Category: The Nation Israel

Days of Usefulness #2

Sunday, July 7, 2019

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;…” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 KJV).

What can today’s Scripture teach us?

The title “Ecclesiastes” is the Latin form of the Greek word for “preacher.” It is King Solomon gathering an audience to teach them what he has learned about earthly living. He is elderly, near the close of his sojourn on Earth, his royal administration winding down. Employing a sequence of interesting euphemisms, the Holy Spirit describes the human physical body undergoing the aging process. The key is verse 7, the spirit leaving the body: the culmination of aging is physical death itself.

“[2] While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain [youth turning to senior citizen]: [3] In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble [tremors], and the strong men shall bow themselves [stooping], and the grinders cease because they are few [tooth loss], and those that look out of the windows be darkened [vision loss], [4] And the doors shall be shut in the streets [lips close], when the sound of the grinding is low [hearing loss], and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird [sleeplessness], and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low [no longer enjoying former pleasures];….

“[5] Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high [fear of falling], and fears shall be in the way [worrisome], and the almond tree shall flourish [graying hair], and the grasshopper shall be a burden [easily irritated], and desire shall fail [sex drive wanes]: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets [funeral approaching]: [6] Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern [various organs and body-parts unusable]. [7] Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” There, the wages of sin take their toll on flesh and blood. Earthly living ceases….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Should the lack of worldwide revival in our dispensation discourage us from witnessing?”

Days of Usefulness #1

Saturday, July 6, 2019

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;…” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 KJV).

What can today’s Scripture teach us?

Let us read its context: “[2] While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: [3] In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, [4] And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; [5] Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: [6] Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

“[7] Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. [8] Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. [9] And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. [10] The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. [11] The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. [12] And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.”

We will now carefully consider these verses, and learn truths that prove most useful to people of all ages in all ages….

Liberated to Serve

Thursday, July 4, 2019

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV).

Today, as we in the United States celebrate the 243rd anniversary of our nation’s independence, we invite our Christian brethren worldwide to rejoice with us concerning our freedom in Jesus Christ.

When we proclaim Romans 6:14—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace”—people tend to assume “loose living.” Does “grace living” really mean we can now live any way we want? Lest anyone be misled in that regard, God the Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in the next verse, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]” (Romans 6:15). Grace living is not Law-keeping, but it certainly is not Law-breaking either.

God still cares how we live, albeit He is not operating the “weak and beggarly” system of “bondage” (Law) that He once did with Israel (Galatians 4:9). God proved to the entire world that since Israel could not keep His commandments perfectly, no other sons of Adam (the Gentiles) could either: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [Israel] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world [Gentiles] may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

We sinners cannot keep the Law. However, God in His grace provided us a way to escape that condemnation by sending Jesus Christ to offer Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay for our sins. By simple faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, we can now be “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can be delivered from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire) and the power of sin (flesh-walking).

Why are we Christians free? To selfishly live any way we want? NO! Today’s Scripture says we are liberated to now serve others, especially our Christian brethren, just as Jesus Christ selflessly served His Father and selflessly died on our behalf. That is grace living!!!!

Please see our 2011 Fourth of July Bible study “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” which can be watched here or read here.

A Liar, a Lunatic, or the Lord?

Friday, June 28, 2019

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matthew 16:13 KJV).

There is an old expression, “Jesus is one of three—a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord!” Friend, whom do you say He is?

Read the first accusation leveled against Jesus, John 7:12: “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.” Compare to Matthew 27:62,63: “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.” To some, Jesus was nothing but a liar, a fraud, an imposter. “And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub [Satan!], and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils” (Mark 3:22).

Now, another insult, Mark 3:20,21: “And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.” Jesus was here called a “crazy,” a nut, someone who should be locked away in an asylum! “And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?” (John 10:20). “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Finally, the Apostle Peter, after Jesus’ resurrection, uttered four words (correctly identifying Him!): “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea” (John 21:7). See the context of today’s Scripture: “[15] He [Jesus] saith unto them, But whom say ye [believers!] that I am? [16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did the Samaritan believers not receive the Holy Spirit upon believing in Acts 8?”

Jesus, Please Leave! #10

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

“And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts” (Matthew 8:34 KJV).

Friend, what would you do if the Lord Jesus Christ Himself happened to knock on your front door or ring your doorbell?

Read Christ’s words in Matthew chapter 12: “[43] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. [44] Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. [45] Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

Here is Israel’s sad condition. Messiah Jesus could cleanse her of her devil possession, but since she refused His influence, her spiritual state would further deteriorate. Once Israel rejected Christ’s offer to liberate her from satanic bondage, she opened herself to more spiritual corruption. The Antichrist will thus arise one day (see 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; cf. John 5:43).

Satan works wherever God’s Word is absent. If we are “too busy” to renew our minds with the Scriptures rightly divided (Israel’s problem!), we automatically fall for Satan’s lie. Lost people stay unsaved, and Christians remain confused. The answer is to preach and believe sound Bible doctrine! Second Timothy chapter 2: “[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Friends and brethren, may we hold to Pauline doctrine, Romans through Philemon. As the Holy Spirit through Paul penned, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord [Jesus!]. But if any man be ignorant [refusing Jesus], let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37,38)!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does ‘not’ belong in Isaiah 9:3?”

 

Jesus, Please Leave! #9

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

“And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts” (Matthew 8:34 KJV).

Friend, what would you do if the Lord Jesus Christ Himself happened to knock on your front door or ring your doorbell?

The Bible instructs, “Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). To “quench” means “to stifle,” “to restrain the influence of.” When we refuse to follow the Spirit of God, we are saying, “Jesus, please depart!” Watch unsaved people “quench the Spirit” when the Apostle Paul preaches to them in Acts chapter 17: “[31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. [32] And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. [33] So Paul departed from among them.”

Paul urged us members of the Body of Christ not to quench the Spirit. Notice Ephesians chapter 4: “[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, [18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: [19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [20] But ye have not so learned Christ; [21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Saints, if we are not walking with a renewed mind—thinking as Christ would—then we are basically asking Him to leave us too. We have rebuffed His guidance and life. May we not be like the foolish people of today’s Scripture….

Jesus, Please Leave! #8

Monday, June 24, 2019

“And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts” (Matthew 8:34 KJV).

Friend, what would you do if the Lord Jesus Christ Himself happened to knock on your front door or ring your doorbell?

As far as the record of Scripture is concerned, the Lord Jesus never again set foot on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. They requested His departure—and He obliged. Someone may ask, “What about those there who wanted to believe on Jesus but had not yet heard of Him and never got to meet Him?” Well, the message of Messiah was still proclaimed there, even after His parting.

Now healed, the formerly devil-possessed man wanted to accompany Jesus (Mark chapter 5): “[19] Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. [20] And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” God’s testimony was still there east of the Jordan River, but the Saviour Himself had withdrawn. See also Luke chapter 8: “[38] Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, [39] Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.”

Today, there are various ways to say, “Jesus, please leave!” It can be a lost person mocking God’s preacher and grace doctrine. They prefer their works-religion. Or, it can be individuals who have already believed on Christ as personal Saviour, who hang on to the Law system as means for Christian living. They may even live like the world, quenching or putting out the influence of the Holy Spirit. As the old preacher said, “I went in the world and found the church, I went in the church and found the world!” Sadly, the Lord is often rejected even now….

Jesus, Please Leave! #7

Sunday, June 23, 2019

“And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts” (Matthew 8:34 KJV).

Friend, what would you do if the Lord Jesus Christ Himself happened to knock on your front door or ring your doorbell?

Mark chapter 5 says, “[17] And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. [18] And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him…. [21] And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.”

Luke chapter 8 records it like this: “[37] Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. [38] Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, [39] Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. [40] And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.”

Once Christ was asked to leave, He left! Having crossed the Sea of Galilee going eastward and been rejected there, He returned westward by ship. On the western shore, though, “the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him” (Luke 8:40). Dear friends, if there ever were a lesson to learn here, it is this: never, ever are we to waste time with people who do not want to hear the truth. We tell them God’s Word rightly divided, but if they refuse, we need to move on to those who do have a sincere desire to hear and believe. Time is ever so precious, and must be mindful as to how to handle those who reject the Scriptures even now….

Jesus, Please Leave! #6

Saturday, June 22, 2019

“And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts” (Matthew 8:34 KJV).

Friend, what would you do if the Lord Jesus Christ Himself happened to knock on your front door or ring your doorbell?

Luke chapter 8 records the miracle of the context of today’s Scripture as follows: “[33] Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. [34] When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.

“[35] Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. [36] They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. [37] Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. [38] Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, [39] Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.”

The local townspeople hear about the transformation of that wild man who lived among the tombs. In fact, they are so curious they come to see if the news is really true. Yes indeed, there, at the feet of Jesus, sits that man—completely healed! Messiah has arrived, and He is able and ready to deliver them from satanic bondage! Unfortunately, they have no spiritual discernment to recognize the good news. The Bible says “great fear” came on them (verse 37). Unable to appreciate the Lord Jesus, they prefer that He leave them. Like many today, they do not want Him….

Jesus, Please Leave! #5

Friday, June 21, 2019

“And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts” (Matthew 8:34 KJV).

Friend, what would you do if the Lord Jesus Christ Himself happened to knock on your front door or ring your doorbell?

In Isaiah chapter 49, after the LORD God issues astonishing promises concerning Israel’s glorious future, a valid objection is raised. Verse 24: “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?” Satan boasts before God that Israel is now his people. Having broken the Mosaic Covenant with their idolatry, they are disqualified from being God’s people (see Exodus 19:5,6). They are Satan’s slaves, and he will not release them. Recall the rampant devil possession during Christ’s earthly ministry! The nation Israel is so thoroughly corrupted with pagan idolatry and false teaching. Indeed, legally, God cannot use them. They have entered into a binding contract, and have utterly failed to stay loyal to the God of their fathers. “Lawfully captive” to Satan, how can they be “delivered?”

Almighty God answers Satan: “[25] But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. [26] And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.” 

God will save the children of Israel… somehow. The specifics are not clear to Satan, Isaiah, or anyone else at that time. Looking back, with a complete Bible in hand, we can see Jesus’ crosswork in veiled language in Isaiah 50:1-8. In death by crucifixion, Christ fights to redeem Israel from sin and Satan’s relentless grip. By shedding His sinless blood, He satisfies Father God’s justice, and pays Israel’s sin debt in full. Before this, He performs healing and exorcism miracles (as in today’s Scripture). Prior to Calvary, He demonstrates He can free Israel from the Devil’s clutches….