Category: Second Coming of Christ

Paul and The Pause of Prophecy #6

Thursday, June 7, 2024

“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him” (Acts 13:9 KJV).

How is the Apostle Paul connected to the pause of prophecy?

Read Psalm 2: “[1] Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, [3] Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. [4] He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. [5] Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. [6] Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” The order of the prophetic program was: (1) the Lord Jesus Christ’s First Coming with consequent rejection and crucifixion (verses 1-3; cf. Acts 4:24-28), (2) Father God responding in wrath and war during Daniel’s 70th Week and Christ’s Second Coming (verses 4,5), and (3) Christ’s Millennial Kingdom Reign in the Earth (verse 6).

Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, knew the outpouring of wrath and war were to follow the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:16-21,34-36; cf. Joel 2:28-32). Stephen, also filled with the Holy Ghost, finally saw the wrath just moments away, with the one-year extension of mercy on Israel of Acts chapters 1–7 now expired (cf. Luke 13:6-9; cf. Matthew 12:31,32)! See Acts chapter 7: “[51] Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [52] Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:…. [55] But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

Unlike Psalm 110:1 (cf. Acts 2:34-36), Christ was no longer “sitting,” but “standing” in preparation to return and destroy His enemies! Yet, no wrath came….

NOTE: Concerning our New Testament Survey Project, we have now begun studying 1 Corinthians verse-by-verse. Those videos will be archived here.

Jeremiah 29:11 and Right Division #7

Sunday, May 26, 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

What is the truth about today’s Scripture?

Today’s Scripture is connected to the Jews’ Babylonian Captivity (see verse 10). For 70 years, the Kingdom of Judah would live in the foreign territory of Babylonia because of habitual violation of the Law of Moses. However, a remnant would come back to the Promised Land. In the short-term, that was the return under Zerubbabel and Ezra (see the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). In the long-term, however, it speaks of a regathering of Israel even future from us. That would be Christ’s Second Coming in Matthew 24:30,31.

Read the verses immediately following today’s Scripture: “[12] Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [13] And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. [14] And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” Israel’s believing remnant will recognize their apostate nation is doomed under the Old Covenant—but will be blessed under the New Covenant. As God drove the Jewish people from the land of Canaan during the Babylonian Captivity, so He will bring them back to the land of Canaan at Messiah’s return. See also Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Psalm 126:1-6; Isaiah 11:11,12; Jeremiah 16:14,15; Ezekiel 36:16-38; Zephaniah 3:20; et cetera.

We study the Bible “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15), carefully separating Israel from the Body of Christ, prophecy from mystery, Peter from Paul, earth from heaven, and law from grace. After the “evil” or curses of the Law have fallen on Israel and Jerusalem (Jeremiah 21:10; Jeremiah 39:16; Jeremiah 44:27), the “thoughts of peace” will be brought to pass (the “expected end” or hope of today’s Scripture). This is the LORD dealing with Israel, not us! “For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them” (Jeremiah 32:42).

Jeremiah 29:11 and Right Division #5

Friday, May 24, 2024

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

What is the truth about today’s Scripture?

If we resort to quoting Jeremiah 29:11 in a desperate attempt to be comforted that God will bless us with good fortune, we are also forced to “name and claim” these curses in Jeremiah!

“For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire” (Jeremiah 21:10). “Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee” (Jeremiah 39:16). “Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them” (Jeremiah 44:27). God would curse unbelieving Israel for breaking the Old Covenant, but, as today’s Scripture asserts, He would then bless them under the New Covenant at Christ’s Second Coming and subsequent Millennial Kingdom.

As opposed to taking Israel’s verses and making them our own, we can see the writings of our Apostle Paul—God’s spokesman to us (Romans 11:13)—and rejoice in His promises to and about us. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:…” (Ephesians 1:3). “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;…” (2 Corinthians 4:17). “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

There are still other Pauline promises to us….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #11

Friday, May 3, 2024

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25 KJV).

Does today’s Scripture render church attendance obligatory?

How extremely (extremely!) critical it is to our Bible understanding that we do not isolate verses from their context… and this includes today’s Scripture. To lift verses out of their dispensational setting is to go the way Christendom has for centuries upon centuries upon centuries—tens of thousands of denominations, cults, and sects all “picking and choosing” which Scriptures to “name and claim” and which to let alone and wish did not exist. Had they been mindful of contexts, there would have been far more discretion, far more maturity, and far less corruption and far less confusion.

While many take immense pleasure in appealing to today’s Scripture because it agrees with their theological system (and such mandatory church attendance is sure to generate funding for their denomination!), they tend to ignore verses 26-31 (the context) because the context is at variance with what their theological system promotes. The fact of the matter is that the Book of Hebrews applies to no one alive today. It is prophetic and Israeli, whereas we are in mystery and the Church the Body of Christ.

Like with God calling people to get on the Ark in Noah’s day, so the Holy Spirit through the writer of Hebrews (today’s Scripture) calls unbelieving Jews to place their faith in Jesus Christ and thereby join or assemble with the Little Flock (believing Israel) so as to survive the wrath to come (Matthew 24:36-41; Luke 17:24-37; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20,21; 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:5-7). Carefully note the wrath meted on unbelieving Israel in Hebrews 10:30,31—the wrath connected to the “day” of Christ’s Second Coming in verse 25, the wrath to fall on Jews who have not entered the “ark” of the Little Flock.

Someone will surely inquire, “If Hebrews 10:25 is for Israel and not for us, what about our church attendance? Should we go to church?” In order to answer this question, we must painstakingly lay out some clarifications….

One Mediator #9

Sunday, April 21, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

It is as plain and simple as English can be. We do not need to attend seminary (Bible cemetery!) and study foreign languages for 10 years to understand today’s Scripture: Jesus Christ alone is the one mediator between God and men. As works-religion Israel must learn, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus Christ!], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;…” (Hebrews 10:11,12).

Long ago, a little girl enrolled in a religious school reported to her mother how a Roman Catholic nun that day had given the class a lesson on prayer and mediatorship. The nun instructed these children (under age 10) how to pray. With all heads bowed and all eyes closed, that nun led these little children in prayer to ask “Jesus” for candy. When everyone finished praying, the nun ordered them to lift their heads and open their eyes. In utter disappointment, the youngsters noticed there was no candy on their desktops! The nun guided the children to again bow their heads, close their eyes, and pray for candy—except now they would pray to “the Virgin Mary.” After they begged for Mary’s intercession, they were thoroughly amazed to find candy on their desktops. In these dear little impressionable minds, and upon their naïve hearts, an indelible mark was made: for the rest of their lives, they would always remember how Mary provided what Jesus cannot (or will not)!

Yet, that is not all. The little girl revealed something disturbing to her mother (a woman with whom I talked). In class, this clever and curious student had peeked during the Mary prayer whereas her classmates had their eyes shut. She had seen the nun’s helpers quietly running around the classroom with bags of candy and placing these treats! Beloved, this kind of dishonesty abounds in religion, people who will deceive anyone and everyone so as to preserve their denomination or theological system. Beware of them!

One Mediator #8

Saturday, April 20, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

Just as the Book of Hebrews declares, Israel must learn how the Old Covenant of Law (including its Levitical priesthood) will give way to the New Covenant (and its Melchisedecian priesthood of Jesus Christ). “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:6). “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24).

John the Apostle added, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate [intercessor] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:…” (1 John 2:1). Christ’s shed blood that will ratify the New Covenant at His Second Coming, is the same shed blood that allows us in the Dispensation of Grace to come before Father God (see today’s Scripture, plus verses 6 and 7).

Nevertheless, countless intermediary beings or inanimate things are presumed to play some role in men’s fellowship with God. Whether “Mother Mary” (the so-called “co-mediatrix and co-redemptrix”), or angels, or departed saints in Heaven, or sacraments, or priesthoods, someone or something is being used as a vessel, channel, or vehicle to “get closer to God,” to elicit blessings or answers to prayer from Him. Frankly, these are nothing more than Satan’s policy of evil sidetracking hearts and minds away from the Lord Jesus Christ. These “other mediators” serve no purpose whatsoever—save to blind the minds of them which believe not, to hide the Gospel of the Grace of God from Hell-bound sinners, that they stay out of God’s will of being saved through Jesus Christ’s mediatorship (see 2 Corinthians 4:3,4).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Heap Coals of Fire on His Head #3

Sunday, April 7, 2024

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20 KJV).

What is this, “heap coals of fire on his head?”

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:15: “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” This pairs nicely with the context of today’s Scripture: “[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

As for the “heaping coals of fire” on the enemy’s head (today’s Scripture), this is somewhat obscure, but may allude to the ancient Egyptian custom of carrying a hot container of coals on the head as a public expression of guilt or shame for misconduct. The fire represented burning disgrace and remorse. In the situation of Christians doing good to those who treated them wrongly, the point is so simple. Such friendliness will generate mental misery or torture as in shame or guilt—perhaps even repentance (a change in mind) and possible conversion to Christ!

Paul closes Romans chapter 12 with verse 21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” By submitting to verses 17-20 (having the renewed mind), we will conquer evil and thereby prevent evil from dominating us. We can let evil “overcome” (defeat) us (grudges, bitterness, et cetera), or we can overthrow evil by doing good to those who have harmed us (especially Christians). “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). We need not repay evil for evil: by faith, we send that mistreatment to Christ’s cross, we forgive it, and we move on (lest it be a hindrance—see 2 Corinthians 2:10,11). Beloved, “Heap coals of fire on his head!” 🙂

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. 🙂

Heap Coals of Fire on His Head #2

Saturday, April 6, 2024

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20 KJV).

What is this, “heap coals of fire on his head?”

In the context of today’s Scripture (verses 14-21), the Holy Spirit through our Apostle Paul clarifies how we as grace believers should respond to our enemies (those who wrong us, whether unbelievers or even fellow Christians!). Highlights include: “[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not…. [17] Recompense [Repay, return] to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

We should not malign or insult those who persecute, injure, or mistreat us (see Christ’s example in 1 Peter 2:21-23). Instead, we should speak well of them. If they do us evil, we do not take personal vengeance. (In serious cases, obviously, we would appeal to human government, as in Romans 13:1-7. On a national level, we would have a strong military for defense—exactly as ancient Israel had.)

By not “striking back” on a personal level, we are attempting to live amiably with all people. The Holy Spirit in us the members of the Body of Christ leads us to think like this. When we have done all we can to get along with others, but they still seek our harm or death, we must move away from them. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19, quoting Deuteronomy 32:35, Christ’s Second Coming in fiery wrath to pay His enemies back).

Today’s Scripture echoes Proverbs 25:21,22: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” Whether King Solomon (Proverbs), Christ Jesus (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27,28), or the Apostle Paul, all agree we ought to be humane or cordial to our opponents—supplying them with food, drink, and so on. Let us ponder how “heaping coals of fire upon his head” relates to the situation….

The “Triumphal” Entry

Sunday, March 24, 2024

“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass” (Matthew 21:4,5 KJV).

Do you ever wonder why Jesus Christ rode on a donkey the Sunday before His crucifixion?

In today’s Scripture (cf. Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19), Jesus’s crucifixion on Calvary’s cross is just five days away. Leaving Bethany, He travels to Jerusalem (a mile to the northwest). Israel’s believing remnant in Jerusalem is excited to hear that Messiah is returning to “the city of the great King” (Psalm 48:2; Matthew 5:35); in anticipation, the great multitude throws their garments and palm branches on the ground. As Jesus enters the city, they cry out, “Hosanna [“O save!”]: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9,10; Luke 19:38; John 12:13; cf. Psalm 118:26).

While often called the “Triumphal Entry,” there really was no victory being celebrated in today’s Scripture—the victory was to come later! What we need to realize is that Jesus Christ was humble (“meek”) here: as a King riding on a donkey into Israel’s capital city, He demonstrated He desired peace with Israel (a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9). He had not come to destroy her, though He would have been just in doing so; He had come to save her from her sins, her enemies, and her satanic bondage (Matthew 1:21; Mark 2:17; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 1:68-75; Luke 9:55,56; Luke 19:9,10; Acts 3:24-26; et cetera).

Just a few days later, Jesus Christ appeared weak and defeated. He never fought back as the Roman soldiers mercilessly abused Him; He allowed Himself to be crucified on Calvary. It was His meek and lowly coming; now was not the time to pour out His wrath. He resurrected and ascended into heaven as a royal exile. Revelation 19:11 says Jesus Christ will return to Jerusalem on a white horse, a sign of war and wrath (Zechariah 14:1-4)—that will be His true triumphal entry, for He will conquer Satan’s world system forever!

The Centurions #7

Thursday, February 22, 2024

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,…” (Matthew 8:5 KJV).

What are “centurions?”

A centurion was the commanding officer of a century, a group of 100 Roman soldiers. Such military men did not appear in the record of Holy Scripture until politically-fallen Israel was subjected to yet another Gentile world-power—the Roman Empire—in the years leading up to Christ’s birth. It is thus beginning in the New Testament that we read of centurions, from Christ’s earthly ministry (Matthew to John) and even until the very end of the Acts period (Acts chapter 28). Their presence in the land of Canaan indicates Israel is under “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24), dominated by Gentile global rulers until Christ’s Second Coming and subsequent Millennial Reign (when Israel will once again be the head of the nations, God’s chief nation in the Earth).

Even though the centurions were pagan Romans, they were not completely without spiritual light from Israel’s God. Some of them were even walking by faith in the Bible information they had. However limited their spiritual understanding was, they were thankful for that which they did have (which was in stark contrast to unbelieving Israel, who had more spiritual light but could not care less about it!). Recall Matthew 8:5-13 (today’s Scripture); Luke 7:1-10; Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47; Acts 10:1-4,22; Acts 27:1,3,31,32,43; and Acts 28:16. It is here at this second point that we can make personal application.

Truly, dear friends, we do not have all the answers because we do not know everything that can be known. This should not discourage us, however, since we still have access to the Holy Bible that teaches us what we need to know. If we are appreciative of the few sound Bible doctrinal truths we know, if we trust the sound Bible doctrine we have learned thus far, God will value that attitude and provide us with more light. Yet, if we decide to set aside the Scriptures rightly divided, and take up in their place the tenets of philosophy or vain religious tradition or theological speculations of men, we will be in a lot even worse than ancient unbelieving Israel was. Remember the (believing) centurions!