Normal vs. Nominal Christianity, the Judgement of the Goats.

 by Kent Secor

I have to ask, do we really believe the Bible is the word of God? Do we fully accept the teaching of Jesus and the apostles and elders as clear direction for our life in Christ today? Or do we accept and practice only what we want to and somehow disregard and marginalize what we don't want to obey?

I think that most believers really want to do the will of God. After all he is at work in us to will and do his good pleasure. But have we ignored a vital part of his will in our nominal christian and church practice?

Watchman Nee spoke about the Normal Christian Life in comparison to the nominal Christian life. I have thought about this alot about this subject, since I first read the book in the '70s. I have come to a view point that too much of what we do in traditional and nominal Christianity is at the least unprofitable for godliness and at worse is in direct disobedience and rebellion to the revealed will of God.

To these nominal Christians I see the judgement of Christ upon them. We need to ask ourselves, are we now in this life, accounted to be with the faithful, obedient sheep or the unloving, uncaring, selfish and rebellious goats?

Judgement of the Goats.

Mat 25:41-46 (NIrV)

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'You are cursed! Go away from me into the fire that burns forever. It has been prepared for the devil and his angels.

42 I was hungry. But you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty. But you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger. But you did not invite me in. I needed clothes. But you did not give me any. I was sick and in prison. But you did not take care of me.'

44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and not help you? When did we see you as a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and not help you?'

45 "He will reply, 'What I'm about to tell you is true. Anything you didn't do for one of the least important of these, you didn't do for me.'

46 "Then they will go away to be punished forever. But those who have done what is right will receive eternal life."

I must emphasis and repeat Jesus words, what we don't do for the least important of these, we don't do it for Jesus.
Serving the poor, marginalize and the needy is serving Jesus.

Notice what is missing in Jesus teaching here. Nothing at all about judging the person in need. If they are in need serve them, period!

Nothing about judging if they will use your charity correctly. Just serve them!

Nothing about serving only fellow believers. Serve the needy, period!

Nothing at all to support giving only through tithes and offerings so that some church official can administer it. This is all about your and me personally giving to those in need. No excuses, if you don't give, you are condemned to eternal punishment, period!

This matter of serving the poor and needy is so important to God that to not do it is to be judged guilty of not serving Christ Jesus himself, and is worthy of the sentence of eternal punishment.

Bottom line, it is not a choice for a believer in Christ Jesus to not give to the poor and needy. Normal Christianity is a life of serving Christ by serving others. As the Salvation Army stated, heart to God, hand to man.

Spur one another on toward love and good deeds

Heb 10:23-25  (NIV)

23  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Many quote part of this passage to tell you that you must go to church. In the context we see a broader application and meaning of meeting together.

The writer goes from discussing the topic of Jesus as our high priest to encouraging the reader to stand firm in the midst of the persecutions that they were going through. This same encouragement is applicable to all believers in all times who face daily persecution.

"...hold unswervingly to the hope we profess...encourage one another..."

The author is saying we should meet regularly, for the sake of encouraging one another. Part of what we are encouraged here to do is consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. I think most of us know that the type of love mentioned here is what in Greek would be called agape (sacred love). The love that seeks the highest good for the one loved. A sacrificial love that causes one to give up their own needs to provide what is needed for the one loved.

The good deeds mentioned here I think needs to be addressed more. What kind of good deeds are we to encourage each other to do?
When I first became a Christian at age 15, I wanted to know what was required of me. I read the bible to find out what God required of me. I listened to my elders, pastor, teachers about what I should be doing as a Christian. From those early days I came up with a few things that Christians must always do;
1. Read the bible daily.
2. Pray daily.
3. Witness to someone about Jesus daily.
4. Attend Church every time the doors are open.
5. Pay a 10% tithe to the Church.

This is what I was taught from the pulpit and in the classrooms. As I have matured in the Lord and my understanding of the way and will of God, I have come up with some differences in my list of good works.

I base my list on  Jesus teaching about what is most important. Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was. The man who asked him was testing Jesus as to whether he was the true Messiah of God or not. Jesus answered his interrogator that, "the greatest commandment was to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your mind and all of your strength."
Then he added, "the second commandment is sprung from the first, love your neighbor as yourself."

Out of our love for God springs forth the river of living water which is our love for our neighbor. Interesting that Jesus did not say, love your brother. Or, love your fellow Israeli or Jew. Neighbor has a broad application, extending to everyone in need that you meet. Jesus' example of who ones neighbor is, we call the Good Samaritan. From this we know that Jesus was saying that our neighbor is anyone in need of help.

Throughout the Bible God directs Israel to do good works towards three groups. The widows, orphans and homeless in the land. Jesus here is directing the good works to any one in need, any neighbor, even from a differing city.

These days I find my direction towards the homeless. In the past I was blessed to show my love for God by serving with my construction skills on a house for an orphanage. Now I look forward to being able to serve the homeless.

I have been sharing my situation and thoughts on the application of God's word with the hope of spurring you all on towards love and good deeds towards the homeless around you.

Heavenly Treasure

Heavenly Treasure
By Kent Secor

Much is written in the Bible about wealth and giving. Much that I, in my forty years in the Lord have heard and read little about. We are called to love one another, to serve one another and our neighbor. This is to be in real and practical ways, not just in word, but in actions.

Today I'd like to address the storing of wealth, and how we use it.

Jesus taught that we should use our wealth to assist the poor, and by doing so we will store up treasure in heaven.

Luke 12:13-34 (TNIV)

13  Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

14  Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15  Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."

16  And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17  He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 18  "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19  And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."'

20  "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

21  "This is how it will be with those who store up things for themselves but are not rich toward God."

22  Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  24  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27  "Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!

29  And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30  For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

31  But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32  "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33  Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Life is not made up in the abundance of possessions. Life is more than just buying clothes to wear and show off in, cars, houses, food and drink to consume. We do need these things, but we don't need Rolls Royce cars or even a Lexus car. For $3-5,000 we can purchase a good used vehicle that will service our transportation needs for many years.

We don't need a $5,000 dollar suit, one off the rack at Sears of JC Pennys will suffice. We don't need to eat out at restaurants for $100-200 a plate, we can get great meals for much much less. And fix our own nutritious meals at home for very much less. Its all in how you place value on possessions and temporary things.

Jesus is making a comparison between using the finances that God makes us steward over to set ourselves up or to serve the poor with. We can consume it all ourselves on a higher standard of living, or give it away to the poor and lay up a treasure in heaven.

Jesus tells us to sell everything, give it to the poor. Now get this correct here, neither I, nor Jesus is saying that you must make yourself destitute by selling all of your possessions and giving the proceeds to the poor. Making yourself poor will end your ability to help others. It is only from a position of wealth and abundance that we have to give to others. What he is saying is to not live so high on the hog. Live in more humble means, at a lower living standard. For example sell off the mansion, buy a small house, and give the extra to the poor.

I recall a story about a multimillionaire CEO in England, who when he and his wife became believers in Christ, took stock of their lives and made a very hard decision to live at a lower standard of living. They sold their estate in the country, giving all the servants a very nice severance package. They sold their house in London and bought a simple flat. They sold all of their cars and limousine, and purchased a simple car.  The proceeds and extra income they used to serve the needy of London.

If you want to read more of such giving by the extremely wealthy, check out the Giving Pledge.

The point I make here is that each one of us can do this. Some of us have done it, without planning to do so. The economic times we live in have robbed many of the wealth they had stored up, and forced many to live at a lower standard then they previously did. Take stock of where you are now. Consider well the foods you eat, the clothes you wear, what you drive and where you live. Do you need to raise your standard of living when you start to earn more? Or can you live ok at this level, and then use any increase to help others in need?

I encourage you all to consider well and seek first the kingdom of God, to seek to learn and do God's will and give to the poor and needy around you, and lay up for yourself treasure in heaven that is eternal.

On the Streets of Austin, cont'd

I posted this on a thread I started on Meet Christians, which has generated some great responses. I hope this post will encourage others to get involved with those in need whether the homeless or working poor.

Personally I place little stock in the government assistance programs. They are there, they are being administered by some people that really care, and others that are just there for a job, and some that have become jaded towards the needy they are working for.

For example I went into ARCH the other day to follow up on my job application and the woman at the front desk refused to contact the HR person for me, because I told her I used their mail service one time. Totally bureaucratic and very disagreeable. But then I had to forgive her because she deals with difficult men every day and was responding to me out of her own attitude, which on another day may be more congenial.

Don't get me wrong, I am seeking help from government sources, and do appreciate what is available. I am signed into the VA Medical service and VA Housing Assistance. I am going to a VA housing counselor on Monday afternoon. It has taken almost two weeks to get to talk to someone about housing assistance, after telling my VA caseworker that I was homeless. Red tape and an overtaxed system bogs down all government programs, no matter how they are staffed. And most are understaffed for the number of people they are trying to serve.

So far all my assistance has been from my brethren in the Lord. First from a brother I had never met before and then from two brethren that I have never met face to face.

This has helped to restore my faith in God. Before I left Florida, I stated to the air that I no longer believed in God, for if God existed he would have heard my prayers of desperation and answered them, and at that time I had no answer. It was out of this depth of desperation that I left everything I owned, but for one backpack and one duffel bag, including my dog, and boarded a bus for Austin, TX.

This may well have been the Lord's way to move me, to find his will and purpose for me, but I did not see that at the time. I am starting to think that way and I find now that day by day I am able to trust in the  Lord's provision, my daily bread.

It took God's people, the Lord's  brethren reaching out and assisting one of the least of these, me, that has caused my faith and trust in God to rise up once again. Today I can say the Lord is faithful and trust worthy, and can give praise to him.

Why some Christians do not help the needy.

Reasons why Christians don't help the needy.

Why do some Christians (and I use the term very loosely) not help those in need? There is a great need in this down economy for the church to stand up, take up the reigns of charity and help those who are down and out. Many are economic homeless, they lost everything through upside down mortgages that went to foreclosure, leading to bankruptcy, loss of jobs, family dissolution, living in their car, on the streets or in a shelter.

Many of these have no substance abuse issues, no mental illnesses that would prevent them from holding a job that would pay them a living wage. With a job they can rent a house, buy a car, get back into active society and contribute to their community. Many of these I have talked to in Austin are already helping out those who have needs, handing out a few dollars here and there. I have been doing that, giving to all who ask me for a few dollars, which is all I can spare right now. I do have a temporary job, which will end this next week, and can spare some few dollars.

Many Christians in Austin are helping out. There are many churches and organizations that seek to serve the homeless, but there are more that need help then can be helped.

Below I give some of the reasons why Christians don't help the needy, you may think of more. Please consider these, and if one hits you between the eyes consider it the conviction of the Holy Spirit convicting you of sin and convincing you of righteousness and the judgment to come. (John 16:8 )

 Keep in mind that at the judgment we will be judged for how we treated the least of Christ's brethren. (Matt. 25:31-46 ) Will you be judged a faithful sheep or an unfaithful goat?

Let each judge himself (2Co 13:5)  "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" (NIV)


Imminent Rapture of the Saints.

One reason that some Christians (in name at least) don't get involved with social services for the needy is they hold that Jesus might come back today to rapture them out of this world's mess. Therefor why try to patch up the sinking ship, when they will get taken out of it. There are statements from some teachers saying this very thing. In other words, they think they are saved, safe and will be rescued, and to hell with those who are not saved...

Extreme Predestination

An extreme Calvinist view of predestination can make some callous to the plight of the needy. Under this view those who were predestined to be saved will escape the coming wrath of God. Those who are predestined to wrath will go to hell, do not pass GO, do not collect $200.... They see no reason to fight God's predestined will and try to assist those whom God has cursed.

This is very similar to the caste system of Hinduism. Where the lowest caste of society is untouchable by the higher castes. They are considered to have their place because of sins from past lives that cursed them to live as the under class and be like dung on the streets. Cows are treated with more respect than the untouchable caste.

Laodiceans

Rev 3:14-22

14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.

15  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. 16  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

17  You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

18  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19  Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

20  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me. 21  To those who are victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

22  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (TNIV)

These "Christians" think they are blessed of God with wealth, health and their station in life. They don't look beyond their own needs or consider the needs of others. They just don't care. According to John, these are not showing a real love for the brethren and therefor are not lovers of God. (1John 2:11; 3:10,14) They are in danger of being cast out from the assembly of Christ, by Christ himself.

 False Brethren

1Jn 3:15-18

15  Anyone who hates a fellow believer is a murderer, and you know that no murderers have eternal life in them. 16  This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for one another.

17  If any one of you has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in you? 18  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth (TNIV)

These are lovers of self more than lovers of God. They profess Christ, they attend church. They are members in good standing, some serve in leadership roles. But they refuse to personally assist anyone in need. They will drop their offering into the collection plate, bag or box, they will even earmark it for the poor. But they will never give to someone on the street who asks them for some spare change. They will cross the street if they see a bum down the way from them.

By their lack of practical assistance to those in need, they show they are not truly in Christ, that they are not lovers of God and that they really hate the brethren and therefor are as good as murderers in God's judgment.

Conclusion

Jesus says he stands at the door and knocks. The door is the door of relationship and fellowship with Him. This is addressed to believers, or at least those who claim the name of Christ, those who think they are safe from hell's fire and the judgment to come, not to unbelievers as it is falsely used in some people's gospel presentation.

Believers who think they are blessed of God with wealth and health, yet are really poor, wretched, blind and naked. Real wealth starts with a true relationship with and in Christ and with the brethren. True wealth is laid up in heaven by giving to the poor and needy. Let me ask you all, have you ever seen an armored truck going to a cemetery? You can't take it with you when you die, and all that will count at the judgment is what you have done for Christ and the least of his brethren.

I pray for the grace of God to be shed abroad in your hearts that you might repent and walk in true righteousness, extending help to the needy.

Vow of Poverty.

When I hear or read the term "vow of poverty" I think of the different orders of monks who take such a vow, and then live in a monastic community.

For those of us who don't think we are called to monastic life, a different idea is needed than to share all things in common, including the building one lives in.

I think it more a matter of keeping an open heart and wallet, to help those in need that come your way. OR going out with your heart and wallet open to give to those in need.

As one brother has pointed out to me, the homeless need more than their shopping list filled, clothes, food, bathes, clothes washed, medical services and such. Don't get me wrong all of these are necessary. But if all we do is give the homeless things, how are we really helping them? In some way this will just enable some of them to stay on the streets and be comfortable. Again, I am not saying not to give material goods to the needy. I think it imperative that we do so. But we must realize that these are just temporary measures.

What a hungry man needs is fish to eat. We can give him a fish and feed him one time, or we can teach him to fish and he will eat for life. My thoughts recently have been what is teaching to fish to the homeless. What do the homeless need to get back into society?

I think the answer lies in community and here is where I get back to the vow of poverty idea I opened with. The Shakers had a philosophy, "To live simply that others might just live." They  chose to live in community and share all things in common and give away their excess to the needy. Too bad they also took a vow of chastity, even married couples, the last Shaker died out a few years ago.

We can only give out of a position of wealth. We can not give away what we do not have, at least not legally. We can not give away our neighbor's car to someone without a car, no matter how badly they need one. We could buy a car from our neighbor and give it to one in need. But to give it away with out buying it is theft.

I have seen the homeless give away items that were given to them, to someone else who could use it. They gave from the wealth, the extra that they had to one who needed it. Wealth is not about how much you have. It is about how much you have period. It is not about being a millionaire or billionaire. If you have a dollar in your pocket your wealth is $1.

An abundance is anything more than you need to live on. Here is where I see the crux of the matter. Too many in this country and others live above their means. Carry way too much debt, and by doing so are slaves for the banks and lending institutions, they work to pay off their credit card and other debts.

Many I have been around have prayed that the Lord would bless them with more wealth. One of the latest is to pray the prayer of Jabez;

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." (NIV) (1Chron. 4:9,10 )

Or in other words, Lord make me more wealthy. Yet many of these are living in debt. If God did give them more they would just qualify for more debt. This type of praying is not the answer and only leads to more greed, IMHO.

The answer lies in first understanding that all the universe belongs to the creator, God. And every thing we hold, even our own self and life belongs to God. We are merely stewards of the material things we possess. When we are in right relationship with God and our King Jesus, we see that we hold his goods and must act in obedience to Him, that we might be pleasing in all of our ways to our Lord.

As stewards of God's material possessions, we must be willing to do with them as he directs. Jesus clearly taught to give to the poor.  "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." (NIV) (Luke 6:30 ) I think this means that when that homeless person asks you for money you give it to them. I have had a number of people ask me for money. Most often they are asking for a dollar or two. Some of the guys work the bus stops asking for a dollar for bus fare.

Jesus said to give to everyone who asks you. Jesus did not say to judge whether or not they will misuse the money, did he? No, he said to give to EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU. As a steward of God's money, should we not do as He commanded us? Jim has questions about the trinity, but those of you who believe in the trinity teaching also hold that Jesus is God the Son. So where we have a clear command from Jesus it is a command from God. God says to use the money he has placed in your stewardship and give it to everyone who asks for it.

I can't think of a more clear command to give, to help the homeless when they ask you for money. If you think to offer a meal instead and they accept it, great. But don't disobey Jesus because you are judging the person asking you for a dollar or two.

I will continue to post more on this subject.

A brother challenged me to share what I think the Lord is leading me to or working in me from my homeless experience. I have alot I want to share about my present situation and why I am in it and in Austin. As much of our life stories are, mine is simple but complicated.  Is that an oxymoron? Ok let me say that my story is is a simply complicated story, or a complicated simple story, well anyways, I think it may be one that some might be able to relate to, so I will share it.

I will start with the last couple of years. I found myself isolated, spending time with my dog and online video games. I also spent time in forums with fellow believers, and playing GO online with people from around the world. I wanted to not be isolated, to not be lonely, to be involved with others. But where does one go to socialize when you are not a drunk, and so don't enjoy hanging out in bars and clubs. I don't really dance, I can and have when dating someone and we were somewhere to dance. I don't enjoy organized religion. I have a hard time sitting through "church services" waiting for them to be over so you can spend profitable time in fellowship with other believers.

Construction in SW FL has tanked. From over 80,000 construction workers in Lee County before the 2008 bust down to about 10,000 workers. Since the bust started I have had a hard time finding employment, taking up to 14 months to get a job. This last time being out of work and seeking a job, was very fruitless.

The last couple of weeks in Florida I felt like I was trapped. Kind of like I was underwater and that there just was nothing for me in the Ft. Myers area anymore. I had been planning on moving for a couple of years and had settled on Austin, TX about a year ago. My plan was to buy a $3000 truck or van, load up my tools and necessary items, sell off and give away the rest of my stuff, pack up my dog and head for Austin. I even had two different rooms lined up in dog friendly homes, for Harley the wonder dog.

There I was checking ads everyday, finding nothing available, knowing that for every menial job offered there would be hundreds of applicants. I have no problem working a menial job, I can wash dishes with the best of them. So I sat there and thought about what I was going to do. Finally the last Saturday I was home I decided I had just enough money for bus fare to Austin and I was going. It took me till Thursday to get going. Wednesday I had jury duty and thought I should do that, keep a misdemeanor off of my record for not showing up. The hardest part was leaving Harley. I thought about placing an ad in Craig's List and trying to find him a good home before I left. But I was not sure I would up and leave, and if I didn't leave, I didn't want to be without my pal.

That Wednesday night after jury duty I stopped vacillating and decided that I was really going to do this. I packed one bag with a few clothes, my backpack with my computer, note pad and a few things, some apples to eat on the way. The next afternoon I put Harley in the back yard with the screen door open, and walked down to the bus transfer station, to ride to the Greyhound station downtown. Even while riding the city bus I kept asking myself, "are you really going to do this?" I was leaving everything behind. All my cooking and kitchen stuff. All my books, the rest of my clothes and all of the kinds of stuff that one collects over thirty some years living in one area.

Finally I was on the Greyhound bus heading out of Ft. Myers. I kept thinking, I can always turn around from the next station and go home. Finally I got too far from home to be able to pay the bus fare back. I texted my landlord, Wendy and told her what I was doing, apologizing for just up and leaving like I did. She said she understood and wished me luck. Later she texted me concerned about my state of being. I tried to convince her that I was ok, not suicidal and was on the bus heading to Austin.

While on the bus I used my laptop and the bus WiFi to tell everyone that I was heading to Austin. I contact the one friend I had in Austin and asked if they knew of someone who could give me a couch to sleep on while I got into some place in the city.

So to wrap up my story, I am now in Austin. I am technically homeless. I have been fellowshipping with the homeless downtown, where so many of the services for them are located. There are many thoughts going through my brain the last couple of weeks. One is that the kingdom of God in Christ Jesus is falling way short of serving those in need in their communities. Too many walk past the homeless and take a disdainful attitude of them and of all those who are poor.

Many of these men and women have been cast  off from society. Some have sought solace in different substances that numb the mind for a time. Others are just numb from having all the props knocked out from under them by the economic depression we are presently in. They lost homes, jobs and families and are lost on the streets  trying to find their way back up.

Being one of the homeless, I am finding a desire to reach out to other homeless and try to serve them. I will admit that I have the same hesitant feelings that most others do. I've never been this low in society before. I find I am being challenged to associate with those of lowly position, and not turn away from them. I have been noticing that many of the homeless walk about with eyes downcast. Afraid of seeing the rejection in other's eyes. I have been trying to look them in their eyes and say hello to every one.

I will write more later....

The Alien in the Land

At present I am one of the homeless. Yes, I am one of "those" people that walk the streets all day, sleep in doorways, in alleys, and on the sidewalks. I stink and need a shower, I have dirty clothes, hair and nails. I stand on street corners and shout out scriptures at people, walk around town talking to people that are not there. I ask everyone for money, and refuse a hot meal, I need my next fix, not food. Do any of you love me less now? That is a real loaded statement and at this time not completely the truth about me, but I wanted to paint for you the normal picture of the homeless that we think about, I know I did.

I am homeless. I left my home in Ft. Myers, FL depressed about my whole life situation, feeling at the root level of me that I had to make a drastic change. I had been planning on moving to Austin, TX, for many reasons, but had wanted to move with a decent truck or van,  my tools and much of my stuff, plus my little buddy, Harley (Australian Shepherd and frisbee hound). But life's situation and my state of mind and heart caused me to jump. Part of the reason I left was that I was again looking for work and finding nothing. Already a week in Austin and I am working. It is a temporary job, but working all the same. I was to the point of being homeless in Florida, before I left. My story is not all that different from many other of the homeless. Many are here in Austin seeking a chance to get back up on their feet and off the streets.

I am homeless now. Some dear friends allowed me to crash their place for a few days. A week ago they and their family paid for me to stay two weeks in the Youth Hostel here in Austin. As of Dec. 1 I will not have this lodging. Hostel rules only allow someone to stay a maximum of two weeks, they don't want their places to become permanent living. And I have no money to stay elsewhere. So I am presently homeless.

Now comes to the heart of my article. What do you do about the homeless? Do you do anything? Do you greet the homeless on the street with a warm smile and hello? If they ask for cash do you think two or three times then give them a quarter?

Do you know that there are three areas of charity, or loving good works that God commanded Israel to do? It was to show charity to three different groups of people, widows, orphans and the alien in the land. Today we would call the alien in the land, the homeless. Most of us have no problem with helping widows and orphans, after all even the Christian writer James says that is part of pure religion. But helping the homeless? Please, they just take, and take and take.Did not Jesus say to give to all who ask of you, give and do not hold back? This is true Christian charity at work, giving to the needy.

Let me address some of the needs of the homeless. I would appreciate all who read this considering what I list and giving me good suggestions to add to it.

Homeless Needs

1. Shelter: those who are homeless need shelter. Group shelters by the government or churches are mearly a stop gap measure. Normally to help keep the homeless from sleeping on the city streets, or get in from extreme cold weather.

I am finding many who are economic homeless, that need transitional housing while they find permanent employment and are able to save up enough to get into their own homes. I'm thinking cheap rooms based on a sliding scale, or free in loving family homes. Buying or building houses for transitional housing, and allowing the homeless to use them free even....all depends on how the Lord has blessed you and what you are able to do. I know one brother here in Austin that is building a house for homeless women as there are little shelter room for women here. 

2. Food. Good nutritious food, not left over almost moldy stuff. My suggestion is to get to know some of the homeless or poor in your area, find out what they like to eat and when you shop for yourself and family, buy some of that to give to the needy. 

Buy a couple of shopping bags for the soup kitchen, I would suggest taking to them to find out what they really need. No sense buying fresh food they can't use.

Buy some can food, fresh fruit, vegetables, and give them to the homeless. Cans should be the newer easy open pop tops, not every one carries a can opener, or you can also offer them a can opener with those cans without pop tops. Beans are a good nutritious food that can be eaten cold or hot, veges, soups (non-condensed).

3. Clothes. Good and clean clothes. A person can not walk into an interview with clothes that are stained and falling apart. Once you get to know one of the homeless, you might find they could be best served with a new or like new suit or dress to be able to walk into an interview for a job that would require business wear that they are well qualified for. Yes some of the homeless today were in the middle class, and at one time had good jobs and homes. Then the big bust of 2008 came in like a flood and washed it all away.

4. Friendship. I'm going to stop here for now, but there is a lot more to be listed. This I think is number one, but I wanted to end my article with it, because the last things we read tend to stick with us longest. The homeless need friends, real friends who will sit and listen to them. Trust me, if you will not get down on their level, sit on the ground or steps right next to them, look them in the eye, shake their hand, touch their shoulder, just like you do to all of your other friends, they will recognize that you just do not accept them. 

The homeless are so used to be rejected and looked down on that they know in a second whether or not you are a true friend or not. And they want, at their root heart level to have friends. I have watched how the homeless treat each other, for the most part they find a deep friendship with each other, and little friendship outside their circle of the homeless. 

It takes friends to love and understand, to care enough to reach out and offer a hand up to the down and out. To listen to the homeless, to help them find the way through the maze of services offered to help those in need, and at times cutting through the red tape that bogs down those trying to offer those same services. 

Of all things I encourage you to be a friend to the homeless, share a smile and warm hello, those cost you nothing. Be ready to sacrifice some of your time and resources to your new friends who are of lowing position right now. Show hospitality to those in need and you just might find you have given aid to an angel unaware. 

Associate with the humble and lowly.

One of my criticisms of the modern church is the over emphasis of participating in church functions and programs. I see this as taking up much of the free time that believers could otherwise being spending in doing good works. Those good works that are so clearly taught in the NT.

I find myself now one of the least of these, brethren of Christ Jesus, one of the humble and lowly in circumstance. Today while visiting the Church under the Bridge in downtown Austin, I was talking with a couple of sisters and made mention of the verse regarding associating with the lowly. Rom 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

One of the sisters I was talking to, whom I know from a yahoo group I'm in, made mention how too many of the people who come downtown to minister to the homeless do so from a superior attitude, and often will not touch one of the homeless people. When Paul penned these words, the church was made up of mostly the lowly or those in a humble state, the poor and slaves. Those who were wealthy, and rich were encouraged to not be separate, as the heathen are, but to associate with those of low position or the poor and slaves.

Romans chapter 12 starts a change in Paul's letter to the Romans. The first 11 chapters are all about salvation in Christ Jesus. That it is all his work in us, his called out ones, his people. That all men are called to salvation, Jew, Gentile, slave, free, men and women all alike. With this chapter Paul now starts teaching about how to live in Christ. He starts with "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." (Rom 12:1 )

As ones called out of the dark kingdom of sin and translated into the kingdom of Christ Jesus, (Col. 3:1 ) we are to live lives of a living sacrifice. Giving up our rights in many, many ways. One such right has to do with not taking pride in our station in life or our accomplishments, and refusing to associate with those who are of a lower station in life. The rich are to be friends with the poor and, yes, the homeless just as they are with their country club friends. Nothing wrong with being proud of your honest efforts in life. True humility is to take proper pride in your work so as to perform the best you can, and not thinking higher of yourself than you really are. False pride causes us to not associate with anyone who is not of our class or station. In Christ there is no class, no Jew, no Gentile, no slave, no freedmen, no men, no women. In our salvation we all come on the same basis, and are on the same footing, Christ and Christ alone. In our lives together we are to strive to associate with all who claim the name of Christ, and not refuse to associate with those "we think" are beneath us. For all are the brethren of Christ, we all are brothers and sisters in the family of God in Christ Jesus.

Christ gave us the parable of the shepherd dividing the faithful sheep from the unfaithful goats in associated with the judgment of God upon Israel. In 63-70 AD that judgment separation took place. The sheep were separated out and sent into Jordan and other areas for safety. The goats faced the weeping and gnashing of teeth from the judgment of God upon them through the anti-Christ armies of Rome. I can see where Christ still judges those in the kingdom of God the same way. If He does not judge the church for how we treat the least of his brethren, then he will have to apologize to first century Israel.

Giving food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothes to the naked, care for those who are sick and infirm or disabled, those of the faith in jail is still Christ's call to us who strive to be faithful followers of Him.

Through out the Old Testament God calls Israel to show loving good works to three groups of people, widows, orphans and the homeless alien in the land. James mentions that the taking care of widows and orphans are part of pure religion. Religion is made up of those things we do specifically because of our faith in God. Because we are saved in Christ Jesus, we do good works, works that were prepared for us to do from the founding of the world (Eph. 2:10 ). We are not saved just to get into heaven, salvation is not fire insurance. We are saved to serve the Lord in simple obedience to his commands. He commands us to love one another as he loved the disciples. Paul here says that one way we live that out is to associate with those in lowly position.

My encouragement to all who read this is to get out of your comfort zone. Be the feet of Christ and go out to the hedges and byways, the alleys (in the day time only), the shop doorways and sidewalks. Get to know some of the homeless. Be friends with them, you might find one or two that will surprise you in a good way. Try to identify what they really need,might be a hot meal, might be a hot shower and change of clothes, maybe a chance to watch their clothes. Maybe a trip to the clinic or dentist. Be real, seek out real needs. Setting up a stereo and preaching at them, is not the best, IMHO. Giving them a chance to talk and a showing them a willing ear to listen can go a long way.

Be the hands of Jesus, and reach out to sooth and heal. Show real care and concern, not just a few dollars or change in the hand. You might even chance to show hospitality in your own home to one of these least of Christ's brethren. And you might find out you have taken in one of Christ's angels unawares.

May the lord grant you the grace to be faithful in showing real and a pure love to those who are the least of his brethren.

On the Streets of Austin

Last Thursday, November 10, 2011 I boarded a bus, leaving Ft. Myers, FL, heading to Austin, TX. After about 37 hours on the bus I arrived on a chilly Saturday morning. When I left I left everything, including a very dear pet dog, Harley. I carried one bag with some clothes and my backpack with my laptop, a portfolio pad holder, my identification papers, and a little money.

I had no idea what the situation would be when I got here, but planned on living on the streets and sleeping in shelters till I could get settled in. On the Greyhound buses I was able to connect to the internet, most of them had working WiFi and 110v power outlets. I made contact with a young couple I knew in Austin, and in response they offered to pick me up and let me stay with them for a few days.

On that chilly Saturday morning, I met Matt M. for the first time. I recognized him from Grace's facebook profile pictures. It has been a great pleasure to get to know Matt over the last few days.

The weekend was resting from the bus trip, talking with Matt and making some kind of plans as to what to do and where to go on Monday.

At 6:30 AM Monday morning Matt dropped me off at ARCH/Front Steps in downtown Austin. ARCH is the government operated homeless shelter. I figured that I might need the shelter for a time and that they would have connections to all the other services available to assist the homeless and transients who need to get settled in.

I had to wait for other things to get going for those already in the system before they would have time to talk to me and start my induction into the homeless system. When my turn came, I and a counselor went to an office room and he started filling in my information. At one point in the interview we started to talk about employment and I mentioned that they had a ad in Craig's List for a Maintenance Tech that I thought I would be well suited to fill. At that point he collected up all of the paperwork and said to me that then we needed to do things differently. The rule is that if you are in the homeless system you must wait 6 months before you can apply for a job with them. He recommended that I make my application that day, and if I am not hired to then come back and get signed into the system to get some assistance.

So I emailed my resume to the manager and HR rep for ARCH. This kind of put a stop in all the other plans I had for that day as most of the rest of the services are all tied together to prevent abuses of the system.

more later....

The Eternal New Covenant Kingdom

by Kent Secor

Not much is taught today about the different covenants and kingdoms that God established and are recorded in the Bible. We do hear about the kingdom of God, but few really teach how God’s kingdom progressed from the first of creation with the first citizens, Adam and Eve to the present eternal kingdom of God in Christ Jesus. Though mention is made most seem to place little importance upon the kingdom of God, yet this is one of Jesus’ main topics during his ministry.

Another way to discuss this is what is called Covenant Theology. There are some parallels of thought between Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology, but there are many differences, one major one is that Covenant Theology sees present Israel as simply another nation of people who need Christ. Some term this Replacement Theology, and in part I think that is correct. Dispensational Theology sees Israel being restored as a civil nation an important step towards fulfilling end time prophecy (eschatology) and setting the stage for the events of the end as they understand them.

I see the revelation of God as a progressive revelation, starting with simple ideas and building complexity over successive ages. On this topic of covenant and kingdom, for both are always linked in God’s kingdom, it would not be wrong to say God establishes Covenant Kingdoms, as I shall show.

When God created man, “ male and female created He them”. He gave mankind dominion over all of the earth and the creatures upon it. This established both the first covenant of God with man and the first kingdom of God upon the earth, with Adam and Eve the first citizens of the kingdom and God the only King.

This first Covenant Kingdom of God being the first was also the simplest and had one stipulation, one law, don’t eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The blessings under this covenant was that they would remain in the perfect garden and their work would be easy. Their assigned task under the covenant was to take dominion over the whole earth.

Within the story of God and man in the garden we see God walking with man in the cool of the evening, and God tasking man with naming all of the animals as the start of his task to take dominion over all the creatures. So before the rebellion of man, they enjoyed fellowship with God and were actively obeying God to take dominion over the earth.

After the fall the terms of the covenant were amended, with added stipulations. Man was kicked out of the perfect garden and now his work of subduing the earth would progress much slower because now he would have to work against the weeds. Women would suffer pain in child birth, and the serpent was promised the Messiah who would over come him.

Between Adam and Noah there are two kingdoms. One the Kingdom of God, the other the kingdom of men. They are referred to as sons of God and sons of men. The sons of God followed and obeyed the teachings of the first father Adam as taught and handed down through the patriarchs. The sons of men went their own way completely. Consider Cain as the first son of man, leader of the kingdom of men, and Able, then Seth as the sons of God after Adam, and so on till only Noah was left of the sons of God.

Gen 6:1-4 (NIV references throughout this article, paragraphs are mine)
1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.

3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

Here is contrasted the sons of God with the sons of men, actually the subject at hand is the daughters of men, whom the sons of God found beautiful and they took them for wives. It is assumed from this that it was a less than good thing, that something bad came from it. Perhaps it was like when the Israeli’s married a woman from another nation and got carried away into that nations idolatry. We don’t have full detail about this, so can only conjecture, but that seems like a reasonable explanation.


Gen 6:5-9
5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them."

8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Now we come to Noah, the only living son of God. Notice the description of Noah, he was righteous, blameless among the people, and he walked with God. His forefather, Enoch, had that same distinction, “ Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. “ (Gen 5:24)

In the second covenant, that with Noah, the first, Adamic covenant is repeated with some added leeway. Now mankind may eat of the animals for nourishment.

Gen 8:18-9:17
18 So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives. 19 All the animals and all the creatures that move along the ground and all the birds—everything that moves on the earth—came out of the ark, one kind after another.

20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. 21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. 22 "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. 2 The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. 3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

4 "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. 6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.

7 As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." 17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth."

Under the Adamic covenant/kingdom of God all who followed the teachings of the patriarchs were sons of God, those who did not were of the kingdom of men, the sons of men.

Now under the Noahic covenant all his descendants are included. The kingdom of God gets a fresh start with Noah’s sons, daughter in laws and their children. Within a couple generations there is another kingdom of men raised up by Cush and Nimrod.

Kingdom of Men under the Noahic covenant.

Gen 10:8-10
8 Cush was the father of Nimrod, who grew to be a mighty warrior on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; that is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD." 10 The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, Akkad and Calneh, in Shinar.

Under Nimrod the first Babylon was built with its idolatrous tower.

I am trying to show that in the progressive revelation and the history of men from creation there have always been two kingdoms, the kingdom of God, where his will is sought out, taught and obeyed and the kingdom of men where they set their own will as supreme and obey their own laws. One could say this is a direct result of the eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil by Father Adam and Mother Eve. Their children could now chose who they would serve. Those who chose the best good and followed God and his will were the sons of God kingdom, those who chose the evil, followed the will of men and were the sons of men kingdom.

In the Adamic covenant/kingdom age we had the sons of God and the sons of men kingdoms. In the Noahic covenant/kingdom age we have again the sons of God, who are led by Shem, and the sons of men kingdom started by and lead by Nimrod, later his son, Nimrod the second.

In Nimrod we find the first real reference to another kingdom, before this I could only conjecture and apply a more modern term to the situation of men from Adam to Noah/Nimrod.

The next major covenant is with Abraham.

It starts with the calling out of Abram from where his family had settled in Haran.

Gen 12:1-3
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

God in calling out Abram, promises to make him a great nation, or kingdom.

Gen 13:14-17
14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."

Now God promises to give the land that Abram is now living in as a nomad to him and his children, who will be uncountable, like the dust of the earth.

God makes Covenant with Abram

Gen 15
1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

2 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir."

4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." 5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

7 He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."

8 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?"

9 So the LORD said to him, "Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon." 10 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.

13 Then the LORD said to him, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.

15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."

17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."

God makes covenant with Abram, establishing the land for what will become the kingdom nation of Israel.

After the 400 years in Egypt, where the children of Jacob/Israel were mistreated as slaves. After they were sent out by Pharaoh’s decree with the riches of Egypt in their carts and upon the backs of their animals. God met Israel in the desert and established a covenant with them. This covenant was part of the founding of the kingdom nation of Israel. Israel by it became not a group of escaped Egyptian slaves, but the covenant kingdom of God.

Ex. 19:3-6
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Israel are now on the way to the land promised to them by God and recorded in the covenant he made with Abraham. The kingdom/nation promised in the Abrahamic covenant is now to be a reality.

This covenant kingdom is limited to one people, the children of Israel. But by this one nation, this one kingdom all the nations of the earth would be blessed, for the Messiah, the King of the eternal kingdom of God would come from it. “I will make you into a great nation ...and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen.12:2,3) A kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. God’s covenant kingdom on earth, until the coming of Messiah and the founding of the eternal New Covenant Kingdom.

As the revelation of God progresses, more detail is given regarding the promised redeemer first mentioned in the amendment of the Adamic covenant after the rebellion. The seed who would crush the head of the serpent was given more detail. Many Messianic promises were given. Details of a Messianic kingdom were given. He would be a son of David, the Anointed one of the Lord. The New Covenant would be the covenant of his kingdom, which is an eternal kingdom made up of all men, not just of Israel. There are a lot of Messianic prophecies, and it makes an excellent study in itself. I will only address a few of these statements showing the new covenant and the eternal kingdom promised.

1. The Son of David, Messiah, would be born of a virgin.

Isa 7:13,14
13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

This is reported as fulfilled in the gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke, in the conception of Mary and the birth of Jesus. (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:35)

2. The Son of David, the Messiah, would be born king of the eternal kingdom of God.

Isa 9:6,7
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah records that the child and son, who is the Messiah, is born with the government upon his shoulders. In this titles one is the Prince of Peace, which peace with God, he brought to the whole world by his shed blood.. His government, or kingdom and peace will increase and have no end, it is an eternal kingdom.

Dan 7:13,14
13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Dan 7:27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'

Jesus called himself by the title of the son of man, which is a Messianic title. Daniel tells us also that his dominion or kingdom is everlasting or eternal. Here also is the idea that all men, peoples, nations will worship the Messiah, also his kingdom will never be destroyed. It might be attacked, its people persecuted to death, but it would not be destroyed as other kingdoms have been and would be. Notice also that the all other kingdoms are handed over to the saints, the people of God the Most High. The people of the new kingdom will rule under the Messiah.

Dan 2:31-35
31 "You looked, O king, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were broken to pieces at the same time and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.

After Daniel explains the meaning of the statue as representing kings and kingdoms starting with Nebuchadnezzar, as the head of gold. It is the last kingdom that is the Messianic kingdom that interests us now.

Dan 2:44,45
44 "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. "The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and the interpretation is trustworthy."

Daniel tells us when the Messianic kingdom would start, “in the time of those kings...”, it will crush those other kingdoms, the ones referred to in the vision, and bring them to an end, but the Messianic kingdom will never be destroyed or be taken by another people, it will endure forever, or be eternal.

3. Messiah will be a son of David.

Psa 89:3,4
3 You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4 "I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.'" Selah

Psa 89:35-37
35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness— and I will not lie to David—36 that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; 37 it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." Selah

God’s covenant with David was that his line would be king over God’s people for ever. In the Messiah, the seed of David, the son of David is the eternal kingdom found and God’s promise to David fulfilled.

Jer 23:5,6
6 "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

The Messiah will be the son of David, the righteous branch, the King who will reign wisely and do what is right. This will happen in the days of Judah. During the time of the Messiah, Jesus. Israel was most often referred to as Judah, as the tribe of Judah was the ruling tribe. In the NT we often have the reference to Israelis as Jews, which is a form of the name Judah.

4. The Messiah will establish a new covenant with Israel.

Here we come to the other aspect of the Messiah’s rule, the establishing of a new covenant that replaces the old Mosaic covenant.

It is promised in the words of the prophet Jerimiah.

Jer 31:31, 34
31 "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. 33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Here God declares that he would make a new covenant with Israel and Judah, the two kingdoms that split from the original one kingdom of Israel. This new covenant would be different than the first one made with the children of Israel in the desert of Sinai, or the Mosaic covenant.

One difference is that where the Mosaic covenant was based on the ten commandment carved in stone tablets by God, this new covenant would be written in the hearts and minds. And each member of the new covenant nation or people would know God directly. Also their sins would be forever forgiven.

Jer 32:40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.

The covenant is declared to be an everlasting covenant.

Ezekiel 37:24, 28
24 "'My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. 25 They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever. 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28 Then the nations will know that I the LORD make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.'"

Here Ezekiel tells us that the Messiah, “my servant David”, will be king and the one shepherd over the people of Israel. The Messiah, :David my servant” will be prince forever, eternally. Again stating that the kingdom of Messiah is an eternal kingdom. The covenant of that kingdom is one of peace with God. It is an eternal or everlasting covenant. The people of this new covenant will increase their number. God’s sanctuary will be among them forever, eternally.

Some New Testament references showing the fulfillment of the eternal new covenant kingdom in Christ Jesus, The Messiah Yeshua.

Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Jesus stated that his blood, that was soon to be shed, was the blood of the new covenant. Jesus was directly referencing the words of Jeremiah and Ezekiel regarding the Messianic Kingdom new covenant. All covenants are made with blood, and the eternal new covenant would be the same. Where in the other covenants the blood was that of animals, here it would be the blood of the King, Messiah himself.


2Cor. 3:6-8
6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

Paul here is making a comparison between the Mosaic covenant and the Messianic new covenant, showing that it was a present reality to Paul.

Heb 8:6-13
6 But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. 7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.

8 But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

13 By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

The writer of Hebrews, (I hold is Paul, some think Barnabas or another writer), compares the old Mosaic covenant with the new covenant of the Messiah, Jesus. He quotes Jeremiah 31 about this covenant stating that Jesus is the mediator of it. He also makes statements that the Mosaic covenant was faulty in some manner and was replaced with the superior new covenant that is founded on better promises.

Paul also says the old covenant is obsolete and aging and will soon disappear. Just a note on the preterist interpretation of this verse, the statement that the Mosaic covenant was aging and would soon disappear is reference to the end of the administration of that covenant and the temple that was necessary to fulfill the requirements of that covenant in its rituals, rites and ordinances, that soon happened in 70AD.

Paul says that the new covenant of the Messiah Jesus is superior to the old and that the old is on its way out.


Heb 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

Paul links the new covenant in Christ/Messiah with the promise of receiving the eternal inheritance and salvation from their sins as judged under the Old Covenant.

Heb 10:15-22
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." 17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Paul in a comparison between the required annual sin sacrifices of the Mosaic covenant and the once for all sacrifice of Messiah/Christ, states that the blood of Jesus is the sacrifice of the new covenant. That the blood of Jesus is the fulfillment of the words of Jeremiah 31.


5. Jesus Messiah, King of the Kingdom of God.

Luke 1:30-33
30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

The angel who made the announcement to Mary about the child who would be born of her, repeats the words of Isaiah 9:6,7, regarding the son who would be born to be king, “give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign...forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Mat 12:28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Jesus preached the kingdom of God during his earthly ministry. Here he declared that his work of casting out demons from those possessed was proof of the kingdom of Gold being among them. This is the same eternal kingdom of the Messiah prophesied by Isaiah, Jeremiah and the other prophets.

Mat 26:63,64
63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
Mat 26:64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

When Jesus is questioned by the high priest, he directly declares himself to be the Messiah, the Son of God.


Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king."

John 18:33-37
33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

34 "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"

35 "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

The rulers and priest accused Jesus to Pilate of treason against Rome by claiming to be Messiah King, and subverting the nation of Israel against Rome by teaching that one should not pay taxes to Rome, again a charge of treason.

When Pilate asks Jesus directly if he is the king of the Jews, Jesus declares that he is. But he adds that his kingdom is not of this world, but from another place. Jesus directly refers to Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the child who would be born and the son given to be King of the eternal kingdom of God.

I have shown with a few references that the Messiah was to both be the king of an eternal kingdom, that it started with his birth and increased from there to ultimately fill the whole earth. That Messiah would institute a new eternal covenant, replacing the old Mosaic covenant.

This is what I refer to as the eternal new covenant kingdom of God in Christ Jesus.

There are more references that can be considered, but that in itself is another and well worthy study.