevated in status. God turned the tables completely. We can ask him to do it again.

If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead. Proverbs 26:27 (NLT)

God justly promises that he will judge evildoers and reverse the plans of those who lay traps for others. We can pray in accordance with this promised justice. We can come before the King of Kings and ask him to work on our behalf.

But when Esther came before the king, he issued a decree causing Haman’s evil plot to backfire, and Haman and his sons were impaled on a sharpened pole.  Esther 9:25 (NLT)

And let’s remember to pray for mercy on our enemies as they encounter God’s justice.

You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44  But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  Matthew 5:43-44 (NLT)

But just because we ask God to be merciful to our enemies does not mean we passively allow evil to dominate us. We are to pray for justice as well as mercy. God is merciful and just.

When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10  They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?” Revelation 6:9-10 (NLT)

Prayer

Father in heaven who judges justly and shows mercy, you have been merciful to me, even when I was your enemy. I ask you to extend that same mercy to those who are working against your people and your kingdom by bringing them to repentance. Nothing is too difficult for you. I also ask that you bring to nothing their strategies and plans for evil and harm. Let every evil plot backfire. Let those who seek to ensnare and harm your people and our nation fall into the trap they set. Let them come to their senses when they realize that you are fighting against them. Let them surrender to Jesus the Lord before it is too late for them. I ask you to sovereignly protect your people and our nation. Amen.

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Is God Willing to Involve Himself in Our Everyday Problems?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2  and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3  The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” John 2:1-3 (NLT)

Jesus’ first miracle is extremely intriguing on several levels. First of all, of all the things he could have done that day, he went to a wedding. We might think that Jesus was totally consumed with heavenly things, walking about with a halo over his head and hands clasped in prayer continually, but that would be inaccurate. Jesus was very down to earth. We are not provided with many snapshots of his personality, but I would be greatly surprised if he were not thoroughly enjoying himself and feeling very comfortable at the party. By the way, people were drinking wine, and apparently quite a lot of it because they ran out, a big “no-no”

Secondly, even though he had already begun his public ministry and had followers, he still hung out with his mother. Perhaps she was a disciple, but based on other passages, I think not at this point. Jesus was most likely fulfilling a family obligation to honor a friend’s family by attending the wedding feast.

Even though Jesus was fully committed to the kingdom of God, he never lost sight of taking care of his family and being with friends.

Even as he hung dying on the cross, he asked John to take his mother into his family after his death. He loved his Mom.

“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5  But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:4-5 (NLT)

Thirdly, his mother felt free to pull on him to do a miracle to help out someone who faced embarrassment. When we know someone loves us deeply, it gives us boldness to ask him or her for favors and blessings, not out of a desire to abuse the relationship, but because we are confident. Mary presented Jesus with the need, without ever making a specific request. Sometimes I resent this being done to me. It almost seems a little passive aggressive. But Jesus did not mind. Mary simply expected him to do something about the problem. She probably felt the embarrassment of the hosts.

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7  Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8  he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. 9  When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10  “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” 11  This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:6-11 (NLT)

Fourthly, Jesus did what his mother asked, even though apparently he otherwise would not have. Jesus’ first response was simply, “Sorry, Mom, that’s not my problem.” She was undaunted and very bold. She told the servants to do whatever her son told them to do and probably dropped the mike and walked away. Jesus was free to do nothing, but for some reason, probably love and a desire to honor her, he conceded to his mother’s request and met the need. This was remarkable in that it tells us that God responds to our requests even when it might not be what he apparently had in mind. I hope this does not sound like heresy.

God is sovereign over all things, but within his lordship he leaves himself room to work with us in a dynamic partnership. He ordains the means as well as the ends. This should give us great confidence as we pray.

Lastly, this miracle tells us a whole lot about God’s heart for people. God cares about our everyday problems. He is not watching impassively from heaven. He is right in our midst. We also learn that Jesus (God) is not nearly as bent out of shape about some things as we tend to be. These people were probably a little tipsy. They had drunk up all the wine, and we have to think the host thought he had enough on hand for the entire feast. Nevertheless, instead of piously telling the crowd that running out of wine was probably God’s will because they had been drinking too much, which was sinful, he made between 120 and 180 gallons of the best wine ever! Obviously God is willing for people to have a good time. Even though he commands us to avoid becoming drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:18), he provided those party goers with enough to get thoroughly drunk, if they so desired. Is this the God with whom you are familiar?

Application

What do we learn from this passage that we can apply to everyday life?

  • God cares about the everyday aspect of our lives.
  • God cares about social gatherings and what is needed to make them successful.
  • God will respond to our prayers, even if it seems our request may not be exactly what he was planning to do. Sometimes God tests our resolve and our faith in his loving faithfulness.

God is not as tense about things as we might imagine. Those who approach life rigidly and legalistically do not understand his heart and misrepresent him to the world.

  • God is willing to demonstrate his love and power in everyday life as a testimony to his goodness, love, and power to save us.

This is the Jesus we preach. This is the Jesus of the Gospels. It’s no wonder people love and follow him.

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Heart of an Apostle

by Pete Beck Jr.

My father has served the body of Christ for many years as an apostle. Many churches and individuals look to him as a spiritual father. He did not start out with this in mind, but over time others began to see something in him that God had put there. Eventually he accepted his call to be a “sent one” to help plant, build, and strengthen churches and leaders around the world. With the recent resurgence of interest in the calling and work of apostles, he felt the need to write this book in order to correct some perceived errors in understanding. This book focuses on what he considers to be the main issue, a father’s heart for the church.

I have placed some salient quotes from the book below to whet your appetite for more. The book is available on Amazon.

The only remedy for avoiding the mistakes of the past and present is to recapture the true essence of the apostle and god’s pattern for leadership. In this book the emphasis is not on what the apostle does, but on who the apostle is in Christ. When this is properly modeled, individuals and churches should have no problem receiving and working with such individuals. It is only when this relational aspect is ignored that apostles become corporate executives or at worse, tyrants. When this happens, churches will inevitably pull away from that which God intended as a channel for blessing. (pp.11-12.)

Christ endows his apostles with a large world vision. They gather, set in order, and establish… apostles are always looking over the horizon. They are pioneers… They are given a general’s view of the battlefield… [their] mandate is to push forward the Kingdom.  (p.19)

The five-fold gifts are important and greatly complement each other. Yet the true apostle’s vision is broader than the others. It includes an anointing to bring things together… not only to place the foundation himself, but also to see that others are doing it properly. (p.23)

The apostle represents Christ and is an extension of Christ’s ministry on earth. Christ loves the church and died to give Himself for her (Ephesians 5:25). The true apostle feels no less inclined to live and die in the same manner. (p.49)

To be a true apostle there must be quiet confidence in the One who said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) The primary characteristic of a mature and godly leader is that he really believes that Christ is in charge. What is more, he acts like it… (p.58)

While trying to give a benchmark for young churches and leaders to measure against when sizing up men who call themselves apostles, at the same it was the aim of this book to suggest that apostles ought to use the same benchmark to size themselves up. (p.137)

Heart of an Apostle covers key topics such as the apostle’s heart, lifestyle, authority, attitude toward churches, honoring sons, and character qualities needed. It is an important addition to your library, whether you are an apostle, relate to one, or simply want to know more about this important ministry gift to the church.

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Can We Really Know God?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I was in high school, it was fashionable among my peers to be an agnostic. We believed that there was a God, but that he was unknowable. I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church and knew all about God, but did not know God. In my immaturity, I reasoned that my experience must be the norm. God was unknowable. Nevertheless, I continued my search to find out the truth about God. I wanted to know him, but I did not know how to get there. The Bible calls this being “lost.” Little did I know that my experience is common to man and is the reason Jesus came to our planet.

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 (NLT)

Jesus taught his followers that knowing God is eternal life.

And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. John 17:3 (NLT)

Eternal life does not come from being part of a church organization or believing a set of doctrines. It comes from knowing God.

I had been taught by the church that Jesus came to earth to die for my sins, but no one ever told me that part of the deal was being able to know God. I had been robbed by the church that only taught a partial and corrupted form of the gospel, that is, until my girlfriend (now, wife) told me she had come to know Jesus.

When I first read her letter describing what happened to her (That was before email and texts, folks.), I thought she was crazy. As a Roman Catholic, I had no way to adequately understand her experience of coming to know that Jesus is real and having complete faith in him. How could that happen to a person? But she and God had my attention, not just because Jesus had gotten between me and my girl, but because I wanted to know God like she did, if that were possible.

After talking a lot with her and others and doing a lot of thinking, I decided to take a huge step. I prayed to a God that I was not even sure existed. I asked Jesus, if he were really out there,to reveal himself to me. After all, if God is real, he ought to be able to do that, right? I asked him to come into my life, because that is what I was told was the right prayer by an student evangelist, who just happened to come by my room one day. Hmmm, coincidence? I prayed that prayer in all sincerity, but with absolutely no attempt to make something happen. I prayed and “let it go.” I did not give it a second thought. I did not try to believe because I thought that would be totally false. It was going to be real or nothing. In fact, I forgot that I even prayed. Nevertheless, God heard that prayer. I had cracked open the door of my heart, and God came in.

I did not know about the following Bible verse, but Jesus did.

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20 (NLT)

What I found out is that God pursues people, is well able to communicate with us, and is looking for some kind of response from us.

He had been after me. He was pulling on my heart through other people and the Holy Spirit, and finally I responded.

Looking back, I realize now that after praying I changed immediately. I remember thinking how much happier I was and how much more other-focused. I found joy in doing things for people. I had no idea it was because Jesus had responded to my prayer and come into my life. I thought it was because my Zen meditations were especially effective. Oh, brother! The things the Lord has to put up with!

A couple of weeks later, Martha and I got together again and discussed Jesus, since he was center of her life now. It got me thinking about things again. Late one night, on my way home from being with her, I found myself alone in a room full of vending machines. How romantic! The perfect place for God to show up, right?

As I pondered how my life was changing, I suddenly remembered praying that prayer to Jesus. In a flash, it seemed as if God filled the room. I had never been in a room with God before, but somehow I knew he was with me. I was no longer an agnostic. I was a knower.

I knew for the first time that Jesus really rose from the dead and everything the Bible says about him is true. I have no idea how the Holy Spirit accomplished that transformation in me, but I am so glad he did. A few days later I read the following Bible verse, which seemed to describe what happened that night.

The wind (Greek: pneuma - wind, spirit) blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (NLT)

The first thing I did was tell all my dorm mates about what just happened. I remember seeing tears in my roommate’s eyes. I have no idea if he was a believer, but God touched him that night. It was the most normal and natural thing in the world to tell others about Jesus because I just found out that there really is a God and he can be known by us through Jesus!

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NLT)

Being new to all this, I really did not want to go to sleep that night. I was afraid that the emotional high I was riding would dissipate, leaving me right back where I was before – an agnostic. Finally around four in the morning I drifted off to sleep. I think I got up around 7 or so, and, guess what? I still believed, and today, 49 years later, I still believe. Something remarkable happened that night. I had come to know God deep in my spirit. I was born again and had eternal life. It’s real!

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 (NLT)

What joy I experienced and still do, knowing that I have eternal life!

The Catholic Church never told me I could possess eternal life. They told me I could never know for sure. It was a lie. Now I know the truth! Knowing God is eternal life.

John’s Gospel tells us that Jesus came to help us know God. We might say that was his purpose.

No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known. John 1:18 (NET1)

The only one who knows the Father came to make him known to us, so that we can experience the incredible joy of knowing him for ourselves.

My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27 (NLT)

Do you have a longing to know God? Are you willing to open your life to Jesus and ask him to reveal the Father to you? That is what I did, and it forever changed my life for the better. Why don’t you pray something like the following?

Prayer

Jesus, I want to know God, but so far I have not been able to get there. I hear that you came to reveal the Father to those you choose. I ask you to choose me. I open my heart to you, Jesus, and ask you to come in and take possession of my life. Please forgive my many sins and make me yours completely. Open my heart and eyes to behold Father God. I want to know him for myself and experience eternal life. Amen.

If you prayed that, you have every reason to believe Jesus will answer your request. After all, he is the one who said.

...those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. John 6:37 (NLT)
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Is Jesus Really in Control?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we watch things apparently spinning out of control around the world, we face a huge question. Is Jesus really the Lord of Lords? Is he truly in control, or is he merely a religious refuge in whom we can hide when our emotional tanks are running on empty?

The Gospel of John supplies us with an answer in the very first chapter.

Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was there with God in the beginning. 3 Everything was made through him, and nothing was made without him. 4 In him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world. 5 The light shines in the darkness,♦ and the darkness has not defeated it. John 1:1-5 (ETRV)

Jesus, the Word who became a human being, is the Creator of the universe. This gives him complete authority over what he made.

Contrary to the assertions of Deists, God did not create things and then back away as an uninvolved observer. The author of Hebrews makes the amazing claim that everything we see around us is being constantly sustained by the Creator.

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power... Hebrews 1:3 (NASB)

This means that, in agreement with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the universe requires a continual input of energy from an outside source to keep it going. This source is the Source of Life itself, Jesus the Creator God.

This is the second reason he is in control of all things. He not only has the right of ownership as the Creator; he also controls through being the continual Sustainer. Without his continual input, everything will fall apart.

Lastly, after his resurrection from the dead, Jesus became Lord of Lords.

and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:4 (NLT)

Jesus’ lordship is qualitatively different from his role as Creator and Sustainer. He was the first two things before becoming a human being. His lordship as the risen Son of God, the Jewish Messianic King, is directly related to his humanity. As the risen human King of Israel he has been declared to be Lord of Lords.

Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8  he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9  Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT)

When Jesus walked this earth during his public ministry, he was never a victim of the plots and attempts on his life by his enemies. Not until it was the absolutely perfect time for him to be offered as the Lamb of God for our sins did he allow himself to be taken and crucified. But this was also part of the plan.

But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24  But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. Acts 2:23-24 (NLT)

His control was and is absolute because he is Creator -Sustainer – Redeemer – Lord. Nothing can happen on planet earth without his permission, and all things ultimately work for his glory.

As we listen to the news, we should remind ourselves that Jesus “has this.” It is his world. His kingdom shall prevail. There is no doubt about it at all. Be at rest. To conclude, let us think about the following amazing promise.

My Father has given me everything. No one knows the Son—only the Father knows the Son. And no one knows the Father—only the Son knows the Father. And the only people who will know about the Father are those the Son chooses to tell. 28 "Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. 29 Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. 30 Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light." Matthew 11:27-30 (ETRV)
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Victorious Eschatology

Victorious Eschatology

by Harold Eberle and Martin Trench

When it comes to what we choose to believe regarding debatable issues, such as the end times, I go with the position that seems true to the Bible and resonates in my heart. I remember when I first read Arthur Pink’s amazing book, The Sovereignty of God. His words reverberated in my heart. He put down on paper what I already believed, but just had never seen articulated so well. That is what Eberle and Trench do in Victorious Eschatology.

I read this book years ago at the recommendation of a friend. Recently, while working through a study of Daniel, I decided to read it again, hoping it would shed some light on a difficult to interpret book. Wow! Am I ever glad I did! It made a much greater impact this time around. A lot of things make sense now that before seemed muddled. I formerly jokingly, yet truthfully, told people that I am a “pan-millennialist,” meaning I have no idea of how to properly interpret what the Bible says about the end times. I would read books like Daniel and feel that understanding it was hopeless. Instead, I put the end times on the “back burner,” thinking that it will all “pan out” in the end. Now I feel much more confident.

Victorious Eschatology explains what is called the partial preterist view that much of what the Bible has to say about the end has already taken place. This is very different from the futurist view that overlooks 2000 years of church history and believes that a very great deal of everything in Daniel and Revelation still lays ahead of us.

After my recent study of Daniel, I now believe that God gave him a revelation of the coming of the Messiah, his anointing for ministry, rejection and death, and the subsequent judgment of the nation in 70 AD by Rome. Daniel is not about the very end of time at all. It was about the end of the Jewish nation and sacrificial system after the introduction of the perfect sacrifice on Calvary and the Jews’ rejection of their Messianic King. A large section of Victorious Eschatology examines Daniel’s vision from this theological position.

Another large chunk of the book shows how the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25) should be broken down into two sections, that which pertains to the subject covered by Daniel and that which is about the Second Coming. The authors’ arguments are very convincing. A third segment of the book interprets Revelation in a similar manner.

The book shows how many modern teachings regarding the Antichrist are mostly unscriptural. It show how the great tribulation was what happened to Jerusalem in 70 AD. It shows how the Emperor Nero fulfilled the Revelation Antichrist to a tee. I will not give away any more of the book. You must read it for yourself.

Any discussion of the end must be done with humility. No one knows for certain what is going to happen. But the Bible does lay out for us a good reason to expect victory, not defeat.

Rather than gloomily expect everything to get worse and worse, we should expect our victorious Lord to reappear at any time to claim his rightful kingdom and impose his glorious rule. Come, Lord Jesus!

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What do our marriages tell the world about God?

 

 

 

 

 

People are watching. Whether we like it or not, people keep an eye on followers of Christ to see if we do what we say. They suspect us of being just as hypocritical as most others. Some people even want professing Christians to fail miserably, because they think that will get them “off the hook” with God. They can say, “See, just as I thought, Christianity is a crock! It’s not real.”

People are also watching our marriages, but not just because they want them to fail. In many cases, they want to know if people can still have a lasting union, because they hope that their marriage will have staying power, too. So many marriages are failing that it can be disheartening to those contemplating tying the knot! When people pledge lifelong faithfulness to their spouses, most really intend to keep their vows. Even in a morally confused world, people generally want the stability and security that lasting love provides.

One big reason why faithfulness in marriage is so important is because it reflects to the world the relationship between Christ and his church.

Jesus is the “husband” in the relationship, and the church is the “bride.”

FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32  This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32 (NASB)

God wants our faithfulness in marriage to be a living example of the faithfulness between Christ and his people. He promises to never leave or forsake us, and we promise to always be faithful to him. He gave himself for his bride, the church, by dying for her on a cross. Our loving response is to live and, if necessary, die for him, as we offer ourselves back to him in loving worship and service.

God always keeps his promises, and he expects us to do the same.

When we violate our solemn covenant to be faithful until death to our spouses, we transgress the very nature of God, who dwells within each believer. When we keep our word, we honor God and exemplify his faithfulness to a watching world. Love and faithfulness are two key character attributes of God, both of which a good marriage reflects to the world.

Marriage is supposed to reinforce the Gospel, not detract from it.

When we tell people that God never violates his promises nor abandons his people, if our marriages do not reflect the same kind of faithfulness, it will seem a little hollow. Sure, as humans we fail, but God remains faithful.

Even if our marriages fail, we can still testify to the mercy and redemptive power of God, but how much stronger is our witness when we live out covenant faithfulness as a kind of living parable!

So, remember: people are watching us. They want to know if following Christ makes any practical difference at all. Let our marriages be a resounding “Yes!”

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Help for wives who find submitting to their husbands is a big challenge…

 

 

 

 

 

Being under authority is a challenge for all of us. Honoring, respecting, supporting and following those God has put in authority over us requires humility and faith in God’s ability to watch over us.

There are a couple of main reasons why it may be difficult for us to be “under” authority. First, we are all born with a predisposition to resent when anyone, including God, tells us what to do. We think that being subordinate makes us inferior, which is an affront to our personal sense of worth and dignity. Secondly, following another human being exposes us to potential harm, especially if that person is seriously flawed in his or her capabilities, motivation, or judgment. It is no wonder, then, that many wives resent, resist, and sometimes refuse their God-given role of being in submission to their husbands, especially if he fails to value or listen to her, even though she may be the more capable or wiser of the two.

How to Conquer the Inborn Rebellion Problem

Our resentment of anyone having authority over us goes back to the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve attempted to throw off God’s rule in their lives through direct disobedience to a clear command. God created humans to reproduce who and what they are in their offspring. We inherit both good and bad. Since that time, thanks to this inherited predisposition to rebellion, sometimes called the “old man” or the “flesh,” we naturally tend to resist or rebel against authority.

When Jesus arrived on planet earth, he came as the “second Adam” to undo the curse of sin and restore humanity back to a right relationship with God (under his authority and blessing).

The Gospel calls us to voluntarily submit ourselves to God again by coming under the authority of Jesus the Lord.

People usually only do this when they become aware of the futility of trying to live independently from God’s life and blessings. Repentance means we cease from trying to direct our own lives and yield to God.

For wives, or any of us, to flourish in a subordinate role, whether in the home, at work, in the church, in the community, or at school, we must first come under the authority of Christ. With respect to him, we are all subordinates.

It is vital for us to see that subordinating ourselves to human authority, wherever it exists, is a form of yielding to Christ, because all authority ultimately derives from him.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 13:1 (ESV)

This requires us to embrace the doctrine of God’s sovereignty.

It is only when we come to believe that God is well able to handle everything in life that we gain the ability to trust him to take care of us as we submit to imperfect people.

We can trust that God is able to deal effectively with leaders and those in authority as needed and come to our defense when necessary. In other words, when a wife voluntarily subordinates herself to her husband’s headship, she does so with the understanding that ultimately she is subordinating herself to God, who has promised to be her defender and keeper and who will “deal with” her husband, should he “get out of line.”

Therefore, the ability to be under a husband’s authority is directly linked to the choice to come under Christ’s authority.

How to Win against Resentment

People resent being mistreated and devalued. Because of our sin nature, those in authority sometimes abuse their position or role, perhaps without even intending to do so. It just comes “naturally.” Whether we are “in” authority or “under” authority, we often read too much into the roles God has given us, imagining that they confer some sort of inherent value to us. Those who have been given headship frequently think it makes them superior to those whom they govern. Conversely sometimes people under authority wrongly see themselves as being inferior. An air of superiority is difficult, if not impossible, to hide (except from ourselves), and it rankles those who are asked to subordinate themselves to us. We are all fallible humans in desperate need of a Savior and accountable to God for everything we do, whether we are the “top dog” or the lowest “peon.”

In marriage,  a wife may resent her husband’s headship, if he abuses it to devalue or dominate her, both of which communicate an attitude of superiority on his part.

On the other hand, the husband may treat his wife with the utmost honor, but she still may feel resentment because she does not like being under authority, period. Whatever the reason, if a wife resents her husband, it will make it very difficult for her to properly fulfill her subordinate role in the marriage or show respect to him, which is a primary responsibility toward her husband.

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33 (ESV)

Resenting and disrespecting our husbands is a sin problem.

Resentment springs from a hardened heart and is a form of bitterness, one of the most serious sins we all must combat. Disrespect toward our husbands is a form of disrespect toward God, since husbands represent Christ in the marriage.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22-24 (ESV)

Therefore, repentance is our first priority when we struggle with resentment and disrespect.

Unconditional Respect

Even when husbands fail to lead properly, they “deserve” to be respected simply because of the headship principle. Respect, in this case, is not earned but freely given because it is the right thing. We might call it “unconditional respect.”

Most people accept the idea of unconditional love, but fewer understand unconditional respect, which is a cornerstone of being properly subordinate.

In the military, soldiers are trained to respect and obey any officer who commands them, whether or not they like him or her, or even if they think he or she is incompetent. There are proper channels for getting relief when officers are terrible, but mutiny is never an acceptable option. The same is true in a marriage. Wives should respect their husbands as “unto Christ,” simply because they represent Christ’s authority. (Ephesians 5:22) Should a wife be subjected to unacceptable treatment by her husband, if she is in a local church, she can turn to the pastor and elders to come to her defense, while maintaining a proper attitude of respect toward her husband.

Being respectful toward “undeserving” authorities is one of the greatest tests any of us may face.

Husbands are to unconditionally love their wives, as Christ loves the church, and wives are to unconditionally respect their husbands, as the church respects and obeys Christ. In both cases, Christ is our example and the one who empowers us to be obedient. He was unconditionally obedient to the Father and unconditionally laid down his life for those who were then his enemies.

If the husband unconditionally loves, values, and dignifies his wife, it will be much easier for her to respect and obey her husband.

Resentment tends to disappear when the husband properly loves his wife.

Subordination Is Not Passivity

But sometimes loving husbands are not as smart or competent as their wives. How can a wife avoid resenting being under the headship of such a man? She may imagine that God wants her to be passive, a kind of “doormat” who has nothing to offer and who gets run over continually. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Passivity is a warped and dysfunctional form of submission. To drop out of the “game” by simply “going along for the ride” is lazy and cowardly, and not God honoring or truly supportive of the husband.

Being subordinate requires us to do everything in our power to work for the success of our superiors. Sometimes this requires us to firmly voice our opposition to their position or pending decisions, before the course is firmly set.  Good leaders want those under their authority to present points of view different from their own, because no one has the complete picture or has all wisdom. But once a decision is made, leaders expect those under their authority to lend their support.

Wives should clearly share their (differing, opposing, or confirming) points of view with their husbands. Wise husbands will listen and act, with proper consideration of their wives’ input.

Wise husbands will also delegate significant decision making ability to their wives in the areas where they have strength and expertise.

When husbands do this, it benefits everyone and helps wives feel their worth. Working together as a team builds unity and is God honoring. If a wife is married to a man of abilities that are inferior to hers in some areas, she should ask God and her husband for ways to use those abilities in support of her husband’s leadership. If he is uncooperative or defensive, it may require prayer and patience, and maybe even some counseling.

Conclusion

It takes faith and humility to lead and to follow. Whether we have been assigned a headship role or a subordinate one, functioning in a way that brings glory to God, requires us to keep our eyes on him and rely on the help of the indwelling Spirit. We husbands must examine our hearts continually, asking the Spirit to show us how to properly love, honor, dignify, protect, support, lead, and provide for our wives. Wives should ask the Spirit’s help in respecting, honoring, supporting, loving, and making their husbands successful in God’s sight.

God is most glorified when husbands and wives truly love and honor one another and work as a complementary team to advance God’s kingdom.

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Why some husbands refuse or abuse being the head of the family…

 

 

 

 

 

God made husbands the head in the marriage. They are the most responsible for the well-being of the family and the most culpable if things go wrong. Because some men are afraid of or resent that role because of the pressure and work attached to it, they “abdicate the throne,” leaving the family directionless, unprotected, and floundering spiritually and in other ways. Wives of such men can either accept their passive approach to headship or take matters into their own hands. In many households, the wife takes the reins to keep the family from self-destructing. Rather than watch their families “go down the tubes,” they become the functional head of the family, which may suit the husband fine, apparently getting him off the hook. This is never good for the husband’s psyche or the respect factor in the marriage.

Apparently, Adam was such an abdicator. The picture of what happened during the temptation in the garden shows Eve taking the initiative and Adam silently going along. Adam was the person God commanded not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He communicated the order to Eve, but either he misstated it or she misunderstood it, because the version she related to the snake was incorrect. So, right there, we see a breakdown of the proper functioning of headship.

  • Adam failed to properly instruct his wife.
  • Secondly, he left her unprotected from the snake’s temptation. Why did he not step in and tell the serpent to leave his wife alone?
  • Thirdly, he did not resist Eve when she offered him the fruit. He passively went along, allowing her to lead him down the path to destruction.

The flip side of abdication is abuse. Many men relish being in charge and greedily grab the privileges and power associated with being the head in order to get their own way. Instead of serving their families, they domineer, intimidate, and use them.

What This Does to Wives

Abdication and abuse are both examples of a failure to properly serve and promote insecurity and resentment in the family. Not surprising this tends to damage a wife’s ability to respect and follow her husband.

(Of course, women do not have to respond in such a negative way. We are not victims of other people’s behavior, even though we are influenced by it.)

Some wives of passive men may sink into fear, insecurity, and a sense of powerlessness. Those with a stronger personality will take to themselves what their husbands lay down. Plenty of families are led by strong women married to passive men. Taken to the extreme, wives can become domineering and abusive in their own right and very much out of God’s order.

Wives of domineering men, may fight back or become victims. Either way, respect is damaged and love harmed. Smoldering resentment, unless released through forgiveness, can rip the marriage apart.

What Can Be Done?

Husbands who have run from their responsibilities, whether they have an aggressive “leadership” personality or not, must “step up to the plate” and accept the responsibility for leading, providing for, protecting, and teaching their families. Husbands who have selfishly abused headship must repent of seeking their own agenda at the expense of the well-being of the wife and children.

Headship, according to Jesus is servant leadership. Jesus laid down his life for his “wife,” the church. We husbands are to do the same for our wives and families.

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24  But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, Ephesians 5:23-25 (NASB)

God will help us to overcome our fears and self-centeredness. He always gives grace to help us do what he commands. If it is scary to lead, be assured that it is scary for our wives and family to follow us, too. If it is difficult to humble ourselves to serve our family instead of dominate them, we can be certain that it takes great humility to follow another person’s lead, too.

Whether we lead or follow, it takes faith and humility.

Husbands must also realize that leading does not mean that they must do everything. Good leaders know how to delegate. Our wives may have abilities in various areas that surpass ours.

A wise leader delegates without relinquishing overall responsibility.

Those of us who tend toward being domineering must learn to put others first and become servants. Serving others is not a sign of weakness. Jesus was the greatest servant of all, but he is unquestionably the Lord of lords.

What Assuming Proper Headship Can Mean for our Wives

Even strong women appreciate husbands who step up and lead. Less strong wives may appreciate it even more. However, when a wife has operated as the functioning head of the family for a long time, it may be quite difficult to let go and trust the husband to assume his proper place. God’s grace will be needed.

Husbands who act as servant leaders and provide proper headship for their wives and families help create a safe atmosphere of security, love, and peace in their families. This removes pressure from the wife that God never intended for her to carry. What a relief!

Proper headship erects a barrier against satanic temptation and attack. Proper leadership gives good instruction and guidance, helping to insure that children have every advantage in life. There are no negatives to husbands being loving and humble servant leaders to their families.

Prayer for Husbands Who Want to Lead Properly

Lord, Jesus, please forgive me for failing to lead my family as I should. I trust you to help me be the leader, provider, protector, teacher, guide, and keeper of my family. I understand that you are all those things for me. It gives you pleasure to help me represent you to those I love. Help me to lovingly serve my wife and children. Help me to be an example of a disciple and show them how to follow you for themselves. Help me to be lovingly firm, when I need to be, and flexible, when that is more appropriate. Help me to be patient with them as they adjust to the “new me.” Amen.

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