A Tale of Two Tombs

I Corinthians 15:46  "However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual."

The essence and fingerprints of God are seen throughout His creation. Daily we are given the gift to observe His design and creativity in nature and even in the natural events that occur. When we understand His sovereignty over all of creation we can rest in knowing that there is a plan and it is good, even in the midst of absolute wickedness.

Last week, in the city of Mosul, two tombs were blown up by terrorists in Iraq known as ISIS. Prior to this event, ISIS had implemented a required tax known as jizya for all non-Muslims. As the violence escalated, these terrorists decided that all Christians must either convert to Islam, flee (without even a suitcase), or die by the sword.Their houses were painted to show which residents were marked by imminent death.

The tombs that were obliterated are of significance to every person that is a Christ follower. One tomb was of the Old Testament minor prophet, Jonah. The other tomb was of the prophet, Daniel. These tombs were places of pilgrimage that have existed for centuries. ISIS claims that these will no longer be places of prayer; instead, they will now symbolize sites of apostasy.

Eradication of Christianity, Judaism, antiquities, crosses and all other symbolism is the ultimate goal in the Middle East today. There is a religious cleansing that is currently underway. Many people and terrorist groups are wholly committed to its cause. In fact, they believe it is their very purpose for existence and are willing to give their lives to achieve it.

Destruction of these tombs in Mosul is a direct assault on the faith of both Christians and Jews. Arrogance and deception reign in the hearts of any people who believe they can erase any remnant of belief in the One, True God- that is, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Additionally, over 2000 years have proven that the existence of Jesus as Messiah will forever remain a part of our world and belief system.

Knowing that natural events often occur to reveal spiritual events that are yet to occur, I began to reflect on the potential symbolism of the bombing of these two tombs. In order to do that, it is imperative to journey back in time to a place called Nineveh (which is current day Mosul) in a country named Babylon (which is current day Iraq). As we travel to these places, there is a burning question: "In the midst of these tragic occurrences, what could God possibly be saying to believers today?"

The book of Jonah was written sometime between the sixth and third centuries (between 600 and 200 B.C.)   In broad strokes, Jonah is a national hero because his prophecies have led to military victories. Unfortunately, Jonah does not appreciate his latest assignment which is to preach to his enemies in Nineveh. The Ninevites actually extended beyond an enemy status in that they were also intimidating, violent and a cruel people who violated every human right imaginable.

As panic triumphs over reason, Jonah decides to flee from God and travel West, rather than East. A huge storm arises on the sea and an angry captain and crew decide Jonah is to blame for the horrific storm. Jonah instructs them to throw him into the ocean so the storm will cease. God sends a special fish to accommodate His wayward prophet.

For three days and three nights Jonah's life is supernaturally preserved in the belly of this fish. At some point, Jonah experiences an epiphany and decides he will indeed obey the Lord. Jonah celebrates his deliverance with a song of thanksgiving. He contrasts his situation of deliverance with idol worshippers who forfeit God's grace. In the midst of his distress, he promises to worship and sacrifice to his God.

Compliant, but not passionate, Jonah travels to Nineveh and only preaches five Hebrew words (the shortest sermon in history). He waits to see what will happen. To his chagrin, revival breaks out! The king calls on all people and even animals to fast, mourn, and repent for their evil, violent ways. God responds in sympathy and decides not to destroy the city. Jonah was infuriated! God contrasted Jonah's selfish attitude with His own merciful heart that longed to extend salvation.

The major point of the book of Jonah, according to Gary V. Smith in The Prophets as Preachers, is as follows: "To experience the grace of God and not be willing to tell others of His compassion is a tragedy all must avoid. Messengers of God can neither limit the grace of God nor control its distribution, but they can prevent God's grace from having an effect on their own lives."

Jonah's descent into the depths of the belly of the great fish and subsequent triumphant prophetic mission to Nineveh is seen as a reference to and prototype of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The book of Jonah symbolizes justice, obedience, providence, fairness and divine mercy. Additionally, I believe Jonah teaches us about the harvest of souls that occur when we obey the Lord and are submitted to His calling.

In Matthew, Chapter 12, Jesus parallels the miracle of Jonah's deliverance to His own resurrection that was yet to occur. Jesus contests the idolatrous Ninevites that repented with the religious leaders of His generation that would ultimately reject Him as the Messiah. Despite the fact that Jesus was greater than Jonah and the scriptures that had been written, Jesus' generation was essentially blind to His deity.

While the book of Jonah parallels the first coming of Jesus, the book of Daniel is an apocalyptic book that reveals truths concerning the second coming of Christ. It is often referred to as the book of Revelation of the Old Testament. The book of Daniel complements the book of Revelation and neither book could be appropriately understood without the other.

Daniel was a prophet of the exile, as the southern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Babylonians in approximately 620 B.C. Judgement fell on Israel, and Daniel penned his memoirs from the heart of Babylon. While some of his writings are historical, he primarily focuses on prophecy and the prediction of future events.

Through a series of supernatural visions that God gives to Daniel, divine communication is released to the general populous. The Greek word apokalupsis means that God unveils truths that had been previously unknown or deliberately concealed. Most scholars believe that only the books of Daniel, Revelation, Zechariah, and portions of Ezekiel (Primarily Chapters 40-48) fall into the category of apocalyptic books.

Daniel stresses the omnipotence and sovereignty of God. His writing occurs at a time when Israel had every reason to believe that all the old promises and covenants of God were obsolete. Paganism had twice triumphed (Assyria and Babylon) and the Jews felt all divine purpose and vision had been banished.

Amidst human depravity, Daniel also emphasizes godliness and morality. He teaches us to be fully committed to the King of Kings and to be set apart for His purposes. Daniel emphasizes that while we may live in a godless culture we do not have to succumb to its' predilections.

Walvoord observes:" In many respects, the Book of Daniel is the most comprehensive prophetic revelation of the Old Testament, giving the only total view of world history from Babylon to the Second Advent of Christ and inter-relating Gentile history and prophecy with that which concerns Israel. Daniel provides the key to the overall interpretation of prophecy, is a major element in premillennialism, and is essential to the interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Its revelation of the sovereignty and power of God has brought assurances to Jew and Gentile alike that God will fulfill His sovereign purposes in time and eternity."

Therefore, while God may allow evil to persist in our world for a season, we can all rest in knowing that God is sovereign over it all. While He did not cause the tomb of Jonah and the tomb of Daniel to be destroyed, He did allow both landmarks to be obliterated by the enemy. And, He permitted that both these occurrences should happen on the same day.

Both prophets point us to Jesus as the Messiah. Jonah points to the first coming of Christ and Daniel points us to His return at the end of the age. There has never been a time before now that had more evidence of the imminent return of Christ. As believers, we are commissioned to understand the times in which we live.

In conclusion, I believe there are three questions we should ask ourselves:

1. Am I ready for the Lord's return?

2. Are the people I know and love ready?

3. Am I submitted and obedient to His call?

We have so much knowledge and resources in this generation. And to whom much is given, much is required. We do not want to be like the generation in Jesus' day that rejected God's glorious display of mercy through the extension of salvation to a lost and dying world.

The Pearl

In heaven, the streets are made of gold, the walls are made with precious stones and the twelve gates are each made with a single pearl.  No light is needed - neither sun, nor moon, nor any other light because it is filled with the glory of God and enlightened by Jesus' presence. It shines so brightly that it illumines all of heaven.  The river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.  The garden of Eden is restored as the Tree of Life and bears twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit on a monthly basis.  God will dwell with us and we will reign with Him. (Revelation 21 and 22)

The twelve gates of the New Jerusalem are often referred to as the Pearly Gates.  Symbolically, the gates represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve foundations represent the twelve disciples.  Christ in us represents the pearl. The unity between each of us and Jesus is what forms inside of us to ultimately produce that which is rare, unique, beautiful and valuable.  It cannot be carved like a diamond or an emerald; it can only be shaped by the Creator of the universe.  Without Jesus, we can never enter through heaven's pearly gates.

In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, we find the parable of the treasure a man discovered in the field.  Verse 44 tells us that 'in his excitement, he sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field--and get the treasure too!'  The Old Testament provides the answer for what God considers to be His treasure.  In Exodus 19:5 God tells Israel that if they obey Him fully and keep His covenant, 'then out of all the nations you will be My treasured possession.'

So, of all the possible gemstones for God to select to represent His children, why did He choose the pearl?  Aside from being highly prized, pearls are the only gemstone produced by a  living being.  They are produced within the soft tissue (mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. When a microscopic object enters into the mantle's folds, it begins to form a pearl sac and then begins to deposit layers of nacre which eventually produces the pearl.

Pearls are both harvested and cultivated.  Romans 8:29-30 tells us that 'from the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him--and all along He knew who would--should become like His Son, so that His son would be the First, with many brothers. And, having chosen us, He called us to come to Him; and when we came, He declared us 'not guilty', filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with Himself, and promised us His glory.' Harvesting declares our justification and cultivation represents our sanctification.

There are many types of pearls.  The ones that are considered to be the most valuable, rare, fine, admirable and precious come from saltwater. They may look similar to freshwater pearls but they are definitely more valuable.  These pearls come from pearl oysters that live in the sea.  South sea pearls are the largest and most rare of the cultured pearls, which makes them worth the most.  These pearls are primarily prized for their exquisitely beautiful 'orient', or luster.

While pearls can be many colors (pink blue, champagne, green, black, purple, yellow, white and brown), their most important feature is that they have a metallic mirror-like luster.  The definition of luster is a 'reflected light of radiance and brilliance'. It exudes beauty, excellence, distinction, and glory.

Symbolically, the ocean or the sea represents the world and its troubles, changes, conflicts, and tumult.  People, in their natural state are like the fish in the sea.  When we accept Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, He guarantees our salvation through the gift of His Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5).  This begins the miracle of sanctification in our lives, or the formation of the Pearl within us.  

In the gospels, there are five miracles that occur at the sea: a catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11), calmed storm (Matthew 8:18, 22-27), walking on the water (Matthew 14:24-33), coin in the mouth of the fish (Matthew 17:24-27), and another catch of fish (John 21:1-14).  These miracles reveal to us that we are transformed so that we serve others.  The first catch of fish shows the disciples being called to a life of following Christ.  The second miracle shows us that we can walk in peace during the most fierce storm.  The third miracle of walking on the water shows us that faith is required in following Christ.  The fourth miracle shows that God will provide for us as we serve Him.  The last miracle shows us that we are all called to be fishers of men and evangelize the lost.  Not coincidentally, it was on the fifth day of Creation that God filled the waters with life.  The number five symbolized service for His kingdom.

As we learn to be imitators of Christ, we begin to reflect His radiance more and more.  Jesus provided us with the great exchange--treasure and inheritance for our empty treasure chest.  Our bodies then become containers of the treasure of a new heart to be filled with His glory.  In Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah expresses his joy by saying, "Let me tell you how happy God has made me!  For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and draped about me the robe of righteousness.  I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit, or a bride with her jewels."  

Imitators of Christ do what Jesus did.  In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth....you are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden."  We are to be just like the finest pearls that grow in salt water.  These pearls are extremely iridescent, and then are placed in a setting for all the world to admire.  There is no other salt, light, or authentic beauty in this world.  We decide daily whether or not to live out Jesus' mandate faithfully.

We need to remember that pearls grow gradually.  As we spend time with Him, and grow in His word, we will reflect His beauty more and more.  While it will never be possible for a fish to become a pearl, it is possible for us to daily die to self in order to produce one. In order to harvest the pearl, the mollusk must die.  

There is one more type of pearl we need to consider.  It constitutes the majority of 'pearls' that are sold today--that is, the manufactured, or counterfeit pearls.  A microscope is needed to distinguish imitation pearls because they have the appearance of authenticity.  If identification was necessary and no microscope was available, the authentic pearl may be identified by taking two of them and rubbing them together.  The gritty ones that feel like sandpaper are authentic.  The smooth ones are imitation.  (Perhaps in the church today, these would be known as the smooth talkers that do not speak the truth!)  We are to be imitators of Christ, not imitations.  

Lot was an example of a believer who failed God.  He had heard all the revelations of Abraham, but he did not respond to them in the way that he should have.  He led his family into Sodom but could not get them out again.  He escaped with only two of his daughters because when his wife disobeyed God, she was turned into a pillar of salt.  (This is not the kind of salt we want to emulate!)

What aspects of our lives, then, are pleasing to the Lord?  I believe that just as it is necessary to go diving for pearls, we must go deep in our understanding of God's will, God's ways, and God's Word.  Because we are living in perilous times, a superficial faith will no longer be sufficient.  A deep faith is required, as well as the understanding to honor God in the sight of others.  

Malachi says it like this: "Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard.  A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. 'They will be Mine', says the Lord Almighty, 'in the day when I make up My treasured possession.  I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.' And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."  (Malachi 3:16-17)

Like a pearl, the church is also a product of suffering.  Christ died for the church (Ephesians 5:25) and His suffering on the cross made possible her birth.  Ongoing repentance and faith in Christ is what shows us to be authentic.  As we see around the world today, this is not the most popular decision.  Despite opposition, we must continue to advance God's kingdom on this earth.  It is 'Christ in you, the hope of glory.' (Colossians 1:27)  

No matter how ugly things seem on this earth, we must remember: this is not our home.  Our God is a God of beauty.  One day, we will shine before all the world by the reflection of light illumined by our Lord.  The Fountain of Light will shine brightly through the iridescence He has worked in our lives.  Our sanctification will be made perfect and our justification will be eternally published.  Our new home will shine "with the glory of God and its brilliance and is like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal." (Revelation 21:11)