Category: Jesus Christ

Me Whom They Have Pierced

Sunday, March 29, 2015

“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10 KJV).

JEHOVAH says, “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced.” What a clear affirmation of the deity of Jesus Christ!

Various and sundry Bible verses can be fulfilled twice—they have a dual application. Moreover, some verses have been completely fulfilled; others have been partly fulfilled (awaiting complete fulfillment). Concerning today’s Scripture, it is fulfilled on two occasions. It was fulfilled 2,000 years ago and it will be fulfilled again in the future. The Prophet Zechariah originally pointed to Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (still future), but the Holy Spirit moved John to use it to refer to His First Advent, too.

“And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced” (John 19:37). Israel looked at Jesus hanging on the cross that Rome had erected to appease them. Revelation 1:7 sees the Second Coming (future), just as Zechariah did in today’s Scripture: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

When Jesus was crucified (John 19:37), He was demonstrated to be the fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10. When He will come again, in wrath to avenge Israel against her (His) enemies, Revelation 1:7, He will again prove Himself to be Israel’s Messiah/Christ, her Deliverer/Saviour, the JEHOVAH of today’s Scripture (no wonder the “Jehovah’s Witness” New World Translation corrupts the verse).

After Jesus resurrected, His body still bore the scars from His crucifixion (John 20:25-27). Israel’s believing remnant will see them when He comes back one day. Zechariah 13:6: “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” They will finally see their mistake in rejecting Him. They will finally receive Him whom they pierced!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Could you explain, ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David?’”

Boasting Excluded

Saturday, March 28, 2015

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27 KJV).

How plain—there is no room in Christ for boasting!

We all have pride (not to mention those “proud to be humble!”). Hence, God wisely planned there would be no such bragging when it comes to the Gospel of Grace. In His grand design of the plan of salvation for this the Dispensation of Grace, He only requires one thing: “[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

“Believing in Jesus,” or trusting in (relying on) Jesus, is the only requirement to have eternal life and go to heaven today. Today’s Scripture: “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” In this Dispensation, there is no physical circumcision, water baptism, Law-keeping, Sabbath-day observance, repentance, or confession of sins, necessary for salvation. The principle today is “of faith,” not “of works.” “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (verse 28).

Thus, not one person can brag, “I out-gave you to get into heaven! I out-prayed you, I out-joined you, I out-attended you, I out-did you, blah, blah, blah.” Either we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, or we have not. Thus, those in Christ are equal (heaven-bound), and those outside of Christ are equal (hell-bound). Those who are in Christ have believed Him equally and are secure in Him equally—there are no “more-saved” or “less-saved” Christians.

Ultimately, not only is boasting excluded, but worry is, too. We did not get into Christ because of our works; thus, we cannot be put out of Christ because of our works. What a marvelous salvation! 🙂

Our Weakness and God’s Strength

Friday, March 27, 2015

“Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake” (John 13:37 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, Peter makes a daring claim, but the Lord knows the frailty of our humanity.

It is not uncommon to exalt Christian leaders as though they were super-humans. No, they do not have sinless lives and “constant faith to move mountains.” Even the Bible characters we love the most, save for the Lord Jesus Christ, they all faltered and stumbled at some point. Peter, the chief of Israel’s apostles, was no exception.

In the Upper Room, just hours before Jesus was betrayed and executed, He told His disciples that He was going away (verse 33). Peter, ignorant of Calvary, and all the events leading up to it, inquires, “Lord, whither goest thou?” Verse 36 continues, “Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.” Today’s Scripture is Peter’s response: “Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.”

Jesus tells Peter, “Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice” (verse 38). And yes, despite Peter’s great efforts to fight off Jesus’ arresters with a sword (John 18:10-11), Peter lost his courage. All the disciples fled, actually (Mark 14:50). To make matters worse, Peter three times denied knowing Jesus (Luke 22:54-62). The poor man “wept bitterly” when he heard the rooster crow. As his Lord’s eyes fixed on him, he remembered the prediction, “The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.” We can only imagine Peter’s anguish and Jesus’ sadness!

Dear friends, we can make to God all the promises we want, but we will fail at some point. Thank goodness He does not fail us like we fail Him! “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep [guard] that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:11).

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Are all Christians ‘ambassadors?’”

The Apocalypse, God’s Lips, and Our Mouths

Monday, March 23, 2015

“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103 KJV).

What is the “Apocalypse” and how can it be honey from God’s lips to our mouths?

A Christian brother told me he utterly feared the Book of the Revelation. Doubtless a saved man, certain of his home in heaven because of the Lord’s sacrifice on Calvary on his behalf. Yet, in light of Revelation 22:18-19, he dreaded studying that last Bible book: he feared “adding to it” or “taking away from it” would bring God’s chastisement on him. The poor brother had to learn that that warning is given to unbelievers in Israel’s program, not us believers (members of the Body of Christ) in this the Dispensation of Grace.

While people often use the term “Apocalypse” in religious senses, they usually have little to no grasp of what the term means in the Bible. The first word of the Revelation is apokalupsis—“revelation, unveiling, uncovering.” As the (Greek) Bible uses it, “Apocalypse” describes the unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS is hidden in the third heaven, having not been seen in 2,000 years, exiled since His beloved nation Israel rejected Him. The door to the third heaven is currently closed, but one day it will swing open, and out will ride the Lord Jesus Christ! He will be leading tens of thousands of angelic soldiers to purge Earth of all its unbelievers, utterly slaughtering those who have persecuted His Israel—stolen her land and killed her people. Just as Satan’s plan of evil crescendos, and it looks hopeless, the God of creation wins and then reigns over all creation!

No wonder John wrote to Israel in Revelation 1:3: “Blessed [happy] is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” The book of the Revelation (“Apocalypse”) came from God’s lips; it should be as sweet honey to our mouths! Let us read it. It comforts us that evil will lose in the end, and our Saviour will be exalted in the end. Let us use our mouths to praise His holy name! 🙂

Behind the Scenes #8

Thursday, March 19, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

First Corinthians chapter 2 says: “[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” To lost people, those who do not have God’s indwelling Holy Spirit, God’s Word is “foolishness.” They study the natural creation in science, and understand and speak of complex natural phenomena, but when it comes to the sixth-grade English (King James) Bible, they are without understanding. It is not a lack of intellect but an absence of the Author of the Bible!

Today’s Scripture says that the God of creation has made known unto us His eternal counsel. To all generations, through His written and preserved Word, He has revealed His innermost thoughts. While the vast majority is uninterested in His love, grace, wisdom, and purpose, let us not be among the many who lack discernment to see “behind the scenes” (and who want to stay blinded!). They emphasize what they can see and completely miss the invisible; they have no spiritual sight to see what really matters, and, sadly, many are content with closed hearts, minds, eyes, and ears!

Friends, by simple faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork alone as sufficient payment for our sins, we can glorify our Creator today. Once we are saved unto eternal life, His Spirit will come and live within us, and give us the capacity to understand His Word. Then, we can join Father God in His work that will literally span all eons of eternity future. Creation will be restored to its original glory one day, and how Father God wants us to join with Him in seeing it accomplished! 🙂

Behind the Scenes #7

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Ephesians 1:9-10 explains Father God’s plan in and for creation: “[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.”

Father God desires to glorify His Son Jesus Christ in heaven and on earth. Throughout the “Old Testament,” the Four Gospels, and early Acts, we read about God’s will for the earth, how He would use the nation Israel to restore the earth to Himself and rid it of Satan’s sinful influence. It was not until He revealed it to Paul that we learn how Father God will rid heaven of Satan’s sinful influence by using us, the Church the Body of Christ. Via these two groups, God’s original plan for creation will be accomplished!

Revelation 4:11 says, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” All of the offices of government in heaven and earth, Jesus made them to carry out His Father’s will in heaven and earth (Colossians 1:16,17). When Lucifer/Satan usurped these offices, heaven and earth were polluted. Hence, we see this fallen creation today, not bringing Jesus Christ praise and glory but abounding with sin! We need not wonder why disease, death, and decay are all around us.

We can use scientific analyses to study the material world, but unless we have Bible study, we will never understand why the material world functions so magnificently and yet is filled with so many problems. Unless we read the Holy Bible, we will always wonder why creation exists and wonder what the Creator intends to do to achieve His purpose (regardless of rebellious creatures).

Now, we can finish this devotionals arc….

Behind the Scenes #6

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

No greater Bible definition for “sin” exists than Isaiah 53:6ab: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Jeremiah 44:16 supplements: “As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.”

In the heart of every person is a sin nature, deceit and desperate wickedness (Jeremiah 17:9). This part of man rebels against the God of the Bible. Our sin nature causes us to live according to our own decisions. Sinners seek to be their own authority, their own god: in their minds, they are self-sufficient. They refuse to hear any counsel from the Creator God. They want no one to be accountable to, and they want no one to tell them what to do. Our sin nature is the origin of all the dastardly acts every human has committed. It is not God’s fault when sinners sin. May we never accuse God of wrongdoing when we choose to ignore His instructions!

How sad that a marvelous field of study such as science (the method whereby we benefit from medical research and technological advances) has been so manipulated that it is now used as a method to “turn every one to his own way.” We can simply invent an origin that does not involve a holy God (thus no accountability for our sins), take scientific data and force it to fit our imagination (thus replacing the Bible), and then call it “science” (“justifying” ourselves). When someone exposes the flaws in our reasoning, we just dismiss them as “religious bigots” and “superstitious Bible-toters.” No wonder in graduate school we scientists are urged to not falsify data (the implication is that, in science, the temptation is there to report only what we want!).

Still, if we just humble ourselves and believe the Bible record, we will have the “why” question answered for us….

Behind the Scenes #5

Monday, March 16, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Imagine, if you will, an inventor has just given you a new product, the first of its kind. You are the first to use it. Apart from an instruction manual (which hopefully you get with the product!), you have no idea of its purpose. You could sit there and inspect the product, you could disassemble it, you could learn how it functions, and so on, but unless you have some written explanation as to its purpose, you are wasting your time guessing! The product will be meaningless to you if you cannot use it as the inventor intended.

This crude illustration epitomizes the flaws of the strict, rationalistic, empirical nature of the scientific method. We must observe a natural process before we can proceed to explaining it and testing our hypothesis (tentative explanation) with data gathered. That idea must then withstand scrutiny and future testing if it is to be elevated to a theory or model. Otherwise, the hypothesis is rejected and must be refined.

As you can see, science is limited to answering only the “how” question. Science is useful in discovering how something works. But, why does the something work? What is its purpose? Science cannot answer it and it will never be able to answer it. The “why” question cannot be answered because “why” is something immaterial; science, strictly speaking, is concerned only with the material (visible) world. Science has no authority in the invisible (spiritual) realm: it cannot be used to ascertain intention.

As Bible-believing creationists, it is not we who are closed-minded, for we admit the study of the natural world leads us to understand just how orderly-structured and fine-tuned our universe is (and exists so for a purpose!). The close-minded individuals are those who refuse to see and hear anything but what their eyes see and their ears hear. They can explain how the universe works, but why it works, to the “why” question they close their eyes, ears, minds, and hearts….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “The Son of man hath not where to lay his head?”

Behind the Scenes #4

Sunday, March 15, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Today’s Scripture follows five verses (verses 6-10) that survey the Creation story of Genesis. Recall verse 6: “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3).

John 1:1-3 says: “[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Verse 14 explains that the “Word,” the Creator, was none other than Jesus Christ.

Today’s Scripture says, “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” The God of the Bible had a plan in creation, and Scripture calls that plan “the counsel of the LORD.” It “standeth for ever.” In spite of what will happen, that purpose will still be brought to fruition. This plan contains “the thoughts of [the LORD’S] heart,” and He has made those thoughts known to “all generations.” As Psalm 100:5 says, “His truth endureth to all generations.”

What was and is Father God’s purpose in creation, His “counsel,” the “thoughts of His heart?” In the form of the Holy Bible, we have the instruction manual of creation, “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). God’s Holy Spirit caused those precious inspired words to be written centuries ago in Hebrew and Greek, He preserved them through history via manuscript copies, and He translated them into English so that we could have them today (the Authorized King James Bible).

While we can study the material world through scientific analyses, unless we use the Creator’s Manual, it is we who will have closed minds….

Behind the Scenes #2

Friday, March 13, 2015

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 KJV).

In the form of the Holy Bible, the Creator God has given us a “behind-the-scenes” look at creation! Will we humble ourselves to take a sneak-peak?

Have you ever wondered what is God doing? Some may say, “It seems like He has been out on vacation for quite a while!” Others may say, “I cannot believe that a loving God could exist because there is much suffering and injustice!” There is a creation, so there must be a Creator. (And, because He is the Creator, He is God, and being God, He has neither creator nor origin, or He would not be God!) But, where is He? Why does He not do something about all of the world’s problems?

Psalm 33 begins: “[1] Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. [2] Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. [3] Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. [4] For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. [5] He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.”

The God of the Bible, known as “JEHOVAH” to Israel and “the Lord Jesus Christ” to Christians, should be praised. It is proper for us to exalt Him, to sing songs to Him, to play musical instruments and communicate His doctrine to others. Why? His Word is “right,” and “all his works are done in truth.” How the God of the Bible loves “righteousness and judgment.” He is upright and fair: everything He does is honest. “The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.” How is that?

Verse 6 says: “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.” Creation itself testifies to the goodness of the LORD, and in the Holy Bible, we learn why there is a creation in the first place….