Guess what? We may be considered “terrorists”

Many of you may have heard of the recent Department of Homeland Security Assessment Report on “Right-wing Extremism”.  If not you can download it here.  The report itself, said to have began composition during the end of the Bush Administration, outlines the description and potential risks of right-wing extremist.  Now, many terms are used with a general ignorance of it’s meaning.  A good example of a “right-wing extremist” would be the recent murder of George Tiller.  That is what the government seems to actually be hinting at.  The problem with the  report is some of the language used.  For example…

“Conspiracy theories involving declarations of martial law, impending civil strife or racial conflict, suspension of the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of citizen detention camps often incorporate aspects of a failed economy. Antigovernment conspiracy theories and “end times” prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons. These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations and extremist members of the militia movement.” (Page 4)

“The dissolution of Communist countries in Eastern Europe and the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s led some right-wing extremists to believe that a “New World Order” would bring about a world government that would usurp the sovereignty of the United States and its Constitution, thus infringing upon their liberty. The dynamics in 2009 are somewhat similar…” (Page 6)

The use of such terms, clearly associated with followers of Jesus, provide an indirect target.  I’m a student of the Word of God which spells out in great detail the conditions of Jesus second coming and the set up of His Kingdom/Nation/Empire on this earth (in fact there are at least 150 chapters in the Bible describing His second coming, you can find them here).  What an authorized, governmental document such as this does is place an indirect target on myself and all believers.  With a very, very, very ignorant populace in the United States and an increasingly socialistic government (one must note that the further left a population goes, the more “right-wing extremist” a moderate people appear), the use of such terminology will only provoke a violent response.

I believe widespread persecution of believers is imminent.  With the thorough support of the Hate Crimes Bill, the rapid-fire socialism this government is becoming, the increasing hate for Jesus and His followers, and such indirect targets provoking ignorant masses (who aren’t able to discern), we can only prepare for such.  Congregation buildings are going to be shut down, martyrdom is actually going to be seen in the western world, and increased persecution is going to provide the platform for the Gospel to run swiftly and be glorified.

Recently, an IHOP leader traveled to Egypt to minister to the church in Cairo.  As Egypt is preparing for a Presidential election, he inquired of their thoughts.  “Of the candidates, who are you all supporting,” he asked.  His response.  They are going to vote for the candidate that if elected will more than likely  approve of persecution of followers of Jesus.  Why?  Because, they said and know, the Word of God will prevail.  It always has in persecution.

“…the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.“

-Tertullian

Ministry Trip

The weekend of April 30-May 2, over a hundred (possibly around 200) first and second year International House of Prayer University students traveled to three different cities (Council Bluffs, Iowa; North Omaha, Nebraska; and Peoria, Illinois).  Each city has a considerably Holy Spirit initiated and directed united among congregations.  The pastors are praying and fasting together.  The congregations are sharing resources.  The move of Holy Spirit is flowing in each setting.  But they are not your regular “charismatics”.  No, in fact the congregations are very diverse; Church of Christ, Lutheran, Willow Creek, Mennonite, Methodist, etc.  This true esperssion of the church, the city church made up of several congregations invited us to come and join in over the weekend.

I led a team specifically into a Methodist congregation in Peoria, IL – Bradley Epworth United Methodist.  Below is the schedule.

THURSDAY, April 30th 2009

-9:00 AM Depart from Blue Ridge Building Parking Lot

-5:00 PM Arrive in Peoria, IL – Northwoods Community Church

-6:00 PM Family Gathering [Northwoods Community Church]

-7:00 PM Leadership Blessing [Northwoods Community Church]

-7:45 PM Depart for Bradley Epworth

-8:30 PM Bradley Epworth Welcoming Gathering [Sanctuary]

-9:45 PM Depart for Host Homes

FRIDAY, May 1st 2009

-7:00 AM Group Breakfast at Bradley Epworth [Fellowship Hall]

-7:30 AM Briefing on food pantry. [Fellowship Hall]

-8:00 AM Food Pantry [Fellowship Hall]

-11:00 AM Lunch [Fellowship Hall]

-12:00 PM Papa Tom: Pastoral Blessing and Ministry to IHOP Students [Sanctuary]

-1:00 PM Prayer Room Opens [Sanctuary]

-2:00 PM Healing and Prophecy Rooms [Throughout church]

-5:00 PM Dinner [Fellowship Hall]

-6:00 PM Service [Sanctuary]

-8:00 PM Evangelism Outreach

-11:00 PM Prayer Room Closes. Depart to host homes.

SATURDAY, May 2nd 2009

-7:00 AM Breakfast [Fellowship Hall]

-8:00 AM Men’s & Women’s Groups – purity and accountability [Church]

-8:45 AM (-9:30 AM) Men’s & Women’s Groups – prayer ministry for IHOP students. [Church]

-10:00 AM Prayer Room Opens [Sanctuary]

-11:00 AM Lunch [Fellowship Hall]

-11:00 AM Prophecy Rooms at Half-Capacity [Throughout church]

-1:00 PM Prophecy Rooms at Full Capacity [Throughout church]

-5:00 PM Dinner [Fellowship Hall]

-6:00 PM Service [Sanctuary]

-11:00 PM Prayer Room Closes.

SUNDAY, May 3rd 2009

-7:30 AM Breakfast [Fellowship Hall]

-8:00 AM Devotional Time – Team Assignments [Fellowship Hall]

-9:00 AM Team A – Traditional Service [Sanctuary].

-10:00 AM Team B – Soundcheck [Ramada]

-11:00 AM Team B – Service [Ramada]

-1:30 PM Depart to Gateway Gathering

-2:00 PM Corporate Gathering [Gateway Building]

-4:00 PM Depart for Kansas City

The team was amazing.  This was the first ministry trip that both Forerunner School of Ministry (FSM) and Forerunner Music Academy (FMA) students joined together in.  The Lord loves His people and came to refresh and renew their lives, hopes, and vision.  Not a life anxious over economic uncertainty, but a life centered on and only on the person and Spirit of Jesus.

Several notable testimonies came back from the trip.  Two in particular included a healing and the beginning of the salvation process.

A first year FSM couple, while ministering in the prophecy rooms to a woman, received a word of knowledge about the woman’s leg.  She could barely walk with numerous situations included in.  They prayed for her, she felt a warm sensation, so they decided to “try it out”.  She walked down the stairwell cautiously realizing she had absolutely no pain.  She, with exuberant excitement, walked back up.  This time she was ecstatic.  She ran down then ran back up again.  She was healed in the name, power, authority, and love of Jesus.

Secondly, during a food pantry, students were asking those coming what we could pray for them about.  Two students, talked to this particular woman.  She asked prayer for her friend in the IC Unit.  They prayed and afterwards looked up at her, she was shaking.  It was at that moment, one of the students took the opportunity.  He preached the Gospel to the woman.  He preached the fall, the story of redemption, the life of Christ (which is the heart of the gospel) including His returning and coming Kingdom.  At the very end, with eyes both set on one another, he confronted her with a decision, “Jesus.  Yes or No?!”  She said “Yes!”  They explained repentance and the life of the spirit, took her into the prayer room we had set up, gave her a Bible, explained it and, most of all, taught her how to pray.  Then one told her that she needs to get baptized.  She wavered, they encouraged her to pray about it.

Later that evening, we had a service in which she attended, but with a purpose.  She wanted to get baptized.  She told us later that while she had been praying with her eyes closed “picturing Jesus on the throne” (Rev. 4), she saw “blood red” all of a sudden.  God then told her it is the blood of Jesus washing her of her sins and that she now needs to get baptized.  And baptized she got!  We filled up a bathtub next to the congregation building and baptized her in it.  It was truly awesome and just a taste of apostolic Christianity.

Here are some testimonies from some of the students on the team…

“I don’t think their was anything that blessed me more than the spirit of love and unity that resided so
strongly amongst our IHOP group and the church that we were ministering at. Although none of us really knew each other or had

the benefits and blessing of a long history together, it felt like we already were family and knew each for years within just a few days. The love and unity was the highlight for me on the ministry trip and all that the Lord did out of that was all the more beautiful because of it. There is nothing quite like it when God’s people come together in unity and then go out to minister and watch God show Himself through us. Also, I felt like I was experiencing and witnessing Malachi 4:5 in the way that all the pastors gave us their blessing and enabled us as young people to come in and minister.“

-Susannah

-

“I was so blessed to be able to travel with ya’ll and serve at the church. I can’t think of any specifics at the moment, but there was just so many things that happened during the time that I can choose which to talk about. I loved the food pantry. There was so many people that were hungry, not only for food stuffs, but to hear from the voice of the Father. I was able to pray with numerous individuals that were all so receptive to hearing from the Lord. It was fun.

Our times of worship together were so much fun, too. I felt like our guards were able to come down some and we could just worship as we truly desired. The corporate dancing times made me so happy. There was such joy that I couldn’t help but move even in light of the great fatigue that I felt.

The prophecy rooms were great as well. God was able to really move in confirmation of many various things in peoples lives. Some even received words that brought healing to deep wounds. Some people were just flat out blown away that God actually speaks so specifically through people. At one point, one girl who was working the prophecy room with me was put in a place of sharing really timely counsel for someone that was considering divorce from their spouse. I prayed for my teammate and God gave some really good words of wisdom. Right what she need to hear for that very hour.

Lastly, I just love the congregation that we spent time with. They were so courteous of us. I felt very loved by their generosity in serving us meals and giving us a great place to sleep. God was so good to us.“

-Peter

-

“The most impacting part of the trip for me was to see the school of ministry and the music academy work side by side, laugh side by side, and prophecy side by side.  It is a beautiful and powerful thing when the brethren walk in unity and to see that firsthand was powerfully exciting.  We put aside our different backgrounds, laid down our walls, and found common ground in the man Christ Jesus.  We lived together, talked about real issues, exhorted each other, comforted each other, and thus demonstrated what a real church is: community operating under their Head.  It was an honor to see, to be a part of, and to have settle the issue of “can we ever get along?”  Indeed, we did and now know that were are all one in Christ.“

-Adam

Quick Update

Okay, it’s been a while since my last post.  I am taking a quick break from the prayer room just to update everyone.  Expect some regular posting again.  But right now, here are some quick points…

• Went on an amazing ministry trip to Peoria, Illinois first week of May.
• Turned 22 on May 8.  New age, new pair of glasses, new haircut, new clothes, new man.  (Someone asked me if I’m in a mid-life crisis).
• Preparing for next school year, entering in my major/program – Apostolic Preaching and Prayer Program.
• Preparing for Awakening Teen Camp (Student Ministries youth camp at IHOP this summer) in which I will be a counselor.
• Beginning a systematic study of scripture unto prayer, meditation, contemplation, and worship.

All of this I will be explaining and elaborately on soon.  I am also going to rework the last two posts (believers and government).  I wrote them quick and fast, without much organization.  Plus, I have a lot of new thoughts.

There is a lot of really, really, really good stuff going on in my life.  I’ll explain some of it.  Just keep checking in.

I am also going to be going to Kentucky for a week or so between now and June 12.  I’m really wanting to work on raising support and other idea’s to keep you up to date.  Stay tuned.

Our Mission Part 2 (AKA Positve Elements)

Okay, I just came out of an amazing practicum class on transformation.  How the Lord is transforming villages, people groups, etc.  In the class, we discussed exactly what I just posted about.  Yet I want to bring some points up.

We all, as the redeemed, have the longing in us to see cities, villages, etc. shaken to the core with the gospel.  We also want God to be near us, living with us.  I love life, I love the land, etc.  But I want to see the communities I live in transformed by the power of Jesus and in one unison loving and following Him.  With this longing inside of me, though, I have been confronted by the institutional church’s answer to this:  political action and government takeover.  This I believe is wrong, entirely wrong.  Yet, not to be negative to the Bride of Jesus, this is what the church has always seen and done.

As followers of Jesus, we are children of Abraham.  We have been grafted into the promises of Israel.  We have never, ever replaced physical Israel.  We are a nation, grafted-in Gentile Israel.  The promises of Abraham are our own inheritance.  Thus I bring up 2 Chronicles 7:14 “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.”  This is directly focused at a particular event to a particular audience.  Yet, due to what I just stated now pertains to us.  This is our land!

The promises of Abrham inclused the inhertitance of the entire earth.  This is our world.  The story of redemption is that all of creation will be restored, reconciled, and redemed.  That includes this land.  Our inheritance is ruling and reigning the earth with Jesus.  This is our land.

What happens though, because there are two words for flesh and world, we become somewhat gnostic in our understanding.  What do I mean?  There are at least two separate references to “world’ and “flesh”.  One speaks of the physical planet, cosmos, environment, reality, etc.  The other of the wicked systems of man; the demonically originated and controlled systems and institutions that stand against the knowledge of God.  One reference to flesh is nothing more than a descriptive word of our physical body and never used in a negative context.  The other is as Richard Liantonio describes, “that which corresponds to the age of Adam and participates in its death-drives. It is that which is in allegiance with everything contrary to God’s kingdom, God’s future for the world.”

The point of this being that our identiy as pilgrims on the earth is not a hatred of physical over spiritual, nor distain with this physical world.  No, we are pilgrims in the midst of this wicked, demonic reign.  Our hope and ultimate home is this earth, forever, culminated at Jesus second coming and ruling reign over the entire earth.  What we do is wait, pray, prepare, and proclaim that coming.

What has happened is that the church is void of all of those points.  But to focus on one, preparation.  Our lifestyles are so ingrained still in the wicked flesh – that contrary to the Kingdom of God.  Our response to sin has been hostility due to the bitterness of sin in our own heart.  What do I mean by that?  We react to the problem of abortion by protesting and fighing to political change, but what remains is unrepentant sin and corrupt, bitter hearts full of pride that will not repent.  Instead of fighting the United States government and justice system for the issue of Abortion, we should humble ourselves, seek Jesus, and turn from our wicked ways (repent), then we would see the transformation we are looking for.

Our goal is not to fight political issues.  No, it is to create a corporate capacity for the Lord to come and inhabit, which will automatically result in transformation of that locale.  It’s the glory of God coming into a city, the Gosepl being proclaimed with power and confirmed by signs and wonders, and that Word of God prevailing in that city.  The entire locale following Jesus, the thick heavy presence of God in the midst, and the entire city/population being transformed.

This will only take place when we repent of our sins and righteouness, our good deeds and our wicked ways.  It’s when we seek His prescene.  This is not our efforts, but only His presence.  Making ourselves, our assemblies a capacity and He making Himself a deluge.

Our Mission (AKA My thoughts on government and politics)

I am currently taking an Acts course.  In doing so, I have been continuously struck with the astonishing and blatant weakness of the early church.  They were mostly a small group (120+ in the upper room) of Twenty-Somethings.  They had just spent three years just tagging along with, being taught by, and imitating Jesus.  Now, they are alone with but only a promise of the Spirit of God coming to be with and empower them.  Mind you, that this only would occur in history tokenly and on the powerful King’s and Prophets.  Now, in the state they were in, just waited.  They receive Holy Spirit and the church explodes.  Yet just meditating on their conditions will make your draw drop.  They were nothing.  They had nothing.  Just a small band of people with simple, simple, simple, simple devotion and faith in the Man they loved.  Ministry was the people.  Nothing flashy, nothing expensive.  They had no agenda to take over governments only to have Jesus return and govern with Him.

But I write this in my own post-modern context, with two thousand years of history behind me.  What stirs is me is yes, the absolute lack of spiritual power, authority, wisdom, practice, lifestyle, and basically everything that we as the contemporary western church have in light of the beginning.  But another thing that strikes me is something I have been chewing on for years.

I once wanted to become President of the United States.  I loved politics. I slept, ate, and drank politics.  I led a youth political organization.  I spoke at political rallies.  All, while I was in High School.  Then I encountered Jesus and the rest of my life has been absolutely different. 

I absolutely hate politics now!  Yes, that is bold lettering. 

I see a church that has drifted so far from Apostolic Doctrine that it isn’t recognizable.  To illustrate my point, look below…

 

 

This is not a “christian country”!  Ever since Constantine baptized the Roman Empire into “Christianity” the goal of the church has been to take over countries.  The Evangelical goal of the past quarter century has been to create a “godly culture” out of America.  Today we have an entire generation of church youth that can coherently and with great zeal and articulation preach the points against abortion and homosexuality.  Yet no one knows the gospel!  Yet they cannot give any measure of coherent understanding of the life and narrative of Jesus, more-so the Gospel of the Kingdom.  But they can tell you why Abortion is wrong.

What is the result of that?  America is the fourth largest unreached population group in the entire earth, right behind China, India, and Indonesia.  To put that in perspective, there are around 400 million people in this nation.  Of that, around 200 million voted in the last Presidential election, the largest turnout ever!  Now of that, 100 million have never heard the gospel!!!!  Yes, that is a younger generation.  What have they seen and heard?  They know of Jesus through the political talking heads.  “Jesus is a political guy who doesn’t like abortion nor gays”.

I think it’s important to realize that Jesus came first in the context of the ridiculously unjust and cruel Roman Empire.  He had such a platform and plethora of wrongs to combat in the system that He could have spent His entire life on such.  Yet He never addressed one!

I woke up recently thinking of some of the largest “family values” and “christian America” proponents in my mind.  Then immediately a phrase came into my mind.  “They are not preaching the gospel!”  This is terrifying to think of.  I tremble looking at the next generation, even the most radical ones.  We are giving them concepts of good social justice doctrine.  Yet they don’t even know the gospel!  Entire ministries exist to tell an ungodly people to be godly or fight political issues!

I have trembled much recently with that thought.  I know persecution is about to break out and it in a way exhilarates and sobers me.  Yet I am so scared that the battlefield of persecution will be waged on cultural, political issues.  Not the gospel.  What condemnation on the western church when our only evidence of martyrdom is as a result of a political stance, not as a witness to Jesus!

Just writing this, I am confronted with the belief of many of these leaders.  What is declared is that this is a “christian country” and that America was dedicated to the Lord, also that we are in covenant with the Lord.  I have recently read a report where a prophetic leader stated that every institution that was dedicated to the Lord would return to Him at the end of the age.  I believe such statements are outrageously ridiculous.  As we speak, thousands of babies are being baptized and dedicated to the Lord.  Guess what?  It is there choice as to whether they will choose Him and follow Him.  The same choice remains for anything “dedicated to the Lord”.  Just to mention for my own sake, America cannot have a covenantwith the Lord because covenants are always drawn by the larger party.  This has historically never occurred.

Now, I believe the Lord raises up and anoints men and women in the Church to fight against error in the Church.  The fact that American Christians are in so much sin and embrace abortion, homosexuality, divorce, etc. in the church warrants that voices arise in and to the churchas a tool of the Lord confronting our compromise.  I completely agree and approve of that.  We must have just prophetic wisdom in our body.  Yet to take that standard and place it upon an ungodly, Antichrist culture is insane. 

I also realize that the Lord raised up Daniel and Esther int he midst of ungodly nations.  What I must point out is that both Daniel and Esther had limited authority.  They were not political sovereigns nor big decision makers.  They didn’t attempt to create a “godly culture” out of Babylon and Persia.  Esther was just a weak Queen who could have been executed for interrupting the King.  They were in no place to create a “godly culture”.  I think it’s time we dust off the church fathers and read some of their quotes.  I believe we must deal with that fact that the church fathers wouldn’t even consider a leader of a nation, more less a solider to be accepted into the church.  They knew the compromise involved and that automatically to be in such a role dictated certain automatic behavior and beliefs.

Our mission is not at all to excel in the “Seven Mountains of Society” but to preach there is another King.  The church is to be a nation on this earth waiting for, praying, preparing, and proclaiming the coming rule and reign of Jesus.  That is  our hope.  That Jesus will governmentally rule this earth and we will be His delegated authorities and governors over the earth for a 1,000 years.  Everything else is void of Apostolic doctrine and authority.

How then do we view governments and culture?  To be continued.

Some thoughts on preaching…

1. No where in scripture do you find anyone preaching the love of God to the perishing.  The call is always repentance (turning back to God – following Jesus)!  Some preach an intense, hateful message because they have that inside of them to the perishing.  Some, though, are overcome by the love of God for the perishing and try to articulate those emotions into the message.  Reality is we are called to a confrontational message but the presentation tainted with the love and emotions of God.  We cannot preach ‘Jesus loves you’ to perishing, unbelieving people.  We must preach the demonstration of love (Jesus, His full life, story, and future Kingdom) to move them to a place of  the experience of God’s love.  There is a difference.  We, as the beloved, experience the love of God.  Yet they haven’t and cannot fathom such until they realize the demonstration of His love towards them and act upon it.

2.  The Gospel is not a mystical, spiritual thing.  It’s a real life, in real time and space reality.  It’s the story of Jesus with emphasis on His coming and His Kingdom.  We are calling them into following Him, looking forward to and preparing for His literal Kingdom-Nation on this earth.  We must preach the excellencies, characteristics of Jesus.  It’s important to take note that the books we have, that which we call the Gospels, were most likely what the apostle preached.  The narrative of Jesus.  It’s the story of Him!  It’s Him to a perishing world.  One of my friends, who used to be an atheist and had never heard the Gospel until He was in college, will tell anyone what to preach.  Don’t use gimmicks, tactics, strategies, etc.  Preach the person, the man – Jesus!  We are not peddlers of a story!  We are not selling a product.  Jesus.  Yes or no!

3.  Jesus never argued the existence of God.  He revealed God.  Jesus is the fullness of God, bodily.  The very image, character, emotions, movements, temperament, passion, etc. of God.  He is God.  He is the image all of creation has been trying to make to satisfy themselves about God.  He reveals Himself, God, to all.

The Rapture of the Saints based on the Olivet Discourse

Here is my paper on the rapture from the last class, Foundations of Biblical Eschatology II:

The Rapture of the Saints based on the Olivet Discourse

 

        The question is  posed, simply, what is the most complete eschatological passage in scripture?  Where is a thorough, somewhat detailed outline of eschatological events in one plain context?  The  epitome  of end of the age teaching can be found in the Olivet Discourse – Mark 13, Matthew 24, and Luke 21.  In this short discourse, no one other than the Lord Himself outlines what will occur before, during, and after His coming.  It is this Divine outline, with it’s plain chronological sequence, that we can use in crafting all understanding of Eschatology.  Even further, when defining and ascertaining the doctrine of “rapture”, one must only look at these passages to gain a plain understanding.

            Throughout the entire discourse, Jesus provides a profound sequence of events.  He prophetically predicts near events as well as further.  Reading the passage, one finds numerous chronological words; then, after, first, those days, etc.  He provides a clear sketch of coming events.  He outlines specifically what will happen at the end of the age and the details surrounding His coming.  It all comes to a climax, however, in verse 24 of Mark 13 when He explicitly explains His return, what it will look like, and what will happen to believers.  Verse 27 details what will become of us.

            “And then He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the   ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” (Mark 13:27 ESV)

            As stated previously, the Olivet Discourse provides the Lord’s very crafting and understanding of “the rapture”.  The concept of rapture comes to us from 1 Thessalonians 4:17, when Paul comforts the Thessalonians with the coming day when all who “are alive, who are left, will be caught up (harpazō)”.  The word rapture originating from the Greek harpazō.

            In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus identifies the time and essence of the rapture.  In Mark 13:24, He sets His entire coming and the ramifications for believers in the context of the tribulation, “after that tribulation“.  So the entire 24-27 passage is conducted after the tribulation, then major cosmic and seismic disturbances (vs. 24-25), and then the actual, visible coming of Jesus (vs. 26).  It’s important to take note that He sets obvious, visible, and clear details to His coming.  In no other passage, at all, can one find mention of more than one coming.  Jesus, alive and walking the earth during His first coming, explains and gives vibrant details concerning His return.  Verse 24 presents a darkened atmosphere (the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light).  Verse 26 describes His coming from the perspective of the earth (And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory).  This is not a secret, invisible coming or reign.  This is up-front, obvious in real time and space. 

            “There is your rapture of the faithful who endure to the end!… Notice the timing of when the elect of God are gathered together, from one end of the sky to the other:  not until after the Abomination of Desolation is seen standing in the holy place, after the great persecution by Antichrist has been initiated against the saints of God, after many professing Christians fall away and lose their love for Christ, after two back-to-back signs have been displayed in the heavens, and after the entire world sees the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory!”[i]

            It’s during this very real, very actual, very clear coming that He “send[s] out the angels [to] gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven“.  The only difficulty with this plain explanation is the meaning of “elect”.  The only difficulty in interpreting the text is made when scholars, the great majority mind you, insert only Israel into the meaning of “elect”.  For example such a use and solution,  “The regathering of the dispersed Israel is an essential and traditional them of Jewish eschatological hope.  When Jesus touched upon this theme in the context of the eschatological discourse he reinterpreted Israel’s hope in a profound way…The remnant of Israel will recover their lost unity through Jesus… To be gathered by the Son of Man is to participate in the eschatological community and to experience the messianic blessing.”[ii]

                        I say again that the only difficulty in interpreting “the elect” is the hindrance placed by scholars assuming Israel is the elect in this context.  The Greek eklektos is used here, describing those picked out, chosen (chosen by God, to obtain salvation through Christ, the Messiah is called “elect”, as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable, choice, select, i.e. the best of its kind or class, excellence preeminent: applied to certain individual Christians)[iii].  The variety of meanings, with a clear mention of gentiles, especially the use of eklektos to refer to those from every tribe, tongue, and language in Revelation 17:14, can only rest the case of its use in this passage.  One can only insert the Jews as elect in this passage to fit a presumptuous theological scheme of eschatology.

                        The rapture of the believers, or the elect, according to Jesus’ outline in the Olivet Discourse is a clear, obvious event following the Great Tribulation, during the second coming of Jesus, and by the Holy Angels unto gathering us to Him as He returns to the Earth.

---

[i] Van Kampen, Robert.  The Rapture Question Answered. Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Revell, 1997. Page 85

[ii] Lane William L. The New International Commentary on the New Testament:  The Gospel of Mark. Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1974. Page 476, 477

[iii] Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for eklektos (Strong’s 1588)“. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 8 Apr 2009. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G1588&t=ESV >

 

Word and Spirit

I just finished one of the best classes I’ve yet to take, “Foundations of Biblical Eschatology II”. The class was situated around exegetical study of the 150 chapters in scripture that discuss the end of the age. In a corporate setting, fueled by small group exegetical research, we tore apart around 20+ of the main prophetic scriptures concerning the end of the age and developed a sequence of events according to our findings. The grid to do any end of the age research is Matthew 24 where Jesus Himself discusses line upon line, chronologically, the events surrounding His coming. It makes for an awesome project.

Not only was this class more participatory, instead of just Greek lecture and rhetoric, it was situated in the context of a passion for the Book of God and Spirit of God. In FSM we have had a consistent balance of classes touching both perspectives. What is resulting is a company of young people who are fully comfortable, ready and willing to write an exegetical paper then pray for healing, dance, and pray in the spirit. We have had a FALSE dichotomy between the two for too long. Traditional conservative evangelicals have warned about not getting into “subjective spiritual experiences” while charismatics have warned about “not getting top-heavy”. God’s passion is to have a people that embrace both, which is a complete reality. No longer are we to have a prejudice against one sect but embracing. I see no tension. I love the Word of God. I encounter the Lord in study. I get filled with the Spirit while studying Scripture. I love the Spirit. I am alive praying in tongues. I am alive in the midst of the thick glory of God. And guess what? There is no separation between the two.

The most important thing in life

I’ve been wrestling a lot recently with a believer’s paradigm of government and society. This has taken me on several roller coasters emotionally, as every belief and held doctrine automatically affects the way we live. One of the major signs of error in doctrine is it’s impracticality, such as not allowing women in ministry. You just can’t practically work that out (may address that sometime). Nevertheless, the way we view the earth and our lives does and should automatically correlate with how we live our lives. Yes, our worldview comes into play, but more than a systematic outline of worldview, how are we actually living our lives externally based on idea’s internally? That’s the importance of right doctrine.

In the west, we have tried to disconnect, divide, and separate idea’s, allegiances, and lifestyles. The entire secular/sacred motif is ludicrous. Why do we not realize what one believes affects all of life. To suggest that one must remain apart from a certain set of beliefs in a particular environment is actually insanity. To actually try to realize that is every further lunacy. Attempting to harness and isolate belief systems from certain scenarios leaves an individual highly confused with multiple personalities. That is one reason why the church in the west deals with such hypocrisy and division.

Recently, a team from our class went to the Country Club Plaza (huge outdoor shopping district in Kansas City) to street preach and minister. I was with a group stopping people to ask if we can pray for them. One particular woman replied rather annoyed that she does the “prayer thing” on Wednesdays and Sundays.  Implying that the other 99% of the week is not the religion sphere of her life. To segment our lives in such ways is a denial of Christ. We deny His personhood and humanity because we refuse to live lives as though we are interfacing with an actual person.  If loving Him is but on a segmented schedule a few hours a week, then any concept of relationship makes no sense.  No, to the west, Jesus is nothing but a token nod to a form of dry, spiritualized religion.  It affects nothing else in life. But that is the absolute antithesis of what this real, historical man actually said and did, and does. We have to deal with that. If we truly confess Christ is comes out of an internal reality, it cannot be separated. Thus, the reason for this post.

So, with that, I believe that the single most important thing in life is to gain a tender heart. The “world” chases after the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. To paraphrase David Sliker, people (especially the materialistic west) see something, want something, get the thing, then fight to keep the thing. It’s the thing that exhilarates their hearts, it is what captures the attention of their emotions. They chase after that thing. As believers, I believe the exact same cycle is prudent in our lives, but to gain and keep a tender heart.

Now that statement has a lot of stuff to it. Don’t just presume to know what it means or get weighed down by such large concepts. This is mostly an introductory post. I plan on laying these concepts and details out because this is larger than a one time blurb. What is the most important thing in life? Remember, what we believe is actually dynamically connected with what actions and choices we make.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

In Kansas City, each year, everyone is Irish for one day!  This year, an estimated 125,000 people, mostly young families, filled Broadway Blvd in Midtown, KC to be Irish and watch the 36th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the largest in the nation.

For the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP–KC), the day begins at 7AM as hundreds of people gather for prayer and last minute instructions before hitting the streets.  Their goal is to engage the gathering parade crowd with the truth about Jesus Christ.  Varied evangelism strategies include:
•    St. Pat tract distribution teams 
•    Street preacher, musician and heckler teams
•    St. Pat survey teams
•    Prophetic evangelism teams
•    Video interview teams

Before the parade began at 11AM:
•    The pre-parade evangelism teams spoke personally to over 10,000 people
•    They passed out 6,000 St. Pat tracts
•    Numerous people received prophetic words that opened their hearts
•    Healing miracles were reported right on the parade route
•    Over 50 people prayed to receive Christ as savior and Lord

One of the outstanding features of the parade for the last three years has been a float entry by IHOP–KC’s Forerunner Evangelism department.

Saint Patrick, a striking figure, bearded and in humble monk’s robe stands atop a fifteen-foot green mountain, grasping an eight-foot cross draped in red.  From high above the parade route he speaks to the crowd, disarming them with his Irish brogue and folksy warmth before thundering out his 30–45-second sermonette via a hidden miniature mic and P.A. system.  

“Welcome to my parade, Kansas City!  Tis I, Saint Patrick!   I’m so glad you’ve come to celebrate with me today!  And aye, tis a beautiful day the good Lord has given us, isn’t it!

 My friends, do you know Him and do you know how much He loves you?   The Lord doesn’t change.  He loved the people of Ireland in my day and He loves you folks here in Kansas City in the same way.  He is calling you!  Can ye hear His voice?   He is saying: Turn my friends, turn from your sinful ways and come to Me.  Yes, Kansas City, turn to Jesus, turn to Him!”  
The massive crowd is dumbstruck in silence for the most part, caught off guard by the preaching of Justin Perry, this year’s St. Patrick.  Immediately following the homily to repent and believe, the unsuspecting parade-goers are in for a second surprise.

Suddenly the attention of the crowd is drawn to 600–700 musicians, singers and dancers from the prayer room of IHOP–KC, as they begin belting out an upbeat, Gaelic version of Todd Agnew’s worship chorus Grace Like Rain.

“Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away”

 

The worshipers are a sea of Irish green stretching out for almost a hundred yards.  The crescendo of worship arises to God as thousands of streamers are hoisted high and sway rhythmically together in the breeze.   Like King David of old, these worshipers unashamedly sing and shout, dance and twirl before the Lord in the streets of Kansas City.  This cycle is repeated fifteen times as the float works its way slowly down the 1.2-mile parade route.  

People’s faces betray them.  Some parade-goers cannot look or listen without turning away for shame, while others are suddenly radiant in the fact that this story is theirs also.  Some of them break into song and dance as we pass by.
 
The last component is a banner with a final reminder that simply states: “Come, Follow Jesus”.