Month: February 2017

A Few Thoughts On PROPHECY / Part Two

By Alfred Bouter

Introductory Remarks On Prophetic Events
When the Church is raptured (Jn. 14:1-3) and introduced into heaven as John’s experience recorded in Revelation (4:1-2), the unbelievers, including the “Christians” who took that identity without faith, will remain on earth. Ultimately those who ignore or refuse God’s offer of salvation will perish, for they will be thrown into the lake of fire right after the great white throne judgment, in eternal damnation (20:11-15). How terrible!

In studying prophecy we must understand that important links exist between Matthew 24 and Revelation 6-16, as well as with the book of Daniel. We should therefore familiarize ourselves with these and other Scriptures that will help us to better understand God’s plans for Israel.1

When the prophet Daniel confessed the sins of his people as his own (Dan. 9:1-19), he thought that the time had come for the kingdom to be restored to Israel (v.2). Since this was not going to happen at that time, God sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel a detailed outline of what was to occur in the future, including specifics related to the two comings of the Messiah. The predicted events that would follow His death (vv.25-26) are now history. Because the predictions about the Messiah’s first coming and death occurred as foretold, we can be sure that the many details God gave as to what would take place before Christ’s second coming in glory and His reign of peace will also happen with complete accuracy.

What Is Prophecy’s Goal? 
Prophecy introduces Christ either morally or publicly. Consider Revelation 1:1-3 and 19:11, 1 Peter 1:10-12 and 2 Peter 1:16-21. These passages refer to the person of Christ, the Messiah, and show that prophecy is not just a list of events. Rather, prophecy implies many moral lessons linked to Christ in connection with the announced events.

God’s ways lead to the fulfilment of His plan, namely the administration of the fullness of times when Christ will be Head over all things, which will be placed under His feet (Ps. 8; Eph. 1:10,22). There is one exception: the Church (the Assembly). Why? Because it is God’s plan to give Christ, as Head over all things, to the Church as His greatest Gift to her. Even though Christ is the Head in relation to the Church, she is at His side – not under His feet.

The apostle Paul loved Christ’s appearing (2 Tim. 4:8), as do we, looking forward to when He will be honored in the same world that dishonored Him (2 Th. 1:10). These and other Scriptures, especially 2 Peter 1, while speaking about His coming also indicate important principles for the interpretation of God’s Word.

“A prophetic word” for our days, spoken about in 1 Corinthians 14:24-34, Romans 12:6 and 1 Peter 4:11, emphasizes the moral aspects of prophecy. But such utterances do not have the same authority as the written Word. Although drawn from Scripture – given by God to exhort, instruct or admonish His people – and with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, “a prophetic word” does not have the same value as the speaking and writing prophets of the Old and New Testaments. The messages of those prophets were inspired by God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16), a matter of divine revelation (Dt. 29:29; Amos 3:7) as given by His Spirit and Word. They are not the product of man’s mind.

What Is A Prophet? 
The Hebrew word nabi (prophet) refers to one who speaks on behalf of someone else – in this case on God’s behalf, making the prophet God’s spokesperson. A prophet is a forth-teller of what is in God’s heart and a fore-teller when speaking about things to come (Gen. 20:7; Ex. 7:1-2; 1 Sam. 3). Also, a prophet introduces God’s Anointed One, who is Himself the true Prophet speaking as sent by God and as Moses predicted (Dt. 18:18). A beautiful example is how Samuel the prophet was led by God to anoint the young shepherd David, a remarkable type of the Messiah (1 Sam. 16:5-13). We usually see God sending a prophet to His people when there is a departure from Him and His Word – a form of failure – in order to bring His people back to Himself. God’s Anointed One will be publicly introduced (Mal. 4:5-6) as John the Baptist did in the days of the Lord’s first coming and as was acted out by Samuel the prophet (consider Acts 3:20-24, 13:20).

Prophecy’s Perspective 
Prophecy introduces God’s Anointed among His own. Now, in the day of grace, Christ is introduced and represented by His disciples in the kingdom of God, in testimony and moral power. In a soon-coming day God will usher Christ into this world publicly. All will acknowledge, confess and honor Him, submitting to Him. Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is the very Center of prophecy as He is of all God’s truth. A great variety of aspects of its central Theme is found in many historic events, types, feasts, psalms and the books of the prophets.

God’s main objective with prophecy is restoration, in many different ways and settings, to bring His people back to Himself. A right understanding of this divine principle will lead us to praise and worship Him.

Prophecy Is Linked With This Earth 
Prophecy relates to this earth, according to God’s counsel, or plan, from the foundation of the world. This needs to be distinguished from His eternal purpose, which is from before the world’s foundation (Eph. 3:10-11).2 More precisely, prophecy relates to Israel, which is the center of God’s ways with the earth, and the nations as seen in relation to Israel (Dt. 32:8).

Prophecy is sometimes linked with the Church in so far as it is seen as associated with this earth, but not from the perspective of God’s eternal counsel. The calling, formation and rapture of the Church are therefore not part of prophecy. Note that the last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:52, referring to the rapture, has nothing to do with the last trumpet in Revelation 11, which is related to Israel and this world. Even though the same expression is used, the context shows the difference. Also, the expression “Lord’s Day” (Rev. 1:10 NKJV) literally means a “Lordy3 day,” which is an adjective form of Lord as in the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20), and it is obviously linked to the Lord’s Table. The first day of the week, Christ’s day of resurrection, is not the prophetic “day of the LORD” or “day of Jehovah.” In order to understand prophetic events we must see and respect the differences in position and calling between Israel (from the world’s foundation) and the Church (before the world’s foundation) according to God’s eternal purpose.

Today’s events on the world scene could be compared with the pieces being put together on a chessboard, whereas the “game” itself will be “played” after the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Th. 4:14-18). The future events are described in Revelation 6-16 and will be under God’s complete control, even though man is fully responsible for his part (see Dan. 10; Rev. 13 and other Scriptures).

God’s Ways Lead To The Fulfillment Of His Purpose 
God’s ways lead to the fulfilment of His desires, whether linked to Israel, to this earth, to the nations or in connection with the Church. As an example, think of how God used World War I to give part of His land back to the Jews, even though it was only a very small part when compared with Israel’s millennial realm (Gen. 15:18; Ezek. 48). World War II caused numerous Jews to return to their country, but many are still outside their land – some not wanting to return there.

Events in our days may lead to the reconstruction of the temple, which eventually will become the temple of the Antichrist (2 Th. 2:4). After the rapture of the believers, the professing but unbelieving Church will continue on earth in an apostate, or rebellious, form until its judgment (Rev. 18).

The definite and complete fulfilment of prophecy will only take place after the Church will be taken out of this world. This does not mean that there will be no believers on earth after the rapture, for God will form various distinct companies of believers from among those who had not yet completely rejected Him. However, many professing “Christians,” along with others in Judaism, will have hardened themselves to the point that they will follow a counterfeit god, an imposter (see 2 Th. 2:6; 1 Jn. 2:22). Obviously, these individuals will not be part of those new companies of believers that will be formed after the rapture of the Church. Today, in the day of grace however, all believers are together in Christ and form the one body of Christ.

In view of the horrible end for all who hear God’s warnings yet refuse to take heed and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) – despite maybe calling oneself “Christian” – we close this part with one more appeal. Admit that you are a sinner and accept God’s gift to meet your need. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

ENDNOTES 
1. Besides this, it is good to remind ourselves that God speaks to us even through passages that are not directly addressed to us. In other words, God speaks to us through His Word, including Scriptures that deal with topics related to Israel (consider 2 Tim. 3:16-17). 
2. This expression “before the world’s foundation” occurs three times (Jn. 17:24; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20) before time and space. Seven times the preposition “from” precedes the term “the world’s foundation,” and it clearly refers to something that started at or after creation (Mt. 13:35, 25:34; Lk. 11:50; Heb. 4:3, 9:26; Rev. 13:8, 17:8). 
3. The word “church” has been derived from this term “Lordy” (Gr. kuriake). Some believe that “Lord’s Day” is an invention of the Roman Church and therefore reject this term. But understanding what Scripture teaches we can use such a term even though we realize that it has been abused. Many biblical terms have been wrongly used, but this does not mean that we should discard them.

Habakkuk

By Leslie M. Grant

“He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations. And the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills bowed. His ways are everlasting.” —Habakkuk 3:6 NKJV

Habakkuk, meaning “ardently embraced,” is a prophecy that particularly deals with the deep exercises and sorrows of a godly Israelite as he considered the shame and degradation of his nation, taken captive by “the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation” (1:6). This contemptuous enemy, the Babylonian Empire, is a picture of the world in its religious corruption and confusion – in its gross misuse of the blessings of God. Therefore it is little wonder that a godly person would be deeply distressed by Israel’s captivity to such a type of evil. Has not the same dreadful enemy today enslaved the professing Church?

Yet these sorrows caused the prophet to more “ardently embrace” the promises of God. They led him to a thorough confidence in God’s sovereign power and grace. He recognized that God takes the measure of earth itself, and therefore everything in it. He will painfully humble the nations. God will scatter the mountains, representing higher authorities, even though men think they are eternal. The hills, picturing lesser authorities, will bow before Him. With this being true, despite the great extent of the destitution and desolation to which Israel was reduced, the prophet could truly say, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord” (3:18).

Habakkuk is a book of precious help to those who, when faced with evil and trying conditions, sorrow before God.

Responses

Your magazine and teachings are so very important to me and several other prisoners with whom I share it. The article “Misplaced Priorities” (June ’16) is fantastic and should be used as a rallying cry for our nation. – USA

I love your thought provoking, spiritually edifying articles. – Taiwan

I so look forward to receiving the Grace & Truth Magazine. I particularly like the sound and easy to read Bible based articles and often find inspiration for my local preaching. – New Zealand

We have been following your Series on “Some Practical Instruction On …”, particularly the articles on anger and envy in the March and April 2016 editions respectively. They gave a good time of retrospection in our walk with God in our Christian life. – Nigeria

While reading an old magazine, the article “Are You A Letter From Christ” (Sep. ‘11) brought my senses back again that the life He has given me is for the world to see Him through me. Thank you for reminding me that I am supposed to be a letter from Jesus Christ. – Nigeria

Resolving Family Conflicts / Part 7

By Emmanuel V. John

Abuses In Relationships
How sad it is that in the family, where love and peace should prevail, there is increasing violence. As frustrations become more intense and hostilities increase, spouses sometimes lose control of their emotions, and conflicts are escalated. Families need to turn to Jesus Christ to gain victory over their destructive reactions to conflict.

When one exhibits a low frustration tolerance, a simple conflict may cause an outburst. The husband or wife may go through phases of repressing anger, building tension and then exploding over an insignificant issue.

Many women are being abused by their husbands in reaction to family conflicts, and the probability of being abused is increasing rapidly. Chances for marital violence are heightened when the wife is alone with her husband, partly because of her vulnerability. Wrongly, some men perceive their spouses as their property and feel free to batter them when they feel threatened.

Along with physical abuse, there is often emotional abuse. Emotional abuse is defined as mistreating and controlling the other person, and it may include ridiculing, insulting, giving orders, demeaning, ignoring, controlling, threatening, and withholding privileges. It is internal, and the damaged emotions are often repressed. These feelings may later be displayed in the form of decreased self-esteem and in a perception of helplessness or hopelessness.

A person brought up in a dysfunctional family system, full of stress, conflict and abuse, does not necessarily become abusive in a relationship, but there is a high probability that he or she will be abusive because of the exposure to and tolerance of abuse. Since early exposure to violence plays a significant role in developing tolerance toward using violence, it is paramount for the sake of the children that conflicts in family relationships be resolved!

Men In An Abusive Relationship 
Men from abusive families often have power struggles in relationships, feelings of insecurity, fear of rejection and frequent overreaction to unresolved conflicts. Other personality characteristics of abusive men include an inability to manage anger, poor impulse control, low frustration tolerance and weak coping mechanisms. Sometimes these men have difficulty identifying and expressing their emotions. As a result they tend to act out their feelings in a violent manner. Even though they may seem tough and strong, they are craving for acceptance, security, nurturing, comfort and constant reassurance.

Because of their low self-esteem and lack of assertiveness, these men may overreact to criticism and display jealousy, depression and sensitivity to rejection. They often have unrealistic expectations for their wives. Many of these men turn to substance abuse to avoid the responsibility for their own behavior.1

Women In An Abusive Relationship 
Battered women may seek to repress their feelings of terror and turmoil by attempting to display tranquility. Their husbands’ verbal and physical abuse is often tolerated because of the women’s dependency on them for support and the wives’ own feelings of inadequacy – often a result of their being frequently criticized by their husbands.2

A wife may remain in an abusive relationship without any serious attempt to resolve conflicts. She is often paralyzed by the fear of being in more danger if she leaves because of her husband’s threats to find her wherever she goes. Hence, the abused spouse remains in the relationship because of fear rather than love. Other reasons that spouses remain in abusive relationships are cultural traditions, religious convictions, family structure and fear of abandonment. Sometimes the wife perceives her traditional role as being a wife and mother who should be submissive and forgiving of her husband’s painful actions.3 Thus, the abused wife often experiences love-hate episodes.

Negative Coping Patterns 
Infidelity. A growing number of spouses are committing adultery. People today call it being “unfaithful” or “having extra-marital affairs.” As a result of unresolved conflicts in the marriage relationship, the spouse sometimes copes negatively by adulterous relationships and then attempts to justify his or her involvement as the need to feel loved and to release tension. But, instead of releasing tension, they often feel greater tension, hostility, guilt and anger.

Child Abuse. Parents frequently displace their feelings of anger and abuse on their children. Sometimes parents attack their children directly by degrading them with labels such as stupid, worthless, good for nothing, lazy and ugly – even stating their wish that the children were dead. They also may attack their children indirectly by teasing and belittling them.

Children in such a family system suffer significantly. However, there is hope for the restoration of joy in the relationship if sins are confessed and forsaken, and lives are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Surely there is no wound that He cannot heal.

Many abused spouses, because of their own frustrations, high anxiety level and unhappiness, tend to overreact to their children’s behavior. Children certainly can test the extreme limits of their parents’ self-control, but children are to be loved, not abused.

Many abusive parents were themselves battered children. They tend to transmit the same violent patterns to their next family system. Hence, abusive parents need to experience God’s unconditional love, which can result in healing damaged emotions. This process is not simply surrendering one’s will to a “Higher Power” or to a “Higher Self,” but rather to the “Highest Power” – the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, the Savior of all who will confess Him as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10).

We reiterate that family violence, infidelity and abuse affect the parents and the children, who often become the victims for the displacement of the parental anger. Sometimes a child switches from a son or daughter relationship to that of an adult nature. The more intense the conflict is between the spouses, the more the children are at risk; and the related scars can last for a lifetime. In spite of all the abuses, there is real and full healing and hope in Jesus Christ. Many children are crying for help. But to whom can they turn? Since there are biblical answers for all displays of conflict, true Christian counseling can play a vital role in working with the parents and children to obtain healing and resolution.

Alcohol And Drugs. Instead of working through the conflicts in their family, many individuals turn to alcohol as a means of coping with a high stress level. Alcohol abuse can contribute to conflicts since it alters mood and behavior. It also can be a negative coping mechanism used to attempt to drown out or forget problems for the moment. However, instead of alcohol helping to reduce tension, it often escalates destructive behavior, resulting in more conflicts.

As the husband, wife or child continues to abuse alcohol, a dependency develops, and the continued drinking may lead to the abuse of drugs. In reaction to unresolved conflict, some parents perceive alcohol as a soothing and controlling agent for their feelings of anger. Later, they discover they were deceived: Alcohol was only an avoidance tactic that leads to terrifying and humiliating consequences. “Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Prov. 20:1 NKJV).

Drinking alcohol is frequently accepted by the children because it is the norm for their parents. The availability and accessibility to alcohol is a growing temptation. The product is advertised and displayed in many stores as something pleasurable and desirable. It is like Satan who always shows the immediate gratification and the “fun” side of things, but never the consequences. Hence, many children who join their parents in drinking alcohol for seeming pleasure only discover later its sting and pain. Solomon concluded concerning alcohol, “At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper” (23:32).

Adolescents, having tried alcohol and drugs as an experiment, often become dependent on them. Some begin using these substances with the false confidence that they can quit at any time. However, they discover over a period of time that their tolerance for alcohol or drugs has increased and they are becoming progressively dependent on them. They then experience feelings of low self-esteem, isolation, rejection, insecurity, guilt, dependency and loss of control. Hence, there is no doubt that experimentation can lead to life-threatening addiction.

Many families are discovering that instead of substance abuse being a way out of their problems, it is a way down into more problems. The heart cry of many is not for a new bottle but for a new beginning. Thank God there is hope, there is deliverance through the Lord Jesus Christ. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God; through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:24-25).

Compulsive Eating. It is not unusual for a spouse to internalize feelings of hurt. In order to cope with the high stress level, some resort to binge eating. Recently a woman told me that she felt psychologically divorced from her husband and used food to compensate for her feelings of loss. She added that the more anger she felt towards her husband, the more food she ate, which resulted in excessive weight gain. Her health, self-image and productivity all were affected.

Depression. In most cases of clinical depression there is a high level of pent-up anger in reaction to unresolved conflicts within the family relationship. Many families who have experienced violence and abuse in a relationship experience multiple symptoms of depression, including sleep disturbances, decreased concentration, decreased energy level, feelings of anger, guilt, nervousness, sadness, inadequacy, helplessness, worthlessness and hopelessness. A spouse may simply give up trying to work through the conflicts.

A depressed person experiences a weight of guilt or anger that keeps him or her down. Thank God, there is hope for guilt and depression in Jesus Christ. How comforting to know that when Christ died for our sins and was buried, the weight of the great stone placed at the door of the tomb could not shut Him in or keep Him down. The women who came to the sepulcher saw “the stone had been rolled away … Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here” (Mk. 16:4,6). There is no need for one to remain depressed because the Lord Jesus Christ, the mighty Conqueror over demons, disease, death and hell, can be trusted in every circumstance. In the darkest hour or the most difficult situation, His words to us are, “Do not be afraid; only believe” (5:36). Do you believe the Son of God?

Suicide. I want to emphasize that if help is not sought, depression can lead to suicide. How sad that so many people perceive suicide as an escape or exit. Animals experience high stress level, but they do not deliberately kill themselves. Hence, even animals seem to recognize that suicide is not a solution. When human beings use suicide as “a way out,” they discover too late – on the other side of death, where they stand before an all-righteous God – that suicide by no means resolves conflicts or is a solution to anything.

Children become depressed when they blame themselves for the unresolved conflicts in the family system. Many young people become so angry with their parents that they refuse to listen to them, and then they seek out love, acceptance and security in the wrong places and from the wrong crowd. They sometimes turn to bars, nightclubs and lonely streets. Many of them become involved in drugs, alcohol and sexual promiscuity. Teenagers have a deep need for love and acceptance, but they are vulnerable.

Attempted suicide should be taken seriously, and it is often a cry for help. It is not a solution! We must recognize that the Lord gives life and takes life (Job 1:21). But both parents and children often become preoccupied with the giant problems rather than with God. In themselves they find no hope, and they don’t realize their problem can be solved. Remember, parents have a modeling effect on their children, who are likely to follow in their footsteps.

Separation. By separating, a family avoids dealing with the conflicts by not communicating or discussing the issues, or seeking help from a Christian counselor who gives biblical help. Even extremely minor conflicts can trigger major negative reactions leading to separation.

When husband and wife are angry with each other, one may abandon the family instead of confronting an issue. Then after a period of time, that one may return home, but with all the conflicts covered up rather than resolved. In the presence of others the couple often masks their emotions, but deep down in their hearts they are enraged and resentful of each other and retain feelings of separation, loneliness, rejection and aloofness. The home environment becomes full of stress, anxiety and emotional coldness. The family may recognize the need for help to work through these conflicts, but not seek it. Sadly, the peace which they once enjoyed is replaced with panic, and the love is turned into hate.

Divorce. Today’s response to unresolved conflicts is seen in the increased divorce rate. Some families perceive marriage as simply a contract. Hence, if the relationship does not remain healthy or fully satisfying the spouses simply quit, often with little effort to work through conflicts. Divorcing over simple problems seems to be the trend.

Divorce will likely continue to increase in our society, but the question is why do so many spouses give up and abandon the family instead of facing the problems in the relationship and seeking help? It is evident that there is a hunger for real, lasting love. But many abandon one relationship for another thinking the grass is greener on the other side, not realizing that he/she still has to mow the lawn. In other words, another marriage is not a cure for the unresolved conflicts in the previous one.

Many spouses are occupied with self-love. People should feel loved and have self-worth, but not become so selfish and self-absorbed that they are unable to demonstrate love for another. The deeper need is for genuine agape love which is divine, unconditional love. Love is the lever that lifts the loads of conflicts, opens the door to truthfulness and respect for each other, pockets pride, turns barriers into bridges, and heals and holds the marriage together. Divine love, when experienced in family relationships, will close the door of the divorce courts.

From man’s view there are multiple reasons for divorce, but it was never God’s design and desire. Divorce is never the result of genuine love and commitment. “What God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt. 19:6). However, when love is lacking and God is left out of the relationship, the door to divorce is always open as an option. But before the relationship reaches a desire for divorce, the couple should seek out counseling to work through their conflicts.

Summary 
In exploring some of the reactions to unresolved conflicts in relationships we see that people are prone to avoid the pain of working through the problems in the family system. In these families the emotional, psychological and physical needs are not met because of a lack of love that lasts – unconditional love which comes only from a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan is a home wrecker, for he has come “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” But Jesus Christ is a homebuilder and has “come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10).

ENDNOTES
1. Grant L. Martin, Counseling for Family Violence and Abuse, (Dallas: Word, 1987), 35-36. 
2. Grant L. Martin, 38-39. 
3. Ginny Ni Carthy and Sue Davidson, You Can Be Free, (Washington: Seal, 1989), 16-17.