We all have been born into this world with an incorrect understanding of God's character, government and his dealing with the sin problem. This pre-disposition dictates how we worship God, and how we treat our fellow-men. This series of presentations seeks to bring a clearer insight into some of those provoking questions about God's character. Part 1 of 5
This document provides an overview of spiritual warfare according to Ephesians 6:12. It discusses that a Christian has three major enemies: the flesh, the world, and the devil and his demons. It defines spiritual warfare as battling against spirit forces, rather than human beings.
It describes the process by which the flesh can gain influence over a Christian through desires, strongholds, and idolatry. Examples of strongholds that can develop include resentment, materialism, and political victory. Winning the war against the flesh requires demolishing these strongholds.
The document also discusses how spirits of immorality, idolatry, and death influenced the lineage of Judah and Tamar, and how those same spirits
This document provides strategies for maintaining divine healing based on biblical principles. It begins by establishing that God intends for people to be healthy based on passages like Exodus 23:25. It then discusses four key points: 1) God's intention is healing, 2) Understanding man's spirit, soul, and body makeup, 3) Satan intends to steal healing, and 4) People have a choice to follow God or Satan in any situation. The document then lists 10 strategies for maintaining healing, such as keeping oneself in an atmosphere of faith and not dwelling on past sicknesses. Overall, the document aims to provide a biblical foundation for divine healing and practical steps to retain healing based on scripture.
Are you ready, willing, and able by douglas jordanall4yhwh
This document discusses being ready, willing, and able to serve God. It argues that to be ready, one must have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and live according to God's will. To be willing, one must desire to please God in all things and give their life to following His will. And to be able, one's sufficiency comes from Jesus Christ, who strengthens believers to do God's work. The document encourages readers to let God have His way in their lives so that they can be truly ready, willing, and able servants.
Know Your Enemy: Series on Spiritual Warfare (Part 1)David Turner
Part One in a Series on Spiritual Warfare. You can't fight the enemy if you don't know you have an enemy. You can't prepare for the enemy unless you know something about the enemy. Visit us at Bibleguy.org
This document discusses spiritual warfare and the battle between good and evil. It aims to help the reader understand the goodness of God versus the evil of the devil. It explains that our struggle is not against human opponents but against spiritual forces like principalities, powers, and wickedness in high places. Satan's goal is to deceive people and prevent salvation, and he works to control minds in order to blind people to the gospel. Christians are called to fight with spiritual weapons like God's word and to guard their thoughts according to Christ.
The Bible is very clear as to what our purpose in this life should be. Men in both the Old and New Testaments sought for and discovered life’s purpose. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, according to scripture, discovered the futility of life when it is lived only for this world. He gives these concluding remarks in the book of Ecclesiastes: 13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil”. - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
Pastor Elio Marrocco's "Expelling Demons" sermon at New Life Christian Church on August 3, 2012. You can learn more about New Life Christian Church here: http://www.newlifecc.ca
This document provides an overview of spiritual warfare according to Ephesians 6:12. It discusses that a Christian has three major enemies: the flesh, the world, and the devil and his demons. It defines spiritual warfare as battling against spirit forces, rather than human beings.
It describes the process by which the flesh can gain influence over a Christian through desires, strongholds, and idolatry. Examples of strongholds that can develop include resentment, materialism, and political victory. Winning the war against the flesh requires demolishing these strongholds.
The document also discusses how spirits of immorality, idolatry, and death influenced the lineage of Judah and Tamar, and how those same spirits
This document provides strategies for maintaining divine healing based on biblical principles. It begins by establishing that God intends for people to be healthy based on passages like Exodus 23:25. It then discusses four key points: 1) God's intention is healing, 2) Understanding man's spirit, soul, and body makeup, 3) Satan intends to steal healing, and 4) People have a choice to follow God or Satan in any situation. The document then lists 10 strategies for maintaining healing, such as keeping oneself in an atmosphere of faith and not dwelling on past sicknesses. Overall, the document aims to provide a biblical foundation for divine healing and practical steps to retain healing based on scripture.
Are you ready, willing, and able by douglas jordanall4yhwh
This document discusses being ready, willing, and able to serve God. It argues that to be ready, one must have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and live according to God's will. To be willing, one must desire to please God in all things and give their life to following His will. And to be able, one's sufficiency comes from Jesus Christ, who strengthens believers to do God's work. The document encourages readers to let God have His way in their lives so that they can be truly ready, willing, and able servants.
Know Your Enemy: Series on Spiritual Warfare (Part 1)David Turner
Part One in a Series on Spiritual Warfare. You can't fight the enemy if you don't know you have an enemy. You can't prepare for the enemy unless you know something about the enemy. Visit us at Bibleguy.org
This document discusses spiritual warfare and the battle between good and evil. It aims to help the reader understand the goodness of God versus the evil of the devil. It explains that our struggle is not against human opponents but against spiritual forces like principalities, powers, and wickedness in high places. Satan's goal is to deceive people and prevent salvation, and he works to control minds in order to blind people to the gospel. Christians are called to fight with spiritual weapons like God's word and to guard their thoughts according to Christ.
The Bible is very clear as to what our purpose in this life should be. Men in both the Old and New Testaments sought for and discovered life’s purpose. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, according to scripture, discovered the futility of life when it is lived only for this world. He gives these concluding remarks in the book of Ecclesiastes: 13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil”. - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
Pastor Elio Marrocco's "Expelling Demons" sermon at New Life Christian Church on August 3, 2012. You can learn more about New Life Christian Church here: http://www.newlifecc.ca
How Can a Loving God Condemn Anyone to HellPeter Hammond
God does not condemn those who have never heard the gospel. All people have received general revelation through creation and have a conscience, and will be judged according to the light they received. However, humans are sinful and fall short even of the light they have. The gospel provides special revelation so people can be saved through faith in Christ. There are no truly good people seeking God - all need salvation.
The document discusses four areas for renewal: reclaiming heritage, reviving the church, reforming government, and restoring family. It argues that a "Great Awakening" is needed to inspire these changes, and that awakening must begin with God's people in the church. It provides biblical references to support rebuilding society based on biblical principles of morality, law, and truth from God.
Repentance is the first step in beginning a walk with God and is vital to maintaining that relationship. Repentance involves acknowledging one's sins and faults, resolving not to repeat offenses, and attempting to live according to God's teachings. It requires admitting guilt, making amends, and living a life that pleases God. While humans often justify sins based on circumstances, the Bible teaches that God does not condone sin in any form. True repentance involves understanding what displeases God, acknowledging one's sinful nature, repenting of sins, and seeking to live righteously according to God's will. Repentance is fundamental to having a relationship with God and finding redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
This document discusses spiritual warfare and demons. It makes three main points:
1) Demons are real but have limited power compared to God. They seek to steal, kill, and destroy but cannot possess believers.
2) Demons are organized in a hierarchy with different ranks like principalities and powers.
3) Believers should not fear demons or waste time binding them, but should rely on Jesus for protection through faith in his finished work on the cross.
Spiritual Warfare discusses various doors that can be opened to evil spirits, including witchcraft, family spirits, false teachings, bitterness, pride, rebellion, sexual issues, and anger. It provides examples from the Bush-Negro culture in Suriname, noting practices like consulting witchdoctors during pregnancy or sickness. False teachings in religions like Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism are also identified as opening doors. The document urges eliminating grounds for evil spirits by renouncing practices and removing associated objects.
This document discusses persecution of Christians throughout history and the biblical basis for persecution. It notes that currently over 200,000 Christians are killed annually for their faith. The Bible was written by persecuted believers for other persecuted believers. Figures like Peter and Dietrich Bonhoeffer emphasized that true faith involves obedience, even in the face of suffering. While God created people with dignity and rights, the fall of man and rise of sin disrupted this. Ultimately, God's goal is to populate the universe with those who resemble Jesus Christ through trials that develop strong character.
Today's SS lesson, "Living As Strangers". We Christians are to be in the world, looking to love and point people to God's grace by our examples and our genuine good deeds. We first must reject falseness (the old life) in our own lives, then we will be free to be Jesus servants by others
The War Within: Spiritual Warfare (Part V)David Turner
The document discusses the battle between the flesh and spirit within Christians. It notes that while Christians still sin due to their fleshly nature, the spirit has conquered through Christ. The spirit provides victory over sin for those who walk by it rather than their flesh. Christians now have freedom and can please God by living according to the spirit and its fruit, rather than the desires of the flesh. The spirit within believers gives them life and power to overcome their sinful flesh.
This document provides guidance on spiritual warfare and helping those experiencing demonic oppression find freedom in Christ. It recommends that the individual accept Christ, renounce sin and false teachings, forgive others, and reject pride. Prayer, Scripture reading, and praise are emphasized as the most important tools. The goal is permanent freedom as the individual walks daily with God, not dependence on others. Victory may not be instant, as continued growth in surrender to Christ is important.
This document discusses spiritual warfare and resisting the enemy. It outlines two main enemies - the flesh and the world system. It emphasizes controlling our thought life and not conforming to the world. Self-deception is described as a major tactic of the enemy, where we think more highly of ourselves or that we won't reap what we sow. Resisting involves taking control of our thoughts with God's truth and wisdom from scripture. Additional resources on spiritual warfare are provided.
1) God will judge all people based on their knowledge of right and wrong. Those who judge others condemn themselves as they do the same things.
2) Judgment will be based on the truth of people's words and deeds, rather than surface appearances. All have sinned and failed to appreciate God's goodness and patience.
3) People are storing up wrath for themselves by their stubbornness and refusal to repent, despite God leading them to repentance through his kindness. They will face judgment for their sins.
This is dealing with the text that says the Spirit will only contend with humans for 120 years until the flood, or that the life span of man will only be 120 years. Both views are here.
This document discusses self-control as a fruit of the Spirit. It provides examples of people who exhibited self-control with God's help, such as Joseph, and those who lacked self-control, such as Samson. Growing in self-control involves leaving sin, seeking God, and practicing self-discipline daily with God's enabling power. The document encourages studying each lesson on the fruits of the Spirit in small groups to understand, apply, and transfer the truths to one's life.
Spiritual Warfare: Rescue From Worldliness (Part IV)David Turner
As Christians we need to be in the world, but not of the world. The world attempts to conform us to it's image. We must be on guard, remembering that we are not of this world, but a better world. This is Part IV of a series on Spiritual Warfare. Visit us at bibleguy.org
This document discusses Christ as the antidote to death and our reigning King. It talks about how God's kingdom is now within us and how Christ sits on the throne of David within us. It emphasizes that we must live by what God is saying, not by other voices, and that Christ in us makes us greater as the Lord God of hosts is with and in us. It talks about judging and deliverance for those who walk in darkness and how the Tabernacle of David company sits on an established throne of truth, faithfulness, justice and righteousness. It discusses how God dwells within us in the "above what you can ask or think" realm and how we are not separated from this realm through the power
An introduction to Spiritual Warfare. We will later look at common ways we open ourselves to demonic problems, and how to have victory and freedom in Christ
This document discusses spiritual warfare and overcoming sin. It argues that sin is not necessary or permanent, though currently widespread. True freedom from sin comes through Jesus' sacrificial death and our union with him. When we are "in Christ" through faith, we gain victory over sin, Satan, and death. The Holy Spirit transforms us into Christ's image and produces spiritual fruit as we behold Jesus. True surrender to God means yielding our entire lives to his control and desires. Spiritual victory is found by staying filled with the Spirit and walking in the Spirit through total faith and surrender.
The document discusses the origins of atheism and critiques fundamental Christian views of God. It argues that the fundamental view of God as an angry, vengeful deity who kills sinners is not supported by the Bible and is responsible for the rise of atheism. The document asserts that God, as revealed through Jesus, is a god of love rather than wrath and violence. It concludes that the fundamental Christian conception of God should be rejected in favor of understanding God based on how he is portrayed through Christ and in scripture.
The document discusses how the fundamental Christian view of God as an angry, vengeful deity who demands sacrifice and punishment has led to the rise of atheism. This view traces its origins to ancient pagan gods rather than reflecting the true character of God revealed through Jesus Christ. The "killer God" concept portrays God in ways that contradict his nature as love, as described in the Bible. By correcting misunderstandings of God's character, atheism can be addressed and people will be drawn to the God revealed through Jesus rather than driven away.
How Can a Loving God Condemn Anyone to HellPeter Hammond
God does not condemn those who have never heard the gospel. All people have received general revelation through creation and have a conscience, and will be judged according to the light they received. However, humans are sinful and fall short even of the light they have. The gospel provides special revelation so people can be saved through faith in Christ. There are no truly good people seeking God - all need salvation.
The document discusses four areas for renewal: reclaiming heritage, reviving the church, reforming government, and restoring family. It argues that a "Great Awakening" is needed to inspire these changes, and that awakening must begin with God's people in the church. It provides biblical references to support rebuilding society based on biblical principles of morality, law, and truth from God.
Repentance is the first step in beginning a walk with God and is vital to maintaining that relationship. Repentance involves acknowledging one's sins and faults, resolving not to repeat offenses, and attempting to live according to God's teachings. It requires admitting guilt, making amends, and living a life that pleases God. While humans often justify sins based on circumstances, the Bible teaches that God does not condone sin in any form. True repentance involves understanding what displeases God, acknowledging one's sinful nature, repenting of sins, and seeking to live righteously according to God's will. Repentance is fundamental to having a relationship with God and finding redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
This document discusses spiritual warfare and demons. It makes three main points:
1) Demons are real but have limited power compared to God. They seek to steal, kill, and destroy but cannot possess believers.
2) Demons are organized in a hierarchy with different ranks like principalities and powers.
3) Believers should not fear demons or waste time binding them, but should rely on Jesus for protection through faith in his finished work on the cross.
Spiritual Warfare discusses various doors that can be opened to evil spirits, including witchcraft, family spirits, false teachings, bitterness, pride, rebellion, sexual issues, and anger. It provides examples from the Bush-Negro culture in Suriname, noting practices like consulting witchdoctors during pregnancy or sickness. False teachings in religions like Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism are also identified as opening doors. The document urges eliminating grounds for evil spirits by renouncing practices and removing associated objects.
This document discusses persecution of Christians throughout history and the biblical basis for persecution. It notes that currently over 200,000 Christians are killed annually for their faith. The Bible was written by persecuted believers for other persecuted believers. Figures like Peter and Dietrich Bonhoeffer emphasized that true faith involves obedience, even in the face of suffering. While God created people with dignity and rights, the fall of man and rise of sin disrupted this. Ultimately, God's goal is to populate the universe with those who resemble Jesus Christ through trials that develop strong character.
Today's SS lesson, "Living As Strangers". We Christians are to be in the world, looking to love and point people to God's grace by our examples and our genuine good deeds. We first must reject falseness (the old life) in our own lives, then we will be free to be Jesus servants by others
The War Within: Spiritual Warfare (Part V)David Turner
The document discusses the battle between the flesh and spirit within Christians. It notes that while Christians still sin due to their fleshly nature, the spirit has conquered through Christ. The spirit provides victory over sin for those who walk by it rather than their flesh. Christians now have freedom and can please God by living according to the spirit and its fruit, rather than the desires of the flesh. The spirit within believers gives them life and power to overcome their sinful flesh.
This document provides guidance on spiritual warfare and helping those experiencing demonic oppression find freedom in Christ. It recommends that the individual accept Christ, renounce sin and false teachings, forgive others, and reject pride. Prayer, Scripture reading, and praise are emphasized as the most important tools. The goal is permanent freedom as the individual walks daily with God, not dependence on others. Victory may not be instant, as continued growth in surrender to Christ is important.
This document discusses spiritual warfare and resisting the enemy. It outlines two main enemies - the flesh and the world system. It emphasizes controlling our thought life and not conforming to the world. Self-deception is described as a major tactic of the enemy, where we think more highly of ourselves or that we won't reap what we sow. Resisting involves taking control of our thoughts with God's truth and wisdom from scripture. Additional resources on spiritual warfare are provided.
1) God will judge all people based on their knowledge of right and wrong. Those who judge others condemn themselves as they do the same things.
2) Judgment will be based on the truth of people's words and deeds, rather than surface appearances. All have sinned and failed to appreciate God's goodness and patience.
3) People are storing up wrath for themselves by their stubbornness and refusal to repent, despite God leading them to repentance through his kindness. They will face judgment for their sins.
This is dealing with the text that says the Spirit will only contend with humans for 120 years until the flood, or that the life span of man will only be 120 years. Both views are here.
This document discusses self-control as a fruit of the Spirit. It provides examples of people who exhibited self-control with God's help, such as Joseph, and those who lacked self-control, such as Samson. Growing in self-control involves leaving sin, seeking God, and practicing self-discipline daily with God's enabling power. The document encourages studying each lesson on the fruits of the Spirit in small groups to understand, apply, and transfer the truths to one's life.
Spiritual Warfare: Rescue From Worldliness (Part IV)David Turner
As Christians we need to be in the world, but not of the world. The world attempts to conform us to it's image. We must be on guard, remembering that we are not of this world, but a better world. This is Part IV of a series on Spiritual Warfare. Visit us at bibleguy.org
This document discusses Christ as the antidote to death and our reigning King. It talks about how God's kingdom is now within us and how Christ sits on the throne of David within us. It emphasizes that we must live by what God is saying, not by other voices, and that Christ in us makes us greater as the Lord God of hosts is with and in us. It talks about judging and deliverance for those who walk in darkness and how the Tabernacle of David company sits on an established throne of truth, faithfulness, justice and righteousness. It discusses how God dwells within us in the "above what you can ask or think" realm and how we are not separated from this realm through the power
An introduction to Spiritual Warfare. We will later look at common ways we open ourselves to demonic problems, and how to have victory and freedom in Christ
This document discusses spiritual warfare and overcoming sin. It argues that sin is not necessary or permanent, though currently widespread. True freedom from sin comes through Jesus' sacrificial death and our union with him. When we are "in Christ" through faith, we gain victory over sin, Satan, and death. The Holy Spirit transforms us into Christ's image and produces spiritual fruit as we behold Jesus. True surrender to God means yielding our entire lives to his control and desires. Spiritual victory is found by staying filled with the Spirit and walking in the Spirit through total faith and surrender.
The document discusses the origins of atheism and critiques fundamental Christian views of God. It argues that the fundamental view of God as an angry, vengeful deity who kills sinners is not supported by the Bible and is responsible for the rise of atheism. The document asserts that God, as revealed through Jesus, is a god of love rather than wrath and violence. It concludes that the fundamental Christian conception of God should be rejected in favor of understanding God based on how he is portrayed through Christ and in scripture.
The document discusses how the fundamental Christian view of God as an angry, vengeful deity who demands sacrifice and punishment has led to the rise of atheism. This view traces its origins to ancient pagan gods rather than reflecting the true character of God revealed through Jesus Christ. The "killer God" concept portrays God in ways that contradict his nature as love, as described in the Bible. By correcting misunderstandings of God's character, atheism can be addressed and people will be drawn to the God revealed through Jesus rather than driven away.
This document provides a summary of how God has guided his people throughout biblical history by pointing his finger. It discusses instances from the Old Testament where God's finger was pointed, such as at Adam and Eve after the fall, at Noah to build the ark, and at Abram to leave his family and follow God. The document then focuses on the story of Lot, who separated from Abram and settled in Sodom and Gomorrah, which were sinful cities. God later rescued Lot and his family from those cities. The document suggests God continues to point his finger to guide people today.
This document discusses the sixth commandment "You shall not murder" from the Heidelberg Catechism. It explores what exactly is prohibited by this commandment, why God forbids murder, and the implications for how we should treat all people with dignity, respect, and compassion. Key points include that human life is sacred as it is created by God, murder is unlawfully taking a life as defined by Scripture, and Jesus calls us to love even our enemies instead of harboring anger or hatred towards others.
This document discusses natural disasters like tornadoes from a Calvinistic theological perspective. It argues that God, not nature or other forces, is fully sovereign and in control over all things, including natural disasters. It asserts that all humans are totally depraved and sinful in God's eyes, and so deserve judgment and punishment. The document suggests tornadoes and other catastrophes are a form of God's judgment on a sinful world, and that only through repentance and faith in Christ can people be saved from eternal punishment.
God is sovereign over all things. As the Creator, he has absolute power and right to govern the universe as he chooses for his own glory. To deny God's sovereignty is to deny his omnipotence and replace him with another supreme power. While God's power is sometimes dormant, when exercised it is always irresistible. God sovereignly bestows his mercy and delegates his power as he alone decides, showing no partiality.
Jesus was urging us to pray and never give upGLENN PEASE
This document discusses the importance of perseverance in prayer based on a parable from Luke 18:1-8. It provides three key points:
1. The parable illustrates that believers should always pray and not lose heart, using the example of a widow who persistently asks an unjust judge for justice until he relents. If an unjust judge will grant a request, how much more will a righteous God answer the prayers of his people.
2. Though God may delay in answering prayers, this is not due to his absence or indifference, but for reasons that will become clear later and that are for the benefit of the believers.
3. Believers should continue praying without ceasing and not lose
This document discusses the Christian perspective on suffering through several key points:
1) Suffering exists because of Satan's pride in trying to prove himself more powerful than God and bring people away from God.
2) God allows suffering because removing it would require removing free will and humanity's ability to choose good or evil.
3) While suffering is not good, God works through it for the good of those who love him by growing their faith and bringing them closer to him.
4) Ultimately, God permits suffering as a temporary consequence of sin that will end when humanity returns to the perfection of Eden through acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice.
This document summarizes 17 excuses people use for not accepting Christianity and provides short rebuttals to each one. Some of the main excuses addressed include wanting to focus on business first, not seeing oneself as a sinner, and thinking God would not condemn anyone to hell. The responses argue that salvation through Jesus is needed by all and that delaying acceptance risks eternal damnation. The document aims to convince readers to accept Christianity by preemptively addressing common objections.
How Can a Loving God Condemn Anyone to Hell?Peter Hammond
The document discusses how Christians must be prepared to explain and defend their faith. It addresses common objections like how a loving God could send people to hell, and argues that while God is loving, he is also just and holy. It asserts that through nature and conscience, all people know something of God, yet due to human sin and depravity, no one fully lives up to the light they have been given. Special revelation through scripture is needed to understand both God's mercy and wrath. The document aims to thoughtfully respond to skeptics while upholding the holiness, justice, and wrath of God alongside his love and mercy.
This document outlines and compares theistic and atheistic worldviews. It discusses that the biblical worldview is based on the existence of God as creator and that He interacts with His creation. The biblical worldview teaches that God created the universe in six days, that humans were created with a purpose to live with God forever, and that God has a plan of redemption for humanity through Jesus. In contrast, an atheistic worldview believes the universe exists without God and that life has no meaning or purpose. The document argues that the biblical doctrines and moral laws only make sense under a theistic worldview where God exists as creator and redeemer.
This document contains a summary of a Christian worldview workshop on the problem of evil in the world. It discusses how sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, resulting in suffering, pain and death. It examines two types of evil: natural evils like disasters, and moral evils caused by human free will and sin. While evil poses challenges to faith, Christianity maintains that God respects human freedom and has a plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. The workshop also addresses philosophical responses to the problem of evil from naturalism, transcendentalism, and Christianity.
This document presents a principle about God's wrath being directed at those who break covenant with him. It discusses God's original covenant with Adam, which was broken, resulting in death for mankind. It then discusses God's subsequent covenants with Israel and the Gentiles, providing temporal favor but also accountability. When Israel rejected Christ, God's wrath was poured out on that nation from 33-73 AD, destroying the Temple and scattering the Jews. Meanwhile, God blessed the Gentiles who were brought into covenant. God's wrath is always targeted at those in covenant relationship who rebel, not mankind in general outside the covenant.
This is the PowerPoint presentation of our class on surrendering to God at the Christian workshop hosted by Greenville Baptist Church First Lady and founder of Daughters of the King Ministry Angela Dorsey.
God created Adam and Eve but warned them not to eat from the tree of knowledge. Adam disobeyed and brought sin and spiritual death to humanity. The law shows us our sin, and the penalty for sin is death. But God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross and take the punishment for our sins, so that all who believe in him will have eternal life rather than eternal death.
The document discusses the blessings of the cross, including forgiveness, provision, victory, and healing. It explains that through the cross, Jesus has forgiven our sins, provided for our needs, won victory over sin, death, and Satan, and made healing possible. However, Satan tries to keep us in unbelief, condemnation, and defeat. We must stand firm in the promises of God secured through Christ's sacrifice and receive the blessings of forgiveness, provision, victory, and healing by faith.
The document discusses the concept of forgiveness from a biblical perspective. It defines forgiveness as releasing or dismissing charges against someone. It also defines unforgiveness as holding a grudge. It notes that true forgiveness requires obedience to God's command and is rewarded by Him, though it is difficult to do naturally. The document examines examples of forgiveness in both the Old and New Testaments. It discusses how Jesus taught his followers to turn the other cheek rather than seek retaliation when wronged.
Presentationon Evangelical SoteriologyKyle Roberts
This document summarizes key aspects of evangelical Christian theology related to salvation. It discusses what happened in the Garden of Eden according to Genesis, noting different views on how human nature was affected by the Fall. It also examines several theories of atonement to explain what happened at the cross. The document acknowledges challenges to traditional evangelical views, such as penal substitution, and calls for reconstructing these views in light of broader theological considerations and voices that evangelicals should hear.
Get a solid, Scriptural understanding of what exactly it is that God wants. This short publication provides an easy-to-understand overview of the Bible and what exactly it means to have "faith" in Jesus Christ. From http://www.eternalanswers.org/
This is a study of Jesus being made judge of all by His Father. Jesus is the final authority, and what He chooses as reward or penalty is the final word.
Similar to Behold your god 1 what is god really like (20)
Heartfulness Magazine - June 2024 (Volume 9, Issue 6)heartfulness
Dear readers,
This month we continue with more inspiring talks from the Global Spirituality Mahotsav that was held from March 14 to 17, 2024, at Kanha Shanti Vanam.
We hear from Daaji on lifestyle and yoga in honor of International Day of Yoga, June 21, 2024. We also hear from Professor Bhavani Rao, Dean at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, on spirituality in action, the Venerable BhikkuSanghasena on how to be an ambassador for compassion, Dr. Tony Nader on the Maharishi Effect, Swami Mukundananda on the crossroads of modernization, Tejinder Kaur Basra on the purpose of work, the Venerable GesheDorjiDamdul on the psychology of peace, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on how we are all related, and world-renowned violinist KumareshRajagopalan on the uplifting mysteries of music.
Dr. Prasad Veluthanar shares an Ayurvedic perspective on treating autism, Dr. IchakAdizes helps us navigate disagreements at work, Sravan Banda celebrates World Environment Day by sharing some tips on land restoration, and Sara Bubber tells our children another inspiring story and challenges them with some fun facts and riddles.
Happy reading,
The editors
Astronism, Cosmism and Cosmodeism: the space religions espousing the doctrine...Cometan
This lecture created by Brandon Taylorian (aka Cometan) specially for the CESNUR Conference held Bordeaux in June 2024 provides a brief introduction to the legacy of religious and philosophical thought that Astronism emerges from, namely the discourse on transcension started assuredly by the Cosmists in Russia in the mid-to-late nineteenth century and then carried on and developed by Mordecai Nessyahu in Cosmodeism in the twentieth century. Cometan also then provides some detail on his story in founding Astronism in the early twenty-first century from 2013 along with details on the central Astronist doctrine of transcension. Finally, the lecture concludes with some contributions made by space religions and space philosophy and their influences on various cultural facets in art, literature and film.
Lucid Dreaming: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
The ability to control one's dreams or for the dreamer to be aware that he or she is dreaming. This process, called lucid dreaming, has some potential risks as well as many fascinating benefits. However, many people are hesitant to try it initially for fear of the potential dangers. This article aims to clarify these concerns by exploring both the risks and benefits of lucid dreaming.
The Benefits of Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming allows a person to take control of their dream world, helping them overcome their fears and eliminate nightmares. This technique is particularly useful for mental health. By taking control of their dreams, individuals can face challenging scenarios in a controlled environment, which can help reduce anxiety and increase self-confidence.
Addressing Common Concerns
Physical Harm in Dreams Lucid dreaming is fundamentally safe. In a lucid dream, everything is a creation of your mind. Therefore, nothing in the dream can physically harm you. Despite the vividness and realness of the dream experience, it remains entirely within your mental landscape, posing no physical danger.
Mental Health Risks Concerns about developing PTSD or other mental illnesses from lucid dreaming are unfounded. As soon as you wake up, it's clear that the events experienced in the dream were not real. On the contrary, lucid dreaming is often seen as a therapeutic tool for conditions like PTSD, as it allows individuals to reframe and manage their thoughts.
Potential Risks of Lucid Dreaming
While generally safe, lucid dreaming does come with a few risks as well:
Mixing Dream Memories with Reality Long-term lucid dreamers might occasionally confuse dream memories with real ones, creating false memories. This issue is rare and preventable by maintaining a dream journal and avoiding lucid dreaming about real-life people or places too frequently.
Escapism Using lucid dreaming to escape reality can be problematic if it interferes with your daily life. While it is sometimes beneficial to escape and relieve the stress of reality, relying on lucid dreaming for happiness can hinder personal growth and productivity.
Feeling Tired After Lucid Dreaming Some people report feeling tired after lucid dreaming. This tiredness is not due to the dreams themselves but often results from not getting enough sleep or using techniques that disrupt sleep patterns. Taking breaks and ensuring adequate sleep can prevent this.
Mental Exhaustion Lucid dreaming can be mentally taxing if practiced excessively without breaks. It’s important to balance lucid dreaming with regular sleep to avoid mental fatigue.
Lucid dreaming is safe and beneficial if done with caution. It has many benefits, such as overcoming fear and improving mental health, and minimal risks. There are many resources and tutorials available for those interested in trying it.
2nd issue of Volume 15. A magazine in urdu language mainly based on spiritual treatment and learning. Many topics on ISLAM, SUFISM, SOCIAL PROBLEMS, SELF HELP, PSYCHOLOGY, HEALTH, SPIRITUAL TREATMENT, Ruqya etc.A very useful magazine for everyone.
Chandra Dev: Unveiling the Mystery of the Moon GodExotic India
Shining brightly in the sky, some days more than others, the Moon in popular culture is a symbol of love, romance, and beauty. The ancient Hindu texts, however, mention the Moon as an intriguing and powerful being, worshiped by sages as Chandra.
Lesson 12 - The Blessed Hope: The Mark of the Christian.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 12 - The Blessed Hope: The Mark of the Christian
SBS – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
Sanatan Vastu | Experience Great Living | Vastu ExpertSanatan Vastu
Santan Vastu Provides Vedic astrology courses & Vastu remedies, If you are searching Vastu for home, Vastu for kitchen, Vastu for house, Vastu for Office & Factory. Best Vastu in Bahadurgarh. Best Vastu in Delhi NCR
The Book of Samuel is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books in the Old Testament. The book is part of the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books that constitute a theological history of the Israelites and that aim to explain God's law for Israel under the guidance of the prophets.
The Vulnerabilities of Individuals Born Under Swati Nakshatra.pdfAstroAnuradha
Individuals born under Swati Nakshatra often exhibit a strong sense of independence and adaptability, yet they may also face vulnerabilities such as indecisiveness and a tendency to be easily swayed by external influences. Their quest for balance and harmony can sometimes lead to inner conflict and a lack of assertiveness. To know more visit: astroanuradha.com
Trusting God's Providence | Verse: Romans 8: 28-31JL de Belen
Trusting God's Providence.
Providence - God’s active preservation and care over His creation. God is both the Creator and the Sustainer of all things Heb. 1:2-3; Col. 1:17
-God keep His promises.
-God’s general providence is toward all creation
- All things were made through Him
God’s special providence is toward His children.
We may suffer now, but joy can and will come
God can see what we cannot see
2. A Reaping Message
Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the
cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a
golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a
loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and
reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the
earth is ripe.
Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down
from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened
with his glory.
Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice…
3. Behold your God – The Loud Cry
Isa. 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings,
get thee up into the high mountain; O
Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up
thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not
afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold
your God!
4. God’s Glory – His Character
Isa 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
and the glory of the LORD is risen upon
thee.
Isa 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall
cover the earth, and gross darkness the
people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee,
and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
5.
6. Contradictions and Inconsistencies?
1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him,
and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no
darkness at all.
To this fact everyone agrees – God is Good!
However there is a quick reminder and caution that God is also
just.
The thinking that is behind this warning is that the sinner
should beware and the saint should not become complacent, for
God can and does come to a point where He punishes the
rejecter of His mercy by actively bringing about death and
destruction, sometimes by very painful and cruel means.
7. Introduction
Many teachers of God’s Character today are presenting a wonderful message of the non-
violence of Jesus.
They rightly portray Jesus as the revelation of the Father.
They correctly instruct us with regard to the nature of the final destruction of the wicked.
What do they do with the rest of it?
• all of God’s apparent involvement in the Biblical killing;
• God setting up the violent kingdoms of this earth with their various arbitrary laws;
• the commands of God to His people with regard to the use of violence, as we see:
a) in the Mosaic civil code;
b) with regard to how they should deal with internal dissensions and;
c) concerning going to war with their enemies.
8. Introduction
Did God put people to the “sleep death”?
“by word”—giving the command to another to kill -
is still killing.
“Old Testament Theocracy”
Does God have death in Him to mete out? Can it be
said that He gave instructions to people to kill, yet
does not have death in Him at all?
9. Best test of Character
How our enemies are treated.
Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you;
11. Good to Bad Scale
God burns the lost in hell forever – this was a concept especially prevalent in the Dark
Ages and to this time within some groups. The very idea has likely helped turn many
people in to atheists. It certainly is not consistent with the concept of a loving God.
God burns the lost for a short time – just long enough to get the job done. This is
referred to as Annihilationism and would be favored by many in such groups as
mainstream seventh-day Adventism who favor the traditional legal model of the gospel.
God doesn’t kill in the final judgment – but He has killed people (first death) in
emergency situations when it was in the best interests of His people (for example Uzzah,
Ananias and Sapphira)
God does not ever kill anyone - with either the first or the second death. In this view, it
is the consequences of sin itself that brings forth death.
God saves everyone in the end - including His enemies. (Universalism) One would
seriously question the need to go through what this world has if that is the end result.
This website takes the position that “God saves everyone” is going too far and is not
supported by scripture.
12. “So did Christ suffer God’s active wrath or His passive
wrath on the cross? Certainly He suffered God’s passive
wrath – God’s abandonment of sinners to the results of
their sins. . . . Did God take an active hand in the death
of His Son? . . . it would certainly be consistent for
God to have taken an active role in the death of His
Son on the cross. . . . Christ suffered God’s passive
wrath on the cross and very likely His active wrath
as well.” Moore 15.
13. “We learn several lessons from…biblical
stories about natural disasters. First,…we
learn that Satan rather than God is often
the cause of disasters. However, when
human beings reach a certain point in their
evil ways, God may solve the problem by
bringing about a natural disaster that
destroys them. But if the disaster truly is
from God, He will warn the people ahead of
time. If they repent and change their evil
ways, He may change His mind and
refuse to bring about the disaster. If the
people as a whole do not repent, He will
provide a way for those who are loyal to Him
to escape. William McCall, Signs, May 2010.
14. How is the Law understood
Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting
the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making
wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing
the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the
commandment holy, and just, and good.
15.
16. Theocracy Claims
Many of us have heard the question:
“Why doesn’t God act this way now?”
and the quick answer we often hear
is…..
“Because we are not under a
theocracy.”
17. Moral Influence Theory of Atonement
The Moral influence theory of the atonement is a doctrine
in related to the meaning and effect of the death of Jesus
Christ. In this view, the purpose and result of Christ's death
was to influence mankind toward moral improvement.
This theory denies that Christ died to satisfy any principle
of divine justice, but teaches instead that His death was
designed to greatly impress mankind with a sense of God's
love, resulting in softening their hearts and leading them
to repentance.
18. Why would He not command this final generation of the
“remnant elect” also in the use of violent means, as He did in
the first theocracy?
Why would they not advance toward the antitypical
promised-land by military conquest as did ancient Israel?
Has God changed His methods?
Three options.
19. How do we resolve the difficulties regarding God’s commands to
His elect in the conquest of the earthly Canaan vs. taking
possession of the New Earth, of which Canaan was a type?
WE CAN:
1) take up the sword to quell the enemy;
2) declare that God changes His methods or;
3) find out how we are misunderstanding God’s role in the Old
Testament, so that we can harmonize all.
20. How do we resolve the difficulties regarding God’s commands
to His elect in the conquest of the earthly Canaan vs. taking
possession of the New Earth, of which Canaan was a type?
Jesus said, “I and my Father are One” (John 10:30)
“I change not” (Mal. 3:6).
“Jesus christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for
ever” (Heb. 13:8).
PONDER THIS:
God is right because He is Eternal
21. Some of the hard questions: the
wars of Israel, dealing with internal
dissensions, civil laws (stoning, eye
for eye, etc.), God establishing
rulers and authorities of men over
men, etc.
22. Law designed for our
good. To protect and
hedge us in.
Make holes through
transgression
God honours our free
choice
25. Ideal Circumstance
“Above all, taking
the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall
be able to quench
all the fiery darts
of the wicked.”
(Eph 6:16)
26. If they do not or will
not fit themselves
into the law by
fulfilling it then,
ultimately, God will
end up being the
One Who is hurling
“fiery darts” at
them:
27. Israel chooses the sword
Many people, when they read of all the wars that ancient
Israel, God’s people were involved in, have a very hard
time reconciling that with a God of love. The Bible does
record many wars and much killing but have we
correctly understood God’s role in that history?
28. Appeasing an angry God
Traditional Legal Model – to satisfy the wrath of an
offended God in the sense of making payment to offset
the injustice He feels over sin.
Biblical Healing Model – the Bible does not use the
word in relation to God. God does not need to be
appeased in order to change His attitude towards us.
He loves with an everlasting love.
29. The Gift of Violence?
Conclusions some have drawn
from reading the Bible:
“There is no room to deny God’s preference for violence
as a solution to wickedness.”
“Because God commands violence, it is righteous,
because God is perfect.”
In light of the advance of the Christian religion in the
western nations we should “rejoice that He has given us this
incredible gift with which to vanquish our enemies.”
30. The God Who Uses Proactive Violence
…is a God who, by proactive measure, will:
1. use weapons of physical force by His own hand in the
realm of nature;
2. commandeer demonic forces to work His will;
3. raise up military forces of the enemies of His apostate
people in order to punish them;
4. set up “dark kingdom” nations and rulers to suit His
purposes;
5. command His people in the use of violence.
33. We defeat the heart of the great controversy theme if
we represent God as using violence to achieve His
purposes.
This would mean that force and violence are part of His
principles of governance and character.
Irreconcilable contradictions.
Produces atheists.
The case of David as an example, who could not build
the house of God because of his violence.
34. We have only one perfect photograph
of God, and this is Jesus Christ
(MS 70, 1899).
35. Christ is a
TOTAL, NOT PARTIAL, Revelation of God
Did Christ come to present a partial view of God?
Was the OT revelation the “stern side” of God and
the NT revelation the “soft side” of God?
“All that man needs to know or can know of God
has been revealed in the life and character of His
Son.” Testimonies 8:286.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have
sent.” John 17:3.
36. Christ is the Total Revelation of the Father
“Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most
assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of
Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for
whatever He does, the Son also does in like
manner.” John 5:19.
“WHATEVER”
“IN LIKE MANNER”
37. Christ is the Total Revelation of the Father
Whatever Jesus sees the Father do,
the Son also does in like manner.
How much did Jesus see the Father do?
Was His knowledge of God complete?
“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all
things that He Himself does; and He will show Him
greater works than these, that you may marvel.” John
5:20.
Editor's Notes
Seeking for clarity on a number of issues related to the Great Controversy
When calamities happen
Son of man – the 4th Angel. The same as the Angel seen in Rev. 18. Since the fourth Angel of Rev. 14 is Christ, and it is the same Angel of Rev. 18, they must be doing the same work. Thus the Loudcry message is a Revelation of Jesus Christ – the outshining of the Father’s glory
Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. {COL 69.1}
It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth. {COL 415.3}
In 2013 the modern hymn “In Christ Alone” made headlines for its lyrical references to the wrath of God and atonement theology. A hymn committee with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) wanted to add the song to their new hymnal, Glory to God, released this fall. But in doing so, the committee requested permission from the song's writers, Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, to print an altered version of the hymn's lyrics, changing “Till on that cross as Jesus died/the wrath of God was satisfied” to “Till on that cross as Jesus died/the love of God was magnified.” The songwriters rejected the proposed change, and as a result the hymn committee voted to bar the hymn.
“The song has been removed from our contents list, with deep regret over losing its otherwise poignant and powerful witness,” committee chair Mary Louise Bringle told The Christian Century. The “view that the cross is primarily about God's need to assuage God's anger” would have a negative effect on the hymnal's ability to form the faith of coming generations, Bringle explained.
I think in a general way people kind of accept that God is not responsible for sufferings, and that there is a divine reason for it. But in the area of God’s direct or indirect commands to put down rebellion by force is what causes some bother.
Many messages about God’s Character today present wonderful things about the non-violent ways of Jesus
[CLICK]
and that He is the perfect image of the Father.
[CLICK]
These teaching ministries even show us how God is not one who tortures the finally impenitent in the process of the fires of second death but that there is a natural progression of cause and effect.
[CLICK]
Our problem is that we do not hear these teachers saying much about some significant issues in violence which we read about in the Bible. We are interested in knowing more about how to reconcile what we understand to be the non-violent character of God with the following:
[CLICK through and read bullets]
Some teachers stay silent on many of these issues but when asked outright, they will tell us that God did in fact play a killing and destroying role by proactively using the “sleep death” to “time them out” and part of this would have been God killing by proxy,
[CLICK]
or “by word,” in His instructions to His people
[CLICK]
in the Old Testament theocracy. But note that killing by word, by giving orders or being a part of the chain of command and executive of that system, is still killing. This seems unsatisfactory to us, still portraying God as one with a mixed character, having not only life, but also death, in Himself. What do we say to all of this?
[CLICK] [read onscreen point]
When calamities happen the Hindus say its Karma
The Christian state it is an angry God
The atheist says its just your time
And a whole lot of different opinions
Those who are steeped in the view of a violent God can end up with some horrific conclusions. Signs of the Times editor, Marvin Moore says:
[CLICK] [Read quote]
Signs magazine, as official teaching instrument of church doctrine, continues to support this view of God, as we may read in a 2010 article:
[READ ONSCREEN] “We learn several…”
If they repent, He may change His mind and not bring the disaster? Wow. Remember how our magazine editor said, “it would certainly be consistent for God to have taken an active role in the death of His Son.” Amazing. This is what the professing “remnant church” is telling us about God. Is this the kind of “consistency” of character that we want to develop?
Which model a person holds to very much affects their understanding of the character of God.
The Traditional Legal Model: God designed His law and imposed arbitrary penalties – ultimately, death – for violations which are called sins. Since He is a God of justice, evil stirs up His anger or wrath which must be appeased by a sacrifice including the shedding of blood. Those who finally reject salvation come under the awful curse of God who hates sin and will finally take vengeance by smiting them with fire from heaven – the second death.
A sinner whose guilty conscience brings conviction for his sinfulness can confess and be granted forgiveness because the ransom has been provided to legally cancel the debt. The propitiation brings atonement for the sins, the record of which is then erased from the books of heaven. The repentant sinner, by faith, is justified and declared to be righteous. Having received salvation, he grows in sanctification towards perfection and, in the final investigative judgment, he will not come under condemnation.
The Healing Model
God designed His law as the law of life, violations of which have intrinsic, natural consequences leading towards death. Those who rebel against His law of love will exhibit that rebellion in unrighteous acts – sins. This state of sinfulness causes condemnation in the conscience and has punishment built into it. When a person persists in rejection of and distrust in God, He honors that free-will choice and in “anger” leaves the sinner to the consequences (effectively, the penalty) of his choices
This is unfortunate, because that is not what is meant by a theocracy.
That Jesus as God enters our world chooses to live a moral life, even to the death of the cross, and that moral influence is enough to deal with the sin problem. This is advocated by some COG teachers because of their inability to show God’s justice, without making him responsible for acts of destruction. This misses out on the strength and power of sin to corrupt us, and sees Jesus’ life and death as just a sham and martyrdom. It does not address the change of heart experience, just the influence of His acts and deeds of mercy and kindness.
Furthermore, we must consider the scenario of the last generation theocratic movement of God. As they, the 144,000, enter the time of final crisis and find themselves surrounded by the enemies of God we would have to ask the question:
[CLICK]
Why would He not command this final generation of the “remnant elect” also in the use of violent means, as He did in the first theocracy?
[CLICK]
Why would they not advance toward the antitypical promised-land by military conquest? It is not taught in the Adventist faith that this is how God ends the great controversy.
[CLICK]
Therefore, does this not say that in Jesus, God has changed His methods? He used violence (apparently) with the first Israel but not with the second.
[CLICK]
We have three options, here:
Read onscreen question.
[CLICK] and read “WE CAN:”
[CLICK] and read through the three options.
The first option may seem facetious but you might be surprised how popular the idea is in mainstream Christianity. Have you ever heard of “Dominionism?” This is the Christian equivalent of Islamic Shariah Law and we understand that it is actually what the final generation of God’s elect are going to face from those who will think to slay them in the service of God.
The second option…[CLICK] to advance slide
If we have a changeable God, then what are we saying about His character, about the integrity of Jesus’ words,
[CLICK]
“I and my Father are One,” knowing that
[CLICK] God declares His unchanging nature (Mal. 3:6)
as does the writer of Hebrews,
[CLICK] “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (13:8)?
[CLICK] PONDER THIS: It must be that in all of this the message of a God that is One, Eternal, and Perfect--who functions according to the immutable law which is a transcript of His character--would be undermined.
Think of it: If God is One, then Jesus and the Father are never doing anything any differently from each other. If God is Eternal, in light of Jesus’ declaration that He is the same through all eternity, then Jesus and the Father have always done things the same way. If the Godhead is Perfect, then no situation could ever arise in which the old way would have to be laid aside and another way come in to achieve God’s purposes. Therefore if God had to speak commands to kill in the Old Testament, which He did—we are not saying He did not do that, as some teach—if God commanded ancient Israel in the use of the sword and He is not going to command the final generation elect to wield the sword to assume their inheritance and if God never changes, then the change has to be found elsewhere. This is our subject. We are dealing with human hearts and there is where the change must take place, so that we take up our place in the kingdom through completely non-violent means, through loving our enemies, not running them through.
This is a big subject and I am glad we can share some of our understanding with you. In the examination of God’s loving character questions concerning His consistency are raised when we look at His involvement with violence. God’s commands to kill are particular points of inquiry that must be addressed and I believe that the subject needs to be covered very early in our explorations of the truths of God’s character and attributes.
[CLICK] [Read onscreen]
[CLICK] [Read FE quote]
Indeed, those who start to learn these truths can get very excited at the new views of God opening up to their understanding but as
[CLICK]
soon as they start to share with their brethren the non-violence of God, they get stumped with the questions regarding all the bloodiness in the wars of Israel, dealing with internal dissensions, the civil laws, God setting up kingdoms of men which rule by force, and such. We are going to spend some time first dealing with the concept of the kingdoms of this world, the nations and their rulers, as establishments of God—as “God-ordained,” and then come back to close with an exploration of God’s commands to ancient Israel regarding the execution of violence. The details of the civil laws are dealt with in other lectures.
Some think that the Achille’s heel of the Character of God (CoG) theology has to do with God’s directives to ancient Israel in the use of violence. An improper understanding of the function of God’s will in this modality that we call the “permissive paradigm” (and we will be defining it as we go) has caused
[CLICK] some modern Christians to come to the conclusion that
[CLICK] “there is no room to deny God's preference for violence as a solution to wickedness” and that
[CLICK] because “God commands violence, it is righteous, because God is perfect” and that
[CLICK] in light of the advance of the Christian religion in the western world we should “rejoice that He has given us this incredible gift with which to vanquish our enemies!”
I am not making these statements up. I am quoting them from actual discussions.
I appreciate the honest clarity when people can cut right to the bottom line in making these type of statements because they expose the harsh reality of where the standard paradigm of the “destroying God” tends. Even amongst most of those who hold to the standard paradigm, these bald statements about God must seem repugnant! The reality is, there is no other conclusion that can be made when God is viewed and presented as one who deals with rebellion by use of pro-active violence; i.e.,
[Read onscreen first, click through 5 bullets]
These can all be demonstrated in the Bible, but we aren’t taking time to do that here. The first three are actually the more straight-forward arenas in which to exercise standard exegesis, wherein we may readily demonstrate that God is not actually the destroyer although often represented as such in Bible language. We aren’t delving into those areas here. (As a matter of fact, those discussions are precursory to this one and we are assuming that the reader has already a working knowledge of the theory and evidences of these.) The last two are more difficult to discern and these are where we see the function of that which we have called “permissive will,” or “permissive command.” This is in contrast to His “perfect will.”
On every hand we get into Biblical and logical quagmires,
[CLICK] defeating the very heart of SdA “great controversy” theology if we represent God as relying in any way upon—or at any time requiring the use of—violence to move the controversy forward to its righteous conclusion.
[CLICK]
Such would make force a constituent in His governing principles and violence a component of His character.
[CLICK]
To make these things part of what we would call the “attributes of God” sets up irreconcilable contradictions.
[CLICK]
It produces honest atheists, firm in their convictions, who render for us a horrendous litany of contradictions in their dark evangelism. Christians in the standard paradigm cannot help the Bible-reading atheist; in their feeble attempts to persuade or produce an apologetic they only inflame his repugnance and subsequent ferocity.
[CLICK]
Let us look at the case of David, for instance. David could not build the house of God because he was declared to be a man of violence.
To appreciate the full value of Christ’s matchless presentation of God’s character, it is necessary to recognize how all-encompassing it was.
[CLICK] Did Christ come to present a partial view of God? Was it simply a shifting of emphasis?
[CLICK] Did God, feeling that He had most satisfactorily convinced men in the Old Testament of the sterner and uncompromising side of His nature, leave Christ to emphasize the qualities of love, forgiveness, and mercy?
Such a view is adopted by many as a solution to what they feel would otherwise be a contradiction between the messages of the Old and New Testaments, but it is not the message of the Scriptures themselves. Therein, it is asserted that Christ’s manifestation of the Father was complete. It leaves nothing more to be shown. This is not saying that everything about God’s character can be understood in one contact with the Savior, for it will take eternity to see all that Christ came to tell. What must be recognized and accepted as truth is that the revelation of God in the face of Christ is complete. Therefore it is written:
[CLICK] [Read 8T quote]
This statement is specific, comprehensive, and accurate. It leaves no space for the supposition that Christ revealed only a certain aspect of God’s character or even the larger part of it. It does not admit to the notion that Christ’s ministry provided a further stage in this revelation with final unfolding to be given in the future. All that remains is for the eager, spiritual child of God through earnest study and prayer to come into possession of this richest of all treasures. Some may counter that eternal life is the richest of treasures. This is true and in its truth establishes this point, for the knowledge of God is eternal life.
[CLICK] [Read John quote]
Christ Himself declared the totality of His revelation of His Father.
[Read John quote]
Therefore, as certainly as His life, so filled with activity, contained nothing done of Himself or from Himself, so all that He did was of God and from God. It was the Father Who was acting out His life and character through the medium of His beloved Son. Therefore, in Christ’s every act, we see God at work and know thereby exactly what the Father does in relation to His subjects, be they sinful or righteous.
This is confirmed in Christ’s words, “for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” John 5:19.
The witness of Christ here is not simply in these terms,
[CLICK] “what He sees the Father do,” but “Whatever He does.” The addition of this word means that everything the Father does is included. This is a word which carries the idea of completeness, of infinitude. Therefore Christ is attesting that everything the Father does, without any exceptions, the Son does in like manner.
[CLICK] We must not fail to observe the insertion of the words, “in like manner.” It adds significant meaning to the Savior’s message. It is important that we believe that Christ did upon this earth, everything the Father did. It is equally essential for us to know that He did it in like manner as the Father did it. Not only did He do all the Father did, but He did it exactly as the Father did it.
[Read onscreen]
Christ claimed complete knowledge of the ways and works of God.
[CLICK] [Read John quote]
What a challenge this is to the old ideas about God. Every idea in which God is seen as the destroyer of those who refuse His offers of mercy, can be sustained only if we find Christ doing the same thing. What castles of error must collapse before the onslaught of this indestructible truth! What an entirely new and glorious structure of living realities about the Father must now arise from the wreckage of those towers of lies!