All warfare is based on deception.
- Unknown
Without question, the most overlooked, and undervalued aspect of Scripture is that of Context. The Bible's content has been examined from a thousand different viewpoints, more often than not producing endlessly competing versions of the gospel and various Christs. Misunderstandings largely avoidable by rightly interpreting Scripture's genuine and uncomplicated context.
So why are billions left groping and guessing? The Bible, in accompaniment with life itself, have been orchestrated as to simultaneously reveal and conceal spiritual truth. Like a whodunnit story, both the protagonist and antagonist are repeatedly disclosed yet remain hidden throughout. A quantum quandary, resulting in a kind of "open Book test" leaving all but the most spiritually discerning unaware of the true nature and grandeur of the Author's temporal and eternal intent.
That context is fundamental to successful communication is as obvious as it is understated. Science and reason reveal that without thinking (about our thinking) we seamlessly apply a contextual overlay to every moment and aspect of life.
For a simple yet spiritually relevant example, consider hearing the word "Awake." Without context, its specificity is ambiguous at best. Is the speaker stating a fact or asking a question? Offering advice or issuing a command?
The Bible clarifies its meta message by providing relevant content and context. In many cases, without the latter, the former makes little or no sense. For example, for a “love letter from God” Scripture can be surprisingly abrasive, if not downright harsh. A fact not lost on Søren Kierkegaard, who among his many distinctions is credited as the first existentialist philosopher, Christian or otherwise. Regarding Scripture’s sometimes draconian measures he noted:
“It is the deepest wound that can be dealt to a person designed to collide with everything on the most appalling scale.”
Just picture it. Teen girls texting while sunning on deck. Gushing brides shopping for jewelry. New mothers parading their babies around the promenade. Proud grandma’s rocking toddlers to sleep. Wouldn’t all of these slam the book closed on Søren’s nonsense, complain to the porter, stomp off to their staterooms and order room service? On the other hand, a harried sailor discharging his 20 mm anti-aircraft gun might respond, “Yeah, so… where the hell’s your flack jacket and helmet? Fire your weapon soldier!”
Truth be told, even if Christianity could be likened to a pleasure cruise, given Churchianity’s collision course with so many modern temptations and deceptions, up to an including the blood red mountainous iceberg of abortion, even well intended ministries may in certain respects be reduced to simply arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. So is Christianity a cruise or gunship? You must decide. But consider and choose carefully. Military directives and drills, cramped quarters and sea rations, would be absurd on a pleasure cruise. So to civilian itineraries and activities, opulent suites and sumptuous banquets, would be anathema during a time of war. Distinctions necessary to accurately discerning and responding to the challenging times and seasons in which we live.
It can’t be overstated that according to the context of Scripture, spiritual conflict is not a mythical analogy, but rather eternity’s reality. In fact, in a variety of ways, a myriad of Biblical passages attest to the unpleasant fact that all creation is at war with (alongside or against) God.
Consider Christ's quantum parable of the Sheep and Goats. It is an event that will take place at a designated future place and time. It is true that all of mankind will be separated into those entering “everlasting punishment” and “the righteous into eternal life.” It is not true that people are sheep and goats. Although “sheeple” often seems an apt metaphor. It is true that Jesus is “the savior of all men.” Here and elsewhere, Scripture reveals that all humanity is loosed from the power of the first death through universal resurrection. A shared benefit of Christ’s costly atonement. It is not true that this translates to universal salvation. Just ask the goats. As well as “the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Here, according to Jesus, not only sins of commission, but omission, carry an eternal penalty:
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:41-46 NKJV
Such conflict theology partially explains the Bible’s harsh or even horrible accounts of earthly conquest. For example, consider one of Scripture’s most gruesome passages of Divinely sanctioned genocide:
“Moses said to the people, “Some of you must take arms to wage Jehovah’s war against Midian… And every man of Midian was killed. Among those killed were all five of the Midianite kings—Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba. Balaam, the son of Beor, was also killed. Then the Israeli army took as captives all the women and children, and seized the cattle and flocks and a lot of miscellaneous booty. All of the cities, towns, and villages of Midian were then burned… but Moses was very angry with the army officers and battalion leaders. “Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded. “These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to worship idols on Mount Peor, and they are the cause of the plague that destroyed us. Now kill all the boys and all the women who have had sexual intercourse. Only the little girls may live; you may keep them for yourselves.” Numbers 31:2-18 TLB
Upon returning, the army’s leaders were rebuked by Moses on God’s behalf. At his command, already covered in the blood and gore of every man of Midian. They were forced to execute all the women, non virgin girls and every boy. How can a good and loving Creator so treat His creation? Fallen or otherwise?
Some justify God by suggesting the evil Midianites had it coming. No doubt they were far from perfect. It’s likely the Midianites had, and/or would have, done as much to others. It’s also true mankind has an inherent inward witness of right and wrong. The passage itself explains they had already led God’s fledgling people into judgment for immorality and idolatry. Furthermore, God’s warning that cohabiting with wicked Canaanites would lead to more of the same, proved true on numerous occasions. Nevertheless, it takes little effort to imagine ourselves, and those we love, as Midianites under God’s blade. And this while never having benefited from the training in godliness Abraham’s descendants were given generations to absorb.
By definition Omnity is Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent. By implication God is also good. At least as eternity defines it. Moreover, as previously discussed, the incarnation and inconceivably costly atonement of Christ give credence to the same. Additionally Scripture explains:
“This plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours! For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours.” Isaiah 55:8-9 TLB
Why? To provide an unprecedented offer of eternal glory to His people the Jews and through them, in the fullness of time, all of mankind. Still seem too much to ask? Maybe. But remember, ours and countless generations before and after are beneficiaries of Omnity’s plan and Christ's costly atonement. Should we choose to fully participate.
Down through millennia Scripture continues to whisper and shout there is far more going on than is immediately apparent. This is why the Bible warns that God’s promise of reward is reserved for those diligently, rather than casually, seeking Him. With Hell to loose and Heaven to gain, could even Omnity provide greater motivation? Primary reasons for both Old Testament narratives and the New Testament's call to arms.
Consider the word Awake from a kind of warfare theology:
- "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Romans 13:11-14 NKJV
- "Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." 1 Corinthians 15: 33-34 NKJV
- "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:8-16 NKJV
Overconfidence
Discerning the full reality and repercussions of Satan's existence and nature is a tall order. All the more so when Biblical revelation is marginalized or relegated to mythological status throughout the modern world. In this case, a fault as foolish as it would have been for occupied France to have dismissed or denied Hitler as a threat during the Nazi invasion. The fact that modern civilization prides itself on spiritual ignorance is evidence, in and of itself, of the Evil One's nefarious and sinister art and craft.
As the original and supreme master manipulator, the Devil's impressive resume includes inciting ancient and advanced, holy and glorious angels to rebel within Heaven itself. Not to mention his firm track record of deceiving God's anointed. At the root of modern Christianity's greatest failures is the presumption that we are above archaic notions of devilish resistance and deception. A commonly held conviction rendered all the more ridiculous given Christianity's hundreds of sects, various Christ and versions of Gospel. A false assumption infiltrating a linty of crucial doctrines ranging from God's unconditional acceptance to sanctification, appropriate worship to spiritual gifts, eschatology to salvation itself.
Such a mindset has proven disastrous for God's people down through the ages. The original sin of spiritual pride and entitlement greatly affected the lives and legacies of even such notables as Samson, David and Solomon. All mightily anointed men extraordinarily empowered. While Samson become a byword for foolishness, David for faithfulness, and Solomon for wisdom, they and their sacred trusts were all but unseated by Satan.
As Israel’s thirteenth Judge, Samson, a real life Hercules, failed to overthrow Israel’s oppressors. A feat accomplished by several of his far weaker counterparts during their service as Israel’s deliverer and judge. As Israel’s second King, David, while a uniquely successful warrior and leader, psalmist and prophet, failed to protect Israel’s spiritual and national unity. Gains he’d spent a lifetime achieving. An unfortunate heritage handed down to his son Solomon and many of his decedents. In regards to deceiving God’s anointed, there are interesting differences and similarities between them:
- Samson: Birth heralded in a pair of theophanies, arising from two separate visitations by the Angel of the Lord. An Old Testament title denoting the pre-incarnate Christ. In fact, there are more instructions pertaining to Samson’s birth and upbringing than any other personage in all of Scripture. Born and raised under oppression, his anointing was largely waisted. Through a lustful fiasco with Delilah, the name Samson became synonymous with gullibility. Failed to lead Israel into freedom from its oppressors.
- David: Unremarkable birth. Remarkable childhood as a young shepherd dispatching lions and bears. Anointed by Samuel before slaying Goliath. Conquered all enemies and lead Israel into its golden age. Instigated the ruin of much of his family and life’s work through unbelievably out of character capitulation to first ludicrous adultery with Bathsheba (given he had multiple wives and could have taken any and many virgins in Israel), followed by the orchestration of the traitorous murder of her husband Uriah. Inconceivably, having failed to learn his lesson, Satan again successfully tempted David. This time to take a forbidden census resulting in a death sentence for 70,000 Israelites by means of God unleashing a deadly a 3-day plague.
- Solomon: Gracious birth to David and Bathsheba. Born into the opulence of David’s household and kingdom. Anointed to succeed David as Israel’s third king. Bequeathed exceeding wisdom and wealth directly by God. Allowed to construct the first and only temple of Yahweh on Earth. Oversaw the incredible temple’s dedication. A ceremony lasting two weeks with a sacred assembly sandwiched in the middle. Solomon sacrificed twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats, which occasioned not only fire from Heaven, but God’s glory so filling His temple that the priests themselves could not enter. During which time Solomon experienced a second theophany by God. Nevertheless, while an indirect result of David’s sin, unthinkably Solomon built several idolatrous worship sites in later life. A repeated offense, that given the circumstances, may represent the most atrocious act of its kind throughout the annals of Scripture. One that insured the kingdom of Israel would be torn in half, thus speeding the nation’s decent into destruction.
“Remember our history, friends, and be warned. All our ancestors were led by the providential Cloud and taken miraculously through the Sea. They went through the waters, in a baptism like ours, as Moses led them from enslaving death to salvation life. They all ate and drank identical food and drink, meals provided daily by God. They drank from the Rock, God’s fountain for them that stayed with them wherever they were. And the Rock was Christ. But just experiencing God’s wonder and grace didn’t seem to mean much—most of them were defeated by temptation during the hard times in the desert, and God was not pleased. The same thing could happen to us. We must be on guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. And we must not turn our religion into a circus as they did—“First the people partied, then they threw a dance.” We must not be sexually promiscuous—they paid for that, remember, with 23,000 deaths in one day! We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him; they tried it, and God launched an epidemic of poisonous snakes. We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them. These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 The Message - Emphasis QC's
Unsurprisingly, most persist in ignoring or reinterpreting such warnings. Even those penned by by the likes of Paul, the Apostle of Grace. Often affectionately regarded as the New Testament author who softened the edges of the harsher saying of Christ. Not to mention those of Christ’s half brothers James and Jude.
Samson's Seduction
Scripture is replete with examples of incredible foolishness, even among deliverers sent and greatly anointed by the Lord. One of scripture's most poignant parables concerns the amazing gullibility of the great hero Samson and guile of the seductress Delilah. In all of scripture, only in this unique case alone does the preincarnate Christ appear as the Angel of the Lord to give special instruction to His deliverer's parents:
"And then the People of Israel were back at it again, doing what was evil in God's sight. God put them under the domination of the Philistines for forty years. At that time there was a man named Manoah from Zorah from the tribe of Dan. His wife was barren and childless. The angel of God appeared to her and told her, "I know that you are barren and childless, but you're going to become pregnant and bear a son. But take much care: Drink no wine or beer; eat nothing ritually unclean. You are, in fact, pregnant right now, carrying a son. No razor will touch his head—the boy will be God's Nazirite from the moment of his birth. He will launch the deliverance from Philistine oppression." The woman went to her husband and said, "A man of God came to me. He looked like the angel of God—terror laced with glory! I didn't ask him where he was from and he didn't tell me his name, but he told me, 'You're pregnant. You're going to give birth to a son. Don't drink any wine or beer and eat nothing ritually unclean. The boy will be God's Nazirite from the moment of birth to the day of his death.'" Manoah prayed to God: "Master, let the man of God you sent come to us again and teach us how to raise this boy who is to be born." God listened to Manoah. God's angel came again to the woman. She was sitting in the field; her husband Manoah wasn't there with her. She jumped to her feet and ran and told her husband: "He's back! The man who came to me that day!" Manoah got up and, following his wife, came to the man. He said to him, "Are you the man who spoke to my wife?" He said, "I am." Manoah said, "So. When what you say comes true, what do you have to tell us about this boy and his work?" The angel of God said to Manoah, "Keep in mind everything I told the woman. Eat nothing that comes from the vine: Drink no wine or beer; eat no ritually unclean foods. She's to observe everything I commanded her." Manoah said to the angel of God, "Please, stay with us a little longer; we'll prepare a meal for you—a young goat." God's angel said to Manoah, "Even if I stay, I won't eat your food. But if you want to prepare a Whole-Burnt-Offering for God, go ahead—offer it!" Manoah had no idea that he was talking to the angel of God. Then Manoah asked the angel of God, "What's your name? When your words come true, we'd like to honor you." The angel of God said, "What's this? You ask for my name? You wouldn't understand—it's sheer wonder." So Manoah took the kid and the Grain-Offering and sacrificed them on a rock altar to God who works wonders. As the flames leapt up from the altar to heaven, God's angel also ascended in the altar flames. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell facedown to the ground. Manoah and his wife never saw the angel of God again. Only then did Manoah realize that this was God's angel. He said to his wife, "We're as good as dead! We've looked on God!" But his wife said, "If God were planning to kill us, he wouldn't have accepted our Whole-Burnt-Offering and Grain-Offering, or revealed all these things to us—given us this birth announcement." The woman gave birth to a son. They named him Samson. The boy grew and God blessed him. The Spirit of God began working in him while he was staying at a Danite camp between Zorah and Eshtaol." Judges 13:1-25 The Message
Why does God give such special attention to Samson's parents as to Personally visit them not once but twice before His hero is even conceived? The story is strangely reminiscent of Gabriel's announcements to Zachariah and Mary at time of Christ's birth. Is this merely coincidental or meant to draw the church's attention? Might God being highlighting Samson's life as a warning to His church down through the millennia?
Like Samson, anointed by the Lord a Nazirite from before birth to be a judge and deliverer, the church has a been given a great commission by God. Unfortunately, the similarities don't stop there. Like Samson, we too have been beguiled by worldly charms. Even as Delilah, a type of the lusts of the world, bound Samson in pleasure and deception, so too Western Christianity has been artfully seduced. Concession by concession, compromise by compromise, our Nazarite vows have been broken and our "hair has been cut." Like Samson, drunk on our indulges, we've been bound by strong cords in our sleep. How else could our nation and communities, churches and families have been so plundered?
Jesus warned you cannot enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods without first binding the strong man. His point was that the power He exercised to cast out demons was from God. Unfortunately for us, it would appear the demonic are good students and took the lesson to heart. Is it possible that like Samson, we who could not be conquered have grieved the Holy Spirit and have lost our strength to stand against our enemies? It's not only possible, it's a certainty.
The Samson Option
Identifying the key role the that the correct understanding of typology is meant to play in Christian discipleship and development reinforces the importance of the story of Samson. All the more so given the four following facts:
- Western Christianity, while called and anointed by God as His instrument in evangelizing and discipling our lost and subjected generation has rather been seduced by the wiles of the world.
- The murder of over a billion children in the womb is the greatest human sacrifice in history. Among it's other devastating effects, abortion's shedding of so much innocent blood may be bringing God's Judgment, hastening the Great Tribulation and even summoning the Antichrist.
- Immediately following Satan and his fallen angels defeat and expulsion from Heaven, the Devil raises up the Antichrist who is permitted to "make war against the saints and overcome them."
- Those who's names are "written in the Lamb's Book of Life" refuse to worship the Beast, overcoming him "by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and not loving their lives to the death."
- "When Delilah realized that he had told her his secret, she sent for the Philistine tyrants, telling them, "Come quickly—this time he's told me the truth." They came, bringing the bribe money. When she got him to sleep, his head on her lap, she motioned to a man to cut off the seven braids of his hair. Immediately he began to grow weak. His strength drained from him. Then she said, "The Philistines are on you, Samson!" He woke up, thinking, "I'll go out, like always, and shake free." He didn't realize that God had abandoned him. The Philistines grabbed him, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza. They shackled him in irons and put him to the work of grinding in the prison. But his hair, though cut off, began to grow again. The Philistine tyrants got together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They celebrated, saying, Our god has given us Samson our enemy! And when the people saw him, they joined in, cheering their god, "Our god has given our enemy to us, the one who ravaged our country, piling high the corpses among us." Then this: Everyone was feeling high and someone said, "Get Samson! Let him show us his stuff!" They got Samson from the prison and he put on a show for them. They had him standing between the pillars. Samson said to the young man who was acting as his guide, "Put me where I can touch the pillars that hold up the temple so I can rest against them." The building was packed with men and women, including all the Philistine tyrants. And there were at least three thousand in the stands watching Samson's performance. And Samson cried out to God: "Master, God! Oh, please, look on me again, Oh, please, give strength yet once more. God! With one avenging blow let me be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes!" Then Samson reached out to the two central pillars that held up the building and pushed against them, one with his right arm, the other with his left. Saying, "Let me die with the Philistines," Samson pushed hard with all his might. The building crashed on the tyrants and all the people in it. He killed more people in his death than he had killed in his life." Judges 16:18-30 The Message
Truly this is a cautionary tale. In many ways Samson's foolishness overcame the promise of his birth. Even so, in martyrdom he humiliated destroyed more of the enemies of God's people than in his largely misspent life. Tragically, it was not before his short sightedness caused his eyes to be gouged out that he would see his folly. Will it be the same for the last days church? Will it take being conquered being the Antichrist before diligently seeking God through prayer and study, service and commitment to true discipleship? Will we wait until being forced into martyrdom before standing against temptation and investing in personal revelation from God, counting the cost to face persecution if necessary?
David’s Fall from Grace
Unfortunately, Heaven and Earth's Adversary's all too aware of the vital role the Church, when equipped with the fruit and gifts of the Spirit, plays in evangelizing and discipling the world. Displaying devilish, cunning Satan has for millennia employed various means to move God's people to grieve Him. Samson's foolishness with Delilah is an example of worldliness and lust deceiving God's anointed judge and deliverer. Even the great warrior and psalmist, prophet and King David on more than one occasion fell prey to Satan's snares with devastating results. Scripture tells us that "at the time when kings go off to war" the warrior and prophet, psalmist and great king David sent the army of Israel off into battle while remaining at home in his palace. Satan, exploiting a lack of diligence of a man after God’s own heart, seduced David by enflaming his lust for Bathsheba.
What few realize is the full extent of his horrifying betrayal. Though he already had multiple wives and could have married any and as many Israelite virgins he chose, instead he was moved to pick a woman who was far more than just the wife of some unknown soldier. According to 1 Chronicles 11, this same "Uriah the Hittite" was one of David's mighty men and elite personal guard. Furthermore, we are told Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam, another decorated soldier. Worse, she was also the granddaughter of Ahithophel, perhaps David's wisest counselor, of whom scripture says his advice was like listening to "the oracle of God." In fact, the reason David could see Bathsheba bathing from his rooftop was because of the honored positions held by her faithful and loyal husband, father and grandfather!
David’s inconceivable sin that produced this child then escalated in his orchestrating the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s true and faithful husband, while she was pregnant with the baby. Taken together, this Shakespearean tragedy would set in motion terrible future events including the following:
1. The rape of David’s daughter by her half brother.
2. The eventual murder of the rapist by David’s favored son Absalom.
3. Absalom’s rebellious treason forcing David’s exile from Jerusalem.
4. Absalom following Ahithophel’s advice to have sex with David’s concubines on the palace roof (where David had lusted for Bathsheba).
5. Ahithophel’s suicide.
6. Absalom’s army’s defeat and his death.
7. David’s life work, the unification and holiness of Israel, torn in two by the foolishness and sin of his son and his grandson.
With so few Old Testament references to the afterlife, it may be that the drama and trauma of this event is used to highlight the merciful fact that regardless of sin surrounding conception, God so identifies with the needy and helpless that when it comes to children Jesus assures, “…for such is the kingdom of heaven.”
And again:
"Now Satan entered the scene and seduced David into taking a census of Israel. David gave orders to Joab and the army officers under him, 'Canvass all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and get a count of the population. I want to know the number.' Joab resisted: 'May God multiply his people by hundreds! Don't they all belong to my master the king? But why on earth would you do a thing like this—why risk getting Israel into trouble with God?' But David wouldn't take no for an answer, so Joab went off and did it... And God, offended by the whole thing, punished Israel. Then David prayed, 'I have sinned badly in what I have just done, substituting statistics for trust; forgive my sin—I've been really stupid.' God answered by speaking to Gad, David's pastor: 'Go and give David this message: 'God's word: You have your choice of three punishments; choose one and I'll do the rest.' Gad delivered the message to David: 'Do you want three years of famine, three months of running from your enemies while they chase you down, or three days of the sword of God—an epidemic unleashed on the country by an angel of God? Think it over and make up your mind. What shall I tell the One who sent me?' David told Gad, 'They're all terrible! But I'd rather be punished by God whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands. So God unleashed an epidemic in Israel—seventy thousand Israelites died.' 1 Chronicles 21:1-15 The Message
All this from the same David who killed lions and bears, felled Goliath and routed enemy armies, prophesied and composed the Scripture’s greatest psalms of worship.
The good news is that God eventually had mercy on His people. The bad news was that the plague was not stopped until "seventy thousand Israelites died." Troubling as well is that in a companion passage found in 2 Samuel 24 we're told, "Once again God's anger blazed out against Israel. He tested David by telling him, "Go and take a census of Israel and Judah." While skeptics use such a seeming discrepancy to discredit the Divine inspiration of scripture, the truth is God uses both angels and devils to carry out certain aspects of Omnity’s plans and judgments.
David, hand picked and anointed by God, repeatedly fell from grace. If such a campion of faith and man after God's own heart could be so deceived, it's little wonder 21st century Christianity bares so little resemblance to 1st century believers.
Wisest Wealthiest Fool
Building on the unprecedented success of David, Solomon is said to be the wisest and wealthiest man to ever live:
- “Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.” 2 Chronicles 1:1 NIV
- “Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” 2 Chronicles 1:6-12 NIV
- “Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David. All the Israelites came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month. When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, and they brought up the ark of the Lord and the tent of meeting and all the sacred furnishings in it. The priests and Levites carried them up, and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles.” 1 Kings 8:1-7 NIV
- “When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple. Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever.” 1 Kings 8:10-12 NIV
- “Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the Lord. Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the Lord: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the Lord. On that same day the king consecrated the middle part of the courtyard in front of the temple of the Lord, and there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar that stood before the Lord was too small to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings. So Solomon observed the festival at that time, and all Israel with him—a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt. They celebrated it before the Lord our God for seven days and seven days more, fourteen days in all. On the following day he sent the people away. They blessed the king and then went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things the Lord had done for his servant David and his people Israel.” 1 Kings 8:62-66 NIV
- “When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 NIV
- “King Solomon was obsessed with women. Pharaoh’s daughter was only the first of the many foreign women he loved—Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite. He took them from the surrounding pagan nations of which God had clearly warned Israel, “You must not marry them; they’ll seduce you into infatuations with their gods.” Solomon fell in love with them anyway, refusing to give them up. He had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines—a thousand women in all! And they did seduce him away from God. As Solomon grew older, his wives beguiled him with their alien gods and he became unfaithful—he didn’t stay true to his God as his father David had done. Solomon took up with Ashtoreth, the whore goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the horrible god of the Ammonites. Solomon openly defied God; he did not follow in his father David’s footsteps. He went on to build a sacred shrine to Chemosh, the horrible god of Moab, and to Molech, the horrible god of the Ammonites, on a hill just east of Jerusalem. He built similar shrines for all his foreign wives, who then polluted the countryside with the smoke and stench of their sacrifices. God was furious with Solomon for abandoning the God of Israel, the God who had twice appeared to him and had so clearly commanded him not to fool around with other gods. Solomon faithlessly disobeyed God’s orders. God said to Solomon, “Since this is the way it is with you, that you have no intention of keeping faith with me and doing what I have commanded, I’m going to rip the kingdom from you and hand it over to someone else. But out of respect for your father David I won’t do it in your lifetime. It’s your son who will pay—I’ll rip it right out of his grasp. Even then I won’t take it all; I’ll leave him one tribe in honor of my servant David and out of respect for my chosen city Jerusalem.” 1 Kings 11:1-13 MSG
Lessons Learned?
Many believe the the sorrowful story of Job to be the earliest Book of the Bible. It records a play by play behind the scene account of a wager between God and Satan initiated by a comment God made. Elsewhere, the prophet Micaiah reveals the results of a Heavenly conference called to brainstorm the best way to kill Israel's evil king Ahab:
- "And the Lord said, ‘Who can entice Ahab to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?’ There were many suggestions, and finally a spirit approached the Lord and said, ‘I can do it!’ How will you do this?’ the Lord asked. And the spirit replied, ‘I will go out and inspire all of Ahab’s prophets to speak lies.’ 'You will succeed,’ said the Lord. ‘Go ahead and do it. So you see, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all your prophets. For the Lord has pronounced your doom.” 1 Kings 22:20-23
Such passages record the frailty and betrayal by the worst and best of the God’s own people. Scripture's clear that the time to prepare for tribulation is before entering temptation. As Jesus warns:
- "Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open." Matthew 26:36-43
- "But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man." Luke 21:34-36 The Message
Perhaps the most accurate dramatic depiction of the kind of individual and corporate heart wrenching brokenness that may yet avail at this late hour may ironically be found in a variety of well known movies. After 70,000 hours of strategical seeking and serving God, all culminating in extensive research and writing, I strongly suspect the application of the spiritual metaphor depicted in the few minutes of the courtroom interview of Denzel Washington at the end of the movie "Flight" (based on amazingly true events) holds the key to the best chance modern Christianity and even the vast majority of prophetic Christians have in overcoming worldliness and Satanic deception thereby saving our souls and those of others. Preferable before but if necessary during judgment and/or Tribulation, “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, word of their "testimony" and not loving their lives unto death.”
Reminiscent of Peter's 2nd great confession, it may be that only the kind of ruthless repentance and honesty portrayed in this scene, where the dualistic and double-minded pilot, who's amazing skill saved countless lives while his alcoholism (worldliness) had and would continue to jeopardize far more, declared “I just couldn't tell one more lie.” Refusing to mar the memory of a dead flight attendant (past lover and drinking buddy) when by simply doing so he could have walked away a wealthy hero and free man... he instead chose shame and imprisionment (metaphor: bondslave to Christ) to become a lover of the Truth.
While such Old Testament greats as Samson, David and Solomon fell pray to sin above, about and within the same cannot be said for New Testament apostles, and many of their contemporaries, even under far greater stressors including persecution and martyrdom. The major difference can be attributed to their radical commitment to the message and example of Jesus and the impartation and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Unlike the vast majority of modern Christianity, 1st century believers were so moved by authentic power evangelism and discipleship as to progress fully through Christ’s beatitudes from mourning to persecution, emerging literally as a New Creation which is both the point and purpose of the Gospel. To this end we do well to ponder our own progress, or lack thereof, as individuals and families, churches and denominations…
Note: Secular art forms can offer insight into a variety of aspects of the human condition both physically and spiritually. The Star Wars Saga offers just such a chilling analogy regarding the ability of workers of darkness to deceive workers of light. In the second trilogy of prequels (Episodes 1-3) we discover that the evil Sith Lord Darth Sidious has completely deluded and manipulated the entire Jedi Council into assisting his rise from Chancellor Palpatine to Emperor. A failure compounded as the Sith cunningly turns the Jedi’s great hope Anakin Skywalker into his pawn Darth Vadar, resulting in the killing of nearly every Jedi and apprentice through the galaxy. Tellingly, in one scene the beloved Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, filled with force prepares to rescue the then Chancellor Palpatine (Darth Sidious) from captivity (which the Chancellor has secretly arranged). The Chancellor warns that his captor the fallen Jedi Count Dooku is a Sith Lord and not be underestimated. To which Obi-Wan replies, “Chancellor Palpatine, Sith Lords are our speciality.”
Times and Seasons
Today's Churchianity is ill prepared to discern, much less confront and overcome, past and present challenges. With hundreds of sects and denominations, clearly we've failed to invested the honest effort to Biblically judge between the many Christs the One true. Tragically, this calls into question to what extent we actually believe, teach and/or obey the genuine gospel.
What of more subtle issues? Up to and including accurately discerning the times and seasons in which we live? Intentionally or unintentionally, modern Christianity has a history of all but upending the obvious meaning of Scripture's most important meta messages. Both in regards to the Bible's context as well as content.
Having repeatedly failed the test on so many levels, what's to be our future? With obvious errors in regards to such major concerns, it's little wonder complex matters requiring greater discernment and perception are continually misconstrued. As Jesus warned God's people in His day:
- "Then he said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once that it is going to rain, and so it does. And when you feel the south wind blowing, you say that it is going to be hot, and so it is. You frauds! You know how to interpret the look of the earth and the sky. Why can’t you interpret the meaning of the times in which you live?” Luke 12:54-46 Phillips
Such signs of the times bode poorly for modern Christianity, and society as a whole. As do every other indicator imaginable. The threat of present and future global pandemics abound. Economic tribulation reverberates worldwide. Forty three million sought unemployment benefits in the U.S. alone. Coast to coast rioting and looting, violence and murder, over the justifiable death of career criminal George Floyd went unchecked for months. Not to mention a series of other false martyrs used by Antifa, Black Lives Mater and Democrats to promote and propagate the greatest unchecked anarchy in recent U.S. history. All this while calling to defund the police after already making the crucial job of societies protectors all but impossible.
Scripture is clear such manipulations of facts and logic are forbidden and will prove disastrous for all parties involved:
- "Doom to you who call evil good and good evil, Who put darkness in place of light and light in place of darkness, Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20 MSG
Michelle and former President Barack Obama's 2020 DNC speeches supporting BLM's "peaceful protesters" provide blatant examples of calling evil good and good evil. Here's a partial transcript of each:
Former First Lady Michele Obama:
- "Empathy: that's something I've been thinking a lot about lately. The ability to walk in someone else's shoes; the recognition that someone else's experience has value, too. Most of us practice this without a second thought. If we see someone suffering or struggling, we don't stand in judgment. We reach out because, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." It is not a hard concept to grasp. It's what we teach our children. And like so many of you, Barack and I have tried our best to instill in our girls a strong moral foundation to carry forward the values that our parents and grandparents poured into us. But right now, kids in this country are seeing what happens when we stop requiring empathy of one another. They're looking around wondering if we've been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value. They see people shouting in grocery stores, unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe. They see people calling the police on folks minding their own business just because of the color of their skin. They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here, that greed is good, and winning is everything because as long as you come out on top, it doesn't matter what happens to everyone else. And they see what happens when that lack of empathy is ginned up into outright disdain. They see our leaders labeling fellow citizens enemies of the state while emboldening torch-bearing white supremacists. They watch in horror as children are torn from their families and thrown into cages, and pepper spray and rubber bullets are used on peaceful protestors for a photo-op."
- Since when is "empathy" defined as supporting months of BLM's unchecked violent and deadly rampage across the entire country. How is looting and torching the life's work of innocent business owners "the ability to walk in someone else's shoes; the recognition that someone else's experience has value, too."
- It's certainly true that inflating erroneous police crime statistics, while ignoring years of Black on Black violence and murders within inner cities, occasions "looking around wondering if we've been lying to them this whole time about who we are and what we truly value." Particularly in the Obama's own city of Chicago where within weeks of their speeches there were 18 murders in 24 hours.
- No one is supporting and BLM is not targeting "torch-bearing white supremacists." Rather just about everyone else.
- "Peaceful protestors" hardly describe the hundreds, if not thousands, of violent criminals that have largely been free to rampage at will.
Former President Barack Obama:
- "Joe and Kamala will restore our standing in the world – and as we've learned from this pandemic, that matters. Joe knows the world, and the world knows him. He knows that our true strength comes from setting an example the world wants to follow. A nation that stands with democracy, not dictators. A nation that can inspire and mobilize others to overcome threats like climate change, terrorism, poverty, and disease. But more than anything, what I know about Joe, what I know about Kamala is that they actually care about every American. And that they care deeply about this democracy. They believe that in a democracy, the right to vote is sacred, and we should be making it easier for people to cast their ballots, not harder. They believe that no one – including the president – is above the law, and that no public official – including the president – should use their office to enrich themselves or their supporters.They understand that in this democracy, the Commander-in-Chief does not use the men and women of our military, who are willing to risk everything to protect our nation, as political props to deploy against peaceful protesters on our own soil. They understand that political opponents aren't "un-American" just because they disagree with you; the free press isn't the "enemy" but the way we hold officials accountable; that our ability to work together to solve big problems like a pandemic depend on a fidelity to facts and science and logic and not just making stuff up…. Because that's what at stake right now. Our democracy."
- "Joe and Kamala know… our true strength comes from setting an example the world wants to follow." Rioting and looting, violence and murder, burning police buildings and defacing public property based on a narrative of lies is hardly an example the world wants or needs.
- No one has even suggested impinging the rights of "peaceful protesters." A description clearly opposite the agenda of destruction and mayhem demonstrated by Antifa, BLM and many Democrats leaders.
- The "way we hold we hold officials accountable" is for the liberal media to provide endless forums promoting politicians and community leaders calling evil good and good evil. All the while denouncing voices of sanity and reason.
- Supporting and promoting months of nationwide anarchy, based on inverting truth and statistics opposes "fidelity to facts and science and logic" and is the very definition of "just making stuff up."
Even a majority of Republicans have done little to nothing to stoutly stand against such obvious evil. Up to and including President Trumps refusal to date to enact the Insurrection Act to put down domestic terrorism.
Never before has the spiritual and societal battle line been drawn so clearly. Even the genocide of abortion is largely unseen. More a religious and moral issue than continual in your face BLM rioting and looting, violence and murder. A campaign of terror supplemented with the tearing down of monuments, while bestowing martyrdom and sainthood on felons. Again, with the approval of a majority of the most powerful individuals, corporations and organizations in the U.S. if not world.
All this as the specters of apocalyptic events appear looming on the horizon. Some, like Matt Walsh, a cultural and political commentator, pinpoint glaring lapses in judgment and common sense. Others forward more nefarious social and spiritual scenarios. As for a COVID-19 vaccine, there are a great many reasons for caution, up to and including genuine concerns in regards to efficacy and safety, not to mention medical professionals questioning plans to roll out genetic manipulation and even nano technology (if video link fails to play click here to download an important 20 min video).
Others speculate the introduction of a final New World Order. Possibly even the ushering in of the long foretold Antichrist, as well as the Mark of the Beast. The appearance of both, as Scripture plainly warns, predating Christ's prophesied Rapture of the Church. It's not hard to imagine a scenario where the primary, secondary and tertiary effects of global catastrophes such as COVID-19 play a significant role in the beginning of sorrows warned of in the gospels, epistles and Book of Revelation.
While bad news to be sure, there is hope in the knowing. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. At least for those with the eye's, ears and hearts willing to see, hear and understand. While discussing end time events, during His Olivet Discourse Jesus explains, "See, I have warned you about this ahead of time."
In regards to the last days, Christ's warnings are clear:
- "This is going to be trouble on a scale beyond what the world has ever seen, or will see again. If these days of trouble were left to run their course, nobody would make it. But on account of God’s chosen people, the trouble will be cut short." Matthew 24:21-22 The Message
- "But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man." Luke 21:34-36 MSG
- "'I’m going to make a clean sweep of the earth, a thorough housecleaning.'" God’s Decree. 'Men and women and animals, including birds and fish—Anything and everything that causes sin—will go, but especially people.'" Zephaniah 1:2-3 MSG
- "So get yourselves together. Shape up! You’re a nation without a clue about what it wants. Do it before you’re blown away like leaves in a windstorm, Before God’s Judgment-anger sweeps down on you, Before God’s Judgment Day wrath descends with full force. Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people who live by God’s justice. Seek God’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life. Perhaps you’ll be hidden on the Day of God’s anger." Zephaniah 2:1-3 MSG
- "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith." Hebrews 11:7 NIV
The Bible repeatedly references the sad fact that God's own people often lack discernment and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Without spiritual eyes and ears, hearts and minds to accurately comprehend and appropriately respond, we are easily deceived in both doctrine and lifestyle. Hundreds of Christian sects and denominations, each promoting various Christs and versions of the gospel, testify to our Enemy's cunning. If Satan could influence perhaps a third of Heaven's ancient, holy and glorious angles to rebel, mankind presents little challenge.
And if Churchianity's all over the board in regard to the Bible's major themes, what of more subtle issues? Up to and including accurately discerning the times and seasons in which we live? Intentionally or unintentionally, modern Christianity has a history of all but upending the obvious meaning of Scripture's most important meta messages.
When it comes to being off page, Christ leveled a terrible indictment against the rebellion and hypocrisy of the people of God in His day:
- "You’re hopeless! You build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed. The tombs you build are monuments to your murdering ancestors more than to the murdered prophets. That accounts for God’s Wisdom saying, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, but they’ll kill them and run them off.’ What it means is that every drop of righteous blood ever spilled from the time earth began until now, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was struck down between altar and sanctuary, is on your heads. Yes, it’s on the bill of this generation and this generation will pay." Luke 11:47-51
- " Next Jesus let fly on the cities where he had worked the hardest but whose people had responded the least, shrugging their shoulders and going their own way. “Doom to you, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had seen half of the powerful miracles you have seen, they would have been on their knees in a minute. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you. And Capernaum! With all your peacock strutting, you are going to end up in the abyss. If the people of Sodom had had your chances, the city would still be around. At Judgment Day they’ll get off easy compared to you.” Matthew 11:20-24 MSG
- "These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else…" 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 MSG
- "Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says: "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see." Revelation 3:14-18 MSG
Laodiceans of all times and seasons clearly fail to understand spiritual warfare. Only a civilian would dare brag, "I'm rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone…" during the battles and shortages of cosmic spiritual war. Particularly when in actuality they were a, "pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless…" A war, by the way, about to increase exponentially. Overrunning the entire earth. Ruining the whole planet.
The Alive After The Fall video is a short but well produced overview of last day prophecies in light of recent events. It also offers a reasonable though fearful handling of America's currently apparent place in Biblical prophecy, along with resources to help equip individuals and families to survive what may well be coming. GB highly recommends watching the video, but if necessary you can click here to view the transcript.
When it comes to a nearly wholesale misunderstanding and/or under appreciating of Scripture, from its basic tenants to eschatology, only the context of conflict theology can make sense pf both modern Christianity's state of woeful deception and flagrant disregard for the Bible's clear and concise commands. Including Scripture's emphasis on sanctification and the virtue of fear, the harsh sayings of Jesus and Revelation's account of Christ's judging His Church
For additional information on this topic, please peruse the many hyperlinks provided throughout this article. Other articles along this line include Prayer of Anguish, COVID-19, Pre-Revival Repentance, A New Pentecost, Prophetic Advice, Sacred Assembly, Renewal, Revival or Reformation, Prophetic Witnessing, Context Then Content, Satan, Litmus Test, and Eternity…The Wager.
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