Category: Christ’s earthly ministry

The Judge—the Son of Man and the Son of God #4

Thursday, July 8, 2021

“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him” (John 5:22,23 KJV).

Why has God the Father committed all judgment unto God the Son?

In chapter 4, the writer of Hebrews penned: “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (verses 15,16). Also, chapter 2, verse 18: “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour [aid, comfort] them that are tempted.” Obviously, these refer to Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12,13; and Luke 4:1-13. Here, Satan challenged Jesus—or, better yet, where Jesus allowed Himself to be tested or proved as per the Father’s plan. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:…” (James 1:13). Since God cannot be tempted, and John’s Gospel Record focuses on Jesus Christ’s Deity, John does not record Christ’s temptations.

As described in 1 John 2:16, Satan’s evil world system uses at least one of three avenues to entice us: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” The order of Christ’s temptations in Luke 4:1-13 follow this pattern: “the lust of the flesh” (bread, or “I want it!”), “the lust of the eyes” (kingdoms, or “It looks good!”), and “the pride of life” (angels, or “I deserve it!). It was also the configuration of Satan’s attacks on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: “good for food,” “pleasant to the eyes,” and “a tree to be desired to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6). Where Adam and Eve failed, of course, Christ triumphed. He was the perfect Son of Man, able to fairly judge other sons of men….

Confession Confusion #7

Sunday, June 27, 2021

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV).

Lo, the chief proof-text of the “short-account system!” (And how to look at it afresh, without [!] denominational eyeglasses!)

Contrary to popular belief, 1 John 1:9 is not written to any believers—Messianic Jews (Israel’s Little Flock) or the Church the Body of Christ. It is a Gospel invitation to unsaved Israelites in the prophetic program. Paul, “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), never once taught in Romans through Philemon daily confession of sins was victorious Christian living. Whether Roman Catholic auricular confession to a priest, or Protestant confession directly to God, it is legalism (bastardized Judaism!) and not Christianity!

Through confession of sins, lost Israel expressed her understanding of the Law’s purpose: “We cannot be God’s people through our own efforts. Having been persistently idolatrous, we confess our violation of the righteous standards of the Law!” Once Israel sees that, she is delivered from all five courses of judgment (redeemed from the Old Covenant), Jesus Christ returns to ratify the New Covenant, and He founds God’s earthly kingdom promised to their father Abraham!

Brethren, we must “rightly divide the word of truth” concerning this and all other doctrines (2 Timothy 2:15). It is ever so important to distinguish between Law and Grace, Israel and the Body of Christ, prophecy and mystery, Earth and Heaven. Our relationship with God depends entirely on Christ’s finished crosswork at Calvary. Either He took care of our sins (Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:13), or not! Having trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God will not “impute” any trespasses unto us (Romans 4:6-8).

Christ’s shed blood cleanses us from “all sin… all unrighteousness” only once, whether believing Israel or the Body of Christ (1 John 1:7,9). We have permanent, total, perpetual fellowship with God—regardless of our performance. Confession of sins merely repeats what Calvary already took care of! We have already declared our guilt and admitted our sin problem by trusting the fact Jesus died for our sins, so it makes no sense to keep bringing up the past. Christ paid for all our sins at Calvary; leave them there and mature in grace, brethren (Titus 2:11-15)! 🙂

Confession Confusion #6

Saturday, June 26, 2021

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV).

Lo, the chief proof-text of the “short-account system!” (And how to look at it afresh, without [!] denominational eyeglasses!)

By the time of John the Baptist’s ministry and Christ’s earthly ministry, national Israel is still apostate (refusing God’s Word) but a believing remnant (the Little Flock) is confessing their sins and their forefathers’ sins. Recall Matthew 3:6 and Mark 1:5. Ever since Moses 16 centuries prior, Israel has failed to “do” “all that the LORD hath spoken” (Exodus 19:1-8). The Jews have been habitually idolatrous, violating their agreement with JEHOVAH God at Sinai. Experiencing the fifth course of judgment or chastisement (Leviticus 26:40-46), they must confess their sins so as to be delivered into God’s earthly kingdom and enjoy the Abrahamic Covenant! Yet, as previously noted, religious Israelites refuse to learn the lesson of the Law of Moses (see their sin problem). Regarding all other Jews “sinners,” they believe they have no sins to confess and thus refuse John’s water baptism (Matthew 3:7-9; Luke 3:7,8; Luke 7:29,30; cf. Matthew 9:10-13; Mark 2:15-17; Luke 5:29-32).

Today’s Scripture addresses these Jews who suppose themselves to be sinless, “good enough” in their works-religion: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:7-10). First John 1:9 is written to unbelievers in Israel! Now, look at 1 John 2:12: “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.” Here is Israel’s believing remnant, the Little Flock.

Having now established the context of 1 John 1:9, let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

The 12 Princes of Israel

Sunday, June 13, 2021

“These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers” (Numbers 1:44 KJV).

Behold, the Old Testament basis for the 12 Apostles!

Today’s Scripture is the first of several references in the Book of Numbers to “the 12 princes of Israel.” Here are others. “This was the dedication of the altar, in the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve chargers of silver, twelve silver bowls, twelve spoons of gold:…” (7:84). “Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod…. And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods” (17:2,6).

Since Israel’s 12 tribes lost their political might during the Assyrian and Babylonian Captivities, the LORD promised in Isaiah chapter 1: “[26] And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. [27] Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.” At Christ’s return, He will reinstate Israel’s 12 princes.

Hence, the Lord Jesus told His 12 Apostles in Matthew chapter 19: “[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? [28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” He repeated in Luke 22:28-30: “[28] Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. [29] And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; [30] That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Was Jesus the ‘young man’ in Mark 16:5?”

“Christianettes” #10

Saturday, June 12, 2021

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1 KJV).

How can we prevent ourselves from being “Christianettes?”

The Holy Spirit’s deliberate arrangement of Paul’s epistles in the canon of Scripture—Romans first and Philemon last—brings successive waves of doctrine, reproof, and correction. All is “instruction in righteousness,” Christian living. To move from childish/simplistic thinking to adult/critical thinking, one must be taught increasingly deeper concepts. However, since any teaching, especially sound Bible teaching, can be found in so few Christian institutions and assemblies, spiritual babies abound instead of grownups. If they are reading Scripture, it is usually not the Dispensation of Grace but rather a non-Pauline/tradition assortment or Pauline/non-Pauline/tradition hybrid.

Christendom often appeals to Matthew through John, Christ’s earthly ministry, attempting to force those passages onto us. Yet, Christ ministered to Israel only (Matthew 15:24) on the basis of Jewish covenants (Romans 15:8), including the Mosaic Law (Galatians 4:4). However, Christ through Paul says to us: “Ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14,15). We know Jesus today, not through His earthly ministry to Israel, but rather through His heavenly ministry to us Gentiles via Paul’s apostleship: “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2 Corinthians 5:16).

Alas, as early as the A.D. first century, the Body of Christ had forsaken Pauline doctrine (grace): “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15). Evidently, they preferred legalism (Mosaic Law)—precisely the sentiments of nearly all churches today! Satan’s evil world system is responsible for such ignorance, but the pastors and teachers who should have guarded their local assemblies are not without blame. Brethren, unless we expel the spiritual babies from our seminaries and pulpits, and return to the Apostle Paul’s pattern for edification, the professing church has absolutely no hope of being victorious over its constant sins, false teaching, and impotence.

Only saints mature in grace can do the work of the grace ministry… and only Paul’s epistles will bring us from the status of carnal “Christianettes” (babes) to spiritual Christians (adults) (1 Corinthians 14:37,38)! 🙂

Shortcut!

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

“And [Jesus Christ] would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple” (Mark 11:16 KJV).

While there is no shortcut to spiritual maturity, there is one to spiritual immaturity!

To better understand today’s Scripture, we must examine it within its context: “[12] And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he [Jesus Christ] was hungry: [13] And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. [14] And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. [15] And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; [16] And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. [17] And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

As in modern society, so religion was “big bu$ine$$” in ancient Israel. The apostate religious leaders had allowed dishonest merchants to sell sacrificial animals in the Jerusalem Temple complex. (All were receiving a large sum of money!) As Jesus pointed out, they made His House—the place where He was to be worshipped—a “den of thieves.” They treated His House lightly, irreverently, and He therefore drove them out! Unique to Mark’s Gospel Record (today’s Scripture), they also used the Temple complex as a shortcut. Instead of walking around it, they would shorten their journey by utilizing the Temple as an ordinary thoroughfare. Again, this was disrespectful to God. Consequently, Christ blocked their entrance and forced them to go the long way!

Israel’s ungodly behavior in the Temple demonstrated her national spiritual immaturity. As opposed to being humble saints skillful in God’s Word, they were ungrateful materialists expert in hypocrisy and fraud! Dear friends, may we not repeat their errors.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How did Israel manipulate Moses to murder Messiah?”

Tongue-Tied! #5

Sunday, May 16, 2021

“And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him” (Mark 7:32 KJV).

What can this tongue-tied man possibly teach us?

During Christ’s earthly ministry, Israel exhibits various spiritual afflictions. She is spiritually deaf, spiritually mute, spiritually lame, spiritually maimed, spiritually blind, et cetera. Unable to hear, speak, walk, serve, see, and so on, she cannot function as God’s kingdom of priests in the Earth. Her pitiful spiritual condition is depicted in the form of physical disabilities. The various sufferers of poor physical health during Christ’s earthly ministry picture Israel’s spiritual sicknesses. Sin and false religion have rendered her useless to the LORD God; moreover, she is Satan’s prisoner!

The man in today’s Scripture is both unable to hear and speak properly. However, the Lord Jesus Christ personally ministers to him. Inserting His fingers into the man’s ears, He opens them (verse 33). There is no more obstruction! In Scripture, the Holy Ghost is called “the finger of God” (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20). The Holy Spirit intervenes in the man’s life and causes him to hear the Word of God; likewise, He causes Israel to hear the Word of God. Jesus spits on His finger—saliva or water representing life—and touches the man’s disabled tongue (verse 33). There is no more impediment! The Holy Spirit intercedes in the man’s life and causes him to speak the Word of God; similarly, He causes Israel to speak the Word of God. Such healing miracles anticipate Israel’s national spiritual restoration at Christ’s Second Coming. Her sin and false religion are removed.

“And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness” (Isaiah 29:18). “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23). Now, in the Millennium, Israel can be all that the LORD God has called her to be!

Tongue-Tied! #4

Saturday, May 15, 2021

“And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him” (Mark 7:32 KJV).

What can this tongue-tied man possibly teach us?

If a Christian is not skilled in the Word of God rightly divided, it will be evident in his or her speech and writing. Denominationally-minded souls have no real understanding of spiritual truth, so they can do nothing but prattle and babble. It is nonsense, foolishness, tripe. They are completely unable to teach someone valuable spiritual information. Sadly, they themselves must first be taught. That was Israel of old, possessing the Hebrew Bible for 1,600 years and yet still confused. Hebrews chapter 5: “[12] 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. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [14] 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.”

The professing church, and even the genuine Body of Christ, is actually in worse shape. Despite the fact of possessing a complete Bible for 2,000 years, it cannot adequately express Christian truth to others because there is such a lack of Scriptural proficiency even among so-called believers in Christ. They can mindlessly recite facts about church history, comprehend the original Bible languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek), devise complex denominations and theological systems, and defend religious tradition; they can engage in lengthy prayers, stirring “praise and worship,” humbling water baptisms, and exciting missions trips; but can they tell others about how to have eternal life in Christ and victorious grace living? No! Like ancient Israel, we have hearts of sin and unbelief. There is almost no preaching of the clear Gospel of Grace, almost no preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, almost no sound Bible doctrine. Precious few believers are mature and founded in the truth; the rest utter gibberish. Like Israel, we also suffer an impediment in our speech….

Tongue-Tied! #3

Friday, May 14, 2021

“And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him” (Mark 7:32 KJV).

What can this tongue-tied man possibly teach us?

Reading verses 1-13 (passage preceding today’s Scripture), you notice Israel has relegated the Hebrew Bible to an inferior status. Whereas the written Law of Moses commanded the Jews to honor their father and mother, they circumvented that by appealing to rabbinical interpretations of Jewish religious tradition. Rabbis taught Israel did not have to financially support their aging parents. All a Jew had to do was merely claim to dedicate his wealth to “God” (the money actually going not to God, but the religious system of the Jerusalem Temple!), thereby freeing him from his obligation to his parents. Religious tradition took precedence; God’s words, especially the Ten Commandments, really meant nothing to them! The Lord Jesus criticized these hypocrites or pretenders for spurning His Father’s words. Since they did not have the Scriptures on their mind, they were unable to have faith and teach others.

Moving to verses 14-23 (also prior to today’s Scripture), you realize Israel is sidetracked with religious tradition, fanatical ceremonial washings. They ignored the most fatal contaminant; their hearts were unclean because of sin: “[20] And he [Jesus] said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. [21] For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: [23] All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Thus far, we see national Israel has two problems—both are in the heart or soul. Firstly, Israel has a heart of sin, which separates her from God’s purpose and plan for her. She is defiled internally. Secondly, Israel has a heart of unbelief, and she has rejected God’s words to the degree of substituting works-religion (church tradition) for God’s righteousness (pure Bible). In contrast to Israel wallowing in this rank unbelief, a Gentile (!) woman has faith in Jesus (verses 24-30). Finally, as the chapter closes, a deaf and speech-inhibited man appears in today’s Scripture. Depicted here is Israel’s pitiful condition, spiritually deaf and babbling, whom the Lord faithfully restores to perfect health….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does 1 Timothy 6:19 support Calvinism?”

Tongue-Tied! #2

Thursday, May 13, 2021

“And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him” (Mark 7:32 KJV).

What can this tongue-tied man possibly teach us?

Our English idiom “tongue-tied” simply means someone is unable or unwilling to speak freely, such as due to embarrassment or surprise. Also, there is a literal or pathological application, a birth defect known as “tongue-tie” (“ankyloglossia,” or “hooked tongue”), when a band of tissue, the frenulum, attaches the tongue’s bottom to mouth’s floor, thus limiting tongue movement. Consequently, speech can be impaired, and surgery may be necessary.

Friend, to understand what a speech impediment entails, hold your tongue with your thumb and index finger and attempt to speak. Coherent language is nearly impossible; the result is mere babbling or gibberish. Whatever the case—it was a physical problem of some kind (not nervousness or astonishment)—the man in today’s Scripture was unable to produce intelligible or meaningful speech. The Bible calls it an “impediment,” a blockage or hindrance. He talks with great difficulty, as if something has been wrapped around his tongue. Verse 35 provides this imagery: “And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.” Christ healing his tongue is like undoing a cord wrapped around something. His tongue, having full range of motion, now freely articulates words. (Plus, his sense of hearing has also been restored.)

It is definitely not coincidental that a man who has obstructed speech appears precisely in chapter 7 of Mark. Prior to the miracle of today’s Scripture, we find the Lord voicing His utter disapproval of Israel: “[6] He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. [7] Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. [8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. [9] And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Israel has a spiritual speech impediment….