Lessons from Gideon's Story

It is such an encouragement that the records of Gideon shows that God is faithful and powerful.

From an army of 32001 (including Gideon) to deliver Israel, He decided to choose 301 instead. The reason is found in Judges 7:2 (NASB) whereby ²the LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.'

It is interesting to note that among those people who were about to fight the battle, 22000 were fearful and were sent back. Yet God said that the number is still too many. After another test, 9700 were sent back home and the final number for the battle is 301.

What can we learn from this episode?

1)      Many response to the call (Judges 6:33-35) but not all response with faith.

Those who did not response with faith and in faith, they were eventually sent back.

22000 of Gideon’s initial army were sent back because they were fearful. They could have had the greatest adventure in their lives and telling their story to their descendants.

It is a reality in life that often when we response to a call of God, we may not response in faith. Faith is necessary for this journey and great adventure with God.

2)      301 chosen because of certain good qualities God requires

In the test to separate the 10000, 300 were chosen because of the way they drank the water. These 300 were watchful and alert, qualities needed for warfare. They were chosen for this adventure and eventually they were able to tell this great deliverance to others: God has used them mightily.

It is encouraging to know that in terms of God’s agenda and events, He does not need a huge number because it is all about His Glory and His Name. Yet He needs people of faith and those who are of good qualities.

Conclusion:

As we are preparing ourselves for His great move in our lives and in history, we need not focus on the number which can sometimes discourage us. Instead we focus on God who is able. We focus on our preparation: our Faith and our quality or our characters. We focus on building up others for God’s use.  

God our Lord, who demonstrated His Power and Faithfulness in this episode in the Book of Judges, will surely be able to do the same thing in our lives. 

On Prayer matters...

I remember that I had an old 'dying' blog and found out I wrote something on Prayer. I think it must be from someone (Maybe E.M. Bounds or Ravenhill)  because I don't think I could write this in 2003 :)

This is what was written in that blog:

Since God is sovereign and therefore free to do what He pleases and chooses, why pray? 

Since God is immutable and does not change His mind, is prayer effective? 

Does our prayers matter? 

Jesus encouraged us to pray and He became our model in effective prayer. He indicated that proper motivated prayer should glorify the Father, it is offered in the name of the Son, it relies on the Holy Spirit's power and assistance, it meets scriptural conditions and harmonizes the will of man with that of God... 

...And prayers draw us closer to Him, because the dependency on God in prayer brings us to Him. 


My Re-Visitation of these questions will be: 
Yes Prayer matters because God wants us to know He loves us by answering our prayers (with a Yes or No or Wait or I give you a better solution). 
Yes Prayer matters because in the process of seeking God, we get closer to Him and stronger in Him by our reliance on Him.
Yes Prayer matters because even our specific prayers are not answered in our ways, His Ways of answering our requests are always better than our ways. 

Reflection through the Gospel of Mark - Obedience

Mark 1:16-20 (NASB)
¹⁶ As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." ¹⁸ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
¹⁹ Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. ²⁰ Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

 

After Jesus started preaching the gospel, Mark recorded for us the names of the 4 disciples who followed Jesus’ call. There was no mention of any person repenting and believing in the gospel before these 4 persons. If there was, Mark did not find it worthwhile to mention. However, Mark pointed out for us that these 4 disciples would be given the privilege to follow Jesus and live with Him while He was on earth. They took that opportunity given to them and Mark wrote some of them ‘immediately’ left their nets and followed Him (v18). That was instant obedience.

Jesus must have known some qualities in these men and give out that invitation. The challenge for us today is: when God call us, maybe to take a position or even to give someone a call, or to be a blessing to somebody, or to spend some extra time with Him, or stop doing certain things…are we going to do that?

 Mark wrote about these men who were worth mentioning, I pray that we will also be person worth mentioning in His Presence. Obedience is one of the qualities God treasures.  

Reflection through the Gospel of Mark (2)

Mark 1:9-15 (NASB)
⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
¹⁰ Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; ¹¹ and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." ¹² Immediately the Spirit *impelled Him to go out into the wilderness.¹³ And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.¹⁴ Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, ¹⁵ and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

This is like a movie setting. After Mark had John the Baptist come out of the scene, he had him exit in the next scene. Jesus, the main character, takes over the rest of the story. Remember, this is the good news of Jesus Christ. It is His Story.

In this scene, it seemed to me that Jesus was playing a role whereby He was the receiver: He was baptized by John. After that, He was endorsed by the Father and then He was impelled by the Holy Spirit to the wilderness after which He was tempted by Satan. He was also ministered by the angels.

It reminds me that sometimes, we need to take a ‘receiving’ role. For some of us, we find it hard to receive but we have to learn to receive. Whether we are receiving from a person of a ‘lesser’ level or a ‘higher’ level, we receive. However, we need to understand that while Jesus was being tempted by Satan, He did not give into the temptations. In the same way, we must discern what is of God’s and what is of the Devil’s.

In this context, I would like to suggest that what is of God’s will always lead to the furthering of the gospel while Satan will always try to frustrate and hinder God’s plan and gospel.

After this scene is passed, we see in verse 14 that John is out of the scene and Jesus takes the active role preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.

There are times that we need to be like John, fading away the spotlight so that Jesus has all the glory.

There are times that we need to receive because after receiving, we are to take the active role of giving and contributing.

There are times that we need to resist because we understand that not all things are from God.    

Reflection through the Gospel of Mark (1)

Mark 1:1-8 (NASB) 

¹ The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
² As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; ³ THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.'"

⁴ John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
⁵ And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
⁶ John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. ⁷ And he was preaching, and saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.
⁸ "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Here, we have an interesting picture of John’s appearance or fashion-sense. His diet was also out of the ordinary. His message was strong, unpleasant (v4) and direct to the point (v7-8): “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

As we read the story in the Bible, we are often surprised by some of the details given by the narrator. It is true that some details are interesting and we can draw lessons from those details. However, we must not miss the main points. The main point is that John is fulfilling a prophecy in Isaiah (v2) and although he stands out in the whole picture (v3-8), he is pointing to a very important Person, “The One who is mightier will baptize you with the Holy Spirit”. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And this is the beginning of the gospel according to Mark (v1). This is the good news of Jesus Christ.

As we read the Bible and draw out different principles of our lives, we must not be distracted to understand the main point is regarding this Person Jesus Christ. It is the Son of God coming to tell us and demonstrate to us His peace and love for us. It is the Son of God coming to tell us His Plan for mankind.

Christmas, an event that we are going to celebrate, can take place because there is a beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ to us.

Mark tells us this story in this gospel.

May the Lord help us tell His Story to others who need the good news.  

Being a Spiritual Parent/Child

2 Timothy 3:10-17 (NLT)
¹⁰ But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.
¹¹ You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. ¹² Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³ But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. ¹⁴ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. ¹⁵ You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

During the closing season of Paul’s journey, this is the instruction from a spiritual father to his spiritual child. Paul understands that the things going to happen and reminds his spiritual child the essential things that he needs to take note of:

•           Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus, he will be persecuted because often the values of the Christian faith is contrary to the values of the world.  Therefore, when one stands for his faith, there will be opposition and persecution.
•           So one must be strong in the Word of God, the Scripture. It is because from the Word will from wisdom not just for salvation, but also for living a life that pleases God.
•       The Word of God has an auto-corrective system that will help and guide us to do what is right.
•           And like Timothy, we as individuals, should not only equip oneself with the inspired word of God. We must also teach and train others to do so for God uses the Scriptures to prepare and equip His people for every good work.
•           ARE WE DELIBERATE IN DOING SO?

Taking Opportunities

Last Sunday, I was asking the Lord about the directions ahead and I felt the word ‘take opportunities’. My sensing for the next 6 months will be a season whereby tremendous opportunities will be given but the challenge is to take them or seize them.

I want to share some of my thoughts on this issue:

1.      We need faith to take opportunities because when opportunities come and we are afraid or hesitant, we will not seize it and therefore lose the rewards. There is a saying ‘Nothing Venture Nothing Gain’

2.      We need resources to take opportunities because when opportunities come and we do not have to ‘seeds’ to sow in those opportunities, or if we do not have the capacity to harvest in those opportunities, then will also be no reward.

3.      We need discernment and understanding to take opportunities. Knowing the right (Karios) time and the right boat to jump into is important.

·        While we must be quick to take opportunities, we must know that not every ‘opening’ is a God-given one. We need discernment and understanding.

·        For example, the boat has its own set of timing to wait for the passengers in the ferry terminal. After the last call for boarding, it will leave for its destination. Likewise, the opportunity will have its timing in play (days, weeks, months). We can still board it before the last call. Therefore, we need to understand the nature of that God-given opportunity.   

4.      One of the verses that came to my mind is when Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:15-16

·        Personally, the NKJV translated more accurately the Greek text in Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV) ¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

·        The word ‘See’ is in the imperative. It is a command.

·        The word ‘walk’ is the main verb of the text.

·        The word ‘redeeming’ can be translated to ‘make the most of, make good use of’.

·        The word ‘the time’ is referring to the kairos time = season, an occasion, a window of time, an opportunity

·        Principle: Since the light of God illuminates us (v13-14), we are commanded to see and gain sight that we walk and live carefully. The approach of our careful walk is by making the most of the karios time because the days are evil.

5.      If we do not have faith, let’s start building. If we do not have the resources, let’s start preparing. If we do not have the discernment and understanding, ask God and stay close to Him. You will hear Him clear.   

6.      These 6 months can be a wonderful headstart for the year 2012 if we understand what is ahead. Take opportunities.

Jonathan Teo

27^th Oct 2011

2 Thes 2

I am doing a bit of revision and also thinking of some questions to ask my lecturer on Monday. I was glad to stumble on these verses and ponder on them:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 (NASB95)
¹ Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming (Gk Transliterated parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, ² that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.  ³ Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

- The situation here is that the Thessalonians are shaken and disturbed that the day of the Lord has come. Apparently, there might be a false letter by some writers trying to impersonated Paul, with the intent to deceive them that the day of the Lord has come. The implication for them is that they have missed their rapture!!!

- However, in this letter to them, Paul reminded them that the day of the Lord is not here yet because the apostasy has not yet come, the man of lawlessness not revealed yet.

- NOTE:  Therefore, the day of the Lord comes after the man of lawlessness

- This is a reminder because when Paul was with them, he had already told them these things (v5)

 
⁵ Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?
⁶ And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.
⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. ⁸ Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming (parousia); ⁹ that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, ¹⁰ and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

- Time sequence: Restrainer gone, man of lawlessness appears, the day of the Lord will come (as a thief)

- Restrainer refers to the church (the rapture)

As I read, something caught my attention:

Verse 1 talks about the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ

Verse 8 also talks about His coming (parousia)

Question:

Isn’t the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ the rapture? Because in verse 1, the coming of the Lord and our gathering with Him implies so.

But how come after the restrainer (the church) is raptured, and the man of lawlessness appears, then is the phrase “the appearance of His coming (parousia)” in verse 8?

Are there 2 ‘rapture’s if parousia means rapture?

Thank God for my lecturer who is amazing with his Greek.

I was reminded “Parousia without any modifier is referring to the rapture.”

Therefore, verse 2 Thessalonians 2:1 “της παρουσιας του κυριου” => the coming (parousia) of the Lord => no modifier => rapture

2 Thessalonians 2:8 “της παρουσιας αυτου” => your coming => there is a modifier => not referring to the rapture => refer to another event.

I will test this out in other scriptures….

¹¹ For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,
¹² in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
¹³ But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
¹⁴ It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
¹⁵ So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
¹⁷ comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Mt 24

Thoughts on Revelation – Mt 24

Prior to the class yesterday, I was reading Mt 24 and saw the 3 questions that the disciples asked (v3):

1. When will these things happen? (Referring to Jesus’ statement in v2 "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.")

2. What will be the sign of Your coming (parousia)?

3. What will be the end of the age?

NOTE: Some commentators will state that it is 2 questions instead of 3.

Then came Jesus’ reply in v4 onwards until the end of Mt 25.

Something for us to take note here:

·         Jesus did not answer all the 3 questions. He touched on the first 2.

·         Matthew gospel is arranged topically not chronologically. Therefore, the timeline of the rapture of the church, the events in Jerusalem, the great tribulation may not be in time arrangement in Mt 24.

The outline will be posted sometime later.

Happy searching and Reading.

Date Setting for His Second Coming

From the time of Lactantius who set the date to be A.D. 200 to the present, there are others who set or predict dates for the Lord Jesus second coming.  In different era of time, because of the different settings and reasons, the appointed time was given to encourage believers. However, it is also a sword with no handle, disappointing those who really believed and did not see the fulfillment of the ‘appointed’ times. Some left, became disillusion, wondering whether there is really a second coming of Jesus.

We have to be careful of the ‘theories’ on how the dates were set:

E.g. ‘1 day to 1000 years’ theory, ‘the reference of the fig tree as the birthing of Israel’ and so on…

First of all, Jesus told as plainly through the incident on the Mount of Olives. He said in Mark 13:28-37 (NASB95) ²⁸ "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ "Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. ³⁰ "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. ³¹ "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. ³² "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.³³ "Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
³⁴ "It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. ³⁵ "Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— ³⁶ in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. ³⁷ "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!' "

Also in another incident before His Acension whereby the disciples were asking whether He is restoring the Kingdom, He answered in Acts 1:6-7 (NASB95) ⁶ So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" ⁷ He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;

What I understand of Jesus is saying through these incidents are that we should not be too occupied by knowing the date or even setting the date, especially for others. However, we should be on the alert (4X mentioned in v33, v34, v35 and v37 of Mark 13).

What are we to be alert of?

Answer: v36 - - - in case the master’s servants are asleep when the master comes back.

“Lord, give me grace to set my eyes on you always. Give me grace to complete the tasks that you have given me. Give me grace to see that while You tarries your return, that my loves one will also know You and Your saving grace”

Grace for the Rapture

Thought of Revelations - Grace for the Rapture

One of the paragraphs that stirs my thought:

Partial-Rapture Theory

Horton Stanley¹ in touching on the Partial-Rapture wrote “Many who teach a partial Rapture are also very legalistic and look at the rapture as something they must deserve, rather than seeing it as part of the blessing of being heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, something that is ours by grace through faith.” Robert Gundry rightly points out that “viewing the tribulation period as time of purgation for living believers who failed to qualify for the rapture” calls for some sort of purgatory for believers “who died in a state of Christian immaturity”

Stanley clearly pointed out that there is a part of man whereby we like to earn something by our own strength. It is in our nature to prove that we deserve something and receive it and it is also true in this context of the rapture.

An example is in the working out of our salvation. If we have our theology wrong, then we will naturally think that after God saved us, we are left to ‘work out’ or earn our final redemption. And one verse we used is in Phil 2:12 to justify our works towards redemption.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB95) ¹² So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

It is not wrong to work out our salvation and we must work out our salvation but we have to also allow God to work in us (Phil 2:13). After that, we will be able to work out our salvation (Phil 2:12). There must be a balance in the ‘working in’ of God and the ‘working out’ of individuals.

Coming back to the context of our rapture, I am inclined to think that just as we received our salvation because of God’s grace through faith (Eph 2:8), likewise it will be of the rapture. Therefore, the challenge is really to walk close to God, allow Him to work in us. Even if at the end of the day, we may not get the specific details of the doctrine correct. But if we are in Christ, we are assured and secured of our redemption.

------

¹Stanley M.Horton, Our Destiny, Springfield, Missouri,Gospel Publishing House: Logion Press books, 2006, pp126-127