Update 128

The sermon for this week will be presented by Dave Harris. The title is “The Tribe of Judah.”

The services can be heard at www.cognetservices.org at the appropriate time, just click on “Connect to Live Stream.”

I don’t know what your sources for news are, but the royal family is coming to town soon and the media, for the most part, has failed to report it. This has resulted in only a very limited number hearing about the visit. Considering who this dynasty is and where they stand on the vital issues, this is really a shame.

As with most leaders they are promising what most want to hear. This really isn’t different from a lot of dignitaries out there. The difference is that this royal family is going to follow through on the plans previously laid out. How can they accomplish this when so many before them have failed? It’s because I am talking about the family of God. Christ will be returning to Earth with all power and authority (Rev 19:19-21), and He will see to it that His way is taught and observed throughout the entire world (Rom 14:11).

The great news is that They won’t be doing this alone. Right now in this present world, ruling families are quite small and exclusive. One has to be born into this group or marry into it. Interestingly enough this is the same way that we can become a part of the God family (John 3:5; Rev 19:7-9).

Right now the family of God consists of only 2 members – God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. The good news is that they are looking to add members very soon (For more information about this subject, read our booklet “God is a Family”). It will consist of those who heed His calling (John 6:44) and live according to His way of life (Mat 19:17).

What a wonderful prospect it will be, to be a part of this royal family…ruling together and ushering in an era of unparalleled peace and prosperity. NOW is the time to make the most of this valuable opportunity…if we would like to live forever and reign as kings and priests (Rev 5:10).

Pandemic

NO WHOLESOME ENVIRONMENT FOR ADOLESCENTS

WorldNetDaily.com reports on a study entitled: “Sex, Drugs, and Delinquency in Urban and Suburban Public Schools.” The article states: “Many parents have fled urban schools seeking a safer and more wholesome environment for their children, but the Manhattan Institute says its survey indicates families face similar issues in the suburbs” (www.worldnetdaily.com).

Some of the issues include: sexual promiscuity, smoking, under-age drinking, use of illegal drugs and engagement in delinquent behavior. Neither environment accounted itself very well. Students, untrained in morality or in the fact that it is God Who establishes the ultimate standards for human behavior, were about equally engaged in bad behaviors whether in urban or suburban areas.

One very telling aspect of this study points out the incredible moral decline that has befallen young people in the United States: “Urban and suburban schools are virtually identical in terms of WIDESPREAD SEXUAL ACTIVITY. Two-thirds of all suburban and urban 12th graders have had sex; 43 percent of suburban 12th graders and 39 percent of urban 12th graders have had sex with a person with whom they did not have a romantic relationship” (Emphasis added).

This last category, “a person with whom they did not have a romantic relationship,” shows just how much the laws of God are being trampled underfoot and ignored in our generation. In this light, all need to consider what Galatians 6:7 states: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” This is an absolute and exacting law. Unfortunately, society is bringing judgment upon themselves, and this is poignantly sad for the young people of our generation who simply have not been taught God’s ways!

PANDEMIC?

The past two weeks have witnessed the emergence of an avian influenza in Asia that has lead to human deaths due to severe respiratory disease. “The World Health Organization has called for a united international effort–similar to the SARS response–to combat bird flu as the human death toll from the virus mounts” (www.cnn.com 1/27/2004).

“Since late last year, the flu has struck hundreds of thousands of birds and prompted widespread poultry culls in South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. In Vietnam, the problem began last October” (www.nature.com 1/13/04). The article from Nature continues: “Spates of bird flu are viewed with alarm because they are a probable source of the NEXT HUMAN PANDEMIC.”

This article also points out the underlying reason that such fear is aroused by this current outbreak: “Fortunately, these viruses lacked the ability to hop easily between people, which helped to contain the problem. But a future strain might pick up this ability, either by mutating, or by mixing genes with a human flu virus. A virus capable of human-to-human transmission could rip through a population with little natural immunity, experts warn. ‘The ensuing virus would then be highly pathogenic and transmissible. This is why the World Health Organization [WHO] and the Vietnamese authorities are treating this matter seriously,’ says Shigeru Omi, WHO’s regional director for the western Pacific.”

Other articles reporting about this outbreak point out that there is a tendency for some nations to either cover-up cases in their own areas or to be overly cautious and slow in determining that infections are occurring. This frightening specter of non-cooperation leads some experts to conclude that an actual pandemic of global proportions could result. As witnessed in the SARS incident of last year, the financial blow to national economies can be catastrophic.

Jesus Christ warned that in the time period leading up to His return, “…there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and PESTILENCES; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11). Many of these kinds of things are happening even now; however, the Bible clearly teaches those who will listen and believe these warnings that we are now just at the forefront of these long prophesied events. This same chapter (21) shows us the approach we must take: “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (v.36).

MEDIA LIES

In a stunning turn of events, “Tony Blair bounced back from looming political disaster yesterday with a combative endorsement of Lord Hutton’s report, which vindicated his conduct over Iraq and the Kelly affair, routing the Tory leader, Michael Howard, and other critics” (www.politics.guardians.co 1/29/04).

Continuing… “[Mr. Blair] angrily recalled how he had been accused of ‘lying, deceit and duplicity’ by the BBC and the Tories.” The toll on the British Broadcasting Corporation was swift: “The chairman of the BBC resigned on Wednesday and the broadcaster apologized for some of its reporting on the buildup to the war in Iraq after an inquiry by a senior judge lambasted the corporation. The report by Lord Hutton criticized journalist Andrew Gilligan, the BBC’s management and its supervisory board of governors, for a radio report saying the government ‘sexed up’ intelligence in a dossier on Iraqi weapons” (www.reuters.com 1/28/04). This reporting actually led to the suicide death of a Dr. Kelly when he was revealed as a source for the mis-reported story.

The Guardian article continues quoting Mr. Blair: ” ‘The communication by the media of information on matters of public interest and importance is a vital part of life in a democratic society. However the right to communicate such information is subject to the qualification–which itself exists for the benefit of a democratic society–the false accusations of fact impugning the integrity of others, including politicians, should not be made by the media.’ ”

Last year the United States experienced similar outrageous examples of reporters fabricating stories – often times not even witnessing the events they were supposed to be covering. And this kind of societal breakdown comes on the heels of highly publicized scandals involving some of the largest corporations in the nation. Greed for power, wealth and fame has overwhelmed far too many in positions of public trust and responsibility.

In the one sure and dependable source for truth, we will do well to heed the warning that God has for our generation: “…O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths” (Isaiah 3:12). Then note this timely commentary found in Isaiah 59:4: “No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.” Then, in verses 14-15: “Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. SO TRUTH FAILS, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.”

A RISING TIDE

Not so front, and not so center, is the issue of illegal immigration along the border between the U.S. and Mexico in this election year of 2004. Although President George Bush has proposed legalizing the status of illegal aliens in the United States as temporary workers, most politicians are generally looking the other way.

However, the flow of illegals threatens to virtually eliminate the border. In practical fact, that may already be the situation. “According to the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur, the study (by a Mexican government agency) was conducted by the National Population Council, or Conapo. It found the number of illegals coming from Mexico each year now exceeds 1 million. The report says about one-third of those who enter illegally, 390,000 annually, achieve their goal of staying in the U.S” (www.WorldNetDaily.com 1/26/04).

Some estimates place the number of Mexican illegals now living in the U.S. at over 10 million!

Indeed most of “orthodox Christianity” teaches the fallacious concept that humans either go to hell or to heaven upon their death. Many falsely teach, in addition, that they go to a temporary place called limbo or purgatory, when they die. However, the Bible very clearly teaches an altogether different occurrence. In answering the question about Enoch, we must first consider some fundamental Biblical teachings about death as it now relates to mankind.

Hebrews 9:27 states: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” Ecclesiastes 3:20 confirms that everyone dies: “All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.” Psalm 89:48 concurs: “What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?” Paul also shows that all men die: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Jesus Christ also died, and He was without sin (Compare 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5). Furthermore, only Jesus has entered heaven, having been resurrected by the Father (Compare Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 8:1). Jesus said of Himself: ” ‘No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man’ ” (John 3:13 NASB Version). Martin Luther, correctly understanding the Biblical teaching on this matter, even translated John 3:13 as follows: “No one ascends into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, that is, the Son of Man” (copyright 1938). This is further explained by Paul in Ephesians 4:8-10.

Peter gave this testimony concerning David: “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day” (Acts 2:29). And, less there be any confusion, Peter very precisely showed that David was not in heaven: “‘For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool'” (Acts 2:34-35). This is a prophecy that God the Father would place Jesus Christ at His own right hand for a period of time that would then be consummated with the resurrections (Compare 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 20 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

For more information regarding the question of what happens to man when he dies, please read our free booklet, “Do We Have an Immortal Soul?”

With these statements about Who has and who has not ascended into heaven, let us now examine what the Bible says concerning Enoch. Genesis 5:24 is one of the misunderstood Scriptures concerning Enoch: “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” This verse is then quoted in Hebrew 11, verse 5.

One must ask, “Do these statements made about Enoch somehow contradict the rest of Scripture, or did God make an exception in Enoch’s case?” The answer is NO on both counts!

When we read the context of Genesis 5, we find the line of Adam through Seth and the particular children who were the ones who were faithful to God. In this lineage we find the mention of Enoch, who, as verse 22 shows, was faithful to God (Compare Jude:14): “After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.” However, Enoch had already been alive for sixty-five years so that his total lifespan was 365 years — shorter by far than either his ancestors or his offspring. Also, note that these key individuals in this lineage had other sons and daughters, as well.

Exactly what the world was like before the flood came, we have only been given a few indications in the Bible. When, Noah, the great grandson of Enoch, was born, Noah’s father, Lamech, said of him: “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD has cursed” (Genesis 5:29). Also, in Genesis 6:5, we read this statement about the tragic circumstances of mankind: “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Noah did not just escape the flood and save himself and his family.

Noah also “walked with God” as did his ancestors, because he is called “… a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5).

Understanding that Enoch’s generation was also in rebellion to God and His laws, shows the challenge that Enoch faced. Hebrews 11:5 lists Enoch among those who were truly faithful to God: “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

Now consider verse 13 of Hebrews 11: “These ALL [including Enoch, see again verse 5] DIED in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” This verse conclusively proves that Enoch, one of these faithful, died along with the others.

Genesis 5:23 also conclusively states: “ALL THE DAYS of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.” This same phrase, “all the days,” is used throughout this chapter about generations of people who died.

In speaking of Enoch, the Bible records that he “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24), and “he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). Because of this and because of the rebellious society in which Enoch lived, God “took” him away, so that he “should not see death” (Hebrews 11:5, Authorized Version). God “translated” or transported him to another place on earth, in order to spare him from the second death. John 8:51 confirms that if we keep God’s word, we shall “never see death” — the second death, that is, as it is appointed to men once to die the first death (Hebrews 9:27). We do know for certain, based on the Biblical teaching and evidence, that Enoch did die at a relatively young age for his day and that he did not ascend to heaven!

Paul also said in Hebrews 11:5 that Enoch was “not found.” This does not mean that he lived on forever. Moses died, and God buried him at a secret place, and he was not found, and “no one knows his grave to this day” (Deuteronomy 34:6).

We need to both consider and believe the clear statements of Scripture. Like David and many other people who have faithfully served God, Enoch awaits the hope of the resurrection to righteousness (compare Hebrews 11:39-40), and a time in which he will indeed not see death — the second death of eternal destruction.