Category: prophecy

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #6

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Considering the larger context of today’s Scripture, we discover how chapters 8 and 9 of Matthew radiate from chapters 5–7 (the Sermon on the Mount). Whereas the Sermon on the Mount is Christ’s Kingdom Constitution (God’s work with and through Israel in the ages to come), and chapters 8 and 9 contain 10 specific miracles to validate how the Lord Jesus can bring that kingdom restoration of Israel to pass, there are interspersed various references as to how Israel languishes in unbelief (a national refusal to leave behind her religious efforts or self-righteousness [the Old Covenant] and move on to kingdom righteousness [the New Covenant]). For example, see Israel’s unbelief in Matthew 8:10,12,20,33,34 and Matthew 9:3,4,11,13,14,24,33,34.

Go back to today’s Scripture and the two verses immediately preceding it: “Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:14-17; cf. Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39).

The Pharisees, their disciples, and John’s disciples were trapped in Old Testament legalistic practices, but the Lord Jesus taught how Old Covenant rituals cannot be combined with New Covenant righteousness….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #5

Monday, September 16, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Today’s Scripture is in the context of the Lord and His disciples eating at Matthew’s (Levi’s) house, where many “publicans [tax collectors] and sinners [societal outcasts]” (presumably friends of Matthew/Levi) have assembled for a great feast (Matthew 9:10, Mark 2:15; Luke 5:29). The “scribes” (Hebrew Bible copyists and Mosaic-Law teachers) and “Pharisees” (conceited, self-righteous works-religionists and traditionalists in Judaism) “murmur” (complain) how Jesus and His disciples “eat with publicans and sinners,” a charge Christ eagerly answers (Matthew 9:11-13; Mark 2:16,17; Luke 5:30-32): “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance!”

During this large banquet, John the Baptist’s disciples also whined to Jesus. “Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?” (Matthew 9:14). Mark 2:18 adds, “And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast.” Luke 5:33 reports, “Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?” The Lord’s disciples should be fasting not eating (or so these detractors argue)!

Matthew 9:15 reads: “And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” See also Mark 2:19,20 and Luke 5:34,35. The Lord Jesus Christ is not dead yet, so His disciples have no reason to fast or be sad; they should be eating. At this point, He contends how it is improper to pair new (unshrunk) patches with old garments and new wine with old bottles (today’s Scripture; Mark 2:21,22; Luke 5:36-38). Luke 5:36 declares this is a “parable” (illustration or analogy). Christ’s critics need to move from Old Covenant ritualism to New Covenant righteousness….

Brother’s Keeper? #8

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 KJV).

Let us learn the import of Cain’s reply….

Dear brethren, we never, ever want to forget that the first homicide in the Bible was in the context of works-religion, an unbeliever (Cain) who was too arrogant to admit his sin problem and ready and willing to do anything and everything (even kill his believing brother, Abel) to make sure he did not have God’s messenger around to bother him with any “inconvenient” or “offensive” words from the LORD!

Only God knows how many millions of His people have lost their lives because of the work of the ministry throughout human history. Abel was the first martyr in that ancient battle, and this bitter religious war is still being waged today between God’s people (saints) and Satan’s people (sinners). Of course, there is still much more of this to come! “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration” (Revelation 17:6). This is the culmination of the false religious system that started with Adam, Eve, and Cain. It links to Nimrod and the Tower of Babel, gives rise to apostate Judaism during Matthew to Acts, continues even now in world religions and denominations, and will go all the way through Daniel’s 70th Week up until Christ’s Second Coming when the Lord of Glory makes all things right.

Brethren, never, ever should it surprise or discourage us when people—even professing believers and lifelong church members—are uninterested in listening to us share Bible verses with them. Perhaps they will become so belligerent that violence against us will transpire. If we do happen to lose our physical lives along the way, so what, for we are indeed willing “to be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). Until they do away with us as Cain did Abel, though, let us be our brother’s keeper—looking out for them who lack spiritual sense to know just how dire their situation is.

No Wedding Garment! #9

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

If Israel will fellowship with JEHOVAH God under the New Covenant, it must be imputed righteousness instead of self-righteousness (The Parable of the Wedding Feast, Matthew 22:1-14). God is calling all Jews in the prophetic program via the Gospel of the Kingdom, but those chosen for service are they who will believe and thus possess His righteousness not self-righteousness (verse 14). Only believing Israel, justified in the Lord because of His righteousness, will be Christ’s wife because they alone have the wedding garment. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you [lost Israel, especially religious leaders], and given to a nation [believing remnant, Little Flock of Luke 12:32] bringing forth the fruits [righteousness] thereof” (Matthew 21:43).

Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” The Hebrew word rendered “filthy” means “menstruation,” the monthly bleeding of a woman’s reproductive organs. According to the Holy Bible, man’s “very best” is but a soiled sanitary napkin in God’s sight! (How flattering!) Billions upon billions are still struggling in vain to obtain a right standing in God’s court (justification) by offering their “filthy rags.”

Like Adam and Eve, they wear their “fig leaves” hoping to cover their spiritual nakedness—but God is not fooled (Genesis 3:7-11). Following apostate Israel’s example, they use the Law of Moses to prove their supposed “goodness” and “worthiness of Heaven.” Unfortunately for them, God is not impressed… save (except) in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)! Like self-righteous Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) had to learn in Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:….” May we learn this too!

No Wedding Garment! #8

Monday, July 29, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

The “wedding” is in Revelation 19:7-9, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” The “supper” itself is Revelation 19:11-21.

As for the proper wedding garment, see Revelation 7:9-14—God’s righteousness, not man’s self-righteousness (recall Isaiah 61:10; cf. Genesis 3:1-13,21). Only Israel’s believing remnant, the Little Flock, will have it. National Israel will be without the wedding garment, having only works-religion. As for the wedding, Jesus Christ marries Israel under the New Covenant. Hosea 2:16,19,20: “And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi [‘Husband’]; and shalt call me no more Baali [‘Lord’]…. And I will betroth [engage] thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.”

Also see Isaiah 62:4,5: “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah [‘Delight’], and thy land Beulah [‘Married’]: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” God marries (joins) Israel to the Promised Land, and then Jesus Christ marries Israel.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

No Wedding Garment! #7

Sunday, July 28, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

Today’s Scripture in context again: “[11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: [12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” What is this “outer darkness,” where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth?” It is the eternal punishment of lost Israel just prior to the Millennial Kingdom of Revelation chapter 20.

Christ already spoke of this terrible fate in the Sermon on the Mount: “But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12). He mentioned it again in His second Sermon on the Mount, the Olivet Discourse: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30). As Moses declared in Deuteronomy 32:22, concerning Christ’s Second Coming: “For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.”

When Jesus returns in flaming fire (Matthew 13:40-43; 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9; cf. Isaiah 30:27-33; Isaiah 31:8,9), a shaft will be opened south of the Dead Sea (“Idumea”) and Earth’s interior, Hell itself, will be exposed. Unbelieving souls will be thrown into this spiritual place of judgment at His return as well as throughout His Millennial Kingdom (Matthew 5:29,30; Matthew 18:8,9; Mark 9:42-50; cf. Isaiah 66:24). Jude 13 speaks of lost people “to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”

Having discussed the punishment of those without a wedding garment, let us go back to describing the wedding garment and the wedding themselves….

No Wedding Garment! #6

Saturday, July 27, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

In today’s Scripture, with all guests now present, Father God the King looks them over and notices a man without a “wedding garment.” The man is totally without excuse, for the question posed to him indicates he had been offered a wedding garment but had refused it: “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?” According to the Bible, he is “speechless”—exactly as Israel’s religious leaders will be by chapter’s end (see Matthew 22:46)! He represents self-righteous, unbelieving Israelites who have (wrongly!) supposed their own efforts have secured them a position at the wedding feast.

Romans 9:31–10:3 says of lost Israel throughout Christ’s earthly ministry and even into the Acts ministry of the Apostle Paul: “[9:31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [9:32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; [9:33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [10:1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [10:2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [10:3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

Here is the proper wedding garment: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). Yet, in their works-religion pride, lost Israelites are without the garment of God’s salvation….

No Wedding Garment! #5

Friday, July 26, 2024

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless” (Matthew 22:11,12 KJV).

Who is this who has no “wedding garment?”

When prophecy resumes one day, leading up to Christ’s return to reign on Earth, God will have messengers preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15,16). “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come” (Matthew 10:22,23). The “two witnesses” of Revelation 11:3-13 and the 144,000 male Jewish preachers of Revelation 7:4-8 will have this ministry.

The above is the third and final call of The Parable of the Wedding Feast of Matthew 22:1-14. Re-read verses 8-10: “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.” This is Daniel’s 70th Week, the seven-year Tribulation.

Here is today’s Scripture at last: “[11] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: [12] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” Let us see how Father God the King responds….

No Shepherd for Israel! #9

Saturday, July 20, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

Like every nation of the world, Israel’s history abounds with leaders who were spiritual losers. That is the heavy price of sin—and it is a heavy price indeed. All nations could have been spared an incomprehensible amount of pain, suffering, ignorance, and turmoil. Yet, the LORD God created us as free moral agents, not robots, and that means letting man do what he wants. Still, we can be thankful that is not the way things will always be in creation. Before situations and circumstances improve on Earth, though, they will have to deteriorate even more than what we see now.

With each passing day, the world grows closer to the Antichrist’s appearance. This last self-serving, diabolical shepherd—the worst of them all—must operate in Israel’s government before the Lord Jesus Christ comes back to destroy him, sit on David’s throne, and appoint His righteous shepherds (the 12 Apostles). Jesus Christ the “Good Shepherd” is in stark contrast to those shepherds who scatter the sheep, those who do not care about the wellbeing of the sheep (John 10:11-14). Ultimately, Christ will give up His life to save the sheep—a clear reference to Calvary (see John 10:15,17-18). In addition to being the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life at the cross (John 10:11 corresponding to Psalm 22); Jesus Christ is also the “Great Shepherd” who cares for and blesses the sheep (Hebrews 13:20 matching Psalm 23); Christ is also the “Chief Shepherd” who brings the sheep into His Millennial Kingdom (1 Peter 5:4 corresponding to Psalm 24).

The Lord Jesus will lead the lost sheep of Israel back to Himself, as in 1 Peter 2:25: “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” Psalm 79:13, Psalm 95:7, and Psalm 100:3 all look to that Millennial Reign of Christ as well. In that day, “no shepherd for Israel” will never be true again!

No Shepherd for Israel! #8

Friday, July 19, 2024

“Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace” (2 Chronicles 18:16 KJV).

Why does Israel have no shepherd?

At His Second Coming, the LORD Jesus Christ will destroy the corrupt pastors/shepherds of Israel (the Antichrist and all his predecessors) and replace them with His 12 Apostles in preparation for the Millennial Kingdom.

Jeremiah 23:1-4: “[1] Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. [2] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. [3] And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. [4] And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.” Pay close attention to verse 4, which now leads us to the 12 Apostles and the close of John’s Gospel Record.

See the “lambs” and “sheep” of John 21:15-17: “[15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. [16] He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. [17] He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….