Dormez-vous?

Posted on April 28, 2021 by AntiochCMI

Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques, 
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous? 
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines! 
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong. 

Dormez-vous? Are you sleeping? Are you awake? Are you aware?

Sleeping at the wrong time is not good, and may cause you to miss out on what God has planned for you. Consider the parable of the ten virgins. All ten were waiting for the Bridegroom. While the Bridegroom tarried they all slept. At midnight the cry went out, “Behold, the Bridegroom comes! Go out to meet Him!” (Matthew 25:6). Five of the virgins were not ready to meet the Bridegroom for their lamps were out of oil. When they finally were ready, it was too late. The door to the marriage banquet was shut, and they were left outside.

The LORD shared this parable with His disciples with this warning: “Watch (stay awake), therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 25:13).

Dormez-vous? Are you sleeping?

When Jesus came to the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night of His betrayal, He said to His disciples: “Pray, that you enter not into temptation” (Luke 22:40). Upon rising from intense prayer, Jesus went to where His disciples were assembled and “found them sleeping” (v. 45). He “said unto them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation;” (v. 46). At the critical time of intense intercessions, groanings, and sweating great drops of blood, the disciples slept.

Dormez-vous? Are you sleeping?

Frère, Brother, are you sleeping? It is time to ring the bells and call the people to the matines, the hour of prayer. It is time to be awake, to be aware of what is going on around you.

“And, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11). “Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6). “Wherefore, He sayeth, ‘Awake you who sleep; arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light” (Ephesians 5:13).

Dormez-vous? Frère! Brother, wake up! The LORD is coming! “The night is far spent, the Day of the LORD is at hand”! (Romans 13:12a). Be ready, be sober, be awake, be vigilant, report for duty. Ring the bells, blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm! Wake up!

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Living Epistles Read of All Men

Posted on April 25, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. Forasmuch as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ; ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart” (II Corinthians 3:2-3). Thus wrote the Apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth.

Your life is a living letter, known and read of all men. You stand out in the minds of others. They have an opinion of you. They know you by your accent. When Peter denied knowing Christ at His trial, the people said, “Surely you are one of them (disciples); for you are a Galilean, and your speech agrees thereto” (Matthew 14:70). There must have been a Northern Israel (Galilee) accent that the people could recognize, and Peter could not hide it. When you are in Christ, your spiritual accent from the Holy will always give you away.

People know you by your scent, your fragrance. “For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life; and who is sufficient for these things?” (II Corinthians 2:15-16). To your Brethren you are a fragrance of the Life of Christ; but to the unbelievers you are the smell of death, because they are convicted of their sin.

People read you; not always by what you do, but by what you do not do. You don’t enter into their sin. Your speech betrays you. You do not gossip, you do not use profane and vulgar language, you keep your speech clean and wholesome. That’s very different than what you hear in the world. You are different, strange, other worldly, heavenly minded, perhaps?

You are a witness to and a Love Letter from God to the world. By your kindness, your gentleness, your love and mercy and tender care for others you show forth the fruit of the Spirit of Christ. Your humility, meekness and patience show the Nature of the Lamb. Your strength of endurance, your hope in the middle of a hopeless situation, your self control when everyone else is out of their minds with panic; yes, people notice. They read you like a book.

Keep being that “Galilean,” with your strange accent, keep giving off the fragrance of Christ, keep being God’s Love Letter to the world. Your story has a good ending; well, eventually. After you suffer awhile, endure hardship awhile, bear your cross awhile, suffer persecution awhile. . . you will live happily ever after. The End.

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Bright Lights, Big City

Posted on April 21, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“And the City had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the Glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).

The bright lights of a City bring a glory to it. Entering New York City on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge at night in my youth and seeing the lights of the City brought forth the exclamation, “Glorious”! There is a glory to bright lights and big cities. There is a great attraction to it that can also, unfortunately, be a snare, if we are not on our guard.

The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness with the offer of “all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to Him, all this power will I give Thee and the glory of them; for that is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it. If You, therefore, will worship me, all shall be Yours” (Luke 4:5-7).

Many have been enticed and have taken the devil’s offer of power and glory and have become ensnared. Their greed and addiction for vain glory lead to corruption, ruin, misery and heartbreak. That is where the earthly desire for the glory of man always leads.

The Glory of the New Jerusalem is different. The New Jerusalem is not of the earth. The New Jerusalem “comes down from God out of Heaven.” The New Jerusalem is a “Holy City.” The New Jerusalem is “as a Bride adorned for Her Husband” (Revelation 21:2). It is not of the first creation, so there is no need for the sun and the moon for light. It is of the new creation and the Glory of God shines forth and the Lamb is it’s Light.

For too many leaders today, the lust for power and glory is like that attraction of the bright lights of that big city. The devil is always making the offer, and too many take him up on it, selling their souls, for the vain glory of the earthly realm. Jesus had a different perspective. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind Me, Satan; for it is written, ‘thou shalt worship the LORD, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve'” (Luke 4:8; Deuteronomy 6:13).

The beauty of the Bright Light and the Big City of God is there is no sin there. Indeed, it is a “Holy City.” There is a purity there, an adorning of righteousness. There is an absence of anything that causes a lie. There is only Truth, Beauty, Love and Goodness there. The Lamb is the Light, and His Light enlightens everyone to His Nature, His Virtue, His Kindness, Gentleness, and Faithfulness to the Father’s Heart.

Abraham looked and sought diligently for the City of God (see Hebrews 11:10). He fervently pursued it by faith and believed the promises of God to inherit it. Are you of the faith of Abraham? Are you looking for that City “which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God”? If you love Bright Lights and you love a Big City, you will really love the New Jerusalem. And when you see it, you will shout, “Glorious! Glorious! Glorious! with exuberance, excitement and everlasting joy. Worthy is the Lamb!

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Into All The World

Posted on April 17, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). This is an amazing statement spoken by Jesus, considering it was given in the first century A.D to a small group of Disciples living under the oppressive thumb of the Government of Rome. The Gospel of the Kingdom is a powerful force for good in an evil, corrupt world of devils. Jesus told His Disciples after His resurrection, “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

At another time Jesus “spoke to them saying, all authority is given to Me in heaven and the earth. Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

From these sayings we can clearly see the preaching of the Gospel is directly related to the end of this age. With modern technology, and instant communications via satellite downlinks, internet and cable links giving constant and immediate updates of news and information to everyone, everywhere; how soon will this Gospel of the Kingdom reach all nations, peoples, tongues, and tribes? How close are we to the end of the age?

The Apostle Peter exhorts us to “look for and hasten the coming of the Day of God wherein the heavens being on fire shall dissolve and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” [see The God Who Answers by Fire 3/27/21], (II Peter 3:12).

This is not a message of gloom and doom. This is a message of joy and rejoicing as Jesus told us, “When these things (fulfillment of prophecies) begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads for your Redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). The Apostle Paul wrote in his Epistle to Titus, “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). No gloom and doom here, but a “blessed hope” of Glory! Almost makes you feel like dancing; well, at least shouting a little bit. Thank you, Jesus! Hallelujah!!

Every day we hear about rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, pandemics, UFO sightings, violence, climate change, ethnic groups fighting ethnic groups. Jesus said it this way, “When you hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified, for these things must first come to pass, but the end is not yet. Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and great earthquakes shall be in different places, famines and plagues and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven” (Luke 21:10-11). Yes, “these things” are happening right now. “And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27).

“And He spoke to them a parable: Behold, the fig tree, and all the trees. When they now shoot forth, you see and know of your own selves that summer is now near at hand. So, likewise you when you see these things come to pass know that the Kingdom of God is near at hand. Truly, I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away ’till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:29-33). The fig tree is Israel. Israel was restored as a nation in 1948, after being destroyed in 70 AD. The generation that witnessed this shall not pass away until all is fulfilled. We are getting very close to the end, my friend. Are you ready? Do you believe yet? What are you waiting for?

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Dead Men’s Bones

Posted on April 14, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whited sepulchers which, indeed, appear beautiful outwardly, but are within full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).

Sepulchers have within them the bodies of the deceased. Dead, lifeless bodies, in the process of corruption and decay, laying in darkness. That is how our LORD describes those who appear by form and observation to be righteous and holy, but it is all a facade. That is the definition of hypocrisy. Outwardly looking just, honorable, respectful; but inwardly full of deceit, pride, envy, lust and malice. Woe to those whom the LORD exposes in the Light of His Presence.

I think of the Prophet Isaiah’s response to that Presence, that Glory: “Woe is me! I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:5). “Woe is me!” Undone, unclean. I repent! I bow the knee, I surrender to the King, the LORD of Hosts–the Holy One, the Almighty.

Then I think of the response of the Scribes and Pharisees to Christ’s sharp rebuke. “Then assembled together the Chief Priests and the Scribes and the Elders of the people unto the palace of the High Priest, who was called Caiaphas. And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty and kill Him. But they said, not on the Feast Day, lest there be an uproar among the people” (Matthew 26:3-5).

Oh, the contrast in responses! Now, what is my response to the Truth presented to me by the Word of God, the Spirit of Truth. Oh, LORD, may my response be in accordance with your Light, your Glory, your Holiness, Purity, and Righteousness. Lamb of God let your nature be revealed in me in sacrifice, humility, repentance and obedience to Your will. I surrender now, I confess You now, I bow before Your Holiness, in Your Presence and Glory.

Help us LORD in our day when You by the Finger of God cast out the darkness, the demonic, the sin and uncleanness of our old nature of sin, and declare the Kingdom of God is come to us in power (cp. Luke 11:20).

Woe to the rebellious, the wicked, the unbelieving, the arrogant ones who defy the LORD of Glory. Woe to those who come to steal, kill and destroy. Woe to the wolves in sheep clothing; who deceive, seduce, and bring winds of doctrine that tickle the ears, but are only cunning, crafty lies in hypocrisy (cp. Ephesians 4:14).

LORD, expose. LORD reveal. LORD be glorified. Reign in Power, Reign over your Kingdom with the Scepter of Righteousness. Transform unto Yourself a Kingdom of True Prophets, Priests, Scribes and Kings. May Your Name be exulted in all the earth. Maranatha, come, LORD Jesus.

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The Cup of the Fury of the LORD

Posted on April 10, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“For thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel unto me, ‘Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand, and cause all the nations to whom I send thee, to drink it'” (Jeremiah 25:15).

There is a cup of which we must all drink. It is the wine cup of the fury of the LORD. It is a cup of judgment, wrath, fury, indignation, anger, hot displeasure, and rage of the Most High God. It is a cup of wrath against sin, uncleanness, rebellion, and enmity with a Holy, Righteous and Just God.

The “whirlwind of the LORD goes forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind; it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked” (Jeremiah 30:23). No nation, people, tribe or tongue shall escape this wind, this tempest, this violent storm, this whirlwind of wrath. This whirlwind must be endured by all mankind.

Alas, there is a Redeemer from the wrath. There is a Savior from the fury. There is One who drank of that cup, and took upon Himself the judgment and wrath of the Almighty. His vicarious act is found in the Scriptures where His amazing act of intercession is recorded for all generations of people to read and hear.

This One, this Son of Man, cried out in His hour of great distress, “O, My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done” (Matthew 26:42). Indeed, He drank the full measure of the cup, the full measure of the wrath and fury of God. He drank it to the dregs. He drank it, not for Himself, but by the Sovereign Grace of God He tasted death for all born of woman (cf. Hebrews 2:9).

It was in a Garden called Eden that the wrath began and it was in a Garden called Gethsemane where the wrath was received by acceptance by the Second Adam, the Son of God.

Sadly, not all believe. Sadly, not all will be spared; and to those who remain under the curse and judgment of the first Garden, there awaits only the drinking. Yes, even the drinking “of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:10-12).

Friend, for the sake of your own soul, would you believe and receive the free gift of salvation. Would you receive the Grace of God and keep the faith of Jesus. Are you willing to by faith enter into His death, burial and resurrection. In doing so, you will experience the joy of entering His Life, Eternal Life in His Holy Name.

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16). It is amazing that in the Gospel the cup of wrath has for us who believe become the cup of blessing. Communion, fellowship, union with the Son, the One, the Eternal. So wonderful.

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The Attack on Holiness

Posted on April 7, 2021 by AntiochCMI

Holiness, that secure place, that consecrated and dedicated place, that hallowed sanctuary that is clean, pure and sanctified [Beauty of Holiness, 4/1/21] is under a vicious attack from all that is ungodly, evil, vile, wicked and lawless. Rebellion against the Holy is on full display before all our eyes today.

There is a place called Shechem, wherein is the government of God [Land of Promise. X. Shechem]. Shechem means shoulder and we know from Isaiah, the Prophet, “The government shall be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6). Shechem, the place of the government of God lies in the valley between Mount Ebal (the place of cursing) and Mount Gerizim (the place of blessing) (cf. Deuteronomy 11:29). Whether we are living under a curse or a blessing depends on obedience: “Blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God. . .a curse, if you will not obey. . .” (Deuteronomy 11:27a-28a).

When the children of Israel went to Samuel, the Judge and Prophet of the LORD, asking that they be given a king to rule over them, it grieved Samuel very much. But the LORD said to Samuel, “Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (cp. 1 Samuel 8:4-7).

Similarly, today we see a rejection of the Holy One to reign over the people. We see a rebellious people from Mount Ebal, the place of cursing, speaking against the Holy, “calling evil good and good evil, that put darkness for light and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (cf. Isaiah 5:20). Disorder for order, chaos for righteous governance, lies for truth; this is what we see happening in our midst right now.

What then shall we do? Shall we despair? Shall we cower in fear? Shall we withdraw? Or shall we proceed? Shall we advance? Shall we go forth in all that has been given unto us of Him? What do the Scriptures reveal to us? What sayeth the LORD? The LORD has spoken in times past through His prophets, and now speaks in these last days through His Son (cf. Hebrews 1;1). Today He says go forth. Go forth in love, go forth in power, go forth in Holiness, and “be not weary in well doing; for in due season you shall reap, if you faint not. As you have opportunity, do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).

The Blessings of Mount Gerizim shall yet be realized to the faithful. The government of God shall yet reign in righteousness. Our prayer continues to be “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6.10). Holiness shall yet prevail, and Jesus, the Lamb, shall yet be glorified.

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The Resurrection and the Life

Posted on April 4, 2021 by AntiochCMI

Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life: he who believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

Do we believe? Do we believe this: “I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who lives and believes in Me shall never die?”

Eternal Life. That is what Resurrection is. Jesus said that is what He is: Eternal Life. Life everlasting. The Apostle John wrote: I have written these things “that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have Life through His Name” (John 20:31).

Today we celebrate Resurrection, we celebrate Eternal Life, we celebrate Jesus, Who is the Resurrection and the Life. It is such a wonder, such a blessed thing, such a magnificent marvel to know the Reality of the True and Living LORD of all. No wonder He sent us to tell everyone the Good News. How can I hold it in? The effervescence, the bubbling up of this glorious Gospel is beyond containment; it explodes like fireworks in splendor.

“I am He that lives, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen” (Revelation 1:18a). He lives! He is risen! As the angel asked the women at the tomb, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen” (Luke 24:5b-6a). Yes, He is risen, indeed.

“That which was from the beginning which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life: (for the Life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that Eternal Life which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us). That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly, our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ. These things write we unto you that your joy may be full” (I John 1:1-4).

Be filled with joy in your heart today in believing. Happy Easter.

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The Old Rugged Cross

Posted on April 2, 2021 by AntiochCMI

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, ’till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the Dear Lamb of God left His Glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.

Chorus:

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see; for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.

Chorus:

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His Glory forever I’ll share.

Chorus: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, ’till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.

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George Bennard (1913) (1873-1958)

An old hymn for this Good Friday, a day of remembrance of the sufferings of Christ Jesus, our Lord, Savior and soon coming King.

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The Beauty of Holiness

Posted on April 1, 2021 by AntiochCMI

“Give to the LORD the Glory due His Name; worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness” (Psalms 29:2).

Beauty (Hebrew Hadarah; from Hadar) means magnificence, splendor, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty.

Holiness (Hebrew Qodesh from Qadash) means sacred place, sanctity, consecrated, dedicated, hallowed, sanctuary, saintly, clean, pure, sanctified.

Think of our worship to the LORD as the saints of God. Are we, His people, giving Him the Glory due His great and matchless Name? Are we bringing an offering of worship before Him in the true meaning of these powerful and rich words in our lexicon?

Are we worshipping in the Magnificence of the Sacred; the Splendor of His Sanctuary? Are we worshipping in the Excellency of the Holy of Holies, the Glory of the Hallowed? Are we in communion and fellowship with Him Who is Clean and Pure, the Sanctified? Is our worship worthy of His Majesty?

Are we extolling Him, adoring Him, loving Him in the Majesty of the Consecrated Realm, where He dwells? Are we exulting Him in the Honor of all that is Saintly, and Comely and Good?

LORD open our eyes to Your heart. That blessed, pure and holy heart that You placed in Your beloved king, David; whose Pen of a Ready Writer [12/18/20] wrote such precious thoughts of praise and exultation.

“O worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness; fear before Him, all the earth” (Psalms 96:9). The Beauty of Holiness is for all people, all nations, tongues and tribes. O, let it begin! Let it begin in us today. LORD, let it begin with me, my heart, my life as a living witness and testimony to the Hadarah Qodesh–the Beauty of Holiness.

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