Romans 11:25 talks about the “fullness of the Gentiles”. I believe that we are seeing this happening in our world today. The “fullness of the Gentiles” equates to the fullness of iniquity.
Dave, thank you for your well-thought-out response to this substack.
Let me begin by responding to each of your premises (which are in italics). If I misstate your position, feel free to let me know.
I respectfully disagree. God is not “in control;” Man is. I believe this is your primary tenant, and thus, the question is, “Who is in control of what happens on earth?”
He gave us authority over the earth. “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” Psalms 115:16 NKJV
Psalms 115:16 states in NKJV, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” This essentially speaks to the fact that God occupies the heavens, and man occupies the earth.
Your statement addresses Christ: “Then that authority rested on the “Son of Man,” Jesus Christ. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.’” Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
The truth of the incarnation is that Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man. This verse, stated in Matthew and Mark, is known as the Great Commission and is Christ’s command that believers are to share the gospel of salvation with all people. The “authority” given to Christ is the authority of God, which is stated in verses such as John 17:2: “...as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him,” and also Ephesians 1:20-22 “which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.”
Granted, the Bible speaks to faith in prayer, which you refer to in Mark 11:23-24 and John 16:24. Here, as I’ve addressed in my post on the persistent widow, persistent and faithful prayer opens possibilities that most men can’t even fathom.
However, the main issue is who is in charge and whose purposes are ultimately fulfilled.
In Genesis 1:26-28, God gives man “dominion” over the earth and its creatures. The Hebrew word used in these verses is “רָדָה” (radar), which generally means to rule with stewardship.
Rule and stewardship certainly influence outcomes, but the main question remains: who has ultimate control? Indeed, man can screw things up; we see that everywhere we look. Additionally, man is responsible for their bad choices. But do we have a God who is powerless and cleans up man’s messes? Or do we have a God who uses man’s efforts and mistakes to achieve precisely what He wants to achieve?
I believe the Bible is clear that God is in control, and He achieves precisely what He wants to achieve, even with the misguided and often sinful efforts of mankind. I believe the following supports this supposition: Proverbs 16:4: “The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.” Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’” and Ephesians 1:11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”
I do believe man thinks he is in control, but the truth is God is totally in control.
We do not have the right to choose to move mountains….that is nonsense and places too much value on oneself….maybe even a bit of pride. Mountains will only be moved if it’s Gods will. Throughout the Bible we find stories where God humbled His people with unjust rulers….who are we that we should not be humbled?
https://substack.com/@andrewjamesword/note/c-66924243?r=3687cx&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
All good scriptures for understanding our world. Also look to the book of Daniel for how to act in troubling times.
Great essay.
People need to wake up to your statement, "Realize that God is punishing the world and is undoubtedly dealing with the U.S." Just shared to Notes.
Antother breath of fresh air.
Romans 11:25 talks about the “fullness of the Gentiles”. I believe that we are seeing this happening in our world today. The “fullness of the Gentiles” equates to the fullness of iniquity.
Good morning Chad. That is a timely, well-written message. Well done, and God bless!
Dave, thank you for your well-thought-out response to this substack.
Let me begin by responding to each of your premises (which are in italics). If I misstate your position, feel free to let me know.
I respectfully disagree. God is not “in control;” Man is. I believe this is your primary tenant, and thus, the question is, “Who is in control of what happens on earth?”
He gave us authority over the earth. “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” Psalms 115:16 NKJV
Psalms 115:16 states in NKJV, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.” This essentially speaks to the fact that God occupies the heavens, and man occupies the earth.
Your statement addresses Christ: “Then that authority rested on the “Son of Man,” Jesus Christ. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.’” Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
The truth of the incarnation is that Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man. This verse, stated in Matthew and Mark, is known as the Great Commission and is Christ’s command that believers are to share the gospel of salvation with all people. The “authority” given to Christ is the authority of God, which is stated in verses such as John 17:2: “...as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him,” and also Ephesians 1:20-22 “which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.”
Granted, the Bible speaks to faith in prayer, which you refer to in Mark 11:23-24 and John 16:24. Here, as I’ve addressed in my post on the persistent widow, persistent and faithful prayer opens possibilities that most men can’t even fathom.
However, the main issue is who is in charge and whose purposes are ultimately fulfilled.
In Genesis 1:26-28, God gives man “dominion” over the earth and its creatures. The Hebrew word used in these verses is “רָדָה” (radar), which generally means to rule with stewardship.
Rule and stewardship certainly influence outcomes, but the main question remains: who has ultimate control? Indeed, man can screw things up; we see that everywhere we look. Additionally, man is responsible for their bad choices. But do we have a God who is powerless and cleans up man’s messes? Or do we have a God who uses man’s efforts and mistakes to achieve precisely what He wants to achieve?
I believe the Bible is clear that God is in control, and He achieves precisely what He wants to achieve, even with the misguided and often sinful efforts of mankind. I believe the following supports this supposition: Proverbs 16:4: “The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.” Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’” and Ephesians 1:11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”
I do believe man thinks he is in control, but the truth is God is totally in control.
Thank you for your comment.
Understand. Here's the paradox - man is responsible but God is still in control.
We do not have the right to choose to move mountains….that is nonsense and places too much value on oneself….maybe even a bit of pride. Mountains will only be moved if it’s Gods will. Throughout the Bible we find stories where God humbled His people with unjust rulers….who are we that we should not be humbled?