The Heaton File

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

The Gospel Of Reconciliation

Eating fruit does not seem like a high-value crime or a depraved immoral act, but when Adam and Eve took of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, it created a division between Creator and creation. This enmity was severe, harsh, and real. God cast the man and woman from the garden never to return. It was not long before the heart of man became so wicked the Lord sent a flood to destroy all humanity with the exception of Noah and his family. Wrath and grace are found in the story of the flood but the answer to sin had not been found. After the flood, pride lifted the heart of men, and sin continued. God promised through Abraham a great nation would arise to possess the land of promise. Included in the three-fold promise was a son. Abraham and Sarah realized the final promise in the birth of Isaac when they were beyond childbearing age. Sin continued unabated and there seemed little hope.

Israel became a great nation as the people of God. Through them the world would see the love and mercy of the Lord. It was not long before the hearts of the nation turned to the nations around them following their idolatrous practices. Sin once again destroyed the creation of God and the wrath of the Lord came heavily upon the apple of His eye. A remnant returned from bondage as sin still ruled the affairs of humanity. There was no hope and no answer.

Following a four hundred year famine of revelation, a man from Nazareth appeared among the people of God preaching a gospel of repentance. His message was clear, demonstrative, and powerful. The multitudes were drawn to His teaching and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus of Nazareth showed Himself to be the Son of God. It was unclear the purpose of the Lord as Jesus told of His death, burial, and resurrection. The disciples could only see a physical kingdom and struggled with the spiritual patterns of God’s will. To their dismay and despair, Jesus was killed on a cross and buried. There was no hope and the world seemed so dark. And then Sunday came.

On the first day of the week, the Son of God rose from the dead changing the course of humanity forever. The eternal plan of redemption would not become clear immediately but as the church became established and disciples were multiplied, the gospel of reconciliation blossomed in the minds and hearts of the people of God. Everything man had tried had failed to bring him happiness and joy. Now in Christ, there was true meaning to life. The wrath of God was removed completely. There was no longer a fear of destruction. For the child of God, joy was the daily expression of reconciliation in Christ. There had taken place a change from enmity to friendship. God had exercised His grace towards sinful man on the ground of the death of Jesus Christ.

W. E. Vine says, “By reason of this men in their sinful condition and alienation from God are invited to be reconciled to Him; that is to say, to change their attitude, and accept the provision God has made, whereby their sins can be remitted and they themselves be justified in His sign in Christ.” The gospel of reconciliation means that God has removed His wrath. Through Jesus Christ, the Father has invited sinful man to dwell in His presence through the cleansing blood of His Son. If a man will come to the Father with a contrite heart, the Lord God will not impute sin upon them. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness. God will no longer count people’s sins against them. That is the wonderful message of reconciliation found in Jesus Christ. Thank you, God.

Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. But he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. (2 Chronicles 33:1-2)

The Power Of A Humble Heart

Manasseh ruled longer than any other king of Israel or Judah. His reign of fifty-five years was marked with worship to Baal and all the host of heaven. He put altars to the gods and a carved image of Baal in the house of the Lord where Jehovah’s name was to be holy. Manasseh sacrificed his sons as burnt offerings, practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft and he consulted with mediums and psychics. There is little Manasseh did not do to incur the wrath of God for his acts of immorality, wickedness, and depravity. His leadership seduced the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations around them. Judah was filled with unbridled lust, immoral carnage, and unchained putridity. The heart of Manasseh was fully corrupt.

The prophets warned Manasseh of God’s wrath but he would not listen.  So the Lord sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. This would be a fitting judgment against the king of Judah for his evil ways and immoral acts. The final curtain on the life of Manasseh would see him die in Babylon a disgraced and condemned man. What happens next is the remarkable and wonderful message of God’s love and grace. The chastening of the Lord changed the heart of Manasseh. In his affliction and distress, he sought the forgiveness of God. With a sincere heart, the king humbled himself before the mighty hand of the Lord and opened up his heart in prayer for mercy. How could God forgive a man guilty of all the heinous acts which characterized his rule? The Lord God Merciful heard the sincere plea of Manasseh and was moved by his humility. Through the grace of a kind Father, Manasseh was brought back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. He realized the Lord was God and there was none other.

Repentance is godly sorrow for sin. Forgiveness happens in the mind of God for those who reverently and humbly seek the favor of the Almighty. Men like Manasseh would seem to be least likely candidates for mercy but God forgave him because of his humble heart. His repentance was followed by acts of a contrite heart. Manasseh took away the foreign gods and the carved image from the Temple. He tore down all the altars he had built on the hill where the Temple stood and all the altars that were in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city. Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings and thanksgiving offerings on it. He also encouraged the people of Judah to worship the Lord, the God of Israel.

What happened with Manasseh can happen with any man who has a humble, contrite, and broken spirit seeking the mercy of God. There is no sin so small or so great the Lord will not forgive if a man comes in godly sorrow seeking the love of a compassionate Father. Jesus told the story of a young man who ruined his reputation, his family’s character, and his life in prodigal living but when he came to himself, repented, and returned to his father; he was forgiven. The power of a humble heart is the cleansing of pride and arrogance to receive from the throne of God mercy, grace, love, and above all things: forgiveness. It may not change the consequences of sin. Manasseh’s son Amon would be king after his father’s death but would be murdered two years later by his servants. Lessons learned from his father molded the life of Amon. Manasseh leaves a stark example of great evil and great mercy. As wicked a man as the king was he learned that God was the God of forgiveness. A contrite and humble heart changed the life of the king. Jesus’ blood will take away your sin – all of them!

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:10-12)

I AM The Light

Before the creation of the world, the earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. There were no stars, sun, or moon and the frameless ball of the earth was an empty void without light. No creatures could live in such a world. There was nothing good in the expanse of darkness. A power that was greater than darkness came and spoke four words changing the formless void. From the mouth of God came a force so immense and incredible it shook the foundation of the deep. The Creator called for light and immediately the darkness divided into Day and Night. Darkness would never rule over light. The brilliance of light filled the shapeless void and remains to this day in the pattern of light and darkness.

In the city of Jerusalem in the early morning hours, Jesus came teaching the people the message of His Father. Darkness was coming as a group of men brought an unfortunate woman caught in the act of adultery before the people and demanded justice according to the law. They asked Jesus what should be done to the woman but they were only testing the Lord to find some reason to accuse Him. Jesus knew their hearts. He answered not a word but stooped down and began writing on the ground. The men continue to barrage Jesus with demands for the adjudication of the adulterous woman but He ignored them. Finally, the Lord stood up and asked which one among them was without sin and if they were willing to cast the first stone in accordance with the law. Jesus stooped down again and began writing in the dust. Convicted by their conscience, they went out one by one from the oldest to the youngest until no one was left but Jesus and the woman. Raising Himself from the ground, Jesus asked the woman where her accusers were. They had all left. The Lord tells the woman that He will not condemn her and for her to go home and change her life.

Sin is the darkness of the world. It festers in the formless hearts of men void of goodness, righteousness, and truth. The scribes and the Pharisees were agents of darkness seeking to trap the Son of God in a moment of legal wrangling so they may have cause to accuse Him. Their failure was because darkness cannot and will never overtake the light. Jesus tells the people after the woman leaves that He is the light of the world. As in creation, the earth was formless and void in darkness. Sin is the darkness of the heart that cannot sustain life. The woman had been caught in the act of adultery but where was the man who was with her and for what purpose did the religious leaders seek to have her condemned? It was the darkness of sin. Jesus turned the tables on the scribes and Pharisees who brought a woman overtaken in sin but were convicted by Jesus of the hypocrisy of their own sin.

Jesus explained He was the light of the world to bring the glory of God to people like the woman caught in adultery. The Lord did not condone what she had done and would not approve of her actions. What He shared with this poor woman was the light of God’s grace to see in her heart a soul worthy of salvation. Her accusers had greater sin than her in their hatred of Jesus and unashamed hypocrisy. They became convicted by their own sins. Jesus is the light of the world because He came to dispel the darkness of sin no matter how dark the void. A small light flickering in the darkness can be seen for long distances because the light is more powerful than darkness. Sin is a terrible void but the light of God’s grace will always (without exception) rule over sin. Jesus wants men to follow Him to have the light of God. Wherever Jesus is, there is light. Without Christ, there is only darkness.

The I AM of Jesus is found in the image of light in a world filled with the darkness of sin. Darkness cannot create light. The wisdom of man cannot save himself because the sin of darkness rules his heart. Only by the grace of God and His mercy can the light of Jesus Christ come into the formless heart filled with the void of sin and say, “Let there be light.” Following the word of Jesus to go and sin no more will bring the eternal light of God’s love in the darkened world of sinners. Then the light will fill the corners of the mind to know the joy of redemption. Jesus is the light who came from the Father to give all men what they were created to be: people of the day. When a man puts on Jesus Christ, he casts off the works of darkness and wears the armor of light. Jesus is the light. You are the light of Jesus.

They do not know nor understand; for He has shut their eyes so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand. And no one considers in his heart, nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire, yes, I have also baked bread on its coals; I have roasted meat and eaten it; and shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside; and he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” (Isaiah 44:18-20)

Worshiping A Totem Or A Cross

The indigenous people of the Americas were filled with superstition, idolatry, and pagan worship of the gods of the world. Totems were characteristic of the Pacific Northwest as monumental carvings with symbols, figures, and often animals depicting a cultural emphasis. These wood carvings often portrayed spiritual worship to the gods of their peculiar mythology. Revered for their beauty and artwork, the totems represented family heritages, stories of old and significant events in the lives of the community. The Haida people of British Columbia, Canada, are thought to have originated the custom of totems and the practice spread throughout the Pacific Northwest. What is found in the totems is the language of the idol worship prevalent throughout the history of mankind.

A man goes into the forest and cuts down a tree to fashion into the image of a god. He uses great skill to measure a block of wood and draws a pattern on it. With chisel and plane, the totem is carved into a human figure. He gives it beauty and falls and prays to his god to deliver him. It makes no sense to see how the man cuts the tree down, uses part for a fire to bake his bread and warm himself; and taking the remaining portion to create a god to guide him, teach him and protect him. Why would a man fall down and worship a block of wood? His heart is deceived into believing the god he has created is greater than himself and able to exercise great power over his life. But who created who? Isaiah declares, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

There are many totems in the lives of God’s children that deceive the heart. It does not have to be something evil to distract us. If a totem becomes planted in our mind then many things in the world will draw our hearts away from God. Covetousness is a huge totem. Pleasure and entertainment become gods of their own driving so many parts of our lives. Wealth fogs the eyes to look for happiness in coin and riches. Worship can become a totem when we design a system of faith that eases our conscience to serve God but not to become too overly concerned about the details. This is known as the social gospel and purpose-driven church that pleases the masses.

Like everything, totems have a short life span. In the Pacific Northwest, the natives would use western red cedar and other rot-resistant trunks to create their totems. However, time would diminish the totems to the point of decay and disrepair. In the beginning, the totems were beautiful with vibrant colors and incredible carvings. Over time, weathering removed the colors and destroyed the wood. The totems of life are like that. Riches fade, desire ceases, and pleasures end. Trusting in the totems of life will not bring everlasting happiness. Instead of seeking after a man-made creation to worship self, the happy heart will seek the two-thousand-year-old wooden cross of Jesus Christ. It is still as fresh and powerful as the day the blood of Jesus stained its fibers. Through that cross, eternal salvation is found that will never fade away. This cross was ordained by the Father as the means that all men could come to Him and enjoy blessings eternal. Which wood do you serve: your totem or the cross of Jesus Christ?

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)

God’s Word On Who Is Saved And Lost

Passing judgment on others is a delicate exercise in speaking where the word of God speaks and refraining from conclusions when the word of God does not speak. The matter of judging is a controversial discussion when one man suggests an eternal question about another man. Jesus forbade unrighteous judgment on others based on human wisdom but the Lord did not forbid the righteous judgment of others from the word of God. Before ascending to the Father, the Lord commissioned the eleven to go into all the world and share the gospel of salvation. That message was very simple, very plain, and very direct. When a person believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ and is baptized for the remission of their sins, they will be saved. However, there will be many who do not believe in the gospel of God refusing to have their sins washed away in the waters of baptism. These individuals will be lost. There is no hope in eternity and their souls are condemned to the lake of fire and brimstone.

It is difficult for the human brain to wrap around the idea that a righteous God can and will punish those who refuse to obey His word. There may some sense of justice of eternal damnation for evil men but not for good people who never obey the gospel. In fact, the place of torment is reserved for the wicked and vile men of earth along with many good and kind people who never obey the gospel. There is no distinction because neither man – wicked and good – have done what the Lord requires for salvation. Is it possible to make a judgment of a person who has not been baptized into Christ for the remission of their sins? According to what Jesus says there are two kinds of people: those who are baptized and those who are not. For those who are baptized into Christ salvation awaits. The man who refuses to follow the word of God will be lost regardless of how good a person he is, religious, devout, and kind to others he may be. If a man dies outside of Christ there is no hope.

The word of God has always been clear. In Eden, the instructions to Adam and Eve said that eating the forbidden fruit would bring judgment. They denied the word of God and the wrath of the Lord came upon them. Throughout the history of humanity, the will of the Lord has remained unchanged. There is a path to righteousness that leads to eternal life and when a man refuses to follow that path they will be condemned. Adultery may be acceptable in society but God has always condemned it. Homosexuality has become a societal norm but this has never changed the will of the Father. Lying is a way of life for many people but all liars will have their part in the lake of fire. Good, kind, and religious people are wonderful people who live quality lives of service to others but if they do not follow the word of God, they will hear the Lord say to them, “Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity.” Why? Because they have not done the will of God.

God’s word is the basis of determining righteousness and unrighteousness. There are many people caught up in churches that are created through the wisdom of men. The world is filled with good people who never serve the Lord God. Religions fill the earth that does not accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The list can go on but the reality is that if a man devotes himself to a man-made church that does not model itself after the New Testament, they will be lost. Being a good person cannot and will not save a soul. Eternal life is not based on goodness but godliness. Accepting all the religions of the world does not bring salvation. Jesus is the only way to the Father and without accepting that He is the Son of God, there is no hope. God’s word is the judge and when men speak the word of God they only declare the righteous judgment of the Lord.

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 13:38-14:4)

Where I AM You May Be Also

The Bible was first divided into chapters by Stephen Langton around the year 1228. Verse division would come much later. While the chapter and verse divisions are a helpful tool in studying scripture, at times there is an unhappy break in thought or conversation that can lose the impact of the text. Jesus observed the Passover feast with the twelve and supper being ended, the Lord washed the feet of His disciples. Judas will be identified as a betrayer of the Lord and leave to carry out his treason. Unknown to the remaining eleven, Jesus will be arrested that night and the next day die on the cross. The Lord speaks of His glorification and His departing but where He is going the eleven cannot come.

Puzzled by what the Lord was saying, Peter, asks Jesus where He is going. Jesus tells the impetuous fisherman that where the Lord is going, he will not be permitted to go at this time but at a later date, Peter will understand. Still confused, Peter asserts that wherever Jesus goes, he will go and no matter what happens, Peter declares he will die for the Lord. It is then Jesus tells Peter that his faith will be tested shortly and that before the dawning of a new day, the courageous Peter will deny Jesus three times. This would startle Peter and it seems the other ten are concerned with what has been said. Jesus reassures Peter and the other apostles not to be troubled but to believe in God; believe in Jesus and everything will be okay.

The apostles did not know Jesus would be dead in less than 24 hours. Jesus had repeatedly told them He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, and be killed but He would rise on the third day. The purpose of the glorification of Jesus was to die for all men so that through the resurrection of the Son of God from the dead all men would have an avenue of grace to approach the throne of God. Jesus was not going to build a mansion for each person in Heaven. It has been assumed through popular songs that every child of God has a mansion their own. This is not what Jesus is teaching Peter and the apostles. Jesus is going away so that He could prepare a way of salvation for all men to join Him to worship around the throne of the Father. The proper understanding of the text is in the dwelling place of God ample space is provided for all who will be saved to abide, dwell, and inhabit eternal life.

Jesus was going to prepare a place so that all men could come and be with Him. He tells Peter that he will not be able to go where the Lord is going at this time but through the sacrifice of Jesus, Peter and all humanity would be able to come and dwell with Jesus and the divine of eternity. The Lord wants to dwell in fellowship with His people. Through the death of Jesus Heaven is opened for the blood of Christ to cleanse all men from their sins ushering them into the presence of the Father. The ‘I AM’ of Jesus is to let all men know what is provided by His death. Jesus says, “WHERE I AM” pointing the way, the truth, and the life to all who would come. There is no other way because Jesus is the only one who died for all men. Jesus is the only truth because His death fulfilled the work of the Father. No other life will give man eternal glory but the life found in the I AM of the Son of God.

Jesus died so that you could dwell with Him. He suffered immense pain beyond the scope of human understanding allowing you to approach the throne of God. There is only one place that eternal life is found and it is where Jesus is. He left heaven so that we could enter heaven. Jesus gave His life so that we could live in Christ. The Son of God went to prepare a place for us so that we could be where He is. He stands at the door and knocks. Will you let Him in?

Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals. They pant after the dust of the earth which is on the head of the poor and pervert the way of the humble. A man and his father go in to the same girl, to defile My holy name. They lie down by every altar on clothes taken in pledge and drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god. (Amos 2:6-8)

The Answer

The Garden of Eden was a paradise where everyone on earth lived together in perfect harmony, love, and devotion to God. There was no crime, no social injustices committed, and the family was united in love. It was a perfect world – literally. The population of the world was two. God walked among the trees of the garden in fellowship with His creation. Everything was as God designed. And then the serpent whispered in the ear of the woman who took of the forbidden fruit and paradise was lost. Sin became the problem of humanity and crested in the days of Noah with the total annihilation of all life except for Noah and his family. God restored the world but the flood did not take away sin. Soon after, humanity returned to its course of carnal pleasures, hatred, prejudice, and injustice to the downtrodden. God would raise up a special nation to be His holy people but sin began to eat away at the heart of their love for Him as the sought after the gods of the world. The united kingdom of Israel would only last 120 years before the civil war divided the country north and south. God sent His prophets among His people to decry the sin that so fully invaded their lives.

Amos was a prophet with little patience for the flagrant lifestyle of the rich and famous. The obscurity of a shepherd to one of the fiery messengers of the Lord shows the dire condition of Israel as they had plunged deep into social chaos and spiritual ruin. The threat of Assyrian domination filled the minds of the world. Yet in the face of such tragedy Israel had filled its coffers with those who lived in the luxury of summer-houses, homes of ivory and hewn-stone, silken cushions, and voluptuous women to whom Amos called the “fat cows of Bashan.” The political world of Israel was corrupted by oppression violence and robbery. In the religious circles, the emphasis of calf worship and Baal worship lead the people deeper into disparity.

As a result of the political, religious, and carnal depravity of the Jewish leaders in Israel, the moral degradation of social injustice was heaped upon the poor and disenfranchised of the land. The innocent were being sold under the heavy burden of corrupt leaders who abused the poor which were protected under the Law of Moses. If a Hebrew came to a state of poverty, he was allowed under the Law could sell himself to a fellow Israelite but would not be considered a slave. The Law clearly stated he would be treated as a hired servant. Judges were being bribed and officials corrupted to oppress the poor. It was so bad that Amos suggests sarcastically the greed of the rich was to take even the dust from the heads of the poor. Another part of the law that was being abused concerned garments taken in pledge. According to the Law of Moses, these were to be returned before night so the poor man could use them for a blanket. Instead, the poor were beset with the greed and immorality of the rich. Social injustice was reigning in the kingdom of God. The message of Amos was to bring the wrath of God upon a wicked nation. Social injustice in Israel was clearly defined and known by the Lord as His prophets warned the people against such things.

Amos reminded the people their actions would not go unpunished. The message of the prophet was not only to condemn but to show how to resolve the problem. Like in the Garden of Eden, when men walk away from God, there is injustice. Humanity cannot and will not be able to answer how to deal with their fellow man until they come to terms with the word of God. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He did not come to take away sin but to give man an answer for their relationship with God and with one another. In the parabolic picture of the vertical relationship of man-to-God with the horizontal relationship of man-to-man, humanity cannot serve the needs of one another until they first resolve their relationship with God. The answer to social injustice (and every other part of sin) is Jesus Christ. Every generation that takes God out of the picture will find the darkness of injustice enclosing them. When men try to find answers to the problems of the world apart from God, they seek for something they will never find. God created man for His glory. Man must glorify God by obeying His word. These two ideals are necessary for harmony, peace, and love. Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship and they threw it all away. The only answer now is Jesus Christ.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2)

Rebelling Against Civil Authority

The Roman Empire was described by the Lord as a nation of iron in the vision of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. It was fitting to portray the fourth kingdom of the image as one of the most destructive war machines ever to rule. For more than five hundred years, the brutal force of the Roman Empire wielded control over much of the world. Its leaders were despots who ruled with ferocious zeal to suppress and oppress all who stood in their way. To this world, Jesus was born and the church was established. The letters of the early disciples shed light on the view of the first Christians concerning the Roman government. Paul’s letter to Rome came near the end of his third missionary journey as he was returning to Jerusalem with the offering from the Gentile churches. There was no hesitation of the apostle to admonish the saints living in Rome to submit to the civil authorities and policies of the Roman government.

Examining the state of affairs of the Roman authority would shock and dismay the modern American patriots who live in a world of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and many other accepted freedoms. The Holy Spirit directs Paul to remind the Christians they are obligated to keep the law of the land and respect civil authority as a sign of faithfulness to God. Everyone had the divine command to submit to all governing authorities because that rule came from God. To disobey the law of the land was to disobey the law of God. If a citizen refused to submit to the Roman government they would be punished by the wrath of God.

It is hard to imagine living under the harsh hand of the Roman government and be submissive but the Lord did not make distinctions of whether the country was a democracy, monarchy, republic, or dictatorship. If a man is a child of God he has no choice. All of this is tempered by the understanding that as long as the government does not require a man anything that would transgress the law of God, he must obey. The twelve apostles boldly declared to their persecutors they had to obey God rather than men but this did not give them a license to choose which civil law to disobey. When the church in Rome received the letter from Paul, they clearly understood their roles in submitting to civil authority.

America is a land far removed from the tyrannical rule of the Roman Empire. The song of freedom has long been the mantra of Americans seeking life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. While the empires have changed in the last two thousand years, the word of God has not. What Paul wrote to the church in Rome has as much power today as it did then; however, in a much less despotic nation. Christians living in the United States of America are bound by the laws of the land whether they agree with them or not. Unless (and only until) the law of the land countermands the word of God, the Christian has no right to rebel against civil authority. The Lord does not follow the red, white, and blue doctrine of freedom for everything. There are things the child of God should not engage in as people of character, citizens of the kingdom of Christ, and priests in the spiritual nation of Israel. Saints of God are set aside for a holy calling, not civil unrest. If anything, those professing allegiance to Jesus Christ should be models of restraint, reserve, and resolution to be examples of godliness, righteousness, and honesty. Let Christ shine in your civic duties. Allow those in the world to see the power of the church of Christ to be leaders in the civil communities of this great land. Obey the laws of the land and those in authority.

I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:23)

I Am He

Nothing is known about the church in Thyatira, Asia Minor except John’s reference in the Revelation. Among the seven letters written by the Lord to the churches, the letter to the angel of the church in Thyatira is one of the most exacting condemnations of the sin that filled the church. The Son of God begins by describing Himself with eyes like flames of fire and feet like polished bronze. Homer Hailey writes, “The Son of God’s eyes flash with indignation as they penetrate with piercing insight into the corruptness of the prophetess’ false teaching; His feet are ready to trample and burn to ashes all who yield to her seductions.” There is a great judgment coming against the church and the Lord reminds the saints that nothing is hidden from the mind of God and all things will be laid bare in judgment. All the churches will know that He is the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. There is nothing that can be hidden from the eyes of the Creator. As a result, the Lord will give to each person whatever they deserve. 

The word “minds” is also the word “reins” and literally means the kidneys. This would seem to be an odd use of the word for Jesus to use this in describing the omniscience of the Divine. Albert Barnes explains, “In the Scriptures, it is used to denote the inmost mind, the secrets of the soul; probably because the parts referred to by the word are as hidden as any other part of the frame, and would seem to be the repository of the more secret affections of the mind.” All the emotions of man, his affections, the will of man along with everything he thinks and believes are open for investigation under the microscope of God’s will. Men are limited in the knowledge of others but the Lord has full knowledge of everything. The Lord searches the mind and the heart and from this view will render judgment.

Jesus is the I AM of knowledge. As the discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart, the Lord has a clear view of every aspect of life. His message to Thyatira is to know whatever is done is known by God. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God but to no avail. God knew the hearts of men were evil in the day of Noah and destroyed the wicked. The Lord reminded Samuel the prophet and judge of Israel that when it comes to choosing a king, the Lord looks at the heart of the man; not the outward. During His ministry, Jesus knew the heart of men. As the Son of God, Jesus is the I AM to know all that transpires in the life of every human being that has ever lived, living now, and will live before He comes.

The paradox of the Day of Judgment will be that all men will be gathered together before the Lord but all men will be judged alone. Every person will stand before God and accept personal responsibility for every work including every secret thing, whether good or evil. The great I AM of knowledge will open the book of life and examine the character of each person and judge accordingly. There will no longer be a need to search the reins and hearts of men as all things will be completed, the story ended. Judgment – good or bad – will come from the knowledge of what is known from the ‘kidneys’ of man.

But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day — with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods — so they are doing to you also. Now, therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:6-9)

They Have Rejected Me

The Garden of Eden provided everything Adam and Eve needed or required. Food was abundant, the animals were in a common peace with man, there was nothing to be ashamed of and God walked in the garden in the cool of the day to commune with His creation. Moses noted at the end of the description of Eden that Adam and Eve were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. There was nothing to mar the paradise of God’s presence. The Lord created man and woman to dwell with Him and as their Maker would give them everything they would want or need. But Adam and Eve were not satisfied. Hearkening to the voice of the tempter, they threw away the protection and communion of God for a taste of the fruit.

It would seem unworthy that everything given by the abundant hand of God would be traded to taste the forbidden fruit. What did Adam and Eve gain? They felt a rush of independence for a brief moment and that was replaced with fear. The taste of the fruit was an incredible delight in that split second of time but then it bore its bitter aftermath. Now, hearing the sound of God walking in the garden, they did something they had never done before: they hid from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. They were naked and afraid before the glory of God. Their decision to reject the word of God brought consequences. Cast from the garden, Adam and Eve would find how much they needed the presence of the Lord.

When Israel came to Samuel demanding a king, it was the same cycle of what happened in the Garden of Eden. As a nation of God’s people, they were given land by the will of the Lord. The Promised Land was a land promised and delivered through the power of God. Jericho was defeated by the hand of the Lord. Canaan was conquered through the leadership of Joshua and the providential influence of God. It was a land flowing with milk and honey because God prepared the land for His people. Like in Eden, everything Israel needed was provided by the hand of the Lord. They were protected by His might, blessed with crops, flocks, and an abundance of children through the promises of God established in the Law of Moses. Israel lacked nothing. But they turned their back on their Provider and sought for a man to lead them.

Samuel was heartbroken over the desire of the people to want a king to lead them. God understood the pattern that was taking place once again as the heart of the people longed for the tempting fruit of freedom. He granted them their request and they gained their freedom but for a short time. The first king Saul quickly became a despot and was rejected by God. David and Solomon brought the nation to great glory but soon after the death of Solomon the nation fell into civil war, apostasy and idolatry. Three hundred and fifty years after the death of Solomon, the Babylonian army destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. What price did Israel pay for rejecting God for a king to walk among them? It destroyed them.

Every nation that turns away from God turns its path to destruction. It is an age-old proverb that man will never learn from history. When men seek a bite of the fruit for a moment’s reckless folly, they never find what they want. Turning away from God is the greatest mistake any man will make. The only source of protection, care, blessing, and happiness is found in the fellowship with the Lord God. Any other attempt will fail. Israel thought they would be happy with Saul as their king. History bears out how wrong they were. God has given His only begotten Son to bring every spiritual blessing to the world. The decision of which king you choose will determine your happiness here and more importantly, your happiness in eternity. NO God in this world is NO God in the next world. Living WITH God in this world will allow you to live WITH God in the next world. You decide. Who is your king?