Category: The Nation Israel

Enoch the Bible Teacher

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

“And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:23,24 KJV).

How did this most enigmatic Bible character “walk with God?”

Scripture says very little about Enoch, the father of the oldest man in the Bible (Methuselah). The genealogical records of Genesis indicate that Enoch was born about 600 years after creation (he lived contemporaneously with Adam for 300 years, so they doubtless knew each other!). Enoch “walked with God,” lived to age 365 years, and “he was not, for God took him” (today’s Scripture)—he disappeared from earth hundreds of years prior to the Great Flood (God spared him from witnessing such a horrific sight!).

Through the writer of the book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit elaborates: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him:…” (11:5,6a). Enoch “walked with God” by having faith in God’s Word to him; moreover, interestingly, the Bible confirms that Enoch never experienced physical death.

Although Enoch certainly did not have a written, completed Bible like we do, Jude explains what revelation Enoch had from God: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (verses 14,15).

Enoch was a prophet, someone who preached God’s Word. Now, in hindsight, with a completed Bible in hand, we can see that Enoch foresaw the Lord Jesus Christ returning to earth at His Second Coming with all the holy angels with Him, to pour out His wrath on unbelieving mankind. Enoch was a Bible teacher in the midst of that most wicked primitive world. This is most interesting, seeing as to “Enoch” means, “teach,” “train up,” “discipline.”

Roll Call in the Heavens

Monday, June 2, 2014

“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth” (Isaiah 40:26 KJV).

Today’s Scripture explains how the Almighty Creator calls His universe to order!

As NASA’s Voyager 1 space probe was exiting our solar system in 1990, technicians turned its camera around to take a most stunning snapshot, “Pale Blue Dot” (search the internet for the image). From a distance of 3.7 billion miles (6 billion kilometers)—roughly 40 times the distance between the Earth and the Sun—Voyager 1 captured a photograph of a literal blue speck suspended in a vast field of blackness. It was truly “Earth viewed against the grand scheme of things!”

As Earth rotates on its axis, sunlight disappears, night falls, and God “bringeth out their host by number” (today’s Scripture). We “lift up [our] eyes on high,” and see a few thousand dots of light—stars, spheres of bright gas—but we are viewing the heavens through a ridiculously-small window. One estimate of the number of stars in our universe is a number that exceeds the sum of the sand grains on all of Earth’s beaches!

Today’s Scripture provides a most striking illustration. JEHOVAH, the Lord Jesus Christ, “calls roll” regarding the quadrillions upon quadrillions of stars appearing in the celestial sphere at night; as less sunlight is seen, more stars shine. They appear as He calls them individually. “He telleth [or, counts] the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names” (Psalm 147:4). Yes, the God of the Bible has a name for every single star!

The context of today’s Scripture is the Prophet Isaiah’s discourse about JEHOVAH, Israel’s God, versus pagan idols that Israel foolishly worships (chapters 40-48). JEHOVAH asks in the verse prior to today’s Scripture, “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One” (verse 25). It is a rhetorical question in light of today’s Scripture. The answer is, “Only JEHOVAH can call roll in the heavens!” 🙂

Joshua and Jesus

Thursday, May 29, 2014

“For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day” (Hebrews 4:8 KJV).

Why did our scholarly King James translators render this verse in such an oft-derided manner?

Emulating countless others, an arrogant seminary professor once wrote a scathing article about so-called “King James Bible errors.” The wayward professor included today’s Scripture in his list of flaws: he criticized our 1611 translators by arguing that the Greek word they rendered “Jesus” should actually be “Joshua” to fit the context (the modern Bible publishers were thrilled to receive publicity and backing!).

Before we grow angry with God’s Word for being right 100 percent of the time, and before we attack the 400-year-old King James Bible, we would do well to let God teach us instead of us “correcting” Him. A quick lesson in anthroponomastics will cause us to appreciate why our King James Bible says “Jesus” not “Joshua” in Hebrews 4:8 (and Acts 7:45); the related anti-KJB remark will also be manifested as pointless.

“Joshua” is the contracted version of the Hebrew “Jehoshua” (which is pronounced “yahowshuwa”)—Hebrew is the language of most of the Old Testament Scriptures. In Greek, the language of the New Testament, “Joshua” is “Iesous” (ee-ay-sooce), and in English, “Jesus” (meaning “saviour, deliverer;” see Matthew 1:21). Interestingly,  “Jehoshua”/“Joshua”/“Iesous”/“Jesus” means “Jehovah-Saviour” (in English, we pronounce “JEHOVAH,” the name of Israel’s God, as “jahovah,” but in Hebrew, it is pronounced “yahovah”).

Today’s Scripture refers to Israel entering the Promised Land under Joshua, Moses’ successor (recorded in the Old Testament book of Joshua). According to Numbers 27:15-23, which see, Moses said Joshua was to be Israel’s “shepherd,” the man to lead Israel into God’s Holy Land to possess it (God would have then established His earthly kingdom). Historically, Israel rebelled against God by following pagan idols, thereby delaying God’s earthly kingdom. Jesus Christ—Israel’s true Shepherd (John 10:1-30) whom Joshua pictured/typified (see Acts 7:45)—will lead God’s people Israel into her Promised Land to establish His earthly kingdom (see Isaiah 35:1-10; Ezekiel 37:1-28; Hebrews 4:1-11).

Basically, our King James translators alerted us in Hebrews 4:8 that Joshua’s leadership represented Jesus Christ’s future headship of Israel. Our Authorized Version translators are hereby vindicated, and their critics still puzzled! 🙂

Blessed Reading

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3 KJV).

Although the book of the Revelation is a source of confusion to many, it is a source of joy for the Bible believer!

Commonly known as “The Apocalypse” (from the Greek word apokalupsis translated “Revelation” in chapter 1, verse 1), the book of Revelation is a very challenging book for so many. Actually, there are even preachers and denominations that simply ignore it because it intimidates them. They never teach the book because they claim that their members do not need to learn from it. (Revelation is so despised that John is slandered as being a “drug abuser!”)

Speaking through the Apostle John, the Holy Spirit disagreed with those who view the Revelation as a burdensome mish-mash of verses. Today’s Scripture testifies that the Revelation is a book that provides its reader with blessedness (happiness, joy). Its audience, the nation Israel (John is an apostle of Israel; Galatians 2:9), is to pay attention to its contents and obey them. John reminds them that their fulfillment is near; Israel’s program will culminate.

Although not written to or about us in this the Dispensation of Grace, Revelation should bring joy to our hearts. As people who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, and as Berean Bible students, we understand that Satan’s policy of evil has operated for the last 6,000 years. God’s original purpose and plan for creation has yet to be fulfilled. The Revelation is the “unveiling” or “appearance” of Jesus Christ: the last book of the Bible’s canon manifests the Lord Jesus Christ as the rightful King and righteous Judge; who physically returns to earth in great wrath, power, and glory; who utterly defeats prideful, rebellious creatures (Satan, his angelic rebels, and unbelieving mankind); and who literally assumes His throne in Jerusalem as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

May we take the time to read the book of the Revelation in our own time, bearing in mind that it is not to or about us, but still a most enjoyable book!

Having the Zeal of the LORD

Sunday, May 25, 2014

“And the disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (John 2:17 KJV).

May we rely on our Lord Jesus Christ, that His zeal may always consume us as it does Him!

A Christian emailed me, replying to our March/April devotionals arc, “A Heart Transplant for Israel:”

“Excellent study! Can’t help but think about today’s Christian. Those that have trusted Christ have indeed had ‘heart surgery’. But there are some who could use a stint or bypass to get the blood flow healthy again. Sadly many have lost their zeal for The Lord & have forfeited Godly joy, peace, & contentment for the lies of this world.”

Indeed, today’s lukewarm Christianity is in trouble (especially younger generations such as mine). Unfortunately, many Christians have surrendered: they are tired of the opposition and criticism, and have failed to pass on God’s Word to younger Christians (cf. 2 Timothy 2:1-4). While this world is most certainly hopeless—it is headed for the seven-year Tribulation!—we Christians need not cower in fear. Beloved, the mighty Holy Spirit of God worked in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will unquestionably work in and through us just as mightily if we take the time to study and believe our King James Bibles rightly divided (1 Thessalonians 2:13)!

Jesus Christ had become so consumed with, so passionate about, God the Father’s will, that He was delighted beyond words. The verse previous to today’s Scripture says, “And [Jesus] said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” (verse 16). The apostles remembered Psalm 69:9, a Messianic Psalm that Jesus had just fulfilled (“For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up”). God purposed His Temple to be His dwelling-place, not some marketplace where people overcharged and swindled others in His name. So, Jesus cleansed the Temple, literally running out these thieves using a whip (John 2:15)!

Beloved, may we rely on Jesus Christ’s faithfulness, to have His zeal to proclaim His message of grace to this lost and dying world, and to be “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14)! 🙂

Iniquity Not Yet Full #13

Saturday, May 24, 2014

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16 KJV).

Today’s Scripture expressly declares why the God of the Bible “takes His time” when dealing with sinful mankind.

Just as God finally had enough of the sinful Amorites and evicted them (today’s Scripture), so the unbelieving, unrighteous world will be dispossessed from God’s planet one day (the day of His wrath). Rest assured, God will right the iniquitous deeds of the world one day, just not today, not in our Dispensation of Grace.

Regarding our dispensation, God has given all of mankind nearly five times as much longsuffering as He gave the Amorites, but how mankind has squandered that goodness! “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). God has given all of mankind nearly five times as long as He gave the Amorites, to prove Himself righteous in pouring out His wrath on them.

As in Peter’s day, the Christ-rejecters still inquire about the Lord’s return in flaming fire and vengeance (2 Peter 3:3,4). Peter replied, “[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. [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.”

Dear friend, you can be saved from God’s wrath, so please do not reject His grace. Come by faith alone in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, and your iniquity will be paid in full! 🙂

Iniquity Not Yet Full #12

Friday, May 23, 2014

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16 KJV).

Today’s Scripture expressly declares why the God of the Bible “takes His time” when dealing with sinful mankind.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines “iniquity” as, “injustice; unrighteousness; a deviation from rectitude.” Derived from Latin, the term conveys the idea of things not being equal or just (fair). God’s standard of rightness (righteousness) is not being met (sin, disobedience to His Word, is present). When God’s righteousness is offended, His justice meets out His wrath, that the balance be restored, that His offended righteousness be satisfied, that the injustice be corrected (that sin be punished).

Today’s Scripture is the first time the term “iniquity” appears in the Holy Bible. According to the Bible study principle of “first mention,” the first occurrence of a word in Scripture generally outlines the Bible’s (God’s) attitude about that term. Today’s Scripture says that God will only tolerate injustice for so long; our Dispensation of Grace will not last forever. Therefore, we must never take God’s grace for granted. While we in Christ will always enjoy God’s grace, today’s lost world will not experience it indefinitely.

The Apostle Paul cautioned the world’s (Gentile) nations: “[20] Well; because of unbelief they [Israel] were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: [21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. [22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” (Romans 11:20-22).

One day, God will “cut off” our program, His grace to the nations; He will restore Israel and resume her program (verses 15,23-29). Gentiles who do not get saved during our Dispensation of Grace, their unbelief will cause God to end our program (just as unbelief caused God to interrupt Israel’s program)—our dispensation will conclude when Jesus Christ returns to take us the Church the Body of Christ back to heaven (rapture). Lost Gentiles should accept God’s grace to us in Christ by faith, while He is still offering it to them….

Iniquity Not Yet Full #11

Thursday, May 22, 2014

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16 KJV).

Today’s Scripture expressly declares why the God of the Bible “takes His time” when dealing with sinful mankind.

Beloved, this Dispensation of God’s Grace is the greatest time in all of God’s dealings with mankind. JEHOVAH God has never been more generous. His love for lost and dying man—demonstrated at Calvary (Romans 5:6-8)—has never been more evident (Titus 3:4,5). His grace for lost and dying man—demonstrated at Calvary (2 Corinthians 8:9)—has never been more obvious (Titus 2:11). For 20 centuries, God has offered the riches of His grace, love, mercy, and peace to unloving, prideful, helpless, idolatrous, ungrateful humanity.

Many have willfully ignored the Gospel of His Grace, preferring their sins of the spirit (religious works) and their sins of the flesh. As Israel’s program fell away (albeit, temporarily) when no one else wanted to trust Jesus Christ, so our program will eventually conclude. Our dispensation will end when we, the Church the Body of Christ, are raptured into heaven, when this agency is complete (Romans 11:25). Israel’s program will resume where it paused (God’s wrath!).

Romans 2:3-6,8,9 warns: “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: … them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil….”

Paul, writing about the seven-year Tribulation period, says those who “received not the love of the truth” in our dispensation, “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:10,11). They will follow the antichrist in his rebellion against God, thereby receiving God’s wrath for participating in Satan’s “mystery of iniquity….”

Iniquity Not Yet Full #10

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16 KJV).

Today’s Scripture expressly declares why the God of the Bible “takes His time” when dealing with sinful mankind.

While the God of the Bible is unfathomably gracious (giving us what we do not deserve), incomprehensibly merciful (holding back what we do deserve), and unconditionally loving (what we do not deserve), He is also a God of justice (what we do deserve) and a God of wrath (what we do deserve). For the last 2,000 years, sinful mankind has grown comfortable with the God of grace, mercy, and love—too comfortable, actually. They have forgotten that He is also a just and holy God, and He will not let their sin go unpunished forever.

Indeed, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing [reckoning, applying, incurring] their trespasses unto them: and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19). The God of the Bible is not pouring out His wrath today; rather, He is offering every person in the world a chance to be made right with Him. Jesus Christ wants all people to be saved (2 Peter 3:9), so He died for the sins of all people (1 Timothy 2:3-7; Hebrews 2:9). By God’s grace through faith alone in Christ Jesus (His death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins), every single person has been granted an opportunity to have his or her sin debt paid, to receive salvation from the penalty of his or her sins (eternal hellfire)!

Alas, that Gospel of Grace has been largely ignored these past 20 centuries. The Gentiles in the Dispensation of Grace have largely done what Israel did in her program before God set her and it aside—discarded God’s Word to them, and preferred works-religion. Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice at Calvary literally means nothing to works-religionists: they offer the “good” works of their sinful bodies hoping to please Almighty God like Jesus Christ did! Accordingly, the lost Gentiles of our world today, with Israel, will also experience God’s wrath. Once our dispensation concludes, their iniquity will be full….

Iniquity Not Yet Full #9

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16 KJV).

Today’s Scripture expressly declares why the God of the Bible “takes His time” when dealing with sinful mankind.

The Old Testament prophets (Psalm 2:4,5; Isaiah 2:12ff.; Jeremiah 25:29-33; Joel 2:30-32; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Zechariah 13:8–14:4; et cetera) foretold of God’s wrath, “the day of the LORD” (the seven-year Tribulation). John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7-12), Jesus Christ (Matthew chapter 24), the Apostle Peter (Acts 2:19-21), and the Prophet Stephen (Acts 7:55,56) warned of “the wrath to come.” God’s wrath on wicked mankind was expected to come within their lifetime!

Nearly 2,000 years later, and God has not poured out His wrath on Earth. Why? Was the wrath not real? Was God lying? Nay, He was gracious to implement a plan, a dispensation, He had devised long ago, but had kept secret until He revealed it to the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:25,26; Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:23-27). To “have mercy upon all” (Christ-rejecting Jews and Gentiles; Romans 11:32), God concluded all lost people “in unbelief.”

The Apostle Peter answered scoffers who asked where was Christ’s coming back in wrath (2 Peter 3:3,4): “[9] The Lord is not slack [careless, unreliable] 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. [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” (verses 9,15,16).

Notice, Peter instructed his audience to read Paul’s epistles (especially Romans chapters 9-11) to learn that God had paused Israel’s program, and was “longsuffering” so “all should come to repentance [trust Christ and get saved].” As Peter and Paul affirmed, Israel’s prophetic program (which involved God’s wrath) is currently postponed….