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As if to recap some of the vital points already mentioned in previous chapters of this study, we will expound on the fact that the contradictions of Jesus Christ, were not based upon contradictions in its simplest form in our daily life. The contradictions of Jesus Christ are based upon the fact of who he is; what was his origin, and what was the unending source of the power by which he ministered on earth. The contradiction was on clear display when he said that he is from above, and we are from beneath: he was not from this world, in a much as we are. The stark contradiction concerning his person, was the fact that he laid aside Deity (he emptied himself of Divinity) and became as a servant and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:7,8.

 It is rather mind-boggling to think that he who created all things, and in whom all fulness dwelt subjected himself to sufferings and ultimate death which was meant to be a curse; as it is said written: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” Galatians 3:13. More and more, as we scan the records of the gospel and the many letters that transpired between the apostles and various churches, we are faced with overwhelming evidence how the life and ministry of Jesus Christ contradicted our understanding and practice of things divine.

 Let us look once more at the context in which God looks at man’s heart, and to what end does he try the heart. First, we begin with the contents of man’s heart—period. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord, search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his way, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17: 9,10. Of the many parts that comprise the human autonomy, through-out scripture in both testaments, God deals with the human heart more than any other part. We are put on notice the importance of the heart by the words of the Psalmist: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” It stands to reason that every aspect of our life is coordinated by the heart. It would seem to our natural understanding that all thoughts—all actions have some affinity with the heart.

We are told in scripture: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7. But from our basic understanding, we have determined that we do not think with our heart—rather, we think with our mind. But other scriptures contain truths that explain the consensus behind the workings of the heart even in our thoughts. As we said before, God works with the human heart, more than any other part of our body. The first thing He did with Saul while he was looking for his father’s lost asses, was to give him a new heart. 1^st.Samuel 10: 9.

In scripture, it is catalogued how God manipulates man’s heart into whatsoever conditions that please him. It is quite clear, even while Moses was in God’s presence at the burning bush, that He (God) would harden the heart of Pharaoh so that he would not let Israel go: and during the entire episode or dialogue between Moses and Pharaoh God harden the king’s heart at least four times. Some 1491 years later, Paul came on the scene and wrote in one of his pastoral letters concerning Pharaoh, and the circumstances that were divinely orchestrated, though unknown to the Pharaoh. As we shall see, Paul’s account of Moses and his encounter with Pharaoh, was instigated and even manipulated by God himself. His, was the unseen hand that turned every key and pushed every knob ,while enacting every aspect of his predestinated will, that was put in place before time began.

 The general consensus in this case gives us a better understanding of how the call to salvation really works from God’s perspective. “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Romans 9:16-18. We are faced with a monumental question, that is meant to bring God’s will and transforming power out into the public market-place for our individual bidding, or our individual conclusion.

 Paul went further in his letter! “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known , endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.” Roman 9:22,23. Even as we stand forth as ministers of the gospel: as pastors, evangelists, altar workers, and even those who simply hand out tracts on the street corner, we will do well to understand the inner workings of Christ upon men’s hearts by the influence and wooing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost works with us, and within us; but is always doing the bidding of the Father.

We need to consider more intently the work of the Holy Spirit, and what caused Israel’s failure to comply with the law of Moses. One of the most important reality we need to keep in mind as we avail ourselves to be God’s instruments of harvest, working in his vineyard, now, at harvest time. As we indicated earlier, the law could not execute all that God had purposed therein. As we said before, the law could not be effective as it was designed to be, because all it had to work with was the flesh. Thus we read: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11. The changing of the heart in one direction or another: from one condition to another as determined by the Father, are relegated to him who worketh all things by the counsel of his own will, who calleth things that are not yet done as though they were already complete. These acts of God are marvelous in our sight. To Him be glory for ever!!

The history of ancient Israel is replete with failing, rebellions and disobedience on varied scale. They saw more miracles from God than any other peoples upon the face of the earth. But as the records show, right after one miracle and another, then another, Israel went right back in their old ways of doubt and unashamed rebellion. There had to be a solution that would enact a cure without the need for a human being to stand in as a master teacher and a leader like non other. It was proven over and over, that the law written on tables of stone, and even with the introduction the Levitical Priesthood replete with monthly sacrificial offerings did not cure what was missing in the process. It was obvious that outward acts of worship and a form of obedience would not get the job done—all of the above still would not get Israel in perfect obedience to God’s holy law. It became obvious that the solution was not on the outside, but rather on the inside of the human soul.

 God’s cure to Israel’s problems did not lie within the priesthood or the new moons and sabbaths. God announced his own cure! “For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” Jeremiah 24:6,7. The biblical narrative continues to highlight God’s action is his dealings with the heart of his people Israel. “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 11:19,20.

 Speaking in terms of evangelism and the ministry of the gospel as we know it today, how many of us, and to how brilliant and forceful we would have to be to accomplish what God has just announced? You see; we, as human beings working in the ministry, we work from the outside in, while God works from the inside out. The Holy Spirit, as God’s agent, works on the inside, making the necessary changes, often times, without any actions or interactions from people on the outside, that often times cannot penetrate the resistance already in place deep within the human heart. But the Holy Spirit works within, before whose influence all resistance falls away in total submission to the will of our heavenly Father.

 Speaking without being over skeptical, I must say that the church as we know it today, do not delve deeply into the major outstanding prophecies, many of which point to the emerging kingdom of God upon the earth. Even prophecies concerning Jesus and his reign upon the throne of David are cut short in teaching and sermons. For the purpose of this study, we are going to observe many of the ancient prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled; the fulfillment of which will change all our lives and even the material planet that we live on. After we have highlighted those prophecies, we will be left with a single major question: “When and How will these prophecies be fulfilled?” We will have to determine the role of the church, in terms of our personal mandate from the divine perspective.

Royce O. Kennedy