God fights for us:

At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going.  Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.”  – Deuteronomy 3.21-22

What encouraging news for Joshua, who was to lead his men against the persistent forces of evil in the promised land! Since God promised to help him win every battle, he had nothing to fear.  Our battles may not be against godless armies, but they are just as real as Joshua’s.  Whether we are resisting temptation or battling fear, God has promised to fight with and for us as we obey him.

 

He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God’s.  – 2 Chronicles 20.15

As the enemy bore down on Judah, God spoke through Jahaziel: “Do not be afraid or discouraged…. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”  We may not fight an enemy army, but every day we battle temptation, pressure, “rulers…of this dark world” (Ephesians 6.12) who want us to rebel against God.  Remember, as believers, we have God’s Spirit in us.  If we ask for God’s help when we face struggles, God will fight for us.  And God always triumphs.

How do we let God fight for us? (1) By realising the battle is not ours, but God’s; (2) by recognising human limitations and allowing God’s strength to work through our fears and weaknesses; (3) by making sure we are pursuing God’s interests and not just our own selfish desires; (4) by asking God for help in our daily battles.

 

Don’t fight when you can make peace:

And when the Israelites heard that they had built an altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to got o war against them.

So the Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to the land of Gilead – to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. With him they sent ten of the chief men, one for each of the tribes of Israel, each the head of a family division among the Israelite clans. 

When they went to Gilead – to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manaseh – they said to them: “The whole assembly of the LORD says: ‘How could you break faith with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the LORD and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now?  Was not the sin of Peor enough for us?  Up to this very day we have not cleansed ourselves from that sin, even though the plague fell on the community of the LORD!  And are you now turning away from the LORD?

“ ‘If you rebel against the LORD today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole community of Israel. If the land you possess is defiled, come over to the LORD’S land, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and share the land with us.  But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building an altar for yourselves, other than the altar of the LORD our God.  When Achan son of Zerah acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things, did not wrath come upon the whole community of Israel?  He was not the only one who died for his sin.’ “

Then Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh replied to the heads of the clans of Israel: “The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD!  He knows!  And let Israel know!  If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the LORD, do not spare us this day.  If we have built our own altar to turn away from the LORD and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD himself call us to account.

“No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?  The LORD has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you – you Reubenites and Gadites!  You have no share in the LORD.’  So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the LORD.

“That is why we said, ‘Let us get ready and build an altar – but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.’ On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings.  Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD.’

“And we said, ‘If they ever say this to us, or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the LORD’s altar, which our fathers built, not for burnt offerings and sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’

“Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD and turn away from him today by building an altar for burnt offerings, grain offerings and sacrifices, other than the altar of the LORD our God that stands before his tabernacle.”

When Phinehas the priest and the leaders of the community – the heads of the clans and the Israelites – heard what Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had to say, they were pleased. And Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, said to Reuben, Gad and Manasseh, “Today we know that the LORD is with us, because you have not acted unfaithfully towards the LORD in this matter.  Now you have rescued the Israelites from the LORD’s hand.”

Then Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, and the leaders returned to Canaan from their meeting with the Reubenites and Gadites in Gilead and reported to the Israelites. They were glad to hear the report and praised God.  And they talked no more about going to war against them to devastate the country where the Reubenites and the Gadites lived.

And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us that the LORD is God. – Joshua 22.11-34

When the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar at the Jordan River, the rest of Israel feared that these tribes were starting their own religion and rebelling against God [Wall].  But before beginning an all-out war, Phinehas led a delegation to learn the truth, following the principle taught in Deuteronomy 13:12-19.  He was prepared to negotiate rather than fight if a battle was not necessary.  When he learned that the altar was for a memorial rather than a pagan sacrifice, war was averted and unity restored.

As nations and as individuals, we would benefit from a similar approach to resolving conflicts. Assuming the worst about the intentions of others only brings trouble.  Israel averted the threat of civil war by asking before assaulting.  Beware of reacting before you hear the whole story.

(22.17   For the story of how Israel turned away from God and began to worship Baal at Peor, see Numbers 25.1-18.)

(22.20  For the story of Achan, a man who allowed greed to get the best of him, see Chapter 7.)

(22.26-28   The tribes were concerned that, without some visible sign of unity between the people on the two sides of the Jordan, future generations might see conflict between them.  The altar, patterned after the altar of the Lord, was to remind these people that they all worshipped the same God.  Often we need to be reminded of the faith of our fathers.  What actions demonstrate to your children your reliance on God [Wall] and remind them of what he has done?  Take the time to establish family traditions that will help your children remember.)

 

Fighting them God’s way:

…so David enquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

The LORD answered him, “Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.”

So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the LORD has broken out against my enemies before me.”  So that place was called Baal Perazim.  The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.

Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the valley of Rephaim; so David enquired of the LORD, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle round behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistines army.”  So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. –  2 Samuel 5.19-25

David fought his battles the way God [Wall] instructed him. In each instance he (1) asked if he should fight or not, (2) followed instructions carefully, and (3) gave God [Wall] the glory.  We can err in our “battles” by ignoring these steps and instead: (1) do what we want without considering God’s [Wall’s] will, (2) do things our way and ignore advice in the Bible or from other wise people, and (3) take the glory ourselves or give it to someone else without acknowledging the help we received from God [Wall].  All these responses are sinful.

(5.19   How could David get such a clear message from God [Wall]?  He may have prayed and been urged to action by the Holy Spirit.  He may have asked God [Wall] through a prophet.  Most likely, however, he went to the high priest, who consulted God [Wall] through the Urim and Thummim that God [Wall] had told the Israelites to use for just such a purpose.  (For more on the Urim and Thummim, see the notes on Leviticus 8.8 and 1 Samuel 10.20.))

(5.25   After David became king, his first order of business was to subdue his enemies – a task the nation had failed to complete when they first entered the land (Judges 2.1-4).  David knew this had to be done in order to (1) protect the nation, (2) unify the kingdom, and (3) prepare for building the temple (which would unify religion under God [Wall] and help abolish idolatrous influences).

 

David consulted God before:

…so David enquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”  – 1 Chronicles 14.10

Before David went to battle, he inquired of God first, asking for his presence and guidance. Too often we wait until we are in trouble before turning to God.  By then the consequences of our actions are already unfolding.  Do you ask for God’s help only as a desperate last resort?  Instead, go to him first!  Like David, you may receive incredible help and avoid serious trouble.

 

Babylon wins battle at Carchemish:

During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he changed his mind and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.  – 2 Kings 24.1

Babylon because the new world power after overthrowing Assyria in 612 B.C. and defeating Egypt at the battle of Carchemish in 605 B.C.  After defeating Egypt, the Babylonians invaded Judah and brought it under their control.  This was the first of three Babylonian invasions of Judah over the next 20 years.  The other two invasions occurred in 597 and 586 B.C.  With each invasion, captives were taken back to Babylon.  Daniel, who wrote the book of Daniel, was one of the captives taken during this first invasion (605 B.C.; Daniel 1.1-6).

(24.1   For more on Nebuchadnezzzar, see his Profile in Daniel 3.)

 

The final battle of history:

Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. – Revelations 16.16

Sinful people will unite to fight against God in a final display of rebellion.  Many are already united against Christ and his people – those who stand for truth, peace, justice, and morality.  Your personal battles with evil foreshadows the great battle pictured here, where God will meet evil and destroy it once and for all.  Be strong and courageous as you battle against sin and evil: you are fighting on the winning side.

(16.16   This battlefield called Armageddon is near the city of Megiddo (south-east of the modern port of Haifa), which guarded a large plain in northern Israel.  It is a strategic location near a prominent international highway leading north from Egypt through Israel, along the coast, and on to Babylon.  Megiddo overlooked the entire plain southward towards Galilee and westward towards the mountains of Gilboa.)

 

Are you fighting on the winning side?

(As above.) Revelations 16.16

Sinful people will unite to fight against God in a final display of rebellion. Many are already united against Christ and his people – those who stand for truth, peace, justice, and morality.  Your personal battles with evil foreshadows the great battle pictured here, where God will meet evil and destroy it once and for all.  Be strong and courageous as you battle against sin and evil: you are fighting on the winning side.

 

EXTRA:

(‘   Next we turned and went up along the road towards Bashan, and Og king of Bashan with his whole army marched out to meet us in battle at Edrei.  The LORD said to me, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you with his whole army and his land.  Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.”  So the LORD our God [Wall] also gave into our hands Og king of Bashan and all his army.  We struck them down, leaving no survivors.  – Deuteronomy 3.1-3   The Israelites faced a big problem – the well-trained army of Og, king of Bashan.  The Israelites hardly stood a chance.  But they won because God [Wall] fought for them.  God [Wall] can help his people regardless of the problems they face.  No matter how insurmountable the obstacles may seem, remember that God [Wall] is sovereign, and he will keep his promises.)

(‘   But because of you the LORD was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the LORD said.  “Do not speak to me any more about this matter.  Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east.  Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan.  But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”  – Deuteronomy 3.26-28   God [Wall] made it clear that Moses would not enter the promised land (Numbers 20.12).  So God [Wall] told Moses to commission Joshua as the new leader and encourage him in this new role.  This is a good example to churches and organisations who must eventually replace their leaders.  Good leaders prepare their people to function without them by discovering those with leadership potential, providing the training they need, and looking for ways to encourage them.)

(‘ and said: “O LORD, God [Wall] of our fathers [Up], are you are not the God [Wall] who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations.  Power and might are in your hand, and no-one can withstand you.  – 2 Chronicles 20.6ff   Jehoshaphat’s prayer had several essential ingredients.  (1) He committed the situation to God [Wall], acknowledging that only God [Wall] could save the nation.  (2) He sought God’s [Wall’s] favour because his people were God’s [Wall’s] people.  (3) He acknowledged God’s [Wall’s] sovereignty over the current situation.  (4) He praised God’s [Wall’s] glory and took comfort in his promise.  (5) He professed complete dependence on God [Wall], not himself, for deliverance.  To be God’s [Wall’s] kind of leader today, follow Jehoshaphat’s example – focus entirely on God’s [Wall’s] power rather than your own.)

(‘   The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God [Wall] of their fathers [Up].   – 2 Chronicles 20.33   This verse says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the corrupt high places (idol shrines), while 17:6 and 19:3 says he did remove them.  Jehoshaphat destroyed most of the Baal and Asherah idols, but he did not succeed in wiping out the corrupt religions practised at the high places.)

(‘   But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God [Wall], to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” – Joshua 22.5   Here Joshua briefly restated the central message Moses gave the people in Deuteronomy: Obedience should be based on love for God [Wall].  Although the Israelites had completed their military responsibility, Joshua reminded them of their spiritual responsibility.  Sometimes we think so much about what we are to do that we neglect thinking about who we are to be.  If we know we are God’s [Wall’s] children, we will love him and joyfully serve him.  We must not let daily service take away from our love for God [Wall].)

(‘   “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.  Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them.  You must not serve them or bow down to them.  But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God [Wall], as you have until now.  “The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no-one has been able to withstand you.  One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God [Wall] fights for you, just as he promised.  So be very careful to love the LORD your God [Wall].  “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, then you may be sure that the LORD your God [Wall] will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the LORD your God [Wall] has given you.  – Joshua 23.6-13   Joshua knew the nation’s weak spots.  Before dying, he called the people together and gave commands to help them where they were most likely to slip: (1) follow all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses without turning aside; (2) don’t associate with the pagan nations or worship their gods; (3) don’t intermarry with the pagan nations.  These temptations were right on their doorstep.  Our associations and relationships can be temptations to us as well.  It’s wise to identify our weak spots before we break down.  Then can we develop strategies to overcome these temptations instead of being overcome by them.)

(JOSHUA’S FINAL SPEECH   Joshua called all the Israelites to Shechem to hear his final words.  He challenged the people to make a conscious choice always to serve God.  Soon afterwards, Joshua died and was buried in his home town of Timnath Serah.)

(‘   When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. – 2 Samuel 5.17   The Philistine oppression of Israel began in the days of Samson (Judges 13 – 16).  The Philistines were still Israel’s most powerful enemy although David was once considered a friend and ally (1 Samuel 27; 29).  Because they occupied much of Israel’s northern territory, they apparently did not bother David while he was king of Judah to the south.  But when they learned that David was planning to unite all Israel, they tried to stop him.)

(‘ They set the ark of God [Wall] on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio was walking in front of it.  – 2 Samuel 6.3   The ark of God [Wall] was Israel’s national treasure and was ordinarily kept in the tabernacle.  When the ark was returned to Israel after a brief Philistine captivity (1 Samuel 4.1-7.2), it was kept in Abinadab’s home for 20 years.  David saw how God [Wall] blessed Abinadab, and he wanted to bring the ark to Jerusalem to ensure God’s [Wall’s] blessing on the entire nation.  (See the notes on Exodus 37.1 and Joshua 3.2-4 for more information on the ark.))

(‘   from the descendants of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the leader of 200 relatives; from the descendants of Hebron, Eliel the leader and 80 relatives; from the descendants of Uzziel, Amminadab the leader and 112 relatives. Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites.  He said tot hem, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the LORD, your God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.  It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God [Wall] broke out in anger against us.  We did not enquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”  So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God [Wall] of Israel.  And the Levites carried the ark of God [Wall] with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.  David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.  –  1 Chronicles 15.8-16)

(‘ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them.  Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David enquired of God [Wall]: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines?  Will you hand them over to me?”  The LORD answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”  So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them.  He said, “As waters break out, God [Wall] has broken out against my enemies by my hand.”  So that place was called Baal Perazim.  The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire.  Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David enquired of God [Wall] again, and God [Wall] answered him, “Do not go straight up, but circle round them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.  As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God [Wall] has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”  So David did as God [Wall] commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.  –  1 Chronicles 14.8-16   A map of this battle is in 2 Samuel 5.)

(‘   The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire. – 1 Chronicles 14.12   David’s quick and decisive action against idols helped unify his kingdom and focus the people on worshipping the one true God [Wall].  He was obeying the law that said, “This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire” (Deuteronomy 7.5).  Most of David’s successors failed to destroy idols, and this led to unbelievable moral corruption in Israel.)

(14.12   Often the soldiers wanted to keep souvenirs from the battle (and 2 Samuel 5.21 states that some of the men kept some of these idols), but David ordered them to burn the idols.  The only proper response to sin is to get rid of it completely.  You cannot be a follower of God [Wall] while continuing to hold on to parts of your past life that push God [Wall] out of the centre of your thoughts and actions.  Eliminate whatever takes God’s [Wall’s] rightful place in your life, and follow him with complete devotion.)

(‘   Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah.  And he did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his fathers [Up] had done.  – 2 Kings 23.36, 37   Josiah followed God [Wall], but Jehoiakim, his son, was evil.  He killed the prophet Uriah (Jeremiah 26.20-23) and was dishonest, greedy, and unjust with the people (Jeremiah 22.13-19). Jehoiakim also rebelled against Babylon, switching his allegiance to Egypt.  This proved to be a crucial mistake.  Nebuchadnezzar crushed Jehoiakim’s rebellion and took him to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36.6), but he was eventually allowed to return to Jerusalem, where he died.  The Bible does not record the cause of Jehoiakim’s death.)

(23.37   Many good kings had children who did not turn out to follow God [Wall].  Perhaps it was because of neglect or preoccupation with political and military affairs or because these kings delegated the religious education to others.  No doubt many of the children simply rebelled at the way they were raised.  Being a strong believer as a parent doesn’t guarantee that your children will pick up your beliefs.  Children must be taught about faith, and parents dare not leave that task for others to do.  Make sure you practise, explain, and teach what you preach.)

(‘   During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he changed his mind [Bank] and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.  The LORD sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and Ammonite raiders against him.  He sent them to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by his servants the prophets.  Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD’S command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done,  – 2 Kings 24.1-4   Nebuchadnezzar took control as king of Babylon in 605 B.C.  Earlier that year Nebuchadnezzar had defeated the Egyptians led by Pharaoh Neco at Carchemish.  Thus Babylon took control of all Egypt’s vassals (including Judah).  Nebuchadnezzar invaded the land later in order to establish his rule by force.)

(‘   At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it, – 2 Kings 24.10   Babylonian troops were already on the march to crush Jehoiakim’s rebellion when he died.  After Jehoiakim’s death, his son Jehoiachin became king of Judah, only to face the mightiest army on earth just weeks after he was crowned (597 B.C.).  During this second of three invasions, the Babylonians looted the temple and took most of the leaders captive, including the king.  Then Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah, another son of Josiah, on the throne.  The Jews, however, didn’t recognise him as their true king as long as Jehoiachin was still alive, even though he was a captive in Babylon.)

(‘   And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God [Wall] Almighty, true and just are your judgments.” – Revelations 16.7   The significance of the altar itself responding is that everyone and everything will be praising God [Wall], acknowledging his righteousness and perfect justice.)

(‘   They were seared by the intense heart and they cursed the name of God [Wall], who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness.  Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God [Wall] of heaven because of their plans and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.  The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.  Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God [Wall] Almighty.  “Behold, I come like a thief!  Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”  Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.  The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Is it done!”  Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake.  No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.  The great city split into three parts, and the cities [Seat] of the nations collapsed.  God [Wall] remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath.  Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.  From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men.  And they cursed God [Wall] on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.  – Revelations 16.9-21   We know that the people realise that these judgments come from God because they curse him for sending them.  But they still refuse to recognise God’s authority and repent of their sins.  Christians should not be surprised at the hostility and hardness of heart of unbelievers.  Even when the power of God is fully and completely revealed, many will still refuse to repent.  If you find yourself ignoring God more and more, turn back to him now before your heart becomes too hard to repent (see the notes on 9.20, 21 for more on hard hearts).)

(16.12   The Euphrates River was a natural protective boundary against the empires to the east (Babylon, Assyria, Persia).  If it dried up, nothing could hold back invading armies.  The armies from the east symbolise unhindered judgment.)

(16.13, 14      These spirits of demons performing miraculous signs who come out of the mouths of the unholy trinity unite the rulers of the world for battle against God [Wall].  The imagery of the demons coming out of the mouths of the three evil rulers signifies the verbal enticements and propaganda that will draw many people to their evil cause.  For more about demons, see the note on 9:3ff.)

(16.15   Christ will return unexpectedly (1 Thessalonians 5.1-6), so we must be ready when he returns.  We can prepare ourselves by standing firm in temptation and by being committed to God’s [Wall’s] moral standards.  In what ways does your life show either your readiness or your lack of preparation for Christ’s return?)

(16.17-21   For more information on Babylon and what it represents in Revelations, see the note on 14:8.  The city’s [Seat] division into three sections is a symbol of its complete destruction.)

(‘   One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.  – Revelations 17.1ff   The destruction of Babylon mentioned in 16:17-21 is now described in greater detail.  The “great prostitute”, called Babylon, represents the early Roman [Quality] empire with its many gods and the blood of Christian martyrs on its hands.  The water stands for either sea commerce or a well-watered (well-provisioned) city [Seat].  The great prostitute represents the seductiveness of the governmental system that uses immoral means to gain its own pleasure, prosperity, and advantage [see Delegation].  In contrast to the prostitute, Christ’s bride, the church, is pure and obedient (19.609).  The wicked city of Babylon contrasts with the heavenly city of Jerusalem (21.10-2.25).  The original readers probably rather quickly identified Babylon with Rome, but Babylon also symbolises any system that is hostile to God [Wall] (see 17.5).) *

(‘   Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.  – Revelations 17.3   The scarlet beast is either the dragon of 12:3, or the beast from the sea described in 13:1.)

(‘ I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.  – Revelations 17.6   Throughout history, people have been killed for their faith.  Over the last century, millions have been killed by oppressive governments, and many of those victims were believers.  The woman’s drunkenness shows her pleasure in her evil accomplishments and her false feeling of triumph over the church.  But every martyr who has fallen before her sword has only served to strengthen the faith of the church.)

(‘   The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.  – Revelations 17.8   In Chapter 12 we met the dragon (Satan).  In Chapter 13 we saw the beast from the sea and the power he received from Satan.  In Chapters 14-16 we see God’s [Wall’s] great judgments.  In this Chapter, a scarlet beast similar to the beast and the dragon appears as an ally of the great prostitute.  The phrase, “was, now is not, and will come” means that the beast was alive, died, and then came back to life.  The beast’s resurrection symbolises the persistence of evil.  This resurgence of evil power will convince many to join forces with the beast, but those who choose the side of evil condemn themselves to the devil’s fate – eternal torment.)

 

 

“If every body minded their own business, the world would go round a deal faster than it does” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

 

Giving should come from a generous heart:

‘   From what you have, take an offering for the LORD.  Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

“All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded: the tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it; the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand; the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary  – both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests.”

Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work of the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. –   Exodus 35.5-21

God did not require these special offerings, but he appealed to people with generous hearts. Only those who were willing to give were invited to participate.  God loves cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9.7).  Our giving should be from love and generosity, not from guilty conscience.

(35.10-19   Moses’ face was radiant after he spent time with God.  The people could clearly see God’s presence in him.  How often do you spend time alone with God?  Although your face may not light up a room, time spent in prayer, reading the Bible, and meditating should have such an effect on your life that people will know you have been with God.)

(‘ Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant – the Ten Commandments.  When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.  When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.  But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.  When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.  But whenever he entered the LORD’S presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out.  And when he came out and told the Israelites what had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant.  Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.  – Exodus 34.28-35   Moses’ face was radiant after he spent time with God [Wall].  The people could clearly see God’s [Wall’s] presence in him.  How often do you spend time alone with God [Wall]?  Although your face may not light up a room, time spent in prayer, reading the Bible, and meditating should have such an effect on your life that people will know you have been with God.)

(‘   Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses’ presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewellery of all kinds: brooches, ear-rings, rings and ornaments.  They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.  Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or hides of sea cows brought them.  Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the LORD, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it.  – Exodus 35.20-24   Where did the Israelites, who were once Egyptian slaves, get all this gold and jewellery?  When the Hebrews left Egypt, they took with them the spoils from the land – all the booty they could carry (12.35, 36).  This included gold, silver, jewels, linen, skins, and other valuables.)

 

 

‘   Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.  – Matthew 10:8

Jesus gave the disciples a principle to guide their actions as they ministered to others: “Freely you have received, freely give.” Because God has showered us with his blessings, we should give generously to others of our time, love, and possessions.

(‘   As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’  – Matthew 10.7   The Jews were waiting for the Messiah to usher in his kingdom.  They hoped for a political and military kingdom what would free them from Roman rule and bring back the days of glory under David and Solomon.  But Jesus was talking about a spiritual kingdom.  The gospel today is that the kingdom is still near.  Jesus, the Messiah, has already begun his kingdom on earth in the hearts of his followers.  One day the kingdom will be fully realised.  Then evil will be destroyed and all people will live in peace with one another.)

(‘   take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.  – Matthew 10.10   Jesus said that those who minister are to be cared for.  The disciples could expect food and shelter in return for the spiritual service they provided.  Who ministers to you?  Make sure you take care of the pastors, missionaries, and teachers who serve God by serving you (see 1 Corinthians 9.9, 10; 1 Timothy 5.17). )

(10.10   Mark’s account (6.8) says to take a staff (walking stick), and Matthew and Luke (9.3) says not to.  Jesus may have meant that they were not to take an extra pair of sandals, staff, and bag.  In any case, the principle was that they were to go out ready for duty and travel, unencumbered by excess material goods.)

 

God’s laws reflect his generous character:

‘   “ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen.  Leave them for the poor and the alien.  I am the LORD your God.  – Leviticus 19.9-10

This law was a protection for the poor and the alien (foreigner) and a reminder that God owned the land; the people were only caretakers.  Laws such as this showed God’s generosity and liberality.  As people of God, the Israelites were to reflect his nature and characteristics in their attitudes and actions.  Ruth and Naomi were two people who benefited from his merciful law (Ruth 2.2).

(18.6-27   Several abominations, or wicked actions, are listed here: (1) having sexual relations with close relatives, (2) committing adultery, (3) offering children as sacrifices, (4) having homosexual relations, and (5) having sexual relations with animals.  These practices were common in pagan religions and cultures, and it is easy to see why God [Wall] dealt harshly with those who began to follow them.  Such practices lead to disease, deformity, and death.  They disrupt family life and society and reveal a low regard for the value of one-self and of others.  Society today takes some of these practices lightly, even trying to make them acceptable.  But they are still sins in God’s [Wall’]s eyes.  If you consider them acceptable, you are not judging by God’s [Wall’s] standards.)

(19.10-35   “Do not . . .”  Some people think the bible is nothing but a book of don’ts.  But Jesus neatly summarised all these rules when he said to love God [Wall] with all your heart, and your neighbour as yourself.  He called these the greatest commandments (or rules) of all (Matthew 22.34-40).  By carrying out Jesus’ simple commands, we find ourselves following all of God’s [Wall’s] other laws as well.)

 

Show some to the needy:

(See above.)   Leviticus 19.9-10

God instructed the Hebrews to provide for those in need. He required that the people leave the edges of their fields unharvested, providing food for travellers and the poor.  It is easy to ignore the poor and forget about those who have less than we do.  But God desires generosity.  In what ways can you leave the “edges of your field” for those in need?

(‘ “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.  –  Leviticus 19.32   People often find it easy to dismiss the opinions of the elderly and avoid taking time to visit them.  But the fact that God [Wall] commanded the Israelites to honour the elderly shows how seriously we should take responsibility of respecting those older than we.  Their wisdom gained from experience can save us from many pitfalls.)

 

Seen in nature:

‘   who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.  Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades  you call forth songs of joy.

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with corn, for so you have ordained it.  You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.  You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.  The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.  The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with corn; they shout for joy and sing.  – Psalms 65.6-13

This harvest psalm glorifies God the Creator as reflected in the beauty of nature.  Nature helps us understand something of God’s character.  The Jews believed that God’s care of nature was a sign of his love and provision for them.  Nature shows God’s generosity – giving us more than we need or deserve.  Understanding God’s abundant generosity should make us grateful to God and generous to others.

(‘ Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!   We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. – Psalms 65.4   Access to God [Wall], the joy of living in the temple courts, was a great honour.  God [Wall] had chosen a special group of Israelites, the tribe of Levi, to serve as priests in the tabernacle (Numbers 3.5-51).  They were the only ones who could enter the sacred rooms where God’s [Wall’s] presence resided.  Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, all believers today have personal access to God’s [Wall’s] presence everywhere and at any time.)

(‘ Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works on man’s behalf! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot – come, let us rejoice in him.  He rules for ever by his power, his eyes watch the nations – let not the rebellious rise up against him.  – Psalms 66.5-7   The writer was remembering the famous story about God’s [Wall’s] rescue of the Israelites by parting the Red Sea.  God [Wall] saved the Israelites then, and he continues to save his people today.)

 

Balance between generosity and stewardship:

‘   My son, if you have put up security for your neighbour, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbour’s hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbour!  Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.  Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.  – Proverbs 6.1-5

These verses are not a plea against generosity, but against overextending one’s financial resources and acting in irresponsible ways that could lead to poverty.  It is important to maintain a balance between generosity and good stewardship.  God wants us to help our friends and the needy, but he does not promise to cover the costs of every unwise commitment we make.  We should also act responsibly so that our family does not suffer.

(‘ A loving doe, a graceful deer – may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.  – Proverbs 5.19   See Song of Songs, chapter 4, for parallels to this frank expression of the joys of sexual pleasure in marriage.)

(‘ Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.  How long will you lie there, you sluggard?  When will you get up from your sleep?  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.  – Proverbs 6.6-11 Those last few moments of sleep are delicious – we savour them as we resist beginning another day’s work.  But Proverbs warns against giving in to the temptation of laziness, of sleeping instead of working.  This does not mean we should never rest: God gave the Jews the Sabbath, a weekly day of rest and restoration.  But we should not rest when we should be working.  The ant is used as an example because it utilises its energy and resources economically.  If laziness turns us from our responsibilities, poverty may soon bar us from the legitimate rest we should enjoy.  (See also the chart in chapter 28.))

 

 

How to recognise them:

If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer.   The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. – Deuteronomy 13.1-3

Attractive leaders are not always led by God. Moses warned the Israelites against false prophets who encouraged worship of other gods. New ideas from inspiring people may sound good, but we must judge them by whether or not they are consistent with God’s word.   When people claim to speak for God today, check them in these areas: Are they telling the truth? Is their focus on God?

Are their words consistent with what you already know to be true? Some people speak the truth while directing you towards themselves. It is even possible to say the right words but still lead people in the wrong direction. God is not against new ideas, but he is for discernment. When you hear a new, attractive idea, examine it carefully before getting too excited. False prophets are still around today.   The wise person will carefully test ideas against the truth of God’s word.

(Deuteronomy verses 13:2-11 says the Israelites were warned not to listen to false prophets or to anyone else who tried to get them to worship other gods – even if this person was a close friend or family member.   The temptation to abandon God’s commands often sneaks up on us.   It may come not with a loud shout but in a whispering doubt.   And whispers can be very persuasive, especially if they come from loved ones.   But love for relatives should not take precedence over devotion to God.   We can overcome whispered temptations by pouring out our hearts to God in prayer and by diligently studying his word).

 

Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me;   all my bones tremble.   I am like a drunken man,   like a man overcome by wine,   because of the LORD   and his holy words.   The land is full of adulterers;   because of the curse the land lies parched   and the pastures in the desert are withered.   The prophets follow an evil course and use their power unjustly.   “Both prophet and priest are godless; even in my temple I find their wickedness,” declares the LORD.   “Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall.   I will bring disaster on them   in the year they are punished,” declares the LORD.   “Among the prophets of Samaria I saw this repulsive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. – Jeremiah 23.9-14

How did the nation become so corrupt? A major factor was false prophecy. The false prophets had a large, enthusiastic audience and were very popular because they made the people believe that all was well.   By contrast, Jeremiah’s message from God was unpopular because it showed the people how bad they were.

There were four warning signs of false prophets – characteristics we need to watch for even today.   (1) They appear to speak God’s message, but they do not live according to his principles.   (2) They water down God’s message in order to make it more palatable.   (3)   They encourage their listeners, often subtly, to disobey God. (4) They tend to be arrogant and self-serving, appealing to the desires of their audience instead of being true to God’s word.

 

“Watch out for false prophets.   They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. – Matthew 7.15

False prophets were common in Old Testament times. They prophesied only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was God’s message.   False teachers are just as common today.   Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. You can tell who they are because in their teaching they minimise Christ and glorify themselves.

 

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible.   So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. – Mark 13.22-23

It is possible for Christians to be deceived? Yes. So convincing will be the arguments and proofs from deceivers in the end times that it will be difficult not to fall away from Christ. If we are prepared, Jesus says, we can remain faithful. But if we are not prepared, we will turn away. To penetrate the disguises of false teachers we can ask: (1) Have their predictions come true, or do they have to revise them to fit what’s already happened?   (2) Does any teaching utilise a small section of the Bible to the neglect of the whole? (3) Does the teaching contradict what the Bible says about God? (4) Are the practices meant to glorify the teacher or Christ? (5) Do the teachings promote hostility towards other Christians?

 

Entice us with subtle temptations:

.. and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer.   The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.   It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere.   Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.   That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way of the LORD your God commanded you to follow.   You must purge the evil from among you.   If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your fathers have known, gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), do not yield to him or listen to him.   Show him no pity.   Do not spare him or shield him.   You must certainly put him to death.   Your hand must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people.   Stone him to death, because he tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.   Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and no-one among you will do such an evil thing again. – Deuteronomy 13.2-11

The Israelites were warned not to listen to false prophets or to anyone else who tried to get them to worship other gods – even if this person was a close friend or family member. The temptation to abandon God commands often sneaks up on us. It may come not with a loud shout but in a whispering doubt. And whispers can be very persuasive, especially if they come from loved ones. But love for relatives should not take precedence over devotion to God. We can overcome whispered temptations by pouring out our hearts to God in prayer and by diligently studying his word.

 

Elijah confronts them at Mount Camel:

“I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. (But you and your father’s family have.   You have abandoned the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals. – 1 Kings 18.19

Ahab brought 850 pagan prophets to Mount Carmel to match wits and power with Elijah. Evil kinds hated God’s prophets because they spoke against sin and idolatry and undermined their control over the people.   With the wicked kings’ backing, many pagan prophets sprang up to counter the words of God’s prophets.   But Elijah showed the people that speaking a prophecy wasn’t enough.   One needed the power of a living God to fulfil it.

 

Why Jezebel liked them:

So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them. – 1 Kings 19.2

Jezebel was enraged about the death of her prophets because they had told her everything she wanted to hear, prophesying her future power and glory. Their job was to deify the king and queen and help perpetuate their kingdom. Jezebel was also angry because her supporters had been eliminated and her pride and authority damaged. The money she had invested in these prophets was now lost.

Elijah, who caused the prophets’ deaths, was a constant thorn in Jezebel’s side because he was always predicting gloom and doom. Because she could not control his actions, she vowed to kill him.   As long as God’s prophet was around, she could not carry out all the evil she wanted.

 

Why kings hired them:

Ahab king od Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?”   Jehoshaphat replied, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war.”   But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the LORD.”   So the king of Israel brought together the prophets – four hundred men – and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”   “Go,” they answered, “for God will give it into the king’s hand.”   But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can enquire of?”   The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can enquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.   He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”   “The king should not say that,” Jehoshaphat replied.   So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”   – 2 Chronicles 18.3-8

Evil kings did not like God’s prophets bringing messages of doom (18.17; Jeremiah 5.13).   Many, therefore, hired prophets who told them only what they wanted to hear (Isaiah 30.10, 11; Jeremiah 14.13-16; 23.16, 21, 30-36). These men were false prophets because they extolled the greatness of the king and predicted victory regardless of the real situation.

Wicked Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to join forces with him in battle (18.2, 3). Before making that commitment, Jehoshaphat rightly sought God’s advice.   However, when God gave his answer through the prophet Micaiah (18.16), Jehoshaphat ignored it (18.28). It does us no good to seek God’s advice if we ignore it when it is given. Real love for God is shown not by merely asking for direction, but by following that direction once it is given.

When you want to please or impress someone, it is tempting to lie to make yourself look good.   Ahab’s 400 prophets did just that, telling Ahab only what he wanted to hear.   They were then rewarded for making Ahab happy.   Micaiah, however, told the truth and got arrested (18.25, 26).   Obeying God doesn’t always protect us from evil consequences.   Obedience may, in fact, provoke them.   But it is better to suffer from man’s displeasure than from God’s wrath (Matthew 10.28).   If you are ridiculed for being honest, remember that this can be a sign that you are indeed doing what is right in God’s eyes (Matthew 5.10-12; Romans 8.17, 35-39).

 

What caused the people to listen to them?

Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name.   I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them.   They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds. – Jeremiah 14.14

What made the people listen to and support the false prophets?   These “prophets” said what the people wanted to hear. False teachers earn fame and money by telling people what they want to hear, but they lead people away from God. If we encourage false teachers, we are as guilty as they are.

(This is the word of the LORD to Jeremiah concerning the drought – Jeremiah 14:1 Drought was a judgment with devastating consequences. As usual, when their backs were to the walls, the people cried out to God. But God rejected their plea because they did not repent; they merely wanted his rescue.   Not even Jeremiah’s prayers would help.   Their only hope was to turn to God).

 

Lulled people into a sense of false security:

The word of the LORD came to me – Ezekiel 13.1

This warning was directed against false prophets whose messages were not from God, but were lies intended to win popularity by saying whatever made the people happy. False prophets did not care about the truth as Ezekiel did.   They lulled people into a false sense of security, making Ezekiel’s job even more difficult. Beware of people who bend the truth in their quest for popularity and power.

(“ ‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace”, when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall.   Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth.   When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?” – Ezekiel 13:10-12 These false prophets covered their lies (a “flimsy wall”) with “whitewash” – a pleasing front. Such superficiality can’t hold up under God’s scrutiny.)

 

Common today:

“Watch out for false prophets.   They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. – Matthew 7.15

False prophets were common in Old Testament times. They prophesied only what the king and the people wanted to hear, claiming it was God’s message.   False teachers are just as common today.   Jesus says to beware of those whose words sound religious but who are motivated by money, fame, or power. You can tell who they are because in their teaching they minimise Christ and glorify themselves.

(“Enter through the narrow gate.   For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the read that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:13, 14   The gate that leads to eternal life (John 10.7-9 is called “narrow”.   This does not mean that it is difficult to become a Christian, but that there is only one way to live eternally with God and only a few that decide to walk that road.   Believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven, because he alone died for our sins and made us right before God.   Living his way may not be popular, but it is true and right.   Thank God there is one way!)

 

What motivates them:

We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. – 2 Corinthians 5.12

Those who “take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart” are the false preachers (see 2.17) who were concerned only about getting ahead in this world. They were preaching the gospel for money and popularity, while Paul and his companions were preaching out of concern for eternity. You can identify false preachers by finding out what really motivates them. If they are more concerned about themselves than about Christ, avoid them and their message.

Everything that Paul and his companions did was to honour God.   Christ’s love controlled their lives.   Because Christ died for us, we also are dead to our old lives. Like Paul, we should no longer live to please ourselves; we should spend our lives pleasing Christ, who died for us and rose from the grave.

(Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Christians are brand-new people on the inside.   The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same any more.   We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or re-educated – we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2.6, 7).   At conversion we are not merely turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life under a new Master.)

 

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. – 1 Tim 1.5

The false teachers were motivated by a spirit of curiosity and desire to gain power and prestige. By contrast, genuine Christian teachers are motivated by sincere faith and a desire to do what is right.   It may be exciting to impress people with our great knowledge, but high status based on falsehood is ultimately empty.

There are many leaders and authorities today who demand allegiance, some of whom would even have us turn from Christ to follow them. When they seem to know the Bible, their influence can be dangerously subtle. How can you recognise false teaching? (1) It promotes controversies instead of helping people come to Jesus (1.4).  (2) It is often initiated by those whose motivation is to make a name for themselves (1.7). (3) It will be contrary to the true teaching of the Scriptures (1.6, 7; 4.1- 3).  To protect yourself from the deception of false teachers, you should learn what the Bible teaches and remain steadfast in your faith in Christ alone.

(Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. – 1 Tim 1:6   Arguing about details of the Bible can send us off on interesting but irrelevant tangents and cause us to miss the intent of God’s message.   The false teachers at Ephesus constructed vast speculative systems and then argued about the minor details of their wholly imaginary ideas.   we should allow nothing to distract us from the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ, the main point of Scripture.   We should know what the Bible says, apply it to our lives daily, and teach it to others.   When we do this, we will be able to evaluate all teachings in the light of the central truth about Jesus.   Don’t focus on the minute details of the Bible to the exclusion of the main point God is teaching you).

 

Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. – 2 Peter 2.3

Teachers should be paid by the people they teach, but these false teachers were attempting to make more money by distorting the truth and saying what people wanted to hear. They were more interested in making money than in teaching truth. Peter and Paul both condemned greedy, lying teachers (see 1 Timothy 6.5). Before you send money to any cause, evaluate it carefully. Is the teacher or preacher clearly serving God or promoting his/her own interests? Will the money be used to promote valid ministry, or will it merely finance further promotions?

 

These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.   Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. – Colossians 2.22-23

We can guard against man-made religions by asking these questions about any religious group: (1) Does it stress man-made rules and taboos rather than God’s grace? (2) Does it foster a critical spirit towards others, or does it excuse discipline discreetly and lovingly? (3) Does it stress formulas, secret knowledge, or special visions more than the word of God? (4) Does it elevate self-righteousness, honouring those who keep the rules, rather than elevating Christ? (5) Does it neglect Christ’s universal church, claiming to be an elite group?   (6) Does it teach humiliation of the body as a means to spiritual growth rather than focusing on the growth of the whole person? (7) Does it disregard the family rather than holding it in high regard as the Bible does?

(To the Colossians, the discipline demanded by the false teachers seemed good, and legalism still attracts many people today. Following a long list of religious rules requires strong self-discipline and can make a person appear moral, but religious rules cannot change a person’s heart.   Only the Holy Spirit can do that).

(People should be able to see a difference between the way Christians and non-Christians live.   Still, we should not expect instant maturity in new Christians.   Christian growth is a lifelong process.   Although we have a new nature, we don’t automatically think all good thoughts and have all pure attitudes when we become new people in Christ.   But if we keep listening to God, we will be changing all the time.   As you look over the last year, what changes for the better have you seen in your thoughts and attitudes?   Change may be slow, but your life will change significantly if you trust God to change you).

(We cannot reach up to God by following rules of self-denial, by observing rituals, or by practising religion.   Paul isn’t saying all rules are bad (see the note on Galatians 2.15, 16).   But no keeping of laws or rules will earn salvation.   The Good News is that God reaches down to human beings, and he asks for our response.   Man-made religions focus on human effort; Christianity focuses on Christ’s work.   Believers must put aside sinful desires, but doing so is the by-product of our new life in Christ, not the reason for our new life.   Our salvation does not depend on our own discipline and rule-keeping, but on the power of Christ’s death and resurrection).

 

For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially these of the circumcision group.   They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach – and that for the sake of dishonest gain.   Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.   This testimony is true.   Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. – Titus 1.10-14

Paul warned Titus to be on the lookout for people who teach wrong doctrines and lead others into error. Some false teachers are simply confused – they speak their misguided opinions without checking them against the Bible. Others have evil motives – they pretend to be Christians only because they can get more money (“dishonest gain”), additional business, or a feeling of power from being a leader in the church. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned against false teachers (see Mark 13.22; Acts 20.28; 2 Thessalonians 2.3-12; 2 Peter 3.3-7) because their teachings attack the foundations of the truth and integrity upon which the Christian faith is built. You can recognise false teachers because they will (1) focus more attention on themselves than on Christ; (2) ask you to do something that will compromise or dilute your faith; (3) play down the divine nature of Christ or the inspiration of the Bible; or (4) urge believers to make decisions based more on human judgment than on prayer and biblical guidelines.

(“The circumcision group” were the Judaisers, Jews who taught that the Gentiles had to obey all the Jewish laws before they could become Christians. This regulation confused new Christians and caused problems in many churches where Paul had preached the Good News. Paul wrote letters to several churches to help them understand that Gentile believers did not have to become Jews first in order to be Christians – God accepts anyone who comes to him in faith (see Romans 1.17; Galatians 3.2-7). Although the Jerusalem council had dealt with this issue (see Acts 15), devout Jews who refused to believe in Jesus still tried to cause problems in the Christian churches. Church leaders must be alert and take action on anything that divides Christians).

(Paul was quoting a line from a poem by Epimenides, a poet and philosopher who had lived in Crete 600 years earlier.   Some Cretans had a bad reputation and were known for lying.   Paul used this familiar phrase to make the point that Titus’ ministry and leadership were very much needed).

(To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.   In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15   Some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil.   What is the difference?   Our souls become filters through which we perceive goodness or evil.   The pure (those who have Christ in control of their lives) learn to see goodness and purity even in this evil world.   But corrupt and unbelieving people find evil in everything because their evil minds and hearts colour even the good they see and hear.   Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act.   Turn your thoughts to God and his word, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world.   A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil (see Philippians 4.8).

 

What they do:

…and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. – Matthew 24.11

The Old Testament frequently mentions false prophets (see 2 Kings 3.13; Isaiah 44.25; Jeremiah 23.16; Ezekiel 13.2, 3; Micah 3.5; Zechariah 13.2).  False prophets claimed to receive messages from God, but they preached a “health and wealth” message.   They said what the people wanted to hear, even when the nation was not following God as it should.   There were false prophets in Jesus’ day, and we have them today.  They are the popular leaders who tell people what they want to hear – such as “God wants you to be rich”, “Do whatever your desires tell you”, or “There is no such thing as sin or hell”.   Jesus said false teachers would come, and he warned his disciples, as he warns us, not to listen to their dangerous words.

 

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who brought them – bringing swift destruction on themselves. – 2 Peter 2.1

Jesus had told the disciples that false teachers would come (Matthew 24.1; Mark 13.22, 23). Peter had heard these words, and at this time he was seeing them come true. Just as false prophets had contradicted the true prophets in Old Testament times (see, for example, Jeremiah 23.16-40; 28.1- 17), telling people only what they wanted to hear, so false teachers were twisting Christ’s teachings and the words of his apostles.  These teachers were belittling the significance of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.   Some claimed that Jesus couldn’t be God; others claimed that he couldn’t have been a real man.  These teachers allowed and even encouraged all kinds of wrong and immoral acts, especially sexual sin. We must be careful to avoid false teachers today.  Any book, tape series, or TV message must be evaluated according to God’s word.   Beware of special meanings or interpretations that belittle Christ or his work.

(“Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” means that Scripture did not come from the creative work of the prophets’ own invention or interpretation.   God inspired the writers, so their message is authentic and reliable. God used the talents, education, and cultural background of each writer (they were not mindless robots); and God co-operated with the writers in such a way as to ensure that the message he intended was faithfully communicated in the very words they wrote).

(In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.   Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. – 2 Peter 2:3   Teachers should be paid by the people they teach, but these false teachers were attempting to make more money by distorting the truth and saying what people wanted to hear. They were more interested in making money than in teaching truth.   Peter and Paul both condemned greedy, lying teachers (see 1 Timothy 6.5).   Before you send money to any cause, evaluate it carefully.   Is the teacher or preacher clearly serving God or promoting his/her own interests?   Will the money be used to promote valid ministry, or will it merely finance further promotions?).

 

What false teaching leads to:

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold – Matthew 24.12

With false teachings and loose morals comes a particularly destructive disease – the loss of true love for God and others.   Sin cools your love for God and others by turning your focus on yourself.  You cannot truly love if you think only of yourself.

 

Teachings not consistent with Bible:

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.   For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible. – Matthew 24.23-24

Jesus’ warnings about false teachers still hold true.   Upon close examination it becomes clear that many nice-sounding messages don’t agree with God’s message in the Bible.   Only a solid foundation in God’s word can equip us to perceive the errors and distortions in false teaching.

(In times of persecution even strong believers will find it difficult to be loyal.  To keep from being deceived by false messiahs, we must understand that Jesus’ return will be unmistakable (Mark 13.26); no-one will doubt that it is he. If you have to be told that the Messiah has come, then he hasn’t (24.27).   Christ’s coming will be obvious to everyone).

 

Teachings not consistent with Bible:

For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. – 2 Corinthians 11.4

The false teachers distorted the truth about Jesus and ended up preaching a different Jesus, a different spirit than the Holy Spirit, and a different gospel than God’s way of salvation.   Because the Bible is God’s [wall’s] infallible Word, those who teach anything different from what it says are both mistaken and misleading.

 

Sought popularity over truth:

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets – Luke 6.26

There were many false prophets in Old Testament times. They were praised by kings and crowds because their predictions – prosperity and victory in war – were exactly what the people wanted to hear. But popularity is no guarantee of truth, and human flattery does not bring God’s approval.   Sadness lies ahead for those who chase after the crowd’s praise rather than God’s truth.

 

Compare themselves to others rather than God:

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.   When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.   We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. – 2 Corinthians 10.12-13

Paul criticised the false teachers who were trying to prove their goodness by comparing themselves with others rather than with God’s standards.   When we compare ourselves with others, we may feel pride because we think we’re better.   But when we measure ourselves against God’s standards, it becomes obvious that we have no basis for pride.   Don’t worry about other people’s accomplishments. Instead, continually ask: How does my life measure up to what God wants? How does my life compare to Jesus Christ?

 

Many seem to make sense at first:

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.   For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. – 2 Corinthians 11.3-4

The Corinthian believers fell for smooth talk and messages that sounded good and seemed to make sense.  Today there are many false teachings that seem to make sense.   Don’t believe someone simply because he or she sounds like an authority or says words you like to hear. Search the Bible and check his or her teachings against God’s Word. The Bible should be your authoritative guide.   Don’t listen to any “authoritative preacher” who contradicts God’s Word.

 

Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good.   What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. – Galatians 4.17

“Those people” refers to false teachers who claimed to be religious authorities and experts in Judaism and Christianity.   Appealing to the believers’ desire to do what was right, they drew quite a following.  Paul said, however, that they were wrong and that their motives were selfish. False teachers are often respectable and persuasive.  That is why all teachings should be checked against the Bible.

 

Not willing to give their lives for the gospel:

Are they servants of Christ?   (I am out of my mind to talk like this.)   I am more.   I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.   Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.   Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.   I have been constantly on the move.   I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.   I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.   Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.   Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?   Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? – 2 Corinthians 11.23-29

Paul was angry that the false teachers had impressed and deceived the Corinthians (11.13-15).   Therefore, he had to re-establish his credibility and authority by listing the trials he had endured in his service for Christ.  Some of these trials are recorded in the book of Acts (Acts 14.19; 16.22-24).   Because Paul wrote this letter during his third missionary journey (Acts 18.23-21.17), his trials weren’t over.   He would experience yet further difficulties and humiliations for a cause of Christ (see Acts 21.30-33; 22.24-30).  Paul was sacrificing his life for the gospel, something the false teachers would never do.  The trials and hurts we experience for Christ’s sake build our character, demonstrate our faith, and prepare us for further service to the Lord.

 

Not connected to Christ:

He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. – Colossians 2.19

The fundamental problem with the false teachers was that they were not connected to Christ, the Head of the body of believers. If they had been joined to him, they could not have taught false doctrine or lived immorally. Anyone who teaches about God without being connected to him by faith should not be trusted.

(These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.   Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. – Colossians 20:22-23 We can guard against man-made religions by asking these questions about any religious group: (1) Does it stress man-made rules and taboos rather than God’s grace? (2) Does it foster a critical spirit towards others, or does it exercise discipline discreetly and lovingly?   (3) Does it stress formulas, secret knowledge, or special visions more than the word of God?   (4) Does it elevate self-righteousness, honouring those who keep the rules, rather than elevating Christ? (5) Does it neglect Christ’s universal church, claiming to be an elite group? (6) Does it teach humiliation of the body as a means to spiritual growth rather than focusing on the growth of the whole person? (7) Does it disregard the family rather than holding it in high regard as the Bible does?).

 

Embroil church in irrelevant disputes:

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.   These promote controversies rather than God’s work – which is by faith. – 1 Timothy 1.3-4

The church at Ephesus may have been plagued by the same heresy that was threatening the church at Colosse – the teaching that to be acceptable to God, a person had to discover certain hidden knowledge and had to worship angels (Colossians 2:8, 18).  Thinking that it would aid in their salvation, some Ephesians constructed mythical stories based on Old Testament history or genealogies.   The false teachers were motivated by their own interests rather than Christ’s.   They embroiled the church in endless and irrelevant questions and controversies, taking precious time away from the study of the truth.  Today we could also enter into worthless and irrelevant discussions, but such disputes quickly crowd out the life-changing message of Christ.  Stay away from religious speculation and pointless theological arguments. Such exercises may seem harmless at first, but they have a way of sidetracking us from the central message of the gospel – the person and work of Jesus Christ.  And they expend time we should sue to share the gospel with others. You should avoid anything that keeps you from doing God’s work.

(Paul first visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey (Acts 18.19-21). Later, on his third missionary journey, he stayed there for almost three years (Acts 19.20).  Ephesus, along with Rome, Corinth, Antioch, and Alexandria, was one of the major cities in the Roman empire.  It was a centre for the commerce, politics, and religions of Asia Minor, and the location of the temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis (Diana)).

(1 Timothy 1:3-11 says there are many leaders and authorities today who demand allegiance, some of whom would even have us turn from Christ to follow. When they seem to know the Bible, their influence can be dangerously subtle.  How can you recognise false teaching?  (1) It promotes controversies instead of helping people come to Jesus (1.4). (2) It is often initiated by those whose motivation is to make a name for themselves (1.7).  (3) It will be contrary to the true teaching of the Scriptures (1.6, 7; 4.1-3).   To protect yourself from the deception of false teachers, you should learn what the Bible teaches and remain steadfast in your faith in Christ alone).

 

Dilute the Christian faith:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. – 1 Timothy 4.1-2

False teachers were and still are a threat to the church. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned against them (see, for example, Mark 13.21-23; Acts 20.28-31; 2 Thessalonians 2.1-12; 2 Peter 3.3-7).   The danger that Timothy faced in Ephesus seems to have come from certain people in the church who were following some Greek philosophers who taught that the body was evil and that only the soul mattered.  The false teachers refused to believe that the God of creation was good, because his very contact with the physical world would have soiled him. Though these Greek-influenced church members honoured Jesus, they could not believe he was truly human.  Paul knew that their teachings, if left unchecked, would greatly distort Christian faith.

(It is not enough that a teacher appears to know what he is talking about, is disciplined and moral, or says that he is speaking for God.  If his words contradict the Bible, his teaching is false.  Like Timothy, we must guard against any training that causes believers to dilute or reject any aspect of their faith.   Such false teaching can be very direct or extremely subtle).

 

Why Paul said they were devil-inspired:

‘   The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing will be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God [Wall] and prayer. – 1 Timothy 4:1-5 *

Paul said the false teachers were hypocritical liars who encouraged people to follow “deceiving spirits and things taught by demons”.   Satan deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real thing. The false teachers gave stringent rules (such as forbidding people to marry or to eat certain foods). This made them appear self-disciplined and righteous.  Their strict disciplines for the body, however, could not remove sin (see Colossians 2.20-23). We must not be unduly impressed by a teacher’s style or credentials; we must look to his teachings about Jesus Christ.   His conclusions about Christ show the source of his message.

(In opposition to the false teachers, Paul affirmed that everything God created is good (see Genesis 1). We should ask for God’s blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. This doesn’t mean that we should abuse what God has made (for example, gluttony abuses God’s gift of good food, lust abuses God’s gift of love, and murder abuses God’s gift of life). Instead of abusing, we should enjoy these gifts by using them to serve and honour God. Have you thanked God for the good gifts he has given? Are you using the gifts in ways pleasing to you and to God?).

(Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labour and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:7-10 Are you in shape both physically and spiritually? In our society, much emphasis is placed on physical fitness, but spiritual health (godliness) is even more important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through these tragedies. To train ourselves to be godly, we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities in the service of the church (see 4.14-16). Are you developing your spiritual muscles?).

 

Based on false view of Christ:

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, – 2 Timothy 2.8

False teachers were a problem in Ephesus (see Acts 20.29, 30; 1 Timothy 1.3-11). At the heart of false teaching is an incorrect view of Christ. In Timothy’s day many asserted that Christ was divine but not human – God but not man. These days we often hear that Jesus was human but not divine – man but not God. Either view destroys the good news that Jesus Christ has taken our sins on himself and has reconciled uo to God.

 

Hypocritical actions at Lord’s Supper:

They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, revelling in their pleasures while they feast with you. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed – an accursed brood! – 2 Peter 2.13-14

The feast may have been part of the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.   The feast was a full meal that ended with Communion.  The false teachers, although they were sinning openly, took part in these meals with everyone else in the church.  In one of the greatest of hypocritical acts, they attended a sacred feast designed to promote love and unity among believers, while at the same time they gossiped and slandered those who disregard with their opinions.  As Paul told the Corinthians, “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11.27).   These men were guilty of more than false teaching and promoting evil pleasures; they were guilty of leading others away from God’s Son, Jesus.

 

Views about the body:

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. – 1 John 1.6

Here John was confronting the first of three claims of the false teachers: that we can have fellowship with God and still walk in darkness.  False teachers who thought that the physical body was evil or worthless taught one of two approaches to behaviour: either they insisted on denying bodily desires through rigid discipline, or they approved of gratifying every physical lust because they body was going to be destroyed anyway.  Obviously the second approach was more popular!  Here John is saying that no-one can claim to be a Christian and still live in evil and immorality.   We can’t love God and court sin at the same time.

(Light represents what is good, pure, true, holy, and reliable. Darkness represents what is sinful and evil.   The statement “God is light” means that God is perfectly holy and true and that he alone can guide us out of the darkness of sin. Light is also related to truth in that light exposes whatever exists, whether it is good or bad. In the dark, good and evil look alike; in the light, they can be clearly distinguished. Just as darkness cannot exist in the presence of light, sin cannot exist in the presence of a holy God. If we want to have a relationship with God, we must put aside our sinful ways of living. To claim that we belong to him but then to go out and live for ourselves is hypocrisy. Christ will expose and judge such deceit).

 

Refuse to take sin seriously:

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. – 1 John 1.8

Here John was attacking the second claim of the false teachers: that people had no natural tendency towards sin, that they were “without sin”, and that they were then incapable of sinning.   This idea is at best self-deception and at worst a bald-faced life.  The false teachers refused to take sin seriously.   They wanted to be considered Christians, but they saw no need to confess and repent.  The death of Christ did not mean much to them because they didn’t think they needed it.   Instead of repenting and being purified by Christ’s blood, they were encouraging sin among believers.  In this life we are always capable of sinning, so we should never let down our guard.

 

Many claimed they had no sin:

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. – 1 John 1.8-10

The false teachers not only denied that sin breaks our fellowship with God (1.6) and that they had a sinful nature (1.8), but they also denied that their conduct involved any sin at all (1.10). That was a lie that ignored one basic truth: all people are sinners by nature and by practice. At conversion all our sins are forgiven – past, present, and future.  Yet even after we become Christians, we still sin and still need to confess.   This kind of confession is not offered to gain God’s acceptance, but to remove the barrier to fellowship that our sin has put between us and him. It is difficult, however, for many people to admit their faults and shortcomings, even to God.  It takes humility and honesty to recognise our weaknesses, and most of us would rather pretend that we are strong. But we need not fear revealing our sins to God – he knows them already.  He will not push us away, no matter what we’ve done.   Instead he will draw us to himself.

 

Claimed a secret knowledge:

Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand b instinct, like unreasoning animals – these are the very things that destroy them. – Jude 10

False teachers claimed that they possessed secret knowledge that gave them authority.  Their “knowledge” of God was esoteric – mystical and beyond human understanding.  The nature of God is beyond our understanding, but God, in his grace, has chosen to reveal himself to us – in his word, and supremely in Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we must seek to know all we can about what he has revealed, even though we cannot fully comprehend God with our finite human minds. Beware of those who claim to have all the answers and who belittle what they do not understand

 

 

 

(EXTRA. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.  But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grand-parents, for this is pleasing to God.  The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.  –  1 Timothy 5.3-5  Because there were no pensions, no social security, no life insurance, and few honourable jobs for women, widows were usu-ally unable to support themselves.  The responsibility for caring for the helpless naturally falls first on their families, the people whose lives are most closely linked with theirs.  Paul stresses the import-ance of families caring for the needs of widows, and not leaving it to the church – so the church can care for those widows who have no families.  A widow who had no children or other family members to support her was doomed to poverty.  From the begin-ning, the church took care of its widows, who in turn gave valuable service to the church.    The church should support those who have no families and should also help the elderly, young disabled, ill, or poverty-stricken with their emotional and spiritual needs.  Often families who are caring for their own helpless members have heavy burdens.  They may need extra money, a listening ear, a helping hand, or a word of encouragement.  Interestingly, those who are helped often turn around and help others, turning the church into more of a caring community.  Don’t wait for people to ask.  Take the initiative and look for ways to serve them).  [? “Storyboard That, have a website].