Author: gat_robo

The Rapture

By Martin Girard, used by permission from www.skywaymessages.co.uk – adapted.

Suppose an interviewer raised that question with a hundred truly born-again believers selected at random. It is likely that three different responses would emerge. There will be those who reply, “What rapture? I don’t know what you are talking about. I’ve never heard it mentioned in my church.” Others may say, “The rapture? Oh, you’re not one of those odd people who believe that, are you?” Then there will be those who respond, “Yes I’m looking forward to it, and many signs make me feel it can’t be very far off.”

What is meant when people speak of “the rapture” and why can it be such a contentious subject? In this article we are going to see what the expression means and attempt to discover why such differing responses may be heard when a question like the one above is raised.

First, it must be stated that the expression “the rapture” is not found in the Bible – though its meaning is certainly there. It is an expression that is closely connected with the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Paul writes of those who are “alive and remain” being “caught up together with them [that is, the believing dead who have been raised] in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (KJV). Notice the expression “caught up together” which Paul uses in this verse. Without being too technical, the Greek word used by Paul was translated into Latin and then into the English language as “rapture.” It means the sudden snatching away of believers from an evil world to meet the Lord in the air.

A Promise Given 
To any careful reader of the New Testament it will be obvious that before the Lord Jesus Christ left the earth He promised to return. In John 14:3 He spoke of going from His disciples to prepare a place for them and of coming again to receive them unto Himself. No date was specified in the promise – simply that He would “come again” for them. The following words “that where I am, there ye may be also” make it clear that the Lord Jesus was not speaking of reappearing to the disciples after His resurrection. The promise is clearly connected with the “Father’s house” (v.2) and concerns bringing His disciples there.

Not long after making the promise, the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven before the wondering gaze of His disciples. As He disappeared from view an angel appeared with the message, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). He would return! A clear promise remained in the minds of those first disciples.

From the beginning of the church age (Pentecost) the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ has been an important doctrine and a vital hope. The apostle Paul, having spent a short time in Thessalonica preaching the gospel and establishing a church there, made known to the new believers that their Savior would return “from heaven” (1 Th. 1:10). The closing words of the Bible also confirm the promise made by the Lord that He will come again, to which His people respond, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

Why then does the question raised at the beginning of this article produce such different responses from born-again believers? It is not too difficult to draw a conclusion. In some churches the return of the Lord Jesus is rarely mentioned and certainly never taught in detail. Others know and believe that the Lord will come again but they have a different understanding of how it will all take place. 

In Two Parts 
One thing that many overlook is that there are two different aspects to the second coming of Christ. This was true of His first coming too. Prophecies in the Old Testament anticipated the Messiah’s “coming” to Bethlehem and also to Jerusalem. How could both be true? With hindsight we can understand perfectly that His birth was in Bethlehem and was very much a “private” affair witnessed by very few, while His entry into Jerusalem on a colt years later was a very “public” event before an enthusiastic crowd.

In His second coming something parallel can be traced. The New Testament speaks of the return of Christ being unexpected (which is why the Lord taught the need to watch) and yet “every eye shall see Him” (Rev. 1:7) – without any mention of having to watch. How can such apparent contradictions be explained? Put simply, there will be two parts to the return of Christ. First He will come to the air, and then He will come to earth. His coming in the air will be “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52) while His coming to earth will be in a display of power and great glory (Mt. 24:30). Clearly this cannot all take place at the same moment. The only way to harmonize these and many other Scriptures is to realize that the Lord will come in the air for His own and then will return from heaven with His own. Both things cannot take place at exactly the same moment.

The Rapture Scripture 
The main passage of Scripture dealing with the rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. To comfort these recent converts who were distressed because of the death of believing loved-ones, Paul pointed them to the coming of the Lord: “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (vv.16-17). 

At the moment Christ comes, the church age will end. The events described here will take place in a split second, as we learn from 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. In this passage we are told that not all shall “sleep” (physically die), but all believers shall “be changed” instantaneously. It is important to notice that this was “a mystery” – something that had not been revealed before in Scripture (1 Cor. 15:51). We must therefore not expect to read about this in the Old Testament, although there were two men of God who fulfilled this in figure: Enoch and Elijah. These two men were both taken up into the Lord’s presence without experiencing death (Gen. 5:24; 2 Ki. 2:11). 

This event, the rapture, could happen at any moment. Certain conditions do not need to be fulfilled first. The Lord Jesus made it clear that it is vital to be ready because we do not know when He will return (Mk. 13:35-37).

Why The Disagreement 
Perhaps at this point we should ask why some Christians pour scorn upon the idea of the rapture. Do they not believe in the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ? Yes, they do believe; but they lump everything together. Some picture the Lord coming from heaven into the air, catching up His redeemed people and then returning at once with them to the earth. Of course, this could be concluded from Scripture, but it fails to bring one significant matter into consideration: Israel.

God has not finished with that nation. Although He is not dealing directly with them at this particular time, many Old Testament prophecies await fulfillment. In Daniel 9:24-27 we read of a very specific period of seventy “sevens” relating to Israel. The last of those “sevens” has not yet been fulfilled – an extremely significant seven-year period time that is mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. Piecing it all together we can see that a time of terrible suffering awaits that nation, but it will be curtailed by the return of their Messiah whom they shall see (Zech. 12:9-10) when “His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives” (Zech. 14:4). There is no good reason to “spiritualize” such verses and deprive them of their literal meaning.

The church age is a period of time when God is calling from this world a heavenly people described as “the bride of Christ.” Failing to distinguish between this heavenly people and the earthly people of Israel leads to confusion. When the Church is complete and all who are going to make up the number of the redeemed have been gathered in, the Lord Jesus will come to receive His people whom He will take to their heavenly home. Believers will then stand before the judgment seat of Christ, that their lives of service may be evaluated before sharing the joy of the marriage supper of the Lamb (2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 19:6-9). 

Many today simply fail to discern these differences because their theological training has taught them to think in a certain way. The views of Augustine of Hippo prevail in many institutions of learning and consequently a literal interpretation of prophecy is rejected. Knowing only too well that people with strange ideas exist, these theologians reject whatever appears to contradict with Augustine, making the assumption that he interpreted every aspect of Scripture correctly. This accounts for the scorn that is often poured upon those who teach “the rapture” and distinguish between the Lord’s coming in the air and His coming to earth. Believers who sit under the teaching of men trained in theological college therefore usually hear nothing about the rapture.

A Practical Truth 
Christ is coming again! His people are heaven-bound. The Lord Jesus may return at any time, and we must be ready. Events in the Middle East and in Europe point to the imminent fulfillment of prophecies; however that is another vast subject beyond the scope of this article. A discussion of the rapture should not become a heated debate, but neither should it be simply an academic exercise. Although “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) is vital, the knowledge that Christ is coming at any moment should make us want to live holy lives. By doing so we will not be ashamed when He shall appear (1 Jn. 3:2-3).

Discipleship For Today

By Alfred Bouter

If we would add together the number of times “disciple” and “learn” (learn as a disciple) occur in the New Testament, we would find them almost 300 times – a vast topic, for sure. In the following pages we will look at some of the challenges and blessings of walking as a disciple of the Lord.

While giving instructions to the Twelve, the Lord Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master” (Mt. 10:24-25 NKJV). In this statement Christ emphasized the relationship between Him and His followers and showed the need of their formation, without which it would be impossible to send them out as His representatives. He compared it with the bond between a teacher and his students and a master and his servants. By the time He gave those instructions the Lord had called several young men to be with Him and follow Him, so at a later time He might send them out as His representatives (Mk. 3:14).

Even though the disciples the Lord had called were different from each other and of various backgrounds, just as are all believers, they had certain things in common:

  • All were called by Christ and had responded to His call; 
  • They left all1 in order to be with Him and follow Him, and
  • They kept learning from Him.

These things were necessary before the Lord could send them out on a specific mission which He gave them, as detailed in Matthew 10 (which we will see later). Similarly the Lord, who is now at God’s right hand in heaven, is training the believers to equip them for special tasks He has given. When sent out by the Lord they need to constantly rely on Him, being then able to represent the Master in a way that pleases Him.

Nathanael Meets Jesus – A Pattern For Disciples 
Let’s briefly look at the relationship with the Master, as illustrated in Nathanael (Jn. 1:45-50).

The disciple Philip told him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (v.45); and he invited Nathanael to “come and see” the Messiah. Despite his initial objections, Nathanael accepted the invitation. When he met the Lord Jesus, this One who knows the heart (Acts 1:24) said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” (Jn. 1:47). When meditating under the fig tree (v.48), Nathanael must have been occupied with the question of the Messiah and of his own condition. The Lord knew all this and had been working in him through the Holy Spirit.

Scripture links the fig tree with practical righteousness; and while meditating under this tree Nathanael had come to judge himself in God’s light. Therefore, Jesus the Messiah could say to him those special words (v.47). As a true Israelite, Nathanael had learned lessons similar to his forefather Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel (Gen. 32:28). Now Nathanael recognized Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of God and the King of Israel (Jn. 1:49). He became His disciple and was further instructed by the Lord (vv.50-51). So we see that a disciple is a learner, taught by the Lord and who follows Him according to His instructions. 

Calling, Formation, Obedience, Love 
Christ’s calling of disciples is seen with Peter and Andrew, John and James (Mk. 1:16-20), and Levi – who was called Matthew (Mt. 9:9). But in Nathanael we see “the other side of the coin”: the inward preparation needed to respond to the call. The responses are different according to each one’s character but they have some elements in common, namely obedience to and love for the Master. In a general way the Lord summarized the calling and the response with these words: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt. 11:28-29). Applying this for today, we say:

  • We are attracted by Him,
  • We come to Him,
  • We follow Him,
  • We learn from Him, and
  • We obey and love Him.

At the same time He forms, goes with, leads and protects us even in the midst of opposition and difficulties. The disciple is also a servant (literally bond-slave), and these two aspects cannot be separated.

Finally, the one who serves and follows the Master will be rewarded and honored, not only by the Master but also by the Father (Jn. 12:26). It is very special to the Father to have children in this world who are followers of His beloved Son – the One who was and still is rejected in and by this world. 

The Instructions For The Disciples’ Mission – Many Object Lessons For Today 
The twelve disciples sent out by the Lord after their initial formation received many specific instructions in view of their mission. Today, the immediate context is not the same, yet we can draw many lessons from these instructions by learning from the seven directives:2

  1. The Twelve were sent only to the house of Israel, especially to the lost sheep among the nation (Mt. 10:5-6,38) – just as the Lord was sent (9:13,35-36). The nation was occupied, not only by Rome, but by Beelzebub [prince of demons] as well (12:22-45). Today, the period of grace, God’s message is to the Jews first (Rom. 1:16), but it also goes out to all people (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:47).
  2. The Twelve were to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven had drawn near (Mt. 10:7; compare 3:2, 4:17). This announcement implied the need for repentance (Mt. 4:17; Mk. 6:12) because of Israel’s failure. But morally this message applies to all “for all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23). Initially John the Baptist, while introducing the King, emphasized the need of repentance. This complete U-turn, with inward sorrow for sin, was needed then as it is today; and it will also be needed after the rapture of the Church when the message of the coming Kingdom will again be proclaimed.
  3. The Lord empowered His disciples to perform signs to accompany their words. These acts of power were fourfold: to (1) heal sick ones; (2) cleanse lepers; (3) raise dead individuals; and (4) cast out demons. These miracles were signs of the age to come and of Messiah’s reign in glory. Though postponed because of the King’s rejection, these signs will be given again (Heb. 6:5). However, during the period of grace in which we live, even though sometimes physical healing occurs, there is a particular emphasis on the moral transformation (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Such transformed lives demonstrate the power of the King, even though He is absent from this scene.
  4. The disciples had received their gifts freely and, therefore, they must give freely. They would wear a girdle for service (a belt, sometimes also used to carry money), but it was to be a service without commercialism or consumerism [business terms that relate to exploiting people for personal profit] – two things which happen when mixing God’s Word with man’s riches. 
  5. No special provisions need to be made. Trusting the Lord who provides (Lk. 22:35), the disciples must simply go out as they are, without taking extra things. This is similar to Israel in the desert when the Lord was taking care of all their needs, whereas after arriving in the Promised Land they had to do everything themselves in faith with the Lord’s help. So it is for disciples sent out today: rely on the Master and, on the other hand, make the necessary provisions (Lk. 22:36) in order to go out as His disciples, representing Him in a world that is opposed to Him. These two verses, Luke 22:35-36, present two sides of discipleship. 
  6. The instructions the Lord gave in Matthew 10:11-13 relate to a worthy reception of the messengers. A positive reception would bring peace (blessing) to the house.
  7. The Lord foresaw a general rejection (10:13-15) and described its consequences. The greater the light, the more responsibility – where much was received (Israel and the Church), much will be demanded. Stephen, addressing the leaders who had rejected the message of grace, outlined the dire consequences of their hardening and rejection (Acts 7). These things are described for our learning on whom the ends of the age have come (1 Cor. 10:11-12). 

The Disciples’ Preparations In View Of Persecution 
In view of opposition and persecution, the Lord prepared His disciples and us also by giving specific instructions for the special needs that would arise.

  1. In the setting, disciples are as sheep among wolves – vulnerable but relying on the Master who is with them in dangerous situations. In such cases disciples need to be prudent (wise as serpents), and marked by purity, sincerity and innocence (as harmless doves).
  2. “Beware!”, “Take heed!” and “Pay careful attention!” are appeals repeated five times in Matthew (6:1, 7:15, 10:17, 16:6,11). Persecution would come from religious as well as political or civil authorities, but help would be given by the Holy Spirit (10:17-20). Similarly, the apostle Paul warned of dangers coming from outside and inside the Church (Acts 20:28). 
  3. Persecution must be “for My name’s sake” and not because of our own failures. Such persecution will take place even inside the family circle (Mt. 10:21-22), often in the most aggressive and difficult forms. Yet, disciples need to “keep going” – enduring to the end. This means Christians must continue even when facing dreadful opposition, now and until the rapture. In a prophetic sense, after the rapture endurance will be needed when disciples of that day will have to keep going on throughout severe persecution, until the coming of the King in judgment and glory. Notice also that there is a progression in the severity of the rejection: (1) opposition and dangers (10:16), (2) persecution (vv.17-20) and (3) delivering up to death by relatives (vv.21-22). 
  4. The work must to go on despite opposition and persecution (v.23). The book of Acts and the Epistles give many examples of how the testimony continued.3 May we take courage! 

The Lord’s Seven Words Of Encouragement For Disciples

  1. The disciple is identified with the Master/Teacher, who is Lord (vv.24-25). He or she learns from Him, being formed and fed by Him while serving Him. 
  2. The message cannot be kept hidden. It must be spread despite resistance (vv.26-27). 
  3. They can kill the body but not the soul (v.28). There is a three-fold challenge and encouragement, “Do not fear” and “Don’t be afraid” (vv.26,28,31). 
  4. The Father’s care is promised (v.29). This is similar to the promise that the Lord will be with the disciples (28:20), His presence with the sheep among wolves (10:16), the Holy Spirit in and through them (v.20) and the Father that is for them (vv.29-32). 
  5. The Lord Himself is the great Advocate with the Father in heaven (see 1 John 2:1), and on earth the Holy Spirit is in them (Mt. 10:20). Both help the disciples in their testimony (consider vv.31-32). 
  6. The Prince of Peace sends a sword (spiritually), subduing the enemy and giving victory (morally, not necessarily physically) to those who love Him above all else (vv.34-39). To “take up the cross” because of love for Him may imply that we have to go through this world expecting to be executed for His name’s sake. This would not be for selfish interests – whether for one’s self or group. 
  7. The chain of command implies a chain of blessing (vv.40-42). Those who receive the disciple receive the Master, who is the Sender, and therefore the receiver(s) will be blessed.

Brief Summary Of Qualities And Functions Needed For Disciples 
The disciples, called from various backgrounds to be sent out by the Lord while He is rejected, must have many qualities and abilities to function in different roles as outlined in Matthew 10. This applies to all believers since Christ calls them from various spheres of life to function as: 

  1. Apostles or sent ones4 (vv.1,5), or messengers – the Lord Himself also was sent (v.40); 
  2. Workmen or laborers (v.10) – workers God can approve (2 Tim. 2:15); 
  3. Sheep, reaching out to the lost sheep (v. 6) among wolves, in need of prudence (like serpents) and of purity (as doves) (v.16); 
  4. Disciples, learners and followers (v.24); 
  5. Bondmen, bond-servants or slaves (v.24); 
  6. Members of Messiah’s household (v.25), in contrast to those who belonged to the house of Israel, now occupied by the enemy (Beelzebul, lord of the dwelling (NASB), Mt. 12:43-45); 
  7. Prophets, the Master’s spokes-persons (v. 41) anticipating His rule in glory;
  8. Righteous ones representing the righteous King (v.41) and walking in practical righteousness; 
  9. Little ones representing the One who humbled Himself (v.42) as the little Child (18:2-4). 

In conclusion, we may be reminded of a verse from a hymn writer of old, Samuel Tomkins (1841-1926):

We worship at Thy Holy feet,
And long to serve Thee still;
Take Thou our heart, our lips, our lives,
And mould them to Thy will.

END NOTES 
1. This does not mean that they neglected their wives and families, but that they learned to give the Master His rightful place in their lives. 
2. For the moral qualifications needed for disciples, see Matthew 5:2-13. 
3. Understand the differences between (1) a literal meaning partly fulfilled then and partly afterwards in church history, (2) the prophetic or future fulfillment, before the Lord’s return in glory; (3) the moral and spiritual application for the Church period; and (4) practical lessons, personally or collectively, today. 
4. Understand the distinction between official authority they had received, then, accompanied by God-given signs and wonders, and moral authority by being doers of the Word as applies to believers today.

Walking As A Disciple

By Colin Salter

Some years ago my wife and I hosted a discipleship class1 using an acrostic: 

Discipleship
Involves
Submission to
Christ
In
Practical
Living
Everyday.
  • Disciples are followers of someone or something. 
  • Famous people in our world have thousands of followers on social networking sites. 
  • Followers find out as much as they can about their heroes. They dress like them, listen to them and begin to think like them.

The Very First Followers Of Christ 
Our Savior started His life’s work by calling people to become His followers (Mt. 4:18-22, 9:9-13). These individuals left what they were doing and followed Him. What the disciples did can be seen by reading the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We then can see that they fulfilled the dictionary (Macmillian School Dictionary) definition of a disciple:

  1. They paid attention to what the Lord Jesus was doing.
  2. They did what He commanded or advised them to do.
  3. They went along in the same direction as He did.
  4. They were interested in His progress.
  5. They began to really understand what He was saying.
  6. They did the same as He was doing.
  7. They showed in their own lives the truth of His life.

R. C. Sproul defines Christian disciples as “those who are committed to follow Jesus as their Master” (The Gospel Of God). Commitment tells of a cost, as one serving his master.

Followers Have To Chose 
Christian men and women who want to be genuine disciples have to make many decisions every day. They are constantly called to choose between their way of living and God’s way. We are faced with the choice: remain like the world or become more like the Lord Jesus Christ.

For all believers there is a wrong way and a right way to live. This is the spiritual struggle into which true Christians are born again. It begins in our minds – with our thoughts. These then influence our words and actions.

Let’s read Romans 12:1-2 (NIV, italics mine): “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Having given the theology of the gospel in Romans 1-11, Paul makes immediate application in how to live for Jesus Christ – with Him as our Lord. The Old Testament sacrificial system of the tabernacle and temple was replaced by the New Testament command (and yes, it is a command – it is not optional) to “put ourselves alive on the altar. To be a Christian means to live a life of sacrifice, a life of presentation, making a gift of ourselves to God.”2 We do not sacrifice to make ourselves Christians, but because we are Christians we sacrifice ourselves.

Followers Change 
Being a true disciple, this kind of sacrifice will affect every part of my life. My family life will be patterned on God’s Word whether as a loyal and loving husband, a spiritual and submissive wife, or an honoring and obedient child. My work life will reflect God’s values: not stealing time or materials, breaking business confidences or telling lies. My ethics will be those the Lord Jesus Christ would have in my situation. I decide to care for my friends and neighbors, putting their welfare even above my own and meeting their needs as I am able. I ensure that my Christian service will mirror my Lord. I will sacrifice myself using my skills, health and time for the spreading of the gospel by word and deed. The way I use my money and other resources God has loaned me will honor Him and His ways – thus being totally different than the non-Christian people around me.

A new believer who wants to know God’s will for his life will find it by prayerfully reading and studying the Word of God. This will help him to start thinking like God, and his new mind will develop new values. In everyday life these values will soon make him stand out from the crowd. By what he does he will be known to be a follower of Jesus Christ. When a man knows what God loves and hates it is quite easy for him to choose what to do – one’s choices following the pattern of His thoughts which are now becoming his own!

Followers Cultivate 
Figuratively, we who are Christian disciples live near the foot of the cross of our Lord Jesus. We learn to cross out the wrong and to cultivate the right in our lives. Yes, we do make mistakes. But we learn from them and seek to avoid them in the future.

Using definitions from our dictionary we see that “cultivate,” to prepare ground for growing crops, is an important word for Christian disciples. Through the Holy Spirit we prepare ourselves to produce spiritual fruit. Digging, weeding, feeding and protecting are all involved. A cultivated person is well educated and knows how to behave politely. We might say that a cultivated Christian lives a style of life that radiates the holiness, grace and love of Jesus Christ to everyone with whom he or she has contact. As in gardening or farming, preparation is the key to producing a good crop.

The Follower’s Cost 
Our Lord told His first disciples that following Him would not be easy. Through them He likewise warned us: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will save it” (Lk. 9:23-24). Jesus Himself counted the cost and lived every day in God’s honor. The cross on which He was executed was part of following His Father’s will, and in Gethsemane He chose crucifixion rather than release (Lk. 22:42-44). Giving honor and obedience were seen throughout His life – even as a child of 12 years (Lk. 2:49; Mt. 3:17, 17:5; Jn. 15:10). Notice that in Luke 9:23 the decision to follow Jesus had to be made at least once every 24 hours.

The Followers “L”In many countries, people learning to drive have to have a red letter “L” attached to their motorbikes or cars. 
Here are seven “L’s” of the first disciples: 
• Let go of their old ways in life,
• Lived with Jesus Christ, the traveling teacher,
• Learned from Him as He explained Scripture (the Old Testament) to them,
• Listened to Him,
• Looked at Him,
• Looked more and more like Him as time went by, and
• Loved God with their heart, soul, mind and strength, and their neighbors likewise (Mk. 12:30-31).

Followers Speak Without Words 
When Christians live as followers all day, every day, those around will take notice. Could it be that some do not follow Christ now because we do not follow Christ closely enough? True Christian discipleship speaks every language in the world and no one is beyond the reach of believers who live like the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:12, 2:1-2; 1 Jn. 2:6, 3:1-3).

END NOTES 
1. These studies became my first book, Raising The Standard, at www.colinsalter.net. 
2. Debbie Dodd, Dictionary of Theological Terms In Simplified English (Evangelism and Missions Information Service, Wheaton IL ) 2003, p. 48.

Right Motives, Wrong Motives

By Hank Blok

Honestly ask yourself this question, “Am I a real disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ?” There are a number of motives for being His disciple, and the signs of a sincere devotee will be very different from the individuals with ambitions that lead ultimately to a disappointed soul. Are you enjoying walking with the Lord now, or are you simply facing disappointment? 

Right Motives
Some important qualities will be seen in a true follower having correct incentives:

  1. There will be an attraction to Him as the One who first loved us (1 Jn. 4:19).
  2. There will be a continuance in His fellowship, driven by the fact that the Lord Jesus Himself is precious to us individually (1 Pet. 2:7).
  3. There will be a following of His teachings and commandments because of our love for Him (Jn. 14:15) and because we have believed that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn. 14:6).
  4. There will be, when tempted to forsake Him and follow something or someone else, a realization that we have an anchor: “To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (see John 6:66-68 KJV).

These are the characteristics of a genuine disciple, a loving follower of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Wrong Motives 
There are many wrong motives for acting the “Christian” way. A person may be following Jesus Christ* for what they think they can get: a special family (the family of God), a “prestigious” job (such as a position within the local church), improved health or gaining wealth. These improper motives, even evident in the days of the Lord, have formed false disciples throughout Church history. Many who followed Jesus Christ wanted to make Him king – not because of His preciousness, but for what they thought they could get from Him (see John 2:23-25, 6:14-15).

Consider Judas Iscariot. What was his motive for following the Master? Was it money? He was a thief who held the moneybag and helped himself to what was inside (Jn. 12:6). Or was it power and popularity that he sought? Judas, after all, was numbered among the Lord’s twelve disciples who were sent forth to preach, heal sicknesses and cast out demons (Mk. 3:14-15). Whatever his motives, we can certainly say that Judas was not a true disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who knows the heart made a condemning statement about this imposter: “But there are some of you that believe not.” Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who it was that would betray Him (Jn. 6:64).

One of the Twelve and others in the early church professed that they knew God, but in their works they denied Him – “being abominable [detestable], and disobedient, and unto every good work, reprobate [worthless]” (Ti. 1:16). Is it any different today? Of course not! There are “Christians” who think they are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ but their obvious intentions suggest otherwise.

Consider those who follow the “prosperity gospel” – a “believe it/receive it” theology. Such a message must be feared as this so-called gospel is really only a means to an end: to gain the blessings of health and material goods. This teaching prevents the person from making Him Lord and from being the object of one’s affections as He becomes simply the means of, or way to, prosperity. Being a disciple of this philosophy may have its perceived rewards today even as it did in the days of the Exodus, as noted in Psalm 106:14-15: Then the Israelites “lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert, and He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Anyone following the person and teaching of Christ for what he can “get out of it” is certainly not a true disciple; he is spiritually famished.

There are other ways someone may follow in the Christian pathway and not be a true disciple of the Lord Jesus. Here are a few possible motives out of many:

  • It is done to please parents, friends or associates.
  • It has become a habit.
  • It provides a social network and sense of belonging.
  • It offers some prestige.

A Serious Consideration 
Whatever one’s purpose may be in following Christ, if it is not out of a pure attraction to the person, work and teaching of the Lord Jesus, it is a false motivation. That man or woman, boy or girl is not a true disciple.

The Lord Jesus set out a number of requirements for a genuine and satisfying discipleship:

  1. “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Lk. 14:26). To understand this statement the meaning of the Greek word translated “hate” must be examined. The original Greek word is miseo, meaning “to love less” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). Therefore, our Lord is saying that anyone following Him, making a commitment to the Christian way of life, must love Him more than family and friends, and even life itself. Natural ties should not hinder or affect absolute devotion to our Savior and Lord.
  2. “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple” (v.27). It may not be an easy matter in this world to follow the rejected Christ, but it is well worth it to have Him as our soul’s delight. All other things, including hardship and material loss, can then be endured for His glory.
  3. “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple” (v.33). The Lord Jesus deserves, and should have, the preeminent place in our hearts. Material wealth can be a great obstacle to an undivided motive (see Matthew 19:16-23). 
  4. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32). Continuance is the sign of a true disciple. Where this is not seen in one’s life, that person’s salvation may even be questioned – “Was it an actual conversion or simply an empty profession?” It must be noted, however, that a true Christian cannot lose their salvation (Jn. 10:28-30; Rom. 8:28-39).

But how can people tell if someone is a believer? The Bible says that they judge us by our fruit (Mt. 7:15-23). Where there is no fruit in a person’s life, that individual must examine himself or herself in humble confession, either toward restored discipleship or to salvation through repentance and receiving Christ Jesus as Lord.

A Heart Check 
Let us take a moment to examine ourselves, checking our motives for being a disciple of the Lord Jesus. Do we have:

  • A real attachment to the person of our Lord and Savior for who He is in Himself? This would be the number one reason for any and all of the following actions.
  • A constant communion with Him in prayer, along with personal and group Bible study?
  • A desire, willingness and courage to do His will?
  • A seeking of direction from above, committing each day and action to Him? Much of the direction for happy Christian living will be found from our daily times of prayer and Bible study.
  • A manner of life that brings glory to the Lord Jesus Christ? This will be an automatic result when occupied in doing the other items listed above through His power.

Oh, might we be genuine devotees indeed!

A Personal Experience 
When I was a young child I came to the Savior for what I could get from Him. He was my “fire escape from hell”! At that time He became my Savior, but I did not become a conscientious disciple until some time later. Thankfully, through the years He has become precious to me. I now know that I love Him and seek to follow Him for who He is. May the Lord Jesus Himself and all He has done continually be my reason to love Him. My desire is that He would be the attraction of your heart as well – being a sincere disciple of the “altogether lovely” One (Song 5:16). He, Himself, will then be the motive to observe His teachings and follow in the whole doctrine of the Christ as recorded throughout the Scriptures. 

A final encouragement for a disciple of the Lord Jesus comes directly from the Word of God. The Bible speaks to each of us individually when it says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Ps. 37:4). Don’t be surprised that when we truly delight in Him He will give us the gift of Himself, and He – the Lord Jesus Christ – will be that delight of our hearts. He is the greatest reward of genuine discipleship (Gen. 15:1)!

ENDNOTE 
* The title “Lord Jesus Christ” is not used here, as a false disciple has not made Him “Lord” in their hearts.


Low In The Grave He Lay

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

RefrainUp from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes.
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
—Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Are You A Sellout?

By Paul Alberts

A sellout is someone who totally abandoned – even betrayed – his beliefs, principles and possibly relationships to join or satisfy others associated with a different view. Examples of such individuals are pretty easy to find in the worlds of entertainment, politics and business – usually because they value fame and riches more than almost anything else. So one might wonder, “What does a sellout (related to our February topic) have to do with being a disciple of Christ?”

Think about where we began in life. We had a desire to satisfy ourselves, didn’t we? Even a baby will cry until it gets what will make it “happy.” Moving into childhood and then adulthood we found ourselves having the attitudes and ideas typical of the world in which we live. We were followers – which is the definition of “disciple” – of the world. In this the Bible is quite sharp: “A friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (Jas. 4:4 NASB); “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn. 2:15); and “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 Jn. 5:19).

As this is what we were physically born into, we need to become sellouts ourselves – completely abandoning worldliness for that which is infinitely better. We need to be devoted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ! The path begins by being born again, spiritually entering into life everlasting. Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (Jn. 3:7). Through Paul, God continues, “I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God … Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1-2) and “deny ungodliness and worldly desires” (Ti. 2:12). Contrary to the fame and riches found in this world, as followers of Christ we have “the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God” (1 Cor. 2:12).

So, this begs the question: “Are you sold out to Christ – a disciple following Him and Him alone?”

Magazine March 2015

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Emphasis: Bowing In The Kingdom -Paul Alberts
Worship: Jesus Shall Reign Whereer The Sun -Isaac Watts
Feature: An Invitation -Colin Salter
Feature: Living As His Subjects -Milton Jamieson
Feature: What To Do And How To Do It -Alfred Bouter
YouAsked: Should we preach the kingdom of God? -G. A. Wiese
Uplook: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins -Jacob Redekop
Response: Responses
Family: Engagement And Marriage -Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.
Discover: Discover Questions -Alan Groth
Issues: The Blessed Man -H. A. Ironside
Series: Divine Titles And Their Significance -A. J. Pollock
Overview: 2 Chronicles -Leslie M. Grant
GoodNews: Will God Forgive Me? -Roscoe Barnes III
Full Magazine PDF: Magazine PDF

Will God Forgive Me?

By Roscoe Barnes III

“Bruno” had reached the pinnacle of success. He owned his own business, lived in a nice house, drove a fancy car and had a beautiful wife. It seemed that his happiness would never end. But soon problems surfaced and his marriage fell apart. Before long he did something he would live to regret.

I met Bruno when I visited the medical unit of the detention facility where I was chaplain. Bruno was a hulking figure with sad eyes – an expression that told you something was wrong.

“I’ve been trying to reach you for a long time,” Bruno said as he greeted me with a handshake. He then offered me a chair. The 30-year-old man rarely smiled and was often ignored by those around him. He felt that people were either afraid of him or they simply hated him. Either way, most people, including other inmates, would not give him the time of day.

Without any prompting from me, Bruno began to tell me his story as he started to cry. “I can’t believe I’ve ended up this way,” he said with tears coming down his face. “I’d never been in trouble with the law. I can’t believe this is happening.”

He told me that he was at the end of his rope. Loneliness had set in like a heavy sack and all he could see was despair. Eventually, Bruno said that he had started to think of how he would take his own life. As he sat in front of me with his elbows resting on his knees he said he had done the most horrible thing imaginable – he had killed another human being. “I’ve taken a man’s life … and I deserve whatever happens to me,” he said. He wiped his face and paused. Then he looked me in the eyes and asked: “But do you think God can forgive me?”

That question hit me with a wave of emotion as I thought about the Good News of Jesus Christ and how He came to save us from our sins. I eagerly shared the message of God’s grace with Bruno and then asked him a simple question, “Have you trusted Christ as your Savior?”

Shaking his head he said, “No,” and started sobbing profusely. When I asked if he would like to, he immediately said, “Yes.” He then bowed his head and prayed to receive Christ into his life. When he lifted his head he was beaming with a bright smile, and the expression with the sad eyes was no longer there.

Bruno’s life was so drastically transformed that he went from being the most despised and feared man in the facility to the most loved and respected. He found favor with all who worked around him. He accepted what he had done as sin and committed his future to God.

What God did for Bruno He will do for anyone who places his or her trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. God loves us and is more than willing to forgive us of our sins. He said: “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins” (Isa. 43:25 NKJV). “God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him” (Dan. 9:9 NIV). Forgiveness of all our sins is available simply for the asking!

When I think of Bruno’s story, I’m reminded of the apostle Paul who was responsible for the deaths of Christians, but God’s grace made a difference in his life (1 Tim. 1:12-16; Acts 22:4,19-20). For this reason he could say: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Tim. 1:15, NKJV).

It does not matter who you are or what you have done, God’s grace – His underserved kindness – is all you need. Jesus came into the world as a man and He died on the cross for you and me. Jesus shed His blood so that our sins could be washed away: “To Him all the prophets witness that, through His [Jesus’] name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission [forgiveness] of sins” (Acts 10:43). “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7).

Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and He is alive right now. He longs to save you and to forgive you of all your sins. Will you accept God’s forgiveness? We can tell you more.

2 Chronicles

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” —2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

By Leslie M. Grant

Here the gracious summing up of God’s ways in connection with the kings is continued. Solomon’s magnificent kingdom is seen here beautifully typifying the reign of the Lord Jesus in the peace of millennial glory. Nothing is therefore said of his grievous deviation from the path of obedience to God; his marrying many wives and being badly influenced by them.

The dividing of the kingdom in the days of his son Rehoboam must be taken note of, for grace does not set aside God’s government. Rehoboam was forbidden to attempt to bring the ten tribes back again by force. The ten tribes set up a new center at Samaria and a new king. They are therefore only referred to in this book in connection with the history of Judah for God’s grace must be shown only in connection with His chosen line – the line of the true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. This stands out beautifully in the histories of Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah.

Such a review that so magnifies the blessed counsels of the grace of God is a precious intimation [hint] of the character of the judgment seat of Christ for the believer. The books of Kings show us the obnoxious history of man, while Chronicles show how God’s grace transcends man’s sin.

This column is taken from the book: “The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.” 
It is available for purchase from Believers Bookshelf USA.

Divine Titles and their Significance

Part Five 

By A. J. Pollack

Prophecies Concerning The Coming Christ
These prophecies are most illuminating and precise. How could writers, centuries apart in different countries and generally ignorant of what each other wrote or would write, give us one complete prophecy with the utmost precision? This indicates a divine power was controlling and guiding their pens – a Master Mind energizing each writer. The Bible is the only book in all the literature of the world which presents this unique and unanswerable testimony to divine inspiration.

A most striking prophecy followed man’s sin in the Garden of Eden. Enmity was put between the serpent and the seed of the woman. That seed was Christ. Satan crushed His heel [something painful] when he led men to crucify the Lord of Glory. But Satan’s apparent victory was actually his utter defeat. That will be seen in the future day when Satan will meet his final doom in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10), thus fulfilling that first prophecy that Satan’s head would be crushed [will be fatal] (Gen. 3:15 JND).

A later prophecy shed more light as to who Christ would be. We read, “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14 NKJV). Immanuel means “God with us” (Mt. 1:23) and is another name for God. Isaiah wrote that Christ would be the Child of the virgin, but He would Himself be God. 

The prophet throws still more light on the subject of the coming Christ, which historically did not come to pass for over seven centuries. “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

Would any uninspired writer in his wildest dreams pen this verse? It sounds apparently contradictory to speak of the same Person as a Child of days and “the Father of eternity” (JND). How could both statements be true? And yet we know from Scripture that the Child of the virgin, begotten by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, was God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16). God as well as Man, yet one blessed Person – the Son of God – a mystery utterly beyond man’s comprehension! Our Lord Himself told His disciples, “No one knows the Son except the Father” (Mt. 11:27 NKJV).

It is an incomprehensible mystery to us, like the following Scripture: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2). Here, in a seeming contradiction, is a Baby born in a defined place, Bethlehem, and yet we are told that the One so born was from everlasting. In taking up Manhood our Lord had a beginning at Bethlehem, but the One who had that beginning is God from everlasting, the eternal Son who never had a beginning. The Son was given, not born (Isa. 9:6).

As a last example from Scripture we read: “Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, I was there [there AM I, JND – the assertion of deity]: and now the Lord GOD and His Spirit have sent Me” (Isa. 48:16). We have here the three Persons of the Godhead in fullest concert for the blessing of man. Marvelous truth! The Word sent stands in great prominence in this Scripture. Was this not wonderfully fulfilled when our Lord, as recorded in John, announced 14 times that He was the Sent One of the Father?

To those in the temple who doubted He was the Christ He said, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me” (Jn. 7:28-29). The circle is complete. The Lord plainly linked Himself up with the Sent One of Isaiah 48:16.

This forms a suitable finish to our study of the names of God in the Old Testament and affords a pleasing introduction to our study of divine titles in the New Testament. It is in the Person of our Lord that the Old and New Testaments join hands.