Bible Doctrine

Hitler made a lot of mistakes during his miserable life, but the biggest mistake he ever made was when he targeted the Jewish people for annihilation. The moment he chose that course he sealed his fate. Had he not made that terrible blunder the Third Reich may well have lasted many years, many decades, even more. (He loudly proclaimed it would last a thousand years. Historians peg its lifespan at 12 years, four months, and eight days – quite a bit less than a thousand years).

Of course the Jewish people made a terrible blunder, too. They rejected their Messiah and delivered Him in to Roman hands to be executed. The apostle Peter told the rabble crowd of Jews who had actually exhorted Pilate to put Jesus to death, “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers has glorified his Son Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God has raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses.” (See Acts 3:13-15).

We all make mistakes, some minor and forgettable while others are far reaching in their consequences. Of the two mistakes mentioned above, the far greater mistake was that made by the Jews when they rejected Jesus Christ. But that mistake is made daily, around the clock, by millions. Time and again men and women, young and old, are confronted with the choice of following and obeying Jesus Christ or living life on their own terms. The overwhelming majority make the latter choice. They decide to do it their way. And, in doing so, they pay a terrible, terrible price.

But do you know what is fantastic? We have the option to change our choice! We can leave the path of self destruction and set our feet on the royal road of the more abundant life. Just as the sailor can set his sail to change his course. We can do the same. Like the prodigal son in Luke’s gospel account, we can abandon our destructive course and return to the Father’s arms. (See Luke 15). I assure you, more than a ring, a robe and a fatted calf will await our return. Yawning out ahead of us will be the gift of eternal life, immortality, life that will never ever end!

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

At its greatest extent, the ancient Greek Empire under Alexander the Great (circa 300 B.C.) included the modern-day territories of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Syria, as well as other neighboring territories. (You might notice that all of the nations named above are totally, or almost totally Muslim save for the one nation of Israel, and even modern Israel is 17.7% Muslim, making them the largest minority group in Israel. Keep that in mind as you read what follows:

I now begin quoting solely from the prophetic Book of Daniel: “He (God) gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things” (Daniel 2:21-22). “There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known…what will be in the latter days (our time and beyond)” (verse 28, Daniel 2). “The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses” (Daniel 4:25). “But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever” (Daniel 7:18).

In the 2nd chapter of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a dream in which he saw “a great image.” This image took the form of a man, but its form was awesome. Daniel, in giving the interpretation of what the image signified told King Nebuchadnezzar that “after you shall arise another kingdom (the Medo-Persian Empire) inferior to yours, then another, a third kingdom of bronze, WHICH SHALL RULE OVER ALL THE EARTH.” (See verse 39). Daniel then mentions a fourth, and final, kingdom, an empire most all Bible scholars agree is the Roman Empire. But note well, it is THE THIRD KINGDOM OR EMPIRE that is prophesied to RULE OVER ALL THE EARTH. The third empire, the empire that followed the Medo-Persian Empire and preceded the Roman Empire was the Greek Empire. The ancient Greek Empire did NOT rule over all the earth THEN, but scripture MUST be fulfilled!

Do not confuse the ancient Greek Empire with the modern nation of Greece. The ancient Greek Empire was comprised of nations that today are either wholly or partially Muslim. It is Islam that is prophesied to yet rule over ALL the earth, yes, the entire world. It probably won’t occur in your lifetime, nor in the lifetime of the next generation, but, if God’s Word is true, it will come to pass, and woe be to that generation that lives to see it happen for their hearts will fail them for fear in seeing what is coming on this earth.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by (or concerning) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him (our “rapture”) that you be not soon shaken in mind (mentally distressed), or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us (apostles), as that day of Christ is at hand. LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS, for that day shall not come except 1) there coming a falling away first (from Christianity to Islam), and 2) that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he as God SITS IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD, showing himself that HE is God” (See 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

God’s temple hasn’t even been rebuilt yet, friend. There must first be a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem for this world accepted deceiver to sit in before Jesus can return. That’s WHY no one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return as no one knows WHEN that temple will be rebuilt. But when that event occurs, the Christians alive on the earth at THAT time will know “His coming is nigh, even at the doors.” And Zechariah 14, a prophetic chapter that speaks of our Lord’s return, specifically mentions that THE TEMPLE HAS BEEN REBUILT AND IS STANDING IN JERUSALEM AT THAT TIME.  (See Zechariah 14:4, 20-21).

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

One does not decide casually, as a matter of routine, to repent. The self never wants to die. Usually a real struggle goes on within. To repent is to make an unconditional surrender to God. Repentance is not temporary remorse over past mistakes and failures. Emotion artificially stirred up by an altar call is not repentance. True repentance goes down deep, involving one’s entire being. Repentance is a complete and utter forsaking of a self-willed and self-ruled life. You haven’t even taken the first step toward eternal life until your brand of repentance is of the same caliber. The watered down, insipid repentance taught by most is of the flesh. The sorrow of this world is a house built on sand. (See Matthew 7:24-27). True repentance is a total change of mind and heart and direction of life. It is a turning from the self-centered way of vanity, selfishness, greed, hostility, envy, jealousy and unconcern for the good and welfare of others to the God-centered way of love and obedience to God, and love and concern for others.

The apostle Paul was inspired by God to give an in depth description of true God produced repentance in 2 Corinthians 7, verses 9 through 11: “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance. (Sorrow is not repentance. Sorrow for you sin can lead to repentance). For you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing. (They were not harmed in any way by being brought to true, profound repentance by Paul’s teaching and instruction). For godly sorrow works repentance (leading to) salvation not to be repented of (never to be regretted), but the sorrow of the world (a mere emotional upheaval) works death (does not lead one to eternal life). For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you (to discern whether their repentance was genuine), yea, what clearing of yourselves (from any and all ungodliness), yea, what indignation (that you could have strayed so far), yea, what fear (to think, do or say anything offensive to God), yea, what vehement desire (to walk in holiness ever and always), yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge (against all ungodliness). In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” (All comments inside parentheses are my own).

Repentance is the first step into eternal life. 

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

“But now has God set the members, EVERY ONE OF THEM, in the body (the body of Christ, the church), as it has pleased Him” (I Corinthians 12:18). Every single truly converted believer, every person on planet earth who has been washed from his, or her, sins by the blood of Jesus Christ and granted God’s POWERFUL Holy Spirit, has a definite and precise function in the body of Christ or community of believers. Paul uses the parallel of the human body to prove his point. He writes that just as every member of the human body has a definite and precise function, so too, every member of the spiritual body of Christ, the church, has a definite and precise function. How one can read the 12th chapter of I Corinthians and fail to see this absolute truth amazes me and again points up and shows forth the blinding power of Satan. Your eye has a definite and precise function, so also your hand, your ear, your heart – every part of your body. Likewise, every single member of the body of Christ has a precise and definite function. That’s WHY Paul sums up his second letter to the Corinthians, urging them to “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith (truly converted, actually possessing God’s powerful Holy Spirit), prove your own selves (instead of worrying so much about the other guy’s conversion or function in the body). Know you not your own selves HOW THAT JESUS CHRIST IS IN YOU, except you be reprobates (false converts, merely a bit religious)?” (See 2 Corinthians 13:5). One can join any “church” he wishes, be it the Roman Catholic Church, a Methodist assembly or an Amish congregation, but God alone can place someone in the body of Christ.

But how does someone determine what is their God-appointed function in the body of Christ? The apostle Paul answers that question very concisely in Romans 12: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God THAT YOU PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD, which is your reasonable service, AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE YOU TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD, AND ACCEPTABLE, AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD” (verses 1 and 2).

Notice, the only trusted, tried and true way to PROVE what is God’s good, acceptable and perfect will of God for your life, literally your function in the body of Christ (see verses 3 through 8 of Romans 12) is to present yourself to God as a living sacrifice, holy, separate from this present evil world, renewing your mind, “bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ” (See 2 Corinthians 10:5). Those who do not follow this course are like the heart being expected to perform the function of the lungs or the foot being used to perform the function of the hand. Is it any wonder that Christianity is divided into many dozens of various and blatantly contradictory denominations? To be continued…..

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through 1) the washing of regeneration and 2) renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

Notice, we are saved through 1) the washing of regeneration (justification from past sins) and 2) renewing of the Holy Spirit. And this renewing and refashioning of our mind and character is a process. It takes time. Progressive sanctification is as much a part of our salvation as our justification. Both justification and sanctification are essential elements of salvation. Once one is justified, having all the sins of his, or her, past wiped out, obliterated, forgotten by God never to be remembered anymore, the salvation experience has only begun. Now comes the equally important part as essential and necessary as justification. Acting as our High Priest, Jesus our Justifier becomes our Sanctifier. Our sanctification can be accomplished rapidly or ever so slowly. Regrettably, it can also be abandoned. We, ourselves, determine the timing of this phase of our salvation.

Some will cite the example of the thief on the cross to bolster their argument that one’s sanctification, or lack of the same, plays no part in our inheriting eternal life. What they do not realize is that Jesus could have said, “Thou shalt be with me in paradise” to each of the Roman soldiers gathered at the foot of the cross when He was crucified by them! (See Revelation 1:7). Many read into John Chapter 23 what they have been programmed to believe. Jesus was not telling the thief on the cross beside him that he was imparting eternal life to him at that moment. He was merely stating that someday that thief would be resurrected and would see Jesus Christ in His kingdom. A misplaced comma makes all the difference in the world as to what Jesus was and was not saying. Was He saying, “I say unto you today, you shall be with me in paradise” or was He saying, “I say unto you, today you shall be with me in paradise?” Jesus Himself didn’t go to paradise that day. (See Luke 23:39-46 and John 20:17). Neither did the thief!

Without holiness no one will see the Lord! (See Hebrews 12:14). “You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say ‘Wherein have we wearied him?’ When you say, ‘Everyone that does evil is good in the sight of the Lord,’ and he delights in them!” (See Malachi 2:17). Multitudes of professing Christians believe that is so. They believe that when God looks on a sinful believer all He sees is the purity and righteousness of Jesus Christ. When the Lord looked on two lying Christians in Jerusalem named Ananias and Sapphira he saw two liars and killed them on the spot. (See Acts 5:1-11). When He looked on the congregation of the Laodiceans at the close of the First Century A.D. He said that they made Him want to vomit!!! (See Revelation 3:14-22).

“Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely….and come and stand before me in this house (of worship), which is called by my name (the church of God), and say, ‘We are delivered to do all these abominations?'” (See Jeremiah 7:8-11). Many argue,”God doesn’t see our sins anymore. All He sees when He looks on us is the righteousness of His beloved Son!” That is utter error, yet it is wholeheartedly believed by literally millions of professing Christians!!!

God dwells in and walks in the true believer. (See 2 Corinthians 6:16). And God IN YOU will express His presence through righteous, holy conduct. Paul wrote that our Lord’s administering God’s Holy Spirit to a surrendered and faithful human being was something to behold. (See 2 Corinthians 3:8-9). The life of Jesus Christ is actually made manifest in our bodies! (See 2 Corinthians 3:10-11). “For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said, ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them…And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters…Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness (a process) in the fear of God” (See 2 Corinthians 6:16, 18 and 7:1). Justification is accomplished rather quickly (belief of the truth immediately followed by God’s gift of living faith resulting in baptism), but sanctification is a lifelong endeavor requiring the full cooperation of the redeemed one.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

We need to take heed to something Daniel said in one of his prayers to the Most High, “we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might TURN FROM OUR INIQUITIES AND UNDERSTAND YOUR TRUTH” (See Daniel 9:13). Trying to understand spiritual truth, having the Holy Spirit to move and open the mind, while simultaneously maintaining sin in one’s life quite effectively blocks the truth from entering the mind. It is like trying to put gasoline in your car’s gas tank without removing the gas cap first. You are going to have a problem.

Also, many believers refuse to allow God to illuminate their minds through the Hebrew scriptures. Trying to understand the truths of God using only the Greek scriptures is similar to one looking through the keyhole in a door to see all that is in a room. When the entirety of God’s infallible Word is consulted then, and only then, is the door swung wide open and the view unimpeded. “ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE!” (See 2 Timothy 3:16). ANYONE who says they don’t get their doctrine from the Old Testament might as well add, “and I know there is gross error in much of what I believe to be true.”

Satan is not just good at the art of deception, that awesome spirit being is a master without equal in spiritually blinding, confusing and deceiving the most sincere believer.  Even wise king Solomon wasn’t immune to Satan’s influence, or have you never read I Kings Chapter 11 slowly and carefully?  The last recorded act of Solomon in I Kings 11 finds him seeking to kill God’s hand-picked replacement (I Kings 11:4)!  How dare some puny, dust-of-the-earth human being interfere with God’s plan even to the point of murdering God’s representative??!!  “Whosoever (that would include Solomon) hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer (that would include Solomon) has eternal life abiding in him” (I John 3:15).  Jesus said, “No man (that would include Solomon) can serve two masters” (See Matthew 6:24).  “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods…For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.  And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord…Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon….his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel…he kept NOT that which the Lord commanded…And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon…And God stirred him up another adversary (against Solomon)” (See I Kings 11:4-23).

That’s how the sacred record closes out this biographical sketch of King Solomon.  He is not just cast in a poor light.  He is cast in the darkest shade possible.  King David’s final words to Solomon are instantly called to mind, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the god of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts.  If thou seek him, he will be found of thee, BUT IF THOU FORSAKE HIM, HE WILL CAST THEE OFF FOREVER!” (See I Chronicles 28:9).

We are playing with literal fire when we attempt to change or re-interpret God’s word.  It says what it says and means what it says!  Lucifer could have served God well for a billion ages, fulfilling God’s will and doing God’s bidding in all matters great and small, but when he became God’s adversary he was cast away forever.  And a human servant of God can be used of God to write a thousand proverbs and more and still be told by his father, “if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever!”  To be continued…

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Would it surprise you to learn that Jesus Christ’s apostles never once contradicted Him in their doctrinal stand and teachings, that they all spoke with one voice and saw clearly eye-to-eye in all matters of faith and truth? One might quickly reply, “Well, that goes without saying. Of course all the apostles fully agreed with all that Jesus Christ said and taught.” And, of course, that is true. They did fully agree with everything Jesus Christ taught as divine truth. But would it surprise you to learn that many “Christian” ministers and preachers today contradict Jesus Christ in their teaching and spiritual instruction?

I give you a prime example of where many ministers and preachers flatly contradict something Jesus Christ taught as eternal divine truth: “And, behold, one came and said unto Him ‘Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ And He said unto him….’If thou wilt enter into life KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS'” (See Matthew 19:16-17). Surely no apostle would agree with that statement, would they? Jesus Christ must have been way off base with that remark. After all, isn’t that working for one’s salvation? And salvation isn’t of works, is it? Isn’t that what the apostle Paul plainly declared in his letter to the Ephesians?

Most of the confusion in this matter enters in when one misunderstands NOT what Jesus said, but what Paul wrote. Remember, Peter warned that Paul wrote some things not easily understood by the spiritually unstable and by those who were ignorant of the scriptures. (See 2 Peter 3:15-16). Here is the statement of Paul many misunderstand: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast” (See Ephesians 2:8-9). Now here is what many mistakenly THINK Paul said: “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; NOT OF OBEDIENCE, lest any man should boast.”

The “works” to which Paul refers is not obedience to God’s holy, eternal commandments, but fleshly works such as keeping the Jewish laws and customs, such as circumcision, animal sacrifices, and the like. In this same letter to the Ephesians, Paul urges the keeping of the fifth commandment “Honor thy father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise” (See Ephesians 6:2. And in the previous chapter (chapter 5), Paul had written “But fornication (violation of the seventh commandment)…or covetousness (violation of the tenth) commandment, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (verse 3, chapter 5). In other words, don’t break either of these commandments, not even once, at any time! “For this ye know that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolator (a violation of the first and second commandments), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (verse 5, chapter 5). Or, in other words again, one must keep God’s commandments in order to receive the gift of eternal life.

So what is Paul clearly saying? He is saying that one must KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS in order to have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God, the major part of that inheritance being the inheritance of eternal life. Paul shows himself to be in total agreement with Jesus Christ’s statement to the one who asked Him “what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

“For by grace are you saved through faith….” Faith in what, in whom? Faith in Jesus Christ, believing what Jesus said and taught and acting upon that belief, not merely believing He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

To the believers in Galatia, Paul wrote: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (lewdness), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (contentions, quarreling), emulations (stirring up envy or jealously in others), wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkeness, revellings, and such like, of the which I tell you before, and I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things (and notice how many are the breaking of the Ten Commandments), SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD” (See Galatians 5:19-21).

Paul states plainly and clearly, break these commandments and you will not inherit the kingdom of God, that is, we must keep God’s commandments in order to be granted the gift of eternal life. Some will argue, “Well, if one must DO something in order to be granted eternal life, then it is not really a gift!” Well, friend, some gifts do require the recipient to DO something in order to obtain the gift. One must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to obtain the gift of eternal life. One must believe Jesus died for our sins in order to obtain the gift of eternal life. Where does one get the erroneous idea that a gift cannot require the recipient to do something? God GAVE ancient Israel the Promised Land, but they had to DO something to obtain that gift. (Read Deuteronomy Chapter One).

One must OBEY Jesus Christ in order to obtain the GIFT of eternal life. “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Ghost (Spirit), whom God has given TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM” (Acts 5:32). One MUST have God’s Holy Spirit in order to inherit eternal life and God’s Spirit is given ONLY to those who obey Him, for without and apart from having God’s Holy Spirit one cannot possibly obey both the spirit and the letter of the law.

And, of course some will now argue, “But we are not under the law,” ignorant of what the apostle Paul meant when he employed that phrase in his letters to the believers in Rome and Galatia. When using that phrase in the letter to the Romans, Paul means believers are not under THE PENALTY of the law since Jesus Christ has died in our place, taking the penalty upon Himself. When using that phrase in the letter to the believers at Galatia, Paul means we are not obligated to keep the Mosaic customs of circumcision, animal sacrifices, and the like.

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Yes, Satan has malware, too. And he installs it in the human mind. Any time we give into sin of any kind, any time, in any manner, we open our minds to Satan’s malware. And only the Holy Spirit can remove that malware once it has been installed. That is why believers are urged to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 10:5). When we allow our thoughts to stray into thinking unrighteous thoughts we open a channel through which Satan can and will move.

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). But we are to “seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). There is a window of opportunity given us when God is near to us and the way to Him unimpeded. We must move toward God and receive His forgiveness when it is felt and offered as there can be a hardening of the heart and mind whereby we no longer are susceptible to the ministrations of the Holy Spirit.

The summons to come to God is always NOW, “now is the day of salvation” for we know not what a day may bring forth. Our tomorrows may be running out They grow less and less with each passing day. Not every member of the human family live into their eighties, nineties and beyond. Many of us even now may be living on borrowed time.

The human mind is much like a computer. It can hold a great deal of information. And, like a real computer, it, too, is linked to an internet – an internet whereby Satan can download many of his traits, desires and feelings into the human mind.

I have often used another similar analogy to describe the operation of the human mind, likening our mind to an AM/FM radio. Prior to our conversion our minds are tuned primarily, if not solely, to the lower frequency AM channels. It is only when we are converted, or being brought to conversion by the Holy Spirit, that our minds are then opened to the higher frequency FM channels and we can begin to receive heaven’s broadcasts. It is up to us to ignore the AM broadcasts and keep our minds tuned to the FM channels.

I think someday we might all be surprised at how the prince and power of the air is just another ancient way of saying Satan is prince and power of the ether, yes, even of the internet. We might be surprised indeed.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

P.S. I have served the Lord for many, many years, reaching tens of thousands of believers and unbelievers around the world. I have received comments from dozens and dozens of countries. I have posted nearly a thousand Bible related mini-articles to my own website as well as dozens of Bible study sites and numerous Facebook “friends” Facebook page. The ratio of approving, or good, comments to disapproving, or bad, comments continues to be about 25 to 1. Our Lord has continued my lifespan into its’ eighth decade. I look forward to serving Him and the body of Christ into even a ninth decade of life, God willing.

In the 2nd Book of Samuel, Chapter 6, verse 9, we read these words, “And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and said, ‘How shall the ark of the Lord come to me?'” David had made an assumption that day, and he assumed wrong. His assumption resulted in a young man’s sudden death. David learned the hard way that God is God and means what He says and says what He means. And this God of whom I speak changes not. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

The ark of the covenant had been in the hands of the Philistines for twenty years. You might recall this wooden chest contained the stone tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded as a sign he was God’s choice to be High Priest, and, thirdly, it contained a golden pot of the manna that fell from heaven to feed the famished Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness having departed from Egypt. David wanted to retrieve the ark from the Philistines and bring it back to Israel where it belonged. But he went about it the wrong way “for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people” (See I Chronicles 13:4). And a well-meaning young man died that day.

David, as well as every other king of Israel before and after him, was commanded by God to keep a copy of the books of Moses at hand and to read and study from them daily. David evidently had failed to do this for had he done so he would have known the correct way prescribed by God’s law as to how to move or transport the ark of the covenant. The ark was never to be touched by a human hand. In each corner of the ark was a golden ring. Long wooden staffs, or poles, were to be inserted into these rings. The poles were then to be lifted and carried by Kohathite Levites only, Levites that were direct descendants of the Levite Kohath. (See Numbers 4). The two men charged by David to retrieve the ark from the Philistines were not Kohathite Levites, and while transporting the ark the oxen pulling the ark stumbled causing the ark to tilt crazily on the cart. In order to keep the ark from falling from the cart, the young man Uzzah took hold of it, “and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error, and there he died by the ark of God” (See 2 Samuel 6:7). “And David was afraid of the Lord that day!”

I greatly fear that at the judgment seat of Christ tens of thousands of Christians are going to learn how David felt that day so long ago. They are going to learn that God is to be feared and feared greatly. More than once I have heard some preacher say, “God doesn’t want His children to be afraid of Him!” Yet in the 12th chapter of Luke’s gospel account we read that Jesus “began to say unto His disciples FIRST OF ALL…’I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do, but I will forewarn you (His disciples, His friends) whom you shall fear, FEAR HIM, which after He has killed has power to cast into hell. Yes, I say UNTO YOU, FEAR HIM!'” (See Luke 12:1-5)

When two verses later in Luke 12 Jesus tells His disciples, “Fear NOT” the context shows plainly that He is not contradicting Himself and now telling them not to fear God, but is merely telling them not to fear being forgotten by God. (See verses 6 and 7, Luke 12).

Jesus is not telling us to have an abject craven fear of God, but to have a healthy fear of God, knowing that He is God and means what He says and says what He means and will demand of us an accounting of the lives we have led, why we believed what we accepted as Bible truth, why we turned a deaf ear to one teacher of the Word while listening to another. We need not fear having sins long ago confessed and abandoned brought up against us. Those sins are gone and gone forever from God’s mind. Still “we shall ALL stand before the judgment seat of Christ….So then EVERY ONE OF US shall give account of himself to God!” (See Romans 14:10, 12). And that’s when we really will hear the rest of the story.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley