Lost Something?

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Revelation 2:4

Jesus' letters to the churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, like all other portions of scripture, are saturated with meaning.  They spoke clear messages to the churches of that day using peculiarities specific to each town addressed.  Also, many have noted that these letters seem to be an outline of church history.  There are warnings involved that can speak to each individual believer at a personal level as well as speak acutely to whole congregations.  It is somewhat interesting to note that the letters containing the 5 rebukes also build on one another in such a way that they can show us why those who leave their first love, Jesus, end up lukewarm over time.  Ironically, these 5 rebukes also align themselves with the 5 things that were not found in the 2nd temple.  Their absence after the return from Babylon is conspicuous in scripture.

Jesus' rebuke to the church in Ephesus is found above--they had left their first love.  What a stunning indictment!  It was as if they were a production machine set to run without any caring or emotion involved.  They were losing the most important aspect of Christianity, a personal loving relationship with the Creator of all.  Had they forgot Jesus' answer to the question of the scribes, "Which is the first commandment of all (Mark 12:28)?"  His answer was definite, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment (Mark 12:30)" ?  Like Israel after the return from Babylon, the Ephesians had lost the place of relationship.  It has been well documented that the 2nd temple was missing the Ark of the Covenant and Mercy Seat which was the place where God would graciously meet with His people.  They too were going through with religious devotion without the very foundation of loving GOD at the core.  The LORD does wants us to maintain fervent love in our relationship and not have cold, mundane, and mindless devotion.  Ephesus no longer loved GOD with all that was within them and they needed to repent.

The people of Pergamos had many who were faithful to the LORD even in the face of the enemy, but He upbraided them for allowing some in their midst who were beginning to adhere to false doctrine.  This accommodation of that which is false adds to the idea of leaving your first love.  When closeness to Christ becomes second place it seems that false notions about GOD and His Word shortly follows.  A downhill trend towards lukewarmness has grown to a loss of fervency to a point where things God would not teach, say, or do are tolerated.  Israel also experienced this with the loss of the sacred fire that came down from Heaven as recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:3.  The fire burnt perpetually upon the brazen altar of the 1st temple from that point onward.  When one's love for God wanes and error is accommodated, be sure and know that the fire of the LORD of Truth is missing!  Pergamos no longer maintained truth while rejecting error, so they needed to repent.

Whereas Pergamos allowed the teaching of foolishness to start, Thyatira wholly compromised with worldliness.  There was such a lowering of standards that outright sin was tolerated in this church.  When a church loses love for Christ coupled with that which is false being taught, then compromise certainly will follow.  Thyatira looked so much like the godless world around them that they most certainly lost their witness and they ceased being salt and light.  Likewise, the 2nd temple lost something as well, the Glory of the LORD often referred to as the Shekinah Glory.   The cloud of His presence could surely be seen by all even from a distance.  All the way back to the time of the tabernacle when the cloud and fire followed Israel, the glory of the LORD was evident to all, but compromise always compromises the Glory of the LORD.  Pergamos no longer shined brightly to a lost world and they needed to repent.

The next logical step after compromise is corruption:  no fervency of a relationship, to tolerating error, to maintaining sin, to total corruption.  Sardis lost its voice to the world because they acted like the world.  Jesus told them that things had gotten so bad, " that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."  In similar fashion, the Spirit of Prophecy was said to be missing from the 2nd temple.  Prophecy is much more than just telling what will happen, it is also telling folks what they need to know at that time.  In essence, it is speaking what GOD is speaking.  How could any church speak to a lost world if they were so much like the world that they seemingly are dead?  Sardis lost their ability to communicate the gospel to a lost world through compromise with sin and they needed to repent.

This brings us to the last church in the spiral called apostasy--Laodicea.  Its very name is incriminating as it means "the justice of the people".  They no longer even try to maintain fellowship with God as He directs but make up the rules to suit themselves.  Their apathy towards truth and GOD's word has poisoned them to the point that Jesus says He will vomit them up!  This slippery slope started by simply putting Christ in second place.  It grew to the point that the folks of Laodicea, pleased with themselves, no longer cared what GOD thinks and Jesus is seen outside knocking to gain access.  It was like the 2nd temple that no longer had the Urim and Thummim which were used to discern the will of GOD.  Who wants to learn what GOD wants anyways when apathy sets in?  Maybe this is why the church today cannot seem to settle matters that are clearly already settled in the Bible, things like murder (abortion), perverseness in all of its variant forms, and so on.  Only an apathetic and careless people who want things their way would pervert God's clearly defined statement on marriage.  Laodicea no longer cared about the will of GOD nor cared to discern truth--would they even want to hear the Spirit of the LORD call to them to repent?  How could they hear the knocking of the Redeemer and His concern for a world in rebellion on a collision course with final judgment if all they cared about was themselves?  They truly needed to repent.

Please listen!  Can you hear the loving rap of Christ at the door of your heart?  Do you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches?  Repentance is not a one time thing--it is a lifestyle lovingly lived at the foot of an old rugged cross!  It is not in a vain attempt to earn salvation but is the reasonable thing to do is view of the overwhelming grace of our LORD as Romans 12:1-2 suggests.  Listen, Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:22

Cut Off?

And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites. But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

Judges 1:4-7

I read a news article today that reminded me about one of the events recorded in the Book of Judges, the defeat of Adonibezek.  This king was notorious for capturing his victims and maiming them.  Specifically, he would cut off the big thumbs and toes of those he captured in battle.  From there, the kings were chained under his table.  Imagine going into a royal court and seeing 70 kings chained like animals and eating the scraps falling from the table.  A sight such at that might engender great fear!  This is exactly what Adonibezek did to those kings whose armies he had defeated in battle.  The good news is that the children of Israel, led by Judah, conquered this evil king and brought his own folly upon his head.

So what article made me think of this?
Trial Begins for Christians Arrested for Reading Bible Outside California DMV | Christian News Network

It seems that Adonibezek is still at work in many ways.  Not the one whose demise is found in Judges, but the one whom he shadows.  You see, Adonibezek's name is directly translated into English as "Lord Lightning".  Lord Lightning is still attempting to cut off the great thumbs and toes of mankind as well as chain his victims under the table.  This ex-anointed cherub, also know as the prince of the power of the air as stated in Ephesians 2:2, wants desperately to do just that--cut humanity off from the Word of God and destroy their ability to walk with God.  The fact that the historic man in this scripture tried to attack Israel reminds us that society's adversary the devil will also come against believers and try the same thing.

So what is the big deal about cutting off some one's thumbs?  Believe me, it had a very practical purpose.  Look at the picture above.  What do you suppose would happen if that opposable digit we call a thumb were not there?  You could not hold a sword of course.  That would mean that your enemy would always have an advantage over you.  Doesn't the Bible say that the gospel is hid to those who are lost by the working of Satan?  Of course!  He is effectively hiding the word from the lost so that the gospel will not reach them.  That is the very reason that a man reading a Bible would ever be arrested.    Yet, what about a believer?  There are so many Bible illiterate Christians today that many are not able to hold forth the promises of the Almighty against the enemy.  Rather than boldly wielding the power of the Sword of the Spirit, they give the devil their opinions or the opinions of others.  Take time daily to sharpen the sword.  Should the Bible ever become illegal, and it already is in many places, would you have enough memorized to effectively engage the enemy?

As the thumb assists in holding, the toe assists in balance.  It is near impossible to maintain a balanced walk without your big toe.  Those that Adonibezek maimed were unable to stand, walk, or run into battle; therefore, the removal of their toe also had practical applications as well.  Because most believers do not spend enough time in the Word of God, their walk with the LORD is catywampus.  They swerve from one extreme to another never able to correct their balanced walk with Christ nor are they adequately able to stand in opposition against the devil and his devices.  Maybe that is why Paul noted in Ephesians to have the preparation of the gospel as sandals on our feet?

The end result is sad.  Men and women chained under the liar's table and groveling over tiny morsels.  Christian, that is not you allotment.  You have been called to dine at the table of the Great King, the Lion of Judah.  You are a child of the Most High who needs not grasp for scraps.  Get yourself in the WORD and eat the good things of GOD.  Eat the sweet and the bitter--it is all important.

There are many ways that folks end up chained.  No study or Bible reading, a lack of devotion, confusion brought by contradictory ideas, always something else more important to do (like frivolously wasting time watching the latest TV show while the world around you dies and goes to Hell), or a whole host of other reasons.  Be sure and know that the enemy of your soul has not stopped his attempt to cut you off from the Word.  One of his biggest tricks today is to get believers arguing about the finest of details so that many hearing or seeing these arguments are confused and discouraged (like the myriads of negative comments "Bible experts" always seem to post on Facebook when any scripture is given.  They feel the need to argue about everything.  That is more about pride than truth!) .  In this battle,  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

God news!  Jesus wins!  He, Star of the tribe of Judah, already went up first and spoiled Lord Lightening at Mount Calvary!  Be of good cheer, He has over come the enemy and He also is Soon2Come!

And he (Jesus) said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:18-20

The Sun Shall Be Darkened

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:29-30

The Almighty has used the sun to speak to men throughout the ages.  He speaks, in accordance to Psalm 19, through the sun and the heavens that He alone is the creator, savior, and source of life.  One could make a good argument that the sun and the moon are types and shadows of God's relationship to Israel or Christ's relationship with the church.  Whose brilliance causes the church to shine forth the glory of God anyways?  It is certainly not from the church itself.  It is also certain that those calamitous times in church history were of men and not of Jesus!

Do you realize how important the sun is to us all?  Without sunlight, no photosynthesis--without photosynthesis, no food--without food,...enough said!  How did you get to work today or the store last week?  Probably, you used a car which ran on gasoline, a fossil fuel.  The energy from that fuel was stored in antediluvian life forms buried during the flood.  Those life forms also received that energy from the sun.  In a round about way, you went to work or the store on stored sunlight energy found in gas or oil.  As the sun is our primary source of energy, food, and light, so is Christ.  However, Christ is not just primary--He is the one and only source.  I wonder if that is why we have but one sun?

The LORD has also historically used the sun to signal His power.  During the time when God spoke through Moses, He put the sun out for 3 days to show the sun worshiping Egyptians who really was the Omnipotent One. God later spoke to all humanity in the days of Joshua when He caused the sun to stay in place for nearly 24 hours.  He assured a doubting King Hezekiah who was promised healing by the prophet Isaiah.  The sun went backwards 10 degrees on the sun dial as a confirmation of the promise.  When Jesus died upon the cross for our redemption, the Father spoke a clear message when darkness enveloped the world.  Julius Africanus quoted the 1st century historian, Thallus, who recorded the event found in scripture when he wrote, "on the whole world there pressed a fearful darkness, and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down."  However, it is what the sun will say during the Tribulation that is our concern today.  God said that the sun shall be darkened, after exhibiting other anomalies, immediately prior to the return of Jesus.  Could GOD be using the sun now to warn an unsuspecting world that dire days are ahead?   Is He showing the attentive that the Day of Redemption is near?

During those last fateful 7 years before the return of Christ the sun will do unusual things.  Revelation 6:12 says that it will become as black as sackcloth after a massive earthquake rends the planet.  In chapter 8, the sun's light is diminished by 1/3 power.  Later, it becomes so hot that John wrote, "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory"  (Revelation 16:8-9).  Finally, the sun darkens again prior to the return of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

So how could God be speaking to us that these events might be near, even at the door?  Could He be signalling that Jesus Christ is Soon2Come with a news item from NASA  and others such as these few following? Of course, one might argue that solar pole reversals are rather normal, but the idea that the sun may be shutting down is far from normal  (Again, scripture definitively says this will happen).  Also the timing of this event given all that we are seeing is another curious thing to note. The Sun's Magnetic Field is about to Flip - NASA Science *******
The Weakest Solar Cycle in 100 Years - News Blog - SkyandTelescope.com

Is Our Sun In The Very Early Stages Of Shutting Down? - | Intellihub.com

Is the Sun About to Fizz Out? : Discovery News
Is the Sunspot Cycle About to Stop? - News Blog - SkyandTelescope.com

Keep your eyes to the sky and focused on the SON--He is Soon2Come!

The Nine Month Road Map to Peace?

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

1 Thessalonians 5:3-4

The news about the recent peace talks seems to be putting much focus on the 9 month time line.  While this may be nothing, yet again it could speak volumes for the watchful.  One thing is certain, it should captivate our attention if we are looking through prophetic eyes since the disposition of the Great King's city, Jerusalem, is involved.  All should know that Jerusalem is the focal point for all things prophetic in the nightmare Tribulation coming upon an unsuspecting world. "And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it (Zechariah 12:3)."  So why the stress on 9 months? 

U.S. Starts Nine-Month Clock to Reach Mideast Peace Deal - Bloomberg

As Mideast peace talks begin, Kerry says he is pushing for final deal in 9 months. | Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

Israelis, Palestinians agree to 9-month timeline for negotiations | The Times of Israel

Kerry sets 9-month goal for Mideast peace talks - CBS News

Kerry sets 9-month goal for reaching accord on Israeli-Palestinian conflict | McClatchy
OK!  That is enough headlines with "nine" in it. 

What about Jerusalem?
Jordanian King to "Fight Judaization of Jerusalem" - Middle East - News - Israel National News
One might immediately notice that 9 months is the gestation period for a mother carrying a child.  That is interesting!  Notice the reference to that same concept in the scripture above from 1 Thessalonians?  Could we begin seeing increased birth pangs as we near this peace agreement?  

Nine months?  That would bring us into the Passover time frame as well as the first of the blood moons so many studying prophecy have been talking about. The first one also coincides with Passover 2014 (Nissan 5774). Some note that these have tended to occur at times when Israel, as a people, suffered greatly.  Could this be a warning too?  Could the agreement in 9 months lead to a seven year peace treaty brought about by recent wars in the region?  There are already threats of destroying Israel again even as the peace parties met.

Abbas: Palestine will be Judenrein - Middle East - News - Israel National News
Iran: Armageddon at hand, prepare for war

Just a reminder from a prior post linked here called Nine, nine is a very interesting number in scripture.  Using the rule of first reference, nine was first associated in scripture with war.  In Genesis 14, 4 kings led by Chedorlaomar of Elam (a part of current day Iran) attacked 5 kings in the plain of Sodom.  4 kings against 5 kings adds up to nine.  In every case after that, 9 or its multiples were associated with judgment or war.  Here is one more example from Haggai 11.  How many things are mentioned as a part of God's judgement?

"And I called for a drought upon the land, 
and upon the mountains, 
and upon the corn,
and upon the new wine,
and upon the oil,
and upon that which the ground bringeth forth,
and upon men,
and upon cattle,
and upon all the labour of the hands."

9 is the last and highest of the single digit numbers so it always speaks of finality as well.  Is the continued reference to nine signaling that we could be about to see the final 7 years of the Tribulation soon?  There should be no worries if you are a blood bought saint of God through Christ's atoning sacrifice, but it should signal to you that efforts to share the gospel need to be doubled.  If Christ is not your only hope of salvation--call on Him today for forgiveness of sin.  There is still time for you!

Lot's of questions and uncertainty with this post, but one thing is certain--Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!!

Stealthy

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 1:3-4

How could one sneak into a group of believers and subvert their faith over time so that eventually there would be a different message preached than what was originally once delivered?  That is a very important question; consequently, it is one that demands an answer if vigilance is the goal.  It is also the very thing that Jude is warning the church about--those who would stealthily creep into the church and alter the message of Christ crucified for sin, resurrected as our Great High Priest, and coming again to reign as King of Kings.  This inspired message warns that the end result would lead to "turning the grace of our God into laciviousness" while "denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."

First, what is laciviousness?  Simply put--it is living in gross immorality while masquerading as being forgiven. It is certain that we are not saved by our actions.  Not now nor ever.  Who could ever do enough good to match the atoning work of Christ?  However, so many seem to feel there is no power in the grace of God in Christ to overcome sin.  As a result they never press through to live a life that reflects the power of Christ over sin.  Add to this those who redefine what is good and right as opposed to what is wicked and sinful and we begin to realize that we might just be living in the very time that Jude (as well as other New Testament writers) warned us about.



In an old post from 2011, the story of the Carelessness of Sardis was considered.  Here is a paragraph from that article:

"The ancient city of Sardis was strategically located on an escarpment at the base of Mt. Tmolus about 1000 feet above the valley of Hermus.  This location gave the inhabitants of this community a false sense of security.  History tells us that this distorted view of their invulnerability led to disaster when Cyrus the Great attacked the city circa 549 to 546 BC.  King Croseus of Lydia decided not to guard the cliffs on three sides of Sardis, his capital, as he assumed that the Persians would not be able to scale the sheer faces and attack.  The story goes that a soldier of Sardis accidentally dropped his helmet over one of the cliffs.  He then used a path known to the locals to recover the helmet, but his actions were observed by a Persian warrior named Hyeroeades.  The next night, Hyeroeades and an assault team used the path on the unguarded side of the cliffs thus gaining access to the city.  Sardis was soon overrun."

The fact that the town folk of Sardis did not believe that an attack could come from a certain direction  took them off guard and was the reason the invasion was so successful.  Now, if you were an insidious enemy who longed to subvert the truth of the Gospel while effecting large numbers, where might you start where no one might first suspect?  Where could an invasion begin that would not be looked for?  Maybe with the pulpit.

It would be hard to get a seasoned veteran who has walked closely with Christ to start sharing heresy so why not start with the next generation.  The enemy is patient and will take as long as necessary to destroy.  He would probably start elsewhere.  How about fill Bible schools with unbelieving professors who would corrupt the impressionable minds of young men called to preach and defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One would first need to get them to deny the inspiration of scripture.  Maybe classes could be taught that show that the first 11 chapters of Genesis are Hebrew myths and fairy tales.  Then, "science" techniques could be used to teach that the books attributed to Moses were written over time by several different men with different ulterior motives.  One could even say that books like Isaiah were written by two, three, or even more men.  Methods courses on how to critique the scriptures could be taught which would sound legitimate but would cause the students to become critics and not students of the Word.  Prophecy--how could one cover up the Bible's unfailing record on prophecy?  Maybe it would be possible to re-date the books to a post event date so that they are actually telling what happened in a form that makes them appear to be predictions.  But we know that his could not be done.  It would mean that godless men with deluded agendas would be overtaking the institutions that prepare ministers.  Of course, if you could turn out a generation of unbelieving "ministers" whole churches could be overrun with unbelief.  Of course, this is all but speculation.

Every core doctrine would need to be considered suspect:  Christ's deity, the virgin birth, the inspiration of scripture, the need for salvation through a vicarious atonement.....  Yes, every doctrine would need to be destroyed; but again, this is all but speculation.

Unbelieving preachers get help to 'come out' as open atheists – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs
Closeted Atheist Pastors Converge in Secretive Online Community — and This New Program Will Help Them Escape Ministry | TheBlaze.com

Atheists in closet: Rabbis who lost God - Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews

Documentary hypothesis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Deutero-Isaiah Hypothesis | Frames of Reference

Or is it?

One thing is certain--Jesus Christ is Soon2Come, so  earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints!  

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come... Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 1:1 & 5-7

I Hope...

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Luke 17:26-30

"I hope Jesus doesn't come back today because I have some fun things to do and there is lots to get done."

Come to think of it, this summer would really be a bad time for Him to return.  There is just so much to do that is really important.  This is the time when our family goes on vacation or to the beach.  Surely the Lord knows that it is also baseball season.  Next week we are planning to go out to the lake for a couple days of fishing. If He comes back before I get to the amusement park or free day at the fair, I'll be really sad.  Gardening--this is the time of year I enjoy my walks in the garden.  I am sure we will not be able to pick flowers, swing, or play frisbee in Heaven so I hope he won't come this summer.

Of course, I am also worried that He might come this fall because it really is a bad time for me.  There are friends with wedding plans.  Deer season, I just can't miss that!  What about those beautiful leaves and the family camping trip during this cool and beautiful season.  I'll miss eating all of the things that I planted in my garden.  Football--surely Jesus knows that it is football season--I just can't miss that.  He has to know how much I enjoy those woodland hikes where I pick apples and enjoy campfires with smores and such.  He absolutely can't come back during Thanksgiving time!!  Surely Heaven can't top that, so I hope He does not come back this fall.

Winter would also be a very bad time for an imminent return.  Jesus knows that I like snowmen, snowball fights, Christmas and New Years.  I am positive that He won't come then because He knows how important it is getting all of those presents and having family fun.  This is when friends come over and I share all of the food I worked so hard canning in the garden.  It is also when I enjoy sitting around the fireplace with hot chocolate and friends while we tell stories.  That is always when we plan the family skiing trip.  I'm sure Jesus understands how important the hockey tournaments are to me.  Really!  I hope He will consider all of this before He returns this winter.

Even spring would be a bad time!  Jesus, you have to understand that spring is turkey season.  Also, we have to have the annual family trip to the mountains during this time.  He won't come back then for sure since that is the time of Easter.  It would be really inconvenient.  I'll need to prepare the ground for my garden.  March Madness--I can't miss the college basketball championships. No!  Spring would not fit my schedule either.

Now that I come to think of it, His return might really be inconvenient.  Or maybe I have a spiritual problem?  Could I be so earthbound that I forgot that I am to live a Heaven bound life?  These are many of the same excuses that I use to skip out at church regularly.  Maybe I don't love Jesus as much as I thought?  Hmmmmm!"

Jesus Is Soon2Come!

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Luke 12:40

Jesus Our Refuge

And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.

Joshua 20: 7-8

This is the post that almost wasn't.  Thanks to the friends who encouraged me to take the time to write this one out.  Also, there are many believers who are too stressed with all the negative news.  You need a refuge from the storm!  This is for you.  I believe I will dedicate this to some friends, Brandt and Judy.

The LORD instructed Moses to immediately have the children of Israel to appoint 6 cities of refuge under the direction of the Levites directly upon entering the promised land according to Numbers 35.  These cities would protect one who had committed manslaughter as a place to hide from those who would avenge a grieving family for the loss of life of a loved one.  The cities were later appointed on both sides of the Jordan River for easy access.  Furthermore, the one seeking refuge was given asylum until the current High Priest died.  As always, the Spirit of the LORD had another shadow of the ministry of Christ in mind for us to glean from.


The number six immediately points to man in biblical symbolism.  These cities would be a shelter for men (and women) who were not guilty of premeditated murder.  What is even more amazing is that the names themselves seem to bear out many of the greatest needs of man.  Let's investigate:

God wants us to always realize that the single greatest need of mankind is the forgiveness of sin.  Repeatedly, we are warned and reminded that all have sinned and that not one is righteous in and of themselves in the eyes of the LORD.  Therefore, the forgiveness of sin is our utmost need.  It is interesting that Kedesh is listed first.  This name in Hebrews means "holy place".  It comes from a root word meaning "to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate." Do you need a refuge from sin?  There is a man from Galilee, Jesus Christ by name, who is all of the refuge from sin you will ever need.  Moreover, there is NO OTHER refuge for sin!  Are you unclean?  Run to Kedesh!

Have you ever just felt weak?  There just seems to be days when the burdens of life weigh us down to the point we feel as if we can't go on.  There is a place of refuge for you.  It is Shechem.  This name means "shoulder".  Immediately, one might think of the old hymn, "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms."  You can lean on the shoulders of one whose shoulders, at the cross, withheld the very weight of the world.  Christ is that shoulder for you in that time of weakness and helplessness!  Run to Shechem!

Several of the Bible's patriarchs of faith are buried in Hebron including Abraham, the friend of GOD (And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:23). This name means association as in friendship.  When we are lonely or in need of one to talk to who cares immensely for us, we can always go to Jesus.  Does the Word not say, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7)"?  Feeling friendless?  Run to Hebron!

Bezer is an interesting word.  It relates to gold or a goldmine.  However, there is a dual meaning of being a shelter, hiding place, or fortress.  Gold is always symbolic of Christ's divine nature--this One who was wholly man yet wholly God.  When gold is mined it leaves a place that could be used as a storm shelter much like those used to hide from a tornado.  The LORD Yeshua left us a storm shelter in the shadow of His cross.  When the storms of life come at us with rage and fury we have a hiding place!  Run to Bezer!

Most folks have times in their lives when they are depressed, down, or discouraged.  In these times we need a place to go where we can be lifted up again.  There is such a place.  It is Ramoth in Gilead.  This means heights in the rocky place--a mountain top.  If we run to Jesus when we are down, He will surely give us "hinds' feet."  "The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places (Habakkuk 3:19)."  Down?  Run to Ramoth!

There are just times we feel like pilgrims or aliens in a strange land as we make this journey with Christ.  "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light...(1 Peter 2:9)"  While on this exile journey, we need to often just begin to sing the praises of the One who has called us to this journey.  Golan means "their captivity: their rejoicing".  That reminds me of another song"

I've been traveling here in this life
With its heartaches, trouble and strife.
Sometimes Satan tries to tell me to turn aside(aside)
I say "Satan, get thee behind."
No returning in me you'll find,
I'm too near my heavenly home where I'll abide.

I'm too near home with my Lord
To miss sweet heaven's reward.
I'm not returning to sin.
I've made my vow!
There's nothing to go back to.
Oh praise God, Heaven's in view.
I'm too near my heavenly home
To turn back now.

Are you on that journey and need a place of rejoicing?  Run to Golan!

Like the cities of refuge that were all easily accessible--Jesus is only a prayer away at all times.  Finally our King, who is Soon2Come, will never die.  He is an eternal refuge.  Run to Jesus!