Category: The Nation Israel

Solomon and Jesus #2

Thursday, July 6, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

As we probably know, Solomon was David’s heir or successor. “So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David. And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly” (1 Kings 2:10-12). Do you see how this conforms to today’s Scripture?

“Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king. And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. Thus David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. And the time that he reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead” (1 Chronicles 29:23-28). Again, do you notice the similarities to today’s Scripture?

Now, compare this to Luke 1:31-33: “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.” The Davidic Covenant of today’s Scripture ultimately looks to this prophecy….

Solomon and Jesus #1

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

“And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:12,13 KJV).

Let us search the Scriptures to see how Solomon is a type of the antitype Jesus….

Types and antitypes in the Bible are God’s way of showing how He knows the end from the beginning. The “type” is a person, place, or thing that serves as a pattern or preview for a person, place, or thing that will be mentioned later in the Bible record (which person, place, or thing is known as the “antitype”). If we are familiar with the type, the antitype will not surprise us because the type prepared us for it. As an example, let us take up Solomon and the Lord Jesus Christ. By looking at one, we can see a reflection of the other—just as if they are mirror images (though, like all types and antitypes, they are not 100 percent identical).

Start with the Davidic Covenant, the LORD’S promise to King David (today’s Scripture in context): “[12] And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. [13] He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. [14] I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: [15] But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. [16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. [17] According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.”

Looking closely, we see both Solomon and Jesus here….

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

Liberated to Serve

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 🇺🇸

“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 247th 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.

Living With Others in Mind #3

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23,24 KJV).

In what way was Paul self-centered—in what way was he self-sacrificing?

The Lord Jesus Christ did not have to leave Heaven and come to Earth. He could have decided to remain with Father God, avoid Calvary’s cruel cross and its attendant sufferings entirely, and let us all go to Hell forever dead in our trespasses and sins. Yet, someone objects, “Oh, but that is not how events turned out, for Christ came to do His Father’s will!” We reply, “Precisely, according to Philippians 2:3-8, Jesus Christ did come and die in obedience to His Heavenly Father, and if God is our Father, is it not only reasonable for us to remember how we are on Earth to fulfill His will rather than our own?” See, again, the Christian life is Christ’s life. It is His mindset carried out in actions. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (verse 5).

Stating it more bluntly, Jesus Christ thought of others: He had Father God foremost in His thinking. As He agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane during those tense moments just before His arrest, the Scriptures inform us how He “began to be sore amazed [Greek translated ‘affrighted’ in Mark 16:5,6], and to be very heavy [distressed]” and that He stated His “soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death” (Mark 14:33,34). He was beginning to realize just how much rougher life would soon become for Him, and how He would die via the worst form of torture. However, instead of backing out, He proceeded (as we know full well) with the literal sacrifice of Himself!

“And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt…. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done” (Matthew 26:39,42). There, dear friends, is adult Christian thinking….

The Damsel and The Spirit of Divination #7

Sunday, June 25, 2023

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16-18 KJV).

Behold—a slave girl, an evil spirit, a vexed apostle, and a mighty God!

Though captive to Satan and men, the slave girl was not without hope. While the Devil and his angels are powerful, they were no match for the Lord God Who ultimately delivered her. Although her human masters fumed how their “prophetess” was now profitless; though they caused Paul and Silas to be publicly beaten, imprisoned, and tortured (all contrary to the laws of Rome); they inadvertently provided God’s preachers an opportunity to minister to yet more unfortunate souls in Philippi!

Read verses 25-40 (those which follow today’s Scripture). For example, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (verse 25). Though suffering immense mental, physical, and emotional pain, Paul and Silas talked to the Lord and sang hymns! Their cellmates also heard the Gospel of Grace. Once a major earthquake rocks the area, the jailer—under such extreme conviction—approaches Paul and Silas, asking in verse 30, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Their answer was short and direct, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (verse 31). Released from prison, they proceed to minister to the jailer’s household and convert them too!

Saints, the lessons we can draw from this are simple. Though the world, the flesh, and the Devil interfere; by the might of the Holy Spirit, we can exercise God’s wisdom in successfully navigating those challenges (distractions, offers of compromise, persecution including physical violence, and so on); which will allow our testimony to have a far greater impact it otherwise would have never had.

The Damsel and The Spirit of Divination #6

Saturday, June 24, 2023

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16-18 KJV).

Behold—a slave girl, an evil spirit, a vexed apostle, and a mighty God!

Though the young woman has been saved from Satan’s prison, and converted to the Lord’s family, her masters are most displeased because they have lost their source of income. Having no desire to believe the Gospel of Grace and be delivered from the Devil themselves, they proceed to persecute Paul and Silas. God’s people did not compromise with an evil ministry (religion), so Satan switches tactics to involve the government.

Keep reading: “[19] And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, [20] And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, [21] And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.” Hiding behind the guise of “apprehending criminals,” the slave owners bring Paul and Silas before court officials for indictment and punishment. What follows is illegal according to Roman law.

“[22] And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. [23] And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: [24] Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.” Publicly and severely caned, or mercilessly beaten with rods or sticks, Paul and Silas are thrown into a jail cell, where they are subsequently tortured (legs forced apart and secured in the “stocks”). Indeed, ministry has its challenges….

The Damsel and The Spirit of Divination #5

Friday, June 23, 2023

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16-18 KJV).

Behold—a slave girl, an evil spirit, a vexed apostle, and a mighty God!

The devil-possessed damsel has bothered Paul “many days.” A habitual distraction from the Lord’s work, her preaching has become such a nuisance the Apostle must stop her now. “But Paul, being grieved [anguished, pained], turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.” The power was not in the name of Paul, but in the name of Jesus Christ.

Upon hearing this pronouncement, the evil spirit must leave the poor girl alone. He departs, rendering her useless to her masters because she can no longer communicate with the spirit world. She symbolizes the Gentiles or nations, how they can be delivered from satanic bondage by approaching the one true God through the Apostle Paul’s ministry. See also Acts 14:8-10, the crippled Gentile world now made spiritually whole or healthy via Christ’s heavenly ministry through Paul.

In Acts chapter 9, but recorded only in Acts chapter 26, the Lord Jesus Christ’s commission of Saul of Tarsus was as follows: “[17] Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, [18] To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” However, the Gentiles would not necessarily receive this information gladly. In fact, the slave owners in Philippi are not happy at all with Paul, for they are comfortable in their spiritual darkness….

The Damsel and The Spirit of Divination #4

Thursday, June 22, 2023

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16-18 KJV).

Behold—a slave girl, an evil spirit, a vexed apostle, and a mighty God!

If Paul were a shallow Christian (like most), he would have replied to that devil-possessed girl with, “Do you believe in a ‘higher power?’ And, you agree with our message? Then come on in, sister! We all serve God and gladly receive you as a fellow Christian! You will be such a valuable asset to our ministry!” Paul, of course, had profound spiritual insight. It was once wisely stated, “Help from the Devil is no help at all.” If ever Satan and/or his servants volunteer to do God’s work, we would be utter fools to unite. Paul knew that quite well! If he let that devil-possessed damsel join his ministry team—though she spoke the truth—her admittance into God’s group would have done irreparable damage to their testimony.

Recall Christ’s earthly ministry. “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace [Be quiet!], and come out of him” (Mark 1:23-25). “And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known” (Mark 3:11,12). These devils recognized and preached Jesus as Messiah or Christ, but He silenced them because He did not need their public endorsement! Neither did Paul require the damsel’s approval….

The Damsel and The Spirit of Divination #3

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16-18 KJV).

Behold—a slave girl, an evil spirit, a vexed apostle, and a mighty God!

Satan’s “woman preacher” in Philippi serves to mock and distract. As Paul and his ministry party make their way around, this devil-possessed girl follows them as an announcer or introducer. What is quite remarkable is how she does not lie, but tells the truth about them! Hollering, she declares, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation!” All these words are true. Paul and his ministry companions do serve the most high God and do proclaim to everyone in Philippi how they must come to Him through Jesus Christ the Saviour. She does not argue with them—overtly. She does not discredit them—openly. Yet, she poses a threat because she is under the influence of an evil spirit. Do God’s people need Satan’s endorsement?!

One prevailing misconception about Satan is that he always circulates false information. To be sure, the Devil is “a liar and the father of it [the lie]” (John 8:44), but no liar—not even Satan—speaks 100 percent error. The most effectual, injurious lie is a statement that is overwhelmingly true. A book that contains a single lie (blended in with the truth) is far deadlier than one that has 10 false statements (obvious error).

Ministry has its challenges, but the most insidious (stealthily treacherous or deceitful) is the scheme to promote compromise. Uniting resources with other professing “Christians” seems harmless, but if their doctrine is incorrect, their acceptance of many “cardinal or orthodox beliefs” means nothing. Let us see if the Devil’s woman will fool Paul….

The Damsel and The Spirit of Divination #2

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:16-18 KJV).

Behold—a slave girl, an evil spirit, a vexed apostle, and a mighty God!

Paul and his ministry companions had a prosperous or fruitful time in ministry in northern Greece: “[12] And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. [13] And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. [14] And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. [15] And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

However, the world, the flesh, and the Devil hamper God’s activities. Today’s Scripture relates a subsequent ministry adventure of Paul in Philippi. He encounters a slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination. This evil spirit speaks through her. In the eyes of her pagan neighbors, she is a prophetess, the spokeswoman of the gods, a soothsayer or fortune-teller. Her undertakings bring her masters a sizable income. The evil spirit, working directly with Satan himself, uses this woman’s physical body to distract Paul with the hopes of polluting his ministry with an unholy alliance. If Paul’s ministry is to survive this attack, he must exercise Divine wisdom and power….