Last week a headline appeared on the Drudge Report. It read, “ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND Elon Musk to reveal next step in mission to build city on Mars.”
Upon clicking on the link to the article it said in part, “Billionaire's SpaceX firm prepares for announcement about plans to turn humanity into a 'multiplanetary' species. Elon Musk is preparing to reveal further details of his hugely ambitious plan to build a city on the surface of Mars.
“Musk has previously claimed Mars is “a fixer-upper of a planet” and even suggested dropping nuclear bombs on its surface to heat up the atmosphere and make it suitable for human colonization.”
My thought about this grand plan for colonizing Mars is, “Why are we making plans to go to another planet when we have not taken care of planet Earth? Are we going to do any better in outer space?”
Elon Musk’s plan makes me think of the Eagles song, “The Last Resort” by Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Quoting the last stanza they said, “And you can see them there on Sunday morning/Stand up and sing about what it's like up there/They called it paradise, I don't know why/You call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye”.
I don’t believe that Mars is paradise, but it is unexplored territory. If we were able to reach and colonize the planet will the outcome be any different than the exploration and colonization of the earth? Sadly, the outcome will be no different because man’s whole approach to life is wrong.
Our world is governed primarily by self and get. This approach is why we have the horrible problems that we find on earth. The problems are not getting better with time. Truly, until we find the solution to the problems that plague this world space exploration will result in the same conditions on earth just spread farther out into the universe.
God lays out the fundamental approach that is crucial to any project. In Psalms 127:1 we are told, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. . . .” This verse is crucial to all projects on earth or in the heavens above. If God is at the center of building any project, then that project will prosper. But when God is left out, no project or plan of man can reach its full potential.
Truly, if Elon Musk is able to create a colony on Mars, as the Eagles said, you can “kiss it goodbye.”
Thankfully, as God’s people, God has come into our lives and He is building “houses” in each of our lives that will last forever.
Have a most pleasant Sabbath and Feast of Trumpets,
Gary Smith
Friday, September 30, 2016
Friday, September 23, 2016
The Right Approach to God’s Feast Days
Since the Holy Days will be observed shortly, I thought it would be valuable to consider the right approach to God’s Feast Days.
Isaiah states, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats” (Isaiah 1:10-11). Isaiah’s statement seems odd in light of the fact that God directed Israel to offer various sacrifices.
The prophet condemns the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their sacrifices. Has God suddenly changed His mind about sacrifices or is there another reason why God inspired Isaiah 1:10-11?
Apparently, the people were quite diligent in making sacrifices and offerings at the temple. They offered and sacrificed large numbers of animals. However, God is not pleased with what they were offering because their approach is wrong. What is wrong with their approach? Before addressing what was wrong with their sacrifices, let’s examine what more God has to say.
"When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies —I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:12-15).
It should be noted that where they were falling short in coming before God is explained by understanding what is meant by “to trample my courts”. Barnes’ Notes states, “To tread his courts was an expression therefore, equivalent to, to worship. To tread the courts of the Lord here, has the idea of profanation. Who has required you to tread those courts with this hollow, heartless service? It is often used in the sense of treading down, or trampling on” (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Why are Judah’s sacrifices futile? Sadly, it has to do with their sinfulness. They offered sacrifices and offerings, burned incense, gathered for the Sabbath and Holy Days, and offered up an abundance of prayers. They were religious while still practicing sin. There was no humility, recognition of sin, or repentance.
The sacrificial system had ceased to serve its purpose of focusing the people on God and the need for righteousness. The people are religious but it is form without substance (2 Timothy 3:5).
The point here is that the character of the people had degenerated to the point that the manner in which they keep the Sabbath and religious festivals had become offensive to God. Their attitudes and approach had so degenerated that the Holy Day observances were hardly recognizable to God as having originated with Him. They were no longer His feasts, but the wayward people's feasts. Indeed, besides observing God's true festivals in a wrong manner and attitude, Israel had even instituted its own substitute holidays and participated in pagan observances.
Because of the people's defiance, we see that God has ceased listening to their prayers.
What is the lesson for the 21st century Christian? The lesson is that God has instructed us to make sacrifices and offerings, to attend the Holy Days, and to offer up prayers, but our attendance or giving an offering is not the most important thing. We can do all of those commanded things while continuing in sin and not walking humbly before God. Unless our heart is right, we are wasting God’s time and our time as well.
What is most important is the condition of our heart. King David came to understand this point and reflect that understanding in his prayer of repentance in Psalms 51:16-17, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise.”
As we come before God in prayer, on a Sabbath or Holy Day, God looks at our heart. Are we coming before Him in humility, in repentance, in joy and in gratefulness?
If we prepare our heart to seek our God, then He will accept our sacrifices and offering. He will hear our prayers. And He will be most glad that we are honoring Him through the Sabbath and Holy Days
.
As the Holy Days of the seventh month begin, we must take time to look at our spiritual condition and acknowledge our need for God in our lives. With that right approach, we can be assured God will be glad we honor Him at the Feast.
Gary Smith
Isaiah states, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats” (Isaiah 1:10-11). Isaiah’s statement seems odd in light of the fact that God directed Israel to offer various sacrifices.
The prophet condemns the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their sacrifices. Has God suddenly changed His mind about sacrifices or is there another reason why God inspired Isaiah 1:10-11?
Apparently, the people were quite diligent in making sacrifices and offerings at the temple. They offered and sacrificed large numbers of animals. However, God is not pleased with what they were offering because their approach is wrong. What is wrong with their approach? Before addressing what was wrong with their sacrifices, let’s examine what more God has to say.
"When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies —I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:12-15).
It should be noted that where they were falling short in coming before God is explained by understanding what is meant by “to trample my courts”. Barnes’ Notes states, “To tread his courts was an expression therefore, equivalent to, to worship. To tread the courts of the Lord here, has the idea of profanation. Who has required you to tread those courts with this hollow, heartless service? It is often used in the sense of treading down, or trampling on” (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Why are Judah’s sacrifices futile? Sadly, it has to do with their sinfulness. They offered sacrifices and offerings, burned incense, gathered for the Sabbath and Holy Days, and offered up an abundance of prayers. They were religious while still practicing sin. There was no humility, recognition of sin, or repentance.
The sacrificial system had ceased to serve its purpose of focusing the people on God and the need for righteousness. The people are religious but it is form without substance (2 Timothy 3:5).
The point here is that the character of the people had degenerated to the point that the manner in which they keep the Sabbath and religious festivals had become offensive to God. Their attitudes and approach had so degenerated that the Holy Day observances were hardly recognizable to God as having originated with Him. They were no longer His feasts, but the wayward people's feasts. Indeed, besides observing God's true festivals in a wrong manner and attitude, Israel had even instituted its own substitute holidays and participated in pagan observances.
Because of the people's defiance, we see that God has ceased listening to their prayers.
What is the lesson for the 21st century Christian? The lesson is that God has instructed us to make sacrifices and offerings, to attend the Holy Days, and to offer up prayers, but our attendance or giving an offering is not the most important thing. We can do all of those commanded things while continuing in sin and not walking humbly before God. Unless our heart is right, we are wasting God’s time and our time as well.
What is most important is the condition of our heart. King David came to understand this point and reflect that understanding in his prayer of repentance in Psalms 51:16-17, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise.”
As we come before God in prayer, on a Sabbath or Holy Day, God looks at our heart. Are we coming before Him in humility, in repentance, in joy and in gratefulness?
If we prepare our heart to seek our God, then He will accept our sacrifices and offering. He will hear our prayers. And He will be most glad that we are honoring Him through the Sabbath and Holy Days
.
As the Holy Days of the seventh month begin, we must take time to look at our spiritual condition and acknowledge our need for God in our lives. With that right approach, we can be assured God will be glad we honor Him at the Feast.
Gary Smith
Friday, September 9, 2016
The Unseen Spirit World
As we look at our world we can see that change and sometimes upheaval is an ongoing process. We can see the political battles unfolding in various nations as new leaders seek power and we can see nations such as China, Russia, and Iran contending for hegemony in their region. We can only see what we can see with our own eyes and hear or read what is reported to us in the news.
We cannot see spiritual battles that are taking place. Being physical, we cannot see into the spiritual realm. However, the Bible gives us some insight into the world we cannot see.
Colossians 1:16 tells us that Jesus Christ was the one who created both the visible and the invisible. From this scripture we know there is a world that we as physical human beings cannot see. We may not be able to see it, but it is there nonetheless.
In John 3, Jesus Christ gives us some insight to that unseen world that is spirit. He told Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Like wind, we can see the effect of spirit, but we cannot see spirit.
The prophet Daniel was given insight into what transpires in the spirit world unbeknownst to humanity unless God chooses to reveal what is taking place.
Daniel 9:2-4 tells us “in the first year of his reign (Darius, who is likely Cyrus) I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments””
Notice how he finishes his prayer in Daniel 9:21-23, “Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.”
When Daniel started praying the decision was made by God to do something about it. From Daniel’s perspective nothing happened immediately. But in the invisible world of spirit, God took immediate action.
If we continue down to Daniel 10, Gabriel says in verse 13, “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.”
What do we know so far? First, Daniel understood by reading Jeremiah that the time of captivity in Babylon would be seventy years. Daniel knew those years were now completed. The prophet knew the people of Judah were sinful, but he besought God to remember His promise to permit the people of Judah to return to their land. He was asking God for this in the first year of Darius.
There is a short delay because a demon was influencing the ruler of Persia. We are told the angels, Gabriel and Michael together, were able to get rid of that demon and then Gabriel remains with the prince of Persia.
Why did Gabriel remain with the prince of Persia? Obviously to carry out God’s commands and to influence the Persian ruler to issue a decree that would allow Judah to return to the Promised Land.
What Persian ruler was influenced? It was Cyrus who issued the decree, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing” (Ezra 1:1).
There was a short 21-day period of delay until the demon that was working closely with Cyrus to influence his mind was moved out of the way. Then Gabriel remained to carry out the commandment. Ezra tells us that God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to issue the decree. In other words, it was not just some brilliant idea Cyrus came up with.
In the world we cannot see, a demon was impacting the mind of the ruler of Persia. He was being influenced not to allow God’s plan for the Jews to return to their land to be fulfilled. Gabriel with help from Michael was able to get rid of the demon and impact the mind of Cyrus in a way that allowed God’s purpose to move forward.
What can we glean from Daniel’s experience? There is an unseen spirit world where we find angels and demons and they play a part at times in what unfolds in the physical world. The encouraging thing is that God hears our prayers and acts upon them. Even when an answer is delayed we can be assured that God has heard and acted on our behalf. As the Apostle James tells us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Enjoy the Sabbath day being assured that, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Gary Smith
We cannot see spiritual battles that are taking place. Being physical, we cannot see into the spiritual realm. However, the Bible gives us some insight into the world we cannot see.
Colossians 1:16 tells us that Jesus Christ was the one who created both the visible and the invisible. From this scripture we know there is a world that we as physical human beings cannot see. We may not be able to see it, but it is there nonetheless.
In John 3, Jesus Christ gives us some insight to that unseen world that is spirit. He told Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). Like wind, we can see the effect of spirit, but we cannot see spirit.
The prophet Daniel was given insight into what transpires in the spirit world unbeknownst to humanity unless God chooses to reveal what is taking place.
Daniel 9:2-4 tells us “in the first year of his reign (Darius, who is likely Cyrus) I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments””
Notice how he finishes his prayer in Daniel 9:21-23, “Yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision.”
When Daniel started praying the decision was made by God to do something about it. From Daniel’s perspective nothing happened immediately. But in the invisible world of spirit, God took immediate action.
If we continue down to Daniel 10, Gabriel says in verse 13, “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.”
What do we know so far? First, Daniel understood by reading Jeremiah that the time of captivity in Babylon would be seventy years. Daniel knew those years were now completed. The prophet knew the people of Judah were sinful, but he besought God to remember His promise to permit the people of Judah to return to their land. He was asking God for this in the first year of Darius.
There is a short delay because a demon was influencing the ruler of Persia. We are told the angels, Gabriel and Michael together, were able to get rid of that demon and then Gabriel remains with the prince of Persia.
Why did Gabriel remain with the prince of Persia? Obviously to carry out God’s commands and to influence the Persian ruler to issue a decree that would allow Judah to return to the Promised Land.
What Persian ruler was influenced? It was Cyrus who issued the decree, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing” (Ezra 1:1).
There was a short 21-day period of delay until the demon that was working closely with Cyrus to influence his mind was moved out of the way. Then Gabriel remained to carry out the commandment. Ezra tells us that God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to issue the decree. In other words, it was not just some brilliant idea Cyrus came up with.
In the world we cannot see, a demon was impacting the mind of the ruler of Persia. He was being influenced not to allow God’s plan for the Jews to return to their land to be fulfilled. Gabriel with help from Michael was able to get rid of the demon and impact the mind of Cyrus in a way that allowed God’s purpose to move forward.
What can we glean from Daniel’s experience? There is an unseen spirit world where we find angels and demons and they play a part at times in what unfolds in the physical world. The encouraging thing is that God hears our prayers and acts upon them. Even when an answer is delayed we can be assured that God has heard and acted on our behalf. As the Apostle James tells us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Enjoy the Sabbath day being assured that, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Gary Smith
Friday, September 2, 2016
Reason and Individual Freedom of Thought Sounds So Reasonable
This week an article about the rise of Satan worship caught my eye. The article pointed out:
If you were to do an internet search on the topic of Satan worship, you will get a surprising number of hits. As the author of the noted article stated: “They are now ordinary people.” In other words, the worship of the “Prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) is becoming more widely accepted.
For me it is interesting to note the perspective this movement promotes. The worshipers of Satan promote “reason and individual freedom of thought.” Should this approach be a surprise? It sounds so reasonable. However, we only have to go back to the Garden of Eden where Satan offered the first couple the very same options. Satan is always willing to promote human reason and freedom of thought.
As members of the body of Christ, God has opened our minds to recognize the futility of worshiping Satan.
Why is such worship futile? Let’s note some truths about Satan revealed in the Bible:
The Bible reveals Satan for the evil creature that he is and as one considers what is revealed about him in the scriptures there is little upside in his worship.
Yes, there are many stories of people who have sold their souls to the devil in order to achieve some worldly purpose. It appears that some do yield themselves to the powers of darkness and they do get what they want, but at what price?
It seems that Satan and the demonic world are gaining influence at this time and we will see the devastating results as we come to the end of the age.
We as God’s people can avoid this whole negative trend as we seek God. Note what the Apostle James tells us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” This is reassurance that as a result of our relationship with God and Jesus Christ, Satan has no power over us.
Enjoy the blessing of a Sabbath rest.
Gary Smith
- Satanists are not merely mystical eccentrics wearing black Gothic garb, sacrificing animals and operating in shady and secret societies.
- They are now ordinary people who call themselves ‘secular’ and praise reason and the individual freedom of thought.
- Just this month, a member of the so-called Satanic Temple was allowed to make an opening prayer to Lucifer at a local council meeting in Alaska.
- The Satanic Temple (TST) is a fairly new organization. Founded in 2013, it fights for political change by pointing out the ostensibly preferential treatment Christianity enjoys in politics. TST has seven chapters in the USA and Europe, and claims a membership of 100,000.
- The article can be accessed at: https://www.rt.com/op-edge/357523-what-hell-satan-worship-america/
If you were to do an internet search on the topic of Satan worship, you will get a surprising number of hits. As the author of the noted article stated: “They are now ordinary people.” In other words, the worship of the “Prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) is becoming more widely accepted.
For me it is interesting to note the perspective this movement promotes. The worshipers of Satan promote “reason and individual freedom of thought.” Should this approach be a surprise? It sounds so reasonable. However, we only have to go back to the Garden of Eden where Satan offered the first couple the very same options. Satan is always willing to promote human reason and freedom of thought.
As members of the body of Christ, God has opened our minds to recognize the futility of worshiping Satan.
Why is such worship futile? Let’s note some truths about Satan revealed in the Bible:
- He was a murderer from the beginning seeking to overthrow God and seeking to influence man to sin which would lead to his death (John 8:44)
- There is no truth in him (John 8:44)
- He is a liar (John 8:44)
- He is a predator seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)
- His name is Satan which means adversary. He opposes God and His plan of salvation.
- He foists himself off as an angel of light when in fact he is a bringer of darkness (2 Corinthians 11:14).
- He promotes sin, rebellion, and evil of every sort.
- He is a created being with limited power—greater power than human beings—but limited in comparison to his Creator.
- He has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9)
- His ultimate goals are to topple God from his throne and to eradicate every vestige of God from existence.
The Bible reveals Satan for the evil creature that he is and as one considers what is revealed about him in the scriptures there is little upside in his worship.
Yes, there are many stories of people who have sold their souls to the devil in order to achieve some worldly purpose. It appears that some do yield themselves to the powers of darkness and they do get what they want, but at what price?
It seems that Satan and the demonic world are gaining influence at this time and we will see the devastating results as we come to the end of the age.
We as God’s people can avoid this whole negative trend as we seek God. Note what the Apostle James tells us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” This is reassurance that as a result of our relationship with God and Jesus Christ, Satan has no power over us.
Enjoy the blessing of a Sabbath rest.
Gary Smith
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