HOW FAITH IS STRENGTHENED

August 4, 2012

“The people that do know their God shall be strong.” Da 11:32

Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons who are enlightened and taught of the Lord; they are said to “have an unction from the Holy One”, and it is the Spirit’s peculiar office to lead them into all truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith. Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Saviour. Or, to use another similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait then we love him, we cannot love a Christ whom we do not know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the excellences of Jesus, what he has done for us, and what he is doing now, we cannot love him much; but the more we know him, the more we shall love him. Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for a thing if we do not know of its existence? Hope may be the telescope, but till we receive instruction, our ignorance stands in the front of the glass, and we can see nothing whatever; knowledge removes the interposing object, and when we look through the bright optic glass we discern the glory to be revealed, and anticipate it with joyous confidence. Knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shall we have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ, and understand the good which is to come out of the correction which our heavenly Father sends us? Nor is there one single grace of the Christian which, under God, will not be fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. How important, then, is it that we should grow not only in grace, but in the “knowledge” of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

I particularly like this statement: ” Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith.” How can we know about God unless we know what the Bible says?  We must be continually learning.  The older I get, the more I feel I have only scratched the surface of the deepness of the scriptures.  We must continue to learn.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

CR

2 Comments | Commentary, Helps, LIFE, Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

My “Choice” in 2012

July 23, 2012

With less than four months left before the election, I guess it’s time to state my opinion.  Anyone who reads this blog knows how I have to vote.  Do I think it is an important election?  All elections are important. Every Christian is responsible to know who to vote for not only in the highest office, but in the lowest as well.  What is happening to America is not only caused by incidents in the highest office in the land.  I lay the largest blame on our demise at the feet of the “Christian” church in America.   Most of us call ourselves “Christians,” don’t we?

I must digress a tad.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer visited America twice (Note your spell check and his name is spelled incorrectly in Word).  He was a leading German Christian several decades ago living in a time much like today.  The last time Mr. Bonhoeffer visited Americas was in 1939 for 26 days.  If you have never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I highly recommend the latest biography written by Eric Metaxas.  Mr. Bonhoeffer understood what was happening years before the tragedy of WWII.  America is headed down a road not untraveled.

Here is what Mr. Bonhoeffer wrote after hearing a famous, nationally known, American radio preacher before he left America on his final visit:

“The Americans speak so much about freedom in their sermons.  Freedom as a possession is a doubtful thing for a church; freedom must be won under the compulsion of a necessity.  Freedom for the church comes from the necessity of the Word of God.  Otherwise it becomes arbitrariness and ends in a great many new ties.  Whether the church in America is really ‘free,’ I doubt.  They are lonely Sundays over here.  Only the Word makes a true community.” (1)

On his first trip to America, Mr. Bonhoeffer arrived on Sept. 12. 1930.  He had come to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

“Bonhoeffer had no idea what he was walking into at Union, but the bloody battle royale between the liberals and fundamentalists was in full swing in 1930.”  (2)

My point is that the spiritual ruin causing all of our other national problems was underway long before 1930.

“(Harry Emerson) Fosdick had been the pastor at New York’s First Presbyterian Church when in 1922 he preached an infamous sermon titled ‘Shall the Fundamentalists Win?’  In it he had laid out a kind of Apostate’s Creed in which he expressed his serious doubts about…the virgin birth, the resurrection, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, miracles, and the Bible as the Word of God.”  (3)

By 1930, John D. Rockefeller had built Riverside Church very near Union Theological Seminary.   Mr. Rockefeller handpicked the pastor, of course.  It was Mr. Fosdick who was “the most famous liberal preacher in America.”  (4)

America was already in trouble in 1922.

Our situation is much worse today.  Look at the presidential candidates we have to choose from.  One we know very little about (the one in office) and the other one is a Mormon. Mormons have a developing Jesus. In fact, they believe that “As man is God once was. As God is, man may become.” (5)  Does that statement sound familiar?

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall surely not die:  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”  (6)

This is one of many reasons that Mormonism is considered a cult.

Romney was a Mormon Bishop. (7)  To get such a position, an oath of obedience to the latest Mormon Prophet running the Mormon Church is necessary.

At least we can say that we know Mr. Romney’s past.

When Mr. Obama’s “official” birth certificate was posted on the White House website, a brilliant 16 year old who, I’ve heard, has made alot of money because of an app he created, tore it to shreds as a fake.  One can see the video of him doing so here. (8)  If you think the young man lacks credibility, you can watch this. (9)  This video is less than 3 minutes (earphones may be needed) and features Mara Zebest, an Adobe expert.  I have heard extensive interviews with Mara and they are quite impressive.

Thus, here are our two choices:

  1.  A man who has no problem lying to us, and
  2.  A man who has had a high position in a cult

As a Christian, what should I do?

Psalm 32:12 states:

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”

So, as the t-shirt says: “My faith and my politics can not be separated.”

Before I go any farther, I would like to share an email with you that I received this week.  It is from a man who has been published in our local newspaper several times.  I think he makes some good points.  I have edited only a few things.  You are reading it as it was intended to be understood.

Dear Editor,

 With the great anticipated National election soon approaching, I would like to remind all readers some of the “accomplishments” this President has done during his term thus far.

 #1.

 He was able to convince some of the American public that his designed health care system was beneficial and that government control was needed. You are aware that there will be an increased health insurance fee for medical effectiveness research. Major insurers were already doing their own research, but according to the Obama administration, it lacked the credibility of government sponsored studies. So what if government  becomes judge and jury.

 #2.

 He expanded programs that increased the national debt to an unbelievable level and continues to do so. It now has increased almost 33% since he came into office. That is more than 27 times faster than during the rest of the nation’s history. One way of looking at this is; if you are driving at 65 MPH and a car passes you going 27 times faster, that car would be going 7,555 MPH!! It doesn’t matter that future generations will be saddled with the debt.

 #3.

 He showed allegiance when he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, but never wore an American flag pin and folded his hands at waist level when the National Anthem was played.

 #4.

 He appointed White House cabinet posts to Cass Sunstein, Anita Dunn, Valarie Jarrett, Carol Browner and Van Jones. Even though Mao Tse Tung was a favorite of one, many admitted being avowed Socialists. And then there was:

 #5.

 Obama and his administration tried to shut down all oil drilling and exploration in the Gulf. Fortunately he was not as successful as he would have liked, but he did manage to curtail drilling and exploration by his permitorium cutting production to a loss of 375,000 barrels per day. I wonder if he realizes that Offshore drilling is vital to U.S. energy security and supports more than 242,000 jobs. By the way, food stamp recipients have increased over 35% and all unemployment has increased 24%, among minorities it has increased 25%. To make matters even worse, America approved an investment in Petrobas, helping Brazil to become one of the largest oil exporters in the world. We lend them money so that we can buy the oil they produce with the money we lend them. Wow, what a deal!! Mr. Obama spoke of the desire of the U.S. to secure even more oil from Brazil in the future after his talks with President Dilma Rouseff in Brasilia earlier in 2011. Are we right to wonder why Mr. Obama is happy that Brazil is doing what he won’t allow at home? Oh, and the pipeline that would increase jobs and oil refinery here in the U.S; the Keystone XL pipeline? Mr. Obama was against it until… Yep, you guessed it, election time in 2012! That pipeline would have delivered an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 barrels of oil per day! By allowing the industry to produce at capacity it could generate $44 billion in U.S.GDP, reduce by $15 million the amount we send to foreign governments and create 190,000 new jobs. It would help ensure a supply of energy that cannot be manipulated by hostile governments. What a President. What a catastrophe! And to think that he was able to do these things and more, even though he had absolutely no experience at anything except community organizing.  Speaking of community organizing, Obama has a long history of wanting to change social structure and behavior thru community organizing in Chicago. He has credited it by citing public housing being renovated, parks refurbished and city crime and drug problems curtailed. Ask anyone living in Chicago if any of this exists. Mr. Obama talks a lot but it is only blather. I hope this letter reminded you of another reason or two for not giving Obama your vote in November. We can no longer afford him.

 Sincerely,

 Joseph Burba

 I would like to thank Mr. Burba for his contribution.

As a Christian, there is the problem of Mr. Obama’s stand on abortion and homosexuality.  If the scales weren’t slanted greatly in favor of Mr. Romney before these issues, they become so.

It is going to be hard to vote in November.  However, it is my duty as a Christian to vote for the person who is the closest thing to a real Christian.  If our leader is separated from the God of the Bible, how can our nation be blessed?  Our leader is a reflection of the people.

The only man I felt comfortable voting for in the primary was Rick Santorum.  Yes, I threw my vote away.  I went to vote because of a local man I wanted to help make it past the primary.  He did, thankfully.

I will be voting for Mitt Romney in November.  It is not a vote I want to make but I have no choice.  I hope you vote.  I hope you check out the lesser candidates and choose those who best line up with Godly views.

God’s blessings…

Chris Reimers

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.  Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

—————————————————————

Notes:

(1)   “Bonhoeffer” by Eric Metaxas – pgs. 342-343.

(2)   Ibid. pg. 101

(3)   Ibid. pg. 102

(4)   Ibid. pg. 101

(5)   http://www.exmormon.org/mormon/mormon140.htm By the way, the Elder Marion G. Romney who is quoted as saying, “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become” is Mitt’s second cousin.

(6)   Genesis 3:4-5

(7)   http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-03-28/mitt-romney-mormon-bishop/53836844/1

(8)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9StxsFllY

(9)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv19avtHVcc

2 Comments | Bible Prophecy, BIG GOVERNMENT, Commentary, globalization, Helps, IMPORTANT UPCOMING MEETINGS, LIFE, News | Permalink
Posted by Chris

ISRAEL WILL SURVIVE

July 21, 2012

I rarely add to the words of Mr. Spurgeon.  Usually, I can add nothing more.  However, I live in a different time. Israel became a nation long after Mr. Spurgeon passed.  And I have studied the Assyrians and their king, Sennacherib.  You see, I did a report in college on the Old Testament book of Nahum.  Most of you know the story of Jonah and how he eventually got around to telling the Assyrians to repent.   AND THEY ACTUALLY REPENTED.  Sadly, Nahum came a bit later and recorded 4 major prophecies that had to do with the destruction of the Assyrian Empire.

So what does this have to do with the following piece by Mr. Spurgeon?  Israel was in trouble when Isaiah wrote the following verse inspired by God’s Holy Spirit.  Israel is in trouble today.  What did Israel do then?  Eventually, they trusted that God would save them.  What will happen to today’s Israel.  Read your Bible.  God will save them.  They will not be exterminated like so many wish.

A popular, current Christian best seller calls the Assyrians the “first terrorists.”  I don’t know if this is true, but I know that their armies were terrorists.  I can’t relate the details here as I’m eating my breakfast.

What does Mr. Spurgeon do with the words of Isaiah?  He does what he always does.  He attempts to relate it to our personal lives and our relationship with God.  I think he does an admirable work here.

Those who have read much of the Bible at all know that there are layers.  It is why we can read the same verse many times and get something new.  The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Bible.  What a wonderful privilege it is to have God’s Word in my hands.

Chris Reimers

“The daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.” Isa 37:22

Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold, and shook their heads at Sennacherib’s boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt upon their most haughty foes. We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy the eternal life, which cannot die while Jesus lives; to overthrow the citadel, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against the pricks to their own wounding, and rush upon the bosses of Jehovah’s buckler to their own hurt.

We know their weakness. What are they but men? And what is man but a worm? They roar and swell like waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame. When the Lord ariseth, they shall fly as chaff before the wind, and be consumed as crackling thorns. Their utter powerlessness to do damage to the cause of God and his truth, may make the weakest soldiers in Zion’s ranks laugh them to scorn.

Above all, we know that the Most High is with us, and when he dresses himself in arms, where are his enemies? If he cometh forth from his place, the potsherds of the earth will not long contend with their Maker. His rod of iron shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and their very remembrance shall perish from the earth. Away, then, all fears, the kingdom is safe in the King’s hands. Let us shout for joy, for the Lord reigneth, and his foes shall be as straw for the dunghill.

“As true as God’s own word is true;

Nor earth, nor hell, with all their crew,

Against us shall prevail.

A jest, and byword, are they grown;

God is with us, we are his own,

Our victory cannot fail.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

CR

Leave a Comment » | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, Helps, LIFE, The Middle East, Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

“Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross…”

July 14, 2012

“If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” Ex 20:25

God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord’s own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour’s work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in his dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in him alone.

Many professors may take warning from this morning’s text as to the doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

CR

2 Comments | Commentary | Permalink
Posted by Chris

GOVERNER BEEBE APPOINTS FIRST OPENLY GAY MEMBER TO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

July 8, 2012

For those who read this blog from outside of Arkansas, we’ve done it again.  I must say we are not as spiritually “gone” as many states, but we are not immune from the cultural change that is occurring nationwide.

Sadly, one of the state’s lesser known news sources, printed an illuminating article which one may read here.

http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2012/07/06/right-wingers-blast-jay-barth-appointment-to-state-board-of-education

The article gives more info on Mr. Barth’s lifestyle.  He traveled to New York so that his homosexual marriage would be legal.  Additionally, the piece calls Jerry Cox, a man whom I have worked with on a moral issue, the “leader of the Arkansas Family Council, one of the state’s oldest formal hate groups.”

Jerry Cox is one of the bravest, godly men in Arkansas in my opinion.  He has stood up for Biblical principles when many pastors haven’t.

And now Jerry is the leader of a “hate group,” according to a newspaper that has quite a circulation.

It is interesting that the newspaper itself admits that Mr. Barth has written for it.  They are proud of it.

I know Jerry Cox well enough to know that the only thing he hates is sin.  He does not hate Mr. Barth.  It is evidence that taking a Biblical stand on an issue makes one a “hater” in certain circles.

Need more be said?

Yes.

I live in the “Bible Belt.”  There are 230 churches in my county.  There are 75 counties in Arkansas. This gay man will be helping make decisions that affect the education of the children around me and around the state.

I thank God for men like Jerry Cox.  Please pray for the pastors and workers that are drawing a line in the sand.  Unfortunately, the majority of folks don’t know what’s happening or don’t care.

I care, and if it wasn’t for my pastor I wouldn’t have known about this story.  Is your pastor informing you of these issues?  If not, you need to find a good source of information; one that tells the truth of our situation.

My pastor thinks we can still reverse things.  He is correct, of course.  God’s Word says that, if His people will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, he will heal their land.  The question is: “Will we turn from our wicked ways?”

We don’t have a very good track record of late.  Our situation, combined with the situation in the Middle East, and the financial situation worldwide leads me to believe the answer is “no.”

What has created the entire mess?  Sin.  The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Anyone who has read this blog long enough knows that I believe there is only one answer.  That answer is to trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

God will not bless those who do not trust.  I’m not referring to financial, personal, or physical blessings.  I am referring to spiritual blessings.

When Jerry Cox becomes the “leader of a hate group,” we are in serious trouble.

May God have mercy on us.

Chris Reimers

Leave a Comment » | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, globalization, LIFE | Permalink
Posted by Chris

The New School Prayer

July 8, 2012

A dear friend of mine gave this to me at church today.  I have edited it a bit (removed one paragraph), but I think it is telling.  Just this week, I was reading information about today’s teens gathered by a famous polling group.  The poll was, I think, taken within the last 10 years and found that only 9% of American teens believe in absolute truth.  And we wonder why things are falling apart.

By the way, I don’t blame teens for these sad numbers.

The prayer is not attributed to a person.  It only says that it was written by a teen in Bagdad, Arizona.  I don’t know if this is true, but the “prayer” is true in many places in our country.

CR

The New School Prayer:

Now I sit me down in school where praying is against the rule.

For this great nation under God finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites, it violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow, becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange, or green, that’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise; prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall, might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate, God’s name is prohibited by the state.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, and the “unwed daddy” our Senior King.

It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong, we’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls, study witchcraft, vampires, and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No Word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess, when chaos reigns school is a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make: should I be shot my soul to take.

2 Comments | Commentary, globalization, LIFE | Permalink
Posted by Chris

WOWWIE-KAZOWIE!!!

July 6, 2012

Who doesn’t know that Moses was great?  I’m sure there are some in far off lands where the name Moses means nothing.  Those places are becoming rare because of the work of Christian missionaries throughout the centuries.

I stumbled on something the other day that lifted Moses to a new level in my mind.  You may have heard of this, but I don’t recall it.  I’m sure I’ve read it; it just never caught my eye.

This time my reaction was “Wowwie-kazowie!!!

Moses made 7 trips to the top of Mount Sinai.

Most of us know of two.

Well, he made seven.  They are noted in the Klassen Study Bible.

It was Moses 6th trip that intrigued me.  One can find the story in Exodus 32:32.

Almost all people who have gone to a Christian church have heard the story of the Golden calf.  However, it is 2012 and maybe this is, sadly, not the case.  If you haven’t read it, you can start at Exodus 32:15 where Moses went down from his fifth trip on Sinai carrying the two tables (10 commandments).

Most know that Moses had to go back up the mountain (6th trip).  You really should read the story if you haven’t to find out why.  You can start at Exodus 32:1 or even at 31:1.

Anyway, In Exodus 32:31, Moses has gone back up Mt. Sinai once more.  He says to God, “Oh this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.”

And then Moses does an outstanding thing.

I will use His words:

“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin-; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” (Exodus 32:32)

Is Moses offering up his salvation if God will forgive the people’s sins?  It is not clear.  It is clear that Moses is so concerned about the people that, if God won’t forgive their sins, he asks to be blotted out of God’s book.

Haven’t heard about God’s book?  Well, Moses knew about it.

Not only is it mentioned in the Old Testament (here and in Malachi 3:16), it is mentioned in the New Testament:

“And there in shall in no wise enter into it (the gates of the holy city in heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:27)

Anyway, Moses impresses me more than ever.  He offers up his salvation for the people of Israel.  Offering up one’s life is an amazing thing…but one’s salvation?

I think it is excellent.  “Excellent” doesn’t really define it.  But there it is, the highest thing one could offer is placed on the table.

God says to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.”  (Exodus 32:33)

That would make heaven empty except for God.

But Moses knew the promise of God – that a Savior would come, and save those who believed in Him.

Moses was one of the greatest, but he can’t save us.

Only faith that Jesus paid the price for our sins can save us.

It’s like the old song says: “What can wash away our sins?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

God’s love is an unconditional love that I will not understand this side of heaven.

But, I understand it enough.

It is amazing.  Amazing is another word that is inadequate in this case, but it is the best I can think of.

Chris Reimers

2 Comments | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, Helps, LIFE, The Middle East | Permalink
Posted by Chris

AND THE GLORY…

June 30, 2012

“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them.” -John 17:22

Behold the superlative liberality of the Lord Jesus, for he hath given us his all. Although a tithe of his possessions would have made a universe of angels rich beyond all thought, yet was he not content until he had given us all that he had. It would have been surprising grace if he had allowed us to eat the crumbs of his bounty beneath the table of his mercy; but he will do nothing by halves, he makes us sit with him and share the feast. Had he given us some small pension from his royal coffers, we should have had cause to love him eternally; but no, he will have his bride as rich as himself, and he will not have a glory or a grace in which she shall not share. He has not been content with less than making us joint heirs with himself, so that we might have equal possessions. He has emptied all his estate into the coffers of the Church, and hath all things common with his redeemed. There is not one room in his house the key of which he will withhold from his people. He gives them full liberty to take all that he hath to be their own; he loves them to make free with his treasure, and appropriate as much as they can possibly carry. The boundless fulness of his all sufficiency is as free to the believer as the air he breathes. Christ hath put the flagon of his love and grace to the believer’s lip, and bidden him drink on for ever; for could he drain it, he is welcome to do so, and as he cannot exhaust it, he is bidden to drink abundantly, for it is all his own. What truer proof of fellowship can heaven or earth afford?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

I have the hard copy of Mr. Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening,” which gives a devotional for each morning and evening. It is my favorite.

(It is listed in my links.)

CR

4 Comments | LIFE, Words that Uplift | Permalink
Posted by Chris

THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON AND THUTMOSE III

June 23, 2012

This post started when I lost my Bible.  I still haven’t found it and everyone has looked for it.

What does the loss of a Bible have to do with the Battle of Armageddon?  Keep reading and you’ll know.

I put my Bible (and planner) down somewhere at work and it disappeared.  I wasn’t too disappointed because we have Bibles all over the place where I work.   You see, we hand them out to anyone who wants one (We give them the complete NLT…not my favorite but good enough).

I had lost an NASB of pretty good quality.

You know how you put something down somewhere, it “disappears,” and you give up looking for it because you figure it will eventually show up.  That’s where I was for a couple of days and a weekend.

(Ignore the picture above.  It has nothing in common with this post except the word “disappear.”)

What does the vanishing Bible have to do with the Battle of Armageddon or an Egyptian king?  Keep reading and you might make a discovery.

People donate Bibles to the place I work.  They come in all shapes, sizes, condition, and translation.  I opened a file cabinet less than a week after I lost my Bible and there it was,  the donated Bible that had intrigued me when it came in.  I had forgotten about it, but now I was glad to see it.  It has become my new work Bible.  I will note the name of the Bible in the footnotes. It is one thick hombre.

My “find”

It is a King James Bible and there is an interesting work in it.  How accurate the work is I don’t know.  But it dates most major Biblical events; things like the creation and the Exodus.  I’ve never heard of it before I saw this one.

I have always been curious about the identity of the Pharaoh that Moses saw as an adult.  The 1965 version of Halley’s handbook gives different possibilities about those who may have oppressed the Hebrews and about the pharaohs who may have denied Moses’ request to “let my people go.”

Halley notes Pharaohs who may have met in the duel over the Hebrews.  They are Amenhotep II (his mummy is at Thebes), and Merneptah (his mummy is in Cairo).  In fact, Halley lists these two as the “two leading opinions.”(1) Dating systems put these pharaohs around 200 years apart with about 10 pharaohs between them.

I found 53 possible exodus candidates in only two other sources (if one includes the Hyksos pharaohs…a group of outsiders that invaded Egypt). I didn’t have to look far to find my 53 (also my age).  Imagine if I had really studied this thing.

Mr. Halley writes “If the exodus was under Merneptah, then Rameses II was the great oppressor of Israel, whose daughter brought up Moses.  (2)

“Thus Moses was brought up either under Thothmes III (Mr. Halley has spelled Thutmose III two different ways) or under Rameses II, both of whom were among Egypt’s most famous kings.” (3)

To repeat, Mr. Halley writes that “Moses led Israel out of Egypt either under Amenhotep II, or under Merneptah. (4)

So, the Hollywood version that is shown on network stations every Easter is wrong according to most scholars.  The Pharaoh in the movie (Yul Brenner) is Ramses II, not a good possibility.

Halley writes that the one “thought to have been the Oppressor of Israel” is Thotmes III (also known as Thutmose III), Queen Hatshepsut’s half brother (Other sources call Hatshepsut Thutmose III’s stepmother and aunt).(5)  In any case, she was “regent” the first 20 years of his reign: and “though he despised her, she completely dominated him.”(6)

“After her death, he ruled alone 30 years. He was the greatest conqueror in Egyptian history.” (7)

Halley states “His mummy is at Cairo.” (8)

This would mean that Thutmose the III was pharaoh when Moses was a baby.

Now you are probably wondering what this has to do with my post title.  Hang in there and follow this rabbit trail with me….please?

Very interesting is the fact, again mentioned by Mr. Halley, that “Whichever it was, the MUMMIES OF ALL FOUR have been found.  So we may now see the actual face of the Pharaoh of Moses’ day, and with whom Moses himself had intimate dealings.” (9)

I’ve always been interested in the subject and this Bible that I had run across might lend some insight because of its dating of events.

You can probably guess what I did.

I went to Exodus 2 to see when Moses was born according to my new find. (10)

The date given for Moses birth was March 6, 1542 BC. (11)

Mr. Frank R. Klassen of Laguna Hills California must have spent years studying the Bible and putting dates to events.  We won’t know if he was right until we get to heaven.  I’m sure they have the records up there.

Anyway, I looked to see who the pharaoh was in 1542 B.C., according to Mr. Klassen.

If you are still looking for the connection with Armageddon, I’ll get there.

One problem is that different scholars give different dates for the reigns of the pharaohs.

In many dating opinions, 1542 BC would make Ahmose the pharaoh who knew Moses as an infant. Or it was one of the last pharaohs of the 17th dynasty which was the last dynasty of the Middle Kingdom.  If this is true, it depends on how many pharaohs Egypt went through while Moses was in the desert.

Confused?  Ok, let’s get to the BIG QUESTION.

I went to Exodus 5 for the BIG QUESTION.  When did Moses take the people out of Egypt?   If I could find out the “when,” I could find out the “who.”

According to Mr. Klassen, it was on April 15th, 1462 BC, which in almost all Egyptian dating systems puts Thutmose III, “the greatest conqueror in Egyptian history” as Halley has stated, as the one who faced the adult Moses. (12)

That would mean that while Moses was in the desert all of those years, at least two pharaohs came and went, Thutmose II and the famous Hatshepsut.

So, Moses “met” two pharaohs.  The pharaoh he saw as an adult wasn’t the pharaoh whose home he was taken into.  This is almost certain no matter what dating system one uses.

Now comes the interesting part.  Drum roll please.  If you’ve waded through this far, you deserve some interesting stuff.

If Thutmose III was the man who had his heart hardened – who wouldn’t let the Hebrews go – then there is an interesting fact you should know.

There have been three major “Battles of Armageddon” in history.  The second is recorded in 2 Kings 23: 29-30.  It is generally regarded as having taken place in 609 B.C.

The third occurred in 1918.  You can read about it here. (13)

It is something about the first “Battle of Armageddon” that is the interesting fact.  It was fought and won by Thutmose III, Egypt’s “greatest conqueror.”  You can read about the battle here. (14)

Interestingly, this first “Battle of Armageddon” is described as the first battle ever recorded in detail. Google “first recorded battle in history” and see what you find. (15)

I think that Thutmose III’s scribe exaggerated the victory a bit.

Embellished or not, Thutmose III is highly respected.  Type in “The Napoleon of Egypt” into a Google word search and you will find something like this:

“Thutmose III The Napoleon of Ancient Egypt 1479 – 1425 BC. Some believe Rameses II was the greatest Egyptian ruler but this not true; he spent Egypt’s wealth on massive building projects where as Thutmose III actually created Egypt’s wealth. Thutmose III possessed the archetypal qualities of a great ruler.” (16)

He created the largest empire that Egypt had ever seen. (17)

Here is where I take a leap.  I think, unlike most scholars, that Thutmose III was the pharaoh that hardened his heart and would not let the Hebrews go.

Why do I think this?  Well, it fits Mr. Klassen’s Calendarized Study Bible perfectly.

Mr. Klassen puts 80 years between the birth of Moses and his taking of the Hebrews out of Egypt.  Eighty is a match with the Bible.

This is not my only reason.

If you were God, who would you have Moses face?  I’m not God and I don’t know but I’ll take a guess.  I think God would choose the greatest conquering pharaoh of all time. (I’ll get comments on this statement and I welcome them.)

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Thutmose III fought and won the first recorded battle in history.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Thutmose III was the winning leader of the first battle of Armageddon.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that two men who spent their entire lives working on dating systems came up with dates that would put Thutmose III in the important role of the pharaoh of the exodus.

Mr. Klassen isn’t the only one whose dates fit Thutmose III.

Have you heard of J.R. Church?  He worked his entire life on a dating system.  He is one of my favorite Bible teachers who specialized in Bible prophecy.  He died last year.

The last book that he wrote, Daniel Reveals The Bloodline of the Anti-Christ, J.R. has a timeline in it (in the back).  It is very elaborate but doesn’t mention the Egyptian pharaohs.  You can get more info on J.R.’s book here.

He put the date for the exodus at 1492/1491 on Nisan 15.  This date puts Thutmose III closer to the adult Moses than the other three major possibilities.

Did I mention that Thutmose III was the first pharaoh called Pharaoh? (18)  It means “Great House.”

To see a good picture of Thutmose III, you can go here. (19)

After a study like this, I have many questions, but a main one.

Why haven’t those who’ve studied these things, the real scholars, come to the same conclusion?  Maybe I’m missing something and would be glad to hear it from any of you.

There are many speculations.  There are a few You Tube videos that identify “Firoun” as the pharaoh during “Moses time.”

I looked at the list of all pharaohs known from the 1st to the 31st dynasty and saw no name that was close to Firoun.  Maybe I missed it, but I looked twice and didn’t see it. The closest thing I could find relating to Egyptian pharaohs is the word firon. (20)

In my short study, I didn’t find anyone else who had narrowed it to Thutmose III.  I’m sure there are others out there who have had the same thought.  If you find one, please let me know.

I didn’t go that in depth, but I did find a source that narrows the possibility down to 2, Thutmose III being one of them. (21)

There you have it; a theory from a curious person.

If you are ever in Cairo, stop and see the mummy of Thutmose III and I think you will be facing the man who spoke with a grown Moses.

If you want to save yourself the time and air fare check here. (22)  You see, Thutmose III’s mummy was damaged by grave robbers.  It was “so ruined that later mummy makers used wooden splints tied to what was left of the body to reinforce it.” (23)

Lastly, there is another Battle of Armageddon coming.  It’s referenced in Rev. 16:16.

But, that’s a subject for another time.

Now, if I can only find my lost Bible…

Chris Reimers (24)

P.S.  I could have saved myself some time by Googling “Thutmose III and the exodus.”  But then I wouldn’t have learned anything.  I did the google search as a final check as soon as I finished this draft.  I found one extensive study that agreed with me. (25)  Scanning it I didn’t see the link with Megiddo, however.  And I didn’t see J. R. Church or Mr. Klassen mentioned.  Their dating systems helped me form my conclusions.

I’m glad I did my own work, though it is not as extensive as the only one I could find with the same conclusion at which I arrived.  Steve Rudd feels that the evidence is overwhelming that Thutmose III was the pharaoh of the exodus.  Although someone has been here before, I’ve enjoyed a great journey and maybe added a jot or tittle.  Click here to see Mr. Rudd’s work and see a better picture of Thutmose III.

CR

NOTES:

(1)  Halley’s Handbook, 1965 Ed. pg. 113

(2)  Ibidem

(3)  Ibid

(4)  Ib

(5)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thutmose_III

(6)  Halley’s Handbook 1965 Ed. pg. 112

(7)  Ibidem

(8)  Ibid

(9)  Ibid pg. 113

(10)               The Klassen Calendarized Study Bible, 1982 ed.

(11)               Ibidem pg. 74

(12)               Ibid pg. 90

(13)               http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Article/1120670

(14)               http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/egyptmilitary/qt/070607Megiddo.htm

(15)               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Megiddo_(15th_century_BC)

(16)               Google search for “Napoleon of Egypt” on April 4, 2024

(17)               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thutmose_III

(18)               http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh

(19)               http://www.flickr.com/photos/ascarr/7034595625

(20)               http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Firon

(21)               http://www.biblehistory.net/newsletter/moses_pharaoh.htm

(22)               http://ancientegyptia.tripod.com/id11.html

(23)               http://www.mummytombs.com/egypt/pharaohmummies.htm

(24)               Proverbs 3:5-6

(25)               http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-date-1440bc.htm

============================================

After-note:

It is July 27th, 2013.  I am looking at a more recent edition of Halley’s Handbook, published in 2000. In this version, Merneptah  (1236) is not a possibility for being the Pharaoh that Moses saw.  Here is a quote from the 2000 edition:

“On his stela he (Merneptah) mentions having defeated Israel – ‘Israel is laid waste, his seed is not’ – indicating that Israel was already in the land of Canaan.”

Thus, the two editions do not agree.

They do agree that Amenhotep II is a possible candidate for the pharaoh whom Moses saw.

Rameses II is mentioned in the first 1965 edition as being a possibility of being the pharaoh Moses was raised under.  The 2000 edition states “Some scholars consider him to be the pharaoh of the Exodus.”

In the 2000 edition, Thutmose III is “thought to be one of the oppressors of Israel.”

Despite what wiki states about Rameses II being the greatest pharaoh in history, both versions of Halley’s Handbook states that Thutmose III was the greatest.

Here are two sources that agree:

Was this ancient Egypt’s greatest military leader? (National Geographic)

(I saw this first in Mar. 2020. As far as I can tell, it was posted in 2016. My original post was put up in 2012. There are a few other articles and videos which have been posted after my post.)

“Thutmose III reigned from 1479 BCE to 1425 BCE according to the Low Chronology of Ancient Egypt.”  This wiki date fits not only both Halley’s Handbooks that I have, but also the Bible that I feature in this post (April 15, 1462 B..C.).

Most Biblical sources put the date near this for good reason.  The 2000 edition pictured here makes a case for 1446 B.C.  It has good reason.  It states:

“Since Solomon began to rule in 970 B.C. (Mr. Klassen puts the date at 983 B.C.)  the fourth year of his reign would be 966 B.C.  The text says that the Exodus from Egypt took place 480 years before this; that gives 1446 B.C.as the approximated dated of the Exodus.”

This is how Mr. Klassen gets his date of 1462.  Either way, the dates correspond with the wiki dates on Thutmose III.

Is wiki the ultimate source?  Of course it isn’t.  The Bible is our guide and God chooses not to identify, specifically, the pharaohs during the birth of Moses and during the time of the Exodus.  Therefore, we must speculate.  That is what I have done here.

If you are interested, you can come to your own conclusions.  The above post shares mine.

God’s blessings…

CR

9 Comments | Bible Prophecy, Commentary, News, The Middle East | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris

HUNGRY PEOPLE

June 11, 2012

I must mention two things before I share facts with you.

The first is that I must give credit to my friend Manny who sent me the link where I got this information. Manny has a blog called Kairos Now and you can read a great series he has just completed.  You can get to his web site by looking at my blogroll and clicking on Kairos Now.  Manny told me that his goal in the series “is to cause people to consider the high cost we must pay to protect children from horrors of this evil world.”  I highly recommend it.

The link to the hunger information that Manny shared with me will follow.

Second, there will be no picture of starving people on this post. Unless you have been hungry yourself, no picture can communicate what it’s like. I don’t neglect the picture because a starving person is difficult to look at. We are either hardened or softened by the pictures. Anyone who is softened already needs no picture, just the facts.  Anyone who is hardened by pictures of poor people needs to read the Biblical story of Lazarus (Luke 16:19…)

Here are some of the facts:

We’ll start with American children since they are closest to home.

  • 20% or more of the child population in 40 states and D.C. lived in insecure (low food security and very low food security) households in 2010.
  • In 2010, 16.4 million or approximately 22 percent of children in the U.S. lived in poverty.

Think of that last fact.  Nearly 1/4th of American children live in poverty.  I know that our definition of poverty is nothing like the definition in many other places in the world.

To see other facts about hungry children in America, go to:

http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/child-hunger-facts.aspx

Manny shared some other facts with me.

  • Asia and the Pacific region is home to over half the world’s population and nearly two thirds of the world’s hungry people.

(Source: FAO news release, 2010)

  • Women make up a little over half of the world’s population, but they account for over 60 percent of the world’s hungry.

(Source:  Strengthening efforts to eradicate hunger…, ECOSOC, 2007)

·

  • 65 percent of the world’s hungry live in only seven countries: India, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Ethiopia.

(Source: FAO news release, 2010)

·

  • Under nutrition contributes to five million deaths of children under five each year in developing countries.

(Source: Under five deaths by cause, UNICEF, 2006)

·

  • One out of four children – roughly 146 million – in developing countries is underweight

(Source: The State of the World’s Children, UNICEF, 2007)

  • More than 70 percent of the world’s underweight children (aged five or less) live in just 10 countries, with more than 50 per cent located in South Asia alone;

(Source: Progress for Children: A Report Card on Nutrition, UNICEF, 2006)

·

  • 10.9 million children under five die in developing countries each year. Malnutrition and hunger-related diseases cause 60 percent of the deaths;

(Source: The State of the World’s Children, UNICEF, 2007)

·

  • Iron deficiency is the most prevalent form of malnutrition worldwide, affecting an estimated 2 billion people. Eradicating iron deficiency can improve national productivity levels by as much as 20 percent.

(Source:  World Health Organization, WHO Global Database on Anemia)

·

  • Iodine deficiency is the greatest single cause of mental retardation and brain damage, affecting 1.9 billion people worldwide. It can easily be prevented by adding iodine to salt.

(Source:  World Nutrition Situation 5th report, UN Standing Committee on Nutrition2005)

These are just some of the facts.

Many use these facts for their own gain.  I would call these people evil.

But the facts are the facts and they aren’t pretty.

So why are so many people interested in hunger?  I think it’s because of the economic situation worldwide.  More importantly, I think it’s because of the spiritual situation worldwide. These days even the wealthiest fear hunger.

What does the Bible say about the issue?

On a personal level, Jesus told us not to worry about what we are to eat. (Matt. 6:31, 32)

On a humanitarian level, Jesus talked about those who are “blessed of my Father:”

“For I was hungry and you gave me meat: I was thirsty and you gave me drink…” (Matt. 25: 34, 35)

I appreciate that Manny took the time to look up the facts for me.  It means he also cares about the subject.  It is a difficult subject, but it is one we must consider.

cr

Leave a Comment » | Commentary, LIFE | Permalink
Posted by Chris

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »