Category: God: The Father, the Son Jesus Christ, & the Holy Ghost

The Secret Things #3

Saturday, September 18, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

We now compare two simple Bible passages. Firstly, Acts 3:19-21: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Here, the Holy Spirit is guiding the Apostle Peter to preach about that “which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Jesus Christ coming to Earth to found a literal, physical, visible kingdom has been God’s message and intention going all the way back to Adam (Matthew 25:34; cf. Genesis 1:26-28).

Secondly, Romans 16:25,26: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:….” Here, the Holy Spirit is guiding the Apostle Paul to preach about “the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest….” Whatever Paul’s message was, it was something God had not revealed until his ministry, and thus never to be confounded with prior Divine revelation.

The most fundamental problem with Christendom today is it repeats the doctrinal errors early Christians made. Distinguishing between the prophetic program and the mystery program is ever so critical to Bible understanding—if words mean anything, that is! As in the Apostles’ day, so Satan’s evil world system is still laboring fervently to keep God’s secret program a secret….

The Secret Things #2

Friday, September 17, 2021

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

Let us notice the difference between the “secret things” and the “revealed things!”

The Holy Scriptures are a progressive revelation, a gradual unveiling of God’s mind. Of course, we need not be told He is omniscient—all-knowing. From the very beginning, He could have chosen to show us everything He knows. Then again, we could no longer carry it in a single, mobile volume. Since the Creator has steadily unfolded His will through the ages, we can see previously secret information: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

Yet, there is another reason why God did not tell man everything at once. In His infinite wisdom, He kept secret an entire body of truth. The Scriptures call this the “mystery” or “hidden wisdom:” “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Had this “hidden wisdom” been known, what events God had planned long ago would not have come to pass. By withholding that knowledge, however, and then showing it later, He proved He had outwitted all opposing parties.

The Lord GOD addressed the King of Tyrus through the Prophet Ezekiel: “Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty…. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezekiel 28:12,15). Prior to this, the message to the Prince of Tyrus was, verse 3: “Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:….” The “wise” spirit operating here in both the Prince and the King is none other than Satan, whose knowledge was nevertheless limited, inferior to God’s “hidden wisdom….”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What are ‘teraphim?’”

God’s Offer to the Nations

Saturday, September 11, 2021

“…[T]hat God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s offer to all the nations of the world today.

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed our nation forever. It was the worst terrorist attack in our two-century national history. Afterward, many Americans began to talk about “God Bless America” and “God Save the United States.” These phrases are not as commonplace as they used to be.

In the 20 years that have passed since that awful day, it is a sad commentary that “God” is now the least of our nation’s concerns. With the redefining of marriage, controversial political arena, moral decay, skyrocketing national debt, and the uncertainty as to what constitutes a human life and what does not, obviously, the God of the Bible has been largely pushed out… until we need His help, and then we cry out to Him. Unless we need Him, we rather not think about anything He has to say.

While many argue that God is judging America today for its sins, the Bible does not support such an idea. Certainly, God dealt with Israel in that manner—“Do good and I will bless, but disobey and I will curse” (Leviticus chapter 26; Deuteronomy chapter 28)—but we have no relation to that Old Covenant of Law.

For the last 20 centuries, God has offered His grace to all the world’s nations, to have a right standing before Him by trusting Jesus Christ. People still die and go to hell, but today’s Scripture says that God is not judging nations for their sins. Through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, God offers reconciliation to sinners, whether here or around the world. However, that grace is exhaustible, and one day, it will be replaced with His wrath (Romans 2:1-16). Still, we believers are not appointed to God’s wrath; we are saved from all wrath through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The only hope for America—yea, for any nation—is faith in Jesus Christ alone!

*You can also see our 2011 Bible study commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It can be watched here or read here.

The Thing Which is Good

Monday, September 6, 2021

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28 KJV).

On this Labor Day, we talk about work, “the thing which is good.”

In this day and age of increasing “government assistance,” people are becoming less and less aware of our hard work being the Lord Jesus’ preferred method of the source of our incomes. While the physically and mentally disabled are obvious exceptions, the God of the Bible expects all of us to contribute labor in order to provide for ourselves. For children and young adults, even being a student in school is work enough!

Observe the doctrine being communicated in today’s Scripture. The grace life does not merely teach us to quit doing bad things, but it also instructs us to start doing good things (Titus 2:11,12). Once a thief trusts the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for his sins, then God expects that thief to quit stealing and find a job so he can provide for his needs!

The God of creation calls work “the thing which is good” (today’s Scripture). Work is not something to be avoided; it is something to be embraced for the Lord’s glory!

When the Lord Jesus Christ put the first man, Adam, on earth, that man had a divine commission. Adam was not to simply loaf around and do nothing: “And the LORD God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Adam was to protect that garden, to till its ground, to prepare it for Jesus Christ to come down and dwell in with he and Eve (because of sin, that earthly kingdom over which Jesus Christ will rule is still awaiting fulfillment!).

Saints, may we work to provide for our families (1 Timothy 5:8), and may we work to help those who truly are needy (today’s Scripture). In the words of God the Holy Spirit, that is “good!” 🙂

The Opened Ear #2

Thursday, August 26, 2021

“Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever” (Exodus 21:5,6 KJV).

How is the opened ear meaningful in the Holy Scriptures?

Let us hear (pun not intended) the words of Psalm 40 yet again: “[6] Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. [7] Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, [8] I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”

Now, listen to (pun not intended) this passage from Hebrews chapter 10: “[5] Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. [7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. [8] Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; [9] Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. [10] By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

The Holy Spirit interpreted “mine ears hast thou opened” (Psalm 40:6) as “but a body hast thou prepared me” (Hebrews 10:5). Of course, here is God the Son speaking to God the Father regarding the incarnation. The complete payment for sin went beyond the shedding of animal blood: it would require God’s sinless blood. Consequently, the Father through the Holy Spirit readied in Mary’s virgin womb a human body in which Jesus’ Spirit would live. As the aforementioned physically-pierced-ear servant obeyed his master, so Christ submitted to the Father who had opened His ear figuratively. Indeed, Jesus “took upon him the form of a servant… and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).

Bible Q&A #870: “Can you explain, ‘Let your loins be girded,’ in Luke 12:35?”

The Opened Ear #1

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

“Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever” (Exodus 21:5,6 KJV).

How is the opened ear meaningful in the Holy Scriptures?

As part of the Law of Moses, the LORD God commanded the Israelites: “[1] Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. [2] If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. [3] If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. [4] If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. [5] And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: [6] Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever” (Exodus chapter 21).

The above verses are self-explanatory—although definitely unheard of in our culture (pun not intended). If the freed Hebrew servant loved his master, his wife, and his children, and refused to leave them, the master was to pierce a hole in the servant’s ear with an “aul” (also spelled “awl,” it was basically a large needle). This opened ear symbolized the bondman’s permanent submission to the master’s will in everything. Let us now turn over to Psalm 40:6-8: “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Here is a “Messianic Psalm,” and it contains an expression that sounds familiar (pun not intended)….

Accepted in the Beloved

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:5,6 KJV).

Friend, are you looking for acceptance today? Find it in the Lord Jesus Christ!

In this confused world, desperate souls always seek acceptance. They are willing to do practically anything to get it too. Since their parents ignore them, young people will turn to gangs where they feel wanted. A neglected husband or wife might pursue an extramarital affair for the sake of finding “true love.” Lowly workers may strive to fill management positions in hopes of gaining more respect. Academics might enroll in additional education to appeal to their colleagues. The reality is, no matter what we do, we may never be accepted anyway. Due to sin, we will never gain some people’s affection, respect, or approval.

Yes, it is only human nature to want to be valued. In the grand scheme of things, however, what matters is not our earthly associations but rather our heavenly ones! While we may obtain numerous advanced educational degrees, earn huge salaries, drive luxurious vehicles, dwell in castles, have attractive spouses and decent children, enjoy good physical health, and own various forms of entertainment; these are all temporary. As the mind ages, specialized training diminishes. Fortunes are lost in financial crises. Automobiles break down. Mansions crumble. “Beautiful” mates grow slower, grayer, and wrinklier. Children become uncontrollable. Health fails. Entertainment develops into monotony.

To find true acceptance, we must look to God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). “…[M]y beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased…” (Matthew 12:18). “…[T]he Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29). When we trust Christ’s finished crosswork at Calvary as sufficient payment for our sins, we acquire His identify before the Father—gaining His unconditional love forever. We are “accepted in the beloved” (today’s Scripture). By the way, the Greek word translated “accepted” here (“kecharitomene”) was rendered “highly favoured” concerning Mary the virgin when God chose her as the mother of His Son’s human body (Luke 1:28)!

The Good Samaritan #7

Monday, August 23, 2021

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33,34 KJV).

How can this classic passage, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, enlighten us concerning God’s purpose and plan for the nation Israel?

The lawyer in the context of today’s Scripture was incorrect (verse 29). Using Jesus’ definition, a “neighbour” is anyone we encounter in life whom we can and should help—not necessarily someone whose house is next to ours, but even complete strangers. Here was the original teaching of Leviticus 19:18, as JEHOVAH God Himself described for us here during His earthly ministry (verses 30-35). To show the impossibility of a sinner keeping the Law, the Lord ordered the lawyer to love everyone (!) he met to the degree (!) the Samaritan loved the wounded traveler (verses 36,37). Yet, have carefully examined that well-known story, we can look at it with mature spiritual eyes to see more than the common, simple Sunday school children’s lesson of “Jesus wants us to do good to others.” The Parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates what the Lord Jesus Himself did and will do for Israel.

Whereas the Law of Moses (the priest and the Levite) could do nothing but condemn Israel as a nation of sinners worthy of death (spiritual and functional), Christ (the Samaritan) offered them grace, forgiveness, and restoration through the New Covenant. He delivered her from deception in Satan’s evil world system by imparting spiritual light to her (preaching during His earthly ministry). When they rejected Him to the point of crucifixion and exile to Heaven, He temporarily left her in the care of His 12 Apostles, kingdom doctrine being their “goods” to trade until His Second Coming (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 12:35-48; Luke 19:11-27). When He returns from His Heavenly Father’s right hand, He will bless Israel with the New Covenant, forgiving their sins and making them His kingdom of priests (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-28; Acts 3:19-21; Romans 11:25-32; 1 Peter 2:9,10). No more will they be helpless and hopeless, for the Samaritan was “neighbour unto them!” 🙂

The Good Samaritan #6

Sunday, August 22, 2021

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33,34 KJV).

How can this classic passage, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, enlighten us concerning God’s purpose and plan for the nation Israel?

Let us return to verse 29, the question that led to that renowned parable: “But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” This lawyer, wishing to be made right in God’s sight on the basis of keeping the Mosaic Law, was endeavoring to find an escape. He assumed “love thy neighbor as thyself” simply meant “seek the highest good of those who live literally right next-door to thyself.” The parable he subsequently heard, however, corrected his erroneous belief. To say the least, he was shocked to learn this magnificent story would be Jesus’ response to his self-centered inquiry!

To briefly recapitulate the Parable of the Good Samaritan. A man was traveling when thieves assaulted, robbed, and left him for dead. Whereas neither a (Jewish) priest nor a (Jewish) Levite came to his aid when they encountered him on that lonely road, a Samaritan (half-Jewish/half-Gentile) came from afar to tend to his wounds and pay for his recovery. After relaying this story, the Lord Jesus asked the lawyer, “[36] Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? [37] And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” The lawyer, being Jewish, knew the “good guy” was indeed a Gentile, but he could not even bring himself to say, “The Samaritan was neighbour unto him that fell among thieves.” His lame, simple reply was, “He that shewed mercy on him,” upon which hearing Jesus retorted, “If you want to keep the Law perfectly, you go and follow that Samaritan’s example!”

We have a few more closing comments, so let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

The Good Samaritan #5

Saturday, August 21, 2021

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33,34 KJV).

How can this classic passage, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, enlighten us concerning God’s purpose and plan for the nation Israel?

The man leaving Jerusalem for Jericho represents wayward Israel, forsaking the center of God’s presence and words (cf. 1 Kings 11:36; Isaiah 2:3) and preferring a cursed, idolatrous city as its destination (cf. Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:29-32). As the thieves robbed the traveler, so Satan’s evil world system spoiled and fatally wounded Israel. Distracted, unrighteous (lacking spiritual clothes), and now dying, she can do nothing to save herself. Her sin has found her out!

Along walks a Levitical priest, but this Jew cannot help the man, for the man is mortally wounded and unable to offer a sacrifice. Here comes a Levite, a teacher of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 31:9-13,24-26; Deuteronomy 17:18; 2 Chronicles 15:3; Ezra 7:6,10,11). However, while this Jew can teach the man what he needs to do according to Moses’ instructions, the dying man cannot perform according to the LORD’S strict rules and regulations. The priest and the Levite, both having looked at the unfortunate soul and gone on their way, can do nothing for him. All hope is lost!

Suddenly, there appears a Samaritan—a societal outcast in Israel. He notices the dying man and pities him, applying antiseptic wine and soothing olive oil to treat his wounds. Whereas the Jews (priest and Levite) did none of this, the Samaritan takes it a step further. He pays to lodge the man in a hotel, that he recover from his injuries. The next day, the Samaritan entrusts the man to the innkeeper, and finally leaves after promising his return. Here, Christ turns Israel over to the 12 Apostles (cf. John 19:25-27; Luke 19:12-27), dies, resurrects, and ultimately ascends to His Father’s right hand wholly rejected. He is coming again to repay them for their service (Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12)! Indeed, the Samaritan of that noteworthy parable symbolizes Jesus Christ Himself and His work on Israel’s behalf….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Whose are the ‘words’ of 1 Samuel 3:19?”