Saturday, September 30, 2006

 

The Way of Man*

Beyond Good and Evil – Friedrich Nietzsche
The Communist Manifesto – Karl Marx
Mein Kampf – Adolf Hitler
Quotations from Chairman Mao – Mao Zedong
Totem and Taboo – Sigmund Freud
Qur’an -- Muhammad
Walden – Henry David Thoreau
The Transcendentalists – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Stranger – Albert Camus
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life – Charles Darwin
First Principles – Herbert Spencer
Etc.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." (Proverbs 16:25 ESV)

*: This post was not an original thought. I overheard this conversation during lunch last week.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

 

The Dragon


“Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? … His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn. Out of his mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.” (Job 41:1, 18-20 ESV)

Recently, I have been talking with my Chinese friends about dragons. In Chinese culture the dragon is a sign of good luck. Many times the dragon is considered divine; therefore, early Chinese empires claimed to be dragons or related to a dragon. However, European dragons are considered malevolent. They are signs of treachery and destruction.

We came to realize that dragons or serpent-like creatures are found almost in every ancient culture. As seen above the Hebrews had the Leviathan; Canaanites had Lawtan (who Baal overcame); the Hittites had Illuyankas; the Sumerians and Babylonians had Tiamat; the Greeks had Ladon, Hydra, Python, Pythia, and Typhon; the Indians (from India) had Vyalee; the Siberians had Yilbegan; the Koreans had Yong, yo, and kyo; the Japanese had Ryu; and the Chinese had Lung.

I told my friends that it appears that ancient man had a common ancestry where the idea of the dragon originated. China and Canaan are rarely if ever connected in ancient times. But how could these two ancient civilizations created very similar concepts of the dragon if they did not have some early interaction?

Where did the idea of a dragon come from? I have two hypotheses: (1) the idea of the dragon is a mythological form of a dinosaur or (2) Adam and Eve told their descendants about the serpent in the Garden of Eden. You choose or come up with your own!

For further thought, think about the Phoenix appearing in both Chinese and Egyptian mythology.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

 

To Life

“Go to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my [David’s] name. Say to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!’” (1 Samuel 25:5, 6)

To Life







The Hebrew word le chayya (above) means to life. Those familiar with musicals might remember the song in Fiddler on the Roof called To Life. In this song they say le chayyaim, which is a toast to life. As an aside, we pronounce Adam’s wife as Eve. This comes from the Greek Eva. Eva comes from the Hebrew Chavvah. Chavvah comes from chayya (life).

“Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.” (Genesis 3:20)

Eve


“In him [the Word] was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)

“I [Jesus] give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)

Eve would give birth to the Life.

“And I [God] will put enmity between you [serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

To Life!

Friday, September 22, 2006

 

Dust of the Earth

“Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.” (John 8:6)

“O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water.” (Jeremiah 17:13)

However,

“He who overcomes … I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” (Revelation 3:5)

Saturday, September 16, 2006

 

The Sword of the Lord

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ ‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.’” (Joshua 5:13-14 NIV)

Throughout history, the sword has played a significant role. The knight of the Middle Ages commonly named his sword. The samurai’s katana and wakizashi never left his side. Bushido actually taught that the samurai’s soul was his katana. The sword often is connected to the symbolism of violence, justice, or revenge. This symbolism can be found in the Bible as well. However, it appears that God has a physical sword.

“After he [God] drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24)

“David looked up and saw the angel of the LORD standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown. … Then the LORD spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.” (1 Chronicles 21:16, 27)

“In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. … The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.” (Revelation 1:16, 19:13, 14)

Sword Quiz
Several swords were made famous in Legends and Mythology. Can you name the owner of the following swords?

A. Excalibur
B. Crocea Mors
C. Hrunting
D. Joyeuse
E. Arondight
F. Zulfiqar
G. Narsil
H. Master Sword

I wonder if God has named his sword!
---
A. King Arthur, B. Julius Caesar, C. Beowulf, D. Charlemagne, E. Lancelot, F. Muhammad, G. Aragorn, H. Link

Thursday, September 14, 2006

 

300th POST

I have finally hit 300 posts. Plus, I have just begun my second year in blogging. I thought I would take this time to look back at the various series I posted over the last year.

I. Resurrection/Redeemer/The Return
II. The Face of God
III. What is Love?
IV. The Temple
V. God’s Family
VI. The Anointed One
VII. The Seven Woes
VIII. Biblical Holy Days
IX. The House of Atreus/Took/Francis/David
X. Pistis, Elpis, and Agape
XI. I AM
XII. The Law
XIII. The Mountain of the Lord
XIV. Supper with Jesus
XV. God’s Chosen (Messed-up) People
XVI. Apostle John
XVII. The House
XVIII. Timothy
XIX. The Assembly of God
XX. Fundamentals
XXI. The Jewish people
XXII. God’s People

I look forward to what God will reveal to me this year!

Saturday, September 09, 2006

 

Image of God takes Created Image with Us

“Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8 NIV)

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)

“For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.” (Romans 8:3)

“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels … Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels.” (Hebrews 2:6, 7, 9)

*: The last few posts were not planned to fit together. But not by my doing, they do fit together quite nicely!

Friday, September 08, 2006

 

Created Image

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 NIV)

“For by him [Christ] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)

“… his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:2)

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness …’” (Genesis 1:26)

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

 

Image of the Invisible God

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17 NIV)

“By faith he [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27)

So how do you see something invisible? You make it visible.

“He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Colossians 1:15)

“… Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Hebrews 1:3)

“When my glory passes by, I [God] will put you [Moses] in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen. … Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD.” (Exodus 33:22-23, 34:5)

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

 

With Us

"'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'--which means, 'God with us.'" (Matthew 1:23 NIV)

"And surely I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

"And when I [John] turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone 'like a son of man.' ... and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." (Revelation 1:12, 20)

Saturday, September 02, 2006

 

Spirit of Power


“You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” (Isaiah 40:9 NIV)

Last weekend I went with part of my family on a hike (see here ). Before lunch we came to a great water hole. After standing around for awhile, I decided to jump in. I finally got my courage up to swim across to what I initially thought was a big rock. For those who know me, I am not much of a risk taker. I actually avoid risks. I prefer being a spectator. No entrepreneur blood in this body. After several minutes a group of young boys arrived at the water hole. Following behind what appeared to be the braver boy, the group of boys scurried up huge rocks on the opposite side of the water hole. From there they jumped from a very high rock into the center of the pool. Why were the boys not afraid? Why is it some people will take risks while others like me stand around and watch? I think the answer is personality. I will always be cautious.

However, as a Christian I am commanded to step out and take risks when it comes to witnessing and to spreading God’s Word. The above passage in Isaiah says I should stand on the high mountain and shout. The Great Commission says I should “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Paul tells Timothy:

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:7-8)

I might have a personality that is cautious and timid, but I have a Spirit that is powerful.

By the way, the picture to the left is me jumping off that very high rock.

Friday, September 01, 2006

 

God's People (part vi)

And what more can be said than in Isaiah?

“Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.’ … For this is what the LORD says … ‘foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.’ The Sovereign LORD declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel: ‘I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.’” (Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8 NIV)

Or what can we add to the words of Peter?

“Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:7-9 NIV)

The Jews are God’s earthly people; Israel is an earthly country; and Jerusalem is an earthly city. But the ultimate promise is the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1, 2)

“These [Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Sarah] all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16 ESV)

The unification of the assembly at the end of days is not pictured any better than in Ezekiel. The following passage connects all the Old Testament prophesies about the promise of land, the Holy Land.

“’So you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. You shall divide it by lot for an inheritance among yourselves and among the aliens who stay in your midst, who bring forth sons in your midst. And they shall be to you as the native-born among the sons of Israel; they shall be allotted an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. And in the tribes with which the alien stays, there you shall give him his inheritance,’ declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 47:21-23 NASB)

Who are God’s People? Those saved by grace through faith alone are God’s People!
In conclusion, we see that the assembly is pictured as a bride or as a body. The assembly is more than just the local church. The assembly, ekklesia, is God’s People, the people of the promise, the family of God, the called-out ones, the priesthood of believers. It was through God’s people, the Israelites, that God would establish his People. With Christ, David’s tent is rebuilt. Through Abraham, all nations have been blessed. Not necessarily blessed by the nation of Israel, or the assembly, but the nations have been blessed because God sent his only Son to die for the sins of the world. And only this faith in God’s Son is what truly matters!

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