Category: Job

Tokens #7

Friday, June 21, 2024

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:…” (Genesis 9:12 KJV).

What are “tokens” in Scripture?

Going over to Isaiah 44:23-26, we read of a prophecy. It is both short-term (to be fulfilled in the centuries before Christ) and long-term (to be brought to fruition beyond our day). Israel’s redemption and Jerusalem’s restoration are in view.

“[23] Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. [24] Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; [25] That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; [26] That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:….” In this context, “tokens” (verse 25) evidently refer to the signs or omens that the false prophets foretold—and JEHOVAH God prevents (“frustrates”) their predictions from coming to pass, instead choosing to bless Israel (delivering her from the curses of her transgressions).

When betraying the Lord Jesus, Judas Iscariot had arranged to secretly identify Him before the apostate Jews and unbelieving Roman officials: “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely” (Mark 14:44). The companion verse is Matthew 26:48: “Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast [securely, firmly].” We can gather how “token” and “sign” are used interchangeably here; they are indications or signals.

Though we have read of many “tokens” in the biblical record, several more remain for us to locate and explain….

Tokens #6

Thursday, June 20, 2024

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:…” (Genesis 9:12 KJV).

What are “tokens” in Scripture?

Observe how the following “tokens” in the Bible are prophetic in nature (linking to Christ’s Second Coming and subsequent Kingdom Reign). When engaged in a philosophical discussion with his judgmental “friends,” Job states, “Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath” (Job 21:29,30). These “tokens” are signs, reports, or indications that travelers can provide: wherever they go and wherever they are from, they can testify firsthand how the wicked often do go unpunished in this life, but certainly face punishment in the next! This foresees Christ’s return in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.

In Psalm 65:8, King David writes of the LORD: “They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.” These “tokens” are signs or indications of God’s power as Creator, having control over the weather—especially the extraordinary atmospheric conditions that will lead up to Christ’s glorious return. Additionally, David prays the following in Psalm 86:17: “Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.” This is believing Israel, the Little Flock of Luke 12:32, asking for the Lord Jesus Christ to come back and deliver them, giving a “token” or sign that He cares for Israel and will indeed save them from their opponents.

Psalm 135:9 looks back to the LORD’S judgments meted out on the Egyptians in the Book of Exodus: “Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.” This psalm recalls the “tokens” or signs or evidences of JEHOVAH God’s superiority to Egypt’s idols. It also anticipates how that same LORD God will be faithful in bringing Israel into kingdom glory when Christ returns!

Amazingly, we have not yet seen all the “tokens” of the Bible….

Understanding Jesus Christ

Monday, May 16, 2022

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,…” (John 1:1,14 KJV).

Friend, would you like to understand the Lord Jesus Christ?

Approximately 3,500 years ago, Satan was permitted to torment Job. Suffering immeasurable pain, Job blamed God. He declared: “For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman [mediator, arbitrator] betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both” (Job 9:32,33). Job longed for someone to serve as an umpire between himself and “distant” God. That mediator could take Job by the hand and take God by the hand, and join them in unbroken fellowship. Job assumed this was the only way God would be appeased and his afflictions would subside.

Today’s Scripture, penned some 15 centuries after Job’s ordeal, explains the “daysman” finally arrived. The second Member of the Godhead, God the Son Himself, took on human flesh. At the Incarnation, it was humanity added to Deity, the only combination that would form a Person who was able and willing to reunite sinful man with holy God. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;…” (1 Timothy 2:5). “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth… Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10,12).

As sinners, we need more than just another philosopher or religious teacher to tell us “how to do right.” We need a Saviour who will make us right, a Mediator who will declare us righteous! Here is the ministry of the God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, it is an exclusivist message, for here is the “one [!] mediator between God and men.” “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Three Daughters and Three Prophecies #3

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

“He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch” (Job 42:13,14 KJV).

How are Job’s three daughters three keys to understanding Israel’s future?

Jemima refers to “day.” “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (Malachi 4:1,2; cf. Habakkuk 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:8). Christ’s Second Coming is like a luminous body passing through pitch-black outer space and Earth’s darkened atmosphere. Evil and nighttime are thus driven away.

Kezia points to the “cassia plant,” from whose bark cassia cinnamon was derived and long ago used as a spice and perfume. Cassia will be one of the aromatic substances used to anoint Jesus Christ as King when He returns. “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad” (Psalm 45:6-8; cf. Hebrews 1:8,9). Satan is dethroned forever, and Christ is coronated to reign in the Earth.

Kerenhappuch suggests “horn of paint/cosmetic.” This is redeemed Israel, decorated with makeup and prepared for her wedding to the Promised Land and the King! “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Revelation 19:7,8; cf. Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah 62:1-5). The nation Israel is now made God’s earthly people!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘dropsy’ in Luke 14:2?”

Three Daughters and Three Prophecies #2

Monday, September 13, 2021

“He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch” (Job 42:13,14 KJV).

How are Job’s three daughters three keys to understanding Israel’s future?

The King James Bible is never to be viewed as a “dead book of ancient history,” something totally irrelevant to us. It is in English the very inspired and preserved words of Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Whatever information about creation recorded in it long ago points to the future of creation: by looking into the past, we can see what is to come, and what has not yet been allows us to better understand what has already been.

For instance, in the Book of James, written to the nation Israel (1:1) after our Dispensation of Grace has closed, the Holy Spirit reaches back into history and teaches them a lesson to help them better comprehend their own predicament: “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:10,11). As they are suffering persecution because of Satan’s policy of evil—especially Israel’s believing remnant, the Little Flock (Luke 12:32), under the Antichrist—they are reminded of Job’s trial and subsequent restoration. Daniel’s 70th Week, their circumstances, is another time of tribulation or trouble. Howbeit, just as the Creator was faithful in rescuing Job, so He can be trusted to deliver Israel’s believing remnant from the Devil’s sadistic works (1 Peter 4:19)!

Of particular interest to us here is what God communicates to believing Israel through the names of the three daughters of Job, titles preserved forever in today’s Scripture: “Jemima” is Hebrew for “day,” “Kezia” means “cassia,” and “Kerenhappuch” is “horn of paint/cosmetic.” These are three significant components of end-times prophecy, as the Little Flock awaits the Lord Jesus Christ’s response to her time of great sorrow….

Three Daughters and Three Prophecies #1

Sunday, September 12, 2021

“He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch” (Job 42:13,14 KJV).

How are Job’s three daughters three keys to understanding Israel’s future?

The Book of Job opens with two separate occasions in which Satan stands before the LORD and asks if he can attack believing, prosperous Job. God grants Satan permission both times (1:6-12; 2:1-6). The first round of suffering involves Job losing his oxen and asses (donkeys) to Sabean thieves, losing his sheep to the fire of God falling from heaven, losing his camels to Chaldean thieves, and finally losing his seven sons and three daughters to a violent wind that collapses the building in which they were feasting (1:13-19). Only a few of his servants remain alive. The second phase of misery concerns Job undergoing a severe medical condition—a horrific skin disease with painful boils, among other symptoms (2:7,8).

For the next 29 chapters, Job and his three critical “friends”—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—debate as to whether his difficulties are the results of his sins. All four become increasingly aggravated and rude. Then, a fourth friend, Elihu, speaks in the following six chapters. Elihu has little spiritual insight, but it is more than they do! Finally, God—silent all this time—talks and reveals an Adversary has been working these past 35 chapters. In the end, the LORD restores Job, and he receives double what he lost (42:12)!

Originally, Job had seven sons and three daughters (1:2). As noted already, they died. Today’s Scripture—descriptive of Job’s life after his distressing trial—informs us: “He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.” Apparently, his children have been resurrected. His three daughters, now named, allow us to glimpse into Israel’s future. We see the Jewish believing remnant escaping Satanic oppression (Job’s troubles) and false teaching (his “friends”), and we behold their entrance into Kingdom glory and prosperity (his daughters). Through the eyes of faith, we now look into the ages to come….

333’s 2800th – What is God Doing? #25

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

Addressing the postponement of Christ’s flaming return, the Apostle Peter wrote in chapter 3 of his final epistle: “[8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God is not sluggish, undependable, or unconcerned; He is merely giving ample time for people to join His family (become saints) before He judges them for not being in His family (sinners)!

“[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” Even Peter confessed that the Apostle Paul had been given Divine instruction found nowhere else in Scripture.

For the last 2,000 years, God has commissioned His people to preach “the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19). We find this Gospel of Grace in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. The Lord’s message today to the world—yes, this worthless, godless world—is “grace and peace” not “wrath and war.” “For he [Father God] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (verse 21). We have an opportunity, by faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, to avoid God’s wrath. As members of the Body of Christ, we are destined to reign in the heavenly places throughout the endless ages to come.

Saints, we have come quite far in our Bible understanding these last 2,800 days. However, we are still not where we should be, so onward we go by God’s grace to #2900! 🙂

What is God Doing? #24

Monday, January 28, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

The Holy Spirit says through the Apostle Peter, “be established in the present truth” (2 Peter 1:12). What is still holding back God’s fiery wrath from falling on sinful man? The Divine judgment preached long ago was not a “cunningly devised fable” (2 Peter 1:16)—it is real yet delayed. Jesus Christ came back in early Acts, but not in flaming fire taking vengeance on His enemies (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Rather, He poured out grace and mercy on His chief enemy, Saul of Tarsus!

Saul, now Paul the Apostle, writes in 1 Timothy chapter 1: “[15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” Even today, this dispensational change works to the sinner’s advantage, that he may trust Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and avoid the wrath to come. Grace will not be offered indefinitely.

Peter continues in chapter 3 of his farewell epistle: “[3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. [5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men…..”

Now, we finally conclude this devotionals arc….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Should ‘church’ be changed to ‘called-out assembly’ in Acts 7:38 in the King James Bible?”

What is God Doing? #23

Sunday, January 27, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

Christian friend, have you ever wished the Lord Jesus Christ would hurry up and come back, and rid us of all these challenges besetting our society? Sure, we all have (and still do, oftentimes). Why has He not returned yet, even after 2,000 years of believers praying for it? Will He ever come back? When? What is taking Him so long? Has He forgotten? Is He lazy? Can He not sense the urgency? Has He turned a blind eye to the evil waxing worse and worse? Has He closed His ears to the cries of the oppressed?

God’s wrath, dear readers, would have actually been poured out on our planet 20 centuries ago. Jesus Christ should have returned long ago. Historically, it would have occurred in early Acts. The Prophet Stephen declared in Acts 7:55,56: “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, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Psalm 110:1 had predicted 1,000 years earlier: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” As soon as sitting Christ stood at His Heavenly Father’s right hand, that meant He was returning to judge His enemies in undiluted rage (cf. Acts 2:33-36; Acts 3:19-23, especially the unbelievers being “destroyed” in verse 23).

John the Baptist forewarned of “the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:7-12), so did Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:36-43), Peter (Acts chapters 2 and 3), and Stephen (Acts chapter 7). They preached that Divine punishment would transpire within the lifetime of their audiences. Yet, it never came—and, as you know, we are waiting for it still. Why? The God of the Bible is deliberately doing something different today….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Should we pray for God to ‘guide the surgeon’s hands?’”

What is God Doing? #22

Saturday, January 26, 2019

“Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:7-9 KJV).

What exactly is God doing? Can we say? Or, must we remain clueless?

Romans 5:1-5 says, “[1] Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: [2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Long-term, we “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” This is our heavenly abode, our eternal destiny as members of the Church the Body of Christ. Once sinners, “come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), we are now saints, appointed to glorify the God of the Bible in Heaven. Short-term, until then, we must endure “tribulations” (troubles). Rather than fear them as Divine punishment, we “glory” (or find value) in them. We are justified, having “peace with God,” never worrying about seeing His angry face or coming under His wrathful hand.

Tribulations can benefit us—they can work patience fully (peace under pressure), that patience can work experience fully (skill in circumstances), that experience can work hope fully (complete confidence in God’s promises coming to pass), and that hope will neither fail nor disappoint, “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

When we understand what God is doing, and what He is not doing, then we will begin to comprehend His boundless love for us. This “love of Christ” is featured in Ephesians 3:19, which love we are to experience and fathom. When all is accomplished, the goal is “that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” All control over our lives has thus been surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ….