The Bible Standard - Discover the Truth.
Christadelphians Talk about various subjects concerning True Bible Teaching.
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7 hours ago
2 days ago
2 days ago
In chapter 7 after a long interval with the ark isolated the nation laments their condition and appeals to Samuel for change. Samuel indicates that this could only happen if Israel with all their heart seek for God and utterly forsake the idolatry that had brought their ruin. When the nation does this Yahweh would be found by them. To potently demonstrate the Almighty's saving might Samuel, washes his hands and sacrifices a sucking lamb. This animal spoke of the nation's helplessness and dependence on Yahweh's protection. This occurs at Mizpah (signifying God's over watching protection). Next Samuel prays for Israel's deliverance from the approaching Philistine host and Yahweh of armies responds with lightning, thunder and an overwhelming hailstorm unleashed upon the enemy host. This led to the scene of victory overseen by the now to be named, Ebenezer (or rock of help). The chapter finishes by telling us that Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life and of him establishing his residence where his roots began, Ramah.1 Samuel 8 sadly tells of the failure of Samuel's sons to walk in his ways and consequently Israel's plea to be like other nations with an earthly king. Samuel remonstrates that this was tantamount to a rejection of God. Samuel outlines the huge cost upon the nation that such a choice would bring.
Isaiah 52 reveals Jerusalem's exultation that would accompany the "good tidings" of her king with his liberating gospel message. Zion's watchmen would sing with joy at the "comfort (or consolation- Hebrew 'nacham') the Messiah would bring. The Lord Jesus Christ is the subject of these Servant prophecies and no more strongly than in chapters 52-53. Verses 1-2 call upon Zion to rouse herself from the dust to which she had been reduced by her oppressor. The Assyrian yoke had been broken from her neck. Verses 3-5 tell of her oppressors being firstly Egypt and in the time of the prophet, the Assyrian. Verses 6-7 describe Yahweh proclaiming liberty to the slaves in the good news: ie the Gospel. The words of verse 7 are quoted by the Apostle Paul as applying to all who preach the Gospel: Romans 10:5-21. Isaiah 52:8-12. Those verses speak of the condition of Jerusalem in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Jerusalem as its capital: Isaiah 2:1-5; Jeremiah 3:16-17. At that time Jerusalem will be cleansed and purified: Zechariah chapters 12-13. Verses 13-15 belong, in fact to chapter 53 and will be so considered tomorrow. Isaiah 52:13-15 describe Messiah as Yahweh's great servant being elevated after the humiliation of his crucifixion spoken of in chapter 53. He gospel message taken into all the world would cause kings and dignitaries of many nations being astounded by the message about the Messiah: our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 14 verses 1-5 shows the redeemed with their Lord on Mount Zion, the glorious Jerusalem of the kingdom age. They are like those spoken of in chapter 7 the 144,000 - the Israel of God. They are virgins as they have not been defiled by the Roman whore - her teachings and behaviours. The Word of God had penetrated their thinking to the extent that the Lamb's Father's name - Yahweh - was written on their forehead (compare John 6:26-29). Verses 6-13 deal with the message/work of the three following angels. The first angel spoke of the everlasting Gospel being taken to all nations. This message includes the acceptance of God as the Almighty Creator (evolution is a falsehood that people will forsake in Christ's kingdom). The second and third angels proclaim Rome's doom (that city is symbolised as Babylon). The system which has persecuted the faithful believers of our Lord for 1,700 years will be avenged at that time. Two judgments are outlined. Firstly, the "harvest of the earth" - Catholic Europe from where Rome has derived its temporal power. And secondly, "the vine of the earth" the centre of doctrine - or spiritual correctness.
2 days ago
2 days ago
The readings in Samuel follow the journey of the ark whilst it is in Philistine possession until its return to the covenant people at the "forest of the woods" (Kirjath-jearim see Psalm 132). Firstly in Ashdod Yahweh's supremacy is shown over Dagon the fish god, by its symbolic prostration before Israel's God and finally it being shattered. Following this the inhabitants were plagued with tumours, called emerods, or haemorrhoids in the AV; these tumours seemingly being occasioned by a mice plague. Despairingly the ark is relocated to each of the five chief cities and the plagues of mice and tumours following the pattern. The Philistines were terrified that Israel's God would destroy them and so they devised a scheme to make a trespass offering of gold fashioned after their plagues and to send the ark home. They took two cows, which were still feeding their calves, and contrary to the natural expectation wend their way to the house of Joshua in Beth-shemesh. Here curiosity overtook the foolish inhabitants who decided, contrary to God's laws, to gaze inside the ark and consequently 70 men died. Like the Philistines the ark was relocated to Kirjath-jearim where it remained for about 90 years before eventually being brought triumphantly by David to its resting place in Jerusalem.
The prophet counsels the nation to reconsider its roots- Abraham and Sarah who responded to God in faith and proceeded to live uprightly before Him resulting in immense blessings. Yahweh their Rock stabilised Zion's foundations and those who likewise follow the path of the righteous will see Eden bloom on earth again in Messiah's kingdom; which will extend to the ends of the earth. Verses 4-6 tell of their Sovereign's appeal for Israel to await the revealing of His righteousness. Verses 7-8 describe the LORD's call to His people that His Law may find a home in their hearts, just as the tables of the Law were rightly within the ark of the Covenant. But for those who lived as though God's Word was but stone tablets they would perish with all those who saw the Law as an inflexible and rigid code which they used to judge others: Hebrews 1 verse 9-13. Verses 9-11 speak of the redeemed rousing themselves to embrace the principles of Zion, the mother of all who are faithful. The Almighty Creator appeals to His children in verses 12-16 to acknowledge His omnipotence. Verses 17-20 asks His children to stir themselves up and arouse themselves from their despondent and downcast state. The nation must forget their past persecutions and embrace Yahweh their faithful husband. God will console His people and bring vengeance upon their foes. Verses 21-23 outline that the cup of affliction will pass from Zion to her adversaries. Let us lift our heads knowing that the redeemed will come to Zion with 'songs of everlasting joy'. And One who will bring this to pass cannot fail, for just as He created the foundations of the universe, so He establishes the foundation of each and every faithful believer.
Some religious leaders use this 12th chapter of the Apocalypse to assert that there was war in heaven between the angels of God and Satan, which resulted in the expulsion of Satan and his angels to a subterranean location beneath the earth. The chapter proves no such thing. 1) from Revelation 1:1 the events were from John's time forward; 2) most of the symbolism has been used and explained earlier in the book; 3) if a supposed supernatural being deceived the Omniscient Creator (then God cannot be Omniscient); 4) the segment in question makes it abundantly clear that the vision is symbolic - verses 1, 3 use the term "sign" ESV ("wonder" KJV) and the Greek word used means precisely "a representation".;5) literal war couldn't occur in a place about which Jesus taught us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). The heavily pregnant woman was the church about to give birth to its champion, Constantine. The dragon was the old pagan Roman power who was engaged in a life and death struggle with the emerging Trinitarian faction within the Christian power. But the Christians triumphed - Constantine claimed to have seen a vision of a cross and to have heard the words, "in this sign you will conquer". His entire army marched against the pagans with freshly painted crosses on their shields. As we saw in chapter 11 the dominant faction within the christians were trinitarian and sought the destruction of all dissenters. Those protesting the error of the trinitarian Catholic Church - a n early sign of what would arise during the Reformation - fled to the extremities of the Empire seeking respite. However, the defeated forces of the pagan Roman generals made a concerted and valiant attempt to overthrow the believers in Christ. But in this endeavour the pagans failed. Ironically the nominal Christians under Constantine assumed the mantle of the destroyers of true and faithful believers and became themselves the Satan, or opponent, to the true disciples of Christ. Revelation 13 describes the changing centre of persecution as history outworked itself in the course of interactions between church and state. The various beasts of Revelation 13 all share the character of 4th dreadful beast of Daniel 7 - the Romish persecutors of faithful believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Initially John beheld a beast rise out of the sea (the Mediterranean Sea where he was exiled). The Beast described in verses 1-4 is a composite beast with elements from the beasts of Daniel 7. John sees this Beast being given what appeared to be a mortal wound. This occurred when the gothic kingdom of Odoacer took Rome 476 AD to 535 AD - but the 6th imperial head of Rome was revived with support from the eastern leg capital of Constantinople firstly by Emperor Justinian in the 530s AD and later by Emperor Phocus 609 AD. Both these rulers said that the supreme pontiff of the church was the bishop of Rome. As the eastern Empire crumbled, just as the Roman centre had done, the popes looked for support in the west and found it in Charlemagne the Emperor of the Franks, who was crowned by the pope on Christmas Day 799 AD. This new Beast was land based and called by the vision which John saw, "the beast of the earth". Both these powers in the east and the west acknowledged the supremacy of Rome's bishop and supported the persecution of the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those saints of Jesus were slain in their millions by the Church of Rome. We are left with no doubts as to the great persecuting apostate power identified numerically as 666 in the last verse of the chapter, which tells us that it is a man's number (the man of sin described in 2 Thessalonians 2). History tells us that Iraneus, the bishop of Antioch stated in 165 AD that it was Lateinos (the Greek numerical value being 666). The official title of the Roman pontiff is, "vicarius filii Dei" (meaning the one who stands in the place of the Son of God - its Roman numeral equivalent is 666. This power is called in the Hebrew, "Romith" (numerical equivalent is 666). Every document signed by the bishop of Rome bears the authority of the Church, "Dux Cleri" (ie high priest, and its numerical value is 666). Let us shun the apostate church and as faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ heed the warning of Revelation 18:4, "Come out of her my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues" ESV.
3 days ago
3 days ago
Through Samuel the Word of God multiplied and brought stability. The promised judgment upon the house of Eli happened in the battle at Ebenezer - meaning both "the son of help" and "the stone of help". Had a faithful priesthood been present in Israel their Rock would have given His people victory. Instead disaster overtook the nation with the extinction of Eli's line and 30,000 carcasses lying as carrion upon the field. Though foolish sons treated the ark as a lucky charm in contrast to what Yahweh intended- contrast Numbers 10:35-36. Though emboldened by the ark's presence and contrariwise the Philistines dismayed, Israel fell before the foe whose battle cry should be that of the saints in their spiritual warfare (1 Corinthians 16:13). The great catastrophe for the 98 year old Eli and his devout daughter in law was the capture of the ark. Her final word was Ichabod, meaning the glory has departed.
The glorious servant of Yahweh in Isaiah 50 showed that the glory returned in the Lord Jesus Christ, as his servant ear was ever open to the Word of his God and instructed his every thought and action. The chapter begins with the LORD as challenging the nation of Israel, who were claiming that their Sovereign had divorced them. This was untrue and the Almighty says show Me your evidence - show Me your bill of divorce. It didn't exist since Yahweh hates "putting away": Malachi 2:10-16. The prophecy of Hosea establishes that despite the nation's continued unfaithfulness their God was ready to take them back as His spouse after a period of separation and genuine repentance. Verses 4-7 contrasts Israel's behaviour with Yahweh's faithful Servant - our Lord Jesus Christ. The Father daily sent an angel to sharpen His Son's magnificently receptive mind to His Father's Word. The Son like the perpetual and voluntary servant under the Law opened his ear to that Word. Read psalm 40:6-8; Hebrews 10:5-10. This submission and acceptance of His Father's way helped to enable the Son to life the life of total service. Jesus was obedient unto death, even the death upon the stake: Philippians 2:5-11. Verses 7-9 describe Jesus' determination to die that death in Jerusalem by which our the basis for our redeeming was established:Luke 9:51. Note the context of this comment from Luke in chapter 9 verses 21-36; 43-44. As a consequence no adversary could stand before him and Yahweh would stand with His servant and provide him with the assurance that Jesus would overcome his foes in the name of his God: Psalm 118:10-29. Verses 10-11 tell those self assured false leaders that their Sovereign would extinguish their fire permanently.
5 days ago
5 days ago
The readings in Samuel follow the journey of the ark whilst it is in Philistine possession until its return to the covenant people at the "forest of the woods" (Kirjath-jearim see Psalm 132). Firstly in Ashdod Yahweh's supremacy is shown over Dagon the fish god, by its symbolic prostration before Israel's God and finally it being shattered. Following this the inhabitants were plagued with tumours, called emerods, or haemorrhoids in the AV; these tumours seemingly being occasioned by a mice plague. Despairingly the ark is relocated to each of the five chief cities and the plagues of mice and tumours following the pattern. The Philistines were terrified that Israel's God would destroy them and so they devised a scheme to make a trespass offering of gold fashioned after their plagues and to send the ark home. They took two cows, which were still feeding their calves, and contrary to the natural expectation wend their way to the house of Joshua in Beth-shemesh. Here curiosity overtook the foolish inhabitants who decided, contrary to God's laws, to gaze inside the ark and consequently 70 men died. Like the Philistines the ark was relocated to Kirjath-jearim where it remained for about 90 years before eventually being brought triumphantly by David to its resting place in Jerusalem.
The prophet counsels the nation to reconsider its roots - Abraham and Sarah who responded to God in faith and proceeded to live uprightly before Him resulting in immense blessings. Yahweh their Rock stabilised Zion's foundations and those who likewise follow the path of the righteous will see Eden bloom on earth again in Messiah's kingdom; which will extend to the ends of the earth. Verses 4-6 tell of their Sovereign's appeal for Israel to await the revealing of His righteousness. Verses 7-8 describe the LORD's call to His people that His Law may find a home in their hearts, just as the tables of the Law were rightly within the ark of the Covenant. But for those who lived as though God's Word was but stone tablets they would perish with all those who saw the Law as an inflexible and rigid code which they used to judge others: Hebrews 1 verses 9-13. Verses 9-11 speak of the redeemed rousing themselves to embrace the principles of Zion, the mother of all who are faithful. The Almighty Creator appeals to His children in verses 12-16 to acknowledge His omnipotence. Verses 17-20 asks His children to stir themselves up and arouse themselves from their despondent and downcast state. The nation must forget their past persecutions and embrace Yahweh their faithful husband. God will console His people and bring vengeance upon their foes. Verses 21-23 outline that the cup of affliction will pass from Zion to her adversaries. Let us lift our heads knowing that the redeemed will come to Zion with 'songs of everlasting joy'. And One who will bring this to pass cannot fail, for just as He created the foundations of the universe, so He establishes the foundation of each and every faithful believers.
In Revelation 7 we have described the sealing period of God's chosen people following Constantine's succeeding to the Roman throne. Believers were sealed by the Word of the LORD within their foreheads - minds, or thinking. The era of sealing commenced with the relative calm that followed the chaos of civil war within the Empire until Constantine's securing of his throne in 324 AD. When the sealing had been completed the restraining angels would unleash the four winds of judgment upon guilty Rome. From each of the 12 tribes 12,000 are sealed - clearly a symbolic number used in the apocalyptic symbolism. Each tribe is represented except Dan, which seems exempted because of its symbolising apostasy. Joseph had 2 portions as the firstborn and so both Ephraim and Manasseh are counted. The total representative number is 144,000 (identical to the virginal community, who are with the Lamb on Mount Zion Revelation 14 verse 1 and whose thinking is focused on that of their Father). In verses 9-17 those sealed ones have come through great trials (Acts 14 verse 22). And since they come out of every nation they are not literally from Israel, but they truly constitute, spiritually, the Israel of God. These faithful followers are clothed in the white robes of righteousness and immortality and carry the victory palms of deliverance in their hands. Like those of Revelation 14 they are led by the Lamb, who sustained, fed and redeemed his sheep who follow and trust their Lord. There was an incipient fulfilment of these words at the time of Constantine's rise to power in the Roman heavens. The ecclesiastical historian Eusebius tells us that the words of verses 10-12 were spoken at Constantine's inauguration. But in reality, the words belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and the commencement of his kingdom age. The Great Shepherd King, who has sustained and feed his people throughout their pilgrimage, now finally brings them into his rest. Gone are the trials belonging to the time of their mortality, as they now become part of the Father's glorified and consoled community (compare Revelation 21:1-4).The book of Revelation is structured so as to intersperse among the unfolding sequential historical events visions of comfort to encourage those who are experiencing the trials on their journey to the kingdom of God. Chapters 7, 10, 14-15, 19 and finally 21-22 serve this purpose throughout the prophecy - visions of future glory. Chapter 8 sees the unleashing of the judgments of the four wind angels from verse 8 onwards. Prior to this was a period of calm before the storm of tumultuous upheaval in the empire which lasted for 14 years from 324-328 AD. Half an hour in prophetic symbolism. The sounding of the 7 trumpeting angels Is recorded in chapters 8-11. The sounding of the angels start with the opening of the seventh seal in 328 AD. How vital it is that the saints of this time, as is always the case, should be sustained by prayer represented as sweet incense before the Father (Psalm 141:2).The first trumpet began sounding in 328 AD and continued until 428 AD. It told of the Goths under the command of Alaric attacking the Empire. The second of the wind trumpets sounded from 428 AD until 477 AD and spoke of the Vandals under Genseric sacking Rome. Verses 10-12 tell of the barbarian ravaging of the third trumpet against Rome between 433-453 AD under the Huns commanded by Attila. The fourth and final wind trumpet was by the Goth, Odoacer, in AD 476 and spoke of the final overthrow of the western Roman Empire. Hereafter the seat of Rulership was transferred to the capital of the eastern Empire in Constantinople from 476 AD onwards until its destruction on May 29th 1453 AD. The agents of destruction in the east were the Islamic powers started by the false prophet, Mohammed. Chapter 9 speaks of the opening of the pit of the abyss which released the Mohammedans to scourge the triune God worshippers from the Eastern Orthodox Church. Mohammed assumed control over his Arabs in 632 AD. Verses 13-20 speak of the rise of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire and its destructive attacking waves on Christian Europe and its eastern Roman capital of Constantinople. These attacks commenced on April 29th 1063 AD until their work was completed in 1453. Our Omnipotent Sovereign's fingers always direct and control the course of history just as our lives are safely held in those almighty, but tender and caring, Hands.
7 days ago
7 days ago
Samuel, as well as being Israel's last judge, was the bridge between the 450 year era of the judges and the kingdom of God on earth in its first constitution. From the lofty heights of Ramathaim-Zophim came a devout Levite named Elkanah, who has two wives Hannah and Peninnah - the former being barren, but greatly loved. Hannah was sorely grieved and provoked by her adversary Peninnah. Together Elkanah and Hannah went to the Tabernacle at Shiloh to entreat God for a son. In her extreme grief Eli, the High Priest, mistakenly thinks she is a drunken loose woman and implores her to leave. She pours out to him her heart, just as she has done to God, and he asks that Yahweh would grant her the petition she made. Samuel is born, prepared and educated at home for a life of service to the LORD. At the appropriate time he is presented at the house of worship and returned to God.
Isaiah 46 outlines the utter futility of idols, which had to be rescued and rushed away from the battle at Babylon's fall. Verses 3-4 tell of Yahweh being Israel's nursing Father who from the time of the nation's birth until their old age. He is the Redeemer of Israel and will save them with an everlasting salvation in Messiah's kingdom. Verses 5-7 describe the mindset of idol worshippers and the futility that comes with their exertions to make a beautiful idol. Verses 8-11 tell of the Almighty judging of all idolators and the foreknowledge and power of our Omnipotent Creator who knows everything that will happen and reveals the important truths about His people through His prophets: Amos 3verses 1-8. The man destined to conquer Babylon and execute the LORD's judgement s was Cyrus king of Persia. Cyrus Is likened to a bird of prey ravening the carcass of degenerate Babylon. Contrast this with our Omniscient Creator who tells the future, even predicting the overthrowing of Babylon about 200 years after this prophecy by Isaiah concerning Cyrus, whose method of capturing the impregnable city of Babylon is described. That he would also decree for the exiles from Jerusalem to return - see Ezra 1 verses 1-4; which occurred in BC 537. A coin commemorating this and the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem was issued in 2017 with the quote from Ezra.Isaiah 47 is a chapter of Zion's rejoicing at the humiliation of Babylon. That majestic harlot sits in the dust to eke out an existence and she does so because as verse 4 says: "Yahweh has redeemed Zion". The two women of this chapter are the two women of Proverbs and the two women of Revelation. Verses 5-9 outline the haughty thoughts of literal Babylon and they are symbolic of the thinking of mystical Babylon. The words are quoted in Revelation 18:7. Verses 10-13 tell of her lying enchantments and sorceries which are commented on in Revelation 18 verses 11-24. Isaiah 47 verses 14-15 speaks of Babylon's being brought to nought.
Revelation 3 is our Lord's timeless message of warning, advice and essential attitudinal changes were required of the 3 of the 7 Turkish ecclesias Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. The first had to realise that the reputation Sardis once enjoyed was gone and they needed to wake up, repent and get back to their roots. Philadelphia, alone of the ecclesias received no condemnation, but rather they are encouraged to remain steadfast. On the other hand, the wealthy Laodicea was pitifully ignorant of their true state and needed to open the door of their hearts to the soon to be returned and door-knocking Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 4 presents the Christ ruling with his saints in glory. The chapter is an invitation for the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, to ascend into the political heavens through the open door and rule upon the earth. This is an encouraging vision of the kingdom on which we will elaborate on in tomorrows' comments. Chapter 4 presents the Christ ruling with his saints in glory. It is part of a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ ruling in glory with his saints - faithful believers - during the kingdom age soon to come. The Apostle John as part of the Lords bride is invited into the political heavens of rulership at the start of this vision. The first part of this vision is revealed in chapter 4 verses 2-11. John sees the throne of the Lamb surrounded by 24 elders who represent the worthy saints of all time until the resurrection. They are the 24 orders of king-priests that reign with Jesus Messiah. These 24 elders are described in verse 7 as being like the cherubim of Ezekiel 1 and the seraphim of Isaiah 6. In verses 8-11 they rightfully ascribe glory to God and His glorious Son.
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Friday Jun 20, 2025
The Life Of Christ - # 89 Warning againts offending God's Little ones by John Martin_1
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Friday Jun 20, 2025
Naomi (whose name meant 'sweetness') had experienced great 'bitterness' (Mara) as chapter 1verses 20-21 indicated, at the hand of the Almighty (El Shaddai - the strength of the nourishers and destroyers). So in chapter 3 a plan is devised so that Boaz will marry Ruth. In verse 9 the word translated as "wings" means the extremity of a garment (which was fringed with a blue ribbon: to remind Israel that they were the people of the Almighty and under the guidance of heaven). We, too, are in God's hands: Deuteronomy 33verse 27.In chapter 4 Boaz becomes the Redeemer, or near kinsmen, typifying Christ redeeming us when the Law could not. So by this union the grandfather of David is born in the "house of bread and praise". In so many ways David became the "bread of life" for the people of God(see Psalm 78verses 70-72).
Isaiah outlines the great work of Cyrus by describing the return from Babylonian exile that he would decree and accomplish in BC 537 (commemorated in a coin minted in 2017 which quotes Ezra 1verse 2). Verses 1-7 tell us that Cyrus the Persian king had been foreordained by Yahweh to do an incredible work on behalf of Israel (God's chosen people). The name Cyrus means "one like the heir" ie the Lord Jesus Christ: the heir of all things (Hebrews 1verse 1-2). Cyrus the Persian king was an instrument used by the Almighty - though Cyrus did not know this Isaiah 45verse 4. The great work of Cyrus was to free the Jewish exiles and send them home to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. But to do this Babylon the Great had to be destroyed first. Likewise the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ can only prosper when the mystical Babylon of the book of Revelation has been destroyed. Verses 6-7 tell us that Yahweh will be known for His works: Ezekiel the prophet declares 63 times: "and they shall know that I am Yahweh". Verse 8 says that this work is a preparation for the times of blessing. Verses 9-10 are a reminder that the LORD's vessels are His to use as He pleases and that they have no right to question His choice. Verses 11-13 tell of the power of the Omnipotent Creator and His unstoppable Will. Verses 14-17 speak of the God of Israel being the only Saviour. Those who believe and trust in Him will be saved with an everlasting salvation. In contrast believers in idols will have confusion and everlasting destruction. Verses 18-19 tell us that the Almighty Creator formed the earth to be populated by individuals who know, love and serve Him. Verses 20-21 issue a challenge to idol worshippers to predict anything that will happen - of course they being non entities are powerless to do so. In verses 22-23 the only true God invites and commands all to turn to Him and acknowledge and serve Him. He has sent His Son who will rule for Him and requires everyone to accept and honour His Son as they must do with the Almighty Himself: John 5 verses 19-24; Philippians 2 verses 9; 1 Corinthians 15 verses 20-28. The last two verses of the chapter remind us that only in Yahweh do we have righteousness, strength, justification and glorification.
We are told in 2 Timothy 3 verses 16 that "all Scripture has been breathed out by God". This includes the book of Revelation which is known in the Greek as 'the Apocalypse'. It was as its first verse tells us given to the Lord Jesus Christ by his Father who showed our Lord the matters "revealed" in that book. But having received those wonderful matters Jesus 'reveals' those matters via his angel through John the Apostle to all believers. In Revelation we have the only book in the Bible directly given to believers by the Lord Jesus Christ (1 verse 1) and encompassing blessings on the diligent readers (v3). It contains letters of advice in chapters 2-3 from the Lord which are portrayed in the opening vision of 1verses 9-20,. Each of the seven ecclesias in Turkey are told what's wrong with their attitude, and also they receive commendation for their successes. The 7 letters all emphasise faithful works that are necessary to please our Father and His Son. These works are seen in the faithful lives of His children as they strive to walk to the Father's kingdom guided daily by the energy drawn from the love of the Father and His Son and given to us through the Word of the Almighty. From this amalgam of instructions we are to be both warned and encouraged; in order for us to, like our Lord 'overcome' the world (2 verses 26-27) and so be blessed to inherit the Kingdom.
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
The first portion commences"In the days when the judges ruled". The book sets the times, as paralleling the time of the second appendix to Judges 19-21, and is as vital in preparing us for David's kingship as the end of the last book was in establishing Saul's origins. Even the locality is the same in Bethlehem/Judah(' the house of bread and praise'). We are told that there was literally a famine in the land at that time, undoubtedly spiritual as well as literal; a scarcity of the word of God. Ironically the man Elimelech('my God is king'), representing what the nation should have known; yet living as though there was no king and doing what was right in their own eyes; believing sustenance could be found apart from the people of God, left for Moab. The two sons marry non-covenanted wives and die (their names also emblematic of their unfaithfulness - sickly and pining). Death overtakes them leaving faithful Naomi heirless. On hearing that "God had visited His people with bread" the three women commence the homeward journey. Orpah stays in Moab, but Ruth passionately and imploringly pleads her loyalty to Israel's God (1 verses 16-17). They arrive home at Passover- the time of the barley harvest.Chapter 2, introduces us to faithful Boaz whose description matches that of Gideon in Judges 6. Providentially he extends to Ruth the care and compassion of the Creator to strangers and widows. She is blessed bountifully and we await developments in the unfolding story. We are impressed by the Godly environment that Boaz has created for his workers despite the deplorable spiritual conditions which prevailed throughout the nation.
Isaiah 44 announces the superabundance of blessings that God will bestow upon children responding to His gracious pleas. Verses 1-5 speak of the blessings Yahweh will give to Israel, His chosen people. Verse 5 tells of the time when their Sovereign's children identify with Him by surnaming themselves as the people of the God of Jacob. This theme is picked up in the Servant prophecies in chapter 65:15-19. In Isaiah 44:6-8 Yahweh declares that He alone is God and Israel's Saviour. That understanding is the reason that His people in verse 5 now choose to be known as the people of the God of Israel. Verses 9-20 contrast the Omnipotent Creator to dumb, useless, impotent idols. There is wonderful irony in the way that the prophet ridicules the idols and their makers. The fashioner of the graven image wearies himself in the task of making his image and uses a part of the same tree to warm himself and bake his bread. What complete folly there is in the idolater's failure to see the stupidity of idols and those that form them. Verses 21-25 tell us what the LORD was about to do in saving His people. Verses 26-28 reveal the work of Cyrus the Persian as the man chosen by Yahweh to overthrow Babylon. He would also decree liberty for the captives and send exiled Israel home to rebuild Jerusalem. This prophecy was made about one and a half centuries before Cyrus accomplished this great work of the LORD.. Cyrus' name is symbolic of his typical role, as the Lord Jesus Christ, meaning "one like the heir".
Jude tells us that he is the brother of James. In James' letter he says to us that he is the Lord Jesus Christ's brother (actually half brother - for Mary was their mother see Mark 3verse 31-35; and 6 verse 3). Joseph was the father of James and Jude. Mary was, contrary to orthodox teaching, not a perpetual virgin. After Jesus was born Joseph had a normal marital relationship with Mary (see Matthew 1verses 23-25) and had an additional 3 sons and at least 2 unnamed daughters. Unlike his siblings Jesus was conceived by the power of God - the Holy Spirit (Luke 1verses 30-35). The letter of Jude deals with the same issues as 2 Peter 2 - the problems created by the false teachers. The letter was written about 65 AD, by which time the departures in teaching from the true faith were multiplying. Jude had set out with the purpose of writing a letter to encourage his readers in their shared faith. But due to the pressing problems created by the errorists Jude was diverted to write about the need to continue in the faith and to strenuously resist the errorists. Verses 3-16 tell us that there will always be opposition from false brethren. Jude cites 5 Scriptural historical examples. These demonstrate God's dealings with the false leaders and, inferentially show the same point as 2 Peter 2 ie that Yahweh knows how to preserve and deliver the righteous. The first example was from the time of the wilderness wanderings, when Korah, Dathan and Abiram attempted to usurp the authority of Moses and Aaron. Numbers 16 gives details of that rebellion. The second example is the destruction of Sodom and deliverance of righteous Lot found in Genesis 19. The third example is that of the insatiable covetousness of Balaam, which not only destroyed himself but, also, many Israelites at the border of the Promised Land. These events are outlined in Numbers chapters 22-25. Example 4 related to the Samaritan opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and is outlined in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The Samaritans falsely claimed a religious affinity with the God of Israel and they contended with chosen people. The 5th example is that of powerful and blasphemous Lamech in his attempt to eradicate Enoch. Genesis 4 shows us that only 7 generations from Adam wicked and godless men were opposing the way of God. Note in the AV that "ungodly" is used 7 times. Contrast Psalm 1, which in the Hebrew Bible is attributed to Enoch. Read aloud slowly. Pause and ponder. Verses 12-13 are a series of metaphors which expose the uselessness and dangers of all false teachers. The chapter concludes with a call to stand steadfast for the faith. The events overtaking the ecclesias had been prophesied by the Apostles. Scripture was being fulfilled before their eyes. Their part was to continue to faithfully follow their Lord Jesus Christ. So too must we. Any who become defiled by the influence of the false teachers are like a stick in the fire that needs to be swiftly plucked from the fire and extinguished. Let's pause and slowly read aloud and ponder the closing doxology of verses 24-25, "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." ESV
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
At Mizpah, a significant and important holy place in Israel, where the men of Israel swore an oath which prevented any of them allowing any of their daughters to marry any of the remaining Benjamites. With deepest regrets they puzzled over a solution. It involved 400 of the remaining, stealing wives from the Jabesh-Gileadites, who had failed to support the united campaign to eradicate the Benjamites. That city was butchered apart from the 400 virgins, who were given to the cowering remnant. Additionally there was an annual festival held at Shiloh, whence the Tabernacle resided and it was from here that the remaining wives were stolen. The book concludes with the sad epithet- “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did that which was right in their own eyes.” (21verse 25)
Isaiah 43 carries one of the greatest proofs of Yahweh’s inerrant infallibility in that He alone can predict the future with complete certainty. The Jews and their history bare testimony to that. The scene of Isaiah 43 is a courtroom where the Almighty is to impartially weigh the evidence. All nations are to ask their gods to prophesy: tell of future events with unfailing accuracy. They cannot do that. So Israel’s Sovereign commands their silence since they are powerless to predict anything. Then Israel’s Omnipotent Creator summons His witness: Israel. Their history has been foretold by the LORD’s prophets from Moses’ time to the prophecies of the book of Revelation. Look, for example, at Deuteronomy 28, Isaiah 54 verse 17. When Frederick the great challenged his courtiers to prove the existence of God it was Blair’s Pascual who replied, “The Jew, your majesty”. At the end of the 19th century Mark Twain wrote an essay on this subject and called it “The Immortal Jew”. He said history testifies to the Almighty preserving His people: Israel. Isaiah established that Yahweh Israel’s God is the one true God and He alone can save. It is His purpose to save not only the Jews but all nations through belief in the Abrahamic promises: Genesis 12verse 1-3; Romans 4 verses 1-13. This salvation is through belief of the teachings of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. The salvation will be when Christ returns to set up his kingdom. Though Israel has profaned Yahweh’s name He will save them as the Apostle Paul says in Romans 11 verse 11-36.
2nd and 3rd John are short personal letters written fairly close to each other, around 95-96 AD. The first of these letters being to a beloved friend termed “the elect (or chosen {by God} lady). The aged Apostle had a deep love for this sister because of her hospitality and faithfulness. His salutations of, “Grace, mercy and peace” come from a mature faith and are the same as those of the Apostle Paul to Timothy and Titus; the so called “Pastoral letters”. Verses 4-11 express John’s great joy that this wonderful sister’s children had chosen to walk in the Truth. John reiterates the new command, “to walk in love”; frequently spoken of his gospel account and first letter. He also warns of the false teachers (antichrists) mentioned at length in his first letter. The woman and her faithful family – the ecclesia – must abide in the true teaching of the Father and His Beloved Son. Anyone walking contrary to that, in behaviour or doctrine, was to be forbidden the fellowship of the saints. In his final greetings, of verses 12-13, John expressed his hope of catching up face to face, rather than through a letter. 3rd John was written to a friend who had often been the old Apostle’s host – Gaius – who was deeply “loved in the Lord”. This brother was a Thessalonian, who had been converted to the Truth by the Apostle Paul. Verses 5-12 speak of the supporters of ecclesial work and others who were the opponents – the enemies of the Faith. Gaius and those like him had shown great hospitality to visitors, who preached the Gospel. Support for such was commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ when he sent forth the 72 in Luke 10. We who cannot ourselves go into the mission fields have a responsibility both in prayer and financially to support those who undertake the Great Commission of taking the Gospel to the world (Matthew 28). John says that those who do so have become fellow helpers of the Truth. The Apostle warns his readers of a puffed up, self important errorist, who not only dragged down the faithful, but would take an aggressive stand against all who , like the Apostle John, would take a stand for truth and moral uprightness. Don’t be imitators of evil, but only of the true (see Ephesians 5 verses 1-21). In his final greetings the Apostle speaks of his desire to spend time with the faithful in a face to face context, rather than via letter. Peace will be with the faithful.