Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Agotando a los santos

 


Esta frase "desgastará a los santos", surgió en una conversación recientemente. En mi opinión, pide tanto una explicación como respuestas.

Dependiendo de la versión de la Biblia que esté usando,  desgastar también se traduce como: agotar, aplastar , herir y consumir . Es la palabra caldea belâ , que significa: afligir , y solo se usa una vez en la Biblia.

Los términos desgastan y afligir me transmiten dos cosas distintas. Una me hace pensar en el daño que solía hacerle a mis jeans durante los veranos cuando era niña. Trepamos y nos deslizamos por todo lo que pudimos; la presión mental ciertamente podría hacer eso.

Para afligir , por el contrario, tiene un amplio espectro de la violencia que se le atribuye. Puedo recordar el nudillo en la cabeza en la escuela primaria, pero también puede significar decapitaciones . Necesita algo de claridad, ¿no?

Me preguntaron,

  • ¿Cuándo ocurre este "desgaste de los santos" , y es posible que estemos en él ahora?
  • ¿Implica una acción continua, o podría ser en un momento dado?
  • ¿Sugiere problemas comunes de la vida o una amenaza constante de muerte?

Las confrontaciones bíblicas pueden desgastarte, especialmente cuando tratas de seguir la lógica rota, que nunca parece terminar, ya que todos los argumentos ilógicos se te lanzan. La mayoría de estos argumentos se resuelven fácilmente si la persona que habla simplemente lea su Biblia, pero no lo hace. Solo leen y escuchan lo que quieren. Es por eso que estos argumentos se vuelven más una conversación impulsada por las emociones. Solía ​​pensar que podía responder con información concisa, como citas de Josefo, Tácito o la concordancia de Strong, de una manera que mostraría claramente por qué sus argumentos son incorrectos y que la respuesta no siempre es tan en blanco y negro, o de mente estrecha. En esa nota: solo hay un camino, y su nombre es Jesús.

Las confrontaciones no son tanto de mi parte, es decir, no estoy tratando de buscar peleas teológicas con la gente, principalmente porque mi memoria está disparada y no estoy reteniendo información como antes. Personalmente creo que este es el Espíritu Santo manteniéndome bajo control, porque me conozco, y destrozaría a estos falsos maestros públicamente si tuviera la oportunidad. Como no puedo, a menudo aplazo y me retiro, murmurando, ¿cómo te está funcionando eso? Odio eso, pero si miro esto en términos de un guerrero que ha recibido un golpe en un brazo o mano dominante, es posible que se vuelvan ineficaces, pero no les quitarás la mentalidad de guerrero. Esa mentalidad guerrera puede convertirse en ocasiones en una carga, principalmente porque no hay necesidad de enfrentamientos tan completos. A veces, todo lo que necesitas hacer es razonar con la gente. Otra cosa;También me he dado cuenta de que no es necesario que me escuchen todo el tiempo. Esto me quita una tremenda presión, ya que me he dado cuenta de que Dios tiene el control, no yo.

Debemos entender que Satanás es el enemigo perpetuo del creyente. Las Escrituras nos dicen que hay un rango de tiempo particular involucrado con estos eventos que vemos en la profecía de Daniel.

Desafortunadamente, este desgaste de los santos ocurre durante un vasto y anodino período, el tiempo de la cuarta bestia. La referencia particular se encuentra en el libro de profecías de Daniel.

“Dijo así: La cuarta bestia será el cuarto reino sobre la tierra, el cual será diferente de todos los reinos, y devorará toda la tierra, la hollará y la despedazará. Y los diez cuernos de este reino son diez reyes que se levantarán; y otro se levantará después de ellos, y será diferente de los primeros, y a tres reyes subyugará. Y hablará grandes palabras contra el Altísimo, y agotará a los santos del Altísimo , y pensará en cambiar los tiempos y las leyes; y serán entregados en su mano hasta un tiempo y tiempos y la división de los tiempos. Pero el juicio se sentará, y le quitarán su dominio para consumirlo y destruirlo hasta el fin ”. ( Daniel 7: 23-26 KJV )

Me sentí seguro al llamar el tiempo de la cuarta bestia, vasto y anodino porque tenemos una clara claridad sobre la identidad de los tres reinos anteriores. El Imperio Griego juega un papel dominante en la comprensión de dónde podría provenir esta bestia. Comenzando con Alejandro y continuando hasta los imperios seléucida y ptolemaico , es, en mi opinión, el cuarto imperio de las bestias. A muchos les gusta especular que el cuarto imperio fue el Imperio Romano, aunque no se describió como los demás. El enfoque típico que más se usa para determinar cómo llamar al reino de las bestias y, por lo tanto, decidir de dónde vendrá la “bestia”, se encuentra en el libro de Daniel.

Daniel 9:26 RV Y después de sesenta y dos semanas será quitado el Mesías, pero no por sí mismo; y el pueblo del príncipe que ha de venir destruirá la ciudad y el santuario; y su fin será con un diluvio, y hasta el fin de la guerra serán determinadas las desolaciones.

Si me has seguido, el tiempo suficiente comprenderás que esto tiene dos cumplimientos. Uno quedó bajo el gobierno del general romano Tito con la destrucción del templo en el 70 d.C. Sin embargo, hay otro cumplimiento en los últimos días .

Tito, el general romano, es considerado por muchos como "el príncipe que ha de venir". Sin embargo, si hace su investigación, encontrará que la evidencia se inclina hacia un pueblo del Medio Oriente, conocido como asirios, no romanos .

Esto es lo que nos dice el historiador Josefo en - Las guerras de los judíos - Libro 5 Capítulo 13

“.Aún otra plaga se apoderó de los que fueron así preservados; porque se encontró entre los desertores sirios a cierta persona que fue sorprendida recogiendo piezas de oro de los excrementos de los vientres de los judíos; porque los desertores solían tragarse tales piezas de oro, como les dijimos antes, cuando salían, y por estos los sediciosos los registraron a todos; porque había una gran cantidad de oro en la ciudad, tanto que ahora se vendía [en el campamento romano] por doce áticos [dracmas], como antes se vendía por veinticinco. Pero cuando se descubrió este artilugio en un caso, la fama llenó sus varios campamentos de que los desertores acudieran a ellos llenos de oro. Así que la multitud de los árabes, con los sirios, cortó a los que vinieron como suplicantes, y registró sus estómagos. Tampoco me parece que sufrieron los judíos alguna miseria más terrible que ésta, ya que en una noche fueron diseccionados así unos dos mil de estos desertores ".

En el libro 6, capítulo 4 de Las guerras de los judíos , Josefo nos dice que muchos consideraron el templo como una ciudadela para los judíos y una inspiración para seguir rebelándose contra la ocupación romana. El fuego ya había sido ordenado contra las puertas del templo, pero Titus argumentó y prevaleció verbalmente con respecto a salvar el templo.

"Pero Tito dijo que" aunque los judíos subieran a esa santa casa y combatieran desde allí, no deberíamos vengarnos de cosas inanimadas, en lugar de los hombres mismos ", y que él no estaba en ningún caso por quemar una obra tan vasta como esa, porque sería un daño para los propios romanos, ya que sería un adorno para su gobierno mientras continuara. De modo que Fronto, Alejandro y Cerealis se atrevieron con esa declaración, y Estuvo de acuerdo con la opinión de Tito, y luego se disolvió esta asamblea, cuando Tito había dado órdenes a los comandantes de que el resto de sus fuerzas se quedaran quietas, pero que se valieran de los más valientes en este ataque.Entonces mandó que los hombres escogidos que fueran sacados de las cohortes debían abrirse paso a través de las ruinas y apagar el fuego ".

"Titus se retira, el sedicioso se quedó quieto por un rato, y luego atacó a los romanos nuevamente, cuando los que custodiaban la santa casa pelearon con los que apagaron el fuego que estaba quemando el interior [patio del] templo; pero estos romanos pusieron los Judios en fuga, y procedido hasta la casa del santuario en sí. momento en el que uno de los soldados, sin permanecer durante cualquier orden, y sin ninguna preocupación o temor sobre él en tan gran empresa, y ser apresurada en un determinado furia divina, arrancada un poco de los materiales que estaban en llamas, y siendo levantado por otro soldado, prendió fuego a una ventana dorada, por la que había un pasaje a las habitaciones que rodeaban la casa santa, en el norte. lado de ella.Mientras las llamas ascendían, los judíos hicieron un gran clamor, tal como requería una aflicción tan poderosa, y corrieron juntos para evitarlo; y ahora ya no perdonaron la vida, ni sufrieron nada que refrenara su fuerza, ya que esa santa casa estaba pereciendo, por el bien de quién la guardaban ".

Fíjate en la reacción de Tito y pregúntate, ¿parece alguien empeñado en una destrucción completa del templo?

" Y una persona llegó corriendo a Tito y le informó de este incendio, mientras descansaba en su tienda después de la última batalla; entonces se levantó con gran prisa y, como estaba, corrió a la casa santa. , para detener el fuego ; tras él siguieron todos sus comandantes, y tras ellos siguieron las varias legiones, con gran asombro; por lo que se levantó un gran clamor y tumulto, como era natural en el movimiento desordenado de tan gran ejército. » Entonces hizo César, tanto llamando a los soldados que estaban combatiendo, en voz alta, como dándoles una señal con la mano derecha, y les ordenó que apagaran el fuego.Pero ellos no escucharon lo que dijo, aunque habló muy fuerte, y sus oídos ya estaban atenuados por un ruido mayor de otra manera; ni tampoco prestaron atención a la señal que hizo con la mano, pues todavía algunos estaban distraídos con la lucha, otros con pasión. Pero en cuanto a las legiones que vinieron corriendo allí, ni ninguna persuasión ni ninguna amenaza pudieron contener su violencia, pero la propia pasión de cada uno era su comandante en este momento ";

Percibo que esta declaración es la más reveladora de todas, y la dijo Tito, el general romano:

“Además, los árabes y sirios ahora, en primer lugar, comienzan a gobernarse a sí mismos como les plazca, y a satisfacer sus apetitos en una guerra extranjera, y luego, por su barbarie en asesinar hombres, y por su odio al Judíos, ¿se lo atribuyen a los romanos?

El temor de Tito era que la barbarie de estos hombres fuera atribuida a los romanos, y eso es exactamente lo que hacemos cuando declaramos que el cuarto imperio es un Imperio Romano revivido . ¿No ves que adscribir a Roma al cuarto imperio también quita nuestros ojos de lo que podría ser el verdadero mal de los últimos días, el Islam?

En los últimos años, ocupé la posición de que “los santos” eran solo aquellos que fueron martirizados durante el período de siete años de la ira de Dios, que tan tontamente llamamos tribulación. Hice exactamente lo que desprecio, escupir conceptos como hechos sin revisar mi Biblia adecuadamente. Pablo usó el término santos a lo largo de sus escritos , y eso tiende a disipar la idea de que los santos son exclusivos de los años de ira. Varios ejemplos son Efesios 1: 1; Filipenses 1: 1; Efesios 6: 8 y muchos otros.

La terminología santo me lleva inmediatamente al Apocalipsis donde vemos cosas como la mujer, ebria de la sangre de los santos (Apocalipsis 17: 6). No hace falta ser un científico espacial para darse cuenta de que el entendimiento principal aquí son los santos martirizados.

Sin embargo, hay algo notable en los escritos de Juan. Nunca usó el término santos al hablar de la iglesia fuera del Apocalipsis ; la mayoría de las veces los llama: niños pequeños  y hermanos . La sensación es de asociación y comprensión del corazón y el carácter de Dios. Considerando los comienzos de Juan en comparación con el final, solo tiene sentido que tenga el corazón de Dios mientras desarrolla el Apocalipsis, un tiempo de destrucción y juicio de pesadilla. Esta vez que llamamos la Tribulación no está dirigida a "mis hijitos".

Nota: He releído y editado esta publicación varias veces desde que la publiqué, pero hoy, 19/9/2021, las declaraciones anteriores me han cautivado una vez más. John, al decirnos lo que vio, nos muestra una obra de teatro, y nos está derramando el corazón y el carácter de Dios. Dios consideró oportuno recuperar Su iglesia, Su cuerpo antes de derramar Su ira sobre un mundo incrédulo y, en su mayor parte, impenitente.

Me doy cuenta de que inicié esta conversación con una parte de Daniel, no con John, pero hablan de lo mismo ; esta discusión paralela demuestra la dirección y dirección del Espíritu Santo . No podemos descartar la idea de que el recuerdo de Juan de las profecías de Daniel puede haber jugado un papel en la terminología de Juan.

Cuando miras la profecía de los últimos tiempos, solo hay tres grupos de personas a considerar: los judíos, las naciones y la iglesia.

Si bien puede haber y habrá algún cruce entre los judíos y la iglesia; en ese momento, los seguidores de Cristo se consideran parte de la iglesia.

Algunos dirán que Dios se rindió con los judíos. No me parece. Ha grabado sus nombres y rostros en las palmas de sus manos. No renuncias a algo tan precioso, especialmente después de mostrar ese nivel de compromiso. Dios tiene un plan para hacer que el corazón del judío, su elegido, vuelva a sí mismo. Desafortunadamente, hay mucho dolor y sufrimiento involucrados en ese viaje.

En general, los judíos han rechazado a Jesús, el Mesías y, por lo tanto, se han sometido a la ira que viene. 

“Y acercándose, vio la ciudad y lloró sobre ella, diciendo: Si tú también hubieras sabido, al menos en este día tuyo , las cosas para tu paz, pero ahora están ocultas a tus ojos. Porque vendrán días en ti en que tus enemigos te levantarán un terraplén, te rodearán y te retendrán por todos lados, y te derribarán a ti, y a tus hijos dentro de ti, y no dejarán un piedra sobre piedra porque no sabías el tiempo de tu visitación ".
(Lucas 19: 41-44 MKJV)

El rechazo de Dios por parte de Israel es un tema común. Un ejemplo de esto se ve en la selección de Saúl como rey.

Y el SEÑOR dijo a Samuel: Oye la voz del pueblo en todo lo que te digan; porque no te han desechado a ti, sino que me han desechado a mí, para que yo no reine sobre ellos . (1 Samuel 8: 7 KJV)

Las naciones también podrían denominarse gentiles . Daniel se refirió a ellos como el pueblo del príncipe que vendrá. Jesús, hablando de los días de la venganza, dijo:

“Y caerán a filo de espada, y serán llevados cautivos a todas las naciones; y Jerusalén será hollada por los gentiles hasta que se cumpla el tiempo de los gentiles. ”(Lucas 21:24 RV)

La iglesia es la colección completa de creyentes que comprende el cuerpo de Cristo.

Y puso todas las cosas debajo de sus pies, y lo dio por cabeza de todas las cosas a la iglesia, que es su cuerpo , la plenitud de Aquel que todo lo llena en todo. ( Efesios 1: 22-23 KJV)

¿Quién es la imagen del Dios invisible, el primogénito de toda criatura? Porque en él fueron creadas todas las cosas, que están en los cielos y en la tierra, visibles e invisibles, sean tronos, sean dominios, sean principados, o poderes: todas las cosas fueron creadas por él y para él: y él es antes de todas las cosas, y por él todas las cosas subsisten. Y él es la cabeza del cuerpo, la iglesia : el cual es el principio, el primogénito de los muertos; para que en todas las cosas pudiera tener la preeminencia. ( Colosenses 1: 15-18 KJV)

En general, la iglesia está excluida de la ira o venganza que vendrá sobre la tierra.

Pero Dios demuestra su amor por nosotros con esto (James Moffatt), en que, cuando aún éramos pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros. Mucho más entonces, siendo ahora justificados por su sangre, seremos salvos de la ira por él. (Romanos 5: 8-9 KJV)

“. te volviste a Dios de los ídolos, para servir a un Dios vivo y real y para esperar la venida de su Hijo del cielo, el Hijo a quien resucitó de entre los muertos, Jesús que nos rescata de la ira venidera . ( 1 Tesalonicenses 1: 9-10 Moffatt NT)

A la iglesia le gusta mantenerse en exclusividad, pensando que estamos protegidos de la tribulación. Mira, Jesús nos garantizó tres cosas:

  1. En este mundo, tendrás tribulación .
  2. Todos los hombres te odiarán por causa de mi nombre.
  3. Vendré de nuevo por ti.

La tribulación y la ira / venganza son dos cosas diferentes.

La tribulación no se detiene y se presenta de muchas formas . No tiene nada que ver con su incapacidad para comprar una nueva hélice para el barco de esquí familiar. Sea real, personas en partes del mundo donde hay una fuerte influencia musulmana están siendo asesinadas a diario. 

Si viviera bajo una constante amenaza de muerte, ¿cree que se sentiría agotado?

Absolutamente.

Quizás la Biblia en inglés básico lo traduzca de manera más apropiada. Daniel 7:25 (a) BBE

Y dirá palabras contra el Altísimo, intentando acabar con los santos del Altísimo ”;

Está claro que la intención es matar a los santos.

Y hablará palabras contra el Altísimo, y consumirá a los santos del Altísimo . Y tiene la intención de cambiar los tiempos y la ley. Y serán entregados en su mano hasta tiempo y tiempo y medio. ( Daniel 7:25 LITV )

Daniel 7:23 declara que lo que había de venir es la cuarta bestia . Si la cuarta bestia es el Islam, entonces fue iniciado más de 600 años después de la muerte de Cristo por Muhammad.

Nacido aproximadamente en 570 EC en la   ciudad árabe de  La Meca , [9] [10]  Muhammad quedó huérfano a una edad temprana; fue criado bajo el cuidado de su tío paterno  Abu Talib . Después de su infancia, Mahoma trabajó principalmente como comerciante. [11]  De vez en cuando se retiraba a una cueva en las montañas para pasar varias noches de reclusión y oración; más tarde, a los 40 años, informó en este lugar, [9] [12]  que fue visitado por  Gabriel  y recibió  su primera revelación  de Dios. Tres años después de este evento, Mahoma comenzó a  predicar  estas revelaciones públicamente, proclamando que " Dios es Uno", esa completa" entrega "(lit.  islām ) a Él es la única manera ( dīn ) [n 3]  aceptable a Dios, y que él era un profeta y mensajero de Dios, similar a  otros profetas islámicos . [13] [ 14] [15] (De Wikipedia).

El Islam ha operado bajo varios califatos desde la muerte de Mahoma en 632 d.C. (AEC). Si bien todos ellos causaron dolor en el mundo del Medio Oriente, uno de los más grandes y poderosos fue el Califato Otomano.

Otomana Califato (1453 / 1517- 1924 )

A finales de octubre de 1922, los aliados invitaron a los gobiernos nacionalista y otomano a una conferencia en Lausana, Suiza, pero Atatürk estaba decidido a que el gobierno nacionalista fuera el único representante de Turquía. En noviembre de 1922, la Gran Asamblea Nacional separó los cargos de sultán y califa y abolió el primero. La asamblea declaró además que el régimen otomano había dejado de ser el gobierno de Turquía cuando los aliados tomaron la capital en 1920, aboliendo de hecho el Imperio Otomano . [Extracto de Ottomans.org]

La realidad de la declaración anterior es que el Imperio Otomano sostuvo efectivamente lo que parecía ser la herida mortal en la cabeza en 1924, y durante muchos años el mundo del Medio Oriente tuvo paz.

¿Es posible que los creyentes hayan sido atacados durante mil ochocientos años?

¡Sin duda!

Preste atención a otro aspecto del Islam.

“La  Hermandad Musulmana  fue fundada en Ismailia,  Egipto  por Hassan al-Banna en marzo de 1928 como un movimiento religioso, político y social islamista. [1] [2]  El grupo se extendió a otros países musulmanes, pero tiene su organización más grande, o una de las más grandes, en Egipto, donde durante muchos años ha sido la fuerza de oposición política más grande, mejor organizada y más disciplinada, [ 3] [4] [5] a  pesar de una sucesión de represiones gubernamentales en 1948, 1954, 1965 después de que se descubrieron complots, o supuestos complots, de asesinato y derrocamiento. Tras la Revolución de 2011, el grupo fue legalizado [5]. y en abril de 2011 lanzó un partido político cívico llamado Partido Libertad y Justicia (Egipto) para participar en las elecciones ". (Wikipedia)

Note que esto es siete años y medio después de la disolución del Califato.

La Hermandad Musulmana tenía "vínculos con los nazis que comenzaron durante la década de 1930 y estuvieron estrechos durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, lo que implicó agitación contra los británicos, espionaje y sabotaje, así como apoyo a actividades terroristas orquestadas por Haj Amin el-Hussaini en el Mandato Británico de Palestina , como confirman una amplia gama de documentos desclasificados de los archivos gubernamentales británicos, estadounidenses y alemanes nazis, así como de relatos personales y memorias de ese período. [7]  Reflejando esta conexión, la Hermandad Musulmana también difundió Mein Kampf  y  Los Protocolos de Hitler.  de los Ancianos de Sión  ampliamente en traducciones árabes, ayudando a profundizar y extender las opiniones hostiles ya existentes sobre los judíos y las sociedades occidentales en general. [8]" (Wikipedia)

El punto a esto es que el Islam ha sido una espina destructiva en la carne de aquellos que no obedecen durante más de 1800 años . ¿Han sido una amenaza global a lo largo de su historia? No, pero fue necesaria una respuesta global para someterlos en 1922. Creo que podemos estar de acuerdo en que son globales ahora y una amenaza mayor que nunca. Aparte de eso, su directiva principal es matar a la gente del libro, que serían los judíos y los cristianos. ¿Ha notado que están haciendo mella seria en nuestra democracia con sus objetivos ?

Si ha visto las noticias en los últimos años, entonces está al tanto de los cristianos que están siendo masacrados en las naciones del Medio Oriente y África. Quizás también hayas notado que los ataques contra cualquier grupo fuera del Islam son un juego limpio para ellos. Budistas, católicos, lo que sea. Incluso luchan entre sí como si hubiera una competencia para ver quién puede seguir el Corán con mayor precisión. Desafortunadamente, para el forastero, si bien el Corán tiene pasajes dedicados a la paz, son reemplazados por pasajes más nuevos que exigen un cumplimiento estricto y violento.

Creo que es evidente que hay aflicción dirigida a los cristianos en ciertas partes del mundo . China y Corea del Norte no deben quedarse fuera de esta violencia contra los cristianos. Supongo que la pregunta es, ¿cuánto tiempo hasta que este nivel de violencia llegue a las Américas y nos aflija también a nosotros?

No creas que tu falta de fe te protegerá.

En general, el Islam siente que cualquier estadounidense es un seguidor de Cristo y digno de muerte . Las Escrituras me dicen que puedes tener la oportunidad de rechazar a Dios y aceptar a Alá como tu Dios de elección, inclinándote ante él en adoración. Quizás eso te salve el cuello por el momento. Soy consciente de que de todos modos le cortaron la cabeza a un hombre, posiblemente porque pensaban que era un cobarde sin agallas. Sospecho que no será tan fácil como eso, y es posible que no tengan tiempo para esperar su decisión. Por supuesto, ceder a esto te aleja de cualquier esperanza de una relación con Dios. En otras palabras, no hay vuelta atrás en esta decisión.

Si no conoce a Jesucristo, puede hacerlo. Invítelo a entrar en su vida, entréguese a él y acepte su perdón. Permítele que dirija tu vida, ya que la has estado arruinando. No tienes que trabajar por tu salvación, ya que es gratis y se paga, simplemente tienes que recibir esta vida y esta salvación. Experimentarás una paz que nunca antes habías conocido y la promesa de que él vendrá por ti para que puedas vivir con él en la gloria.


Tuesday, December 26, 2017

An extremely ludicrous example. Gal 2:19-21

Although I might have used other translations as I wrote about Paul's transition out of legalism into the grace of God we find in Christ; the CJB seems to convey what I perceive Paul is saying, the best.
Galatians 2:18-19 CJB Indeed, if I build up again the legalistic bondage which I destroyed, I really do make myself a transgressor. 19 For it was through letting the Torah speak for itself that I died to its traditional legalistic misinterpretation, so that I might live in direct relationship with God.
Operating as Saul the Pharisee, he enforced the legalistic bondage. Although the transition to freedom in Christ began while he was stilled called Saul, his references to the time in which he started destroying the legalistic bondage, started about three years after his conversion to being a follower of the Way, on the road to Damascus.
The idea that he could or would make himself a transgressor by teaching legalism once again is an intentionally ludicrous example; one which would never happen.
Previously I wrote about Paul's statement, “For it was through letting the Torah (Mosaic law) speak for itself that I died to its traditional legalistic misinterpretation.” While this may sound appropriate to me, it might not seem right to you, because it is foreign to your ear. The NASB translates the same sentence like this.
Galatians 2:19 NASB "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.
Allow me to point out the obvious. There is a huge and drastic difference between the two translations. I am assuming that, as a student of the Bible, you would, of course, want to dig enough to find out what the original Greek is, for the phrase “legalistic misinterpretation.” Here is where our problem lies; there is no direct wording for the phrase “legalistic misinterpretation.”
If I show you the NASB with the Strong's numbers, perhaps you will understand better.
Galatians 2:19 NASB+ "For throughG1223 N1the LawG3551 I R1diedG599 to N1the LawG3551, soG2443 that I might liveG2198 to GodG2316.
  • “For through” - The word "for" is presumed, however, it makes grammatical sense; but, it is not included in the Greek. The word through, on-the-other-hand, is a straightforward word in the Greek meaning "through, on account of, or because of."
  • “the Law” - Strong's gives us this: nomos; from nemō (to parcel out); that which is assigned, hence usage, law.
    So, what was assigned to Israel? You have to think back to Moses receiving the law (the ten commandments) on Mount Moriah. When you read through Exodus and Leviticus, you find it was not just ten simple commandments, but somewhat detailed laws about cleanliness and sacrifices for sins.
    Why would God need these people to hold fast to rules? Because they had been, with few exceptions, entirely assimilated into Egypt's idolatrous ways and culture. Proof of this shows up when Moses descends from the mountain with the tablets, and Joshua says to him, it sounds like war. Have you ever thought to yourself, what does a battle sound like? It sounds like screaming, horn blowing, crying, and perhaps, dancing; all of these things may well be what they were doing. In the New Testament, it was Stephen, that gives us, and the Jewish council before him, a history lesson as he describes the idolatrous images they had made.
    Sadly, one of those "images" was Moloch, half man – half bull, that was hollow so that fire could be placed inside of it. With the upright hands of a man, babies were roasted on it to some Egyptian god. And, Aaron, the brother of Moses, made this ghastly thing for the children of Israel.
  • “I died” apothnēskō to die off (literally or figuratively): The NASB with Strong's numbers, has an added dimension, as it references three scriptures indicated by R1. (I R1diedG599)
    Saul, on the road to Damascus, died that day. How is that possible? Having read the story myself, I know that he became blind and had to have someone lead him to the home of Ananias. Ananias prayed with Saul; baptized him; taught him a little, and introduced him to other followers of Christ.
    Nowhere in this process did Saul quit breathing. So, the act of dying has to take on another role in our life, one which we cannot immediately see.
    Romans 6:2 NASB May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
    I am not clear how this applies to the theme, however, there the concept of dying to sin, something which we, as believers, have done.
    Ponder this. The statement conveys that in Christ, we have died to sin. And yet, we are highly capable of rolling around in this “sin.” How does that work?
    Romans 7:4 NASB Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
    1 Corinthians 9:20 NASB 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
    Consider what verse 20 is saying. To the Jews, I became as a Jew. Since Paul was born to Jews – Pharisees, his becoming a Jew was not a question. I would imagine it was more of demand and an aspect of his heritage. However, he is telling us that he enacted these roles with one purpose, to win those who are under the Law. That goal, it seems, was to win those under the Law. Time for some questions:
    - Wasn't Saul initially under the Law?
    - Who won him over, freeing him from that Law, and how did that happen?
    - Seeing as Paul verbally accosted Peter for his hypocrisy, why does it seem that Paul is now doing the same?
    - Considering how dramatic God was with Saul on the road to Damascus, what would it take to win over the Jew, one under the Law?
  • “the Law” - Here it is again, and nothing has changed. Strong's gives us this: nomos; from nemō (to parcel out); that which is assigned, hence usage, law.
  • “so that I might live to God.”
    “so” is merely a conjunction.
    “that I might live,” Live is the Greek word, zao meaning to spend one's existence. The additional words are merely presumed.
    “to God.” God - Theós; Originally used by the heathen, but in the NT as the name of the true God. The heathen thought the gods were makers and disposers (thetḗres, placers) of all things. [Word Study Dictionary]
    Strong's concordance merely tells us that theos means of uncertain affinity; simply, a diety.
I like to plug in the other possible words and see what it looks like, so here goes.
Galatians 2:19 in its original condition - “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.”
And here it is rewritten - On account of that which is assigned, the Law. I have had to die off, in a sense, to the law - that thing which I used and it used me. This dying off all happened so that I might spend my existence living a life before the maker of the universe instead of living because of rules.
Eugene Peterson's message conveys the same verse in this manner,
Galatians 2:19 MSG What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man.
Moving on slowly, let's look at verse 20.
Galatians 2:20 NASB "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
In contrast, the Message states,
Galatians 2:20 MSG Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
How simple Eugene Peterson's version makes this whole idea of being crucified with Christ seem, and it is; what makes life in Christ difficult is that the enemy is continually attacking through the primary point of entry, your thoughts.
If you, like Paul, chose to step away from religious legalism, then you can anticipate family attacking you. In some communities, you are disowned or treated as dead. What if your choice to follow the grace and life found in Christ, causes you to suffer verbal abuse at work and you lose your job or social position in life over your commitment?
Peterson's version emphasizes, “My ego is no longer central.” Is that because somehow, in this process of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, you understood that you were now placing your life in the hands of God, and taking on a new identity, His identity? With our standard pleas for salvation, most of which include an escape plan from hell's flames, there is little talk of this crucifixion of self, and the taking on of a new identity. I do not think most of us understand this process at all. If you can't accept that statement, go to a recovery group and listen, as people will verbalize their struggle to figure out who they are. Most still identify with that aspect of their person, that lived on the streets; or, they had a high paying job and could afford a constant stream of drugs and alcohol. Their minds, which have yet to be changed, still think there is nothing more than the quietly tortured life they led.
Don't think for a second that Paul did not understand this concept, for most Pharisees were married. Ask yourself, do you see much in the way of details about Paul's life, before the Damascus event? Not unless he tells us. It is possible that the impact Jesus had on him, and the trauma associated with Paul's expulsion from the Jewish, Law bound, religious council, may have played a role in Paul's rarely speaking of his past? Maybe. Lacking definitive documentation we have to go on presumption and what others have written about the Jewish social life.
Presumption itself is not that bad, especially when it makes sense and somehow associates itself tightly with God's design and plans. In our case, His plan of action was to redeem the world, and He prearranged to do it through His own Son, Jesus. Well, that happened, and the only demand placed upon us was to accept His mercy and grace, by recognizing that Jesus, the Son, is the Messiah. The Jewish community calls Jesus the Gentile Jesus, and will have nothing to do with him; however, the day will come when the blinding veil will be lifted, and Jew and Gentile will be able to see. The problem with that is that it happens immediately after the catching away of the Church, during the seven-year period that far too many like to call the Tribulation period. This period I speak of is the time of God's wrath being poured out on the earth, the Jews, and the nations (Gentiles.)
In church, I find a multitude of opinions, false teaching, and an exhausting lack of grace and mercy. The general theme of the messages has more to do with works than anything else. These "works," it seems, are done to maintain your standing in God's grace, or, they are some presumed requirement that proves you are a follower of Christ. Is this what Paul was trying to get across to us? Hardly. Eugene Peterson explains it like this:
“It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God.”
Why would Paul have this kind of determined purpose and freedom? Because he knew without a doubt that Christ lived in him.
What was the consistent pattern that we see, as Paul came into villages and looked for their synagogue? Almost immediately he began to inform them, from the Law, about, not only the Messiah who lives, but the grace found in Him.
Let's finish chapter two by continuing with the Message version.
Galatians 2:21 MSG I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.
Paul says, “I am not going to go back on that.” People make statements like this right after making some definitive assertion about what they believe, or, what they will do, primarily with their life. If you look at verse 20 and compare translations, the life statements are there. A change had come, and it has allowed me to bring change to others; what did that, was the obtaining of Christ's life inside himself and taking on that identity; it is this knowledge that seems to motivate Paul's statement, “I am not going to go back on that.”
I am going, to be honest with you. I have moments when I find myself asking, is this heaven thing is for real, because if it is not, and I am merely trying to find some way through this land of the walking dead, then I won't play by the restraints of decency (scripture calls these restraints of decency, the perfect law of liberty, and it includes loving people.) I think Paul may well have had these moments; but then, there was that vision, or let's just call it an event, Paul had on the road to Damascus, the one where he saw Jesus. That extraordinary vision changed him and how he looked at the things he had learned from the Law, and about God.
The voice in my head that confronts the decency in me (perhaps that is an inferior way of saying that there is someone out there, called Satan,) incessantly tries to persuade me that I am wasting my time and that none of this is real. It also says, “beside that, there is no hope of an eternal life with the Father, and you will merely become worm fodder when you die.” In moments like this, I cherish the words found in a worship song we used to sing a couple of years ago, which says, I remind myself of all that He's done, and the life I live, I live in the Son.
I mentioned this song and how it had integrated its way into my life, to someone close to me. Surprisingly, they became adversarial and asked why I would feel that way since I have Jesus in my life. If I, for whatever reason, am being attacked with doubts, does that mean I do not have a firm grasp on what God has done for me and why? Not at all, but ignoring that we have an enemy certainly does not make your life better; it just makes you ignorant. Jesus told us that in this life we would have tribulations. If those trials come in the form of haranguing doubts, they still have to be dealt with, and not through the Law.
As Eugene Peterson's Message put it, “If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.” This entire second chapter of Galatians has been an effort on Paul's part to demonstrate this concept. The Law, we are told, never brought anyone to Christ. However, mercy and grace have.
If you have ever read about the dreams and visions that many Muslims are having, you never hear them say, Jesus came and condemned me; Jesus, merely told me to follow him, and why. Since many of you live in areas where a flood of Islamic refugees has entered, then you know how violent many of them have been. The legalistic, judgmental side of our nature, demands justice and punishment. Sadly, many of us, expect God to be the same way (this is why many religious zealots will falsely tell you that everyone brought to the Great White Throne is sent to hell.) These zealots want judgment. The problem is that God has forgiven all sin, and will judge no one at that throne based on sin (something we all do, every day.) But, he will judge them according to what they did with His Son, Jesus. And that is why Paul's final comments are important and vital to this life we lead as followers of Christ.
“The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
It is all through faith in the Son; nothing else.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

We live in a world at warfare

Since we last spoke much has been going on besides world turmoil. Many of you who read my blog are from countries that have taken in these so-called "immigrants" and those of us who are paying attention to scripture and the escalating damage are well aware that these are more evidence that we are in the last days that scripture speaks of.

The last thing I posted spoke about strongholds and their impact on our lives. I tried to make myself clear by pointing out the spiritual side of these strongholds, and, though in their beginnings we allow them to take powerful, fortress-like holds over our lives. The reality is that we live in a world in warfare, spiritual warfare. If you have been suckered into religiosity then you most likely will laugh at me, as you declare that our problems are strictly our own doing.

If you have been suckered into the apathy that religiosity brings then you most likely will laugh at me, as you declare that our problems are strictly our own doing. However, I can attest to the fact that our enemy, Satan, and a myriad of fallen angels, work hard at enticing well-meaning others to do their bidding. These voices sound so much like a negative father, a doting mother, brothers, sisters, and sadly people you thought were good friends. In my case, a friend, who thought he was doing the proper thing, directly spoke against the leadership of a small Bible study group I attend. Truth be known, I can adequately self-destruct on my own, but I think I have just enough to shut my mouth once in a while. This well-meaning friend, at the prodding of the enemy, fired direct volleys at the table leader; this, in turn, created a small war, which I had to come against in Jesus name.

Truth be known, I can adequately self-destruct on my own, but I think I have learned enough to shut my mouth once in a while, knowing that God, with good intentions placed this man in leadership, so God is going to have to shut his mouth, not me. This well-meaning friend, at the prodding of the enemy, fired direct volleys at the table leader; this, in turn, created a small war, which I had to come against in Jesus name.

On the plus side: another situation where one of our group, which meets at a hamburger stand, appointed himself the pastor and began his onslaught of false teaching, has asked me to cover for him as he was losing his voice. That has turned into an opportunity for me to lead the Bible study for almost a month now. Have you ever given this idea of false teaching any consideration? Many, when they think of false teachers, picture some television preacher. While there is no doubt many of them have fallen into that trap it does not have to be that elaborate. Simply ignoring the context of a scripture and using it to convey an inappropriate message; preaching your opinion in place, or allowing it to take precedent over God's word, and generally just being arrogant, refusing correction, especially when the Word of God stands in opposition to what you are saying.

Have you ever given this idea of false teaching any consideration? Many, when they think of false teachers, picture some television preacher. While there is no doubt many of them have fallen into that trap it does not have to be that elaborate. Simply ignoring the context of a scripture and using it to convey an inappropriate message; preaching your opinion in place, or allowing it to take precedent over God's word, and generally just being arrogant, refusing correction, especially when the Word of God stands in opposition to what you are saying.

Many, when they think of false teachers, picture some television preacher. While there is no doubt many of them have fallen into that trap it does not have to be that elaborate. Simply ignoring the context of a scripture and using it to convey an inappropriate message; preaching your opinion in place, or allowing it to take precedent over God's word, and generally just being arrogant, refusing correction, especially when the Word of God stands in opposition to what you are saying.

As usual, I talk too much, so here is the reason I write this:
I, like Paul, am very much aware of the trials and tribulations some of you are experiencing. No, I do not have to be a prophet to know this, merely aware of where many of come from, and, the commonality we share; you know the one Jesus spoke of when He said, "in this world, you will have tribulations." We are not going to avoid tribulations, no matter the form, nor are we excluded from them. I am often dismayed by the responses of the ignorant when they say, we are not going to experience tribulation. Who said that? I suggest that they ask our Coptic brothers and sisters, or those in the Middle East if they think we will go through tribulation. The problem is we are blending two ideas together, though not completely distinct. Foremost, The Great Tribulation (the time of God's wrath), is not an aspect of our walk as believers, and,, as the Apostle Paul tells us, we are not destined for wrath.

It is important to understand that The Great Tribulation (the time of God's wrath), is not an aspect of our walk as believers, and, as the Apostle Paul tells us, we are not destined for wrath. 1 Thessalonians 5:9. To preach otherwise would make me a false teacher.

I realize many of you are in difficult circumstances, but I know the strength and grace of the one who lives inside of you and you can do this. These circumstances are not be falling you because you are not loved, just the opposite. Because you are so deeply loved you are a target of the enemy, and sadly, he takes on many faces.

Once again, I remind you, time is short. Stay strong and fight a good fight. Use the Name of Jesus like the sword it was meant to be, and remember that Joel chapter two was written with you in mind.

Walk like prophets upon this earth.

Even though we have never met, you are deeply loved.

Until next time, or I meet you in the air.
Oz

Sunday, November 13, 2016

What scripture calls us to testify about. John 1:7-13

In my previous post, I introduced you to John the Baptist.
John 1:6 NASB There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
In exploring the ramifications of who John was and was not, I opened the possibility that we too are the called designated witnesses sent by God. As we progress, forward we have to sort between the religious definition and what scripture calls us to testify of.
I grew up in church, but there was a time when my father decided that we needed to chase the charismatic movement around the valley and that removed us from the church I grew up in. I want to say that I do not regret that for a moment, but, it took me away from the kids I had grown up with. Our return to that same church was, at best, strained. I tried to fit in. There were new people, and most of us had transitioned to college. Many of my old friends were gone, and I never saw them again. Out of this, there were mandatory treks into the nearby neighborhoods to “win the lost.” I often wondered who decided they were lost. We were met on several occasions with less than enthusiastic responses, two of them were outright hostile. I think much of that hostility was a reaction to the "canned" responses we used and the fact the church had effectively done a hostile takeover of homes where senior citizens lived with nowhere else to go. These exercises convinced me, beyond all doubt, that evangelism is not my calling.
I get the general idea, we are called to spread the good news, then what is it that we are to spread. Certainly, it is not the religious tripe often forced down our throats. Without defining it as yet, I did and do what I am comfortable with, I “preach” what I am studying in the Word and what I believe. Most of these things have been learned because of tough times that have driven me to the Word of God and a desire to find His nature and character. To be honest, I struggle with the possibility that I am supposed to act just like someone like Pastor Greg Laurie, but as much as I try, I fail horrendously. Successes, if I can call them that, have come from me being me and the moments when I have listened to the Holy Spirit, saying things that seemed at the time to be totally random.
That being said, let's dive into John 1:7-13.
John 1:7-13 NASB He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8) He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9) There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11) He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13) who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

  • “He came as a witness, to testify about the Light,”
    Because, as we saw, God sent him. But, to what was John, a witness?
    Three of the gospels record that John the Baptist saw the Spirit descending upon Him.
    • Matthew 3:16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,
    • Mark 1:10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;
    • John 1:32 John testified saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.
      However, John himself told us,
      "I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'” John 1:33 NASB
      So, John puts several things together:
     
      • God spoke to Him (we are out of the loop on what that looked like.)
        And
      • Told him that he (John) would see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Jesus.
That is typical of how God has spoken and confirmed his message to me, He speaks to your heart and then shows you.
Now, if I were hoping that you would tell people about me, this would be significant. Why? Because I had showed myself to be trustworthy and you had experienced my nature and character. If there something that was of the utmost importance, it would be the last two things.
The Apostle John knew John the Baptist too well. We have every reason to believe that the disciple John had first been a disciple of John the Baptist. If I, as John did, were to tell a story about the beginnings of creation, what would be the foremost thing I want to convey?
    • That God was trustworthy
    • that He speaks and then follows through.
    • Therefore his nature and character are valid and genuine.
    • Finally, that He is the Messiah that we have been looking for, and His actions have proved that to be the case.
  • " so that all might believe through him.”
God told and showed John the Baptist these things for the purpose of giving witness to Jesus.
  • The first evidence John renders is the substantiation of who Jesus was – the Messiah.
    With the testimony of John The Baptist, this was verified in two ways, just as scripture prescribes; this evidence is precisely what the religious Jews are looking for. They could care less about flashy clothes and neon lights, much like some television personalities, but what they are looking for is solid repeatable patterns. This sane description of prophecy is what John the Baptist testified of, and, how the Apostle John opens his gospel.
Now wait a minute.
I have spoken as though this message was directed exclusively to a limited audience, a Jewish one, and that was true for an extended period. Spend any time in the Word, and you will realize that by the time the Holy Spirit had John write this open letter to (Jewish) believers, God, had moved on Paul to take this same message (with a different spin on it,) to the Gentiles.
We are not moving another step forward until we dispense with an aspect of our biased Western mentality. We, here in America, are not the Gentiles (we seem to say that with some perverse pride as though we are now the exclusive recipients of God's mercy.) We are merely a subset of the nations, and, as you might recall from your Bible reading, that the nations were always one of the prime entities that brought Israel to its knees; that and the idea that they could manage this thing called life without God. So the term Gentile was meant to convey anyone outside Judaism (observance of the Mosaic Law,) and therefore a non-believer, a person without hope for a future. Move a few years forward, and the definition has changed slightly and is now pointing to those who have no relationship with Jesus Christ. No, I will not hold to a tight definition here, for I cannot see the heart. It is evident to me, that God, having things under a manner of control, that I do not understand, brings people to him, then allows them to meander for undefined periods of time, only to continue to draw them close to Him. I can't explain this as anything other than love, and that is who He is.
Can we agree that John the Baptist did not directly bring the gospel to the world? However, the overall impact of what he heard, saw with his own two eyes and shared was felt by the world, even if that was not his personal intent. I think it is safe to safe to assume that this statement, “that all might believe through him,” was God's plan all along. An honest look at scripture affirms that the disciples spoke to none but their own, there were exceptions, such as Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, or Paul's decision to finally take the message to the Gentiles, instead of the brutal savages Paul would find in the synagogues.
  • “He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.”
    John the Baptist was not the Light, but as I just discussed, he was sent to testify about the Light. Imagine the day Jesus asked him to baptize him. God, asked a man to baptize him.
  • 9) “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11) He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.”
    This section is decisively speaking about Jesus the Messiah, but perhaps a brief look at a translation other than the NASB will make it clearer.
    John 1:9 GNB This was the real light---the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.
    What's the problem with that? The answer lies in verses 10, 11.
      • He was in the world,
      • “and the world was made through Him,
      • “..the world did not know Him.
    Worse yet, “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.” You might expect that those who had the promise, given by prophetic word, through dreams and visions, and held to the heart by oral tradition, would have recognized the Messiah. If that seems like a stretch, then consider when Jesus was born. Magi, from another country, possibly trained under the tutelage of Daniel, came because they had seen His star. Herod questioned the chief priests who admitted to a knowledge of Jesus birth. This ignorance of who Jesus was demonstrates an intentional ignorance.
    What's your excuse?

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