Embrace Doubt

Thank you Sacred Sandwich for this:

Thank you Rob and Harold

I would like to say thank you to both Rob Bell and Harold Camping. Now I don't agree with them but I still would like to thank them. Rob Bell wrote a book about heaven which I believe, but I haven't read it, that I think is heresy from all the reports that I have read. However, he did bring about a discussion on the reality of hell and why it is an important doctrine. Without the doctrine of justice how could love win?
Harold Camping promoted the Lord's return for May 21, 2011. May 21 has come and gone but the Lord has not returned. Why I would like to thank Harold is that he too raised the issue and many people stopped to think about the second coming. Now I know he was wrong even before that date as Scripture is clear about making such predictions but at least it got people talking. Too bad people have to have false teaching to make them aware of the truth.

Plant a tree

Some one asked Martin Luther, I believe it was Martin Luther, what he would do if he knew that the Lord was returning that night. He said he had planned to plant a tree that day so he would plant the tree. That was Daniel's approach. After receiving the vision he got up and went back to work. What bothers me about Harold Camping's followers is that some have sold everything to promote the judgment day on May 21. Now there is nothing wrong and I should add it is commendable for people to give up all for the kingdom. However, is this for the kingdom? Just asking.

The Impossible Phone Call

Suppose that a friend told you that he was going to call you between 6 pm and 8 pm. You had to go out for half an hour, what is the probability that you didn't miss the phone call? Since you were home for 90 of the 120 minutes the probability would be 90/120 or 0.75. Suppose you were only home for 10 minutes over that period of time then what would be the probability? Since you were home for 10 of the 120 minutes the probability would be 10/120 or 0.0833. What is the probability that the phone call came between 7:43 and 7:51? Since that time would be 8 minutes then the probability would be 8/120 or 0.067. Now what is the probability that the call would come at exactly 7:00? Since there is 0 minutes then it should be 0/120 or 0. However, the call could come at exactly 7 so what is wrong with the logic? It is the same with the Lord's coming. What is the probability that He will come at exactly 6 pm on May 21, 2011? It should be 0 but it still could happen. We need to be ready not just for that time but for any time.

1611

Quick, what happened four hundred years ago this month? Of course, the King James Version of the Bible was published. Here is John 3:16 in the original language of 1611:

For God so loued ye world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.

Does four hundred years make a difference? Even those who say that we should only use the KJV of the Bible don't realise how much language has changed in four hundred years.

Four hundred years leading up to the birth of Christ made a difference. Our next lesson is going to deal with what has been called the four hundred silent years. It is easy to say that they were anything but silent.

The Rapture

Thanks to my friend Lee Ann for posting this on facebook. If prophecy is not about setting dates then what is the purpose? I know of two and neither has anything to do with dates, sorry Harold. First, it is to bring comfort to God's people. We know that there is an end and that God is in control. Second, it is to lead to holy living. If we know the date would we live a holy life? Watch the video.

Bill Board

I saw a bill board similar to this in Windsor last night. This is the third date he has choosen, he has been wrong twice before. Jesus said that we would not know the date.

Daniel 11

What is Daniel 11 all about? Watch the following video clip.

Bonhoeffer

I have just finished reading the biography of Bonhoeffer. He had an passion for obedience to the truth of God's Word. Daniel was such a man. He was passionate for the word of God and for prayer. Daniel never got to go home to his beloved country. Bonhoeffer died for his country. I would recommend this book to you as well as to take time to read and study the book of Daniel.

Spiritual War

Daniel 10 reminds us that there is an unseen battle taking place. We are affected by the unseen but we also affect the unseen. Daniel waited three weeks for his prayer to be answered because of the spiritual battle but his prayer brought about the coming of Michael. All too often our prayers are too small. We think in terms of earthly things and forget the spiritual. Now we shouldn't be looking for a demon behind every bush but we also need to remember that there is a spiritual battle taking place.