Random Thoughts on the Really Good News

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13) I know most people do not agree with me that ALL will be saved and reconciled to God. It just is not what they have been taught. And few are willing to study the Bible with even that possibility in mind. I had read through the Bible more than 20 times before it dawned on me so firm was Baptist tradition engrained in my mind. However, I wish that for just one time, all would read Colossians Chapter 1 under the assumption that God intends to save and reconcile ALL mankind and all other beings He has created. Try it... "For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile ALL things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:19-20) When you become

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation." (Romans 5:6-11) The Bible teaches that the wrath of God is death and that finishes it. And from death we will be saved by Christ Jesus. It is men who extend death to some morbid place of eternal torment.  One of the strangest things to me are Christians who reason that God does not send people to hell but people choose to go to hell. Assuming there was a "hell" in the traditional sense of eternal conscious torment (whic

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.…consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him” (John 12:32; John 14:6; Hebrews 7:25) When Jesus was lifted up on the cross he brought ALL people to God, mankind does not bring himself to God. And Jesus saves to the uttermost those people because they have been drawn near to God by the sacrifice of Jesus. “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place ONCE FOR ALL, having obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION.” (Hebrews 9:11-12) Most Christians do not believe this however the bible clearly says that Jesus was the propitiation for and the Savior of THE WHOL

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16) We are told what the acceptable sacrifices are now that Jesus, our High Priest, has once and for ALL sacrificed himself for mankind. Note that these ACCEPTABLE sacrifices are NOT animal sacrifice, tithes and offerings, attendance at ritual meetings, baptisms, communion, bible study, or other things usually suggested as pleasing in a traditional worship service. Acceptable sacrifices are: PRAISE, THANKSGIVING, DOING GOOD AND SHARING….that’s it! And we are to do it "CONTINUALLY" . It is a mature lifestyle of the ideal adult, although rarely observed in the people of this present evil age. Newborn infants are all cuddly and content if feed regularly. Then comes the “Terrible Twos” parents go through with children! It is always what th

“…and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:9) The “mystery” was NOT hidden in the Scriptures, but was hidden “in GOD” . This mystery could not have been discovered by studying the Old Testament. “I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has NOW been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit…” (Ephesians 3:1-5) And what was the Mystery? “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6) The job of preaching to EVERYONE this H

When you look outside of the box of institutional Judaism and Christianity you will find those who have always questioned the Rabbis and Theologians of their day. They are in good company, Jesus did so himself… “You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:7-9) Jesus was referring to the prophet Isaiah 700 years earlier… “And the Lord said: Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden…” (Isaiah 29:13) One modern Christian who questioned the wisdom of religious men was George MacDonald.

“Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39) Confidence and Faith in what? The return of Jesus the Messiah of course. What was the will of God for them? To endure in the faith of the return of Jesus to save them. “Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven…and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28) Some were shrinking back from believing Jesus would return and deliver them from the Roman E

“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God…on this Rock I will build my church (ecclesia) and the gates of hades (the grave) shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:16-18) The word translated church is “ecclesia”. Ecclesia is a Greek word meaning “called out” for a purpose. The Church (ecclesia) is NOT a building where we go to worship or a tax exempt entity formed and joined by men. It is the “new creation” . It is mankind called out of a sinful life of the flesh and into a holy spiritual life. It exists today in the form of a promise revealed by God to Paul and believed only by a few in this age. It will not be manifested until the resurrection of the dead and the conclusion of the present evil age. There are two more ages revealed in Scripture it seems to me. And at the conclusion of these ages, ALL will have been “made alive” by being “born again” of the Spirit into the manifested New Creation of the “called out” …the Ecclesia (Church). “But now Christ has been rai

The World Series starts today and this came to my mind. "...upon this rock I will build MY church and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18) From the cross Jesus prayed "Father forgive them” and uttered his final words “it is finished” and then Jesus dismissed his spirit, died and was laid in the tomb. It was the bottom of the ninth with two outs in the game of life. The destiny of ALL mankind was at stake. Day one passed, strike one. Day two passed, strike two. The final pitch was made at sundown on Day three and then it happened….Jesus hit it out of the park, a walk off homer that sealed the Victory for mankind. “Behold, I tell you a mystery…when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; b

I am confident that what God has instructed people to pray for in the Bible will come to pass. Paul tells us what to pray as follows…. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions…” (1 Timothy 1:1-2) Paul even tells us why we are to pray for ALL people… “…so that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way…and this is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 1:2-3) And why does it please God to pray for ALL PEOPLE, even our enemies and Politicians? Because it is the will of God… “…God our Savior, who wills all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 1:2-4) And what is the truth he is referring to? “…there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom FOR ALL. I am telling the truth, I am not lying…” (1 Timothy 2:5-7) Later in that same letter Paul further re

The Salvation of all Israel is guaranteed by God. “Peter remembered and said to Jesus, Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered! Have faith in God, Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, Go, throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:21-24) In the above passage the fig tree represents Israel as the context suggests. Peter was concerned about why Jesus had cursed Israel (represented by the fig tree) and it had withered. Jesus simply told Peter to have faith in God. Peter was aware of God's promises of the Deliverance and Salvation of Israel but he had yet to learn that that Salvation would involve the death and resurrection of the Messiah as well as the death and resurrection of all those who were alive at that time. Jesus had instructed

“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:22-23) Those who DENY that Jesus is he Messiah are of the "antichrist" . It says that ALL who deny that Jesus is the Christ are "liars" and not only do NOT have the Son, but do NOT have the Father either…at least in this present evil age. This includes the NATION OF ISRAEL which at this time does not believe Jesus is the Christ, so be careful who you line up with in this world in the name of Christ. This also includes all other gentile nations of the world. No problem being patriotic or lining up with other Nations for political or national security reasons, but defending ISRAEL or the USA because they are God’s people has only one test…EITHER they all BELIEVE Jesus is the Christ or they do not. So for me, I do not assume that failure to suppo

“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions...For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God...each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:1-2) I have actually heard Christians say that if we are saved we will go directly to heaven and we will not have to give an account for our opinions or anything else. Most Christians apparently believe this.  Of course in saying that they have denied the above clear teaching in the Word of God, and they will, nonetheless, "give an account" to God for that opinion, among other things…assuming the Bible is true. But as hard as it is for me, I am not to pass judgment on their opinions for it is at the judgment seat of God that opinions will be judged. I am OK and care deeply about being judged BY GOD for those opinions that I have as a result of my personal study of the Bible. And I am in the process of ridding myself of any opinions which I borrowed f

“In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk! And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” (Acts 3:6-8) What exactly caused this man to be healed? Modern day faith healers would say it was the FAITH of Peter, John and the lame man – and/or the collective prayer of the Saints…as if prayer and faith are currency given to God in exchange for the lame man’s healing. However, it clear to me that the lame man was healed BECAUSE IT WAS GOD’S PLAN TO HEAL HIM. It had nothing to do with the purchasing power of PRAYER or FAITH. You cannot can buy stuff from God. So why did God miraculously heal him? Well the context of Miracles in the Bible is always to confirm the word of God. So in this case it would have been to demonstrate to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. These miracles to confirm the Word of

I have said this before but it is on my mind again this morning. Biblical FAITH is not a commodity that is manufactured and traded for stuff we ask for in prayer, including our personal Salvation. Biblical Faith is a lifestyle of confident dependence on the promises of God as directly expressed in his Word. The writer of Hebrews defined it as follows, taken from what I consider to be the most accurate English translation of the Bible which you can access through this blog… “Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed.” (Hebrews 11:1 CLNT) When we have a promise from God we “assume”, “expect” and have a “conviction” that the promise will manifest itself even if at present it is not being observed. Whether the beneficiary of that promise has PRAYED about it does not change the fact that God will do what he promised. And, FAITH in a promise God has NOT MADE will not get us anything whatsoever…no matter how much pra

The gospel (good news) is for every person and it is really simple. Intellectual religious types stumble over its simplicity and twist it to try to control behavior by bringing guilt and shame. Take the following verses in Hebrews… “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) SIMPLE EXPLANATION: The book of Hebrews presents Jesus as the Savior of the world and the Great High Priest of Israel. He is the AUTHOR of our faith that God will save mankind and that God will FINISH what He promised. We have a great cloud of witnesses that died without having experienced what they had been promised. All those promises wi

“Thou shalt not steal…” (Exodus 20:15) When I was very little I would go to the grocery store with Mom and when I saw the candy I would take some of it. Mom would tell me “no” and would explain why it was not a good thing to do. I would grab some more and she would get “irritated” and sternly try to shame me into being sorry for not obeying her. Of course I did it again, and then, in her “wrath”, she would spank me. The result is that I would no longer steal candy - in her presence. Mankind are all the children of God according to the bible…. “He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God… and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…for we also are His children. Being then the children of God …” (Acts 17:26-29) We children do all sorts of bad stuff which God says we should not do in the course

I may be wrong. I just have my opinion on things based on personal experience. The same is true for everyone it seems to me. And when we admit we could be wrong it opens the door to learning. When I decided that I wanted to know what the Bible teaches me I first had to accept the fact that what I had been taught growing up might be wrong. That meant, however, that I had to read the Bible from the best translations I could find, all of it, over and over. And I had to trust my own ability to figure it out without relying on what I had heard in sermons or read in other books and commentaries. Having done so does not make my opinions correct but it does make them MINE. And I am only interested in other people’s opinions formed in the same way. Sometimes I wish that all of the information heard in sermons or read in books about the bible could be deleted from our minds. Then we could all start over with... "In the beginning God created..." (Genesis 1:1) and end our study

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21) "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19) Before his incarnation, Jesus the Son was in a position to see and know what our Father God wills and does, and what he saw his Father God do Jesus does in like manner. And what was that? “He will SAVE his people from their sins” . Christian and Muslim apologists would contend that only those who join their particular group are “his people” , thus creating a separation among mankind which history shows to result in war. However, God intends to "save His people from their sins" …and all people are "His people" as Paul tells

“Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? ...I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again...” (2 Corinthians 11:22-27) Who are the “they” Paul is talking about? It was the Jewish “servants of Christ” who kept insisting that Gentiles cannot be saved without joining their group by becoming Proselytes to the Law of Moses. “…woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:12-13) Nothing much has changed it seems to me over the past 2000 years. We are still told by our leaders that people must join the church or they will be eternally excluded from the Kingdom of God. But the message from God through Paul says…. “…as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all wi

In a nutshell - concerning God and His Son Jesus: "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever." (Isaiah 9:7) “He who knew no sin was made sin on our behalf that in him we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 5:21) "He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 1:20) “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness He judges and makes war." (Revelation 9:11) “And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who…deceived…these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire and the rest were killed..." (Revelation 19:20-21) “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it…And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne…the sea gave up the dead that we

“Now the Pharisees…were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him…and he said to them…that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:14-15) “So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”  (Hebrews 13:13) I was raised by my parents to see the Bible as the inerrant truth from God. I thank them for this and still see it that way today. Unfortunately, however, I was also brought up mainly on the theology of men. Much of what I learned was from pastors and Sunday school teachers who had gained much of what they believed from seminaries or books and hymns written by other men. Therefore when I finally decided to study the Bible in detail on my own at the age of 24 I came to the Bible with my mind made up, filled with and confident in the “Baptist Faith and Message” upon which I was raised. It was the conclusions of men I thought wiser than myself. And for the next 30 I saw nothing but these traditions apparently bein

“So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” (Hebrews 13:13) Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) said this about the above verse... “To go forth unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach, does not mean going outside the worldly crowd; it means being put outside the religious crowd you belong to. One of the most poignant bits of suffering comes along that line. If you remain true to Jesus Christ there are times when you will have to go through your convictions and out the other side, and most of us shrink from such a step because it means going alone. The "camp" means the religious set you belong to.” Amen to that. I just thank God for my family who He sent out the other side with me… and those few still in the camp who will come outside to visit every now and then…I appreciate it more than you know.

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were APPOINTED for eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48) Heard what? "For so the Lord has commanded us, I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH” (Acts 13:47) Not OFFER salvation, but "BRING" salvation. What we see today, 2000 years later, among Christianity is not even close to this “light” . What we see today is various Religious groups asking for you to join them in order to receive this salvation - by a free will choice of your own. And if you refuse you are said to be condemning yourself to eternal separation from God and unending punishment in the lake of fire. Yet here is what God says about Salvation… “For the grace of God has appeared, BRINGING salvation to all men…He made known to us the mystery of HIS WILL, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to

"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other" (Luke 18:14). Jesus is referring to two Jewish men who were in the Temple. One a religious Pharisee and the other a tax collector for the Roman government. One reminded God how faithful he was and one knew he needed Mercy. There will come a time when all men will recognize all depend on the mercy of God because there are none righteous, not even those after God's own heart like David and Paul... "Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous...As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Psalm 143:2; Romans 3:10). Mankind is totally dependent on God's Mercy, both now and after their resurrection...and they will experience it because... “It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23) Both Christians and Muslims think of themselve

"God, I thank you that I am not like other men…” (Luke 18:11) This pretty much is the attitude that professional Athletes, Politicians, Philosophers, and Religious people should strive NOT to have, at least in a public forum like news interviews, books they write, or church services. When we truly come to understand who we are it HUMBLES us. Why? Because we learn to admit our flaws and imperfections. It is most important for Christians, in my opinion, to understand that a person’s salvation is not the result of deciding to accept an OFFER from God, but a decision BY GOD HIMSELF to save UNRIGHTEOUS sinners. A salvation (from staying dead) based solely on a Father’s Love and Grace…to be done for all mankind. In the moment I came to understand and believe this, any pride left was gone as I realized I was not loved more than any other sinner…we will all be saved by the GRACE of our SAVIOR GOD. Paul expressed this best when he said under inspiration from God…. “The GRACE

“Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now IF YOU OBEY ME FULLY and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my TREASURED POSSESSION. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:3-6) There was a CONDITION to Israel becoming a “treasured possession” out of all the other Nations. They had to obey Him fully and keep His covenant. Obviously this did NOT happen. Even before Moses got off the mountain where he received the Commandments Israel had broken them. And the first thing God told Moses to do was to set up the Tabernacle and build the ARK with a MERCY SEAT covering. The Ark contained the broken c

King Solomon said of God… ”Surely He scorns the scorners: but He gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34) The Apostle Peter said it this way… "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5) Proud people scorn humble people…they think of them as weak. However, I am not concerned about what proud men think anymore. I prefer to rely on the grace of God rather than the proud accomplishments of men. In his wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes figured this out and said in his old age… “I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, ALL IS VANITY AND A GRASPING FOR THE WIND. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered. I communed with my heart, saying, Look, I have attaine

“Thus says the LORD God of Israel—because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, says the LORD…your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants." (2 Chronicles 34:26-27) Seventeen years ago on October 4 I and several other men from Sayre stood together with over one million other men in Washington DC on the National Mall in an event sponsored by the Promise Keepers organization. It was termed a sacred assembly and labeled “Stand in the Gap”. An aerial picture of that assembly hangs on the wall of my office today. The purpose was for Christians and Messianic Jews to collectively confess the sin of our Nation to God and ask for His Mercy. I was convinced that God would hear our prayer and defer judgment on the USA like He had done for Israel.