Category: evil world system

The “Triumphal” Entry

Sunday, March 25, 2018

“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 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” (Matthew 21:4,5 KJV).

Do you ever wonder why Jesus Christ rode on a donkey the Sunday before His crucifixion?

In today’s Scripture (cf. Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19), Jesus’s crucifixion on Calvary’s cross is just five days away. Leaving Bethany, He travels to Jerusalem (a mile to the northwest). Israel’s believing remnant in Jerusalem is excited to hear that Messiah is returning to “the city of the great King” (Psalm 48:2; Matthew 5:35); in anticipation, the great multitude throws their garments and palm branches on the ground. As Jesus enters the city, they cry out, “Hosanna [“O save!”]: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9,10; Luke 19:38; John 12:13; cf. Psalm 118:26).

While often called the “Triumphal Entry,” there really was no victory being celebrated in today’s Scripture—the victory was to come later! What we need to realize is that Jesus Christ was humble (“meek”) here: as a King riding on a donkey into Israel’s capital city, He demonstrated He desired peace with Israel (a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9). He had not come to destroy her, though He would have been just in doing so; He had come to save her from her sins, her enemies, and her satanic bondage (Matthew 1:21; Mark 2:17; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 1:68-75; Luke 9:55,56; Luke 19:9,10; Acts 3:24-26; et cetera).

Just a few days later, Jesus Christ appeared weak and defeated. He never fought back as the Roman soldiers mercilessly abused Him; He allowed Himself to be crucified on Calvary. It was His meek and lowly coming; now was not the time to pour out His wrath. He resurrected and ascended into heaven as a royal exile. Revelation 19:11 says Jesus Christ will return to Jerusalem on a white horse, a sign of war and wrath (Zechariah 14:1-4)—that will be His true triumphal entry, for He will conquer Satan’s world system forever!

Two Lives Bound Up

Saturday, March 24, 2018

“Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life; It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave” (Genesis 44:30,31 KJV).

Behold, the “natural affection” this father has for his son!

Jacob’s son Judah is speaking to a man in Egypt (verse 18). Judah says that if his youngest brother Benjamin is not in their company, their aged and frail father will die heartbroken. Verse 34 relates that Judah does not want to see Jacob meet such a dire fate. Jacob has already lost one son, Joseph, and Joseph’s mother Rachel. In verse 20, Judah says of Joseph, “his father loveth him.”

In today’s Scripture, Jacob’s life is “bound up in the lad’s life” (tied, intertwined, linked). King Saul’s son, Jonathan, and young David were such close friends that Jonathan’s soul was said to be “knit” with David’s soul (1 Samuel 18:1). Recall the scarlet thread “bound” on the newborn’s hand in Genesis 38:28, or the scarlet line Rahab was to “bind” in her window (Joshua 2:18). The Hebrew word also underlies “conspiracies,” individuals so closely associated because they have a shared goal (1 Samuel 22:8,13; 2 Samuel 15:31; et al.). There is great attachment in all these cases.

The tender parental love underscored in today’s Scripture can be starkly juxtaposed with current “parenting” news: mothers undergoing horrific and barbaric procedures to let “medical professionals” mutilate and destroy their unborn children in their womb, newborn babies being thrown in trashcans and left for dead, parents imprisoning and starving their children, guardians mercilessly torturing and/or beating toddlers to death, individuals deliberately leaving their kids to smother in hot vehicles, parents poisoning their children to obtain life insurance money, and so on.

Have we really come “a long way” from our so-called “primitive days of superstition, grunting, and cave dwelling?!” “This know also, that in the last days perilous [dangerous] times shall come…. Without natural affection…” (2 Timothy 3:1,3; cf. Romans 1:31). Behold, regress—not “progress!”

Successful!

Friday, March 23, 2018

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

Without further delay, saints, let us realize how to be successful!

Today’s Scripture is some of the Apostle Paul’s final words to young Timothy. The Roman government is preparing to execute the imprisoned, aged Apostle for preaching an “illegal religion.” After 35 years of glorious grace ministry, Paul is finally going Home—to the third heaven!!!

Notice a portion of the Holy Ghost’s concluding words to us the Church the Body of Christ. In all the “ups and downs” of life and ministry, we are to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Remember, when all else fails you, in the end, God’s grace will remain to sustain you. Paul is moving on to “be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). As his mentor passes off the scene, it is vital that Timothy never forgets that grace will abide. No matter how rough it gets down here, because of everything that Father God can do for us through Christ’s finished crosswork, we can endure it. Never should Timothy (or we) overlook that.

Furthermore, Paul instructs Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” God taught us through Paul so we can teach the same to others. The key word here is “same:” we do not change the message, do not compromise the doctrine, and do not water down Pauline truth!! Timothy should never forget this either—especially since mass apostasy (many Christians abandoning truth to embrace error) surrounds him.

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” In light of what was just stated, we are to “endure hardness” (“suffer trouble,” 2 Timothy 2:9; “endure afflictions,” 2 Timothy 4:5). Saints, an intense spiritual battle is being waged. We have a vicious Adversary (Satan) to face. Nevertheless, we are “good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” We will win only because of God’s grace! 🙂

Sleeping!

Monday, March 19, 2018

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33,34 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be awake and alert.

The Corinthians were immature saints. While God’s spiritual (adult) sons, they thought and behaved like small children. First Corinthians is such a lengthy Book because it is the Holy Spirit meticulously correcting the multitude of problems in that local assembly. Today’s Scripture is one summarization of their dilemma: corrupt religious leaders have deceived them, and their Christian life is no longer functioning properly.

Before any mature saints swell up with pride and say, “I would never be like the Corinthians!,” they should consider Ephesians chapter 5: “[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. [15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, [16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. [18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;….” Although more matured in the doctrine than the Corinthians, the Christians at Ephesus nevertheless also caved in to the pressures of Satan’s evil world system. Gripped by ignorance and silliness, they too were spiritually sleeping, unaware of their surroundings.

The Lord Jesus warned Israel’s Little Flock of their testimony being hindered as well. Matthew chapter 5: “[14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Commercialism (materialism) and slothfulness (laziness) threatened the ministry of these Jewish kingdom saints.

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14). “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130).

Solace!

Saturday, March 17, 2018

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to enjoy the solace of the God of all comfort.

Today’s Scripture is the Apostle Paul at the lowest point in his whole ministry. Keep reading: “[8] For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: [9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: [10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;….” Did you sense Paul’s great depression in verse 8?

When the Apostle refers to his “trouble… in Asia,” that would have been something that occurred in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). On its western shore sat the city of Ephesus. Here, in Acts chapter 19, Paul had preached Jesus Christ and founded the church at Ephesus. You would do well to read the chapter sometime. Paul’s preaching the truth caused a revival in that spiritually dead, pagan city. With the idol-makers losing customers, they lashed out and caused a riot. Paul could have lost his life! Thankfully, God supported him physically (but most importantly, spiritually).

Saint, when you get “pressed out of measure” in ministry, “above strength, insomuch that [you] despair even of life,” you just keep on going! After all, “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;….” If the saints of old found solace in the God of all comfort, then we will too!

Our archived Bible Q&A: “Should Christians celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?”

Shunned!

Friday, March 16, 2018

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake” (Luke 6:22 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be joyful when people shun us for our Christian testimony.

A dear brother in Christ once shared some very insightful comments about us separating from the world. If we have a Christian testimony—a life “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11)—the world will actually separate from us! That is, our sound Bible doctrine will drive them away from us. At that point, they will not care to hear or see us (they will have already discovered our affection and forcefully announced to us, “No thanks!!”).

“Stop talking about God so much! Only weirdoes study Scripture to that extent! Close that Bible and go away! You have a social/mental/developmental disorder!” We are outcasts: they want nothing to do with us. They see us as “fanatics,” “kooks,” “crazies” who need to be locked away forever in some institution. This is to be expected; marvel not, dear brethren. They said of our Lord Jesus Christ in John 10:20: “And many… said, He hath a devil, and is mad [crazy!!]; why hear ye him?” Festus said: “Paul, thou art beside thyself [a raving maniac!!]; much learning doth make thee mad [insane!!]” (Acts 26:24).

Since we who have trusted Christ Jesus have the indwelling Holy Spirit, He gives us desires natural (lost) people lack. They thus consider our behavior unconventional and farcical. First Peter 4:3-4 speaks of the Little Flock that will experience a similar “sticking out” in the evil world system: “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:….”

If this is what we must endure, saints, then let us endure it with joy unspeakable. The world avoids us, but (most importantly) we have eternal fellowship with God.

Bible Q&A #475: “What did Jesus mean, ‘Take up your cross?’”

Separate!

Thursday, March 15, 2018

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be separate from the religious system.

It is often lamented, “Doctrine divides. Let us rather gather around the love of Jesus Christ.” The Holy Spirit disagrees: sound Bible doctrine matters! Romans 16:17,18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

First Timothy 6:3-5: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

Second Timothy 3:1-5: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Beloved, if there is no sound Bible doctrine—King James Bible, Pauline dispensationalism—we have no reason to get involved with it!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How can God be ‘jealous’ and not be guilty of sin?”

Skilled!

Saturday, March 10, 2018

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be skilled in God’s Word.

When God placed Adam on the Earth, He wanted mankind to become experts in His Word. Never to be outdone, Satan began peddling his counterfeit teachings for us to study instead (Genesis 3:1-14).

Instead of Israel reaching spiritual maturity—not only recognizing her Messiah (Jesus) but also sharing Him with the world—her people demanded His crucifixion! For 1,500 years, they had had the Law of Moses to identify their sin problem. Alas, they had watered it down with manmade doctrines (Mark 7:1-13, for example): God’s religion had become the Jews’ religion (Galatians 1:13)! Had they left the Law pure, it would have pointed them to Jesus Christ (sinners need a Saviour—Romans 3:19,20). Alas, they became captives to self-righteousness (Satan’s lie program; John 8:44 and Romans 10:1-3). Therefore, they could not recognize Jesus as Saviour (John 5:39-47).

Had Israel received Jesus as Messiah, they would have become His kingdom of priests, teaching His Word to all nations (Exodus 19:5,6; Isaiah 2:1-4; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:6; Zechariah 8:20-23). However, they could instruct no one, for they themselves first needed to learn the basics of God’s Word. Today’s Scripture scolds them: “You are too spiritually emaciated and immature!”

The Book of Hebrews, written to Jews beyond our Dispensation of Grace, will reorient them to the pure Word of God. It will bring them to spiritual perfection, where the unpolluted Law would have brought them (read Hebrews 5:11–6:3—the context of today’s Scripture). The Church the Body of Christ, finding itself in a similar situation today, should take heed and learn pure Bible doctrine too!

Studious!

Friday, March 9, 2018

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be studious concerning Holy Scripture.

Christian friend, if you attend services at the average “Christian” church, you will discover that “Bible study” is a set of “dirty words.” (You can almost hear gasps when you declare such words in their midst!) They do not care to study the Bible. They will read it and quote it, but they do not want to carefully examine and prayerfully consider it. Comparing verses is “too much work,” “too much thinking,” “too much boredom!” Why? They have been led to believe that spirituality is gauged by how many pews you jump, how quickly your feet move to the music, how loudly you sing, how large your “tithe” is, how often you visit the sick and help the poor, how many “holy books” you collect, how much you pray, how often you raise your hands in “praise and worship,” et cetera.

Usually, whatever “Christian” teaching the assembly upholds, it is basic and shallow. The average Sunday School child could stand in the pulpit and deliver the material. Not surprisingly, the everyday church member is totally destroyed in troubling times. The doctrine provides no spiritual safety, for the doctrine itself is hazardous. What Satan absolutely hates is a Bible-believing student—not a “Bible reader,” not a “Bible toter,” not a “Bible quoter,” and not a “Bible collector.” Someone estimated that the average American home has seven (!!!) Bibles. Considering today’s ignorant and depraved society, probably not even one is ever read (let alone studied and believed)!

We are living in perilous times, dear friends, dangerous times—especially regarding spiritual matters. We cannot—absolutely cannot!—afford to be lackadaisical about Bible study. There is an Adversary, a master spiritual enemy, out there. Satan will not quit until God ultimately stops him. Until then, beloved, our only hope at not being swept away in the error is to study and believe the Bible rightly divided! The Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon, are absolutely critical to our spiritual survival. Grab yourself a King James Bible and study and believe it rightly divided. This cannot be emphasized enough!

Our latest Bible Q&As: “Neither round the corners of your heads nor mar the corners of your beard?” and “Neither make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print any marks on you?”

Safe!

Thursday, March 8, 2018

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be spiritually and mentally safe.

Until the Rapture, Christian brethren, we are prone to worry. Anxiety—being full of care—is spiritually dangerous. We should replace our fretting with praying: we talk to God about our circumstances. His Word rightly divided has the answer, so we prayerfully study it and then apply pertinent verses to life. We thereby gain our Heavenly Father’s peace.

Today’s Scripture says we need God’s peace to “keep [protect] [our] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Why? Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), is the master deceiver: he assiduously seeks to use error to distract us from the truth. Two particular schemes, religion and circumstances, greatly advance his cause. Unfavorable situations cause us to assume God is displeased with us and is now chastening us. We then struggle in works-religion to “get back on His good side.” Absolutely, we are not living in reality; Satan has tricked us! Reality says God loves us—look at Calvary (Romans 5:8)—and accepts us in Christ the Beloved—look at Calvary (Ephesians 1:6,7)!

Romans 8:35-39 begins with “who,” for Satan exploits these various situations to mislead us into thinking God does not love us: “[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In all these circumstances, brethren, “we are more than conquerors.” Not only do we overcome them (remember 1 Corinthians 10:13?), we make them occasions to rely on Christ more (remember 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 and Philippians 4:11-13?). Strength having replaced helplessness, security having replaced vulnerability, we now replace our anxiety with God’s peace! 🙂