Category: The Nation Israel

The Suffering God

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

“The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting” (Isaiah 50:5,6 KJV).

Can you guess the Man described in today’s Scripture?

  • “The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear:” Jesus Christ prayed to His Father, “I have given unto them [the twelve apostles] the words which thou gavest me” (John 17:8a; cf. John 14:31; John 15:15).
  • “I was not rebellious:” God the Father said of Jesus Christ, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; cf. John 8:29). Jesus Christ prayed to His heavenly Father, “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42b). Hebrews 5:8: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (cf. Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 10:5-9).
  • “Neither [I] turned away back:” Jesus Christ prayed to His heavenly Father, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4).
  • “I gave my back to the smiters:” “They buffeted [struck] him: and others smote him with the palms of their hands” (Matthew 26:67). “And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him” (Luke 22:63).
  • “I gave my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:” Although not recorded in the Four Gospel Records, His beard was literally ripped off during His trial.
  • “I hid not my face from shame and spitting:” “Then did they spit in his face” (Matthew 26:67a). “And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head” (Matthew 27:30). “And some began to spit on him” (Mark 14:65a). “They did spit upon him” (Mark 15:19).

Today’s Scripture, written 700 years before it happened, was describing, in vivid detail, the life and suffering of Jesus Christ. What wondrous love our God had for us, to face all that and more, to purchase the everlasting salvation we now enjoy! Rejoice in Christ Jesus!

Are We Bibliolators? #5

Saturday, April 21, 2012

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psalm 138:2 KJV).

Before God’s written Word was completed, God communicated with mankind through various forms (theophanies/God temporarily appearing as a man, dreams/visions, angels, prophets [men through whom God would speak]). However, Satan, God’s adversary, would counteract God’s revelation by sending false prophets teaching heresy. Now that the Bible is complete, Satan is still counterfeiting God’s Word!

God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is matched by counterfeit books, Satan’s holey “bibles.” The Apostle Peter wrote, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 1:20–2:1).

Peter, writing to Jews beyond our present-day, remindeth them that, in time past, as God’s prophets preached His truth, Satan’s prophets “privily” (cleverly, having subtlety) brought in “damnable heresies.” In Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and Jeremiah 23:9-40 (cf. Jeremiah 6:13), God cautioned Israel about false prophets, people who claimed to have “God’s word,” but whose sole purpose was to preach Satan’s doctrines, thus distracting Israel from God’s Word. God commanded Israel to put these false prophets to death!

Satan is still “privily” (secretly) infiltrating God’s people with heresy—via corrupt “modern” “bibles.” How clever! The best way to secretly poison Christians’ spirituality is to produce corrupt “bibles.” Sadly, when someone exposeth this error, sinful man doth exclaim, “Bibliolater [Bible worshipper]!” (Should we accuse the Apostle Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, of “Bibliolatry” too?)

As God hath “magnified [his] word above all [his] name,” we magnify the King James Bible (today’s Scripture)! Just as God commanded Israel to extinguish false prophets, we “put to death” modern “bibles,” which distract us from God’s Word (the King James Bible).

The Children of Israel

Monday, April 16, 2012

“And he said, Thy name shall be no more Jacob, but Israel…” (Genesis 32:28a KJV).

The King James Bible uses the term “the children of Israel” 616 times. Why is this expression important?

In Genesis 12:1-3, the Abrahamic Covenant, the LORD promised Abram that he would father the nation Israel, the seed-line of the Messiah (Jesus Christ). In Genesis 15:4, God promised Abram a son, Isaac, through his wife Sarai. After years of waiting for Sarai to conceive, Abram grew impatient. Finally, he hearkened unto Sarai’s voice and had a son, Ishmael, by her handmaid Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16).

However, God did not promise Ishmael; that was Abraham’s doing (Galatians 4:22,23). God responded, “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac…” (Genesis 17:21; cf. Romans 9:6; Hebrews 11:18). The Abrahamic Covenant was transferred to Isaac, not Ishmael, for Isaac was the son God promised.

Now, Isaac had two twin sons, Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:21-26). Esau was an ungodly (faithless) man who ignored God’s Word (Genesis 25:31-34; Hebrews 12:16). Jacob, however, was a man of faith (Hebrews 11:21); thus, the Abrahamic Covenant was transferred to Jacob, not Esau (Esau fathered the Arabs [Genesis 25:22,23; Romans 9:11-13]).

Interestingly, the first time “the children of Israel” appears in the Bible is Genesis 32:32, the context of today’s Scripture, when God changed Jacob’s name to “Israel,” meaning “prince of God” (verse 28).

The Bible uses the term “the children of Israel” to remind us that the Abrahamic Covenant belongs to Abraham’s son Isaac and his son Jacob: the Jews are “the children of Israel [Jacob].”  To wit, “the children of Israel” does not refer to literal kids; it designates that the race of people God promised to Abraham, which is the seed-line of Isaac (not Ishmael), and of Isaac’s son Jacob (not Esau).

Why is this significant? Christ’s lineage goes through Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham (Luke 3:23,34), thus fulfilling God’s original goal in creating Israel: to have a bloodline through which the Messiah-Redeemer would be born. Furthermore, the only rightful heirs to Israel’s covenants are the descendants of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the grandson of Abraham (Romans 15:8).

Matthias or Paul? #2

Saturday, April 14, 2012

“And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26 KJV).

We dare not deem Paul as Judas Iscariot’s replacement for three reasons. Firstly, Paul does not qualify for Judas’ replacement (Acts 1:21,22). Secondly, asserting that Paul is Judas’ replacement is a blatant denial of Paul’s unique ministry as “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13); contrariwise, the twelve were Israel’s apostles (Matthew 10:5-7; Galatians 2:9). Thirdly….

Jesus clearly stated, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come” (Matthew 12:31,32; cf. Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10).

Israel obviously blasphemed against Jesus (“the Son of man”) by demanding His crucifixion, albeit God forgives them (Luke 23:34) because in Acts chapter 2, God pours out His Holy Spirit on the apostles. If Israel rejects the apostles’ preaching in early Acts, they will blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (who is working in the apostles). In Acts chapter 7, Israel murder her prophet Stephen (who is filled with the Holy Ghost; verses 51,55).

Now, unbelieving Israel has nowhere to go (they have committed the “unpardonable sin” that Jesus predicted). According to the Old Testament, God’s wrath is nearing (cf. Acts 7:55,56; Psalm 110:1; cf. Psalm 68:1,2). One of those Holy Spirit blasphemers was Paul (Saul of Tarsus) (1 Timothy 1:13): Paul encouraged Stephen’s murder (Acts 7:58–8:3).

Matthew 12:31,32 says the Apostle Paul cannot be forgiven in Israel’s program (dispensation). In order to save Paul, God postponed His wrath and created a new dispensation, our Dispensation of Grace (2 Peter 3:9,15,16).

Jesus said the twelve apostles would rule in Israel’s earthly kingdom (Matthew 19:27,28). Matthew 12:31,32 explains that Paul can never enter Israel’s earthly kingdom (“the world to come”), so Paul is not one of the twelve apostles.

Matthias or Paul? #1

Friday, April 13, 2012

“And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26 KJV).

Who should have been Judas Iscariot’s replacement? Some have erroneously concluded that Paul should have filled Judas’ office. Were the eleven apostles wrong in selecting Matthias, as some claim? Why not look at the Scriptures, instead of relying on idle speculation?

Let us read from Acts chapter 1: “[20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. [21] Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, [22] Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Firstly, Judas’ replacement had to have followed Jesus Christ during the entire course of His earthly ministry, from John the Baptist to His ascension in Acts chapter 1. Paul does not fit these qualifications. In fact, Saul of Tarsus (Paul) was unsaved until Acts chapter 9, a year after Christ’s ascension!

Continue reading in Acts chapter 1: “[23] And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. [24] And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, [25] That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

In the above Scriptures, we see Who actually chose Matthias. It was neither Peter nor the other ten apostles. It was the Lord! “Lord, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.” Are we so bold as to say God was wrong to appoint Matthias instead of Paul? We had better not be so foolish.

Furthermore, Matthias, not Paul, will reign over Israel in Judas’ stead in Christ’s millennial kingdom (Matthew 19:27,28). God did not make Paul Judas’ replacement, for Paul would serve another role….

Doctrines of Devils

Thursday, April 12, 2012

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats…” (1 Timothy 4:1,2 KJV).

Today’s Scripture describes modern-day lukewarm Christendom, especially its leadership. Many church leaders are “speaking lies in hypocrisy.” They appear as sincere and godly men, but they covet your trust… as to acquire your wallet!

Exactly what are “doctrines of devils?” Dabbling in the occult? Frequenting clubs and bars? Illegal activities? A doctrine of devils is any teaching that is contrary to the King James Bible rightly divided. Denominational teaching, church tradition, and human viewpoint are doctrines of devils.

God commanded Israel to observe the Sabbath, get water baptized, tithe, tongue talk, work miracles, eat kosher foods, and keep the Mosaic Law. If anyone tells you that you have to do those things—and much of Christendom does—they are teaching you doctrines of devils. God is not administering Israel’s program today; these activities do not belong in our dispensation.

These are Israel’s commandments and ordinances, not ours! God does not demand these activities from you. If someone wants to put you under the Mosaic Law, that is a doctrine of devils (Romans 6:14,15). If they tell you to work for your salvation instead of relying on Jesus Christ’s finished cross work, that too is a doctrine of devils (Galatians 1:6-9).

Satan is sneaky. A doctrine of devils may even use the name “Jesus,” “Gospel,” or “Spirit,” but Paul warns us of “another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:3,4; Galatians 1:6-9).

One of the last things Paul wrote was, “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (2 Timothy 1:15). If a departure from God’s Word through Paul’s ministry existed 2,000 years ago, how much worse has that apostasy gotten! Since Paul’s time, 38,000-plus (!) “Christian” denominations have sprung up. There has been such an explosion of false teaching that it is unbelievable.

Beware of the doctrines of devils… in church circles.

I Will Also Ask of You One Question

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

“And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, and say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?” (Mark 11:27,28 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, Israel’s religious leaders are up to their usual tricks. By asking Him, “By what authority doest thou these things and who gave thee this authority to do these things?,” they are trying to trip up our Lord Jesus, to make Him stumble in His speech, and to intimidate Him into silence. Will it work, or not?

Verses 29-33 continue, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things” (cf. Matthew 21:23-27; Luke 20:1-8).

These chief priests, scribes, and elders were being dishonest, and Jesus knew their hearts. Why did Jesus ask them that question? God the Father sent both Jesus (John 6:39) and John the Baptist (John 1:6), so if these religious leaders could not admit to Jesus that God the Father had sent John, then Jesus would be wasting His breath to tell them God the Father sent Him (Jesus). This is why Jesus did not answer them.

In these verses, we read of Jesus Christ’s authority and wisdom. Because they refused God’s truth, the Lord Jesus decided to outwit them by asking one simple question (“He taketh the wise in their own craftiness;” Job 5:13; 1 Corinthians 3:19). Wow!

The Fire That Wood and Talebearers Kindle!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth” (Proverbs 26:20 KJV).

What do wood and talebearers have in common? Today’s Scripture gives us the answer.

The King James Bible uses the term “talebearer” six times. Let us look at those remaining instances. What is a “talebearer” exactly? Proverbs 11:13 explains, “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” Compare Proverbs 20:19: “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.” Talebearers learn the private matters of others, and then maliciously broadcast and publicize the information without permission, usually with the intention of destroying or defaming the parties involved.

Consider Proverbs 26:22: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Compare Proverbs 18:8: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” These wounds strike the most sensitive areas of the human heart (soul), and causes great damage. The emotional and spiritual scars brought on by gossiping can literally be permanent.

As we know, wood is a fuel, so it can be used to start a fire. Obviously, without fuel such as wood, a fire cannot begin (today’s Scripture). But, by the same token, today’s Scripture says that talebearers can be viewed as fuel, for people who reveal secrets and gossip will generate strife (fighting). Clearly, without gossipers, there is peace—literally, no heated debates for lack of “wood.”

This is why God, in Leviticus 19:16, charged Israel, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people….” God did not want talebearers hindering His will for Israel, and He does not want talebearers disrupting His will for us, the Church the Body of Christ! Saints and brethren, the time we have been given on earth is extremely precious, so let us be about the Christian ambassadorship, and let us not be guilty of the foolishness of tale bearing.

What Does God Want Me to Do? #6

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

God’s will according to religion and God’s will according to the Bible are contradictory—only one can be right. If you want to know and do God’s will, look to the Bible, which is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

Religion causes us to have a superstitious understanding of God’s will. Does God want me to work here, or work there? Marry this person or that person? Buy this house, or that house? Attend school here, or there? Drive this vehicle, or that vehicle? Eat this, or that? Go here, or there? Beloved, God has given us doctrine to make those decisions, but ultimately, He has given us free will. God has not preselected our house, vehicle, spouse, or job: these are decisions we must make—God does not want robots (religion does!).

God’s will—His “eternal purpose” (Ephesians 3:11)—is to exalt Jesus Christ in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:9,10). Whenever faced with a decision, you need to ask yourself, “What decision will hinder God’s eternal purpose?” (Avoid that choice.) “What choice will accomplish God’s eternal purpose?” (Choose that alternative.) God’s will is “to have all men saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4). God wants to use you to lead others to Jesus Christ and to use you to share sound Bible doctrine (dispensational Bible study) with others. Your purpose as a member of the Church the Body of Christ is to let Christ live His life in and through you, where you are now (your job, home, marriage, et cetera). That is God’s will for your life!

When you study and believe God’s Word dispensationally (understanding that Paul is your apostle, and our Dispensation of Grace is not associated with Israel’s Dispensation of Law), God the Holy Spirit will work in you, and fulfill His will in you (today’s Scripture), enabling you to make wise choices to prove/demonstrate God’s will—to glorify Christ (Romans 12:1,2).

What Does God Want Me to Do? #5

Monday, April 2, 2012

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

God gave us the Bible so that we could learn what He is doing. We do not have to grope in spiritual darkness—although religion hopes that we do! Do you want to do God’s will? Find out what God is doing today, and then, by faith, GO DO THAT!

When we “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), we understand that the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is a giant timeline. God has divided, or segmented, His Word into dispensations, bodies of truth applicable during separate and distinct time periods when He deals with mankind differently. Never confuse the dispensations, or combine directions given in one dispensation with information given in another dispensation.

For instance, millions of church members have been taught that God wants them to “keep the Mosaic Law.” While God strictly commanded Israel to obey the Mosaic Law or suffer divine chastisement (Exodus 15:26; Leviticus 26:1-46; Deuteronomy 28:1-68), Paul writes to us in the Dispensation of Grace, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). God has replaced Israel’s performance-based acceptance system (legalism, Judaism) with His grace-based acceptance system.

God’s will for you is that you not “resurrect” the Mosaic Law, which was nailed to Calvary’s cross and crucified with Christ (Colossians 2:14; cf. Romans 3:21,22; Romans 7:4-6). Today, God’s grace, not the Mosaic Law, teaches us to live “soberly, righteously, and godly” (Titus 2:11,12). Grace shows us that we Christians have died with Christ, so sin is not who we are anymore (Romans 6:6-23; Romans 8:12-14; Romans 12:1,2; et al.).

If you want to let God “work in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (today’s Scripture), do not place yourself under religious bondage (legalism, performing religious duties to get God to accept or bless you). Your Christian life operates on the basis of God’s grace, Jesus Christ working and living in and through you (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21), not you striving to keep God happy (law-keeping).