THE STANDARD AND THE STAND
So shall they fear
The name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a
standard against him.
"The Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from
transgression in Jacob, "
says the Lord. Isaiah 59:19,20 NKJV
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
Let all you do be done with love.
1 Corinthians 16:13,14.NKJV
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10,13. NKJV.
The book of the prophet, Isaiah, in the Old Testament was written at around 700 BC. It is a book declaring God's displeasure with and judgment upon sin in Judah, Israel and the surrounding nations. Almost all the Hebrew words for sin are employed by the prophet. It is also a book which seeks to lay a foundation of hope and promise to the faithful remnant of God's people. It is a book full of God's promises of restoration and redemption, of the certain coming of the Messiah, of salvation for all the nations, and of the triumph of God's purposes in spite of intervals of suffering. (adapted from the introduction to the Book of Isaiah in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible).
The Book of Isaiah is probably my favorite of the Old Testament prophets, as it is so full of messianic prophecies - those that speak of the coming Messiah, whom we know as the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, the eternal Son of God, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, make up the Trinity, the eternal Godhead. How exciting for the follower of Jesus Christ, the Christian or the Messianic Jew, those of Jewish heritage who have had a revelation of the Messiah in the person of Jesus, or Yeshua HaMashiach, as it is in Hebrew - meaning Jesus Messiah - to be able to read "tomorrow's news", as it were, in the Old Testament prophets and to be living today in a personal relationship with the Messiah, the Hope of the Ages, the eternal Son of the Living God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet says "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.(meaning God With Us....", clearly foretelling the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary, as well as God's participation in the more immediate deliverance from the Syrian and Israelite coalition.
In Isaiah 9:6,7 it says
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His Shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government
and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over
His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with
judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will
perform this.
Another year has almost gone, and Christmas is just weeks away. As in previous years, we have read of places in our own nation of Australia, as well as in other Western nations with a Christian heritage where local councils and even state governments are demanding the greeting "Merry Christmas" be abandoned for the more Politically Correct "Happy Holiday" greeting or other culturally neutral greetings.
In the state of Victoria, the assault on the sanctity of life has also taken another hit, following on from legislation in 2008 to enact some of the worst abortion laws in the world, with the killing of healthy babies being legally permitted up until full term.
Last week by a vote in the Victorian Upper House of Parliament of 22 to 18, Victoria became the first state in Australia to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill. Although some would see this as a "god-send", Christians and those who believe in the sanctity of life see this as a further erosion of the value placed on human life - in a state which is sadly lacking in adequate palliative care facilities.
Jesus said in John 10:10 "The thief [Satan] does not come but for to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10,13. NKJV.
The book of the prophet, Isaiah, in the Old Testament was written at around 700 BC. It is a book declaring God's displeasure with and judgment upon sin in Judah, Israel and the surrounding nations. Almost all the Hebrew words for sin are employed by the prophet. It is also a book which seeks to lay a foundation of hope and promise to the faithful remnant of God's people. It is a book full of God's promises of restoration and redemption, of the certain coming of the Messiah, of salvation for all the nations, and of the triumph of God's purposes in spite of intervals of suffering. (adapted from the introduction to the Book of Isaiah in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible).
The Book of Isaiah is probably my favorite of the Old Testament prophets, as it is so full of messianic prophecies - those that speak of the coming Messiah, whom we know as the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, the eternal Son of God, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, make up the Trinity, the eternal Godhead. How exciting for the follower of Jesus Christ, the Christian or the Messianic Jew, those of Jewish heritage who have had a revelation of the Messiah in the person of Jesus, or Yeshua HaMashiach, as it is in Hebrew - meaning Jesus Messiah - to be able to read "tomorrow's news", as it were, in the Old Testament prophets and to be living today in a personal relationship with the Messiah, the Hope of the Ages, the eternal Son of the Living God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet says "Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.(meaning God With Us....", clearly foretelling the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary, as well as God's participation in the more immediate deliverance from the Syrian and Israelite coalition.
In Isaiah 9:6,7 it says
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His Shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government
and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over
His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with
judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will
perform this.
Another year has almost gone, and Christmas is just weeks away. As in previous years, we have read of places in our own nation of Australia, as well as in other Western nations with a Christian heritage where local councils and even state governments are demanding the greeting "Merry Christmas" be abandoned for the more Politically Correct "Happy Holiday" greeting or other culturally neutral greetings.
In the state of Victoria, the assault on the sanctity of life has also taken another hit, following on from legislation in 2008 to enact some of the worst abortion laws in the world, with the killing of healthy babies being legally permitted up until full term.
Last week by a vote in the Victorian Upper House of Parliament of 22 to 18, Victoria became the first state in Australia to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill. Although some would see this as a "god-send", Christians and those who believe in the sanctity of life see this as a further erosion of the value placed on human life - in a state which is sadly lacking in adequate palliative care facilities.
Jesus said in John 10:10 "The thief [Satan] does not come but for to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
1 John 5:19 says:We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
When we look at the major issues of our times, whether they are those which relate to our city, state, nation or the world as a whole, every person has an opinion, quite often born out of personal prejudices, cultural backgrounds, education and so on. Some opinions and attitudes are because of ignorance of all the true facts.
The increasing secularization of society is leading to growing marginilisation of Christians who stand for Biblical truth. The recent protracted postal survey on the issue of same-sex marriage with its resulting majority YES vote, and predictable lack of ongoing protections of freedoms for those who believe strongly in the model of marriage as being between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others - should be a wake-up call for all true followers of Christ, to "batten down the hatches" and prepare for a time of unprecedented persecution in Australia.
Jesus Christ, who came at the first Christmas, as a tiny baby born in Bethlehem to Mary - as a man fulfilling His earthly ministry from the age of thirty - said of Himself that He was Truth personified. He said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
In the first chapter of John's gospel in the New Testament, it says this of Jesus: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (the darkness has not overcome it).
John 1:1-5
In verse 14 of that same chapter, it says: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
We come back to the verses from Isaiah 59 I started with at the top: So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
Again, speaking prophetically to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah in a more immediate application, but also, importantly - speaking down through the many centuries to the day in which we live in the church age, Isaiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, exhorts his readers in Chapter 60 to:
Arise,shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you,
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will rise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around and see;
They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
Isaiah 60:1-5
The enemy is coming in like a flood. The spiritual darkness in the world is getting darker. This is not a time for the Church of the Living God to be in fear and despair of the present times and the future. The Spirit of the Lord is lifting up a standard. Just as in an ancient army, the standard bearer would lift up a standard - a flag or a banner signifying the nation or the king they were fighting for, the Holy Spirit in these days is lifting up the name of Jesus, as the source of all wisdom and truth, and the One to whom we should give full allegiance, in order to win the battles of life. And just as a soldier is disciplined to follow the orders and directions of his commanding officers without question and compromise, we as followers of Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation, are being called in this hour to follow Him and be obedient to His Word, our manual for life, and to count not our lives unto death.
It will become increasingly more imperative that we take an uncompromising stand on the Word of God, and to stand for the Truth, even if it means being seen to be out of step with society and cultural trends of the day.
In 2018, the darkness will continue to become increasingly darker. The enemy will continue to come in like a flood with unprecedented and unimaginable evil in many parts of the world - BUT, at the same time, those who have put their trust fully in the saving power of Jesus Christ, and who have acknowledged Christ's death on the Cross as the means for our redemption from the power and penalty of sin, will increasingly shine with the glory of God, and advance with unrivalled spiritual power and authority, led by the Holy Spirit to do great exploits for the kingdom of God, all the while displaying the love of God for a world bereft of sacrificial love and true faithfulness.
This Christmas, as we rightly remember once again, God coming down to earth to be born as a baby in a dirty stable in the little town of Bethlehem of Judea, let us remember that He also grew up to be a man, who after three and a half years of ministry, proclaiming the good news of salvation - the Gospel, healing the sick, raising the dead, setting the captives free from demonic oppression - was nailed to a Roman cross to die a humiliating and excruciatingly painful death, the sinless for the sinner, that we might be reconciled to our Father God.
As Christians enlisted in the army of God, who do not fight flesh and blood, but spiritual hosts of wickedness in high places - with spiritual weapons (See Ephesians 6) - let us look to Jesus, our Standard, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1,2) and boldly STAND for Truth and Righteousness, displaying the Love of God to a lost and dying world!
The Christian life is not for wimps. In the times in which we live, COURAGE will be a defining feature of the true believer in Christ. Having said that, God has promised that "He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7
Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale Of Two Cities" written in 1859 opens with this paragraph:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...
For true followers of Christ, who hold to Biblical truth, there may never have been a more pivotal time in Australia's history to boldly stand up and to stand out as those who shine brightly in a sea of deepening darkness.
As we approach Christmas 2017 and prepare for the inevitable challenges of 2018, let us not be fearful of the future, but resolve to draw closer to Jesus, who came to be the Light Of the World, and the Hope of mankind.
MAY I ENCOURAGE YOU WHO ARE READING THIS TO TAKE A LOOK AT A NEW RELEASE YOU TUBE VIDEO BY MY FRIEND, RAY COMFORT OF LIVINGWATERS.COM AND WAYOFTHEMASTER.COM
The video is called "Christmas Gone Viral". This is excellent viewing. What is Christmas really all about? Take a look at this movie. Be blessed!
One third of the world's population celebrate Christmas. JESUS IS LORD!
When we look at the major issues of our times, whether they are those which relate to our city, state, nation or the world as a whole, every person has an opinion, quite often born out of personal prejudices, cultural backgrounds, education and so on. Some opinions and attitudes are because of ignorance of all the true facts.
The increasing secularization of society is leading to growing marginilisation of Christians who stand for Biblical truth. The recent protracted postal survey on the issue of same-sex marriage with its resulting majority YES vote, and predictable lack of ongoing protections of freedoms for those who believe strongly in the model of marriage as being between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others - should be a wake-up call for all true followers of Christ, to "batten down the hatches" and prepare for a time of unprecedented persecution in Australia.
Jesus Christ, who came at the first Christmas, as a tiny baby born in Bethlehem to Mary - as a man fulfilling His earthly ministry from the age of thirty - said of Himself that He was Truth personified. He said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
In the first chapter of John's gospel in the New Testament, it says this of Jesus: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (the darkness has not overcome it).
John 1:1-5
In verse 14 of that same chapter, it says: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
We come back to the verses from Isaiah 59 I started with at the top: So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
Again, speaking prophetically to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah in a more immediate application, but also, importantly - speaking down through the many centuries to the day in which we live in the church age, Isaiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, exhorts his readers in Chapter 60 to:
Arise,shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you,
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will rise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Lift up your eyes all around and see;
They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
Isaiah 60:1-5
The enemy is coming in like a flood. The spiritual darkness in the world is getting darker. This is not a time for the Church of the Living God to be in fear and despair of the present times and the future. The Spirit of the Lord is lifting up a standard. Just as in an ancient army, the standard bearer would lift up a standard - a flag or a banner signifying the nation or the king they were fighting for, the Holy Spirit in these days is lifting up the name of Jesus, as the source of all wisdom and truth, and the One to whom we should give full allegiance, in order to win the battles of life. And just as a soldier is disciplined to follow the orders and directions of his commanding officers without question and compromise, we as followers of Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation, are being called in this hour to follow Him and be obedient to His Word, our manual for life, and to count not our lives unto death.
It will become increasingly more imperative that we take an uncompromising stand on the Word of God, and to stand for the Truth, even if it means being seen to be out of step with society and cultural trends of the day.
In 2018, the darkness will continue to become increasingly darker. The enemy will continue to come in like a flood with unprecedented and unimaginable evil in many parts of the world - BUT, at the same time, those who have put their trust fully in the saving power of Jesus Christ, and who have acknowledged Christ's death on the Cross as the means for our redemption from the power and penalty of sin, will increasingly shine with the glory of God, and advance with unrivalled spiritual power and authority, led by the Holy Spirit to do great exploits for the kingdom of God, all the while displaying the love of God for a world bereft of sacrificial love and true faithfulness.
This Christmas, as we rightly remember once again, God coming down to earth to be born as a baby in a dirty stable in the little town of Bethlehem of Judea, let us remember that He also grew up to be a man, who after three and a half years of ministry, proclaiming the good news of salvation - the Gospel, healing the sick, raising the dead, setting the captives free from demonic oppression - was nailed to a Roman cross to die a humiliating and excruciatingly painful death, the sinless for the sinner, that we might be reconciled to our Father God.
As Christians enlisted in the army of God, who do not fight flesh and blood, but spiritual hosts of wickedness in high places - with spiritual weapons (See Ephesians 6) - let us look to Jesus, our Standard, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1,2) and boldly STAND for Truth and Righteousness, displaying the Love of God to a lost and dying world!
The Christian life is not for wimps. In the times in which we live, COURAGE will be a defining feature of the true believer in Christ. Having said that, God has promised that "He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7
Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale Of Two Cities" written in 1859 opens with this paragraph:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...
For true followers of Christ, who hold to Biblical truth, there may never have been a more pivotal time in Australia's history to boldly stand up and to stand out as those who shine brightly in a sea of deepening darkness.
As we approach Christmas 2017 and prepare for the inevitable challenges of 2018, let us not be fearful of the future, but resolve to draw closer to Jesus, who came to be the Light Of the World, and the Hope of mankind.
MAY I ENCOURAGE YOU WHO ARE READING THIS TO TAKE A LOOK AT A NEW RELEASE YOU TUBE VIDEO BY MY FRIEND, RAY COMFORT OF LIVINGWATERS.COM AND WAYOFTHEMASTER.COM
The video is called "Christmas Gone Viral". This is excellent viewing. What is Christmas really all about? Take a look at this movie. Be blessed!
One third of the world's population celebrate Christmas. JESUS IS LORD!
