Category: The Nation Israel

The Mighty Man #3

Friday, November 14, 2025

“Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually” (Psalm 52:1 KJV).

Let us see how Psalm 52 can teach us something about the past, the present, and the future….

Read the subtitle of Psalm 52 once more: “To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.” The mention of “chief Musician” means this was a musical composition the Holy Spirit through David wrote for Israel’s use in Temple worship. “Maschil” is Hebrew for “didactic/instructive/teaching poem.” Psalm 52 is an educational song, something that imparts doctrine, not simply sung for amusement. The word also appears in the subtitle of Psalms 32, 42, 44, 45, 53, 54, 55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142; they too are lessons for Israel to learn. Remember, the Book of Psalms is Israel’s Songbook, songs that anticipate her Messiah-King Jesus fulfilling the various aspects of the Davidic Covenant (see Isaiah 9:6,7).

We know Doeg was an Edomite (Psalm 52 subtitle; cf. 1 Samuel 21:7; 1 Samuel 22:9); he is a descendant of Edom or Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, with Jacob fathering the 12 tribes of Israel (see Genesis 25:19-34; Genesis 36:1,8,9,19,43). The little Book of Obadiah records how, just how Esau and Jacob struggled in Rebekah’s womb, so longtime (satanic, spiritual) war between the Edomites and Israelites (their descendants) will lead all the way to King Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (when God destroys the Edomites).

Psalm 83:6 articulates how Edom will be one of the 10 nations serving as the Antichrist’s allies against believing Israel in the ages to come. Remember, in 1 Samuel 22:6-23, Doeg was King Saul’s informant against David as well as Saul’s instrument in killing believers (the helpless Levitical priests) aligned with David (Israel’s true king). What we have in Psalm 52 then is the Little Flock or Israel’s believing remnant being mercilessly slaughtered during Daniel’s 70th Week as the Antichrist sends in troops (for example, see the violence in Daniel 7:23-25, Daniel 8:23-25, Matthew 10:16-42, Luke 21:12-24, and Revelation 20:4). It is this people to whom Psalm 52 is addressed, and about whom it is written….

The Mighty Man #2

Thursday, November 13, 2025

“Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually” (Psalm 52:1 KJV).

Let us see how Psalm 52 can teach us something about the past, the present, and the future….

Re-read the subtitle of Psalm 52: “To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.” Unbelieving King Saul’s aggression toward young David is well-known to Bible students. With Saul increasingly manifesting how he does not have faith in JEHOVAH God, the LORD seeks another monarch to lead His people Israel. In chapter 16 of 1 Samuel, God authorizes Prophet-Judge Samuel to anoint believing David as the new Jewish king. With the LORD using David to conquer Philistine military giant Goliath in chapter 17, Saul recruits David to become one of his warriors.

As it becomes more apparent to Saul that God’s favor has moved from him in order to rest upon David, as Saul’s daughter Michal loves David to the point of marrying him, and as Saul’s son Jonathan becomes David’s closest friend, “Saul became David’s enemy continually” (1 Samuel 18:29). Hereafter, Saul plots to murder David, forcing David to flee for his life (chapter 20)! In chapter 21, David meets Priest Ahimelech, who provides David and his men with food. It is here that Doeg—the man mentioned in the subtitle of Psalm 52—learns of David’s whereabouts in order to report to Saul: “Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul” (1 Samuel 21:7). Doeg ultimately tattles on David to Saul, with Saul decreeing all the priests be slaughtered for conspiring against the king; these orders are subsequently carried out in a most brutal fashion (cf. 1 Samuel 22:6-23).

These events were weighing heavily on David’s mind when he composed the song of Psalm 52 (today’s Scripture), which you would do well to re-read in its entirety (all nine verses). Having reviewed this background data, we can proceed to expositing the Psalm line by line….

The Mighty Man #1

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

“Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually” (Psalm 52:1 KJV).

Let us see how Psalm 52 can teach us something about the past, the present, and the future….

The Book of Psalms has been terribly abused through the centuries. Even now it is seldom understood within its dispensational context—and this is not God’s fault! Howbeit, we will use spiritual eyes and the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry to comprehend just what is taking place here in this “Israel’s Songbook” as the nation awaits her King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We begin by reading Psalm 52 in its entirety: “[1] Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. [2] The tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. [3] Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. [4] Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. [5] God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. [6] The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: [7] Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. [8] But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. [9] I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.”

It would do us well to also mark the subtitle of this Psalm, which reads, “To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.” Taking a quick glance at each line of the Psalm, we notice the “mischief” and lies of an evil man (someone working against God), plus a believer (David) who is an observer of these nefarious activities….

Convenient Season #5

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25 KJV).

According to the Bible, when is the “convenient season?”

God and man never agree on definitions. Felix assumed his “convenient season” to believe the Gospel would come once he dawdled some more in his fellowshipping with this present evil world system. The Governor had no spiritual insight into the fact physical death might come upon him at any moment—and he as a lost man most definitely would face an holy, offended, angry God unprepared. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:…” (Hebrews 9:27).

We can be certain countless people have put off trusting Christ as their personal Saviour. They hung on to their sin a bit more, promising, “I will believe the Gospel tomorrow.” For some, tomorrow never came—they died in an accident, lost in their sins, and now, “tomorrow” will never come. For others, they delayed to trust Christ on multiple occasions. Life became busier and busier, and they were distracted by this or that for years and years until it was too late. Time passed by faster than they ever anticipated.

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:1,2). Originally, Isaiah (49:8) was writing about how God the Father had heard Messiah Jesus (God the Son), particularly how Messiah would send salvation and blessing to the world through redeemed Israel rising to kingdom glory. The “accepted time” and “the day of salvation” of Isaiah point to the Millennial Reign of Christ on Earth.

However, Paul sees a parallel in our mystery program. With his ministry in effect, now is the day of salvation and now is the accepted time for Gentiles; the Age of Grace is the “convenient [suitable] season.” Furthermore, the exact moment we realize this, we should believe the Gospel of Grace valid during that Age of Grace….

Arrayed in Hypocrisy

Friday, October 31, 2025

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27,28 KJV).

“Looks can be deceiving” is not only true during Halloweentime, but confirmed year-round within Christendom.

Today is Halloween, when children dress up and feign themselves to be creatures they are not. Likewise, many church leaders today wear “Christian” garbs, but their ministries do not bring the Lord Jesus Christ glory and honor. They promote their denomination, and seek to perpetuate it, rather than serve and exalt the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Bible manifests these who appear to be good, as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

In today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ exposed Israel’s corrupt religious leaders who misled the nation in His day. In His Parable of the Tares, Matthew 13:24-30,37-43, Christ explained how just as He had sown good seed (wheat, believing Jews) in Israel, Satan had also sown tares/weeds (unbelieving Jews). Tares resemble wheat; unbelieving Jews resemble believing Jews. The unbelieving Pharisees and scribes, for instance, looked like God’s people (believing Israel). Judas Iscariot was another example of Satan’s tares—the apostles never realized who Judas really was until it was too late!

But Satan’s counterfeit believers are not confined to Israel’s program. Today, within local assemblies of the Body of Christ, there are people feigning themselves to be Christians: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Beloved, beware of the church leaders who are arrayed in hypocrisy, “and avoid them” (Romans 16:17b). If their teaching does not agree with the rightly divided King James Bible, you have no business as a child of God to be listening to them.

*This is excerpted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

You may also see our special study, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?” In addition, “What does the Bible say about ghosts?”

Possessed with Devils #25

Thursday, October 30, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

In prophecy, Satan uses evil spirits to corrupt Israel’s people and Israel’s Promised Land. Thus, these are “unclean spirits,” “foul spirits,” or “devils.” Remember, “the Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22; cf. John 4:48). In God’s Word, healing the sick and casting out devils are two signs or indications the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly kingdom is approaching (see Matthew 4:17,23,24—today’s Scripture; cf. Zechariah 13:2). In mystery (Paul’s epistles), however, God’s current relations with man, the battle has moved from Earth to Heaven, with emphasis on “spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places” (Ephesians 6:12). Thus, no devil possession is possible today, rendering exorcism unnecessary in our Dispensation of Grace. Still, unless we teach and believe sound Bible doctrine, works-religion and denominationalism will be Satan’s instruments to blind and pollute our minds and hearts (2 Corinthians 4:3,4; 2 Corinthians 11:3,4,13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 2:26).

Finally, as for the terminology, we must set the record straight. Due to the influence of modern English versions (products of unbelief), “demon possession” and “demons” are used as supposedly “better alternatives” to “devil possession” and “devils.” This allegedly distinguishes between Satan (Devil) and his angelic employees (demons). However, our King James translators knew the difference between being possessed of devils (evil spirits) and being possessed of the Devil (Satan, the chief evil spirit). See Luke 22:3 and John 13:27, for example; though, differentiating between Satan and other evil spirits is generally immaterial because they all labor to oppose God’s works.

While “demon” is indeed a transliteration of the Greek “daimonion,” it poses two challenges for English readers. Firstly, “demon” does not contain the built-in clue as to its connection to “evil” (“devil” includes the very word “evil,” but “demon” is unclear). Secondly, the ancient Greeks used “demon” in both bad and good senses, evil spirits and good spirits—but “devil” is always bad. Modern English versions are ambiguous and therefore weak here. The Authorized Version King James Bible is superior, being more precise and, consequently, easier to read!

-FINIS!-

Possessed with Devils #24

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Mark 9:38-40: “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part” (cf. Luke 9:49,50). Though the Apostles protested, Christ approved this unidentified man’s genuine exorcisms in His name.

Nevertheless, as with everything God does, Satan’s cheap counterfeits distract and deceive. Beware! Even in Bible days, casting out devils was not necessarily of God: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [evil!!!]” (Matthew 7:21-23).

In contrast to Paul’s exorcisms in Acts 19:11,12; charlatans worked in “exorcism ministry” in verses 13-17: “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure [command] you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.”

We (finally!) summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Possessed with Devils #23

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Although the Holy Bible distinguishes between lunacy and devil possession (see today’s Scripture), certain evil spirits did cause mental illness (Matthew 17:15; cf. Mark 5:15). Israel’s spiritual insanity resulted from not thinking according to God’s words, the Law of Moses. Some possessed men were “dumb” (Matthew 9:32; Matthew 12:22; Mark 9:17,25). This muteness portrayed how sinful Israel could not speak the Word of God to the nations, merely emitting spiritual “foam [froth, air bubbles]” (cf. Mark 9:18,20; Luke 9:39). Evil spirits also caused loss of sight (Matthew 12:22) and loss of hearing (Mark 9:25), depicting Israel’s spiritual blindness and spiritual deafness to God’s words.

Some devil-possessed men cut themselves while living in mountains (Mark 5:5): such self-mutilation signified Israel’s Baal-worship or heathen idolatry in “high places” or at pagan shrines (cf. 1 Kings 18:28). Devil possession and physical nakedness meant Israel lacked spiritual clothes or God’s righteousness (Mark 5:15; Luke 8:27; cf. Genesis 3:7; Isaiah 61:10). Evil spirits also contributed to falling on the ground (Mark 9:20; Luke 9:42), like Israel’s incapacity to walk in God’s ways or function smoothly in His ministry. Other devil-possessed individuals lost self-control by convulsing/shaking, rolling, or being thrown around (Mark 1:26 [“torn him”]; Mark 9:20 [“tare him… wallowed”]; Mark 9:26 [“rent him sore {brutally}”]; Luke 4:35; Luke 9:39,42 [“teareth him… threw him down, and tare him”]). Israel was spiritually wild (cf. Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:4), not under God’s influence and therefore spiritually unstable.

Falling into fire and water was especially destructive (Matthew 17:15; Mark 9:22): Israel committed spiritual suicide by following Satan’s policy of evil, dwelling among tombs or associating with spiritual death (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:3; Luke 8:27), “pining away” or gradually weakening (Mark 9:18), “crying aloud” or wailing in distress (Mark 1:26; Mark 5:5; Luke 4:33; Luke 9:39), and “gnashing teeth” in pain (Mark 9:18). These various maladies or disabilities that accompanied devil possession in Scripture corresponded to Israel’s spiritual diseases God needed to cure for the Jewish people to function as His kingdom of priests….

Possessed with Devils #22

Monday, October 27, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

A minister—one of Christendom’s “blind leaders of the blind”—shared online a prayer to recite to drive out evil spirits. This little manmade petition, unfortunately, has no Divine authority whatsoever because it is not the Bible rightly divided. Ironically, this “exorcist” gives Satan more influence by spreading his denominational error and spiritual ignorance. Paul’s epistles delineate what God is doing today, but that pastor never cited a single verse from Romans through Philemon. Unsurprisingly, he appealed to Matthew through John!

The resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ sent our Apostle Paul to us Gentiles to “open [our] eyes, and to turn [us] from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:16-18). If we do not walk according to that Dispensation of Grace given to Paul and given through Paul to us (Romans to Philemon; Ephesians 3:2), we lose the battle with Satan and fall prey to the “spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places” (see Ephesians 6:11-19). Indeed, Satan has ministers of righteousness—denominational preachers and teachers—who have led billions (!) astray in works-religion (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). These deceived souls are in “the snare [trap] of the devil… taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Grace, all that God can do for us through Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary, has been ignored; man’s religious efforts (Law) and man’s “wisdom” (philosophy) are glorified in its place.

As per Pauline doctrine, no one today can be possessed of the Devil or devils, but we can be oppressed of the Devil and devils through the ministry of false teachers promoting bad conduct and bad doctrine (see 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Corinthians 10:19-21; 1 Timothy 1:19,20; 1 Timothy 3:7; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Timothy 5:11-15; cf. Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 4:27). Satan will even use corrupt governmental leaders to hinder God’s work (see 1 Thessalonians 2:18; cf. Acts 17:5-9). Pride is of the Devil (1 Timothy 3:6), as is bitterness and unforgiveness (2 Corinthians 2:7-11). Indeed, Christendom is woefully (!) ignorant (!) of Satan’s activities….

Possessed with Devils #21

Sunday, October 26, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Two passages that will revolutionize the way we look at the Holy Scriptures (if we let them!) are Acts 3:21 and Romans 16:25,26. Acts chapter 3 is Jesus Christ preached according to prophecy, that “which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Romans chapter 16 is Jesus Christ preached according to mystery, that “which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest [through Pauline revelation].” Remember Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Prophecy corresponds to God’s will for Earth, whereas mystery regulates His will for Heaven. To mix them is to become totally mixed up. These prophetic and mystery programs cannot be combined, lest unanswerable confusion result. Again, we must “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

The kingdom of the Gospel of the Kingdom is God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom. Prophecy is the series of events which will result in God having an earthly people, Israel, to accomplish His will in the Earth. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth [not ‘heaven!’],” says Matthew 5:5, the earthly kingdom constitution. “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:…” (Matthew 25:34), which kingdom loops back to God placing Adam on the Earth (not in Heaven!).

Mystery is what information God kept secret from mankind until Christ revealed it to and through the Apostle Paul in Acts chapter 9 onward. As Israel will exalt Jesus Christ in Earth, so we learn from Pauline revelation how the Church the Body of Christ will glorify Him in the Heavenly Places. God is not claiming real estate on the Earth today. The current battle is in the heavenly places, and, to miss this is to give Satan the victory. Devil possession is Satan’s way of corrupting the Promised Land, but with Israel temporarily fallen (Romans chapter 11), Satan and God are at war in the heavenly places now….