A Week Before The Resurrection

DAY 1 AND 2-THE WEEK BEFORE THE RESURRECTION

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“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Zechariah 9: 9

The above was written about 550 years before the events of Jesus entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. Despite clear descriptions from the word of God, it seems we always get it wrong regarding the coming of Jesus. The Jews of old expected the Messiah to come riding on a white horse and conquering their enemies so they could rule the world. But He came quietly riding on a donkey in a small part of the word as predicted by the prophets. Today, many preachers think Jesus’ second coming will be quiet despite scripture’s teaching of a grand world-wide event seen by “every eye.” Revelation 1:7

(The following first-person account is based on the NIV version of John 12:1-19, John 11, Matthew 21:1-11,  26: 6-13, Mark 11:1-11, 14:3-9, Luke 7: 11-17,  Luke 8: 40-56, Luke 19:28-40, and Luke 24)

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Six day before the Passover,  Jesus asked me to take Cleopas and go to a small nearby village.  There we would find a donkey and a colt tied up.  Jesus told us to loosen the two animals and bring them back to Him.  If anyone asks why we were taking them, we were to say, “the Lord has need of them.”

Looking back on the events of the last seven days, I understand more about the prophecies of the Tanakh (Old Testament), especially after Jesus gave Cleopas and me a  Bible study on the Messianic prophecies as we walked towards Emmaus after the resurrection.

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The day before Jesus asked us to bring to him the donkey and its colt we were all staying in Bethany (just outside of Jerusalem) at the home of Martha and her brother Lazarus.  It was odd to sit there at the table with a  man who had been dead for four days! But there he was.  I asked him what it was like and he said it was like a sleep where time movement was as a split second.  I remember Jesus using the same word as we headed to Bethany to see Lazarus.  He had told us,

“Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up.”  

We thought this peculiar and told him it would “be good to let him sleep.” Then Jesus told us very bluntly,

” Lazarus is dead.“

So, I was not surprised that Lazarus had nothing to report about being dead other than being unconscious like a deep sleep where morning comes as soon as your head hits the pillow.

When Lazarus got sick, Martha sent for Jesus, but He took his time getting to Bethany because He said that his sickness was

“for the glory of God  and that the Son of God might be glorified through it.”

Martha was upset that Jesus didn’t come right away because she knew He could heal Lazarus and He wouldn’t die.  She had comfort knowing that Lazarus would “rise again in the resurrection at the last day,” because Jesus told her so.   But Jesus said,

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

In Jesus’ presence, the dead are always brought back to life.  He never attended a funeral where the dead were not raised! This is the way it will be when He returns the second time. He has promised.

Two times before, we had seen Him bring life back to a dead body.  There was the widow’s son at Nain and Jairus’ daughter.  The noisy crowd at Jairus’ house  had laughed at Jesus when he told, them

“She is not dead, but sleeping.”

I am sure if we asked them what death was like, they would say the same thing as Lazarus and Jesus.  It is like sleep.  This was Jesus, favorite description of death.

Now the chief priests not only wanted to kill Jesus, but they wanted to kill Lazarus too!  Lazarus was a testimony against their own beliefs and power.  The Sadducees were especially irritated by the resurrection of Lazarus because they did not believe in the resurrection, but as I said,  there he was…living proof of not only the certainty of resurrection but also of the power of the Son of God.  He symbolized what would happen to all who put their trust in Jesus and the chief priests did not like this because it was a threat to their own beliefs about death and their own power over the people.

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So after the wonderful supper served by Martha, Mary washed the feet of Jesus with some expensive oil called spikenard.  Judas was unhappy about this act and complained that Mary’s oil could be sold and given to the poor.  Later we would understand why Judas was so upset.  It turns out he was stealing from us!  Jesus told us, particularly Judas,

“Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Little did we know that about a week later, she would have this oil with her when she went to the empty tomb of Jesus.

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Cleopas and I left the crowded home of Lazarus and headed to the village where we found the donkey and the colt tied up just as Jesus had described.  The owner asked the question for which we already had the answer and we headed back to Bethany.

The next morning on the first day of the week, Sunday (aka as Palm Sunday) as you Gentiles call it, we threw our cloaks on the donkey and helped Jesus upon the beast.  Fear came over some of us because Jesus had avoided Jerusalem, the Jews, and particularly the religious leaders.  They were expecting Him to come to Jerusalem for the feasts.

 “…both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.“

We felt like Jesus was putting us all on dangerous ground.

As we headed into town, many of those who Jesus had healed began to go ahead of him and the crowds began to grow as they gave open and loud praises to him!  It was customary for royalty or important leaders to ride into Jerusalem on powerful horses to prove their strength, force, and intimidation.  But, seeing Jesus on the donkey spoke to me of humbleness, servitude, compassion, and empathy.

Instead of royal banners, the people joined the growing throng and cut down palm branches and placed them in the path of the anticipated new king of Israel.  As the crowd grew larger and louder, our hearts beat wildly within us.  All of the disciples had waited for this day when He would accept the people’s adoration and set himself up as King and deliver us from the tyranny of our enemies, particularly Rome!  All of us would certainly have high positions in His new kingdom!

More people got caught up in the scene of the approaching King and went out to join the followers and those healed by Jesus.  There were many there whose lives found not only new health but meaning and faith in Jesus as the Messiah.  All joined in with the praises and cutting palm branches.  They waved them in celebration of this wonderful day of deliverance.  Many placed clothing in the path of their new King!

The crowd spontaneously and repeatedly shouted the words of the Psalmist who predicted their words hundreds of years before:

 ‘“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” The King of Israel!”‘

(Psalm 118: 25, 26)

This scene was also described by the prophet Zechariah (9:9)

‘”Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”‘

The Pharisees shouted over the crowd for Jesus to rebuke or make the people quiet.  But Jesus said if He did so the stones would immediately cry out! Now was the appointed time for praise to the long-awaited Messiah!

Cleopas and I would not understand all this until a week later when Jesus would give us the Bible study as we walked towards Emmaus.  We would hear it a second time when He also taught the remaining eleven disciples from the Tanakh.

In the coming week, before His resurrection, we would see and hear many things from Jesus.  After his clearing out the merchants at the temple,  we would hear parables and listen to the religious leaders try to trap him.  Most of all we looked forward to having the Passover with Him.  But, only the twelve would be there.  

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DAY 2

Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ 

Mark 11: 17

A first -person account of the last week before the resurrection

The following happened on the 2nd day of the week before the resurrection of Jesus

Based on Matt. 21:12-16, 23-46; Mark 11:15-19, 27-33; 12:1-12; Luke 19:45-48; 20:1-19

I would tell you my name, but I don’t want my constituents to know who I am, particularly those of the ruling class here in Jerusalem. You will understand after you hear my story.

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The Rabble call Him Jesus.  I watched the stinking rabble follow the false prophet into our city.  The palm branches, the donkey, the praises were disturbing to me. The timing could not have been worse.  The Passover is near and there are many people from all over the country in our fair city. Jews, converted Gentiles, and the merchants I hired.  This is one of the biggest festivals of the year and it is my responsibility as one of the Sadducees to make sure the event is profitable.

The temple yard is full of the merchants selling the sacrificial animals required by the Torah and the Law of Moses.  There are sheep, goats, bulls, and doves.  I must admit, the sound is loud in the temple yard with all the commotion of the bleating sheep, cows mooing, and all the other sounds of bargaining and people doing business, but the tinkling of the money tells me this year is going to be very good for the Temple and our religion. Most important to me is that I will get a good share of the profits.

The rabble is more than willing to sacrifice their money to buy one of the animals.  Because of the demand, we can charge what we wish.  They will pay for it!   The prices are the highest they have ever been!  Yes, business is good!  We need to take advantage of the short time available to those of us in the business.

There is a sudden hush over the crowd. It has gone dead quiet.  Even the animals have stopped their pitiful sounds.

“What is going on?”

As I say this to a man standing next to me, my eyes fall on a figure near the entrance to the temple and behind the money-changers’ tables.  His eyes meet mine and I see anger and pity combined.  I have never seen such a face so calm and assuring, but also powerful and regal despite his well-traveled clothes.  He is obviously not part of the leaders in the city.

Then it occurs to me, this is the man…the false prophet…He is the man called Jesus that everyone was honoring yesterday!  He has some cords in his hands and he raises them above his head and strikes the tables and all the coin goes flying.  He then takes hold of the tables and flips them quickly as if he is judging my friends selling the animals.  Who is He to judge my friends in such a harsh way?

Then in a loud voice,  He says,

“Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ 

The crowd, particularly the money changers go running out of the Temple yard trying to grab a few of the reachable coins as they hastily and fearfully retreat.  Even the animals flee! The sheep and goats run with a certain joy as would a man escaping from prison. Jesus opens the cages and lets the doves fly away.  There goes the money we planned on making today! Who is this Jesus to do such a thing?  We are just trying to make an honest living…Well, some of those money changers are sinners and probably are not honest with the buyers, but what is that to me?

In a matter of moments, the Temple area is quiet and all that remains is Jesus, the rabble, and me. But,  I decided to leave with the animals as His eyes again penetrate mine.  I feel uncomfortable and feel the strange metallic fear in the back of my throat.  But, as I quickly leave, I see some of the rabble coming in.  They have their children.  Soon the Temple area has a new sound of praising and children laughing.

In the streets, I see my other Sadducee brothers, the chief priests, and the elders coming towards me with a perplexed look on their faces.   The Pharisees are not too far behind. They ask me what I had just asked a man near me,

“What is going on in the Temple?”

I give them a brief description and we all walk to the Temple to encounter Jesus.  He can’t do this and get away with it!  I seem to recall that He did this three years ago! What authority does He have to do such a thing?  Anyway, we need to get our business back up and running quickly.

As we enter temple area, we can hear men and women singing and the children are saying the same thing as yesterday,

“”Hosanna to the Son of David!”

People are praising God and crying with happiness for their eyesight and ability to walk again.  The children are sitting on the knees of Jesus and everyone is in a joyous and attentive mood.  Not very proper for the religious atmosphere of the Temple!  It makes me uncomfortable hearing the sound of children saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” So I say to Jesus,

“Do you hear what these children are saying? “

“Yes,” He said “have you never read,“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise?”

I remember reading this in the book of Psalm.  He seems to be a teacher.  His voice is soft but strong.  He seems like a King.  I walk back to my friends and constituents for comfort from those eyes!

We walk in together and I ask Jesus:

“By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

I expect my question to trap him because He is going against all the tradition and the strength of these important leaders! But, He immediately responds by asking me a question!

“I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?”

All of us huddle together to discuss how we will answer.  But, we soon find there is no easy response.  We must be careful not to trap ourselves!

“If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.”

We don’t know how to answer so I say,

 “We do not know.”

Maybe this answer is a good one because He will then have to tell us by what authority He takes over the temple area.  Instead, He says,

“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.“

As we turn to leave, He asks for our opinion about a story of two sons,

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”

This is easy, so I answer,

“The first.”

But, His point cuts to my heart and makes me angry,

“Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.”

How dare Him to say that the Rabble is better than me!

Just when I am about to turn and leave with my constituents,  He engages us again,

“Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.”

“Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

Again, an easy answer, but because of my anger, I answer before I think it through,

“He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

Then Jesus rouses the anger of my highly esteemed religious leaders by referring to the book of Psalms and saying to us,

“the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

These parables are referring to us! He thinks our great nation will be given to another?  What nerve!  He is a false prophet! My anger boils as I listen to this…this….man.  We can’t take it any longer.

We all walk outside the temple area confused about how to handle this situation.  Since no one can come up with a suitable answer that would not arouse the anger of the people, we agree to meet later to discuss what we should do about Jesus and His Rabble.  We will call it a day, but we will take up the matter again tomorrow.  Something must be done about this false Prophet.  He is stirring up the people and is a threat to our business and religion. The death of one man to save our nation seems to be the only answer!

A few of us hang around to listen to Jesus talk…hoping to use His own words against Him.

Later, we learn Jesus has retired to Bethany for the night.  Tomorrow we will deal with Him and get this matter settled once and for all.  After all, there are many of us who are well established in the community.  We have been to all the good schools, we can out think Him.  We will expose Him for who He is!

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Author’s note:

Some are good at religion but have a poor knowledge of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus came to reclaim that which was taken by the merchants, traders, and those who occupy the Temple.  Does Jesus need to overturn and clean our minds so He may bring praise and singing back to our hearts-the Temple of the Spirit? Indeed, one Man’s death would spare not just one nation, but many people around the world.  In Him we all find life.

Faith

IS OBEDIENCE ONLY FOR THE LEGALISTIC-PART 3

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He (Jesus) answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 

For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 

But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 

then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 

Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.

And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

Matthew 15:3-9

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Jesus and His disciples were watched by the religious leaders very closely to see if they would obey “the law.”  Jesus was often tested by them on this subject.  But “the law” of the Scribes and Pharisees was at odds with God’s law in a profound way as Jesus points out in the verses above.

 Their law was their own interpretation of the unchangeable  law of the Creator.  Their law contained additions without any blessing, direction, or endorsement from the Creator and Giver of the law.

As pointed out in the condemnation by Jesus to those mutilators of God’s law in Matthew 15, they had attempted to create a loop-hole in God’s 5th commandment to make it a little less harsh and easier to “keep.”  God’s law clearly and simply states:

 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Exodus 20:12

But, the  leaders said this law could be voided through the offer of a gift as a substitute for giving honor and respect to those who bore and raised them.   It was like they were paying their way out of an obligation that was not to their liking.  So they changed it!  There is not scriptural authority for doing so.

Jesus didn’t like their addition and proclaimed their man-made tradition would make God’s “commandment of no effect.”  Jesus desired them to obey this commandment from the heart, but because they didn’t and tried to come up with ways to make their changes legal, Jesus viewed this as legalism and worthless .  As a result of their changes and their traditions their worship was “in vain.”  It disclosed their hypocrisy of lip service vs heart service.

A couple of other things to notice about this commandment and Jesus’ response:

1.)  God does not put a condition on whether to honor your mother and father or not.  It doesn’t say to honor them if they are worthy of the honor and respect or if they were perfect parents.  Most parents, including myself, are no where near perfect, but we do have a God-given love for our offspring that most children do not understand.  Many times we fail, but that does not make a loop-hole for the breaking of this commandment.

2.)  Jesus doesn’t do away with this commandment or indicate  obedience to this commandment would be legalistic.  As we discussed in a previous article, the new covenant is based on the laws written on the heart.

3.)  Jesus does not give them a list or tell them how to honor their parents.  Lists encourage tasks or works.  While the ten commandments could be considered a list, they are 10 principles. disclosing God’s character and will.  We see in these commandments a God that desires love and respect for both himself and our neighbors.  They are not a list to “work on” to deserve salvation or love from God.

The law of God is not minimized or changed by the new covenant. Even the giver of the law (Jesus) will not change even the smallest part to accommodate mankind. Some are surprised to discover that Jesus, before He came to the world as an infant, gave the 10 Commandments to Moses.  That is a different study for a different time.

Those who have been born again and have a new heart will obey from a love basis rather than a basis to be saved (legalism).  The new covenant people obey the Lord because they ARE saved, not in order to BE saved.

 These born-again followers will understand that to honor their mother or father is the will of God Himself and it will be a natural response from a heart transformed by the power of God to love and respect them.  To try and circumvent, excuse, rationalize, or change it is hypocrisy and attempting to put our own thoughts and reasoning above God’s.

This commandment, like the others, should be read carefully and simply.  Nothing should be added nor taken away, not even one letter or stroke of the pen.  How can anything that is perfect be changed anyway?  It is a transcript of how God wants us to live, not a checklist for finding favor or salvation from the Lord.  Those who will endeavor to obey for the right reasons will be blessed.

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 21:14

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Jesus made it clear to the  Scribes and Pharisees that he did not come to change the law and that anyone who taught others to break even the smallest detail  was outside of God’s will.  Any attempt to modify the law affected the truthfulness of the worship experience.   This is a pretty serious situation.  Listen to his exact words:

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Matthew 5:17

It is here where some will say, “since Jesus fulfilled the law (10 Commandments) it is no longer viable.”  The next verse clears that up.

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Matthew 5:18

We still have a heaven and an earth, so the law remains.  Also, it has been almost 2,000 years since Jesus fulfilled it, and he still wants us to teach that the law should not be broken.  It is so immovable that Jesus makes reference to “jot” and “tittle”  (smallest letter or stroke of the pen) will not be modified or eliminated.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:19

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be the one who teaches that even one thing can be changed in God’s “perfect law of liberty” James 1:25. How about you?

Jesus perfect obedience to this law (fulfillment) is the basis for His perfect sacrifice (No sin found in Him) and for the forgiveness for our breaking the law which is sin.

Sin is the transgression of the law

1 John 3:4

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23.

But sin is much more.  We are born sinners with a nature to sin.  Anything not of faith is sin.  There are a 1,000 ways we can sin, but in the end, all can be summarized by the 10 commandments.

 When we are born again, we are given a heart of flesh with God’s law written upon it (New Covenant) and we obey out of sense of love and respect rather than a method of salvation (legalism).  Our very nature is changed.  The thief stops stealing,;the liar stops lying; the adulterer stops sleeping with women who are not his wife…..

If you love me, keep my commandments

John 14:15

Of course they are not perfect.  When we do sin, we have an advocate:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1 John 2:1

Oh!  The mercy and forgiveness of our great God!

How can we claim to be followers if we disobey or re-write the law to suit us as did the religious leaders of Jesus’ time?

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In Luke, Jesus confirmed as He did in Matthew 5 that the law would never change.  Further,  He used the passing of heaven and earth to drive home the point:

“But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped.”

Luke 16:17

Other writers agree with Jesus on the eternal existence of the law and His word:

“All His precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever”

Psalm 111:8

“The sum of your word is truth;
    and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.”

Psalm 119:160

“The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

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Jesus was tested another time on a different commandment. But, the same principles apply.

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”

But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Matthew 12: 1-8

The Scribes and Pharisees were particularly zealous for this law.  They added their own rules that is in the thousands.  However, like the 5th commandment, the law is presented by the Lawgiver in a simple manner.  However, the religious leaders made it very legalistic and burdensome.  In the process, this law intended to bless man became another checklist of things to do or not to do.

In this incident, Jesus and his disciples were hungry and began to shuck corn in a field and eat it as they walked along.  This violated one of the Sabbath “rules” created by the very legalistic religious leaders, but Jesus said they were “guiltless.”  Here is an important question:  Is there anywhere in scripture where God forbid such action by the disciples? No!  It is another example of man’s tradition or adding to the law that makes the law a burden and makes their worship vain.

To make his point (That He and the disciples had not broken the 4th commandment), He asks the supposed scriptural authorities the question:  “Have you not read….”  This question (referring to 1 Samuel 21: 1-6) puts them back on their heels.  They obviously had read it, but they had missed the  application from their reading about the priority of man’s needs above a ritual of the law.  Jesus begins to connect the hunger of David’s men and the hunger of Jesus and His disciples.  Very simply, the value of men and their hunger needs outweigh any man-made religious ceremony (i.e., Hot warm bread used in the sanctuary service and the need to eat on the Sabbath when nothing else is available).   Again, there is no law written or intended by the Lawgiver for anyone having to subscribe to such a strict interpretation of a simple law and go hungry on a day the Lord has blessed and made holy.  Further, Jesus clearly states the priority of mercy over sacrifice and ceremonial religious laws.

The 4th Commandment is very simple and plain in its delivery by the Creator, much like the 5th commandment.  The Great Lawgiver and Creator states the commandment simply and provides the reason as to why a professed follower should obey it.  (Not to be saved, but because they are saved)

The command: 

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 

The Reason:

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Exodus 20: 8-11

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As with the 5th Commandment, Jesus made it clear that His Law should not be modified or added to in any way.  The same observations for the 5th Commandment can be made for the 4th Commandment:

1.)  God does not put a condition on whether to honor the Sabbath or not or that He had plans to modify or change it.   He says, “Remember” and to “Keep it Holy” since the reason for the commandment has to do with the fact that he is the Creator (and Redeemer-See Deuteronomy’s version-Chapter 5: 12-15)

2.)  Jesus doesn’t do away with this commandment or indicate  obedience to this commandment would be legalistic.  As we discussed in a previous article, the new covenant is based on the laws written on the heart.

3.)  Jesus does not give them a list or tell them how to keep the Sabbath holy, other than refraining from work on that day.  The reason?  We are to respect our Creator and “rest” as He did. It is not only a physical rest, but a rest of relationship with the Creator and His Creation.  It is about relationships and not a religious list of things to trip us up so that we sin.

When the Lord stopped working after His work of Creation, it was not that He was tired, but that He wanted the time to be immortalized as proof of his Creatorship.  Further, Adam and Eve began their first full day with the Lord on the Sabbath.  This must have been a very special Sabbath as they began to see and understand life and a relationship with the Creator.

Have you ever wondered about the heavenly bodies that tell us about time?  Even scientist will admit we measure time by the sun and the moon. Our year is based on the orbit of the earth around the sun.  Our month is based on the orbit or phases of the moon around the earth.  But there is nothing in nature to base our 7 day weekly cycle.

A 7 day weekly cycle  exists only because it was instituted by our Creator (Jesus) in the beginning.  Why not a 6 day cycle or a 5 day cycle?  The 7 day cycle and the Sabbath screams:  God created us!

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Jesus Conclusion:

The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath:

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.

Mark 2: 27, 28

Jesus told the religious leaders that He made the Sabbath to be a blessing for man not a list of do’s and don’t’s so that man is made a slave to the Sabbath.  Notice it is made for “man” or mankind  not just the Jews.  The commandment was given long before there was a nation of Jews.  That reasoning would also indicate that all the other commandments are only for the Jews and not for us.

The Scribes and Pharisees had effectively made the Sabbath a burden and God’s original intention was lost through their adding and modifying a simple commandment meant to be a lasting memorial to our Creator and an opportunity to “come unto (Jesus) and rest.”

Jesus knew how it should be remembered because He is Lord of the Sabbath!  This is the real Lord’s day!  It was created by God and it belongs to Him

“But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”

Exodus, 20:10

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In conclusion:

We can learn from these two incidents regarding honoring parents and honoring the day God blessed.  It tells us  that the law of God is immutable and has a relationship/heart purpose.  They are not part of a list of do’s and don’ts to follow so one can be saved.  God forbid!  it is a law of liberty (James 2:12).  It can not be modified to meet our own convenience, thinking, or tradition.

Jesus gave the Law and He knows better than anyone how to follow the spirit of the law which does not negate the letter.

I am sure your spouse would want you to keep the letter of the law regarding adultery, but even more the spirit (i.e., you are faithful because you love her/him.)

The same goes for your neighbor.  You don’t steal, lie, cheat, or covet his wife, or kick his cat (the letter of the law).  Not because you have to, but because you respect him as a child of God and because of the born-again heart given you by the Lord (Spirit of the Law).

Have you asked yourself how can you “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy?”  The key word here is holy (a.k.a sanctified).  How do you make it about a love relationship with God and His creation rather than a list of do’s and don’t’s? How do you make it a delight or a blessing and not a burden?

The Sabbath was made for man, to be a blessing to him by calling his mind from secular labor to contemplate the goodness and glory of God

Of all the commandments, the 4th one is the most misunderstood and the one where legalism can quickly smother the spiritual blessing God has prepared for us each week.  It is not just about when should church attendance be conducted.  This is no doubt a “holy” activity for the Sabbath.  It was Jesus’ and Paul’s custom to go to meet with God’s people each Sabbath.  I would say they are good examples to follow.  Wouldn’t you?

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In our next study, we will see how the enemy has attacked the law of God and the family unit (the 4th and 5th commandments) to serve his purpose of confusing and  leading people away from a knowledge of the Lord which is salvation.

He has a special anger towards those who teach and obey the will of God and testify of Jesus Christ:

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:17

Faith

IS OBEDIENCE ONLY FOR THE LEGALISTIC? PART 2

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Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Mathew 5:17-19

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Part 1 Summary

In the earlier blog, we looked to the word of God to answer the question about legalism and the role of God’s law in the heart of the believer.

Briefly, we saw that there are many laws in the Bible.  Some were temporary (Ceremonial and Sacrificial).  These laws or ordinances were like a school master that taught God’s people about sin, salvation, and the coming Messiah.

These had their purpose and their end came when  type (e.g. spotless lamb) met anti-type (i.e. Jesus).  When Jesus came, we no longer needed the School Master to teach us. We now had Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection as our teacher and hope.

But, the law that  is eternal is the moral law contained in the 10 commandments.  Jesus did not come to abolish it or to destroy it.  On the contrary, His life magnified the law and made it honorable.  Example:  Jesus told us men that looking upon a woman with lust was the same as committing adultery

“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Mathew 5:28

Here we see Jesus “magnifying” the law.  He makes it bigger so we can clearly see or understand to scope of the law.  It also demonstrates that man is sinful to the core.  It tells us we need a Savior not only from eternal death but from the power of sin.

Sin is defined in one place as the breaking or transgressing of the law.

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

1 John 3:4

John goes on to tell us something very important for the believer.

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

1 John 3:6

Is it not clear that if someone sins, they don’t know Him?  But if the believer “abides” in Him, that person will not sin.  Now be careful here.  It is not saying you are perfect and never sin.  It means you do not practice sin as clarified in the the next verse:

He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

1 John 3:7

Before John ever gets into this discussion, he sets the boundaries of the discussion by saying this:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1 John 2:1

God’s desire is that we do not sin. We have Jesus as our advocate in heaven (another topic for another time) to cover us should we sin.  But this advocate is not an excuse to practice sin. That the true follower will not do.  The thief will not continue his life of stealing.  The adulterer will stop sleeping around.  The person with other gods will give them up.  Is this a fair statement?

Here is what we must remember:  We are born with a sinful nature. When we are born again, we are given a spiritual nature.  These two natures will compete against each other and it is our choice and God’s action as to which one will win the war between flesh and spirit.  Keep in mind that battles may be lost due to the carnal nature, but this does not mean the war is over and a victor crowned.  Paul describes this battle in Romans 8 (Another study for another time).

One of my favorite writers wrote something that I think is very appropriate here and supported by the grace of our great loving God:

“There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John,

“These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1.

Steps to Christ, P. 64

The law, specifically the 10 commandments, point out to sinful man what is sin.  To know about the law and sin is to know more about the God who gave it and more about ourselves.  It points out how really sinful we are and that we need  a savior because we cannot “enter into the womb a second time” and be reborn.   We cannot give ourselves a new spirit.  The law enhances the reality of grace and His power, but God’s grace does not eliminate the law otherwise he could have simply eliminated the definition of sin instead of having his Son pay the penalty for sin i.e., death.  This would be a divine loophole of sorts. I don’t see where God provides loopholes, but He does supply grace and power.

The law, like God, is eternal and it is given the same description as God Himself.  The law expresses His character which is holy, just, and good.

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Romans 7:11, 12

We can not take the 10 commandments off the wall and wash our face with it,  the law points out the smudge on our face, which tells us we need to be cleansed.  To try to wash our face with the law would be the definition of legalism.  Instead, the law indicates God’s will for us and that we need a Savior not only for breaking it, but for the power to obey it as will be shown in the following discussion.

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When talking about the law of God, we must discuss the topic of new covenant versus old covenant.  Here many make a deadly mistake, thinking the old covenant was about keeping the law for salvation, but the new covenant is freedom from keeping the law and living under grace. This implies disobedience.  As we shall see both covenants include obedience to God’s law.  The new covenant does not diminish the requirements of the law, but there is a twist that should give encouragement to us and help us avoid legalism.

Jesus is the “Mediator of the new covenant.”

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 9:15

By the sacrificial death of Jesus upon the cross, He redeemed everyone, including those under the first covenant.  This redemption for them and for all “who are called may receive the promise of eternal life.”

So again, we see that the cross is the central point for both those in the old testament and the new testament.  It is here where all, on both sides of the cross, look by faith to Jesus for eternal life.  Those in the old testament looked forward in faith and were instructed by the School Master or the sacrificial and ceremonial laws given by God through Moses to teach them about Jesus. They were not saved by works and obedience, but by faith in the spotless lamb of God (Jesus).

Those of us on this side, look to Jesus’ death on the cross by faith for eternal life and we  have the life of Jesus and the testimony of His followers to teach us.  Also, we have the experience of those before the cross to teach us as well.  In fact, those before the cross and the writings of the old testament can instruct us in righteousness.

Paul wrote to Timothy and reminded him of this fact.  Paul wrote it before the writings of the other new testament writers were known and brought together.  So Paul’s message to Timothy is referring to the writings of the old testament when he said,

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16

Those books in the old testament will reproof, correct and even instruct the new testament believer in righteousness.  Further, it will make us complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We should never say or believe things like, “That is in the old testament, I am a new testament believer.”  Rather, we should say, we are a believer of “All Scripture.”

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The experience of God’s people before the cross serve as examples of how we should both live and respond to God.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

Romans 15:4

Their lives and experiences become examples of how to live or not to live.  Their experiences will give us hope!

Jesus is also found in type all through the old testament.  To bypass these books is to miss Christ.

 “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them.”

1 Corinthians 10: 1-7

So as we look at the new covenant or the new testament, we must not forget the value of the old covenant and the old testament.  It still provides us help in our Jesus journey. It is even provides information that should be obeyed and understood by the Christian who appreciates the value of the new covenant.

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To understand the new  covenant, we must understand the old covenant.  Is that a fair statement? Why two covenants?  Did God make a mistake and create a new covenant because it was impossible or too difficult to live under?  Many think this because of somethings Paul states.

Generally, a covenant is defined as an agreement between two parties, but it can be simply a promise by the Lord. For example, the Lord made a promise to the people of earth to not destroy it by water ever again. This was a covenant or promise from the great Creator.

“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth… and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”

Genesis 9:13,15

The Lord did the same type of “one-sided covenant” with Abraham when he promised him land and descendants:

“On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates—’ “

Genesis 15:18

 “And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.”

Genesis 17: 2-7

However, these covenants (promises) of God are not the covenants distinguished as old by Paul.

There was a point where the people of God tried to make a covenant or agreement with God and they became “old.”

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” 

Exodus 19:5-7

In the next Chapter of Exodus (20) we see these words:

And God spoke all these words, saying:

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

Exodus 20: 1-2

Then the Lord spoke the 10 Commandments Himself as shown in Exodus 20: 3-17

Here was the covenant the people made.  It seemed to be the response God wanted, but noticed they agreed to obey God based on fear and their own efforts.  They state, “all that the Lord has said we will do.” They attempted to obey God under their grit and determination. Obedience was not from the heart but rather from duty and fear.  After a while their promises faded away and became old.

They were afraid of God and this formed their their response.

Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

Exodus 20:19

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Citing the fear and poor promises of the people, the writer of Hebrews cites the need for a new covenant:

 “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.”

Hebrews 8:6

What better promises?  Did God make a promise that was inferior or had a fault? No!  The problem or fault was found with the people who made the covenant with God as shown in the verse that follows:

“For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them. He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.”

Hebrews 8: 7-9

The fault was with the people who made a promise they could not keep.

Have you ever made a promise to God while under fear?  “God if you will just get me out of this situation, I will serve you until I die.” But, after you are delivered, you forget your promise and go back to serving only yourself. In this situations, you are doing exactly what the children of Israel did.  They made a promise they could not keep.  Why?  Because they were attempting something without a changed heart.  They did not realize their own weakness. God desired them to obey out of love and through His power.

Continuing in Hebrews 8, we see the better promise, but it still contains God’s law and obedience.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 

Hebrew 8:10

So the new covenant is one where God provides the promise and the people respond to His love in obedience because they have a new heart (rebirth). But notice that the new covenant still involves the law of God and obedience.  The law is never destroyed or eliminated, it is a new attitude about it where the obedience comes from the new heart.  If it is on the heart, do you think you will obey the letter?  The spirit and the letter of the law go together.  Let me explain:

If a born again Christian says to his wife, I obey the law concerning adultery in the spirit, but not by the letter.  What has he just told his wife?  Would the wife be comfortable about the separation of spirit and letter?  Could the husband sleep with her sister (letter) but keep the “spirit.”  NO!  If He is living in the spirit of the law, he won’t even allow himself to look at a woman with lust!  Especially, he will not tempt himself with pornography!  Men, if you are looking at porn, you need Jesus to both forgive you and to help you overcome it.  It is sin!

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“But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”

Romans 7:6

Paul is explaining how we often get the cart before the horse.  Many try to serve only in the letter.  These are the legalistic.

In a very difficult part of Paul’s writing, he continues to explain that the law is spiritual and we are carnal.  There are the two natures that live and fight within us until Jesus returns.  The purpose of the law is to tell us what God considers as transgression and how sinful we are:

I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”  Romans 7: 7

“…by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

Romans 3:20

Here Paul understands that desiring the possessions of another person is sin, but he goes further:

“I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.”

Romans 7: 9

Paul was “foot loose and fancy free” as we say in the South. But, when he became aware of the words of the law, he came under great conviction and he saw his way of life meant death, for he had said earlier in the chapter,

“the wages of sin is death.”

Romans 6:23

The law points out what God calls sin regardless of what the world might think.  When we come to accept the fact that we are sinners, we seek God and find forgiveness and the power to live a life in Christ.  We don’t want to continue in an unsatisfying life of sin and disobedience.  God begins to write His laws in our hearts so that our obedience comes from a new heart powered by God himself.  The law does not go away.  In fact, it becomes a writing inscribed in our way of thinking so that the thief stops stealing, the liar stops lying, etc.  If, in our brand new way of thinking,  we do slip; we have an advocate with the father.

I have heard someone say, I obey the law with my spirit and not by letter.  I am under grace. How does that work?

Paul cautioned again such thinking when he said,

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Romans 6:15

 Being “under grace” does not mean one can disobey God’s law. We are not “under” the law because we are not under the penalty, because Jesus paid the penalty for our transgression of the law.  His death shows the permanence of the law.

The followers of God are shown to be true followers by obedience to it.  To claim we follow Jesus and willfully disobey is to not be a follower, for He said,

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”

Luke 6:46″

It is like saying I am a follower of Robert Atkins,but I don’t obey the diet plan.  I obey it in my spirit, but not the letter.  How much weight do you think that person would lose?

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It is no wonder that Satan himself is upset with the last day people who wish to testify of Jesus Christ through an experience of obedience to His words that include the 10 commandments.  This identifies them as true followers and not religious pretenders.

“And the dragon (Satan) was enraged with the woman (church), and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 12:17

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Conclusion

God’s 10 Commandment law has never been destroyed.  It is still a sin to have other god’s, to build statues of gods  and fall down before them.  It is still a sin to disrespect God’s name and character.  It is still a sin to forget the Sabbath of the Lord and dishonor his creation and the time He blessed.  It is still a sin to dishonor your parents, to murder, to commit adultery, to steal, to lie, and to covet your neighbors possessions.

All 10 of these commandments line up under the two great commandments.  The first being to

“love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” The second is like it, “to love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22: 37-39

The first 4 commandments hang (summarized) under the first principle and the last six under the second principle.

But notice the order.  If one fails to love God completely, they will not be able love their neighbor with a Christ like love.  They will in effect become legalistic (if connected to religion) and a worthless noisy show-off of a cymbal if God’s love is not the basis for their obedience:

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”

1 Corinthians 13:1

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No.  Obedience is not for the legalistic although there are many who obey to somehow impress God or attempt to make themselves worthy of blessings and salvation.

Obedience is for those who have been born again, where love for their Creator and a testimony to the true God can be expressed through obeying his word.

To obey God is to have true freedom. Just ask the man in prison who murdered someone or the person whose life is run by lying.

To say that we love Him and not obey Him makes us a liar.

“He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

1 John 2:4

Obedience comes from a new heart supplied by the Redeemer.  It is not religious, but it is real.  Obedience is the walk with the One you love, not the requirement for walk. The walk, like a child, will be shaky at first, but as you hold the Father’s hand, you will get stronger to do his will, but unlike the earthly example, our hand must be in the hand of our Creator constantly, because if it isn’t, we have the possibility of returning to the mud from which we were cleansed (See 2 Peter 2: 18-22)

I close with the inspiring words from Steps to Christ, p. 60, 61

“But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love. The law of God is an expression of His very nature; it is an embodiment of the great principle of love, and hence is the foundation of His government in heaven and earth. If our hearts are renewed in the likeness of God, if the divine love is implanted in the soul, will not the law of God be carried out in the life? When the principle of love is implanted in the heart, when man is renewed after the image of Him that created him, the new-covenant promise is fulfilled, “I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.” Hebrews 10:16. And if the law is written in the heart, will it not shape the life? Obedience–the service and allegiance of love–is the true sign of discipleship. Thus the scripture says, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 5:3; 2:4. Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.”

Faith, Is This True?, The Law of God

IS OBEDIENCE ONLY FOR THE LEGALISTIC? PART 1

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Recently, I heard a radio preacher say, “The Old Testament was about obedience, but the New Testament is about grace.” I don’t want to read too much into this or interpret his statement incorrectly, but I hear this same idea said in different ways.  In almost all cases the implication is there are two methods of salvation:

1.) Obedience for those before the cross and

2.)  Grace and faith after the cross.

Obedience (Old Covenant)    Grace/Faith (New Covenant)

Only a few days later, I heard another speaker talk about Galatians in such a way that it lead me to believe that talking about obedience was “another gospel.” The preacher stated: “nothing can be added to the work of Jesus. To add anything else is “another gospel.”  Without a doubt, no one can add to what Jesus has done for sinful man. and we cannot do enough good works to merit salvation. including obedience.  Here is the proof:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:9, 10

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Galatians 5:18

“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

Romans 3:21-23

All three of the verses above were from Paul.  Paul was a highly educated and dedicated Hebrew.  Before his conversion, he considered himself “blameless” concerning the righteousness that comes by the law.  but then he discovered Jesus and his eyes were opened.

Paul, seemed to be concerned where people would take verses like those above.  He abruptly asks a question at the end of Romans 3 and again at the beginning of Romans 6 to clarify:

Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Romans 3:31 

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 

Romans 6:1

The established law has a place in the Jesus Journey of the believer, but what is it?

Despite Romans 3:31 and other “obedience” verses we shall see, people continue to quote verses that would seem to say, we can pretty much ignore the 10 commandment law.  Here are a few:

We are not “….under the law, but under grace.”

Romans 6:14

“The law was done away with.”

Colossians 2:14?

“The law has been nailed to the cross.”

Colossians 2:14?

Obedience is “another gospel.”

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel”

Galatians 1:6

Incorrect application of these passage may make it sound like God does not want us to obey and if I want to obey God, I have reverted back to the Old Testament way of salvation and have become legalistic, perhaps even lost.  By choosing to seek to live in obedience, I have left the gospel of grace and faith. So is obedience only for the legalistic?

I have tried to boil this down to 5 important thought questions:

1.)  Has obedience ever been a method of salvation?  Was Moses, the prophets, the people of Israel saved by the works of the law? Has anyone ever been able to save themselves through obedience?

2.)  What is the relationship between obedience and grace?  Are they mutually exclusive of each other?

3.)  What does Salvation mean and what is the purpose of the law?

4.) Does God expect me to live a life in  disobedience to his commandments?  What happens if I start to try to obey?

5.)  Does Obedience have anything to do with the new covenant?

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Now I am certain, I don’t need to get up get dressed and head to the local temple and sacrifice a lamb for the sins I have committed.  This was definitely part of the instructions God gave Moses to give to  God’s people.  I also know that being circumcised is not a prerequisite to being a part of God’s people. But, how do I relate to God’s law?  What is the danger if I ignore it or if I obey it?

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What is God’s law?

Is it just the 10 commandments?

Is it the old sacrificial system given by God to Moses?

Is it some spiritual thing that I keep in my spirit but am careful to not obey the letter?

Here is what I know from God’s word;

The word “law” appears 529 times in the entire Bible.  If you throw in “statute” and “ordinance” we can add another 219 times.  So that brings us to 748 verses.  

Do they all mean the same thing?  This is where many people get confused. 

The three main categories  for these 748 verses are used primarily in 1 of 3 main ways:

A.)  God’s Ten Commandments written with His own finger.

“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.”

Exodus 31:18

B.) The laws given by God to Moses concerning the sanctuary services, sacrifices, feast days. The ceremonial laws contained in ordnances.  Written by Moses and placed in a pouch in the side of the Ark of the Covenant.

“Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.”

Deuteronomy 31:26

These ordinances and laws were ceremonial and gave identity and teaching to the chosen people before the cross.  After the cross, God made the Jew and Gentile one.

“And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.”

Exodus 18:20

“….having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.”

Ephesians 2:15

C.) The word of God contained in the “books of the law” a.k.a Torah (First Five books of the Bible)

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8

 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 1: 2, 3

So it is always important to understand which law God is referring to before making any decisions as to what God would have you do.

One last question before we start,  Does the freedom given me by the grace of God give me license to disobey?

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In this post, we will start with questions #1 and #2

1.)  Has obedience ever been a method of salvation?  Was Moses, the prophets, the people of Israel saved by the works of the law? Has anyone ever been able to save themselves through obedience?

The answer is NO!  The Jews of old were saved just like those of the New Testament:  By the grace of God through faith and not of any works.  Listen to Paul:

“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Galatians 2:21

There would have been no need for Jesus to die on the cross for our sins or the sins of those in the Old Testament time if “righteousness” could come through the law.

Through the ceremonial feast of Passover (Exodus 12), the Jews under those laws were taught that the unblemished innocent male sheep had to die for their sins.  They had to believe this in faith.  Merely following the directions of God through Moses was not the point of their forgiveness but led them to understand about the coming Messiah who was the “true lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29

So by faith, the Jews looked forward to the Cross for their salvation not in obeying the law.  But the law was good in that it came from God himself through Moses and it taught (through an object lesson) the cost of sin, the price that had to be paid, and the transference of their sin onto the unblemished Son of God.

When Jesus came, type met anti-type.  There was no longer a need to have ceremonies and laws that pointed forward to Jesus.  Now they had the life and teachings of Jesus and that teacher (using types) ended.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:24, 25

All those ceremonial laws pointed forward to Jesus and His death on the cross that they might have faith in Him.  Today, we look back at Jesus and the cross that we might have faith.  Both of us are saved by faith, not by the works of the law of ceremonies.

Those laws had fulfilled their purpose of pointing the OT people to Jesus.  When He died on the cross they ended and we were no longer “under” those sets of laws.

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Galatians 3: 23

This faith spoken of by Paul is another word for Jesus.  The faith that is revealed is Jesus.  It is clear from Hebrews 11 (Faith Chapter) that those of the OT lived their lives by faith as we do:

The term “By faith” or “through faith” appears at least 19 times in Hebrews 11!  They are all references to the OT people of faith!

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off…And these all, having obtained a good report through faith.”

Hebrews 11: 13, 39

Please keep in mind, faith is not a thing….a religious thing….It is “trust” in God.  It is made evident by a response.  A person can say they have faith in God, but their works will show it.  Faith is not based on nothing.  It has substance and evidence.  This substance and evidence comes through trusting in God’s word.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 

James 2:18

Paul shows the method of salvation i.e., grace through faith not of works.  James tells us that the works (obedience) produced from a believer is the evidence of their faith.  The two go together.

James goes on to say,

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2: 8-12

James uses the term “law of liberty” twice.  Here is the hint that obeying the law gives liberty.  Just ask the murder in prison or the person who is trapped in a web of lies.  There is a blessing in obedience to God’s 10 commandments.  Wouldn’t you agree?  We are not talking about the method of salvation, but rather the results of salvation.

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it,and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

James 1:25

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2.)  What is the relationship between obedience and grace?  Are they mutually exclusive of each other?

How can anyone claim to be a follower of the only true God and not obey?

“He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

1 John 2:4

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

Luke 6:46

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.”

Luke 6: 47-48

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 

Romans 6:1

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5: 17-19

Heaven and earth remains and so do the 10 commandments.  Anyone who teaches to break the least of the commandments is not doing the will of God.  I don’t want to be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.  Do you?  The best way here is to teach to obey the law of God.

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Conclusion:

The 10 commandments remain as does heaven and earth.  The ceremonial laws taught about Jesus and salvation, but they ended at the cross where type met anti-type.

Obedience does not save you, but a saved person will be obedient.  The thief will stop stealing.  The liar will stop lying.  All of this happens because of the new birth….the new heart God gives the person saved.

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people”

Hebrews 8:10

If you are thinking the new covenant spoken of here is for Jews only.  Remember there is neither Jew nor Greek and that if we belong to Christ we are “Abraham’s seed” (Father of Jews) and “heirs according to the promise.”

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:28

 “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Galatians 3:29

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“A woman is driving way over the speed limit. Suddenly, she sees in her rear view mirror the flashing red and blue lights of a police car and hears the familiar wail of the siren. She pulls over, grabs her purse, and takes out her driver’s license. The policeman approaches, takes her license, and returns to his car.

She wonders how much the ticket is going to be (she was wayover the limit); she also worries about how she will be able to pay it. A few minutes later the policeman comes back and says, OK, Miss, what we are going to do, so that you don’t have to face the penalty of the law again, is abolish the law. You no longer have to worry about the speed limit.

As ludicrous as that story is, it’s no more so than the theology that teaches that after Jesus died, the law, the Ten Commandments, was abolished.”  Dr. Keith A. Burton,

“Wages of sin is death.”

Romans 6:23

“Sin is the transgression of the law.”

1 John 3:

The definition of sin has never changed.

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“There are two errors against which the children of God–particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace–especially need to guard. The first, already dwelt upon, is that of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy.

The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption.

But notice here that obedience is not a mere outward compliance, but the service of love.”

Steps To Christ, page 59, 60

Death and Resurrection

ABSENT FROM THE BODY, PRESENT WITH THE LORD

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Can you explain what God meant when He said “To be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD and who was He talking too?”

A Conflicting Teaching of Paul?

This text is found in 2 Corinthians 5:8. These words come from Paul.  The same letters to the Corinthians (1st and 2 Corinthians) contain the very clear verses about the importance of the resurrection to the believer (1 Corinthians 15 for example).  So, is Paul teaching two different doctrines?  Does “absent from the body and present from the Lord” mean when a person dies, he/she goes immediately to her reward of eternal life in heaven?  For this passage to align with all the other passages from Paul, Jesus and the other writers about the second coming and resurrection, we must look at it in its context and the light of the many other passages. 

The typical understanding of the state of the dead is that they don’t die.  That their soul lives on forever, but there is at least a judgment before entrance into “the heavenly gates”, according to Paul.  Some say, the resurrection is merely the redeemed coming back to get their bodies.

The problem with the teaching of immediate reward is that it destroys the need for a resurrection and the second-coming.  To base our entire understanding on what happens at death on one verse and ignore all the multitude of very clear passages about the second coming and the resurrection of the body is poor exegesis and takes away the encouragement of Paul to “comfort one another with these words” which is found after the description of the coming of Christ and the dead rising first and then is being caught up to meet Him in the air…(1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18).   It would also negate “the mystery” Paul discloses regarding the clear scene of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, THEN shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Notice that immortality is not given until those who sleep are changed (in a twinkling of an eye) when they are raised form the dead in an instant and they then move from mortal to immortality, corruptible (subject to decay) to incorruptible (not subject to decay).  The proclamation of “Death is swallowed up in victory” is not pronounced until Jesus returns and those who sleep in the grave are risen and changed. (Note: it is not His coming that is in a moment and a twinkling of an eye, but the change of the redeemed!)

The Passage:

Let’s read carefully the entire passage in the question above to get the immediate context.  Then let’s look at the context of the entire letter and Paul’s other similar statements about this topic:

Paul describes three states of a person existence:

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 5; 1-8

Paul tells us there are three states of existence a person can be in:

  1. We are in an “earthly house” also called “this tent.” This is without doubt reference to our body.
  2. Unclothed (Naked).  Neither in this “earthly house” “tent” nor in the building God has made for us. 
  3. “Building of God” eternal in the heavens. This is the immortal body.

So there is a point where we are neither at home in this body or present with the Lord.  It is the being without clothing of life or naked We “groan” or desire to be clothed with the “building of God” that is “swallowed up” by life. This is our desire to move out of this life to the life God has made for us and for our bodies to be changed.

When do we receive the building of God that is immortal and swallowed up by life?  It is at the Second Coming as also described by Paul to the same Corinthians in his first letter.

52“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (naked), but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15: 52-53

Here Paul describes the condition of the saved follower of Christ when He returns:

  1. They “all sleep” waiting to be changed (verse 52). Paul describes this as being naked in 2 Corinthians 5: 2-3
  2. At the “last trumpet” (second coming-See 1 Thess. 4:16-18) they are changed into the house mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5 above.
  3. They “put on” (are clothed) with immortality (no longer subject to death) and incorruption (no longer subject to decay or growing old) at the second coming and the resurrection.

What is often overlooked is the term “sleep” to describe death even though it used by many Bible writers including Jesus to describe death.  This sleep is both unconscious and very quick (See Job 14:12, Job 19: 25-26, Psalm 13:33, Daniel 12:22, Matthew 9:24, John 11: 11-13, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 1 Thessalonians 4: 14, Eccl 9:5).  This is what it means to be naked according to Paul.  It is that place where we are neither clothed in this mortal body or in the immortal body given at the second coming.

The sleep of death is very quick as an experience for both the believer and the unbeliever. 

Jesus taught two resurrections.  When a saved person dies, the next thing they see is Jesus in the air with all the other people being resurrected or “caught up” to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18).  The next thing the unsaved see is something different (A different topic for another time).  Whether dead for one moment, one year, or a thousand years before the Lord returns, the sleep is instantaneous in their minds.  If you have ever been put under general anesthesia, you hear the anesthetist say, “we are putting you to sleep…” and the very next words are “you are in the recovery room” even though you may have been in surgery for hours.

To be absent from the body and present with the Lord does not mean immediate presence with the Lord in the scheme of time without the judgment and the second coming of Jesus.  But to the believer, the sleep of death is quick and unconscious.

Real Comfort From God’s Word:

Over the years, I have heard many words spoken to comfort the bereaved.  Often those words have no basis in God’s word.  Some even border on the ridiculous.  I actually heard this at a funeral a few years ago.  The “pastor” in his zeal to bring comfort to a grieving family of a man who loved to hunt and drink came up with this wild and untrue scenario of the condition of the deceased:   “Our brother, is now hunting with St. Peter and drinking his favorite whisky.”  Sounds great, but there is so much wrong with that illusion.

I don’t know about you, but I prefer the words of God when it comes to comforting those who have lost a loved one.

Such was the case when Paul sought to remind the people of Thessalonica what they  had forgotten.  The people had expected Jesus to have already returned.  That was their hope of eternal life and it is ours too.  Paul ended the true description of the return of Christ and the condition of the deceased with this statement for which we all desire, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  What was it that Paul said that lead to this conclusion?  It is the hope in the second coming and the resurrection of the dead…those who are in Christ.  Here are the exact words.  They are, perhaps, the clearest picture of the return of Christ. 

“For the Lord Himself will descend (come down) from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. THEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHE WITH THESE WORDS.” 1 Thess. 4: 16-18

If you read carefully, you will notice several great Biblical truths: 1.) The Lord Himself (not an angel or someone else) comes. It is not quiet nor secretive.    2.)  He comes down to us, and brings us up to Him when He returns.  3.) Those who were “in Christ” when they died are resurrected. 4.)  Those who are “left” (alive and remain) meet the Lord in the air. What a great reunion day that will be!  Those who have been separated for so many years meet the Lord in the air…not heaven…in the air.  5.)  Eternity starts there in the air after the resurrection and the changing of our bodies into glorious immortal bodies (See 1 Cor. 15: 51-54)  According to Jesus, he then takes us to where He is now (John 14:1-4). 6.).  It is in this description (words) of the return of Christ that we are to find our comfort.

Paul could not have described a better picture of hope and comfort!  The resurrection of the saved and the great reunion day that starts on that day is our hope…the source of comfort.  we trust Jesus by faith now, but the reality is on that great day of His return.

Jesus gave the same hope in the following words of comfort.  It, too, is centered on the Second coming and taking us to where He is now. 

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14: 1-3

Like Paul, Jesus’ concern is that our hearts are not troubled. That we are comforted in His words  The disciples were troubled because Jesus was telling them of His pending death and His going away (See previous chapter, John 13.)  Jesus comfort to them was to give them hope in His return after preparing a place for them (and us).  When would they see Him again?  The answer is clear from Jesus…when He comes again and He receives us.  It is then that He takes us to where He is now (heaven). 

Is it not clear that our joy and comfort is in the promise of Jesus’ return and the fact that He holds the keys of the grave and death (See Revelation 1:18)? 

Paul was adamant about the second coming and the resurrection of the saved as our only hope…our only comfort…Paul gives even more detail about the resurrection and its absolute necessity for our salvation from death in 1 Corinthians 15.

“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty…And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep (died) in Christ have perished.” 1 Corinthians 15: 14, 17-18.

Never comfort me with false words that my loved one is in heaven looking down on me.  How could that be heaven for them?  It is unbiblical.  My comfort is in that blessed hope of His return.  I am

“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. ” Titus 2:13

The crown of life will be given at the return of Christ and not before. Look carefully at the statements of Jesus, Peter, and Paul:  2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Corinthians 15: 51-54, 1 Peter 5:4, Luke 14:14

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to ALL WHO HAVE LOVED HIS APPEARING.” 2 Timothy 4:8

The last chapter of Revelation, Jesus tells us when we receive our reward and this crown.  Jesus brings it with Him!  “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12

Inspiration, Reasons to Believe

A CHRISTMAS STORY-THE JOURNEY OF THE WISEMEN

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Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Mathew 2:1-6

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Wise men journey

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The following is based on Matthew 2:1-18 and Luke 2: 1-18

Our journey from Persia where the great Hebrew Prophet resided many years ago has been difficult.  First, as we studied the prophecies of Daniel, we knew that the Messiah and great Savior of the world would be arriving soon…in our own life time!

We have fought sandstorms, cold, and that never-ending heat! My back aches from the monotonous rocking of my camel’s steps.  It is like riding on a slow-moving boat pushed back and forth continually by repetitive ocean waves; perhaps another reason they call them ships of the desert. Despite all this, I am sure our inconveniences will be rewarded! We have put our hearts and time into this journey. We are certain of the prophecies from the ancient scrolls are accurate.

The camels have done well, but like us, they enjoy the breaks we often take and the people we meet along the way.  When we pass through the many villages, the beasts become the center of attention for the children who try to feed them hay and anything else they can find.

The adults are filled with questions about our journey and our destination.  They want to know where we come from.  Their wide eyes reveal they are impressed with the distance we have traveled.  We are glad to share with them the news of the Messiah and what we know from the ancient scrolls.  Some consider us crazy, but many listen and wish they could go with us.  They call it an adventure, but we know it is more…so much more.

Night time is my favorite part of the day because of the brightness of the star in the east and the peace that comes from the quiet, disturbed only by the crackling fire and the occasional snort of a tired camel. Our conversation around the fire is pleasant and lulls me into a deep sleep. The star is a constant reminder of the accuracy of the scrolls and a confirmation of our journey.  Many people we have met have seen the unusually bright star and wondered.  They don’t know what it means but are comforted by its beauty and marvel that its magnificence is not diminished by the light of day.  When we started, it was low on the horizon, but it is rising and become brighter as we have drawn nearer to our destination, Bethlehem!

I lean back on the saddle I have used as a pillow and enjoy the warmth of the fire.  I am warm and content.  My journal and mind are filling up with my notes.  I make this entry under the light from the twinkling star-lit night.

Now, we are only one day out from Jerusalem.  We hope to visit King Herod and celebrate with him the coming of the Messiah.  The town is surely busy with activity and celebration even though it has taken us many months to get this far.

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Our anticipation grows so much that we wake in the clearness of the so we can arrive in Jerusalem early in the morning to seek audience with the king before we head off to Bethlehem only about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to the south of the capital city.

So I rise with the others, full of energy and anticipation of the day ahead of us.  We mount our ships of the desert, who match our excitement to start moving again.  This is going to be a good day! I can feel it!

The early morning air is cold and the star brighter than ever!  We hear music in the distance.  As we approach the outskirts of Jerusalem, we are greeted by shepherds watching over their sheep.  With wonder in their eyes, they run up to our caravan and ask us the usual questions about us, our destination, and home.

I tell them the story of our journey and our wish to see the new baby king.  They are polite and respectful and let us speak first. When we have a pause, they begin to talk fast and together as if they will burst if their words are not heard.  Wonder and curiosity force us to quickly dismount our camels and gather around them.  They calm themselves and begin to talk one at a time.   Then begins their beautiful story of the events when the Messiah was born.

“We were in the field at night when we heard the sound of singing and joy and there was light all around us that lit up the countryside like it was daytime….only brighter.“

Then the next one speaks with equal intensity.“We were afraid! I turned my eyes toward the ground”

A third young man, a little older says,“The brightness was coming from an angel who told us to fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

“The angel told us to go to the city of David where we would find Christ the Lordand we would find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”

Another one talks before the older one finishes,”The music continued and many more angels appeared high in the night sky!”

It is starting to come all together for me.  The older boy exclaims with confidence, “That star you have followed are angels.  They began to sing again as your caravan approached us.”

The youngest one blurts out, “After the angels appeared to us, we left our flocks and raced towards Bethlehem.  There we found a woman by the name of Mary and her husband Joseph and there in a manger was the baby they call Jesus.”

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My heart pounds faster as I realize we now know the name of the king!  His name is Jesus! In the Greek, it means “Jehovah is Salvation.” The Hebrew name is Joshua. His mission is in His Name!

Their eyes are bright and they all nod their heads in agreement when the older shepherd boy slows down his words and says with tears in his eyes. “Our hearts are changed! We can’t stop talking about that night and the baby Jesus.  We have told everyone!  Even Mary rejoiced at our story!”

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The visit with the young men has inspired and energized us!  We have also learned the name of the mother and father. It is an easier climb back on my camel.  Our strength has been renewed as well as our urgency to get to Bethlehem.  The music and praise in the heavens grow louder and brighter even as the yellow and orange of the sunrise pushes us toward Jerusalem and King Herod.

We arrive in Jerusalem by mid-morning. The smell of food awakens our hunger. But, our great desire to see the king as soon as possible overrides all our other senses.

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There is a crowd to meet us.  It is easy to notice they are not like the excited shepherds.  They are curious and seem afraid and worried.  Maybe it is our large caravan and the way we look.  Our skin and clothes are different.

We finally arrive at the king’s palace and request an audience with him.  To my surprise, we are immediately invited in.  A few of us go and the others mix with the growing crowd outside telling them of our journey and the new story from the shepherds which they had already heard.  And of course, the children ask many questions and try to feed the camels.

King Herod reflects the same aura as the people outside.  He looks concerned.  For a moment I wonder if we made a mistake coming here.

I am the first one to speak.

In my excitement, I blurt out words without considering that I am talking to a king.

“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

I begin to think this was not a good question and statement…asking a reigning king about a king that will rule the Jews in the future.  The king struggles to stay polite and excuses himself.  We can hear him calling all his wise men and priests together, who were standing close by.  He tries to whisper so we can’t hear, but the cold palace lets his voice carry easily through its halls.

He is angry and demands they tell him where this Christ would be born.  We hear them quote the same scrolls we studied before and after we left on our long journey.  The word “Bethlehem of Judea” is heard clearly.

We look at each other with the same surprise.  They have taken the words of their ancient prophets so lightly.  I feel foreboding and regret rising up as the king invites us back into his private chambers.

A forced smile appears on his troubled face. He apologizes for not being more hospitable and invites us to have some food and something to drink.  I am uncomfortable.  The meeting is uncomfortable.  We politely eat some of the food even though our hunger is of a different sort.

He asks about our trip and we tell him about our long journey, the star in the east, and the shepherds we met just outside of town.  We sense we should not be telling the king anything and look for an excuse to leave quickly.

Then he asks us a question he was eager to know.  It seemed to be the main reason for his talking with us hinged on this question.

“When was it you first saw the star and began the journey ?”

Reluctantly, I tell him it has been almost two years.  He then says in almost a whisper and an evil voice,

“Go and search for him and when you find him, bring him here to the palace that I might worship him too.”

With a jump and quick turn around, he immediately leaves us and disappears back into the palace.

The attendant escorts us back to our caravan and the crowd that has gathered. We never expected to have such a greeting.  I along with my friends have become suspicious and concerned.  We are glad to get back on our camels and back to following the star which has turned us south towards the sleepy little village of Bethlehem.

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The sun has risen fast.  It waits for no one.  We continue our journey south towards Bethlehem.  It is a short distance, but we travel slowly enjoying the final leg of our journey.  It will be dark before we arrive.

The excitement of seeing the new king of the Jews comes back to our hearts as we travel along silently contemplating the events of last night and this morning.  The crowds have disappeared.

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There before us, lies the twinkling lights of the little city of Bethlehem!  The star is just above the peaceful town shining its clear light and casting shadows on the surrounding hillside. How beautiful it is! We feel happiness and express our joy and congratulations to each other.  A journey of hundreds of miles has brought us to this moment! A small group of people come to greet us at the entrance to the village.  We ask for Mary and Joseph.

The star is almost directly overhead, as a sweet girl escorts us to a tiny house near the edge of town.

Dismounting our camels, we hear the music again far up in the night sky.  Mary greets us at the door as we crowd into the small clean home.

We feel the presence of royalty as the young toddler Jesus walks into the room.  Emotions overcome us and we fall down and worship the child we know to be the fulfillment of thousands of years of prophecy.  We have seen him in all the scrolls of the Jews many times.  The face of God is in his! We can sense a power that searches our hearts. Many of us weep and then gather ourselves so we can give our gifts.

We bring in our offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and we celebrate our time with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  They make our visit enjoyable and pleasant.  We spend the night laughing and playing with little Jesus.  I take him up in my arms and show him the camels.  They are calm and peaceful as Jesus reaches out and touches them.  He wants to touch all of them!  Never before have I see such a face as the One who looks at me.  The others demand their time to hold him, so  I pass him to the other men.  I still feel his warmth in my arms and on my chest.  The journey has been worth every step and more.  My heart wants to burst with joy!  I feel alive!

The rest of the night is spent talking and eating. Too soon,  our time with Mary, Joseph, and Jesus is finished. Before we leave we ask for permission to anoint Jesus with more gifts we brought. It is a special moment when we place the sweet smell upon the head of Jesus as he sits in his mother’s lap.  We are content and feel the presence of God in the room and in the sparkling eyes of the little king.

I am in wonder about why more people do not understand, that here before us is Immanuel (God with us)! This little boy will grow up to save the world from eternal death!  He will pay the penalty that we deserve and teach us spiritual things about the kingdom of God!  It is all in the ancient scrolls!

We wish to stay, but feel we must begin our journey back.  We promise to return when the child is older.  We know from the writings of the prophet Daniel, that the young child will live to be only about 30 years old and then he will sacrifice himself for the sins of the people and rise on the third day to show his power over the clutches of the grave and death.

Our wish is to return when he is older, but in the meantime, we pledge among ourselves to share, in our homeland, the good news of the birth of Jesus.  We will begin to tell our story with those we will meet along the way back to our home in the west.

We say our good-byes to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and begin to head back north through the city.

I am stopped in my tracks as I begin to consider our strange visit with King Herod.

An man appears to me and tells me to  take a different path home and head due east instead of retracing our journey.  The king is up to some evil and we don’t want to help him in any way.  We probably made a mistake visiting him and giving him information about the approximate age of the baby Jesus.  It is an unfortunate turn of events. We are going to miss the young shepherd boys on the way back.  I was looking forward to telling them of our visit.

The star is gone as we begin our travel home.  We stop to rest when we feel we have put some distance between us and King Herod.  Around the fire, we talk about our great journey and look again at scripture.  We come across a disturbing message from the prophet Jeremiah:

“Thus says the Lord:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
    lamentation and bitter weeping.
Rachel is weeping for her children;
    she refuses to be comforted for her children,
    because they are no more.”

Jeremiah 31:15

Soon the voices and the fire go out and we sleep…exhausted from excitement and the sleep we missed,I can feel the warmth of my camel next to me. The trip home will be long, but it will go fast as we tell the wonderful story of Jesus along the way.

Later, the next day, we hear the news and fulfillment of that passage in Jeremiah that troubled us.  King Herod had all the male children 2 years old and younger killed.  What a cruel and foolish man!

We also got news that Joseph was warned of Herod’s intention and our friends Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus escaped to the safety of Egypt.

Later, we would learn Joseph took his family to a little town called Nazareth after Herod died.

More fulfillment of the ancient scrolls:

“And out of Egypt, I called my son.”

Hosea 11:1

Our journey to find Jesus was long and difficult, but we have been transformed by it. The scrolls, the star, the shepherds even the evil king Herod has made us wiser. But most of all, it has made us a believer in Jesus.

We will continue to study the ancient scrolls because now that we have seen Jesus ourselves, we can see Him in every story told there.

So many scrolls to read, so little time.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

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My friends, join me in a Christmas worship of the One who gave all that we might have all.  Let us fall on our knees this night as we think about the birth of Jesus and the visit of men who were seeking Him.  They found Him!  Have you?

Click here for a beautiful video and song:

Oh Holy Night!

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For additional study:

Jesus’  first coming was predicted in hundreds of Old Testament writings!

The one prophecy that pinpoints the exact time of His coming which helped in the wise men’s timing of their journey and a brief outline of his life, death, and ministry is found in Daniel 9.  To know more about this prophecy, click here:  https://www.answersfromscriptureonline.com/2017/11/19/daniel-revelation-part-6-longest-time-prophecy/

353 prophecies about the first coming of Christ are below. Much more concerning his second coming…will discuss in future posts.

ScriptureProphecyFulfillment
1. Gen. 3:15Seed of a woman (virgin birth)Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 1:18
2. Gen. 3:15He will bruise Satan’s headHebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8
3. Gen. 3:15Christ’s heel would be bruised with nails on the crossMatthew 27:35, Luke 24:39-40
4. Gen. 5:24The bodily ascension to heaven illustratedMark 16:19, Rev. 12:5
5. Gen. 9:26, 27The God of Shem will be the Son of ShemLuke 3:23-36
6. Gen. 12:3Seed of Abraham will bless all nationsGalatians 3:8, Acts 3:25, 26
7. Gen. 12:7The Promise made to Abraham’s SeedGalatians 3:16
8. Gen. 14:18A priest after the order of MelchizedekHebrews 6:20
9. Gen. 14:18King of Peace and RighteousnessHebrews 7:2
10. Gen. 14:18The Last Supper foreshadowedMatthew 26:26-29
11. Gen. 17:19Seed of Isaac (Gen. 21:12)Romans 9:7
12. Gen. 22:8The Lamb of God promisedJohn 1:29
13. Gen. 22:18As Isaac’s seed, will bless all nationsGalatians 3:16
14. Gen. 26:2-5The Seed of Isaac promised as the RedeemerHebrews 11:18
15. Gen. 28:12The Bridge to heavenJohn 1:51
16. Gen. 28:14The Seed of JacobLuke 3:34
17. Gen. 49:10The time of His comingLuke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4
18. Gen. 49:10The Seed of JudahLuke 3:33
19. Gen. 49:10Called Shiloh or One SentJohn 17:3
20. Gen. 49:10Messiah to come before Judah lost identityJohn 11:47-52
21. Gen. 49:10Unto Him shall the obedience of the people beJohn 10:16
22. Ex. 3:13-15The Great “I AM”John 4:26; 8:58
23. Ex. 12:3-6The Lamb presented to Israel 4 days before PassoverMark 11:7-11
24. Ex. 12:5A Lamb without blemishHebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:19
25. Ex. 12:13The blood of the Lamb saves from wrathRomans 5:8
26. Ex. 12:21-27Christ is our Passover1Corinthians 5:7
27. Ex. 12:46Not a bone of the Lamb to be brokenJohn 19:31-36
28. Ex. 15:2His exaltation predicted as YeshuaActs 7:55, 56
29. Ex. 15:11His Character-HolinessLuke 1:35; Acts 4:27
30. Ex. 17:6The Spiritual Rock of Israel1Corinthians 10:4
31. Ex. 33:19His Character-MercifulLuke 1:72
32. Lev. 1:2-9His sacrifice a sweet smelling savor unto GodEphesians 5:2
33. Lev. 14:11The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthoodLuke 5:12-14; Acts 6:7
34. Lev. 16:15-17Prefigures Christ’s once-for-all deathHebrews 9:7-14
35. Lev. 16:27Suffering outside the CampMatthew 27:33; Heb. 13:11, 12
36. Lev. 17:11The Blood-the life of the fleshMatthew 26:28; Mark 10:45
37. Lev. 17:11It is the blood that makes atonementRom. 3:23-24; 1John 1:7
38. Lev. 23:36-37The Drink-offering: “If any man thirst”John 7:37
39. Num. 9:12Not a bone of Him brokenJohn 19:31-36
40. Num. 21:9The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted upJohn 3:14-18; 12:32
41. Num. 24:17Time: “I shall see him, but not now.”John 1:14; Galatians 4:4
42. Deut. 18:15“This is of a truth that prophet.”John 6:14
43. Deut. 18:15-16“Had ye believed Moses, ye would believe me.”John 5:45-47
44. Deut. 18:18Sent by the Father to speak His wordJohn 8:28, 29
45. Deut. 18:19Whoever will not hear must bear his sinActs 3:22-23
46. Deut. 21:23Cursed is he that hangs on a treeGalatians 3:10-13
47. Joshua 5:14-15The Captain of our salvationHebrews 2:10
48. Ruth 4:4-10Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed usEphesians 1:3-7
49. 1 Sam. 2:35A Faithful PriestHeb. 2:17; 3:1-3, 6; 7:24-25
50. 1 Sam. 2:10Shall be an anointed King to the LordMt. 28:18, John 12:15
51. 2 Sam. 7:12David’s SeedMatthew 1:1
52. 2 Sam. 7:13His Kingdom is everlasting2Peter 1:11
53. 2 Sam. 7:14The Son of GodLuke 1:32, Romans 1:3-4
54. 2 Sam. 7:16David’s house established foreverLuke 3:31; Rev. 22:16
55. 2 Ki. 2:11The bodily ascension to heaven illustratedLuke 24:51
56. 1 Chr. 17:11David’s SeedMatthew 1:1; 9:27
57. 1 Chr. 17:12-13To reign on David’s throne foreverLuke 1:32, 33
58. 1 Chr. 17:13“I will be His Father, He…my Son.”Hebrews 1:5
59. Job 9:32-33Mediator between man and God1 Timothy 2:5
60. Job 19:23-27The Resurrection predictedJohn 5:24-29
61. Psa. 2:1-3The enmity of kings foreordainedActs 4:25-28
62. Psa. 2:2To own the title, Anointed (Christ)John 1:41, Acts 2:36
63. Psa. 2:6His Character-HolinessJohn 8:46; Revelation 3:7
64. Psa. 2:6To own the title KingMatthew 2:2
65. Psa. 2:7Declared the Beloved SonMatthew 3:17, Romans 1:4
66. Psa. 2:7, 8The Crucifixion and Resurrection intimatedActs 13:29-33
67. Psa. 2:8, 9Rule the nations with a rod of ironRev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15
68. Psa. 2:12Life comes through faith in HimJohn 20:31
69. Psa. 8:2The mouths of babes perfect His praiseMatthew 21:16
70. Psa. 8:5, 6His humiliation and exaltationHebrews 2:5-9
71. Psa. 9:7-10Judge the world in righteousnessActs 17:31
72. Psa. 16:10Was not to see corruptionActs 2:31; 13:35
73. Psa. 16:9-11Was to arise from the deadJohn 20:9
74. Psa. 17:15The resurrection predictedLuke 24:6
75. Psa. 18:2-3The horn of salvationLuke 1:69-71
76. Psa. 22:1Forsaken because of sins of others2 Corinthians 5:21
77. Psa. 22:1“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”Matthew 27:46
78. Psa. 22:2Darkness upon Calvary for three hoursMatthew 27:45
79. Psa. 22:7They shoot out the lip and shake the headMatthew 27:39-44
80. Psa. 22:8“He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him”Matthew 27:43
81. Psa. 22:9-10Born the SaviourLuke 2:7
82. Psa. 22:12-13They seek His deathJohn 19:6
83. Psa. 22:14His blood poured out when they pierced His sideJohn 19:34
84. Psa. 22:14, 15Suffered agony on CalvaryMark 15:34-37
85. Psa. 22:15He thirstedJohn 19:28
86. Psa. 22:16They pierced His hands and His feetJohn 19:34, 37; 20:27
87. Psa. 22:17, 18Stripped Him before the stares of menLuke 23:34, 35
88. Psa. 22:18They parted His garmentsJohn 19:23, 24
89. Psa. 22:20, 21He committed Himself to GodLuke 23:46
90. Psa. 22:20, 21Satanic power bruising the Redeemer’s heelHebrews 2:14
91. Psa. 22:22His Resurrection declaredJohn 20:17
92. Psa. 22:27-28He shall be the governor of the nationsColossians 1:16
93. Psa. 22:31“It is finished”John 19:30, Heb. 10:10, 12, 14, 18
94. Psa. 23:1“I am the Good Shepherd”John 10:11, 1Peter 2:25
95. Psa. 24:3His exaltation predictedActs 1:11; Philippians 2:9
96. Psa. 30:3His resurrection predictedActs 2:32
97. Psa. 31:5“Into thy hands I commit my spirit”Luke 23:46
98. Psa. 31:11His acquaintances fled from HimMark 14:50
99. Psa. 31:13They took counsel to put Him to deathMt. 27:1, John 11:53
100. Psa. 31:14, 15“He trusted in God, let Him deliver him”Matthew 27:43
101. Psa. 34:20Not a bone of Him brokenJohn 19:31-36
102. Psa. 35:11False witnesses rose up against HimMatthew 26:59
103. Psa. 35:19He was hated without a causeJohn 15:25
104. Psa. 38:11His friends stood afar offLuke 23:49
105. Psa. 38:12Enemies try to entangle Him by craftMark 14:1, Mt. 22:15
106. Psa. 38:12-13Silent before His accusersMatthew 27:12-14
107. Psa. 38:20He went about doing goodActs 10:38
108. Psa. 40:2-5The joy of His resurrection predictedJohn 20:20
109. Psa. 40:6-8His delight-the will of the FatherJohn 4:34, Heb. 10:5-10
110. Psa. 40:9He was to preach the Righteousness in IsraelMatthew 4:17
111. Psa. 40:14Confronted by adversaries in the GardenJohn 18:4-6
112. Psa. 41:9Betrayed by a familiar friendJohn 13:18
113. Psa. 45:2Words of Grace come from His lipsJohn 1:17, Luke 4:22
114. Psa. 45:6To own the title, God or ElohimHebrews 1:8
115. Psa. 45:7A special anointing by the Holy SpiritMt. 3:16; Heb. 1:9
116. Psa. 45:7, 8Called the Christ (Messiah or Anointed)Luke 2:11
117. Psa. 45:17His name remembered foreverEphesians 1:20-21, Heb. 1:8
118. Psa. 55:12-14Betrayed by a friend, not an enemyJohn 13:18
119. Psa. 55:15Unrepentant death of the BetrayerMatthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19
120. Psa. 68:18To give gifts to menEphesians 4:7-16
121. Psa. 68:18Ascended into HeavenLuke 24:51
122. Psa. 69:4Hated without a causeJohn 15:25
123. Psa. 69:8A stranger to own brethrenJohn 1:11; 7:5
124. Psa. 69:9Zealous for the Lord’s HouseJohn 2:17
125. Psa. 69:14-20Messiah’s anguish of soul before crucifixionMatthew 26:36-45
126. Psa. 69:20“My soul is exceeding sorrowful.”Matthew 26:38
127. Psa. 69:21Given vinegar in thirstMatthew 27:34
128. Psa. 69:26The Saviour given and smitten by GodJohn 17:4; 18:11
129. Psa. 72:10, 11Great persons were to visit HimMatthew 2:1-11
130. Psa. 72:16The corn of wheat to fall into the GroundJohn 12:24-25
131. Psa. 72:17Belief on His name will produce offspringJohn 1:12, 13
132. Psa. 72:17All nations shall be blessed by HimGalatians 3:8
133. Psa. 72:17All nations shall call Him blessedJohn 12:13, Rev. 5:8-12
134. Psa. 78:1-2He would teach in parablesMatthew 13:34-35
135. Psa. 78:2To speak the Wisdom of God with authorityMatthew 7:29
136. Psa. 80:17The Man of God’s right handMark 14:61-62
137. Psa. 88The Suffering and Reproach of CalvaryMatthew 27:26-50
138. Psa. 88:8They stood afar off and watchedLuke 23:49
139. Psa. 89:27FirstbornColossians 1:15, 18
140. Psa. 89:27Emmanuel to be higher than earthly kingsLuke 1:32, 33
141. Psa. 89:35-37David’s Seed, throne, kingdom endure foreverLuke 1:32, 33
142. Psa. 89:36-37His character-FaithfulnessRevelation 1:5; 19:11
143. Psa. 90:2He is from everlasting (Micah 5:2)John 1:1
144. Psa. 91:11, 12Identified as Messianic; used to tempt ChristLuke 4:10, 11
145. Psa. 97:9His exaltation predictedActs 1:11; Ephesians 1:20
146. Psa. 100:5His character-GoodnessMatthew 19:16, 17
147. Psa. 102:1-11The Suffering and Reproach of CalvaryJohn 19:16-30
148. Psa. 102:25-27Messiah is the Preexistent SonHebrews 1:10-12
149. Psa. 109:25RidiculedMatthew 27:39
150. Psa. 110:1Son of DavidMatthew 22:42-43
151. Psa. 110:1To ascend to the right-hand of the FatherMark 16:19
152. Psa. 110:1David’s son called LordMatthew 22:44, 45
153. Psa. 110:4A priest after Melchizedek’s orderHebrews 6:20
154. Psa. 112:4His character-Compassionate, Gracious, et alMatthew 9:36
155. Psa. 118:17, 18Messiah’s Resurrection assuredLuke 24:5-7; 1Cor. 15:20
156. Psa. 118:22, 23The rejected stone is Head of the cornerMatthew 21:42, 43
157. Psa. 118:26The Blessed One presented to IsraelMatthew 21:9
158. Psa. 118:26To come while Temple standingMatthew 21:12-15
159. Psa. 132:11The Seed of David (the fruit of His Body)Luke 1:32, Act 2:30
160. Psa. 129:3He was scourgedMatthew 27:26
161. Psa. 138:1-6The supremacy of David’s Seed amazes kingsMatthew 2:2-6
162. Psa. 147:3, 6The earthly ministry of Christ describedLuke 4:18
163. Prov. 1:23He will send the Spirit of GodJohn 16:7
164. Prov. 8:23Foreordained from everlastingRev. 13:8, 1Peter 1:19-20
165. Song. 5:16The altogether lovely OneJohn 1:17
166. Isa. 2:3He shall teach all nationsJohn 4:25
167. Isa. 2:4He shall judge among the nationsJohn 5:22
168. Isa. 6:1When Isaiah saw His gloryJohn 12:40-41
169. Isa. 6:8The One Sent by GodJohn 12:38-45
170. Isa. 6:9-10Parables fall on deaf earsMatthew 13:13-15
171. Isa. 6:9-12Blinded to Christ and deaf to His wordsActs 28:23-29
172. Isa. 7:14To be born of a virginLuke 1:35
173. Isa. 7:14To be Emmanuel-God with usMatthew 1:18-23, 1Tim. 3:16
174. Isa. 8:8Called EmmanuelMatthew 28:20
175. Isa. 8:14A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense1Peter 2:8
176. Isa. 9:1, 2His ministry to begin in GalileeMatthew 4:12-17
177. Isa. 9:6A child born-HumanityLuke 1:31
178. Isa. 9:6A Son given-DeityLuke 1:32, John 1:14, 1Tim. 3:16
179. Isa. 9:6Declared to be the Son of God with powerRomans 1:3, 4
180. Isa. 9:6The Wonderful One, PelehLuke 4:22
181. Isa. 9:6The Counsellor, YaatzMatthew 13:54
182. Isa. 9:6The Mighty God, El Gibor1Cor. 1:24, Titus 2:13
183. Isa. 9:6The Everlasting Father, Avi AdthJohn 8:58; 10:30
184. Isa. 9:6The Prince of Peace, Sar ShalomJohn 16:33
185. Isa. 9:7Inherits the throne of DavidLuke 1:32
186. Isa. 9:7His Character-JustJohn 5:30
187. Isa. 9:7No end to his Government, Throne, and kingdomLuke 1:33
188. Isa. 11:1Called a Nazarene-the Branch, NetzerMatthew 2:23
189. Isa. 11:1A rod out of Jesse-Son of JesseLuke 3:23, 32
190. Isa. 11:2Anointed One by the SpiritMatthew 3:16, 17, Acts 10:38
191. Isa. 11:2His Character-Wisdom, Knowledge, et alColossians 2:3
192. Isa. 11:3He would know their thoughtsLuke 6:8, John 2:25
193. Isa. 11:4Judge in righteousnessActs 17:31
194. Isa. 11:4Judges with the sword of His mouthRev. 2:16; 19:11, 15
195. Isa. 11:5Character: Righteous & FaithfulRev. 19:11
196. Isa. 11:10The Gentiles seek HimJohn 12:18-21
197. Isa. 12:2Called Jesus-YeshuaMatthew 1:21
198. Isa. 22:22The One given all authority to governRevelation 3:7
199. Isa. 25:8The Resurrection predicted1Corinthians 15:54
200. Isa. 26:19His power of Resurrection predictedMatthew 27:50-54
201. Isa. 28:16The Messiah is the precious corner stoneActs 4:11, 12
202. Isa. 28:16The Sure Foundation1Corinthians 3:11, Mt. 16:18
203. Isa. 29:13He indicated hypocritical obedience to His WordMatthew 15:7-9
204. Isa. 29:14The wise are confounded by the Word1Corinthians 1:18-31
205. Isa. 32:2A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding placeMatthew 23:37
206. Isa. 35:4He will come and save youMatthew 1:21
207. Isa. 35:5-6To have a ministry of miraclesMatthew 11:2-6
208. Isa. 40:3, 4Preceded by forerunnerJohn 1:23
209. Isa. 40:9“Behold your God.”John 1:36; 19:14
210. Isa. 40:10.He will come to rewardRevelation 22:12
211. Isa. 40:11A shepherd-compassionate life-giverJohn 10:10-18
212. Isa. 42:1-4The Servant-as a faithful, patient redeemerMatthew 12:18-21
213. Isa. 42:2Meek and lowlyMatthew 11:28-30
214. Isa. 42:3He brings hope for the hopelessMt. 12:14-21; John 4:1-54
215. Isa. 42:4The nations shall wait on His teachingsJohn 12:20-26
216. Isa. 42:6The Light (salvation) of the GentilesLuke 2:32
217. Isa. 42:1, 6His is a worldwide compassionMatthew 28:19, 20
218. Isa. 42:7Blind eyes opened.John 9:25-38
219. Isa. 43:11He is the only Saviour.Acts 4:12
220. Isa. 44:3He will send the Spirit of GodJohn 16:7, 13
221. Isa. 45:21-25He is Lord and SaviourPhilippians 3:20, Titus 2:13
222. Isa. 45:23He will be the JudgeJohn 5:22; Romans 14:11
223. Isa. 46:9, 10Declares things not yet doneJohn 13:19
224. Isa. 48:12The First and the LastJohn 1:30, Revelation 1:8, 17
225. Isa. 48:16, 17He came as a TeacherJohn 3:2
226. Isa. 49:1Called from the womb-His humanityMatthew 1:18
227. Isa. 49:5A Servant from the womb.Luke 1:31, Philippians 2:7
228. Isa. 49:6He will restore IsraelActs 3:19-21; 15:16-17
229. Isa. 49:6He is Salvation for IsraelLuke 2:29-32
230. Isa. 49:6He is the Light of the GentilesJohn 8:12, Acts 13:47
231. Isa. 49:6He is Salvation unto the ends of the earthActs 15:7-18
232. Isa. 49:7He is despised of the NationJohn 1:11; 8:48-49; 19:14-15
233. Isa. 50:3Heaven is clothed in black at His humiliationLuke 23:44, 45
234. Isa. 50:4He is a learned counselor for the wearyMatthew 7:29; 11:28, 29
235. Isa. 50:5The Servant bound willingly to obedienceMatthew 26:39
236. Isa. 50:6“I gave my back to the smiters.”Matthew 27:26
237. Isa. 50:6He was smitten on the cheeksMatthew 26:67
238. Isa. 50:6He was spat uponMatthew 27:30
239. Isa. 52:7Published good tidings upon mountainsMatthew 5:12; 15:29; 28:16
240. Isa. 52:13The Servant exaltedActs 1:8-11; Eph. 1:19-22, Php. 2:5-9
241. Isa. 52:14The Servant shockingly abusedLuke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68
242. Isa. 52:15Nations startled by message of the ServantLuke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68
243. Isa. 52:15His blood shed sprinkles nationsHebrews 9:13-14, Rev. 1:5
244. Isa. 53:1His people would not believe HimJohn 12:37-38
245. Isa. 53:2Appearance of an ordinary manPhilippians 2:6-8
246. Isa. 53:3DespisedLuke 4:28-29
247. Isa. 53:3RejectedMatthew 27:21-23
248. Isa. 53:3Great sorrow and griefMatthew 26:37-38, Luke 19:41, Heb. 4:15
249. Isa. 53:3Men hide from being associated with HimMark 14:50-52
250. Isa. 53:4He would have a healing ministryMatthew 8:16-17
251. Isa. 53:4Thought to be cursed by GodMatthew 26:66; 27:41-43
252. Isa. 53:5Bears penalty for mankind’s iniquities2Cor. 5:21, Heb. 2:9
253. Isa. 53:5His sacrifice provides peace between man and GodColossians 1:20
254. Isa. 53:5His sacrifice would heal man of sin1Peter 2:24
255. Isa. 53:6He would be the sin-bearer for all mankind1John 2:2; 4:10
256. Isa. 53:6God’s will that He bear sin for all mankindGalatians 1:4
257. Isa. 53:7Oppressed and afflictedMatthew 27:27-31
258. Isa. 53:7Silent before his accusersMatthew 27:12-14
259. Isa. 53:7Sacrificial lambJohn 1:29, 1Peter 1:18-19
260. Isa. 53:8Confined and persecutedMatthew 26:47-75; 27:1-31
261. Isa. 53:8He would be judgedJohn 18:13-22
262. Isa. 53:8KilledMatthew 27:35
263. Isa. 53:8Dies for the sins of the world1John 2:2
264. Isa. 53:9Buried in a rich man’s graveMatthew 27:57
265. Isa. 53:9Innocent and had done no violenceLuke 23:41, John 18:38
266. Isa. 53:9No deceit in his mouth1Peter 2:22
267. Isa. 53:10God’s will that He die for mankindJohn 18:11
268. Isa. 53:10An offering for sinMatthew 20:28, Galatians 3:13
269. Isa. 53:10Resurrected and live foreverRomans 6:9
270. Isa. 53:10He would prosperJohn 17:1-5
271. Isa. 53:11God fully satisfied with His sufferingJohn 12:27
272. Isa. 53:11God’s servant would justify manRomans 5:8-9, 18-19
273. Isa. 53:11The sin-bearer for all mankindHebrews 9:28
274. Isa. 53:12Exalted by God because of his sacrificeMatthew 28:18
275. Isa. 53:12He would give up his life to save mankindLuke 23:46
276. Isa. 53:12Numbered with the transgressorsMark 15:27-28; Luke 22:37
277. Isa. 53:12Sin-bearer for all mankind1Peter 2:24
278. Isa. 53:12Intercede to God in behalf of mankindLuke 23:34, Rom. 8:34
279. Isa. 55:3Resurrected by GodActs 13:34
280. Isa. 55:4A witnessJohn 18:37
281. Isa. 55:4He is a leader and commanderHebrews 2:10
282. Isa. 55:5God would glorify HimActs 3:13
283. Isa. 59:16aIntercessor between man and GodMatthew 10:32
284. Isa. 59:16bHe would come to provide salvationJohn 6:40
285. Isa. 59:20He would come to Zion as their RedeemerLuke 2:38
286. Isa. 60:1-3He would shew light to the GentilesActs 26:23
287. Isa. 61:1The Spirit of God upon himMatthew 3:16-17
288. Isa. 61:1The Messiah would preach the good newsLuke 4:16-21
289. Isa. 61:1Provide freedom from the bondage of sinJohn 8:31-36
290. Isa. 61:1-2Proclaim a period of graceGalatians 4:4-5
291. Jer. 11:21Conspiracy to kill JesusJohn 7:1, Matthew 21:38
292. Jer. 23:5-6Descendant of DavidLuke 3:23-31
293. Jer. 23:5-6The Messiah would be both God and ManJohn 13:13, 1Ti 3:16
294. Jer. 31:22Born of a virginMatthew 1:18-20
295. Jer. 31:31The Messiah would be the new covenantMatthew 26:28
296. Jer. 33:14-15Descendant of DavidLuke 3:23-31
297. Eze.34:23-24Descendant of DavidMatthew 1:1
298. Eze.37:24-25Descendant of DavidLuke 1:31-33
299. Dan. 2:44-45The Stone that shall break the kingdomsMatthew 21:44
300. Dan. 7:13-14He would ascend into heavenActs 1:9-11
301. Dan. 7:13-14Highly exaltedEphesians 1:20-22
302. Dan. 7:13-14His dominion would be everlastingLuke 1:31-33
303. Dan. 9:24To make an end to sinsGalatians 1:3-5
304. Dan. 9:24To make reconciliation for iniquityRomans 5:10, 2Cor. 5:18-21
305. Dan. 9:24He would be holyLuke 1:35
306. Dan. 9:25His announcementJohn 12:12-13
307. Dan. 9:26Cut offMatthew 16:21; 21:38-39
308. Dan. 9:26Die for the sins of the worldHebrews 2:9
309. Dan. 9:26Killed before the destruction of the templeMatthew 27:50-51
310. Dan. 10:5-6Messiah in a glorified stateRevelation 1:13-16
311. Hos. 11:1He would be called out of EgyptMatthew 2:15
312. Hos. 13:14He would defeat death1Corinthians 15:55-57
313. Joel 2:32Offer salvation to all mankindRomans 10:9-13
314. Jonah 1:17Death and resurrection of ChristMatthew 12:40; 16:4
315. Mic. 5:2Born in BethlehemMatthew 2:1-6
316. Mic. 5:2Ruler in IsraelLuke 1:33
317. Mic. 5:2From everlastingJohn 8:58
318. Hag. 2:6-9He would visit the second TempleLuke 2:27-32
319. Hag. 2:23Descendant of ZerubbabelLuke 2:27-32
320. Zech. 3:8God’s servantJohn 17:4
321. Zech. 6:12-13Priest and KingHebrews 8:1
322. Zech. 9:9Greeted with rejoicing in JerusalemMatthew 21:8-10
323. Zech. 9:9Beheld as KingJohn 12:12-13
324. Zech. 9:9The Messiah would be justJohn 5:30
325. Zech. 9:9The Messiah would bring salvationLuke 19:10
326. Zech. 9:9The Messiah would be humbleMatthew 11:29
327. Zech. 9:9Presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkeyMatthew 21:6-9
328. Zech. 10:4The cornerstoneEphesians 2:20
329. Zech. 11:4-6At His coming, Israel to have unfit leadersMatthew 23:1-4
330. Zech. 11:4-6Rejection causes God to remove His protectionLuke 19:41-44
331. Zech. 11:4-6Rejected in favor of another kingJohn 19:13-15
332. Zech. 11:7Ministry to “poor,” the believing remnantMatthew 9:35-36
333. Zech. 11:8Unbelief forces Messiah to reject themMatthew 23:33
334. Zech. 11:8DespisedMatthew 27:20
335. Zech. 11:9Stops ministering to those who rejected HimMatthew 13:10-11
336. Zech. 11:10-11Rejection causes God to remove protectionLuke 19:41-44
337. Zech. 11:10-11The Messiah would be GodJohn 14:7
338. Zech. 11:12-13Betrayed for thirty pieces of silverMatthew 26:14-15
339. Zech. 11:12-13RejectedMatthew 26:14-15
340. Zech. 11:12-13Thirty pieces of silver cast in the house of the LordMatthew 27:3-5
341. Zech. 11:12-13The Messiah would be GodJohn 12:45
342. Zech. 12:10The Messiah’s body would be piercedJohn 19:34-37
343. Zech. 12:10The Messiah would be both God and manJohn 10:30
344. Zech. 12:10The Messiah would be rejectedJohn 1:11
345. Zech. 13:7God’s will He die for mankindJohn 18:11
346. Zech. 13:A violent deathMark 14:27
347. Zech. 13:7Both God and manJohn 14:9
348. Zech. 13:7Israel scattered as a result of rejecting HimMatthew 26:31-56
349. Zech. 14:4He would return to the Mt. of OlivesActs 1:11-12
350. Mal. 3:1Messenger to prepare the way for MessiahMark 1:1-8
351. Mal. 3:1Sudden appearance at the templeMark 11:15-16
352. Mal. 3:1Messenger of the new covenantLuke 4:43
353. Mal. 3:6The God who changes notHebrews 13:8
354. Mal. 4:5Forerunner in spirit of ElijahMt. 3:1-3; 11:10-14; 17:11-13
355. Mal. 4:6Forerunner would turn many to righteousnessLuke 1:16-17
The Soon Return of Jesus

SECOND COMING MADE SIMPLE

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The secular community, as well as Christians, pretentiously poked fun at Harold Camping’s prediction of the “Rapture.”  He said it would occur on May 21, 2011.  The day came and went as usual.  Christians all over the world knew from the words of Jesus himself that Mr. Camping’s prediction was in error.

“But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36 

Just one verse in scripture is enough for anyone who would attempt to narrow down the Second-Coming to a particular day or hour.  Most Christians can quote it by heart!  We can trust in Jesus’ word on this. But it is just one verse among many others Jesus had to say about His coming! Matthew 24 is a great source of plain language about the Second Coming if read in its context (without adding or subtracting) will prepare the sincere seeker of truth to be prepared for that great day!

Even though the faithful watchers can discern the times, Jesus will come at a time when they do not expect it, but they can be prepared!

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” …”Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:33, 44

On the other hand, those not prepared are not looking for Jesus and are going about their normal routine. To them, Jesus will come as a thief in the night…totally unexpected. But to the watchers, they will not be overtaken as a thief as we shall see in this study.

Second Coming Shams

There are a host of other shams thrown at us by the enemy more complicated and tougher to unravel.   Many rely on non-biblical reasoning or sources concerning the Second-Coming. Examples:

“If my grandmother believed it, that is good enough for me.”

“If it is on the internet, it must be right. “

“The religious programming and books can’t be wrong.”

“The nice preacher on the TV is telling the truth.  Look at his big church!”

But, the enemy is at work with trickery that is so deceptive that even the best of Christians could be deceived.

“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.“ Matthew 24:24

This warning by Jesus tells those who will listen that false christs (Messiahs), and false prophets (teachers, forecasters) will use the platform of religion to promote falsehoods that could deceive the “elect.”  The word for “elect” as translated from the Greek is the word, “eklektos.”  It means those “chosen by God”

These events and teachings are a strong delusion, but the implication is that the “elect” are not deceived.  What makes this group different?  Very simply, they listen to the voice of Jesus and His word.  Their guiding principle is Sola Scriptura.  The Bible alone.  Scripture comes first before the words of any person, book, movie, or institution.

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

The situation in the last days is very profound. The magnitude of the deception is revealed through God’s word. Paul gave an important warning when He wrote to the Corinthians,  He stated plainly that evil appears to be good!  The bad guy is in a white hat!

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. II Corinthians 11:14. 

This verse tells us that Satan and his servants can look like an angel (messenger) of light!  Satan can even use scripture to lead people down the wrong path. He certainly tried with Jesus during the days of temptation in the wilderness.  But, Jesus knew His Father and He knew the word of God.

As Christians were quoting Matthew 24:36 when Camping made his prognostication, it would have been well for all of us to read the entire chapter and listened closely to the instruction Christ gave his disciples when they asked,

“…what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  Matthew 24:3. 

His answer? 

“Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:4

The very first words out of Jesus’ mouth regarding the sign of His coming and the end of the world is a warning to LISTEN so that no man deceive you! 

 Deception in the Manner of His Coming

As we have seen from Matthew 24:36, Jesus himself does not know when he will return, but He knows there will be deception involved.   But the deception is not just only the timing, but the way He comes back to earth.

The whole of Matthew  24 and the parallel chapters in the other Gospels tell of  Jesus as He described to the disciples how He would return. It is straight forward with no ambiguity! Why is this important, especially to Christians? Could it be that even Christians could be deceived and thereby lost? If you read Jesus’ warning, it is primarily to His followers. The lost of this world could care less.

“For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ” 1 Thessalonians 5: 3

Recently, I heard a well-known TV evangelist say he doesn’t look at the signs or worry about the mark of the beast and other end-time-events because that is for those in the tribulation to worry about. Is this true? Isn’t this a dangerous way to prepare for Christ’s return? Is this not the object of the enemy’s falsehood to feel secure in something that is opposite from the teaching of Jesus?  

We will use primarily Mathew 24 for this first study.   Jesus’ return is not just about the “when” but the “how.”  Rest assured, the “elect” will know that his coming is near; by the signs he left us. If they are a student of the word of God, they will have stored up the truth in their minds and walked in the light.

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1Thessalonians 5: 4-6

Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Revelation 3:3

How We Got Confused

There was a time when Christians knew how Jesus would come and many of the events of His coming by simply reading the portions of scripture that plainly tell of His coming.  In the last several years, there are books, movies, radio programs,  preachers and teachers with a different story that is not based on plain scripture but rather on a script from Hollywood or a book.

In the study of Jesus’ Second Coming, there is no need for any fanciful interpretation or any deep study.  It is plain and simple; written for all men, women, and children, not just university theologians or popular TV preachers.

Staying in Matthew 24, Jesus goes on to describe his Second Coming in verse 27-31:

For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24: 27-31

What do you see in the words of Jesus regarding his coming?  Is it secret?  Are only a few Christians affected by it?  Is it in two parts or just one?  From the verses above, we can plainly see:

  • His coming is bright like lightning!  While lightning is quick, the comparison here is not the speed but by the brightness (shining)! The reference to shining involves sight.  Is there anything quite or secret about lightning that lights up the whole sky from east to west?
  • There is a tribulation before he comes and the sun is darkened and the moon does not give her light and the stars fall from heaven (massive meteorite shower?) and the powers of the heavens are shaken!  Can anyone miss this?  Is the tribulation before or after he comes?  It is before he comes!
  • Those who are lost see the sign of the Son of man in heaven and the people of the earth mourn!  They see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. They are not left to wonder.  They see Him!
  • He sends his angels with a great sound!  You can hear it!  The angels gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other!  Will this gathering be secret?  No! There is no indication here that this will be at the speed of lightning.  The process of gathering is for both the alive and those who died in Christ.

A Clear Picture

The clearest picture of the 2nd Coming is found in the letter to the Thessalonians by Paul. Here he provides more detail to the canvas of this event.

 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18.

From this verse, we can plainly see:

  • Jesus comes down from heaven (where he went to prepare a place for us-John 14: 2, 3) and there is sound in the form of a shout, a voice, and a trumpet. So can we conclude there is sound involved with the Second Coming? Yes!
  • Those that died in Christ are resurrected. The resurrection of the saved is the beginning of literal eternal life.  It is the reward Jesus brings with him (Revelation 22:12).
  • Those who are alive when Jesus comes will begin to ascend up into the heavens and meet both Jesus and those who were resurrected.  Here is the “rapture.”  It means to be caught up, but there are two groups that meet the Lord in the heavens.  Those who were in their graves asleep in Christ and those who did not experience death. (1 Thessalonians 4: 13, 14)
  • This is where immortality is given.  Eternity with Jesus starts here at this event! (Notice it is not at death)….”and so shall we ever be with the Lord!”

Paul”s further explanation of these events are found in his letter to the Corinthians.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump(et): for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15: 52, 53

 Notice that when Jesus returns, immortality is given instantly at that point…not at death. As mentioned above, this is the reward Jesus brings with Him…It is out of context and in error to use the following verse at a funeral (as I heard) because the saying can only come to pass when Jesus returns and gives us immortality.

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

1 Corinthians 15: 55

The context of this quote is found in the verse just before (v. 54)

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:54

Very plainly…it is at the second coming that Jesus takes the dust of the dead and shapes them back into life.  The sleep of death is but like a mere second. When Jesus resurrects those who are asleep in death, they are instantly (a twinkling of an eye) given the gift of immortality and bodies that will never decay.

There is a lot going on in these verses to let us know there is nothing secret and it is not in two parts.  Other verses from the other writers further describe the glory of his coming, Here are just a few:

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Mark 8:38

Jesus does not come in his glory alone, but the glory of his Father and with the holy angels!  With all that glory, there is nothing secret or invisible about His coming!

The lost have a different response to His coming:

 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Revelation 6: 15-16:

The unsaved will hide in the darkest places of the dens and rocks of mountains and pray for them to fall on them to hide them from the face of Jesus!  No secret coming here!  This was also foretold by Isaiah:

“Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!”

Isaiah 2:10

 “Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so,  Amen.”

Revelation 1:7

From the verses above, we can see:

  • When he comes, he comes in His own glory and the glory of the father and the holy angels.  It only took the glory of one angel to make the soldiers at the tomb of Jesus drop to the ground like dead men (Matthew 28: 2-4).  Imagine the whole sky full of the glory of millions of angels and the glory of the Father and Jesus!
  • Those that are lost cannot bear to look upon the sight of Jesus’ coming and try to hide from the face of Jesus by calling for the rocks and mountains to fall on them.
  • Every eye sees him coming!  Much like every eye can see the sun as the earth turns.  It is possible that his coming is seen up to as long as a 24 hour period!

Nothing secret about this!

Notice the contrast of the words of those that are saved.

 “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Isaiah 25:9

In the next writing, we will study out where Hal Lindsey and others came up with the idea of a sudden snatching away of the church and the 7-year tribulation.

Another topic we will study is the fate of the lost.  The reason for the Lord’s apparent delay in coming is because when he comes, there will be those who perish in the destruction of the earth:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3: 9, 10

The Second coming is both rejoicing and destruction for this earth as we know it. Nowhere does the word of God split the return of Christ into two parts. But, as we shall see, the saved spend a honeymoon of one thousand years with Jesus in heaven (where he is now) before He creates the new heavens and the new earth prepared in the saved of the redeemed.

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3: 13

In conclusion, the Lord taught his disciples about the deception regarding the timing and manner His second coming.  This deception would be very tricky and inspired by the enemy himself with the intent to take as many as possible with him, especially those who give up on the return of Christ and return to their former life:

But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,..Matthew 24: 48-50

It is critically important for the follower of Christ to know what Jesus and the writers of the Bible have to say about this grand event when all the saved will meet the Lord in the air and begin eternity with each other: never to experience sin and death ever again.  What a day that will be!  It will be glorious! We shall behold Him!

Resurrection

A Special Resurrection

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An honest Bible student knows that the Bible teaches of two resurrections. The Bible calls them the “First Resurrection” and the “Second Resurrection” Jesus called them “resurrection of life” and the “resurrection of condemnation.” But did you know, there is also a “Special Resurrection?

First Resurrection

Point 1: Jesus said that every person who has lived will come up in one of the resurrections.

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.  John 5: 28, 29 (NKJV)

Two very different resurrections marked by the different outcomes. The person who comes up in the “good” Resurrection is blessed and will receive eternal life. Those coming up in the second resurrection end in eternal death.

Point #2: The person who comes up in the good or “first” resurrection are blessed and escape the “second death.” Further, they hold a spiritual office as a priest of God for one thousand years. (For more information on this one thousand years, click here; One Thousand Years)

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

Point #3: Those are resurrected when Jesus comes and He takes us to where He is now:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18

Point #4: After time in the New Jerusalem, the saved from all ages come back from a long honeymoon with Jesus via transport in the Holy City. It will become the capital of the New Heavens and the New Earth

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2

Second Resurrection

Point #1: The rest of the dead (those not in the first resurrection) are resurrected one thousand years after the first resurrection. Then Satan deceives those of the second resurrection into attacking the Holy City as described above in Revelation 21: 2

And they (those of the second resurrection) went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Revelation 20:9

Point 2: The fires from God “devour” those who came up in the second resurrection and are “devoured” leaving neither root nor branch.”

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“That will leave them neither root nor branch. ” Malachi 4:1

This “second death” is easy to understand. All of us are destined to die the first death. Some will come forth to eternal life. The others come to life too, but they face judgment, bow in acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord. Then to eternal death (second death) . Someone has said, “if you have been born once, you will die twice, but if you have been born twice, you will die once.

for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14: 10,11

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished…And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,…And they went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. Revelation 20:5, 7, 9

Safely inside the city, the saved for eternity watch as God makes a new heaven and a new earth. All that is on the earth is burned up as God creates and place to live. An eternity with no sin in the universe, where God’s dwelling place is on the new earth:

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up 2 Peter 3:10

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Isaiah 65: 17

“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.” Great Controversy page 678.

Special Resurrection:

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7.

“They also which pierced him” (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.

At His trial, Caiaphas, raising his right hand toward heaven, addressed Jesus in the form of a solemn oath: “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” …

Every ear was bent to listen, and every eye was fixed on His face as He answered, “Thou hast said.” A heavenly light seemed to illuminate His pale countenance as He added, “Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

For a moment the divinity of Christ flashed through His guise of humanity. The high priest quailed before the penetrating eyes of the Saviour…. For a moment he felt as if standing before the eternal Judge, whose eye, which sees all things, was reading his soul, bringing to light mysteries supposed to be hidden with the dead.

The scene passed from the priest’s vision…. Rending his robe, … he demanded that … the prisoner be condemned for blasphemy. “What further need have we of witnesses?” he said; “behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?” And they all condemned Him.2The Desire of Ages, 706-708.

Thus the Jewish leaders made their choice. Their decision was registered in the book which John saw in the hand of Him that sat upon the throne, the book which no man could open. In all its vindictiveness this decision will appear before them in the day when this book is unsealed by the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

When Christ comes the second time, not as a prisoner surrounded by a rabble will they see Him. They will see Him as heaven’s King… Then the priests and rulers will remember distinctly the scene in the judgment hall. Every circumstance will appear before them as if written in letters of fire.

Is This True?, The Law of God

ONLY NINE COMMANDMENTS “BROUGHT OVER?”

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Living in the Bible Belt, I hear things that don’t ring true. Statements from the pulpit and the radio compel me to verify from the Bible. I once heard a preacher say, “Jesus taught more about hell than heaven.” After detailed research, I found this to be completely false. The results of the comprehensive work can be found at this link:

Did Jesus Really Teach More About Hell Than Heaven

Luke, the writer of Acts, described a group of people who verified from Scripture statements from Paul and Silas. They were the “Fact Checker” or “Snopes” of the time!

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.. Acts 17:11 (NIV)

The followers of Jesus, as a witness, need more people like this who “live not by bread along but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”. There would likely be less schisms in our midst and we would come to know more truth about Jesus which would lead to more real faith based on the word of God.

Recently I heard a pastor on American Family Radio say these exact words: “Only nine of the commandments were brought over in the New Testament.” I had heard this before and ignored, but I could not let it ride any longer.

First, I had to understand what “brought over” meant? This is a vague statement. It must mean one of the following:

1.) Repeated in the New Testament from the Old Testament with actual verbiage as in a list.

2.) Scattered in the New Testament with exact or verbiage close to what was said in the Old Testament and/or

3.) An example or demonstration through Jesus

A List?

It is true, that the list of the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 can not be found in the New Testament. So in this case, all of the Ten Commandments are not brought over. Does that mean as a New Testament Christian, I am free to break any of them as I desire? Of course not!

Let’s take the first commandment as an example:

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 and Deuteronomy 5:7 (KJ).

This commandment does not appear, anywhere in the New Testament. But, there are allusions to it. Example:

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money).” Luke 16:13 KJ

The same goes for the second commandment:

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20: 4-6 (KJ)

Again this commandment is not repeated in the New Testament. I researched the two main words (image and bow) using Strong’s exhaustive concordances in the King James versions and found that the word” bow” is used four times in the New Testament but not once is it used in reference to the Ten Commandments. However, it is used in reference to bowing to Jesus twice. For example:

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11 (KJ) (Note: the “It is written” phrase points us back to the Old Testament writer Isaiah who originally made this point about Jesus. See Isaiah 45:23.)

Praise God for this fact. The only person who is worthy to have worship through bowing is Jesus Christ. But, the context of making an image and bowing down to it is not found in the New Testament?

Why? Because the habit of making things with their own hands and then bowing down to worship them was the downfall of Israel many times as recorded often in the Old Testament. The golden calf is a great example (See Exodus 32).

A new testament version of violating this commandment can be found in the Catholic church where images of “saints” including Mary are standing while the sinner bows and prays to the image and asks for help or forgiveness. This is a pagan tradition brought into the church hundreds of years ago.

Did you notice in this second commandment the phrase: “showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20: 6 (KJ)

Embedded in this commandment is the reason for obeying ALL of God’s commandments, “love.” The “thousand generations” is not a finite number that ends at one thousand and one, but is a Hebrew’s way of saying “every generation.”

Jesus’ said the same thing about the connection of love for God and obedience to the commandments!

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15

Someone will say, “well this is Jesus’ commandments. It is not the ten commandments.”

Without a doubt, Jesus did not negate all the ten commandments, but rather expanded on them to show how sin is from the heart and the letter. A prophecy concerning the coming Messiah said this,

The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. Isaiah 42:21 (KJ)

It does not say he came to destroy, but to fulfill (acutally do them). This we will expand more below.

Now let’s move to the third commandment:

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:7

Again, this commandment is not repeated in the New Testament verbatim. If fact, the two keywords “name” and “vain” are not found together in the New Testament. The Hebrew word for “vain” is shav’. It is used 53 times in the Old Testament. It means primarily “empty.” In our day, we have translated only part of the true meaning limiting to the phrase God damn (Sorry for the directness). But, whenever, we use God’s in a meaningless empty way, we show great disrespect for our Creation. A perfect example is saying “Jesus” as an exclamation point. Often, you will hear someone say, “Jesus! Why did you do that?” When I watch a movie and someone says that, I turn the channel as well as the traditional curse word using God’s name in a derogatory way.

Now we come to the fourth commandment. This is the one that modern preachers want to say did not come over. Why? Because this commandment cuts across tradition and the convenience of modern society.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20: 8-11

Like the others described above, this one does not appear in the exact words. However, the keyword “Sabbath” is found more in the New Testament than the keywords of the first three commandments: 55 times! By contrast, the 1st Day of the week is found only 9 times. Only two verses about the 1st Day of the week have any semblance to worship and church.

Notice the 4th commandment does not say anything about worship or which day you go to church. It is primarily about resting yourself and your household by treating this blessed day differently. This commandment is not a “thou shalt not,” but a “Remember”

This commandment is a problem for the reader. Most churches can agree that obeying the first three is not legalistic (unless we claim it for righteousness and salvation) and is expected from God. But the fourth commandment is something altogether different. All kinds of attempts to dismiss it through nailing it to the cross, claiming it was for the Jews only, claiming it is not limited to a certain day and making your own day holy and a rest day. Legalism is claimed if you want to follow it even though legalism is not claimed if you want to follow any of the others.

So in conclusion none of the first four commandments can be found in the exact verbiage in the New Testament nor are they actively taught separately but as a whole. Using the assumed logic of the preacher who said “only nine of the ten commandments are brought over in the New Testament” we can say that only six of the commandments are “brought” over. This is without studying the last six commandments. But even that is not true! Why?

The Ten Commandments (as a Group) ARE Taught in the New Testament:

Teachings about the law and commandments as a group are made in many places in the New Testament. There is never an indication that only nine or six are valid or *”binding” on the New Testament Christian. (Note: Be careful in your study that you don’t confuse the eternal Ten Commandments with temporary sacrificial laws and ceremonial laws that ended when Jesus died on the cross. They were a “School Master” meant to teach about the sacrifice and character of Jesus. Always read in the context of the book, chapter, and overall context of the topic).

For example, in James, he cautions us as follows:

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.  James 2: 10-12

Eight of the other ten commandments are left out here. That does not make them any less important. It is reasonable to assume the “whole law” is inclusive of all Ten Commandments.

Jesus grouped all Ten Commandments under two great principals of love for God and love for our neighbor:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22: 36-40

The first four commandments fall under the grouping of love for God. For example: If you love only Him, you will not have any other gods, take His name in vain, et.c

The last six are grouped under “loving your neighbor as yourself.” Again, the example is that if you love your neighbor, you will” do unto them as you would yourself” by not stealing, lying, coveting their wife, etc.

Jesus Did Not Eliminate Even One of the Commandments

The words of Jesus could not be clearer:

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 

We still have heaven and earth, so nothing has changed in the law. Some will try to claim by fulfilling, both the Law or the Prophets, that they are no longer meaningful for the New Testament Christian, but let’s let Jesus speak for Himself:

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5: 17-19

Now I don’t know which of the commandments are “the least,” but it is clear that Jesus didn’t come to change one little letter (jot) or one little stroke of a letter (tittle) from the law contained in the Ten Commandments. So this is the entire Ten Commandments as a group. No indication of only nine being “brought over.”

Jesus’ Disciples Do Not Claim That Any of The Ten Commandments were Eliminated or Changed by Jesus

We have already seen from James that the law is a group, when he refers to the “whole law.” John is even more adamant about the commandments of God:


He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2: 4

Some might be tempted to say these are the commandments of Jesus which is different from the Ten Commandments, but these words from the disciples indicate clearly that Jesus did not have a different set of laws by which the Christian should go by:

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. 1 John 2: 6,7

Paul made it clear that faith does not replace the law. It establishes it:

Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. Romans 3:31

This passage comes as a clarification of his Paul’s argument in the previous verses. This argument is very important to understand, lest a person becomes legalistic. Obedience to the Ten Commandments is not a path to salvation. It cannot give a person righteousness. Obedience is a result or evidence of salvation through the faith God provides:

…the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3: 21-23

All of us have sinned (broken the law of God) in the letter and the spirit. So how could we possibly make ourselves righteous by obeying the letter or even the spirit of the law? It is impossible, but this does not eliminate the law as our standard for living the Christian life. It is still sinning to transgress any of God’s Ten Commandment law either by the letter or the spirit of the law.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4

Jesus Lived a Life in Obedience to the Ten Commandments and the Sprit of Them As Our Example.

We cannot go wrong if we “walk” as did Jesus. He set the example whether we are a Jew or Gentile. It was prophesied of Jesus that He would expand the law and make it honorable:

The Lord is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will exalt the law and make it honorable. Isaiah 42:21

How did He do it? First of all, He honored it and lived by its principals and the spirit. But listen how he magnifies or expands on the law:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.  Matthew 5:21, 22

Is it not clear that murder begins with anger? Jesus expanded the law to include what goes on in your mind which is the “heart.” The heart is a symbol of feelings and thoughts of the mind.

Jesus expanded the law regarding sex:

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  Matthew 5: 27-28

Jesus is not taking away from the law (nor the letter), He is magnifying it. He is making it clear that disobedience starts in the sinful mind. If a person is to live by the letter and the spirit, they must be born again in order to have a spiritual mind. If they do, they obey because they love God not with a legalistic mind, but a spiritual heart.

What if I told my wife I live only by the spirit of the law and not the letter. Then I went out and slept with every woman who was willing? How do you think she and God would feel? It is sin just as much as looking at a woman and wanting to have sex with her! You can’t live by the spirit and ignore the exactness of the commandment.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

One Commandment is the Problem

The preacher who said only nine commandments that came over to the New Testament has a motive that is not Biblical. It is an attempt to rearrange or eliminate the fourth commandment. It is more than changing a jot or a tittle…it is modifying the entire commandment!

Jesus and the disciples set the example for “Remembering the Sabbath.” Sunday or the first day of the week is never described as the Sabbath.

Now let’s talk about The Lord’s day. This exact phrase is mentioned only once in the New Testament:


I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, Revelation 1: 10

This does not connect the first day of the week or Sunday with the phrase “The Lord’s Day.” But Jesus refers to Himself as Lord of the Sabbath! So the Sabbath is the Lord’s day, not Sunday or the first day of the week.


And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:5

It can be shown that it was Jesus at the burning bush and the mountain who gave Moses the Ten Commandments which includes the Sabbath commandment. So, yes, Jesus can claim to be Lord of the Sabbath! In that commandment, it is made clear which day belongs to the Lord and is therefore the Lord’s day.

the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. Exodus 20:10

It is here where many will try to claim that we don’t know which day is the seventh day. This has never been proven and is only an excuse. Additionally, there are attempts to show that the disciples changed the holiness of the Sabbath to the first day of the week by honoring the resurrection which occurred on the first day of the week. But the Bible is silent about such a transfer by letter or example.

Jesus example of remembering the Sabbath and keeping it holy was not to ignore it but to clarifying what it meant. The Jews had assigned hundreds of rules one could not do on the Sabbath. Otherwise they would be working in violation to the words, “In it you shall do no work:” Exodus 20:10

They focused on work rather than rest in God that the day provides.

Jesus addresses this when he heals on the Sabbath:

 Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.

 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?  Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”  Matthew 12: 9-12

He didn’t ignore the law, He clarified it and said something that is not in the commandment itself but is spiritual: “it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” He should know, He is the Lord of the Sabbath.

Examples of Obedience to the Sabbath in the New Testament

Jesus’ custom was to be in the Synagogue on the Sabbath.

:So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.” Luke 4;16

Notice it was his custom…his habit…What are our habits? Are they Biblically based or are they based on tradition alone?

Paul had the same custom:


Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, Acts 17:2

If Paul was a “Sunday-keeper,” he missed a great opportunity to demonstrate this when he was in a gentile city (Antioch). Let’s read the story from the Bible:

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Acts 13: 14-15

Paul then gives a sermon in verses Verses 16-41

When the meeting broke up, the Gentiles wanted (in fact they begged) to hear the same sermon. They were very eager to hear this sermon.

So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath Acts 13:42

If Paul and his followers had started to meet on the first day of the week in honor of the resurrection that had occurred many years previously, he could have said, “We are meeting tomorrow. I will repeat the sermon for you then.” But he didn’t say this because Paul’s custom was to honor the sabbath. He was in the routine of ceasing work and being at rest with God for the entire day. He went about preaching and doing good on the Sabbath. Therefore, Paul persuaded them to wait until the next Sabbath.

Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. Acts 13: 43, 44

The whole city surely included Gentiles who were very eager to hear the exact sermon Paul had preached the week before. There was not likely room to meet in the synagogue of the Jews so they l met in the outdoors or a larger venue.

The point is, Paul’s custom was to honor the Sabbath. He didn’t even mention meeting on the first day when He had the perfect opportunity with a group of eager Gentiles.

In another documented example, Paul meets with a group of followers on the first day because he was leaving the next day. But this is not sufficient reason to show this was their normal day of worship or their “custom.’

Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Acts 20:7

This was more like a going-away meeting because Paul had a ship to catch the next day and he had so much to say that he preached even until midnight!

Keep in mind, the fourth commandment does not restrict worship to only the seventh-day. Rather it is asking us to “Remember” the day He rested and to keep it holy because He said it was holy. Sunday does not come with such a designation. True, Jesus was resurrected on the First Day of the week, but He died for our sins on the sixth day of the week. Neither the sixth day nor the first day of the week comes with an indication that the holiness of the seventh day is transferred.

Another time, Paul went to pray on the Sabbath alone with no Jews around and away from the synagoue.

And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Acts 16:13

Prayer and the Sabbath go together even though we are taught to pray all the time. Pay without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Sabbath Was Made For Man….

The Sabbath was not for Jews alone. Jesus said it was “made for man.”

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.: Mark 2:27

Indeed the Sabbath was made for man. The Sabbath was instituted long before there was a Jew or Israelite. Like marriage, the Sabbath was created in the Garden of Eden before the fall and to benefit mankind.

Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:3


For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Exodus 20:11

Most people who have not entered into the rest of the Sabbath tend to look at this commandment as a burden or through legalistic eyes. Some see the observance of this commandment to be works and therefore not of faith. But this is a commandment that is an invitation to rest from works and find joy in the day God blessed and set aside to recharge our physical and spiritual batteries. Its emphasis on rest and not works is the centerpiece on the table of salvation by faith and not works. The Jews of old made it a burden and legalistic by placing man-made restriction on a day that should have been called a delight


“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight...Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,…The mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 58: 13-14

The joy of the Sabbath was brought over in the New Testament through the example of Jesus and His disciples. When God makes a new heaven and a new earth, the Sabbath will be the focus of the entire week and we will all come together on that day to worship.


And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord. Isaiah 66:23

In conclusion, the Sabbath is a commandment has not been changed by its Creator and therefore remains as an opportunity to rest in the Lord.

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest (notice “His rest),…For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works… For if  Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.  There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.  For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.”

Hebrews 4:1, 4, 8-10

His rest is the Sabbath! He ceased from his works as God did from His!” How clearer could this be that there is a Sabbath rest (the seventh day) for the people of God? That is me and you!

Jesus sabbatical invitation is found both in the fourth commandment and the words of Jesus who invites us to rest:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Are you weak and heavy laden? Come to Jesus. Jesus also invites you to enter the rest He offers in the ceasing of work on the Sabbath as commanded by God and given as an example by Jesus, the Disciples, and the word of God.

Yes the Sabbath was “brought over” to the New Testament! Probably more than any other commandment through the Word and example.

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*As a side note: I don’t like the word binding. It is a very legalistic, restrictive and negative term not used in the Bible in connection with the ten commandments. Using the Blue Bible exhaustive concordance, I found the word binding is used 5 times in the entire Bible, but not in connection to the Ten Commandments. The same can be said of the word bind, which is used 49 times, but never in connection with God’s law. The words “obedience” and “keep” are often used in connection with God’s law. Both of these are “love” responses to Jesus not a “binding” responsibility for salvation:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15

Prophecies for Our Time

A LAWLESS SOCIETY-A SIGN OF THE END

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LAWLESSNESS IN AMERICA

Defunding the Police Reveals Evidence of Lawlessness Overtaking ...

A former New York City Councilman, Earl Brown, wrote back in 1971, “The problem is not police corruption but a lawless society.” The New York Times, November 2, 1971

Is America being driven down the road to becoming a lawless society; a nation where laws are ignored, minimized, or rationalized away without consequence? Or have we already become a civilization of little to no morals where people do as they please without any accountability to their neighbors and God?

Recently, we have seen examples of a lawless society. There are called Permanent Autonomous Zones (PAZ). Areas of separation from laws and police within a city quickly and loosely established by a mixture of protestors and rioters.

The first such zone was established on June 8, 2020, in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle by George Floyd protestors and other people with destructive and hate-filled agendas The six city blocks and a park became a vacuum quickly filled by its new occupants after the Seattle Police Department vacated its East precinct area.

The zone had no leadership and was self-organized. So how did it all work out? Over its short history, the autonomous zone had two gun homicides and four additional shooting victims. All the identified victims were black men—precisely the demographic for whom the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) had claimed to offer protection.

CHAZ came to an end 28 days after it started when police removed barricades, arrested more than 30 people. Trucks were brought in to haul away tents and garbage. The police cited ongoing violence and public safety as the reason to end this experiment in a lawless existence.

A writer for the New York Times wrote this about the PAZ’s:

“Autonomous zones, protest camps, and intentional communities alike thrive on hard work and consensus — and can become disastrous rapidly.”

A question for this writer who seems to force positivity for such zones: Where was the “thriving,” “hard work,” and “consensus” among these camps? What good came from these lawless experiments? This statement by the NY Times writer is a practical example of the sugar-coated message of lawlessness being sent to a dying world.

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Other Autonomous Zones have attempted to follow the lead of CHAZ in Richmond, Philadelphia, and New York.

Arising at the same time are serious efforts to defund the police with the supposed goal of eliminating police brutality and racism. But whatever the ideal of such movements, the net result is fewer law enforcement officials in a time of rising lawlessness which encourages anarchism. Just to be clear, here is the Webster Definition of anarchism: “a political theory holding all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable and advocating a society based on voluntary cooperation and free association of individuals and groups

What is next? Eliminate courts and judges?

A vast majority of citizens in the US are wise enough to see through the political attempts to fundamentally change this country to mirror their own radical ideas or to copy other countries. But they feel insecure with the irrational thinking of these people with political agendas and the move towards removing enforcement of laws protecting person and property.

American seems to be following the example of the French Revolution back in 1789 and 1799 where even God was thrown out! I recommend you read Chapter 15 of a good book called, The Great Controversy. Contact me and I will send you the link or a free paper copy.

If all that is going on in our world today were not bad enough news, it gets worse and will never get better for the country as a whole. How do I know? The Bible tells me so.

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JESUS VIEW OF LAWLESSNESS IN THE LAST DAYS

CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD: TRICKLED DOWN LAWLESSNESS IN THE USA

Webster’s dictionary describes lawlessness as “a state in which there is widespread wrongdoing and disregard for rules and authority.”

Lawlessness as found in the New Testament of the New King James Bible is translated from the Greek word Anomia. This word means “a condition without law.” King James often translates Anomia as “iniquity.” Both words are applicable, but lawlessness is a more understandable word for the description of our time as demonstrated in our current condition in the large cities of America.

When Jesus saw our day, he said these words:

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24: 12

Both lawlessness and iniquity as described in the Bible is sin in the eyes of God. Sin is defined as the “transgression of the law.” 1 John 3: 4

Our society is becoming dangerous for its citizens especially those in large cities. It will only get more lawless as time goes on. This is according to the One who is our Creator and Savior.

But here is where it gets interesting. Just as the anarchists want a society without law, a good deal of the churches are doing the same thing and turning their back of God’s eternal law of Ten Commandments.

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Did God Ever Intend For The Church To Make His Church Lawless By Doing Away With The Moral Law?

While the laws of the land cover protection of people and their personal belongings, God’s law includes matters of the heart, put are made evident by a person’s actions. Often the laws of the land intersect with God’s moral law. Both are designed to protect others and bring happiness.

The last six commandments are borrowed from God and modified for most societies in some capacity. These deal with the second table of the Ten Commandments which spell out how we are to relate to our fellow humans. They are meant to provide protection and His will for us in getting along with each other.

The first four of the commandments are different and are not part of the man’s civil law and never should be because it deals with man’s relationship with God. Freedom of religion prohibits the state’s enforcement of these laws.

The Ten Commandments also identify what God calls sin.

Sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3: 4 KJ

The New King James Version rightly calls sin, lawlessness. A condition without law. When a person ignores the laws of the land or attempts to abolish them they are considered anarchists. The same can apply to the church.

Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

1 John 3: 4

Unlike society, God holds people accountable for unrepentant sin or lawlessness even for those in the church who appear on the outside to be righteous:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)

Wow! People who are prophets and healers can be lost because of two things: they don’t do the will of God and they don’t know Him!

What is God’s will? The last words from Solomon in Ecclesiastes tell us succinctly:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Ecclesiastes 12: 14

God is clear that He is to be respected and with a certain amount of fear of the consequences for disowning Him. Also, we are to keep His commandments.

How can we know that we know Him?

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 2: 3,4

Many church members cringe at the phrase, “keep His commandments.” It sounds so legalistic. Some churches have attempted to make the church lawless by saying things like the following and supply a few misunderstood verses while overlooking many. It is like crawling over dollars to get to a penny. They will say things like:

“The Law has been done away with.”

“Christ nailed the law to the cross.”

“We are under grace not under law.“

“We are New Testament Christians. We don’t have to keep the commandments.” It was for the Jews only.

“We can’t keep the law.”

Jesus kept the law for us. We don’t have to keep the law.”

We will talk about these in part 2 next time, but I do want to talk about the one that the Ten Commandments were done away with by his nailing them to the cross. Were they?

We Are Saved By Grace Through Faith Alone. It is a Gift!

No doubt it is clear from the entire Bible (OT included) that we are saved from eternal death because of God the Father’s amazing grace and love for His creation. It is extended to us through the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus and it is our option to believe (faith).

We cannot simply nail the Ten Commandments on the wall then grunt and sweat our way into heaven. We would never be worthy enough. One of the clearest Bible texts on this topic was provided to us by Paul:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2: 8,9

With so much emphasis on grace and faith, the baby is sometimes thrown out with the bathwater when obedience and the Ten Commandments are mentioned. A very clear statement from Paul, James, and Jesus clarify things for us:

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 3:31

Notice there was evidently the argument in Paul’s day that faith replaced the necessity for God’s law. He argues the opposite. Faith and law go together. It is a faith that works! They don’t eliminate each other. James clarifies further:

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 2:18

James confirms the union of faith and works (obedience included). Works and obedience are evidence of real faith. The first work, or act of obedience, a new Christian performs is baptism. After repenting and being born again the new follower obeys the commandment of Jesus and His apostles by being publicly baptized. Why? Because the Bible tells us so and we have a desire put in our hearts to follow Jesus which includes obedience. We don’t obey in order to be saved, but because we are saved.

Jesus, the spotless lamb of God was not baptized for us, so we don’t have to do it; He did it as an example for us.

Finally, we cannot blame Jesus’ for eliminating the Ten Commandments or any other commandment by Him and His Father:

 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5: 17-19

We still have heaven and earth, therefore not one jot (smallest letter) or tittle (smallest stroke of a letter) has been altered by Jesus. He goes on further to reveal His displeasure of those who break one of the least of the commandments and teach men to do so.

What commandment would you think you could change or alter? None! Jesus didn’t change even the smallest letter!

Nailed to The Cross?

So why has the church tried to “do away” with the law? It is a misunderstanding of certain passages and not understanding how obedience connects with Grace and Faith. Here is the most popular verse used to render the church lawless:

“…Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” Colossians 2: 14

If you start at the beginning of this chapter, you see Paul talking about spiritual circumcision (without hands) comparing with baptism and the resurrection of those who were “dead in… transgressions”.

Circumcision and baptism are not part of the Ten Commandments. The question is what is the “handwriting of ordinances (requirements) that was contrary (against) us?”

Let’ s get our answer from scripture:

The keywords are “handwriting“, “ordinances”, “against us”. A few questions to start: Are ordinances the Ten Commandments? Are they against us?

When we go back to when Moses on the mountain, God gave Moses two at least two sets of laws: 1.) The Ten commandments which were written on stone by the finger of God, and 2.) Ordinances that Moses wrote down with his own finger.

The Ten Commandments were so important that God wrote them clearly with His own finger on stone. Moses wrote the law contained in ordinances with his own hand on parchment and was told to put them beside the Ark while the Ten Commandments were put in the Ark. Two different sets of laws, written by two different entities and placed in two different places on two different mediums i.e. rock and a book.

Let’s look at the appropriate passages to end this study:

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. Exodus 31:18

So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished,  that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there as a witness against you; Deuteronomy 31: 24-26

Did you notice that this book was a “witness against you.” The handwriting (Moses) was “against us.” The Ten Commandments did not need a book; it needs only two tablets and can be read in a matter of a few minutes.

The whole “book” of the law was to be read every seven years:

And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years,…you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.  Deuteronomy 31: 10, 11

Conversely, the Ten Commandments were to be constantly before the people and in their hearts;

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up Deuteronomy 6: 6, 7

So from this we can see that the handwriting of ordinances that were against us and nailed that to the cross, not the law that is called the law of liberty by James. By this standard all people will be judged:

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. James 2: 10-12

In summary: A society that is lawless can be found on the streets of America and even in our churches! This is a sign of the end! God’s law will be a sign of those who belong to Him and the object of Satan’s wrath in the final days:

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:17

May God bless you as you consider these things.

"He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28