Daily Devotions for January 2010

Fair use Copyright Credit: http://ccmrewind.com/daily-bible-verse-john-11/ This month's memory verses: Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. [12] Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

THEME - Prophecies and Fulfillments of Christ's Birth in the Old and New Testaments, Part 2     It is our desire to make these devotionals readily available to anyone who can use them. We pray that as you daily read and meditate on God's Word, you will be able to use these to help you spiritually grow in your daily walk with the Lord. Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you, Please email us to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email! Read Past Devotionals in the  Devotional Archive! Most References are From: AV (Authorized Version)1769; (Commonly known as the KJV 1611 Authorized Version)

To read a devotional please click on the day # below or scroll down 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31

January 1

Messiah is the Seed of Isaac

Genesis 21:12, Romans 9:7, Hebrews 11:18

All through Scripture we see a pattern that was established very early; Cain was set aside for Seth, and this pattern was followed down through the writings of both the Old and New Testaments. Ishmael was the first born son of Abraham, but he was set aside for Isaac. Abraham took a third wife after the death of Sarah. To this union were added six sons to Abraham, but they did not receive the blessing that was given to Isaac. Esau was first born, but Jacob received the blessing. Reuben was the first born in Jacob's family, but Joseph received the double blessing. There was not a tribe named after Joseph, but his two sons became tribal leaders, and even there, the second son was chosen over the first born, Genesis 48:17-20. Aaron was three years older than Moses, but Moses was chosen, Exodus 7:7.

The capital illustration is found in Adam being set aside and Christ becoming the Second Adam, I Corinthians 15:45-59. And along with this illustration, we even see being born of the flesh is to be earthy, but the new birth born again is a spiritual birth, and all who are born again put on the heavenly.  

The Apostle Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Again in Romans 7:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. God always abides by his standards; He gives us three witnesses, the first in the Old Testament and the second and third in the New Testament.

The Lord established a line of succession that would last for about two thousand years. From Abraham to Christ, God kept a genealogical record of the seed of Abraham for several reasons.

1.      Christ must be a descendent of Abraham for God's Word to be true.

2.      He must be a Son of David in order to sit of the throne of David in the Kingdom Age.

3.      Likewise, Christ must be a man, therefore, Luke gives us the genealogical record of Christ's humanity.

Reference verses:
Genesis 21:12. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Genesis 48: 17-20. And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.
18. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
19. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
20. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

Exodus 7:7. And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.

Romans 9:7. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

I Corinthians 15: 45-58. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

010104rjs

January 2

Abraham's Blessing

Genesis 28:12-14

In our text, we read of Abraham's blessing coming into the life of Jacob. The blessing went from Abraham to Isaac and then, to Jacob. God chose Abraham in order to bring blessing to all the families of the earth. He chooses one family as a means of reaching all families. The idea of election is troubling to many. Inherent, in this idea, is inequity. There can be no inequity when it comes to grace. Grace is a gift. It is the right of the giver to give as pleasing to him.

We should not see election as arbitrary and without grace and mercy. Inherent, in the idea of election, is grace and mercy. It is because God is not willing that any should perish that He chooses Abraham. The blessing of Abraham is a means of reaching all families on this earth. The success of the gospel demonstrates the wisdom and effectiveness of God's plan. God's purpose in touching every nation involves working in and through one family and nation. Many Jews came to view the idea of election as being exclusive of Gentiles. They were wrong. The election of Abraham and the nation Israel was God's means of including Gentiles. In Galatians 3:8 we read ... the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

The blessing is the Gospel. It is the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. In the purpose of God, Jesus Christ would be born as a son of Abraham in the nation of Israel (Galatians 3:16). God needed to specially guard and lead this family in order to accomplish this purpose. We need to appreciate that as sure as we have been born of the Spirit of God, we are part of God's purpose in blessing all people in this world. The basis of our election is not our goodness, ability or wisdom. God chooses us in order to help reach some from every kindred, tongue, tribe and nation. Apart from God's purpose, none would come to salvation. For this reason, more often than not, we are inferior in goodness, ability and wisdom. Why is this? It is so people will realize that we cannot save ourselves. As sure as the power of God has touched our hearts, God will use us to reach others. Our witness for Christ is important evidence that we are born of the Spirit of God.

Reference verses:
Galatians 3:16. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Genesis 28:12-14. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
13. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
14. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

010204dw

January 3

Hated Without Reason

OT Psalm 35:19, NT John 15:24-25

Why would anyone hate something or someone who stands for goodness and righteousness? The Scriptures give us some interesting details of why the world hates Jesus Christ. First, we see that the world hates true believers because they are new creatures and that they have been called out of this world. They are to be separated from the world and its ways. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you... This is why worldly separation is so important. True Believers are separated from the world and are identified with Christ. The servant is neither above persecution, nor above the Lord. If Christ suffered persecution, we as true believers, can count on it, as well. Also, True Believers will sacrifice their lives for Christ and will conform their lives to Christ.

We then, see the world hates believers because it does not really know God. The world is deceived in its concept and belief of God and it hates God because He does not condone sin and self will. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death. Finally, the world hates believers because it is convicted of its sin. The message of Jesus Christ and the gospel strips away the cloak of sin. Jesus Christ preaches and teaches righteousness and so His message exposes the sins of the people. John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Therefore, there is terrible guilt and the world is without excuse. If we really think about it, there is no sense for the world to hate Jesus. It is not understandable. Think about it. The world hates the One Person who lived and spoke for righteousness, who cared and ministered to others and had true love and justice and the only way of salvation for the world. How deceived the world is. Truly, it reveals the nature of the world and that it is evil and so the world is without excuse. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Say, do you know Christ as your Savior?! If not, do not be deceived! God desires that you repent and submit to Him. He has much in store for His own.

"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your all-sufficient Grace. Amen."

Reference verses:
Psalm 35: 19. Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
John 15: 24-25. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

010304dm

January 4

The Messiah shall be known for Righteousness

Psalm 45:2, 6-7; Hebrews 1:8-9

The Psalmist has much to say about the Messiah all the way form Psalm 2 through 150. Here we have a very vivid description of the countenance of the Lord Jesus. Thou art fairer than the children of men: There was magnetism about His eyes that attracted people to Him. The features of his face radiated love, kindness and mercy; grace is poured into thy lips: His words were soft and his voice was melodious. It is few and far between that He raised his voice to someone, and then only to defend His ministry or His Father; therefore God hath blessed thee for ever, Psalm 45:2. Therefore, He was endued with power while here on earth and even more now that He is in heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father.

Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Psalm 45:6,7. Our biggest failure is that we do not hate wickedness as He did. If we did, we would crucify our eyes and thoughts. Hollywood and pornography would be out of business. There is an interesting verse in the Proverbs: 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

The following verses are a command! Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years, Hebrews 1:8, 9. The above is referring back to the forty years of wanderings in the Sinai Peninsula. They hardened their hearts against Moses and God. They accepted the negative report of the ten spies and rejected the positive report of the two spies when the way was open for them to go up and conquer the land. They rejected God and His leadership for the conquest, and all that generation who were twenty years and older perished in the wilderness with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, who lived and went into the land forty years later. Don't harden you heart against God!

Reference verses:
Psalm 45: 2-7. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Hebrews 1: 8-9. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

010404rjs

January 5

Christ's Coming in Glory

Psalm 102:12-16

In our text, we see a prophecy of the Messiah appearing in glory. At the mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John saw Jesus in His glory with Moses and Elijah. The disciples accurately understood this as a picture of the kingdom age. In Luke 21:27 as Jesus speaks of His Second Coming, He says; ... they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

We read about this event in Revelation 19:11-14, 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The disciples focused on the kingdom when Jesus came the first time. What they did not understand is that the blessings of the kingdom are impossible without the spiritual aspects of the kingdom. If people do not receive spiritual truth in their hearts, they will not be able to live in such a way as to experience the blessings of the kingdom. The result of Jesus coming the first time is recorded in John 1:11. Here we read, He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

However, the blessings of the spiritual kingdom are available to all that will receive Him. John 1:12 ... as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name... These blessings include a heart full of peace, love and joy. If all people on this earth had such a heart and Jesus was leading us, we would realize all the blessings of the kingdom. The present church ought to be such a kingdom. Those who are lost in sin have a heart full of covetous desire. Judas had a heart full of covetousness, and troubled the disciples. Today, all whose hearts are full of covetousness only bring trouble into the church. It ought not to surprise us that most church conflicts revolve around the use of money. When the kingdom comes to this earth God will remove all this kind of evil. (Matthew 24:31).

Reference verses:
Psalm 102: 12-16. But thou, O Lord, shalt endure forever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
13. Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
14. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
15. So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
16. When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.
Matthew 24: 31. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

010504dw

January 6

A Priest like unto Melchizedek

OT Psalm 110:1-7, NT Hebrews 6:20

There are many people whom we know all around us who are without hope, without reason, without any confidence of refuge for their eternal state and soul. There are many folks who are in despair about tomorrow and they see no reason for living. Folks, hope is absolutely necessary for a person to live and work and have meaningful existence. How much more true this is of eternity. If a person has a hope of living forever he then does not fear or dread to face the end of this life, but most people do not have this hope. With hope through Jesus Christ we have everything, but without hope we have nothing, absolutely nothing but the bleakest and most dismal and dark future imaginable. This is why God has given the world Jesus Christ as the Great High Priest.

Our hope in God is a refuge for the true believer. This "refuge" is our shelter and protection from danger, and distress and the enemy. Believers are the people who have turned away from the world and turned to Jesus Christ as their Great High Priest to save them from the wages of sin. They rely on God's promises of salvation and eternal life. This is a wonderful refuge for the true believer.

Our hope in God is an anchor for the true believers soul. This "anchor" is what keeps true believers from being shipwrecked on the shores of this old world, and in sin and its evil ways. The anchor of hope is both sure and steadfast. It cannot slip and it cannot break. Jesus Christ will hold the believer no matter what circumstances they may go through.

Our hope in God enters the veil, the great veil that had separated God from man. Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest who has torn away the veil and curtain that separated men from God and He opened the way for man to enter the very presence of God himself and to live in heaven forever and ever. It is Jesus Christ who intercedes before God for us as our Mediator and Intercessor and this brings us wonderful hope and peace as true believers who have become acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Titus 2:12-13 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

"Dear Lord, We praise You for being our Great High Priest and our hope! Amen."

Reference verses:
Psalms 110
1. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.
6. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
7. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Hebrews 6: 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

010604dm

January 7

The Messiah is the Chief Corner Stone

Psalms 118: 22-23; Matt. 21:42; Mark 12:10-11

Most public buildings have a corner stone. Sometimes they use a hollow stone and place a time capsule in it, which is to be opened a hundred years after the building was built. When Solomon"s Temple was built all the stones were cut and finished at the quarry. They were then moved to the temple site and set in place. They were all perfect and there was not the sound of a hammer used in setting up the walls. And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building. 1 Kings 6:7

Tradition has it that when the builders were ready to set the corner stone it could not be found. They searched the temple site for it, but it was not there. They returned to the quarry and after clearing tons of debris they found the corner stone and it was then moved to the temple and inserted in its proper place. If the above it true, it is a perfect example of the Jewish nation being unable to recognize the Messiah when He came the first time and after much soul searching in the tribulation they will call upon Him whom they rejected centuries ago. Our text found in both Ps. 118 and Mark 12 records that it was prophesied that he would be refused and Jesus quoted the Old Testament to tell them that He was the rejected Corner Stone. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Ps. 118:22-23 and And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Mark 12:10-11.

It is sad, but we too reject, many things recorded in the Bible, not because of unbelief, but because we want to live according to the dictates of our hearts rather than according to the Scriptures. Often Christians seek an excuse by saying "that verse is not for me." We even say "that's your interpretation!"

 Remember, the Jewish nation rejected their Messiah; let"s not reject His Word. 

Reference verses:
Matthew 21: 42. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

010704rjs

January 8

The Second Coming of Christ

Psalm 118:19-26

Our text speaks of the rejection of Jesus Christ. We read in Psalm 118:22, The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. When Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, we read  Matthew 21:9... the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Sadly, a few days later, some of the same people cry, "crucify him". The multitude of humanity is very fickle. Like Esau of old they will trade their birth right for a mess of pottage.

It is interesting to note that Jesus uses these same words at the end of His condemnation of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were those who believed that they had it all together. They saw the failures of the rest of the people, but in their spiritual blindness, they could not see their own sin. Jesus points it out clearly to them and concludes by saying to them, Matthew 23:39 ... Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. For the moment, they rejected Him, but He would be back. He would come again when they open their hearts to Him as a nation and receive Him. The prophet foretells this great event in Zechariah 12:10 ... 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...

The word used in our text is Jehovah. Jesus comes in the name of Jehovah God. There are several texts in the Old Testament where a prophecy is given concerning Jehovah God. Then in the New Testament it is quoted and applied to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is Jehovah God. One example is Isaiah 4:3 and Matthew 3:3. In Matthew 3:3, John the Baptist is identified as this one who would prepare the way for Jehovah, and John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming again. At this time, most people on earth will receive Him. The picture given in the Gospel record is that of a great harvest where the angels gather and separate those who do not believe from those who believe as tares from wheat. At this time, God will cast the tares, the Antichrist and the false prophet, into a lake of fire.

Reference verses:
Psalm 118:19-26 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20. This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
Isaiah 4:3. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

Matthew 3:3. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

010804dw

January 9

David's Seed to Reign

OT Psalm 132:11 - NT Acts 13:22-23

It is interesting to note that it is God who has been at work throughout all of history to order and administer His ways for mankind. It is God who has suffered and bore with the ways of Israel and of the world. It is God who chose Israel. It is God who delivered Israel as they had stayed in Egypt too long and had become complacent and worldly and were perfectly satisfied with the pleasures of Egypt. They stayed so long, in fact, that they let an evil Pharaoh enslave them. It is God who put up and suffered with Israel through the wilderness and gave them wonderful provisions and blessings; but they complained and grumbled, just as many people do even today.

It is God who led Israel to conquer Canaan. He constantly protected them and led them to victory after victory even though they did not trust Him nor would they obey Him. It is God who gave Israel judges and once the land was conquered, Israel slipped into complacency, selfishness, and sin and they forgot God and His call.  Doesn't that sound like America and the church today? Nations marched against Israel, but despite Israel's sin, God heard the cry of the faithful few and raised up deliverers who were called judges. As true Christians, we need to pray as never before for the church and our country. It is God who gave Israel judges and prophets as leaders, but they wanted kings. It was God who gave Israel a king of their own choosing, but Saul was not a godly man. He was just like the people and full of self. It is God who raised up a special king of His own choosing, and after His own heart. A man named David. King David was raised up by God as a picture that it is God who is seeking an obedient person to fill the gap. God is looking for those that will love and follow Him obediently. The choice is God's and this all points to the last picture to David as a type of Christ. God made a covenant and promised David that He would send a Savior to Israel and to the world through his seed, seeking to save those who are lost. It is God who sent His only Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah, to save the world from the penalty of sin. It is the Savior, Jesus Christ, who was rejected and crucified, and was raised from the dead by God. It is the Savior who forgives sin and justifies all who will believe. It is also the Savior who will judge all those who do not believe. Where is it that you stand today?

Reference verses:
OT Psalm 132:11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
NT Acts 13:22-23 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
23. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

010904dm

January 10

The Hearts of Israel were Hardened

Isaiah 6:9,10; Matthew 13:14-ff.

Rejection is a terrible thing! Thousands of children, of our generation, are growing up being rejected by their parents. Street children are even living in our city. Husbands reject their wives and mothers reject their children. Why do we have all this rejection? Because of selfishness and greed! We live in a society called the "Me" lifestyle. Mothers don't care if their smoking bothers their children. Fathers don't care if the family has enough to eat as long as they have money for their liquor and toys. Our hearts are hardened against anything that suppresses our self-determined way of life. This is what Isaiah was referring to in our text verses. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed, Isaiah 6:9-10.

"They shall no more hear with their ears, the warnings and instructions that are given them, nor understand with their heart, the things that belong to their peace, so as to be converted from the error of their ways, and thus be healed."Note,

1.        The conversion of sinners is the healing of them.

2.      A right understanding is necessary to conversion.

3.      God sometimes, in a way of righteous judgment, gives men up to blindness of mind and strong delusions, because they would not receive the truth in the love of it, 2 Th. 2:10,12. He that is filthy let him be filthy still.

4.      Even the Word of God oft times provides a means of hardening sinners hearts. The evangelical prophet himself makes the heart of this people fat, not only as he foretells it, passing this sentence upon them in God's name, and seals them under it. Preaching had a tendency to rock some to sleep.-- Matthew Henry

Fundamental preaching can be a disaster to the unsaved, in that they hear and hear, but do not respond. Likewise, people who are depending on their baptism, or church membership, or faithful attendance without the witness of the Holy Spirit in their lives is also a disaster.

Reference verses:
Matthew 13: 14-17. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

011004rjs

January 11

Reigning in Righteousness and Mercy

Isaiah 16

As you read the Gospel record, you find that the spiritual leaders in Jerusalem know the place of Jesus' birth. As the wise men come to see Jesus, the scribes tell King Herod that it was in Bethlehem. It seems, from this account, that though they know the place, they don't take this event seriously. They would have, had they known that the Bible not only speaks of the place, but the time.

Some believe that there will be 7000 years of human history. This 7000 years reflect the 7-day week of creation. On the seventh day, God rested, and the last thousand years of human history involve the kingdom age. In Hosea 6:2 we read, after two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. In this seven thousand year model, the two days would be the present church age and the time when Israel lives in God's sight would be the kingdom.

We need to appreciate that the Bible is full of prophecies concerning the Messiah. Some have been fulfilled and some have not. Furthermore, in some cases the fulfillment is much easier to understand after the fact. In others, the prophecy and its fulfillment are easy to identify. This is the case when it comes to our Lord's birth in Bethlehem.

We also need to appreciate that things are not coming to pass by chance or at random. The timing is perfect. In Galatians 4:4 we read, but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son... Then in Ecclesiastes 3:1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. If our hearts are in tune with God, we should have some idea of the times and seasons. We find that references to our Lord's coming again are that of a thief in the night. The people of this world will be as unprepared for His coming as they were for the flood. However, the same does not apply to those whose hearts are in tune with God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:4 we read, ...ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. If we are spiritually minded, we ought to have some knowledge of what God is doing and some knowledge of the timing.

Reference verses:
Isaiah 16
1. Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
2. For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
3. Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
4. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
5. And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
6. We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.
7. Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
8. For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.
9. Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
10. And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
11. Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.
12. And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.
13. This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
14. But now the Lord hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.

011104dw

January 12

A Stone of Zion

OT Isaiah 28:16,  NT Romans 9:33

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. This is an interesting passage that gives us clear details as to who Jesus Christ is as the Savior of the World. Through Jesus, God has long ago identified through prophesy the chosen ones. Israel is the chosen nation and people of God who had been chosen to be God's witnesses to carry the message of salvation to the world. However, Israel failed to obey and so God had to use other "chosen ones", as well.

The chosen people of God are from other nations, too. Hosea prophesied of the gentiles in 2:23, And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. The chosen are also the small remnant of Israel. Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant... Romans 11:1,4 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

The chosen are the pursuers of righteousness by faith. They are not the pursuers of righteousness by the works of the law. Titus 3:5,  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;   The chosen are not those who stumble over the stone, Jesus Christ, Himself. 1 Peter 2:7, 8 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, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  The chosen are those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. Say, who is Christ to you?! Is He your Savior and your Cornerstone?!

Reference verses:
Romans 9:33. As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

011204dm

Tuesday, January 13

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Isaiah 32:1,  Luke 1:32,  Revelation 19:16, 20:6

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16 Jesus Christ is in this context Jehovah Sabaoth. He comes with the angelic armies and the saints who were raptured, (caught up) 7 years earlier. We have enjoyed the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. The vultures, eagles and other carrion birds of the world gather to the feast of the dead armies that have come up against Israel and are totally destroyed. This supernatural destruction of Israel's enemies is brought about with a word spoken by the Lord Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The written Word, the Bible is a sword that separates the soul and spirit and joints and marrow. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Hebrews 4:12. So the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ speaks and it is consummated by His word.

Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment, Isaiah 32:1. What a difference between the above verse and what is recorded in I Samuel 8:6-7. In I Samuel, the people rejected a Theocracy, that is God ruling, for a monarchy where a human king rules the people, taxing them and conscripting the youth into his army. King Jesus will be different than any former earthly ruling monarch.

Reference verses:
I Samuel 8:6-7. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.
7. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Isaiah 32:1. Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

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:

Revelation 20:6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

011304rjs  

January 14

Jehovah Is a Great King

Isaiah 33:20-24

Our text speaks of the Messiah in terms of greatness. Isaiah 33:22.

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. This is similar to the language used by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:32. In this verse, Gabriel says, 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...  

David ruled on the throne of Israel. I believe that the day is coming when Jesus will come again and will rule on the throne of David. Men like Clarence Larkin predicted the restoration of national Israel in the early 1900s, because of the teaching of Bible prophecy. The national restoration of Israel is a miracle of modern times. Since the Babylonian captivity, the city of Jerusalem was subject to Gentile control. After the Babylonian captivity, the nation never reestablished their king. The day is coming when this will change. Jesus said, (Luke 21:24) ... Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. When this takes place God will restore the kingdom to Israel with the person of Jesus Christ. While Jesus was on this earth, He never served as a Lawgiver, Judge and King.

His greatness was primarily moral and spiritual. Israel rejected Him as their king. When he comes again, Jesus will come as Israel's King. A study of the Bible reveals that all the prophecies concerning Jesus' first coming literally happened. The same will be true of all the prophecies concerning His Second Coming. God's power is not limited to eternity. As we find in the book of Daniel, God's kingdom will absorb all the kingdoms of this world. The blessing God promised to Abraham happened as the nation of Israel came into existence at Mt. Sinai, but the blessing will not be complete until the kingdom extends to include all the people of this earth. Jesus Christ is Jehovah God and Jehovah God is our King and Savior according to our text. Only the Son of God could accomplish such blessing on this earth. As we read in Luke's Gospel, this great King is called the Son of the highest. All who believe will share in this glory and blessing. Romans 8:17 ... if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Reference verses:
Isaiah 33:20-24. Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.
21. But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
22. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.
23. Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
24. And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

011404dw

January 15

Healing for the Needy

OT Isaiah 35:4-10,  NT Matthew 9:30

In our physical lives, we usually see things from a physical perspective, but in our study today, we want to take a look at the more important aspect, the aspect of the spiritual side of life. God is always trying to get folks to seek Him above all else. We see in our text from Matthew that there were certain blind men who realized that Jesus did have the power to heal their physical blindness and in fact, Jesus also had the power to heal them and any person who would turn from their sin and believe unto eternal salvation.

The very first step was that they acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior of the world! They called Him the Son of David. They were blind. They could only hear. Folks, the lost are spiritually blind and they cannot see, but they can hear. Hearing the Gospel is the only hope for the lost. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. When they heard Jesus, they cried out for mercy. Think about it. God is rich in mercy! They fought their way to Jesus. They persisted and went after Him. These are important lessons for us. These blind men persisted and kept after Jesus. They did not give up. Persistence is a true cry for help. How do we respond to people who cry out for help to us? Jesus gave us the example of ministering and placing others needs ahead of our own. Then, we see that these blind men helped each other to get to Jesus. Believers too, with common needs, can help each other reach Jesus. Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jesus' response was compassionate. There was no mistake that He was ready to help. He asked them a simple question. "'Do you believe that I am able to do this?" There are many who do not believe at all. There are some who doubt, who ignore, and who could care less. There are some who may follow Jesus and ask for mercy, but never commit their lives to Christ. These people are just professors of faith, but they have never trusted Christ with their lives and have never known Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If you are reading this today, what kind of person are you? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? Are you living a life of repentance, obedience and submission? Salvation is only through repentance and submission to Christ! Won't you turn to Him today?!

Reference verses:
OT Isaiah 35:4-10. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
5. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
7. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
8. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
9. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
10. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
NT Matthew 9:30. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

011504dm

January 16

The Shepherd Dies for His Sheep

Isaiah 40:10-11, John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 2:24-25

This writer candidated at a church, some years ago, where he was informed that the Pastor should not be paid more than a sheepherder working out in the field with his sheep. The more I thought on the above the more I was convinced that I could not accept a call to that church if they extended one to me. I sat down on the following Monday morning and wrote them a long letter telling them why I would not accept a call, if one were extended. I informed them that a minister was called to teach the Scriptures and lead as many as would follow into everlasting life through Jesus Christ. The sheepherder is hired to feed the flock and get them ready for slaughter. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young, Isa. 40:11. 

A few months later I was invited to that church to sit on an ordination counsel for the new pastor. I went there with fear and trepidation not knowing how they had responded to my letter. Much to my surprise several of the deacons came to me and thanked me for the letter. It opened their eyes as to the responsibilities and duties of a pastor. And they were now giving the new pastor a much better income than his predecessors.

Now we see the Good Shepherd about to become the Slaughtered One for His sheep. Who his own self, bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls, I Peter 2:24-25. These verses tell why God so loved the human race that He gave His Son to become our Sacrifice for sin and give us eternal life. The whole human family is as a flock of sheep without a shepherd and each one going in a different direction. So many are thinking I can work my way to heaven. Others are thinking there is no hell and a loving God would not send anyone to hell. They are right; He won't send them to hell. They will go there because they reject His Substitute!

Reference verses:
Isaiah 40:10-11. Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
John 10:11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Hebrews 13:20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

011604rjs

January 17

Rejected by His People

Isaiah 42:1-7

Some of the saddest words we read in the Bible are found in John 1:11. Here we read that Jesus ...came unto his own, and his own received him not. This is an interesting text. The relative pronoun, which is translated own, is neuter gender. Jesus came unto His own things. He was the Creator of all that we know. The second relative pronoun, which is translated own, is masculine. He came to His own people and they rejected Him.

We read about this rejection as the crucifixion in Isaiah 53. The text in Isaiah 53:4 is paraphrased in Luke 8:17 and applied to Jesus Christ. The nation Israel, through her leaders, rejected Jesus and condemned Him to death on the cross. The prophets had foretold all this. The references in the Bible to the Messiah being a great King and a suffering Servant confused people. They did not realize that the Messiah would come to this earth two different times. Israel rejected Jesus at His first coming, but they will receive Him at His Second Coming.

I have mentioned that there is a maturing process going on for the race of humanity, but there is also a maturing process going on for God's people. We start out much like the apostles, ignorant of spiritual truth and full of self-seeking, but the cross leads to the crown. Man in sin rejected Jesus and this will ultimately lead to the deepest suffering for Israel. In this dark hour, Israel will take hold of faith in Christ. In like manner, we must also reject our sinful flesh by dying to self. It is only when we learn this; we will find the blessings of Christ's spiritual kingdom. When we do this, we will experience genuine suffering for Christ's sake. I fear much of what people mistake for the suffering of Christ is only suffering for our own foolish pride. It is even as much of the suffering of Israel is often a matter of foolish pride rather than suffering for righteousness sake.

Truth and error are in conflict. Without rejection of self and living to righteousness, we will not come into conflict with error. When we allow Jesus Christ to shine through our hearts, we will suffer for Christ's sake. This world does not love truth and righteousness. They love the pleasures of sin and self. 

Reference verses:
Isaiah 42
1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5. Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6. I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Isaiah 53
1. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
2. For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
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.
7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Luke 8: 17. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

011704dw

January 18

Deliverer out of Zion

OT Isaiah 59:16-20, NT Romans 11:26-27

Through continued disobedience and rejection of the Savior, Israel lost her privilege to be the nation that God would use to bring the Gospel message to the world. Can we just think for a moment at the loss that she suffered? If God were to give you or I this glorious responsibility, what would we do with it? Interestingly, God has done exactly that! He had to take away the responsibility of the Gospel message from Israel, and He, in turn, gave it to the Gentiles. We have been commanded to go and make disciples, that we shall be witnesses and yet, sadly, most folks could care less. The gentile church today and most professing Christians are in the same boat as Israel was and we, too, will suffer loss of responsibility and reward from lack of obedience to the call of God.

In both texts today, we see that God promises to bring back spiritual restoration to all of Israel as they are His chosen people. There is and has always been a remnant in the nation of Israel and when the fullness of the Gentiles has come, the Deliverer will come out of Zion because God always keeps His promises! The Deliverer is Jesus Christ. Zion references the Millennial reign after the great tribulation. There will be a great many Jews who will turn to Christ. That is why verse 26 of Romans is so important. This does not mean that every person will be saved as God still allows individual choice and responsibility. It does mean that the nation of Israel, itself, will not be spiritually restrained and blinded by God as they had been and that there will be a great many who do turn to Christ as their Redeemer and Savior.

God will extend His grace to unbelieving Israel, just as He did to unbelieving Gentiles. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Salvation, whether if be of the Jews or of the Gentiles, always flows from God's mercy. 1 Timothy 1:12-14 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

"Heavenly Father, we humbly bow before You and ask Your forgiveness of our failings to obey. Guide us in Your Truth."

Reference verses:
Isaiah 59: 16-20. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
18. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
19. So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
20. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
Romans 11:26-27. 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:
27. For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

011804dm

January 19

The King is Coming

Isaiah 62:11, Matthew 21:5,  Revelation 19:16

Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.  ¹²And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken, Isaiah 62:11-12. The above prophecy is directed toward Israel and the restoration of the nation after the tribulation and as they enter the millennial age. However, it also includes the New Testament saints when they return with the King to reign with Him for a thousand years. The prophecy was partially fulfilled in Matthew 21:5, where we read of the King presenting himself to the multitude in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, on what we now know as Palm Sunday. Jesus was recognized by the multitude as their King, and less than forty-eight hours later the same crowd rejected Him and called for His crucifixion. This total rejection of their King led to the destruction of Jerusalem and their sacred Temple in a short 40 years, which is the number of probation, testing and trial. 

"Forty centuries after Adam, came the fullness of time. The human race had been tested. Mankind had failed. God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, under the law that we might be adopted into His family. God's Son was from eternity. We are children of time. Jesus was the official Delegate from the counsels of eternity. The Omnipotent One came down to the impotent ones."-- Biblical Hermeneutics by J. Edwin Hartell

In Revelation 19, we have the destruction of the armies that came up against Israel under the leadership of the antichrist and the false prophet. These two world leaders are cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever and ever, and the armies of the world are completely destroyed by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 20 tells us of the chaining of Satan by the angel that came down from heaven and cast Satan into the bottomless pit. Finally, the King of Kings' millennial reign on the earth and that we shall reign with Him.

Reference verses:
Matthew 21:5. Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
Revelation 19
1. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
2. For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
3. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
4. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
5. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
10. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Revelation 20
1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

011904rjs

January 20

Our Inheritance

Isaiah 65:8-10

This text, in Isaiah, speaks of an inheritance for God's chosen. This text indicates that had not God determined to save a remnant, none would find salvation. In 1 Peter 4:18  we read, if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? The word translated "scarcely" here, has the idea of something very rare or difficult. The salvation of one person is something that is not easy for God. The nature of sin is so evil that it is hard for God in His omniscience and omnipotence to win our hearts to repentance and faith. Even the very best of us resist coming to the truth and righteousness. We resist seeing our sin and opening our hearts to the power of God's transforming grace.

It is interesting to note that what we lost in the fall is not even worthy to be compared to what is ours in Christ. According to God's Word, God made mankind on a lower order than the angels. However, the redeemed will be recreated in Christ on a higher order than the angels were created. One the consequences of being in Adam is that all are born with a fallen nature. This seems unfair. However, one of the great blessings of being in Christ is that we will find all the blessing of He who is Lord of all. In Romans 8:17 we read where we are ... heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Christ is the heir of all things. In Hebrews 1:2 we read where God appointed Jesus heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds... Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. How can Christ and we have all things? In a family, what the father owns, the son owns, all who are in the family own. In our Lord's parable of the prodigal son, the father tells the older brother, Luke 15:31 ... Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. In order for Jesus to redeem us, we were united with Him. When He died, we died. His death met the just penalty for sin. In Romans 6:23 we read   ... the wages of sin is death ... The contrast in this verse is not physical life and eternal life, but eternal death and eternal life. Jesus being God provided a death that was eternal in quality. He paid the penalty for sin. In Christ, we are partakers of His righteousness. Some wonder if they will ever be good enough for heaven. They have no assurance. All those in Christ are good enough for heaven. Are you in Christ?

Reference verses:
Isaiah 65:8-10. Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
9. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
10. And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

012004dw

January 21

The Lord Our Righteousness

OT Jeremiah 23:5-6,  NT John 2:19-21

In spiritual things, people who are religionists, who are only professors, those who have not been made alive in Christ, do not and can not see who Jesus Christ really is. The title, "The Lord Our Righteousness" is Jesus Christ, and yet the religious leaders did not recognize Him as God, the Son. They questioned His authority. Jesus had made claim that the temple was His Father's. They knew very well that Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah and so they wanted some proof. Is not that the way of unbelieving people? They want some physical proof. That was their way then and that is the same today as many people question their God given authority of parents and pastors about spiritual things. They rebelliously question parents and pastors by foolishly saying, "prove it to me," as if they would believe it then, somehow. They cannot believe the basic and elementary commands and principles of God's Word as they have not been regenerated spiritually and they have not and will not submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Jesus, then, gave them their answer by saying that He would raise a new temple in 3 days, and sure enough, they did not believe Him. Instead, they scoffed at Him and mocked Him. Jesus, however, was speaking of His own body, symbolically of His death, burial, and resurrection. The Jewish leaders showed their spiritual blindness and attachment to a materialistic world, but Jesus' objective was achieved as the disciples believed the Scriptures which had been predicted of the coming and resurrection of the Messiah. As true believers then, we ought to not only believe God, but we ought to fall on our faces in utter reverence to God as our Creator and Savior. Psalm 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. When we sinners begin to dwell on "The Lord Our Righteousness", we realize we are totally unworthy, but we are thankful for His mercy and His grace. May we be encouraged today to believe on and always reverence the Holy name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

"Gracious God and Savior, we praise You for Your great mercy!"

Reference verses:
OT Jeremiah 23:5-6 –Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
NT John 2:19-21Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21. But he spake of the temple of his body.

012104dm

January 22

A New Covenant

Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:8

God made seven covenants with the human race and Israel:

1) Edenic, Gen. 1:28;

2) Adamic, Gen. 3:15;

3) Noahic, Gen. 9:1;

4) Abrahamic Gen. 12:1-3,

5) Mosiac, Ex. 19:25;

6) Palestinian, Deut 30:3;

7) Davidic, 2 Sam. 7:16; and

8) New, Heb. 8:8.

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But 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. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more, Jeremiah 31:31-34. This great prophecy is fulfilled in Hebrews 8:8, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. The beauty of this promise, it is also a promise to the Gentiles. All born again believers in Christ, share in this covenant. Every time we sit at the communion table and partake of the elements, we are acknowledging that we are a part of this new covenant, I Corinthians 11:25. The King James translation calls it a new testament, but the best rendering of the Greek word (diatheke) is "covenant." All the covenants were direct from God, however, some were conditional Edenic, Mosiac, and Palestinian. The other five were unconditional, that means; these covenants were made by the LORD and it was His responsibility to see that these were fulfilled without our help. The first seven covenants were earthy in that they were fulfilled here on earth. The New Covenant is different in that it extends beyond time and includes the new heaven and new earth and into eternity.

Reference verses:
1) Edenic, Gen. 1:28; And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
2) Adamic, Gen. 3:15; And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
3) Noahic, Gen. 9:1; And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
4) Abrahamic Gen. 12:1-3, Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
5) Mosiac, Ex. 19:25; So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.
6) Palestinian, Deut 30:3; That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.
7) Davidic, 2 Sam. 7:16; And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
8) New, Heb. 8:8. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
I Corinthians 11:25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

012204rjs

January 23

The Meekness of Christ

Ezekiel 21: 24-27

It is impossible to study the life of Jesus Christ and not understand His great humility. Jesus said, Matthew 11:29 ... I am meek and lowly in heart ... One simply cannot have greatness without humility. The flesh would lead us to believe that if we don't manifest a certain professional distance and air, we will not be respected. Nothing could be further from the truth. There cannot be respect without love. Where there is love, there cannot be distance and some superior air.

This distance and air breed fear. Perfect love casts out fear. Sadly, there are those who would take the leadership principle of this world and bring it into the church. When they do so, the spiritual life goes out of the church. To have a church, Jesus Christ must be the Head, and where things move with pride and fear, it is impossible that Jesus be the Head. Sadly, there are many examples of this kind of thing in what we might judge to be among the best spiritual organizations. What we need to appreciate is that all such judgments are wrong.

The Antichrist will be that self-willed wicked prince referred to in our text. When his day comes, God will take the kingdoms of this world from him and give them to Jesus Christ. In like manner, all that would seek to exult themselves will come to find shame. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. The destiny of all those in stubbornness and pride that resist the truth is eternal shame. I can't imagine anything which could be any worse. Shame is a terrible thing especially when we deserve it. We deserve shame when we refuse to humble ourselves before God and the truth. Jesus demonstrated perfect humility. We read the story of perfect humility in Philippians 2:5-8 5. Here we read, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  It is impossible to follow the path of Christ without demonstrating humility. Whenever we evaluate ourselves spiritually, we need to focus on humility. Without this we will only come to find shame.

Reference verses:
Ezekiel 21: 24-27 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.
25. And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,
26. Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.
27. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.

012304dw

January 24

Stone Cut without Hands

OT Daniel 2:34-35, NT Acts 4:10-12

The book of Acts is an amazing account of the Holy Spirit at work in people's lives. We see the disciples, who had been empowered by the Holy Spirit to boldly speak forth the Gospel message to people. Our NT text starts today with Peter who was filled by the Holy Spirit in verse 8. He boldly proclaims to the rulers of the people and the elders of Israel that it was them who crucified Jesus Christ of Nazareth and that God has raised Him from the dead. Then we see something even more important. Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Peter has now proclaimed that salvation is in Jesus Christ and to drive the point home, he used the declaration of prophetic Scripture. The Truth will always stand! Jesus Christ is the Head; the Chief Cornerstone of God's building. It was God who gave man the Head Cornerstone for His building and for the life that He wanted man to build. But men set the stone "at nought" and counted it as no good, unacceptable, of no account, of no worth.

But God took His Stone, despite man's rejection, and still made Jesus the Head of the corner of the spiritual house. It is God who has exalted Jesus Christ and made Him the Head of life. 1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. It is Jesus Christ alone who saves, there is no other Head, no other name under heaven, Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. No teacher is capable enough, no prophet is noble enough, no minister is good enough to save himself, much less any one else. It is God"s Head, Jesus Christ, which God uses to save mankind. 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Say, do you know the Head of Eternal life, the Cornerstone of the Spiritual house as your Savior? Have you repented of your sin? Is there clear evidence in your life of a changed heart? If not, why not submit your heart and life to Jesus Christ the builder today!

"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ our Savior! Amen."

Reference verses:
OT Daniel 2:34-35 –Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
35. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
NT Acts 4:10-12 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

012404dm

January 25

Christ's Kingdom Triumphant

Daniel 2:44-45, Luke 1:33, I Cor. 15:24, Rev. 11:15

Daniel is in the process of interpreting the dream that had kept King Nebuchadnezzar without sleep most of the night in fear and trembling. It would be good if you would read the context both before and after these verses and get the setting of the dream and its interpretation. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever,  Daniel 2:44.

In Luke 1:33, we have lifted another verse out of its context, and here we are reading part of the narration the angel gave to Mary And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end, Luke 1:33. As he was announcing to Mary that she was to bring forth a Son whom she shall name Jesus. Daniel's prophecy is to be fulfilled in the Man Jesus Christ, the Son of Mary.

The Apostle John further enlarges upon the great coming King who will rule the world in righteousness and integrity for ages without end. Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Remember, John was carried up into heaven to see things that were to come, Rev. 4:1. The whole Book of Revelation is divided into three divisions which are as follows:

1) Which thou hast seen,

2) the things which are,

3) and the things shall be hereafter.

These three short phrases are the complete outline of the book. All other outlines are man made and only an enlargement on these three. Most pre-tribulation and pre-millennial teachers agree that the Church is pictured along with John as being lifted from this world along with John. In other words, we will not partake in "Jacob's Troubles," but will be caught away from the tribulation that is to come upon Israel and the unsaved world. This is the teaching of this writer, and guarantees all believers that they will not be part of the horror that will engulf the world under the anti-christ. 

Reference verses:
Daniel 2:44-45. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
45. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
I Cor. 15:24. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

012504rjs

January 26

The Spirit of Christ

Joel 2:28-32

Before the political restoration of Israel, there must be a spiritual renewal. In our text, the pouring out of the Spirit of God brings in this renewal. When we open our hearts to God, we repent of sin and turn to Christ in faith. At this point, we are born of the Spirit and the Spirit of Christ comes to dwell in our hearts forevermore.

The former rain occurred on the day of Pentecost. This is identified by the apostle Peter in Acts 2:16-19. Here Peter says, ... this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams... On the day of Pentecost, verse 19 was not fulfilled. Acts 2:19 ... I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke... This is an example of a double reference prophecy. At the end of the age, verse 19 will happen in close proximity to an outpouring of the Spirit.

Some believe the renewal of the apostolic sign gifts at the turn of the century was this latter rain. If we try the spirits, we find that the lack of righteousness we find today, reveals that most which passes for the manifestation of the spirit today is apostasy and not this latter rain. Matthew 24:24 ... there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

This deception is the spirit of Antichrist, and the mystery of iniquity. This deception will culminate in Israel receiving the Antichrist. John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. The same self-willed leadership that will characterize the Antichrist is manifest in the lives of many church leaders today. The mystery of godliness is Jesus manifest in the flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16 ... without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh... The spirit of iniquity is a man possessed of the devil himself. 2 Thessalonians 2:7, 8... the mystery of iniquity doth already work ... then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming. Today we are moving toward this great event.

Reference verses:
Joel 2:28-32 And it shall come to pass afterward, 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.

012604dw

January 27

A Holy Priesthood

OT Zechariah 6:12-13, NT Ephesians 2:19-22

Zechariah 6:12-13 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:  13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. Jesus Christ is that Faithful High Priest for the priesthood.

Folks like pictures as it helps them relate to the message. God gives us some clear pictures in Ephesians of the church and Jesus Christ as the builder. Let's take a look. First, we see the picture of a new nation in verse 19. We, as saved Gentiles, are no longer strangers and foreigners to God. We have become fellow citizens in a nation being created by God. Then, God pictures the church (priesthood) as the family of God. It is Jesus Christ who has brought us into the family and we have the privilege of adoption, and of responsibility and of service. Every person who lives in this household has duties to perform. That's why it's hard to understand folks who profess Christianity, but who do nothing in service for God. They really are not Christians.

Then, we see a third picture of the church as God's building, with Jesus Christ, Himself, as the Chief Cornerstone. The Cornerstone is the first one laid and all others are laid after it. Christ is the Author of Salvation, and all others are the readers of it. Christ is the beginning and the end, all others come after Him. Christ is the forerunner into the presence of God and all others enter after Him. 1 Peter 2:6-8 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 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, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  Is Jesus your cornerstone or are you being confounded, rejected and disallowed? For true repentant believers as the priesthood, Christ is precious and is our Faithful High Priest! Amen!

Reference verses:
Ephesians 2:19-22. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

012704dm

January 28

The Heavenly High Priest

Zechariah 6:12-13, Hebrews 4:4, 8:1-2

The only difference between the Tabernacle and the Temple was the size of the structure. The tabernacle was a tent and second made of wood and stone. The Tabernacle was built after the pattern given by God to Moses when he was in the mountain as recorded in Ex. 25:9, and following. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. Also, according to God's commandments Aaron was to be the first High Priest, and the line of succession was to be from his family and always of the tribe of Levi. These were all earthly high priests and their line of succession ended with the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D.  We are now referring to a different High Priest, and He is from the line of Judah and is the Lord Jesus Christ. Zechariah 6:12,13 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. Our Saviour is the only Person who can be Prophet, Priest and King. These are His three offices and He fulfills them in past, present and future.

The picture changes and we are no longer thinking of the tabernacle on the earth, but the tabernacle that is in heaven. Hebrews 8:1-2, Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; ²A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. Hebrews gives us a picture of the heavenly Tabernacle and the High Priest that makes intercession for us before the throne of Grace. Under the old economy, the Jews had to go once a year, on the Day of Atonement, and their past sins were forgiven. Under the new economy, we can go at the very moment the sin is committed and ask forgiveness because His shed blood is there for the remission of our sins. Praise the Lord! 

Reference verses:
Hebrews 4:4. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

012804rjs

January 29

The Light

Malachi 4:1-3

Our text describes Jesus as the Sun of righteousness. This is because He is moral and spiritual light. The light is as a fire. It will consume the wicked. In Malachi 4:1 we read, ... the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. The day is quickly coming when the wicked will come to a complete and final end.

Apart from faith, there is no salvation. Somehow, we must learn to love the truth before there is hope of salvation. What is right is in our interest. However, if we see that we can choose good for the wrong reason. Faith insures that we receive truth for the right reason. John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. Every one that lives sees the light. John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. People in this world are not blind and in darkness because they cannot see. They are blind and in darkness because they will not see. John 3:19 ... this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  Damnation is a matter of loving the pleasures of sin more than truth and righteousness. God will forever remove all who choose this path.

Jesus Christ is the Light of this world. Luke 1:78,79... Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,   79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Those in sin are at war with God, others, and their own conscience. It is only when we come to love the Light that we will find peace of heart and soul. Those with sinful hearts experience frustration, hate and deep covetous desire. Those with righteous hearts experience love, joy and peace. We live in a world given to evil. In such a world, it is easy to give way to evil. Jesus Christ did not give way to evil; because He was pure goodness, we can see light. However, it is one thing to see light and another to love it. If we don't love God's Word, God's people and righteousness, we have not come to love light.

Malachi 4
1. For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2. But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
4. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
6. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

012904dw

January 30

Earth Filled with the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord

OT Habakkuk 2:14,  NT Revelation 21:23-26

Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.  Did you ever wonder how some people would ever be able to hear of the Word of God and good news of the Gospel message? If we really stopped to think about it the answers are really quite easy. Paul says in Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. If it is the power of God unto salvation then we will understand that God will make sure that all people everywhere will have every opportunity to hear the saving message of Jesus Christ, even that the Earth would be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord.

May all people everywhere come to realize as the Psalmist, David declared, Psalm 19:1-14 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,  5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. 

Reference verses:
OT Habakkuk 2:14. For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
NT Revelation 21:23-26. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

013004dm

January 31

Restoration of the Temple

Amos 9:11-12, Acts 15:16-18

In the two passages we are looking at today, we see the prophecy fulfilled regarding the restoration of the Temple. 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:  ¹²That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this, Amos 9:11-12. "In that Day" refers to the millennium, when Messiah comes to restore the Kingdom and throne of David, and to reign forever over the house of David. "In that Day" is found 50 times in the Book of Isaiah and 5 times in Amos. When three simple words are used so often, it informs us that we should heed them and see how they relate to both Jews and Gentiles. We also need to note that Edom is mentioned in the above verses and that is the land wherein we find the city of Petra, the City that is half as old as time. It is believed by most students of Jewish prophecy that Patra is the city where a remnant of the tribulation Jews will be protected in the last seven and one half years. God will rebuild the nation of Israel and prepare them to receive their Messiah.

In Acts 15:16-18, we have more information regarding this great event of the future. After this (the completion of the church age and the rapture of the church) I (Christ) will return, and will build (restore the Jewish nation and restore them to the whole land, promised to Abraham, from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates River)  again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; (destroyed in 70 A. D.) and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men (all the nations that survive the tribulation and continue to live in the millennium)  might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles (nations) upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.  Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. The last sentence above tells us that God knows all things from the beginning to the end, and controls all the universes, as well as, the events here on earth. What a mighty God and Saviour we have! Let us thank Him for all the knowledge He gives us to see the future events.

Reference verses:
Amos 9:11-12. 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.
Acts 15: 16-18. After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

013104rjs