Obedience

Lately, I've been struggling with obedience, not just in one area, but in every area of my life.  The more I resolve to obey, the harder and faster I fall.  The problem, I think, is that I'm trying to obey; more specifically, I spend my time asking God to help me obey.  This is a problem because what it does is put my sin at the center of my life while, at the same time, still leaves me in control.  It's counter-intuitive to think that resolving to obey would cause me to sin, but if my sin remains the center of my life, then it becomes my god, because constantly thinking negatively about my sin is still constantly thinking about my sin.  Ask any Christian if he or she is happy with their obedience, and, if they are honest, they will tell you "no."  This is because they keep trying to obey - which is both good and possible (see Deuteronomy 30) - but most of us as Christians are trying to obey for the sake of obedience, rather than for the sake of Jesus.  History - both world history and my own personal history - has proven that.   


Here's the cool thing, though:  as disciples of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling in us, right?  I mean, God resides in us.  If we can count on God to do one thing, it's for Him to be obedient to Himself.  So why on earth are we trying to do something we can't accomplish, when we've got God Almighty Himself willing and able to be obedient?  Maybe we don't need to try harder, and maybe we don't need His help.  Maybe we just need to get out of the way and let Him work.  After all, isn't that what surrender really is?


Think about it this way:  if I'm steering the car on my own, then I'm in control, right?  Years of addiction, anger, laziness, and greed have proven that to be a disaster.  So I become a disciple of Jesus, I invite Him into the passenger's seat, and I ask Him for direction.  That's what we do - let Him guide us.  The problem is that I'm still steering the car.  He might say, "Slow down," but I can still floor it.  He might tell me to turn right, but I can still ignore Him and turn left.  If I have any shot at all of getting to where I need to be (and staying away from places where I have no business being), it seems like I need to get out from behind the wheel and let Him drive.


"My grace," God tells Paul, "is sufficient."  I think we usually take that as meaning that God's grace is given to us so that we can be forgiven.  And that's certainly part of it, make no mistake, but God's grace is also Him.  It's His presence in our lives, not leading us, but living in us.  So maybe obedience isn't so much about walking with Christ, or resolving to give up sin, or praying harder.  Maybe obedience is about falling on our faces and admitting that we are poor in spirit - spiritually bankrupt before God, with no hope on our own - and letting Him pick us up and carry us.  He will, after all, obey Himself.

The Polyp

In the mid-to-late first-century A.D., Pliny wrote of a 700-lb. Polyp that used to come on shore off the coast of Spain.  He described it as having twelve arms, a head the size of a cask, and quite a disgruntled temperament.  It was long-dismissed as fanciful by many marine biologists, because it was assumed that octopi and squid could not survive outside of the water.  This little guy has demonstrated that they were mistaken.

The Iroqois Creation Story

Before the world, there were two worlds.  The first world, lower, was in shadow and chaos, ruled by the Great Monsters.  The upper world was inhabited by mankind.  One of the women became pregnant with twins, and as her labor commenced, she was in great distress.  Her relatives fashioned a mattress for her, and bade her to lie down on it.  She did so, but while she was resting, it slipped and fell into the dark world.  The monsters of the dark waters grew dismayed, and convened to determine what they should do. 

One of them searched the deep for land, and, retrieving it, brought it to the surface of the water.  The land sank, however, for nothing was supporting it.  As the woman, who was falling from a great height, drew closer, the Turtle volunteered, saying that he would support the earth.  So the monsters retrieved more land, and placed it on the back of the Turtle.  The woman landed comfortably on the back of the Turtle.  As she reclined there, her labor pains increasing, the Turtle expanded and became a great portion of earth. 

When the time of her labor arrived, one of the twins took it into his evil mind to deliver himself through her armpit.  His brother, he of the good mind, labored to prevent it, but in vain.  As the children were born, the woman died.  The children, however, sustained themselves without her, and dwelt in the dark region for many years.  In this time, the Turtle became the Great Island [North America], and the twins became men.

The monsters named the first man Enigonhahetgea [Bad Mind], for he had only evil in his heart.  The second child was named Enigorio [Good Mind], for he was of a gentle disposition, and loved light.  Enigorio desired to create light in the dark world, but his brother tried to prevent it. 

Enigorio took the head of his mother and made it into a great orb, which gave light during the day, placing it in the center of the sky, so that the Island could move around it.  He then took his mother's body and formed an inferior orb of light, so that it could give light upon the earth at night.  He also created numerous points of light, and placed them in the sky, so that they may govern seasons, days, and years.  Whenever the Great Light was extended, the monsters became displeased and hid themselves in the deep.  Enigorio continued to create, making rivers, lakes, and numerous animals.  He created these from the smallest to the largest, and bade them to fill the Island. 

"Who shall possess this land?" he asked himself.  So he created two images from the dust of the ground, male and female.  He breathed into them and gave them life, and called them Ea-gwe-howe [Real People].  Then the rains came, bringing vegetation, and gave the Ea-gwe-howe sustenance. 

In the meantime, Enigonhahetgea moved around the island, attempting to undo what his brother did.  He made great mountains and waterfalls with treacherous drops, so that the people may die.  He also created serpents and dangerous animals, which may harm the people.  He also made two images out of clay, and they became apes.

Enigonhahetgea took the animals that his good brother had created and enclosed them up in part of the earth, but Enigorio released them, so that they could benefit mankind.  Today, the drawings of these animals are located in the cave of their confinement.

Realizing that his brother thought only evil all the time, Enigorio bade Enigonhahetgea to walk with him.  In short time, however, Enigonhahetgea feared for his life, and, whimpering and tearful, begged for a contest.  They would fight, and whoever won would rule over the universe.  Enigorio accepted.

On the day of the contest, the two brothers fought ferociously, ripping out trees and mountains.  Finally, Enigorio pinned his brother to the earth with antlers.  As Enigonhahetgea died, his last words were that he would govern the souls of the dead.  He then sank into eternal darkness, where he became the Evil Spirit.  Enigorio then went to earth, where he visited the peoples there.  Afterwards, he retired.

-The Iroquois People

The Queen of Sheba's Goldmine

Archaeologists just discovered what they believe to be the Queen of Sheba's goldmine.  It's nice to see the archaeology world finally coming around to the idea that her kingdom was in Ethiopia, something the residents have been claiming for centuries.  For the account of the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon, click here.

The Language Tree?

Physorg.com just posted an article on attempts to trace the world's languages back to one language.  One of the interesting things about mythology is the recurrent theme of a "Tower of Babel"-like event in which the common language of the time was separated into various languages.  It's a story that is found in Burma, India, the Congo, North and South America, Greece, Israel, and so on.  It is, in fact, almost as universal as the story of The Flood.

Whether the scientists in the article complete their project or not, it will be very interesting to see what they do find! 

It's The End of the World As We Know It: The Third Temple

Many have argued that the Third Temple will not occur until Jesus returns and creates a new heaven and new earth (see Ezekiel 40-48), or that any reference to another temple is purely spiritual.  So let's look at what the Bible actually says, and go from there:

I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there.  But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles.  They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.  And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth" (Revelation 11:1-3). 

Weird stuff, guys.  Really weird.  However, it's not really difficult to break down and interpret once you start paying attention to what John is writing.  He provides (rather, he sees) lots of details and layers of meanings that really give a much clearer picture of these events than most people believe.  So let's get to it.

Now, as I mentioned at the beginning of the post, some have argued that since believers are called "the temple of God" by Paul, and since Jesus often used the word "temple" as a metaphor, we can safely conclude that this does not refer to an actual temple.  But the very first verse negates that, for how can John effectively measure a metaphor?  Metaphors do not have dimensions, nor would a purely "spiritual temple" have an "outer court . . . given to the Gentiles" (2).  There are two very clear statements, and to attempt to interpret this as some sort of "spiritual" or metaphorical temple is to ignore the majority of those verses.  So we can safely conclude that John is measuring a physical temple in Jerusalem.

Now, some argue that John is measuring the old temple, the one destroyed by the Romans in 72 A.D.  However, since John was writing this in 90 A.D., eighteen years after the Second Temple was destroyed, that's highly unlikely.  Others have argued that John is writing about the coming temple that will descend from heaven at the recreation of earth (see Revelation 21:1-2).  Let's keep reading, though:

Now when they have finished their testimony, the Beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.  Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified (11:7-8).

In this passage, the Beast is very much alive and active, whereas he has already been thrown into the lake of fire by Revelation 21.  This is clearly not the temple that descends from heaven and comes to rest on the New Earth.  Were that the case, then the Beast would be ruling and reigning after his judgment and damnation - an utter impossibility.  So we have a physical temple, in a physical Jerusalem, in front of which two witnesses testify to people - an event unnecessary in the New Earth.  In addition, the Beast is alive and ruling on earth during this time.  Therefore, there is only one logical conclusion:  the temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt.

Still not on board?  Well, both Daniel and Jesus speak of something called "The Abomination that Causes Desolation":

So when you see standing in the Holy Place the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (Matthew 24:15-16).

Jesus tells His disciples this, but, without a knowledge of what Daniel says, it's cryptic.  So let's turn to Daniel:

[The Beast] will confirm a covenant with many for one "seven."  In the middle of the one "seven" he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. . . .

His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice.  Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.  With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. . . .

"From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.  Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days (9:27; 11:31-32; 12:11-12).

According to Daniel, a man will stop the daily sacrifices, and three years later, set up an idol in the temple (physical temple!).  Now, many will say, "Yes, but this was fulfilled with Antiochus IV Epiphanes!"  Well . . . sort of.  Antiochus IV did desecrate the temple in 168 B.C. by erecting an idol on the Altar of Burnt Offerings, effectively bringing an end to Jewish sacrificial worship. But there are two reasons we know that these actions were not the same thing that Daniel saw.

First, Antiochus set up the idol at the same time that he abolished the sacrifices.  In Daniel 12:11, we're specifically told that the time period between the two events will be 1,290 days (or 3 1/2 years):  "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days."  This falls in line with what John sees in Revelation 13, where the false prophet sets up an idol of The Beast and, through Satanic powers, gives it the ability to speak and kill any and all who refuse to worship it (see Revelation 13:11-15).

The second thing to note is that Jesus Himself, knowing the Book of Daniel and the history of Israel, referred to the abomination that causes desolation as a future event.  Let's look at Matthew 24 again:

So when you see standing in the Holy Place [a reference to the Inner Sanctuary of the Temple] the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (Matthew 24:15-16).

Clearly, therefore, the abomination that causes desolation has not happened yet - at least, not the true one.  Jesus, living some five hundred years after Daniel, tells us that the idol has not yet been set up in the temple.  Jesus did tell us, however, that Herod's Temple (the second temple, existing during the days of Jesus), would be completely destroyed (Matthew 24:2), and by the time John is told to "measure the temple of God" in Revelation 11:1, Herod's Temple was long gone.  If Jesus, therefore, was not referring to Herod's temple, but was referring to a real, physical temple, there is clearly, therefore, going to be a third temple.


Current political situations over there seem to render this unlikely, but notice verse 2 of Revelation 11:  "Exclude the outer court, do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles.  They will trample on the holy city for 42 months."  Now, the outer court of both Solomon's and Herod's temple was the court reserved for Gentile converts to Judaism.  But that court, as best we can tell, was still considered part of the temple complex, and belonged to the Jews, though it was reserved for Gentile use.  Here, the outer court isn't considered part of the temple, but is, instead, given to the Gentiles.  We also see that Gentiles will "trample" the city for 42 months (three and a half years).  That verb is a deliberately destructive and violent word, indicating, not a mere presence, but a controlling and - from the Jewish point of view, desecrating - presence.  So here's what we have: we have a temple whose outer court belongs to "Gentiles," and we have a city that is controlled by "Gentiles."

Now, let's look at what we have today.  We have a group of Jews who desperately want to rebuild the Temple, but cannot because of the Palestinian presence, and the latter group's worship of the Dome of the Rock (yes, I understand that, officially, Muslims worship "no god but Allah," but let's call a spade a spade:  when millions flock to a place every year in order to simply be allowed the honor of being in its presence, that's a form of worship).  We also have a region that is war-torn, in constant conflict, and has very little room for negotiation.

But what if they did negotiate?  What might that look like?  If a moderate Muslim, willing to listen to reason, came to power in that region, what sort of concessions might he grant?  If a moderate Jew, willing to listen to reason, came to power in that region, what sort of concessions might he grant?  Several Jewish leaders have already confessed that the only thing they truly want is to rebuild the temple, going so far as to claim that its presence will usher in world peace.  Would leaders such as these be willing to grant the Palestinians control of the city, in return for "ushering in world peace," as they see it?  Possibly.  Would leaders such as these be willing to grant the Palestinians continued access to the Foundation Stone - the heart of the Dome of the Rock, in return for "ushering in world peace"?  Possibly.  It's difficult to say with certainty, but with the right concessions, it is possible that Israel will be able to build the temple in the not-too-distant future.


And Israel is preparing to build it.  They have blueprints, they have a 3-D rendering of the Inner Sanctuary, they have even fashioned and prepared the articles used in the temple worship. It seems, therefore, that all we are waiting on is an agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, an agreement that will give Palestine complete control of Jerusalem, as well as the outer court of the temple complex.  And while the agreement doesn't appear to be anywhere on the horizon, only time will tell. 

The Creation According to Genesis

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
 
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
 
And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.”  So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so.  God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
 
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so.  God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. 
 
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.  The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
 
And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so.  God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.  God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
 
And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.”  So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.  God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”  And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
 
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.  God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
 
 So God created mankind in his own image,
   in the image of God he created them;
   male and female he created them.
 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.  And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Thus the heavens and earth were created in all their vast array.

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating he had done.

-Genesis 1:1-2:3