Plainer Words

Inherit the Kingdom of God - Part I and II

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:35:32 PST

In the writing of essays, there is a standard style of writing which is referred to as “The Straight Line of Development,” and it is this: “Tell the readers what you are going to tell them; then, tell them; then, tell them what you told them.” Over the years, I have advised others to follow this simple principle. I haven’t always followed these precepts as I should have, but having said that, it leads me to say this: I am going to tell you what I am going to tell you.

WORD of TESTIMONY - RAISED ON TEXAS SUNSHINE and THE KING JAMES BIBLE

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:49:00 PST

What triggered this thought was an article I read on “WorldNetDaily.Com” yesterday, “Protestant Pastor’s Bible Preferences.”

Ellison Research surveyed 700 Protestant Senior Pastors in America to determine which translation of the Bible was preferred. 31% preferred the NIV translation. 23% selected the King James. 14% chose the NRSV. 13% liked the NKJV, and 10% favored the ASV.

He Appeared in Another Form

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 18:27:13 PST

Two millenniums ago, Jesus Christ showed up in Palestine, and He was in “the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7). During His earthly life, He appeared as an ordinary man. He looked like a servant. He didn’t have the trappings of a dignitary, or an aristocrat, but His “form” would change from time-to-time as we shall see.

Tradition

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:51:05 PST

In Israel, it was found that a great deal of emphasis was placed upon that which one generation passed on to the other; that is, what father passed on to son. It was found in Israel, at the time of Christ, that layer-upon-layer of tradition had been superimposed over the Word of God. These traditions were the opinions, the doctrines, the practices, the rites, and the customs that were handed down from one generation, in Israel, to the next. As a matter of fact, the word, tradition, means the handing-down, or transmitting of any opinions, or practices from forefathers to descendants without written memorials.

The Bible, Governors and Governments

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:28:42 PST

For the last fifty years, or so, there has been a continual drumbeat, orchestrated by the liberal-atheistic left, that there must be “a wall of separation of church and state.” The Bible, we have been told, is a book about religion, and religion and politics are not to be mixed. For years, the Christians have bought into this idea. We’ve been conditioned to believe, “The Bible is about spiritual and religious matters, not about political matters.”

WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN AUTHORITY, THE PEOPLE REJOICE…

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:04:42 PST

Americans need to realize that over the last one-hundred years, or so, the "foul lines" of the American Ballpark, in which the "game" of governing is performed, have been widened to such an extent that very few foul balls are called. What had been deemed a foul ball, constitutionally, has now been ruled a fair ball, and it is in play. That which used to be deemed inequitable is now considered fair. That which used to be considered unethical is now viewed as respectable. That which used to be judged unprincipled is now regarded to be pragmatic. That which used to be declared wrong is now said to be right.

The Question of Divine Healing

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:12:12 PST

“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God” (2 Cor. 2:17) NIV

These were the words of the Apostle Paul and could very well be appropriate today as we consider those who preach dishonestly for profit.

Christian radio and television air-ways are teeming with the gospel of “Divine Healing” of the sick in body, mind, or spirit. Many of the air-wave “faith healers,” by implication, impart the idea that they can perform the miracle of healing. Yes, they assert that the “healing”which they preach about is a miraculous healing by God, and “They are simply the instruments through which God works His miracles.”

Jonah Dead or Alive?

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:51:16 PST

The fictional sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, is to have, famously, answered a question by Dr. John Watson by saying, “It’s elementary, my dear Watson.” In answering the question concerning the Prophet Jonah’s mortality in the belly of the whale, we can say, along with Sherlock Holmes; “It’s elementary, my dear Watson.”

Jesus Christ Is God

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:11:02 PST

This verse is widely used and quoted by non-dispensationalists as their proof text to prove that Jesus Christ hasn’t changed His method of dealing with mankind. Pentecostals, especially, rely on this verse in defense of their stand on “the gifts of the Spirit” being an integral part of Jesus Christ’s administration today.

From time-to-time, I’ll watch charismatic or Pentecostal preachers, on television. When they feel a need to reject the idea of dispensational truth, they invariably quote Hebrews 13:8 to dismiss right division. When they do, it brings loud applause from the congregations. Their logic is faulty. Once upon a time, Jesus Christ was a baby. In this sense, He was not the same yesterday, today, and forever. To use Hebrews 13:8 to invalidate right division of the Word of truth does harm to the profound truth contained in the verse.

Appointed Unto Men Once To Die

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:26:41 PST

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Heb. 9:27).

“And as it is …” indicates that it must be connected to a following phrase, such as, “so also is …” The phrase that follows is, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many …” (Heb. 9:28). Many Christians falsely teach that all men are “appointed to die, once, before the judgment.” This is not the truth. We should “not interpret one passage in a sense that is repugnant to others” (“How To Enjoy The Bible” by E. W Bullinger, Page 327). “It is appointed unto men once to die” is not a universal truth. This passage is contradicted by many instances in the Bible where dead people were brought back to life, only, to die again. They died and lived, again, BEFORE THE JUDGMENT. A number of people died more than ONCE! We will explore this fact in our present study.

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 11

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:42:55 PST

We come, now, to Daniel 12. This is not the epilogue to the book of Daniel. It is the conclusion of the prophecy given by Gabriel who began his prophecy at Daniel 10:20.

“And at that time shall Michael stand up[ i ], the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book” (Dan. 12:1).

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 10

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:42:28 PST

The Eleventh Chapter of Daniel is a continuation of Chapter Ten. Gabriel is still speaking to Daniel and says, “Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.” (Dan. 11:1).

This verse is parenthetical, telling Daniel what he, Gabriel, had been doing during the two previous years. This verse is historical. Gabriel is telling, in plainer words, that for two years, he had been at his station “in the spirit realm,” defending and protecting Darius (i.e Cyrus) from the onslaughts of the prince of Persia (angelic being). He tried to disengage himself from the forces of darkness for twenty-one days (Dan. 10:13) in order to come to Daniel and give him understanding about what will happen in the “latter days” to the children of Israel (Dan.10:14).

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 9

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:29:56 PST

Daniel’s visions and their interpretation of future events, which are to take place, will find their fulfillment in the “latter days,” or said another way, the “time of the end.” These two expressions are the New Testament equivalents of “the Kingdom of God,” or “the Day of Christ.”

The Kingdom is made manifest at Christ’s “appearing” (2 Tim. 4:1), thus, ending the dispensation of the Mystery. Then, begins the dispensation of the Lord’s Government functioning in the earth; ruling over the nations. This will be a time when judgment runs down as waters [from heaven], and righteousness as a mighty stream; Amos 5:24.

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 8

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:29:41 PST

In Daniel 9:1-2, we read, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 7

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:27:56 PST

Daniel Chapter 8 (Continued)

While Daniel was watching the vision and trying to understand it, suddenly, standing next to him was a holy one who had the appearance of a man (V.15). Then, Daniel heard a man’s voice calling out and saying, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision”
(V.16). Gabriel was the one standing next to Daniel.

Gabriel moved close to Daniel, causing Daniel to be terrified, and he fell prostrate upon his face; “Son of man,” Gabriel said to Daniel, understand that the vision concerns the time of the end (V. 17).

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 6

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:34:28 PST

In our look at Daniel and his dreams and visions, we have pursued the course as a strict constructionist - that is to say, we stick to the document of Daniel, itself. We have refused to be a revisionist of this sacred text as most other students and teachers of the Word have done. By doing so, we get an unsullied look at the Book of Daniel.

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 5

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:01:00 PST

This is a continuation of the studies which began with Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream of Daniel Chapter Two. An effort is being made to heed the admonition to “rightly divide” the Word of Truth – distinguishing between what is historical in character from that which is clearly the subject of future prophecy. Chapters One through Six, with the exception of the king’s dream and its interpretation in Chapter Two, are historical literature. Chapters Seven through Twelve, with notable exceptions, are revelatory and may be defined as symbolic, visionary, futuristic, and eschatological.

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 4

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:53:45 PST

In our fresh look at the Book of Daniel, we are going to concern ourselves with the visions and dreams and their divine interpretations which relate to the future. However, we will consider some of the historical events in Daniel because they will set the stage for understanding those future events which find their fulfillment in the coming Kingdom of God. It was pointed out in Plainer Words Online THEME OF THE BIBLE – THE KINGDOM OF GOD, 2004, that the phrase, “the Kingdom of God,” is not found in the Old Testament, but that doesn’t mean that the truth concerning it is absent.

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 3

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:08:12 PST

We have pointed out that the king’s forgotten dream of Daniel Two, as interpreted by Daniel, was a vision of what is to take place in the “latter days.” Nebuchadnezzar and the other rulers of the world-wide dominion of Chapter Two is not history. It will find its fulfillment in the dispensation which follows the Dispensation of the Grace of God.

A Fresh Look at Daniel - Part 2

Wed, 28 May 2008 17:09:14 PST

Daniel was interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream. He told the king, in Chapter 2, Verses 37- 38, that God will give him a global empire in the “latter days,” and that he will be the first, or mightiest of kings. As a God-Chosen Monarch, he will rule over all of mankind and have dominion over the beasts of the field and the fowls of heaven. “Thou art this head of gold,” Daniel told the king. His rulership is the first of five. Five rulers, in succession, are portrayed by parts of the dream-image-statue and are given dominion over the whole earth. The kingdom, or realm, is constant. Starting with Nebuchadnezzar, there is a succession of kings who rule over the same world-wide kingdom which God originally gives to Nebuchadnezzar.