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The battle of Jericho was the very first for Israel upon entering the Promised Land.
The story is intriguing -- how God caused the mighty walls to fall down flat before His people.
Then it was hand to hand combat, and the otherwise most capable warriors of Jericho were no match for Israel because God was with them. In the course of the battle, Achan spotted a wedge of gold and a goodly Babylonian garment, perhaps in one of the shops of Jericho. He wanted it and he took it. But is that not what conquering armies have always done? What did he do that was so wrong?
Achan directly transgressed the command of God. He commanded that they were not to take anything of the city for spoil. Had God not so commanded, there would have been nothing particularly wrong with his actions. But God did command and Achan directly disobeyed. Was there a reason God so commanded on this occasion? Yes, but that is another story. It is enough that God commanded, even if there were no apparent reason.
Achan knew he had done wrong. He dug a hole within his tent, and buried the booty there.
But what he had hidden from man, he had utterly failed to hide from God. Great and innocent men in Israel died in the next battle because of Achan's sin. Then when inquiry was made and Achan admitted his wrong, both he and his family and all their belongings were destroyed. Is this over reaction? Is this unduly harsh? It is the judgment of God, and exactly as it should have been.
Similarly, we must know from these, and other Old Testament examples that we cannot disobey God and get by with it. Even if it seems there will be no consequence, there certainly will be, and it will be harsh. Achan lost his life. He caused others to lose their life. And so it still is. If we disobey God we may well wind up at the judgment seat of Christ as those with nothing redeemable in their life. They shall be saved, yet so as by fire. And what will happen to those whom we influence in the wrong ways? The possibilities are simply awful.
Since each of us has the base potential of sinning in a similar manner as did Achan, let each one learn the high importance of agreeing with God, and doing His will in life. It makes for peace and joy here as well as hereafter.
In the final analysis, what may seem small to sinful men becomes gigantic when opposed to the righteousness of God. Think about what the first parents did. Think about what you have done, and rejoice in the abundant grace of our loving, Heavenly Father, grace that is greater than all our sin!
FOR THOUGHT: Has yielding to temptation played havoc with your testimony as a disciple of Christ? Have you, like Peter and others, repented and found sweet forgiveness and restoration? If so that is so right! Do you see that the consequence of yielding to sin brings fruit that is deplorable and simply awful?
THE BAPTISM OF JOHN, AND THE EVOLUTION OF RELIGION
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matthew 13:24-30.
That there would be many look alike churches in the latter part of the church age of grace is underscored in Holy Writ.The parable of the wheat and tares is one prime example.
Matt. 13:25-30. Another is the emphasized work of Satan and his ministers in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15.
The great counterfeiter has done his work as well as it could possibly be done. He laid the groundwork early, drawing away formerly persecuted churches of the Lord to marry the Roman Empire, creating the Roman Catholic, and Greek Orthodox churches. From their corruption came its daughters, the Protestant churches. Additionally, the freedom of American democracy has given rise to multi-brand Neo-Protestant churches. All of these are a mimicking of the Lord’s New Testament church which has sailed the bloody seas of persecution, and labored hard to maintain its separation and identity in the sweeping forces of ecumenism and its basic universal, invisible church heresy so appealing to the carnal mind of fleshly folks. Yes sir, Christianity as a religion has experienced a lot of evolution to be where it is today.
So, what does all this have to do with the baptism administered by John the Baptist?
Much! In the fullness of time, and in the midst of a religious world gone astray, the Bible declares, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” John 1:6. When asked to clarify his identity and work to the Jews, he said, “. . . Make straight the way of the Lord. . . “
And, many other important statements are made about him and his ministry in John 1. John’s baptism is heaven’s authorized baptism. Jesus traveled many miles to be baptized of John, and it was the baptism of John that the Lord Jesus used in His church. Moreover, he conferred heaven’s authority on His church to continue to administer the baptism of John upon such as brought forth fruits meet for repentance. Matthew 28:18-20.
It is by John’s baptism predicated upon repentance from sin that opens the door of membership in the Lord’s New Testament Church. It is the Spirit of God abiding in and teaching the church that illuminates the mind to the blessedness and importance of the core doctrines of salvation by grace alone, eternal security of the believer, deep water baptism, the local concept of the church, etc. Tare churches cannot understand nor receive this by which the perpetuation of true New Testament churches continues, and John’s baptism continues. Al else is nothing more than getting wet, and offers no progress to doctrinal understanding of Holy Writ, nor continuation of the blessed Bride of Christ as it prepares to rule and reign with Him in the age that is about to happen.
FOR THOUGHT: Churches that have no link to apostolic succession are devoid of the baptism of John the Baptist which Jesus placed in His church. Do you think this has anything to
do with their inability to understand and hold fast to the core doctrines of the faith once delivered to the saints? If they do not do so because they cannot do so, will they be excused on judgment day and allowed to rule and reign with Christ in the millennial reign? If so, on what basis? Do you agree the reasoning of man is invalid in these things, and only the plain teaching of the scriptures will be sufficient for judgment.
THE BIBLE: FINISHED OR OPEN ENDED?
The Bible: that most holy sixty-six books revered by the greater part of the Christian world, continues to be the final authority in matters of faith and practice. On second thought, is that really so? Most probably, the answer depends on the one to whom the question is posed, but even among those answering in the affirmative, there continues to be questions. Think about what I mean!
Powerful words are used to introduce Holy Writ, words such as “Plenary, complete,”
“Verbally inspired,” etc. Such adjectives mean to convey that the Bible is fully complete as the word for word Holy Spirit breathed inspiration upon the 40 or so human scribes who penned it.
Still, there are those in growing numbers who affirm that God intended interpretation and direction should change as necessary to attract people to His cross and to His church.
So what is the problem with that? Is the word of God imprisoned by verbiage assigned to antiquity seeing that even the last of the 66 books was completed nearly two thousand years ago?
The answer is “Yes,” and that is not hard to explain. Men are sinners, and their best thoughts do not conform to the non-contradictory Word of God. The Biblical word for human attempts to alter the Word is “Iniquity.”
Paul looked forward to the completion of the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3) as he put it in I Cor:13:13. Then James labeled it the perfect (complete) law of liberty, James 1:25. Furthermore, very harsh and specific judgment is already pronounced on those who would alter God’s book, Rev.22:19.
The same humanistic mindset is also hard at work on the United States Constitution, and it continues to be a national debate. Is the document to be interpreted strictly as written, or should it be interpreted in line with modern whims of a sinful society which have worsened in the last 200 years?
The wisdom of our forefathers is indeed a marvel. Their work must not be undermined.
But the wisdom of God Who gave us the Bible is greater, far greater, and it must not be undermined. Both documents, though unequal, must be accepted as finished, not open-ended or subject to alteration by the whims of godless men.
FOR THOUGHT: If the Bible is not to be followed as originally written, why should it be followed at all? Do you see that to change any teaching of the Bible puts sinful men in control instead of the righteous God Who gave it to us? What is the rule of faith and practice in your life?
THE CHURCH THAT LIVED IN SATAN’S SEAT OF POWER
“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;” Rev. 2:12.
Twice, our Lord made mention that the church at Pergamos lived where Satan’s seat was, Rev. 2:13.That in itself made the message most interesting. It was my privilege to visit this place several years ago. What I saw is burned into my memory for as long as I have one. Just what was the power of Pergamos. Think with me!
The city was characterized by politics, religion, industry, and health services. Located in western Turkey not far inland from the Aegean Sea, two rivers ran near the city, and one of the most complete libraries of the ancient world containing over 200,000 volumes was there.
The word “Pergamos,” according to some linguists, means a high walled city, which Pergamos certainly had. It hosted a great walled citadel, with magnificent idol temples, and one of the steepest amphitheaters in the world. From this mountain part of the city one can see for miles in any direction, allowing ample warning of any approaching enemy. Others think the name comes from the Greek word for marriage with an intensive prefix meaning “thoroughly married,” as in full submission to the forces of the world (Satan).
The political winds of Pergamos were largely passive. They had pursuits of life more important to them than politics, especially on the international scene. So, whether Greeks, Romans, or whoever was in power, they acquiesced to them to continue their pursuits. Thus, it became a significant city to all. They were a city of much idol worship with temples rivaling those of Ephesus. They were also the first city to be known as a city of emperor worship, having a temple to Augustus Caesar.
In industry, they were the first producers of parchment. The very word “parchment” came from “Pergamos.” In health services, they were worshippers of the mythological god “Asklepios.”
It was symbolized as twin or two-headed snakes, a symbol that remains with the medical community. They were into Psychiatry, and became a sort of hospital city. Roman soldiers suffering depression were sent there with a full year of leave to heal. Once there, they enjoyed entertainment in the city’s two amphitheaters. bathed in the natural hot springs, and spent some time at night walking through great underground tunnels while required to shout constantly whatever was on their mind. “Psychiatrists” would listen in at strategic points and formulate a plan of therapy for them. If they were not well in a year, Rome would have the soldiers executed. It was quite an incentive to heal.
The church at Pergamos witnessed, was persecuted, and yielded up several martyrs, resisting the doctrine of Balaam, and actions of Nicolaitanism which the Lord said He hates. It sounds a lot like today. May God help us to do as well or better than this ancient church did.
Satan’s seat did not die with ancient Pergamos.
FOR THOUGHT: The triumphs and tragedies of the church at Pergamos (Rev. 2:12-17) live as instructions for the Lord’s church in every generation of the age. What do you see in pergamos that should be emulated today? What do you see in those ais verses of scripture that should serve as a stern warning for churches today?