Tag Archives: YHVH

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

When Two Kingdoms Collide

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Initially, God’s world and ours intersected and cohabitated. This was Eden until humankind rebelled and broke its relationship with the Creator. Now, the two separate realms (kingdoms) have two kings: God and Satan. Because we’re made of mammal fleshiness and God-made spirit, we feel the draw of this appealing-to-the-flesh earth ruled by Satan and heaven ruled by God. We can’t serve two masters and must choose one. And not choosing God’s Kingdom will put you in the other by default. Let’s learn more about each to help you choose well. By the way, I published “The Supernatural God: Rebellion & Disinheritance!” in May 2023. You might want to revisit it for more background.

Satan’s Kingdom. After the dispersion at Babel, God disinherited most of the earth and its people (except for Israel), giving them to others in His council (Deuteronomy 32:7-12; Psalm 82). Those other spiritual beings have managed most of humanity ever since. Satan is their ruler; he has authority over the earth and anyone who isn’t God’s. He couldn’t have offered Jesus his earthly kingdom in Matthew 4:8-10 otherwise! Other biblical examples of Satan’s rulership: “Satan, the ruler of this world . . .” (John 12:31) and “Jesus said, ‘The ruler of this world approaches . . .’” (John 14:30). Jesus also confirms “My kingdom is not of this realm” in John 18:36 and “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) But, this won’t always be the case!

God’s (YHVH’s) Kingdom. Despite Satan’s temporary rulership of this earth, God’s Kingdom has been attainable since Jesus gave His life to satisfy our debt to the Creator. Why did He do that? To return us to our Maker (1 Peter 3:18). For now, His Kingdom is ‘already, but not yet’ because it is available through Jesus but isn’t physically among us. One day, the two kingdoms will engage in a final conflict, and the ruler of this world will be ousted and destroyed. God’s realm and ours will intersect again as they did in Eden. When? We don’t know for sure, but here are reminders of the certainty:

  • “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.’” (Revelation 11:15)
  • “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come . . .” (Revelation 12:10)

To summarize, the Devil runs things on earth for now, establishing lots of wickedness inside and outside the churches. However, God will one day reclaim what’s His and recombine His realm and ours in a new world. Where should we go next? Let me share my Orthodox Lent journey with you in an enlightening multi-parter. Meanwhile, choose your king and kingdom wisely and stay!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

God Versus Evil: Part One

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Just as the word ‘God’ can conjure different ideas from a benevolent cosmic dude to a celestial judge, ‘evil’ may mean various things—usually because of different cultures and worldviews. The truth is that ‘evil’ probably doesn’t mean what you think, and its use By YHVH (God) has produced good. Let’s dig in by defining it first.

Evil defined. The word usually evokes responses like ‘scary’ or ‘spooky’ and images of fiery demons or people with spinning heads. However, these aren’t biblical representations of evil but imaginations working overtime. The truth is worse because evil is more subtle and can sneak up on you! Original biblical language and contexts suggest that it more or less represents something bad, adversarial, distressful, or disagreeable. Not spooky or frightening, but trouble often clothed in beauty that can be disguised as good despite the distress it brings.

Who’s evil, anyway? The disobedient Elohim (spiritual beings from God’s Divine Counsel) were evil. The devil we call Satan is evil. So were the ancients who opposed God’s instructions. And so is anyone behaving in wicked ways that oppose God whether they call their actions ‘good.’ Church leaders and teachers allowing distressful, adversarial, and disagreeable-to-God doctrine and people into the assembly of believers are evil. The apostle Paul called them out 2,000 years ago while also reminding Christ-followers that evil and its deceit can be beautiful: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore, it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Guarding against evil. It’s easy to be deceived by evil or call bad good if you don’t know what good looks like! This is why a solid Christian foundation is critical to discerning good from bad and righteousness from evil. Learn well and surround yourself with godly people, practicing what you see and hear. Deal with temptation in the mind before thoughts produce bad speech or behavior. Don’t give the adversary—the ‘evil one’ of Matthew 6:13 —a foothold! And always determine how your thinking or actions will affect your relationships with God or people.

Can evil be used for good? God doesn’t test or tempt people, trip them up, or do evil to them. However, He has used distress or adversity (often termed ‘evil’) and evil people to accomplish His plans. From Joseph’s brothers and Abimelech and Saul to the prophets of King Ahab, God has turned evil into good. I’ll explain more about this in Part Two.

In summary, evil can be anything opposed to good (e.g., God’s instructions). Next time, we’ll examine how God has used evil (adversarial things) for good in Part Two.  Meanwhile, behave, be kind, and beware of evil—inside the church and out!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

I Pledge Allegiance to Who?

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Remember when we always said the Pledge of Allegiance (at school, for instance)? “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America . . . one nation under God . . .” That was when we were a godly nation. What would make us godly again? Pledging allegiance to the One we call God before allying ourselves with anything or anyone else or chasing self-centered passions. But what would that look like? What would God (YHVH) require of anyone (and, collectively, a nation) wanting to be His ally? Good question—let’s find out!

First, YHVH told the prophet Micah something like: “Dude! I don’t want meaningless religious works—I want you to practice justice and mercy and walk with me humbly! (Micah 6:8). Before you give me grief about the whole ‘Dude!’ thing, there may be a Hebrew or Aramaic word for it—you never know. Regardless, the point is valid: humility, justice, and mercy are critical in allegiance to God!

Second, YHVH wants partners—allies—who bear His image. He’s looking for people who will do and say here what He does and says in His realm, like Jesus did, while empowered by the Holy Spirit. What else? We’re to honor our Creator (YHVH) with all we have and are. We see this in the Great Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5): “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Jesus reiterated the theme in Matthew 22:37. So, we are to honor Him in purity, among other things: “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Is anything else required for allegiance with God? Yep! Honoring Him (and Christ) begins with complete devotion—not only in the words, “confess Jesus as Lord” (Romans 10:9-10) but in action. Why do I write this? The ancients understood that speech and action were coupled. So did we until recently when lying became the norm and our word stopped being our bond. At any rate, pledge allegiance to God and stay in the relationship: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (John 15:10).

So, we are to pledge allegiance to God through action, devoting all we have and are, and through purity and charity. This requires learning about God and what He wants and establishing new habits. He has called; we must respond. Keep in mind that not responding or devoting will have devastating consequences!

Summary: Pledge allegiance to who? God alone! Then, stay aligned by honoring Him with all you have, are, and do. What’s next? Learning about YHVH (God) and His desires can sometimes be challenging and sobering. So, let’s lighten things up with some encouraging and uplifting moments through exploring making a difference in our world. Until then, do what pleases God.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Back to Eden: As It Was

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Recently, I wrote a series about our Supernatural God—Elohim led by YHVH, the Creator. I touched on Elohim rebels, including Satan, coming cosmic battles, an earthly Kingdom, judgment, and re-creation. Over the following few articles, I’ll start with the new creation and give a high-level view of the ‘end times,’ which have been in motion since Jesus brought YHVH’s Kingdom to people. But . . .

First, the point is hope. We believe what YHVH has done and is doing. So, we believe He’ll keep His word to restore everything to perfection as it once was. Read Revelation 21:1-22:5 for a glimpse of that beautiful future! Also, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men . . . looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus . . . (Titus 2:11-13)

Second, here’s the basic sequence from now until the coming new age of re-creation:

  • Life will continue as it has until religious deception, war, and environmental issues increase significantly.
  • The ‘Antichrist’ ruler will crush YHVH’s people for several years.
  • YHVH will rescue them and bring wrath against the ungodly.
  • There’ll be peace on Earth for a while.
  • Finally, judgment and a new age when YHVH will again hang out with His creation.

These periods could be categorized as: (1) From now until the Satan-influenced Antichrist; (2) During the time of the Antichrist; (3) After the Antichrist; (4) Return to Eden. We’ll focus on the return to Eden here and then cover the other periods in subsequent articles.

As it was in the beginning. Before some Elohim rebelled, YHVH walked with people in a beautiful place and partnered with them to manage His creation (Genesis 2:6-25). YHVH’s creation was ‘good,’ and the relationship between Creator and the created was perfect (complete). Two unique trees grew there—one that offered enlightenment not meant for people and another that gave indefinite human life. We now die because our access to that Tree of Life was removed (Genesis 3:22-24).

So it will be in the end. In a remarkable reversal, YHVH will destroy this realm and, in its place, create one where He and His creation co-exist as it was and is meant to be (Revelation 21:1-4). No pain. No suffering. No evil. What about the Tree of Life? Read Revelation 22:1-2, and you’ll see that it will be restored. Beauty, purity, eternal life, and perfection will be the order again!

Summary: God has pursued us since we walked away long ago. One day, He’ll tire of our immoralities and self-centeredness and insert Himself into our history for massive reconstruction. In the following article, we’ll continue our end-times journey by unveiling from now until the devil pulls Antichrist’s strings. Remember that God desires our love for Him and people more than religion.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

The Supernatural God: An Introduction

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Look around. What you see exists within a single dimension. But what about what you can’t see? Are there other dimensions where beings create, advise, and influence people in this dimension? Yep!

Although humans reduce the supernatural God of creation to words and religion, there’s much more! Of course, written biblical texts inform our Christian walk. And religion helps us frame and practice our worship. But the texts and religion result from the speech and actions of a multi-dimensional supernatural God. His words were written down for people who could respond, in turn, with religious activities and right living. His actions, also documented, help us understand His nature. Regardless, the supernatural has driven what we read and do in the Christian faith. So, we’ll plumb the depths of God corporately as a heavenly council (Elohim) and individually as the Creator (YHVH).

This week, I’ll equip you to later explore Elohim, a biblical label for spiritual beings. We’ll then learn about the supernatural forces controlling earthly nations and rulers (except Israel) and how they received that authority. Finally, we’ll uncover the end-times supernatural players and events that will realign everything according to the Creator’s desire. But first, let’s look at two extremes that keep us from meeting or understanding our supernatural God: words alone and emotion mistaken for the Spirit. Words first.

A real risk of “worshipping the book” and missing God entirely exists when we dismiss the supernatural, earliest Christian traditions, faith experienced, and reason. I’ve witnessed extremes where the supernatural Spirit has no place in today’s Christianity. The supernaturally influenced Bible itself is elevated above practicing the precepts contained within, such as justice, love, and mercy. And countless rules, regulations, and bad theology abuse people and keep others from God’s Kingdom. On the other hand, ignoring the words in favor of pursuing perceived supernatural stuff alone is just as bad.

Without the Bible to frame and direct our faith, anything goes. I’ve witnessed severe abuses where people have barked, laughed hysterically, claimed to see gold dust, smelled stuff, fallen over, babbled unproductively, and much more. Add to the list fraudsters and adulterers because congregants were too Scripturally ignorant to recognize evil. However, there’s a better position where the supernatural God driving the creation of the words continues to interact spiritually with people who strive to understand and apply them correctly. In other words, balance is critical to rightly perceiving our supernatural God and imitating Him.

In summary, what we see in this dimension is a fraction of what exists here and in others—much of which drove what we read in the Bible and still influences people. In the following article, we’ll look closer at Elohim, that single-minded, one-mission group of supernaturals led by YHVH (Jehovah), God the Creator. We’ll also dig deeper into the gods that must take a backseat to Him.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.