Revelation 11:15-19 -- Hallelujah, He Reigns!!!

"Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:

“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail."
Revelation 11:15-19

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church.  February 22, 2015:

Hallelujah, He Reigns - Dr. Danny Forshee - February 22, 2015 from Great Hills Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Outline:

1. The Sound (v. 15)
   John 14:30
   
2. The Song (vv. 16-18)
   Romans 2:5
   
3. The Sight (v. 19)
   A. Joy in Heaven
        Hebrews 9:23
   B. Judgement on Earth

Highlights:

• God temporarily allows Satan to reign on Earth.

• Falling on your face is the pre-eminent form of Worship in the Bible.

• Satan always 'rules' with murderous intention.

• The preeminent God reigns on their puny 'gods' and it makes them mad.

• First word out of the mouths of the 24 elders is thanks.

• Specifically mentions the arc of the covenant.

• Our sin has to be judged; the only question is whether we allow Jesus to bear it or if we choose to bear it ourselves.

• There are people reading this right now who will allow themselves to go to hell because they refuse to swallow their pride and humble themselves before God.
• Author's Note: If you think this statement *might* apply to you, this statement applies to YOU.

• There's only one way to get to Heaven and that's through Jesus!!!
• Jesus is the culmination of all those Jewish prophesies in the Old Testament.

• "I'm vocal, but I'm friendly."

Revelation 11:1-14 -- A Temple and Two Witnesses (Part 2)

The Two Witnesses
"Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

The Witnesses Killed
When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

The Witnesses Resurrected
Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly."
Revelation 11:1-14

Pastor Danny Forshee.  Great Hills Baptist Church.  February 8, 2015:

A Temple and Two Witnesses, Part 2 - Dr, Danny Forshee - February 8, 2015 from Great Hills Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Outline:

1. The Temple (vv. 1-2)
   
2. The Two Witnesses (vv. 3-14)
   A. Their Ministry (vv. 3-6)
         Zechariah 4:14
         Luke 4:25
   
   B. Their Death (vv. 7-10)
   
   C. Their Resurrection and Ascension (vv. 11-14)

Highlights:

• Prophecy = Both Foretell and Forthtell

• The prophets are hated because of their message.

• God will protect you, He will spare you, until He's finished with you; [properly understood] when you're walking with God, you're invincible.

• John presupposes thorough understanding of the Old Testament.

• Don't mess with these prophets of God.

• First introduction to the antichrist.

• "Whenever the Bible calls you Sodom, that is NOT a compliment."

Texas Senate begins to act on Tuition

"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord."
Colossians 3:20

Yesterday, Lt. Governor Patrick and Sen. Seliger held a press conference to discuss recent tuition hikes at Texas' public universities.  The press conference was followed by a hearing in the Higher education committee.  The combined press conference and hearing began to reveal details of the tuition related actions the Lt. Governor assured us were coming in our interview last fall.

The biggest takeaway is that tuition related bills will be priority legislation for the Texas Senate next session.  Lt. Governor Patrick assured the press conference that something addressing tuition "will have a low bill number."  The precise details are still in flux.  A redux of Sen. Schwertner's tuition bill might be the approach the Senate takes, but it also might not.  Nonetheless, Lt. Governor Patrick warned the universities: "it's safe to say, there's a new crew [in the Texas Senate]."

Lt. Governor Patrick spoke very favorably about ending tuition "set asides."  These set asides are a resdistributive tax through which one group of students subsidizes the tuition of a more politically favored group.  Senator Seliger bemoaned one university system that increased it's budget 5-fold in just nine years.  The Lt. Governor also voiced his displeasure at the obscene salary increases we've seen recently at public universities (UT, of course, is the worst offender, but none of the Universities' noses are clean here).  Most interestingly, the Lt. Governor assured that the next round of regental confirmation will have lots of questions about costs and tuition.  In what can only be seen as a de facto endorsement of Wallace Hall, Lt. Governor Patrick said "[The Board of Regents'] job is not to be a rubber stamp for our higher education."  Time will tell how much they listen.

Higher Education coordinating board chairman Raymund Paredes led of the hearing.  He made a lot of bureaucratic excuses about tuition in Texas being less out of control than other states.   This reminded us of Michael Quinn Sullivan's old quip about Texas being "the least drunk state at the bar."  Another shocking aspect to which Paredes testified is the financial illiteracy of students taking out loans.  There are, literally, students in Texas who don't know they've taken out loans until the repayment calls start.  Texas A&M chancellor John Sharp and Tech chancellor Bob Duncan testified next.  They made the difficult to believe claim that administrative costs were less than 7% of each system's respective budget.

Bill McRaven testified next.  Unfortunately, his testimony occurred at the same time as the Franklin Graham event, so we didn't witness it.  Apparently, the Senators tore him a new one over the tuition hike and the Houston expansion.

One interesting political note: to his credit, it appears (Higher Ed Chairman) Seliger is on board with the Senate's efforts.  This is notable, considering that Seliger has historically been one of the bad guys on Higher Ed.  We don't know if Seliger's motivation is genuine or political, but either way it's a very positive sign moving forward (and, we suspect, a tremendous credit to the Lt. Governor).

Bottom Line: For the Universities to raise tuition over the objections of the Texas Senate was the equivalent of poking a sleeping bear with a stick.  Yesterday, the bear began clearing the cobwebs.  This is going to be a really fun subplot next session.

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Lt. Governor Patrick's statement:

AUSTIN - Today, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Kel Seliger held a press conference to address data collected related to skyrocketing university tuition, fee rates and student debt.

"The issue of rising tuition and rising student debt is of great public concern," said Patrick. "It is the responsibility of the legislature to respond and work with our higher education institutions to lower costs. After passing a budget that increased funding for higher education by 8.9 percent last session, universities quickly raised their tuition rates. Since 2002, university tuition and fees increased 147 percent while the median household income and consumer price index have only increased 32 percent. Costs have simply outpaced what families are earning and able to pay.

"Next session the Senate will look closely at a number of cost reforms, including performance-based funding, which brings increased accountability and affordability back by requiring education institutions to meet high performance targets before increasing tuition above inflation.

"The issue of rising tuition rates and student debt must end and I will do what it takes to bring relief to hard-working families across Texas," concluded Patrick.

To see the press conference on tuition rates and student debt from this morning click here:

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/

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TPPF's statement:

TPPF Statement on Rising Tuition and Student Debt for Higher Education

AUSTIN – Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Higher Education Policy Analyst Trevor McGuire issued the following statement on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s and Texas State Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Kel Seliger’s announcement to address high tuition costs and student debt:             “The cost of tuition in Texas has increased 149 percent since tuition deregulation, almost five times the growth of the median income in Texas over the same period,” said McGuire. “We support the Lt. Governor and Senator Seliger’s plan for addressing the issues of tuition and student debt by considering performance-based funding, the elimination of tuition set-asides, and reining-in excessive administrative costs during the next legislative session. The Legislature should address these three issues, which primarily affect four-year institutions, while also providing sufficient attention and resources to Texas’s community and technical colleges – where both student debt and tuition are much lower than at four-year institutions.             “While the most effective solutions to rising tuition costs and student debt will be those developed collaboratively between the Legislature, colleges and universities, and the Coordinating Board, we are encouraged by the Lt. Governor’s promise to hold university regents more accountable if suitable progress cannot be made toward making Texas higher education more affordable.”

"While You're in Town": An Open Letter to Franklin Graham

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

[Author's Note: If readers are so inclined, they can tweet this post to @Franklin_Graham.]

Dear Reverend Graham,

Welcome to Austin.  I'm a blogger here in town.  My most famous piece of work came in 2013, when I released video of pro-Abortion protesters at the Capitol chanting "Hail Satan."

I'm writing to discuss a frequently overlooked issue on which the Church can be salt and light in the political arena.  Furthermore, salt and light on this issue will disproportionately cleanse the rot at the heart of our political system.  I'm talking about financial righteousness and unwavering opposition to the wicked, unbiblical, practice of economic protectionism.

It doesn't take a genius to see that big business is not our friend.  You live in North Carolina, so you're probably following the corporate bullying closer than me.  Here in Texas, the corrupt merchants at the Texas Association of Business have launched a similar economically fraudulent campaign against religious liberty.  Big business is carrying water for the big government social agenda.  But the solution isn't boycotts.  The solution is competition.  That's why the Church in America needs to support policies and ministries that encourage entrepreneurship and startup culture.

There is a a strong Biblical case for what I propose.  A major theme of Proverbs is the condemnation of unjust accumulation and praise for honest industry.  Whenever a corporation jacks a regulation in its favor or gets a bailout, that's an unjust weight and measure.  The riot at Ephesus was about Economic Protectionism.  For every Bible verse about sex, there are approximately ten about money.

Obviously, the Bible discusses debt and taxes at length.  America is rapidly becoming enslaved to our lenders, and this includes our state and local governments.  Every penny of debt we allow Caesar to impose strengthens this wicked system.  Here in Austin, we've defeated three bonds in the last three years.  While Jesus commands us to pay taxes, He also commands tax collectors to not abuse citizens.  High taxes also played an important role in splitting the ancient kingdom.  Legally cutting off Caesar's lifeblood, from our local communities on up, will pay dividends on numerous other issues.

Here in Austin, we have an example of this approach's success.  One of our local city council members, Don Zimmerman, is a strong Christian who originally developed a reputation as a champion for taxpayers.  His opponent was president of the local gay and lesbian chamber of commerce.  Obviously, the gay and lesbian part demonstrates his support for that agenda.  But, due to the Chamber of Commerce part, he was also on record supporting unpopular "economic development" subsidies for Apple.  Don's opposition to that Apple deal helped get him across the finish line in a very close race.  You read that right: opposition to special interest tax-subsidies helped defeat the rainbow flag!

I do not propose this course of action instead of focusing on the issues in which we are now engaged.  What I'm saying is that a commitment to financial righteousness and opposition to economic protectionism will weaken the forces of the status quo.  Weakening this wicked status quo will give us the space we need to successfully pursue our agenda on life, marriage, and religious liberty.  With every tax abatement, every jacked up regulation, and every subsidy this wicked status quo gains strength.  Every penny of government spending we cut, and restriction upon economic liberty we repeal, weakens it.  Economic protectionism is the unguarded underbelly of the status quo, and there's a strong Biblical case for going after it.  As you travel the country and encourage Christians to engage the political process, I ask you to keep this issue in mind.

Sincerely,
Adam Cahn
Austin, TX
April 26, 2016

America's True Intolerance

A Must Read Letter from Franklin Graham:

Is Our Nation Intolerant of Christianity?

A Prayer Letter From Franklin Graham

May 31, 2013 - Christians must never compromise their allegiance to the Savior, no matter what others may think.

"We need God’s Word and His laws now more than ever."
— Franklin Graham

Recently I was at a White House meeting with Vice President Joe Biden and had the opportunity to remind him that our main problem in America is that we have taken God out of our society and out of our government. We need God’s Word and His laws now more than ever.

Disobedience to God’s Word and His laws has wreaked havoc across the political, economic, and spiritual landscape of our country. There is scandal after scandal, and yet our nation’s leaders seem even more belligerent toward Christians.

If we hold up God’s standards, we are accused of being intolerant. “Tolerance” is one of today’s hot buttons, but in reality the true and fast-growing “intolerance” is for Christianity—anything that stands for Jesus Christ.

You may have read recently about the IRS apology for targeting conservative groups in 2011–12. I was not surprised to hear this—BGEA was audited last September, and many believe it was because we encouraged voters to take a strong stand on same-sex marriage issues and biblical values. The audit process was complex and time consuming, but as we expected, it ended well. During the process, in fact, the focus that BGEA puts on sound management and financial accountability was acknowledged as excellent.

Christians must never compromise their allegiance to the Savior, no matter what others may think.

The Lord is looking for men and women who will fully commit their heart, soul, and lives to His kingdom. We find in 1 Samuel that Saul was anointed to lead the Hebrew people. At first he won favor with the people and was victorious in battle. But in chapter 13, we read that Saul feared the opinions of men more than the commands of almighty God.

In a raid in the desert outside Jerusalem against Israel’s enemy the Amalekites, God had told Saul to fully destroy this enemy along with all their possessions. Instead, Saul spared King Agag and kept some of the choice sheep and oxen. He disobeyed God’s command. When the Prophet Samuel arrived and saw the evidence of Saul’s clear disobedience, he pronounced God’s judgment. “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. ... Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22–23, ESV).

Think about it—partial obedience is really no obedience at all. Complete obedience is what the Lord desires. We must never back down from fully following Christ because we fear public opinion or the ridicule of others.
Jesus Christ has commanded us to “go ... and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)—that commandment applies to each one of us, all of His followers. We can’t fix all the social injustices and problems of our day, but we have been called to take this Gospel to the ends of the earth. BGEA is an evangelistic ministry. We exist to proclaim the lifesaving Gospel of our Savior to as many as possible.

Right now, we have a great opportunity to be involved in reaching others through My Hope America with Billy Graham. It is a simple plan. Make a list of lost friends, acquaintances, and loved ones and begin fervently praying for their salvation. In November, each of us will invite people we care about to our home, church, or favorite hangout to watch a dynamic new program we are developing with a message from my father. You can learn more about participating at MyHopeWithBillyGraham.org. We have training available online to help equip you to share your faith.

A young man who has signed up to be a part of My Hope America wrote us recently to say that he had been praying for a long time for his brother’s salvation. While looking through the My Hope America resources we sent him, he felt a strong sense that the Holy Spirit was saying, “The time is now.” He realized God was prompting him to talk again to his brother about Jesus. “Having this conversation was hard for me at first,” he says, “but, boy, am I glad I was obedient, because today a man who once studied hard to try and prove that God was not real, now follows Jesus Christ!” God works through our lives in mighty ways when we are obedient to His leading.

Your prayers and financial support are critically important for carrying out the nationwide My Hope America outreach, and we are counting on your personal participation in helping to reach people you know who need the power of the Gospel in their lives. Thank you for all you do in serving our Lord.

May God bless you,

Franklin Graham, President

Billy Graham: What is your defining moment?!?

Powerful new video from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:

More information here.

America's Crashing Idols

Yesterday, Josh Charles, co-author of The Original Argument, sent me the following piece about the shooting in Newton, CT; the piece is must read, but one line stands out:

The rule of the day is instant gratification, and the sense of living for something good and eternal has been lost....Into this horrible vacuum, in a desperate search for meaning and contentment, flow the idols of our culture: drugs, sex, alcohol, and yes, violence, and we are seeing evidence of it everywhere.

Similarly, this morning, I read this letter from Rev. Franklin Graham; money quote:

Our country's financial problems, however, are nothing compared to the spiritual and moral cliff that is far more destructive to our nation than any economic concerns.

Idols are crashing; that's the common theme of all our problems.

I've written about politics as idolatry before.   Our sexual dysfunction is also rooted in idolatry.  But the way out is obvious.

Cahnman's Musings is blessed to stand shoulder to shoulder with these two servants; read both pieces.