Instruction

The Price of Survival

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

Matthew 4:1-11 continued…

“And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” Matthew 4:2-4 (KJV)..

Temptation. There are a lot of questions to be asked, that will be asked, but I will not try and answer. When it comes to Jesus and temptation I have heard many a question concerning Him and temptation, especially if the Son of God is really God. After the baptism of Jesus we are told that He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Now this would be quite the temptation.

This is another point which proves the deity of Jesus. It does not seem that the devil is a credible witness, but the very thought of his tempting Jesus kind of begs the question, “Why would he bother otherwise, unless he knew Jesus to be the Divine Son of God?”

We are now looking at the first offer of a shortcut around the will of the Father. There is within all of us the desire for survival. We have all heard many stories of people caught in snow storms, stuck in the mountains, unable to move from their position, and they survive. People caught in all kinds of horrific incidents where anyone without the will to survive would not have survived. It is a God-given drive that has been placed within us. There is no sin in this desire.

Jesus had fasted, ie., done without food and sustenance for forty days and forty nights. He was hungry. I have never gone very long without food. Most of the people of the United States of America have never gone very long without food. Forty days and forty nights would be stretching the absence of food to the limit. Jesus was hungry. The devil approaches Jesus, with the temptation, ‘If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread’, and he knew who Jesus was. It just seems that he was thinking in Jesus’s weakened state He would be mentally, and spiritually weakened and even deny who He was, or at least doubt it.

What would have been wrong with Jesus turning the stones available to Him into bread? He had the power, the ability. He would have been giving in to His appetites rather than following the will of the Father. If there was no other reason than the temptation of the devil, that was reason enough for Him to refuse turning stones to bread.

Many times in order to survive in the business world, the spiritual world, physical well being world, people are tempted to risk their very character and fail – their moral excellence. Jesus did not. There are also many tempted and do put their integrity at stake – who you are when no one is watching. Again, Jesus did not. Jesus understood, as well we should, that survival is dependent upon more than the material [bread] alone. Jesus realized there was a Higher Authority, and He was responsible to Him alone, and the Father did not lead Him to this temptation to turn stones to bread. That Higher Authority is God the Father, of course, and He has given us His Word as an instrument to wield against the overwhelming temptations to compromise when we are tempted to live by the material.

Jesus answered the devil’s temptation with, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Deut. 8:3). Learn the Word and face these temptations victoriously. O, how badly we need to work at this. I know I do.

Temptations to Shortcut

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 Matthew 4:1-11 continuing…

Here is a wonderful message for handling the temptations which come our way, and it is by the example which Jesus Himself gave us in His own temptation when He faced off with the ‘old serpent’ himself. The liar, deceiver, the master of disaster, would face Jesus the King, and Creator/Savior of all mankind. There are three basic temptations which we all face. Those are found in 1 John 2:15-17, and begin, “Love not the world… if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him.”, and continues in verse 16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Verse 17, “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”. Those three things, 1) Lust of the flesh; 2) Lust of the eyes, and 3) The pride of life, are the three basics the devil uses to lie, deceive and master the lives of those who fall into temptation. Jesus did not fall, He fulfilled the desires of His Father, and the requirements of the law.

It could be said in these temptations Jesus proved Himself. He proved that He was the sinless, blemishless, spotless, holy, righteous, Son of God. This can be said of no other in all honesty.

In looking at these temptations it will be my assumption that Jesus knew His destiny and purpose was to die on the cross, and I believe Scriptures bear this out; and I will also be assuming that the devil knew a little bit of the plan, but not the whole plan, and was trying to avert Jesus around the cross, thus keeping Him from fulfilling God’s plan. Whether the devil knew about the cross or not we can know that he was trying to deceive Jesus into a shortcut around God’s plan, and offering Jesus an “Easier way”.

Here is an outline of what we will be looking at:

I. THE FIRST TEMPTATION APPEALED TO THE LUST OF THE FLESH – A DESIRE TO SURVIVE (vv. 2-4).

II. THE SECOND TEMPTATION APPEALED TO THE LUST OF THE EYES – A DESIRE FOR SECURITY (vv. 5-7).

III. THE THIRD TEMPTATION APPEALED TO THE PRIDE OF LIFE – A DESIRE FOR SUCCESS (vv.8-11).

I will say; so it will be clear to all reading this: Survival, Security, and Success are all basic human desires and they are God-given, except when they become predominant in an individual’s life and distract them from God’s plan and direction for their life. It is imperative that we receive these by following God’s guidance and direction for our lives. The devil has a way of perverting what God has given as good. When we follow God’s path; “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths”. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Confirmation

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

Matthew 3:13-17 conclusion…

v. 17 –

The final thing we see in these last five verses of chapter three is the confirmation of the Father. This was the planned, intentional, sacrifice for sin. Sin would finally be judged as it should be judged. Jesus was the only sacrifice pleasing to God His Father, and His holiness, righteousness, justice, and judgment. He is the offering without blemish or spot. No lamb, goat, or bullock could take away sin; they only showed the need for a Savior; “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Heb. 9:11-14. We also read in Hebrews 10:4-6, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure”.

Even before it is time for the final sacrifice for sin God decrees His approval upon His Son as though the sacrifice were already made. Let’s look at a previous writer in the Psalms: ” I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee.” Psalm 2:7. There is a voice from Heaven, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”, and this would not be the last time His voice is heard. In Matthew 17 at the Mount of Transfiguration, we hear Him say, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him” (17:5); and then, again, in John12:28, “Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, ‘I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again” in answer to Jesus’s prayer for the Father to glorify Him. All three times this voice is heard.

Jesus is the only sacrifice for sin in which God the Father is well pleased. In the baptism we see the three persons of the Godhead. Jesus the Son is in the water being baptized; the Holy Spirit is lighting on Jesus in the bodily form of a dove; and the Father is speaking from Heaven, declaring His Son.

Who will you believe? Will you believe the naysayers, who say that God is not a trinity, or will you listen to the precepts of the Word of God that clearly declare Him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Himself being the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2:9).

The only way the Father will be pleased with us, and declare us as Just and holy is through His Son Jesus Christ.

The Anointing of the King

/ Tim A. / 4 Comments

Matthew 3:13-17 continuing…

v. 16 –

There is an anointing of the King in this verse. As a man Jesus needed the empowering of the Holy Spirit for obedience; “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Hebrews 5:7-9. I realize that these reference verses say nothing about the Holy Spirit, but it does mention “In the days of His flesh”, and the ‘strong crying and tears’. He would have had the Holy Spirit in Him strengthening and emboldening Him for the fulfillment of His ministry and calling. The Spirit was with Him in His teaching. He was present when Jesus healed sickness, and when the dead were raised to life again. Even when He confronted the evil hypocrites and demons the Holy Spirit was moving in power. The Holy Spirit was especially there when it came to His calling and purpose in coming; His agony, and the death of the cross. Let us never forget that the purpose of Jesus Christ, the Son of God becoming man; was to die on that old rugged cross; and receive the curse and sting of death for us.

There was a visible empowering of the Holy Spirit, and was a sign to all who were present, that this One is the Anointed One. The heavens were opened (v. 16; Acts 7:56; Ezekiel 1:1). Ezekiel 1:1 shows us that the ‘heavens were opened’ before so it is not without precedent, O, but for someone greater than Ezekiel; the creator of Ezekiel. When God chooses to open the heavens it is a spectacular event. It was witnessed by several people. We are not told how many were there on the Jordan River that day, but we could estimate in the hundreds, probably. What a glorious event to witness. The Anointing of the King. The visible sign came in the form of a dove lighting on Jesus; “And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him…”. The “Bodily Shape” was so the witnesses could truly see what was taking place. Even Matthew, in verse sixteen witnesses, “…He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him…”. The dove, was to the Jew, a sacrifice of the poor. The dove signifies, that God has lowered Himself, to become a man as a man in need of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus trusted in the teaching and direction of the Spirit of God. Can we do any less.

Immersed Unto Righteousness

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 Matthew 3:13-17 continuing…

v. 15 –

The Son of God is baptized by John the Baptizer. This baptism is meant as immersion. The putting under of the whole body in the water. It has absolutely nothing to do with sprinkling of water, or pouring of water over a person. The idea is to put under, ie. immerse. In this is the true picture of death, burial, and resurrection. In Jesus’s baptism, He was not only fulfilling the demands of the law, but He was showing His own death, burial and resurrection which was to come a few years later. John’s baptism was for the repentance of sin, but Jesus had no sin. He was/is the Son of God and, God the Son; and God cannot sin.

By Jesus’s baptism Jesus declared John as a prophet, endorsing his ministry, and teachings, that his standard of righteousness was valid. If Jesus accepted the teachings of John as valid, then, he was to be received. They later rejected the messenger and the King. That is, the religious establishment rejected him, and not many paid any mind that the head of the baptist was served on a kings platter (14:1-9). By His baptism Jesus affirmed it [the message of the baptism] as the will of God, His Father, to which all are to be subjected.

We must follow the example our King left us when he was among us of humble birth, and accept God’s message and messenger; and in the example of His baptism. We being baptized into His death, and raised in His life.

Righteousness Fulfilled

/ Tim A. / 6 Comments

Matthew 3:13-17 continuing…

One of the things that we must realize is that the reason for Jesus’s coming was to glorify His Father, and another was to fulfill all righteousness. When He came to present Himself for baptism He was not only glorifying His Father, and fulfilling righteousness; He was also doing a third thing. This was God’s endorsement, approval of John Baptist’s ministry.

Fulfilling righteousness, meant that He must meet every real requirement of the Law of God. By being baptised He was identifying Himself with man as the God-Man. He was also illustrating, and committing Himself to the righteous requirements of His Father and the law. Had He not done so He would not have fulfilled all righteousness.

Jesus did not make a dramatic approach onto this scene. He did approach with intention and purpose, and that was to be baptised by John. By His coming to John it does show that John is His herald and prophet. It would be good at this point to realize what John said when he saw Jesus coming, and it is not recorded in Matthew’s gospel, but it is in the Gospel of John (written by the apostle John, not John Baptist); “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. John is the one who declares Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Now, that is the ministry of the herald of the King of kings.

One other thing we will see in these few verses is that this King of kings is audibly confirmed by His heavenly Father. No kingship is genuine lest it be given and approved by God, the king maker.

Vv. 13-14 –

The major announcement which was made by the herald of the King is found in John 1:29, and is quoted above. “The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”. That is a wonderful, powerful, majestic announcement of John concerning the appearance of Jesus as he is baptizing in the Jordan River. Surely everyone who was there recognized the meaning of this declaration. They knew what the Old Testament laws were, what they said, and what they meant. They had heard all the prophecies of the Scriptures.

John, at first did not want to baptize Jesus. In this very action he was recognizing and declaring the deity of Jesus. He recognized him as being sinless, when he declared, “I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?”

John had rejected baptizing hypocrites because they were unworthy, but rejects baptizing Jesus because He is without sin. John has an excellent gift of discernment. Of course his heart is right, and desires to fulfill righteousness, and he sees that what Jesus speaks is the truth, therefore, he goes ahead and baptizes Jesus.

The heart’s desire for every Christian is to see that the righteousness of God is lived out in their lives. Let’s begin to see that righteousness of Christ fulfilled in us by the power of God’s Spirit. Learn of the King, and learn from the King.

The Head of the Kingdom

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Matthew 3:1-12 concluded.

vv. 10-12

Now, I realize there is a bit of duplication of the verses, but I guess you could call that writers, or author’s privilege. In looking at these verses – using verse 10 a second time – I want us to see the HEAD OF THE KINGDOM. John confronted the legalists of the Pharisees, and the unspiritual Sadducees with their wickedness and unwilling, disobedient hearts, and has warned them of the “Ax laid to the root of the trees…”

My thought for this is, “Just who is swinging the ax?” It must be, and most assuredly is the King of the kingdom. John’s condemnatory preaching to them concerning their fruit, or lack thereof, shows they had no heart for God, right, or holiness.

The HEAD OF THE KINGDOM Jesus the Messiah will be the One who judges the fruit of the tree. Every unfruitful tree will be cut down and burned. Remember Jesus cursing the fig tree and it died. It was similar to these so called religious leaders who were professing fruit, but had none. The fig trees had leaves, but bore no fruit. Wasn’t it “figleaves” which Adam and Eve used to cover themselves in the garden. That is a state of declaration rather than a question. The fig leaves were hiding the evidence of no fruit, and yet saying it bore fruit.

John was baptizing the willing and obedient unto repentance. These baptized were confessing their sinfulness, giving themselves to repentance and cleansing from sin. There was a need for repentance in that day. There is a great need for repentance in our day, 2007. Yet, people want feel good sermons, songs that move them to tears, and great emotion, but do not lead to sorrow over sin.

When an individual receives the grace of God through Jesus Christ they are baptized in the Spirit. In that baptism there is cleansing by the fire and water of God’s holy Word, and the Spirit. There is a purging of sin. The old chaff [ie., the waste, the good for nothing junk of life, the stench of a dead, rotting corpse, the joy stealing self obsorbtion, etc.] are all burned away, and cast out.

Just as John and Jesus came preaching repentance; so too does it need preached today. It not only needs preached it needs to be lived out in our lives. When we truly repent, Jesus is Lord of our lives, and He is then, truly worshipped and glorified, and others will see Him in us, as the HEAD OF THE KINGDOM.

Stinky Rags???

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vv. 8-10

These religious leaders had come to see John Baptist; thinking or hoping they could gain some pull with him. They quickly found out they could not. They were quickly condemned and without apology.

They also, quickly learned that there was no benefit for them of being descendants of Abraham. No more than being born in a garage makes one a car. There is no security in one’s ancestry – not for eternity, unless your ancestry is being reborn into Jesus Christ, ie., being born again. They will be judged by their faith and the works that they did (James 2:17; Rev. 20:12).

Those who believe that their good works will out weigh the bad deeds they have done; as though God has a scale to weigh works; need to realize God is not like the lady justice who is blindfolded; God judges with His eyes wide open, and He sees quite clearly. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). In that day of judgment at the Great White Throne you will be judged by your works, and will be found lacking. All God will see is “Filthy rags”, and it will be a stench to be cast out for the burning.

The Baptist and the Sticks

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

Matthew 3:1-12 continuing…

v. 7 –

Let’s take a look at the confrontation that takes place between the Baptist, the legalists and the liberals. John Baptist immediately recognizes them as poisonous snakes, and he calls them such. Now, today, we would hear comments from the crowd, if a preacher were to say something so brash. Some would say, “He shouldn’t have said that”; others might add, “Well, that was just rude”, still others might say, “You can’t draw a crowd like that”. Did John care? I think he cared for the people, but not for the cold hearted attitudes of these rebellious religious leaders who cared nothing for the truth or whether the Messiah was coming or not.

These “Leaders” were subtle like a serpent. There is evidence that there were some serpents in the land of Israel that appear as sticks as they lay so still, and unmoving; someone could inadvertantly pick one up and be bitten by it. John’s condemnation of them immediately relates them to their spiritual father – the devil. Later Jesus Himself would call them a “Brood of vipers” (Matthew 23:33).

Calling religious leaders a “Brood of vipers” would certainly not be a way to get into goods with the denominational crowd or elite. It is not the way to win friends and influence people. At least not according to our modern folklore. Preaching is out. Singing, concerts, drama, sports, etc. is what is the in thing. What ever works to draw a crowd – do it.

The Baptist was faithful to his calling. He remained the herald of the Messiah until his death by the hands of Herod who had him beheaded for the pleasure of his adultery and adulterous wife and step daughter.

To all the men of God who stand in the pulpits of the churches around the world; BE FAITHFUL TO GOD’S CALL – PREACH THE WORD. Never stop. Do not let the praise of men cause you to do the opposite of preaching. Make the preaching of God’s Word central in all you do. Preach for repentance. Preach for Jesus sake. Preach for the glory of Jesus.

People of the churches; stand beside your pastor/preacher if he is preaching the Word. Pray for him. Encourage him. If you do not have a crowd in your church and your pastor is preaching faithfully the Word of God, then pray, and reach out to those you work with, those you hosts in your home, just keep being faithful to God’s Word.

Religious, but Condemned

/ Tim A. / 3 Comments

It is sad to say, but when we look at verses 7 – 9, the religious leaders came out to hear John, and evidently their whole attitude stank to heaven, because John, filled with the Spirit of God quickly jumps their case, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham”. He knew how to win friends among the religious elite, didn’t he. It is quite apparent from the Gospel accounts, that these religious nobles actually hated John, but could do nothing with him because of the people. He had the people’s ear, and they did not.

The Pharisees were sticklers of the law, conservative when it came to the Scriptures, but they were very legalistic, and never obeyed it in many ways themselves, by giving themselves loopholes that the people knew nothing of. They were very self-righteous.

Another group was the Saducees. They were very different from the Pharisees, because they did not believe in much, if anything, spiritual. You might call them the liberals among the groups. They claimed acceptance of the “Law of Moses” – our first five books of the Bible, but claimed no obedience to it. They did not believe in the supernatural – no angels, or bodily resurrection of the dead. I am pretty sure they would have equated the miracles of the deliverance from Egypt of the Israelite’s a mere metaphor or something. Elijah being caught up in a chariot of fire was probably a wild legend, or again a metaphor for some teaching purpose. Naaman would not have actually been healed of leprosy by dipping seven times in the muddy stream, and he probably wasn’t even healed at all in their way of thinking. Some one once made the statement, “No wonder they are called Saducees, for they are sad you see.”

I have already mentioned that we should not judge motives, but maybe that is what I am going to do now with these two groups. They are already condemned. Any of them who never trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior are condemned for all eternity. Any of them who did go ahead and trust Jesus is in glory by now, so there is no way my judgment of them will make things any better or worse. It just makes me wonder what was their motive for being there to here John preach, since John asked them, “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come” (v. 7)? It may have been out of curiosity. They may have heard about this preacher who was preaching about the coming of Messiah, calling for repentance, getting the hearts of people ready to receive their King. What was it about John that drew a crowd. There are preachers and religious leaders like that in 2007, who are more curious about how to draw a crowd, than about the preaching of God’s Word. No where are we commanded to draw a crowd. They probably came to check the message John was preaching. Was he really a prophet. They could tell. They knew when a prophet was among them. Maybe they also thought that they could gain his approval, and they could share in some of the crowd, and eventually take over the Baptist movement.

The Pharisees were ‘legalist’, and they offered no hope to anyone, except all who were perfect. They never found anyone like that, but themselves. Their humility is preposterous, and non-existent. They may have been the conservative group, but they were Jesus haters, and despisers. They led in the taking of Jesus to trial and crucifixion. They actually hated the truth of God’s Word, and especially His Living Word. Believing His Word we would trust Jesus, and follow Him.

The Saducees believed in nothing spiritual. According to them there was no resurrection of the dead, no angels, no life after death at all. What a sad existence that would be. That would be motive for eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. There is, however, life after death, and it can be spent in one of two places. There is hell for all who refuse and reject Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. There is Heaven for all who hear the call of the Father to His Son, and trust in His death, burial and resurrection. You will see Him face to face. Confess Him now as Lord, or do it then, and be cast alive into the lake of fire which burns forever; ie., Hell. God in His love, has positioned the cross between you and Hell to keep you from going there. You must come to Him.

Judge Not???

/ Tim A. / 4 Comments

In everything MOTIVE is everything. Why was the herald of the King delivering this message? What was his motive? To answer that question in one sentence; it seems to me that John was doing it because he knew the King, and that His kingdom was coming, and he wanted the people to be prepared for the King. He also knew that those without repentance are unfit for the kingdom of God’s glory, and cannot enter into it. There are two aspects to this kingdom; first, The outer – having to do with the outward appearances; false professions. Second, the inner – having to do with the genuine, abiding of the Spirit of the Lord in the heart. This is the part that Jesus is most concerned with.

We have heard it said – especially those who are pastors, or preachers, etc,. – “Well, we aren’t supposed to judge.” We may look at it sometime in the future at a little greater length and detail, but when Jesus said, “Judge not, lest ye be judged” He did not have in mind of not coming to a conclusion about the fruit of an individuals life. “O, we aren’t supposed to judge; so let’s just be quiet, and let them go on in their lifestyle”. We would not dare say “…Sinful lifestyle”, afterall that would be judging according to this interpretation. This is the conclusion which I have reached concerning Jesus’s words about judging – We should never judge another’s MOTIVE for doing something. I must say I have done it myself. When I have heard of a wealthy individual contributing millions to a needy cause; my thoughts say, “He is only doing it to call attention to himself, and/or his business.” That is not my judgment to make, that is only for God to judge.

I dare say that when John came preaching repentance; he saw a sinful people, and he did not mince words about it. John’s MOTIVE was clear. He was preparing the way of the King who was coming. Lord help my MOTIVE be to prepare Your way, and to see the hearts of many people know You as their Lord, Savior, and King.

In his ministry John preached genuine repentance; not a washed out repentance; that when it is all over nothing has changed. The baptism he baptized with was as a sign of the repentance of sin. It did not save, because only Jesus the King can save. These repentant hearts were now prepared to receive their King.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO RECEIVE KING JESUS.

The Message of Repentance

/ Tim A. / 5 Comments

Matthew 3:1-12 continuing…

 “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 2).

The next thing we see is the message of the herald. It was a message which needs to be proclaimed and heard today. The world does not need to hear little mamby, pamby, sissy messages of movie previews and reviews, and learning social skills. The message the world needs, and that religious people need is the same one John came preaching – repentance. The world needs to know they have sinned and grieved the heart of God, and that He is angry with their sin, but loves them, and has shown that love by judging sin upon His own Son on the cross. Repentance equals change – a complete reversal in direction. Repentance is a sorrow for abusing the glory of God, and changing your actions, your thoughts, your beliefs accordingly. When we look at those that came to hear John we see several religious elites who came, seeking the baptism of repentance, but John was quick to see that their hearts and lives were not in it. One’s religious heritage makes no difference; if there is no repentance they are without Christ.

The world today is in peril. The return of the Lord is closer than it has ever been, and the wickedness of mankind keeps degressing from worse to worse. Now, I know that sounds really negative, and I guess it is, but sometimes negative is the truth. A battery has no power without the negative; but when you put the negative and positive together you get POWER. If you do not believe it just go out to your car, truck or whatever you drive, and disconnect the negative cable from the battery; go ahead and see if it will start. I will guarantee that it will not. Put a piece of tape on the negative side of a regular “Energizer” type battery, put it in your i-Pod or whatever; see if you have anything. Again YOU WON’T. Positive has nothing without Negative. Before there is a positive response of people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ they must know that they need a Savior. With murders, rapes, robberies, home invasions, carjackings, and just out and out debauchery occurring daily it is time we proclaimed the fallenness of mankind, not be trying to tell them how good they/we are.

REPENT. Turn to the One who paid the penalty for your sin. That is King Jesus.

Messenger for the King

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Matthew 3:1-12 continued…

The message of Christ the King is a message that calls for change in living. When we here the call of this message of Jesus Christ the King it is not without merit, or aid from the King. He also calls those who have been changed to be like John the Baptist, and preach His message wherever we are, and in whatever we are doing. Just as John Baptist was a Messenger of the King, so too, are those who have been chosen by the King.

Let’s first look at the first six verses. Isaiah 40:3 is quoted in verse three of this chapter. In those days of John this is the way things were done by kings and monarchs. They would first send a “Herald” letting all the subjects of the kingdom that the king was on the way. That way the people would be prepared to present themselves to him. If they were not prepared then, that was their responsibility. John Baptist was the herald for King Jesus.

As we look at the herald of the King here is what we find about him. John Baptist was a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth; “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God” Luke 1:15-16 – this was spoken by the ‘angel of the Lord’ to Zacharias concerning the birth of their son John in their old age. John was a man who was set for greatness (“And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” Luke 1:17); of course, you would not think it to look at the way he dressed, and his “Social skills” were something that would make most of us blush. Jesus spoke of his greatness, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” Matthew 11:11. He would follow the pattern of Elijah according to Luke 1:17. Elijah is sometimes referred to as the Prophet of Fire. Elijah trusted the Lord completely when it came to challenging the so called ‘prophets of Baal’. John was not afraid to challenge the Herods of His day. John came calling the people away from a dead and lifeless religious system to the source of light and life. It was dead and lifeless because the hearts of the people had grown cold, and hard to the Lord and His word.

Will you be a HERALD FOR THE KING? It starts with you making sure your heart and life is right with the King. That is King Jesus.

The Response of the Wise

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Matthew 2:1-23 conclusion…

 

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way” Matthew 2:11-12.

We have already looked at the testimony of the Magi, but now let’s finalize this study of the second chapter of Matthew by seeing the RESPONSE OF THE MAGI [wise men]. They first learned of the birth of this King by the appearance of a “Star”. As far as I am concerned it was a star; a very special star made up of the Glory of God just for this time, and this very special King. The fact that it moved suggest to me that it could have been the very Glory of God showing the way to the Lamb of God born in a manger.

These Wise men followed the Glory of God which had shined and led. When the wise men went to Jerusalem they went to the evil king Herod asking where the King of the Jews was to be born. He did not know. Herod called for the Priests and Scribes, who could have cared less, but did have a knowledge of the prophecies, but they did not go with the wise men. When they found out the baby would be born in Bethlehem, they were told by Herod to come and tell him so he could go and worship Him too.

When the wise men find Jesus, in a “House” they bowed and worshipped Him, and gave him “Their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Their first response when they see Jesus is worship. Surely there must have been something different about the appearance of Jesus as they saw Him in their house. By the time the wise men found Jesus He could have been as much as two years of age. He was no longer the babe lying in a manger, but two year old child walking about the house, and probably talking as well.

Their second response was to give Him gifts. These are gifts given to kings. Gold is a precious metal of royalty; Frankincense is a precious fragrance of royalty; and Myrrh is another precious fragrance of royalty usually used in burials.

The response of those who are found by Him should be to worship Him, trust His Word the Scriptures of the Holy Bible, and know that all He has said will be fulfilled. THE WISE WORSHIP HIM – THE FOOLISH REMAIN INDIFFERENT.

Indifference In The Pulpits

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Matthew 2:1-23 continuing

“And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet…” Matthew 2:4-5

Sometimes, even many times we are surprised by those who are religious leaders; look at the INDIFFERENCE OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE SCRIBES. The Chief priests had political and religious power. They were originally to descend from Aaron brother of Moses. During the time of Jesus this had become an office of political favor and could be purchased for the ‘right price’.

These men were supposed to be in charge of the temple, and its sacrifices. They were profiteers rather than servants of God and the people. That will later be seen in Jesus’s entering the temple area and upsetting the ‘Money changers’ tables. These would tell someone who had brought their own lamb for sacrifice that it had a blemish, thus was unfit as a sacrifice; sell this individual another lamb; then turn around and sell the one they had said was blemished to another unsuspecting customer. O, the power that religion holds on people. O, the shame it should be to all those who are truly in Christ Jesus; to see those who make profits from the selling of “healing merchandise”, “Handkerchiefs’, ‘cloths”, “Holy Oils” “a piece of the cross”, etc.; for the purpose of healing, blessing or whatever. THIEF.

These “Priests”, by representation, should have been seeking the Messiah, but it seems they had no care for it. These were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of their people “Israel”, but they were bought and paid for by the political system, and their own greed. The people who call themselves Christian must needs be very cautious when dealing in the political arena. There should never be an offer of material benefit for a candidate, nor receipt of material benefit from a candidate. The Christian person, nor Christian ministry is for sale. In case someone misunderstands I will state it again. The Christian is not for sale, nor is the ministry of the Word of God. I for one will not be found to be a part of the “woman” riding the beast of “Democracy” (Rev. 17:3).

The Scribes were authorities on Jewish law and the Scriptures. They too were negligent in searching for the Messiah. They were more concerned with the thing which are at hand. The coming of Messiah would take care of itself. There is a like negligence of the prophecies of God’s Word today; a denying of their importance. Wake up Christian. Wake up pastors. These Scribes just had no care. They too, were bound up in the office of their position, rather than in the One who came, and is coming again. I really hate to admit it, but that is the attitude I see in far too many pastors in 2007.

The Testimony of the Foolish

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Matthew 2:1-23 continuing…

“When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” Matthew 2:3; “And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also” 2:8; “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men” 2:16.

Another thing, the third thing we look at is the TESTIMONY OF HEROD’S JEALOUSY AND HOSTILITY. Herod was actually only a Roman appointed king of the Jews. He married a Jewish heiress in order to make himself more acceptable to the Jews. He was cruel and merciless. He was so incredibly jealous; even to the point of killing his own sons to protect ‘his’ throne.

Herod was troubled because he already saw this baby as a threat to his political and military power. This is the Herod known as “Herod the Great”. This Herod is founder of the famous and infamous line of Herods, and he ruled from 37 – 4 B.C.. In Psalm 2:1-2 we read, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed,…”. Surly, Herod the Great was the first to attempt the destruction of the Lord as He became a man.

This king was a man who was not beyond using deception to get information that he wanted, espcially if it affected his reign. He would deceive, lie, kill, do whatever it took to preserve his kingdom. He lied to the Magi to try and find out where this baby was; “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” (vv.7-8). Herod had no intention of worshipping this new born king. He would kill him, but not worship him. That is, if there had not been divine providence involved. One day Herod will fall down and worship at the feet of this King; whom he tried to kill; and will call Him Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).

One thing is for sure; God preserves His Word, ie., His Son, and the written Word; and those who trust Him. Those who try to destroy Him will be destroyed.

Looking For the King

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Matthew 2:1-23 continued…

“Saying, 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” Matthew 2:2.

The second thing we look at is the TESTIMONY OF THE MAGI. The Magi were probably from the area of Persia, and were known as astrologers and/or magicians. This is by no means an approval on those practices of evil. It shows still the darkness of their hearts, but also a drawing power of God’s Spirit to people who do not know Him. The testimony of Daniel was strong even 450 years later.

So, what was the testimony of these Gentile “Magicians”? They came to the king, one who thought he was the king of Jerusalem, to find out where this King would be born (v. 2). First of all it seems they had a testimony of God’s Word. They had heard this message of a coming King of the Jews from somewhere and it must have been from the Scriptures which Daniel had written. They must have read of the “Stone cut out without hands”,

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Daniel 2:34. “Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Daniel 2:45.

The very fact that these men are seeking Him says much about who it is. Why would these men who held much importance for the king of Persia at the time be going off following a “Star”? Didn’t they have important matters to attend to? I mean by that things they would have considered important. Maybe they had other men who filled in for them in performing their duties.

One of the things that certainly can be said of these “Magi” is that they were seekers of the truth. In that endeavor we all should be, and those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior have been found by Him.

The testimony of the Magi troubled king Herod. He was, according to historians of that time, a very jealous man. He was the “King of Jerusalem”, and no one was going to have his throne. Are you troubled by this King, or do you find life, hope, peace, joy, and eternal life in Him?

Evidence of Scripture

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THE ACTIONS OF WISE AND FOOLISH MEN

Matthew 2:1-23  There will be further posts from chapter 2 of Matthew

We are given evidence of the Kingship of Jesus. It is shown by the actions of men; both foolish and wisemen. There is evidence provided us by Scriptures which have been fulfilled only in the person of Jesus Christ. These evidences should evoke the sinner to ascribe to Him His worth by receiving Him; and the saint by ascribing all our worship to Him, through our love by obedience to His commandments.

In this chapter the “Wise men” are of course those who come seeking the one who was “Born King of the Jews”. Herod, of course, is one of the foolish men who by Hiis very act of free will was used to fulfill the very Word of God by his act of hatred.

We are not told how many of these “Wise men” there were. It has mostly been assumed that there were three, because when they brought their gifts to Jesus there was only three gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh (v. 11). Where did these wise men come from. It very well could be that these were men who came from the area around Persia, and their knowledge of Scripture could probably be traced back to Daniel (See Daniel 5:11). There is no evidence to back this up, but is only a possibility. Wherever they came from; whoever they were; somewhere they had gained a knowledge of a coming King of the Jews.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem” Matthew 2:1; “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son” 2:13-15; Verses 17-23 are also included in this section.

First of all let’s look at the EVIDENCE OF SCRIPTURE (v. 6). Now concerning the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem Micah the prophet wrote by the breath of God, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (5:2). There are some who believe Jesus was merely a man who plotted to meet all the Scriptural evidence, and as if the Holy Spirit knew this would happen, He gives us evidence of His birth, knowing no man can plot or plan the place of their birth. I speak as a man to men. Concerning the escape from out of Egypt (vv. 13-15), we find Hosea writing by God’s breath, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (11:1). Certainly a reference to Jesus’s coming out of Egypt as a child.

In verses 17-18 of our text we find it proclaimed in Scripture, “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not” Jeremiah 31:15. This was a proclamation of the hideous act of Herod’s jealousy, and his slaughter of innocent children two years of age and under. O, how there must have been much weeping when the soldiers came with swords, and the blood of infants flowed in the homes and streets of Ramah.

“He shall be called a Nazarene” (v. 23b). According to many scholars there are no written prophecies available to us which this would refer. It is interesting to note a few Scriptures which speak of Jesus being despised. The word ‘Nazarene’ could be a reference to one who is despised or detestable.

“Nazareth, an obscure town 55 mi. N of Jerusalem, was a place of lowly reputation, and nowhere mentioned in the OT. Some have suggested that ‘Nazarene’ is a reference to the Heb. word for brance in Isaiah 11:1. Others point out that Matthew’s statement that ‘prophets’ had made this prediction may be a reference to verbal prophecies nowhere recorded in the OT. A still more likely explanation is that Matthew is using ‘Nazarene’ as a synonym for someone who is despised or detestable–for that was how people from the region were often characterized (cf. John 1:46). If that is the case, the prophecies Matthew has in mind would include Ps.22:6-8; Is. 49:7; 53:3.” From the MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE pg. 1396.

Those Scriptures say, “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” Psalm 22:6-8. From Isaiah we read, ” Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.” Isaiah 49:7; “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3.

It is possible that more than one prophet wrote of Jesus being called a Nazarene. Matthew does mention, “…Which was spoken by the prophets…” (v. 23). Jesus was from Nazareth. He was despised of men and rejected. How do you see Jesus?

God’s Fulfilled Promises (2)

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Matthew 1:18-25 continued…

Joseph, then, obeyed the voice of God, and went and took Mary as his wife. He too had a heart similar to Mary’s, after the Angel came and confirmed Mary’s words to him. There does not seem to be a moments hesitation. In order to save he and Mary from some embarrassment they probably had their marriage soon after Joseph’s receiving the message.

It is so very important to believe the Word of God. It tells us these things of Jesus. His coming into the world, just like the rest of us, but as the seed of God, not of man. Note what verse 22 tells us, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet…”.

The virgin birth of Jesus is acknowledged by the Holy Spirit in the writing of Scripture, and in the conception of Jesus. Mary knew herself to be a virgin (Luke 1:34). Her virginity was evidence of her godliness. Her virginity protected the divine nature of the Son of God. If he would have been born of Joseph, or any other man he would have no divine nature.

The baby which was conceived by the Spirit of God was declared to be a “Son” by the Angel before this baby was born (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21). This was a long time before there was ‘ultra sound’, or any medical technology we know of in 2007. Joseph is to name Him Jesus; “He shall save His people from their sins”. The name ‘Jesus’ means “Jehovah will save”. In Hebrew it is the name ‘Joshua’.

The birth of this very special baby by the virgin is in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament. In particular Isaiah 7:14. Matthew’s Gospel continues throughout the Gospel to connect Jesus to the Old Testament. There are more Old Testament references in the Gospel of Matthew than in all the other Gospels. There are at least 100 references to the Old Testament with at least 93 actual references in this Gospel. This strongly shows us God’s power to keep His Word and fulfill His promises. Mary was indeed a virgin at the time of conception and at the time of the birth of Jesus. Immanuel – ‘God with us’ – God became man and dwelt among us.

There was a consummation of the virgin birth by Joseph’s determined action to be the husband of Mary and the legal father of Jesus. In essence the action was an act of obedience – obeying the messenger of God who came and confirmed the words of Mary. Joseph protected the virginity of Mary until after the child Jesus was born. There are some who want to continue to maintain the virginity of Mary even after the birth of Jesus, but this is fallacious; it has no merit at all up against the Scriptures. The fallacy of it is seen in the final verse – 25. “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS”. It is seen in chapter 12:46; and again in chapter 13:55-56; and again in Mark 6:3. To deny the virgin birth of Jesus Christ is to deny the truth which Jesus Himself spoke unto us. “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30); “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). Who would or should even call Him a “Good man” if He told us nothing but lies? I am so thankful that the Word of God is true, trustworthy, completely reliable, and every word is God-breathed. Jesus was more than a ‘good man’; He is the God-man.

The virgin birth of Jesus is declared by the Old and New Testaments. It is believed by God’s people, by all who know His Son Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It does not matter who denies it or rejects it; it is the truth. Because of the virgin birth of Jesus we have further evidence of the reality, validity, and power of the life of Jesus. The way the world has been changed by the person, and the witness of Jesus is evidence of the truth of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures are fulfilled because of this truth. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is consummated every time a sinner is born of God.

Fulfilled Promises

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GOD’S FULFILLED PROMISESMatthew 1:18-25

This part of the study in Matthew’s Gospel has to do with one of the most controversial subjects concerning the birth of Jesus. That is the fact that He was virgin born. There is much importance to be placed upon this truth. The deity of Jesus Christ and His very own character hang on this truth. To doubt this truth is to doubt the very words of Jesus Himself, because if He was not virgin born, then He was not and is not deity; He is not the Son of God; His death is no different than the thieves who died along side of Him and He was most deserving of His death.

We could ask the question, “Why is the virgin birth so important?” I believe that question is answered in the paragraph above. It is important because it gives us evidence of the truth of who Jesus is. If He was born of a virgin, then, He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14; and since He fulfilled that one He also fulfilled all the others concerning His first coming, and will fulfill all those concerning His return.

We do know that there have been myths of other religions which claimed someone was virgin born, but those prove to be nothing more than myth. These are attempts to deify their heroes or heroines. Within Roman Catholicism there is a teaching of Mary’s being virgin born; often referred to as “Immaculate Conception”, thus putting her in the level of deity. The thought is that Mary must be sinless, perfect, pure, clean, in order to bear the Son of God who is in fact “God with us’ – ‘Immanuel”. If you take that conclusion then, Mary’s mother would have to be “Immaculately born”, and her mother, and her mother, all the way back to Eve, before they fell. That did not happen. Mary, the mother of Jesus Immanuel, Son of God, was not without sin, she was not born of a virgin, and she herself recognized Jesus as her Savior (Luke 6:46-48). There is no Scriptural evidence to prove anything, but that Mary needed a Savior, she went on and became the mother of other children (v. 25; 12:46). There is no veneration due unto Mary. She is not a co-redemptrix. She is a sinner who has been saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Should we admire her? Yes! She obeyed God and became the mother of our Savior. O, that more of us had the heart of Mary, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” Luke 1:38.

There are some who profess to be Christians but do not believe the virgin birth of Christ to have been possible. Can one be a Christian, and not believe that Jesus Christ was born of Mary who was a virgin at the time of His birth? It would seem that an individual who is coming to Jesus by faith at the early stages of faith would not necessarily know of this doctrine, but as they grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus, they would learn of it and believe it. They would believe it because the virgin birth of Immanuel was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, and fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23 and Luke 1:26-37. As evidence of one’s salvation they will believe the Word of God, and God says Jesus was born of Mary who was a virgin at the time of His birth. Jesus was conceived in the womb of a virgin by the Spirit of God, and she remained a virgin until after His birth. Argue against the virgin birth of Jesus Christ all you want. Say, “Well that is just not possible.” With the technology we have today it is possible for a young woman to have a child without ever having sexual intercourse with a man. In the physical act she could still be considered a virgin (I guess), but the very fact of the implanting of the seed, or the embryo it would still be the seed of a man, not God. All things are possible with God.

When Mary told Joseph of her encounter with God he did not believe her. He loved Mary, and was going to divorce her privately. Divorce was necessary, because in that culture ‘betrothel’ was as binding as the actual marriage. It was much more than the “engagements” our culture knows here in the United States which can be broken off with a moments notice. Joseph, “Being a just man…” knew the child was not his. He was not going to embarass her, nor did he desire to bring harm to her, but his first thought was ‘Divorce’ but privately. She had betrayed him – so he thought – so he could do this according to law. It was not to be. God sent His angel to Joseph to confirm everything Mary had said. “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (vv. 20-23).

It is great to know that He is still with us.  He is always with us, and will never forsake those who trust in Him.

Ancestry of Sinners

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ANCESTRY OF SINNERS

Matthew 1:1-17 continued…

There is evidence of Jewish Royalty in an ancestry of sinners. This genealogy is evidence of divine lineage of Jesus, and succession of God’s establishment of

a people. It is given so that man may have proof of Jesus’s true identity. You could call this Gospel ‘The Identity Papers of Jesus the King’ It is proof positive that Jesus is the King of kings. For those who will not believe these papers, they would not believe my birth certificate either. I have much more confidence in God’s Birth Certificates than I do those that are manmade.

There are five people who are included in the genealogy of Jesus that most noble people would not want to claim, but here they are in the lineage of our Lord Jesus who is King of all kings, Lord of all lords, and He rules the Universe, and all that is within it. There is Tamar who deceived her father in law and committed an act of harlotry (Matthew 1:3; Gen. 38:13-30). Tamar is a representation of sin. The second person we see is Rahab, and she was a prostitute in the city of Jericho who was delivered from Jericho’s destruction because of her faith in the God of Israel (Matthew 1:5; Joshua 2:1-21; 6:23); Rahab is the representation of faith; she later married a Jew by the name of Salmon, and these were the proud parents of Boaz. And that leads us to the third woman and her name is Ruth – a Moabitish woman who was forbidden by law to enter the congregation; she represents the principle of grace (Matthew 1:5; Deut. 23:3-6; Ruth 1:16; 3:19; 4:18-22). These three women were Gentile women, and Tamar was a Canaanite (Gen 38:2) one of the peoples who were to be driven from the land of Promise and killed. The next woman on the list is not even named; she is instead called, “of her that had been the wife of Uriah” (v.6). We know her as Bathsheba – the partner in David’s great sin of adultery and murder, and she represents the principle of forgiveness. It is possible that Bathsheba was also a Gentile woman. How is all this possible? It shows that the God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament. He is a God of grace and mercy, and made a way for all to trust Him and be eternally saved.

The fifth and final woman mentioned in this kingly genealogy is Mary. A woman loved, respected, and admired by many. It is so sad however to see some who hold her in an attitude of worship, and to go through her to Jesus. That is pure idolatry and forbidden. Jesus alone is worthy of our worship and we need no mediator to get to Jesus. He is the Mediator for us to the Father. Mary is to be loved, respected, admired and we should follow her in the willing example of faith that she displayed when the angel came and told her that she would bear a Son. Luke recorded, by the breath of God, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” O, that we had a heart like Mary.

When it came to the moment of the conception and birth of the King, the Son of God, the mother must be as pure as is possible, and God chose Mary; a virgin – not just a young woman, which she probably was, but a virgin who had never had sexual intercourse with a man. God protects His purity. Matthew spares nothing to proclaim the virgin birth of Jesus.

Mary does have something in common with the other four women of this genealogy. They are all guilty of , or accused of sexual immorality. It is certain that people of Mary’s and Joseph’s town knew they were “Betrothed” which in that culture was much more than engagement for our culture. It would have taken Joseph to write a legal letter of divorcement for the marriage to cease, but he did not do that. There must have been suspicious, gossiping tongues, as they were seen together before there wedding became official. Mary was not without sin. She was a sinner, in need of a Savior, and she gave birth to her own Savior and ours. What a wonderful lady. We have much to thank Mary for.

Jesus is the only Jew, since 70 A.D., who know His genealogy, and can prove it. “Providence is God’s control of circumstances so that His will prevails in spite of the disobedience of man.” W.W. Wiersbe EXPOSITION OUTLINE pg. 9.

The genealogy of Jesus still continues today. NO! It is not like Dan Brown in THE DIVINCI CODE says which is nothing but purly fiction, and the thoughts of a warped mind. Who is in this genealogy today? All sinners who confess their sin, repent, and trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; those who believe God and act on their faith that He gives; those whom God has chosen by His grace; those who have received God’s forgiveness; those who have surrendered to God’s will for their lives. Those who have been born into the family by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross, His body buried – carrying our sins away; and by His being raised to life again after three days. He ascended into Heaven. He will come again, and set up His kingdom.

God’s Faithful Providence (1)

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This is the beginning of a new series.  I pray that God will speak to your heart as He has to mine in its preparation.  It is a study in the Gospel of Matthew.  I know the Modern Day Magi spent most of 2006 writing on this same Gospel, and he did a wonderful job.  With me it will just be coming from a different thought, because I am a different person.  The final chapter of the TWELVE REASONS FOR BELIEVING IN THE PRETRIBULATION RAPTURE will be posted on Monday – the Lord willing.

JESUS THE KING

 

GOD’S FAITHFUL PROVIDENCE

Matthew 1:1-17

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a genealogy of the King of the Hebrews. Matthew’s Gospel was written to the Hebrew. It is written so they might know that Jesus is their King. At the time they were blinded by their own religious practices, and ceremonies, and self-righteousness as a nation, but Jesus was at that time their Messiah and King and to this day is their King.

The following is the outline Warren W. Wiersbe gives for the Gospel according to Matthew in THE BIBLE EXPOSITION COMMENTARY –

I. The Revelation Of The King – chapters 1-10;

II. The Rebellion Against The King – chapters 11-13;

III. The Retirement Of The King – chapters 14-20;

IV. The Rejection Of The King – chapters 21-27;

V. The Resurrection Of The King – chapter 28

The Gospel begins with Jesus, and His genealogy beginning with Abraham; not Adam. Abraham the father of the Hebrews and their relationship to God the Father. In the Gospel of Luke the genealogy is given backwards and ends with Adam, showing Jesus to be the Son of Man. The Gospel of Mark has no genealogy, nor does the Gospel of John. Servants have no genealogy as in Mark’s account, nor does God have genealogy as in the Gospel of John.

By way of introduction let me give some information concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The human penman for this Gospel is Matthew. He was called by Jesus while sitting at his place collecting taxes: “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him” (Matthew 9:9). As a tax collector he would have been a reject to those who were religious rulers, they would have counted him a traitor, because he was collecting taxes from his people for the Roman government.

This Gospel was written to the Jews to declare and give evidence of Jesus’s royal lineage.

Look at the differences of the four Gospels. First of all in Matthew; Jesus is seen as the King, and is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah. For some help in seeing this look at what John wrote in the Revelation chapter four verses six and seven, “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle”. There is a similar depiction of this in the writings of Ezekiel the prophet, “As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle” (Ezekiel 1:10). In Mark’s Gospel; Jesus is seen as a Servant, and is the ox/calf – Jesus Himself said in the Gospel of Mark, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Then in the Gospel of Luke we see Jesus as the Son of Man, and represented, of course by the “face of a man”. Finally in the Gospel of John we see Him as the Son of God, and represented by the symbol of the eagle. The eagle above all, soaring in majesty, representing the All-Knowing power of God.

The Royal Lineage of Jesus is given by Matthew in verses 2 – 16, and with all its blemishes. Do not bolt about that statement, but rather rejoice in it, because actually within the lineage of Jesus are you and me as well.

In this Gospel we see a gracious King. We also see the wondrous providence of our great God and King.

In chapter one we have Matthew’s God breathed declaration of Jewish Royalty. David is considered, by the Jews, and by many others, to be the greatest of Israel’s kings. He was just a youngman when the prophet Samuel came to the household of Jesse by God’s appointment and chose and anointed David king the the place of Saul; in God’s own timing.

Abraham was the patriarch of Israel, and this identifies this gospel to the Jews, and to Jesus as being Jewish. Abraham’s faith is almost unsurpassed in all of the Scriptures and history. His faith speaks volumes for encouragement in growing in Christ, loving the Lord, trusting the Lord despite dire circumstances, and just plain ole ‘Holding on faith’ which is much more of God’s holding on than us holding on.

Jesus, of course, is who this Gospel is really about. But then, that is true of the whole of this book called the Bible. Jesus came and showed the people, and told the people who He was, but was despised by the Jewish religious establishment, and many of the people. He is defended by Matthew, as their King.

Reason # 9

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

REASON # 9 – The Scriptures Refer to “The Blessed Hope”

 

Titus 2:11-15

The first seven reasons we have looked at were 1) The Unfulfilled Promises of God to Israel, 2) Scriptural/Historical Evidence of Previous Raptures, 3) The Scoffers Who Disclaim the Promise of Christ’s Return, 4) Jesus Said He Would Come Again and Take Us To a Prepared Place, 5) The Church Has Not Been Appointed to Wrath, 6) This View Maintains the Imminent Return of Jesus Christ, 7) Because of The Stronger Emphasis on Evangelism and Missions, 8) Because Israel is Put Aside for a Time; The Lord is Working In the Church Today.

Now the ninth reason for believing in the Pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church…

The Scriptures Refer to “The Blessed Hope”…

THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGS SALVATION HAS APPEARED TO ALL MEN (v. 11). The grace of God for salvation has appeared to all in the way of the cross. All are not automatically saved because of the cross, but is possible for every man to be saved.

Having the grace “appear” for all to be saved, then also gives just cause for judgment. The judgment that will come on all who “are of the earth”. These have not received the grace of God, but have shunned this marvelous grace.

 

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED THIS GRACE WE ARE EXHORTED TO LIVE LIVES OF GODLINESS; TO DENY WORLDLINESS, AND UNGODLINESS (v. 12). Because we have received the grace of God we can expect to suffer some tribulation, but not for the purpose of bringing us to salvation.

Our tribulation is for our faith, strengthening, and building of godliness in us. Equipping us for that glorious kingdom that is yet to come – to reign and rule with Jesus.

 

BEING RECIPIENTS OF THE GRACE WE ARE LOOKING FOR THAT ‘BLESSED HOPE’ AND THEN, ‘THE GLORIOUS APPEARING’ OF OUR SAVIOR (v. 13). These are two separate events.

The BLESSED HOPE is the person of Jesus Christ, but there is the event as well. The event is when Jesus returns in the clouds; calls His children by name; and the trumpet sounds; and the call “Come up hither” will be heard by all who will hear His voice. When we hear His voice we will rise to meet Him in the air. The dead in Christ will hear His voice and come out of their graves. I personally believe the graves will be opened, just like Jesus’s grave was opened; not to let Him out, nor to let them out, but to let others see they are not there.

Would there be any “Blessed hope” knowing that we have a period of time ahead of us that is purely for the cleansing of Israel, and that we would be going through it too? Of course, our real hope is Jesus Himself, but He promised to come and receive us to Himself. That seems to me to be deliverance from that Tribulation unto the presence of Jesus.

 

HE IS PRESENTLY WORKING IN US TO PURIFY US, AND TO MAKE US ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS (v. 14). Jesus is presently equipping us; working in us to accomplish His will and purposes for our lives.

For what purpose would be a “Tribulation Period” be for the Church, when He is working in us now? Is that a thought that seeks the heart of the reason? If the restraining presence of God on earth is present, how can evil seem to go out of control? Sin is presently kept in check by the presence of a righteous remnant of people who truly make up the Body of Christ on earth called the Church.

 

THESE WORDS ARE TO BE TAUGHT AND PREACHED FOR EXHORTATION AND REBUKE (v. 15). Does the pastor sin in not presenting the ‘whole counsel of God’? Does the preacher/pastor disobey God and His word by failing to expound the Scriptures concerning the end times?

The answer to both questions most definitely seems to be YES!!! If one third of the Scriptures is prophetic, then, it would seem logical to spend one third of our preaching and teaching in the prophetic Word of God. We may not get it right, but if we expound the Word, and give explanation according to Scripture we will not miss it by far.

Paul says to Titus, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” Titus 2:15 (KJV).

Is there anything “Blessed” about looking for and expecting a wrath to come?

Presently, the Church goes through tribulation that is for our cleansing and purification; there is no future wrath for the Body of Christ.

THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US OF ‘THE BLESSED HOPE’ FOR THE CHURCH, and wrath for the people of the earth.

The Time of the End

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

THE TIME OF THE END

 

Daniel 12:1-13

 

There are those who do not believe that there is a God, or that He can show us a glimpse of the future. All of the last chapter was history, written before it ever happened, and we know that everything happened just as God told Daniel that it would.

If, indeed, God is God, why is it so hard for people to believe that He can and did reveal the future to men like Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the others? When there is wrath coming on the world He has His messengers warning, and exhorting people to turn to God and live. As a matter of fact we have His Word that tells us that He will not act without first send warning of doing so; Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (NKJV). Surely Daniel is a book about God’s revealed secrets to His servant Daniel.

In this twelfth and final chapter the secrets of God just keep coming. In this chapter God even goes so far as to tell us how many Hebrews will be saved in that last day.

 

MICHAEL THE ARCH ANGEL STANDS UP FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD (v. 1). This verse is a continuation from the latter chapter.

It appears that Michael has a special ministry as an arch angel, and that is as protector of the children of Israel, at least during the end of the time of the Gentiles rule on earth, and the “time of Jacob’s trouble”.

In the midst of the tribulation the Antichrist will break the covenant with Israel which he made with them three and one half years earlier (9:27). He will go into the ‘temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4b). He himself will in fact be the “ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION” spoken of by Daniel and by Jesus (Daniel 11:31, 12:11), “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand)” (Matthew 24:15).

All those who are found written in God’s book will be delivered from this “Evil one”. The MacArthur Study Bible note for this says, “The book is the book of the saved (Mal. 3:16-4:3; Luke10:20; Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27)”. It would be the very same book your name and mine is written in because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In fact, the Bible does seem to give some idea as to how many Jews will be delivered. In Zachariah 13:8-9, the prophet wrote from the breath of God, “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” Zechariah 13:8-9 (KJV). One third of the Jewish nation will be delivered and follow their Messiah. Romans 11:26a says, “And so all Israel shall be saved”. That is right this one third is “all Israel”.

 

THERE SHALL BE A RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND A RESURRECTION OF THE UNJUST (vv. 2-3). I have heard for many years of the judgment that is coming for both the just and the unjust. I also know that some people put these judgments at the same point in time. If you look at the statement by itself, then you might certainly come to that conclusion. That is why you must look at what the rest of Scripture says.

In this I will be understanding the “Just” as those who have been justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The “Just” ones have been declared “Just” by our Father Himself, therefore, the only judgment we will see will be what Paul calls the “Judgment Seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:10). This judgment will not be for sin, but rather for the determination of reward. We will be rewarded or suffer loss according to those things that we have did in our body.

Also I will be understanding that the “Unjust” are all those who have refused the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior, all those who are yet condemned in their sin. These having never received Christ will stand before God at what John called the “Great white throne” judgment. Here they will be judged for all their deeds they have done. None will be found who have glorified the Lord, and will be cast alive into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15).

Sometimes the prophets prophesied of two events without really realizing it. They had trouble understanding what they were foretelling. The same is true with Daniel in our present text.

For example; the prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 61, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn…” When this was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ He stopped the reading with, “…To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” The simple reason He stopped there is because it was not, then the time to fulfill the rest of it. That time has not come, even yet, but it will be here soon.

In verse two it refers to those who have died, both the believing and unbelieving. Both will one day come out of their graves. Some will come out of their graves at the rapture of the Church; some will arise at the end of the tribulation period, and will be with Jesus in the Millennial reign of Jesus. However, the wicked, unbelieving dead will not rise until after the Millennial reign. That is when they will go before the GREAT WHITE THRONE of God’s judgment and will be cast alive into the LAKE OF FIRE which burns forever and ever.

Verse three seems to allude to the idea of ‘teachers’ teaching during the tribulation. They will be warning their fellow Hebrews of what this time is all about, and telling them of their Messiah. In doing so they will shine like stars in eternity. This would most likely be the 144,000 that is spoken of in the Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1-5.

 

ENCOURAGEMENT TO KNOW THE WORD OF GOD – PROPHECY IN PARTICULAR – BETTER AS THE TIME APPROACHES (v. 4). According to this angel Daniel is to “Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end”. That means there were things then, Daniel did not understand, now would he understand. God gives light as it is needed, to His people. Daniel did not need to know at his time.

We are in the ‘time of the end’, and God has started giving understanding in many of these things. I personally do not believe that the teaching of the rapture of the Church is relatively new. It is quite clear in Paul’s teachings that he was ready to go at any moment in the rapture, or to satisfy those who say the word “rapture” is not in the Bible; the catching away. I will not get into that here.

Many have looked at this passage, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” as a prophecy of automobiles, airplanes, and man’s great ability to travel – as we do today – and our increase in knowledge in medicine, science, etc. It most likely does not really have anything to do with that.

If we look at the context of the verse, Daniel is writing about what he has written. For Daniel the Book is ‘shut up’ – sealed if you will. As the day of God’s judgment draws closer people who love God and His Word will spend time in its study and will increase in knowledge and understanding of prophecy. When you love God and His Word and spend time in it God will teach you what He decides you need to know.

Understanding prophecy is a motivator to do God’s will. It is a motivator to holy living until the time that Jesus comes again. If we really believe that Jesus’s coming is closer than it has ever been, then, we should be studying, living holy, and working – truly WALIKING WITH GOD.

 

DANIEL’S CURIOSITY IS PUT IN CHECK (vv. 5-9). Daniel is still by the Tigris River (Hiddekel KJV). These who stood on each bank of the river were most likely angels. The “Man clothed in linen” is probably the same personage as in chapter 10:5-9 which is probably a preincarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ. The angels are curious also. One asked the One in linen, “How long…?” This question seems to be asking how long will this time of “Great tribulation” last. The answer comes back, “For a time, times and an half”. Time = 1 year; times = 2 years; and an half = ½ year or six months.

Notice, this man in linen lifts His hands toward the Father in heaven and “Sware by Him that liveth for ever”. When God could sware by no greater, He swore to Himself (Heb. 6:13). This is what was taking place between the Father and the Son. We can know and trust by this that the TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE (Jeremiah 30:7) will be no longer than 3 and one half years. Remember there are six purposes for this trial for the Jews listed in chapter 9:24. The Jews will flee Jerusalem during the tribulation and some will be saved, ie., trust Jesus as their Messiah.

Daniel is still very curious. The Lord tells him, “God about doing your business” or “Go on your way”, those things are sealed up until the end.

 

AS TIME DRAWS TO A CLOSE THE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST WILL BECOME MORE CLEAN AND HOLY; WHILE THE WICKED WILL GET MORE AND MORE WICKED (v. 10). NOTE: This could refer to the 3.5 years of the first half of the tribulation.

Where sin abounds grace does much more abound (Romans 5:20). It will also be so at this horrendous time in human history. While believers will be being made righteous, the wicked will get more and more wicked. They will be blinded by the events while the believing remnant will become more and more wise, and more and more clean before the Lord God (2 Timothy 3:13 – “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived”).

 

THOSE LAST THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS WILL BE THE MOST TRYING FOR THE JEWS BUT THERE IS BLESSING FOR THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD (vv. 11-13). One thousand two hundred and ninety days equals 3.5 years. A Biblical year is measured in 360 days. There is no explanation for the ‘thousand three hundred and thirty five days’. Actually, the 1,290 days carries over about 30 more days. The 1,335 has a total carry over of about 75 days. There is no explanation for either. It could be a time of transition for the setting up of Messiah’s kingdom.

It is said of the 1,335 days that, “Blessed is he that waiteth…” for these days.

Once again the Lord tells Daniel, “Go thou thy way”. This is really instructions to carry on with your business that you do. We as Christians are not to go around with our head in the stars unaware of the world we live in. There are people who are dying, suffering, and headed into an eternity without Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Let us labor for our Lord in our work place, in our play, on vacation, or wherever we may be.

 

It is certain, at least to me, by the reading and study of Scripture that we are in the final days of the ‘last days’. The ‘last days’ began when Jesus came born of a virgin, was laid in a manger in Bethlehem, was worshipped by shepherds, and wisemen, and the angels. He has died, was buried, carrying our sins away, and He has risen just as He said. He also said that He would come again and receive us unto Himself. Know Jesus. Call on His name as Lord and Savior of your life.

MARANATHA…

 

 

Spiritual Warfare

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

 

Daniel 10:1-21

 

There are wars in our world today. That is no profound statement I realize that, but it is none the less true. We grieve over the war in Iraq, and the young soldiers who are dying, civilians dying, women and children included in that. No war is pleasant. It is not really pleasant to even speak of. Sometimes, as bad as it is, wars are necessary to stand against what is evil. I do not think any one in their right mind would say that, “The attack of September 11, 2001 was not an attack from evil“.

Ever since the beginning of man; Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden we have come under attack from evil. The world is still under the domain of the chief of all evil and that is the devil. He still has his demons working and influencing the leaders of the world, but all his work and efforts will be to no avail. The devil and his demons are a defeated foe. They were defeated on the cross where Jesus died and conquered evil there. Proof of that is in that He rose from the dead.

There is a warfare which we as Christians are fighting today. Some will say, “You said that Jesus had conquered evil, why are we still fighting a war against it?” Jesus did conquer evil, and that is part of the glory of the matter. We need to remember that we are not fighting for victory, we are fighting from the victory. “Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world.”

Paul the apostle told us, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” Eph. 6:10-12 (KJV). Paul also tells us that, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” 2 Cor. 10:4 (KJV).

Daniel was finding out about spiritual warfare.

AS WE LOOK AT THE TIME THAT DANIEL HAD THIS EXPERIENCE (v. 1). It was approximately two years after Cyrus had made the decree that the captives of Jerusalem could return to their homeland. In the book of Ezra we read, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,  Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.  Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem” Ezra 1:1-3 (KJV).

This event takes place a few years following the events of chapter 9, because we see at the beginning of chapter nine that it took place during the first year of Darius of the Medes.

It could be that Daniel may have written the document that gave the Israelites permission to return to Jerusalem. Remember Daniel was in the court of the king, so this may have been his responsibility.

 

THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF DANIEL’S MOURNING (vv. 2-3). It is not told us what it was that caused Daniel to mourn, specifically. We do know that it had been approximately two years since the decree had gone out for the people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

News had most likely came back to Daniel of the trying circumstances of the 50,000 Hebrews who returned to the land. There were other Hebrews who had never left who were mocking those who had returned, and were hindering the work of the temple. There was a spiritual battle raging in Jerusalem.

Daniel’s heart was greatly burdened. He was so burdened – maybe for a couple of reasons; First, he may have been burdened for the people’s circumstances in Jerusalem – the work had been hindered and stopped (Ezra 4:1-6). Secondly, Daniel was probably burdened to better understand the prophecies he had received. It is quite possible the battle in Jerusalem over the building of the temple is the scene of the battle between the angelic being (vv. 13 & 20). It seems to relate to an ongoing battle (v. 13b “…I remained there with the kings of Persia”, said the angel. Daniel, in fact, had spent 21 days in mourning and fasting, because of his sorrow, and desire to get God’s direction and will. The prayer was heard on the first day, but due to the spiritual battle Daniel endured in prayer and fasting until he received answer.

Fasting seems to have been an almost forgotten practice. Private fasting, where there is no self aggrandizement, is a practice that Christians need to begin practicing in order to be overcomers in the life of faith.

Let us never forget to pray for our nation’s leaders. It could very well be that there are evil spirits directing the hearts of evil men and hindering the works of godly men. In fact the Bible is clear about that. Let us always beware to never pray to angels nor worship them – they are servants of God and servants to us as well. We are to worship and pray to God alone.

 

DANIEL’S PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD (vv. 4-9). The appearance of this “…Certain man” seems to be almost identical to the description given of Jesus in the Revelation, “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:“ Rev 1:12-17 (KJV).

It is because of this that many, including myself see this ‘certain man’ as a Christ phony – a pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus Christ. It would be similar to His appearance in the fiery furnace with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. This revelation took place while Daniel was walking by the river Hiddekel. Sometimes when one becomes burdened a walk in a place of quietness brings the best encounters with God. What an encounter it was. This is the first time Daniel has a personal visit from our Lord, at least that is recorded.

Even though they did not see the One whom Daniel saw, the men with Daniel fled and hid, because they realized something was going on and it was too great for them to stay around (vv. 7-8). The vision was so awe-inspiring Daniel had no strength. He heard His voice. Being so weakened and overcome by His presence Daniel went into a deep sleep. We should in no way consider this “deep sleep” as bad on Daniel’s part. From the excitement he may have blacked out and lost consciousness. Sometimes it is when our minds are resting in the Lord we are renewed, refreshed, and revived. NOTE, Daniel’s position “…My face toward the ground.” Most likely this “deep sleep” was probably the same type “deep sleep” God put on Adam when He created Eve”. So it was a God induced sleep.

 

DANIEL IS TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL (vv. 10-21). It does not say it clearly but most likely the hand that touched Daniel was the hand of Gabriel the angel who had spoken to him previously (8:16; 9:20-23).

NOTICE: The words this angel speaks to Daniel; “…A man greatly beloved” is spoken twice in this chapter (vv. 11 & 19) and one other time in the previous chapter (9:23). He says, “Fear not” twice (vv. 12, 19). “Peace be unto thee”, and “Be strong, be strong”. A double admonition.

Why Daniel prayed for twenty one days – the Spiritual Warfare. The angel was hindered by the “prince of Persia”. This could not have been a mere man which the angel of God was battling. It had to have been a “demon angel” appointed by satan over the kingdom of Persia. If Daniel had quit praying this ‘prince of Persia’ could have won the battle. Let us never cease praying for God’s will to be accomplished in His people and in the governments of men. Because of Daniel’s unceasing, fervent prayer the angel came with an answer. Delayed prayers are FAITH TESTING and FAITH BUILDING prayers. Daniel was touched three times by the angel (vv. 10, 16, and 18).

There are some who believe that this whole encounter was with the pre-incarnate Christ. It cannot be – because Jesus would not need the help of Michael. Jesus could, but speak the word, “Be gone” and that demon would flee. There is no doubt in my mind that from verses ten through verse 21 the one who touched Daniel was an angel, and most likely Gabriel, who had spoken to him previously.

The angel came to give Daniel understanding of what the “latter days” held for the Hebrews, and Gentile nations.

The angel speaks of returning to battle the ‘prince of Persia’. He tells Daniel that the ‘prince of Greece’ is on the way. It almost seems the angel encourages Daniel to keep praying. PLEASE REREAD EPHESIANS 6:10-18.

Let us as the Church of Jesus Christ keep praying too. Let’s pray for forgiveness of our own sin, confess them and repent. Let’s pray for those who are lost. Jesus is coming soon and the prince of darkness is working harder than ever before. MARANATHA.