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ARE YOU ANSWERING
GOD’S PHONE CALLS?
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G
od desires the heart of a person who is humble and contrite and who trembles at His word! But that
is not what we find in the opening words of the last chapter of Isaiah. There we can see written the
unrepentant people of Israel in Isaiah 66:1- 4. “Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is My throne, and the
earth is My footstool: where is the house that Ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest? For all those
things has Mine hand made, and those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him
that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My word. He that kills an ox is as if he slew a man; he that
sacrifices a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offers an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that
burns incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their
abominations. I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called,
none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before Mine eyes, and chose that in which
I delighted not.”
When first thinking about these verses of scripture, in a manner of speaking, God had His own
telecommunication system with Israel. It seems clear from reading those verses God was very displeased with
Israel in the days of the prophet Isaiah. The reason given, is that God called, but no one answered! God spoke
but they did not hear. God phoned, but Israel would not answer the phone. The human race has been doing this
to God from the very beginning of time. God has constantly communicated with mankind, but for the most part
man has not answered, and when God spoke they did not hear.
This language God used in calling and no one answering, cannot but remind us of the marvelous
technological telecommunication systems we enjoy in the 21st century. We communicate by telephone, radio,
telegraph, television and computers. The latest telecommunication marvel is the world - wide network system.
We are told that China, Russia and other countries around the world can receive communications from
all website. This “www” all began with the invention of the telephone, that was invented by Alexander Graham
Bell in 1875. He gave the “Word” telephone to the world. Tele means: far away – and phone means voice.
The word telephone thus literally means, "a far away voice." When we pick up the phone, we hear a far away
voice.
Another remarkable fact about the Bible is that the word, "phone" was first used in the Bible. Genesis
3:8 says, Adam and Eve, "heard the voice of God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. The New King
James version says, “they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden.” In this transition the Hebrew
word for voice or sound is, "qal." Strong’s # 6 9 6 3. This Hebrew word was translated into Greek when the Old
Testament was translated into the Greek language about 270 B.C. The Hebrew word for voice or sound comes
out in Greek by the word "phone" – pronounced, "Fo--nay or fo--nee," Strong’s # 5 4 5 6.
I believe the great inventor of the telephone would be shocked if he could know what new inventions our
high tech culture has been able to devise and create from his telephone system. Already the telephone makes
available, features far more complicated than most are capable of understanding.
Kids in high school understand more about these inventions than many of the senior generations.
There was a time when the telephone operation was simple with a number pad of 0 - 9. Now, we must be
familiar with many complicated features, such as = call waiting, screening calls, last number redial, etc. How
many of you reading this article are acquainted with these features ?
I’ve heard these are just starters in comparison
to what’s yet to come! I guess we should be thankful for this marvels of technology. My second thought on the
text is that the Bible, metaphorically speaking, is God's telephone, His telecommunication system with the human
race!
Mankind has its own high tech communication systems, and God has His own communication system
for mankind, its a remarkable brilliant system indeed. The scripture tells us God calls and God speaks to
mankind!
A lot of people in this high tech world are not aware of this great discovery. God's telecommunication
system is of far more value to the human race than any communication system created by the genius of man.
When God calls, we can pick up the phone, the Bible, God’s word or leave it lay.
We can answer or refuse to answer, or we may refuse to hear when He speaks.
In the days of Isaiah, most Israelites refused to answer the phone. God said, in Isa 66:4, “When I called,
none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: But they did evil before Mine eyes, and chose that in which
I delighted not.” The houses of Israelites are doing the same thing in this 21st century, and so are most gentiles.
What God meant was that, comparatively speaking, most of the nation refused to pick up the phone –
God’s word, because they didn't want to talk with Him. The telephone is not the only far away voice in the
world. It can truly be said that the Bible is the greatest far away sound, the most far away voice that ever has been
heard in this world. When the Bible is being read, taught or preached in our hearing, we have picked up God's
phone, the Bible, we are listening to the voice of God Himself.
“God, who at various times and in divers manners spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He
made the worlds”(Hebrews 1:1- 2). To many God has called; will not answer? Too many God has spoken to,
will not listen?
Before Christ came to this world from heaven, God spoke and made His calls through the Hebrew
prophets in the Old Testament. But since Christ came to earth, God calls and speaks only through Jesus, the
Christ, His divine son. In that call in Hebrews 1, God said He made the universe through the creative work of
His Son, Jesus the Christ. Heb 1:10, “And, you, Lord,
in the beginning has laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Your hands.”
God has called, but many will not answer. He has spoken but many refuse to hear. Christ, our Lord who
is God's spokesman, is heard every where you turn in the Bible. You hear the voice and the sound of God. We
should look on the Bible as God's telephone, and when we read it or hear it proclaimed, we are listening to the
far away voice of God speaking from heaven to us.
This is one of the greatest reasons why everyone should be keeping the Sabbath! All who do that pick
up the phone together and listen to the far away voice of God, just like we do when we use the telephone and
Internet in our homes.
We go to God’s church to hear the sound of God's voice, and to communicate with God together through
the appointed avenues of worship: Singing, praying, hearing His word, means: observing the Lord's spiritual
meal, together!
A third thought about God’s word is that it expresses a truth that has prevailed from the beginning of
time to this very day. Listen to Isaiah 66:4 again: "When I called no one answered. When I spoke they did
not hear." God was speaking here in general terms of the nation Israel as a whole. Just some in all generations
and thru all centuries have heard God's call and answered.
God has always had a remnant of faithful people in the very worst of times. But for the most part, it can
be truthfully said by God to mankind in all ages, “when I called no one answered. When I spoke they did not
hear.” This has been the general attitude of mankind from the beginning of time.
The first call God ever made to mankind was to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Genesis 3: 8 tells
us about a call that Adam and Eve received from God on one beautiful day. There was no Bible at this time, so
God made a personal manifestation to Adam and Eve. Whatever the manifestation was, Adam and Eve
recognized God had appeared to them in the garden of Eden. They heard the voice of God in the garden. The
phone was ringing and God was calling, but they didn't want to pick up the phone because they thought it might
be God. They really didn't want to talk with Him at this time. They had broken one of God's commandments and
didn't want to answer for it.
As stated earlier, our English word phone is derived from the Hebrew-Greek word voice. In this verse
Adam and Eve heard a voice, the sound of uttered words. When they heard the voice of the Lord Jehovah, they
knew He was calling; but they knew they didn't want to speak with Him.
The call from God said, “Adam, where are you? Pick up the phone Adam, I want to talk to you.” But
Adam and Eve had disobeyed him, and one of the results of disobedience is rupturing the line of communication
with God. In a manner of speaking, Adam said to God, “I'm not available for Your call right now, please leave
a message after the “beep.” Have you ever heard something like that when making a call? It amounted to that
for Adam. He was hiding himself when he heard the voice of God and did not want to talk with Him.
There is here another somewhat similarity between our high tech telephone communication system and
God's comprehensive communications system. About twenty or so years ago, a new feature was added to the
telephone service. It is the answering machine. As a result, the words, "after the beep," have become one of the
household phrases in the English language.
Personally, I have had problems with the “after the beep” message. Half the calls I get on my answering
machine, I can't make heads or tails of some of the words I hear. I often put my ear down on the answering
machine and listen four or five times just to get the phone number. Sometimes, they add one or two extra
numbers more than belong to any phone number. Others talk so fast and indistinctly their words run together.
Adam didn't say, “I'm not available for your call right now; please leave a message after the beep,” but he
made a similar response to God by hiding from His presence.
It was Israel's unfaithfulness to the law of Moses that caused God to say, “When I called no one answered.
When I spoke they did not hear.” Jesus said that about the same thing happened to Him during His earthly
ministry. He gave the call to those we read of in the New Testament, that the kingdom of God was about to
begin on earth. He called on them to prepare for it by telling them to repent and be baptism. But most of the
them screened Him out and would not answer Him.
Jesus said, “........... seeing they do not see and hearing they do
not hear, nor do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). Jesus made a
very important statement in Luke 8:18, “Take heed how you hear.”
In other words, be careful how you respond when God calls and
speaks. But some churches that profess allegiance to Christ, screen
Him out and refuse to discuss some subjects with God or His faithful
followers. Like Adam they take the call, but they don't want to talk
with Him.
In all the twenty seven books of the New Testament, can be
summed up in just a few key verses.
“For the grace of God that brings
salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and
godly in the present age, looking for
the blessed hope and glorious
appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ, who gave
Himself for us, that He might redeem
us from every lawless deed and purify
for Himself His own special people,
zealous for good works. Speak these
things, exhort, and rebuke with all
authority. Let no one despise you”
(Titus 2:11-15).
NKJV
Let”s look starting with 2 Peter
3:9. “..........God is not willing that any should perish but that all
should come to repentance.” Another key verse is John 3:16, “God
so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever
believes in Him might not perish but have everlasting life.”
Notice another clear phone message in Titus 2:11-13, “For the
grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching
us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, Looking for the
blessed hope and appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ.”
Peter the Apostle speaks to the privilege called, and tells
them, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
My own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”(I Peter 2:
9). God had promised these very privileges to the house of Israel, if they would obey Him. “Now therefore, if
you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My Covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all
people: for all the earth is Mine: and you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are
the words which you shalt speak unto the Children of Israel” (Ex 19:5-6).
God has spoken and informed us all who have been called are His priests; for He sanctified and made
them holy by the blood of Christ. Priests in all ages have never had the power to forgive sins. Only God can
forgive mans sins! The called of God can represent God as His priests to all mankind, because God has sanctified
and made them all holy by the blood of Christ.
God's final call to all mankind will be to come out of this evil world of immorality and wickedness. The
only chosen people God has on this earth are people who answered His call to come out of this evil world to
serve Him. God calls us through the good news of Christ.
Man has changed the name of God's people, by calling them “the church” instead of, “The called out
ones.” The word church in no sense conveys the meaning of “God’s called out ones.” Leaving the world of
darkness and evil, God’s called people enter the holy kingdom of God [government of God] to live according
to His laws. The name God gave His called Sabbath keepers,“The church of God.”12 times that is found in the
New Testament, Yet there is much confusion in the world as to the identity of God's called out ones, because of
the denominational concept of the church many are worried about the doctrine of predestination.
It has been claimed that at the beginning of the world God predestinated or pre-appointed who would be
given eternal life and who would be eternally lost. This number supposedly cannot be increased or decreased.
The street corner churches believe if God pre-appointed you to be saved you will go to heaven. If He
pre-appointed you to be lost you will go to hell.
There is no need for us, God’s called, to be concerned about this doctrine, for it is not true and the Bible
does not teach it. How people become God's called out ones is clearly revealed in the New Testament.
Just before Jesus the Christ ascended to heaven, He gave a command to the apostles, in Mark 16: 15 -17,
“Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel [our Lords good news] to every creature. He that believes
[obeys God’s laws, statutes and judgements ], and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be
damned.” Following Christ and His gospel determines who will be in the kingdom of God. That is what God
predestinated before the world began.
Peter said to thousands of men in Judea and those dwelling in Jerusalem who asked what they must do
to be saved, Peter told them in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins.” 3,000 called on that day obeyed God's voice through Peter and they became God’s
“called out ones”.
These first called of God believed Jesus is the Lord of heaven and earth, so they repented for their sinful
way that they had been living in the past, having the right attitude, they submitted to Christ's command to be
baptized for the forgiveness of all their sins!
The word baptized means to be immersed Strong’s # 907. Being baptized symbolizes Christ death, burial
and resurrection. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How
shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like
as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His
resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin” (Rom 6:1-6).
Jesus used the word immerse for that is the only form of baptism that can symbolize the death, burial
and resurrection of Christ, and at the same time symbolize leaving the one called die to his past sinful life, in the
watery grave.
Today, we need to listen to God calling us up through the apostle Peter, “Simon Peter, a servant and an
apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the Knowledge of God, and of
Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great
and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue
knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to
godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they
make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that
lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling [from God] and election sure: for if you do
these things, you shall never fall.” (2 Peter 1:1-10). ☜
James Russell