Echoes from the Campfire

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

For the storm, as it massed heavier and nearer, filling the earth with its desolation, bridged vast spaces for him, and he found himself suddenly face to face with the might-have-beens of yesterday.”
                    –James Oliver Curwood  (The Valley of Silent Men a Story of the Three River Country)

       “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
                    –Matthew 24:27 (NASB)
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We watched a movie a few nights ago, “Left Behind” with Nicholas Cage.  I had never seen this particular movie before but I knew the premises of the story–the Rapture.  The term, “rapture,” does not appear in the Bible, however, it is implied.  It comes from a Latin word meaning, “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.”  Paul states, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NKJV–caps added).
     I have heard this teaching all of my life, and from what I see taking place in the world, including this country, the coming of the Lord must be near.  But the movie, what stuck out to me from this particular film was the hours and days right after the Rapture.  Try to imagine, I know that it is really not possible, but try…  The film depicted the mayhem afterwards.  The stealing of goods, people fighting over material items, anger over traffic, not realizing what had taken place.  There were those in fear and those opening weeping over the loss of loved ones no longer with them.  It reminded me of the words of Jesus, “I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed:  the one will be taken and the other will be left.  Two women will be grinding together:  the one will be taken and the other left.  Two men will be in the field:  the one will be taken and the other left.” (Luke 17:34-36, NKJV)  Imagine that scene!  Then there were those wandering around, hopelessness in their eyes, walking in a daze.
     Chaos will abound, mayhem will be rampant.  The people will not realize what has taken place.  I am reminded of the terrible teaching of Nietzsche, “One must have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.”  Out of this chaos will come order; Nietzsche said, “Once you said, ‘God’ when you gazed upon distant seas; but now I have taught you to say ‘Superman.'”  The missing millions will be explained away, by the “Superman” or known in Paul’s writing as the “man of lawlessness,” or the Antichrist.  People will believe him, because they have no other answer, and also because, “For this reason, God will send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11, NKJV)
     If people thought there was selfishness abounding after the Rapture.  If they saw chaos swirling around them, people missing, death all around, well, it will only get worse.  There are three sets of judgments ready to be poured out upon the earth as well as the hatred of the Antichrist:  the Seals, the Trumpets, and the Bowls.  “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth…” (Revelation 8:13, NKJV)  Through all of the horrors that come upon the earth, the people still will not repent and turn to God–amazing.  We even see that men will, in their condition, blaspheme the name of God (Revelation 16:9) rather than fall on their faces in repentance.
     The Lord will come as a thief in the night upon those not ready, those not expecting.  We should not worry or have anxieties regarding this matter.  Read again verse 18, “comfort one another with these words.”  We, as believers, should be looking upward.  We should be encouraging one another as the day of the Lord draws nearer.  We should praise Him for this blessed hope that we have and that we will be removed from the chaos and judgment that will befall the earth.  We should be working for the kingdom while waiting for the Lord’s return.
                    “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.”
                                –Revelation 22:20-21 (NKJV)

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

It was a custom that no man coming into your camp went away hungry, be he friend, stranger, or peaceful enemy. You could fight after you ate, if that was your mission.”

                    –Bobby Cavazos  (The Cowboy From the Wild Horse Desert)

      “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
                    –Luke 6:31 (NKJV)
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               “‘So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’  And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’  Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.'”
                         –Luke 10:36-37 (NKJV)

     We finish up this parable with a question by Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”  From this passage on the Good Samaritan, Gary Inrig says, “My neighbor is that person who is in need, whose need I see, whose need I can meet.”  He may be a friend, a stranger, or even an enemy, but if he has a need and I can help, he is my neighbor.  Inrig goes on to say, “Our need isn’t to define who our neighbor is, but to care for him.”
     A question that is also implied is, “Who became a neighbor?”  The teacher of the law, because of the Jewish hatred of the Samaritan cannot bring himself to say that the neighbor was “the Samaritan” so answers, “the one who had mercy on him.”  We need to become that person who cannot pass by on the other side.  All three men saw the same condition of the man, but only one took the time, took action, and had compassion.
     How do you love your neighbor then?  By sacrificial action.  The two men who passed by on the other side showed the lack of compassion which in turn was a symptom of a deeper lack.  We need to be willing to become involved in the needs of others.  
     But, wait a minute.  How can I help everyone who has a need?  You can’t.  What about the scammers?  Those “homeless” on the street corners begging; are they bums, panhandlers, or truly in need?  We are to be good stewards, and we need to check out the situation, but we cannot use that as an excuse.  Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and use wisdom.  I almost never give money, but I will put gas in a car, I will buy a meal.  I know that some give something to whomever they see; if that is what the Spirit is saying, then do so.  If you feel you should help–then help.  Will you get “burned”?  Yes, but follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  
     William Barclay says this regarding the genuine neighbor:
          1)  We must help a man even when he has brought his trouble on himself, as the traveller had done.
          2)  Any man of any nation who is in need is our neighbour.  Our help must be as wide as the love of God.  (And let me incorporate here, no nation in the world has been as benevolent as the United States, even to fallen enemies.)
          3)  The help must be practical and not consist merely in feeling sorry.  Compassion, to be real, must issue in deeds.
The great reformer, Martin Luther stated, “Faith alone justifies, yet faith is never alone.  It is never without love; if love is lacking, neither is there faith, but mere hypocrisy.”

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

The ways of Providence are surely beyond me at times.”   
                    –D.C. Adkisson  (The True and Unbiased Life of Elias Butler)


       “But I will show you whom you should fear:  Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”
                    –Luke 12:5 (NKJV)
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In any true discussion regarding the attributes of God we must look at one that is disdained and even frowned upon in this day–the wrath of God.  We must remember that all the attributes of God are equal and holy.  We darst not emphasize one over the other for all of them compliment each other.  In years past the wrath of God was emphasized, giving us a biased view of God.  Today, it seems that the love of God is emphasized, making Him seem too good to be a God of wrath.  If God is love how can He be a god of wrath?
     Christians openly apologize for this “blemish” on God’s character.  It is too horrible to contemplate and they say it is inconsistent with His goodness and His love.  Perhaps you have heard the question, “How can a loving God send anyone to hell?”  The fact is, He doesn’t.  He has given wonderful opportunity through His grace, mercy, and yes, love for anyone to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  God, Himself, is not ashamed to make it known that vengeance and fury belong to Him.

          “Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.  For I raise My hand to heaven, and say, ‘As I live forever, if I whet My glittering sword, and My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, and repay those who hate Me.'”
                    –Deuteronomy 32:39-41 (NKJV)

     He hates all sin; His anger burns against the sinner.  Psalm 7:11, states, “God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” (NKJV)  But note this:  His wrath is perfect and holy.  Listen, we must accept all of Scripture.  Several years ago, a person working with college age people told me that God doesn’t kill anyone.  I pointed him to the above verse, mentioned the angel of death in Exodus, and a couple of other instances where God’s wrath brought death.  His reply, “I don’t agree with that.”  Whether a person agrees with it or not the fact remains that one of God’s attributes is that of wrath.
     Know that the wrath of God is His eternal detestation of all unrighteousness.  It is the holiness of God stirred into activity against sin.  It is justice being rendered.  It is His sovereignty being exercised over rebellion.  Our hearts need to be duly impressed that God hates sin.  We must not regard sin lightly, gloss over its hideousness, or make excuses for it.  God’s wrath should bring a true fear of God into our souls.  It should make us search our hearts.  “Let us have grace whereby, we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:  for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29).
     One of the greatest studies in the Bible is the study of God in regard to the cross.  God’s love is seen, God’s grace is provided, God’s justice is shown forth through the wrath of God upon sin.  Oh, there is so much more to this study; I would implore you to take the time to investigate the truth of the cross.  We need to give thanks to the Lord for having been delivered from the wrath to come.  Arthur Pink states, “Our readiness or reluctancy to meditate upon the wrath of God becomes a sure test of our hearts’ true attitude toward Him.”

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Every journey starts with the first step and delaying won’t make it any better.”

                    –Cliff Hudgins  (Viejo and the Ranger)

       “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness.  The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
                    –Isaiah 35:8 (NIV, 1978)
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“The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah…”  Or perhaps you sang, “This old man, he played one, he played knick-knack on his thumb…”  Traveling can be tedious, and can you imagine what it was like in the time of David?  Think about it.  Petersen writes, “If you had one donkey and five children, even fifty miles was a long journey.”  The next fourteen psalms are titled, “A song for the ascent to Jerusalem,” or more literally, “A song of ascents.”  Psalms 120-134 were songs that pilgrims would sing on their way to Jerusalem, “they were good for communal singing as a caravan plodded its way up toward Jerusalem.” (Petersen)  Hmmm, perhaps these psalms would be good for us and refresh us as we make our spiritual climb up the glory road.  We start our travel with Psalm 120.

                    “A hand divine shall lead you on
                    And up the blissful road,
                    Till to the sacred mount you rise
                    And see your smiling God.”
                          –Philip Doddridge

          1 — In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me.
          2 — Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.
          3 — What shall be given to you, or what shall be done to you, you false tongue?
          4 — Sharp arrows of the warrior, with coals of the broom tree!
          5 — Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
          6 — My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace.
          7 — I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.  (NKJV)

     This Psalmist must have felt some personal pain, but he knew where to turn.  We don’t know his problems, but he knew that the way back to spiritual health was in asking God for help.  We see also here that he lived in the midst of those who slandered him for his trust in God.  He must have been in deep distress because he utters, “Woe is me”.
     This person most likely does not live in Meshech or Kedar, but uses them to describe his plight as he thought those slandering him were like them.  Meshech was a barbaric tribe far north of Israel.  Kedar was an amoral clan to the southeast, the second son of Ishmael.  They were described as living in hostility toward all their brothers.  Both of these peoples are seen as part of an evil society–gossip, slander, and filthy talk were commonplace.
     Leaving the lowlands, the pain that is felt because of the constant pull to compromise and the evil, wicked talk about the person this pilgrim will begin his journey toward the holy city in distress.  Perhaps he is looking forward to being in Jerusalem among God’s people.  Whatever, he decides to leave the place of pain or compromise.  I like the way George Wood puts it, “You’re ‘valley low’ when you begin.  How will you ever get up the hill, on top?  Follow the example of this Psalmist.  He began his ascent by letting God know he wanted out.  He put his heart in the right direction even before his feet had climbed the first step upward.”  What a way to start the journey–taking the step upward!

          “Should burning arrows smite thee through,
          Strict justice would approve.
          But I had rather spare my foe
          And melt his heart with love.”
                –Isaac Watts