In “don’t ask for a demonstration!” Jefferson Vann discourages those who dare ask God to demonstrate his power.
Psalm 48:4-7 (JDV)
Psalm 48:4 Notice! The kings assembled; they advanced together.
Psalm 48:5 They looked and froze with fear; they fled in terror.
Psalm 48:6 Shaking seized them there, agony like that of a woman in labor,
Psalm 48:7 as you wrecked the ships of Tarshish with the east wind.
don’t ask for a demonstration
Some people are bold enough to dare God to demonstrate if he has power over them. Don’t do that.
This psalm celebrates the power of God and depicts it by describing the fearful reaction of the kings of the nations to seeing his armies.
We are told in the New Testament that we should fear God rather than humans because God can do more than kill. He can (and will) destroy his enemies— soul and body— in Gehenna. The kings of the nations are right to fear him. Do not doubt his power. You could not survive a demonstration of it.
Lord, we choose to fear you, and thank you for granting us your blessing rather than the destruction we deserve.
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For more on Gehenna, see:
Cast into Hell: Gehenna in Luke’s Gospel
Hell No! | What did Jesus say?
Discusssion around the article Tracing the Road to Gehenna
embarrassing lessons in ministry
The Bible versus The Traditional View of Hell
coaching for the mission in Jewish Galilee | The light of Christ
Everlasting Torment in the Gospels
Tracing the Road to Gehenna : Conference 2012
An Overview of Final Judgement in Matthew’s Gospel
UNQUENCHABLE FIRE by W. Laing. Republished from The Bible Standard May 1878 pg 59-60
After Death in the Bible | An outline
Death not Life – The Doctrine of Destruction Established
soul searching | What is a soul?
two case studies – the meaning of ἀπόλλυμι in Acts
Defining Christian Conditionalism
Did Judas go to hell? Judas’ eternal sin?
Conditional Immortality and Innate Immortality Compared
Does the Bible teach we have an Immortal Soul?
About Jefferson Vann
Jefferson Vann pastors Piney Grove Advent Christian Church in Delco, North Carolina, USA. He is a teacher, Bible translator, and avid blogger. "My hope is that everyone who reads my writings will have an opportunity to understand the gospel, and will know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior." He has written books on theology and Bible commentary. You can read more of Jeff's writing at Devotions | Jefferson Vann | Commands of Christ | Learning Koine Greek Together
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