When did the Jews leave Egypt? Passover. How many days did it take the Jews to get to Mt. Sinai? 40 days. Moses goes up the mountain of God, and on the 50th day he comes down with the 10 Commandments.
What day did Jesus die? Passover. 40 days later He went up into heaven—he ascended, and 10 days after that the Holy Spirit came down. On the same day that the 10 Commandments were given the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost. When Moses came down and saw the people worshipping the golden calf, he told the Levites to strap on their knives and execute anyone who had anything to do with planning it. How many people died that day? 3000. And thirteen hundred years later when the Holy Spirit came down on exactly the same day, how many people came to life? 3000!!!
This is not some arbitrary number as if we should say “Wow. That was lucky!” No! God would not have saved 2500 that day; nor would He have saved 4000. He brought 3000 people to life that day because there was purpose in that number. I see this and wonder how can anyone not realize that God determines who will be saved and when. Before you argue with me, yes, in both contexts it says "about 3000." But I guess that is my point: everything matches perfectly in both contexts. This cannot be a coincidence.
The same day Jesus died, God led His people out of slavery in Egypt. The same day that Jesus went up into Heaven, Moses went up the mountain to God. The same day the Holy Spirit came down on Pentecost, Moses came down the mountain. And the same day that 3000 people died for their sin, 3000 souls were saved. Tell me God isn’t behind all of these things.
Just another reason why I believe the whole Bible is a book about Jesus Christ and one more reason among many for why I’m a Calvinist.
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I believe a comment from you at this point on my blog would be appropriate if you have the time, your Greek and Hebrew both being better than mine.
Hmmm. All of Jewish writings are number based aren't they? Isn't that what Madonna and her like are into? Kabala, isn't it?
John's Gospel is full of codes. Or am I barking up the wrong tree here?
I honestly don’t know much about the Bible codes and how much of it is legitimately there. I’m sure there is a lot, but there are also those who have come up with a bunch of off the wall things that are not legitimate interpretation of the text.
Madonna is brilliant (She has an extremely high I.Q.). But she’s a nut and certainly not a Christian or Roman Catholic.
Lit'l Luther,
When you make such a big deal over doctrines which divide us Christians in front of people like Maalie, I believe you don't help them come to faith.
I couldn't possibly disagree stronger with anything more than I disagree with double predestination, though I know good Christians and churches hold to it. It's okay for Christians to debate over such things, as a family, who insist and believe in God as Father, Son and Spirit, and who agree on the basics of the faith.
But to do this in front of nonbelievers, I do believe is in error.
Where is the doctrine of predestination or election directed towards hearing unbelievers in Scripture, and preached about? In an Acts sermon it's alluded to, though I do believe it sounded different in their ears than in ours.
Look at C.S. Lewis' fine book, "Mere Christianity" and you'll read the same.
If we want to have debates over free will and predestination, and to be truthful, I don't, we need to have them elsewhere. I fail to see what good purpose such wiords fulfill in the presence of those to whom we're sharing the gospel. And I believe Spurgeon believed the same.
You do share the gospel well; I appreciate your boldness in it, and work in it, as well. I'm not criticizing you for that at all. Keep at it, brother.
I see in my comment I'm mixing apples and oranges and talking as if they were both one and the same.
What I'm getting at more, is just talking as if a person may be "damned", therefore that's why they're failing to repent and believe. Spurgeon, himself a Calvinist, and others insist that you press on them the call to faith and obedience: to repent and believe. You keep appealing to them, not ever giving them the excuse (I would add) that maybe, just maybe they're not one of God's elect, and therefore they can remain and wallow in their sin. Not good, not good.
All through Scripture you see God appealing to a sinful people, some of whom, as in the case of Israel in the Old Testament, refused to come, or in Jesus' words as he wept, "they were not willing."
Debates are another thing, and that's where C.S. Lewis comes in with the book I mentioned. Let us have them in private or amongst ourselves.
And on election, N.T. Wright and many others (he's just very good at explaining it) have a much better bibical take on election and predestination, than does John Calvin. But at my age I care less and less about what divides us, and more and more about what unites us in Jesus. We're one Body in this world, and we need to get on with it. As you so very well are doing in your work!
Thanks Ted,
You make a good point. Perhaps the evangelistic sermons don't mention election much. I need to look into that more. So, perhaps you are right and I shouldn't have mentioned any of that. The thing is, though, I believe all of Scripture can be useful. Those guys love to show how unfair God must be (whether because of earthquakes, Tsunamis, you name it), and so I was thinking, the only way to deal with them is to go for the jugular and tackle the most supposed "unfair" thing about God and show that He in fact is completely fair in whatever He does. You saw Simon's set up. He was trying to do away with every argument before one could be presented. So I just went for it. But anyhow, I really appreciate you brother. You have a kind spirit, and I'm thankful for you, and for you pulling in my reins, to speak.
I still don't know that we need to be afraid to share anything from God's book though, but like you said, election may well be out with the apostles direct confrontation with unbelievers. I appreciate the kind-rebuke.
thank you so much for your words of testimony on my blog - I am grateful for your continued presence there and for the spirit in which you answer - I do hope that you will continue on with us!
Lorenzo has left you a question on my blog I see - and I will look forward to your answer.
A blessed and joyfilled Easter Litl-Luther. I continue to be grateful for you ministry, wherever it may be found!
Thank you Susan! You are a great encourager and encouragement to me. I hope you have a blessed Easter celebration, with intimate fellowship with the risen Lord.
It has been a good, though difficult time here. My quiet time has been very good but my work is coming very slowly. The weather is warm (it is still cold and dreary in Chicago) and there are blooming things and birds singing and the work is rather out of my field so I am learning as I prepare lectures, trying to trust in God that they will be sufficient.
I hope your Easter was wonderful - and that you will reappear on my blog when you are released or compelled to do so.
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