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Elia Se Aanskouingslesse Vir God Se Eindtyd Mense

Elia Se Aanskouingslesse Vir God Se Eindtyd Mense

Die verhaal van Elia se konfrontasie met Baälaanbidding is nogal diepgaande. Dit het baie belangrike lesse vir ons vandag. In 2020 het ek ‘n blog geskryf, Strafvervanging: Moderne Baälaanbidding, waarin ek dokumenteer hoe alle takke van die moderne Christendom in wese besmet is met die leuen van die menslike wet wat mense laat glo dat God die bron van pyn, lyding en die dood is as straf vir sonde en dat Hy ‘n wese is wat bevrediging benodig deur menslike offers.

In daardie blog hersien ek die eienskappe van die Mesopotamiese god Baäl:

  • Die seun van El – die vadergod (soos in El-ohim, El-Shaddai)
  • Die god van weer, donderweer en reën – die een wat die oes gebring het
  • Genoem die “magtige van die aarde”
  • Teen die groot slang Leviatan geveg het
  • Hy het teen Mot, die god van die dood, geveg, en in daardie geveg het Baäl gesterf en weer opgestaan om lewe in die land te bring

Sien jy hoe noukeurig die Baälkultus die waarheid vervals? Aanbid ons nie Jesus nie, wat die Seun van God is, wat die God is wat alle dinge gemaak het, deur wie alle dinge bymekaar gehou word, en daarom die God van weer, reën en lewe, waardeur die oes gebring word? Glo ons nie dat Jesus die kind is wat Jesaja “Almagtige God” noem nie? Glo ons nie Jesus veg teen Satan, die groot slang, en in sy stryd teen Satan, het Jesus gesterf en opgestaan om vir ons die ewige lewe te bring nie?

Wat het Baälaanbidding dan verkeerd gemaak? Baäl het bevrediging vereis, dat offerandes aan hom gebring word om vir sonde te betaal en sy seën te verdien.

Baäl het Zeus vir die Grieke geword, Jupiter vir die Romeine, Thor vir die Noorweërs en Jesus Christus vir Christene wat ‘n straffende, woedende god aanbid wat deur die bloed van ‘n menseoffer gepaai moet word om te keer dat hy ons doodmaak.

God het geweet dat die kwessies waarmee Elia te doen gehad het, die sentrale kwessies was in die kosmiese konflik wat in die hemel begin het – en dat hulle deur die geskiedenis sou aanhou toeneem, tot by die finale einde van sonde en sondaars. En so het God sy profeet Maleagi laat skryf:

Kyk, Ek sal vir jou die profeet Elia stuur voordat daardie groot en verskriklike dag van die HERE kom. Hy sal die harte van die vaders tot hulle kinders draai en die harte van die kinders tot hulle vaders (Maleagi 4:5, 6 NIV 84).

Maleagi het nie voorspel dat die persoon met die naam Elia, wat nou in die hemel is, gestuur sou word nie. Hy het gepraat van ‘n volk wat sou opstaan voordat Christus terugkeer om te doen wat Elia gedoen het – Baälaanbidding vals noem en mense terugroep om God in waarheid te aanbid. Dit vereis dat ons die leuen verwerp wat die oortuiging ondersteun dat God die bron van die dood is en bevrediging vereis. Daardie leuen is dat God se wet opgelê is soos menslike wet. En dit vereis ook dat ons terugkeer na die aanbidding van God as Skepper wie se wette ontwerpwette is.

As ons die Roomse leuen aanvaar, dat God se wet funksioneer soos die Keiser se opgelegde reëls, dan leer ons dat God se geregtigheid is dat Hy sy krag gebruik om straf, insluitend die dood, aan die goddelose toe te dien, en dat God se geregtigheid ‘n betaling van sondelose menslike bloed benodig en selfs vereis word om ons nie dood te maak nie. Dit is Baälaanbidding!

Wanneer ons terugkeer na die aanbidding van God as Skepper, besef ons dat God nie krag hoef te gebruik om dood te veroorsaak nie, en dat, soos die Bybel leer, Satan die mag van die dood uitoefen (Hebreërs 2:14), die dood kom uit sonde (Romeine 6:23, Jakobus 1:15, Galasiërs 6:8). Maar God vernietig, deur Christus, die dood en verwyder sondigheid van almal wat Hom vertrou (Hebreërs 2:14; 1 Korinthiërs 15:26; 2 Timoteus 1:10). Ons besef dat God krag gebruik om sonde en dood te vernietig en om almal wat Hom vertrou, te red, en dat enige persoon wat aan die einde sterf, nie sterf wanneer God krag gebruik om skade aan te rig nie, maar wanneer Hy ophou om krag te gebruik om die vernietiging wat sonde meebring, te voorkom (Romeine 1:18, 24, 26, 28).

 

‘N AANSKOUINGSLES VIR DIE LAASTE DAE

Die werklike historiese gebeure van die lewe van Elia dien ook as kragtige aanskouingslesse vir die verlossingsplan. Soos die Bybel vir ons sê, is die verhale van die Ou Testament as voorbeelde vir ons opgeteken (1 Korinthiërs 10:6).

Hierdie geskiedkundige gebeure toon ook dat God nie die oorlog met fisiese mag en krag kan wen nie. Nadat die vuur op Karmel neergeval het, het die hele volk geskreeu, “Die HERE, Hy is God” (1 Konings 18:39). Maar hulle het nie getrou gebly nie. Hulle het teruggegaan na heiden aanbidding. Dit is bewyse wat bevestig, tesame met ander historiese gebeure wat in die Skrif opgeteken is, dat God nie hierdie oorlog kan wen deur mag en krag te gebruik nie. Dink ook aan die Vloed, Sodom, die plae van Egipte, die berinne en Elisa, en meer – nie een van die gebeure waarin God mag gebruik het, het daartoe gelei dat mense lojaal en getrou aan Hom geword het nie. Dit is waarom Sagaria vir ons sê, “Nie deur krag of mag nie, maar deur die Gees, spreek die HERE die Almagtige” (Sagaria 4:6 NIV 84).

Wat God wil hê, is ons liefde, vertroue, lojaliteit, toewyding, vriendskap en getrouheid aan Hom – en niks daarvan kan verkry word deur afdwinging van wette en strafoplegging nie. Dit word slegs verkry deur die lewende wet van liefde en waarheid wat in die hart en verstand van die gelowige geïnternaliseer word. Dit is waarom God vir ons sê dat die ware verbond van verlossing is wanneer Hy sy wet op ons harte en gedagtes skryf (Hebreërs 8:10). Die ware plan van God word slegs in ons bereik wanneer ons teruggewen word om op Hom te vertrou deur die bewyse van die waarheid van God se karakter van liefde en wedergebore word met nuwe harte en nuwe motiewe.

En dus dien die geskiedkundige gebeurtenis by Karmel as ‘n kragtige aanskouingsles in God se plan om hierdie reiniging van ons harte en verstand te bewerkstellig.

Die twee altare, een vir Baäl en een vir Jahweh, simboliseer twee tipes harte en gedagtes:

“Nou wil ek julle baie ernstig vra, broers en susters: As julle dink aan alles wat God in sy groot barmhartigheid vir julle gedoen het, gee dan julleself aan Hom as ’n lewende en heilige offer. Dit is dié soort offer waarvan Hy hou, en wat julle diens aan God werklik sinvol maak. Moenie julle leefstyl aanpas by die gedragspatrone van hierdie wêreld nie, maar laat God julle omvorm deurdat Hy julle denkpatrone vernuwe. Dan sal julle goed kan onderskei wat Hý wil hê dat julle moet doen, naamlik dit wat werklik goed en aanvaarbaar en volmaak is” (Romeine 12:1, 2 NLV’11, beklemtoning myne).

Ons moet onsself voorstel as lewende offers wat heilig is en God behaag. En die twee altare verteenwoordig die twee sienings van God, die ware God en die valse god, en wat gevolglik gebring word, verteenwoordig die twee soorte mense wat hulle aanbid.

Die water wat Elia oor sy altaar gegooi het, simboliseer die was van ons harte en gedagtes met die Woord en die Heilige Gees:

“…soos Christus ook die gemeente liefgehad en Homself daarvoor oorgegee het om dit te heilig, nadat Hy dit gereinig het met die waterbad deur die woord, sodat Hy die gemeente voor Hom kon stel, verheerlik, sonder vlek of rimpel of iets dergeliks; maar dat dit heilig en sonder gebrek sou wees (Ef 5:25-27 AFR’33, beklemtoning myne).

Die altaar van Baäl is nie met water gereinig nie, net soos die harte van diegene wat die diktatorgod aanbid, nie hulle harte en verstand, deur middel van die Heilige Gees, van vrees en selfsug gereinig het nie. Hoekom? Omdat hulle die Heilige Gees verwerp; in plaas daarvan kies hulle die gees van vrees en selfsug. Die Heilige Gees reinig deur waarheid en liefde, en wanneer die waarheid verwerp word, weier mense die reiniging van hulle harte en gedagtes.

Dan val vuur en verteer die offer en die altaar – dit is nie simbolies van straf nie, nie van woede nie, nie van toorn nie, maar van die krag van God om die harte en gedagtes van sy mense te reinig. Toe die Heilige Gees tydens Pinkster geval het, het hulle twee strome vuur gesien, die strome van waarheid en liefde.

Die fisiese vuur wat deur Elia afgeroep word, is die tipe; die Heilige Gees is die antitipe wat op Pinkster neergedaal het en weer op die Elia-mense sal neerdaal tydens die Laat Reëns, wat ek glo ons binnekort gaan ervaar.

Maar die vuur van die Laat Reëns val slegs op die altaar, die harte en gedagtes, van diegene wat deur die water, die Woord, gewas is, om gereinig te word van die leuens oor God en Hom in gees en waarheid te aanbid. Elia en die altaar met fisiese vuur is die aanskouingsles; die harte en gedagtes van mense wat deur die Heilige Gees gereinig word, is die werklikheid.

Op die altaar van Baäl het geen vuur geval nie, want hulle aanbidding was vals, in ooreenstemming met die aanskouingsles dat harte en gedagtes wat leuens, verdraaiings, vrees, selfsug eerder as waarheid, liefde en vertroue internaliseer, nie gereinig word nie en nie deur die inwonende Gees bemagtig sal word nie. Hulle het nie die krag van liefde om die vrees, skuldgevoelens, skaamte en selfsug weg te brand en hulle te reinig nie, maak nie saak hoe desperaat die mense beweer dat hulle vir reiniging is nie. Net soos die profete van Baäl desperaat hulleself gesny het, sal diegene wat die waarheid verwerp desperaat allerhande aksies neem om hulleself te probeer red, maar hulle optrede, omdat dit in stryd is met God se ontwerpwette, is sonder liefde en vertroue in die hart; hulle sny uiteindelik hulleself, beseer hulleself, doen hulleself skade aan net soos die profete van Baäl gedoen het – nie noodwendig letterlik nie, maar hulle sny hulleself af van God, sny hulle siele, verwond hulle harte en gedagtes, met hulle verwerping van die waarheid en hulle voorkeur vir leuens en bose metodes.

Net ‘n paar verse voordat Maleagi geprofeteer het oor die koms van Elia voor die wederkoms, het hy geskryf:

Maar vir julle wat my Naam eerbiedig, sal die son van geregtigheid opkom met genesing in sy vlerke (verse 4:2 NIV 84, beklemtoning myne).

Die Son van Geregtigheid kom vandag op, met genesing in die strale van lig, liefde en waarheid wat uit Hom stroom. Almal wat Hom in waarheid eerbiedig, as Skepper, as Ontwerper, as Beskermer, Geneesheer en Verlosser, sal Hom aanbid in liefde en waarheid, in die waarheid dat sy wette ontwerpwette is, die wette waarop die lewe gebou is om op te werk. Hulle sal die valse Baälweergawe van ‘n god verwerp wat die bron is van pyn en dood wat ter wille van “geregtigheid” toegedien word. En in hulle bewondering en eerbied vir ons Skepper God, sal hulle gevul word met toenemende lig, waarheid en lewe, wat hulle genees, transformeer, reinig sodat hulle binnekort die uitstorting van die Laat Reëns sal ontvang en sal skyn soos die son wat die heerlikheid van God uitstraal.

Wees in verwondering teenoor God en gee Hom heerlikheid deur Hom as Skepper te aanbid, want die uur in die menslike geskiedenis het aangebreek vir mense om ‘n regte oordeel oor Hom te vel! (Openbaring 14:7 The Remedy parafrase).

 

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Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 2

I continue to enjoy your lessons every week. The more that I research your conclusions, the more I am convinced that the Holy Spirit has lead you to distill out the essence of human redemption. Thank you for your courageous stand for the truth.

S. G., TX, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA