The Heaton File

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11)

Heaven Is Not About Me

The description of eternal life from God’s view is very different than the carnal view most people have about heaven. Describing what it will be like to be in Heaven from the viewpoint of man sounds more like a family reunion where folk who have not seen one another for ages rekindle friendships, new babies are introduced, food flows in abundant rivers of variety surrounded by music, laughter and good times. Questions are posed whether individuals will know one another creating an atmosphere of worry or fear of being in a place not knowing those who have been companions for a lifetime. Fanciful ideas are put forth that when eternal life is gained there will be many questions for Noah and how he built the ark or David and what it was like to stand against the giant in the valley of Elah. There is a need to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and discuss the promises made by God or have Moses give an oratory on the wilderness wanderings. Perhaps the apostles of Christ can give lectures on how the New Testament church began and the struggles they faced. Of course the ever popular belief there are really streets of gold filling a city that is 1500 miles square housing mansions where the saved will dwell. The concern is raised on how the righteous can live in heaven knowing their loved ones are in eternal perdition. For many souls, eternal life is nothing more than sitting around on a cloud playing a harp eating grapes all eternal day. The descriptions of heaven and eternal life fill more pages in the fanciful mind of man that God reveals in the only authoritative message of what heaven will be like. And that is where the mind of man separates from the mind of God.

Heaven is described in the Bible but at best all the words that fill the pages of holy writ are limited to ideals that are difficult for the human mind to digest. The apostle Paul described going into a place where he heard inexpressible words which he could tell no man and was unable to elaborate on what he saw in what he called the third heaven. John’s revelation is lite on words that explain the real emphasis of what eternal life will be and yet, for the most part, gives the only details about what lies beyond the vale of death. There is one thing that is found in the Bible that is true about heaven and until man grasps the full knowledge of how God has revealed himself will always miss the real meaning of heaven. Eternal life is not about the man – eternal life is everything about God and the Lord God alone. Near the end of the revelation, John describes the great city of God that does not need the sun to shine on it because God is there. Throughout the book of the Revelation the core teaching is how great the Lord God Almighty is and that regardless if it is Satan, world powers, false religions, saints, angels or heavenly beings, one responsive chord is heard throughout the message: everyone will worship God and God alone. He is the one on the throne. His glory fills the heavens. All of the creatures great and small stand before Him and give honor to His presence. There is no power greater than His power. When the final day of reckoning comes, the devil and his angels will bow before the great Almighty and by the authority of God alone will be cast into Hell. No man will stand before God as all will bow before Him. There will be no slapping God on the back and having long discussions with Him about the world and creation. He will not be a friend that goes for long walks hand in hand with His buddies. God is God and everyone will prostrate themselves before His eternal glory.

Understanding heaven is removing the trappings of this carnal world and seeing eternal life for what it is. Heaven is heaven because God is there and that is the only reason heaven is heaven. It is easy to think that life is so good here on earth that heaven will be a lot like our life of prosperity transferred to the eternal realm. There are millions of people in the world that live in poverty oppressed by the burdens of life that see heaven more clearly than the satisfied, content and wealthy people of this land. We want to sit on the front porch of our mansions feasting at the table and talking to the patriarchs as if we own the place. Most people live so far below the spiritual bar of reality it would take a seismic catastrophe to awaken them to their senses that heaven is not about them. Heaven is about God. He is the center, the focus and the only reason that men will be allowed to enjoy eternal life. These words will mean nothing when eternity begins because when heaven happens there will be no more questions. We will understand it all by and by – in more ways than we know.

Woe to you who put far off the day of doom, who cause the seat of violence to come near; who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on your couches, eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall; who sing idly to the sound of stringed instruments, and invent for yourselves musical instruments like David; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint yourselves with the best ointments, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (Amos 6:3-6)

The Ease Of Apathy

When the brothers of Joseph decided to sell their brother into slavery, they began a series of events that would change world history. Hated by his brothers, Joseph was a favored son of his father, Jacob. The older brothers began to resent and hate their brother because of the favoritism shown him by their father and also the dreams Joseph told them of declaring his rule over them. On a day when Joseph was looking for his brothers, they took him and threw him into a pit. While they sat down to eat, young Joseph begged them to let him go but they would not heed him. Rueben, the oldest brother, had planned on taking Joseph back to his father but while he was gone the other brothers sold Joseph to some Midianite traders passing by. Later the brothers would remember how they saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with them to let him go but they would not hear. Instead, they continued to eat their meal with an uncaring heart towards their own flesh and blood. The prophet Amos would use this story to indict the people of the northern kingdom of Israel for the extravagance and heartless feelings towards their fellow man. Israel in the time of the prophet was on the brink of destruction. The reign of Jeroboam II had ushered in unprecedented prosperity to the kingdom of Israel. It had also brought in social corruption, religious apostasy and luxurious living fueling apathy towards the spiritual condition of the nation and present need of repentance. The people of Zion were at ease and those who worshiped in Samaria trusted in the pagan idols. There was little or no concern for the religious fervor of serving the one true God. Life was filled with too much luxury and debauchery. While the prophets proclaimed the coming of the day of the Lord the ears of the people heard only the music of frivolity and entertainment. No one listened to those who preached judgment. Life was filled with too much raucous enjoyment to be bothered by the boring messages of the prophets of doom. Life was good and the good life was all there was.

Prosperity had brought the northern kingdom a period of wealth and abundance. The finest of life filled the hearts of the people. They lived in fine houses, drove nice cars and dressed in the finest of clothing. If there was a gadget to be had, it was theirs for the taking. Entertainment filled the screens of televisions, computers, cell-phones and electronic devices in every room and automobile. Weekends were filled with the frivolity of recreation and nights measured by the parties and love feasts of carnality. Food was abundant and wasted. Wine filled the bowls in oceans of pleasures as the aroma of sensuality filled the room. Life was exciting and unrestrained. Sadly, the description of the prophet Amos was not one of the nonbelievers in Jehovah God but what the prophet wrote about were the hearts of God’s people. It would not seem strange for pagans to live in such unrestrained measures but when the chosen nation of the righteous fills their hearts with the fleshly carnality of the world with little or no concern for the downtrodden, sinful person who needs the grace of God; judgment is coming. Amos was clear in his message. A plumb line was coming and the measure of God’s wrath will set aright the unmeasured rebellion of the people of Israel. The beds of ivory were taken away and there would be no lambs from the flock to enjoy as the Assyrians came down upon Israel with an unforgiving fury. There would be no music. Only the sounds of chains as the people are led away never to return. The affliction of Joseph was ignored by the people like the cries of their brother were ignored as they sat and ate.

The church of Christ is fighting against the prosperity of a country that has made the people of God a soft, unconcerned, disinterested and disassociated group who are more concerned with beds of ivory, lambs from flocks, sounds of music and wine from bowls than lost souls and unrepentant hearts. Churches are dying from the ease of apathy. The gospel is measured down so as not to offend. Judgment is frowned upon. Sin is softened or ignored. Apathy has filled the hearts with an hour of dull worship with as little time spent together so that the people can return to their hectic lives of luxury that brings them greater pleasure than the rewards of heaven. It is difficult for many in America to think heaven can be better than what they have now. Who would want to leave this world for something that could not be possibly better than the pursuit of happiness here? We have it all now so why worry about the lost, the needy, the disenfranchised, the lowly and the humble? Eat, drink and be merry and get through with church quickly so we can rush out during the invitation song to what we really enjoy. There is no time to assemble again or fellowship with brethren when schedules are filled with ball games, boat trips, golf games, travel and the joy of sitting in front of a glowing electronic box that excites and appeals and amazes our senses with so much entertainment. And there is no grief for the affliction of those who are crying out to be saved. Therefore thus will I do to you, O church; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O church! For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, who treads the high places of the earth — the Lord God of hosts is His name.

When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. (Luke 8:51-56)

He Told Them To Tell No One

A grieving father came frantically to Jesus seeking an impossible task that he knew could only be made possible by the greater healer of Israel, Jesus of Nazareth. Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue and his twelve-year-old daughter lay dying at home. Hope rested in Jesus coming in time to heal her and sparing the family the loss of their precious daughter. The Lord agreed to come to the home of Jairus but on the way was interrupted by a woman whose faith exceeded that of Jairus as she believed by touching the garment of Jesus she would be healed of a disease that racked her body for twelve long years. While the discussion was being made with the woman Jairus must have been frantic in trying to get Jesus to come to the house before it was too late. As the event of the woman subsided, someone from the home of Jairus came with the terrible news that his daughter had died. They told him not to trouble the Lord for there was nothing more to do. Jesus exhorted the grief-stricken father to not be afraid and believe because his daughter would be made well. How conflicted Jairus must have felt at this time. His daughter had been dying and coming to Jesus he had hoped to find her relief before she died. Now his daughter was dead. Did Jesus have that much power to raise the dead? The Lord assured him to have faith and his daughter would be made well. Jesus comes to the house and many of the crowd ridiculed Him for thinking there was more to do. From their viewpoint, death was final and any work of healing was passed. They knew the girl was dead. Nothing remained but to mourn and prepare for a funeral. Jesus had other ideas. He put everyone out of the room except Peter, James, John and the parents. This would give Him more quiet time to commune with the little girl. It would also make for a better circumstance for the young lady to awaken with the hysteria of the crowd. Anxiously the parents waited to see what Jesus would do. There was no great ceremony, exuberant expression of theatrics or showmanship on the part of the Lord. He took the girl by the hand and said, “Little girl, arise.” And she did. As if in a quiet sleep the girl rose up and looked into the eyes of her adoring parents. Jesus told the parents to get their daughter something to eat. The disciples Peter, James, and John looked in wonderment at what they had witnessed with their own eyes as they saw life have victory over death.

Luke writes the parents were amazed and astonished at what they had witnessed. Embracing their daughter they held her tightly about them rejoicing in the knowledge that Jesus had brought their daughter back from the dead. And then in one of the more remarkable statements of Jesus, the great Physician instructs the parents to tell on one what had happened. For Jairus and his wife, this was the most extraordinary event of their life. Their precious twelve-year-old daughter had suffered a great deal in sickness that eventually took her life. While her father was away seeking the help of Jesus, her mother had stayed at her bedside and watched as her precious bundle of life slipped the bonds of life. How much the heart of the mother must have burst in that final moment when her daughter died? It took a little time for her husband and Jesus to arrive to see the stained filled eyes of a mother’s grief fill the room. Lying on the bed was the lifeless form of their daughter. And now she is alive and fully recovered without fever or sickness. Few have experienced the joy of a loved one who dies to see them again in full life. Mr. and Mrs. Jairus had a story that would seldom be matched by any other. And then Jesus commands they tell no one what had happened. Matthew records that after Jesus departed the parents spread the news about Him in all that country. Why did Jesus exhort the parents to not tell anyone? How could they not tell the wondrous news of their daughter who was dead is alive again? Many were gathered on that day and knew the girl was dead. When did they saw her alive what were they to do? Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”

The Holy Spirit never tells us why Jesus told many of those He healed not to tell anyone. Some miracles were a little hard to hide. When Jesus healed a blind man, He instructed him to tell no one yet that would be a little hard to hide. In the case of the daughter of Jairus, it was impossible for others not to know what had happened. Likewise, it would seem impossible the joy of the parents would not be heralded throughout the country at this their daughter who was dead is alive again. Jesus had incredible self-control over the power He wielded among the affairs of men and the power of healing. There was nothing Jesus could not do. He walked on water, raised the dead, healed every disease known to man and had power over the demon world. When He fed 5,000 men (not counting the women and children) He exhibited a power to feed the masses with a great supply that any king would die for in his country. The basic needs of men were met in the miracles of Jesus. By the power of the Holy Spirit men could be freed from the curse of the garden. The pain and sorrow of life were removed, the stain of death was washed away by His power and Jesus could reign as King over the earth in fulfillment of the words of Satan who said to Jesus, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” The Son of God could be king on earth to feed the hungry, heal the sick and raise the dead. Consider what the world would be if Jesus were here today to accomplish all these miracles. The answer is simple: a dark and decaying world filled with the wrath of God on a world unrepentant and unremorseful. Jesus did not come to take away the sorrow of the body but the tragedy of sin. He knew Jairus could not contain himself and He expected the mother to tell everyone how the daughter that died in her arms was alive again. They did not say anything until after Jesus left. The Lord was here for a greater mission and He did not want the distractions of His power to raise the dead to hinder His purpose. What He did in raising the daughter of Jairus was for the glory of His Father so that all men could see and know Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God. A day was coming when the man from Nazareth would be crucified and it was then, like Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness, that all men would be drawn to the Son of God. When Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead He told her parents to say nothing. This would not be the case when Jesus was raised from the dead. Now He wants all of His disciples to tell everyone of the greatest miracle of all – the risen Savior. That is the message that takes away sorrow, death and the sting of sin.

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Matthew 23:1-4)

Religious Hypocrisy

The nation of Israel was much changed from the royal days of David and Solomon when Jesus began His ministry. For nearly six hundred years, the people of God had been subjected to the rule of the Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks and in the days of Jesus, the Roman Empire. The organizational structure of the Jewish community had created sects called the Pharisees, Sadducee’s, Nazarene’s and the Herodians. Worship was found in synagogues following the Babylonian exile. Many of the conflicts Jesus had with His detractors were from His own people and especially the scribes and Pharisees. As a ruling class among the Jews, the Pharisees wielded the greatest influence. Driven by envy and arrogance, the Pharisees sought to trap Jesus in His teaching and constantly harassed Him wherever He went. Near the end of His life, the Lord put forth a clear statement on the nature of the Pharisees as much a warning to the disciples as it was to let the Jewish elite know He clearly saw the corruption of their hearts. The scribes and Pharisees acted as if they spoke for Moses when they declared the law to the people. A scribe was a man who studied, examined and interpreted the Law of Moses. Originally this was the work of the priests but in time became a profession on its own creating a class of scholars that would studiously examine and declare the legal renderings of the Law. They would have a great deal of influence over the people. The sect of the Pharisees closely aligned themselves with the scribes as those who explained the law to the people devoting themselves diligently to the law. Jesus would have none of this. It was hypocrisy for the leaders to interpret the law to their own advantage binding heavy burdens on the people yet not finding a reason to impose the law upon themselves.

Jesus astonished the people when He challenged the authority of the scribes and Pharisees. He admonished the multitudes to follow the Law of Moses but to reject the examples of the religious leaders as they failed to follow the law in their own life. It was easy for the scribes and Pharisees to demand the people be holy and not bind those same burdens of their lives because they were the teachers of the law. Keeping the law was needful for the people but they had to be aware the Jewish leaders were accountable to keep the law also. Hypocrisy is when a man tells another to be holy and does not follow the same path of holiness. They make the pretense of being students of the law but fail to see the application in their lives as necessary. Jesus tells the multitudes to do what the law says but do not follow the example of the scribes and Pharisees. Sadly, the religious leaders made the law difficult on the people by the manner of binding the laws that would make it hard for the common man to be justified yet finding no need to obey the same law.

Salvation is offered to all men because all men are in need of salvation. God makes no distinction between men. Whether rich or poor, young and old, free or slave, and male and female, Jesus died for all men for the same reason and the same purpose. The law applies to the scribe and Pharisee as much as it does to the common Jew who might be a carpenter, fishermen or tax collector. When Jesus built His church He invited all men to come to the judgment seat of the Father to receive His grace without distinction of color, gender, nationality or social status. When a man teaches another to obey the word of God, that same man must obey the word of God. Hypocrisy is found in the hearts of those who demand others live a stricter life of law-keeping than themselves. Modern-day mega preachers find themselves preaching one thing and living another. It is easy for a person to judge another because of their station of life and condemn them for the unfortunate circumstances they are in yet having no compassion to save their souls and help. Jesus condemns hypocrisy. No one has a greater need or lesser need for salvation. All men are created in the image of God and all men fall short of the glory of God and all men must obey the will of the Father. The man who is a devoted scholar of the Bible is just as much in need of forgiveness as the prostitute, drug user, murderer and reprobate of the world. Jesus brought a message of salvation for every soul without distinction or separation. For God so loved the world and He did not leave anyone out. You and I both are in need of Christ.

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Leadership In The Church

The church was in the mind of God before time began. Established in the eternal ages as the embodiment of His grace, the church of Christ represents the body of saved individuals who have subjected themselves to the will of the Son. Jesus is King of the kingdom, Savior of the redeemed, spiritual groom of the church, head of the body and Lord of all those who subject themselves to His rule. When the Father ordained the organization of the church, He placed men in the position of authority to rule according to His will and His word. Jesus would die, raise from the dead but would ascend to rule at the right hand of the Father leaving the work of the church to those entrusted with guiding the spiritual flock of God. First, the twelve apostles established the church. As the church began to grow, elders were ordained in every church. The apostle Paul traveled extensively establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire and ordaining elders. The apostle exhorted Timothy and Titus in their respective letters to be mindful of the work of ordaining qualified men to serve as elders or bishops of the church. Peter was not only an apostle but served as an elder himself. We know from the gospels Peter was married and he writes in his first epistle that he also served as an elder showing he had children. In his letter, Peter exhorts other elders to serve with dignity and spiritual oversight. Leadership was required of those who took on the mantle of shepherding the flock of God. Like a man guarding a flock of sheep, the elder was a man who provided, protected and provisioned the church with all their spiritual needs. An elder was an overseer or bishop of the flock with no distinction being made between the two terms. Like a man who looks over the sheep entrusted to him, an elder is a man who carries out the work of looking after the souls of each one of his members.

Overseeing a local congregation of God’s people can be an exhausting task. Men who desire the office of the bishop must do so with a willing and happy heart without constraints of the will of men. Serving as an elder should never be compulsory and demanding if a man has no desire. Not everyone is suited for the role of overseer and the man who desire the office must have a spirit of love to do the work. The hours are long and tedious, challenging in many ways and often without acknowledgment. Key to the work of elders is the pleasing answer from the Lord for a work well done. There is a clear pattern for elders to serve in a full-time capacity was wards of the church. It was not unusual for a man to serve as an elder and to be supported by the church. There is an immense amount of work to be done requiring many long hours. It is not as common today for a man to leave his secular job and serve as an elder with support from the local congregation. Peter warns his fellow elders to serve not as a job to gain money but an eager spirit of serving the Lord in the role of leadership.

One of the most important roles of church leadership was the heart of a man who leads the flock of God in a humble and quiet manner. The apostle warns against the spirit of domination where a man demands the members follow his word in a dictatorial manner of lording over the brethren. God does not approve of men who force their will upon the members. The church has been entrusted to the elders to tend, feed, protect and nurture without the constraints being a spiritual bully forcing their wills upon the people. Leaders lead by showing the path of righteousness in their lives so that others will follow. If a man leads and no one follows he is only going for a walk. The art of leadership is showing men how to walk and walking that way themselves. Elders serve best when they model their lives after the example of Jesus Christ so that others may imitate them as they imitate Christ. The family of an elder should be a pattern of godliness from the wife and children to the elder himself. Finally, the elder should realize that he serves only at the pleasure of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Everyone will receive a reward according to the abilities and responsibilities of life. Teachers will receive a heavier judgment because they teach the word of God with greater accountability. A man who serves as an elder will be held to a higher standard as he watches out for the souls of those entrusted to him. When Jesus, the Chief Shepherd appears, then will the elder receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. God will say, “Well done,” and what a special greeting that will be for one of His shepherds to come home to glory. Thanks to all those men who serve with nobility and graciously as spiritual leaders of God’s church.

For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” (Genesis 18:19)

The Epitaph Of A Great Father

William S. Morris has well said, “The Christian renewal will take place only if the father, the head of the Christian home, regains effective spiritual leadership. (“The Father, The Head of the Home, 1953) The feminist movement of the 1960s has wreaked havoc on the stability of the home as fatherhood has been demeaned, decried and declared ancient history from an oppressive society. Television has portrayed the male role in the home as one short of a mutated brain dead caveman out of touch with the world where the woman dominates everything and the children rule the mother. The home has become a place of dysfunction, disarray, and despair. This is not a new phenomenon as Socrates said more than 2,000 years ago: “Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, they gobble their food, and they terrorize their teachers.” As in every generation when the leadership is destroyed the home will crumble and society will suffer. What is needed is for the creative order of God’s design to be instilled in the hearts of men who are willing to take up the standard of fatherhood and lead the family in the manner prescribed by the word of God. Abraham was a man who understood the need of being a leader in the home and the heavenly Father recognized the character of this godly man. No greater praise can a man receive than to be acknowledged by God that he is known as a godly father. All the accolades in the world can never measure what the Lord thinks of a man and his leadership in the home. When the father molds his character after the word of God, he will command his children and his household after him. He must lead first so the family can follow. Leadership without guidance and instruction is nothing more than going for a walk. Like a shepherd leading his flock, a man must possess the character of leadership that instills in the family a desire to follow. He seeks a higher plane of virtue, a greater sphere of things that are right and a spiritual character that possess godliness as the core system of belief in the home. Abraham exhorted his family to keep the way of the Lord and believe as he did in the promises of God. When the Lord came to Abram at the age of seventy-five, he was told a marvelous thing when he was promised a son. It would be twenty-five years before the promise came true but Abram did not waver in unbelief. Paul would describe how that Abraham did not consider the deadness of Sarah’s womb as a thing to be considered or the advanced age of his own body. As the father of a great family, Abraham had a deep and abiding faith in God and His word.

The epitaph of Abraham was his willingness to keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice. Everything about his life was a readiness to follow the word of God. He left his family and kindred land at the word of God. Later when his son of promise was a young man he did not hesitate when the Lord instructed him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. There was no hesitation on the belief of Abraham. He wanted to do those things that were right and just according to the law of God. His faith was manifested by his works. What moved this man to be a great father was his family could see his faith in his life. His system of belief was not an inner feeling alone but where he went, how he dealt with others, his faith in the promises of God all manifested themselves in the actions of his life. He went from place to place dwelling in tents because God had called him to another land. The promise of a son was believed on and longed for and Abraham accepted the impossible as possible by the God of truth. Abraham believed in things right and just and taught his family the word of God. One of the great lessons from Abraham was how much he believed in the promises of God. He looked for a city that was yet unseen but through the eyes of God, this man of faith could clearly see the promises fulfilled. Abraham was a man of faith and his life exhibited his faith. As a father, he became the leader of the greatest nation the world has ever known although he never saw the fulfillment. He was promised a son and he saw that. The land he was promised was never his and the promised nation would come many generations after his death but as the leader of his home, he taught his family to love and trust God. That is all that mattered and that is how he is remembered.

An epitaph is an inscription that briefly states the life of an individual. The epitaph of Abraham is simply stated as a man who commanded his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, and he accepted the will of the Father in every part of his life as true. There can be no greater message left in the shadows of a life lived in the sunshine of God’s word than a man who leads his home as Abraham led his family. The church will never be as strong as it should be if the men who are charged in the role of fatherhood abandon their obligations to lead as godly men. When spiritual leadership returns to the home, the church will grow. Let the life of Abraham and what God said about his life inspire the fathers of Christian homes to take up the reins of leadership and bring their families to the throne of God.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

No Longer The Word Of The Prophets

In the early days of the world, God spoke directly to men. Adam and Eve had close communion with God as He walked in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden. Noah received commands from God to build an ark and Abram was promised wonderful things by the word of the Lord. Prophets became an integral part of how God revealed Himself. Through the guidance of the Holy, Spirit men were moved to speak the oracles of God to instruct the people of God concerning His will. Many prophets remain unknown in scripture as they worked among the early fathers while others rose to prominence like Abraham, Moses, Gad, Nathan, Ahijah, Elijah and Elisha and all the great prophets of the Old Testament writings. During His ministry, Jesus often referred to the prophets and how they spoke of Him fulfilling prophecy. The work of the prophets served a vital role in the completed revelation of God’s will to men but their work was limited in time until the coming of the final mouthpiece of God – Jesus Christ. All authority was given to Jesus as the spokesman of the Father. His words would bring the final conclusion of hope in eternal life. Throughout the centuries the prophets served to bring the hearts of the people to the Lord and while many of them were killed for what they taught, none would die in the manner of the Son of God. The word of truth, the way of life and the hope of eternal life would come through the words of Jesus Christ who is the only spokesman for God. Jesus became the sacrifice that would draw all men to the Father. His word would solidify the words of the prophets as they spoke of Him and told of His life, death, and resurrection. Everything written by the prophets pointed to the image of Jesus Christ and the authority of His word. God spoke for many generations through the avenue of men but in these last day, His word comes from His Son alone.

Understanding the nature of authority is when a person recognizes who has the right to speak for another. Peter made that mistake when on the mountain Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John and the disciple thought it would be a great idea to build a tabernacle for Moses and Elijah who were speaking to Jesus and to build one for the Lord. Moses and Elijah disappeared and a voice came out of Heaven declaring that men should listen to Jesus. Peter had made the mistake of assuming the greatness of Moses and Elijah qualified them as spokesmen of God. They served a purpose in the scheme of man’s redemption but now all men must listen to Jesus and to Him alone. Jesus has been appointed heir of all things, not Moses, Elijah or one of the prophets. The word of the Lord can only be established through the word of Christ. One reason Jesus has all authority is because He created the world and has final authority as the Creator. The Maker of the world came in the form of His creation, suffered and died at the hands of His creation and by the power of God rose from the dead never to die. No prophet has that authority. There are no men today who can embrace that authority and speak for the Father. God spoke through the prophets in various ways like dreams, visions, or speaking to them through His angels or sometimes directly with His voice (as when Jesus was baptized by John). In every case, the prophets spoke as commanded by the Lord. Now in the last days, God has spoken to all men by His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Hebrew writer refers to the prophets of the past and while they served a purpose, the Father declares that Jesus is His spokesman for all time. Today those who seek to find God’s word apart from the will of the Father go beyond the authority of God. Jesus still has all authority and no man has a right to speak for the Father apart from the word of Jesus Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is represented as “God on earth” and the spokesman for Christ which is contrary to the teachings of the Bible. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints declares the president of the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. He is the only one who can receive revelations to guide the Mormons. The Hebrew writer disputes this claim. Many faiths have “prophets” among them that seek to speak for God. If any man speaks a word that is not found in the Bible then he is a false prophet. The Bible is the final word of God and no man can speak a word outside the bounds of holy scrip without incurring the wrath of God for speaking where He has not authorized. If a man speaks what is found in the word of God he is not a prophet but a follower of truth. There is no need for prophets today because God has spoken to all men through His Son and the will of the Father is written down so that men can read and understand the truth of God’s will. Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life and no man can usurp the authority of His divine right as spokesman and Creator. Let God be true and every man a liar. Jesus speaks for the Father.

And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. (Matthew 27:31)

His Walk To Golgotha

In a recent blog about his trip to Jerusalem, Ken Weliever commented on the “fascinating mixture of sights, sounds, and even smells” as they walked around the ancient city. It is incredible to see the places Jesus literally walked as He lived among men so many years ago. The pool of Bethesda is still where it was two-thousand years ago when Jesus healed a man with an infirmity of 38 years. The most significant walk for Ken was when they made their way to the “Via Dolorosa, which is Latin for the way of suffering or the sorrowful way. It is the path tradition says that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.” There is no certainty Jesus walked this path but the possibility exists. I could not help but think of the moments after the scourging and mockery by the soldiers of Herod as they lead the Son of God away to be crucified, what Jesus saw along the way, what He heard from the clatter of the city and what smells wafted among his senses as death began to encroach upon His spirit. His walk to Golgotha was filled with all of the sights, sounds, and aromas of a world He had created with His own hand. He knew what remained at the end of His journey. His many journeys to Jerusalem Golgotha would not have been an unknown place for Him. To see a man crucified was not uncommon. Was there a time in the life of Jesus as He walked among the city of David a man was being led away to die by crucifixion and He reflected on the day He would make that walk? Scripture does not tell but the realities of the stench of death would have filled the minds of all who walked among the crowded streets of Jerusalem as men were put to death by the hand of the Romans.

Luke tells us that as Jesus was taken to Golgotha a great multitude of the people followed Him and women who also mourned and lamented Him. Two criminals were taken with Jesus along the path to the cross. Hearing the lamentations of the women, the Son of God exhorted the daughters of Jerusalem to be warned of coming judgment by the same hands that had taken Him away. There was a great and dreadful day coming and Jesus could hear the sounds of those who mourned for Him but He knew a greater dread still was to come. As He walked to the cross, what did the Son of God see? There were many people who looked at Him with derision and eyes of contempt. Some were filled with hatred while others simply looked with disinterest. God’s Son walked among the crowded shops and markets of Jerusalem to be nailed to a cross and He could have called twelve legions of angels to deliver Him but what He saw in the faces of the people was a need for spiritual light. Jesus would walk to Golgotha to become that light bringing hope in the hearts of the hopeless He saw on the way to the cross. The eyes of Jesus were filled with a world He had created and now was going to kill Him.

As Jesus passed the markets did He smell the varied dishes prepared for sale and hear the cry of those who sold their wares? What did the city smell like when Jesus walked through? The senses of the human body are incredible memory capacitors that embed themselves in the mind. The world was filled with the sense of smell and Jesus drunk deeply as He walked toward Golgotha. He saw the desperate hearts of the people, heard the cries of grief and sorrow and yes laughter and derision from His detractors and inhaled deeply of the beautiful world He had created. His walk to the cross was an experience of all of the senses of the body. Wracked with unyielding pain, weakness, blood loss, and weariness, the Son of God trudged toward the hill of Calvary. The world filled itself with all the sights, sounds and aromas of the city of Jerusalem unaware that in a short time the greatest sacrifice of love would be offered by a man crucified between two thieves. On the cross, Jesus saw the faces of those gathered around including His dearest mother. He looked on the faces of the Romans as they drove the nails in His body He knew why He had come. Many who had come to watch Him die cried out with anger and contempt and Jesus saw their darkened hearts in need of grace. The smell at Golgotha must have been revolting as death was a constant reminder in this place of crucifixion but the sweet aroma of life was about to burst on the pages of man’s existence. Jesus hung on the cross and He saw a world in need of mercy, heard the sorrow of man begging for grace and smelled the victory of eternal life in His death and resurrection. What Jesus saw in His death was the face of His Father, the love of God in sending His only begotten Son and smelled the paradise of redemption as He gave up His Spirit. Let us walk the way of suffering so that we may see what Jesus saw, hear what Jesus heard and smell the grace of God in the death of Jesus.

Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:5)

Following The Pattern

Shortly after leaving Egypt, the Hebrew refugees arrived at a place where the Lord God would meet with them and create His promised nation to Abraham. The seed promise given to Abram in Haran had been fulfilled through Isaac, the son of promise. Now many generations later, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been freed from the bondage of the Egyptian masters and stood at the foot of the mountain called Sinai. It was here the Lord communed with Moses and delivered the law. The Hebrews were now to be called the nation of Israel. It would be four decades later before the final promise to Abraham is fulfilled as Joshua leads the new generation of Israel across the Jordan River into the promised land. While at Sinai, Israel was instructed in every aspect of the law and the formation of the canon that would make up their legal, cultural and religious laws. The focal point of Israel would be the creation of an ark of acacia wood and the tabernacle that would house the place where the Lord would meet with the people in the Holy of Holies. Moses was given specific instructions regarding the formation of the articles of the tabernacle and the fashioning of the tent of meeting. This would be the center of worship for nearly five hundred years as the nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness and then settled in the land of Canaan. When Solomon became king of Israel, the temple in Jerusalem would become the place of worship for God’s people.

Moses was given instructions on how to construct the tabernacle. He was told what articles to include in the tabernacle like the ark of the covenant, lampstand, table of showbread, altar of incense, and the brazen altar. The tabernacle itself would be called the tent of meeting constructed under the leadership of two men, Bezaleel and Aholiab. It would be 15 feet wide and 45 feet long with the only entrance on the east side. Darrell Hymel describes in his book, ‘A topical study of the Law of Moses’ the “tent consisted of a wooden framework made of 46 identical planks 15 feet long and 2 feet wide. Six of the planks were on the west side with two additional planks which were 9 inches wide. Both the north and south had 20 planks each. All were made with Acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. Over this framework were four separate coverings that made up the roof. The first covering was made of fine-twined linen of blue, scarlet and purple with intricately portrayed cherubim. The second was of pure white goat’s hair. The third was of rams’ skin died red. The tops most covering was either badger skin (NKJV) or porpoise skin (NASV) or sea cows (NIV).” There is one thing certain in the instructions of building the tabernacle: God had a pattern and expected Moses to follow that pattern.

The Hebrew writer uses the story of Moses building the tabernacle as a lesson point to show the necessity of following a divine pattern. Jesus is the perfect High Priest establishing a new covenant built on better promises with greater hope than found in the failings of the Law of Moses. Central to the argument is the necessity of following the pattern of the Lord. Moses was given detailed instructions on how to build the tabernacle and the Lord demanded the people follow that pattern. Any deviation would have brought the displeasure of the Lord. There would have been severe consequences as demonstrated when Nadab and Abihu attempted to offer strange fire which He had not commanded them. The Law of Moses has been abolished. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ and His blood. Like the building of the tabernacle, the church of Christ must be formed according to the New Testament pattern. There can be no deviation from the divine pattern without incurring the displeasure of the Lord. The apostle Paul said there is only one body or one church yet the world is filled with thousands of modern-day tabernacles that are not built according to the divine pattern. If Moses were living today he would be astonished at how many different types of tabernacles there are given to men to find their own brand of worship. How many tabernacles were there? According to the law of God, there was only one. How many churches are there? According to the law of God, there is only one. If the church is not patterned after the New Testament model then the church is made by men and not the Lord. Men are divinely instructed when they are about to make the church to see that they make all things according to the pattern shown them in the book: the Bible. The church of Christ has one pattern and one pattern alone. Anything else is not according to the pattern and displeasing to God. Which church do you belong?

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

Seven Pillars Of The New Testament Church

The disciples of the first century had the advantage of learning firsthand the divine principles of the early church from the preaching of the twelve apostles and instructions of the first church shepherds, teachers, and prophets. What they would learn from the writings of men like Paul, Peter, James and many of the early disciples would form the canon of doctrine that would become the church of Jesus Christ. It was remarkable the church was able to grow so prolifically in a political climate of corruption, deceit, immorality, and despots who ruled with arrogance and ungodly motives. When Paul wrote to the preacher Titus he reminded him to teach the brethren to be set apart from the world and show the character of New Testament Christians as models of godliness. The apostle impresses upon the evangelist seven pillars of identifying marks that show the kind of person the church was made up of and how vital these traits define the nature of the church of God.

The early disciple was a citizen that subjected himself to the rulers and authorities of the Roman Empire; men like King Herod Agrippa, Felix the governor and his replacement Porcius Festus and Caesars like Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, and Titus. All of these men ruled in one form or another during the early church and Paul exhorts the brethren to be subject to them as authorities established by the will of God. The second pillar that identified the New Testament church was the members who were obedient to the rulers and authorities of the Roman Empire. Christians did not have a right to rebel against the power of the Roman government or to malign the system of authority. Only when the law of the land conflicted with the law of God did the disciple of Christ choose to obey God rather than man. The rulers of the Roman Empire were boorish, proud, arrogant, and immoral and in many cases incompetent to rule but the disciple of Christ honored the position of their authority. Instead of defaming the character of the rulers the Christian showed the world his faith by being the third pillar of character in being ready for every good work. The final traits of character of the first century follower of Christ was the refusal by the Christian to speak evil of those in authority, to live peaceably among all men as obedient servants of the Roman Empire, showing gentleness in their dealings with all men and to exhibit a character of humility so that all could see Christ living in their lives daily. Seven pillars of godly character are given by Paul for the disciple to follow as examples of Jesus living in their lives. God loved man so much to give His only begotten Son whom He poured out on all men abundantly to let them be seen as separate from the petty trappings of ungodly character found in those of the world. Christian hearts stand alone in not being those who rebel against government and rulers and those in authority.

The New Testament church can never be restored if the lives of its members refuse to reflect the seven pillars of holiness exhorted by Paul to Titus. For the child of God living in modern America, there is a need for citizens of the heavenly kingdom to subject themselves to the rulers and authorities of this earthly nation as commanded by the Father. At present, there are very few (if any) laws that conflict with the will of God. Those who despise and malign the character of the President of the United States (whether this administration or any of the previous) fail to show the godly character of the New Testament pattern given by the Holy Spirit. In the two hundred plus years of the existence of the United States of America there has never been a time that compares to the days of Caesar Nero and yet Paul and Peter both admonish the citizens of the church to be subject and obey those in authority. The First Century Christian could not speak evil of Herod or Nero and the modern day child of God cannot speak evil of our ruling body of men and women who lead this nation without inflicting the wrath of God and His displeasure. Instead of ranting against the government the person of Christ will be peaceable, gentle and show humility to all men. What sets the New Testament church apart from all others is the character of the person who makes up the church. They are people who are ready to every good work modeling their lives as obedient servants of the rulers – whomever they may be. The Lord God is not a Democrat nor is He a Republican or Libertarian or any such thing. Jesus Christ is head of the church and He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Citizens of the church owe allegiance to Christ and should behave as such.