Dear Friends of Jonathan Pollard
I am writing to you on behalf of Jonathan Pollard to tell you about a wonderful opportunity that has arisen for Him to travel to the UK this fall to participate in several significant national prayer events for revival in that nation.
Over the last 10 months, the Lord has been pouring out His Spirit in an increased measure at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, and we have seen literally thousands of people, saved, healed and delivered by the hand of God during our IHOPU Student Awakening services.
Jonathan has not only been powerfully touched by the Lord through this move of the Spirit, but has also served in an amazing way during the services, by ministering tirelessly to visitors from all over the world and in praying for an increased outpouring of the Spirit both locally and internationally, as many of you know he was healed for the nerve condition that left him in a wheelchair, and the Lord wants to release that healing all over the earth.
As I am sure you are aware, the Lord has given Jonathan a heart to see the nations transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Recently, the Lord opened a door for me (Wes Hall) to take a team of musicians, students, and ministers from IHOP-KC to the UK at the end of October. We will ministering in several strategic locations in England over a period of two weeks. We will be conducting “revival” services, teaching on prayer, and, most importantly, praying for revival throughout the land.
In light of the many prophecies that have been given over the last months concerning a fresh move of the Spirit that is coming to the UK, I believe this will be a highly significant trip for that nation, and I am excited to take a team of around 20-30 gifted and able IHOPU students and ministers, who have been immersed in an environment of prayer and renewal to serve at these events.
Due to the size of the team we are taking, each student and minister has committed to raise the funds to cover their round-trip flight from Kansas City to the UK in addition to one or two nights of accommodation and any incidental expenses that may be necessary. The host churches in the UK will be covering food and accommodation for the majority of the trip. 1,500 dollars should cover the whole trip.
I would like to invite you to be a part of this exciting ministry opportunity by partnering in prayer and financially towards the cost of this trip on Jonathan's behalf. I believe that we will see souls saved and the Kingdom expanded as a result of what the Lord does this fall in England.
Thank you for your partnership in the gospel!
Sincerely,
Wes Hall
To contact Jonathan email him at pollardjonathan@gmail.com
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Jeremiah and the end of the age (In Short)
I receive words almost every week that the Lord is going to open up "The Book of Jeremiah" to me. Note none of these people know that I have had encounters with the book dealing with the end of the age. Dreams about being hated in Israel, hung from tops of buildings stones thrown at my head. It's been said that Isaiah presented the suffering servant but Jeremiah incarnated the suffering servant.
About two years ago now, I was in Alabama for a short season helping set up prayer meetings and an internship, and Jeremiah's book kept being highlighted to me over and over again. So I decided to embark on a journey with this book while I was in Alabama. Needless to say I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Two months later I found myself kinda depressed and thinking everyone was evil.
My first time through the book I really got caught off guard with how intense the book is. Touched in chapter one by the Lord marking a youngster, rebuked in chapter two by the Lord saying "the prophets prophesied by "baal"". I was roaring threw the book finding myself on the floor repenting more than touched by the kindness of Jesus. Two months in I was kinda depressed, not fun to be around, and thought all men were evil (which we are). I had to just get it over with and speed read to the end and kinda shut off my emotions. No one was liking me anymore. So I completely missed the reality of the book the first time through. The point of the book of Jeremiah is the kindness of Jesus and the tug of war in His heart of being a just judge and desiring to display mercy.
The way the book starts is just so moving to me. A youth just seeking after the Lord and He gets to become apart of History. This young guy on a hill just praying and then suddenly the word of the Lord comes to him and He is forever changed. The Lord breaks off disqualification and tells him "My words are with and in you". Then starts the address to Israel with "I remember you in the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after me in the wilderness." "what injustices have your fathers found in Me, that they are so far gone from Me?" "They do not say, "where is the Lord who brought us from Egypt?"" The tenderness and brokenness of the Lord's heart is so clearly displayed in Jeremiah two. You can feel the hurt in the questions of "what injustice have I done to deserve this rejection." Him reflecting back on the days when Israel was coming after Him and following Him in the wilderness. He is longing for them to return to Him and be with Him again. But they are two far gone to turn to Him, the prophets are not giving the people the word of the Lord, they are saying peace and safety, blessings and prosperity. When destruction is on the door step and the heart of the Lord is broken over it. Jeremiah comes out of no where with a word going totally against the grain of the popular words of the hour. Rejected, beaten, hated, left for dead, He stood before kings yet was a mockery among the son's of Israel, and at the end of His life the rest of the world was counted not worth of him though he was a reproach among men.
I believe that this book is such a picture of the end of the age and the prophets that will come forth. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 "when they say peace and safety sudden destruction will come." I can just see in my mind and in the scripture with the wave of deception that coming, and the great falling away, the heart of the Lord going "Oh i remember you in the kindness of your youth when you went after me. What injustice have you found in me?" With destruction at the door the people turn to the mark instead of Jesus and the judge does what a judge does He brings forth justice. Just like in Jeremiah's day the Lord said, "Don't pray or fast for this people I won't hear you." In that day when those people take that mark, the Lord will say, "Do not pray, do not fast for this people, its to late."
This is way the book so grabbed me, because it took me on a journey of the heart of the Lord at the end of the age. A merciful King and a just Judge in one being called God.
Jonathan
About two years ago now, I was in Alabama for a short season helping set up prayer meetings and an internship, and Jeremiah's book kept being highlighted to me over and over again. So I decided to embark on a journey with this book while I was in Alabama. Needless to say I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Two months later I found myself kinda depressed and thinking everyone was evil.
My first time through the book I really got caught off guard with how intense the book is. Touched in chapter one by the Lord marking a youngster, rebuked in chapter two by the Lord saying "the prophets prophesied by "baal"". I was roaring threw the book finding myself on the floor repenting more than touched by the kindness of Jesus. Two months in I was kinda depressed, not fun to be around, and thought all men were evil (which we are). I had to just get it over with and speed read to the end and kinda shut off my emotions. No one was liking me anymore. So I completely missed the reality of the book the first time through. The point of the book of Jeremiah is the kindness of Jesus and the tug of war in His heart of being a just judge and desiring to display mercy.
The way the book starts is just so moving to me. A youth just seeking after the Lord and He gets to become apart of History. This young guy on a hill just praying and then suddenly the word of the Lord comes to him and He is forever changed. The Lord breaks off disqualification and tells him "My words are with and in you". Then starts the address to Israel with "I remember you in the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after me in the wilderness." "what injustices have your fathers found in Me, that they are so far gone from Me?" "They do not say, "where is the Lord who brought us from Egypt?"" The tenderness and brokenness of the Lord's heart is so clearly displayed in Jeremiah two. You can feel the hurt in the questions of "what injustice have I done to deserve this rejection." Him reflecting back on the days when Israel was coming after Him and following Him in the wilderness. He is longing for them to return to Him and be with Him again. But they are two far gone to turn to Him, the prophets are not giving the people the word of the Lord, they are saying peace and safety, blessings and prosperity. When destruction is on the door step and the heart of the Lord is broken over it. Jeremiah comes out of no where with a word going totally against the grain of the popular words of the hour. Rejected, beaten, hated, left for dead, He stood before kings yet was a mockery among the son's of Israel, and at the end of His life the rest of the world was counted not worth of him though he was a reproach among men.
I believe that this book is such a picture of the end of the age and the prophets that will come forth. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 "when they say peace and safety sudden destruction will come." I can just see in my mind and in the scripture with the wave of deception that coming, and the great falling away, the heart of the Lord going "Oh i remember you in the kindness of your youth when you went after me. What injustice have you found in me?" With destruction at the door the people turn to the mark instead of Jesus and the judge does what a judge does He brings forth justice. Just like in Jeremiah's day the Lord said, "Don't pray or fast for this people I won't hear you." In that day when those people take that mark, the Lord will say, "Do not pray, do not fast for this people, its to late."
This is way the book so grabbed me, because it took me on a journey of the heart of the Lord at the end of the age. A merciful King and a just Judge in one being called God.
Jonathan
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Apostle: Word study.
Word: Apostles: ἀπόστολος, apostolos.
In the Greek and a list of scriptures.
ἀπόστολος, ου, ὁ (s. ἀποστέλλω). In older Gk. (Lysias, Demosth.) and later (e.g. Posidon.: 87 Fgm. 53 p. 257, 21 Jac. [Strabo 3, 5, 5]) ὁ ἀ. is a naval expedition, prob. also its commander (Anecd. Gr. 217, 26). τὸ ἀπόστολον with (Pla., Ep. 7, 346a) or without (Vi. Hom. 19) πλοῖον means a ship ready for departure. In its single occurrence in Jos. (Ant. 17, 300; it is not found elsewh. in Jewish-Gk. lit.) it prob. means ‘sending out’; in pap mostly ‘bill of lading’ (s. Preisigke, Fachwörter 1915), less freq. ‘certificate of clearance (at a port)’ (BGU V §64 [II a.d.]=Gnomon des Idios Logos). It can also be ‘letter of authorization (relating to shipping)’: Mitt-Wilck. I/2, 443, 10 (15 a.d.); PHerm 6, 11f (cp. Dig. 49, 6, 1 litteras dimissorias sive apostolos). In contrast, in isolated cases it refers to persons who are dispatched for a specific purpose, and the context determines the status or function expressed in such Eng. terms as ‘ambassador, delegate, messenger’ (Hdt. 1, 21; 5, 38; Synesius, Providence 2, 3 p. 122a ἀπόστολοι of ordinary messengers; Sb 7241, 48; BGU 1741, 6 [64 b.c.]; 3 Km 14:6A; Is 18:2 Sym.). Cp. KLake, The Word Ἀ.: Beginn. I 5, ’33, 46–52. It is this isolated usage that is preferred in the NT w. nuances peculiar to its lit. But the extensive use of ἀποστέλλω in documents relating to pers. of merit engaged in administrative service prob. encouraged NT use of the noun, thus in effect disavowing assoc. w. the type of itinerant philosophers that evoked the kind of pejorative term applied by Paul’s audience Ac 17:18.
① of messengers without extraordinary status delegate, envoy, messenger (opp. ὁ πέμψας) J 13:16. Of Epaphroditus, messenger of the Philippians Phil 2:25.—2 Cor 8:23.
② of messengers with extraordinary status, esp. of God’s messenger, envoy (cp. Epict. 3, 22, 23 of Cynic wise men: ἄγγελος ἀπὸ τ. Διὸς ἀπέσταλται).
(שָׁלִיחַ; Schürer III 124f w. sources and lit.; Billerb. III 1926, 2–4; JTruron, Theology 51, ’48, 166–70; 341–43; GDix, ibid. 249–56; 385f; JBühner, art. ἄ. in EDNT I 142–46). In Christian circles, at first ἀ. denoted one who proclaimed the gospel, and was not strictly limited: Paul freq. calls himself an ἀ.: Ro 1:1; 11:13; 1 Cor 1:1; 9:1f; 15:9; 2 Cor 1:1; Gal 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 1 Ti 1:1; 2:7; 2 Ti 1:1; Tit 1:1.—1 Cl 47:1. Of Barnabas Ac 14:14; 15:2. Of Andronicus and Junia (less prob. Junias, s. Ἰουνία) Ro 16:7. Of James, the Lord’s brother Gal 1:19. Of Peter 1 Pt 1:1; 2 Pt 1:1. Then esp. of the 12 apostles οἱ δώδεκα ἀ. (cp. ParJer 9:20; AscIs 3:21; 4:3) Mt 10:2; Mk 3:14; Lk 22:14 (v.l. οἱ δώδεκα); cp. 6:13; 9:10; 17:5; Ac 1:26 (P-HMenoud, RHPR 37 ’57, 71–80); Rv 21:14; PtK 3 p. 15, 18. Peter and the apostles Ac 2:37; 5:29. Paul and apostles Pol 9:1 (cp. AcPlTh Aa I, 235 app. of Thecla). Gener. the apostles Mk 6:30; Lk 24:10; 1 Cor 4:9; 9:5; 15:7; 2 Cor 11:13; 1 Th 2:7; Ac 1:2; 2:42f; 4:33, 35, 37; 5:2, 12, 18, 34 v.l., 40; 6:6; 8:1, 14, 18; 9:27; 11:1; 14:4; 2 Pt 3:2; Jd 17; IEph 11:2; IMg 7:1; 13:2; ITr 2:2; 3:1; 7:1; IPhld 5:1; ISm 8:1; D ins; 11:3, 6. As a governing board, w. the elders Ac 15:2, 4, 6, 22f; 16:4. As possessors of the most important spiritual gift 1 Cor 12:28f. Proclaimers of the gospel 1 Cl 42:1f; B 5:9; Hs 9, 17, 1. Prophesying strife 1 Cl 44:1. Working miracles 2 Cor 12:12. W. overseers, teachers and attendants Hv 3, 5, 1; Hs 9, 15, 4; w. teachers Hs 9, 25, 2; w. teachers, preaching to those who had fallen asleep Hs 9, 16, 5; w. var. Christian officials IMg 6:1; w. prophets Eph 2:20; D 11:3; Pol 6:3. Christ and the apostles as the foundation of the church IMg 13:1; ITr 12; 2; cp. Eph 2:20. οἱ ἀ. and ἡ ἐκκλησία w. the three patriarchs and the prophets IPhld 9:1. The Holy Scriptures named w. the ap. 2 Cl 14:2 (sim. ApcSed 14:10 p. 136, 17 Ja.). Paul ironically refers to his opponents (or the original apostles; s. s.v. ὑπερλίαν) as οἱ ὑπερλίαν ἀ. the super-apostles 2 Cor 11:5; 12:11. The orig. apostles he calls οἱ πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἀ. Gal 1:17; AcPlCor 2:4.—Harnack, Mission4 I 1923, 332ff (Eng. tr. I 319–31). WSeufert, D. Urspr. u. d. Bed. d. Apostolates 1887; EHaupt, Z. Verständnis d. Apostolates im NT 1896; EMonnier, La notion de l’Apostolat des origines à Irénée 1903; PBatiffol, RB n.s. 3, 1906, 520–32; Wlh., Einleitung2, 1911, 138–47; EBurton, AJT 16, 1912, 561–88, Gal comm. 1921, 363–84; RSchütz, Apostel u. Jünger 1921; EMeyer I 265ff; III 255ff. HVogelstein, Development of the Apostolate in Judaism, etc.: HUCA 2, 1925, 99–123; JWagenmann, D. Stellg. d. Ap. Pls neben den Zwölf 1926; WMundle, D. Apostelbild der AG: ZNW 27, 1928, 36–54; KRengstorf, TW I 406–46 (s. critique by HConzelmann, The Theol. of St. Luke ’60, 216, n. 1), Apost. u. Predigtamt ’34; J-LLeuba, Rech. exégét. rel. à l’apostolat dans le NT, diss. Neuchâtel ’36; PSaintyves, Deux mythes évangéliques, Les 12 apôtres et les 72 disciples ’38; GSass, Apostelamt u. Kirche … paulin. Apostelbegr. ’39; EKäsemann, ZNW 40, ’41, 33–71; RLiechtenhan, D. urchr. Mission ’46; ESchweizer, D. Leben d. Herrn in d. Gemeinde u. ihren Diensten ’46; AFridrichsen, The Apostle and His Message ’47; HvCampenhausen, D. urchristl. Apostelbegr.: StTh 1, ’47, 96–130; HMosbech, ibid. 2, ’48, 166–200; ELohse, Ursprung u. Prägung des christl. Apostolates: TZ 9, ’53, 259–75; GKlein, Die 12 Apostel, ’60; FHahn, Mission in the NT, tr. FClarke, ’65; WSchmithals, The Office of the Apostle, tr. JSteely, ’69; KKertelge, Das Apostelamt des Paulus, BZ 14, ’70, 161–81. S. also ἐκκλησία end, esp. Holl and Kattenbusch; also HBetz, Hermeneia: Gal ’79, 74f (w. additional lit.); FAgnew, On the Origin of the Term ἀπόστολος: CBQ 38, ’76, 49–53 (survey of debate); KHaacker, NovT 30, ’88, 9–38 (Acts). Ins evidence (s. e.g. SIG index) relating to the verb ἀποστέλλω is almost gener. ignored in debate about the meaning of the noun.—DELG s.v. στέλλω A. EDNT. M-M. TW. Spicq.
My thoughts.
Looking through the different contexts of how this word is used for instance 1 or 4:9 "For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men." 1 Cor 12:28 "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues." 1 Cor 15:9 "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God." 2 Cor 11:5 "But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles.""
When using the term "apostle or "apostles" It seems Paul makes it clear that they are the highest office. But at the same time he also makes it clear that they are last in every category. 1 Timothy Paul says that he is "the chief of all sinners" but at the same time he is the top apostle of his day. Seems like He is contradicting himself right? No not at all, I believe what Paul is getting at is one of the primary principles in the kingdom of God "the first shall be last". The lead apostle is the lowest of the low, first in leadership and responsibility but last in popularity, recognition, and worldly esteem. Jesus being the very head of the church God in the flesh says in Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." The office if a apostle like the four offices in the five fold ministry exist for serving the body in equipping the saints to the work of the ministry. (Eph 4 11-12) The definition of "ministry" or "to minister" is this "serve, servant, service, servitor, waited".
As a whole the Office of an apostle can be summed up like this, The Apostle is the head of the earthly church, giving their lives in servant-hood preferring other before themselves, and being the lowest of the low on the earth.
By. Jonathan Pollard
In the Greek and a list of scriptures.
ἀπόστολος, ου, ὁ (s. ἀποστέλλω). In older Gk. (Lysias, Demosth.) and later (e.g. Posidon.: 87 Fgm. 53 p. 257, 21 Jac. [Strabo 3, 5, 5]) ὁ ἀ. is a naval expedition, prob. also its commander (Anecd. Gr. 217, 26). τὸ ἀπόστολον with (Pla., Ep. 7, 346a) or without (Vi. Hom. 19) πλοῖον means a ship ready for departure. In its single occurrence in Jos. (Ant. 17, 300; it is not found elsewh. in Jewish-Gk. lit.) it prob. means ‘sending out’; in pap mostly ‘bill of lading’ (s. Preisigke, Fachwörter 1915), less freq. ‘certificate of clearance (at a port)’ (BGU V §64 [II a.d.]=Gnomon des Idios Logos). It can also be ‘letter of authorization (relating to shipping)’: Mitt-Wilck. I/2, 443, 10 (15 a.d.); PHerm 6, 11f (cp. Dig. 49, 6, 1 litteras dimissorias sive apostolos). In contrast, in isolated cases it refers to persons who are dispatched for a specific purpose, and the context determines the status or function expressed in such Eng. terms as ‘ambassador, delegate, messenger’ (Hdt. 1, 21; 5, 38; Synesius, Providence 2, 3 p. 122a ἀπόστολοι of ordinary messengers; Sb 7241, 48; BGU 1741, 6 [64 b.c.]; 3 Km 14:6A; Is 18:2 Sym.). Cp. KLake, The Word Ἀ.: Beginn. I 5, ’33, 46–52. It is this isolated usage that is preferred in the NT w. nuances peculiar to its lit. But the extensive use of ἀποστέλλω in documents relating to pers. of merit engaged in administrative service prob. encouraged NT use of the noun, thus in effect disavowing assoc. w. the type of itinerant philosophers that evoked the kind of pejorative term applied by Paul’s audience Ac 17:18.
① of messengers without extraordinary status delegate, envoy, messenger (opp. ὁ πέμψας) J 13:16. Of Epaphroditus, messenger of the Philippians Phil 2:25.—2 Cor 8:23.
② of messengers with extraordinary status, esp. of God’s messenger, envoy (cp. Epict. 3, 22, 23 of Cynic wise men: ἄγγελος ἀπὸ τ. Διὸς ἀπέσταλται).
(שָׁלִיחַ; Schürer III 124f w. sources and lit.; Billerb. III 1926, 2–4; JTruron, Theology 51, ’48, 166–70; 341–43; GDix, ibid. 249–56; 385f; JBühner, art. ἄ. in EDNT I 142–46). In Christian circles, at first ἀ. denoted one who proclaimed the gospel, and was not strictly limited: Paul freq. calls himself an ἀ.: Ro 1:1; 11:13; 1 Cor 1:1; 9:1f; 15:9; 2 Cor 1:1; Gal 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 1 Ti 1:1; 2:7; 2 Ti 1:1; Tit 1:1.—1 Cl 47:1. Of Barnabas Ac 14:14; 15:2. Of Andronicus and Junia (less prob. Junias, s. Ἰουνία) Ro 16:7. Of James, the Lord’s brother Gal 1:19. Of Peter 1 Pt 1:1; 2 Pt 1:1. Then esp. of the 12 apostles οἱ δώδεκα ἀ. (cp. ParJer 9:20; AscIs 3:21; 4:3) Mt 10:2; Mk 3:14; Lk 22:14 (v.l. οἱ δώδεκα); cp. 6:13; 9:10; 17:5; Ac 1:26 (P-HMenoud, RHPR 37 ’57, 71–80); Rv 21:14; PtK 3 p. 15, 18. Peter and the apostles Ac 2:37; 5:29. Paul and apostles Pol 9:1 (cp. AcPlTh Aa I, 235 app. of Thecla). Gener. the apostles Mk 6:30; Lk 24:10; 1 Cor 4:9; 9:5; 15:7; 2 Cor 11:13; 1 Th 2:7; Ac 1:2; 2:42f; 4:33, 35, 37; 5:2, 12, 18, 34 v.l., 40; 6:6; 8:1, 14, 18; 9:27; 11:1; 14:4; 2 Pt 3:2; Jd 17; IEph 11:2; IMg 7:1; 13:2; ITr 2:2; 3:1; 7:1; IPhld 5:1; ISm 8:1; D ins; 11:3, 6. As a governing board, w. the elders Ac 15:2, 4, 6, 22f; 16:4. As possessors of the most important spiritual gift 1 Cor 12:28f. Proclaimers of the gospel 1 Cl 42:1f; B 5:9; Hs 9, 17, 1. Prophesying strife 1 Cl 44:1. Working miracles 2 Cor 12:12. W. overseers, teachers and attendants Hv 3, 5, 1; Hs 9, 15, 4; w. teachers Hs 9, 25, 2; w. teachers, preaching to those who had fallen asleep Hs 9, 16, 5; w. var. Christian officials IMg 6:1; w. prophets Eph 2:20; D 11:3; Pol 6:3. Christ and the apostles as the foundation of the church IMg 13:1; ITr 12; 2; cp. Eph 2:20. οἱ ἀ. and ἡ ἐκκλησία w. the three patriarchs and the prophets IPhld 9:1. The Holy Scriptures named w. the ap. 2 Cl 14:2 (sim. ApcSed 14:10 p. 136, 17 Ja.). Paul ironically refers to his opponents (or the original apostles; s. s.v. ὑπερλίαν) as οἱ ὑπερλίαν ἀ. the super-apostles 2 Cor 11:5; 12:11. The orig. apostles he calls οἱ πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἀ. Gal 1:17; AcPlCor 2:4.—Harnack, Mission4 I 1923, 332ff (Eng. tr. I 319–31). WSeufert, D. Urspr. u. d. Bed. d. Apostolates 1887; EHaupt, Z. Verständnis d. Apostolates im NT 1896; EMonnier, La notion de l’Apostolat des origines à Irénée 1903; PBatiffol, RB n.s. 3, 1906, 520–32; Wlh., Einleitung2, 1911, 138–47; EBurton, AJT 16, 1912, 561–88, Gal comm. 1921, 363–84; RSchütz, Apostel u. Jünger 1921; EMeyer I 265ff; III 255ff. HVogelstein, Development of the Apostolate in Judaism, etc.: HUCA 2, 1925, 99–123; JWagenmann, D. Stellg. d. Ap. Pls neben den Zwölf 1926; WMundle, D. Apostelbild der AG: ZNW 27, 1928, 36–54; KRengstorf, TW I 406–46 (s. critique by HConzelmann, The Theol. of St. Luke ’60, 216, n. 1), Apost. u. Predigtamt ’34; J-LLeuba, Rech. exégét. rel. à l’apostolat dans le NT, diss. Neuchâtel ’36; PSaintyves, Deux mythes évangéliques, Les 12 apôtres et les 72 disciples ’38; GSass, Apostelamt u. Kirche … paulin. Apostelbegr. ’39; EKäsemann, ZNW 40, ’41, 33–71; RLiechtenhan, D. urchr. Mission ’46; ESchweizer, D. Leben d. Herrn in d. Gemeinde u. ihren Diensten ’46; AFridrichsen, The Apostle and His Message ’47; HvCampenhausen, D. urchristl. Apostelbegr.: StTh 1, ’47, 96–130; HMosbech, ibid. 2, ’48, 166–200; ELohse, Ursprung u. Prägung des christl. Apostolates: TZ 9, ’53, 259–75; GKlein, Die 12 Apostel, ’60; FHahn, Mission in the NT, tr. FClarke, ’65; WSchmithals, The Office of the Apostle, tr. JSteely, ’69; KKertelge, Das Apostelamt des Paulus, BZ 14, ’70, 161–81. S. also ἐκκλησία end, esp. Holl and Kattenbusch; also HBetz, Hermeneia: Gal ’79, 74f (w. additional lit.); FAgnew, On the Origin of the Term ἀπόστολος: CBQ 38, ’76, 49–53 (survey of debate); KHaacker, NovT 30, ’88, 9–38 (Acts). Ins evidence (s. e.g. SIG index) relating to the verb ἀποστέλλω is almost gener. ignored in debate about the meaning of the noun.—DELG s.v. στέλλω A. EDNT. M-M. TW. Spicq.
My thoughts.
Looking through the different contexts of how this word is used for instance 1 or 4:9 "For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men." 1 Cor 12:28 "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues." 1 Cor 15:9 "For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God." 2 Cor 11:5 "But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles.""
When using the term "apostle or "apostles" It seems Paul makes it clear that they are the highest office. But at the same time he also makes it clear that they are last in every category. 1 Timothy Paul says that he is "the chief of all sinners" but at the same time he is the top apostle of his day. Seems like He is contradicting himself right? No not at all, I believe what Paul is getting at is one of the primary principles in the kingdom of God "the first shall be last". The lead apostle is the lowest of the low, first in leadership and responsibility but last in popularity, recognition, and worldly esteem. Jesus being the very head of the church God in the flesh says in Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." The office if a apostle like the four offices in the five fold ministry exist for serving the body in equipping the saints to the work of the ministry. (Eph 4 11-12) The definition of "ministry" or "to minister" is this "serve, servant, service, servitor, waited".
As a whole the Office of an apostle can be summed up like this, The Apostle is the head of the earthly church, giving their lives in servant-hood preferring other before themselves, and being the lowest of the low on the earth.
By. Jonathan Pollard
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Awakening and renewal - the big picture. By. Joshua Hawkins
The Lord is clearly moving in an unusual way in our world today. From churches and college campuses in Kansas City, Texas, and Atlanta to New England, Redding, California, and many places even across the globe, there is an unprecedented move of the Holy Spirit taking place. God is revealing Himself to His church as the joyful Father that loves to heal bodies and restore our hearts to the place where we truly believe in His love for us.
I love the extended meetings we’ve been having here at IHOP-KC. The Holy Spirit touches us in so many different ways. Some are weeping, some laughing, some completely overwhelmed by the Lord just laying on the floor, and some clearly being shaken around by angels or something, who knows… (See this blog category page for more of my thoughts on “manifestations” of the Holy Spirit) The Lord has healed many bodies and even more hearts to receive and believe His love. Just as Jesus said, the “wheat” and the “tares” are both growing up together (Matthew 13:30), and as Peter said that times of refreshing will come from the Lord’s presence (Acts 3:19), I believe that we will continue to see seasons of refreshing, renewal, healing, and revival that will increase in scope and intensity prior to the Lord’s return. I believe the meetings will even go to some of the stadiums of the earth where many will witness visible, open displays of God’s power and presence.
Good meetings in stadiums are not the final intentions of the Holy Spirit’s stirrings today. In these days (and those days when good stadium meetings come) we are experiencing extraordinary signposts, markers, and witnesses to the ultimate end – the restoration of all things. In the midst of the great revival in the book of Acts, the apostle Peter and the rest of the Jews in Jerusalem understood that revival was not the “end” and that there was still a coming day in the Lord’s heart (Acts 3:21) – a day He has been waiting on now for over 6,000 years. It is the day in which the One from the line of David would return to the earth to establish the kingdom of God. It is the day in which the promised Seed (Genesis 3:15) would openly initiate the process of defeating death and restoring all things in the heavens and on the earth to their original glory.
The Lord plays “multi-dimensional chess”, but is always working with this end in mind. With that in consideration, we can look at what the Holy Spirit is doing and realize it is not disconnected from His ultimate plan. Among other "external" reasons which I've addressed in other posts, I primarily see these five main "internal" reasons for the Holy Spirit’s move of power today:
The Father’s heart
The Father is restoring the joy of childlikeness to us as we encounter His love and tenderness. When we understand that the Father truly loves us because we are a son or daughter, we stop trying to earn His approval. Holiness and obedience becomes joyful instead of a dutiful drudgery. And as we encounter His love for us, it allows us to see others with His eyes and love them in the same way.
The compassion of Jesus
Many physical healings are happening as a result of this move of God, and each one is deeply rooted in Jesus’ heart of compassion. Over and over again in the gospels, we see our Lord deeply moved with compassion. As the Chosen One of God to abolish death forever, He released a sign of that coming day when walking into the city of Nain in Luke 7:11-17 in raising a widow’s son from the dead. His compassion was His motivation then, and that same compassion is what motivates Him to heal today, and each one of the healings that we see serves as a signpost to the coming day of the Lord and His glory.
Training in humility
Many of the bizarre manifestations of the Spirit’s presence as seen in the meetings offend the mind and reveal the heart. I’ve written much more on this in several of my other posts on the IHOPU Student Awakening, but I believe that the Lord is beckoning everyone to a new depth of humility and Christ-likeness in this move by:
Inviting those whose body reacts to the presence of God in strange ways to renounce their pride and submit to God’s hand.
Inviting those whose body does not move at all to believe that He is touching them, but just in imperceptible ways.
Inviting those who are confused or distracted to ask for help to set their focus on Jesus, His glory and worth, and His work in people’s hearts and lives.
He is really answering all those prayers we have prayed for humility and to be like Him!
The first commandment being restored to the first place
Right now, the church in the west is more concerned about bigger ministry than about a bigger heart of love towards Jesus. But as we have our eyes opened by the Spirit to see the indescribable worth of Jesus, our hearts are beckoned in greater love and abandonment towards Him, especially in the secret place when nobody is looking. As the Spirit helps us, our time, money, energy, words, thoughts, and gifts will come under the leadership of Jesus so that He truly has the preeminence in all things in our lives (Colossians 1:18).
The restoration of true biblical hope, the hope of glory
The western church today is almost completely disconnected from the New Testament idea of “hope”, minimizing it to an emotion to help sustain us before we have power, dominion, influence, or lasting peace and joy in this age. But the New Testament idea of hope is completely anchored in the age to come, in which Jesus will come, establish His kingdom, and abolish death forever. Signs and wonders, healings, joy, and revival are not manifest evidences of Christ's kingdom breaking in to the earth today, but are something much more important - they are heightened, undeniable evidences to the coming day of the Lord where He will establish His messianic kingdom on the earth, give the saints a resurrected body free of imperfections, and deal with sin and death forever.
If we set our hope on “now” so that we believe that our mandate is societal transformation, great revival, or some great influence of the church on the world in this age, will we be found disillusioned and offended at God if those things do not come to pass in the way we think they will? The biblical hope does not disappoint in any way (Romans 5:5), because the resurrection of Christ and the Spirit living in us guarantees the promises of God (Ephesians 1:14; 2 Cor 1:20). God raised Jesus from the dead as the clearest evidence of His identity as Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), and this is what provoked the Jews to believe in His return to make all things new (Ephesians 1:9-10). Every time someone is healed or delivered, every time someone shakes or is overwhelmed by God’s presence, and every time our hearts are filled with God’s joy, God is giving us an undeniable, divine witness to His promise, and this is what anchors us in the hope of the restoration of all things. We must not minimize these witnesses, but see them as divine assistance to propel our hearts deeper in the "hope to which He has called us" (Ephesians 1:18). I have much more to say about this topic, so I’ll write another post about this point later.
My heart is so filled with gratitude for the Lord’s kindness. We’ve never earned anything from Him and we have nothing inherent within us to cause Him to move in the way that He is. He is touching us solely based on His motivation to do so! As we attend meetings where the Holy Spirit moves with power, when we hear testimonies about hearts or bodies being healed, and when we hear stories about people being filled with joy and acting strangely, may we remember these 5 reasons and ask for more of them!
For the original post on Josh's blog go here:
http://www.joshuahawkins.com/blog/2010/03/awakening-and-renewal-big-picture
I love the extended meetings we’ve been having here at IHOP-KC. The Holy Spirit touches us in so many different ways. Some are weeping, some laughing, some completely overwhelmed by the Lord just laying on the floor, and some clearly being shaken around by angels or something, who knows… (See this blog category page for more of my thoughts on “manifestations” of the Holy Spirit) The Lord has healed many bodies and even more hearts to receive and believe His love. Just as Jesus said, the “wheat” and the “tares” are both growing up together (Matthew 13:30), and as Peter said that times of refreshing will come from the Lord’s presence (Acts 3:19), I believe that we will continue to see seasons of refreshing, renewal, healing, and revival that will increase in scope and intensity prior to the Lord’s return. I believe the meetings will even go to some of the stadiums of the earth where many will witness visible, open displays of God’s power and presence.
Good meetings in stadiums are not the final intentions of the Holy Spirit’s stirrings today. In these days (and those days when good stadium meetings come) we are experiencing extraordinary signposts, markers, and witnesses to the ultimate end – the restoration of all things. In the midst of the great revival in the book of Acts, the apostle Peter and the rest of the Jews in Jerusalem understood that revival was not the “end” and that there was still a coming day in the Lord’s heart (Acts 3:21) – a day He has been waiting on now for over 6,000 years. It is the day in which the One from the line of David would return to the earth to establish the kingdom of God. It is the day in which the promised Seed (Genesis 3:15) would openly initiate the process of defeating death and restoring all things in the heavens and on the earth to their original glory.
The Lord plays “multi-dimensional chess”, but is always working with this end in mind. With that in consideration, we can look at what the Holy Spirit is doing and realize it is not disconnected from His ultimate plan. Among other "external" reasons which I've addressed in other posts, I primarily see these five main "internal" reasons for the Holy Spirit’s move of power today:
The Father’s heart
The Father is restoring the joy of childlikeness to us as we encounter His love and tenderness. When we understand that the Father truly loves us because we are a son or daughter, we stop trying to earn His approval. Holiness and obedience becomes joyful instead of a dutiful drudgery. And as we encounter His love for us, it allows us to see others with His eyes and love them in the same way.
The compassion of Jesus
Many physical healings are happening as a result of this move of God, and each one is deeply rooted in Jesus’ heart of compassion. Over and over again in the gospels, we see our Lord deeply moved with compassion. As the Chosen One of God to abolish death forever, He released a sign of that coming day when walking into the city of Nain in Luke 7:11-17 in raising a widow’s son from the dead. His compassion was His motivation then, and that same compassion is what motivates Him to heal today, and each one of the healings that we see serves as a signpost to the coming day of the Lord and His glory.
Training in humility
Many of the bizarre manifestations of the Spirit’s presence as seen in the meetings offend the mind and reveal the heart. I’ve written much more on this in several of my other posts on the IHOPU Student Awakening, but I believe that the Lord is beckoning everyone to a new depth of humility and Christ-likeness in this move by:
Inviting those whose body reacts to the presence of God in strange ways to renounce their pride and submit to God’s hand.
Inviting those whose body does not move at all to believe that He is touching them, but just in imperceptible ways.
Inviting those who are confused or distracted to ask for help to set their focus on Jesus, His glory and worth, and His work in people’s hearts and lives.
He is really answering all those prayers we have prayed for humility and to be like Him!
The first commandment being restored to the first place
Right now, the church in the west is more concerned about bigger ministry than about a bigger heart of love towards Jesus. But as we have our eyes opened by the Spirit to see the indescribable worth of Jesus, our hearts are beckoned in greater love and abandonment towards Him, especially in the secret place when nobody is looking. As the Spirit helps us, our time, money, energy, words, thoughts, and gifts will come under the leadership of Jesus so that He truly has the preeminence in all things in our lives (Colossians 1:18).
The restoration of true biblical hope, the hope of glory
The western church today is almost completely disconnected from the New Testament idea of “hope”, minimizing it to an emotion to help sustain us before we have power, dominion, influence, or lasting peace and joy in this age. But the New Testament idea of hope is completely anchored in the age to come, in which Jesus will come, establish His kingdom, and abolish death forever. Signs and wonders, healings, joy, and revival are not manifest evidences of Christ's kingdom breaking in to the earth today, but are something much more important - they are heightened, undeniable evidences to the coming day of the Lord where He will establish His messianic kingdom on the earth, give the saints a resurrected body free of imperfections, and deal with sin and death forever.
If we set our hope on “now” so that we believe that our mandate is societal transformation, great revival, or some great influence of the church on the world in this age, will we be found disillusioned and offended at God if those things do not come to pass in the way we think they will? The biblical hope does not disappoint in any way (Romans 5:5), because the resurrection of Christ and the Spirit living in us guarantees the promises of God (Ephesians 1:14; 2 Cor 1:20). God raised Jesus from the dead as the clearest evidence of His identity as Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), and this is what provoked the Jews to believe in His return to make all things new (Ephesians 1:9-10). Every time someone is healed or delivered, every time someone shakes or is overwhelmed by God’s presence, and every time our hearts are filled with God’s joy, God is giving us an undeniable, divine witness to His promise, and this is what anchors us in the hope of the restoration of all things. We must not minimize these witnesses, but see them as divine assistance to propel our hearts deeper in the "hope to which He has called us" (Ephesians 1:18). I have much more to say about this topic, so I’ll write another post about this point later.
My heart is so filled with gratitude for the Lord’s kindness. We’ve never earned anything from Him and we have nothing inherent within us to cause Him to move in the way that He is. He is touching us solely based on His motivation to do so! As we attend meetings where the Holy Spirit moves with power, when we hear testimonies about hearts or bodies being healed, and when we hear stories about people being filled with joy and acting strangely, may we remember these 5 reasons and ask for more of them!
For the original post on Josh's blog go here:
http://www.joshuahawkins.com/blog/2010/03/awakening-and-renewal-big-picture
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Are you saved? Really saved? Part 1 - Joe Meyer
You feel the cold breeze of the fans surround you as the lights glaring above attempt to blind your eyes. You are sitting in the cold, wooden pew as the evangelist on stage eloquently delivers a message that has drowned this land for centuries. You have heard the language before. You have seen the movies before. All of it rings as a familiar noise in the corridor of your mind. The man with the microphone says the Name of which you have heard time and time again, perhaps since your youth. It is placed on billboards, t-shirts, movie titles, and is even a common swear word: Jesus.
As the man begins to end his sermon, he invites those who wish to invite this Man into their hearts to the front. Feeling awkward because your friends have invited you time and time again to know Jesus, or because you are a little guilty of the bad choices you made, you stand up and slowly walk to the front, facing the floor. Your heart is not racing, nor is your heart wrenching. Tears are not streaming down your face because of the love in which this Man has shown you. You think, "If this is true, at least I'm in." The speaker leads all those who responded to his call in a prayer, and you silently follow. At the end, the preacher says with a large, beaming smile on his face, "Praise God! You are saved now! When you die, you will go to heaven."
Does this sound familiar? This happens in churches every single weekend. My heart grieves so greatly for the souls who are deceived! More than those who have not heard of His famous Name (although, it still burns for them), or for those who purposefully reject Him, but for those who believe that they are saved and are not! Did you know that you can, with your whole heart, mind and soul, believe that you are saved and when death meets you face to face, you will burn in the lake of the wrath of God for eternity? Has that thought ever crossed your mind?
You must ask yourself the question, "Am I saved?" This is a very Biblical question. Let us explore the first Scripture.
Paul writes, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified." Quick background: Paul is writing to a church in the first century. He is writing to a church. This is one of the places that he church planted and saw the fire of God hit. He is writing to a group of people that we would assume are saved (we will develop what 'saved' means in a later part). They saw the raw power of God, heard the apostolic voice, and had a Biblical witness proving that Jesus is the Christ of God. We must ask why Paul, being provoked by the Holy Spirit, asked a church that he labored into for over a year if they were saved. We will not dissect this verse, but we must recognize the point that Paul is making, "You can think you are saved and are not."
Remember Matthew 7 and Luke 13? You can hear all of the sermons, see signs and wonders, know 'the stuff', rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn, yet when the door of salvation shuts in this age, and still not be able to enter! How can this be? Consider this example: You are a zealous fan of Micheal Jordan. You know his professional history, bought all of the books about him, wear his jersey and have posters of himself in your room. You are then given the chance to meet him face to face! You run up to him and begin to talk to him. He looks at you and says, factually, "I do not know you." You shutter back, and reply, "Well, wait! I know this, this and this about you - as well as that and that!" He replies in honesty - and in fact, "I literally do not know you."
Have you considered that you could sit in a pew every single week yet Jesus does not know you? You may say, "The most important question to be asked of a man is do you know Jesus?" That is NOT true! The most important question is, "Does Jesus know you?"
Part 2 to come..
As the man begins to end his sermon, he invites those who wish to invite this Man into their hearts to the front. Feeling awkward because your friends have invited you time and time again to know Jesus, or because you are a little guilty of the bad choices you made, you stand up and slowly walk to the front, facing the floor. Your heart is not racing, nor is your heart wrenching. Tears are not streaming down your face because of the love in which this Man has shown you. You think, "If this is true, at least I'm in." The speaker leads all those who responded to his call in a prayer, and you silently follow. At the end, the preacher says with a large, beaming smile on his face, "Praise God! You are saved now! When you die, you will go to heaven."
Does this sound familiar? This happens in churches every single weekend. My heart grieves so greatly for the souls who are deceived! More than those who have not heard of His famous Name (although, it still burns for them), or for those who purposefully reject Him, but for those who believe that they are saved and are not! Did you know that you can, with your whole heart, mind and soul, believe that you are saved and when death meets you face to face, you will burn in the lake of the wrath of God for eternity? Has that thought ever crossed your mind?
You must ask yourself the question, "Am I saved?" This is a very Biblical question. Let us explore the first Scripture.
Paul writes, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified." Quick background: Paul is writing to a church in the first century. He is writing to a church. This is one of the places that he church planted and saw the fire of God hit. He is writing to a group of people that we would assume are saved (we will develop what 'saved' means in a later part). They saw the raw power of God, heard the apostolic voice, and had a Biblical witness proving that Jesus is the Christ of God. We must ask why Paul, being provoked by the Holy Spirit, asked a church that he labored into for over a year if they were saved. We will not dissect this verse, but we must recognize the point that Paul is making, "You can think you are saved and are not."
Remember Matthew 7 and Luke 13? You can hear all of the sermons, see signs and wonders, know 'the stuff', rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn, yet when the door of salvation shuts in this age, and still not be able to enter! How can this be? Consider this example: You are a zealous fan of Micheal Jordan. You know his professional history, bought all of the books about him, wear his jersey and have posters of himself in your room. You are then given the chance to meet him face to face! You run up to him and begin to talk to him. He looks at you and says, factually, "I do not know you." You shutter back, and reply, "Well, wait! I know this, this and this about you - as well as that and that!" He replies in honesty - and in fact, "I literally do not know you."
Have you considered that you could sit in a pew every single week yet Jesus does not know you? You may say, "The most important question to be asked of a man is do you know Jesus?" That is NOT true! The most important question is, "Does Jesus know you?"
Part 2 to come..
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Matthew 24:7
24:7 For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
So I bought a Interlinear Bible and was reading Matthew 24 and when I came to verse seven I was stopped in my tracks because it the Interlinear Bible instead of being "earthquakes in various places" it states "there will be earthquakes against places". The wheels in my mind starting turning quickly, as question after question ran through my mind. "does this mean every earthquake is the judgment of God?" "He really chooses where earthquakes hit?". I was stopped in my tracks with the intensity of this all. So I went on a word study. Wouldn't you know it my Bible teachers were right its truly the best way to understand the word.
The word is this: kata kata
Pronunciation: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
Reference: -
PrtSpch: prep
In Greek: kat 85, kata 325, kay 61
In NET: according to 68, against 49, in 42, by 36, according 22, every 13, privately 9, throughout 8, with 8, as 6, on 5, of 4, like 4, from 4, to 4, year after year 3, daily 3, from house to house 3, in accordance with 3, in keeping with 3, just as 3, off 3, along 3, Day after day 3, opposed 3, about 3, According to 2, About 2, During 2, Every 2, because of 2, further 2, due 2, after 1, where 1, alone 1, accords with 1, accordingly 1, with reference to 1, wherever 1, one at a time 1, along the coast 1, aside 1, at 1, as expressed in 1, as displayed in 1, when 1, as a result of 1, one house after another 1, To 1, Before 1, By 1, At 1, Against 1, present 1, prescribed by 1, over 1, outward 1, On 1, This accords with 1, In regard to 1, In 1, Each 1, orderly manner 1, attention 1, based on 1, town after town 1, in accepting 1, in accordance 1, through 1, from such 1, on the basis 1, such 1, near 1, in detail 1, in the various 1, in various 1, in regard to 1, in line with 1, in every 1, meets in 1, for 1, following 1, circumstances 1, correspond to 1, case 1, what 1, one after another 1, beyond 1, corresponding to 1, on the basis of 1, face to face 1, facing 1, various 1, each 1, day after day 1, since 1, just as we are 1
In AV: according to 107, after 61, against 58, in 36, by 27, daily + 2250 15, as 11, misc 165
Count: 480
Definition: 1) down from, through out
2) according to, toward, along
a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in
varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or
accusative) with which it is joined):-about, according as (to),
after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even,
like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before,
beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered,
(dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for,
from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ...
by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X
mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over
against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout,
-oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost,
where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these
applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or
intensity.
After reading that I asked myself "why did the NKJV use "diverse", the NIV use "various", and the Interlinear use "against""? I found myself at a stand still. Not knowing where to turn or what to think. I starting thinking of the ultimate question, "God who are you?"
As I went back and forth with the thought that God causes every earthquake and thinking of the recent events of Haiti, not wanting to just say "this was judgment, God killed all those people". Which I know God judges and the word is very clear on that, but there was no voice before hand saying, "Flee because judgement is coming!" in context to judgment in the bible there is always a clear voice that comes before hand saying judgment is coming, and I had heard nothing of that coming before hand? But then again the bible says it will happen, so does their need to be a voice? Like I said the wheels were turning. Then I ran across Romans 6:23 and it says that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. The reason destruction and death hits the earth is because humanity choses sin and death over God. What happened to the nation of Haiti is the result of sin? So both us and God are the reasons earthquakes destroy nations like Haiti? I know Haiti had it coming being in covenant with Satan and all, but sin is sin right?
If God planned every earthquake I would be okay with it. I don't have offense against Him for doing so. We are a wicked people and deserve nothing less than to be judged. But why does the bibles differ on the way they use the words? Does God plan it or is it just part of the earth groaning for the return of Jesus? The closer we get the more it groans, so the more earthquakes happen. But does God direct it? Yes God directes it. But so did they, so do we, and so does the earth. The word "kata" means "against" and "diverse" so could the translation be this, "there will be earthquakes against diverse places?" Meaning this its against them from God, as judgment against sin, and the earth groaning for the return of Jesus. We cause, so does the earth, and does God. Where it hits and how big is not up to me and God allows and directs all things according to Job.
Does there have to be a prophetic voice saying this coming? No there doesn't, Jesus says these will come. So we as believers have to begin to sound the alarm according to what Jesus says is coming to the earth. If I truly believe we are living in the day of the Lord's return then I have no other choice but to become a voice of crying in the wilderness "prepare the way of the Lord". How do I do that? Live my life eating the scrolls and soaking in prayer and fasting.
Amen.
By. Jonathan.
So I bought a Interlinear Bible and was reading Matthew 24 and when I came to verse seven I was stopped in my tracks because it the Interlinear Bible instead of being "earthquakes in various places" it states "there will be earthquakes against places". The wheels in my mind starting turning quickly, as question after question ran through my mind. "does this mean every earthquake is the judgment of God?" "He really chooses where earthquakes hit?". I was stopped in my tracks with the intensity of this all. So I went on a word study. Wouldn't you know it my Bible teachers were right its truly the best way to understand the word.
The word is this: kata kata
Pronunciation: kat-ah'
Origin: a primary particle
Reference: -
PrtSpch: prep
In Greek: kat 85, kata 325, kay 61
In NET: according to 68, against 49, in 42, by 36, according 22, every 13, privately 9, throughout 8, with 8, as 6, on 5, of 4, like 4, from 4, to 4, year after year 3, daily 3, from house to house 3, in accordance with 3, in keeping with 3, just as 3, off 3, along 3, Day after day 3, opposed 3, about 3, According to 2, About 2, During 2, Every 2, because of 2, further 2, due 2, after 1, where 1, alone 1, accords with 1, accordingly 1, with reference to 1, wherever 1, one at a time 1, along the coast 1, aside 1, at 1, as expressed in 1, as displayed in 1, when 1, as a result of 1, one house after another 1, To 1, Before 1, By 1, At 1, Against 1, present 1, prescribed by 1, over 1, outward 1, On 1, This accords with 1, In regard to 1, In 1, Each 1, orderly manner 1, attention 1, based on 1, town after town 1, in accepting 1, in accordance 1, through 1, from such 1, on the basis 1, such 1, near 1, in detail 1, in the various 1, in various 1, in regard to 1, in line with 1, in every 1, meets in 1, for 1, following 1, circumstances 1, correspond to 1, case 1, what 1, one after another 1, beyond 1, corresponding to 1, on the basis of 1, face to face 1, facing 1, various 1, each 1, day after day 1, since 1, just as we are 1
In AV: according to 107, after 61, against 58, in 36, by 27, daily + 2250 15, as 11, misc 165
Count: 480
Definition: 1) down from, through out
2) according to, toward, along
a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in
varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or
accusative) with which it is joined):-about, according as (to),
after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even,
like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before,
beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered,
(dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for,
from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ...
by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X
mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over
against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout,
-oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost,
where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these
applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or
intensity.
After reading that I asked myself "why did the NKJV use "diverse", the NIV use "various", and the Interlinear use "against""? I found myself at a stand still. Not knowing where to turn or what to think. I starting thinking of the ultimate question, "God who are you?"
As I went back and forth with the thought that God causes every earthquake and thinking of the recent events of Haiti, not wanting to just say "this was judgment, God killed all those people". Which I know God judges and the word is very clear on that, but there was no voice before hand saying, "Flee because judgement is coming!" in context to judgment in the bible there is always a clear voice that comes before hand saying judgment is coming, and I had heard nothing of that coming before hand? But then again the bible says it will happen, so does their need to be a voice? Like I said the wheels were turning. Then I ran across Romans 6:23 and it says that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. The reason destruction and death hits the earth is because humanity choses sin and death over God. What happened to the nation of Haiti is the result of sin? So both us and God are the reasons earthquakes destroy nations like Haiti? I know Haiti had it coming being in covenant with Satan and all, but sin is sin right?
If God planned every earthquake I would be okay with it. I don't have offense against Him for doing so. We are a wicked people and deserve nothing less than to be judged. But why does the bibles differ on the way they use the words? Does God plan it or is it just part of the earth groaning for the return of Jesus? The closer we get the more it groans, so the more earthquakes happen. But does God direct it? Yes God directes it. But so did they, so do we, and so does the earth. The word "kata" means "against" and "diverse" so could the translation be this, "there will be earthquakes against diverse places?" Meaning this its against them from God, as judgment against sin, and the earth groaning for the return of Jesus. We cause, so does the earth, and does God. Where it hits and how big is not up to me and God allows and directs all things according to Job.
Does there have to be a prophetic voice saying this coming? No there doesn't, Jesus says these will come. So we as believers have to begin to sound the alarm according to what Jesus says is coming to the earth. If I truly believe we are living in the day of the Lord's return then I have no other choice but to become a voice of crying in the wilderness "prepare the way of the Lord". How do I do that? Live my life eating the scrolls and soaking in prayer and fasting.
Amen.
By. Jonathan.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Just a quick thought about the end of the age.
Matthew 24:3 "As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” 24:4 Jesus answered them, “Watch out that no one misleads you. 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many."
So before I read Matthew 24 I read Matthew 23 and listened to it on the Bible Experience. Just to get more context and I gotta admit it was more alive than ever before. The more I read through it and listened to it the more of the reality of what is coming hit me in the face. I did not even know where to start writing my journal at, so I am starting at the beginning.
The first thing Jesus says out of all the things that is coming, all the judgments, wars, earthquakes, out of every single end of the age events He starts with deception, seems to me that Jesus is highlighting this to us. What kinda power is really coming at the end of the age that would make Jesus say this first. I sat listening to worship thinking about this, chewing on it, repeating it in my mind over and over. And the reality of what is coming began to set in. Just how the so many people freak out when someone does a sign and a wonder. (I love signs and wonders) We all take notice and listen to what they have to say. And at the end of the age there is a false prophet who calls down fire from heaven. How many Jews will look at this and say "this is what our prophets did", Christians who are somewhat familiar with scripture see this "says this is what the prophets in the bible" and they will begin to listen to what he has to say, with a demonic anointing he begins to speak. He has them hanging on every word, this man is really the Christ. An because he has power everyone listens to him, then falls in line with what he is saying. Hitler deceived nations, millions of people, and he did not do one sign and wonder. He was simply a passionate speaker, and because of his passion people believed in what he was saying. With Islam we are seeing the same thing millions a year being converted, blowing themselves to peaces killing thousands and they have not seen one sign and wonder it just simply passionate speakers worshiping demons. Jesus Miranda in florida clams he is the second coming of Jesus and over a million people are following him, convinced he is Jesus. Walking down the streets chanting "the son of man is back". He says sin does not exist and prayer is a waste of time, that we are already perfect spirit. The man has not done not one sign and wonder. How many will be deceived when someone is calling down fire from heaven?
In light of that I ask myself, "How do I guard myself? How do I prepare to know in that day I will not be deceived by this false prophet?" Well its to know what is going to happen before it happens, the answer is found all through the new testament. Matthew 24:23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together."" 1 Thessalonians 5 "1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." What our response is to be is very clear. "WATCH". We have to be those ones who have stood before the Lord with His word know the time and the seasons that is coming, that is at hand, so when this hits we can stand in boldness without doubt saying this is that, and this is what's coming next.
So before I read Matthew 24 I read Matthew 23 and listened to it on the Bible Experience. Just to get more context and I gotta admit it was more alive than ever before. The more I read through it and listened to it the more of the reality of what is coming hit me in the face. I did not even know where to start writing my journal at, so I am starting at the beginning.
The first thing Jesus says out of all the things that is coming, all the judgments, wars, earthquakes, out of every single end of the age events He starts with deception, seems to me that Jesus is highlighting this to us. What kinda power is really coming at the end of the age that would make Jesus say this first. I sat listening to worship thinking about this, chewing on it, repeating it in my mind over and over. And the reality of what is coming began to set in. Just how the so many people freak out when someone does a sign and a wonder. (I love signs and wonders) We all take notice and listen to what they have to say. And at the end of the age there is a false prophet who calls down fire from heaven. How many Jews will look at this and say "this is what our prophets did", Christians who are somewhat familiar with scripture see this "says this is what the prophets in the bible" and they will begin to listen to what he has to say, with a demonic anointing he begins to speak. He has them hanging on every word, this man is really the Christ. An because he has power everyone listens to him, then falls in line with what he is saying. Hitler deceived nations, millions of people, and he did not do one sign and wonder. He was simply a passionate speaker, and because of his passion people believed in what he was saying. With Islam we are seeing the same thing millions a year being converted, blowing themselves to peaces killing thousands and they have not seen one sign and wonder it just simply passionate speakers worshiping demons. Jesus Miranda in florida clams he is the second coming of Jesus and over a million people are following him, convinced he is Jesus. Walking down the streets chanting "the son of man is back". He says sin does not exist and prayer is a waste of time, that we are already perfect spirit. The man has not done not one sign and wonder. How many will be deceived when someone is calling down fire from heaven?
In light of that I ask myself, "How do I guard myself? How do I prepare to know in that day I will not be deceived by this false prophet?" Well its to know what is going to happen before it happens, the answer is found all through the new testament. Matthew 24:23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together."" 1 Thessalonians 5 "1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." What our response is to be is very clear. "WATCH". We have to be those ones who have stood before the Lord with His word know the time and the seasons that is coming, that is at hand, so when this hits we can stand in boldness without doubt saying this is that, and this is what's coming next.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Jesus, or Utopia?
If all the sick in this fallen world were suddenly healed; if all the poor were given jobs; the homeless, a place to stay; the hungry, fed; governments passing high-moral laws and crime eliminated - would you still want Jesus to come back?
Is your faith rooted in an unbiblical idea of Utopia or the return of the Person? Does your heart long for a moral world to live in, or for the return of our King? I am all for cities, regions and nations turning to Jesus, but only in the context of salvation! We should not set our eye upon laws and legislation, but on souls who need to be revived by the resurrection power of Jesus! Revival is not transformed areas, but souls being *revived* (brought back from the dead). It is about Jesus having His inheritance in the nations; that He would receive the rewards of His sufferings!
Let it be known to all: righteousness outside of Jesus is the highest form of idolatry. For man to consider himself good would be for man to consider himself God. Jesus communicated this truth clearer than the most refined and purest diamond: "No one is good, except God." God is infinitely above all things - created and uncreated. He is the Creator. To offer even the most highly exaggerated comparison of His glory and Person to anything other than Himself would be hilariously silly, as the comparison would fall infinitely short of how Mighty YHWH is to the competitor. He created the heavens, the earth, and all the things therein. He formed the mighty mountains and the frightening ocean depths. His voice commands the storms and winds and mountains melt like wax in His presence. There is no one before Him, nor will there be any after Him. The highest heavens cannot contain Him and He holds the vast ocean waters in the palm of His hands. Before Adam rebelled against God and allowed the filth of sin to corrupt creation, all things that were created by God reflected a facet of His glory. This is why He deemed them, 'good', because they mirrored a part of Himself. Because of this, when man exalts himself to the position of 'good', his pride soars through the highest of heavens and asserts itself before Good Himself (I said "Good" on purpose). This is why the 'goodness' of man is such an affront to God, and why it is such a vile and ridiculous idea that man could be good - or have *any* good in him at all!
As Christians, we do primarily not long for a changed society. Paul's mission was not to confront Rome with their immorality and change their laws to reflect what he understood in Torah. He was not looking for a Utopia. Paul was obsessed with one thing and one thing alone: the return of Jesus! This was true of all the apostles! They were all lovesick for their Master, Friend, and God. They were pierced by the revelation of Christ, which caused an incurable wound of love that could only be healed by His return. They longed not for a changed society, but as Peter preached, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before". The reason why he preached the Gospel is because he wanted Jesus to come back! He was not looking for 'manifestations', although, he certainly did (Acts 2). He was not looking for 'revival', although, he certainly saw it. He wanted Jesus - and that was it.
One may say in defense, "I am not connected with His second coming because I have not studied the end times." To the extent that your heart burns for His second coming is directly knit to the extent that it was conquered by love in His first. How can you long for someone you do not miss? How can you love someone you do not know? Let us return to our first love, and not our first cause!
So, what does your heart long for? Jesus, or everything else?
Is your faith rooted in an unbiblical idea of Utopia or the return of the Person? Does your heart long for a moral world to live in, or for the return of our King? I am all for cities, regions and nations turning to Jesus, but only in the context of salvation! We should not set our eye upon laws and legislation, but on souls who need to be revived by the resurrection power of Jesus! Revival is not transformed areas, but souls being *revived* (brought back from the dead). It is about Jesus having His inheritance in the nations; that He would receive the rewards of His sufferings!
Let it be known to all: righteousness outside of Jesus is the highest form of idolatry. For man to consider himself good would be for man to consider himself God. Jesus communicated this truth clearer than the most refined and purest diamond: "No one is good, except God." God is infinitely above all things - created and uncreated. He is the Creator. To offer even the most highly exaggerated comparison of His glory and Person to anything other than Himself would be hilariously silly, as the comparison would fall infinitely short of how Mighty YHWH is to the competitor. He created the heavens, the earth, and all the things therein. He formed the mighty mountains and the frightening ocean depths. His voice commands the storms and winds and mountains melt like wax in His presence. There is no one before Him, nor will there be any after Him. The highest heavens cannot contain Him and He holds the vast ocean waters in the palm of His hands. Before Adam rebelled against God and allowed the filth of sin to corrupt creation, all things that were created by God reflected a facet of His glory. This is why He deemed them, 'good', because they mirrored a part of Himself. Because of this, when man exalts himself to the position of 'good', his pride soars through the highest of heavens and asserts itself before Good Himself (I said "Good" on purpose). This is why the 'goodness' of man is such an affront to God, and why it is such a vile and ridiculous idea that man could be good - or have *any* good in him at all!
As Christians, we do primarily not long for a changed society. Paul's mission was not to confront Rome with their immorality and change their laws to reflect what he understood in Torah. He was not looking for a Utopia. Paul was obsessed with one thing and one thing alone: the return of Jesus! This was true of all the apostles! They were all lovesick for their Master, Friend, and God. They were pierced by the revelation of Christ, which caused an incurable wound of love that could only be healed by His return. They longed not for a changed society, but as Peter preached, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before". The reason why he preached the Gospel is because he wanted Jesus to come back! He was not looking for 'manifestations', although, he certainly did (Acts 2). He was not looking for 'revival', although, he certainly saw it. He wanted Jesus - and that was it.
One may say in defense, "I am not connected with His second coming because I have not studied the end times." To the extent that your heart burns for His second coming is directly knit to the extent that it was conquered by love in His first. How can you long for someone you do not miss? How can you love someone you do not know? Let us return to our first love, and not our first cause!
So, what does your heart long for? Jesus, or everything else?
Monday, January 11, 2010
21 quick questions for everyone.
While students at Oxford, John Wesley and a few friends (including his brother, Charles, and George Whitefield) formed a group called "The Holy Club." The purpose was to deepen their faith, and help them to live it day by day. In this "Holy Club" they had 21 question they would ask one another. These are those 21 question, and trust me their humbling.
I suggest you read them in light of Romans 8:1
1. Am I creating the impression that I am better than I am?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words?
3. Do I break confidence -- tell others' secrets?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, habits?
5. Can I be trusted?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did God's Word live in me today?
8. Am I enjoying my prayer time?
9. When was the last time I shared my faith?
10. Do I pray about the money I spend?
11. Do I go to bed on time and get up on time?
12. Do I disobey God in anything?
13. Do I have an uneasy conscience?
14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, touchy, irritible, or distrustful?
16. Am I proud?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Do I thank God that I am not like others?
19. Is there anyone I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, disregard or resent?
20. Do I grumble and complain?
21. Is Christ real to me?
I suggest you read them in light of Romans 8:1
1. Am I creating the impression that I am better than I am?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words?
3. Do I break confidence -- tell others' secrets?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, habits?
5. Can I be trusted?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did God's Word live in me today?
8. Am I enjoying my prayer time?
9. When was the last time I shared my faith?
10. Do I pray about the money I spend?
11. Do I go to bed on time and get up on time?
12. Do I disobey God in anything?
13. Do I have an uneasy conscience?
14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, touchy, irritible, or distrustful?
16. Am I proud?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Do I thank God that I am not like others?
19. Is there anyone I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, disregard or resent?
20. Do I grumble and complain?
21. Is Christ real to me?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Can we boast?
Think for a moment about all of the qualities, experiences, and privileges that you could boast about. Remember all of the encouraging words given to you by people, seeing the fruits of the Holy Spirit working in your life to produce love, meekness, or overflowing joy. You could boast in this, right? When one looks at the state of the world, they see a dark plague of filth that covers the hearts and minds of those unredeemed by the blood of Jesus. Surely, then, could not one who has been washed white as snow boast in their progress of sanctification? Is it not a marvelous wonder to once hate righteousness, yet now, to hunger and thirst after it?
What about your experiences? Ponder on the angelic encounter or dream that marked your life in your past. Are these rare occurrences rightful ground to boast, even if it seems only a few are chosen to experience them?
Consider then the honors bestowed upon you. The 'anointing', or preaching platform that many desire to see and operate under, yet it has been placed upon your shoulders like mantle. From miracles, signs and wonders to the confronting truth, spoken in love; matchless wisdom and eloquent words - graced with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are these areas that you can boast?
By no means! Let us not be caught up in the favor that our Savior has given us that we would taken honor upon ourselves! Are not all of these graces only made possible by the blood of the Lamb, spilled on the Cross for us? Woe to us if we steal His glory! Woe to us if we take what is rightfully His, and adorn ourselves with His praise like a lace around our neck! Let us familiar ourselves with the cry of heaven - "Worthy is the Lamb of [paraphrase] EVERYTHING!" To Him be ALL the honor, the glory, the wealth and the kingdom! For all things were created by Him and for His glory, not yours.
Therefore, let us not boast in anything, no gifts, nor power, or wisdom - but let us boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
Amen.
Consider then the honors bestowed upon you. The 'anointing', or preaching platform that many desire to see and operate under, yet it has been placed upon your shoulders like mantle. From miracles, signs and wonders to the confronting truth, spoken in love; matchless wisdom and eloquent words - graced with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, are these areas that you can boast?
By no means! Let us not be caught up in the favor that our Savior has given us that we would taken honor upon ourselves! Are not all of these graces only made possible by the blood of the Lamb, spilled on the Cross for us? Woe to us if we steal His glory! Woe to us if we take what is rightfully His, and adorn ourselves with His praise like a lace around our neck! Let us familiar ourselves with the cry of heaven - "Worthy is the Lamb of [paraphrase] EVERYTHING!" To Him be ALL the honor, the glory, the wealth and the kingdom! For all things were created by Him and for His glory, not yours.
Therefore, let us not boast in anything, no gifts, nor power, or wisdom - but let us boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.
Amen.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Kiss of death
My eyes are glazed and set. My lips are as cold as the night air. My muscles are relaxed. For I am resting in peace, but I am much alive. warm but cold. I'm still but running, free but bound by one. I am a living death, my heart is burning. my soul is crying, my flesh is rotting. I am a man possessed, I embrase my cross, I kiss the nails. I thank them that persecute me for it drives the nails deeper. deeper into my hand and into my feet.my screams are those of joy, for I am coming closer to you. as I die I become alive. as my body is bound to this tree I become free, I am a living death. dead to myself but alive in Him.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)