A THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING & JUSTICE, FALL 2012: SESSION 01 NOTES BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: MESSENGERS OF JUSTICE STUART

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HABAKKUK 1-2:4 I. GOD IS RAISING UP MESSENGERS OF JUSTICE A. The global end-time prayer movement is ultimately about the release of the fullness of justice in the earth.
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shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? Luke 18:7-8 B. There is a fast growing awareness of justice in the culture of the nations and especially universities among both believers and non-believers. The present social justice movement is preparing the poor to receive the Antichrist. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Rev 13:16-17 D. The very movement claiming to have compassion for the poor is actually setting them up to accept the Antichrist because it is seeking to serve the poor outside the context of the gospel as proclaimed by Jesus and His apostles. The subject of justice is often devoid of the true gospel and fueled by sentiment and/or political platforms. There is emerging a false justice movement rooted in humanism and devoid of the biblical revelation of Christ, which is the greatest injustice on earth. Gods heart is in pain over the lack of justice and the turning away from truth. Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 So truth failsThen the LORD saw it, and it displeased (pained) Him that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. Isa. 59:14-16 G. Noahs generation was judged because the intention of the heart was wickedness. This is the great crisis on the earth. 5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every, intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth . Gen. 6:5-7

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Jesus asked, Who do men say I am? Some today would answer this, You are a conservative, or a liberal, some say You are Pro-Life and against same sex marriage. However, Jesus is much more than this. Jesus wants to know if we will take a stand for Him and His truth. We must take a stand on who Jesus is. We want to be a prophetic voice fueled by the revelation of Jesus not by a political platform. Without addressing this movement in a scriptural way believers will drift away from Jesus. This movement fueled by humanism sows seeds that question the sufficiency of the gospel. The Church does not need a new humanitarian program but rather night and day intercession with the apostolic gospel brought to the poor and oppressed (Isa. 61:1-3 with power). This is called the gospel of the Kingdom that will be preached to all nations. The oppressed need a message that will raise them up out of the ash heap of their own depravity, as well as the oppression that comes to them by other individuals and the corporate oppression that comes to them by the social systems. Jesus wants to deliver them from both. Many focus on one without the other. Jesus is concerned about both, but His first concern is about their sin, moral depravity and eternal destiny. The establishing of justice on earth is the central issue to Jesus 1st and 2nd coming. The subject of justice lies at the core of the apostolic gospel. It is central to the 1st and 2nd coming. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Ps. 97:2 He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands shall wait for His law. Isa. 42:1-4

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In seeking to prioritize justice, Isaiah put much emphasis on the personality of Jesus as the One filled with justice. The hymns of Revelation also focus on this. My Servantin whom My soul delightsHe will bring forth justice to the Gentiles 3 He will bring forth justice for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth. Isa. 42:1-4

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The issue of justice cannot be fully manifest without the clear proclaiming and revealing of the Man Christ Jesus. Our hope is to return to the full gospel as the true message of justice for the poor and oppressed. The gospel will fuel them with endurance for the greatest crisis that lies ahead. There is not one person nor one governmental system, political party, or culture on earth that is righteous. A great error in the social justice movement is to sanctify or deify different groups where by virtue of their status in society they are assigned a moral standing before God. For example, we deify the poor or demonize the rich.

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The ultimate issue of justice is to have right standing with the Godhead through Jesus. Justice starts with our right standing with the Godhead in Jesus without which there is no justice. The day Adam broke fellowship with God is when injustice entered the world. The progression of injustice is important: 1. Injustice begins with humanitys injustice committed against God in that all have sinned and fall short of Gods glory. Jesus did not die to make good people better. The question often asked is, how can a God of love allow pain and crisis to occur, etc.? This is the wrong question. The real question is, why does God continue to bless the world instead of totally destroying it? The injustices committed by humanity against each other. Most people start with humanitys injustice committed against man (without thought of our injustice towards God). Injustice committed against us.

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Social action is essential, but outside the context of the gospel it gets our eyes off the injustices in our own soul and so we stare at the injustices of others and their victims. Humanism is looking at human need only through the eyes of man without reference to God. We conceive of innocent people. Social justice usually focuses on the outside of the cup not the inside of it. Much of the justice movement has a theology fueled by humanism, which starts with the plight of humans rather than the plight or burden of the Godhead Adam where are you? Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? Heb. 10:29

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God has a controversy with the nations of earth their lack of response to Gods darling Son whose blood is better than all others. The nations trample on the blood of Jesus and insult it as if it were a common thing Oh, the blood of Jesus. It is not enough to present the sympathetic Jesus. Jn. 6 is the only time Jesus did not feed the poor. They came looking for Him and Jesus told them that they were only looking for bread. Then Jesus withheld the bread from them. Jesus will again withhold the bread from the nations in Rev. 6:3-4. What will we tell the poor in the nations when Jesus withholds bread on an international level in the Great Tribulation?

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A THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING & JUSTICE, FALL 2012: SESSION 01 NOTES BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS: MESSENGERS OF JUSTICE STUART GREAVES
HABAKKUK 1-2:4 II. PEACEMAKERS THE MESSENGERS OF JUSTICE A. Messengers, or prophets of justice, are peacemakers that bring peace between disputing parties: race, gender, social status, etc. Question: as a messenger, on whose behalf do you speak? On behalf of your gender, political party, nationality, financial status, or on Gods behalf? Peacemakers are those who partner with God in His redemptive process. Prophets of justice do not primarily represent a political party or social status (wealthy or poor), or any gender or ethnic group. They primarily represent Jesus and His vision for justice by speaking on His behalf, whatever the issue might be. Too many in the justice movement, speak on behalf of the need of people without regard to Gods heart in the issue. One reality that must be confronted in this is that there is not one person on earth, not one governmental system, political party, culture, social status or gender that is righteous or just.
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THE BURDEN AND INTERCESSION OF HABBAKKUK (HAB 1:1-4) A. Habakkuk did not want to fall into the dangers of becoming a nationalistic prophet but wanted to be a true prophet speaking on Gods behalf when seeing violence and oppression in his land (v. 4). This cry of how long is the premier cry of the oppressed and the one heard in Rev. 6:10. The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, "Violence!" and You will not save. 3 Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. 4 Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds. Hab. 1:1-4 B. His main prayer was for the oppressed within the society of Israel. He was a part of the justice movement of his day. He cried, Lord, how long do we wait? Habakkuk cried out about violence in society. He complained that the legislative processes in society were powerless or ineffective. In Habakkuks anguish, God gave him the remedy. The starting point was to look among the nations and be astounded at Gods answer. Look and get Gods perspective on the issue of justice. We must hear the news on the condition of the nations with a devotional spirit (watch 1:5; 3:17-19), with a spirit of inquiry (1:1-4, 12-17; 2:1; 3:1-2), as we cultivate a Christ-centered eschatological perspective (3:3-16). Gods answer to injustice was to send Nebuchadnezzar, or the Antichrist in the End-Times Gods big picture answer would utterly astonish Habakkuk. Look among the nations and watch-- Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you. 6 For indeed I am raising up the

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Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation which marches (aggressive arrogant cruel military plans) through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs. Hab 1:5-6 D. This was an utterly unexpected answer that Habakkuk received because he looked with a spirit of prayer. Habakkuk paid attention to the current events of his day, so to speak, with a devotional spirit as he inquired of the Lord. The prophet was warned that the divine answer would astound him. The Lord was indicating to the messenger that he was in need of a paradigm shift. In the dialog of chapter one, the Lord was equipping Habakkuk to not be a nationalistic prophet but rather one who would speak on Gods behalf, not the nations, or his political party or ethnicity etc. In Hab. 1, the Lord spoke to Habakkuk telling him to look, watch and be prepared to change views . I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. Hab 2:1 1. 2. 3. Look pay attention to current events of his day, national and international Watch pay attention with a devotional spirit which will receive any new paradigms Be astounded be prepared to be corrected that we may receive a massive paradigm shift in how we look at Gods dealings with nations Watch to see what He will say to mewhen I am corrected. Hab 2:1 G. Summary: we must see Gods bigger purpose, which is to establish His goodness on earth forever. The hope of Habakkuk is that the earth be filled with glory of God, which is justice. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD Hab. 2:14 H. I. Be astounded: Gods answer is to raise up the Babylonians as His instrument of judgment. Babylon was the Antichrist of that day in evil and cruelty with arrogance without limits. Babylon was a nation bitter, hasty and power hungry, lusting for more territory. They were terrible, dreadful and wise in their own eyes and ascribed their glory to their demon gods. Indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs. 7 They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves. 8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and more fierce than evening wolves9 "They all come for violenceThey gather captives like sand11 He transgresses; He commits offense, ascribing this power to his god." 12 Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We

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shall not die. O LORD, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction. Hab. 1:6-12 IV. HABAKKUK THE CONFLICTED PROPHET 1:12-17 A. Habakkuk was in great conflict over Gods answer to him. He gave himself to prayerful inquiry and acknowledged Gods sovereignty, holiness and eternal nature (v. 12). The revelation of eternity, holiness and majesty gives us insight into Gods promises and produces humility and the fear of the Lord in us with divine perspective (big picture). God chose an evil man and nations as the tool of correction for His people (Isa. 10:15). Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, You have appointed them (Babylon) for judgment (of Israel); O Rock, You have marked them (Babylon) for correction (of Israel). 13 You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness. Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A person more righteous than he? 14 Why do You make men like fish of the sea, Like creeping things that have no ruler over them? 15 They take up all of them with a hook, They catch them in their net, And gather them in their dragnet. Therefore they rejoice and are glad. 16 Therefore they sacrifice to their net, And burn incense to their dragnet; Because by them their share is sumptuous And their food plentiful. 17 Shall they therefore empty their net, And continue to slay nations without pity? Hab. 1:12-17 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger And the staff in whose hand is My indignation. 6 I will send him against an ungodly nation (Israel), and against the people of My wrath I will give him charge15 Shall the ax boast itself against Him who chops with it? Isa. 10:5, 15 B. Why does God hold His tongue (v. 13) seeming to be indifferent? Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he? Hab. 1:13 I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, 'The LORD will not do good, Nor will He do evil.'" Zeph. 1:12-13 C. Verse 13 highlights the main question in the quest for justice. If God is a God of justice then does He allow wickedness to be used in the process? Why are You looking on those who are wicked and why do You keep silent? The issue is not that God is silent about justice; He speaks clearly (Hab 2:2). The vision is plain but we dont like what He has to say about the issue. God said, I am not silent, I will speak the vision in a way that is plain and simple, yes, astounding and surprising but simple. Gods answer to Habakkuk is His answer to us. It keeps us from earthbound solutions and creates humility in us. The issue is not that God is silent; it is that we do not like what He has to say (Hab. 2:1-2). It is a simple, yes, politically incorrect, but plain answer to injustice it is the Great Tribulation.

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Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he (forerunner) may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time (Millennial Kingdom); But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it (vision of world justice) will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. Hab. 2:1-4 E. In our anguish, we are astounded by Gods answer to raise up the Babylonians we have paradigms more connected with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness than Gods plan to fill the earth with His glory with perfect justice (Hab. 2:14). Gods ways are past finding out (Rom. 11:33). When we think God is going left, He does not go right but He goes up. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 "For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" 35 "Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Rom. 11:33-36 V. THOSE WHO LIVE BY FAITH WILL DO JUSTICE A. Habakkuk is confused by Gods astounding answer. He realizes that he does not get it, so he determines to stay in the place of prayer on the rampart (watch of Isa 62:6, Is 21:6). He assumes that his perspective is off and that he needs to be corrected by God. He refuses to give humanistic politically correct answers but waits for Gods astounding response. He assumes that he does not have the right perspective. We must also assume our perspective is off and thus, we set ourselves on a rampart waiting for a divine response to adjust our thinking. He finds out that God is not indifferent or inactive concerning injustice but has a deeply developed plan. I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith. Hab. 2:1-4 B. He finds out that God is NOT indifferent and inactive but has a plain or direct response concerning the issue of injustice (2:2) are we willing and able to hear? Paul read his vision and ran with the simplicity of the mystery of the gospel and proclaimed Gods message of justice then wrote the Book of Romans (Rom 1:16-17; 16:24-27). Paul wrote that all are guilty. All the nations of the earth are guilty before Him Habakkuk was challenged to refuse nationalism.

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Habakkuk was commissioned to write out Gods plan. God has an eschatological plan in which justice will be established on earth. It is a vision and plan that began at the cross and culminates at the Second Coming with Eph. 1:10 joining heaven and earth. Gods plan will come at the appointed time. It is not the plan of the United Nations but Gods eternal Millennial plan. This is the only good news to the poor. We do not need humanistic plans in our pursuit of justice with social action that is done unrelated to the character of Jesus. God told him that His plan was for an appointed time, an eschatological time. It was inaugurated at the cross of Christ (Jn 19:30), culminates at the 2nd coming (Isa 42:1-4, 13) and is consummated at the end of the Millennial reign when God brings the realms of heaven and earth together (Eph 1:9-10, Isa 60-66). The Lord reveals to Habakkuk that the vision will tarry, answering one of the biggest cries related to the issue of injustice how long God? The Lord tells Habakkuk that though there is a waiting period the vision is faithful and true and it will not lie (2 Pet 3:9, Jer 23:20, Rev 10:7).

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THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR AND THE OPPRESSED A. The gospel is good news to the poor and oppressed because it gives assurance that Gods will will come to pass and contains information to sustain the poor in the midst of their plight. Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith. Hab 2:4 B. Those who do justice will only do it by living in faith or living in agreement with God. What sets us apart from the people of the earth is not our stand against abortion and human trafficking many religions stand against these but rather the life of faith, social action or justice done by those with vibrant relationship with Jesus. There is no justice outside of faith or confidence in Jesus wisdom and ways as seen in the cross, applied in history and in end-time passages of scripture including the book of Revelation. The true message for the poor of the earth is that they will reign with royal destiny in the Millennium with total deliverance from their depravity. Yes, the meek will inherit the earth. The rich and poor, every ethnic group, all have fallen short of the glory of God. God has a controversy with the nations that is greater than unjust laws of the land as the laws of injustice flow out of a fundamental problem (every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually Gen 6:5). A noise will come to the ends of the earth for the LORD has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword, says the LORD. Jeremiah 25:31

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Hab. 2:4 levels the playing field for Habakkuk who now is ready to be a representative of God because he realizes that there is no justice outside of faith in God. Habakkuk is now a mouthpiece of God first. Habakkuk has the understanding that Paul laid out in the book of Romans, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The good news is: those who have fallen short of Gods glory can, through repentance and faith in Christ, be restored to access to the Father through Jesus. Through Christ we can come into betrothal relationship with God (Bridegroom) and one day rule the nations with a royal destiny (King). Yes, the Lord will vindicate those who are in Christ (Judge).

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