Last week in the Sabbath Thought I talked about “the experts.”
I spoke of the scholars and the brightest minds of this world
that cannot see the truth of God’s word. Sadly, they use their
creativity and exceptional abilities to pick God’s word apart.
They use their creative abilities to speculate on how the
writers of the Gospels put their books together. Their
speculations fit with how their carnal minds feel the scriptures
originated. As one analyzes the conclusions the learned put
forward in regard to God’s word, those called out can clearly
see that they are blinded.
Why is that the case? Why are some able to see the word of
God while others can’t see it?
Thankfully the Bible helps us to understand the subject of
blindness to God’s word. The subject of blindness to God’s
truth is spoken of in a variety of ways and places in scripture.
The Apostle John addresses this issue in John 12. Beginning
in verse 37, he points out that Christ walked among the people
of Judea and the surrounding territories and performed “many
signs before them” and “yet they did not believe Him.” John
also points out the reason the people did not believe the signs
done before them supported that Jesus Christ was the Christ.
In fact, he points out in verse 38 that this outcome was
prophesied by Isaiah.
He then quotes the prophet, “"Lord, who has believed our
report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they
should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with
their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them" (John 12:38-
40).
What John is pointing out is that one may be able to actually
see, hear, and touch Jesus Christ in the flesh, but one can still
not truly see or discern the bigger picture. The same is true
for God’s word. One may be able to read it and to understand
the words, but it seems there is a barrier imposed that does not
allow true comprehension.
Paul also makes the point about blindness in Romans 11:7-8.
While pointing to the blindness, the Apostle also points out
that there are those to whom God has given understanding.
“What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect
have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written,
"God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should
not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."”
Paul not only points out the blindness of Israel, but he points
out that “the elect have obtained it”. He is saying that God,
through His grace, mercy, and power, has opened the
understanding of the elect only, in this age. “The rest,”
everyone else besides the elect, “were blinded.”
1 Corinthians 2 reveals how it is that the elect can get beyond
the blindness. It has nothing to do with intelligence, intellect,
or IQ. It has to do with the spirit of God.
The Apostle writes, “However, we speak wisdom among those
who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the
rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak
the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which
God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the
rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not
have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Paul is
speaking of God’s wisdom which only the “spiritually” mature
can understand. It is not the wisdom of this age. It is not
wisdom that the rich, the powerful, the well-educated, or the
intellectually gifted can understand. If they had been able to
understand it, they would not have crucified Jesus Christ.
They were blinded to God’s “hidden wisdom”.
How is it that the elect can see? The ability to see “the
glorious light of the Gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4) is a gift given
to us by God through His Holy Spirit. “But God has revealed
them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all
things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10).
Through God’s Spirit, we can see and hear, and truly
understand, Jesus Christ and His word. God has removed the
veil of blindness (2 Corinthians 3:14-15).
As the elect of God, God has opened the Bible. The truths of
God make sense to those called out. “These things we also
speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which
the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with
spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Through God’s calling and election, we can see the word of
God, but what of the rest of the world? “But the natural man
does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). To put it bluntly,
the rest of the world, at this time is blinded.
Thankfully, there is coming a time when the veil of spiritual
blindness will be taken away from the world. Only then will
those now blind come to acknowledge their blindness and seek
God’s help to clearly see.
As you enjoy the Sabbath day, take time to consider that God
has opened your mind to see the spiritual things that most of
the world cannot see.
Have a most pleasant Sabbath.
Gary Smith
Friday, May 27, 2016
Friday, May 20, 2016
If God’s Word Is Not True, We Have No Hope
This year I decided to go back through a class on Ancient Israel. The class was a wonderful reminder of why I enjoyed the class in my college days.
The final portion of the class went through the arrest and trial of Jesus Christ which is an excellent study prior to the Passover. As this portion of the class began, several books on the subject of the arrest and trial were recommended by the professor. In light of the recommendations made, I ordered three books on the subject. I am currently in the process of reading one of the recommended books.
You would hope that the scholars would be able to give us deep insight into a subject that every Christian would like to know more about. However, the scholars writing the three books come at the subject from the same vantage point. Not one of the learned scholars believes that the Bible is the truth and every word of it is “God breathed” or as we might also say “inspired”.
The three writers view the Gospels as books based on a variety traditions and basically the “fantasies” of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In the scholars view, the four Gospels are not an accurate recounting of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Here are a few quotes that emphasize the author’s vantage point.
“Thus the Gospels contain no less than seven different descriptions of a scene of a judicial or quasi-judicial character, together with five descriptions of a scene of the maltreatment and mockery of Jesus….Each evangelist retained what he himself had found, and enlarged it by his specific contribution. In this way a discrepancy came about between the various evangelical accounts….The sequence of events now recorded in the four Gospels could not possibly have taken place within the space of six or seven hours, actual time-lag between Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion” (Paul Winter, “On The Trial of Jesus”, pp. 7-8).
“It is now no longer seriously disputed that there was not available to the authors of the Gospels any testimony of eyewitnesses who were present at any of the stages of the arrest, trial, or crucifixion of Jesus and gave a direct account of it” (Haim Cohn, The Trial and Death of Jesus, p. xiii).
“In short, the Gospel traditions are “messages of faith and not historiography”; any historical material in their hands the authors used “to add detail and graphic quality,” but on the whole, they freely exercised their fantasy “in presenting, and in meaning to present, not history but theology” (Cohn, p. xv).
These quotes do not promote faith in God and in His word. If God’s word is unreliable, how can we have confidence in God or His plan of salvation? If God’s word is not true, we have no hope beyond the physical world, so we better be about the business of enjoying the physical life to the hilt.
However, we are reassured by God’s word.
First of all we learn in John 10:35 that, “…the Scripture cannot be broken)….” The point Christ is making concerning the scriptures, as accurately translated, is they are not in error. If we find error or contradiction in the word of God, then how can we believe in the scriptures at all? Thankfully, the scriptures are reliable and without error. If we find a seeming contradiction, we can be assured that if we dig into the scriptures we can find a reliable explanation.
The writers of the gospels sought to truthfully recount for God’s people the truths they witnessed. Their writings were not flights of fantasy made up in order to sell the public on Jesus Christ. Note what the Apostle John relates about his personal experience, “And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe” (John 19:35).
John made a similar point in 1 John 1:1-4, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us — that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
The writers of the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament sought to record the truth to serve as a reliable record for the generations to come. The New Testament harmonizes perfectly with Old Testament to give us a complete record in order to follow a path pleasing to God.
In summary, the Gospel accounts are true and accurate and serve to give us insight into our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sadly, so-called experts cannot see the picture clearly and they present a picture that only causes doubt and uncertainty.
Thankfully, God gives us the opportunity every Sabbath to come together as a congregation to delve into God’s word for “doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
The final portion of the class went through the arrest and trial of Jesus Christ which is an excellent study prior to the Passover. As this portion of the class began, several books on the subject of the arrest and trial were recommended by the professor. In light of the recommendations made, I ordered three books on the subject. I am currently in the process of reading one of the recommended books.
You would hope that the scholars would be able to give us deep insight into a subject that every Christian would like to know more about. However, the scholars writing the three books come at the subject from the same vantage point. Not one of the learned scholars believes that the Bible is the truth and every word of it is “God breathed” or as we might also say “inspired”.
The three writers view the Gospels as books based on a variety traditions and basically the “fantasies” of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In the scholars view, the four Gospels are not an accurate recounting of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Here are a few quotes that emphasize the author’s vantage point.
“Thus the Gospels contain no less than seven different descriptions of a scene of a judicial or quasi-judicial character, together with five descriptions of a scene of the maltreatment and mockery of Jesus….Each evangelist retained what he himself had found, and enlarged it by his specific contribution. In this way a discrepancy came about between the various evangelical accounts….The sequence of events now recorded in the four Gospels could not possibly have taken place within the space of six or seven hours, actual time-lag between Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion” (Paul Winter, “On The Trial of Jesus”, pp. 7-8).
“It is now no longer seriously disputed that there was not available to the authors of the Gospels any testimony of eyewitnesses who were present at any of the stages of the arrest, trial, or crucifixion of Jesus and gave a direct account of it” (Haim Cohn, The Trial and Death of Jesus, p. xiii).
“In short, the Gospel traditions are “messages of faith and not historiography”; any historical material in their hands the authors used “to add detail and graphic quality,” but on the whole, they freely exercised their fantasy “in presenting, and in meaning to present, not history but theology” (Cohn, p. xv).
These quotes do not promote faith in God and in His word. If God’s word is unreliable, how can we have confidence in God or His plan of salvation? If God’s word is not true, we have no hope beyond the physical world, so we better be about the business of enjoying the physical life to the hilt.
However, we are reassured by God’s word.
First of all we learn in John 10:35 that, “…the Scripture cannot be broken)….” The point Christ is making concerning the scriptures, as accurately translated, is they are not in error. If we find error or contradiction in the word of God, then how can we believe in the scriptures at all? Thankfully, the scriptures are reliable and without error. If we find a seeming contradiction, we can be assured that if we dig into the scriptures we can find a reliable explanation.
The writers of the gospels sought to truthfully recount for God’s people the truths they witnessed. Their writings were not flights of fantasy made up in order to sell the public on Jesus Christ. Note what the Apostle John relates about his personal experience, “And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe” (John 19:35).
John made a similar point in 1 John 1:1-4, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us — that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
The writers of the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament sought to record the truth to serve as a reliable record for the generations to come. The New Testament harmonizes perfectly with Old Testament to give us a complete record in order to follow a path pleasing to God.
In summary, the Gospel accounts are true and accurate and serve to give us insight into our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sadly, so-called experts cannot see the picture clearly and they present a picture that only causes doubt and uncertainty.
Thankfully, God gives us the opportunity every Sabbath to come together as a congregation to delve into God’s word for “doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
Friday, May 13, 2016
When the Righteous Are in Authority, the People Rejoice; But...
On May 3, Donald Trump was victorious in the Indiana primary. The Ted Cruz and John Kasich campaigns each called it quits.
What does this political outcome tell us?
Dr. Michael Brown, on May 4, 2016, published an opinion piece entitled, "Donald Trump the National Enquirer President". His full article appears at the following link: http://barbwire.com/2016/05/04/donald-trump-national-enquirer-president
He begins the article, “It is altogether fitting that Donald Trump became the all-but-certain presidential nominee of the Republican Party on the same day that he cited the ridiculous allegations of the National Enquirer that Ted Cruz’s father, Rafael, had involvement in the assassination of JFK.
“This is not so much an indictment on Trump as it is an indictment on the American people. God could well be giving us exactly what we deserve.”
Dr. Brown then speaks of where we are at as a people, “I have no desire to be right; I do have an intense desire to see America blessed; and I would far rather say, “I was so wrong about Donald Trump,” than say, “I told you so!”
“That being said, it appears today in America that God has given us over to delusion, a phenomenon mentioned several times in the Bible when God takes away a people’s moral and spiritual sensibilities as a judgment on their sin.
“In other words, because people reject Him and His standards, He says, “Go ahead then. Have at it,” further pushing us into our folly.”
Proverbs 29:2 tells us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” If we look at the conduct of the presidential candidates, it appears there is to be more groaning in our future than rejoicing.
The Apostle Paul spoke of a society’s condition when God is rejected in Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. . . .” Have we been given over to a debased mindset?
Dr. Brown describes our condition, “That seems to be the only way to explain how we are suddenly at the point in America where people are saying there’s nothing wrong with grown men using women’s locker rooms and bathrooms and where states like California have ruled that boys who identify as girls can play on the girls’ sports teams and share their shower stalls and changing areas.
“This is cultural insanity, yet many are too blind to see.
“How else do we explain college students telling a young Caucasian man that if he identifies as a woman, he is; if he identifies as Chinese, he is; if he identifies as a 7-year-old, he is – but if he identifies as 6’ 5” he is not – how else do we explain this unless we have been given over to a spirit of delusion?
“I see the Trump candidacy in the same way.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his blatant, well-documented lying.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his consistent practice of vile character assassination for the purpose of political gain.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his vulgarity and profanity.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his ignorance of critical issues and his complete flip-flopping of major positions.”
The last four points made are they not warning signs about a presidential candidate? And yet no one heeds! Interestingly, we could do a similar analysis of other presidential candidates.
One final quote, “And he has masterfully appealed to American fears and anger – fears of terrorism, fears of economic collapse, anger with the political system, anger with American weakness – to the point that his supporters are looking to him as a quasi-savior figure. Only he can get the job done!
“But in almost any other time in American history, Trump’s negatives would have so outweighed his positives that he would have quickly disqualified himself as a candidate.
“Not today.”
Noting this current situation in regard to American leadership, should we be surprised by what is on the horizon?
The Apostle John was able to see an evil political figure that will arise at the end of the age, “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” (Revelation 13:4-7).
As our world unravels, we have the anchor of the Sabbath, which reminds us that the King of kings, and Lord of lords is coming to reign in righteousness (Revelation 19:11).
May God hasten the day.
Gary Smith
What does this political outcome tell us?
Dr. Michael Brown, on May 4, 2016, published an opinion piece entitled, "Donald Trump the National Enquirer President". His full article appears at the following link: http://barbwire.com/2016/05/04/donald-trump-national-enquirer-president
He begins the article, “It is altogether fitting that Donald Trump became the all-but-certain presidential nominee of the Republican Party on the same day that he cited the ridiculous allegations of the National Enquirer that Ted Cruz’s father, Rafael, had involvement in the assassination of JFK.
“This is not so much an indictment on Trump as it is an indictment on the American people. God could well be giving us exactly what we deserve.”
Dr. Brown then speaks of where we are at as a people, “I have no desire to be right; I do have an intense desire to see America blessed; and I would far rather say, “I was so wrong about Donald Trump,” than say, “I told you so!”
“That being said, it appears today in America that God has given us over to delusion, a phenomenon mentioned several times in the Bible when God takes away a people’s moral and spiritual sensibilities as a judgment on their sin.
“In other words, because people reject Him and His standards, He says, “Go ahead then. Have at it,” further pushing us into our folly.”
Proverbs 29:2 tells us, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” If we look at the conduct of the presidential candidates, it appears there is to be more groaning in our future than rejoicing.
The Apostle Paul spoke of a society’s condition when God is rejected in Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. . . .” Have we been given over to a debased mindset?
Dr. Brown describes our condition, “That seems to be the only way to explain how we are suddenly at the point in America where people are saying there’s nothing wrong with grown men using women’s locker rooms and bathrooms and where states like California have ruled that boys who identify as girls can play on the girls’ sports teams and share their shower stalls and changing areas.
“This is cultural insanity, yet many are too blind to see.
“How else do we explain college students telling a young Caucasian man that if he identifies as a woman, he is; if he identifies as Chinese, he is; if he identifies as a 7-year-old, he is – but if he identifies as 6’ 5” he is not – how else do we explain this unless we have been given over to a spirit of delusion?
“I see the Trump candidacy in the same way.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his blatant, well-documented lying.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his consistent practice of vile character assassination for the purpose of political gain.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his vulgarity and profanity.
“Tens of millions of Americans are not put off by his ignorance of critical issues and his complete flip-flopping of major positions.”
The last four points made are they not warning signs about a presidential candidate? And yet no one heeds! Interestingly, we could do a similar analysis of other presidential candidates.
One final quote, “And he has masterfully appealed to American fears and anger – fears of terrorism, fears of economic collapse, anger with the political system, anger with American weakness – to the point that his supporters are looking to him as a quasi-savior figure. Only he can get the job done!
“But in almost any other time in American history, Trump’s negatives would have so outweighed his positives that he would have quickly disqualified himself as a candidate.
“Not today.”
Noting this current situation in regard to American leadership, should we be surprised by what is on the horizon?
The Apostle John was able to see an evil political figure that will arise at the end of the age, “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” (Revelation 13:4-7).
As our world unravels, we have the anchor of the Sabbath, which reminds us that the King of kings, and Lord of lords is coming to reign in righteousness (Revelation 19:11).
May God hasten the day.
Gary Smith
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