Category: twelve apostles

No Wedding Garment! #2

Tuesday, July 23, 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 Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) is the third parable the Lord spoke to Israel’s unbelieving religious leaders during His final two days alive. See also Matthew 21:28-32 and Matthew 21:33-46. Let us expound this Parable of the Wedding Feast.

Verses 1-3: “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.” The God of Heaven, Father God, the “king,” seeks to host a wedding and accompanying feast for His Son (Jesus Christ).

Father the King commissions His “servants”—John the Baptist of Matthew chapter 3, the Lord Jesus Himself, the 12 Apostles of Matthew chapter 10, and the 70 preachers of Luke chapter 10—to announce invitations to the Jewish people. Alas, the people summoned during Christ’s earthly ministry were overwhelmingly not interested in attending because of their unbelief. “And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:29,30). That is the first call to repentance.

Verses 4-6: “Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.” This is the second call to repentance. In early Acts, the 12 Apostles and the rest of the Little Flock preach as the Holy Spirit empowers them. However, apostate Israel still refuses to believe and continues persecuting these Jewish saints, climaxing in Stephen’s murder in Acts chapter 7….

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….

No Shepherd for Israel! #4

Monday, July 15, 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?

Ezekiel 34:11-16: “For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.”

During His earthly ministry, Christ thus commissioned His 12 Apostles: “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). Also, “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Israel is like a shepherd-less flock of sheep, wandering around, straying from the proper path. Read Luke 15:1-7, the Parable of the Lost Sheep—how one sheep recognizes its lost estate (Israel’s believing remnant) whereas the 99 sheep (national Israel) are too self-righteous to realize they need the shepherd’s guidance too. Why are all these sheep out of the way, not where they should be?

Israel’s spiritual leaders have been negligent for centuries….

The Roller-Coaster of Life #8

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV).

In this roller coaster called “life,” who is truly “faithful?”

When the disciples learned how they would desert Jesus, they disputed it and called Him a liar! “And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all” (Mark 14:27-31). Of course, it came to pass exactly as Christ foretold: “And they all forsook him, and fled” (verse 50), including boastful Peter denying Him three times (verses 66-72)!

It contradicts humanism (“man is his final authority!”), is at variance with “feel-good” Christendom, and offends our ego. Yet, the fact remains that, because of sin, none (!) of us are faithful. Saul of Tarsus, who later became the Apostle Paul, was raised in Judaism (works-religion). Such “Judaizers” or denominationalists constantly promoted “the goodness of men” amongst his grace believers. Now, as a Christian, he composed these words: “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:…” (Philippians 3:3,4). Indeed, Saul had “trusted in the flesh”—his religious performance—yet that was “but dung” (verses 5-8). “And be found in him [Christ], 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:…” (verse 9).

Never forget: Father God does not trust us, but He does trust Christ in us, so we may we trust Christ in us too! 🙂

Tokens #7

Friday, June 21, 2024

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:…” (Genesis 9:12 KJV).

What are “tokens” in Scripture?

Going over to Isaiah 44:23-26, we read of a prophecy. It is both short-term (to be fulfilled in the centuries before Christ) and long-term (to be brought to fruition beyond our day). Israel’s redemption and Jerusalem’s restoration are in view.

“[23] Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. [24] Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; [25] That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; [26] That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:….” In this context, “tokens” (verse 25) evidently refer to the signs or omens that the false prophets foretold—and JEHOVAH God prevents (“frustrates”) their predictions from coming to pass, instead choosing to bless Israel (delivering her from the curses of her transgressions).

When betraying the Lord Jesus, Judas Iscariot had arranged to secretly identify Him before the apostate Jews and unbelieving Roman officials: “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely” (Mark 14:44). The companion verse is Matthew 26:48: “Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast [securely, firmly].” We can gather how “token” and “sign” are used interchangeably here; they are indications or signals.

Though we have read of many “tokens” in the biblical record, several more remain for us to locate and explain….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #9

Wednesday, May 1, 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?

Whether John the Baptist’s preaching, or Christ’s preaching, or the 12 Apostles’ preaching, the Gospel of the Kingdom was used to call the Jews to repentance (change in mind). Read about early Acts now, as in Acts 2:38-41: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Focus on the Apostle Peter’s urging, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (verse 40). “Untoward” means crooked, perverse, warped. Interestingly, the Greek word is “skolios,” from which we get “scoliosis” (abnormal curvature of the spine). You can also see “crooked” in Philippians 2:15 with respect to the Gentile world. In Acts 2:40, it is Israel who is “untoward” (think of “not toward,” the opposite of “toward”). This “generation” of Israel is evil, unbelieving, Christ-rejecting. Remember, Calvary was only seven weeks prior to Peter’s sermon. The Apostle encourages his Jewish audience to believe his message (Jesus is Christ) and thus deliver (isolate, detach, separate) themselves from their apostate (unbelieving) nation.

The Book of Hebrews was written during latter Acts, with Peter’s words in mind. Situated in its context, and contrary to popular belief and widespread ignorance (!), today’s Scripture in no wise—no way, no manner—describes Gentiles gathering in church buildings on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays, or any other day during the duration of the Dispensation of the Grace of God. To use Hebrews 10:25 as though it were applicable to us is to fail (miserably!) to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #8

Tuesday, April 30, 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?

Friend, mark it well how God used the Gospel of the Kingdom to call the Jewish people to repentance (a change in mind)—whether it was during John the Baptist’s preaching, through the Lord Jesus Christ’s preaching, or during the 12 Apostles’ preaching.

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1,2). “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand… And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:17,23). “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:5-7).

However, only some in Israel—a Jewish believing remnant—responded in faith to this preaching of “the kingdom of heaven is at hand [near].” This was the “little flock” of saints, a small portion being extracted from the nation: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The majority held fast to, or persisted in, their unbelief. Observe: “And all the people that heard him [John the Baptist], and the publicans [tax collectors], justified God [declared God right, fair, just], being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him” (Luke 7:29,30).

A Jewish group was assembling around sound Bible doctrine by faith, whereas the rest were forsaking (abandoning, neglecting, failing) to do so (see today’s Scripture). This was true in both the Four Gospel Records and the early Acts period….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #4

Friday, April 26, 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?

When reading Hebrews, it would do us well to note the obvious: its title is “the Epistle to the Hebrews,” meaning it is written to national Israel (which is composed of believing and unbelieving Jews). Hebrews has been called “the Leviticus of the New Testament,” and this is due to the fact a great deal of Hebrews describes how the Levitical priesthood and its Old Covenant will give way to Christ’s Melchisedecian priesthood and its New Covenant. The writer of Hebrews goes into much detail to argue why Jesus Christ is superior to creation, angels, Moses, Aaron, and the Law. Hebrews stresses how national Israel needs to move on to spiritual maturity.

Hebrews 5:11–6:3: “[5:11] Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. [5:12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. [5:13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [5:14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. [6:1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, [6:2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [6:3] And this will we do, if God permit.”

Today’s Scripture sits in this context of God the Holy Spirit calling the nation Israel to come out of spiritual darkness and into His marvellous light….

Not Forsaking the Assembling of Ourselves Together? #3

Thursday, April 25, 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?

We would benefit by reading the opening verses of Hebrews: “[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; [3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:…” (Hebrews 1:1-3).

As indicated in verse 1, the Book of Hebrews is part of prophecy, the prophetic program—not our mystery program. It involves Israel’s fathers, forefathers, or patriarchs—not our ancestors. The Old Testament prophets were Israel’s preachers—not our messengers. Verse 2 refers to “these last days,” God speaking to Israel through Christ’s earthly ministry. In verse 3, we see Christ’s Crosswork and subsequent Ascension of Acts chapter 1.

Now, read Hebrews chapter 2: “[3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; [4] God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? [5] For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” Verse 3 is Christ’s earthly ministry (“spoken by the Lord”), and “confirmed unto us by them that heard him” is the early Acts period. In verse 4, we see the 12 Apostles’ miracles, signs, and wonders of the opening chapters of Acts—remembering these supernatural gifts were the result of the Holy Spirit’s coming in Acts chapter 2. Verse 5 is Israel’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom.

Therefore, the Book of Hebrews is Israel’s doctrine….