Great Faith Among the Gentiles #3

Thursday, June 13, 2013

“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Matthew 8:10 KJV).

Let us scrutinize the context in order to see some marvelous Bible truths associated with today’s Scripture, especially why Jesus said what He did.

Once the centurion (commander of 100 Roman soldiers) heard that Christ had entered his town of Capernaum, he sent Jewish elders to ask Him to heal his sick and dying servant; moreover, the elders affirm that this Gentile is worthy of the miracle being granted because he has loved and blessed Israel (Luke 7:1-5). Jesus agrees, and as He approaches the centurion’s home, the centurion sends friends to Jesus, informing Him that he is not worthy to have Jesus enter his home: he admits that he was not worthy enough to even come to Jesus personally (Luke 7:6,7). This is where today’s Scripture picks up the account (again, Matthew omits details that only Luke provides).

When Jesus Christ is even closer to the house, the centurion evidently comes out and repeats to Jesus face-to-face what he had sent his friends to tell Him earlier: “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it” (Matthew 8:8,9). Today’s Scripture says that our Lord Jesus is amazed at this centurion’s statements—this Gentile has more faith than God’s people, Israel!

The centurion knows that there is power in Jesus Christ’s words. Just as this centurion commands servants to “do this” and “do that,” he knows that Jesus Christ can command the paralysis to depart from his dying servant! He knows Jesus can just speak the word from a distance, and his servant would be healed. Let us finish the narrative now….

Great Faith Among the Gentiles #2

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Matthew 8:10 KJV).

Let us scrutinize the context in order to see some marvelous Bible truths associated with today’s Scripture, especially why Jesus said what He did.

Comparing today’s Scripture and its context (Matthew 8:5-13) with their companion passage (Luke 7:1-10) provides greater details. Note Luke 7:3-5: “And when he [the centurion] heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.”

As soon as the Roman centurion (commander of 100 soldiers) who has a sick and dying servant, hears of Jesus’ entrance into Capernaum, he himself does not approach Jesus. Actually, the centurion knows that he can only access God through Israel, as per the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:3. He knows that Jesus was sent to the nation Israel and not to Gentiles such as him (Romans 15:8). Thus, he sends some Jewish elders to Jesus on his behalf. Note the centurion loved Israel and he even built the Jews a synagogue. He is one of the few Gentiles who are not saturated with paganism—he recognizes Israel’s God is the true God! (Hence Jesus’ response in today’s Scripture.)

Jesus follows the Jewish elders to the centurion’s house, “And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee…” (Luke 7:6,7a). Note the centurion still knows he is too unworthy to speak with Jesus personally: he sent Jewish elders and then friends instead. It is not until Jesus comes even closer to the house that the centurion shows himself.

Before we get to this, however, let us go back a bit….

Great Faith Among the Gentiles #1

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Matthew 8:10 KJV).

Let us scrutinize the context in order to see some marvelous Bible truths associated with today’s Scripture, especially why Jesus said what He did.

Matthew 8:5-7 begins: “And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry is underway. He has entered the city of Capernaum, on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in northern Israel. This Roman centurion (a commander of 100 soldiers) begs Jesus to heal his servant who is greatly suffering with paralysis. In fact, Luke 7:2 says this servant is “dear unto him” and “ready to die.” This centurion loves this dying servant, and he desires the Lord to heal him before he passes away. Jesus declares He will come and heal the dying servant.

Matthew 8:8,9 continue: “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.”

These statements from the centurion prompt Jesus Christ’s response found in today’s Scripture: “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Exactly what does Jesus Christ find so profound about the centurion’s comments?

Firstly, this centurion is a Gentile, a non-Jew, someone who does not belong to God’s nation, Israel. Yet, this Gentile man is more aware of the value of Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry than His own people are!

Fully Furnished and Forgetful

Monday, June 10, 2013

“And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;” (Deuteronomy 6:11 KJV).

Israel has a wonderful prospect, though she deserves it not….

It has been almost 40 years since Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. She has just experienced four decades of wilderness wanderings due to her unbelief and rebellion against JEHOVAH (Numbers 14:26-39; cf. Hebrews 4:7-19). Now, Moses has reached the end of his life (120 years), and will be dead by the end of the book of Deuteronomy (Moses’ generation, that which rebelled years earlier, has already passed away at this point).

Most of Deuteronomy is Moses repeating to Israel—that is, those new generations of Jews born during the forty years of wanderings—the laws of God, to the intent that they will avoid the mistakes of their sinful, faithless ancestors. Moses encourages these “youngsters” that JEHOVAH promised their fathers this land, which they will enter and possess after his demise.

Read today’s Scripture in its context: “And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, and houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage” (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

Notice the goodness of JEHOVAH—He will let undeserving Israel go into the Promised Land, and they will inherit all the possessions of the Gentile inhabitants! Observe Moses’ warning: do not forget JEHOVAH! Now, notice what JEHOVAH said through the prophet 900 years later: “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number” (Jeremiah 2:32).

May we never let material possessions cause us to forget our Lord Jesus Christ!

For All the World to See

Sunday, June 9, 2013

“And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves” (Revelation 11:9 KJV).

A century ago, today’s Scripture was enigmatic to Christians. With today’s technology, its meaning is obvious….

At the beginning of the seven-year Tribulation, God will appoint “two witnesses” whose ministry will last “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (verse 3)—that is, 1,260 days, or the first three-and-one-half years of the Tribulation.

Halfway through the Tribulation, the antichrist will kill these two witnesses in Jerusalem (verses 7 and 8). Today’s Scripture and its context elaborate: “And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (verses 10-12).

Instant communication has become increasingly popular in recent years. Social media (Facebook, Twitter, et cetera), cellular phone usage, satellite television, blogs (such as this one!), instant messaging, email, and other “high-tech” innovations have made any place in the world literally just a “click” away. Photos and videos can be shared worldwide in mere seconds… and that applies to “private” information too! Just about anything can be found on the World Wide Web. We have a good idea how the people of the world will see the bodies of the witnesses lie in Jerusalem, and then watch them ascend into heaven.

While today’s Scripture will be fulfilled after our Dispensation of Grace has ended, today’s technology will doubtless play a role. Only God’s Book could be that amazing….

Unfathomable Distances, Unsearchable Speeds #5

Saturday, June 8, 2013

“For our conversation 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 KJV).

The vastness of space is mindboggling; today’s Scripture is equally mind-blowing….

Having received their glorified bodies, and left planet earth, Jesus Christ is now escorting His Christians across the heavens with speed unsearchable. He brings us outside of the universe.

After we each stand before “the Judgment Seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10) where the Lord Jesus Christ evaluates the quality of the doctrine we believed and the quality of our Christian service (1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 1 Corinthians 4:4,5; Colossians 3:23-25), including suffering for His name’s sake (2 Timothy 2:12), He presents us to God the Father in the third heaven. This is where 1 Thessalonians 3:13 picks up: “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” Jesus Christ is with His saints, bringing us before God, His and our Father!

Based on the results of the Judgment Seat of Christ (that is, dependent on the capacity of our inner man to function in the government of the heavenly places), we will receive a reward, an office of heaven’s government (again, these various ranks/offices will be filled up by Christians based on their spiritual maturity levels)—see, whether you believe sound Pauline Bible doctrine or vain religious tradition is of utmost importance!!!!

Once we are individually installed in the offices of government in the heavens, they will be “subdued” under Jesus Christ’s authority (today’s Scripture). Eternity will be busy, especially using those glorified bodies! We will be able to travel those astronomical distances in only a short period of time, carrying out the will of God the Father to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, reigning in the heavenly places, forever, and ever, and ever, and ever! 🙂

Unfathomable Distances, Unsearchable Speeds #4

Friday, June 7, 2013

“For our conversation 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 KJV).

The vastness of space is mindboggling; today’s Scripture is equally mind-blowing….

When no one else wants to trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as his or her personal Saviour, He will return to conclude the Dispensation of Grace. The “rapture” (“catching away”) is the event whereby the Church the Body of Christ is removed from Earth, thereby allowing Israel’s program to resume where it is currently paused. Unless we understand the Bible dispensationally—that the nation Israel and her prophetic program are separate and distinct from us the Church the Body of Christ and our mystery program—we will never understand the rapture (this is why many professing “Christians” either confuse the rapture with the Second Coming, or deny it entirely).

Scripture mentions “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and… our gathering together unto him” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, we learn, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [in Latin, ‘raptured’] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” The rapture is best illustrated by a magnet (the Lord Jesus Christ) attracting iron shavings (the Christians)—it is a forceful plucking or yanking.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51,52, Paul tells us about this secret resurrection (never revealed prior to him): “Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep [die physically], but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…” (cf. today’s Scripture). We Christians will receive our glorified bodies instantaneously, soaring through Earth’s atmosphere, and zooming into the heavenly places with Jesus Christ….

Unfathomable Distances, Unsearchable Speeds #3

Thursday, June 6, 2013

“For our conversation 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 KJV).

The vastness of space is mindboggling; today’s Scripture is equally mind-blowing….

After spending 40 days with His disciples post-resurrection, teaching them and being seen of them, the Lord Jesus can ascend into heaven to sit down at His Father’s right hand, thereby fulfilling Psalm 110:1. Notice Acts 1:9,10: “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;” Luke 24:51 affirms: “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”

Jesus Christ utters His final statements to His disciples, and then something thrilling happens. As they are watching Him, His feet suddenly begin to float away from the earth’s surface! He soars upward, as a rocket or space shuttle would depart from its launch pad! His disciples stand there amazed as He travels up, up, up!

An angelic escort carries Him off, literally, physically, visibly… and then, He vanishes completely, en route to the third heaven. The distance and speed the angels and our Lord Jesus Christ are now traveling are incomprehensible, but they are bringing Him across the universe and out of it. They arrive in the third heaven, and Jesus Christ then sits at His Father’s right hand, where He sits even today in the Dispensation of Grace (Colossians 3:1).

When no one else wants to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, Father God will send Him back to planet earth, to take home His people, the Church the Body of Christ. As the Dispensation of Grace winds down, Jesus Christ will cross the universe again. While standing in earth’s atmosphere, He will call up the Christians, who will also reach mindboggling speeds….

Unfathomable Distances, Unsearchable Speeds #2

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

“For our conversation 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 KJV).

The vastness of space is mindboggling; today’s Scripture is equally mind-blowing….

God will use us, the Body of Christ (who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour), in eternity future to rule the heavens, just as He will use Israel to rule the earth. In order to function in the heavens, we need glorified bodies like Jesus Christ’s (today’s Scripture).

On resurrection Sunday around sunrise, Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus’ empty tomb. After seeing two angels, Jesus Himself appears. “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God” (John 20:17). Jesus must travel to the third heaven to present Himself to the Father, so sinful human hands must not taint Him.

“Then the same day at evening” He reappears, showing Himself to His other disciples (Thomas absent): “after eight days,” He again appears to His disciples, and when Thomas doubts, Jesus instructs Thomas to touch Him (verses 18-29). So, in as little as 12 hours (but no more than eight days), Jesus left earth, crossed a vast portion of the universe and exited it, went to His Father in the third heaven, re-entered and traveled across the universe, and landed right back on earth! We can fathom neither the distance nor the speed Jesus Christ’s resurrected body traveled.

The Apostle Paul described our heavenly glorification in today’s Scripture. At the rapture, we Christians will receive glorified bodies like Jesus Christ’s. We cannot enter heaven with these current, sinful bodies: “for this corruption [deceased Christians’ bodies] must put on incorruption, and this mortal [Christians whose bodies are not yet dead] must put on immorality” (1 Corinthians 15:49-55).

Those new bodies will enable us to travel through outer space….

Unfathomable Distances, Unsearchable Speeds #1

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

“For our conversation 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 KJV).

The vastness of space is mindboggling; today’s Scripture is equally mind-blowing….

We who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, are members of the Church the Body of Christ. Paul’s epistles are very clear that, in eternity future, God will use us in the heavenly places just as He will use the nation Israel on the earth.

“And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him [Jesus Christ] to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:20). Verses 16 and 17 already identified these “things:” “For by him [Jesus 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.” The “things” are offices of government!

Through the blood of Jesus Christ shed at Calvary’s cross, the governments of heaven and earth (currently occupied by Satan and his minions) will one day be restored, and their new occupants—redeemed Israel on earth and us the Church the Body of Christ in the heavenly places—will bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ (after all, they were “created by him and for him”).

Distances in outer space are so enormous that scientists often utilize the astronomical unit (Earth’s distance from the sun, roughly 93 million miles / 150 million kilometers) and the light-year (the distance light travels in one year, about 6 trillion miles / 9.6 trillion kilometers). Actually, some objects in the universe are hundreds of light-years apart! In order to function in the vastness of outer space, we will need glorified bodies capable of doing amazing feats….