The Unbroken Lineage

HEBREW HONEYCOMB

William Andrew Dillard
THE UNBROKEN LINEAGE

It is inconceivable that a river should stop its course to the sea then some miles later take up that course again. Its very nature necessitates continuity. That principle is also true with a number of other things. Think about it!
The lineage of Jesus is given from the sides of both Mary and Joseph in Matthew and Luke. It allows no such break in continuity. While Jesus was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit, it remains important that the continuity of faith lineage be unbroken. Additionally, could there be such a break in an electrical current? or, in light from its source? Yet, some people still wonder what came first, the chicken or the egg? It seems incredulous to them to believe that God created a chicken which laid the egg, and the existence of the fowl lineage remains unbroken since creation. Hang on, I am going somewhere with this.
Could such a break in continuity occur in everlasting life that it should be lost and later found? Not hardly! So it is with God’s covenantal work with man. Limited covenants were made with Adam and Noah, but the expansion of a covenant for the whole species began in Abraham, and the covenant made with him continues unbroken to this day, and it shall remain in continuity to the end of the age. The Law of Moses was a subset within the Abrahamic Covenant, meant to educate God’s people both then and now to the righteousness of God and the sinfulness of mankind. It’s ultimate purpose was to be a schoolmaster to bring people of faith to Christ (the God/man Who could, and did fulfill it). But the passage of the law did not in anywise negate the Abrahamic Covenant, on the contrary, it succeeded in delivering a remnant to Jesus who became the first New Testament church; hence, the standard bearer, ground, and pillar of the New Covenant. The continuity of faith continued from the nation of Israel to the first church. Inasmuch as the first church before, during, and after Pentecost was one hundred percent Jewish; it was the true Israel of God. The bulk of the Hebrew nation was left desolate having rejected heaven’s messenger. (It will remain desolate until they look upon Him Whom they pierced). The first church perpetuated itself in accord with God’s plan, and its presence in the world today has unbroken continuity as surely as the river, the chicken and the egg, the electrical current, etc.
Of course, there are those who deny church succession, but they may wrestle with the chicken and the egg, too. “Prove it,” they say! Look again at the river, at the light beam, consider again the electrical current. Some things cannot exist without continuity, and the church of the living God to Whom Jesus promised His presence to the end of the age is chief among them all with all other claims being counterfeit, pure and simple.

Afternoon Ponderings~10.23.18~

CHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

View original post

Lauding Mankind’s Most Valuable Document

 

William Andrew Dillard
Parson to Person

The Holy Bible, the cannon of sixty-six books common to the King James Version is the product of the “Textus Receptus” (received text), a collection of about thirty of the most ancient manuscripts that are copies of the original. It is the Word of the Creator God of heaven and earth to mankind. Between its covers one finds the origin of man, his cause of condemnation, his means of salvation, as well as his trials, history, achievement of spiritual maturity, security, and hope that is both sure and steadfast. It is the prime directive of the race, and its importance eclipses all other documents combined.
Despite criticisms to the contrary, The Holy Bible remains the basis of morals, laws, and faith which has sustained human life on the planet, and allowed governments and society at large to make meaningful progress. Where its teachings are observed, peace and progress abounds. Where its teachings are rejected misery, poverty, death and all manner of evil prevails. Truly, if only one collection of writings could be retained and all others destroyed, this writer would not hesitate to name his collection to keep as the Holy Bible.
The Bible is not a history book, but it accurately records all one really needs to know about the history of civilization. It is not a science book. That is also not its purpose, yet it is supportive of all systematized facts. Still others say, “Well one can take it or leave it.” Yes, one can take it or leave it, temporarily, but to quote Jesus, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” Matt. 4:4. By the Word of God every person has the grace of life, and will by it ultimately be judged.
The Bible uniquely is both static and alive. It is sharper than a two-edged sword, and will survive the universal cataclysm that is coming right on schedule. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the Word of God abideth forever. I Peter 1:23. Its purpose is to give one knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to escape the damnation of sin, and to elevate its disciples ultimately to eternal oneness with the Son of God.
You say that you have a Bible, but do not know its contents very well? That, my friend is the most awesome of responsibilities ignored with eternal, non-reversible consequences! Open that book! Read! Think! There is reason that far outstrips that of all others in your having a copy of the Bible.

A MEASURE OF FOREVER

HEBREW HONEYCOMB

William Andrew Dillard
A MEASURE OF FOREVER

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:” Gen. 1:14.
We keep calendars of times and seasons dictated by created bodies in the universe. Does that seem to take the control stick away from us? If so, good! Think about this with me!
“Time” picks the curiosity of arts and science. Men fancifully envision being time travelers, etc. yet no one has ever broken its barriers except the super natural beings of the universe. So what is this presence that moves the universe and all in it in one direction? It is a dimension in which all created entities are inexorably locked to the fulfillment of their determined destiny. Think of it as “measured forever” which is an oxymoron because forever cannot be measured. Still it is as close as we can come to understanding it. Moreover, a measure by its very definition must have a beginning and an end to qualify as a measure. Are you still with me?
Time had its beginning in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning…” God created the universe with specific design, and predestined longevity. He created the means to calculate time, and He supplies the wisdom to know that everything in the universe is destined to end, concluding the “measure.” That is the big picture. There are thousands of subsets of all things and their relationship to time.
For men, the mean measure of time is threescore and ten years. For some reptiles and plants, it is much higher. For some life forms it is a matter of hours. But men are given the ability to reason, to calculate, to understand. Consequently, as we turn the calendar, we calculate that one more grain of sand (a year) has passed through the cosmic hourglass, and another is on its way through it. A thousand years may equal a thousand grains of sand, and how many grains have already passed through it? Logic implies that the hourglass is almost full. Is this making any sense at all to you? Ephemeron will live but a night, but it says, “It has just begun. It is such a long, long time till morning!” But, morning comes and with it the end of its time. For us, seventy years seems a very long way in the springtime of life, but it grows so short in November. What does all this mean?
Calendars mark completed measures of time. It comes, it endures for a while, and it ends. It is a measure! Your life started; it has endured; and it is surely coming to an end. It is a measure! But the bright prospect is that before it ends here, a new life may begin in Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of God. His life that He extends to you through repentance and faith is not a measure of forever. It is forever!

Good Morning Quote ~10.13.18~

CHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

View original post

Afternoon Ponderings~10.12.18~

CHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

View original post

JUST A LITTLE MORE SLEEP

HEBREW HONEYCOMB

William Andrew Dillard
JUST A LITTLE MORE SLEEP

Sleep was created for earthly life as the means of necessary refreshment to the body. Blessed are those who are able to sleep six to eight hours each night, but cursed are those whose goal is to sleep life away during both day and night. Doubtless the sleep of a laboring man is sweet as said the wise man, Solomon, but those who sleep in the affairs of life can expect poverty and loss. Let’s think about it!
Just what is this sleep in the affairs of life? It may be identified as one’s personal comfort zone. It is the nature of the flesh to create a comfort zone, and to disdain any call to consider things that might endanger that insulation to it. That is sleep. Through such sleep, fortunes have been lost, businesses bankrupted, and lives shipwrecked. The Bible underscores this important principle. Consider that it was while they slept that the Midianites were suddenly put to flight by the small band of Gideon. It was while men slept that the Medes and Persians brought an end to Babylon, the first great, world empire. It was while men slept that an enemy sowed tares among the wheat in the parable of Jesus. Moreover, it will be while men sleep that the bridegroom (Jesus) comes and many will not be ready to meet Him.
Solomon said, “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Prov. 6:9. He went on to say, “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” 20:13. Modern times have underscored just how easy it is for individuals and churches to sleep when they should be swimming upstream in holy proclamations of salvation and the soon-coming King of Kings! One might name many reasons why this condition exists, but none of them are acceptable excuses for it.
So, what will we find in the New Testament regarding this specific subject? A quick survey shows much. Let us hear Paul as he admonished the Romans, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Rom. 13:11. Similarly, he taught the Thessalonians, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” I Thess. 5:6. God’s people are not children of the night, but children of the day. They are to be awake, alert, watchful, and understanding of what and why things are happening. In so doing, the example of our Lord will be followed. One may be sure that He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121.
Are you a “Ho-hum, you’re okay, I’m okay,” kind of person, or are you awake, discerning the signs of the time in accordance with the Word, and listening for the shout?

Good Morning Quote ~10.11.18~

CHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

View original post

Afternoon Ponderings~10.08.18~

CHRISTian poetry ~ by deborah ann

View original post

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN

 

William Andrew Dillard
Parson to Person
“On a Sunday morning sidewalk, I’m wishing, Lord, that I was stoned.. ‘Cause there’s something in a Sunday ; That makes a body feel alone. And there’s nothing short a’ dying; That’s half as lonesome as the sound; Of the sleeping city sidewalk; And Sunday morning coming down.”
So goes the mournful lyrics of the late country singer Johnny Cash as he depicted the feelings of a worldly, sinner faced with the loneliness and conviction of “Sunday morning coming down.” It is a well known feeling by too many in our world today, but why?
His lyrics explain that part of it is a terrible hangover from the night before. Another part is the accompanying messy, unkempt lifestyle of dirty clothes and house. Another is the complete absence of the nightlife, and scattering to their own corners of misery those who shared those false senses of a good time. Still another is seeing the joy of a small child playing, and a father swinging his little girl; reminiscent of clean, decent, good-times long gone. Still another is the smell of someone frying chicken, a smell of home, but not his home. Then there was the worshipful sounds of songs coming from a nearby church, then far away a church bell ringing, all bringing back gut-wrenching memories of a good life lost somewhere in the den and noise of sin. Truly, to someone in that situation, Sunday morning in its worshipful quietness was dreaded. How different it is for an obedient child of God who so looks forward to the joy of worship and fellowship with God’s wonderful people.
However, I fear there is yet another class of people dealing with Sunday morning in quite a different, but wrongful way. These are the nominal Christians who live in a breakneck world of speed, activities, and responsibilities. They see Sunday morning as a day of selfishness: to rest, to recreate; to do what they could not get done in the week. Seems there is little compunction or remorse in that absence of joy about what God expects and looks for in one’s manner of life. The mention of church brings conviction, but it is quickly passed off in the determination that what they want to do is right. How then will they mourn and cry when their opportunity to go to church is gone, and knowing they must soon stand face to face with their Creator? What will they hear in head and heart about “Sunday morning coming down?”