2 kings

MIGHT & POWER VS. SPIRIT

Posted on May 2, 2022May 2, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

When Solomon built the first Hebrew temple which the Babylonians destroyed (586 BC – See 2 Kings 25:8–10), he had almost unlimited resources at his disposal since his father, King David, had fought many battles and collected huge spoils of war to be used in building God’s original temple. (See 1 Chronicles 26:20, 27-28) King Solomon was a powerful monarch with a vast kingdom, even ruling over some Gentile populated regions, but the Jews in the days of Zerubbabel and the prophet Zechariah had no such power, authority, or wealth!

In 538 BC, Zerubbabel, a leader from the tribe of Judah, was allowed to return to Jerusalem with other Jewish captives. (See Ezra 1:1-4) The Persian king appointed Zerubbabel as governor of Judah (See Haggai 1:1), and he began rebuilding the temple with the help of Jeshua, the high priest. (See Ezra 3:2-3, 8)

It took Zerubbabel two years to rebuild the Temple’s foundation. Construction was then delayed due to hostile opposition (See Ezra 4:1–5) and as a result, Persia withdrew its support. For seventeen years the temple construction remained unfinished. (See Ezra 4:21)

Nonetheless, while undoubtedly many had given up on the project, our Lord had a different / superior plan for His temple. God then spoke to the remnant of His people in Jerusalem through His prophet in Zechariah 4:6-7:

This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”

Here in this text, the word “might” is referring to military strength, what people can do together as an army … but the remnant had no soldiers. “Power” refers to the strength of a commanding individual, but Zerubbabel’s abilities were no doubt limited, nothing like that of King Solomon! The idea of not being discouraged and trusting the Lord was at the heart of the prophet’s message. Is it possible that the Spirit of God would enable them to accomplish something even in their apparent weakness?

There are three ways we can attempt to do the work of God:

1) We can trust our own strength and wisdom.
2) We can borrow the resources of the world.
3) We can depend on the power of God, the Almighty (omnipotent).

The first two approaches may usually appear to succeed, but the true work of the Lord is not accomplished in that manner! Only work done through the power of God’s Holy Spirit will glorify Him and endure the fires of His judgment. (See 1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

With limited resources, completing the temple looked to those Jews as impossible as moving a mountain! However, God told Zerubbabel that he would, by the power of God’s Spirit, level the mountain and make it a plain! In a similar manner, Jesus told His disciples that simple faith like a mustard seed (small but alive) could move mountains. (See Matthew 17:20; 21:21).

How often do we say that we are depending on God’s Holy Spirit? Revivalist Vance Havner (1901-1986), in commenting in that context on the methods of the modern-day church, stated:

But actually we are so wired up with our own devices that if the fire does not fall from heaven, we can turn on a switch and produce false fire of our own. If there is no sound of a rushing mighty wind, we have the furnace all set to blow hot air instead. God save us from a synthetic Pentecost!

God finishes His work! (See Zechariah 4:7b-10) God assured Zerubbabel that he would complete the rebuilding of the temple and the people would rejoice. The Lord gave a clear promise that Zerubbabel would complete the temple! (See Zechariah 4:9)

Shouldn’t this remind us of God’s promise and the true working of His Holy Spirit in us?

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (See Philippians 1:6)

Are you serving and living in the strength our Lord supplies through the presence of His Holy Spirit? (See I Peter 4:11)

Think about it, pray about it!

His & Yours, PF

RESURRECTION

Posted on March 29, 2022March 29, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

Being raised from the dead has three primary meanings in our Old and New Testament Scriptures.

1. Miraculous Healings In this usage, resurrection refers to individuals who have been brought back to life from death (resuscitated). Such raisings are recorded in: I Kings 17:20-24 (a widow’s son), II Kings 4:32-37 (the Shunammite’s son), and when a dead man’s body touches Elisha’s bones in II Kings 13:21. Mark 5:41-43 records Christ raising Jairus’ daughter, and in John 11:43-44 Lazarus comes alive after already being entombed. Peter is used by the Lord to raise Dorcas in Acts 9:40-41, and Paul ministers resurrection to Eutychus in Acts 20:9-12. It is important to note that in each of these biblically recorded (as witnessed by many) resurrection cases, there is no suggestion or evidence that these individuals would not again experience physical death.

2. Our Lord’s Resurrection His resurrection is undeniably linked in the New Testament with victory over all the powers of both sin and death. For Paul, and us, Christ’s resurrection (as witnessed by many) is the basis for the doctrine of resurrection.

(See I Corinthians 15:12-19)

3. Human Resurrection Many of the Greek philosophers, such as Plato, believed that an immortal soul inhabited a body, and that at death the soul left its bodily prison and soared upward to the divine spirit. In the Old Testament, we learn that “Sheol” is actually the place of the dead, a form of weakened existence. However, it was a faithful Hebrew’s firm belief that the righteous dead would yet again see God. (See Job 19:26) Upon this expectation was laid the foundation concerning the resurrection of righteous individuals to life!

The Hebrew peoples’ concepts of the resurrection were born out of her relationship to God throughout their tumultuous history. The prophet Isaiah seems to express a view that the wicked would face eternal separation from God, while the faithful will come to experience a bodily resurrection. (See Isaiah 26:14 & 19)

In addition, God’s prophet Daniel announced:

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. (See Daniel 12:2)

Our New Testament scriptures consistently teach a hope (confident expectation) in a physical resurrection unto life for every genuine believer, based upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the “firstborn from the dead.” (See I Corinthians 15:12-58; Colossians 1:18; I Thessalonians 4:14-18; I Peter 1:3-5) This concept of a physical, bodily resurrection is also expressed in terms such as a transformed body (See Philippians 3:21) and new clothing. (See II Corinthians 5:4; Revelation 6:11) The scriptures also contrast the resurrection unto life with a resurrection unto judgment. (See John 5:29; Acts 24:15) A similar contrast also lies behind the statements in Revelation 20 about the first resurrection (which is that unto life) (See verse 5), and those who are part of the resurrection unto judgment, who ultimately face the lake of fire and the second death. (See verses 12-14)

Sadly, not all who attempted to be identified with Christ’s Church proclaimed the truth of a future resurrection. In fact, some preached a spiritual awakening, or resurrection, that had already taken place. This view point was adopted by Hymenaeus and Philetus and later promoted by Gnostic heretics. Needless to say they were sternly rebuked and condemned by the Apostle Paul. (See II Timothy 2:17-19)

Do you believe in resurrection? If so, let’s gather as genuine believers for a earnest, heartfelt, jubilant celebration on Sunday, April 16! It’s victory over sin and death … a time for rejoicing in the precious gift of life, life abundant and everlasting, which has been bestowed upon us through faith in our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ! Let’s do it!

His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

— PF

INFANTICIDE

Posted on March 21, 2022 by West Oaks Fellowship

While this word does not appear in God’s Word as it currently is appearing throughout our nation, there are definitely some undeniable parallels within the biblical text.

Leviticus 18:21 warns the Hebrew people to, “not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech.” In Leviticus 20:2-5 the warning is expanded to not only the Israelites, but anyone living among them with the punishment of such an event being death by stoning. The very practice of offering a child to Molech, a satanic cult, is considered a defilement of the Lord’s sanctuary and profaning the Lord’s holy name!

King Manasseh of Judah forsook the Lord’s instructions and warnings by encouraging the sacrificial offering of babies/children to Molech (which was worse than the evils practiced in the nations God commanded Israel to destroy) according to II Kings 21:1-9. When Josiah, Manasseh’s son, became king, he made a covenant “to walk after the Lord” and live righteously in II Kings 23:3.

Ultimately, according II Kings 23:10:

He defiled Topheth (an altar location outside the walls of Jerusalem), which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire for Molech.

Nonetheless, the memory of this detestable, satanic ritual was still alive in the 6^th century B.C. (Ezekiel 16:20-22; 20:25-31; 23:36-39).

The statue/idol of Molech was a human figure with a bull’s head and outstretched arms, ready to receive the children destined for sacrifice. The image, made of metal, was heated red hot by a fire kindled within, and children were sacrificially laid on its arms. Often, the young child, while crying in anguish, would roll off the idol’s arms and land in the fiery pit below. In order to drown out the cries of the infants and young children, the Molech cult worshippers played flutes and beat drums while the mothers stood by without tears or sobs, to give the impression of the voluntary nature/character of their infanticide offering.

No matter what one may choose to call it, killing babies is defined as infanticide! Legally speaking, according to Merrian Webster Dictionary, “the killing of a newly or recently born child.” Medically speaking, “the killing of an infant.”

In English we define abortion as the expulsion of a fetus from the womb, while infanticide is described as the killing of an infant after birth. Since the 1973 Supreme Court decisions of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, the Latin term “fetus” has generally replaced words such as child, baby, and infant to describe humanity in the womb. However, many do not realize that both “fetus” and “infant” simply refer legally, to a young life. Irrefutably, biology affirms biblical truth – at conception, life begins no matter what the new child is called!

Undoubtedly, the enemy’s tactic of deception and bold-faced lies continues … attacks come through various methods and procedures, but the primary ingredient is desensitizing humans to sin. Perhaps the recent bizarre proposal of certain states and political proponents to keep the new-born baby (human being) comfortable until a decision is made on whether it will be allowed to live or be slaughtered may just wake up some previously deceived individuals! Some are even claiming that this criminal act that totally violates a doctor’s Hippocratic oath is somehow for the mother’s health – really?

How does killing the breathing infant while he/she is wiggling on a table help the mother? Does the newborn infant have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in America or not? How about under the superior authority of God?

By this practice, if allowed, mothers will sacrifice newborn sons and daughters, who are the gift and blessing of our Lord, upon the egoistic, narcissistic altar of the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy! This is not dissimilar to the worshippers of Molech who scorched their infant babies to death and destroyed God- granted/given life in a satanic, evil-inspired, pagan cult ritual. God forbid that our nation would dare to proceed down this path!

If we were to discover that “unwanted” newborns were actually being systematically slaughtered (infanticide), wouldn’t we do something … everything possible to stop such an atrocity? Are we too desensitized to what God declares in Proverbs 31:8‐9?

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
Proverbs 31:9-9

Who is least able to speak for themselves? Who among humanity is most needy? Perhaps it’s time for genuine believers to willfully and sacrificially offer rescue for unwanted, speechless, life!

Please, simply consider Truth – His & Yours, PF