Based upon a message by the late Dr. Jack Hyles
2 Chr 12:9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
2 Chr 12:10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass,…
You should know the story. Because of sin God judged Jerusalem and then God sent Shisjak who attacked Jerusalem and took away the shields of gold. So, Rehoboam made shields of brass, which was a step down in quality.
Yes, I understand these shields were for decoration only.
Yes, I know that the average soldier would not go into battle with gold shields.
I believe you get the application here.
What has Christianity done today? Because of sin and neglect God sent the world, flesh, and the devil to take away the book God used for over 350 years. What has Christianity done about it? Oh, they have replaced their shields of gold with shields of brass, the modern versions. These brass shields are still shields but they not the same – they are not the real thing – the quality has dropped.
Yes, I know, most really believe these shields of brass are still as good or even better than shields of gold.
How did these gold shields that have held up for so long get replaced by inferior shields?
What do these saints say the reasons are for exchanging the tried and proven gold shields for shields of brass?
1. The old gold shields have flaws in them.
2. Nobody uses gold anymore – brass is the new and popular element of choice.
3. New and more improved ways of making shields though the material is still inferior.
4. Better and more experienced shield makers today using more scientific methods.
5. The common soldier has trouble using gold – brass is much easier to use.
Here are my opinions on why the gold has been cast aside – you have yours – I have mine.
1. The soldiers started neglecting (reading) the gold shields. They thought they could do without them. They forgot the good service they had done in past battles.
2. The soldiers started loosing confidence in the gold because the “enlightened ones” convinced them they were flawed.
3. Because of the neglect (II Tim. 4:3) they couldn’t tell the difference anymore between gold and brass.
4. Because of sin and worldliness the gold shields became to convicting and authoritative.
5. They were fooled by Madison Avenue marketing techniques (I Tim. 6:10).
6. They became mesmerized by scholars and education (Col 2:8).
7. They wanted something new (Acts 17:21) – they wanted to rebel against the established ways like many did in the 60’s.
8. They forgot or never read of the history of the old battles and victories of the soldiers who used the gold shields.
Now what are some of the results of replacing the gold shields with brass ones? Are the brass shields solely responsible for the below? No, but they have greatly aided though.
1. Sound doctrine has gone by the wayside – the average soldier today can’t even write down how they got saved if they are even saved. They can’t see the false doctrine in the brass shields for they are not grounded in sound doctrine.
2. The youth look and act more like the world every day – same sounding music, sports, ear rings, movies, etc.
3. Business methods have replaced spiritual methods in building churches.
4. Numbers have replaced quality in churches.
5. Less true evangelism
6. Dumbed-down church members
And more….
You may be asking, “Where do get the above 6 results from? That’s just your opinion.” I have my opinion – you have yours. Actually, I get the above by comparing the lives of the saints over the past 350 years with the saints today. What is the main difference between the past and the present? The past had one book and they believed it - the present has multiple/conflicting books with no real confidence. Some may try and convince me the saints of today are more spiritual than those of the past? If you do then I question your standard of judgment.
* Can one survive on MacDonald’s fast food?
Well, yes, but their health will suffer.
* Are most ingredients there in the fast food to sustain life?
Well, yes, but there is also a lot of other things in there that are not good for you as well.
But that’s fine with many because they have grown to “like” the way it tastes – who cares what the fast food is doing to your insides.
Folks – many have traded their shields of gold for shields of brass by their own choice.
Bottom line – It appears that many of you believe the modern versions, generally speaking, are equal or even superior to that of a present day King James Bible – I do not. I’ve heard your arguments for over 25 years. I will stick with the gold.
Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
God bless and I bid you farewell….for now.
Have a nice December and a safe holiday.
:wavey:
2 Chr 12:9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.
2 Chr 12:10 Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass,…
You should know the story. Because of sin God judged Jerusalem and then God sent Shisjak who attacked Jerusalem and took away the shields of gold. So, Rehoboam made shields of brass, which was a step down in quality.
Yes, I understand these shields were for decoration only.
Yes, I know that the average soldier would not go into battle with gold shields.
I believe you get the application here.
What has Christianity done today? Because of sin and neglect God sent the world, flesh, and the devil to take away the book God used for over 350 years. What has Christianity done about it? Oh, they have replaced their shields of gold with shields of brass, the modern versions. These brass shields are still shields but they not the same – they are not the real thing – the quality has dropped.
Yes, I know, most really believe these shields of brass are still as good or even better than shields of gold.
How did these gold shields that have held up for so long get replaced by inferior shields?
What do these saints say the reasons are for exchanging the tried and proven gold shields for shields of brass?
1. The old gold shields have flaws in them.
2. Nobody uses gold anymore – brass is the new and popular element of choice.
3. New and more improved ways of making shields though the material is still inferior.
4. Better and more experienced shield makers today using more scientific methods.
5. The common soldier has trouble using gold – brass is much easier to use.
Here are my opinions on why the gold has been cast aside – you have yours – I have mine.
1. The soldiers started neglecting (reading) the gold shields. They thought they could do without them. They forgot the good service they had done in past battles.
2. The soldiers started loosing confidence in the gold because the “enlightened ones” convinced them they were flawed.
3. Because of the neglect (II Tim. 4:3) they couldn’t tell the difference anymore between gold and brass.
4. Because of sin and worldliness the gold shields became to convicting and authoritative.
5. They were fooled by Madison Avenue marketing techniques (I Tim. 6:10).
6. They became mesmerized by scholars and education (Col 2:8).
7. They wanted something new (Acts 17:21) – they wanted to rebel against the established ways like many did in the 60’s.
8. They forgot or never read of the history of the old battles and victories of the soldiers who used the gold shields.
Now what are some of the results of replacing the gold shields with brass ones? Are the brass shields solely responsible for the below? No, but they have greatly aided though.
1. Sound doctrine has gone by the wayside – the average soldier today can’t even write down how they got saved if they are even saved. They can’t see the false doctrine in the brass shields for they are not grounded in sound doctrine.
2. The youth look and act more like the world every day – same sounding music, sports, ear rings, movies, etc.
3. Business methods have replaced spiritual methods in building churches.
4. Numbers have replaced quality in churches.
5. Less true evangelism
6. Dumbed-down church members
And more….
You may be asking, “Where do get the above 6 results from? That’s just your opinion.” I have my opinion – you have yours. Actually, I get the above by comparing the lives of the saints over the past 350 years with the saints today. What is the main difference between the past and the present? The past had one book and they believed it - the present has multiple/conflicting books with no real confidence. Some may try and convince me the saints of today are more spiritual than those of the past? If you do then I question your standard of judgment.
* Can one survive on MacDonald’s fast food?
Well, yes, but their health will suffer.
* Are most ingredients there in the fast food to sustain life?
Well, yes, but there is also a lot of other things in there that are not good for you as well.
But that’s fine with many because they have grown to “like” the way it tastes – who cares what the fast food is doing to your insides.
Folks – many have traded their shields of gold for shields of brass by their own choice.
Bottom line – It appears that many of you believe the modern versions, generally speaking, are equal or even superior to that of a present day King James Bible – I do not. I’ve heard your arguments for over 25 years. I will stick with the gold.
Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
God bless and I bid you farewell….for now.
Have a nice December and a safe holiday.
:wavey: