Christ Church

A Tale of Two Cities (CCT)

Joshua Edgren on

INTRODUCTION

When King Nebuchadnezzar II conquered the kingdom of Judah, the Bible makes it very clear that the exile is a judgment upon Israel. This punishment from God was meted out due to the consistent practice of idolatry in the land. The Jews were given over, “You want to worship idols? Then I will send you to the capital city of idolatry.” As you know, the etymology of the name Babylon is linked to the site of humanity’s first attempt to defy God. The tower of Babel was the first monument of human pride. And thus Babylon, which symbolically represents opposition to God and His people, is aptly named. And while the physical nation of Babylon ceased to exist under Cyrus the Great in the 6th century B.C., the spirit of Babylon persists to this day. And its name is Legion: sexual perversion, materialism, celebrity worship, technological obsession, self-worship, political ideologies, entertainment, and escapism are just a few of its forms. If this is the case, that all of these things are active in the world, what does Isaiah mean when he says, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.”? While true that the Babylonian statues of Marduk and Ishtar were trampled under the sandals of the Persians, what does it matter if these idols simply resurrect in different form? Where is the true and final victory? The apostle John echoes Isaiah, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality. Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.” If it’s fallen, why do we see thousands of muslims in Copenhagen, hijacking the public square to bow before a false god? Perhaps we are missing something.

BABYLON – THE WOMAN WHO RIDES THE BEAST

John is carried away in the spirit to the eremon or the wilderness, sometimes translated desert. This is an allusion to Isaiah 21. Listen to the first verse, “The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on, it comes from the wilderness, from a terrible land.” And from verse 9 of the same chapter, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.” The presence of the phrase “fallen, fallen is Babylon” in both Isaiah and Revelation, alongside the fact that Isaiah 21 depicts a vision of judgment against Babylon, demonstrates that John’s usage is more than mere coincidence. The apostle is intimately familiar with the prophets and he’s quite comfortable borrowing their language. For example, Isaiah 21:1 uniquely combines the apparently disparate images of desert and sea and associates them with Babylon to communicate that the area is destitute. And likewise when we get to Revelation 17 and latter-day Babylon, this woman in the wilderness is found to be “sitting on many waters” to communicate barrenness.

NEW JERUSALEM – THE WIFE OF THE LAMB

The first and most obvious difference is the incongruity of juxtaposing a prostitute with a bride adorned for her husband. One is chaste and demure, saving herself for her husband. The other is indecent and shameless. In the vision, the location for Babylon was the wilderness. Conversely, the bride’s location is a high mountain. Listen to this from Ezekiel 40 and 43. Once again, John is drawing from the Old Testament prophets, “The hand of the Lord was upon me and brought me…and set me on a very high mountain, and upon it there was, as it were, the edifice of a city before me.” In this section of scripture, Ezekiel 40-48, describes the blissful image of a future temple located on a very high mountain. And in no uncertain terms, we as readers are expected to follow John’s reference to Ezekiel’s temple and connect it to the New Jerusalem. We also have many other prophetic references that the coming Jerusalem is to be situated atop a high mountain. Isaiah 2, Isaiah 4, Isaiah 25, Micah 4, Psalm 48, and others. Next, her appearance is described as follows, “…coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” The clarity of the jasper, the radiance and quality of the light refraction, the degree of its luminosity all point to the concept of purity and the light of truth. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” The church shines brightly as a beacon of hope to the world and she proudly proclaims, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

POTIPHAR’S WIFE

Let’s take note of a couple of things. First notice the intersection of duty and temptation. The Lord was with Joseph as he provided stewardship for Potiphar’s house. To avoid the temptation of this woman, he had the following options: leave Potiphar in the lurch and abandon his master. He could give in to temptation and betray Potiphar’s trust. He could tell Potiphar the truth, “Your wife is propositioning me.” How do you think that would’ve gone? Or he could fulfill his duty and endure the slings and arrows of seduction while on the job.

RUTH

In contrast to Potiphar’s wife who pesters and pesters and eventually grabs Joseph in desperation, she gently uncovers the feet of Boaz and lies there, waiting to be discovered. She then exercises more patience as she’s forced to wait. Boaz is not first in line. She waits on the Lord and the Lord blesses her. Ruth is a perfect example of the wife of the lamb.

 

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The Replacement of Judas (Acts of the Apostles #3)

Joshua Edgren on

INTRODUCTION

The main action in the second half of this first chapter has to do with the replacement of Judas Iscariot. But along the way, we learn quite a few things about the early days of the apostolic company.

THE TEXT

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren . . . And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:12–26).

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

 After seeing Jesus ascend, the disciples came back to Jerusalem from Olivet (v. 12). This was a sabbath day’s journey, or about 2/3 of a mile. They came to an upper room, where all the remaining disciples were staying (v. 13). They devoted themselves there to prayer, together with the women, the Lord’s mother and brothers (v. 14). At some point, Peter stood up and addressed them, with the assembled numbering around 120 (v. 15). He said that the treachery of Judas, who guided them to Jesus, was a fulfillment of prophecy (v. 16). Judas was one of them, and was a minister with the rest (v. 17). The 30 pieces of silver had been used to purchase a field, the same field where Judas burst apart (v. 18). This become common knowledge, which resulted in that field being name Aceldama, field of blood (v. 19). The previously mentioned prophecy is then cited, from two places (v. 20). The first is from Ps. 69:25 and the second from Ps. 109:8. The task before the disciples that day was select a replacement for Judas, someone who had been with them from the baptism of John on, up to the ascension (vv. 21-22) They picked out two men who met those qualifications, Joseph and Matthias (v. 23). They then prayed to the one who knows all hearts, asking Him to demonstrate which one He chose (v. 24). This would be a man to join them in ministry, filling the office that Judas fell from by transgression, in order to go to his own place (v. 25). They then cast lots, Matthias was selected, and he was installed with the eleven (v. 26).

A BRIEF HARMONY

The gospels tell us that Judas threw the money down in the Temple before leaving to hang himself (Matt. 27:5), but this passage tells us that Judas bought a field with the money (Acts 1:18). The harmonization is that the Temple authorities bought the field with Judas’s money, and in Judas’s name. And the gospels tell us that Judas hanged himself (Matt. 27:5), and here it says he fell headlong and burst open (Acts 1:18). Which is it? Both. He hanged himself, but no one came and got him, and after some time the rope broke and he fell headlong and came apart.

THE USE OF LOTS

The Lord’s intention in selecting twelve apostles was not accidental. He was deliberately establishing the foundations of a new Israel, and Israel was composed of twelve tribes. The New Jerusalem is the Christian church, and it has twelve gates that are named for the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12). The foundation stones of this same church are the apostles (Eph. 2:20). Not only so, but the territory of Canaan was divided up between the tribes by lot. “By lot was their inheritance, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe” (Joshua 14:2).

And when Peter is exhorting elders not to be imperious, he tells them not to be lords over God’s heritage. The word for heritage is kleros—allotment. And in 2 Cor. 10:16, Paul is being very careful not to intrude into another man’s area of ministry, or territory. Paul also comments that he had a special commission to Gentiles just as Peter had to the Jews (Gal. 2:8). It appears that apostles could cross these boundaries, but they did so with care . . . because good fences make good neighbors.

In short, we shouldn’t conclude that casting lots is a great way to make decisions so much as to conclude that the early disciples were clearly echoing the ancient Israelite conquest of Canaan. They were dividing up the world, preparing for their invasion of it . . . once the Spirit was given.

CENTURIES BEFORE JUDAS WAS BORN

Jesus knew that one of the twelve was going to betray Him, and He knew who it was going to be very early in His ministry. “Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him” (John 6:64). John says this knowledge was “from the beginning,” which may account for why the Lord prayed all night before He announced His selection (Luke 6:12-13). At the Last Supper, the Lord washed the feet of Judas, and then later we are told that Jesus identified Judas by giving him a piece of bread after dipping it (John 13:26). Centuries before, David had prophesied that one who had shared bread with the Christ would be the one who betrayed him (Ps. 41:9), and Jesus pointed to this prophecy that evening (John 13:18). And the fact that Judas would create a vacancy by his betrayal was written long before he was born.

Psalm 69 is a clear Messianic psalm, and is quoted in the New Testament in five different places. “Those who hate me without a cause” (v. 4) is quoted in John 15:25 and applied to those who had seen the Lord’s miracles and hated Him anyway. “Zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” is quoted in John 2:17 in the description of the Lord’s first cleansing of the Temple. The second part of that same verse—“the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me” is quoted in Rom. 15:3, where Paul applies it to Christ who lived out an example for us to follow. “Let their table becomes a snare before them . . .” (vv. 22-23) is quoted in Rom. 11:9 and applied by Paul to reprobate Israel. And then the verse that Peter quotes in our passage comes next—“let their habitation be desolate,” talking about the void that Judas left.

The next psalm quoted is one of the fiercest imprecatory psalms in the Bible (Ps. 109), and Peter quotes it without embarrassment. “Let another take his office.” The Greek in Acts 1 is episkopas—his bishopric. Prior to this, Judas had cast out demons, and had healed the sick. His treachery did not unwind those blessings, and did not cause the office itself to disappear.

Nothing is clearer than that God has the ability to wield sinful and wicked actions in a way that results in His own greater glory. “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done” (Acts 4:27–28).

There is no way for the Christ to be appointed to die for you without having other elements of the story appointed also.

 

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Shepherds of the Sheep (The Continuing Adventures of Jesus #37) (KC)

Joshua Edgren on

INTRODUCTION

Since the beginning, the church has been led by qualified men called “elders.” This was the case in Ephesus and in all the churches (Tit. 1:5). These men are called to shepherd the flock of God by feeding it and guarding it by the entire Word of God.

The Text: “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons…” (Acts 20:17-38)

SUMMARY OF THE TEXT

Paul called the Ephesian elders together for a final charge before he departed, reviewing the manner of his ministry, his intensity, diligence, and sacrifice, saying it was to be his last time (Acts 20:17-25, cf. 20:38). Therefore, Paul makes a point for the record that he has not held back any part of God’s Word from them and is therefore innocent of their blood before God, as a faithful watchman (Acts 20:26-27, cf. Ezek. 3, 33). He charges the elders to follow his example in guarding and feeding the flock of God, warning them specifically about wolves arising in their own midst (Acts 20:28-31). He commends them to God and His Word and his own example of ministry, prays with them all before parting (Acts 20:32-38).

ALL THE COUNSEL OF GOD

Paul emphasizes in this final charge to the Ephesian elders his ministry of God’s Word: teaching publicly and from house to house, testifying of repentance and the gospel, preaching the kingdom of God, and the whole counsel of God, and therefore, the elders are to feed the flock, build up the saints, by the same Word of God’s grace.

This is what we mean by “All of Christ for All of Life.” We mean all of Scripture, applied all the time, everywhere. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). This means that our goal must be to study and know the whole Bible. Many modern Christians are only taught snippets and a few stories. We are not prepared for all good works because we do not know all of Scripture. What does God’s Word say about immigration, sexuality, politics, finances, or friendship? We must not be selective in our Bible study. And elders are entrusted with making sure that we are not leaving anything out: Genesis to Revelation.

FEED THE CHURCH OF GOD

The whole Bible is our food, and elders are entrusted with making sure the flock is actually eating. The center of this is Lord’s Day worship, where the elders that labor in word and doctrine teach and preach the Word openly (1 Tim. 5:17). But all elders are entrusted with checking in “house to house.” We don’t just put the food out and hope for the best; elders are shepherds under the Chief Shepherd who care for the health of the flock (1 Pet. 5:1-4).

This is how Christians are built up (Acts 20:32). If Christians have become weak and impotent, it is because we have a famine of God’s Word (Amos 8:11). This is why Scripture requires God’s people to follow “those who rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God… for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief” (Heb. 13:7, 17). There is an exhortation here in both directions: elders must speak the word, set good examples, and watch over souls, and members must heed that counsel, follow those examples, and make this job a joy and not a grief.

GUARD THE CHURCH OF GOD

Elders are also required by to guard God’s flock from wolves. This is one of the reasons why elders must be men. This is a frontline, combat and security position. Those who become elders have to imitate Paul’s willingness to “not count his life dear” (Acts 20:24). Sometimes this requires literal martyrdom, but it frequently includes public hatred and persecution (Mt. 5:11-12, 2 Tim. 3:12).

This task of guarding is never “off duty” and is intense because it includes the internal temptations of elders, their own households, plus the rest of the elder board and the congregation, while continuing to preach the gospel to those outside. Elders are held to a high standard of personal holiness and household faithfulness (1 Tim. 3, Tit. 1). Paul says this was intense for him personally (Acts 20:19), and he insists that this will be the same for the Ephesian elders, some of whom will be led astray and lead others astray (Acts 20:29-30). Therefore, elders must watch and pray constantly, and the flock must watch and pray.

Church scandals are some of the most damaging events for the faith of Christians, but there ought to be some comfort in hearing these words from 2,000 years ago. How many scandals have there been since then? And look at the church of Jesus Christ. We must be faithful, and sometimes the world will accuse us of scandal, when all we did was deal with sin like the Bible says (Mt. 18, 1 Cor. 5).

APPLICATIONS

Pray for faithful elders and pastors: We live in a great famine of the Word, but it is not for lack of access to the Word. Rather, we have churches filled with men who will not tell the whole truth, who pander and flatter, tickling the ears of their hearers, prizing their own lives and reputations over the glory of Christ and the care of His church (cf. Jn. 12:43). By doing this, they are hating and abusing the flock of God, refusing to feed and guard them.

Trust in Jesus Christ not men: God has determined to care for His people through fallible men (and this is true in all governments), and this really is for our good. He knows what He is doing. But we must not follow mindlessly: we submit in the Lord. We follow them as they follow Christ because He is the Good Shepherd: He purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28, Jn. 10:28). He died for His church so that “He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).

When John was given a glimpse of the future glory of the world, He saw the Church descending from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2), and all things made new (Rev. 21:5). And faithful elders are central to this project.

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