Interviewing God IV

Members of the Christian community often have questions about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Most of us have either said or heard someone say “When I get to heaven, the first thing I want to ask God is ….”  In aggregate, the pool of questions becomes quite large.  The drama, INTERVIEWING GOD, depicts a female news correspondent in an informal setting asking God a number of questions.  The answers she receives are from His Word, which the Lord inspired the prophets and apostles to write.  Scripture references are given throughout along with the author’s personal notes.  The interview was lengthy as one might imagine, so here it is broken into parts.  In the initial posting, God used a stage play analogy to answer the ultimate controversy of the universe question – “Who’s in charge?”  He upheld the inerrancy of the Bible, or as He terms it, “the introductory remarks.”  In the second posting, God revealed both the origin and the purpose of suffering.  In the third, God explained key elements within the creation of man plus the devastating fall of man.  He disclosed the choice to continue, nonetheless, making covenant with certain individuals and unveiled a restorative seed principle.  In Part IV, more truths were mined concerning the use of parables, the essence of true learning, plus the principle of authority was revisited.  That part ended with the interviewer “tipping her hand” a bit, asking ever so shyly about the second coming.  In Part V, God plunged headlong into the study of the time of the end – or eschatology – debunking the most common views of our time.  Here in PART VI, some of God’s answers given in PART V are brought into question via the interviewer bringing up His long ago promise to Abraham.  This becomes merely a catalyst for God, revealing His true Israel.

                                                      INTERVIEWING GOD

                                                         (Serialized Version)

                                                                       by

                                                          Michael Lawrence

                                                                          

                                                     PART VI

                                                  “God’s Israel”

I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM ABOUT ISRAEL.  HOW CAN YOU JUST WRITE THEM OFF?  DOESN’T THAT MAKE YOU A LIAR AFTER WHAT YOU PROMISED ABRAHAM?

You remember your student days.  Well, it might help to think about eschatology – the study of end time events – as if it were a giant mathematical equation on the blackboard.  What if in the midst of all those figures there was a slight error like two plus two equals five?  That would lead whatever followed in the equation to a false conclusion – no matter how elaborate or impressive those subsequent figures might be.  That illustrates just what happens to those who rely mostly upon their own understanding and therefore stray from the simplicity of my son’s remarks concerning these matters.[1]  They get caught up in some rather complicated and bizarre scenarios that are fraught with endless circular reasoning.  The blackboard can get quite messy in the process, and they exhaust themselves while leading many others to the same false conclusions.

SO HOW ARE THEY TO GET OUT OF THAT REVOLVING DOOR AND BACK ON TRACK?

That involves going back to where two plus two equals five, but that means erasing all those pretty figures they have amassed.  That involves humiliation and suffering.  Not many opt for that, even though it’s the only way to get on the path to be guided into all truth.  Like I said before, I don’t reveal myself to casual passers-by.  They must invest in intimacy and trust – lay aside their own preconceptions.  Their equations become subtle attempts at control.  I am in charge, remember, and there are no shortcuts to reality.[2]

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ISRAEL AND YOUR PROMISE TO ABRAHAM?

Everything.  Shortly after my son had ascended back to us and before we sent him back in judgment, there was a great deal of friction between those followers of our new covenant and the sticklers to the old one who were unable to discern what had happened.  One particular fellow from the old camp, an intellectual zealot whom we had been grooming for some time to enter the new way, was wrecking great havoc on our fresh charges.  At a critical point, my son knocked the unruly fellow of his ride, blinded him, and told him where to go.  The man was converted to the new way in the process and would become one of our chief spokesmen.[3]  So much for “free will.”  I meddle – both inwardly and behind the scenes.

Also, can you see a pattern here?  How we use donkeys, horses, camels – various rides – in the production?  It’s quite colorful and the audience loves it.

THE UNRULY FELLOW WAS SAUL OF TARSUS WHO BECAME THE APOSTLE, PAUL?

That’s right, but there is something that I want to reiterate here.  My long suite – taking something very bad and recreating the same into something very, very good.  Think about the introductory remarks and those whom we enabled and inspired to write them.  The major portion of those writings was penned by former murderers or accessories to murder.  Moses killed the Egyptian taskmaster.[4]  David saw to it that his paramour’s husband would not return alive from battle.[5]  While an angry mob of legalistic zealots stoned a chosen young man of ours, a consenting Paul – known as Saul at the time – guarded their coats.[6]

THAT’S AMAZING.  I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY.

Nonetheless, Paul became a key player, and we became quite intimate.  I was able to reveal much to him.  He came to understand just whom my true Israel had always been and will always be.  It’s not those of Jewish ancestry who continue to migrate to the tiny nation of Israel which many of our people are mistakenly fixed upon these days.

YOU’VE ALWAYS HAD SOMEONE ELSE IN MIND?

That’s right, and Paul revealed this to his various charges through his correspondence with them.  We’re back to the seed principle.

HOW’S THAT?

My promise to Abraham was to him and to his seed.  While there was by necessity a natural lineage involved, what we primarily had in mind was spiritual lineage.  Our spokesman, Paul, was allowed to discover that my son was the seed in question.  Paul had studied what was then the available portion of the introductory remarks.  He saw my record of continually making covenant with key players.  Through the lens of covenant, he detected that my Israel had always been spiritual in nature.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

Paul recognized that those key players and their remnant followers were just a covenant-keeping nation within a much larger nation of merely natural descendants.[7]  Through his seed – my son – Abraham became the spiritual father of all who would allow faith to cause them to obey me.[8]  Paul saw that it was to be through the faithful that my promise to Abraham would be fulfilled.  Of course, that’s what I had in mind all along.  My work has always been about relationships – the union of hearts, if you will.[9]  It was never just keeping a bunch of rules or being of natural lineage.  True family resemblance status cannot be accessed via those things.  They are a hindrance, more often than not.

SO, IT’S THOSE WHO OBEY YOU WITH A HEART OF FAITH – THEY ARE ISRAEL?

You got it.[10]  That’s my Israel, the only one – always has been.  Of course, my son got it too.  When told that his own mother and brothers were trying to get through the crowd in order to see him, he asked the rhetorical question, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?”  Taking full advantage of the teachable window, he supplied the answer as well.  Whoever was hearing from me and obeying my voice from a faithful heart was his real brother or sister or mother.[11]  Many continue to stumble over that bedrock of truth.[12]

Paul had no idea that he was contributing to the introductory remarks when he wrote to his various charges about these foundational matters.  Remember, we’re talking covenant here.  That remains foreign to the thinking of a majority of our own troupe.  Discernment is a wonderful thing.  Abraham knows that I haven’t lied to him.

                                                            End of Part VI           

Coming soon:  Part VII, “A Rapture, A Resurrection, A Thousand Year Reign”

             

           

           

           

              

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Unless otherwise noted, the scriptural references are from the New King James Version.  All parenthetical items contained within scriptural references are my emphasis.

[1]“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

[2]“The humble, He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way. . . . The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant” (Psalm 25:9, 14).

[3]“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples . . . (gained authority to search them out at Damascus so that) he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  As he journeyed . . . suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.  Then he fell to the ground and heard (Jesus’) voice . . . So he, trembling and astonished, said, ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?’  Then the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’  Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one . . . (and) was three days without sight . . . . (Simultaneously) the Lord said in a vision (to) . . . a certain disciple named Ananias (that he would be) ‘putting his hand on (Saul) so that he might receive his sight.’  (Ananias expressed fear.)  But the Lord said to him, ‘Go for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel, for I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’  . . . Ananias . . . lay his hands on him . . . and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized . . . received food . . . was strengthened . . . spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.  Immediately, he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God”  (Acts 9:1a, 2-4a, 6, 8a, 9a, 10b, 12b, 17a, 18b-20).

The author acknowledges that according to Scripture, Saul of Tarsus may have very well been on foot when he “fell to the ground” in awe.  However, in this interview, God makes it clear that he was atop some conveyance of the time.

[4]“So he (Moses) looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand” (Exodus 2:12).

[5]“And he (David) wrote in the letter (to his general, Joab), saying, ‘Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die’” (2 Samuel 11:15).

[6]“Then they cried out . . . ran at him (Stephen) . . . cast him out of the city and stoned him . . . (laying) their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul (who, thereby) . . . was consenting to his death” (Acts 7:57-58, 8:1a).

[7]“For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants . . . That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise (covenant) . . . not from among the Jews only, but also from among Gentiles, as He says also in Hosea, ‘I will call those who were not My people, MY PEOPLE’ . . . Of the sons of Israel . . . it is the remnant that will be saved . . . a remnant according to God’s gracious choice” (Romans 9:6b-7a, 8a, 24b-25a, 27b; 11:5b, New American Standard).

[8]“(While) Gentiles . . . did not pursue righteousness . . . (nonetheless, they) attained . . . the righteousness (which is) of faith; (natural) Israel pursuing the law of righteousness . . . has not attained (it) . . . because they did not seek it by faith . . . (but) stumbled at the stumbling stone (Christ) . . . (and) because of unbelief they were broken off” (Romans 9:30-32; 11:20a) . . . Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. . . . And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (covenant)” (Galatians 3:7, 29).

[9]“’But this is the (new) covenant . . .’ declares the Lord, ‘I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will right it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people’” (Jeremiah 31:33, New American Standard).

[10]“. . . to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22b).  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17).  “Bondservants, be obedient . . . in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eye service, but . . . doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:5, 6).

[11]“Then His mother and brothers came to see Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.  And it was told to Him by some, who said, ‘Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.’ 

“But He answered and said to them, ‘My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it’” (Luke 8:19-21).

[12] “(Either) He (and what He says) will be as a sanctuary (or as) a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense  . . . “ (Isaiah 8:14a).

Joshua and Moses

By Russ Cook

On July 17, 2009, while on a bike ride, my wife and I received a call that our Pastor had “put off his tent” and transitioned to be with the Lord. We learned he laid down for a nap and awakened in the presence of Christ. Wilson Phillips had for many years been my spiritual leader but had become much more; he was always a steady and sure rock for me and for my family to run to and rely on. I never really thought about life without him. He married Tara and me and helped us through many struggles. He was with us when we lost a child, when our twins were born early, when we changed careers, at graduations, sporting events; nearly every significant event in our lives as a family, he was a light of guidance through turmoil, my friend. Even though I knew he was now with the Lord and hitting golf balls almost as far I do (he will get that joke), I had a deep sense of loss and hurt.

Our ride had taken us farther from home than we realized or wanted to be. As we rode I felt numb. After we were home, I received a call from my friend Ed, asking if we were still going to have the Men’s Breakfast, which I was supposed to lead. I had not even thought about the Breakfast. My initial response was that we should continue with it, but I was not sure. I wanted to talk to Pastor Davis to confirm my thought. Unable to reach Pastor Davis, I began to pray and reflect. I believed immediately that God put faith in my heart to go forward with the breakfast, but I had no idea what to say or do. God led me to read in Deuteronomy about the death of Moses. As I read, the Scriptures came alive, and even in my state of weirdness, faith was in my heart to have the breakfast with the words God gave me to speak. When I reached Pastor Davis, I told him what I believed we should do and what God was beginning to show me. He agreed, so the breakfast was on.

As I prepared to speak, I continued to read about Moses. The Word says that “His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished” (Deut.34:7), and that there was no prophet like Moses “whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deut.34:10). That sure did sound like Bishop. His life was abundant, and it was clear that he knew God in a deep and intimate way. These words comforted me. As I re-read and meditated on the Word, I read how the children of Israel wept for Moses. I certainly felt their pain. Then it said that “So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended” (Deut.34:8). I was not there yet, but a seed of faith entered my heart. I read on to verse 9 which said, “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him,” and it hit me clearly how and why we must move forward. To honor Bishop, his life and work, I/we must continue. We must build upon the foundation he laid and increase. There was certainly a time of mourning and loss, but I had this seed of faith that helped me believe that it would end and had clear direction that we must continue in the direction he set on the foundation he laid and move ahead. I realized God was not surprised by these events. He had prepared Bishop, like Moses, AND he had prepared Pastor Davis, like Joshua. It was clear that we, as a church body, were to follow Pastor Davis “as the Lord had commanded Moses (Bishop)” (vs.10). This is the message I felt God wanted me to speak at the breakfast.

I turned the page and began to read Joshua. After the death of Moses, the Lord spoke to Joshua to speak to Israel and lead them to cross the Jordan. The Israelites had been camped, waiting to possess their promised land for some 40 years. As soon as Moses died, God told Joshua to take them in. I am convinced that these people were very uncertain about Joshua. Even though Moses knew him well, many if not most of the people only knew him as Moses’ assistant. God, possibly anticipating this reaction, set into motion a plan to establish Joshua as their leader. Towards this end, God spoke to Joshua to lead the people into the land God had given them. He promised that no man could stand before him and that God would not leave him. Then God instructed him to be strong and very courageous so that he could do everything as Moses had commanded. Moses had given Joshua and the people clear direction and clear vision, and Joshua was to lead them as he had been taught by Moses in that direction to accomplish the vision God had given Israel through Moses. That vision was to go in and possess the land.

So they crossed the Jordan. The first challenge was the city of Jericho. It was a city surrounded by massive walls. The Bible says that the people of Jericho had heard of the Israelites and that “the terror of you (Israel) has fallen on us” (Joshua 2:9). The Israelites had been camped a few miles away from Jericho for many years. Those in Jericho had no doubt heard how Israel’s God had plagued Egypt and in one fell swoop wiped out the world’s most powerful army. No doubt the walls of Jericho had been built bigger and stronger in this anticipation. At that point in time, Israel was not really battle tested; they had no real fighting force, chariots or other significant weapons to take on Jericho. They did not even have the element of surprise. They had been camped near Jericho 40 years. To a smart person this coming battle must have looked really stupid.

But God had a purpose. He spoke to Joshua and said, “This day I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you”(Joshua 3:7). Then he gave Joshua a plan of attack to take Jericho. The plan made no sense to the natural mind. I am certain Joshua knew this, and I suspect had some reluctance in presenting this plan to the people. I suspect he shared the plan first to those he trusted so he would have their support when he was challenged by those who thought they knew better. I suspect many thought that the plan not only would not work but was crazy and would get the whole nation wiped out.

But God strengthened Joshua and exalted him in the site of all Israel. So they attacked Jericho by walking around it six days. Not much military might on display. I do not know what the people of Jericho were anticipating, but I am certain they were shocked. But wait; on the seventh day the Israelites really let them have it. The people marched around the city not just once but seven times, wow! Then their secret weapon…the priests blew trumpets, and the people shouted. Imagine the awesome military might, priests blowing trumpets and people shouting. Low and behold, the walls came tumbling down. God demolished their city. Many purposes of “Joshua’s ridiculous” plan were obvious. Dependency and trust in God were clear, but it also built faith and trust in the people for Joshua and put fear in the other nations. “So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country”(Joshua 6:27).

Ai was next. Ai was much smaller than Jericho. It was so small that Israel attacked with only 3000 men. However, Israel was defeated. At Jericho, God defeated a massively walled city, but Israel’s army could not even defeat a small foe. The problem was that there was sin in the people. God used Joshua to find and root out the sin. Then God gave Joshua a plan to defeat Ai, using the previous failure. Israel attacked like before and then began to run away like before, as if they were defeated again. However, according to the plan given by God to Joshua, when the army of Ai pursued Israel, no doubt thinking another rout was in order, another group of Israel’s army snuck in behind and took the defenseless city. Again, Joshua was exalted in the eyes of the people of God.

As I read these stories and meditated on them, I saw the parallels between Bishop and Moses and Pastor Davis and Joshua. God spoke to me that just as God had spoken to Bishop he was speaking to Pastor Davis and that all of the vision, promise and direction given by Bishop to us is to be carried on and fulfilled with Pastor Davis just as with Moses and Joshua. God gave us these stories in the Bible to reveal His character and nature and give us host of many witnesses to prove both Himself and His Spirit in others to give us faith, hope, and peace. This should also give us comfort for our loss, and strength and confidence in God and His chosen leaders.

As I read these words over again and meditated, my sense of loss was turned to purpose and hope. Not that I did not miss my father, but I saw how his vision, dream, and passion were to be carried on. For me not to join in and support “Joshua” was to ignore and defame everything Bishop taught me.

The next morning as I shared this message with the men at the breakfast, my heart was lifted and God expanded even more on what He was teaching me. I saw how God honored Moses as he spoke to Joshua, who also honored Moses as he spoke to the people and carried out the plan. God did not leave us alone. He was not surprised. We are well cared for. He has provided, ordained, and anointed for us a leader in Pastor Davis. Our job is be strong and courageous, to step into the water, obey God by accepting and embracing his leaders, and remember “every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon, I have given you, as I said to Moses (Bishop)” (Joshua 1:3).

Interviewing God III

Members of the Christian community often have questions about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Most of us have either said or heard someone say “When I get to heaven, the first thing I want to ask God is ….”  In aggregate, the pool of questions becomes quite large.  The drama, INTERVIEWING GOD, depicts a female news correspondent in an informal setting asking God a number of questions.  The answers she receives are from His Word, which the Lord inspired the prophets and apostles to write.  Scripture references are given throughout along with the author’s personal notes.  The interview was lengthy as one might imagine, so here it is broken into parts.  In the initial posting, God used a stage play analogy to answer the controversy of the universe question – “who’s in charge?” He upheld the inerrancy of the Bible, or as He terms it, “the introductory remarks.”  In the second posting, God reveals both the origin and the purpose of suffering.  Here in Part III, God explains key elements within the creation of man plus the devastating fall of man.  He exposes His choice to continue, nonetheless, to make covenants with certain individuals, and unveils a restorative seed principle.   

                                          

                                                       INTERVIEWING GOD

                                                          (Serialized Version)

                                                                       by

                                                         Michael A. Lawrence

                              

                                                        Part III

                             “The Trees, the Fruit, the Snake, the Seed”

            SO THE TEST CAME – THE TREES, THE FRUIT, THE SNAKE AND ALL THAT – BUT THEY DIDN’T REALLY DIE.  THE WAY I REMEMBER IT, ADAM AND EVE WENT ON TO PRODUCE SEVERAL CHILDREN.  WHAT DID YOU MEAN, “SURELY DIE?”

            Let’s say you enter a brightly lit walk-in closet like yours at home – the big one with all those pretty shoes.  Close the door behind you, turn out the lights, and you will begin to experience darkness.  One might say that darkness is just the absence of light.  In the same manner, one might say that death is just the absence of life.

            When the first Adam followed Eve and put his allegiance in the usurper’s camp, I

withdrew my very life from him.  They had traded light for darkness, experiencing spiritual death.  No longer of the family of the living, by default, they had joined the family of death.[1]  A threefold perverted principle of pride, rebellion, and self-willed legalism rules the spiritual family of death., so things went downhill for a time after that.[2]  The first parents began to reproduce after their own infected kind.  Meanwhile, I kept my eye peeled for someone in the lineage we could work with – at least on some useful level.[3]

            WHO WOULD THAT BE?

            Things were kind of bleak until Noah came along.  Then there was Abraham and, of course, Moses.

            I’M CONFUSED.  WHY WERE THE FIRST PARENTS DRIVEN OUT OF EDEN?

            To dissipate the infection via the generations, longevity had to be governed.  Constantly feeding from the tree of generated life would postpone death indefinitely.  Such privilege had been sacrificed by their disobedience.[4]

            GENERATED LIFE?

            We created the first Adam because of my love and desire for a family of faithful obedient children which would render the rebellious inoperable.  If the first parents had chosen to obey and to eat from the tree of life, their seeds would have started to develop, they  would have become full partakers of our very nature – a generated eternal life.  That didn’t happen.  The created man failed our test.  A second man was needed – only he would be generated, not created.  My son is that man – aka the last Adam, the second man.  His role would be similar in some respects, even though things had been compounded by the first man’s debacle.[5]

            VERY INTERESTING.  YOU BROUGHT UP MOSES.  I’VE ALWAYS BEEN CONFUSED ABOUT MOSES AND PHAROAH – ALL THAT WENT ON DOWN THERE IN EGYPT.  WHY DID YOU HARDEN THE PHAROAH’S HEART?

            I’m in charge and chose to exact justice in that case.  I am totally just, among other things.  For example, without justice there would be no such thing as mercy.  Subtract justice and just any old conduct equals any other.  Sovereign justice serves a broad curriculum designed to teach my ways.[6]

            I HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING PAST THIS – WHY DID YOU HAVE TO KILL ALL THOSE EGYPTIAN BABIES?

            Well, baby Moses wasn’t the first boy baby to be floating in the river.  At least he was face up.[7]  You must remember that Pharaoh got nervous about the birth rate of the foreigners whom he had enslaved and ordered their male babies to be thrown into the river.[8]  He had to know that was not very nice.  His predecessor had been an excellent role model.[9]  He could have followed his example.  Besides, I had promised Moses’ ancestor, Abraham, that I would repay anyone according to how they treated his people.[10]

That was covenant.  How could I be trusted if I didn’t follow through on that?  I had turned all of Pharaoh’s waters into blood.[11]  Don’t tell me he couldn’t see the symbolism in that.  No, Pharaoh’s babies had to go or, I should say, come to me.  Be careful not to get hung up with the time dimension as you know it.  Before those little ones were born, their angels gazed upon my face in heaven as they still do.[12]  But Pharaoh – I hardened his heart in order to exact justice.

            BUT YOU’RE IN CHARGE.  DON’T YOU DECIDE ELECTIONS?  DON’T YOU RAISE UP ONE PHARAOH AND PUT DOWN ANOTHER?  YOU HAD TO KNOW THIS FELLOW WOULD BE ABUSIVE, RIGHT?

            You’re very astute.[13]  Remember the pattern in Eden – how we used the serpent to test the first couple?  That method bore repeating.  Remember my “long suit” – taking something very bad and causing something very, very good to result from it?  It’s the seed principle in action.[14]  Key players must be developed.  We use the unjust to child-train them all the time.  But then, to be just, I have to punish the wrongdoers.  The introductory remarks reveal case after case of this.[15]

            WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SEED PRINCIPLE?

            My son used a teachable moment to illustrate this right after he rode into Jerusalem for what many mistake for the last time on that donkey colt.[16]  Again, my spirit caused the friend to remember what was said and write it down, and I quote:  “. . . unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain.”[17]

            My players must forget who they are or lay down who they think they are in order to become the characters that we are aiming for – those with family resemblance.  In my project, whom they become on stage is reality – not whom they thought they were at audition.  In order to become who they really are, whom they think they are has to go.[18]

The process involves suffering and can be quite painful.  Like I said, actors can be a proud lot.  Nonetheless, it has to be according to script.  My son followed closely my prompting while adding:  “. . . whoever desires to save his life will lose it.”[19] 

                                                             End of Part III

             

           

Coming soon:  Part IV, “Why Parables?-True Bible Study-Authority Revisited”    

           

              

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[1]Unless otherwise noted, all scriptural references are from the New King James version.  All parenthetical items contained within scriptural references are my emphasis.

 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life’” (John 8:12).  “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do” (John 8:44a).  “. . . And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14b).  “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men . . . “ (Romans 5:12a).

[2]“. . . a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b).

[3]“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9a).

[4]“. . . through one man’s offense judgment came to all . . . “ (Romans 5:18a).  “Then the Lord said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil.  And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever’ – therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken” (Genesis 3: 22-23).  “. . . on either side of the river, was the tree of life . . . The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2).

[5]“And so it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living being.’  The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. . . . The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven”

(1 Corinthians 15:45, 47).

[6]“(They) saw My works forty years. . . . ‘And (still) they have not known My ways’” (Hebrews 3:9b, 10b).

[7]“. . . she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank” (Exodus 2:3b).

[8]“So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, ‘every (Hebrew) son who is born you shall cast into the river . . . ‘” (Exodus 1:22a).

[9]“Then (the previous) Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.  And he had him ride in the second chariot . . . (and) he set him over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:42-43).  “Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land . . . make them chief herdsmen over my livestock” (Genesis 47:6).

[10]“I will bless those that bless you, and I will curse him who curses you . . .” (Genesis 12:3a). 

[11]“And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood” (Exodus 7:20b).

[12]“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).  “For He will deliver the needy when he cries . . . and will save the souls of the needy (the helpless).  He will redeem their life from . . . violence; and precious shall be their blood in his sight” (Psalm 72:12a, 13b, 14).  “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. . . . Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed.  And in Your book they were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:13, 16).

[13]“For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south.  But God is the judge;  He puts down one and exalts another” (Psalm 75:6-7).

[14]“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job?’” (Job 1:8a).  “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when Job prayed for his friends.  Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10).

[15]“Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place . . . to comfort him” (Job 2:11).  “Then Job answered and said:  ‘How long will you (fellows) torment my soul, and break me to pieces with your words?’” (Job 19:1-2).  “ . . . the Lord said to (Job’s friends), ‘My wrath is aroused against you . . . and My servant Job shall pray for you . . . lest I deal with you according to your folly . . .’” (Job 42:7b, 8b).  “But they (Israel) rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; so He turned Himself against them” (Isaiah 63:10).  “But behold, I (God) will raise up a nation against you, O house of Israel . . . and they will afflict you . . . ” (Amos 6:14).  “Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.  And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek’”

(Exodus 17:8-9a).  “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear flanks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God” (Deuteronomy 25;17-18).  “Thus says the Lord of hosts:  ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt.  Now go and attack Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them’” (1 Samuel 15:2-3a).

[16]“. . . He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem . . . (and) sent two of His disciples, saying, ‘. . . you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat.  Loose it and bring it here.’  . . . they brought him to Jesus, and they threw their clothes on the colt and they set Jesus on him. . . . as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it” (Luke 19:28b, 29b, 30b, 35, & 41).

[17](John 12:24)

[18]“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:11).  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

[19]“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

Interviewing God II

Members of the Christian community often have questions about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Most of us have either said or heard someone say “When I get to heaven, the first thing I want to ask God is ….”  In aggregate, the pool of questions becomes quite large.  The drama, INTERVIEWING GOD, depicts a female news correspondent in an informal setting asking God a number of questions.  The answers she receives are from His Word, which the Lord inspired the prophets and apostles to write.  Scripture references are given throughout along with the author’s personal notes.  The interview was lengthy as one might imagine, so here it is broken into parts.  In the initial posting, God used a stage play analogy to answer the ultimate question that grips our universe – the authority one – or “who’s in charge?”  He upholds the inerrancy of the Bible, or as He terms it, “the introductory remarks.”  Here in Part II, the interviewer asks about the one thing that has most everyone (if they be honest with themselves) at odds with God

INTERVIEWING GOD

                                   (Serialized Version)                                        
by

Michael A. Lawrence

Part II

                      “Suffering – What’s That All About?”                     

            WHY ALL THE SUFFERING?  IT SEEMS LIKE THE ONE IN CHARGE WOULDN’T LET IT CONTINUE.  WHY DON’T YOU STOP IT?

            You would be surprised to learn just how much of it I won’t allow – but back to your first question.  I once created a uniquely beautiful and gifted angelic being.  I made him an authority in charge of heavenly worship.  It went to his head.  He thought it would be a good thing if he relieved me of the whole operation.[1]  He corrupted a third of the angelic beings.  I had to give him and his allies the boot.[2]  He went on to deceive and corrupt the first parents as well.  That was the origin of all the suffering in the universe.[3]

            Why don’t I stop it?  My long suit is to take what is very bad in essence and use it to my advantage to make something very, very good.[4]  Suffering is no exception to that rule.

            ALLOWING THE SUFFERING TO GO ON SEEMS SO UNKIND.  ISN’T THERE A BETTER WAY?

            My son asked that question in the garden at Gethsemane, so you know my answer.[5]  It might help to look at the stage play analogy again.  It’s one thing to just produce something that the audience will enjoy and yet another to reveal the heart and mind of the director plus bring it all to a glorious conclusion.  My intentions are greater still.  A truly great director will reproduce himself in the players.  A patron meets one of mine on the street, I want it to be more than a little like touching me.  My son is the pattern but, by design, just the first of many with what I would call family resemblance.[6]  He was no stranger to suffering and did learn from it.[7]  To be genuine, none of the siblings[8] can bypass this part of the equation – even though many mistakenly go to such great lengths trying to avoid it.[9]

            BACK TO THE USURPER IN HEAVEN, THE SOURCE OF ALL THE SUFFERING, AS YOU SAY – WHAT WAS HIS PROBLEM?

            His pride caused him to loose sight of the principle that still governs the success or failure of every being in the universe – submission to authority.[10]  To make matters worse, he went on to infect some of his closest angelic charges with the rebellion.  They, in turn, infected others.  It was like a virus run amok.  I had to clean house.

            YOU TALK LIKE YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT SCENE.  DON’T YOU CONTROL EVERYTHING?

            I’m in charge, but every being – angelic or human, due to his or her inherently high order – is responsible for his or her own attitudes and actions.[11]  Of course, it’s all based on a level of understanding.  One is responsible only for what one knows.  So, we’re back to the robot question.  Delegating responsibility is a part of my control function.

            LET’S GO BACK TO EDEN.  WHY DID THINGS GO SO BAD AFTER THE FIRST PARENTS WERE DECEIVED?

            To be able to fully grasp the gravity of that situation, one must have a look at how things were before what is now commonly called “The Fall.”  When we created the first Adam in our image, he got a multi-dose of life, if you will.  “Lives” is how it now best translates from the original autographs.  I breathed more than one life into the first Adam when he became a living being of enormous potential.[12]  He received a biological life not so unlike that of mere animals, and he was given a personality, commonly called the soul.  It was fledgling at first, but highly capable of development.  In our final stroke, I breathed my very life into him.  In seed form, of course.  That allowed for spirit-level interaction, designed to fast-track his development.[13] 

            WHY THE RUSH?

            Well, the rebellion in heaven had created a completely new dynamic in the universe.  For the first time ever, more than one will existed.  Previously, there was just my will and all those sub-wills in perfect alignment with me.  The usurper changed all that.  I’ll let you in on a little secret – that’s when what you now call “time” began.[14]

            Anyway, I had big plans for Adam and his mate, but they were going to have to be able to resist temptation from the infected beings in order to carry off their assignments.  Thus the need for development.  But the usurper was Johnny-on-the-spot, so I said, “Why don’t we just use him to develop our somewhat naive couple.”  That concept became a pattern, a useful tool for us down the road.         

                                                            End of Part II

             

Coming soon:  Part III, “The Trees, The Fruit, The Snake – The Seed”       

           

           

              

---

[1] Unless noted otherwise, all Scriptural references are from the New King James Version.  All parenthetical items contained within Scriptural references are my emphasis.

“The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.  You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of the fiery stones.  You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:13b-15). 

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!  How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!  For you have said in your heart, ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:12-14).

[2]“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9).  “(The dragon’s) tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth” (Revelation 12:4a).

[3]“Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die.  For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good from evil.’ . . . The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate’” (Genesis 3:4, 5, 13b).

[4]“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘Perhaps Joseph will hate us and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.’ . . . (But) Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?  But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive’” (Genesis 50:15, 19-20).

[5]“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’” (Matthew 26:39).

[6]“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be (just) the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

[7]“. . . though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

“For it was fitting for Him (the Father) . . . to make the captain of their salvation (the Son) perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:10).

[8]“For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified (set apart) are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren . . .” (Hebrews 2:11).  “. . . go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’” (John 20:17b).

 

[9]“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6).  “Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7).  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2). 

[10]“. . . Because your heart is lifted up, and you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods . . .’ yet (being) not a god . . . you set your heart as the heart of a god. . . . By your great wisdom . . . you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches. . . . Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you” (Ezekiel 28:2b, 17).

[11]“. . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12b, 13).

[12]“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’” (Genesis 1:26a) . . . “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life(s); and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). 

([1 life] + [1 life] + [1 life] = 3 life(s) is how the Hebrew word used best translates.)

[13]“Now may the God of peace sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  “For the Word of God is . . . piercing even to the division of soul and spirit . . .” (Hebrews 4:12a). 

[14]“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today’” (Hebrews 3:13a, New American Standard).