Month: November 2015

Return, LORD! #2

Friday, November 20, 2015

“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:35,36 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

God was not at all surprised when Israel conspired with Rome to sentence Jesus Christ to death. The Holy Spirit had written in Psalm 2 nearly 10 centuries prior: “[1] Why do the heathen [Gentiles] rage, and the people [Israel] imagine a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth [Gentiles] set themselves, and the rulers [Israel] take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed [“Christ” Jesus], saying, [3] Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. [4] He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them [Gentile and Jew] in derision. [5] Then shall he speak unto them [Gentile and Jew] in his wrath, and vex them [Gentile and Jew] in his sore displeasure.”

The Old Testament provides various previews of Jesus Christ’s Second Coming in wrath (cf. today’s Scripture). Amos chapters 1 and 2 identify the “flight path” the Lord Jesus Christ will take once He leaves the third heaven, His return “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). He will enter Earth’s atmosphere in Damascus, Syria, along the eastern Mediterranean shore. Flying southward, He visits (Gentile) Gaza and Edom. Turning northward on the Sinai Peninsula, He sends fire also into the land of the Ammonites, and Moab. Finally, flying westward, He crosses the Jordan River, reaching Palestine, judging the Jews—Judah (southern kingdom) and Israel (northern kingdom). Judgment not only falls on the Gentiles, but also on Israel.

Zechariah 14:4 says Jesus Christ lands and stands on the Mount of Olives, exactly where He left Earth some 2,000 years earlier (Acts 1:11,12). He and His angelic armies defeat the Antichrist and his armies (Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 14:1-3,11,12), and all lost Jews (Zechariah 13:8,9), allowing only the Little Flock (Israel’s believing remnant) to enter His earthly kingdom. The King has “returned” to Israel!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Have we been ‘grafted into Israel?’”

Return, LORD! #1

Thursday, November 19, 2015

“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:35,36 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

The Berean Bible student understands “rise up” is an imprecation for JEHOVAH God to enter the Promised Land and thoroughly cleanse it of all its ungodly inhabitants. In Moses’ day, it was the pagan Gentiles, whose horrific lifestyles are described in Leviticus chapter 18. The LORD’S purpose in forming Israel was to put her, His nation, in that Holy Land, that they do His will and not follow their pagan neighbors (note especially Leviticus 18:24-30).

Yet, Israel repeatedly ignored God’s warnings to remain separate. She joined those false religions, becoming so polluted with erroneous thinking that she sided with the Gentiles against the LORD! By the time Jesus Christ came, He called them “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24). They were so far gone, unable to be His kingdom of priests. Actually, Jesus declared point-blank in John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil!”

Our completed Bible canon provides the full layout. Moses’ words in today’s Scripture not only apply to idolatrous Gentiles, but in the future, it will also be true of idol-worshipping Jews. Whether Jew or Gentile, all idolaters hate Jesus Christ. As Peter forewarned in Acts 3:19-23 (cf. Moses’ warning in Deuteronomy 18:18,19), Jews who refused to hear Jesus Christ’s words will be “destroyed from among the people.”

The Prophet Zephaniah foretold 600 B.C.: “[1:18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. [2:1] Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation [Israel] not desired; [2:2] Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you.”

Now, the LORD will “return” to Israel!

Rise Up, LORD! #6

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:35,36 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

In Acts chapter 7, a window into the third heaven was opened, and Stephen, standing on Earth, saw Jesus finally standing at His Father’s right hand. When Stephen told Israel what he saw, they recalled their Old Testament prophecies and were convicted. Remembering the closing warning of Peter’s sermon on Pentecost just a year earlier (Acts 2:33-40), these lost Jews knew God’s judgment against their persistent unbelief was coming.

Today, 2000 years later, strangely, we can declare that wrath never came. Not because God was bluffing, but because He interrupted that prophetic program and introduced our mystery program. God wanted to demonstrate His wisdom. While Israel was uncooperative with Him in reaching the lost and dying Gentiles, He would still reach them without Israel. He would save and use one of Stephen’s murderers, Saul of Tarsus, commissioning him as the Apostle Paul of the Gentiles. Jesus Christ did return, but not in wrath. He returned in grace, mercy, peace, and love to save Paul (1 Timothy 1:13-16). (But, that, friends is another marvelous story we must forgo here!)

Had Israel entered the Promised Land under Moses in faith, Jesus Christ would have come to reign over them (note Exodus 15:17,18). Alas, they did not and He did not. How Israel saw JEHOVAH God cleansing His land of pagans so they (His people) could enter in, they were getting a glimpse of JEHOVAH God coming to finish the job at Christ’s Second Coming. Except, at the Second Coming, not only will that wrath be directed toward lost Gentiles, but also toward lost Israel. Only redeemed Israel—her Little Flock—will go into the land. The descendants of Abraham who reject Jesus Christ, they are His enemies, and have nowhere to go but to God’s punishment against their sin, eternal hellfire.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did Cornelius have to hear Peter’s preaching?”

Rise Up, LORD! #5

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:35,36 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

Stephen, in Acts chapter 7, one year after Calvary and Pentecost, preached to Israel’s unbelieving leadership: “[51] Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [52] Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: [53] Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. [54] When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. [55] But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. [57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, [58] And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”

Sadly, many preachers and commentators have poorly handled verses 55 and 56. Why was Jesus standing? Was it to receive Stephen into heaven? (Ridiculous!) The Bible says He was standing to pour out His wrath on unbelieving Israel! Lost Jews knew it, and they, convicted, picked up stones and killed Stephen. The Holy Ghost now rejected, now blasphemed against, Israel has nowhere else to go (Matthew 12:31,32). Jesus Christ was moments away from returning to Earth in Acts chapter 7. He was not only coming to destroy His Gentile enemies in His Promised Land (cf. today’s Scripture), but His Jewish enemies, too (Acts 3:19-23)!

For more information, you can see our study, “Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?”

Rise Up, LORD! #4

Monday, November 16, 2015

“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:35,36 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

Jude, in his tiny Bible book, described a little-known ministry that occurred 2,000 years before Moses: “[14] And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, [15] To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

Over 2,500 years before King David wrote Psalm 68:1 and Psalm 110:1, and 2,000-plus years before Moses spoke today’s Scripture, God’s people already understood Jesus Christ’s Second Coming in wrath. Enoch, who lived merely 500 years after the Creation, and just before the Great Flood, was led by God’s Spirit to speak of a day when the Lord would come with tens of thousands of angelic soldiers. He was coming to judge this world of sinners, this world of people who hated Him and spoke against Him. Obviously, Moses and David received further revelation.

The Spirit of God had also moved David to write in Psalm 2: “[1] Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, [3] Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. [4] He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision. [5] Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”

Psalm 2 set a date for that wrath. It would occur shortly after Calvary (cf. Acts 4:25-28). Hence, Peter preached what he did on Pentecost. Much of Israel ignored the apostles’ preaching, and, in Acts chapter 7, a year after Calvary, Jesus Christ stood up! Israel no doubt knew what was just moments away!

Rise Up, LORD! #3

Sunday, November 15, 2015

“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:35,36 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

Remembering that this passage has a prophetic counterpart to mirror it, we ask, what is the significance of JEHOVAH God “rising?” We know Psalm 68, which parallels Moses’ words, involves Jesus Christ’s Second Coming in wrath. But, in the future, from where exactly will He be “rising?” And why is He “moving from a lower position to a higher one?”

Mark 16:19 says that, after 40 days of post-resurrection ministry, Jesus Christ “was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Psalm 110:1 predicted 1,000 years earlier: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” In His magnificent Pentecost sermon, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter interpreted for us: “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted… For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool” (Acts 2:32-35).

Jesus Christ would sit at His Father’s right hand in heaven temporarily. He would not sit there forever. When it was time for Father God to judge and conquer His enemies, then Jesus Christ would stand. “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him” (Psalm 68:1). In Acts chapter 2, Peter warned unbelieving Israel about that wrath to come—the Man they had rejected and murdered was alive and coming back to deal with them. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (verse 38). That was the only way for Israel to be prepared for her Messiah’s return. Did national Israel hearken to Peter’s words? No, and thus, Jesus Christ stood.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did God give Israel King Saul if Saul was evil?”

Rise Up, LORD! #2

Saturday, November 14, 2015

“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:35,36 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

The Bible always interprets itself. Whenever we find a mysterious verse or passage, we should always consider the context first. Then, we should look for other verses that are worded similarly. Today’s Scripture is about God bringing His nation Israel into His Holy Land, that He make her His kingdom of priests to evangelize the Gentiles (Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:3-6). As the Song of Moses said of Israel just after she crossed the Red Sea: “Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. The LORD shall reign for ever and ever” (Exodus 15:17,18).

As the Ark of the Covenant was carried forward, “Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.” When the Ark was set down, “he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.” In these simple little phrases, God was actually providing highlights of Israel’s future. Every time the camp of the Israelites moved and traveled toward the Promised Land, it was a “dress rehearsal.” That is, there is not only historical significance, but prophetic significance as well.

Today’s Scripture brings Psalm 68 to mind. Echoing Moses centuries earlier, King David wrote in its opening verses: “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.” If you read that psalm in its entirety, you will learn it is Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. He will ride through the heavens and stand on the Earth, just before He establishes His kingdom on the Earth. He has come, that He might utterly destroy His enemies!

Rise Up, LORD! #1

Friday, November 13, 2015

“And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:35,36 KJV).

What does today’s Scripture mean?

Throughout the “Old Testament” Scriptures, the Berean Bible student notices various hints, previews, of things that would occur centuries or millennia later in the “New Testament” Scriptures. Some prophecies are spelled out clearly in words. Others are historical events that typify (mirror) the future. It is thus apparent that one Master Author wrote all 66 Bible books—a mind neither bound by space nor limited by time. He could see the beginning and the end alike. What Revelation would say in culmination many centuries later, Genesis had already laid in foundation many centuries earlier.

Think about today’s Scripture. Moses and Israel are just over one year removed from Egyptian bondage. They are slowly making their way to the Promised Land. Things are about to fall apart, however. We pause in the Bible narrative before things get worse. Picture in your mind over two million individuals and all of their animals making their way northward on the Sinai Peninsula. Leading that massive crowd, we see Jewish priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders. Manifesting Himself in the form of “Shekinah Glory”—a glowing orb of light—JEHOVAH hovers above the lid, the Mercy Seat. Every time the priests pick up that Ark and move northward, the Israelites move camp. JEHOVAH God is leading His people to His land, a glorious land! Abounding with wealth and prosperity, they will dwell in it safely, and become His kingdom of priests. What a hope!

When the priests lifted up the Ark of the Covenant and moved forward, Moses said, “Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.” Why? When the priests put down the Ark, Moses said, “Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.” Why? With the background delineated, now we proceed to delving into the meaning. (Hint: Think prophecy.)

Hope, Joy, and Peace

Thursday, November 12, 2015

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13 KJV).

Life in this world of sin is always unpredictable; Jesus Christ’s faithfulness is always certain!

Dad woke up very early yesterday morning, about 3 a.m., complaining of intense abdominal pain. I drove him and Mom to the hospital emergency room. We discovered his gallbladder was severely inflamed and infected and had to be removed as soon as possible. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed yesterday afternoon, and he is now resting comfortably at the hospital. He has a reputation for being very tenacious, so this should not keep him confined to a sickbed for long. 🙂

Mom and I were concerned throughout those dozen-plus hours waiting at the hospital, but we were not worried about the spiritual aspect. Dad has a testimony of having trusted Jesus Christ alone as his personal Saviour. Father God decided to keep him on Earth for a longer time. Whenever this earthly sojourn concludes, he, like all who have believed and trusted the Gospel of the Grace of God, has the assurance of going to heaven upon physical death. Eternity is already settled for we who have trusted in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins. “To be absent from the body [is] to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). If eternity is already settled, taken care of, we need not be worried about the “light afflictions” of this temporary world.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. [17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

If God can (and did) take care of our biggest problem (eternal damnation in hell), surely, everything else is infinitesimally smaller, and not impossible for Him (or us through Him) to handle! 🙂

The Greatest Veteran

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15 KJV).

Today is Veterans’ Day in the United States, so let us especially thank the “Greatest Veteran of All Time.”

We thank veterans, living and departed, the often-forgotten men and women who risked their lives to secure our freedom. Just as we remember flesh-and-blood veterans who fought for our physical liberty, we reserve our worship and utmost respect for the least esteemed Veteran, He who secured our spiritual liberty.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Through Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary, we have eternal victory over sin, death, hell, and Satan. Everything that God has planned for us is dependent upon Christ’s victory at Calvary.

Jesus Christ nailed the Mosaic Law to His cross (today’s Scripture). His sinless blood covered our failure to obey God’s laws; Jesus’ righteousness annulled our unrighteousness (sin). Christ not only liberated us from sin and its penalty (the everlasting lake of fire), but today’s Scripture affirms He also triumphed over Satan himself!

Christ has “spoiled [destroyed] principalities and powers [Satan’s power], he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it [His cross].” Jesus Christ destroyed Satan’s plans. Through Christ’s cross, God has “delivered us from the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:13), Satan’s evil system of Ephesians 2:1-3.

During a recent cemetery visit, I noticed American flags flying above deceased veterans’ headstones. These individuals can no longer hear or regard our thanks, but Jesus Christ’s body is not decaying in some tomb. If there ever was a Veteran most worthy of our gratitude, it is our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He died in battle, allowing Himself to be executed on a Roman cross of shame and scorn, He resurrected. He is alive and well today, alive forevermore!

Saints, eternity will ring with our thanks to the Veteran worth thanking, the Lord Jesus Christ.

*Adapted from our 2010 Bible study, “The Greatest Hero.” The Bible study video can be viewed here.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How should we cope with the death of a pet?”