After humanity had fallen deep into sin, the gate was open for a torrent of evil to come forth from the human generations. The Lord said "My Spirit shall not always strive with man forever, for he is flesh, therefore shall his days be a hundred and twenty years" (Gen. 6:3). Human longevity will be cut down from five or six hundred years, or more, to an average of about a hundred and twenty. This will put the brakes on the sinfulness of the human race for a period. It again with be cut down to seventy years in order to slow down the evil that comes forth from the human species.
The Rabbis write:
"Despite the fact that man is created in the Divine image, he has proved by his proneness to err that he is 'flesh'; i.e. the earthly side of his nature too readily overpowers the spiritual." God gave some time for mankind to repent and change his ways.
The Spirit of God is here active. God claims the uniqueness of the Spirit. He calls Him "My Spirit." A "force" cannot strive. Only an intelligent being can act and strive as the Spirit does in this context.
Though the Bible does not speak of the Holy Spirit indwelling Adam before the fall, Abraham Kuyper makes an interesting statement:
"We arrive at the conclusion, that in Adam all goodness was wrought by the Holy Spirit, according to the holy ordinance which assigns to the Third Person in the Trinity the inward operation of all rational beings. … Adam's nature was created and calculated to be a vehicle of the Holy Spirit's operations." "By the fall, man had forfeited all hope of further efforts of God's grace," Leupold notes.
—Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CREATION - GENESIS 1:2
The Spirit of God is far more active in the OT than we may first realize. He is mentioned many times at work in God's creative world, and in the lives of many people. He is not a force, He is personality, a person, One who carries out the work of God the Father.
The word "spirit" in Hebrew is Ruach. In Genesis 1:2 we find Him hovering over the waters of the planet. The word "hover" can be translated "moving, vibrating, fluttering gently" on the surface of the waters. The Rabbis note that "'hover' is a description of the eagle hovering over the young to care for them and protect them. Matter itself is lifeless. The Spirit of God quickens (gives life) and transforms it into material for a living world."
To do the above requires intelligence, planning, and design. He is not simply a Power! He is both omnipotent and energizing in the creative process of creation. He is not inanimate. He is active with creative genius and purpose. He is "the Spirit of God," that is, the Spirit who belongs to, and comes from God.
Jewish scholars have a problem with the doctrine of the Spirit of God. They know He is more than a force, He is personality. The personal pronoun "He" is always used when speaking of His work. This is masculine, not neuter, though the noun is neuter. That is simply the characteristic of the noun itself and does not imply that He is a neuter!
The orthodox Jewish rabbis come right up to the edge in calling the Spirit of God a Person, a living being, not simply a power, a force. In their Genesis commentaries they say "The Spirit is the mysterious, unseen, and irresistible presence of the Divine Being.
It is generally the Spirit of God working out the plan of God the Father with His creatures here on earth. If the Jews admit to the personality of the Holy Spirit, then they admit to the doctrine of the Trinity, and finally the deity of the Son of God. This they do not wish to do!
Psalm 51:11 calls the Spirit "the Holy Spirit," implying His very nature and being special, unique, all righteous, pure, and perfect. Holy is a descriptive of the pure nature of God. He can declare "things" holy for distinct purposes, but in actuality, things cannot be holy unless God calls them so. But the Spirit is a person, and His nature is that of Holiness! From the Hebrew text Genesis 1:2 reads:
"And the earth was nothingness and waste (terrifying) was upon the face of the primeval ocean, and Spirit of God hovered upon the face of the oceans." Water is the womb of life and there is more water observed on earth than upon any other planet observed in space!
—Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
The word "spirit" in Hebrew is Ruach. In Genesis 1:2 we find Him hovering over the waters of the planet. The word "hover" can be translated "moving, vibrating, fluttering gently" on the surface of the waters. The Rabbis note that "'hover' is a description of the eagle hovering over the young to care for them and protect them. Matter itself is lifeless. The Spirit of God quickens (gives life) and transforms it into material for a living world."
To do the above requires intelligence, planning, and design. He is not simply a Power! He is both omnipotent and energizing in the creative process of creation. He is not inanimate. He is active with creative genius and purpose. He is "the Spirit of God," that is, the Spirit who belongs to, and comes from God.
Jewish scholars have a problem with the doctrine of the Spirit of God. They know He is more than a force, He is personality. The personal pronoun "He" is always used when speaking of His work. This is masculine, not neuter, though the noun is neuter. That is simply the characteristic of the noun itself and does not imply that He is a neuter!
The orthodox Jewish rabbis come right up to the edge in calling the Spirit of God a Person, a living being, not simply a power, a force. In their Genesis commentaries they say "The Spirit is the mysterious, unseen, and irresistible presence of the Divine Being.
It is generally the Spirit of God working out the plan of God the Father with His creatures here on earth. If the Jews admit to the personality of the Holy Spirit, then they admit to the doctrine of the Trinity, and finally the deity of the Son of God. This they do not wish to do!
Psalm 51:11 calls the Spirit "the Holy Spirit," implying His very nature and being special, unique, all righteous, pure, and perfect. Holy is a descriptive of the pure nature of God. He can declare "things" holy for distinct purposes, but in actuality, things cannot be holy unless God calls them so. But the Spirit is a person, and His nature is that of Holiness! From the Hebrew text Genesis 1:2 reads:
"And the earth was nothingness and waste (terrifying) was upon the face of the primeval ocean, and Spirit of God hovered upon the face of the oceans." Water is the womb of life and there is more water observed on earth than upon any other planet observed in space!
—Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
Friday, March 25, 2011
SOME EXPERTS HAVE PREDICTED …
That organized "religion" will disappear from about nine countries in the next few generations, or even sooner. And I believe it. We are into the apostasy when there will be a falling away and a departure from the faith. However, true believers will continue to serve, witness, and be a vital force to be contended with.
The lights are going out. The Holy Spirit is withdrawing from influence around the world. And we should not be surprised. This only tells us that the Word of God is true and that we are moving in the direction predicted in the Bible. Don't be surprised! Satan is indeed alive and well. He is active in the world.
The apostle Paul writes "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons ..." (1 Tim. 4:1), and, "Realize this that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,, malicious gossips, irreconcilable, ..." (2 Tim. 3:1-on).
"Lovers of self" means "too intent on one's own interest, selfish." And "Lovers of money" means "avaricious." The other descriptions are obvious!
I have been predicting that troublesome times are around the corner, and I believe that they are upon us more quickly than we could have ever imagined! Be prepared!
Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
The lights are going out. The Holy Spirit is withdrawing from influence around the world. And we should not be surprised. This only tells us that the Word of God is true and that we are moving in the direction predicted in the Bible. Don't be surprised! Satan is indeed alive and well. He is active in the world.
The apostle Paul writes "But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons ..." (1 Tim. 4:1), and, "Realize this that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,, malicious gossips, irreconcilable, ..." (2 Tim. 3:1-on).
"Lovers of self" means "too intent on one's own interest, selfish." And "Lovers of money" means "avaricious." The other descriptions are obvious!
I have been predicting that troublesome times are around the corner, and I believe that they are upon us more quickly than we could have ever imagined! Be prepared!
Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A MOST IMPORTANT PASSAGE: Luke 2:34-35
Luke 2:34-35 is a most important passage of Scripture. Simeon is talking with Joseph and Mary, the mother of Christ, and he said to her: "Behold this child (Jesus) is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed, and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
This is a prophecy that Christ would come into the world in order to bring about a fall for Israel; and too, He would be a sign for the entire nation. He will be hated, despised, and rejected!
He will be a stone that many in Israel will stumble over (Isa. 8:14), and a snare and a trap for the people of Jerusalem. The population will even fall and "be snared and caught" by Him (v. 15). I have recently been teaching the book of John where there is a war going on between the leadership, the people, and Jesus, over who He is, and what He had come to do.
Even though Christ would be a Light He will still be rejected by the people. He was the "glory of the Lord" who would rise over Israel (60:1-3), though [spiritual] darkness "covered the earth" (v. 2). Unger sees this at the first coming of Christ but also projects it into the far future, the time of the tribulation. He writes:
"He will be Zion's splendor after her long, dark night of apostasy and punishment, … and the acme of wickedness of the Tribulation period. So terrible will be that moral and spiritual 'darkness' (Rev. 9:20-21), characterized by the rise of Antichrist and his wicked followers."
Unger adds:
In Luke 2:34 the word "appointed" is "keimai" meaning "to lay down, to be destined." As a Present Tense it can read: "He will be continually destined for the fall of many in Israel." The people will stumble over the Lord. In my Luke commentary I wrote: "Christ had come to divide people. While many would receive Him, many more would reject Him, and their hearts would reveal their lack of trust in God."
See also: Isa. 8:14-15; 49:6; 51:4; 60:1-3. -- Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
This is a prophecy that Christ would come into the world in order to bring about a fall for Israel; and too, He would be a sign for the entire nation. He will be hated, despised, and rejected!
He will be a stone that many in Israel will stumble over (Isa. 8:14), and a snare and a trap for the people of Jerusalem. The population will even fall and "be snared and caught" by Him (v. 15). I have recently been teaching the book of John where there is a war going on between the leadership, the people, and Jesus, over who He is, and what He had come to do.
Even though Christ would be a Light He will still be rejected by the people. He was the "glory of the Lord" who would rise over Israel (60:1-3), though [spiritual] darkness "covered the earth" (v. 2). Unger sees this at the first coming of Christ but also projects it into the far future, the time of the tribulation. He writes:
"He will be Zion's splendor after her long, dark night of apostasy and punishment, … and the acme of wickedness of the Tribulation period. So terrible will be that moral and spiritual 'darkness' (Rev. 9:20-21), characterized by the rise of Antichrist and his wicked followers."
Unger adds:
"By the article in the Hebrew, "the darkness," and by the parallelism, "gross darkness" completely covering 'the earth' (not just Palestine) but the 'peoples' (focusing upon Israel but engulfing all the nations of the globe)."
In Luke 2:34 the word "appointed" is "keimai" meaning "to lay down, to be destined." As a Present Tense it can read: "He will be continually destined for the fall of many in Israel." The people will stumble over the Lord. In my Luke commentary I wrote: "Christ had come to divide people. While many would receive Him, many more would reject Him, and their hearts would reveal their lack of trust in God."
See also: Isa. 8:14-15; 49:6; 51:4; 60:1-3. -- Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Dear Dr. Couch
Dear Dr. Couch,
I believe you said it correctly about Japan. I was actually making my own observations in mind because I spent about 4 years in Japan on and off when I was working for a Japanese company in Manila. When I was there I visited 2 Christian churches and spoke to one Japanese missionary who mentioned that there is less than 1% Christians of the total population. And yes they worship nature wherever and whenever they travel around Japan. At times in traveling and visiting great gardens in Japan I can always see someone stopping and praying in front of trees, big rocks and of course their temples.
There is another thing I believe why this catastrophe hit Japan. In many occasions of traveling around Japan there were not many missionary activities and there is a basic failure of Christians there to evangelize the Japanese people. I believe this earthquake and tsunami is God's action to shake their foundation so that they may once again turn to God.
Here is Australia I noticed the same judgment of God in the areas hit by severe flooding. Australia is becoming more atheistic. Our Prime Minister is a self-confessed atheist. Also there is a basic failure of Christians in Australia to evangelize Australia because of the growing apostasy and ecumenism of many Christian churches. I think from observing these events God is doing His thing to make Himself known. God has to break the pattern of rejection of Christ!
The increase in pattern of catastrophic events around the world is very telling of the times & season in which we live these days.
Yours in Christ,
AB (3/11)
I believe you said it correctly about Japan. I was actually making my own observations in mind because I spent about 4 years in Japan on and off when I was working for a Japanese company in Manila. When I was there I visited 2 Christian churches and spoke to one Japanese missionary who mentioned that there is less than 1% Christians of the total population. And yes they worship nature wherever and whenever they travel around Japan. At times in traveling and visiting great gardens in Japan I can always see someone stopping and praying in front of trees, big rocks and of course their temples.
There is another thing I believe why this catastrophe hit Japan. In many occasions of traveling around Japan there were not many missionary activities and there is a basic failure of Christians there to evangelize the Japanese people. I believe this earthquake and tsunami is God's action to shake their foundation so that they may once again turn to God.
Here is Australia I noticed the same judgment of God in the areas hit by severe flooding. Australia is becoming more atheistic. Our Prime Minister is a self-confessed atheist. Also there is a basic failure of Christians in Australia to evangelize Australia because of the growing apostasy and ecumenism of many Christian churches. I think from observing these events God is doing His thing to make Himself known. God has to break the pattern of rejection of Christ!
The increase in pattern of catastrophic events around the world is very telling of the times & season in which we live these days.
Yours in Christ,
AB (3/11)
Saturday, March 19, 2011
JAPAN AND GOD'S JUDGMENT
I have been asked by many about the earthquake and tsunami that just hit Japan. Is this a "natural" accident or is God still in charge of His world? The answer is clear: The Lord controls His world, and He judges His creation and men who reject the truth of Christ.
Following World War II thousands of missionaries, at the urging of General Douglas MacArthur, went to Japan as missionaries. While thousands came to the Lord, in time, the Japanese rejected the gospel. Today, there are less than 1% who are Christians!
The Japanese are into Shinto (ancestor worship), Confucianism and Buddhism. The last two are not really religions but philosophies of how to live the pure life. If the Japanese are good, they are absorbed into nirvana, the great big IT which is not a god, or God. They believe in living the pure and wise life. Some believe in magical powers; many are animists, that is, they worship the trees, mountains, fleas, bees, and trees! Suicide and dying for the emperor is also part of their Shintoism. The emperor is a god and the descendant of the sun-goddess Amaterasu.
The Bible teaches us that God is the first cause of all things and He is sovereign in His universe. There are no accidents. All things happen by His providence.
If you do not believe that God is sovereign, look up these verses: Job 36-26-37:13 and Daniel 4:34-35.
There is a paradox in our Christian theology. On the one hand, God is sovereign and on the other hand we are to extend charity for those suffering. I don't know how that works but I do know that God is Absolute and His providence controls all things. He is not passive or caught off guard. I used to ask my students: "Who do we think we are?" and "Who is in charge?" The answers are clear from the Word of God!
--Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
Following World War II thousands of missionaries, at the urging of General Douglas MacArthur, went to Japan as missionaries. While thousands came to the Lord, in time, the Japanese rejected the gospel. Today, there are less than 1% who are Christians!
The Japanese are into Shinto (ancestor worship), Confucianism and Buddhism. The last two are not really religions but philosophies of how to live the pure life. If the Japanese are good, they are absorbed into nirvana, the great big IT which is not a god, or God. They believe in living the pure and wise life. Some believe in magical powers; many are animists, that is, they worship the trees, mountains, fleas, bees, and trees! Suicide and dying for the emperor is also part of their Shintoism. The emperor is a god and the descendant of the sun-goddess Amaterasu.
The Bible teaches us that God is the first cause of all things and He is sovereign in His universe. There are no accidents. All things happen by His providence.
If you do not believe that God is sovereign, look up these verses: Job 36-26-37:13 and Daniel 4:34-35.
There is a paradox in our Christian theology. On the one hand, God is sovereign and on the other hand we are to extend charity for those suffering. I don't know how that works but I do know that God is Absolute and His providence controls all things. He is not passive or caught off guard. I used to ask my students: "Who do we think we are?" and "Who is in charge?" The answers are clear from the Word of God!
--Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
Friday, March 18, 2011
JAPAN AND THE JUDGMENT OF GOD
God is the first cause of all things, and, judgment against sin is part of His work. But He extends forth the message of the gospel for the lost. So we should understand His judgment, though to judge is not our job but His! Our job is to be charitable and merciful, and, give forth the gospel.
But remember that what is happening in Japan is not an accident. It is judgment against polytheists. The head of the Japanese government just a few days ago said the same thing. The tsunami "is a judgment from heaven against our materialism," he said. And it was a judgment against the gods of that nation as well. God will judge the gods of the pagan nations. Through Moses God said that He would go through the land of Egypt and be "against all the gods of Egypt. I will execute judgment, I am the Lord!" (Exod. 12:12). The Lord brought a judgment against the first born of that land. He "struck down among them the first born. The Lord had also executed judgments on their gods" (Num. 33:4). And, "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols. But the Lord made the heavens (and the gods did not)" (Psa. 96:4-5).
Japan is one of the most polytheistic nation on earth. The people are into Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The are also animistic, that is believing that nature is "alive" as gods, such as the mountains, trees and bees!
Finally, "The Lord will be terrifying to (the nations), for He will starve all the gods of the earth; and all the shore-lines of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place" (Zeph. 2:11). -- Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
But remember that what is happening in Japan is not an accident. It is judgment against polytheists. The head of the Japanese government just a few days ago said the same thing. The tsunami "is a judgment from heaven against our materialism," he said. And it was a judgment against the gods of that nation as well. God will judge the gods of the pagan nations. Through Moses God said that He would go through the land of Egypt and be "against all the gods of Egypt. I will execute judgment, I am the Lord!" (Exod. 12:12). The Lord brought a judgment against the first born of that land. He "struck down among them the first born. The Lord had also executed judgments on their gods" (Num. 33:4). And, "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols. But the Lord made the heavens (and the gods did not)" (Psa. 96:4-5).
Japan is one of the most polytheistic nation on earth. The people are into Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The are also animistic, that is believing that nature is "alive" as gods, such as the mountains, trees and bees!
Finally, "The Lord will be terrifying to (the nations), for He will starve all the gods of the earth; and all the shore-lines of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place" (Zeph. 2:11). -- Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
AMERICA BECOMING MORE EVIL
President Barack Hussein Obama has instructed the Attorney General's office to stop prosecuting Defense of Marriage Act cases in the courts. This means the door is now open for same/sex marriages in every State in the Union. As with our President's normal mode of operation, this was done quickly and without any warning. There was no hearings from the public. It is a done deal with no objections from the Congress or from the public at large.
If you really want to know what is happening to our nation you must purchase, and get a copy for your pastor, of the book by Andrew C. McCarthy "The Grand Jihad." It is written by an award winning author, who was a top federal prosecutor involved in some of the most historic cases in the Justice Department. He was also a winner of the highest honors that Department could bestow. The subtitle is: "How Islam and the Left Sabotaged America."
It is all over for America! And Christians should know this and be prepared for what is coming next as this nation dies before our very eyes!
—Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
If you really want to know what is happening to our nation you must purchase, and get a copy for your pastor, of the book by Andrew C. McCarthy "The Grand Jihad." It is written by an award winning author, who was a top federal prosecutor involved in some of the most historic cases in the Justice Department. He was also a winner of the highest honors that Department could bestow. The subtitle is: "How Islam and the Left Sabotaged America."
It is all over for America! And Christians should know this and be prepared for what is coming next as this nation dies before our very eyes!
—Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
STUDY OF THE VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE
I would like to send you a three page study of all of the versions of the Bible and how they came into existence. The study goes right up to the KJV Bible and how it was put together. You'll find this a fascinating study that you could share in your church or Sunday school class. This information is very difficult to find. We've done some heavy lifting to give to you the best of historic scholarship. Send me your email (drcouch@scofieldprophecystudies.org) and for no charge we will fire it off to you for study. Please include your email address in the body of the message—Dr. Mal Couch (2/11)
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