Sat, 18 Apr 2026 20:51:33 +0200WeeblySat, 28 Mar 2026 06:58:22 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/the-cross-of-calvary

The CROSS of CALVARY
By Dr. Peter Hammond

"The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

​All too often the Cross is seen as the "national flag" of the church. The Cross was never meant to be the mere nostalgic symbol of a religious system. Neither is the Cross a signpost. The Cross was not meant to re-direct our lives, but to end them. The Cross was not an ornament, but an instrument of death!
 
Life Out of Death
The cross was used by the Romans in the same way as we have used the gallows, a gas chamber, an electric chair, or a firing squad. The Cross in the Bible is an instrument of death, yet out of it has come life. It was meant to be the sign of a curse, but it has become a symbol of God's blessing. It should have signified defeat, yet through it Christ achieved a triumphant victory. Christ has turned that instrument of destruction into the means of salvation.
 
The Centrality of the Cross
When the Apostle Paul summarised the essential basics of the Good News, he put it this way:
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3
 
The centre of the Christian Gospel is the Cross, and the salvation that God wrought on the Cross is the greatest act in all the history of mankind. It is no wonder that Paul could say:
 
"When I came to you, my brothers... I made up my mind to forget everything except Jesus Christ and especially His death on the Cross." 1 Corinthians 2:1, 2
 
The Necessity of the Cross
Although God did not have to save anyone, consequent upon the fact that He determined to do so, it was essential that it involved Atonement.
 
1. God is Holy and He cannot overlook sin. His justice must be maintained.
"God presented Him as a sacrifice of Atonement, through faith in His Blood. He did this to demonstrate His justice, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - He did it to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so as to be the One who justifies the man who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:25, 26
 
2. God's Law is immutable and His Holy Nature demands punishment of sin.
"God's curse on anyone who does not obey all of God's Laws and teachings." Deuteronomy 27:26
 
3. God had declared that the penalty for sin would be death.
"The soul who sins is the one who will die." Ezekiel 18:4
"For the wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23
 
4. Christ taught His disciples that the Atonement was necessary.
"These are the very things I told you about while I was still with you: everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the Prophets, and the Psalms had to come true... this is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later." Luke 24:44-46
 
The Major Theories of the Cross
The Ransom theory. Origen (185-254 A.D.) maintained that through our sin we were slaves of the devil (1 John 3:8), and that Christ paid His life as a ransom to the devil in order to set us free.
 
The Satisfaction theory. Anselm (1033-1109) developed the idea of Christ voluntarily discharging man's obligation to God in order to satisfy God's honour, which had been offended by our sin.
 
The Moral Influence theory. Abelard (1079-1142) argued that Christ's birth, passion and death reveal God's infinite love for mankind and awaken in us a reciprocal love and gratitude, which leads us, back to God.
 
The Example theory. Socinus (1539-1604) held the view that Christ's death provided us with an example of unselfish martyrdom, and if we followed His teachings and example then our problems would be over.
 
The Governmental theory. Grotius (1583-1645) saw the Lord's death on the Cross as the manifestation of divine justice. God's gracious pardon of offenders had to be accompanied by some exhibition of the high estimate that God sets upon His Law, and the heinous guilt of violating it.
 
The Penal Substitutionary theory. Calvin (1509-1564) presented the atonement as an act of redeeming love whereby God takes on Himself in Christ the judgement and penalty of our sin, so obtaining for us pardon for all guilt and the free gift of righteousness before God through faith in Christ as our sin-bearer.
 
All of the above views have elements of the truth, but - with the exception of the last theory - they may be considered to be inadequate in varying degrees. 
 
Christ, by His death on the Cross, did give His life as a ransom for our sins, but He did not pay it to the devil. 
 
Christ did make full satisfaction for our sins, but "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself." God was the initiator; it was because He "so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." 
 
Christ's death does reveal His infinite love for mankind and awaken in us a reciprocal love (2 Corinthians 5:14), but that is not the basis of our acceptance before a Holy God. 
 
Our Lord did provide us with a perfect example to follow by His obedience even unto His death on the Cross (Philippians 2:8; 1 Peter 2:21), but we are saved by His vicarious sacrifice, not by His example. 
 
It is also true that Christ, through His death on the Cross, overcame the world (John 16:33); disarmed the powers and authorities; making a public spectacle of them; triumphing over them by the Cross (Colossians 2:15); that Christ destroyed the work of the devil (1 John 3:8); and set us free (Hebrews 2:14, 15). Yet we were not only victims of Satan needing deliverance and liberation, we are also guilty sinners needing forgiveness.
 
The Work of the Cross
"As it is written: 'there is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one...' for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10-12, 23
 
All people are guilty sinners, abiding under the wrath of God, alienated from God and in bondage to sin and Satan. Yet, all these problems were solved by Christ in His death on the Cross.
 
By Christ's perfect obedience to the whole moral Law and to all the commandments He fulfilled the just requirements of a Holy God. In His passive obedience to God's Will, Christ submitted to the penal sanctions of the Law and willingly endured all sufferings for the sake of His people.
 
There are four New Testament words which express distinct facets of Salvation in Christ: Sacrifice, Propitiation, Reconciliation and Redemption.
 
1. Sacrifice
Throughout the Old Testament redemption is connected with the shedding of blood and with a form of substitution. 
 
When Abel killed the firstborn of his flock as a sacrifice (Genesis 4:4), he symbolised several important truths:
(a) sin must be judged;
(b) a price must be paid for sin;
(c) the innocent must die for the guilty; and
(d) without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
 
When Abraham had to kill his only son, God provided a substitute to die in place of Isaac (Genesis 22:8). This foreshadowed the time when God would show His love for us by sending His own beloved Son as a sacrifice to die in our place for our sins.
 
At the Passover God delivered His people from both the bondage of slavery and from the danger of death through the shed blood of the sacrificial lambs (Exodus 12). In this powerful picture of God's Redemption of His people, we can see a type of the Lamb of God. For "Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed" 1 Corinthians 5:7, in order to deliver us from the bondage of sin and from the sentence of death.
 
The prophet Isaiah described in detail the future sacrifice of Christ:
 
"He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities,
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed...
the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all...
For the transgression of my people He was stricken...
and the Lord makes His life a guilt offering...
My Righteous Servant will justify many, and
He will bear their iniquities." Isaiah 53:5-11
 
The New Testament era begins with John the Baptist pointing to Jesus and proclaiming:
 
"Look, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29
 
Jesus is our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:6-8); our sin offering (Romans 8:3); our atonement (Romans 3:25). When Christ, the perfect Son of God, a lamb without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:19) shed His precious blood on the Cross it was a substitutionary death. He died for us, in our place (1 Peter 3:18), the innocent for the guilty, the just in the place of the unjust.
 
He became like us - that we might become like Him.
He was rejected - that we might be accepted.
He was condemned - that we might be forgiven.
He was punished - that we might be pardoned.
He suffered - that we might be strengthened.
He was whipped - that we might be healed.
He was hated - that we might be loved.
He was crucified - that we might be justified.
He was tortured - that we might be comforted.
He died - that we might live.
He went to hell - that we might go to heaven.
He endured what we deserve - that we might enjoy what only He deserves.
 
2. Propitiation
While the "Sacrifice" aspect of Christ's work on the Cross deals with our guilt, this aspect of "Propitiation" refers to Christ's covering of our sin in order to remove the divine wrath which our sin evokes. God's wrath is that Holy revulsion of the Godhead against all sin and evil. Christ's propitiation is none other than God Himself taking upon His own holy and eternal heart the implications of His own wrath.
 
"He is the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 2:2
 
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10
 
Through His death on the Cross, Christ removed the wrath of God, which was abiding over us, by covering over our sins. By removing our guilt, Christ saved us from God's wrath.
 
3. Reconciliation
Reconciliation means the abolition of enmity between two parties who have quarrelled.
 
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:8-11
 
On the Cross, Christ's love dealt sacrificially with the implications of our sin and gave us "peace with God." Romans 5:1
 
"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things... by making peace through His blood, shed on the Cross." Colossians 1:19, 20
 
Reconciliation is God's work: "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself." 2 Corinthians 5:19. Our sin had made us enemies of God and it was necessary that Christ should make peace between us by dealing with the cause of the enmity, our sin, on the Cross.
 
4. Redemption
Redemption is the language of purchase and ransom. Because of our bondage to sin, Christ died to set us free. Christ gave His life "as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). A ransom is the price paid in order to secure a release. The sinner has been bound to the law of sin and death.
 
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." Galatians 3:13
 
Christ has redeemed us from the necessity of keeping the Law as the condition of acceptance before God.
 
"For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One Man the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:19
 
Our redemption from sin embraces several aspects:
 
JUSTIFICATION - Colossians 1:14
We were redeemed from the Penalty of our sins. This deals with our guilt. We are fully forgiven for our sins.
 
SANCTIFICATION - Titus 2:14
We are being redeemed from the Power of our sin. This deals with our natures. We are progressively delivered from our sins.
 
GLORIFICATION - Romans 8:23
We shall be redeemed from the Presence of all sin. This deals with the very presence of sin. We shall be eternally freed from sin.
 
"We wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our Great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness." Titus 2:13
 
"God our Saviour... wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth... Christ Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all men." 1 Timothy 2:4-6
 
"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2
 
"You are worthy... because You were slain and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Revelation 5:9 

]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:22:54 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/sabbatean-roots-of-the-new-world-disorder

1666 and the SABBATEAN ROOTS of the NEW WORLD DISORDER
By Dr. Peter Hammond

1666 and the SABBATEAN ROOTS of the NEW WORLD DISORDER
 
“Salvation comes through sin. Redemption is achieved through deception.”
 
The False Messiah of 1666
In 1666 Sabbatai Zevi declared himself to be the messiah. More than half of the world’s Jewish population in the 17th Century came to accept and follow him as their messiah. Sabbatai Zevi, who proclaimed salvation through sin, was condemned as a heretic by many contemporary Rabbis.

“Then, if anyone says to you, behold, here is the Christ, or there he is, do not believe him. For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”
Matthew 24:23–24

“Take heed that no one deceives you.”
Matthew 24:4

“For many will come in My Name, saying, I am the Christ and will mislead many.”
Matthew 24:5

Salvation Through Sin
Sabbatai Zevi was born on 1st August 1626, in Anatolia, present day Turkey. He was a Sephardic Jew, ordained a Rabbi in Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey). Sabbatai Zevi was active throughout the Ottoman Turkish Empire, teaching from the Talmud and the Kabbalah. Sabbatai Zevi’s message of redemption through sin was enthusiastically received by many. Fast days became days of feasting, sexual promiscuity, adultery, incest and orgies. He taught that every Law was to be broken. Religious taboos such as against eating of pork and every form of sexual immorality was not only permitted but encouraged.

Eccentric Mystic
Sabbatai Zevi (1626 – 1676) was described by his contemporaries as an exceptionally charismatic Rabbi and Kabbalist, an eccentric mystic who attained a massive following of more than a million devotees during his lifetime. The publication of the Lurianic Kabbalah made Zevi extraordinarily popular in the 17th Century amongst Jewish people throughout Europe and the Ottoman Empire.

The Kabbalah
The Lurianic Kabbalah promoted an occultic deeper meaning for Jewish mysticism drawing from ancient Babylonian occultism and numerology.

The Occultic Power of Dates and Numbers
Sabbatai Zevi emphasised the magical supernatural relationship between events and time, through letters and numbers. The numerological value of dates contributed greatly to the widely held expectations and hopes of the Jewish messiah to arrive on the 18th day (6+6+6) of the 6th month of the year 1666.

Visions and Dreams
One eyewitness, Rabbi Leib Ben Ozer, wrote that Zevi was: handsome, possessed an enchanting presence and singing voice. Many wrote that there was none like Zevi in stature and his face burned with intensity like fire. Many of his contemporaries claimed to have been converted to following Zevi when he appeared to them in dreams by the side of their beds. Many Rabbis of the time publicly testified to having seen visions in which Sabbatai Zevi appeared to them by their beds. They would awake professing belief in him as messiah!

Messianic Expectations
Professor Gersham Sholem explained that a sincere expectation has arisen in the psyche of many Jews that their messiah would come and lead them back to establishing a Jewish homeland.

Manic–Depressive Psychosis
According to some critical interpretations of his behaviour, Sabbatai showed signs of what modern scholars call manic-depressive psychosis. He publicly displayed ecstatic behaviour, often followed by bouts of depression and seclusion.

Sufi Mysticism
However, many of his modern-day followers argue that his behaviour was simply what one should expect from religious mystics such as a Sufi: meditative chanting, trances and ecstatic dancing.

The Sufi Connection
According to Professor Avraham Elqayam, a faculty member of the Jewish Philosophy Department at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, Sabbatai frequently engaged in Bektashi Sufi rituals. In fact, Sabbatai Zevi’s grave site in Albania remains a Sufi shrine to this day.
Expelled

Zevi’s socially immoral and religiously unacceptable behaviour led to him being expelled from Smyrna around 1650. For years he wandered through Greece, Thrace, Egypt and Syria.

Rabbi Nathan of Gaza
However, in 1665 his life changed forever when he met Rabbi Nathan of Gaza, in Palestine, who persuaded him that he was indeed the messiah to usher in a new age. Rabbi Nathan convinced Sabbatai Zevi that he needed to formally reveal himself in the year 1666 to fulfil messianic prophecy.

Acceptance and Rejection
Zevi soon gained further support from the Diaspora by promising Jews a return to their homeland and a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Although Zevi received strong support and was very popular amongst Jewish people, the leading Rabbis of Jerusalem rejected Sabbatai’s claims that he was the messiah. The Rabbis of Jerusalem ordered him to leave the city, or be excommunicated.

Phenomenal Growth
Sabbatai returned to Turkey where the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire allowed him free reign to build up a phenomenal following. Jews from all over the world, from England to Persia, from Germany to Morocco, from Poland to Yemen, poured into the Ottoman Empire to see, hear and meet their messiah.

“Your Head or The Turban!”
However, after Sabbatai publicly proclaimed that the next year the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt, the Sultan was galvanised into action. Fearing a revolt that would lead to this province declaring independence from the Ottoman Empire, the Sultan confronted Sabbatai Zevi with the choice of either publicly converting to Islam, or being beheaded. As the Sultan delicately put it: “Your head or the turban!” The turban was a symbol of converting to Islam.

Apostasy
It came as a shock to many of his supporters that their supposed long-awaited messiah denounced his Jewish faith on the spot and chose to wear the Islamic turban to keep his head! Zevi publicly converted to Islam and adopted a new Muslim name: Aziz Mehmed Effenti — (“Power of Mohammed”). From then on Zevi was on salary as a servant of the Sultan with the cryptic title: “Keeper of the Gate.”

Conversion to Islam
Zevi continued unabated in his messianic activities and also continued to receive the full support of the Islamic authorities and the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. While Sabbatai’s formal conversion to Islam dismayed and disillusioned many of his followers, many took it as a sign to also convert to Islam, while maintaining their Jewish identity and mystical Kabbalah Sabbatean practices.

The Dönmeh
One of these Sabbatean cults, primarily located in Anatolia (modern day Turkey) were called the Dönmeh, which translates to religious converts (a derogatory term which they themselves never used).

To Build Back Better
Sabbatean followers explained his apparent apostasy as a “descent into the grossest reality, or husks, of creation” in order to “reclaim the lost sparks of divine light” to repair the world! These Kabbalist concepts were used to justify his heretical, apostate and degenerate behaviour.

Redemption Through Deception
According to Reb Yakov Leib Hakohain, the current director of Dönmeh West, a Californian Sabbatean organisation founded in 1972: Sabbatai’s conversion to Islam was not an act of cowardice, or apostasy, that betrayed the Jewish people because his conversion was one of the mystical Ma’asin Zarim that the messiah was destined to perform based upon their reading of the Kabbalah.

False Conversions to Subvert Religions
In keeping with Isaac Luria’s prophecies in the Lurianic Kabbalah, these actions of breaking laws, being a false convert, deception and degeneracy, were essential to bring about conditions that would set the stage, initiate, or directly expedite the fulfilment of Jewish messianic prophecy. Jews were to play an active role in bringing about and bringing forth god’s kingdom on earth by infiltrating, subverting and destroying every other religion and kingdom on earth.

To Harness Evil for Good
The Kabbalah teaches a mystical synthesis between pagan teachings which preceded the Torah and gnostic elements of Judaism. The task is not to destroy evil but “to return it to its source.” To “include the left within the right, to uplift the fallen sparks.” The Chaldean, or Babylonian, mysticism and occultism provided “the most authentic version of the Kabbalah.”
To Undermine and Replace Every State and Religion

This new “philosophic paradigm provided a spiritual justification for proactive Zionism to bring about the formation of a Jewish state” which would undermine and replace all other states worldwide. The mystical Lurianic Kabbalah transformed the messiah from a popular conquering national hero to a supreme cosmic conqueror.

Build Back Better
The goal was not merely the emancipation of Jews from the yoke of the Gentiles, but of fundamental transformation of the entirety of creation affecting material and spiritual worlds alike. This was to lead to, in the words of Gersham Scholem: “A ratification of the primordial catastrophe of the breaking of the vessels (Shevirat Hakelim).” Or repairing the world. The goal was to break everything down so that it can be “built back better.”

Deliberate Degeneracy
According to Sabbatai Zevi, the acts that God’s people must take include deliberate forays into the world of sin, where “the illusory nature of evil could be more readily exposed and the sparks elevated to their source.”

Infiltration and Subversion
With the declaration of Sabbatai Zevi as the messiah in 1666, the Zionist goal of infiltrating, subverting and ultimately replacing every other religion and kingdom and transforming every government on earth into a new world order became a central focus.

The New Age
Rabbi Nathan of Gaza declared that they were entering into a new age where all religious laws prior to Sabbatai Zevi were essentially “obsolete.” Now traditional religious taboos such as eating of pork, which was forbidden by Jewish dietary law, was abolished. Former fast days were now to be feast days.

Making the Forbidden Permissible
One of the oft quoted prayers of Zevi was: “Blessed art Thou Lord our God, King of the Universe, who makes the forbidden things permissible.”

Strange Acts to Rescue Divine Sparks
Sabbatai Zevi declared that his duty was to descend through the gates of impurity into the impure realm of Kelipot and to “rescue the divine sparks” still imprisoned there. The messiah was constrained to commit strange acts (Ma’asim Zarim) which included apostasy, adultery, theft, idolatry, deception and covetousness. All of these breaking of every Law of God was “necessary” for the fulfilment of messiah’s mission.

Paradoxical Psychology
The psychology of the Sabbateans was utterly paradoxical. Essentially its guiding principle was: whoever is as he appears cannot be a true believer. In practice, this meant that true faith could not be faith which men publicly profess. On the contrary, true faith must always be concealed. For a Sabbatean it is their duty to deny their true faith outwardly, because it is a seed planted in the bed of the soul and it cannot grow unless it has first been covered over.

Through Concealment and Deception
This theme of a secret, hidden, or occultic, identity, became part of this Sabbatean religious philosophy. In essence, a true act cannot be committed publicly, to be seen by the world. Like true faith, a true act must be concealed. Because only through concealment could it negate the falsehood of what is explicit.

A Revolution of Values
So, through a revolution of values, what was formally sacred became profane and what was formally profane, became sacred. The Sabbatean Sect which flourished during the lifetime of Sabbatai Zevi and afterwards continued to indulge in wife sharing, religious sex orgies, adultery and incest.

Comparisons and Connections
It is thought by some scholars that Zevi had some deep connections with the Bektashi Sufi order of Islam. Some similarities through the Sabbatean Dönmeh and the Bektashi Sufi practices include the deliberate violation of Kashrut/Halaal, ritualistic group sex and wife-swapping, ecstatic singing, or chanting, mystical Kabbalah and belief in the hidden occultic reading of the Torah and the Koran.

The Festival of the Lamb
The Sabbateans in Salonika regularly held a celebration on the 22nd Day of the Hebrew month of Adar, known as The Festival of the Lamb. This festival included getting drunk and extinguishing the lights. In the total darkness there was religious sexual sharing of wives and daughters.

Regeneration Through Degeneration
Their teaching was that as a grain of wheat must rot in the earth, before it can sprout, so the deeds of believers must become fully rotten before they can germinate in salvation. This conveys the Sabbatean theology in a nutshell: Salvation comes through sin. Redemption is achieved through deception.

The Sabbatean Roots of Freemasonry and Marxism
According to Gershom Scholem: Sabbateanism is the matrix of every significant movement to have emerged in the 18th and 19th Century, from Hasidism, to Reformed Judaism, to Freemasonry and Marxist Revolutionary Communism.

To Establish a New World Order
Sabbatean believers teach that they are the champions of a new world order which will be established by overthrowing the values of all other religions and kingdoms. They teach the “holiness of sin.”

Jacob Frank – The False Prophet of Sabbatai Zevi
Fifty years after the death of Sabbatai Zevi, Jacob Frank was born. Jerry Rabow in his book The Untold Story of 50 Jewish Messiahs, reported that Jacob Frank believed that he was the reincarnation of Sabbatai Zevi.

What Was once Forbidden is Now Commanded
Jacob Frank continued and extended the paradoxical teachings of Sabbatai Zevi declaring that with the coming of the messianic age, Zevi had transformed sexual prohibitions of the Bible into permissions and obligations. The only way to purify the soul is through sexual immorality and orgies. Debauchery is therapy.

The Therapy of Debauchery
Jacob Frank asserted that the God of the Bible is evil and Jews need to reject every moral law and commandment. The only way to a new world order was through the total destruction of Christian civilisation. Jacob Frank insisted that child sacrifice, rape, incest and the drinking of blood were perfectly acceptable and necessary religious rituals. Salvation is through sin. Redemption is achieved through deception.

Domination Through Infiltration
Jacob Frank also convinced his followers that the only way for their special form of Judaism to survive was for them to outwardly become Christians just as the Dönmeh had descended into the world of Islam.

Purification Through Transgression
Jewish authorities in Poland excommunicated Frank and his followers and rejected his concepts of purification through transgression.

Apostacy and Debauchery
Jacob Frank then converted to both Islam and Catholicism. He held annual spring time Lamb Festivals which consisted of drug use, sacrifice, nudity and the exchanges of spouses and daughters for immoral religious sex. Frank preached that true Jewish believers were to cross every boundary, transgress every taboo and to mix the sacred with the profane. Eve Frank (1754 – 1816) his daughter, was called the holy matron of the Sabbatean movement. She served as a central figure in the sex rituals of the sect in Poland.

Influential Recruits
Jacob Frank had approximately 50,000 disciples. But, although his following was smaller than that of Sabbatai Zevi, Jacob Frank’s cult would grow to become far more influential as it recruited some of Europe’s most influential royalty, nobility and the richest bankers on earth.
Most Corrupt and Terrifying
Gershom Scholem describes Jacob Frank as: “One of the most frightening phenomena in the whole of Jewish history, a religious leader, who for whether purely selfish motives, or otherwise, was, in all his actions a truly corrupt and degenerate individual.”

Follow Their Messiah into the Abyss
Jacob Frank taught that one has to free oneself from all laws, conventions and religions, to adopt every conceivable attitude and to reject it, to follow their messiah step by step into the abyss. The annihilation of every religion was the true way.

Cast Down to The Bottom of The Abyss
In order to ascend one must first descend. No man can climb a mountain until he has first descended to its foot. Therefore, we must descend and be cast down to the bottom rung, for only then can we climb to the infinite. This is the principle of “Jacob’s Ladder”, which is “shaped like a V.” “I did not come into this world to lift you up, but rather to cast you down to the bottom of the abyss.”

Rejecting All Law and Authority

Jacob Frank taught antinomianism, the rejection of all law and Libertinism, the rejection of all authority. He demanded from his followers voluntary abasement and utter shamelessness. A Sabbatean needs to be able to commit every sin without any sense of shame, remorse, or guilt.
Nihilism and Deception to Destroy Christian Europe

Jacob Frank’s Kabbalist interpretations led to Nihilism. He taught that one conquered through deception. Frank taught that Israel’s exile was not a consequence of its sins at all, but part of a plan to bring about the destruction of all Gentiles throughout the world. To establish a Jewish state back in Palestine was not sufficient. The whole order of the world, especially Christian Europe, must be subverted and destroyed.

The Illuminati and Rothschild Connections
In his classic book, To Eliminate the Opiate, Rabbi Marvin Antelman revealed that Jacob Frank got his financing from the Rothschild financial empire based in Frankfurt and worldwide influence by his alliance with Adam Weishaupt, founder of the Illuminati.

Rothschild and Weishaupt Form the illuminati with Frank
When Jacob Frank entered Frankfurt, an alliance had already begun between Mayer Amshel Rothschild, the immensely wealthy banker of Frankfurt and Adam Weishaupt who was the son of a Jewish Kabbalist Rabbi in Bavaria. Educated by Jesuits, Weishaupt became a Roman Catholic priest and then formed an alliance with Mayer Rothschild.

The Launch of The Illuminati New Age
On 1st May 1776 Weishaupt chose the timing of the launching of the Illuminati in accordance with Sabbatean Kabbalist teachings. He chose the 1st May because May, the 5-month added to the first day equals 6. He chose 1776 because the 4 numbers of this year add up to 21 (1+7+7+6 = 21). Also, the sacred number 6 + 21 = 27, another number with occultic Kabbalist powers. They believe this because it is formed by multiplying three by nine. Weishaupt carefully chose this date because he believed that even the greatest plans would be doomed to failure if not carried out at the most numerically advantageous time.

Revolutionary Goals
Adam Weishaupt, Mayer Rothschild and Jacob Frank launched the Illuminati on 1st May 1776 in Frankfurt with the long-term political goals of:

• Abolition of all monarchies and all governments.
• Abolition of private property and inheritances.
• Abolition of nationalism.
• Abolition of the family and the institution of marriage.
• Abolition of all religion.
• Establishment of compulsory communal education for all children.

Communist Agenda
Anyone who has read Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto of 1848 will immediately recognise the Illuminati agenda clearly articulated.

Understanding the Times and The Threat
It is impossible to understand the present Cancel Culture, BLM, Gender Confusion, Lockdown Lunacy, Masquerade Madness, Covid Cult, Salvation by Vaccination, Christphobia, Hollywood Degeneracy, Indoctrination through Education, Mainstream Media, United Nations and European Union pronouncements and activities without understanding the Sabbatean roots of the New World Disorder.

The Jeffrey Epstein Connection
In many ways Jeffrey Epstein epitomises the Sabbatean religion. The weird cubic temple with Islamic type dome on Jeffrey Epstein’s Island which reportedly led down to an underground chamber has been described as a sex-dungeon and Luciferian temple. The building is painted with blue and white stripes, the same colours as the flag of the State of Israel. Jeffrey Epstein certainly seemed to epitomise the Sabbatean philosophy of unrestrained sexual debauchery and deception.

The Harvey Weinstein Hollywood Connection
So too did Hollywood producer, sexual predator and rapist Harvey Weinstein and many of his highly influential friends, which include world leaders. Understanding Sabbateanism helps one understand the times and the threat that confronts us.

“While they promise them freedom, they themselves are slaves of depravity.”
2 Peter 2:19

]]>Fri, 21 Mar 2025 07:12:08 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/bible-survey-hebrews

BIBLE SURVEY – HEBREWS
By Dr. Peter Hammond

“Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God.” 
Hebrews 12:1-2
 
Background
Origen, Eusebius and Clement of Alexandria identify Paul as the author of Hebrews. Hebrews 13:23 mentions Timothy as the author’s co-worker. Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem were still participating in Temple sacrifices and rituals and were tempted to avoid persecution by returning to Judaism. The Book of Hebrews makes it clear that there is no Salvation outside of Christ. The blood of bulls and sheep can never take away sins. This letter is a solemn warning against the Judaizers’ legalism, rituals and sacramentalism. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12.
As the Book of Romans was addressed to the capital of the secular world – Rome, so the Book of Hebrews is addressed to the capital of the religious world – Jerusalem. There are more than 80 quotes and references to the Old Testament in Hebrews.
 
The Message of Hebrews – The Supremacy of Christ
 Jesus is greater than the prophets. “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; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Heb. 1:1-3
 
Jesus is greater than the angels. “Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: You are My Son, today I have begotten You?’ and again: ‘I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son?’ But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’ And of the angels, He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.’ But to the Son He says: ‘Your Throne, O God, is forever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore, God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness… But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:4-14
 
Jesus is greater than Moses. “…Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honour than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” Hebrews 3:1-6
 
Jesus leads us into a greater rest than Joshua did. “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me and saw My works forty years. Therefore, I was angry with that generation and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart and they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest.’ Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end...” Hebrews 3:7-14
 
Jesus is a greater High Priest than Aaron. ‘“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins… He is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honour to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also, Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’ As He also says in another place: ‘You are a Priest forever according to the Order of Melchizedek’ …He became the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest according to the Order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 4:14-5:10
 
Jesus is of a greater priesthood than Levi. “…Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better…. Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the Law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the Law…. For He testifies: ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’…You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’, by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better Covenant. Also, there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.” Hebrews 7:11-28. Christ’s priesthood is superior and permanent.
 
Jesus is the Mediator of a greater Covenant. “…Now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established on better promises. For if, that first Covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: ‘Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah - not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My Covenant and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My Laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people…. In that He says, ‘A new Covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:6-13
 
Jesus serves in a greater Tabernacle than the Temple. “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord erected and not man.” Hebrews 8:1-2. The Tabernacle is appropriate for people on the march. (The Temple suggests a people who have arrived and settled down.) We are pilgrims.
 
Jesus has offered a greater Sacrifice. “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own Blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal Redemption… how much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:12-14
 
Jesus offers us a greater Salvation. “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus.” Hebrews 10:19; “Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28; “Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honourably.” Hebrews 13:18.
 
In Christ We Have:

• A superior Name. “Having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they.” Hebrews 1:4.
• A greater High Priest. “Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.” Heb. 7:7.
• A better hope. “For the Law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:19.
• A better Covenant. “By so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better Covenant.” Heb.7:22.
• A superior ministry. “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry…” Hebrews 8:6.
• A superior Covenant. “…inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better Covenant…” Heb. 8:6.
• Better promises. “…Which was established on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6.
• A better sacrifice. “…but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” Heb. 9:23.
• Better and more lasting possessions. “…knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in Heaven.” Hebrews 10:34.
• A better country. “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country… for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16.
• A better Resurrection. “Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better Resurrection.” Hebrews 11:35.
• A better plan. “God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Hebrews 11:40.

 
The Titles, Names and Attributes of Jesus in Hebrews:

• The Son – Heir of all things – Creator of the Universe. “…His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:2.
• The Radiance of God's Glory. “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person...” Hebrews 1:3.
• The exact representation of God's being; Sustainer of all things. “…upholding all things by the Word of His power…” Hebrews 1:3.
• God. “…‘Your Throne, O God, is forever and ever… You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness…’” Hebrews 1:8-9.
• Lord. “…‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of Your hands.’” Hebrews 1:10.
• Jesus. “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9.
• The Apostle and High Priest -the Pioneer, One sent by God. “…Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 3:1.
• Christ. “But Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.” Hebrews 3:6.
• Our Great High Priest – Jesus the Son of God. “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Heb. 4:14.
• Sinless. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15; “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners…” Hebrews 7:26.
• Selected by God to be High Priest forever. “…Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” Heb. 5:5.
• Learned obedience from what He suffered and was made perfect. “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:8; “…the Son who has been perfected forever.” Hebrews 7:28.
• The Source of Eternal Salvation. “And having been perfected, He became the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Hebrews 5:9.
• Jesus lives forever. “But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.” Hebrews 7:24.
• He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15; “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him…” Hebrews 7:25.
• Holy, Blameless, Pure – Set apart, Exalted. “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and has become higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:26.
• Made Perfect forever. “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:8; “… the Son who has been perfected forever.” Hebrews 7:28
• Seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Hebrews 8:1.
• Mediator of a Superior Covenant. “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6.
• The Author and Perfector of our Faith. “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and finisher of our Faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.
• Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
• The Great Shepherd of the sheep. “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant.” Hebrews 13:20.

 
Priesthood
Levitical

• They were of the tribe of Levi
• They were many
• They offered animal sacrifices
• They died
• They were sinful
• They had to atone for their own sins first
• Priests
• Of Aaron's priesthood
• Temporary
• Carnal
• Ineffective
• Many sacrifices
• All the time
• Cleaned the flesh
• Represents Israel
• Appointed on command
• Imperfect
• Old Covenant
• Weak and useless

 
Christ's

• Christ was of Judah
• He was One
• He offered Himself
• He Lives
• He is Holy
• He was Sinless
• A King and Priest
• Of the Order of Melchizedek
• Eternal
• Spiritual
• Effective forever
• One Sacrifice
• Once for All
• Cleanses the Conscience
• Represents all believers
• On Command and Oath of God
• Perfect
• New Covenant
• Strong and Perfect
• Complete

​Result: Access to God = Sins Forgiven

Judgement
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the Judgment.” Hebrews 9:27
 
The Word of God
“For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
 
Holiness
“Pursue…holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
 
Perfection

• Jesus, the Author of our Salvation, has been made perfect through suffering (2:10).
• He learned obedience through what He suffered and once made perfect, He became the source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey Him (5:8-9).
• The Law made nothing perfect (7:19).
• Jesus has been made perfect forever (7:28).
• The sacrifices made no one perfect (10:1-2).
• God makes us perfect (11:40; 12:23).
• Jesus perfects our Faith (12:2).

 
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…” Hebrews 2:3
 
Let Us

• Let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of God's Rest (4:1).
• Let us, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest (4:11).
• Let us hold fast our confession of the Faith we profess (4:14).
• Let us, therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our need (4:16).
• Let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God (6:1).
• Let us draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith (10:22).
• Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering (10:23).
• Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works (10:24).
• Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (10:25).
• Let us exhorting one another (10:25).
• Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (12:1).
• Let us look unto Jesus, the Author and finisher of our Faith (12:2).
• Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (12:28).
• Let us, go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach (13:13).
• Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God (13:15).

 
What We, as Christians, Have According to Hebrews:

• We are God's House (3:6).
• We have a Great High Priest (4:14).
• We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, firm and secure (6:19).
• We have an Eternal Redemption (9:12).
• We have complete freedom to enter the Most Holy Place by the Blood of Jesus (10:19).
• We are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (12:28)
• We have an Altar from which those who minister at the Temple have no right to eat (13:10).
• We are looking for the City that is to come (13:14).
• We have a clear conscience and desire to live honourably in every way (13:18).

 
Therefore

• Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away (2:1).
• Therefore, holy brethren, consider and fix your thoughts on Jesus (3:1).
• Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us fear lest anyone of you seem to have come short of it (4:1).
• Let us, therefore be diligent to enter that rest (4:11).
• Therefore, let us leave the elementary principles and go on to perfection and maturity (6:1).
• Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus (10:19).
• Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin, which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus, the Author and finisher of our Faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God. (12:1-2).
• Therefore, strengthen the hands, which hang down, and the feeble knees and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (12:12-14).
• Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom, which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire (12:28-29). Holiness is not an optional extra. Faith is more than belief. It is obedient action.
• Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (13:15-17).

 
Benediction
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will,
working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

]]>Fri, 21 Mar 2025 06:54:42 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/but-arent-all-religions-the-same2069687

BUT AREN’T ALL RELIGIONS THE SAME?
By Dr. Peter Hammond

What is the difference between Christianity and all other religions?
 
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6
 
Time and again we hear people say: “All religions are the same! Why do you insist that yours is the only right one?” “How can you be so narrow minded, bigoted and intolerant to believe that Jesus is the only way to God?”
 
The New Tolerance
In this decadent and immoral society the main virtue seems to be tolerance, and the worst vice is intolerance. However, what they mean by tolerance is something very different to what tolerance used to mean. Today tolerance has gone beyond what any previous generation would have understood to acceptance and approval of deception and depravity.
 
Intolerance and Hypocrisy
The New Age tolerance seems to come to a screeching halt when confronted with Biblical Christianity. Any Christian who dares to stand up for basic Biblical beliefs are accused of intolerance! It seems a bit hypocritical of those who claim that all religions are right, that they spend so much time declaring that Christianity is wrong. And they do seem to be very intolerant of Biblical doctrine.
Baha’i Syncretism
The Baha’i religion has formalised the New Age spirit into a religion which incorporates all other religions. The Baha’i claim that all religions are the same and they claim to follow Jesus Christ, along with Buddha, Lao-Tzu, Confucius, Muhammad, Zoroaster and whole hosts of other gurus, ‘prophets’ and ‘holy men’.
 
Research Religions
Yet, to those who claim that all religions are the same and all religious teachers basically teach the same principles, we need to point out to them what these religions actually do teach:
 
Contrasts and Contradictions
Islam stands for a strict monotheism. They are adamant that there is only one God. However, Hinduism is polytheistic, recognising at least 330 million gods. How can monotheism and polytheism be the same?
Buddhism is pantheistic teaching that everything is god. Confucius recognised no god. How can atheism equal pantheism equal polytheism equal monotheism?
 
Life vs Nirvana
Jesus Christ said that He came that we may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). However, Hinduism and Buddhism teach that life is a great evil. These religions teach that we should be seeking for an end to all personal life through Nirvana. As a drop of water falls back into the ocean and loses all individuality, so, through successive reincarnations and meditation, we should seek the cessation of personal consciousness. As Buddhism and Hinduism regard life as miserable (that is something of a self-fulfilling prophecy as paganism always tends to make life quite miserable) their goal is the extinguishing of life. How can Christ’s teaching about Spiritual Life, Eternal Life and Abundant Life be the same thing as Nirvana?
 
Incompatible Ethics
Then there are the issues of ethics. Most religions teach polygamy—that a man may have numerous wives. Christianity has always stood for monogamy: one man married to one woman for life. Christ condemned divorce. Muhammad allowed for easy and quick verbal divorces. These two positions are incompatible.
 
Fellowship with Demons
The Apostle Paul taught: “Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:20
 
Idolatry
The Scriptures are clear that God is not pleased with all types of religious activity. The most condemned sin throughout the Scripture is that of idolatry. Most of the religions of the world are steeped in idolatry. “Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the Glory of the Incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man.” 
Romans 1:22
 
Are You a Good Person?
Most religions teach that people are basically good. The Bible is clear that people are basically evil. (“As it is written: There is none righteousness, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. … For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” 
​Romans 3:10–23).
 
Beware of Religious Deception
Jesus warned us of false prophets (Matthew 7:15), false teachers and false shepherds (Matthew 23). “Take heed that no one deceives you.” Matthew 24:4
 
Deceiving Nations
In the book of Revelation, we are told that at the end God will send an Angel to bind Satan “So that he should deceive the nations no more …” Revelation 20:3. Plainly satan is deceiving nations today. We are involved in a colossal conflict, a world war of world views:
 
A World War of Worldviews
Atheism Vs Theism
Polytheism Vs Monotheism
Communism Vs Christianity
Sharia law Vs God’s Law
Polygamy Vs Monogamy
Slavery Vs Freedom
Abortion Vs Pro-Life
Pornography Vs Morality
Homosexuality Vs Family Values
Disease Vs Health
Lies Vs Truth
Poison Vs Purity
Death Vs Life
 
Religion Vs Relationship
Religions are man trying to reach up to God.
Christ is God reaching down to man.
Religions come from man.
Christianity comes from God.
Religions say: Try!
Christ says: Trust!

Freedom of Conscience
We, as Protestant believers believe in freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of worship. The Protestant Reformation gave birth to the very concept of religious toleration. However by tolerating the practice of other religions we are not saying that they are equally valid or true. That modern, New Age concept of tolerance is not what the word has historically meant.
 
Facing Reality
What is the difference between the Christian God and the gods of other religions?
Well, first and foremost, the God of the Bible is real. The others are not. God exists. The others are figments of the imagination and demonic deceptions.
 
Sin
However, the differences between Christianity and all other religions is more that the way we look at everything and everyone, reality and responsibility, salvation and discipleship.
It is much more than the truth about God, man, eternity and salvation. It is even more than life, both life here and now, and life in the hereafter. The chief and most critical difference between Christianity and other religions is our understanding of the Holiness of God and the seriousness of sin.
 
Atonement
What is absolutely unique about Christianity, among all the religions of the world, is its central doctrine of a once for all, never to be repeated, substitutionary atonement. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. His sacrificial death on the Cross made atonement for our sins and made possible the Redemption of His people. Other religions either have a lower view of God’s Holiness or a lower view of the seriousness of mans’ sin, or both. Only Christianity maintains the balance of God’s perfect Holiness and merciful love.
 
Justice
The crucial question is: how can a Holy God reconcile sinful and depraved people and still maintain His justice? Only someone who was sinless could be an atoning sacrifice and only God Himself, coming as a man, could be that perfect sacrifice.
 
The Life of Christ
Other religions are based on the teachings of their founders. Christianity, however, is based on its Founder’s life. At the core of the Apostles Creed is Christ: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, He died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to Judge the living and the dead.”
 
The Festivals of the Church
That is why the great festivals of the Christian Faith are: Christmas, Good Friday, Easter and Ascension Day. Christmas celebrates the Incarnation of God in human flesh, Emmanuel, God with Us, Good Friday, the atoning death of the Son of God for the sins of the world. Easter the victory of Christ over death, hell and the grave through the Resurrection. “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of death” Revelation 1:18
 
Above All Authorities
The Ascension proclaimed the Lordship of Christ over all human institutions and authorities. Christ “has gone into Heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him” 1 Peter 3:22 “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me, therefore go and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. …” Matthew 28:18–20 “For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.” 1 Corinthians 15:25 “Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has gone through the Heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the Faith we profess.” 
Hebrews 4:14
 
At the Name of Jesus
“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.” 
Philippians 2:9–11

The Uniqueness of Christ
Jesus Christ didn’t claim to know the way, He is the Way. Jesus didn’t just teach the truth, He is the Truth. He does not just have life, He is the Life.
Confucius did not die for the sins of the world. He did not even believe in sin.
Buddha did not rise from the dead.
Only Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died an atoning death and rose from the dead. Confucius, Buddha, Muhammad, and all the rest, died, are buried and have never been heard from since. However, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a unique historical fact.
 
The Lifesaver
All humanity is drowning in an ocean of sin. The religions of the world are throwing out swimming manuals and seeking to give the drowning some instructions on how to swim. However, Jesus Christ is the Lifesaver who has plunged into the ocean to rescue the perishing, at the expense of His own life.
“Nor is there Salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 
Acts 4:12

Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour?

Or will He be your eternal Judge?

The question is not will you bow to Christ, but when will you bow to Christ?

“that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
​Philippians 2:10–11

The first time He came as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The second time, when He comes again, He will not come as a Saviour, but as a Judge, as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the conqueror, the eternal Judge.

We either bow to Him today in the day of Grace when Salvation is freely available, or we will be forced to bow to Him on the Day of Judgement, when the door of grace will be firmly closed, when all hope of forgiveness is extinguished. We either bow to Christ as Saviour and Lord now, or we will bow to Him as our Judge in condemnation on the Day of Judgement.

Is Jesus your Saviour, or your Judge?
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

]]>Thu, 13 Mar 2025 08:07:41 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/bible-survey-philemon

BIBLE SURVEY – PHILEMON
By Dr. Peter Hammond

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Short and to the Point
Philemon is the shortest letter by the Apostle Paul. Some may ask what is a personal letter from Paul to an individual, a letter that does not even directly deal with any doctrine, asking a man whose slave, Onesimus, has run away with stolen items, to forgive him and to receive him back as a brother in the Lord, doing in the Bible?
 
A Prison Epistle
This letter is a Prison Epistle of Paul, sent with Tychicus to Colossae because Philemon was one of the church leaders in Colossae. So along with the letter to the Colossians, went this letter to Philemon, who hosted a church meeting in his home.
 
A Model Letter
This is a model letter. It deals with a very difficult issue, it is cautious, tactful, thoughtful, inspiring, generous, polite, persuasive and has reasoned appeal. This is an example of the power of the printed page. There is much witness and discipleship that can be communicated through a letter. This is an excellent letter and a good example. This letter is also a picture of how we are saved.
 
Paul, Philemon and Onesimus
The three people in this letter are: Paul the Apostle, a prisoner in Rome, who writes to Philemon to ask him to do something very difficult. Philemon the church leader, who Paul knows and who he had led to the Lord. Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, who also came to the Lord through Paul. Paul asks him to go back to the master he had run away from, whom he had wronged and stolen from and to face up to his responsibilities. Paul said that it was difficult for him to send Onesimus away because he had become beloved and useful.
 
From Useless to Useful
Onesimus’ name means profitable, but he was a good for nothing. He was a criminal with a bad attitude. Philemon had stolen and fled. A slave who ran away was normally flogged and crucified. If the master was generous, he could just be branded on his face “fugitive” in Latin and would have had to bear this disfiguring mark for the rest of his life.
 
Christian Discipleship in Action
The message is a message of Christian love and forgiveness, applied Christianity, The power of the Gospel to change lives, to redeem slaves, to change hearts and minds. It is a letter that deals with a runaway slave and a thief, converted and now returning to his master. Once worthless, now valuable. From useless to useful. This book of Philemon is a magna carta of liberty. It undermined the institution of slavery, not by revolution, but by regeneration and redemption.
 
Grace, Love and Faith
“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved friend and fellow labourer, to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.” Philemon 1-7
 
Regeneration and Redemption
This letter is an appeal to his friend, a man who could justly have Onesimus flogged and branded, even put to death. He also appeals to Apphia, his wife and to Archippus, his son, or a leader of the house church. Every good thing in us is from Christ. There is nothing good in ourselves, it is the grace of God alone. Sola Gracia! Philemon is a beloved Christian leader who has brought great joy to the hearts of the saints.
 
Slavery in the Bible
This letter is not damning Philemon to hell for being a slave owner. There is slavery in the Bible. The Bible forbids kidnapping. The Bible condemns slave traders to death. The Bible, however, provides for slavery as part of a criminal justice system. So one could become a slave by getting into debt and failing to repay one’s debts. Chronic debtors were enslaved for the time it took to repay their debt. Then they were set free. Family members could redeem a slave and pay their debt for them. There was a time limit. A believing Hebrew could not be enslaved for longer than 7 years. They then had to be set free. Other Biblical requirements were that the slave owner was required to provide for the slave and his family in every way: food, accommodation, medical needs, etc. He, owned their labour, he did not own their body. If a slave owner hurt a slave, the slave had to be immediately set free. Physical abuse was forbidden.

​How Did People Become Slaves
Criminals became indentured servants, as did those who failed to repay their debts. You could also become a slave by choice. Why? Some people did not want all the responsibilities in life, so some chose to become slaves to have their food and accommodation provided, while being told what to do. They did not have to make difficult decisions. Some people are slaves to sin and vice. How much better is the Biblical criminal justice system of indentured servitude to a believing family than our present prison system, which is abusive and degrading, counterproductive and expensive for taxpayers?
 
Restitution and Restorative Justice
The Biblical system of slavery is that if somebody has stolen from you, he must repay you double, up to seven times, depending on the aggravating circumstances. How long has it been before being recovered? For example, if somebody steals your cow and it is immediately found in their possession, they must give you two cows back. If he steals your cow and you only receive your cow back a year later, you have lost a year’s worth of milk production. They then need to give you up to seven cows back. The Bible provides for restitution for the time and produce you have been deprived of. If the person does not have the means, discipline, or willingness to do proper restitution, he then could become an indentured servant, or slave.
 
What Could Have Led Onesimus to be a Slave?
The Romans conquered people in war and took many of the brightest and best back to Rome as slaves. He may have been one of these captives of war. He could also have been a criminal and been made a slave in order to pay back his debt.
 
Paul and Philemon
Paul does not rebuke Philemon for owning a slave, but considers how he treated him. In the Bible, it was more about how you treat your slaves, rather than owning slaves. Were you loving, caring, treated them like members of the family, was there mutual love and respect? Now that Onesimus was converted, it changed the whole relationship.
 
An Appeal from the Heart
“Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you - being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ - I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the Gospel. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave - a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”  Philemon 8-16
 
Compassion Rather than Compulsion
Even though Philemon had the right to have Onesimus flogged, Paul is appealing to Philemon through reason, logic and grace to receive him back as a brother in the Faith. Paul is asking him to do this out of love. This is a model of how Christianity should work. There is a huge contrast between how the world operates in compulsion and how Christianity operates in voluntary compassion.
 
A Picture of our Salvation
“If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you, or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay - not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.” Philemon 17-19. Paul is not operating with a whip, he is operating with wisdom and love. This is also a picture of Salvation. We are like the slave who ran away from God. We have defrauded and stolen from Him and violated His commandments. We deserve the maximum penalty. We were of no use to God, but then Jesus paid our debts. He redeemed us from slavery. He sets us free and then transformed us from useless to useful, from unprofitable to profitable.
 
Justification and Transformation
This is a picture of Justification. Just as if I had never sinned. Our debt is settled. We are made right in our standing before God. We are not just accepted as a servant, but we are received back as a son or daughter of the King. Set free to serve Christ! Justification and Sanctification. Transformed and now made useful to the Master.
 
Knowing that You Will do Even More
“Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. But meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow labourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Philemon 20-25
 
Go the Extra Mile
Jesus said, if they ask for your shirt, give them your coat as well. Go the extra mile. Do more than required. Jesus fills our cup to overflowing. Paul is expecting to be set free and he asks Philemon to prepare a room as he will be coming to visit. He then sends greetings from fellow prisoners who also had bad pasts and then were saved by God’s grace and imprisoned for the Faith.
 
Repentance and Restitution
Onesimus did return to Philemon, willing to be a slave for life and willing to do restitution and repentance. “Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” Titus 2:9-11.
 
Mercy and Forgiveness
Philemon welcomed Onesimus back without the traditional punishment for desertion and theft and He granted him liberty. Onesimus later became a Bishop of the Church in Berea.
 
Do Not Run Away from Your Problems
The message of Philemon is that we should not run away from our problems. We need to face up to our failures. We need to resolve to fulfill our duties. We need to be willing to do hard things. Jesus came to set the captives free. He has come to pronounce Release to the captives! We are commanded to forgive as we have been forgiven. To love as we have been loved. To whom much is given, much is required. To whom much more is given, much more is required. Accept others as you have been accepted. As Christ has shown you mercy, show mercy to others.
 
Ask Yourself:
What are you running away from?
To what are you enslaved?
What hard duty are you avoiding?
Is there anyone you are indebted to?
What restitution can you do?
Is there anyone you need to intercede for?
Can you help bring about reconciliation?
Is your home an outpost for the Christian church?
Do you know about the grace of God?
Have you experienced peace with God?
Do you have peace with God right now?
Do you have great joy in Christ?
Is there a letter you need to write?
Is there a letter you need to respond to?
Is there anyone you need to forgive?
Are you effective in your work for God?
Are you refreshing the saints?

]]>Thu, 13 Mar 2025 07:58:12 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/is-the-bible-the-word-of-god

WHAT PROOF DO YOU HAVE THAT THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD?
By Dr. Peter Hammond

Some people see Christianity as some kind of intellectual suicide. A blind leap of faith.

However, Christianity is a reasonable Faith. It is based on incontrovertible, historical facts. Christianity is not a blind leap into the dark. It is an intelligent step into the light.

There is nothing virtuous about gullibility. We are not proclaiming faith in faith. It is all too possible to be sincerely wrong.

​Our faith needs to be in the facts that God has revealed in Scripture and in Creation.

Any skeptical enquirer is to be commended for wanting to examine the foundations of our faith. And the Bible forms the solid foundation for our Faith. The Bible stands as the greatest Book ever written. It is unique in its circulation. The first book to ever be printed was the Bible. The Bible has been read by more people, and printed more times, than any other book in history. No other book has been translated into so many languages.

The Forbidden Book
It is unique in its survival. No other book has been so viciously attacked throughout history as the Bible. In AD300 the Roman emperor Diocletian ordered that every Bible be sought out and burned. He was determined to destroy Christianity by destroying the Scriptures it was founded on. Anyone caught with a Bible would be executed.

War Against God
Throughout history other tyrants have waged a war against God, seeking to annihilate the Christian Church. Just in the 20th century alone well over 60 million Christians were killed by atheistic regimes. Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union closed down or destroyed over 48,000 churches and imprisoned more than fifty million Russian Christians. Mao Tse Tung’s Marxist regime in Red China also sought to annihilate the Christian Church. Enver Hoxa declared Albania the first truly atheistic country in the world after closing every church and killing every minister in the country. Every Bible was destroyed and people were imprisoned in labour camps for merely mentioning the Name of God. Samora Machel similarly attempted to turn Mozambique into the first truly atheistic country in Africa. Yet, despite the most extraordinary campaigns to destroy Bibles, the Bible has survived to continue to be the world’s Number One best-selling book of all time.

Unique
Despite the intensive campaigns over many centuries to destroy the Bible, there are still an incredible 24,000 manuscripts of the New Testament dating back to the time of the early church. By way of comparison there are only 7 manuscripts of Plato’s Tetralogies, 49 manuscripts of Aristotle’s Ode to Poetics, 8 copies of the Historian Herodotus writings. By these standards of antiquity, the Bible is in a class of its own. No other ancient writing has as many manuscripts, and certainly no other book has been so scrutinised and subjected to such critical analysis, and yet survived the most withering campaigns of criticism.

Impressive Credentials
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in cliff top caves at Qumran, in 1949, provided manuscripts dating from the 3rd Century BC to the 1st Century AD. It included a complete book of Isaiah and thousands of fragments representing almost every other Old Testament book of the Bible. Students were astounded to find that the manuscripts and translations which we have available to us today were accurate and reliable in every way. The Bible, on any level you might wish to examine it, is the most impressively credentialed work of ancient literature.

Now, you may say, that’s all very well, but how can I know that the Bible is the Word of God?

A Critical Test
The Law of God sets up a litmus test for prophecy: “When a prophet speaks in the Name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen, or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:22
Prophecy

It is a fact that, of the twenty-six books of the world, that either claim to be, or have been proclaimed to be, Scripture, the issue of specific prophecy is glaringly absent. You do not find specific prophecies concerning events, far in the future, in the writings of Buddha, Lao-Tsu, Confucius, or Muhammad. However, the Bible is absolutely unique in that, in the Old Testament alone, there are more than two thousand specific prophecies that have already been fulfilled. There has never been anything else in all of history to compare with the Bible’s prophecies.
You may say, weren’t they just lucky guesses, or vague generalities that could be interpreted in any way?

Well, you be the judge. Consider these:

Egypt
At the time when Egypt was the greatest nation in all the world, the king of nations, the richest country on earth, Ezekiel prophesied: “There shall no longer be princes from the land of Egypt” (Ezekiel 30:13).
​
It is a fact of history that, until a few decades ago when the monarchy was overthrown, Egypt was always ruled by a prince, but during the 2,500 years since this prophecy was given, the princes of Egypt were never Egyptian. Their kings and queens have been Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs and Ottoman Turks. Egypt has even been ruled by the English. But since the prophecy, given through Ezekiel no Egyptian monarch has ruled over Egypt. When Egypt was the world’s superpower, no one would have predicted that.

Babylon
Iraq has been much in the news, so let us consider the Biblical prophecies concerning Babylon. The Bible contains over 100 specific prophecies concerning Babylon’s fate.
Babylon was not only the greatest empire in ancient times, but its capital city was also the greatest city in the world. The historian Herodotus recorded that the city consisted of 196 square miles of the most beautiful architecture, hanging gardens, palaces and temples. The walls were 15 miles long and 200 feet high. The towers were 300 feet high. The walls were 187 feet thick at the base. Every authority at the time would agree that the city of Babylon was impregnable. Yet the Word of God came that: “The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken …it shall be desolate forever.” Jeremiah 51:58–62

Now, the Great Wall of China is not nearly as wide, nor as strong, as the walls of Babylon were, and although it is older it still stands today. The walls of Jerusalem still stand. But today there is no doubt that the walls of Babylon have been destroyed.

Determined to make this the capital of his worldwide empire, Alexander the Great decided that he would rebuild Babylon. Alexander issued 600,000 rations to his soldiers and ordered the rebuilding of the city of Babylon. Yet, Alexander died at the age of 32 and his enterprise of rebuilding Babylon was abandoned.

In the 4th Century AD, Julian the Apostate, who attempted to restore paganism to Rome was engaged in a war with the Persians. To prevent the Persians re-establishing the defenses of Babylon, Julian ordered the remnants of the wall of Babylon completely broken down. In this surprising way, one of Scriptures greatest antagonists of all time became the agent to fulfilling one of the clearest and most repeated prophecies in the Old Testament.
“Because of the wrath of the Lord it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate …it shall be no more inhabited forever.” Jeremiah 50:13, 39

Today the ruins of Babylon are a wilderness inhabited only by scorpions and snakes. Although the fertility of the lands around Babylon was legendary, today it is a barren desert.

Tyre
The city of Tyre was to the sea what Babylon was to the land. Tyre was the greatest port city in the ancient world. Yet, at the height of its power, God declared that this city would be destroyed, that its towers would be broken down, and that its stones and timber, and even its dust, would be laid in the midst of the water and it would become like the top of a rock, a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea (Ezekiel 26:4–14).

This very strange prophecy began to be fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon marched his army to the walls of Tyre and for 13 years besieged the city. When finally, the walls of the city crumbled before the persistence of the Babylonians they found that many of the inhabitants had moved to an island half a mile out into the Mediterranean. There they built an even more impregnable city.

For hundreds of years, one might have said that the prophecy given through Ezekiel was not completely fulfilled. Then Alexander the Great came, defeated the Persians and demanded the surrender of the port cities of the Eastern Mediterranean. Tyre alone refused to open its gates to him, so Alexander then conceived the boldest and most daring plan in siege history. He ordered a causeway built across half a mile of the Mediterranean Sea to the island of the new Tyre. All the walls of Tyre were torn down, the timber, the stones, the rubble and the logs and they were cast into the sea. They scraped the very dust of the city itself into the sea to make this highway to destroy the new island city of Tyre. In this way the prophecy in Ezekiel 26 was completely fulfilled.

Sidon
The prophecy against Sidon (Ezekiel 28:21–23) was that the inhabitants would be decimated, but the city would continue. History records that the city of Sidon was attacked, betrayed by its own king, and 40,000 of its inhabitants were killed. But the city of Sidon continues.

Samaria
The Scripture records a prophecy that Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, would be destroyed, it would be turned into a vineyard and its foundations would be uncovered (Micah 1:5–6). In fact, the walls of Samaria were cast down and today vineyards grow where once stood the capital of the northern kingdom. Archaeologists have excavated to expose the foundations of the city.

Jerusalem
There were numerous other prophecies, that Jerusalem, the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah would be destroyed, its inhabitants carried away and its wall broken down (Jeremiah 24:9; 29:21; 35:17). There were further prophecies that the city and the walls would be rebuilt, and the people would be brought back (Isaiah 4:3–6). History records that all of this indeed happened, as prophesied.

Petra
When Petra was one of the great cities of the ancient world, and Edom was a powerful nation, the Word of God came to Edom: “I am against thee, and I will stretch mine hand against you and I will make thee most desolate. I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord …I will make thee a perpetual desolation, and thy cities shall not return; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 35:3–4,9
To visit the desolate land that once was Edom, and the deserted ruins of Petra today it is hard to imagine the power and prestige that these places once had when the prophecy was given.

Incomparable
Those people who say that the Bible was just written by men are simply expressing their own ignorance on the subject.

There is nothing comparable to the Bible in all the literature of the world.

The power revealed through the Scriptures is none other than the power of God.

“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done.” Isaiah 46:9–10 

]]>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:13:23 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/bible-survey-titus

BIBLE SURVEY – TITUS
By Dr. Peter Hammond

“For the grace of God that brings Salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” 
Titus 2:11-14

Background to the Book
The Book of Titus was written by Paul from Ephesus in AD 63, after Paul was released from his first imprisonment in Rome. On his second visit to Crete, he left Titus, a Greek convert, to set in order things that need sorting out.
 
Understanding Titus
Titus came from a pagan background. He accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1). He served in Corinth and was a key messenger of Paul (2 Corinthians 7:6-7). Paul had won Titus to the Lord. He was a trophy of grace to Paul, but he was also a red flag provocation to the Judaizers. Paul appointed Titus, a Gentile, as Bishop over Jews to set in order what needed to be done to deal with false teachers and replace teachers not teaching sound doctrine. Titus was commissioned to fight against false doctrines. Titus was used as a pretext for a riot in Jerusalem because he had not been circumcised. Paul steadfastly resisted all pressure by the Judaizers to have Titus circumcised. Titus was a very capable and trustworthy co-worker. He was sent to Crete, one of the most difficult of all places, a stronghold of paganism. Crete was renowned as the birthplace of Zeus on Mount Ida. Titus was a brave, resourceful, reliable man of few words, but was capable to sort things out. Titus was martyred for Christ in the arena, in the colosseum in Durres (Albania), where the Illyricans fed him to the lions.
 
Truth and Godliness
“Paul, a bondservant of God and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His Word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Saviour to Titus, a true son in our common Faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Titus 1:1-4. God our Saviour is repeated three times and Jesus Christ our Saviour is repeated twice. The Truth of God is emphasised as the people and Greek gods of Crete are liars. Truth and Godliness go together. Our doctrine must affect our duties. Our belief affects our behaviour. Our creed affects our conduct.
 
Qualifications for Church Leaders
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you - if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.” Titus 1:5-9
 
Faith, Conduct and Integrity
We see the importance of Godly leadership in the church. It lists the righteous leadership qualifications required for an elder, bishop, or overseer. He deals with faith, conduct and integrity. Conduct in the home is where it starts and this will affect the church. As goes the family, so goes the church and the church will affect society. We need to apply the Lordship of Christ to all areas of life. We are to be salt and light, seeking to fulfil the Great Commission, teaching obedience to all things that the Lord has commanded.
 
Family is Foundational
The family is the basic building block of society. What we believe is going to affect how we behave. An Elder is to be married to one wife and bring his children up in the Lord. Martin Luther pointed out that he learned more in one year of marriage than he did in ten years in the Monastery.
 
Blameless
An Elder is to be blameless, which means he has repented and done restitution in putting things right. No one is faultless. No one is good except God alone. We are to be blameless. Not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent. (Not greedy for money seems to disqualify the name-it and claim-it prosperity cults where it seems to be all about money.) Christian leaders are to be hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded and balanced. They must be holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful Word of God.
 
Confront Corruption
Sound doctrine is essential to enable a minister of the Gospel to encourage and convict. Both our Faith and conduct work together to confront corrupt leaders, to expose false doctrine and to resist that which is against the faith. The context is overwhelming to fight against the two big enemies in Crete, the Greek Gnostics and Polytheists of pagan mythology and the Judaizers who were continually trying to drag people back into worthless circumcision, Jewish rituals and arguments about genealogy and the Sabbath.
 
Recognise, Resist and Rebuke False Teachers
“For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the Faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient and disqualified for every good work.” Titus 1:10-16. This is a description of the wicked, the fruit of false teachers and of the enemies of the church. Crete was infamous for its deception. They claimed Mount Ida as the birthplace of Zeus. They subverted whole households. They were interested in dishonest gain. They were extortionists. They were defiled by what they saw and did. A good teacher is to rebuke false doctrine and to expose false teachers.
 
Consistent Christian Character and Conduct
Paul is encouraging Titus: We need consistent Christian character and conduct. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. God's Word is truth. You cannot be a good servant of God if you are not willing to be His soldier as well. You cannot teach good doctrine without exposing false doctrine. The truth is essential for Godly living. Sound doctrine should lead to good works. We are not saved by works, but we are saved unto good works. We are saved by grace alone.

Doctrine Includes Duties – Belief Affects Behaviour
“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things - that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” Titus 2:1-10
 
Our Creed Must Be Seen in our Conduct and Character
This shows the importance of Godly living in the church. Christianity is not egalitarian. That it is unbiblical. Distinctions of age, from older to younger, of male and female and of class, each have specific duties. There are requirements given to employers and others given to employees. Each of us have our duties. Today many are trying to make the church a tool of politicians. We are part of the Kingdom of God. We are to be salt and light to the world. We should not allow ourselves to be polluted by the world. You cannot proclaim the love of God without proclaiming the light of God. You cannot proclaim the mercy of God without proclaiming His wrath against sin. You cannot proclaim Christ the Saviour without also proclaiming that He is the eternal Judge. We need to have Biblical balance. This starts in the home, with male and female, husband and wife, who need one another, to be balanced. Children need both a father and a mother. The Gospel includes both the severity of the wrath of God and the comfort of the Word of God. In Crete they were mixing Greek mythology and Jewish fables with Christianity. Titus was instructed to explain the truth and expose error. To root it out and expel false teachers. Make sure your people have good doctrine and good behaviour. Belief and Behaviour. Doctrine and duty must go together.
 
Redeemed from Every Lawless Deed – Zealous for Good Works
“For the grace of God that brings Salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” 
​Titus 2:11-14
 
Salvation, Sanctification and Service
This is an excellent summary of the Gospel. Many important doctrines are emphasised. We are told to leave the old life, to live the new life, to look for the glorious return of Jesus Christ. We see God's generous grace which leads to Godliness. We are saved to serve. We have salvation, sanctification and service. Hope should lead to holiness.
 
Sola Gracia and Solus Christus
It starts with Sola Gratia, salvation is by the grace of God alone. Solus Christus, Christ alone is the Head of the Church. Salvation is through the sacrifice of Christ alone. He saved us, redeemed us and purified us. Salvation includes redemption from lawlessness. The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The Law of God is the schoolmaster that leads us to Christ that we may be justified by faith.
 
Sanctification for Service
He also redeemed us to purify us, to be set apart as His own special servants and soldiers. To work with zeal: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10. “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11. “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.” 1 Corinthians 14:12. “But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always…” Galatians 4:18. “…stir up the gift of God which is in you…” 2 Timothy 1:6. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:19. “…Levites were more diligent in sanctifying themselves than the priests.” 2 Chronicles 29:34. “Thy zeal has consumed Me…” Psalm 119:139. “…His Word was in my heart like a burning fire…” Jeremiah 20:9. “…Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” John 2:17. “For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you…” Colossians 4:13. “…being fervent in spirit…” Acts 18:25. “…clad with zeal as a cloak.” Isaiah 59:17. “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” John 4:34.
 
My Utmost for His Highest
Christians are meant to produce excellent work. The Lord deserves the best. He deserves nothing less than wholeheartedness. In Revelation 3, we read that lukewarm Christians make God sick! The Lord wants either hot or cold, but not lukewarm. The Lord requires us to be zealous, enthusiastic and wholehearted.
 
Rebuke with Authority
“Speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” Titus 2:15. This is one of the first lessons taught to any good leader. You must not let anyone despise you. How can you do your work if people do not respect the authority you represent? It is important to teach obedience and respect for parents and respect for elders. Children should not be punished for making mistakes. They need to be punished for bad attitudes! Titus is going to Crete. Cretans despise authority. Paul gives this final instruction after laying out practical discipleship and the importance of Godly living in the church. If challenged, fight back. When it comes to teaching against false teachers, people’s eternal souls are at stake. You must be ready to fight and rebuke. Not many of us should be teachers. Teachers will be judged with greater strictness. To whom much is given, much is required. To whom much more is given, much more will be required. This emphasises the importance of Godly witness to the world. It involves social obligations. We need Holy Spirit empowered faithfulness to transform all of life.
 
Prepared to Instruct and Correct
“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. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
 Titus 3:1-7
 
Humble and Teachable
We must be ready for every good work. Be prepared to rebuke and instruct. We must be patient and humble. Sola Gratia! Salvation is by the grace of God alone. There is no room for pride. We did not choose God, He chose us. We did not find God, God found us. This will keep us humble. Anything good in us is by God's grace. Anything wrong in us is our fault. This verse emphasises the Deity of Christ.
 
Be Careful to Maintain Good Works
“This is a faithful saying and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” Titus 3:8. We are to be careful to maintain good works. Do not waste time arguing about things that are not important. We need to focus on what is Biblical, relevant and edifying and what is actually going to extend the Kingdom of God. Our priority is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Love our neighbour as ourselves. Seek first the Kingdom of God. Make disciples of all nations, teach obedience to all things that God has commanded.
 
Reject Divisive Individuals
“But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” Titus 3:9-11. False teachers are almost always hypocrites. They tend to condemn things in others that they are happy to excuse in themselves. The divisive have double standards. It is good to receive constructive criticism from a friend trying to help you to be better and succeed. Destructive criticism comes from an enemy who wants you to fail. We must live out our faith in the home, in the church and in the workplace/battlefield.
 
Take Initiative, Be Diligent and Productive
“When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” Titus 3:12-14. When Titus’ replacements come to him, he must come back to Paul. In the meantime, Paul gives him instructions and says he must use the resources they have. Take initiative, work hard and be productive. The Lord made us to be fruitful. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My Name He may give you.” John 15:16; “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 9:10; “being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11; “…I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.” Philippians 4:17; “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10. The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” 
James 3:17
 
Summary
Descriptions of the wicked in Titus: defiled in mind and conscience, unbelieving, liars, lazy gluttons, giving heed to Jewish fables, they profess to know God but in their works they deny Him. They are abominable, disobedient, disqualified, pilfering, slanderers, greedy, living in sin and malice, envy, hateful, divisive and warped.
 
Descriptions of those people who are disqualified for church leadership: those who are self-willed, quick tempered, drunkards, violent, greedy, insubordinate, idle talkers, deceivers, subverters, liars, lazy and gluttons.
 
Descriptions of leaders: character and integrity, blameless, faithful husbands and fathers, faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to them, holding fast to good doctrine, hospitable, a lover of good, sober minded, just, holy, self-controlled, able to exhort, teach and rebuke, convincing those who contradict.
 
Specific requirements to men: to be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, love and patience.
Specific requirements to women: to be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, discreet, chaste, homemakers, lovers of their husbands, lovers of their children, good and obedient.
Specific requirements to young men: be sober minded, maintain a pattern of good works, in doctrine show integrity, reverence, incorruptibility and sound speech.
Specific requirements to servants: be faithful in all things, not pilfering, be obedient and respectful.
 
Organisation, Offenders, Operation and Obedience
We have doctrines and duties which must be done with dedication and discipline. Qualified leaders of integrity and diligence are needed to confront and counter false teachers.
 
Unity in the Faith
“All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the Faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.” Titus 3:15.
In the final greeting, we are reminded to be united with those in the Faith.

]]>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 07:57:49 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/what-about-hypocrites-in-the-church

WHAT ABOUT HYPOCRITES IN THE CHURCH?
By Dr. Peter Hammond
“I would never become a Christian! Look at all the hypocrites in the church! Look at all the scandals of tele-evangelists, the Health and Wealth preachers, the Name it! Claim it! Frame it! hyper-faith prosperity preachers, two-faced frauds and conmen! I don’t want to be part of hypocrisy!”

Hypocrisy Condemned
God is far more offended by hypocrisy than you are. The Bible contains the greatest condemnations of hypocrisy ever recorded.
The Apostle Paul wrote about: “False apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, and no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light, therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
2 Corinthians 11:13–15
Paul also wrote of: “false brethren secretly brought in…” 
Galatians 2:4
The Apostle Peter taught that we are to lay 
“aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking.” 
1 Peter 2:1

The writer of the book of Hebrews exhorts us to: 
“draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience…” 
Hebrews 10:22
Our Lord Jesus Christ exposed and condemned hypocrisy most famously in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1–6; 16–18; 7:1–5). Matthew 23 records our Lord devastating condemnation of hypocrisy: 
“All their works they do to be seen by men… woe to you, …hypocrites! For you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. …hypocrites! For you devour widow's houses… hypocrites! You make him twice as much the son of hell as yourselves. Woe to you, blind guides… fools and blind! …blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! …full of extortion and self-indulgence… woe to you… hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness… serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” 
Matthew 23:1–33

God clearly demands honesty and sincerity. Our yes must be YES! and our no, NO! Hypocrisy is consistently condemned throughout Scripture.

Medical Hypocrites
There are of course hypocrites and charlatans in the medical profession too, who violate their Hippocratic Oath to never give an abortifacient to a pregnant woman, nor to do anything to harm a patient. There are innumerable scandals of organ harvesting from prisoners in China to provide kidneys, livers and hearts for transplants to patients willing to pay enough. There are doctors who kill babies through abortion and old people through euthanasia. However, none of us should allow the presence of tens-of-thousands of hypocrites in the medical profession to stop us from going to trusted doctors and dentists when we are ill.

Counterfeit Money
There are many counterfeit banknotes, but that doesn’t stop any of us from using genuine notes.

​Infected Hamburgers
We have heard the reports of hamburgers contaminated with, amongst other things, the ecoli virus, but people still want real burgers.

Jesus Christ Alone
The church is not perfect. But Jesus Christ is perfect! Jesus Christ is probably the only person who has perfectly lived what He preached. He said what He meant. He meant what He said. He did all that He promised. He perfectly lived up to God’s standards of righteousness. You can point out many failings, and even frauds, in the established church. However, nobody could ever point out any such failure or fraud in our Lord Jesus Christ. Even hardened atheists have acknowledged that.

Smoke Screen
Typically, hypocrisy in the church is used as an excuse for not repenting of our sins or surrendering our lives to Christ. By pointing out the sins of others, we try to justify our own sins, lifting ourselves up by pulling others down.

Sinners in the Church
It needs to be pointed out that not everyone who attends church services is a true Christian. Many have no saving knowledge of Christ. The true Church of Christ consists of born again believers regenerated by God’s Holy Spirit. By definition a Christian has to admit that he is a sinner and is not good enough for Heaven. By virtue of being a Christian one has to acknowledge one’s sinfulness and depravity. That one deserves the wrath of God in hell. The Christian Church requires a public acknowledgement of sin as a condition for membership.
​
The Ordinances of the Church
The very ordinances of the church make this clear. Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, symbolising burial and resurrection, being born again. The Lord’s Supper reinforces this, emphasising that we are sinners needing God’s mercy and salvation by blood Atonement. The Lord’s Prayer includes the petition to forgive us our sins. The Apostles Creed includes the forgiveness of sins. The regular reading of The Ten Commandments in our churches reminds us of God’s standards and how we have failed. The General Supplication and other aspects of church liturgy emphasises the public acknowledgement of sin and pleas for God’s mercy.

Grace
The church has never claimed to be a fellowship of perfect people. That would be hypocritical. The church is a fellowship of sinners who acknowledge their complete dependence upon the mercy of Almighty God to forgive and transform them. That is what grace means—God’s undeserved favour.
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

Wretched
The Apostle Paul claimed: “I am the worst of sinners.” Authentic Christians claim to be so bad that they deserved to be sentenced to hell forever. John Newton’s popular hymn begins: “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” That is why Todd Friel’s Radio and T.V ministry is titled Wretched!

Repent
It may be a good thing that there are hypocrites in the church—they may hear the Gospel, repent of their hypocrisy and be saved. We don’t criticise hospitals for being full of sick people. That is exactly what hospitals are built for!

War Against Hypocrisy
Nowhere will one find more consistent condemnation of hypocrisy than in the Bible. No one condemned hypocrisy more effectively than Jesus Christ. No one has lived a more sincere and righteous life than Jesus.

Illogical
Therefore it is not logical to use the existence of hypocrites in the church as an excuse to reject Jesus Christ. No one could ever accuse our Lord Jesus Christ of being a hypocrite!

Face the Facts
If you allow a hypocrite to come between you and God, then the hypocrite is closer to God than you are!

Eternity
If you boycott church because you hate hypocrisy, then you could end up spending all eternity with all the hypocrites in hell!

Hypocrisy in the World
There is a lot of hypocrisy in this world. Islam claims to be a peaceful and tolerant religion, while many of its members declare Jihad, issue death threats, murder and mutilate vast amounts of people in the name of their religion. Newspapers claim to stand for freedom of speech while censoring pro-life obituaries. Communists condemn oppression and uphold themselves as “liberators” and “champions of justice” while communist regimes have been the most oppressive in all of history. No other regimes have imprisoned as many people, executed as many victims, deliberately starved so many millions, erected such huge institutions of oppression, employed more secret police, imprisoning whole nations behind an Iron Curtain of barbed wire, mine fields, electric fencing and machine gun towers. Just in the 20th century over 160 million people were killed by communist governments, even while they claimed to be devoted to “World Peace!” 

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption.” 
2 Peter 2:19

Bizarre Hypocrisy
The African Union continually talks about “democracy” and “human rights” whilst the vast majority of government leaders represented at the OAU are dictators. Many condemn racism while consistently supporting the most racist regime on the continent, Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF in Zimbabwe.

Humanist Hypocrisy
Humanists claim to stand for “tolerance” ,yet are thoroughly intolerant of Evangelical Christians. Humanists champion “diversity” and “pluralism”, and yet they work steadfastly to exclude Christian views from the public sphere. Teachers who believe in the sanctity of marriage are expected to go against their own conscience to teach their students “Situation Ethics” and perverse “Alternative Lifestyles”. Evolutionists who claim to be for “freedom of speech” regularly ban any dissension, or discussion, and fire those scientists who question Darwinian Evolutionism, or who seem to consider Intelligent Design. The fact is humanism is the most destructive religion of all time, and the most intolerant.

The Judas Factor
Even amidst the original twelve Disciples of Christ, there was Judas—the ultimate hypocrite and traitor. Yet that has not stopped millions of Christians, throughout the ages, from finding Grace and peace at the foot of the Cross.

Beyond Betrayal
If you have been let down or betrayed, by a professing Christian, do not let that come between you and God. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

Reject the Counterfeit
Many people despise and reject what they think is Christianity when they are merely rejecting the hypocritical churchianity that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself rejected and condemned. Do not let the counterfeit and the false keep you away from the genuine and the real.

]]>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:17:09 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/bible-survey-2-timothy

BIBLE SURVEY – 2 TIMOTHY
By Dr. Peter Hammond

Paul’s Last Letter
This is Paul’s final Prison Epistle, his last Will and Testament to the Church and to his most faithful co-worker, Timothy. Written in Rome in AD 67, Paul is about to be martyred by Caesar Nero amidst a general time of persecution for all Christians in Rome. The original Prison Epistles were written during Paul’s first arrest by the Jews in Jerusalem. He was discharged after two years in Rome. While he was in Troas, he was arrested again, this time by the Romans and brought back to Rome.
 
The Fire of Rome
Nero, one of the most brutal and evil emperors ever, fancied himself a great poet and singer. During the great fire of Rome, in AD 64, Nero played on his harp. The Roman historian, Tacitus, records that Caesar wanted to demolish Rome and rebuild a grander city. When this was rejected by the Senate, Nero sent his arsonists to burn down the city. 
 
Scapegoats of the Empire
While the city was burning the people were furious with Nero. So to distract the citizens of Rome from his crime, Nero blamed everything on the Christians. They were a mysterious and misunderstood sect so they made a convenient scapegoat. Christians were accused of being “atheists.” Rome believed in many gods and the Christians refused to believe in or worship any of them. Christians were accused of “cannibalism” as they ate the body and drank the blood of somebody at their secret services. They also accused Christians of “incest”, as they heard that Christians married their “brothers and sisters”. Because of this disinformation it was easy to slander Christians who were considered a vile and vulgar sect.
 
Persecution
Christians were arrested and put to death in cruel ways. They were crucified and doused in pitch and set alight (This is where the term Roman candle comes from). Peter insisted that he was not worthy of dying the same death as His master, so on his request he was crucified upside down. Paul was also arrested and brought to Rome. As he was a Roman he was not to be crucified. Paul’s sentence was decapitation by a sword.
 
Duty and Destiny in the Light of Eternity
After the great fire of Rome and the intense persecution, it looked as if Christianity was wiped out. Exterminated. Yet there is no despair, or sense of defeat, in this Book. It is a tremendous shout of victory. The Apostle Paul was in no way discouraged, even though he was about to be executed. This Book is an extraordinary triumphant Epistle of duty and destiny in the light of Eternity.
 
Firm and Faithful Amidst Trials and Slander
“Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and I am persuaded is in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:1-5. Timothy had a great heritage, he had a believing mother and grandmother and he had been brought up in the Faith and had known the Scripture since his youth. Paul seeks to encourage Timothy who thinks himself inadequate because of his young age. The theme here is: Do not be ashamed. Paul is about to die a criminal’s death. Christians are being accused of being traitors and arsonists. Paul says we must glory in our suffering. It is a privilege to suffer for Christ.
 
We Fear Naught But God
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:6. You need to keep ablaze, keep stoking the fire, the gift you have been entrusted. Throughout the Scripture you hear warnings. Do not quench the Holy Spirit. Many extinguish the fire, throwing water over the flame. You cannot teach a flame but you can spread it, like one candle lighting another candle. In this time of apostasy, intimidation and terror, any fear we feel is not from God. The reverential awe, respect and worship of God frees us from the fear of man. Fear God and be freed from fear of man. “We fear naught but God” should be our attitude.
 
Steadfast in the Storm
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:8-12. Refuse to be guilt manipulated. Resist the psychological warfare. Do not give in to this worldly attempt to make us ashamed of the Gospel and of Christ our Lord. Guilt manipulation paralyses one into inactivity. We have been predestined before the Creation of the world. Paul is facing death and condemnation but is looking forward to life and immortality, which is a result of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul has a three-fold ministry. He is a Preacher of the Gospel, he is an Apostle (Missionary) and a Teacher. Paul has been falsely condemned and is about to be executed and says he is not ashamed.
 
Stand Fast to the Pattern of Sound Doctrine
“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day -and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13-18. Your duty is to stand fast in the light of the doctrine that you hold. We have been entrusted with a great treasure, to protect the Word of God. Paul names two people who are difficult and dangerous. Another person is named who provided him with hospitality and who was not ashamed of him and the Gospel. Enemies want to defeat you, falsely accuse you, steal your possessions and take away your good name, your peace of mind and good conscience and your joy. Ephesus is the largest growing church at the time and Timothy is left responsible to guide, direct, disciple and train them. Timothy is about to lose his mentor in the Faith, the Apostle Paul. Paul is doing everything he can to encourage Timothy to stand fast.
 
Sacrificial Service
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.” 2 Timothy 2:1-6. We are called to serve God as a son (2:1), as a soldier (2:3-4), as an athlete (2:5), as a farmer (2:6), as a worker (2:15) and as a servant (2:24). The first speaks of relationship and the rest speak of duty, sacrifice, hard work and faithfulness.
 
A Ministry of Multiplication
God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We need a multi-generation vision. Paul entrusts to Timothy and Timothy entrusts to faithful men, who must entrust to other faithful men. Today many Christians are satisfied with an evangelistic crusade. But previous generations built cathedrals, universities, Theological seminaries, planted Missions stations and had a vision for future generations. Today most have a bad work ethic and lack of vision. We are to be diligent, present ourselves approved to God as workers who do not need to ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Our doctrine will determine our duty and our destiny.
 
Multiply Multipliers
The apostle Paul is saying, take what I have taught you and teach others, train them to teach others also. We read that God not only added to the church, but He also multiplied the church. You multiply through discipleship. So our vision is to train trainers. Each one reach one. Each one teach one. The whole church must take the whole Gospel to the whole world.
 
Endure Hardship for Christ
On the night of my Baptism in 1977, Rev. Doc Watson gave me this verse as my commission: “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4. As Christians we are called to commitment and self-sacrifice. A soldier has to be willing to be expendable. In order to obtain your objectives you have to be willing to be expendable. The cause is more important than any individual. You must therefore endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Our Lord led by example. He calls us to do nothing that He has not done Himself. He, Himself, showed us the example. He led from the front, as we need to do also.

Dedication and Discipline
Athletes need discipline, dedication, hard work, repetition, rising early, exercising, limiting ones diet and saying no to partying late. Christianity requires the same kind of dedication, training, energy and focus. Farmers must get up early, milk the cows, plough the fields, plant the seeds, cultivate, irrigate and harvest, all at the right time, regardless of your state of health. There is a need for Christians to work diligently. Timothy is to produce people with a real relationship with God, who have the same self-sacrifice as a soldier, the same discipline and training as an athlete and the same hard work ethic as that of a farmer.
 
In Sure and Certain Hope of the Resurrection
“Consider what I say and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my Gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:7-13. Jesus is not only the Son of Abraham, destined to the Altar of the Cross, but He is the Son of David, destined to the Throne and Crown, King of kings, Lord of lords. Paul is about to be killed for the Faith. He is about to follow Christ in His sufferings on the altar. He looks beyond the Cross, to the Crown. Jesus has been raised from the dead and so will I. Death for the Christian is not the end, it is actually the beginning of eternal life.
 
Truth Conquers
As he was heading for Worms, for his trial at the hands of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Martin Luther said: “Though there be as many devils as there are tiles on the roofs, I will go. Though the works of Hus were burned, the truth of the Gospel was not burned. Truth conquers!” You cannot destroy the truth just by burning books. You can put Paul in chains, but you cannot chain the Word of God. Paul recited a hymn for their encouragement.
 
Be Diligent Building on the Solid Foundation of God's Word
“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’.” 2 Timothy 2:14-19. There are some people who enjoy arguing and picking a fight. Some arguments are important, but there are some that are unnecessarily divisive. You need to have a good work ethic. Our approval should come God, the Eternal Judge on the Day of Judgement, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Even if we find disapproval from society, you want to hear ‘Well done good and faithful servant!’ on the last day. You do not want to hear, ‘Depart from Me you cursed into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ We need workers who will be diligent in study to show themselves approved unto God.
 
Cut Out Cancer
We should avoid profane babblings and idle talk. Paul names, names, as they are spreading their message like cancer. Cancer cells do nothing to help the health of the body, but break down the health of the body. Some people do not contribute to the health of the body of Christ to seek first God's Kingdom, instead they break it down.
 
Set Apart for the Master
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.” 2 Timothy 2:20-24. The Church is depicted like a large house, with all kinds of vessels. There are buckets, used to carry water, there are mugs for tea and coffee, plates to eat off, etc. Some things are made with silver or gold and others are made with clay or plastic. They are not all of the same value or for the same purpose. If you want to be used by the Master, you must be sanctified, useful, prepared for every good work. You are not going to use the bucket used to carry dirty water for eating. What you eat off has a higher standard of workmanship and cleanliness. The Lord will use you for His purposes for the extension of His Kingdom, if you are sanctified, meaning set apart, not available for use by the world. Paul then gives us instructions on how to do this. Your attitude matters to God. We have to be able to teach and not busy quarrelling.
 
To Escape the Snare of the Devil
“In humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:25-26. Faith and repentance are a gift of God. It is not that we chose God. He chose us. It is not we who found God. He found us. God was not lost. We were. It is not that I believed and repented and then God rewarded me with regeneration. God grants regeneration by grace alone. That enabled me to repent of my sins and place my faith in Christ. There is no room for boasting.
 
Patient Correction
We were deceived and trapped by the devil. Let us be patient in correcting those in opposition. How long were we in opposition? How long did it take us to get to the point that we were obedient? We should remember that it is God who grants Repentance. Let us be patient and correct those who disagree, that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive. Paul, who was once a persecutor of the Church, reminds us to be patient in correcting those who oppose. They may be our future brothers and sisters in the Faith. We need to recognise that we are in a spiritual war.
 
The Sword of the Spirit
Spiritual warfare is very real. We must identify false teaching. We must fan into flame the gift that God has given us. We need to hold fast the truth and endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus, following righteousness, studying the Scriptures, holding fast to the Scriptures and exposing those who oppose the Word of God.
 
Perilous Times
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3:1-4. This sounds like a description of our times. It sounds like our country, our continent, our world and the 21st century. Yet this was written 2,000 years ago. Human nature does not change and that is why the Bible is applicable and relevant to every time and era. Have we ever been in a time where people are more in love with themselves? Many people are self-centred, self-absorbed and lovers of money. They gamble and partake in the lottery and their families suffer, their children starve, but still they gamble.
 
Arrogant Entitlement
We are living in a time of extreme boasting, arrogance and pride. We see the worst blasphemy in Hollywood. They hate the Name of Jesus Christ. Children are more disobedient now than ever. We are living in one of the most entitled and unthankful ages in history. Many people think everyone owes them something and God owes them so much too. But they do not owe God any thanks. Most people have lost natural affection. Millions of mothers abort their own babies. People have no sense of their own guilt and are not willing to forgive anyone who may have done them wrong. Slander has become an art form.
 
Brutal and Treacherous
We are living in an age of brutal, savage, hatred, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous people and nations. People of this age have no self-control and our nations celebrate it. There is a great despising of holiness. Holy is a four letter (swear) word in many churches today. People are selling out their own family members and people don’t care what anyone else says, headstrong they destroy themselves and everyone else around them. This age is very arrogant. We have exchanged the pleasure of worship for the worship of pleasure. This age lives for the moment, for now, for me, myself and I. The attitude of wine, women and song is prevalent. Acts 19:14,19 gives an example of an empty and powerless religion: The sons of Sceva trying in vain to cast out demons who ridiculed them: “Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are you?”.
 
Submit to God, Resist the Devil
“Submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee from you.” If the devil does not flee from us, either we are not submitting to God, or we are not resisting the devil, or both.
 
Depravity and Deserters
This is a description of the depravity of man and of the perilous times in which we live in. A time of imposters and evil men, who both deceive and are deceived. “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13. “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world…” 2 Timothy 4:10. Demas was one of Paul’s co-workers, yet forsook and deserted him. You cannot keep the things of this world. “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.” 2 Timothy 4:14
 
Rejecting Sound Doctrine for Fables
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4. Many seek false teachers to tell them what their ears are itching to hear. False teachers tickle their ears with fables and myths. Some people hold to an outward form of religion but deny its real power. They do not want to endure sound doctrine. Doctrine is truth. Theology is teaching about God. Why would we not want the truth that sets us free? Yet many do not want the truth. They prefer lies and fables. In many cases they are not victims of false teachers, but are enablers of false teaching.
 
Always Learning But Never Able to Come to the Knowledge of the Truth
“For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:6-7. Paul names name’s when talking about heresy and mentions: Demas (4:10), Alexander (4:14), Phygellus and Hermogenes (1:15), for others be warned.
 
Knowledge Should Lead to Action
There are many professional students, always learning and accumulating knowledge. In church history one example is John Calvin. It was as a respected young author that Calvin arrived in Geneva. He never intended to stay. He was heading for Strassburg to avoid a local war. The Protestants in Geneva recognised him and William Farel tried to persuade Calvin to stay. However Calvin had other plans. As he later observed: “Being by nature a bit antisocial and shy, I always loved retirement and peace…” Calvin planned a life of seclusion, study and “literary ease.” Farel would have none of this. He threatened Calvin with a curse: “You are following only your own wishes and I tell you, in the Name of God Almighty, that if you do not help us in this work of the Lord, the Lord will punish you for seeking your own interests rather than His.”  Convicted by Farel’s serious threat of imprecations, gripped by the fear of God and ashamed by his selfish plans to avoid controversy and conflict, Calvin agreed to stay. He committed his life to serving the church in Geneva for 26 years. There is a time for us to study and a time for us to put it into practice.
 
Beware of Darkened Understanding
As far as spiritual ignorance goes, “Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” Ephesians 4:18. We are living in an age of spiritual ignorance and spiritual blindness. “The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master; but Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” Isaiah 1:3. “The way of peace they have not known and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.” Isaiah 59:8. “…Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they do not know the way of the Lord…” Jeremiah 5:4
 
 
Ignorance is Condemned
In the Bible, ignorance of the Law is no excuse. Ignorance of the truth is culpable. “Do you not know?”, “The Lord says!” “For they do not know to do right, says the Lord, ‘Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.’” Amos 3:10. “But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord, nor do they understand His counsel…” Micah 4:12. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness…” Romans 10:3. “…another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done…” Judges 2:10. This is where we find ourselves today. We have a generation who neither knows the Lord, nor even know about the Lord and what He has done. “…They die, even without wisdom.” Job 4:21. Some people grow old and die, without having ever discovered the wisdom of God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
 
Wilful Ignorance
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator…” Isaiah 40:28. The Word of the Lord is available in books, on cell phones and on the internet. You should know! Yet many people do not read. “For My people are foolish, they have not known Me… and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Jeremiah 4:22. We are in a time when people are very, very wise in how to do evil and very foolish when it comes to doing what is right. “Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the Faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.” 2 Timothy 3:8-9.
 
Truths That Transform
The first weapon in spiritual warfare is the belt of Truth. There are many teachers who have not had their minds renewed and have become conformed to this world. Many leading Theological students and future ministers of the Gospel, astray. This is why many pulpits are corrupted and neutralised because their ministers do not know the Lord and do not faithfully teach the Word. Many people believe the folly of false teachers. We are in a spiritual war, there is a battle for hearts and minds, for families and faith, a battle for the church, for fulfilling the Great Commission.
 
Learn from God's Creation
“Even the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times; and the turtledove, the swift and the swallow observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the Lord.” Jeremiah 8:7. The birds of the air have more knowledge and are more intelligent and more understanding than a lot of people.
 
They Are Not Valiant for the Truth
“‘And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil and they do not know Me,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:3. “…because they do not know Him who sent Me.” John 15:21. All these things they do because they have not known the Father, nor have they known the Lord Jesus Christ. Time and again we see condemnation of ignorance, especially spiritual ignorance. It is absolutely vital that we learn and come to the knowledge of truth. Most people are not getting educated, most are being indoctrinated. They are not being taught how to think critically, they are being taught what to think and to repeat the politically correct fables and myths. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” Proverbs 1:7
 
After laying out the depravity of man, there is a reoccurring theme: But you… (3:14; 4:5).
 
Be Steadfast Despite Persecution
“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra -what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:10-15. It does not say some, or many, or most, will suffer persecution. It says all. It does not say may, or probably will. It says will suffer persecution. If you are not being criticised, you are not doing your job. If you are not receiving some kind of resistance, or negative reaction, for your Faith, then you must be compromising. If you are seeking to live a godly life and be a Christian witness in union with Christ Jesus, you will suffer persecution.
 
In This World You Will Suffer Persecution
We need to have good mentors. We read when Paul and Barnabas went throughout the churches encouraging them and teaching “…We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. If this was preached today, many would say, “Get behind me satan! I don’t receive that!” We must warn people that tribulation and persecution is part of this world, but be of good courage, Jesus said, I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Time and again we see that Jesus suffered for us and left an example that we should follow in His footsteps. Timothy had a Godly grandmother and a Godly mother, he was brought up in the Faith. The Scriptures that he had learned are able to make us wise for Salvation through faith in Christ. Sola Fide!
 
The Solid Foundation for Doctrine, Devotion and Duty
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. We see Scriptures divine origin and its authority. Sola Scriptura! Scripture is fully sufficient to equip us for every good work. The first priority of any minister of the Gospel is to know the Scriptures. Many of today’s seminaries are not teaching the Scriptures. No wonder so many denominations are going astray and becoming apostate when the seminaries are where the rot starts. They have corrupted minds and conformed them to this world. Scripture is meant to lead to action, to be put into practise.
 
A Solemn and Serious Charge
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom: Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5. This is Paul’s last letter, he is about to be put to death. He gives this last command to co-worker, Timothy. He writes about the unchangeable Word of God and the need for us to live in the light of eternity. To live in the light of the fact, that the day will come when you will answer for how well you fulfilled your duty, in the presence of God, before His Throne on the Day of Judgement. This is solemn and serious. Lives depend upon your faithfulness to the Word of God.
 
Walk, Work, Warfare, Weapons and Witness
We are told what to do. Communicate God's Word, at church, on the streets, at a braai, everywhere. You need to encourage, correction or rebuke. There are different situations that require different types of approach. Like a doctor should not use surgery for every affliction. Sometimes surgery is necessary, other times it is medicine that is needed, or a change of lifestyle in what you eat and exercise. The fact that most people are not interested in good doctrine, does not mean that one must change our message according to the times. False teachers design their churches around what people want, according to the world, to make people feel comfortable and not what the Lord intended and what the Bible teaches. Your walk, your work, your warfare, your weapons, your witness, is the focus of 2 Timothy.
 
Fight the Good Fight, Finish the Race, Keep the Faith
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Paul explains that he is about to be executed. He is triumphant and victorious in his race. He is anticipating the Crown (gold medal/wreath) of victory. He is looking forward to the Crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give him. He is about to stand before God, the ultimate Judge.
 
Bring the Books
“Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world and has departed for Thessalonica - Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come - and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.” 2 Timothy 4:9-16. He asked for Mark as he is useful in the ministry, even though he was once a deserter, as he had done restitution and rebuilt the trust of Paul. Mark had become invaluable. John Mark went on to write Mark’s Gospel, plant the church in Egypt and so many other things. It shows us that failure does not need to be final. We may have failed, but in the Lord there is restitution, hope and restoration. He speak of things he still needs to do and asks to bring his books to him. He then speaks of people who have done him wrong and asks God to judge them. Imprecatory prayers are a great comfort to the persecuted. He also warns of specific people to avoid.
 
Strengthened
“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His Heavenly Kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” 2 Timothy 4:17-18. Paul is encouraged that even though we may be deserted by many in the world, we are not alone. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” 2 Chronicles 16:9. To Him be glory forever and ever – Soli Deo Gloria!
 
Conclusion
“Greet Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:19-22. He gives his final farewell. We see that spiritual warfare is very real and continuous. Paul identifies false teaching and false teachers. He commands Timothy to counter false teaching. Be watchful. Be diligent. Beware of false brethren. Endure afflictions. Fulfil your ministry. Complete that which has been entrusted to your care. Fan into flames the gift that God has given you. Stir up and keep ablaze your gift and your talents that God has entrusted to you. Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Follow righteousness. Study the Scriptures. Teach the Scriptures. Multiply your ministry. Take this teaching which has been entrusted to you and entrust to other reliable men who will be able to entrust to other reliable men after them. Fight the good fight of Faith. Be faithful to the end. Keep the Faith. Persevere. Preach the Word and finish the race.

]]>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:52:23 GMThttps://www.frontlinemissionsa.org/gdl-bible-survey-and-answering-sceptics-articles/evidence-that-jesus-rose-from-the-dead

WHAT EVIDENCE DO WE HAVE THAT JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD?
By Dr. Peter Hammond

“And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the Resurrection from the dead.” 
​Romans 1:4

Who Moved the Stone?
The Resurrection is so important and foundational to Christianity that it has been targeted for the most relentless attacks. Frank Morison, a lawyer, determined to disprove the Resurrection and thereby undermine Christianity. The result of his exhaustive investigations was his conversion to Christ and the publication of his book: “Who Moved the Stone?” which decisively demonstrates the overwhelming evidence for the Resurrection.

Evidence that Demands a Verdict
A sceptical university lecturer, Josh McDowell, determined to disprove Christianity by investigating evidence against the Resurrection. The result was his conversion to Christ and publication of the monumental: “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” which exhaustively and conclusively presents documentation and evidence upon evidence substantiating the historical truth, factual accuracy, archeological evidence, manuscript evidence, fulfilled prophecies, transformed lives, and other indisputable evidences which support the fact of the Resurrection of Christ from the dead and the truth claims of Christianity.

Facing the Facts
Thomas Arnold, Professor of History at Oxford University, one of the greatest historians of the 19th Century wrote: “I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better, fuller evidence of every sort, to the understanding of a fair enquirer, than the great sign which God has given us that Christ died and rose from the dead.”

Examining the Evidence
Simon Greenleaf, recognised as one of the most skilled legal minds ever produced, developed the Harvard Law School. He is recognised as the top authority on what constitutes sound evidence. Simon Greenleaf made a thorough and exhaustive examination of the objective evidence and the testimony of the four Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In his book: “The Testimony of the Evangelists” (Baker, 1874) he concluded: “It was therefore impossible that they could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact.”

Simon Greenleaf declared that any court of law, if presented with the evidence of the Resurrection, would have to give a verdict in favour of the integrity and accuracy of the Gospel writers and the fact of the Resurrection.

One of the most popular books ever written and most successful films ever produced, Ben Hur, was a result of a skeptical challenge to General Lew Wallace to the authenticity of Christ’s Resurrection, and a careful examination of the evidence.

What are the Facts?
The religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, who had campaigned and conspired to have Christ arrested and executed on trumped up charges, had a compelling interest in disproving any claims of the Resurrection. They had presumed that the execution of Jesus would eliminate this threat to their religious power base and silence His supporters. These Jewish religious leaders had great concerns about the corpse of Jesus, and they approached the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, for a military detachment to secure the tomb (Matthew 28:62–64).

The Roman governor’s priority in the volatile province of Palestine was to preserve peace and stability. He recognised the political problems that would ensue if anything happened to this religious Teacher whom he had three times declared innocent and ultimately washed his hands in front of the crowd declaring, “I’m innocent of this Man’s blood” (Matthew 27:24).

Pilate was only too aware that a travesty of justice had taken place, and the last thing he needed was a review of his shameful conduct and dereliction of duty in this case. Ensuring that the victim’s corpse remained buried was in Pilate’s political interests as well. “‘Take a guard’, Pilate answered. ‘Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how’. So, they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.” Matthew 27:65

The Roman Guard
As the chief priests had approached the Roman governor, and as the Greek word Koustodia is used to describe the detachment of soldiers, it was evidently a Roman guard. If only a temple guard had been used, there would have been no need to approach Pilate to issue the order. Additionally, the concern of the guards after the Resurrection to be protected from consequences from the governor (Matthew 28:14) confirms that those guarding the tomb were Roman soldiers. The detachment would have consisted of at least 16 soldiers with 4 men placed directly in front of the entrance of the tomb, on duty, at any time. Under Roman military law any guard who deserted his post, or who fell asleep on duty, would face crucifixion. Anyone breaking a Roman seal without permission would be tracked down and executed.
​
Although the intention of the religious and political leaders had been to ensure that the phenomenon of Jesus ended at the tomb, their extraordinary security measures have only served to confirm the truth that they had murdered an innocent Man and that Jesus Christ was truly the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Would you Die for a Lie?
To explain away the empty tomb, the enemies of the Gospel have had to resort to some desperate deceptions. The first was to suggest that the disciples had stolen the body. This incredible theory suggests that those same disciples who had slept in the garden, fled at His arrest, denied Him before a young woman, were hiding in fear behind locked doors, could have unitedly overcome sixteen professional Roman soldiers, dared to break a Roman seal, moved a two tonne tomb stone, just to steal a corpse! A dead Messiah would have served absolutely no purpose for the disciples. What possible motivation could they have had, even had they possessed the ability to overcome the military, political and logistical obstacles? They had nothing to gain and everything to lose. Every one of the disciples suffered severe persecution, most dying as martyrs for the Faith.
​Would you die for a lie?

Did Jesus Really Die?
Others have questioned whether Christ had really died on the Cross. Perhaps He only fainted? This swoon theory would have us believe that the Roman soldiers, who were professional killers, (the centurion in charge, would most probably have supervised dozens if not hundreds of executions), had failed to ensure that this high profile political prisoner was not actually dead. Considering the vicious flogging which the Lord had already endured, the excruciating torture of crucifixion, and the spear thrust into His side, with blood and water flowing out, all provide convincing evidence of death.

Yet, those advocating the swoon theory would have us believe that One Who had endured such savage flogging, crucifixion, and a spear thrust to the heart, could not only have survived the legendary Roman military efficiency, but that He was revived on a cold slab in a cold tomb. Further that He somehow disengaged from the grave clothes, and one hundred pounds of spices, ointments and wrappings which had effectively mummified Him, rolled away the two-tonne stone, overpowered, or eluded, the Roman soldiers, and somehow found and impressed the disciples with His Deity? These suggestions have only to be mentioned to be dismissed as unbelievable.

The Empty Tomb
Another desperate attempt to explain away the Resurrection of Christ has been that they went to the wrong tomb. All of them, Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, the other women, all went to the wrong tomb. And somehow neither the Pharisees, nor the Sadducees, nor the Roman soldiers, nor Joseph of Arimathea, whose tomb it was, thought to point out that the tomb was in fact still occupied! However, this theory is also impossible, as the tomb was not in a cemetery, but in a garden privately owned by Joseph of Arimathea. There was no other tomb in that garden.

The Absence of the Body
And all that the Roman and Jewish leaders had to do in order to end Christianity forever was produce the corpse of Jesus. But they couldn’t do it. Even when the Apostle Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost and proclaimed: “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” Acts 2:36. “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus” Acts 4:33. Many thousands in Jerusalem, including many Pharisees, came to faith in Jesus Christ.

The Crisis of Credibility
To the Jewish religious leaders, this was their worst nightmare, a disaster. The proclamation of the Resurrection of Christ undermined their power and credibility. Thousands of their followers now believed that they had condemned an innocent Man, the Messiah Himself. The new religion of Christianity was undermining the power base and credibility of the Pharisees and Sadducees. If the body of Jesus could have been found, Christianity could be stopped dead in its tracks and the threat to the religious status quo would have ended. Since they desperately needed Jesus’ corpse, the Jewish leaders would have used every means at their disposal to hunt it down and find it—if that was possible.

The Testimonies of Eyewitnesses
However, we are not only dealing with the empty tomb, and the absence of the body, but the testimony of eyewitnesses. On at least twelve separate occasions Jesus Christ was seen after rising from the tomb. Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18; Mark 16:9); the other women (Matthew 28:8–10); Peter (Luke 24:34); the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35); ten of the disciples (Luke 24:36–43; John 20:19–24); all eleven disciples, eight days later (John 20:24–29); seven disciples by the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1–23); to 500 at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6); to James (1 Corinthians 15:7); to all 11 apostles, and others, at the Ascension (Acts 1:3–12); Paul (Acts 9:3–8); and John (Revelation 1:12–18), all saw the Lord bodily raised from the dead.

To explain away the testimony of all these eyewitnesses, enemies of Christianity suggest that these were merely hallucinations, perhaps as a result of hypnosis or hysteria. However, while hallucinations tend to be unique psychological experiences of an individual, we are here dealing with a large number of individuals, who at different times, in different groups, in different places, both indoors and outdoors, on a hilltop, along a roadside, by a lake shore, all saw the Lord. They saw Him, they ate with Him, they saw the wounds in His hands and in His side.

And far from being gullible, it would appear that His disciples were very skeptical and slow to believe. Thomas declared that he would not believe that Christ had risen unless he personally placed his fingers in the nail prints in His hands and feet and his hand in the wound in His side.

Transformed Disciples
Not only do we have the testimony of the eyewitnesses, but the dramatic transformation of the disciples. The Resurrection of Christ from the dead transformed the disciples’ grief to joy, their cowardice to boldness, their skepticism to faith and their doubt to determination. It turned Saul, the persecutor of the Church into Paul the apostle of the Church.

It also transformed society and history. It changed the Jewish Sabbath into the Christian Lord’s Day. What else could explain the replacement of Saturday as the Jewish day of rest into Sunday as the Christian Lord’s Day? The Resurrection transformed a Jewish remnant into the worldwide Christian Church. Over 2 billion people worldwide describe themselves as Christians who believe in the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. The very existence of the largest religious movement in the history of the world is another powerful evidence of the truth of the Resurrection.

Jesus Himself had prophesied His Resurrection from the dead. And because of His fulfillment of this, we can be absolutely certain that Jesus Christ is God with us, as He claimed. By His Resurrection we can know that our sins are forgiven through His blood sacrificed on the Cross of Calvary.

Because of Christ’s death on the Cross we can rejoice that our sins are paid for—we are forgiven, justified by faith. Because of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead we can rejoice in the prospect of eternal life. Because of Christ’s Ascension we can know that He has all authority and that His Great Commission will be accomplished on earth. Because of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost we do not need to trust in our own abilities, but in His power alone. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord.”

We serve a Risen Saviour! 
Death is defeated. Christ has risen—victorious over death, hell, satan and the grave. Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

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