Heaven - are there people there now?

Mark 13
 26“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

We heard John Piper speak this past weekend! What a phenomenal theologian! He emphasized reading the scriptures and really taking in every point, every single word that you read in the scriptures. Not just reading for the overall message, but reading the details also. God is the God of details. He has great plans for us with d,etail we will not understand until we are in heaven. 

So, when reading scripture, don't skim over them. Note the details and think upon them. Research them. Pray about them. Before reading pray the Holy Spirit will open your mind and heart. Then you will really start seeing the details.

Today I read Mark 13. Tons of details! As I read the verse above stood out. I hadn't seen it before, but today, I noticed it. "He will gather his people...from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens."  We have been studying heaven in our small group and that has helped me watch for what the Bible says about what will be in heaven. This verse gives us a glimpse.

There are a lot of different points of views about death and heaven: if people sleep when they die until the second coming (soul sleep) or if they go straight to heaven, etc. However, the scripture above seems to indicate that "soul sleep" is not the case.  "...to the end of the heavens" people will be gathered up by the angels in the end times. So, applying what John Piper brought to light, read for the details, there has to be somebody in heaven to gather right? They can't all be angels or why would the Bible say they were gathered by angels and not say gathered by each other?  So, reading for the details, I am now convinced that there is no soul sleep, but that we will be in heaven when we die, not in a slumber until Jesus comes again! 

Amazing truth! Amazing Word of God! Amazing details! How amazing is heaven! Thank you, Father!

Heaven - are there people there now?

Mark 13
 26“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

We heard John Piper speak this past weekend! What a phenomenal theologian! He emphasized reading the scriptures and really taking in every point. Not just reading for the overall message, but reading the details also. God is the God of details. He has great plans for us with detail we will not understand until we are in heaven. 

So, when reading scripture, don't skim over them. Note the details and think upon them. Research them. Pray about them. Before reading pray the Holy Spirit will open your mind and heart. Then you really start seeing the details.

Today I read Mark 13. Tons of details! As I read the verse above stood out. I hadn't seen it before, but today, I noticed it. "from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens."  We have been studying heaven in our small group and that has helped me watch for what the Bible says about what will be in heaven. This verse gives us a glimpse.

There are a lot of different points of views about heaven: if people sleep when they die until the second coming (soul sleep) or if they go straight to heaven, etc. However, the scripture above seems to indicate that "soul sleep" is not the case.  "...to the end of the heavens" people will be gathered up by the angels in the end times. So, applying what joIn Piper brought to light, read for the details, there has to be somebody in heaven to gather right? They can't all be angels or why would the Bible say they were gathered by angels and not say gathered by each other?  So, reading for the details, I am now convinced that there is no soul sleep, but that we will be in heaven when we die, not in a slumber until Jesus comes again! 

Amazing truth! Amazing Word of God! Amazing details! How amazing is heaven! Thank you, Father!

Is everyone's God the same God?

Old Testament shows Jesus and Jesus shows God. New testament confirms Old Testament.

John 5:31-46

Psalm 59:9.- that is Jesus

John 6 - manna - bread of God comes down from heaven and gives life to the world

Isaiah 54:15 me = Jesus

John 7:38 scripture said

John 7:42 Messiah born in Bethlehem - Micah 5:2

John 10:35 reference to authority of OT. The scripture cannot be broken. Matt 5:17 (the law-waa m what is the Greek?)

John 12:37-41 Isaiah said these things because He saw Jesus's glory (God's glory). Implies where God is manifested Jesus is manifested

If you meet God as he truly reveals himself in the OT then you will know Jesus when he comes.

John Ch 13 to end of book. References to Old Testament confirming Jesus - bears witness to God.

1  John 2:23

Implications:

Islam God - is He the God in the Bible? Jews - do they worship the God in the Bible? Are these the same God? Ask them these questions:

Q1. Do you know God? Jn 8:19 - where is your Father? You know neither me nor my father. If you knew me you would know my Father also. 

Q2. Do you honor God? Jn 5:23 - whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who singe him.

Q3. Do you love God? Jn 5:42-43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me;

Litmus test for claim to know God. They know, love and honor Jesus also. If they claim to know/honor/love God but do not honor Jesus they are not telling the truth though they think they are.

If someone asks you if Islam and Jews bet glitter in the same God, Instead of do we believe in the same God, focus on"do we worship the same God."  Jesus said if you love God, you love me. You worship God, you worship me. Jesus who is the center of the NT is the same God is the OT.

Six implications in reading the Bible

To glorify God, see the glory by hearing and reading the Word!
Six implications: 

-The infinite worth and beauty of God  are the ultimate value and excellence of the universe.

-The supremely authentic and intentional worship of God's word  and beauty is the ultimate aim of all His works.  Jn 4:23, Rev 3:16, Rom 12:11

-We should always read God's word in order to see this supreme worth and beauty. Eph 3:4, 8, Col 1:27

-We should aim in all our seeing to savor His excellence above all things. Jn 15:11, 17:13, Psalm 1:3? , Psalm 119:7, 11,

-By this seeing and savoring we aim to be transformed into the likeness of His beauty. 2Cor 3:18, 4:4

-...So that more and more people would be drawn into the world hoping family of God until the Bride of Christ--across all nations is complete in its goal and beauty.  Jeremiah 1:12

Supernatural Bible Reading.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, rely on Him and He will make your paths straight.

Obstacles - 2Cor 4:3-4
-Our sinful nature - 1Cor 2:14, Rom 8:7-8
How not to read the Bible - Matt 12:1-8-have you not read, P Pharisees knew the Bible backwards and forwards. Matt 19:3-6-have you never read.
-The devil. What went wrong with the Pharisees? Luke 16:14-loved money and ridiculed Him, Jn 5:44-received glory from one another not seeking glory from God. Not into mercy but into ego which skewed their reading of the Bible. Jn 8:43-44

Three pictures of supernatural help in reading the Bible.
-Opening of our minds: Luke 24:25-26-slow of heart, Luke 24:32-hearts burned & scriptures opened, Luke 24:44-45-opened minds to understand Scriptures, 
-shown in our hearts: 2Cor 4:4-6-knowledge of glory of God shines in our hearts
-enlightening of our eyes: Eph 1:16-18-having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know the hope

The word is implanted in us and we desire it.
James 1:18-21-He brought us forth by the word of truth...receive with meekness the implanted  Word--received AND implanted
1Peter 1:23-born again, imperishable seed, pure spiritual milk

Q&A
How do you convince people the Bible is God's word and not just another book. Explain, I prayed to God to show me what He wants me to know through His word.  That is how I know. You should try reading it and praying to God to show you what He wants you to know. Try it!l

How about people who say they are free without God? They don't want God's authority.  Ask them questions. They are probably a slave to doing what they want...So they really are not free.

How do you explan to intellectuals that the Bible is true about the peculiar glory of God? Read Book together and show arguments from the way Jesus taught to the Pharisees. They can see Jesus through Jesus. The book validates the book.

What about anti gay aspect of Bible? Bible points out gay practice is wrong. The gospel is believe in Jesus and you will be forgiven of your unrighteousness. If it becomes an issue on the table, Bible doesn't say you can hold onto your gay practice and be a Christian. Must be ready to submit to Jesus is Lord concerning things you are very aware of at this point in time. Other sins God's will work on over time.

Should social/racial issues move into Christian ministry. Blood issue not a social issue. Jesus shed His blood for all. Affirmative action has a negative connotation, but isn't intentionally diversifying our church the same thing? Rev 5:9, Ephesians. Don't say "I tried" and go back to your comfort zone.

The Natural act of reading the Bible Supernaturally.

Natural-your ability to see and hear and learn the meaning of phrases and words to think, evaluate, sleep for alertness. Use natural powers and rely on supernatural power at the same time to read the Bible. Be desperate that God will use your reading to see His glory.  Matt 16:15-17. God showed Peter that Jesus was the Son of God not flesh and blood. This probably felt pretty natural to Peter. In Timothy Paul tells Timothy to think over the scriptures; God will reveal His meaning as you think through it. 2Tim 2:7
..1Cor 15:10- "I worked harder than any of them, thought, not I , but the Grace of God"
..Biggest challenge in Bible Reading - 1Peter 4:11-serve by the strength God applies:
Acrostic - APTAT
Admit-I am a sinner. I don't know what to do. I can't change myself. I can't understand the Bible on my own. Psalm 25:9, James .
Pray - Matt,7:7. I O U S - L - Incline my heart to God, to want God and the Bible. Open- Psalm 119:18-open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things. Unite -  my heart to fear your name Psalm 86:11.Satisfy - us with your steadfast love Psalm 90:14. Lead/love- God doesn't want invisible glory. He wants to see it...others should see you value (glory) God. Psalm 119:35, 23:3, 25:5
Trust.-Isaiah 41:10-think of a specific or general promise of God. James 1:5-6. Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 25:8,,9, 12,-God promises if we humble ourselves before His word that help will come.
Act-in obedience to God's word Phil 2:12-13
Thank-Thank God for whatever God comes. Eph 5:20. 1 Cor 15:10-MiMi worked hard and Grace did hard work with me.
Thank Him. 

John 5:31-44

Public acceptance and affirmation

Mark 8
25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.” 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Jesus, the one who gives the world a chance to be saved from hell, wants to be a secret! Why?

Was it because He didn't want others to be saved? No! He came to save us all! Was it because He was afraid! No, He eventually died an excruciating death on the cross for all of us. Was it because, He didn't need the affirmation and approval of others? Now there is an interesting thought!

Jesus is healing people in this passage. He is helping people understand He is the God of all the universe. He is also helping them understand that Satan is the ruler of the earth...for now, that there is more to our lives than this earth, that we are more valuable to God than the affirmation and approval of our peers.

So, the next time I do something, I have to check myself. Am I doing this for God's approval and affirmation, as Jesus did, or am I doing it for this world's approval and affirmation?

Father, please help me to keep my eyes, my focus, on you, and not on this world's approval and glory. It is so easy to worry about what other's will think about what I say and do, and I should be careful not to be a stumbling block, but please help me be even more careful and cognizant of your approval and affirmation of my words and deeds. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Do I care about injustice? The oppressed?

Proverbs 29:7
7The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

Isaiah 1:17
17Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. [a] Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

Hebrews 13:3
3Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Psalm 94:18-19
18When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. 19When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

We are supposed to be concerned about "justice for the poor" and "defending the oppressed" and remembering those who are mistreated. Usually, I would be on board with those ideas. That seems like a tall order to me today, though!

On a good day, I would say that I think about others. I would say that I do things for others. I would like to think that I help people out. However, are these people the fatherless, the oppressed, the imprisoned?  Must they be these people? What about the regular people you meet everyday who are having a bad day and you help them? Do you have to help the imprisoned, the oppressed, the widow, etc. to be in God's will? To be doing what He wants? If I just go through my regular day and try to be kind and uplift people, is that enough?

Well, maybe it is enough, if it is about the other person because of your faith. Recently, though, things have been about me. How I feel about things. How I am mistreated. How unfair things are at work right now. How my opinion isn't valued. I feel like I am the oppressed!

I see the pattern! Me. Me. Me. You would think by now, I would have realized how incredibly self-absorbed all my complaints are! Are they really important? Well, they are to God! Psalm 94:18-19
18When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. 19When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Well, anxiety is great within me today. I know it is because I am concerned for myself and my "oppression!" The good news is, God is concerned about my concerns! They might not be monumental and I am definitely not oppressed as people are in third world countries, but isn't it fantastic that Gud is still concerned about me! I am not alone in this! He will support me!

During those times when helping others seems far away from my thoughts, and my problems are the focus, God doesn't point a finger and say shame on you. Satan does; God doesn't! Satan wants us to feel bogged down by the simple things that can add up to a seemingly big problem if we let it get that far. However, if we remember God is for us...who can be against us...well, them we have victory! 

My day may not be any better today than it was yesterday, but I will stand strong with God at my side. Actually, God will stand strong...I will just be there with God helping me through. I will be able to see the oppressed and the mistreated even through the eyes of a person who feels that way themselves! I can still help others while God helps me and maybe while others help me!

So, back to the original question. Am I concerned about the oppressed? Do I do something about that? I don't think I spend a great deal of time genuinely worried about the oppressed and I don't spend much time doing anything for them. I do need to change that. I know the only reason I came to that conclusion is God. God wants me back on track. He knows I won't feel good about myself and my situations until I have my eyes on Him and His will and not on me!

Father, please help me! I am weak! I am selfish! I am worried about myself and my feelings! Forgive me! I trust You! I know You will stay close to me even when I am lost and confused. You will bring me back! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Should we blame God for the bad things?

Ruth 1
19So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” 20“Don’t call me Naomi,[a] ” she told them. “Call me Mara,[b] because the Almighty[c] has made my life very bitter. 21I WENT AWAY FULL, BUT THE LORD HAS BROUGHT ME BACK EMPTY. WHY CALL ME NAOMI? THE Lord has afflicted[d] me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” 22So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

Ruth 2
1Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. 2And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.

These passages appear to make God the reason for their suffering. At the same time, yhey also indicate Naomi's belief in God. She calls Him "Almighty God." Just before this, Ruth professes she will love Naomi's God. So, it is apparent Naomi considers God "almighty" and has shown her belief and trust in Him or Ruth wouldn't have chosen Him also. 

However, Naomi also says in these passages that she is bitter. That God has "brought misfortune" her way. So, does God bring misfortune to us? Isn't that the devil's job? 

Well, I know God allows things to happen to help us grow in our faith, Proverbs 3:5-6 (”Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”  ). Where does the devil fit into to this? Did he? Did God allow these things to happen to grow our faith and the devil can do no more than what God allows like in Job? Is God doing these things or is God allowing these things to happen for a reason we might not understand?

God provides for us. In chapter 2, Ruth goes to the exact field of the person who will become her husband and take care of her and Naomi for the rest of their lives. The Christ will come from this lineage! 

Maybe these bad things happen, so God can give us the good things? Things that are better than we could ever imagine? How many times have you wanted to buy a certain house our car or do something and it fell through. You were disappointed, unhappy, wondering"why me?" Then you find out there is a better opportunity, or house, or car, or situation than what you could have dreamed of. Or you find out the opportunity you thought was so great, was not so great after all. Again, Proverbs 3:5-6, lean not on your own understanding...lean on God!

God is in control. He has a plan. He does put us through the fire to refine us. He also has better things in store for us than what we can plan.

Father, thank you, as always, for having our best interests even when we think we know better. Thank you for putting us through the fire so we will grow in faith and trust you more. Please help me not focus on the bad, but the good. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.