Category: The Nation Israel

Many, Many, Many!

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:11,12 KJV).

What a statement—“many…many… many!”

Dear friends, while today’s Scripture is still future, we would do well to look at this list of three “many’s” and how they parallel Paul’s epistles and God’s current dealings with man:

  • “MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL ARISE.” A “prophet” is a man who claims to speak on God’s behalf (whether genuine or fake). When we look at today’s religious world, it is rather easy to see how these words of Christ will be fulfilled after our Dispensation of Grace has run its course. The operative word here is “many.” Christ did not say “a few.” There will be “many” people pretending to represent the God of the Bible. Doubtless, they will speak of “Jesus,” the “Holy Ghost,” and the “Gospel.” Unless they employ such biblical terms, they would never be able to successfully pass themselves off as authentic. “Many… corrupt the word of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17).
  • “THEY SHALL DECEIVE MANY.” The “many” false prophets will have a far greater impact than we would care to admit. As opposed to small pockets of misled and confused souls, there will be massive spiritual damage inflicted when they will conduct their ministries. “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:…” (Philippians 3:18). Here are genuine Christians deceived by false doctrine—not just “a few,” but “many!” We can see this today as well.
  • “THE LOVE OF MANY SHALL WAX COLD.” With bad doctrine circulating, “iniquity” (injustice, evil) is proliferating. God’s Word absent, man’s sinful flesh naturally takes over. Unbelievers will mercilessly attack believers in Christ. Furthermore, believers would turn on fellow believers! Even in our dispensation, this is evident. One of the last verses Paul penned was, “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). Here is a massive apostasy or turning from sound Bible doctrine. Their love faded for God’s spokesman to them; tragically, they have abandoned the Apostle as he awaits execution in a Roman prison!

Be on guard, brethren!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Are our mystery program and its promises better than Israel’s prophetic program and its promises?”

333’s 3100th – My Words

Monday, November 25, 2019

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away” (Mark 13:31 KJV).

Dearly beloved, we have reached devotional #3100!

Today’s Scripture is actually one of three times wherein the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of His Word—yea, rather His “words,” notice—in conjunction with the end times. We will now read the parallel verses. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:33).

All three verses are part of “the Olivet Discourse,” “Jesus’ Second Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew chapters 24–25; Mark chapter 13; Luke chapter 21). The Lord is sitting on the Mount of Olives, responding to His disciples’ questions about His Second Coming and subsequent activities. He not only summarizes the Old Testament prophecies, He adds further insight by revealing things previously unknown. Some intense trials are coming on Israel and the rest of the world. Here we are, 20 centuries later, these passages still awaiting fulfillment. Therefore, what was spoken long ago loops forward to the future from us—Israel that will exist after our Dispensation of Grace.

If the believing Jews are to survive those forthcoming violent and destructive times, with Heaven and Earth being considerably reformed, they will have to fall back on Christ’s words. Since His words will never pass away, Israel’s believing remnant has something solid on which to rely: they need to trust those words, waiting for the Lord to bring to pass everything He said regarding them (curses and blessings). While they have a glorious future, there must first be a time of suffering.

Brethren, we have come quite far in our studies these last 3,100 days, have we not? We have paid attention to “the words”—not merely the thoughts—of the Holy King James Bible. Special emphasis was given to words because words are the most basic components of thoughts. If the preserved words of God will preserve the believers in Israel in their prophetic program, then, surely, those preserved words will preserve us in our mystery program. No matter how grim our conditions are, the inspired and preserved words of God will see us through to our eternal destiny as well!

Onward we go to devotional #3200! 🙂

Signs of Shallowness #10

Thursday, November 21, 2019

“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).

Behold the signs of shallowness!

Dear friends and brethren, we grow spiritually by understanding and appreciating the completed Bible canon—particularly the Pauline epistles (Romans through Philemon) that closed it. Unless we notice God’s most recent revelation, we cannot know what He is doing today.

The Holy Spirit instructed and encouraged the baby saints at Corinth (who enjoyed being entertained with spiritual nonsense): “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:8-13).

In New Testament Greek culture (the Corinthians’ background), childhood ended for girls and boys at age 13. They would gather their toys and leave them at a pagan temple, signaling they were now adults. Dear friends, if we let the Bible rightly divided impact our minds and hearts, believing it (!), we too will “put away childish things.” Moving from shallow waters, we thus plumb the depths of God’s mystery wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6-8)! 🙂

Signs of Shallowness #9

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

“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).

Behold the signs of shallowness!

Ephesians chapter 4: “[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: [14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

Here is one enormous sentence in Greek! In short, the Lord Jesus Christ gave church leaders for the purpose of bringing the Church the Body of Christ to a place of “edifying” (building up) and “perfection” (spiritual maturity). At one time, there was no completed Bible—now there is. We thus have no reason to be “children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” Indeed, if we are shallow in the Scripture, we are vulnerable to such spiritual lies. Just look at church history and modern Christendom!

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Signs of Shallowness #8

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

“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).

Behold the signs of shallowness!

The writer of the Book of Hebrews could have written more about Jesus Christ, but national Israel was unable to handle it. So, it was necessary to start with the basics (higher doctrine would be presented later). Hebrews itself is the most fundamental treatise—a “beginner’s guide”—to the work of Christ with respect to Israel. Like Romans does for us the Church the Body of Christ, Hebrews underscores Calvary’s crosswork for Israel. As we do not stop in our edification in Romans, so Israel does not stay in Hebrews-level doctrine. They are to further mature, grasping the Books of James through Revelation.

Building on today’s Scripture (the close of chapter 5), the Holy Spirit began chapter 6: “[1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, [2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [3] And this will we do, if God permit.” The “perfection” here is not sinlessness but spiritual maturity. God gave the Bible to Israel to grow her spiritually, and to mature us the Body of Christ spiritually.

Indeed, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That [purpose/intent] the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). We know exactly what God is doing, and we need not be shallow in our understanding….

Signs of Shallowness #7

Monday, November 18, 2019

“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).

Behold the signs of shallowness!

Obviously, babies cannot recognize their limited condition. They are unable to understand they should eventually mature to become adults who can take care of themselves. Unfortunately, here are most professing Christians. They do not realize it, but vain religious tradition has caused their Christian lives to be dead! Only when someone shows them sound Bible doctrine do they really get a chance to see where they are. It is further tragic—and it happens more often than not—that they obstinately refuse to escape that nursery. Surely, it is easier to depend on others (preachers) than stand and fight the good fight of faith yourself (1 Timothy 6:12)!

Grow up, Christian friend, grow up! Dispensational Bible study will free you from perpetual spiritual childishness. You can be founded and stabilized in God’s Word if you so desire (Romans 16:25,26). Paul’s Gospel—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day—is the first step in edification. We see those details in Romans through Galatians. The second step to spiritual growth is “the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery”—laid out in Ephesians through Colossians. Finally, God will use “the scriptures of the prophets” (all the Bible in light of Pauline doctrine) to mature us (Thessalonians).

If we ignore the Apostle Paul’s special ministry and message—like most of the Body of Christ has done for 20 centuries—we do not have a hope or prayer in the world of ever avoiding Satan’s lies. It is that serious….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did God place a curse on creation?”

Signs of Shallowness #6

Sunday, November 17, 2019

“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).

Behold the signs of shallowness!

It was no accident the Holy Spirit moved the writer of the Book of Hebrews to employ the expression “dull of hearing” in today’s Scripture. This condition applies to Israel not only during the early to mid-Acts period, but also in Christ’s earthly ministry (Matthew 13:15) and the late Acts period (Acts 28:27). They are lazy (Greek translated “slothful” in Hebrews 6:12) when it comes to hearing the Word of God. This infirmity goes all the way back to Isaiah 6:9-10, some 700 years earlier, when Israel was not responding positively to God’s message to them. Again, the Jews had prolonged exposure to God’s words but refused to believe them, thus resulting in persistent spiritual immaturity.

Here we are, friends, almost 20 centuries since God gave mankind a completed Bible. We have yet to master it because the Church the Body of Christ has spent 99.9 percent of that time dillydallying with denominations, speculations, and hallucinations. It is a tragic commentary, but the average local church building is nothing but a nursery where spiritual children play with spiritual toys (rituals, ceremonies, singing, dancing, hand raising). Therein is an offensive, pervasive odor—people unable to control themselves (like babies with soiled diapers). They cannot function independently, requiring constant service from the preachers (who themselves likewise need tending to). Unable to make Christian decisions, they languish in worldly thoughts and deeds. Like Israel of bygone days, they too are “dull” of hearing the things of God. Spiritual truth has fallen on willfully deaf ears!

Brethren, it is high time for us to leave the spiritual nursery and grow up….

Signs of Shallowness #5

Saturday, November 16, 2019

“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).

Behold the signs of shallowness!

First Corinthians chapter 3: “[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. [2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. [3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” For nearly two years, the Corinthians heard the sound Bible doctrine they needed to grow (Acts chapter 18). Yet, they had not accessed it by faith. As Israel’s history demonstrates, possessing God’s Word will profit us nothing unless we trust it (Hebrews 4:2).

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Like the Corinthians, these new believers in Christ drink from the spiritual baby bottle. Again, as in the physical world, this is normal. The problem is when people stay with the baby bottle (see today’s Scripture). Just as the nation Israel wasted 16 centuries with spiritual nonsense when they could have learned the pure Word of God, so the Church the Body of Christ has squandered 20 centuries with spiritual nonsense when we could have learned the pure Word of God.

Today, we have a completed Bible, and are still overwhelmingly ignorant of it. It is as if God never revealed anything at all! We have the principles of grace, how the grace edification process works, but we have yet to grow. Let us see how to grow in grace….

Signs of Shallowness #3

Thursday, November 14, 2019

“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).

Behold the signs of shallowness!

Ancient Israel is an excellent case study in spiritual immaturity. JEHOVAH God furnished the Jews with His words, that they might grow to spiritual adulthood. For 16 centuries, they possessed the Holy Bible (Old Testament). The Holy Spirit assesses the nation in today’s Scripture: Israel is still (!!!) a spiritual baby! Not only unable to teach the Gentiles the Word of God, the Jews themselves must first be taught Bible basics!! What happened?!

Frankly, there is no substitute for sound Bible doctrine—“sound” as in “healthy,” “whole,” or nourishing (see 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9,13; Titus 2:1,2; 3 John 2; cf. Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10). Not retaining the Divine revelation given her, Israel had played around with religious tradition (rabbinical speculations). After consuming that massive amount of “spiritual junk food,” Israel was now spiritually emaciated (sick, thin, and frail/weak). Languishing in this extremely dangerous spiritual condition, Israel demanded her Messiah be killed (God, writing the Book of Hebrews, is looking back on Calvary).

Today, dear friends, listen to professing Christians as they share their own spiritual journeys. These poor souls, “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14), are exact copies of ancient Israel. Deceived by denominational systems, they have trodden so many loops, U-turns, excursions, detours. After attending church services for decades (!), they still have no idea what the Bible really teaches. No wonder they are too ignorant to teach Scripture to others. As tragic as it sounds, “Christians” are often the least likely (!!) to have stable Christian beliefs….

Signs of Shallowness #1

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

“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).

Behold the signs of shallowness!

The writer of the Book of Hebrews—not the Apostle Paul!—understood the nation Israel’s dire spiritual state. For 15 centuries, they had possessed the Word of God (Romans 3:1,2). Eventually, they should have spiritually matured in it, able to take those words of God out to the world (Gentiles/nations). Alas, Israel had spent most of those centuries depending on the traditions and opinions of men. She allowed Satan’s evil world system to “convert” her: they held rabbinical traditions in high esteem, they loved their idols of wood and stone, and they were so comfortable in self-righteousness.

The Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures were overwhelmingly shunned; therefore, Israel was unable to identify her Messiah (Jesus) when He ultimately presented Himself to them! When God the Holy Spirit penned the Book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ has already come and gone. He had been born in Bethlehem Judaea, He had lived for 30 years among His Jewish brethren, He had preached and performed miracles for His last three years—and His own nation demanded He die on a cruel cross!

Even now, as the Holy Spirit writes during the Acts period, Israel is nationally floundering in spiritual ignorance and impotence. They are still refusing to listen to the preaching of the Apostle Peter and the other 11 Apostles serving with him; in fact, they are persecuting and killing Christ’s messengers. Not only so, they are opposing the Apostle Paul. Israel is spiritually crippled, childish in the Scriptures. Let us not look down upon them, for that describes many professing Christians today….