The Feast of Trumpets

Leviticus 23:23-25

23 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

The Feast of Trumpets is the first of the fall feasts on the Levitical calendar. Just as the spring feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost) portray the events surrounding the first advent of Christ, the fall feasts portray the events surrounding the second advent of Christ. The Feast of Trumpets is celebrated on the first day of Tishri, the first month of the year on the civil calendar. Thus, the Jews refer to this holiday as 'Rosh Hashanah', meaning 'the head of the year'.

Tishri corresponds to September-October on our modern calendar. Tishri was the seventh month of the sacred calendar. (September means 'seventh month'.) The sacred calendar began on the first of Nisan, which corresponds roughly to our March-April.

There were special sacrafices connected with this holiday.

Numbers 29:1-6

1 And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.

2 And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish:

3 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram,

4 And one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs:

5 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you:

6 Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

Jewish beliefs concerning Rosh Hashanah

1. It was believed by some of the Rabbis that the world was created on the first day of Tishri. The Babylonian Talmud says in relation to the Feast of Trumpets:

    

     We have learned R. Eliezer says: In Tishri the world was created, the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob were born and died; Isaac was born on the passover; on New Year's day Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah were visited with the blessing of children, Joseph was released from prison, and the bondage of our fathers in Egypt ceased; in Nisan our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt, and in Tishri we shall again be redeemed.

2. It was believed by the Rabbis that man was judged on Rosh Hashanah, and the sentence was confirmed 9 days later on the Day of Atonement. We read in the Babylonian Talmud:

     At four periods is the world judged; at Passover, in respect to grain; on Pentecost, in regard to the fruit of trees; on Tabernacles, in respect to rain; and on New Year's day man is judged, but the sentence passed upon him is confirmed on the Day of Atonement, and our Mishna speaks of the opening of judgement only (and not of the final verdict).

In another place we read:

     on New Year's day all human beings pass before Him (God) as sheep before a shepherd, as it is written [Psalms xxx. 9] "He who hath fashioned all their hearts understandeth all their works."

It was said that there were three classes of men judged each year at Rosh Hashanah: the utterly wicked, the wholly good, and the average class of men in between. The Babylonian Talmud explains:

     The wholly righteous are at once inscribed, and life is decreed for them; the entirely wicked are at once inscribed, and destruction destined for them; the average class are held in the balance from New Year's day till the Day of Atonement; if they prove themselves worthy, they are inscribed for life; if not, they are inscribed for destruction.

The Rabbis believed that the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur was a time of repentance that one may obtain life in the coming year. We read in the Babylonian Talmud:

     He who repents between (New Year's day and the Day of Atonement) is forgiven; but if he does not repent, even though he offered the choicest sacrafice, he is not pardoned.

According to the Babylonian Talmud, charity, prayer, change of name, and improvement averted God's evil decree at this time. Iniquity was removed from him who was willing to forgive his neighbor's transgressions against himself. (see Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:35) Hence, forgiving others was essential to being forgiven one's self.

3. The Rabbis believed that the shofar, or ram's horn, was the trumpet that Jehovah intended to be blown on the Feast of Trumpets. The scriptures containing the commands regarding the Feast of Trumpets do not specify whether the silver trumpets or the ram's horns were to the used. But, the Rabbis believed  the shofar to be the correct trumpet because of Leviticus 25:9.

    9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet (hebrew: shofar) sound throughout all your land.

Since the Jubilee occurred in Tishri, and the shofar was specified for that, the Rabbis believed the shofar to be the correct instrument for Rosh Hashanah.

The Feast of Trumpets was unique among the feasts in that it occurred on the new moon. As soon as the new moon was spotted, witnesses would rush to the Beth Din to report that they had sighted the new moon. When two lawful witnesses could be found who had seen the new moon the feast was proclaimed and the trumpets were blown. The feast would never be proclaimed until two acceptable witnesses had seen the new moon.

The scriptural significance of the Feast of Trumpets

A study of the Bible reveals that God comes with the sound of the shofar. In many Jewish communities, Psalm 47 is recited 7 times on Rosh Hashanah. Psalm 47:5-8:

    

     5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

     6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

     7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

     8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

We see the scriptural significance of the Feast of Trumpets in this passage. Rosh Hashanah represents the return of Messiah to reign upon the Earth.

God's first appearance to the nation of Israel as a whole occurred when God descended down to Mt. Sinai with the sound of a shofar. Exodus 19:16-20

16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the shofar exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

19 And when the voice of the shofar sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up.

(The hebrew shofar has been substituted for the english translation of 'trumpet' to help the reader see what the Hebrew Bible is saying here.)

It will be remembered that Israel was in the wilderness when she saw God descend to Mt. Sinai. So, Israel will again be in the wilderness when she sees her God descend before her. In Revelation 12, we find that the Jewish remnant in the Tribulation flees to the wilderness before the second advent of Christ. Revelation 12:6,14

6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Just as God came in fire over Mt. Sinai and burned it, so when Christ returns the mountains will melt under him.

Micah 1:3,4

3 For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth.

4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.

Psalm 144:5

5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

II Thessalonians 1:7-10

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Habakkuk 3:3-5

3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.

5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.

Psalm 18:7-10

7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

When we read these passages, it becomes obvious why the Christians must sound the gospel trumpet before God sounds his trumpet! The coming of the Lord will be a terrible, terrible event to those who do not know Christ!

The nation of Israel heard the shofar sound when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

Exodus 20:18

18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the shofar, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

We read in the scripture that the law of God will again go forth after the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 2:3,4

3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

At the return of Christ, the Lord will gather the Jewish people back to the land of Israel with the sound of the shofar. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 27:,12,13:

12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.

13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great shofar shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

Again, Jesus taught in Matthew 24:31:

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Jewish people will have a solemn assembly when the shofar is sounded. (Typified by Yom Kippur. see Leviticus 23:27)

Joel 2

1 Blow ye the shofar in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

Again we read in Zechariah 12:

10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;

13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;

14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

Israel will find her final deliverance from her enemies when God sounds his trumpet.  Zechariah 9:

14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the shofar, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

15 The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.

16 And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

The Feast of Trumpets fell on the new moon. It was the only one of the feasts which occurred at a time when there was not a bright moon in the night sky. (Psalm 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.) This, as well, points us toward the coming of our Lord. The Bible informs us that the day of our Lord's return will be a day of darkness.

Zephaniah 1

14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.

Isaiah 13

9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Joel 2

10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army:

Matthew 24

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Another thing that we find connected to the shofar in the scriptures is the coronation of the King. The King of Israel was anointed with the sounding of the shofar. We read of Solomon's coronation in I Kings 1:

33 The king also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon:

34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the shofar, and say, God save king Solomon.

39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the shofar; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

It should be noted here that Solomon was the Son of David, as Christ is the Son of David. Our Son of David will be crowned with the sound of a trumpet as well.

Revelation 11

15 And the seventh angel sounded; (The seventh trumpet) and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

You will remember that it was stated earlier that the Rabbis connected the Feast of Trumpets with sheep passing before a shepherd. We will find this in scripture in connection with the Lord's return.

Ezekiel 34

12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

17 And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.

22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.

23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

 

31 And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.

 

Zechariah 10

 

3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

 

Matthew 25

 

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 

The Rabbis also connected Rosh Hashanah to the idea of resurrection. Because of this, shofars have often been inscribed on Jewish gravestones. As Christians, we know that the dead will be raised at the sound of the Trumpet.

 

I Corinthians 15

 

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

 

I Thessalonians 4

 

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

The next thing that we are waiting for is the sound of the trumpet. What should be our response t the imminent coming of our Lord? The Apostle John gives us the answser to that question.

 

I John 3

 

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Why are there so many interpretations of the Bible?

Many people quickly get fed up with organized 'Christianity' simply because of the many interpretations of the Bible that are offered. It is hard for them to believe that this book could really be the inspired word of God when so many different groups offer different explanations of it's teachings. Why are there so many interpretations of the Bible?

First of all, we must realize that Satan deceives by confusing man as to what God has really said. The first temptation that mankind ever faced was grounded in confusion over what God had really said. In the garden of Eden, Satan confused Eve as to what God had said, and tricked her into trangressing the instructions God had given to Adam. Genesis 3:1:

     Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Satan convinced Eve that she could not take the word of God at face value. "Oh Eve! You really cannot believe that balderdash about dying if you simply eat a fruit! How absurd!" Having lured Eve away from accepting a common sense interpretation of what God had revealed, Satan sold her on a lie.

Does this not happen so very often today? Some self appointed 'expert', liberal preacher, or cultist convinces people that they cannot take the word to mean what it plainly says, then they lead them into deception. They convince you that, since you don't know the original languages, you cannot understand the scriptures. They convince you that they alone have the God given key, and everyone else has misinterpreted the Bible. Peter warns us of unstable teachers who will wrest the word of God. II Peter 3:15,16:

     And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also   according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable WREST, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

This passage from Peter also underscores a second reason why there are many different interpretations of the scriptures.  Note in verse 16, Peter says, "speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood". There are different interpretations because some portions of scripture ARE  HARD TO UNDERSTAND. This being the case, it is only natural that men will make mistakes in interpreting the Bible.

Difficulties in interpreting the scriptures also arise from our fallen sinful flesh. The Bible is a SPIRITUAL book, while we are inherently UNSPIRITUAL AND CARNAL. Concerning this fact, Paul writes in I Corinthians 2:14:

     But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The carnal flesh of man is opposed to receiving anything that comes from God. Only a born again child of God has the capacity for understanding many things that are found in the Bible. But even a born again child of God can be carnal if he walks in his flesh, and does not reach a point of spiritual maturity. Such a Christian will also be incapable of receiving many spiritual truths. They can receive the milk of the word, but not the STRONG MEAT. Paul said that many of the Corinthian believers were like that. I Corinthians 3:1,2:

      And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Often we cannot understand the scriptures simply because of our own UNBELIEF of the scriptures. Christ upbraided his disciples who did not understand the scriptures which foretold that Christ must  rise from the dead for their unbelief in what the Prophets had written. Luke 24:25:

     Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

HOW DO WE AVOID MISINTERPRETATIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES?

We must realize that because the scriptures are God given, we cannot understand them in the wisdom of human education. God is not concerned about man's wisdom, and man's wisdom will never lead him to a knowledge of divine things. Paul writes in I Corinthians 1:20,21:

      Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

 

Paul did not desire the Corinthian's faith to stand in human wisdom! I Corinthians 2:4,5:

 

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

 

Since the scriptures cannot be understood by human wisdom, the believer must incline to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Paul explains in I Corinthians 2:12,13:

 

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 

The Holy Spirit will lead the believer into all Truth. Jesus said in John 16:13:

 

 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

 

Since we must be taught by God, we should always pray for His guidance when we read the scriptures.

 

Since the Bible was given by the Holy Ghost, we should always compare scripture with scripture. When weighing the meaning of a verse, search the scriptures for other passages which will throw light on the one you are reading. Let God give the commentary on what the text means. There is nothing in the Bible which is not explained somewhere else in scripture. In many places, the explanation is given in a near immediate portion of scripture.

 

Other methods of understanding the Bible are common sense things in nature. Ask yourself: Who is being spoken to? What do the key words in this passage mean? How would I understand this according to the normal rules of grammar? Many misinterpretations arise by redefining words, applying something to someone that the passage is not written to, or by simply failing to observe the normal rules of grammar. Although the Bible is spiritual, it does follow normal grammatical rules. It is not written in any kind of special code that only the initiated can follow. Read it as you would read and understand any other book.

 

It is my hope and prayer dear reader, that the Bible would not just collect dust in your home. Read it, and ask God for help in following it's teaching. Believe it, and apply it to your life. It is the very Word of God. A love letter from Him to you!

The Sin Eater

One of the most curious customs of historical record was a funerary custom known as "sin-eating". This custom had it's origins in the British Isles, and was later spread to Appalachia by the Scottish and Welsh immigrants who migrated there.

The Sin Eater was a poor member of the community who was chosen to bear the sins of those deceased. When a man or woman died, the corpse would be brought out of the house and laid on a bier. A cake or bread would be laid upon the chest of the deceased, along with a glass of either wine or ale. Along with this would be left a portion of money in consideration of the Sin Eater's taking on himself the sins of the departed, thus freeing them from walking after they were dead. The Sin Eater would eat the bread and drink up the ale. He took the money, and departed the scene quickly, as he was a pariah deemed irredeemable.

It is said that in 19th Century East Anglia, passing tramps would be given bread or salt which had been placed upon the chest of a corpse. Tramps came to avoid houses where there had been a recent death for fear of being tricked into taking on themselves the sins of the deceased.

What are we to make of this bizarre custom? How would such a practice begin?

I think that the answer to these questions lies inside of each one of us. The human conscience carries within it the awareness of a guilt which must be dealt with. Deep down inside, we all recognize the truth of Paul's assertion in Romans chapter 3 that 'all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God'. The custom of sin eating was a recognition of this fact, and an attempt to deal with it.

Every man and woman who  lives must inevitably face up to the fact that there is guilt which must be removed. Different individuals deal with it in different ways. Many simply bury their heads in the sand and hope it will go away. This leads to a dead conscience; murdered by the individual who would not heed it's warnings. Others throw themselves into a type of 'do-goodism'. They recognize that the guilt is there, and they believe that they can atone for it by engaging in commendable deeds. They forget that the criminal does not escape accountability just because he may have done some good deeds. We would never turn a murderer loose because he took pity on a beggar.

Those who practiced the 'sin eating' custom realized at least one important fact. Guilt cannot be ignored, neither can we make up for the evil things that we have done. They erred in chiefly one area. They failed to realize that no living mortal can take on himself the sins of another. The 'Sin Eater' had his own guilt to deal with, and could not take on himself the guilt of another.

Fortunately for us, God has not left us without a remedy. There is a sinless 'Sin Eater' who can (and did) take our sins upon himself. Jesus Christ is the one 'Who did no sin' and 'Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.' (I Peter 2:22,24) He is your scapegoat who takes your guilt upon himself and frees you from the penalty. He alone could pay the debt that you nor anyone else could ever pay. Those who look to him find eternal life. Those who do not look to him find no other 'sin eater' to take away their guilt. John 3:

18 'He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.' Are you looking to Jesus alone to take away your sin?

Only Four Possibilities

The Bible never spends much time defending the thesis of God. It is presented as a self evident fact that God exists. The writers of scripture declared that creation itself was evidence of God. David wrote in Psalm 19:1-3:


"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."

Again Paul writes in Romans 1:19,20

"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse"

Existence itself is a powerful argument for the reality of God. It trumpets His power and Godhead to all men on earth. And the testimony of existence leaves us all without excuse before Him.

Most every side of the God debate can agree on one thing. There are only a limited number of options to explain the existence of everything. In fact, there are only four possibilities to explain the existence of everything.

1. It is only an illusion.

2. It created itself out of nothing.

3. It is self existent and eternal.

4. It was made by one who is self existent and eternal.

Those are your only options. Which is most reasonable? Lets briefly look at each option.

1. It is only an illusion.

Is this reasonable? A few would argue that it is, but most of us will never buy into this. Creation is obviously not an illusion. The fact that you are conscious is evidence that your existence is real. As Descartes said, "I think, therefore, I am. If you still have any doubts, just stick your hand into an open flame and hold it there for a couple of minutes. It will cure all your doubts.

2. It created itself out of nothing.

That is certainly the most popular thesis of our current age. But is it reasonable? It is an established fact of science that energy cannot be created or destroyed. And no one has ever observed matter and energy appearing from nothing.

3. It is self existent and eternal.

This was the most popular explanation a few decades ago. But, few hold to this view today. It is beset by problems. The Second law of Thermodynamics tells us that if the universe had always existed, it would have long ago turned to mush. Entropy simply leaves no room for an eternal, self existent universe. So we are only left with number 4. It was made by one who is self existent and eternal.

Four and only four options. It leaves one with a lot to think about........

New Birth, not Religion

John 3

1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Surely, everyone was curious about this upstart preacher. He had appeared suddenly out of nowhere when John was baptizing beyond Jordan. John had greeted him with a startling appellation: " Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Obviously this revivalist had a high opinion of the young man.

If this were not enough, the young preacher arrived at the wedding of Cana with his disciples and turned six waterpots of water into wine. Not your typical religious charlatan.

Jesus then proceeded to Jerusalem to keep the passover. This was where he really grabbed the attention of the establishment. He drove the money changers out of the Temple. He referred to the Temple as his Father's house. Jesus challenged the religious leaders to destroy the temple; and he said he would raise it up in three days. It sounded like the rantings of a fanatic. But then again, there was that miracle in Cana........

Nicodemus was one of Judaism's religious elite, and he was going to get to the bottom of who this upstart preacher was. He approached Jesus, apparently hoping to find out more about those miracles, and was greeted with a confusing and startling statement. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Though he was one of Israel's religious leaders, he was thoroughly confused when Jesus began to discuss the essential spiritual issues of life.

Many today, even those with a background in the Church, are just as confused about the issue of salvation as was Nicodemus. What is salvation? To define what salvation is, it might be wise to clarify what it is not.

Salvation is not religion. Nicodemus was not short on religion. John tells us that he was one of the Pharisees. Thus, he was one of the religious authorities that the nation looked to for guidance in the spiritual realm. If anyone should have known what salvation is, it should have been Nicodemus. Nicodemus belonged to an order of men whose history went back centuries. Centuries earlier, the Pharisees  had been a 'revival' movement in Judaism which stressed faithfulness to the Law of God. Paul referred to them as the strictest sect in Judaism. Acts 26:5 " after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee." So Nicodemus and his compatriots were not at all lacking when it came to religion. These 'lily white' church folks did not drink beer, did not chew tobacco, did not curse, and they did not neglect the duties imposed on them by their faith. Yet still, something was lacking. Jesus told Nicodemus that he still needed a new birth if he was to enter the Kingdom of God.

Salvation is not good works. Many folks today are tired of the outward trappings of religion. And in many ways I am with them in this. We often mistake the ritual and singing and sermons for the real substance. So many folks want to reduce religion to simply doing good by others. Many believe if they live a fairly decent life, do not harm anyone else by their actions, and have a social conscience, that they will find God's approval for their lives. Yet, neither is this enough to enter the Kingdom of God.

Paul tells us that our salvation is not by our good deeds. Paul tells us that out salvation is not of our works in Ephesians 2:8,9.  "by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast."

You see, no matter how many good deeds you do, you are still a breaker of God's laws. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Good works cannot save you. Because no matter how many good deeds you have, you are still a violator of God's commandments. James tells us that we are accountable to all of God's laws. James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." A man may commit a serious crime and live many years after as a model citizen; yet when the law catches up with him, they will not congratulate him on the model life he lived after committing the crime. They will hold him accountable for his breaking the law, no matter how upright his life was after breaking it. It is the same with God. Nothing we do can undo the sin we have committed in His sight.

What then, is salvation?

Salvation is purchased by blood.  Jesus pointed Nicodemus to his upcoming death. John 3:14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up". In the cross, Jesus bore our sins in his own body for us. Hebrews 9:28 tells us, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Christ took our sins on himself, and thus satisfied the requirements of God's laws against the sinner. His death purged our sins. Hebrews 1:3 "when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."

Salvation is a new birth. Jesus drew Nicodemus' attention to the fact that just as one enters this world by birth, one must also be born into God's Kingdom. In your first birth, you were born into sin. Your birth was no good. So, you must be born again to meet the qualification to enter God's Kingdom. The new birth produces a new man. Paul tells us in II Corinthians 5, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This new man may enter God's Kingdom.

Salvation is received by faith. Jesus went on to tell Nicodemus, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Salvation is not earned by our religion, or our works. It is simply by faith. I do not have to continually labor and wonder if I have done enough to please God. I do not have to live with uncertainty regarding my future. My salvation is given to me of God simply by faith. Romans 5:1,2 says, " Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God".  How much faith is required? Only enough to call upon Christ for salvation. Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Again, John 1:12 says, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name". Friend, have you received Christ?

The Christian and Judging

It always bothers me that people always run to Matthew 7:1 to justify any sin that they happen to be committing. Many people flout the Bible's teachings on morality, and then defend their actions from correction by repeating 'Judge not, lest ye be judged'. Did Jesus intend this verse to be a cover for people to hide sin behind? What does the Bible teach about the Christian and judging?

Any discussion of this topic should begin with a definition of what judging is. The definition of judging can vary slightly depending on the context that the word is used in.

Definitions of the word 'judge'.

1. To compare facts or ideas, and perceive their agreement or disagreement, and thus to distinguish truth from falsehood.

2. To form an opinion.

3. to pass sentence.

4. To discern; to distinguish, to consider accurately for the purpose of forming an opinion or conclusion.

The most popular (and abused) passage in the NT on judging is Matt. 7:1-5.

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

According to Noah Webster(a Christian and a Bible translator), judging in the context of Matthew 7:1 means, 'To censure rashly; to pass severe sentence'. Obviously this is different than the above definitions. This puts things in a different perspective. Jesus is not telling anyone not to subject a doctrine or a lifestyle to examination and discern it's rightness; he is telling us not to rashly pass sentence on another person. Especially not in a context of hypocrisy.

An example of this would be Shakespeare's play, Measure for Measure, where a ruler sentences a man to death for committing fornication, while that same ruler is trying to lure the guilty man's sister into bed. Romans 2:1 speaks of this kind of judgment.

1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Again Jesus is not telling us not to correct a fault in others, but rather to make sure we are not guilty in that area before we do.

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Thus we see that we are allowed to help a brother to clear his eyesight, if we make sure our eyesight is clear in that matter first.

As the passage is usually interpreted, no one should ever correct any false doctrine, or condemn any behaviour as being wrong. This passage is one of fallen man's favorite Bible passages to provide a justification for his sins. If you tell someone to stop committing fornication or to stop getting drunk (just a couple of examples), you are greeted with 'Judge not lest ye be judged'. This is clearly not the sense that Jesus intended this passage to be took. For we read further down in verses 15-20:

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

It is clear from this passage that we ARE to judge in the sense of having discernment. This is common sense. This kind of judging is necessary in every day life.

How else are we not to judge?

Romans 14:1, 3, 13

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

We are not to judge believers over legitimate areas of disagreement where there is not an express command from scripture. In this instance it is about observing days or eating certain foods. In non essential matters such as these we are not to pass judgement on a brother who has a different practice than we.

But as Christians, we have an obligation to judge when it comes to discerning.

I Cor. 2:14,15

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

We see here that Christians are to judge in spiritual matters. This is necessary if we are to avoid false doctrines and practices.

We have an obligation to judge and discipline sinful behavior in the Church, while we leave those outside the church to God's judgment.

I Cor. 5:11-13

11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Also, the Church has an obligation to judge and settle disputes between believers. This does not hardly ever occur today; and it should.

I Cor. 6:1-5

1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren

And as Christians we should practice self judgment.

I Cor. 11:31,32

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

If we judge ourselves when we sin, then God does not have to judge us. When we refuse to acknowledge our sins, then God must chasten us for our own good.

The Two Natures of the Believer

The Christian has a dual nature. This is revealed here by Paul.

Romans 7

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

The doctrine of the believer's two natures is a very important doctrine for the believer to grasp. If a Christian does not understand this, then he will at some point reach the place of being unsure of his salvation. Understanding this doctrine is also important to living right. Once this doctrine is applied and understood, it will be easier to live a Christian life.

I wish to draw you attention to four points concerning the believer's two natures.

I. The Christian has been born twice.

This is the origin of the believer's two natures.

John 3

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The Christian therefore, has a flesh nature and a spiritual nature. The spiritual man is born of God at his salvation. The fleshly part comes from his human birth. The Christian is a Jekyll and Hyde persona. There are two natures existing in one person. A Christian has a natural man and a spiritual man. A Christian has two personalities, two wills, two allegiances, and two minds.

This is the source of the conflict that Paul describes. There were two 'I's' in Paul that were competing for dominance.

II. The Natural or Carnal Man

This is that part of the believer that we are born with from our parents.

Several attributes of the Natural Man:

1. Born of Adam

Gen. 5:3

And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness

Romans 5

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

The Natural Man is by nature a child of disobedience and wrath.

Ephesians 2

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

2. Cannot Keep the Law of God

Rom. 8

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

James 2

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

This is why a man cannot save himself by the works of the law. The flesh is too weak to live up to the Law's requirements.

3. His mind is at enmity with God

Rom. 8:7

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

His understanding is darkened. Eph. 4:18

18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

The natural man cannot understand the things of the spirit. I Cor. 2:11,14

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

This is why the Bible is hard to understand. It is spiritual in nature and we are still in our carnal flesh. Therefore an unsaved man cannot understand it, and a Christian can misinterpret it because he is still in the flesh. A person's spiritual condition is a factor on how well he understands the Book.

4. He is born to die

Rom.6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is a body of death. Rom. 7:24

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

5. His works

Gal. 5:19-21

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

These works will predominate in a man controlled by the carnal nature.

III. The Spiritual Man

1. The spiritual man is born of God. John 3:6

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

2. The spiritual man is sinless. I John 5:18

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

That spiritual nature of the believer does not sin. A Christian may commit sins because he is in the flesh as yet, but the spiritual nature within him that is born of God does not partake of this sin. It is the Christians fleshly nature that sins. A Christian can commit any sin an unsaved man can commit because the Christian still has his sinful flesh. But, the new nature within him does not. A Christian in his flesh can commit murder. But, he is not a murderer, because the new man inside him that is born of God is sinless. Hence a Christian can commit sins in the flesh and face judgement of God, loss of reward, ect., but in the eyes of God he is sinless. He has not beheld iniquity in Jacob. (Even though Jacob in the flesh is quite sinful.)

The spiritual man delights in the law of God. Rom. 7:22

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

3. The spiritual man's works.

Gal. 5:22,23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

IV. The War

Paul found a conflict between the spiritual and carnal man raging within him.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

The Natural man sins and the Spiritual man hates it.

Gal.5:17

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Though he is saved, the Christian can be controlled by the carnal nature.

I Cor. 3:3

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

If you do not control the flesh nature it will control you.

How do we win the war against the flesh?

First we must realize that the flesh is already a dead enemy.

Rom.8:10-12

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Realizing it is dead, we must mortify it and treat it as dead. We must crucify it.

Gal.5:24

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

We are crucified with Christ when we are saved. But yet, there is a daily crucifixion which must take place for us to walk in the spirit.

We must not feed the flesh and make provision for it. If we do not, then it will grow stronger and will take control.

Romans 13:14

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

We must deny self if we are to walk victoriously.

Matt. 16:24

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

We must be led of the spirit to be victorious.

Gal. 5:16

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

A Christian can commit any kind of Sin without being led of the Spirit. The key is to follow the leadership of God's Spirit in our lives. That means laying aside all, and making Jesus King of every aspect of our lives.