The Lord's Feasts: The Day of Atonement

    We are now approaching the holiest day of the Jewish New Year, the Day of Atonement.  Known as "Yom Kippur" in Hebrew, it offers great prophetic insight into the Second Coming of the Messiah, the national restoration of Israel, and the final judgment of the world.  Beginning at sundown this Wednesday, September 23rd and continuing through sundown on Thursday, we have the opportunity to glorify God for His grace and mercy in forgiving our sins.
     The Day of Atonement is a holy day; it's a Day of Mercy for the forgiveness of our sins and is to be a day of fasting and rest.  We are to call to mind the two great atonements given by the LORD:  1) for those among the nations who turn to Jesus (Yeshua) for cleansing and forgiveness, and 2) for the purification of ethnic Israel at the Great Day of the Lord when the Messiah, their King, returns at the end of ages to execute His Judgment and Justice, and Judah shall be saved.
     Historically, both the Torah and the Bible state that Yom Kippur was the only time when the High Priest could enter the Temple's Holy of Holies and call upon the Name of YHVH to offer a blood animal sacrifice for the sins of the people. This "life for a life" principle is the foundation of the sacrificial system and marked the great day of intercession made by the High Priest on behalf of Israel.
     We should be able to see that these ancient ceremonies are God's rehearsal for when He sent His Son as a blood sacrifice for us.  As modern-day Christians we are to celebrate the fact that Jesus is our High Priest who interceded on our behalf and paid the debt we owe God for our sins against Him.   So, as I have stated so often, these are not the Jews' Feasts, these are the Lord's Feasts and the appointed "signs, times and seasons" that He tells us to be watching for.
     Yes, Scripture tells us that we do not know the day or the hour, but we are to be aware of the times so that we are not surprised, like when a thief in the night approaches.  Jesus, Himself, tells the Church at Sardis (in Revelation 3:1-3), that He will be as a thief in the night to those who are not watching for Him.  If we know God's appointed times and can understand their prophetic meanings and what they are rehearsing, we will not be caught unaware.
    In traditional Judaism, the day of Yom Kippur marks the climax of the ten day period of repentance called the "Days of Awe."  According to the sages of Jewish tradition, on the Feast of Trumpets, the destiny of the righteous, are written in the Book of Life, and the destiny of the wicked are written in the Book of Death.   Revelation 20:12 tells us And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged according to what they had done as written in the books [that is, everything done while on earth].  
     From the time of the Feast of Trumpets, most people will not be inscribed in either book, but have ten days -- until Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) -- to repent before sealing their fate.  Those of us who are saved and risen to be with the Lord are already written in the Book of Life.  The unsaved (both dead and living) will take part in the Ten Days of Repentance. On Yom Kippur, then, every soul's name will be sealed in one of the two books.  That should be a sobering fact for every soul ever created!
     The significance of this day (Day of Atonement) for us New Testament believers is that God loves us SO much that He has even given us the day we should fast, pray and seek His face before we have to stand in front of Him, face-to-face.   Yet, like the ancient Israelites, if we belong to Him, we can rest in the knowledge that Christ is the Sacrificial Lamb that paid the price for our sins, and we will be pardoned.
     The rituals and traditions of this day are both historical and symbolic for the Jews.  They are interesting and have been part of the Jewish life experience for centuries.  For a full understanding from that perspective, you can read the full exposition on the Day of Atonement at the Hebrew4Christians website.
      For now, I would like to be perfectly clear -- I do not pretend to be an authority on how God wishes us Christians to observe this Holy Day.  I can only say that for me, I honor the Jewish traditions and history, and celebrate the common ground that we share through the Torah and Bible.  Personally, I am cognizant of the rehearsal that this day represents for the prophetic future, and I want to follow my God's commandment to observe these Feast days for all generations.  But my husband and I are careful to avoid the "legalistic" or "ritualistic" tenor of the Hebrew Roots movement.  We want to avoid the "man-made" rituals and aspects of the Jewish faith, just as we wish to refrain from those in the Christian faith.  Whether it is the ceremonial law and legends of the Talmud and Mishna, or the denominational doctrines and theologies of the Church, man has done a pretty good job of convoluting God's message.  We simply want to honor His original intent as spoken in His Word.
     So, we will observe God's Day of Mercy by fasting, resting and reading our Bible, reminding ourselves that those who trust in God's salvation understand that our ultimate "rest" is provided to us by Yeshua, our great High Priest.  He presented His own blood as a sacrifice for our souls at the cross; simultaneously presenting his sacrifice before the Father in the Holy of Holies in the Heavenly Temple.  We rejoice in the sealing of our souls with the Holy Spirit, and our names in the Book of Life.  And we look forward to the return of our Lord and Savior on some future Feast of Tabernacles, and we will celebrate the "rehearsal" of that event in just five days.  I can honestly say that the turbulence, violence, and uncertainty of these days in which we live seem insignificant in light of these holy Feast days.  I thank God for  revealing to me that His Feasts are worthy of my attention, and for opening my eyes to their prophetic meanings.  What an awesome God we serve!

Isaiah 53:6    "All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him."

Our Returning Veterans: Their Soul Wounds Are Killing Them!

   

     I wear it on the index finger of my left hand; next to my mother's simple gold wedding band on my middle finger, and my own wedding ring on my ring finger.  It's not a fashion ring; there's nothing flashy or even fancy about it.  It's not even expensive; and actually it's a little clunky looking ... awkwardly solid and heavy, to be exact.  But when I put it on, it is a blatant and glaring reminder of a fact that I must not dismiss or ignore ... the staggering statistic that an average of 22 veterans are killed by suicide every day (VA 2012).
     This heavy black ring is normally worn on the right index finger to signify "the trigger finger", and all the issues that drive so many veterans to take their own lives.  I choose to wear it on my left hand because I do not feel that I deserve to indicate that I can know what it is go to war or to suffer from the debilitating condition so often referred to as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
     I was introduced to this ring as the symbol of the #22Kill movement at this year's Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit.  Honor, Courage, Commitment, Inc. uses #22KILL as a platform to raise awareness not just towards veteran suicide, but also all of the issues that veterans face that can ultimately lead them to suicide; these issues include mental health, unemployment, and the challenges of transitioning out of the military.
     Here is my concern ... our government, the Veterans Administration, and our nation is not adequately serving or helping our veterans because I think, first of all, they don't fully understand PTSD.  Granted, over the last 14 years we have learned a lot about how war affects our soldiers.  We know that these wars have also caused three major invisible wounds to service people at epidemic levels. These so-called "signature wounds" of our modern high-tech wars are (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Please forgive me -- I do not intend to offend anyone, but would I be correct in saying that sexual trauma or a brain injury are likely to leave physical wounds (along with psychological and emotional), and therefore establishing a healing protocol might be somewhat more straightforward?  But the origins of PTSD is hard to diagnose.  Every person reacts differently to the traumas of war; the wounds are not visible, and I fear that we may be missing the spiritual perspective.
     The New York Times recently ran an excellent article about a returned Marine unit who was devastated by a disproportionate number of suicides.  It was one of the hardest hit military units in Afghanistan:  the Second Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. In 2008, the 2/7 deployed to a wild swath of Helmand Province.  Well beyond reliable supply lines, the battalion regularly ran low on water and ammunition while coming under fire almost daily. During eight months of combat, the unit killed hundreds of enemy fighters and suffered more casualties than any other Marine battalion that year.
     When its members returned, most left the military and melted back into the civilian landscape. They had families and played softball, taught high school and attended Ivy League universities. But many also struggled, unable to find solace. And for some, the agonies of war never ended.

     Almost seven years after the deployment, suicide is spreading through the old unit like a virus. Of about 1,200 Marines who deployed with the 2/7 in 2008, at least 13 have killed themselves; two while on active duty, the rest after they left the military. The resulting suicide rate for the group is nearly four times the rate for young male veterans as a whole and 14 times that for all Americans.
     So why are we unable to stop the suicides?  Is it because we try to treat it as a psychological problem and the easy solution is to treat it with massive amounts of pharmaceuticals?  I can tell you from my interaction with Wounded Warriors at Fort Sam Houston, that appears to be the automatic first step for every veteran who displays symptoms of any form of psychological trauma.  They have told me themselves!
     I was quite interested when I ran across an article by Edward Tick, Ph.D., Executive Director and Co-founder of Soldier’s Heart. In full disclosure, I have not fully researched Dr. Tick's organization, (and some of his discourse sounds too "new age-y" for me), so I would recommend you do your own investigation before endorsing it to others.  That being said, I find it extremely interesting that he is willing to say that there is a spiritual component to healing from PTSD, and that we must recognize that far too many of our returning veterans are suffering from "soul wounds".
     Just read some of the following comments that were stated in the NY Times article by the returning veterans of the 2/7 Marine unit, and you can see that this perspective might be closer to the truth:  "Something happens over there; you wake up a primal part of your brain you are not supposed to listen to, and it becomes a part of you... You come back and try to be a normal kid, but there is always a shadow on you, a dark shadow you can never take away...  Now, when I meet someone, I already know what they look like dead. I can’t help but think that way. And I ask myself, ‘Do I want to live with this feeling for the rest of my life, or is it better to just finish it off?...  The death of my brothers consumes me; It gives me this dark energy... We all have our demons. Some more than others."
     There it is.  Veterans are saying it themselves and identifying what I believe is at the root of their despondency; and it's a darkness that encompasses them, a sinister energy that lies to them, sometimes even seeming to speak to their wounded souls.
     I can't prove it.  And I have no evidence.  But my spirit and soul are telling me that our returning veterans are fighting a dark force in the spiritual realm; one that all those long waits at the VA hospitals, ineffective therapists (who don't understand the spiritual component), and doctors' over-reliance on drugs will never cure.  Our veterans don't need psychological counseling and a bag full of pills.  They are combat veterans and someone needs to show them how to do what they do best -- but in the spiritual realm.  They need to recognize Jesus as the Commander of their spiritual army and to know that they are not waging this soul-wounding battle on their own!  I know it may sound overly simplistic, but they need to know that although they are battle-tested warriors, they need a new kind of training.  Satan is waging a war that they don't know how to fight, and the weapons that the VA is offering are not only ineffective, but the drugs are aiding and abetting the Enemy!
     The epidemic of veteran suicides is a painful disgrace upon this nation.  But until we recognize that these soldiers need to be equipped to fight in the spiritual realm, healing will only be superficial.  True restorative healing must come from knowing Jesus Christ as their Savior and from recognizing who they are still fighting in the spiritual realm.  Healing will come when their wounded souls are healed with the knowledge that there is a battle being waged for their minds and it's from an Enemy they cannot see.  They will heal when they follow their new Commander-in-Chief and recognize that their battle belongs to the Lord and He has already won it!

 Isaiah 1:6   "From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil."

James 4:10 It's Time To Fast!

Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

     Throughout the Bible, God requires His people to humble themselves before Him.  But do we really know what that means, or how we are to accomplish this mandate?  In the sense of this Scripture, "humble" is a verb; it is an action we are to take.  But if you look in your online dictionary, you won't get a satisfactory answer to our question.  You will get definitions like humiliate, abase, demean, lower, degrade, debase; mortify, shame.  I think we can all agree that our God does not intend for us become defeated in the action of humbling ourselves.

     Notice also, that our Scripture tells us we are to humble ourselves "in the presence of the Lord."  How can we possibly do that?  Well, with a little bit of digging, I have determined that one of the primary ways that God's people (throughout the Bible) humbled themselves was by fasting.  King David is very specific when he says in Psalm 35, "I humbled my soul with fasting".

     We Christians in the Western Church are not very familiar with the concept of fasting; and if we are it is usually not for spiritual purposes.  After all, I have known many non-believers who fast; but they do it for weight loss or to detox their bodies from the Western diet of processed foods.  So why would God request that we fast in order to humble ourselves and be obedient to Him?  

     Here is a basic understanding on my part:  God asks us to voluntarily abstain from eating food for spiritual purposes; so that rather on relying on ourselves to feed our bodies when that inevitable hunger arises, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to oppose our fleshly desire to eat.  In other words we must bring our carnal nature into submission to the Holy Spirit.  When our body is in control, we eat whenever we desire... we live a life dictated by "I want", "I think", "I feel" ... or in this case, "I hunger". 

     When we fast, we deny the body (our flesh) what it wants, and we accept that we are not the master of our domain, so to speak.  In this light, we must all ask ourselves this question: which is the master and which is the servant in each of us?  Do we make our carnal nature the master and the Holy Spirit the slave to our desires?  Or by submitting to the Holy Spirit during a fast, do we place the proper emphasis on the desire of God for our lives?  

     Do we bow down to our God during this testing of our flesh, or do we give in to the urge and do what would please our carnal flesh (like a cheeseburger and fries about 10 hours into a fast)?  Can you see that the experience of fasting and hungering can bring us to a reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit to do something we cannot do in our own strength?  Ultimately, isn't that the key to successful Christian living  -- knowing that what makes us able to live the Christian life at all, is the power of the Holy Spirit?  It is imperative that we understand that fulfilling God's purpose in our life can only be done through dependence on the Holy Spirit.  We cannot do it by our own will or through our own strength.  Fasting is a persuasive reminder and a powerful portrait of righteous living.  

     And fasting can change history!  When we bring our fleshly nature into subjection, the Holy Spirit is free to to enable us to do what God desires us to accomplish for His kingdom.  Look at what fasting did for the city of Ninevah -- because they listened to Jonah's warning about God's plan to destroy the city because of their sins, the king declared a fast, and the entire city turned to God in repentance, in fasting, and in mourning.  And God tells us in Jonah 3:10:  When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened.

     We also see the power of prayer and fasting in the Book of Esther, when the entire Jewish population was threatened with extinction at the evil hand of Haman of the Persian Empire.  But because they sought the Lord through prayer and fasting, this action brought forth Divine intervention on behalf of the Jewish people, and their history was radically and permanently changed.  Just think how we could change the future in our homes; our towns and cities; our nation if we would humble ourselves through fasting and praying, and like our Scripture says today, with an attitude of repentance and insignificance!

     Remember that God has promised an outpouring of His Holy Spirit in the Last Days.  It will be a supernatural, Divine ability to do things we are unable to do in our own strength; read Joel 2 and you will see what God has in store for us ... but it requires that a condition be met and it's right there in Joel 2:12:  “Even now,” says the Lord, "Turn and come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance], With fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored];".

      For the first time in my Christian life, I am following this Divine dictate, and fasting.  And it is for all the right reasons.  I want to dethrone my carnal self, and realize the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish God's will for me.  My stomach is telling me it's hungry, but my spirit is hungering to overcome my desires, and to become strong and effective in the power of the Holy Spirit.  I am believing in the promise of today's Scripture ... by humbling myself, through prayer and fasting, I will be lifted up out of my selfish ambitions, and God's purpose for my life will be fulfilled.

A Saturday Morning Celebration!

This is a small, short story that will most likely be here today and gone tomorrow.  But I thought I would share it with you and shine a light into this dark world.  We have reason to hope!   

     Texas City, Texas will never be known for its beauty or its cosmopolitan flair.  It is largely an oil refinery town and an important component in our Gulf Coast shipping industry.  Historically, it played a huge part in supplying our nation's war effort in WWII after enemy submarines had almost completely stopped the shipment of petroleum products to friendly countries from the Middle East, South America and Southeast Asia.   And on a trivial, but personal note, Texas City was the place where I first tasted fresh ocean shrimp for the first time; it was such a revelation that shrimp could taste that good, after my Midwestern diet of frozen shrimp from a box.
     But, now I want to celebrate Texas City for a special moment that occurred this last week.  It's a small encounter that I hope will bring a tear to your eye, and hope to your heart.  Sal Chapa is a Texas City police officer.  I'm sure he is like most policemen -- especially those that I know -- he goes to work each day, committed to doing his job the best he can; to protect and serve the public without any expectation of acknowledgment or appreciation.

     Sometimes in the performance of his job, it results in arrests of those who just can't seem to get their life in order, and incarceration becomes the punishment.  Such was the case with Edward "Doc" Amey.  He had been in and out of prison three times, and he had a rap sheet that was several pages long, including six felonies and a number of misdemeanors.  In fact, Mr. Amey had a history with Officer Chapa.  “I arrested him several years ago on a gun charge,” Chapa said. “And due to that, he ended up doing some time.”
     So you can imagine the surprise Officer Chapa experienced when Amey approached him at a local chili cook off.  This Amey was a different man. While serving a five-year sentence on the gun charge, Amey had a conversation with God.  While in prison he said, “God if you are real. turn my life around”.  He was released from prison after serving a year and half, graduated Bible College with perfect attendance, and is now strong in his church.
     “I have not always been a friend to the police,” Amey said.  “I grew up selling drugs. I've been to prison three times ... [and] the last week-and-a-half God has really been giving me the urge to pray for police officers.”  So that's exactly what he did when he spotted Officer Chapa.  He approached him, asked if he could pray for him, and this photo was snapped by a friend of Chapa's.  “I pray that You continue to watch over him,” Amey prayed, hand-in-hand with Chapa. “Continue to guide him and lead him in the way that You may have him go, Lord.”
     Such a simple prayer, but when spoken out loud, it can have such profound ramifications.  After the photo went viral on the Texas City Police Department's Facebook page, Amey had this comment: “They’re used to seeing cops getting killed by young black men, or young black men getting killed by cops.  [People] are not used to seeing an ex-con and a cop praying with each other.”
     The unlikely duo hopes the simple act of praying together will inspire more run-ins with the law like theirs.  “I love you,” Amey said at the end of his prayer.  “I love you, too, brother,” Chapa said. “Thank you very much for praying for us.”
     What a picture of grace, mercy, redemption, and forgiveness!  It is the perfect story to present to you as we approach the Day of Atonement on the 23rd.  And it is further evidence that God is still at work in this world and the devil will not win!

Colossians 1:20-22    "And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him..."

Where Are Your "High Places"?

     As I watched the Republican Debate on CNN Wednesday night, I wondered how many Americans  were hoping that a clear winner would emerge; the one man (or woman) who could lead us out of this  morass of degeneration and degradation that has become America?  Although I do not want this to become about my own political opinions, I must say that I was shocked to find that an overwhelming majority of Americans thought Trump championed this country's values and aspirations better than any of the other candidates.  It is now clear to me that the ability to execute verbal judo counts more than substance.  I get it ... the voters in this nation are tired of "business as usual" and are excited to see a non-conformist take it to the D.C. Establishment.  But are we looking in the wrong places for our redemption and recovery?
     The Libertarians look to the Constitution as the appointed document of this nation; it is the standard by which they think this nation should be ruled.  Most Americans are going to place their bet on a specific human leader to guide us toward a better future.  And nearly all Christians will find their security and hope in Jesus Christ through regular and uniform worship at their local church.  I contend that we may all, in one form or another, be in danger of refusing to abandon our "high places".

       What am I talking about?  In order to understand where I'm going with this line of thought, you must consider the Biblical history of the kings of Israel.  We are all familiar with God's First Commandment: "Thou shall have no other gods before Me".  This was especially important to the success and blessings of the nation of Israel, because as they entered the Promised Land it was inhabited by the Canaanites, a people who were exceedingly wicked; and the essence of their wickedness was their worship of idols.  Their abominable idol worship (including the sacrifice of infant children in ovens to a god named Molech) was carried out at what they called "high places".  Before anyone thinks I am accusing them of worshipping idols or evil gods, let me explain why this subject of "high places" has caught my attention.
     The core purpose of a high place was to be a location for worshipping deities, or idols, other than Jehovah God.  God had clearly told the Israelites that they were to 1) worship only Him, and 2) He was establishing the manner in which He wanted to be worshipped, as well as the specific place (Jerusalem).  Idolatry is associated throughout the Old Testament and the history of the nation of Israel with "high places", where idolatrous worship was carried out "on the high mountains and the hills and under every green tree." (Deuteronomy 12:2).  Furthermore, He instructed all the kings of Israel, both the Northern and Southern kingdoms to "utterly destroy" all the places where these false idols were worshipped.
     Even King David's own son, Solomon, who we are told loved the Lord and followed in the statutes of his father, was tempted to sacrifice and burn incense at the high places (1 Kings 3:3).  This began a tragic pattern, which most assuredly led to the division of the nation of Israel.  All the kings of the Northern Kingdom offered sacrifices on the high places and appointed false priests.  Although the Bible tells us there were righteous kings, such as Asa, who attempted to make reforms and establish Jerusalem as the center of worship, he could not bring himself to destroy the high places.  The result:  the Northern Kingdom was taken into captivity by Assyria and the tribes scattered across the globe.
     The Southern Kingdom did not fare much better.  There were only a handful who got rid of the high places and idols, but they did not get rid of the false basis for worshipping them.  Only two, Hezekiah and Josiah, "utterly destroyed" the high places, and the tribe of Judah eventually was taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years.  So you see that the leadership of this divided nation was a mixture of what was true and false.  The lesson is clear:  When you begin to depart a little from God's path, you will get farther and farther away from His ways the longer you go in that direction.

     And that brings me back to our current state of affairs in this nation.  Are we examining ourselves to see if we are worshipping idols and setting up "high places" as sacred places or positions?  Has the Constitution become a "high place"?  What about the White House, Congress, or the office of the Presidency?  What about our church buildings, or our doctrine, or our denomination?  Even if we are committed to worshipping the True God, have we made our attendance at the church building every Sunday a "high place"?
     For sure, neither the Constitution or a man called "The President" can deliver us from our idolatrous ways, but for those Americans who do not know YHWH, you can see how easy it would be for them to put their faith in these false idols.  But what about us Christians?
     Every Christian knows Matthew 18:20 by heart:  For where two or more are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them.  But here's what many don't know ... the Greek word translated "gathered together" is sunago, and its literal meaning is "to be led together".  So a better translation of Scripture would be For where two or more have been led together.... but led by Whom?  The Church has done a pretty good job of teaching us what it means to be born again.  But how many know that their worship is to be led by the Holy Spirit -- not the Sunday school teacher, not the choir, not the Pastor.
     I believe that the true spiritual essence of Matthew 18:20 is Jesus saying His appearance in our midst is not dependent on where two or more are gathered (the church building), but who is leading the gathering (the Holy Spirit)... wherever it may be.  It is not my intention to condemn all church buildings and their inhabitants.  I certainly believe that there are Holy Spirit-led worship services being conducted in church buildings across this nation.  But the emphasis should be on the presence of the Holy Spirit among the gathering, not the gathering being in the presence of a church building.
     When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus, the Church at Corinth, the Church at Ephesus, etc., he was writing to a gathering of people meeting together in someone's home, being led simultaneously by the Holy Spirit in worship of their Lord and Savior -- not to a congregation in a building conducting an organized service of 20 minutes of singing, a 20-minute sermon, and the passing of the collection plate.  So could it be that some Christians have made our modern church building a "high place"; a destination at which they are comfortable with its rituals and sets of rules?  Are we cognizant that God does not authorize any other basis for Christians to come together but the basis of being led by the Holy Spirit into the name of Jesus?  Any other place -- any other basis -- is a "high place".
     Just like the ancient nation of Israel, the United States is in need of serious reformation.  As invested as we may be in the next Presidential election, I do not think that we should be focusing our worship at the "high place" of the Presidency.  But neither will God restore this nation by the simple act of attendance every Sunday at a church building.  The key issue for us, as Christians, is this:  Where has God chosen to put His Name?  The answer is not in a building, nor in a nationality, nor in a denomination, nor in a particular human leader.  God has placed His name in one Person.  That Person is Jesus Christ.
     Where are we authorized to meet?  "Into" the name of Jesus. We are to gather around the invisible Person of Jesus, who meets us when we are led together by the Holy Spirit into His name.  When we, as a nation and individuals, repent of worshipping "high places" of our own choosing, we will remove barriers that have been holding us back from fulfilling our calling as God's people in the world.

Many thanks to the teachings and Biblical commentaries of Derek Prince (1915-2003).  After reading his book, "Pulling Down Strongholds", I found myself applying it to our political process and the modern-day Church.

Leviticus 26:30      "I will destroy your high places [devoted to idolatrous worship], and cut down your incense altars, and heap your dead bodies upon the [crushed] bodies of your idols, and My soul will detest you [with deep and unutterable loathing]."


 

Churches: Know What Is Coming!

     I read with interest, a story on The Blaze that related an incident in a town a little over 100 miles southeast of Dallas, Texas.  A man walked into the Texas church this past Sunday afternoon dressed in camouflage pants, tactical vest, boots and a camouflage helmet. A pistol rested in his waistband.  The man, Rasheed Abdul Aziz, asked to speak to the pastor; he needed some prayer, he said.  It was after 1 p.m., and the morning's church services were long over, but as usual, there were meetings going on, children playing in the fellowship hall, and a smattering of people milling about.
     The pastor, John Johnson III, was in the conference room, and as he recounts their meeting, "Every hair on my neck just stood up.  It was almost like you could feel the presence of just negative energy."  According to the pastor, Aziz almost immediately became irate, ranting that he was a “man of Islam” who had demons chasing him and was instructed to “slay the infidels” and kill any Christian or Jew who did not abide by the teachings of Islam.  Pastor Johnson says Aziz told him, "People are going to die today."
     Fortunately, this story has a positive ending.  Telling Aziz he would pray with him, and also wanting to get him a cool drink, the pastor calmly left the room, and those in the church were quickly ushered to safety.  “Immediately my mind went to the fact that I knew we had several children and young members that were playing and running in the fellowship hall. I mouthed to them, ‘This man has a weapon, I need you guys to go.’ ” Another vigilant member of the church had already called 911, and Aziz was later arrested in a nearby subdivision with felony possession of a firearm.  

     But sometime between his appearance at the church and his arrest, a note was somehow slipped under the church's front door.  A deacon found it Monday morning, and this is what it said:  My name is Rasheed Abdul Aziz. You helped me at a time of need. This house is blessed by God & all faiths. Muslim, Jew & the Christian shall all gather here in Peace and Justice for God as a whole for the betterment of mankind as a whole. I thank you....
     Pastor Johnson said “that note was in stark contradiction to what he did in deed and statement.” Johnson further stated that he is grateful that God gave him the mindset and clarity to be able to defuse the situation.  And then he said something interesting.... "It was as if we had trained, but we hadn’t."
     So what are we to make of this situation, beyond the obvious?  It is clear that we may be seeing the beginning of attacks on Western Christian churches; attacks on churches like those we have seen by Islamic radicals in the Middle East.  But what about what specifically happened during the event?  What about the negative energy the Pastor felt in the room the moment Aziz entered?  What about Aziz ranting that he had demons chasing him and he was instructed to "slay the infidels"?  And what about the Pastor's comment that "it was if we had trained...but we hadn't".  What do you think all that means?  Are you willing to write it off to clear-headed action by the Pastor; or blind luck, perhaps?
    I thought it was interesting to read the comments after the article.  A large portion of them commented that their church members were armed and ready to defend the church, and encouraged others to do the same.  There were a few who credited the avoidance of tragedy to the pastor's full-time work with troubled youth as a student services intervention specialist at a nearby school. He’s also a former parole officer and has been trained in crisis prevention, verbal de-escalation and working with mentally ill offenders.  Still others wished to invoke the sentiments that love conquers hate, and it was the right man at the right place at the right time.
     But I only saw one comment that I think hit the nail on the head.  Only one person saw it as the manifestation of spiritual warfare!  All the elements were there!  There was the double-mindedness of a man whose mind was ultimately controlled by demons.  He had received his marching orders to "kill any Christian or Jew who did not abide by the teachings of Islam", and he had somehow managed to deposit a note at the church in which he claimed the house had been blessed by God.  But whose God?  And notice that he identified himself as "Special Ranger Harbinger Aziz."  In the Arabic world "harbinger" often means visionary.  To me, he seems to be saying that he is bringing an oracle of authority, claiming that faith of Islam will incorporate the Jew and Christian into their system "for the betterment of mankind."  And let's not forget the negative energy that entered the room with him; palpable and real; and the sense that the Pastor had as though he had been part of some well-orchestrated plan in battle.  All this points to demonic activity and combat in the spiritual realm.
     I don't know what prayers that Pastor prayed in those few harrowing moments with Aziz, but I know they were spoken out loud.  I also know that the spoken Word causes an effect in the spiritual realm; the Word has active consequences among the angels of God and Satan's angels.  It sets things in motion and imposes the Authority of Christ (through the Holy Spirit) over the dominion of Satan.  Our actions and words, orchestrated in the Name of Jesus, allow us to play our part as overcomers -- both in the spiritual realm and on earth.  So, yes, physically taking up arms can offer protection in the moment; but we must become more knowledgable and proficient in arming ourselves for spiritual warfare.  With the Authority that comes from Christ, we can call upon the Power of the Holy Spirit to help us wage war against our Enemy; keeping in mind that the battle and the victory are the Lord's ... and just as the good folks in Bullard, Texas now know; the war is coming to us!

Hebrews 4:12    "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Boys With Sticks: Intelligent Advice From A Wise Mother

     If, like me, you are "of a certain age", then you are most likely becoming discouraged about our culture's disparagement of manhood.  Our little boys are dissuaded against playing with toy guns; of displaying any form of aggression or boldness; and of emphasizing their decidedly genetic tendencies to protect "the fairer sex".  For pity's sake, they can't even point a fake finger gun at anyone without their school record classifying them as a "danger" for their entire academic career!
     We now live in an age where men are no longer allowed to be "men".  They must now subject themselves to a lower status for all the years that they supposedly "kept women down."  The culture not only wants to blur the line between the sexes, but appears to promote the erasure of any line at all ... we are all free to "be" whatever we feel like on any particular day; and heaven forbid you are decidedly one sex or the other.  But you most definitely do not want to flaunt any characteristically male behavior.  No sir, that's strictly taboo these days, because, don't you know ... it always leads to unnecessary violence!
    So, I want to applaud Simcha Fisher, a mom with common sense and (whether she knows it or not), the wisdom to know that God made boys in His image.  In an article titled, Boys With Sticks, Fisher lays out her argument for letting "boys be boys".  She writes:  Are we so afraid of the power of violence to overtake us that we are uncomfortable with its harmless expression in children’s play?
     Yes, we are, and it’s making a mess of the world. It doesn’t make violence go away when we always tell boys, ‘Put that stick down.’ Instead, it’s making a world where people -- boys and girls alike -- have no idea what to do about unjust violence.
     Boys playing with sticks is not a meaningless game. It’s something that little boys absolutely must be allowed to do, if that’s how they want to play. A boy who wants to pick up a stick needs to know that he can, and he may, and that his affinity for sticks is not a bad thing. He needs to know that a stick is a powerful thing, and that the world needs men who know how to use their sticks.
     Bravo, Mrs. Fisher!  Your sentiment fits right in line with what Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14:  "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."  Those without God in our culture want us to throw out that first sentence; and in attempt to force their version of the second sentence, they have emasculated our boys and men into becoming ineffective warriors.  For, warriors is what they are called to be.  It may sound old-fashioned, but I can remember when men could take pride in being their wife’s protector; in being a father who provided for his family; or a brother who watched over his siblings -- when policemen were celebrated for their service to the public's welfare; and a soldier for defending his country.
     Actually, that's a pretty smart play by the devil.  If he can convince us that without warriors, there will be no violence in the world, then he has leveled the playing field in our spiritual warfare.  Of course, you recognize that I am looking at this issue through my Biblical worldview.  But I don't believe my view is really that far off from Simcha Fisher, who says this about the warrior mindset:  Boys who are never allowed to be wild are boys who never learn how to control that wildness. Boys who are not allowed to whack, and be whacked, with sticks never learn what fighting is like. What’s so bad about that? Well, they may end up hitting someone weak, with no idea how much it hurts to be hit. Or they may end up standing by while the strong go after the weak – and have no idea that it’s their job to put a stop to it.
     While I see no mention of God's plan for His male creation in that statement, I certainly think the  description of a boy's experience she offers can yield the opportunities to learn both compassion and what it means to stand steadfast for righteousness and justice.  This is perfectly stated in Micah 6:8, which tells us, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  Of course, that last part is vitally important in accomplishing the first two admonitions.  And there is the unspoken truth that with these responsibilities as protector, provider, warrior, God has set the boundaries for men ... it is all to be done to glorify Him.  So little boys must be given rules to play by, and to know where their sense of power comes from.
     I must say that I am glad that I am of a generation that still honors the traditional roles of men and women.  I love knowing that my husband takes his role as my protector and provider seriously and with pride.  I am thrilled to see my nephews following their calling as police officers. And I am encouraged by seeing my Godson live out the warrior spirit that is inherent in his young personality.  This world is spiraling into chaos and unmanageable violence.  Satan has his warriors on the battlefield... we better be training up ours for the fight of our lives!

Psalms 18:39    For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

Iron Sharpening Iron: It's What The Church Is Called To Do

     I would like to respectfully share the experience that my husband and I encountered this past Sunday.  As those of you who have followed this blog for some time are aware, my husband and I are blessed to be a part of a small home church group who study the Bible together, celebrate the Lord's Feasts together, worship and praise His Sovereignty in our lives together, and pray and love each other through the good times and bad.  This is what we like to call our "little ecclesia"; they are our "church family" as modern Christianity likes to call any devoted group of Christians who worship together.
     You may also remember that after years of being "in the building", we feel that God has called us out of the box and to experience Him in this smaller, more intimate, and purposeful manner.  I am in no way making a judgment on those who choose to worship in the traditional manner; if you are being fed and growing in your understanding of God and your relationship with Him, then I would urge you to continue in that manner, with one small caveat ... don't become stagnant, "lukewarm", or afraid to step outside your safety zone.  We are living in times that call for those who are bold and fearless in their faith.
     All that being said, my husband's parents have slowed down in their lifestyle, and were becoming more isolated from people.  They are a part of our home church group, but we usually meet only once a month due to the extreme distances between us (nearly 100 miles).  So we suggested that perhaps they should seek out a church in the small town in which they live; or at least a Bible study class.  We agreed to go with them for a few Sundays to get them acclimated and help them feel comfortable, before bowing out to continue with our intensive home study.

     As you might expect, we were more interested in checking out the Sunday School class than a formulaic worship service... we are interested in getting into the meat of the Bible and experiencing what Proverbs 27:17 calls "iron sharpening iron".  Anytime we can meet in small groups, as the Early Church did, and have an intelligent discourse on what our Bible tells us about our God, then count us in!  The first Sunday was encouraging ... the class was in the Old Testament, specifically Exodus, and continuing with their plan to study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  They were interested in digging in to the history and weren't averse to looking beyond the Scriptures to historical commentary by early church Fathers or theologians.  Wow!  Maybe we had stumbled into an "adventurous" group of Christians in search of God's Truth!
     But not so fast!  This last Sunday was our second visit, and we were thrilled to see that the leader of the class brought in the Jonathan Cahn film on The Isaiah 9:10 Effect: The Harbingers, comparing God's judgment on the ancient nation of Israel with what we have seen in our recent history, beginning with September 11, 2001.  (These videos are available on YouTube). As many of you know, Cahn shows that when Israel turned away from God, they suffered invasion and captivity; and then in their arrogance declared that they would rebuild in their own power and abilities -- still refusing to humble themselves and repent of their sins.
    We were thrilled that this kind of Biblical conversation was being introduced in a brick and mortar church.  The only other time we had experienced that was when we were members of a class in a mainstream mega-Church and held to be somewhat "radical" by the main body of congregants.  It was nice to see such boldness in the Body of Christ.  And it led to the beginning of a conversation, suggested by Jonathan Cahn, himself, (in the film) that our God is a God of order, dates, times and seasons; they are all important to Him.  In fact, Cahn pointed out the significance of the Hebrew lunar calendar and the 29th day of the month of Elul.  This was the day, coincidentally, that we first suffered the economic fallout of 9/11, and then seven years later -- on the 29th of Elul -- was the stock market crash of 2008.  So, can we expect something to occur on the 29th of Elul, seven years later -- which just happened to this last Sunday, September 13, 2015?
     The question had no sooner been proposed, than a member of the class spoke up and declared that we were wasting our time listening to this... we are not Israel and we Christians have nothing in common with the Jews.  It was obvious that he is a believer in Replacement Theology, a misinformed (in my opinion) Christian theological opinion that the Church has replaced Israel (and the Jews) in God's Divine Plan of Redemption for mankind.  Of course, we could not remain silent in the midst of this man's diatribe.  And my husband, whose name literally means Peace-Loving Warrior (PLW), lived out his name -- calmly, but firmly, correcting this fellow Christian, and pointing out that we are "grafted in" to Israel, and are Abraham's children and heritage because we share the same faith in YHWH.
     Unfortunately, the other member of the class refused to listen and his response was heated and dogmatic.  Sadly, the entire class missed out on the opportunity to see Proverbs 27:17 in action.  This important verse in Scripture tells us that As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.  I love how Matthew Henry, a 17th century minister and theologian, expresses the weight of this proverb:  "Wise and profitable discourse sharpens men’s wits; and those that have ever so much knowledge may, by conference [debate and dialogue], have something added to them."  In other words, when we are open to listening to each other [and what we have each gleaned from our studies], we each have the opportunity to add a greater dimension to our understanding of the Bible.  Just like iron striking against iron, we remove the dullness and inactivity that can come upon our beliefs and study, and file away the rough edges, sharpening our perception and understanding of the Word.
     It makes me sad that this man has decided, under his own tutelage, to disregard the entire Old Testament.  He is willing to dismiss what it has to say about Jesus, and how it points us to God's final outcome in the Book of Revelation.  Don't get me wrong -- there is room for disagreement amongst diligent Christians; and we must certainly guard against accepting false teaching.  But to discourage debate or conversation among fellow sincere Christians is to limit the counsel and enlightenment that can come from the Holy Spirit's participation in the Word.  And it is to totally discount the interests, thoughts, or comments of the rest of the class.
     Needless to say, we both felt as though God was telling us one last time, "Come out of the Church!"  But it's funny ... if you wait for God's instruction instead of making a decision in haste, you often get a different answer.  PLW felt he owed an apology to the Sunday School class teacher, and we did not want to cause dissension within the Body of Christ, so we would bow out of the class.  It took a day or so to locate his phone number.  As it turned out, he had been trying to get in touch with us, and enthusiastically invited us back.  He and the class are encouraging us to share what inspired knowledge we have acquired and to engage in mutual heartfelt and earnest conversation over our shared love of the Word.  That is exactly what the Early Church was all about!!!  This has certainly given us a spark of hope that all has not been lost in the organized religion of the Church.  There is still room for us to edify and encourage one another; and there is no limit to the revelation we can receive when studying God's Word; just as there is no limit to the number of small groups with which we are willing to engage.
     I really feel that in this season of God's Feast Days, He is awakening the True Church.  It is a small number, but His remnant is seeking Him and for that I am so grateful.  Praise the Lord!!

2 Corinthians 12:19   "All this time you have been thinking that we are [merely] defending ourselves to you. It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking [as one] in Christ; and everything, dearly beloved, is to strengthen you [spiritually]."

The Islamic Caliphate's Goal: A Global Hijrah?

    Last week, I published a post on the emotional subject of the humanitarian crisis in Europe caused by the thousands of Middle Eastern and African refugees fleeing chaos and murder in their homelands.  Today I am presenting the controversial side of this issue, which is likely to become a lightning rod for discussion and debate.  There should be none of us who are ignorant of the tens of thousands of emigrants leaving their countries for the safety and sanctuary of Europe.    This flood of refugees certainly appears to be the aforementioned humanitarian crisis, due to the thousands who have been uprooted from their homes because of violence, persecution and death at the hands of the Islamic Caliphate.  Among these refugees are Arab and African Christians who are targeted because of their faith, and have been threatened with death if they do not convert to Islam.  It is hard to argue with their reasons for leaving their homeland.

     But what of those thousands who are not Christians or families who have been forced to flee?  Have you ever wondered why the majority of them are young able-bodied Muslim men?  Where are the women, the elderly, or the chronically ill?  Why did they not choose to settle in Saudi Arabia or Iran or Turkey; countries that are larger than the over-crowded European countries and who practice their common Muslim faith?
     Robert Spencer, the director of Jihad Watch, has spent much of his life studying the Muslim religion, from which his family comes.  He has led seminars on Islam and jihad for the United States Central Command, United States Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group, the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the U.S. intelligence community. Spencer is the Vice President of the American Freedom Defense Initiative and a weekly columnist for PJ Media and FrontPage Magazine, and has written many books and hundreds of articles about jihad and Islamic terrorism.  Mr. Spencer's credentials are lengthy and he is well-versed in the Qur'an.  From him, perhaps we can find the answers to the questions stated above.
     It is his goal to raise our awareness about the activities of the global jihadists; to call attention to the roots and goals of jihad violence within Islamic texts and teachings; and to show how jihadists use those texts and teachings.  Particularly, he wishes us to know that what we are witnessing across Europe is no longer just a “refugee crisis.” This is a hijrah.
     In an article on FrontPage Magazine, Spencer writes that Hijrah, or "jihad by emigration", is historically, and according to Islamic tradition, the migration or journey of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib, later renamed by him to Medina, in the year 622 CE. It was after the hijrah that Muhammad, for the first time, became not just a preacher of religious ideas, but a political and military leader. That was what occasioned his new “revelations” exhorting his followers to commit violence against unbelievers. Significantly, the Islamic calendar counts the hijrah -- not Muhammad’s birth or the occasion of his first “revelation,” -- as the beginning of Islam, implying that Islam is not fully itself without a political and military component.
     Spencer further writes that "to emigrate in the cause of Allah – that is, to move to a new land in order to bring Islam there -- is considered in Islam to be a highly meritorious act.  'And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many locations and abundance,” says the Qur’an.  And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him, his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.'  (4:100).
     He is now warning the world that a hijrah of a much greater magnitude is upon us.  What, in our Western eyes, looks like a humanitarian crisis (and which appeals to our faith's sense of mercy) may be in response to a February 2015 publication by ISIS, titled "“Libya: The Strategic Gateway for the Islamic State.”   The flood of refugees we are currently seeing across Europe is the expansion of the call by ISIS for Muslims to go to Libya and cross from there as refugees into Europe. This document tells would-be jihadis that weapons from [deposed Libyan leader] Gaddafi’s arsenal are plentiful and easy to obtain in Libya – and that the country “has a long coast and looks upon the southern Crusader states, which can be reached with ease by even a rudimentary boat.”  Isn't that what we have seen in the last few weeks and months?
     What Spencer writes next should have all of us questioning our own foreign policy regarding the Syrian refugees this nation is poised to accept.  He writes:  "The Islamic State did not have in mind just a few jihadis crossing from Libya: it also emerged last February that the jihadis planned to flood Europe with as many as 500,000 refugees. Now the number is shooting well beyond that in Germany alone. Of course, not all of these refugees are Islamic jihadis. Not all are even Muslims, although most are. However, no effort whatsoever is being made to determine the refugees’ adherence to Sharia and desire to bring it to their new land. Any such effort would be “Islamophobic.” Yet there are already hints that the Islamic State is putting its plan into effect: jihadis have already been found among the refugees trying to enter Europe. There will be many more such discoveries."
     Of course, to even suggest that there is an ulterior motive to this mass emigration is to be subjected to taunts of racism, and to be called hateful and an Islamophobe.  Yet how can we ignore the coordinated social media strategy of ISIS?  Spencer documents an Islamic State operative, who boasted last week that among the flood of refugees, 4,000 Islamic State jihadis had entered Europe. “They are going like refugees,” he said, but they were going with the plan of sowing blood and mayhem on European streets. As he told this to journalists, he smiled and said, “Just wait.” He explained: “It’s our dream that there should be a caliphate not only in Syria but in all the world, and we will have it soon, inshallah.”
     So, what are we to think?  Europe today, America tomorrow?  It sure looks as if that is their agenda.  But what are we to do?  How do we remain faithful to our God's commandments, yet protect ourselves from the Evil that is ISIS?  We are in the midst of a political season, and it is incumbent upon each of us to make our concerns known as we face an uncertain future.  The next few months and year will surely reveal the results of the far-reaching decisions we make.  May God and the Holy Spirit guide us; may we remain resolute and unfaltering in the face of Evil; and may YHWH Bless and Protect the United States of America!
   
John 3:20    "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."

Joshua 5:13-14 .... Our God Is A Warrior!

 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”

So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord 

I have now come.”  Then Joshua fell with his face toward the earth and bowed down, and said to him, “What does my Lord have to say to his servant?” The captain of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

  

     This is the familiar story of Joshua, the great military leader of Israel as they entered the Promised Land.  God instructed Joshua as to how He wanted the land cleansed of the people corrupted with Satan's seed.  Joshua was obedient and understood that the victory in each battle belonged to God.  In that manner there are some interesting comparisons to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

     To begin, they share the same Hebrew name.  The English name "Joshua" is a rendering of the Hebrew name "Yehoshua", meaning "Yahweh is salvation".  "Jesus" is the English translation of the Greek transliteration of "Yehoshua" via Latin, also known as "Yeshua".  Both Jesus and Joshua share the same role as leader of Israel; both having the same mission of bringing peace through obedience to God, and having the same number of appointed men (twelve).  But it is their mutual identification as military commander and warrior for Israel that has become lost through the ages.

     Today, most Christians can relate to the Jesus of Christmas, and identify Him as the One whom the angels declared would bring "peace on earth and goodwill toward men."  We recognize Him as being full of justice, mercy, and peace.  But how many understand that this same Jesus must turn into the Yeshua of Armageddon in order to bring that peace?  How many can admit that He is returning in His role as Commander of God's Army in order to wipe sin off the planet?

     We are so used to the advertising approach of presenting who Jesus is --- accentuate the good vision, and minimize what we perceive to be the bad image.  It's as if God's Gospel message doesn't include His Judgment right alongside His Mercy; as if this Gospel of Judgment is offensive to those who see Him only as Love.

     If you are mindful of the times in which we live, you will recognize Who is speaking to Joshua in today's Scripture.  First of all, He tells Joshua to remove his sandals because it is holy ground.  The Bible does not state who the person is, though we are presented with one hint: Joshua fell down and worshiped him without rebuke. We know that men are not to be worshiped (Acts 10:25-26) and neither are angels (Revelation 22:8-9). Thus we must conclude that the person was divine, that is, a part of the Godhead.  And remember, the ground was made holy -- something usually only associated with God.  

     Also, this Being is the same One who said to His disciples, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." What did He mean by that?  It must be taken in context.  Read the Scripture before and after this controversial statement.  It all has to do with Obedience and Faith.  We all recognize that the "Sword" of the Spirit is the Word of God; and Jesus is the Word.  The Word of God is the Sword that will divide those who believe in Him and are willing to follow Him (even unto death), from those who deny Him.  

     Yes, He came the first time to bring Peace; the peace that comes from the assurance that God would provide a way to be delivered from our sin.  But for those who do not accept that way, He is returning in righteous anger as the Commander of God's holy army.  How easily we recognize Jesus in Revelation 19:11:  "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war."  Why is it so difficult to recognize Him as this same Being in the Old Testament?  Does not Scripture tell us that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow?  But then the Enemy has done a good job in convincing man that there is a huge barrier between the Old Testament and New Testament; that Jesus doesn't appear until Matthew.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  He appears all throughout the Old Testament.  He is the Angel of the Lord, and He is the Commander of the army of the Lord, just as much here in Joshua as in Revelation.

     The bottom line is this ... Jesus is not a Pacifist!  No matter how many paintings or movies you see showing Him as the loving carpenter holding a sheep, we must never forget that He is a Warrior.  He always has been, and always be until we recognize Him as Judge.  That is made quite clear in Hebrews 4:12:  "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  In its simplest understanding, that verse tells us that the word of God (Jesus) judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Just as He extends His love and mercy to those who believe in Him, He will bestow His judgment on those who refuse Him.  He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  He will be returning at the head of God's holy army; returning with a sword of division between belief and unbelief.  Praise the Lord!  The day on which we will witness our Warrior King is close at hand.

Keep in mind that this evening at sundown begins God's Feast of Trumpets.  It is a future day upon which we will hear the trumpets of heaven announcing the approach of our Warrior King.  Praise Him and Glorify Him!