WORDS

After Orlando, POTUS took to the mic, taking issue with those who criticize his lack of focus on the problem.  He mocked concerns that he does not name our enemy, saying there is nothing "magic" about the words.

Then he blamed the problem on guns.  We know if a gun ban were the answer, Chicago would be a safe place.

In fact, our problem is a people who abide in Sharia law because Sharia law calls them to lawlessness and murder.  Americans do not abide under the same code of law.  If the President is looking to change laws, let him change Sharia law.

The most recent poll says 51% of American Muslims agree with Sharia law.  And according to Pew Research, 60% of American Muslims under 30 are more loyal to Islam than to America.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CALL THE ENEMY "RADICAL ISLAM"? 


1.  WORDS HELP US UNDERSTAND.  Ever heard the term "bayat"?  That is an Islamic word which means "allegiance".  When the Orlando shooter took time to call around during that prolonged killing spree, his calls were to make sure everyone knew where HIS allegiance belonged.  The bayat is part of the jihad and it was heard around the Muslim world, enlarging the shooter/his cause...and thereby encouraging other attacks.

We need to know how the enemy thinks...so that we can think ahead of them.  Americans don't think like these barbaric people who jam planes into buildings and burn people alive. We need to see this "holy war" for the pure evil that it is.

2.  WORDS INSPIRE 
"E PLURIBUS UNUM".  I remember how American pride swelled when we heard JFK speak the words "ask what YOU can do for your country".  Those words echoed down time and brought the country together for her good.

But what do we hear?  We hear lots of discouragement ("you didn't build that") and discontent ("America has her problems") and mischaracterization ("their poverty causes them to act as they do") and deflection ("the future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Muhammed") and apologies ad nauseam.

We need to KNOW that our leadership doesn't think the fight is over the correct bathroom...or with Wayne LaPierre.  We need to KNOW he has a plan for our good against terrorists that is to be fought on the terrorists' battleground.  We need to KNOW he isn't making our protection more complicated.

3.  WORDS FOCUS THE ELECTORATE.   We are confused.  On the one hand, FBI Director Comey tells us "if you see something, say something".

The gun shop owner tried that.  They smelled a rat and called the FBI when the shooter tried to buy body armor and bulk ammo.  LINK  Then the gun store called the FBI back days later, and they still didn't get a response; the shooter fell through a crack.  (To be fair, the FBI didn't have a name to work with because the shooter didn't make a purchase.)

But Americans are unsettled.  We don't understand with all the flags, why they missed the Boston bombers or Maj. Hasan or the San Bernadino husband/wife or now this Orlando shooter.  We feel like if we say something, people will accuse us of being a racist (xenophobic, bigot, etc).  That fear of labeling kept the aforementioned neighbors quiet.  But if we all are on the same page with our focus on the problem, we can cooperate.

4. WORDS COME WITH POWER.  We have been told that these acts of terrorism are "just the way things will be now".  Well, that doesn't inspire courage.  Doesn't a leader lift the flock's eyes to the solution?  We don't want the armed forces and police cut.  We don't want to bind the hands of our protectors with goofy regulations like "disallow monitoring in mosques" and "quit using terms such as "radical" or "jihad" or "radical Islamic terrorism".  Let law enforcement follow the trail.  All the logical efforts to fight  the enemy flow out of a clear objective found in the words RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM and what that means.

Charles Krauthammer explains why semantics are important.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz8IQnQAiTI

Bill Maher helps us to see our denial about radical Islam.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Zfgj2k0KM

Let's call this perversion of civilization for what it is and deal with it.  Let's coalesce around a common sense approach to evil just as Americans did in WW2.  These radicals who speak words of hate and murder have promised to come for the West...and now they have come REPEATEDLY.

When would be a good time to get serious?

A THOUSAND YEARS

Hi.  My name's Susan and I'm a Serial Self Slackcutter.

That's right. I'm fond of thinking "Well, I wouldn't have responded that way if I hadn't been so tired."  Or..."When I spend time with that person, I'm more prone to gossip and criticize."

It's easier to think circumstances (or others) are the problem.  That's a LOT easier than seeing things as God sees them.  He says NONE are righteous and ALL have hearts that are desperately wicked.  That's why when we come to Revelation 20 and read about the Millennium Kingdom, we understand how God's pure justice is put on display.

When Christ returns to earth for His thousand-year reign, there will be beauty from ashes as the Creator destroys His creation and remakes the earth.  There we will enjoy utopian conditions in "Garden of Eden" splendor.  Animals will revert to their "pre-fall" nature as the lion lays down with the lamb.  Scripture says Jesus will rule there with a rod of iron.  His rule is not out of harshness, but rather kindness as He enforces the law to insure the world's long-sought peace and harmony and security.

Know what else?  Satan will be bound.  Our nemesis loses his permission slip to roam the earth seeking those he might devour.  The time for his evil influencing is done.  There won't be "the devil made me do it" in the Millennium.

In fact, when that trumpet sounds, a believer's life will no longer have to make time for the daily routines that compete with our devotion to God.  Our sole focus from then on will be the King's business.

Here are the three groups of people who get to go into Christ's Millennial Kingdom:

1.  There are believers raptured at the end of the church age 

 who return with Christ to fight @Armageddon in their glorified bodies.

2.  There are believers (both Jew and Gentile) who died before Pentecost...

plus believers who will die during the Tribulation.  These believers will be 

resurrected and transformed into immortals after Armageddon.

3.  There are believers (both Jew and Gentile) 

who are "natural men" and survivors of both the Tribulation and Armageddon, 

and judged righteous.  This category is different 

from the other two because they still have mortal bodies 

and will grow, mature, marry, procreate, age and die (Isaiah 65:20-25).

Have you heard people say when we get to Paradise we will just sit around strumming harps?  How strange they would say such a thing and assume God has no purpose for us!

In our present age, the Bible calls the church a priesthood of believers.  Our service to God and men will go seamlessly into the new kingdom.  Satisfaction from being His ambassadors will only swell into more satisfaction.

In the new kingdom, we are said to be co-heirs with Christ, and will rule with Him.  How amazing that we are to judge the angels and the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28)!  We will have our hands full as we share Christ, resolve disputes, and mentor new believers.  Remember survivors will be in a ragged recovery mode after all that has happened on the earth, so there will be much opportunity for service.

NOW is the time for preparation.  As we follow Him as faithful stewards of the tasks He assigns, we gain more opportunity and reward in the kingdom to come.

So how does God show His pure justice during the Millennium?

We see that it's not unfavorable circumstances or the devil's influences that make men's neck stiff.  It is our rebellious hearts which call for God's judgment.

Revelation 20 says when Satan is unbound, he gathers up all the rebellious souls who refuse to bend the knee and their number will be as many as sand on the seashore.

Then God brings destruction by calling down fire from heaven on the rebels.  Nothing tainted with sin will be allowed in the new heaven and earth.  Almighty God throws Satan into the Lake of Fire for eternity that he may not deceive God's people anymore.

GOD'S PLAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT HE WOULD BE AT HOME WITH HIS PEOPLE IN A WORLD WITHOUT SIN.  So He protects His people, destroys evil, and exalts His Son.

All men deserve the Lake of Fire, but Jesus' provision for sin cancels the wages of sin for those who call on His name.

Today I'm rather consumed with decorating details for a house under construction.  One day those "things" will burn.  Lord, help me live with the end in mind!

THE BRIDEGROOM

So how in the world is a wedding connected to Christ's return for His church?  Well, I'm glad you asked...

In our BSF study, we just finished Revelation 19 and there were such wonderful insights from the lecture and notes, and pictures from our site which are on this blog.

We know from parables and from Jesus' words about Himself that He is the Bridegroom while the Church is the bride.

The Bible was written by Jews for Jews and while it may not resonate with us unless we are familiar with Jewish tradition, the symbolism would have jumped off the page for first century Jews.

For instance, remember when people came to John the Baptist and asked him if he were the Messiah?  John replied he was not the bridegroom, but "the one who has the bride is the bridegroom".  Then John goes on to describe himself as a "friend of the bridegroom" (like the best man).  There are many other references using marriage language.  Remember Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana?  The woman at the well?  The virgins with lamps?  All these correlate.

To get started, let's go back to the ancient Jewish wedding tradition and see that there were three stages to getting married.  There was betrothal, presentation, and consummation.  Each part of the process is below, and then in blue, how that correlates to Jesus' return.

BETROTHAL
All authority rests with the boy's father to choose a bride for his son.  He pays a "bride price/dowry" to her parents, and then the bride may say "yes" or "no".

If she agrees to accept the contract, they drink wine or grape juice from a cup.  That means she has accepted the offer and put the relationship into a legally binding agreement.  If she does not accept the cup, the betrothal is broken and the father must find another spouse for his son.

During the period after the betrothal (which might last a year or two) the groom builds a room onto his father's house to prepare for his bride.  At this point the betrothal may only be broken by a divorce.

In the fulfillment of this prenuptial symbolism, Jesus the Bridegroom left His home (heaven) and came to earth to purchase His bride with His blood.  

When Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure back to heaven, He said He was going away to His Father's house to prepare a place for us (His bride, the Church).  He said that in His Father's house there were many rooms...and He will return for His bride so that where He is, we might also be.  Our communion wine is the cup that the Church takes in agreement.

PRESENTATION
The bridegroom's father is in charge of the timetable for when the groom will return to get his bride.  Not even the bridegroom knows when that will happen.  It is said that when the bridegroom and his attendants arrive, it is surprising much like a thief in the night.  That is why the bride is to remain ready.  The groom's arrival is announced with a shout, "Behold, the bridegroom comes!"

It has been over 2,000 years since Jesus went back to heaven, but He will return for His bride, the Church.  No one but God the Father knows when that will be, not even God the Son.  

Meanwhile believers are to remain faithful and ready and clothed in righteous deeds that Jesus provides.  The Lord Jesus will return with an angelic escort that is preceded by a shout, "Behold, the Bridegroom comes!"

When the father gave permission to go get the bride, a joyous processional led by the bridegroom and his attendants took the bride and her attendants to a feast and the ceremony.

When the Bridegroom returns for His bride, we will be taken to the Father's house (heaven) and enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

CONSUMMATION
After all the process, the couple retires to the wedding chamber and remain in hiding for seven days.

After Jesus receives His bride into the bridal chamber in heaven, there He hides her away during the tribulation on the earth.

John Piper said "King Jesus came into the world to take a wife, not a harem.  And not for sex...but to give her pleasures that make sex taste like cardboard.  He paid for her with his life.  And He is now at work by His Spirit and by His Word purifying and beautifying her for Himself and for her joy."

After the seven day period, the groom comes out of the bridal chamber, bringing his bride with him as a witness to everyone, marking the wedding as official.  Jesus will come out of the bridal chamber (heaven) and bring His bride with Him to Planet Earth as a witness to everyone as we begin the Millennial Kingdom.

The apostle John described heaven's rejoicing that he heard in Revelation 19: "Then I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng like the roar of many waters and like loud crashes of thunder.  They were shouting 'Hallelujah!  For the Lord our God, the All-Powerful, reigns!  Let us rejoice and exult and give Him glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.  She was permitted to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).  Then the angel said to me, 'Write the following: Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!'  He also said to me, 'These are the true words of God!' "

What an amazing love story of how God loves His people!  The Bible began with marriage in a garden with Adam and Eve, and will end with the marriage of Christ and His church. We thank the Lord for His good plan which has been in place since the foundation of the world...that He would bring us to dwell with Him there where there will be no hindrances to love.  Hallelujah!

  

THREAT?

Do we make too much of radical Islamic terrorism?  Is ISIS a threat to America?

The New York Times has an extensive ARTICLE entitled "How ISIS Built the Machinery of Terror Under Europe's Gaze".  They estimate that ISIS and their affiliates have murdered at least 650 people in Europe.

While that ghastly information tries to find a place in your brain, consider something else.  This LINK  lists the ISIS killings across the globe IN JUST THE LAST 30 DAYS.  Take a wild guess.  How many people would you think they could kill in a month?

There were Islamic terror attacks in 147 countries...1165 people were killed...and 3221 were injured.  That includes Sunday's attack in Lahore, Pakistan where the TARGET was innocent women and children in a playground on a warm Easter afternoon.  Really?  Over half the 70 deaths were children.

Who is this that comes to steal people's peace and kill the innocent?

The NYTimes article mentions the taxi driver who drove the Brussels bombers to the airport.  That driver said the bombers refused to let him help load their heavy bags, they sat in tense silence for the ride, and he noticed a strong odor wafting into the taxi from the trunk.

That strong odor that the Brussels taxi drive detected was the smell of death.  The people who want to kill have made it necessary for the people who want to live to think defensively.  If we are at war (and we are) and the enemy says they have infiltrated the immigrants (and they have), then it is folly to  flood our country any further as Europe has.  It cannot be smart to bring people here who hate our country, hate our religion, and hate our ways...and who have no plans to  assimilate.

We must employ smart immigration policy because we cannot afford to become Europe.

The one in charge of protecting us  has dragged his feet all along the way, still not naming the enemy and turning planes around to abort bombing missions.  He flings the door open wide for Muslim immigrants but denies Christians who are fleeing genocide.  His public comments (delivered with his "too cool for school" demeanor) would suggest that alarm about the JV is ridiculous.

My alarm centers on his inability to make an accurate threat assessment...while at the same time dealing with "bad guys", bad-mouthing our country when on foreign soil, and dancing while Brussels burned.

You may have heard that now he has actually said this death cult is NOT AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT.  What the heck does "existential threat" mean if not that they threaten our existence?

Is he suggesting that ISIS doesn't want to eliminate the United States (or as they call us, "the great Satan").  Or would his assessment be that they are not able?  They have been able to terrorize Europe, Asia and Africa.

People intrinsically know that left unchecked, this threat is coming and is here.  We do not choose alarmism when we choose wisely.

Choosing strategic immigration policy is not a compassion-deficit, nor is it permanent.  Rather, it is a wartime choice to pragmatically recognize radical Islamic terrorism as an existential threat.  We must not be mesmerized by political correctness.

Wake up, America!

 

FORGOTTEN

Don't tell anyone, but back in the 80's Mike and I were teaching Sunday School and had taken our second graders off campus for a McDonald's treat.

When we loaded everyone back into the Suburban, somehow we didn't count right.  That's right, even back then it was a real life nightmare.

The missing boy had gone into the bathroom and when he came out, he  realized his class had left him.  He was forgotten.

To a much greater degree, that's how Joseph in the Bible must have felt.  We have been going through the life of Joseph at church this month and last Sunday, we talked about how Joseph was forgotten.

You may think your family is dysfunctional, but imagine being at the bottom of a well and hearing your brothers come to a consensus about how to finish you off.  Imagine the humiliation of getting sold into slavery to a caravan of Esau's pagan descendants.  Or what about Joseph's ascension to the top of Egyptian hierarchy, only to be falsely accused and thrown in the slammer.

Think Joseph didn't feel forgotten by God?

I try to imagine myself in those circumstances.  Could I have Joseph's attitude that displayed an amazing lack of bitterness?  Could I have squelched my inner "Poor Pitiful Pearl" and her whine "That's not fair!"?

As you read Joseph's story, all you see is his confidence that God is on the throne.  I want to be like Joseph, a "type" of Christ.

Last Sunday we also talked about the white spaces in our lives.  Ever felt like you were stuck in the white space?

Joseph was SEVENTEEN when his brothers sold him into slavery and THIRTY when he was raised to power in Egypt.  That leaves a pretty long white space of thirteen years.  Thirteen long, incarcerated years.

Joseph hoped for TWO YEARS after he interpreted the baker and cupbearer's dreams, thinking that would earn his release.

Had God forgotten Joseph?

God the Father was making Joseph more like His Son so that when Joseph's moment came and Joseph faced his brothers and saved his nation, he could say with certainty and forgiveness... "you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good".

WHEN WE RUN OUT OF STEAM IN THE WHITE SPACES AND QUIT, WE WILL NEVER KNOW THE END OF OUR STORY.  Joseph kept on.  David kept on.  Paul and Peter kept on.  We shouldn't quit in the middle of our story.

Know the rest of the story about our forgotten boy at McDonalds?  He was resourceful and started walking...alongside busy Rodney Parham Road!  The good news was someone from our church was driving by and stopped to pick him up.  The bad news was it was Robert Lewis (our pastor), so our sins found us out.  I can't believe his parents still speak to us.

Your story, my story, and the second-grader's story are all important to God.  He made you for Himself and His plans are for your good.  If you are in a white space, He is the Lifter of your head.  Lean into Him because He PROMISES to never leave you or abandon you...and God keeps all of His promises.

P.S.  If you are feeling forgotten and think Sunday's sermon would be encouraging, this will take you to an AUDIO FILE.  

POTTY MOUTH

Last week I was getting gas at WalMart at a busy time when all the pumps were full.

Suddenly a woman roared up, slammed on her brakes, and hung out her window, screeching like a fishmonger at a man who must have cut her off in traffic.  She let out the most awful blue stream I had ever heard and it seemed to go on for five minutes as she repeated some words over and over.

I cringed once for myself and then again for the little kiddos in the car behind me who heard her.

Foul mouths are everywhere.  Once a man's sport, cursing became a woman's sport...and now sadly, even a child's sport.

Whether we are in the marketplace, watching television, or seeing foul words posted on Facebook...everyone's doing it.

Lately I'm "clutching my pearls" as I think of the unlikeliness of a political candidate who asks people to follow him while his mouth is as nasty as an infected sore.

Times they are a'changin.

Let's think about what's so bad about foul language...

RESPONSIBLE
People should know that there will be an accounting for those who misuse God's name.  God is holy and tossing His name around (in an oath/cursing/using it for evil purpose) is disrespectful.  Don't we pray "hallowed be Thy name"?

REDUCTION
Using coarse words reduces us to a lower level.  "Don't use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."  If words don't bless God or lift others, aim higher.

REVEALING
Our words are like a report card for our hearts.  When life squeezes, what's inside comes out.  Jesus said "The mouth speaks from what fills the heart.  The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury.  I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." 

The above THREE "R's" are addressed to Christians, but the principles apply to everyone.  Non-Christians should know irreverence will be held to account, they shouldn't reduce themselves to a base nature, and they should care about their heart condition.

FAIR WARNING:  habits are hard to break and this one will require the help of the Holy Spirit.

How about these quick principles?  SHOW GOD SOME RESPECT.  If you want others to listen or follow you, SET A GOOD EXAMPLE.  And because we were given our mouths to praise God and lift others up, STICK WITH THE PLAN.

PERSECUTION

At one time, Satan was the angel with greatest rank and access to God.  His responsibility was to take worship from the other angels and present it to God.

That must have proven intoxicating because there came a time when Satan began to desire God's worship for himself.  He wanted to be LIKE God and then he wanted to BE God.  Speaking doubt to other angels, he engaged a third of them to join his rebellion.

So here we are today and Satan has access to us and to God.  He takes the truth about us and speaks it to God...but he comes to us with lies.

Ever had Satan whisper lies in your ear, massaging truth so you'll doubt God?  Has he appealed to your base nature...brought up your past to put you down...declared to you there is no hope?  Satan persecutes God's people while God preserves them.

Satan is a spiritual terrorist.

There is a trail of tears that illustrates Satan's malevolence toward God's people as he tries to thwart what God has planned.  Here's just a "flyover":

BEFORE CHRIST
*Satan whispered into Eve's ear and led the first couple to disobey God; as part of the resulting curse, the Lord cast them out of the garden.

*The Lord was pleased with Abel because Abel believed God's promise that He would send a Messiah (shown by the offering God required and Abel brought); Cain listened to Satan, became jealous, and killed his brother.

*Satan led the people of Noah's day to rebel against God; God's judgment was a flood that would destroy the world.

*At the Tower of Babel, Satan's influence worked disobedience in the people; God scattered them all over the face of the world into people groups with differing languages.

*God picked Abraham to build a family which would carry His word to the nations; Satan turned his fury onto the Jews because their bloodline would bring the Messiah into the world.

*Satan foments fear and distrust with the Egyptians and they enslave Israel; God sends a deliverer and then preserves Moses' life to lead God's people in the exodus.

Joash, the last surviving royal, is crowned King of Israel.

*When King David was on the throne, all but one of the Messianic line was killed by Satan's followers (see 2 Chronicles 22); but God preserved a remnant by having Jehosheba hide the baby Joash in the temple for six years.

*Haman was influenced by Satan in Esther's day to lead a genocide against the Jews; but God moved a pagan king's heart and instead, the wicked Haman was killed on Mordecai's gallows.


AT THE TIME OF CHRIST
*King Herod was fueled by Satan's lies about Herod's power...and all the baby boys are killed in Israel; but God has no rival and an angel warns Joseph to take the baby and flee to Egypt.

*Satan thought his battle was won when Jesus died on the cross; Jesus arose because God is sovereign.  There is nothing Satan can do that will prosper if God has willed otherwise.  Still, it doesn't stop Satan from trying.

SINCE THEN
Jesus said Satan is not only the father of all lies, he is also a murderer.  Here is a brief list of how Satan has inflamed anti-Semitism to avoid the birth of the Messiah who would insure his demise:

*over a million Jews are slaughtered in 70AD destruction of Jerusalem

 and the temple

*the first Crusade ended with thousands of Jews in Jerusalem killed

*Jews are killed or expelled from Europe 

(from England in 1290, from France in 1007, 

from Spain in 1492 during the inquisition

*in the Middle Ages, Jews were blamed for the black death

*in Russia, Jews were blamed for the death of Czar Alexander II 

and pogroms were instituted

*three million Jews were killed during Stalin

*six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust

But wait a minute.  Why has Satan targeted the Jews AFTER Jesus was born?  In Hosea 5:15, the Lord says "I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and look to me for help.  For as soon as trouble comes, they will search for me."  If Satan can destroy the Jews, they will have no way to officially acknowledge their rejection of Jesus and ask Him to return.

IN THE FUTURE

Revelation 12 describes Satan as a powerful dragon who God throws down to the earth.  Knowing his time is short, Satan will be filled with terrible anger as he begins the predicted tribulation ("Jacob's trouble").

People down the timeline have called out to God to return and remove our "ancient foe who works us woe".  He has said He will return.  Knowing God keeps all His promises brings great comfort.  

God the Son, the mighty Lord of hosts, will return to fight the battle.  Spoiler alert: God wins.