2005 12 December

18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. If the above is true, you are walking in praise all the time. Paul does not refer to walking, but in these three verses that is what Paul is describing. It is a life that is habitually filled with praise as a direct result of moment by moment controlled by the Spirit. It is being filled daily with fellowship leads to living on the highest plane that we can attain. We are not to be satisfied with living on a higher plane, but the very highest that can be attained. Being drunk with wine as contrasted with being filled with the Spirit. When a person is drunk they are not in control of their actions or words, but being filled with the Spirit gives one complete control of every action and word. The church in Ephesus was surrounded with wickedness of the highest degree. The city was so filled with debauchery and licentiousness, that believers were plagued with sin on every side. It was difficult for Christians to transact business or socialize with neighbors without being under temptation.

19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. The way to live the victorious life is to have your heart filled with Scripture verses and hymns. When temptations come, you can overcome it with the Word of God and sing the victory over it. I want to give a personal testimony of when I quit smoking. Every time I was tempted to reach for a cigarette I would reach into my shirt pocket and bring out my small New Testament that had taken the place of the cigarette package in my pocket. I would read several verses of Scripture and they gave me the power to overcome the desire to smoke. It was a great help and as time passed I was no longer tempted to smoke.

20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember to give thanks for the little things. It's so easy to over look them and forget that everything we receive no matter how large or small is a gift from the Lord. There are times when we are not thankful, but we should be in all things, because this glorifies the Lord in gratitude for all His gifts. RJS

21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Being in submission is totally against everything that our society teaches today. It is a No-No because the social order of today is that the world revolves around me, myself and I; I am the most important person on the planet. This is the main reason that over 50% of the marriages fail today, and the idea of commitment is so old fashioned that neither husband or wife are willing to make a lifetime commitment. We can try, but if it fails we'll just marry someone else and go on from there. These false standards for marriage have been publicized by the Hollywood stars and starlets.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. It seems to go back to World War II when women did not want the word "Submit" in the marriage vows. It never fails, and it always follows a war that the morals of a nation sink to a new low, and people turn from the old standards to a new set of values that leads to a slippery-slide downward of all moral traditions.

23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. One reason why many ministers don't want to marry couples that have been divorced in the past, is that the marriage as God set it up was a symbol of the Christ and the church. It still is and Christians who break their vows are breaking God's original plans and returning to the ways of the world. God uses many types in the Scriptures to illustrate a teaching that we should practice. If we break that type we are breaking the plan of God for the family and children. The children are the ones who suffer the most from a breakup.

24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. This is another of the great types that has been destroyed. The main line churches are no longer subject to the blessed ministry of the Holy Spirit and therefore are no longer subject to Christ. Rather they are subject to the denomination and the hierarchy that has been established by men and not the Lord. We need to re-examine what the Scripture teaches and follow the Lord. RJS

25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish, 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church. In the first three chapters of this Book we saw the Church as the "Body of Christ;" now something new has been added. We see the church as the "Bride of Christ."

30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Note, it does not say anything about His blood. His blood was shed at the Calvary's cross to purchase our Salvation and evidently the glorified body will not have blood, because we shall be like Him. He showed his disciples that he had flesh and bone, but did not mention the blood.

31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
The above clause is a quote from Gen. 2:24 and is an expression of the marriage relationship between one man and one woman. Never in the Bible is any reference to an Adam and Steve, but it is always an Adam and Eve. Paul uses this relationship as a type to show the relationship between Christ and the church as is seen in verse 32. Remember that we said earlier that a mystery is not something mysterious, but something that is now revealed and we understand a new thought that the Old Testament writers wrote about, but did not understand.

33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. The apostle resumes the subject which he had been discussing in Ephesians 5:21-29, and says that it was the duty of every man to love his wife as he loves himself. RJS

December 4
The Duties of Children, Fathers,
Servants and Masters
Ephesians 6:1-4

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. This Greek word usually signifies to small children, as it denotes those who were under the care and government of their parents, or those who were not of age.

Obey your parents: This is the first great duty that God has enjoined to children. It is to do what their parents want them to do. Our Lord indicates that this is a duty for he has impressed it on the minds of all in every age. Because the good order of a family, and hence of the community, depends on it, no community or family will be spiritually prosperous where there is no subordination in the household. It seems that in our day the home is only a place to hang your hat. The family does not eat together. Every Christian family should make it mandatory that they have at least one meal a day where all the family is together at the table. Honour thy father and mother see Exodus 20:12; compare Matthew 15:4. Which is the first commandment with promise, there is a promise annexed to it. The promise was that their days should be long in the land which the Lord their God would give them. It is not to be supposed that the observance of the four first commandments would not be attended with a blessing, no particular blessing is promised. It is an assurance that obedience to the laws of God would be followed with blessings.

4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And ye fathers A command addressed particularly to "fathers," because they are at the head of the family and the government of the home is especially committed to the father. The object of Paul here is to show parents that parental instructions should be such that they can be obeyed or are entirely reasonable and proper. If children are required to "obey," the child shall not be put down by unreasonable commands that are dictatorial and spiritually destructive. RJS (Continued)

5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. All who have worked in the business world know that there are shirkers and there are workers. One of the best testimonies we had at College was that the students who were working their way through college had an excellent testimony before their employers in the workplace. For twelve years I had the responsibility of about 40 workers and we had our shirkers who didn't last long, because we demanded a fair amount of work for their wages. We had people that had a fifth sense about my presence and they were really putting their selves to the task, but as soon as my back was turned they were back to shirking. Our Christian testimony is the most important asset we have and to destroy that is to sin before the Lord.

Employers should not expect too much, but to help those who need the direction and encourage them to give a fair amount of work for their wages. We all have to give an account for our actions before the Lord at the Bema seat during the first seven years in His presence. Will our rewards be wood, hay and stubble; or gold, silver and precious stones? It's up to us. There are no disappointments in heaven, but there will or will not be the rewards and crowns that we can cast at the Savior's feet. I don't know about you, but I want to give of my best for my Master. Our Lord does not judge us by earthly standards, but by heavenly standards. He looks on the quality of the inward spiritual life; He may reward the servant more highly than the master. RJS

A sub-title might be "A Call to Arms." Yes, we are all drafted into the Lord's army and the battle is not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, evil powers, world rulers, the imps of hell, against spiritual wickedness, and Satan himself. 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. These evil powers that make war against Christ, the Church and Christians is an on-going battle that we must fight daily and be fortified by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit if we are to gain the victories. Therefore, we need the spiritual armor that is described in the following verses.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. If we think we can win in the flesh, we are only fooling ourselves and we have lost the battle before we even draw up the battle plans and go to the front lines. Satan's strategy is to defeat us in the flesh and in so doing he has won the Battle. That is why we must remember that it is a spiritual battle and the Lord is the One who wins the battle for us. Satan's revolt in heaven in eternity past was the result of pride. When he defeated Adam, our first father, it was pride that led to Adam's fall. And the proud of today are those who think they can appease God and win God's approval by their works. Our responsibility is to pray and make supplication in the Spirit for those and ourselves, that we may stand and defeat our enemy. RJS

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Satan works in three ways to defeat the Christian that is living a Spirit controlled life. 1. To despoil the Christian of his wealth; 2. To decoy the Christian from his walk; 3. To disable the Christian for his warfare; we will be looking at the first one today.

To despoil the Christian of his wealth. Having been born again and baptized in the Spirit we are secure in Christ, but Satan tries to wean us away from Christ through coldness of heart; weaken our belief in the Word through blindness of our minds, and rob us of our love and loyalty. Satan's destructive power is a slow but progressive work brought on by our own lack of Bible reading and prayer. It is so easy to slip into an elimination of these by pressures from the family, job, and self desire for pleasures rather than following what we know is right. In the Book of Revelation 2:1-7, we see several commendations for the Church at Ephesus, but verse 4 tells us they had lost their first love. In the progress of Christ's revelation to the seven churches there are six downward steps that lead to Christ being on the outside and knocking on the door for entrance. The following steps are used of Satan to defeat the Christian and the church at large. They are as follows: Has the love of your heart waxed cold? Has it lost its luster, warmth, intensity and fervor constancy, and faithfulness of the first days and years you have known the Saviour? Is He still the Pre-eminent Lover and Loved One in your heart? In most cases these are not your fault, but Satan has used the above to attack us and destroy our love for Christ, because Satan hates Christ with an everlasting passion. It has always been Satan's desire to dethrone God and His Son, because Satan has but one goal, and that is to be God. Every attempt has failed in the past, but he is still working and in the Tribulation he will set up the infernal trinity, the Dragon, the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet. This old Serpent, the Devil is alive and well and working overtime, because he knows that his time is short. It is too bad that Christians are not working as hard to defeat Him as he is working to destroy us. RJS

There shall be false teachers among you! Satan hates the teaching of salvation more than any other doctrine found in the Bible. Therefore, he brings false teachers into the churches. Satan does not build a church and then name it the First Church of Satan. Oh, No! He sets false teachers in the First Church of Podunk Center and they deny the very truths they are supposed to be teaching. Satan places his preachers in the pulpits and they then mouth the same vocabulary that the true church speaks, but they have been given a new meaning to the words. Instead of evangelism, they teach social improvement. Instead of sin and damnation, these men overlook sins and call them mistakes and teach that there is no hell. A very popular teaching of today is that we make our own hell here on earth. Another popular teaching is that you have done so many good things for your parents and friends that you will go to heaven. Nothing could be further from the truth, but the modern church of today has hired teachers of heresy to tickle their itching ears and appease our consciences. A young Sunday school teacher, fresh out of seminary, gave a beautiful dissertation that was in every sense, "heretical" in a modern church school and was applauded by most of the students. All except one, and he asked this young teacher, "where he had learned this teaching" he replied "Why from the Sunday School Quarterly."

Matt 24:11 says that "many false prophets shall arise." In the last 150 years this prophecy has been filled many times in the following cults: Christian Science (neither Christian nor scientific), Unity, Russellism or Jehovah's False Witnesses, Mormonism founded by a man who was epileptic or suffered from visions that reportedly were angelic revelations (read Galatians 1:6-9), Spiritism, Theosophy and a multitude of other cultic teachings. These false teachings are all forms of deceit designed by Satan to defeat weak believers. These cults are filled with untrained and weak babes in Christ who are lured into their false teachings by proselytizing them from churches that already were cold and indifferent to the great teachings (doctrines) of the Scriptures. Beware of those who offer another way to Christ. RJS

18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. 19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. Paul's desire is that the church at Ephesus would hold him up in prayer and that he might have opportunities, even while in prison, to present the Gospel to all that would hear.

20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Paul says, "I may be in chains, but my mouth is still able to speak forth the words of salvation to all who will hear.

21But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Paul tells the church that he is sending Tychicus to them to bring them up to date on his affairs and to strengthen them. Paul could not come, but his messenger is now his spokesman to encourage the believers.

23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In the midst of Paul's suffering he takes time out to send a benediction to these beloved believers in Ephesus and encourage them to be faithful unto the end.

24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. We see a qualification, in this last sentence (in sincerity) that leads us to believe there may have been some who were insincere and were not a faithful as they should have been. This may be why our Lord says in Revelation 2:4-5 "I have something against you, because you have lost your first love. Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." We are all to search our hearts and see if we have lost our first love. Paul closes with the AMEN, "so be it" RJS

Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the Most High God. And he blessed Abram and said "Blessed be Abram of the most High God, possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed the Most High God, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. And Abram gave Melchizedek tithes of all. While reading this above passage recently this writer began to think on the words, "servant of the most high God" and decided to do some research on this One of the many names of God. This name for God is "El Elyon." And the meaning is "Supreme Most High God." An English spelling of the Hebrew is "el-yone," and the words for "most high" found in Luke 1:35 "hupsistos." Your writer is not a student of the Hebrew, therefore. he must turn to the Greek translations to read what they say about particular words. And he took the Greek word "hupsistos" from the Septuagint also known as the "LXX" (70) that was a Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament said to have been the work of 70 translators, produced for the Library of Alexandria, Egypt during the second and third centuries before Christ. This was the first vernacular version of the Bible and is still used by the Orthodox Eastern Catholic Church. The reason for this translation was that under Alexander the Great and his conquest of the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia which included Israel, Greek was the common language or the trade language throughout that part of the world. All forms of business and commerce were transacted in Greek, therefore, Luke, Paul and others in the New Testament both read and spoke in Greek, as well as, Hebrew.

We are going to spend several days on the above subject and trust you will have a better understanding of this wonderful name of God. Also those who were called "servant" of the "Most High God," as well as, a new and marvelous understanding of Luke 1: 32; 35; 76; and 6:35. In the devotion for tomorrow we will see another Old Testament verse where the words "Most High God," will challenge you before we turn to the New Testament and the beauty of Christ in these words. RJS

…. Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. There are other references to the "Most High God" in between the books of Genesis and Daniel, but this one is in the plural, i.e. there were three servants and a fourth one was also seen. Who was that fourth one? The fourth One is what we call a Christophany or the appearance of Christ on several occasions to men or women in the Old Testament. These also are in his appearances to individuals after His resurrection, such as the one to Paul on the road to Damascus or to John on the Isle of Patmos, in Revelation 1.

"Ye servants of the most high God." What a privilege to be called servants of El Elyon, the Most High God by a heathen king. I have to ask myself, "do I have that kind of faith?" All believers should also ask themselves the same question. There are three masters that you are serving: 1. Is it the Lord, 2. Is it Satan, and 3. Is it Yourself? Actually, if it is yourself, then you are being obedient to Satan and the desires of the world. If it is Christ then you are, moment by moment, asking yourself, "Is that going to bring glory to my Saviour or am I doing it for myself? These are difficult questions and each believer must ask him or herself these most important questions. Most of us hope that we will hear the Lord say to us, "Well done thou good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of the Lord," Matt. 25:21. RJS

26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel (Gabriel) said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34Then said Mary unto the angel (Gabriel), How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel (Gabriel) answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest (The Most High God, El Elyon) shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Christ was called the servant of the Most High God. The same Greek word "hupsistos" is used here. Mary was but the human vessel that God chose to bring His Son into the World. Tradition has it that every young Jewish girl was hoping that she would be the mother of the Messiah. But God had made the choice before the world was placed in space that this young lady from Nazareth would be the one to mother the Messiah. Have you ever thought about what God wants you to do? Have you ever asked God why you were placed on the world and what your mission in life should be? This writer has looked back over the events and circum-stances of his early life and time and again has seen the hand of God leading in things he did not understand then. He still mulls them over in his mind as to why God chose him to be a minister of the Gospel? Questions that only can be answered in eternity! RJS

In the end, all knowledge rests on faith. Those who reject Jesus Christ and the Bible do so with a strange and selective skepticism. Christianity is opposed to both rationalism and superstition. Superstition believes without rational foundation. Rationalism refuses to believe what it does not understand in spite of evidence, which should cause faith. In this text, we see Jesus giving powerful witness to the truth.

Returning from the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus went to His own town, Capernaum. There … a paralytic, lying on a mat was brought to Jesus. Several religious leaders were present and heard Jesus tell this man, Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven. Apparently the illness had resulted from his sin. Jesus was claiming divine authority, for only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21). The leaders stumbled over this and said to themselves, Jesus is blaspheming! This was the first opposition of the religious leaders to Jesus. Knowing their thoughts, Jesus asked them whether it is easier to say one's sins are forgiven, or to tell him to arise and walk. While either statement could be spoken with ease, the first would be "easier" in that it could not be disproved by onlookers. If, however, Jesus had first said, Get up and walk, and the man remained paralyzed on his mat, it would be clear Jesus was not who He claimed to be. Jesus therefore spoke not only the easier words, but He also spoke of healing, thereby proving He has power to perform both acts, healing and forgiving sin. (1)

Spiritual blindness is not a matter of ability but will. People are not blind to spiritual things because they cannot see. They are blind because they will not see. We see a great example of this in our story. Truth could not be made any clearer in time and space, but the religious leaders rejected Jesus. They rejected His words and they rejected the miraculous signs that supported His words. God is the author of faith, but people must choose to reject what they ought to believe, before they give way to corruption and damnation. Salvation is of God, but reprobation is a work of those who are lost. When we believe, we come to know the truth. DW

(1) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

15th

December 15
The Visit of the Magi
Matthew 2:2

…not all scholars agree on the timing of the arrival of the Magi from the East, they apparently came some time after the birth of Jesus. Jesus and Mary and Joseph, though still in Bethlehem, were now in a house (v. 11), and Jesus was called a Child (paidion, vv. 9, 11) rather than a newborn Infant (brephos, Luke 2:12). (1) This visit occurred some time between Jesus' circumcision in the temple (Luke 2:21-38), and the flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23).

It is interesting to note that these Gentiles seem to have more understanding of spiritual things than the best Biblical scholars do in Jerusalem. The scholars know the place recorded in prophecy, but they give no indication of any spiritual understanding of Jesus' birth. The star they had seen in the East now reappeared and led them to a specific house in Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. Bethlehem is about five miles south of Jerusalem. "Stars" (i.e., planets) naturally travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south. Could it be that "the star" which the Magi saw and which led them to a specific house was the Shekinah glory of God? Perhaps this was what they saw in the East, and for want of a better term they called it a "star." All other efforts to explain this star are inadequate (such as a conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars; a supernova; a comet; etc.). (2)

God never leaves Himself without a remnant and important witness to the truth. In this case, important witness to truth comes from a very unlikely source. It comes from Gentiles of spiritual enlightenment. There is a tendency to think that the reason people don't see truth is because the message lacks clarity. This is not true. The reason people don't understand is not because they cannot see, but because they will not see. The results differ not because of the quality of the message, but the depravity of the people. The message always has sufficient clarity that it leaves people without excuse. It is as Abraham told the rich man; people hardened in sin will not believe even if one were to rise from the dead and tell them. This is the result of choosing sin (John 3:19). DW
(1) (2) The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

16th

December 16
The Forerunner of the Christ, John the Baptist
Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6 and Matthew 11:7-14; Luke 1:16-17

We have seen a few of the great prophecies referring to the Lord Jesus Christ; there are many more and we may write of them again soon. The last two prophecies refer to both the First and Second Coming of Christ.

The first coming prophecy, Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: Malachi 3:1
The fulfillment in Matthew 11:7-10, 11 … Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. It was John the Baptist who said Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world, John 1:29. The Ministry of John the Baptist was a short one, but a most powerful one. He was not afraid to deal with sin and lost his head because of his faithfulness. The Second Coming: Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. Most scholars and commentators agree that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses who are recorded in Revelation 11:3-6 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. These last two witnesses are most powerful in their testimony as to the destruction of the antichrist and the ultimate defeat of Satan. God can overcome all obstacles and you, in Christ, can also be an overcomer. Nothing can defeat us if we live by faith in Christ. RJS

17th

December 17

The Ways of God
Isaiah 53:1-6

In the flesh, we would expect that God would send His son to Israel with great fanfare. God did not choose to work in this way. In the book of Zechariah 9:9 we read, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. This verse is quoted in Matthew 21:4,5 and John 12:14,15, and applied to Jesus Christ.
The ways of God are perfect but incompressible to human intellect and reason. In Isaiah 55:8, 9 we read, 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. It is apparent to those with spiritual insight that people who tend to not understand, reject what God says. The essence of idolatry is remaking God in terms we find more understandable and more acceptable. Without faith, there is not salvation or pleasing God. Hebrews 11:6 … without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Apart from faith, we are without hope, without God, and without eternal life.
In our text, we have a description of the king. In Isaiah 53:2 we read, he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. In some ways, it would have been a great blessing to see and hear Jesus Christ. Yet, if we were to have this opportunity, we would be no different from Israel. We too, would have trouble believing that He was really God in the form of human flesh. The problem would not be with His character, but with His appearance. We would expect more than we could see. The same is true of the written Word of God. People are not content with the Word. They either add to it or take away from it. As it is, it just does not make sense to them. They need to ask themselves, if God did not mean what he said, why didn't he say what he meant? DW

18th

December 18
The "Megaquake" of all Earthquakes
Scripture: Haggai 2:6; Hebrews 12:25-29 and Revelation 6:12-16

Again, we remind you that when God leads the prophet to record an event that will take place in the future, God also gives us the record of that event and the time of its coming to pass. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; Haggai 2:6

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire Hebrews 12:25-29.

Revelation 6:12-14 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. When God says something, be assured it will come to pass. The words of mankind mean little or nothing, but when God speaks it is advisable for us to listen, because His words are everlasting. The Bible tells us that heaven and earth may pass away, but God's Word will stand forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. Will you stand at the Great White Throne and be judged or will you be watching over the battlements of heaven. The choice is yours here and now! Do you know beyond all shadow of doubt that you are saved or are you just hoping you will be saved from the wrath to come? RJS

19th

December 19
The Restoration of Israel
Matthew 25:31-46

Some folk mistakenly believe that God is through with a national Israel. They believe that since God has set her aside, God's purpose and promises are now being fulfilled in the Church of Jesus Christ. This is the foundation for those who don't believe in a literal kingdom for Israel. They believe that God's promises to Israel are fulfilled spiritually in the church.

In the book of Amos 9:11, 12 we read, 11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. This verse is quoted in the book of Acts 15:16, 17. In this text, Paul and Barnabas are making the case for the inclusion of Gentiles in the church. In this verse, we see that there will be a remnant of all the heathen. In Revelation 5:9, we read about a future scene in heaven where it says, Jesus was slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. However, the text in Amos also speaks of the tabernacle of David being rebuilt.
Years ago, people doubted that God would restore the nation of Israel and that Israel would come to play a part in end time events. A literal interpretation of Bible prophecy demands that this happen. In our day, I don't know how anyone could honestly have any question about this. Israel is now fully restored, a nation with its historic culture and language. This is something unprecedented in world history. At the end of the book of Deuteronomy, we read about this very thing. Both the children of Jacob and Ishmael are playing a major role in world events today. The plans to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem are well underway. As is the case with Biblical archeology, the skeptics and critics find that God's Word is accurate in every detail. This is not an accident or coincidence, but the very hand of God at work in this life. God knows the beginning from the end, and He has told us the important events that will surround the end of the age. DW

20th

December 20
The Dispensation of the Holy Spirit
Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:19-21

The two Scripture references in today's devotional give us the prophecy and the fulfillment of the abiding Holy Spirit. We often call our present dispensation, "The Dispensation of Grace." It is the age of the Holy Spirit indwelling all believers and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith in the plan of Salvation for this age. Joel 2:28-32 It shall come to pass afterward, (after the crucifixion and resurrection) that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Peter uses this prophetic message from Joel as a text and springboard for his preaching on the Day of Pentecost. The Jews were always looking for a sign. The descent of the tongues of fire and the disciples speaking in seventeen dialects and known languages were the signs that caused so many to become believers that day. Yes, the Holy Spirit brought into being the Church that was to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:19-21 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The latter half of Joel's prophecy refers to the tribulation and the "Second Coming" of the Lord (verses 19-20). Then (21) tells us another great truth. Salvation is not of works, but of faith and calling on the Lord to save us. Compare the following references: (John 3:16-18 and 36; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:4-10). Have you taken advantage of this precious Gift of everlasting life with Christ? RJS

21st

December 21
The New Covenant
Hebrews 8:8-12

God's revelation of Himself to fallen humanity is progressive. We may not like to think in these terms, but just like we mature and Christians mature so all humanity is maturing. Maturing is not necessarily a spiritual function. Lost people mature, as well as, people of faith. If normal, we both learn to walk; we both learn to talk. For this reason, I believe God's revelation of Himself to humanity was progressive.
The essential elements of this revelation are the same. The God of the Old Testament is the same God as that of the New Testament. The ideas of God, evil, goodness and the need of salvation by faith are essentially the same in both covenants.
However, as we see in our text, the old covenant was more external and objective. Faith manifested itself more in external outward obedience rather than any heart felt desire. Note in Jeremiah 31:31,33 31 … the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 33 … this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. I believe that we are in those days now. However, when Jesus comes again, we will be in the days when Jeremiah 31:34 … they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, …. saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them…
Those who have been born of the Spirit cannot continue in sin. 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. At face value, we may tend to think of any act of sin and perfection. This is not what is in view here. If it were, the Greek aorist tense would be used. It is not. It is a present tense verb and speaks to us of constant action. The spirit of God within us is stronger than any conscience. For this reason, all who are born of the Spirit cannot live a life of sin. This is a characteristic of the New Covenant. I don't believe the same was true under the Old Covenant. We ought to be grateful to God that He has written His laws on our hearts. DW

22nd

December 22
The Redeemer Will Come to Zion
Isaiah 59:20, 21 and Romans 11:26, 27

Some of our readers may think we have spent more than enough time in Isaiah, but this Book is loaded with references to the first and second coming of our Lord. In His first appearance, he came as the suffering Servant. When He returns and sets His feet on the Mount of Olives, He will come to bring judgment on the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and Satan. The first two will be cast into the lake of fire and then Satan will be bound for a thousand years. Following the above, He will restore Israel to her proper relationship with Himself and that's what today 's Scripture is all about. Isaiah 59:20-21 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them (Israel), saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. All Israel shall be restored to the Land. Christ, the Messiah, will sit on the throne of David. The nations will come to Jerusalem (Zion) to be blessed of the Jews. There will be no anti-Semitism and the Jews will bask in the presence of the Lord. Their hearts will be turned fully to the Lord and their backsliding will be forever forgotten. It seems a shame that for over two thousand years the Jews have rejected Him and could have had these blessings long ago, but had that happened, we Gentile believers would never had known the Grace, Mercy and Love we now have. We believed the Word of God and were saved when we trusted Jesus as our Saviour.
Romans 11:26-27 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion (Jerusalem) the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. Paul wrote the above to inform the Jews that their day was also coming and the temporal and spiritual blessings would be fulfilled. Some have taught that God is through with the Jews. The above verses contradict the teaching of those who advocate amillennialism (no millennium). They will have to eat their foolish words that God is through with the Jews. God has not preserved the Jews in their persecutions all these centuries for naught. RJS

23rd

December 23
Without Sin and Guile
Hebrews 4:12-16

The Lord Jesus Christ was the only good man to have ever lived. I believe Adam and Eve were created perfect, but it was not long before sin and evil touched their hearts. From this original corruption, none in this world are born free from all evil. Such is the nature of sin. It is unfair and wrong by its very nature. This was not true of Jesus Christ. He was God come in the form of human flesh. The person of God was not only present in the person of Jesus ' humanity. The person of God was the person of Jesus humanity. By personality, I mean the ability to be aware of our existence and our moral responsibility.

This though allowing Him to be tempted made it impossible that He should ever give way to sin and evil. Hebrews 4:15 … we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus Christ was absolutely pure, free from all sin, and evil. He was the only man to walk this earth to live and end life this way.
The Greek word used in I Peter 2:22 for guile has the idea of bait. When you think of bait, there is always a mixture of truth and danger. The fish will not usually take a bare hook. Therefore, we try to give the fish something good that he wants. Was it not that way when Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden? He promised her that she would be like God knowing by experience the difference between good and evil. Up until the fall, man had absolutely no experience with evil, and God was already well acquainted with the ways of the tempter.
God is always clear and to the point. There is great simplicity in His revelation, as well as, great complexity. A powerful mind, though useful in the service of God, is not a great asset spiritually. If God has gifted us with a great mind or great wealth, we will find that we are prone to put our trust in these over God. Jesus said, Luke 18:24 … How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! The apostle Paul writes, 1 Corinthians 1:26,27 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty,… noble… 27… God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise… There is no great spiritual advantage in being smart or wealthy. DW

24th

December 24
The Sure Mercies of David

The "Sure Mercies of David" are the loving and merciful promises that God made to David. Almost all commentators agree that the Christian Covenant is intended in the "New Covenant" in Hebrews 9:15 under which mankind obtains pardon and salvation by the Death, Resurrection and Mediatorship of Christ. Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. However, it is two pronged and the verse is a promise to David and all Israel that the day is coming when God will establish a new and everlasting covenant with Israel. Therefore, we see the double reference principle in that it refers to two peoples, both Jews and Gentiles.

In the following is the fulfillment of David's Sure Mercies to the City of Antioch in Pisidia as Paul preached the death and resurrection of Jesus. Acts 13:33-37 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. 35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
As was said in the introduction of this study, "All Scripture must be fulfilled." The proof of inspiration is in the finished product. If it is not fulfilled, then God says "it was spoken by a false prophet." The fulfillment is the acid test that all Scripture is inspired of God. God never breaks His promises. He cannot lie! Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. Since Jesus is God the same as the Father is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, the above verse applies to the Trinity. God never changes! You and I are as changeable as the wind and weather, but God is steadfast and sure. "The Mercies of David" are an everlasting promise to Israel and all believers. RJS

25th

December 25
The Christian's Christmas Tree
Ephesians 2
OUR OLD RELATIONSHIP
At that time ye were . . . (verses 11-12)

"Without Christ"
"Total Aliens and lost"
"Strangers and Foreigners"
"Without and having no Hope"
"Without God and Hell Bound"

THE BRAND NEW RELATIONSHIP
Now therefore ye are + + + (19-22)
Citizens of the Heavenly City + + (v. 19)
Members of the Most Holy Family + + (V. 19)
Built on the One True Foundation + + + + (v. 20)
Parts of the One and only Building + + + + + (v. 21)
In dwelt by the Blessed Holy Spirit Forever + + + + (v. 22)

HOW AND BY WHOM WAS THIS CHANGE WROUGHT
But You are now in Christ Jesus . . . . . . . . . . (Verses 13-18)
Distance done away - - - - "Ye are made nigh."
Dominion done away - - - - "He hath made both one."
Division done away - - - "Broken down the middle wall."
Dissension done away - - - - - - - - - - "He abolished enmity."
Distinction done away - - - - - - - - - - - "Of twain one new man."

Both Jew and Gentile are now
Reconciled to God
Have peace with God
Have access to God

What beauty and wonder there is in the above paragraph when viewed in its complete structure! What a salvation was wrought that brought us from the depths of hell to the gates of heaven; from such poverty to abundant riches, from such shame and degradation to glorious honor and from such ruin to everlasting glory and eternal praise to the Saviour for our salvation. Let us rejoice as we think of the events that led from His birth to His death, Resurrection, and Ascension to the Right Hand of the Father. RJS

26th

December 26
Unbelief
Romans 1:16-21

In Isaiah 53:1 the prophet raises the question, who hath believed our report? In other words, the message came clearly from God but God 's people did not believe. This is one of many prophecies that is quoted in the New Testament and applied to Jesus Christ. In Romans 10:16 we read, they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? In other words, faith entails not only believing but obeying the gospel. We live in a day where faith is seen by many that name the name of Christ as little more than some mental opinion.

Saving faith is something much deeper than that. Saving faith involves the idea of repentance. The word literally means a turning around. The person is born in this world on the road to hell because of the corruption of nature given to us in the fall. Therefore, there must be a turning around to get on the road to heaven. In this turning around, our feelings change from one of rejection of and hatred for God to love and trust. Such a change ought to be evident in the life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We need to appreciate that unbelief is not a matter of ignorance. God has provided sufficient evidence that we are without excuse for unbelief. However, salvation is a matter of faith, because without faith one cannot understand God. He is just too big for any of us to ever be able fully know or understand. It is as we read in Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Part of the corruption of sin is that we want our own way and therefore desire to reject the truth and God. The path of all who reject God is hell and damnation. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and He is not willing that any should perish. Yet, that does not mean that He will not deal with evil. As surely as goodness and justice is superior to evil, the end will be just and right. It is wise for us to remember that the unbelief spoken of here is not that of the heathen. Rather, it is those who profess faith in God. DW

27th

December 27
Prophecy of the Suffering Messiah
Isaiah 53:4 and Matthew 8:17

Isaiah begins this Messianic prophetic message in Chapter 52:13 and continues through Chapter 53. The Jews are forbidden to read the above passage. The Jewish people reject the New Testament, even though it was written by Jewish writers the same as the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Here is a bit of history for believers to masticate and understand today. When the crusaders arrived in Jerusalem in 1099 AD, they killed over 100,000 Jews, burned the Synagogues and breached the walls of the city. They called the Jews, Christ killers. The infamous Spanish Inquisition was put into action in 1492 the same year Columbus sailed across the Atlantic. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled the Jews from Spain. Over 150,000 Jews fled north to France, Belgium, and Holland. "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue and Ferdinand and Isabella got rid of the Jews." But the last two phrases of the above text, says that "Jesus was smitten of God."
Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. The ministry of Jesus took on several forms:
1) He came to save the lost, Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
2) He came to fulfill all Scripture, Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
3) He came to heal the sick, Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
4) He came to reveal the invisible Father, John 14:9 and 11 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. There are many other reasons He came, but time and space do not permit them here and now. Do you know if you are saved? RJS

28th

December 28
The Place of the King
Luke 12:19-27

One of the saddest phrases that we read in the Bible is that of John 1:11. In this text, we read He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Jesus Christ came to this earth as the foundation of both a spiritual and an earthly kingdom. In Isaiah 26:16, we read where God says, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation… We find this statement quoted and applied to Jesus Christ in Romans 9:33. It is also in 1 Peter 2:6-8 6… I lay in Sion a chief corner stone…. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence…
When Jesus came the first time, he came to His own people Israel. The nation as a whole rejected Him, but this will not stand. The day is coming when the nation as a whole will receive him. As Jesus rejected the nation Israel He said, (Matthew 23:39) For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. The Bible tells us that the day is coming when Zechariah 12:9-12 …I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth ;for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. The apostle Paul makes it clear in the book of Romans that God is not done with the nation Israel. In Romans 11:25,26 we read, …. I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery… that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob… God is not through with Israel. The day is coming when Jesus will rule and reign from Jerusalem. The rejected king will come and his enemies who said that he would not rule over them will be slain. Sometimes I think those who are troubled by this doctrine imagine a great gulf between this life and the next. I seem to think that they comfort themselves in their compromise by believing that this is so. What they would be wise to remember is that Jesus taught us to pray daily, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus has not forgotten this earth. DW

29th

December 29
Another Old Testament Reference to the Trinity
Fulfilled in the New Testament

Isaiah is filled with references to the Messiah and it seems difficult to us that the Jewish scholars were so blind, but we also were blind to these great truths until the Holy Spirit revealed them to us. Isaiah 49:6-7 And He said, "It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob. To restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth." Thus saith the LORD, "The Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One (Christ), to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee."

Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. This prophecy of Simeon is the fulfillment of Isaiah 49. This ancient sage was led by the Holy Spirit to tell Mary and Joseph of the ministry of our Lord Jesus and also of His crucifixion. Please take time to read the context, Luke 2:25-35.
Paul and Barnabas went on their first missionary journey to Antioch of Pisidia. Antioch had a large Jewish community and Paul went to them first with the message of the Messiah. Antioch was a city in Asia Minor in what is now known as Turkey. Acts 13:27-28 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that He should be slain. Paul did not go to them in condemnation, rather in instruction that they might be saved. However, in Acts 13:50-51, the Jews cast Paul and Barnabas out of the city. Years later Paul was standing before King Agrippa and preached the same message in Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people (Jews), and to the Gentiles. Paul used every opportunity to share the message of salvation. Are you doing the same, or are you afraid to tell this "Wonderful Story" to all that you meet? RJS

30th

December 30
King of Kings
Isaiah 9:6, 7

I don't understand why some of those that name the name of Jesus Christ feel compelled to try to explain away the Bible. They are embarrassed by such stories of Jonah and the fish, and they try to lead those of us who are more simple minded to doubt the truth of the story. I can relate to the old preacher who said he would have believed it if the Bible said Jonah swallowed the huge fish. It is wise to take the Bible very normally. God means what He says and says what He means.

In our text we read such statements of Jesus Christ as: Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end… Then in Daniel 7:14 … there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him… Lastly, consider the words of the angelic messenger in Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David… The point is there are many prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments to an earthly kingdom in Israel ruled by Jesus Christ.
Those of us that take this position believe that the day is coming when Jesus Christ will take His church out of this earth before the evil kingdom of the Antichrist. In another translation of 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4;6-8 we read, Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 6 And you know what restrains him now…. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.8 And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming… Jesus Christ is coming to this earth again to set up His kingdom on this earth. Prior to this time, the church will be taken out along with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all who believe. The Spirit of God is the restrainer of evil here. I believe we are now in this apostasy. Of the kingdom, we are told, Isaiah 2:4 … they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks … never again will they learn war. The earth has never seen such things, but it will when Jesus comes again. Are you ready? DW

31st

December 31
The Land That Walked in Darkness Has Seen a Great Light
Isaiah 9:1-2 and Matthew 4:15-16

In this passage, Isaiah is referring to the Northern Kingdom called Israel after the division following the death of Solomon. The King's Highway is North and East of the Sea of Galilee and was the invasion route of King Benhadad and later the army of the Syrians. "The Via Maris or Kings Highway" passed through this part of Israel and stretched from Egypt to Babylon. It followed the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to the city of Acre and turned east across the desert to the Persian Gulf.

Isaiah 9:1-2 Verse one identifies the area: Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. Verse 2 the prophecy: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. They practiced witchcraft, golden calf worship, and every known manner of sexual perversion. They were walking in total spiritual blindness and every known form of wickedness. That is why God led them into captivity in 721 B.C. Judah was spared until 586 B.C. or more than a hundred years.
Jesus began His ministry in this northern area or what was known as Galilee in the New Testament. Matthew 4:15-16 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. The area to the west of the Sea of Galilee and north to Mt. Hermon is the most productive part of the Holy Land today. It is also from this area that Jesus called His first disciples and began his ministry of miracles among the people. Just to mention a few, the wedding feast at Cana, the feeding of five thousand men plus women and children, the healing of the withered hand and many more. John said He was the light of the world. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not, John 1:4-5. RJS

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