Category: The Nation Israel

Zealously Affected #12

Monday, March 2, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression” (Proverbs 29:22). “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated” (Proverbs 14:17). “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly” (Proverbs 14:29). “A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both” (Proverbs 27:3).

In legal terms, “crimes of passion” are violent acts lacking premeditation. They are committed impulsively, in a fit of intense emotion (rage, jealousy, despair, and so on). No real thought goes into the deed, so it is considered “senseless.” For example, if someone is assaulted or murdered because of a simple misunderstanding, petty disagreement, or small sum of money, the wrongdoing is illogical because (non-thinking) emotions took precedence. Such irrational behavior is rampant now, particularly in a society of immature people who do not get their way. It was true in Bible days, too.

A fit of wrath or extreme anger led to works-religion Cain killing believing brother Abel in Genesis 4:5-8. Greatly frustrated Moses smote the rock, thus disrespecting the LORD before Israel, which resulted in Moses being prohibited from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:7-13). Jonah felt no pity for tens of thousands of lost, Hell-bound but repentant sinners in Nineveh who were spared Divine judgment, yet he threw a temper tantrum when “his” shade-tree died (Jonah 4:1-11)! The citizens of Nazareth, so convicted of sin and under the influence of deceitful emotions, nearly stoned Jesus Christ in Luke 4:16-30! At Ephesus (western Turkey), the fanatical worshippers of the mother-goddess Diana screamed mindless chants because their vain religious system was on the verge of collapse, generating citywide riots that had to ultimately be suppressed before the Emperor heard of that civil unrest and meted out punishment (Acts 19:23-41).

It is better to think and act BEFORE feeling and acting….

Zealously Affected #7

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

In the early days of my ministry—which was almost two decades ago now (!)—a much older Christian became my mentor. This family friend, who was also a Bible teacher, played a significant role in my edification in sound doctrine. I eventually had the pleasure of imparting to him a little knowledge while I grew in the rightly divided Word. Nevertheless, as the years passed, he began to renew his mind less and less. His spiritual downfall came after a certain emotionally traumatic life-event—a death in his family. Henceforth, I found him to be more and more irrational, his emotions eventually becoming his authority. How shocking to find myself having bizarre conversations with him. I never thought I would have these with him, of all people! Doubtless a member of the Church of the Body of Christ, his words and actions nevertheless appeared to be those of a lost man, a skeptic, a heretic!

The Apostle Paul had a similar unpleasant time dealing with the Galatian believers. He did not fear they were going to Hell; he was alarmed how they were divorced from God’s current dealings with man, and were now “useful idiots” to the Devil’s work! “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain” (Galatians 4:8-11, the context of today’s Scripture). How fixated on Israel’s religious calendar were these discombobulated Christians of Galatia! Had Paul wasted his energy, time, and breath preaching grace to them?! Indeed, like Christendom now, they had been “zealously affected, but not well….”

Zealously Affected #5

Monday, February 23, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Today’s Scripture can be elaborated thusly. False teachers manipulated (“zealously affected…”) the Galatians’ emotions. Hence, the Galatians gladly received their false doctrine (“…not well”). Consequently, as per Satan’s design, these Galatians were influenced to become isolated (“excluded”) from the Lord’s ministry through Paul. These unstable Christians therefore began to feel just as passionate about defending and supporting those false teachers and their Law-based error (“that ye might affect them”) as the Galatians had been eager about the Grace truths they heard from Paul in-person (“zealously affected… when I am present with you”). Paul did not disapprove of excitement per se, for our enthusiasm about the truth should never cease (“it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing”). The problem was letting emotions get out of hand to the point of delusion or clouded judgment (accepting the erroneous notion that works-religion, or Law, was more advantageous to sinners than was Grace).

Remember, we have had a completed Bible canon for 20 centuries, but whatever we have learned (or have chosen to ignore altogether!) from the 13 Pauline epistles, we have gradually turned away from those Grace principles to let the Law creep in. Moreover, our silliness with emotionalism has resulted in our zeal for denominational error but aggression toward dispensational truth; the blunder of Galatianism still appeals to the lust of our flesh. No one is sinless, yet everyone in Christendom prefers a system (the Law) that constantly points out sin. What they need to do is use the Law lawfully: learn once and for all how Christ died to put away their sins once and for all (grace), and they (!) need (!) to (!) get (!) on (!) with (!) grace (!) living (!) (Christ living in and through them as they walk by faith in an intelligent understanding of His words to them, regardless of what they “feel” or do not “feel”).

Whether they realize it or not, these modern “Galatians” advocate for their own misery and defeat….

Zealously Affected #3

Saturday, February 21, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Go back to today’s Scripture. Before the legalists or denominationalists showed up in Galatia to “zealously affect” (generate warm or hot feelings in) the Galatian believers, the Holy Spirit through Paul’s ministry had stirred up these saints as they moved from Adam to Christ, from Satan to God. Paul commends them concerning this, for they had the “blessedness” of forgiveness of sins (Galatians 4:15; cf. Romans 4:6-9)… which joy was subsequently lost due to the fear, shame, and guilt that attended their acceptance of the Law. Originally, these Christians were “zealously affected in a good thing,” as Paul’s physical presence and preaching grace produced great enthusiasm in them. However, following Paul’s departure and the false teachers’ arrival, the Galatians went the opposite way! Their fervor for the truth died down while their fanaticism for the lie surged.

Sin causes our emotions to deceive us—and they unquestionably conned the Galatian believers while they adopted legalistic or denominational doctrine. Feelings respond to modifications in our environment; our emotions fluctuate as our surroundings change. Therefore, it is not ideal to base our Christian lives on feelings or emotions: “I do not feel saved,” “I do not feel like God cares or loves me,” and so on. Instead of the subjective (which varies from person to person), we need objective truth (as found in the rightly divided King James Bible). Sin can and does feel good, as in Hebrews 11:25 (“pleasures of sin”), so adrenaline rushes and emotional highs alone are not confirmation that something is appropriate or from God. The Corinthian believers were notorious for their spiritual immaturity and abuse of spiritual gifts (especially the gift of tongues), boasting about what they “saw” and “heard” and “felt” and how they were superior to others because of these “special” experiences (see 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14).

Today’s professing church has failed most miserably in being “zealously affected” in error….

Zealously Affected #2

Friday, February 20, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Re-read today’s Scripture: “They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.” This “they” was already identified in chapter 1 as follows: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed [banned, excommunicated]. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).

Chapter 6, verses 12 and 13, elaborate: “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.” The “they” are false teachers who have mixed Law and Grace. Evidently, there was a primary one leading a group in Galatia, all of them “zealously affecting” the Galatian saints “not well.” In Greek, “zealously affect” is “zeloo,” from “zelos” as in “heat” (“zeo” meaning “to be hot”). Actually, this is the derivation of the English “zeal,” fervent or enthusiastic devotion.

With the Galatians being emotionally manipulated—“zealously affected”—to support the false teachers and their legalistic (Law-based) system, these Christians would then be inclined to turn from Pauline Grace teaching (“exclude you”), which thereby would make them more emotionally attached to the false teachers and their bad doctrine…..

A New World

Monday, February 16, 2026

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea…. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:1,4 KJV).

Indeed, there is nothing like witnessing the natural world destroy itself and give way to a new world!

As a firsthand scientific observer of a tornado that passed directly over my house, I stood in disbelief looking at debris fly across the yard. Seeing large trees uprooted, hearing gigantic branches snap like twigs, noticing shingles and tin roofs disintegrate, and hearing violent winds and heavy rains sweep across the land… I still have difficulty comprehending. The speed is equally stunning. What seemed like an eternity lasted less than a minute. Hurricanes (some disastrous) have come and gone here during my nearly 40 years of life; however, this tornado excelled them all in terms of destruction. No homes or lives were lost, but it was close!

Struggling to make sense of our tornado, I cannot even begin to fathom the Great Flood of Noah’s lifetime. Those rainstorms above and those floodwaters from beneath (groundwater) continued for 40 days until the ark was lifted and Earth’s mountains were covered (Genesis 7:10-12,17-20). Another 110 days passed as these waters peaked on Earth’s surface (Genesis 7:24). Mountains were eroded away. Forests were flattened. Almost all life outside of the ark, with the exception of some marine life, perished and were buried to rapidly produce the fossil record. The catastrophe that transpired beyond the safety of that ark will never be comprehended: God was definitely faithful in bringing its occupants through such horrors as He hid them from view. Water eventually drained off the land for some 220 days, forming deep canyons and new highlands. Ocean basins increased. The atmosphere was drastically altered. By the time Noah and his family exited the ark a year later, they entered a world that was truly unrecognizable.

Weather systems have been quite destructive ever since Adam plunged mankind into sin, further exacerbated by the changes that the Great Deluge brought. Thankfully, such devastation will all pass away in the grand scheme of things. Yes, the curse of sin will be lifted for creation to return to its original, pristine form.

A Hope Reserved for Israel in Heaven? #14

Friday, February 13, 2026

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 KJV).

Perhaps we can search the Scriptures to resolve an apparent contradiction, thereby perfecting that which is lacking in superficial readers….

“Which [mighty power] he [Father God] wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:20-23). It was to our benefit (advantage) as members of the Church the Body of Christ that Father God granted the Lord Jesus Christ governmental authority in Heaven: after all, we will share that authority throughout the endless ages to come.

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7). We even have resurrection (glorified) bodies to function in outer space! “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:…” (2 Corinthians 5:1,2). “For our conversation [lifestyle reflecting citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20,21).

As in Revelation 12:7-12, Satan and his angels will be thrown out of Heaven so we can be permanently installed, with that kingdom of God spreading to Earth for believing Israel’s sake (Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2), thereby achieving Ephesians 1:9,10!

A Hope Reserved for Israel in Heaven? #13

Thursday, February 12, 2026

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 KJV).

Perhaps we can search the Scriptures to resolve an apparent contradiction, thereby perfecting that which is lacking in superficial readers….

Since creation is divided into Heaven and Earth (Genesis 1:1), and Satan has corrupted both spheres with sin (Job 15:15; Job 25:5; Luke 4:5-7; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4), Father God has a plan to end the rebellion and bring Heaven and Earth back under the Headship of Jesus Christ the Creator.

“For by him [Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:16-20). “[Father God] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:…” (Ephesians 1:9,10).

As long as we see this overall picture of “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), we will not be confused. Israel is God’s earthly people, destined to be filled with Christ’s life on Earth. We the Church the Body of Christ are His heavenly people, ordained to be filled with Christ’s life in Heaven: therefore, Father has blessed us with “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

Let us conclude this devotionals arc….

A Hope Reserved for Israel in Heaven? #12

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 KJV).

Perhaps we can search the Scriptures to resolve an apparent contradiction, thereby perfecting that which is lacking in superficial readers….

In his farewell sermon, Moses counseled Israel to obey the LORD to receive the blessing, “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land [on Earth!] which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 11:21). Notice the comparison to an heavenly Earth.

Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” From verse 2 onward, the Bible’s focus is “the earth.” The LORD God labors to make Himself a home with mankind on Earth (check Psalm 132:5,10-14), which encompasses the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-17 (cf. Luke 1:31-33). Recall again how God’s earthly kingdom loops all the way back to Adam and reaches all the way into the future to Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 25:34; Acts 3:20,21). Jesus’ return and subsequent kingdom is Earth-oriented: “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth…. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:35,44).

However, beginning in Acts chapter 9 with Paul’s salvation and commissioning, God shifts from restoring Earth to Himself, to restoring Heaven to Himself, for both realms must be brought back to the Creator God to achieve His eternal purpose….

A Hope Reserved for Israel in Heaven? #11

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 KJV).

Perhaps we can search the Scriptures to resolve an apparent contradiction, thereby perfecting that which is lacking in superficial readers….

As Ezekiel witnessed the LORD’S glory leave Jerusalem 600 years before Christ (Ezekiel chapters 10 and 11), so God gave him a preview of that glory returning thousands of years later: “And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory…. And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house” (Ezekiel 43:2,4,5). Chapters 40–48 are the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, the same 1,000-year kingdom of Revelation chapter 20, which follows the Second Coming of Revelation chapter 19. In Revelation chapters 21 and 22, there are the New Heaven and New Earth, which involves the New Jerusalem (which eventually descends out of Heaven, not remaining in Heaven).

Overall, basic dispensational principles have not been violated, for Israel is still destined to inherit an earthly kingdom—one that originates from Heaven, yes, but never staying in Heaven. “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9). “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5; cf. Psalm 37:11). “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10). “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).

David reigned on Earth, of course, and so will Jesus Christ….