TWO TEST OF LEADERSHIP

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leadership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue
Of all the management skills, leadership is the most difficult to define. What are the ingredients that make one a great leader? Many books are written on the subject, and we can memorize the steps, but many times something is lacking. We will let other wrestle for the answer.
This article is not a repeat of those oft published steps that one finds on the shelf. Rather, it is about two undeniable qualities, anyone can measure. They are simple, and to the point.

1. Leaders have followers. A large crowd does not mean great leadership. I have seen many leaders who were only “a flash in the pan,” or like “fourth of July fireworks.” In time their true character became evident, and the followers disappeared. So, a leader has followers.

2. The second test of leadership is how we respond in a crisis, or under pressure. Leaders do not blame others for their own lack of leadership. A crises brings out the best or the worst in us; Our true feelings, and character comes to the surface. Leaders are born, or hatched in the midst of a crises. The latent gift of leadership, may be dormant. If it is there, a crises, no doubt, will give it cause to emerge.

So, the two test of leadership, are, do you have a following, and how do you respond in a crises? These, you can see and judge; so can everyone else.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 43

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REVELON BOOK

REVELATION 12. THE  WOMAN,   ISRAEL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The “woman” of this chapter is none other than the nation of Israel and her remnant. Not by any stretch of the imagination is she Mary, the Roman Catholic Church, the protestant church, or Mary Baker Eddy!

She is a “sign” which depicts Israel and her conflict with Satan. The “sign” is clear. (See Genesis 37:9-10.) Joseph had two dreams, which were a prophecy of Christ who was rejected by His brethren, sentenced to death, raised to life, and will be recognized by Israel and reign over them at His Second Advent.

There can be no doubt that the vision of the sun, the moon, and the twelve stars represent Joseph and his brethren, which symbolize Israel.   No other person in Scripture fulfills as many types of Christ as Joseph, who had this vision.

Israel is often called a woman married to God under the terms of the old covenant (Isaiah 54:1-6; Jeremiah 3:1-14; Hosea 2:14-23). There is no thought of Mary in the Genesis or the Revelation passage. Jesus is the Son of Abraham, the seed of David and the Chosen One of Israel.

This woman is described as a “sign.” The sign itself is not a literal woman existing in heaven. This was only a “sign.” The vision is a type of Israel, and the description of her is significant.

No other nation on earth can claim a miraculous birth, continuous protection, and eternal appointment as the nation of Israel. Listen to what King David says concerning Israel in 2 Samuel 7:23-24, “And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.”

       God’s plan for the nation of Israel originated in heaven. She is protected by the God of heaven, and the heavens will rule the earth through her!

The woman is “clothed with the sun.” The first mention of the sun is in Genesis 1:16, “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” 

         Not only was the sun given for a “sign,” its purpose was given to “rule the day.”  The sun is also a symbol of strength, splendor, righteousness, and glory. Thus, the righteous nation will bring forth a “man child,” who is the “Light of the world,” and will rule the earth in the splendor and the glory of an eternal day.

In addition, the sun was given for a light to the world. Just so, God’s original purpose for Israel was to be a light to the Gentile world. Israel failed at that, but God will restore her, and she will accomplish that for which she was created.

The disciple, who represented the nation of Israel and the kingdom were told by Jesus that they were the light of the world. Isaiah said concerning Israel, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3). Thus the woman, clothed with the sun, is an intended symbol of Israel in her future power and glory.

 

WHEN WILL THE SIN OF THE WORLD TAKEN AWAY

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 goat

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

What was John saying, and expecting when he made this statement? We know John did not expect Jesus to die, so he could not have been speaking about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Here are two examples that may help us understand. The first is by Zacharias, when he said,  “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70  As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71  That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73  The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Luke 1:68-75.

One can see from the text the redemption and salvation expected was militarily and physical. There is no thought of the cross in the mind of the prophet.

The second example is found in Luke 24. “And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20  And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21  But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22  Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23  And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.” Luke 24:19-23.

Again, we see the expectation was that they would be “redeemed” from their enemies by the King. So, there is no suggestion by John that the Lamb would die on the cross.

The answer is found in the book of Revelation. Although Paul never calls Jesus the Lamb, John speaks of Him in 25 verses alone in Revelation. That ought to be a clue to what was meant in John 1:29. The key is in Revelation 6:16-17. “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:16-17.  

The Lamb will begin His work of “taking away the sin of the world” at the Second Advent, He will complete it at the end of the thousand years. John 1:29 will indeed be fulfilled. 

SHOULD YOU IGNORE IT?

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dueling

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

Ministry wars are inevitable. Therefore, the pastor must know the difference between a breeze and a tornado. The pastor who is insecure and suspicious of everyone will constantly be plagued by fears and doubt.

If you believe a matter requires confrontation or a war, contact older pastors in whom you have confidence and seek their counsel and advice. If you have mature and trusted men in your church, it may be helpful to seek their guidance. Regardless of the decision, you must stand up to the challenge and accept the outcome.

Most problems are power struggle or frustrated ambition on the part of some member. Your problems will most likely come from someone who is close to you. That is, a staff member, a deacon, a treasure, a music director or their wives. These people usually get offended because of a policy decision you have made or over budget allocations.

In order to minimize wars, communicate clearly and lovingly with your congregation. Be transparent in money matters. Give people more information than they need. Remember, people in the dark tend to be more suspicious and will believe the gossip mongers. Silence them, if you can, with light. You should show humility, but never show weakness. A church that will not change, will not grow. Be slow to make changes and expect to lose some people when you do. The pastor should not seek war or start them. But, he must be alert to the fact that the devil uses wicked men and women to hinder or destroy his ministry. Therefore, get all the advice and help available to you; spend much time in prayer and when the war is over, move forward in victory to build a greater ministry for Christ! I recommend to every pastor and church worker a book by Marshall, Shelley titled, Well Intentioned Dragons. You can purchase it at Amazon.com

TOO LATE FOR COMPASSION

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Lazzrus

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

This story’s about a rich man in well know town.

Each day at his gate, they laid poor Lazarus down.

He begged for the crumbs from the rich man’s store.

Moreover, the dogs came, and licked his sore.

 

Poor Lazarus died, and angels came for their prize.

They carried him to his awaiting paradise.

The rich man died, and was buried with flair.

Angels were absent, but daemons were there.

 

Unseen, the rich man too, was carried to his fate.

He was ushered in, and locked behind hell’s gate.

He begged for water, not a drop received.

No prayers are answered; there is no reprieve.

 

God blessed the rich man, showing compassion on him.   

He had the Holy Scriptures, but he ignored them.

Israel too, had Scripture, they were their pride,

They cared less, a poor man was crucified.

 

Wealth has little value, on one’s dying day.

He walked passed Lazarus, always turning away.  

The key to the story, lay at his gate.  

Mercy withheld, is withheld as one’s fate.