Review / Preview Romans 9:1-24

I lead a men's group in bi-weekly Bible study, and we're amidst what most theologians would agree is a hard teaching from the apostle Paul in Romans 9. I want to offer this review / preview as we work verse-by-verse through this passage.

As this is our off-week, I want to offer both a brief review of Romans 9:1-16,which we studied last Tuesday, and also a brief preview of Romans 9:17-24,which, Lord willing, we will study next Tuesday, May 30, at Aaron's house. Remember that this stuff is easy to understand - it's just hard to accept. Paul's language is clear. The truth he reveals with that language is hard to handle.

1I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms itin the Holy Spirit — 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4the people of Israel.

Paul shows his heart for the Jewish people. He has said many harsh things to them and about them in this letter to the Romans, so it's quite likely that they perceived Paul as not caring, incompassionate toward his own people. And he refutes that perception here. He also begins his teaching in this section of his letter with softening words, much as he did with Philemon, as Aaron pointed out several weeks ago when he taught Coram Deo. Paul is about to teach some hard things, and he wants his audience to realize that his intentions are good and his love is real.

4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory,the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, Who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Paul continues a "list of benefits of being Jewish" that he began in Romans 3:1-2. Combined with that passage, there are 9 benefits. We can study these and offer concrete proof that Israel as a whole nation has neglected and disdained these benefits. Nevertheless, the benefits are still legitimate, as acceptance of themor non-acceptance of them does not legimatize them. Notice also here the clear claim of Paul to the Deity of Jesus Christ. He is to be forever praised. Amen.

6It is not as though God's Word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.

Here Paul begins to get "down-and-dirty." He is responding to a couple ofquestions: (1) Did the promises of God to the Jews fail, since they are not receiving Jesus Christ as Messiah? (2) Why aren't the Jews being saved?

First, he says that God's Word has not failed (see Isaiah 55:11). Not all Israel is Israel. That's the answer to question # 1. What does that mean? Paul explains it, moving from a view of corporate Israel to a view of specific individuals: "It is not the natural children who are God's children." Physical ancestry, while meaningful and beneficial for many reasons, does not matter for salvation! Rather, Paul says, "it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring." The children of the promise, Abraham's true offspring, are those who share Abraham's faith - his spiritual descendants, so to speak. And this is how it is that God's promises are not failing. His promise ofsalvation was never meant for all physical Jews; rather, it was meant for allspiritual Jews.

9For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son." 10Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. 11Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad — in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12not by works but by Him who calls — she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

Now here's the first of 3 answers that Paul will give in Romans 9-11 to question# 2 from above. Why aren't the Jews being saved? God chose to save Abraham out of all the pagans of the world. God chose to save Isaac, rather than Ishmael, though both were physical descendents of the same man, Abraham. God chose to save Jacob, rather than Esau, though Esau was the firstborn and culturally more deserving of any birthright. The keyword there is "chose." This is the doctrine of election. God chooses to save some individuals and not others, and this choice is based on nothing that the individuals do and nothing that God foresees about them. And as harsh as this truth sounds, Paul even provides God's reasoning for it. The choice to elect some and not others is found in God's sovereign purpose to be the One who chooses! We might have expected Paul to say, "Not by works but by faith." He doesn't. He says, "Not by works but by Him who calls." If you are objecting to this teaching, what is your reasoning? Does it sound unfair? Paul knows that might be what you're thinking, so he addresses that concern:

14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

"That's not fair, Paul! What you're saying makes God out to be unjust. If an individual plays no role in whether or not he is elect to salvation, then that makes God out to be unjust. It's not fair!" Sound familiar? That was my response for a long time, until I realized, by the grace of God, that my objection was the very same one that Paul addresses, therefore proving that I was objecting to the accurate Biblical understanding! God owes no one mercy. If we begin to think that God owes mercy, we're no longer talking about mercy; we're now talking about justice. Whatever God does is just, even if it is choosing some and not others.

17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose,that I might display My power in you and that My Name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.

Paul offers a proof from Scripture of this understanding. Pharaoh was hardened for the purpose of God to display His power and have His name proclaimed throughout theworld. Was pharaoh responsible for this hardening? No doubt he was. Absolutely! Butnotice that Paul says nothing of that here. Here, it's all of God's sovereign choice and purpose for His glory. And Paul's audience sees what he is saying and offers another objection:

19One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists His will?" 20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?" Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" 21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? 22What if God, choosing to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath—prepared for destruction? 23What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory —24even us, whom He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

The objection found in v19, once again, was mine for quite awhile. How can God hold pharaoh responsible for his hardening if it was God's will that pharaoh hardened his heart? How can God hold Hitler responsible for the Holocaust when God Himself used Hitler to accomplish that dreaded massacre? Make it more personal. How can God hold me responsible for my sin if God had a purpose for His glory in my sin?

Note Paul's response. What's the problem with the objection that is offered against Paul's teaching? It puts God on trial. And Paul puts an end to that reasoning. God is not the One on trial. Answer Paul's question in v21. Notice that God, as the potter, is making use of "the same lump of clay." The elect and the non-elect are from the same lump of clay. There's nothing different in the clay. The difference lies in the potter, not the clay. And God has a purpose for the clay. Some of it will be used for "noble purposes" and some of it for "common use." The clay has no say regarding its purpose.

And what is that purpose? V22-23 tell us. Both the elect and non-elect will glorify God according to His purpose. The non-elect will serve God's glory as objects of His wrath. They were prepared for destruction and born with great patience; and they will experience God's power in eternal judgment. The elect will serve God's glory as objects of His mercy. They, prepared by God in advance, will experience the riches of God's glory for all eternity. And finally, note v24. We are graciously among the elect, among those called by God to be vessels of mercy. Praise Him for choosing us first, for choosing us in order that we would glorify Him as vessels of mercy and not as vessels of destruction.

With all of this as food for thought, those of you who participated inlast week's study will recall that I suggested for "homework" a study ofJohn 1:11-13. I'd like to close by inviting you to read the following article,with the hope that you'll clearly see the parallels between John and Paul:

John 1:11-13

Christian Marriage, Sex, and the Glory of God

This post is not according to my typical style, but I've experienced a significant revelation and want to share my thoughts on it.

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” – C.S. Lewis

Christian Marriage, Sex, and the Glory of God

We Christians acknowledge that God has given marriage, and sex within marriage, as a blessing to us. Christian marriage is to symbolize the union of Christ and His people. And we further acknowledge that this relationship is designed primarily to bring God glory. God is glorified as husbands and wives submit to one another and raise children to know the Lord. Of course, this is truth explained simply, and much more could be said. But the point I want to make is that God is most glorified in the marriage relationship when husband and wife experience the most intimate of moments - and that is during sex.

God is most glorified by Christian marriage in the act of sex.

So married Christians should not only be having the most sex among people of the world, but they should also be having the best sex among people of the world. It's the best way for us as married Christians to glorify God by our marriage. The chief of man - to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (The Westminister Shorter Catechism) - is best attained when we are enjoying Him and His blessings to His glory. In other words, we best glorify God when we enjoy Him; we best enjoy Him when we glorify Him. John Piper calls this Christian Hedonism.

Christian couples ought to enjoy the best, knock-your-socks off, orgasmic sex of any other type of duo in the world, and it ought to be enjoyed to the glory of God. God didn't unite believing couples solely to raise children. He unites us to pleasure in one another - just as Christ pleasures in His bride, the Church, and just as the Church pleasures in her bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Christian husbands ought to pleasure in their wives in as intimate a way as earthly possible. Christian wives ought to pleasure in their husbands in as intimate a way as earthly possible. And intimate earthly pleasures occur - let's face it - in the body. Christian husbands ought to pleasure their wives' bodies and wives ought to pleasure their husbands bodies. And this mutual pleasure will be reciprocated in pleasure from experiencing each others' pleasure. Christian couples ought to enjoy the best, knock-your-socks off, orgasmic sex of any other type of duo in the world, and it ought to be enjoyed to the glory of God.

“In God’s presence is fullness (ultimate quality) of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forever (ultimate quantity).” Psalm 16:11

What the Future Holds (4)

This is part 4 of chapter 10 of my book, Biblical Glasses.

One view of eschatology among Biblical scholars is preterism. Preterists suggest that all or most of the events described in the Book of Revelation were fulfilled in the past. The Book of Revelation, along with other Biblical references to end times events, is interpreted by preterists as literal history that occurred soon after it was written. The preterist position requires considerable conjecture to fit with other Biblical prophetic statements.

For example, Jesus, in Matthew 24, suggested that the end times would include worldwide severe persecution, unlike anything the world had seen since the times of Noah and unlike anything the world would ever see again. This could not have been fulfilled hundreds of years ago, because Hitler’s holocaust surpassed anything previously experienced by either Christians or Jews. Also, as mentioned earlier, the twentieth century included more Christian martyrdom than in the previous nineteen centuries’ combined!

Perhaps the least popular view of Biblical eschatology is historicism, or mythacism, which considers the Book of Revelation to be a general overview of Church history. Some specific details may actually be fulfilled; others may be pure imagery. This viewpoint maintains that all apocalyptic Bible text paints merely a spiritual image of good versus evil. Historicists interpret Revelation symbolically, regardless of its context.
Historicism is dangerous:

The subjective method of interpretation used by historicists opens the door to
an unlimited number of possible meanings for the ‘symbols’ found in the same
prophetic passages. For example, the very same passages [i.e. Babylon and
the prostitute] could be interpreted to be the rise of Islam or the rise of the
Roman Catholic Church.

Finally, the most popular eschatology viewpoint is that of the futurist. Futurists understand that the Book of Revelation and end times events mentioned elsewhere in the Bible will be literally fulfilled in the future, except where the text is obviously figurative. Even when end times prophecy is clearly symbolic, futurists insist the given descriptions still represent actual events, people, and places yet to be realized. Futurists, like fundamentalist Christians, use the normal method of language interpretation when studying the Bible.

This normal method of interpretation is able to take the many prophecy puzzle
pieces from throughout the Bible and put them together in a coherent and obvious
chronological order. The result is a beautiful picture of
‘His-story.’ It is the story of our awesome and sovereign God, Who proves
His authorship of His Word by proclaiming the future and then bringing it to
pass (see Isaiah 41-48). Futurists believe Revelation and other last days
prophecies across Scripture are written to convict, guide, and encourage
primarily Israeli Jews during the Tribulation, who will believe in Jesus as the
Messiah of Israel and the world. They recognize that many Gentiles during
the Tribulation will also come to believe that Jesus is Messiah. Futurists,
therefore, see a clear distinction between national, ethnic Israel, and the
Church, which is the Bride and Body of Christ.

Now all of the above viewpoints agree that Jesus Christ will indeed return. But, regarding Christ’s return, the Bible mentions a period of 1000 years (see Revelation 20:1-10) that has varied the positions of theologians on the subject. The following views often mix and mingle to the point where they vary from their original forms. I am providing information on their original forms only.

To keep it brief, amillennialists believe the 1000 years is simply symbolic; this particular amount of time has no influence on any real events. Though the duration is uncertain, we are currently in the final period of time before Christ’s return. This viewpoint often coincides with historicism.

Many post-millennialists agree with amillennialists that there is no literal 1000 year period of time. Post-millennialists usually believe the 1000 years represents an uncertain period of time during which Christian influence will gradually improve the world, leading to Jesus Christ’s physical return to a pure and spotless bride—a Christianized world. This viewpoint, which is difficult to conceive given the popular worldview of our culture, often goes hand-in-hand with preterism.

The pre-millennialist view falls into two distinct categories, both of which conform to the futurist position explained above. Both pre-millennial positions stress that an actual seven-year Tribulation and an actual Rapture will take place on the earth before the end of time.

The Tribulation is most easily understood as the time of the antichrist. The Rapture is when Christ comes to take up His Church; all living believers will be taken off the earth in the blink of an eye, joining those believers who had died prior to the Rapture and had been resurrected to be with Christ as well. The two distinct pre-millennial views are detailed below:

- The historical pre-millennialist believes the Rapture and second coming of Christ will occur simultaneously, midway through or toward the end of the seven-year Tribulation. The first half of the Tribulation will be dominated by great apostasy under the antichrist, and the Church will experience great horrors. After the Rapture and Christ’s return, the antichrist will be destroyed at the Battle of Armageddon, and Satan will be locked away for 1000 years. The 1000 years, which may or may not be literal, will include a restoration of Old Testament customs, including the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple, which has not existed since 70 A.D. At the end of the millennium, Satan will be released into the world one last time to dredge up an army for the final battle. He and his army will be destroyed by fire prior to the battle’s commencement, and those who had died but not trusted in Christ will be resurrected to face judgment. At this event, called the Great White Throne Judgment, all those who died in unbelief, among other sins, will be sentenced to the second death, eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, where Satan and the antichrist were also disposed to eternal suffering.

The dispensational pre-millennialist believes the Rapture and second coming of Christ will occur separately. This view proposes that dead believers will be resurrected, ascending to meet Jesus Christ in the air, soon followed by a pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. After these events will be the seven-year Tribulation and reign of the antichrist. The Jewish people will be fully restored to Palestine, and 144,000 of them will convert to Christianity on the testimony of two great witnesses, who will be killed at the hands of the antichrist and resurrected before the eyes of the entire world (perhaps on live television). The Jewish Temple will also be rebuilt under the antichrist’s leadership. A physical return of Jesus Christ will come at the end of the
Tribulation, which brings the destruction of the antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon. Also at the second coming of Christ, those believers who converted to faith in Christ after the Rapture will be raised to eternal life, along with the Old Testament faithful. A literal millennium will begin on earth, over which Christ and His saints will reign. Satan will be bound during this time. Finally, Satan will be unleashed; he and the unbelievers will be judged and sentenced to the second death, eternal separation from God in the lake of fire.

If you have read the Left Behind series of books, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, then you may be familiar with dispensational pre-millennialism. It is on account of the Left Behind series that this viewpoint is the most popular among lay people today. Again, because I have not studied eschatology with great scrutiny, I cannot adequately argue for or against any of the above views of the end times, nor can I fully support that one, if any, has completely occurred or will occur exactly as written above.

I do, however, tend to prefer the dispensational pre-millennialist viewpoint, because it favors the most literal form of Bible study and seems to be widely held by numerous well-respected theologians. I also think theologians must admit to some form of partial-preterism, as all Biblical end times prophecies were speaking of future events when written, and some but not all of them have already been fulfilled, lending further credence to the thought that we are indeed living in the end times.

[The above paragraph (the last paragraph) was true in early 2003, when it was written. Since that time, I'd lean more to the historical pre-millenialism position, for similar reasons. The flaws with dispensationalism in general have only recently become more clear to me; and I continue to learn more about each of these eschatological views.]

What the Future Holds (3)

This is part 3 of chapter 10 of my book, Biblical Glasses.

How do we interpret Revelation?

Now the Book of Revelation is for most a very difficult read. It was composed in apocalyptic style, which refers to a common literary style used during the time when much of the Bible was written. Because the events and sights were too awesome to describe with mere words, the author, John, used vibrant imagery to tell his audience what he learned. He painted a picture with words of what could otherwise not have been explained.
Before being shown the events of the end times from heaven’s perspective, John revealed a message from Jesus Christ. “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty’” (Revelation 1:8). Jesus gave a message to each of seven churches in Asia (present day Turkey), encouraging them to overcome certain hardships and temptations.

Then John was caught up into heaven, where he saw all the creatures there worshipping God. A scroll with seven seals was presented to Jesus Christ; He alone was worthy to open it. As Jesus opened the scroll, the first seal revealed a rider on a white horse, denoting war. The second seal exposed a rider on a red horse, signifying famine. The third seal loosed a rider on a black horse, indicating disease. The fourth seal showed a rider on a pale horse, implying death.

The fifth seal revealed a fixed number of martyrs predetermined by God. The sixth seal brought forth the greatest earthquake in all of history to that point. Kings and leaders tried to hide from what they saw as the wrath of God, but they could not. “They called to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb’” (Revelation 6:16)!

As the seventh seal on the scroll was opened, “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Revelation 8:1). This seal brought forth seven angels with seven trumpets—more judgment.

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with
blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned
up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all
ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third
of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were
destroyed. The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a
torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of
water—the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and
many people died from the waters that had become bitter. The fourth angel
sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and
a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day
was without light, and also a third of the night (Revelation 8:7-12).

The fifth trumpet unleashed stinging locusts, which were allowed to torture unbelievers for five months. The sixth trumpet brought forth an army of 200 million along with four angels specifically created for this moment. One-third of the earth’s population was killed by this army.

The rest of mankind that were not killed … still did not repent of the work of
their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons and … idols that cannot see or
hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their
sexual immorality, or their thefts (Revelation 9:20-21).

Before the seventh trumpet was sounded, John was given a small scroll to eat. It was sweet tasting, like the message of the Gospel, but it made his stomach hurt, because of the judgment that accompanied it. Then two witnesses preached the Gospel in Jerusalem for three-and-a-half years. A beast (the antichrist) came and killed them when their testifying was completed, but their bodies lay in the street for three-and-a-half days for the whole world to see. Then they were resurrected to life before many onlookers, and as a great earthquake destroyed a tenth of Jerusalem killing 7000 people, they were taken to heaven. Finally, the seventh trumpet sounded to announce preparation for the final battle.

After giving a picturesque portrayal of a great battle in heaven, where Satan was thrown down to earth “to make war against … those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17), John explained the rise of the antichrist, who reigned on earth for three-and-a-half years and had tremendous power. Such was his power that:

He … forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive
a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell
unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his
name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number
of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666 (Revelation
13:16-18).

Next, three angels announced the commencement of the final judgment. Two other angels began reaping the harvest with their sickles. John saw seven more angels with seven bowls of judgment—the final plagues of God’s wrath on the earth. The first bowl was poured out, and “ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image” (Revelation 16:2). When the second bowl was poured out, the sea turned to blood, killing everything in it. The third bowl caused the same to happen to all the fresh water sources.

When the fourth bowl judgment was poured out, “the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, Who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify Him” (Revelation 16:8-9). The fifth bowl caused men to gnaw at their own tongues, due to the pain coming from the sores on their bodies. The kingdom of the beast was sent into darkness.

The sixth bowl dried up the Euphrates River, preparing the way for the final battle. Spirits of demons went out to gather nations to support their cause, and kings gathered at Armageddon (perhaps the present day Israeli city of Megiddo). The seventh bowl finished the judgments as another earthquake, even larger than the previous one, crumbled the cities of nations worldwide, flattened every mountain, and destroyed every island. Hundred pound hailstones fell on the earth, and all survivors cursed God for the severity of the plagues.

An angel then showed John an image of a great prostitute, named Babylon, riding a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. The Bible says:

The beast and the ten horns … will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to
ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For
God has put it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose by agreeing to give
the beast their power to rule, until God’s Words are fulfilled. The woman … is
the great city that rules over the kings of the earth (Revelation 17:16-18).

Then Babylon was conquered; a great multitude was seen praising God in victory as Jesus Christ appeared riding on a white horse; the beast and the false prophet were thrown into the lake of eternal fire.

Satan will be bound for 1000 years, while Christ reigns with His saints. Then Satan will be unleashed to gather an army, which will “number … like the sand on the seashore” (Revelation 20:8). Satan’s army will be defeated by fire, and he will be thrown in the lake of fire with the beast and false prophet. “They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). The Great White Throne Judgment will follow, and all those whose names are absent from the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire.

A new heaven and a new earth will be created. A new Jerusalem will be made, where God will dwell with His people and be their God. The city measures like a 1400-mile cube! Its walls are 200 feet thick! Their will be no Temple for worship, because God Himself will be there. There will be no sunlight, for God is present; rather, there will be pure Son-light! There will be no nighttime, no darkness. “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27).

Having browsed the Book of Revelation, I want to make it clear that I am a mere novice on the subject of eschatology, the “branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of mankind6.” Therefore, I will briefly mention several viewpoints regarding Christian end times theology and then elaborate on the one to which I currently subscribe.