Surgical Strike
“And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it shall be also in the days of the Son of Man;” Luke 17:26
Just As It Happened – My friend said to me, “I have cancer. My doctor told me that since my body has been tainted, there’s no use in fighting it. I might as well let it run its course. Maybe when it is finished, I can get a new body, one without the Big C curse.”
Do you think this person might need a second opinion? I should say so! Unfortunately, a lot of times our view of this world is like this cancer diagnosis. We act as though it’s too late to fight. Just let the evil age run its course and, when the Lord returns, we’ll start over. We hear a lot of this in political circles today. “There’s nothing we can really do. What’s the point of protesting. The government is too big, too corrupt. It’s useless. We’ll just pray for Jesus to come back.” This is Greek dualism disguised as Christian theology.
The final result of Greek philosophy is a hatred for the world. The Greek worldview puts emphasis on the perfect rational mind, connecting our desire for rationality to the ultimate quest of reason, namely, a world devoid of passionate interference brought about by bodily weaknesses. All you have to do is think of Spock in Star Trek. He is the rational one, in contrast to Captian Kirk who often allows his emotion to get in the way. Kirk claims that emotion is what makes us human, but the Greeks (and Vulcans) would disagree. Emotions tie us to a corrupt world, a world that opposes the True, the Good and the Beautiful. What we need to do is leave this world behind and rise to the world of perfection. Of course, we don’t worship Plato these days, but we might as well be singing praises in Plato’s temple. Most Christians really believe that the goal is to get out – to leave this corrupt and sinful place (and body) behind and be transported to the perfect heaven where all our problems go away. The reason that escapist views of the rapture are so appealing is because the culture is Greek, not Biblical.
But God doesn’t start over. He scrubs the earth clean of its sinful pollution. He restores the original. That’s why Yeshua said, “as in the days of Noah.” The one taken was the wicked one, not the righteous one. The righteous are left behind (sorry, Tim and Jerry) in order to complete the restoration project. The new heaven and the new earth come about because God initiates something new, not because He has given up on the old. It has always been God’s plan to restore what has been lost. After all, it was created perfect. Why would it need improvement? God’s intention is a re-newed earth just as it is a renewed covenant. Since God doesn’t make mistakes, it is just slightly arrogant to suggest that this world is a cosmic error and needs to be replaced with the correct one.
The Greek phrase kathos egeneto (as it was) tells us that Yeshua’s view of the process is firmly anchored in the patterns of Genesis. If you want to know where God is headed, go back to the beginning. There is absolutely no suggestion about giving up the fight and starting over. God performs surgery, removing the cancer of sin from His perfect world. He does not obliterate the patient and create a new embodied spirit. Whenever your thinking suggests escaping to a better place, you might want to take another look at Noah.
Topical Index: Noah, Luke 17:26, kathos egeneto, renewed, rapture, dualism
Skip,
This word was a timely shot that made its way through the elaborate manovers and movements I have crafted that keeps me on the out and not inside the reality of what God’s intention for my life is. I am amazed at how subtile and how thick my defenses are to allowing the return to the intimacy of Fathers affection to me. I am in awe of the tenacious love of the Father that constantly persues me and my wounded heart. So for just today I will open my self to the people He has assembled and allow the Grace of His Presence to woo me and renew me into being the restored man I am to be in His eyes.
Thank you for allowing the beauty of who he has crafted you to be to slip into this world in your simple splendor.
Your an awesome man.
Barry
Skip,
I’ve been reading straight through the OT lately and noticed that there is little mention about Heaven. When used, it seems to indicate different levels and helps define how big our Creator is. Any thoughts on this idea, especially where Paul has a vision of seeing into heaven in the NT (2 Cor 12:2)? I’d like to look into the Greek and Paul’s Hebrew perspective behind “caught up in paradise” in verse 4 to see if it gives any insight into the idea of heaven.
Thanks
Shawn
Of late, my airplane reading has been split between two books from two very different gentlemen I respect. One is John Piper’s Spectacular Sins, and the other is NT Wright’s Surprised by Hope.
In the latter, NT Wright has penned a great reminder (well, reminder for some, new ground for others) that biblical teaching indicates there is a continuity of both the body and the planet we currently inhabit in the coming time we generally refer to as heaven…and “heaven” has nothing to do with lounging around on clouds playing the harp. Shawn, you might enjoy the book…I certainly have.
I grew up around “Tim & Jerry’s” eschatology, and clearly remember going to sleep nights when I was young either eagerly or fearfully anticipating “the rapture”. I’m now fascinated by the actions and emotions that the Greek dualistic line of though stirs up in people especially when it comes to these kinds of things. I’m thinking specifically about the “Christian” cults or quasi-cults of recent years as well as some of the Anabaptist groups that sprang up in the wake of the Reformation in western Europe nearly 500 years ago. A screwy understanding of what our sacred texts teach leads to some screwy behaviors.
Skip, I appreciate your continuing efforts to point out and roll back the Greek layers that have so influenced so many people’s understanding of the Bible. It’s great to get a better handle on what He had in mind when He made this joint and then started implementing His plan to redeem/restore it. Thanks, amigo!
Skip, about six months ago or so, I was exposed to the eschatological view called Preterism. The more I study it, the more it seems to explain why the Church is so weak today, because we are all waiting to be taken out of here, instead of trying to do the work that Jesus commanded us to do.
I would appreciate your views on this and if you have written on it elsewhere, please let me know where to get it.
Blessings,
Jay Culotta
I am one of those “waiting” for the rapture. I am of the “goyim”. One who is not a Jew. I am a Christian. A follower of the Christ (who is). If “any man” be “in Christ”, he is a new creature. Henceforth know we no man after the flesh. There is none righteous no not one. For all have sinned. For G-d so loved the world.. yes, red,yellow, black and white.. Gentile and Jew. Dear brother it is not either/or it is both. Jew and Gentile- we (all) must be born again and we (all) must “enter in” through the Door. Just a “gentile” (gentle) reminder- Ruth was a Moabite- until her kinsman redeemer saw her and came to her aid, she had little hope.. I too was lost, but Jesus found me, found the sheep that went astray.. Because I am (now) His, yes, I belong to Him don’t you ever dare ever think I am sitting idly by and “waiting” for the rapture. Dear brothers I have work to do. Let us “labor” for the Master, from the dawn to setting sun…We have a world (of people) today who does not know the Lamb of G-d who shed His very blood to purchase (by that “precious blood”) a deliverance and a freedom unknown by so many. We have this “good news” to share with every man- Christ was born, lived, died and was raised on the third day and is today LORD of all (male, female, Jew and Gentile). We are (now) one in Christ. We have work to do while we “wait” for his return. Let (us) hear and obey His words and live today in fear of the G-d who (now) is, allowing His Spirit to work through us ministering His grace to others in need.
I am happy to hear you are not one who’s waiting has made them apathetic, but it surely is a disease in the rapture believing majority. Unfortunately, they will be surprised when they find it is the others who are taken, just as in Noah’s flood.
Jay, that is not all that Preterism entails – I would be very very careful of exposing yourself to such theories – this one is not Biblical or true. Unless of course you think that Christ has already come & He will not be riding in on a white horse with a sword/the Word of God in his mouth to rectify all that is evil & wicked in the world. If you want to throw away the book of Revelation like it has already happened (NOT) – then continue to persue this tail of deception called preterism – it is not of God for sure.
Jan,
I have spent days, not just hours, reading about this and I am not saying I believe all that it entails, but I must ask you, what makes you think it is not Biblical? The evidence is quite compelling that Matthew 24 has been fulfilled. What makes you think it has not been?
Grace and Peace, Jay
I only recall vaguely anything about Preterism, so I can’t be much help. But I am sure others in the community can. There are a lot of reasons why the church is weak, principally because it abandoned YHWH’s plan centuries ago. But He works without what we give Him anyway. Imagine what He could do with a true Israel. Look what He did with one Man.
Today I read this from Rabbi Abraham Heschel: “Living is not a private affair. It is what Man does with God’s time and with God’s world.” Imagine the implication. We are alive insofar as we are participating in God’s time and God’s world AS GOD WOULD. So, I guess it is impossible to separate heaven from earth, isn’t it? It’s all His. To wait idly by from Him to come and claim me is like sitting in the welfare office hoping someone will come along and give you some money when the store across the street has a “help wanted’ sign in the window.
Ha Ha. Oooops! Look. There are people waiting in that line!
Dear Skip, do I understand it right that you suggest that the Yehovah’s witnesses are right, when they teach that when there is a new earth and a new heaven promised, it will in this very place?
No, the JW’s do not have it right. They are way off base on a lot of things. But there is a sense in which the “new” heaven and earth is the renewed heaven and earth of God’s original design (which was perfect, by the way). Is it here on this planet? Who knows? Actually, who cares? It will be with Him and that is enough.
What we want to avoid is the idea that the solution to life is escape from here. That isn’t biblical in spite of its strong appeal and “Christian” endorsement. God put us here for His purposes. If He wants to restore the original here, that is up to Him. I just want to be with Him.
This blog revealed to me how easily we can get “caught up” in a worldview which is NOT biblical. It happened to me before and though it probably won’t be the last time I pray for God to continue to reveal His views to me.
Recently I spent the night at the hospital with one of my best friends. She had been diagnosed with cancer not even eight weeks prior. Hospitalized for something else, while on my watch, in the blink of an eye she went to heaven. What an experience.
I felt very happy for her but very sad for all of us left here, including myself. If that sadness were due only to the sense of loss we feel that would be normal. But in all honesty I felt some sadness, as the days passed by, that I was still here fighting the good fight while she was free of it. It was then that I realized something was wrong. Prior to reading this I was not sure what it was. I was blind but now I see.
So many believers that I know have developed this “exit clause” mentality. If we are not careful we can easily embrace a lie for the truth. The sad part about that is when we do so we are truly giving up.
There are times that I grow weary with this world. But I do not want to be so heavenly minded that I am of no earthly good. Thank you, Skip for this much needed shot of reality. I for one need to hear the truth repeatedly lest I fall prey to the lies that are clothed in religious talk.
Can’t adequately communicate how this blog has impacted my heart but as I “randomly read” to catch up it is very obvious to me that God is leading me to certain writings for such a time as this. I am grateful to Him and also to you.
I for one am not anxious to get out of dodge. We simply have no idea how the pieces fit together in the great plan of YHVH! We have no idea what kind of impact our lives (in Him of course) have on others in this world. I know of people just in this community that are doing wonderful things for people in the name of Yeshua …. is this not awesome?
Just coming to the realization of Who He is and that He wants a relationship with us …. with me … is enough to make this life …. well wonderful (as opposed to what it was without Him)! Life even here …. even now …. is precious despite what the first creation has devolved into. He has called us and we may actually make a difference in furthering The Kingdom …. this is like WOW! I also can not tell you all how joyful it is to meet and fellowship with believers as well. I count each one as a real blessing. Just as I count all of the shared communications and individuals at Today’s Word a blessing. Pondering His Word not only prepares us for battle but really should get us excited. I know it makes me happy and lightens my burdens.
As ugly as things will get …. and they assuredly will get ugly, we have only one guarantee …. YHVH will show mercy and shorten the days of tribulation so that the elect will be spared (spared from apostatizing … not spared from strife … in my opinion). His promises are golden be we here or not!
Does anyone else want to make it to the King’s return as is declared in Revelations? He is coming and I for one am waiting to hear the great shofar blast signaling His triumphant entrance from the East!
Blessed is He Who comes in the name of The Lord!